NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK supports effective media relations for parliamentary officials

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK supports effective media relations for parliamentary officials

    A one-day training to equip parliamentary officials in Solomon Islands on effective media relations concluded last month.

    High Commissioner Paul Turner with the stakeholders involved in the training.

    The objective of the training was to equip parliamentary officers with plans for effective media relations, enabling them to communicate clearly and accurately with the media on the activities of parliament.

    The focused workshop would also help parliament officials sharpen their skills in media handling, ensuring professional, clear and timely communication with the public and media.

    British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Paul Robert Turner said:

    A vibrant media is a sign of a healthy society – a society that is at ease with itself; that can investigate and report on all kinds of stories; one that can both challenge and reflect on matters in the political arena. “The press is there to serve the governed, not the governors.” – the words of the US senator Hugo Black some 50 years ago. He was right.

    Our job in this workshop is to equip and prepare you as Parliamentary officials to be able to flourish in such an environment – to manage the flow of information and sharpen your skills in interacting with the media and ultimately with the public.

    Clerk to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, Jefferson Hallu said:

    Parliamentary activities are of public interest, and it is appropriate that people know what the government is doing or decide in their interest.

    Supported by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and BBC Media Action programmes in Solomon Islands, the workshop stemmed from a political economic analysis conducted in 2023 when WFD began its work in the country.

    WFD Country Director for Solomon Islands, Vatina Devesi said:

    The workshop stemmed from a political economic analysis we conducted back in 2023 which identified gaps in our system, one of which is misinformation and disinformation. However, WFD is not here to recommend any system or practices for Solomon Islands but takes a participant-based approach in working with the National Parliament of Solomon Islands who is taking the lead in implementing activities.

    Westminster Foundation for Democracy is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world. BBC Media Action on the other hand is the BBC’s international charity that use media and communication to help deliver stronger democracies, a safer, more habitable planet and inclusive societies.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Bell Shakespeare brings vitality and cracking pace to Henry 5

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kirk Dodd, Lecturer in English and Writing, University of Sydney

    Brett Boardman/Bell Shakespeare

    Shakespeare’s Henry V (stylised by Bell Shakespeare as Henry 5) is famous for many things. Henry’s rousing speeches. Its chorus directly addressing the audience. Its critical treatment of war. Its comic characters like Fluellen. And the comic exchanges between the French Princess and her maid Alice, trying to speak English.

    For theatre directors, these each serve as different tracks in a mixing deck that can be dialled up or down to temper the treatment of the play.

    Director Marion Potts is a master of this art, bringing vitality and a cracking pace to a big play delivered in less than two hours.

    A world at war

    The play extends the life of Prince Hal from the Henry IV plays. He has forsaken the Boar’s Head Tavern and rejected his friendship with Falstaff, emerging as a politically astute King Henry V: a valiant monarch who will ultimately lead his depleted army to victory over the French at Azincourt.

    This play begins with Henry (JK Kazzi) seeking rightful justifications for his plans to invade France from the Archbishop of Canterbury (Jo Turner). This involves a lengthy speech by Canterbury about detailed legalities; Turner transforms this into a comic tour de force.

    The archbishop could justify just about anything. This brings early and unexpected laughter, but allows the spirit of Shakespeare to shine too, who seems to be showing us the absurdities of war: how quickly politics can be moulded to subjective aims.

    Our world, and the world of our children, continues to be at war. Shakespeare’s canon offers cathartic ways of reflecting on troubled times within the safety of the theatre.

    No specific war is directly paralleled – although the pluck of Zelensky might be echoed in Henry’s costume.
    Brett Boardman/Bell Shakespeare

    Thankfully, no specific war is directly paralleled – although the pluck of Volodymyr Zelensky might be echoed in Henry’s costume (t-shirts, sports jacket, cargo pants). Zelensky’s ethos seems to share some of the youth and people’s touch possessed by King Henry. And Zelensky was recently required to defend his dress code as a leader who remains at war, stating: “I will wear [a] costume after this war will finish”.

    Costumes by Anna Tregloan distribute similar tones across the English and French soldiers, refreshingly devoid of khaki garb. These emphasise the youth of the armies, dressed in streetwear with guerilla flair, sporting boxing boots.

    The prominence of body training throughout serves as an expression of youth and a perpetual readying for conflict.

    Potts states in the program:

    the world of our production carries the vestiges of wars past and the seeds of those to come. A world either in perpetual ‘training’ for wars or delivering on its brutal promise.

    Exposing vulnerabilities

    Nothing is lost in the clarity of the performances, which bring a vocal muscle to Shakespeare’s lines.

    Kazzi is charismatic as the leading man, using fervency and understatement. His first set-piece, urging his troops with “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!” stays low, to use a term from cricket, and could be pitched higher in its emphatic urgings, but Kazzi finds excellent range thereafter.

    Kazzi, as Henry, finds excellent range in his performance.
    Brett Boardman/Bell Shakespeare

    The neat set ploy of using a chair and microphone at which various characters sit to deliver the chorus sections works very well with Jethro Woodward’s sound design.

    Perhaps emulating a battleground tribunal, the microphone connected us intimately with individual characters. Westmoreland (Alex Kirwan), the King’s dutiful mate, opens the show with “O for a muse of fire!”, quite articulately from a soldier unaccustomed to public speaking.

    Exeter (Ella Prince) is a warrior amused by all the fuss. English soldiers (Rishab Kern and Harrison Mills) show sensitivity and convey the vulnerabilities of war. And the duo of French Princess Katherine (Ava Madon) and her warm and vibrant attendant, Alice (Odile Le Clezio), hit perfect moments of comic relief as two French women rehearsing the English language.

    Political rhetoric

    The play is otherwise stripped of several comic characters (you won’t see the Welshman Fluellen, or Bardolph, or Pistol on stage), permitting its speedy run with a relentless focus on the war. This breach is filled by the comic subplot of Alice and Princess Katherine, preparing for the outcome of the conflict.

    The movable scaffold of the main set (Tregloan) proves surprisingly versatile, especially with atmospheric lighting and blackouts (Verity Hampson).

    Potts’ use of a screen for subtitles allows her to daringly translate Shakespeare’s lines, so French characters speak mostly French. The musicality of the French language adds ardour and humour, while emphasising the cultural divide of the two warring nations.

    Henry V is a play renowned for showing King Henry as a shrewd leader who must achieve great victories for his country, even by committing war crimes.

    Henry V shows King Henry as a shrewd leader who must achieve great victories, even by committing war crimes.
    Brett Boardman/Bell Shakespeare

    While Henry’s threats of the worst kinds of violence against women and children can be framed as political rhetoric (using harsh words to bring about peaceful ends), he strategically commands the slaying of prisoners when outnumbered by the French.

    While war crimes were beginning to be codified in Shakespeare’s day, he seems to suggest true war heroes are rare, while innocent victims are common.

    Potts’ re-construal of the final scene, often a clumsy betrothal between Henry and Katherine, is made more uncomfortable as Henry flippantly repeats his relentless design to marry her, despite her protestations. While royal weddings were often political instruments at the time, it all seems to be a hollow victory for Henry, who seems suddenly too shell-shocked to care anymore for the rich realm he fought to posses.

    Henry 5, from Bell Shakespeare, is at the Sydney Opera House until April 5, then touring to Wollongong, Canberra and Melbourne.

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

    – ref. Bell Shakespeare brings vitality and cracking pace to Henry 5 – https://theconversation.com/bell-shakespeare-brings-vitality-and-cracking-pace-to-henry-5-249152

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Lufthansa Group increases its fourth-quarter profit by 66 million to 468 million euros and generates an operating profit of 1.6 billion euros for the full year

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG:

    “Aviation is and remains an industry of the future with sustained strong demand. Especially in unstable times, it enables international understanding through cultural and economic exchange. At the Lufthansa Group, we can look back on the strongest year in our history in terms of revenue, with a new load factor record. I would therefore like to thank our guests for their loyalty and all our employees for their great commitment.

    Looking back, 2024 was a year of two halves for the Lufthansa Group. In the first six months, we still had to cope with a significant decline in operating profit – due, among other things, to strikes, delayed aircraft deliveries and operational challenges at our hubs.

    The trend was reversed in the course of the year with two consecutive quarters in which we generated revenue of over 10 billion euros each for the first time, and in the fourth quarter we exceeded the previous year’s profit.

    The further internationalization of the Lufthansa Group through the integration of ITA Airways, the significantly improved stability in flight operations and the growing satisfaction of our customers – all this shows that our strategy is right and our measures are taking effect. However, there is no question that we now also have to achieve an economic turnaround for our core brand Lufthansa. This year, 2025, will be a year of transformation for us with a clear goal: to further strengthen our position as the global number one outside the United States.”

     

    Earnings

    In 2024, the Group increased its revenue by six percent year on year to EUR 37.6 billion (previous year: EUR 35.4 billion), due to the higher flight offering. It was thus the year with the highest revenue in the history of the Lufthansa Group. The Group generated an operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) of EUR 1.6 billion (previous year: EUR 2.7 billion), with an operating margin of 4.4 percent (previous year: 7.6 percent).

    The decline compared to the previous year is due to various effects, particularly in the first half of the year: strikes weighed on the Passenger Airlines with around EUR 450 million. The airlines also had to absorb a significant decline in average yields at the beginning of the summer due to the large industry-wide increase in capacity. Significantly higher costs, especially in Germany, also had a negative impact. Productivity in flight operations also suffered from further delays in aircraft deliveries. Also thanks to lower interest burdens compared to the previous year, the net profit fell less sharply than the operating result and reached EUR 1.4 billion (previous year: EUR 1.7 billion).

     

    Lufthansa Group Passenger Airlines expand capacity

    In 2024, the Lufthansa Group airlines welcomed 131 million guests on board their aircraft, an increase of seven percent over the previous year. The passenger load factor rose to a record level of 83.1 percent (previous year: 82.9 percent). In terms of the passenger load factor, the summer months of July and August were not only the strongest months of last year, with a load factor of almost 88 percent, but also among the strongest in the company’s history.

    Due to industry-wide capacity growth, average yields in 2024 fell by 2.6 percent year on year, with a significant improvement in performance over the course of the year. Average yields varied greatly across the different traffic regions: while the decline was below two percent in most regions, they fell significantly in the Asia/Pacific region, by almost 10 percent. Unit revenues (RASK) benefited from an increased seat load factor compared to 2023, but the underlying revenue was weighed down by high compensation payments due to flight irregularities, causing unit revenues to fall by 4.3 percent overall. Unit costs increased by 1.9 percent year on year due to the effects of strikes and persistent cost inflation, particularly in fees, materials and personnel costs.

    Overall, the Group’s passenger airlines generated Adjusted EBIT of EUR 1.0 billion in 2024 (previous year: EUR 2.0 billion). The decline in the passenger airlines’ operating profit is mainly due to the decline in Lufthansa Airlines’ earnings by EUR 948 million. Delayed deliveries of new aircraft forced Lufthansa Airlines to keep older aircraft in service for longer, which, together with higher location and personnel costs and increased expenses for compensation for flight irregularities, weighed disproportionately on earnings.

    SWISS almost matched its record result from the previous year and exceeded the EUR 800 million Adjusted EBIT mark for the second time. Eurowings repeated its good result from the previous year and again posted an Adjusted EBIT of over EUR 200 million. Brussels Airlines achieved the highest profit in its history at EUR 60 million and Austrian Airlines posted an Adjusted EBIT of EUR 76 million.

     

    Turnaround program at Lufthansa Airlines makes noticeable progress

    Lufthansa Airlines is resolutely pursuing its turnaround program, which was initiated eight months ago, with the aim of improving efficiency, reducing complexity and increasing product quality – to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the airline.  The package of measures is initially focusing on operational stability. In the first two months of 2025, Lufthansa Airlines already saw a noticeable improvement in punctuality and regularity. The establishment of “City Airlines” is proving to be the strategically right cornerstone for operating European short-haul flights more efficiently and cost-effectively.

    The turnaround program will continuously contribute to improving the earnings of Lufthansa Airlines. In 2026, the measures are expected to achieve a gross effect of around EUR 1.5 billion on EBIT, and in 2028 of around EUR 2.5 billion.

     

    Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, says:

    “This year, we expect moderate capacity growth of around 4 percent. This will help to support our revenue growth, secure valuable market shares, stabilise our earnings and further improve our operations. Nevertheless, current challenges will persist. These include delays in aircraft deliveries and ever-present cost pressures. We therefore regard 2025 as a transition year in which we will lay the foundations for future increases in profitability. Nevertheless, progress will be clearly visible in every respect. This will also be reflected in our Adjusted EBIT, which we expect to be significantly higher than in the previous year.”

     

    Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo improve results

    In 2024, Lufthansa Technik benefited from the sustained high volume of air travel and the resulting increase in demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services worldwide. As the global market leader in the MRO sector, Lufthansa Technik was able to capitalize on this and conclude new contracts with a total volume of EUR 7.5 billion. This ensures planning security and revenue growth for the company over the next few years. In the past financial year, Lufthansa Technik generated an Adjusted EBIT of EUR 635 million (previous year: EUR 628 million). By 2027, the company will build a new plant in Portugal for the repair of engine parts and aircraft components. The plan is to create 700 new jobs there.

    The airfreight business continued to recover over the course of 2024. Lufthansa Cargo generated an operating profit of EUR 251 million for the full year (previous year: EUR 219 million), of which EUR 199 million was attributable to the fourth quarter, which is traditionally strong for airfreight (previous year: EUR 30 million). This development not only confirms the expected normalization in the airfreight market but is also the result of strict cost management that enables profitable growth. Lufthansa Cargo benefited particularly from strong e-commerce business from Asia. Thanks to its own freighter fleet, capacities could be shifted from the North Atlantic to Asia/Pacific.

