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Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chairs 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune, Maharashtra

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chairs 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune, Maharashtra

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Whole of Government approach is not just a mantra but a culture

    In the Modi government, Zonal Councils have been established as a strategic decision-making platform, surpassing their traditional role as formal institutions

    The government’s goal is to ensure bank branches or postal banking facilities are available within a three-kilometer radius in every village across the country

    Home Minister urges states to take the issues of malnutrition and stunting in children very seriously and implement all possible measures to address them

    All states should launch a large-scale awareness campaign to connect farmers with the app designed to facilitate the sale of pulses to the Government of India at MSP

    Topics of digital infrastructure and cyber crime will also be included in the purview of the Inter State Council

    Posted On: 22 FEB 2025 6:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, chaired the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune, Maharashtra today. The meeting was attended by several dignitaries including Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The Union Home Secretary, Secretary, Inter State Council Secretariat, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Chief Secretaries of States of Western Region, and other senior officials of State and Union Ministries and Departments also attended the meeting.

     

    In his address, Shri Amit Shah stated that while the role of zonal councils are advisory in nature, in recent years, these meetings have evolved into a platform for sharing best practices adopted by various states and showcasing significant national-level achievements. He emphasized that through zonal council meetings, the country has successfully fostered inclusive solutions and holistic development, driven by dialogue, engagement, and collaboration.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Whole of Government approach has transformed from a mantra into a guiding culture. He emphasized that the Zonal Councils have been established as a strategic decision-making platform, surpassing their traditional role as a formal institutions. Through this platform, several significant and transformative decisions have been made, particularly in the meetings of the Eastern Zonal Council. He further highlighted that these meetings have facilitated the exchange of innovative solutions and efforts to resolve long-standing issues in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

    The Home Minister emphasized the Western region’s critical role in the country’s economy, noting that it accounts for more than half of India’s trade with the world. He highlighted that the Northern and Central regions also rely on the Western region for global trade. Shri Amit Shah pointed out that key infrastructure, including ports and urban development facilities in the Western region, serves not only its states but also others like Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. He further stated that the Western region contributes 25% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is home to industries where 80 to 90% of operations take place. Given its economic significance, he described the Western region as a benchmark for balanced and holistic development across the country.

    Shri Amit Shah underlined that since Shri Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, the Zonal Councils have evolved from mere formal institutions into dynamic platforms driving meaningful change. He highlighted a significant increase in their activity, noting that from 2004 to 2014, only 25 meetings were held, whereas from 2014 to February 2025, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, a total of 61 meetings took place—an increase of 140%. Similarly, he pointed out that while 469 topics were discussed between 2004 and 2014, the number rose to 1,541 from 2014 to February 2025, reflecting a 170% surge. In terms of issue resolution, only 448 cases were settled in the earlier decade, compared to 1,280 in the last ten years.

    Shri Amit Shah said that the government is steadily moving towards achieving 100% targets in subject areas mentioned in the puview of Zonal Council meetings. He highlighted significant progress in expanding financial access, noting that the goal of establishing bank branches or postal banking facilities within 05 kilometers of every village has almost been accomplished. In today’s meeting, a new target was set to further reduce this distance to 03 kilometers, ensuring even greater accessibility. He emphasized that this achievement, made possible through the cooperation of all states, is a significant milestone and a source of collective satisfaction.

    Shri Amit Shah acknowledged that the states in the western zone are among the most prosperous in the country. However, he expressed concern over the prevalence of Malnutrition and Stunting among children and citizens in these states. He urged the Chief Ministers, Ministers, and Chief Secretaries of the western zone to prioritize eliminating malnutrition to improve overall health. He emphasized that good health is not solely dependent on medicines and hospitals; rather, efforts should be made to ensure that children and citizens do not require them in the first place. The Home Minister stressed the need for serious attention to the problem of stunting in children and called for all possible measures to resolve it. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of reducing school dropout rates and enhancing the quality of education.

    Union Home Minister expressed concern over the import of pulses and emphasized the need to boost domestic production. He noted that while farmers previously faced difficulties in getting fair prices for pulses, the government has now developed a mobile app that enables the direct purchase of 100% of their produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He urged the western states to actively promote this app and encourage farmer registrations, ensuring fair pricing and contributing to the country’s self-sufficiency in pulse production.

    Highlighting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’, Shri Amit Shah emphasized that cooperation is the key to achieving 100% employment in the country. He stressed the importance of strengthening Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), making them multi-dimensional, and effectively implementing more than 56 initiatives designed to realize the full potential of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’. He urged Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa to take all necessary steps to build a robust cooperative infrastructure at the grassroots level.

    Referring to the implementation of three new criminal laws, the Union Home Minister emphasized that it is now time to ensure that citizens receive 100% of the constitutional rights granted to them. He further stated that in the coming days, issues related to digital infrastructure and cybercrime will also be brought under the purview of the Inter State Council. He urged the states to proactively prepare for these developments.

    Shri Amit Shah emphasized the importance of leveraging current efforts and a well-defined roadmap to drive the long-term economic development of both the country and individual states. He stressed the need to maximize growth potential by utilizing the strategic platform of regional councils to achieve 100% development objectives.

    A total of 18 issues were discussed in the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council. In the meeting, some important issues related to the member states and the country as a whole was discussed in detail. These include land transfer, mining, speedy investigation of rape cases against women and children, implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) scheme for speedy disposal of rape and POCSO Act cases, implementation of Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), bank branches/postal banking facility in every village, issues related to railway project and food security norms etc.

    Apart from these, 6 issues of national importance were also discussed, which include – urban master plan and affordable housing, electricity operation/supply, eliminating malnutrition in children through Poshan Abhiyan, reducing drop-out rate of school children, participation of government hospitals in Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, strengthening Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). Best practices adopted by Member States/UTs were also shared in the meeting.

    In his address during the meeting, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation described Pune as the cultural capital not just of Maharashtra but of the entire country. He highlighted Pune’s historical significance, noting that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Peshwas, and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s direction across various fields. He also expressed gratitude to Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, for successfully organizing the meeting and ensuring excellent arrangements.

    *****

    RK/VV/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2105532) Visitor Counter : 105

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM to visit Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam from 23rd to 25th February

    Source: Government of India (2)

    PM to visit Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam from 23rd to 25th February

    PM to lay the foundation stone of Bageshwar Dham Medical and Science Research Institute in Chattarpur, MP

    PM to inaugurate the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal, MP

    PM to inaugurate and dedicate to the nation various development projects and release the 19th instalment of PM KISAN in Bhagalpur, Bihar

    PM to inaugurate Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati, Assam

    PM to attend the Jhumoir Binandini (Mega Jhumoir) 2025 programme in Guwahati, Assam

    Posted On: 22 FEB 2025 2:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam from 23rd to 25th February. On 23rd February, he will travel to Chhatarpur District in Madhya Pradesh and at around 2 PM, he will lay the foundation stone of Bageshwar Dham Medical and Science Research Institute. On 24th February, at around 10 AM, Prime Minister will inaugurate the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal. Thereafter, he will travel to Bhagalpur in Bihar and at around 2:15 PM, he will release the 19th instalment of PM KISAN scheme and also inaugurate and dedicate to the nation various development projects in Bihar. Further he will travel to Guwahati and at around 6 PM, he will attend the Jhumoir Binandini (Mega Jhumoir) 2025 programme. On 25th February, at around 10:45 AM, Prime Minister will inaugurate the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati.

    PM in Madhya Pradesh

    Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Bageshwar Dham Medical and Science Research Institute in Garha village, Chhatarpur district. Ensuring better healthcare services for people from all walks of life, the Cancer hospital, worth over Rs 200 crore will offer free treatment to underprivileged cancer patients and will be equipped with state-of-the-art machines and have specialist doctors.

    Prime Minister will also inaugurate the two-day Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025 in Bhopal. Serving as an important platform to establish Madhya Pradesh as a global investment hub, the GIS will include departmental summits; specialized sessions on Pharma and Medical Devices, Transport and Logistics, Industry, Skill Development, Tourism and MSMEs among others. It will also include international sessions like the Global South countries conference, Latin America and Caribbean session and special sessions for key partner countries.

    Three major industrial exhibitions will be held during the Summit. The Auto Show will showcase Madhya Pradesh’s automotive capabilities and future mobility solutions. The Textile and Fashion Expo will highlight the state’s expertise in both traditional and modern textile manufacturing. The “One District-One Product” (ODOP) Village will showcase the state’s unique craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

    Representatives from over 60 countries, officials from various international organizations, over 300 prominent Industry leaders from India and policymakers among others will participate in the Summit.

    PM in Bihar

    Prime Minister has been committed towards ensuring farmer welfare. In line with this, several key initiatives will be undertaken by him at Bhagalpur. He will release the 19th instalment of PM KISAN at Bhagalpur. Over 9.7 crore farmers across the country will receive direct financial benefits amounting to more than Rs 21,500 crore.

    A significant focus of the Prime Minister has been on ensuring that farmers are able to get better remuneration for their produce. With this in mind, on 29th February, 2020, he launched the Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO), which help farmers collectively market and produce their agricultural products. Within five years, this commitment of Prime Minister to the farmers has been fulfilled, with him marking the milestone of the formation of the 10,000th FPO in the country during the programme.

    Prime Minister will inaugurate the Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Breeds in Motihari, built under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Its major objectives include introduction of cutting edge IVF technology, production of elite animals of indigenous breeds for further propagation, and training of farmers and professionals in modern reproductive technology. He will also inaugurate the Milk Product Plant in Barauni that aims to create an organized market for 3 lakh milk producers.

    In line with his commitment to boost connectivity and infrastructure, Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the doubling of Warisaliganj – Nawada – Tilaiya rail section worth over Rs 526 crore and Ismailpur – Rafiganj Road Over Bridge.

    PM in Assam

    Prime Minister will attend the Jhumoir Binandini (Mega Jhumoir) 2025, a spectacular cultural extravaganza with 8,000 performers participating in the Jhumoir dance, a folk dance of Assam Tea Tribe and Adivasi Communities of Assam that embodies the spirit of inclusivity, unity and cultural pride, and symbolises Assam’s syncretic cultural mélange. The Mega Jhumoir event symbolises 200 years of the tea industry, and also 200 years of industrialisation in Assam.

    PM will also inaugurate the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati, to be held from 25th to 26th February. It will include an inaugural Session, seven ministerial sessions and 14 thematic sessions. It will also include a comprehensive exhibition illustrating the state’s economic landscape, with a focus on its industrial evolution, global trade partnerships, booming industries, and the vibrant MSME sector, featuring over 240 exhibitors.

    Various international organisations, global leaders and investors, policymakers, industry experts, startups, and students among others will participate in the Summit.

     

    ***

    MJPS/VJ

    (Release ID: 2105467) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Centre secures ₹ 1.56 Crore Relief for Aspirants & Students in Education Sector through Refunds from Coaching Centres

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Centre secures ₹ 1.56 Crore Relief for Aspirants & Students in Education Sector through Refunds from Coaching Centres

    More than 600 aspirants and students from Civil Services, Engineering Course and other programmes successfully claimed refunds from Coaching Centres by filing grievances through the National Consumer Helpline (NCH)

    The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has directed Coaching Centres to adopt a student-focused approach and put an end to the unfair practice of denying refund claims from aspirants and students

    Posted On: 22 FEB 2025 1:55PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Government of India has successfully secured refunds amounting to ₹1.56 crore for over 600 aspirants and students in the education sector. These students, enrolled in coaching centres for Civil Services, Engineering Course and other programmes, were previously denied rightful refunds despite following the terms and conditions set forth by the coaching institutes.

    The relief was made possible through grievances filed by the students via the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), which facilitated a streamlined process for dispute resolution. The swift action by the Department has helped students receive compensation for unfulfilled services, late classes, or cancelled courses, ensuring they do not bear the financial burden of unfair business practices.

    In its decisive direction, Department of Consumer Affairs has instructed all coaching centres to adopt a student-centric approach, mandating clear, transparent refund policies to protect student’s financial interests. The Department has also made it clear that the unjust practice of denying legitimate refund claims will no longer be tolerated, urging educational institutions to uphold consumer rights.

    The Department of Consumer Affairs, through its proactive efforts, has also committed to strengthening the complaint redressal mechanism and educating students on their consumer rights, empowering them to take action in case of unfair treatment.

    The National Consumer Helpline has proven to be a vital resource in empowering students and aspirants in their quest for justice. Many students have shared their positive experience, highlighting how the NCH assisted them in navigating the complexities of refund claims and providing timely resolutions.

    Through the platform, individuals were able to resolve issues without the need for protracted legal battles, saving time and energy while ensuring fair outcomes. By resolving grievances at the pre-litigation stage, NCH has helped prevent the escalation of disputes, offering an effective and accessible alternative to formal legal proceedings. This service has proven especially beneficial for students, who now have a dependable avenue to safeguard their interests.

    As part of the initiative, the DoCA continues to advocate for student rights and encourages all students facing similar issues to use the National Consumer Helpline platform for quick resolution. The Department also urges Coaching Centres to adhere to the guidelines set forth, ensuring transparency, accountability, and a student-friendly approach.

     

    Positive Outcomes in Grievance Redressal Mechanism

    1. A consumer had taken hostel accommodation for uninterrupted studies but encountered multiple deficiencies in the services provided, which clearly violated the policy and constituted an unfair trade practice. With the intervention of the National Consumer Helpline, the consumer successfully received a refund. The consumer reviewed the outcome, stating, “The complaint was addressed by the company and a fair solution is given by the company.” Chennai, Tamil Nadu

     

    1. A consumer enrolled in a Psychology workshop after being pressured by the company’s claim that only a few seats were left. After making the payment, the consumer was denied a seat and subsequently denied a refund. However, following intervention by the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), the consumer’s refund was successfully facilitated. The consumer shared their feedback, stating, “The company has refunded the full amount.”- Rajkot, Gujarat

     

    1. A JEE aspirant purchased a course, but the institute denied the purchase despite the consumer providing proof of payment. The consumer faced an unfair trade practice and registered a grievance with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH). With NCH’s intervention, the refund was successfully processed, and the consumer expressed gratitude, stating, “Refund RECEIVED, Thank You.”- Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

     

    1. A consumer joined a campus but left due to services not aligning with the promised policies. When the institute denied a refund, the consumer approached the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), which successfully facilitated the refund. The consumer shared their positive experience, saying, “Thanks… I get refund from the institute with the help of the consumer portal, Most effective initiative from govt. side to help consumers.”- Vellore, Tamil Nadu
    1. A student enrolled for a GATE course with the promise of a full refund within 15 days. However, the institute failed to process the refund. After registering a grievance with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), the refund was successfully facilitated within just 4 days. The student shared their experience, saying, “Got refund on 20/10/2023.”- Kota, Rajasthan

     

    1. A consumer enrolled his daughter for a course from 5th to 7th class with a 14-day observation period. However, the course did not meet expectations, and when the consumer demanded a refund, the institute denied the request. After approaching the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), the refund was successfully granted. The consumer expressed gratitude, saying, “Thanks for everything.”- Korba, Chhattisgarh

     

    1. A consumer enrolled in a civil services course but, due to unavoidable circumstances, requested a refund of the fees paid. The coaching institute initially denied the request. However, with the intervention of the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), the refund was successfully facilitated. The consumer expressed satisfaction, saying, “Problem addressed successfully.”- Aurangabad, Maharashtra

     

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma

    (Release ID: 2105466) Visitor Counter : 51

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister to Release 19th Instalment of PM-KISAN at Bhagalpur, Bihar on 24th February 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Prime Minister to Release 19th Instalment of PM-KISAN at Bhagalpur, Bihar on 24th February 2025

    Over 9.8 Crore Farmers to Benefit from Direct Transfers Exceeding ₹22,000 Crore

    Formation of the 10,000th FPO under the Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs scheme

    Inauguration of the Regional Center of Excellence (CoE) for Indigenous Breeds at Motihari with an investment of ₹33.80 Cr. under Rashtriya Gokul Mission

    Inauguration of Milk Product Plant at Barauni build with investment of ₹113.27 Cr.  

    Inauguration of the Warisaliganj–Nawadah–Tilaiya Rail Section Doubling (36.45 km) build with investment of ₹526 crore

    Inauguration of Ismailpur – Rafiganj Road Over Bridge build with investment of ₹47 crore

    Posted On: 22 FEB 2025 1:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’  Welfare addressed the media on Friday regarding the upcoming release of the 19th instalment under the PM-KISAN scheme. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme launched on 24th February 2019, provides annual financial assistance of Rs. 6,000/- per eligible farmer family. So far, more than Rs. 3.46 lakh crores have been disbursed to more than 11 Cr. farmer families in the country through 18 instalments.

