Category: Europe

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: School-based nurseries plan kicks off with £15 million funding
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

First round of funding launches for up to 300 school-based nurseries – part of government’s Opportunity Mission to give every child the best start in life
Thousands of families are one step closer to accessible, affordable and high-quality early years provision in their local area, as the first stage of the government’s plan to deliver 3,000 school-based nurseries begins today (17 October).

Primary schools can now apply for up to £150,000 of £15 million capital funding, with the first stage of the plan set to support up to 300 new or expanded nurseries across England.

This comes as 321,462 additional children are now accessing 15 hours of government-funded early education per week, since the government delivered on the promises made to parents for the second phase of the childcare rollout last month.

The work forms part of the government’s Opportunity Mission, which will break the unfair link between background and opportunity – starting with giving every child the best start in life and resetting the relationship with the early years sector to boost life chances for children and work choices for parents.

The delivery of this phase has been in no small part due to the brilliant joined-up efforts of local authorities and providers. The Secretary of State has promised a new era of child-centred government and will work alongside the sector to deliver meaningful long-term reform of early years, whilst building the places and workforce that are required for the next more challenging phase.

Importantly, this will be done in a way that makes the hours accessible and affordable for all families that need them. That’s why the government is taking action to tackle reported instances of parents facing very high additional charges on top of the funded entitlement hours.

These could include mandatory extra charges for nappies, lunch or other ‘consumables’ – and should not be made a condition of accessing a funded place.

In the coming months, the government will be engaging with local authorities and providers to clarify our statutory guidance on charging, including on so-called ‘top up fees’ and consider how we better support local authorities to protect parents from overcharging.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

All children should have the opportunity of a brilliant early education, no matter who they are, where they’re from or how much their parents earn.

Our new school-based nurseries will provide thousands of additional places where they are needed most, plugging historic gaps and making sure geography is no barrier to high quality childcare.

Whilst some parents may not get their first-choice place next September, I’m determined that every parent is able to access and afford the hours that they are entitled to.

According to the Department for Education’s latest projections, around 70,000 additional places and 35,000 early years educators will still be needed to deliver the expansion to 30 hours next September, with some of the most disadvantaged areas in need of the largest uplifts.

Published for the first time, the projections show that around half of local areas need to increase their capacity by between 10% and 20% to meet demand for September. Some need an uplift of more than 20% – with areas that see traditionally lower household incomes including Northumberland, Plymouth and Rotherham all in this group.

That’s why the government is taking action now, and providing schools, private providers and local authorities a clear picture of the department’s understanding of demand, and where there are gaps in supply.

Providers and schools are urged to consider the latest data in their bids for the school-based nurseries programme, and work closely with local authorities to outline how proposals will respond to local need and subsequently contribute to the government’s plan for an early years system that breaks down barriers to opportunity for children across the country.

While all parts of the sector are valuable to delivering the quality care that our children need, schools are at the heart of our communities. Proportionally, school-based nurseries currently look after more children with special educational needs and offer a higher number of places in the most deprived areas.

School-based nurseries currently have lower turnover and the option to use some staff more flexibly between reception and early primary, and the government is working with the early years sector through our expanded recruitment campaign to attract more people to a career in early years.

To make sure the programme is delivered in a way that continues to support or most vulnerable children and builds on the important offers of the existing market, the school-based nursery funding will be available to projects that are school-run or delivered by private and voluntary providers or childminders.

So that the government can ensure new provision is in the right places and meets the needs of parents, children and schools, schools who are interested in expanding but are not currently ready to apply will be able to register an interest for future phases of the programme.

We expect funding to be allocated to successful schools in Spring 2025 to support delivery for the first cohort of places for the September rollout.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the school leader’ union, NAHT said:

School-based nurseries play a vital role in the early years sector. It makes sense that where there is spare capacity in schools and demand in the local area, that the government looks to expand school-based provision.

It will be important that interested schools are well supported through this process, both practically and financially, and that the government continues to focus on building a strong and sustainable early years workforce.

We would encourage schools that are ready to expand or open a nursery to apply for this grant, and for those who may be interested in future to register their interest with the DfE.

Justine Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Mumsnet said:

Accessible, affordable childcare is vital economic infrastructure, enabling women who would otherwise have been forced out of the workforce to choose to stay in work, and benefitting not just them and their families but also the wider economy.

