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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Koji flour’ product will help reduce reliance on cocoa in popular foods

    Source: University of Abertay

    ‘Koji flour’ product will help reduce reliance on cocoa in popular foods

    A ground-breaking collaboration between Abertay University and a food biotechnology company has led to the development of an innovative solution to address the ongoing global cocoa shortage.

    Academics from Abertay’s Department of Built Environment and Life Sciences have collaborated with Fermtech, a food biotechnology firm based in Oxford, to create a game-changing ingredient called ‘Koji flour’.

    The new product enhances cocoa flavour and reduces the amount of cocoa required in popular chocolate foods like brownies, contributing to a more sustainable approach to food production.

    The team’s approach involves repurposing spent grains—byproducts from local breweries and distilleries – by using a natural ‘Koji’ fermentation technique, meaning Koji Flour requires no agricultural land to produce. 

    As a result, the team has demonstrated the capability to reduce cocoa usage in chocolate products by as much as 30%.

    With ongoing refinements, they anticipate achieving a 50% reduction this year, which will further help lower production costs, improve sustainability in the industry, and reduce dependence on cocoa for everyday products.  

    Andy Clayton, CEO of Fermtech, said:  

    At Fermtech, we are committed to redefining the way ingredients are sourced and used in food production to reduce the global carbon footprint. Our collaboration with Abertay University is an example of this approach, which has led to fantastic results. By using innovative fermentation techniques, Koji Flour delivers a 98% lower carbon footprint compared to cocoa and offers substantial cost savings to food producers. This is the circular economy in action, promoting a more responsible food system while enhancing flavours and reducing our reliance on imported ingredients.

    The project has been supported by funding from two key organisations: the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), which supports innovation in the bioeconomy, and Interface, which fosters collaboration between Scotland’s academic and business communities to drive economic, environmental, and social growth. 

    Alberto Fiore, Professor of Food Chemistry and Technology, said:  

    Natural processes such as fermentation play a crucial role in advancing food innovation. At Abertay, we are proud of our longstanding tradition of partnering with businesses like Fermtech to create innovative solutions that address sustainability and climate change challenges. This project highlights how sustainability can yield significant commercial, environmental, and health benefits, showing that by addressing global challenges, we can work together toward a brighter future for everyone.

    Cocoa is a key ingredient in many popular products, including chocolate, baked goods, and cosmetics. However, it is currently facing a shortage driven primarily by the effects of climate change on agricultural and food production systems worldwide.  

    Farmers are grappling with challenges such as drought and disease, both exacerbated by climate change, which has resulted in a significant 30% decline in cocoa yields. This crisis has led to prices soaring by over 250% in the past three years, causing consumers to increasingly face rising costs for everyday products, including chocolate. 

    Koji flour has attracted attention from both local and international companies, with trials currently taking place throughout Scotland and the UK. Food producers are keen to embrace this innovative technology to cut costs, stabilise product prices, and lessen their dependence on cocoa. 

    Kim Cameron, Senior Business Engagement Manager at IBioIC, added:  

    This project is a fantastic example of how biotechnology can address pressing global challenges like food security and climate change. By turning by-products from one industry into valuable resources for another, it not only supports a circular economy but also highlights the potential for creating more resilient supply chains. It is great to see fermentation techniques being used to reduce environmental impact and open up new opportunities for collaboration, further boosting Scotland’s bioeconomy.

    Howell Davies, Sector and Business Engagement Manager at Interface, said:  

    The catalyst funding has proven an invaluable resource to initiate business-academic relationships which bring value to the Scottish economy, such as Abertay University and Fermtech. It is fantastic to see this project develop and support the aim of net zero in the food and drink sector and shows how well-placed Scotland is to combine its assets with university expertise and facilities.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Study shows our own voice is recognised above others but that new voices can also be prioritised into our ‘sense of self’

    Source: University of Abertay

    Study shows our own voice is recognised above others but that new voices can also be prioritised into our ‘sense of self’

    Whether or not we like the sound of it, our ability to pick out our own voice is highly developed. 

    But new research from Abertay academics has now suggested that our brain can also quickly learn to recognise a second voice over others if we are asked to think of it as our own. 

    The study, published in the British Journal of Psychology, set out to explore how our brains process both our own voice and recorded voices we have been assigned ownership of, with a view to informing a wide range of potential uses such as assistive technologies for speech impaired people or customised voices in video games.  

    Through a series of voice recognition tasks, researchers first tested how effectively participants could recognise a recorded voice that had been assigned to them to think of as their own. 

    The group was asked to listen out for words spoken by the ‘new voice’ assigned to them, but also those labelled as belonging to a ‘stranger’ and ‘friend’.

    Even after a very brief exposure to the sound of their assigned new voice, participants immediately became better at recognising it over the others, suggesting their brain had quickly taken ownership and prioritised the sound.

    In a second part of the study, participants’ own voices were recorded and added to the task, with results showing these were always recognised fastest.

    Dr Neil Kirk of Abertay University’s Department of Sociological and Psychological Sciences, who led the research, said the findings could be further developed to inform a variety of products or services.

    He said:

    With the recent rise in voice cloning tools powered by artificial intelligence, our work suggests there may be benefits to using a person’s own voice in digital technologies designed to enhance self-representation. For example, there could be potential uses in assistive devices for people who have lost the ability to speak, or in interactive entertainment in the use of custom online avatars. There’s also an interesting question for further exploration around our ability to take on new voices as our own in the digital world, and the benefits or issues that may have, particularly as our online and real-world interactions become ever more entwined.

    Professor Sheila Cunningham who collaborated on the project said:

    We know that our brains give special attention to information that relates to ourselves in some way, like hearing our own name being spoken across a noisy room. These results show that this additional prioritisation seems to be able to extend to new voices that we feel a sense of ownership over, showing how adaptable our sense of self can be.

    The full study, ‘Listen to yourself! Prioritisation of self-associated and own voice cues’ is available here.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PAKISTAN – The Salesians celebrate the 25th anniversary of missions in Pakistan with a special focus on Akash Bashir

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Salesians Pakistan ANS

    Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – In the rural areas of Punjab, Pakistan, there are many peasant families who live off what they produce, who have only an agricultural income and many children. These families, including Christians and Muslims, are united by the problem of poverty. Often they cannot finance the education of their children, especially that of girls, who are culturally discriminated against and often prevented from completing their education or from taking up vocational training. This is the situation that the Salesian missionaries found themselves in when they arrived in the central region of Pakistan 25 years ago and decided to open a mission there. This is how an institution was born that is now very appreciated in the region and very popular with boys and girls, as the first Salesian priest ordained in Pakistan, Father Noble Lal (48), director of the “Don Bosco Technical Vocational School”, tells us today. The institute, which opened in Lahore in 2000, has trained more than 8,000 boys and girls in the 25 years of its activity, in a country where there are still many illiterate people, especially in rural areas.The institute in Lahore, which employs teachers, volunteers and employees of the Salesians of Don Bosco, also employs Father Noble Lal and Brother Piero Ramello, a missionary from Piedmont and originally from Italy. The institution, which has been structured over the years, is now at full capacity: the “Don Bosco Educational Society” offers educational opportunities in the field of both school education (“New Don Bosco Higher Secondary School”) and vocational training (“Don Bosco Technical Centre”). In the complex in Lahore, which has the typical facilities of the Salesians of Don Bosco’s educational project, such as the theater and a playground, “various educational programs are carried out according to the needs of the community, all of which aim to combat the problem of youth unemployment,” reports the Salesian priest. The global “Don Bosco Education” project in Pakistan aims to reach marginalized communities in remote areas. The school fees charged by the Salesians are low because most of the families of the children who attend the institute are very poor and need support or scholarships to finance the school or vocational training that will make them independent members of society. The institute offers training in metalworking, electrical work, carpentry and automobile sector. “Since the institution opened in 2000, we have trained thousands of young people between the ages of 15 and 22 in various technical professions. This has helped many of those who had dropped out of school to find jobs,” explained the religious, recalling that Pakistan is a country with a low average age, “which therefore has a high percentage of children and young people.”Particular attention is paid to girls “to try to reduce school dropouts,” explains Father Lal. In fact, many girls abandon their education long before the end of compulsory education to take care of the family, or because of the prevalence of early and arranged marriages by families (another widespread cultural custom in the Indian subcontinent). This happens in rural village communities, but also in the outskirts of urban centers such as Lahore. The Salesians in Pakistan are aware of this cultural and social phenomenon and are involved in social promotion initiatives and educational programs on women’s rights to promote awareness and empowerment of young girls. “We encourage girls to continue their studies; we also maintain relationships with their families of origin to ensure that they do not abandon their studies,” explains the director. Vocational training courses (for example tailoring) are also organized for them “so that they can learn a trade, which contributes to the emancipation of girls,” he notes.In addition to the educational center in Lahore, the Salesians are also active in Quetta, the capital of the Pakistani province of Balochistan, the other city where the Salesians of Don Bosco were the first “to develop a model of joint education for boys and girls in our school. Since then, others in Pakistan have followed our example,” reports the religious.Today, the educational and vocational training work of the Salesians is “very much appreciated by the population, who show us much gratitude, but also by the civil institutions, who recognize our social commitment and our openness to young people of all religions and cultures, Muslims, Christians and other minorities”.There is another area in which the Salesians are making an active contribution to the Catholic community in Pakistan: the institutional collaboration in the beatification process of the Servant of God Akash Bashir, for whom the Diocese of Lahore has opened the diocesan phase of the process. Akash was a student at the Salesian School in Lahore. On the occasion of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the missions of the Salesians in Pakistan, which took place in Lahore these days, a book on Akash Bashir was also published. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – Catholic priest killed in the Archdiocese of Mandalay

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Archdiocese of Mandalay

    Mandalay (Agenzia Fides) – Father Donald Martin, 44, a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Mandalay, is the first Burmese Catholic priest killed in the civil conflict that is bloodying the country. His lifeless body, mutilated and disfigured by stab wounds, was found yesterday, February 14 at 6 am, by parishioners in the grounds of the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, where he was the parish priest. The church is located in the village of Kan Gyi Taw, in the territory of the Shwe Bo district, which is part of the Sagaing region. According to Fides sources, the man was violently and cruelly stabbed several times. The bloody manner in which the killing was carried out suggests a targeted attack for reasons that have yet to be investigated, just as the killers have yet to be identified: not an easy task in a context of widespread violence, with clashes raging between opposition militias and the Burmese army.The news has caused shock and deep sadness in the local community. The faithful have mobilized to try to understand the cause of the killing and the identity of the killers. The Sagaing region in northern Myanmar is one of those where fighting and clashes between the People’s Defense Forces and the Burmese army are a daily occurrence.Father Donald Martin, 44, was ordained a priest in 2018. In this period of civil war, he carried out his task as pastor of souls with zeal, fidelity and obedience, administering the sacraments in the parish and trying to be close to the suffering community. Furthermore, like so many other priests, he dedicated himself to humanitarian assistance to displaced people scattered throughout the territory, bringing them spiritual consolation and material aid. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURUNDI – Appointment of Bishop of Bubanza

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 15 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ntakarutimana, O.P., until now Coordinator of the Council for the creation of the Catholic University of Burundi, as Bishop of the Diocese of Bubanza (Burundi).His Exc. Msgr. Emmanuel Ntakarutimana, of the Order of Preachers, was born on 30 December 1956 in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gitega. After studying Philosophy at the Major Seminary of Bujumbura and Theology at the Université Catholique Du Congo in Kinshasa, he obtained a Doctorate in Fundamental Theology at the Université de Fribourg in Switzerland.He made his first profession in Ibadan, Nigeria on September 28, 1981, his perpetual vows in 1984 in Rweza (Burundi) and was ordained a priest in Gitega on August 23, 1987.He has held the following positions: Professor of Fundamental Theology at the Major Seminary of Gitega (1986-1989); Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace (1988-1990); Master of Students at the Inter-African Formation House of the Dominicans in Kinshasa (1991-1993); Advisor to the Superior and Coordinator for Africa of the Order of Dominican Fathers (1993-1999); Coordinator of the Ubuntu Center for the Promotion of Peace and Reconciliation in Bujumbura (2001-2015); Director of the Office of the Episcopal Conference for Evangelization (2015-2021); since 2021, Coordinator of the Council for the creation of the Catholic University of Burundi. (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2024)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURUNDI – Appointment of Bishop of Rutana

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 15 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Francis has appointed Rev. Léonidas Nitereka, until now Vicar General of the Diocese of Bururi, as Bishop of the Diocese of Rutana (Burundi).His Exc. Msgr. Léonidas Nitereka was born on 1 September 1960 in Martyazo, in the Diocese of Bururi. He studied Philosophy at the Saint Curé d’Ars Major Seminary in Bujumbura and Theology at the Saint John Paul II Major Seminary in Gitega. He was ordained a priest on 17 August 1986 in Bururi.He has held the following positions and carried out further studies: Chaplain of secondary schools in the Diocese (1986-1987); Parish Priest of Murago, Diocese of Bururi (1987-1990); Diocesan Treasurer (1990-1997); Doctorate in Anthropological Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and Pastoral Service in the Diocese of Florence, Italy (1997-2006); Rector of the Minor Seminary of Buta and President of the Clergy of Bururi (2007-2012); since 2010, Vicar General of the Diocese of Bururi and Director of the Pastoral Office. (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN – Angelus with Pope Francis in Hospital: “Thank you for the affection, let us continue to pray for peace”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Sunday, 16 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “Thank you for the affection, prayer… I invite everyone to continue to pray for peace in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and all the Middle East, Myanmar, Kivu and Sudan”. These are the words that Pope Francis sent from Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he has been hospitalized since Friday 14, February for a respiratory infection. Words addressed in particular to the artists gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica for the celebration of their Jubilee.All the Pontiff’s commitments scheduled for these days have been canceled with the exception of the Mass that he himself was supposed to preside over in St. Peter’s for the Jubilee event dedicated to the world of art and culture. On behalf of the Bishop of Rome, who sends his greetings, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, presides over the Eucharistic celebration at the Altar of Confession and read the homily prepared by the Pope for the occasion, commenting on today’s Gospel passage, that of the Beatitudes, a text that Pope Francis has repeatedly defined as the “Magna Carta” of the Christian.In “a time when new walls are being erected”, artists, the Pontiff emphasizes in the homily read by the Portuguese cardinal – are “guardians of the Beatitudes. As artists and representatives of the world of culture, you are called to be witnesses to the revolutionary vision of the Beatitudes. Your mission is not only to create beauty, but to reveal the truth, goodness and beauty hidden within the folds of history. Let the Gospel of the Beatitudes guide you, and may your art be a herald of a new world. Never cease searching, questioning and taking risks. True art is never easy; it offers the peace of restlessness. And do not forget that hope is not an illusion; beauty is not a utopia. Yours is not a random gift but a calling. Respond, then, with generosity, passion and love”.A reference to the homily is also present in the text that had been prepared to accompany the Angelus prayer, a text released at midday by the Press Office: today’s event, it reads, “reminds us of the importance of art as a universal language that spreads beauty and unites peoples, contributing to bringing harmony into the world and silencing every cry of war. I would have liked to be among you but, as you know, I am here at the Gemelli Hospital because I still need some treatment for my bronchitis”. In this regard, the Pope expresses his “thank you” for the spiritual support and also asks to pray for all healthcare workers: “Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you are accompanying me in these days, and I would like to thank the doctors and healthcare workers in this hospital for their care: they do such a valuable and tiring job, let us support them with prayer!” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/2/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Investigation following the death of a man in South Norwood

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    An investigation is underway following the death of a man in South Norwood.

    Officers were called to High Street, SE25 at 01:27hrs on Sunday, 16 February following reports that a child was being assaulted.

    After gaining entry to a property, officers encountered a 45-year-old man who was experiencing a medical emergency. He was very agitated and was actively resisting against officers. He was restrained and paramedics were called.

    When paramedics arrived, the man was transported to an ambulance where he became seriously unwell. He was taken to hospital where, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he later died.

    His next of kin have been informed.

    The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is aware and a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

    A referral in these circumstances is not an indication that officers are believed to have done anything wrong. It is a mandatory step when anyone dies or suffers serious injury following contact with the police or while in their custody.

    T/Commander Andy Brittain, who is overseeing the response to this incident, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died. We will ensure they are fully supported.

    “I know the community in South Norwood will want to be reassured that the incident was handled appropriately. The IOPC is conducting an investigation to provide that independent scrutiny.

    “We must also acknowledge the impact that incidents like this have on the officers involved. In this case they were responding to an emergency call involving a child in danger and on arrival at the scene, were met with a very challenging situation.

    “No officer ever wants to be involved in an incident where someone loses their life and we will ensure they get all the support they need.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Joint statement on the first anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death

    Source: Government of Iceland

    On the anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death, which followed years of persecution by the Kremlin, we again extend our condolences to his family. We reiterate that the ultimate responsibility for his death lies with the Russian authorities. One year on, Russia’s dire human rights record continues to deteriorate. The Kremlin crushes peaceful dissent, maintains a climate of fear and undermines the rule of law. All to serve its own interests. As we reflect on Navalny’s enduring legacy, we continue to stand with civil society and human rights defenders working tirelessly to build a better future for Russia in the face of immense personal risk. 

    There are over 800 political prisoners in Russia, including many imprisoned for speaking out against the Kremlin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the brutality shown towards the Ukrainian people. The UN Special Rapporteur’s reports illustrate how many political prisoners are tortured, denied adequate medical treatment and placed in forced psychiatric detention. We are clear: the Russian authorities must uphold their international obligations and release all political prisoners. 

    Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Iceland, Bulgaria and the United Kingdom.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Al Ula conference For Emerging Market Economies

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    THE MANAGING DIRECTOR’S OPENING REMARKS
    Sunday, February 16, 2025, 9:30-9:45 a.m.
    Maraya Conference Hall, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

    February 16, 2025

    Al salam Alaikum! Hello everyone and welcome!

    Let me start by thanking Minister Aljadaan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting us in beautiful Al Ula. I also want to express my deep appreciation for Minister Aljadaan’s role as chair of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), where his leadership is critical to the work and effectiveness of  our institution.

    Minister Aljadaan not only identified a gap in terms of space for emerging markets to discuss policy issues of common interest but decided to close it — and I am delighted that the IMF’s new Regional Office in Riyadh, supported by Saudi Arabia, has played a very important role in turning Minister Aljadaan’s vision into a reality. Here we see an impressive gathering of representatives from all around the world, with one objective: to identify issues that emerging markets face and how they can best address them.

    Now is a time of sweeping transformations in the global economy, in terms of technology, demography and geopolitics, creating a more challenging and uncertain environment for policymakers everywhere, with some specificities in terms of both risks and opportunities for emerging economies.

    We know, for instance, that trade is no longer the engine of growth that it used to be—unlike the decades of the 1990s and 2000s when global trade grew much faster than global GDP, the two are now growing at roughly the same rate (and trade even lags behind). When global trade slows down, opportunities for regional and cross-regional trade become more important.

    We also know that governments around the world are shifting policy priorities: the new US administration has been clear that it intends to take action in the areas of trade, tax and spending, deregulation, immigration, and digital assets.

    And the technology revolution—especially AI—is upon us, set to transform the way we live and work, with massive impact on jobs as early as the next five years.

    What does it all mean for emerging markets? These economies have weathered the shocks of the past few years remarkably well. And your economies have delivered two thirds of global growth.

    But the recipes of the past may no longer provide the path to prosperity. Emerging economies will need to be agile, adaptable and resilient—these will be the ingredients for future success.

    Looking into the next years, I will highlight three areas to watch.

    First, inflation is expected to go back to target levels faster in advanced economies than in most emerging markets. A stronger US dollar could trigger capital outflows. This makes monetary policy more complicated for emerging economies.

    Second, like in advanced economies, many emerging economies are dealing with high debt, limited fiscal resources, and mounting spending pressures—a challenging triple threat. Too often, countries use fiscal stimulus to boost short-term domestic demand. While this “sugar rush” provides temporary growth, it often fuels inflation and financial turbulence.  In the current environment, stepping on the gas pedal is not the solution — instead we need to focus on the efficiency of the engine.

    This takes me to my third point — the critical importance of structural reforms to improve competitiveness, increase productivity and enhance growth prospects.     

    At the IMF, we are known for our dedication to macroeconomic and financial stability.  Yes, it must be preserved or restored to enable growth.  But it also must be utilized to pursue reforms, especially those that can boost productivity. Slow productivity growth accounts for more than half the global growth slowdown in recent decades.

    Just think: If countries narrow their overall productivity gaps with the United States by just 15 percent, that would add 1.2 percentage points to global growth.

    Transformational reforms to improve the business environment will be essential: cutting red tape, increasing competition, and encouraging entrepreneurship.

    All of this can help countries create jobs and harness the benefits of promising technologies such as AI. Why is this so important? Because only when we achieve higher productivity growth can we meet the aspirations of people everywhere for better lives for themselves and their children.

    So it is clear: we need to double down on policies that we know can lift productivity.

    But we also need to redouble our search for promising new ideas.

    And this is what we intend to do during this conference. Together, we can look for new ways to jumpstart growth in emerging markets.

    At the IMF, we recognize our responsibility in this regard. We are putting together our own IMF Advisory Council on growth and entrepreneurship. I want to thank Minister Sturzenegger of Argentina for agreeing to serve on it. We count on deep engagement with this new Council to find ways in which economies can be stronger for their people.

    But we also know that there is huge value in countries working together.

    As you said recently, Minister Aljadaan, “Working together to fix our global economic ship so it benefits more people is not a charitable act; it is a wise investment in our common future.”

    I couldn’t agree more! And we are seeing a new force for cooperation—sometimes based on areas of common interest, sometimes based on geography—that are crucially important. So we have to be determined and we have to be engaged, but most importantly, we must remain positive.

    Together we can do well for our member countries and for their people.

    Shukran!