     

    Adjusted free cash flow clearly positive, balance sheet remains strong

    In 2024, the Lufthansa Group generated an operating cash flow of EUR 3.9 billion (previous year: EUR 4.9 billion). Thus, the operating cash flow decreased in the same range as the operating result compared to the previous year. Considering net capital expenditure, primarily on new, fuel-efficient aircraft, the year ended with an adjusted free cash flow of EUR 840 million (previous year: EUR 1.8 billion).

    Compared to the end of the year, available liquidity increased by around half a billion euros to EUR 11.0 billion. At the same time, net debt to banks at year-end 2024 was at the same level as at year-end 2023 at EUR 5.7 billion (December 31, 2023: EUR 5.7 billion). Net pension liabilities decreased slightly to EUR 2.6 billion (December 31, 2023: EUR 2.7 billion). The leverage ratio, measured in terms of the key figure adjusted net debt/adjusted EBITDA, increased slightly from 1.7 to 2.0 due to earnings.

     

    Stable profit participation for shareholders

    As in the previous year, shareholders are to participate in the company’s profits again. For the financial year 2024, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose a dividend of EUR 0.30 per share at the Annual General Meeting on May 6, 2025. This corresponds to the same amount as last year. At almost five percent, the dividend yield on the year-end share price is higher than last year (just under four percent). The payout ratio is 26 percent (previous year: 21 percent). The proposed payout is in line with the Lufthansa Group’s dividend policy, according to which between 20 and 40 percent of net profit (2024: EUR 1.4 billion) is distributed to shareholders.

     

    Fast integration of ITA Airways

    The expansion of the multi-hub, multi-airline and multi-brand model through the integration of ITA Airways, with its strong home market in Italy and its 5-star Rome hub, creates further growth opportunities for the Lufthansa Group in 2025. The complete integration of ITA Airways is expected to be completed after just 18 months. The relocation of ITA Airways in Munich and Frankfurt will be completed by the start of the summer flight schedule at the end of March, in order to facilitate transfer connections. Mutual lounge access, the merger of the frequent flyer programs and the introduction of code shares have already been implemented in recent days and weeks. ITA Airways’ distribution is to be integrated into the Lufthansa Group by the end of 2025. With ITA Airways, the number of employees in the Group will grow by 5,000 and the size of the Group fleet by 100 to 830 aircraft.

     

    Lufthansa Group introduces umbrella brand strategy

    The Lufthansa Group will introduce a new umbrella brand strategy in 2025. The aim is to make the advantages of the Group even more tangible for guests. In addition, the synergies that arise from the interaction of the various airlines are to be made more usable in an integrated way. Today, around half of all transfer passengers at the Lufthansa Group already use more than one of the Group’s airlines. They benefit from the complementary route networks, shared ground infrastructure and the world’s leading app. Under the LUFTHANSA GROUP umbrella brand, the connections between the individual brands and how they interact in the airline group will be made more transparent and clearly recognizable in the future.

     

    Outlook

    The company expects demand for air travel to remain high, which is also reflected in a positive trend in bookings at the beginning of 2025. The order situation in the MRO segment also points to continued strong demand for maintenance services. Lufthansa Cargo expects to benefit from continued growth in e-commerce and an improved cost position.

    At the same time, 2025 will be a year of transition for the Lufthansa Group. The turnaround program at Lufthansa Airlines is a top strategic priority and will lay the foundation for a sustainable increase in earnings. The first measures will already take effect in the current year, but the turnaround program will not yet reach its full potential.

    As part of the largest fleet modernization in its history, the Lufthansa Group expects to take delivery of a new, highly efficient aircraft every two weeks during the current year. Overall, the order list includes around 250 aircraft, of which 100 are long-haul aircraft.

    The renewal of the fleet and the investments in the premium offering have a direct impact on customer satisfaction. Currently, nine Airbus A350s are already equipped with Allegris, seven of which also have the new First Class on board. This year, SWISS is investing more than ever before in improving its Economy Class. In the second half of the year, SWISS Senses will then be introduced on SWISS long-haul routes.

    Based on the strong demand for flight tickets, the Lufthansa Group plans to expand the seating capacity of its passenger airlines by around four percent compared to the previous year. The company expects a further increase in revenue as a result.

    Overall, the Group expects Adjusted EBIT in the 2025 financial year to be significantly higher than in the previous year. For 2025, the Lufthansa Group expects net capital expenditure of between EUR 2.7 and 3.3 billion and free cash flow at the previous year’s level.

     

    Further information

    Further information on the results of individual business segments will be published in the annual report. This will be published at the same time as this press release on March 6, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. CET at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/investor-relations.html

    The annual press conference will be streamed live at Home – Lufthansa Group from 9:30 a.m. CET. The analyst call will be streamed live at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/publications/financial-reports.html from 12:30 p.m. CET.

    The traffic figures for 2024 will also be published at 7:00 a.m. at https://investor-relations.lufthansagroup.com/en/publications/traffic-figures.html.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Bayer doubles down on commitment to China pharmacare

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Germany-based life sciences giant Bayer unveiled Bayer E-Town Open Innovation Center in Beijing on Monday, adding another tier to the company’s long-term commitment to Chinese healthcare.

    “This is another significant milestone for Bayer Pharmaceuticals in China and further strengthens our strategic presence in Beijing,” said Sebastian Guth, chief operating officer of Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

    The center, which broke ground in 2023 in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area — aka Beijing E-Town — is the first of its kind in China. Its aim is to foster collaboration among industry, academia and research to expedite advancements in cutting-edge sectors of the biopharmaceutical industry.

    “We’ve been in China for 143 years and in the E-Town for 30 years. With the opening of our Bayer E-Town Open Innovation Center, we’ve established what we describe as ‘dual innovation engines’ in China, aiming to drive innovation at every stage of our biopharmaceutical value chain,” Guth said.

    Bayer Co. Lab, which was put into operation in China in 2024, has become an innovation force focusing on fostering early innovation and biotech startups in life sciences. As for the newly opened center, Guth noted its “unique focus on open innovation with an emphasis on medicines that are in clinical development and digital innovation to facilitate the commercial success of products that we bring to the Chinese market.”

    The COO underscored that the establishment of the innovation center and Co. Lab represents Bayer’s commitment to “doubling down on local innovation”, saying that “local innovation partnerships will play a key role in our development in China”.

    Featuring artificial intelligence-powered and data-driven operation models, the innovation center will also be used to improve healthcare providers’ engagement on the ground. “The innovation center gives us a platform for showcasing local commercial innovation, for example with our women’s health campus and digital clinical service center,” said Guth. “We already have strong pharmaceutical commercial operation capabilities in China, and this center helps us to take it to the next level. We’re excited to co-develop this with Chinese partners right here in Beijing.”

    Long-term dedication

    As one of the first multinational enterprises to enter the Chinese market, Bayer stands out as the only foreign pharmaceutical company to establish both a product supply center and a research and development center in Beijing. In 1995, the company built the first pharmaceutical production and packaging site in Beijing E-Town and expanded it following a capital expenditure of approximately 100 million euros ($104.83 million) in 2016. The facility is now Bayer’s largest pharmaceutical packaging site.

    “The biopharmaceutical industry in China is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Ten, 20 or 30 years ago, we saw ‘me-too’ products that were developed in China but today we are seeing the emergence of first-in-class innovative medicines originating here,” Guth said, adding that the country is the second most important innovation hub in the global biopharmaceutical industry.

    As China develops new quality productive forces as innovative engines that drive high-quality development, Guth said: “We appreciate China’s commitment to innovation, as it ultimately benefits patients. This new strategy is set to further strengthen the life sciences industry as a vibrant engine, especially in cutting-edge technologies. It mirrors our own commitment to innovation as a pharma company.”

    In a vision of “Treat the untreatable. Cure disease. Offer hope to patients”, Bayer has been committed to practicing its dedication to innovation and excellence in healthcare. According to the company, it has brought more than 30 innovative drugs and new indications to China over the past five years.

    “China has become a rising innovation hub with rapidly growing innovative drug approvals. We’re looking at the country as one of the world’s largest contributors to medical advancements and drug pipelines, with a leading position in cutting-edge technologies and modalities like cell and gene therapies,” said Guth. “We want to leverage the vibrant innovation ecosystem to bring innovative medicines to the many patients in China.”

    In 2009, Bayer established its global prescription medicine R&D center in Beijing, and 19 innovative drugs and 36 new drugs or new indications have since been approved in China. Earlier this year, the company filed two new indications, which are expected to be approved soon.

    To advance fundamental scientific research in drug development, Bayer has fostered communication and collaboration with local academic institutions. In 2009 and 2014, the company established long-term research partnerships with Tsinghua University and Peking University, respectively. So far, they have conducted over 100 joint research projects in various areas, including new target discovery, disease mechanism studies, drug screening, and innovative chemical synthesis, setting a benchmark for integrated development and innovation in China’s pharmaceutical sector.

    “We’re proud to be a trusted partner for innovators and industry leaders in the local innovation ecosystem across the country. There are still many unmet medical needs in China, and we continue to bring innovative products to the market to meet the needs of Chinese patients,” said Guth.

    Increasing prospect

    Last month, China issued an action plan on stabilizing foreign investment in 2025, highlighting expanding pilot openings in sectors such as telecommunications, healthcare and education. It calls for facilitating the orderly opening of the biopharmaceutical sector, supporting eligible foreign enterprises in participating in pilot programs for segmented production of biologics, accelerating the process of bringing innovative drugs to market, optimizing volume-based drug procurement and enhancing the predictability of medical device product procurement.

    “It’s heartening to see China’s commitment to openness, and these policies create favorable conditions for foreign companies to innovate, invest and grow,” said Guth.

    “For global pharmaceutical companies like Bayer, this creates positive market expectations and will further accelerate innovative drugs coming to market for Chinese patients.

    “These policies encourage local collaboration, and facilitate domestic and foreign companies working together to expand the innovation ecosystem. More Chinese patients will benefit as a result,” he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Iowa Congressional Delegation Call on USDA to Assist Turkey Farmers Impacted by aMPV

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined the entire Iowa congressional delegation to urge Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and Farm Service Agency Acting Administrator Kimberly Graham to deliver critical financial relief for Iowa’s turkey producers who have been severely impacted by avian metapneumovirus (aMPV).

    Specifically, the delegation requested USDA allow aMPV to qualify as an eligible adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program, which provides financial compensation to farmers who have experienced high levels of livestock death due to adverse events such as a natural disaster or disease.

    “Iowa’s sharp decline in turkey production is reflective of the national turkey industry at large. Despite devastating financial shortfalls and supply chain disruptions caused by aMPV, there are currently no federal assistance programs available to offset these devastating losses, leaving many family-owned operations at risk of closure. Without immediate support, the viability of these farms—and the stability of the U.S. turkey industry—is in jeopardy,” the members wrote.

    “To mitigate these losses and prevent future outbreaks, we urge the USDA Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) to consider determining aMPV as an eligible adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program so that our farmers can access much-needed financial relief to affected producers,” the lawmakers concluded.

    Since its identification in the fall of 2023, aMPV has spread to all turkey producing states, having a major impact on turkey farmers, processors, small businesses and the consumer supply chain. aMPV has caused some Iowa turkey farmers to lose 30 to 50 percent of their flocks since the fall of 2023, threatening producer stability and the broader national turkey supply.

    In 2024, Iowa farmers lost an estimated 569,700 turkeys due to aMPV– a loss of $18 million in farm income.

    Last month, Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) also urged Rollins to quickly address the ongoing spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the largest animal health outbreak in U.S. history.

    Text of the letter to Rollins and Graham follows:

    March 4, 2025

    The Honorable Brooke Rollins
    Secretary of Agriculture
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20250

    The Honorable Kimberly Graham
    Acting Administrator of FSA
    Farm Service Agency
    1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20250

    Secretary Rollins and Acting Administrator Graham,

    We write today with deep concerns regarding the avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), an acute respiratory virus of turkeys and poultry breeding stock, and the devastating impact it has had on Iowa’s turkey farmers. Given the severe implications threatening the viability of turkey operations, we ask that the U.S. Department of Agriculture consider providing immediate financial assistance to the nation’s turkey producers by allowing aMPV to qualify as an eligible adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program.

    The aMPV virus, or Turkey Rhinotracheitis, is a highly contagious, viral respiratory disease that can infect turkeys, broilers, layers, and breeders for up to four weeks, leading to high flock mortality, reproductive disorders, and potentially a permanent reduction in egg production.

    Since its identification in the fall of 2023, the disease has spread to all turkey producing states, having a major impact on turkey farmers, processors, small businesses, and the consumer supply chain. Iowa turkey farmers have reported flock losses ranging from 30 percent to 50 percent due to aMPV, threatening both their livelihoods and the broader U.S. turkey supply. Last year alone, Iowa’s farmers lost an estimated 569,700 turkeys due to aMPV. This attributed to a loss of $18 million in farm income.

    Iowa’s sharp decline in turkey production is reflective of the national turkey industry at large. Despite devastating financial shortfalls and supply chain disruptions caused by aMPV, there are currently no federal assistance programs available to offset these devastating losses, leaving many family-owned operations at risk of closure. Without immediate support, the viability of these farms—and the stability of the U.S. turkey industry—is in jeopardy.

    We appreciate the USDA’s efforts in authorizing the importation of one inactivated vaccine and three live vaccines for aMPV. As this process develops, it is critical that the USDA act swiftly to approve its use and expedite its distributions across the nation. In the interim, turkey farmers continue to suffer substantial losses without any meaningful financial safety net.

