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Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Oceans of opportunity squeezed dry by unsustainable use

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Climate and Environment

    The booming ocean economy sustains hundreds of millions of people, but it is being squeezed dry by overfishing, pollution, climate change and waste, UN economists warned on Monday, in a call for smarter, more concerted action to protect the world’s vast marine spaces for future generations.

    In the run-up to the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in June, the UN trade and development agency, UNCTAD, emphasised that oceans are essential to all life, by sustaining biodiversity, regulating the climate and generating oxygen.

    Oceans also have massive untapped economic potential that is capable of delivering food security, creating jobs and driving global trade.

    “The amount of exports of ocean goods and services reached $2.2 trillion in 2023, so it’s growing very fast,” said David Vivas, UNCTAD Chief for Trade, Environment and the Sustainable Development Branch, on the sidelines of the 5th UN Ocean Forum in Geneva.

    According to the UN agency, the world’s ocean economies have grown 250 per cent since 1995, far outpacing the global economy, which grew by 190 per cent over the same period.

    Soundcloud

    Rising tide of potential

    Behind this growth is growing South-South trade, where fresh fish exports have increased by 43 per cent; processed fish exports have risen by a staggering 89 per cent from 2021 to 2023.

    Today, 600 million people are sustained by and therefore dependent on the fishing industry alone, most of them in developing countries.

    According to UNCTAD, two thirds of species living in the ocean have yet to be identified, offering the potential for the discovery of new antibiotics, low-carbon foods and other bio-based materials such as plastic substitutes, which provide a $10.8 billion market opportunity alone.

    In 2025, the marine biotechnology market is set to grow by more than 50 per cent this year, compared to 2023.

    © Unsplash/Benjamin L. Jones

    Seagrass, which evolved over 70 million years ago from terrestrial grass, is one of the most diverse and valuable marine ecosystems on the planet.

    Looming dangers

    However, despite this potential, the ocean economy faces imminent threats from poor governance, underinvestment and climate shocks.

    These include our already warming oceans, rising sea levels and extreme weather hazards which endanger marine ecosystems, fish populations, coastal infrastructure and shipping routes, particularly for coastal communities.

    And while most national climate plans do not take into account the ocean economy, UNCTAD’s Mr. Vivas underscored its importance in achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement as an estimated 11 per cent of all emissions worldwide are caused by ocean-based activities.

    Drop in the ocean

    Beyond climate-related impacts, woeful underfunding for ocean preservation and harmful practices further threaten the industry.

    “While oceans represent 70 per cent of the biosphere, less than one per cent of the global development assistance is invested into its conservation and sustainable use,” Mr. Vivas told journalists in Geneva.

    Achieving the universally agreed Sustainable Development Goal 14 of protecting life below water requires $175 billion annually, yet only $4 billion has been contributed from national funds, philanthropists and private investment, making it the most underfunded sustainability goal (SDG).

    The sum “is nothing less than peanuts; basically, politicians are not putting their money where their mouth is,” Mr. Vivas said. “This huge part of the planet is totally invisible in terms of sustainable-use conservation for future generations.”

    This stands in stark contrast to $22 billion invested in harmful subsidies in the global fishing industry, which contributes to overfishing.

    Further obstacles limiting the potential of the marine economy involve extraordinarily high tariffs among developing countries. While high-income countries apply 3.2 per cent tariffs on fish products, developing countries on average apply 14 per cent tariffs among themselves, curbing trade heavily.

    © FAO/Evandro Semedo

    The Fazenda de Camarão shrimp farm in Calhau, Cabo Verde, aligns with goals of promoting sustainable agriculture and fisheries.

    Buoyed by innovation

    Among the UN agencies calling for action, UNCTAD recommends:

    • integrating ocean-based sectors into national climate and biodiversity plans
    • reducing trade barriers
    • expanding data collection on ocean-related emissions, trade and investment
    • ending harmful subsidies
    • finalising legally binding treaties on plastic pollution

    To drive urgently needed progress, the UN agency’s Ocean Forum will launch initiatives that include a renewed Ocean Trade Database to help analyse the fast-evolving sector, a proposal for a UN task force on seaweed development and a project on evidence-based ocean climate action.

    The latter, involving UNCTAD and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), uses artificial intelligence (AI) and data innovations to support Caribbean small island developing States in particular.

    The UN Ocean Conference 2025 takes place in the French Riviera city of Nice from 9 to 13 June.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How businesses and consumers can protect themselves against digital supply chain disruptions

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Raymond A. Patterson, Professor, Area Chair, Business Technology Management, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

    Digital supply chain disruptions are particularly problematic because they can have immediate global effects and can’t rely on inventory as a buffer. (Shutterstock)

    Digital supply chain disruptions are becoming increasingly common, with a recent notable increase in cyberattacks and supplier errors.

    A significant incident in July 2024 saw a flawed security upgrade by CrowdStrike impact 8.5 million Windows computers. The fallout impacted various industries, including airlines, hospitals and 911 services. This led to the cancellation of 2,800 flights and delays for 11,000 more.

    Threats surrounding the looming trade war between Canada and the United States are also threatening the digital supply chain. The digital supply chain encompasses many goods and services, including video streaming platforms, software, digital content, video games, e-books, online storage, education and training content, and food delivery services.

    According to a McKinsey report from October 2024, companies seem to be easing up on efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience, even as disruptions continue to occur. The survey found “considerable gaps in the ability of organizations to identify and mitigate supply chain risks, with few new initiatives aimed at addressing those weaknesses.”

    Digital supply chain disruptions are particularly problematic because they can have immediate global effects. Unlike physical supply chains, digital suppliers can’t rely on inventory as a buffer. As is clear from major industry disruptions to the digital supply chain, organizations often lack feasible alternatives for their digital suppliers — there is no plan B.

    However, the resilience of digital supply chains is given little attention, despite its critical role in the global economy.

    Risks of sharing digital suppliers

    Our recent research explored how businesses’ choice of digital supplier — either the same as their competitors or different ones — impacts competition and vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.

    Using an economic model, we analyzed how disruptions at a service provider impacted a firm’s customer demand and, in turn, how the firm managed service provider risks.

    We found that when companies rely on the same digital suppliers, they also share risks. In contrast, choosing alternative suppliers can help mitigate those risks. However, businesses often mimic their competitors and share suppliers — a strategy that is not always wise.

    Disruptions to digital supply chains are inevitable, and the effects of these disruptions, particularly on consumer demand, are often underestimated. These disruptions can spread rapidly, without giving companies enough time to react. Cyberattacks or service losses at a single supplier can take multiple businesses offline at once.

    Issues like privacy breaches and service disruptions can even cause customers to change their buying habits. While a disruption at one firm may lead consumers to switch to competitors, broader industry disruptions can diminish overall trust and demand.

    Companies with complementary products should consider using different digital suppliers to mitigate the compounded negative effects of any disruption.

    Additionally, advanced technologies like AI are transforming industries such as customer support and health care, meaning digital supply chain disruptions are also more likely. Automation can also exacerbate this risk.

    Addressing supply chain risks

    Canadians have many concerns about online privacy and security, and business leaders face challenges addressing these concerns moving forward.

    Addressing these concerns is difficult due to several factors, including rapidly changing technology, expanding opportunities for attacks, high costs to address privacy and security, and lack of employee awareness, among others.

    Our research leads to a number of suggestions for companies, industry coalitions, governmental regulators and consumers. For businesses, building resilience against digital supply chain disruptions and supplier outages requires strategic partnerships. Companies must consider how inevitable disruptions will affect not only their customer demand, but also how competitors’ disruptions could affect them, and vice versa.

    For industry coalitions and governmental regulators, understanding the ripple effects of shared digital supply chain risks can help determine whether supply chains should be shared or separated. Industry-specific needs may differ and change over time, which could justify breaking up digital service monopolies to increase supplier diversity or, in some cases, maintaining them.

    Consumers should also be aware of the potential for a digital supply chain disruptions. If an industry-wide outage occurs, having a workaround plan can be essential. For example, when purchasing services that can’t be physically stored, like airline tickets, it’s wise to plan for unexpected disruptions. Booking a flight a day earlier than necessary or allowing extra time to return home can provide a buffer against system-wide failures.

    Breaches of online privacy and service disruptions caused by unforeseen events, bad actors and foreign governments can cause customers to alter their buying habits and negatively impact Canadian competitiveness.

    With Canadians expressing grave concerns over online privacy and security, everyone must recognize the importance of preparing for and mitigating these risks.

    Raymond A. Patterson currently receives funding from the Haskayne School of Business and the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC). Previous funding has been obtained from a variety of private and public sources.

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

    – ref. How businesses and consumers can protect themselves against digital supply chain disruptions – https://theconversation.com/how-businesses-and-consumers-can-protect-themselves-against-digital-supply-chain-disruptions-250009

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hit By Trump’s Tariffs, Welch’s Guest to President’s Joint Address to Congress Will Be Head of Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Allison Hope During Welch’s Tariff Town Hall: “Our industry has grown in production almost 500% over the last 20 years, and these tariffs would go a long way towards potentially slowing that production.”
    Vermont sugar makers produce the most maple syrup in the nation.
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced Allison Hope, Executive Director of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, will join Senator Welch for President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress on Tuesday evening.  
    Vermont’s maple industry—as well as farms and businesses across Vermont—are bracing for the economic fallout of the Trump’s 25% tariff on Canada, which will go into effect tomorrow. Sugar makers expect the cost of Canadian-made sugaring equipment to dramatically increase. Bulk maple sales to major retailers like Costco, Target, and Whole Foods rely on both U.S. and Canadian producers and most of the equipment needed to produce syrup is manufactured in Canada. 
    “These tariffs are really going to hurt our economy in Vermont, and the impacts will be far-reaching. President Trump is singlehandedly raising costs for Vermonters—from the food on our table, to our energy bills, to the materials and equipment our home construction companies and manufacturers need. It’s important that the Trump Administration and my colleagues across the aisle hear directly from those who are impacted and that they drop this misguided plan,” said Senator Welch. 
    During Senator Welch’s virtual town hall on tariffs in February, Allison Hope of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association shared: “Our industry has grown in production almost 500% over the last 20 years, and these tariffs would go a long way towards potentially slowing that production.” 
    Today, Senator Welch will join Governor Phil Scott, the Solinsky Family, who are fourth-generation sugar makers from the northeast kingdom, Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, and community members at the Governor’s annual ‘First Tapping’ event, which celebrates Vermont’s maple industry and the Green Mountain State’s sugar makers. Vermont sugar makers produce the most maple syrup in the nation, with 3.1 million gallons produced in 2024, an increase of nearly 20% from 2023. 
    Last week, Senator Welch expressed opposition to the Trump Tariffs in voting against the nomination of Jamieson Greer for United States Trade Representative. He also joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-N.H.) Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes on Imported Goods Act, which would shield American businesses and consumers from rising prices imposed by tariffs on imported goods into the United States. The bill would keep costs down for imported goods by limiting the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—which allows a President to immediately place unlimited tariffs after declaring a national emergency—while preserving IEEPA’s use for sanctions and other tools.   
    In January, Welch introduced the Making Agricultural Products Locally Essential (MAPLE) Act and the Supporting All Producers (SAP) Act, two bipartisan, bicameral bills to support Vermont’s maple industry.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei Launches AI-Ready Data Storage for Carriers to Embrace AI Mar 04, 2025

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei Launches AI-Ready Data Storage for Carriers to Embrace AI
    Mar 04, 2025

    [Barcelona, Spain, March 3, 2025] At MWC 2025 Barcelona, Dr. Peter Zhou, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line, delivered a keynote speech on AI-Ready Data Storage Accelerates Telco-to-Techco Transformation. The speech, delivered at the product and solution launch event.
    Dr. Peter Zhou, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line, delivered a keynote speech

    Dr. Peter Zhou believes the AI-powered transformation of various industries is creating a golden era for data. Global carriers are continuously exploring business value by capitalizing on and monetizing application scenarios, such as smart home and digital factories. And that means higher demands on data storage, service capabilities, and business models.
    To address these challenges, “Huawei Data Storage provides the AI-Ready data lake solution, diverse data storage services, and the FlashEver business model, empowering carriers to turn their disordered data into high-quality assets to unlock the value of data,” as Dr. Peter Zhou said.
    The AI-Ready data lake breaks data silos, making data visible, manageable, and available
    For mission-critical production workloads, Huawei launches the New-Gen OceanStor Dorado Converged All-Flash Storage and OceanStor A Series High-Performance AI Storage. These solutions boast 100 million–level IOPS, financial-grade reliability, and efficient AI training and inference, supporting tens of billions of daily charging services and robust mobile financial services. Further, the enhanced object storage enables seamless integration of carrier services with cloud-native and AI applications.
    For mass data, the Huawei New-Gen OceanStor Pacific All-Flash Scale-Out Storage provides industry-high density and low power consumption. The storage provides exabyte-level scalability to handle cost pressure from emerging services like live streams and XR games.
    Another new offering is the New-Gen OceanProtect All-Flash Backup Storage for data protection. The storage offers five times faster data recovery than industry alternatives, accommodating service needs such as emergency drills and AI application development to protect the value of every bit.
    Diverse data storage services are fueling carrier AI evolution
    Carriers face several challenges in adopting AI, including weak data engineering, inadequate efficient AI model development platforms, long data preparation times, slow model training, and complex AI application development. The Huawei DCS AI Solution provides a one-stop AI full-process toolchain and containerized environment, accelerating fine-tuning and large-scale deployment of AI models.
    FlashEver business model maximizes carrier investment
    Changes in services and technologies are placing greater investment demands on carriers. Dr. Peter Zhou shared FlashEver, the business model that protects investments, providing an evolutionary, flexible architecture to enable seamless upgrades for live-network equipment. Also, Huawei storage platform services offer flexible purchase options, SLA assurance, and diverse storage and data services, ensuring high-quality customer experiences.
    Dr. Peter Zhou reaffirmed Huawei’s commitment to continuous innovation, specifically building the AI-ready data storage foundation and future-proof storage power to fuel the AI adoption across the carrier industry.
    MWC Barcelona 2025 is held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.
    In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world.
    For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Huawei Launches AI-Ready Data Storage for Carriers to Embrace AI

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: Huawei Launches AI-Ready Data Storage for Carriers to Embrace AI

    [Barcelona, Spain, March 3, 2025] At MWC 2025 Barcelona, Dr. Peter Zhou, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line, delivered a keynote speech on AI-Ready Data Storage Accelerates Telco-to-Techco Transformation. The speech, delivered at the product and solution launch event.
    Dr. Peter Zhou, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line, delivered a keynote speech

    Dr. Peter Zhou believes the AI-powered transformation of various industries is creating a golden era for data. Global carriers are continuously exploring business value by capitalizing on and monetizing application scenarios, such as smart home and digital factories. And that means higher demands on data storage, service capabilities, and business models.
    To address these challenges, “Huawei Data Storage provides the AI-Ready data lake solution, diverse data storage services, and the FlashEver business model, empowering carriers to turn their disordered data into high-quality assets to unlock the value of data,” as Dr. Peter Zhou said.
    The AI-Ready data lake breaks data silos, making data visible, manageable, and available
    For mission-critical production workloads, Huawei launches the New-Gen OceanStor Dorado Converged All-Flash Storage and OceanStor A Series High-Performance AI Storage. These solutions boast 100 million–level IOPS, financial-grade reliability, and efficient AI training and inference, supporting tens of billions of daily charging services and robust mobile financial services. Further, the enhanced object storage enables seamless integration of carrier services with cloud-native and AI applications.
    For mass data, the Huawei New-Gen OceanStor Pacific All-Flash Scale-Out Storage provides industry-high density and low power consumption. The storage provides exabyte-level scalability to handle cost pressure from emerging services like live streams and XR games.
    Another new offering is the New-Gen OceanProtect All-Flash Backup Storage for data protection. The storage offers five times faster data recovery than industry alternatives, accommodating service needs such as emergency drills and AI application development to protect the value of every bit.
    Diverse data storage services are fueling carrier AI evolution
    Carriers face several challenges in adopting AI, including weak data engineering, inadequate efficient AI model development platforms, long data preparation times, slow model training, and complex AI application development. The Huawei DCS AI Solution provides a one-stop AI full-process toolchain and containerized environment, accelerating fine-tuning and large-scale deployment of AI models.
    FlashEver business model maximizes carrier investment
    Changes in services and technologies are placing greater investment demands on carriers. Dr. Peter Zhou shared FlashEver, the business model that protects investments, providing an evolutionary, flexible architecture to enable seamless upgrades for live-network equipment. Also, Huawei storage platform services offer flexible purchase options, SLA assurance, and diverse storage and data services, ensuring high-quality customer experiences.
    Dr. Peter Zhou reaffirmed Huawei’s commitment to continuous innovation, specifically building the AI-ready data storage foundation and future-proof storage power to fuel the AI adoption across the carrier industry.
    MWC Barcelona 2025 is held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.
    In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world.
    For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Rekubit: Advanced Data Encryption Reinventing Security on Rekubit Exchange

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Kansas City, MO, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rekubit has unveiled its latest breakthrough in digital security—an advanced data encryption system designed to protect sensitive information and optimize digital communications. This new encryption technology enhances data protection across multiple sectors, ensuring that businesses and individuals can securely transmit and store information without the risk of unauthorized access.

    Strengthening Digital Protection with Cutting-Edge Encryption

    With the growing volume of digital transactions and online communications, security concerns have become more pressing than ever. Rekubit’s newly developed encryption technology provides a sophisticated layer of protection that safeguards sensitive information from cyber threats. The system is designed to withstand potential security breaches while maintaining fast and efficient data transmission. Unlike traditional encryption methods, Rekubit’s technology integrates adaptive security protocols that continuously evolve to counter new and emerging threats. By using dynamic key management and advanced cryptographic algorithms, this system significantly reduces the risk of data interception or manipulation. Businesses and individuals can now operate with greater confidence, knowing that their information is protected by state-of-the-art encryption.

    Optimized Performance Without Compromising Security

    One of the key challenges of advanced encryption systems is balancing security with speed and efficiency. Rekubit has addressed this issue by developing a system that ensures high-speed data processing without compromising security standards. This innovation is particularly beneficial for industries requiring real-time data protection, such as healthcare, finance, and telecommunications.Additionally, the encryption system is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing digital platforms, making implementation simple and cost-effective. Users can enhance their security infrastructure without the need for extensive modifications to their current operations.

    Expanding Security Solutions for Businesses and Individuals

    Rekubit’s encryption technology is not limited to large enterprises—it is also designed to support individual users who require enhanced security for personal communications and transactions. Whether securing confidential business data or protecting personal messages, the system offers a comprehensive solution for users at all levels. Beyond data transmission, Rekubit’s technology also enhances storage security. The encryption system ensures that stored information remains protected, reducing the risk of data leaks or unauthorized access. With data breaches becoming increasingly common, this innovation provides an essential tool for organizations and individuals looking to safeguard their digital assets.

    Looking Ahead: Rekubit’s Commitment to Digital Security

    As technology continues to evolve, Rekubit remains committed to advancing digital security solutions that address modern challenges. This latest encryption innovation is part of a broader initiative to enhance cybersecurity standards and provide users with the most effective protection available.

    Moving forward, Rekubit plans to expand its security offerings with additional features, including AI-driven threat detection and advanced access control systems. By continuously improving its security infrastructure, Rekubit is setting a new benchmark for digital safety and resilience in an increasingly connected world.

    For more information about Rekubit’s latest advancements in encryption technology, visit Rekubit

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Next phase of sanctions thematic project to start

    Source: Isle of Man

    The Isle of Man Financial Services Authority (“the Authority”) is launching the next stage of its thematic review to assess AML/CFT compliance in relation to sanctions.

    Following the successful completion of Phase 2 of the project, which started in January 2024 with a focus on banks and money transmission service licence holders, Phase 3 will be risk-driven and cover firms in other sectors.

    The work forms part of the Authority’s supervisory engagement plan for 2025/26 and will be led by the AML/CFT Supervision Division in conjunction with other supervisory divisions where appropriate. 

    In Phase 3, requests for relevant documentation to be provided to the Authority will be sent to Island firms at the same time as they are notified of their inclusion of the project. The nature and scale of the project means that notifications, and the involvement of individual licence holders and designated businesses, will be staged over a period of time.

    Further assistance and guidance in relation to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Code 2019 (“the Code”) is available on the Authority’s AML/CFT webpage.

    Useful documents include, but are not limited to – the Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism Handbook, the Customs & Excise Sanctions Guidance, and the latest Isle of Man Financial Crime Strategy 2024 -2026.

    Ashley Whyte, Head of AML/CFT Supervision, said: ‘The Island is committed to fulfilling its international obligations with regard to:

    • sanctions regimes, and denying terrorist groups access to the financial system;
    • countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and
    • effective controls on the export and trade in military equipment, dual-use items, and other goods of concern.

    ‘The Authority is progressing the thematic project to assess the AML/CFT frameworks established by Island firms to consider sanctions risks and vulnerabilities. A Phase 2 report will be published in due course presenting learnings, best practice and key observations. The importance of awareness relating to both financial and non-financial sanctions is long established in AML/CFT legislation, albeit additional focus has arisen in recent years as a result of global conflict, including the invasion of Ukraine and elsewhere.’

    She added: ‘Phase 3 of this project presents the opportunity to further test and evidence how relevant persons are meeting their AML/CFT responsibilities in this area utilising the data provided by firms via STRIX as part of the annual return. It is the Authority’s intention to publish further reports following the completion of Phase 3. These projects are an important part of the Authority’s toolkit to build a picture of the Isle of Man risk environment in combination with our other engagement with the financial services sector. Continued collaboration will ensure we are able to evidence, as an international financial centre, that the Isle of Man maintains strong frameworks to limit and disrupt financial crime.’

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Update on proposed changes to crown green bowling provision in Leeds

    Source: City of Leeds

    New proposals have been announced that aim to put crown green bowling provision in Leeds on a more secure financial footing and safeguard the long-term local future of the sport.

    Leeds City Council confirmed at the start of the year that it was considering a range of money-saving options for municipal greens as part of its efforts to tackle the severe budget pressures being faced by all its services.

    One of those options would have seen the number of greens reduced from 61 to 31, delivering a net annual saving of £140,000 on the council’s £360,000-per-year maintenance costs.

    Now, following a public consultation process and productive dialogue with the local bowling community, the council has drawn up revised proposals that it hopes will allow many more of the city’s greens to stay open.

    These proposals will generate savings and additional revenue for the council – and, crucially, are designed to increase participation in the sport by placing an onus on bowling clubs to recruit new players.

    Figures for 2024/25 show that – across the city’s 47 clubs – there are a total of 1,184 adult full-year season ticket holders.

    The council has already committed itself to the continued maintenance of all existing municipal greens until the end of the 2025 summer season.

    Key elements of the new plan, published today on the council’s website, include:

    • Raising the cost of an adult full-year season ticket from £45 to £90 from the start of April 2025;
    • Setting clubs a target of having at least 20 adult full-year season ticket holders per summer green by the end of September this year;
    • Requiring any clubs that are unable to meet that target to make up the resulting shortfall in season ticket revenue themselves;
    • Setting clubs a target of having at least 26 adult full-year season ticket holders per summer green by the end of September 2028;
    • Requiring clubs to cover their own electricity and water costs, the vast majority of which are currently paid by the council;
    • Exploring ways – such as a community asset transfer – in which some clubs could, if they wish to do so, operate independently of the council on a self-sustaining basis.

    Clubs will be offered the opportunity for individual meetings with the council this month to discuss how they will be affected by the new arrangements.