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/16/sp-md-al-ula-conference-for-emerging-market-economies

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The President of the United Arab Emirates received the First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov, who heads the Russian delegation to the UAE. The meeting discussed current issues of cooperation between Russia and the UAE in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

    Denis Manturov conveyed greetings and best wishes for the further development of the UAE to Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan from Russian President Vladimir Putin. In turn, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conveyed greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing hope for the further development and prosperity of Russia and its people.

    The First Deputy Prime Minister told the UAE President about the Russian exposition at the International Conference and Exhibition of the Defense Industry IDEX-2025, which will start on February 17 in Abu Dhabi. Here, on an area of more than 2 thousand square meters, 40 Russian companies will present their products.

    Denis Manturov noted the dynamic development of cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism. According to the results of last year, the number of Russian tourists visiting the UAE approached 2 million. There is a growing interest in Russia on the part of Emirati citizens – in 2024, more than 67 thousand tourists from the UAE visited the country. The expansion of direct air traffic contributes to the growth of tourist exchanges. Currently, there are over 300 regular passenger flights per week between the cities of Russia and the UAE – this is 1.5 times more than six months ago. The flight map is expanding – today there are already 25 routes.

    During the meeting, cooperation in the field of sports was also discussed, including holding the second international multi-sport tournament “Games of the Future” in the Emirates in 2025 (the first tournament was held in Kazan in 2024 on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin). Denis Manturov noted the readiness of the Russian side to share experience and provide maximum assistance in organizing the games.

    Particular attention is paid to issues of cooperation in the field of higher education, and active work is underway to open a Russian University in Abu Dhabi.

    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-Evening Report: Paul Buchanan: Trump 2.0 and the limits of over-reach

    COMMENTARY: By Paul G Buchanan

    Here is a scenario, but first a broad brush-painted historical parallel.

    Hitler and the Nazis could well have accomplished everything that they wanted to do within German borders, including exterminating Jews, so long as they confined their ambitious to Germany itself. After all, the world pretty much sat and watched as the Nazi pogroms unfolded in the late 1930s.

    But Hitler never intended to confine himself to Germany and decided to attack his neighbours simultaneously, on multiple fronts East, West, North and South.

    This came against the advice of his generals, who believed that his imperialistic war-mongering should happen sequentially and that Germany should not fight the USSR until it had conquered Europe first, replenished with pillaged resources, and then reorganised its forces for the move East. They also advised that Germany should also avoid tangling with the US, which had pro-Nazi sympathisers in high places (like Charles Lindbergh) and was leaning towards neutrality in spite of FDR’s support for the UK.

    Hitler ignored the advice and attacked in every direction, got bogged down in the Soviet winter, drew in the US in by attacking US shipping ferrying supplies to the UK, and wound up stretching his forces in North Africa, the entire Eastern front into Ukraine and the North Mediterranean states, the Scandinavian Peninsula and the UK itself.

    In other words, he bit off too much in one chew and wound up paying the price for his over-reach.

    Hitler did what he did because he could, thanks in part to the 1933 Enabling Law that superseded all other German laws and allowed him carte blanche to pursue his delusions. That proved to be his undoing because his ambition was not matched by his strategic acumen and resources when confronted by an armed alliance of adversaries.

    A version of this in US?
    A version of this may be what is unfolding in the US. Using the cover of broad Executive Powers, Musk, Trump and their minions are throwing everything at the kitchen wall in order to see what sticks.

    They are breaking domestic and international norms and conventions pursuant to the neo-reactionary “disruptor” and “chaos” theories propelling the US techno-authoritarian Right. They want to dismantle the US federal State, including the systems of checks and balances embodied in the three branches of government, subordinating all policy to the dictates of an uber-powerful Executive Branch.

    In this view the Legislature and Judiciary serve as rubber stamp legitimating devices for Executive rule. Many of those in the Musk-lead DOGE teams are subscribers to this ideology.

    At the same time the new oligarchs want to re-make the International order as well as interfere in the domestic politics of other liberal democracies. Musk openly campaigns for the German far-Right AfD in this year’s elections, he and Trump both celebrate neo-fascists like Viktor Urban in Hungry and Javier Milei in Argentina.

    Trump utters delusional desires to “make” Canada the 51st State, forcibly regain control of the Panama Canal, annex Greenland, turn Gaza into a breach resort complex and eliminate international institutions like the World Trade Organisation and even NATO if it does not do what he says.

    He imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court, slaps sanctions on South Africa for land take-overs and because it took a case of genocide against Israel in the ICC, doubles down on his support for Netanyahu’s ethnic cleansing campaign against Palestinians and is poised to sell-out Ukraine by using the threat of an aid cut-off to force the Ukrainians to cede sovereignty to Russia over all of their territory east of the Donbas River (and Crimea).

    He even unilaterally renames the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in a teenaged display of symbolic posturing that ignores the fact that renaming the Gulf has no standing in international law and “America” is a term that refers to the North, Central and South land masses of the Western Hemisphere — i.e., it is not exclusive to or propriety of the United States.

    Dismantling the globalised trade system
    Trump wants to dismantle the globalised system of trade by using tariffs as a weapon as well as leverage, “punishing” nations for non-trade as well as trade issues because of their perceived dependence on the US market. This is evident in the tariffs (briefly) imposed on Canada, Mexico and Colombia over issues of immigration and re-patriation of US deportees.

    In other words, Trump 2.0 is about redoing the World Order in his preferred image, doing everything more or less at once. It is as if Trump, Musk and their Project 2025 foot soldiers believe in a reinterpreted version of “shock and awe:” the audacity and speed of the multipronged attack on everything will cause opponents to be paralysed by the move and therefore will be unable to resist it.

    That includes extending cultural wars by taking over the Kennedy Center for the Arts (a global institution) because he does not like the type of “culture” (read: African American) that is presented there and he wants to replace the Center’s repertoire with more “appropriate” (read: Anglo-Saxon) offerings. The assault on the liberal institutional order (at home and abroad), in other words, is holistic and universal in nature.

    Trump’s advisers are even talking about ignoring court orders barring some of their actions, setting up a constitutional crisis scenario that they believe they will win in the current Supreme Court.

    I am sure that Musk/Trump can get away with a fair few of these disruptions, but I am not certain that they can get away with all of them. They may have more success on the domestic rather than the international front given the power dynamics in each arena. In any event they do not seem to have thought much about the ripple effect responses to their moves, specifically the blowback that might ensue.

    This is where the Nazi analogy applies. It could be that Musk and Trump have also bitten more than they can chew. They may have Project 2025 as their road map, but even maps do not always get the weather right, or accurately predict the mood of locals encountered along the way to wherever one proposes to go. That could well be–and it is my hope that it is–the cause of their undoing.

    Overreach, egos, hubris and the unexpected detours around and obstacles presented by foreign and domestic actors just might upset their best laid plans.

    Dotage is on daily public display
    That brings up another possibility. Trump’s remarks in recent weeks are descending into senescence and caducity. His dotage is on daily public display. Only his medications have changed. He is more subdued than during the campaign but no less mad. He leaves the ranting and raving to Musk, who only truly listens to the fairies in his ear.

    But it is possible that there are ghost whisperers in Trump’s ear as well (Stephen Miller, perhaps), who deliberately plant preposterous ideas in his feeble head and egg him on to pursue them. In the measure that he does so and begins to approach the red-line of obvious derangement, then perhaps the stage is being set from within by Musk and other oligarchs for a 25th Amendment move to unseat him in favour of JD Vance, a far more dangerous member of the techbro puppet masters’ cabal.

    Remember that most of Trump’s cabinet are billionaires and millionaires and only Cabinet can invoke the 25th Amendment.

    Vance has incentive to support this play because Trump (foolishly, IMO) has publicly stated that he does not see Vance as his successor and may even run for a third term. That is not want the techbro overlords wanted to hear, so they may have to move against Trump sooner rather than later if they want to impose their oligarchical vision on the US and world.

    An impeachment would be futile given Congress’s make-up and Trump’s two-time wins over his Congressional opponents. A third try is a non-starter and would take too long anyway. Short of death (that has been suggested) the 25th Amendment is the only way to remove him.

    It is at that point that I hope that things will start to unravel for them. It is hard to say what the MAGA-dominated Congress will do if laws are flouted on a wholesale basis and constituents begin to complain about the negative impact of DOGE cost-cutting on federal programmes. But one thing is certain, chaos begets chaos (because chaos is not synonymous with techbro libertarians’ dreams of anarchy) and disruption for disruption’s sake may not result in an improved socio-economic and political order.

    Those are some of the “unknown unknowns” that the neo-con Donald Rumsfeld used to talk about.

    In other words, vamos a ver–we shall see.

    Dr Paul G Buchanan is the director of 36th-Parallel Assessments, a geopolitical and strategic analysis consultancy. This article is republished from Kiwipolitico with the permission of the author.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: How Tariffs Impact Trade & DRC Plans Giant Forest Reserve | WEF | Top Stories Week

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    This week’s top stories of the week include:

    0:14 Singapore’s journey to a nature-first city – Singapore’s efforts to expand its greenery began in the 1960s. Rapid urbanization had cut green space to just 36% but Singapore rebranded itself as a ‘Garden City’ and launched its first greening campaign. Today, it has preserved and reclaimed 78km2 of green space with a plan to add 10km2 more in the next decade.

    2:16 How tariffs impact global trade – Tariffs are taxes on goods imported from other countries. Tariffs are put in place to shield domestic producers from competition and potentially raise government revenue, just like other taxes. But most economists argue that tariffs are counter-productive.

    3:37 This robot teaches itself to work – It responds to voice commands and questions in everyday language such as, ‘Are there any fruits in the bin?’. It can even ‘self-reflect’ and learn on the job. This means it can re-learn relatively quickly, rather than through weeks or months of complex reprogramming. This robot is just one example of an ‘AI agent’

    5:48 DRC plans giant forest reserve – The Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor will stretch over 2,600km. It will cover an area almost the size of France, with a population of 31 million people. It was announced at Davos this year by the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    _____________________________________________

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
    Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
    YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
    Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/ 
    Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
    LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
    TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
    Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8awkW8o10U

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese superconducting quantum computer receives over 20 million global visits

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    HEFEI, Feb. 16 — China’s independently developed third-generation superconducting quantum computer, Origin Wukong, has received more than 20 million remote visits globally, passing an important milestone in the country’s quantum computing development, China Science and Technology Daily has reported.

    According to the Anhui Quantum Computing Engineering Research Center, users from 139 countries or regions have accessed Origin Wukong remotely, with the United States, Russia, Japan and Canada showing the highest levels of user activity. Among these countries, the United States is leading in foreign user visits.

    Origin Wukong has completed more than 339,000 quantum computing tasks since it went into operation on Jan. 6, 2024, covering a wide range of industries, such as finance and biomedicine.

    The quantum computer is powered by Wukong, a 72-qubit indigenous superconducting quantum chip. It is one of the country’s most advanced programmable and deliverable superconducting quantum computers.

    Wukong’s name was inspired by the mythological Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King, who had the ability to transform into 72 different forms, symbolizing the computer’s powerful and versatile capabilities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FCDO statement on the situation in DRC

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The FCDO has released a statement following the entrance of M23 and the Rwandan Defence Force into Bukavu​: 16 February.

    An FCDO spokesperson said:

    “The entrance of M23 and the Rwandan Defence Force into Bukavu​ is a violation of DRC’s sovereignty and​ territorial integrity, and a breach of​  the UN Charter. This is a serious escalation that heightens the risk of a wider regional conflict – the human cost of which would be devastating​. The UK calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of all RDF from Congolese territory and a return to dialogue through African-led peace processes. There can be no military solution.

    “The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC is critical. Close to a million people have already been displaced by this recent offensive and hundreds of thousands are now in desperate need of lifesaving support. It is appalling that vital aid routes have been cut off. All​ parties must restore humanitarian access as a matter of urgency.”

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Zama Mthombeni, Senior lecturer, University of Pretoria

    In his 2019 State of the Nation address, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he was creating a commission on the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

    The term refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies like AI and robotics, as well as automation, into various economic and social domains. The first (1760s to early 1800s), second (1870s to early 1900s) and third (1950s to late 20th century) industrial revolutions were mechanical and electronic in nature. The 4IR is characterised by the fusion of physical, digital and biological systems. It is fundamentally reshaping industries, work and societies.

    Ramaphosa acknowledged at the time that the 4IR “may lead to job losses”. However, he added, it would also “create many new opportunities”:

    Through this transformation, we can build the South Africa we want, ensuring inclusive and shared growth for all.

    Six years on, the commission’s work has yielded some results. It’s led to the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute and the creation of AI hubs in key sectors like healthcare and mining.

    But how do ordinary South Africans view the 4IR? Globally, research has shown that there’s a stark divide in how people view the promises and perils of modern technological advancements. The wealthy, armed with access to education and resources, see opportunity. Marginalised groups, particularly those in lower-income brackets, are left fearing job losses and economic exclusion. Historical and cultural anxieties around technology also play a role in people’s perceptions.

    I’m a researcher whose work explores, among other things, the intersection of technology, policy and governance. I am especially interested in the 4IR in a South African context and recently co-authored a study with development studies scholar Oliver Mtapuri to examine the role of social class on people’s views of technological change.

    We found that wealthier South Africans, particularly those in urban areas, were more optimistic about automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging 4IR technologies than those in lower-income and rural communities. Racial disparities were evident, too. White South Africans were 2.5 times more likely to report feeling comfortable with technological change than Black South Africans.

    These findings can help policymakers understand how best to push for a 4IR in South Africa that doesn’t deepen existing inequalities. This will require inclusive digital policies and expanded access to technology and training. Here South Africa could learn from countries like Germany and Finland.

    Germany is working nationwide to equip workers with the skills needed for an increasingly digital economy. Finland, meanwhile, has focused on active labour market policies. It combines digital training programmes with progressive social welfare measures to support workers transitioning between industries. Both countries have also expanded social protections by extending unemployment benefits and offering financial support for retraining. They’ve also ensured that gig and platform workers have access to social security.

    Marginalised groups left behind

    Our data was drawn from the South African Social Attitudes Survey. It’s a nationally representative survey of 2,736 adults (16 and older). We conducted a secondary analysis of the data. The focus was on questions in the survey about technological change, fears of job displacement and access to digital tools. This, alongside an analysis of demographic data in the survey, allowed us to examine class, race and geographic disparities in perceptions of automation, AI and digital transformation.

    Read more: South Africans are upbeat about new technologies, but worried about jobs

    Some of the key findings were:

    • 56% of South Africans believed that 4IR technologies would lead to job losses rather than job creation. Lower-income groups expressed the highest levels of concern.

    • Unemployment was a key determinant of 4IR scepticism: 63% of unemployed respondents felt threatened by automation, compared to 41% of those currently employed.

    • Only 29% of respondents from rural areas reported having regular access to the internet. The figure was 74% among urban respondents.

    There are structural and historical barriers to lower-income South Africans’ economic mobility, access to quality education and participation in the digital economy.

    Apartheid-era policies entrenched economic disparities. These still show in unequal access to education and infrastructure.

    Today, rural areas lack reliable internet connections. (About 31.18% of South Africa’s population live in rural areas.) This makes it nearly impossible for people to benefit from or contribute to the digital economy.

    Many industries at the forefront of automation, such as manufacturing and agriculture, are those with the highest number of low-skilled workers. Research by the International Labour Organisation emphasises that vulnerable workers all over the world often lack the skills needed in new job markets. This reinforces workers’ fears that technology will replace them.

    Closing the gap: policy solutions

    It will take bold, inclusive policies to address these inequalities.

    The South African government must do more to increase access to technology. It already subsidises internet costs especially to schools. It has also expanded broadband networks into some under-served areas. And it offers free digital skills programmes. The problem is that these efforts are piecemeal. A more cohesive national strategy is needed.

    Read more: The Fourth Industrial Revolution: a seductive idea requiring critical engagement

    Policies must also be developed with those who have been excluded from technological progress. This will allow them to participate fully in the digital economy – and, perhaps, come to understand and trust technology a bit more.

    In practice, this could mean expanding initiatives like the National Digital and Future Skills strategy, which aims to equip citizens with the necessary skills to participate in the digital economy. This focuses on developing digital skills across various sectors and communities, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation.

    Additionally, policies could support township-based digital innovation hubs such as the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. It provides training, incubation and resources to entrepreneurs from marginalised communities, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

    Industries have a role to play, too. Singapore’s Skills Future initiative provides citizens with resources to adapt to changing job markets. This is a good example of government and industry working together. Closer to home, Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) brings together “government, industry, civil society and academia to co-design, test and refine policy frameworks and governance protocols that maximise the benefits of new technologies”.

    The 4IR has the potential to transform South Africa. But this will only happen if its benefits are shared equitably among all citizens. Innovation must be re-imagined not as a tool to consolidate wealth and privilege but as a means of creating a more inclusive society.

    – Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress
    – https://theconversation.com/fourth-industrial-revolution-in-south-africa-inequality-stands-in-the-way-of-true-progress-248475

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint statement on the first anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK and partners pay tribute to Alexei Navalny

    On the anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death, which followed years of persecution by the Kremlin, we again extend our condolences to his family. We reiterate that the ultimate responsibility for his death lies with the Russian authorities. One year on, Russia’s dire human rights record continues to deteriorate. The Kremlin crushes peaceful dissent, maintains a climate of fear and undermines the rule of law. All to serve its own interests. As we reflect on Navalny’s enduring legacy, we continue to stand with civil society and human rights defenders working tirelessly to build a better future for Russia in the face of immense personal risk. 

    There are over 800 political prisoners in Russia, including many imprisoned for speaking out against the Kremlin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the brutality shown towards the Ukrainian people. The UN Special Rapporteur’s reports illustrate how many political prisoners are tortured, denied adequate medical treatment and placed in forced psychiatric detention. We are clear: the Russian authorities must uphold their international obligations and release all political prisoners. 

    Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Zama Mthombeni, Senior lecturer, University of Pretoria

    Low-income South Africans in rural areas feel left out of the technological advancements linked to the fourth industrial revolution. Lucian Coman/Shutterstock

    In his 2019 State of the Nation address, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he was creating a commission on the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

    The term refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies like AI and robotics, as well as automation, into various economic and social domains. The first (1760s to early 1800s), second (1870s to early 1900s) and third (1950s to late 20th century) industrial revolutions were mechanical and electronic in nature. The 4IR is characterised by the fusion of physical, digital and biological systems. It is fundamentally reshaping industries, work and societies.

    Ramaphosa acknowledged at the time that the 4IR “may lead to job losses”. However, he added, it would also “create many new opportunities”:

    Through this transformation, we can build the South Africa we want, ensuring inclusive and shared growth for all.

    Six years on, the commission’s work has yielded some results. It’s led to the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute and the creation of AI hubs in key sectors like healthcare and mining.

    But how do ordinary South Africans view the 4IR? Globally, research has shown that there’s a stark divide in how people view the promises and perils of modern technological advancements. The wealthy, armed with access to education and resources, see opportunity. Marginalised groups, particularly those in lower-income brackets, are left fearing job losses and economic exclusion. Historical and cultural anxieties around technology also play a role in people’s perceptions.

    I’m a researcher whose work explores, among other things, the intersection of technology, policy and governance. I am especially interested in the 4IR in a South African context and recently co-authored a study with development studies scholar Oliver Mtapuri to examine the role of social class on people’s views of technological change.

    We found that wealthier South Africans, particularly those in urban areas, were more optimistic about automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging 4IR technologies than those in lower-income and rural communities. Racial disparities were evident, too. White South Africans were 2.5 times more likely to report feeling comfortable with technological change than Black South Africans.

    These findings can help policymakers understand how best to push for a 4IR in South Africa that doesn’t deepen existing inequalities. This will require inclusive digital policies and expanded access to technology and training. Here South Africa could learn from countries like Germany and Finland.

    Germany is working nationwide to equip workers with the skills needed for an increasingly digital economy. Finland, meanwhile, has focused on active labour market policies. It combines digital training programmes with progressive social welfare measures to support workers transitioning between industries. Both countries have also expanded social protections by extending unemployment benefits and offering financial support for retraining. They’ve also ensured that gig and platform workers have access to social security.

    Marginalised groups left behind

    Our data was drawn from the South African Social Attitudes Survey. It’s a nationally representative survey of 2,736 adults (16 and older). We conducted a secondary analysis of the data. The focus was on questions in the survey about technological change, fears of job displacement and access to digital tools. This, alongside an analysis of demographic data in the survey, allowed us to examine class, race and geographic disparities in perceptions of automation, AI and digital transformation.



    Read more:
    South Africans are upbeat about new technologies, but worried about jobs

    Some of the key findings were:

    • 56% of South Africans believed that 4IR technologies would lead to job losses rather than job creation. Lower-income groups expressed the highest levels of concern.

    • Unemployment was a key determinant of 4IR scepticism: 63% of unemployed respondents felt threatened by automation, compared to 41% of those currently employed.

    • Only 29% of respondents from rural areas reported having regular access to the internet. The figure was 74% among urban respondents.

    There are structural and historical barriers to lower-income South Africans’ economic mobility, access to quality education and participation in the digital economy.

    Apartheid-era policies entrenched economic disparities. These still show in unequal access to education and infrastructure.

    Today, rural areas lack reliable internet connections. (About 31.18% of South Africa’s population live in rural areas.) This makes it nearly impossible for people to benefit from or contribute to the digital economy.

    Many industries at the forefront of automation, such as manufacturing and agriculture, are those with the highest number of low-skilled workers. Research by the International Labour Organisation emphasises that vulnerable workers all over the world often lack the skills needed in new job markets. This reinforces workers’ fears that technology will replace them.

    Closing the gap: policy solutions

    It will take bold, inclusive policies to address these inequalities.

    The South African government must do more to increase access to technology. It already subsidises internet costs especially to schools. It has also expanded broadband networks into some under-served areas. And it offers free digital skills programmes. The problem is that these efforts are piecemeal. A more cohesive national strategy is needed.



    Read more:
    The Fourth Industrial Revolution: a seductive idea requiring critical engagement

    Policies must also be developed with those who have been excluded from technological progress. This will allow them to participate fully in the digital economy – and, perhaps, come to understand and trust technology a bit more.

    In practice, this could mean expanding initiatives like the National Digital and Future Skills strategy, which aims to equip citizens with the necessary skills to participate in the digital economy. This focuses on developing digital skills across various sectors and communities, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation.

    Additionally, policies could support township-based digital innovation hubs such as the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. It provides training, incubation and resources to entrepreneurs from marginalised communities, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

    Industries have a role to play, too. Singapore’s Skills Future initiative provides citizens with resources to adapt to changing job markets. This is a good example of government and industry working together. Closer to home, Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) brings together “government, industry, civil society and academia to co-design, test and refine policy frameworks and governance protocols that maximise the benefits of new technologies”.

    The 4IR has the potential to transform South Africa. But this will only happen if its benefits are shared equitably among all citizens. Innovation must be re-imagined not as a tool to consolidate wealth and privilege but as a means of creating a more inclusive society.

    Zama Mthombeni 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. Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress – https://theconversation.com/fourth-industrial-revolution-in-south-africa-inequality-stands-in-the-way-of-true-progress-248475

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 11

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL1

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 11
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    205 AM EST Sun Feb 16 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northern and Western Georgia
    Far Southeast Tennessee

    * Effective this Sunday morning from 205 AM until 900 AM EST.

    * Primary threats include…
    A couple tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely

    SUMMARY…A line of thunderstorms will continue to pose a threat for
    a couple of tornadoes and scattered to numerous damaging winds up to
    60-70 mph as it moves quickly eastward early this morning.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 40 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 15 miles north northwest of Chattanooga
    TN to 55 miles south southwest of Macon GA. For a complete depiction
    of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU1).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 9…WW 10…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 450. Mean
    storm motion vector 27045.

    …Gleason

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW1
    WW 11 TORNADO GA TN 160705Z – 161400Z
    AXIS..40 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    15NNW CHA/CHATTANOOGA TN/ – 55SSW MCN/MACON GA/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 35NM E/W /18NNW GQO – 23NE PZD/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 INCH. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 450. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 27045.

    LAT…LON 35238459 31968333 31968469 35238601

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU1.

    Watch 11 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Low ( 2 inches

    Low (

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expects Gaza ceasefire agreement to be effectively implemented: FM

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar after attending the Munich Security Conference, in Munich, Germany, Feb. 15, 2025. [Photo by Gao Jing/Xinhua]

    China hopes that the Gaza ceasefire arrangements between Israel and Hamas will be effectively implemented, paving the way for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar after attending the Munich Security Conference.

    The two sides exchanged views primarily on the situation in Gaza. Sa’ar elaborated on Israel’s position.

    Wang pointed out that the Palestinian issue is at the core of the Middle East issue. He emphasized that violence for violence will only lead to a new vicious cycle and the humanitarian disaster in Gaza must be brought to an end as soon as possible.

    Wang expressed hope that the ceasefire arrangement will be effectively implemented, laying the foundation for achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire.

    He also underscored that the fundamental solution to the Middle East issue lies in implementing the two-state solution, which could ultimately enable a peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel, and foster friendly exchanges between the Arab and Jewish peoples.

    China remains committed to upholding justice and will continue to play a constructive role in seeking a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue, Wang said.

    On China-Israel relations, Wang noted that the Chinese and Jewish peoples share a long history of exchanges. Eighty years ago, during the fight against fascism, the two sides demonstrated mutual sympathy, supported each other, and forged a deep friendship, he said.

    Over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Israel relations have made significant strides, with pragmatic cooperation steadily advancing across various fields, Wang added.

    He stressed that China views the development of its relations with Israel from a long-term perspective and stands ready to work with Israel to further advance the China-Israel innovative comprehensive partnership.

    Sa’ar expressed gratitude to the Chinese people for sheltering Jewish refugees during World War II and appreciated the contributions of Chinese workers in recent years who, despite the challenges of conflict, have supported Israel’s development.

    Israel holds high expectations for Israel-China relations, Sa’ar said, adding that the country will continue to uphold the one-China policy, and is willing to maintain dialogue and communication and advance cooperation across various fields with China. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM calls for further cooperation with Brazil

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday expressed China’s willingness to promote more achievements in various fields of China-Brazil cooperation.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Celso Amorim, special advisor to the president of Brazil, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

    Wang said that Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Brazil last year and reached a series of important consensus with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on building the China-Brazil community with a shared future, demonstrating the contemporary significance and strategic value of China-Brazil relations.

    The synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil’s development strategies has injected strong impetus into China-Brazil cooperation, he added.

    As major global powers and representative forces of the Global South, China and Brazil, facing a turbulent and intertwined world, have maintained strategic focus and worked together to make contributions to promoting world peace, stability, and development, Wang noted.

    China is willing to work with Brazil to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, promote more achievements in various fields of cooperation, practice true multilateralism, uphold the core role of the United Nations, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries, he said.

    Amorim said that President Xi’s state visit to Brazil last year was of great significance, demonstrating the vision of the two heads of state and consolidating the deep friendship between Brazil and China.

    The visit would also promote more achievements in practical cooperation between Brazil and China in various fields, said Amorim.

    Brazil is willing to work with China to accelerate the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state, build a fairer and more sustainable Brazil-China community with a shared future, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, he added.

    The two sides expressed their willingness to strengthen communication and coordination, and deepen cooperation within the BRICS framework and between China and Latin American countries.

    Both sides recognized the work of the “Friends of Peace” platform and pledged to continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Munich Security Conference highlights Europe’s struggle for strategic realignment

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The 61st Munich Security Conference, which kicked off on Friday, has underscored the complex challenges facing Europe and the urgent need for the continent to define its strategic role in an increasingly volatile global landscape.

    From the persistent conflict in Ukraine to rising uncertainties in the transatlantic alliance, as well as mounting pressures on the EU’s vision for the international order, the conference focused on the multiple crises Europe faces. It also highlighted the need for the continent to navigate these complexities and assert its place on the world stage.

    German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses the opening ceremony of the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany, Feb. 14, 2025. [Photo by Gao Jing/Xinhua]

    DEMANDING ROLE IN UKRAINE PEACE TALK

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the conference, said that once Ukraine reaches an agreement with the United States and Europe on how to end the conflict, he will be ready to hold direct talks with Russia. “I am ready to meet only in this case,” he stressed.

    The announcement came days after U.S. President Donald Trump had held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Ukrainian leader.

    Following a 90-minute phone call with Putin, Trump announced that negotiations to end the conflicts would start “immediately.”

    However, concerns ignited in Europe over being sidelined in peace talks.

    On Wednesday, a joint statement by multiple European countries and the European Commission stated, “Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations.”

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed this sentiment on Thursday, stating that “a dictated peace will never find our support” and stressing that peace must last and ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    Addressing the opening of the conference, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said “everyone wants this war to end,” adding that how it ends will have “a lasting impact on our security order” and the power position of Europe and the United States.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that “a failed Ukraine would weaken Europe, but it would also weaken the United States.”

    She expressed her concerns by saying that many in European security circles were “confused,” some even worried, by Washington’s recent comments.

    TRANSATLANTIC TIES UNDER STRAIN

    On Monday, the security conference released a report underscoring the challenges to the transatlantic relationship under the new U.S. administration.

    The report expressed apprehension about a “more selective, often unilateral, international engagement” from the United States and warned that the United States could relinquish its historic role as Europe’s security guarantor.

    Expressing his concerns about relations with the United States, Steinmeier said that the new U.S. administration has “a different worldview than we do,” one that disregards established rules, partnerships and trust.

    “We cannot change that. We must accept that and deal with it,” he said.

    The shift in responsibilities described in the conference report has already been reflected in actions taken by the new administration, such as imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports — a move the European Union deems unjustified and which “will not go unanswered.”

    “We know how quickly tariffs can affect essential transatlantic supply chains,” said von der Leyen, reiterating that trade wars and punitive tariffs make no sense.

    According to a survey conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations after the U.S. presidential election, Europeans have adopted a newly pessimistic outlook on the transatlantic partnership.

    The survey revealed that Europeans increasingly view the United States less as an ally sharing the same interests and values and more as a necessary partner with whom they must strategically cooperate.

    Europe’s current struggles to address its security challenges highlight the risks of over-reliance on the United States and foreshadow growing difficulties in the transatlantic partnership, Wu Shicun, president of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, told Xinhua at the conference.

    He said Europe’s current predicament in resolving its security issues “warrants reflection,” suggesting that dependence on the United States for protection would significantly limit Europe’s autonomy and influence on the world stage.

    “I could sense at the (conference) that the future transatlantic partnership will face many challenges,” Wu said.

    BRACE OR BE BLOWN AWAY

    “Europe must use the potential for transatlantic tensions to get its act together and start working on necessary internal market reforms and boost European innovation and competitiveness,” Peterson Institute for International Economics commented in an opinion piece.

    Home to the world’s highest concentration of developed countries, the EU, once the world’s largest economy, has seen a continuous decline in its competitiveness in recent years.

    According to a flash estimate published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, in the fourth quarter of 2024, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.2 percent in the EU compared with the previous quarter.

    The slow pace highlights the ongoing challenges facing Europe’s economy, with risks ranging from geopolitical tensions and persistent energy vulnerabilities to escalating trade disputes and political unrest.

    A report titled “Multipolarization,” unveiled ahead of the Munich gathering, emphasized that Europe has been facing its most challenging geopolitical situation since the end of the Cold War, while underscoring the ongoing transformation of the international system into a more multipolar world.

    “It is imperative that the EU diversifies its trade relations and forges new partnerships with countries of the so-called Global South,” said the report.

    According to conference organizers, over 30 percent of speakers at this year’s conference will represent the Global South nations, ensuring their voices are heard in discussions on the evolving multipolar order.

    As the global landscape is increasingly defined by crisis, Europe’s ability to determine its role and strategic path will be of paramount importance, said Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China.

    In an interview with the Financial Times published on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron championed the need for Europe to “muscle up” on defense and the economy.

    Trump’s designs on Gaza and Greenland were examples of the “extreme strategic uncertainty” the world is experiencing now, said Macron. This uncertainty demands a radical rethinking of how the EU and its member states operate. Macron has called on Europe to “wake up” and spend more on defense to reduce its reliance on the United States for its security.

    “This is Europe’s moment to accelerate and execute,” said the French president in the interview. “It has no choice. It is running out of road.”

    “A complacent shrug or a knee-jerk response to any soundbite coming out of the White House or Mar-a-Lago won’t be enough. Europe needs to take back control of its own destiny,” Carsten Brzeski, the global head of Macro for ING Research, warned in an article published in January.

    “2025 really is a make-it-or-break-it moment for Europe,” said Brzeski. “Europe needs to change. And change fast.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Germany to strengthen exchanges, cooperation with China: Scholz

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    MUNICH, Germany, Feb. 15 — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to enhance exchanges, dialogue and cooperation with China during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi here on Saturday.

    Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed cordial greetings from the Chinese leadership to Scholz.

    Wang said that high-level interactions between China and Germany have been frequent and bilateral pragmatic cooperation has maintained good momentum and yielded positive results, which served the fundamental and long-term interests of both peoples.

    He stressed that as strategic partners, China and Germany, as well as China and the European Union (EU), should further strengthen unity, coordination and cooperation to uphold free trade, practice multilateralism, and safeguard the authority of the United Nations.

    China is pleased to see Germany playing a significant role in a multipolar world and is willing to deepen comprehensive cooperation with Germany to advance bilateral relations in a positive direction, safeguard global peace and stability, and provide greater certainty to an increasingly turbulent world, he added.

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties, Wang said, adding that the two sides should enhance complementary advantages and deepen pragmatic cooperation to jointly usher in the next 50 years of even stronger China-EU relations.

    Wang said that China appreciates Germany’s rational and pragmatic stance on the EU’s tariff issue concerning Chinese electric vehicles and hopes Germany to continue to play a constructive role in promptly resolving China-EU trade frictions at an early date.

    Scholz asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to the Chinese leadership, stating that Germany highly values its relations with China. He said Germany is willing to enhance exchanges and dialogue at all levels with China and deepen bilateral and multilateral strategic cooperation with China.

    Germany opposes protectionism and does not support a tariff war, he said, calling on the EU and China to take a constructive approach to promptly and properly resolve frictions as soon as possible, including those related to electric vehicles, and jointly uphold the free trade system.

    The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.

    During his visit to Germany, Wang also met with Friedrich Merz, chairman of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union, among others.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lights, Camera, Action! 40% business rates relief for film studios rolled out

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    From tomorrow (17 February), Local Authorities can begin rolling out local schemes for tax relief to help filmmakers produce the country’s next box office hits, rom-coms and cult classics.

    • Box-office boost for film studios as 40% relief on business rates roll out begins, lasting until 2034.
    • Creative sector, which includes film, is a vital industry of the future, worth over £120 billion to the UK economy, employing over 2.4 million people.

    Film studios are to receive business rates relief over the next nine years as the government rolls out a 40% reduction in business rates bills – to help drive growth and deliver the Plan for Change.

    From tomorrow (17 February), Local Authorities can begin implementing local schemes and awarding the tax relief to help filmmakers kickstart their journeys to producing the country’s next box office hits, cult classics and major rom-coms.

    The UK’s creative sector already employs over 2.4 million people and is worth over £120 billion to the economy. The start of the business rates relief for film studios rollout will help create the conditions to boost both of these.

    In October, the government confirmed that it would proceed with Film Studio Business Rates Relief that will be available for eligible studios in England until 2034, and, where applicable, will be backdated to 1 April 2024.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    The UK leads the world in creating great film and TV and we should all be immensely proud of the impact we’ve had across the globe.

    From the Avengers to Indiana Jones, the UK has drawn in some of cinema’s biggest names thanks to a combination of fantastic local talent and a world-leading creative sector as well as attractive tax incentives. 

    As part of the Plan for Change, we will continue to build the sector into a global beacon of home grown success, creating more jobs, more investment, and putting more money into working people’s pockets.

    This comes on top of a package of wider previous announcements for the creative industries announced on 17 January that included investments for start-up video game studios, grassroots music venues and creative businesses.

    The relief will maintain the UK’s status as a world leader in the creative industries and will help deliver the Plan for Change by going further and faster to kickstart economic growth so working people have more money in their pockets.

    The creative industries sector employs 2.4 million people and is worth £124.6 billion to the UK economy. Business rates relief forms part of the government’s wider strategy to support this vital growth sector, and forms a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy.

    The film and TV sector benefits from other generous tax reliefs. The Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) provides companies with a tax credit worth 34% of their UK production costs on a film or high-end TV programme, or 39% of their production costs on an animation or children’s TV programme.

    In addition, from 1 April 2025, film and high-end TV companies may claim a credit of 39% on their UK visual effects costs; and eligible films with budgets of under £15 million will be able to claim an enhanced 53% rate, known as the Independent Film Tax Credit.  

    Today (16 February), the UK film and TV industry will attend the BAFTA Film Awards that celebrate the many achievements of the sector and the significant cultural impact of British film and TV around the world.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    The UK’s film industry is truly world class, producing global box office hits like Wicked and indie classics like Aftersun.

    The sector has huge potential for further economic growth and the government is ambitious for its future. Our new tax incentive, as well as other new measures like indie film tax reliefs and £25 million funding for a new film studio in Sunderland, will help ensure we can continue to create British content, international blockbusters and high quality jobs.

    Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission:

    The British film and TV industry is a creative and economic powerhouse, and our film studios are a vital contributor to this success. Today’s confirmation of the Business Rates Relief for Film Studios in England is testament to Government’s recognition of this fact. The BFC is pleased that Government listened to the sector’s concerns and we are proud to have supported the development of this landmark intervention. We will continue to work with Government and stakeholders to secure the best possible long term solution for all parties.

    Harriet Finney, Deputy CEO and Director of Corporate & Industry Affairs, BFI said: 

    2024 saw a massive £5.6 billion of production spend in the UK, further confirming that our film and TV industries continue to be a powerful and vital growth industry. Our state-of-the-art studio spaces are central to that growth, so we welcome today’s announcement and the Government’s recognition of their crucial role in ensuring we can continue to make world-renowned UK film and TV and attract outstanding international productions, driving investment and creating jobs across the UK.

    Sara Putt, Chair, BAFTA said:

    The UK is a world-leading centre for film and TV production – our studios provide world-class facilities and the craft and production skills here are second to none, as showcased by the British-made films nominated in this year’s EE BAFTA Film Awards.  For those freelancers and crews to continue doing what they do best, it is vital that the UK remains competitive as a prospect for inward investment and continues to support a healthy talent pipeline to grow our domestic film and TV industry, so more UK talent and stories are celebrated at home and around the world.

    Simon Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery Studios said:

    We welcome the Treasury’s announcement confirming its commitment to providing vital relief to business rates.  It will create a stable environment for long-term investment, including securing the Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden expansion, which will create 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, and the opportunity for continued growth of the industry in the UK and U.S.

    More information

    • The relief will be available on properties valued by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) as film studios.
    • The 40% reduction is inclusive of Transitional Relief. The value of any Transitional Relief a studio receives will be deducted from the value of the film studio relief. This means that eligible film studios’ final bills will be no more than 60% of their gross bill. Studios will remain eligible for Improvement Relief in addition to this relief, which will mean that no ratepayer will face higher business rates bills for 12 months as a result of qualifying improvements to a property they occupy.
    • Film studios will not need to apply for the relief, as Local Authorities will award it to eligible properties. If in doubt, film studios should contact their local authority.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Business Secretary fortifies UK steel industry

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Business Secretary launches the Plan for Steel Consultation, seeking views from stakeholders to inform development of the Steel Strategy.

    British steelmakers are being backed today by the Government as the Business Secretary launches the Plan for Steel Consultation. 

    This will look at the long-term issues facing the industry like high electricity costs, unfair trading practices, and scrap metal recycling – to protect jobs and living standards in the UK’s industrial heartlands. 

    Up to £2.5 billion will be put towards supporting the steel industry, as per the manifesto commitment, including via the National Wealth Fund. This could benefit regions across the UK – like Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Redcar, Yorkshire, and Scotland – which have a strong history of steel production. It will be spent on initiatives that will give the industry a long future – such as electric arc furnaces, or other improvements to UK capabilities. 

    This will drive growth in the economy – the priority of the Plan for Change – and protect our industrial heartlands for the long term. 

    But the Government is wasting no time in taking immediate action to support the industry. Just this week, Heathrow Airport announced a multimillion-pound investment, which will require 400,000 tonnes of steel – enough to build the Empire State Building.  

    This will give the industry a strong pipeline of business that will secure supply chains for years to come – and will drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change. 

    This week the Government also simplified public procurement and aligned it with the Government’s missions, including the Industrial Strategy, to put UK firms – like the steel industry – in the best possible position to compete for and win public contracts. 

    That is on top of delivering a better deal for Port Talbot within weeks of taking office which will transform production at Port Talbot and deliver a modern Electric Arc Furnace, and implementing the British Industry Supercharger which will cut electricity costs for steel firms and bring prices more in line with international competitors. 

    This delivers on a manifesto commitment to secure the future of Britain’s steel industries – building on initiatives like the £22 billion investment in Carbon Capture Usage and Storage in Teesside and Merseyside – because the country’s industrial heartlands are too important to Britain’s heritage and will be supported by this Government.  

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, said: 

    The UK steel industry has a long-term future under this Government. We said that during the election, and we are delivering on it now.  

    The deal announced by Heathrow this week will secure a strong industry pipeline for years to come – and we are putting the full weight of Whitehall behind the industry to build on this success. 

    Britain is open for business, and this Government has committed up to £2.5 billion to the future of steel to protect our industrial heartlands, maintain jobs, and drive growth as part of our Plan for Change.

    The Plan for Steel will help with the issues which have been holding the industry back for too long. It will look at ways to: 

    • Identify where there are opportunities to expand UK steelmaking to better support UK manufacturing, construction, infrastructure and growth – and secure UK jobs and livelihoods 

    • Protect the steel sector from unfair trading practices abroad 

    • Improve our scrap processing facilities so they can best support the steel-making of the future 

    • Encourage high usage of UK-made steel in public projects 

    To make the UK competitive globally, the Plan for Steel will examine the electricity costs for steel companies. 

    The Plan will also look at ways to improve the UK’s scrap metal processing capabilities, in light of the industry’s ongoing transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking which recycles scrap steel by melting it to produce high-quality steel and other metals. 

    It will assess the UK’s primary steelmaking capabilities and primary production technologies with a commissioned independent review, currently being carried out by the not-for-profit Material Processing Institute, based in Teesside. 

    The Steel Strategy will also explore what can be done to protect the steel sector from unfair trading practices abroad and look at how it can attract and retain skilled talent in the UK. It will leverage the UK’s world-leading research and development capabilities to support the industry, aligning closely with the Government’s Trade Strategy, Strategic Defence Review and its upcoming Industrial Strategy. 

    The Government will work closely with the Steel Council towards the launch of the Steel Strategy in Spring, and the Council will continue to meet regularly following its publication to help drive investment into steelmaking communities across the country. 

    Gareth Stace, Director-General of UK Steel, commented: 

    “Developing the Steel Strategy must be a collaborative process, and the consultation is an open invitation for all stakeholders to help shape the future of UK steel. 

    “The Government’s commitment to our steel sector is both vital and welcome. A robust, bold, and ambitious Steel Strategy has the power to reverse the sector’s decline, particularly as we face increasing competition from imports benefiting from more favourable business conditions. By setting out a clear business plan and roadmap for investment, the Government can secure a brighter future for our industry, safeguard jobs, and support steelworkers and their families.” 

    Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: 

    “After years of dithering, today’s plan provides desperately needed funding for our once proud, now beleaguered steel industry. 

    “As the world becomes more volatile, primary domestic steel making capacity is vital for both our economy and domestic security.” 

    Jon Bolton, Steel Council co-chair, said: 

    “Publishing a consultation so quickly after the launch of the Steel Council demonstrates the importance the government places on the steel strategy and the important role it plays as part of an Industrial Strategy.   

    “Thorough consultation is key, with a first round table held with steel consumers chaired by The Industry Minister where future market dynamics were discussed including the demand for Green Steel.   

    “This work will continue over the coming weeks and I urge all stakeholders to respond to the consultation, with the issuing of the Steel Strategy in the spring a key moment for the sector.” 

    Roy Rickhuss CBE, Community General Secretary, said:  

    “After a long era of neglect under the previous government, we welcome the government’s firm commitment to our steel industry.  

    “The new green paper sets out some of the main challenges and opportunities our steel sector will face over the years ahead – this consultation is an important step towards developing the government’s new steel strategy, and we look forward to engaging with the process at every step of the way.” 

    Notes to editors

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: M23 rebels are marching across eastern DRC: the interests driving players in the conflict

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kristof Titeca, Professor in International Development, University of Antwerp

    The current conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) resemble the situation during the Second Congo War between 1998 and 2003. This resulted in millions of deaths, with neighbouring countries – especially Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi – playing a significant role.

    The pan-African weekly The Continent has already raised alarms. A February 2025 cover features a cartoon referencing the 1884 Berlin Conference, but instead of colonial powers carving up the Congo, it depicts regional states dividing the country among themselves. Kristof Titeca, who has extensively studied the dynamics of conflict in the DRC, unpacks the interests of the key players.

    The DRC

    The M23 rebel group entered the outskirts of Bukavu, a city of 1.3 million in eastern DRC, in mid-February 2025. This happened two weeks after Goma, another city in the region, came under the control of M23 rebels. With support from the Rwandan army, M23 already controls vast territory in eastern DRC.

    The current situation doesn’t look good for DRC president Felix Tshisekedi. The further M23 advances, the more it highlights the failure of his policies in eastern Congo and weakens his legitimacy. Notably, he was not physically present at a peace summit in Tanzania on the conflict in early February 2025. In the same month, he also called off peace talks in Paris at the last minute. On social media, videos are circulating of Congolese soldiers fleeing the towns they should be protecting.

    Kinshasa is filled with rumours about internal political and military tensions: fears of a coup could have prevented Tshisekedi from travelling to the earlier peace talks. The president’s personal security is handled by an Israeli security firm, indicating the level of distrust towards his own security services.

    As it stands, Kinshasa seems to have lost control over the situation in the east. Tshisekedi has largely pinned his hopes on international pressure. Yet, many international actors have expressed frustration with his erratic and sometimes unrealistic decisions in addressing the conflict. Tshisekedi has purchased new and sophisticated weapons instead of tackling the structural weaknesses of the army (such as widespread corruption). He also decided to collaborate with a wide range of armed groups under the “Wazalendo” banner to stop rebel forces.

    Rwanda

    In theory, M23 is fighting to protect the Rwandophone community in eastern Congo (particularly the Tutsi community). Under the Alliance Fleuve Congo – the political wing of the M23 rebellion – this goal later expanded into a broader national agenda aiming to overthrow the regime in Kinshasa.

    Whether this will actually happen remains uncertain. What is, however, certain is that Rwanda’s interests mainly lie in the east of the country. These interests are a mix of political, economic and security factors – strongly rooted in history.

    Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame in the past has publicly questioned the borders between Rwanda and Congo. This narrative on “Greater Rwanda” would mean extending Rwanda beyond its colonial borders. Access to resources plays a role in Rwanda’s presence in the DRC, as does (in)security.

    Rwanda wants influence and control. This is where M23 plays a crucial role. In Kigali, the idea of eastern DRC as a “buffer zone” is openly used. This would mean having an armed actor, such as the M23, govern provinces in the eastern region to protect Rwanda’s political, security and economic interests.

    Uganda

    Shortly after the fall of Goma, neighbouring Uganda deployed around 1,000 additional troops to Congo. In private conversations with me, diplomats estimate the country already had between 3,000 and 7,000 troops in the DRC. Officially, Uganda is there to fight another rebel group – the Allied Democratic Forces, which is linked to the Islamic State. However, these newly deployed troops have been moving towards the M23 rebels.

    Uganda has always played an ambiguous role in the conflict. On the one hand, it wants to continue joint military operations with the Congolese army against the Allied Democratic Forces. On the other hand, it cannot allow its long-standing “frenemy” Rwanda to be the only power exerting influence over eastern Congo and M23.

    For the past 30 years, these two neighbouring countries have competed for control in eastern Congo – sometimes cooperating, but often in direct competition.

    Like Rwanda, Uganda’s main export is gold, and just like Rwanda, the vast majority of this gold comes from eastern Congo.

    Several prominent Ugandan political and military figures – including Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the head of the Ugandan army and son of the president – have openly voiced their support for M23 and questioned Congo’s borders. And shortly after M23 entered Bukavu, Muhoozi announced – again – an expansion of the Ugandan operation in DRC, threatening an attack in the town of Bunia in the eastern province of Ituri.

    In the current context, the movement of Ugandan troops could be seen as a clear signal to Rwanda: this is our zone of influence. In doing so, the conflict concerningly starts to look like the Second Congo War when Uganda and Rwanda divided Congolese territory. Uganda claimed Ituri, while Rwanda claimed the North and South Kivu provinces.

    Burundi

    Burundian troops are present in Congo at the invitation of Kinshasa. Meanwhile, tensions between Burundi and Rwanda are rising. UN reports indicate that both Burundi and Rwanda have resumed supporting rebel groups against each other’s governments in eastern Congo. These reports also claim that the Rwandan army has issued direct orders to target Burundian soldiers in the region.

    Burundian president Évariste Ndayishimiye has warned of an escalating regional war, and even suggested that Rwanda is planning to invade Burundi.

    With the M23 entering Bukavu, the group is getting increasingly close to the Burundian border, increasing the country’s concerns of regional escalation.

    International community

    The risk of an escalation of the DRC conflict underscores a number of issues. Most obviously, any attempt to resolve the crisis needs to involve the regional countries involved.

    It also shows the importance of international pressure on Rwanda. It is generally accepted by analysts that this pressure – such as a US$240 million aid cut by a variety of donors – played a key role in ending the 2012-2013 M23 conflict.

    While actors such as the European Union and United States have firmly condemned Rwanda, this has materialised into little action. So far, Germany has suspended aid talks with Rwanda, and the United Kingdom has threatened to cut aid. Other than that, there has been no action – a striking difference from 2012-2013.

    Given US president Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, eyes are on the European Union to take action. However, internal differences are so far making this difficult. Belgium has been pushing for sanctions, while France has been taking the lead in blocking these. France’s national interests are a key reason for this: Rwandan peacekeeping troops are key in Mozambique, where a major TotalEnergies gas project – worth US$20 billion – is on hold because of an ongoing insurgency.

    Next steps

    The structural weaknesses of the Tshisekedi government should not be used as an excuse by international actors to fail to pressure Rwanda. At the moment, there is a major risk of the violence in eastern DRC escalating to the region.

    Further, there is already a major humanitarian crisis. Since the beginning of the year alone, more than 700,000 people in the DRC have been displaced by the M23 conflict. The World Health Organization has warned that a public health “nightmare” is unfolding. Since the fall of Goma, M23 has unlawfully ordered tens of thousands of displaced people to leave the camps around the city. To prevent a bigger regional humanitarian crisis, urgent action is therefore needed.

    Kristof Titeca is a Senior Associate Fellow at the Egmont Institute (Brussels).

    – ref. M23 rebels are marching across eastern DRC: the interests driving players in the conflict – https://theconversation.com/m23-rebels-are-marching-across-eastern-drc-the-interests-driving-players-in-the-conflict-249738

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: M23 rebels are marching across eastern DRC: the interests driving players in the conflict

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kristof Titeca, Professor in International Development, University of Antwerp

    The current conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) resemble the situation during the Second Congo War between 1998 and 2003. This resulted in millions of deaths, with neighbouring countries – especially Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi – playing a significant role.

    The pan-African weekly The Continent has already raised alarms. A February 2025 cover features a cartoon referencing the 1884 Berlin Conference, but instead of colonial powers carving up the Congo, it depicts regional states dividing the country among themselves. Kristof Titeca, who has extensively studied the dynamics of conflict in the DRC, unpacks the interests of the key players.

    The DRC

    The M23 rebel group entered the outskirts of Bukavu, a city of 1.3 million in eastern DRC, in mid-February 2025. This happened two weeks after Goma, another city in the region, came under the control of M23 rebels. With support from the Rwandan army, M23 already controls vast territory in eastern DRC.

    The current situation doesn’t look good for DRC president Felix Tshisekedi. The further M23 advances, the more it highlights the failure of his policies in eastern Congo and weakens his legitimacy. Notably, he was not physically present at a peace summit in Tanzania on the conflict in early February 2025. In the same month, he also called off peace talks in Paris at the last minute. On social media, videos are circulating of Congolese soldiers fleeing the towns they should be protecting.

    Kinshasa is filled with rumours about internal political and military tensions: fears of a coup could have prevented Tshisekedi from travelling to the earlier peace talks. The president’s personal security is handled by an Israeli security firm, indicating the level of distrust towards his own security services.

    As it stands, Kinshasa seems to have lost control over the situation in the east. Tshisekedi has largely pinned his hopes on international pressure. Yet, many international actors have expressed frustration with his erratic and sometimes unrealistic decisions in addressing the conflict. Tshisekedi has purchased new and sophisticated weapons instead of tackling the structural weaknesses of the army (such as widespread corruption). He also decided to collaborate with a wide range of armed groups under the “Wazalendo” banner to stop rebel forces.

    Rwanda

    In theory, M23 is fighting to protect the Rwandophone community in eastern Congo (particularly the Tutsi community). Under the Alliance Fleuve Congo – the political wing of the M23 rebellion – this goal later expanded into a broader national agenda aiming to overthrow the regime in Kinshasa.

    Whether this will actually happen remains uncertain. What is, however, certain is that Rwanda’s interests mainly lie in the east of the country. These interests are a mix of political, economic and security factors – strongly rooted in history.

    Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame in the past has publicly questioned the borders between Rwanda and Congo. This narrative on “Greater Rwanda” would mean extending Rwanda beyond its colonial borders. Access to resources plays a role in Rwanda’s presence in the DRC, as does (in)security.

    Rwanda wants influence and control. This is where M23 plays a crucial role. In Kigali, the idea of eastern DRC as a “buffer zone” is openly used. This would mean having an armed actor, such as the M23, govern provinces in the eastern region to protect Rwanda’s political, security and economic interests.

    Uganda

    Shortly after the fall of Goma, neighbouring Uganda deployed around 1,000 additional troops to Congo. In private conversations with me, diplomats estimate the country already had between 3,000 and 7,000 troops in the DRC. Officially, Uganda is there to fight another rebel group – the Allied Democratic Forces, which is linked to the Islamic State. However, these newly deployed troops have been moving towards the M23 rebels.

    Uganda has always played an ambiguous role in the conflict. On the one hand, it wants to continue joint military operations with the Congolese army against the Allied Democratic Forces. On the other hand, it cannot allow its long-standing “frenemy” Rwanda to be the only power exerting influence over eastern Congo and M23.

    For the past 30 years, these two neighbouring countries have competed for control in eastern Congo – sometimes cooperating, but often in direct competition.

    Like Rwanda, Uganda’s main export is gold, and just like Rwanda, the vast majority of this gold comes from eastern Congo.

    Several prominent Ugandan political and military figures – including Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the head of the Ugandan army and son of the president – have openly voiced their support for M23 and questioned Congo’s borders. And shortly after M23 entered Bukavu, Muhoozi announced – again – an expansion of the Ugandan operation in DRC, threatening an attack in the town of Bunia in the eastern province of Ituri.

    In the current context, the movement of Ugandan troops could be seen as a clear signal to Rwanda: this is our zone of influence. In doing so, the conflict concerningly starts to look like the Second Congo War when Uganda and Rwanda divided Congolese territory. Uganda claimed Ituri, while Rwanda claimed the North and South Kivu provinces.

    Burundi

    Burundian troops are present in Congo at the invitation of Kinshasa. Meanwhile, tensions between Burundi and Rwanda are rising. UN reports indicate that both Burundi and Rwanda have resumed supporting rebel groups against each other’s governments in eastern Congo. These reports also claim that the Rwandan army has issued direct orders to target Burundian soldiers in the region.

    Burundian president Évariste Ndayishimiye has warned of an escalating regional war, and even suggested that Rwanda is planning to invade Burundi.

    With the M23 entering Bukavu, the group is getting increasingly close to the Burundian border, increasing the country’s concerns of regional escalation.

    International community

    The risk of an escalation of the DRC conflict underscores a number of issues. Most obviously, any attempt to resolve the crisis needs to involve the regional countries involved.

    It also shows the importance of international pressure on Rwanda. It is generally accepted by analysts that this pressure – such as a US$240 million aid cut by a variety of donors – played a key role in ending the 2012-2013 M23 conflict.

    While actors such as the European Union and United States have firmly condemned Rwanda, this has materialised into little action. So far, Germany has suspended aid talks with Rwanda, and the United Kingdom has threatened to cut aid. Other than that, there has been no action – a striking difference from 2012-2013.

    Given US president Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, eyes are on the European Union to take action. However, internal differences are so far making this difficult. Belgium has been pushing for sanctions, while France has been taking the lead in blocking these. France’s national interests are a key reason for this: Rwandan peacekeeping troops are key in Mozambique, where a major TotalEnergies gas project – worth US$20 billion – is on hold because of an ongoing insurgency.

    Next steps

    The structural weaknesses of the Tshisekedi government should not be used as an excuse by international actors to fail to pressure Rwanda. At the moment, there is a major risk of the violence in eastern DRC escalating to the region.

    Further, there is already a major humanitarian crisis. Since the beginning of the year alone, more than 700,000 people in the DRC have been displaced by the M23 conflict. The World Health Organization has warned that a public health “nightmare” is unfolding. Since the fall of Goma, M23 has unlawfully ordered tens of thousands of displaced people to leave the camps around the city. To prevent a bigger regional humanitarian crisis, urgent action is therefore needed.

    – M23 rebels are marching across eastern DRC: the interests driving players in the conflict
    – https://theconversation.com/m23-rebels-are-marching-across-eastern-drc-the-interests-driving-players-in-the-conflict-249738

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement: February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Meeting of G7 Foreign Ministers on the margins of the Munich Security Conference, 15 February 2025.

    The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, met on the margins of the Munich Security Conference for the first time under Canada’s 2025 Presidency.

    The G7 members discussed Russia’s devasting war in Ukraine.  They underscored their commitment to work together to help to achieve a durable peace and a strong and prosperous Ukraine and reaffirmed the need to develop robust security guarantees to ensure the war will not begin again.  

    The G7 members welcomed their discussion today with Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.  They recalled the G7’s important contribution towards ending the war in Ukraine, including through measures pursuant to the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, by supporting Ukraine financially through the use of extraordinary revenues stemming from Russian Sovereign Assets, by imposing further cost on Russia, if they do not negotiate in good faith, through caps on oil and gas prices, and by making sanctions against Russia more effective. Any new, additional sanctions after February should be linked to whether the Russian Federation enters into real, good-faith efforts to bring an enduring end to the war against Ukraine that provides Ukraine with long-term security and stability as a sovereign, independent country.  The G7 members reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

    The G7 members discussed the provision to Russia of dual-use assistance by China and of military assistance by DPRK and Iran.  They condemned all such support.

    The G7 members discussed political, security and humanitarian issues in the Middle East, including in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran, and their commitment to advancing regional peace and stability.  They underscored the importance of a durable, Israeli-Palestinian peace.  They reaffirmed their support for the full implementation of the ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas, including for the release of all hostages and the expansion of humanitarian aid in Gaza.  The G7 members stand behind the ongoing efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States in continuing to work towards a permanent ceasefire.  They reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and the need to ensure that Hamas neither reconstitutes militarily nor participates in governance.  They recognized Israel’s inherent right to self-defence, consistent with international law. 

    The G7 members welcomed the outcomes of the International Conference on Syria, hosted by France on February 13, 2025.  They reiterated their shared commitment to the people of Syria and their support for an inclusive political transition process, in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.  They welcomed, as well, positive developments in Lebanon, including the recent election of President Joseph Aoun, the designation of Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister, and the formation of a new government.  The G7 members reaffirmed their commitment to both countries’ stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

    The G7 members unequivocally condemned Iran’s destabilizing actions, including its rapid advancement of uranium enrichment without credible civil justification, its facilitation of terrorism organizations and armed groups across the Middle East and Red Sea, its proliferation of ballistic missiles and drones, and its transnational repression and violation of fundamental human rights.

    The G7 members reiterated their commitment to a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region, grounded in respect for the rule of law and sovereignty.  They strongly opposed any attempts to change unilaterally the status quo using force and underscored the importance of resolving disputes peacefully.  They strongly opposed China’s attempts to restrict freedom of navigation through militarization and coercive activities in the East and South China Sea. 

    The G7 members expressed serious concern over the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. They demanded that the DPRK abandon all its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner in accordance with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). They underscored that direct DPRK support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security. They urged the DPRK to cease immediately all assistance for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including by withdrawing its troops. The called upon DPRK to resolve the abductions issue immediately.

    The G7 members also discussed urgent situations of conflict and instability elsewhere in the world, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, and in Haiti and Venezuela.

    The G7 Foreign Ministers looked forward to their meeting in Canada in Charlevoix, Quebec on March 12-14.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Meetings With the President of the Republic of Poland President Andrzej Duda and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot provided the following readout:
         
    On Feb. 14, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with the President of the Republic of Poland, President Andrzej Duda, and his Polish Defense counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of National Defense (MoND) Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. In both meetings, Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship and delivered a clear message that Poland is a model ally on defense spending and modernization efforts – setting the example for NATO burden-sharing commitments and European leadership within the alliance. Secretary Hegseth recognized Poland’s hospitality and host nation support for the largest number of U.S. forces on NATO’s eastern flank. On Feb. 15, Secretary Hegseth and DPM/MoND Kosiniak-Kamysz visited U.S. and Polish Soldiers in Powidz, who, as one team, are training together, improving readiness, and strengthening deterrence.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary: Bad peace deal with Russia will cause damage far beyond Ukraine

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    The Foreign and Defence Secretaries have written a joint Op-Ed in the Daily Telegraph on how to reach a strong and durable peace in Ukraine.

    For 20 years, Vladimir Putin has been repeating the mistakes of Russia’s past: by seeking to recreate the Russian empire and suffocate the countries around its borders.

    Too often in the past, the West has let him. We did too little in 2008, when he invaded Georgia, and in 2014, when he first went into Ukraine.

    When he launched his full-scale attack almost three years ago, he thought it would be more of the same. Putin believed that he would win his war in three days. Yet the Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage and the support of their friends.

    Putin only responds to strength. Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have both spoken of their desire to achieve “peace through strength”. And the support we give to Ukraine provides the strength to achieve that peace. Ukraine, Britain, Europe and the US all agree.

    In Brussels this week, at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group – which we as the UK chaired for the first time – Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, confirmed that, like us, the US wants to see a sovereign, prosperous Ukraine.

    Like us, the US wants a lasting peace, after almost three years of war.

    Like us, the US recognises the failure of Minsk agreements, deals made from a position of division and weakness.

    At the Munich Security Conference this weekend, our message to our allies is the need for us all to continue to unite and show strength.

    The Prime Minister has signed a 100-year partnership with Ukraine – a testament to our long-term commitment and confidence in the country’s future. Including the new loans we are giving, which will be repaid using the windfall profits from frozen Russian assets, our support extends to £15 billion.

    And we are going farther still: this week, we announced an additional £150 million military package, part of the record £4.5 billion in support we are providing this coming year.

    A year on from the death of Alexei Navalny, we are also putting new sanctions on Putin’s inner circle, adding to 2,000 sanctions Britain has already put on Russia.

    From opposition and in government, we have been clear that Europe and the UK must do more together to share the burden of our continent’s security.

    [POLITICAL CONTENT REDACTED]

    We were clear we need our friends in Europe to invest more in defence and seize the opportunities of closer UK-EU cooperation.

    This has already begun. Europe is united on the need to step up. We are – and we will.

    Europe has now committed almost two thirds of all aid to Ukraine, and well over half the military aid. In 2021, the UK and US were two of only six allies meeting Nato’s 2 per cent defence spending target. That number is now 23.

    And we all need to turn up the pressure on Russia. Putin’s economy is struggling. Last year, the Kremlin spent more on military aid than social welfare for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

    Sanctions on energy are a particular priority: the UK has sanctioned more than 100 ships, as well as Gazprom Neft and PJSC Surgutneftegas, two of Russia’s big four oil companies.

    While Russia is weakened, it remains undeniably dangerous. Just this weekend, our Royal Navy will track Russian warships passing close to British waters. These ships are retreating from Syria after Putin abandoned his ally Bashar al-Assad, yet they remain armed and full of ammunition. We will be watching their every move.

    Ultimately, we need a strong peace. A durable peace. A peace that allows Ukrainians a secure future and deters any future Russian aggression. That is why there must be no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine, and we must give Mr Zelensky the strongest possible hand in those talks.

    A bad peace would not only harm our security, but our economies, too: Putin’s 2022 invasion took 1.5 per cent off global GDP and added 3 per cent to European inflation. China, Iran and North Korea are all watching.

    A durable peace must be based on new security arrangements: Europe doubling down to do more on our own continent’s security; a continuing, long-term US commitment to its allies through Nato; and British support to the US and allies in the Indo-Pacific – such as through the Aukus security partnership. That is the way to make us all stronger.

    On Feb 24, we will mark a grim milestone – three years since Putin’s full-scale invasion. Yet despite all the challenges, Ukrainians are showing astonishing tenacity. Now is the time to turn up the pressure on the Kremlin. With strength and unity, we will prevail.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –