Blog

MIL-OSI: Aktia’s interim report for January–September will be published on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 8.00 a.m.

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Aktia Bank Plc
Press release
23 October 2024 at 1.00 p.m.

Aktia’s interim report for January–September will be published on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 8.00 a.m.

Aktia’s interim report for January–September 2024 will be published on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 8.00 a.m. (EET). The interim report is available at Aktia’s website http://www.aktia.com after the publication.

Briefing for analysts, investors and media

Aktia’s briefing for analysts, investors and media will be held in English at Flik Studio Eliel (Sanoma House, 1^st floor, Töölönlahdenkatu 2, Helsinki) on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 10.30 a.m. Aktia’s CEO Aleksi Lehtonen and interim CFO Karri Varis will be presenting the results. Attendees are kindly asked to register before 1 November 2024 by email at the address ir@aktia.fi.

The briefing can be seen live as a webcast or as a recording after the briefing at https://aktia.videosync.fi/aktia-pankki-oyj-q3-report-2024. Questions can be asked in writing during the live webcast.

The presentation material in English is available at Aktia’s website http://www.aktia.com before the briefing.

Aktia Bank Plc

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

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

Aktia is a Finnish asset manager, bank and life insurer that has been creating wealth and wellbeing from one generation to the next for 200 years. We serve our customers in digital channels everywhere and face-to-face in our offices in the Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Vaasa and Oulu regions. Our award-winning asset management business sells investment funds internationally. We employ approximately 850 people around Finland. Aktia’s assets under management (AuM) on 30 June 2024 amounted to EUR 14.1 billion, and the balance sheet total was EUR 12.4 billion. Aktia’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (AKTIA). aktia.com.

The MIL Network –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: Panopto Adds Generative AI Text-to-Video Creation Capabilities Through Its Acquisition of Elai

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Panopto, the global leader in AI-powered video creation and management solutions, announced its acquisition of Elai, a revolutionary AI text-to-video platform that quickly generates engaging video content for learning with on-screen interactive playback, easy-to-use creator studio tools, and advanced avatar-based learning capabilities, including custom avatars and voice cloning options. With the addition of Elai’s AI video creation solution, the Panopto platform is the only secure video solution capable of supporting the full video learning lifecycle from creation and management to sharing and measuring impact.

Founded in 2021 and based in Lewes, Delaware, Elai serves more than 2,000 global customers in a variety of industries, ranging from manufacturers of personal care products, medical equipment and industrial machinery to software companies, hospitals and universities. Elai’s guided storyboard scriptwriting, custom avatar-building, and personal design features, powered by text-to-video AI, support the creation of accessible learning content, helping organizations and institutions create more equitable learning experiences.

Through this acquisition, Panopto addresses the growing challenges faced by learning experience designers and content creators, who are under pressure to produce engaging, personalized, and interactive content faster than ever. Traditional content creation is time-consuming, while modern learners demand immediacy and relevance, often leaving materials outdated before they can be fully utilized.

With the power of generative AI, Panopto revolutionizes content creation by improving speed, efficiency, and quality. Now, with lifelike avatars delivering scripts in any language, integrated quizzes, interactivity and branching options, instructors and subject matter experts can create dynamic learning experiences quickly. Panopto’s smart chaptering and intelligent search features ensure that these innovative, personalized materials reach the right learners exactly when needed.

“Generative AI transforms how enterprise organizations work and learn, operationalize teams, innovate processes, and engage with their employees. With traditional training methods, creating learning content at scale can be cumbersome and costly,” said Jason Beam, CEO at Panopto. “With the capabilities of Elai added to the Panopto platform, we’re equipping our customers with a complete solution to create, deliver and personalize the video learning journey.”

“Elai is excited to join forces with Panopto and continue our mission to support agile training models that meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving future,” said Vitalii Romanchenko, CEO and Founder at Elai. “Engaging content is foundational to learning and Panopto shares our vision of user-friendly AI innovation that simplifies content creation and inspires users across all organizations to turn bright ideas into learning content worth sharing.”

“Workforces are getting smarter, especially with new technologies that optimize the delivery of scalable training, like AI-generative content,” said Jim Lundy, Aragon Research CEO and Founder. “Platforms like Panopto, with their recent acquisition of Elai and integrated video learning capabilities, provide a range of options for organizations seeking to create and deliver training content. While these advancements offer potential benefits in terms of efficiency and scalability, it’s important for business leaders to carefully evaluate their specific needs and consider the full range of available solutions.”

About Panopto
Panopto is the leading AI-powered video learning platform for organizations of all sizes, from modern workforces to college campuses. With fully integrated generative AI creator tools and publishing and engagement features, Panopto transforms ideas, lectures, training, and events into on-demand and accessible learning experiences, empowering organizations to design a smarter future of working and learning with video. To learn more, visit Panopto.com.

About Elai
Elai enables enterprises and institutions to create high-quality video content quickly and efficiently, revolutionizing traditional video production. An AI-powered text-to-video platform that offers interactive playback, intuitive creator tools, and advanced avatar-based learning, including custom avatars and voice cloning – Elai is a game-changer for organizations that prioritize learning. For more, visit Elai.io.

Contact:
Rebecca Reese
Panopto@meetkickstand.com
(603) 305-4155

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2febcb2-58e3-42c9-a112-6124b210f211

The MIL Network –

January 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Prabowo’s presidency sparks fear and faint hope in Indonesia’s contested Papua

By Victor Mambor in Jayapura

With Prabowo Subianto, a controversial former general installed as Indonesia’s new president, residents in the disputed Papua region were responding to this reality with anxiety and, for some, cautious optimism.

The remote and resource-rich region has long been a flashpoint for conflict, with its people enduring decades of alleged military abuse and human rights violations under Indonesian rule and many demanding independence.

With Prabowo now in charge, many Papuans fear that their future will be marked by further violence and repression.

In Papua — a region known as “West Papua” in the Pacific — views on Prabowo, whose military record is both celebrated by nationalists and condemned by human rights activists, range from apathy to outright alarm.

Many Papuans remain haunted by past abuses, particularly those associated with Indonesia’s counterinsurgency campaigns that began after Papua was incorporated into Indonesia in 1969 through a disputed UN-backed referendum.

For people like Maurids Yansip, a private sector employee in Sentani, Prabowo’s rise to the presidency is a cause for serious concern.

“I am worried,” Yansip said. “Prabowo talked about using a military approach to address Papua’s issues during the presidential debates.

‘Military worsened hunman rights’
“We’ve seen how the military presence has worsened the human rights situation in this region. That’s not going to solve anything — it will only lead to more violations.”

In Jayapura, the region’s capital, Musa Heselo, a mechanic at a local garage, expressed indifference toward the political changes unfolding in Jakarta.

“I didn’t vote in the last election—whether for the president or the legislature,” Heselo said.

“Whoever becomes president is not important to me, as long as Papua remains safe so we can make a living. I don’t know much about Prabowo’s background.”

But such nonchalance is rare in a region where memories of military crackdowns run deep.

Prabowo, a former son-in-law of Indonesia’s late dictator Suharto, has long been a polarising figure. His career, marked by accusations of human rights abuses, particularly during Indonesia’s occupation of Timor-Leste, continues to evoke strong reactions.

In 1996, during his tenure with the elite Indonesian Army special forces unit, Kopassus, Prabowo commanded a high-stakes rescue of 11 hostages from a scientific research team held by Free Papua Movement (OPM) fighters.

Deadly operation
The operation was deadly, resulting in the deaths of two hostages and eight pro-independence fighters.

Markus Haluk, executive secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), described Prabowo’s presidency as a grim continuation of what he calls a “slow-motion genocide” of the Papuan people.

“Prabowo’s leadership will extend Indonesia’s occupation of Papua,” Haluk said, his tone resolute.

“The genocide, ethnocide, and ecocide will continue. We remember our painful history — this won’t be forgotten. We could see military operations return. This will make things worse.”

Although he has never been convicted and denies any involvement in abuses in East Timor or Papua, these allegations continue to cast a shadow over his political rise.

He ran for president in 2014 and again in 2019, both times unsuccessfully. His most recent victory, which finally propels him to Indonesia’s highest office, has raised questions about the future of Papua.

President Prabowo Subianto greets people as he rides in a car after his inauguration in Jakarta, Indonesia, last Sunday. Image: Asprilla Dwi Adha/Antara Foto

Despite these concerns, some see Prabowo’s presidency as a potential turning point — albeit a fraught one. Elvira Rumkabu, a lecturer at Cendrawasih University in Jayapura, is among those who view his military background as a possible double-edged sword.

Prabowo’s military experience ‘may help’
“Prabowo’s military experience and strategic thinking could help control the military in Papua and perhaps even manage the ultranationalist forces in Jakarta that oppose peace,” Rumkabu told BenarNews.

“But I also worry that he might delegate important issues, like the peace agenda in Papua, to his vice-president.”

Under outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Papua’s development was often portrayed as a priority, but the reality on the ground told a different story. While Jokowi made high-profile visits to the region, his administration’s reliance on military operations to suppress pro-independence movements continued.

“This was a pattern we saw under Jokowi, where Papua’s problems were relegated to lower levels, diminishing their urgency,” Rumkabu said.

In recent years, clashes between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) have escalated, with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire.

Yohanes Mambrasar, a human rights activist based in Sorong, expressed grave concerns about the future under Prabowo.

“Prabowo’s stance on strengthening the military in Papua was clear during his campaign,” Mambrasar said.

Called for ‘more troops, weapons’
“He called for more troops and more weapons. This signals a continuation of militarized policies, and with it, the risk of more land grabs and violence against indigenous Papuans.”

Earlier this month, Indonesian military chief Gen. Agus Subiyanto inaugurated five new infantry battalions in Papua, stating that their mandate was to support both security operations and regional development initiatives.

Indeed, the memory of past military abuses looms large for many in Papua, where calls for independence have never abated.

During a presidential debate, Prabowo vowed to strengthen security forces in Papua.

“If elected, my priority will be to uphold the rule of law and reinforce our security presence,” he said, framing his approach as essential to safeguarding the local population.

Yet, amid the fears, some see opportunities for positive change.

Yohanes Kedang from the Archdiocese of Merauke said that improving the socio-economic conditions of indigenous Papuans must be a priority for Prabowo.

Education, health care ‘left behind’
“Education, healthcare, and the economy — these are areas where Papuans are still far behind,” he said.

“This will be Prabowo’s real challenge. He needs to create policies that bring real improvements to the lives of indigenous Papuans, especially in the southern regions like Merauke, which has immense potential.”

Theo Hesegem, executive director of the Papua Justice and Human Integrity Foundation, believes that dialogue is key to resolving the region’s long-standing issues.

“Prabowo has the power to address the human rights violations in Papua,” Hesegem said.

“But he needs to listen. He should come to Papua and sit down with the people here — not just with officials, but with civil society, with the people on the ground,” he added.

“Jokowi failed to do that. If Prabowo wants to lead, he must listen to their voices.”

Pizaro Gozali Idrus in Jakarta contributed to the report. Copyright © 2015-2024, BenarNews. Republished with the permission of BenarNews.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: NRRP: institutional meetings and technical working groups to be held from today until 24 October as part of the sixth visit by the European Commission

Source: Government of Italy (English)

Vai al Contenuto Raggiungi il piè di pagina

21 Ottobre 2024

The sixth visit by the European Commission to discuss in detail the next stages of implementation of Italy’s NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) is planned from today until Thursday 24 October.

Around forty working groups will be held, focusing on the Plan’s strategic measures, the new REPowerEU mission, and the progress of reforms and investments. The meetings will closely examine the milestones and targets for the seventh instalment and for the last three instalments of Italy’s NRRP, while the verification phase is finalised regarding the milestones and targets for the sixth instalment in order to allow its disbursement.

The visit, which has been coordinated by the NRRP task force at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in constructive cooperation with the European Commission services, will see the active participation of the ministries and institutions involved. The meetings are part of the well-established dialogue which provides for the planning of strategic events for coordination and liaison between the European Commission services and Member States, in order to allow for timely verification of the implementation status of National Recovery and Resilience Plans.
Technical working groups on specific topics with all administrations involved will be held together with high-level institutional meetings, all of which are of significant importance ahead of Italy submitting the payment request for the seventh instalment of its NRRP. The aim is to share with the European Commission the path that will lead Italy to achieve the important objectives set by the Plan.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement on Defence – Joint Communique
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

A commitment to improve and enhance bilateral defence co-operation between the Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In July this year, the Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland committed to improve and further enhance bilateral defence co-operation to better meet the common challenges of the 21st Century and to best secure the common interests of both countries in defence-related areas. We outlined escalating security concerns, exacerbated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We said that the deteriorating strategic environment demanded a unified response to ensure the preservation of European security.

