NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improving lives through AI

    Source: Scottish Government

    Funding for artificial intelligence projects.

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is to be harnessed to develop technologies to address issues such as cancer risk amongst rescue workers.

    The latest round of the Scottish Government’s CivTech programme has awarded up to £9 million to 14 companies developing AI products to tackle challenges faced by charities and public sector organisations. CivTech 10 is the first round of the programme to focus on AI.

    Products being developed include:

    • a software to help identify toxic contaminants to address the risk of cancer for firefighters.
    • an AI system which can help teachers with administrative tasks.  
    • using drones and an automated mapping system to monitor puffin populations in a less invasive way.
    • an AI support system to enable entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

    Previous rounds of CivTech have seen £20 million invested into 90 companies and entrepreneurs since 2016. These include software company Volunteero which developed a mobile app to help charities manage administrative tasks.

    Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:

    “Scotland is well-placed to harness the advantages of artificial intelligence with its rich history of innovation and high concentration of world-leading universities and colleges.

    “The rapidly growing AI sector offers opportunities for Scotland, from helping to detect health issues such as lung cancer earlier, to enabling businesses to work more efficiently.

    “Through CivTech, we are revolutionising how public sector organisations work by collaborating with businesses to develop products which improve lives.”

    Rebekah MacLeod, Lead Project Liaison Officer at White Ribbon Scotland, a charity tackling violence against women which uses Volunteero’s app, said:

    “Working with Volunteero through the CivTech programme has completely changed how we work as a charity.

    “The app means we spend less time worrying about paperwork and more time working with men and boys to directly address violence against women and girls.

    “This includes encouraging more men and boys to speak out about violence against women and girls.”

    Background

    CivTech companies have created more than 400 jobs and attracted more than £126 million of private sector investment. Nearly 80% of products developed in past rounds of CivTech are still in use.

    Products being developed in CivTech 10 are:

    • Technology developed by Rowden to help firefighters improve their situational awareness in emergency situations.
    • A system to detect and monitor firefighters’ exposure to toxins created by FireHazResearch.
    • Drones and an automated mapping system from EOLAS and The University of Edinburgh to monitor puffin colonies in a less invasive way.
    • Sensors developed by Arctech Innovation to monitor breeding success, seasonal changes and harmful disease in puffins.
    • Technology for public sector organisations to use data securely, developed by Verifoxx.
    • A platform for citizens and policy makers to understand how AI and other emerging technologies could be used in the public sector, developed by CrownShy.
    • A programme created by Talent Engine to provide detailed labour market insights to target skills and development training in Glasgow.
    • An AI tool from Rethink Carbon to document woodland and peatland projects.
    • A new approach to monitoring carbon balances from woodland and peatland projects from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
    • Sylvera are developing advanced remote-sensing capabilities to enhance monitoring of carbon projects.
    • An AI programme to forecast pharmaceutical demand by postcode area to help reduce waste, developed by PharmovoAI.
    • A planning tool created by Looper to help NHS Scotland reduce waste and emissions.
    • An AI system to support teachers with administrative tasks, developed by SupportEd.
    • A software from BobbAI to help entrepreneurs to access business growth resources and support services. 

    CivTech 10 Challenges and details of the CivTech process are available online.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: AI is being used in social services – but we must make sure it doesn’t traumatise clients

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suvradip Maitra, PhD Student, Australian National University

    Tero Vesalainen/Shutterstock

    Late last year, ChatGPT was used by a Victorian child protection worker to draft documents. In a glaring error, ChatGPT referred to a “doll” used for sexual purposes as an “age-appropriate toy”. Following this, the Victorian information commissioner banned the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in child protection.

    Unfortunately, many harmful AI systems will not garner such public visibility. It’s crucial that people who use social services – such as employment, homelessness or domestic violence services – are aware they may be subject to AI. Additionally, service providers should be well informed about how to use AI safely.

    Fortunately, emerging regulations and tools, such as our trauma-informed AI toolkit, can help to reduce AI harm.

    How do social services use AI?

    AI has captured global attention with promises of better service delivery. In a strained social services sector, AI promises to reduce backlogs, lower administrative burdens and allocate resources more effectively while enhancing services. It’s no surprise a range of social service providers are using AI in various ways.

    Chatbots simulate human conversation with the use of voice, text or images. These programs are increasingly used for a range of tasks. For instance, they can provide mental health support or offer employment advice. They can also speed up data processing or help quickly create reports.

    However, chatbots can easily produce harmful or inaccurate responses. For instance, the United States National Eating Disorders Association deployed the chatbot Tessa to support clients experiencing eating disorders. But it was quickly pulled offline when advocates flagged Tessa was providing harmful weight loss advice.

    Recommender systems use AI to make personalised suggestions or options. These could include targeting job or rental ads, or educational material based on data available to service providers.

    But recommender systems can be discriminatory, such as when LinkedIn showed more job ads to men than women. They can also reinforce existing anxieties. For instance, pregnant women have been recommended alarming pregnancy videos on social media.

    Recognition systems classify data such as images or text to compare one dataset to another. These systems can complete many tasks, such as face matching to verify identity or transcribing voice to text.

    Such systems can raise surveillance, privacy, inaccuracy and discrimination concerns. A homeless shelter in Canada stopped using facial recognition cameras because they risked privacy breaches – it’s difficult to obtain informed consent from mentally unwell or intoxicated people using the shelter.

    Risk-assessment systems use AI to predict the likelihood of a specific outcome occurring. Many systems have been used to calculate the risk of child abuse, long-term unemployment, or tax and welfare fraud.

    Often data used in these systems can recreate societal inequalities, causing harm to already-marginalised peoples. In one such case, a tool in the US used for identifying risk of child mistreatment unfairly targeted poor, black and biracial families and families with disabilities.

    A Dutch risk assessment tool seeking to identify childcare benefits fraud was shut down for being racist, while an AI system in France faces similar accusations.



    Read more:
    Algorithms that predict crime are watching – and judging us by the cards we’ve been dealt

    The need for a trauma-informed approach

    Concerningly, our research shows using AI in social services can cause or perpetuate trauma for the people who use the services.

    The American Psychological Association defines trauma as an emotional response to a range of events, such as accidents, abuse or the death of a loved one. Broadly understood, trauma can be experienced at an individual or group level and be passed down through generations. Trauma experienced by First Nations people in Australia as a result of colonisation is an example of group trauma.

    Between 57% and 75% of Australians experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.

    Many social service providers have long adopted a trauma-informed approach. It prioritises trust, safety, choice, empowerment, transparency, and cultural, historical and gender-based considerations. A trauma-informed service provider understands the impact of trauma and recognises signs of trauma in users.

    Service providers should be wary of abandoning these core principles despite the allure of the often hyped capabilities of AI.

    Can social services use AI responsibly?

    To reduce the risk of causing or perpetuating trauma, social service providers should carefully evaluate any AI system before using it.

    For AI systems already in place, evaluation can help monitor their impact and ensure they are operating safely.

    We have developed a trauma-informed AI assessment toolkit that helps service providers to assess the safety of their planned or current use of AI. The toolkit is based on the principles of trauma-informed care, case studies of AI harms, and design workshops with service providers. An online version of the toolkit is about to be piloted within organisations.

    By posing a series of questions, the toolkit enables service providers to consider whether risks outweigh the benefits. For instance, is the AI system co-designed with users? Can users opt out of being subject to the AI system?

    It guides service providers through a series of practical considerations to enhance the safe use of AI.

    Social services do not have to avoid AI altogether. But social service providers and users should be aware of the risks of harm from AI – so they can intentionally shape AI for good.

    The Conversation

    The project was funded by the Notre Dame-IBM Technology Ethics Lab.

    Suvradip Maitra is funded by an Australian Government Research Training Program Domestic Scholarship.

    Lyndal Sleep was funded by the University of Notre Dame for this research. She is affiliated with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society.

    Paul Henman receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC). He is affiliated with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society.

    Suzanna Fay received funding from the Notre Dame-IBM Technology Ethics Lab for this project.

    – ref. AI is being used in social services – but we must make sure it doesn’t traumatise clients – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-being-used-in-social-services-but-we-must-make-sure-it-doesnt-traumatise-clients-248555

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government fires starting gun on AI Growth Zones to turbocharge Plan for Change

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Thousands of new jobs are set to be created as bidding opens for AI Growth Zones.

    Local authorities can submit proposals to become the next AI Growth Zone.

    • UK government ramps up its Plan for Change as new AI Growth Zone bidding opens
    • Development hotbeds for AI set to revitalise local communities, attract fresh investment and deliver new opportunities
    • Interest is already building for high-potential sites in Scotland, Wales, the North East and North West – with others now poised to come forward

    Thousands of new jobs are set to be created as the government opens bidding for its AI Growth Zones in a major drive to revitalise local communities as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Local and regional authorities across the UK are being encouraged to put their communities forward to become dedicated hotbeds for AI infrastructure development and attracting millions in private investment.

    The UK government will put particular focus on deindustrialised areas of the country to become the next AI Growth Zones as local and regional authorities submit their proposals, including sites with existing access to power or which would be suitable to establish major energy infrastructure.

    This closely follows the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has put the UK on course to revolutionise public services and become an AI superpower – already attracting over £14 billion in investment since launching just last month. 

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, said: 

    We set out our new blueprint for AI less than a month ago, and we’re already delivering on that vision by harnessing technology to supercharge our Plan for Change.

    These new AI Growth Zones will deliver untold opportunities – sparking new jobs, fresh investment and ensuring every corner of the country has a real stake in our AI-powered future. 

    We’re leaving no stone unturned in how we can harness expertise from all over the UK to deliver new opportunities, fresh growth, better public services and cement our position as an AI pioneer, and that’s the message I will be sending to international partners and AI companies at the AI Action Summit.

    As part of the talks, he will also bang the drum for more inward investment to deliver the AI Opportunities Action Plan, including to build the infrastructure needed across AI Growth Zones.

    Industry – including energy companies and data centre developers – are also being called upon to help drive forward government plans to rollout AI Growth Zones. Their proposals will help to inform the final selection of sites and broader policy decisions later this year, meaning the government will be able to move swiftly to secure investment and drive growth in regions across the country. 

    Interest is already building for promising sites in Scotland, Wales, the North East, and North West, with further exploratory work now set to begin on additional locations across the UK.

    Scotland Office Minister, Kirsty McNeill, said:

    Scotland has always been a leader in innovation, with our rich history of pioneering advancements in fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology, which continues today.

    The UK government’s Plan for Change looks to harness AI’s potential in these industries and unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth.

    Scotland is already at the centre of these plans, with our world-leading universities at the forefront of AI development and our industrial heritage providing a range of possible sites.  I would encourage our Local Authorities to explore becoming an AI Growth Zone, which will help attract further investment.

    These areas will speed up planning permission to rapidly build AI infrastructure including data centres and give them the energy connections needed to power AI innovations in areas like healthcare. As part of this, the government will work with network operators to rapidly scale each zone to 500MW+, enough to power roughly two million homes.

    This will attract significant private investment, create local jobs and strengthen the UK’s global AI leadership – delivering opportunities for working people across the country as part of the AI Opportunities Action Plan announced less than two weeks ago. The ideal ingredients and key criteria for communities looking to host AI Growth Zones include: 

    • sites with large existing power connections (with a current capacity of 500+ MW) or a clear vision on how energy capacity can be increased. 
    • deindustrialised areas with land and infrastructure standing ready for redevelopment. 
    • locations close to suitable sites for major energy infrastructure such as nuclear reactors, solar stations and wind farms, or battery storage. 

    This expression of interest also extends to AI data centre companies and energy firms who are looking to tap into the potential of AI Growth Zones to deliver on the government’s AI blueprint.  

    Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:

    It was great to be invited to visit 10 Downing Street last week to talk about the massive potential AI has to bring a huge leap forward in industries across our nation.

    Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool has always been at the forefront of cutting-edge technology – from the friction match to the railways and the chemical industry.

    My job above everything is to bring good, well-paid, long-term jobs to local people. We have everything we need to host an AI Growth Zone in our region. We have the land, we have the power and we have shown in our efforts at Teesworks how we can get huge projects moving forward at pace.

    As part of these industry proposals, data centre developers and energy firms are being called on to set out: timelines and development milestones which detail how they will plan to ramp up energy capacity; partnership opportunities with local authorities and a plan for how their proposals will support the UK’s AI ambitions, as well as what additional support is needed from government to help drive forward their proposals. 

    Announcing its response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the government confirmed the first of these AI Growth Zones will be based in Culham, Oxfordshire – home of the UK’s Atomic Energy Authority. This site will also serve as a testing ground to drive forward research on how sustainable energy like fusion technology can power the UK’s AI ambitions. The creation of a new AI Energy Council chaired by the Science and Energy Secretaries will also help to ensure responsible energy sources are being used to drive forward the UK’s AI blueprint, directly supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower.

    The AI Opportunities Action Plan announced last month is also at the heart of the government’s Industrial Strategy and the first plank of the upcoming Digital and Technology Sector Plan, to be published in the coming months. Following the opening of the expression of interest, the government will open the formal selection process in the spring, with the first AI Growth Zones then due to be announced in the summer.

    Further information

    Information on the AI Growth Zones: expression of interest.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-wide blitz on illegal working to strengthen border security

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Most successful January in over half a decade for Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams tackling illegal working.

    A record-breaking January for illegal working enforcement activity has been revealed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper as the government’s landmark Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill returns to Parliament for its second reading, today (Monday 10 February).     

    Tackling illegal working plays a vital part in the Home Office’s system-wide approach to ending the promise of false jobs used by smuggling gangs to sell spaces on boats and taking down their business models as we restore order to the immigration system. 

    Following a drive from this government to have more deployable enforcement staff, a renewed crackdown on those attempting to undermine the UK’s borders last month saw the highest January in over half a decade for enforcement activity.   

    Throughout January alone, Immigration Enforcement teams descended on 828 premises, including nail bars, convenience stores, restaurants and car washes, marking a 48% rise compared to the previous January. Arrests also surged to 609, demonstrating a 73% increase from just 352 the previous year.    

    More broadly, between 5 July last year and 31 January, both illegal working visits and arrests have soared by around 38% compared to the same 12 months prior. During the same period, the Home Office issued a total of 1,090 civil penalty notices. Employers could face a fine of up to £60,000 per worker if found liable.   

    In many cases, those who come to the UK and end up working illegally are sold false promises about their ability to live and work in the UK, creating a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel on a small boat.  

    In reality, illegal working is inextricably linked to squalid living conditions, little to no pay and inhumane working hours. By paying so little, rogue employers often attempt to avoid paying their fair share in taxes to contribute to the economy and undercut honest competitors who follow the law.   

    Under its Plan for Change, the government is delivering steadfast action to restore order to the UK immigration system and the surge in enforcement activity to crack down on illegal working is a vital cog in the government’s wider machine to identify, disrupt and tackle irregular migration across the country.    

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:     

    The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken.

    Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system and our economy.   

    That’s why, as part of our Plan for Change, we are boosting enforcement to record levels alongside tough new legislation to smash the criminal gangs that undermine our border security and who have been getting away with it for far too long.

    While enforcement teams respond to illegal working intelligence in all sectors, a significant proportion of last month’s activity took place at restaurants, takeaways and cafes as well as in the food, drink and tobacco industry.  

    An operation in Cheshire to vape shops led to 10 immigration arrests and 2 criminal arrests for counterfeit documents, with civil penalty referral notices being made to employers, and a visit to an Indian restaurant in Humberside led to 7 arrests and 4 detentions. Elsewhere, in South London, a visit to a grocery warehouse resulted in 6 arrests and 4 people being detained.  