The increase in the funded entitlement hours is welcome recognition of this fact, but we still hear all too often from parents on Mumsnet who struggle with top up costs or face shortages of childcare places in their area.

These measures will help ensure that all families can access the childcare they need when and where they need it.

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Published 17 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Why do humans have near-equal numbers of male and female babies, unlike many other animals? A new genetic study looks for clues

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Graves, Distinguished Professor of Genetics and Vice Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University

Ibragimova / Shutterstock

We know that boys and girls are produced in much the same frequency. But how – and why – is this 1:1 ratio achieved?

A new paper searches huge human data sets for gene variants that throw the 1:1 sex ratio off balance, and test the biological and theoretical rules of sex ratio.

What produces the 1:1 sex ratio?

Early scientists credited divine providence with ensuring that “every male should have its female”.

Of course, we now know that sex chromosomes are the real determiners of sex. Females have two X chromosomes; males have a single X and a male-specific Y.

The Y carries a male-determining gene called SRY, which kickstarts the differentiation of a ridge of cells into a testis. The embryonic testis makes male hormones which direct the embryo to develop as a boy. Without SRY, an alternative pathway is activated that makes an ovary, and the embryo develops as a girl.

The 1:1 ratio results from the way the X and Y chromosomes are doled out in sperm and eggs. Our cells all have two sets of chromosomes that constitute our genome, one set from each parent. A special type of cell division makes sperm and eggs with just a single set of chromosomes, so that a fertilised egg once again has two sets (one set from the sperm and the other from the egg).

So sperm all get a single copy of each chromosome – and just one sex chromosome, either an X or a Y. XX females make eggs with a single chromosome set, all of which carry an X.

When a sperm fertilises an egg, the sex chromosome the sperm carries determines the sex of the baby. Embryos that receive one X from the mother and another X from the father are destined to be XX girls, and embryos that receive a Y-bearing sperm will develop as XY boys.

So the 1:1 XY ratio in sperm should produce a 1:1 ratio of XX girls and XY boys.

Sex ratio variation

But there are lots of exceptions to a 1:1 ratio in the animal kingdom. There are genetic mutations that subvert the orderly segregation of the X and Y, or that preferentially kill male or female embryos.

Why should the sex ratio be stuck at 1:1 anyway? After all, a few males can fertilise the eggs of many females.

Indeed, for many animals, unequal sex ratios are the norm. For instance, the mouse-sized marsupial Antechinus stuartii produces only 32% males, even when assessed at birth (so it’s not that male babies die more often).

Many birds have sex ratios far from 1:1, and some show very specific adaptations that make ecological sense. For instance, the second kookaburra chick to hatch, facing a lower chance of survival, is usually a female, the sex most likely to survive.

And there are systems of non-standard sex chromosomes. Polar mammals and strange rodents, for instance, are famous for systems in which a mutant X chromosome quashes SRY to form fertile XY females, or a mutated version of SRY doesn’t work. In these species, females predominate, which makes sense for mammals that have to get all their breeding done in a short summer.

Insects take the cake. An extreme case is a kind of mite that produces a ratio of 15 females to 1 male. In many fruit fly species, 95% of sperm carry the X chromosome, so the progeny are largely female.

Why a 1:1 sex ratio in humans? Fisher’s principle

So if sex ratio is so malleable, why have humans (and most mammals) gone for a 1:1 ratio? The great British statistician Ronald Fisher proposed that the ratio is self-correcting and will tend to 1:1 unless there are evolutionary forces that select for distortions.

The argument is simple. Given every baby must have a mother and a father, if there is a deficiency in one sex, the parents of the rarer sex will have more grandchildren than parents of the more common sex.

For instance, if males are the rarer sex, parents who by chance produce more sons than daughters will leave more grandchildren than those that produce more daughters than sons. As a result, son-producing genes will get a boost until parity is reached.

So do we see measurable and heritable departures from 1:1 in the family sex ratio of human sons to daughters? What about Fisher’s principle – is there any evidence that strong evolutionary effects are constraining the human population sex ratio to be 1:1?

In the new research published this week, researchers Siliang Song and Jianzhi Zhang from the University of Michigan conducted an exhaustive examination of huge human data sets from the United Kingdom and found the answer is an emphatic no. They did identify two genetic variants that affected sex ratio, but these seemed not to be passed on through families.

So why do humans obey the 1:1 rule? Is it just statistical artefact, because any one family has relatively so few children that even large departures from a 1:1 ratio get evened out across many families?

Some families have the gene variants to produce more sons than daughters, but other families produce more daughters than sons. Song and Zhang’s analysis suggests this high variability is part of the problem for demonstrating any systematic bias.

Another possibility is that humans face special evolutionary constraints. Perhaps the human tendency for monogamy places additional evolutionary pressure on humans to adhere to Fisher’s principle in a way that does not apply to other animal species.

Whatever the answer, this paper by Song and Zhang raises many intriguing questions, and will be a stimulus to further research on the longstanding and fascinating question of parity in the human sex ratio.

Jenny Graves receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

Arthur Georges receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

– ref. Why do humans have near-equal numbers of male and female babies, unlike many other animals? A new genetic study looks for clues – https://theconversation.com/why-do-humans-have-near-equal-numbers-of-male-and-female-babies-unlike-many-other-animals-a-new-genetic-study-looks-for-clues-241360

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Victorian students will get ‘anti-Tate’ lessons – but much more is needed to tackle gendered violence in schools

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Wescott, Lecturer in Humanities and Social Sciences, Monash University

Monkey Business Images/ Shutterstock

The Victorian government has announced new teaching resources to tackle the influence of “manosphere” figures, such as Andrew Tate, in the state’s schools.

This follows ongoing reports of disturbing events involving sexist abuse by students in both independent and government schools in Victoria and around the country.

But while this week’s announcement is a welcome and necessary step, we need a more comprehensive plan to eliminate gender-based violence in our schools.

What is the ‘manosphere’?

The “manosphere” is an overlapping collection of extreme men’s communities on social media that are anti-women and against women’s empowerment. This includes Tate, the “misogynist influencer” who is facing trial in Romania on charges of human trafficking and rape (which he denies).

Our recent research found women teachers are increasingly exposed to sexism, misogyny and sexual harassment as the result of boys’ exposure to “manfluencer” ideas and behaviours. These problems are further compounded by the infiltration of far-right sentiments into schools, which has been linked to far-right online forums.

At the same time, women teachers report they are not being supported by school leadership.

Read more:
We research online ‘misogynist radicalisation’. Here’s what parents of boys should know

What’s in the Victorian resources?

The new teaching resources were developed by education academics Helen Cahill and Debbie Ollis, in consultation with teachers, students and parents.

They aim to give students skills to counter the influence of “Tate-types”, and to navigate issues such as consent, sextortion, pornography and gender-based bullying.

They will be part of respectful relationships education, which is mandatory in Victorian government schools (following a recommendation of the 2015 Royal Commission into Family Violence).

Problems with respecful relationship education

There have been implementation issues with respectful relationships education.

A 2022 review (of which one of us, Naomi Pfitzner, was an author) found problems with the funding, quality of resources and training supplied to schools, and with schools’ levels of commitment

Previous research also suggests teachers may be hesitant to engage with controversial or tricky topics. There is a risk some issues are being left out of classroom discussions.

Crucially, respectful relationships is not mandatory in all Victorian schools — independent and faith-based schools in Victoria need to opt in.

In other Australian states and territories, respectful relationships education is not compulsory in any school system.

We need more information

Education departments around the country collect various forms of data about school life, such as learning and attendance. But we don’t have accurate national data on the prevalence of gender-based violence in schools.

Without the full picture of how widespread gender-based violence is in Australian schools, it is difficult to resource and design an appropriate response.

Gender-based violence in schools is inextricably connected to the endemic levels of violence against women in Australia.

We cannot separate a broader culture that enables gendered slurs, misogyny and gender inequity — known enablers of gender-based violence — from attitudes towards women and girls in schools.

We need more information about the experiences of female students and staff in Australian schools.
Monkey Business Images/ Shutterstock

What now?

Women have been raising the alarm about sexual harassment of female teachers for decades. But on top of already slow or inadequate responses, the problem has become more complex.

The proliferation of online misogynist content requires a new, tailored approach.

Our current project with Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety is examining how online misogyny in the manosphere influences young boys and men in Australia. We will then create resources to support teachers and help make schools safer for all young people.

It is shameful many girls’ first experience of gendered violence happens as students at school. And teachers deserve a safe workplace free from misogyny and sexism.

Stephanie Wescott receives funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS).

Alexandra Phelan receives funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS).

Naomi Pfitzner has received funding from the Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, the Victorian and Queensland governments and the Australian government. She was an author of the review into Respectful Relationships Education in Australia mentioned in this article.

Sarah McCook receives funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS).

Steven Roberts receives funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), the Australian government and the Australian Research Council. He is a Board Director at Respect Victoria, but this article is written wholly independently from that role.

– ref. Victorian students will get ‘anti-Tate’ lessons – but much more is needed to tackle gendered violence in schools – https://theconversation.com/victorian-students-will-get-anti-tate-lessons-but-much-more-is-needed-to-tackle-gendered-violence-in-schools-241473

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Peng Liyuan extends congratulations to UNESCO award ceremony for girls’, women’s education

Source: China State Council Information Office

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and UNESCO special envoy for the advancement of girls’ and women’s education, sent a congratulatory message to the 2024 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education award ceremony held on Wednesday in Paris, France.

In her message, Peng paid high tribute and extended best wishes to the award-winning organizations from Uganda and Zambia, saying that girls’ and women’s education has a bearing on their growth and development, the well-being of numerous families and the world’s future.

She expressed the hope for every quarter to strongly support health education and digital education among girls and women, develop and gear science education more toward them, and help them attain better health conditions, digital skills and scientific literacy, particularly the competence to innovate and start up business, so as to contribute to advancing women’s education and development in the new era.

Peng said that China has always attached great importance to the cause of girls’ and women’s education, actively pushing forward the global cause of women’s education while continuously improving the educational environment for women in China.

Peng said that as a UNESCO special envoy for the advancement of girls’ and women’s education, she is ready to work with every party in pooling efforts to achieve gender equality and advance the global women’s cause.

The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education, established by China in cooperation with UNESCO, is the organization’s only prize for promoting girls’ and women’s education. It plays a vital role in publicizing the concept of gender equality in education and related good practices and in implementing gender equality as a global priority.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: World’s Largest Debt Conversion for Conservation of a River and its Watershed Completed in El Salvador

Source: CAF Development Bank of Latin America

All savings generated by the transaction will be applied over time to support conservation, water security, and ecosystem restoration in the Lempa River (Rio Lempa) watershed. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. acted as sole arranger and lender for the loan and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as dealer manager in the tender offer for El Salvador’s bonds.

DFC, the U.S. Government’s international development bank, is providing $1 billion in political risk insurance (PRI) while CAF is providing a $200 million standby letter of credit (SBLC). The combination of the DFC PRI and the CAF SBLC will provide integral credit enhancements that support the transaction, which in turn catalyzes the additional investment in El Salvador’s conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts in the Rio Lempa watershed. ArtCap Strategies acted as financial advisor and global coordinator for the transaction.

The Rio Lempa watershed is one of the longest rivers in Central America and plays an important role in the well-being of cities, communities and the economy in El Salvador by providing drinking water, as well as supporting industry and hydropower generation, and irrigation. It also supports diverse ecosystems that represent a large portion of the country’s environmental heritage. Projects funded by the savings from the transaction are expected to enhance water quality, quantity, and reliability; strengthen climate resilience; protect the watershed’s natural ecosystem; and mitigate water security risk in the region.

Through this transaction, the Government of El Salvador will realize more than $352 million in lifetime savings through a combination of immediate notional debt savings and material reductions in debt service costs. $350 million of these savings will be applied to the Rio Lempa Conservation and Restoration Program (the “Program”) over the next 20 years in support of the country’s commitment to watershed conservation in the Rio Lempa basin. Specifically, $200 million, or an average of $9.75 million annually over 20 years, will fund the Program directly, while $150 million, or approximately $7 million per year, will fund an endowment. The funds in the endowment will be invested and are intended to become a source of ongoing funding for the Program beyond 2044. This $350 million allocation represents the largest funding commitment a country has ever made for conservation in a debt conversion transaction.

CRS and FIAES will jointly manage the Program and will collaborate with key government water and environmental agencies to enhance water security and watershed health, promote biodiversity, stimulate economic development through regenerative agriculture, and strengthen planning and management capacities in the Rio Lempa watershed. The Program will make grants to non-governmental organizations operating in El Salvador in support of these goals, with initial grants set to disburse in 2025.The Program will be governed by a seven-member Board of Directors that includes one representative from the Government of El Salvador, one representative from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and five non-governmental representatives.