    To mitigate these losses and prevent future outbreaks, we urge the USDA Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) to consider determining aMPV as an eligible adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program so that our farmers can access much-needed financial relief to affected producers.

    We appreciate your consideration and look forward to working together to support American

    turkey farmers during this crisis. Should you have any questions about this request, please

    contact Congressman Zach Nunn’s Legislative Assistant, Madeline Willis, at

    madeline.willis@mail.house.gov.

    Sincerely,

    Zach Nunn

    Member of Congress

    Randy Feenstra

    Member of Congress

    Ashley Hinson

    Member of Congress

    Mariannette miller-Meeks, M.D.

    Member of Congress

    Charles Grassley

    United States Senator

    Joni K. Ernst

    United States Senator

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum 25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    The purpose of Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum 25, is for senior leaders and multinational partners to discuss, plan, and prepare to enhance modernized war fighting functions among the Indo-Pacific region.

    The Forum began with a conference held at the Le Méridien, with 91 participants, including 42 U.S. personnel and 49 allied and partnered nation representatives from Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and the Kingdom Thailand.

    I Corps subordinate units, 7th Infantry Division, 5th Security Forces Assistance Brigade, and many others, joined the discussion in regards to the Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum becoming a key platform for force modernization, operational integration, and strategic discussions.

    Participants shared their thoughts on modernization and future motorized operations, and discussed strategic methods to enhance security cooperation through training. The Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum 25 has become a cornerstone for multinational collaboration, allowing partners to refine doctrines, tactics, and operational strategies for motorized formations.

    U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, commanding general of America’s First Corps, expressed the importance and his appreciation for U.S. Army service members, and multinational partners working together to maintain effectiveness and cohesion within the military.

    “The Indo-Pacific Motorized Forum 25 represents the continued commitment of the U.S. and its allies to enhancing regional security and interoperability,” said McFarlane. “Through collaboration, modernization, and shared operational experiences, we strengthen our collective ability to meet evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.”

    On Feb. 27, The Royal Thai Army held a visit at the 112th Stryker RegimentCombat Team Headquarters in Chon Buri, Thailand. Discussions were made on behalf of maintaining sufficient military tactical vehicles for operations, and displayed a scenario based training utilizing a terrain model in a tactical environment.

    Leaders from all participating nations spoke on behalf of their military history. They emphasized their common goal of defense and security being an essential aspect between nations when working together and enhancing interoperability. Future Indo-Pacific Motorized Forums will continue to push these goals forward.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Ai-Gruppe.com Launches Powerful Yet Simple Tools for Asset Analysis

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FRANKFURT, Germany, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ai-gruppe.com has introduced a suite of asset analysis tools designed to provide efficiency and accuracy in financial decision-making. The platform offers an intuitive approach to asset evaluation, catering to users seeking comprehensive insights without complexity.

    The newly launched tools focus on delivering clear and structured data to enhance asset analysis. With a streamlined interface and advanced analytical capabilities, the platform ensures a seamless experience for evaluating market trends, asset performance, and financial projections. These tools serve a wide range of users, from industry professionals to individuals exploring data-driven decision-making in asset management.

    Designed with accessibility in mind, the platform enables users to conduct in-depth evaluations without requiring extensive technical expertise. The tools integrate various data points to offer real-time insights, allowing for well-informed asset assessments. By simplifying complex financial data, the system facilitates efficient analysis and strategic planning.

    A key feature of the platform is its ability to process and interpret large volumes of data with speed and precision. This functionality supports users in identifying patterns, trends, and potential risks within various asset classes. Additionally, the platform incorporates automated processes to reduce manual effort, ensuring a more efficient workflow for asset analysis.

    AI-driven algorithms play a crucial role in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of asset assessments. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the tools provide predictive insights that assist in evaluating future market movements. This technology-driven approach enhances the depth of analysis while maintaining user-friendly functionality.

    Security and data integrity remain central to the platform’s development. The system employs robust security measures to protect user data while maintaining compliance with industry standards. Reliable data sources and encryption protocols contribute to a secure analytical environment for asset evaluation.

    The introduction of these asset analysis tools aligns with ongoing advancements in financial technology. As the demand for accessible and intelligent financial solutions continues to grow, AI-Gruppe.com remains focused on refining analytical tools that cater to evolving industry needs. Future updates and enhancements will further expand the capabilities of the platform to support more comprehensive asset evaluations.

    About Ai-gruppe.com

    Ai-gruppe.com is a company that focuses on structured financial solutions, providing tools that simplify financial analysis. The company ensures that financial tools remain accessible, allowing for structured asset evaluation. Ai-gruppe applies methodologies that prioritize financial clarity, ensuring that financial assessments remain practical and organized.

    For more information about the asset analysis tools and their functionalities, visit Website.

    Company Details

    Company Name: Ai-gruppe
    Email Address: media@ai-gruppe.com
    Company Address: Grosse Gallussstrasse 16-18/1st floor, 60312 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
    Company Website: https://ai-gruppe.com/

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Ai-gruppe. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the sponsor and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform. 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 as financial, investment, or trading advice. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities .Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK’s I&T feats highlighted in Spain

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong outlined Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) achievements yesterday as he spoke at the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Ministerial Programme in Barcelona, Spain.

    The programme was part of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, which Prof Sun has been attending this week with a delegation from Hong Kong’s I&T sector.

    At the ministerial programme, themed “2025+: A Tech Odyssey”, he delivered a keynote speech in which he outlined Hong Kong’s efforts to build a smart city and a digitally inclusive society that bridges the “digital divide”.

    Highlighting that one of the best markers of a city’s I&T development is its degree of digitalisation, Prof Sun said all submissions and payments to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Government can be done electronically.

    “More than three millions of people are enjoying the convenience and efficiency of accessing government services and online identity verification through a mobile application called ‘iAM Smart’. A corporate version of ‘iAM Smart’, nick-named CorpID, is upcoming too.”

    In terms of digital inclusiveness, Hong Kong’s household broadband and smartphone penetration rates are both approximately 97%. The internet usage rate among citizens aged 65 and above rocketed from 56% in 2018 to 84% in 2023, higher than the European rate of around 78%.

    “As society becomes so digitally knitted and increasingly mobile, we recently launched the ‘Smart Silver’ Digital Inclusion Programme for Elders to address the challenges of an increasingly aging society.

    “This programme fortifies our digital inclusive efforts by providing elders with community-based training and on-the-spot helpdesks to enhance elders’ knowledge on new digital technologies and support their navigation by common mobile applications.”

    During the congress, Professor Sun met the GSMA’s Head of Greater China Sihan Bo Chen to learn about the association’s work to develop mobile communications and promote innovation in the industry.

    He also visited various exhibition pavilions on-site, including the EU Quantum Flagship. He and his delegation toured the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, where he was briefed on Spanish and European developments in quantum computers, supercomputing technology, AI and more.

    Prof Sun will proceed from Barcelona to Lisbon, Portugal later today. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How Trump is weaponising the Department of Justice, and the ‘dark’ tactic he’s using to get away with it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Harrington, Associate Professor, School of Communication, Queensland University of Technology

    It’s hard to keep track of US President Donald Trump’s many notable acts since returning to the White House. His recent pro-Russia stance on the war in Ukraine has, rightly, received a lot of attention.

    But for every big moment, there are others that fly under the radar. One such issue is the politicisation of the Department of Justice (DoJ).

    Although there is longstanding precedent that the DoJ remains politically neutral in its operations, recent events have indicated a dramatic break from that tradition.

    And, importantly, Trump has been laying the groundwork to justify this for nearly two years, using a propaganda tactic that’s been employed by authoritarian governments throughout history.

    Strategic sidelining

    The current administration has attempted to fire or sideline anyone at the DoJ who was involved with prior investigations and prosecutions of the now-president.

    This includes special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into several aspects of Trump’s wrongdoing, which have since ended. Several lawyers have been fired, ostensibly because “the Acting Attorney-General does not trust these officials to assist in faithfully implementing the President’s agenda”.

    This action is not only vindictive, but likely designed to intimidate would-be investigators and make them think twice before further examining any wrongdoing by Trump or his associates.

    Equally noteworthy has been the department’s attempts to drop corruption charges against New York mayor Eric Adams.
    The official reason is that pursuing the charges might “interfere” with Adams’ reelection campaign.

    In reality, however, Adams has been accused of cutting a deal with the administration: he agrees to assist with Trump’s immigration crackdown in return for having the charges against him withdrawn (although not dropped entirely).

    Adams denies the existence of a quid pro quo, but he did joke about it on national television with Tom Homan, Trump’s “Border Czar”.

    So deeply problematic was all this that two US attorneys for the Southern District of New York opted to resign in protest, rather than be party to what they saw as a nakedly corrupt act.

    The whole scenario is eerily reminiscent of 1973’s “Saturday Night Massacre”, when President Richard Nixon ordered his Attorney-General Elliot Richardson to fire the special prosecutor investigating the Watergate scandal.

    Nixon eventually had his way, but not before refusals and resignations from both Richardson, and the Deputy Attorney-General William Ruckleshaus.

    But, where Nixon’s move dramatically hastened his own downfall, Trump’s actions have barely raised an eyebrow. Why?

    The propaganda play

    The answer lies in a propaganda technique known as “accusation in a mirror”, which entails accusing one’s opponents of the very wrongdoing one plans to commit.

    As one legal scholar explains, it’s:

    a rhetorical practice in which one falsely accuses one’s enemies of conducting, plotting, or desiring to commit precisely the same transgressions that one plans to commit against them.

    Accusation in a mirror has been used in the past, including in the Rwandan genocide. There, trusted voices claimed the Tutsi wanted to “exterminate” the Hutu. Tragically, it helped bring about the exact opposite circumstance.

    Similarly, in February 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian government of committing genocide against Russian-speaking populations in the Donbas region. This baseless accusation provided a justification for invading Ukraine, which mirrored Russia’s own indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian civilians.

    We suggest Trump has been using this technique since he was first criminally indicted, in early 2023, on 34 felony charges related to the falsification of business records. He and his supporters have insisted the department, under President Joe Biden, was “weaponised” against him.

    Trump repeatedly claimed those charges – and subsequent indictments – were a politically motivated “witch hunt”. He reiterated these claims in his first speech to Congress.

    Many elected Republicans have also supported and amplified that narrative.

    These claims of victimhood have helped prime Trump’s base to appraise any subsequent legal scrutiny of him as purely partisan, and therefore invalid.

    In reality, the facts were straightforward. Prosecutors were sure there was enough proof to proceed with the case, including evidence Trump illegally kept classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence, and obstructed attempts to retrieve them.

    In a functioning legal system, nobody is “above the law”. This means even former presidents can be prosecuted if there’s enough evidence.

    Yet Trump’s accusations of a partisan DoJ completely reframed legitimate investigations into alleged political vendettas. In doing so, it effectively justified his subsequent decisions.

    A self-fulfilling prophecy

    The idea that “if they did it to me, I’m entitled to do it back” was made explicit by Trump in late 2023.

    When asked if he would use the DoJ to go after his political rivals, Trump argued he would only be levelling the playing field, stating:

    they’ve already done it, but if they want to follow through on this, yeah, it could certainly happen in reverse.

    In short, Trump’s false claim of being victimised by a politicised DoJ served as moral cover for his own politicisation of it.

    This is a textbook example of how accusation in a mirror can help manufacture the reality it pretends to condemn.

    Addressing the problem

    This tactic has long been a play by totalitarian and authoritarian leaders.

    Foundational propaganda scholars such as Hannah Arendt and Jacques Ellul highlighted how authoritarian rulers often repeat falsehoods – flipping the aggressor and victim – until the masses become desensitised, alienated and confused.

    Once enough people believe the system is already corrupt and untrustworthy, they are less likely to be shocked by an actual purge (such as firing DoJ officials).

    The implications of such tactics extend internationally, not just to the US.

    History cries out to us about the risks of this sort of public discourse. It erodes trust in institutions and liberal democratic processes, paving the road for leaders to undermine them further, corrupting the system in the name of rooting out corruption.

    Ultimately, one of the best antidotes is awareness. By exposing these tactics, we can better safeguard against disinformation, protect the rule of law and hold leaders accountable.

    Stephen Harrington receives funding from the Australian Research Council, for the Discovery Project ‘Understanding and Combatting “Dark Political Communication”‘.

    Timothy Graham receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) for his Discovery Early Career Researcher Award, ‘Combatting Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour on Social Media’. He also receives ARC funding for the Discovery Project, ‘Understanding and Combatting “Dark Political Communication”‘.

    – ref. How Trump is weaponising the Department of Justice, and the ‘dark’ tactic he’s using to get away with it – https://theconversation.com/how-trump-is-weaponising-the-department-of-justice-and-the-dark-tactic-hes-using-to-get-away-with-it-250760

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Woolly mice are cute and impressive – but they won’t bring back mammoths or save endangered species

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emily Roycroft, Research Group Leader & ARC DECRA Fellow, Monash University

    Colossal Biosciences

    US company Colossal Biosciences has announced the creation of a “woolly mouse” — a laboratory mouse with a series of genetic modifications that lead to a woolly coat. The company claims this is the first step toward “de-extincting” the woolly mammoth.

    The successful genetic modification of a laboratory mouse is a testament to the progress science has made in understanding gene function, developmental biology and genome editing. But does a woolly mouse really teach us anything about the woolly mammoth?

    What has been genetically modified?

    Woolly mammoths were cold-adapted members of the elephant family, which disappeared from mainland Siberia at the end of the last Ice Age around 10,000 years ago. The last surviving population, on Wrangel Island in the Arctic Ocean, went extinct about 4,000 years ago.