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan mentioned that Farmer welfare is the top priority of the Modi government. The aim is to increase production, reduce the cost of production, ensure fair prices for produce, compensate for crop losses, diversify agriculture, and reduce costs through important schemes like the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, which was started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. Shri  Chouhan said that he is pleased to inform that the 19th instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi will be transferred by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with a single click into the accounts of farmers from Bhagalpur on February 24, 2025. This release will symbolize six years of successful implementation of the PM-Kisan scheme, which continues to strengthen the financial well-being of farmers across the country. He mentioned that a “Kisan Samman Samaroh” in this regard will be organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India in coordination with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (AH&D), Government of India, Ministry of Railways, Government of India and Government of Bihar at Bhagalpur, Bihar.

    Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that during the 18th instalment release of PM-KISAN, the instalment was released to about 9 crore 60 lakh farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture has been actively making sustained efforts to add any eligible farmers who have been missed out and through these efforts the number of farmers who will receive the 19th instalment has gone up. More than 9.8 crore farmers including 2.41 crore female farmers across the country will be benefitted through the 19th instalment release, receiving direct financial assistance exceeding ₹22,000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) without involvement of any middlemen, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to farmer welfare and agricultural prosperity.

    He mentioned that Bihar alone has received more than ₹25,497 crores through previous instalments, benefiting more than 86.56 lakh farmers in the state. In the 19th instalment, about 76.37 lakh farmers will benefit from more than ₹1,591 crores, bringing the total benefit amount transferred to beneficiaries in Bihar to around ₹27,088 crores. In Bhagalpur only, so far over ₹813.87 crore have been transferred to around 2.82 Lakh beneficiaries under 18 instalments of PM KISAN. In the 19th instalment around 2.48 lakhs beneficiaries will receive benefits of over ₹51.22 crore. With this the total amount will reach around ₹865.09 crores.

    Shri Chouhan mentioned that in this program in Bhagalpur, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be accompanied by the Governor of Bihar, Shri. Arif Mohammad Khan, the Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, the Minister of Panchayati Raj, and the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, Shri Lalan Singh, among other dignitaries. He mentioned that the event will not only be organized in Bihar but is being organized at every level. The state governments will parallelly organize events at the state, district, block and gram panchayat level.

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan mentioned that Programs will also be organized in 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country. The day of the release will be celebrated as “Kisan Samman Samaroh” to create awareness about the schemes of the central and state governments. Agriculture ministers, MPs, and MLAs from the states will join the program in their respective areas. He mentioned that during the program, the honoured guests will also distribute agricultural machinery and seed kits under the Oilseed Mission, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), and Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme (PMFBY). In addition, exhibitions focused on natural farming, organic farming, and Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products will be organized at the state and district levels led by FPOs and KVKs. These exhibitions will help promote innovation and sustainable agricultural practices and will continue for 2 to 3 days after the main event to increase awareness and adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies.

    Shri Chouhan told the press that the 19th instalment release event will be broadcasted live on DD Kisan, webcast on MyGov, YouTube, Facebook, and in more than 5 lakh common service centres across the country. Approximately two and a half crore farmers will join the program physically and virtually.

    Union Minister said that the Kisan Samman Nidhi has changed the lives of small farmers. Under this scheme, ₹6,000 is given directly in three instalments. About 3.46 lakh crores have been deposited into farmers’ accounts. With the release of the 19th instalment, a total of 3.68 lakh crores will reach the farmers’ accounts. He mentioned that small farmers used to face difficulties in buying seeds and fertilizers at the time of sowing and had to take loans at interest to meet their needs, but now they are able to meet the necessary agricultural expenses from this fund. He mentioned that the IFPRI conducted an independent study of PM-KISAN, which found that the funds received under this scheme have helped farmers overcome debt barriers and increased their risk-taking capacity. Shri Chouhan also mentioned that the farmers used to get a maximum of 3 lakh rupees on the Kisan Credit Card but now that limit has been increased to 5 lakh rupees.

    Talking about the event, the Union Minister said that in addition to this program, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will also launch some other initiatives in Bhagalpur. In Barauni, Bihar, Barauni Dairy will start a state-of-the-art dairy product plant developed with an investment of ₹113.27 crore and with a milk processing capacity of about 2 lakh litres. This is a program of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will also inaugurate the Regional Center of Excellence (CoE) at Motihari under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission with an investment of ₹33.80 crore, to enhance cattle breeding and dairy productivity.

    Shri Chouhan mentioned that the Prime Minister Shri Modi will inaugurate the 10,000th Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in Bihar, marking the achievement of the 10,000-FPO target set under the scheme launched in 2020. This milestone will signify the successful culmination of the initiative aimed at strengthening farmers’ bargaining power and improving market access. The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  on 29th February 2020 with budget outlay of ₹6,865 Crore till 2027-28. Since the launch of the scheme, ₹254.4 Crore in equity grants has been released to 4,761 FPOs and credit guarantee cover worth ₹453 Cr. has been issued to 1,900 FPOs.

    Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan mentioned that alongside the above initiatives, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will also inaugurate significant infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and facilitating smoother transportation in the region. One of the projects to be inaugurated is the doubling of the Warisaliganj–Nawadah–Tilaiya rail section build with an investment of ₹526 crore, and covering a stretch of 36.45 km. This expansion will improve rail capacity, reduce congestion, and ensure the seamless movement of passengers and goods. It will enhance the connectivity of key areas, benefiting local commuters, traders, and businesses by providing faster and more efficient rail services.

    Additionally, the Ismailpur–Rafiganj Road Over Bridge build with an investment of ₹47 crore will be inaugurated, addressing traffic congestion and improving road safety in the area. Shri Chouhan told the press that makhana is a major crop in Bihar. To energize makhana producers, a decision has been made to establish a Makhana Board. He said that he will arrive in Bihar on the 23rd and will discuss directly with the makhana producers on how to provide more facilities to makhana-producing farmers. He mentioned that the discussion will not take place in a hall but by the ponds. Shri Chouhan concluded the press conference, emphasizing that the government’s primary focus is the welfare of farmers of the country.

    A farmer-centric digital infrastructure has ensured the benefits of the scheme reach all the eligible farmers across the country without any involvement of the middlemen. The scheme started on a trust-based system based on the farmer’s self-certification of eligibility and its verification by the State Government. Further, the subsequent and gradual use of available digital systems in the country for electronically verifying and validating beneficiaries has ensured last-mile delivery and greater efficiency and transparency in the scheme’s implementation. These include integration with the PFMS portal, UIDAI portal, Income Tax portal, etc. In order the improve the quality of the data in the PM KISAN following mandatory checks has been implemented in the PM KISAN scheme.

    *****

    MG/RN

    (Release ID: 2105462) Visitor Counter : 28

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English rendering of PM’s address during inauguration of Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 21 FEB 2025 7:34PM by PIB Delhi

    Respected senior leader Shri Sharad Pawar ji, the popular Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis ji, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan Dr. Tara Bhawalkar ji, former President Dr. Ravindra Shobhane ji, all esteemed members, scholars of the Marathi language, and all brothers and sisters present here.

    Just now, Dr. Tara Ji completed her speech, and I casually said “Tharchhan.” She responded to me in Gujarati, and I also know Gujarati. Greetings to all the Marathi Saraswat community members who have come from the state of the country’s financial capital to the national capital.

    Today, this prestigious event dedicated to the Marathi language is being organised on the land of Delhi. The Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan is not limited to just one language or state. This conference on Marathi literature carries the essence of the freedom struggle, as well as the cultural heritage of Maharashtra and the nation. The Marathi language by Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram is being wholeheartedly honoured today in the capital Delhi.

    Brothers and sisters,

    Since its first event in 1878, the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan has been a witness to 147 years of history. Many great personalities of the nation, such as Mahadev Govind Ranade ji, Hari Narayan Apte ji, Madhav Shrihari Aney ji, Shivram Paranjape ji, and Veer Savarkar ji, have presided over this conference. Today, I have the opportunity to be a part of this prestigious tradition at the invitation of Sharad ji. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you and to all Marathi language enthusiasts across the country and the world for this grand event.  And today, it is also International Mother Language Day. You have chosen an excellent day for this literary conference in Delhi!

    Friends,

    When I think about Marathi, it is only natural for me to recall the words of Saint Dnyaneshwar:  ‘माझा मराठीची बोलू कौतुके। परि अमृतातेहि पैजासी जिंके। This means that the Marathi language is sweeter than nectar itself. That is why my love for the Marathi language and culture is well known to all of you. I may not be as proficient in Marathi as you scholars, but I have continuously made an effort to speak Marathi and learn new Marathi words.  

    Friends,

    This Marathi conference is taking place at a historic moment. It marks 350 years since the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, 300 years since the birth anniversary of the revered Ahilyabai Holkar ji, and, not long ago, we also celebrated 75 years of our Constitution, which was shaped through the efforts of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

    Friends,  

    Today, we also take pride in the fact that a great Marathi-speaking personality sowed the seeds of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the sacred land of Maharashtra a hundred years ago. Today, it has grown into a mighty banyan tree, celebrating its centenary year. From the Vedas to Swami Vivekananda, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been carrying forward Bharat’s great and traditional culture to the new generations through a sacred yajna of values for the past 100 years.  It is my fortune that I too, like millions of others have been inspired by the RSS to dedicate my life to the nation. It is because of the Sangh that I have had the privilege of connecting deeply with the Marathi language and tradition.  Just a few months ago, the Marathi language was officially granted the status of ‘Abhijat Bhasha’ (Classical Language). With over 12 crore Marathi-speaking people across the world, this recognition had been awaited for decades. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to fulfil this long-standing aspiration of millions of Marathi speakers.

    Respected scholars,

    You all know that language is not merely a tool for communication—Our language is the carrier of our culture. It is true that languages are born in society, but they also play an equally crucial role in shaping that very society. Our Marathi language has given voice to the thoughts of countless individuals in Maharashtra and across the nation, shaping our cultural identity. That is why Samarth Ramdas ji said: मराठा तितुका मेळवावा महाराष्ट्र धर्म वाढवावा आहे तितके जतन करावे पुढे आणिक मेळवावे महाराष्ट्र राज्य करावे जिकडे तिकडे, meaning Marathi is a complete language—it embodies bravery and valour, beauty and sensitivity, equality and harmony. It carries both the spiritual essence of devotion and the waves of modernity. Marathi is a language of ‘bhakti’ (devotion), ‘shakti’ (strength), and ‘yukti’ (wisdom). Whenever Bharat required spiritual guidance, Maharashtra’s great saints have made the wisdom of ancient sages accessible through Marathi. Saints like Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Ramdas, Namdev, Tukdoji Maharaj, Gadge Baba, Gora Kumbhar, and Bahinabai led the Bhakti movement, using Marathi to illuminate society with new ideals. Even in modern times, we have seen how the ‘Geet Ramayan’ by Gajanan Digambar Madgulkar and Sudhir Phadke left a profound impact on all of us.

    Friends,

    During the long centuries of foreign rule, the Marathi language became a battle cry for liberation from oppressors. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, and Bajirao Peshwa—these valiant Maratha warriors struck fear into their enemies, forcing them into submission. In the fight for independence, revolutionaries like Vasudev Balwant Phadke, Lokmanya Tilak, and Veer Savarkar disturbed the sleep of the British. And behind their fearless resistance, the Marathi language and literature played a significant role. Newspapers like ‘Kesari’ and ‘Maratha’, the powerful poetry of Govindagraj, and the plays of Ram Ganesh Gadkari ignited a wave of patriotism that spread across the country, fuelling the freedom movement. Even Lokmanya Tilak’s ‘Gita Rahasya’ was written in Marathi. But it infused the entire nation with a new energy.

    Friends,

    The Marathi language and literature have played a remarkable role in opening the doors of social liberation for the oppressed and marginalized sections of society. Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule, Maharshi Karve, and Babasaheb Ambedkar—these great social reformers used Marathi to nurture a vision of a new era. Marathi has also given the country a rich tradition of Dalit literature. Thanks to its progressive outlook, Marathi literature has even ventured into science fiction. Even in the past, Maharashtra has made extraordinary contributions to Ayurveda, science, and logic. This culture of intellectual and scientific inquiry has made Maharashtra a hub for new ideas and exceptional talent, fostering continuous progress. It is because of this spirit that Mumbai has emerged not just as Maharashtra’s pride but as the economic capital of the entire country!

    And brothers and sisters,

    When we mention Mumbai, it is impossible to talk about literature without also mentioning films! It is Maharashtra and Mumbai that have not only elevated Marathi cinema but also taken Hindi cinema to great heights. And these days, there is immense excitement around ‘Chhava’! The world is rediscovering the valour of Sambhaji Maharaj, a story that was first introduced to us through Shivaji Sawant’s iconic Marathi novel.

    Friends,

    Poet Keshavsut once wrote: “जुनें जाऊं द्या, मरणालागुनि जाळुनि किंवा, पुरुनि टाकासडत न एक्या ठायी ठाका. This means that we must not remain stuck in old ideas. Human civilization, thoughts, and languages continuously evolve. Today, Bharat stands as one of the world’s most ancient yet living civilizations because we have constantly evolved, embraced new ideas, and welcomed change. Our vast linguistic diversity is proof of this. And this very diversity is the foundation of our unity. Marathi itself is a great example of this. A language is like a mother—it seeks to impart more and more knowledge to its children. Just like a mother, language does not discriminate—it embraces all ideas and all progress. As you know, Marathi originated from Sanskrit, but it also carries a significant influence from Prakrit. Over generations, it has evolved, broadening human thought. I just mentioned Lokmanya Tilak’s ‘Gita Rahasya’ — it is a commentary on the Sanskrit Bhagavad Gita, where Tilak ji infused the essence of Marathi, making Gita more accessible to the masses. Similarly, ‘Dnyaneshwari Gita’ is a Sanskrit text explained in Marathi, and today, it is considered a standard text for scholars and saints. Marathi has borrowed from other languages and enriched other Indian languages. For example, Marathi writer Bhargavram Vitthal Varerkar translated ‘Anandamath’ into Marathi. The works of Vinda Karandikar have been translated into multiple languages. He wrote about Panna Dhai, Rani Durgavati, and Rani Padmavati. This shows that Indian languages have never been in conflict with one another. Instead, they have always embraced and enriched each other.

    Friends,

    Many times, when attempts are made to create divisions in the name of language, our shared linguistic heritage itself becomes the strongest response to such efforts. Instead of falling for such misconceptions, our collective responsibility is to enrich and embrace all languages. That is why today, we are recognizing all Indian languages as mainstream languages. We are actively promoting education in Marathi and other regional languages. Now, the youth of Maharashtra can easily pursue higher education, engineering, and medical studies in Marathi. We have changed the old mindset that ignored talent simply because someone did not know English. 

    Friends,

    We all say that literature is the mirror of society, but it is also a guide for society. That is why literary conferences and institutions play a crucial role in shaping our nation. Great figures like Govind Ranade ji, Hari Narayan Apte ji, Acharya Atre ji, and Veer Savarkar ji set high standards in literature, and I hope that the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal will continue to carry this legacy forward. In 2027, the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan will complete 150 years, and it will also mark the 100th conference. I encourage you to make this a grand and memorable occasion, and start preparing for it now. Many young people today are contributing to Marathi literature through social media. You can give them a platform, recognize their talent, and encourage more people to learn Marathi. Utilizing online platforms and initiatives like ‘Bhashini’ can help promote the language further. You can also organize competitions among youth to foster interest in Marathi literature.

    I am confident that these efforts—along with the inspirational legacy of Marathi literature—will provide new energy, new awareness, and new motivation to 140 crore Indians in building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). With this wish—that you all continue to advance the great literary tradition of stalwarts like Mahadev Govind Ranade ji, Hari Narayan Apte ji, Madhav Shrihari Aney ji, and Shivram Paranjape ji—I once again extend my heartfelt thanks to you all!

     

    DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Syria: Socioeconomic impact of 14 years of conflict – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Press Conference by Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau for Arab States, on the socioeconomic impact of 14 years of the conflict in Syria. Mr. Al Dardari is joined virtually by UNDP Resident Representative in Syria, Sudipto Mukerjee.

    ————————-

    “This is one of the deadliest conflicts in recent history,” said UN official Abdallah Al Dardari, briefing journalists on the socioeconomic impact of 14 years of the conflict in Syria.

    Speaking virtually at a press briefing today (Feb 20), Al Dardari outlined the devastating human and economic toll of the war. “The lives lost in the Syria conflict so far, what has been reported is 618,000,” he said, adding that 113,000 people remain forcibly disappeared with their fate unknown. More than half of the country’s population has been forcibly displaced, including 7.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and six million refugees.

    The economic impact, he noted, has been equally severe. “The GDP loss is more than half. The people living in poverty today are 90 per cent of the population. That is three times the level of poverty of 2010,” he said. Extreme poverty now affects 66 percent of Syrians, six times the pre-war figure of 11 percent. The conflict has also resulted in widespread unemployment, with job losses affecting 5.4 million people and the unemployment rate rising from eight percent to 24 percent.

    With economic collapse deepening, dependence on humanitarian assistance continues to grow. “16.5 million Syrians depend on assistance,” Al Dardari said, highlighting food insecurity as a critical concern. “Acute food insecurity is four per cent, severe food insecurity is 52 per cent,” he said.

    The war has also devastated Syria’s infrastructure, particularly its energy sector. “80 per cent of the country’s energy capacity has been lost. Syria used to generate around 9000 megawatts in 2010; today, it is generating less than 1500 megawatts,” he said. Damage to power plants and the national grid has left the country struggling to meet basic energy needs, with 70 percent of power plants and 75 percent of grid load capacity lost.

    Housing destruction has been extensive, with Al Dardari reporting that “out of 5.5 million homes in 2010, 328,000 homes [were] fully destroyed, and one out of three houses [was] destroyed or damaged.”

    Despite these grim figures, Al Dardari emphasized that there remains a pathway to recovery. “Because we believe that there is a chance for recovery, and that the UN is working on a transition and recovery framework, and UNDP, as the agency working on economic and social and human development, is preparing some scenarios for recovery,” he said. However, he warned that if Syria continues its current trajectory of 1.3 percent GDP growth per year, “it will go back to the 2010 GDP in 55 years.”

    On financial support, he acknowledged ongoing challenges in securing official development assistance (ODA) and stressed the need for investment. “Syria still needs a large amount of grant funding, but actually the country depends, and will depend on investments,” he said.

    Al Dardari underscored the UN’s commitment to Syria’s recovery through its Transition Plan, with UNDP focusing on socioeconomic rebuilding within a broader UN-led framework.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMacpb6WL2k

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry

    Source: University of South Australia

    24 February 2025

    UniSA researchers are encouraging airlines to explore sustainable fuel options.

    Unplanned oil supply outages caused by geopolitical instability, military conflicts, natural disasters and technical issues are throwing airline stock markets into chaos and making it more expensive to fly.

    That’s the conclusion from Australian aviation experts in a new paper published in Energy Economics examining the links between unforeseen oil supply disruptions and airline stock prices.

    University of South Australia researchers argue that because fuel accounts for 30% of an airline’s total expenses, the industry is especially sensitive to any sudden fluctuations in the crude oil market, particularly from non-OPEC countries that are more volatile.

    Major airlines such as United Airlines, Delta Airlines and American Airlines are the most affected.

    UniSA aviation lecturer Dr Yifei Cai, who led the study, says the unpredictability of oil supply shocks provides compelling evidence why alternative energy sources are needed, including biofuels and hydrogen.

    “Global airline operations rely heavily on stable fuel supplies, and unexpected oil supply outages make it very difficult for them to predict their costs,” Dr Cai says.

    Co-author, UniSA Aviation Professor Shane Zhang, says that unplanned oil supply outages have a significant impact on oil prices as they can disrupt the balance between oil supply and demand, creating shortages and driving up prices.

    “Our findings suggest that airlines may need to rethink their risk management strategies and fuel hedging practices to mitigate potential financial turbulence caused by such outages,” Prof Zhang says.

    The oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia in March 2020, for example, triggered a significant shift in oil prices and was recognised as a pivotal factor in the stock market crash of 2020.

    The study highlights the potential impact on investment strategies, stock market stability and long-term financial planning in the aviation sector.

    The researchers claim that diversifying fuel supply sources would reduce reliance on a single region or supplier.

    Investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and sustainable initiatives such as biofuels and hydrogen would also lessen dependence on traditional jet fuels and their price fluctuations.

    Prof Zhang says that more than 90% of Australian oil is imported from overseas markets, for example, and it would “make sense” to grow the domestic sustainable aviation fuel industry to reduce the reliance on the overseas supply for traditional jet fuels in the long term.

    Future research will investigate the impacts of unplanned oil supply outages at country levels.

    Notes for editors

    “Accessing the influence of unplanned oil supply outages on airline stock connectedness” is authored by researchers from Wuchang University of Technology and the University of South Australia.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2024.108145

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au
    Researcher contact: Prof Shane Zhang E: shane.zhang@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Major work to start on Sturt Highway upgrade at Wagga Wagga

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 24 February 2025

    Released by: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

    The Minns Labor Government is building a better Sturt Highway in Wagga Wagga by starting work on a $13.9 million upgrade to the road east of the city.

    Work is due to begin on Tuesday March 4 to upgrade a 1.8 kilometre section of the Sturt Highway (also known as Hammond Avenue) on the eastern approach to Wagga Wagga’s CBD.

    Work will include completely reconstructing the road with a new surface and new kerb on the northern and southern sides, lane widening and configuration changes to provide dedicated turning lanes. The changes will provide a smoother surface that is less prone to road damage and potholes and provide a safer and more comfortable journey for all road users.

    Shoulders will be provided for cyclists on the northern and southern sides of the highway.

    The first stage of this project – between Tasman Road and Blaxland Road – will start Tuesday 4 March and is expected to take 11 weeks to complete.

    The second stage – from east of Blaxland Road to Stuart Road – will be delivered in the 2025-26 financial year.

    This location is a high traffic area and Transport will plan to carry out work with as few impacts as possible. All work will be carried out under traffic control with lane closures and reduced speed limits in place. Detours around the work area will be in place at various stages of the project. Most of the work will take place between 7am and 6pm, with some night work also planned.

    Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the direction of traffic control and signage.

    Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

    “The Sturt Highway provides a strategic freight and access link from Sydney via the Hume Highway to Mildura in Victoria and on to Adelaide in South Australia.

    “It also serves as a local and regional access corridor to and from regional centres along the route, especially Wagga Wagga, to enable customers to access goods, services and employment.

    “The Minns Labor Government is pleased to be investing in building a better section of highway in Wagga Wagga and we want to thank the community in advance for its patience and understanding while this work is carried out for the long-term benefit of all who live, work and visit the area.”

    Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said:

    “These works, coupled with the work now underway to redevelop the Marshalls Creek Bridge, are welcome improvements that will deliver a safer, smoother Sturt Highway for thousands of users every day.

    “I acknowledge Transport for NSW’s efforts to liaise with businesses in the area and urge them to maintain that focus on reducing construction impacts, especially in Lawson Street during the closure period.

    “The works will cause some disruption so I appreciate the patience of residents and motorists during a construction process that will cause inconvenience but will also deliver improvements that have been identified as important to the community.

    “A renewed east/west link means better travel for local business and residents, and moving forward, I’ll also be advocating for major north/south improvements, including a second river crossing which will be critical to Wagga Wagga’s future.”

    MIL OSI News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Proposed Combination of Saipem and Subsea7

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Milan, Luxembourg, 23 February 2025 – Saipem and Subsea7 announce that today they have reached an agreement in principle on the key terms of a possible merger of the two companies1 (the “Proposed Combination”) through the execution of a memorandum of understanding (the “MoU”). The Proposed Combination is expected to create a global leader in energy services.

    Highlights

    • The combination of Saipem and Subsea7 (the “Combined Company”) will be renamed Saipem7, and will have a combined backlog of €43 billion2, Revenue of approx. €20 billion3 and EBITDA in excess of €2 billion4
    • A global organisation of over 45,000 people, including more than 9,000 engineers and project managers
    • Highly complementary geographical footprints, competencies and capabilities, vessel fleets and technologies that will benefit the Combined Company’s global client base
    • Saipem and Subsea7 shareholders will own 50% each of the share capital of the Combined Company
    • Subsea7 shareholders will receive 6.688 Saipem shares for each Subsea7 share held. Subsea7 will distribute an extraordinary dividend for an amount equal to €450 million immediately prior to completion
    • Transaction expected to deliver material value creation for the shareholders of both Saipem and Subsea7. Annual synergies of approximately €300 million are expected to be achieved in the third year after completion, with one-off costs to achieve such synergies of approximately €270 million
    • The Combined Company will be listed on both the Milan and Oslo stock exchange
    • Siem Industries, reference shareholder of Subsea7, as well as Eni and CDP Equity, reference shareholders of Saipem, have expressed their strong support and intend to vote in favour of the transaction
    • Completion anticipated to occur in the second half of 2026

    The management of both Saipem and Subsea7 share the conviction that there is compelling logic in creating a global leader in energy services, particularly considering the growing size of clients’ projects. Saipem and Subsea7 are highly complementary in terms of market offerings and geographies. The combination would enhance value for shareholders, and all stakeholders, both in the current market and in the long term.

    CDP Equity, Eni and Siem Industries have entered into a separate Memorandum of Understanding, undertaking to support the Proposed Combination and agreeing on the terms of a Shareholders Agreement, to be effective from completion of the Proposed Combination. As part of this, it is intended that the Combined Company’s Chairman will be designated by Siem Industries and that the Combined Company’s CEO will be designated by CDP Equity and Eni. In addition, it is currently envisaged that Mr Alessandro Puliti will be appointed as CEO of the Combined Company5 while it is currently envisaged that Mr John Evans will be the CEO of the entity that will manage the Offshore business of the Combined Company. Such Offshore business will comprise all of Subsea7 and Saipem’s Offshore Engineering & Construction activities.

    The by-laws of the Combined Company are expected to provide for loyalty shares (double votes).

    Strategic Rationale of the Proposed Combination

    The Proposed Combination would be beneficial to the clients of both Saipem and Subsea7, bringing together the respective strengths of both companies:

    • Comprehensive Solutions for Clients: a full spectrum of offshore and onshore services, from drilling, engineering and construction to life-of-field services and decommissioning, with an increased ability to optimise project schedules for clients in oil, gas, carbon capture and renewable energy
    • World-class Expertise and Experience: a talented, global workforce of over 45,000 people, including more than 9,000 engineers and project managers, in more than 60 countries, contributing to deliver solutions unlocking value for clients
    • Global Reach and Diversified Fleet: an expanded and diversified fleet of more than 60 construction vessels enhancing the Combined Company’s ability to undertake a wide range of projects, from shallow water to ultra-deepwater operations, utilising a full portfolio of heavy lift, high-end J-lay, S-lay and reel-lay rigid pipeline solutions, flexible pipe and umbilical lay services and market-leading wind turbine, foundation and cable lay installation capabilities
    • Innovation and Technology: combined expertise to foster innovation in offshore technologies, ensuring cutting-edge solutions for complex projects

    The transaction would create significant shareholder value through:

    • Synergies: expected annual synergies of approximately €300 million in the third year after completion, driven by fleet optimisation, procurement, sales and marketing, and process efficiencies
    • A More Efficient Capital Investment Programme: optimised allocation of capital across a broader, complementary vessel fleet
    • An Attractive Shareholder Remuneration Policy: post-completion, Saipem7 is expected to pay a dividend of at least 40% of Free Cash Flow6 after repayment of lease liabilities
    • Enhanced Capital Structure: a solid balance sheet that is expected to support an investment grade credit rating
    • Greater Scale in Both Equity and Debt Capital Markets: access to a wider investor base and to more diversified sources of capital

    Transaction Structure and Ownership

    • The Combined Company would be created by way of an EU cross-border statutory merger carried out by way of incorporation of Subsea 7 into Saipem, with the latter to be renamed “Saipem7”. The Combined Company would be headquartered in Milan and have its shares listed on both the Milan and the Oslo stock exchanges
    • Siem Industries (being the largest shareholder of Subsea7) would then own approximately 11.9% of the Combined Company’s capital, while Eni and CDP Equity (being the largest shareholders of Saipem) would own approximately 10.6% and approximately 6.4%, respectively

    Transaction Terms

    • Subsea7 shareholders would receive 6.688 new Saipem7 shares for each Subsea7 share held
    • Assuming all Subsea7 shareholders participate in the merger, the share capital of the Combined Company will be held 50-50% by the current shareholders of Saipem and Subsea7
    • Immediately prior to completion of the Proposed Combination, Subsea7 shareholders would receive an extraordinary cash dividend of €450 million7

    Organisational Structure of the Combined Company

    • The Combined Company will be structured in four businesses: Offshore Engineering & Construction, Onshore Engineering & Construction, Sustainable Infrastructures and Offshore Drilling
    • The Offshore Engineering & Construction business will be incorporated in an operationally autonomous company, named Subsea7 and branded as “Subsea7 – a Saipem7 Company”, and it is currently envisaged that it will be led by Mr John Evans. It will comprise all of Subsea7’s business and the Asset Based Services business of Saipem, representing approximately 83% of the combined group’s EBITDA of the last 12 months as of 30 September 2024. The company will be headquartered in London
    • In line with Saipem’s previous strategy, the Onshore Engineering & Construction will be run with a focus on reducing overall risk and maximising profitability. The Sustainable Infrastructures business will aim to consolidate its presence in the Italian market with potential expansion overseas. The Offshore Drilling division will seek to continue to maximise its EBITDA and cash flow

    Shareholder Remuneration

    • The MoU allows Saipem and Subsea7 to make shareholder distributions of up to $350 million each in 2025, in the form of dividends8,9
    • In 2026, if the Proposed Combination is not completed before the approval of the full year 2025 results of Saipem and Subsea7, the two companies could each distribute by way of dividends10,11 at least $300 million
    • Following completion of the Proposed Combination, the Combined Company is expected to distribute to shareholders at least 40% of Free Cash Flow12 after repayment of lease liabilities

    Shareholders Agreement

    The Memorandum of Understanding amongst Siem Industries, CDP Equity and Eni provides for, inter alia, a three-year shareholder lock-up and standstill obligation and the submission of a common slate for the appointment of the majority of the members of the board of directors of the Combined Company.

    Timing, Conditions Precedent and Approvals

    The entering into and signing of binding definitive documents in respect of the Proposed Combination is conditional, inter alia, on the successful completion of confirmatory due diligence by the parties, the execution of a mutually satisfactory merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) and the approval of the final terms of the Proposed Combination by the Board of Directors of Saipem and Subsea7. The parties will also engage with the relevant works council consultations required by the applicable laws.

    Saipem and Subsea7 have undertaken mutual exclusivity obligations in connection with the negotiations of the Proposed Combination.

    Moreover, completion of the Proposed Combination will be subject to customary conditions precedent for a transaction of this nature, including, inter alia, approval by the shareholders’ meetings of both Saipem and Subsea7, the former to be also passed with the so-called whitewash majorities for the purposes of the mandatory takeover bid exemption13, and obtaining the required Italian government approval and customary regulatory clearances.

    Until such conditions precedent are satisfied, there can be no certainty that the Proposed Combination will occur.

    The MoU also provides for termination rights for each of Saipem and Subsea7 in connection with material findings in the context of the confirmatory due diligence, or upon payment of a break-up fee, should any of the companies wish to terminate the negotiations at its discretion before entering into the Merger Agreement.

    The parties currently envisage to submit the final terms of the Proposed Combination to their respective Board of Directors for approval and to enter into the Merger Agreement around mid-2025. Completion is currently anticipated to occur in the second half of 2026.

    Conference Call

    On Monday 24 February 2025, at 10:00 CET, the top management of Saipem and Subsea7 will present the transaction in a dedicated conference call, which can be followed by connecting to the below URL:

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/az2o9ou7/

    The document that will be presented by Saipem and Subsea7 top management will be available on the two respective websites (www.saipem.com and www.Subsea7.com). A replay of the call will be available on the two companies’ websites.

    Advisers

    Goldman Sachs International is acting as lead financial advisor to Saipem, and Deutsche Bank AG, Milan Branch as financial advisor to Saipem. Clifford Chance LLP is serving as global legal counsel to Saipem in particular as to matters of Italian, English, US and Luxembourg law, while Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS is serving as legal counsel to Saipem as to matters of Norwegian law.

    Kirk Lovegrove & Company Limited is acting as lead financial advisor and Deloitte LLP is acting as financial advisor to Subsea7. Freshfields LLP is serving as global legal counsel to Subsea7 (including as to matters of Italian, US and English Law), while Elvinger Hoss Prussen S.A. and Advokatfirmaet Wiersholm AS are serving as legal counsels as to matters of Luxembourg and Norwegian law, respectively.

    Enquiries

    Saipem is a global leader in the engineering and construction of major projects for the energy and infrastructure sectors, both offshore and onshore. Saipem is “One Company” organized into business lines: Asset Based Services, Drilling, Energy Carriers, Offshore Wind, Sustainable Infrastructures, Robotics & Industrialised Solutions. The company has 6 fabrication yards and an offshore fleet of 21 construction vessels (of which 17 owned and 4 owned by third parties and managed by Saipem) and 15 drilling rigs, of which 9 owned. Always oriented towards technological innovation, the company’s purpose is “Engineering for a sustainable future”. As such Saipem is committed to supporting its clients on the energy transition pathway towards Net Zero, with increasingly digital means, technologies and processes geared for environmental sustainability. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, it is present in more than 50 countries around the world and employs about 30,000 people of over 120 nationalities.

    Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the energy industry. Subsea7 makes offshore energy transition possible through the continuous evolution of lower-carbon oil and gas and by enabling the growth of renewables and emerging energies.

    +++

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication and the information contained in it are provided for information purposes only and are not intended to be and shall not constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval, or an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, or an invitation or recommendation to subscribe for, acquire or buy securities of Saipem, Subsea 7 or the combined company following the proposed merger of Saipem and Subsea 7 (the “Proposed Business Combination Transaction“) or any other financial products or securities, in any place or jurisdiction, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements.

    Forward-looking Statements

    This communication contains forward-looking information and statements about Saipem and Subsea7 and their combined business after completion of the Proposed Business Combination Transaction. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar expressions. Although the managements of Saipem and Subsea7 believe that the respective expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Saipem and Subsea7 shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Saipem and Subsea7, respectively, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Except as required by applicable law, neither Saipem nor Subsea7 undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements.

    Important Additional Information about the Proposed Business Combination Transaction

    This communication is not a substitute for a registration statement or for any other document that Saipem or Subsea7 may file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the Proposed Business Combination Transaction. In connection with the Proposed Business Combination Transaction, Saipem and Subsea7 are filing relevant materials with the SEC, which, to the extent Saipem’s shares will be required to be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, may include a registration statement on Form F-4 that contains a prospectus. If an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available, the shares issued in connection with the Proposed Business Combination Transaction will be made available within the United States pursuant to such exemption and not pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form F-4.

    SAIPEM AND SUBSEA7 URGE INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS TO READ ANY SUCH REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SAIPEM AND SUBSEA7, THE PROPOSED BUSINESS COMBINATION TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.

    Investors and shareholders can obtain free copies of the prospectus and other documents filed by Saipem and Subsea7 with the SEC (when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Shareholders of Subsea7 are urged to read the prospectus, if and when available, and the other relevant materials when they become available, as well as any supplements and amendments thereto, before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the Proposed Business Combination Transaction and will receive information at an appropriate time on how to obtain these transaction-related documents for free from the parties involved or a duly appointed agent.

    Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

    This announcement includes certain non-IFRS financial measures with respect to Saipem and Subsea7, including EBITDA and Net debt. These unaudited non-IFRS financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of Saipem’s and Subsea7’s financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. In addition, these measures may be defined differently than similar terms used by other companies.

    Presentation of Financial Information

    This communication includes financial data regarding Saipem and Subsea7 and the combination of Saipem and Subsea7. The presentation of information in any registration statement that Saipem may file with the SEC may be different than the financial data included herein as the financial data included in any registration statement will be required to comply with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Further, any financial data contained herein representing the combination of Saipem and Subsea7 has not been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, including the pro forma requirements of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, pro forma financial data contained in any registration statement filed with respect to the Proposed Business Combination Transaction may differ from the pro forma financial data contained herein, and such differences may be material. Any combined company financial data presented herein is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of the actual consolidated results of operations or financial position that would have been reported had the Proposed Business Combination Transaction been completed as of October 1st, 2024, and should not be taken as representative of the companies’ future consolidated results of operations or financial position had the Proposed Business Combination Transaction occurred as of such date. These estimates are based on financial information available at the time of the preparation of this communication.

    1 Merger by way of incorporation of Subsea7 into Saipem
    2 Combined backlog for Saipem and Subsea7 as of 30 September 2024
    3 Combined Revenue for Saipem and Subsea7 as per last 12 months as of 30 September 2024
    4 Combined EBITDA for Saipem and Subsea7 as per last 12 months as of 30 September 2024
    5 Subject to approval by the Shareholders’ Meeting and the Board of Directors of the Combined Company
    6 Free Cash Flow is defined as Cash Flow from Operations less Capital Expenditure plus Divestments
    7 Subject to approval by the Shareholders’ Meeting
    8 Subject to approval by the Shareholders’ Meeting and the Board of Directors
    9 The dividend paid by Saipem will be qualified as ordinary in nature
    10 Subject to approval by the Shareholders’ Meeting and the Board of Directors
    11 The dividend paid by Saipem will be qualified as ordinary in nature
    12 Free Cash Flow is defined as Cash Flow from Operations less Capital Expenditure plus Divestments
    13 Pursuant to Art. 49, paragraph 1, letter g) of Consob Regulation 11971/99

    Attachment

    • SUBC Proposed Combination of Saipem and Subsea7

    The MIL Network –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘It seemed like a good job at first’: how people are trafficked, trapped and forced to scam in Southeast Asia – Scam Factories podcast, Ep 1

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    Scam Factories is a podcast series from The Conversation Weekly taking you inside Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds. It accompanies a series of articles on The Conversation.

    Hundreds of thousands of people are estimated to work in these scam compounds. Many were trafficked there and then forced into criminality by defrauding people around the world via email, phone and social media.

    The Conversation collaborated for this series with three researchers: Ivan Franceschini, a lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Melbourne, Ling Li, a PhD candidate at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and Mark Bo, an independent researcher. They’ve spent the past few years researching the expansion of scam compounds in the region for a forthcoming book. They’ve interviewed nearly 100 survivors of these compounds, analysed maps and financial documents related to the scam industry, and tracked scammers online to find out how these operations work.

    In this first episode of the podcast series, No Skills Required, we find out how people are recruited and trafficked into the compounds – with many believing they’re going there to do a legitimate job.

    Our researchers travel to a village in Cambodia, Chrey Thom, to see what these compounds look like. And we hear from two survivors, a Ugandan man we’re calling George and a Malaysian woman we’re calling Lee to protect their real identities, about how they were tricked into travelling to compounds in Laos and Myanmar.

    Read an article by Ivan Franceschini and Ling Li which accompanies this episode.

    The Conversation contacted all the companies mentioned in this series for a comment, except Jinshui, which we could not contact. We did not receive a response from any of them.

    This episode was written and produced by Gemma Ware, with assistance from Mend Mariwany and Katie Flood. Leila Goldstein was our producer in Cambodia and Halima Athumani recorded for us in Uganda. Hui Lin helped us with Chinese translation. Sound design by Michelle Macklem and editing help from Ashlynee McGhee and Justin Bergman.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    Mark Bo, an independent researcher who works with Ivan Franeschini and Ling Li, is also interviewed in this podcast series. Ivan, Ling, Mark, and others have co-founded EOS Collective, a non-profit organisation dedicated to investigating the criminal networks behind the online scam industry and supporting survivors.

    – ref. ‘It seemed like a good job at first’: how people are trafficked, trapped and forced to scam in Southeast Asia – Scam Factories podcast, Ep 1 – https://theconversation.com/it-seemed-like-a-good-job-at-first-how-people-are-trafficked-trapped-and-forced-to-scam-in-southeast-asia-scam-factories-podcast-ep-1-250444

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Three years on, Australia stands with Ukraine

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Today marks three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine./p>

    For three years, Ukraine has bravely resisted Russia’s illegal and immoral war of aggression.

    Australia mourns the loss of life of Ukraine’s citizens and defenders, and the generational toll of Russia’s brutality.

    Australia continues to stand with Ukraine.

    We have committed over $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including more than $1.3 billion in military support through vital equipment for the battlefield and the training of Ukrainian forces.

    Australia has been clear since day one that Russia, and those enabling its illegal invasion, will face consequences.

    The Australian Government has today imposed further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 70 persons, and targeted financial sanctions on 79 entities.

    This constitutes Australia’s largest sanctions package since February 2022.

    The new sanctions target individuals propping up Russia’s illegal administrations in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, including so-called “ministers”, judges and prosecutors, and individuals responsible for conflict-related sexual violence and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

    The sanctions also target persons and entities involved in deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops to the battlefield.

    Deepening Russia-North Korea military cooperation is a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security.

    Targets in Russia’s defence, transport and finance sectors, and those spreading disinformation to undermine Ukraine and governments around the world, have also been sanctioned.

    Australia has now imposed a total of more than 1,400 sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    The Government has taken decisive action to ensure Australians are not inadvertently fuelling Russia’s war economy.

    Today we have further tightened trade bans on Russia by prohibiting the supply of commercial drones and components, including the provision of related services.

    Guidance on the operation of these bans can be found on the sanctions guidance webpage.

    Once again, Australia calls on Russia to immediately end its war and adhere fully to its obligations under international law, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war.

    Working with Ukraine and our partners, Australia supports a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

    MIL OSI News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: After 3 years of war, Ukrainian business leaders share their lessons on survival

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy L. Kenworthy, Professor of Management, Bond University

    Drop of Light/Shutterstock

    It’s exactly three years since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    During that time, Ukrainians have lived through one of the world’s largest and most brutal humanitarian crises. Yet their resilience remains high.

    The United Nations estimates that 64% of micro, small and medium enterprises had to either suspend or close their operations in Ukraine at some stage after the war began.

    But the vast majority of these have since opened back up.

    Over the past year, our international team of researchers from both Australia and Ukraine sought to find out what might drive such extraordinary resilience. The answer, according to Ukrainian business leaders, is their people.

    Running a business in a war

    Ukrainians are currently living through their third winter of this war. Some of Russia’s latest attacks have targeted the gas infrastructure and other energy facilities crucial for keeping people alive.

    These daily attacks have made previously safe cities no longer safe, leaving residents without water, heat and electricity in bitterly cold conditions.

    According to the UNHCR’s 2025 Global Appeal, Russia’s targeting of homes, hospitals and communities has resulted in civilian deaths, mass displacements, restricted access to humanitarian aid, and severely disrupted essential services.

    For businesses, the war has impacted virtually every aspect of commercial activity. Beyond the immediate threat of coming under direct attack, firms have had to deal with everything from disrupted supply chains through to frequent power outages.

    As one interviewee put it:

    Many of us are afraid our main businesses may go bankrupt. We are constantly facing periods with no electricity which stops businesses and cuts us off from the world. We live with constant air raid alarms, moving in and out of underground shelters. We have a significant shortage of personnel because so many have gone to fight on the front lines or left the country.

    The UN estimates that utilisation of production capacity for Ukraine’s micro, small and medium enterprises dropped from 72.4% before the war to 45.7% in 2023.

    To make matters worse, with millions of people having fled Ukraine, finding and retaining qualified personnel has become extremely difficult.

    Women have been stepping into historically male dominated professions such as mining, truck driving and welding to fill the gap left by men who’ve joined the fight. But there is still a significant labour shortage.

    A diverse range of sectors have continued to operate in Ukraine since the war began, despite labour shortages and other issues.
    Oleksandr Filatov/Shutterstock

    Over the past year, our international team of researchers from both Australia and Ukraine surveyed business leaders from 85 different small and medium-sized businesses across 19 different industries in Ukraine.

    These spanned engineering, transportation, aviation and mining through to agriculture, tourism, IT, healthcare, entertainment and finance.

    We asked which resources were – and still are – key to the survival of their organisations.

    Finance and access to funding came in at number two, followed by production and energy, new customers & markets, equipment technology & information and policy & regulations.

    The most important resource

    The most important resource, highlighted by 82% of the business leaders we surveyed, was their people.

    When operating within an environment of severe crisis and disruption, the pressure can be enormous. But the Ukrainian executives we interviewed figured out a way to unite and lead their teams into the future.

    As one reflected:

    When team members are motivated, they are more likely to be optimistic and resilient when facing difficulties. Motivated employees are more productive than demotivated ones. This is important when people need to accomplish more with fewer resources.

    Forcing positive adaptation

    For many organisations in our research, operating within a crisis had pushed them to implement valuable human resource practices other businesses often struggle with.

    Some had transitioned to a “flatter” organisational structure, speeding up decision making by giving employees more autonomy. Others invested in team training which focused on empowering employees to share their thoughts on how to best move forward.

    Our processes and planning horizons have changed completely. We’ve had to become more agile and flexible in our approach to leadership, often reducing planning cycles and adapting to new realities much faster than before.

    A focus on wellbeing was another common theme. Some organisations hosted more meetings to allow their employees to share stories – not only about work but also about their personal fears and victories.

    Some also encouraged their employees to complete volunteer work together during work hours.

    There was an emphasis across interviews on the fact all employees need additional rest and recovery time, and encouraging them to take time off whenever needed.

    Making sacrifices

    Many of the new support mechanisms had financial consequences for the organisations.

    One business cancelled the salaries of its top management team one month after the war started. Another hired a full-time psychologist to provide counselling in both formal and informal sessions.

    Some continued to pay the salaries of their serving members:

    All our mobilized employees who are serving in the military have been receiving their salaries for the past three years. We also ensure they are equipped with everything they need, stay in constant contact with them, and support their families.

    Knowing their business was supporting the war effort had a positive impact on employee motivation:

    The only difference in employee motivation is the understanding that our company actively supports the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thus, every employee in the company understands that through their work, they are involved in this support.

    In the end, it is the connections between people these leaders saw as the key to their organisational resilience.

    No matter how hard things get, how much grief and suffering we endure, we know for certain that tomorrow the sun will rise. And even if it’s not for us, it will be for our children. This is what gives us the strength to continue living, creating, and preserving Ukraine — for us and for future generations.

    The authors would like to acknowledge their academic partners and coauthors from the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, Ukraine, Yaryna Boychuk, Valeria Kozlova, Sophia Opatska, and Olena Trevoho, and thank all the Ukrainian business leaders who participated in this research.

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

    – ref. After 3 years of war, Ukrainian business leaders share their lessons on survival – https://theconversation.com/after-3-years-of-war-ukrainian-business-leaders-share-their-lessons-on-survival-249145

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Falling vaccination rates put children at risk of preventable diseases. Governments need a new strategy to boost uptake

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Breadon, Program Director, Health and Aged Care, Grattan Institute

    Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Child vaccination is one of the most cost-effective health interventions. It accounts for 40% of the global reduction in infant deaths since 1974 and has led to big health gains in Australia over the past two decades.

    Australia has been a vaccination success story. Ten years after we begun mass vaccination against polio in 1956, it was virtually eliminated. Our child vaccination rates have been among the best in the world.

    But after peaking in 2020, child vaccination in Australia is falling. Governments need to implement a comprehensive strategy to boost vaccine uptake, or risk exposing more children to potentially preventable infectious diseases.

    Child vaccination has been a triumph

    Thirty years ago, Australia’s childhood vaccination rates were dismal. Then, in 1997, governments introduced the National Immunisation Program to vaccinate children against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and measles.

    Measures to increase coverage included financial incentives for parents and doctors, a public awareness campaign, and collecting and sharing local data to encourage the least-vaccinated regions to catch up with the rest of the country.

    What followed was a public health triumph. In 1995, only 52% of one-year-olds were fully immunised. By 2020, Australia had reached 95% coverage for one-year-olds and five-year-olds. At this level, it’s difficult even for highly infectious diseases, such as measles, to spread in the community, protecting both the vaccinated and unvaccinated.

    By 2020, 95% of children were vaccinated.
    Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    Gaps between regions and communities closed too. In 1999, the Northern Territory’s vaccination rate for one-year-olds was the lowest in the country, lagging the national average by six percentage points. By 2020, that gap had virtually disappeared.

    The difference between vaccination rates for First Nations children and other children also narrowed considerably.

    It made children healthier. The years of healthy life lost due to vaccine-preventable diseases for children aged four and younger fell by nearly 40% in the decade to 2015.

    Some diseases have even been eliminated in Australia.

    Our success is slipping away

    But that success is at risk. Since 2020, the share of children who are fully vaccinated has fallen every year. For every child vaccine on the National Immunisation Schedule, protection was lower in 2024 than in 2020.

    Gaps between parts of Australia are opening back up. Vaccination rates in the highest-coverage parts of Australia are largely stable, but they are falling quickly in areas with lower vaccination.

    In 2018, there were only ten communities where more than 10% of one-year-old children were not fully vaccinated. Last year, that number ballooned to 50 communities. That leaves more areas vulnerable to disease and outbreaks.

    While Noosa, the Gold Coast Hinterland and Richmond Valley (near Byron Bay) have persistently had some of the country’s lowest vaccination rates, areas such as Manjimup in Western Australia and Tasmania’s South East Coast have recorded big declines since 2018.

    Missing out on vaccination isn’t just a problem for children.

    One preprint study (which is yet to be peer-reviewed) suggests vaccination during pregnancy may also be declining.

    Far too many older Australians are missing out on recommended vaccinations for flu, COVID, pneumococcal and shingles. Vaccination rates in aged care homes for flu and COVID are worryingly low.

    What’s going wrong?

    Australia isn’t alone. Since the pandemic, child vaccination rates have fallen in many high-income countries, including New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

    Globally, in 2023, measles cases rose by 20%, and just this year, a measles outbreak in rural Texas has put at least 13 children in hospital.

    Alarmingly, some regions in Australia have lower measles vaccination than that Texas county.

    The timing of trends here and overseas suggests things shifted, or at least accelerated, during the pandemic. Vaccine hesitancy, fuelled by misinformation about COVID vaccines, is a growing threat.

    This year, vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr was appointed to run the US health system, and Louisiana’s top health official has reportedly cancelled the promotion of mass vaccination.

    In Australia, a recent survey found 6% of parents didn’t think vaccines were safe, and 5% believed they don’t work.

    Those concerns are far more common among parents with children who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated. Among the 2% of parents whose children are unvaccinated, almost half believe vaccines are not safe for their child, and four in ten believe vaccines didn’t work.

    Other consequences of the pandemic were a spike in the cost of living, and a health system struggling to meet demand. More than one in ten parents said cost and difficulty getting an appointment were barriers to vaccinating their children.

    There’s no single cause of sliding vaccination rates, so there’s no one solution. The best way to reverse these worrying trends is to work on all the key barriers at once – from a lack of awareness, to inconvenience, to lack of trust.

    What governments should do

    Governments should step up public health campaigns that counter misinformation, boost awareness of immunisation and its benefits, and communicate effectively to low-vaccination groups. The new Australian Centre for Disease Control should lead the charge.

    Primary health networks, the regional bodies responsible for improving primary care, should share data on vaccination rates with GPs and pharmacies. These networks should also help make services more accessible to communities who are missing out, such as migrant groups and disadvantaged families.

    State and local governments should do the same, sharing data and providing support to make maternal child health services and school-based vaccination programs accessible for all families.

    Governments can communicate better about the benefits of vaccination.
    Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Governments should also be more ambitious about tackling the growing vaccine divides between different parts of the country. The relevant performance measure in the national vaccination agreement is weak. States must only increase five-year-old vaccination rates in four of the ten areas where it is lowest. That only covers a small fraction of low-vaccination areas, and only the final stage of child vaccination.

    Australia needs to set tougher goals, and back them with funding.

    Governments should fund tailored interventions in areas with the lowest rates of vaccination. Proven initiatives include training trusted community members as “community champions” to promote vaccinations, and pop-up clinics or home visits for free vaccinations.

    At this time of year, childcare centres and schools are back in full swing. But every year, each new intake has less protection than the previous cohort. Governments are developing a new national vaccination strategy and must seize the opportunity to turn that trend around. If it commits to a bold national plan, Australia can get back to setting records for child vaccination.

    Grattan Institute has been supported in its work by government, corporates, and philanthropic gifts. A full list of supporting organisations is published at www.grattan.edu.au.

    Wendy Hu 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. Grattan Institute has been supported in its work by government, corporates, and philanthropic gifts. A full list of supporting organisations is published at www.grattan.edu.au.

    – ref. Falling vaccination rates put children at risk of preventable diseases. Governments need a new strategy to boost uptake – https://theconversation.com/falling-vaccination-rates-put-children-at-risk-of-preventable-diseases-governments-need-a-new-strategy-to-boost-uptake-249591

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Angola

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Washington, DC — February 20, 2025: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Angola. Angola’s economy recovered in 2024 as the oil sector rebounded. GDP growth is estimated to have reached 3.8 percent, surpassing earlier projections, and the recovery broadened to the non-oil sector. The public debt-to-GDP ratio declined in 2024, benefiting from higher nominal GDP growth and sustained primary surpluses. However, fiscal consolidation efforts waned, and buffers built during the 2018–21 EFF—supported program are being eroded by fiscal slippages from higher capital expenditures and a slower fuel subsidy reform.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sea-level rise: a new method to estimate the probability of different outcomes – including a worst case

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Benjamin P. Horton, Director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University

    Here is a depressing fact: over the coming decades, sea-level rise will continue to threaten ecosystems, communities and cities. No matter how quickly we reduce our carbon emissions, our past emissions commit us to ongoing sea-level rise, given the long-drawn-out impact of climate warming on the oceans and ice sheets. Just how bad it gets, however, will depend on our current and future emissions.

    Even as we strive for net-zero emissions, we must prepare for devastating possibilities. But decision-makers face a major obstacle: the specific rate and magnitude of future sea-level rise is deeply uncertain. Different methods produce different projections of long-term sea-level rise. The problem of reconciling these different methods and projections has undermined planning to protect people from future sea-level rise.

    In a recent paper published in Earth’s Future, we and our colleagues tackle this problem. We propose a new method that combines the complementary strengths of different sea-level projections. We use our method to quantify the uncertainty of future sea-level rise. It allows us to estimate a “very likely” range. “Very likely” means that there is a 9-in-10 chance (90% probability) that future sea-level rise will lie within this range, if our future emissions follow an assumed emissions scenario.

    Under a low-emissions scenario that corresponds to approximately 2°C warming above pre-industrial levels, global sea level will “very likely” rise between 0.3 and 1.0 metres by the end of this century. Under a high-emissions scenario that corresponds to approximately 5°C warming, global sea level will “very likely” rise between 0.5 and 1.9 metres. Given that we will likely exceed 2°C warming, preparing for more than a metre of sea-level rise by 2100 is, therefore, necessary.

    Adapted from Grandey et al. (2024).
    Benjamin P. Horton and Benjamin S. Grandey, CC BY-ND

    The challenge of poorly understood processes

    Our method builds on and complements the current reference document for many decision-makers: the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report IPCC 6AR. For five emissions scenarios, the IPCC published a most-likely “median” projection and a “likely” range. “Likely” means that there is at least a 2-in-3 chance (66% probability) of sea-level rise within this range. The “likely” range may understate the risk of more extreme possibilities, a weakness that can be addressed by a complementary “very likely” range. However, the IPCC did not estimate a “very likely” range because poorly understood ice sheet processes posed a challenge. We address this challenge, to provide decision-makers with more reliable estimates of future possibilities.

    Many processes contribute to sea-level rise. Of particular importance are ice sheet processes in Greenland and Antarctica. Some of these ice sheet processes are well understood, but others less so. We have only a poor understanding of processes that could drive abrupt melting of ice, producing rapid sea-level rise.



    À lire aussi :
    We used 1,000 historical photos to reconstruct Antarctic glaciers before a dramatic collapse

    Climate models and ice sheet models, such as those used in the IPCC 6AR, are very good at simulating well-understood processes, such as thermal expansion of the ocean. The IPCC used model-based projections to derive a reliable median projection and “likely” range. However, these models often neglect poorly understood processes that could cause the ice sheets to melt much faster than we expect. To complement the models, experts can provide alternative projections based on their understanding of these processes. This is known as expert elicitation. Therefore, the use of models and expert elicitation can provide complementary sea-level projections, but planners have great difficulty deciding when and where to apply the two different approaches.

    In our paper, we have developed a novel method to combine the complementary sea-level projections from models and experts. We use our method to quantify the full uncertainty range of future sea-level rise using a probability distribution. This is how we can estimate a “very likely” range and explore the question, “What high-end sea-level rise should we plan for?”

    A high-end projection

    To make informed judgements, decision-makers often need information about low-likelihood, high-cost possibilities. A high-end projection of sea-level rise is especially useful when planning long-lasting critical infrastructure that is vital for the functioning of society and the economy. A high-end projection can also highlight a catastrophic risk associated with unrestrained carbon dioxide emissions.

    We define our high-end projection as the 95th percentile of the probability distribution under the high-emissions scenario. Our high-end projection of global sea-level rise is 1.9 metres by the end of this century.

    Our high-end projection complements existing high-end projections of 21st century sea-level rise. The IPCC 6AR included two: 1.6 metres and 2.3 metres. Our projection of 1.9 metres falls between these two values.

    In contrast to the IPCC 6AR, we estimate the probability of reaching the high-end projection. If our future emissions follow the high-emissions scenario, we estimate that the probability of reaching 1.9 metres by the end of this century is 5% (1 in 20). Considering that the high-emissions scenario is unlikely, our high-end projection can be interpreted as a worst-case outcome. We also estimate the probability of exceeding 1.0 metres by the end of this century: 16% (about 1 in 6) under the high-emissions scenario, and 4% (1 in 25) under the low-emissions scenario.

    Reducing the uncertainty

    Through climate science, we have learned much about the Earth’s climate system. However, we still have much more to discover. As our understanding improves, the uncertainty in sea-level rise should reduce. Therefore, the “very likely” range of future sea-level rise should narrow, due to the ongoing research efforts of the climate science community.

    In the meantime, we need to identify potential solutions that can reduce coastal flood risk in ways that support the long-term resilience and sustainability of communities and the environment, and reduce the economic costs associated with flood damage. Alongside local adaptation, the best way to mitigate sea-level rise is to slow down climate change by implementing the commitments laid out in the Paris Agreement in 2015.

    If we can limit warming to well below 2°C, consistent with the agreement, we estimate that the probability of reaching 1.9 metres by the end of the century shrinks to less than 0.2% (1 in 500). The more the world limits its greenhouse gas emissions, the lower the chance of triggering rapid ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica, and the safer we will be.

    This research is supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore, and National Environment Agency, Singapore under the National Sea Level Programme Funding Initiative (Award No. USS-IF-2020-3) and Ministry of Education, Singapore, under its AcRF Tier 3 Award MOE2019-T3-1-004.

    Created in 2007 to help accelerate and share scientific knowledge on key societal issues, the Axa Research Fund has supported nearly 700 projects around the world conducted by researchers in 38 countries. To learn more, visit the website of the Axa Research Fund or follow @AXAResearchFund on X.

    Benjamin P. Horton was supported by the Singapore Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund: MOE2019-T3-1-004.

    Benjamin S. Grandey’s research is supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore, and National Environment Agency, Singapore under the National Sea Level Programme Funding Initiative (Award No. USS-IF-2020-3).

    – ref. Sea-level rise: a new method to estimate the probability of different outcomes – including a worst case – https://theconversation.com/sea-level-rise-a-new-method-to-estimate-the-probability-of-different-outcomes-including-a-worst-case-250180

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mining Mali: how policy changes are reshaping the sector

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mamadou Camara, enseignant-chercheur, Université des Sciences sociales et de Gestion de Bamako

    As Mali’s mining sector faces growing tensions — highlighted by the recent seizure of gold stocks from the Canadian company Barrick by the military government — questions about economic sovereignty and mining governance have become more relevant than ever.

    The mining sector plays a strategic role in Mali’s economy, with gold as its driving force. Yet, governance challenges persist at the heart of the sector’s evolution. In this interview, Mamadou Camara, a mining policy researcher, examines ongoing reforms, the impact of these developments, and the key challenges that must be addressed to ensure the sustainable and equitable exploitation of Mali’s mineral resources.

    What role does the mining sector play in the Malian economy?

    In 2023, the mining sector contributed 644 billion CFA (about US$1 billion) to Mali’s state budget. This represents 21.5% of Mali’s budget for the year and a slight increase from the previous year.

    Gold remains the main product, with a production of 70 tonnes in 2023. Of these revenues, 644 billion CFA came from mining companies (US$1.1 billion), and 3 billion CFA (US$4.7 million) came from social payments — taxes based on employee wages, such as housing tax, flat-rate contributions, and professional training levies.

    This highlights the significant role of the mining sector in the country’s economy. Including gold, the extractive sector contributed 6.3% of Malian GDP in 2023, up from 5.9% in 2022.

    Exports amounted to 500 billion CFA francs (about US$784 million), accounting for three-quarters of the country’s total export revenue. The sector also created 61,023 new jobs in 2023, including 10,000 direct jobs.

    Since 2013, Mali has been facing a security and political crisis that has led to coups d’état and the occupation of part of its territory by rebel groups. Amid this crisis, mining revenues have played a key role in financing major infrastructure projects.

    These investments have built and maintained schools, health centres, roads and bridges, strengthening trade.

    Today, the sector is increasingly seen as a pillar of national sovereignty, a key objective for Malian authorities. In 2023, the government issued 12 new exploration licences, prioritising Malian companies while also granting some permits to foreign firms.

    Estimating the volumes extracted in the informal mining sector remains highly complex. Many actors operate outside formal regulatory frameworks, making precise data collection difficult.

    What are the key changes in Mali’s new mining code and their expected impact?

    The 2023 mining code reflects Mali’s ambition to increase its gains from mining, promote more inclusive local development, and strengthen sovereignty (control) over its natural resources. It emphasises “local content”.

    With the introduction of specific legislation on local content, the new mining code prioritises the inclusion of Malian businesses and workers in the extractive sector.

    The law sets clear guidelines for their participation and representation.

    This initiative could boost local employment and strengthen the national economy. The authorities want Malians to directly feel the benefits of mining. Mining operators are now required to contribute 0.75% of their quarterly revenue to a local development fund. The new code also revises tax exemptions, particularly for fuel, to maximise state revenue.

    As a strategic move, Mali now aims to increase its stake in mining projects. The state is set to secure an initial 10% share in any project, and it may get an additional 20% during the early years of production.

    With 5% allocated to the Malian private sector, the total share could reach 35%, compared to the current 20%. This approach is expected to generate an additional 500 billion CFA francs (approximately US$784 million) for the national budget.

    Mali has also restructured the duration and terms for granting mining licences. The new code allows for better resource exploitation. Large mines are now granted renewable permits for 12 years, while exploration licences are issued for a maximum of nine years.

    Before the new mining code was adopted in 2023, exploration licences were granted for an initial period of three years, with the possibility of two renewals of three years each, totalling a maximum duration of nine years.

    These changes aim to encourage more intensive and structured resource exploration.

    What are the main challenges facing Mali’s mining sector?

    The rise of the mining industry has brought both benefits and challenges. To manage these, the players involved have decided to develop a community development policy. This approach aims to create income opportunities while mitigating potential negative effects, such as environmental damage caused by mining operations.

    Adaptation strategies are essential. These include improving access to financing, creating joint economic activities, and ensuring the security of mining zones. Other key areas are land management, housing, healthcare and schooling, as well as supporting public policies, programmes and civil society initiatives.

    Artisanal gold mining has environmental impacts: it causes deforestation and pollution. Cutting trees destroys wildlife habitats, harms useful plant species and weakens the soil.

    Pollution is another major concern. Chemicals contaminate water, soil, plants, animals and people. Air pollution is common due to overcrowding around mining sites.

    The mining industry affects the economy, environment and society. It is a very important source of revenue for the country and it provides direct and indirect jobs to many people through the provision of services to companies operating in this sector.

    To limit harm, mining communities should focus on four goals:

    • increase productivity by building the capacity of stakeholders

    • reduce the socio-economic vulnerability of local communities

    • strengthen stakeholders’ resilience to the effects of mining industry development

    • improve biodiversity conservation and mitigate environmental degradation.

    How can Mali improve mining governance and sustainability?

    The new mining code already improves governance by addressing the legitimate expectations of Mali’s population and government. It promotes a more responsible approach to managing the sector.

    This code ensures that mining benefits are shared fairly among all stakeholders, including local communities, authorities and mining companies.

    Mali is rich in mineral resources. The country has vast untapped potential throughout its territory. However, security issues in the north hinder exploration and mining activities. Some areas remain unassigned to companies due to ongoing insecurity.

    Mamadou Camara is a member a political party in Mali.

    – ref. Mining Mali: how policy changes are reshaping the sector – https://theconversation.com/mining-mali-how-policy-changes-are-reshaping-the-sector-249232

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mining Mali: how policy changes are reshaping the sector

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mamadou Camara, enseignant-chercheur, Université des Sciences sociales et de Gestion de Bamako

    As Mali’s mining sector faces growing tensions — highlighted by the recent seizure of gold stocks from the Canadian company Barrick by the military government — questions about economic sovereignty and mining governance have become more relevant than ever.

    The mining sector plays a strategic role in Mali’s economy, with gold as its driving force. Yet, governance challenges persist at the heart of the sector’s evolution. In this interview, Mamadou Camara, a mining policy researcher, examines ongoing reforms, the impact of these developments, and the key challenges that must be addressed to ensure the sustainable and equitable exploitation of Mali’s mineral resources.

    What role does the mining sector play in the Malian economy?

    In 2023, the mining sector contributed 644 billion CFA (about US$1 billion) to Mali’s state budget. This represents 21.5% of Mali’s budget for the year and a slight increase from the previous year.

    Gold remains the main product, with a production of 70 tonnes in 2023. Of these revenues, 644 billion CFA came from mining companies (US$1.1 billion), and 3 billion CFA (US$4.7 million) came from social payments — taxes based on employee wages, such as housing tax, flat-rate contributions, and professional training levies.

    This highlights the significant role of the mining sector in the country’s economy. Including gold, the extractive sector contributed 6.3% of Malian GDP in 2023, up from 5.9% in 2022.

    Exports amounted to 500 billion CFA francs (about US$784 million), accounting for three-quarters of the country’s total export revenue. The sector also created 61,023 new jobs in 2023, including 10,000 direct jobs.

    Since 2013, Mali has been facing a security and political crisis that has led to coups d’état and the occupation of part of its territory by rebel groups. Amid this crisis, mining revenues have played a key role in financing major infrastructure projects.

    These investments have built and maintained schools, health centres, roads and bridges, strengthening trade.

    Today, the sector is increasingly seen as a pillar of national sovereignty, a key objective for Malian authorities. In 2023, the government issued 12 new exploration licences, prioritising Malian companies while also granting some permits to foreign firms.

    Estimating the volumes extracted in the informal mining sector remains highly complex. Many actors operate outside formal regulatory frameworks, making precise data collection difficult.

    What are the key changes in Mali’s new mining code and their expected impact?

    The 2023 mining code reflects Mali’s ambition to increase its gains from mining, promote more inclusive local development, and strengthen sovereignty (control) over its natural resources. It emphasises “local content”.

    With the introduction of specific legislation on local content, the new mining code prioritises the inclusion of Malian businesses and workers in the extractive sector.

    The law sets clear guidelines for their participation and representation.

    This initiative could boost local employment and strengthen the national economy. The authorities want Malians to directly feel the benefits of mining. Mining operators are now required to contribute 0.75% of their quarterly revenue to a local development fund. The new code also revises tax exemptions, particularly for fuel, to maximise state revenue.

    As a strategic move, Mali now aims to increase its stake in mining projects. The state is set to secure an initial 10% share in any project, and it may get an additional 20% during the early years of production.

    With 5% allocated to the Malian private sector, the total share could reach 35%, compared to the current 20%. This approach is expected to generate an additional 500 billion CFA francs (approximately US$784 million) for the national budget.

    Mali has also restructured the duration and terms for granting mining licences. The new code allows for better resource exploitation. Large mines are now granted renewable permits for 12 years, while exploration licences are issued for a maximum of nine years.

    Before the new mining code was adopted in 2023, exploration licences were granted for an initial period of three years, with the possibility of two renewals of three years each, totalling a maximum duration of nine years.

    These changes aim to encourage more intensive and structured resource exploration.

    What are the main challenges facing Mali’s mining sector?

    The rise of the mining industry has brought both benefits and challenges. To manage these, the players involved have decided to develop a community development policy. This approach aims to create income opportunities while mitigating potential negative effects, such as environmental damage caused by mining operations.

    Adaptation strategies are essential. These include improving access to financing, creating joint economic activities, and ensuring the security of mining zones. Other key areas are land management, housing, healthcare and schooling, as well as supporting public policies, programmes and civil society initiatives.

    Artisanal gold mining has environmental impacts: it causes deforestation and pollution. Cutting trees destroys wildlife habitats, harms useful plant species and weakens the soil.

    Pollution is another major concern. Chemicals contaminate water, soil, plants, animals and people. Air pollution is common due to overcrowding around mining sites.

    The mining industry affects the economy, environment and society. It is a very important source of revenue for the country and it provides direct and indirect jobs to many people through the provision of services to companies operating in this sector.

    To limit harm, mining communities should focus on four goals:

    • increase productivity by building the capacity of stakeholders

    • reduce the socio-economic vulnerability of local communities

    • strengthen stakeholders’ resilience to the effects of mining industry development

    • improve biodiversity conservation and mitigate environmental degradation.

    How can Mali improve mining governance and sustainability?

    The new mining code already improves governance by addressing the legitimate expectations of Mali’s population and government. It promotes a more responsible approach to managing the sector.

    This code ensures that mining benefits are shared fairly among all stakeholders, including local communities, authorities and mining companies.

    Mali is rich in mineral resources. The country has vast untapped potential throughout its territory. However, security issues in the north hinder exploration and mining activities. Some areas remain unassigned to companies due to ongoing insecurity.

    – Mining Mali: how policy changes are reshaping the sector
    – https://theconversation.com/mining-mali-how-policy-changes-are-reshaping-the-sector-249232

    MIL OSI Africa –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governors Approve Federal Priorities at Winter Meeting

    Source: US State of Colorado

    WASHINGTON, DC – At the 2025 Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA), Governors approved federal priorities to advocate to the 119th Congress and the administration. The priorities were developed by three bipartisan, Governor-led task forces who meet regularly to discuss issues and policies that impact states, territories and commonwealths. The federal priorities are backed by a resolution that was unanimously voted on at today’s business session to serve as a roadmap for NGA’s advocacy efforts at the federal level. 

    “As Governors, we are always looking for new ideas that can help us deliver better results,” said NGA Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis. “State input is key to avoid abrupt changes that create uncertainty and adversely impact the countless services we run to support infrastructure, education, health care, economic growth and disaster response in our states. Governors are ready and willing to work together, and with the administration and Congress, to evaluate and improve the efficiency of these services. We are open to bipartisan conversations with anyone from state and local governments, fellow governors, Congress, and the federal government.” 

    “Governors of both parties share common purpose when it comes to making our economy, infrastructure, and education and health systems the best they can be,” said NGA Vice Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. “I appreciate the opportunity to talk with fellow Governors to discuss how states and territories can work with the White House and Congress to reduce debt and grow the economy. Governors balance our budgets, and we are the ones building roads and implementing education reforms. The perspective of Governors is critical to ensure states and territories work effectively with the federal government to achieve the best possible outcomes for Americans.” 

    The full resolution text adopted by Governors for 2025: 

    Governors believe federal action should be limited to the powers expressly conveyed by the Constitution, preserving state sovereignty in legislative and regulatory matters the Executive Committee has added the following bipartisan priorities: 

    • Enhancing emergency management; 
    • Streamlining permitting processes; 
    • Supporting flexibility and waiver opportunities and funding for state and territorial designed Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF; 
    • Ensuring the federal government meets its already committed obligations for federally funded projects across states, territories and Commonwealths. 

    The task forces have developed the following list of federal priorities to advance the mission of the Association: 

    Task Force on Economic Development and Revitalization 

    • Accelerating infrastructure project delivery and streamlining permitting, while establishing Governors priorities for the next surface transportation reauthorization; 
    • Advancing technology innovation and securing energy resilience to strengthen the country’s economy and national security; 
    • Working with Congress on the most impactful programs for states and territories contained in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the CHIPS and Science Act; 
    • Investing in state and territorial efforts to protect water resources and clean water. Ensuring Governors have a voice as Congress considers tax reform and international trade agreements. 

    Task Force on Public Health and Disaster Response 

    • Ensure Governors are consulted, and their gubernatorial authorities are maintained, in the areas of defense, homeland security, emergency management, health, and human services, including those outlined in U.S.C. Title 10 and 32 pertaining to National Guard readiness and structure; 
    • Advocate for flexibility and support for a robust health and human service system including safety net programs, such as Medicaid and SNAP, and oppose shifting essential federal funding obligations to states and territories without adequate planning; 
    • Ensure the National Guard is equipped with sufficient resources and capabilities to fully recruit and man a force ready to support domestic emergencies and fulfill its role as the operational reserve for national security missions; 
    • Enhance emergency response and disaster recovery by ensuring federal programs, such as Disaster Relief Fund, National Flood Insurance, and Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, are sufficient, adaptable, and streamlined to meet the diverse needs of states and territories, and easier to navigate for individuals, businesses, and all levels of governments; 
    • Strengthen preparedness efforts by fostering both inter-state and federal-state collaborations to maintain resilient supply chains and stockpiles for critical infrastructure before, during, and after emergencies; Support federal initiatives that provide tools and flexibility to states and territories to ensure safe communities for all Americans in areas such as malicious unmanned aircraft systems, cyberattacks, border security, trafficking, substance use disorder, justice-involved re-integration, crisis response systems, and comprehensive safety measures. 

    Task Force on Education, Workforce and Community Investment 

    • Supporting reauthorization of the Farm Bill; 
    • Supporting efforts to expand innovative educational experiences, apprenticeship opportunities and non-degree pathways including but not limited to the reauthorization of WIOA; 
    • Working with the House and Senate bipartisan Paid Leave Working Groups as they consider a legislative framework around paid family leave; 
    • Supporting continued investment in federal education programs that address workforce needs and efforts to improve state longitudinal data systems; 
    • Increasing supply of housing by strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and giving states and territories the tools necessary to streamline burdensome zoning, permitting, and land use policies. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: While the U.S. threatens tariffs and builds walls around its economy, China opens up

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Shaun Narine, Professor of International Relations and Political Science, St. Thomas University (Canada)

    The United States is threatening to impose tariffs on its major trading partners. In the meantime, China is consolidating its position as the world’s manufacturing and technological innovation hub by increasing trade with the Global South.

    If the American role in globalization has been to consume the world’s products and resources by building on a foundation of ever-increasing debt, China’s has been to make tangible goods for the international market.

    China is opening up its economy, especially to the nations of the Global South.

    Effective December 2024, China eliminated all tariffs on goods from the least developed countries. Chinese Premier Li Quang has also described China as an economic opportunity for global investment.

    The centre of Asian trade

    China’s trade surplus with the rest of the world is almost US$1 trillion dollars. Its share of global exports was 14 per cent in 2023, compared to 8.5 per cent for the U.S.

    China is working with regional states to make itself the centre of Asian trade. China’s Belt and Road Initiative is funding infrastructure in about 150 countries as Chinese companies invest internationally, both to avoid American tariffs and diversify their markets.

    At the moment, China accounts for 35 per cent of the world’s manufacturing. By 2030, the United Nations projects this will rise to 45 per cent.

    China has achieved this status by building efficient, high-quality infrastructure.

    It’s also fostered highly competitive and innovative technological and commercial ecosystems. The recent emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup that is dramatically disrupting the sector, illustrates this reality.

    China also controls global industrial supply chains in a host of critical areas.

    The Chinese powerhouse

    Despite its ongoing economic slowdown, China’s economy grew by almost five per cent in 2024 and has potential to grow further as it transitions to a high-tech economy.

    By 2030, the country will have what’s known as a consuming class of 1.1 billion people, making it the world’s largest consumer market.

    Only 7.8 per cent of the population has the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, but China produces about 65 per cent of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates globally on an annual basis.

    China is also leading the world in most new technologies and industries, but there is room for infrastructure investment in smaller cities and rural areas. Because China is a global leader in using automation and AI, it will also need to lead in managing these technologies’ social and economic effects.

    China has economies of scale that no other country — except India — can match. Its manufacturing dominance is the logical outcome of introducing an increasingly technologically sophisticated country with a vast population to the modern global system.

    The first Donald Trump administration used tariffs to try to draw investment into the U.S. and stimulate domestic industry. He believed tariffs would create more manufacturing jobs, shrink the federal deficit and lower food prices.

    The second Trump administration has returned to tariffs, again with the goal of pulling jobs and investment from other countries into the U.S.

    Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

    He’s already put 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. and imposed additional 10 per cent tariffs on all Chinese goods. He’s also threatening tariffs on Taiwan, attempting to strip it of its semiconductor industry.

    Trump is basically demanding that other countries address trade imbalances by buying more expensive American exports in exchange for unimpeded access to the U.S. market.

    He’s trying to recreate an American industrial dominance that existed only under unique circumstances after the Second World War. Similarly, the historical circumstances that led to China’s decline in the 19th and 20th centuries are long past.

    To compete with China’s advantages, the U.S. needs a competent and effective government capable of long-term planning. Under Trump, the U.S. is losing this already-weak capacity every day.

    American debt

    The U.S. is the world’s largest consumer economy because both the government and Americans go into extraordinary debt to finance their consumption.

    Currently, the American national debt is more than $36 trillion while consumer debt was $17.5 trillion in 2024.

    The U.S. can accumulate enormous debt because of the American dollar’s status as the world reserve currency. But the U.S. has weaponized the dollar by freezing the dollar assets of sovereign states and using the dollar’s reserve status to apply American laws and sanctions beyond its borders.

    This has created a major push — led by the BRICS countries of Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates — to replace the U.S. dollar with other financial instruments.

    In response, Trump has threatened 100 per cent tariffs on any countries that try to drop the U.S. dollar.

    The American economy has grown through pumping up asset bubbles, but there’s been a decline in most measures of social well-being in the U.S. This aligns with increasing American social, political and economic instability.

    Chinese products dominate

    China’s exports to the Global South exceed its exports to the western world. Chinese companies and products are dominant in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

    To the Global South, there are clear benefits to accessing affordable, high-quality technology and industrial products from China. The industrialized world can also benefit significantly from Chinese manufacturers, but possibly at the cost of its own established industrial capacity.

    While some states may block Chinese imports to protect their industries, China’s increasing manufacturing dominance means that every country will need at least some Chinese products to develop or to sustain industry. It would be next to impossible for most countries to definitively cut all trade with China.

    The world is entering a new era of globalization. For many states, that means trying to keep from being economically undermined by the U.S. while deciding how to manage the economic and political costs and benefits of engaging with China’s massive industrial capabilities.

    Shaun Narine 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. While the U.S. threatens tariffs and builds walls around its economy, China opens up – https://theconversation.com/while-the-u-s-threatens-tariffs-and-builds-walls-around-its-economy-china-opens-up-245012

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Ukraine three years on: Pain, loss, solidarity and hope for a better future

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI

    By Nargiz Shekinskaya

    23 February 2025 Humanitarian Aid

    24 February 2025 marks the third year of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the civilian population continues to face near daily-attacks. The UN staff living alongside them, enduring the same difficult conditions, have been a lifeline throughout the war.

    “I’m trying not to cry, but I can’t help it. I’m glad I have tissues on hand,” admits Natalia Datchenko, a Ukrainian staff member of the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, struggling to hold back her tears as she recounts the explosions that awoke many Ukrainians three years ago, heralding the start of the conflict.

    Courtesy of Natalia Datchenko

    Natalia Datchenko, employee of UNICEF-Ukraine

    Alongside feelings of shock and anger, Ms. Datchenko also felt a surge of energy. “I knew, with absolute clarity, that I wanted to help others, to protect people. I knew I had to do something,” she recalls.

    UNICEF leadership instructed staff to prioritise their own safety and that of their families before resuming their work. Ms. Datchenko evacuated to Lviv, a city in the west of Ukraine, with her family.

    “There were 12 of us crammed into a small train compartment,” she says. “I held someone else’s child in my arms because there was no place for them to sit. The train moved slowly to avoid being targeted. When we finally arrived, we saw families with children sitting directly on the cold stone floor of the Lviv station. It was February, and it was freezing.”

    Life goes on

    Lyudmyla Kovalchuk, a staff member of the UN Women office in Ukraine, lived near Kyiv International Airport, one of the war’s first targets.

    “We woke up at five in the morning to the sound of explosions,” she explains. “It was shocking. Even though we had heard warnings of an impending invasion, we couldn’t believe it was actually happening.”

    Photo provided by Ludmila Kovalchuk

    Lyudmyla Kovalchuk, UN-Women Ukraine staff member

    After three years, exhaustion has set in but life and work continue. Women in Ukraine need the UN’s support – psychological, legal, logistical and financial. Many Ukrainian women are raising children alone, searching for jobs to support them and constantly moving to keep them safe from the war. Ms. Kovalchuk says that about 75,000 Ukrainian women are serving in the military and represent a group with unique needs that require specific support.

    “We have adapted to working under new conditions,” Ms. Kovalchuk says. “Whenever we arrange to meet somewhere, we check if there is a shelter nearby in case of an attack. We don’t plan long events as the risk of shelling increases the longer we stay in one place. During the pandemic, we learned to work in a hybrid format, and that experience has been invaluable.”

    ‘Hardest part was hearing their stories’

    Anastasia Kalashnyk, another UN Women staff member, used to live in Zaporizhzhia. Two years ago, she relocated to Kyiv with her family. “After 24 February 2022, my children stopped attending daycare and school, and my husband lost his job – the foreign company he worked for immediately shut down operations and left the country,” she says.

    However, Ms. Kalashnyk’s workload increased significantly. Since 2017, she has been responsible for emergency aid provided by UN Women in Ukraine, focusing on women in Luhansk and Donetsk regions. After 2022, many of these women were forced to flee their homes.

    © DRC Ukraine/Svitlana Koval

    In a town in Mykolaivska Oblast, a reconstructed kindergarten shelter now provides 200 children with a safe, fully equipped space for learning during frequent air alerts.

    “Looking back, the hardest part was hearing their stories – women I had known for years – about how they escaped occupied territories and what happened to their husbands who had gone to fight,” she says.

    For these and other Ukrainian women in need, UN Women, in collaboration with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), established so-called “safe spaces”. These centres provide essential support, allowing women to connect, share experiences and heal.

    “I watched as Olga, one of the women who came to the centre, quite literally come back to life after experiencing trauma,” a UN worker recalls. “She started smiling again. Now, Olga is one of the centre’s activists, helping others.”

    The cost of war

    According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 12,600 civilians have been confirmed killed and over 29,000 injured over the last three years. At least 2,400 children are among the casualties.

    Millions live in constant fear, while those in occupied territories face severe restrictions and limited access to humanitarian aid. An entire generation of Ukrainians is growing up in wartime.

    © UNICEF/Oleksii Filippov

    Alina, 12, stands next to her damaged home in Kobzartsi, Mykolaiv region.

    Relentless attacks on infrastructure are deepening the crisis. Over 10 per cent of Ukraine’s housing stock has been damaged or destroyed, leaving at least two million families without adequate shelter. More than 3,600 schools and universities have been hit, forcing hundreds of thousands of children into remote learning.

    Repeated strikes on the energy system – three winters in a row – have left towns without electricity, heating and essential services in freezing conditions. A total of 12.7 million people require humanitarian aid.

    Hopes for the future

    “Of course, everything that has happened is exhausting,” Ms. Kalashnyk says. “But my children give me hope for a better future. What they are going through now is unfair. I have to be strong, not just for them but for all Ukrainian families.”

    She adds that she also finds hope in the solidarity shown by the UN and other organizations. “They didn’t abandon Ukraine,” she explains. “They stayed. They continue to help. They didn’t come just for a month or two. They’ve been here for years. And now, they’re talking about rebuilding. These discussions about the future give me confidence that we have one.”

    Ms. Datchenko from UNICEF also speaks of unity and solidarity. “At first, we were all united by anger,” she recalls. “We shared our burdens. We shared our pain. We were furious together. But anger is no longer the driving force. Now, we are united by the desire to rebuild what has been destroyed. We want to restore our communities, support families and rebuild our country, not as it was, but better, to leave behind the Soviet legacy and create a truly new nation, built on human rights.”

    © UNFPA/Danil Pavlov

    Supplies are distributed by UNFPA at a centre for survivors of gender-based violence in Kherson, Ukraine.

    She says her work gives her hope. “I have a unique opportunity to reassess old programmes, create new ones, listen to the voices of the most vulnerable, direct resources where they are truly needed and bridge different sectors to bring together the best for those in need. I believe that working for UNICEF has helped me survive—it’s still my survival strategy.”

    ‘We have to become stronger’

    Ms. Datchenko also finds solace in culture. “I seek inspiration and motivation in the beauty that still exists in Ukraine. Our museums are open, concerts are happening, music is playing. For many, culture is a survival strategy.”

    Today, many Ukrainians are searching for their own survival strategies. “One of the biggest challenges we face in our work is the psychological toll, not only in supporting ourselves, but also our colleagues,” Ms. Kovalchuk says. “Recently, one of our colleague’s brothers went missing. Sometimes, it’s incredibly difficult to find the right words of comfort, yet we work with people – women and girls affected by war – who need our support.”

    “But, on the other hand, when you face one tragedy after another, one crisis after another, you start to feel stronger and more experienced. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”

    Then, with a sad smile, she adds that “maybe it’s true, but I always say I wish I didn’t have the experience I have now. But I have no choice. This experience is mine to bear.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister announcement on Grangemouth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister announcement on Grangemouth

    Sir Keir Starmer announces £200 million investment to propel long term future for Grangemouth

    • Transformational commitment to support investment in Grangemouth community through National Wealth Fund.

    • Project Willow to report shortly on long-term future of industrial site.

    • Grangemouth Training Guarantee to support refinery workers into new jobs – as part of the Plan for Change.

    The National Wealth Fund will provide £200 million of investment to new opportunities in Grangemouth as part of a major intervention to ensure the long-term future of the industrial site, the Prime Minister announced today [Sunday 23 February].

    The funding will be available for co-investment with the private sector to help unlock Grangemouth’s full potential and secure our clean energy future.  

    The UK Government is also providing a ‘training guarantee’ for all Grangemouth refinery staff to ensure that any worker who would like skills training at the local college is supported, with funding provided by the UK Government – this will help workers into new, good jobs with local employers. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

    “My government has already taken decisive action to protect good British jobs in industries that are vital for our economic security: saving Harland and Wolff, investing in the future of Hitachi in North-East England, a new plan for an electric arc furnace at Port Talbot – secured this week. 

    “We will grasp the opportunities at Grangemouth, work alongside partners to develop viable proposals and team up with business to get new industries off the ground.

    “And to attract private investment into the partnership we need we will allocate £200 million from the National Wealth Fund for investment in Grangemouth – an investment in Scotland’s industrial future.”

    The announcement comes on top of existing investments from the UK Government, in partnership with the Scottish Government, to ensure the long-term economic future of the area. These investments are a strong commitment to people in the central belt, and include:   

    • The £100 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, delivered jointly with the Scottish Government, to support the community and its workers by investing in local energy projects to create new opportunities for growth in the region.

    • Joined-up support from DWP and DESNZ to provide tailored career and skills support for refinery workers to assist in finding new employment.

    • The £1.5 million Project Willow feasibility study, jointly funded with the Scottish Government, to identify credible long-term industrial options for the Grangemouth site.

    The Prime Minister has also reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to working in partnership with the Scottish Government to identify a viable, low carbon industrial future for the Grangemouth site.  

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    “We have always said that we will leave no stone unturned in seeking a sustainable industrial future for Grangemouth and its workers. 

    “Alongside our ongoing support for affected workers, this investment will help unlock the site’s long-term potential, with the backing of the private sector. This will create good jobs in vital new industries and drive growth and investment in the local community as part of our Plan for Change.” 

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:  

    “The UK Government has been working at speed to ensure a long-term future for Grangemouth and the National Wealth Fund allocation announced today demonstrates our commitment to this.  

    “We remain committed to working closely with the Scottish Government and other partners to support the refinery workers and ensure the long-term future of this site.”   

    Project Willow, the co-funded initiative which is examining the green-energy future of the industrial site, is expected to produce its report in the spring. 

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    Any National Wealth Fund investment will be subject to investible propositions and the Fund’s criteria – the proposition must deliver a positive return, drive regional and economic growth or support activity to tackle climate change, invest in key sectors, and crowd in private finance.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 23 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 24, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: Dutton tries to neutralise health issue by saying, ‘we’ll do just what Labor does’

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

    Peter Dutton has launched a game of one-upmanship after Anthony Albanese at the weekend unveiled Labor’s $8.5 billion health policy that promises near universal bulk billing for GP visits by 2030.

    Dutton wants to neutralise health as an election battleground. So he immediately pledged to match the Albanese policy. He’s included another $500 million, from an already announced Coalition policy for mental health, so he can get to the bigger number of $9 billion.

    What’s more, the Opposition leader said the government should legislate the health plan before the election. There are two issues with that call.

    On the present parliamentary sitting timetable, legislation could in theory be passed in budget week, which is set to start March 25. But, as everyone who’s paying attention knows, the current speculation is there probably won’t be a budget, with many players and observers anticipating Albanese will soon announce an April election.

    Secondly, however, legislation is not needed. The changes can be made by regulation.

    The Coalition decision to take over the Labor health policy holus bolus may be tactically smart – time will tell. Fixing up bulk billing will be popular; the opposition knows it would be on risky ground getting into an argument about it, even on detail.

    But just adopting such a big Labor policy, within hours of seeing it, without further thought or strutiny, raises questions about the Coalition’s policy rigour.

    Doesn’t it have a few ideas of its own? Labor’s policy, while welcomed, has already come under some criticisms. For instance, there are suggestions it might be harder to address the bulk billing issue in certain areas than in others, so maybe the claims for the policy are too sweeping. And some experts would prefer greater attention on more fundamental reforms to Medicare.

    In strict policy terms, as distinct from political expediency, the Coalition’s approach just seems lazy. Shadow health minister Anne Ruston is said to have been out and about with stakeholders – did she come to exactly the same policy conclusions as Labor? Presumably, given the policy’s expense, a Coalition government would not be able to spend more on other health initiatives, which restricts its scope to do further or different things.

    On the fiscal side, Dutton is looking for general spending cuts but says there will be no cuts in health. “The Coalition always manages the economy more effectively and that’s why we can afford to invest in health and education,” he said on Sunday.

    Can we believe in this “no cuts” line? The government points back to Tony Abbott’s time when similar promises were made and the reality didn’t match the rhetoric. Dutton was health minister then and the government tried to introduce a Medicare co-payment. That attempt fizzled in face of opposition, but some voters might think that a Coalition that puts on Labor’s clothes so readily might shed some of them when in office, pleading the weather was hotter than it expected. That’s especially possible when it is a policy that stretches out several years, as this one does.

    Certainly Labor has already been homing in on Dutton’s record from more than a decade ago.

    None of this alters the fact that something needs to be done to boost bulk billing, which has now fallen to about 78% of GP visits. The govenrment’s disputes the opposition’s figure that it reached 88% under the Coalition but indisputably, it has certainly tumbled from where it once was.

    The question now is, who will people trust more to fix it up?

    Dr Chalmers goes to Washington

    Meanwhile, the government is still battling on all fronts to make its case heard in Washington for an exemption from the US tariffs on aluminium and steel.

    In a flying trip at the start of this week Treasurer Jim Chalmers will be the first Australian minister to visit there since President Trump announced the tariffs.

    The treasurer will have discussions with the US treasury secretary Scott Bessent, whom he met (courtesy of ambassador Kevin Rudd) before the presidential election. So the talks will have the advantage of familiarity.

    Chalmers on Sunday played down the prospect of any finality on tariffs coming out of his visit, which will also take in a conference of superannuation fund investors looking to put money into American businesses. The conference is being held at the Australian embassy.

    If Australia eventually gets a favourable result on tariffs in the near term, the treasurer will be able to claim at least a tick for his efforts.

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

    – ref. View from The Hill: Dutton tries to neutralise health issue by saying, ‘we’ll do just what Labor does’ – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-dutton-tries-to-neutralise-health-issue-by-saying-well-do-just-what-labor-does-250606

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Bybit Launches Recovery Bounty Program with Rewards up to 10% of Stolen Funds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, , Feb. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is calling on the brightest minds in cyber security and crypto analytics to join the global hunt for the perpetrators of crypto’s largest heist in history. With a reward of 10% of the amount recovered, the contributors stand to share a bounty of potentially up to 140 million USD in value in the scenario of a full recovery. 

    Recovery Bounty Program

    As part of the investigation and recovery efforts, Bybit is pledging 10% of recovered funds to reward ethical cyber and network security experts who play an active role in retrieving the stolen cryptocurrencies in the incident. 

    The total amount of the bounty is calculated based on verifiable recovery of the compromised ETH worth over $1.4 billion at the time of the incident. 

    Bybit values transparency and using blockchain technology for good.

    “Within 24 hours of the event, we were overwhelmed with support from some of the best people and organizations in the industry, and we do not take it for granted. We have shared in a dark moment of crypto history, and we’ve proven we are better than the malicious actors,” said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit. “We want to officially reward our community who lent us their expertise, experience and support through the Recovery Bounty Program, and our efforts to make this difficult lesson a valuable one does not stop here. Bybit is determined to rise above the setback and fundamentally transform our security infrastructure, improve liquidity, and be a steadfast partner to our friends in the crypto community,” he added.

    How to Get Involved

    Individuals and organizations interested in participating in the Recovery Bounty Program can contact us via email at bounty_program@bybit.com

    Trust and security are at the core of the crypto industry. As the ecosystem grows, collective action is essential to maintaining its strength. We encourage exchanges, analysts, and the broader community to collaborate in protecting digital assets. Together, we can reinforce security, deter malicious activities, and uphold confidence in the industry.

    #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
    tony.au@bybit.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e4aca083-7ecb-45f5-aefd-d050eeaa79c9

    The MIL Network –

    February 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: From Wukong to Ne Zha, powerhouse IPs make waves in China’s consumer market

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Amid the immense popularity of “Ne Zha 2,” fans of the Chinese blockbuster are facing a race against time to purchase blind boxes featuring the film’s main character, as stocks quickly deplete both online and at retail locations.

    “Ne Zha-themed products sell out quickly as soon as they are put on the shelf. Recently, we’ve seen dozens of people signing up for pre-sales every day,” said a staff member at Pop Mart, China’s popular toy maker, in Beijing.

    Like “Black Myth: Wukong,” the country’s first 3A video game taking the world by storm in 2024, “Ne Zha 2” has become another cherished domestic creation rooted in traditional Chinese culture. Both cultural phenomena have successfully turned fan enthusiasm for their intellectual properties (IPs) into lasting profits.

    As of Saturday, the sequel to the Chinese mythical franchise “Ne Zha” has seen its box office revenue worldwide, including presales, surpass 13 billion yuan (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars), securing the eighth spot on the list of highest-grossing films of all time worldwide, according to ticketing platforms.

    Beyond the silver screen, the animation is also making waves in other areas of the consumer market. Sales of its merchandise on Taobao, a leading e-commerce platform in China, surpassed 50 million yuan earlier this month.

    Noticing the surge in demand for “Ne Zha 2” merchandise, an authorized manufacturer in Dongguan, located in south China’s Guangdong Province, quickly ramped up production after the film’s Chinese New Year release, aiming to seize the significant market opportunity created by the rise of Chinese IP.

    “We have received orders for nearly 1.4 million sets of peripheral products. While operating overtime every day to produce the products, our factory is also developing new items based on the film,” said Chen Qi, general manager of the company, noting that the company hopes to cooperate with more domestic brands to develop IP derivatives in the future.

    This growing interest in domestic IPs is reflected across factories in China, where companies are shifting their focus from exports to tapping into the expanding opportunities within the domestic market.

    This year, China’s IP derivatives market is expected to exceed 500 billion yuan, CITIC Securities said in a research report.

    More than 49,000 enterprises in China are involved in the trendy toy economy, with approximately 13,000 of them having registered in 2024, according to Tianyancha, a corporate information provider.

    The rapid growth of China’s trendy toy market highlights the country’s strengths in IP, supply chain capabilities and consumer potential, said Li Yongjian, a researcher at the National Academy of Economic Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

    “Ne Zha 2” isn’t the first IP to spark a surge in merchandise consumption in China. In 2023, another domestic hit, “The Wandering Earth 2,” raised over 140 million yuan through crowdfunding for its merchandise.

    Moreover, in January, Chinese retailer MINISO launched a store themed around “Black Myth: Wukong” in Beijing, attracting considerable attention as fans eagerly queued to purchase limited-edition items.

    As the IP economy continues to grow, retailers like MINISO are capitalizing on the cultural and emotional appeal of beloved franchises.

    Ye Guofu, founder of MINISO, said that Chinese consumers, especially younger generations, are increasingly prioritizing the emotional value attached to products, and this shift is expected to further drive the demand for IP-based merchandise.

    These IPs not only showcase the depth of China’s cultural heritage but also demonstrate how modern technology and creativity can breathe new life into ancient stories, making them relevant and appealing to today’s generation. This synergy between tradition and innovation has laid a solid foundation for the booming IP derivatives market.

    “Traditional culture needs to be revitalized with a modern touch,” said “Ne Zha 2” director Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, adding that literary classics are the most valuable source of cultural IPs for animated films.

    Zhao Xinli, dean of the Advertising School at the Communication University of China, noted that with the vast potential of the domestic consumer market, a well-established animation production system and the rich heritage of China’s traditional culture, the country’s cultural industry is set for an even brighter future. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 23, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor and the Coalition have pledged to raise GP bulk billing. Here’s what the Medicare boost means for patients

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne

    Labor yesterday foreshadowed a major Medicare change to address the falling rate of bulk billing, with an A$8.5 billion election announcement. The government said it would increase incentive payments for GPs to bulk bill all patients, from November 1 2025.

    Today the Coalition said it would match Labor’s Medicare investment dollar-for-dollar.

    Medicare was designed as a universal scheme to eliminate financial barriers to access to health care. The contemporary slogan is that you only need your Medicare card, not your bank card, to see your doctor.

    But fewer than half of Australians are always bulk billed when the see a doctor. So how did we get into this situation? And what could these changes mean for access to care?



    Read more:
    Albanese pledge: nine in ten GP visits bulk billed by 2030, in $8.5 billion Medicare injection

    Why bulk billing has been declining

    Until changes introduced by then Health Minister Tony Abbott in 2003, Medicare was the same for everyone.

    But in response to declining rates of GP bulk billing at the time, the then Coalition government backed away from Medicare’s universality and introduced targeted bulk billing incentives for pensioners and health-care card-holders, children, people in rural and remote Australia and, in a political fix to appease then Tasmanian independent Senator Brian Harradine, all Tasmanians.

    Fast-forward to 2014 and then Health Minister Peter Dutton introduced legislation as part of the budget for a compulsory copayment for GP consultations – a proposal that did not survive six months and failed in the Senate. A smaller optional payment also failed to get approval.

    But the idea of getting Australians to pay out of pocket to see a GP survived. It was introduced by stealth by freezing GP rebates, rather than adjusting them to inflation. This slowly forced GPs to introduce patient co-payments as their costs increased and their rebates didn’t.

    By the time Labor was elected, bulk billing was said to be in freefall.

    Labor’s first response was to restore the indexation of rebates, so they increase increase in line with inflation in November of each year.

    It then tripled the bulk billing incentive. This meant GPs received a greater rebate when they didn’t charge patients an out-of-pocket fee.

    But the new incentive was not enough to cover the gap between rebate and fees in metropolitan areas.

    What proportion of Australians are now bulk billed?

    Only about 48% of people have the security of “always” being bulk billed when they see a GP. A further 24% are “usually” bulk billed.

    Bulk billing rates are highest in poorer areas – South West Sydney has an “always” rate of 81%, almost quadruple the rate in the ACT (23%), which has Australia’s lowest “always” rate.

    The always bulk billed rate – excluding special COVID items which required bulk billing – has dropped from about 64% in 2021–22.

    The rate of bulk billing as a percentage of all visits to the GP, rather than people, is much higher. Around 78% of all attendances (aka visits) in the second half of 2024 were bulk billed. The higher rate is because more frequent users, such as older Australians, are bulk billed at a higher rate than younger people.

    What does the new bulk billing package include?

    The initiative announced yesterday includes three positive changes.

    First, it again increases the bulk billing incentive.

    It also introduces an additional bonus for general practices which achieve 100% billing.

    The new combined Medicare rebate in metropolitan areas for a standard bulk billed visit to the GP is A$69.56 when both changes are applied. This is $27 above the current rebate of $42.85 (without any bulk billing incentive).

    The current average out-of-pocket payment when a service is not bulk billed is $46. So there will still be a gap, but the difference between bulk billing and not is now significantly smaller.

    *Totals include item Medicare rebate, Bulk Billing Incentive item rebate, and 12.5% Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program payment.
    Government Press Release

    The government expects a major uplift – to 90% of visits bulk billed – as a result.

    State government payroll taxes, also encourage bulk billing, by not requiring GPs to pay payroll tax on consultations that are bulk billed. This will provide a further incentive to increase the bulk billing rate.

    The second positive change is that the new initiatives are for everyone. This ends the two-tiered incentive the Coalition introduced in 2003 and restores Medicare as a truly universal scheme.

    Australia will now rejoin all other high-income countries (other than the United States) in having health funding underpinned by universality.

    Third is the introduction of a 12.5% “practice payment” bonus for practices that bulk bill all patients.

    This starts the necessary transition from a reliance on fee-for-service payments as the main payment type for general practice.

    A “practice payment” is more holistic and better suited to a world where more people have multiple chronic disease which require care for the whole person, rather than episodic care. It signals payments need to be redesigned for that new reality.

    Over time, this could fund and encourage multi-disciplinary teams of GPs, nurses and allied health professionals such as psychologists and physiotherapists – rather than patients always seeing a GP.

    The downsides

    The main risk practices face in contemplating these changes is the fear of how long this new scheme will last. A previous Coalition government showed it was prepared to use a rebate freeze to achieve its policy of a shift away from Medicare as a universal scheme.

    The best way of reducing that risk would be to build in indexation of the rebate, and the incentive, into legislation.

    The Royal Australian College of GPs says not everyone will be bulk billed because rebates are still too low to cover the cost of care.

    This is true, as the gap between the prevailing metro bulk billed fee and the new rebate plus incentive will be about $20. But the aim is to increase bulk billing to 90% not 100% – and that is probably achievable.

    Bottom line

    The new arrangements will likely reverse the decline in the rates of bulk billing. The government can reasonably expect a bulk billing rate of around 90% of visits in the future.

    For consumers facing cost-of-living pressures, it will be a very welcome change. There will be more 100%-bulk-billing practices and patients will no longer face a lottery based on a doctor’s or receptionist’s mood or whim about whether they will be bulk billed.

    Yesterday’s announcement and the Coalition’s backing is a watershed, benefiting patients and general practices.

    Labor is playing to its strengths and it will hope to reverse its current polling trends with this announcement.

    The Coalition obviously hopes to negate the impact of a popular announcement by matching it. What will weigh in voters’ minds, though, is whether today’s Coalition announcement will be delivered after the election. The Coalition has a long history – dating back to Malcolm Fraser – of promising one thing about health policy before an election and reversing it after the vote, and this will probably fuel a “Mediscare” campaign by Labor.

    Stephen Duckett 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. Labor and the Coalition have pledged to raise GP bulk billing. Here’s what the Medicare boost means for patients – https://theconversation.com/labor-and-the-coalition-have-pledged-to-raise-gp-bulk-billing-heres-what-the-medicare-boost-means-for-patients-250604

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 23, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: Dutton tries to nautralise health issue by saying, ‘we’ll do just what Labor does’

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

    Peter Dutton has launched a game of one-upmanship after Anthony Albanese at the weekend unveiled Labor’s $8.5 billion health policy that promises near universal bulk billing for GP visits by 2030.

    Dutton wants to neutralise health as an election battleground. So he immediately pledged to match the Albanese policy. He’s included another $500 million, from an already announced as Coalition policy for mental health, so he can get to the bigger number of $9 billion.

    What’s more, the Opposition leader said the government should legislate the health plan before the election.

    On the present parliamentary sitting timetable, legislation could in theory be passed in budget week, which is set to start March 25. But, as everyone who’s paying attention knows, the current speculation is there probably won’t be a budget, with many players and observers anticipating Albanese will soon announce an April election.

    The Coalition decision to take over the Labor health policy holus bolus may be tactically smart – time will tell. Fixing up bulk billing will be popular; the opposition knows it would be on risky ground getting into an argument about it, even on detail.

    But just adopting such a big Labor policy, within hours of seeing it, without further thought or strutiny, raises questions about the Coalition’s policy rigour.

    Doesn’t it have a few ideas of its own? Labor’s policy, while welcomed, has already come under some criticisms. For instance, there are suggestions it might be harder to address the bulk billing issue in certain areas than in others, so maybe the claims for the policy are too sweeping. And some experts would prefer greater attention on more fundamental reforms to Medicare.

    In strict policy terms, as distinct from political expediency, the Coalition’s approach just seems lazy. Shadow health minister Anne Ruston is said to have been out and about with stakeholders – did she come to exactly the same policy conclusions as Labor? Presumably, given the policy’s expense a Coalition government would not be able to spend more on other health initiatives, which restricts its scope to do further or different things.

    On the fiscal side, Dutton is looking for general spending cuts but says there will be no cuts in health. “The Coalition always manages the economy more effectively and that’s why we can afford to invest in health and education,” he said on Sunday.

    Can we believe in this “no cuts” line? The government points back to Tony Abbott’s time when similar promises were made and the reality didn’t match the rhetoric. Dutton was health minister then and the government tried to introduce a Medicare co-payment. That attempt fizzed, but some voters might think that a Coalition that puts on Labor’s clothes so readily might shed some of them when in office, pleading the weather was hotter than it expected. That’s especially possible when it is a policy that stretches out several years, as this one does.

    Certainly Labor has already been homing in on Dutton’s record from more than a decade ago.

    None of this alters the fact that something needs to be done to boost bulk billing, which has now fallen to about 78% of GP visits. The govenrment’s disputes the opposition’s figure that it reached 88% under the Coalition but indisputably, it has certainly tumbled.

    The question now is, who will people trust more to fix it up?

    Dr Chalmers goes to Washington

    Meanwhile, the government is still battling on all fronts to make its case heard in Washington for an exemption from the US tariffs on aluminium and steel.

    In a flying trip at the start of this week Treasurer Jim Chalmers will be the first Australian minister to visit there since President Trump announced the tariffs.

    The treasurer will have discussions with the US treasury secretary Scott Bessent, whom he met (courtesy of ambassador Kevin Rudd) before the presidential election. So the talks will have the advantage of familiarity.

    Chalmers on Sunday played down the prospect of any finality on tariffs coming out of his visit, which will also take in a conference of superannuation fund investors looking to put money into American businesses. The conference is being held at the Australian embassy.

    If Australia eventually gets a favourable result on tariffs in the near term, the treasurer will be able to claim at least a tick for his efforts.

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

    – ref. View from The Hill: Dutton tries to nautralise health issue by saying, ‘we’ll do just what Labor does’ – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-dutton-tries-to-nautralise-health-issue-by-saying-well-do-just-what-labor-does-250606

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Reacts to EPA Confirmation to Keep Date for Implementation of E15 Access

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Reacts to EPA Confirmation to Keep Date for Implementation of E15 Access

     

    LINOLN, NE – Reassuring news this week for Nebraska motorists and corn growers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed its intent to uphold the current April 28, 2025 implementation date for year-round access to E15. Nebraska is among eight states that had long been fighting a summertime ban on the higher ethanol blend. Last year, the EPA issued its  final rule, a significant win for Nebraska and other ethanol-producing states. 

     

    “Nebraska is in a leading position to reap the benefits of E-15, both from the production as well as the consumer side. This is a significant step forward in growing our state’s ag and biofuels economy,” said Gov. Pillen. 

     

    In a release from the EPA, Administrator Lee Zeldin stated: “Today’s decision underscores EPA’s commitment to consumer access to E15 while ensuring a smooth transition for fuel suppliers and refiners.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Orban rejects Ukraine’s NATO membership, imposes conditions on EU entry

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday opposed Ukraine’s bid to join NATO, and pledged to block its access to the European Union (EU) if it runs counter to Hungary’s interests.

    In his state-of-the-nation speech in Budapest, Orban said, “Against Hungary and the Hungarians, Ukraine will never be a member of the European Union,” emphasizing the Hungarians’ right to decide on the EU membership.

    He warned that Ukraine’s accession would ruin Hungarian farmers and the entire national economy.

    Orban also stressed the significance of the post-conflict period following Russia-Ukraine armed conflict, arguing it is more important than the war itself. He underscored Ukraine’s role as a “buffer zone” between NATO and Russia, firmly rejecting the notion of Ukraine as a NATO member.

    A consistent critic of most European leaders’ handling of the conflict in Ukraine, Orban accused them of dragging the West into a futile and dangerous confrontation.

    The debate over Ukraine’s future comes amid discussions over ending the three-year military conflict. This follows recent high-level talks in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Russian officials on a potential peace deal – a meeting notably absent of EU and Ukrainian representatives. Ukrainian President Zelensky has reiterated that any peace plan excluding Ukraine’s direct input is unacceptable. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Summit on women global investment kicks off in Libyan capital

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Women Global Investment Summit kicked off here on Saturday with more than 60 entrepreneurs and economic experts from 15 countries.

    Libya’s Minister of State for Women’s Affairs Houria Al-Tarmal told Xinhua that the Government of National Unity — the internationally-recognized western-based government — “supports and enables women economically and logistically.”

    “Women are essential partners in the national economy,” said Al-Tarmal, hoping the summit will help businesswomen in Libya overcome challenges by exchanging experience with other women entrepreneurs and experts worldwide.

    The two-day event includes workshops and training sessions to economically empower women and increase their participation in the national economy, as well as the signing of cooperation agreements and protocols between local and international agencies to support Libya’s national development.

    Since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has been struggling with fragmentation. The country is now divided between two main rival administrations: the eastern-based government, backed by the House of Representatives, and the western-based government in Tripoli. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 23, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Over 9B trips estimated in Spring Festival rush

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Passengers wait to board a train at Tengzhou East Railway Station in Zaozhuang City, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. The total number of inter-regional passenger trips across China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is estimated to reach 9.03 billion, official data showed. The travel rush concluded on Saturday. (Photo by Li Zongxian/Xinhua)

    The total number of inter-regional passenger trips across China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is estimated to reach 9.03 billion, official data showed.

    Driven by family reunions and leisure travel for the Chinese New Year, the country saw railways, highways, waterways and airlines operating at full capacity during the period, which concluded on Saturday.

    About 8.39 billion trips were made by road, the busiest mode of transportation. Passenger volume reached 513.63 million for railways, 90.19 million for air travel, and 31.15 million for waterways.

    The travel rush, often referred to as the world’s largest annual human migration, highlights China’s vast mobility and economic activity. With a steadily recovering economy and rising demand for travel, this year’s chunyun saw a robust transportation network handling unprecedented passenger volumes.

    The Spring Festival, an occasion for family reunions, fell on Jan. 29 this year.

    Passengers check in to take a train in Zaozhuang Railway Station in Zaozhuang, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. The total number of inter-regional passenger trips across China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is estimated to reach 9.03 billion, official data showed.

    The travel rush concluded on Saturday. (Photo by Sun Zhongzhe/Xinhua)

    An aerial drone photo shows a bullet train running on China-Laos Railway in Jinghong City, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 22, 2025. The total number of inter-regional passenger trips across China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is estimated to reach 9.03 billion, official data showed.

    The travel rush concluded on Saturday. (Photo by Li Yunsheng/Xinhua)

    A bullet train runs on the Lijiang-Shangri-la railway with the Yulong Snow Mountain in the background, in Lijiang, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Feb. 22, 2025. The total number of inter-regional passenger trips across China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is estimated to reach 9.03 billion, official data showed.

    The travel rush concluded on Saturday. (Photo by Zhao Qingzu/Xinhua)

    Passengers wait to board a train at Luoyang Longmen Railway Station in Luoyang, central China’s Henan Province, Feb. 22, 2025. The total number of inter-regional passenger trips across China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is estimated to reach 9.03 billion, official data showed.

    The travel rush concluded on Saturday. (Photo by Zhang Yixi/Xinhua)

    A passenger takes a bus at a bus station in Luocheng Mulao Autonomous County, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 22, 2025. The total number of inter-regional passenger trips across China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is estimated to reach 9.03 billion, official data showed.

    The travel rush concluded on Saturday. (Photo by Wu Yaorong/Xinhua)

    Passengers arrive at Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 22, 2025. The total number of inter-regional passenger trips across China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is estimated to reach 9.03 billion, official data showed.

    The travel rush concluded on Saturday. (Photo by Yang Suping/Xinhua)

    A drone photo shows a bullet train running at Changzhou North Railway Station in Changzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 22, 2025. The total number of inter-regional passenger trips across China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, is estimated to reach 9.03 billion, official data showed.

    The travel rush concluded on Saturday. (Photo by Chen Wei/Xinhua)

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 23, 2025
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