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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the UN Observance of International Women’s Day 2025 [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English and all-French versions]

    Source: United Nations

    Excellencies, Dear friends,

    Thank you for the invitation – and for the moving performance.

    We gather today not just to celebrate the International Women’s Day, but to move forward – resilient, united, and unwavering in our pursuit of “equality, development and peace for all women everywhere in the interest of humanity.”

    Those are the first words of the Beijing Declaration – and this year marks the 30th anniversary of that landmark conference and its reaffirmation that women’s rights are human rights.

    Since then, women have broken barriers, shattered ceilings, and reshaped societies.

    More girls are in school.

    More women hold positions of power.

    And digital activism has ignited global movements for justice.

    Yet, these hard-fought gains remain fragile – and far from enough.

    Age-old horrors – violence, discrimination and economic inequality – still plague our societies.

    Every ten minutes, a woman is killed by her partner or a family member.

    612 million women and girls live under the shadow of armed conflicts – where their rights are too often considered expendable.

    Less than two-thirds of women worldwide participate in the labour market – and those who do earn far less than men.

    At this pace, eradicating extreme poverty for women and girls would take 130 years.

    And as we see in every corner of the world, from pushback to rollback, women’s rights are under attack.

    Centuries of discrimination are being exacerbated by new threats.

    Digital tools, while brimming with promise, are also often silencing women’s voices, amplifying bias, and fuelling harassment.

    Women’s bodies have become political battlegrounds.

    And online violence is escalating into real-life violence.

    Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we are witnessing the mainstreaming of chauvinism and misogyny.

    We cannot stand by as progress is reversed.

    We must fight back.

    Last September, Member States adopted the Pact for the Future.

    The Pact reminds us that equality is the engine of progress for all people – and that Agenda 2030 can only be realized when all women and girls enjoy their full rights.

    It calls for greater investment in the SDGs, expanded debt relief, and stronger support from Multilateral Development Banks so that governments can invest in what their people need —  education, training, job creation and social protections that can help drive equality for all.

    And the Global Digital Compact calls for closing the gender digital divide, pushing back against online abuse, and ensuring women and girls everywhere can access the benefits from the opportunities of a rapidly evolving global economy.

    Meanwhile, we are also working to end the scourge of violence against women and girls.

    Through the Spotlight Initiative, the UN and the EU have shown that comprehensive approaches to eliminating gender-based violence can work.

    We have helped keep one million more girls in school.

    We have helped prevent 21 million women and girls from experiencing gender-based violence.

    And across 13 Spotlight Initiative countries, the conviction rate for gender-based violence has doubled.

    These achievements prove that when we unite behind ambitious strategies, we can deliver real change.

    But our work is far from over.

    We must never accept a world where women and girls live in fear, where their safety is a privilege rather than a non-negotiable right.

    Excellencies and friends,

    Leadership on this International Women’s Day belongs to us all.

    At the United Nations, we have achieved and maintained gender parity among senior leadership and Resident Coordinators at world level since 2020.

    And for the first time in our organization’s history, we have also reached parity in the international professional categories.

    This proves once again that systemic change is possible – with concerted and determined action.

    Today, as part of the UN System-wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan, I am proud to announce our commitment to the Gender Equality Clarion Call:

    A bold, urgent pledge to defend and advance the rights of all women and girls.

    The Clarion Call sets out four priorities:

    Unified leadership – all UN leaders must champion and defend women’s rights in every decision and in every forum;

    Action against pushbacks – We must actively confront backlash, prevent rollbacks, and create spaces where women’s rights can thrive;

    Coordinated impact – working across sectors and all levels to dismantle systemic inequalities; and

    Protecting women human rights defenders – we will defend and amplify the voices of women on the frontlines, standing firm against those who seek to silence them.

    This Clarion Call and the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan must drive real political change in all that we do.

    And we are leading by example – and we call on governments, organizations and businesses to do the same.

    Chers amis,

    La lutte pour l’égalité des genres ne peut se résumer à une question d’équité.

    Il s’agit d’une question de pouvoir – qui participe à la prise des décisions, et qui en est exclu.

    Il s’agit de démanteler les systèmes qui perpétuent les inégalités.

    Et d’assurer ainsi un monde meilleur pour tous.

    Quand les femmes participent aux négociations, la paix dure plus longtemps.

    Quand les filles peuvent aller à l’école, des générations entières sortent de la pauvreté.

    Quand les femmes bénéficient d’opportunités professionnelles égales, les économies se renforcent.

    Et avec la parité dans le leadership politique, les décisions sont plus justes, les politiques sont mieux ciblées et les sociétés sont plus équitables.

    En somme : quand les femmes et les filles vont de l’avant, tout le monde prospère.

    Alors, en cette Journée internationale des droits des femmes, soyons inspirés par les voix des femmes et des filles du monde entier – et choisissons toujours l’action plutôt que l’apathie.

    Réalisons la vision de la Déclaration de Pékin.

    Accélérons le changement.

    Et avançons – pour chaque femme, pour chaque fille, pour chacun, partout.

    Je vous remercie.

    ***
    [All-English]

    Excellencies, Dear friends,

    Thank you for the invitation – and for the moving performance.

    We gather today not just to celebrate the International Women’s Day, but to move forward – resilient, united, and unwavering in our pursuit of “equality, development and peace for all women everywhere in the interest of humanity.”

    Those are the first words of the Beijing Declaration – and this year marks the 30th anniversary of that landmark conference and its reaffirmation that women’s rights are human rights.

    Since then, women have broken barriers, shattered ceilings, and reshaped societies.

    More girls are in school.

    More women hold positions of power.

    And digital activism has ignited global movements for justice.

    Yet, these hard-fought gains remain fragile – and far from enough.

    Age-old horrors – violence, discrimination and economic inequality – still plague our societies.

    Every ten minutes, a woman is killed by her partner or a family member.

    612 million women and girls live under the shadow of armed conflicts – where their rights are too often considered expendable.

    Less than two-thirds of women worldwide participate in the labour market – and those who do earn far less than men.

    At this pace, eradicating extreme poverty for women and girls would take 130 years.

    And as we see in every corner of the world, from pushback to rollback, women’s rights are under attack.

    Centuries of discrimination are being exacerbated by new threats.

    Digital tools, while brimming with promise, are also often silencing women’s voices, amplifying bias, and fuelling harassment.

    Women’s bodies have become political battlegrounds.

    And online violence is escalating into real-life violence.

    Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we are witnessing the mainstreaming of chauvinism and misogyny.

    We cannot stand by as progress is reversed.

    We must fight back.

    Last September, Member States adopted the Pact for the Future.

    The Pact reminds us that equality is the engine of progress for all people – and that Agenda 2030 can only be realized when all women and girls enjoy their full rights.

    It calls for greater investment in the SDGs, expanded debt relief, and stronger support from Multilateral Development Banks so that governments can invest in what their people need —  education, training, job creation and social protections that can help drive equality for all.

    And the Global Digital Compact calls for closing the gender digital divide, pushing back against online abuse, and ensuring women and girls everywhere can access the benefits from the opportunities of a rapidly evolving global economy.

    Meanwhile, we are also working to end the scourge of violence against women and girls.

    Through the Spotlight Initiative, the UN and the EU have shown that comprehensive approaches to eliminating gender-based violence can work.

    We have helped keep one million more girls in school.

    We have helped prevent 21 million women and girls from experiencing gender-based violence.

    And across 13 Spotlight Initiative countries, the conviction rate for gender-based violence has doubled.

    These achievements prove that when we unite behind ambitious strategies, we can deliver real change.

    But our work is far from over.

    We must never accept a world where women and girls live in fear, where their safety is a privilege rather than a non-negotiable right.

    Excellencies and friends,

    Leadership on this International Women’s Day belongs to us all.

    At the United Nations, we have achieved and maintained gender parity among senior leadership and Resident Coordinators at world level since 2020.

    And for the first time in our organization’s history, we have also reached parity in the international professional categories.

    This proves once again that systemic change is possible – with concerted and determined action.

    Today, as part of the UN System-wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan, I am proud to announce our commitment to the Gender Equality Clarion Call:

    A bold, urgent pledge to defend and advance the rights of all women and girls.

    The Clarion Call sets out four priorities:

    Unified leadership – all UN leaders must champion and defend women’s rights in every decision and in every forum;

    Action against pushbacks – We must actively confront backlash, prevent rollbacks, and create spaces where women’s rights can thrive;

    Coordinated impact – working across sectors and all levels to dismantle systemic inequalities; and

    Protecting women human rights defenders – we will defend and amplify the voices of women on the frontlines, standing firm against those who seek to silence them.

    This Clarion Call and the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan must drive real political change in all that we do.

    And we are leading by example – and we call on governments, organizations and businesses to do the same.

    Dear friends,

    The fight for gender equality is not just about fairness.

    It is about power – who gets a seat at the table, and who is locked out.

    It is about dismantling systems that allow inequalities to fester.

    And it is about ensuring a better world for all.

    When women participate in negotiations, peace lasts longer.

    When girls can go to school, entire generations lift out of poverty.

    When women enjoy equal job opportunities, economies grow stronger.

    And with parity in political leadership, decisions are fairer, policies are sharper, and societies are more just.

    Simply put: when women and girls rise, everyone thrives.

    So, on this International Women’s Day, let us be guided by the voices of women and girls around the world – and always choose action over apathy.

    Let us realize the vision of the Beijing Declaration.

    Accelerate action.

    And march forward — for every woman, for every girl, for everyone, everywhere.

    Thank you.

    ***
    [All-French]

    Mesdames et Messieurs, chers amis,

    Merci pour votre invitation – et pour cet émouvante prestation.

    Nous sommes réunis aujourd’hui non seulement pour célébrer la Journée internationale des femmes, mais aussi pour aller de l’avant, résilients, unis et résolus, dans notre quête des « objectifs d’égalité, de développement et de paix pour toutes les femmes dans le monde entier, dans l’intérêt de l’humanité tout entière ».

    Ces mots sont les premiers de la déclaration de Beijing. Cette année marque le trentième anniversaire de cette conférence historique, lors de laquelle il a été réaffirmé que les droits des femmes étaient des droits humains.

    Depuis, les femmes ont levé des barrières, brisé des plafonds et remodelé nos sociétés.

    Il y a davantage de filles scolarisées.

    Il y a davantage de femmes aux postes de pouvoir.

    Et le militantisme en ligne a lancé des mouvements mondiaux en faveur de la justice.

    Pourtant, ces avancées obtenues de haute lutte restent fragiles et sont loin d’être suffisantes.

    Des abominations séculaires comme la violence, la discrimination et les inégalités économiques continuent d’accabler nos sociétés.

    Toutes les dix minutes, une femme est tuée par son partenaire ou un membre de sa famille.

    612 millions de femmes et de filles vivent sous la menace de conflits armés, dans lesquels, trop souvent, l’on considère que leurs droits peuvent être sacrifiés.

    Moins de deux tiers des femmes dans le monde participent au marché du travail, et celles qui le font gagnent beaucoup moins que les hommes.

    À ce rythme, il faudrait 130 ans pour mettre fin à l’extrême pauvreté des femmes et des filles.

    Et comme on peut le voir aux quatre coins du monde, de recul en recul, les droits des femmes s’érodent.

    Les effets de siècles de discrimination sont exacerbés par de nouvelles menaces.

    Les outils numériques, bien que pleins de promesses, étouffent souvent la voix des femmes, amplifient les préjugés et alimentent le harcèlement.

    Le corps des femmes est devenu un champ de bataille politique.

    Et la violence en ligne se transforme en violence dans la vie réelle.

    Au lieu d’observer une généralisation de l’égalité des droits, nous assistons à la banalisation du machisme et de la misogynie.

    Nous ne pouvons pas rester les bras croisés alors que les progrès sont réduits à néant.

    Nous devons riposter.

    En septembre dernier, les États Membres ont adopté le Pacte pour l’avenir.

    Ce pacte nous rappelle que l’égalité est le moteur du progrès pour tous et toutes, et que le Programme 2030 ne pourra être réalisé que lorsque toutes les femmes et les filles jouiront pleinement de leurs droits.

    Il appelle à un investissement accru dans les objectifs de développement durable, à un plus grand allègement de la dette et à un soutien plus fort des banques multilatérales de développement, afin que les gouvernements puissent investir dans ce dont leurs populations ont besoin – notamment l’éducation, la formation, la création d’emplois et la protection sociale, qui peuvent faire avancer l’égalité pour tous et toutes.

    Le Pacte mondial pour le numérique appelle à combler la fracture numérique qui existe entre les hommes et les femmes, à lutter contre les atteintes commises en ligne et à veiller à ce que les femmes et les jeunes filles du monde entier puissent saisir et exploiter les possibilités offertes par une économie mondiale en rapide évolution et en tirer profit.

    De notre côté, nous nous efforçons de mettre fin au fléau de la violence à l’encontre des femmes et des filles.

    Grâce à l’Initiative Spotlight, l’ONU et l’Union européenne ont montré que, s’agissant d’éliminer la violence de genre, les approches globales fonctionnent.

    Nous avons aidé un million de filles de plus à continuer d’aller à l’école.

    Nous avons aidé 21 millions de femmes et de filles à ne pas subir de violences de genre.

    Dans 13 pays participant à cette initiative, le taux de condamnation pour violences de genre a doublé.

    Ces résultats prouvent que lorsque nous nous unissons autour de stratégies ambitieuses, nous obtenons des changements réels.

    Mais notre tâche est loin d’être achevée.

    Nous ne pouvons en aucun cas tolérer un monde où les femmes et les filles vivent dans la peur, où leur sécurité est un privilège plutôt qu’un droit non négociable.

    Mesdames et Messieurs,

    En cette Journée internationale des femmes, le leadership nous appartient à toutes et à tous.

    À l’ONU, depuis 2020, nous sommes parvenus à la parité hommes-femmes aux postes de haute direction et parmi les Coordonnateurs et Coordonnatrices résidents, et nous la maintenons.

    Et pour la première fois dans l’histoire de notre organisation, nous avons également atteint la parité parmi les administrateurs et administratrices recrutés sur le plan international.

    Voilà qui prouve une fois encore qu’avec de la détermination et de la concertation, le changement systémique est possible.

    Aujourd’hui, je suis fier d’annoncer que dans le cadre du Plan pour l’accélération de la réalisation de l’égalité des genres dans le système des Nations Unies, nous avons pris un engagement en faveur de l’Appel urgent à l’égalité des genres :

    Un engagement ambitieux et résolu de tout faire, de toute urgence, pour défendre et faire progresser les droits de toutes les femmes et de toutes les filles.

    Cet appel définit quatre priorités :

    L’unification des équipes dirigeantes – les hautes et hauts responsables des entités des Nations Unies doivent, toutes et tous, défendre les droits des femmes dans toutes les décisions et tous les lieux de débat ;

    La lutte contre le repli – nous devons activement combattre les remises en cause, empêcher les retours en arrière et créer des espaces où les droits des femmes peuvent prospérer ;

    La coordination de l’impact – pour abolir les inégalités systémiques dans tous les secteurs et à tous les niveaux ; et

    La protection des défenseurs et défenseuses des droits des femmes – nous défendrons et amplifierons les voix des femmes présentes en première ligne, en nous opposant fermement à ceux qui cherchent à les réduire au silence.

    Cet appel urgent et le Plan pour l’accélération de la réalisation de l’égalité des genres doivent induire un véritable changement politique dans toutes nos actions.

    L’ONU montre la voie. Nous demandons aux gouvernements, aux organisations et aux entreprises de suivre cet exemple.

    Chers amis,

    La lutte pour l’égalité des genres ne peut se résumer à une question d’équité.

    Il s’agit d’une question de pouvoir – qui participe à la prise des décisions, et qui en est exclu.

    Il s’agit de démanteler les systèmes qui perpétuent les inégalités.

    Et d’assurer ainsi un monde meilleur pour tous.

    Quand les femmes participent aux négociations, la paix dure plus longtemps.

    Quand les filles peuvent aller à l’école, des générations entières sortent de la pauvreté.

    Quand les femmes bénéficient d’opportunités professionnelles égales, les économies se renforcent.

    Et avec la parité dans le leadership politique, les décisions sont plus justes, les politiques sont mieux ciblées et les sociétés sont plus équitables.

    En somme : quand les femmes et les filles vont de l’avant, tout le monde prospère.

    Alors, en cette Journée internationale des droits des femmes, soyons inspirés par les voix des femmes et des filles du monde entier – et choisissons toujours l’action plutôt que l’apathie.

    Réalisons la vision de la Déclaration de Pékin.

    Accélérons le changement.

    Et avançons – pour chaque femme, pour chaque fille, pour chacun, partout.

    Je vous remercie.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Protecting Alberta’s borders from invasive species

    [. These species can wreak havoc on waterways and ruin infrastructure, destroy habitats and cause hundreds of millions in damages.

    If passed, Budget 2025 will invest $18.2 million over five years to expand Alberta’s aquatic invasive species inspection, detection and rapid response programs. By defending water bodies, ecosystems and infrastructure, Alberta’s government is protecting jobs, local economies and recreational opportunities across the province.

    Conservation K-9 Hilo and his handler Cindy Sawchuck inspect a watercraft (Credit: Alberta government)

    “Our province is doing more to fight these invasive species than anywhere else in Canada. These additional inspection stations and K-9 inspection dogs will help us step up protections across Alberta, and we will be announcing even more right before boating season.”

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    “We must keep Alberta 100% invasive mussel free. That’s why, our province will be continuing to step up our fight to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species that threaten our waterways and livelihoods.”

    Grant Hunter, chair of the Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force and MLA for Taber-Warner

    Last year, Alberta took a range of actions that helped to protect the province, including establishing the highest fines in North America, launching the Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force, expanding inspection stations and inspectors, and advocating to the federal government for increased action. More than 13,000 boats and watercrafts entering the province were inspected, the most since 2019.

    This new funding increases Alberta’s border protections for 2025. It will expand the existing program by increasing the number of inspection stations to 11, tripling the number of K-9 conservation dog and handler teams, and optimizing decontamination stations in Lethbridge and Calgary. The province will also fund a dip tank decontamination pilot project and 14 mobile decontamination systems to improve rapid response.

    Alberta’s government will continue working hard to prevent zebra mussels, quagga mussels and other invasive species from getting established here. This includes implementing the Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force recommendations to defend Alberta against invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive species for years to come.

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

    Quick facts

    • If passed, Budget 2025 funding will include:
      • $16.1 million in total operating funding over three years
      • $2.1 million in total capital funding over five years
    • As of October 31, 2024, 13,408 watercraft inspections were completed – the most since 2019 – and 15 watercraft were confirmed positive for invasive mussels. 
    • About 20 per cent of drivers transporting watercraft attempted to bypass watercraft inspection stations in Alberta in 2024. 
    • Alberta’s fines are the highest in North America: 
      • $4,200 for failing to stop at an open inspection station. 
      • $600 for failing to remove a drain plug when transporting a watercraft. 
      • In 2024, about 13 per cent of boats arrived at our inspection stations with the drain plug in place during transport. 
    • The 2025 watercraft inspection season starts in March.

    Related information

    • Provincial AIS Task Force Recommendation Report

    Related news

    • Clean. Drain. Dry. (Aug. 1, 2024)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: We must seize this opportunity to destroy Assad’s chemical weapons programme: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    We must seize this opportunity to destroy Assad’s chemical weapons programme: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria

    The last time this Council met to discuss chemical weapons in Syria, Bashar al-Assad was still in power.

    Two days later, he fled and his brutal regime was overthrown.

    The fall of Assad marks a new chapter for Syria and presents a golden opportunity to destroy his remaining chemical weapons programme, verified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

    However, the situation in Syria is fragile and we must make sure we seize this window of opportunity to remove the threat posed by these weapons once and for all.

    The UK is concerned about recent clashes in Syria, which must not be allowed to escalate into wider violence. We urge all parties to refrain from further violence and exercise restraint at this critical time.

    The OPCW Director-General’s visit to Damascus on 8 February was an important step forward. 

    And we are greatly encouraged by the commitments already made by the Syrian interim authorities to fully cooperate with the OPCW and to secure chemical weapons sites.

    The attendance of Syria’s interim Foreign Minister, at the OPCW’s Executive Council this week was a very significant moment. 

    We welcome his renewed commitments on chemical weapons, including to “put an end to this painful legacy and ensure Syria becomes a nation aligned with international norms.”

    The next step is to support Syria to meet its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, including to declare and destroy remaining chemical weapons stockpiles working with the OPCW.

    The OPCW Director-General set out the scale of the challenge ahead to the OPCW’s Executive Council this week.

    And this Council has an important role to play in supporting the OPCW’s work.

    First, we underscore the importance of implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention alongside the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2118.

    Second, the international community must provide the financial and technical assistance to the OPCW that it needs.

    The UK has committed more than $1m to the OPCW Syria Missions since the fall of Assad to support their immediate work.

    Finally, as Syria’s interim authorities seek to bring stability to the country and address security threats, it is vital that Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.

    This is why we urge Israel to de-escalate their actions in Syria. 

    Such military action risks destabilising an already fragile security situation. 

    We call on all parties to provide the safe conditions for the OPCW to conduct its work.

    Madam President, with political will from the new authorities in Syria and this Council, there is an opportunity to deal with this issue once and for all, and to finally achieve the total elimination of chemical weapons in Syria. 

    We must take that opportunity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: National Consumer Protection Week, 2025

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    A PROCLAMATION

    Consumer rights are a cornerstone of American freedom, a building block of the American economy, and a foundation of American success.  During this National Consumer Protection Week, we renew our commitment to protecting the American consumer, upholding the right to privacy and transparency, and ensuring the American economy remains free and prosperous.

    Protecting Americans’ transactions, personal data, and other private information is essential to their navigation of our dynamic market economy and their ability to ward off potential fraud and cyber security scams. 

    To protect consumer rights and strengthen American leadership in global digital advancement, I took immediate action to halt aggressive regulatory overreach that has stifled the growth of cryptocurrency.  To advocate for greater transparency in consumer drug prices, I also proudly signed an Executive Order ensuring that advertisements provide accurate information about prescription drugs and do not mislead consumers about their products — a crucial step in making America healthy again.  Consumers deserve honest and accurate information to make decisions — and my Administration will never waver in its commitment to promoting consumer rights.

    During National Consumer Protection Week, local and Federal agencies, along with various consumer organizations, come together with the shared mission of providing resources, guides, and other materials to ensure Americans are aware of threats to their privacy and financial well-being.  We cannot afford to neglect the importance of an informed and protected consumer — and I will continue to ensure that every action the Federal Government takes is aligned with protecting our rights, our privacy, and our Nation.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2 through March 8, 2025, as National Consumer Protection Week.  I encourage all Americans to take advantage of the broad array of online resources offered by the Federal Trade Commission, and to share this information through consumer education activities in communities across the country.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s video message on the occasion of International Women’s Day [scroll down for French version]

    Source: United Nations – English

    strong>Download the video:  https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+Intl+Women+Day+8+Mar+25/MSG+SG+INTL+WOMEN+DAY+21+FEB+25.mp4

    When the doors of equal opportunity are open for women and girls, everyone wins.

    Equal societies are more prosperous and peaceful – and the foundation of sustainable development.

    On this International Women’s Day, we recognize thirty years of progress and achievement since the landmark United Nations conference in Beijing.

    This transformed the rights of women – and reaffirmed those rights as human rights.

    Since then, women and girls have shattered barriers, defied stereotypes, and demanded their rightful place.

    But we must be clear-eyed about the challenge.

    From pushback to rollback, women’s human rights are under attack.

    Age-old horrors – violence, discrimination and economic inequality – still plague societies.

    And newer threats such as biased algorithms are programming inequalities into online spaces, opening-up new arenas of harassment and abuse.  

    Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny.

    We must fight these outrages.

    And keep working to level the playing field for women and girls.

    We need action to unlock finance so countries can invest in equality – and to prioritize those investments.

    Action to open-up equal opportunities for decent work, close the gender pay gap, and tackle challenges around care work.
     
    Action to strengthen and implement laws to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

    Action to secure women’s full participation in decision-making, including in peacebuilding.
     
    And action to remove the obstacles to women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

    The United Nations Pact for the Future, and the Global Digital Compact offer blueprints to guide these actions.

    When women and girls can rise, we all thrive.

    Together, let’s stand firm in making rights, equality and empowerment a reality for all women and girls, for everyone, everywhere.
     
    ***

    Lorsque les portes de l’égalité des chances sont ouvertes aux femmes et aux filles, tout le monde y gagne.

    Les sociétés égalitaires sont plus prospères et plus pacifiques, et constituent le fondement du développement durable.

    En cette Journée internationale des femmes, nous célébrons trente ans d’avancées et de progrès réalisés depuis la conférence historique des Nations Unies organisée à Beijing.

    Celle-ci a transformé les droits des femmes et permis de réaffirmer qu’ils étaient des droits humains.

    Depuis, les femmes et les filles ont renversé les barrières, brisé les stéréotypes et revendiqué la place qui leur revient.

    Mais nous devons être lucides sur les défis à relever.

    Bafoués ou restreints, les droits humains des femmes sont menacés.

    Des atrocités séculaires – la violence, la discrimination et les inégalités économiques – continuent d’accabler les sociétés.

    De nouvelles menaces, comme les algorithmes qui véhiculent les stéréotypes, créent des inégalités dans les espaces en ligne, ouvrant la voie à de nouvelles formes de harcèlement et d’abus.

    Au lieu d’observer une généralisation de l’égalité des droits, nous assistons à la banalisation de la misogynie.

    Nous devons combattre ces outrages.

    Et continuer d’œuvrer pour que les femmes et les filles disposent des mêmes chances que les hommes et les garçons.

    Nous devons agir pour débloquer des financements afin que les pays puissent investir dans l’égalité – et pour faire de ces investissements une priorité.

    Agir pour assurer l’égalité d’accès à des emplois décents, pour combler l’écart de rémunération entre les femmes et les hommes et pour résoudre les difficultés liées au travail domestique.

    Agir pour renforcer et appliquer les lois visant à mettre fin à toutes les formes de violence contre les femmes et les filles.

    Agir pour garantir la pleine participation des femmes à la prise de décision, notamment dans le domaine de la consolidation de la paix.

    Et agir pour éliminer les barrières qui empêchent les femmes et les filles d’accéder aux filières des sciences, de la technologie, de l’ingénierie et des mathématiques.

    Le Pacte pour l’avenir et le Pacte numérique mondial donnent des orientations qui doivent guider ces actions.

    L’épanouissement des femmes et des filles profite à tout le monde.

    Ensemble, prenons des initiatives fortes pour faire de l’égalité une réalité pour toutes les femmes et toutes les filles, pour garantir leurs droits et pour leur donner des moyens d’action, dans l’intérêt général, partout.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Empty Homes Week 2025

    Source: City of Preston

    Every March we celebrate Empty Homes Week, the theme for 2025 is ‘People and Planet’, showing how local authorities work tirelessly to bring empty homes back into use and help local people live healthier better lives, as well as highlighting the role that empty homes can play in helping us all to minimise climate breakdown.

    Preston City Council’s Empty Homes Team were recently involved in turning an empty property around.

    The team contacted owners of a property that was registered as a second home but appeared to have been empty since 2009.

    The owners responded citing financial restrictions as a barrier in fixing severe structural issues, but they wanted to hold on to the house for a family member.

    The Repair and Lease option of the Making Homes from Houses scheme (MHFH), a partnership between Preston City Council and Community Gateway Association (CGA), was the only option for reoccupation the owners would consider.

    It took a considerable amount of time to negotiate this lease, but having agreed to be part of the scheme, CGA are close to completing this major renovation and the house will once more be available as a much-needed affordable house in Preston for at least the next 30-years.

    Due to the severity of the structural damage, the lease term of 30-years was required for CGA to recoup the works costs as the structural problems were so significant but a lease term of this length favours CGA and the Council, as it provides a long-term housing option.

    Making Homes from Houses, the Council’s award-winning partnership with Community Gateway Association, is approaching its 50th property renovated under this scheme taking action on empty homes which negatively impact neighbourhoods, turning them around and providing new family homes within Preston.

    Visit our Empty Homes page for more information.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Walking netball takes centre court for International Women’s Day

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Over fifty ladies from walking netball groups across Northern Ireland gathered at Banbridge Leisure Centre for on-the-court and off-the-court activities to celebrate International Women’s Day.

    The event was organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Sports Development Department and funded by Sport NI, through the District Council’s Community Planning Investment Programme.

    Supporting on the day were Netball NI, Banbridge Netball Club and Billy Stewart from the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Policing Community Safety Partnership (ABCPCSP) who spoke to the ladies about being vigilant for online scams, financial safety and ‘in case of emergency’ cards.

    The main event kicked off with a ‘shooter of the week’ challenge and warm-up activities before the competitions got into full swing between the ‘Jeth Throwers’ (Lurgan), the ‘Nutty Netballers’ (Larne), the ‘Nifty Netballers’ (Bangor), the ‘Lilies of the Valley’ (Newtownabbey) and the ‘Bann Ballers’ (Banbridge).

    After some show-stopping skills and impressive competitive spirit, Larne’s Nutty Netballers were crowned overall winners and awarded prizes sponsored by Netball NI. Local team ‘Bann Ballers’ finished in second place and received some baked goods sponsored by Irwin’s Bakery.

    Walking Netball has evolved from a growing demand for walking sports. The inclusive nature of the game encourages those who have dropped out of the sport they love due to serious injury, to those who believed they had hung up their netball trainers many years ago, to get going again! The fun, laughter and camaraderie throughout the social sessions are just as important as the health benefits from being active.

    The ‘Bann Ballers’ netball group was established after a successful pilot as part of ABC Council’s Positive Aging Month campaign. The group meets every Friday at Banbridge Leisure Centre from 12.30 – 1.30pm. New members are always welcome! For more information please visit www.getactiveabc.com/walkingnetball

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Levy Artisan Market in Levenshulme set for spring opening

    Source: City of Manchester

    A new monthly artisan day and night market is set to open in Levenshulme this spring.

    Manchester City Council and Independent Street known for its successful events around the Northwest have collaborated to bring a new market offering on the former, much loved Levy Market site from April 2025.

    The new market which will be known as Levy Artisan Market will bring freshly baked produce, independent food stalls, and unique artisan products to the already vibrant area of Levenshulme.

    Levy Artisan Market will launch on Sunday 13th April and will take place the second Sunday of every month. There will also be an exciting night market on the last Friday of every month from 25th April 25.            

    The monthly Sunday Artisan Markets at Levy will offer family-focused events, from live entertainment and children’s workshops to food tastings and cultural celebrations, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  

    The monthly Friday Night Markets will offer a newly designed food court area with a large selection of some of the best street food in town, plus live music, good vibes and a large seating area for you to kick back, relax and welcome in the weekend.  

    The Levy Artisan Market is set to showcase Manchester’s rich tapestry of Artisans and creators and serve as a catalyst for driving footfall into Levenshulme’s established shops, cafes, restaurants and independents. It will once again continue to emphasise supporting small businesses and providing a space for entrepreneurs to thrive.  

    Levenshulme Market is not just a place to shop it is the heart of our community. 

    To celebrate the launch, Levy Artisan Market will be hosting a grand opening event on Sunday April 13th, featuring live music performances, incredible artisans, a street food area plus a free crafting table and activities for the smallest of our visitors. The event will run from 11am and everyone is invited to join in. 

    Traders who are interested in showcasing at the new Levy Artisan Market, and local community groups and musicians who want to join, can make applications on Independentstreet.co.uk 

    Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: ”Levy Market has been a long standing and much-loved institution for the local community and it’s traders, imbued a rich heritage and an asset which has set foundations for other markets to thrive. 

    “We are really proud to welcome Independent Street’s Artisan Levy Market onto the site, the end product of a collaborative approach to bring a new market offering to the people of Levenshulme. 

    “The new market will provide a unique space for small businesses, artisans, and food vendors, allowing them to thrive whilst also contributing to the local economy and offering residents and visitors access to high-quality products, delicious street food, and a welcoming social environment. 

    “We hope it will become more than just a market - but rather a hub for creativity, enterprise, and community spirit.”        

    Lisa Cowley, Director of Independent Street, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected to launch this iconic market back onto the Manchester Market scene. We’re incredibly excited to welcome back Levy’s loyal customers and introduce The New Levy Artisan Market to a new generation of visitors. With a focus on community, sustainability, and high-quality, local produce, we hope to make Levy Artisan Market the heart of Manchester for years to come.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Rural Roads to Have More Than $34.4 Million of Improvements

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on March 7, 2025

    Today, the Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) announced more than $34.4 million for 32 road, bridge and culvert projects, which supports the export of goods and resources originating in rural municipalities.

    Through the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) program, the Ministry of Highways will invest more than $12.6 million toward the projects and rural municipalities (RMs) will fund the remaining more than $21.7 million. The work will occur in the 2025 construction season.

    “These projects will enhance the integration of rural roads and the provincial highway network so that farmers, ranchers, businesses and industries can ship their goods more efficiently,” Highways Minister David Marit said. “This program recognizes rural municipal roads play a valuable role in Saskatchewan’s export-based economy.”

    “Perhaps now more than ever, improving our transportation infrastructure in rural areas is needed to bring stability and strength to our economy — not only as a province, but also as a nation,” Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities President Bill Huber said. “Without reliable roads, bridges, and culverts, we can’t get goods to market. For this reason, SARM is very pleased to see these RMs receive funding assistance through the RIRG program.” 

    The provincially funded RIRG program administered by SARM invests in constructing and upgrading RM road infrastructure. RIRG funding is up to 50 per cent per project to a maximum of $500,000 for a road and to a maximum $1 million for a large culvert or bridge. RMs fund the remaining project costs and are responsible for managing their approved projects.

    A Program Management Board of SARM and the Ministry of Highways representatives oversees RIRG.

    A list of the most recently approved projects and funding contributions are in the attached backgrounder.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bowman, Remarks on “Monetary Policy Transmission to Real Activity” and the Recent Experience

    Source: US State of New York Federal Reserve

    Thank you for the invitation to participate at this year’s U.S. Monetary Policy Forum conference. It is a pleasure to be here to discuss the conference report and present my views on the transmission of monetary policy to real activity in recent years.1 I would like to start by thanking the authors of the paper for their thoughtful and comprehensive analysis of the effects of monetary policy on economic activity. As you all may know, my background is in banking and bank regulation, so my experience with and interest in understanding the transmission and effects of monetary policy stems from my responsibilities as a Member of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).
    Turning to the discussion, I will begin with a few comments and suggestions on the paper and then focus on how monetary policy and other factors influenced U.S. economic performance during the tightening cycle that started in March 2022. I will then conclude with some thoughts on the relevance of the results in the paper for monetary policy going forward.
    Comments and Suggestions on “Monetary Policy Transmission to Real Activity”The paper’s stated purpose is to estimate how monetary policy shocks affect gross domestic product (GDP) and employment through the use of a range of models. The evidence is generally similar to previous studies, supporting the broader principle that monetary policy exerts its effects with long lags and has a limited contribution to changes in real activity when the shock is small and not very persistent. We should keep in mind, however, that many other shocks hit the economy and that at times it may be hard to see the effects of monetary policy actions estimated in the paper as they work through the actual economy.
    The paper notes that a 1 percentage point increase in the federal funds rate that retraces gradually, taking five to six quarters to reach half of its initial size, has persistent negative effects on GDP and employment. At maximum, this shock lowers GDP by 0.4 percent in about 18 months and employment by 0.3 percent in about two years, on average across the models considered in the paper. However, there is a wide range of estimated responses, as they depend on each model specification and the data used. The most sensitive components of GDP are residential investment, business fixed investment, and durable goods consumption, which is consistent with employment in the construction and durable goods manufacturing industries being highly interest-rate sensitive.
    The paper analyzes the transmission of monetary policy to real activity, but it would have been very interesting to go one step further and also see the effects of monetary policy on inflation. This is especially relevant because the FOMC has been focused on bringing inflation down to its 2 percent target over the past few years. Of course, higher interest rates lower inflation by dampening aggregate demand and real activity, thereby removing pressure on resource utilization, wages, and prices.
    The authors use several models to analyze the transmission of monetary policy. They use two well-known structural models created by Federal Reserve Board staff that have been used in Tealbook, the FRB/US and EDO models, in addition to two reduced-form VAR models, the New York Fed Bayesian VAR model and a simple four-variable proxy VAR model. It is reassuring that the estimated responses to a federal funds rate shock in the two models that I am most familiar with, the Board FRB/US and EDO models, seem consistent with previous findings.2
    One small issue is that neither of the VAR models directly includes the federal funds rate. The authors acknowledge this limitation in the analysis and address it by roughly estimating that a 100-basis points shock to the policy rate boosts the 1-year and 2‑year Treasury yields by 45 and 40 basis points, respectively. This approach may have resulted in the implied monetary policy shock in the two VAR models looking more persistent than in the two structural models. I would suggest the authors take another look at this aspect of their exercise, so that the contours of the monetary policy shocks look more similar across the different models.
    An alternative approach would have been to take the 1- and 2-year averages of the federal funds rate from the FRB/US and EDO impulse responses and possibly add a small term premium. This approach would have suggested larger effects of the federal funds rate shock on the 1- and 2-year Treasury yields than estimated by the authors. Another approach, especially in the proxy VAR setting, would have been to use a measure of the shadow federal funds rate, which provides a gauge of the overall monetary policy stance and is not constrained by the zero lower bound.3
    The paper focused on the effect of changes in the policy rate, but an important channel for the transmission of monetary policy is how it affects private interest rates that are relevant for households and businesses consumption and investment decisions. Private rates include interest rates charged on outstanding credit card balances, rates on auto and other durable goods loans, mortgage rates, and corporate bond yields. Although credit card rates move closely in line with the policy rate and include a time-varying spread that depends on the default risk profile of the borrower, longer-term private fixed rates on mortgages and corporate bonds depend on the expected path of the federal funds rate, the term premium embedded in longer-term Treasury yields, and risk spreads relative to Treasury securities of comparable maturity. Accordingly, monetary policy tools other than the policy rate, including forward guidance and the amount of securities holdings in the central bank’s balance sheet, are also important for the transmission of monetary policy since they can more forcefully affect the expected path of the federal funds rate, term premiums, and risk spreads.
    The authors analyze the contribution of major aggregate demand components to the overall effect of a monetary policy shock on GDP. One minor issue is that not all the models treat business investment equally. In particular, the EDO model includes inventory investment under business investment, while all other models do not appear to do so. This difference may contribute to the much larger initial reaction of business investment in the EDO model compared to the other models, as inventory investment reacts quickly to a shock in the federal funds rate.
    I would like to offer one last comment on the relatively small effect of monetary policy on real activity. Although I do not disagree with the authors’ assessment, I think that the estimated effects can cumulate to be quite sizable even for the transient unexpected shock considered. The FOMC quickly raised interest rates to fight surging inflation between March 2022 and July 2023 by a cumulative 5-1/4 percentage points. According to the average impulse responses, a shock of this magnitude would lead to declines of about 2 percent on the level of real GDP and 1.5 percent on the level of employment, which would translate into a similarly large increase in the unemployment rate if those who lost their jobs mostly remained in the labor force. This seems to suggest the potential for fairly large effects on real activity, especially when the monetary policy shock has more persistent effects on the policy rate and results in larger increases in term premiums and risk spreads.
    The Recent Tightening CycleThe FOMC started raising the federal funds rate in March 2022 to combat rising inflation. Although the initial rate hike was a mere 1/4 percentage point, the pace of tightening was faster over the remainder of the year, with an overall increase of more than 4 percentage points in the policy rate by the end of 2022. Rate hikes continued in smaller 1/4 percentage point steps the following year, adding to 1 additional percentage point increase by July 2023. As the authors note in the paper, the rapid pace of monetary policy tightening was somewhat surprising, especially as the FOMC was initially slow to react to signs that the rise in inflation during 2021 was not merely transitory and required more aggressive action.
    As financial conditions tightened rapidly and the yield curve inverted in 2022, fears of an impending recession started to rise, with Federal Reserve Board staff mentioning downside risks to real activity and that a mild recession seemed equally likely to the baseline Tealbook projection for sluggish economic growth over the next year.4 The staff eventually predicted a mild recession in the Tealbook forecast after the bank failures and banking system stress in the spring of 2023.5 Such recession was widely predicted and, in hindsight, it never materialized. As you well know, the yield curve inversion has not been the only predictor of recessions that has failed in recent years.
    On a Q4-over-Q4 basis, GDP growth slowed considerably in 2022 to a modest pace of only 1.3 percent. The components of GDP that exerted the most drag on growth that year were residential investment, goods consumption, and inventory investment, subtracting a total of 1‑1/2 percentage points from real GDP growth in 2022.
    Residential investment weakened rather quickly and fell more than 16 percent in 2022. The sharp decline in this category seems largely explained by higher mortgage rates, which surged more than 3 percentage points over the course of the year as the FOMC aggressively tightened monetary policy. In addition to higher interest rates, the 1-1/2 percent drop in goods consumption in 2022 likely reflected the imprint of higher inflation on real disposable income and the unwinding of previous fiscal stimulus.
    Somewhat at odds with the empirical results in the paper, business fixed investment continued to rise appreciably as special factors led to a delayed response to the rise in interest rates. A broader measure of business investment that includes inventories did show a slowdown in growth, but even this broad measure continued to rise appreciably in 2022. Business fixed investment was likely supported by construction of new microchip and battery plants, the continued boost to software investment following the switch to remote work, and a rebound in nonresidential structures and transportation equipment investment after their protracted decline over the pandemic.
    Payroll employment increased strongly in 2022 as labor force participation rose, the unemployment rate declined, and the labor market tightened considerably. Payroll employment moved back up to its pre-pandemic level and approached its trend as social distancing receded. The recovery dynamics in employment largely masked any effects from rising interest rates in 2022. The effect from higher interest rates on employment also tends to lag and be more persistent than the effect on GDP, so any effects likely showed up in 2023, an outcome that is consistent with the findings in the paper.
    Some Reasons Why the Economy OutperformedThe economy outperformed in 2023 as widespread predictions of an impending recession never materialized and instead growth picked up. From the point of view of the models in the paper, the stronger economy in 2023 also seems surprising, but this likely reflected other factors that influenced the economy and that are not accounted for in the model simulations.
    Despite significant tightening in broad financial conditions in 2023, GDP growth strengthened notably as fiscal policy turned from a drag into a meaningful boost to growth and potential output accelerated further due to increased immigration and strong productivity growth. These favorable supply developments allowed for stronger economic activity along with easing of inflationary pressures. Although growth surprised to the upside in 2023, labor market tightness eased with the unemployment rate edging up over the year and payroll employment growth slowing markedly.
    Faster GDP growth in 2023 was driven by a rebound in goods consumption, some recovery in residential investment, and stronger government spending. Goods consumption was boosted by strong gains in real compensation and personal income, including from declining inflation. Despite continued drag from higher mortgage rates, residential investment started recovering in 2023 as other factors supported demand. In particular, the labor market remained strong and household balance sheets were still healthy. The sharp rise in mortgage rates also created a lock‑in effect that increased demand for new housing and construction activity.
    The marked deceleration in employment in 2023 seems consistent with the longer lags in the response of employment to the rise in interest rates relative to that of GDP, especially as a significant portion of employment gains reflected increased labor supply from immigration, which allowed the labor market to come into better balance. Also consistent with the paper results, employment gains in the construction and durable goods manufacturing industries were more noticeably below their 2015-2019 trends than employment gains for the aggregate economy.
    As the authors argue, another reason why real activity was more resilient in the face of higher interest rates may have been the healthy balance sheets of households and businesses at the start of the tightening cycle. Households had accumulated excess savings during the pandemic, reflecting both increased fiscal stimulus and reduced consumption due to social distancing and supply bottlenecks.6 In fact, data from the Financial Accounts of the U.S. indicate that in the two years between the end of 2019 and the end of 2021, household bank deposits rose by nearly $4 trillion.7
    In addition, many households and nonfinancial businesses were able to refinance their mortgages and corporate bonds at very low rates during the pandemic. Although higher interest rates likely held back additional consumption expenditures and investment spending, they had less of an effect on households’ and nonfinancial businesses’ net cash flows as the average interest rates on household mortgages and business debt remained low.8
    With historically low borrowing costs during the pandemic era, mortgage originations and refinancing activity reached very high levels. As a result, the share of outstanding mortgages with an interest rate below 4 percent increased to nearly 70 percent by 2022 and it remains well above pre-pandemic levels today. Similarly, nonfinancial businesses issued record amounts of corporate bonds and extended the maturity of their debt to avoid new debt issuance earlier in the subsequent rate hiking cycle. Between 2020 and 2021, the fraction of triple-B corporate bonds maturing within three years fell to its lowest levels in nearly 20 years.
    Fiscal policy also reentered expansionary territory in 2023, with above-trend stimulus partly driven by strong state and local government spending. Although the unwinding of COVID-19 fiscal support continued in 2023, the federal budget deficit turned back up and rose to near 6 percent of GDP, while the primary deficit inched up towards 4 percent of GDP. These deficit levels are unusual for an expansion, especially as fiscal policy seems to have contributed to the degree of tightness in the economy.
    One way to describe the resiliency of real activity to higher interest rates during the recent tightening cycle is to say that some of the previously noted factors led to a rise in r-star. Higher population growth, from the influx of new immigrants, and higher productivity growth, arguably from the use of new technologies like artificial intelligence and the surge in new business formations, especially in high-tech industries, have likely boosted investment demand. In addition, the lack of significant fiscal consolidation has also increased demand for savings. An economy with stronger investment demand and very little household savings likely requires a higher equilibrium interest rate relative to pre-pandemic norms.
    Relevance of Results for Monetary Policy Going ForwardThe U.S. economy has been experiencing major shocks and structural changes since the pandemic, which may have influenced or masked the transmission of monetary policy to real activity. It is, therefore, not straightforward to see how the impulse responses shown in this paper have translated in practice. And, as the paper acknowledges, a large portion of the fluctuations in real activity are driven by shocks other than those to monetary policy. Although the FOMC has been focused on lowering inflation in the past few years, as we continue to make progress on approaching our 2 percent target, I expect that the labor market and economic activity will become a larger factor in the FOMC’s policy discussions. Accordingly, the stylized results on real activity effects in the paper will prove especially useful going forward.
    ConclusionI will conclude by saying that I enjoyed the paper, and that I appreciate the opportunity to be here to share my views on this topic. I look forward to the discussion and to hearing feedback from other participants and the perspective of my FOMC colleague and fellow discussant.
    ReferencesAladangady, Aditya, David Cho, Laura Feiveson, and Eugenio Pinto (2022). “Excess Savings during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” FEDS Notes. Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, October 21.
    Brayton, Flint, Thomas Laubach, and David Reifschneider (2014). “The FRB/US Model: A Tool for Macroeconomic Policy Analysis,” FEDS Notes. Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, April 3.
    Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2022). “Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, November 1-2, 2022,” press release, November 23, 2022.
    Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2023). “Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, March 21-22, 2023,” press release, April 12, 2023.
    Castro, Andrew, Michele Cavallo, and Rebecca Zarutskie (2022). “Understanding Bank Deposit Growth during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” FEDS Notes. Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, June 6.
    Chung, Hess, Michael Kiley, and Jean-Philippe Laforte (2010). “Documentation of the Estimated, Dynamic, Optimization-based (EDO) Model of the U.S. Economy: 2010 Version (PDF),” Federal Reserve Board Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2010-29. Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, May.
    Eichenbaum, Martin, Sergio Rebelo, and Arlene Wong (2022). “State-Dependent Effects of Monetary Policy: The Refinancing Channel,” American Economic Review, vol. 112 (March), pp. 721‑61.
    Fabiani, Andrea, Falasconi, Luigi, and Heineken, Janko (2024). “Monetary Policy and the Maturity Structure of Corporate Debt,” unpublished paper, available at SSRN: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3945615.
    Jungherr, Joachim, Matthias Meier, Timo Reinelt, and Immo Schott (2024). “Corporate Debt Maturity Matters for Monetary Policy,” International Finance Discussion Papers 1402. Washington: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, December 6.
    Wu, J. Cynthia and F. Dora Xia (2016). “Measuring the Macroeconomic Impact of Monetary Policy at the Zero Lower Bound,” Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking, vol. 48 (March-April), pp. 253-91, https://doi.org/10.1111/jmcb.12300.

    1. The views expressed here are my own and are not necessarily those of my colleagues on the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Open Market Committee. I would like to thank Eugenio Pinto and Michele Cavallo for their assistance in preparing these remarks. Return to text
    2. See Brayton et al. (2014) and Chung et al. (2010). Return to text
    3. The estimated measure of the shadow federal funds rate is based on the work by Wu and Xia (2016). Return to text
    4. See Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System FOMC Minutes (November 2022). Return to text
    5. See Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System FOMC Minutes (March 2023). Return to text
    6. See Aladangady et al. (2022). Return to text
    7. See Castro et al. (2022). Return to text
    8. The effectiveness of monetary policy can be substantially reduced both during a long period of low interest rates and for a long period after interest rates renormalize. See Eichenbaum et al. (2022) for the mortgage refinancing channel and Fabiani et al. (2024) and Jungherr et al. (2024) for the corporate debt maturity channel. Return to text

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Denver Warns of Online File Converter Scam

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    The FBI Denver Field Office is warning that agents are increasingly seeing a scam involving free online document converter tools, and we want to encourage victims to report instances of this scam.

    In this scenario, criminals use free online document converter tools to load malware onto victims’ computers, leading to incidents such as ransomware.

    “The best way to thwart these fraudsters is to educate people so they don’t fall victim to these fraudsters in the first place,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “If you or someone you know has been affected by this scheme, we encourage you to make a report and take actions to protect your assets. Every day, we are working to hold these scammers accountable and provide victims with the resources they need.”

    To conduct this scheme, cyber criminals across the globe are using any type of free document converter or downloader tool. This might be a website claiming to convert one type of file to another, such as a .doc file to a .pdf file. It might also claim to combine files, such as joining multiple .jpg files into one .pdf file. The suspect program might claim to be an MP3 or MP4 downloading tool.

    These converters and downloading tools will do the task advertised, but the resulting file can contain hidden malware giving criminals access to the victim’s computer. The tools can also scrape the submitted files for:

    • Personal identifying information, such as social security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, etc.)
    • Banking information
    • Cryptocurrency information (seed phrases, wallet addresses, etc.)
    • Email addresses
    • Passwords

    Unfortunately, many victims don’t realize they have been infected by malware until it’s too late, and their computer is infected with ransomware or their identity has been stolen.

    The FBI Denver Field Office encourages victims or attempted victims of this type of scheme to report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

    In addition, the FBI Denver Field Office recommends taking the following actions to protect yourself from this scam:

    • Take a breath, slow down and think. Be aware of your actions online and what risks you could be exposed to.
    • Keep your virus scan software up to date and scan any file you receive before opening it to help eliminate malicious software from being installed on your computer.

    If you are a victim of this scam, here are some steps to take:

    • Contact your financial institutions immediately. Take steps to protect your identity and your accounts.
    • Change all your passwords using a clean, trusted device.
    • Make a report at IC3.gov
    • Run up-to-date virus scan software to check for potentially malicious software installed by the scammers. Consider taking your computer to a professional company specializing in virus and malware removal services.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Group convicted of being part of Russian spying operation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A group of six Bulgarians living in the UK have been convicted of being part of a spying operation across Europe on behalf of Russia.

    Following a three-month trial at the Old Bailey, two women and a man were found guilty of conspiring to obtain information intended to be directly or indirectly useful to Russia.

    Three other men pleaded guilty to Official Secrets Act charges before the trial started.

    Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “These convictions have been achieved as the result of an extremely complex investigation into a group that was carrying out sophisticated surveillance operations in the UK, and in Europe, on behalf of the Russian state.

    “This case is a clear example of the increasing amount of state threat casework we are dealing with in the UK – particularly linked to Russia. It also highlights a relatively new phenomenon whereby espionage is being ‘outsourced’ by certain states.

    “While the outsourcing of espionage activity might suggest that recent efforts by the UK to thwart direct Russian activity have been effective, it means that we also have to guard against this new kind of emerging threat.

    “But regardless of the form the threat takes, this investigation shows that we will take action to identify and disrupt any such activity that puts UK national security and the safety of the public at risk.”

    The court heard that detectives from the Met’s Counter terrorism Command sifted through more than 200,000 messages and seized hundreds of items after a co-ordinated series of raids and arrests were carried out on 8 February 2023.

    In particular, a 33-room former hotel belonging to Orlin Roussev was found to contain items, including sophisticated spying equipment such as listening devices, concealed cameras and a fake ID card printer.

    Through their investigation, detectives identified that Roussev, who was leading the group, was in direct contact with Jan Marsalek – an Austrian national who, in turn, was identified as working with the Russian intelligence services.

    The investigation team identified six core spying ‘plots’ the group were involved in. This included activity that targeted two investigative journalists who were seen as reporting stories contrary to the interests of the Russian state.

    A former senior Kazakh politician who lived in the UK was also targeted, and the group planned to stage protests at the Kazakhstan embassy in London. Both operations were part of an elaborate plan to help the Russia state gain favour with Kazakhstan.

    The group also carried out surveillance at a US military site in Germany, where they believed Ukrainian soldiers were being trained.

    Another man who was designated as a ‘foreign agent’ by Russia was also targeted by the group during surveillance operations in Montenegro.

    Sifting through thousands of messages, and then matching this up with physical travel, financial statements and surveillance reports and footage, meant detectives were able to build up a compelling picture of the group’s activity, as well as identify those involved and their roles within the group.

    The six members of the group were:

    – Orlin Roussev, 46 (06.02.1978) of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
    – Bizer Maksimov Dzhambazov, 43 (21.04.1981), of Harrow, north London
    – Katrin Nikolayeva Ivanova, 33 (01.07.1991) of Harrow, north London
    – Ivan Iliev Stoyanov, 33 (22.12.1991) of Greenford, west London
    – Vanya Nikolaveva Gaberova, 30 (10.08.1994) of Euston, north London.

    – Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39 (31.07.85) of Acton, west London

    Officers found that Roussev was directing the group’s activity, and was receiving tasks through his contact with Marsalak. Dzambaszov was effectively the second in command.

    The other four were all found to be involved in the execution of various espionage and surveillance activities across the UK and Europe in relation to the six plots identified by detectives.

    Ivanova, Gaberova and Ivanchev were all found guilty of conspiracy to spy, contrary to Section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 after a three-month trial at the Old Bailey

    Roussev and Dzhambazov pleaded guilty before the trial started to conspiracy to spy, contrary to Section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

    Stoyanov pleaded guilty before the trial to spying, contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911.

    The group will be sentenced at the Old Bailey in May.

    All material from the trial is available to download here https://mps.box.com/s/z3jt1xiy…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First £752 million tranche of loan sent to Ukraine for military equipment

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    First £752 million tranche of loan sent to Ukraine for military equipment

    The first £752 million tranche of the UK’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan to Ukraine has been transferred in demonstration of the UK’s commitment to Ukrainian defence.

    • UK has sent first third of its £2.26 billion loan to Ukraine for the country to spend on military equipment in its hour of need

    • Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited RAF Northolt to meet with UK suppliers sending equipment to Ukraine

    • Delivery of the UK’s contribution to the G7 $50 billion Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loan is the latest step in support for Ukraine from the UK government, with national security key to the Plan for Change

    The ERA funding is on top of the £3 billion a year commitment by the UK to provide military aid for Ukraine. The Prime Minister has been clear that a strong Ukraine is vital to UK national security.

    The money transferred yesterday Thursday 6 March, is part of a £2.26 billion loan backed by the profits of immobilised Russian sovereign assets, and will help Ukraine buy military equipment to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked aggression.

    It follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament as economic and fiscal conditions allow, and announcing an additional £1.6 billion of UK Export Finance to Ukraine. National security is fundamental to the government’s Plan for Change, and will help improve the lives of people across the UK by growing the economy.

    To mark this signal of UK support, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, visited RAF Northolt to meet Armed Forces personnel. She also met suppliers sending vital equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine through UK MoD rapid procurement contracts.

    Companies at RAF Northolt yesterday included Malloy, MBDA and Thales, as well as UK-based SMEs including Greenjets, Kirintec and Windracers – displaying a range of defence equipment such as air defence missiles, bomb disposal suits and cargo drones.

    Increased defence spending will support highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the UK. Last year, defence spending supported over 430,000 UK jobs the equivalent to one in every 60, with 68% of defence spending going outside of London and the Southeast, benefitting every nation and region of the country.

    Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

    “Now more than ever in this changed world, Ukraine needs our support as a reliable partner to secure peace following Russia’s unprovoked invasion.

    “British excellence and innovation in defence was on display as I visited RAF Northolt yesterday. Our contribution to the war effort via increased defence spending is also supporting UK industries and jobs and putting money back in the pockets of hardworking British people.”

    The multibillion-pound funding is the UK’s contribution to the G7 ERA Loans to Ukraine Scheme, through which G7 countries will collectively provide $50 billion to support Ukraine. The UK’s contribution is earmarked for military procurement to bolster Ukraine’s defences, and is being delivered in three £752 million payments. A tranched approach will allow for greater flexibility in military procurement, and will provide the best value for money for both the UK and Ukraine.

    Chancellor Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko signed the UK-Ukraine bilateral loan agreement on Saturday in the presence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in No.11 Downing Street.

    Last week, the Chancellor alongside the Business Secretary and the Defence Secretary confirmed that a new UK defence innovation organisation will work with innovative firms to rapidly get cutting-edge military technology into the hands of British troops, and harness the ingenuity of the UK’s leading tech and manufacturing sectors.

    The Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy also signed a historic 100 Year Partnership in Kyiv earlier this year. The landmark treaty formalised the unbreakable bonds between the UK and Ukraine, broadening and deepening the relationship across defence and non-military areas and enabling closer community links.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Thousands of social homes treated for hazardous damp and mould

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Thousands of families faced with a potential health hazard from living in mouldy homes are breathing easier following a £15m programme to upgrade some of the region’s dampest social housing.

    The money, given to local councils by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has been used to install damp busting measures in more than 4,400 homes across the region.

    Around 8,000 individual improvements have been carried out with some homes also getting high-quality insulation and ineffective, high carbon heating systems replaced with modern electric ones. Leaky roofs, windows and doors have also been fixed.

    The Social Housing Decency Fund programme is now nearing completion ahead of the Government’s introduction of Awaab’s Law in October. This will require social housing landlords to investigate and fix black mould and damp within strict timelines.

    The new law is named after three-year-old Awaab Ishak who died from mould exposure in his Rochdale home in 2020.

    Ruqia Ali and her two-month-old baby boy Zakariya are among the 10,000 people to benefit from the programme.

    She lives with husband Abdikadir and their two other children, six-year-old son Zayd and daughter Sara, aged three, in a council house in Bordesley Green, Birmingham.

    The family had several measures installed at their Victorian-built, two up, two down terraced house including roof space ventilation and specialist kitchen and bathroom fans.

    Mrs Ali said: “The condensation in the house was really bad before. It was aggravating my asthma and making me feel worse. We had damp on the walls and mould coming up from the skirting boards in the bedrooms.

    “But we’ve had no damp since the work was done and the house is now really comfortable. I feel much better and I don’t have to worry any more about how it’s affecting our health. It’s made a big difference.”

    Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, joined Cllr Jayne Francis, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for housing and homelessness, to see how the work has made Mrs Ali’s home safer and healthier.

    The Mayor has made the construction of thousands of safe and warm new social homes a key priority to help tackle the region’s housing crisis. But he is also working with councils and housing associations on ways to upgrade the region’s existing social housing stock, bringing it up to modern standards.

    The Mayor said: “It can’t be right that in 2025, in one of the world’s richest countries, there are thousands of children living in cold, damp and mouldy homes.

    “The tragic death of Awaab Ishak is a stark reminder of the dangers of mould, especially for young children. Unfortunately, too many people have to live in old, substandard homes because of the region’s housing crisis. That’s why my priority is to build thousands of new social and affordable homes.

    “But we must also upgrade the social housing we already have. We’ve made a start but we need to do more because this is not just about improving homes – it’s about improving and even saving lives.”

    According to the most recent English Housing Survey it is thought there are as many as 90,000 homes in the West Midlands that fail to meet decency standards.

    Around 60,000 of these are privately rented and 30,000 are social homes for rent, owned by councils or housing associations. The survey estimated that the investment required to make all of these properties decent would be around £600m.

    The Social Housing Decency Fund improvements on Mrs Ali’s home were carried out alongside wider work being done by Birmingham City Council which is investing £1.6bn into its council houses over the next seven years.

    The council’s investment program began in April 2024 and just over £240m was invested last year, with a similar amount set to be invested again this year.

    Cllr Francis said: “The investment we are making into our council homes is the largest in the country and will ensure all our residents will be able to live in warm, safe, sustainable homes.

    “Many tenants will soon see significant improvements in their accommodation, including new kitchens and bathrooms, but they will also see energy bills cut and homes made warmer, helping to reduce the danger of damp and mould.

    “We will continue to work closely with partners like the WMCA to improve and build social homes, and I’d like to thank our contractors EQUANS for carrying out the works on Mrs Ali’s home.”

    Last year the WMCA commissioned the housing research team at the Centre for the New Midlands to undertake a wide-ranging evaluation of the problem of damp.

    It found that many tenants still faced life-threatening health risks from long-term exposure to dangerous levels of damp and mould and that it was commonplace for tenants to live with the hazard for four years or more. Consequently, many tenants reported feelings of helplessness and a range of mental and physical health issues.

    The report consequently called for a new funding model for social and council housing so damp and mould issues could be better tackled.

    Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton councils were among the lead contributors to another recent report calling for reform of council housing finance Securing the Future of Council Housing – Interim Report.pdf

    In January this year the Mayor announced a new initiative to improve living standards and tackle fuel poverty in thousands of low-income households.

    Up to 10,000 of the region’s oldest and coldest social and privately-owned homes will be upgraded to make them warmer and cheaper to run thanks to a £167 million energy efficiency fund.

    The funding will bring thousands of homes up to modern energy efficiency standards with new insulation, doors, windows, solar panels, and state-of-the-art greener and smarter heating systems.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s video message on the occasion of International Women’s Day [scroll down for French version]

    Source: United Nations

    Download the video:  https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+Intl+Women+Day+8+Mar+25/MSG+SG+INTL+WOMEN+DAY+21+FEB+25.mp4

    When the doors of equal opportunity are open for women and girls, everyone wins.

    Equal societies are more prosperous and peaceful – and the foundation of sustainable development.

    On this International Women’s Day, we recognize thirty years of progress and achievement since the landmark United Nations conference in Beijing.

    This transformed the rights of women – and reaffirmed those rights as human rights.

    Since then, women and girls have shattered barriers, defied stereotypes, and demanded their rightful place.

    But we must be clear-eyed about the challenge.

    From pushback to rollback, women’s human rights are under attack.

    Age-old horrors – violence, discrimination and economic inequality – still plague societies.

    And newer threats such as biased algorithms are programming inequalities into online spaces, opening-up new arenas of harassment and abuse.  

    Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny.

    We must fight these outrages.

    And keep working to level the playing field for women and girls.

    We need action to unlock finance so countries can invest in equality – and to prioritize those investments.

    Action to open-up equal opportunities for decent work, close the gender pay gap, and tackle challenges around care work.
     
    Action to strengthen and implement laws to end all forms of violence against women and girls.

    Action to secure women’s full participation in decision-making, including in peacebuilding.
     
    And action to remove the obstacles to women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

    The United Nations Pact for the Future, and the Global Digital Compact offer blueprints to guide these actions.

    When women and girls can rise, we all thrive.

    Together, let’s stand firm in making rights, equality and empowerment a reality for all women and girls, for everyone, everywhere.
     
    ***

    Lorsque les portes de l’égalité des chances sont ouvertes aux femmes et aux filles, tout le monde y gagne.

    Les sociétés égalitaires sont plus prospères et plus pacifiques, et constituent le fondement du développement durable.

    En cette Journée internationale des femmes, nous célébrons trente ans d’avancées et de progrès réalisés depuis la conférence historique des Nations Unies organisée à Beijing.

    Celle-ci a transformé les droits des femmes et permis de réaffirmer qu’ils étaient des droits humains.

    Depuis, les femmes et les filles ont renversé les barrières, brisé les stéréotypes et revendiqué la place qui leur revient.

    Mais nous devons être lucides sur les défis à relever.

    Bafoués ou restreints, les droits humains des femmes sont menacés.

    Des atrocités séculaires – la violence, la discrimination et les inégalités économiques – continuent d’accabler les sociétés.

    De nouvelles menaces, comme les algorithmes qui véhiculent les stéréotypes, créent des inégalités dans les espaces en ligne, ouvrant la voie à de nouvelles formes de harcèlement et d’abus.

    Au lieu d’observer une généralisation de l’égalité des droits, nous assistons à la banalisation de la misogynie.

    Nous devons combattre ces outrages.

    Et continuer d’œuvrer pour que les femmes et les filles disposent des mêmes chances que les hommes et les garçons.

    Nous devons agir pour débloquer des financements afin que les pays puissent investir dans l’égalité – et pour faire de ces investissements une priorité.

    Agir pour assurer l’égalité d’accès à des emplois décents, pour combler l’écart de rémunération entre les femmes et les hommes et pour résoudre les difficultés liées au travail domestique.

    Agir pour renforcer et appliquer les lois visant à mettre fin à toutes les formes de violence contre les femmes et les filles.

    Agir pour garantir la pleine participation des femmes à la prise de décision, notamment dans le domaine de la consolidation de la paix.

    Et agir pour éliminer les barrières qui empêchent les femmes et les filles d’accéder aux filières des sciences, de la technologie, de l’ingénierie et des mathématiques.

    Le Pacte pour l’avenir et le Pacte numérique mondial donnent des orientations qui doivent guider ces actions.

    L’épanouissement des femmes et des filles profite à tout le monde.

    Ensemble, prenons des initiatives fortes pour faire de l’égalité une réalité pour toutes les femmes et toutes les filles, pour garantir leurs droits et pour leur donner des moyens d’action, dans l’intérêt général, partout.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Simpson Cosponsors Bill to Give Small Businesses Permanent Tax Break

    Source: US State of Idaho

    WASHINGTON—Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored the Main Street Tax Certainty Act. This bill would permanently extend Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code, which is slated to expire at the end of this year. Should these tax cuts expire, small businesses will face an immediate and massive tax hike.
    This legislation is led by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) with support from more than 170 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. This legislation is also supported by over 230 organizations.
    “Small businesses are the backbone of Idaho’s economy. Making permanent Section 199A is good for the economy, small businesses, and American families—we must get this done. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Trump administration to renew key expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and prevent damaging tax hikes and increases for Idahoans,” said Rep. Simpson.
    “When small businesses thrive, our communities thrive. Small businesses need predictability and making Section 199A permanent will provide Main Street with the certainty they need to invest in their workforce, operations, and community. This pro-growth policy will ensure small businesses maintain tax parity with larger corporations. As Congress works with the Trump administration to renew expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, I will continue to fight for Section 199A and tax policies to support small businesses and families,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker.
    U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Celebrates Tenth Anniversary of Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship, Expands 2025 Canadian Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, today announced the anniversary of its Women in Cybersecurity North American Scholarship, launched in 2016 to support and empower women pursuing careers in cybersecurity. As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering diverse talent, ESET is expanding the program in Canada, increasing both the number and value of scholarships available to Canadian applicants.

    For a decade, ESET North America has encouraged and uplifted women to pursue careers in cybersecurity, offering financial assistance to help achieve their aspirations. In solidarity with the 2025 International Women’s Day’s #AccelerateAction theme, the Women in Cybersecurity North American Scholarship program is expanding its scope this year with additional awards, enhanced evaluation criteria and a renewed focus on recognizing both technical excellence and emerging potential.

    As a long-time advocate for cybersecurity and talent development in Canada, ESET has built strong relationships with key technology hubs, including the city of Markham. Over the years, ESET has received a wealth of strong candidates from Markham and the Greater Toronto Area, reinforcing the region’s reputation as a growing center for cybersecurity innovation. By investing in opportunities for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, ESET aims to support both local talent and the broader cybersecurity workforce.

    Pioneering one of the first scholarships of its kind, Celeste Blodgett, Vice President of Human Resources at ESET North America, originated the program at the North American headquarters in San Diego to support women who want to go into technology fields. Bolstered by Celeste’s passion, the program has since awarded scholarships to more than 25 recipients in the U.S. and Canada, and has expanded globally to Australia, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

    “Around the world, ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship recipients are showcasing a passion for protecting digital citizens, yet with women only accounting for less than one-fifth of the cybersecurity workforce there is much work to be done,” said Blodgett. “We’ve encountered so many remarkable women who are passionate about shaping the future of this field and are thrilled to celebrate our tenth anniversary by earmarking one additional Cybersecurity Trailblazer award in the U.S. and five additional Future Leader awards in Canada.”

    According to the 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study conducted by (ISC)², women account for only 14.4% of the cybersecurity workforce, while men make up 79.6%. This stark imbalance underscores the critical need to bring more women into the profession, particularly as emerging technologies like generative AI continue to evolve. ESET is committed to fostering opportunities for women to lead in cybersecurity and AI, helping to bridge this gap and build a more balanced, innovative and equitable future. Diversity in AI development is essential to ensure these tools are ethical, secure and inclusive.

    In 2025, ESET North America will award $45,000 in scholarships to support the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Canadian students will have access to new and expanded awards, including two $5,000 Cybersecurity Trailblazer awards for applicants who demonstrate exceptional technical proficiency and a strong focus on cybersecurity. To mark the tenth anniversary, five new $1,000 Future Leader Awards will be introduced in Canada to recognize emerging talent with great potential in cybersecurity. In the U.S., three $10,000 scholarships will be awarded in the Cybersecurity Trailblazer Award Tier, including one dedicated to a recipient in San Diego, honouring the program’s origins.

    The scholarship has already helped many women pursue careers in cybersecurity, including Anushka Khare, a Canadian recipient of the 2022 ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship who is now a Security Program Manager at Microsoft. “This scholarship has greatly supported my career and academic journey by providing me the financial freedom to focus on my studies,” shared Khare. “It has also allowed me to pursue advanced courses in cybersecurity, attend relevant workshops and gain hands-on experience. This support has not only enhanced my technical skills, but has also boosted my confidence, knowing I have the backing to succeed in this competitive field.”

    DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY
    Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 round, and submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT on April 8, 2025. Applicants can learn more about the scholarships and submit their application by visiting our dedicated web pages. If you’re a Canadian student, apply here; if you’re a US student, you can apply here.

    Questions? Email us at CA-scholarship@eset.com [Canada-only inquiries] or US-scholarship@eset.com [US-only inquiries] with any questions.

    About ESET
    ESET provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of known and emerging cyber threats — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud or mobile protection, its AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multi-factor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. An ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

    Media contact:
    Emily Zwart
    ezwart@enterprisecanada.com
    905.515.9169

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Celebrates Tenth Anniversary of Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship, Kicks Off 2025 North America Applications

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, today announced the tenth anniversary of its Women in Cybersecurity North American Scholarship originally launched in 2016 to support and empower women pursuing careers in cybersecurity. For a decade, ESET North America has encouraged and uplifted women to pursue careers in cybersecurity, offering financial assistance to help achieve their aspirations. In solidarity with the 2025 International Women’s Day’s #AccelerateAction theme, the Women in Cybersecurity North American Scholarship program expands its scope with additional awards, enhanced evaluation criteria, and a renewed focus on recognizing both technical excellence and emerging potential.

    Pioneering one of the first scholarships of its kind, Celeste Blodgett, Vice President of Human Resources at ESET North America, originated the program at the North American headquarters in San Diego, California in order to support women who want to go into technology fields. Bolstered by Celeste’s passion, the program has since awarded scholarships to more than 25 recipients in the U.S. and Canada, and expanded globally to Australia, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.

    “Around the world, the ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship recipients are showcasing a passion for protecting digital citizens, yet with women only accounting for less than one-fifth of the cybersecurity workforce there is much work to be done,” said Celeste Blodgett, Vice President of Human Resources at ESET North America. “We’ve encountered so many remarkable women who are passionate about shaping the future of this field and are thrilled to celebrate our tenth anniversary by earmarking one additional Cybersecurity Trailblazer award in the U.S. and five additional Future Leader awards in Canada.”

    According to the 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study conducted by (ISC)², women account for only 14.4% of the cybersecurity workforce, while men make up 79.6%. This stark imbalance underscores the critical need to bring more women into the profession, particularly as emerging technologies like generative AI continue to evolve. ESET is committed to fostering opportunities for women to lead in cybersecurity and AI, helping to bridge this gap and build a more balanced, innovative, and equitable future. Diversity in AI development is essential to ensure these tools are ethical, secure, and inclusive.

    ESET North America will award $45,000 in scholarships in 2025 to support the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. In the Cybersecurity Trailblazer Award Tier, the U.S. will grant three $10,000 scholarships—one of which is dedicated to a recipient in San Diego, honoring the program’s origins. This marks an expansion from previous years. In Canada, the Cybersecurity Trailblazer Award Tier will award two $5,000 scholarships to applicants demonstrating exceptional technical proficiency and a strong focus on cybersecurity. To celebrate the tenth anniversary, ESET has expanded the Future Leader Award (Canada only) to include five new $1,000 awards, recognizing emerging talent with great potential in cybersecurity.

    “This scholarship has greatly supported my career and academic journey by providing me the financial freedom to focus on my studies,” shared Anushka Khare, Security Program Manager at Microsoft and 2022 recipient of ESET’s Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship. “It has also allowed me to pursue advanced courses in cybersecurity, attend relevant workshops and gain hands-on experience. This support has not only enhanced my technical skills, but has also boosted my confidence, knowing I have the backing to succeed in this competitive field.”

    DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY
    Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 round and submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT April 8, 2025. Applicants can learn more about the scholarships and submit their application by visiting our dedicated webpages. If you’re a US student, you can apply here; if you’re a Canadian student, apply here.

    Questions? Email us at US-scholarship@eset.com [US-only inquiries] or CA-scholarship@eset.com [Canada-only inquiries] with any questions.

    About ESET
    ESET provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of known and emerging cyber threats — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud or mobile protection, its AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multi-factor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. An ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ead3ad44-8afd-4420-be3f-2ed5140ac8ce

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: European leaders agree defence ramp-up to support Ukraine – but Hungary continues to block progress

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David J. Galbreath, Professor of International Security, University of Bath

    Leaders of the 27 EU countries have agreed in principle to a massive increase in defence spending at a summit that was hastily organised in the wake of Donald Trump’s withdrawal of support for Ukraine.

    Talks over European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s €800 million (£670 million) military spending package went on for ten hours before an agreement could be reached. And while the deal is in place, leaders can’t agree on how to finance it.

    With pressure from the United States to increase their contribution to Nato, European states have also agreed to increase defence spending as a share of their GDP.

    Many EU countries wanting to spend more on defence argue they can’t afford to do so because they are already struggling with government debt. However, France has the largest debt as a proportion of its GDP in the EU and is still increasing defence spending.

    The challenge for nearly all EU member states has been how to go about spending more on defence without over-borrowing and putting the euro currency in danger through government defaults on existing loans.

    The European Commission has set out new funding for defence industries which could lower the cost of defence procurement for EU member states. However, the EU doesn’t have enough funds to sustain a high level of defence investment.

    Hungary and Slovakia have stated that they are not interested in an EU defence budget. They would rather see individual member states increase their budgets. Both Hungary and Slovakia are resistant to EU calls to further isolate Russia over the war in Ukraine.

    Hungarian president Viktor Orbán was the holdout at the Brussels meeting. Orbán has been far more lenient than others on Moscow since the start of the war.

    Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, wants a more constructive relationship with Russia and the return to the supply of natural gas that is piped through Ukraine. He did, however, ultimately fall in behind other member states at the Brussels meeting.

    Now that a package has been agreed, the challenge for European leaders and the EU is how to grow defence budgets without breaking the budget, forcing many governments into determining what they are not going to spend money on even before they can figure out how to grow defence spending.

    The nuclear dilemma

    At the summit, French president Emmanuel Macron also presented a plan to bring other European nations under France’s nuclear umbrella, effectively making France’s deterrent their joint deterrent.

    The rationale here is the concern that the US could withdraw from Nato or at least water down article five, the commitment by Nato countries to treat any attack on a member state as an attack on all member states. Doing so would mean Europe could no longer rely on the US nuclear deterrent for protection.

    But while European countries want to prepare for a potential US withdrawal, they also don’t want to signal to Washington that the US deterrent is no longer needed. In fact most European Nato countries would like the US to maintain its nuclear posture in Europe and are working hard on a diplomatic level with Washington to slow the retreat.

    At the same time, European member states want security guarantees so talks on Macron’s proposal will continue.

    European support for Ukraine

    The EU showed renewed commitment for Ukraine at the summit with meetings between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and several European and EU leaders.

    A joint statement was agreed, stressing that peace talks must include Ukraine and confirming the EU’s support. Orbán was, again, the only leader not to sign up to the statement.

    The hope is that, with these actions, Europe can pressure the Trump administration to continue to engage Ukraine as it seeks a peace with Russia. But it is unclear how much of an impact such European solidarity for Ukraine will have.

    Europe cannot be ready for a new defence reality overnight but this defence summit has been a good start. Now the really hard work begins.

    David J. Galbreath has received funding from the ESRC, AHRC, British Academy and Leverhulme Trust.

    – ref. European leaders agree defence ramp-up to support Ukraine – but Hungary continues to block progress – https://theconversation.com/european-leaders-agree-defence-ramp-up-to-support-ukraine-but-hungary-continues-to-block-progress-251656

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manufacturing is Roaring Back Under President Donald J. Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
     “In one month under President Trump, the American economy is soaring back to greatness after the economic calamity left by Joe Biden. The manufacturing industry is already rebounding as there were 9,000 new auto jobs created — the most auto jobs added in 15 months! Under President Trump, the private sector is leading the way — 93% of the job gains in February were in the private sector. This is great news for American workers and families. The Trump Administration will continue to work hard to implement pro-growth policies and push Congress to enact the Trump Economic Agenda.” — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
    Today’s jobs report shows American manufacturing is on the rebound thanks to President Donald J. Trump and his administration.
    The country gained 10,000 manufacturing jobs in President Trump’s first full month in office — a swift turnaround after losing an average of 9,000 manufacturing jobs per month, or 111,000 total, in the final year of the Biden Administration.
    The rebound in manufacturing jobs was led by the automobile sector, which gained 8,900 new jobs in February — after losing 27,300 auto jobs in Biden’s final year — showing that firms are reshoring production and positively responding to President Trump’s trade policies.
    The manufacturing turnaround has been confirmed by S&P Global’s own U.S. manufacturing survey, which surged last month to its highest level since June 2022, and the Manufacturing ISM Report On Business, which returned to expansion territory after 26 consecutive months of contraction.
    America is back under President Trump — and he’s just getting started.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Transforming Blenheim Estate’s low-grade farmland into woodlands for nature and communities

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Transforming Blenheim Estate’s low-grade farmland into woodlands for nature and communities

    Blenheim Estate planted 270,000 trees to improve biodiversity, water quality and public access, as well as generate income through timber production.

    Main facts

    • site: Blenheim Estate, Oxfordshire
    • size: 104 hectares with a further 47 hectares planned
    • type: multi-purpose lowland woodland with mixed broadleaf, some non-native species and conifer
    • species: 27 species including oak, hornbeam, lime, sycamore, wild cherry with a woody understorey. Experimental species are also included to assess climate change resilience. A small percentage of conifer will provide a productive timber crop and winter habitats for wildlife
    • grants: blended finance from Forestry Commission England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and private investment from Morgan Sindall
    • date: EWCO application approved in October 2021, planting began in November 2021

    Main objective

    Convert low-grade, unprofitable agricultural land into new woodlands to deliver multiple benefits including carbon sequestration, improved biodiversity, water quality and public amenity access, starting with a 30-year woodland management cycle.

    Roy Cox, Estate Director said:

    The health of the area around an estate directly affects the wellbeing of the estate itself. By investing in new woodlands, we are making Blenheim a better place for the community to thrive.

    Investing in trees for all to enjoy

    The Blenheim Estate is set in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, covering 12,000 acres. Home to Blenheim Palace, it is a world heritage site and features several Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Its farming heritage spans hundreds of years, but with the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme the owners began seeking new opportunities. Aware of the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, they seized the opportunity to invest in trees and woodlands and capitalise on the myriad of economic, social and environmental benefits trees offer.

    The Dorn and Glyme Valley Woodland Creation Scheme is creating 7 new woodlands. At the time of planting it was one of the largest woodland creation projects in the South East to date, transforming unproductive, low-grade agricultural land into a sustainable and commercially viable asset.

    The owners are planting over 270,000 new trees to sequester 20,000 tonnes of carbon over 25 years, which will boost biodiversity and generate wider community benefits – including a forest school and 15km of new woodland trails to enjoy and explore. The project will help the estate achieve their net zero aims and continue to prosper.

    Diversity and management delivering wider benefits

    Species diversity and active management help to secure the long-term health, resilience, and profitability of Blenheim’s new woodland. Planting has incorporated an innovative mix of 27 carefully selected species, from native broadleaves like hornbeam, lime, oak, sycamore, wild cherry, Norway maple, alder and beech, to experimental species such as paulownia, tulip tree and robinia. Several conifer blocks will deliver a productive timber crop and winter habitats for wildlife.

    This diverse mix will help reduce risk from pests and diseases and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. The controlled planting of novel species will provide valuable insight for studies on climate change resilience carried out by the University of Oxford.

    The design also includes an understorey of woody shrub species to create a diverse and self-sustaining ecosystem. Planting areas will be seeded with wild grass and a flower mix.

    The scheme incorporates long-term management plans, beginning with a 30-year management cycle with the Forest Canopy Foundation. Effective woodland management is vital for carbon sequestration, biodiversity gains and to achieve a profitable timber crop year-on-year. Well managed woodlands will not only ensure the estate can sequester carbon now, but far into the future through carbon being locked into timber products.

    The trees have been planted using biodegradable tree guards made of corn starch, supporting the estate’s aim to be plastic-free as far as possible. This approach provides valuable insight for ongoing research into plastic-free alternatives. In parallel, rabbit and deer fencing will protect young trees against browsing mammals.

    Great oaks from little acorns grow

    Many of the oak trees have been grown from acorns collected from Blenheim Park – providing a natural connection to the park and its heritage up and down the valley. A total of 11,402 acorns have been handpicked. Each one is labelled with the tree it came from. They will be planted along paths at entry points and key locations as special feature trees.

    Unlocking blended finance – through EWCO and private investment

    The Dorn and Glyme Valley scheme is multi-faceted and brings many natural capital benefits. It’s been made possible through a blended finance model – a combination of EWCO and private investment from Morgan Sindall, who are purchasing the carbon sequestered by the trees to help offset CO2 emissions.

    The scheme secured over £350,000 in additional contributions through EWCO for its benefits to:

    • nature recovery: by planting new native woodland in locations that will connect and expand existing woodland
    • water quality: by carefully positioning woodland to help filter soil particles
    • society: creating woodland close to people and granting permissive access via a 15km network of new paths

    It also trailblazes use of the Grown in Britain metric, based on the UK Forestry Standard, to quantify the provision of ecosystem services on each site. Using the metric helped to secure the private investment from Morgan Sindall.

    Liz Nicholson, Forestry Agent said:

    Courage, creative thinking and hard work are required to create a space and framework to realise the best markets which, in turn, will empower farming and forestry to develop into unsubsidised commercial sectors.

    Wildlife, water and wellbeing

    Woodlands provide huge benefits for people, nature, climate and the economy. The Dorn and Glyme Valley Woodland Creation Scheme at Blenheim is no exception:

    • the biodiversity of the area will improve significantly, most of the woodland blocks are close to, or adjoin existing native woodland and will help expand and connect natural habitats
    • an objective is to reduce siltation of Blenheim Lake, with the woodlands carefully positioned to improve water quality by helping to filter soil particles, reducing the frequency and costs of dredging the lake
    • the trees also provide natural flood management benefits, as well as further upstream in the Dorn valley – the Environment Agency are working with Blenheim Estate, Thames Water, and Evenlode Catchment Partnership to develop ‘Stage Zero’, a small slowing the flow project, which will recreate the impact of beavers on a catchment
    • the pandemic demonstrated the value that trees, woodlands and open spaces have on our physical and mental health, the scheme will improve access to nature for the community by creating a 15km circular trail with benches and glades, connecting communities across the estate, and will host a new forest school

    The scheme is designed as a 100-year project, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

    Top tips

    1. The Woodland Creation Planning Grant supports landowners in exploring the opportunities and constraints of a site. It helps facilitate a smooth transition of the final design to EWCO.
    2. Planting a diverse mix of species is important for overall woodland resilience and protection against pests and diseases.
    3. Active management, including ongoing deer and squirrel control, is vital to long-term success.
    4. Public access is not just a ‘nice thing to do’, there are sound economic and business models behind it.
    5. Trees and woodlands provide a profitable investment.

    Further information

    See the brochure version of this case study: Blenheim Estate brochure (PDF, 1.08 MB, 4 pages).

    For guidance on woodland creation and information on grants and available support, visit: Tree planting and woodland creation: overview.

    Find out how other farmers and landowners are benefitting from woodland creation, visit: Tree planting and woodland creation case studies.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How should Labour and the Tories respond to the populist right? Lessons from Europe

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David Jeffery, Senior Lecturer in British Politics, University of Liverpool

    In Germany’s snap parliamentary elections, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) doubled its vote share to 21%, leaping from the fifth-largest party in Germany’s lower house to the second. In the UK, Reform UK is rising in the polls.

    The populist radical right is on the rise across Europe, and mainstream parties are grappling with how to respond.

    The German “firewall” approach involves treating them as a pariah. This means refusing to enter coalition with them, as well as excluding them from parliamentary posts and refusing to debate or engage with their parliamentary motions. After Germany’s election, the first-place party, the Christian democrats (CDU/CSU), has no majority and will need at least one coalition partner to form a government. But it will not ask the AfD – and nor will any other party due to the firewall.

    There are clear threats to this approach. Often the appeal of the populist right is that they are plucky outsiders, challenging a self-interested political cartel that ignores the views of the people. What better way to prove this case than by ignoring the democratically elected populists too?

    Furthermore, the firewall has clearly not worked in dampening support for the populists in Germany, as well as in France. This is especially the case when the populists have allies in the media, have privileges given them by the constitution or parliamentary rules (for example, membership on committees), or strong regional bases.

    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

    Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.

    Mainstream parties must also decide whether to maintain their own policy positions or ape those of the populist radical right, especially on key topics like immigration and welfare.

    For social democratic centre-left parties, academic research is clear: do not move towards the populist radical right on policy.

    Typically, the voter base of social democratic parties is made up of two coalitions: the educated, urban and liberal middle classes, and the old core of industrial workers who tend to hold more authoritarian attitudes. In attempting to win over voters lost to the populist right by copying their policies, these parties tend to lose more voters on their liberal-left wing than they win on their populist-right wing.

    For the centre-right, the decision is harder. They face a similar challenge to the centre-left in that their support coalition is often made up of social authoritarians (who are more likely to be populist radical right-curious) and more centrist free-market liberals. Moving towards the populist right will alienate the latter camp, so it is not a silver bullet for bringing voters back into the fold.

    By not talking about policy areas which are clearly salient to the public, centre-right parties risk seeming out of touch. In contrast, talking about these issues increases their salience and highlights their rivals’ positions – but the centre-right may not be rewarded for this if they are seen to have been forced into changing policy by the populist radical right.

    Academics have explored this question in various ways. A 2021 study looked at voters’ ideological positions and subsequent propensity for voting for the centre-right or populist radical right. Another, published in 2022, examined changing party positions through manifestos and subsequent voter flows between the populist radical right and the centre-right across 13 western European countries. The evidence suggests that when parties adopt populist radical right positions, voters are more likely to defect to the radical right instead.

    The final strategy is the complete opposite to the German firewall: bring the populist radical right into government. The Austrian case is instructive here. In 1999, the centre-right Austrian People’s Party (OVP) entered a coalition with the populist radical right Freedom Party (FPO), which lasted until 2005. The pressures of government resulted in the FPO imploding and losing roughly two-thirds of its seat share in the next general election.

    But the FPO has increased its seat share in every subsequent election, reentering government in 2017 and emerging as the largest party in the 2024 general election. The centrist parties have now taken a firewall approach, forming a coalition without the FPO – and the FPO have soared in the polls. By bringing them into government in the first place, the OVP legitimised the FPO in the eyes of many voters.

    What should mainstream parties do?

    For the centre-left, the choice is obvious: resist the urge to ape the populist radical right and instead (following the lead of the Danish Social Democrats) adapt to a party system where the populist right cannot be gotten rid of, but is a problem to be managed.

    Centre-left parties need a robust message on immigration but they should not forget economics. They should primarily focus on traditional concerns around social protection and defending workers against the effects of globalisation.

    This has clear implications for the debate around Blue Labour ideology – that the Labour party should combine leftwing economics with more socially authoritarian stances on crime and immigration, plus a greater emphasis on community over the state and market – and how closely Keir Starmer should be paying attention to it.

    For centre-right parties like the UK’s Conservatives, there are no easy options.

    The UK does not have the historical baggage of Germany which sustains the firewall against the AfD. But Reform UK is also less extreme than its German counterparts, so its electoral ceiling is likely to be higher than the AfD’s. And the first-past-the-post system makes the consequences of a three-party system much harder to predict.

    Reform – like Ukip in the early 2010s – cannot be treated as a pariah, especially since it already has parliamentary representation which will probably be extended to Holyrood and the Senedd. The party also has a largely friendly rightwing media landscape. And perhaps most importantly, the Conservative party is split about whether to do a deal with Reform – if, of course, it actually wants said deal.

    Openly ignoring the issues Reform campaigns on will not work. Immigration is too much of a salient concern among voters (especially on the right) to ignore. While banging on about immigration will only add fuel to Reform’s fire, the Conservatives do need to say something – and that should start with “sorry for the last 14 years”.

    The Tories cannot openly move to the right without losing some of their centre flank. Of the seats won in 2024, Reform came second in nine, while Labour and the Liberal Democrats came second in 87 and 20 respectively. In 2024, for every vote the Conservatives lost to Reform, they also lost a vote to the Liberal Democrats or Labour.

    There is no “magic formula” for the centre-right to vanquish the populist radical right. Instead, they need to nail a tricky combination: a clear vision of what they believe, a consistent policy platform that flows from these beliefs, and a charismatic leader who can communicate this to the public.

    David Jeffery 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. How should Labour and the Tories respond to the populist right? Lessons from Europe – https://theconversation.com/how-should-labour-and-the-tories-respond-to-the-populist-right-lessons-from-europe-250182

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Men’s concerns are real but backlash is not inevitable – the new rules guiding feminism

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Heejung Chung, Director of the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, Professor of Work and Employment, King’s College London

    Shutterstock/Good Studios

    It’s a difficult period for the feminist movement. Space has opened up in public life for people who argue, very loudly, that efforts to level the playing field for women have come at the expense of men.

    Many political parties don’t merely neglect women’s interests – they put anti-feminism at the forefront of their agenda. There are strong powers at play, pitting women against men.

    The question, then, is what can be done? Here are three starting points.

    1. End the ‘backlash’ narrative

    Anyone interested in equality needs to fight back against those pushing a narrative that claims misogyny and backlash against feminism is inevitable or the norm. It is in fact only a small fraction of the population who feel this way. Most young men support women’s rights.

    For example, a survey my colleagues and I ran in 2024 found that 16% of young men in the UK aged 16-29 believe that feminism has done more harm than good, but more than double that number (36%) think it has done more good to the world. Similarly, 36% of young men say feminism has not gone far enough, while only 18% think it has gone too far.

    Humans are social animals. We are influenced by what we perceive as the accepted norm. This is why it is vital to challenge the idea that figures like the self-styled misogynist influencer Andrew Tate represent a majority viewpoint.

    This narrative is not only misleading but also politically motivated. Under the Donald Trump administration, there is political gain to be made when tech oligarchs such as Mark Zuckerberg call for more “masculine energy” in organisations or society.

    There are financial gains to be made for media outlets desperate for engagement in a clickbait economy. The prevalence of content that promotes anti-feminist worldviews risks shifting attitudes over time, as people often conform to what they believe is the dominant social norm.

    To counteract this, we must consistently highlight that the majority of people support social justice and gender equality. Most people believe in the goals of feminism, and want greater freedom for both men and women. The real norm is not regressive attitudes, but progress.

    2. Acknowledge men’s grievances

    Having said that, we must also acknowledge that a significant proportion of young men feel frustrated and disillusioned, and that this is a genuine issue. In a recent YouGov survey, a quarter of young men said they support Tate.

    However, they do so despite his misogynistic views, not because of them. They are drawn to his rhetoric about masculinity. This highlights a broader issue – the awkward positioning of young men in the evolving conversations around equality and diversity.

    For decades, campaigns have rightly encouraged girls to pursue their ambitions, break away from being squeezed into traditionally female roles, break into traditionally male-dominated spaces, and redefine gender norms. Just look at the number of girls taking STEM subjects in A-levels and how well they are doing, or how girl’s football has exploded.

    However, we have not done the same for boys. Boys are not doing traditional “girl” subjects, nor are they engaging in traditionally girl spheres like netball or ballet.

    In effect, society has embraced the “masculinisation” of women but has not equally shattered the barriers to enable the “feminisation” of men. Feminism was always intended to be about the liberation of all genders, yet we have neglected the other half of the equation – enabling boys to move beyond rigid masculinity.

    To truly advance gender equality, we must create space for compassionate masculinities to be valued. Boys need to be empowered to explore identities beyond the traditional mould of “being a man”.

    This includes embracing traits and roles historically coded as feminine – such as caregiving and emotional openness – without stigma. Only by expanding the possibilities for all genders can we achieve true equality.

    3. Counter populist exploitation

    Finally, the rise of populist movements across the world is partly attributable to economic inequality. Young people today are less likely to own their own house, many are also earning less than their parents.

    This may feel particularly pronounced for young men who once benefited from a system that privileged them – many of whom saw their fathers hold wealth and power. For them, equality can feel like a zero-sum game, where gains for others mean losses for them.

    Populist politicians and media exploit this frustration, directing young men’s grievances away from the real source of economic inequality – the extreme concentration of wealth among the richest, and exploitative labour market systems – and instead blaming women, migrants and other marginalised groups.

    Gender equality and economic social justice are deeply interconnected. We need to show that the challenges we face, and the causes of the problems we face are also shared. Likewise, the solutions to those problems benefit men and well as women.

    Male role models are everywhere: we can choose who to elevate.
    Shutterstock

    Many of the things feminist groups have been long arguing for, such as well-paid parental leave for both parents, directly benefit men. Better leave for fathers helps them and children as well as supporting mothers’ employment and the wellbeing of the entire family and community.

    In other words, what we want is not very dissimilar. We need to be able to share that our utopian vision of feminist futures is a place where both women and men would also want to live. The equal society we dream of is one in which men will thrive as well.

    Finally, we need better male role models. There are a wide range of masculinities that are compassionate, brave, support communities and protect the most vulnerable. We not only know they are possible but see them existing in the world in the men we know.

    We need to put greater efforts in to stop the problematic narrative of manhood that is being spread on social media algorithms and hack and flood these channels with more positive visions of the world.

    The next stage of feminist activism is going to be challenging. We therefore need all genders to come together to fight the good fight with us. Are you ready? Don’t be afraid. I guarantee, you will also love the future it will bring us.

    Heejung Chung receives funding from the Productivity Institute, Norwegian Research Council, the European Commission, Nuffield Foundation, and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF-2023S1A5A2A03083567). She is the Director of the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership which receives funding from a wide range of philantrophic foundations and individuals. She has previously received funding from the TUC, Government Equalities Office, NORFACE, ESRC, European Commission and others. She is currently an academic advisory board member of the NGO Working Families.

    – ref. Men’s concerns are real but backlash is not inevitable – the new rules guiding feminism – https://theconversation.com/mens-concerns-are-real-but-backlash-is-not-inevitable-the-new-rules-guiding-feminism-250518

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Welfare cuts won’t succeed without healthier jobs

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Alice Martin, Head of Research, Work Foundation, Lancaster University

    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    The UK could be poised to cut billions of pounds from its welfare spend as the Treasury takes the view that there is less room for manoeuvre in the finances than hoped. Only last October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves believed she had almost £10 billion of so-called “fiscal headroom”, essentially a buffer in her budget if the economy changed. But things have changed very quickly for Reeves.

    Welfare spending in the UK is around £50 billion a year – and predicted to rise to more than £75 billion by 2030. Regardless of other pressures, the government had already been expressing concern about the size of the bill, even attempting to make a “moral case” for ensuring people who can work are doing so.

    But none of this gets around the fact that the UK has been dubbed the “sick man of Europe”. The rise in health-related economic inactivity since COVID – people leaving the workforce because they’re too ill – has certainly attracted widespread political attention. Some commentators have recently challenged the narrative however, pointing to differences in how economic activity is measured in other countries.

    We have researched the reasons why British workers leave their jobs after their health declines. When deciding whether to make cuts, the government should try to understand what is really happening with the health of the UK workforce.

    The overall picture is stark. More working-age people have a diagnosed major health problem than ever before and numbers are due to rise by 500,000 by 2030. Improvements in life expectancy have stalled and regional differences in health are large and growing.

    Almost one in four working-age people are classed as disabled, a diverse and growing minority. Meanwhile mental ill health rates are rising, particularly among young people.

    Poor work quality is one of the things that is harming health in many ways. Long hours, shift work and work-related stress all take their toll.

    In 2023-24, half of all UK work-related ill health was due to stress, anxiety or depression. Ultimately a bad job can be worse for health than no job.

    These problems are not unique to the UK. Other countries are grappling with similar issues but have been quicker to respond, including with high-quality occupational health systems and specific legislation around work-related “psychosocial risks”.

    These are factors like workloads, long hours, a lack of autonomy and support at work and workplace harassment. The UK has been slower to grasp the nettle and act.

    Our recent study explored why British workers quit their jobs following a decline in their health. We surveyed 1,117 business leaders, reviewed occupational health approaches and studied the employment journeys of 9,169 workers aged 16-60 over a four-year period.

    We found that nearly one in ten employees (9%) who experienced a decline in their health left their job within four years. Critically, nearly half of these exits were in the first 12 months, suggesting that once sick pay entitlements run out, people who have not recovered may face little choice but to quit and enter the welfare system.

    Workers grappling with multiple health challenges face even greater risks. Those with three or more conditions are 5.6 times more likely to quit work than their healthier peers. And those with poor mental health are almost twice as likely to leave.

    The role of healthy ‘job design’

    Our study found that workers without flexibility were four times more likely to leave after their health declined. And for those with low levels of control in their job, the risk was 3.7 times higher.

    A previous study found that people in insecure work, for example through a temporary or zero-hours contract, become workless at higher rates when their health deteriorates.

    Despite the fact that job design can determine whether people stay in work, in the UK it has largely been left to employers to decide the types of jobs and protections they offer. This hands-off approach to workforce health is what sets the UK apart – and not in a good way.

    In the Netherlands, employers carry the financial burden for statutory sick pay for up to 104 weeks. This has motivated them to help people return to work by adapting their jobs. In Australia, employers have to implement return-to-work programmes, assisted by regional coordinators.

    Our survey of UK business leaders revealed that while 64% recognise the economic impact of poor employee health, only 48% offer flexible working arrangements. And just 37% provide occupational health services. They acknowledged several workplace factors that exacerbate problems, such as excessive workloads (75%), long working hours (73%) and a lack of breaks (74%).

    But implementation of preventive measures is low. Only 36% assess mental health risks and 37% adjust workloads to ensure they are manageable.

    The state pension age is set to rise to 67 by 2028 and potentially to 71 by 2050, meaning more people may have to work for longer. Yet, as people live and work longer they are also becoming sicker.

    In this context there is an urgent need to promote healthy, sustainable work. This means achieving living and working conditions that can be sustained across a lifetime. It requires a joined-up employment and welfare system that supports people to take breaks when they need to, such as for health-related and caregiving needs.

    Practical measures include raising statutory sick pay and ensuring working time protections and flexible work rights mean everyone has a healthy work-life balance.

    Government must also legislate to ensure that employers take steps to address known work-related causes of ill health.

    The UK government’s Get Britain Working agenda aims to support inactive people, including those with long-term illnesses, back into suitable work. And the employment rights bill should strengthen worker protections. But these changes will take time. Cutting welfare now will affect hundreds of thousands of people who are out of work on health grounds, and do not have a viable alternative.

    Britain’s welfare bill is not about sudden mass exits from the workforce but rather a steady drip of workers leaving, compounded by insufficient protections and workplace insecurity. With a growing population of older workers and rising health challenges, guaranteeing good-quality work is no longer optional for the UK — it is essential.

    Alice Martin works for the Work Foundation, an independent UK think tank focused on overcoming labour market inequalities and improving working lives.

    Stavroula Leka is Professor of Organisations, Work & Health and Director of the Centre for Organisational Health and Well-being at Lancaster University. She is also the President of the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology.

    Stavroula’s research is currently funded by the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health, ESRC, and the European Commission.

    – ref. Welfare cuts won’t succeed without healthier jobs – https://theconversation.com/welfare-cuts-wont-succeed-without-healthier-jobs-251556

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Seven ways feminism has improved the world for young women – compared to our mother’s generations

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Hind Elhinnawy, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University

    wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock

    International Women’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate how far we’ve come in transforming the lives of women and girls around the world.

    Historically, women have faced subjugation and limited freedom, with societal expectations confining us to marriage and child-rearing. In the UK, the suffragette movement in the early 20th century was a pivotal moment in the fight for women’s rights. The efforts of activists like Emmeline Pankhurst and the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), along with parallel movements worldwide, laid the ground for future advancements.

    Fast forward to the 21st century and increased access to education and healthcare has shattered the notion of women as passive, opening up a world of new opportunities. Here are eight examples of social changes that have made the world a more equitable place for women in their 20s and 30s than things were for our mothers.

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

    Read more from Quarter Life:

    1. We are crushing career barriers

    In the 1960s, career options for women were generally limited to roles like domestic servants, teachers, nurses or dressmakers.

    Thanks to decades of relentless advocacy and progress, today, women are breaking barriers across all industries. Although challenges still exist, we can now find roles in traditionally male-dominated fields such as technology, engineering and finance.

    Policies supporting work-life balance and combating discrimination are more prevalent. And the rise of remote work and flexible schedules allow many women to more effectively balance their careers with their personal lives.

    2. We are experiencing an education revolution

    Women’s education was limited in the 1960s by societal norms that prioritised marriage over academic achievement. Young women often left school early, and few could pursue higher education.

    Today, the education landscape has transformed dramatically, offering more opportunities for women to pursue higher education and specialised training. Scholarships and grants, as well as online education platforms have made education more accessible and affordable.

    Women are now earning degrees at higher rates than ever before. In the UK, 57% of graduates are women and in the US, that jumps to 58%.

    In many countries, women now outpace men when it comes to university enrolment.
    Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

    3. We are taking charge of our relationships

    For many women in our mothers’ and grandmothers’ generation, marriage was seen as the ultimate goal, with family life centred on traditional roles.

    Over the past six decades, divorce has lost much of its stigma, allowing women to make choices that better prioritise our wellbeing. In many countries now, forced marriage has been outlawed and crimes like domestic violence and stalking – overwhelmingly perpetrated against women – are finally being taken seriously by both the law and the media.

    In the UK, diverse family structures, including single parenthood, cohabitation and LGBTQ+ partnerships are now recognised by the law. This means we have the freedom to make choices in our relationships based on our own needs and desires.

    4. We have gained control over our reproductive choices

    Reproductive rights were severely limited in the 1960s. Most women had little access to birth control and limited knowledge about family planning.

    Today we have greater control over our reproductive choices, supported by legal rights and medical advances. Increased access to contraception and comprehensive reproductive health services are empowering us to make informed decisions.

    While challenges remain, particularly in the US, the strides made highlight the importance of continued advocacy for reproductive justice.



    Read more:
    Roe v Wade overturned: what abortion access and reproductive rights look like around the world

    5. We are socially and culturally more empowered

    The social and cultural landscape has undergone a seismic shift, empowering women like never before.

    Movements such as #MeToo (a social campaign against sexual abuse and harassment, empowering survivors to share their experiences), and Time’s Up (a movement founded in 2018 by celebrities that aimed to support victims of workplace sexual harassment and advocate for gender equality), have shattered the silence on gender inequality and harassment.

    Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globes speech marked an important moment in the Time’s Up movement.

    6. We have gained legal rights and political influence

    In the course of a generation, women have gained substantial legal rights, with laws supporting gender equality and protection against discrimination coming into force.

    More women are now lawyers, judges and lawmakers, leading to more equitable laws and policies addressing workplace discrimination, domestic violence and reproductive rights. As of 2024, women make up over 50% of law firm associates and more than 40% of the nation’s lawyers. In the 1980s women comprised only about 8% of the legal profession.

    Our political influence has also grown. Today, women occupy more significant positions in government globally than ever before , from local councils to prime ministers and presidents. Our voices are now crucial in shaping policies and representing diverse perspectives.

    7. We are making strides internationally

    Worldwide, between 2012 and 2020, the proportion of girls completing lower secondary school rose from 69% to 77%, while the proportion completing upper secondary school rose from 49% to 59%.

    The adolescent birth rate has fallen globally from 51 to 42 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 since 2012. Meanwhile, the proportion of young women married as children has declined globally from 23% to 19% over the past decade.

    And the proportion of girls aged 15-19 who have undergone female genital mutilation in countries where it is highly concentrated has decreased from 41% to 34% over the past decade.

    The fight continues

    Despite significant progress, many outdated and oppressive laws against women persist globally. In conflict zones, women often bear the brunt of brutality, and the continuing refugee crisis puts thousands of women and girls at risk of sex trafficking and exploitation.

    The recent overturning of Roe v Wade in the US has also set back reproductive rights, leading to increased restrictions on abortion access.

    Education also remains a critical issue. Nearly 30% of girls worldwide still do not complete lower secondary school, and around 48% do not complete upper secondary school. And in the least developed countries, adolescent birth rates remain alarmingly high at 94 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19. The barriers to accessing effective contraceptives include cost, stigma, lack of accurate information and limited decision-making autonomy.

    We’ve made incredible strides in advancing women’s rights, but these setbacks remind us that the fight isn’t over. We must continue to advocate and take action to ensure equality and protection for all women, not just on International Women’s Day, but all year round.

    Hind Elhinnawy 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. Seven ways feminism has improved the world for young women – compared to our mother’s generations – https://theconversation.com/seven-ways-feminism-has-improved-the-world-for-young-women-compared-to-our-mothers-generations-251532

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why a US minerals deal with Ukraine won’t deter Russian aggression

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Patrick E. Shea, Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Global Governance, University of Glasgow

    The US vice-president, J.D. Vance, recently told Fox News that “the very best security guarantee” to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine again was “to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine”.

    The implication is that the much-debated minerals deal, in which an investment fund managed by Kyiv and Washington would receive revenue from Ukraine’s natural resources, would create American economic interests in Ukraine. American security interests, it is suggested, could soon follow.

    Vance’s comments came with the deal hanging in the balance. A meeting at the White House on February 28, where the deal was expected to be signed, turned into a shouting match between Vance, the US president, Donald Trump, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.

    Zelensky has since attempted to patch up relations with the Trump administration, announcing that he is ready to sign the deal at “any time and in any convenient format”. And Vance, when asked whether an agreement was still on the table, said Trump “is still committed” to reaching a deal.

    Having access to Ukrainian minerals is an important opportunity for America’s missile system electronics and electric vehicle industries. Ukraine is, for example, home to around one-third of all European lithium deposits, the key component in batteries.

    This access is particularly important now that China, which currently accounts for a high proportion of certain US mineral imports, has imposed a ban on exporting rare minerals to the US in retaliation for Trump’s tariff policies.

    But, while Ukraine’s minerals are tempting to the US and other world powers, a deal with Trump won’t help Ukraine’s security situation.

    Trump’s approach has two main flaws. First, research shows that investment typically follows security commitments, not the other way around. Investors seek markets that are stable and protected, rather than hoping their investments create those conditions.

    Previous US presidents have touted similar strategies without success. President William Howard Taft (1857-1930) championed “dollar diplomacy” in the early 20th century, promising that American investments would create stability across Latin America by “substituting dollars for bullets”.

    The reality proved quite different. Throughout this period, the US frequently used military force to protect oil interests in Latin America. But, because these interventions focused on extraction sites rather than defending entire countries, instability continued elsewhere in the region.

    Trump’s “America first” mantra suggests a similar pattern of defending American assets, and not necessarily the countries in which the assets reside.

    Second, the overall US commitment to protect American assets abroad is uncertain. The US has, since the end of the cold war, been selective about when and how it uses military force to protect overseas assets.

    Since 1991, the US military has intervened to protect American property in only four documented instances: Haiti in 2004, Lebanon in 2006, Egypt in 2011 and Yemen in 2012. These cases involved embassies and other smaller properties during periods of civil unrest, rather than defending economic interests.

    Recent presidents, including Trump, have been reluctant to use force to protect threatened American investments. US agribusiness giant Cargill, for example, had to close its operations in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region following Russia’s invasion in 2014.

    Building state capacity

    That said, economic relations with America can indeed bolster a partner state’s security. But my own research shows that this is largely through indirect channels, rather than the threat of military intervention.

    For example, US government departments, such as the US patent and trademark office, provide comprehensive training to partner states. Programmes involve training judges, police officers, prosecutors and policymakers to enforce intellectual property protections, administer land registries, combat counterfeiting and develop legal frameworks that protect investments.

    This capacity building not only helps American investors in these countries, but also improves the partner state’s overall capacity. More effective and capable bureaucracies are better able to manage and finance their military capabilities.

    Following Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine, the US launched the agriculture and rural development support program. The initiative aimed to develop Ukraine’s institutional capacity for managing property rights and attracting diverse investments.

    The US Treasury brought in loan advisory firm First Financial Network to help Ukraine navigate its financial crisis after the invasion, while simultaneously building frameworks for foreign investment.

    By 2020, this partnership facilitated US investment firm Allrise Capital’s purchase of Odessa’s Chornomorets football stadium. This deal was described by John Morris, the president of First Financial Network, as demonstrating Ukraine’s ability “to sell assets to the international community”.

    These efforts did not deter Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. But they helped the Ukrainian government implement several administrative reforms in the years leading up to the invasion, including more efficient tax collection and professionalisation of civil servants. The government was better prepared for war than it would otherwise have been.

    The Ukrainian and Russian armies have been locked in battle for over three years.
    Kutsenko Volodymyr / Shutterstock

    If the US wants to enhance Ukraine’s security through economic means, the Trump administration would need to make two drastic changes.

    First, it would need to reinstate programmes that promote American investment abroad. After assuming office, Trump froze and began dismantling the United States Agency for International Development (USAid). The agency’s capacity-building efforts have security consequences.

    Second, for the US to have both an economic and security impact, Trump needs to reassure America’s allies. Assurances are not Trump’s speciality. On February 26, for example, Trump declined to say whether the US would defend Taiwan if it was attacked by China.

    Research suggests that investments follow alliances. But markets do not care about agreements alone. They respond to other signals too, like explicit statements of support. These statements of support also help to reassure allies and deter rivals.

    Unless Trump changes how he operates on the international stage, the economics of the mineral deal will not help Ukraine’s security situation.

    Patrick E. Shea 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. Why a US minerals deal with Ukraine won’t deter Russian aggression – https://theconversation.com/why-a-us-minerals-deal-with-ukraine-wont-deter-russian-aggression-251436

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Lawyer Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    The defendant stole more than $2 million of client funds.

    Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Lydia K. Griggsby sentenced Matthew C. Browndorf, 54, of Irvine, California, to more than five years in federal prison for money laundering and wire fraud.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Baltimore Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Edwin Bonano, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office Inspector General (FHFA-OIG). 

    According to the guilty plea, the defendant served as an attorney licensed to practice law in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and was a named partner at a law firm. Browndorf was also majority owner and CEO of Plutos Sama, LLC, which operated as a holding company for his various business endeavors. 

    Plutos Sama, with Browndorf signing the purchase agreement as a managing member, procured the Fisher Law Group.  After Plutos Sama acquired the Fisher Law Group, it changed the name to BP Fisher which served as an organization that represented lending and loan servicing clients in foreclosure proceedings.  The newly acquired company had agreements with its clients to facilitate the foreclosure of a property, take out its expenses, and then return the remaining money.

    BP Fisher also maintained an Interest on Lawyer’s Trust Account (IOLTA) and operating account, which the defendant oversaw. An IOLTA is maintained in a financial institution for the deposit of funds received or held by an attorney or law firm on behalf of a client or third person.  All funds received into an IOLTA account must be delivered in whole or in part to a client, unless received as payment for fees owed to the lawyer by the client or in reimbursement for expenses that the lawyer properly advanced on behalf of the client.

    Over several years, the defendant led clients to believe that they had immediate access to the money in the two BP Fisher IOLTA accounts. But Browndorf was directing employees to transfer the clients’ money into Plutos Sama accounts and other accounts that he controlled.  The scheme caused more than $2.4 million in losses to BP Fisher’s clients. Browndorf used the stolen funds to pay for expenses such as his American Express credit card bill, car-lease payment to Ferrari and Maserati of Newport Beach, and mortgage.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and FHFA-OIG for their work in this investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Sarma, Joshua Rosenthal, and Matthew Phelps, who prosecuted the federal case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Northfield Capital Champions Canadian Craftsmanship With Spirit of York Distillery Co., the Official Gin of Live Nation In Ontario

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northfield Capital Corporation (TSX-V: NFD.A) (“Northfield” or the “Corporation”), a proudly Canadian-owned investment company, is reaffirming its commitment to Canadian industry and craftsmanship through its strategic leadership and ownership of Spirit of York Distillery Co. (or “Spirit of York”). Rooted in national pride, Spirit of York is setting the benchmark for premium Canadian spirits, sourcing 100% of its ingredients – including heritage grains and pristine water – from within Canada.

    As the Official Gin of Live Nation Canada, Inc. in Ontario (or “Live Nation”), Spirit of York is taking center stage at some of the province’s most iconic music venues and festivals. This three-year partnership, launched in 2024, brings Spirit of York Premium Gin to concertgoers at four major music festivals and eight Live Nation venues across Ontario, including Toronto’s legendary Budweiser Stage. The partnership is highlighted by The Garden, an immersive, botanical-inspired lounge at the foot of the venue’s Lakehouse. Designed to embody the 15 botanicals infused in Spirit of York’s handcrafted gin, The Garden provides an elegant and inviting space where fans can enjoy Canada’s finest spirits in a setting that celebrates nature and music.

    “At a time when supporting Canadian businesses has never been more important, we take immense pride in producing a world-class gin that is not only made in Canada but made of Canada,” said Michael Leskovec, CEO of Spirit of York. “Our partnership with Live Nation is a powerful way to bring our brand to the forefront of cultural experiences while championing Canadian agriculture, craftsmanship, and industry.”

    A Spirit Born from the Heart of Canadian Agriculture

    Spirit of York’s commitment to quality starts with its ingredients, all of which are sourced exclusively from Canadian farmers. Every bottle begins with rye grown in the fertile fields of Ontario by multi-generational family farms that have helped shape Canada’s agricultural legacy. The grains are carefully selected to ensure the highest quality, maintaining the purity and richness of the land they come from. Combined with Canada’s famously pristine water sources, these raw materials form the foundation of Spirit of York’s handcrafted spirits, delivering an authentically Canadian taste experience.

    By sourcing directly from local farmers, Spirit of York not only guarantees premium quality but also strengthens Canada’s agricultural economy, supporting Canadian jobs and ensuring the sustainability of local grain production. This dedication to homegrown ingredients is a testament to the brand’s unwavering commitment to producing spirits that are truly, unmistakably Canadian.

    Northfield Capital remains committed to investing in and advancing Canadian enterprises that drive economic growth and preserve national craftsmanship. Spirit of York exemplifies this vision – an uncompromising dedication to quality, sustainability, and local sourcing that supports Canadian farmers, distillers, and workers.

    As the demand for premium, authentically Canadian products rises, Northfield Capital and Spirit of York are proud to lead the charge, ensuring that consumers have access to superior, locally made spirits that stand apart in a global market.

    For more information, please visit www.northfieldcapital.com and www.spiritofyork.com.

    About Northfield Capital Corporation

    Northfield Capital Corporation is a publicly traded, leading Canadian investment firm with deep roots in resources, mining, aviation, and premium alcoholic beverages. Founded in 1981 by Robert D. Cudney, Northfield combines decades of experience with forward-thinking strategies to unlock opportunities across its diverse portfolio. The company is dedicated to fostering growth and innovation in businesses that drive economic prosperity in Canada.

    About Spirit of York Distillery Co.

    Spirit of York Distillery Co. is a premium Canadian spirits producer based in Toronto’s historic Distillery District. Committed to excellence, the distillery sources 100% of its ingredients from Canadian farms and uses traditional distillation methods to craft its award-winning gin, vodka, and other spirits. Every bottle is a reflection of Canada’s rich agricultural heritage, proudly made in Canada, for Canada.

    For further information, please contact:

    Michael G. Leskovec, CPA, CA
    Chief Financial Officer
    Telephone: (416) 628-5940

    Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is identified by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions, including references to assumptions. Such information may relate to, but is not limited to, the expected impact of the partnership between Spirit of York Distillery Co. and Live Nation, anticipated market reception and brand growth, the Corporation’s ongoing commitment to Canadian agriculture and craftsmanship, and potential future economic conditions, including tariffs, affecting the Canadian spirits industry. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in consumer preferences, regulatory developments, economic conditions and penalties such as tariffs, supply chain disruptions, competitive dynamics in the spirits industry, and external market factors impacting Northfield’s and Spirit of York’s operations. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Northfield Capital Corporation and Spirit of York Distillery Co. disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gevo Provides Business Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) (“Gevo”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”), a leading developer of cost-effective, renewable hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, today reiterated the substantial potential Adjusted EBITDA1 growth we are targeting in 2025, and provided a business update. Gevo also announced that it ended the fourth quarter with cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $259.0 million2.

    Business Update – Path to Positive Run-Rate Adjusted EBITDA1

    • Gevo North Dakota: Carbon Capture and Sequestration (“CCS”) and Low-Carbon Ethanol Assets generated $150 million in revenue in its last fiscal year3and we expect it to immediately contribute $30 million to $60 million of Adjusted EBITDA1annually to Gevo’s carbon business. This facility in North Dakota, which was recently acquired from Red Trail Energy, LLC, is one of two low-carbon ethanol plants with operational CCS that exist today. The site has an operating, fully permitted Class VI CCS well, which captures over 160,000 tons of biogenic carbon dioxide annually; generates multiple times that amount in total carbon abatement; produces approximately 67 million gallons of low-carbon ethanol, including 2 million gallons of corn fiber ethanol with an ultra-low carbon intensity; and more than 230,000 tons of low-carbon animal feed and vegetable oil. As a result, this facility has one of the lowest carbon intensity scores in the industry, at 19 gCO2e/MJ (from British Columbia) or an estimated 21 gCO2e/MJ (under the Argonne-R&D-GREET model). We note that the ethanol 45Z tax credit, which takes effect in 2025 and expires in 2027 (unless renewed by legislation), provides a statutory $0.02 per gallon per carbon intensity point below approximately 50 gCO2e/MJ. In addition, we are developing an additional alcohol-to-jet (“ATJ”) project at this location for further future growth, leveraging our existing ATJ designs associated with the ATJ-60 project in South Dakota. The high quality carbon abatement credits generated at this plant are expected to further catalyze the development of the emerging market for carbon abatement products.
    • Renewable Natural Gas (“RNG”): We have achieved excellent operational results that are expected to improve further in 2025 and generate meaningful Adjusted EBITDA1. RNG produced in 2024 was 367,000 MMBtu, which was a 17% increase over the prior year, because of a successful gas upgrade capacity expansion. 2025 production is expected to further increase to over 400,000 MMBtu as a result of compressor and reliability upgrades. Our RNG facility has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to generate biogas 45Z tax credits. Based on the expected carbon intensity (“CI”) score for California LCFS of (339) gCO2e/MJ, a negative number, and depending on LCFS prices, monetization of the biogas 45Z tax credit, D3 RIN prices, and price of fossil based natural gas, we expect Adjusted EBITDA1 of $9 – 18 million in 2025.
    • Alcohol-to-Jet 603(“ATJ-60”) Project: The ATJ-60 project in Lake Preston, South Dakota continues to proceed towards financial close in 2025. In 2024, we received a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee with disbursements totaling $1.462 billion (excluding capitalized interest during construction) from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) Loan Programs Office (“LPO”) for our ATJ-60 project. With capitalized interest during construction, the DOE loan facility has a borrowing capacity of $1.63 billion. We are actively engaged with the DOE on the closing process for the conditional commitment. Our ATJ-60 project is expected to leverage American agriculture to produce both cost-effective fuels and food, which are integral for energy and food security of the United States. We believe our ATJ-60 project integrates seamlessly with existing energy infrastructure and catalyzes the development of the rural economy. The project is expected to generate 100 jobs at the facility, as well as 700 indirect positions in support, plus 1,000 high-paying trades jobs for the three years of construction5. This project is expected to have regional economic impact greater than $110 million per year. We are currently engaged with the DOE LPO on due diligence, definitive documentation, completing the environmental review process, and satisfaction of all conditions precedent that are required for financial close. We expect to incur $40 million of additional spend on ATJ-60 from January 1, 2025, until financial close. Our cumulative ATJ-60 development spending is expected to be partially reimbursed at project financial close. We may invest some or all of the reimbursed funds back into ATJ-60 as equity.
    • Verity: We are continuing to grow our Verity business, delivering our tracking and tracing solution to the market, expanding the customer base, and achieving revenue. Verity is a software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) business that achieved its goal of first customer revenue in 2024 and our grower program has grown to more than 200,000 acres, which is more than double the acreage in the program since the second quarter of 2024, with 100% farmer retention. Verity is a digital measure, report and verify (“MRV”) software platform for end-to-end traceability of the regenerative attributes of agricultural and low-carbon fuel products. This enables producers and customers to measure and track those attributes and create value in the marketplace, where demand for regenerative agriculture and fuels is increasing but visibility is lacking. Verity currently has agreements with seven agriculture processing plant customers, including five ethanol plants and two soybean processing facilities, to assist in tracking environmental attributes of corn, ethanol, animal feed, corn oil, soybean oil and renewable diesel. We believe Verity can provide substantial value to growers and processors of a wide variety of agricultural products globally, in markets valued at billions of dollars.
    • Ethanol to Olefins (“ETO”): We continue to advance our breakthrough, patented ETO technology. Our patented ETO process is designed to lower capital and operating costs of drop-in, bio-based hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals from ethanol, and adds to Gevo’s global portfolio of more than 300 patents, as well as proprietary processes and know-how concerning processes to convert carbohydrates to hydrocarbons. In October 2024, we signed a development agreement and licensed our ETO technology to Axens with the goal of accelerating the commercialization of our ETO technology for fuels. The alliance between Axens and Gevo was further broadened for ATJ commercialization in December 2024 under a new collaboration agreement. The goal of the alliance is to leverage the most advantaged technologies, which includes Axens Jetanol™ technology combined with Gevo’s plant designs, engineering, know-how, carbon tracking and complete business system. The alliance brings each partner’s complementary value propositions, real-world experience, substantially de-risked technologies, plant integrations, and pre-engineered systems to the ATJ space. We also extended a joint development agreement with LG Chem to accelerate the commercialization of bio-based chemicals using ETO. The global market for drop-in, low-carbon chemicals and materials is estimated to be $400 – 500 billion per year.

    Management Comment

    “Our strategic acquisition of Gevo North Dakota is transformative for our company,” commented Dr. Patrick Gruber, Gevo’s Chief Executive Officer. “The CCS and low-carbon ethanol provides us with an immediate pathway to monetize carbon abatement through the ethanol 45Z tax credit and by selling carbon abatement in the growing market and the available pore space provides additional opportunities for CCS expansion.”

    “In addition, our RNG business is poised for significant growth as we secure a permanent CARB LCFS carbon intensity score and monetize the biogas 45Z tax credit. Taken together, we see a path to achieving a potential run-rate positive Adjusted EBITDA in 2025, even before considering our ATJ-60 project. This is based on the hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon abatement per year that we are currently generating from this diversified, low-carbon asset base,” Dr. Gruber continued.

    Dr. Gruber added: “We are pleased that our DOE conditional commitment is progressing towards financial close. We are pleased to see that biofuels, ethanol, and aviation fuels are listed in President Trump’s Executive order “Declaring a National Energy Emergency”. Our ATJ-60 project, targeted for Lake Preston, South Dakota, is expected to create 100 direct jobs, and more than an estimated 700 indirect jobs. The project is expected to employ more than 1,000 construction workers for the three years needed to build the plant. It would draw corn from more than 230 farmers, and we would expect to pay farmers a premium for their regenerative agricultural practices.”

    “We never lose sight that we expect that Gevo’s proprietary, integrated ATJ process can deliver sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) with production cost similar to jet fuel made from crude oil,” Dr. Gruber said. “But our process can do this while also eliminating the carbon emission footprint across the whole life cycle of the fuel. It’s about addressing a growing market need, where customers will pay for carbon abatement, in addition to the jet fuel.”

    For more information on our business and plans, please refer to our updated corporate presentation, in the investor section of our website: www.gevo.com

    About Gevo

    Gevo is a next-generation diversified energy company committed to fueling America’s future with cost-effective, drop-in fuels that contribute to energy security, abate carbon, and strengthen rural communities to drive economic growth. Gevo’s innovative technology can be used to make a variety of renewable products, including synthetic aviation fuel (“SAF”), motor fuels, chemicals, and other materials that provide U.S.-made solutions. By investing in the backbone of rural America, Gevo’s business model includes developing, financing, and operating production facilities that create jobs and revitalize communities. Gevo owns and operates one of the largest dairy-based renewable natural gas (“RNG”) facilities in the United States, turning by-products into clean, reliable energy. We also operate an ethanol plant with an adjacent carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”) facility, further solidifying America’s leadership in energy innovation. Additionally, Gevo owns the world’s first production facility for specialty alcohol-to-jet (“ATJ”) fuels and chemicals. Gevo’s market-driven “pay for performance” approach regarding carbon and other sustainability attributes, helps ensure value is delivered to our local economy. Through its Verity subsidiary, Gevo provides transparency, accountability, and efficiency in tracking, measuring and verifying various attributes throughout the supply chain. By strengthening rural economies, Gevo is working to secure a self-sufficient future and to make sure value is brought to the market.

    For more information, see www.gevo.com.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements related to the expected operation of Gevo North Dakota, the expected effect of the acquisition on Adjusted EBITDA, the expected annual Adjusted EBITDA from Gevo North Dakota, and the future prospects as a combined company, the expected CI score for our RNG project, the expected annual Adjusted EBITDA from the RNG project, the financing of the ATJ-60 Project, including the DOE conditional commitment, the expected economic impact of the ATJ-60 Project, the expected further spend on ATJ-60, the expected growth and economics of Verity, the technical advances of the ETO technology, the capabilities of Axens technologies, and the market for ETO technologies. These statements relate to analyses and other information, which are based on forecasts of future results or events and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. We claim the protection of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for all forward-looking statements in this release.

    These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target” and similar terms and phrases or future or conditional verbs such as “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would.” However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and other expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve those plans, intentions or expectations. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that we expected.

    Important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from our expectations, or cautionary statements, include among others, the risk that anticipated benefits, including synergies, from the acquisition of Gevo North Dakota may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; changes in legislation or government regulations affecting the future operations of the acquired assets and Gevo’s other project; and other risk factors or uncertainties identified from time to time in Gevo’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements identified above and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 as well as other cautionary statements that are made from time to time in our other SEC filings and public communications. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this release in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

    We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not reflect all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ from our expectations. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

    Media Contact
    Heather Manuel
    VP of Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships
    PR@gevo.com

    Investor Contact
    Eric Frey, PhD
    Vice President of Corporate Development
    IR@Gevo.com

    1   Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure calculated by adding back depreciation and amortization, allocated intercompany expenses for shared service functions, and non-cash stock-based compensation to GAAP loss from operations, plus monetizable tax credits (if any) such as 45Q and 45Z.

    2   Includes $69.6 million of restricted cash.

    3   As reported in the SEC filings of the previous owner, Red Trail Energy, LLC, prior to Gevo’s acquisition of substantially all of its ethanol and CCS assets. Based on Fiscal Year ending September 30 under the previous owner.

    4   Formerly known as our NZ-1 Project.

    5   Based on a report by Charles River Associates, available on Gevo’s website.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LIS Technologies Inc. Joins the Nuclear Energy Institute to Promote the Growth of Nuclear Energy in the United States and Globally

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oak Ridge, Tennessee, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LIS Technologies Inc. (“LIST” or “the Company”), a proprietary developer of advanced laser technology and the only USA-origin and patented laser uranium enrichment company, today announced that it has joined the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), a leading policy organization in support of the nuclear energy industry in the United States and abroad.

    “We are pleased to join the Nuclear Energy Institute and to support its network of industry voices,” said Jay Yu, Executive Chairman and President of LIS Technologies Inc. “The network brings together some of the most essential industry members and regulators, helping to guide the nuclear energy industry in the United States and abroad. It is a great opportunity to share our knowledge with the organization in support of the development of a robust fuel supply chain that will be crucial to the sustainable development of an advanced nuclear energy industry in the U.S.”

    Figure 1 – LIS Technologies Inc. joins the Nuclear Energy Institute in support of its mission to promote the use and growth of nuclear energy.

    The Nuclear Energy Institute is the leading policy organization for the nuclear energy industry, representing hundreds of companies and organizations worldwide. NEI works with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public to advocate for the safe, reliable, and efficient use of nuclear technologies, supporting emissions-free electricity generation and driving innovation across the nuclear sector.

    “The Nuclear Energy Institute is one of the foremost professional networks for nuclear researchers, engineers and professionals,” said Christo Liebenberg, Chief Executive Officer of LIS Technologies Inc. “We are delighted to become a part of this extensive network and help supplement its expertise with our own experience in the nuclear fuel supply chain, and specifically in regards to uranium enrichment.”

    About the Nuclear Energy Institute.

    The Nuclear Energy Institute is the policy organization of the nuclear technologies industry, based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1994, it features hundreds of members and, with their involvement, develops policy on key legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry. With a mission to promote the use and growth of nuclear energy through efficient operations and effective policy, NEI is the unified voice of the nuclear energy industry on various policy and technical issues.

    About LIS Technologies Inc.

    LIS Technologies Inc. (LIST) is a USA based, proprietary developer of a patented advanced laser technology, making use of infrared lasers to selectively excite the molecules of desired isotopes to separate them from other isotopes. The Laser Isotope Separation Technology (L.I.S.T) has a huge range of applications, including being the only USA-origin (and patented) laser uranium enrichment company, and several major advantages over traditional methods such as gas diffusion, centrifuges, and prior art laser enrichment. The LIST proprietary laser-based process is more energy-efficient and has the potential to be deployed with highly competitive capital and operational costs. L.I.S.T is optimized for LEU (Low Enriched Uranium) for existing civilian nuclear power plants, High-Assay LEU (HALEU) for the next generation of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Microreactors, the production of stable isotopes for medical and scientific research, and applications in quantum computing manufacturing for semiconductor technologies. The Company employs a world class nuclear technical team working alongside leading nuclear entrepreneurs and industry professionals, possessing strong relationships with government and private nuclear industries.

    In 2024, LIS Technologies Inc. (Laser Isotope Separation Technologies) was selected as one of six domestic companies by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to participate in the Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) Enrichment Acquisition Program. This initiative allocates up to $3.4 billion overall, with contracts lasting for up to 10 years. Each awardee is slated to receive a minimum contract of $2 million.

    For more information please visit: LaserIsTech.com

    For further information, please contact:

    Email: info@laseristech.com
    Telephone: 800-388-5492
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    Forward Looking Statements

    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For LIS Technologies Inc., particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following which are, and will be, exacerbated by any worsening of global business and economic environment: (i) risks related to the development of new or advanced technology, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, development of competitive technology, loss of key individuals and uncertainty of success of patent filing, (ii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations and (iii) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to commercially deploy a competitive laser enrichment technology, (iv) risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in this and our other filings with the SEC. Only after successful completion of our Phase 2 Pilot Plant demonstration will LIS Technologies be able to make realistic economic predictions for a Commercial Facility. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

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