    The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a far more familiar creature, which most of us know as a kitchen pest. It is also one of the most studied organisms in biology and medical research. We know more about this laboratory mouse than perhaps any other mammal besides humans.

    Colossal details its new research in a pre-print paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed. According to the paper, the researchers disrupted the normal function of seven different genes in laboratory mice via gene editing.

    By tinkering with different genes, researchers produced mice with different kinds of fur.
    Colossal Biosciences

    Six of these genes were targeted because a large body of existing research on the mouse model had already demonstrated their roles in hair-related traits, such as coat colour, texture and thickness.

    The modifications in a seventh gene — FABP2 — was based on evidence from the woolly mammoth genome. The gene is involved in the transport of fats in the body.

    Woolly mammoths had a slightly shorter version of the gene, which the researchers believe may have contributed to its adaptation to life in cold climates. However, the “woolly mice” with the mammoth-style variant of FABP2 did not show significant differences in body mass compared to regular lab mice.

    What would it mean to de-extinct a species?

    This work shows the promise of targeted editing of genes of known function in mice. After further testing, this technology may have a future place in conservation efforts. But it’s a long way from holding promise for de-extinction.

    Colossal Biosciences claims it is on track to produce a genetically modified “mammoth-like” elephant by 2028, but what makes a mammoth unique is more than skin-deep.

    De-extinction would need to go beyond modifying an existing species to show superficial traits from an extinct relative. Many aspects of an extinct species’ biology remain unknown. A woolly coat is one thing. Recreating the entire suite of adaptations, including genetic, epigenetic and behavioural traits that allowed mammoths to thrive in ice age environments, is another.

    Prehistoric drawings of an ibex (left) and a mammoth (right) found at Rouffignac cave in France.
    Cave Painter / Wikimedia

    Unlike the thylacine (or Tasmanian tiger) — another species Colossal aims to resurrect — the mammoth has a close living relative in the modern Asian elephant. The closer connections between the genomes of these two species may make mammoth de-extinction more technically feasible than that of the thylacine.

    But whether or not a woolly mouse brings us any closer to that prospect, this story forces us to consider some important ethical questions. Even if we could bring back the woolly mammoth, should we? Is the motivation behind this effort conservation, or entertainment? Is it ethical to bring a species back into an environment that may no longer sustain it?

    Focus on conserving what remains

    In Australia alone, we’ve lost at least 100 species to extinction since European colonisation in 1788, largely due the introduction of feral predators and land clearing.

    The idea of reversing extinction is understandably appealing. We might like to think we could undo the past.

    According to Colossal’s website,

    Extinction is a colossal problem facing the world. And Colossal is the company that’s going to fix it.

    It’s hard to argue with the first part of that. But focusing on bringing back extinct species distracts from a more urgent reality: species are going extinct right now, and we are not doing enough to save them.

    We should first focus on promises to save surviving species, rather than promises to bring back the dead.

    With more investment in threatened species monitoring, new pest control methods, and conservation genetic management, we can turn the tide of extinction and secure the future for species that remain.

    There’s a long list of threatened species that are still alive now. With the right funding and conservation attention, we can do something to save them before it’s too late.

    Emily Roycroft receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme, and the Australian Academy of Science.

    – ref. Woolly mice are cute and impressive – but they won’t bring back mammoths or save endangered species – https://theconversation.com/woolly-mice-are-cute-and-impressive-but-they-wont-bring-back-mammoths-or-save-endangered-species-251595

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to Copernicus data reporting that global sea ice cover at a record low and February 2025 was third warmest on record

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on Copernicus data reporting global sea ice cover is at a record low, and that February was the third warmest on record. 

    Professor Simon Josey, Professor of Oceanography at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre, said:

    “The current record low global sea ice extent revealed by the Copernicus analysis is of serious concern as it reflects major changes in both the Arctic and Antarctic. Warm ocean and atmospheric temperatures will prove critical for Antarctic sea-ice in the coming months as they may lead to an extensive failure of the ice to regrow in southern hemisphere winter. A recent study (Josey et al., 2024) has shown that this can lead to increasingly stormy conditions in the Southern Ocean and altered ocean properties with potential impacts for the wider ocean and atmospheric circulation.”

    Josey, S. A., A. J. S. Meijers, A. T. Blaker, J. P. Grist, J. Mecking and H. C. Ayres, 2024: Record-low Antarctic sea ice in 2023 increased ocean heat loss and storms, Nature, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08368-y.

     

    Dr Robert Larter, Marine Geophysicist, British Antarctic Survey (BAS), said:

    “The results from C3S showing that global sea ice extent reached a new all-time minimum in February highlight the substantial effects climate change is having in polar regions and are a cause for serious concern. These results are consistent with independent analysis from the National Snow and Ice Data Center in the US. Sea ice has an important climate feedback effect because of its high “albedo”, reflecting a large proportion of incident solar radiation back into space. It also plays an important role in the ecology of the polar oceans and helps protect floating ice shelves in Antarctica, which buttress the ice sheet, by suppressing ocean swell. Furthermore, brine rejection during seasonal formation of sea ice is a key process in the formation of dense water masses that sink to the depths of the ocean and are critical to driving the global overturning thermohaline circulation.

    “The near-record low in Antarctic sea-ice extent follows on from extents in the previous two years that were the lowest in the period over which satellite records have been available, and extends the run of years with low minimum sea ice extents that started with a steep decline in 2016. Antarctic sea-ice extent has usually started to grow again before the end of February as the days get shorter in the Southern Ocean, but this year several days into March the data show no sign of significant new sea ice formation.”

    Prof Richard Allan, Professor of Climate Science, University of Reading, said:

    “February 2025 saw the lowest recorded coverage of sea ice globally as the Arctic reached a record low maximum extent of around 14 million square kilometres and sea ice at the fringes of Antarctica stayed near the record low minimum extent of around 2 million square kilometres, which has been reached every February since 2022. Every successive February, the Arctic has been losing on average 42 thousand square kilometres of sea ice, twice the area of Wales. Parts of the high Arctic have been up to 12 degrees Celsius above average while on the other hand the USA and Canada froze, showing that heat can temporarily shift from one place to another. But averaging over all regions, the global warming trend is clear with February 2025 more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial conditions, repeating a level of excess warmth experienced in all but 1 of the past 20 months, despite a weak cooling influence of La Niña conditions in the Pacific. The long term prognosis for Arctic sea ice is grim as the region continues to rapidly heat up and can only be saved with rapid and massive cuts to greenhouse gas emissions that will also limit the growing severity of weather extremes and long term sea level rise across the world.”

    Declared interests

    Dr Robert Larter: No conflicts.

    Professor Richard Allan: no conflicting interests

    For all other experts, no response to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian Citizen Admits Guilt in Bank Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracies Causing More Than $1.7 Million in Losses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    David Daniyan Admits Supervising Conspiracies Led by Nigerian Citizen Oluwaseun Adekoya

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Daniyan, a/k/a “Bamikole Laniyan,” a/k/a “David Enfield,” a/k/a “Africa,” age 60, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today in connection with his role in bank fraud and money laundering conspiracies led by Oluwaseun Adekoya, age 39, also a Nigerian citizen, of Cliffside Park, New Jersey.  Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    Daniyan pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft. Daniyan admitted that, working with Adekoya, he obtained the personal identifying information of people residing all over the United States and recruited lower-level conspirators to impersonate those people using fake driver’s licenses to fraudulently obtain cash, checks, and loans at their financial institutions and obtain merchandise using credit at retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue.  Daniyan also admitted to conspiring with Adekoya and others to launder the proceeds of their bank fraud by, among other things, using fraudulently obtained funds to purchase additional fake driver’s licenses and depositing fraudulently obtained checks into accounts in the names of identity-theft victims that were controlled by coconspirators.  Daniyan admitted that the bank fraud conspiracy netted over $1.7 million in fraud proceeds, and was perpetrated in the Northern District of New York and all over the country. 

    According to documents previously filed in the case, Daniyan, a citizen of Nigeria, has been living in the United States without authorization under numerous aliases since at least the 1990s when he was first investigated, charged, and convicted in another federal district under the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen. 

    The following defendants are charged as follows in the superseding indictment: 

    • Adekoya is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and nine counts of aggravated identity theft;
    • Kani Bassie, age 36, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
    • Davon Hunter, age 27, of Richmond, Virginia, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft;
    • Jermon Brooks, age 20, of Richmond, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft;
    • Christian Quivers, age 20, of Richmond, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft; and
    • Crystal Kurschner, age 44, of Brooklyn, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

    As to these defendants, the charges in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. These remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI-Albany, which began after the May 2022 arrest of Daniyan, Gaysha Kennedy, age 46, of Brooklyn, and Victor Barriera, age 64, of the Bronx, New York, by the Cohoes Police Department after the trio traveled to the Capital Region to commit bank fraud. 

    Adekoya, Daniyan, Kennedy, and Barriera were originally indicted, along with coconspirators Jerjuan Joyner, age 50, of Brooklyn, Akeem Balogun, age 56, of Brooklyn, Danielle Cappetti, age 46, of the Bronx, and Lesley Lucchese, age 53, of Brooklyn, in connection with the conspiracy in an indictment returned in December 2023. 

    Sherry Ozmore, Kennedy, Barriera, Joyner, Balogun, Cappetti, and Lucchese have pled guilty to bank fraud conspiracy.

    At sentencing on July 10, 2025, Daniyan faces a maximum term of 30 years in prison for the bank fraud conspiracy, 20 years in prison for the money laundering conspiracy, and a mandatory consecutive term of 2 years in prison for his conviction of aggravated identity theft; as well as an order of restitution of at least $1,776,705.43 and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years.  Daniyan also agreed to forfeit nearly $100,000 in proceeds of the bank fraud conspiracy seized by federal authorities. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

    Following his term of imprisonment, Daniyan will be placed into immigration removal proceedings.

    FBI Albany is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in New York, Newark, Richmond and Resident Agencies in Westchester, New York; Brooklyn/Queens, New York; Garrett Mountain, New Jersey; and Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  Additional assistance was provided by other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement & Removal Operations (New York Field Office & Albany sub-office); U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (Buffalo Field Office & St. Albans Resident Office); U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General; New York law enforcement agencies including the New York State Police; Cohoes PD; Colonie PD; Elmira PD; Corning PD; Plattsburgh PD; Florida law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; the Pennsylvania State Police; Alabama law enforcement agencies including the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Gasden PD, and Rainbow City PD; Georgia law enforcement agencies including the Georgia State Patrol, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrow PD; Kansas law enforcement agencies including Lawrence PD and Overland Park PD; New Hampshire law enforcement agencies including Rochester PD, Manchester PD, and Amherst PD; the Delaware State Police; Maryland law enforcement agencies including the Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office; Wisconsin law enforcement agencies including Onalaska PD and Eau Claire PD; and Indiana law enforcement agencies including the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU Graduates Create a “Smart Mirror”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The Telegram bot “Smart Mirror” appeared a month ago. The application is available to any user of this messenger. The author of the product is a specialist of the NSU Startup Studio and deputy director of the company “Save Technologies” Ksenia Ivanova. Now students of the Institute of Intelligent Robotics of NSU have joined the development as part of their course on project activities.

    This TG application can also be used as a regular mirror if you don’t have one at hand, but need to fix your hair or refresh your makeup. However, its capabilities are not limited to this, because this is not a simple mirror, but a “smart” one.

    So far, the Telegram bot can identify several skin conditions. It estimates the percentage of how healthy your skin is and can recognize signs of several problems. Such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, warts, ringworm. If it determines the skin is healthy, it will advise you to continue your current care and use sunscreen. If the Smart Mirror suspects any abnormalities in your skin condition, it will advise you to see a specialist for a more detailed diagnosis or problem determination, and then for treatment.

    — During the joint work of the NSU Startup Studio with a company producing non-medical skin care products on another project, we came up with the idea of such an application, but we did not intend to sell it, since the problem solved by the mirror has great social significance. We are developing it for two reasons: we see a serious problem in the market, when women cannot decide which products to use, which of them are effective and whether they help over time.

    We found a suitable dataset and models of skin conditions in the public domain, on the basis of which we trained our application to recognize skin conditions. We used the open model yolo8 as a basis for recognition and mediapipe as an auxiliary library. It is important that the model is trained on a dataset of diseases, for us this is a good social start, but then we will enrich it with those problems that everyone may have, – said Ksenia Ivanova.

    The “Smart Mirror” works simply: the user opens the application in Telegram, grants it access to the camera of their smartphone, slowly turns their face in front of the display, on which the answer appears after a few minutes. You can also use the application via a computer, but due to the quality of the camera, a smartphone is still preferable. It is important that there is sufficient lighting, it is best to sit opposite the light source.

    The developers recommend using the Smart Mirror in the morning – after using your daily skin care products, but before applying makeup – through it, the Smart Mirror will not see the real state of your skin and can determine it as healthy with a high degree of probability, without noticing any problematic conditions, if they exist, but are hidden under a layer of foundation and powder.

    The Smart Mirror launched a month ago, but its creators have already received a lot of positive feedback about their application. Many found it interesting and useful. But the developers are not going to stop there.

    — So far, we have presented the beta version of our application to users so that they can get to know it and learn how it works. We want our Smart Mirror to be in demand, so we have developed a plan for the further development of our project and want to teach our application a lot more. For example, to remind about the need to remove makeup before skin monitoring. We will also expand the list of unhealthy skin conditions that the Smart Mirror will be able to recognize, for example, we will definitely include such a skin problem as rosacea. We will also introduce recommendations for skin care – both healthy and problematic. Since we are not going to commercialize our project, our chatbot will not recommend any specific brands of skin care products, but will indicate the active ingredients that should be paid attention to when choosing a cream or lotion. We also plan to teach the Smart Mirror to offer users instructions for self-massage of the face and exercises for the elasticity of the skin and facial muscles, — said Ksenia Ivanova.

    According to the developers, the “Smart Mirror” should become a faithful assistant for its users and a guide on the path to maintaining the beauty and health of the skin. To do this, they plan to teach the application to make a high-quality analysis of its condition so that users can evaluate how effective their actions were aimed at skin care and overcoming existing problems.

    — Many women are concerned about such a problem as bags under the eyes. We want to teach our “Smart Mirror” to help solve this problem. The user looks into it in the morning, the application measures the volume of bags under the eyes and gives its recommendations regarding the drinking regime, duration of sleep and other important points in this case. If they are followed, the user can return to the application in the evening, as well as after a few days, to find out whether changes have occurred and how noticeable they were, — explained Ksenia Ivanova.

    The TG application “Smart Mirror” is available at the link: HTTPS: //t. TA/ARMIRRORBOT

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with NIH Nominee, Calls for Radical Transparency at the NIH

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya, President Trump’s nominee to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. During his remarks, Bhattacharya explained his plan to root out waste within the NIH and how he will earn back the trust of the American people by ensuring transparency.

    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you doctor for being here. It’s always good to run into somebody that’s name’s harder to say than mine and mispronounced more.

    You’ve got a hard job in front of you, but I share the ideas and desire that the President has to root out waste and the fraud that we have in this country. Because if we don’t, we’re not gonna have a country left. It’s gonna be gone. And he’s doing the right thing. You’re gonna have a tough job. You’re gonna have to put your team together and do the same thing. We have got to make sure we use American taxpayers’ money the right way.

    So, kind of give me your plan of how you’re gonna do this—when you come into office and are confirmed how you’re gonna put your team together?”

    BHATTACHARYA: “Thanks Senator, I should say this: I have a background as an economist as well as being a doctor. And to me, that background, what it leads me to do is understand that every dollar wasted on a frivolous study is a dollar not spent—every dollar wasted on administrative costs that are not needed—is a dollar not spent on research. The team I’m gonna put together is gonna be hyper-focused to make sure that the portfolio grants that the NIH funds is devoted to the chronic disease problems of this country. It’s gonna be devoted to making sure we have not just incremental progress, but research projects that have the capacity to make huge advances in treatment for cancer, for diabetes, for obesity. That’s how I’m going to decide what the team is.

    And the NIH […], I’m blessed in some ways because it already has so many excellent scientists there to advise me on the on the areas I don’t know about. And I wanna tap [into] that resource. I wanna make sure I talk to every single person who who’s already a leader at the NIH to understand where those opportunities are.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Well, thank you.

    You know, for the past four years, I’ve been on this Committee, and we’ve obviously gone through COVID [which was] devastating to not just our country, but the world.

    Transparency and trust is gonna have to be earned again from a lot of people. Most people across this country don’t know what the hell NIH stands for. Okay? But now they do because of COVID. You said that science has to be reliable, exactly. But people also have to trust, you know, we’re finding out now we have biolabs in Ukraine—where a war is going on, and we’re funding them.

    I mean, and so you’ve got to be on top of that, and the American people have to trust you that you will say, ‘Listen, we’re gonna keep an eye on, you know, the biolabs in North Carolina,’ or wherever we have them. Because it scares me to death of what’s going on. 

    What’s your plan there of getting trust back in this country?”

    BHATTACHARYA: “Senator first of all […], I want to work with Congress to make sure that there’s appropriate regulation of any risky research. The NIH […] I don’t think should be doing any research that has the potential to cause a pandemic. And I want to work with Congress to make sure that happens.

    As far as trust, I think the key thing is we have to be utterly open, if I’m confirmed, I’ll be at the head of an organization that’s a scientific organization. As a citizen, I would often look for FOIA responses from the NIH Freedom Information Act request, and they’d be fully redacted during the pandemic.

    You can’t have trust unless you are transparent. And if I’m confirmed as an NIH Director, I fully commit to making sure that the American people can see all of the activities of the NIH openly, with limited sort of obfuscation. [The NIH has been characterized this way], I think unfortunately, [because of the] way that they’ve interacted with American people.”

    TUBERVILLE: “And I think that starts with being very visual on television, telling people, you know, the truth. Don’t hide anything because we’ve been hiding things for years and that that doesn’t work. We found that out.

    You know, Chairman Cassidy and I led a letter to the NIH under the last administration asking questions about a grant that the NIH funded focused on children transitioning genders. The study followed all these children—two of them committed suicide. Devastating. 

    So, how can we ensure the NIH doesn’t grant funds to things like this?”

    BHATTACHARYA: “Well, first of all, I think it’s if you have a negative result and it’s politically inconvenient to you, usually, you have an obligation to scientists to report it. Right? 

    So, the NIH funds a study that shows that the gender transition doesn’t reduce suicide rate among, you know, adolescents. That researcher has an obligation to report it even though she may think it’s politically inconvenient. So, I wanna make sure that NIH research is required to report even negative results. And there’s ways to do that we can talk about.

    But I think as far as, like, the prioritization of studies, as I was telling Senator Paul, I think we wanna make sure that the studies are focused on the diseases that really are hurting Americans—obesity—a lot of the research that, you know, it’s so easy to come up with, examples of this. One of a shrimp on a treadmill for instance, that was once funded. It’s not that I’m necessarily against research like that, but the American taxpayer should be focused on the needs of American taxpayers. And the research should be focused on those needs, the health needs of Americans. And I want to make sure that the NIH, if confirmed, focuses on exactly that.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Good luck.”

    BHATTACHARYA: “Thank you so much.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Macron proposes strategic talks on nuclear deterrence for Europe

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Flags of European Union (EU) and Ukraine are seen at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that he has decided to open strategic discussions with European allies on potential nuclear protection.

    “Responding to the historic call of the future German chancellor, I have decided to open a strategic debate on the protection of our allies in Europe through our (nuclear) deterrent,” Macron said in a televised address.

    Speaking on Europe’s defense and Ukraine, he emphasized that France’s nuclear deterrent has played a role in maintaining peace and security in Europe.

    On Ukraine, Macron asserted that the country has “the right to peace and security for itself, and it is in the interest of the European continent’s security.” He stressed the need to ensure that any future peace, once achieved, is sustainable.

    “This will certainly require long-term support for the Ukrainian army and could potentially involve deploying European forces,” he said.

    However, Macron clarified that such European forces would not engage in frontline combat but would instead help ensure that peace is upheld once secured.

    He also announced that France would host a meeting next week with countries willing to contribute to future European forces to be deployed in Ukraine.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US pauses intel sharing with Ukraine: CIA chief

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (2nd R) at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency said Wednesday that the United States has paused intelligence support to Ukraine, on top of halting weapons shipments to the country that’s still at war with Russia.

    John Ratcliffe, the CIA chief, said in an interview with Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo that “(U.S. President) Trump had a real question about whether President Zelensky was committed to the peace process, and he said let’s pause.”

    The decision came after a clash between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, where Trump demanded gratitude from Zelensky for the aid Washington provided to Kiev. The Ukrainian leader was asked to leave the White House without signing a minerals deal with Trump as originally planned.

    Zelensky has since been trying to mend the relationship with the U.S. administration by efforts including sending a letter to Trump expressing his willingness “to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” Trump said in his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.

    “I want to give a chance to think about that and you saw the response that President Zelensky put out,” Ratcliffe told Bartiromo on Wednesday. “So I think on the military front and the intelligence front, the pause that allowed that to happen, I think will go away.”

    “And I think we’ll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” Ratcliffe said in an expression of optimism, adding that Washington and Kiev would work together to “put the world in a better place for these peace negotiations to move forward.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The IMF at Eighty

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Keynote Speech by Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke
    at a Symposium on the Future of International Cooperation on the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II
    Tokyo, Japan, March 6, 2025 

    March 5, 2025

    (As Prepared for Delivery)

    A very good morning to you all. Kudo-san: thank you so much for those kind words. It is a great pleasure to be here in Japan.

    Dear colleagues, let me begin by relaying Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva’s regret for not being able to be with us today. She was very much looking forward to her trip to Tokyo, and has asked me to share with you her best wishes.

    I would like to start with a deep note of appreciation for our host country: a pillar of regional and global stability, a tireless advocate of trade, a technology leader and innovator, and a nation proudly on the move. For the IMF, Japan is a true partner, always generous in its support for our work. To the people of Japan the IMF says: arigatō goza‑i‑mas—thank you.

    As this conference reflects on the state of the world 80 years after the end of World War Two, let me also salute the post-war rebirth of Japan. Who in 1945 could have imagined the economic miracle that would come—and the transformation of former foes into friends and allies? Living proof that prosperity and friendship can triumph.

    So much of the global progress of the post-war decades was the result of a grand experiment in economic cooperation whose roots traced back to a conference of forty nations at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire in July 1944. The core idea at Bretton Woods was both bold and simple: a system where interests would be secured not only by geopolitical heft, but by mutually beneficial cooperation. This is the core principle behind the creation of the IMF. It is the principle we still serve today.

    After the war, reconstruction progressed rapidly, giving rise to new structures, new jobs, new trade, and new members. In 1952, Japan and West Germany were welcomed into the IMF’s family of nations.

    The Fund played its designated part not so much by financing global reconstruction and development—that was the World Bank’s job—but by supporting financial stability. A system of regular peer review of national economic prospects and policies was transformed from the black ink of Article IV of our founding Treaty to a familiar and appreciated reality.

    And thus were established the three core functions of the IMF:

    • First, our macroeconomic surveillance, which would bring in many newly independent nations starting in the late 1950s, followed by the Russian Federation and all the nations of the former Soviet bloc in the 1990s, such that today it spans almost all countries—a global perspective unique to the Fund.
    • Second, our support for macroeconomic programs to restore economic and financial stability to countries rich and poor alike when in distress, combining agreed policy actions to remedy underlying economic weaknesses with IMF lending and reserve creation—the latter again being a unique capacity bestowed upon the Fund.
    • And third, our support for capacity development, most generously financed from the start by Japan, alongside others.

    Through the many post-war episodes of mistrust and confrontation, the IMF has always remained a place where governance works; where information and knowledge are freely exchanged; where policy lessons from one country are shared for the benefit of many others; where efficiency meets effectiveness; and where members at odds with each other sit at one table and discuss matters calmly. This is the tangible, everyday reality of the Fund.

    Over the years we have, of course, had both successes and failures, but I would argue that the former outnumber the latter. I think for instance of our programs with the UK in 1977, India in 1991, or Brazil in 2002, and indeed of the examples being set today by the former program countries of East Asia and the euro area. Successes, yet each difficult in its own way when crisis raged.

    As finance minister of Jamaica during difficult times, I had the opportunity to see the Fund in action from the other side of the table. It was obvious to me then—as it is now—that the IMF teams had the knowledge, the experience, and the systems. They knew what they were doing.

    At the Fund, one foundational reality is well understood: countries are not companies, and in hard times the hardships of the people must always be addressed. It is the IMF that provides the closest thing sovereign states have to a framework to secure a fresh start. It is a unique and vital function for the world.

    And rarely does the IMF see a quiet moment. Today, as we confront a world of low growth, high prices, and high debt, we are warning countries that there is no room for complacency on inflation; advising them on how best to rebuild their macroeconomic buffers for the new shocks that will inevitably come; and getting more granular in our engagement on policies to lift productivity and create better jobs.

    Colleagues, we are at a new time of great flux for the world economy, with many countries reassessing their approaches, including in the face of structural transformations related to technology, demographics, and energy. Across the globe, voters have voiced anger at high prices and, in some cases, mistrust for an internationalist system they perceive as elitist and exclusionary. A chasm has opened between aspiration and reality—and that, in part, is fueling a challenge to the old system, with all the attendant uncertainty.

    So let me conclude by sharing a few forward-looking thoughts on how, as the world navigates these choppy waters, the Fund can help steady the ship.

    Four points:

    • First, in a tightly interconnected world, stability matters to everybody. Our mandate to promote international monetary cooperation sits at the heart of what we do, and has never mattered more than now, after 80 years of ever-closer integration. Like a fireman who douses a fire in one house and thus saves the neighborhood, when the IMF helps stabilize one country, it helps all others—we know how easily something small can become something big. The Fund is a seasoned repository of knowledge on how to do this, and so we shall remain. Whether it be crisis prevention through surveillance, crisis management through policy advice and lending, or resilience through capacity development, stability will remain our core mission. This means helping countries to design well phased and well communicated plans for budget consolidation; to maintain effective monetary policies to contain inflation; to safeguard external stability; to ensure financial systems are robust; and much more. This is our bread and butter.
    • Second, growth requires stability and stability requires growth. Ultimately, the way to ensure that economies can create jobs for their people and shoulder debt is through robust trend growth. And here I mean growth built on productivity gains and efficient resource allocation, not temporary stimulus. At the IMF, helped by our new Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth, we intend to identify positive lessons wheresoever they may be, and share them across our membership—while also helping countries harness technological advancement, notably in AI. Smaller government footprints will help in some cases, as will smarter tax regimes, more efficient public spending and better infrastructure, stronger bankruptcy frameworks, simpler and better regulations, more flexible labor markets with strong social safety nets, and deeper, more liquid capital markets, including venture capital. It is a broad and ambitious agenda.
    • Third, stability requires global macroeconomic balance. The IMF’s purposes include not only facilitating the expansion of international trade to contribute to the promotion and maintenance of high levels of employment and real income, but helping ensure that trade growth is balanced. Yet we live in an imbalanced world, with excessive external surpluses for some countries and excessive deficits for others, potentially sowing the seeds of future instability. At the Fund we understand that external imbalances reflect domestic imbalances, with some countries consuming or investing too much and others too little: a challenge calling out for the concerted deployment of the full macroeconomic policy toolkit. These are deep-seated problems, reflecting policy-induced distortions, exchange rates, institutional depth, reserve currencies, demographics, wealth and income levels, technology, culture, history, and more. We will continue to work with our members to lessen the degree of disequilibrium in their international balances of payments.
    • Fourth and last, as the global system reconfigures, agility will be key. Already in recent years, as geoeconomic fragmentation set in, many countries coalesced into groupings of common interest. Now, the trend continues, with an increasing emphasis on regional trade and regional financing arrangements. In a variable-geometry world, the IMF will respond as needed, flexibly, including to serve regional needs and explore ways to strengthen the global financial safety net for the good of all. For 80 years, from the gold standard to flexible exchange rates, from engaging with advanced economies to rescuing emerging markets to supporting low-income countries, the Fund has responded to changing circumstances and evolved with the times. We will preserve this tradition.

    In these four points I am offering a vision of an IMF that will remain faithful to, and be guided by, its core purposes as laid out in our 191‑nation Articles of Agreement—yet will be nimble, responding to the changing environment as necessary so that we can continue to serve our membership to good effect. So without further ado, let me leave you to reflect, perhaps, on my four themes—stability, growth, balance, and agility—and how they can fit together to shape a Fund for our changing times.

    I look forward to hearing your discussions today—and will be particularly interested in hearing your thoughts on Japan’s role in this new world as a champion of regional and global economic cooperation.

    Thank you

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER:

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The IMF at Eighty

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    Keynote Speech by Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke
    at a Symposium on the Future of International Cooperation on the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II
    Tokyo, Japan, March 6, 2025 

    March 5, 2025

    (As Prepared for Delivery)

    A very good morning to you all. Kudo-san: thank you so much for those kind words. It is a great pleasure to be here in Japan.

    Dear colleagues, let me begin by relaying Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva’s regret for not being able to be with us today. She was very much looking forward to her trip to Tokyo, and has asked me to share with you her best wishes.

    I would like to start with a deep note of appreciation for our host country: a pillar of regional and global stability, a tireless advocate of trade, a technology leader and innovator, and a nation proudly on the move. For the IMF, Japan is a true partner, always generous in its support for our work. To the people of Japan the IMF says: arigatō goza‑i‑mas—thank you.

    As this conference reflects on the state of the world 80 years after the end of World War Two, let me also salute the post-war rebirth of Japan. Who in 1945 could have imagined the economic miracle that would come—and the transformation of former foes into friends and allies? Living proof that prosperity and friendship can triumph.

    So much of the global progress of the post-war decades was the result of a grand experiment in economic cooperation whose roots traced back to a conference of forty nations at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire in July 1944. The core idea at Bretton Woods was both bold and simple: a system where interests would be secured not only by geopolitical heft, but by mutually beneficial cooperation. This is the core principle behind the creation of the IMF. It is the principle we still serve today.

    After the war, reconstruction progressed rapidly, giving rise to new structures, new jobs, new trade, and new members. In 1952, Japan and West Germany were welcomed into the IMF’s family of nations.

    The Fund played its designated part not so much by financing global reconstruction and development—that was the World Bank’s job—but by supporting financial stability. A system of regular peer review of national economic prospects and policies was transformed from the black ink of Article IV of our founding Treaty to a familiar and appreciated reality.

    And thus were established the three core functions of the IMF:

    • First, our macroeconomic surveillance, which would bring in many newly independent nations starting in the late 1950s, followed by the Russian Federation and all the nations of the former Soviet bloc in the 1990s, such that today it spans almost all countries—a global perspective unique to the Fund.
    • Second, our support for macroeconomic programs to restore economic and financial stability to countries rich and poor alike when in distress, combining agreed policy actions to remedy underlying economic weaknesses with IMF lending and reserve creation—the latter again being a unique capacity bestowed upon the Fund.
    • And third, our support for capacity development, most generously financed from the start by Japan, alongside others.

    Through the many post-war episodes of mistrust and confrontation, the IMF has always remained a place where governance works; where information and knowledge are freely exchanged; where policy lessons from one country are shared for the benefit of many others; where efficiency meets effectiveness; and where members at odds with each other sit at one table and discuss matters calmly. This is the tangible, everyday reality of the Fund.

    Over the years we have, of course, had both successes and failures, but I would argue that the former outnumber the latter. I think for instance of our programs with the UK in 1977, India in 1991, or Brazil in 2002, and indeed of the examples being set today by the former program countries of East Asia and the euro area. Successes, yet each difficult in its own way when crisis raged.

    As finance minister of Jamaica during difficult times, I had the opportunity to see the Fund in action from the other side of the table. It was obvious to me then—as it is now—that the IMF teams had the knowledge, the experience, and the systems. They knew what they were doing.

    At the Fund, one foundational reality is well understood: countries are not companies, and in hard times the hardships of the people must always be addressed. It is the IMF that provides the closest thing sovereign states have to a framework to secure a fresh start. It is a unique and vital function for the world.

    And rarely does the IMF see a quiet moment. Today, as we confront a world of low growth, high prices, and high debt, we are warning countries that there is no room for complacency on inflation; advising them on how best to rebuild their macroeconomic buffers for the new shocks that will inevitably come; and getting more granular in our engagement on policies to lift productivity and create better jobs.

    Colleagues, we are at a new time of great flux for the world economy, with many countries reassessing their approaches, including in the face of structural transformations related to technology, demographics, and energy. Across the globe, voters have voiced anger at high prices and, in some cases, mistrust for an internationalist system they perceive as elitist and exclusionary. A chasm has opened between aspiration and reality—and that, in part, is fueling a challenge to the old system, with all the attendant uncertainty.

    So let me conclude by sharing a few forward-looking thoughts on how, as the world navigates these choppy waters, the Fund can help steady the ship.

    Four points:

    • First, in a tightly interconnected world, stability matters to everybody. Our mandate to promote international monetary cooperation sits at the heart of what we do, and has never mattered more than now, after 80 years of ever-closer integration. Like a fireman who douses a fire in one house and thus saves the neighborhood, when the IMF helps stabilize one country, it helps all others—we know how easily something small can become something big. The Fund is a seasoned repository of knowledge on how to do this, and so we shall remain. Whether it be crisis prevention through surveillance, crisis management through policy advice and lending, or resilience through capacity development, stability will remain our core mission. This means helping countries to design well phased and well communicated plans for budget consolidation; to maintain effective monetary policies to contain inflation; to safeguard external stability; to ensure financial systems are robust; and much more. This is our bread and butter.
    • Second, growth requires stability and stability requires growth. Ultimately, the way to ensure that economies can create jobs for their people and shoulder debt is through robust trend growth. And here I mean growth built on productivity gains and efficient resource allocation, not temporary stimulus. At the IMF, helped by our new Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth, we intend to identify positive lessons wheresoever they may be, and share them across our membership—while also helping countries harness technological advancement, notably in AI. Smaller government footprints will help in some cases, as will smarter tax regimes, more efficient public spending and better infrastructure, stronger bankruptcy frameworks, simpler and better regulations, more flexible labor markets with strong social safety nets, and deeper, more liquid capital markets, including venture capital. It is a broad and ambitious agenda.
    • Third, stability requires global macroeconomic balance. The IMF’s purposes include not only facilitating the expansion of international trade to contribute to the promotion and maintenance of high levels of employment and real income, but helping ensure that trade growth is balanced. Yet we live in an imbalanced world, with excessive external surpluses for some countries and excessive deficits for others, potentially sowing the seeds of future instability. At the Fund we understand that external imbalances reflect domestic imbalances, with some countries consuming or investing too much and others too little: a challenge calling out for the concerted deployment of the full macroeconomic policy toolkit. These are deep-seated problems, reflecting policy-induced distortions, exchange rates, institutional depth, reserve currencies, demographics, wealth and income levels, technology, culture, history, and more. We will continue to work with our members to lessen the degree of disequilibrium in their international balances of payments.
    • Fourth and last, as the global system reconfigures, agility will be key. Already in recent years, as geoeconomic fragmentation set in, many countries coalesced into groupings of common interest. Now, the trend continues, with an increasing emphasis on regional trade and regional financing arrangements. In a variable-geometry world, the IMF will respond as needed, flexibly, including to serve regional needs and explore ways to strengthen the global financial safety net for the good of all. For 80 years, from the gold standard to flexible exchange rates, from engaging with advanced economies to rescuing emerging markets to supporting low-income countries, the Fund has responded to changing circumstances and evolved with the times. We will preserve this tradition.

    In these four points I am offering a vision of an IMF that will remain faithful to, and be guided by, its core purposes as laid out in our 191‑nation Articles of Agreement—yet will be nimble, responding to the changing environment as necessary so that we can continue to serve our membership to good effect. So without further ado, let me leave you to reflect, perhaps, on my four themes—stability, growth, balance, and agility—and how they can fit together to shape a Fund for our changing times.

    I look forward to hearing your discussions today—and will be particularly interested in hearing your thoughts on Japan’s role in this new world as a champion of regional and global economic cooperation.

    Thank you

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER:

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/03/05/sp030625-dmd-imfat80

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reaffirm Congress’ Authority to Maintain Trade Restrictions on Russia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    March 05, 2025

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., today led Senate colleagues, including Senator Jeff Merkley, in a letter to Donald Trump reaffirming Congress’ authority to maintain trade restrictions on the Russian Federation while it continues its war of aggression against Ukraine. 

    “Vladimir Putin is a ruthless dictator who has led the Russian Federation into a war of aggression against Ukraine with the explicit goal of denying Ukraine and its people their collective rights to independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” wrote the senators after Trump sandbagged talks between the United States and Ukraine last Friday and claimed Ukraine “should have never started [the war].”“Our country, in coordination with our allies and partners and with bipartisan support has imposed sweeping financial sanctions, stringent export controls, and aggressive trade restrictions on the Russian Federation.”

    In 2022, Congress passed the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act which revoked Russia’s permanent normal trade relations status to ensure Russian goods and services do not enjoy privileged, “most-favored nation” access to the U.S. market. Congress also passed the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act which banned the importation of all energy products from the Russian Federation.

    According to these laws, the Russian Federation must reach an agreement relating to the withdrawal of its forces and cessation of military hostilities that is accepted by the free and independent government of Ukraine, recognize the right of the people of Ukraine to independently and freely choose their own government, and pose no immediate military threat of aggression to any NATO member before the president can restore normal trade relations.

    “In light of your worrisome statements, we wish to remind you that you must not—and cannot, under statute—attempt to restore normal trade relations or lift the import ban on Russian energy products unless and until Ukraine’s peace demands are met and their free and independent government has accepted a peace agreement,” continued the senators. “Ukraine must be at the table to determine its future, and conditions for peace cannot be imposed on Ukraine.”

    The letter was led by Wyden and Cortez Masto. In addition to Wyden, Cortez Masto and Merkley the letter was signed by Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.

    The full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump Touts Alaska LNG as a Top Priority of New Administration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    03.05.25
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today celebrated President Donald Trump’s endorsement of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project as a top priority of his new administration in the President’s joint address to Congress last night.
    Sen. Sullivan has been a relentless advocate for the Alaska LNG Project as an opportunity to provide abundant, clean-burning, low-cost energy to Alaskans, promote American energy security, and deepen America’s alliances with its Indo-Pacific partners, particularly Japan and South Korea. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sen. Sullivan has taken four trips to Japan and South Korea to promote the project, talking to numerous potential investors and the senior-most government and private sector officials in each country. More recently, he has spoken directly with President Trump on several occasions about the project and gave him the comprehensive document called, “America’s Gasline.” The senator has also had extensive conversations with nearly all of President Trump’s cabinet officials about the Alaska LNG Project, garnering their support.
    “My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest in the world, where Japan, South Korea and other nations want to be our partner with investments of trillions of dollars each,” President Trump said. “There’s never been anything like that one. It will be truly spectacular. It’s all set to go. The permitting is gotten.”
    [embedded content]
    “The fact that the President of the United States was highlighting the Alaska LNG Project as one of the biggest things he wants to get done for America was huge for our state and huge for our country,” Sullivan said in an interview following the address. “It’s not going to happen overnight, but the fact that we have the President and his entire cabinet fully putting their shoulder into this was quite remarkable…Governor Dunleavy and I pitched the Trump administration on having the President mention this in his State of the Union…I hope a lot of Alaskans saw that we have been working this really hard, because we have a great opportunity—the private sector elements of this are coming together, the foreign government elements of this giant project are coming together. But when you get the President and his entire cabinet saying, we’re going to get this done, and he tells the American people that, I don’t think that’s ever happened before for Alaska…It was a big night for us, and I’m really excited.”
    The Alaska LNG Project will be capable of providing more than three billion cubic feet of low-cost, low-emission natural gas to Alaskans, Americans, and to allied nations around the world each day. It is also projected to create up to 10,000 construction and 1,000 operations jobs.
    Below is a timeline of Sen. Sullivan’s recent work on advancing the Alaska LNG Project and deepening the energy security ties between the U.S. and America’s Japanese and Korean allies.
    On February 24, 2025, Sen. Sullivan had an Alaska LNG focused meeting with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum at the Department of the Interior.
    On February 7, 2025, President Trump announced a “joint venture” on Alaska oil and gas between the United States and Japan.
    On January 8, 2025, Sen. Sullivan personally pitched President Trump on the Alaska LNG Project.
    On December 17, 2024, Sen. Sullivan focused on the Alaska LNG Project in his meeting with now-Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
    In August of 2024, Sen. Sullivan participated in a bipartisan Senate delegation visit to Japan and South Korea, and discussed the Alaska LNG Project with numerous senior government and business leaders in both countries.
    In February 2024, Sen. Sullivan and seven of his Senate colleagues introduced a Senate resolution recognizing the importance of trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
    On October 8, 2023, Sen. Sullivan penned an op-ed in the Anchorage Daily News urging Alaskans to unite in advancing the Alaska LNG Project as a critical solution to Alaska’s energy needs.
    In June 2023, Sen. Sullivan visited South Korea and Japan, where he met with senior government and private sector officials about the Alaska LNG Project. Similar to his October 2022 visit to Tokyo, Sen. Sullivan convened an Alaska LNG Summit of U.S. and Korean energy and policy leaders with the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. Following the visit, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul established an Alaska LNG Task Force.
    On May 18, 2023, Sen. Sullivan introduced the Indo-Pacific Strategic Energy Initiative Act, legislation to promote the financing and development of new energy infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region—with a focus on natural gas—in order to end U.S. allies’ dependance on Russian natural gas in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    In May 2023, Sen. Sullivan spoke at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference about the Alaska LNG Project and opportunities to deliver clean-burning, low-cost gas to Alaskans and to America’s Indo-Pacific allies.
    In May 2023, Sen. Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) welcomed a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval of the Alaska LNG Project.
    On March 6, 2023, Sen. Sullivan led a letter with his Senate colleagues to U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel urging the Biden administration to publicly support the export of abundant U.S. natural gas to America’s allies in Europe and Asia, particularly Japan, which has prioritized energy security in its term leading the G7.
    On December 16, 2022, Sen. Sullivan welcomed a new national security strategy and related documents released by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that focuses on deepening Japan and the U.S.’s national security cooperation.
    In October 2022, Sen. Sullivan visited Japan and South Korea to advocate for the Alaska LNG Project. In Tokyo, Sen. Sullivan and Ambassador Emanuel convened an Alaska LNG Summit of U.S. and Japanese energy and policy leaders. Prior to the summit, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo established an Alaska LNG Task Force.
    In June 2022, Sen. Sullivan and Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) visited Japan to meet with Japanese companies, utilities, and government ministries about the Alaska LNG Project.
    In August 2021, Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan secured a provision in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act making the Alaska LNG Project eligible for a federal loan guarantee of roughly $30 billion that is indexed to inflation.
    In August 2020, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final, unconditional order authorizing the Alaska LNG Project to export LNG.
    In May 2020, FERC granted the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) authorization to construct and operate the Alaska LNG Project.
    Between 2014 and 2022, the Alaska LNG Project secured all of its necessary federal permits and authorizations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Delivering on affordable homes

    Source: Scottish Government

    Funding to support housing infrastructure.

    A significant project to regenerate the Granton area of Edinburgh has received a grant of almost £16 million to enable the provision of new affordable, energy efficient homes.

    Part of the Scottish Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, the grant will allow the City of Edinburgh Council to undertake crucial infrastructure works in preparation for building 847 new homes, including 387 affordable homes. It is part of a wider package of financial support being developed by the Scottish Government at Granton Waterfront, reflecting the commitment to support seven strategic sites as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

    First Minister John Swinney visited the development to announce the funding and learn about how the project is progressing. He also had the opportunity to meet apprentices working on the construction site.

    The First Minister said:

    “This impressive development is transforming the Granton area of Edinburgh – through the development of new homes, improved infrastructure and low-carbon district heating solutions.

    “Public sector investment in the first phase of Granton Waterfront is estimated to leverage a further £200 million of private sector investment in private housing and the low carbon heat network.

    “The 2025-26 Budget has allocated more than £7 billion for infrastructure and £768 million to ramp up action on delivering affordable homes.

    “This development at Granton Waterfront is an excellent example of how Scottish Government investment is already delivering across my government’s four priorities – to eradicate child poverty, grow the economy, improve public services and protect the planet.”

    Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Jane Meagher said:

    “We’re making significant progress at Granton Waterfront, with hundreds of affordable homes underway at both Western Villages and Silverlea. I welcome today’s announcement which comes at a critical time, as our city faces an ongoing housing emergency and a severe shortage of homes.

    “This funding forms part of a wider funding package that the Council and Scottish Government continue to develop, allowing the next phase of development in Granton to get underway later this year. This will see further development of much needed new homes, alongside improved infrastructure, and an innovative low-carbon district heating system.

    “The regeneration of Granton will not only help to address the housing shortage but also contribute to our broader goal to become net zero by 2030 and by incorporating cutting-edge technologies, residents will benefit from modern, comfortable, energy efficient homes.

    “We’re working hard to make Granton somewhere people will want to call home, and this is a great example of the success we can have when governments work together in partnership. I look forward to seeing this progress continue.”

    Background

    The 2024-25 Programme for Government expresses a commitment to working with local authorities to accelerate the development of strategic sites such as Granton, unlocking opportunities for investment and economic growth and the provision of new homes of all tenures.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ukraine intends to take 1st steps towards peace soon: Zelensky

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that his country plans to take the first steps towards peace in the near future.

    “The first steps on the path to a just and lasting peace are incredibly important. We want to move forward speedily, in cooperation with the United States and all of Europe,” Zelensky said on social media platform X.

    Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, head of the President’s Office, announced that he had discussed steps towards peace in a phone conversation with U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.

    “We exchanged views on security issues and the coordination of positions within the framework of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the U.S.,” Yermak said on Telegram.

    He added that Ukrainian and U.S. teams are set to meet soon to “continue this important work.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 5G-Advanced and AI Combine Their Strengths to Take Mobile AI to New Heights

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: 5G-Advanced and AI Combine Their Strengths to Take Mobile AI to New Heights

    [Barcelona, Spain, March 5, 2025] At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025, Huawei held its Mobile AI Network Summit. In attendance were a broad lineup of partners, including representatives from leading analytics firms Ookla, Omdia, and ABI, AI technology developers like Zhipu AI, and AI device innovators like SHARGE. Together, they discussed a long list of topics of industry-wide interest, from mobile AI industry upgrades to network construction best practices. They proposed the construction of a mobile AI infrastructure to accelerate network evolution to 5G-Advanced and high-level autonomy for the mobile AI era.
    Dang Wenshuan, Huawei’s Chief Strategy Architect, speaking at the summit

    Huawei Chief Strategic Architect Dang Wenshuan presented insights into the global AI boom. AI is creating business opportunities in many domains, from full-process experience operations to AI New Calling, AI homes, and services and products for SMEs. According to Dang, “to make the most of mobile AI, 5G-Advanced is essential for creating new business value for operators and their vertical partners.” Networks are improving quickly to support 10 times faster uplink speed and 10 dB better coverage with 10 times higher spectral efficiency. This means networks will become a strong foundation for the universal accessibility of AI. Conversely, AI has massive potential for improving networks. AI can make networks more productive by increasing O&M efficiency by 30%, lowering energy consumption by 20%, and enabling the service assurance rate to exceed 90%.
    Representatives from Ookla, Omdia, ABI, Zhipu AI, and SHARGE affirmed that the rapid progress of large language models attributes to the boom in mobile AI. The increasing popularity of AI phones, glasses, and many other intelligent devices is making multimodal interaction more available and useful. This amplifies the importance of real-time mobile connections and sets the stage for drastic data traffic increases in networks. For operators, this means new opportunities for business monetization and new tests for their mobile networks in uplink bandwidth, latency, and seamless coverage across indoor and outdoor areas. Networks are becoming increasingly complex as the mobile AI era fast approaches, so mobile operators share a common goal of using large language models, digital twins, and other cutting-edge technologies to develop agents for greater network productivity.
    Operator guests shared the success stories of 5G construction and network architecture upgrade. They discussed spectrum convergence, multi-antenna improvement, and SA architecture evolution for rapid implementation of 5G across all bands. These innovations address the user experience requirements of diverse mobile AI services, while enabling lower energy consumption. By making full use of the respective strengths of AI and mobile networks, intelligent networks can achieve deterministic service experience and high-level network autonomy through greater human-machine collaboration. This is conducive to improving user experience and making O&M more efficient.
    At this summit, Huawei highlighted two directions for adapting to the mobile AI era. To help operators improve networks to make the most of the AI boom, Huawei offers next-generation GigaGreen, GigaBand, and GigaSpot solutions that feature stronger frequency aggregation. These solutions enable operators to simplify network deployment for flexible network capacity increase and superior ubiquitous connection experiences while realizing green sustainability. To help operators maximize the benefits of AI for stronger networks and quickly advance to AN L4, Huawei has introduced an agentic choreography pipeline to its agent-based digital-person team. The agentic choreography pipeline enables elaborate radio resource orchestration to guarantee differentiated experience, and supports multi-agent orchestration for automated complex task execution. Furthermore, working with the RAN Intelligent Service Engine (RISE), which is an intelligent capability openness platform that is first launched by Huawei, the agentic choreography pipeline provides operators with end-to-end automation for orchestrating customer-oriented provisioning for new services, thereby accelerating their rollout in the market. This enables operators to make networks even more intelligent, flexible, and efficient.
    MWC Barcelona 2025 is held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1.
    In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world.
    For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: bKash and Huawei Win GSMA GLOMO “Best FinTech Innovation” Award

    Source: Huawei

    Headline: bKash and Huawei Win GSMA GLOMO “Best FinTech Innovation” Award

    [Barcelona, Spain, March 5, 2025] During MWC Barcelona 2025, bKash and Huawei were awarded the GSMA GLOMO “Best FinTech Innovation” for digital loan solution for all. This award recognises groundbreaking advancements in financial technology that are transforming the way people and businesses manage, access, and utilise financial services. bKash and Huawei pioneered the ‘Pay Later’ service in Bangladesh, providing short-term microloans to unbanked users, helping them address short-term financial gaps in daily expenses.
    bKash and Huawei jointly win the GSMA GLOMO “Best FinTech Innovation” award

    Since its launch in 2018, bKash has expanded financial access to 61% of Bangladeshi adults, However, 37% of citizens still rely on high-interest informal lenders for urgent needs, while only 9% of adults have access to formal banking services. To address this, Huawei partnered with bKash to introduce the “Pay Later” financial service, offering instant, paperless microloans and delivering a seamless digital payment experience to the majority of Bangladesh’s unbanked population. This service particularly benefits groups, including rural women and small businesses, helping them secure working capital, reduce poverty, and drive local e-commerce growth.
    Mohammad Azmal Huda, Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) of bKash, stated, “Leveraging the easy-to-integrate and scalable capabilities of Huawei mobile money platform, we have rapidly expanded more than 20 key payment scenarios and embedded ‘Pay Later’ micro financial services. This initiative has empowered millions of people to attain financial dignity and has accelerated our mission to drive financial inclusion across Bangladesh.”
    “We are honored to jointly receive the GLOMO Best FinTech Innovation Award with bKash. Huawei will continue to invest in product innovation, integrate the strengths of our partners, and create greater commercial and social value for our customers.” said by Maurice Ma, President of Huawei Software Business Unit.
    Over the last decade, Huawei’s Mobile Money solution has benefited 480 million users across over 40 countries globally. The solution uses a unique cloud-native distributed architecture, achieving 99.999% platform reliability and unlimited scalability, ensuring zero business interruption. Powered by a robust data and AI engine, Huawei Mobile Money enables agile financial risk assessment and drives healthy revenue growth. Additionally, the platform’s openness enables agile business innovation, accelerating the development of digital lifestyle gateways, and providing more convenient financial services to global users.
    MWC Barcelona 2025 will be held from March 3 to March 6 in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei will showcase its latest products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. In 2025, commercial 5G-Advanced deployment will accelerate, and AI will help carriers reshape business, infrastructure, and O&M. Huawei is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent world. For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2025

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Prevent Foreign Influence in U.S. Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced two bipartisan bills to improve our nation’s ability to prevent foreign governments, including adversaries like the Chinese and Russian governments, from attempting to influence U.S. policy without making appropriate disclosures. The legislation would help close loopholes that foreign governments could exploit to conceal their roles in lobbying efforts.

    “The American people deserve complete transparency about who is trying to influence our political process,” said Senator Peters. “These bipartisan bills will help ensure foreign actors can’t exploit loopholes to hide their activities while attempting to shape policy in the United States. It’s a commonsense step to protect our national security and ensure our government is working in the best interests of the American people.” 

    The Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act would improve transparency of the activities of lobbyists who represent foreign persons or organizations by requiring them to indicate whether they are taking advantage of an exemption under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) when they register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. This would help the Department of Justice narrow the pool of registrants they are examining for potential violations, while not imposing any meaningful additional burden on registrants.

    The Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act closes a loophole in the Lobbying Disclosure Act that foreign adversaries – including the Chinese government – can exploit to conceal their roles in lobbying efforts. Think tanks and law enforcement agencies have identified instances in which foreign adversaries exploited this loophole by using closely connected organizations and businesses to push their interests when lobbying the U.S. government. The bill makes clear that lobbying organizations must disclose when foreign governments and political parties participate in their lobbying efforts, regardless of any financial contribution to the lobbying effort.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ADM Recalls Select Pelleted Cattle Nutrition Feed Products

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    March 05, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    March 05, 2025
    Product Type:
    Animal & VeterinaryFood & BeveragesLivestock Feed
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Elevated levels or deficient levels of nutrients which may be harmful to cattle

    Company Name:
    ADM Animal Nutrition
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    ADM Animal Nutrition

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Cattle Feed

    Company Announcement
    Specific lots may contain elevated or deficient levels of nutrients which may be harmful to cattle
    CHICAGO, March 5, 2025 – ADM Animal Nutrition, a division of ADM (NYSE: ADM), is recalling specific pelleted animal feed products because they may contain elevated levels of copper or have levels of zinc below the represented amounts which could be harmful to cattle.
    Possible impacts of chronic copper toxicity include: gastroenteritis characterized by anorexia, signs of abdominal pain, depression, lethargy, diarrhea, and dehydration. Possible impacts of zinc deficiency include: decreases in feed intake, feed efficiency, and growth.
    No illnesses or deficiency impacts have been reported to date.
    There are 33 lot numbers involved in this recall. The pelleted products were distributed between January 16, 2025 and February 27, 2025, and could have been purchased in Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Iowa, Georgia, and Ohio. All of the products listed, except for GROFAST32, have elevated levels of copper. GROFAST32 has levels of zinc below the represented amounts.
    ADM discovered this issue during routine production. The company immediately began investigating and initiated the recall upon receiving confirmation that the pelleted feed had varying levels of copper and zinc that can impact animals. ADM is in the process of notifying customers and distributors involved in this recall, and all affected products are currently being removed from retail shelves.
    The lot number of ADM products can be found at the bottom of the label. Click here to view an image of the label. Customers who have purchased the recalled pelleted feed should immediately stop using it and return it to their distributor or directly to ADM for a full replacement or refund. Please direct any customer inquiries to 800-217-2007 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central time Monday through Friday.
    Below is the list of products included in this recall.
    Link to Product List
    About ADMADM unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. We’re an essential global agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. We’re a premier human and animal nutrition provider, offering one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of ingredients and solutions from nature. We’re a trailblazer in health and well-being, with an industry-leading range of products for consumers looking for new ways to live healthier lives. We’re a cutting-edge innovator, guiding the way to a future of new bio-based consumer and industrial solutions. And we’re leading in business-driven sustainability efforts that support a strong agricultural sector, resilient supply chains, and a vast and growing bioeconomy. Around the globe, our expertise and innovation are meeting critical needs from harvest to home. Learn more at www.adm.com.
    ADM Media RelationsJackie Andersonmedia@adm.com312-634-8484

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    800-217-2007

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    03/05/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Politics with Michelle Grattan: James Curran on Trump, Ukraine, shifting tectonic plates, and a bigger Australian defence bill

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

    The Trump presidency is turning much of the world order on its head. Tne United States president is arm-twisting Ukraine, playing nice with Russia, and using protection as an economic and political weapon.

    The Australian government is pessimistic about escaping American tariffs on aluminium and steel when a decision is announced next week. Meanwhile, the message from the US is clear: we need to boost defence spending.

    To discuss Trump Mark 2 on the world stage and what that means for Australia, we’re joined by James Curran, professor of modern history at the University of Sydney.

    Curran says,

    One gets the sense that we are looking at the kind of tectonic plates of world politics shifting before our very eyes.

    Trump is about might is right. He does have an expansionary view of American power in the western hemisphere if we are to judge him by his statements on the Panama Canal and Greenland. But I think more broadly, his interpretation of American power is to simply “get out of America’s way”.

    In terms of economic implications, [it’s] a confirmation that we are looking at the permanence of protectionism in the United States. This administration, along with the Biden administration and the first Trump administration, have been putting a wrecking ball through the multilateral trading system and the WTO. And that is certainly a not a good thing for free trade and for countries like Australia.

    Curran explains what America’s expectation that countries need to spend more on defence would mean for Australia,

    This has been the great concern, if you like, over a number of years – that Australia has got defence on the cheap, that it’s put so much of its national wealth into the middle class and welfare and infrastructure and developing the nation that it’s been able to rely on the American blanket of protection while it pursues its prosperity.

    So if [defence spending] is to rise to 3% [of GDP], then that’s going to mean, firstly, a concentration on what are the lower cost alternatives to defend this continent? And secondly, where will the trade offs come? What will be sacrificed from the national budget? And what political leader in this country will front the Australian people and squarely and honestly and earnestly have a conversation about these dramatic strategic circumstances and why greater sacrifice is required from Australians to enable a higher defence expenditure.

    Is the Trump world the new normal, or will this be over when Trump eventually leaves the White House?

    I’m a little bit sceptical about this idea that we grit our teeth and close our eyes and hope that the nightmare is over in four years time. There is a really big question mark over how America can snap back in terms of its institutional robustness. The pressure that the courts, the media and the Congress are under. Does this all just snap back in four years time? Do we really think that either a Republican or a Democrat successor to Trump will ride into Washington, down Pennsylvania Avenue in a glittering chariot of liberal internationalism? To say everyone shouldn’t worry because the liberal international order is back and it’s gleaming and it’s working.

    I really think this is up to America’s allies, both in Europe and in East Asia, to continue to protect as many of those rules and those institutions that have worked so well for so many of us, as much as they possibly can.

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

    – ref. Politics with Michelle Grattan: James Curran on Trump, Ukraine, shifting tectonic plates, and a bigger Australian defence bill – https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-james-curran-on-trump-ukraine-shifting-tectonic-plates-and-a-bigger-australian-defence-bill-251486

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global: Electric shock equipment widely abused by law enforcement agencies due to alarming lack of regulation – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    States and companies are manufacturing, promoting and selling electric shock equipment that is being used for torture and other ill-treatment, said Amnesty International, in a new report calling for a global, legally-binding treaty to regulate the unchecked production of and trade in law enforcement equipment.

    “I Still Can’t Sleep at Night” – The Global Abuse of Electric Shock Equipment, documents how law enforcement agencies are using inherently abusive direct contact electric shock weapons – including stun guns and electric shock batons– on the street, at borders, in migrant and refugee detention centres, mental health institutions, police stations, prisons, and other places of detention.

    These inherently abusive devices, which deliver painful shocks at the press of a button, have been used against protesters, students, political opponents, women and girls (including pregnant women), children and human rights defenders, among others. Survivors have suffered burns, numbness, miscarriage, urinary dysfunction, insomnia, exhaustion and profound psychological trauma.

    The report also looks at the escalating misuse of Projectile Electric Shock Weapons (PESWs), which can have a legitimate role in law enforcement, but are often misused. Cases include the unnecessary and discriminatory use against vulnerable groups resulting in serious injuries and in some cases even death.

    “Direct contact electric shock weapons can cause severe suffering, long-lasting physical disability and psychological distress. Prolonged use can even result in death,” said Patrick Wilcken, Amnesty International’s researcher on military, security and policing issues.

    “PESWs are being used against individuals who pose no risk of violence, simply for punishment or compliance with orders. They are also being used in direct contact ‘drive stun’ mode, which should be prohibited. Despite the clear human rights risks associated with their use, there are no global regulations controlling the production of and trade in electric shock equipment. Direct contact electric shock weapons need to be banned immediately and PESWs subject to strict human-rights-based trade controls.”

    The extensive report draws on research carried out by Amnesty International from 2014 to 2024 in over 40 countries across all regions across the world, where cases involving torture and other ill-treatment using electric shock equipment have been documented.

    Vulnerable groups targeted by electric shock weapons

    Testimonies gathered by Amnesty International are harrowing.

    During the 2022 “Woman Life Freedom” uprising in Iran, the military unit IRGC Basij battalion forced several boys to stand with their legs apart in a line alongside adult detainees and administered electric shocks to their genitals with stun guns.

    In another case, several schoolboys were abducted for writing the protest slogan “Woman Life Freedom” on a wall. One of the boys told Amnesty International: “They hit my face with the back of a gun, gave electric shocks to my back, and beat me with batons on the bottom of my feet and hands…”

    PESWs have often been used as de facto direct contact electric shock weapons when deployed in “drive stun” mode.

    Recounting a raid by border guards on the Medininkai detention centre in Lithuania on 2 March 2022, one detainee from Sub-Saharan Africa said: “I was lying on the ground and still they have used tasers on me three times, and at the same time they beat me with the batons.” Another described being threatened by police officers who placed a “taser” on her forehead, telling her “‘Shut up or I will shoot you!’”

    “Even when used as a stand-off weapon, PESWs have been linked to serious injuries and deaths,” said Patrick Wilcken. “These include dart lacerations and penetration of the skull, eye, internal organs, throat, fingers and testis; electrical discharge induced burns, seizures and arrythmias; and a variety of injuries and deaths from falls.”

    Amnesty’s report reveals patterns of PESWs’ discriminatory deployment against racialized and marginalized groups, such as young Black men. In April 2024, police in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, were filmed using a TASER directly on the leg of a Black protester at a Palestine solidarity demonstration while he was pinned to the ground by three police officers and handcuffed.

    “Given the high risks of primary and secondary injuries, the use of PESWs must be set at a high threshold. These weapons should only be used only in situations involving a threat to life or risk of serious injury which cannot be contained by less extreme options,”said Patrick Wilcken.

    The urgent need for prohibitions and trade regulation

    At least 197 companies from all regions manufactured or promoted direct contact electric shock equipment for law enforcement between January 2018 and June 2023 – with most companies based in countries such as China, India and the USA.

    According to US-based Axon Enterprise, Inc., their TASER brand models are currently used by over 18,000 law enforcement agencies in more than 80 countries.

    “There is an urgent need for a legally-binding treaty which would prohibit inherently abusive electric shock equipment and strictly control the trade in PESWs,” said Patrick Wilcken.

    “Companies should implement robust human rights due diligence and mitigation measures to ensure their products and services are not being systematically misused for torture or other ill-treatment. This includes ceasing production of direct contact electric shock devices and removing the ‘drive stun’ function from PESWs.”

    Amnesty International, along with a global civil society network of over 80 organizations worldwide, is campaigning for the negotiation of a Torture-Free Trade Treaty that would introduce global prohibitions and controls on a wide range of law enforcement equipment, including electric shock weapons and equipment.

    Background

    In September 2017, the EU, Argentina and Mongolia launched the Alliance for Torture-Free Trade at the margins of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The Alliance currently comprises 62 states from all regions of the world pledging to “act together to further prevent, restrict and end trade” in goods used notably for torture or other ill-treatment. In October 2023, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture presented a thematic report on the torture trade at the UNGA which argued for a legally binding instrument to regulate the production of and trade in law enforcement equipment and included lists of goods considered prohibited and controlled.

    This is one of a series of in-depth research reports showing the devastating human rights impact of law enforcement equipment; previous reports include work on tear gas, batons, rubber bullets, and the trade in less lethal weapons used to repress protesters.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Business – Gebrüder Weiss: myGW successfully in use for five years

    Source: Gebrüder Weiss

    25,000 users already use the digital customer portal for their transport and logistics orders. myGW offers companies real-time information on all shipments and a transparent communication history.

    Lauterach, March 5, 2025. The digital customer portal myGW has proved to be very popular with Gebrüder Weiss customers: within five years, the number of users among customers has risen to 25,000. Functions have been continuously developed and adapted to the needs of shipping companies with the platform providing real-time information on all goods flows.

    “The decision to introduce our customer portal as part of our digital strategy was absolutely the right one. With myGW, we offer our customers easy access to their shipment data and cargo inventory at any time. Our clients appreciate this, and the usage figures speak for themselves,” says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss.

    Digital shipment transparency in real time, delivery statistics overviews and, above all, myGW’s user-friendliness are benefits that customers value. This is also shown by the high demand for shipment tracking shared by customers with their recipients – a total of 5.6 million views in 2024. This represents an increase of 30 percent compared to the previous year. Simplified online communication and direct access to all documents for fast order processing are also popular.

    Gebrüder Weiss is continuously developing the platform to provide its customers with even more transparent monitoring and analysis of their transports. 

    Further information about the digital customer portal myGW is available here: https://www.gw-world.com/solutions/digital-solutions/mygw

    About Gebrüder Weiss

    Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach, Austria, is a globally operative full-service logistics provider with about 8,600 employees at 180 company-owned locations. The company generated revenues of 2.46 billion euros in 2023. 

    Its portfolio encompasses transport and logistics solutions, digital services, and supply chain management. The twin strengths of digital and physical competence enable Gebrüder Weiss to respond swiftly and flexibly to customers’ needs. 
    The family-run organization – with a history going back more than half a millennium – has implemented a wide variety of environmental, economic, and social initiatives. Today, it is also considered a pioneer in sustainable business practices. www.gw-world.com

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Opportunity for girls to become British Ambassador for a day

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Opportunity for girls to become British Ambassador for a day

    To mark International Women’s Day, the Embassies of the United Kingdom, Canada and Jordan are collaborating on the ‘Ambassador for a Day’ competition for the third year.

    Ambassador For A Day 2025

    We encourage girls from all backgrounds living in Lebanon, aged 15 to 18 years old to apply. The competition closes Monday 7 April 2025.

    Ambassador for a Day is a national essay competition for girls between 15-18 years of age. Each AFAD winner will get to shadow an Ambassador or senior UN Official in Lebanon for one day, to see first-hand how girls can become leaders and advocates for change. This promises to be an unforgettable opportunity to build skills in diplomacy, confidence, and leadership.

    The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is For ALL women and girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment. To enter the competition, participants should submit either a video or short essay in English or Arabic answering the question:

    “If you were an Ambassador for a Day, what actions would you take to accelerate gender equality including equal rights, power and opportunities?’’

    For more details, see:

    Follow us on social media for updates: Facebook/X/Instagram: @UKinLebanon / @CanadaLebanon

    Instagram: @embassyofjordanbeirut //Facebook: سفارة المملكة الاردنية الهاشمية لدى الجمهورية اللبنانية / X: @joembassybeirut

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –