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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: Market dynamics vary at key natural gas pricing hubs

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    October 23, 2024

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
    Note: $/MMBtu=dollars per million British thermal units

    Pricing hubs provide transactional flexibility to buyers and sellers in the natural gas industry. The integrated North American market has close to 200 pricing hubs, which vary by size, location, type, liquidity, and age. Pricing hubs convey market information and make it easier for buyers and sellers to arrange natural gas deals in physical and financial markets across many time periods: intra-day, daily, weekly, balance-of-month, monthly, seasonally, and annually. Changes in prices at natural gas hubs tend to be reflected in movements in prices at nearby power market hubs or zones. A mix of private price reporting agencies and exchanges offer services and platforms to help buyers, sellers, and market observers obtain pricing information. Pricing hubs are dynamic; new ones are established or are retired based on market conditions and consumer preferences.

    Prices can vary substantially at hubs based on many factors: geographic location, unique or seasonal weather conditions, proximity to energy supplies, prevalence of constraints or bottlenecks, access to substitutes, and infrastructure availability.

    We examine several key pricing hubs below to better understand regional natural gas pricing.

    A closer look at key pricing hubs around the United States

    South Central region
    Henry Hub in Erath, Louisiana, has many features that make it an important pricing benchmark: pipeline interconnectivity, proximity to storage and production, access to diverse markets, and lots of buyers and sellers of natural gas, especially with growing export markets for natural gas. Henry Hub is the delivery location for natural gas futures contracts transacted on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) that go to physical settlement. Most natural gas at U.S. trading hubs is priced relative to Henry Hub, which is also an increasingly relevant benchmark for global liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases, as U.S. exports increase and as Henry Hub price indexation is used to price deliveries at U.S. export terminals.

    The Houston Ship Channel (HSC) is in southeastern Texas in the Port of Houston, surrounded by numerous natural gas and processing plants along the Gulf Coast. The HSC market is diverse, providing price transparency and liquidity for exports markets, industrial and process gas uses, and power generation. Production from the nearby Eagle Ford shale formation accounted for about 6% of total marketed natural gas in the United States last year. Growing LNG exports and related facilities that process the hydrocarbon gas liquids present in natural gas in this region have also further increased the significance of this hub, as have increased natural gas exports via pipeline to Mexico.

    The Waha natural gas pricing hub is in West Texas near Permian Basin production activities and helps natural gas market participants get a sense of pricing in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The Permian Basin produced 19% of total U.S. natural gas in 2023, with most coming from associated gas from crude oil wells. Because natural gas production in the Permian Basin has increased more rapidly than natural gas pipeline takeaway capacity, Waha prices are typically lower than those at other hubs, sometimes turning negative.

    Pacific region
    SoCal Citygate is the major natural gas pricing hub in Southern California in the Los Angeles Basin, with substantial natural gas consumption by the various local sectors, averaging about 2.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2023. SoCal Citygate prices reflect the price of moving natural gas from diverse nearby basins and Mexico into the Los Angeles metro area’s distribution system. Prices also include the cost of transporting natural gas from the California border to the distribution system in the greater Los Angeles Basin. SoCal Citygate traded at prices that were historically low for this hub through the first eight months of 2024, due to milder winter conditions, increased solar generation, more natural gas in storage, and increased hydroelectric power generation.

    Opal is a key natural gas pricing hub in southwestern Wyoming. The Kern River Gas Transmission pipeline, which is connected to the Opal Hub, is the only interstate pipeline that delivers natural gas directly from the Rocky Mountain region to Southern California. This pipeline receives about 25% of the Rocky Mountain’s natural gas supply, and its deliveries account for approximately 25% of California’s natural gas demand, according to pipeline owner BHE. Operations at Opal’s large nearby processing plant often influence price volatility.

    Northwest Sumas is the key pricing hub along the British Columbia-Washington border for natural gas in the Pacific Northwest, providing customers in the Pacific Northwest with natural gas supply diversity. Sumas prices reflect market conditions in the Pacific Northwest, such as the state of the regional hydroelectric market, natural gas storage availability, space heating needs, upstream gas conditions in British Columbia, and increasing power burn.

    Midwest region
    At Chicago Citygate in Illinois, seven major interstate pipelines transporting natural gas from Canada, the Southwest, and the Gulf of Mexico converge. Chicago Citygate, the primary pricing hub for end users in Chicago and parts of the upper Midwest, is linked to three pipelines that transport natural gas from Henry Hub, increasing the linkage of prices between the two hubs. This market is also close to storage, and abundant infrastructure helps to moderate seasonal and daily price volatility at this hub.

    Northeast region (defined as New York, New England, and Pennsylvania)
    Algonquin Citygate is an important pricing hub in the northeastern United States, and prices at this hub reflect natural gas market dynamics in Boston, Massachusetts, and elsewhere in New England. New England relies heavily on natural gas for heating in the winter months, but supplies are constrained by the region’s limited natural gas pipeline capacity and changing fuel mix. Price volatility at Algonquin Citygate is typically related to these periods of peak demand.

    Transco Zone 6 NY is a key pricing hub primarily serving New York City. Named after the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, Transco is the main pipeline serving the U.S. eastern seaboard. Price volatility at Transco Zone 6 NY tends to be reflected in locational marginal prices in the New York Independent System Operator’s zones in New York City (Zone J) and Long Island (Zone I). Historically, disruptions or constraints along this long-distance pipeline quickly affected prices, but recently, production in the Appalachian Basin has muted those effects. Competing needs for deliveries along the Transco network can contribute to higher prices at Transco Zone 6 NY, especially in the winter.

    Eastern Gas South (formerly Dominion South) serves as a pricing hub in the mid-Atlantic and is one of the most important trading hubs in the United States. In addition to being a key point of liquidity for buyers and sellers of Appalachian natural gas, this benchmark has undergone substantial growth in production over the past decade, accounting for 29%, or 37.7 Bcf/d, of gross natural gas production in the United States last year. Prices in this area tend to be discounted to the Henry Hub price because of regional productivity, supply surpassing local demand, and transportation of natural gas supply out of Appalachia being constrained by takeaway pipeline capacity.

    We provide the locations of major hubs in our U.S. Energy Atlas geospatial application in the Natural Gas Infrastructure and Resources layer.

    Principal contributors: Andrew Iraola, Chris Peterson

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Long, Long Time Ago, in Galaxies Near and Far

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Until now, space exploration has been dominated by two categories of missions – flagship missions, like the James Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes, and smaller-scale missions – with little in between. 

    Cara Battersby is an associate professor of physics at UConn.

    But a “happy medium” can help fill in the gaps of information gleaned from these two mission types. Recognizing this, NASA’s Probe Explorers program recently selected two probe designs to receive $5 million funding for development over the next 12 months. The two designs will then compete to receive $1 billion funding to get off the ground – literally – and launch in 2032. 

    One of these probe concepts, PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics), has been developed by an international team including UConn physics associate professor Cara Battersby, who leads one of the project’s key science objectives.  

    If selected for launch, it will use far-infrared sensing technology to illuminate the secrets of the universe, helping scientists understand our own and surrounding galaxies.

    Uncovering Galactic Secrets in Hidden Wavelengths

    “This observatory is designed to fill this enormous gap in wavelength coverage between the mid-infrared all the way to the submillimeter,” Battersby says.  

    The James Webb telescope can “see” in the mid-infrared range of electromagnetic radiation, while the ALMA telescope in Chile can “see” in the submillimeter range. Everything in between is known as the “far infrared” range. This frequency of radiation isn’t visible to the human eye, or even from Earth itself, Battersby points out. 

    “The Earth’s atmosphere completely absorbs this wavelength of light that comes from interstellar space – distant galaxies, forming planets,” she says. “So there’s really no existing or planned telescope that can cover this wavelength gap. The fact that NASA is supporting the next phase for this mission is really exciting, and the science that it enables it is breathtaking.” 

    In space, PRIMA would use this wavelength range to understand the time period between “cosmic dawn” and “cosmic noon,” which encompasses the first era of galaxy formation and the peak of cosmic star formation in the universe. It would also uncover new data to explain how planets and their atmospheres develop. Battersby herself is leading the star and planet formation group on the PRIMA team. 

    In other words, PRIMA would provide the entire astronomy community with critical insights from this key wavelength range that can help us understand our cosmic origins: from the formation of stars and planets to the buildup of elements and the evolution of galaxies over cosmic time. 

    Battersby compares the current state of astrophysics to looking at a crowd of people and attempting to guess their ages, without knowing much about human development. If you didn’t have background knowledge – that children are generally shorter than adults, for instance – it would be impossible. 

    But if, instead, you understand that people generally get taller as they mature, and that there are exceptions (some people are always very short; some are tall from a young age), you can start to sort people visually and make educated guesses about how old they are. 

    Likewise, if you understand what distinguishes an older galaxy from a younger one, you can start to piece together the story of how space took shape over billions of years. 

    “We see these pictures of populations of galaxies, and we don’t know what they were like when they first formed and how they grew. What controls how big a galaxy can get or how many stars it can form? Does it make a really big black hole or really small black hole?” Battersby says. “In order make sense of the data, you need to uncover pictures of the galaxies when they were young and follow them as they grow. Only then can you put the timeline together.”

    Cara Battersby (right) and graduate student Rachel Lee (left) at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, in Heidelberg, Germany. (Courtesy of Cara Battersby)

    Enriching Scientific Community on Earth

    In addition to the sheer scientific advancement potential, Battersby is excited about PRIMA’s ability to enrich the entire astronomy community – and provide UConn students with some truly once-in-a-lifetime research opportunities. 

    “A large percentage of the time the observatory is actually operating will be devoted to the astronomy community,” she says. “They can put in proposals to do their favorite science [with PRIMA]. We actually had a community call for proposals, and we had about 70 people write papers about what they would like to do with the telescope – so there’s a ton of community interest.” 

    And if PRIMA is selected to launch, that means Battersby’s students at UConn will have a chance to get involved with this historic project. In fact, one of her graduate students, Rachel Lee, is already nearing publication on a paper exploring some potential applications for PRIMA. 

    “I’m really excited about what this opportunity will mean for students at UConn moving forward, because there will be a chance to make meaningful impacts on this mission that has a very good likelihood of going into space,” she says. “That’s really unique. I certainly never had that opportunity as a student. Working on this is one of the coolest things I’ve done in my career, and now that’s something that UConn students could have a chance to do – they could be part of this whole team.” 

    PRIMA’s principal investigator is Jason Glenn of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Research Assesses Assets and Challenges for North Hartford Food Environment

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Links between eating a balanced diet and overall health are well-established. But for people living in “food swamps” these healthy options just aren’t readily available.

    A new study in the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment highlights the lived experiences of women of color living in a food swamp in North Hartford, and both the challenges and opportunities for accessing healthy food in their neighborhood.

    The study was a collaboration between the UConn Department of Allied Health Sciences, the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health, the UConn School of Medicine, and North Hartford community members.

    Food swamps are areas characterized by an oversaturation of fast food and other highly processed food options. They also have a lack of grocery stores with fresh produce.

    “Food swamps are areas where residents don’t have access to fresh, healthy foods,” says Curtis Antrum, lead author of the study and graduate assistant. “Instead, they are surrounded by establishments like fast food or corner stores. People of color in poorer neighborhoods are disproportionately impacted by food swamps.”

    The researchers used a method known as Photovoice for this study. This research method involves study participants taking photos, in this case, of the food environment in their neighborhood, and adding voice notes narrating their experience.

    This method empowers participants to engage in citizen science by sharing more detailed and personal information with the researchers.

    “Photovoice actually prompts a focus on action,” says Kristen Cooksey Stowers, assistant professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences and senior author on the paper. “Not just engaging lived experience and documenting problems and health inequities, but also keeping the dedication to engage lived experience and community voice when you are carving out and evaluating solutions.”

    From these accounts, the researchers identified some key themes in the challenges participants face, such as a lack of access to grocery stores; advertising and marketing that push “junk” food; lack of transportation to access healthier options; unaffordability of fresh produce; the impact of junk food on their children’s school performance; the prominence of alcoholic beverages over health alternatives; and the quality of fresh food at their local stores.

    “Anyone paying attention knows that North Hartford residents have been impacted by degradation and segregation; however, through the Photovoice approach, our lived experiences within this food swamp are urgent and impossible to ignore,” Mary Holter, a member of the Community Action Task Force (CATF).

    Curtis Antrum and Kristen Cooksey Stowers at the Gallery Walk for the Invest Health Hartford Team. (Jason Sheldon/UConn Photo)

    Participants did identify positive aspects of their food environment as well, such as the availability of culturally relevant foods for the city’s large Caribbean and Hispanic populations, like plantains and yucca. However, participants note that this does not fully meet their needs in the absence of other produce.

    The paper concludes by highlighting the assets the community already has and how these can be bolstered by policy changes and increased funding.

    “The message that we heard from [community members] was that they want more investment in our community assets,” Cooksey Stowers says.

    This paper reflects the overarching aim of Cooksey Stowers’ lab, the Health Equity Lab for the People (HELP), in shifting the field away from a negative framing of problems, but instead places the focus on solutions.

    Cooksey Stowers’ lab hopes to change this by empowering community members to have their voices heard by researchers and policy makers.

    “It’s very important from a personal level that we can reach them where they are, so they can participate actively and see the results,” Antrum says.

    The team plans to replicate this pilot study with a larger sample that includes men and women and will look at the impact of poor nutritional health on students’ educational outcomes. The team has also looked at how policies create food swamps. For example, in Hartford, corner stores and other non-grocery establishments that sell food were coded as grocery stores, giving policy makers an inaccurate picture of food access across the city.

    “The Photovoice Project is being shared in multiple venues, and as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. But in this case, the voice and lived experience of residents are captured alongside the photos, substantiating a more compelling case for the change that is required to move the needle towards health equity,” says Angela Harris of Phillips Metropolitan CME Church.

    Working with community partners, Cooksey Stowers successfully lobbied to have the definition updated to require “grocery stores” sell a certain percentage of fresh foods and a square footage requirement in 2022.

    “That was a barrier to change,” Cooksey Stowers says. “Because as we were presenting data to folks outside of Hartford trying to recruit a supermarket operator, trying to get state-level support, on paper they were seeing that there were grocery stores there.”

    Other policies can help restrict new fast-food establishments from opening while encouraging community-owned health-promoting businesses like cafes and restaurants with healthy options and fitness establishments. They presented this policy proposal to Hartford policy makers at the end of September.

    “They are envisioning a health-topia, not an area that is filled with dialysis treatments,” Cooksey Stowers says. “They want to focus on prevention, not just treatment.”

    “To make a real impact, we need sustainable investment and policy changes to turn food deserts and swamps into spaces that promote health, equity, and opportunity,” says Denise Holter, CATF chair. “This isn’t just about access to healthy, affordable food—it’s about ensuring dignity, choice, and a brighter future for everyone.”

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice and Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Electric, Hybrid Buses Coming to UConn as Next Generation of Clean Transit

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    For more than 100 years, Storrs students have been able hop on buses of varying kinds – from a 1920s jalopy to today’s sleekly designed “Ice Bus” – on their way to their classes, residence halls, and activities around campus.

    While UConn Storrs has grown and even the school’s name has evolved, one thing has remained the same: The buses have been powered by fossil fuels, which has been the standard technology for decades in mass transit around the world.

    But that’s about to change. As the State of Connecticut pursues more clean energy options, it is providing two new battery electric buses to the Windham Regional Transit District (WRTD), which operates UConn’s bus system, for use on the Storrs campus starting in the spring semester.

    The electric buses produce no tailpipe emissions and provide all the features that today’s students need for a comfortable and productive ride. Those amenities include three-position bicycle racks, phone charging ports, comfortable silica cushion seats, on-board electronic information displays, and other features envisioned in the Customer Experience Action Plan of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).

    The new buses are part of a larger initiative by CTDOT and state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) in partnership with transit providers to transition from diesel to zero-emissions models under an executive order that Gov. Ned Lamont issued in 2021.

    The new 32-seat electric buses fit ideally into UConn’s clean-energy transportation vision, which is part of the broader plan to attain carbon neutrality on campus by 2030. Some of the related initiatives in the works include installing a hydrogen fuel dispenser at Storrs next spring; replacing 24 aging utility fleet vehicles with hydrogen-fueled models; and adding nine hybrid buses, which are currently on order.

    Many more electric vehicle charging stations are also being added at Storrs, UConn Health, and other locations statewide. Like the hydrogen fuel station, they will be accessible for public use.

    “Transportation is a critical piece in the puzzle at UConn as we work toward carbon neutrality by 2030 and the goal of net carbon zero by 2040,” says Stan Nolan, UConn’s interim associate vice president for facilities operations, which include transportation and fleet services.

    “Transitioning our University vehicles to models that operate on more sustainable fuel sources will significantly enhance our progress, along with providing amenities like the charging stations to support and encourage others to adopt green-friendly transportation in our community,” he says.

    All told, the University’s fleet vehicles are driven a combined total of about 2,000 miles per day on and around its campuses. About three-quarters of them run on gasoline or diesel fuel, but that percentage is decreasing as vehicles reach the end of their serviceable lives and many are being replaced with clean-energy vehicles.

    President Radenka Maric, an internationally recognized expert in clean energy technology, says the impact of transitioning UConn’s fleet to green-energy sources will be an important step in the work toward carbon neutrality.

    It also establishes UConn and the State of Connecticut as a partnership model for other states to emulate and underscores ideals of UConn’s Strategic Plan, in which the wellness of people and the planet – starting right on its campuses – are among the six top focus areas.

    The two electric buses are expected to be added to the Storrs routes in the spring semester once the charging infrastructure is installed and ready for use at the WRTD bus garage.

    The electric buses can run for about 150 to 180 miles per charge in winter, and about 200 to 220 miles per charge in summer. That range is ideal for a location like the Storrs campus, where the buses are constantly circulating on a typical day and the per-charge mileage is expected to be on the higher side since they will travel on flat topography at low speeds, officials say.

    They will be around the same size as the current buses, most of which are seven or eight years old. Many of those buses will be taken off the road in coming years as they reach the end of their service life, with more clean-energy vehicles envisioned in their place.

    The two new electric buses will include UConn’s logo and other recognizable branding, along with a white noise sound for safety to ensure pedestrians can hear the bus even if they are wearing headphones, ear buds, or other clothes and gear.

    The new buses also will include the current audio warnings that are broadcast to indicate to people nearby whenever a bus is turning.

    The two new electric buses being deployed at Storrs are part of the State of Connecticut’s initiative to electrify at least 30% of the medium and heavy-duty transit fleet statewide by 2030, and 100% by 2035.

    Of the 50 new buses being delivered this year, 34 have been deployed across the various CTtransit divisions in addition to 11 already operating in the Hamden and Stamford areas from the 2022 Electric Bus Pilot program.

    “Transitioning our fleet from older diesel models to newer zero-emission buses reduces greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution,” says Benjamin Limmer, CTDOT’s Bureau Chief of Public Transportation. “These state-of-the-art buses are quieter, provide a smoother ride, and offer additional amenities that today’s riders deserve. We’re excited to see them running on the Storrs campus this spring.”

    Though UConn is moving into a new generation of clean energy mass transit, bus service at Storrs dates back to the days when it was still the Connecticut Agricultural College.

    A news story from a 1921 version of the Connecticut Campus student paper includes a colorful description of transportation options in previous years, including a 25-passenger Kissel car that often lost its front wheel on Route 195’s Spring Hill and a faster but short-lived Studebaker.

    One of the most famous – or infamous, some would say – was an old Pierce-Arrow they jokingly called the “Black Maria,” a common nickname for police vehicles.

    “Students will remember a good many times when they gave vent to their feelings because of Maria’s mulish behavior,” the newspaper wrote in an April 1921 profile of the driver, who transported students three times daily between Willimantic and the campus.

    The idea of a 32-seat passenger bus would have been inconceivable to students then.

    In fact, electricity had only arrived on campus starting in 1906 – and only in the chapel, library, and dining hall, not the dorms. Now, almost 120 years later, the two new electric buses and nine new hybrid buses represent the next generation of transportation at UConn.

    “UConn has always worked to ensure that its campuses are provided with the most modern, user-friendly, and socially responsible transportation options available. The addition of the new electric buses fits perfectly into that mission,” says Andy Kelly, UConn’s associate director of logistics in its facilities operations division.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: EUR 91 million worth of counterfeit and substandard food seized in Europe-wide operation

    Source: Europol

    OPSON XIII results:11 criminal networks dismantled,104 arrest warrants issued,184 search warrants issued,278 persons reported to judicial authorities,5 821 checks and inspections performed.In total, goods valued at over EUR 91 million were taken off the market.Food fraud, the counterfeiting of food and beverages, and the abuse of geographical indications constitutes a significant and serious crime area which needs to be tackled…

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Galaxy AI to Support 20 Languages by End of 2024

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the upcoming expansion of four new languages for Galaxy AI1: Turkish, Dutch, Swedish and Romanian. Existing supported languages will also expand to cover additional dialects in traditional Chinese and Portuguese (Europe). This expanded support will begin rolling out from the end of October.
    Galaxy AI currently supports 16 languages2, and by the end of the year that number will go up to 20 with these new additions. This update means even more users will be able to lower language barriers and step into a larger world with the power of Galaxy AI. The new languages and dialects will be available for download as language packs from the Settings app of compatible Galaxy devices.
    For more information about Galaxy AI, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsungmobilepress.com or Samsung.com.

    1 Galaxy AI features by Samsung will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices.
    2 Supported languages include Arabic, Chinese (China mainland, Hong Kong), English (Australia, India, United Kingdom, United States), French (Canada, France), German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Mexico, Spain, United States), Thai and Vietnamese.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Traders see almost £10,000 worth of fake Paddington Bear goods seized ahead of half-term film release | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Almost £10,000 worth of counterfeit Paddington Bear merchandise was seized by Westminster City Council’s Trading Standards during raids along Oxford Street.

    Just days away from the release of the latest film in the Paddington series, officers targeted nine shops along Oxford Street and Central London seizing £9,500 worth of unofficial merchandise. Some of the items seized included t-shirts, tote bags, fridge magnets and even shot glasses – all emblazoned with the image of Westminster’s famous furry character.

    Supporting the council’s officers were representatives from Surelock, acting on behalf of Paddington & Co. They helped to identify products that displayed trademarks and copyrighted material without the permission of the owner. This represented criminal breaches of the Trade Marks Act 1994 and Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

    When it comes to protecting Westminster’s consumers the council provides more than the bear necessities. This latest sting is part of a wider operation by the council targeting unscrupulous businesses on Europe’s premier shopping destination that continue to sell counterfeit goods or American candy or snacks containing banned ingredients.

    Ron Harrison, Managing Director of Surelock said: 

    We are extremely grateful to the team, carrying out enforcement action at so many premises in one day, it was unprecedented, everyone worked very hard.”

    Leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Adam Hug said:

    Trying to con shoppers in Westminster with fake Paddington goods is bear-faced cheek we won’t stand for.

    “Our job is to ensure shoppers get what they pay for. Big retail names are making a welcome return to Oxford Street and rogue traders have been a blemish on the area for too long.

    “People trying to fleece Paddington fans have felt the long-arm of the paw, and so will anyone who tries to rip off customers in Westminster.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Play your part in a greener, more resilient Plymouth

    Source: City of Plymouth

    From Monday 4 to Friday 8 November, in celebration of Green Careers Week, the Skills team at Plymouth City Council are inviting local people to take part in activities that will inspire them to get involved in developing the city’s green economy.

    Students, career changers, job seekers, or anyone simply interested in the transition to a more sustainable and green economy can sign up to attend free sessions that aim to inspire local people to contribute to a sustainable future, while also exploring the range of green careers available in Plymouth.

    Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Whether you’re interested in renewable energy, conservation, or sustainable construction, taking part in these Green Careers Week activities can help you to find out how your skills can play a part in a greener, more resilient Plymouth.

    “There’s a fantastic line-up of activities with organisations including MVV Plymouth, Fugro, Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, Poole Farm, Secure Forests, the University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Bus and Southwest Highways, and it’s a great chance for people to find out more about the career opportunities that are out there.

    “Join us to discover how various sectors in our city are contributing to a sustainable future and explore the range of green careers available!”

    Click here to view the programme and for details on Green Careers Week with Skills Launchpad Plymouth.

    If you are interested in participating in Green Careers Week, please click here to sign up. You can also email skillslaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk  

    ​​​

    ​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Esplanade resurfacing during October half term23 October 2024 The Government of Jersey will be carrying out essential highway maintenance on the eastbound carriageway of the Esplanade from 26 October to 3 November 2024. The Esplanade and Victoria Avenue will remain… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    23 October 2024

    The Government of Jersey will be carrying out essential highway maintenance on the eastbound carriageway of the Esplanade from 26 October to 3 November 2024.

    The Esplanade and Victoria Avenue will remain open in both directions during the work, with a contraflow to ensure there are two lanes for each direction. 

    Signed diversions will also be in place, which will be especially important if you have an appointment at the General Hospital. Drivers approaching from the east will need to use Castle Street to get to Patriotic Street Car Park, while those coming from the west will need to use Cheapside/Gloucester Street to access Kensington Place/Patriotic Street. 

    We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. The work is much needed as some sections were last improved more than 20 years ago. 

    More details on diversions and working times are detailed on gov.je/roadworks​.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rick Witter’s namesake gritter unveiled!

    Source: City of York

    City of York Council is introducing its new fleet of gritters ahead of the winter season, with one named as Rick Gritter (after Rick Witter, Shed Seven).

    The lead singer from the local band Shed Seven has been chosen in recognition of their achievements in the last year.

    Cllr Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York Council, said:

    We’ve got a couple of new gritters this year, so this is a fantastic opportunity mark a hometown tribute to Rick and the band in recognition of their achievements.

    “Our gritting season officially starts in November, with some ‘dry runs’ taking place this month. So, you’ll start to see Rick Gritter on the streets of York soon!”

    Here’s how the council is helping residents, visitors and businesses during the winter months:

    Gritting

    The council has stockpiled 3,000 tonnes of road salt (as per national reserves allow), which is stored in its salt barn at Hazel Court depot.

    On average, crews spread around 6,000 tonnes of road salt per season, over 75-80 road treatments (gritter runs). The council has a full crew of staff for its gritters, for the whole season.

    Each season, crews treat eight routes across the highway, covering 226miles (365km) of York’s road network, including 13.6miles (22km) of priority footpaths and off road cycle network, and when resources allow, 36miles (58km) of cycle network.

    Salt bins in wards

    Around 180 salt bins, amounting to approximately 36tonnes of salt in total, are located across the city in prominent places such as near slopes or shopping areas. To locate salt bins, or report them empty visit the council website.

    Cycle/walking network

    Small tractors will be used to grit 11miles (18km) of York’s cycle/walking network to help keep people safer in winter conditions.

    Popular cycle routes, including Scarborough Bridge and other off road bridges too, are included.

    Off road cycle networks are often difficult to grit or salt because cycles don’t have the same weight or action as a vehicle tyre. Effective gritting works by vehicles driving over the grit with their tyres which beds the grit into the snow and ice.

    Whilst cars or heavy vehicles generally follow the same tyre path. Cycle tyres are much thinner and therefore these typical treatments are less effective.

    Snow wardens

    The council runs a snow warden scheme, which supports around 200 volunteers and is encouraging more people to join. Volunteers receive training, equipment and insurance cover. They choose where and when to keep pavements free of ice and snow and make a real difference to their neighbourhoods. Find out more online.

    For more information about gritting in York, visit the winter page on the council website, or follow Facebook, X, Instagram.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Are Londoners’ voices heard in transport planning?

    Source: Mayor of London

    Who is using London’s transport, and what is being done to make sure their needs are taken into account in planning services?

    Tomorrow, the London Assembly Transport Committee looks at demographic trends in people using different services, and examines what is being done to provide accessible and inclusive transport options for Londoners.

    The meeting will focus on the needs of women, children and young adults, and people in low-income households. The Committee has also launched a call for evidence, which is open to transport planners, campaign and advocacy groups with expertise on the needs of Londoners from a broad range of demographics.

    Members will ask what more, or alternative, accessibility and inclusion measures Transport for London (TfL) could consider to improve its services, and ask how TfL engages with different groups as it plans and designs our transport system.

    The Committee will also hear from Members of some of TfL’s advisory groups, to understand whether they are consulted with and listened to in the transport planning process, and on decisions affecting the services they use.

    Guests include:

    Panel 1: 2pm – 3.30pm

    • Dr Emily Barker, Research and Learning Officer, 4in10
    • Gideon Salutin, Senior Researcher, Social Market Foundation
    • Dr Liz Hind, Senior Local Partnerships and Training Officer, Women’s Budget Group
    • Dr Sara Reis, Deputy Director and Head of Research and Policy, Women’s Budget Group

    Panel 2: 3.45pm – 4.45pm

    • James Lee, City Bridge Foundation, TfL’s Independent Disability Advisory Group Board Member
    • Lauren Price, TfL’s Youth Panel Member
    • Callum Shakespeare, Whizz Kidz, TfL’s Inclusive Transport Forum Member

    The meeting will take place on Thursday 24 October from 2pm, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

    Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

    The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

    Follow us @LondonAssembly.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Visit of the SPbPU delegation to Minsk: scientific events and prospects for cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The Polytechnic delegation visited the capital of Belarus, Minsk. Our university was represented by Acting Director of the PhysMech Institute Alexey Filimonov, Advisor to the Rector’s Office Vadim Korablyov, and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Engineering Physics Vyacheslav Bondarenko. The program of the trip included discussion of cooperation prospects and participation in scientific events.

    The visit began with a working meeting at the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. It is headed by the Head of the Department of Aerospace Activities of the NAS, Academician Pyotr Vityaz. During the discussion, in which the Director of the Institute of Applied Physics of the NAS, Professor Mikhail Kheifets, also took an active part, the scientists considered a number of promising areas for joint research. In particular, they discussed plans to prepare materials for the Union State program in the areas of “Life Sciences” and “Materials Science”.

    After that, the SPbPU delegation visited the VII International Scientific Conference “Modeling of Synthesis and Destruction of Materials”, where issues of deepening cooperation in this extremely important applied area of research were considered. Colleagues emphasized the seriousness of the publication activity of the Union State countries and agreed to strengthen it. The Belarusian side proposed to conduct an economic analysis and make a decision on expanding the composition of the founders of the highly rated journal “Nonlinear Phenomena in Complex Systems”.

    Polytechnicians took part in the XI International Scientific Conference “Materials and Structures of Modern Electronics”, which is traditionally held at the Physics Department of the Belarusian State University. Specialists present to the scientific community the main results of experimental and theoretical research in the field of semiconductor physics, condensed matter and nanotechnology. More than 50 oral reports were heard at the conference.

    The team of polytechnics presented two reports. The first report “Natural size effect in heterocontacts” is devoted to obtaining information about the nature of the electronic properties of the surface of semiconductors and contact structures. Our scientists showed the results of a study of the natural size effect in semiconductor heterocontacts during the distribution of space charge on point and extended linear defects, which is extremely relevant in debugging the technology of manufacturing modern electronic devices on heterojunctions.

    The second report, written in collaboration with colleagues from the A. A. Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, was called “Magnetostriction anomalies and magnetocaloric effect of rare-earth Laves phases based on cobalt.” It presented the results of comprehensive studies of the structure and magnetic properties of practically significant rare-earth alloys, as well as the study of anomalies in the area of phase transitions using various techniques.

    On the sidelines of the conference, several working meetings were held with the Director of the B. I. Stepanov Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Academician S. V. Gaponenko, Deputy Head of the State Center “Belmicroanalysis”, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus V. A. Pilipenko, Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician N. A. Poklonsky, Dean of the Instrument-Making Faculty of the Belarusian National Technical University A. I. Svistun and Professors of the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics A. G. Smirnov and G. G. Gorokh.

    The outcome of these meetings was a decision to prepare a large, comprehensive interdisciplinary application within the framework of the Union State research program.

    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: Marat Khusnullin took part in the XXV International Housing Congress

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Marat Khusnullin took part in the plenary session “Strategy for the Development of the Real Estate Market”, which was held within the framework of the XXV International Housing Congress

    October 23, 2024

    Marat Khusnullin took part in the plenary session “Strategy for the Development of the Real Estate Market”, which was held within the framework of the XXV International Housing Congress

    October 23, 2024

    Marat Khusnullin took part in the plenary session “Strategy for the Development of the Real Estate Market”, which was held within the framework of the XXV International Housing Congress

    October 23, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Marat Khusnullin took part in the plenary session “Strategy for the Development of the Real Estate Market”, which was held within the framework of the XXV International Housing Congress

    Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin took part in the plenary session “Strategy for the Development of the Real Estate Market”, which was held as part of the XXV International Housing Congress.

    “This year we are completing the national project “Housing and Urban Environment”, and quite successfully, having exceeded all plans. If we take analytics from 1991, the rate of housing commissioning has exceeded – in terms of per capita – the Soviet Union. I consider this our common great achievement. Another achievement is that we have promoted the mortgage market. Today, the mortgage portfolio amounts to 27 trillion rubles. Mortgages today make up 10% of GDP. Considering that the share five years ago was at the level of 2-3%, such a jump in five years is a breakthrough. At present, the mortgage sector remains a serious issue, which we are dealing with in a comprehensive manner. We also have mortgage programs in new and Far Eastern regions, programs for the IT sector and rural mortgages,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    As the Deputy Prime Minister noted, the provision of citizens with housing in the amount of 29 square meters per person has also increased by now. At the same time, according to the President’s instruction, this criterion will be gradually increased to 33 square meters by 2030 and to 36–37 square meters by 2036.

    According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the formation of a new national project, “Infrastructure for Life,” is also nearing completion. According to plans, it will allow for a more comprehensive approach to all issues, linking social, transport, and engineering infrastructure, as well as housing development and job creation.

    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 New Zealand: Mindful Money – Use your KiwiSaver for climate action

    Source: Mindful Money

    On International Day of Climate Action 2024, New Zealand charity Mindful Money is calling on Kiwis to drive climate action with their investments’. Most of us want to do our bit to help avoid climate chaos. A crucial – and easy – step that Kiwis can take is to reduce the emissions that result from their KiwiSaver and other investments.

    Mindful Money is highlighting three actions that Kiwis can take to reduce the emissions financed by their investments.

    Climate action 1: Avoid funding the fossil fools

    Everyone with a KiwiSaver fund has the power to ensure their money doesn’t fuel climate change. There is over a billion dollars of KiwiSaver funds invested in hard core climate polluters that are still increasing their emissions, instead of transitioning to renewable energy.

    Mindful Money Co-CEO Barry Coates explained: “This year’s Climate Action Day comes at a time when floods, fires, lethal heat and cyclones are devastating the lives of millions of vulnerable people, and wreaking havoc on our oceans, glaciers, forests and species. Kiwis can reduce their own contribution by choosing not to invest in the companies causing the most damage.”

    The highest emissions are from the major coal, oil and gas companies that have made billions of dollars in profits while denying the problem and delaying and obstructing climate policy. A mere 57 oil, gas, coal and cement producers are directly linked to 80% of the world’s global fossil CO2 emissions since the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

    The public companies, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP and TotalEnergies were the five largest emitters between 2016 and 2022.

    New Zealanders still invest large amounts in these fossil fools. Analysis by Mindful Money across all 376 KiwiSaver funds shows that $3.75 billion was invested in fossil fuel companies at end March 2024. More than a third of that was invested in the companies that are still expanding their production, instead of transitioning to renewable energy.

    Investors in fossil fuel expanders are also taking financial risks from future declines in demand for fossil fuels and stranded assets – the reserves and production infrastructure that will become worthless as renewable energy replaces fossil fuels.

    Barry Coates commented: “Surveys show that 71% of Kiwis want to avoid fossil fuels companies in their investment funds. But most KiwiSaver funds invest in fossil fuels, including those the companies that are still expanding their production. Everyone with a KiwiSaver or some kind of investment can play their part in cutting off investment into the worst climate polluters.”

    ACTION (estimated 15 minutes): Members of the public can go to Mindful Money’s website to find out if their KiwiSaver fund is invested in these companies. It’s quick, easy and free to check your fund, and then find a fund that is better for the climate. https://mindfulmoney.nz/kiwisaver/checker/

    Climate action 2: Don’t fall for the greenwashing

    Over half of Kiwis surveyed are concerned about greenwashing – misleading claims that companies or funds are ‘climate friendly’ or ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’. There has been growing international pressure on companies and funds that make empty promises in order to boost their profits, but little action in New Zealand.

    The EU, UK and other governments are introducing rules on green claims by companies and funds to prevent greenwashing, and regulators are taking action. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has taken 47 regulatory actions against greenwashing over the past 15 months. 

    There have been three court cases including a fine of $14 million for global fund manager, Vanguard. New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has repeatedly warned they will take action against misleading claims but has yet to take action. Meanwhile KiwiSaver and investment funds are still claiming green credentials while investing in the fossil fools.

    Barry Coates commented: “It is not surprising the New Zealand public is concerned about greenwashing. Most funds in New Zealand claim to use some form of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) management in their investment. But these ESG claims are not consistent with investment portfolios that contain companies destroying the world’s climate and facing huge financial risks.”

    “The New Zealand government is still failing to tackle greenwashing by the providers of KiwiSaver and other funds whose claims are not backed up by their actual investments. Investors need to take action themselves to ensure that their investments are not adding fuel to the climate fire.”

    Without government action in New Zealand, the responsibility for avoiding greenwash falls on individual investors. It is now easy for members of the public to get free information about the reality of where their money goes. Mindful Money’s website not only shows the fossil fuel investments for all KiwiSaver and investment funds, but identifies those that are still expanding their production.

    ACTION: Those with KiwiSaver and investment funds should call on their fund providers to provide evidence of their ESG or sustainability claims, including specifics about the companies they invest in. Information provided by the fund providers can be checked out with the investment listing on Mindful Money. http://www.mindfulmoney.nz/kiwisaver/checker/  

    Climate Action 3: Add your voice for change

    International cooperation in the form of a Fossil Fuel Treaty is needed to stop the major fossil fuel companies from blocking progress towards investment in renewable energy. International treaties have been developed to phase out other forms of harmful products, including landmines and nuclear weapons. The  Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is being proposed to manage a global transition to a safe and affordable energy future for all.  It has been endorsed by 14 governments (not including New Zealand) and thousands of leaders from across civil society and local government, including Wellington City Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council.

    ACTION: Members of the public are encouraged to work with organisations, networks, faiths, academic institutions and Councils to support the treaty, and to sign the treaty themselves. https://fossilfueltreaty.org/

    Barry Coates concluded: “The Treaty is important to focus government attention on the fossil fuel industry. For the third year in a row, the next climate summit in December 2024 will be held in a country producing oil and gas (Azerbaijan). Fossil fuel lobbyists will again be given privileged access. The Fossil Fuel Treaty is a way to bring the issues of fossil fuel phaseout into the climate negotiations.”

    Notes:

    International Climate Day of Action is on Thursday 24th October. It is a time for citizens around the world to consider the actions they can take to help avoid the worsening climate crisis.

    Mindful Money’s Fund Checker enables members of the public to check the investments in their KiwiSaver and investment funds. It is quick, easy and free.
    https://mindfulmoney.nz/kiwisaver/checker/

    The research report ‘In Transition or in denial’ explains the categorisation of fossil fuel companies into those transitioning to renewable energy and those still expanding their oil and gas production. 

    https://mindfulmoney.nz/learn/fossil-fuel-investment-in-transition-or-in-denial/

    The Mindful Money Fund Finder helps members of the public to find a fund that aligns with their values. https://mindfulmoney.nz/kiwisaver/finder/

    The website provides a list of funds that do not invest in fossil fuel companieshttps://mindfulmoney.nz/invest-climate-action/fossil-free-funds/

    Research on capital expenditure by the major coal, oil and gas companies is published by the international research institute, InfluenceMap. 

    This week, a greenwashing action has been launched against the world’s largest fund manager, BlackRock. 
    The complaint to the French financial regulator shows the US investment giant’s so-called “sustainable” funds have poured over a billion dollars into fossil fuel expanders, including ExxonMobil, Shell, TotalEnergies, Chevron and BP. 

    International research shows the large passive funds that are claiming to invest sustainably are still investing in the oil and gas companies that are expanding their production. 70% of the 430 ‘sustainable’ passive funds analysed by international researcher Reclaim Finance were exposed to companies expanding their fossil fuels. These included big oil and gas developers (e.g. ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Shell) and big coal developers (e.g. Adani, Mitsubishi, Glencore). 
    Greenwash can take different forms. Some funds claim to be green by investing in the fossil fuel companies and then influencing them towards sustainability. 
    But the latest progress report from the umbrella engagement forum, Climate Action 100+, shows continued empty promises and little action. Only one of 37 major oil and gas companies subject to engagement is making adequate progress towards net zero. Seven years after Climate Action 100+ was formed, most of the coal, oil and gas companies are still expanding their oil and gas production instead of transitioning to renewable energy. 
    The only New Zealand case on greenwashing has been a civil case. Consumer NZ, the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) and Lawyers for Climate Action New Zealand Inc (LCANZI) are seeking declarations from the High Court that Z Energy has breached the Fair Trading Act by misleading New Zealanders with its public messaging that it is“getting out of the petrol business” and it is “well on track to achieving [its] carbon reduction targets” when in fact its emissions have been increasing. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: CoreLogic – Investors take a fresh look at the NZ property market

    Source: CoreLogic

    Mortgaged multiple property owners (MPOs) remain less active than usual, but there are early signs that some are starting to return – a signal that ‘mum and dad’ investors might be starting to see value in the NZ property market again.

    CoreLogic’s October Housing Chart Pack shows that for the month of September, mortgaged MPOs made up 22.6% of all property purchases, up from the record low seen exactly a year ago (20.4%) and the highest seen since around the middle of 2022.
    CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said although the share of purchases going to mortgaged multiple property owners (including investors) remains low by historical standards, there have been hints over the past quarter that this group is showing renewed interest.
    “That’s likely to reflect lower mortgage rates, which are reducing the required cashflow top-ups on a typical rental property purchase, but also the reinstatement of mortgage interest deductibility and reduced deposit requirements under the LVR rules,” said Mr. Davidson, referring to changes that allow investors to claim 80% of their mortgage interest as a deductible expense for tax purposes.
    Data from the October Chart Pack also showed that gross rental yields have been trending higher – albeit slowly – as values have weakened and rents have risen.
    From a floor of 2.8% in late 2021, they now stand at 3.9%, which is the highest level since early 2016.
    Auckland and Wellington City are hovering in the 3-3.5% range, with Hamilton and Tauranga closer to 4%, and Christchurch and Dunedin a bit above 4%.
    “Even though rental yields have trended higher, they’re still quite low compared to mortgage rates, so no doubt some would-be property investors are watching and waiting for interest rates to start falling to an even more favourable level,” added Mr. Davidson. “That said, on individual deals, clearly some savvy investors will already be able to secure yields that exceed the market averages.”
    Investors on the rise again?
    He said investors are going to be a group to watch in 2025 as rates are expected to keep falling.
    “We estimate that a ‘typical’ mortgage rate of around 5.5% could start to entice growing numbers of investors back to the market, but that’s also potentially a rate at which debt-to-income ratio limits might start to have a more noticeable impact.”
    “It remains to be seen what the net impact will be. Of course, whatever trade-offs investors might face in terms of lower funding costs but tougher credit rules, the exemption from the DTIs for new-builds could continue to make them a very strong option for would-be buyers.”
     
    October Housing Chart Pack highlights:

    New Zealand’s residential real estate market is worth a combined $1.61 trillion.

    The CoreLogic Home Value Index (HVI) fell by a further 0.5% in September, the seventh decline in a row, taking the drop from February’s ‘mini peak’ to almost 5%. 
    Auckland fell again in September, and alongside Wellington, it has seen values drop by more than 3% since June. By contrast, Christchurch and Dunedin are proving a little more resilient.
    Values dipped by 1.2% in the year to September, with the small upturn in late 2023 now close to being reversed. Taking the three months to September combined, there was a 2.4% drop in median property values across NZ.
    Falls from the peak are now sitting at nearly 18% nationally, with some areas significantly larger.
    National rental growth has settled into a more subdued phase, and was 1.2% in the year to September, which is comfortably below the long-term average of 3.2%.
    Over the past 2-3 years, gross rental yields have been trending slowly higher, as values have weakened and rents have risen. From a floor of 2.8% in late 2021, they now stand at 3.9%.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp: New AIG Office Hub to Create 600 Metro Atlanta Jobs

    Source: US State of Georgia

    Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that American International Group, Inc. (AIG), a leading global insurance company, will establish a new innovation hub in DeKalb County. The facility will triple AIG’s current Atlanta-area office space to accommodate over 1,000 employees, including the creation of more than 600 new roles over the next five years.

    “Again and again, job creators are choosing the No. 1 state for business not just for first-time investment, but for expansion as well,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “AIG’s decision to grow their footprint here in Georgia is just the latest confirmation that we have what businesses want and are leveraging those assets to their fullest so we can bring new opportunity to all parts of the state. I want to thank our local and state partners who made this project possible, and I look forward to it’s long-lasting, positive impacts.”

    With operations and network partners in more than 190 countries and jurisdictions, AIG provides insurance solutions that help businesses and individuals protect their assets and manage risks. AIG’s new Atlanta innovation hub, set to open in 2026, will be designed as a collaborative workspace where teams representing every aspect of AIG’s business will work together to test new processes and incubate digital capabilities to build value for clients and partners.

    “For many years, AIG has been a part of Atlanta’s thriving business community, and we look forward to creating more than 600 high-quality jobs that will provide rewarding opportunities for the talented and skilled local workforce,” said Peter Zaffino, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, AIG. “This investment is part of our commitment to continue to enhance our expertise to help our clients and partners navigate complex and emerging risks, while building additional capabilities for the future.”

    The company will hire for various roles across underwriting, claims, operations, data engineering, and AI. Interested individuals can learn more about open roles and careers with AIG at http://www.aig.com/careers. For more information about AIG’s new Atlanta hub, visit http://www.aig.com/newsroom.

    “Known for its highly regarded universities, hospitals, and healthcare industry, DeKalb County is renowned for fostering sustainable economic growth and prosperity,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “Ranked as a top Fortune 100 company and recognized on Forbes’ first-ever list of America’s Best Employers for Tech Workers, we are delighted that AIG will bring additional business investment and employment opportunities to our county.”

    “The quality of a company like AIG and the caliber of the employees that will call it home is a perfect fit for Brookhaven’s Perimeter Summit,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Park. “Job creation is extremely important in any economy, and we appreciate the leadership and collaboration of GDEcD and Decide DeKalb to bring AIG to Brookhaven.”

    “AIG’s expansion is a testament to what we’ve been saying for years: this region was built for business,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “The new Brookhaven location strengthens AIG’s presence in metro Atlanta and creates new jobs for Georgians as the company builds on its continued success.”

    Assistant Director of Statewide Projects John Soper represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this project in partnership with Decide DeKalb, Georgia Power, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the University System of Georgia.

    “For years, we lost some of our best and brightest talent to out-of-state opportunities. That’s no longer the case,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “AIG’s office hub is a great example of the type of investment that will keep our well-educated, diverse talent engaged here at home after graduation.”

    About American International Group, Inc. (AIG)

    American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG) is a leading global insurance organization. AIG provides insurance solutions that help businesses and individuals in approximately 190 countries and jurisdictions protect their assets and manage risks through AIG operations and network partners. For additional information, visit http://www.aig.com

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung R&D Institute, Bangalore Sets Up a State-of-the-Art Linguistics Lab focused on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Jointly with Garden City University, Bangalore

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung R&D Institute India – Bangalore (SRI-B) has collaborated with Garden City University (GCU), Bangalore to set up a ‘Samsung Student Ecosystem for Engineered Data (SEED) Lab’, providing students and faculty an exciting opportunity to delve into the world of AI/ML and data engineering.
     
    At the lab, students and faculty members of GCU will get hands-on experience through joint projects on emerging cutting-edge tech areas such as Natural Language Understanding, Speech and Text recognition and Machine Learning, with senior engineers at SRI-B.
     
    Samsung has already launched four SEED labs – two each in Karnataka and in Tamil Nadu (VIT- Vellore & VIT- Chennai) earlier, engaging more than 400 students in AI and data-related projects.
     
    “We’re at a time when technology is evolving faster than ever. We are collaborating with the local ecosystem where we strive to develop talent and upskill Indian engineers / linguists, to not only make them industry-ready, but also become the game changers of the future. Our strategic partnership with Garden City University will further advance our efforts and explore new opportunities in creating innovative products for India”, said Mohan Rao Goli, Chief Technology Officer, SRI-B.
     
    The Lab at GCU plans to leverage the capabilities of Linguists in executing AI and Multi-lingual, data-centric projects by building an end-to-end pipeline for data, which includes Text/Speech Data generation in global languages, engineering (curation, labelling, and more), data management and archival.
     
    “Collaboration with industries is crucial for universities to produce the workforce and innovators of the future. Our partnership with Samsung through the SEED (Student Ecosystem for Engineered Data) program aligns perfectly with the ethos of Garden City University. I am confident that this collaboration will greatly benefit our students while also strengthening Samsung’s industry-academia relationships. This marks a significant step forward for both parties”, shared Dr. Joseph V.G., Chancellor, Garden City University.
     
    The SEED Lab, which is a collaborative initiative between SRI-B and GCU for 5 years, is spread across 1,500 sq ft. In its initial phase, the Lab has been equipped with state-of-the-art Infrastructure for the Students to collaborate with Samsung in generating datasets. The lab also has a robust backend infrastructure to store, process, and archive large volumes of data, and can accommodate about 30 people.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Kanak leader Christian Tein’s jailing in France overturned in new legal twist

    Asia Pacific Report

    France’s Supreme Court has overturned a judgment imprisoning pretrial in mainland France Kanak pro-independence leader Christian Tein, who is widely regarded as a political prisoner, reports Libération.

    Tein, who is head of the CCAT (Field Action Coordination Unit) in New Caledonia was in August elected president of the main pro-independence umbrella group Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS).

    He has been accused by the French authorities of “masterminding” the violence that spread across New Caledonia in May.

    The deadly unrest is estimated to have caused €2.2 billion (NZ$3.6 billion) in infrastructural damage, resulting in the destruction of nearly 800 businesses and about 20,000 job losses.

    In this new legal twist, the jailing in mainland France of Tein and another activist, Steve Unë, was ruled “invalid” by the court.

    “On Tuesday, October 22, the Court of Cassation in Paris overturned the July 5 ruling of the investigating chamber of the Noumea Court of Appeal, which had confirmed his detention in mainland France,” reports NC la 1ère TV.

    “The Kanak independence activist, imprisoned in Mulhouse since June, will soon have to appear before a judge again who will decide his fate,” the report said.

    Kanak activists’ cases reviewed
    The court examined the appeal of five Kanak pro-independence activists — including Tein – who had challenged their detention in mainland France on suspicion of having played a role in the unrest in New Caledonia, reports RFI News.

    This appeal considered in particular “the decision by the judges in Nouméa to exile the defendants without any adversarial debate, and the conditions under which the transfer was carried out,” according to civil rights attorney François Roux, one of the defendants’ lawyers.

    “Many of them are fathers, cut off from their children,” the lawyer said.

    The transfer of five activists to mainland France at the end of June was organised overnight using a specially chartered plane, according to Nouméa public prosecutor Yves Dupas, who has argued that it was necessary to continue the investigations “in a calm manner”.

    Roux has denounced the “inhumane conditions” in which they were transported.

    “They were strapped to their seats and handcuffed throughout the transfer, even to go to the toilet, and they were forbidden to speak,” he said.

    Left-wing politicians in France have also slammed the conditions of detainees, who they underline were deported more than 17,000 km from their home for resisting “colonial oppression”.

    Another legal twist over arrested Kanaks . . . Christian Tein wins Supreme Court appeal. Image: APR screenshot Libération

    Total of seven accused
    A total of seven activists from the CCAT separatist coalition are accused by the French government of orchestrating deadly riots earlier this year and are currently incarcerated – the five in various prisons in France and two in New Caledonia itself.

    They are under investigation for, among other things, complicity in attempted murder, organised gang theft with a weapon, organised gang destruction of another person’s property by a means dangerous to people and participation in a criminal association with a view to planning a crime.

    Two CCAT activists who were initially imprisoned have since been placed under house arrest in mainland France.

    Tein, born in 1968, has consistently denied having incited violence, claiming to be a political prisoner.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Quality of life continues to slide in South Africa’s key economic province, Gauteng – new survey

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Christian Hamann, Researcher, Gauteng City-Region Observatory

    The Gauteng City-Region, which has long been South Africa’s economic engine, is in decline. The region contributes about 35% of the country’s total economic output, and is home to more than 15 million people, about 25% of the country’s population of 62 million people.

    Many in the province have come from far and wide hoping to “make it” in the land of opportunity. Yet both the media and the public raise critical questions about its future amid decaying infrastructure, poor delivery of basic government services, and a steady uptick in violent crime.

    New research from the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) reveals that development outcomes in the province are declining. The GCRO is an independent institute that produces research and analysis to inform decision making and policy in the Gauteng City-Region. It is a partnership between the Gauteng provincial government, the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Johannesburg, and organised local government (Salga-Gauteng).

    The GCRO constructs a multidimensional index of wellbeing that combines 33 variables into one measure, known as the Quality of Life Index, from survey data that has been collected every two to three years since 2009.

    This includes measures of health, safety, life satisfaction, socio-economic status, public services, satisfaction with government, and social and political participation. The latest index (2023/24) shows that quality of life in Gauteng has fallen to its lowest level ever since the survey began in 2009. This suggests that the wellbeing of many households has been compromised by the complex and interconnected global challenges, known as the polycrisis, that have emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The composition of the GCRO Quality of Life Index. GCRO Quality of Life 7 Survey (2023/24)

    Many of these challenges are linked to the local governance crisis, characterised by unstable political party coalitions. The interaction of complex crises amplifies harmful effects, profoundly affecting quality of life.

    A governance crisis emerged in South Africa in the wake of state capture, marked by a stark decline in the provision of quality public services. So, the government has struggled to shield citizens from the worst impacts of the polycrisis. Households face an acute convergence of global and local crises, reflected in health, economic instability, societal unrest, climate challenges, and rising safety concerns.

    The research

    The 7th Quality of Life Survey involved 13,795 adult residents of Gauteng. Respondents were randomly sampled in every ward of the province. Data was collected by a team of fieldworkers from 28 August 2023 to 16 April 2024. The data is made freely available, and is used by government, academics and civil society. The findings inform policy and strategic planning by government entities across the Gauteng City-Region.

    The latest survey results paint a complex picture about the quality of life in Gauteng. Some of the most significant findings which relate to the challenges that household face, and the ways people respond to challenges, are highlighted below. The list of crises includes concerns about public service delivery, satisfaction with government, safety, poverty, and overall quality of life.

    Unreliable service delivery

    Basic services in Gauteng are characterised by interruptions to supply, inadequate coverage and quality problems. While most residents have access to water, electricity, sanitation and refuse removal, satisfaction with these levels has declined substantially since the previous survey in 2020/21.

    The latest survey shows that only 61% of respondents were satisfied with their sanitation, only 60% perceived their water as always clean, and only 64% were satisfied with their refuse removal. These are all lower than in the past when satisfaction ranged between 70% and 75%. The impact, for example, is that those who do not have weekly refuse removal are more likely to dump their rubbish in public spaces or burn it – causing various environmental challenges.

    Gauteng households use various resources at their disposal to deal with the impacts of unreliable services. For instance, one in seven households (15%) are now generating some or all their own electricity, compared to 4% in 2017/18. This is partly related to the unreliability of electricity provision, and growing efforts to gain independence from the “grid”. But the unreliability and cost of electricity have varied impacts, depending on household income.

    Declining satisfaction with government

    Only a fifth (21%) of respondents were satisfied with the performance of the national government. A similar proportion (22%) of respondents were satisfied with the performance of provincial and local governments. Satisfaction for all these spheres has declined by between 15 and 20 percentage points since 2017/18.

    The effect of dissatisfaction with government is increasing disengagement. Just over half of respondents (54%) felt that politics was a waste of time, and 57% said that South Africa was a failed state. When the survey was conducted, before the 2024 provincial elections, 21% of respondents said they were not planning to vote. Thus, government dissatisfaction and disengagement helps to understand the low voter turnout during the elections.

    Poverty

    While poverty rates measured in 2023/24 have improved from their peak during the pandemic, the recovery is partial. Sixteen percent of respondents lived below the food poverty line of R760 per month (about US$43). This remains higher than pre-pandemic levels (it was 12% in 2017/18). It shows that a large portion of Gauteng’s households have struggled to meet their basic needs for a long time.

    South Africa’s welfare systems remain a lifeline for many households. The proportion of respondents that benefited from any kind of social grant (including child support and old age pensions has increased steadily from 30% in 2011 to just over 50% in 2023/24.

    Low-income households are also less likely to recover from shocks because they lack financial safety nets, and cannot afford to replace public services with costly private alternatives.

    Safety concerns

    Another kind of problem experienced by respondents is insecurity as a result of crime and violence. A fifth of respondents (21%) said that they had been the victim of crime in the last year. This was a two percentage point increase from 2020/21, when lockdowns reduced crime levels. The proportion of respondents who said that the crime situation had worsened was also higher (increasing from 43% in 2020/21 to 48% in 2023/24).

    Much larger proportions of respondents felt unsafe in their homes, and when walking in their neighbourhood in the daytime or at night. For example, in 2023/24, 81% of respondents felt unsafe walking in their area at night, compared to 75% in 2020/21. The effect is that 62% of respondents in 2023/24 were dissatisfied with the security services provided by the government, compared to 54% in 2020/21.

    Overall quality of life is lower

    Overall, in the latest index quality of life reached its lowest point yet since the index was first calculated. The 2023/24 value was calculated at 59.5 out of 100, compared to 61.4 in 2020/21 and a high of 63.9 in 2017/18.

    GCRO Quality of Life Index changes over time. GCRO Quality of Life 7 Survey (2023/24)

    Most of the dimensions declined, suggesting that the wellbeing of many households has been adversely affected by the interplay between the governance crisis and the polycrisis. Households’ ability to navigate these challenges is strongly shaped by inequality, which remains very high.

    The 2023/24 quality of life report shows that the Gauteng City-Region grapples with a series of wicked problems. Public and private sector leaders, along with civil society, need to assess the current situation and collaborate on innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life of all residents in the City-Region.

    Shannon Arnold, a junior researcher at the Gauteng City-Region Observatory, contributed to the research and this article.

    – Quality of life continues to slide in South Africa’s key economic province, Gauteng – new survey
    – https://theconversation.com/quality-of-life-continues-to-slide-in-south-africas-key-economic-province-gauteng-new-survey-241714

    MIL OSI Africa –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese high-tech zones collaborate to boost AI industry innovation

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 23 — Eleven major high-tech zones in China have jointly established a collaborative network to promote innovation in the country’s AI industry, China Science Daily has reported.

    A conference on the establishment of this network held early this week in Beijing revealed that the newly-founded network features 11 major high-tech zones nationwide, including Beijing’s Zhongguancun, also dubbed China’s “Silicon Valley,” and those in the cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Qingdao, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Xi’an, according to the report published on Tuesday.

    Wu Jiaxi, deputy director of the planning department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, expressed hope that the collaborative innovation network would cultivate fertile ground for AI innovation in China — via an open and inclusive approach.

    High-tech zones are the core carriers and major hubs for AI development in China, and they have become a significant force in AI innovation, said Wu.

    He also emphasized the importance of building a community for AI innovation and development through shared benefits, as well as deepening the domestic AI industry layout through an innovation-driven model.

    During the conference, network participants announced the Zhongguancun Initiative, which aims to accelerate the development of AI technologies in areas such as chips, algorithms and models.

    The Zhongguancun Initiative also seeks to establish a comprehensive innovation and entrepreneurship service system for the entire AI industry chain and to build mechanisms for the exchange of technology, industry, capital and talent.

    The initiative encourages the establishment of open AI platforms to maximize the sharing of AI development achievements and seeks the active participation of high-tech zones in the formulation of international and national standards.

    Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of strengthening data security and privacy protection, as well as providing regular supervision and regulatory services for AI platform companies, to ensure the traceability and reliability of AI technologies.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Over 15,000 charity organizations registered in China

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 23 — China has over 15,000 registered charity organizations, a three-fold increase compared to five years ago, the country’s Ministry of Civil Affairs announced Wednesday.

    A total of 2,062 charitable trusts have been registered with the government, 15 times the figure from five years ago, the ministry said at a press conference.

    From 2018 to 2020, the critical period of China’s poverty eradication campaign, the country’s charity organizations spent approximately 50 billion yuan (about 7 billion U.S. dollars) annually on poverty alleviation, especially on supporting people living in poverty in the country’s less-developed areas, according to the ministry.

    Since 2023, nearly 6 billion yuan worth of charitable donations have been raised to aid people affected by earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters across the country, the ministry said.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China to formulate action plan for manufacturing industry’s green, low-carbon development

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

    China to formulate action plan for manufacturing industry’s green, low-carbon development

    BEIJING, Oct. 23 — China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) will formulate an action plan for green and low-carbon development of the manufacturing industry, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

    The move aims to promote comprehensive green transformation in economic and social development, Tao Qing, spokesperson of the MIIT, told a press conference held by the State Council Information Office.

    The MIIT will also continue to promote research, development, innovation and industrialization of key technologies in the fields of integrated circuits, industrial software, artificial intelligence and satellite internet, and cultivate and develop emerging industries and future-oriented industries, said Tao.

    The ministry will expedite the cultivation of leading enterprises in the industrial ecosystem and improve the whole-cycle cultivation system for small and medium-sized enterprises that feature specialization, refinement, uniqueness and innovation.

    The spokesperson also highlighted establishing a national system for nurturing unicorn enterprises — and nurturing a group of quality enterprises specializing in digital economy.

    Zhao Zhiguo, the MIIT’s chief engineer, said at the same press conference that the ministry will cultivate and promote the low-altitude economy, accelerating the development of low-altitude logistics, urban and intercity air transportation, and the low-altitude cultural and tourism industries.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi advocates high quality development of greater BRICS cooperation

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

    KAZAN, Russia, Oct. 23 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on BRICS countries to work for high quality development of greater BRICS cooperation.

    In a speech addressing the 16th BRICS Summit, Xi said the ongoing BRICS summit has decided to invite a number of nations to become partner countries. He hailed the decision as another important development in the course of BRICS development.

    Xi called on BRICS members to build the multilateral mechanism into a major venue of solidarity and cooperation for the Global South and a vanguard force for global governance reform.

    He called on the BRICS members to build BRICS for peace and act as guardians of common security, urging the BRICS countries to uphold the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party, to work for de-escalation of the Ukraine crisis as soon as possible.

    Xi called on the BRICS members to build BRICS for innovation and act as pioneers for high-quality development.

    He called on BRICS members to build green BRICS and be practitioners of sustainable development, noting that China is willing to leverage its own advantages to expand cooperation with BRICS countries in green industries, clean energy and green minerals.

    Xi also called for building a BRICS for justice and leading the reform of the global governance system, calling on BRICS members to conform to the general trend of the rise of the Global South, and actively respond to the call of countries to join the BRICS cooperation mechanism.

    The group should advance the process of expanding membership and establishing partner countries, and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance, said Xi.

    Xi said the urgency of reforming the international financial architecture is becoming increasingly prominent in the current situation.

    He also called for strengthening the New Development Bank and urged BRICS countries to take the lead in promoting a better alignment of the international financial system with the changing dynamics of the global economy.

    Xi urged BRICS countries to advocate peaceful coexistence and harmony between civilizations.

    China will establish 10 overseas learning centers in BRICS countries in the next five years to provide training opportunities for 1,000 education administrators, teachers and students, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Liam Payne: the death of a favourite celebrity can be painful – but collective grief can help

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sam Carr, Reader in Education with Psychology and Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath

    One of my (Sam’s) earliest memories is from 1980, when John Lennon was tragically assassinated. I vividly recall my mother’s reaction upon hearing the news – she put down the phone, overwhelmed with grief.

    Her connection to Lennon, someone she’d never met, was deeply personal. This moment, even though I was only three years old, left a lasting impression and showed me how profound these attachments can be. For my mother, Lennon wasn’t just a famous figure. He represented a significant part of her life and emotions.

    If you’re a One Direction fan, you may be feeling a similar kind of grief over the tragic death of band member Liam Payne. Some fans have described Payne’s loss as akin to “losing a family member” or feeling like they’ve “lost a big part of their childhood”.

    This collective mourning illustrates how deeply ingrained celebrities can become in our lives, not just as entertainers, but as symbols of our personal experiences and memories.

    Olivia, 23, tried to describe her sense of loss to a BBC reporter:

    It was my first feeling of being in love, my first feeling of crushing on a boy, of being excited about boys. I kissed the posters every night. We all did. It felt like you were part of the best club in the world and it’s a huge part of why we bonded together.

    This form of attachment is known as a parasocial relationship, an emotional connection formed with someone who is unaware of the bond. Unlike personal relationships, where both parties contribute to the connection, parasocial relationships allow fans to project idealised traits onto celebrities, unchallenged by reality.

    In this way, celebrities often represent aspirational versions of ourselves or embody significant aspects of our identity. When they die, the emotional experience of grief is not just about the person, but about losing part of that imagined connection.

    No one’s 20s and 30s look the same. You might be saving for a mortgage or just struggling to pay rent. You could be swiping dating apps, or trying to understand childcare. No matter your current challenges, our Quarter Life series has articles to share in the group chat, or just to remind you that you’re not alone.

    Read more from Quarter Life:

    • Chadwick Boseman: why the death of someone young can be harder to handle

    • How to know when it’s time to start therapy

    • Manifesting has a dark side – there are problems with believing our thoughts have so much power

    The death of a beloved celebrity shatters something that feels deeply meaningful, and can leave you grappling with an emotional void. The loss is not just of a public figure, but of a personal connection that may have shaped your identity and sense of belonging.

    This profound sense of grief is often also shared. Following Payne’s sudden death, fans have gathered worldwide, from the UK to the Philippines and Argentina, to sing and mourn at vigils for the star. A similar phenomenon was also observed in September, when Harry Potter fans raised wands at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando. They were paying tribute to Maggie Smith, who played the popular character Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, following her death aged 89.

    Collective grief is a common reaction when an influential figure dies. These shared acts of mourning are not only socially significant but also have the power to foster empathy, transforming collective pain and public emotion into meaningful memories of social solidarity and communal strength.

    While fans will mourn their star regardless of age, there’s a stark contrast between the deaths of Smith and Payne. Smith’s passing is generally viewed as a “good” death, marking the end of “a true legend”, while Payne’s death at 31 is seen as “a bad, sad ending”. The way that we grieve celebrities is often connected to their age. When Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died in 2020 aged 43, it shattered many fans’ sense of hope for the future.

    For many Payne fans, the singer was their “first love”. Falling in love with celebrities, as psychoanalysts like Aldo Carotenuto have argued, elicits a projection of idealised fantasy that becomes interwoven with our vision of the future. This temporal aspect of fandom is rooted in our sense of narrative identity, through which we view life as a continuing book. The death of a young star can powerfully disrupt this plot and leave you grappling with an unresolved chapter in your own story.

    One Direction fans often call themselves “directioners”. Losing a core member of the group has led some directioners to feel this identity is now threatened or altered. The disruption to your sense of identity following the death of a young celebrity that you grew up alongside can be profound. It signifies not only the loss of a cherished part of your past but also serves as a painful reminder of the passage of time and the fragility of life.

    This reality can force you to confront your own mortality, highlighting the finite nature of existence. In times of collective mourning, people reflect on their own lives and aspirations while cherishing the memories and legacies of those they admired.

    Moving forward without them

    Despite the deep pain of grieving, fans often engage in what grief experts call “continuing bonds” – an effort to maintain a connection with the celebrity through memories, tributes or ongoing engagement with their work.

    This bond helps to reestablish a sense of order, providing emotional continuity even in the face of loss. The bonds we form with celebrities are often more meaningful than they first appear. Sociologist Jackie Stacey has examined how memories tied to celebrities can profoundly shape and sustain a sense of meaning throughout our lives.

    From a life course perspective, early experiences with a favourite star can become deeply embedded in your identity, acting as enduring sources of comfort, inspiration and self-expression.

    Though his life has been cut short, the memories and inspiration Payne provided will continue to live on among his fans. As directioners gathered outside the Buenos Aires hotel where he passed away, they sang One Direction songs, including the poignant line: “This is not the end.”

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Liam Payne: the death of a favourite celebrity can be painful – but collective grief can help – https://theconversation.com/liam-payne-the-death-of-a-favourite-celebrity-can-be-painful-but-collective-grief-can-help-242039

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: How different people around the world understand democracy – and why it matters

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Scott Williamson, Associate Professor, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford

    Most people in most countries say they want to be governed democratically. Because democracy’s appeal is so powerful, governments and political leaders everywhere claim to be supporters of democracy.

    Take China, for instance. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has ruled for decades under a single-party system, a system that contrasts sharply with traditional definitions of democracy. Democratic systems emphasise competitive elections for key leaders, strong protections for political rights and constraints on executive power.

    Yet, ask members of the CCP and they will probably tell you that their governance is democratic because it responds to the preferences of the Chinese public. In their view, what makes a democracy is not elections, liberties and constraints. Rather, strong and unencumbered political leaders can govern well and give the people what they want.

    How do people understand democracy? If people around the world hold dramatically different views of what democracy means – or even adhere to understandings of democracy that reflect a more authoritarian style of government – then democracy’s apparent global appeal may not mean very much in practice.

    Researchers have long been interested in how people from different countries and backgrounds understand democracy. But it’s a complex issue and previous studies have found it difficult to determine what people really mean when they say they want to be governed democratically. In a new article published in Science, we use an experiment administered via surveys in Egypt, India, Italy, Japan, Thailand and the US to bring fresh evidence to this debate.

    We presented survey respondents with paired profiles of hypothetical countries. These profiles randomised nine factors reflecting different theories of how people understand democracy. For instance, we presented respondents with information about the countries’ elections, varying whether they were free and fair, biased, or not held at all.

    We also randomised whether political rights were protected or repressed, and whether the executive respected the powers of the legislature and courts or not. These three attributes reflect traditional concepts of democracy.

    We also included attributes of the hypothetical countries that reflect alternative understandings of democracy. Some claim that democracy means a political system capable of producing substantial changes that benefit citizens broadly. So we varied whether economic equality in the country is higher or lower. We also adjusted whether social equality between genders is better or worse. And we randomised how much influence technocratic experts wield over policy decisions.

    Others argue for a more authoritarian model of democracy in which unconstrained leaders give the people what they want in exchange for their obedience. To reflect this view, we gave information about how often the countries’ political leaders follow the majority’s preferences. We also varied whether people obey the government or not.

    After reviewing the country profiles, respondents were asked to determine which hypothetical country was more democratic. Analysing which attributes influenced respondents’ choices more strongly gives us insights into how they understand what democracy means.

    Reasons to be cheerful

    Our results indicate that the traditional definition of democracy is widely accepted. Across the six diverse countries in our sample, respondents were much more likely to perceive countries as democratic when elections were free and fair and political rights were strongly protected.

    This prioritisation of elections held across the board. People felt that way regardless of their individual characteristics such as gender, educational attainment, political ideology, age, minority status and attitudes toward geopolitics.

    This finding implies some reasons to be optimistic about support for democracy. It suggests that when people say they want democratic governance, many mean competitive elections and protected liberties. This agreement is important. It makes it more likely that enough people will recognise – and potentially push back – against attempts by anti-democratic political leaders to subvert democratic governance.

    Reasons for caution

    But our findings also highlight points of caution. First, institutional checks and balances were less central to how our respondents understood democracy. This suggests that political leaders may be able to increase their grip on power more easily by undermining the influence of the legislature and courts.

    And anti-democratic politicians can still claim to be democratic by deceptively arguing that they prioritise these elements of the political system, while actually undermining them. A prominent example is former US president Donald Trump. In 2020, Trump tried to overturn his election loss by falsely asserting it had been rigged against him.

    Even in outright authoritarian countries, rulers often use controlled elections as “evidence” of their democratic character. In Egypt, for instance, the autocratic president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi declared after winning his rigged 2023 election that he would continue to build “a democratic state that protects its citizens”.

    Many people may see through such claims, but autocrats can sometimes build support by using elections to present themselves as democrats – even when they are not free and fair.

    While many people reject outright authoritarian notions of what democracy means, factors other than elections and liberties also influence their understanding of democratic governance. In our study, countries were often believed to be more democratic when they delivered good outcomes – for example, by providing higher gender or economic equality.

    Gender equality was the only attribute in the experiment which came close to elections and liberties in its ability to shape perceptions of which countries were more democratic. Because gender equality is inherently desirable and is associated with democracy, some autocrats have successfully engaged in “genderwashing”. They’ve done this by (often nominally) reforming women’s rights to reduce pressure for more competitive elections and protected political rights.

    Finally, just because people generally agree on what democracy means does not necessarily mean they will continue to support it. If democracies fail to perform effectively or represent their citizens well, people may be persuaded to accept more authoritarian models of governance.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How different people around the world understand democracy – and why it matters – https://theconversation.com/how-different-people-around-the-world-understand-democracy-and-why-it-matters-241617

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: How advertising jingles influence our buying choices (and why we can still sing them decades later)

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Kelly Jakubowski, Associate Professor in Music Psychology, Durham University

    Matthew Nichols1/Shutterstock

    Even if we haven’t heard them for many years, familiar songs often stick with us for life. We can often recall every lyric to songs we learned as kids or albums we idolised as teenagers. But beyond music we’ve purposely chosen to listen to or learn, one type of music seems to stick with us without any effort: the jingle.

    Jingles have a long history in the advertising industry. The first known radio jingle in the UK – Have You Tried Wheaties? – was launched in 1926. Jingles have since become a major feature of our everyday lives.

    Recent market research found that several of the ten most recognisable jingles for UK adults dated back three or even four decades. While comparison site Go Compare topped the list, Mars’ “work, rest and play” jingle (axed in the mid-1990s) and even Shake ‘n’ Vac “put the freshness back” (1980) are still buzzing about in the heads of those polled.

    So why do these songs stick with us? And what effect does this have on what we buy?

    Jingles become memorable in different ways. Some advertisers use familiar songs, which are inherently easier to remember, in a new context. For instance, the Go Compare jingle uses the traditional song Over There and couples it with the comic visual element of an over-the-top opera singer. The “Just one Cornetto” campaign (launched in 1981) similarly takes a classical melody (O sole mio) and tweaks it to sell ice cream.

    Other jingles make use of musical elements that make them likely to become “earworms” – those tunes that get stuck in our heads whether we like them or not. In research examining a large collection of pop music, my team found that songs that were likely to become earworms had upbeat tempos, often in the range that would make a person want to dance along. Many jingles, such as “Do the Shake ‘n’ Vac” and “I feel like Chicken Tonight” fit this pattern.

    Indeed, other research has shown that when people either move or sing along to catchy songs, they are more likely to subsequently experience these songs as earworms. It has also been found that having an earworm for a song you have recently learned means you will remember that song better later on.

    Lyrics can also play an important role in the memorability of a song or product. The alliterative lyrics of “Maybe it’s Maybelline” ensure that even a consumer who has never heard of this brand will easily recall its name the next time they are in the shop.

    Links to other times in our life

    It’s not just features of the music that give jingles such a stronghold in our memories. Music tends to be closely associated with the contexts in which we’ve heard it. That is, it often becomes closely entwined with autobiographical memories from our lives.

    Hearing a jingle from our childhood can therefore bring back memories not just of hearing that song, but the living room we grew up in, and the feeling of sitting around the TV with family watching together. Jingles therefore can be a strong trigger of nostalgia.

    Research has shown that the period when we are around ten to 25 years old tends to be remembered most vividly. Music cues are also best at tapping into memories of this period, which is known as the “reminiscence bump”.

    In line with this, the same consumer research also revealed different recognition rates for jingles across age groups. For instance, for millennials, McDonalds’ “I’m lovin’ it” ranked number two in the top-recognised jingles list and “Maybe it’s Maybelline” came in at number five.

    More than 40 years on, plenty of Brits will still be able to sing along.

    Some brands also explicitly aim to merge this nostalgic element with staying on trend. Maybelline has recently reinvented its jingle, incorporating dance music elements to appeal to gen Z audiences while retaining features of the classic 1990s jingle that connects millennials to their youth.

    So does writing a memorable jingle help to sell a product? In short, yes. Research that examined choices of two products from the same category (for example, cameras) showed that products coupled with a familiar tune were more likely to be chosen than those coupled with an unfamiliar tune.

    However, liking the music also independently affected product choice. In particular, music that participants really disliked tended to put them off choosing a product even if the tune was familiar. This suggests that advertisers do need to carefully consider the musical preferences of their target market over and above simply writing catchy tunes.

    Music has a strong hold on our memories. The same features that help us to learn the alphabet through music or transport us back to the first dance at our wedding also mean we are able to effortlessly recall which cleaning product promises that washing machines live longer.

    Kelly Jakubowski consults for Maybelline (L’Oréal Groupe). She receives research funding from The Leverhulme Trust and AHRC.

    – ref. How advertising jingles influence our buying choices (and why we can still sing them decades later) – https://theconversation.com/how-advertising-jingles-influence-our-buying-choices-and-why-we-can-still-sing-them-decades-later-241162

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: AIRBORNE CADENCE! | U.S. Army

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    : DMD

    About the U.S. Army:

    The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

    Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
    Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

    Connect with the U.S. Army online:
    Web: https://www.army.mil
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
    X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
    #USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Cadence

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3uc7jRpZcs

    MIL OSI Video –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Government to take part in Nordic Council Session in Reykjavik

    Source: Government of Sweden

    When the Nordic Council holds its 76th Session in Reykjavik on 28–31 October, the focus will be on peace and security in the Arctic and Nordic regions.

    “In light of Sweden’s and Finland’s accession to NATO and Russia’s war in Ukraine, it has become all the more important to discuss security and defence issues in a Nordic context. Our cooperation and collective defence of democracy and everyone’s right to live in peace and freedom are now more important than ever,” says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

    The Nordic Council Session will cover issues such as how the Nordic countries can best guarantee peace and security in the Nordic and Arctic regions.

    During the week, ministers will attend separate meetings with the Nordic Council and together with their Nordic counterparts. Discussion topics for the prime ministers’ meeting will be organised crime, migration and an integrated Nordic region without border barriers.

    An N5 meeting between the foreign ministers will also take place in conjunction with the Nordic Council Session. In 2024, Sweden has been acting Coordinator of the N5, an informal Nordic cooperation format for foreign and security policy issues. The Nordic ministers for culture will also meet during the week.

    During the Session, the Nordic Council of Ministers will present the programme of the forthcoming Finnish Presidency of the Council.

    Representing the Swedish Government are Mr Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

    On Tuesday, the Nordic prime ministers and foreign ministers will hold joint press conferences.

    Friday 25 October is the final day for journalists to apply for accreditation. Follow the link below under Shortcuts.

    A detailed programme for the week of the Session is available on the Nordic Council website, where parts of the programme will also be live-streamed.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ESFA Update: 23 October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Latest information and actions from the Education and Skills Funding Agency for academies, schools, colleges, local authorities and further education providers.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    ESFA Update further education: 23 October 2024

    HTML

    ESFA Update academies: 23 October 2024

    HTML

    ESFA Update local authorities: 23 October 2024

    HTML

    Details

    Latest for further education

    Article Title
    Action The further education workforce data collection is now open
    Information Targeted retention incentive applications are now open
    Information National professional qualification targeted support funding 2023 to 2024 allocations
    Information Further Education Condition Data Collection 2
    Information 16 to 19 and adult revenue funding allocations for 2024 to 2025
    Reminder Final funding claim submission for 2023 to 2024 by Friday 25 October 2024

    Latest information for academies

    Article Title
    Information Targeted retention incentive applications are now open
    Information National professional qualification targeted support funding 2023 to 2024 allocations
    Information 16 to 19 and adult revenue funding allocations for 2024 to 2025
    Information New digital format for the general annual grant statement
    Information Academy trust management accounting good practice guide
    Information PE and sport premium allocations and conditions of grant for 2024 to 2025 academic year
    Events and webinars Mock trial – risk protection arrangement (RPA) members only
    Events and webinars Academy finance professionals national power hour with guest speaker Minister McKinnell

    Latest information for local authorities

    Article Title
    Action The further education workforce data collection is now open
    Information National professional qualification targeted support funding 2023 to 2024 allocations
    Information Copyright licences for schools
    Information 16 to 19 and adult revenue funding allocations for 2024 to 2025
    Information Update on the 2024 autumn term early years data collection
    Information PE and sport premium allocations and conditions of grant for 2024 to 2025 academic year
    Reminder Final funding claim submission for 2023 to 2024 by Friday 25 October 2024
    Events and webinars Mock trial – risk protection arrangement (RPA) members only

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Isle of Wight the most successful area with Warmer Homes scheme 23 October 2024 Warmer Homes

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    A government funded scheme allowing eligible Island residents to apply for free upgrades to make their homes more energy efficient has been the most successful in our region.

    Upgrades are worth up to £38,000 per household and could include insulation, air source heat pumps and solar PV panels which can be installed for free, saving households thousands of pounds in the future. The eligibility criteria includes,

    • You use electric, oil or LPG to heat your home, not mains gas
    • Your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is D, E, F, or G (Warmer Homes can help you find out if you’re not sure).
    • You have a household income of £36,000 or under, or you or you receive a means-tested benefit.

    The Isle of Wight Council was among a group of 23 local authorities to successfully bid for £41.4 million in government funding. The money comes from the Home Upgrade Grant and aims to help lower income households whose home is not very energy efficient and not heated by mains gas.

    Councillor Phil Jordan, council leader, said: “We are really pleased that eligible Isle of Wight residents have taken up the Warmer Homes scheme more than anywhere else in the southern region. This is testament to the work we have done to ensure that those who can claim this help have been targeted. We have produced a campaign to included social media and radio ads as well as working closely with our partners to promote the scheme to those eligible residents.’’

    He continues ‘’Improving energy efficiency in homes is a key issue. Energy bills are a major concern for many households so anything that can be done to reduce these costs is vital. Making homes more energy efficient at the same time helps to reduce carbon emissions across the Island.”

    Katherine Shadwell, Project Manager, AgilityEco said: “We are proud to be supporting the Isle of Wight Council with their delivery of the Warmer Homes scheme. Since 2023, the Warmer Homes scheme has supported Isle of Wight residents with a range of fully funded energy-saving home improvements to help keep their homes warm and their energy bills low. Since the Warmer Homes scheme has been introduced to the Island, we have supported over 120 homes with over £2.5 million of fully funded energy-saving measures.”

    The scheme has now been extended by a further month and the application deadline for residents is now the end of November (31/11/2024).

    More information can be found on the Isle of Wight Council website by visiting The Warmer Homes programme

    You can also call the freephone number on 0800 038 5737 or email: retrofit@warmerhomes.org.uk for further information and guidance.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 24, 2025
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