NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 16 February 2025 Departmental update World leaders gather to reduce road deaths, boost road safety

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Leaders, ministers and officials from over 100 countries are set to advance commitments and actions to strengthen road safety worldwide at the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road safety that will be hosted by the Kingdom Morocco and the World Health Organization (WHO] in Marrakech this week.

    Leaders are set to endorse the ‘Marrakech Declaration on Global Road Safety’ which urges countries to make road safety a political priority and boost actions to achieve the goal of halving global road deaths by 2030 as set out in the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

    Road crashes kill nearly 1.2 million people each year, which is more than two deaths every minute. Road crashes cost most countries around 3 to 5 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) and transport accounts for around a quarter of the world’s harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

    “Road safety is a priority for people, planet and prosperity. It underpins individual opportunity and sustainable development globally. The Marrakech Declaration calls for a step-change in efforts to reduce road deaths and ensure safe and sustainable mobility for everyone. No road deaths are ever acceptable, or necessary, and we must double-down on our efforts to apply proven solutions,” said Mr Abdessamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics for the Kingdom of Morocco. 

    The Marrakech Declaration calls on governments to implement all recommendations set out in the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, including strengthening laws, safety regulations and coordination across government. The Global Plan calls for more cross-border knowledge-sharing, technical support, technology transfer and research into emerging technologies, as well as efforts to make walking, cycling and public transport more accessible for everyone.

    “Road deaths are preventable and making roads safe for everyone is within our reach. We know what to do, and this conference marks a clear call to urgent action. Leaders are making new commitments and advancing actions to save more lives but much more still needs to be done,” said Dr Etienne Krug, WHO Director of the Department for the Social Determinants of Health.

    The latest WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety (2023) shows that road deaths fell slightly to 1.19 million per year in 2021, which was a 5% reduction in fatalities since 2010. More than half of all UN Member States reported a decline in deaths over this period and 10 of these countries managed to halve deaths in the last 10 years, showing that a 50% reduction in a decade is possible. 35 of these countries reduced the number of deaths by between 30 and 50% between 2010 and 2021.

    The Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety takes place in Marrakech, Morocco on 18-20 February, with the theme of “Commit to Life”. Around 2500 delegates, including ministers, heads of national road safety agencies, government representatives, parliamentarians and experts from the United Nations, civil society, business and academia are attending.

    Focus areas for the conference include road safety governance, emerging trends in mobility, financing, working with the private sector, road traffic injury data, connections with other health, transport, environment and development agendas, and as the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety to be held on the African continent, a focus on Africa.

    WHO is hosting and participating in a series of events at the conference, including a meeting of the Global Network of Heads of National Road Safety Agencies in partnership with the World Bank, and sessions on road safety governance, data, legislation and enforcement and strategic communications.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nara Monkam, Associate Professor of Public Economics, Chair in Municipal Finance within the Department of Economics, and Head of the Public Policy Hub at the University of Pretoria, University of Pretoria

    The African continent finds itself in a predicament. Advanced economies in the rest of the world developed through industrialisation: their economies transformed from mainly agricultural to industrial. This involved burning fossil fuels like coal, generating greenhouse gas emissions that caused global warming.

    African economies have trailed behind industrially. They’re now industrialising at a time when the world is moving away from fossil fuels and towards solar power, wind energy and hydropower.

    Africa has 60% of the world’s best solar resources but only 1% of the world’s installed solar power systems. Despite renewable energy capacity nearly doubling in the last decade, only 2% of global investments in renewable energy went to Africa.

    Green industrialisation could be the answer: achieving long-term economic growth and industrial development that does not harm the environment. But in most African countries, renewable energy is more expensive than fossil fuels, which are readily available in many parts of the continent. Africa is also one of the world’s poorest regions and cannot easily afford green technologies.

    So a key issue in economic development is how to stimulate green industrial productivity. Green finance (funding from banks and investors specifically for environmentally friendly projects) can fund green innovations. These include renewable energy technologies, energy-efficient building designs, or electric vehicles.

    Read more: Africa doesn’t have a choice between economic growth and protecting the environment: how they can go hand in hand

    I am an economist who worked with a team of researchers to study the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa. We also wanted to find out if green innovation influenced the effect that green finance has on industrialisation. (This was measured in this study as the total industrial value added as a percentage of gross domestic product.)

    For example, switching to renewable energy like solar power reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps mitigate climate change. But the high costs of renewable energy equipment could harm industrial growth.

    The research analysed macroeconomic and energy, green finance and industrialisation statistics from 41 African countries between 2000 and 2020.

    Our research found that green finance offers funding opportunities for clean and innovative technologies and creating new jobs in green sectors. However, the potential of green financing to drive industrialisation through green innovation (such as renewable energy projects) is not being realised.

    Read more: How green innovation could be the key to growth for the UK’s rural businesses

    This is because renewable energy comes with high costs. There also are not enough skilled people available to run green projects. There’s a lack of proper roads, connectivity or transmission lines to connect renewable energy to the main grid. The basic conditions for industrial growth through renewable energy are not in place.

    Governments in Africa should find ways to make green innovation work. This will mean that society can enjoy the benefit of new environmentally friendly projects.

    How to make green innovation work

    African governments should focus on increasing people’s access to renewable energy projects. For this to happen, they need to put more funding and effort into developing renewable energy infrastructure. Renewable energy technologies must be available and affordable.

    Education and capacity building is needed, particularly in rural communities. For example, community-owned solar microgrid projects provide people with the skills needed to manage and look after renewable energy systems.

    Governments will need to subsidise local manufacturing of renewable energy components. When these are produced locally, this can help harness the potential of green innovation for industrialisation and also create jobs.

    Countries must co-operate regionally on green innovation. This means sharing best practices, pooling resources, and making coordinated efforts towards green industrialisation.

    Our research found that it would be useful to set up regional centres of excellence for renewable energy research and development. Regional alliances are also needed, so that countries can work together to negotiate better terms for green finance. This could enhance Africa’s journey towards the kind of green industrialisation that is cost effective and sustainable over time.

    What needs to happen next

    These steps would boost the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa:

    • more climate finance, including finance from the private sector

    • environmental taxation – a policy tool to limit activities, goods or services that have negative environmental impacts

    • reform of multilateral development agencies to make it easier for African countries to access to climate funds

    • development bank funding tailored to the needs of African countries. Nations that invest in renewable energy manufacturing should get tax breaks and other incentives. Green bonds that only fund renewable energy projects should be issued to attract private investors

    • vocational training and higher education programmes that focus on training people in green technologies must get government funding.

    Africa has a huge problem with trying to build some resilience to the effects of climate change, such as floods and drought. Economic development is also a challenge on the continent. Both could be addressed by green industrialisation. With the right investments in green finance, innovation and infrastructure, the continent can unlock sustainable growth, reduce poverty and help curb climate change.

    – Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years
    – https://theconversation.com/has-finance-for-green-industry-had-an-impact-in-africa-whats-happened-in-41-countries-over-20-years-244567

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: government nabs Coalition policy on foreigners buying houses, Dutton eyes action on insurance companies

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

    With the unembarrassed audacity parties show as an election nears, the government has stolen the opposition’s policy to ban foreign investors buying established homes.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Housing Minister Clare O’Neil have announced foreigners won’t be able to purchase established homes from April 1 for at least two years, with a review to determine whether the ban should be extended.

    When the opposition announced its policy last year, Labor was dismissive, pointing out the numbers were minuscule. But the idea is popular with the public and the government is anxious to neutralise it.

    The turnabout comes immediately ahead of the Reserve Bank’s’s two-day meeting starting Monday, with expectations high that on Tuesday the bank may finally start moving rates down.

    A rate cut would increase speculation Anthony Albanese will opt for an April rather than a May election. That would mean cancelling the March 25 budget.

    With the election fast approaching and polls suggesting a high prospect of a minority government, attention has turned to how crossbenchers would react in the event of a hung parliament.

    Much conjecture is around the “teals” who occupy former Liberal seats but are more progressive than the current Liberal party.

    Opposition leader Peter Dutton said on Sunday: “It would be unusual that if we were able to achieve 72 [a majority is 76] and we were a number of seats ahead of the Labor Party, that there wouldn’t be a guarantee of supply and confidence from the crossbench.

    “But some of them will only ever support the Labor Party. I think if they’re into transparency and honesty, they should be transparent and honest with the public before the election about if you vote for Kate Chaney, are you going to get Anthony Albanese or will she support a Coalition government in a minority situation?”

    Chaney, one of the teals, holds the Western Australian seat of Curtin, which the Liberals believe is a chance for them.

    In their statement about foreign investors, Chalmers and O’Neil said the government would also “crack down” on foreign land banking.

    The ministers admitted these latest initiatives were small but said they were an important part of the government’s broad housing policy,

    “Until now, foreign investors have generally been barred from buying existing property except in limited circumstances, such as when they come to live here for work or study,” they said.

    Under the new arrangements, “foreign investors (including temporary residents and foreign-owned companies) will no longer be able to purchase an established dwelling in Australia while the ban is in place unless an exception applies.”

    On landbanking, the ministers said foreign investors are presently subject to developmental conditions requiring they put vacant land to use within a reasonable time.

    “The Government is focused on making sure these rules are complied with and identifying any investors who are acquiring vacant land, not developing it while prices rise and then selling it for a profit.”

    The Australian Taxation Office and Treasury will be funded for an audit program and to improve compliance.

    Dutton hints at action against insurance companies that ‘rip off’ people

    While Labor sought to shore up its credentials on housing, Dutton was venturing further down the interventionist road, hinting a Coalition government might use divestiture against recalcitrant insurance companies.

    The Coalition has already courted controversy with its threat supermarkets could face divestiture.

    Dutton is now looking more widely, after being concerned about how people in areas recently devastated by fires or floods often haven’t insurance because they can’t afford the increasingly high premiums.

    Asked on Sky whether the Coalition would reduce the cost of insurance, Dutton said, “We need to make sure that we’re not being ripped off by insurance companies.

    “As we’ve done with the supermarkets, where we have threatened divestment if consumers are being ripped off, similarly, in the insurance market, we will intervene to make sure that consumers get a fair go because at the moment people are paying too much for their insurance and what’s resulting is that people aren’t taking out insurance. […] People just simply can’t afford to insure the car or their home at the moment.”

    In a wideranging interview, Dutton cast doubt on whether the opposition would support any extension of government relief on power bills.

    “If it’s going to be inflationary and it’s going to keep interest rates higher for longer and it’s going to keep grocery prices higher for longer and it’s going to keep electricity prices higher for longer, then no.”

    (The relief the government has already provided put downward pressure on inflation.)

    The opposition leader criticised the government for not putting enough effort into its handling of the Trump administration.

    “Every minister should have been cycling through Washington. I’m not aware that other ministers have been to Washington since Penny Wong was there for the inauguration,” he said.

    “If they have, that’s great. But the prime minister probably should have been on a plane to the US, as we’ve seen with other world leaders and there should have been greater engagement with the president earlier on.”

    Dutton apparently forgot the visit made by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who was the first defence minister to meet new defence secretary Pete Hegseth.

    Reminded of the Marles visit, he immediately criticised him. “Richard Marles is a nice guy, but he’s batting fairly significantly down the list in terms of the government’s key hitters.”

    Dutton said Trump had to be seen in a different light to other presidents.

    “Donald Trump is different to any of his predecessors, certainly in the modern age. If you look at his background, he’s a businessman, he does deals, he brings parties together, he swaps contracts. That’s been his background, and it’s not a background, probably, that’s been shared by too many of his predecessors. So, I don’t think you’re taking everything he says literally.”

    Dutton left his options open when asked whether he would replace Kevin Rudd as ambassador to the United States.

    “We have to have an ambassador who is in our country’s best interests. Kevin, obviously, is an accomplished person as prime minister of our country and if he’s the best person for the job, then he should stay in the job.

    “If it turns out that he’s had no access to the White House and no real influence in relation to this [tariff] issue or whatever the next issue might be, then you would have to reassess his position. But at the moment, we’re being told that he’s effective in his advocacy in the administration. I suppose time will tell.

    “My instinct would be to leave him in the job. But […] if there are insurmountable problems that he has, or that the administration has with him, then that would make it very difficult.”

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

    – ref. View from The Hill: government nabs Coalition policy on foreigners buying houses, Dutton eyes action on insurance companies – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-government-nabs-coalition-policy-on-foreigners-buying-houses-dutton-eyes-action-on-insurance-companies-250023

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nara Monkam, Associate Professor of Public Economics, Chair in Municipal Finance within the Department of Economics, and Head of the Public Policy Hub at the University of Pretoria, University of Pretoria

    The African continent finds itself in a predicament. Advanced economies in the rest of the world developed through industrialisation: their economies transformed from mainly agricultural to industrial. This involved burning fossil fuels like coal, generating greenhouse gas emissions that caused global warming.

    African economies have trailed behind industrially. They’re now industrialising at a time when the world is moving away from fossil fuels and towards solar power, wind energy and hydropower.

    Africa has 60% of the world’s best solar resources but only 1% of the world’s installed solar power systems. Despite renewable energy capacity nearly doubling in the last decade, only 2% of global investments in renewable energy went to Africa.

    Green industrialisation could be the answer: achieving long-term economic growth and industrial development that does not harm the environment. But in most African countries, renewable energy is more expensive than fossil fuels, which are readily available in many parts of the continent. Africa is also one of the world’s poorest regions and cannot easily afford green technologies.

    So a key issue in economic development is how to stimulate green industrial productivity. Green finance (funding from banks and investors specifically for environmentally friendly projects) can fund green innovations. These include renewable energy technologies, energy-efficient building designs, or electric vehicles.



    Read more:
    Africa doesn’t have a choice between economic growth and protecting the environment: how they can go hand in hand

    I am an economist who worked with a team of researchers to study the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa. We also wanted to find out if green innovation influenced the effect that green finance has on industrialisation. (This was measured in this study as the total industrial value added as a percentage of gross domestic product.)

    For example, switching to renewable energy like solar power reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps mitigate climate change. But the high costs of renewable energy equipment could harm industrial growth.

    The research analysed macroeconomic and energy, green finance and industrialisation statistics from 41 African countries between 2000 and 2020.

    Our research found that green finance offers funding opportunities for clean and innovative technologies and creating new jobs in green sectors. However, the potential of green financing to drive industrialisation through green innovation (such as renewable energy projects) is not being realised.



    Read more:
    How green innovation could be the key to growth for the UK’s rural businesses

    This is because renewable energy comes with high costs. There also are not enough skilled people available to run green projects. There’s a lack of proper roads, connectivity or transmission lines to connect renewable energy to the main grid. The basic conditions for industrial growth through renewable energy are not in place.

    Governments in Africa should find ways to make green innovation work. This will mean that society can enjoy the benefit of new environmentally friendly projects.

    How to make green innovation work

    African governments should focus on increasing people’s access to renewable energy projects. For this to happen, they need to put more funding and effort into developing renewable energy infrastructure. Renewable energy technologies must be available and affordable.

    Education and capacity building is needed, particularly in rural communities. For example, community-owned solar microgrid projects provide people with the skills needed to manage and look after renewable energy systems.

    Governments will need to subsidise local manufacturing of renewable energy components. When these are produced locally, this can help harness the potential of green innovation for industrialisation and also create jobs.

    Countries must co-operate regionally on green innovation. This means sharing best practices, pooling resources, and making coordinated efforts towards green industrialisation.

    Our research found that it would be useful to set up regional centres of excellence for renewable energy research and development. Regional alliances are also needed, so that countries can work together to negotiate better terms for green finance. This could enhance Africa’s journey towards the kind of green industrialisation that is cost effective and sustainable over time.

    What needs to happen next

    These steps would boost the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa:

    • more climate finance, including finance from the private sector

    • environmental taxation – a policy tool to limit activities, goods or services that have negative environmental impacts

    • reform of multilateral development agencies to make it easier for African countries to access to climate funds

    • development bank funding tailored to the needs of African countries. Nations that invest in renewable energy manufacturing should get tax breaks and other incentives. Green bonds that only fund renewable energy projects should be issued to attract private investors

    • vocational training and higher education programmes that focus on training people in green technologies must get government funding.

    Africa has a huge problem with trying to build some resilience to the effects of climate change, such as floods and drought. Economic development is also a challenge on the continent. Both could be addressed by green industrialisation. With the right investments in green finance, innovation and infrastructure, the continent can unlock sustainable growth, reduce poverty and help curb climate change.

    Nara Monkam receives funding from the University of Pretoria.

    – ref. Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years – https://theconversation.com/has-finance-for-green-industry-had-an-impact-in-africa-whats-happened-in-41-countries-over-20-years-244567

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Zama Mthombeni, Senior lecturer, University of Pretoria

    Low-income South Africans in rural areas feel left out of the technological advancements linked to the fourth industrial revolution. Lucian Coman/Shutterstock

    In his 2019 State of the Nation address, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he was creating a commission on the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

    The term refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies like AI and robotics, as well as automation, into various economic and social domains. The first (1760s to early 1800s), second (1870s to early 1900s) and third (1950s to late 20th century) industrial revolutions were mechanical and electronic in nature. The 4IR is characterised by the fusion of physical, digital and biological systems. It is fundamentally reshaping industries, work and societies.

    Ramaphosa acknowledged at the time that the 4IR “may lead to job losses”. However, he added, it would also “create many new opportunities”:

    Through this transformation, we can build the South Africa we want, ensuring inclusive and shared growth for all.

    Six years on, the commission’s work has yielded some results. It’s led to the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute and the creation of AI hubs in key sectors like healthcare and mining.

    But how do ordinary South Africans view the 4IR? Globally, research has shown that there’s a stark divide in how people view the promises and perils of modern technological advancements. The wealthy, armed with access to education and resources, see opportunity. Marginalised groups, particularly those in lower-income brackets, are left fearing job losses and economic exclusion. Historical and cultural anxieties around technology also play a role in people’s perceptions.

    I’m a researcher whose work explores, among other things, the intersection of technology, policy and governance. I am especially interested in the 4IR in a South African context and recently co-authored a study with development studies scholar Oliver Mtapuri to examine the role of social class on people’s views of technological change.

    We found that wealthier South Africans, particularly those in urban areas, were more optimistic about automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging 4IR technologies than those in lower-income and rural communities. Racial disparities were evident, too. White South Africans were 2.5 times more likely to report feeling comfortable with technological change than Black South Africans.

    These findings can help policymakers understand how best to push for a 4IR in South Africa that doesn’t deepen existing inequalities. This will require inclusive digital policies and expanded access to technology and training. Here South Africa could learn from countries like Germany and Finland.

    Germany is working nationwide to equip workers with the skills needed for an increasingly digital economy. Finland, meanwhile, has focused on active labour market policies. It combines digital training programmes with progressive social welfare measures to support workers transitioning between industries. Both countries have also expanded social protections by extending unemployment benefits and offering financial support for retraining. They’ve also ensured that gig and platform workers have access to social security.

    Marginalised groups left behind

    Our data was drawn from the South African Social Attitudes Survey. It’s a nationally representative survey of 2,736 adults (16 and older). We conducted a secondary analysis of the data. The focus was on questions in the survey about technological change, fears of job displacement and access to digital tools. This, alongside an analysis of demographic data in the survey, allowed us to examine class, race and geographic disparities in perceptions of automation, AI and digital transformation.



    Read more:
    South Africans are upbeat about new technologies, but worried about jobs

    Some of the key findings were:

    • 56% of South Africans believed that 4IR technologies would lead to job losses rather than job creation. Lower-income groups expressed the highest levels of concern.

    • Unemployment was a key determinant of 4IR scepticism: 63% of unemployed respondents felt threatened by automation, compared to 41% of those currently employed.

    • Only 29% of respondents from rural areas reported having regular access to the internet. The figure was 74% among urban respondents.

    There are structural and historical barriers to lower-income South Africans’ economic mobility, access to quality education and participation in the digital economy.

    Apartheid-era policies entrenched economic disparities. These still show in unequal access to education and infrastructure.

    Today, rural areas lack reliable internet connections. (About 31.18% of South Africa’s population live in rural areas.) This makes it nearly impossible for people to benefit from or contribute to the digital economy.

    Many industries at the forefront of automation, such as manufacturing and agriculture, are those with the highest number of low-skilled workers. Research by the International Labour Organisation emphasises that vulnerable workers all over the world often lack the skills needed in new job markets. This reinforces workers’ fears that technology will replace them.

    Closing the gap: policy solutions

    It will take bold, inclusive policies to address these inequalities.

    The South African government must do more to increase access to technology. It already subsidises internet costs especially to schools. It has also expanded broadband networks into some under-served areas. And it offers free digital skills programmes. The problem is that these efforts are piecemeal. A more cohesive national strategy is needed.



    Read more:
    The Fourth Industrial Revolution: a seductive idea requiring critical engagement

    Policies must also be developed with those who have been excluded from technological progress. This will allow them to participate fully in the digital economy – and, perhaps, come to understand and trust technology a bit more.

    In practice, this could mean expanding initiatives like the National Digital and Future Skills strategy, which aims to equip citizens with the necessary skills to participate in the digital economy. This focuses on developing digital skills across various sectors and communities, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation.

    Additionally, policies could support township-based digital innovation hubs such as the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. It provides training, incubation and resources to entrepreneurs from marginalised communities, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

    Industries have a role to play, too. Singapore’s Skills Future initiative provides citizens with resources to adapt to changing job markets. This is a good example of government and industry working together. Closer to home, Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) brings together “government, industry, civil society and academia to co-design, test and refine policy frameworks and governance protocols that maximise the benefits of new technologies”.

    The 4IR has the potential to transform South Africa. But this will only happen if its benefits are shared equitably among all citizens. Innovation must be re-imagined not as a tool to consolidate wealth and privilege but as a means of creating a more inclusive society.

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

    – ref. Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress – https://theconversation.com/fourth-industrial-revolution-in-south-africa-inequality-stands-in-the-way-of-true-progress-248475

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Rosen Join Nevada Democrats’ Effort to Preserve National Monuments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Las Vegas, NV – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) joined Nevada’s Congressional Democratic Delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum urging him not to roll back designations of national monuments. 

    The Delegation raised concerns about a recent order by Secretary Burgum initiating a 15-day review of possible impediments, including national monuments, to accessing natural resources, including oil and gas.

    “We urge the administration to refrain from attempts to unilaterally alter lands with existing national monument designations, as we’ve seen previously at Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante,” the Delegation said in the letter.

    “Decisions to protect these treasured lands were not made on a whim,” they continued. “They were the result of intense engagements with tribes, community leaders, and local businesses. While Congress reserves the authority to revoke or adjust national monuments, any future action by your department should be a result of the same level of outreach and public engagement.”

    The letter is supported by the following organizations: Conservation Lands Foundation; Friends of Avi Kwa Ame; Friends of Basin and Range National Monument; Friends of Gold Butte; Friends of Nevada Wilderness; Friends of Sloan Canyon; Native Voters Alliance Nevada; Nevada Conservation League; Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition; and Save Red Rock.

    In recent years, Basin & Range, Gold Butte, and Avi Kwa Ame have been designated as national monuments in Nevada and have been a boon to the state’s $8 billion outdoor recreation economy. The letter came in response to Secretarial Order 3418, specifically Section 4c which initiated a 15-day review of national monuments and mineral withdrawals.

    Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen are champions for Nevada’s great outdoor spaces and public lands. They passed critical legislation to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which protects public lands in Nevada and across the U.S. They passed bipartisan, bicameral legislation to reauthorize the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, and they delivered critical funding to protect Lake Tahoe in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Cortez Masto has introduced legislation to ban oil and gas development in Nevada’s beautiful and pristine Ruby Mountains.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: iHit Redefines Industry Standards: 2025 North American Vape Hybrid Revolution—Hybrid-Coil Heating Technology 1+1>2, Unlocking Next-Gen Vaping Experience

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, Feb. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iHit, a global pioneer in vaping technology, unveiled its groundbreaking hybrid-powered product at the Champs Trade Show, marking the entry of the vaping industry into the “Hybrid-Coil 2.0 Era.” Centered on the philosophy of “Technology as Experience,” this release achieves the first dynamic synergy between Ceramic-Coil and Mesh-Coil technologies, powered by a ‘Hybrid-Coil Synergy + Triple-Tank Control’ architecture, redefining the performance boundaries and sensory freedom of vaping products.

    Technological Revolution: From “Dual Mesh Coil” to “Hybrid-Coil Coexistence of Mesh and Ceramic”

    The hybrid-powered vaping product features an internal Triple-Tank System (Nicotine/Ice/Flavor pods inside) and a dynamic interactive interface, allowing users to control via dual physical buttons:

    • Nicotine Strength: Powered by the Ceramic-Coil, it offers 3-level precision control, catering to a range of preferences from smooth throat hits to intense satisfaction.
    • Ice Intensity: Supported by the Ceramic-Coil, enabling 3-level switching for compatibility with fruit, mint, and custom ice-infused flavors.
    • Flavor Mode: Supported by the Mesh-Coil, optimizing fruits flavor and aroma profiles in real time.

    Hybrid-Coil Synergy Explained

    1. Ceramic-Coil — Precision Heating

    • Utilizes a micron-grade ceramic matrix + embedded heating film, excelling in the atomization of nicotine salts and ice molecules.
    • Designed for nicotine salts and ice molecules, with a minimum vapor particle size of 0.3μm, delivering a “silky throat feel, instant ice cooling sensation” experience.

    2. Mesh-Coil — Flavor Enhancer

    • Features a high-density metal mesh coil, heating to 180°C instantly to break down flavor compounds.
    • Moisture-Lock Aroma Technology resolves high-temperature flavor loss, significantly enhancing vapor density and sweetness perception.
    • With a vapor particle size of 1.2μm, it combines with the ceramic-coil output to deliver a richer, multi-layered taste experience.

    User Experience: One Device, Infinite Scenarios

    • Nicotine Control: Ceramic-Coil ensures precise nicotine delivery, catering to both light and strong throat hit preferences.
    • Ice Intensity: Ceramic-Coil provides consistent ice levels, enhancing the freshness of fruit and mint flavors.
    • Flavor Optimization: Mesh-Coil maximizes flavor richness and sweetness, creating a balanced and immersive vaping experience.

    About iHit Tech | SMISS Group
    iHit, launched by SMISS, is a health tech-focused vaporization solutions provider dedicated to revolutionizing the vaping experience through cutting-edge innovations.

    Business Contact
    Email: support@ihitglobal.com
    Web: https://www.ihitglobal.com/

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/88c5e018-d166-48ae-9414-69a8a266d825

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese, European auto industries have great cooperation potential

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Auto industries in China and Europe have solid foundations and great potential for cooperation, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said on Friday.

    China welcomes European car manufacturers to increase investments and deepen their presence in the Chinese market, Wang said during a video call with Ola Kallenius, president of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

    Wang said that a proper settlement of the European Union’s anti-subsidy case against Chinese electric vehicles aligns with the interests of both China and Europe, as well as the broader expectations of the industry.

    The ACEA and Mercedes-Benz Group should continue to play an active role and urge the European Commission to make a political decision as soon as possible, Wang said, while also expressing the hope that the European side will work with China and reach a constructive solution acceptable to both sides at the earliest date possible.

    While expressing his support and expectation for the two sides to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation at an early date, Kallenius said that Mercedes-Benz Group will uphold its long-term commitment to the Chinese market and further deepen its cooperation with China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government clamping down on foreign purchase of established homes and land banking

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    The Albanese Government will ban foreign investors from buying established homes for at least two years and crack down on foreign land banking.

    We’re coming at this housing challenge from every responsible angle.

    This is all about easing pressure on our housing market at the same time as we build more homes.

    These initiatives are a small but important part of our already big and broad housing agenda which is focused on boosting supply and helping more people into homes.

    It’s a minor change, but a meaningful one because we know that every effort helps in addressing the housing challenge we’ve inherited.

    We’re banning foreign purchases of established dwellings from 1 April 2025, until 31 March 2027. A review will be undertaken to determine whether it should be extended beyond this point.

    The ban will mean Australians will be able to buy homes that would have otherwise been bought by foreign investors.

    Until now, foreign investors have generally been barred from buying existing property except in limited circumstances, such as when they come to live here for work or study.

    From 1 April 2025, foreign investors (including temporary residents and foreign‑owned companies) will no longer be able to purchase an established dwelling in Australia while the ban is in place unless an exception applies.

    These limited exceptions will include investments that significantly increase housing supply or support the availability of housing supply, and for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

    We will also bolster the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) foreign investment compliance team to enforce the ban and enhance screening of foreign investment proposals relating to residential property by providing $5.7 million over 4 years from 2025–26.

    This will ensure that the ban and exemptions are complied with and tough enforcement action is taken for any non‑compliance.

    Alongside the temporary ban on foreign purchases of established dwellings, we will tackle land banking by foreign investors.

    We’re cracking down on land banking by foreign investors to free up land to build more homes more quickly.

    Foreign investors are subject to development conditions when they acquire vacant land in Australia to ensure that it is put to productive use within reasonable timeframes.

    The Government is focused on making sure these rules are complied with and identifying any investors who are acquiring vacant land, not developing it while prices rise and then selling it for a profit.

    This activity breaks the rules and results in delays to the development of essential residential housing and commercial developments.

    We are providing the ATO and Treasury $8.9 million over four years from 2025–26 and $1.9 million ongoing from 2029–30 to implement an audit program and enhance their compliance approach to target land banking by foreign investors.

    Foreign investors that have already acquired or are proposing to acquire vacant residential or non‑residential land will be subject to heightened scrutiny by the ATO and Treasury to ensure they comply with development conditions.

    A temporary ban on foreign purchases of established dwellings, strengthened compliance activity by the ATO to enforce the ban, and an enhanced compliance approach by both the ATO and Treasury to discourage land banking by foreign investors will help ensure that foreign investment in housing is in our national interest.

    The ATO and Treasury will publish updated policy guidance prior to the commencement of these changes.

    These initiatives are an important part of the Albanese Government’s $32 billion Homes for Australia plan.

    We’re investing more in housing than any government in history.

    Peter Dutton and the Coalition have promised to cut tens of billions from housing and to halt construction on thousands of new homes by scrapping Labor’s Housing Australia Future Fund.

    The housing crisis would only get worse under Peter Dutton.

    The contrast is clear – Labor is all about more homes, the Liberals are all about more cuts.

    We’ll continue to do everything we can to ease pressure on the housing market and build more homes, more quickly, in more parts of Australia.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Ambassador to the Holy See

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Today I announce the appointment of the Honourable Keith Pitt as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Holy See.

    Mr Pitt served Australia as a member of the Federal Parliament from 2013 until 2025. He has served as Assistant Minister and Minister across a range of portfolios, including Trade, Tourism and Investment, Resources, and Water.

    Mr Pitt looks forward to continuing his public service in a new role advocating Australia’s interests in the Holy See, particularly in 2025 as the Holy See celebrates a Jubilee year, expecting 35 million visitors to Rome.

    Australia and the Holy See have a valuable relationship underpinned by cooperation on shared interests, including peace and conflict prevention and alleviating poverty.

    I thank former Ambassador Chiara Porro for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in the Holy See since 2020.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mass Civil Servant Layoffs Harm Vital Work Washingtonians Depend On

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    02.15.25

    Mass Civil Servant Layoffs Harm Vital Work Washingtonians Depend On

    Trump Admin arbitrarily fires as many as 200k federal employees, hindering or even halting ongoing projects & programs; Layoffs include personnel at HHS, DOE, VA, Dept. of Ag, and mor

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the Trump administration announced it would recommend mass layoffs across the federal government, which could total as many as 200,000 federal workers across multiple agencies.  The full scope of the mass firings is still emerging, but the administration is reportedly targeting federal employees who lack full civil service protections and appeal rights because they do not have these protections, not for performance reasons.

    Said U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA): “The Trump Administration is trying to illegally cut the federal workforce in an attempt to come up with a budget and tax increases on middle class Americans, all while giving $4 trillion in tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest individuals. Our deficit and essential programs like Medicaid can’t take the Trump hack job.  

    The Trump Administration is also leaving Americans’ data exposed while he is doing it. What is he going to do next that will make it easier for Americans to be spied on?”

    The layoffs include personnel who work in Washington state, or who work on projects and programs vital to the people in the state. Potentially impacted agencies include:

    The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

    Approximate number of layoffs nationwide: 5,200 agency-wide, including 1,300 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Initial reports from the Indian Health Service (IHS) also indicate that these firings include 850 IHS employees, including 90 physicians, 350 nurses, at least 25 nurse practitioners, nearly 20 dentists, 43 dental assistants, more than 85 pharmacists, 45 lab technicians, and more than 15 service area chief executives or their deputies.

    Vital projects or programs in the state that could be threatened: In 2023, Washington state received almost $1.3 billion in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. Any delays or reductions in NIH funding could threaten the 12,000 jobs that this funding supports, especially for our major research centers like University of Washington, Washington State University, and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

    Over 70% of CDC’s funding goes directly to state, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments and partners. CDC also fills critical public health staffing gaps for states, counties, cities, and at Tribal levels, including sending highly trained “Disease Detectives” to states for outbreak responses. Without this support, states will face significant public health workforce shortages limiting critical public health programs that ensure our food, water, and communities is are safe. In 2023, Washington state received $13.3 million from the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Fund. This funding is vital for Washington state’s ability to respond to emerging bio threats like the avian flu.

    The Department of Energy (DOE):

    Approximate number of layoffs nationwide: 2,000 agency-wide, including 200 (6%) at Bonneville Power Administration, 325 at the National Nuclear Security Administration, and fewer than 10 at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. At this time, the number of impacted employees at Hanford remains unclear.

    The Department of Agriculture (USDA):

    Approximate number of layoffs nationwide: 800 from USDA Agricultural Research Service and 3,400 from USDA Forest Service (roughly 10% of the entire USFS).

    Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

    Total approximate number of layoffs nationwide: Over 1,000, though the VA says no one has been fired who supports direct benefits or services for veterans and their beneficiaries.

    The Department of the Interior (DOI):

    Approximate number of layoffs nationwide: 2,600 agency-wide, including 118 from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 800 from the Bureau of Land Management, and potentially up to 1,700 from the National Parks Service.

    Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):

    Total approximate number of layoffs nationwide: 4,800 (roughly 50% of HUD workforce), including 786 (84%) of Community Planning and Development, 438 (76.5%) of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, and 148 (75.5%) of Policy Development and Research.

    Small Business Administration (SBA):

    Total approximate number of layoffs nationwide: 720 (20% of agency’s workforce).

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

    Total approximate number of layoffs nationwide: 1,700 received warning emails.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese, European auto industries have great cooperation potential: commerce minister

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Auto industries in China and Europe have solid foundations and great potential for cooperation, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said on Friday.

    China welcomes European car manufacturers to increase investments and deepen their presence in the Chinese market, Wang said during a video call with Ola Kallenius, president of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

    Wang said that a proper settlement of the European Union’s anti-subsidy case against Chinese electric vehicles aligns with the interests of both China and Europe, as well as the broader expectations of the industry.

    The ACEA and Mercedes-Benz Group should continue to play an active role and urge the European Commission to make a political decision as soon as possible, Wang said, while also expressing the hope that the European side will work with China and reach a constructive solution acceptable to both sides at the earliest date possible.

    While expressing his support and expectation for the two sides to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation at an early date, Kallenius said that Mercedes-Benz Group will uphold its long-term commitment to the Chinese market and further deepen its cooperation with China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwi campaign invites Aussies to come on over

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new campaign encouraging Australians to pick New Zealand for their next holiday gears up the industry for growth in 2025, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.Marketing goes live in Australia in the week ahead, underscoring the Government’s commitment to drive international tourism alongside economic growth.“We always love to see our Australian friends holidaying here, staying with local accommodation providers, soaking up Kiwi experiences, and enjoying hospitality in restaurants, bars and cafes,” Louise Upston says.“Tourism is a crucial part of this Government’s focus on economic growth, with domestic and international tourism expenditure at almost $38 billion and supporting nearly 200,000 jobs.“This is the first investment for our Tourism Boost, utilising $500,000 from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy and there will be further initiatives to come.”Visitor numbers from Australia are currently at about 88 per cent of 2019 levels – this campaign will encourage more of our neighbours to book now and come on over.“What this Tourism New Zealand campaign says to our Aussie mates is that we’re open for business, there are some great deals on, and we’d love to see you soon.“The campaign tagline of ’Everyone must go’ lets Australia know that New Zealand is a ‘must visit’ destination, and that we’re ready and waiting to welcome them now.“The number of Australian arrivals in New Zealand increased by more than 90,000, up from 1.27 million to 1.36 million over the past year, but we know there’s more room to grow. This campaign builds on that momentum and capitalises on the work already done to establish New Zealand as an appealing destination. “Figures indicate that around 4 million Australians are already actively considering a holiday here. “Tourism New Zealand has brought partners on board to contribute too. We all want to encourage Australians to visit, spend, and have a fantastic time in New Zealand. “This is part of our Tourism Boost, developed by the Government in partnership with industry to support immediate growth in visitor numbers, drive export activity and deliver economic growth. “This campaign is also one action feeding into Going For Growth, launched by Minister of Finance and Economic Growth Nicola Willis.“Going For Growth sets out what this Government is doing to address our growth challenges and unlock New Zealand’s potential.“Ultimately economic growth is driven by businesses, and I will continue to meet with businesses up and down the country to help grow tourism not just in the immediate term but over the long term,” Louise Upston says. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How Israeli propaganda filters into NZ media – drop it, says Mediawatch

    COMMENTARY: By Saige England

    Mediawatch on RNZ today strongly criticised Stuff and YouTube among other media for using Israeli propaganda’s “Outbrain” service.

    Outbrain is a company founded by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) military and its technology can be tracked back to a wealthy entrepreneur, which in this case could be a euphemism for a megalomaniac.

    He uses the metaphor of a “dome”, likening it to the dome used in warfare.

    Outbrain, which publishes content on New Zealand media, picks up what’s out there and converts and distorts it to support Israel. It twists, it turns, it deceives the reader.

    Presenter Colin Peacock of RNZ’s Mediawatch programme today advised NZ media to ditch the propaganda service.

    Outbrain uses the media in the following way. The content user such as Stuff pays Outbrain and Outbrain pays the user, like Stuff.

    “Both parties make money when users click on the content,” said Peacock.

    ‘Digital Iron Dome’
    The content on the Stuff website came via “Digital Iron Dome” named after the State of Genociders’ actual defence system. It is run by a tech entrepreneur quoted on Mediawatch:

    “Just like a physical iron dome that scans the open air and watches for any missiles . . . the digital iron dome knows how to scan the internet. We know how to buy media. Pro-Israeli videos and articles and images inside the very same articles going against Israel,” says the developer of the propaganda “dome” machine.

    Peacock said the developer had stated that the digital dome delivered “pro-Jewish”* messages to more than 100 million people worldwide on platforms like Al Jazeera, CNN — and last weekend on Stuff NZ — and said this information went undetected as pro-Israel material, ensuring it reached, according to the entrepreneur: “The right audience without interference.”

    According to Wikipedia, Outbrain was founded by Yaron Galai and Ori Lahav, officers in the Israeli Navy. Galai sold his company Quigo to AOL in 2007 for $363 million. Lahav worked at an online shopping company acquired by eBay in 2005.

    The company is headquartered in New York with global offices in London, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, Cologne, Gurugram, Paris, Ljubljana, Munich, Milan, Madrid, Tokyo, São Paulo, Netanya, Singapore, and Sydney.

    Peacock pointed out that other advocacy organisations had already been buying and posting content, there was nothing new about this with New Zealand news media.

    But — and this is important — the Media Council ruled in 2017 that Outbrain content was the publisher’s responsibility: that the news media in NZ were responsible for promoted links that were offered to their readers.

    “Back then publishers at Stuff and the Herald said they would do more to oversee the content, with Stuff stating it is paid promoted content,” said Peacock, in his role as the media watchdog.

    Still ‘big money business’
    “But this is also still a big money business and the outfits using these tools are getting much bigger exposure from their arrangements with news publishers such as Stuff,” he said.

    He pointed out that the recently appointed Outbrain boss for Australia New Zealand and Singapore, Chris Oxley, had described Outbrain as “a leader in digital media connecting advertisers with premium audiences in contextually relevant environments”.

    The watchdog Mediawatch said that news organisations should drop Outbrain.

    “Media environments where news and neutrality are important aren’t really relevant environments for political propaganda that’s propagated by online opportunists who know how to make money out of it and also to raise funds while they are at it, ” said Peacock.

    “These services like Outbrain are sometimes called ‘recommendation engines’ but our recommendation to news media is don’t use them for the sake of the trust of the people you say you want to earn and keep: the readers,” said Peacock.

    Saige England is a journalist and author, and member of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA).

    * Being “pro-Jewish” should not be equated with being pro-genocide nor should antisemitism be levelled at Jews who are against this genocide. The propaganda from Outbrain does a disservice to Palestinians and also to those Jewish people who support all human rights — the right of Palestinians to life and the right to live on their land.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier stresses development of winter sports, economy

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, communicates with children at a local ice sports center in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 15, 2025. Li made an inspection tour to Heilongjiang on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    HARBIN, Feb. 15 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday stressed stepping up the development of winter sports and related industries to create new opportunities for service consumption and a new growth driver for the economy.

    Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his inspection tour to northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.

    He highlighted the need to utilize distinctive advantageous resources, enrich the supply of quality products, stimulate the vitality of the winter economy, and continuously improve the well-being of the people.

    While visiting the Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival, Li said it was necessary to further tap into local resources to build snow and ice venues accessible to the public and create more engaging and entertaining winter activities.

    He urged the province to continue to develop new consumption scenarios and new forms of business, expand and improve service consumption, and leverage its distinctive advantages to strengthen development.

    The premier then visited a local ice sports center. Noting that the recently concluded 9th Asian Winter Games has further fueled public enthusiasm for winter sports, he called for efforts to leverage this opportunity to further promote mass participation in winter activities and develop industries related to winter sports equipment.

    While talking with designers at a local company engaged in culture and tourism, Li said more work should be done to continuously increase the appeal of ice and snow cultural products, reinforce the principal role of enterprises in innovation to create more products and services, and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in the sector.

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, learns about ice and snow cultural products at a local company engaged in culture and tourism in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 15, 2025. Li made an inspection tour to Heilongjiang on Saturday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lights, Camera, Action! 40% business rates relief for film studios rolled out

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    From tomorrow (17 February), Local Authorities can begin rolling out local schemes for tax relief to help filmmakers produce the country’s next box office hits, rom-coms and cult classics.

    • Box-office boost for film studios as 40% relief on business rates roll out begins, lasting until 2034.
    • Creative sector, which includes film, is a vital industry of the future, worth over £120 billion to the UK economy, employing over 2.4 million people.

    Film studios are to receive business rates relief over the next nine years as the government rolls out a 40% reduction in business rates bills – to help drive growth and deliver the Plan for Change.

    From tomorrow (17 February), Local Authorities can begin implementing local schemes and awarding the tax relief to help filmmakers kickstart their journeys to producing the country’s next box office hits, cult classics and major rom-coms.

    The UK’s creative sector already employs over 2.4 million people and is worth over £120 billion to the economy. The start of the business rates relief for film studios rollout will help create the conditions to boost both of these.

    In October, the government confirmed that it would proceed with Film Studio Business Rates Relief that will be available for eligible studios in England until 2034, and, where applicable, will be backdated to 1 April 2024.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    The UK leads the world in creating great film and TV and we should all be immensely proud of the impact we’ve had across the globe.

    From the Avengers to Indiana Jones, the UK has drawn in some of cinema’s biggest names thanks to a combination of fantastic local talent and a world-leading creative sector as well as attractive tax incentives. 

    As part of the Plan for Change, we will continue to build the sector into a global beacon of home grown success, creating more jobs, more investment, and putting more money into working people’s pockets.

    This comes on top of a package of wider previous announcements for the creative industries announced on 17 January that included investments for start-up video game studios, grassroots music venues and creative businesses.

    The relief will maintain the UK’s status as a world leader in the creative industries and will help deliver the Plan for Change by going further and faster to kickstart economic growth so working people have more money in their pockets.

    The creative industries sector employs 2.4 million people and is worth £124.6 billion to the UK economy. Business rates relief forms part of the government’s wider strategy to support this vital growth sector, and forms a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy.

    The film and TV sector benefits from other generous tax reliefs. The Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) provides companies with a tax credit worth 34% of their UK production costs on a film or high-end TV programme, or 39% of their production costs on an animation or children’s TV programme.

    In addition, from 1 April 2025, film and high-end TV companies may claim a credit of 39% on their UK visual effects costs; and eligible films with budgets of under £15 million will be able to claim an enhanced 53% rate, known as the Independent Film Tax Credit.  

    Today (16 February), the UK film and TV industry will attend the BAFTA Film Awards that celebrate the many achievements of the sector and the significant cultural impact of British film and TV around the world.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    The UK’s film industry is truly world class, producing global box office hits like Wicked and indie classics like Aftersun.

    The sector has huge potential for further economic growth and the government is ambitious for its future. Our new tax incentive, as well as other new measures like indie film tax reliefs and £25 million funding for a new film studio in Sunderland, will help ensure we can continue to create British content, international blockbusters and high quality jobs.

    Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission:

    The British film and TV industry is a creative and economic powerhouse, and our film studios are a vital contributor to this success. Today’s confirmation of the Business Rates Relief for Film Studios in England is testament to Government’s recognition of this fact. The BFC is pleased that Government listened to the sector’s concerns and we are proud to have supported the development of this landmark intervention. We will continue to work with Government and stakeholders to secure the best possible long term solution for all parties.

    Harriet Finney, Deputy CEO and Director of Corporate & Industry Affairs, BFI said: 

    2024 saw a massive £5.6 billion of production spend in the UK, further confirming that our film and TV industries continue to be a powerful and vital growth industry. Our state-of-the-art studio spaces are central to that growth, so we welcome today’s announcement and the Government’s recognition of their crucial role in ensuring we can continue to make world-renowned UK film and TV and attract outstanding international productions, driving investment and creating jobs across the UK.

    Sara Putt, Chair, BAFTA said:

    The UK is a world-leading centre for film and TV production – our studios provide world-class facilities and the craft and production skills here are second to none, as showcased by the British-made films nominated in this year’s EE BAFTA Film Awards.  For those freelancers and crews to continue doing what they do best, it is vital that the UK remains competitive as a prospect for inward investment and continues to support a healthy talent pipeline to grow our domestic film and TV industry, so more UK talent and stories are celebrated at home and around the world.

    Simon Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery Studios said:

    We welcome the Treasury’s announcement confirming its commitment to providing vital relief to business rates.  It will create a stable environment for long-term investment, including securing the Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden expansion, which will create 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, and the opportunity for continued growth of the industry in the UK and U.S.

    More information

    • The relief will be available on properties valued by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) as film studios.
    • The 40% reduction is inclusive of Transitional Relief. The value of any Transitional Relief a studio receives will be deducted from the value of the film studio relief. This means that eligible film studios’ final bills will be no more than 60% of their gross bill. Studios will remain eligible for Improvement Relief in addition to this relief, which will mean that no ratepayer will face higher business rates bills for 12 months as a result of qualifying improvements to a property they occupy.
    • Film studios will not need to apply for the relief, as Local Authorities will award it to eligible properties. If in doubt, film studios should contact their local authority.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Business Secretary fortifies UK steel industry

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Business Secretary launches the Plan for Steel Consultation, seeking views from stakeholders to inform development of the Steel Strategy.

    British steelmakers are being backed today by the Government as the Business Secretary launches the Plan for Steel Consultation. 

    This will look at the long-term issues facing the industry like high electricity costs, unfair trading practices, and scrap metal recycling – to protect jobs and living standards in the UK’s industrial heartlands. 

    Up to £2.5 billion will be put towards supporting the steel industry, as per the manifesto commitment, including via the National Wealth Fund. This could benefit regions across the UK – like Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Redcar, Yorkshire, and Scotland – which have a strong history of steel production. It will be spent on initiatives that will give the industry a long future – such as electric arc furnaces, or other improvements to UK capabilities. 

    This will drive growth in the economy – the priority of the Plan for Change – and protect our industrial heartlands for the long term. 

    But the Government is wasting no time in taking immediate action to support the industry. Just this week, Heathrow Airport announced a multimillion-pound investment, which will require 400,000 tonnes of steel – enough to build the Empire State Building.  

    This will give the industry a strong pipeline of business that will secure supply chains for years to come – and will drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change. 

    This week the Government also simplified public procurement and aligned it with the Government’s missions, including the Industrial Strategy, to put UK firms – like the steel industry – in the best possible position to compete for and win public contracts. 

    That is on top of delivering a better deal for Port Talbot within weeks of taking office which will transform production at Port Talbot and deliver a modern Electric Arc Furnace, and implementing the British Industry Supercharger which will cut electricity costs for steel firms and bring prices more in line with international competitors. 

    This delivers on a manifesto commitment to secure the future of Britain’s steel industries – building on initiatives like the £22 billion investment in Carbon Capture Usage and Storage in Teesside and Merseyside – because the country’s industrial heartlands are too important to Britain’s heritage and will be supported by this Government.  

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, said: 

    The UK steel industry has a long-term future under this Government. We said that during the election, and we are delivering on it now.  

    The deal announced by Heathrow this week will secure a strong industry pipeline for years to come – and we are putting the full weight of Whitehall behind the industry to build on this success. 

    Britain is open for business, and this Government has committed up to £2.5 billion to the future of steel to protect our industrial heartlands, maintain jobs, and drive growth as part of our Plan for Change.

    The Plan for Steel will help with the issues which have been holding the industry back for too long. It will look at ways to: 

    • Identify where there are opportunities to expand UK steelmaking to better support UK manufacturing, construction, infrastructure and growth – and secure UK jobs and livelihoods 

    • Protect the steel sector from unfair trading practices abroad 

    • Improve our scrap processing facilities so they can best support the steel-making of the future 

    • Encourage high usage of UK-made steel in public projects 

    To make the UK competitive globally, the Plan for Steel will examine the electricity costs for steel companies. 

    The Plan will also look at ways to improve the UK’s scrap metal processing capabilities, in light of the industry’s ongoing transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking which recycles scrap steel by melting it to produce high-quality steel and other metals. 

    It will assess the UK’s primary steelmaking capabilities and primary production technologies with a commissioned independent review, currently being carried out by the not-for-profit Material Processing Institute, based in Teesside. 

    The Steel Strategy will also explore what can be done to protect the steel sector from unfair trading practices abroad and look at how it can attract and retain skilled talent in the UK. It will leverage the UK’s world-leading research and development capabilities to support the industry, aligning closely with the Government’s Trade Strategy, Strategic Defence Review and its upcoming Industrial Strategy. 

    The Government will work closely with the Steel Council towards the launch of the Steel Strategy in Spring, and the Council will continue to meet regularly following its publication to help drive investment into steelmaking communities across the country. 

    Gareth Stace, Director-General of UK Steel, commented: 

    “Developing the Steel Strategy must be a collaborative process, and the consultation is an open invitation for all stakeholders to help shape the future of UK steel. 

    “The Government’s commitment to our steel sector is both vital and welcome. A robust, bold, and ambitious Steel Strategy has the power to reverse the sector’s decline, particularly as we face increasing competition from imports benefiting from more favourable business conditions. By setting out a clear business plan and roadmap for investment, the Government can secure a brighter future for our industry, safeguard jobs, and support steelworkers and their families.” 

    Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: 

    “After years of dithering, today’s plan provides desperately needed funding for our once proud, now beleaguered steel industry. 

    “As the world becomes more volatile, primary domestic steel making capacity is vital for both our economy and domestic security.” 

    Jon Bolton, Steel Council co-chair, said: 

    “Publishing a consultation so quickly after the launch of the Steel Council demonstrates the importance the government places on the steel strategy and the important role it plays as part of an Industrial Strategy.   

    “Thorough consultation is key, with a first round table held with steel consumers chaired by The Industry Minister where future market dynamics were discussed including the demand for Green Steel.   

    “This work will continue over the coming weeks and I urge all stakeholders to respond to the consultation, with the issuing of the Steel Strategy in the spring a key moment for the sector.” 

    Roy Rickhuss CBE, Community General Secretary, said:  

    “After a long era of neglect under the previous government, we welcome the government’s firm commitment to our steel industry.  

    “The new green paper sets out some of the main challenges and opportunities our steel sector will face over the years ahead – this consultation is an important step towards developing the government’s new steel strategy, and we look forward to engaging with the process at every step of the way.” 

    Notes to editors

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary: Bad peace deal with Russia will cause damage far beyond Ukraine

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    The Foreign and Defence Secretaries have written a joint Op-Ed in the Daily Telegraph on how to reach a strong and durable peace in Ukraine.

    For 20 years, Vladimir Putin has been repeating the mistakes of Russia’s past: by seeking to recreate the Russian empire and suffocate the countries around its borders.

    Too often in the past, the West has let him. We did too little in 2008, when he invaded Georgia, and in 2014, when he first went into Ukraine.

    When he launched his full-scale attack almost three years ago, he thought it would be more of the same. Putin believed that he would win his war in three days. Yet the Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage and the support of their friends.

    Putin only responds to strength. Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have both spoken of their desire to achieve “peace through strength”. And the support we give to Ukraine provides the strength to achieve that peace. Ukraine, Britain, Europe and the US all agree.

    In Brussels this week, at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group – which we as the UK chaired for the first time – Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, confirmed that, like us, the US wants to see a sovereign, prosperous Ukraine.

    Like us, the US wants a lasting peace, after almost three years of war.

    Like us, the US recognises the failure of Minsk agreements, deals made from a position of division and weakness.

    At the Munich Security Conference this weekend, our message to our allies is the need for us all to continue to unite and show strength.

    The Prime Minister has signed a 100-year partnership with Ukraine – a testament to our long-term commitment and confidence in the country’s future. Including the new loans we are giving, which will be repaid using the windfall profits from frozen Russian assets, our support extends to £15 billion.

    And we are going farther still: this week, we announced an additional £150 million military package, part of the record £4.5 billion in support we are providing this coming year.

    A year on from the death of Alexei Navalny, we are also putting new sanctions on Putin’s inner circle, adding to 2,000 sanctions Britain has already put on Russia.

    From opposition and in government, we have been clear that Europe and the UK must do more together to share the burden of our continent’s security.

    [POLITICAL CONTENT REDACTED]

    We were clear we need our friends in Europe to invest more in defence and seize the opportunities of closer UK-EU cooperation.

    This has already begun. Europe is united on the need to step up. We are – and we will.

    Europe has now committed almost two thirds of all aid to Ukraine, and well over half the military aid. In 2021, the UK and US were two of only six allies meeting Nato’s 2 per cent defence spending target. That number is now 23.

    And we all need to turn up the pressure on Russia. Putin’s economy is struggling. Last year, the Kremlin spent more on military aid than social welfare for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

    Sanctions on energy are a particular priority: the UK has sanctioned more than 100 ships, as well as Gazprom Neft and PJSC Surgutneftegas, two of Russia’s big four oil companies.

    While Russia is weakened, it remains undeniably dangerous. Just this weekend, our Royal Navy will track Russian warships passing close to British waters. These ships are retreating from Syria after Putin abandoned his ally Bashar al-Assad, yet they remain armed and full of ammunition. We will be watching their every move.

    Ultimately, we need a strong peace. A durable peace. A peace that allows Ukrainians a secure future and deters any future Russian aggression. That is why there must be no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine, and we must give Mr Zelensky the strongest possible hand in those talks.

    A bad peace would not only harm our security, but our economies, too: Putin’s 2022 invasion took 1.5 per cent off global GDP and added 3 per cent to European inflation. China, Iran and North Korea are all watching.

    A durable peace must be based on new security arrangements: Europe doubling down to do more on our own continent’s security; a continuing, long-term US commitment to its allies through Nato; and British support to the US and allies in the Indo-Pacific – such as through the Aukus security partnership. That is the way to make us all stronger.

    On Feb 24, we will mark a grim milestone – three years since Putin’s full-scale invasion. Yet despite all the challenges, Ukrainians are showing astonishing tenacity. Now is the time to turn up the pressure on the Kremlin. With strength and unity, we will prevail.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How to find climate data and science the Trump administration removed from government websites

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Eric Nost, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Guelph

    Government scientists at NOAA collect and provide crucial public information about coastal conditions that businesses, individuals and other scientists rely on. NOAA’s National Ocean Service

    Information on the internet might seem like it’s there forever, but it’s only as permanent as people choose to make it.

    That’s apparent as the second Trump administration “floods the zone” with efforts to dismantle science agencies and the data and websites they use to communicate with the public. The targets range from public health and demographics to climate science.

    We are a research librarian and policy scholar who belong to a network called the Public Environmental Data Partners, a coalition of nonprofits, archivists and researchers who rely on federal data in our analysis, advocacy and litigation and are working to ensure that data remains available to the public.

    In just the first three weeks of Trump’s term, we saw agencies remove access to at least a dozen climate and environmental justice analysis tools. The new administration also scrubbed the phrase “climate change” from government websites, as well as terms like “resilience.”

    Here’s why and how Public Environmental Data Partners and others are making sure that the climate science the public depends on is available forever.

    Why government websites and data matter

    The internet and the availability of data are necessary for innovation, research and daily life.

    Climate scientists analyze NASA satellite observations and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather records to understand changes underway in the Earth system, what’s causing them and how to protect the climates that economies were built on. Other researchers use these sources alongside Census Bureau data to understand who is most affected by climate change. And every day, people around the world log onto the Environmental Protection Agency’s website to learn how to protect themselves from hazards — and to find out what the government is or isn’t doing to help.

    If the data and tools used to understand complex data are abruptly taken off the internet, the work of scientists, civil society organizations and government officials themselves can grind to a halt. The generation of scientific data and analysis by government scientists is also crucial. Many state governments run environmental protection and public health programs that depend on science and data collected by federal agencies.

    Removing information from government websites also makes it harder for the public to effectively participate in key processes of democracy, including changes to regulations. When an agency proposes to repeal a rule, for example, it is required to solicit comments from the public, who often depend on government websites to find information relevant to the rule.

    And when web resources are altered or taken offline, it breeds mistrust in both government and science. Government agencies have collected climate data, conducted complex analyses, provided funding and hosted data in a publicly accessible manner for years. People around the word understand climate change in large part because of U.S. federal data. Removing it deprives everyone of important information about their world.

    Bye-bye data?

    The first Trump administration removed discussions of climate change and climate policies widely across government websites. However, in our research with the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative over those first four years, we didn’t find evidence that datasets had been permanently deleted.

    The second Trump administration seems different, with more rapid and pervasive removal of information.

    In response, groups involved in Public Environmental Data Partners have been archiving climate datasets our community has prioritized, uploading copies to public repositories and cataloging where and how to find them if they go missing from government websites.

    Most federal agencies decreased their use of the phrase ‘climate change’ on websites during the first Trump administration, 2017-2020.
    Eric Nost, et al., 2021, CC BY

    As of Feb. 13, 2025, we hadn’t seen the destruction of climate science records. Many of these data collection programs, such as those at NOAA or EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, are required by Congress. However, the administration had limited or eliminated access to a lot of data.

    Maintaining tools for understanding climate change

    We’ve seen a targeted effort to systematically remove tools like dashboards that summarize and visualize the social dimensions of climate change. For instance, the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool mapped low-income and other marginalized communities that are expected to experience severe climate changes, such as crop losses and wildfires. The mapping tool was taken offline shortly after Trump’s first set of executive orders.

    Most of the original data behind the mapping tool, like the wildfire risk predictions, is still available, but is now harder to find and access. But because the mapping tool was developed as an open-source project, we were able to recreate it.

    Preserving websites for the future

    In some cases, entire webpages are offline. For instance, the page for the 25-year-old Climate Change Center at the Department of Transportation doesn’t exist anymore. The link just sends visitors back to the department’s homepage.

    Other pages have limited access. For instance, EPA hasn’t yet removed its climate change pages, but it has removed “climate change” from its navigation menu, making it harder to find those pages.

    During Donald Trump’s first week back in office, the Department of Transportation removed its Climate Change Center webpage.
    Internet Archive Wayback Machine

    Fortunately, our partners at the End of Term Web Archive have captured snapshots of millions of government webpages and made them accessible through the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. The group has done this after each administration since 2008.

    If you’re looking at a webpage and you think it should include a discussion of climate change, use the “changes” tool“ in the Wayback Machine to check if the language has been altered over time, or navigate to the site’s snapshots of the page before Trump’s inauguration.

    What you can do

    You can also find archived climate and environmental justice datasets and tools on the Public Environmental Data Partners website. Other groups are archiving datasets linked in the Data.gov data portal and making them findable in other locations.

    Individual researchers are also uploading datasets in searchable repositories like OSF, run by the Center for Open Science.

    If you are worried that certain data currently still available might disappear, consult this checklist from MIT Libraries. It provides steps for how you can help safeguard federal data.

    Narrowing the knowledge sphere

    What’s unclear is how far the administration will push its attempts to remove, block or hide climate data and science, and how successful it will be.

    Already, a federal district court judge has ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s removal of access to public health resources that doctors rely on was harmful and arbitrary. These were put back online thanks to that ruling.

    We worry that more data and information removals will narrow public understanding of climate change, leaving people, communities and economies unprepared and at greater risk. While data archiving efforts can stem the tide of removals to some extent, there is no replacement for the government research infrastructures that produce and share climate data.

    Eric Nost is affiliated with the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative and the Public Environmental Data Partners.

    Alejandro Paz is affiliated with the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative.

    – ref. How to find climate data and science the Trump administration removed from government websites – https://theconversation.com/how-to-find-climate-data-and-science-the-trump-administration-removed-from-government-websites-249321

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Get Started with BexBack: 100x Leverage, No KYC, Double Deposit Bonus and $50 Welcome Bonus

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Feb. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the price of bitcoin once again trading below $100,000, many analysts believe it will enter a long period of high volatility. Holding spot positions may not continue to generate profits in the short term. BexBack Exchange is stepping up its efforts to provide traders with irresistible preferential packages. The platform now offers a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and a 100x leverage on cryptocurrency trading, creating unparalleled opportunities for investors.

    What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?

    Simply put, 100x leverage allows you to open larger trading positions with less capital. For example:

    Suppose the Bitcoin price is $100,000 that day, and you open a long contract with 1 BTC. After using 100x leverage, the transaction amount is equivalent to 100 BTC.

    One day later, if the price rises to $105,000, your profit will be (105,000 – 100,000) * 100 BTC / 100,000 = 5 BTC, a yield of up to 500%.

    With BexBack’s deposit bonus

    BexBack offers a 100% deposit bonus. If the initial investment is 2 BTC, the profit will increase to 10 BTC, and the return on investment will double to 1000%.

    Note: Although leveraged trading can magnify profits, you also need to be wary of liquidation risks.

    How Does the 100% Deposit Bonus Work?

    The deposit bonus from BexBack cannot be directly withdrawn but can be used to open larger positions and increase potential profits. Additionally, during significant market fluctuations, the bonus can serve as extra margin, effectively reducing the risk of liquidation.

    About BexBack?

    BexBack is a leading cryptocurrency derivatives platform that offers 100x leverage on BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, and XRP futures contracts. It is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Argentina. It holds a US MSB (Money Services Business) license and is trusted by more than 500,000 traders worldwide. Accepts users from the United States, Canada, and Europe. There are no deposit fees, and traders can get the most thoughtful service, including 24/7 customer support.

    Why recommend BexBack?

    No KYC Required: Start trading immediately without complex identity verification.

    100% Deposit Bonus: Double your funds, double your profits.

    High-Leverage Trading: Offers up to 100x leverage, maximizing investors’ capital efficiency.

    Demo Account: Comes with 10 BTC in virtual funds, ideal for beginners to practice risk-free trading.

    Comprehensive Trading Options: Feature-rich trading available via Web and mobile applications.

    Convenient Operation: No slippage, no spread, and fast, precise trade execution.

    Global User Support: Enjoy 24/7 customer service, no matter where you are.

    Lucrative Affiliate Rewards: Earn up to 50% commission, perfect for promoters.

    Take Action Now—Don’t Miss Another Opportunity!

    If you missed the previous crypto bull run, this could be your chance. With BexBack’s 100x leverage and 100% deposit bonus and $50 bonus for new users (complete one trade within one week of registration), you can be a winner in the new bull run.

    Sign up on BexBack now, claim your exclusive bonus and start accumulating more BTC today!

    Website: www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7c665a64-15ba-4c5f-8baa-30318ba6c420
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9eda6b7e-6b6d-4d19-8666-aed8c1e8ca31
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3364a04b-93cf-430d-b812-dba3b543681e
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/194b9f4a-91e6-41ca-9269-95d555c452a3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov met with the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Meeting of Denis Manturov with the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates

    February 15, 2025

    Meeting of Denis Manturov with the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates

    February 15, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Meeting of Denis Manturov with the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates

    First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov met with Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

    The meeting was also attended by Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina.

    The parties discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the topic of mutual settlements and interaction in the financial and banking sector.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Career OPTIONS as a 15 SERIES! U.S. Army

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    : AEMO

    About the U.S. Army:

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

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

    Connect with the U.S. Army online:
    Web: https://www.army.mil
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
    X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
    #USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Shorts #15Series #MOS

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBSbz2RuI9g

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall to Secretary of Education Nominee Linda McMahon: How Do We Right the Ship of America’s Education System?

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. participated in the nomination hearing for President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as the Department of Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee yesterday.
    Senator Marshall questioned McMahon on topics including biological boys in girls’ sports, combating antisemitism on college campuses, and Workforce Pell Grants. 
    McMahon is a proven business leader and a steadfast advocate for parents’ rights, successfully leading the Small Business Administration (SBA) to new heights during President Trump’s first Administration. Senator Marshall met with McMahon ahead of her confirmation hearing and believes she is the best fit to lead the Department of Education. As a first-generation college graduate and medical doctor, Senator Marshall understands firsthand the importance of education and is concerned about our current education system.

    [embedded content]

    You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks.
    Highlights from Ms. McMahon’s confirmation hearing include:
    On Ms. McMahon’s top priorities for the Department of Education: 
    Senator Marshall: “Mrs. McMahon, when I speak to youth, I typically talk about the three pillars of my life – faith, family, and education – and thanks to a strong faith, a loving family, and the public educators in my life, I was a first-generation college kid who got to live my American dream and become a physician and practice in rural medicine. So, this education thing is so important to all of us on both sides of the dais. I raised four kids in public schools, and unfortunately, I’ve seen the deterioration of the education system. And again, we have the most incredible teachers and coaches back home – and I’m grateful for all of them, but I think we’d all agree we’re going the wrong direction. Just really big picture: what would be your top priorities? How do we move? How do we change the ship’s direction?”
    Ms. McMahon: “The President has given a very clear directive that he would like to look in totality at the Department of Education, and believes that the bureaucracy of it should be closed – that we should return education to our states, that the best education is that closest to the kids, and that we should work with our local schools, with our superintendents, with our parents, to make sure that the education that our students are getting are the ones that is best for them. It’s not one-size-fits-all education policy throughout the country.”
    “I’m very hopeful that we will get back to the basics of education so that our children can read when they leave third grade and that eighth-grade students can have math and reading proficiency. Today, only one-third of high school students graduating can read proficiently. That means two-thirds can’t. We are failing our students. Our Department of Education, and what we are doing today, is not working, and we need to change it.”
    On biological boys competing in girls’ sports:
    Senator Marshall: “Mrs. McMahon, should boys – biological boys – be allowed to compete against girls in sports?”
    Ms. McMahon: “I do not believe that biological boys should be able to compete against girls in sports, and I think now that certainly not only have the people spoken, because that was something that President Trump ran very hard on, but also the court has spoken.”
    On combating antisemitism on college campuses:
    Senator Marshall: “Mrs. McMahon, I feel like antisemitism has become endemic in our universities. Would you be open to some type of an antisemitism commission to evaluate the progress of the universities on this issue?”
    Ms. McMahon: “Yes, I would, and I’d look forward to perhaps working with you or other members of the committee on such a commission.”
    On reforming Workforce Pell Grants to increase access: 
    Senator Marshall: “Let’s talk about Workforce Pell Grants for a second – and we can’t keep doing what we’re doing. The average starting salary for graduates from our community colleges and technical colleges back home is higher than our four-year universities, and their debt is close to zero, if not zero as well. Would you speak to that some more? What do you feel about more flexibility of Pell Grants?”Ms. McMahon: “I certainly would like to see workforce Pell Grants, and it goes through various stages of getting passed. But I definitely think that Workforce Pell Grants are something that could stimulate our economy, provide opportunity for those who want to participate in skilled-based learning, to have the opportunity – if we’d have short-term certificates of Pell Grants – that would get those students into the workplace faster if they want to be electricians, HVAC developers, and apprenticeships, and internships – all of that. In fact, in the first Trump Administration, I was part of – with SBA, working with the Department of Labor – making sure that there were more apprenticeship programs across the country, because those are very, very vital to the growth of not only our economy, but our businesses in general.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Ernst Holds USAID Accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is working with President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to hold the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) accountable for stonewalling her investigations and hiding how they spent tax dollars.
    She recounted her experience in a Wall Street Journal op-ed here:
    “After keeping its spending records hidden from Congress and taxpayers, USAID employees are now protesting the review of the agency’s records by President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. It’s no surprise that Washington insiders are more upset at DOGE for trying to stop wasteful spending than at USAID for misusing tax dollars.”
    This week, Senator Ernst joined Fox News to discuss her work with DOGE:

    “I was privileged to meet with Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk just after the fall election and gave them an eight-page memo that outlined a number of the ‘squeal’ initiatives that I have had over the last ten years. It outlined a blueprint to save $2 trillion within our federal government, and we have seen them act on those initiatives already.”
    “There are so many ways that we can save money. We’ve seen the fraud, waste, and abuse – the telework abuse that has happened in DC…We have to be able to do a deep dive and provide our taxpayers with good reasons why we are spending their money the way we do. Unfortunately, for many of these agencies, they cannot come up with a good reason why we are spending money the way we do.”
     
    View more coverage of Ernst exposing the rogue agency: 
    RADIO IOWA | Iowa Senator Ernst says USAID shutdown the right move
    “Last summer, Ernst accused USAID of payroll fraud. On Sunday on the X Spaces broadcast, Ernst said Musk, with President Trump’s blessing, has made the right move in shutting down USAID, so ‘every dollar’ can be scrutinized.”
    DAILY CALLER | Joni Ernst Says USAID ‘Abused The System,’ Agency Threatened Her For Seeking Transparency
    “‘We need to know that those dollars are doing it and not going to fund terrorist organizations, not going to support a gender ideology in certain regions. We have to know that it’s going for a specific goal that is approved by Congress and, unfortunately, USAID has abused this system,’ Ernst said.”
    THE FEDERALIST | Ernst’s struggle to hold USAID accountable frustrated Musk who called the agency’s obstruction of her attempts to investigate ‘outrageous.’
    “Ernst first pressed USAID on how it used its tax dollars to pay the facilities and administrative costs outlined in Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreements (NICRAs) in November 2022… Months later in November 2023, Ernst demanded that USAID Administrator Samantha Powers hand over crucial information about her agency’s spending — including sending billions of American tax dollars to fund pet projects and small businesses in Ukraine — but, as Ernst noted Sunday, was again ignored… Ernst’s struggle to hold USAID accountable frustrated Musk, who called the agency’s obstruction of her repeated attempts to investigate ‘outrageous.’”
    NY POST | Sen. Joni Ernst warns of ‘willful sabotage’ at USAID, cites millions in funding for Wuhan lab, terrorists and more
    “The Republican Hawkeye State senator and Senate DOGE Caucus chair, listed a slew of examples on social media this week on why ‘USAID is one of the worst offenders of waste in Washington’… In one example she highlighted, an inspector general discovered that Chemonics, a USAID contractor, overbilled the feds by ‘as much as $270 million through fiscal year 2019’ and was caught ‘possibly offering kickbacks to terrorist groups.’”
    FOX NEWS | USAID has ‘demonstrated pattern of obstructionism,’ claims top DOGE Republican in letter to Rubio
    “The Senate chair of the DOGE Caucus is exposing a ‘demonstrated pattern of obstructionism’ at the U.S.’ top aid agency in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, outlined how the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been ‘stonewalling’ her office for years as she sought documents to ensure taxpayer dollars weren’t wasted at the agency, which is now under the microscope of billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).”
    RED STATE | Joni Ernst Drops Devastating USAID Thread, and You Won’t Believe Where Your Money Has Been Going
    “Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) put out a thread on Tuesday and you won’t believe what your money has been going to.”
    DAILY MAIL | Congresswoman reveals ‘crazy’ USAID threatened her when she tried to curb its spending last year
    “The Iowa Republican tore into the agency…’They were trying to scare us away from continuing to dig into this,’ she added. Ernst wanted to know how much USAID was spending on administrative costs versus aid.”
    NATIONAL REVIEW | USAID’s Long Track Record of Wasteful, Left-Wing Spending Made It an Obvious First Target for Musk
    “Senator Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) pushed to suspend the flow of American taxpayer dollars to EcoHealth. ‘From funneling tax dollars for batty studies with the Wuhan Institute in China, to sending Ukrainians to Paris Fashion Week, USAID has been one of the worst offenders of waste in Washington.’”
    DAILY WIRE | ‘Beyond Repair’: Musk Says Trump Has Given The Go-Ahead To ‘Get Rid Of’ USAID
    “Musk made the comments during a discussion on X with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) as they talked about the work of what Trump has called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Ernst said that any program administered by USAID that may actually benefit America should be moved under the jurisdiction of the State Department.”
    FOX DIGITAL | Senator sends message to Dems upset over Elon Musk’s DOGE team: ‘Get used to this’
    “We are going to find ways to focus our American taxpayer dollars on the things that they should be spent on, which is the American people and our interests… There are important [USAID] projects, we acknowledge that, but we have to disrupt the system, ferret out the waste and get back to what we should be doing. And that’s making sure that American interests are represented and supporting our allies and partners.”
    WASHINGTON EXAMINER | Joni Ernst spotlights ‘obstruction and lies’ by USAID’s wasteful spending
    “But what we found was extreme expenditures on the part of USAID with very little data-driven results. We have seen money funded in the Wuhan Institute of Virology through dollars steered by USAID on dangerous Coronaviruses. We saw how that turned out. We’ve seen funding going to Morocco for pottery classes, tourism in Lebanon of all places, even when the State Department was advising against travel.”
    FOX NEWS | ‘Sesame Street in Iraq’: USAID’s ‘wasteful and dangerous’ spending exposed by senator
    “Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, published a list of projects and programs she says the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has helped fund across the years, highlighting it as ‘wasteful and dangerous’ spending that has gripped taxpayers until the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) stepped in… Ernst highlighted that the agency ‘authorized a whopping $20 million to create a Sesame Street in Iraq.’” 
    WASHINGTON EXAMINER | Joni Ernst backs Trump’s gutting of USAID
    “Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is backing President Donald Trump in his effort to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development… Ernst outlined problems with the agency that she discovered in previous investigations. In addition to waste, corruption, and inefficiency, she also alleged a ‘demonstrated pattern of obstructionism’ in its dealings with the Senate… The Iowa senator went into detail regarding some of the excesses of USAID in an X thread, including a reported $2 million for pottery classes in Morocco, an undisclosed sum for Ukrainian models to attend fashion shows abroad, $2 million for tourism in Lebanon, $20 million for a Sesame Street in Iraq, and $9 million in humanitarian assistance for Syria that ended up in the hands of terrorists.”
    WASHINGTON TIMES | Sen. Joni Ernst applauds Secretary of State Rubio’s push to overhaul USAID and review its spending
    “Ms. Ernst has prided herself as a taxpayer advocate and authored the ‘Make ’Em Squeal’ awards targeting wasteful government spending. She is now heading up the Senate DOGE caucus, working with the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. In a live X session with Mr. Musk this week, Ms. Ernst said a large chunk of the USAID money is spent on overhead costs and things not associated with its humanitarian mission… In the wake of this series of significant misjudgments and oversight obstruction by the USAID, it is of the utmost importance to conduct a full and independent analysis of the recipients of USAID assistance.”
    BREITBART | Sen. Joni Ernst Details USAID’s ‘Anti-American Agenda’ in Letter to Secretary of State Rubio
    “Ernst said that, through her oversight efforts, she discovered that USAID has signed onto agreements with grant recipients allowing the recipients to spend more than 25 percent of the total award on indirect costs of the grant, including ‘rent for a partner’s corporate headquarters, advocacy costs, and other miscellaneous expenses.’”
    KWQC | Ernst blasts USAID for obstructing investigations
    “In November 2023, Ernst began investigating USAID’s assistance to small businesses in Ukraine. Ernst wrote to Powers that she was steadfast in her support for weapons and munitions on the battlefields, but wanted accountability for the billions in non-military aid. In March 2024 she led a bipartisan effort to eliminate waste at the agency. In May 2024, USAID’s obstruction of her oversight efforts led Ernst to call for a probe of the agency’s implementing partners and recipients of aid by the Inspector General.”
    TV coverage of Senator Ernst’s efforts here:

    Watch Fox News’s full coverage of Ernst’s work here.
    “We got all kinds of threats from USAID because I was trying to exercise my oversight capacity in Congress. My staff and I had estimated was that 30 to 40% of the USAID’s awards would go to indirect costs. So their overhead, their rent, employees.”
     

    Watch Ernst’s full Fox News interview here.
    “I have been on USAID’s case for years now, going back several years where I was trying to investigate the expenditures for humanitarian aid, primarily when it came to the war in Ukraine. And what my team and I encountered was absolute obstruction and lies coming out of USAID. They did everything possible to stop me from accessing their records, to understand where our taxpayer money was going… We are going to find ways to focus our American taxpayer dollars on the things that they should be spent on, which is the American people and our interests.”

    Watch Ernst’s full Fox Business interview here.
    “However, we have seen such complacency with oversight and direction from USAID. Sometimes it takes a sledgehammer. And that’s exactly what Elon Musk is doing. He is going and he is dismantling it. It will be scrutinized. But I can guarantee you, if there are worthy projects that really benefit Americans and our objectives, that those programs, will be rebuilt, but they will have proper oversight within the State Department and in Congress.”

    Watch KCCI’s coverage of Ernst’s efforts here.
    “USAID is culpable for decades of unchecked, outlandish expenditures and that behavior must end now.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Longtime Efforts, Senator Reverend Warnock Applauds Howard University Receiving Top Research Classification

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Following Longtime Efforts, Senator Reverend Warnock Applauds Howard University Receiving Top Research Classification

    Howard University announced yesterday it had been conferred a Research One (R1) Carnegie Classification, which is widely considered to be the highest research activity classification among colleges and universities in the United States
    Senator Reverend Warnock introduced his bipartisan Increase America’s Research Capacity Act of 2023, which instructs the Department of Commerce and Comptroller General of the United States to conduct studies to identify how HBCUs can achieve R1 status
    The Senator successfully secured additional funding to ensure HBCU’s and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) had additional administrative support to secure federal STEM dollars in the CHIPS and Science Act
    Senator Reverend Warnock is a proud product of Atlanta HBCU Morehouse College and the only HBCU alum currently serving in the U.S. Senate
    A life-long advocate of HBCUs, last year, Senator Reverend Warnock delivered commencement speeches at Georgia’s Albany State University, Tennessee State University, and Johnson C. Smith University
    Senator Reverend Warnock has secured $267 million for Georgia’s HBCUs to date, part of $17 billion in federal investments delivered to HBCUs
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “HBCUs play a vital role helping shape the next generation, and this designation goes a long way in helping illustrate their importance to our nation and their ability to perform on par and above the level of any other institution in the country”

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a proud HBCU graduate and a champion of HBCUs in the Senate, applauded the recent announcement that Howard University was named a Research One (R1) institution by the American Council on Education (ACE), making it the first and only Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to achieve this status.

    “HBCUs play a vital role helping shape the next generation, and this designation goes a long way in helping illustrate their importance to our nation and their ability to perform on par and above the level of any other institution in the country,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “We know that HBCUs have long punched well above their weight, I wouldn’t be where I am today without my HBCU, Morehouse College, and as the only HBCU alum currently serving om the Senate, I will continue fighting on behalf of these storied institutions so that they have the funding needed to develop and cultivating future world contributors and leaders.”

    Senator Warnock has long worked to support HBCUs and has led two efforts to support HBCUs in pursuit of the R1 designation. In 2023, Senator Reverend Warnock introduced his bipartisan bill, the Increase America’s Research Capacity Act of 2023, which instructs the Department of Commerce and Comptroller General of the United States to conduct studies to identify how HBCUs can achieve R1 status. Additionally, the Senator successfully secured additional funding to ensure HBCU’s and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) had additional administrative support to secure federal STEM dollars in the CHIPS and Science Act.

    Senator Warnock led an effort highlighting his concerns with the classification methodology for higher education, urging needed reforms. In the letter, Senator Warnock urged the American Council on Education, which oversees the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, to make needed reforms to its classification methodology for higher education to reflect the importance and potential of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Before Howard University’s announcement, there wasn’t a single HBCU with the R-1 classification.

    There are many incredible research institutions, especially MSIs and HBCUs, that do tremendous research, but are not recognized by the current methodology, which accounts for research dollars spent and the number of research faculty, but not necessarily research quality or utility,” Senator Warnock wrote to the American Council on Education in 2023. 

    As the proud product of an HBCU, Senator Warnock is deeply committed to doing all he can to ensure these institutions thrive. To date, Senator Warnock has secured more than $267 million for Georgia HBCUs and more than $17 billion in total for HBCU campuses across the country, and has helped spearhead bipartisan calls for robust funding for HBCUs. In 2023, Senator Warnock addressed HBCU faculty and staff and led the group in prayer at the 7th Annual HBCU Fly-In and outlined his priorities for these important institutions. He has worked to strengthen 1890 land grant institutions and minority serving institutions and pushed hard to secure robust funding for 1890 Land-Grant colleges and universities.

    The “R1” or “very high research activity” status is a designation created by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which is now being revamped by the American Council on Education (ACE). “R1” institutions have “very high research activity,” which is the highest designation of research activity.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: What ‘Ne Zha 2’ reveals about China’s economic vigor

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2025 shows a poster for the Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2” at a cinema in Chaoyang District of Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    As the credits rolled on “Ne Zha 2” in a packed cinema, Zhou Jianmin, CEO of Zhejiang Huaguoshan Cultural Media, felt a surge of pride, perfectly articulating it with, “Seeing our team’s names on the screen made every hardship of the past year worthwhile.”

    “This film proves that China’s animation industry can rival global giants in both storytelling and technical prowess,” Zhou added.

    The Chinese New Year blockbuster reached a milestone on Thursday, with ticket sales hitting 10 billion yuan (about 1.39 billion U.S. dollars), making it the first animated film in global cinema history to achieve this in a single market.

    Beyond its cinematic success, the film’s ripple effects on tourism, retail, and capital markets provide a glimpse into China’s evolving economic dynamism.

    SMALL PLAYERS POWERING A BLOCKBUSTER

    According to data provided by the film’s creative team, “Ne Zha 2” featured nearly 2,000 visual effect shots, an impossible scale for a single studio to handle.

    This herculean task was achieved through a production network comprising 138 companies, with over 80 percent, or 115 firms, being small and medium enterprises (SMEs) scattered across tech hubs like Beijing, Chengdu, Suzhou, and Shenzhen.

    These firms handled multiple production stages including animation development, visual effects compositing, and art design — tasks that are often outsourced overseas by Hollywood studios.

    Chengdu-based animation studio Yunhai Tianju, for instance, dedicated about 30 employees to work onsite with lead animator Chengdu Coco Cartoon Co., Ltd. for over two years. “‘Ne Zha 2’ brought together top talents from across the country, elevating the film and television industry,” said Han Yunlong, general manager of the studio.

    “Through dynamic exchanges and technical collaboration among professionals, national industry standards are continuously being raised,” Han added.

    Meanwhile, industry titans like Enlight Media, the film’s major producer, streamlined funding and distribution, triggering a 264 percent stock surge within just eight trading days after release.

    The model mirrors China’s animation industry playbook: SMEs inject niche expertise and cost efficiency, while conglomerates scale output. “The collaboration of outstanding animation companies nationwide is like the ‘wanlinjia,’ or armor of 10,000 scales, of the animation industry,” said Shi Chaoqun, the film’s visual effects director.

    FROM SILVER SCREEN TO TOURIST TRAILS

    Beyond theaters, the film’s success has sent ripples through China’s cultural tourism market. Cities tied to Ne Zha’s legend are racing to transform cinematic buzz into economic gains, introducing innovative tourism products centered on the mythical figure.

    Tourism platform Tongcheng reported a fivefold spike in searches for “Ne Zha-themed trips.” In Sichuan’s Yibin, home to ancient temples honoring the mythical hero, visitors flocked to newly launched attractions like the “Dragon Palace” experience and themed events, driving a 34 percent jump in hotel bookings in Yibin’s Cuiping district.

    Tianjin, meanwhile, leaned into its claim as Ne Zha’s “hometown,” blending the deity’s lore with local landmarks.

    “Cultural and tourism consumption is a key driver of service-based spending,” said Zeng Guang, assistant director of the Economic Research Institute at Guosen Securities.

    He noted that the growth rate of service consumption, led by tourism, will likely outpace the overall economic growth rate.

    MERCHANDISING GOLD RUSH

    On top of tourism heat, Ne Zha merchandise, from toys to limited-edition figurines, is flying off shelves. Hunan Sunny&Sandy Toys Manufacturer Co., Ltd., holding the exclusive license of 3D plastic candy toys for the movie “Ne Zha 2,” saw its cumulative sales for Ne Zha figurines on online and offline platforms top 200 million yuan since Jan. 31.

    To cater to the surge in market demand, the company had to adjust its production schedule, recalling over 500 employees to return to work during the Spring Festival, said Yang Zhenlin, assistant to the president of Sunny&Sandy.

    Currently, with nearly 60 production lines operating simultaneously, the firm’s monthly production capacity for Ne Zha-themed products has reached 6 to 8 million units.

    The craze reflects China’s consumption upgrade, where fans splurge beyond tickets. “Many consumers have commented on social media and livestream platforms that they loved our products,” Yang said.

    The historic box office success demonstrates both the enhanced global competitiveness of China’s domestic animation industry, and the pivotal role played by the rise of China-chic cultural trends, Yang added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thai police arrest 10 in case involving Chinese actor

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Authorities in Thailand have arrested 10 Chinese suspects in connection with the case involving Chinese actor Wang Xing and have handed them over to the immigration department for repatriation to China, the Thai police said on Friday.

    According to a statement released by the Thai police, investigations found that the 10 arrested suspects belonged to a criminal gang that had long been conducting telecommunications fraud targeting Chinese citizens in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

    They were suspected of pretending to be employees of an entertainment company in Thailand to defraud Wang Xing. After Wang’s rescue, they planned to flee to Cambodia via Thailand, but were arrested in various places in Thailand and accused of illegal entry.

    Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, senior inspector general of the Thai police, has instructed that the 10 suspects be handed over to the Thai Immigration Bureau for repatriation to China.

    Wang Xing, a Chinese actor, entered Thailand on Jan. 3 but lost contact near the Thailand-Myanmar border. The Thai police tracked his movements and successfully rescued him on Jan. 7, identifying him as a victim of human trafficking. He has departed from Thailand for China on the night of Jan. 10 following collaborative efforts from both countries, as confirmed by the Chinese embassy in Thailand.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Machinery sector to see export uptick

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s machinery industry is expected to post stable export growth in 2025 despite challenges posed by aggressive tariff policies by the United States and geopolitical tensions in other parts of the world, leaders from the China Machinery Industry Federation (CMIF) said on Friday.

    This resilience is backed by the robust industrial chain advantages of domestic manufacturers, commitment to green transformation, and the integration of DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence technologies into their products and service networks.

    DeepSeek is a two-year-old startup based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, that has created open-source large language models at much lower costs than its foreign peers.

    The foreign trade growth of China’s machinery industry — a key economic indicator — rose 7.5 percent on a yearly basis to $1.17 trillion in 2024, maintaining the $1 trillion mark in foreign trade value for a fourth consecutive year, according to information released by the Beijing-based federation.

    China’s exports of machinery products, including excavators, electric and fuel-powered vehicles, wind turbine generators and industrial parts, amounted to $869.36 billion last year, an increase of 11 percent year-on-year, accounting for 24.3 percent of the country’s total export value.

    Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Chen Bin, CMIF’s deputy director of the expert committee, said the United States’ primary efforts to curb China’s growth are not focused on traditional machinery manufacturing, but rather on the electronic information industry, including sectors such as semiconductors, telecommunications, AI, cloud computing, big data, and cybersecurity.

    “While we recognize that exports may face some challenges this year, we remain optimistic. Chinese companies are proactively expanding their presence in emerging markets and increasing research and development investments to enhance product competitiveness,” said Chen.

    Despite an unexpectedly harsh international trade environment in 2024, he said Chinese manufacturers still achieved a historic breakthrough and that exports of China’s machinery products will see stable growth this year, especially in emerging markets and economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

    The export value of China’s machinery products to countries and regions involved in the BRI grew by 14 percent year-on-year in 2024, accounting for 51.5 percent of the industry’s total exports, according to CMIF data.

    Meanwhile, Chinese companies’ machinery exports to markets of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Africa, and Latin America jumped by 17.7 percent, 12.9 percent and 27.1 percent, year-on-year, respectively.

    Norsepower Marine Technology (Yancheng) Co Ltd, a manufacturer of ship fittings based in Yancheng, Jiangsu province, plans to export up to 50 marine rotary sails this year, according to information from Nanjing Customs.

    These sails will be applied to various oceangoing vessels. It is estimated that they will reduce annual fuel consumption by 5,000 metric tons and lower carbon emissions by 15,000 tons, said Hai Yunyi, the company’s president.

    “The marine rotary sails are power devices that utilize aerodynamic effects to serve as an alternative to traditional fuel,” said Hai.

    As many Chinese manufacturers, particularly automakers, are keen to integrate DeepSeek’s open-source large language model into their products, Luo Junjie, CMIF’s executive vice-president, said this move will enhance the competitiveness of China’s machinery manufacturing industry.

    “Even though the entire industry is likely to actively adopt this AI solution this year, the true economic benefits will need to be proven through practice,” said Luo, stressing that cutting costs and improving efficiency are key drivers for Chinese companies.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Luxury brands debut new products ahead of Valentine’s Day

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Following the Spring Festival holiday that witnessed strong consumption this year, companies took advantage of Valentine’s Day, as more foreign brands launched limited editions of their products and strengthen marketing efforts online while being bullish on the China market.

    International luxury brands debuted products on e-commerce platforms ahead of Valentine’s Day to seize business opportunities arising from the peak consumption period. For instance, Cartier and Gucci launched new styles of necklaces, while Burberry debuted new earrings on Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Tmall ahead of Valentine’s Day.

    Cartier said consumers could get complimentary engraving services on the boxes for purchases of rings and necklaces before Valentine’s Day. The brand also launched augmented reality tryon functions on its WeChat mini programs, which have helped increase the conversion rate from try-on to purchase by 35 percent, according to data from consultancy Frost & Sullivan.

    Besides, Bottega Veneta launched new handbags and wallets online with the design elements featuring red hearts, and the brand saw quick sales of those products after launch, Tmall said.

    In addition to debuting more kinds of new products online this year, major luxury brands continued to enhance their online services for gifting scenarios, indicating their increasing valuation of the China market.

    “Valentine’s Day stands as one of the three major periods of luxury consumption in China besides Spring Festival and Chinese Valentine’s Day, or Qixi. Based on our data, more than 60 percent of consumers are willing to pay for extra costs for the festival limited editions,” said Li Jincan, consulting manager of Frost & Sullivan China.

    “Launching limited editions on e-commerce platforms creates a kind of scarcity to help stimulate purchases, and brands can leverage the customer traffic of platforms to reach young consumers with high spending power and those who are difficult to reach at traditional offline stores, such as new middle-income consumers from second and third-tier cities,” Li said.

    She added that luxury brands have been upgrading their online services in China by enhancing customer stickiness through digital tools. For instance, Dior integrates its e-commerce consumption data with the offline system to achieve cross-channel accumulation of consumption points.

    Besides, luxury brands have improved their instant delivery services online. Prada recently launched a one-hour gift delivery service on e-commerce platform JD to meet the last-minute gifting demand of consumers.

    China’s gifting market has picked up rapidly in the past few years, and by 2027, the size of the country’s gifting market is forecast to reach 1.62 trillion yuan ($222 billion), indicating the vitality of the gifting economy and consumers’ increased emphasis on holiday celebrations and emotional expression, according to market consultancy iiMedia Research.

    Besides luxury brands, some home care brands also launched limited editions of products ahead of Valentine’s Day to cash in on demand from quality-conscious Chinese consumers. For instance, British porcelain brand Wedgwood debuted limited editions of cups on China’s e-commerce platforms.

    As Chinese consumers have indicated a growing preference for improved quality of life, home care was the only segment that maintained growth among fast-moving consumer goods in China throughout the first three quarters of 2024. The category recorded the strongest volume growth compared to other sectors, according to a recent report by Bain & Company and Kantar Worldpanel.

    “The Chinese government has launched more stimulus measures and issued guidance to support household consumption since late September. Although it will take patience and time for the stimulus to fully take effect, it is likely to progressively build consumer confidence, which will later translate into higher consumption,” said Bruno Lannes, senior partner at Bain & Company.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Creative strategies to boost spending

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Shanghai will make continued efforts this year to further improve the consumption environment, come up with more supply-side innovation, enrich consumption scenarios and provide more incentives to consumers to further boost spending, which is integral to sustained economic growth, said officials of the municipal government during a news briefing on Friday.

    Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, said that more precise and effective policies will be rolled out to boost service consumption and new types of consumption.

    The debut, silver, nighttime and ticket office economies should seek substantial development to boost consumption demand, said Liu.

    Shopping carnivals will play an important role to boost consumption, according to Liu. “Shanghai Summer” International Consumption Season, which was inaugurated last year, will take place for the second time this summer to boost inbound consumption. Consumption activities related to the low-altitude economy will be held during this year’s “Shanghai Summer”, she said.

    Pudong New Area in eastern Shanghai is holding a shopping carnival from Jan 24 to Feb 28. During this period, consumers with a single invoice of 1,000 yuan ($138) or more for personal offline consumption made within the area can participate in lucky draws with winners getting to use an EV produced by the local carmaker IM Motors free for a year.

    Two women living in Pudong were the first two to win the lucky draw, the Pudong government said on Friday.

    The lucky draw helped the number of consumers rise by 8.7 percent year-on-year to 13 million at the 15 monitored shopping malls in Pudong.

    Efforts will be made to improve foreign tourists’ shopping experiences in the city, according to Ma Yinghui, deputy director of the Shanghai municipal government’s foreign affairs office.

    International Services Shanghai, a multilingual portal launched by the municipal government in early 2024, will update the latest service information and activity agenda during the major shopping carnivals such as “Shanghai Summer” and the annually-held May 5 Shopping Festival. The portal will explicitly explain consumption policies such as tax refund, she said.

    The International Experience Officer program which was launched by the local foreign affairs office last year will help major business districts and companies to further improve services provided to foreign tourists such as online shopping, e-maps, food delivery, courier services and online ticket booking for movies and exhibitions. About 100 foreigners from 37 countries have joined the program, said Ma.

    Soliciting new foreign investment and boosting consumption will be better coordinated, said Qiu Wei, chief engineer of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.

    The local government will hold a promotion in the Japanese city of Osaka in late May, the first overseas promotion of its kind by the Chinese city. By facilitating the outbound reach of Chinese domestic brands, the event will help to demonstrate the charm of Shanghai brands while seeking more cooperation opportunities, she said.

    Consumption on information services will be another focal point. By organizing activities under such themes, the local government aims to drive consumption of online games, digital gadgets, as well as online audio and video services, by integrating new technologies such as metaverse, AI large language models and smart chips, according to Qiu.

    The Shanghai Legoland Resort is scheduled to open this summer, according to Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.

    Apart from helping to hold key games such as 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix and 2025 World Rowing Championships, the local administration of sports will issue 60 million yuan of sports consumption coupons, said the administration’s deputy head Xu Qi.

    MIL OSI China News –