    As part of this activity, Immigrant Enforcement play a critical safeguarding role, working closely with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and other organisations to allow employees to report labour exploitation.    

    Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, said:     

    These figures demonstrate the commitment of my teams to crack down on those who think they can flout our immigration system.   

    I hope it sends a strong signal that there is no hiding place from the law, and we will continue to ramp up our activity to ensure those involved face the full consequences.   

    We also know that many people who end up working illegally are often subjected to extremely poor conditions, so we will continue to do all we can to safeguard and protect the most vulnerable.

    Border Security is central to the government’s Plan for Change and, alongside enforcement activity, the Home Office is ramping up returns of individuals with no right to be in the UK. Just last month, the department smashed its target to drive the removal of foreign criminals and immigration offenders to the highest level since 2018, with 16,400 people removed since the election. This figure is expected to go up later today when the Home Office publishes updated figures running to the end of January.  

    Since July, bespoke charter flights have also removed immigration offenders to countries around the world, including 4 of the biggest returns flights in the UK’s history carrying more than 800 people. Individuals removed since the election include criminals convicted of drug offences, theft, rape and murder.   

    We’re also working upstream to deter people from entering the UK illegally by launching a new international campaign to debunk people smugglers’ lies.  

    Social media adverts went live in Vietnam in December and Albania in January, highlighting real stories from migrants who entered the UK illegally, only to face debt, exploitation, and a life far from what they were promised. The campaign also warns prospective migrants about the realities of illegal working, as the government continues to crack down on employers who break the law and exploit people for profit. 

    In the months ahead, we will go further than ever by introducing new counter terror-style powers to identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs as part of new, robust legislation to protect UK borders, set to be discussed in Parliament today.    

    The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will grant law enforcement additional powers to take earlier and more effective action against organised crime gangs, including seizing mobile phones from people who come to the UK illegally before the point of arrest. 

    Next month, the government will go further by hosting a landmark Border Security Summit at the historic Lancaster House in London.   

    A watershed moment in the UK’s fight against Organised Immigration Crime, the summit will bring together delegates from over 40 countries, as well as guest participants from a range of international institutions, including the European Union.   

    The summit will be held on Monday 31 March and Tuesday 1 April, and will facilitate a range of discussions on the best ways to tackle criminal networks facilitating organised immigration crime and migrant smuggling.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister takes part in National HIV Testing Week

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    In support of National HIV Testing Week, the Prime Minister undertook a public rapid HIV home test, available for free, in No10 Downing Street.

    • Prime Minister takes part in National HIV Testing Week – UK Government backed drive offering free, quick and easy HIV self and home testing kits. 
    • First Serving Prime Minister and serving G7 leader to take a public HIV test.  
    • HIV Testing Week to drive efforts to reach estimated 4,700 undiagnosed people living in England to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

    In support of National HIV Testing Week, the Prime Minister undertook a public rapid HIV home test, available for free, in No10 Downing Street. 

    By taking part in the campaign, he will be the first serving British Prime Minister and serving G7 leader to take a public test on camera. 

    Joined by Terrence Higgins Trust Patron Beverley Knight, the Prime Minister took a rapid home test to raise awareness that during National HIV Testing Week, anyone in England can order a free and confidential HIV test from www.freetesting.hiv to do at home. 

    The campaign which sees up to 20,000 funded kits being available to the public – centres on regular home or self-testing – one way to meet the Government’s ambition to end new HIV cases in England by 2030 committed to by the Prime Minister in December. 

    After undertaking a test, the Prime Minister said:

    It is really important to do it, and I am pleased to have taken part too. It’s easy, it is quick. And during testing week you can get a test free – so it is a great time to also take part.

    If people test, they will know their status, it is better that people know, and that is a good thing because you can then get access to treatment, and that will also help meet our collective target to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

    It comes as polling by YouGov, on behalf of leading HIV Charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, has found that more than 80% of adults in England are unaware it is possible to test for HIV at home.  

    However, when prompted as an option, at-home testing was the most popular way to know your HIV status, with 44% of people saying it would be their preference.  

    The Prime Minister has committed to ending new HIV cases in England by 2030, with a new HIV Action Plan to be published in summer 2025.  

    Once diagnosed, people living with HIV can access free, effective treatment which means they can have a normal life expectancy and can’t pass on the virus.   

    Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said: 

    The Prime Minister has made history by becoming the first G7 leader to publicly take an HIV test while in office and has led by example.  

    This free, quick and simple test sends a powerful message to the country and to the public. During National HIV Testing Week, anyone in England can order a test to their home, whether that’s to Downing Street, to Penzance or to Berwick-up-Tweed. 

    England can be the first country in the world to end new HIV transmissions, but we are not on track to do so by 2030. Scaling up HIV testing will be crucial to our shared goal. We are delighted that Keir Starmer is leading from the front in this mission.

    Beverley Knight MBE said: 

    Living with HIV today is a world away from the experience that my late best friend Tyrone endured in the early 2000s. People living with HIV can now easily know their status, can access effective treatment and live a long, healthy life. I wish this was case for Ty. In his memory, I’m using my voice alongside the Prime Minister to make everyone aware of how easy it is to test. People need to hear the crucial message that thanks to effective medication people living with HIV can’t pass it on, so we can end this epidemic once and for all.

    Rebecca Mbewe, an author and speaker, who is living with HIV said: 

    Testing for HIV is the only way to know your status, and it helps you stay in control of your health. If you do have a positive result, you won’t be on your own. I have been living with HIV for close to 30 years, I am still able to do anything and everything that I like. I still have my glass of gin and tonic. I can still go out and dance. Thanks to free, effective medication, I have a full life, I can’t pass HIV on and I have a normal life expectancy. Every time I have a birthday I love telling people my age. It’s a statement. It’s a celebration.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: Prime Minister takes part in National HIV Testing Week

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    In support of National HIV Testing Week, the Prime Minister undertook a public rapid HIV home test, available for free, in No10 Downing Street.

    • Prime Minister takes part in National HIV Testing Week – UK Government backed drive offering free, quick and easy HIV self and home testing kits. 
    • First Serving Prime Minister and serving G7 leader to take a public HIV test.  
    • HIV Testing Week to drive efforts to reach estimated 4,700 undiagnosed people living in England to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

    In support of National HIV Testing Week, the Prime Minister undertook a public rapid HIV home test, available for free, in No10 Downing Street. 

    By taking part in the campaign, he will be the first serving British Prime Minister and serving G7 leader to take a public test on camera. 

    Joined by Terrence Higgins Trust Patron Beverley Knight, the Prime Minister took a rapid home test to raise awareness that during National HIV Testing Week, anyone in England can order a free and confidential HIV test from www.freetesting.hiv to do at home. 

    The campaign which sees up to 20,000 funded kits being available to the public – centres on regular home or self-testing – one way to meet the Government’s ambition to end new HIV cases in England by 2030 committed to by the Prime Minister in December. 

    After undertaking a test, the Prime Minister said:

    It is really important to do it, and I am pleased to have taken part too. It’s easy, it is quick. And during testing week you can get a test free – so it is a great time to also take part.

    If people test, they will know their status, it is better that people know, and that is a good thing because you can then get access to treatment, and that will also help meet our collective target to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

    It comes as polling by YouGov, on behalf of leading HIV Charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, has found that more than 80% of adults in England are unaware it is possible to test for HIV at home.  

    However, when prompted as an option, at-home testing was the most popular way to know your HIV status, with 44% of people saying it would be their preference.  

    The Prime Minister has committed to ending new HIV cases in England by 2030, with a new HIV Action Plan to be published in summer 2025.  

    Once diagnosed, people living with HIV can access free, effective treatment which means they can have a normal life expectancy and can’t pass on the virus.   

    Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said: 

    The Prime Minister has made history by becoming the first G7 leader to publicly take an HIV test while in office and has led by example.  

    This free, quick and simple test sends a powerful message to the country and to the public. During National HIV Testing Week, anyone in England can order a test to their home, whether that’s to Downing Street, to Penzance or to Berwick-up-Tweed. 

    England can be the first country in the world to end new HIV transmissions, but we are not on track to do so by 2030. Scaling up HIV testing will be crucial to our shared goal. We are delighted that Keir Starmer is leading from the front in this mission.

    Beverley Knight MBE said: 

    Living with HIV today is a world away from the experience that my late best friend Tyrone endured in the early 2000s. People living with HIV can now easily know their status, can access effective treatment and live a long, healthy life. I wish this was case for Ty. In his memory, I’m using my voice alongside the Prime Minister to make everyone aware of how easy it is to test. People need to hear the crucial message that thanks to effective medication people living with HIV can’t pass it on, so we can end this epidemic once and for all.

    Rebecca Mbewe, an author and speaker, who is living with HIV said: 

    Testing for HIV is the only way to know your status, and it helps you stay in control of your health. If you do have a positive result, you won’t be on your own. I have been living with HIV for close to 30 years, I am still able to do anything and everything that I like. I still have my glass of gin and tonic. I can still go out and dance. Thanks to free, effective medication, I have a full life, I can’t pass HIV on and I have a normal life expectancy. Every time I have a birthday I love telling people my age. It’s a statement. It’s a celebration.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Türkiye and Italy to celebrate Chinese New Year (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Türkiye and Italy to celebrate Chinese New Year (with photos)
    HKETO, Brussels hosts receptions in Türkiye and Italy to celebrate Chinese New Year (with photos)
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         The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) hosted Chinese New Year receptions in Istanbul and Izmir, Türkiye respectively on January 30 and 31, followed by Milan, Italy on February 6, to carry on its series of celebration activities for the Year of the Snake.            The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung emphasised in her welcoming remarks at the reception in Istanbul that Hong Kong remained as the prime gateway and super connector between China and the rest of the world, with our distinctive advantages under “One Country, Two Systems”.            “As an international financial, trade and shipping centre, and international hub for high caliber talents, we welcome more investors, innovators, start-ups and talents to make Hong Kong your partner and base for grapping the opportunities at both regional and global levels,” said Ms Yung.           Ms Yung highlighted that Hong Kong’s appeal as a global destination continues to grow. She also shared the good news of the reduction in liquor tax, and encouraged enterprises to take Hong Kong as a hub for global wine and liquor trade.            “We invite you to visit Hong Kong and indulge in its tempting gastronomic experience, complemented by high-quality wines and liquors,” added Ms Yung.            HKETO, Brussels took the opportunity to showcase Hong Kong’s unique East-meets-West culture. A cross-media performance fused with Chinese kung-fu, modern electronic music, comic and animation inspired by Hong Kong action movies was presented by the Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base), showcasing the innovation and creativity of young artists in Hong Kong. The guests attending the reception in Milan were greeted by a delightful mix of Italian opera aria and Cantonese songs performed by an ensemble of talented Hong Kong musicians.           The receptions in Istanbul, Izmir and Milan brought together 400 guests, including officials from national governments, consulates and embassies, financial and business sectors, academia, cultural and creative sectors, media and the Chinese community, in Türkiye and Italy to mark the enduring friendship with Hong Kong. They were co-organised with Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 10, 2025Issued at HKT 3:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri to inaugurate Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Raksha Mantri to inaugurate Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025

    Showcasing air power, cutting-edge innovations & potential new global collaborations, the five-day event to provide thrust to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047

    Aero India 2025 will advance our vision of a strong, capable, secure & self-reliant India: Shri Rajnath Singh

    Participation of over 900 exhibitors & 90 countries set to make it the biggest-ever Aero India till date; Approx. 30 Defence Ministers & over 100 OEMs to attend

    Domestic defence production expected to cross Rs 1.60 lakh crore by 2025-26, with exports touching Rs 30,000 crore mark: RM

    Posted On: 09 FEB 2025 6:21PM by PIB Delhi

    The 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 10, 2025. With the broad theme of ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, the five-day extravaganza will showcase India’s aerial prowess and indigenous cutting-edge innovations alongside state-of-the-art products of global aerospace companies. In line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision, the event will also provide a stage to forge international collaborations to fast-track the indigenisation process, thereby providing a thrust to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s resolve of making the country Viksit Bharat by 2047.

    Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on the eve of the event, Raksha Mantri described Aero India as a crucial platform, which will drive forward the Government’s vision of a strong, capable India, secure and self-reliant India. “Aero India is a platform that showcases the strength, resilience, and self-reliance of New India. It is not just crucial for India’s defence preparedness, but it also plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our nation. It will demonstrate our defence capabilities and forge global partnerships. Our goal is to enhance collaboration in areas of common interest with our friendly nations, fostering deeper cooperation and shared progress. The event is not just a showcase of technology and innovation, but will also serve as a source of inspiration for our youth, fostering scientific temperament and a spirit of innovation,” he said.

    Organised in a total area of over 42,000 sq m and with the confirmed participation of over 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies, the event is set to be the biggest-ever Aero India till date. Shri Rajnath Singh termed the participation of more than 90 countries as a testament to the growing global confidence in India’s aerospace and defence capabilities. “Defence ministers or representatives from about 30 countries have come to participate in this event. The presence of Air Chiefs and Secretaries from 43 countries further highlights the significance of this event – not just for India, but for the entire international defence community,” he said.

    Highlighting the transformation of the defence and aerospace sector in the recent years, Raksha Mantri asserted that, today, India is not only capable of designing and developing major platforms and equipment within India, it has also successfully established a vast supply chain within the country. “Advanced platforms like Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and C-295 Transport Aircraft are now being produced in India. We have also taken a firm resolve to manufacture fifth-generation fighter aircraft within the country. From the advanced variants of the Agni missile, the Astra missile system, and the Pinaka missile system to the cutting-edge Hypersonic missile system and the Akash air defence system, we have built numerous success stories. These achievements have played a crucial role in strengthening our defence sector, making India more self-reliant and secure,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh added that post corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board, the newly formed companies have started performing exceptionally well in defence production. “Under a well-considered and well-developed plan, we have actively worked to empower the private sector in the defence and aerospace industries. Today, India has a thriving private defence industry that has firmly established itself and is making significant contributions to our national security,” he said.

    Raksha Mantri expressed confidence that defence production, having crossed the record figure of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, will exceed Rs 1.60 lakh crore by the end of 2025-26. Defence exports, which touched the record figure of Rs 21,000 crore, he said, will surpass Rs 30,000 crore.

    Shri Rajnath Singh underlined the crucial role being played by the defence industrial sector in making India an economic super power. He stated that any breakthrough in the defence sector not only strengthens national security, but also impacts the economy. Technologies developed for defence applications promote innovation in the civil sector as well, leading to employment generation and economic development, he said. He termed Aero India a significant driver of economic strength, contributing to the overall growth and development of the economy. He expressed confidence that Aero India will be remembered as a historic milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in the aerospace and defence sector.

    The 15thAero India will be held between 10thand 14thFebruary 2025. February 10thto 12thhave been reserved as business days, with 13th& 14thset as public days for people to witness the show. The event comprises Defence Ministers’ Conclave; CEOs Roundtable; inauguration of India & iDEX Pavilions; Manthan iDEX event; Samarthya Indigenisation event; Valedictory function; seminars; breath-taking airshows and an exhibition of aerospace companies.

    Defence Ministers’ Conclave

    With the aim to strengthen defence cooperation with friendly nations amidst a rapidly-evolving global security landscape, Raksha Mantri will host the Defence Ministers’ Conclave on February 11 in hybrid mode. The theme this year ‘Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement (BRIDGE)’ underscores the importance of supply chain resilience and strategic collaboration in defence.

    The last edition witnessed the participation of 27 Defence Ministers and Deputy Defence Ministers alongside 15 Defence & Service Chiefs and 12 Permanent Secretaries. This year, the participation has expanded as representatives from more than 80 countries are likely to participate in the conclave. Approx. 30 Defence Ministers in addition to Defence/Service Chiefs and Permanent Secretaries from friendly nations will attend the event.

    The conclave will provide a crucial platform to address key aspects such as Defence capacity building through investment, joint ventures & co-production, Collaboration in R&D, training & technological advancements in AI & space, Maritime security cooperation and strategic partnerships.

    CEOs Roundtable

    CEOs Roundtable 2025 will be chaired by Raksha Mantri on February 10, on the theme ‘Enabling Defence Cooperation through Global Engagement (EDGE)’. Over 100 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have confirmed their participation in the event. These include 55 from 19 countries (USA, France, Russia, South Korea, UK, Japan, Israel & Brazil etc), 35 Indian (Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge Ltd, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd, BrahMos Aerospace & Ashok Leyland Defence) and 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Shri Rajnath Singh had addressed over 73 CEOs of 28 Foreign OEMs and 45 Indian OEMs in the 2023 edition of the event.

    Major foreign OEMs including Airbus (France), Ultra Maritime (USA), GNT (South Korea), John Cockerill Defence (UK), Mitsubishi (Japan), Rafael Advance Defence System (Israel), Safran (France) and Liebherr Aerospace (France) are expected to highlight their future plans, Joint Ventures, collaborations, partnerships with Indian companies for production of spares parts, development of aero-engines, setting up of Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) facilities and establishment of R&D facilities etc.

    India Pavilion

    The India Pavilion will provide an opportunity to Indian Defence Industries to showcase their design, development, innovation and manufacturing capabilities. It will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri on February 10. The grandeur show at India Pavilion would signify the ‘Flight of Self-Reliance’ which encapsulates India’s journey towards becoming a global aerospace and defence powerhouse.

    India Pavilion will be divided into five distinct zones displaying indigenous capabilities in aero aviation, land aviation and naval aviation, def-space and niche technologies domains.  More than 275 exhibits will be at display through various mediums, represented by complete defence ecosystem of the country which includes DPSUs, design houses, private corporates including MSMEs and start-ups. The Central Area exhibits will include a striking display of marquee platforms including Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, Combat Air Teaming System, Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter.

    iDEX Pavilion

     The iDEX Pavilion will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri on February 10. It will showcase cutting-edge indigenously developed products and technologies, marking a significant milestone in India’s defence innovation journey. Leading innovators will display their indigenously-developed products spanning a wide-range of advanced domains including Aerospace, DefSpace, Aero Structures, Anti-drone systems, Autonomous Systems, Robotics, Communication, Cybersecurity, Surveillance & Tracking, Unmanned Ground Vehicles etc. The Pavilion will also feature a dedicated section highlighting the winners of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme, showcasing their ground-breaking work in critical and niche technologies.

    iDEX has successfully onboarded over 600 start-ups and MSMEs, marking a significant milestone in fostering innovation. Furthermore, 40 prototypes developed under iDEX have received official clearance for procurement, with 31 procurement contracts worth Rs 1,560 crore already signed.

    Manthan

    Manthan 2025, the flagship annual defence innovation event, will be graced by Raksha Mantri on February 12. Organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), the event will bring together stakeholders of the defence innovation ecosystem including innovators, industry leaders, academia, incubators, investors, thought leaders, senior government officials etc.

    Manthan will deliberate on emerging challenges and opportunities in the sector, with a focus on supporting defence start-ups and MSMEs, enhancing innovation capabilities, and fostering strategic collaborations within the defence ecosystem. It stands as a testament to the scale and speed of iDEX, showcasing the rapid strides made in defence innovation and the pivotal role of start-ups in transforming India’s defence capabilities.

    Samarthya

    On the success story of indigenisation and innovation in the defence sector, an Indigenisation event on the theme ‘SAMARTHYA’ will be held on February 12 alongside the Valedictory function which will be graced by Raksha Mantri. This event is first-of-its-kind during Aero India, as it will showcase India’s indigenous ingenuity in defence manufacturing by demonstrating some of the major items indigenised by DPSUs, DRDO and Services with the involvement of the private sector.

    Bilateral Meetings

    Bilateral meetings at the levels of Raksha Mantri/Raksha Rajya Mantri/Chief of Defence Staff/Service Chiefs/Defence Secretary/Secretary (Defence Production) will take place on the sidelines of Aero India 2025.

    Seminars

    A number of seminars on a variety of topics will be organised as part of Aero India 2025. On February 11, Raksha Mantri is scheduled to address a seminar organised by the Indian Air Force on the theme ‘Manned Unmanned teams for Aerial Warfare – concept to targeting’ and another organised by DRDO on the theme ‘DRDO Industry Synergy towards Viksit Bharat’.

    Other seminars on the themes – Mission DefSpace: From Vision to Reality – A Progress Report; Indigenous Development of Aerospace Materials: Strengthening India’s Self-Reliance; Transition to Aatmanirbhar Indian Naval Aviation 2047 and its associated ecosystem; Transformation of Maritime Aviation by Adopting Technological trends and Indigenisation; Aligning Technologies to Future Conflicts; and Investment Opportunities for Aerospace & Defence Manufacturers in Karnataka – will also be held as part of the event.

    Historic First – Su-57 and F-35 at Aero India

    For the first time in history, Aero India 2025 will witness the participation of two of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft – the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II. It marks a milestone in global defence collaboration and technological advancement, offering aviation enthusiasts and defence experts an unparalleled prospect to witness these state-of-the-art warplanes.

     

    • Su-57: Russia’s premier stealth multirole fighter is designed for superior air superiority and strike capabilities. Equipped with advanced avionics, supercruise capability, and stealth technology, it is making its debut at Aero India 2025. Visitors can expect high-speed aerial manoeuvres and tactical demonstrations that highlight the fighter’s agility, stealth and firepower.

     

    • F-35 Lightning II: The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most widely-deployed fifth-generation fighter, integrates advanced stealth, unparalleled situational awareness and networked combat capabilities. Its presence at Aero India 2025 will enable visitors to witness the flagship of US Air Force.

     

    The inclusion of both the Su-57 and F-35 highlights India’s position as a key hub for international defence and aerospace collaboration. Aero India 2025 will provide a rare side-by-side comparison of Eastern and Western fifth-generation fighter technology, offering defence analysts, military personnel and aviation enthusiasts valuable insights into their respective capabilities.

     

    Visitor-Friendly Experience

    With key infrastructure upgrades and improved amenities, Aero India 2025 promises to be bigger, smoother and more visitor-friendly than ever before.

     

    • Enhanced Infrastructure & Traffic Management: Recognising past challenges, extensive improvements have been made to facilitate seamless entry, movement and connectivity and there has been close coordination between Ministry of Defence, Indian Air Force (IAF), various arms of Karnataka State Government like Bengaluru Traffic Police, BBMP, NHAI, and Namma Metro. Approach roads have been widened to optimise traffic flow around Air Force Station Yelahanka so as to ease congestion and improve movement around the venue.

     

    • Security and Emergency Preparedness: Red drone zones have been designated and published with countermeasures in place to tackle unauthorised drone activity. Rapid Mobile Units will be deployed strategically to provide quick assistance and emergency support. Continuous mock drills with multiple agencies are being conducted to ensure practical and implementable contingency plans.

     

    • Exhibitor & Visitor Experience Enhancements: To enhance the experience for exhibitors and business delegates, the exhibition area has been revamped with several key upgrades:

     

    • Expanded and better-ventilated exhibition halls to accommodate more exhibitors and visitors comfortably.
    • Improved seating and rest zones throughout the venue.
    • Additional food courts and refreshment kiosks, including Indira Canteens (at parking areas).
    • Lost and found counters and ATM kiosks for visitor convenience.
    • Multiple water points, medical aid posts, and a dedicated cardiac aid post for emergencies, including medical evacuation.

     

    • Multi-Layered Security Measures: Ensuring the safety of all attendees, a multi-layered security system is being deployed in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bengaluru Police, CISF, and Intelligence Agencies. Measures include:

     

    • Enhanced security protocols and faster access control.
    • An operational Command and Control Centre for real-time responses to security concerns.
    • 24/7 CCTV monitoring for situational awareness.
    • Dedicated screening zones for visitors, exhibitors, and VIPs.
    • Disaster management and fire safety committees to handle emergencies.

     

    • Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure: To address connectivity challenges, all telecom service providers are deploying temporary mobile towers and network boosters for uninterrupted communication. A dedicated Aero India 2025 mobile app has also been launched which will provide live updates, navigation assistance, and event scheduling. Secure digital communication channels have also been established for coordination among agencies. Additionally, provisions have been made to support increased electricity demands during the event while ensuring safety.

     

    • Airspace Management & Demonstrations: Aero India demonstrations and aircraft movements are a major highlight of Aero India 2025. In coordination with AAI and HAL, the Indian Air Force has structured a dedicated Airspace management plan including:

     

    • Temporary flight restrictions around Aero India Force Station Yelahanka to maintain safety during scheduled demonstrations.
    • Strategic Aircraft parking and refuelling plans for domestic and international participants.

     

    • Business and Innovation Support: The Aero India provides a platform for collaborations and to facilitate B2B, G2B interactions and hosting roundtable discussions to showcase technological advancements. Special focus will be given to supporting start-ups and MSMEs by providing them with a global platform to present indigenous innovations.

     

    • Sustainability Initiatives: Aero India 2025 is committed to sustainability and has incorporated several eco-friendly measures in its conduct like:

     

    • Reduced vehicle movement to minimise pollution and enhance pedestrian comfort.
    • Exclusive use of more than 100 E Karts for movement of visitors in the exhibition venue.
    • Comprehensive waste management, including increased recycling bins, waste segregation zones, and timely disposal of waste.

     

    With these multi-agency collaborations, Aero India 2025 is set to be one of the most well-coordinated and better organised editions to date.

     

    Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff & Secretary, Department of Military Affairs General Anil Chauhan, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, other senior officials of Ministry of Defence and industry leaders attended the curtain raiser press conference.

    *******

    VK/SR/SPS/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2101170) Visitor Counter : 115

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Obituaries – In Loving Memory – the passing of Raymond Thompson MNZM

    Source: Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group

    Message: 9th February 2025 – Beloved, respected and cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, confidante, mentor, motivator, inspiration and guiding light, Ray passed away suddenly but peacefully in his sleep in Australia on January 15th, 2025.
    Ray had great respect and esteem for his friends and colleagues in the music, film & television entertainment industries, as well as the New Zealand wine industry (through Tirohana Estate), and a deep appreciation and love for the many fans around the world who were touched by his creative endeavours.
    A force of nature and larger than life, Ray’s passing is a catastrophic loss to his family and they respectfully ask for ongoing privacy during this very difficult time.
    A private family service has been held but it would mean a great deal if in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the non-profitable charity founded by Ray in New Zealand, the Cloud 9 Children’s Foundation ( https://withyoueverystepoftheway.com) which supports and assists children and teenagers (and their families) touched by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
    A writer, musician, producer, creator, viticulturist, philanthropist and dreamer, Ray’s legacy lives on in us all and his music, works and projects will live on. Ray’s beloved Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment will continue, as will Tirohana Estate in Martinborough.
    ‘You cannot ignore the whisper of mortality that inhabits every fading sunset’.
    Keep the Dream Alive.
    BIOGRAPHY AND OBITUARY – RAYMOND THOMPSON MNZM
    Raymond was a veteran of the television and film industries, where he began as a writer (having also had a career as a songwriter and musician). His first novel, The Number To Call Is… was a bestseller and achieved critical acclaim in 1979.
    As lead writer/script consultant he worked on several motion pictures and television series. His credits range from Hotshot to Squadron (for the BBC), Trainer to the icon series Howards Way (also for the BBC), which is regarded by many as one of Britain’s best loved drama series (and which regularly achieved the highest ratings during its six-year run).
    From 1989-1994 Raymond was also Head of Development for BBC Television Drama, and also retained as a consultant to the Controller of BBC Television Drama Series, where he had a production/creative liaison on a wide range of successful BBC titles – many of which are still being broadcast today.
    In 1994 Raymond founded the Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment Group in association with the Sanctuary Group PLC.
    Cloud 9 evolved to be of the most prolific independent production companies (with its titles being show in over 100 countries around the world) and helped contribute to the revitalisation of the Wellington entertainment industry (‘Wellywood’) by supporting and ushering in a new generation of talent in the Wellington and New Zealand television and film communities.
    In addition to being Chief Executive of the Cloud 9 Group, Raymond has also Executive produced Cloud 9’s portfolio of titles from inception to the current day- many of which Raymond also created.
    Credits include The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson, Return to Treasure Island, William Shatner’s A Twist in the Tale, The Enid Blyton Adventure Series, The Enid Blyton Secret Series, The Legend of William Tell, within Cloud 9’s Classic Collection in association with CLT-UFA.
    His numerous other credits include the iconic series The Tribe (5 seasons of 260 episodes), Atlantis High, Revelations -The Initial Journey, and The New Tomorrow (all created by Raymond).
    In 2000, Ray was the Founder and Chairman of The Cloud 9 Children’s Foundation, a non-profit charity which supports and assists families touched by Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder..
    In 2001 Raymond returned to his musical roots and composed the Spirit Symphony, which premiered at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington via a performance by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Kenneth Young). The symphony is performed in other parts of the world and has been released on CD (and digital release) worldwide. Raymond also composed many of the soundtracks of Cloud 9’s programming.
    In December 2002 Raymond was appointed an Adjunct Professor by Queensland University of Technology in the Creative Industries Faculty as a vehicle for guest lecturing, mentoring and to consult in both the private and public sector on the television and motion picture industries.
    In 2003 Raymond was honoured (along with Ray Bradbury) for the cult series, The Tribe, at the Dragoncon Festival in Atlanta, Georgia.
    In recognition of Raymond’s achievements, he was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2003 Honours List in recognition of his services to television and entertainment.
    Raymond adjudicated at many festivals including BAFTA and was a member of the jury for the 2004 Emmy finalists.
    In 2005, Raymond acquired Tirohana Estate ( www.tirohanaestate.com) to pursue his hobby and love of premium wine and was a regular visitor to Martinborough in New Zealand and could often be found participating in each vintage, driving the tractor or ute, and enjoying a chat with diners and clients having a glass of Tirohana Estate’s wines.
    In 2011, Raymond released his memoir book ‘Keeping The Dream Alive’. Raymond was active in bringing together and overseeing the ‘continuing story’ of The Tribe through the official series of tie-in novels released by A.J. Penn from 2012 and the audiobooks (narrated by several members of the original cast of The Tribe). Raymond wrote and Executive Produced The Tribe video game that was released in 2022 (and has since been released in 2024 as an Apple iOS mobile version). ‘The Tribe Collector’s Edition Screenplay’ was released as a book (and eBook) in December 2022.
    Raymond was still heavily involved in philanthropy including his charity The Cloud 9 Children’s Foundation and as well as continuing to oversee Cloud 9’s ongoing activity with its catalogue of titles, was also busy writing original screenplays which he was actively developing in line with Cloud 9’s expansion into the motion picture industries.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy On ABC’s This Week: This Is A Red Alert Moment— Our Democracy Is At Risk

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    February 09, 2025

    [embedded content]
    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined ABC’s This Week with Martha Raddatz to sound the alarm on Donald Trump’s corrupt power grab and the billionaire takeover of the U.S. government. Murphy slammed Trump’s move to eliminate USAID and vowed to keep fighting to protect American democracy.
    “I think this is the most serious constitutional crisis the country has faced, certainly since Watergate,” said Murphy. “The President is attempting to seize control of power, and for corrupt purposes. The President wants to be able to decide how and where money is spent so that he can reward his political friends, he can punish his political enemies—that is the evisceration of democracy. You stand that next to the wholesale endorsement of political violence with the pardons given to every single January 6th rioter— including the most violent, who beat police officers over the head with baseball bats— and you could see what he’s trying to do here. He is trying to crush his opposition by making them afraid of losing federal funding, by making them afraid of physical violence. So yes, this is a red alert moment when this entire country has to understand that our democracy is at risk—and for what? The billionaire takeover of government.”
    Murphy blasted Trump’s plan to cut USAID, calling it a gift to billionaires and a threat to global stability: “The military tells us that if you eliminate foreign aid, you will have to double the number of bullets you buy them. Why? Because we prevent conflict around the world through things like economic development and conflict resolution. I think the American public are learning about the scale of this corruption, how our foreign policy is being turned over to billionaires like Elon Musk to help them financially. As the American people are learning how much influence the billionaires have, how corrupt our policy has become, they are turning against this handover of government to the very few economic elites.”
    He continued: “Most of what USAID is doing is employing Americans, and often foreign nationals, to try to prevent instability and conflict. They are also working to try to reduce the reasons why young people join terrorist groups overseas. They are chasing Chinese and Russian influence. I mean, listen. The major question of the next 50 years is who will control the piping of the international economy: the United States or China? It’s USAID, not the U.S. military, that is working to try to blunt Chinese influence, so it’s ultimately American and European rules that control the global economy, not Chinese rules. So USAID is out there protecting American jobs and American interests, and if you roll up USAID, it is just a massive gift to China in particular, and that is very bad for U.S. national security interests, very bad for the U.S. economy and U.S. workers.”
    Murphy argued that Democrats shouldn’t shy away from forcefully defending our democracy: “I’m not going to calm down. I had 800 people at a rally with 24 hours’ notice in Connecticut this last weekend. This is a fundamental corruption. And democracies don’t last forever, and what those who are trying to destroy democracies want is for everyone to stay quiet, for everyone to believe that the moment isn’t urgent. They want to use violence and the threat of violence and the threat of arrest to keep the opposition at home. We are not going to do this. We see this as a crisis of epic proportions. We are watching the billionaires try to steal government from the people, and I think the broad cross-section of the American public, as you have seen in the last week, is going to rise up and say, enough.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – Winston Peters refusal to join 79 countries to protect the International Criminal Court puts New Zealand firmly in Trump’s minority, lawless, hard-right camp – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    Winston Peters’ refusal to join other 79 countries trying to protect the International Criminal Court after vicious attacks and sanctions issued by US President Trump is unconscionable.

     

    “Endless New Zealand politicians, including the present government, have pointed to our support for a rules-based international system” says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “The ICC is a key part of that system but Winston Peters has jettisoned this policy in favour of a US-First approach; rather than a New Zealand-First approach”

     

    In fact, we can find no evidence that Peters has ever uttered a word of real criticism of the US in his entire political career.

     

    Within the past two weeks Winston Peters has

     

    • Openly welcomed Israeli soldiers and Israeli war criminals coming into New Zealand, with no questions asked, for “rest and recreation” from their genocide in Gaza
    • Refused to condemn Trump’s racist plans for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza so his son-in-law can turn it into a “Riviera of the Middle East’.  This is an intended international crime of epic proportion, and now
    • Refused to join 79 countries supporting the International Criminal Court against Trump’s actions

     

    “The countries we are refusing to join in criticising Trump include two other Five Eyes countries, the UK and Canada, as well as Germany, France, Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, Greece, Norway, Portugal, Spain etc”

     

    “Winston Peters has put New Zealand in the hard-right international minority extremist camp with Trump” says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “This is creepy and cowardly complicity with a state whose values we do not share.”

     

    “Winston Peters’ ministry has been at great pains over the past year to state how much our government supports the work of the ICC. The MFAT website states “We have also been clear in our support of the International Criminal Court’s mandate in Palestine”

     

    “But when the ICC issues arrest warrants against Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity, our government goes completely silent.”

     

    “Will Winston Peters now copy his master and revoke an immigration ban on 33 Israeli settlers responsible for leading pogroms against Palestinian communities in the Occupied West Bank, as Trump did a few days ago?”

     

    “US policy towards Palestine underlines the case for New Zealand to leave the Five Eyes US international spy network.”

     

    “An independent foreign policy means making our own decisions and working with the great majority of like-minded countries who support international institutions, such as the ICC and the International Court of Justice.”

     

    “Instead, we have a foreign minister who is in the US pocket and blindly working for the interests of Trump and his robber barons.”

     

    John Minto

    National Chair

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Craven silence on ICC conveys consent

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    New Zealand has long been a member of the International Criminal Court, which impartially prosecutes serious war criminals for atrocities.

    “The United States of America is attacking the ICC with sanctions and undermining its important and respected role as a prosecutor of war criminals,” Labour foreign affairs spokesperson David Parker said.

    “It is one thing for the USA not to participate in the ICC. To go further and introduce sanctions to hinder the ability of the ICC doing its work for other countries is plainly wrong.

    “In recent days, 79 countries have signed a statement condemning this. Those countries include Switzerland, Canada, France and Germany – countries we normally work closely with. New Zealand was notably absent.

    “It is understandable that New Zealand does not want to criticise every decision made by President Trump.

    “But our government won’t even speak up in the company of 79 others when an institution we are part of is threatened and undermined.

    “Silence conveys consent.

    “New Zealand’s reputation for being fair and principled is built on decades of important decisions like these – across successive governments.

    “In its efforts to appease the new USA administration, New Zealand should not cravenly abandon its principles,” David Parker said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘America First’ trade policy is pushing economic self-sufficiency – but history shows this is harder than it seems

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Garritt C. Van Dyk, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Waikato

    The day he took office for his second term, United States President Donald J. Trump unveiled his “America First” trade policy, including tariffs on imported goods from Mexico, Canada (both of which have since been paused) and China.

    President Trump’s reasoning for the tariffs included revitalising the American economy by bringing manufacturing and business back within US borders. Essentially, pushing the country towards greater self-sufficiency.

    Considering the cost of the tariffs, a number of countries have begun to question their dependence on foreign trade. But there are very clear hurdles including access to precious metals and raw materials.

    In a global market that relies on international trade, is it possible to be totally self-sufficient?

    The history of self-seficiency

    The economic term for self-sufficiency is “autarky”, borrowed from the ancient Greek word autarkeia, meaning “to suffice”. Ideally, this meant that a state could supply the needs of its people without foreign trade. Autarky, in its purest form, isolates the state from foreign economic, political and cultural influence.

    There are numerous historical examples of attempts to achieve complete economic autonomy.

    In 17th century Japan the Tokugawa Shogunate closed the borders to foreigners and prohibited Japanese from travelling abroad.

    There was limited private trade with China through Nagasaki and with Europe through Dutch merchants. They were confined to an artificial island, Deshima, off Nagasaki, to ensure their isolation. These restrictions remained for 265 years, until the threat of US gunboats forced Japan to sign a trade treaty in 1854.

    Self-sufficiency was also a goal of Benito Mussolini’s fascist dictatorship, aiming to lift Italy’s post-war economy in the 1920s. One initiative was the “Battle for Wheat”, an attempt to produce enough wheat to meet domestic demand and “free the Italian people from the slavery of foreign bread”.

    Italy imported more than one third of the flour needed to make bread and pasta, the two main foodstuffs. Pasta was targeted as a “backwards” food to promote consumption of local rice and reduce agricultural imports.

    Tariffs were levied on all imported goods in 1931. These were raised again in 1935 after sanctions were imposed on Italy following the invasion of Ethiopia. Mussolini declared in 1935 that Italy “would manage alone”.

    While imports of food, machinery and raw materials dropped, oil imports increased. Mussolini recognised the limits of autarky in 1934:

    Let us not delude ourselves about autarky. All the modern nations, thanks to the prodigious development of the sciences, can move towards a partial autarky. But we, until the contrary is proven, will have to import liquid combustibles.

    In response to Donald Trump’s America First policy, countries increasingly have to consider certain levels of self-sufficiency.
    Sven Hansche/Shutterstock

    A modern push to self-sufficiency

    Even with reduced reliance on fossil fuels, the scarcity of some natural resources, such as rare earth minerals, still poses a challenge to achieving autarky.

    Even the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), a centrally planned economy subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions for its nuclear and ballistic missile testing since 2006, is not completely self-sufficient.

    China is North Korea’s largest trading partner, with plastics, tobacco, soybean oil, rubber tires and packaged medicines as the top imports. The economic isolation of North Korea also makes it more vulnerable to global price fluctuations, as the movements are magnified due to the limited number of trading partners.

    Supply chain disruptions were highlighted during the pandemic, continued in 2021 with shortages in microchips, followed by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

    Some nations, such as the US and the United Kingdom, have responded to this logistical risk by shifting to local production, or reshoring, of certain critical industries, such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

    This inward turn requires significant investment and lead time and may involve higher local energy and labour costs, or additional environmental restrictions. For industries that involve national security or essential goods, reducing dependence on potential adversaries may be necessary. But for other sectors the higher costs will create inflationary pressure.

    There are also implicit costs in cutting economic ties with the outside world. Foreign investment is reduced and innovation lags as there are fewer incentives for the cross-border flow of ideas.

    Embracing friendshoring

    As the push for self-reliance increases, vulnerable countries will need new strategies to remain resilient.

    Identifying alternative supply chain relationships and increasing inventory stockpiles in advance will minimise disruptions.

    Another tactic is “friendshoring” – relocating supply chains to countries where the risk of disruption from political chaos is low.

    It is likely that geopolitical instability will increase and global fragmentation will continue. While straightforward autarky may not be possible, countries will need to consider how to survive the political and economic volatility of the next four years – and beyond.

    Garritt C. Van Dyk 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. ‘America First’ trade policy is pushing economic self-sufficiency – but history shows this is harder than it seems – https://theconversation.com/america-first-trade-policy-is-pushing-economic-self-sufficiency-but-history-shows-this-is-harder-than-it-seems-248530

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Cloud-based computing: routes toward secure storage and affordable computation

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Robert Deng, Professor of Information Systems – School of Information Systems, Singapore Management University

    Storing data in the cloud is now routine for people and companies alike, but cybersecurity risks still exist, particularly in handling user authentication and access control securely. Researchers are developing novel methods to store data securely and in a computationally affordable way, and to exploit it efficiently–by computing directly on encrypted data.

    Cloud computing, while indispensable for modern business operations, has also become a significant target for cyberattacks due to the large amount of sensitive data stored online. Currently, over 90% of organizations rely on cloud services for critical operations, and there are more than 3.6 billion active cloud users globally. This translates to 47% of the world’s population utilizing cloud services, underscoring the widespread dependency on the cloud.

    Unfortunately, this reliance on cloud computing comes with heightened risks. Data breaches are escalating in both frequency and severity: according to the 2024 Thales Cloud Security Study, 44% of businesses reported experiencing a breach in their cloud environments, with 14% reporting a breach within the past 12 months.

    As organizations migrate more sensitive data to the cloud–nearly half of all cloud-stored data is classified as sensitive–the attack surface for cybercriminals expands. This makes breaches not only more common but also more damaging, as the loss of sensitive information can have far-reaching consequences, including significant financial and reputational harm. The global average cost of a data breach in 2024 was estimated at $4.88 million.

    Nowadays, so-called “client-side encryption” is effective in data security and privacy protection in cloud data storage. However, for encrypted data to be useful, there is still a long way to go toward practical secure computation over it. We still face significant scalability and performance hurdles. Research continues to explore ways to bridge this gap, making scalable, privacy-preserving computation more efficient and accessible for large-scale applications.

    The root causes of data breaches

    User authentication and access control are among the most critical mechanisms to deter data breaches.

    User authentication, the process of verifying the identity of users trying to access cloud resources, is the first line of defence–but it is widely regarded as the weakest link in the chain of security, with an estimated 81% of hacking-related breaches leveraging either stolen or weak passwords. Though user authentication has evolved a lot in recent years, attacks meant to compromise user authentication have, too.

    Access control–the process of regulating who can view, use or interact with cloud resources such as data, applications or services–is the next line of defence. Effective access control ensures that only authorized users or devices have the appropriate permissions to access certain resources, thereby minimizing security risks and preventing unauthorized access or misuse of cloud assets.

    In today’s cloud computing environments, cloud servers are fully responsible to correctly enforce access-control policies. As a result, misconfigurations of servers due to human error or software bugs, or compromise of servers due to malicious attacks, can result in serious breaches. In fact, the US National Security Agency (NSA) considers misconfiguration a leading vulnerability in a cloud environment.

    Client-side encryption for secure storage

    Data can be encrypted and decrypted on end users’ devices before uploading it to and downloading it from the cloud. This approach ensures that data is encrypted during transit and storage, making data inaccessible to anyone without the decryption keys, including service providers and other potential attackers. As long as the decryption keys are kept secure by end users, security and privacy of data can be ensured even if the user’s cloud account and the cloud server are compromised.

    Existing client-side encryption solutions in cloud computing can use either private or public keys. For example, Google Workspace client-side encryption employs an online key distribution server for distribution between authorized users for the purpose of data encryption and sharing. However, an online distribution server can be both a security and performance bottleneck. To circumvent this, MEGA, another client-side encryption service, uses public key encryption and hence does not require an online key distribution server. But it does require sophisticated public key certificate management, as the number of public key encryptions is proportional to the number of potential data users to share a document, making this a strategy that’s hard to scale up.

    Circumventing the computational limitation of client-side encryption

    Suppose that a hospital wants to outsource the storage of its patients’ electronic medical records to the cloud and wants to establish specific policies on who can access the records. Before outsourcing a record, the hospital may specify that it can only be accessed by cardiologists in, say, the University Hospital, or by scientists in the Life Science Institute. Let “CT” denote the encrypted medical record and “AP” = (Cardiologist AND University Hospital) OR (Scientist AND Life Science Institute) be the access policy. CT and AP are cryptographically bound together and are uploaded to the cloud for storage. Then only users whose attributes satisfy AP can decrypt CT to get the decrypted medical record.

    This is a scalable encryption system because its access policy does not need to list each and every authorized user who can access the data, only the attributes of the potential users. Access control (i.e., decryption) of encrypted data is not enforced by the cloud server but through the encryption and decryption algorithms that are theoretically proved secure.

    Beyond secure storage: exploiting secure data efficiently

    One of the main efficiency drawbacks of such systems–which are already deployed–is that decryption is computationally expensive for resource-limited devices. To address this issue, we proposed a protocol that improves decryption efficiency for end users by two orders of magnitude, by outsourcing most of the decryption workload to a public cloud server.

    Another critical problem in deployment is “user revocation”: whenever a user leaves the system, changes her position or loses her existing private key, the key must be revoked to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Current systems mostly use timestamps to bar revoked users from decrypting new content–however, the timestamps require regular updates, which can be computationally heavy in large systems. We proposed hardware-based revocable attribute-based encryption to make revocation cheaper.

    Computing directly on encrypted data

    Ideally, servers should be able to perform meaningful operations on encrypted data without ever decrypting it, preserving privacy at every step.

    This is where so-called “fully homomorphic encryption” comes in. It is a cutting-edge encryption technique that enables mathematical operations–specifically, addition and multiplication–to be executed on encrypted data directly by a server, without the need for decryption.

    However, current state-of-the-art systems are impractical for large-scale computations because of the “noise”–the unwanted, random-looking data introduced by cryptographic operations–that threatens the integrity of the results. Frequent noise-mitigating procedures are required–once again, a computationally expensive method, in particular for large data sets.

    Our novel approach to secure computing over encrypted data allows an unlimited number of arithmetic operations to be performed without the need for “bootstrapping” (the mathematical operation to reduce noise), achieving superior performance across various secure computing tasks, such as privacy-preserving person re-identification.

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

    Robert Deng has received funding from the Singapore National Research Foundation.

    – ref. Cloud-based computing: routes toward secure storage and affordable computation – https://theconversation.com/cloud-based-computing-routes-toward-secure-storage-and-affordable-computation-248592

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: BLOG | Making the most of every pound

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, Cllr Ruth Bennett, outlines the Council’s priorities in setting this year’s budget…

    In the next few weeks, we’ll be setting our 2025/26 budget at Liverpool City Council. It’s been many months in preparation, with a lot of detailed work and careful planning.

    We are acutely aware that, whether it is a government grant or money raised locally, it is your money we are spending.

    At the heart of every decision we make is a commitment to ensure we make the most of every pound, and that it is invested in delivering good quality services. Our priority has been to make sure that we are continuing to invest in the things we know you care about.

    Over the last year, we have been spending more in our neighbourhoods, joining-up services by bringing our Streetscene service back in-house, and placing staff on the ground to work with local Councillors and community organisations to direct our resources at specific issues in particular wards, such as fly-tipping, waste or match day parking. It’s already delivering success, with a 5.7 per cent reduction in the reports about fly-tipping and a drop of around 25 per cent in both street cleaning and weeding requests. We’ve also halfway through recruiting 40 new parking enforcement officers to tackle inconsiderate drivers.

    At the same time, our drive to make sure we bring in as much of our owed income continues. Our in-year council tax collection rate is currently much improved and better than other big ‘core’ cities, and we’re on with being far more robust with businesses who owe money to us and you – the residents of Liverpool.

    We’ve reviewed our Council Tax Support Scheme for the first time in a decade to make sure it is fit for purpose, and a review of single person Council Tax discount is bringing in hundreds of thousands of pounds extra a year. We’re getting into an annual cycle of reviewing fees and charges so that it becomes business as usual, because these make an essential contribution to our overall budget.

    We’ll also be rolling out improvements in customer services, including the introduction of a new case management platform. In simple terms, it will enable you to access more services online, over the phone, or in-person, and get real-time updates and information, in the same way as you would expect from your internet or energy provider.

    Along with many other councils up and down the country, we face demand pressures in areas such as social care, homelessness and SEND transport, but we have plans in place to deal with this and, where necessary, mitigate the financial impact.

    This year we have received a greater amount of money from the Government as they changed the funding arrangements to target deprived areas. In the longer term, they are carrying out a Comprehensive Spending Review which will give us more certainty over our finances by letting us know how much we will receive in the coming years. This will help us greatly in planning for the future, helping us build on the progress we have made in the last 18 months.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Canada must seize the moment and launch its long-awaited Africa strategy

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By David J Hornsby, Professor of International Affairs and the Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic), Carleton University

    Recent events have been nothing short of shock therapy for many Canadians. The threat of economically devastating tariffs by the United States at the behest of President Donald Trump have only reinforced that the time is ripe for Canada to diversify its foreign engagements and collaborations — like with the African region.

    Africa’s geopolitical and economic trajectory is reshaping the global order. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) poised to become the world’s largest single market, a youthful population driving innovation and vast renewable energy potential, the continent is no longer a peripheral player — it’s a cornerstone of the 21st-century economy.

    Yet Canada, despite years of consultations and pledges, has delayed the release of a comprehensive Africa trade strategy. The time for hesitation is over.

    AfCFTA window is closing

    The AfCFTA, which spans 54 countries and 1.3 billion people, is projected to boost intra-African trade by 52 per cent by 2035. For Canada, this represents a significant opportunity to diversify exports beyond traditional partners like the U.S. and China.

    Canadian sectors from agri-food to clean tech are well-positioned to meet Africa’s demand for value-added goods and infrastructure.

    Global competitors are already moving: China’s trade with Africa surpassed $200 billion in 2023, while the European Union and India have accelerated trade pact negotiations across the continent.

    Without a formal strategy, Canada risks losing access to a market that could define the next decade of economic growth.

    Geopolitical stakes have never been higher

    Russia and China have deepened their influence across Africa, often at the expense of democratic governance and transparency. Canada’s absence isn’t just an economic miss — it’s a strategic void.

    By aligning with African priorities like Agenda 2063, which emphasizes self-reliance and sustainable development, Canada can counterbalance exploitative partnerships with ones rooted in mutual benefit.

    As Agenda 2063 identifies, African leaders are refocusing their agendas from the struggle against apartheid and political independence to “inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security.” Africa faces a collective US$100 billion annual infrastructure deficit following centuries of colonial incursion and extraction.

    Recent Canadian investments in peace and security, good governance, people-to-people ties ($54 million) and economic empowerment ($176 million for women and youth empowerment) signal intent, but without a unified strategy, these
    efforts are fragmented.

    Aligning perfectly with Africa’s needs

    Canada’s world-class engineering firms and institutions like the Canada Infrastructure Bank could partner with African states and institutions like the African Development Bank and replicate successes achieved in projects like Ghana’s renewable energy grid.

    Africa’s startup ecosystem thrives in the financial technology and agritech sectors, where Canadian expertise and venture capital could catalyze growth.

    Projects like the Lobito Corridor, offer a chance for Canadian firms to contribute to rail and transport development that could be transformative.

    With significant solar and other renewable energies potential, Africa is critical to the net-zero transition. Canadian mining firms and clean energy innovators are natural partners for lithium and cobalt projects, despite the dubious human and environmental rights track record of some Canadian mining companies in the region.

    A Canada-Africa strategy needs to signal a support for mandatory adherence to environmental and human rights standards for mining firms, such as Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining framework, while strengthening accountability through mechanisms like independent oversight and legal consequences for violations that already exist. By prioritizing partnerships with African governments and local communities, such a strategy could ensure ethical practices through transparent agreements, community consent protocols, and shared governance models foster a future of more ethical behaviour.

    From aid to equity

    Decades of humanitarian aid have fostered good will, but Africa’s leaders increasingly demand collaboration

    Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy emphasizes gender equality and aligns with Africa’s push for women-led development.

    But a true partnership requires reciprocity, like South Africa’s significant investments in Canadian mining and climate research collaborations. The African diaspora community, numbering over 1.2 million in Canada, is a bridge to these opportunities.

    The G7 presidency provides opportunity

    The alignment of the Canadian 2025 G7 presidency with South Africa’s 2025 presidency of the G20 offers a pivotal moment to unveil Canada’s African strategy and to mainstream African priorities, from debt relief to digital inclusion.

    The forthcoming G20 gatherings of finance ministers and central bank governors in Cape Town offers a perfect moment to demonstrate an actual plan to diversify Canadian foreign policy engagements and interests while positioning the country to rally allies behind a renewed set of initiatives that exist across the continent.

    To delay any further will not only frustrate business and diaspora groups alike, but will continue to relegate Canada to a marginal role in the continent’s economic and social development.

    The EU’s public and private investments in the green and digital transitions in Kenya and Ghana’s lithium deal with Australia underscore the urgency for a co-ordinated and concerted approach. Canada’s reputation as a reliable partner hangs in the balance.

    A call for cohesion

    A Canadian Africa strategy is critical now more than ever. To fully engage, any plan will need to articulate pan-African trade and streamlined export opportunities. It should leverage soft power by expanding diplomatic missions across regional economic communities.

    Investing in mutual growth via joint ventures in mining, agri-processing, and digital infrastructure is also crucial. Embedding climate justice by linking critical mineral exports to African renewable energy projects will foster sustainable development — all the while maintaining key imperatives of gender equality, one health and the exchange of knowledge through things like the South Africa-Canada Universities Network.

    Africa’s rise isn’t a distant future — it’s unfolding now. Canada has the tools, the values and the economic imperative to act. Delaying further isn’t just a missed opportunity; it’s a generational misstep.

    The strategy is drafted, the stakeholders are ready. All that’s missing is the political will to hit “publish” and get started.

    David J Hornsby 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. Why Canada must seize the moment and launch its long-awaited Africa strategy – https://theconversation.com/why-canada-must-seize-the-moment-and-launch-its-long-awaited-africa-strategy-249255

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Vilnius, Lithuania

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Press statements
    Gitanas NAUSĖDA, President of Lithuania
    Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission
    Andrzej DUDA, President of Poland
    Alar KARIS, President of Estonia
    Edgars RINKĒVIČS, President of Latvia

    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Visit our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pBle1NsEzI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home buying and selling to become quicker and cheaper

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Major new plans to modernise home buying and selling to save people time and money and further measures to improve the lives of leaseholders

    Millions of people are set to benefit from improvements to the way homes are bought and sold, saving them both time and money by helping stop property transactions from falling through. 

    Under major new plans, the government has announced today [February 9] it will modernise the way the process works to bring down current delays of almost five months. One of the key reasons the buying and selling process can be long and frustrating is a lack of digitalisation and join up in the sector, which is why the government is opening up key property information, ensuring this data can be shared between trusted professionals more easily, and driving forward plans for digital identity services to slash transaction times. 

    These reforms will make home buying fit for the 21st Century and give much-needed certainty to everyone involved in property transactions, with one million taking place in the UK every year. By making information available at people’s fingertips, it will be far less likely for surprises to be encountered later on in the process. This will make it easier for people to get onto the housing ladder, reduce the requirement to share ID in-person in the long-term, and decrease the number of transactions collapsing.  

    Currently, fall throughs – which impact one in three transactions – cost people around £400 million a year, on top of the four million working days lost by conveyancers and estate agents alone which is equivalent to £1 billion. By bringing the process into the digital age, and learning from success stories such as Norway where transactions complete in around one month, the government is putting more money into the pockets of hardworking people and delivering on our Plan for Change to grow the economy. 

    Meanwhile changes to improve the lives of leaseholders – who have already achieved the dream of homeownership but found it falls short of what they were promised – will also be introduced from next week, with secondary legislation for the Right to Manage measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 being laid tomorrow – ahead of the schedule the government committed to last year. 

    These changes, which will come into force on 3rd March, will empower more leaseholders to take control of their buildings more easily, giving them power over how their service charges are spent, and removing the requirement for leaseholders to cover the legal fees of their freeholder when making a Right to Manage claim – potentially saving them up to £3,000 for the most costly claims, and reducing the incentive for landlords to obstruct the process. 

    Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said: 

    “We are streamlining the cumbersome home buying process so that it is fit for the twenty-first century, helping homebuyers save money, gain time and reduce stress while also cutting the number of house sales that fall through.  

    “Our modernisation of the system sits alongside further reforms to improve the lives of leasehold homeowners across the country, allowing them to more easily and cheaply take control of the buildings they live in and clamp down on unreasonable or extortionate charges.

    “These reforms build on the government’s Plan for Change to deliver higher living standards and 1.5 million safe and decent homes in this Parliament, and our ongoing efforts to protect leaseholders suffering from unfair and unreasonable practices as we work to end the feudal leasehold system for good.” 

    Currently, information such as building control and highways information is predominantly paper-based or recorded in non-machine-readable formats. On top of this, where data is available electronically, there are not established protocols for accessing, sharing and verifying that data which leads to more delays.  

    But under a fully digitalised home buying and selling process, the information key parties need – from mortgage companies to surveyors – will be within reach immediately, with the necessary identity checks carried out once. Clear information early on will mean there are no surprises late on in the transaction which might cause it to fall through, so instead the transaction is completed smoothly without unnecessary time, energy or money spent.  

    That’s why the department is working hand-in-hand with the property market, supported by HM Land Registry (HMLR), and is today announcing a 12-week project to identify the design and implementation of agreed rules on data for the sector, so that it can easily be shared between conveyancers, lenders and other parties involved in a transaction. HMLR will also build on its work in digitising property information and lead 10-month pilots with a number of councils to identify the best approach to opening up more of their data and making it digital, whilst the government pushes ahead with plans for digital identity verification services including in the property sector. 

    This will all be carried out in conjunction with the Digital Property Market Steering Group – a collection of industry and government experts committed to digitalising the home buying and selling process and delivering this change.  

    The government has already:   

    • Launched a New Homes Accelerator to unblock thousands of homes stuck in the planning system.     

    • Set up an independent New Towns Taskforce, as part of a long-term vision to create large-scale communities of at least 10,000 new homes each.     

    • Awarded £68 million to 54 local councils to unlock housing on brownfield sites.     

    • Awarded £47 million to seven councils to unlock homes stalled by nutrient neutrality rules.     

    • Announced an additional £3 billion in housing guarantees to help builders apply for more accessible loans from banks and lenders.     

    • Extended the existing Home Building Fund for next year providing up to £700 million of vital support to SME housebuilders, delivering an additional 12,000 new homes.     

    Notes to editors:   

    • More than 300,000 property transactions fall through in the UK every year at a cost to sellers of £400 million, according to a survey commissioned by the HomeOwners Alliance (HOA) and online homebuyer IMMO.co.uk in 2018.   

    • Almost a third of adults surveyed by the Homeowners Alliance in 2024, when asked how the conveyancing process could be improved, said it should be faster.   

    • MHCLG has recently taken over the chairing of the Digital Property Market Steering Group. The group consists of organisations that represent the various professions involved in the buying and selling process and is committed to driving digitalisation of the home buying and selling system.    

    • Right to Manage is the only way for leaseholders to take back control over extortionate fees and mismanagement of their homes, without being forced to buy the freehold.  

    • The Right to Manage Statutory Instrument will be laid in parliament on Monday, and will come in to effect from 3rd March 2025 

    • This marks the next step on government’s timetable for further leasehold and commonhold reform which can be found here: Sweeping reforms to give leaseholders more powers and protections – GOV.UK

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vitaly Savelyev: Civil aviation makes a significant contribution to achieving national development goals

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

    February 9, 2025

    Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

    February 9, 2025

    Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

    February 9, 2025

    Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

    February 9, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

    The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday.

    On the eve of the holiday, a ceremonial event dedicated to the Civil Aviation Worker’s Day was held at the National Center “Russia”. Vitaly Savelyev addressed the participants with a ceremonial speech. He thanked the aviators for their tireless work and loyalty to their work and wished them success and new achievements for the benefit of Russia!

    Special words of gratitude were addressed to veterans.

    “We are especially proud of our civil aviation veterans who trained, educated and inspire us to new achievements.

    This year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The country’s civil aviation made a significant contribution to the defeat of the enemy.

    Today, Russia is strengthening its status as a great aviation power. Civil aviation successfully solves important tasks in the interests of the state and citizens, makes a significant contribution to achieving national development goals,” noted Vitaly Savelyev.

    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: NZ must take robust Gaza stance – ‘stop tip-toeing’ around Trump, warns academic

    By Rachel Helyer Donaldson, RNZ News journalist

    New Zealand should be robust in its response to the “unacceptable” situation in Gaza but it must also back its allies against threats by the US President, says an international relations academic.

    Otago University professor of international relations Robert Patman said the rest of the world also “should stop tip-toeing” around President Donald Trump and must stand up to any threats he makes against allies, no matter how outlandish they seem.

    Trump doubled down on his proposal for a US takeover of Gaza on Friday, after the idea was rejected by Palestinians and leaders around the world.

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ that New Zealand would not comment on the plan until it was clear exactly what was meant, but said New Zealand continued to support a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

    Dr Patman said the president’s plan was “truly shocking and absolutely appalling” in light of the devastation in Gaza in the last 15 months.

    It was not only “tone deaf” but also dangerous, he added, with the proposal amounting to “the most powerful country in the world — the US — dismantling an international rules=based system that [it] has done so much to establish”.

    “This was an extraordinary proposal which I think is reckless and dangerous because it certainly doesn’t help the immediate situation. It probably plays into the hands of extremists in the region.

    “There is a view at the moment that we must all tiptoe round Mr Trump in order not to upset him, while he’s completely free to make outrageous suggestions which endanger people’s lives.”

    Professor Robert Patman . . . Trump’s plan for Gaza “truly shocking and absolutely appalling”. Image: RNZ

    Winston Peters’ careful position on a potential US takeover of Gaza was “a fair response . . . but the Luxon-led government must be clear the current situation is unacceptable” and oppose protectionism, he said.

    “[The government ] wants a solution in the Middle East which recognises both the Israeli desire for security but also recognises the political right to self determination of the Palestinian people — in other words the right to have a state of their own.”

    New Zealand should also speak out against Trump’s threats to annex Canada, “our very close ally”, he said.

    He was “not suggesting New Zealand be provocative but it must be robust”, Dr Patman said.

    Greens also respond to Trump actions
     The Green Party said President Trump had been explicit in his intention to take over Gaza, and New Zealand needed to make its position crystal clear too.

    Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the Prime Minister needed to stand up and condemn the plan as “reprehensible”.

    “President Trump’s comments have been pretty clear to anybody who is able to read or to listen to them, about his intention to forcibly displace, or to see displaced, about 1.8 million Gazans from their own land, who have already been made refugees in their own land.”

    France, Spain, Ireland, Brazil and other countries had been “unequivocal” in their condemnation of Trump’s plan, and NZ’s Foreign Affairs Minister should be too, she added.

    “New Zealanders value justice and they value peace, and they want to see our leadership represent that, on the international stage. So [these were] really disappointing and unfortunately unclear comments from our Deputy Prime Minister.”

    Yesterday Foreign Minister Winston Peters told RNZ that New Zealand still supported a two-state solution, but said he would not comment on Trump’s Gaza plan until officials could grasp exactly what this meant.

    Trump sanctions International Criminal Court
     Meanwhile, an international law expert says New Zealand’s cautious position following Trump’s sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) staff is the right response — for now.

    Dozens of countries have expressed “unwavering support” for the ICC in a joint statement, after the US President imposed sanctions on its staff.

    The 125-member ICC is a permanent court that can prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression against the territory of member states or by their nationals.

    The United States, China, Russia and Israel are not members.

    Trump has accused the court of improperly targeting the US and its ally, Israel.

    Neither New Zealand nor Australia had joined the statement, but in a statement to RNZ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had always supported the ICC’s role in upholding international law and a rules-based system.

    University of Victoria law professor Alberto Costi said currently New Zealand is at little risk of sanctions and there’s no need for a stronger approach.

    “At this stage there is no reason to be stronger. New Zealand is perceived as a state that believes in a rules-based order and is supportive of the work of the ICC.

    “So there’s not much need to go further but it’s a space to watch in the future, should these sanctions become a reality.

    “But as far as New Zealand is concerned, at the moment there is no need to antagonise anyone at this stage.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese folk arts attract Serbian audience with Spring Festival flash performance

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Hubei Performing Arts Group brought a vibrant showcase of Chinese folk arts to Belgrade, on Saturday evening with a flash performance at Galerija Shopping Mall, as part of Serbia’s Spring Festival celebrations.

    The “Charming Hubei” program kicked off with a suona solo, “Snow Lantern Festival,” immediately drawing a crowd. This was followed by a mesmerizing display of Wudang martial arts, which earned enthusiastic applause. The highlight of the evening was a face-changing opera performance, where enthusiastic children and teenagers eagerly interacted with the performer.

    The 30-minute show concluded with a series of traditional and classical Chinese folk music performed on Chinese instruments, including the guzheng, pipa, and erhu.

    Adding a cross-cultural touch, Serbian violinist Milica joined the Chinese performers. “It is a great pleasure to work and perform with musicians from China. It’s always a unique experience to share music together,” she said.

    Milica, a member of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, noted that although she had met many Chinese musicians during previous visits to China, this was her first official collaboration with a Chinese ensemble. “The music is amazing. I love its melodies and unique style,” she added.

    Audience member Andjela praised the performance for its artistry, costumes, and diverse instruments. “It was something different and truly beautiful. I haven’t seen a Chinese show like this before, but now I definitely want to experience more,” she said.

    This marked the Hubei Performing Arts Group’s third appearance in Serbia’s Spring Festival celebrations, following performances in Bor and Nis.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese Spring Festival celebrated with cultural events in Sofia, Bulgaria

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Two cultural events celebrating the traditional Chinese Spring Festival were held in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, on Saturday afternoon, providing attendees with an immersive cultural exchange experience.

    The Confucius Institute in Sofia hosted a vibrant Spring Festival celebration, attracting attendees eager to experience Chinese culture. The event featured performances by students from Chinese-language classes across Bulgaria, including Sofia, Vidin, Stara Zagora, Burgas, and Montana. Prizes were also awarded to winners of the institute’s recent Chinese language competition.

    Addressing the event, Yang Tian, head of the education section at the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, highlighted the Spring Festival’s significance as China’s most festive and culturally rich holiday, symbolizing family reunion, harmony, and prosperity.

    “This festival has become an important cultural bridge, emotionally connecting people worldwide,” Yang said, commending the Confucius Institute’s efforts in fostering mutual cultural appreciation through the Year of the Snake celebrations.

    In a joint speech delivered in their respective languages, Chen Ying, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute in Sofia, and Aksiniya Koleva, the institute’s Bulgarian director, emphasized the institute’s ongoing efforts to increase the number of Bulgarian youth studying Chinese. “We are dedicated to expanding cultural and educational exchanges between our two countries,” they said.

    Angel Apostolov, chief expert at the international cooperation department of the Ministry of Education and Science, shared his impressions after attending the event. He first experienced Chinese New Year celebrations 15 years ago, he told Xinhua, adding, “It’s remarkable that the hall is always full, which reflects the growing Chinese cultural presence in Bulgaria.”

    Meanwhile, another Spring Festival celebration event took place at the Toplocentrala Center for Contemporary Arts. The gathering featured a 90-minute China-Bulgaria joint concert with performances by Chinese and Bulgarian musicians, along with various Chinese cultural activities.

    Eighteen-year-old Raya Popova traveled 310 km from Ruse to attend the event. “I came because my former Chinese teacher is here, and I want to meet her before she returns to China,” said Popova, who last year won the Bulgarian national qualifications of the 17th “Chinese Bridge” competition.

    “Chinese Bridge” is an annual international contest in which non-Chinese students showcase their proficiency in the Chinese language and their knowledge of Chinese culture.

    “I have made many new contacts with Chinese people, which helps me improve my Chinese every day,” she told Xinhua. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: PSNA’s Minto hits back at Gaza ‘genocide hotline’ critics, insists NZ should deny Israeli soldiers entry

    Asia Pacific Report

    A national Palestine advocacy group has hit back at critics of its “genocide hotline” campaign against soldiers involved in Israel’s war against Gaza, saying New Zealand should be actively following international law.

    The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) dismissed a “predictable lineup of apologists for Israel” for their criticisms of the PSNA campaign.

    “Why is concern for the sensitivities of soldiers from a genocidal Israeli campaign more important than condemning the genocide itself?,” asked PSNA national chair John Minto in a statement.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, the Chief Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow and the New Zealand Jewish Council have made statements “protecting” Israeli soldiers who come to New Zealand on “rest and recreation” from the industrial-scale killing of 47,000 Palestinians in Gaza until a truce went into force on January 19.

    “We are not surprised to see such a predictable lineup of apologists for Israel and its genocide in Gaza from lining up to attack a PSNA campaign with false smears of anti-semitism,” Minto said.

    He said that over 16 months Peters had done “absolutely nothing” to put any pressure on Israel to end its genocidal behaviour.

    “But he is full of bluff and bluster and outright lies to denounce those who demand Israel be held to account.”

    Deny illegal settler visas
    Minto said that if Peters was doing his job as Foreign Minister, he would not only stop Israeli soldiers coming to Aotearoa New Zealand — as with Russian soldiers in the Ukraine war — he would also deny visas to any Israeli with an address in an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    The Human Rights Commission had issued a “disingenuous media release”, he said.

    Whlle the commission said it had received 90 complaints about the hotline, it had also received eight complaints about immigration policy allowing Israeli soldiers to enter New Zealand under the visa waiver scheme that applies to Israel.

    “Our campaign has nothing to do with Israelis or Jews — it is a campaign to stop Israeli soldiers coming here for rest and recreation after a campaign of wholesale killing of Palestinians in Gaza,” Minto said.

    “To imply the campaign is targeting Jews is disgusting and despicable.

    “Some of the soldiers will be Druse, some Palestinian Arabs and others will be Jews.”

    The five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, shot 355 times by Israeli soldiers on 29 January 2024. Image: @Onlyloren/Instagram

    Israeli soldiers are facing a growing risk of being arrested abroad for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza, with around 50 criminal complaints filed so far in courts in several countries around the world.

    Earlier this month, a former Israeli soldier abruptly ended his holiday in Brazil and was “smuggled” out of the country after a Federal Court ordered police to open a war crimes investigation against him. The man fled to Argentina.

    A complaint lodged by the Belgium-based Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) included more than 500 pages of court records linking the suspect to the demolition of civilian homes in Gaza.

    ‘Historic’ court ruling against soldier
    The foundation called the Brazilian court’s decision “historic”, saying it marked a significant precedent for a member country of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to enforce Rome Statute provisions domestically in the 15-month Israeli war on Gaza.

    The foundation is named in honour of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab who was killed on 29 January 2024 by Israel soldiers while pleading for help in a car after her six family members were dead.

    According to The New Arab, the foundation has so far tracked and sent the names of 1000 Israeli soldiers to the ICC and Interpol, and has been pursuing legal cases in a number of countries, including Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, France, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

    In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, together with a former Hamas commander, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    Minto accused the New Zealand Jewish Council of being “deeply racist” and said it regularly “makes a meal of false smears of anti-semitism”.

    “It’s deeply problematic that this Jewish Council strategy takes attention away from the real anti-semitism which exists in New Zealand and around the world.

    “The priority of the Jewish Council is to protect Israel from criticism and protect it from accountability for its apartheid policies, ethnic cleansing and genocide.

    “We are demanding that accountability.”

    NZ ‘going through the motions’
    In a later statement, PSNA said the government had begun to “go through the motions” of questioning Israeli soldiers at the border but it was just a “look busy policy – too little too late”.

    NZ requires Israelis to disclose IDF service details as condition for entry – a similar policy to Australia. Image: Times of Israel screenshot APR

    Immigration questioning Israeli of soldiers about their military service in Gaza at the New Zealand border was revealed in a Times of Israel report today which said:

    “New Zealand’s government immigration authority has begun to require Israelis applying for a visa to report details of their military service as a condition for entry, and at least one person has been denied admission after doing so.”

    PSNA’s Minto said the government must also uphold the ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 which called on global governments to end support for Israel’s illegal occupation.

    “This means we should also deny entry to every Israeli wanting to visit here who has an address in an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” Minto added.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Views sought on a parking zone for Everton FC’s new stadium

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Liverpool City Council has launched a public consultation on extending the city’s ‘Football Match Parking Zone’ around Everton Football Club’s new stadium, at Bramley-Moore Dock.

    The parking zone already exists for both of the city’s current major football stadiums at Goodison Park and Anfield.

    Given the scale of the events to be hosted at Everton’s brand new 52,888 capacity stadium, the council is asking for views from residents, businesses and other stakeholders on introducing new controls in the area when the venue is hosting events.

    Although not yet complete (scheduled for completion in the 2024/25 season), the stadium has already been named as a potential host venue in the FA’s bid for the UEFA European Championships in 2028 and will also be capable of hosting major non-footballing events.

    The proposals focus on the area within a 30-minute walk of Everton Stadium, which will encompass the surrounding Ten Streets district and into the city centre.

    These include:
    • New resident parking areas
    • New taxi ranks
    • New match day bus stands
    • New parking restrictions
    • New hours of operation for existing parking zones for the Great Homer Street area
    • New hours of operation for existing parking zones for the Ten Streets and Love Lane areas
    • New industrial parking zone south of Boundary Street
    • New industrial parking zone north of Boundary Street

    The overall aim of the controls is to reduce congestion, improve air quality, safety and journey times to and from the stadium. The proposals have also been designed to complement the modernisation of parking across the city centre, the plans for which is also currently the subject of a public consultation.

    Liverpool City Council has already invested more than £20m in the highways infrastructure around Bramley-Moore Dock, including a permanent segregated cycle lane running from the city centre up to Liverpool’s northern border at Bootle in Sefton, which passes right in front of the new stadium.

    Details of the three-week long consultation can be found online at https://liverpool.gov.uk/bramleymoorepermits which includes a survey and an FAQs document explaining the proposed scheme and its implications.

    People can provide additional feedback by email or request the relevant documents in alternative formats, by writing to: liverpooltraffic@amey.co.uk

    As well being able to provide feedback online, the council will also be hosting a hat-trick of consultation events on:
    • Tuesday 6 December, 10am to 6pm – Ten Streets Social, 8 Regent Rd, L3 7BX
    • Tuesday 13 December, 10am to 6pm – Kirkdale Neighbourhood Community Centre, 238A Stanley Road, L5 7QP
    • Thursday 15 December, 10am to 6pm – Vauxhall Neighbourhood Council, Blenheim Street, L5 8UX

    Once the consultation closes at 5pm on Tuesday, 22 December the responses will be collated and fed back to the Divisional Manager for Highways and Transportation toward the end of January 2023.

    A decision will then be made on whether or not to proceed with the proposals or amend them in any way. If the proposals are agreed, a statutory notification process will begin in early Spring, when for a period of 28 days, members of the public can submit their formal objection or support for the proposed scheme.

    Councillor Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Everton Stadium is going to be a real game changer for the surrounding Ten Streets district and the wider Kirkdale community.

    “As well as the much anticipated and needed economic benefit, the vast volume of people the stadium will attract – and how they arrive and depart – needs to be carefully managed.

    “The North Docks area has never had to cope with such large numbers of people in such concentrated time periods but fortunately the city has the experience and knowledge thanks to Goodison Park and Anfield. By extending the match day parking zone, we’ll be looking to adopt and incorporate those controls which so effectively move tens of thousands on a weekly basis.

    “Bramley-Moore Dock is also a unique location given its very close proximity to the city centre and the fact the surrounding transport infrastructure is well developed – be it the new cycle lane to the nearby train station at Sandhills. We’ll be looking to encourage as many active travel options as possible for those attending the games or other events there, which is a win-win for everyone in terms of managing congestion and air quality and promoting healthy habits.

    “There’s lots of residents and businesses who will be affected by these proposals and we want as many people as possible to read them and ask questions of them. Only through their feedback can we refine and improve the proposals before we look at the next stage of a formal statutory notification process. Of course we want to hear from Everton fans too and I look forward to the responses to help us make the decisions that best suits the needs of all involved.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mobile Cervical Screening is Coming to Communities Across the City 

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Cervical screening is a vital health check that can save lives, yet many people miss their appointments due to busy schedules or uncertainty. 

    To make screening more accessible, a mobile cervical screening service will be at different areas across Liverpool. 

    Women and anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 64 are encouraged to come along. The test takes just five minutes and can prevent up to 70% of cervical cancer deaths. 

    No appointment is needed, people can simply drop in when the mobile service visits their area. 

    Screenings are conducted with care and sensitivity, and a family member or friend is welcome come for support. 

    Drop-ins are taking place: 

    Date  Time  Location 
    Wednesday 12th February   10:30 – 4:00pm  South Liverpool Homes – Parklands, Conleach Rd, Speke, L24 0TY 
    Friday 7th March   10:30 – 4:00pm  Abdullah Quillam, 8-10 Brougham Terrace, West Derby Road, Liverpool, L6 1AE.  
    Saturday 15th March   10:30 – 4:00pm  Beacon Health Kensington, 157 Edge Lane, L7 3HE 
    Friday 28th March   10:30 – 4:00pm  Chung Wah Supermarket, Hardy Street Liverpool L1 5JN 

    For more information about cervical screening visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/ 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: International Criminal Court, DRC & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (7 February 2025)

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Secretary-General’s Travel
    International Criminal Court
    Human Rights
    Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Syria
    Haiti
    Food Price Index
    Financial Contributions

    SECRETARY-GENERAL’S TRAVEL
    The Secretary-General will be in Paris, France, on Monday to attend the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit. He will speak at one of the sessions on Tuesday, and he will tell leaders gathered there that the growing concentration of AI capabilities in the hands of a few companies and countries risks widening global inequalities and deepening geopolitical divides. He will underscore that we must prevent a world of AI “haves” and “have-nots” and will call on AI leaders to pool expertise and cooperate with each other. He will emphasize that it is in the interests of government and technology leaders to commit to global guardrails.
    While in Paris, he is also expected to meet with President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders.
    The Secretary-General will leave France on Wednesday.

    INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
    In response to questions about our response to the US Government’s executive order regarding the International Criminal Court, the Deputy Spokesperson said the following:
    International criminal law is an essential element to fighting impunity, which is unfortunately widespread in today’s world. The International Criminal Court is its essential element, and it must be allowed to work in full independence.

    HUMAN RIGHTS
    This morning in Geneva, the Human Rights Council held a special session on the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said that if nothing is done to end the offensive of the M23, supported by the Rwanda Defense Forces, the worst may be yet to come, for the people of eastern DRC, but also beyond the country’s borders.
    He said that he is horrified by the spread of sexual violence, adding that his team in the DRC is currently verifying multiple allegations of rape, gang rape and sexual slavery, throughout the conflict zones.
    Mr. Türk also said that hundreds of human rights defenders, journalists and members of civil society have reported to his Office that they have been threatened or are being pursued by the M23 and Rwandan forces. Our human rights colleagues have also facilitated the protection of judicial authorities who were in danger.

    And to note that this morning, the Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a resolution establishing a Fact-finding mission by the UN Human Rights Office and an Independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the DRC. Both will examine violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law committed in North and South Kivu Provinces of the DRC since January 2022.

    Bintou Keita, the Head of our peacekeeping mission in the DRC – MONUSCO- also spoke in Geneva this morning.
    She said that hundreds of thousands of displaced people are being forced by M23 to return to their places of origin, without any guarantee or humanitarian assistance on their safe and dignified return.
    She also expressed her concerns about the use of misinformation and dis-information, adding that the suspension of social networks such as X and TikTok by the Congolese authorities is a serious infringement of the right to information and must be swiftly lifted. In a region with a sensitive history, Ms. Keita added, ethnically motivated attacks remain a serious concern.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=07%20February%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMA7ROKA4Jg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 15th edition of Biennial Aero-India International Seminar begins in Bengaluru

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 08 FEB 2025 4:07PM by PIB Delhi

    The 15th edition of the Biennial Aero-India International Seminar commenced in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 08, 2025. The two-day seminar has been organised by the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in association with the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) as a prelude to Aero India 2025, which will be held in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14, 2025.

    The seminar is a premier event in the global aerospace arena. The theme this year is ‘Futuristic Aerospace Technologies: Challenges in Design Validation’, highlighting discussions and deliberations on Emerging Trends in Futuristic Aerospace Technologies and Military Airworthiness & Certification: Challenges in Design and Testing.

    International delegates attending the event are from prominent foreign companies like Airbus Defence and Space from Spain; Collins Aerospace, GE Aerospace, Martin-Baker, MBDA and Rolls-Royce from UK, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems from Israel, and SAFRAN France. Indian Industry participating in the seminar includes Abeyaantrix Solutions, Ansys Inc., Globals Inc., JSR Dynamics Pvt. Ltd, RAPHE mPhibr, and TAQBit Labs Private Limited.

    The seminar offers a platform to explore collaborative research opportunities and forge strategic partnerships, advancing the future of aerospace and defence technologies. A total of 12 technical sessions covering various topics on Challenges in Design Validation on Futuristic Aerospace Technologies are scheduled. The seminar on ‘Futuristic Aerospace Technologies: Challenges in Design Validation’ focuses on various topics such as Cutting-Edge Technologies for System Design and Validation, Innovative Approaches for Airworthiness & Certification, Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to enhance Future of Aviation, Pioneering Advancements in Electronics and Sensing Technology, Global Insights into Next–Gen Propulsion Systems, Emerging Trends in Military Aviation, Innovations driving Human Missions beyond Earth.

    Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman ISRO Dr V Narayanan was the Chief Guest of the event, while Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat was the Guest of Honour. President, AeSI Dr G Satheesh Reddy was also present on the occasion. About 1,100 delegates are participating from DRDO, Defence PSUs, Armed Forces and Private Industries, including MSMEs. Further, 33 speakers from both India and abroad will deliver technical talks on a range of topics in the domain.

    ******

    SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2101004) Visitor Counter : 81

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of the Vice-President’s address at the release of the book ‘I AM?’, compiled by Gopichand P. Hinduja (Excerpts)

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 08 FEB 2025 2:29PM by PIB Delhi

    Good morning all of you, 

    Ladies and gentlemen, I have had a public life over four decades. I do not figure out an event that comes even close to it. This is indeed a profoundly unique moment. The release of ‘I Am?’, a thoughtful and thought-provoking assimilation by Shri Gopichand P. Hinduja. He celebrated his 84th birthday last fortnight on January 29. 

    I had the good fortune to call him, to greet him, to enquire about his health and well-being, and wish him happy, healthy, and long life full of creativity. 

    Friends, this launch taking place in Bharat, the land of Sanatan, the cradle of one of the oldest civilisations and global spiritual centre, carries deep significance.

    The title, when we scratch the surface, which we often do, and which more often than not is avoidable, the title is intriguing. Let me buttress my comment, King Charles III of the United Kingdom had accreditations for these treatises.

    Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister of faith and tolerance and will, has glorified it. These treatises, I am confident, will be a feast for the inquisitive mind. It will be North Star for spiritually inspired aspirants. And for the reader, he will get an occasion to delve deep into the timeless truth that all world religions share. 

    I commend G.P., as he is known to his friends, I can claim to be younger, for this visionary masterwork that synthesises civilisation’s eternal truths, illuminating how all first converse in their quest for spiritual transcendence, conveniently forgotten by all on occasions that require remembrance. We work embodying the essence of Sanatana, and there is departure from the usual interfaith conversations marked by upmanship.

    Distinguished audience, I am using the word upmanship only to moderate my reaction. Otherwise, interfaith discourse on occasions matches the kind of disruption and disturbance that I have the occasion to see in Temple of Democracy. 

    Friends, ‘I AM?’ These profound words mark the crossroads, either dissolves into collective harmony, that is wholesomeness, or hardens in ego’s captivity, which is more often the case with people who enjoy power. Ignoring the fundamental facet that power lies in limitations and not in exercise. 

    Coercion is the poorest form of exercise of power but then there is other facet emanating from this book. Through self-reflection, ego blooms, flourishes, and through arrogance, it withers, it slides into painful irrelevance of the possessor. The true power emerges, friends, not in I am for myself.

    If we take I am with you, imagine a person in distress, and someone he looks up to or she looks up to says, I am with you. Can there be a greater motivational, inspirational sucker than this? And if the person goes beyond I am for us, it symbolises spinal leadership quality. Elevating consciousness to Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, where personal identity transforms into universal connection, a message Bharat imparted to the global fraternity with its G20 motto, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

    This, as a matter of fact, friends, was reiteration of the civilisational ethos and essence of thousands of years in this country, which was always ground reality. The world is often described as a clash of civilisations. This book soothingly and appropriately presents a convergence of civilisations with focus on unity, where others look for division.

    It espouses timeless civilisational essence of inclusivity, that is Bharat. I seek to quote from Rig Veda, आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः Let noble thoughts flow from all directions. 

    Since I find presence of diplomats, I think it was Bismarck said that the winds of change flow but that, with the utmost constraint at my command, was not as large-hearted as what was reflected in Rig Veda. Let noble thoughts flow from all directions. Why only change? This book offers readers an enlightened elixir of wisdom that is always much beyond knowledge.

    The relevance of I am cannot be overstated. It bears huge contemporaneous relevance. We live in an era where societies are fractured by narratives, amplifying differences rather than emphasising commonalities.

    This book, in sharp variance with the alarmingly worrisome confrontational global scenario and the people present here know the gravity and enormity of it more than I do. This book, in sharp variance with the alarmingly worrisome confrontational global scenario stands as a testament to tolerance, working in togetherness as indicated by Pujya Swamiji, harmony, co-existence, mutual respect, recognising shared humanity values and commonality of sublimity and spirituality that threads all faiths. 

    The book instils the reader to nurture a spirit of peaceful, purposeful, sustainable coexistence which no longer is an option. It is the only way if we have to survive on the planet and we all are fully cognisant of the enormity and extremity of the problem and also of the fact there is no planet available other than Mother Earth to cohabit. 

    Friends, at its core this book is about wonders our paths may differ and they would. There will be different points of view. There will be occasions when the other point of view may be right. My own experience is more often than not it is right. We have to subscribe in fullness to expression and dialogue.

    Democracy carries no meaning, no nectar if expression is compromised, throttled or controlled and expression by itself has no dimension if there is no dialogue. If there is expression, my way, I am judgemental, I am right, you can never be right, I will never consider what you have to say, then dialogue has no meaning.

    So expression and dialogue are the twins that define what democracy is. And friends, in a sense the book not only espouses this but is a pointer to the ultimate goal of Vedic wisdom. The wisdom is encapsulated in the realisation of the ultimate reality or the oneness of all creations.

    Just imagine, why limit to human beings, living beings? The source of creation is one. The habitat is one and look at where we have come today. For Bharat, diverse and rising, this book holds greater relevance and promise. The state of the nation is encouraging as never before with hope and possibility all-pervasive. 

    Friends, no nation in recent years has seen exponential economic upsurge, phenomenal infrastructure growth, penetrating technological and digital access and adaptation at all levels, at the level of those who are never on the radar, those in the last line. The nation is no longer a nation with potential as it used to be called. Viksit Bharat is not a dream any longer. It is a definitive object and achievable.

    To all intents and purposes, it shall be achieved when India celebrates the centenary of its independence in 2047, if not earlier. But friends, this wholesome scenario now faces forces seeking to exploit and perniciously amplify artificial divides of caste, class, creed, colour, culture and cuisine. It is excruciating pain at my level in my position that people with a deep understanding of the dangers that are inherent in such an approach tied to partisan interests, narrow interests, take to public platforms to espouse these pernicious tendencies.

    I have no doubt, and this emanates from the book, belief in faith is voluntary. It must be a call of conscience. Faith generated by doctrine or manipulation is pathetic exploitation. The worst form of human exploitation. If it is by way of allurements, temptations, empowerment with this – I have no words, I am holding myself back – this ulterior motive. Imagine if the object is to secure supremacy, primacy over others, subject others to hegemony by demographic prowess, then the concern is extreme. This concern, friends, is a writing on the wall at the moment in most nations of the world.

    The book has come not a day too soon. The book is a beacon of guidance to such misguided souls but for us, for the largest democracy, as I said, home to one-sixth of humanity, with a stunning historical record of inclusivity, sinister forces with a strategised, inimical stance even to the idea of Bharat are unfortunately securing space by way of orchestrated anti-national narratives, non-organic engineered demographic variations, influx of illegal migrants in millions and alluring conversions to refer just to some.

    These are, friends, potentially existential challenges to the philosophy emanating from the book and to the philosophy Bharat has lived for over 5,000 years. In such a scenario, to ensure India’s continual development journey and drawing from essense of all-firsts, it is our bounden spiritual ordainment to neutralise such viciously divisive misadventures. Bharat’s spiritual and cultural heritage is not only our strength and unity’s foundation, it is for world stability, harmony and peace. 

    We all will have to work in unison, in togetherness to make it impregnable. Friends, this book underscores universal relevance of Bharatiyata, virtuosity that is discernible in all faiths. The book reminds preachers and practitioners both we can respect and appreciate others’ truth without alluring conversions. 

    Unity means non-uniformity. Bharati is a perfect example, it exemplifies unity and diversity in all facets of human behaviour. Tolerance means not triumph over others. Disruption must yield to dialogue, disturbance to deliberation. Conflict to consciousness. We find in the world hard, rigid steps being taken. It has been said by our sages, irretrievable confrontational stance is antithetical to the essence of all faiths and smacks of misplaced self-righteousness and judgemental approach. 

    It is crossing all fault lines, getting into the red area. These principles we must adopt. Tolerance, coexistence, dialogue, consensus, because these will free society from the afflictions I have indicated.

    Friends, this philosophy the author is cognisant of the fact is also evidenced in Hinduja Group’s vision fostering inclusivity, sustainability and cultural understanding beyond being a multi-sector powerhouse. Hinduja Group’s contributions transcend conventional CSR. Building a gurdwara and a crematorium in Iran showing extraordinary commitment to preserving identity.

    Recently I was at the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of Nandlal Newall Centre of Indology at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in New Delhi and there I pleasantly gathered that the Hinduja Group established the first overseas branch of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in New York. 

    The group bridges the east-west divide through the Dharam Hinduja Indic Research Centre at Columbia University reclaiming our civilisation narrative globally. 

    I commend Shri Gopichand P Hinduja for this remarkable anthology and Shri Ashok Hinduja for enabling its release. I pray one and all may the message that is in the book resonate with the spiritual seekers thought leaders, active citizens and one and all. 

    Jai Hind.

    ****

    JK/RC/SM

    (Release ID: 2100992) Visitor Counter : 32

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Aero India 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Aero India 2025

    A Glimpse into the Future of Aerospace and Defence Innovation

    Posted On: 08 FEB 2025 11:41AM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

     

    Aero India, Asia’s Largest Air Show, is a biennial air show and aviation exhibition which is held in Bengaluru, organized by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. Aero India is India’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition where global aero vendors and the Indian Air Force (IAF) thrill the spectators with back-to-back aerobatic flying displays. It is a flagship event that brings together global industry leaders, government officials, technology experts, and defence strategists under one roof. The event not only showcases the nation’s technological prowess and innovations but also provides a dynamic platform for international cooperation and strategic dialogue.

     

         

     

    The Legacy and Importance of Aero India

     

    Aero India has evolved into a major international event that not only highlights the latest advancements in aerospace technology but also serves as a critical forum for strategic interactions between domestic and international stakeholders. The show is a reflection of the nation’s commitment to advancing its aerospace and defence capabilities. Over the years, Aero India has been instrumental in:

    • Showcasing Cutting-Edge Technologies: The event regularly features demonstrations of state-of-the-art aerospace systems, innovative defence solutions, and breakthrough technologies that are shaping the future of air and space travel.
    • Fostering Strategic Dialogues: Through high-level interactions, Aero India has provided an arena for discussions on policy, defence collaborations, and the future roadmap of the aerospace sector.
    • Enhancing International Partnerships: With participation from global aerospace giants and defence agencies, the show underscores India’s growing stature as a key player in the international aerospace community.

     

                                            

     

    This legacy has not only paved the way for the current editions of the event but has also set a high benchmark for the future. Aero India is more than an exhibition—it is a convergence point of innovation, strategy, and national pride.

     

    Aero India 2025

     

    Aero India 2025, the 15th edition of Aero India, is designed to be a landmark edition that leverages the successes of its predecessors while charting new territories in aerospace and defence technology. Aero India 2025 will be held from 10th to 14th February 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. The first three days are dedicated to business visitors, while the last two days are open to the general public.

     

     

    The broad theme is ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’.

     

    Events at Aero India 2025

     

    The five-day event comprises a curtain raiser event, inaugural event, Defence Ministers’ Conclave, CEOs’ Round-Table, iDEX start-up event, breath-taking air shows, a large exhibition area comprising India Pavilion and a trade fair of aerospace companies.

    • To facilitate dialogue towards strategic partnership with friendly countries, India will host the Defence Ministers’ Conclave on the theme ‘BRIDGE -Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement’. It encapsulates the dynamic geopolitical conditions and the path to mutual prosperity, which can be BRIDGED through cooperation among nations with shared vision of security and development.

     

     

    • A number of bilateral meetings are planned at the levels of Raksha Mantri, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary among others on the sidelines of the event. The focus will be on bolstering the defence and aerospace ties with friendly countries by exploring newer avenues to take the partnership to the next level.
    • The CEOs’ Round-Table is expected to provide a favourable platform to foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for manufacturing in India. Global CEOs, CMDs of domestic PSUs and premier private defence & aerospace manufacturing companies from India will be participating in the event.
    • The India Pavilion will showcase India’s commitment to its Make-in-India initiative by showcasing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge technologies ready for the global stage, including the future prospects. Promotion of Indian start-ups is a focus area at Aero India 2025 and a wide spectrum of state-of-the-art technologies/products developed by them will be showcased at an exclusive iDEX pavilion.
    • In addition, dynamic aerobatic displays and live technology demonstrations will provide an immersive experience, showcasing the potential of modern aerospace platforms and technologies. A number of seminars on various important themes are also planned as part of the event.

     

     

    Aero India 2023: A Retrospective Analysis

     

    The previous editions of Aero India played a critical role in laying the groundwork for the continued evolution of India’s aerospace and defence landscape. The 14th edition of Aero India 2023 was held from 13th–17th February at Bengaluru, Karnataka and has been the largest ever edition since its inception in 1996 with more than 100 countries, 809 exhibitors, first ever Fly past with 53 aircrafts showcasing our airpower to global attendees and a total footfall of 7+ lakh visitors over five days. Aero India 2023 was characterized by a series of significant milestones and impactful demonstrations. Key aspects of the 2023 edition were:

    • Showcasing Advanced Aerospace Technologies: The 2023 event provided a platform for companies to display state-of-the-art aerospace systems and defence solutions. This not only demonstrated technological innovation but also set the stage for future advancements in the field.
    • Facilitating Strategic Engagements: Aero India 2023 was instrumental in bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, industry experts, and international delegations. The event fostered an environment of strategic dialogue that focused on collaborative ventures and technological partnerships.
    • Strengthening India’s Global Position: By successfully hosting a comprehensive and well-coordinated exhibition, Aero India 2023 reinforced India’s commitment to advancing its aerospace capabilities. The show also underscored the country’s readiness to engage with global partners in driving forward the next wave of aerospace innovation.

     

     

    The successes and challenges of Aero India 2023 have provided valuable lessons that are being incorporated into the planning and execution of Aero India 2025. The focus on operational excellence, international collaboration, and technological innovation—elements that were prominently on display in 2023—serve as the cornerstone for the upcoming edition. The forward momentum generated by the previous edition is expected to translate into even greater achievements in 2025, with enhanced protocols, refined strategies, and an expanded global participation footprint.

     

    Events at Aero India 2023

     

    The event comprised of a Defence Ministers’ Conclave; a CEOs Round Table; Manthan start-up event; Bandhan ceremony; breath-taking air shows; a large exhibition; India Pavilion and a trade fair of aerospace companies.

     

    Major exhibitors & equipment

    The major exhibitors included Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Israel Aerospace Industry, BrahMos Aerospace, Army Aviation, HC Robotics, SAAB, Safran, Rolls Royce, Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and BEML Limited.

     

     

    Aero India 2023 showcased design leadership and growth in UAVs Sector, Defence Space and futuristic technologies. The event aimed to promote export of indigenous air platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas, HTT-40, Dornier Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

     

    Defence Ministers’ Conclave

    Defence Ministers’ Conclave was held on 14th February 2023. Defence Ministers of friendly foreign countries participated in the meeting, which was organised on the theme ‘Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence (SPEED)’. The conclave addressed aspects related to deepen cooperation for capacity building (through investments, R&D, joint venture, co-development, co-production and provisioning of defence equipment), training, space, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and maritime security to grow together. The conclave was an opportunity for the defence ministers to engage with each other to carry forward the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision.

     

    Bilateral meetings

    On the sidelines of Aero India 2023, a number of bilateral meetings were held at the levels of Raksha Mantri, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Chief of Defence Staff and Defence Secretary among others. The focus was on bolstering the defence & aerospace ties with friendly countries by exploring newer avenues to take the partnership to the next level.

     

    CEOs Round Table

    The ‘CEOs Round Table’, under the chairmanship of the Raksha Mantri, was held on 13th February 2023, on the theme ‘Sky is not the limit: opportunities beyond boundaries.’ It laid the foundation of a more robust interaction between the Industry Partners and Government with an eye on bolstering the ‘Make in India’ campaign.

     

    The Round Table witnessed participation from officials, delegates and global CEOs from 26 countries including global investors such as Boeing, Lockheed, Israel Aerospace Industries, General Atomics, Liebherr Group, Raytheon Technologies, Safran, General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI) etc. Domestic PSUs like HAL, BEL, BDL, BEML Limited and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited also participated.

     

    Bandhan ceremony

    The Bandhan ceremony, which witnessed signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)/Agreements, Transfer of Technologies, Product Launches and other major announcements, was held on February 15th. A concerted effort was made towards forging B2B partnerships at the Bandhan ceremony and more than 250 such partnerships with a total value of more than Rs 75,000 crore have been finalized.

     

    Manthan

    The annual defence innovation event, Manthan, was the flagship technology showcase event held on 15th February. Organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Manthan platform will bring the leading innovators, start-ups, MSMEs, incubators, academia and Investors from defence & aerospace ecosystem under one roof.

     

    Manthan had many firsts, including launch of challenges on Cyber Security, establishment of iDEX Investor Hub, MoUs with investors etc. Manthan 2023 provided an overview on the future vision/next initiatives of iDEX to galvanise the start-up ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in the defence sector.

     

    India Pavilion

    The India Pavilion, based on ‘Fixed Wing Platform’ theme, showcased India’s growth in the area, including the future prospects. There was a total of 115 companies, displaying 227 products. It further showcased the growth of India in developing an ecosystem for Fixed Wing platform which includes the demonstration of various structural modules, simulators, systems (LRUs) etc. of LCA-Tejas aircraft being produced by Private Partners. There was also be a section for Defence space, New Technologies and a UAV section which will give an insight about the growth of India in each sector.

     

    A full scale LCA-Tejas aircraft in Full Operational Capability (FOC) configuration was at the center stage of India Pavilion. LCA Tejas is a single engine, light weight, highly agile, multi-role supersonic fighter. It has quadruplex digital fly-by-wire Flight Control System (FCS) with associated advanced flight control laws. The aircraft with delta wing is designed for ‘air combat’ and ‘offensive air support’ with ‘reconnaissance’ and ‘anti-ship’ as its secondary roles.

     

    Seminars

    A number of seminars were held during the five-day event. The themes included Harnessing Potential of Ex-servicemen for Indian Defence Industry; India’s Defence Space Initiative: Opportunities for shaping Indian private space ecosystem; Indigenous development of futuristic aerospace technologies, including aero engines; Destination Karnataka: US-India defence cooperation innovation and Make in India; Advancement in maritime surveillance equipment and assets; sustenance in MRO and Obsolescence Mitigation and achieving excellence in defence grade drones and Aatmanirbharta in Aero Armament Sustenance.

     

    Major Agreements at Aero India 2023

     

    • MoU between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran Helicopter Engines, France for Work Share for formation of Joint venture for Design, Development, Manufacture and life time support of Helicopter Engines.
    • MoU between Bharat Electronics Ltd and Aeronautical Development Agency on IWBC and Other LRUs for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
    • Co-operation between BSS Material Limited and Pegasus Engineering, an ADUSEA Inc. Division (USA) for Logistic Drones for the Indian Army towards Last Mile Delivery for forward troops deployed along the border areas with capability of operation in wind/gust condition, rain/Snow etc.
    • MoU between Gopalan Aerospace India Pvt. Ltd. and Omnipol, Czech Republic for manufacturing and assembling of 1st passenger aircraft (L 410 UVP-E20 version) by a private company in India.
    • MoU on collaboration of Sagar Defence Engineering Private Limited (SDEPL) & Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for IDEX Challenge “Autonomous Weaponized boat Swarm” for Indian Navy.
    • MoU between Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bultexpro Ltd., Bulgaria for setting up the manufacturing facilities for 122mm GRAD BM ER and NONER rockets in India and fulfill the requirements (including ToT).
    • MoU between GRSE and Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH (MTU) for License production with localization of the MTU 16V4000M73L engine to support the indigenous content for the Next Generation Fast Attack Craft vessel for Indian Navy.
    • BEML enters into License Agreement for Transfer of Technology (ToT) with R&DEE, DRDO for development and supply of TRAWL Assembly for T-72/T-90 Tanks.
    • ToT of Shakti EW System from DLRL DRDO to BEL Hyderabad Unit for all system units, Bill of Material, Test procedures, integration & offering methodology.
    • MoU between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Elta Systems Limited, Israel for cooperation on future Business in Maritime Patrol Radar (MPR) for Indian Platforms.

     

    Products Showcased at Aero India 2023

     

    • Vertically Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (Bharat Dynamics Limited): VLSRSAM is a next-generation, ship-based, all-weather, air defence weapon which can be used by Navy as a quick reaction point defence against supersonic sea skimming targets like aircraft and UAVs. The Missile has a smokeless propulsion system with all-weather capability. It has a highly agile configuration with state-of-the-art Electronic Counter-Counter Measures features.
    • SAL Seeker ATGM for BMP II (Bharat Dynamics Limited): Semi-Active Laser Seeker based Anti-Tank Guided Missile for BMP-II is a subsonic missile with a range of 4,000 metres and flight time of 25 seconds. The missile weighs 23 kgs with the launch tube and can be used in different kinds of terrains to incapacitate the moving and stationary targets such as tanks and Infantry Combat Vehicles.
    • Jishnu (Bharat Dynamics Limited): Jishnu, a Drone Delivered Missile, is light weight and miniaturised missile targeted for soft-skinned targets. It has a range of 1.5 km with a flight time of 9 seconds. The missile can be semi-automatic or completely autonomous based on the systems configurations.
    • Software defined NAVIC/GPS receiver module based on indigenously-developed processors (Astra Microwave Products Limited).
    • Indigenously-built ‘Counter Drone Radar’ based on technology from DRDO (Astra Microwave Products Limited).
    • 9 mm sub-sonic ammunition (Munitions India Limited).
    • BFT on Ios (ideaForge Technology Limited): BlueFire Touch BlueFire Touch, our Ground Control Station (GCS) software, is built to plan and command both mapping and surveillance missions with the ability to pre-plan missions based on operational area and target locations via waypoint-based navigation.
    • HF SDR Radio (Bharat Electronics Limited): It is an advanced software defined radio. The radio is lightweight 20 W transmit capable radio. It provides a complete solution to the short-range communication requirements in the crowded HF band and long-range communications beyond line of sight.
    • Goniometer (Bharat Electronics Limited): It is part of any integrated observation and fire control monitoring system for day time or night time use by the Artillery.

     

    Looking Ahead: The Future of Aerospace and Defence in India

     

     

    Aero India has always been more than just an exhibition—it is a strategic imperative that underscores India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in aerospace and defence. The event plays a pivotal role in:

    • Driving Technological Advancements: By bringing together innovators and industry leaders, Aero India acts as a catalyst for the development and deployment of next-generation aerospace systems.
    • Enhancing National Security: The technologies and strategies showcased at the event contribute directly to enhancing India’s defence capabilities, ensuring that the nation remains well-prepared to address contemporary and future security challenges.
    • Strengthening Economic Growth: Beyond defence, the advancements in aerospace have far-reaching implications for economic growth, industrial development, and technological self-reliance.

     

    Conclusion: Embracing the Future with Aero India

     

    Aero India stands as a testament to India’s unwavering commitment to innovation, strategic collaboration, and excellence in aerospace and defence. As the nation prepares to host Aero India 2025, the event promises to build on the rich legacy of previous editions—most notably, the transformative Aero India 2023. Through rigorous operational protocols, strategic partnerships, and a forward-thinking agenda, Aero India 2025 is poised to further elevate India’s profile on the global aerospace stage.

     

    Annexure

    1. Broad Programme of Aero India: https://www.aeroindia.gov.in/assets/front/broad_programme.pdf
    2. List of Seminars: https://www.aeroindia.gov.in/assets/front/seminar_list.pdf
    3. List of Invited Speakers: https://www.aeroindia.gov.in/assets/front/speakers_list.pdf
    4. Visitor Registration: https://www.aeroindia.gov.in/visitor-registration

     

    References

    https://www.aeroindia.gov.in/

    https://www.aeroindia.gov.in/faq

    https://www.aeroindia.gov.in/whyexhibit

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1899388

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2091447

    https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/resources/photos/aero-india

    https://x.com/aeroindiashow?lang=en

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1898547

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2090516

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1989502

    https://x.com/MIB_India/status/1887124348617760992

    https://x.com/AeroIndiashow/status/1887371647331516549

    https://x.com/MIB_India/status/1886725544823415252

    https://x.com/AeroIndiashow/status/1887050312281641266

    https://x.com/AeroIndiashow/status/1869024504485208160/photo/1
    https://x.com/AeroIndiashow/status/1849117379852132485/photo/1

    https://x.com/AeroIndiashow/status/1626582275365441537/photo/3

    https://x.com/AeroIndiashow/status/1626530283892903936/photo/1

    https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/resources/photos/aero-india

    Click here to download PDF

    ******

    Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

    (Release ID: 2100966) Visitor Counter : 56

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EFTA–Mercosur and bilateral relations: Ignazio Cassis concludes five-day visit to Latin America

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in English

    Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), visited Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil from 3 to 7 February. Finalising the EFTA–Mercosur free trade agreement and advancing Switzerland’s economic interests were central to the Federal Councillor’s discussions in these three countries. Other current foreign policy issues were also addressed.

    MIL OSI Europe News –