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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New UK–Japan Economic Partnership to propel growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New UK–Japan Economic Partnership to propel growth

    Foreign Secretary and Business Secretary travel to Japan for the Economic 2+2, a new way for the UK and Japan to coordinate international economic policy.

    • Huge Japanese market to be further unlocked through new partnership between UK and Japan as Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Business and Trade visit to the world’s 4th largest economy  
    • Japan already invests £86 billion in the UK economy; a business delegation travelling alongside the ministers will drive more investment and opportunities for British companies in Japan.
    • UK and Japanese defence industrial cooperation will deliver jobs for Brits and security across the Indo Pacific – building our defence capability and our economy.

    A new partnership between the UK and Japan will unlock further growth for British business – advancing a relationship worth £27 billion annually and driving forward the government’s Plan for Change.

    It comes as the Foreign Secretary and Business Secretary travel to Japan today (6th March 2025), for the Economic 2+2, a new strategic way for the UK and Japan to coordinate international economic policy. The visit is part of the government delivering its Plan for Change, to boost growth, create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.

    Economic growth and future prosperity depend upon strong security foundations, a reliable trading system, resilient supply-chains, energy security, and an economy resilient to shocks.

    Japan’s decision to enter into an Economic 2+2 with the UK, a Dialogue that they only currently have with the US, demonstrates that Japan and other major world economies view the UK as an important partner for driving long-term sustainable growth and security. 

    UK-Japan joint defence industrial projects are driving jobs across the UK while providing new defence capabilities and protecting British security interests in the Indo-Pacific.  

    This is delivered through programmes like GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme), the UK, Japan and Italy’s joint future fighter jet programme. The programme currently employs more than 3,500 people, including engineers and programmers, across the UK, and British workers are building jets that will protect British security interests and international trade, whilst boosting jobs in the UK.  The 2+2 will encourage future opportunities to collaborate on growth and defence. The Foreign Secretary will see the impact these programmes are having first hand during a visit to Japan’s Ministry of Defence and meetings with UK companies actively engaged in GCAP.  

    This further builds on the Prime Minister’s announcement that defence spending will increase to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027. Investments in defence like GCAP will protect UK citizens from threats at home but will also create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive and increase jobs, supporting the Government’s number one mission to deliver economic growth. In 2023-24, defence spending by the UK Government supported over 430,000 jobs across the UK, the equivalent to one in every 60. 

    The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said: 

    This government is boosting growth to the UK by taking our relationships with major economies like Japan to new heights. It’s fantastic to arrive in Tokyo with a business delegation as we start a first of its kind economic dialogue.

    The UK and Japan’s interests have never been more closely aligned. From our shared understanding of the indivisibility of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security, to our desire to grow more together as we embrace the opportunities of new technologies like AI.

    By working more closely with Japan, we will give UK firms more business, puts money in people’s pockets and help deliver our Plan for Change.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    I’m looking forward to having the chance to discuss how the UK and Japan can strengthen the many economic ties that bind our two countries together as we deliver on our Plan for Change.

    The UK and Japan share a proud, historic trading relationship that has only deepened in recent years, opening up new opportunities for businesses in both of our countries, and with our upcoming Industrial Strategy we will find even more common ground.

    The Economic 2+2 will strengthen UK and Japan cooperation in a range of areas– such as continued commitment to a fair-trading system, joint research into the technologies of the future and mutual investment to support growth, innovation and jobs in the defence industry. 

    The joint visit will also move forward work with Japan on our modern, ambitious Industrial Strategy. Japan is an incredibly important investment partner, with 1,000 Japanese companies supporting 160,000 jobs in the UK. The UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) combined with the new economic partnership announced today will strengthen that relationship even further. 

    A business delegation, representing the key high growth sectors of the future, will travel alongside the ministers to see firsthand the opportunities for growth and development UK-Japanese collaboration will bring. The Foreign Secretary and Business and Trade Secretary’s discussions with Japan will give UK businesses access to Japanese industry and further open up trade. Japan is a manufacturing powerhouse – ranking third globally in terms of value added to the manufacturing industry.  

    Chief Economist at the CBI – member of the travelling business delegation – Lousie Hellem, said:

    Cooperation with like-minded partners like Japan will be critical to achieving the government’s Growth Mission.  

    As a significant and growing trading partner, Japan’s economy offers unique opportunities for UK firms looking to expand and internationalise. This delegation is an important next step in our relationship, enabling both governments to explore deeper collaboration across topics like digital and technology, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability. 

    As the voice of business, the CBI will continue to work closely with our Japanese sister federation – Keidanren – in the B7, B20 and bilaterally to promote a strong and mutually beneficial UK-Japan relationship.” 

    In Tokyo the Foreign Secretary and Business and Trade Secretary will host an AI Business Reception to promote the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and discuss with Japanese AI leaders the scope for new growth opportunities between British and Japanese AI. 

    During the visit, the Business and Trade Secretary will announce plans to develop a new Industrial Strategy partnership – the first of its kind for Britain, as well as sign a UK-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation on Offshore Wind as the UK races ahead to net zero.  He will meet with global automotive manufacturers Nissan and Toyota, and with CPTPP Minister Akazawa – their first meeting since the UK’s accession to the trade group last year. 

    While in Tokyo Reynolds will also tour some iconic UK exporters, visiting major brands including Warhammer, Brompton and Burberry. UK exports to Japan totalled £14.7 billion in the 12 months to September 2024 – an increase of 5% from the previous year. 

    The Foreign Secretary will travel onto the Philippines, where he will drive forward cooperation with one of our key security partners in the region. Growth and security go hand in hand – a third of global maritime passes through the South China Sea – and so the Filipinos’ work to stand up for freedom of navigation and international law in the region is vital to ensure these trade routes remain safe and secure.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Looming famine in Rakhine signals wider crisis in Myanmar

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Peace and Security

    Up to two million people in Myanmar’s Rakhine state face the dire prospect of famine, amid a broader economic collapse and worsening humanitarian crisis triggered by the military’s 2021 overthrow of the democratically elected government.

    In a report released on Thursday, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) described the situation in the poverty-struck province as an “unprecedented disaster”.

    “A perfect storm is brewing,” it said, citing a combination of interlinked issues – restrictions on domestic and international flow of goods, hyperinflation, loss of livelihoods, dwindling agricultural production and lack of essential services.

    Without urgent action nearly the entire population (about 95 per cent) “will regress into survival mode”, UNDP warned.

    “They will be left to fend for themselves amid a drastic reduction in domestic production, skyrocketing prices, widespread unemployment and heightened insecurity.”

    Rakhine is home to the mostly-Muslim Rohingya community who fled a brutal military crackdown in 2017 in their hundreds and thousands, in what the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein called ethnic cleansing.

    Today, nearly one million Rohingya refugees remain in neighbouring Bangladesh, where UN aid teams have had to cut food rations amid major funding shortages.

    Collective punishment

    Data collected across Rakhine in 2023 and 2024, also pointed to a virtual halt in the state’s economy, with critical sectors such as trade, agriculture and construction nearly at a standstill.

    “People’s incomes are collapsing because export-oriented, agrarian livelihoods in Rakhine are disappearing as the domestic and international markets are no longer accessible due to blockades,” UNDP said.

    It added that the restrictions put in place by the military’s State Administration Council were “clearly aimed at isolating Rakhine from the rest of the country and exacting ‘collective punishment’ on an already vulnerable population”.

    Repercussions beyond borders

    UNDP further warned that the recent escalation in manipulating ethnic identity along with an imminent economic catastrophe, will deepen marginalization, disenfranchisement and put intercommunal relationships at even greater risk than ever before.

    “As the crisis worsens, the lack of resources and opportunities will continue to fuel tensions and trigger a greater exodus of youth and families…this would have repercussions both within Myanmar and beyond its borders,” it said.

    “Without safe avenues for escape, we anticipate an increase in human trafficking, particularly among the vulnerable Rohingya population.”

    Knock-on effects

    The knock-on effects of the situation Rakhine are contributing to a pattern of internal migration across Myanmar.

    As the economic situation worsens, many families see relocation as their only option for survival, a separate UNDP report on migration patterns revealed. Many young adults are leaving their communities for urban centres in search of work and stability.

    However, what they find is often far from what they had hoped – jobs are scarce and those who migrate for safety rather than economic opportunity frequently encounter severe mental health challenges.

    Women face an additional burden: lower wages, higher rates of discrimination and greater obstacles in the job market.

    © UNDP

    A girl scavenges for recyclable materials at a garbage dump in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, where impoverished families are often forced to search for items to sell for minimal income. (file)

    Brain drains

    The migration crisis extends beyond Myanmar’s borders, with comparisons revealing stark differences between internal migrants and those who flee to neighbouring countries, such as Thailand.

    Those who moved abroad often earned better wages, experiencing improved living conditions. This could potentially lead to labour shortages and hinder any future recovery, UNDP said.

    “With nearly 25 per cent of the population already living abroad, addressing these migration trends is essential to retaining a productive workforce within the country,” it added.

    Dwindling human capital

    Compounding this, the conflict and economic strife are accelerating the degradation of Myanmar’s human capital and prospects look equally bleak.

    Essential services like healthcare, education, and access to clean water and sanitation are becoming luxuries out of reach for many, according to data released by UNDP in September, with nearly 25 per cent of children no longer attending school.

    The dropout rates are climbing in regions hardest hit by violence and economic hardship, such as Rakhine and neighbouring Chin state.

    The healthcare systems are strained to the breaking point and basic medical needs remain unmet, UNDP said.

    “A mass exodus of skilled workers is depleting the nation’s productive capacity, exacerbating the long-term effects of this crisis.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Rebuilding beyond bricks: World Urban Forum focuses on housing, community support in war-torn cities

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    SDGs

    Delegates discussed a complicated urban development issue at the World Urban Forum on Tuesday: What is needed to safeguard residents and guarantee they have access to housing and basic services when war breaks out in a city crowded with people and critical infrastructure?

    The penultimate day of the Forum’s twelfth biennial session, or WUF12, examined the situation in the Gaza Strip, where the urban fabric and urban life in the enclave are in ruins following a year of intense bombardment and the war is now affecting the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria.

    Participants grappled with all aspects of this challenge, particularly the need for local-level action. Seeking solutions that looked beyond physical damage caused by crises and conflicts, they focused on the loss of homes, places that “are filled with memories and community connections.”

    Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, the UN agency dealing with sustainable urban development which convenes the Forum, told the gathering that “when we talk about building and rebuilding, we are not talking about housing only; we are talking about social support and working with communities to see a possible future.”

    Housing ‘close to home’

    Participants echoed that message throughout the discussion and stressed the crucial role of joint rebuilding and reconstruction efforts.

    UN News/Khaled Mohamed

    Sami Hijjawi, Minister of Local Government, State of Palestine, told UN News that “reconstruction can only be achieved through joint efforts, in an organized and structured manner. That way we can benefit from previous experiences and not repeat any mistakes that occurred during prior periods.”

    He went on to note that when addressing the issue of sheltering people and rebuilding infrastructure, it is critical that they be housed as close to their hometowns as possible.

    Despite the “difficult circumstances” in Gaza, development and urbanization efforts are continuing, said Mr. Hijjawi, explain that “we are still working, planning, programming, and providing services to our people within the available budgets.” 

    ‘Holistic approach’ in Somalia

    The participants shared many ideas and experiences about responses to other urban crises, including in Somalia.

    UN News/Khaled Mohamed

    Zahra Abdi Mohamed, Director of Poverty Reduction and Durable Solutions at Somalia’s Ministry of Planning, shared and example with UN News: “The Semantic Project integrates housing, land, and property issues with access to livelihoods and social services. And we are trying to ensure that when IDPs are being given support, it is holistic and integrated.”

    She urged moving from a solely humanitarian approach to a development approach and stressed the importance of integrated development services for internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and returnees.

    Ms. Mohamed added that in order to get people to return, rural regions must be developed.

    ‘A crisis of destruction’

    UN News/Khaled Mohamed

    The key is stopping destruction of homes before it occurs, said to Jenia Gubkina, a Ukrainian architect who spoke at a related dialogue on the Loss of home.

    She told UN News: “We have a massive crisis, not only of reconstructions and construction of new types of architecture, but first of all, of destruction.”

    If it is not made clear that homes must not be destroyed, Ms. Gubkina warned that “we will construct, aggressors will come and deconstruct, making this a challenging and frustrating situation for the whole world.”

    Fixing urban crisis response

    There are 117 million displaced persons in the world, and cities are increasingly serving as both refuges for displaced populations and focal points of global crises. As a result, urban crisis response needs to be rethought immediately.

    UN News/Khaled Mohamed

    In that context, Sameh Wahba, World Bank Regional Director for Sustainable Development, Europe and Central Asia, told UN News that displacement is “an urban phenomenon” because the majority of people displaced by natural hazards and conflict seek refuge in cities.

    The solution, he said, is to this issue is to provide integrated solutions for “refugees, the internally displaced, the forcibly displaced, and their host communities.

    “The second thing is to consider solutions that are people-based…and place-based. When you think about people-based solutions – whether cash transfers or housing vouchers to enable housing access – it’s about helping them access jobs,” Mr. Whaba added.

    UN News/Khaled Haridy Mohamed

    Participants at the opening of the World Urban Forum in Cairo.

    What’s ahead on the closing day of WUF12

    WUF12 has been running in Cairo since Monday, 8 November. The biennial Forum, considered the world’s foremost gathering examining rapid urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies, will wrap up on Friday.

    The main highlight tomorrow will be the launch of the Cairo Call to Action, one of the three outcome documents capturing the key messages that will have emerged from WUF12.

    In addition, Forum participants will have the opportunity to attend roundtables on civil society and academia, as well as other partner-led events.

    The Closing Ceremony will feature remarks from high-level officials, including representatives from UN-Habitat and the Egyptian Government, thought leaders, and creative performances.

    The event will conclude with the official handover to Baku, Azerbaijan, the hosts of WUF13, marking the next steps in the global journey toward sustainable urbanization.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Death toll rises in Darfur, Cyclone Chido latest, São Tomé and Príncipe takes development step

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Peace and Security

    UN humanitarians expressed alarm on Monday at the rising numbers of civilian casualties in and around the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher, in northern Darfur.

    According to news reports citing local sources, paramilitaries from the so-called Rapid Support Forces who have been battling the forces of the military Government for 18 months, launched a missile attack at the weekend which killed more than 30 people in the city, while a drone attack on Friday reportedly killed nine and wounded 20 at the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher.

    Attacks include the repeated shelling of the Zamzam displacement camp since the beginning of this month, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, briefing correspondents in New York.

    “The camp hosts hundreds of thousands of people and famine conditions were confirmed there earlier this year.”

    In response to the deaths in the city in recent days, Mr. Dujarric condemned all civilian killings “wherever they occur”.

    ‘Deplorable’ attacks

    WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said of the attack on the main hospital that it was no longer operational, describing all attacks on healthcare as “deplorable”, in a post on X. The hospital is no longer operational. (repeat)

    “This is part of a broader escalation of attacks across Darfur and in other areas of Sudan,” the Spokesperson added, reiterating the call from UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, for an immediate ceasefire

    “We reiterate that international humanitarian law must be respected. Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, are not targets,” he added.

    Cyclone Chido: Humanitarians rush aid to affected areas

    After Cyclone Chido made landfall in the French island territory of Mayotte at the weekend, leaving an unknown number of dead and destruction on a massive scale, UN teams began aid distribution in Cabo Delgado province, in northern Mozambique – following the deadly storm making landfall there.

    Around two million people are at risk in Mozambique, including 627,000 identified as being at “high risk”.

    In an alert, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that voluntary evacuation plans began to be circulated on 8 December, reaching more than 400,000 people.

    The UN agency reported that in less than 24 hours, emergency food assistance reached around 500 cyclone-affected families in temporary accommodation centres in Pemba district alone.

    Humanitarians have been on high alert since the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte experienced its worst cyclone in almost a century on Saturday. Media reports showed trees uprooted and houses smashed, while communities faced power cuts and fears over a lack of drinking water.

    Close cooperation

    The UN is working closely with the Government in Mozambique to assess the damage and humanitarian impact.

    For its part, UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, and partners are providing water and sanitation supplies to mitigate disease risks as the region is already grappling with a cholera outbreak.

    Preliminary figures indicate that 140,000 people have been impacted across Cabo Delgado Province, where more than one million people are already in need of assistance due to the ongoing conflict, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

    “Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that in the most impacted districts – including Mecufi and Metuge – people urgently need shelter, they need water, they need sanitation, hygiene, health and protection assistance,” he added.

    Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, allocated $4 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support early response efforts.

    São Tomé and Príncipe takes major development step

    The UN has congratulated São Tomé and Príncipe on its official graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category.

    The Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UNOHRLLS) said the milestone “marks a significant achievement in the country’s development journey and reflects its sustained efforts to achieve robust economic growth, enhance human development, and improve resilience against vulnerabilities.”

    The graduation also underscores the international community’s collective push to support LDCs overall and is “the result of years of strategic planning, effective policymaking, and international partnerships,” added OHRLLS in a statement.

    The UN Committee for Development Policy recommended the country’s graduation after it met the necessary criteria based on per capita income, human assets, and economic and environmental vulnerability indices.

    Notable accomplishments include the increase in universal health coverage from 47 per cent in 2010 to 59 per cent by 2021 and being ranked 11th among 54 African nations in the 2021 Ibrahim Index of African Governance.

    “The graduation of São Tomé and Príncipe is a historic milestone that underscores the resilience, vision, and determination of its government and people,” said Rabab Fatima, High Representative for OHRLLS.

    “This achievement is a powerful testament to the impact of effective partnership and multilateral cooperation, offering both a model and an inspiration for other LDCs working to overcome structural challenges and achieve sustainable development.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Naked struggle for power and resources’ leaves civilians paying unbearable price: UN human rights chief

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    “Our world is going through a period of turbulence and unpredictability, reflected in growing conflict and divided societies,” Türk told the Human Rights Council.

    “We cannot allow the fundamental global consensus around international norms and institutions, built painstakingly over decades, to crumble before our eyes.”

    The weapons of war

    Presenting his global update covering more than 30 countries, the High Commissioner described as “outrageous” the fact that legal safeguards for non-combatants were being repeatedly ignored.

    “Civilians are deliberately attacked. Sexual violence and famine are used as weapons of war,” Mr. Türk said. “Humanitarian access is denied, while weapons flow across borders and circumvent international sanctions. And humanitarian workers are targeted. In 2024, a record 356 humanitarian workers were killed while providing aid to people in some of the world’s most appalling crises.”

    Unbearable price

    In Sudan, the High Commissioner once again condemned devastating bomb attacks launched in heavily built-up areas with total impunity, by the parties to the conflict.

    All the while, the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe deepens, threatening regional stability, he maintained: “Civilians are paying an unbearable price, in a naked struggle for power and resources. All countries must use their influence to apply pressure on the parties and their allies, to stop the war, embark on an inclusive dialogue, and transition to a civilian-led Government.”

    Ukraine’s people need peace

    Turning to Ukraine, whose future material support from the United States appeared unclear following televised disagreements between Presidents Trump and Zelensky at a White House meeting on Friday, Mr. Türk opposed any peace deal that excluded Ukraine.

    “Three years since the full-scale Russian invasion, people continue to suffer appallingly…Any discussions about ending the war must include Ukrainians and fully respect their human rights. Sustainable peace must be based on the United Nations Charter and international law.”

    Civilian casualties in Ukraine rose by 30 per cent between 2023 and 2024, the High Commissioner continued, as he accused Russia’s armed forces of systematically targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with coordinated strikes, causing widespread disruptions to essential services.

    “Relentless attacks with aerial glide bombs, long-range missiles and drones have placed civilians in a state of constant insecurity and fear,” Mr. Türk noted.

    Ukrainian prisoners also continue to face summary executions and “widespread and systematic torture” by Russian forces, he continued.

    Gaza ceasefire focus

    In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the UN rights chief insisted that the fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza “and becomes the basis for peace”.

    He also insisted that aid deliveries into Gaza should resume immediately, just as Israel announced a halt to aid flowing into the shattered enclave, having proposed extending the first phase of the ceasefire which ended at the weekend and which would allow Israeli troops to stay in Gaza.

    UN aid chief Tom Fletcher responded with alarm to the Israeli decision, insisting that the ceasefire “must hold”.

    In an online appeal, he added: “International humanitarian law is clear: We must be allowed access to deliver vital lifesaving aid. We can’t roll back the progress of the past 42 days. We need to get aid in and the hostages out.”

    Back in the Council, Mr. Türk explained that the Gaza had been “razed” by constant Israeli bombardment in response to the “horrific” Hamas-led attacks on Israel that sparked the war in October 2023. “Any solution to the cycles of violence must be rooted in human rights, including the right to self-determination, the rule of law and accountability. All hostages must be freed; all those detained arbitrarily must be released; and humanitarian aid into Gaza must resume immediately.”

    West Bank alert

    Reflecting deep concerns by humanitarians and the human rights community about Israeli military raids on Palestinian settlements in the West Bank, the UN High Commissioner insisted that Israel’s “unilateral actions and threats of annexation in the West Bank, in violation of international law, must stop”.

    Mr. Türk also condemned the use of “military weapons and tactics, including tanks and airstrikes, against Palestinians”. Equally worrying was “the destruction and emptying of refugee camps, the expansion of illegal settlements, the severe restrictions on movement and the displacement of tens of thousands of people”.

    DR Congo devastation

    Turning to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the High Commissioner underscored that entire communities in North and South Kivu had been devastated.

    “In the past five weeks, thousands of people have reportedly been killed during attacks by the M23 armed group, backed by the Rwandan Armed Forces, in intense fighting against the Armed Forces of the DRC and their allies,” the UN rights chief said, pointing to reports of rape, sexual slavery and summary executions.

    “More than half a million people have been forced to flee this year, adding to almost 7.8 million people already displaced in the country,” Mr. Türk said. “The violence must stop, violations by all parties must be investigated, and dialogue must resume.”

    © WFP/Michael Castofas

    More than half a million people have been forced to flee DR Congo this year.

    Deadliest year in Myanmar

    Moving on to the ongoing escalation of violence in Myanmar sparked by the military coup on 1 February 2021, the UN rights chief noted that 2024 was the deadliest year for civilians since the junta takeover.

    “The military ramped up brutal attacks on civilians as their grip on power eroded, with retaliatory airstrikes and artillery shelling of villages and urban areas…and the forcible conscription of thousands of young people,” he said, before calling for the supply of arms and finance to the country’s military’s to be “cut decisively”.

    Haiti spiral

    The UN rights chief also expressed deep concerns about chronic lawlessness and heavily armed clashes in Haiti involving gangs that humanitarians warned last week recruit children as young as eight. More than 5,600 people were killed last year and thousands more were injured or kidnapped, Mr. Türk told the Human Rights Council.

    “Full implementation of the Security Council‘s arms embargo and support to the Multinational Security Support Mission are crucial to resolving this crisis,” he insisted.

    Yemen

    On Yemen, the High Commissioner noted that amid ongoing hostilities, nearly 20 million Yemenis need humanitarian support. Mr. Türk also expressed his outrage at the death of a UN World Food Programme colleague in detention earlier this month. “All 23 UN staff – including eight colleagues from my own Office – who are arbitrarily detained by the Houthis must be released immediately.”

    In a half-hour address to the Council that traditionally highlights the most worrying emergencies in the world and the need to tackle their root causes, the UN rights chief issued a call for greater global solidarity and accountability for crimes as a way to push back against those who would violate fundamental freedoms.

    “We all have a responsibility to act – through our consumption habits, our social media use, and our political and social engagement,” he told the Council’s 47 Member States.

    “We can trace a clear line between the lack of accountability for airstrikes on hospitals in Syria in the 2010s, attacks on healthcare facilities in Yemen, and the destruction of health systems in Gaza and Sudan,” he continued.

    Toys of tech oligarchs

    Equally alarming is the rise of unelected and unregulated “tech oligarchs” who reflect the new global power dynamic, Mr. Türk warned, before urging governments to fulfil their primary purpose of protecting their people from unchecked power.

    Today’s tech oligarchs “have our data: they know where we live, what we do, our genes and our health conditions, our thoughts, our habits, our desires and our fears…And they know how to manipulate us,” the High Commissioner insisted.

    Electioneering tactics

    “I have followed recent election campaigns in Europe, North America and beyond with increasing trepidation. Single-issue soundbites devoid of substance oversimplify complex issues and are often based on scapegoating, disinformation, and dehumanization,” he continued.

    “Dehumanization is a well-worn step towards treating an entire group as outsiders, unworthy of the basic rights we all enjoy. It is a dangerous precursor to hate and violence and must be called out whenever it occurs.”

    UN Human Rights Council/Marie Bambi

    Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, presents his latest report on the obligation to ensure accountability and justice in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    Toxic influence on gender equality

    The High Commissioner also voiced his concern about the resurgence of toxic ideas about masculinity and efforts to glorify gender stereotypes, especially among young men.

    To blame for this are “misogynistic influencers” with millions of followers on social media who “are hailed as heroes”, Mr. Türk said.

    Online and offline, their ideas push back against gender equality and result in “violence and hateful rhetoric against women, women’s rights defenders, and women politicians”, the High Commissioner continued. 

    In a message of solidarity with people who have been left “feeling alienated and abandoned” by such malign influences, Mr. Türk insisted that the United Nations was by their side. “Your concerns are our concerns, because they are about human rights: to education, to health, to housing, to free speech, and access to justice. Human rights are about people’s daily concerns for their families and their future. We must cherish the values of respect, unity and solidarity; and work together for a safer, more just, more sustainable world. We can and will persevere,” he concluded.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Music fiesta set for April, May

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    About 1,000 young musicians from 17 bands, choirs and orchestras under the Music Office will perform in the 2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs & Orchestras concert series in April and May, presenting a wide selection of favourite classics from various eras.

    To mark the fiesta’s opening, the “String Music Boutique” will be held at 3pm on April 6 at Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium. The Hong Kong Youth Strings, the Island Youth Strings, the New Territories Youth Strings and the Kowloon Youth Strings will perform string classics including the second and fifth movements of Dvořák’s Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22; Allegro Moderato, arranged by Monday, from Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3; the first movement of Haydn’s Symphony No. 101, “The Clock” arranged by Sieving; and Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No. 2.

    The second concert, “The Animated Melodies – Our Nostalgic Memories”, will be held at 7.30pm on April 12 at Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium. The Music Office Youth Brass Band, the New Territories Youth Symphonic Band and the Kowloon Youth Symphonic Band will stage a number of familiar soundtracks from animations, including Courage 100% from Nintama Rantarō; The Lion King; and the Akira Toriyama Sakuhin Medley encompassing theme music from Dragon Ball Z, Dr Slump and Dragon Ball GT. This concert is one of the programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025. 

    The “Ode to Chinese Music”, a programme of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series, will be held at 7.30pm on April 26 at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium Arena. The Music Office Children’s Chinese Orchestra, the New Territories Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Island Youth Chinese Orchestra and the Kowloon Youth Chinese Orchestra will showcase the charm of Chinese culture with various music favourites, including Peng Xiuwen’s The City that Never Sleeps arranged by Tam Yat-sing, Lo Leung-fai’s Yu Diao, Kwok Hang-kei’s Ah Li Li inspired by folk music, and excerpts from Wang Danhong’s Hymn to the Sun.

    Furthermore, the Hong Kong Children’s Symphonic Band, the Music Office Junior Chinese Orchestra and the Music Office Junior Symphonic Band will perform at the concert “Musical Soundscapes” to be held at 3pm on April 27 at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium Arena. The repertoire includes Standridge’s Darklands Legends, Dance of the Yao Tribe by Liu Tieshan and Mao Yuan, and Joe Hisaishi’s Howl’s Moving Castle-Symphonic Fantasy for Band.

    The finale concert “Contrasting Resonance-London & Beyond”, featuring the Music Office Children’s Choir, the Music Office Youth Choir and the Music Office Junior Symphony Orchestra, will be held at 3pm on May 4 at Tuen Mun Town Hall Auditorium. Young musicians will present the first and fourth movements of Haydn’s Symphony No. 104, “London”, Coates’ London Suite, Gilpin’s All My Heart Shall Sing with Joy! and Gershwin’s Love is Here to Stay, allowing audiences to experience the charm of music through choral and orchestral works.

    Tickets of the first concert are now available at URBTIX, while tickets for the other concerts will be available one month before the event dates. Tickets are priced at $55, $70 and $80. Call 3166 1288 for bookings. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aghast Solutions Secures $4.8M in Funding to Drive Asian Expansion and Launch Proprietary Tech Brands

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aghast Solutions, a pioneering tech startup, has announced the successful closure of a $4.8 million funding round backed by private and institutional investors. This investment will accelerate the company’s expansion into the Asian market, with new offices established in Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Additionally, Aghast Solutions is shifting its focus from vendor-based services to developing proprietary brands in the fintech and environment-tech sectors.

    Left in black: Jack Cheah Xue Jieh, right Chris Tan Chin Lim

    Strategic Expansion and Industry Evolution

    Prior to this funding, Aghast Solutions primarily operated as a vendor for B2C enterprises and government projects, delivering cutting-edge technology solutions behind the scenes. With this latest investment, the company is transitioning to the forefront of innovation, leveraging its expertise to develop in-house brands that aim to redefine industry standards.

    This expansion into Asia’s thriving tech markets aligns with Aghast’s vision of fostering a more connected, efficient, and sustainable digital ecosystem. The company plans to integrate advanced fintech and environment-tech solutions that address key market gaps while enhancing operational efficiency for businesses and individuals.

    Commitment to Innovation and Market Leadership

    By establishing a physical presence in Asia, Aghast Solutions aims to provide businesses with a gateway to new market opportunities, leveraging its holistic approach to technology and innovation. The company is dedicated to:

    • Developing next-generation fintech solutions that streamline digital transactions and financial services.
    • Expanding its environment-tech initiatives to drive sustainability and smart technology adoption.
    • Creating a multidisciplinary ecosystem that fosters collaboration, creativity, and technological advancements.

    A Future-Forward Approach

    With this latest round of funding, Aghast Solutions is poised to lead the way in Asia’s digital transformation, ensuring that businesses and consumers benefit from seamless, innovative, and future-ready solutions. By positioning itself at the intersection of finance, technology, and sustainability, the company is set to drive impactful change across multiple industries.

    About Aghast Solutions

    Aghast Solutions is a global technology company dedicated to reshaping the way the world interacts with technology. Initially recognized for its work as a trusted vendor for B2C and government projects, the company has now evolved into an industry leader, focused on developing proprietary solutions in fintech and environment-tech. With a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence, Aghast Solutions is redefining industry standards and paving the way for a more connected and sustainable future.

    Media Contact:
    Email: info@AghastBusiness.com
    Person Name: Chris Tan
    Website: https://aghast.co/

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by the Aghast Solutions. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information shared in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment, financial, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you conduct thorough research and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06245378-da8b-4ca0-926c-ec75ef54c646

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Revamped StatsAPEC Unveiled with Improved Functionality Gyeongju, Republic of Korea | 06 March 2025 APEC Secretariat The APEC Secretariat unveiled the newly revamped StatsAPEC website—a central hub designed to make it easier and quicker to access more than 120 economic and social statistics across the 21 member economies.

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    The APEC Secretariat unveiled the newly revamped StatsAPEC website—a central hub designed to make it easier and quicker to access more than 120 economic and social statistics across the 21 member economies.

    Managed by the APEC Policy Support Unit, StatsAPEC offers annual data from 1989 to the present for all APEC member economies, along with aggregates for both APEC and the world.

    Celebrating StatsAPEC’s 15th year with a major upgrade underscores APEC’s continued commitment to providing objective and high-quality data.

    Re-engineered for improved functionality and increased user-friendliness, the upgraded StatsAPEC now integrates a new “Explore by Economy” page examining key metrics for each APEC member—serving as a quick factsheet for journalists, students, and the public. Enhanced features include a streamlined interface for intuitive navigation and customizable queries that allow users to tailor data visualizations to their specific needs.

    “APEC’s revamped StatsAPEC platform marks a significant milestone in our efforts to foster an open and dynamic information ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat.

    “By providing high-quality, accessible data, we are empowering our member economies to make evidence-based decisions that drive sustainable growth and regional integration,” he added.

    Carlos Kuriyama, Director of the APEC Policy Support Unit, emphasized the platform’s enhanced functionality and the team’s commitment to continue innovating.

    “StatsAPEC is not just a data portal but also a strategic tool for fostering informed discussions and collaborative policy development across the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

    “Our team is very excited to continue bringing new features and making StatsAPEC an even better tool for everyone to use,” Kuriyama concluded.

    For further details and media inquiries, please contact:  
    [email protected] 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Lantronix to Demonstrate SmartLV, the First AI-Enabled IoT Edge Compute Cellular Gateway, in the Qualcomm Booth at Embedded World in Nuremberg

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader of compute and connectivity for IoT solutions enabling Edge Intelligence, today announced that it will demonstrate its SmartLV, the first AI-enabled IoT Edge Compute Cellular Gateway, in the Qualcomm® Technologies Booth at Hall 5/5-161 at Embedded World, March 11–13, 2025, in Nuremberg, Germany. Powered by the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ IQ-615, this groundbreaking innovation is designed specifically for low-voltage substations and distribution automation applications in next-generation smart grids, utilities and industrial sectors.

    The Lantronix SmartLV demonstration in Qualcomm Technologies’ booth at Embedded World will highlight the cutting-edge Edge AI capabilities of this next-generation IoT cellular gateway, which utilizes the Dragonwing IQ-615. The SmartLV demo will showcase real-world use cases, including real-time monitoring of power consumption for a low-voltage grid. Combining this data with real-world pricing information enables grid operators to steer power and users to cost-optimize their consumption.

    “Lantronix’s SmartLV exemplifies the fusion of AI and connectivity in tackling critical challenges within smart grids. Qualcomm Technologies and Lantronix are enabling DSOs to have enhanced control and insights into the distribution network, transforming how energy is delivered and consumed, and accelerating the grid transformation in Europe,” said Sebastiano Di Filippo, senior director of Business Development, Qualcomm Europe Inc.

    AI at the Edge: Transforming Energy Management

    SmartLV is engineered to revolutionize real-time visibility, control and automation in the energy sector, providing Distribution System Operators (DSOs) with the ability to manage and steer energy precisely when and where it’s needed. Built with advanced cybersecurity protocols and AI capabilities, the SmartLV ensures robust, reliable and secure operations for mission-critical applications, offering unmatched control over low-voltage substations and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).

    “Integrating advanced sensors, AI and decentralized computing enhances efficiency, reliability and sustainability. Powered by the Dragonwing IQ-615, the SmartLV delivers Edge AI computing features to help bring power grids into the future,” said Tom Thornton, director of Embedded Compute at Lantronix.

    Innovation Fueled by a Long-Standing Collaboration

    The SmartLV Gateway is the latest innovation in Lantronix’s long-standing collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, combining Qualcomm Technologies’ industry-leading AI and connectivity capabilities with Lantronix’s expertise in IoT solutions for industrial and smart grid applications.

    Availability

    The SmartLV Gateway is scheduled to launch in CY 2025 with trials beginning at the end of CY 2024 for selected DSOs. For more information or to schedule a demo, visit Hall 5, MR10.

    About Lantronix

    Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth markets, including Smart Cities, Enterprise and Transportation. Lantronix’s products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that enable AI Edge Intelligence. Lantronix’s advanced solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing.

    For more information, visit the Lantronix website.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements related to Lantronix leadership. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, future business, financial condition, or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this news release. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as the effects of negative or worsening regional and worldwide economic conditions or market instability on our business, including effects on purchasing decisions by our customers; our ability to mitigate any disruption in our and our suppliers’ and vendors’ supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other outbreaks, wars and recent tensions in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, or other factors; future responses to and effects of public health crises; cybersecurity risks; changes in applicable U.S. and foreign government laws, regulations, and tariffs; our ability to successfully implement our acquisitions strategy or integrate acquired companies; difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights; the level of our indebtedness, our ability to service our indebtedness and the restrictions in our debt agreements; and any additional factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Sept. 9, 2024, including in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of that report, as well as in our other public filings with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in our future filings. In addition, actual results may differ as a result of additional risks and uncertainties of which we are currently unaware or which we do not currently view as material to our business. For these reasons, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements we make speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our opinions or expectations, except as required by applicable law or the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. If we do update or correct any forward-looking statements, investors should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections.

    ©2025 Lantronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Lantronix is a registered trademark. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

    Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm and Qualcomm Dragonwing are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.

    Lantronix Media Contact:
    Gail Kathryn Miller
    Corporate Marketing &
    Communications Manager
    media@lantronix.com

    Lantronix Analyst and Investor Contact:
    investors@lantronix.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Malaysia card payments market to surpass $90 billion in 2025 driven by digital shift, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Malaysia card payments market to surpass $90 billion in 2025 driven by digital shift, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Banking

    The card payment market in Malaysia is poised for strong growth, projected to reach MYR422.4 billion ($92.6 billion) in 2025, driven by increasing consumer spending and the growing shift towards digital payments. This growth is supported by government initiatives, expanding POS infrastructure, and rising consumer adoption of contactless and credit card payments, positioning the market for continued upward momentum, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Malaysia Cards and Payments – Opportunities and Risks to 2028,” reveals that card payment value in Malaysia registered a growth of 14.1% in 2023, driven by the rise in consumer spending. The value grew further to register an estimated growth of 10.2% in 2024 to reach MYR387 billion ($84.8 billion).

    Shivani Gupta, Senior Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The Malaysian payments market remains reliant on cash but has high-growth potential as it shifts toward digital payments. Government initiatives such as the introduction of an interchange fee cap on payment cards, the growing adoption of contactless payments, and the development of POS infrastructure, have all contributed to the adoption of payment cards in the country.

    “In addition, the availability of low-cost basic financial and banking services as well as banks expanding their reach via agent banking networks and digital banking channels have all contributed to the shift towards non-cash payment methods.”

    Growing POS terminalization is contributing towards the rise of cards payments in Malaysia. The number of POS terminals per million inhabitants in Malaysia stands at 27,036 in 2024, which is higher compared to its peers such as Thailand (13,507), Indonesia (8,142) and India (6,964), though there is significant room for further expansion of POS infrastructure.

    Among the card types, credit and charge cards accounted for 59.6% share of the overall card payment value in 2024. Malaysians are increasingly opting for credit and charge cards when making payments, with the frequency of payments per card standing at 83.2 times in 2024, compared to 40.9 times for debit cards. This growth can be attributed to the country’s developing payment infrastructure, growing consumer awareness, expanding merchant acceptance, and the added benefits associated with credit and charge cards.

    Debit cards, on the other hand, account for the remaining 40.4% share. Although debit cards are traditionally preferred for cash withdrawals, they are now increasingly being used for payments as well – especially low-to-medium value transactions. This has been driven by the rising consumer awareness, and banks offering contactless debit cards.

    Contactless card payment is also gaining prominence in Malaysia and is being widely used, as consumers favor contactless cards for low value day to day transactions. Backing from banks and financial institutions has made contactless the prevalent payment method in Malaysia, which is accepted by most retailers.

    According to GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey*, over 63% of the respondents in Malaysia indicated having access to a contactless card and used it for payments.

    The increasing use of contactless payments for public transport payments is also contributing to the growth of card payments. For example, in March 2024, the highway operator PLUS Malaysia introduced contactless credit and debit card payment capabilities at the toll plaza on the Penang Bridge. Commuters can simply tap their cards on the MyDebit-Visa-Mastercard device to complete toll payments, with the toll fee deducted directly from their card balance. These advancements indicate a growing trend towards the normalization of cashless and contactless payment methods in Malaysia.

    Gupta concludes: “The Malaysian card payments market is expected to continue its upward growth trajectory, supported by the government initiatives, rising consumer preference for digital payments, and improving card acceptance infrastructure. Subsequently, the card payments value is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.7% between 2025 and 2029 to reach MYR569.4 billion ($124.8 billion) in 2029.”

    *GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey was carried out in Q2 2024. Approximately 67,292 respondents aged 18+ were surveyed across 41 countries.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Upside Funding: Ex-Citigroup MDs Launch Prop Firm with Direct Mentorship & $350K Trading Careers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Upside Funding, a newly launched proprietary trading firm, is redefining the industry with a capital-backed, mentorship-driven model. Founded by two former Citigroup Managing Directors with over 60 years of combined trading experience, the firm is introducing a mentorship-driven funding model designed to develop traders and offer full-time employment opportunities with salaries of up to $350,000 per year.

    Bringing Institutional Expertise to Prop Trading
    Upside Funding was founded in 2024 with a clear mission—to provide traders access to real capital, direct mentorship, and long-term career opportunities. Unlike traditional prop firms, where traders are often left on their own after securing funding, Upside Funding integrates hands-on coaching from industry veterans.

    “After decades in institutional trading, we realized the biggest gap in proprietary trading wasn’t just capital—it was guidance,” said Charles, Co-Founder & CEO of Upside Funding. “Most firms hand traders money and leave them to figure it out on their own. We do things differently. We mentor them, help them scale their capital, and even provide a path to a full-time salaried role.”

    1:1 CEO Mentorship for Funded Traders
    Every funded trader at Upside Funding gains direct access to the firm’s leadership, including one-on-one coaching from the CEO and senior mentors. This hands-on approach ensures traders receive:

    • 1:1 Coaching with the firm’s CEO and experienced mentors
    • Performance reviews and personalized trading strategy guidance
    • Ongoing support to help traders scale their capital up to $1.5M

    This approach focuses on more than capital allocation, emphasizing the discipline and strategy needed to grow their accounts profitably.

    Full-Time Trader Role: Salaries Up to $350K
    Top-performing traders may qualify for Upside Funding’s full-time Remote Trader Program, earning salaries of up to $350,000 per year while trading firm capital. This Remote Trader Program is an exclusive opportunity for those who demonstrate consistent profitability and risk management.

    “We’re not just funding traders; we’re building careers,” said James, Co-Founder & Head of Trader Management at Upside Funding. “If a trader proves they have what it takes, we give them stability, growth, and a real shot at financial independence.”

    Getting Funded
    Traders looking to join Upside Funding can apply through a two-step evaluation process that tests profitability and risk management skills. Those who pass receive:

    • Real capital starting at up to $300,000
    • A 90% profit split
    • Scaling potential up to $1.5 million
    • Access to direct mentorship and trader development programs

    For more information, users can visit Upside Funding’s website.

    About Upside Funding
    Upside Funding Limited is a proprietary trading firm headquartered in Hong Kong. Founded in 2024 by two former Citigroup Managing Directors, the firm provides traders with real capital, institutional-level mentorship, and career opportunities in proprietary trading.

    Contact

    Co-Founder & Head of Trader Management
    James
    The Upside Funding
    james@theupsidefunding.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b98ef99-845d-4e83-8922-ba08ffc86d78

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Charting a Path to a Future Powered by Carbon-Free Energy Technologies Gyeongju, Republic of Korea | 05 March 2025 APEC Energy Working Group APEC economies addressed the urgent need for a transformative approach to clean electricity generation.

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    In response to escalating energy demands and persistent reliance on fossil fuels, APEC economies addressed the urgent need for a transformative approach to clean electricity generation.

    In a policy dialogue held in Gyeongju, Korea, last week, policymakers, researchers and industry experts explored how a diversified mix of carbon-free energy technologies could mitigate environmental risks and bolster regional energy resilience.

    Carbon-free energy (CFE) technologies refer to a suite of technologies that generate electricity with zero or minimal carbon emissions. These include nuclear power, hydrogen and ammonia fuels, carbon capture and storage, and advanced energy storage systems. For Korea and other APEC economies, CFE is critical not only for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also for ensuring a stable and dispatchable power supply amid growing electricity demand.

    “APEC’s collective energy challenges call for a unified and forward-looking strategy. By embracing a diverse range of carbon-free energy technologies, we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and secure a reliable, resilient power supply that supports sustainable economic growth,” said Weiguo Shan, lead shepherd of the APEC Energy Working Group.

    “This dialogue underscores our commitment to developing pragmatic, data-driven policies that benefit all member economies and set a clear path for a cleaner, more secure energy future.”

    Data presented by Dr Kazutomo Irie of the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre highlighted both progress and persistent challenges in reducing carbon dioxide emission in the region. Between 2010 and 2022, APEC economies increased the share of modern renewables in final energy consumption by 75.6 percent and in power generation by 63.4 percent. Despite these gains, carbon dioxide emissions from power generation continued to rise, as carbon-emitting sources produced nearly twice as much electricity in 2022 compared to carbon-free sources, underscoring the need for a broader mix of low-carbon, dispatchable technologies.

    “While there are multiple pathways to contribute to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing clean electricity within the energy sector remains a central priority,” said Eekno Jo, Director General for Energy Policy of Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in his opening remarks at the dialogue. “To accelerate these energy transitions, we need to continue our endeavour to deploy and scale up carbon-free energy technologies,”

    During the dialogue, participants examined the technical and economic challenges of integrating CFE technologies. Discussions centered on the lower capacity factors of wind and solar power relative to dispatchable generators and the implications for grid reliability. Experts debated financing mechanisms and policy measures necessary to scale up these technologies, stressing that a balanced energy mix is essential to meet peak demand and ensure stable supply.

    “Expanding clean electricity is essential to ensure stable and reliable power supply and to achieve carbon neutrality targets,” added Dr Sunghee Shim, Vice President of the Korea Energy Economics Institute.

    “In order to achieve this, we must go beyond simply increasing renewable energy sources by incorporating various carbon-free energy technologies. We can enhance flexibility and stability in the power supply while playing a complementary role in the overall energy mix.”

    The policy dialogue marked a significant milestone in APEC’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security. By integrating robust data analysis with targeted policy discussions, the workshop provided a clear roadmap for expanding clean, dispatchable electricity—a vital step for achieving carbon neutrality and long-term energy resilience in the region.

    For further details and media inquiries, please contact:  
    [email protected] 
    [email protected]

     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ASEAN-BAC Cambodia, Neak Oknha Kith Meng, on the sidelines of the Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2025. SG Dr. Kao commended Neak Okhna Kith Meng for successfully hosting the Business Summit this year, which spoke volumes about Cambodia’s dedication to strengthening economic ties within the region and beyond. They also exchanged views on ways and means to beef up regional and intra-ASEAN trade so that the region can fully benefit from the economic resilience and advancement of the region.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Private pools to be better monitored

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department today said that it plans to take measures to strengthen the prevention of suspected violations involving private swimming pools employing unqualified life-saving attendants to combat such offences.

     

    In addition to stating that such measures will start from this year’s swimming season, the department stressed that the aim is to protect the safety of swimming pool users.

     

    It explained that in accordance with the law and licensing conditions, licensees of private swimming pools are obliged to arrange a sufficient number of qualified life-saving attendants on duty during the opening hours of the pools.

     

    To ensure that licensees fulfil their responsibilities, the department will explicitly require them to verify identity documents, Pool Lifeguard Awards (PLA) and personal logbooks before employing a life-saving attendant, and to properly keep a copy of the documents.

     

    Furthermore, the department will establish a standard template for licensees to record the information shown on the identity document and PLA of the life-saving attendants on duty.

     

    At the same time, the department will step up inspections, including checking the identity documents of each life-saving attendant on duty during monthly surprise inspections to verify their identity.

     

    It will also co-ordinate with the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society to confirm the validity of PLAs and ensure the life-saving attendants on duty possess valid qualifications.

     

    In addition to routine inspections, the department will flexibly deploy its manpower resources and analyse complaint cases to draw up a target list of private swimming pools, to which inspections will be stepped up during July and August to specifically focus on lifeguard qualifications.

     

    In case of insufficient qualified life-saving attendants on duty, the department will take immediate follow-up actions, including requiring the licensee to immediately close the swimming pool until sufficient qualified life-saving attendants can be present at the pool, and will issue a warning or institute prosecution against licensees.

     

    The department will consider cancelling the licences of swimming pools with repeated contraventions. Cases involving the use of false documents or documents relating to other people will be reported to Police.

     

    The department noted that will also maintain close communication and enhance collaboration with other departments and organisations.

     

    Currently, many licensees of private swimming pools are either property management companies (PMCs) or their employees. The department has already discussed with the Property Management Services Authority to jointly step up publicity and educational work before the swimming season this year, including issuing letters to PMCs calling for measures to prevent the employment of unqualified life-saving attendants.

     

    Meanwhile, the department and the authority will establish a communication mechanism in respect of violation cases for both parties to take follow-up actions, according to their respective authorities, against licensees and PMCs.

     

    At present, there are about 1,400 licensed private swimming pools across the city.

     

    The department pointed out that it has required licensees to display at a conspicuous location of pool entrances the required number of life-saving attendants during the opening hours of swimming pools, as well as recent photographs, names and PLA numbers of the life-saving attendants on duty.

     

    The goal is to empower pool users to take part in the monitoring of swimming pools.

     

    Moreover, licensees are required to keep duty logs of life-saving attendants for at least 90 days for inspection by the department.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: UP Fintech Holding Limited to Report Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results on March 18, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UP Fintech Holding Limited (“UP Fintech” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: TIGR), a leading online brokerage firm focusing on global investors, today announced that it will report its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, before the U.S. market opens on March 18, 2025.

    UP Fintech’s management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM on March 18, 2025, U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM on March 18, 2025, Singapore/Hong Kong Time).

    Conference Call Information:

    All participants wishing to attend the call must preregister online before they may receive the dial-in numbers. Preregistration may require a few minutes to complete.

    Preregistration Information:

    Please note that all participants will need to pre-register for the conference call, using the link: 
    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BId5c2bd4696d14e7ba2bc391b87ede751

    It will automatically lead to the registration page of ” UP Fintech Holding Limited Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Earnings Conference Call “, where details for RSVP are needed.

    Upon registering, all participants will be provided in confirmation emails with participant dial-in numbers and personal PINs to access the conference call. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the call start time using the conference access information.

    Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at https://ir.itigerup.com.

    About UP Fintech Holding Limited

    UP Fintech Holding Limited is a leading online brokerage firm focusing on global investors. The Company’s proprietary mobile and online trading platform enables investors to trade in equities and other financial instruments on multiple exchanges around the world. The Company offers innovative products and services as well as a superior user experience to customers through its “mobile first” strategy, which enables it to better serve and retain current customers as well as attract new ones. The Company offers customers comprehensive brokerage and value-added services, including trade order placement and execution, margin financing, IPO subscription, ESOP management, investor education, community discussion and customer support. The Company’s proprietary infrastructure and advanced technology are able to support trades across multiple currencies, multiple markets, multiple products, multiple execution venues and multiple clearinghouses. For more information on the Company, please visit: https://ir.itigerup.com.

    Investor Relations Contact

    UP Fintech Holding Limited
    Email: ir@itiger.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt clarifies fake information

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today clarified that information being circulated online about the launch of a “National Hong Kong Coin” on blockchain purported to be announced by the Chief Executive is fake and cautioned the public not to believe it.

    It pointed out that the information is totally fictitious with fraudulent intent and strongly condemned those who have attempted to distribute fake information in the name of the Chief Executive.

    The Government reminded members of the public to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of such content.

    The incident has been referred to Police for a follow-up investigation.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British businesses continue optimistic views about Taiwan economy

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    British businesses continue optimistic views about Taiwan economy

    According to the latest survey results, optimism towards Taiwan’s economy was solid among respondents, consistent with previous results.

    Ruth Bradley-Jones, Representative at the British Office Taipei, and Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific currently visiting Taiwan, announced the latest 2024-25 British Business Survey results at an event hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei. Representatives from the Taiwanese authorities, including Deputy Trade Representative Huai-Shing YEN from Office of Trade Negotiation, Secretary General Amelia W.J. DAY from International Trade Administration and Director General Emile M. P. CHANG from Department of Investment Promotion of Ministry of Economic Affairs, also attended the event.

    According to the latest survey results, optimism towards Taiwan’s economy was solid among respondents, consistent with previous results. It is significant that despite a series of global economic fluctuations over the past few years, Taiwan has been a stable and growing market for most British businesses. The respondents also identified new opportunities across various sectors – notably ICT beyond semiconductors – as well as healthcare, financial services, and renewable energy. In this positive environment, 64% of respondents anticipated business revenue to grow in 2025.

    Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific (Right) was exchanging opinions with UK businesses.

    Respondents also expected the UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) Arrangement to benefit their operations by facilitating business between the UK and Taiwan and reducing bureaucratic ‘red tape.’

    British businesses’ hope for the next round of UK-Taiwan trade talks largely aligned with their wish lists for the UK’s updated industrial and trade strategies. In particular, they emphasised strengthening the UK-Taiwan relationship in ICT and healthcare.

    The results of the latest survey showed that most of the uncertainties come from external, international sources. There are signs that geopolitical factors are impacting operations. Businesses expressed concern about attracting and retaining foreign talent due to cross-Strait tensions. Over one third of respondents stated some impact to their business operation following President Trump’s re-election.

    Looking domestically at areas for improvement, local protectionism is seen as a growing challenge for British businesses hoping to compete on a level playing field in Taiwan.

    These concerns are reflected in respondents’ ranking for policy priorities in Taiwan. Energy supply and security was the top priority, followed by efforts to stabilise cross-Strait relations, and continuation of efforts to diversify Taiwan’s international trading network. Additionally, respondents expressed a desire to see greater efforts to attract foreign investment, international companies, and foreign talent.

    Ruth Bradley-Jones, Representative at the British Office Taipei, was giving remarks in the event.

    Ruth Bradley-Jones, Representative at the British Office Taipei, said she recognised potential business uncertainty coming from the external space, but noted,

    I believe that the UK and Taiwan are committed to a responsive trading environment for businesses, and this is demonstrated through the ETP, bilateral Trade Talks, and many more collaborations in science, energy, and digital. I am confident that UK-Taiwan bilateral economic relations will continue to prosper, encouraging British businesses to keep their commitments to the Taiwanese market. 

    A total of 38 British businesses responses were collected, most of which have set up offices in Taiwan, representing a wide range of sectors, from consulting businesses (24%), advanced engineering (21%), aerospace, energy, financial and professional services, to semiconductors (18% each).

    The comprehensive results of the latest British business survey will be published on the UK Government’s GOV.UK Taiwan page in due course and will be included in the future UK-Taiwan bilateral discussions.

    Note to editors:

    1. The British Business Survey, which started in 2017, is an annual initiative that seeks to gain insights into British business sentiment about Taiwan’s economy and business environment. This latest edition of the British Business Survey was conducted by the British Office Taipei between December 2024 to January 2025, in collaboration with the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.

    2. The 2023-2024 British Business Survey results can be found HERE.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK supports effective media relations for parliamentary officials

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK supports effective media relations for parliamentary officials

    A one-day training to equip parliamentary officials in Solomon Islands on effective media relations concluded last month.

    High Commissioner Paul Turner with the stakeholders involved in the training.

    The objective of the training was to equip parliamentary officers with plans for effective media relations, enabling them to communicate clearly and accurately with the media on the activities of parliament.

    The focused workshop would also help parliament officials sharpen their skills in media handling, ensuring professional, clear and timely communication with the public and media.

    British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Paul Robert Turner said:

    A vibrant media is a sign of a healthy society – a society that is at ease with itself; that can investigate and report on all kinds of stories; one that can both challenge and reflect on matters in the political arena. “The press is there to serve the governed, not the governors.” – the words of the US senator Hugo Black some 50 years ago. He was right.

    Our job in this workshop is to equip and prepare you as Parliamentary officials to be able to flourish in such an environment – to manage the flow of information and sharpen your skills in interacting with the media and ultimately with the public.

    Clerk to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, Jefferson Hallu said:

    Parliamentary activities are of public interest, and it is appropriate that people know what the government is doing or decide in their interest.

    Supported by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and BBC Media Action programmes in Solomon Islands, the workshop stemmed from a political economic analysis conducted in 2023 when WFD began its work in the country.

    WFD Country Director for Solomon Islands, Vatina Devesi said:

    The workshop stemmed from a political economic analysis we conducted back in 2023 which identified gaps in our system, one of which is misinformation and disinformation. However, WFD is not here to recommend any system or practices for Solomon Islands but takes a participant-based approach in working with the National Parliament of Solomon Islands who is taking the lead in implementing activities.

    Westminster Foundation for Democracy is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world. BBC Media Action on the other hand is the BBC’s international charity that use media and communication to help deliver stronger democracies, a safer, more habitable planet and inclusive societies.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: What to know about NPC in China’s democracy

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

    BEIJING, March 5 — Close to 3,000 deputies — ranging from farmers to state leaders — are in Beijing for the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s national legislature, which opened Wednesday.

    Established in 1954, the NPC is the supreme organ of state power, sitting at the pinnacle of China’s people’s congress system.

    According to the Constitution, all administrative, supervisory, adjudicatory and procuratorial organs of the state shall be created by the people’s congresses and shall be responsible to them and subject to their oversight.

    The annual session of the national legislature, a key event in China’s political calendar, provides a window into the country’s whole-process people’s democracy in practice.

    DISTRIBUTION OF NPC DEPUTIES

    The number of NPC deputies is capped at 3,000, and their distribution is decided by the NPC Standing Committee, the permanent institution of the NPC.

    National legislators hail from various backgrounds and form a representative cross-section of society.

    The deputies to the 14th NPC were elected from 35 electoral units across the country between December 2022 and January 2023 for a five-year term.

    They are broadly representative, including workers, farmers, technical personnel, as well as Party and government officials, among others. Female deputies make up more than a quarter of the total. All of China’s 55 ethnic minority groups are represented in the NPC.

    There are also deputies elected from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, deputies representing Taiwan Province, and deputies representing overseas Chinese who have returned to the motherland.

    ELECTION OF NPC DEPUTIES

    According to the electoral law, deputies to county- and township-level people’s congresses are directly elected by voters, while deputies to people’s congresses above the county level are elected by deputies at the next lower level.

    NPC deputies are elected by people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government. The armed forces elect their own deputies.

    The number of NPC deputies elected by the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and the methods for their elections shall be prescribed separately by the NPC, according to the electoral law.

    National legislators are elected by secret ballot, and candidates should outnumber deputy vacancies by 20 percent to 50 percent.

    DUTIES OF NPC DEPUTIES

    The NPC and its Standing Committee exercise the legislative power of the state, the power to decide on major issues, the power to appoint and remove top-level officials, and the power of oversight.

    Deputies at various levels are key channels for people’s voices. They are entitled and obliged to stand for the people’s interests and express their requests.

    NPC deputies are actively engaged in state affairs. During the annual session, the NPC deputies review and vote on bills and documents of national importance like the report on the work of the government. As an important way for them to exercise their rights and perform their duties in accordance with the law, national legislators submit proposals and suggestions on a wide range of issues.

    When not in session, they engage with the people, participate in inspections of law enforcement, and conduct research on important or urgent issues. Some of them are invited to attend regular sessions of the NPC Standing Committee in a non-voting capacity.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Lufthansa Group increases its fourth-quarter profit by 66 million to 468 million euros and generates an operating profit of 1.6 billion euros for the full year

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

    “Aviation is and remains an industry of the future with sustained strong demand. Especially in unstable times, it enables international understanding through cultural and economic exchange. At the Lufthansa Group, we can look back on the strongest year in our history in terms of revenue, with a new load factor record. I would therefore like to thank our guests for their loyalty and all our employees for their great commitment.

    Looking back, 2024 was a year of two halves for the Lufthansa Group. In the first six months, we still had to cope with a significant decline in operating profit – due, among other things, to strikes, delayed aircraft deliveries and operational challenges at our hubs.

    The trend was reversed in the course of the year with two consecutive quarters in which we generated revenue of over 10 billion euros each for the first time, and in the fourth quarter we exceeded the previous year’s profit.

    The further internationalization of the Lufthansa Group through the integration of ITA Airways, the significantly improved stability in flight operations and the growing satisfaction of our customers – all this shows that our strategy is right and our measures are taking effect. However, there is no question that we now also have to achieve an economic turnaround for our core brand Lufthansa. This year, 2025, will be a year of transformation for us with a clear goal: to further strengthen our position as the global number one outside the United States.”

     

    Earnings

    In 2024, the Group increased its revenue by six percent year on year to EUR 37.6 billion (previous year: EUR 35.4 billion), due to the higher flight offering. It was thus the year with the highest revenue in the history of the Lufthansa Group. The Group generated an operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) of EUR 1.6 billion (previous year: EUR 2.7 billion), with an operating margin of 4.4 percent (previous year: 7.6 percent).

    The decline compared to the previous year is due to various effects, particularly in the first half of the year: strikes weighed on the Passenger Airlines with around EUR 450 million. The airlines also had to absorb a significant decline in average yields at the beginning of the summer due to the large industry-wide increase in capacity. Significantly higher costs, especially in Germany, also had a negative impact. Productivity in flight operations also suffered from further delays in aircraft deliveries. Also thanks to lower interest burdens compared to the previous year, the net profit fell less sharply than the operating result and reached EUR 1.4 billion (previous year: EUR 1.7 billion).

     

    Lufthansa Group Passenger Airlines expand capacity

    In 2024, the Lufthansa Group airlines welcomed 131 million guests on board their aircraft, an increase of seven percent over the previous year. The passenger load factor rose to a record level of 83.1 percent (previous year: 82.9 percent). In terms of the passenger load factor, the summer months of July and August were not only the strongest months of last year, with a load factor of almost 88 percent, but also among the strongest in the company’s history.

    Due to industry-wide capacity growth, average yields in 2024 fell by 2.6 percent year on year, with a significant improvement in performance over the course of the year. Average yields varied greatly across the different traffic regions: while the decline was below two percent in most regions, they fell significantly in the Asia/Pacific region, by almost 10 percent. Unit revenues (RASK) benefited from an increased seat load factor compared to 2023, but the underlying revenue was weighed down by high compensation payments due to flight irregularities, causing unit revenues to fall by 4.3 percent overall. Unit costs increased by 1.9 percent year on year due to the effects of strikes and persistent cost inflation, particularly in fees, materials and personnel costs.

    Overall, the Group’s passenger airlines generated Adjusted EBIT of EUR 1.0 billion in 2024 (previous year: EUR 2.0 billion). The decline in the passenger airlines’ operating profit is mainly due to the decline in Lufthansa Airlines’ earnings by EUR 948 million. Delayed deliveries of new aircraft forced Lufthansa Airlines to keep older aircraft in service for longer, which, together with higher location and personnel costs and increased expenses for compensation for flight irregularities, weighed disproportionately on earnings.

    SWISS almost matched its record result from the previous year and exceeded the EUR 800 million Adjusted EBIT mark for the second time. Eurowings repeated its good result from the previous year and again posted an Adjusted EBIT of over EUR 200 million. Brussels Airlines achieved the highest profit in its history at EUR 60 million and Austrian Airlines posted an Adjusted EBIT of EUR 76 million.

     

    Turnaround program at Lufthansa Airlines makes noticeable progress

    Lufthansa Airlines is resolutely pursuing its turnaround program, which was initiated eight months ago, with the aim of improving efficiency, reducing complexity and increasing product quality – to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the airline.  The package of measures is initially focusing on operational stability. In the first two months of 2025, Lufthansa Airlines already saw a noticeable improvement in punctuality and regularity. The establishment of “City Airlines” is proving to be the strategically right cornerstone for operating European short-haul flights more efficiently and cost-effectively.

    The turnaround program will continuously contribute to improving the earnings of Lufthansa Airlines. In 2026, the measures are expected to achieve a gross effect of around EUR 1.5 billion on EBIT, and in 2028 of around EUR 2.5 billion.

     

    Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, says:

    “This year, we expect moderate capacity growth of around 4 percent. This will help to support our revenue growth, secure valuable market shares, stabilise our earnings and further improve our operations. Nevertheless, current challenges will persist. These include delays in aircraft deliveries and ever-present cost pressures. We therefore regard 2025 as a transition year in which we will lay the foundations for future increases in profitability. Nevertheless, progress will be clearly visible in every respect. This will also be reflected in our Adjusted EBIT, which we expect to be significantly higher than in the previous year.”

     

    Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo improve results

    In 2024, Lufthansa Technik benefited from the sustained high volume of air travel and the resulting increase in demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services worldwide. As the global market leader in the MRO sector, Lufthansa Technik was able to capitalize on this and conclude new contracts with a total volume of EUR 7.5 billion. This ensures planning security and revenue growth for the company over the next few years. In the past financial year, Lufthansa Technik generated an Adjusted EBIT of EUR 635 million (previous year: EUR 628 million). By 2027, the company will build a new plant in Portugal for the repair of engine parts and aircraft components. The plan is to create 700 new jobs there.

    The airfreight business continued to recover over the course of 2024. Lufthansa Cargo generated an operating profit of EUR 251 million for the full year (previous year: EUR 219 million), of which EUR 199 million was attributable to the fourth quarter, which is traditionally strong for airfreight (previous year: EUR 30 million). This development not only confirms the expected normalization in the airfreight market but is also the result of strict cost management that enables profitable growth. Lufthansa Cargo benefited particularly from strong e-commerce business from Asia. Thanks to its own freighter fleet, capacities could be shifted from the North Atlantic to Asia/Pacific.

     

    Adjusted free cash flow clearly positive, balance sheet remains strong

    In 2024, the Lufthansa Group generated an operating cash flow of EUR 3.9 billion (previous year: EUR 4.9 billion). Thus, the operating cash flow decreased in the same range as the operating result compared to the previous year. Considering net capital expenditure, primarily on new, fuel-efficient aircraft, the year ended with an adjusted free cash flow of EUR 840 million (previous year: EUR 1.8 billion).

    Compared to the end of the year, available liquidity increased by around half a billion euros to EUR 11.0 billion. At the same time, net debt to banks at year-end 2024 was at the same level as at year-end 2023 at EUR 5.7 billion (December 31, 2023: EUR 5.7 billion). Net pension liabilities decreased slightly to EUR 2.6 billion (December 31, 2023: EUR 2.7 billion). The leverage ratio, measured in terms of the key figure adjusted net debt/adjusted EBITDA, increased slightly from 1.7 to 2.0 due to earnings.

     

    Stable profit participation for shareholders

    As in the previous year, shareholders are to participate in the company’s profits again. For the financial year 2024, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose a dividend of EUR 0.30 per share at the Annual General Meeting on May 6, 2025. This corresponds to the same amount as last year. At almost five percent, the dividend yield on the year-end share price is higher than last year (just under four percent). The payout ratio is 26 percent (previous year: 21 percent). The proposed payout is in line with the Lufthansa Group’s dividend policy, according to which between 20 and 40 percent of net profit (2024: EUR 1.4 billion) is distributed to shareholders.

     

    Fast integration of ITA Airways

    The expansion of the multi-hub, multi-airline and multi-brand model through the integration of ITA Airways, with its strong home market in Italy and its 5-star Rome hub, creates further growth opportunities for the Lufthansa Group in 2025. The complete integration of ITA Airways is expected to be completed after just 18 months. The relocation of ITA Airways in Munich and Frankfurt will be completed by the start of the summer flight schedule at the end of March, in order to facilitate transfer connections. Mutual lounge access, the merger of the frequent flyer programs and the introduction of code shares have already been implemented in recent days and weeks. ITA Airways’ distribution is to be integrated into the Lufthansa Group by the end of 2025. With ITA Airways, the number of employees in the Group will grow by 5,000 and the size of the Group fleet by 100 to 830 aircraft.

     

    Lufthansa Group introduces umbrella brand strategy

    The Lufthansa Group will introduce a new umbrella brand strategy in 2025. The aim is to make the advantages of the Group even more tangible for guests. In addition, the synergies that arise from the interaction of the various airlines are to be made more usable in an integrated way. Today, around half of all transfer passengers at the Lufthansa Group already use more than one of the Group’s airlines. They benefit from the complementary route networks, shared ground infrastructure and the world’s leading app. Under the LUFTHANSA GROUP umbrella brand, the connections between the individual brands and how they interact in the airline group will be made more transparent and clearly recognizable in the future.

     

    Outlook

    The company expects demand for air travel to remain high, which is also reflected in a positive trend in bookings at the beginning of 2025. The order situation in the MRO segment also points to continued strong demand for maintenance services. Lufthansa Cargo expects to benefit from continued growth in e-commerce and an improved cost position.

    At the same time, 2025 will be a year of transition for the Lufthansa Group. The turnaround program at Lufthansa Airlines is a top strategic priority and will lay the foundation for a sustainable increase in earnings. The first measures will already take effect in the current year, but the turnaround program will not yet reach its full potential.

    As part of the largest fleet modernization in its history, the Lufthansa Group expects to take delivery of a new, highly efficient aircraft every two weeks during the current year. Overall, the order list includes around 250 aircraft, of which 100 are long-haul aircraft.

    The renewal of the fleet and the investments in the premium offering have a direct impact on customer satisfaction. Currently, nine Airbus A350s are already equipped with Allegris, seven of which also have the new First Class on board. This year, SWISS is investing more than ever before in improving its Economy Class. In the second half of the year, SWISS Senses will then be introduced on SWISS long-haul routes.

    Based on the strong demand for flight tickets, the Lufthansa Group plans to expand the seating capacity of its passenger airlines by around four percent compared to the previous year. The company expects a further increase in revenue as a result.

    Overall, the Group expects Adjusted EBIT in the 2025 financial year to be significantly higher than in the previous year. For 2025, the Lufthansa Group expects net capital expenditure of between EUR 2.7 and 3.3 billion and free cash flow at the previous year’s level.

     

    Further information

    Further information on the results of individual business segments will be published in the annual report. This will be published at the same time as this press release on March 6, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. CET at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/investor-relations.html

    The annual press conference will be streamed live at Home – Lufthansa Group from 9:30 a.m. CET. The analyst call will be streamed live at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/publications/financial-reports.html from 12:30 p.m. CET.

    The traffic figures for 2024 will also be published at 7:00 a.m. at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/publications/traffic-figures.html.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum 25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    The purpose of Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum 25, is for senior leaders and multinational partners to discuss, plan, and prepare to enhance modernized war fighting functions among the Indo-Pacific region.

    The Forum began with a conference held at the Le Méridien, with 91 participants, including 42 U.S. personnel and 49 allied and partnered nation representatives from Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and the Kingdom Thailand.

    I Corps subordinate units, 7th Infantry Division, 5th Security Forces Assistance Brigade, and many others, joined the discussion in regards to the Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum becoming a key platform for force modernization, operational integration, and strategic discussions.

    Participants shared their thoughts on modernization and future motorized operations, and discussed strategic methods to enhance security cooperation through training. The Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum 25 has become a cornerstone for multinational collaboration, allowing partners to refine doctrines, tactics, and operational strategies for motorized formations.

    U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, commanding general of America’s First Corps, expressed the importance and his appreciation for U.S. Army service members, and multinational partners working together to maintain effectiveness and cohesion within the military.

    “The Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum 25 represents the continued commitment of the U.S. and its allies to enhancing regional security and interoperability,” said McFarlane. “Through collaboration, modernization, and shared operational experiences, we strengthen our collective ability to meet evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.”

    On Feb. 27, The Royal Thai Army held a visit at the 112th Stryker RegimentCombat Team Headquarters in Chon Buri, Thailand. Discussions were made on behalf of maintaining sufficient military tactical vehicles for operations, and displayed a scenario based training utilizing a terrain model in a tactical environment.

    Leaders from all participating nations spoke on behalf of their military history. They emphasized their common goal of defense and security being an essential aspect between nations when working together and enhancing interoperability. Future Indo-Pacific Motorized Forums will continue to push these goals forward.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on March 06, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 25,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 4,442
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 4,442
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.26
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.26
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) N.A.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2308

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK’s I&T feats highlighted in Spain

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong outlined Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) achievements yesterday as he spoke at the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Ministerial Programme in Barcelona, Spain.

    The programme was part of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, which Prof Sun has been attending this week with a delegation from Hong Kong’s I&T sector.

    At the ministerial programme, themed “2025+: A Tech Odyssey”, he delivered a keynote speech in which he outlined Hong Kong’s efforts to build a smart city and a digitally inclusive society that bridges the “digital divide”.

    Highlighting that one of the best markers of a city’s I&T development is its degree of digitalisation, Prof Sun said all submissions and payments to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Government can be done electronically.

    “More than three millions of people are enjoying the convenience and efficiency of accessing government services and online identity verification through a mobile application called ‘iAM Smart’. A corporate version of ‘iAM Smart’, nick-named CorpID, is upcoming too.”

    In terms of digital inclusiveness, Hong Kong’s household broadband and smartphone penetration rates are both approximately 97%. The internet usage rate among citizens aged 65 and above rocketed from 56% in 2018 to 84% in 2023, higher than the European rate of around 78%.

    “As society becomes so digitally knitted and increasingly mobile, we recently launched the ‘Smart Silver’ Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders to address the challenges of an increasingly aging society.

    “This programme fortifies our digital inclusive efforts by providing elders with community-based training and on-the-spot helpdesks to enhance elders’ knowledge on new digital technologies and support their navigation by common mobile applications.”

    During the congress, Professor Sun met the GSMA’s Head of Greater China Sihan Bo Chen to learn about the association’s work to develop mobile communications and promote innovation in the industry.

    He also visited various exhibition pavilions on-site, including the EU Quantum Flagship. He and his delegation toured the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, where he was briefed on Spanish and European developments in quantum computers, supercomputing technology, AI and more.

    Prof Sun will proceed from Barcelona to Lisbon, Portugal later today. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How are scientists tracking Cyclone Alfred?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava, Associate Professor of Geospatial Analysis, University of the Sunshine Coast

    Tropical Cyclone Alfred is now expected to make landfall early on Saturday morning – later than initial estimates that suggested it would strike southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales on Friday.

    So, how do scientists track cyclones and make predictions about when and where they will hit?

    I’m a geospatial analyst who uses satellites and other remote-sensing technology for natural resources management. I study data about storms, wildfires and vegetation regrowth around the world.

    Remote-sensing satellites travel through space collecting data about Earth’s surface and atmosphere.

    When it comes to cyclones, information these satellites collect about clouds, temperatures, wind speeds and other variables is crucial. It helps scientists make accurate weather predictions – enabling communities to prepare and protect themselves.

    Geostationary satellites

    Remote sensing refers to technology that gathers information from a distance.

    Remote-sensing satellites move with the Earth. They observe the same hemisphere constantly and send real-time images back to scientists on the ground. The main ones we use in Australia are called Himawari-8 and -9, and they were launched by the Japan Meteorological Agency.

    As reported by the ABC, Himawari-9 captured images showing how Cyclone Alfred travelled down the coast of Queensland earlier this week and then headed toward Brisbane.

    Himawari satellites images show how Cyclone Alfred has moved along its path.

    Geostationary remote sensing satellites are excellent at helping us detect:

    • the centres of tropical cyclones over the ocean
    • developing thunderstorms
    • volcanic material in the atmosphere and
    • how clouds are moving.

    Himawari collects images and information from the visible and infrared spectrum. This can give us cloud temperature, which can provide more precise information about where the eye of a cyclone is (the eye tends to have a higher temperature).

    Polar-orbiting satellites

    Polar-orbiting satellites move across the Earth north to south, and pass close to the poles.

    They collect information at various intervals and send it back to Earth. Well-known polar orbiting satellites include Landsat 8-9 (run by the US Geological Survey), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System.

    The polar-orbiting satellites give us clear images but not very often. They are just snapshots. They are more useful for providing post-cyclone damage assessments than they are for predicting the path of cyclones.

    Valuable images, and data in the visible, infrared, and microwave range

    Both geostationary and polar orbiting satellites collect data in the visible and infrared regions. There are polar satellites collecting data in the microwave range.

    This means we can look at Earth through the cloud, get cloud temperature information and wind direction.

    In addition to these satellites, the Bureau of Meteorology have their own weather watch radar sensors on the ground. These ground-based radar are set up at various locations and can detect moisture very easily, which helps us work out how moisture is moving into and through clouds.

    Cyclone Alfred is currently shaping up to be a category two cyclone. This means once it makes landfall, it would have an average wind speed of between 89 and 117 kilometres an hour, and gusts between 125 and 164 kilometres an hour.

    Wind speed is predicted using complex algorithms.

    Why do predictions sometimes change?

    Meteorology is a very complex area of science and predictions are based on many, many different data points.

    Sometimes a cyclone’s path will deviate from initial projections, but this is very normal. It’s really hard to predict the future track of a cyclone!

    This is particularly true when cyclones form over the Coral Sea, as in the case of Alfred. There, cyclones paths are among the most unpredictable in the world.

    Sometimes unexpected factors may arise. For example, a recently arrived low pressure system in the west is currently slowing down the arrival of Cyclone Alfred.

    Despite cyclone predictions being difficult, the Bureau of Meteorology is the most reliable and up-to-date source of information on Cyclone Alfred.

    Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava has received funding in the past from the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research, various local councils and several cooperative research centres. He is a member of Earth Observation Australia.

    – ref. How are scientists tracking Cyclone Alfred? – https://theconversation.com/how-are-scientists-tracking-cyclone-alfred-251611

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sony Corporation Exhibits at the International Conference on Accessibility “CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 2025”

    Source: Sony

    March 6, 2025

    Showcasing a variety of products and initiatives incorporating inclusive design.

    Sony Corporation (“Sony”) will participate in the 40th CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, taking place Monday, March 10 to Friday, March 14 in Anaheim, California.

    Sony aims to contribute to an inclusive society by developing technology and products geared towards creating a more accessible and enjoyable experience for everyone, under the theme of “Delivering innovation for an accessible future.”

    The exhibit will showcase accessible products and various inclusive design initiatives, including 4K Mini LED/OLED BRAVIA TVs with new features such as a menu timeout function that allows users to keep menus on the screen longer as well as color inversion and grayscale modes. The LinkBuds Open truly wireless earbuds, which have an open ring design that keeps users connected to their surroundings, will also be on display.

    For more information, visit: CSUN 2025

    Main Exhibits

    4K Mini LED/OLED BRAVIA TVs

    BRAVIA TVs offer a variety of accessibility features, implemented based on feedback from people with disabilities who want to use the TV more independently, including the TalkBack screen reader for initial settings, a menu timeout function that allows users to keep menus on the screen longer, as well as color inversion and grayscale modes for people with low vision or visual sensitivities. Additionally, the tactile dots on the HDMI and S-CENTER terminals of BRAVIA TVs match those found on the BRAVIA Theater products to simplify the process of locating and connecting ports for a smooth setup experience.

    BRAVIA Theater Bar 9/8

    To help people with visual disabilities set up BRAVIA Theater home audio products, a raised square frame on the package indicates a QR code*1 for the BRAVIA Connect app*2, which offers screen reader support. Tactile dots on the back panel of BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 and 8 indicate the eARC HDMI terminal for connecting to a TV.

    LinkBuds Open Truly Wireless Earbuds

    LinkBuds Open have a unique open-ring design that keeps users connected to the outside world while enjoying their favorite tunes. The Fitting Supporters have a tail that is soft and hollow to reduce ear contact and therefore pressure, while the point of attachment is hooked and hard, to prevent accidental dislodging. As a part of efforts to enhance the accessibility of our products and services, the earbuds and the case are designed with non-slip materials and designs, incorporating feedback from people who are blind or partially sighted. In addition, LinkBuds Open work with Eye Navi, a walking support application for people with visual disabilities, developed by Computer Science Institute, for intuitive voice navigation (for customers in Japan only).
    Furthermore, Sony’s audio products have introduced “Guide for QR” to make it easier for users to recognize a QR code on the packaging, allowing them to access information on how to use the product. At CSUN, the packaging of LinkBuds Open with Guide for QR will be on display and handouts will be distributed with semicircular notches and tactile frames to make it easier to find a QR Code.

    For more information, visit: Guide for QR | Sony USA

    Self-fitting Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids (only in the U.S. market)

    Self-fitting OTC hearing aids*3 have been available in the U.S. market were developed in collaboration with WS Audiology after listening to users’ opinions through interviews prior to development. Both the Bluetooth ®-compatible CRE-E10*4, with streaming music playback capability, and the virtually invisible CRE-C20 are supported with the Hearing Control smartphone app*5. The Hearing Control app’s self-fitting process customizes a hearing profile for each ear and users can also use the app to manually adjust a variety of sound settings as well. In addition, both the CRE-C20 and CRE-E10 are rechargeable and can be used comfortably for up to 26-28 hours with a single charge.

    Digital Cameras

    Sony will introduce a Screen Reader Function*6 and Enlarge Screen Function*7 incorporated in a selection of Sony’s digital cameras. Users can navigate menus and operation screens audibly instead of visually and can change the magnification of the screen display with the simple press of a button. These features were developed in collaboration with a Sony employee who is blind and has a passion for photography.

    Retina Projection Camera Kit

    Another unique and innovative development is the Retina Projection Camera Kit (DSC-HX99 RNV kit) with a laser retinal projection technology that is less affected by eye’s focusing ability. By combining the Cyber-shot® “DSC-HX99” and QD Laser Co., Ltd.’s “RETISSA NEOVIEWER” viewfinder*8, a digital image from the camera is directly projected to the retina, allowing people with difficulty using a conventional viewfinder to view and photograph the world.

    Accessible Retail Displays

    Sony will showcase a retail display with Braille and audio product description capabilities, created in cooperation with the Braille Institute, a nonprofit organization that supports the lives of people with visual disabilities. The retail displays with audio description capabilities have been installed in 925 Best Buy stores in the U.S.

    In addition to the exhibits above, Sony will hold a session on March 12 to showcase a selection of accessibility initiatives.

    Driving Innovation for an Inclusive Tomorrow

    Kazuo Kii, Executive Deputy President of Sony Corporation, and Neal Manowitz, President and COO of Sony Electronics in North America, will share video messages regarding accessibility at Sony. Additionally, Mike Nejat, Head of Accessibility of Sony Electronics North America, will introduce Sony’s ongoing accessibility initiatives, such as collaboration with organizations for people with disabilities and the latest accessible products.

    “Sony,” “SONY” logo and any other product names, service names or logo marks used in this website are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliates. Other product names, service names, company names or logo marks are trademarked and copyrighted properties of their respective owners and/or licensors.

    • *1:QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED in Japan and in other countries/regions.
    • *2:BRAVIA Connect app must be installed on a smartphone. The smartphone and the product must be connected to the same home network.
    • *3:FDA cleared as OTC self-fitting hearing aid intended to amplify sound for individuals 18 years of age or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
    • *4:Compatible with iOS devices only.
    • *5:Sony | Hearing control app – Use app on smartphone to personalize settings. Download app at Google Play and the App Store. Network services, content, and operating system and software subject to terms and conditions and may be changed, interrupted or discontinued at any time and may require registration.
    • *6:Currently available on Alpha 7C II, Alpha 7CR, Alpha 7R V, Alpha 7 IV, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 1 II, Alpha 6700, ILX-LR1, FX30, PXW-Z200, HXR-NX800 and Vlog camera ZV-1F, ZV-E1, ZV-1 II, ZV-E10 II sold in North America. Supported languages vary depending on models and regions/countries where sold.
    • *7:Available on Alpha 7C II, Alpha 7CR, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 1 II, ILX-LR1, PXW-Z200, HXR-NX800 and Vlog camera ZV-E10 II.
    • *8:The RETISSA NEOVIEWER is not medical equipment. It is not approved by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any specific condition. It may be difficult to recognize images depending on the part and degree of impairment (such as when the function of the retina is degraded). RETISSA and NEOVIEWER are registered trademarks or trademarks of QD Laser. More information here: RETISSA NEOVIEWER – RETISSA

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic’s nanoe(TM) (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology achieves 99% inactivation of alcohol- and heat-resistant toxins

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic’s nanoe(TM) (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology achieves 99% inactivation of alcohol- and heat-resistant toxins

    Osaka, Japan, March 6, 2025 – Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic) (https://holdings.panasonic/global/) today announced that it has demonstrated the inactivating effect of nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology on endotoxin, which causes aggravation of allergy-like symptoms such as asthma and rhinitis, under the supervision of Masafumi Mukamoto, Professor Emeritus of Osaka Metropolitan University and Visiting Researcher at the University of Hyogo.
    According to the 2023 Patient Survey published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the total number of asthma patients in Japan is approximately 1.85 million.*1 A wide variety of factors are also known to contribute to exacerbation of asthma. Of these, academic studies suggest that endotoxin is one of contributing factors to the aggravation of allergy-like symptoms such as asthma and rhinitis,*2, *3 and its presence in house dust*4 and in air pollutants such as PM 2.5 and Asian sand dust*5, *6 has been confirmed. Endotoxin is also known they derive from gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and are resistant to alcohol and heat, rendering inactivation by general disinfection methods more difficult.
    Panasonic has demonstrated the inhibitory effect of nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology on 20 types of bacteria, and has also partially identified its inhibitory mechanism on bacteria.*7 In this study, in order to verify its effectiveness against bacterial toxins, Panasonic has newly verified its effects against endotoxin, which is resistant to alcohol and heat. The results demonstrated that exposure to nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) had an inactivation rate of 99% or higher. Note that this verification was conducted under test conditions and does not attest to effectiveness in actual usage spaces. Also, the test was conducted to verify effectiveness on chemical substances that contribute to the worsening of symptoms, and not on the worsening of the symptoms themselves.
    Panasonic is committed to further advancing nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology and pursuing its possibilities in order to help society by providing safe, secure spaces.

    ■Key points of this test

    According to academic research, endotoxin, which is derived from E. coli and is resistant to alcohol and heat, is a substance that should be carefully monitored because it is contained in Asian sand dust, PM 2.5, and house dust, and is suggested to exacerbate allergy-like symptoms such as asthma and rhinitis.
    The results of irradiating endotoxin with nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) and comparing it against alcohol and heat treatment confirm that nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology alone is more than 99% effective in inactivating endotoxin. (Test (1))
    The results of endotoxin activity measured by irradiating E. coli with nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) confirmed an inactivation effect of 99% or higher. (Test (2))

    Test (1)

    Figure 1: Test Overview

    Testing organization: Panasonic Corporation*8
    Test sample: Standard endotoxin
    Test device: nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generator
    Test method: A petri dish containing standard endotoxin dissolved in solvent was placed in a 45-liter chamber and exposed to nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) at a position 5 cm from the petri dish for a predetermined length of time.Endotoxin activity was measured on the samples after exposure.*9Samples with and without exposure to nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) were compared, and the residual endotoxin activity rate was calculated.*10In order to compare against exposure to nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water), treatment under the conditions in which bacteria are sterilized (heating at 90°C, 10-minute treatment, and ethanol 80 vol%, 5-minute treatment) were performed respectively, and the residual rate of endotoxin activity was calculated.*10

    Test (2)

    Figure 2: Test Overview

    Testing organization: Panasonic Corporation
    Test sample: E. coli
    Test device: nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generator
    Test method: A petri dish containing E. coli dissolved in solvent was placed in a 45-liter chamber and exposed to nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) at a position 5 cm from the petri dish.Endotoxin activity was measured on the samples after exposure.*9Samples with and without exposure to nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) were compared, and the residual endotoxin activity rate was calculated.*10

    ■Test results

    Test results (1)

    Below are the results of confirming the residual endotoxin activity rate*10 for standard endotoxin exposed to nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) for 48 hours, treated with alcohol, and treated with heat, respectively. Only nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology showed an inactivation effect of 99% or more.

    Test results (2)

    The results of confirming the residual endotoxin activity rate*10 using E. coli exposed to nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) for 48 hours are described below. nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology showed an inactivation effect of 99% or more.

    ■Comments from Masafumi Mukamoto, Professor Emeritus, Osaka Metropolitan University and Visiting Researcher, University of Hyogo*

    Endotoxin is a toxin that exists on the surface of gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli. It has various biological activity, and has been suggested to aggravate allergy-like symptoms such as asthma and rhinitis. Endotoxin has been reported as present in air pollutants such as PM 2.5 and Asian sand dust, as well as house dust. Particular attention should be paid to Asian sand dust, as the number of days it is observed increases during spring. In addition, endotoxin is known to be resistant to alcohol and heat, so even if bacterial sterilization is performed, it may not be possible to inactivate endotoxin. Thus, I think it is significant that inactivation of endotoxin by nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology was demonstrated in this test.
    *Edited from comments received at the request of Panasonic.

    ■Principle of nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) generation

    The atomizing electrode is cooled by a Peltier element, which condenses moisture in the air to create water. Afterwards, a high voltage is applied across the atomizing electrode and the opposite electrode to generate nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) contained in water that contain hydroxyl radicals of approximately 5 to 20 nanometers in size. (Figure 5)

    Notes:*1: Reference: “2023 Patient Survey” Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/kanja/23/index.html*2: Reference: M. Berger et al. “Lipopolysaccharide amplifies eosinophilic inflammation after segmental challenge with house dust mite in asthmatics,” Allergy, vol. 70, No. 3, pp. 257-264, 2014.*3: Reference: Braga CR et al. “Nasal provocation test (NPT) with isolated and associated dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) and endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic controls,” J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol., vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 142-8, 2004.*4: Reference: Peter S. Thorne et al. “Endotoxin Exposure Is a Risk Factor for Asthma The National Survey of Endotoxin in United States Housing,” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, vol. 172, No. 11, pp. 1371-1377, 2005.*5: Reference: Takamichi Ichinose, “Progress of the research on air pollution (PM 2.5, Asian sand dust, etc.) and allergy,” Japanese Journal of Allergology, vol. 63, No. 8, pp. 1085-1094, 2014.*6: Reference: Yahao Ren et al. “Enhancement of OVA-induced murine lung eosinophilia by co-exposure to contamination levels of LPS in Asian sand dust and heated dust,” Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol., vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 30, 2014.*7: [Press Release] Visual Imaging of Bacterial Inhibition Mechanism by Hydroxyl Radicals Contained in Water in Collaboration with Harvard University (March 29, 2012)*8: Endotoxin testing and data acquisition were conducted in cooperation with FUJIFILM Wako Bio Solutions Corporation.*9: Endotoxin testing was conducted in accordance with the “General Rules” and “General Testing Methods” of the Revised Japanese Pharmacopoeia, 18th Edition.*10: Panasonic’s own calculation of residual endotoxin activity rate = (activity after treatment/untreated activity) x 100

    ◆A summary of this press release can be found here:https://www.panasonic.com/global/consumer/nanoe/ja/topics/250306.html
    ◆Results of research into nanoe (hydroxyl radicals contained in water) technology to date can be found here:https://www.panasonic.com/global/consumer/nanoe/ja.html

    Media Contact:

    Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Panasonic CorporationPublic Relations, Corporate Policy Department, Corporate Planning CenterEmail: las-pr@gg.jp.panasonic.com

    Inquiries:

    Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Panasonic CorporationDevices Products Business Unit, Beauty and Personal Care Business DivisionTelephone: +81-(0)749-27-0485 (available 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)

    About Panasonic Corporation
    Panasonic Corporation offers products and services for a variety of living environments, ranging from homes to stores to offices and cities. There are five businesses at the core of Panasonic Corporation: Living Appliances and Solutions Company, Heating & Ventilation A/C Company, Cold Chain Solutions Company, Electric Works Company and China and Northeast Asia Company. The operating company reported consolidated net sales of 3,494.4 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2024. Panasonic Corporation is committed to fulfilling the mission of Life Tech & Ideas: For the wellbeing of people, society and the planet, and embraces the vision of becoming the best partner of your life with human-centric technology and innovation. Learn more about Panasonic: https://www.panasonic.com/global/about/

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics and KDDI Research To Advance AI Technologies in Future Wireless Telecommunications

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics and KDDI Research, Inc., the R&D institute of Japanese telecommunications service provider KDDI, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last month for joint research into the application of AI in next-generation mobile communication networks.
     

     
    As 6G standardization gains momentum with AI technology expanding across industries, the two companies aim to enhance overall network performance by applying AI to multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies. MIMO systems increase transmission speed and expand coverage by utilizing multiple antennas to transmit and receive signals. In contrast to traditional MIMO systems that transfer data in a single-cell network, distributed MIMO (D-MIMO) systems deploy multiple cells to offer advantages such as improved performance in coverage boundary areas and the network overall.
     
    Through this collaboration, the companies will research AI-driven solutions to optimize the design and operation of D-MIMO systems — enabling higher transmission speeds at the user level and increased network-wide capacity.
     
    ▲ D-MIMO systems
     
    “The joint research with KDDI Research will play an integral role in innovating wireless telecommunications through the convergence of telecommunications and AI technologies,” said Paul (Kyungwhoon) Cheun, CTO of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics and Head of Samsung Research. “We will lead the next-generation communication research that brings improvements to user experience.”
     
    “I anticipate that our research collaboration will highlight the critical role of AI and D-MIMO in developing a user-centric network that delivers exceptional wireless quality across the target area, ultimately creating new value in 6G,” said Hajime Nakamura, President and CEO of KDDI Research, Inc.
     
    Industry alliances, including the AI-RAN Alliance1 and the Next G Alliance (NGA),2 are pivotal to driving Samsung’s research on integrating AI into communication technologies. In November 2024, Samsung hosted the Silicon Valley Future Wireless Summit to encourage greater collaboration in the industry. Beyond these partnerships and initiatives, the company released a 6G white paper last month outlining its vision for AI-native and sustainable communication technologies.
     
     
    1 Collaborative consortium of industry leaders and academic institutions committed to integrating AI into radio access networks (RAN) and propelling the industry toward 6G2 Initiative launched by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) to advance North American leadership in wireless technology over the next decade through private-sector-led efforts

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Electronics Named 2025 Advertiser of the Year by Spikes Asia

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics today announced that it has been honored as the 2025 Advertiser of the Year by Spikes Asia, the oldest and most prestigious award for creativity and marketing effectiveness in the APAC region.
     
    This recognition highlights Samsung’s continued dedication to solving challenges for consumers with innovative and impactful technology solutions, which is brought to life through pioneering campaigns and forward-thinking initiatives that connect with audiences in meaningful ways. The win marks Samsung Electronics’ second time receiving Advertiser of the Year at Spikes Asia, with the first awarded in 2017.
     
    “We are extremely honored to receive this prestigious award. As a company with deeply rooted beliefs in openness, we strive to reflect this ethos in everything we do. This recognition is especially meaningful as we continue to expand our openness storytelling through innovative technologies and marketing experiences that make a positive impact on both people and the industry as a whole,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing, Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “By blending technology and storytelling to create deeper connections with consumers, we have worked alongside our amazing agency partners to bring our brand values to life in exciting ways – engaging, inspiring and redefining what’s possible in advertising. We’re thrilled our efforts have been recognized and remain committed to delivering even more impactful experiences to our audiences.”
     
    Consistently delivering groundbreaking creative campaigns over the years, Samsung remains one of the most awarded companies at Spikes Asia. Taking home four awards across multiple categories in 2024 at Spikes Asia, the “Try Galaxy Fold” campaign revolutionized the way consumers engage with foldable technology. By allowing users to sync two phones side by side, the campaign provided curious consumers with a hands-on experience of the Galaxy Z Fold’s expansive display and intuitive interface optimized for seamless multitasking. Taking home a Gold Spike and Silver Spike in Brand Experience & Activation, a Digital Craft Silver Spike and a Direct Bronze Spike, this innovative campaign reinforced the brand values of Galaxy and truly resonated with consumers to create stronger consideration of foldable smartphones moving forward.
     
    Samsung’s “Flipvertising” campaign – which garnered the Grand Prix in both the Creative Data and Direct categories in 2023 – emphasized the brand’s ongoing commitment to excellence in creative advertising. The campaign took a unique approach to reach audiences by enabling them to take ownership of their own search experience. By flipping traditional advertising concepts on their head, Samsung empowered its Gen Z audience to discover an organic, rewarding journey with the Galaxy Z Flip4, demonstrating Samsung’s expertise in delivering captivating yet authentic campaigns.
     
    “Samsung’s groundbreaking work in blending technology with creativity continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in marketing. Its ability to connect with audiences in such a meaningful way reflects the future of the industry, and we are proud to recognise it as the 2025 Advertiser of the Year,” said Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS and Spikes Asia. “Its achievements inspire marketers globally, and this award acknowledges the incredible impact its campaigns have made across APAC and beyond.”
     
    The Advertiser of the Year Award will be presented to Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing, Mobile Experience Business, Samsung Electronics at the 2025 Spikes Asia Awards ceremony which will take place at the Swissôtel The Stamford in Singapore on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the Opening Ceremony of the Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2025

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this morning attended the Opening Ceremony of the Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2025, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, presided over by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

    Convened under the theme “Accelerating ASEAN’s Connectivity: People, Infrastructure, and Trade,” the summit brought together high-ranking government officials, prominent business leaders, and industry experts from across the region. The summit has reflected the commitment and the role of Cambodia as the host country as well as its contribution to ASEAN’s economic agenda, showcasing its leadership in fostering regional cooperation and integration.

    The post The Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the Opening Ceremony of the Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2025 appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: March 5th, 2025 Tribal Water Rights Settlements Legislation Passes Unanimously Out of Senate Committee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON – A slate of Tribal water rights settlement bills introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs today. The legislation next heads to the Senate floor for consideration.

    The full slate of Tribal water rights settlements legislation includes:

    • The Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Rights Settlements Act;
    • The Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act;
    • The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act; and
    • The Navajo Nation Rio San José Water Rights Settlement Act.
    • Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments;
    • The Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act;

    “I’m proud to fight for these bills to finally unlock critical water infrastructure funding from these water rights settlements and ensure Tribes have the resources to use the water they own,” said Heinrich. “These settlements are supported by all parties involved, including Tribal and non-Tribal communities. Congress should pass these urgently needed bills to help communities manage their precious and limited water resources.”

    “Water rights are part of the federal trust responsibility for our Tribal communities,” said Luján, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “I’m proud to have helped advance this critical legislation, allowing our Tribal communities to promote water security and complete much-needed water infrastructure projects. I’m particularly proud that my legislation to amend the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project has advanced, ensuring the resources and time needed to deliver clean drinking water to communities in northwestern New Mexico. These pieces of legislation will help fulfill our trust responsibility and promote water security for Tribes and Pueblos, as well as non-Tribal users, in New Mexico.”

    “This legislation upholds our trust responsibility to Tribes and helps bring certainty to disputes about water across the Southwest. The settlements included in these bills secure clean, reliable water for Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation, 11 pueblos, and the rural communities that are their neighbors across New Mexico,” said Leger Fernández. “It is with great expectation that I reintroduce this legislation which reflects decades of negotiation and collaboration. We must pass these bills so the scarce water resources our communities need to thrive for generations to come are available to all.”

    “In New Mexico, we know water is life,” said Stansbury. “That’s why these Tribal Water Settlement bills are so important. These pieces of legislation will give water rights back to our Tribes and Pueblos, ensuring the federal government upholds our Trust and Treaty Responsibilities. Indigenous people have been stewards of the land and water since time immemorial, and now is the time for them to lead these efforts.”

    “New Mexicans know the importance of safe and reliable water access, and today’s progress brings us one step closer to securing these fundamental resources for our Tribal communities. I’ll continue to honor my commitment to our Tribes and Pueblos to ensure they have the water infrastructure they need to thrive,” said Vasquez.

    The Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Rights Settlements Act is led by Heinrich and Leger Fernández. Luján, Stansbury, and Vasquez are original cosponsors. The bill would implement two fund-based water settlements: one between the Pueblos of Jemez and Zia, the United States, the State of New Mexico, and non-Tribal parties; and another between the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, the United States, the State of New Mexico, and non-Tribal parties. The settlements are strongly supported by all parties involved.

    Heinrich and Leger Fernández previously introduced this legislation in March 2023. The bill received a hearing and was reported out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in December 2023. The House version of this bill received a legislative hearing in the House Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee in July 2024.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act is also led by Heinrich and Leger Fernández. Luján and Stansbury are original cosponsors. The bill establishes a trust fund to implement the negotiated settlement between the United States, the State of New Mexico, the City of Española, the Asociación de Acéquias Norteñas de Rio Arriba, El Rito Ditch Asociación, La Asociación de las Acéquias del Rio Tusas, Vallecitos y Ojo Caliente, the Rio de Chama Acéquia Association, and Ohkay Owingeh to settle the Pueblo’s water claims in the Rio Chama Basin. The funding will be used for Ohkay Owingeh’s development of water resources to ensure the Pueblo has appropriate water infrastructure to use the water that they have claim to in the basin.

    Heinrich and Leger Fernández initially introduced the bill in June 2024. The bill then received a key hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in July 2024.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act is led by Heinrich and Vasquez. Luján, Stansbury, and Leger Fernández are original cosponsors. The bill authorizes $685 million to support a trust for sustainable water management and infrastructure development that upholds the federal government’s trust responsibility while protecting the sacred Zuni Salt Lake. The bill ratifies the settlement between the federal government, State of New Mexico and Zuni Tribe that affirms their water rights for irrigation, livestock, storage, and domestic and other uses.

    Heinrich and Vasquez initially introduced the bill in July 2024. The bill received a key hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in September 2024.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Navajo Nation Rio San José Water Rights Settlement Act is led by Heinrich and Leger Fernández. Luján, Stansbury, and Vasquez are original cosponsors. This bill would approve the water rights settlement for the Navajo Nation as well as participating non-Tribal parties in the Rio San José watershed.

    Heinrich and Leger Fernández initially introduced this bill in September 2024. The bill then received a key hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that same month.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments is led by Luján and Leger Fernández. Heinrich and Stansbury are original cosponsors. The bill amends the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project to ensure it has the resources and time needed to reach completion to deliver drinking water to northwestern New Mexico communities.

    The Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project was first authorized as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which settled the Navajo Nation’s water rights in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and funded the design and construction of the waterline to reach an estimated 250,000 people by the year 2040. Upon completion, the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project will provide a long-term, sustainable water supply from the San Juan River to roughly 43 Chapters on the eastern Navajo Nation, the southwestern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and the City of Gallup, which currently rely on a rapidly depleting groundwater supply of poor quality.

    Luján, Leger Fernández, and Heinrich initially introduced the bill in June 2023. The bill was passed out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in November 2023.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act is led by Luján and Leger Fernández. Heinrich and Stansbury are original cosponsors. This bill authorizes the appropriation of $6.3 million for the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Fund; $7.8 million for the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund; and $4.3 million for the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos’ Fund, which covers Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque Pueblos. It will support water resources development projects for the Tribes.

    Luján and Leger Fernández initially introduced this bill in December 2023.

    Read the full bill text here.

    MIL OSI USA News –