As we confront these challenges together with Allies and partners, we are guided by our shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Recognising the imperative for closer collaboration in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges and shared security threats, we aim to promote stability on NATO’s eastern flank, in Europe as a whole, and beyond for the Euro-Atlantic area. Strategic defence co-operation is an important first pillar in the new relationship between Germany and the United Kingdom, which will be codified in the forthcoming bilateral treaty in 2025.

Recognising the imperative, we have worked at pace to create our response through this historic, first-of-its kind, defence agreement between our two great nations. Our shared strategic objective is to sustain effective deterrence against would-be aggressors by building credible, resilient defence forces and defence industries, working towards the vision of a peaceful and stable Euro-Atlantic area. To do this, our agreement will become a crucial element in the broader architecture of European security; it is explicitly designed to support our Allies and strengthen the European contribution to NATO. In particular, it complements our respective existing bilateral agreements with France, laying the foundation for increasingly close co-operation between the E3.

Through this agreement, we have brought focus, resource, and ambition to our previously stated objectives: Strengthening Defence Industries, Reinforcing Euro-Atlantic Security, Enhancing Interoperability, Addressing Emerging Threats, Supporting Ukraine, and Deep Precision Strike. In addition to new governance structures, we will bring these objectives to life through the creation of totemic lighthouse projects, which will serve as beacons for unprecedented levels of co-operation and integration between our respective Armed Forces.

Deep Precision Strike and Defence: The UK and Germany will work jointly to rapidly develop extended Deep Precision Strike capabilities, to provide a conventional deterrent in Europe and strengthen European Integrated Air and Missile Defence. We will do this in the short term through:

Undertaking a comprehensive exercise to compare capability needs and identify synergies.

Developing common requirements and military doctrine to aid the development of long-range systems, working in co-operation with Allies and partners, in particular through the European Long Range Strike Approach.

Identifying opportunities for industrial collaboration and investment to achieve closer working on countering threats through Integrated Air and Missile Defence.

And in the medium term through:

Joint development and procurement of new extended Deep Precision Strike capabilities in close co-ordination with Allies and partners, giving special focus to new capabilities which far exceed today’s ranges.

Joint development of a common approach to deploying extended Deep Precision Strike in all physical domains.

Cohering Integrated Air and Missile Defence activity through the European Sky Shield Initiative, NATO’s Multinational Procurement Initiatives, and the UK’s DIAMOND initiative.

Uncrewed Aerial Systems and Future Connectivity: The UK and Germany will work jointly, in close co-ordination with Allies and partners, to develop and employ Uncrewed Aerial and Offboard Air Systems to ensure interoperability between Future Combat Air Systems. We will do this in the short term through:

Joint integration of common missile systems into drone fleets to enhance precision strike capabilities, drawing benefit from each nations’ previous experience, e.g. the integration of Brimstone to UK Uncrewed Air Systems.

Sharing plans on integration of capabilities between Current and Future Combat Air Systems, to enable development of interoperable offboard systems.

And in the medium term through:

Joint exploration and development of cross-system Combat Cloud capabilities across aircraft fleets.

Joint exploration and development of new Maritime Uncrewed Air System capabilities.

Joint exploration and development of common offboard systems compatible with respective Future Combat Air Systems to enable, inter alia, data sharing, to support interoperability and integration of those systems.

Supporting implementation of NATO-agreed common standards to ensure connectivity and collaboration between fighter aircraft, reinforcing inter-generation and (un)crewed teaming.

Strengthening the Eastern Flank through a new Land Strategic Partnership: Using our Forward Land Forces and shared enduring commitment to NATO’s eastern flank as a catalyst, the UK and Germany will work to strengthen NATO by developing doctrine, uncrewed systems, and enabling capabilities to transform our land forces; sustaining continuous land-based deterrence within Europe. We will do this in the short term through:

Working jointly in the Armour Capability Coalition to drive innovation in the land domain, through support to Ukraine.

Working jointly with Canada and the Baltic States, including through the 3+3 format, to rapidly transform the capability and effectiveness of our respective Forward Land Forces and tap the full potential of synergies of the Forward Land Forces in the Baltic States

Co-ordination of UK and German exercises between the Forward Land Forces, with the goal of combined exercises.

Working together to tackle the challenges in the shortage of NATO Corps troops across the Alliance. Equipping, training, and exercising the German-British Amphibious Engineer Battalion 130 in Minden to fulfil tasks as one entity within the NATO Force Model.

Fostering a deep Industrial Partnership between UK and German Defence Industries, including assisting respective prime contractors wishing to expand production facilities in each other’s countries. Our will to develop industrial co-operation is illustrated by developing plans between the UK MOD and Rheinmetall for a new barrel factory to be opened in the UK, further strengthening the defence industrial links between the UK and Germany.

Close collaboration in the BOXER User Group, conducting regular consultations on the “strategic pipeline”, and joint exploration of new capabilities and variants, striving for a closer exchange of BOXER In-Service-Experience topics, and close co-operation in the area of BOXER training and operation. Beyond BOXER, we will pursue joint procurement and through-life capability management initiatives around land vehicles.

And in the medium term through:

Joint development of common offboard systems for Future Ground Combat Systems to support interoperability between those systems, in co-ordination with Allies and Partners

Joint development of military doctrines for future land warfighting, supported by Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Disruptive Technologies.

Undersea Co-operation in the Northern Seas: The UK and Germany will work jointly to strengthen UK-German naval co-operation with a focus on the North Atlantic and North Sea. We will aim to establish and share a clear and concise picture of underwater activity, significantly contributing to the protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure and Sea Lines of Communications. We will do this in the short term through:

Co-ordination of combined and joint operations in the North Atlantic, in close co-operation with Allies and partners, focussing on Anti-Submarine Warfare with ships, submarines, and aircraft. We will enable forward deployments of each other’s units and goods between our countries when required.

Episodic deployments of German P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft in the UK to support interoperability and collaborative Anti-Submarine Warfare operations in the North Atlantic, following their entry into service.

Joint development of common training for our Maritime Patrol Aircraft crews.

Promoting a common co-operative procurement of the UK’s Lightweight Torpedo STINGRAY MOD 2 for our Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Contributing to the strengthening of NATO’s work strand on Critical Undersea Infrastructure.

And in the medium term through:

Exploring new offboard undersea surveillance capabilities to improve detection of adversary activity and support the protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, supported by Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Disruptive Technologies.

In addition, we are committed to working together for as long as it takes to support and enable Ukraine to counter Russian aggression. Our combined will is unequivocal, we will continue to ensure Ukraine has the military capabilities it requires. Our specialist teams and our Defence Industries will work ever more closely to ensure that Ukraine will prevail and achieve a fair and lasting peace. In the short term, we will collectively provide Ukraine with a new offensive capability, supporting fitting German donated Sea King Helicopters with modern missile systems. In the longer term, we will work increasingly closely through the Capability Coalitions for Ukraine using the lessons learnt there to continuously develop our co-operation. The UK will increase its support to the German and Polish-led Armour Coalition, Germany will support the UK and Latvian led drone coalition.

Through our agreed mechanisms, enhanced dialogue, and increased political leadership, we will drive co-operation for decades to come. We will regularly review the content and our collaboration. We will consistently raise our ambitions to meet tomorrow’s threats wherever they come from: on Land, at Sea, or in the Air, in Space or in the Cyber domain; and irrespective of whether these threats are caused by hostile actors or are a result of natural disasters or Climate Change.

We will confront such threats across all domains and between each of our Armed Forces and joint organisations, with co-operation in Cyber, Communications, and Information Systems forming the backbone and connective tissue required to embark on such an ambitious programme of work.

John Healey Boris Pistorius

Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom Federal Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany

Related information

UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement on Defence

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Published 23 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: We invite students and young employees of the State University of Management to take part in the all-Russian survey on the topic of value orientations

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

The Department of Public and Municipal Administration of the State University of Management, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, is beginning to study the value orientations of Russian youth in 2024.

Part of this research is a nationwide youth survey, in which all interested students and young teachers of our university aged 14 to 35 are invited to participate. The research can be helped by distributing information among friends from other universities.

The survey is available at the link: https://anketolog.ru/s/868311/C21VB50m

According to the head of the research team, head of the department of state and municipal administration of the State University of Management Sergey Chuev, the scientific project will assess changes in the attitudes and guidelines of young people since 2017.

“Conducting this type of research allows us to dynamically assess a number of indicators in the youth environment, including changes in the life priorities of young people, the level of patriotism, and attitudes toward the most pressing social issues,” said Sergei Chuev.

This work will allow us to assess and significantly reduce the risks of deviant behavior of young people and unpredictable reactions of the student environment and its surroundings to various events at both the regional and federal levels.

Let us recall that this is the second such study by the State University of Management. Our university conducted the first one in 2017 as part of the preparation of the report to the Government of the Russian Federation “On the implementation of the state youth policy”. Results of the study.

Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 10.23.2024

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Expeditionary corps opens at GUU

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

On October 25 at 12:00, the State University of Management will host the grand opening of the student expeditionary corps, a public organization whose goal is to conduct student expeditions of historical, patriotic and environmental focus.

The grand opening will be attended by:

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky, Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev, Deputy Director General of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives Evgeny Murakhveli, Vice-Rector of the Russian Technical University MIREA Igor Tarasov, as well as invited guests and students.

The expedition team members will share their impressions, successes in the work they have done, and demonstrate their findings.

In 2024, the State University of Management joined the unique inter-university project “Arctic Team” and began to actively develop cooperation with RTU MIREA and other higher education institutions in organizing and conducting volunteer expeditions.

As a result of the expeditions, the remains of seven soldiers who died defending the borders of our Motherland were found and ceremoniously buried, two unique pillboxes (long-term firing points) were cleaned, which were part of the “Stalin Line” erected to protect the western borders of the USSR. Parts of German military equipment and insignia of German officers were found. In one of the pillboxes of the Sebezh fortified area, students of the State University of Management and the Russian Technical University of Radio Engineering and Electronics set up an exhibition, the exhibits of which are items from the Great Patriotic War found on the territory of the fortified area, and which can be visited during a shift as part of an organized excursion.

Students of the State University of Management took part in 10 expeditions, including search operations in the Sebezh fortified area at the sites of battles of the Great Patriotic War, went to the Arctic to clean up scrap metal – about 120 tons of scrap metal were collected, helped restore a kindergarten in the territory of the ethno-settlement “Land of Hope” (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug).

Having assessed the high activity and involvement of students in expedition trips, a decision was made to open our own expeditionary corps in order to expand the possibilities and geography of travel.

We are waiting for everyone on October 25 at 12:00 at the Information Technology Center of the State University of Management.

Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 10/25/2024

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: USEE attends Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

USEE attends Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference (with photos)
USEE attends Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference (with photos)
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The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, attended the Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference in Qingdao today (October 23) and was invited to speak at a thematic forum. The Conference was organised by the National Energy Administration and the Shandong Provincial People’s Government. The theme of the Conference this year is “Together for an Innovative and Win-Win Future”, promoting high-quality green energy co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative. In delivering her speech at the “Embracing the Green Development Trend and Enhancing Innovation in Energy Policy and Mechanism” thematic forum, Miss Wong highlighted the energy policy measures of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to support the country’s contribution to combating global climate change, as well as the decarbonisation strategies to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. Miss Wong said, “The HKSAR Government is actively developing renewable energy, exploring new energy sources for electricity generation and strengthening regional co-operation, with a view to increasing zero-carbon electricity supply, reducing carbon emissions at source and achieving the goal of carbon neutrality in the long run. Our country’s headway in building a sustainable future is also providing the HKSAR with bountiful development opportunities. With our country’s development of top-notch green products and advanced technologies, the HKSAR Government could leverage our unique position and distinctive edge to play a pivotal role in stepping up efforts to promote new energy.” She added that the Chief Executive has promulgated the 2024 Policy Address, themed “Reform for Enhancing Development and Building Our Future Together”, with the announcement that the HKSAR Government will earmark around $750 million under the New Energy Transport Fund to subsidise the taxi trade and franchised bus companies to purchase electric vehicles, and will launch the Subsidy Scheme for Trials of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Heavy Vehicles. Furthermore, the HKSAR Government will earmark $300 million for a new scheme, providing subsidies to the private sector for installing fast-charging facilities. The target is to have a total of 3 000 fast chargers installed by 2030. Regarding hydrogen energy development, the HKSAR Government announced the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong in June and will actively support the industry to establish a solar-to-hydrogen facility for demonstration. It also plans to introduce a bill next year to ensure the safe use of hydrogen fuel, and will also formulate the approach of hydrogen standard certification suitable to Hong Kong. She said that co-operation between the Government and various parties is crucial for spearheading innovation, enacting policies, and cultivating an environment conducive to green transformation. The HKSAR Government will work together with nearby cities and regions under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to actualise a sustainable future. Miss Wong will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning (October 24).

Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 18:12

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Smart Traffic Fund approves seven projects

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Smart Traffic Fund approves seven projects
Smart Traffic Fund approves seven projects
******************************************

The Transport Department (TD) today (October 23) announced that a 16th batch of seven projects has been approved by the Management Committee on Smart Traffic Fund, involving a total grant of around $86.4 million. The seven approved projects in the latest batch cover safety enhanced autonomous driving artificial intelligence bus with self intelligence, smart taxi ecosystem for efficient electric taxi operations, dynamic reward mechanism for taxi drivers, driving risk detection for taxi, electric taxi dynamic charging solution, optimisation of taxi dispatching and reposition through real-time circumstances monitoring and next generation taxi operating system. Details of the projects are available on the Fund’s website (www.stf.hkpc.org). The Fund accepts applications throughout the year to provide funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and application of innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety. All applications are considered and assessed in batches by the Management Committee, which is chaired by the Deputy Commissioner for Transport (Planning and Technical Services) and comprises representatives from the Government, experts in the industry and relevant stakeholders. The TD appeals to interested organisations and enterprises for participation to help make the Fund a success, and to build Hong Kong into a more liveable and sustainable city by driving Hong Kong toward a new era of transportation. Application details are available on the Fund’s website. For enquiries, please contact the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the Secretariat of the Fund, on 2788 5536 or stf_sec@hkpc.org.

Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 18:15

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong and Mainland experts jointly study first discovery of dinosaur fossils in Hong Kong

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Development Bureau (DEVB) and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) today (October 23) signed the Framework Agreement on Deepening Exchange and Collaboration regarding Stratigraphy, Palaeontology and Prehistoric Sites (Framework Agreement) to conduct scientific research, specimen management and identification, training, and exchanges in the fields of palaeontology, palaeoanthropology and palaeolithic sites. The study of dinosaur fossils discovered on Port Island is the inaugural project under the Framework Agreement.

Witnessed by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, the Framework Agreement was signed by the Commissioner for Heritage of the DEVB, Mr Ivanhoe Chang, and the Vice Director of the IVPP of the CAS, Mr Liu Jun.

Dinosaur fossils were discovered for the first time in Hong Kong. The site is on Port Island in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark in the northeastern waters of Hong Kong. Ms Linn said that the discovery is of great significance and provides new evidence for research on palaeoecology in Hong Kong.

The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) of the DEVB was informed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) in March this year that the sedimentary rock on Port Island might contain suspected vertebrate fossils. The DEVB then commissioned experts from the IVPP to come to Hong Kong to conduct field investigation, study fossil specimens, recommend management plans and discuss follow-up actions.

Experts from the IVPP, officers from the DEVB, the AMO and the AFCD conducted site visits to Port Island to collect specimens which contain suspected vertebrate fossils. After taking a preliminary osteohistological analysis of specimens by the IVPP experts, the specimens have been identified as bone fossils of large aged dinosaur. Thereafter, IVPP experts prepared specimens containing dinosaur bone fossils, and it was initially confirmed that the fossils dated to the Cretaceous period (about 145 million to 66 million years ago). Further studies will have to be conducted to confirm the species of the dinosaur.

The AMO and the AFCD, together with the IVPP, will jointly take forward the study of dinosaur fossils, including excavation of the fossils on Port Island and preparation of the fossils. They will also collaborate with universities in Hong Kong and other places to conduct scientific research, and construct the story of dinosaurs in Hong Kong.

The AMO will hold talks tomorrow (October 24) afternoon at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre (HKHDC), where experts from the IVPP will talk about dinosaurs in China and relevant research. Participants will have the chance to preview the dinosaur fossils prepared at the HKHDC after the talks. The dinosaur fossils will be on public display at the HKHDC from October 25. In addition, the temporary workshop and exhibition space being built in the courtyard of the HKHDC is expected to open by the end of this year for the public to observe the experts’ preparation work and the fossils prepared. The Government will also devise plans for the long-term display of the fossils to enhance the public’s interest and knowledge in palaeontology.

To facilitate future investigations, excavations and research on Port Island, the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation announced the closure of the entire area of Port Island within Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park from today until further notice pursuant to the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations (Cap. 208A). Patrols have been arranged together with the Marine Police. During the closure of Port Island, except approved experts and relevant personnel, no person shall land or enter Port Island. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and three months’ imprisonment upon conviction.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CEDD deeply saddened by passing of worker

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, today (October 23) was deeply saddened by the passing of a subcontractor’s worker who fell into the sea at the Tuen Mun Area 38 Fill Bank earlier. Mr Fong expressed his deepest condolences to the deceased’s family. The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) is working with the contractor to provide appropriate assistance to the deceased’s family.

     The worker fell into the sea after assisting with the berthing of a vessel on October 21. The Fire Services Department recovered a body underwater around 7.30am today near a pier at the Tuen Mun Area 38 Fill Bank. The body was later confirmed to be the worker who fell into the sea and went missing earlier.

     The CEDD is rendering full assistance to investigations by the Labour Department and the Police on the cause of the incident. The CEDD requires contractors and subcontractors to strictly comply with safety guidelines. After the incident, the CEDD immediately requested the contractor and subcontractor to suspend relevant works and carry out a thorough review on safety measures to prevent a reoccurrence of similar incidents.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SWD highly concerned about incident of suspected abuse of service users by RCHD staff

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

SWD highly concerned about incident of suspected abuse of service users by RCHD staff
SWD highly concerned about incident of suspected abuse of service users by RCHD staff
*************************************************************************************

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) stated today (October 23) that it is highly concerned about an incident of suspected abuse of service users by a staff member of a residential care home for persons with disabilities (RCHD). The RCHD and the organisation concerned have been requested to conduct a thorough investigation and submit improvement plans to avoid similar incidents from happening again and protect the well-being of service users. The subject RCHD submitted special incident reports to the Licensing Office of Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities of the SWD in August, reporting that a male staff member was suspected of having abused two service users while he was on duty. The RCHD had made a report to the Police and terminated the employment of the relevant staff member. The male staff member concerned had been arrested by the Police. Legal proceedings are underway. The SWD took immediate follow-up actions upon noting the incident, including deployment of officers to conduct an unannounced inspection at the RCHD as well as requesting the operator to handle the incident in a serious manner and suitably follow up on the emotional and welfare needs of the two victims and their families. To express deep concern over the incident, the Labour and Welfare Bureau and the SWD met with the Council of Management and the management of the operator and received a briefing about the handling of the incident. A warning letter has also been issued by the SWD to the operator, which is required to submit a detailed investigation report and implement a series of improvement measures to ensure proper care and protection for the service users and prevent similar incidents. These measures include a manpower review by the operator, enhancement of supervision by management officers on the operation of the RCHD, provision of strengthened guidance and training for frontline staff and persistent supervision over the work ethics of staff members. The SWD noted that the operator has formed an independent review committee to look into its measures to protect service users. The SWD looks forward to the early completion of the review and the implementation of the improvement measures in a serious manner. To enhance RCHDs’ vigilance and raise the understanding of RCHD staff members on the prevention and handling of abuse incidents, the SWD hosted a sharing session on October 9 for management officers and staff members of all RCHDs on protecting residents from being abused. Relevant training will continue to be provided to the staff of RCHDs. Meanwhile, the SWD has strengthened the requirement on RCHDs’ monitoring and review of CCTV to further safeguard the well-being of the service users. The SWD will continue to monitor the operation and service quality of the RCHD concerned and urge the RCHD to earnestly implement the improvement measures.

Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2024Issued at HKT 18:30

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Iraqi Security Forces Target, Kill Multiple Senior ISIS Members, with Support from CJTF-OIR Forces

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

Oct. 23, 2024
Release Number 20241023-01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – During the early morning of Oct. 22, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), enabled by Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), conducted strikes and follow on raids on multiple ISIS locations in Central Iraq, targeting several senior ISIS leaders and killing at least seven ISIS operatives.

During the Iraqi-led operation, two U.S. military personnel were wounded while assisting Iraqi forces with site exploitation. They are in stable condition.

CJTF-OIR also provided technical support and intelligence that enabled the missions, which will disrupt and degrade ISIS attack networks in Iraq.

The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service, detachments from Iraq’s National Security Service, under the supervision and planning of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, successfully conducted the raids on the ISIS locations.

“U.S. Central Command, alongside our coalition and Iraqi partners, will aggressively pursue ISIS and other terrorists that pose a threat to US forces, allies, partners, and security in the region,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander.

MIL Security OSI –

January 24, 2025

John Healey	Boris Pistorius
Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom	Federal Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany

MIL-OSI: TransUnion Announces Third Quarter 2024 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Exceeded third quarter 2024 financial guidance for revenue and earnings
Accelerated revenue growth to 12 percent, driven by U.S. Financial Services, Insurance, Consumer Interactive and International, while executing on technology modernization and transformation program savings
Voluntarily prepaid $25 million in debt, bringing total prepayments to $105 million in 2024
Raising 2024 financial guidance, we now expect to deliver 9 percent revenue growth for the year

CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) (the “Company”) today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Third Quarter 2024 Results

Revenue:

Total revenue for the quarter was $1,085 million, an increase of 12 percent (12 percent on a constant currency basis), compared with the third quarter of 2023.

Earnings:

Net income attributable to TransUnion was $68 million for the quarter, compared with a loss of $319 million for the third quarter of 2023. Diluted earnings per share was $0.35, compared with a loss per share of $1.65 in the third quarter of 2023. Net income attributable to TransUnion margin was 6.3 percent, compared with a loss of 32.9 percent in the third quarter of 2023. Our third quarter 2023 net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion, diluted loss per share and net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion margin were impacted by a $414 million non-cash goodwill impairment expense for our United Kingdom reporting unit in the period.
Adjusted Net Income was $205 million for the quarter, compared with $177 million for the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share was $1.04, compared with $0.91 in the third quarter of 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA was $394 million for the quarter, compared with $356 million for the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 11 percent (11 percent on a constant currency basis). Adjusted EBITDA margin was 36.3 percent, compared with 36.8 percent in the third quarter of 2023.

“In the third quarter, TransUnion exceeded financial guidance,” said Chris Cartwright, President and CEO. “U.S. Markets grew by double-digits against stable market conditions, driven by mortgage strength, improving non-mortgage financial services, accelerating insurance growth and large breach remediation wins. Our International segment delivered double-digit organic constant currency revenue growth across India, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa.”

“We continue to progress well against our transformation program. We now expect to capture $85 million of operating expense savings in 2024, driven by strong execution against our operating model optimization to expand our Global Capability Center network. Additionally, our technology modernization is accelerating our pace of innovation with several new capabilities and products launched in the quarter, powered by OneTru.”

“We are raising our 2024 guidance and now expect to deliver 9 percent revenue growth, reflecting third quarter outperformance, stronger mortgage volumes and broad-based strength across the portfolio.”

Third Quarter 2024 Segment Results

U.S. Markets:

U.S. Markets revenue was $848 million, an increase of 12 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.

Financial Services revenue was $367 million, an increase of 17 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.
Emerging Verticals revenue was $307 million, an increase of 3 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.
Consumer Interactive revenue was $174 million, an increase of 21 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA was $320 million, an increase of 9 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.

International:

International revenue was $242 million, an increase of 11 percent (12 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.

