Category: Europe

MIL-OSI: Annual general meeting of Ringkjøbing Landbobank A/S
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Nasdaq Copenhagen
London Stock Exchange
Euronext Dublin
Other stakeholders

Date 5 February 2025

Annual general meeting of Ringkjøbing Landbobank A/S

The bank will hold its annual general meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 at the ROFI Centre, Kirkevej 26, Rindum, 6950 Ringkøbing, Denmark.

Agenda as per the bank’s articles of association:

1. Election of chairperson

The board of directors proposes that Allan Østergaard Sørensen, attorney-at-law, chair the general meeting.

2. The board’s report on the bank’s activities in the previous year

The board of directors proposes that the board’s report on the bank’s activities in the previous year be adopted.

3. Presentation of the annual report for approval

The board of directors proposes that the annual report for 2024 be approved.

Further reference is made to the published annual report for 2024.

4. Decision on allocation of profit or covering of loss under the approved annual report

The board of directors proposes that the distribution of profit be approved.

Further reference is made to the published annual report for 2024.

5. Consultative vote on the remuneration report

The board of directors proposes that the remuneration report for 2024 be approved.

Further reference is made to the published remuneration report for 2024.

6. Approval of the remuneration of the board of directors for the current financial year

The shareholders’ committee and the board of directors propose that the remuneration of the board of directors for the current financial year be approved.

Further reference is made to the full proposals.

7. Remuneration policy

The board of directors proposes that the updated remuneration policy be approved.

Further reference is made to the full proposals.

8. Election of members to the shareholders’ committee

In accordance with the decision made by the bank’s annual general meeting held on 28 February 2024, the following members of the shareholders’ committee, whose terms of office end in 2025 and 2026, are resigning: Mette Bundgaard, Per Lykkegaard Christensen, Ole Kirkegård Erlandsen, Thomas Sindberg Hansen, Tonny Hansen, Kim Jacobsen, Morten Jensen, Kasper Lykke Kjeldsen, Lotte Littau Kjærgaard, Niels Erik Burgdorf Madsen, Martin Krogh Pedersen, Poul Kjær Poulsgaard, Kristian Skannerup, Allan Østergaard Sørensen, Jørgen Kolle Sørensen, Sten Uggerhøj, Lasse Svoldgaard Vesterby and Christina Ørskov.

In addition, Lars Møller and Yvonne Skagen must retire from the shareholders’ committee due to the age requirement in the articles of association.

The shareholders’ committee and the board of directors propose re-election of the following members, whose terms of office end in 2025 and 2026:
- Mette Bundgaard, police superintendent, No, born 1966
- Per Lykkegaard Christensen, farmer, Hjallerup, born 1959
- Ole Kirkegård Erlandsen, butcher, Snejbjerg, born 1962
- Thomas Sindberg Hansen, grocer, Kloster, born 1978
- Tonny Hansen, former college principal, Ringkøbing, born 1958
- Kim Jacobsen, manager, Aalborg, born 1969
- Morten Jensen, attorney-at-law (Supreme Court), Dronninglund, born 1961
- Kasper Lykke Kjeldsen, timber merchant, Højbjerg, born 1981
- Lotte Littau Kjærgaard, manager, Holstebro, born 1969
- Niels Erik Burgdorf Madsen, manager, Ølgod, born 1959
- Martin Krogh Pedersen, CEO, Ringkøbing, born 1967
- Poul Kjær Poulsgaard, farmer, Madum, born 1974
- Kristian Skannerup, manufacturer, Tim, born 1959
- Allan Østergaard Sørensen, attorney-at-law (High Court), Ringkøbing, born 1982
- Jørgen Kolle Sørensen, sales representative and branch manager, Hvide Sande, born 1970
- Sten Uggerhøj, car dealer, Frederikshavn, born 1959
- Lasse Svoldgaard Vesterby, manager, Ringkøbing, born 1978
- Christina Ørskov, manager, Gærum, born 1969
The shareholders’ committee and the board of directors propose the following for election:
- Rasmus Alstrup, farmer, Videbæk, born 1985
- Rikke Ahnfeldt Kjær, CFO, Gistrup, born 1980
- Pia Stevnhøj Sommer, sales director, Lind, born 1979
In recruiting and proposing candidates for the shareholders’ committee (election and re-election), the committee and board of directors have focused on ensuring a diverse committee membership in terms of business experience, professional qualifications and expertise, gender, age etc.

9. Election of one or more auditors

In accordance with the audit committee’s recommendation, the shareholders’ committee and the board of directors propose that PricewaterhouseCoopers, Statsautoriseret Revisionspartner-selskab be re-elected as external auditor and sustainability auditor.

Further reference is made to the full proposals.

10. Authorisation for the board of directors to permit the bank to acquire its own shares

The board of directors proposes that it be granted authorisation to permit the bank to acquire its own shares, in accordance with current legislation, until the next annual general meeting, to a total nominal value of ten percent (10%) of the share capital, such that the shares can be acquired at current market price plus or minus ten percent (+/-10%) at the time of acquisition.
Further reference is made to the full proposals.

11. Any proposals from the board of directors, the shareholders’ committee or shareholders

11.a. Proposed amendments to the articles of association

The shareholders’ committee and the board of directors propose the following amendments to the articles of association:

Art. 2a-2b:
It is proposed that the authorisations in articles 2a and 2b be extended to 4 March 2030.
If the proposal is approved, the wording of articles 2a and 2b of the bank’s articles of association will be changed to the following:

Art. 2a:
“The general meeting has decided to authorise the board of directors to increase the share capital in one or more rounds by up to nom. DKK 5,341,347 with right of pre-emption for the bank’s existing shareholders. The capital increase shall be fully paid up in cash. The capital increase may be below the market price. This authorisation shall apply until 4 March 2030.”

Art. 2b:
“The general meeting has decided to authorise the board of directors to increase the share capital in one or more rounds by up to nom. DKK 2,670,673 without right of pre-emption for the bank’s existing shareholders. The capital increase may be by cash payment or contribution of an existing company or specific asset values corresponding to the value of the shares issued. The capital increase shall be fully paid up at the market price ascertained by the board of directors. This authorisation shall apply until 4 March 2030.”

The background to the proposal is that the board of directors wants to ensure continued flexibility regarding the granting of authorisations to the board of directors.

The proposed amendments to the articles of association are also given in the full proposals to which we refer and which are available on the bank’s website, www.landbobanken.com.

11.b. Proposal to reduce the bank’s share capital by nom. DKK 1,315,042 by cancellation of its own shares

The board of directors proposes a reduction in the bank’s share capital from nom. DKK 26,706,739 to nom. DKK 25,391,697 by cancellation of 1,315,042 nom. DKK 1 shares from the bank’s holding of its own shares of a nominal value of DKK 1,315,042.

Please note that, in accordance with section 188(1) of the Danish Companies Act, the purpose of the reduction in the bank’s share capital is payment to shareholders. The amount of the reduction has been used as payment to shareholders for shares acquired by the bank under the authorisation previously granted to the board of directors by the general meeting.

The share capital will consequently be reduced by nom. DKK 1,315,042 and the bank’s holding of its own shares will be reduced by 1,315,042 nom. DKK 1 shares. Please note that, in accordance with section 188(2) of the Danish Companies Act, the shares in question were acquired for a total sum of DKK 1,524,948,149. This means that, apart from the reduction in nominal capital, DKK 1,523,633,107 has been paid to shareholders.

The purpose of the board of directors’ proposed reduction of the share capital is to maintain flexibility in the bank’s capital structure.

If the proposal is adopted, the following changes will be made to articles 2, 2a, 2b and 2c of the articles of association:
Art. 2: The amount of “26,706,739” will be changed to “25,391,697”, Art. 2a: The amount of “5,341,347” will be changed to “5,078,339”, Art. 2b: The amount of “2,670,673” will be changed to “2,539,169”, and Art. 2c: The amount of “5,341,347” will be changed to “5,078,339”.

11.c. Proposed authorisation for the board of directors or its appointee

The board of directors proposes that the board of directors, or its appointee, be authorised to report the decisions which have been adopted at the general meeting for registration and to make such changes to the documents submitted to the Danish Business Authority as the Authority may require or find appropriate in connection with registration of the decisions of the general meeting.

11.d. Proposal from a shareholder

Proposal from shareholder Poul Aksel Andersen, Hobro:

Reason for the proposal:
The minutes of the 2024 annual general meeting state that: “In recruiting and proposing candidates for the shareholders’ committee (election and re-election), the committee and board of directors have focused on ensuring a diverse committee membership in terms of business experience, professional qualifications and expertise, gender, age etc.”

Despite this, it is evident from the minutes that all of the elected members of the shareholders’ committee in 2024 were in leading positions. The shareholders’ committee is therefore hardly representative of the bank’s shareholders or customers in terms of business experience, professional qualifications or expertise.

Proposal:
It is proposed, that Ringkjøbing Landbobank’s work of recruiting and proposing of candidates in the future should focus on making the composition of the shareholders’ committee representative of the bank’s shareholders and customers; that the bank should make the process of admitting committee members transparent for all shareholders who might be interested in joining the shareholders’ committee; and that the bank’s work should focus specifically on ensuring that at least 25% of the members of the shareholders’ committee are employees without responsibilities for managing other staff.

The board of directors’ recommendation regarding the proposal:

The members of the bank’s board of directors are elected by the shareholders’ committee. Six of the eight current board members elected by the shareholders’ committee came from the membership of the shareholders’ committee. The shareholders’ committee is thus a recruitment channel for the board of directors. It is relevant, therefore, that the members of the shareholders’ committee possess the right competences for onward recruitment to the board of directors. In addition, the authorities nowadays impose a number of requirements on serving members of boards of directors of financial undertakings, including in relation to their competences, and there are also requirements regarding the collective competences of the plenary board of directors.

The board of directors, the board of directors’ nomination committee and the shareholders’ committee are already working to promote diversity in the shareholders’ committee.

The board of directors does not consider it appropriate to tie the board of directors’ nomination committee, the board of directors and the shareholders’ committee to a specific framework in future recruitment processes for nominations of candidates to the shareholders’ committee.

For the above reasons, the board of directors does not support the proposal.

Validity requirements for resolutions

The proposals under items 11.a. and 11.b. of the agenda require adoption by at least two-thirds (2/3) both of votes cast and of the share capital with voting rights represented at the general meeting. Other proposals can be adopted by simple majority vote, except item 5 on the agenda which is a consultative vote.

Amount of share capital and the shareholders’ voting rights and date of registration – the right to attend and vote at the general meeting

Please note that the amount of the share capital is nom. DKK 26,706,739 consisting of 26,706,739 nom. DKK 1 shares.

As for shareholders’ voting rights, each share of nom. DKK 1 carries one (1) vote when the share is recorded in the company’s share register, or when the shareholder has reported and documented their right. However, a shareholder may cast no more than 3,000 votes.

The right to attend and vote at the general meeting may only be exercised by shareholders who, by 11:59 p.m. on the date of registration, Wednesday, 26 February 2025, are listed as shareholders in the register of shareholders or have submitted a request to the bank, which the bank has received by that deadline, for inclusion in the register of shareholders.

Registration for the general meeting, questions and admission cards

Registration for the general meeting can be made
- by contacting Euronext Securities A/S by phone +45 4358 8866 or email to CPH-investor@euronext.com or
- by contacting one of the bank’s branches.
In accordance with the bank’s articles of association, the deadline for registering for the general meeting is 11:59 p.m. on Friday 28 February 2025, after which admission cards for the general meeting can no longer be ordered.

Shareholders or proxies may be accompanied by an adviser, provided the adviser’s attendance has been notified on time.

Shareholders may ask questions in writing about the agenda items or the bank’s position in general, to be answered at the general meeting. Questions may be sent by letter to Ringkjøbing Landbobank A/S, for the attention of: General Management, Torvet 1, 6950 Ringkøbing, Denmark, or by email to regnskab@landbobanken.dk.

Voting

Shareholders may attend and vote in person or by proxy at the general meeting. Postal voting is also possible before the general meeting.

Shareholders may grant proxy to the bank’s board of directors or a third party by 11:59 p.m. on Friday 28 February 2025. The proxy may be issued electronically on InvestorPortal at Euronext Securities, via the bank’s website www.landbobanken.com or in writing on a proxy form which is available from the bank’s branches.

If a written proxy is used, it must be completed and signed, and received at the bank by the above deadline, i.e. 11:59 p.m. on Friday 28 February 2025.

The proxy may be sent by post for the attention of: Accounts Department, Ringkjøbing Landbobank A/S, Torvet 1, 6950 Ringkøbing, Denmark, by email to regnskab@landbobanken.dk or by fax to +45 7624 4913.

Shareholders may also send a postal vote before the general meeting.

Postal votes may be cast electronically on InvestorPortal at Euronext Securities, via the bank’s website www.landbobanken.com or in writing on a postal vote form which is available from the bank’s branches.

If a postal vote is cast, the ballot paper must be returned for the attention of: Accounts Department, Ringkjøbing Landbobank A/S, Torvet 1, 6950 Ringkøbing, Denmark, by email to regnskab@landbobanken.dk or by fax to +45 7624 4913.

Electronic postal votes must be cast by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 4 March 2025, by which time a postal ballot paper must also be received by the bank.

Exercising financial rights

Ringkjøbing Landbobank’s shareholders can choose Ringkjøbing Landbobank A/S as the account-holding institution for the purpose of exercising the financial rights through Ringkjøbing Landbobank A/S.

Further information

The annual report, agenda and full proposals with the proposed amendments to the articles of association, the remuneration report, other documents under section 99(1) of the Danish Companies Act and information on the collection and processing of personal data in connection with the annual general meeting will be published on the bank’s website www.landbobanken.com and made available for inspection by shareholders on Wednesday, 5 February 2025.

Recording and webcast

The general meeting will be recorded and the recording will subsequently be uploaded to the bank’s website, www.landbobanken.com.

The general meeting will also be webcast via the bank’s website, www.landbobanken.com and can be viewed by everyone. It will not be possible to ask questions or vote via the webcast.

Personal data

For details on the bank’s processing of personal data in respect of general meetings, please see Ringkjøbing Landbobank’s privacy policy for shareholders etc., which is available on the bank’s website, www.landbobanken.com.

Dividend

Any dividend is expected to be available in shareholders’ return accounts on 10 March 2025.

Yours sincerely

Ringkjøbing Landbobank

On behalf of the board of directors

Martin Krogh Pedersen
Chair of the board of directors

Attachment
- Indkaldelse ordinær generalforsamling 2025 – EN endelig
The MIL Network –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Firms which took customers’ deposits but didn’t fit their kitchens are shut down following phoenix concerns
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Insolvency Service investigations found the Manchester-based companies took upfront payments from more than 20 customers, but there is no evidence they installed the kitchens as promised
Customers complained they did not receive the kitchens they had paid deposits for to Smart Choice Kitchens Limited and Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms Limited

A phoenix company, Connect Kitchens Limited, was suspected of being set up to continue the same operation

The three companies, connected by a shared director, were shut down in court following investigations by the Insolvency Service

A group of linked kitchen design and fitting companies based in Manchester have been shut down after taking upfront payments from more than 20 customers for products they did not provide.

Smart Choice Kitchens Limited, Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms Limited, and Connect Kitchens Limited were all wound-up at a hearing of the High Court in Manchester on Tuesday 4 February following an investigation by the Insolvency Service into their business practices which also identified a pattern of phoenixism.

The companies encouraged customers to make payments before the kitchens were delivered and installed.

They then failed to supply the kitchens and customers were left unable to obtain refunds.

A total of 21 customers complained to Action Fraud about the actions of Smart Choice Kitchens and Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms. Combined, the complainants had paid deposits of more than £50,000 to the two companies.

The victims all said that after paying a deposit, they were then falsely informed that the companies had gone into liquidation, or “went bankrupt”.

Insolvency Service investigators were also concerned that Connect Kitchens was acting as a successor company to Smart Choice Kitchens and Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms, putting consumers at risk of losing further sums of money due to phoenixism.

David Hope, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

Our investigations into Smart Choice Kitchens and Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms concluded that they were taking money from customers for kitchens they never had any intention of fitting. The victims found out about the companies through Facebook or Google and were then treated in very similar ways, losing hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

We were concerned that Connect Kitchens was a phoenix company created to continue the same operation. Our concerns only increased when our investigations uncovered three previous companies run by the same director and her associate, all of which appeared to use the same objectionable and dishonest trading practices.

Phoenix companies being set up with the sole purpose of causing clear financial harm to the public will not be tolerated by the Insolvency Service.

Stopping these companies from trading will protect potential future victims, disrupt suspected fraudulent activity, and act as a deterrent to others considering a similar business model.

Smart Choice Kitchens, Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms, and Connect Kitchens were all established between November 2022 and July 2023.

The three companies shared a director, known as Toni Amana or Toni Amana Warrington.

Connect Kitchens appointed a second director in October 2024 but Warrington remained the sole person with significant control over the company.

Warrington and a known associate of hers were directors of three other companies which operated a similar business model to Smart Choice Kitchens, Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms, and Connect Kitchens.

Those three companies, Your Style Kitchens Ltd, Your Style Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd, and Designer Kitchens and Bathrooms Limited, all stopped trading and were struck-off the Companies House register in August 2023, October 2023, and January 2024.

Bank statements obtained by the Insolvency Service for Smart Choice Kitchens and Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms revealed that the majority of payments were made to Warrington’s associate.

Warrington also failed to co-operate with the Insolvency Service’s investigations.

No accounting records were produced for any of the three companies and both Smart Choice Kitchens and Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms did not file accounts at Companies House on time.

The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of Smart Choice Kitchens Limited, Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms Limited, and Connect Kitchens Limited.

All enquiries concerning the affairs of the three companies should be made to the Official Receiver of the Public Interest Unit: 16th Floor, 1 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1HZ. Email: piu.or@insolvency.gov.uk.

Further information

Smart Choice Kitchens Limited (company number 14705893)

Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms Limited (company number 14465268)

Connect Kitchens Limited (company number 15023857)

The Insolvency Service can investigate complaints about corporate abuse by live companies. This may include serious misconduct, fraud, scams or dishonest practice in the way the company operates. Further information on our live investigations can be found here

Information on phoenix companies and the role of the Insolvency Service can be found here

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct, is available here.

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Updates to this page

Published 5 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Update on fire at Mount Edgcumbe

Source: City of Plymouth

Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park has been closed to all visitors today (Wednesday) following a fire at the Barrow Centre yesterday evening.

Two flats and two holiday lets at the Centre have been seriously damaged by the fire, which was put out by crews from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service assisted by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, who are still on site this morning.

The Barrow Centre was evacuated as soon as the fire was discovered and fortunately no one was injured.

Other sections of the Barrow Centre housing businesses and flats are now being assessed. Mount Edgcumbe House itself has not been impacted.

Sadly, those living in the damaged flats have lost their personal belongings. They were provided with temporary accommodation elsewhere in the park last night.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

The buildings will now be assessed by structural engineers and the area around the Barrow Centre made safe and cordoned off.

The park is expected to reopen tomorrow and an update on when businesses in the Barrow Centre can re-open will be provided once all the assessments have been completed.

The Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park team is contacting anyone who have any upcoming events or bookings that may be affected by the fire.

Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park is jointly owned and managed by Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council.

Plymouth councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Joint chair of the Mount Edgcumbe Joint Committee, said: “Everyone here is obviously devastated by the damage caused to the properties on the estate and our sympathies are with the families who have lost their possessions and the affected business owners. We will be supporting those families and the affected businesses however we can.

“We are very thankful no one was injured by the fire and will leave it to the fire service to investigate its cause and how it spread. We are grateful for the efforts of the fire crews throughout the night.

“Our priority is to support the families affected and to make the area safe so we can reopen the park and help the businesses resume their operations as soon as possible.”

Cornwall councillor Kate Ewert, Joint chair of the Mount Edgcumbe Joint Committee, said: “The fire is devastating for everyone involved and I know there is a sense of shock amongst those who live and work here but we can be thankful that no one has been hurt. The fire service did an incredible job in getting to the site quickly and protecting the remainder of the property.

“Our thoughts are with those who have lost all their possessions and I know the community is keen to pull together and provide support in whatever way it can. We will all be working together to help those impacted by this to get the Barrow Centre back up and running as soon possible.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Community Council election period begins

Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

The Notice of Election to community councils in Edinburgh has been published today (February 5).

Community councils are groups of elected local residents who care about their communities. These councils play an important role in the democratic process and act in the interests of their local areas.

The nomination period runs from tomorrow (6 February) until 27 February. This is when you can nominate yourself to stand for election as a community councillor.

An election will only be held in a community council area if there are more people nominated than places on the community council. Should this be necessary the election date will be 27 March.

The new community council term will start on 28 March and will last four years. The next community council elections are planned for 2029 though this may be subject to change.

Find out more about community councils and how to stand for election on our website along with the full text of the Notice of Election.

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:

Community councils remain an integral part of the social and democratic fabric of our city. In my experience as a ward councillor, I truly value my relationship with community councils and the excellent work that they do.

From campaigning on key local issues, to organising meetings, chairing debates, liaising with local and national representatives and much more – the life of a community councillor in the Capital is never ordinary.

This is an excellent opportunity to take a lead in your local area and make your community a better place. I’d encourage all residents to consider standing as a community councillor. Edinburgh draws its strength from its citizens, and we need their views and ideas to move forward together.

Secretary of Edinburgh Association of Community Councils, Ken Robertson said:

You have a community council voice in city life, by right. Don’t step to the side and stay silent.

Published: February 5th 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improving support for people who want to go smokefree

Source: City of Coventry

If you currently or have previously smoked tobacco products, we would love to hear from you!

We want to understand how we can best support people who want to quit smoking. Your feedback will help us develop better resources and support to help residents lead healthier, smokefree lives.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. All responses will remain confidential and will only be used to improve services.

Access the survey.

This survey is being carried out for Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council by independent researchers, Social Engine. Everyone who completes the survey can also enter our prize draw with the chance to win a £250 shopping voucher or one of five runners-up vouchers of £50. Winners will be drawn at random after the survey closes on Friday 21 February. Terms and conditions of the prize draw are here: T-Cs – Smoke Free Generation – Survey 2025.

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Also, please share this with your friends and family, whether they may have successfully stopped smoking or still smoke now.

Published: Wednesday, 5th February 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Department of Defense Program Funds Study of Cranial Regeneration

Source: US State of Connecticut

Biomedical engineering researchers at UConn Health believe there might be a way to use ultrasound to compel the body to regrow cranial tissue.

Yusuf Khan, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery, and Dr. David Hersh, associate professor of neurosurgery, have been studying whether some principles of bone development in children could apply to bone healing in adults who’ve had part of their skull removed and replaced.

A decompressive craniectomy (left) is performed to accommodate intracranial swelling by removing a large portion of the skull. When the swelling resolves, a cranioplasty (right) is performed to replace the missing bone, often with the original bone flap that had been removed during the first surgery. (Images provided by David Hersh)

They recently were awarded a two-year grant totaling $435,000 through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program, part of the Department of Defense.

A decompressive craniectomy, or the removal of a portion of the skull, is a potentially life-saving intervention for when a patient suffers from brain edema, or severe swelling, such as when there has been a traumatic brain injury. The procedure gives the swelling brain more space, relieving pressure and lowering the risk of herniation, which can be fatal.

Hersh, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Connecticut Children’s who performs craniectomies on select patients with certain conditions, notes that after the follow-up cranioplasty, which is when the portion of skull that had been removed is then reattached, that piece of bone can have problems reintegrating with the remainder of the skull. In some cases, the bone gets resorbed, meaning it instead starts to shrink and get absorbed by the body.

“You end up being left with big gaps in the bone, which can leave the underlying brain at risk,” Hersh says. “And then the patient needs even more surgeries to provide appropriate coverage, which might involve a synthetic replacement.”

Dr. David Hersh (left), UConn School of Medicine associate professor of neurosurgery and pediatric neurosurgeon at Connecticut Children’s, speaks with Yusuf Khan, associate program director of the UConn School of Medicine’s Skeletal Biology and Regeneration Graduate Program, in Khan’s lab at UConn Health. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

Original bone has many biological and other advantages over synthetic materials, such as metals or hard plastics, and trying to eliminate or reduce the need for synthetics is one of the tenets of regenerative engineering.

In 2019, Hersh started collaborating with Khan, who had been studying therapeutic ultrasound and how it facilitates fracture repair. Hersh had prior experience using therapeutic ultrasound for neurosurgical applications such as for blood brain barrier opening.

“David came to me with a very specific pediatric problem that he wanted to try to solve,” Khan says. “This grant really grew from the original pediatric application, but, through us working together over the years, we realized the potential for adults, too. And the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program is an ideal funder for a project like this because of the type of battlefield injuries that soldiers unfortunately experience.”

The focus is on the dura, the thin layer of tissue that encloses the brain, and whether low-intensity ultrasound can provide a physical force that the cells can sense, possibly stimulating cranial bone regeneration.

“We think that there’s something unique about those dural cells in that they respond to physical forces, just like bone cells do,” Khan says. “We’ve seen interesting responses by dural cells from young animals that are exposed to ultrasound, and we’re now going to explore whether skeletally mature cells act the same way. We plan to add stem cells to the defect site to study how they communicate with dural cells and whether this can stimulate new bone formation.”

Hannah Anderson is a 2025 Ph.D. candidate in The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering. Yusuf Khan is her mentor. (Photo by Chris DeFrancesco)

Khan likens it to how certain fractures actually benefit from weight-bearing during the healing process.

Hersh says the body already provides an encouraging clue.

“Our hypothesis is based on what people have learned about normal development –the skull grows in response to the underlying dura releasing signals that then stimulate bone formation,” Hersh says. “We think that happens as a result of the brain itself growing when we’re young and applying mechanical strain to the dura, which then signals to the bone above it. So, our aim is to recreate that natural process to facilitate bone healing in a way that’s similar to the original bone development.”

While studying this issue may have utility for wounded warriors, its potential applications may extend far beyond that. Examples include patients undergoing a decompressive craniectomy and subsequent cranioplasty for reasons unrelated to combat, including in the setting of civilian traumatic brain injury and certain severe types of stroke.

“This collaboration on regenerating cranial bone is so important for the future of our wounded warriors,” says Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, the founder and director of the Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering. “It is also beneficial to any mature patient with a traumatic brain injury. Congratulations to Dr. Khan and Dr. Hersh for securing funding to continue their life-altering research.”

The UConn School of Medicine’s Dr. David Hersh (left) and Yusuf Khan are studying how ultrasound may help the body regrow skull bone, funded through a grant from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

Khan is the associate program director of the UConn School of Medicine’s Skeletal Biology and Regeneration Graduate Program and a member of the Laurencin Institute.

“This is a great example of the power of academic interdisciplinary medicine, where a talented surgeon brought a clinical problem to an engaged and creative scientist-engineer to work towards the betterment of patient care,” says Dr. Isaac Moss, chair of UConn Health’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “When I connected Drs. Hersh and Khan five years ago, it was clear that these two faculty members would form a great partnership and it’s great to see fruits from this collaboration.”

Dr. Ketan Bulsara, chair of UConn Health’s Department of Neurosurgery, agrees.

“The interdepartmental collaboration between Dr. Hersh from neurosurgery and Dr. Khan from orthopedic surgery is just another example of our symbiotic clinical and research excellence that has the potential to transform patient care through our tripartite mission,” Bulsara says. “I congratulate them both on receiving this prestigious grant, and congratulate Dr. Jonathan Martin also for leading our exemplary pediatric neurosurgery team at Connecticut Children’s.”

Martin, a professor of surgery and pediatrics, directs Connecticut Children’s Division of Neurosurgery and holds its Paul M. Kanev Chair of Pediatric Neurosurgery.

“We have been privileged to partner with the UConn Health Department of Neurosurgery through the neurosurgery residency program, which has also expanded our access to new clinical and research partners,” Martin says. “The collaboration between Connecticut Children’s and UConn Health has accelerated the ability of exceptional faculty like Dr. Hersh to pursue answers to difficult questions that will benefit patients well beyond Connecticut and Western New England.”

The grant starts Feb. 1. While the research is in its very early stages, Khan says when the time comes, the work in the lab will be easily translatable.

“To me, this represents the best version of a clinician-research collaboration, where there is a clinical need looking for a solution, and there is a research solution looking for the ideal clinical application,” he says. “This demonstrates the power of and the need for clinician-scientist collaborations.”

The work was supported by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs endorsed by the Department of Defense, in the amount of $435,465.00, through the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program under Award No. HT9425-25-1-0053. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs or the Department of Defense.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI: Axyom.Core and Cirrus Core Networks Partner on Technologies and Services for Mobile Virtual Network Operators

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ANDOVER, Mass., Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Axyom.Core, a leader in cloud-native wireless core and radio access network (RAN) solutions, today announced a reseller agreement with Cirrus Core Networks (CCN), a U.S.-based specialized system integrator. Through this partnership, CCN will offer Axyom.Core’s innovative technology, enabling Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) to deliver differentiated subscriber and Internet of Things (IoT) packages, along with enhanced service offerings.

The MVNO market is expected to grow rapidly in the future, primarily due to factors such as increased mobile broadband speeds and the need for value-added services, according to Polaris Market Research. The collaboration combines Axyom.Core’s market-leading packet core products and Cirrus Core Networks’ networking capabilities, as well as its comprehensive suite of professional and managed services.

“This collaboration represents a pivotal step for Axyom.Core in our commitment to supporting customers of all sizes, from large communications service providers to emerging MVNOs,” said Jim Collier, vice president of global sales and marketing, Axyom.Core. “By working with Cirrus Core Networks, we are expanding our reach, ensuring that our industry-leading packet core products are accessible worldwide. Together, we are empowering network operators to meet evolving customer demands and build the next generation of wireless services.”

Axyom.Core’s cloud-native, high-performance solutions deliver the flexibility and scalability that support seamless connectivity for operators navigating the complexities of 5G transformation.

“This partnership combines Axyom.Core’s well-regarded technology with CCN’s proven expertise in managed services and deployment solutions, enabling MVNOs to evolve into thick MVNOs seamlessly,” said Adam Crane, CEO of Cirrus Core Networks. “Whether it’s established operators or new eSIM entrants with limited networking experience, CCN provides the infrastructure expertise needed to accelerate their success. By taking on the complexity of networking, we empower our MVNO partners to focus on what matters most – their subscribers – while delivering differentiated and innovative service packages that redefine the mobile experience.”

Go here to schedule a meeting with Axyom.Core at Mobile World Congress, taking place March 3–6 in Barcelona, Spain. Visit Hall 2, Stand 2G11 to learn more about how Axyom.Core and Cirrus Core Networks are empowering MVNOs with innovative solutions.

About Axyom.Core
Axyom.Core is a global leader in cloud-native wireless core and radio access network solutions, trusted by major communications service providers worldwide, including six of the top ten. Its product portfolio includes high-performance 4G and 5G converged core, Femto core, security gateway, and enterprise RAN units. Axyom.Core is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the telecommunications industry. For more information, visit www.axyomcore.ai.

About Cirrus Core Networks (CCN)
Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, with operations in the U.S., U.K. and India, Cirrus Core Networks (CCN) provides Communication Service Providers (CSPs), enterprises and industrial companies an end-to-end Core solution using a flexible business model – from a completely managed Network as a Service (NaaS) to a Build Operate Transfer solution. The company offers an impressive portfolio that includes 4G/5G EPC, HSS/HLR, DRA, IMS/VoLTE/VoWiFi, and a multitude of value-added services that powers MVNOs, Private LTE, Carrier Breakout & Optimization Hub (CBO), and many more use cases.

At CCN, we apply our team’s extensive vendor and operator experience in collaborative ways to drive the development, deployment, operation and evolution of our solutions. Learn more about CCN’s creative solutions at www.cirruscorenetworks.com.

The MIL Network –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI: Community Housing Capital and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Award $750,000 for Affordable Housing in Southfield

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Community Housing Capital (CHC) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) announced today an investment of $750,000 in grant funding designated for John Grace Arms, a project to construct 60 multifamily rental units in Southfield, Michigan.

The funding, sourced from FHLBank Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund and administered through CHC, a member of FHLBank Atlanta, will help address the critical need for affordable housing in the community.

Located in the heart of Southfield, John Grace Arms involves the adaptive reuse of a former, historic school building into modern, affordable housing units and 5,000 square feet of community space. The project is prioritizing the use of sustainable building materials to minimize environmental impact and promote healthier living conditions.

CHC, a financial supporter of John Grace Arms, applied for FHLBank Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund in 2024, which helps organizations to acquire, construct, rehabilitate or preserve affordable housing units. In December 2024, FHLBank Atlanta announced John Grace Arms as one of 66 grant recipients to receive a total of $55 million in funding to support 4,200 housing units.

“Community Housing Capital is proud to have supported the project developer MiSide in successfully securing $750,000 in AHP grant funding through FHLBank Atlanta. These funds will support the development of John Grace Arms, a transformative housing community that will offer 60 senior apartments, with a focus on fostering community engagement and recreation,” said Dana Chestnut, CHC’s Chief Lending Officer. “CHC has a long history of partnering with NeighborWorks America organizations to facilitate impactful projects, having sponsored successful applications that have collectively secured $4.8 million in grant funding to date. We are committed to leveraging opportunities like the AHP grant to amplify the impact of affordable housing initiatives nationwide.”

“John Grace Arms is a fantastic example of progress that can happen when organizations come together to execute on a vision,” said Kirk Malmberg, President and CEO of FHLBank Atlanta. “We are pleased to partner with member financial institutions like Community Housing Capital and proud to see this funding go toward turning an existing, unused building into safe, affordable homes for Southfield residents.”

John Grace Arms is located at 21030 Indian Street, Southfield, Michigan and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.

About Community Housing Capital
Community Housing Capital (CHC) is a 24-year-old Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and 501(c)(3) created to facilitate the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Since 2000, CHC has, through its lending activity, created or preserved over 24,792 units of affordable housing and facilitated $3.8 billion in total development. Community Housing Capital is headquartered in Decatur, Georgia.

About Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively-priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities. The Bank’s members – its shareholders and customers – are commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 11 district Banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Since 1990, the FHLBanks have awarded approximately $9.1 billion in Affordable Housing Program funds, assisting more than 1.2 million households. For more information, visit www.fhlbatl.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
Sheryl Touchton
stouchton@fhlbatl.com

Community Housing Capital, Inc.
Mona Elminyawi
melminyawi@communityhousingcapital.org

The MIL Network –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI: Dassault Systèmes: declaration of the number of outstanding shares and voting rights as of January 31, 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press Release
VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France — February 5, 2025

Declaration of the number of outstanding shares and
voting rights as of January 31, 2025

Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today announced below the total number of its outstanding shares and voting rights as of January 31, 2025, according to articles 223-16 and 221-3 of the General Regulation of the Autorité des marchés financiers.

Number of outstanding shares: 1,339,708,416

Number of voting rights*: 2,013,171,040

*The total number of voting rights is calculated on the basis of the total number of outstanding shares, even if the voting rights attached thereto are suspended, pursuant to Article 223-11 of the General Regulation of the Autorité des marchés financiers relating to the method for calculating the percentages of holdings in shares and in voting rights. We invite our shareholders to refer to this article should they need to declare crossing of thresholds.

Declarations related to crossing of threshold must be sent to:
Dassault Systèmes, Investor Relations Service, 10, rue Marcel Dassault, CS 40501, 78946 Vélizy-Villacoublay Cedex (France). E-mail address: Investors@3ds.com

###

ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. Since 1981, the company has pioneered virtual worlds to improve real life for consumers, patients and citizens. With Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 350 000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, can collaborate, imagine and create sustainable innovations that drive meaningful impact. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.

Dassault Systèmes Investor Relations Team                FTI Consulting
Béatrix Martinez :                                        Arnaud de Cheffontaines: +33 1 47 03 69 48
+33 1 61 62 40 73                                        Jamie Ricketts : +44 20 3727 1600
investors@3ds.com

Dassault Systèmes Press Contacts
Corporate / France
Arnaud Malherbe: +33 1 61 62 87 73
arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com

© Dassault Systèmes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Use of any Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval

Attachment
- Dassault Systèmes: declaration of the number of outstanding shares and voting rights as of January 31, 2025
The MIL Network –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI: Sampo’s Board of Directors has resolved on a share split

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Sampo plc, stock exchange release, 5 February 2025 at 3:35 pm EET

Sampo’s Board of Directors has resolved on a share split

The Board of Directors of Sampo plc has today resolved on a share split by way of a share issue without consideration in proportion to shares owned by shareholders. The resolution is based on the authorisation granted by Sampo’s Annual General Meeting held on 25 April 2024.

In the share split, Sampo will issue four (4) new A shares for each existing A share and four (4) new B shares for each existing B share to shareholders in proportion to their existing holdings on the record day of the share issuance on 12 February 2025. In total, 2,152,191,088 new Sampo A shares and 800,000 new Sampo B shares will be issued. Following the registration of the new shares, Sampo’s total share count will amount to 2,691,238,860 shares.

The new shares are expected to be registered with the Finnish Trade Register on or about 12 February 2025. The new shares shall be issued without consideration as book-entries in the book-entry system maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy. The new shares shall, where applicable, be further registered as Swedish depository receipts in the securities depository and settlement register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB and in the form of share entitlements book-entered in VP Securities A/S in Denmark.

Trading in the new A shares on Nasdaq Helsinki, Nasdaq Stockholm (in the form of Swedish depository receipts) and Nasdaq Copenhagen (in the form of share entitlements) is expected to commence on or about 13 February 2025. However, the new Swedish depository receipts are expected to be available on the accounts in Euroclear Sweden on or about 14 February 2025. The share split does not require any action from shareholders nor holders of Swedish depository receipts. The share split will not affect Sampo’s ISIN codes.

SAMPO PLC
Board of Directors

For further information, please contact:

Sami Taipalus
Head of Investor Relations
tel. +358 10 516 0030

Maria Silander
Communications Manager, Media Relations
tel. +358 10 516 0031

Distribution:
Nasdaq Helsinki
Nasdaq Stockholm
Nasdaq Copenhagen
London Stock Exchange
FIN-FSA
The principal media
www.sampo.com

The MIL Network –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Clegg Construction start refurbishment work on £23m new Specialist Education School

Source: City of Coventry

Construction workers with Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu and officers from Coventry City Council in front of the Woodlands development.

The development of a new facility at the former Woodlands School will provide specially designed and much-needed additional space for pupils at Woodfield School.

Contractor, Clegg Construction, known for their design and construction excellence, have commenced the redevelopment works.

As part of the £23 million project Clegg will creating outdoor play facilities, such as play areas and an outdoor forest school to enhance the specialist teaching spaces to support the needs of the pupils. They will also be carrying out the internal refurbishment of the seven original buildings and provision of a new carpark.

Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “Every child in the city deserves to have the best education they possibly can, and this new facility is going to offer that. The new design will provide the best possible learning experiences moving forward.”

“It’s really exciting that Clegg will soon be making a start on the construction work at the site. It’s going to be a huge asset for the pupils once it’s all finished and I’m looking forward to seeing the development work progress”.

Michael Sims, managing director at Clegg Construction, said: “Clegg has wide experience of delivering new and refurbished educational facilities and we are extremely proud to have been appointed to redevelop, reconfigure, and repurpose this site. The team at Clegg Construction is looking forward to starting work on this project, alongside our delivery partners.”

The new school is due to be completed in 2026.

To keep up to date with the latest news, sign up for our Your Coventry email newsletter or follow the Council on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Published: Wednesday, 5th February 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “The staff shortage is here to stay”

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

Also, preference is given to employees of generations Y and Z by companies that focus on consumers of younger generations, for example, fashion retail, coffee shops, sports clubs, Kozhevnikova lists. “If we are talking about more serious industries (medicine, energy, transport, public administration, construction, science, education), then the main criteria for choosing candidates are professional competencies, experience and a responsible attitude to work, so these industries have a positive attitude towards generation X,” she explains.

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 –

February 6, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, December and Annual 2024

Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced today that the goods and services deficit was $98.4 billion in December, up $19.5 billion from $78.9 billion in November, revised.

U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Deficit
Deficit:	$98.4 Billion	+24.7%°
Exports:	$266.5 Billion	–2.6%°
Imports:	$364.9 Billion	+3.5%°
Next release: Thursday, March 6, 2025 (°) Statistical significance is not applicable or not measurable. Data adjusted for seasonality but not price changes Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, February 5, 2025

Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)

December exports were $266.5 billion, $7.1 billion less than November exports. December imports were $364.9 billion, $12.4 billion more than November imports.

The December increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $18.9 billion to $123.0 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $0.6 billion to $24.5 billion.

For 2024, the goods and services deficit increased $133.5 billion, or 17.0 percent, from 2023. Exports increased $119.8 billion or 3.9 percent. Imports increased $253.3 billion or 6.6 percent.

Three-Month Moving Averages (exhibit 2)

The average goods and services deficit increased $4.7 billion to $83.8 billion for the three months ending in December.

Average exports decreased $1.2 billion to $268.8 billion in December.
Average imports increased $3.5 billion to $352.7 billion in December.

Year-over-year, the average goods and services deficit increased $19.2 billion from the three months ending in December 2023.

Average exports increased $9.8 billion from December 2023.
Average imports increased $29.0 billion from December 2023.

Exports (exhibits 3, 6, and 7)

Exports of goods decreased $7.5 billion to $170.2 billion in December.

Exports of goods on a Census basis decreased $6.7 billion.

Consumer goods decreased $1.8 billion.
- Pharmaceutical preparations decreased $1.4 billion.
Industrial supplies and materials decreased $1.8 billion.
- Crude oil decreased $0.9 billion.
- Other petroleum products decreased $0.3 billion.
- Other precious metals decreased $0.3 billion.
- Fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides decreased $0.3 billion.
Capital goods decreased $1.4 billion.
- Computers decreased $0.9 billion.
- Civilian aircraft increased $1.4 billion.
Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines decreased $0.9 billion.
- Trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles decreased $0.4 billion.
- Other automotive parts and accessories decreased $0.3 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $0.8 billion.

Exports of services increased $0.4 billion to $96.3 billion in December.

Travel increased $0.3 billion.
Financial services increased $0.1 billion.

Imports (exhibits 4, 6, and 8)

Imports of goods increased $11.4 billion to $293.1 billion in December.

Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $11.3 billion.

Industrial supplies and materials increased $10.8 billion.
- Finished metal shapes increased $9.2 billion.
- Nonmonetary gold increased $1.0 billion.
Consumer goods increased $2.2 billion.
- Toys, games, and sporting goods increased $0.8 billion.
- Cell phones and other household goods increased $0.8 billion.
Capital goods increased $1.3 billion.
- Computers increased $1.2 billion.
- Computer accessories increased $0.9 billion.
- Civilian aircraft decreased $1.1 billion.
Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines decreased $2.2 billion.
- Passenger cars decreased $1.6 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments increased $0.1 billion.

Imports of services increased $1.0 billion to $71.8 billion in December.

Transport increased $0.5 billion.
Travel increased $0.3 billion.

Real Goods in 2017 Dollars – Census Basis (exhibit 11)

The real goods deficit increased $14.9 billion, or 15.4 percent, to $111.9 billion in December, compared to a 17.3 percent increase in the nominal deficit.

Real exports of goods decreased $5.4 billion, or 3.7 percent, to $141.9 billion, compared to a 3.8 percent decrease in nominal exports.
Real imports of goods increased $9.5 billion, or 3.9 percent, to $253.8 billion, compared to a 4.0 percent increase in nominal imports.

Revisions

In addition to revisions to source data for the November statistics, the seasonally adjusted goods data were revised for January through November so that the totals of the seasonally adjusted months equal the annual totals.

Revisions to November exports

Exports of goods were revised up $0.1 billion.
Exports of services were revised up $0.1 billion.

Revisions to November imports

Imports of goods were revised up $0.8 billion.
Imports of services were revised up $0.1 billion.

Goods by Selected Countries and Areas: Monthly – Census Basis (exhibit 19)

The December figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with Netherlands ($5.0), South and Central America ($3.5), United Kingdom ($2.3), Hong Kong ($0.7), Brazil ($0.4), Saudi Arabia ($0.4), Belgium ($0.3), and Australia ($0.2). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($25.3), European Union ($20.4), Mexico ($15.2), Switzerland ($13.0), Vietnam ($11.4), Canada ($7.9), Germany ($7.6), Taiwan ($6.9), Ireland ($6.2), South Korea ($5.6), Japan ($5.5), India ($4.9), Italy ($4.1), Malaysia ($2.5), France ($1.1), Israel ($0.8), and Singapore ($0.4).

The deficit with Switzerland increased $9.1 billion to $13.0 billion in December. Exports decreased $0.7 billion to $1.2 billion and imports increased $8.4 billion to $14.2 billion.
The deficit with Canada increased $2.9 billion to $7.9 billion in December. Exports decreased $0.4 billion to $29.1 billion and imports increased $2.5 billion to $37.0 billion.
The deficit with Ireland decreased $3.1 billion to $6.2 billion in December. Exports decreased $0.1 billion to $1.2 billion and imports decreased $3.2 billion to $7.5 billion.

Annual Summary for 2024

Exports, Imports, and Balance (exhibit 1)

For 2024, the goods and services deficit was $918.4 billion, up $133.5 billion from $784.9 billion in 2023. Exports were $3,191.6 billion, up $119.8 billion from 2023. Imports were $4,110.0 billion, up $253.3 billion from 2023.

The 2024 increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $148.5 billion, or 14.0 percent, to $1,211.7 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $14.9 billion, or 5.4 percent, to $293.3 billion.

The goods and services deficit was 3.1 percent of current-dollar gross domestic product in 2024, up from 2.8 percent in 2023.

Exports (exhibits 3, 6, and 7)

Exports of goods increased $38.6 billion to $2,083.8 billion in 2024.

Exports of goods on a Census basis increased $47.1 billion.

Capital goods increased $40.2 billion.
- Computer accessories increased $11.3 billion.
- Civilian aircraft engines increased $8.7 billion.
- Computers increased $8.2 billion.
- Semiconductors increased $8.1 billion.
Other goods increased $17.9 billion. (See the “Notice” for more information.)
Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines decreased $10.8 billion.
- Other automotive parts and accessories decreased $4.3 billion.
- Passenger cars decreased $4.0 billion.
- Trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles decreased $3.0 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $8.5 billion.

Exports of services increased $81.2 billion to $1,107.8 billion in 2024.

Travel increased $26.3 billion.
Other business services increased $16.0 billion.
Telecommunications, computer, and information services increased $11.9 billion.
Financial services increased $11.6 billion.

Imports (exhibits 4, 6, and 8)

Imports of goods increased $187.1 billion to $3,295.6 billion in 2024.

Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $187.2 billion.

Capital goods increased $103.3 billion.
- Computer accessories increased $33.5 billion.
- Computers increased $28.3 billion.
- Semiconductors increased $9.4 billion.
- Other industrial machinery increased $9.0 billion.
Consumer goods increased $48.4 billion.
- Pharmaceutical preparations increased $43.6 billion.
Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines increased $16.1 billion.
- Passenger cars increased $10.0 billion.
- Other automotive parts and accessories increased $4.8 billion.
Foods, feeds, and beverages increased $15.9 billion.
- Meat products increased $3.5 billion.
- Fruits, frozen juices increased $2.3 billion.
- Bakery products increased $2.2 billion.
- Other foods increased $2.0 billion.
- Vegetables increased $1.7 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $0.2 billion.

Imports of services increased $66.2 billion to $814.4 billion in 2024.

Travel increased $19.2 billion.
Charges for the use of intellectual property increased $12.2 billion.
Transport increased $11.7 billion.
Insurance services increased $11.5 billion.

Real Goods in 2017 Dollars – Census Basis (exhibit 11)

The real goods deficit increased $98.8 billion, or 9.6 percent, to $1,132.4 billion in 2024, compared to a 13.2 percent increase in the nominal deficit.

Real exports of goods increased $41.7 billion, or 2.5 percent, to $1,737.8 billion, compared to a 2.3 percent increase in nominal exports.
Real imports of goods increased $140.5 billion, or 5.1 percent, to $2,870.2 billion, compared to a 6.1 percent increase in nominal imports.

Goods by Selected Countries and Areas – Census Basis (exhibits 14 and 14a)

The 2024 figures show surpluses, in billions of dollars, with Netherlands ($55.5), South and Central America ($47.3), Hong Kong ($21.9), Australia ($17.9), and United Kingdom ($11.9). Deficits were recorded, in billions of dollars, with China ($295.4), European Union ($235.6), Mexico ($171.8), Vietnam ($123.5), Ireland ($86.7), Germany ($84.8), Taiwan ($73.9), Japan ($68.5), South Korea ($66.0), Canada ($63.3), India ($45.7), Thailand ($45.6), Italy ($44.0), Switzerland ($38.5), Malaysia ($24.8), Indonesia ($17.9), France ($16.4), Austria ($13.1), and Sweden ($9.8).

The deficit with the European Union increased $26.9 billion to $235.6 billion in 2024. Exports increased $2.6 billion to $370.2 billion and imports increased $29.4 billion to $605.8 billion.
The deficit with Taiwan increased $26.1 billion to $73.9 billion in 2024. Exports increased $2.4 billion to $42.3 billion and imports increased $28.5 billion to $116.3 billion.
The surplus with the Netherlands increased $12.7 billion to $55.5 billion in 2024. Exports increased $8.3 billion to $89.6 billion and imports decreased $4.4 billion to $34.1 billion.

All statistics referenced are seasonally adjusted; statistics are on a balance of payments basis unless otherwise specified. Additional statistics, including not seasonally adjusted statistics and details for goods on a Census basis, are available in exhibits 1-20b of this release. For information on data sources, definitions, and revision procedures, see the explanatory notes in this release. The full release can be found at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/index.html or www.bea.gov/data/intl-trade-investment/international-trade-goods-and-services. The full schedule is available in the Census Bureau’s Economic Briefing Room at www.census.gov/economic-indicators/ or on BEA’s website at www.bea.gov/news/schedule.

Next release: March 6, 2025, at 8:30 a.m EST
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, January 2025

Notice

Impact of Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Release of CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM)

The CBSA introduced a new accounting system (CARM) on October 21, 2024. As a result, importers in Canada have experienced delays in filing shipment information. These delays affected the compilation of statistics on U.S. exports of goods to Canada for September through December 2024, which are derived from data compiled by Canada through the United States – Canada Data Exchange. A dollar estimate of the filing backlog is included in estimates for late receipts and, following the Census Bureau’s customary practice for late receipt estimates, is included in the export end-use category “Other goods” as well as in exports to Canada. This estimate will be replaced with the actual transactions reported by the Harmonized System classification in June 2025 with the release of “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, Annual Revision.” Until then, please refer to the supplemental spreadsheet “CARM Exports to Canada Corrections,” which provides a breakdown of the late receipts by 1-digit end-use category. This spreadsheet will be updated as late export transactions are received to reflect reassignments from the initial “Other goods” category to the appropriate 1-digit end-use category.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division, International Trade Macro Analysis Branch, on 800-549-0595, option 4, or at eid.international.trade.data@census.gov or BEA, Balance of Payments Division, at InternationalAccounts@bea.gov.

Upcoming Changes to the Real (Chained-Dollar) Series

Effective with the release of the February 2025 statistics on April 3, 2025, the Census Bureau will continue to use the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes to calculate the chained-dollar series (exhibits 10 and 11). The BLS will be implementing changes to the indexes with the release of the February 2025 U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes on March 18, 2025. The changes to the indexes could impact the chained-dollar values. Please refer to the BLS notice for additional information on the Upcoming Change to Data Source for Import and Export Price Indexes: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Census Bureau, Economic Statistical Methods Division, International Trade Statistical Methods Branch, on 301-763-3080.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 6, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine: prospects for peace are slim unless Europe grips the reality of Trump’s world

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

When EU leaders gathered for their first ever meeting solely dedicated to defence issues on February 3, in Brussels, the war in Ukraine was uppermost on their minds. Yet, three weeks before the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is only the tip of an iceberg of security challenges that Europe faces.

War on a scale not seen in Europe since 1945 has returned to the continent. Russian sabotage of everything from critical infrastructure to elections is at levels reminiscent of the cold war. And the future of the EU’s most important defence alliance, Nato, is uncertain.

In light of these challenges alone, let alone the ongoing instability in the Middle East, western Balkans and south Caucasus, it’s hard to disagree with the observation by EU council president António Costa that: “Europe needs to assume greater responsibility for its own defence.”

But it’s hardly a groundbreaking statement. And at the end of proceedings, the outcome of what was ultimately only an informal meeting, was underwhelmingly summarised by Costa as “progress in our discussions on building the Europe of defence”.

This does not bode well for Ukraine. US support is unlikely to continue at the levels reached during the final months of the Biden administration. In fact, ongoing debates in the White House on Ukraine policy have already caused some disruption to arms shipments from Washington to Kyiv.

Building blocs

If there is a silver lining for Ukraine here, it is Trump’s continuous search for a good deal. His latest idea is that Ukraine could pay for US support with favourable concessions on rare earths, and potentially other strategic resources.

These would include preferential deals to supply the US with titanium, iron ore and coal, as well as critical minerals, including lithium. Whether this is a sustainable basis for US support in the long term is as unclear as whether it will make any material difference to Trump thinking beyond a ceasefire.

The other ray of hope for Ukraine is that there is a much greater recognition in EU capitals now about the need for a common European approach to defence. A greater focus on building a “coalition of the willing” including non-EU members UK and Norway is a potentially promising path.

But hope, as they say, is not a winning strategy. In a Trump-like transactional fashion, Brussels – in exchange for a deal on defence with London – is insisting on UK concessions on youth mobility and fishing rights. It’s unlikely that this will prove an insurmountable stumbling bloc, but it will create yet more delays at a moment when time is of the essence for Europe as a whole to signal determination about security and defence.

This is further complicated by two factors. On the one hand, there is the looming threat of a trade war between the US and the EU. That the UK may still be able to avoid a similar fate, according to Trump, feels like good news for London. But it will also put the UK in a potentially awkward position as it seeks an ambitious post-Brexit reset with the EU and harbours hopes to improve relations with China.

With Trump clearly hostile towards both Brussels and Beijing, this may become an impossible balancing act for the British government to pull off.

Europe’s fragile unity

On the other hand, EU unity has become more fragile. Trump’s victory has emboldened other populist leaders in Europe – notably the significantly more pro-Russian Slovak and Hungarian prime ministers, Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán. The same applies to the UK, where Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party – which has overtaken the ruling Labour party in the latest public opinion polls – is known for his Ukraine-sceptical views.

To that equation add a weak government in France and the likelihood of protracted coalition negotiations in Germany after hotly contested parliamentary elections at the end of February. The prospects for decisive EU and wider European action on strengthening its own security and defence capabilities right now appear vanishingly slim.

Seen in the light of such multiple and complex challenges, it is astonishing how much the EU is still trapped in a wishful thinking exercise – and one that appears more and more disconnected from reality. Contrary to Costa’s fulsome pronouncements after the EU leaders’ meeting, there is little evidence that the US under Trump will remain Europe’s friend, ally and partner.

There’s also little to suggest that the American president shares the values and principles that once underpinned the now rapidly dismantling international order. Other countries’ national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of their borders are not at the forefront of Trump’s foreign policy doctrine.

If, as Costa proclaimed, “peace in Europe depends on Ukraine winning a comprehensive, just and lasting peace”, then the future looks bleak indeed for Europe and Ukraine. At this point the EU and its member states are a long way off from being able to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win. This is not just because they lack the military and defence-industrial capabilities. They also lack a credible, shared vision of how to acquire them while navigating a Trumpian world.

Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

– ref. Ukraine: prospects for peace are slim unless Europe grips the reality of Trump’s world – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-prospects-for-peace-are-slim-unless-europe-grips-the-reality-of-trumps-world-248911

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why Democrats are switching off the news – a psychologist explains

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Geoff Beattie, Professor of Psychology, Edge Hill University

Many Democrats appear to be switching off mainstream news channels and other media, following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Around 72% of Democrats say they feel a need to limit their consumption of news about politics and government, according to a recent poll by AP-NORC.

Research has highlighted the negative effects of news avoidance (resistance to, or avoidance of, news) on people’s political knowledge and civic engagement, the cornerstones of democratic thought and action.

Research also shows what prompts news avoidance generally – and the return of Trump may be increasing the percentage of people in the US who are turning away from news and current affairs.

Research from the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland measured how news avoidance varied across several nations between 2016 and 2019. It also attempted to identify the drivers of news avoidance.

Researchers found the proportion of consumers who actively avoided the news varied significantly from one country to another – and for some, it was temporary.

In their sample of five countries, they found news avoidance was highest in Argentina (45%) and the US (41%) and lowest in Finland (17%) and Japan (11%), with Israel somewhere in between. The US, it seems, has always been high but there are some suggestions it is getting worse.

People made conscious decisions about what news to consume and what to avoid, given the amount of news available. News overload and cognitive fatigue (where people feel worn out by the amount of news they feel they should listen to) were especially important when there was intense national news focus on certain individuals. Examples of this could be coverage of the corruption case involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, or Trump’s recent stream of executive orders.

But factors can vary. The study found that in Japan, the main cognitive driver was “a reluctance to discuss or be exposed to subjective and often extreme opinions”. In Argentina, it was a distrust of politicians generally.

However, emotional factors were also critical to news avoidance. Many interviewees reported feeling emotional distress, sadness, fear and anger with certain types of negative news, to the extent that it sometimes affected their mental health.

But emotional factors also affect specific behaviour. News avoidance can become “news aversion” (more emotional, more visceral), turning away from the news not because of some deliberate rational judgment (“I’ll reduce my viewing a little, according to American Psychological Association guidelines”) but because of overwhelming feelings of anxiety or disgust when confronted by certain stories or individuals.

Disgust is a powerful negative emotion linked to very quick responding, and could create a need to turn away from something immediately. Feelings of anxiety may be linked to images of political figures, for instance.

I have just finished writing a book exploring climate anxiety. For some, this can be a debilitating form of anxiety, and it is growing globally especially among young people. It can be overwhelming, affecting study, work and sleep.

What can you do about news avoidance?

The recent image of Trump yelling that “we’re going to drill, baby, drill” has been implanted in the minds of many who suffer from climate anxiety, possibly intensifying their distress.

For many Democrats, the aftermath of Trump’s victory was emotionally devastating. On October 24 2024 (two weeks before the election), an open letter was published in the New York Times signed by 233 mental health professionals with the following warning: “We have an ethical duty to warn the public that Donald Trump is an existential threat to democracy. His symptoms of severe, untreatable personality disorder – malignant narcissism – makes him deceitful, destructive, deluded and dangerous. He is grossly unfit for leadership.”

For Democrats in particular, Trump may display many negative features including his lack of remorse or self-awareness, his break from traditional political norms and use of populist, nationalist rhetoric, or his rejection of civil discourse in favour of divisive and inflammatory language.

So Trump’s victory seemed, to many Democrats, to signal the triumph of ignorance, bigotry and authoritarianism. An emotional response from them was always likely, and chimes with this avoiding of news.

Cognitive dissonance

Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that when individuals are confronted with information (in this case from Trump) that contradicts their deeply held beliefs but they still sit and listen dutifully, this can create considerable psychological discomfort.

To reduce this discomfort, people often engage in behaviour that avoids or minimises this conflict. But they can’t change their political views, and they can’t change Trump or his policies (he has got an incredibly powerful mandate), so that leaves few other options. Or perhaps just one: avoiding the relentless media cycle of Trump’s tweets, policies, pronouncements, presidential pardons, and executive orders.

By switching off, Democrats – and even some Republicans – can temporarily ease the cognitive dissonance they feel, and this may allow some emotional relief.

Moreover, this avoidance might help protect them against the further erosion of their political and social identity. They might feel that if they continue to consume news that reaffirms Trump’s power, or as if they are accepting their defeat and their misreading of the American public and, by extension, the legitimacy of his presidency.

But where will that disengagement take them? And how easy will it be for them to overcome their visceral response to reengage, to reassert themselves and fight back? It’s always more difficult when thoughts and emotion are so tightly intertwined like this.

But for US Democrats, engagement based on accurate information is critical for the ongoing democratic process, regardless of how painful this might feel right now.

Geoff Beattie 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 Democrats are switching off the news – a psychologist explains – https://theconversation.com/why-democrats-are-switching-off-the-news-a-psychologist-explains-248512

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How to outwit gambling adverts by ‘inoculating’ people against them

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jamie Torrance, Lecturer and Researcher in Psychology, Swansea University

Gambling companies spend an estimated £1.5 billion annually on ad campaigns in the UK alone. Maxx-Studio/Shutterstock

In a world awash with enticing promises of quick riches and thrilling wins, gambling advertisements have practically become inescapable. These meticulously crafted promotions aim to tap into the hearts and minds of consumers persuading them to gamble – whether that means starting or keeping going.

With gambling advertising showing no signs of abating, and gambling addiction an ongoing problem across the UK, it is vital that consumers are given tools to resist. Our recent research has found that a targeted approach using “counteradvertising” videos can help people combat these persuasive tactics.

Gambling advertisements portray gambling in a consistently positive light. They emphasise wins over losses and integrate logos into sporting events, exploiting fans’ emotional bonds with their teams and favourite athletes. For example, our previous research found that an average of 1,565 gambling logos were visible via pitch-side hoardings and on players’ kit during each English Premier League match in the 2022-23 season.

They also widely promote financial incentives like “free bets”. These are promotions typically giving customers a chance to place a bet without using their own money.

These incentives often come with opaque terms and conditions, encouraging riskier and potentially more harmful betting behaviour. Social media influencers and affiliates also play a role, disguising promotions as expert advice while profiting from players’ losses.

The scale of the gambling industry’s investment in advertising is staggering. In the UK alone, companies spend an estimated £1.5 billion annually on ad campaigns spanning television, sports sponsorships and social media.

While much attention has focused on the effects of gambling ads on children and people with gambling disorders, young adults aged 18 to 29 represent another vulnerable demographic. With lower levels of advertising literacy, young adults are less equipped to recognise and resist manipulative techniques. They also face heightened risks of gambling-related harm when exposed to legal gambling.

A 2023 study showed that the “safer gambling” messages displayed at the end of gambling ads, such as “take time to think”, are ineffective at reducing harm. Even the term “safer gambling” itself is often seen by viewers, academics and some policymakers as an industry-favoured concept. Research has shown how it can downplay risks, leading to less regulatory oversight by implying that gambling is inherently “safe”. So, it is vital that consumers have the tools to resist the persuasive techniques used in gambling advertising.

Inoculation theory

To address this issue, we designed a seven-minute counteradvertising video informed by “inoculation theory”, which is a concept similar to vaccination. By exposing viewers to weakened forms of persuasive gambling tactics, the video aimed to build resistance to these strategies when encountered in the real world.

Our video targeted five common advertising strategies: the positive portrayal of gambling, demographic targeting, embedding gambling in sports, “free” offers and affiliate marketing. Input from people who had experienced harm from gambling helped ensure the video’s relevance and effect.

In the video, viewers saw real-world examples of these advertising strategies. Expert narration helped to unpack the manipulative tactics involved. In the segment on “free” offers, the narrator dissected the fine print of a real “free £10 bet” ad. Viewers learned that the offer’s terms were so restrictive that withdrawing the “free” £10 was nearly impossible. It required a £300 deposit of their own money and 50 wagers on slots before any withdrawal was allowed.

We then conducted a randomised online experiment involving 1,200 young adult gamblers (aged 18 to 29). Half of the participants watched the counteradvertising video, while the other half viewed a video on healthy eating. Participants completed surveys before and after the video and again one month later, measuring their scepticism toward gambling ads, awareness of persuasive tactics and engagement with “free” offer promotions.

Can counteradvertising videos help to ‘inoculate’ people against harmful gambling?
REDPIXEL.PL/Shutterstock

The participants who watched the counteradvertising video reported significantly higher levels of scepticism and awareness of gambling advertising strategies compared to the control group. These effects persisted over time. Even a month later, those who viewed the video maintained their heightened resistance to gambling ads.

The intervention also led to tangible behavioural changes. Participants who watched the video showed a statistically significant decrease in their use of “free offers”. And 21% of them reported completely ceasing their engagement with such promotions within a month.

Our findings highlight the potential for counteradvertising to complement broader harm reduction efforts in gambling, such as education and awareness campaigns. In autumn 2024, the UK government announced a statutory levy on gambling operators. It’s expected to generate approximately £100 million annually for research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm. But there’s not enough attention on tackling gambling advertising specifically.

Empowering consumers

Counteradvertising could be scaled up and delivered alongside independent “safer gambling” messages. By empowering consumers to critically evaluate gambling promotions, our videos have the potential to reduce gambling-related harm at its source.

Future research could explore alternative delivery formats, such as shorter videos tailored for social media platforms. Or they could examine the long-term effects of repeated exposure to counteradvertising messages.

With gambling ads dominating our screens, it’s time to level the playing field. Counteradvertising offers a powerful way to help consumers see through the allure of “free bets” and “wins”. And it could help people make more informed choices about their gambling behaviour.

In the last three years, Jamie Torrance has received: Open access publication funding from Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO), Conference travel and accommodation funding from the Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling (AFSG), and an exploratory research grant from the ASFG and GREO.

Philip Newall is a member of the Advisory Board for Safer Gambling – an advisory group of the Gambling Commission in Great Britain. In the last three years, Philip Newall has contributed to research projects funded by the Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling, Clean Up Gambling, Gambling Research Australia, and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. Philip Newall has received honoraria for reviewing from the Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling and the Belgium Ministry of Justice, travel and accommodation funding from the Alberta Gambling Research Institute and the Economic and Social Research Institute, and open access fee funding from the Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling and Greo Evidence Insights.

– ref. How to outwit gambling adverts by ‘inoculating’ people against them – https://theconversation.com/how-to-outwit-gambling-adverts-by-inoculating-people-against-them-247637

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Complaints about misselling and imposition of additional services have decreased

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Central Bank of Russia –

In 2024, the Bank of Russia received 338 thousand complaints from consumers of financial services and investors. People complained less about the imposition of additional services and misselling, more about cyber fraud and blocking of accounts and transfers.

Thanks to the Bank of Russia’s behavioral supervision measures, complaints about the imposition of additional services when lending in banks decreased by 45.2% in 2024. This also affected the reduction in the number of complaints in consumer lending.

In the microfinance organizations (MFO) segment, the number of complaints about imposition decreased by 2.1 times. In addition, people complained less often about inaccurate information in their credit history — by 38.7% and fraud — by 19.1%. In general, in 2024, the number of complaints about MFOs decreased by 22.1%.

The number of misselling cases has decreased by more than 2 times. The downward trend began after the Bank of Russia was given the authority to suspend sales in 2023 that violated the rules for informing people.

Complaints about insurers have decreased by 30%, mainly due to the fact that the procedure for challenging the bonus-malus coefficient (KBM) has changed. Previously, a significant share of all complaints about MTPL were template complaints about checking the coefficient. They were issued for a fee by intermediaries, although citizens can independently and free of charge correct the KBM. It can be found in the personal account on the website of the National Insurance Information System and there you can leave a request in case of disagreement with the value of the coefficient. By the end of the year, such template complaints practically ceased to be received by the Bank of Russia.

Due to the fact that criminals are constantly inventing new ways to steal money, complaints about cyber fraud against banks have increased by 1.8 times. To solve this problem, the regulator has ordered that bank cards and access to online banking be blocked for citizens who are engaged in the withdrawal and cashing of stolen funds – droppering. Banks must also suspend for two dayssuspicious transfers. However, this measure had a negative impact on the dynamics of complaints, because the number of requests related to banks blocking transfers and accounts increased by 2.2 times. At the same time, for most requests, banks confirmed that such accounts were used to deceive people.

“The good news this year is that complaints about imposition and misselling continue to decrease, which means that credit and microfinance organizations are becoming more customer-oriented. But, as is usually the case, there is also not so good news – this is, of course, an increase in complaints about fraud. We are taking additional measures to combat it. Starting from March 1, 2025, every citizen will be able to set a ban on concluding consumer credit (loan) agreements with banks and microfinance organizations in their credit history on the State Services portal. From September 1, the service will be available in the MFC. This will allow a person to protect themselves from a situation where fraudsters issue a loan in their name or when a person acts under their influence,” said Mikhail Mamuta, Head of the Service for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Ensuring the Availability of Financial Services of the Bank of Russia.

Preview photo: 9dream studio / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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.

Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

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MIL OSI Russia News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin discussed the development of the region with the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

Marat Khusnullin held a working meeting with the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev

February 5, 2025

Marat Khusnullin held a working meeting with the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev

February 5, 2025

Marat Khusnullin held a working meeting with the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev

February 5, 2025

Previous news Next news

Marat Khusnullin held a working meeting with the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev

Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin held a working meeting with the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, at which issues of the region’s socio-economic development were discussed.

“The region is developing systematically in various directions, including the region showing good results in construction. The implementation of integrated development projects for territories with an urban development potential of 1 million square meters of housing has begun. Large-scale road projects are being implemented. Thus, in July last year, the President opened traffic on the bypass of the city of Tolyatti with a bridge across the Volga. This road is part of the international corridor Europe – Western China. In addition, we are upgrading public transport. Due to federal support measures, 306 buses and 22 trolleybuses have been delivered to the Samara Region since 2020,” said Marat Khusnullin.

The meeting also discussed the progress of the construction of the Teatralnaya metro station, for which an infrastructure budget loan was allocated. The Deputy Prime Minister noted the importance of this project for increasing the mobility of residents and the overall comprehensive development of Samara.

“The Tolyatti bypass has significantly relieved the road on the Zhigulevskaya hydroelectric power station dam from traffic congestion and is globally helping the export, industrial, logistics and tourism potential of the region. The opening of the new highway is a long-awaited event for residents of the Samara-Tolyatti agglomeration. But a number of financial issues remain. Regional expenses for the concession fee, compensation for costs associated with the rise in the cost of the facility, and the return of the attracted infrastructure budget loan will amount to more than 91.5 billion rubles in the period from 2024 to 2037, with the majority of them, in the amount of 59 billion rubles, falling on the first 5 years of operation of the facility. Today we considered the possibility of allocating up to 10 billion rubles annually from the federal budget to the budget of the Samara Region from 2025 to 2031 for the implementation of the project to build a bypass of Tolyatti with a bridge crossing over the Volga until the mandatory payments from the region are reduced to an acceptable level,” said the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev.

The parties also discussed the region’s work within the framework of the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”.

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 –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: The EBA issues an Opinion in response to the European Commission’s proposed amendments to the EBA draft technical standards on conflicts of interests for issuers of asset-referenced tokens

Source: European Banking Authority

The draft RTS specify the requirements for policies and procedures on conflicts of interest for issuers of asset-referenced tokens (ARTs) under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). They aim at strengthening the management of conflicts of interest by issuers of ARTs and ensure convergence of requirements across the European Union.

In developing the draft RTS, the EBA took into account recent reports of governance failures, specifically regarding failures to identify and manage effectively conflicts of interest, within the crypto-asset market globally, and to requirements applicable within the traditional EU financial sector addressed at mitigating conflicts of interest.

Legal basis and background   

This Opinion is based on Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, which requires the EBA to submit its response in the form of an opinion to amendments to draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) proposed by the European Commission.  

On 5 June 2024, the EBA submitted its final draft RTS to the EC and on 29 November 2024, the EC sent a letter to the EBA about its intention to endorse the RTS with amendments and submitted a modified version of the RTS. The opinion constitutes the EBA’s response to the EC. 

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Ongoing security challenges in the OSCE region in focus as Spain chairs OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation

Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

Headline: Ongoing security challenges in the OSCE region in focus as Spain chairs OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation

Chairperson H.E. Cristóbal Ramón Valdés, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Spain to the OSCE at the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) meeting, Vienna, 5 February 2025. (OSCE/Micky Kroell) Photo details

Spain led its second meeting as Chair of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) on 5 February, reaffirming the country’s strong commitment to the Organization and its principles. Spain aims to strengthen dialogue and co-operation on security-related issues, recognizing that multilateral engagement remains key to addressing conflicts and challenges across the OSCE region.
Spain will prioritize efforts to reinforce a comprehensive, rule-based security framework that upholds international law. Recognizing the growing complexity of security threats, Spain called for renewed commitment to multilateralism and co-operative solutions.
Emphasizing the importance of the OSCE’s founding principles, the Spanish FSC Chair underlined the need to revive the “Helsinki spirit”—a legacy of diplomacy and conflict prevention that has been instrumental in maintaining peace and stability in the region. Throughout its FSC Chairpersonship, Spain aims to foster dialogue and build consensus to address security concerns in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
The FSC is an autonomous decision-making body of the OSCE, with the aim of maintaining military security and stability in the OSCE area. The FSC brings together delegates from all 57 participating States on a weekly basis. It contributes to the implementation of confidence and security-building measures by facilitating the exchange of military information among States.
Spain will chair FSC meetings until April 2025.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI: Alice Group USA Announces Acquisition Strategy and Transformation of TFLM
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alice Group USA, LLC announces the acquisition of the controlling shareholder block of Tofla Megaline Inc. (OTCQB: TFLM) as the first major step in the capitalization of its ambitious strategy to transform TFLM into a real estate, financial services, and tech group aimed at improving inclusion, asset ownership, and access to technology for entrepreneurs, startups, and business owners in the United States. TFLM’s development strategy will include providing co-working spaces, financial services, and IT support, including AI-driven office solutions.

In the coming weeks, Alice Group USA intends to bring on a world-class management team with deep expertise in AI, technology development, and real estate. This new leadership team, is expected to have a robust background in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and innovative financial technologies, with the goal of providing a significant core advantage to Alice in executing its transformative business plan.

The integration of AI-driven solutions across the real estate and financial platforms with the goal of enabling TFLM to streamline operations, enhance data-driven decision-making, and drive unparalleled value for entrepreneurs, startups, and underserved communities. The team’s technological expertise will be utilized in driving TFLM’s growth, improving efficiency, and expanding market opportunities within the emerging AI and real estate sectors. This strong technological foundation positions TFLM to be a leader in the next generation of AI-powered financial services and real estate management.

As the first stage of its strategic development, TFLM is seeking to acquire equity interests in Nexus Workspaces, a leading coworking brand in Florida and Georgia. The assets to be acquired, in a series of transactions subject to entering definitive agreements and various closing convictions, include:
- Nexus’s proprietary technology, designed to streamline commercial property management, enhance operational efficiency, and automate workspace and support solutions for use within the Nexus workspaces. This acquisition will enable TFLM to develop additional suites of services for growing entrepreneurs, start-ups, and minority businesses, including the provision of financial products and venture capital.
- The acquisition of Boundary Midtown Atlanta, a Class A office portfolio strategically located in Midtown Atlanta. The $75 million asset features a 75%+ occupancy rate and is expected to generate consistent income while allowing TFLM to repurpose select vacancies for Nexus-branded operations.
- The acquisition of five additional commercial office properties under the Nexus Workspaces brand, covering 251,622 square feet across Florida and Atlanta. With 90% occupancy and over 800 tenants, this portfolio offers a prime opportunity for revenue growth through AI-enhanced commercial real estate management.
Upon completion of these acquisitions, TFLM will have acquired a diverse set of high-value real estate assets. TFLM has identified additional real estate assets and has begun negotiations to acquire and add to its real estate portfolio, with a focus on Florida and other targeted markets. It is the intent of these strategic acquisitions to further enhance TFLM’s long-term growth and operational capabilities, expanding its market presence and fostering sustained revenue generation.

TFLM is seeking to become the U.S. operating company for a group of businesses aimed at democratizing capital access and enhancing financial efficiency, especially for minority-owned businesses, real estate owners, and start-up companies. We are in advanced discussions with businesses in the U.S. involved in neo-banking, provision of AI-enhanced services, and investment risk assessment to complete a powerful and compelling suite of products that will harness the power of American entrepreneurialism while providing investors with the security derived from a grounding in the long-term growth and stable cash flow of prime real estate holdings.

Alice Group USA believes that the suite of products being developed and acquired by TFLM will have international application, and has hired Brigg Macadam Capital, an international corporate finance firm with a track record of providing access to capital for companies’ global business objectives. Tim Murray, CEO of Brigg Macadam Capital, commented:

“We are incredibly excited to work with Alice Group USA and TFLM. By merging AI-driven financial services with strategic real estate acquisitions, Alice’s management team is seeking to build a next-generation ecosystem that has huge relevance in international markets.”

About Alice Group USA, LLC

Alice Group USA is an innovative investment and technology firm specializing in AI-powered financial solutions, real estate acquisitions, and market-defining investment strategies. With a strong emphasis on capital access, wealth creation, and inclusive finance, the company is pioneering the future of AI-driven financial ecosystems.

About TFLM (Tofla Megaline Inc.)

TFLM is an OTCQB-listed public entity undergoing a strategic transformation which commenced with Alice Group USA’s acquiring its control position. By integrating high-value real estate, AI-driven solutions, and fintech innovations, TFLM is set to emerge as a leading diversified company.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Forward-Looking Statements
The discussions in this press release contain forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and relate to future periods. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and speak only as of the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

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The MIL Network –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Nigeria’s Brics partnership: economist outlines potential benefits

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stephen Onyeiwu, Professor of Economics & Business, Allegheny College

During its 16th annual summit in Kazan, Russia, Brics – a group of emerging economies determined to act as a counterweight to the west and to whittle down the influence of global institutions – invited Nigeria and eight other countries to join it as “partner” countries. Nigeria formally accepted the invitation in January 2025. That invitation has generated questions about how Nigeria stands to benefit, especially when US president Donald Trump is threatening to sanction members of the group if they replace the US dollar as reserve currency. It was established in 2006 and initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined in 2010 and the bloc added four new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates) in 2023. In this interview, development economist Stephen Onyeiwu argues that Nigeria stands to gain from a Brics partnership, but would have to carefully balance its domestic interests with those of its western allies and Brics.

What does it mean to be a Brics ‘partner’ country?

The introduction of Brics partnership is an expansion mechanism designed to bring in more participants without giving them full membership. It is akin to “observer” status.

Brics partners can participate in special sessions of summits and foreign ministers’ meetings, as well as other high-level events. Partners can also contribute to the organisation’s official documents and policy statements.

But partners cannot host annual Brics summits or determine the venue. Neither can they select new members and partners.

How beneficial is Brics partnership to Nigeria?

The main benefit would be access to finance offered by Brics’ New Development Bank.

The New Development Bank was established as an alternative to western-dominated international financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. These institutions are sometimes used by the leading western countries to keep developing countries in line on global issues.

Some developing countries are reluctant to criticise western countries for fear of losing access to funding by western-backed international financial institutions.

Nigeria has been running a budget deficit of about 5% of GDP since 2019, and it needs funding to pay for the deficits. The New Development Bank could be an important source of funding for investment in Nigeria’s infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and so on.

New Development Bank loans are also available in member countries’ local currencies. They don’t have to earn foreign exchange to repay the loans. This fosters exchange rate stability and promotes economic growth. The New Development Bank raises funds in member countries’ local currencies, and lends them to member countries.

Nigeria could use its Brics partnership to garner the group’s support in matters that affect Nigeria globally. For instance, there have been requests for African countries to be included as permanent members (without veto power) of the UN security council. South Africa and Nigeria have been touted as potential candidates. Should this issue be raised at the UN, Nigeria can count on the support of its Brics allies, which includes two permanent members (China and Russia) of the security council.

Mutual understanding and cooperation with other Brics members and partners might spill over into economic, trade and investment agreements. Friendly countries are more likely to trade with each other and invest in each other’s economy.

How can Nigeria maximise its status as a Brics partner?

Nigeria should use it to attract foreign direct investment in strategic sectors of the economy, such as infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and technology.

Some Brics members, like China, India, and the UAE, have investors that are seeking investment outlets abroad. Nigeria could use the bloc’s annual summits to showcase investment opportunities.

The global economy is transitioning into “frontier industries and technologies”, such as big data, artificial intelligence, solar, drones, gene editing, 3D printing, blockchains, Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, robotics and nanotechnology. China, India and Brazil are already well advanced in these technologies.

Nigeria should use its partnership with these countries to build capabilities in frontier industries and technologies. It could get favourable terms in the transfer of these technologies.

Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy from reliance on the export of hydrocarbons. But Nigerian producers have had a hard time accessing global markets. The country should negotiate trade deals that provide access to Brics markets, especially agricultural and agro-processed products, arts and crafts.

But Nigeria has to promote economic growth and structural transformation at home. If the Nigerian economy falters, it is unlikely the country will be invited to become a full member of Brics.

Would adding new members and partners reduce western dominance?

Brics has so far not been able to significantly change the dynamics of the international political economy. Adding new members and partners, while symbolic, will not act as an effective counterweight to the influence of the G7 and G20 groups of nations.

Most of the countries and partners in Brics are either allies of western countries or neutral on global issues. They are unlikely to support decisions or actions that are grossly inimical to western interests.

Egypt and the UAE, for instance, receive military aid from the United States. Ethiopia and Nigeria are top recipients of foreign aid in Africa, much of it from western-backed financial institutions.

The only outlier in the mix is Iran, whose membership was promoted by Russia. But Iran has no leverage to influence others in the bloc.

On balance, therefore, Brics will not be a threat to western countries.

Brics aspires to weaken the dominance of the US dollar for international transactions. Close to 90% of international trade transactions are conducted with the US dollar.

Brics countries plan to reduce dollar dominance by encouraging member countries to settle their trade and financial transactions using their domestic currencies. For instance, South African businesses could purchase Chinese goods using the South African rand, while the Chinese could do the same for South African goods using the Chinese yuan. The more members you have in Brics swapping their currencies, the less important the US dollar will be.

It is unlikely, however, that an increase in the number of Brics members and partners will weaken the dollar. Most will continue to have significant economic relationships with the west, including trade and foreign aid.

They will also continue to conduct business with many non-Brics countries, which also have economic relationships with the west. They will need the US dollar to transact with many other countries.

So increasing the number of Brics members and partners does not pose a threat to dollar dominance.

Stephen Onyeiwu 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. Nigeria’s Brics partnership: economist outlines potential benefits – https://theconversation.com/nigerias-brics-partnership-economist-outlines-potential-benefits-248943

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: As Trump tries to slash US foreign aid, here are 3 common myths many Americans mistakenly believe about it
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joannie Tremblay-Boire, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, University of Maryland

U.S. lawmakers and employees and supporters of the U.S. Agency for International Development speak outside the agency’s headquarters on Feb. 3, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

U.S. foreign aid is in disarray.

The Trump administration froze most aid disbursements on Jan. 20. According to billionaire Elon Musk, an adviser to President Donald Trump with “special government employee status,” the U.S. Agency for International Development, widely known as USAID, had been shut down as of Feb. 3, 2025.

Although the Trump administration lacks the legal authority to do this, hundreds of people on the agency’s staff have been put on unpaid leave or fired, according to news reports.

And the agency’s official website wasn’t working. A partial replacement, however, had appeared within the State Department’s website.

I’m a scholar of public policy who researches nonprofits, which in the foreign aid sphere are often called nongovernmental organizations. These groups are responsible for carrying out many programs funded by foreign aid from governments such as the United States.

In light of the Trump administration’s attack on the government’s main foreign aid agency and the disruption of this funding, I believe it’s important to debunk three common myths:
1. The U.S. spends too much on foreign aid.
2. The U.S. spends more than its fair share on foreign aid compared with other countries.
3. Corrupt governments squander U.S. foreign aid.
What is foreign aid?

Foreign aid consists of money, goods and services – such as training – that government agencies provide to other countries. Foreign aid falls into two broad categories: economic assistance and military – sometimes called security – aid.

Economic assistance includes all programs with development or humanitarian objectives. That tends to include projects related to health, disaster relief, the promotion of civil society, agriculture and the like. Most U.S. economic aid dollars come from the State Department budget, including spending allocated by USAID, which has operated as an independent agency since the Kennedy administration.

On Feb. 3, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that he was serving as USAID’s acting director, indicating that the agency was no longer independent of the State Department.

While U.S. taxpayers have long spent just a few bucks each on foreign aid every year, the impact is profound, saving millions of people from hunger, averting the worst of natural disasters such as droughts and flooding, tackling life-threatening diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, and more.

Myth No. 1: US spends too much on foreign aid

The United States consistently spends only about 1% of its budget on foreign aid, including military and economic support. The 2023 aid managed by USAID totaled about US$40 billion.

Americans tend to believe that their government spends a far bigger share of its budget on foreign aid than it does.

In a survey the Kaiser Family Foundation conducted in 2015, it found that, on average, Americans believed that foreign aid accounts for nearly one-third of the budget. Only 3% of those polled answered correctly that foreign aid constituted 1% or less of total federal spending.

Myth No. 2: US spends more than its fair share

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States is by far the leading national source of economic assistance dollars. In 2023, it contributed $64.7 billion in overseas development assistance, far outpacing the $37.9 billion spent by Germany, the second-biggest source of that kind of aid. Some of this assistance is managed by USAID, some by the Department of State, and a small portion by other government agencies, such as the Treasury and Health and Human Services departments.

That tells only part of the story, however. The United States spends very little on foreign aid relative to the size of its economy, particularly compared with other rich countries. The U.S. spent about 0.24% of its gross national income on overseas development assistance in 2023. By comparison, Norway, the top contributor by this metric, gave 1.09% of its gross national income in overseas development aid that year. The United States ranks toward the bottom of OECD countries, close to Portugal and Spain, by this measurement.

In 1970, the United Nations General Assembly agreed that “economically advanced countries” would aim to direct at least 0.7% of their national income to overseas development assistance. Although developed countries have repeatedly mentioned this target in agreements and at summits since then, very few countries have reached that goal. In 2023, only five countries met the 0.7% target.

The OECD average was just 0.37% in 2023 – far higher than the 0.24% the U.S. provided that year.

Myth No. 3: Corrupt governments squander US aid

You may think that foreign aid consists of government-to-government transfers of money. But governments channel most aid through nonprofits such as Catholic Relief Services, public-private partnerships, private companies such as Chemonics International and Deloitte, and multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.

In fact, according to the Congressional Research Service, between 2013 and 2022, most U.S. foreign assistance bypassed governments altogether: NGOs received 24% of the money, for-profit companies 21%, multilateral organizations 34%, and other organizations, such as universities, research institutes and faith-based organizations, 7%.

When the political scientist Simone Dietrich researched this question, she found that the United States outsources a lot of its foreign aid to NGOs. This is especially the case with the support it provides countries with bad governance and rampant corruption such as Sudan and Sri Lanka, which could be likely to squander or swipe those funds.

To be sure, corrupt governments sometimes do squander U.S. foreign aid. But it is important to understand that most aid never enters the coffers of those corrupt governments in the first place.

Even without Trump’s proposed cuts, US fails to lead

Even if Trump fails at his current bid to greatly reduce foreign aid spending, other countries, including the United Kingdom and Denmark, are spending far more on economic assistance for the world’s poorest people, as a share of their economies, than the U.S. does.

Slashing foreign aid would damage U.S. credibility with American allies, reduce U.S. influence around the globe and – as a group of more than 120 retired generals and admirals predicted when Trump tried to slash foreign aid in his first administration – make Americans less safe.

Parts of this article appeared in a story first published on April 6, 2017, and have been updated.

Joannie Tremblay-Boire does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. As Trump tries to slash US foreign aid, here are 3 common myths many Americans mistakenly believe about it – https://theconversation.com/as-trump-tries-to-slash-us-foreign-aid-here-are-3-common-myths-many-americans-mistakenly-believe-about-it-248979
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Nigeria’s Brics partnership: economist outlines potential benefits

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stephen Onyeiwu, Professor of Economics & Business, Allegheny College

During its 16th annual summit in Kazan, Russia, Brics – a group of emerging economies determined to act as a counterweight to the west and to whittle down the influence of global institutions – invited Nigeria and eight other countries to join it as “partner” countries. Nigeria formally accepted the invitation in January 2025. That invitation has generated questions about how Nigeria stands to benefit, especially when US president Donald Trump is threatening to sanction members of the group if they replace the US dollar as reserve currency. It was established in 2006 and initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined in 2010 and the bloc added four new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates) in 2023. In this interview, development economist Stephen Onyeiwu argues that Nigeria stands to gain from a Brics partnership, but would have to carefully balance its domestic interests with those of its western allies and Brics.

What does it mean to be a Brics ‘partner’ country?

The introduction of Brics partnership is an expansion mechanism designed to bring in more participants without giving them full membership. It is akin to “observer” status.

Brics partners can participate in special sessions of summits and foreign ministers’ meetings, as well as other high-level events. Partners can also contribute to the organisation’s official documents and policy statements.

But partners cannot host annual Brics summits or determine the venue. Neither can they select new members and partners.

How beneficial is Brics partnership to Nigeria?

The main benefit would be access to finance offered by Brics’ New Development Bank.

The New Development Bank was established as an alternative to western-dominated international financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. These institutions are sometimes used by the leading western countries to keep developing countries in line on global issues.

Some developing countries are reluctant to criticise western countries for fear of losing access to funding by western-backed international financial institutions.

Nigeria has been running a budget deficit of about 5% of GDP since 2019, and it needs funding to pay for the deficits. The New Development Bank could be an important source of funding for investment in Nigeria’s infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and so on.

New Development Bank loans are also available in member countries’ local currencies. They don’t have to earn foreign exchange to repay the loans. This fosters exchange rate stability and promotes economic growth. The New Development Bank raises funds in member countries’ local currencies, and lends them to member countries.

Nigeria could use its Brics partnership to garner the group’s support in matters that affect Nigeria globally. For instance, there have been requests for African countries to be included as permanent members (without veto power) of the UN security council. South Africa and Nigeria have been touted as potential candidates. Should this issue be raised at the UN, Nigeria can count on the support of its Brics allies, which includes two permanent members (China and Russia) of the security council.

Mutual understanding and cooperation with other Brics members and partners might spill over into economic, trade and investment agreements. Friendly countries are more likely to trade with each other and invest in each other’s economy.

How can Nigeria maximise its status as a Brics partner?

Nigeria should use it to attract foreign direct investment in strategic sectors of the economy, such as infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture and technology.

Some Brics members, like China, India, and the UAE, have investors that are seeking investment outlets abroad. Nigeria could use the bloc’s annual summits to showcase investment opportunities.

The global economy is transitioning into “frontier industries and technologies”, such as big data, artificial intelligence, solar, drones, gene editing, 3D printing, blockchains, Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, robotics and nanotechnology. China, India and Brazil are already well advanced in these technologies.

Nigeria should use its partnership with these countries to build capabilities in frontier industries and technologies. It could get favourable terms in the transfer of these technologies.

Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy from reliance on the export of hydrocarbons. But Nigerian producers have had a hard time accessing global markets. The country should negotiate trade deals that provide access to Brics markets, especially agricultural and agro-processed products, arts and crafts.

But Nigeria has to promote economic growth and structural transformation at home. If the Nigerian economy falters, it is unlikely the country will be invited to become a full member of Brics.

Would adding new members and partners reduce western dominance?

Brics has so far not been able to significantly change the dynamics of the international political economy. Adding new members and partners, while symbolic, will not act as an effective counterweight to the influence of the G7 and G20 groups of nations.

Most of the countries and partners in Brics are either allies of western countries or neutral on global issues. They are unlikely to support decisions or actions that are grossly inimical to western interests.

Egypt and the UAE, for instance, receive military aid from the United States. Ethiopia and Nigeria are top recipients of foreign aid in Africa, much of it from western-backed financial institutions.

The only outlier in the mix is Iran, whose membership was promoted by Russia. But Iran has no leverage to influence others in the bloc.

On balance, therefore, Brics will not be a threat to western countries.

Brics aspires to weaken the dominance of the US dollar for international transactions. Close to 90% of international trade transactions are conducted with the US dollar.

Brics countries plan to reduce dollar dominance by encouraging member countries to settle their trade and financial transactions using their domestic currencies. For instance, South African businesses could purchase Chinese goods using the South African rand, while the Chinese could do the same for South African goods using the Chinese yuan. The more members you have in Brics swapping their currencies, the less important the US dollar will be.

It is unlikely, however, that an increase in the number of Brics members and partners will weaken the dollar. Most will continue to have significant economic relationships with the west, including trade and foreign aid.

They will also continue to conduct business with many non-Brics countries, which also have economic relationships with the west. They will need the US dollar to transact with many other countries.

So increasing the number of Brics members and partners does not pose a threat to dollar dominance.

– Nigeria’s Brics partnership: economist outlines potential benefits
– https://theconversation.com/nigerias-brics-partnership-economist-outlines-potential-benefits-248943

MIL OSI Africa –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Leads Transport Innovation With Autonomous Tram, Smart Contracts

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Metro

Moscow continues to set new standards in transport innovation: the first autonomous tram is now insured using a smart contract. This event was the first in Russia and was made possible by a tripartite agreement between the Moscow Metro, VTB Bank and SOGAZ Insurance.

Maxim Liksutov said that the introduction of smart contract technology into urban transport insurance increases transparency, efficiency and safety. The system will allow future transactions to be carried out in digital rubles, which is in line with Moscow’s broader commitment to technological progress.

Key benefits of smart contracts in transport insurance:

Transparent execution and automation

Elimination of human factor

Full control over the targeted distribution of funds

“A smart contract is a self-executing algorithm that ensures the fulfillment of all contractual obligations. This agreement became possible thanks to the cooperation of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and the First Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. By automating document flow, we will be able to speed up the execution of contracts and insurance payments,” said Maxim Liksutov.

The development of autonomous transport in Moscow is ensured by the Autonomous Transport Research and Development Centre – a centre for advanced technological achievements. Situated on the territory of the Moscow Advanced Development Centre in the Kuntsevo district, it was ceremoniously opened by Mayor Sergei Sobyanin in May last year.

The center is equipped with:

Modern laboratory for testing autopilot systems

High-performance servers for simulating trump behavior and training neural networks

3D printer for creating prototypes of sensor mounts and other components.

The center’s specialists, many of whom work for leading Russian and international companies, are developing software for autonomous transport in Moscow. Thanks to their work, the first autonomous tram in Russia has already been successfully launched.

“This is a unique development for Europe, and it is entirely owned by the Moscow government. We continue to lead in the field of transport technologies, implementing intelligent solutions that increase efficiency and convenience for passengers,” added Maxim Liksutov.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Digital diagnostics to double number of foreign publications in 2024

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Department of Health (DZM)

The scientific journal Digital Diagnostics has seen a significant increase in the number of publications by foreign authors in 2024, doubling the figures for previous years. This year, the journal has published 16 articles written by foreign authors, compared to an average of 7 articles per year in previous years. The journal currently collaborates with authors from six countries.

Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine.

Yuri Vasiliev, Chief Consultant in Radiology at the Moscow Health Department and CEO of the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine, noted that in 2024, their journal expanded its international reach as it featured articles by Indian scientists for the first time. He noted that India, as a member of BRICS, is part of an international organization with which they actively cooperate. He expressed confidence that broad international cooperation and exchange of experience will significantly improve scientific development in their countries. He also noted that 16 foreign articles were published in the journal this year, significantly more than the 7 articles published in 2022 and 2021. Notably, Italy presented 13 articles on clinical cases and scientific reviews, while Indian scientists presented original research in teleradiology, which is considered a valuable contribution to the field.

In 2024, two landmark papers by Indian authors were published: “Radiological evaluation of pulmonary vascular and gastrointestinal changes in COVID-19 patients referred to a tertiary care centre in Chennai, India: a prospective cross-sectional study” and “Role of teleradiology in interpreting ultrasound images obtained in the emergency setting”. These papers were prepared by research teams from Image Core Lab and Mahatma Gandhi.

This year, the Diagnostics and Telemedicine Center actively established contacts with colleagues from the BRICS countries. The Center’s employees took part in the International Municipal Forum of the BRICS countries and visited a specialized healthcare exhibition in New Delhi called India Health. In addition, the Center was visited by delegations from four BRICS countries – China, India, Iran and South Africa.

Digital Diagnostics is recognized as one of the most progressive and prestigious journals in the field of radiology. Every year its portfolio expands and includes a wide range of topics, such as radiology and instrumental diagnostics, innovative methods, application of artificial intelligence, healthcare management and other scientific topics. The journal publishes articles by outstanding Russian scientists, as well as international experts who make a significant contribution to the development of scientific research. The journal publishes articles in three languages: Russian, English and Chinese, with a circulation of 5,000 copies.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Six new regions of the Russian Federation will be connected to the Moscow platform of medical services based on artificial intelligence MosMedAI

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Department of Health (DZM)

The MosMedAI platform uses advanced AI algorithms to assist healthcare professionals by highlighting possible pathologies in medical images using color segmentation and generating a radiological report. These advanced solutions have been extensively tested and have been successfully implemented in hospitals for the past five years.

Currently, more than 75 percent of the country’s regions use medical services available on the MosMedAI platform. The integration of six new regions into this system is a significant step towards the digital transformation of healthcare in the country. Sergei Sobyanin emphasized that the platform offers 17 services based on artificial intelligence, designed to increase the speed and accuracy of diagnostic processes.

The expansion of the AI-based platform is part of a broader initiative to modernize healthcare in Russia, improving access and quality for patients across the country, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced on his Telegram channel.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 6, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Fraudsters withdraw money from ATMs without people’s plastic cards

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Central Bank of Russia (2) –

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.

Categoris24-7, Central Bank of OF Russia, Miles, Russians Banks, Russians savings, Russians finance, Russians Language, Russian economy, Russian banks

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Archives Police Privces Guide I would turn the WordPress

Fraudsters call citizens, including via messengers, and claim that unknown persons are trying to steal money from their account. To prevent the loss of savings, fraudsters convince a person to immediately install on their phone a supposedly mobile application of the Central Bank (the names may vary). Moreover, while it is being installed, they prohibit using the device.

After this, the attackers ask the victim to launch the installed application, bring their card to their mobile phone and enter a confirmation SMS code from the bank, supposedly to authorize in the regulator’s application and save money in the account. In fact, the program downloaded to the person’s smartphone is malicious.

It allows the fraudsters to create a virtual image of the victim’s bank card on the phone. As a result, the attackers can use this virtual image to withdraw money from ATMs that support contactless technology: instead of a bank card, they put their smartphone on the device.

Do not download any mobile applications or programs at the request of strangers, and do not perform any actions in banking or other applications at their request.

Do not disclose personal or financial information to strangers, no matter what pretext or method they use to obtain it.

If you have any doubts about the safety of your money in your bank account, immediately call your bank at the number listed on its official website or on the back of your bank card.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 6, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Five deposit auctions of JSC “KAVKAZ.RF” will take place on 05.02.2025

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

The date of the deposit auction is 05.02.2025. The placement currency is RUB. The maximum amount of funds placed (in the placement currency) is 200,000,000.00. The placement period, days is 12. The date of depositing funds is 06.02.2025. The date of return of funds is 18.02.2025. The minimum placement interest rate, % per annum is 21.00. The terms of the conclusion are urgent or special (Urgent). The minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in the placement currency) is 200,000,000.00. The maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1. Auction form is open or closed (Open). The basis of the Agreement is the General Agreement. Schedule (Moscow time). Applications in preliminary mode from 12:00 to 12:10. Bids in competition mode from 12:10 to 12:15. Setting the cutoff percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 12:25.

Additional terms

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.

Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.M.M.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: New rules for admission of credit consumer cooperatives to the financial market are being introduced

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Central Bank of Russia –

The new rules are intended to increase the level of transparency of credit consumer cooperatives (CCCs) for their participants. The changes to the Law “On Credit Cooperatives” come into force on February 5, 2025.

Until now, the Bank of Russia has been conducting state CPC registrybased on data from the unified state register of legal entities. Now information will be entered into the CPC register only after the cooperative’s documents have been reviewed by a self-regulatory organization in the financial market or the Bank of Russia (depending on the level of the CPC).

Regulator installed the procedure for maintaining the register of credit unions and sending documents for entering information into the register. An assessment of the organization’s managers’ compliance with qualification requirements and business reputation requirements will also be conducted.

More detailed information on the procedures for admission to the financial market of credit unions can be found here on the website Bank of Russia.

Preview photo: Pratiwi Ambarwati / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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HTTPS: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 23341

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 6, 2025

Category: Europe

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Marat Khusnullin held a working meeting with the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev

Marat Khusnullin held a working meeting with the Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev

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Legal basis and background

What does it mean to be a Brics ‘partner’ country?

How beneficial is Brics partnership to Nigeria?

How can Nigeria maximise its status as a Brics partner?

Would adding new members and partners reduce western dominance?

What is foreign aid?

Myth No. 1: US spends too much on foreign aid

Myth No. 2: US spends more than its fair share

Myth No. 3: Corrupt governments squander US aid

Even without Trump’s proposed cuts, US fails to lead

What does it mean to be a Brics ‘partner’ country?

How beneficial is Brics partnership to Nigeria?

How can Nigeria maximise its status as a Brics partner?

Would adding new members and partners reduce western dominance?

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