    A decision on whether to press ahead with the plan is due to be taken on or after March 20.

    The proposed £90 season ticket cost is equivalent to £1.73 per week for people who bowl all year round or £3.46 for each week of the sport’s summer season. Clubs would also be able to give players the option of staggering their payments.

    Asked for their views on possible price rises during January’s consultation process, 48 per cent of respondents said they would be prepared to pay between £50 and £99. Thirty-five per cent, meanwhile, said they would be prepared to pay more than £100 and 15 per cent were prepared to pay more than £150.

    The consultation also showed that, if usage figures for 2024 were replicated, 14 of the city’s 47 clubs would not meet the new ’20 per green’ target for season tickets.

    There is scope, however, for clubs to boost their numbers by encouraging players who currently pay on a per-session basis to make season ticket purchases instead.

    During the consultation, clubs also suggested sponsorship or the securing of grants as possible ways they could make up any shortfall in season ticket revenue or fund their electricity and water costs.

    Most clubs currently contribute a token annual amount of £50 each to these utility costs, with the council covering the rest of a combined bill that this year is expected to be between £40,000 and £60,000.

    Under the revised plan, clubs will have to pay their full electricity costs from 2025/26 onwards and full water costs from 2026/27 onwards.

    Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said:

    “The council has been clear that, given the severity of the financial challenges it is currently facing, significant savings need to be made across a whole range of service areas.

    “Equally, however, we have stressed that decisions on how such savings can be achieved will take full account of the needs and views of local people.

    “This has been our approach since we first announced that changes were being planned to Leeds’s crown green bowling provision.

    “The recent public consultation underlined the important contribution that bowling makes to life in many of the city’s communities, and has helped us shape our revised proposals.

    “We will now continue to engage with clubs and players as we seek to deliver a more secure financial future for the sport in Leeds.”

    The current number of municipal greens in Leeds is far higher than in other large cities such as Bradford, Sheffield and Manchester.

    The public consultation on the original options for changes to local provision ran between January 7 and 26.

    Note to editors:

    Each bowls season runs from the start of April until the end of March the following year. Within that, the sport’s summer season runs from the start of April until the end of September.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin held a meeting with the acting governor of the Rostov region Yuri Slyusar

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Marat Khusnullin held a meeting with the acting governor of the Rostov region Yuri Slyusar

    March 3, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin held a working meeting with Acting Governor of Rostov Oblast Yuri Slyusar, at which the parties discussed issues of the region’s socio-economic development.

    “Rostov Region shows good results in its work. The region has completed the resettlement of emergency housing stock, which was recognized as such before 2017, and has begun the resettlement of housing recognized as emergency after this date. In total, 14.9 thousand people have moved to new houses since 2019. There are successes in the roads. 81.3% of federal roads, 59.4% of regional roads and 82.3% of the backbone network are in standard condition. There is still a lot of work to do in the region, it is necessary to increase the pace and solve the tasks as soon as possible. At the same time, the quality of work cannot sag. In the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”, we continue to engage in a comprehensive improvement of the lives of our citizens,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    Marat Khusnullin and Yuri Slyusar discussed the development of infrastructure in the region to create comfortable living conditions for people. In the Rostov Region, 198 units of new public transport were delivered in 2023-2024 due to federal support measures, including 158 buses and 40 electric buses. Also, using funds from a special treasury loan, a sewer collector is being built along Lokomotivnaya Street in Rostov-on-Don. Currently, its technical readiness is 95%. In addition, the region uses the mechanism of integrated development of territories. To date, 11 such territories with a total area of 478.4 hectares with a development potential of 5.1 million square meters have been identified in the Rostov Region, of which 2.2 million square meters is residential space.

    “There are almost fifty regional projects being implemented in the Don region. All of them are aimed at improving the quality of life of our citizens in various areas. Based on the results of last year, the region achieved certain results in many areas, but we still have more work ahead. The priorities are social support, development of the social sphere, bringing order to the public utilities, forming a sustainable economy, and technological leadership,” noted Yuri Slyusar.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Oren Cass on the Invisible Hand

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Oren Cass on the Invisible Hand

    Photo courtesy of Oren Cass

    In This Episode

    Modern economics was built on ideas spelled out by Adam Smith in his 18th-century The Wealth of Nations. But while he used the term only once in that economic treatise, Smith is most remembered for “the invisible hand,” a metaphor Oren Cass says has wrongly been associated with the idea that the pursuit of profit is always socially beneficial and that markets are somehow magically guided by that principal. Cass is the founder and chief economist at American Compass. In this podcast, he says the contortion of Smith’s idea led to a blind faith in markets, whereas “the invisible hand” was about ensuring the alignment between private profit and the public interest. Transcript

    Read the article in Finance and Development

    OREN CASS is founder and chief economist of American Compass, a think tank.

    Join Us on Every Major Platform

    Latest Podcasts

    BEHIND THE MIC

    Bruce Edwards

    International Monetary Fund

    Bruce Edwards produces the IMF podcast program. He’s an award-winning audio producer and journalist who’s covered armed conflicts, social unrest, and natural disasters from all corners of the world. He believes economists have an important role in solving the world’s problems and aspires to showcase their research in every IMF podcast.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: CoinShares Announces Exercise of Employee Incentive Plan Options

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Monday, 3 March 2025 | SAINT HELIER, Jersey – CoinShares International Limited (“CoinShares” or the “Company“) (Nasdaq Stockholm Market: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), a global investment firm specializing in digital assets, today announced that a total of 52,241 options in the Company’s Employee Incentive Plan – November 2020 Tranche have been exercised for the corresponding number of shares, at an exercise price of GBP 1.43 (SEK 19.29) per share. Through the exercise of the employee share options, the Company receives a total of GBP 74,705 (SEK 1,007,566.36).

    The exercise request will be settled from the current balance of own shares held by the Company. After the issuance of these shares, the total number of shares in issue in CoinShares will be 66,678,210 and the Company will hold a total of 147,759 own shares.

    About CoinShares

    CoinShares is a leading global investment company specialising in digital assets, that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading and securities to a wide array of clients that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals. Focusing on crypto since 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, and in the US by the Securities and Exchange Commission, National Futures Association and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.

    For more information on CoinShares, please visit: https://coinshares.com
    Company | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com
    Investor Relations | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Announcement of the total number of voting rights as at 28 February 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Regulated information, Leuven, 3 March 2025 (17.40 hrs CET)

    Announcement of the total number of voting rights as at 28 February 2025

    In application of Article 15 of the Act of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of major shareholdings in issuers whose shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market, KBC Ancora publishes on its website and via a press release on a monthly basis the total capital, the movements in the total number of voting shares and the total number of voting rights, in so far as these particulars have changed during the preceding month.

    Situation as at 28 February 2025
    Total capital :         EUR 3,158,128,455.28
    Total number of voting shares :            77,011,844
    Number of shares with double voting rights :        39,757,114
    Total number of voting rights (= denominator) :        116,768,958

    The total number of voting rights (the ‘denominator’) serves as the basis for the disclosure of major shareholdings by shareholders.

    On the basis of this information, shareholders of KBC Ancora can verify whether they are above or below one of the thresholds of 3% (threshold set by the Articles of Association), 5%, 10%, and so on (in multiples of five) of the total voting rights, and whether there is therefore an obligation to notify the company that they have exceeded this threshold.

    ———————————

    KBC Ancora is a listed company which holds 18.6% of the shares in KBC Group and which together with Cera, MRBB and the Other Permanent Shareholders ensures the shareholder stability and further development of the KBC group. As core shareholders of KBC Group, they have to this end signed a shareholder agreement.

    Financial calendar:
    29 August 2025                        Annual press release for the financial year 2024/2025
    23 September 2025 (17.40 CEST)        Annual report 2024/2025 available
    31 October 2025                        General Meeting of Shareholders

    This press release is available in Dutch, French and English on the website www.kbcancora.be.

    KBC Ancora Investor Relations & Press contact: Jan Bergmans
    tel.: +32 (0)16 27 96 72 – e-mail: jan.bergmans@kbcancora.be or mailbox@kbcancora.be

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Finance in Common Summit urges global development finance institutions to harness collective power to address global poverty

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 3, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The fifth edition of the Finance in Common Summit (FiCS) concluded on Friday in Cape Town, South Africa, with strong calls for global development finance institutions to work together to address poverty and development challenges. South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana led the call.

    The summit, which was co-sponsored by the African Development Bank and took place alongside the G20 Finance Ministers’ Meeting, was themed “Fostering Infrastructure and Finance for Fair and Sustainable Growth.”

    Godongwana described the meeting as an unprecedented gathering of key financial players, saying: “Your determination and commitment will change the world. Your determination and will have an impact on global poverty.”

    The minister linked the summit’s goals to South Africa’s development trajectory, highlighting the structural reforms the country had undertaken in the electricity, roads, and port sectors, which have opened new investment opportunities to development partners.

    African Development Bank Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Hassatou Diop N’Sele—one of several senior officials of the Bank Group at FiCS—represented Bank Group President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina at a meeting on Wednesday organized by the Council of Europe Development Bank. At the meeting, multilateral development banks reaffirmed a shared commitment to maximize their collective impact.

    During the G20 meetings of Finance Ministers and central bank governors, Hassatou Diop N’Sele said, “We call on G20 nations to enhance financial commitments, especially for the 17th replenishment of the African Development Fund, to simplify processes for accessing climate finance, and to create enabling policies that facilitate sustainable capital flows to Africa.”

    In her various interventions during FiCS, she discussed the innovative financing tools and initiatives launched by the African Development Bank to leverage resources and mobilize the private sector at scale, including the landmark hybrid capital transactions successfully replicated by other development finance institutions and the Africa Investment Forum.

    N’Sele emphasized the urgency for philanthropies and foundations to further strengthen their partnerships with multilateral development banks and to fully embrace innovation to amplify their impact. She also recognized the challenges for expanding climate finance in Africa and reflected on such solutions and platforms as the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, designed to catalyze bankable, greener infrastructure projects at scale and speed.

    The African Development Bank delegation highlighted the progress of Mission 300 (https://apo-opa.co/4bolqQE), an initiative to accelerate access to electricity for 300 million Africans by 2030. The Bank, working with the World Bank and other development finance institutions and private sector partners, has committed $18.2 billion to this effort.

    Senior leaders of the Bank stressed the need for urgent action. Nnenna Nwabufo, Bank Group Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, said: “Africa is not looking for aid, we are looking for partnerships.”.

    She added: “The time for pilot projects that deliver incremental progress is over. We need investments that enable our nations to take ownership of their development, fostering resilience, self-sufficiency, and sustainable growth that benefits both Africa and the global economy.”

    Solomon Quaynor, the African Development Bank’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, called for faster implementation of infrastructure projects. “Africa can no longer sustain infrastructure projects that take seven to 10 years to complete – we must accelerate development to deliver within three years, prioritizing green infrastructure,” he said.

    The African continent needs $2.7 trillion through 2030 to meet its climate action goals, but receives only 3.6% of all global climate finance, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions.

    The African Development Bank’s Director General for Southern Africa, Leila Mokaddem, emphasized that Africa’s green transition must be inclusive. She said: “With 600 million Africans still without electricity, our transition cannot be about climate goals alone. It must be about jobs, industrialization and economic opportunity. The African Development Bank is supporting this vision through its Jobs for Youth in Africa strategy to create 25 million jobs and equip 50 million young Africans with green economy skills by the end of this year.”

    The summit achieved several significant breakthroughs in expanding the scope and impact of development financing. Key outcomes included: the endorsement by G20 finance ministers of public development banks’ crucial role in international financial architecture; steps toward setting up frameworks to support cultural industries as valid asset classes; and the formation of a coalition between public development banks and civil society to ensure that development finance serves communities.

    CEO of Agence Française de Développement and Chair of the Finance in Common Summit Rémy Rioux noted: “We have made tremendous progress in building public development banks as an asset class through innovation, commitment, and shared values. In times of uncertainty and conflict, we are offering a calm, collective alternative.”

    “This has truly been an African FiCS,” said Boitumelo Mosako, CEO of the Development Bank of Southern Africa. He added:  “With 34% of delegates coming from the continent, we have shown that Africa is unstoppable as the second fastest growing region in the world.”

    Following the Finance in Common Summit, the Fourth Finance for Development Conference will take place in Spain between June and July this year. Being organized by the United Nations and the Spanish government, that summit will feature continuing discussions on reshaping the international financial architecture to better serve development needs.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Schiff Demand Answers From NASA, FAA Over Conflict of Interest in Federal Contract Awards to Musk’s Private Companies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    February 28, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the CST Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation—and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) demanded answers from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Acting Administrator Janet Petro and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau on why, despite Elon Musk’s conflicts of interest, each agency has or may soon award billions of dollars in federal contracts to private companies controlled by Musk while he serves as a government employee.

    “If accurate, this presents a striking new phase in Mr. Musk’s conflicts of interest. Mr. Musk holds unprecedented leverage over you and your agencies by directing ongoing efforts to substantially influence, alter, and undercut your departments’ operations, personnel, and funding. Simultaneously awarding his private companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts raises grave questions as to whether you and your agencies are enabling corrupt favoritism to benefit Mr. Musk,” wrote the Senators.

    Full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below:

    Dear Ms. Petro and Mr. Rocheleau: 

    We write with serious concerns regarding recent reports that the federal agencies you lead – the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), respectively – have awarded or may soon award billions of dollars in federal contracts to private companies controlled by Elon Musk, a Special Government Employee. If accurate, this presents a striking new phase in Mr. Musk’s conflicts of interest. Mr. Musk holds unprecedented leverage over you and your agencies by directing ongoing efforts to substantially influence, alter, and undercut your departments’ operations, personnel, and funding. Simultaneously awarding his private companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts raises grave questions as to whether you and your agencies are enabling corrupt favoritism to benefit Mr. Musk. 

    On February 21, 2025, NASA announced that it selected Mr. Musk’s company, SpaceX, to provide launch services for the Near-Earth Object Surveyor mission, which is intended to detect and observe asteroids and comets that could potentially pose an impact threat to Earth. According to NASA, the total cost of the launch service on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is approximately $100 million.

    Three days later, on February 24, 2025, the FAA announced via Mr. Musk’s platform, X, that the agency “has been considering the use of Starlink,” a subsidiary of Mr. Musk’s company, SpaceX, to increase reliable weather information for the aviation community. The same day, Mr. Musk posted on X: “The Verizon system is not working and so is putting air travelers at serious risk.” In an effort to take over a $2.4 billion federal contract with the FAA held by Verizon, Mr. Musk has reportedly approved a shipment of 4,000 Starlink terminals to the FAA to upgrade critical infrastructure. FAA officials confirmed that several Starlink terminals had been installed in New Jersey and Alaska6 and the agency is reportedly “close to canceling” Verizon’s contract and awarding the work to Mr. Musk’s company in a significant dismantling of conflict of interest protections in government contracts. Furthermore, several employees of Mr. Musk’s parent company of Starlink, SpaceX, have joined the FAA – an agency tasked with regulating SpaceX activities and one of several federal Departments that have conducted investigations and reviews of Mr. Musk’s company for violating safety rules.

    We strongly support the need to upgrade federal technological systems through public-private partnerships and contracts, but this cannot be done through corruption and graft. Mr. Musk – a man worth over $350 billion – carries significant influence over President Trump and federal government agencies, even as he faces regulatory reviews and federal investigations across almost a dozen federal departments and independent agencies, including the Department of Transportation, of which FAA is a part. Mr. Musk’s profound conflicts of interest risk fundamentally undermining public trust in your agencies at a moment in which trust in the missions of NASA and the FAA have never been more important. 

    On February 10, 2024, Senator Schiff sent letters to former Director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), David Huitema, and White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles requesting clarification regarding Mr. Musk’s compliance with federal conflicts of interest, ethics, and reporting requirements. Following President Trump’s announcement firing Mr. Huitema without cause and designating Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins as acting OGE Director, Senator Schiff sent a follow-up letter requesting that the OGE preserve all records and correspondence regarding Mr. Huitema’s removal and inquiring, yet again, about Mr. Musk’s financial reporting obligations and any conflict of interest considerations communicated with the OGE on behalf of the White House.

    To ensure that the Senate can undertake its constitutional oversight and legislative functions, including consideration of potential reforms to strengthen existing statutes, please take the following measures and respond to the questions below by March 7, 2025: 

    1. Preserve all records and correspondence since January 20, 2025, in NASA and the FAA’s possession regarding federal contract awards. 
    2. Preserve all records and correspondence in NASA and the FAA’s possession regarding any companies in which Mr. Musk retains a financial interest. 
      1. Please provide all records and correspondence in NASA and the FAA’s possession with Mr. Musk or any Department of Government Efficiency employees regarding any companies in which Mr. Musk retains a financial interest.
    3. Provide the status of any reviews or investigations underway or closed since January 20, 2025, involving companies in which Mr. Musk retains a financial interest, including an investigation by the FAA of SpaceX’s Starship rocket following a failed test flight14 and the FAA’s review of alleged safety measure violations related to SpaceX launches.15 
    4. Did any White House officials communicate with any NASA or FAA officials about Mr. Musk’s conflict of interest considerations, including whether Mr. Musk would need a waiver under 18 U.S.C. § 208, prior to Mr. Musk’s appointment as a special government employee? If so, please explain the nature of those communications. 
    5. Did any NASA or FAA employees raise concerns about awarding federal contracts to Mr. Musk’s companies, given his role as a Special Government Employee? If so, please explain the nature of those concerns and communications and preserve all records and correspondence in your possession regarding these concerns. 

    Congress has yet to receive responses from the White House or the OGE regarding Mr. Musk’s compliance with federal criminal conflicts of interest law and other ethics and reporting requirements, which reinforces concern that Mr. Musk may not be complying with his legal obligations. 

    We look forward to reviewing your responses.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government to turbocharge defence innovation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government to turbocharge defence innovation

    New defence innovation body to deliver cutting-edge military tech to British troops and create highly skilled jobs across the UK.

    • Chancellor and Defence Secretary and Business Secretary host joint roundtable with leaders from 15 of the country’s top defence firms
    • Government to launch new defence innovation organisation to quickly deliver cutting-edge military tech to British troops and create highly skilled jobs across the UK
    • Follows PM’s announcement to deliver largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War

    A new defence innovation body to harness UK ingenuity and boost military technology is set to be launched, as part of a drive to turbocharge innovation in defence and deliver growth as part of the Plan for Change.

    The Chancellor, Defence Secretary and Business Secretary have today (28 February) 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.

    This new unit – which will be launched at the Spring Statement – is a clear demonstration of how the Government is moving at pace to drive reform in defence and use defence as an engine of economic growth.

    The Chancellor, Defence Secretary and Business Secretary today met leaders from 15 British defence firms of all sizes at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire – one of the RAF’s busiest stations with airborne intelligence aircraft and systems – to discuss the how the new unit will operate.

    Developed as part of Defence Reform – the biggest overhaul of defence for more than 50 years – the new body is set to simplify and streamline the innovation system within MOD. It will take a new approach by moving quickly and decisively, using different ways of contracting, to enable UK companies to scale up innovative prototypes rapidly by setting out a clear pathway, working with the Government, from initial production to manufacturing at scale. 

    As part of a defence innovation drive, the government will also look to enhance investment in defence start-ups and scale-up technology and capability, including through the National Security Strategic Investment Fund. Ministers will work with the venture capital and investment community, as well as industry, to leverage private investment in the technology of the future.

    The meeting comes after the Prime Minister outlined the Government’s commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027 and the Chancellor’s message to European allies at the G20 in South Africa to jointly go further and faster on defence.

    The new innovation unit will help equip Britain’s Armed Forces with cutting-edge tech and grow high-tech British businesses in the defence tech ecosystem. It will take the lessons from the rapidly changing nature of warfare, as seen in the conflict in Ukraine.

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

    Backing the defence industry will protect UK citizens from threats at home but will also create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive, supporting the Government’s number one mission to deliver economic growth.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    The world is less certain than it has been for a generation. History tells us that government and industry must rise to meet these moments together. We need to invest in sophisticated, innovative kit and get it into the hands of our fighting men and women.

    In the world we face, national security and economic growth are going to go hand in hand. High-skilled, well-paid jobs across the UK will both make our country safer and put pounds in people’s pockets.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey said:

    The world is changing, and we are changing defence. We will back the high-growth, high-tech UK defence firms of the future, to boost our national security and make defence an engine for growth.

    We will make the UK a defence innovation leader, funding and supporting firms of all sizes to take state-of-the-art technology from the drawing board to the production line, and into the hands of our Armed Forces.

    Defence has a crucial role to play in economic growth across the UK – built on the foundation of the largest sustained funding increase since the Cold War – to support thousands of highly skilled jobs.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said:

    A strong, robust defence sector is vital for a Britain that’s both secure at home and strong abroad, and ensures a world where business can benefit from the economic security it brings.

    Nearly half a million UK graduates get good, well-paid jobs thanks to our aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. These are areas where the UK excels on the global stage, and where our innovation can add billions to the economy.

    That’s why our Plan for Change puts defence at the heart of our Industrial Strategy, helping us drive economic growth while bolstering our national security for the long term.

    Science and Tech Secretary, Peter Kyle said:

    Britain’s science and research expertise has always played a role in keeping us safe, and still does: from inventions like radar and codebreaking machines in the 20th century, through to innovations around drone technology and cybersecurity, today.

    We are dedicated to making sure the UK tech sector has everything it needs to continue to thrive, and to keep playing a critical role in our national security.

    As set out in the Plan for Change, national security is the first duty of the government, and investment in defence will protect UK citizens from threats at home while also creating a secure and stable environment for economic growth.

    Economic growth is central to the Government’s Plan for Change to put more money into the pockets of working people and will be a core objective of the defence innovation organisation.

    The joint meeting with defence industry organisations comes on the final day of the consultation for the Defence Industrial Strategy, which will ensure a strong defence sector and resilient supply chains across the whole of the UK.

    Industry leaders’ quotes:

    Andy Fraser, Saab UK Group Managing Director said:

    Saab UK welcomes the announcement that the UK Government will increase defence spending to 2.5% by 2027, with a route to 3% in the next Parliament.

    We live in a challenging world which requires industry and government in the UK to work together more closely. In the UK, we know that the defence industry benefits growth, investment and offers fantastic careers – while also helping to ensure the UK’s resilience. Saab UK has recently opened new facilities in the UK because we know that together we can achieve our aim to keep people and society safe.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM statement to the House of Commons: 3 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Oral statement to Parliament

    PM statement to the House of Commons: 3 March 2025

    The Prime Minister’s statement to the House of Commons on Ukraine.

    Mr. Speaker… 

    Less than a week since I called on this House to show the courage of our predecessors…

    We see clearly before us – the test of our times.  

    A crossroads in our history.   

    So with permission I will update the House on my efforts… 

    To secure a strong, just and lasting peace… 

    Following Russia’s vile invasion of Ukraine. 

    Mr. Speaker – it begins in this House… 

    Where on Tuesday, I announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.

    A recognition of the fact that once again, we live in an era…

    Where peace in Europe depends upon strength and deterrence.

    But also – a rediscovery of the old post-war argument… 

    Long-held on these benches…  

    That economic security is national security. 

    Because Mr. Speaker, the demands we now have to make of Britain… 

    Must come alongside a new foundation of security for working people. 

    The tough choices we made last week… 

    They are not done. 

    We must use the process of getting to 3% of our national income spent on defence… 

    To fundamentally rebuild British industry. 

    Use our investment in military spending…

    To create new jobs and apprenticeships in every part of our country. 

    And that’s why, last night, I announced a deal that perfectly symbolises this new era. 

    A partnership with Ukraine… 

    That allows them to use £1.6 billion of UK Export Finance… 

    To buy 5,000 air defence missiles, manufactured in Belfast. 

    That means UK jobs… 

    UK skills… 

    UK finance…

    Pulling together for our national interest… 

    Putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position for peace… 

    And protecting innocent civilians from the terror of Russian drones. 

    Mr. Speaker, my efforts continued on Thursday… 

    When I met President Trump in the White House… 

    To strengthen our relationship with America. 

    Now, what happened in his subsequent meeting with President Zelenskyy… 

    Is something nobody in this House wants to see. 

    But I do want to be crystal clear… 

    We must strengthen our relationship with America… 

    For our security, for our technology, for our trade and investment… 

    They are and always will be – indispensable. 

    And we will never choose between either side of the Atlantic. 

    In fact, Mr. Speaker… 

    If anything, the past week has shown that that idea to be totally unserious. 

    Because while some people may enjoy the simplicity of taking a side…  

    This week has shown with total clarity… 

    That the US is vital in securing the peace we all want to see in Ukraine. 

    So I welcome the opportunity for a new economic deal with the US… 

    Confirmed by the President last week… 

    Because it is an opportunity I am determined to pursue. 

    I welcome the positive discussions we had on European security… 

    Including his clear support for Article 5 of NATO.   

    I welcome the understanding, from our dialogue…  

    That our two nations will work together on security arrangements for a lasting peace in Ukraine. 

    And I also welcome the President’s continued commitment to that peace… 

    Which nobody in this House should doubt for a second – is sincere. 

    Mr. Speaker, I now turn to events this weekend…

    And the moving scenes that greeted President Zelenskyy as he arrived in London on Saturday. 

    Mr. Speaker I saw for myself that he was taken aback when the crowd in Whitehall cheered at the top of their voices, and they were speaking for the whole of our country.

    A reminder – that this Government, this House and this nation… 

    Stand in unwavering support behind him and the people of Ukraine. 

    Mr. Speaker, we resolved together…

    To move forward the strong cause of just and lasting peace for Ukraine.  

    And then on Sunday… 

    I hosted European leaders from across our continent, equally committed to this cause…  

    Including President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni… 

    The leaders of NATO, the European Commission and Council… 

    And the Prime Minister of Canada… 

    A vital ally of this country, the Commonwealth and Ukraine… 

    Responsible for training over 40,000 Ukrainian troops.  

    I also had the privilege beforehand… 

    Of speaking online to the leaders of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia… 

    Each of whom, as close as they are to the frontline with Russia… 

    Stressed the urgency of the moment. 

    And Mr. Speaker, it was a productive summit.  

    Together, we agreed a clear strategy.  

    That the United Kingdom, France and our allies…  

    Will work closely with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting… 

    Which we will then discuss directly with the United States. 

    It is a plan that has four clear principles, which I will now share in full with the House. 

    First, that we must keep the military aid to Ukraine flowing…

    Keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia. 

    And to that end, alongside our partnership on air defence…

    We are doubling-down on military aid. 

    Already this year we have taken our support to record levels…

    But on Saturday we also agreed a new £2.2 billion loan for Ukraine… 

    Backed, not by the British taxpayer…

    But by the profits from frozen Russian assets.

    Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must guarantee the sovereignty and security of Ukraine. 

    And that Ukraine must be at the table when negotiating their future… 

    That is absolutely vital. 

    Third, we agreed that in the event of a peace deal…

    We will continue to boost Ukraine’s defences and Ukraine’s deterrence. 

    And finally, fourth…

    We agreed to develop a “coalition of the willing” ready to defend a deal in Ukraine… 

    And guarantee the peace. 

    After all, the Ukrainian position is completely understandable. 

    For them – the war did not begin three years ago…

    That was merely the latest and most brutal escalation.  

    They have signed agreements with Putin, before. 

    They have experienced the nature of his diplomacy…

    And the calibre of his word.  

    We can’t accept a weak deal like Minsk again… 

    No, we must proceed with strength… 

    And that does now require – urgently… 

    A coalition of the willing. 

    Mr. Speaker – we agreed on Sunday that those willing to play a role in this… 

    Will intensify planning now.  

    And as this House would expect… 

    Britain will play a leading role. 

    With, if necessary and together with others… 

    Boots on the ground and planes in the air. 

    Mr. Speaker, it is right that Europe do the heavy lifting… 

    To support peace on our continent. 

    But to succeed, this effort must also have strong US backing. 

    I want to assure the House… 

    I take none of this lightly. 

    I visited British troops in Estonia.

    And no aspect of my role weighs more heavily… 

    Than the deployment of British troops in the service of the defence and security in Europe.

    And yet I do feel very strongly…  

    That the future of Ukraine is vital for our national security. 

    Russia is a menace in our waters and skies… 

    They have launched cyber-attacks on our NHS… 

    Assassination attempts in our streets.  

    In this House, we stand by Ukraine because it is the right thing to do… 

    But we also stand by them because it is in our interest to do so. 

    Because if we do not achieve a lasting peace…

    Then the instability and insecurity that has hit the living standards of working people in Britain…

    That will only get worse. 

    And Putin’s appetite for conflict and chaos…

    That will only grow. 

    So a strong peace…

    A just peace… 

    A lasting peace… 

    That has now to be our goal.  

    It is vital… 

    It is in our interest… 

    And its pursuit – Britain will lead from the front. 

    For the security of our continent…

    The security of our country…

    And the security of the British people… 

    We must now win the peace. 

    And I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Collins, King, Pingree Call on Trump Administration to Avoid Trade War with Canada

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, co-chair of the Senate American-Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, are calling on the Trump Administration to avoid a catastrophic trade war with Canada that would have huge and immediate impacts on Maine’s people and economy. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, the Maine delegation request that the administration work collaboratively with Canada to address issues of shared concern and foster economic cooperation in order to avoid the potential for increased prices on groceries, gas and energy.
    “For over 150 years, Canada has been a trusted friend and close ally of the United States. Our countries are deeply entwined and our economies are fully integrated. This is made all the more evident by the substantial volume of trade and investment between our nations. In 2023, the U.S. and Canada traded nearly $1 trillion in goods and services. Together, we share the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world, which supports 8 million U.S. jobs. Each day, nearly $2.6 billion worth of goods and services cross the U.S.-Canada border, including critical energy resources,” the Delegation wrote.
    They continued in the letter, “Maine shares a special and interconnected relationship with Canada. According to the Maine International Trade Center, Maine and Canada exchanged over $6 billion in two-way trade last year. This trade propels manufacturing and production in the state, which in turn provides over 60,000 good-paying jobs – from the development of our high-quality products to their transportation. Further, Canada has supplied the oil that Maine people rely on to heat their homes on cold winter nights and the jet fuel and diesel that supports the Air National Guard Base in Bangor.”
    “Given the deeply integrated nature of our economies, any tariffs on imports from Canada – and any retaliatory measures by Canada in response – may raise prices on gasoline, energy, groceries, and much more,” the Delegation concluded. “We acknowledge that targeted and strategic tariffs can be an important tool to address unfair trade practices. However, small businesses and families in Maine and across the country will be caught in the middle during a time when so many are struggling to put food on the table and keep the lights on. Ultimately, it is our hope that the Trump Administration is able to work collaboratively with Canada to address issues of shared concern and foster economic cooperation, rather than engage in a tit-for-tat trade war.”
    The United States and Canada share the world’s longest international border, spanning 5,525 miles with 120 land ports-of-entry. The bilateral and international U.S.-Canada alliance is built upon shared interests in the areas of economic stability and trade, sustainability, energy and critical mineral supply chain, and national security. The two countries share a $1 trillion trade and investment relationship, supporting more than seven million jobs.
    The full text of the letter can be found here and below.
    +++
    Dear Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer:
    Over the years, we have been privileged to gain a unique view of the important economic partnership that the United States has with Canada from my border state of Maine. As you consider the implementation of tariffs on imports from Canada, we want to share our view of how these tariffs will impact families and business in Maine and across the country.
    For over 150 years, Canada has been a trusted friend and close ally of the United States. Our countries are deeply entwined and our economies are fully integrated. This is made all the more evident by the substantial volume of trade and investment between our nations. In 2023, the U.S. and Canada traded nearly $1 trillion in goods and services. Together, we share the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world, which supports 8 million U.S. jobs. Each day, nearly $2.6 billion worth of goods and services cross the U.S.-Canada border, including critical energy resources.
    Maine shares a special and interconnected relationship with Canada. According to the Maine International Trade Center, Maine and Canada exchanged over $6 billion in two-way trade last year. This trade propels manufacturing and production in the state, which in turn provides over 60,000 good-paying jobs – from the development of our high-quality products to their transportation. Further, Canada has supplied the oil that Maine people rely on to heat their homes on cold winter nights and the jet fuel and diesel that supports the Air National Guard Base in Bangor.
    Given the deeply integrated nature of our economies, any tariffs on imports from Canada – and any retaliatory measures by Canada in response – may raise prices on gasoline, energy, groceries, and much more. We acknowledge that targeted and strategic tariffs can be an important tool to address unfair trade practices. However, small businesses and families in Maine and across the country will be caught in the middle during a time when so many are struggling to put food on the table and keep the lights on. Ultimately, it is our hope that the Trump Administration is able to work collaboratively with Canada to address issues of shared concern and foster economic cooperation, rather than engage in a tit-for-tat trade war.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter. We stand willing and ready to work with you to ensure that the relationship between our countries continues to be mutually beneficial.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to West Virginia Businesses, Nonprofits and Residents Affected by February Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON – In response to a Presidential disaster declaration issued Feb. 26, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for West Virginia businesses, nonprofits, and residents affected by the severe storm, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides occurring Feb. 15.

    The disaster declaration covers the primary counties of McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming, which are eligible for both Physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA EIDLs: Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers and Wayne, as well as Martin and Pike in Kentucky, and Bland, Buchanan, Giles and Tazwell in Virginia.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.    

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.    

    Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.    

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

    SBA’s EIDL program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs that suffered financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 2.563% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Beginning Monday, March 3, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center in Mercer County to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov. The BRC hours of operation is listed below:

    Business Recovery Center (BRC) 
    Mercer County

    Princeton Public Library

    920 Mercer Street

    Princeton, WV 24740

    Opening:   Monday – March 3, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Closed: Sunday

    Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

    With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover.  FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition.  

    To apply online, visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.  

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is April 28, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 26, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former D.C. Public Official Sentenced to 15 Months for Bank Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Stole $844,000 in Funds from Pandemic Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

                WASHINGTON – Wendy Nicole Villatoro, 40, formerly of Washington, D.C., was sentenced February 28, 2025 in U.S. District Court to 15 months in federal prison for submitting fraudulent applications seeking money from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that netted her $844,000.

                The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG) Northeast Region, and Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Eastern Region.

                Villatoro, a former D.C. Homeland Security Commissioner and current employee with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pleaded guilty November 14, 2024, to bank fraud. In addition to the 15-month prison sentence, the Honorable Carl J. Nichols ordered Villatoro to serve two years of supervised release.

                According to the government’s evidence, between March 31, 2020, and August 4, 2021, Villatoro submitted eight PPP loan applications with various financial institutions and 15 Economic Injury Disaster (EID) loans with the Small Business Administration (SBA), all of which contained materially false statements. In order to get money from PPP lenders or the SBA, Villatoro submitted loans on behalf of fake businesses and inflated the number of employees, the average monthly payroll, the gross yearly revenue, or the cost of goods sold. In doing so, she tried to steal between $2.6 million and $5.5 million. While most of Villatoro’s loan applications were denied, she successfully secured over $844,000 in PPP and EID funds. Villatoro used the funds to pay off her student loans, pay off the car loan on a BMW SUV, and buy luxury items.

                As part of her plea agreement, Villatoro agreed to pay $844,415.24 in restitution to the U.S. Government and to forfeit items purchased with proceeds of the offense, including over 70 pieces of designer clothing and jewelry and a BMW SUV.

                The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

                The PPP allowed qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds were required to be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spent the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and used at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.

                The EIDL program was designed to provide economic relief to small businesses that were experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds were intended for a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities and fixed debt payments. If an applicant also obtained a loan under the PPP, the EIDL funds were not to be used for the same purpose as the PPP funds.  

                The case was investigated jointly by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, USDA-OIG, and SBA-OIG. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI Washington Field Office Asset Forfeiture Unit.

                This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared English and Rick Blaylock, Jr. Valuable assistance was provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Connor Mullin, Anna Forgie, and Paul V. Courtney.

                Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Samuel and Co Trading Leads the Way in Affordable Financial Education Amidst Rising University Costs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the financial burden of higher education is continuing to escalate, Samuel and Co Trading stands out as an accessible and high-quality hub of financial education. Founded in 2012, Samuel and Co have been empowering students with the skills and confidence to navigate the financial markets.

    Recent analyses have highlighted the growing financial strain on university students in the UK. Tuition fees have risen to £9,535 per annum as of September 2025, marking the first increase in eight years. This surge, coupled with maintenance loans that often fall short of covering living expenses, has amplified the financial challenges of being a student. The average annual cost of studying in the UK now exceeds £22,000, encompassing tuition and living expenses.

    In contrast, Samuel and Co Trading offers Ofqual-regulated Diplomas in Financial Trading that provide a cost-effective alternative to a traditional degree. Students can achieve a Level 5 Diploma, equivalent level to a Foundation Degree, in as little as 12 weeks or pursue a Level 7 Diploma, equivalent level to a Master’s Degree, but at a fraction of the cost. Considering that some graduate salaries have sunk as low as the minimum wage, these accelerated programmes not only save time but also significantly reduce financial outlay, making industry-recognised credentials more attainable.

    The company’s commitment to excellence has been recognised in the 2025 Global Banking and Finance Awards®, when Samuel and Co Trading was awarded with two impressive accolades: “Best Online Financial Education & Training UK 2025” and “Best Forex Education UK 2025”. Alongside this, the company has also been awarded the “Best Online Trading Course Provider UK 2025” by Finance Derivative Magazine and won the “Best Trading Guidance and Support Provider Europe 2025”,“Leading Trading Education Management Company Europe 2025” and the “Most Trusted Personal Trading Strategies Provider Europe 2025” by World Business Outlook. And lastly Brands Review Magazine also presented them with the “Innovation in Trading Strategies UK 2025” and the “Trading Education and Mentorship Award UK 2025”. These awards show the dedication to delivering high-quality financial education and training.

    Founder and CEO, Samuel Leach, reflects on the company’s journey:

    “When I started Samuel and Co Trading in 2012, I wanted to democratise financial education. The aim was to provide practical, affordable, and high-quality training to people who are passionate about trading. Our recent accolades and the success of our students show that we’re on the right path.”

    Due to the unpredictable nature of the finance industry and the rising costs of higher education, Samuel and Co Trading, mission remains to offer competitive, comprehensive, and accessible education. By bridging the gap between affordability and quality, the company is shaping the future of financial training.

    About Samuel and Co Trading

    Samuel and Co Trading was founded in 2012 by Samuel Leach with the mission of assisting individuals to succeed in financial trading. The company provides accredited and industry-recognised financial education, including Ofqual-regulated diplomas designed to fast-track students into trading careers. With courses led by seasoned professionals, Samuel and Co Trading ensures that students gain practical, real-world experience. Recognised as a leader in the sector, the company has trained thousands of individuals.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: KVH Industries to Host Fourth Quarter/Year-end Conference Call on March 6, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIDDLETOWN, R.I., March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KVH Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI), will announce its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year that ended on December 31, 2024, on Thursday, March 6, 2025. In conjunction with the release, the company will conduct its investor conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET, hosted by Mr. Brent Bruun, CEO, and Mr. Anthony Pike, CFO.

    A live broadcast of the call will be available online at investors.kvh.com. In addition, an audio replay of the conference call will be available on the website for at least two weeks. To listen to the replay, visit investors.kvh.com starting three hours following the conclusion of the call. Investors who wish to submit questions during or following the call may do so to IR@kvh.com.

    About KVH Industries, Inc.

    KVH Industries, Inc. is a global leader in maritime and mobile connectivity delivered via the KVH ONE® network. The company, founded in 1982, is based in Middletown, RI, with research, development, and manufacturing operations in Middletown, RI, and more than a dozen offices around the globe. KVH provides connectivity solutions for commercial maritime, leisure marine, military/government, and land mobile applications on vessels and vehicles, including the TracNet™, TracPhone®, and TracVision® product lines, the KVH ONE OpenNet Program for non-KVH antennas, AgilePlans® Connectivity as a Service (CaaS), and the KVH Link crew wellbeing content service.

    Contact:   

    Chris Watson
    VP, Marketing/Communications
    KVH Industries, Inc.
    401-845-2441
    cwatson@kvh.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Urges Trump Administration to Comply with Court Order, Demands Public Safety Funding to Be Distributed to Colorado per Court Order

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – The Trump administration’s freeze on Homeland Security Grants allocated for Colorado could make the state less safe. The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), issued by the United States District Court, clearly prohibits the federal government from pausing, freezing, or otherwise impeding the disbursement of federal financial assistance to the states. Nonetheless, the administration continues to stop paying for important programs like State and Local Cyber Security, Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program, Urban Area Security Initiative, and the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The Trump administration is withholding this funding from organizations that are implementing much-needed safety measures. The federal government promised Colorado $69.5 million in public safety grants. The state will do everything it can to bridge the gap in funding and ensure that it receives the funds Congress authorized for communities throughout Colorado.  

    “In Colorado, we are focused on improving public safety and this delay and uncertainty  makes us less safe.  Common sense support to improve safety  for Boys and Girls Clubs, places of worship, stopping school violence, and disaster assistance is illegally being cut off by the Trump administration. This wrecking ball approach from the federal government puts communities throughout Colorado at risk,” said Governor Polis.

    “The federal government’s freeze on Homeland Security Grants is deeply concerning for Summit County. As home to the most visited national forest in the nation—the White River National Forest—a critical stretch of Interstate 70, and dam infrastructure vital to the Colorado River Basin, Summit County relies on federal funding to support public safety across private, public, and federal lands. Public safety must remain a priority, and restoring these funds is essential,” said Summit County Sheriff Jamie FitzSimons.

    “Now, when antisemitism and other forms of identity-based hate are at historic levels, is not the time to cut the NSGP,” said Brandon Rattiner, Senior Director of JEWISHcolorado’s Jewish Community Relations Council. “Demand for this program already far exceeds available funding. Reducing it further would leave communities vulnerable and weaken essential security measures that have saved lives and prevented tragedies.”

    The following are some of the funding amounts currently frozen in Colorado :

    • State Homeland Security Grants, $18,660,250
    • Emergency Management Performance Grants, $6,355,282
    • State and Local Cybersecurity Grants, $9,786,461
    • Emergency Operations Center Grants, $2,446,557
    • Nonprofit Security Grants, $9,872,027
    • Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grants, $775,720
    • Urban Area Security Initiative Grants, $15,200,484

    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bybit Unleashes Futures Bot Clash with a 100,000 USDT Prize Pool

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is launching the Futures Bot Clash – a high-stakes showdown where strategy meets automation. With a prize pool of up to 100,000 USDT, participants will battle it out using Bybit’s powerful Futures trading bots, aiming for the top of the leaderboard.

    The Battle of the Bots Begins
    Set to run from Feb. 28 to March 31, 2025, the competition offers traders a chance to put their bot strategies to the test in a contest of skill and precision. Participants will join one of three Futures Bot Squads – Futures Combo, Futures Martingale, or Futures Grid – and compete across multiple leaderboards to maximize their earnings.

    The event features two squad leaderboards and one individual leaderboard, with top traders rewarded based on performance. Additionally, traders can participate in the Predict & Win segment, where 1,000 lucky voters will share in a portion of the 5% Prediction Pool by correctly forecasting the winning squad.

    Prize Pool Breakdown
    The 100,000 USDT prize pool will be distributed among different categories:

    • Squad Rankings (70%) – The best-performing squad claims 40% of the total pool, with 20% and 10% allocated to the second and third place, respectively.
    • Top Traders by Volume (25%) – The most active traders will receive a share of the rewards based on their trading volume.
    • Predict & Win (5%) – Traders who correctly predict the champion squad will split this portion of the prize pool.

    To be eligible for rewards, participants must meet a minimum Futures trading volume of $10,000 and maintain an account balance of at least 1,000 USDT throughout the competition.

    Raising the Stakes
    The total prize pool will scale based on overall trading volume. The minimum pool of 50,000 USDT will be unlocked once the combined trading volume reaches $800 million, increasing to the full 100,000 USDT as milestones up to $1.5 billion are met.

    “Bybit’s Futures Bot Clash is a game-changer for automated trading enthusiasts. It offers a unique opportunity for users to test their bot strategies in a competitive setting, while also rewarding top traders and smart forecasters,” said Joan Han, Sales and Marketing Director at Bybit. “With the potential to win a share of 100,000 USDT, traders have every reason to bring their A-game.”

    Bybit continues to innovate in the crypto trading landscape, providing users with cutting-edge tools to optimize their trading strategies. The Futures Bot Clash offers a competitive environment, where the sharpest traders and most effective bots will rise to the top.

    #Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

    About Bybit
    Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
    For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
    For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

    Contact

    Head of PR
    Tony Au
    Bybit
    media@bybit.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25becf21-7c08-45fa-8fa4-7c571bdf2c01

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Neguse Demand Investigation Into NOAA Layoffs, Raise Alarm About Impact on Colorado

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Laid off NOAA employees provided critical services like relaying emergency alerts in wildfires and supporting farmers’ drought mitigation efforts
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representative Joe Neguse sent a letter to the Deputy Inspector General at the Department of Commerce demanding an independent investigation into the dismantling of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
    “The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Dismantling NOAA or compromising its capabilities would put Americans across the country at great risk,” wrote the Colorado lawmakers.
    Their letter comes in response to recent reports that thousands of federal employees at the NOAA were laid off in the latest wave of mass firings by the Trump Administration.
    The lawmakers continued: “NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) provides essential information and resources to farmers and ranchers across the U.S. to help them better prepare for, mitigate, and respond to the effects of drought…”
    NOAA, which oversees the National Weather Service (NWS), employs scientists and experts from across the state of Colorado to ensure accurate forecasting, issue severe weather alerts, and provide the community with emergency information relating to events such as wildfires.
    NOAA also works with other federal agencies to bolster national security, improve air safety, equip American farmers with critical information on drought mitigation, and much more.
    The full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
    Dear Deputy Inspector General Anderson,
    We write to implore you to investigate the ongoing efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We’re also deeply concerned about recent reports of mass terminations at NOAA facilities in our home state of Colorado.
    The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Dismantling NOAA or compromising its capabilities would put Americans across the country at great risk.
    NOAA has a long standing and important partnership with the Department of Defense, which uses NOAA’s satellites to monitor atmospheric conditions and apply imagery from those satellites for military missions. These resources are critical to the effective coordination of military resources, and they contribute to sustained military readiness. NOAA’s Global Forecast System (GFS) and High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) capabilities assist the Department of Defense in predicting battlefield weather conditions. NOAA works with the 557th Weather Wing to train military meteorologists in analyzing satellite data for operational use. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) provides critical space weather data to DoD to protect military satellites, GPS, and communication networks from solar storms and geomagnetic disruptions. These are just a few of the critical functions NOAA serves in partnership with the Department of Defense that help keep Americans safe and our warfighters effective.
    NOAA also collaborates closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airports, and airlines to provide them with critical information on turbulence, low-level wind shear, and fog, which are factors that can complicate landing and takeoff. By providing timely data, NOAA ensures smoother and safer air travel for American citizens. In addition, during the recent Palisades and Eaton fires, the National Weather Service’s red flag warnings and fire weather forecasts assisted federal, state, and local officials in their efforts to save lives and property. This collaboration strengthens our national safety and security, demonstrating the importance of leveraging NOAA resources for the benefit of the American people.
    Further, NOAA plays a critical role in protecting American technology, including GPS systems, from threats posed by solar flares and other space weather phenomena. Using cutting-edge data from satellites like NOAA’s GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites), NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), and the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), NOAA helps protect vital infrastructure that keeps our economy and military
    strong. NOAA also works with other federal agencies to monitor and mitigate GPS signal interference by using advanced techniques to pinpoint and neutralize sources of disruption, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of these critical systems. This proactive approach is vital for maintaining the strength and security of America’s technological capabilities.
    Moreover, NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) provides essential information and resources to farmers and ranchers across the U.S. to help them better prepare for, mitigate, and respond to the effects of drought. NIDIS provides information on current drought conditions, forecasts, impacts, and risks to inform drought management and decision making. Upon direction from Congress, NIDIS is creating an early drought warning system for the nation. NOAA programs, like NIDIS, are essential to understanding and mitigating the risks to people, livelihoods, and communities that stem from complex environmental stresses, such as drought.
    Many of NOAA’s programs are authorized and funded through Congressional appropriations. The President does not have the authority to impound or otherwise withhold funds that were lawfully authorized and appropriated by the Congress. Further, the President also does not have the authority to grant unvetted individuals’ access to vital government systems at NOAA, as some reports suggest. Such actions are not only irresponsible but
    also unlawful and pose significant risks to national security and public trust.
    It is also incredibly shortsighted for DOGE to make mass terminations at NOAA facilities, as reports suggest. The scientists at NOAA facilities in Colorado and across the country have dedicated their lives and their careers to public service and innovation, and we should celebrate their contributions rather than putting our country at a disadvantage by purging the agency. The value of NOAA and its programs are clear. Any attempt to unilaterally halt them would constitute egregious overreach of executive power, jeopardizing the safety and well-being of countless Americans. For this reason, we strongly urge you to investigate the claims that suggest DOGE is seeking to dismantle NOAA or disrupt its operations and critical research through unauthorized access to IT systems and attempts to significantly reduce staffing levels. The American people deserve answers about what President Trump and DOGE have done and plan to do with this crucial agency, which has demonstrated tremendous effectiveness at saving lives and property and serving critical economic and strategic national interests.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq Appoints Brandis DeSimone as New Head of East Coast Listings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The appointment strengthens Nasdaq’s commitment to supporting companies throughout their corporate lifecycle

    Nasdaq is the exchange of choice for new listings and exchange transfers in the US, raising $22.97 Billion in IPO proceeds across 180 listings in 2024 and celebrating over 500 transfers to Nasdaq since 2005

    NEW YORK, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced the appointment of Brandis DeSimone as Senior Vice President, Head of East Coast Listings. Under the recently established regional operational structure, this appointment further strengthens Nasdaq’s commitment to supporting companies throughout their corporate lifecycle and deepening client relationships.

    DeSimone brings almost two decades of experience in the financial services industry, including over 13 years at Nasdaq. Throughout her long tenure with the organization, she has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the Nasdaq community and an ability to lead with deep client knowledge and trusted expertise. DeSimone has held multiple senior positions focusing on business development and client success. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Head of Americas Data Sales, where she fortified Nasdaq’s position as a leading data provider, working with various institutions across the financial sector, including traditional financial institutions and startups. With a comprehensive understanding of market trends, changing investor needs, and technological impacts on capital markets, DeSimone aims to help Nasdaq enhance its role as a strategic partner to corporate clients.

    “As companies navigate the dynamic landscape of capital markets, Nasdaq’s full suite of capabilities across trading, insights, technology and visibility are critical to fuel our client’s success,” said Brandis DeSimone, SVP, Head of East Coast Listings. “I am thrilled to evolve my journey with Nasdaq and grow the Listings franchise as we strengthen our commitment to helping clients unlock opportunity.”

    DeSimone will step into her new role on April 1, 2025. She is based out of Nasdaq’s New York headquarters and will report into Jeff Thomas, Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer and Global Head of Listings for Capital Access Platforms.

    “The evolution of Nasdaq has always been centered around our clients’ needs, and we designed our regional management structure to drive greater connectivity with our clients and accelerate growth,” said Jeff Thomas, Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer and Global Head of Listings for Capital Access Platforms. “Brandis DeSimone’s well-rounded and nuanced understanding of the capital markets from her work across all client segments along with her extensive understanding of Nasdaq’s capabilities and solutions will be instrumental in helping our clients in the East Coast deliver the highest level of service for our clients and fuel their success.”

    Nasdaq is home to the world’s most innovative companies. In addition to being the leading U.S. exchange, Nasdaq supports companies comprehensively through its suite of market leading solutions for investor relations, governance, index inclusion and visibility offerings. To date, over 500 companies have transferred their listings to Nasdaq, highlighting the unique proposition Nasdaq provides.

    About Nasdaq
    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

    Nasdaq Media Contact


    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
    Information set forth in this communication contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s growth strategy and market expectations, products and services, ability to enhance or innovate new ways for companies to join the public markets, future listing activity, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, or other factors beyond Nasdaq’s control. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in Nasdaq’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on Nasdaq’s investor relations website at ir.nasdaq.com and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    -NDAQG-

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft Dragon Copilot provides the healthcare industry’s first AI assistant for clinical workflow

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Microsoft Dragon Copilot provides the healthcare industry’s first AI assistant for clinical workflow

    By combining and extending the proven capabilities of Dragon Medical One (DMO) and DAX Copilot (DAX), Dragon Copilot promotes clinician well-being, increases efficiency, improves patient experiences and drives financial impact

    REDMOND, Wash. — March 3, 2025 — On Monday, Microsoft Corp. is unveiling Microsoft Dragon Copilot, the first AI assistant for clinical workflow that brings together the trusted natural language voice dictation capabilities of DMO with the ambient listening capabilities of DAX, fine-tuned generative AI and healthcare-adapted safeguards. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot is built on a secure modern architecture that enables organizations to deliver enhanced experiences and outcomes across care settings for providers and patients alike.

    Clinician burnout in the U.S. dropped from 53% in 2023 to 48% in 2024, in part due to technology advancements. However, with an aging population, and persistent burnout felt across the profession, a significant U.S. workforce shortage is projected. In response, health systems are adopting AI to streamline administrative tasks, enhance care access, and enable faster clinical insights to improve healthcare globally.

    “At Microsoft, we have long believed that AI has the incredible potential to free clinicians from much of the administrative burden in healthcare and enable them to refocus on taking care of patients,” said Joe Petro, corporate vice president of Microsoft Health and Life Sciences Solutions and Platforms. “With the launch of our new Dragon Copilot, we are introducing the first unified voice AI experience to the market, drawing on our trusted, decades-long expertise that has consistently enhanced provider wellness and improved clinical and financial outcomes for provider organizations and the patients they serve.”

    “With Dragon Copilot, we’re not just enhancing how we work in the EHR — we’re tapping into a Microsoft-powered ecosystem where AI assistance extends across our organization, delivering a consistent and intelligent experience everywhere we work,” said Dr. R. Hal Baker, senior vice president and chief digital and chief information officer, WellSpan Health. “It’s this ability to enhance the patient experience while streamlining clinician workflows that makes Dragon Copilot such a game-changer.”

    Dragon Copilot combines DMO’s speech capabilities, which has helped clinicians document billions of patient records, and DAX’s ambient AI technology, which has assisted over 3 million ambient patient conversations across 600 healthcare organizations in the past month alone. With these ambient AI capabilities, organizations have already realized significant outcomes, with clinicians reporting five minutes saved per encounter,[1] 70% of clinicians reporting reduced feelings of burnout and fatigue,[2] 62% of clinicians stating they are less likely to leave their organization,[3] while 93% of patients report a better overall experience.[4]

    Key features of Dragon Copilot allow clinicians and other care providers across specialties to:

    • Streamline documentation: Clinicians can take advantage of multilanguage ambient note creation, automated tasks and multilanguage support, personalized style and formatting, natural language dictation capabilities, speech memos, editing, customized texts, templates, AI prompts, and more in one singular user interface.
    • Surface information: The embedded AI assistant functionality allows clinicians to conduct general-purpose medical information searches from trusted content sources.
    • Automate tasks: New capabilities allow clinicians to automate key tasks, such as conversational orders, note and clinical evidence summaries, referral letters, and after-visit summaries, in one centralized workspace.

    Clinicians working across ambulatory, inpatient, emergency departments and other care settings will benefit from Dragon Copilot’s fast, accurate, secure and intuitive speech and ambient capabilities to document care, navigate electronic health record (EHR) workflows, and perform other administrative tasks. Dragon Copilot will be generally available in the U.S. and Canada in May, followed by the U.K., Germany, France and the Netherlands. Microsoft is also committed to bringing a new Dragon experience to other key markets using Dragon Medical today.

    “We are aware of the administrative burnout affecting our clinicians, and the need for improved care access for our patients, and the newest evolution of Dragon represents a significant step forward in alleviating this strain,” said Glen Kearns, EVP and CIO, The Ottawa Hospital. “We are thrilled to be one of the first customers in Canada to use Microsoft’s ambient and generative AI technology. The newest evolution of Dragon Copilot could help alleviate documentation burden for our clinical teams.”

    With Microsoft’s extensive healthcare industry partner ecosystem, healthcare organizations can unlock more value from Dragon Copilot by accessing new solutions and integrated offerings. These partners include leading EHR providers, independent software vendors, system integrators and cloud service providers that each play a unique role in enabling organizations to deliver meaningful outcomes using the Dragon Copilot solution.

    Embracing AI innovations with a secure data estate and responsible AI

    Dragon’s new capabilities are built on a secure data estate and incorporate healthcare-specific clinical, chat and compliance safeguards for accurate and safe AI outputs. They also align to Microsoft’s responsible AI principles to help guide AI development and use —transparency, reliability and safety, fairness, inclusiveness, accountability, privacy, and security. We remain committed to developing responsible AI by design and ensuring that these technologies positively impact both the healthcare ecosystem and broader society and will share our learnings on this journey with our customers.

    For more information on Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, please visit the Microsoft health and life sciences press site here. For more information on Dragon Copilot, click here or visit us at booth #2221 at HIMSS.

    Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

    For more information, press only:

    Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications, (425) 638-7777,
    [email protected]

    Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit Microsoft Source at https://news.microsoft.com/source. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-public-relations-contacts.

    [1] Microsoft survey of 879 clinicians across 340 healthcare organizations using DAX Copilot; July 2024

    [2] Microsoft survey of 879 clinicians across 340 healthcare organizations using DAX Copilot; July 2024

    [3] Microsoft survey of 879 clinicians across 340 healthcare organizations using DAX Copilot; July 2024

    [4] Survey of 413 patients conducted by multiple healthcare organizations whose clinicians use DAX Copilot; June 2024

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Flexera Completes Acquisition of NetApp’s Spot FinOps Portfolio

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ITASCA, Ill. and SAN JOSE, Calif., March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Flexera, the global leader in technology spend and risk management, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Spot from NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP), the intelligent data infrastructure company. The acquisition is Flexera’s latest step towards offering a comprehensive set of solutions to help organizations confront growing cloud cost and usage hurdles, especially as the consumption of artificial intelligence (AI) surges and strains cloud budgets.

    With this acquisition, Flexera expands its leading Cloud Financial Management offering into a suite of AI-powered FinOps technologies and enhances the value of these offerings by expanding its partner ecosystem. This newly bolstered FinOps portfolio from Flexera allows organizations and managed service providers (MSPs) to manage cloud financial commitments, automate billing and invoicing, reduce workload costs and optimize containers. Flexera FinOps aligns with the expanding scope of FinOps to include data centers, SaaS and public cloud, while also supporting enhanced use cases such as software licensing and sustainability.

    “The need for FinOps and cloud cost optimization has never been greater, as critical AI initiatives create more urgency for boards and C-suites to effectively contain swelling cloud and IT spend,” said Jim Ryan, President and CEO of Flexera. “We believe that by bringing Spot and its core products into the Flexera FinOps portfolio, we are now the most comprehensive provider in the space. This also complements our leading positions in IT Asset Management and SaaS Management.”

    The Spot business adds new capabilities to Flexera’s FinOps solution with Kubernetes cost management and accelerates innovation in container management, spot cloud instances and commitment management. Spot’s main product lines include:

    • Spot Eco helps organizations unlock the full value of their cloud services with a series of cloud commitment management features, ensuring organizations capture critical savings from reserved instances, savings plans or committed usage discounts across Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform.
    • Spot Ocean is a Kubernetes infrastructure management product that provides continuous optimization of containers for cost, performance and availability.
    • Spot Elastigroup allows organizations to scale their workloads and maximize the value of their cloud investments with spot instances and virtual machines.
    • CloudCheckr is a powerful cloud cost management tool allowing enterprise, MSPs and distributors to manage and reduce cloud costs, optimize resources and gain operational efficiencies, manage billing and invoicing, improve governance, and strengthen security and compliance.

    These solutions are accompanied by a robust portfolio of policy-based best practice checks for cost, security, governance and compliance.

    “The completion of this transaction further hones our focus of our Public Cloud business. Our highly differentiated first party and marketplace cloud storage services are complemented by intelligent data and operational services such as Data Infrastructure Insights and Instaclustr. These services, in concert with our Hybrid Cloud products, enable customers to build a seamless intelligent data infrastructure across hybrid multi-cloud,” said Haiyan Song, Executive Vice President, Intelligent Operations Services, at NetApp. “We believe that Flexera is the right environment for Spot portfolio of solutions, employees and customers to thrive.”

    Flexera’s integration of Spot also creates new opportunities for partners – particularly MSPs and distributors – to develop or enhance their own FinOps services. With Flexera, partners have a chance to tap into a broader portfolio of technologies and specialists, while building value-added services that cover the expanded definition of FinOps to include ITAM and software licensing, SaaS management, AI spend management and more.

    “Flexera customers can expect to gain in capabilities and a richer portfolio, such as a whole slew of advanced purchase commitment automation and container cost management and optimization capabilities,” wrote Tracy Woo at Forrester in a recent blog post.1 “The Spot acquisition is a boon for Flexera both in market presence with CloudCheckr’s dominant channel presence and with the added capabilities of Spot’s Eco (purchase commitments), Elastigroup (spot automation), and Ocean (container management), which all fill major gaps.”

    Flexera recently achieved a new FinOps certification milestone, and now has the largest group of FinOps-certified practitioners in the world. The company also made a significant investment in its partner program, with an emphasis on expanding its support for MSPs. These events continue to reinforce Flexera’s proven leadership in FinOps, ITAM and SaaS Management.

    For more information about Flexera One FinOps, visit www.flexera.com/products/flexera-one/finops.

    ¹Source: “NetApp Focuses On Storable And Exits FinOps”

    Follow Flexera

    About Flexera
    Flexera helps organizations understand and maximize the value of their technology, saving billions of dollars in wasted spend. Powered by the Flexera Technology Intelligence Platform, our award-winning IT asset management, FinOps and SaaS management solutions provide comprehensive visibility and actionable insights on an organization’s entire IT ecosystem. This intelligence enables IT, finance, procurement, FinOps and cloud teams to address skyrocketing costs, optimize spend, mitigate risk and identify opportunities to create positive business outcomes. More than 50,000 global organizations rely on Flexera and its Technopedia reference library, the largest repository of technology asset data. Learn more at flexera.com.

    About NetApp
    NetApp is the intelligent data infrastructure company, combining unified data storage, integrated data, operational and workload services to turn a world of disruption into opportunity for every customer. NetApp creates silo-free infrastructure, harnessing observability and AI to enable the industry’s best data management. As the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in the world’s biggest clouds, our data storage delivers seamless flexibility. In addition, our data services create a data advantage through superior cyber resilience, governance, and application agility. Our operational and workload services provide continuous optimization of performance and efficiency for infrastructure and workloads through observability and AI. No matter the data type, workload, or environment, with NetApp you can transform your data infrastructure to realize your business possibilities. Learn more at www.netapp.com or follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

    NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at www.netapp.com/TM are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    For more information, contact:
    Flexera Media Contact:
    Ciri Haugh
    Flexera
    publicrelations@flexera.com

    NetApp Media Contact:
    Kenya Hayes
    NetApp
    kenya.hayes@netapp.com

    Investor Contact:
    Kris Newton
    NetApp
    kris.newton@netapp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Nigeria’s 2025 budget has major flaws and won’t ease economic burden

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stephen Onyeiwu, Professor of Economics & Business, Allegheny College

    There are doubts as to whether Nigerian president Bola Tinubu’s N54.99 trillion (US$36.6 billion) 2025 budget will lay a solid foundation for addressing some of the country’s current economic challenges.

    Economist Stephen Onyeiwu unpacks these challenges and sets out why the 2025 budget won’t change Nigeria’s economic landscape (though it has some silver linings).

    What are Nigeria’s four biggest economic challenges?

    Firstly, Nigeria’s economy has grown at a subdued average rate of about 3% for the past three years.

    Though comparable to global economic growth, this rate of growth is insufficient to create jobs and alleviate poverty. The official unemployment rate is 4.3%.

    Only 15% of those employed, however, are in the formal sector as wage earners. About 93% of Nigerians are engaged in informal sector activities. They’re doing low-income and vulnerable jobs, with no social protection.

    Secondly, Nigerians are struggling with a high cost of living. Inflation has remained high for three years, as have interest rates.

    The exchange rate has been elevated and volatile. The result has been rising food, fuel and housing costs.

    Thirdly, the country has not been able to attract enough foreign investment to generate high-paying jobs in the formal sector. Foreign direct investment to Nigeria has been declining. It fell from US$8.6 billion in 2009 to US$1.8 billion in 2023.

    Reasons for the decline are the high cost of doing business in Nigeria, insecurity, poor infrastructure and macroeconomic instability.

    Fourthly, poverty rates are high. This is due to unemployment and the lack of safety nets. The poverty rate rose from 33.2% in 2020 to 47.2% in 2024. The number of poor people is expected to increase by 13 million in 2025, largely due to inflation.

    Will the 2025 budget help?

    There are a number of serious flaws in it which suggest it won’t.

    Tinubu said the 2025 budget “was designed to ensure macro-economic stability, poverty reduction, promoting economic stability, developing human capital and addressing insecurity.”

    But the allocation of funds does not reflect these priorities. The allocations to personnel and overheads far exceed allocations to capital expenditures – things that build the economy’s productive capacity.

    A key challenge for Nigeria is how to shift resources from consumption to production. The 2025 budget reinforces the longstanding consumerist nature of the economy.

    China spends about 45% of GDP on capital formation. This has spurred and sustained the country’s high growth rates for decades. Nigeria’s allocation to capital expenditure in the 2025 budget is about 19%.

    In his budget speech the president said his administration’s goal was to

    “get our manufacturing sector humming again and ultimately increase the competitiveness of our economy.”

    But the federal ministries that should be driving this effort – industry and education – weren’t allocated enough for capital expenditure.

    Nor did the budget prioritise things that would ease the economic burden of Nigerians.

    A big chunk of the budget (about 35.4%) goes to servicing debt. Indeed, about 65% of the 2025 budget will finance debt repayment, personnel costs and overheads.

    Another concern is that the government intends to borrow N9.22 trillion (US$6.2 billion) to finance the budget, higher than the N7.83 trillion (US$5.2 billion) borrowed in the previous year.

    Borrowing to finance a budget increases the interest rate and makes private-sector borrowing costly. Businesses can’t access funds that would enable them to invest and boost economic growth, reduce inflation, create jobs and alleviate poverty.

    Are there any silver linings?

    There are some.

    It is commendable that the Federal Ministry of Communications & the Digital Economy was allocated about N450 billion (US$300 million) for capital expenditure, compared to just N33 billion (US$22 million) for recurrent expenditure. The administration is signalling its commitment to building capacity in the IT sector. This is important because Nigeria needs to promote a knowledge-based economy that would diversify away from hydrocarbons.

    Another encouraging aspect of the budget is that the ratio of budget deficit to GDP (3.89%) is lower than the average 5% prior to 2024. Although the administration will borrow to cover the deficit, it’s borrowing less than before relative to GDP. This signals an intention to be more financially prudent than previous administrations, assuming it won’t resort to supplementary budgets.

    What needs to happen now?

    The 2025 budget is anything but pro-poor. Most of its provisions benefit the elites, contractors and public employees.

    Much will be used to pay politicians and their aides at the National Assembly and workers in the government ministries and agencies.

    Money allocated to capital expenditure will be used to pay contractors for government projects.

    Nigerians in the informal sector will not feel a direct impact. There should have been more proactive measures to address unemployment and poverty.

    Sustainable development requires a strong rural economy. While the manufacturing and services sectors are critical for structural transformation and job creation, they can’t develop without a vibrant agricultural sector.

    Strengthening the rural economy of Nigeria requires raising the productivity of farmers so that they can supply food to urban workers at affordable prices. This helps keep inflation and wage rates low.

    Raising the productivity of rural people raises their incomes and alleviates poverty.

    Higher rural incomes increase farmers’ purchasing power, leading to an increase in the demand for goods and services produced in the manufacturing sector. When rural people earn more, there’s less reason to migrate to urban areas.

    Less migration implies less pressure on urban social services, the labour market and the informal sector.

    More funds need to be allocated to sectors and activities that raise the productive capacity of the economy. This will involve reducing governance costs and using the savings to boost food production, agro-processing and manufacturing.

    The key to stabilising the Nigerian economy is massive food production, which will reduce food inflation. Coupled with agro-processing, food production will boost exports, reduce food imports and strengthen the value of the naira.

    A stronger naira will reduce inflation and interest rates.

    In conclusion, the 2025 budget does not solve Nigeria’s endless cycle of deficits and debts. Neither does it lay the foundation for structural transformation, economic diversification, sustainable economic growth, employment generation and poverty alleviation.

    It will leave the economic landscape unchanged.

    Stephen Onyeiwu 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. Nigeria’s 2025 budget has major flaws and won’t ease economic burden – https://theconversation.com/nigerias-2025-budget-has-major-flaws-and-wont-ease-economic-burden-250713

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Fifth meeting of the Trees in Dry Cities Coalition: Integrating Urban Trees into Policy and Plans

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Since its launch at COP28 in Dubai, the Trees in Dry Cities Coalition has been advancing its Action Plan, focusing on key priorities for implementation. Building on discussions at COP16 in Riyadh, particularly on policy and finance, this meeting will:

    • Discuss the technical guide on integrating urban forestry into national planning frameworks and its practical application to link local and national policy.
    • Assess progress on the Action Plan and explore next steps for policy alignment and implementation.
    • Provide a briefing on the finance stream, summarizing key takeaways from the dedicated webinar.

    The Fifth Meeting of the Coalition will serve as a checkpoint for implementation progress and provide a space for open discussion on key actions for 2025.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Oklahoma Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Summer Rain and Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Oklahoma of the April 3, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the June 18–21, 2024 heavy rain and flooding.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Beaver, Cimarron and Texas in Oklahoma, as well as Morton, Seward and Stevens in Kansas, and Hansford, Ochiltree and Sherman in Texas.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than April 3, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –