NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • 11 years of Modi govt: Digital connectivity and infrastructure witness remarkable growth

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    During the 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, India has witnessed a digital revolution, transforming itself into a digitally empowered society and knowledge-based economy. Under the leadership of PM Modi, the country has made remarkable strides in expanding internet connectivity, boosting telecom infrastructure, and revolutionising public service delivery through digital platforms.

    The digital economy, which contributed 11.74% to India’s national income in 2022–23, is projected to rise to 13.42% by 2024–25, fuelled by advancements in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.

    Total telephone connections in India have grown from 93.3 crore in March 2014 to over 120 crore by April 2025. The overall tele-density in India which was 75.23 % in March 2014 rose to 84.49% in October 2024. Rural connectivity has significantly improved, with rural telephone connections jumping from 377.78 million in 2014 to 527.34 million in 2024. Internet connections have soared from 25.15 crore to 96.96 crore during the same period—a growth of over 285%.

    Broadband services saw an exponential rise, from just 6.1 crore users in 2014 to nearly 95 crore by August 2024. The cost of wireless data has dropped drastically from ₹308 per GB in 2014 to ₹9.34 in 2022, making digital access more affordable for millions.

    A key milestone in India’s digital journey has been the rollout of 5G services, launched in October 2022. In less than two years, India installed 4.74 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations, extending high-speed connectivity to 99.6% of districts. This leap supports a growing mobile subscriber base, which reached 116 crore in 2025.

    The BharatNet project has also played a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide. As of January 2025, high-speed internet has been delivered to over 2.18 lakh Gram Panchayats, with 6.92 lakh km of optical fibre cable laid, transforming connectivity in rural India.

    With this rapid progress, India continues its march towards a digitally inclusive future, powered by robust infrastructure and visionary policy implementation.

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Scheduled Banks’ Statement of Position in India as on Friday, May 30, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    (Amount in ₹ crore)
      SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL BANKS
    (Including RRBs, SFBs and PBs)    		 ALL SCHEDULED BANKS
    31-May-2024 16-May-2025* 30-May-2025* 31-May-2024 16-May-2025* 30-May-2025*
    I LIABILITIES TO THE BKG.SYSTEM (A)            
      a) Demand & Time deposits from banks 283850.22 356142.91 365140.08 287722.27 362130.00 370999.12**
      b) Borrowings from banks 163095.32 112740.77 110567.25 162607.11 112743.77 110589.25
      c) Other demand & time liabilities 76511.12 24239.07 25102.81 76730.29 24626.53 25497.28
    II LIABILITIES TO OTHERS (A)            
      a) Deposits (other than from banks) 21087206.37 22887587.39 23172559.90 21674968.79 23379288.75 23662791.19
      i) Demand 2506492.91 2841915.80 2988913.58 2567382.20 2892062.41 3038372.32
      ii) Time 18580713.47 20045671.59 20183646.31 19107586.59 20487226.34 20624418.87
      b) Borrowings @ 738925.22 893728.27 895727.00 743952.27 898148.91 900193.89
      c) Other demand & time liabilities 967360.63 999529.93 1030639.78 983261.53 1012437.72 1043774.13
    III BORROWINGS FROM R.B.I. (B) 71305.00 23081.00 6516.00 71305.00 23081.00 6516.00
      Against usance bills and / or prom. Notes     0.00     0.00
    IV CASH 90895.20 85968.10 87179.07 93788.10 88775.09 89604.92
    V BALANCES WITH R.B.I. (B) 951109.00 928136.28 956086.24 971105.00 947302.36 975236.91
    VI ASSETS WITH BANKING SYSTEM            
      a) Balances with other banks            
      i) In current accounts 8067.70 11102.45 11433.47 11788.66 13341.32 13852.12
      ii) In other accounts 177529.41 233058.58 255330.58 228433.60 295070.10 318135.43
      b) Money at call & short notice 13028.13 17715.86 22812.64 33944.85 35986.40 40349.51
      c) Advances to banks (i.e. due from bks.) 51405.37 39786.83 36147.80 54043.23 42530.76 38542.46£
      d) Other assets 112400.95 78068.21 78094.05 118837.65 82032.05 82801.64
    VII INVESTMENTS (At book value) 6183502.03 6684475.70 6706717.24 6391944.79 6838726.32 6861687.29
      a) Central & State Govt. securities+ 6182472.76 6683947.50 6706168.85 6378531.37 6830276.71 6853140.24
      b) Other approved securities 1029.27 528.19 548.39 13413.42 8449.61 8547.05
    VIII BANK CREDIT (Excluding Inter-Bank Advances) 16782881.64 18227711.87 18287596.63 17346530.02 18694728.44 18753960.67
      a) Loans, cash credits & Overdrafts $ 16469359.59 17890954.33 17949974.58 17029508.57 18354554.88 18412998.48
      b) Inland Bills purchased 64366.78 79832.65 79467.07 64372.00 81180.34 80743.89
      c) Inland Bills discounted 208274.29 221259.31 222652.60 211137.16 222739.64 224160.09
      d) Foreign Bills purchased 16125.00 14020.55 13866.49 16347.72 14241.01 14063.24
      e) Foreign Bills discounted 24755.98 21645.03 21635.88 25164.57 22012.57 21994.97
    NOTE
    * Provisional figures incorporated in respect of such banks as have not been able to submit final figures.
    (A) Demand and Time Liabilities do not include borrowings of any Scheduled State Co-operative Bank from State Government and any reserve fund deposits maintained with such banks by any co-operative society within the areas of operation of such banks.
    ** This excludes deposits of Co-operative Banks with Scheduled State Co-operative Banks. These are included under item II (a).
    @ Other than from Reserve Bank, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and Export Import Bank of India.
    (B) The figures relating to Scheduled Commercial Banks’ Borrowings in India from Reserve Bank and balances with Reserve Bank are those shown in the statement of affairs of the Reserve Bank. Borrowings against usance bills and/ or promissory notes are under Section 17(4)(c) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Following a change in the accounting practise for LAF transactions with effect from July 11, 2014, as per the recommendations of Malegam Committee formed to Review the Format of Balance Sheet and the Profit and Loss Account of the Bank, the transactions in case of Repo / Term Repo / MSF are reflected under ‘Borrowings from RBI’.
    £ This excludes advances granted by Scheduled State Co-operative Banks to Co-operative banks. These are included under item VIII (a).
    + Includes Treasury Bills, Treasury Deposits, Treasury Savings Certificates and postal obligations.
    $ Includes advances granted by Scheduled Commercial Banks and Scheduled Cooperative Banks to Public Food Procurement Agencies (viz. Food Corporation of India, State Government and their agencies under the Food consortium).
    Food Credit Outstanding as on
    (Amount in ₹ crore)
    Date 31-May-2024 16-May-2025 30-May-2025
    Scheduled Commercial Banks 40258.89 68078.36 70580.71
    Scheduled Co-operative Banks 50623.09 51972.99 51972.99

    The expression ‘Banking System’ or ‘Banks’ means the banks and any other financial institution referred to in sub-clauses (i) to (vi) of clause (d) of the explanation below Section 42(1) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

    No. of Scheduled Commercial Banks as on Current Fortnight:135

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/533

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • Amit Shah hails 11-year digital revolution during ‘India’s Techade’

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday highlighted the achievements of the Modi government’s digital revolution over the past 11 years, including ease of living and economic boom achieved during the ‘India’s Techade’.

    He credited the government’s vision for the technology-led development that has transformed society and every sector of the economy.

    “The Modi government democratised the use of technology and harnessed its power for the business sector, making Bharat a leading digital economy in the world in the #11YearsOfDigitalIndia. Whether it is healthcare, education, trade, or commerce, PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has transformed every sector of the economy and society through the digital revolution,” said Union Minister Shah in a post on the social media platform X.

    In his post, the Home Minister attached a digital poster titled ‘Big Picture – India’s Techade’ enlisting the achievements of the government, ranging from the launch of foreign satellites to rising internet users and mobile subscribers.

    The Union Minister’s post underscored the big digital strides taken by the government as reflected in 2.18 lakh gram panchayats getting an optical fibre connection and Rs 44 lakh crore being transferred to the poor and the needy under the direct benefit transfer (DBT) during the 11 years.

    He said that over 37 crore patients used digital consultation under the eSanjeevani scheme, over 52-plus crore people registered themselves on ‘DigiLocker’, 8 crore users used the UMANG platform for all government services, and the number of internet users rose 285 per cent during the period.

    Showcasing the strides taken in the telecom sector, Shah said the number of mobile subscribers has touched 116 crore while the cost per GB of data has declined from Rs 308 to Rs 9.34 during India’s Techade.

    The Home Minister’s post also delved into the government’s achievement of laying 6.93 lakh km of optical fibre cable under Bharat Net.

    Focusing on the economic benefits from the digital revolution, HM Shah said 49 per cent of the global real-time digital transactions happen in India.

    On the GeM portal, Rs 13-plus lakh crore worth of orders were placed on the platform till March 2025, he said.

    The Home Minister also said that during the past 11 years, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched 393 foreign satellites.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scotland’s unpaid carers over £4,400 better off

    Source: Scottish Government

    Carers urged to check for financial support during Carers Week.

    This Carers Week (9 – 15 June), unpaid carers across Scotland are being encouraged to find out if they are eligible for social security support – through Carer Support Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant.   

    Carer’s Allowance Supplement – a payment only available north of the border – was the first benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland in 2018 to provide extra financial support for carers, recognising their important contribution.   

    Since the payment’s introduction, unpaid carers in Scotland will be up to £4,475 better off by the end of 2025. 

    On a visit to Midlothian Carers Centre to meet with parent carers of adults with additional support needs, Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart, said: 

    “Social security in Scotland isn’t about renaming benefits previously delivered by the UK Government. We are about delivering social security with dignity, fairness and respect, continually listening to what carers and support organisations have to say to help shape the changes we’re making.  
      
    “We introduced Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant, which are only available in Scotland, and widened eligibility for Carer Support Payment to enable more carers in education to access it. We’re also committed to introducing new extra support for carers who care for more than one person. Changes to help improve the lives of carers in Scotland. 

    “Social security is something anyone may need at any point in their life. It’s a public service and I encourage all unpaid carers to find out if they are entitled to financial support and apply.”  

    Carla Bennett, Carer Services Manager at VOCAL Midlothian added: 

    “Unpaid carers often face financial hardship, with many forced to give up paid work or reduce their hours to support those they care for. Caring for someone comes with additional costs too, such as transport, heating, equipment and food. These expenses, combined with reduced income, mean carers are more likely to experience poverty.  

    “Demand for VOCAL’s income maximisation service has doubled in the past year, showing that carers are feeling the strain. Accessing financial and social security support can ease this burden and make a significant difference to the lives of carers and those they care for. We would encourage carers to find out what they might be eligible for.” 

    Background 

    • £4,475 is based on a carer who will have received every Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment since it was introduced in June 2018 to December 2025. This includes the two extra Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments made in June 2020 and December 2021. 
       
    • Over 172,000 carers have benefited from Carer’s Allowance Supplement since its introduction in 2018, totalling over £333.7 million in payments to December 2024 Social Security Scotland – Summary statistics for Carer’s Allowance Supplement to October eligibility date 2024   
    • Find out more about Social Security Scotland’s existing three payments for unpaid carers at Carer Support Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant. Carer payments are for people providing care for someone getting a disability benefit. Find out more about our disability and illness payments at Disability and illness – mygov.scot 
       
    • Further improvements are planned for carers once all clients in Scotland who are receiving Carer’s Allowance are transferred to Carer Support Payment, a process called case transfer. This includes an extra payment for carers getting Carer Support Payment and caring for more than one person receiving a disability benefit. This improvement, amongst others, will require parliamentary approval. More details available at Benefits for carers – Social security – gov.scot 
    • VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) supports and empowers unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian through individual support, information, training and access to services. VOCAL – VOCAL 
    • Information on other support for carers, such as financial support, wellbeing support and short breaks from caring, can be found at  Help if you’re a carer – mygov.scot     

    Help to apply  

    • Social Security Scotland provides a range of support for people to apply. This includes support to apply in another language and an interpreter can be arranged to help in over 100 languages.  
    • Applications can be made in British Sign Language using a video call using the Contact Scotland BSL app. 
    • People can apply over the phone, online or face to face. Paper copies of application forms are available by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 
    • A client support adviser can also help with applications. They can meet at a person’s home, a venue in the local community, provide support over the phone or through a video call. Call 0800 182 2222 for more information. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plymouth celebrates double win at national awards

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Plymouth is celebrating a proud moment after scooping two prestigious awards last night – recognising the city’s leadership in both environmental innovation and inclusive employment.

    The prestigious Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards 2025, recognise the best in local government, with judges having to consider over 1,000 submissions from councils across the UK.

    At a ceremony last night, the city was honoured in the Environmental Services category for our pioneering Habitat Bank, and in Diversity and Inclusion for our transformative Supported Internships programme.

    These awards shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done across Plymouth to build a greener, fairer future – and the dedicated teams making it happen.

    Plymouth’s Habitat Bank, delivered through the city’s green finance vehicle Ocean City Nature, will deliver an impressive £7m in investment to restore and enhance habitats across the city. The initiative is creating a local market for Biodiversity Units, helping developers meet planning requirements while delivering real gains for nature and communities with work on the first site at Ham Woods already underway.

    Councillor Tom Briars Delve, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “This award is a huge recognition of the bold, creative work happening in Plymouth to tackle the ecological emergency. The Habitat Bank is a brilliant example of how we can use green finance to deliver real, lasting benefits for wildlife and communities. I’m incredibly proud of the team behind this – their passion and innovation are helping to put Plymouth on the map as a leader in nature recovery.”

    At the same time, the city’s Supported Internships programme scooped the top award in its category. Run in partnership with Discovery College – the programme has grown from just nine participants to 67 in just two years. The programme supports young people with learning difficulties or disabilities to gain meaningful, sustainable employment through a blend of tailored work placements, coaching and classroom learning.  Every single participant has gone on to secure a job – a remarkable achievement that’s changing lives.

    Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, added: “This award is a celebration of the young people who’ve taken part in Supported Internships – and the incredible staff who’ve supported them every step of the way. It shows what’s possible when we believe in people’s potential and invest in inclusive opportunities. This work is vital to building a city where everyone can thrive.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Regional workshop on anti-money laundering co-organised by Hong Kong Customs and University of Hong Kong concludes (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The four-day Regional Workshop on AML Frameworks: Tackling Traditional and Modern Challenges in the Digital Age (Workshop), co-organised by Hong Kong Customs and the University of Hong Kong (HKU), started on June 9 and concluded today (June 12). This Workshop brought together over 60 participants from customs administrations, government agencies, international organisations, law enforcement agencies and academia across Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific (A/P) region.
     
    Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with HKU at the International Forum on Combating Money Laundering and Transnational Organized Crimes in December last year, the Workshop was held to further strengthen Customs’ capacity in anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement with particular focus on risks and trends of virtual assets.   
     
    In his closing remarks today, the Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Intelligence and Investigation), Mr Wong Ho-yin, highlighted the Workshop’s success in enriching knowledge, fostering regional co-operation, and building critical connections among law enforcement agencies, academia, and industry. He reaffirmed that adaptability, international collaboration and capacity building were crucial to mitigating the risks of financial crimes. Participants should work on the groundwork laid for closer regional partnerships by the Workshop to promote intelligence sharing and support cross-boundary investigations and enforcement co-operation.
     
    The Dean of Engineering of HKU, Professor David Srolovitz, emphasised the timeliness of this Workshop in the age of rapid digital transformation and the importance of uniting academia, technology developers, law enforcement authorities, government, and the financial industry to address the complexities of financial crimes today. HKU Engineering, he said, remains dedicated to driving innovation and education to empower professionals to create a secure and transparent financial future.
     
    The Workshop featured a comprehensive programme with leading experts and practitioners delivering lectures on a wide range of topics including AML strategies and emerging typologies, regulation of virtual assets, crypto-related crime investigations, application of regtech in financial crime prevention, and international co-operation in AML/counter-terrorist financing.
     
    As the World Customs Organization (WCO) Vice-Chair for the A/P region and the WCO Regional Training Centre in the A/P region, Hong Kong Customs strives to connect with local and overseas law enforcement agencies to foster knowledge exchanges and capacity building in AML, contributing to a safer and more resilient financial environment across the A/P region.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Radware Cyber Survey Uncovers Critical Weaknesses in Application Security Measures

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Only 8% of organizations use AI-based protection solutions
    • Just 6% of respondents have full documentation for all their APIs
    • Half of respondents don’t know what third-party code is being used by their apps
    • Only 29% of security staff are fully trained to handle API business logic attacks

    MAHWAH, N.J., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR), a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments, today released its new report, 2025 Cyber Survey: Application Security at a Breaking Point. The survey reveals threat areas of rapidly growing concern as organizations’ cyber defenses lag well behind. This includes a major lack of protection against AI threats, as well as API and business logic attacks, among others.

    “The weaponization of AI by malicious actors is intensifying cybersecurity threats and drawing even more attention to areas where companies are simply ill-protected,” said Shira Sagiv, Radware’s vice president of product portfolio. “Internal alarms should be sounding. Companies openly admit to major concerns about gaps in cyber protection and lack of readiness, especially around web applications and APIs; yet their usage continues to climb creating even more risk and exposure.”

    KEY FINDINGS

    The scramble is on to catch up with AI
    According to the report, the use of AI to improve and intensify hacking tradecraft is of greatest concern. Organizations have significant concerns about threat actors using AI to generate new attacks at a faster cadence, bypassing existing defenses and compromising areas that were previously too difficult to attack.

    • Top concerns: The following percentage of respondents are highly or extremely concerned about hackers using AI:
      • To create/improve hacking tools – 70%.
      • To generate a larger volume of cyberattacks – 67%.
      • To launch new zero-day attack vectors – 66%.
    • Large readiness gap: Despite the concerns about hackers embracing AI, only 8% of organizations are currently using AI-based solutions for defenses.
    • AI adoption: Four out of five organizations plan to implement AI-based cybersecurity solutions within the next 12 months.

    Security fails to keep up with sprawling API ecosystems
    APIs are in a constant state of fluctuation. Organizations are increasing their use of APIs even while they remain ill-protected.

    • Surge in API usage and updates: In 2025, API usage is up 42% compared to the highest rate of usage in 2023, with multiple daily updates to APIs surging 6X during the same time frame.
    • Widespread third-party usage: On average, organizations are using 19 third-party APIs per application, which introduces new types of threats around data compromise that cannot be mitigated at a coding level.
    • Poor business logic attack mitigation: Business logic attacks, a common form of API attacks, represent a threat area of rapidly growing concern. While 81% of respondents say it is very or extremely important to have real-time protection measures in place:
      • Just half have deployed runtime business logic protections.
      • Only 29% have security staff fully trained to detect and mitigate these attacks.
    • Lack of preparedness:
      • On average, only 6% of respondents have full documentation for all their APIs.
      • Half of respondents don’t know what third-party code is being used by their web applications, which data is being leaked to third-party services, and when malicious scripts and services are introduced.

    Risks to resilience continue to rise
    Survey respondents expressed a lack of confidence in the effectiveness of their defensive posture against growing threats.

    • Third-party breaches: Only 16% of respondents are confident in their current protection against data breach attempts of third-party services code running on their web applications.
    • Costly DDoS disruptions: Downtime caused by an application DDoS attack averages $6,100 per minute or $366,000 per hour.
    • High compliance pressures: An average of 54% of respondents express high or extreme concern about a range of regulations, including NIS2, HIPAA, SEC, PCI DSS 4, GDPR, DORA, and SOX.

    Methodology
    The survey, which was conducted with Osterman Research, includes responses from compliance, chief risk, and data privacy officers; vice presidents of research and development; senior network security administrators; senior DevOps and DevSecOps administrators; cloud security; API architects; among other titles. The survey was conducted in nine countries across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM.

    Radware’s complete 2025 Cyber Survey: Application Security at a Breaking Point can be downloaded here.

    About Radware
    Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR) is a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments. The company’s cloud application, infrastructure, and API security solutions use AI-driven algorithms for precise, hands-free, real-time protection from the most sophisticated web, application, and DDoS attacks, API abuse, and bad bots. Enterprises and carriers worldwide rely on Radware’s solutions to address evolving cybersecurity challenges and protect their brands and business operations while reducing costs. For more information, please visit the Radware website.

    Radware encourages you to join our community and follow us on: Facebook, LinkedIn, Radware Blog, X, and YouTube.

    ©2025 Radware Ltd. All rights reserved. Any Radware products and solutions mentioned in this press release are protected by trademarks, patents, and pending patent applications of Radware in the U.S. and other countries. For more details, please see: https://www.radware.com/LegalNotice/. All other trademarks and names are property of their respective owners.

    THIS PRESS RELEASE AND THE 2025 CYBER SURVEY: APPLICATION SECURITY AT A BREAKING POINT ARE PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THESE MATERIALS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN INDICATOR OF RADWARE’S BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OR OPERATING RESULTS FOR ANY PRIOR, CURRENT, OR FUTURE PERIOD.

    Radware believes the information in this document is accurate in all material respects as of its publication date. However, the information is provided without any express, statutory, or implied warranties and is subject to change without notice.

    The contents of any website or hyperlinks mentioned in this press release are for informational purposes and the contents thereof are not part of this press release.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements made herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about Radware’s plans, outlook, beliefs, or opinions, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may,” and “could.” For example, when we say in this press release that the weaponization of AI by malicious actors is intensifying cybersecurity threats and drawing even more attention to areas where companies are simply ill-protected and that their usage continues to climb creating even more risk and exposure, we are using forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, could differ materially from Radware’s current forecasts and estimates. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the impact of global economic conditions, including as a result of the state of war declared in Israel in October 2023 and instability in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, tensions between China and Taiwan, financial and credit market fluctuations (including elevated interest rates), impacts from tariffs or other trade restrictions, inflation, and the potential for regional or global recessions; our dependence on independent distributors to sell our products; our ability to manage our anticipated growth effectively; our business may be affected by sanctions, export controls, and similar measures, targeting Russia and other countries and territories, as well as other responses to Russia’s military conflict in Ukraine, including indefinite suspension of operations in Russia and dealings with Russian entities by many multi-national businesses across a variety of industries; the ability of vendors to provide our hardware platforms and components for the manufacture of our products; our ability to attract, train, and retain highly qualified personnel; intense competition in the market for cybersecurity and application delivery solutions and in our industry in general, and changes in the competitive landscape; our ability to develop new solutions and enhance existing solutions; the impact to our reputation and business in the event of real or perceived shortcomings, defects, or vulnerabilities in our solutions, if our end-users experience security breaches, or if our information technology systems and data, or those of our service providers and other contractors, are compromised by cyber-attackers or other malicious actors or by a critical system failure; our use of AI technologies that present regulatory, litigation, and reputational risks; risks related to the fact that our products must interoperate with operating systems, software applications and hardware that are developed by others; outages, interruptions, or delays in hosting services; the risks associated with our global operations, such as difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations, compliance costs arising from host country laws or regulations, partial or total expropriation, export duties and quotas, local tax exposure, economic or political instability, including as a result of insurrection, war, natural disasters, and major environmental, climate, or public health concerns; our net losses in the past and the possibility that we may incur losses in the future; a slowdown in the growth of the cybersecurity and application delivery solutions market or in the development of the market for our cloud-based solutions; long sales cycles for our solutions; risks and uncertainties relating to acquisitions or other investments; risks associated with doing business in countries with a history of corruption or with foreign governments; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; risks associated with undetected defects or errors in our products; our ability to protect our proprietary technology; intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties; laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting our business; compliance with open source and third-party licenses; complications with the design or implementation of our new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system; our reliance on information technology systems; our ESG disclosures and initiatives; and other factors and risks over which we may have little or no control. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Radware, refer to Radware’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the other risk factors discussed from time to time by Radware in reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except as required by applicable law, Radware undertakes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statement in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made. Radware’s public filings are available from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or may be obtained on Radware’s website at www.radware.com.

    Media Contact:
    Gerri Dyrek
    Radware
    Gerri.Dyrek@radware.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5342914-5ae1-430e-a838-b75e663c5eb4

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83a75b37-0294-485f-a2b8-c968fd9fce15

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/08209312-e0da-48d4-a5aa-aa7deea6b77d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Zinemx Exchange Upgrades Security Architecture to Safeguard User Assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Recently, Zinemx Exchange has upgraded its platform security architecture, introducing a more rigorous multi-layer protection system to further enhance the security of assets and transactions. Multiple security measures, such as cold and hot wallet segregation and real-time security monitoring, ensure the platform is protected against hacker attacks and malicious operations. In the face of increasingly severe security challenges in the crypto market, Zinemx will continue to strengthen its technical defenses and compliance risk controls, providing investors with a safer and more stable trading environment.

    This upgrade focuses on optimizing the cold and hot wallet segregation mechanism of Zinemx Exchange to ensure user assets receive the highest level of protection. The cold wallets employ multi-signature technology and are isolated from external networks, mitigating the risk of hacker attacks. Hot wallets implement strict fund management strategies, retaining only the necessary liquidity, and are combined with real-time fund monitoring and approval mechanisms to prevent unauthorized large fund transfers.

    Zinemx Exchange adopts advanced Multi-Party Computation (MPC) technology to optimize private key storage solutions, further enhancing account security. The intelligent risk control system of the platform monitors trading activities around the clock. When abnormal trading behavior is detected, the system immediately issues an alert and takes necessary protective measures to maximize the security of user assets. The intelligent anti-scam system automatically scores user trading behavior, accurately identifying malicious attacks and preventing account theft.

    To meet the diverse trading needs of investors, Zinemx Exchange offers a wide range of trading products, including spot, futures, and options. This upgrade also optimizes API interfaces, improving trading execution efficiency for institutional investors and enabling the efficient completion of large trades.

    Looking ahead, Zinemx Exchange will continue to increase investment in security technology, further optimize its trading system, enhance anti-scam capabilities, and collaborate with leading international security institutions. The platform will strengthen multi-dimensional security measures, including data encryption, identity authentication, and market surveillance, to provide investors with a trustworthy crypto trading environment.

    Media Contact: support@zinemx.org

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Zinemx Exchange. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/87d0bd4b-ab93-45b6-9317-8dc82993b2c2

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Wood Mackenzie Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 with Senior Delegation, Driving Investment and Insight Across Africa’s Energy Sector

    Energy research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie will participate in the African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies conference, with a senior delegation comprising Mansur Mohammed, Head of New Business Development, Africa; Gavin Thompson, Vice Chairman, EMEA; David Parkinson, Head of Exploration; and Ian Thom, Research Director, Upstream. The team will speak across multiple sessions, contributing data-led insights and strategic analysis on upstream investment, exploration trends and Africa’s energy transition planning.  

    With over five decades of experience, Wood Mackenzie has become a central player in global energy markets. In Africa, the firm’s work has been particularly impactful in supporting the development of long-term energy planning and project structuring. Its collaboration with national governments and state-owned oil companies has helped shape policy frameworks, evaluate exploration potential and guide infrastructure development. 

    One of the firm’s most notable recent contributions has been its support to the Republic of Congo in developing the country’s first Gas Master Plan, in partnership with the Ministry of Hydrocarbons. The plan outlines strategies for monetizing gas resources, expanding domestic access and establishing export mechanisms that will contribute to economic diversification. In line with this work, Wood Mackenzie has provided analysis for key projects such as the Marine XII LNG development, which recently delivered its first cargo and is progressing toward expansion with a second 3.5 billion-cubic-meter-per-year facility. 

    In the broader upstream sector, Wood Mackenzie tracks and forecasts capital investment trends across the continent. The firm’s research highlights a stabilization of upstream spending around $40 billion annually, with particular emphasis on gas and LNG-led growth. Countries such as Namibia and Mozambique are attracting heightened interest from international investors, while established producers including Angola and Nigeria continue to recalibrate their upstream portfolios in response to global energy dynamics. Wood Mackenzie’s data and modelling are often used by governments and private operators alike to assess fiscal terms, licensing strategy and project economics. 

    The firm is also playing a leading role in contextualizing Africa’s energy transition. According to its long-term energy outlooks, Africa is expected to see electricity demand double by 2050. While renewables will form an increasing share of generation, Wood Mackenzie maintains that oil and gas will remain vital to meeting the continent’s industrial and energy access needs. The firm projects that Africa will account for just 3–6% of global emissions by mid-century, underscoring the argument that continued hydrocarbon development can coexist with climate responsibility. 

    “Wood Mackenzie brings the rigorous data and applied insight necessary to unlock Africa’s energy potential. At AEW 2025, their contributions will help shape a narrative that highlights investment opportunity, energy security and the responsible pursuit of development across the continent,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. 

    The delegation’s participation at AEW 2025: Invest in African Energies comes at a time when African states are intensifying their focus on exploration licensing rounds, domestic gas utilization and large-scale LNG developments. With deep experience in asset valuation, fiscal benchmarking and upstream project modelling, Wood Mackenzie remains a trusted partner to investors, ministries and NOCs seeking to maximize returns and mitigate risk across the continent. 

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – How can nature power Africa’s present and future?

    Source:  Global Landscapes Forum (GLF)

    On 19 June, join experts and community leaders for the hybrid event GLF Africa 2025: Innovate, Restore, Prosper. Explore opportunities for the continent to reverse land degradation, biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.

    Nairobi, Kenya (12 June 2025) – GLF Africa, hosted by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) and CFOR-ICRAF, returns for its 7th edition on 19 June, held online and in person in Nairobi, Kenya, in English, French and Swahili.

    Bringing together leading voices from diverse sectors and backgrounds, this hybrid conference will spotlight Africa’s progress, priorities and possibilities in building healthy, resilient and prosperous landscapes, communities and economies.  

    Africa holds two-thirds of the world’s arable land and the youngest population on Earth. GLF Africa 2025: Innovate, Restore, Prosper will highlight how science and traditional knowledge are guiding local action towards an economy that keeps the continent’s land healthy for future generations.  

    The event will cover four key themes:  

    • Forest and landscape restoration
    • Land and tree use rights and livelihoods 
    • Natural capital and sustainable finance  
    • AI, technology and data for intelligent landscapes 

    Building Africa’s nature economy  

    Africa faces a triple environmental crisis of land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change, but current policies, funding and land rights fall short of what’s needed.

    Time is running out to tackle these challenges – which is why the continent must start building a powerful nature economy today. This means unlocking its vast natural capital –its forests, biodiversity, land and water – combined with its deep knowledge systems, good governance, meaningful partnerships, AI and big data.

    How to join the conversation

    Everyone is invited to register for free at bit.ly/GLFAfrica2025.

    The event will feature more than 60 inspiring speakers, including:

    • Balbina Andrew, Indigenous community leader from Tanzania, Executive Director of Nourish Africa and Coordinator of the locally-led initiative GLFx Mwanza.
    • Kate Kallot, Founder and CEO of Amini AI, recognized for expanding access to technology across Africa and named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI.
    • Ngobi Joel, Co-Founder of the School Food Forest Initiative, 2025 GLF Forest Restoration Steward and activist focused on climate, education and rural development in Uganda.
    • Peter Minang, Africa Director at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and an expert in climate-smart landscapes.
    • Rekia Foudel, Founder and Managing Partner of Barka Fund, one of the GLF’s 8 Women with a New Vision for Earth 2025, bringing innovative financing to African startups.
    • Sellah Bogonko, Co-Founder and CEO of Jacob’s Ladder Africa, working to activate 30 million green jobs across Africa by 2033.
    • Solange Bandiaky-Badji, President of the Rights and Resources Group (RRG) and Coordinator of the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), who spearheaded RRI’s Gender Justice program.

    These leaders will be joined by many other changemakers in youth-led action, research, storytelling, academia, gender equity, sustainable finance and policy to discuss topics such as:

    • Powering Africa’s future – the promise of nature-centered economies 
    • Confronting challenges to secure rights, land restoration and livelihoods 
    • Scaling up farmer-managed natural regeneration: Action in Ethiopia and Kenya 
    • Bridging knowledge domains for inclusive landscape restoration 
    • Financing frontline action for climate, nature and livelihoods 
    • How Africa can lead agri-tech transformation 
    • From vision to action – A roadmap for Africa’s nature economy. 

    Explore the full agenda here: (ref. https://connect.globallandscapesforum.org/e/africa-2025#agenda)

    NOTES

    Alongside GLF Africa 2025, the GLF will engage youth and local leaders from across the continent in collaborative in-person experiences during:

    • Africa Restoration Week (20–21 June)
    • The Stakeholder Engagement with Evidence training (23–25 June) 
    • The Landscape Leadership Camp (16–18 June) 

    The workshops, interactive learning and peer networking will bridge community experience, scientific research and regional insights on policy, evidence-based restoration action, inclusive decision making, landscape approaches, breaking silos, climate justice, fundraising and more.

    ABOUT THE GLF

    The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) is the world’s largest knowledge-led platform on integrated land use, connecting people with a shared vision to create productive, profitable, equitable and resilient landscapes. It is led by the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), in collaboration with its co-founders UNEP and the World Bank, and its charter members. Learn more at www.globallandscapesforum.org.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Vote – Budgetary assessment on mid-term review of cohesion policy – 16.06 – Committee on Budgets

    Source: European Parliament

    © Image used under the license from Adobe Stock

    The Committee will vote on the budgetary aspects of the proposal for a regulation amending ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), Cohesion Fund and Just Transition Fund as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review.

    The budgetary assessment analyses if the act provides for sufficient financial and human resources, assessing the alignment with the EU’s long term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027) and the budgetary principles outlined in the Financial Regulation.
    Ms Danuše Nerudová (EPP, Czechia) is the rapporteur for the file.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Review of the EU securitisation framework – The Securitisation Regulation and the Capital Requirements Regulation – 12-06-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    ‘Securitisation’ is the process of pooling financial assets (such as loans, mortgages and consumer credit) and turning them into tradable securities. This process allows banks to transfer the risk of some loans to other banks or long-term investors, such as insurance companies and asset managers. Banks are then allowed to use the capital which was set aside to cover the risk of those same loans to create and sell new loans. In the European Union (EU), the space freed up in banks’ balance sheets through the securitisation process can be used to support the Union’s priorities, such as the green and digital transitions. However, if left unregulated, the process of securitisation can increase vulnerabilities across the financial system, as it did in the United States with the subprime mortgage crisis which began in 2007. As part of its Capital Markets Union initiative, launched in 2015, the EU relaunched the framework establishing an EU securitisation market, helping the development of finance and the economy without creating risks to financial stability; this is the securitisation framework, which came into force in 2019. According to the Commission’s 2022 review report, while the EU’s current securitisation framework has made the EU’s market safer, it has also resulted in higher costs for issuers and investors, preventing the development of the EU’s securitisation market. The capital requirements it introduced may have reduced incentives to participate in or issue securitisations, and some stakeholders have stated that the EU’s due diligence requirements have created entry barriers or disincentives for participation by some investors. With the start of the 10th legislative term, the intention of accelerating work on all European savings and investments measures, including securitisation, was confirmed in Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s political guidelines of July 2024; in the mission letter of the Commissioner for Financial Services, Maria Luís Albuquerque, of September 2024; and in the 2025 Commission work programme. The European Parliament has remained supportive of securitisation as a tool for funding the EU’s economy but has remained critical of any dilution of regulatory standards that could raise systemic risk. This briefing focuses on the two legal acts of the securitisation framework that the Commission proposes to review in June 2025: the Securitisation Regulation and the Capital Requirements Regulation. These two regulations govern the general rules for securitisation, and the capital requirements for banks and investment firms that hold securitisation positions, respectively.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ‘I thought we’d arrived at a town rather than a hospital’

    Source: European Investment Bank

    From as early as 4 years old we knew that our daughter, Josephine, would most likely need an operation to correct her scoliosis. The thought of the procedure, which involves screwing metal rods into the vertebrae down most of the spine to straighten it out, filled us with terror. We did everything to avoid it — physical therapy twice a week, horse-riding, swimming, and even an innovative dynamic spine brace that was much more comfortable than the traditional hard braces.

    But after the pandemic disrupted travel to London for her regular brace adjustments, the scoliosis got worse and even the classic hard brace that went down to her hips did nothing. When it became clear that surgery was the only option to stop the S-shaped curve of her spine getting worse and compressing her organs, we set out to find the best orthopaedic surgeon. We met several excellent surgeons in Brussels before trying UZ Leuven, a university hospital about 30 kilometres east of Brussels in Flanders.

    With roots that trace back to 1160, UZ Leuven is one of the largest and oldest teaching hospitals in Europe. KU Leuven, the 600-year-old university to which it is attached, is the oldest in the low countries and considered the most prestigious in Belgium. Turning off the motorway and seeing the massive campus for the first time, I thought we’d arrived at a town rather than a hospital. Impressed by the doctor and the facilities, and relieved that the staff were happy to communicate in English and French, we chose to go ahead with the procedure.

    Some months later in 2024, when my daughter was recovering from her successful operation in the new paediatric wing, I remember looking around at the great facilities, which included a rooftop playground, and a well-appointed playroom with events for patients led by staff, and thinking, “I wonder if this place has had EIB funding? It looks like the sort of thing we’d do…”

    I didn’t know at the time that the Bank would soon sign a €230 million loan to help fund the hospital’s Health Sciences Campus 2.0 Masterplan. This gave me the chance to write about the plan and have many of my own questions answered about the whole hospital.

    Yes, the building that my daughter spent five days in had received EIB funding. The paediatric wing was financed in part with a €325 million loan from the Bank in 2008 under the first phase of the university hospital’s redevelopment. The new loan signed in 2025 is for the second phase of that vision.

    In his office. Dr Wim Tambeur, operations director at UZ Leuven, explained the hospital’s Health Sciences Master Plan. “About 20 years ago, we started to think about and redefine our vision of what a university hospital should be and how we envisioned our role,” he says.

    “We clearly said that a university hospital is quite unique in its setting because it creates innovation by R&D. We should invent better healthcare and better healthcare models, implement them in daily care, and teach the innovation to our students.”

    UZ Leuven is not just a hospital campus but a “city of innovation” integrating clinical care, research, and teaching, he said.

    This approach is reflected in many ways that we noticed during our stay. Our daughter’s doctor, for example, was also a professor at KU Leuven. “A lot of our medical staff are also appointed as professors at the university, so that already creates close interaction,” explained Dr Tambeur. “The real innovation is that our research is really focused on how we can improve clinical practice.”

    As a practical example, Dr Tambeur pointed to the nuclear medicine building on the campus, which will be expanded with funding from the new loan as one part of the plan. The centre develops specialised radioactive molecules for scans that help doctors in the hospital and scientists from the pharmaceutical industry with which they work to get a precise view of the targets where drugs are working in the body. Such molecules have very short lifespans so need to be produced on site to reduce transport times.

    Back at the paediatric wing where my daughter stayed was another great example of how the university hospital combines clinical research with innovation in patient care. The hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit has a unique design in which each baby gets its own quiet little room where parents and family can visit.  

    Typically, neonatal units, such as the one where my daughter spent five weeks after being born in Brussels, are like busy intensive care wards for adults with bright lights and machines constantly beeping. Access even for families is tightly controlled to limit crowding.

    “Neonatal care has improved dramatically in recent decades but has become a lot more intensive,” says Dr Tambeur. “The babies are so surrounded by technical equipment you can barely see them and all the noise and activity is very disturbing for them.”

    Dr Tambeur’s ward is designed in concentric circles, with a bay of individual rooms around a central staffing zone and an outer ring of rooms where brothers, sisters, grandparents and so can visit. “It allows for a lot of family involvement without disturbing the care processes,” he says. “And the monitors beep at the nurse’s station rather than the baby’s bed.”

    Health outcomes for the newborns seem to have improved and the neonatal care department is studying the long term effects of the new care process design, says Dr Tambeur.

    About one year on from the operation, Josephine, who is 15, is rid of her brace, her back is straight, her scar is discreet, and she’s four centimetres taller. We’ve been back to UZ Leuven several times and each time I feel proud to know that the European Investment Bank supports this kind of project.     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Combating climate change – 10-06-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Union (EU) is among the leading major economies in terms of tackling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2020, EU GHG emissions were down by 31% from 1990 levels, exceeding the EU’s target of reducing emissions by 20% by 2020. Led by international treaties, such as the Kyoto Protocol, the EU adopted many climate policies, such as the EU Emissions Trading System. In 2019, the Commission presented the European Green Deal. Since then, many measures have been agreed on with the aim of increasing the EU’s GHG emission reduction target to 55% by 2030 and decarbonising its economy by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government welcomes International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation’s publication of jurisdictional profiles on adoption of ISSB Standards

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government welcomes the publication of jurisdictional profiles by the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS Foundation) today (June 12), which confirms Hong Kong as among the initial set of jurisdictions having set a target of fully adopting the International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards).  This demonstrates Hong Kong’s commitment to enhancing the transparency of information on sustainable development in capital markets, enabling investors to make investment decisions and promoting global capital flows.
     
         The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “The IFRS Foundation’s confirmation of Hong Kong as among the initial set of jurisdictions having set a target of fully adopting the ISSB Standards affirms Hong Kong’s efforts and determination in supporting and promoting a common international language in sustainability disclosures. It also demonstrates Hong Kong’s strengths in the field of sustainable finance, helping to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international sustainable finance hub. As a leading international financial centre, Hong Kong will continue to be at the forefront in aligning with international standards and promoting market best practices.”
     
         The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants published in December last year the Hong Kong Sustainability Disclosure Standards (Hong Kong Standards) that are fully aligned with the ISSB Standards, with an effective date of August 1, 2025. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) also launched in the same month last year the Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong (Roadmap), which sets out Hong Kong’s approach to require publicly accountable entities (PAEs) to adopt the ISSB Standards, and provides a well-defined pathway for large PAEs to fully adopt the ISSB Standards no later than 2028. The FSTB will continue to collaborate with financial regulators and stakeholders to promote the development of a comprehensive sustainability disclosure ecosystem in Hong Kong through a holistic approach and support the implementation of the Hong Kong Standards. The full text of the Roadmap can be viewed at the FSTB website (www.fstb.gov.hk/fsb/en/publication/report/docs/FSTB_Roadmap2024_eBooklet_EN.pdf).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOEA’s 2025 Industrial Innovation Joint Awards Ceremony: National Industrial Innovation Award and National Invention and Creation Award Showcase Taiwan’s Excellence in Innovation

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held its flagship innovation event of the year today (June 10), featuring the joint award ceremony for the National Industrial Innovation Award and the National Invention and Creation Award. A total of 92 outstanding achievements were recognized, spotlighting Taiwan’s robust capabilities in semiconductors, AI, healthcare, and sustainability. Premier Cho Jung-tai called on award recipients to continue driving innovation forward and contribute lasting momentum to Taiwan’s economic growth. This year’s Distinguished Innovation Award in the Organization Category went to Realtek Semiconductor, Onyx Healthcare, and ITRI’s Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories. Four government agencies were also honored for their contributions to policy innovation and regional industry development. Their achievements exemplify the strong synergy among Taiwan’s industry, government, academia, and research sectors in propelling the nation’s economic future.

    In his remarks, Premier Cho highlighted Taiwan’s impressive ranking of 8th among 67 countries in the latest IMD World Competitiveness Ranking. He also noted that Taiwan ranks 3rd globally in both total R&D expenditure and business R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP. These rankings reflect the deepening commitment from both public and private sectors to investing in research and development-efforts that have earned consistent international recognition. In tandem with promoting the Five Trusted Industry Sectors, relevant ministries and agencies are currently drafting a “Top 10 AI Infrastructure Projects” program aimed at accelerating the next wave of AI development in Taiwan by scaling up industrial applications, integrating AI across various sectors, and facilitating AI adoption in both industry and government, ultimately building the most comprehensive AI supply chain. Meanwhile, this year saw the addition of a Government Agencies category, introduced to encourage government bodies to champion an innovative mindset, foster close collaboration with industry, and deliver tangible benefits for the public. Premier Cho concluded by emphasizing the shared goal of Taiwan’s domestic industry: to maintain our global leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. He urged the industry to adopt a “Taiwan plus” approach that anchors investments in Taiwan while expanding global reach and competitiveness.

    Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo noted that the 9th National Industrial Innovation Award recognized 25 organizations, 8 teams, and 19 individuals from a total of 305 entries-a remarkable display of Taiwan’s innovation prowess. In semiconductors and AI, Realtek Semiconductor leads the global market in Ethernet chipsets and is expanding its core technologies into automotive and smart healthcare applications through diverse products and patents. Kneron, on the other hand, is advancing practical uses of large language models by offering powerful Edge AI computing solutions worldwide. In the healthcare arena, ITRI’s Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories have pioneered a Virtual-Physical Integration Innovation Cross-Domain Platform for Digital Healthcare, energizing Taiwan’s push toward digital innovation. On the net-zero sustainability front, TSMC has built a world-leading zero-waste manufacturing center, cutting carbon emissions by more than 40,000 tons each year in support of a circular green economy. Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corp is also contributing to global sustainability through its marine waste recycling technology.

    Minister Kuo commended the 40 recipients of the National Invention and Creation Award, selected from 418 entries. With half of the winning entries from enterprises, it underscores the importance of strategic patent deployment in Taiwan’s industrial sector. These innovations span a broad range of fields, including 5G, smart AI healthcare, assistive devices for seniors, agricultural sensing, and smart living applications, all helping to cement Taiwan’s leadership in future-ready patent development.

    Beyond celebrating industrial innovation, this year’s award ceremony also embraced social care and human connection. The MOEA specially invited the choir from Baolai Junior High School in Kaohsiung’s Liouguei District to perform, with the hope of inspiring greater support for education in rural communities. Looking to the future, the MOEA reaffirms its role as a guiding force that unites industry, government, academia, and research institutions to forge an even more competitive economic landscape for Taiwan on the global stage.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Shaping the EU Anti-Fraud landscape: OLAF’s Helsinki Conference gathers specialists from all Member States

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    Press release no. 15/2025
    PDF version  

    More than 100 anti-fraud experts from across the European Union met this week in Finland for the 2025 Helsinki OLAF Conference aimed at defining the next chapter in EU anti-fraud action. Organised by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on 11-12 June, the event brought together representatives from EU Member States’ Anti-Fraud Coordination Services as well as key EU bodies involved in protecting the Union’s financial interests.

    This year’s conference offered a unique platform to discuss policy and operational challenges in fighting fraud and irregularities affecting EU expenditure. Opening speeches were delivered by Ville Itälä, OLAF Director-General, and Riikka Purra, Finland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, highlighting the strategic importance of effective fraud prevention and detection.

    A particular highlight of the conference was a discussion on the future of the EU Anti-Fraud Architecture, led by OLAF Deputy Director-General Salla Saastamoinen. The panel brought together senior representatives from OLAF and other Commission services, Europol, and Eurojust to examine how the anti-fraud framework must evolve to tackle increasingly complex and cross-border threats. 

    Ville Itälä, OLAF Director-General, said: “We gather just before the Commission presents its proposals for the next multi-annual financial framework.  This conference is about building a shared vision for how we protect the EU’s financial interests in an increasingly complex environment. Fraud is evolving, and so must we. Cooperation should be the cornerstone of our response. OLAF plays a unique role at the intersection of policy, investigation and coordination, bringing together institutions and Member States to ensure that EU funds are protected and, if necessary, recovered to the Union budget.”

    The conference also featured panel discussions and interactive workshops covering a wide range of topics, from the protection of Cohesion Policy and Recovery and Resilience Facility funds, to the use of Artificial Intelligence in administrative investigations, and exploring the advent of increasingly performance-based EU funding instruments. It addressed emerging risks, such as money laundering linked to EU funding and conflicts of interest in fund management.

    By gathering operational and policy-level anti-fraud professionals in person, the 2025 OLAF Conference set out to prepare all EU actors for dealing with an evolving financial framework and new financial instruments being rolled out in a context of ever more complex digital and international fraud challenges.

    OLAF mission, mandate and competences:
    OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.    

    OLAF fulfils its mission by:
    •    carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
    •    contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
    •    developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

    In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
    •    all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
    •    some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
    •    suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

    Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

    For further details:

    Pierluigi CATERINO
    Spokesperson
    European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335  
    Email: olaf-media ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
    https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu

    LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    X: x.com/EUAntiFraud
    Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social

    If you’re a journalist and you wish to receive our press releases in your inbox, please leave us your contact data.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Russia’s victimhood narrative is inconsistent with the facts: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Russia’s victimhood narrative is inconsistent with the facts: UK statement to the OSCE

    Ambassador Holland calls out Russia’s victimhood narrative, which is inconsistent with the facts. The UK stands firmly and unapologetically with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression.

    Thank you, Madam Chair.  We listened carefully to the statements made by the Russian Federation at last week’s Permanent Council.  The esteemed Russian representative noted then the OSCE “remains almost the only forum in the pan-European space where an equal and inclusive exchange of views is still possible.”

    The United Kingdom also values this forum for that reason. If we are willing to use it, the OSCE provides a platform for risk reduction, cooperation and confidence-building. And using these capacities to the maximum extent possible would fulfil the shared responsibility we took on for the security of the OSCE region that we took on in Helsinki in 1975.

    The signing of the Helsinki Final Act marked a pivotal moment when all participating States agreed to move beyond zero-sum security, which bred so many conflicts of the past. Reflecting this sentiment, Leonid Brezhnev told the 1975 Helsinki conference that the OSCE could “strengthen European and international security and develop mutually advantageous co-operation”.

    A lot has been said in recent weeks about trust, which is essential for such advantageous cooperation.  As we look ahead to Helsinki in late July, we must recognise that we build trust in this place when we speak truthfully and uphold the OSCE’s founding documents, including the Helsinki Final Act. However, trust is eroded by unfounded assertions and the selective reinterpretation of the commitments in those documents.

    Last week, the Russian Federation made several unsubstantiated claims about the United Kingdom in this Council. So, let me deal with these assertions and ask a couple of questions of my own in the hope of some direct answers.

    The UK does not seek military tension and regional instability to further our economic objectives. In fact, I think most economists would argue that conflict is bad for economies overall.  The UK’s aims for Ukraine are guided by our desire to achieve peace. We believe in upholding the fundamental norms that underpin our shared security, including the sovereign equality of states. We do so through our actions as well as our words.  The Russian Federation regularly reference the concepts of non-interference and inviolability of borders. The question I would put to them is how invading their peaceful neighbour lives up to these concepts.

    The Russian Federation also accused the UK of using their war of aggression to militarise its economy and prepare for war. Now it is true that the UK plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and to 3% in the next Parliament. But I would have thought the reasons for doing so were obvious.  We are increasing defence spending to deter war in the face of Russia’s increasing belligerence – not to provoke it. And we are taking on more responsibility for security in Europe, which faces a more serious and less predictable future because of the Kremlin’s actions. The hypocrisy of this allegation is of course that Russia’s military spending now exceeds 32% of their national budget. It is truly a war economy. My request to the Russian delegation is that they explain what response they expected from the European countries in the face of such rapid militarisation in a country that so regularly threatens its neighbours and whose recent history is one of breaching Helsinki commitments on borders and sovereignty?

    Madam Chair, the assertions made about my country reflect a broader narrative of Russian state victimhood that is inconsistent with the facts. The full-scale invasion of another country, illegal annexations, the targeting of civilians and the persistent obstruction of peace are not the actions of a victim – they are the actions of an aggressor. Our support for Ukraine, like our support for the OSCE’s mandate and principles, comes from our interest in upholding mutually agreed rules, including rules Russia has agreed to uphold. This is why the UK stands firmly and unapologetically with Ukraine in the face of this aggression.

    Thank you, Madam Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Enters Final Presale Phase With $3.8M Raised Ahead of July Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTC-S sets sights on 2025 wealth creation with dual-consensus architecture, 100K+ TPS, and smart staking rewards With under eight weeks left before its public launch, Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S) has crossed a major milestone in its presale: over $3.8 million raised and more than 11,000 early adopters onboarded. Priced at $7 in its current phase and scheduled to launch at $20, BTC-S is quickly positioning itself as one of the most anticipated blockchain projects of 2025.

    More than just another token, Bitcoin Solaris introduces a next-generation blockchain infrastructure built to scale, incentivize participation, and power real utility. The network is designed around a hybrid consensus model—combining SHA-256 Proof-of-Work (PoW) with Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS)—to deliver both robust security and speed.

    We’re creating a high-throughput, inclusive ecosystem where users can earn rewards based on real contribution, not just capital.” said a core developer from the Bitcoin Solaris team.

    Key Features Now Live or In Development:

    • Block Times: 15 seconds for fast confirmations
    • Transactions Per Second: Capable of 100,000+
    • Validator Rotation: Every 24 hours to maximize decentralization
    • Energy Use: 99.95% lower than traditional PoW networks
    • Accessibility: Full support for web, desktop, and mobile wallets

    Momentum Is Building—And the Numbers Prove It

    Bitcoin Solaris is now in Phase 7 of its presale, and the pace is accelerating:

    • Over $3.8 million raised
    • More than 11,000 users joined
    • Current price: $7, next phase: $8, launch: $20
    • Less than 8 weeks left until full allocation closes

    Investors aren’t just responding to price action—they’re reacting to the fundamentals. In a detailed breakdown, 2Bit Crypto highlighted the technical edge and performance roadmap that’s turning heads across the space.

    Early Bitcoin Changed Lives—BTC-S Is the Second Chance

    How Bitcoin Solaris Will Make People Rich

    BTC-S isn’t just for holding—it’s for building wealth through participation.

    • 40% of rewards go to miners on the Base Layer
    • 25% to validators on the Solaris Layer
    • 20% to stakers
    • 10% reserved for development
    • 5% supports the community

    Rewards scale with your contribution—factoring in time held, task complexity, and even device capability. The more value you provide, the more the network gives back. It’s built to distribute—not concentrate—wealth.

    A Glimpse Into the Road Ahead

    Bitcoin Solaris isn’t just a plan—it’s executing on a timeline that’s already underway.

    After launching its token and whitepaper in Q2 2025, the project moved quickly into community building and core protocol development. By early 2026, the testnet will go live, validator tools will be deployed, and bridge integration with Solana will be finalized.

    The full mainnet rollout is scheduled for Q3 2026, accompanied by exchange listings, governance tools, and major enterprise partnerships. Following that, DApp expansion, a decentralized exchange, and institutional adoption will take center stage heading into 2027 and beyond.

    This roadmap isn’t years away—it’s happening now.

    Audited, Battle-Tested, and Ready for Growth

    All BTC-S smart contracts have been fully audited and passed inspection. You can verify the full audit reports via Cyberscope and Freshcoins. Built in Rust and optimized for scale, these contracts support everything from DeFi and synthetic assets to NFTs, tokenized systems, and cross-chain functionality.

    Community conversations are already heating up on Telegram and X, where early adopters are lining up for what could be the most significant wealth-building crypto in years.

    The Window Is Narrow. The Potential Is Massive.

    Bitcoin’s early millionaires were defined by timing. Now, Bitcoin Solaris offers a similar setup—only this time with faster tech, greater utility, and a presale window that’s still open. If history really does rhyme, 2025 could be remembered as the year BTC-S redefined what it means to be early in crypto.

    For more information on Bitcoin Solaris:
    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
     Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
     X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

    Media Contact

    Xander Levine

    press@bitcoinsolaris.com

    Press Kit: Available upon request

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Bitcoin Solaris. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34571973-5a21-4812-b4ad-84423a1e5a7a

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    The MIL Network –

  • Indian startups, emerging entities attract over $150 billion funding in a decade: Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    There has been a surge in private investments in the last 11 years, with Indian startups and emerging entities attracting significant private funding to the tune of over $150 billion in the past decade, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.

    More than Rs 22,900 crore have been invested in over 1,270 startups via the government’s Fund of Funds for Startups scheme.

    “India is embracing technology like no other! This digital transformation is the outcome of the forward-looking vision and timely policy interventions under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Every section of society and every aspect of life has been positively impacted by 11 years of Digital India,” Goyal said in a post on social media platform X.

    IP filings by the domestic startups surged from 2017 to 2024, with over 355 per cent growth in patents and more than 543 per cent growth in trademarks.

    India now ranks 39th globally on the ‘Global Innovation Index 2024’.

    Goyal said he is proud to witness the profound impact of PM Narendra Modi’s revolutionary initiative ‘Startup India’ on boosting innovation and enterprise in the country.

    “The remarkable talent of our youth and women is powering this revolution and driving India’s economic growth with unparalleled vigour,” he mentioned.

    India has become the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, with more than 1.5 lakh startups and over 100 unicorns.

    “11 years of Digital India has empowered every citizen with seamless services, financial access, and last-mile connectivity,” said Minister of State for Commerce and Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada.

    The digital revolution, which began 11 years ago, is entrenched in almost every policy-making and public welfare scheme delivery with elaborate plans on how to bring benefits to the poor, downtrodden and marginalised sections.

    Prime Minister Modi took to X on Thursday and wrote about “leveraging the power of technology in bringing innumerable benefits for people”.

    “Service delivery and transparency have been greatly boosted. Technology has become a means of empowering the lives of the poorest of the poor,” he further said.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Eat the Island fuels business opportunities for local producers

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Organised by Portsmouth City Council in partnership with Hampshire Fare, the Queens Hotel, and Portsmouth Distillery, Eat the Island marked the official launch of the Southsea Food Festival. The event offered a unique platform for producers, retailers, and hospitality venues to explore new partnerships and strengthen the local supply chain.

    Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibilities for economic development, said:

    “Eat the Island is creating real momentum for Portsmouth’s food and drink businesses. We’re seeing more venues sourcing locally and producers expanding their reach both within the city and beyond. Events like this are key to building a resilient, connected local economy.

    ”It was inspiring to speak to so many thriving local businesses at the event, and also encourage them to think of any products they might want to produce next year to mark Portsmouth’s 100-year anniversary as a city in 2026.”

    Attendees enjoyed product showcases from local producers, alongside opportunities to network and share ideas. The event also featured short talks highlighting success stories and practical insights into sourcing local.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Elland Road Neighbourhood: Council’s proposals to attract multi-billion investment in new homes and leisure opportunities

    Source: City of Leeds

    Leeds City Council has launched a consultation on refreshed planning guidance for the future regeneration of land surrounding the Elland Road football stadium, which could deliver a multi-billion pound boost to the city’s economy including potentially up to 2,000 new homes along with major leisure and commercial opportunities.

    The council is consulting on the ‘Elland Road 2025 Informal Planning Statement’, a document which will guide the future regeneration of around 30 acres of land surrounding the football stadium which is principally owned by the council.

    If the refreshed guidance is agreed, the land could be transformed with the potential for as many as 2,000 new homes alongside high quality public realm and facilities which are integrated with the surrounding existing communities.

    The draft document outlines other uses that could be acceptable including major new leisure opportunities such as a community sports arena, hotel accommodation, and workspaces, following the internationally-recognised trend of using sport and football stadiums as a major catalyst for regeneration and investment. There is also the potential for educational facilities linked to sport, health and wellbeing.

    The proposals outline the future relocation of the temporary park and ride currently at the site and how, subject to demand being evidenced, one or more multi-storey car parks could be permitted.

    The land has been allocated for development for a number of years. The previous guidance for the land was adopted in 2007. The refreshed vision and ambitions reflect changes and developments in the local area, including Leeds United’s proposed stadium expansion, and also across the economy and wider city.

    Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Jonathan Pryor, said: “Our proposals for Elland Road represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity of national significance to create a new neighbourhood, carefully integrated within South Leeds, which will deliver new homes, create jobs and provide major leisure opportunities, along with community and educational facilities that will benefit new and existing communities.

    “Delivering a new neighbourhood of this size and scale will provide a further boost to our city’s ever-growing economy, accommodating the continuing demand for residential and commercial development across the city, at one of our most strategically significant gateway sites which has been earmarked for development for many years.

    “With recent momentum such as the stadium expansion progressing, and many changes in Leeds since we first adopted planning guidance over 17 years ago, it is right that we take the opportunity to refresh the vision for this area. We strongly encourage residents, businesses and any interested party to participate in the consultation to help shape the updated proposals.”

    The site has been utilised as a temporary park and ride and is used for matchday car parking as a meanwhile use pending redevelopment proposals. The proposals outline how the park and ride facility could be relocated, alongside also potentially allowing one or more multi-storey car parks to be built on the land subject to demand being demonstrated. These could serve the local community and visitors to the area on matchdays and non-matchdays.

    Development of the site would take up to 20 years from start on-site to completion, and changes to parking provision would be phased and carefully considered to ensure the local highway network can function on matchdays and avoiding any adverse impact on neighbouring communities.

    The council will be writing to local residents shortly to understand what their experiences are regarding parking issues in their area and whether some parking restrictions could be introduced to help address any local concerns.

    Alongside phased changes to car parking provision, the proposals also highlight how the council will improve connectivity between Elland Road and the city so improvements to walking and cycling routes make it easier and more attractive for people to choose active and sustainable methods of travel.

    The council has published its proposals online at https://ellandroadneighbourhood.commonplace.is/ as part of a consultation where residents, businesses and stakeholders can find out more information and provide feedback.

    There will also be a series of community events where people can view the proposals and discuss them with council officers.

    Following consultation, feedback would be considered when finalising the proposals. It would be the intention for the document to be adopted by the council’s executive board at a future meeting.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £2.5 billion for world-first prototype fusion energy plant

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    News story

    £2.5 billion for world-first prototype fusion energy plant

    The record funding announced this week shows the UK government’s firm commitment to clean, sustainable energy in Nottinghamshire.

    STEP Tokamak with burning plasma, front view. Image credit: UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd.

    A record £2.5 billion of additional funding has been announced this week by the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to support the development of the world’s first fusion power plant.

    The new prototype plant, known as STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) will be built at the site of the former West Burton A coal power station near Retford and Gainsborough. The site was chosen by the government in 2022 as the location for the project, with the project’s delivery expected to create over 10,000 jobs ranging from construction to operations. The announcement shows the government’s firm commitment to becoming a “clean energy superpower” by turbocharging innovation in an area that’s produced conventional power for generations.

    A groundbreaking and world-first scientific endeavour, STEP works by combining hydrogen gases, deuterium and tritium, which are heated to over 150 million degrees Celsius and confined within a powerful magnetic field. The energy produced can then be used to create steam, to turn a turbine, generating electricity – just like in any conventional power plant.

    Paul Methven CB, CEO of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, the body responsible for delivering the STEP prototype fusion energy power plant, warmly welcomed the additional funding and said:

    The UK is the world leader in fusion energy research today, and STEP is the beacon programme that aims to take fusion from research to commercial success, generating high quality jobs, multiple spin offs and boosting the economy nationally and in the East Midlands where we will build the first plant.

    Securing a global lead in such a vital new technology requires bold action; the government has rightly been bold today and we look forward to delivering the practical steps that will realise the vision of the UK leading in this exciting new sector.

    The end of coal power in Nottinghamshire was marked by the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in late 2024. With the creation of STEP in West Burton, Nottinghamshire’s “Megawatt Valley” will continue to be at the heart of the UK’s energy production – whilst leading the world in creating the green, sustainable energy of the future.

    The record-breaking £2.5 billion of additional funding announced this week shows the government’s firm commitment to fusion as a core part of our future energy mix, and to this significant investment in the economy in Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands.

    During a recent visit to the UK’s Fusion Research Campus at Culham, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband commented:

    After scientists first theorised over 70 years ago that it could be possible, we are now within grasping distance of unlocking the power of the sun and providing families with secure, clean, unlimited energy.

    Notes to Editors

    UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Group, responsible for the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme to deliver the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant.  

    Targeting first operations in 2040, UKIFS will lead STEP’s integrated delivery team to design and build the prototype fusion energy plant at West Burton, a former coal-fired power station site in Nottinghamshire.

    To sign-up for updates about STEP, visit: step.ukaea.uk or follow our social channels @STEPtoFusion.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Secretary leads a new push with business to restore nature

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Environment Secretary leads a new push with business to restore nature

    • Environment Secretary Steve Reed has brought business leaders and investors together to scale up private investment in nature

    Woods and fields

    • Government launches Call for Evidence on boosting private sector investment in nature recovery, delivering a key recommendation of the Corry Review. 

    • Action supports the Government’s aims to secure long-term economic growth and environmental health as part of the Plan for Change. 

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed champions private investment in nature recovery as the government launches a new call for evidence (12 June).

    Speaking to leading figures from financial institutions, property, retail and sustainability sectors at a roundtable event in London, the Environment Secretary emphasised the importance of fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors to support economic growth while powering nature recovery. 

    Businesses across the UK, whether in food and agriculture, construction, finance, or retail, rely on a healthy natural environment to operate, grow and innovate.

    Whether powering our industries, safeguarding our food security or protecting public health, over half of global GDP is highly or moderately dependent upon nature. England’s natural capital is valued at £1.4 trillion and generates over £35 billion worth of economic benefits annually excluding oil and gas, more than any single manufacturing sector.  

    That is why more private sector investment in nature recovery is vital. To help deliver that increased investment a new government Call for Evidence has launched today seeking ideas from business and investors – delivering a key recommendation of the Corry Review and the commitments made in the Land Use Framework consultation.

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 

    “Nature is essential to strong and sustained economic growth, which is this Government’s highest priority. 

    “Private investment will help us to protect and restore our natural environment while creating new economic opportunities as part of the Plan for Change.

    “This is an exciting opportunity to hear from businesses, investors, and other stakeholders on how we can work together to increase investment in nature.”

    Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas, OBE, CEO of the Green Finance Institute, said:

    “Unlocking the billions needed for UK nature restoration hinges on effective revenue models. UK businesses, as buyers of environmental outcomes, are crucial in creating those revenue models, and we’re looking forward to supporting Defra in better understanding how we can encourage and support business engagement.”

    Andrew Walton, Chief Sustainability Officer, Lloyds Banking Group said:

    “As the UK’s largest infrastructure finance provider, we know how blended finance can help deliver a step change in private investment to drive sustainable growth. We welcome the Government’s ambition on nature markets and the opportunity to establish the UK as a global leader in this important area. Robust standards, reliable data and long-term policy direction are key to building confidence in the investment case for nature and can place it at the heart of UK growth.”

    The roundtable, hosted by Lloyds Banking Group and led in partnership with the Green Finance Institute (GFI), brought together leaders from across finance and business, including leaders from Aviva Investors, Barclays, Barratt Homes and more. 

    Defra will partner with the GFI to engage businesses on the call for evidence and wider nature finance priorities –alongside ongoing work with UK businesses to implement the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

    Promoting investment opportunities in nature creates opportunities for business growth across multiple sectors, including farmers looking to diversify their revenues, agri-food businesses securing supply chain resilience, insurers and water companies reducing costs from floods, droughts, and pollution, developers managing climate and environmental risks to new homes and infrastructure, as well as growth in the tourism and recreational sectors.

    The meeting also discussed the next steps for the Big Nature Impact Fund, the Defra-backed public-private blended impact fund for nature. Finance Earth will act as sole fund manager and will begin fund-raising soon. The Fund will invest in woodland creation, peatland restoration and other habitat creation projects that aim to maximise social and environmental impact by funding the right activity in the right place.

    The Call for Evidence will be open for responses until 10 August 2025.  

    ENDS 

    Notes to Editors: 

    ·         For more information on the Call for Evidence, visit:  

    ·         In March, The British Standards Institution launched the Government-backed Nature Investment Standards, which will help nature-friendly investments across the UK to grow by building confidence among investors: New world-leading nature finance standards launched to encourage green investment – GOV.UK 

    ·         In April, the Government launched a consultation on how to raise the integrity of Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets, which is open for responses until 10th July: Voluntary carbon and nature markets: raising integrity – consultation document (accessible webpage) – GOV.UK

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Oil and gas Unions and climate groups demand £1.9 billion of emergency funding for North Sea workers ahead of Spending Review Pictures of the Westminster rally can be found here  Today (Wednesday), a coalition of trade unions and climate groups are rallying outside Parliament to ask the Chancellor for… by Florri Burton May 14, 2025

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Pictures of the Westminster rally can be found here 

    Today (Wednesday), a coalition of trade unions and climate groups are rallying outside Parliament to ask the Chancellor for an emergency funding package of £1.9 billion per year for North Sea workers ahead of the Spending Review. A funding package on this scale is urgently needed for oil and gas and supply chain workers to make the transition into renewable energy jobs, ensuring that workers and communities benefit, says the coalition. The group is also joined at the rally by politicians from Labour, SNP and the Green Party.

    The call is endorsed by the largest union representing UK offshore workers, Unite the Union, as well as the National Union of Rail and Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), and Aberdeen’s Trades Union Councils. 65 climate groups including Greenpeace UK, Uplift, Friends of the Earth Scotland, Oil Change International, Global Justice Now, Extinction Rebellion and Platform are also part of the coalition. 

    The £1.9 billion emergency funding package to create permanent, unionised renewable energy jobs and support the country’s oil and gas workers to transition into them is comprised of:

    • £1.1 billion per year to develop permanent, local jobs in public and community-owned wind manufacturing.
    • £440 million of further investment each year for ports, on top of the £1.8 billion already committed through the National Wealth Fund.
    • £355 million per year to develop a dedicated training fund for offshore oil and gas workers, with match-funding from industry.

    As the North Sea basin’s reserves decline, the wider oil and gas sector has lost 227,000 jobs in the past 10 years. This is despite the UK government issuing roughly 400 new drilling licences over the same period, and energy companies making record-breaking profits. 

    The coalition outlines that oil and gas companies consistently fail to invest in renewable energy jobs and retraining for their workers, whilst prioritising shareholder profits and cutting or offshoring jobs that should stay here in the UK. Just last week, Harbour Energy, which has handed £1 billion to its shareholders in the past three years, announced it would cut a further 250 jobs from its offshore workforce, and two weeks ago, multinational Petroineos ceased operations at Grangemouth oil refinery without a transition plan for the workforce. 

    Commenting, Mel Evans, climate team leader at Greenpeace UK, said: 

    “It’s vital that we don’t leave oil and gas workers’ future in the hands of private companies who put their profits above workers’ security and the climate time and time again. 

    “That’s why Rachel Reeves must commit to this emergency package of funding to protect workers and their communities. If she fails to act, she leaves their livelihoods at the mercy of greedy oil bosses and will undermine community confidence in the transition to renewable energy. 

    “We urgently need a renewable energy system fit for the twenty-first century that can bring down bills, helping our energy security and the climate at the same time. But we must bring workers and communities along and ensure that wind manufacturing and renewable energy jobs stay here in the UK, rather than leaving other countries to benefit from the booming green economy.”

    Claire Peden, Unite for a Workers’ Economy team lead, said: 

    “The UK government must deliver a real, robust plan that guarantees good, secure jobs for oil and gas workers as part of the energy transition. So far, that promise hasn’t materialised—yet 30,000 jobs are at risk by 2030. Climate change is an urgent crisis, but it must not be working people who bear the brunt. A just transition needs to be a workers’ transition: no one must be left behind.”

    Ruby Earle, Worker Transition Lead at Platform, said: 

    “No worker should have to wait until crisis point before they get support, like we’ve seen in Scunthorpe. Today, unions and climate campaigners are sending a clear message to the Chancellor. We need urgent public investment that creates permanent, unionised renewable energy jobs and supports the country’s oil and gas workers to move into them. Multinationals have held us to ransom for too long. It’s time we give workers and communities a real stake in our energy industry.”

    Offshore wind energy capacity has the potential to grow by as much as six times in the next 15 years. The groups state that public investment now and on this scale would create thousands of long-term, good quality and unionised manufacturing jobs, which oil and gas and supply chain workers could transition into. 

    The coalition points to huge job losses at Grangemouth and Port Talbot as examples of what happens when the Government leaves the transition entirely in the hands of private companies. Rachel Reeves must step in to provide North Sea workers with the support they need to prevent the repetition of past mistakes.

    Ends 

    Notes to Editors

    1. Contact: Greenpeace UK press office  press.uk@greenpeace.org / Florri Burton on 07971177378 
    2. The coalition has submitted their demands in advance of the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, their submission can be found here. A full list of signatories to the call for emergency funding can be found here
    3. The rally is currently taking place at Abingdon Street Gardens, 5 Great College St, London SW1P 3SE
    4. Speakers at the rally include Rosie Hampton, Just Transition Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland; Amy Cameron, Greenpeace Programme Director; Ruby Earle, Just Transition Campaigner at Platform; Chris Hamilton, Unite the Union convenor at Grangemouth oil refinery; Claire Peden, team lead in Unite the Union’s Organising and Leverage department; Darren Procter, RMT National Secretary; John Moloney, Assistant General Secretary of PCS Union; Steven Gray, Aberdeen Trade’s Council Delegate; Kirsty Blackman, SNP Member of Parliament for Aberdeen North; Carla Denyer, Green Member of Parliament for Bristol Central; Brian Leishman, Member of Parliament for Alloa and Grangemouth
    5. Last month, a petition was delivered to the UK Government, signed by more than 1 million people, calling on the UK government to deliver a fair transition to renewable energy. 
    6. North Sea oil and gas firms in the UK are failing to switch their investments to renewable energy, with three-quarters planning to invest solely in continued fossil fuel production between now and 2030. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace Thailand Statement Thai Oil Public Company Limited must be held accountable for oil spill and take immediate action on environmental restoration and compensation measures.

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Bangkok, 6 June 2025 – Following the crude oil spill at SBM-2 (Single Buoy Mooring No. 2), operated by Thai Oil Public Company Limited, which occurred at approximately 11:54 p.m. on 5 June 2025 in the open sea off Si Racha, near its refinery in Chonburi Province [1], Greenpeace Thailand considers this incident yet another in a series of toxic leaks from the oil industry that have harmed Thailand’s seas, coastal communities, and marine ecosystems.

    Greenpeace Thailand calls on Thai Oil Public Company Limited, the project owner, to take full responsibility for the spill by immediately implementing the following actions:

    • Thai Oil Public Company Limited must take full responsibility for all consequences arising from the incident, following the “Polluter Pays Principle”. This includes bearing the full cost of environmental restoration, compensation, and remediation for affected communities in a comprehensive and just manner. Responsibility must align with the 1992 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage (CLC 1992). Furthermore, the company must implement long-term rehabilitation plans for marine and coastal ecosystems, with clearly defined goals and an appropriate timeframe for restoration to their original state.
    • Thai Oil Public Company Limited must urgently develop a concrete and transparent remediation plan to compensate for the damage caused by this incident. The plan must comprehensively address the impacts on marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and public health. It should be carried out in collaboration with representatives from civil society, community members, government agencies, and academic experts to ensure that the damage assessment and compensation process is fair, inclusive, and accountable. Additionally, the company must continuously disclose information to the public throughout the entire process, in line with its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy framework.

    Greenpeace Thailand urges the Thai government to take the following actions:

    • Establish an independent commission to investigate the oil spill disaster at SBM-2. The investigation must be transparent and inclusive, engaging civil society, academic experts, and independent organisations, to identify the causes and ensure accountability. The commission should also develop long-term solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
    • Strictly enforce environmental laws and conduct thorough inspections, ensuring that polluters, especially in cases involving hazardous substance spills into marine environments, face appropriate legal consequences. In addition, the government must implement continuous and systematic safety monitoring of oil transport and transfer operations to prevent future incidents.
    • Urgently review the national energy plan to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and establish a long-term goal to phase out oil and fossil gas. The government must actively support a transition to a clean, just, and renewable energy system that aligns with Thailand’s commitment to achieving Net-Zero Emissions. This includes halting all plans for the expansion and extraction of fossil fuels, especially in ecologically sensitive and biodiversity-rich areas.
    • Establish a Marine Environmental Disaster Relief Fund, firmly based on the “Polluter Pays Principle,” to ensure Thailand has a strong financial mechanism for rapid and effective response to environmental emergencies, including oil spills, chemical leaks, and hazardous waste incidents.

    As global temperatures continue to rise and the climate crisis intensifies, continued reliance on and investment in fossil fuels not only accelerates environmental degradation, health impacts, and human rights violations but also shifts the burden of risk onto the public, especially vulnerable communities, while allowing industry actors to evade accountability.

    To address this crisis, we must start by protecting fragile ecosystems—particularly biodiversity-rich marine environments—from high-risk industrial activities. The Thai government should establish new shipping routes for transporting hazardous materials, such as oil and liquefied fossil gas, that avoid marine conservation areas and vital fishing grounds. Strengthening protections for ecologically significant areas, both on land and at sea, must be treated as an urgent national priority. In the face of a rapidly escalating climate emergency, delay is no longer an option.

    Greenpeace supports the public’s right to access clean, affordable, and equitable renewable energy, and advocates for meaningful public participation in both energy production and policy-making alongside the government.

    The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is not just a choice—it is essential to slowing global warming and building a sustainable, just, and resilient response to the climate crisis.

    Note:

    [1] Statement from Thai Oil Public Company Limited

    For more information, please contact:

    Manun Wongmasoh, Climate Campaign Communications Officer, Greenpeace Thailand

    Email: [email protected] Tel 091 745 0099

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Metro Now Costs More Than a Meal for Many! Bengaluru Metro Protest Demands Reversal of Fares

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Bengaluru, India. 9th March 2025 – A month after the metro hike on 9th February, commuters and citizens in Bengaluru came together, inside the city’s metro today, calling for an immediate rollback of the recent fare hike. The demonstration highlighted growing public concern over affordable and accessible public transport, urging authorities to take action. Bengaluru Metro ridership dropped 13% overall post fare hike, with a sharp  20% drop in February alone, signalling affordability concerns.

    A recent survey conducted by Greenpeace India after the metro fare hike in February 2025, highlights that Bengaluru Metro fare hike has significantly burdened low and middle income groups, students and working professionals as 72.9% of respondents said that their transport costs now exceeds or equal their one-time meal expense. Additionally, women, who depend on public transport more than men, have been disproportionately affected, further limiting their mobility and safety. The fare hike makes daily travel a financial burden for students and working professionals who rely on public transport.

    Key finding of the survey: 

    • 40.4% of respondents use the metro as their primary mode of transport.
    • 62.9% rely on Public transport (metro & buses combined) 
    • 73.4% spent 50-150 Rs daily on transport. 
    • 68% of respondents stated that the fare hike made metro travel expensive.
    • 75.4% cut down on non-essential travel due to rising costs.
    • 38.2% women have reduced their non essential travel due to metro fare hike in Bangalore
    • A majority believe the fare hike is unjust and harms urban mobility.
    • Many commuters demand a rollback of the fare hike to restore affordability.

    Click the link to find the detailed survey report.  

    Greenpeace India urged BMRCL to roll back the Namma Metro fare hike in a letter and called on the government to prioritize affordable, gender-sensitive and disability-friendly public transport over shifting costs onto commuters. The fare hike has led to several changes in the lives of people, with parents looking to shift schools and  people across income groups shifting to other modes of transport. 

    Bengaluru, already battling severe climate impacts like air pollution and heat waves and is vulnerable to high degree of climate change, needs greater investment in efficient public transit to tackle congestion and build climate resilience. Instead of fare hikes, measures like congestion charges and stricter parking policies can help generate revenue while curbing excessive car use. The car centric infrastructure such as the proposed ₹19,000 crore tunnel project will only offer a temporary fix and divert critical funds from sustainable transport solutions.

    Aakiz Farooq, Campaigner, Greenpeace India: “Public transport should serve the people, not profit-driven motives. Bengaluru’s metro fare hike further burdens commuters already struggling with affordability and accessibility. With our cities facing severe environmental crises, investing in affordable and efficient mass transit is essential. There is a need for a dedicated public transport budget and both state and central governments must step up to strengthen the mass transit system.  The Government should  introduce Climate Tickets to incentivise public transport for commuters ”

    Individuals with bold protest messages – Un-Fare Hike, Unfair Cities, gathered at Kengeri metro station in the morning, where they boarded a metro train bound for MG Road while carrying placards and banners advocating for fair fares. Their silent yet powerful visual demonstration represented the burden that fare hikes place on ordinary citizens, amplifying the public outcry and reinforcing the need for affordable, accessible, and sustainable urban mobility.

    With each fare increase, Bengaluru’s metro—once envisioned as an affordable and inclusive public service—has become a system of exclusion, disproportionately affecting students, IT workers, informal workers, women, and lower-income groups,  office-goers among others. Many commuters are now forced to switch to costlier, more polluting alternatives, increasing road congestion and air pollution. Vehicular pollution ranks as the second largest and a highly consistent source of PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter. This pollution poses a serious threat to citizen health and is a key driver of climate change.

    Irene Ann Kuttichira,  Metro Commuter “As a daily commuter, I feel every fare hike hits hard. Many depend on the metro for work or college, and higher fares make commuting unaffordable and leave us with tough choices. We are demanding a transport system that serves everyone—not just those who can afford to pay more.”

    About Greenpeace India

    Greenpeace India is an independent environmental organization that campaigns for sustainable and equitable solutions to climate change, air pollution, and urban mobility issues. Through grassroots activism and policy advocacy, Greenpeace India seeks to make cities more liveable, breathable, and accessible for all.

    For more photos and videos click here

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Aakiz Farooq: [email protected]

    Nibedita Saha: [email protected]

    Nimisha Agarwal: [email protected]

    Website: www.greenpeace.org/india

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Citizen Groups Urge 16th Finance Commission to Prioritize Climate Adaptation

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    New Delhi, February 18, 2025:  In response to the sixteenth Finance Commission, headed by Arvind Panagariya, inviting public suggestions on its mandate set for it by the Central Government, a coalition of 12 citizen groups, led by Greenpeace India, has urged the commission to prioritize climate adaptation in India’s financial policies, focusing on climate impacted communities. The commission, constituted in December of last year, is expected to submit its recommendations by October 2025, which will be valid for five years starting April 1, 2026.  These recommendations from the coalition, agreed upon through multiple stakeholder consultations, represent a comprehensive civil society input at this crucial time. 

    The groups sounded an urgent alarm about the escalating climate crisis, revealing that extreme weather events claimed 3,238 lives in the first nine months of 2024 alone—an alarming 18% increase compared to 2022. Data from previous years (2015–2022) also highlights a consistent rise in climate-related human and economic losses, reinforcing the urgent need for climate adaptation. Heat-related productivity losses alone could slash India’s GDP by up to 4.5% by 2030, while inadequate adaptation measures over the years have compounded economic vulnerability.

    Beyond the direct loss of lives and economic damage, the crisis has also led to missed opportunities for climate-sensitive communities. Many who depend on agriculture, fisheries, and informal labor could have experienced greater economic security and resilience if proactive adaptation investments had been made earlier. The lack of preparedness has not only intensified the immediate impact of extreme weather events but has also limited the long-term livelihood potential of millions, highlighting the need for urgent, forward-looking climate action. 

    Ahead of the union budget, India’s Economic Survey(IES) for 2024-25 points out a growing problem: we’re not spending enough to adapt to climate change.  Although spending on adaptation has increased from 3.7% of our GDP in the 2015-16 financial year to 5.6% in 2021-22, it’s still not enough.  India is the seventh most vulnerable country to the effects of climate change, this poses a significant risk.The survey emphasized that effective adaptation strategies require a multi-faceted approach, including policy initiatives, sector-specific strategies, resilient infrastructure, research and development, and securing financial resources. These measures should also be tailored to India’s diverse geographic and agro-climatic conditions.

    “Despite the IES recommendation, the 2025 Budget doesn’t include specific funding for adaptation.  While we appreciate the focus on reducing emissions (mitigation),the urgency of need for climate adaptation cannot be ignored.  This lack of budgetary support for adaptation puts climate impacted communities at a much higher risk, threatening lives, livelihoods, and the economy”, says Selomi Garnaik, Climate Justice Campaigner, Greenpeace India, who led the stakeholder consultations.

    Key Recommendations:

    The coalition’s demands include

    1. The 16th Finance Commission must urge the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to officially recognize heatwaves as a national disaster.
    2. Establish a Dedicated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund for Marginalized and Vulnerable Communities:
    3. Devolve funds to state governments for managing extreme weather events, with allocations based on updated epistemological evidence such as the Climate Vulnerability Mapping Atlas. 
    4. Recommend the Center to create provision for Climate Damage Tax (CDT),in order to hold the big polluters accountable. 
    5. India should adopt a national framework aligned with loss and damage principle and provide Adequate compensation for losses and damages due to climate change should be provided to impacted states, with special focus on marginalized and impacted communities.

    A Call for Climate Justice

    The coalition emphasized that these recommendations are not just policy changes but steps toward achieving climate justice for the most vulnerable populations. They urged the Finance Commission to take immediate action to build a sustainable and equitable future.

    The recommendations letter  is prepared by diverse coalition of 12 citizen groups, led by Greenpeace including Poovulagin Nanbargal, RIGHTS, Basti Suraksha Manch, VAN Gujjar Tribal Yuva Sangathan Uttarakhand, Justice in Mining Network, Mukti, Youth For Climate India, Heatwave Action Coalition India, Janpahal, HeatWatch, People for Himalayan Development, and Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union. Together, they represent a wide range of stakeholders committed to advancing climate resilience and justice.

    For more information please free to reach out to

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Pre-Budget Push: Greenpeace India Proposes Climate Tickets in New Urban Mobility Draft Policy

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    New Delhi  – 22 January 2025 

    Greenpeace India along with the Public Transport Forum today launched a Citizen’s Draft Policy for Affordable Public Transport in India. This draft policy, developed through extensive consultations with experts and citizens, aims to transform urban mobility in India. Recognizing the critical role of public transport in the lives of millions of Indians, the draft policy emphasizes the urgent need to overhaul the current system, which is plagued by underfunding and inefficient prioritization of private vehicles. 

    The draft policy outlines a comprehensive vision for a more just, sustainable, and equitable public transport system. Key policy recommendations include the introduction of “Climate Tickets,” encompassing fare-free and subsidized public transport options, to make public transport more affordable and accessible for all citizens. The policy also calls for a significant increase in central government funding specifically allocated to improving public transport infrastructure and services.

    The draft policy outlines a comprehensive approach to public transport, focusing on fairness, environmental responsibility, and operational efficiency. Built on citizen recommendations, this policy aims to transform the public transport system into one that is inclusive, sustainable, and efficient for all Indians.

    “This union budget can be an opportunity for the central government to exhibit their commitment towards achieving India’s climate goals by investing more into making public transport accessible, affordable and efficient in India. The policy draft provides a roadmap for creating a more sustainable, equitable, and efficient and more importantly affordable public transportation system for India. For an environmentally friendly, cleaner and sustainable India, the central government needs to adopt policy and financial measures which will make public transport efficient  and affordable in India.” – Aakiz Farooq, Campaigner at Greenpeace India

    Further speaking Aakiz Farooq elaborates “For a country like ours which has immense potential for sustainable growth we need equity in access to opportunities for jobs, healthcare, leisure etc and an accessible public transport for all is a key component of this. This is not about distributing free tickets but about the state’s responsibility towards citizens- especially groups like women, elderly, children who are key to any nation building exercise”.

    The draft policy outlines the challenges faced by current public transport systems in India. These include an overemphasis on road infrastructure, with excessive resources directed towards road expansion, flyovers, and tunnels, while public transport infrastructure remains neglected. Additionally, public bus services are inadequate, with insufficient bus fleets, high fares, safety concerns, and limited accessibility for marginalized groups. Furthermore, there is a lack of dedicated funding for public transport, with operations and maintenance often underfunded. 

    As part of the citizen draft policy for affordable public transport in India, Greenpeace India along with Public Transport Forum propose these solutions:

    • Universal Fare-Free Public Transport: The policy proposes a phased implementation of fare-free public transport through “Climate Tickets” for women, children, elderly, transgender people, and persons with disabilities, eventually extending to all citizens.
    • Resource Reallocation: Shift investments from road, metro, and fossil fuel subsidies to expanding and improving public transport systems.
    • Improving Infrastructure and Services: Double bus fleets in cities, create dedicated bus lanes, modernize bus depots, improve bus stops with accessible amenities, and enhance first/last-mile connectivity.
    • Protecting Workers’ Rights: Ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and gender inclusivity in the workforce. Recognize public transport jobs as green jobs, fostering workforce participation in decision-making.
    • State-Level Public Transport Fund: Create dedicated funding mechanisms through central, state, and municipal contributions. Abolish taxes on public transport to reduce operational costs and reinvest savings into service improvements.
    • Climate Funding Integration: Position public transport as a key climate action tool, leveraging domestic and international climate finance to enhance affordability, operational efficiency, and emission reductions.
    • Citizen Participation and Multi-Tier Governance: Advocate for coordinated efforts between central, state, and local governments, with State Planning Boards managing implementation. Establish citizen user unions and conduct annual reviews for inclusive policymaking.
    • Public Awareness Campaigns: Address stigma around free public transport, particularly for women, and promote the right to affordable, accessible, and reliable mobility through education and advocacy initiatives.

    “Free public transport has recently become a key focus in elections and political discussions, with many states considering ways to introduce such schemes. However, there is currently no clear policy to guide these efforts. Our draft policy is designed to serve as a flexible framework that Governments can adapt to their needs while ensuring a consistent approach across the country. It also highlights how the central government can support this shift, making public transport accessible, safe, and reliable for everyone.” explains Nishant, coordinator of the Public Transport Forum.

    About Greenpeace India:

    Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning network that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. It comprises 26 independent national/regional Greenpeace organisations with presence in over 55 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific, as well as a coordinating and supporting organisation, Greenpeace International.

    About Public Transport Forum

    The Public Transport Forum is a collective of civil society organizations, transport experts, and citizen advocates working towards ensuring that public transport in India is accessible, affordable, and sustainable. The forum strives for comprehensive policy reforms and greater public participation in transport planning.

    To read the report – scan here

    Contact:

    Aakiz Farooq : Campaigner, Greenpeace India
    [email protected]

    As Ra : Digital Campaigner, Greenpeace India
    [email protected]

    Nimisha Agarwal: Communication and Media Manager
    [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Bengaluru’s Air Quality Woes: Over 80% of Days Hit High NO₂ Pollution at City Railway Station

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Bengaluru, India –December 4, 2024: A latest report by Greenpeace India, “Beyond North India: NO₂ Pollution and Health Risks in Seven Major Indian Cities”, reveals alarming levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) pollution in Bengaluru. 

    Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a near-invisible toxic gas closely linked to traffic and fuel burning, common in urban areas. That means vehicles and energy generation from fossil fuel are important sources of NO₂.

    The WHO recommends an annual NO2 concentration of no more than 10 µg/m³, while the NAAQS limit is 40 µg/m³. In 2023, Bengaluru’s 13 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) stations recorded varying levels of air quality. The highest NO2 levels were measured at City Railway Station, which exceeded WHO guidelines for over 80% of the year. Additionally, BTM Layout and Silk Road air quality monitoring stations were among the city’s most polluted. Exposure to NO2 poses a serious health risk to residents, especially with such frequently high concentrations in public spaces.

    Annual average NO2 concentrations for all CAAQM monitors in Bengaluru, 2023. Monitoring stations we classified as roadside are shown in dark blue (Column values are rounded).

    Overwhelming scientific evidence links NO₂ exposure to adverse health impacts such as risk of asthma, airway inflammation, respiratory irritation, and the worsening of existing respiratory conditions. It can impair lung development, intensify allergies and increase susceptibility to respiratory mortality and death from circulatory diseases, ischemic heart disease, and even lung cancer. The report highlights that NO₂ pollution in 2019 could have been responsible for as many as 2,730 cases of paediatric asthma in Bengaluru.

    “This report underscores a crucial truth: air pollution is not limited to Delhi or North India. The transportation sector is the largest contributor to high NO₂ levels across cities in India. As cities grow, the rise in private vehicles worsens air quality and jeopardizes public health. To tackle this, we need a fundamental shift towards a sustainable, efficient public transportation system. Investing in cleaner, more accessible transport options is not just an environmental necessity—it’s an urgent public health imperative. The government must prioritize cleaner mobility solutions to ensure a healthier future, said Selomi Garniak, Climate Justice Campaigner at Greenpeace India. 

    India’s response to the air pollution crisis, particularly NO2 pollution, falls woefully short of global health standards. India’s Air pollution Standards (NAAQS) are far less stringent than WHO guidelines. Despite significant advancements in understanding the health risks posed by air pollution, especially at low exposure levels, India has not updated its NAAQS since 15 years . This outdated regulatory framework fails to protect public health adequately, leaving millions vulnerable to the severe consequences of air pollution.

    Air pollution is a growing public health threat in India, requiring bold, innovative solutions. One such solution is an affordable ‘Clean Air Concession’ for public transportation. By making mass transit more accessible, this policy can encourage people to leave their cars behind, reducing congestion and harmful emissions. This simple measure can significantly improve air quality, public health, and create more inclusive, healthier cities. said Aakiz Farooq, Mobility Campaigner at Greenpeace India. 

    Poor air quality in major Indian cities is a serious public health concern. To address this, Greenpeace India recommends a region-specific approach for cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pune. In addition to revising NAAQS, the focus should be on strengthening healthcare services to diagnose air pollution-related conditions and implementing a comprehensive health advisory system with public education and timely alerts during high pollution periods. Vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing conditions, should receive prioritized health interventions.

    Local governments should focus on reducing vehicular emissions by enhancing public transport, including fare-free schemes for women. Increased investment is needed in hybrid air quality monitoring networks that combine low-cost sensors, existing systems, and satellite data. This data-driven approach will help track progress and guide effective interventions to reduce pollution levels.

    Read Report Here

    For More details please contact-
    Selomi Garnaik- Greenpeace Campaigner
    Contact – ph- +91-9691330473
    Mail- [email protected]

    Annexure 1

    Key Highlights  

    • In 2023, annual NO₂ concentrations exceeded the WHO health-based guideline at all 13 government monitored Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring stations (CAAQM) .
    • The highest concentrations were recorded at the City Railway Station monitoring station.
    • Monitoring stations that exceeded the WHO health guidelines in 2023 were located near five schools.
    • In 2023, daily average NO₂ concentrations were higher than the WHO daily guideline at the City Railway Station for 80% of days in the year.
    • Over the last five years, trends in NO₂ concentrations from ground-level monitors show no significant improvement in air quality. In fact, satellite observations suggest that pollution across the city is worsening.
    • Road transport is the second-largest source of NOx emissions in Bengaluru, accounting for 20% of emissions in the EDGAR emission inventory.

    Annexure 2- 

    About Greenpeace 

    Greenpeace India is a part of the global environmental organisation, dedicated to tackling pressing environmental challenges through advocacy, campaigns, and public engagement. Greenpeace India’s Climate Justice Campaign advocates for accountability, equitable policy changes, and climate finance to address the rising climate impacts felt by communities in South Asia.

    MIL OSI NGO –