Canada revenue was $39 million, an increase of 7 percent (9 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
Latin America revenue was $33 million, an increase of 7 percent (13 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
United Kingdom revenue was $58 million, an increase of 6 percent (4 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
Africa revenue was $17 million, an increase of 12 percent (10 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
India revenue was $68 million, an increase of 21 percent (23 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
Asia Pacific revenue was $26 million, an increase of 11 percent (11 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA was $110 million, an increase of 14 percent (15 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents was $643 million at September 30, 2024 and $476 million at December 31, 2023.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $579 million, compared with $444 million in 2023. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to improved operating performance, partially offset by employee separation payments and a penalty paid for the early termination of a facility lease, both of which were in connection with our operating model optimization program. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash used in investing activities was $195 million, compared with $231 million in 2023. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was due primarily to prior year investments in non-consolidated affiliates and lower capital expenditures. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, capital expenditures were $199 million, compared with $213 million in 2023. Capital expenditures as a percent of revenue represented 6% and 7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash used in financing activities was $220 million, compared with $375 million in 2023. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to a decrease in debt prepayments.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Outlook

Our guidance is based on a number of assumptions that are subject to change, many of which are outside of the control of the Company, including general macroeconomic conditions, interest rates and inflation. There are numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve the results expressed by this guidance.

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2024						Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024
(in millions, except per share data)	Low			High			Low			High
Revenue, as reported	$	1,014		$	1,034		$	4,161		$	4,181
Revenue growth¹:
As reported		6	%		8	%		9	%		9	%
Constant currency^{1, 2}		6	%		8	%		8	%		9	%
Organic constant currency^{1, 3}		6	%		8	%		8	%		9	%

Net income attributable to TransUnion	$	65		$	77		$	284		$	295
Net income attributable to TransUnion growth		n/m			n/m			238	%		243	%
Net income attributable to TransUnion margin		6.4	%		7.4	%		6.8	%		7.1	%

Diluted Earnings per Share	$	0.34		$	0.39		$	1.45		$	1.51
Diluted Earnings per Share growth	n/m				n/m			237	%		243	%

Adjusted EBITDA, as reported⁵	$	360		$	375		$	1,488		$	1,503
Adjusted EBITDA growth, as reported⁴		10	%		15	%		11	%		12	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin		35.5	%		36.2	%		35.8	%		36.0	%

Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share⁵	$	0.92		$	0.98		$	3.87		$	3.93
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share growth		14	%		21	%		15	%		17	%

Additional revenue growth assumptions:
1. The impact of changing exchange rates is expected to have an insignificant impact for Q4 2024 and FY 2024.
2. There is no impact from recent acquisitions for Q4 2024 and FY 2024.
3. The impact of mortgage is expected to be approximately 5 points of benefit for Q4 2024 and approximately 4 points of benefit for FY 2024.
Constant currency growth rates assume foreign currency exchange rates are consistent between years. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Organic constant currency growth rates are constant currency growth excluding inorganic growth. Inorganic growth represents growth attributable to the first twelve months of activity for recent business acquisitions. There is no impact from recent business acquisitions in Q4 2024 and FY 2024.
Additional Adjusted EBITDA assumptions:
1. The impact of changing foreign currency exchange rates is expected to have an insignificant impact for Q4 2024 and FY 2024.
For a reconciliation of the above non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, refer to Schedule 7 of this Earnings Release.

Earnings Webcast Details

In conjunction with this release, TransUnion will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Central Time to discuss the business results for the quarter and certain forward-looking information. This session and the accompanying presentation materials may be accessed at http://www.transunion.com/tru. A replay of the call will also be available at this website following the conclusion of the call.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good^® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

http://www.transunion.com/business

Availability of Information on TransUnion’s Website

Investors and others should note that TransUnion routinely announces material information to investors and the marketplace using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the TransUnion Investor Relations website. While not all of the information that the Company posts to the TransUnion Investor Relations website is of a material nature, some information could be deemed to be material. Accordingly, the Company encourages investors, the media and others interested in TransUnion to review the information that it shares on http://www.transunion.com/tru.

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of TransUnion’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Any statements made in this earnings release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, including our guidance and descriptions of our business plans and strategies. These statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “suggest,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “target,” “project,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “potential,” “continues,” “seeks,” “predicts,” or the negatives of these words and other similar expressions.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, or that could materially affect our financial results or such forward-looking statements include:

macroeconomic effects and changes in market conditions, including the impact of inflation, risk of recession, and industry trends and adverse developments in the debt, consumer credit and financial services markets, including the impact on the carrying value of our assets in all of the markets where we operate;
our ability to provide competitive services and prices;
our ability to retain or renew existing agreements with large or long-term customers;
our ability to maintain the security and integrity of our data;
our ability to deliver services timely without interruption;
our ability to maintain our access to data sources;
government regulation and changes in the regulatory environment;
litigation or regulatory proceedings;
our ability to effectively manage our costs;
our efforts to execute our transformation plan and achieve the anticipated benefits and savings;
our ability to remediate existing material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;
economic and political stability in the United States and international markets where we operate;
our ability to effectively develop and maintain strategic alliances and joint ventures;
our ability to timely develop new services and the market’s willingness to adopt our new services;
our ability to manage and expand our operations and keep up with rapidly changing technologies;
our ability to acquire businesses, successfully secure financing for our acquisitions, timely consummate our acquisitions, successfully integrate the operations of our acquisitions, control the costs of integrating our acquisitions and realize the intended benefits of such acquisitions;
our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property, trade secrets and other forms of unpatented intellectual property;
our ability to defend our intellectual property from infringement claims by third parties;
geopolitical conditions and other risks associated with our international operations;
the ability of our outside service providers and key vendors to fulfill their obligations to us;
further consolidation in our end-customer markets;
the increased availability of free or inexpensive consumer information;
losses against which we do not insure;
our ability to make timely payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness;
our ability to satisfy covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness;
our ability to maintain our liquidity;
share repurchase plans; and
our reliance on key management personnel.

There may be other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this report in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

The forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release speak only as of the date of this earnings release. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this earnings release.

For More Information

TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share data)

	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	643.2		$	476.2
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance of $18.2 and $16.4		798.4			723.0
Other current assets		228.2			275.9
Total current assets		1,669.8			1,475.1
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $858.3 and $804.4		181.5			199.3
Goodwill		5,184.5			5,176.0
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $3,055.8 and $2,719.8		3,356.9			3,515.3
Other assets		661.1			739.4
Total assets	$	11,053.8		$	11,105.1
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	319.4		$	251.3
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt		66.5			89.6
Other current liabilities		609.8			661.8
Total current liabilities		995.7			1,002.7
Long-term debt		5,134.9			5,250.8
Deferred taxes		481.8			592.9
Other liabilities		120.2			153.2
Total liabilities		6,732.6			6,999.6
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1.0 billion shares authorized at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 201.4 million and 200.0 million shares issued at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and 194.9 million and 193.8 million shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		2.0			2.0
Additional paid-in capital		2,524.3			2,412.9
Treasury stock at cost, 6.6 million and 6.2 million shares at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		(333.0	)		(302.9	)
Retained earnings		2,312.6			2,157.1
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(289.5	)		(260.9	)
Total TransUnion stockholders’ equity		4,216.4			4,008.2
Noncontrolling interests		104.8			97.3
Total stockholders’ equity		4,321.2			4,105.5
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	11,053.8		$	11,105.1

TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenue	$	1,085.0		$	968.7		$	3,147.0		$	2,876.9
Operating expenses
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)		448.7			368.8			1,261.7			1,136.8
Selling, general and administrative		305.7			290.8			922.1			867.7
Depreciation and amortization		133.6			131.3			400.5			391.1
Goodwill impairment		—			414.0			—			414.0
Restructuring		40.5			—			66.8			—
Total operating expenses		928.6			1,205.0			2,651.0			2,809.6
Operating income (loss)		156.4			(236.3	)		495.9			67.3
Non-operating income and (expense)
Interest expense		(66.6	)		(72.7	)		(203.2	)		(217.2	)
Interest income		7.8			5.0			19.9			15.1
Earnings from equity method investments		4.7			3.7			14.0			11.7
Other (expense) and income, net		(5.4	)		8.7			(26.2	)		(16.3	)
Total non-operating income and (expense)		(59.6	)		(55.4	)		(195.4	)		(206.8	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		96.8			(291.7	)		300.5			(139.5	)
Provision for income taxes		(24.9	)		(22.2	)		(68.9	)		(60.1	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		71.9			(313.9	)		231.6			(199.6	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			(0.5	)		—			(0.7	)
Net income (loss)		71.9			(314.4	)		231.6			(200.3	)
Less: net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests		(3.9	)		(4.3	)		(13.4	)		(11.9	)
Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion	$	68.0		$	(318.8	)	$	218.2		$	(212.2	)

Basic earnings (loss) per common share from:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.12		$	(1.09	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.12		$	(1.10	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.11		$	(1.09	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.11		$	(1.10	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic		194.6			193.4			194.3			193.3
Diluted		197.0			193.4			196.3			193.3

As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(in millions)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	231.6		$	(200.3	)
Less: Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			0.7
Income (loss) from continuing operations		231.6			(199.6	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		400.5			391.1
Goodwill impairment		—			414.0
Loss on repayment of loans		2.6			3.0
Deferred taxes		(94.1	)		(101.3	)
Stock-based compensation		85.6			72.9
Loss on early termination of lease		40.5			—
Other		17.9			13.1
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable		(88.9	)		(104.2	)
Other current and long-term assets		31.4			(42.4	)
Trade accounts payable		44.2			16.9
Other current and long-term liabilities		(92.8	)		(19.7	)
Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations		578.5			443.8
Cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations		—			(0.2	)
Cash provided by operating activities		578.5			443.6
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(198.7	)		(213.2	)
Proceeds from sale/maturities of other investments		—			63.9
Purchases of other investments		—			(43.7	)
Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates		(5.9	)		(36.9	)
Proceeds from the sale of investments in nonconsolidated affiliates		3.8			—
Payment related to disposal of discontinued operations		—			(0.5	)
Other		5.7			(0.1	)
Cash used in investing activities		(195.1	)		(230.5	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from term loans		934.9			—
Repayments of term loans		(927.9	)		—
Repayments of debt		(141.0	)		(310.9	)
Debt financing fees		(13.5	)		—
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and exercise of stock options		24.5			23.1
Dividends to shareholders		(61.7	)		(61.4	)
Employee taxes paid on restricted stock units recorded as treasury stock		(30.1	)		(17.6	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(4.7	)		(8.5	)
Cash used in financing activities		(219.5	)		(375.3	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		3.1			(2.2	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		167.0			(164.4	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		476.2			585.3
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	643.2		$	420.9

As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We present Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes, Adjusted Effective Tax Rate and Leverage Ratio for all periods presented. These are important financial measures for the Company but are not financial measures as defined by GAAP. These financial measures should be reviewed in conjunction with the relevant GAAP financial measures and are not presented as alternative measures of GAAP. Other companies in our industry may define or calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, including operating income, operating margin, effective tax rate, net income attributable to the Company, diluted earnings per share or cash provided by operating activities. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables below.

We present Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate as supplemental measures of our operating performance because these measures eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our cash operations and ongoing operating performance. These are measures frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of the operating performance of companies similar to ours.

Our board of directors and executive management team use Adjusted EBITDA as an incentive compensation measure for most eligible employees and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share as an incentive compensation measure for certain of our senior executives.

Under the credit agreement governing our Senior Secured Credit Facility, our ability to engage in activities such as incurring additional indebtedness, making investments and paying dividends is tied to our Leverage Ratio which is partially based on Adjusted EBITDA. Investors also use our Leverage Ratio to assess our ability to service our debt and make other capital allocation decisions.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

Management has excluded the following items from net income attributable to TransUnion in order to calculate Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

Discontinued operations, net of tax, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We exclude discontinued operations, net of tax because we believe it does not reflect the underlying and ongoing performance of our business operations.
Net interest expense is the sum of interest expense and interest income as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Provision for income taxes, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Depreciation and amortization, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Stock-based compensation is used as an incentive to engage and retain our employees. It is predominantly a non-cash expense. We exclude stock-based compensation because it may not correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations during the period since it is measured at the grant date fair value and it is subject to variability as a result of performance conditions and timing of grants. These expenses are reported within cost of services and selling, general and administrative on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Operating model optimization program represents employee separation costs, facility lease exit costs, and other business process optimization expenses incurred in connection with the transformation plan discussed further in “Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business. Further, these costs will vary and may not be comparable during the transformation initiative as we progress toward an optimized operating model. These costs are reported primarily in restructuring and selling, general and administrative on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Accelerated technology investment includes Project Rise and the final phase of our technology investment announced in November 2023. Project Rise was announced in February 2020 and was originally expected to be completed in 2022. Following our acquisition of Neustar in December 2021, we recognized the opportunity to take advantage of Neustar’s capabilities to enhance and complement our cloud-based technology already under development as part of Project Rise. As a result, we extended Project Rise’s timeline to 2024 and increased the total estimated cost to approximately $240 million. In November 2023, we announced our plans to further leverage Neustar’s technology to standardize and streamline our product delivery platforms and to build a single global platform for fulfillment of our product lines. The additional investment is expected to be approximately $90 million during 2024 and 2025 and represents the final phase of the technology investment in our global technology infrastructure and core customer applications. We expect that the accelerated technology investment will fundamentally transform our technology infrastructure by implementing a global cloud-based approach to streamline product development, increase the efficiency of ongoing operations and maintenance and enable a continuous improvement approach to avoid the need for another major technology overhaul in the foreseeable future. The unique effort to build a secure, reliable and performant hybrid cloud infrastructure requires us to dedicate separate resources in order to develop the new cloud-based infrastructure in parallel with our current on-premise environment by maintaining our existing technology team to ensure no disruptions to our customers. The costs associated with the accelerated technology investment are incremental and redundant costs that will not recur after the program has been completed and are not representative of our underlying operating performance. Therefore, we believe that excluding these costs from our non-GAAP measures provides a better reflection of our ongoing cost structure. These costs are primarily reported in cost of services and therefore do not include amounts that are capitalized as internally developed software.
Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization expenses are non-recurring expenses associated with specific transactions (exploratory or executed) and consist of (i) transaction and integration costs, (ii) post-acquisition adjustments to contingent consideration or to assets and liabilities that occurred after the acquisition measurement period, (iii) fair value and impairment adjustments related to investments and call and put options, (iv) transition services agreement income, and (v) a loss on disposal of a business. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business operations and vary depending upon the timing of such transactions. These expenses are reported in costs of services, selling, general and administrative and other income and (expenses), net, on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Net other adjustments principally relate to: (i) deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancing, (ii) currency remeasurement on foreign operations, (iii) other debt financing expenses consisting primarily of revolving credit facility deferred financing fee amortization and commitment fees and expenses associated with ratings agencies and interest rate hedging, (iv) legal and regulatory expenses, net, and (v) other non-operating (income) expense. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business and create variability between periods based on the nature and timing of the expense or income. These costs are reported in selling, general and administrative and in non-operating income and expense, net as applicable based on their nature on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Management defines Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue as reported.

Adjusted Net Income

Management has excluded the following items from net income attributable to TransUnion in order to calculate Adjusted Net Income for the periods presented:

Discontinued operations, net of tax (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
Amortization of certain intangible assets presents non-cash amortization expenses related to assets that arose from our 2012 change in control transaction and business combinations occurring after our 2012 change in control. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business operations and vary dependent upon the timing of the transactions that give rise to these assets. Amortization of intangible assets is included in depreciation and amortization on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Stock-based compensation (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
Operating model optimization program (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
Accelerated technology investment (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
Mergers and acquisitions, divestiture and business optimization (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
Net other is consistent with the definition in Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above except that other debt financing expenses and certain other miscellaneous income and expense that are included in the adjustment to calculate Adjusted EBITDA are excluded in the adjustment made to calculate Adjusted Net Income.
Total adjustments for income taxes relates to the cumulative adjustments discussed below for Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes. This adjustment is made for the reasons indicated in Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes below. Adjustments related to the provision for income taxes are included in the line item by this name on our consolidated statement of operations.

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

Management defines Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share as Adjusted Net Income divided by the weighted-average diluted shares outstanding.

Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes

Management has excluded the following items from our provision for income taxes for the periods presented:

Tax effect of above adjustments represents the income tax effect of the adjustments related to Adjusted Net Income described above. The tax rate applied to each adjustment is based on the nature of each line item. We include the tax effect of the adjustments made to Adjusted Net Income to provide a comprehensive view of our adjusted net income.
Excess tax expense (benefit) for stock-based compensation is the permanent difference between expenses recognized for book purposes and expenses recognized for tax purposes, in each case related to stock-based compensation expense. We exclude this amount from the Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes in order to be consistent with the exclusion of stock-based compensation from the calculation of Adjusted Net Income.
Other principally relates to (i) deferred tax adjustments, including rate changes, (ii) infrequent or unusual valuation allowance adjustments, (iii) return to provision, tax authority audit adjustments, and reserves related to prior periods, and (iv) other non-recurring items. We exclude these items because they create variability that impacts comparability between periods.

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

Management defines Adjusted Effective Tax Rate as Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes divided by Adjusted income from continuing operations before income taxes. We calculate adjusted income from continuing operations before income taxes by excluding the pre-tax adjustments in the calculation of Adjusted Net Income discussed above and noncontrolling interest related to these pre-tax adjustments from income from continuing operations before income taxes.

Leverage Ratio

Management defines Leverage Ratio as net debt divided by Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the most recent twelve-month period including twelve months of Adjusted EBITDA from significant acquisitions. Since the Leverage Ratio is calculated on a trailing twelve month basis, prior period goodwill impairment is excluded as this expense may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations during that period and may vary significantly between periods. Net debt is defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents as reported on the balance sheet as of the end of the period.

This earnings release presents constant currency growth rates assuming foreign currency exchange rates are consistent between years. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. This earnings release also presents organic constant currency growth rates, which assumes consistent foreign currency exchange rates between years and also eliminates the impact of our recent acquisitions. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and the impacts of recent acquisitions.

Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and is a measure we may refer to.

Refer to Schedules 1 through 7 for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

SCHEDULE 1
TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth rates as Reported, CC, and Organic CC
(Unaudited)

	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023						For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
	Reported		CC Growth¹		Organic CC Growth²		Reported		CC Growth¹		Organic CC Growth²
Revenue:
Consolidated	12.0	%	12.2	%	12.2	%	9.4	%	9.4	%	9.4	%
U.S. Markets	12.5	%	12.5	%	12.5	%	8.4	%	8.4	%	8.4	%
Financial Services	17.1	%	17.1	%	17.1	%	13.5	%	13.5	%	13.5	%
Emerging Verticals	3.3	%	3.3	%	3.3	%	4.0	%	4.0	%	4.0	%
Consumer Interactive	21.4	%	21.3	%	21.3	%	6.0	%	6.0	%	6.0	%
International	11.3	%	12.1	%	12.1	%	13.4	%	13.5	%	13.5	%
Canada	6.8	%	8.6	%	8.6	%	11.5	%	12.7	%	12.7	%
Latin America	7.2	%	12.7	%	12.7	%	11.8	%	10.9	%	10.9	%
United Kingdom	6.0	%	3.7	%	3.7	%	4.9	%	2.5	%	2.5	%
Africa	12.3	%	9.5	%	9.5	%	8.3	%	10.4	%	10.4	%
India	21.5	%	23.1	%	23.1	%	25.4	%	27.0	%	27.0	%
Asia Pacific	11.1	%	11.5	%	11.5	%	13.6	%	14.2	%	14.2	%

Adjusted EBITDA:
Consolidated	10.5	%	10.9	%	10.9	%	10.9	%	11.0	%	11.0	%
U.S. Markets	9.0	%	9.0	%	9.0	%	8.2	%	8.2	%	8.2	%
International	13.9	%	15.3	%	15.3	%	17.4	%	17.9	%	17.9	%

1.	Constant Currency (“CC”) growth rates assume foreign currency exchange rates are consistent between years. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

2.	We have no inorganic revenue or Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented. Organic CC growth rate is the CC growth rate less the inorganic growth rate.

SCHEDULE 2
TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated and Segment Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (Unaudited)
(dollars in millions)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenue:
U.S. Markets gross revenue
Financial Services	$	367.2		$	313.7		$	1,077.6		$	949.6
Emerging Verticals		307.2			297.3			913.1			877.9
Consumer Interactive		173.7			143.1			455.1			429.4
U.S. Markets gross revenue	$	848.1		$	754.0		$	2,445.9		$	2,256.9

International gross revenue
Canada	$	39.4		$	36.9		$	115.9		$	103.9
Latin America		33.5			31.2			100.9			90.2
United Kingdom		57.8			54.5			168.6			160.7
Africa		17.1			15.2			48.0			44.3
India		68.2			56.1			202.8			161.8
Asia Pacific		25.6			23.1			77.1			67.9
International gross revenue	$	241.6		$	217.1		$	713.3		$	628.9

Total gross revenue	$	1,089.6		$	971.2		$	3,159.2		$	2,885.8

Intersegment revenue eliminations
U.S. Markets	$	(2.8	)	$	(1.0	)	$	(7.4	)	$	(4.6	)
International		(1.9	)		(1.5	)		(4.8	)		(4.3	)
Total intersegment revenue eliminations	$	(4.7	)	$	(2.5	)	$	(12.3	)	$	(8.9	)

Total revenue as reported	$	1,085.0		$	968.7		$	3,147.0		$	2,876.9

Adjusted EBITDA:
U.S. Markets	$	319.9		$	293.7		$	920.9		$	850.9
International		110.5			97.0			318.1			271.0
Corporate		(36.7	)		(34.5	)		(110.6	)		(104.3	)
Adjusted EBITDA Margin:¹
U.S. Markets		37.7	%		38.9	%		37.6	%		37.7	%
International		45.7	%		44.7	%		44.6	%		43.1	%

1.	Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margins are calculated using segment gross revenue and segment Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated using total revenue as reported and consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion	$	68.0		$	(318.8	)	$	218.2		$	(212.2	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			0.5			—			0.7
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion	$	68.0		$	(318.3	)	$	218.2		$	(211.5	)
Net interest expense		58.9			67.8			183.3			202.1
Provision for income taxes		24.9			22.2			68.9			60.1
Depreciation and amortization		133.6			131.3			400.5			391.1
EBITDA	$	285.4		$	(97.0	)	$	870.8		$	441.8
Adjustments to EBITDA:
Stock-based compensation		33.8			27.0			85.7			73.3
Goodwill impairment¹		—			414.0			—			414.0
Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization²		7.3			(6.0	)		17.1			24.5
Accelerated technology investment³		21.8			16.3			58.6			53.5
Operating model optimization program⁴		47.3			—			86.4			—
Net other⁵		(2.0	)		1.8			9.7			10.6
Total adjustments to EBITDA	$	108.3		$	453.1		$	257.5		$	575.8
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA	$	393.7		$	356.1		$	1,128.4		$	1,017.6

Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion margin		6.3	%		(32.9	)%		6.9	%		(7.4	)%
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin⁵		36.3	%		36.8	%		35.9	%		35.4	%

As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the tables above and footnotes below.

1.	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $414.0 million related to our United Kingdom reporting unit in our International segment.
2.	Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization consisted of the following adjustments:

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023			2024		2023
Transaction and integration costs	$	3.6	$	5.8		$	7.0	$	21.0
Fair value and impairment adjustments		—		(10.7	)		0.8		0.8
Post-acquisition adjustments		3.7		—			9.4		5.1
Transition services agreement income		—		(1.1	)		—		(2.4	)
Total mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization	$	7.3	$	(6.0	)	$	17.1	$	24.5

Represents expenses associated with our accelerated technology investment to migrate to the cloud. There are three components of the accelerated technology investment: (i) building foundational capabilities, which includes establishing a modern, API-based and services-oriented software architecture, (ii) the migration of each application and customer data to the new enterprise platform, including the redundant software costs during the migration period, as well as the efforts to decommission the legacy system, and (iii) program enablement, which includes dedicated resources to support the planning and execution of the program. The amounts for each category of cost are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Foundational Capabilities	$	9.9	$	8.0	$	25.0	$	27.7
Migration Management		11.0		7.2		29.9		21.9
Program Enablement		0.9		1.1		3.8		3.9
Total accelerated technology investment	$	21.8	$	16.3	$	58.6	$	53.5

4.	Operating model optimization consisted of the following adjustments:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Employee separation	$	—	$	—	$	24.7	$	—
Facility exit		40.5		—		42.1		—
Business process optimization		6.8		—		19.6		—
Total operating model optimization	$	47.3	$	—	$	86.4	$	—

5.	Net other consisted of the following adjustments:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancing	$	0.1		$	1.0		$	9.2		$	3.1
Other debt financing expenses		0.5			0.3			1.6			1.5
Currency remeasurement on foreign operations		(1.7	)		0.8			(0.4	)		6.5
Other non-operating (income) expense		(0.8	)		(0.3	)		(0.7	)		(0.5	)
Total other adjustments	$	(2.0	)	$	1.8		$	9.7		$	10.6

6.	Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue.

SCHEDULE 3
TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion	$	68.0		$	(318.3	)	$	218.2		$	(211.5	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			(0.5	)		—			(0.7	)
Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion	$	68.0		$	(318.8	)	$	218.2		$	(212.2	)

Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic		194.6			193.4			194.3			193.3
Diluted		197.0			193.4			196.3			193.3

Basic earnings (loss) per common share from:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.12		$	(1.09	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.12		$	(1.10	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.11		$	(1.09	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			—			—
Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.11		$	(1.10	)

Reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion to Adjusted Net Income:
Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion	$	68.0		$	(318.8	)	$	218.2		$	(212.2	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			0.5			—			0.7
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion	$	68.0		$	(318.3	)	$	218.2		$	(211.5	)
Adjustments before income tax items:
Amortization of certain intangible assets¹		71.5			72.1			214.9			221.2
Stock-based compensation		33.8			27.0			85.7			73.3
Goodwill impairment²		—			414.0			—			414.0
Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization²		7.3			(6.0	)		17.1			24.5
Accelerated technology investment³		21.8			16.3			58.6			53.5
Operating model optimization program⁴		47.3			—			86.4			—
Net other⁵		(2.1	)		1.8			8.6			9.6
Total adjustments before income tax items	$	179.6		$	525.2		$	471.3		$	796.0
Total adjustments for income taxes⁶		(43.1	)		(29.5	)		(112.9	)		(85.2	)
Adjusted Net Income	$	204.5		$	177.4		$	576.6		$	499.3

Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic		194.6			193.4			194.3			193.3
Diluted		197.0			194.6			196.3			194.8

Adjusted Earnings per Share:
Basic	$	1.05		$	0.92		$	2.97		$	2.58
Diluted	$	1.04		$	0.91		$	2.94		$	2.56

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Reconciliation of Diluted earnings (loss) per share from Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share:
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from:
Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.11		$	(1.10	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—			—			—
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion	$	0.35		$	(1.65	)	$	1.11		$	(1.09	)
Adjustments before income tax items:
Amortization of certain intangible assets¹		0.36			0.37			1.09			1.14
Stock-based compensation		0.17			0.14			0.44			0.38
Goodwill impairment²		—			2.13			—			2.13
Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization³		0.04			(0.03	)		0.09			0.13
Accelerated technology investment⁴		0.11			0.08			0.30			0.27
Operating model optimization program⁵		0.24			—			0.44			—
Net other⁶		(0.01	)		0.01			0.04			0.05
Total adjustments before income tax items	$	0.91		$	2.70		$	2.40		$	4.09
Total adjustments for income taxes⁷		(0.22	)		(0.15	)		(0.57	)		(0.44	)
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share	$	1.04		$	0.91		$	2.94		$	2.56

Each component of earnings per share is calculated independently, therefore, rounding differences exist in the table above.

1.	Consists of amortization of intangible assets from our 2012 change-in-control transaction and amortization of intangible assets established in business acquisitions after our 2012 change-in-control transaction.
2.	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $414.0 million related to our United Kingdom reporting unit in our International segment.
3.	Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization consisted of the following adjustments:

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023			2024		2023
Transaction and integration costs	$	3.6	$	5.8		$	7.0	$	21.0
Fair value and impairment adjustments		—		(10.7	)		0.8		0.8
Post-acquisition adjustments		3.7		—			9.4		5.1
Transition services agreement income		—		(1.1	)		—		(2.4	)
Total mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization	$	7.3	$	(6.0	)	$	17.1	$	24.5

Represents expenses associated with our accelerated technology investment to migrate to the cloud. There are three components of the accelerated technology investment: (i) building foundational capabilities which includes establishing a modern, API-based and services-oriented software architecture, (ii) the migration of each application and customer data to the new enterprise platform, including the redundant software costs during the migration period, as well as the efforts to decommission the legacy system, and (iii) program enablement, which includes dedicated resources to support the planning and execution of the program. The amounts for each category of cost are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Foundational Capabilities	$	9.9	$	8.0	$	25.0	$	27.7
Migration Management		11.0		7.2		29.9		21.9
Program Enablement		0.9		1.1		3.8		3.9
Total accelerated technology investment	$	21.8	$	16.3	$	58.6	$	53.5

5.	Operating model optimization consisted of the following adjustments:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Employee separation	$	—	$	—	$	24.7	$	—
Facility exit		40.5		—		42.1		—
Business process optimization		6.8		—		19.6		—
Total operating model optimization	$	47.3	$	—	$	86.4	$	—

6.	Net other consisted of the following adjustments:

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023		2024			2023
Deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancing	$	0.1		$	1.0	$	9.2		$	3.1
Currency remeasurement on foreign operations		(1.7	)		0.8		(0.4	)		6.5
Other non-operating (income) and expense		(0.5	)		—		(0.2	)		—
Total other adjustments	$	(2.1	)	$	1.8	$	8.6		$	9.6

7.	Total adjustments for income taxes represents the total of adjustments discussed to calculate the Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes.

SCHEDULE 4
TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (Unaudited)
(dollars in millions)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	96.8		$	(291.7	)	$	300.5		$	(139.5	)
Total adjustments before income tax items from Schedule 3		179.6			525.2			471.3			796.0
Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	276.4		$	233.5		$	771.8		$	656.5

Reconciliation of Provision for income taxes to Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes:
Provision for income taxes		(24.9	)		(22.2	)		(68.9	)		(60.1	)
Adjustments for income taxes:
Tax effect of above adjustments		(41.8	)		(27.9	)		(108.5	)		(90.1	)
Eliminate impact of excess tax (benefit) expense for stock-based compensation		(2.3	)		0.7			(1.4	)		2.7
Other¹		0.9			(2.2	)		(3.0	)		2.2
Total adjustments for income taxes	$	(43.1	)	$	(29.5	)	$	(112.9	)	$	(85.2	)
Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes	$	(68.0	)	$	(51.7	)	$	(181.8	)	$	(145.3	)

Effective tax rate		25.7	%		(7.6	)%		22.9	%		(43.1	)%
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate		24.6	%		22.2	%		23.6	%		22.1	%

As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

Other adjustments for income taxes include:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Deferred tax adjustments	$	3.8		$	(0.2	)	$	(1.4	)	$	0.6
Valuation allowance adjustments		(2.3	)		(1.9	)		(2.1	)		(0.8	)
Return to provision, audit adjustments, and reserves related to prior periods		(1.2	)		1.4			1.2			2.6
Other adjustments		0.7			(1.6	)		(0.7	)		(0.3	)
Total other adjustments	$	0.9		$	(2.2	)	$	(3.0	)	$	2.2

SCHEDULE 5
TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Leverage Ratio (Unaudited)
(dollars in millions)

	Trailing Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2024
Reconciliation of Net income attributable to TransUnion to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income attributable to TransUnion	$	224.2
Net interest expense		248.6
Provision for income taxes		53.6
Depreciation and amortization		533.8
EBITDA	$	1,060.2
Adjustments to EBITDA:
Stock-based compensation	$	113.0
Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization¹		27.2
Accelerated technology investment²		75.6
Operating model optimization program³		164.0
Net other⁴		14.4
Total adjustments to EBITDA	$	394.3
Leverage Ratio Adjusted EBITDA	$	1,454.5

Total debt	$	5,201.4
Less: Cash and cash equivalents		643.2
Net Debt	$	4,558.2

Ratio of Net Debt to Net income attributable to TransUnion		20.3
Leverage Ratio		3.1

As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

1.	Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization consisted of the following adjustments:

	Trailing Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2024
Transaction and integration costs	$	16.9
Fair value and impairment adjustments		10.3
Post-acquisition adjustments		0.1
Transition services agreement income		(0.1	)
Total mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization	$	27.2

Represents expenses associated with our accelerated technology investment to migrate to the cloud. There are three components of the accelerated technology investment: (i) building foundational capabilities which includes establishing a modern, API-based and services-oriented software architecture, (ii) the migration of each application and customer data to the new enterprise platform including the redundant software costs during the migration period, as well as the efforts to decommission the legacy system, and (iii) program enablement, which includes dedicated resources to support the planning and execution of the program. The amounts for each category of cost are as follows:

	Trailing Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2024
Foundational Capabilities	$	33.0
Migration Management		37.5
Program Enablement		5.1
Total accelerated technology investment	$	75.6

3.	Operating model optimization consisted of the following adjustments:

	Trailing Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2024
Employee separation	$	96.6
Facility exit		45.5
Business process optimization		21.9
Total operating model optimization	$	164.0

4.	Net other consisted of the following adjustments:

	Trailing Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2024
Deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancings	$	15.4
Other debt financing expenses		2.3
Currency remeasurement on foreign operations		(2.2	)
Other non-operating (income) and expense		(1.2	)
Total other adjustments	$	14.4

SCHEDULE 6
TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Depreciation and Amortization (Unaudited)
(in millions)

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023

U.S. Markets	$	99.3	$	99.3	$	299.4	$	292.3
International		33.4		31.0		98.1		95.5
Corporate		1.0		1.1		3.0		3.3
Total depreciation and amortization	$	133.6	$	131.3	$	400.5	$	391.1

As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

SCHEDULE 7
TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Guidance (Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended December 31, 2024						Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024
	Low			High			Low			High
Guidance reconciliation of Net income attributable to TransUnion to Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income attributable to TransUnion	$	65		$	77		$	284		$	295
Interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization		216			219			868			872
EBITDA	$	281		$	296		$	1,152		$	1,167
Stock-based compensation, mergers, acquisitions divestitures and business optimization-related expenses and other adjustments¹		79			79			336			336
Adjusted EBITDA	$	360		$	375		$	1,488		$	1,503

Net income attributable to TransUnion margin		6.4	%		7.4	%		6.8	%		7.1	%
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin²		35.5	%		36.2	%		35.8	%		36.0	%

Guidance reconciliation of Diluted earnings per share to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share:
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.34		$	0.39		$	1.45		$	1.51
Adjustments to diluted earnings per share¹		0.58			0.58			2.42			2.42
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share	$	0.92		$	0.98		$	3.87		$	3.93

As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

These adjustments include the same adjustments we make to our Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income as discussed in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of our Earnings Release.
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue.

The MIL Network –

January 24, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio, Casey, Fetterman, Lee Announce $6 Million for Pittsburgh International Airport

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17)

Funding will help improve the terminal building

Airport Terminal Program funding comes from infrastructure law

With this funding, Pittsburgh International Airport has received more than $129 million in federal funding since the start of 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Summer Lee (D-PA-12) and U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) announced that Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is receiving $6,000,000 in competitive grant funding to modernize and rehabilitate the terminal. This funding comes from the Airport Terminal Program (ATP), which was created by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to revitalize the Nation’s aging airports.

“The Infrastructure Law is still at work in Western PA, this time bringing home $6 million more for the Pittsburgh International Airport terminal updates,”said Congressman Deluzio. “The airport is not only a place where people catch flights: but it’s also a workplace, employer, and economic hub. We need to make sure it works as smoothly as possible, and that we help out airport be the best it can be. I’m proud federal funding from the Infrastructure Law is a part of that effort.”

“Pittsburgh International Airport is an essential connection between the region and the world, and it’s critical that the terminals are safe and can meet passenger needs. This investment from the infrastructure law will support ongoing efforts to modernize the airport by replacing floors, bulkheads, and decades-old moving walkways,” said Senator Casey. “I will always fight for investments that boost Southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy and keep the region moving.”

“Pittsburgh’s airport should reflect the grit and resilience of the city it serves and this $6 million investment helps make that happen. Upgrading parts of the terminal that have been in place for over 30 years will help bring our airport back up to speed, create jobs, and ensure it serves both the community and travelers with true Pittsburgh pride,” said Senator Fetterman.

“Today’s announcement of $6 million in federal funding for Pittsburgh International Airport is a big win for the people of Pittsburgh and the hardworking travelers who rely on safe, accessible, and efficient airports. This investment is about putting people first by creating good-paying jobs, ensuring smoother and safer travel experiences, and revitalizing a space that millions pass through each year. It’s also a commitment to the growth and well-being of our community, helping Pittsburgh remain a hub of opportunity and progress for all who live, work, and visit here,” said Congresswoman Lee.

The funding for Pittsburgh International Airport will support the Terminal Modernization Program, which includes installing new flooring, restoring columns and bulkheads, and replacing 32-year-old moving walkways in the concourses. Since the infrastructure law was passed, millions of dollars have been allocated to PIT. In June 2024, Casey, Fetterman, Deluzio, and Lee announced $20.6 million for PIT to support their ongoing terminal improvement project. In February 2024, the Members announced $5.3 million in new infrastructure funding to fund a component of the 700,000 square foot landslide terminal construction. PIT has received a total of $129,706,728 since the start of 2021.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio, Casey, Fetterman Secure $87 Million to Build New Manufacturing Facility in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Create Almost 900 Jobs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), and U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) delivered $87,070,493 in federal funding for Mainspring Energy (MSE), a manufacturer of linear generators. With these funds, the company will build a new, state-of-the art manufacturing facility that will support new 891 jobs in Coraopolis. Funding comes from the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grants Program, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

“I am thrilled to announce that Coraopolis’ own Mainspring Energy Inc. is receiving more than $87 million in federal dollars to boost its manufacturing of low-carbon generators and create hundreds of full-time and construction jobs in the process,” said Congressman Deluzio. “This is a powerful example of how when we make more stuff here, we can create manufacturing and construction jobs and onshore our supply chains, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to help us meet our climate goals. I am proud to support this project and look forward to monitoring its progress and impact on the people and economy in Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District.”

“This is a game-changing investment for Coraopolis and Southwestern Pennsylvania. With this funding, Mainstream Energy will create good-paying and high-skilled manufacturing jobs and continue Southwestern Pennsylvania’s legacy as an energy leader on the forefront of cutting-edge technology. Pennsylvania workers are the best in the world and I will keep fighting for good paying manufacturing and construction jobs across our Commonwealth,” said Senator Casey.

“Western Pennsylvania has always been America’s industrial backbone and the Department of Energy’s investment in Mainspring Energy carries that legacy forward. This move propels us toward a carbon-pollution-free future while keeping our economy strong, competitive, and union-built,” said Senator Fetterman. “As lifelong Pennsylvanians, Senator Casey, Congressman Deluzio, and I understand and honor our state’s proud history of hard work and innovation. We pushed for this investment because it puts Western Pennsylvania back on the map as a leader in cutting-edge manufacturing.”

Mainspring Energy manufactures linear generators that power hospitals, supermarkets, data centers, and more across the Nation. The new plant will expand generator production, enhance American global competitiveness, create 891 jobs in Coraopolis. Deluzio wrote a letter of support for this grant, and joined Senators Casey, and Fetterman in the push for the Accelerating Linear Generator Production for Mainspring Energy project.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grants program, which enables manufacturers build new or retrofit existing manufacturing and industrial facilities in communities where coal mines or coal power plants have closed. Senators Casey and Fetterman and Congressman Deluzio urged DOE secretary Jennifer Granholm to support MSE’s project in June 2024. In their letter, the Members highlighted how the new facility would increase domestic manufacturing, boost American competitiveness in the clean energy sector, generate hundreds of good-paying jobs for Pennsylvanians, and carry on the Commonwealth’s proud legacy as an energy state.

Mainspring Energy (MSE), in partnership with construction firm Al. Neyer, will establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Coraopolis to produce 1,000 linear generators annually that will provide clean and reliable power to critical institutions across the Nation including hospitals, businesses, and data centers. The plant will localize the manufacturing supply chain and enhance American global competitiveness in the clean energy sector. Additionally, the project will create 291 construction-related jobs and 600 operations jobs.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Designing Defence’s next generation multi-satellite system

Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Dstl scientific expertise and advice is at the heart of the Ministry of Defence’s ambitions in space.

Scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are at the forefront of designing and developing Defence’s next generation satellite constellation – a system that will bring giant leaps in operational advantage to the armed forces.

We have developed new collaborative ways of working with both Space Command and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) to deliver the next generation multi-satellite system to support greater global surveillance and intelligence for military operations – known as the ISTARI programme.

ISTARI will cost £968 million and involves the development of a constellation (group) of satellites to deliver global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and to send data and information rapidly to decision makers across the globe. A series of operational capability demonstrator missions will first be carried out to test the concept.

Dstl is leading the initial constellation design and development. Using our evidence-based decision-making and systems engineering we are working with DE&S to jointly deliver the missions and bring them into service for Space Command.

Taking a multi-disciplinary approach enables more rapid decision-making and sharing of best practice across technical, programmatic and operational disciplines. It enables defence to ask the right questions and make the right decisions to develop and deliver capability effectively and efficiently.

Tyche: MOD’s first sovereign Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellite

Space Command’s first satellite, Tyche, launched in August aboard SpaceX Falcon 9. Dstl provided technical assurance to Tyche, which was built by UK industry.

Space Command’s first satellite, Tyche

Tyche is an electro-optical imaging satellite capable of collecting images of the ground, and short image sequences of ground locations, to detect moving objects. It also possesses an additional on-board processor for immediate processing of data collected, including the ability to upload Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms for data reduction.

Tyche will be able to communicate with commercial data relays in geostationary orbit to reduce data latency and increase opportunities for tasking.

A key aspect to the experimentation Tyche will deliver will be the opportunity to demonstrate how the satellite interfaces with the wider emerging MOD space architecture.

Goonhilly Earth Station: new communications ground stations in Cornwall

Dstl is also building on the existing ground facilities to enhance space operations. In conjunction with the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), 2 new remote ground stations have been installed at Goonhilly Earth Station (GES) in Cornwall to expand Dstl’s space-to-ground capability and enable increase experimentation.

Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station (Credit: Shutterstock)

The powerful 3.9m Safran Legion antennas, to be operated by Dstl, complement Dstl’s Hermes ground station and will track satellites and download Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) data – vital to demonstrating the ISTARI concept.

Dstl is also working with Goonhilly to tailor and assess the suitability of an open standard for booking and scheduling of remote ground terminals within a network; this will broker access between multiple end users.

Dstl’s in-house expertise is vital to these missions as we help build Defence’s next generation space capability, which will be vital to ensure operational advantage on the frontline. Find out more about our space defence science and technology capability.

Updates to this page

Published 23 October 2024

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bazaar to mark 75th National Day

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Home Affairs Department and 28 provincial-level Clansmen Associations will hold a bazaar carnival from October 25 to 29 at Sha Tin Park to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The five-day bazaar carnival will feature 75 market stalls, offering specialty foods and hometown products from across the country.

Citizens and tourists may also experience a rich variety of customs and unique cultures from across the country via the cultural performances, film screenings and an introduction to different provincial cultures at the carnival.

The event is free and admission tickets are not required.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Second-day auction results for Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair stalls

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     A total of 59 regular size dry goods stalls and 40 large size dry goods stalls were all successfully let on the second-day auction for stalls at the 2025 Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair today (October 23).

     Around 460 people attended the auction at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, from 9am to 5.30pm today, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said.

     The average bid price for the regular size dry goods stalls today was $11,729, with the successful bids ranging from $8,540 to $30,000. The highest bid, $30,000, was about 3.5 times the opening price of $8,540.

     The average bid price for the large size dry goods stalls today was $16,230, with the successful bids ranging from $12,810 to $41,000. The highest bid, $41,000, was about 3.2 times the opening price of $12,810.

     The auction for the remaining 117 dry goods stalls will be held at 9am tomorrow (October 24) at the same venue.

     The spokesman reminded the successful bidders to comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: Multitude P.L.C.: The Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders Decided on the Approval of the Final Accounts and Discharging the Members of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer from Liability

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Multitude P.L.C.: The Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders Decided on the Approval of the Final Accounts and Discharging the Members of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer from Liability

Gzira, 23 October 2024 – The Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (“Meeting”) of Multitude P.L.C., a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and other FinTechs (WKN: A40G1Q, ISIN: MT0002810100) (“Multitude” or “Company”), has today resolved to adopt and approve the Company’s final accounts including the financial statements and the Board of Directors’ report for the period for which financial statements had not yet been presented at the Shareholders’ General Meeting, i.e., for the period running from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024.

In addition, the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders resolved, insofar as permitted under the Maltese Companies Act (chapter 386 of the laws of Malta), and in line with Finnish market practice, to discharge the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO from liability for the period covered by the final accounts (i.e., while the Company was still registered in Finland).

The Meeting was held following the transfer of the Company’s registered office from Finland to Malta in accordance with Article 8 of the Council Regulation (EC) No 2157/2001 of 8 October 2001 on the Statute for a European company (SE) on 30 June 2024, in order to adopt the Company’s final accounts as required pursuant to Section 11 of the Finnish European Companies Act (742/2004, as amended) and to make certain related resolutions. Accordingly, for the purposes of Section 11 of the Finnish European Companies Act, the Meeting was deemed to be a meeting of shareholders (in Finnish: “osakkeenomistajien kokous”).

The full minutes of the October EGM setting out said resolutions which were adopted will be available on the Company’s website no later than one week after the date of the Extraordinary General Meeting, i.e., no later than on 30 October 2024.

Contact:

Lasse Mäkelä
Chief Strategy and IR Officer
Phone: +41 79 371 34 17
E-Mail: Lasse.makela@multitude.com

About Multitude P.L.C.:

Multitude is a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other FinTechs overlooked by traditional banks. The services are provided through three independent business units, which are served by our internal Banking-as-a-Service Growth Platform. Multitude’s business units are Consumer Banking (Ferratum), SME Banking (CapitalBox), and Wholesale Banking (Multitude Bank). Multitude Group employs over 700 people in 25 countries and offers services in 16 countries, achieving a combined turnover of 230 million euros in 2023. Multitude was founded in Finland in 2005 and is listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘E4l’. http://www.multitude.com

The MIL Network –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Ishimbay Opens Central Square Reconstructed with Rosneft Support

Source: Rosneft

Headline: Ishimbay Opens Central Square Reconstructed with Rosneft Support

Thanks to Bashneft’s (a subsidiary of Rosneft) support, the Square of the Discoverers of Bashkir Oil was reconstructed in Ishimbay. The grand opening of the square was timed to coincide with a Town Day.

Reconstruction and improvement of one of the town’s favourite recreational spots were carried out within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between Rosneft and the Republic of Bashkortostan.

Rosneft is committed to the principles of social responsibility and pays special attention to creating a favourable social environment in the regions of operation. Ishimbay is one of the industrial centers of the south of Bashkortostan and the earliest centre of the republic’s oil industry. Commercial production of Bashkir oil began here in 1932. А monument, which became its symbol, a twelve-meter granite figure of a geologist, was installed on the main square of the town in 1969.

The concept of large-scale renovation of the central square of Ishimbay, where about 70 thousand people live, was developed based on the wishes of the inhabitants. The renovated square now has an amphitheatre for cultural events, recreation areas with benches, swings and canopies, and a large modern playground for children. Now the territory of the square is also accessible for people with disabilities. The area around the square is planted with fruit trees and shrubs. The reconstruction included the installation of energy efficient lighting and upgraded utilities. Asphalt sidewalk and sidewalk tiles were also replaced.

Over the past five years, with the support of Bashneft, significant social projects have been implemented in the Ishimbaysky District, including the reconstruction of the district hospital in the village of Petrovskoye, the renovation of the children’s clinic and secondary school No. 3 in Ishimbay.

Reference:

Bashneft (a subsidiary of Rosneft) is one of the oldest oil and gas enterprises in the country engaged in oil extraction and processing. The enterprise’s key assets, including the refinery and petrochemical complex, are located in the Republic of Bashkortostan.

Within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between Bashkortostan and Rosneft, projects regarding the construction and reconstruction of social and sports facilities, water supply and drainage systems, improvement of parks, public gardens and roads in districts and cities have been implemented and significantly improved the level of social welfare in the Republic. Over the last five years, Bashkir oilmen have financed the construction and reconstruction of more than 300 socially important facilities.

Rosneft
Information Division
August 26, 2024

Keywords: Social News 2024

MIL OSI Economics –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The need for immediate assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism – P-001717/2024(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
When a disaster occurs, the affected country can request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)[1].

On 13 September 2024, Poland pro-actively activated the Rapid Mapping of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service[2] for floods. On 18 September 2024, Poland activated the UCPM and requested support to strengthen its response to the floods.

Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Lithuania, Sweden and Slovenia have immediately offered parts of the requested items. Austria, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden, have already delivered them to Poland. The transport arrangements for the remaining items are ongoing. In addition, the EU’s strategic reserve, rescEU[3], has been mobilised to complete the offers.

[1] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en

[2] https://emergency.copernicus.eu/mapping/ems/rapid-mapping-portfolio

[3] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/resceu_en
Last updated: 23 October 2024
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Measures to address water scarcity – need for EU initiatives and new financial instruments to assist Greece and other southern European countries – E-001675/2024(ASW)
Source: European Parliament

The EU provides significant financial support to address water management and scarcity. Between 2021 and 2027, EUR 13.2 billion of Cohesion Policy funds[1] are earmarked for sustainable water management.

The Recovery and Resilience Facility[2], and several missions and partnerships under Horizon Europe[3] also provide support for water resilience[4].

The Common Agricultural Policy[5] offers inter alia support[6] for water efficiency and water reuse in the agricultural sector, climate smart agriculture and innovation, and risk and crisis management tools.

The EU programme for the environment and climate action[7] co-finances innovative projects in the environmental sector, including recovery of resources from water.

Preparatory work and reflections are ongoing for the next multi-annual financial framework.

Supporting Member States on climate risk preparedness will be part of a European Climate Adaptation Plan[8].

Moreover, the European Water Resilience strategy[9] will aim to ensure water resources are properly managed, scarcity is addressed, and that the water industry’s innovation is enhanced and takes a circular economy approach.

It will build on ongoing efforts on water scarcity and drought management in the context of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive[10], including through the Ad Hoc Task group for Water Scarcity and Droughts[11], and the EU Climate Adaptation Strategy[12].

The Commission will also continue supporting the tourism ecosystem under the Tourism transition pathway[13] to increase water efficiency, reducing water stress and pollution, and improving sanitation, as well as consider how to best support tourism businesses and destinations in the next EU budget.
- [1] https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/stories/s/21-27-Sustainable-water-management/ehce-gj6d
- [2] https://next-generation-eu.europa.eu/index_en
- [3] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
- [4] Of particular relevance are the partnerships ‘Water Security for the Planet’ (https://www.water4all-partnership.eu/), the Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA, https://prima-med.org/) together with the Missions ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030’ (https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en) (https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en) (https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en), ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’ (https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/adaptation-climate-change_en) (https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/adaptation-climate-change_en) and a ‘Soil Deal for Europe’ (https://mission-soil-platform.ec.europa.eu/).
- [5] https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy_en
- [6] Different types of support include area-based support, grants and financial instruments for investments.
- [7] LIFE: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en
- [8] https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/president-elect-ursula-von-der-leyen_en
- [9] https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/president-elect-ursula-von-der-leyen_en
- [10] Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1-73, as amended by Commission Directive 2014/101/EU of 30 October 2014, OJ L 311, 31.10.2014, p. 32-35.
- [11] In this context, the Commission has been assessing the impact of droughts and future drought risks: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/water/water-scarcity-and-droughts_en
- [12] https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/adaptation-climate-change/eu-adaptation-strategy_en
- [13] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/tourism/eu-tourism-transition/tourism-transition-pathway_en
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The right to use one’s own wheelchair up to the aircraft as an inalienable right for all persons with disabilities – E-001505/2024(ASW)
Source: European Parliament
1. The rights of persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air are set out in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006[1]. In November 2023 the Commission adopted a legislative proposal[2] to review the passenger’s rights legislation, including this regulation. The main aim of the proposal is to make it easier for such passengers to exercise their rights as they often do not fully benefit from their rights due to the shortcomings in the application of the legislation.

2. The regulation establishes that assistance provided at airports shall, as far as possible, be appropriate to the needs of the passenger[3]. The Commission considers that the best assistance is to allow the use of personal wheelchairs to the greatest extent possible as they provide the greatest possible comfort and scope for maximum mobility, in particular when the airport’s wheelchairs are not suitable for their specific needs. The Commission recognises this as a best practice in its revised interpretative guidelines[4] according to which airports should allow passengers to use their own wheelchair until they board the aircraft and to receive it immediately after disembarking[5]. However, in order to comply with security rules or the handling procedures to ensure the safe loading of the wheelchair into the aircraft’s cargo compartment, passengers might still be required to hand over their wheelchair at the check in or at the boarding gate.

[1] Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air (OJ L 204, 26.7.2006, p. 1).

[2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2023%3A753%3AFIN

[3] See Article 7(7) of the regulation.

[4] The Commission approved the English language text of the revised interpretative guidelines on 25 September 2024 (see Section 6.4 of C/2024/6546, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ%3AC_202405687).

[5] The interpretative guidelines also state that passengers should, where practicable, taking into account safety-related handling procedures, should receive back their own mobility equipment immediately after disembarking and should not be obliged to retrieve it at the baggage hall.
Last updated: 23 October 2024
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Impact of possible curb on exports of Russian uranium – E-001721/2024(ASW)
Source: European Parliament

Already in 2014, with the European Energy Security Strategy[1], the Commission emphasised the need for all EU operators to have a diversified portfolio of fuel supply and for fuel supply diversification to be a condition for any new investment in the nuclear sector.

In response to Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU decided to phase out its remaining dependence on Russia. The REPowerEU Plan[2] emphasises further the need for diversification and securing alternative sources of uranium, and boosting conversion, enrichment, and fuel fabrication capacities.

The Commission and the Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) have been engaging with concerned Member States to assess dependencies and ensure security of supply in the nuclear value chain. Utilities have taken steps to diversify their supplies, increase stockpiling of nuclear material and fuel, and prepare for potential disruptions to supplies.

The electricity produced in Soviet-designed reactors (dependent on Russian fuel supply) accounts for about 10% of EU gross nuclear electricity capacity. Utilities operating these reactors in Bulgaria, Czechia, Slovakia and Finland have signed supply contracts with alternative fuel suppliers and are moving forward with the licensing process for the new fuels (already tested by several utilities).

Meanwhile, mothballed uranium mines in the United States (US), Australia, Canada and Africa have returned to operation, and additional conversion and enrichment capacity is being developed in the EU, United Kingdom, US and Canada.

The Commission and ESA continue to monitor the market and the supply situation and engage with utilities and national authorities to ensure the diversification of supply in the civil nuclear industry.
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52014DC0330&from=EN
- [2] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/repowereu-affordable-secure-and-sustainable-energy-europe_en
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Lethal fires in Attica – E-001640/2024(ASW)
Source: European Parliament

The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) can only be activated at the request of Greece within 12 weeks as from the first damage occurred, demonstrating that the total direct damage exceeds the thresholds specified in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002[1].

The EUSF may cover part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities. This includes, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of cultural heritage. So far, Greece has not requested the EUSF assistance for this disaster.

With response remaining primarily a national competence, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism[2] is already prepositioning ground and aerial resources in forest fire-prone countries.

This summer, 240 firefighters from Bulgaria, Moldova, Malta and Romania were prepositioned in Greece from 1 July to 15 September 2024 to support the Greek response to forest fires. During the fire in Attica, 80 firefighters from Moldova, Malta and Romania have been immediately deployed as first responders.

Regarding aerial resources, the EU is financing, as of 15 June until end of October 2024, 75% stand-by costs of two Canadairs firefighting planes, two light scooping planes and one heavy helicopter located in Greece as part of the rescEU safety net response[3]. All these assets are available for a European response and primarily operate on the Greek territory.

In addition, the EU has signed a grant agreement with Greece for the purchase of two Canadairs that will complement the national response.
- [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3) as amended by Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143) and by Regulation (EU) 2020/461 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 March 2020 (OJ L 99, 31.3.2020, p. 9).
- [2] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en#:~:text=In%20October%202001%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20established%20the,to%20improve%20prevention%2C%20preparedness%2C%20and%20response%20to%20disasters
- [3] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/resceu_en
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU sanctions against Russia and the potential use of former Soviet republics to circumvent these sanctions – E-002009/2024
Source: European Parliament
10.10.2024

Question for written answer E-002009/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Adrian-George Axinia (ECR)

In the light of the sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation following its invasion of Ukraine, I would like to inquire about reports indicating that former Soviet republics in the Caucasus are being used to circumvent these sanctions.

Specifically, there are allegations that the control of national management institutions is being leveraged to monopolise key economic sectors.

For instance, in Uzbekistan, it has been reported that Octobank JSC, which is controlled by the National Agency of Perspective Projects, appears to dominate cross-border financial transactions, including money transfers and peer-to-peer payments, potentially sidelining other financial institutions.

In this context:

1.Can the Commission share what measures are being taken to monitor and address potential sanctions evasion through these mechanisms? Has it contacted the Uzbek authorities in relation to potential breaches of the sanctions regime, and if not, does it intend to do so?

2.Is the Commission aware of the situation regarding Octobank JSC and its implications for the integrity of the EU’s sanctions regime, and what steps is it considering to ensure that such circumvention efforts do not undermine the effectiveness of the sanctions against the Russian Federation?

Submitted: 10.10.2024
Last updated: 23 October 2024
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Italian court ruling on Libyan Coast Guard rescue operations and its implications for the legal compliance of EU funding – E-002089/2024
Source: European Parliament
16.10.2024

Question for written answer E-002089/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE)

In June 2024, Crotone Civil Court in Italy ruled[1] that interceptions at sea conducted by the Libyan Coast Guard cannot legally qualify as rescue operations since the Libyan authorities are systematically armed, fire gunshots to intimidate civil society actors and migrants, and create an overall situation of danger. Furthermore, the court recalled that Libya cannot be considered a safe place for disembarkation due to its serious and systematic violations of human rights and the fact that it has never ratified the Geneva Convention.

1.Can the Commission confirm that it maintains the view that providing EU funds to the Libyan authorities through the programme entitled ‘Support to integrated border and migration management in Libya’ is justified on humanitarian grounds (see answers E-005612/2021[2] and E-000363/2022[3])?

2.If so, what implications will the Crotone ruling have for the provision of EU funds to Libya under this programme, considering the principle of sound financial management as enshrined in the Financial Regulation[4], which stipulates that EU funds should be effective in achieving the objectives of a project, and also considering the Italian court ruling, which states that Libyan border authorities are unable to carry out rescue operations in line with international standards?

Submitted: 16.10.2024

[1] Ruling No 348/2024, available at: https://www.asgi.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024_06_26_Court-of-Crotone_final-decision_ITA_geschwarzt.pdf.

[2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-005612-ASW_EN.html.

[3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2022-000363-ASW_EN.html.

[4] Article 33 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012, OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1046/oj.
Last updated: 23 October 2024
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Delays to the framework for sustainable food systems – E-002079/2024
Source: European Parliament
15.10.2024

Question for written answer E-002079/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sebastian Everding (The Left), Per Clausen (The Left), Lynn Boylan (The Left), Catarina Martins (The Left)

In its Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission announced a number of important legislative initiatives. This strategy was welcomed by Parliament. In its resolution of 20 October 2021[1], among other things, Parliament endorsed the strategy’s proposed legislative framework for sustainable food systems, and set out initial guidelines for its basis.

Since the announcement, however, the publication of a corresponding legislative proposal has been postponed several times by the Commission, and it has not yet been submitted. Parliament has therefore been unable to advance legislative action on the issue of sustainable food systems for three years.

1.What is the current state of development of the proposal for a legislative framework for sustainable food systems?

2.What is the planned schedule for publication of the proposal?

3.To what extent have the results of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture been incorporated into the proposal’s preparation? This question is particularly relevant in view of the Strategic Dialogue’s recommendation to promote a plant-based diet in the EU.

Submitted: 15.10.2024

[1] European Parliament resolution of 20 October 2021 on a farm to fork strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system, OJ C 184, 5.5.2022, p. 2.
Last updated: 23 October 2024
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Reintroduction of German border controls – E-002115/2024
Source: European Parliament
16.10.2024

Question for written answer E-002115/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)

In September 2024, Germany announced that it was reinstating checks at all its borders to tackle illegal immigration, a major policy issue for Olaf Scholz’s socialist government and for the German people. This announcement came two weeks after the Solingen attack, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility and which left three people dead and eight injured at a local festival. The investigation revealed that the terrorist, a Syrian who had arrived in Germany at the end of 2022, was subject to an expulsion order and should have been returned to Bulgaria, where his arrival in the EU had been registered.

Although Member States can ask the Commission for six-month exemptions in the event of a threat to internal security, as Germany has done, this decision contradicts, in theory, the rules of the Schengen area and of free movement within the European Union.

A Commission spokesperson pointed out that any border controls must be exceptional, necessary and proportionate.

1.Does the Commission think an attack that killed three people warrants exceptional measures?

2.Does the Commission see the reintroduction of border controls within the EU as a sign that the EU’s external borders are completely permeable?

3.As the Commission wishes to limit internal border controls, does it intend to increase Frontex’s budget in order to tighten checks at the EU’s external borders?

Submitted: 16.10.2024
Last updated: 23 October 2024
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025

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