In addition, the Government of El Salvador has committed to: (i) establish a zonal organization to oversee conservation and restoration of the Rio Lempa watershed; (ii) approve a National Integrated Water Resources Plan; (iii) establish a water resources data monitoring system for the Rio Lempa watershed; (iv) develop protocols for issuing water use permits; (v) establish a public feedback and complaint mechanism for violations of the National Water Resources Law and Environmental Law; (vi) contribute to the decision-making process by developing standards for calculating costs related to drinking water and sanitation services; and (vii) declare 75,000 hectares of protected aquifer recharge zones throughout the watershed by 2044.

White & Case LLP acted as legal adviser to the Republic.

“This debt conversion represents the most ambitious and impactful environmental action in El Salvador’s history. It not only reaffirms this government’s commitment to economic growth, it also enables us to achieve this growth while preserving one of our most precious natural resources: the Lempa River watershed. With support from international parties, we are executing the largest debt conversion transaction of its kind to date. This debt conversion project promotes sustainable development for our communities, strengthens our water security, and protects our ecosystems to secure the well-being of this generation and those to come. With this debt conversion, we aim to transform the environmental and economic future of El Salvador,” said Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador.

“Since its inception, DFC has been a pioneer in the field of debt conversions. Today’s announcement presents the world’s first-ever debt conversion for watershed conservation and water security. This transaction will protect critical resources while helping unburden the Salvadoran economy and promoting the growth of a vibrant private sector that will create more opportunities for Salvadoreans to find employment in their communities. DFC is committed to continuing to leverage our unique financial tools in innovative ways in pursuit of our developmental priorities around the world,” said DFC CEO Scott Nathan.

“At CAF, we are committed to becoming the green bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. Therefore, we are investing $25 billion by 2026 to finance environmental, climate change, and biodiversity initiatives, such as the one we are announcing today in partnership with the Government of El Salvador, DFC, CRS, and FIAES. This historic financing demonstrates that, through joint efforts, we can advance innovative financial mechanisms that accelerate sustainable development,” said Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF.

“CRS is excited to be part of this transformative program in El Salvador, which sets a new standard for the scale and long-term funding needed to restore and protect critical water resources for current and future generations. This program came together because of bold leadership and collective action by a dynamic and diverse team,” said Carla Fajardo, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Catholic Relief Services.

“FIAES is pleased to participate in the Rio Lempa Conservation and Restoration Program, acting as a strategic partner of the Government of El Salvador and the Government of the United States of America, as a fund administrator and program co-manager. The Río Lempa watershed is a valuable natural resource for our country since it covers 49 percent of the territory and supplies 68 percent of the national water needs; therefore, its preservation is essential to guarantee the sustainability of its ecosystem services”, said Jorge Oviedo, Executive Director of FIAES.

“ArtCap is proud to have spearheaded the coordination of this landmark transaction, uniting public and private stakeholders to help develop a comprehensive financial and conservation strategy. This program will deliver an important source of long-term funding for projects focused on the Rio Lempa watershed. By acting as a private sector catalyst, ArtCap was able to set a new precedent for collaboration among public and private stakeholders that helped to achieve a program with an impressive scale. We hope the success of this transaction will encourage further innovation in conservation finance,” said Antonio Navarro, Managing Partner, ArtCap Strategies.

About DFC:

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and small business and financial services. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.

About CAF:

CAF – Development Bank of Latin American and Caribbean – has the mission to promote sustainable development and regional integration by financing public and private sector projects, providing technical cooperation, and offering other specialized services. Established in 1970 and currently composed of 21 countries – 19 from Latin America and the Caribbean, along with Spain and Portugal – and 13 private banks, it is one of the main sources of multilateral financing and a significant knowledge generator for the region.

About Catholic Relief Services:

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS works at the nexus of sustainable agriculture, watershed management, and water supply to support governments, partners, communities, and all stakeholders to provide truly sustainable solutions that increase crop production, improve water for human health, and mitigate climate change. CRS has worked in El Salvador for over 50 years, supporting a network of local partners.

About FIAES:

FIAES was launched in 1993 as a Conservation Trust Fund as a result of a debt-for-nature swap between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of El Salvador to support the restoration and conservation of natural resources in El Salvador. FIAES manages multiple funds including several debt-for-nature swaps, environmental compensation funds from the Government of El Salvador, and several conservation grants from international organizations. Over the past 31 years, FIAES has invested more than $90 million in conservation and restoration of coastal marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

About ArtCap Strategies:

ArtCap Strategies is a private credit fund and a leading financial advisory firm specializing in innovative, sustainable financing solutions for public and private sector clients (among other strategies). With a focus on structuring and investing in deals that address global challenges such as climate resilience, water security, and sustainable development, ArtCap works closely with governments, multilateral institutions, and private investors to create impactful financial strategies. ArtCap’s expertise lies in coordinating complex transactions that not only generate economic value, but also drive environmental and social progress, setting new standards in responsible finance.

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on El Salvador’s current plans, estimates, assumptions, and projections. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and El Salvador undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events. This announcement is not an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution in or into, or to any person located or resident in, any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to release, publish or distribute such announcement.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: With reports Kamala might join Joe Rogan for a chat, the US election is showing the power of podcasting

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lea Redfern, Lecturer, Discipline of Media and Communications, University of Sydney

Call Her Daddy/YouTube

It was big news in the podcasting world when US Vice-President Kamala Harris recently sat down with Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy for an extended interview. This was not just because it was one of the few times Harris has opened herself up to direct media scrutiny, but also because it signalled podcasting’s coming of age.

Now there are fresh reports she could sit down with Joe Rogan for his top-rated show. Former president Donald Trump has also said he’ll record with Rogan before election day.

High-stakes interviews are no longer solely the domain of legacy media. Politicians, like celebrities with a story to tell or a film to sell, can pop onto a podcast with a hopefully sympathetic host to reach vast and potentially new audiences. (That said, Harris also did interviews with CBS News, 60 Minutes, The View and CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert the same week.)

So for the VP and Democratic presidential candidate, is this about finding new audiences or answering to a different, perhaps softer style of interview?

Call her who?

If you haven’t heard of Call Her Daddy, note the show’s emphasis is on sex and female empowerment. Cooper’s listeners are 70% women and 76% of them are aged under 35. It is often compared to the Joe Rogan Experience, a comparison Cooper hates. Cooper has also been called the Oprah Winfrey of her generation, which may say something about her interviewing skills or her market value.

The comparisons to Rogan are hard to avoid. Call Her Daddy has been running since 2018. In 2020, Cooper split with her co-host and took the program to Spotify, also home to the Joe Rogan Experience. There, Call Her Daddy rose to be the second most-listened-to podcast globally, behind Rogan, with an average of 5 million weekly listeners. Spotify gave Cooper US$60 million to Rogan’s rumoured $250 million. This particular gender pay gap was recently reduced when Cooper took the podcast to SiriusXM for $125 million.

A Harris appearance on Rogan’s podcast could give her a larger audience than Cooper’s and parallel access to young male listeners.

‘Here’s the thing …’

Soft or smart?

Harris’ decision to be interviewed on a podcast aimed at young women brought criticism from those who saw it as the “soft option”, as well as those who don’t rate young women or approve of talk of sex.

The same commentators seem to have overlooked that for the last year, Trump has been wooing the “manosphere” and has called in to friendly bro-casts such as This Past Weekend with Theo Von. In other podcasts like Full Send, Trump has had scope for friendly freewheeling banter on topics from Ice Spice to golf.

Cooper says she also invited the former president onto her show to discuss women’s rights.

In the journalistic tradition of podcasts since Serial, Cooper revealed her process and opened her interview with Harris by sharing the reasoning behind her line of questioning. “Let’s be real, I’m probably not the one to be having the fracking conversation,” she deadpanned.

Harris said she went on the podcast “to be real, you know, and to talk about the things that people really care about”. There were moments of genuine emotion, such as anger and compassion at the death of a young woman, Amber Thurman, in Georgia in the wake of the US’s newly restrictive abortion laws. Yet at times Harris still sounded rehearsed, in the manner of people in the public eye required to repeatedly answer similar questions and give similar speeches.

The risk to a politician is that the authenticity and intimacy for which podcasting is known could just as well work against them – a lack of “realness” becomes amplified through headphones, straight into the listeners’ ears.

While Harris’ cadence sounded like familiar speechifying near the end, perhaps her anecdotes were new to sections of Cooper’s audience. For all the claims that a focus on the concerns of women made for a “soft interview”, it was also a timely reminder of the centrality of reproductive freedom to women’s lives and the election.

The risks of the interview were more Cooper’s, who hinted at the prospect of losing listeners by interviewing a politician while wanting Call Her Daddy to be “a place where everyone feels comfortable tuning in”. This is a pertinent concern for her as much of the program’s initial popularity was built on Barstool, a media company known for its conservative leanings.

A different listener

The question remains: is appearing on extremely popular podcasts with young audiences a good political strategy for Harris? The positives of appearing on Call Her Daddy were clear, given Cooper’s main audience of young women is generally more politically engaged and motivated to vote than young men.

Rogan’s audience is 81% male with 34% aged 18–35. Making a connection with young men could prove trickier for Harris within the “bro-ey”, jokey framework of the Joe Rogan Experience than it was with Cooper.

A lot will depend on Harris’ interaction with the host, but Rogan is not known for hostile interviewing and Harris is experienced in connecting with people from a range of backgrounds. And her recent spot on shock jock Howard Stern’s radio show gave her a chance to share her love of car racing.

In a tight election, which could come down to swing voters in six or seven states, such skills, showcased in the podcasting space, could impact the election. The potential gains seem worth any risks.

Lea Redfern 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. With reports Kamala might join Joe Rogan for a chat, the US election is showing the power of podcasting – https://theconversation.com/with-reports-kamala-might-join-joe-rogan-for-a-chat-the-us-election-is-showing-the-power-of-podcasting-241462

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Kazakhstan’s Resource Economy: Diversification Through Global Value Chains

Source: Asia Development Bank

The report details how mining and metals made up over 80% of Kazakhstan’s gross exports in 2021 and explains the need for the country to develop secondary and tertiary sectors. It outlines the steps Kazakhstan could take to invest in infrastructure and human capital, reform its financial systems, and finetune trade agreements to help boost its global competitiveness and reduce its exposure to external shocks.

MIL OSI Economics –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Full Text: Remarks by Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

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

Full Text: Remarks by Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 17 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday delivered a speech at the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The following is the full text of the speech:

Remarks by H.E. Li Qiang

Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China

At the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of

Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Islamabad, October 16, 2024

Your Excellency Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,

Colleagues,

It is a great pleasure to meet you in Islamabad, the beautiful “city of gardens.” At the outset, I wish to express my appreciation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the government of Pakistan for your meticulous preparations and thoughtful arrangements for this meeting. I welcome Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko of Belarus, a new member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Over the past year, governments of the member states of the SCO have actively responded to and implemented the common understandings of the Council of Heads of State, carried out solid cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, security and people-to-people exchanges, reached dozens of cooperation documents, and formulated more than 10 reform measures. Fruitful outcomes have been achieved. The member states have forged ahead steadily and side by side on a collective journey to promote security and development. Unlike most international organizations, the SCO has both a Council of Heads of State and a Council of Heads of Government. As it happens, the specific institutional design, with the Council of Heads of State drawing up the blueprint and the Council of Heads of Government focusing on implementation, has been effective, practical and efficient, and has made the SCO an important platform for maintaining peace and stability in the region and promoting development and prosperity of nations.

At the Astana Summit held last July, President Xi Jinping and fellow leaders of member states reached important understandings on jointly building a common home of the SCO featuring solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, and fairness and justice. This endeavor to build a common home is driven by the values we all share; it focuses on the tough issues we all face, and will help create a future we all desire. In my view, this common vision entails efforts in the following five aspects:

First, efforts to build an even more solid political foundation. The fundamental reason why the SCO has stayed vibrant since its inception is that we have upheld the Shanghai Spirit, a vital political consensus, and endeavored to be trustworthy and reliable partners for each other. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, SCO cooperation in various fields will move forward steadily as long as the Shanghai Spirit remains entrenched.

Second, efforts to provide more reliable security safeguards. As we speak, geopolitical conflicts, power politics and acts of bullying continue to undermine regional peace and stability, while on such fronts as cyber security and biosecurity, new threats and new challenges continue to emerge. No country is immune, and the only true security is security for all. Only by further improving the mechanisms and tools to tackle threats and challenges can we provide better safeguards for common development.

Third, efforts to foster closer economic bonds. The SCO’s continuous expansion of membership in recent years has created more notable economic complementarity among member states. By deepening our economic ties, resisting external attempts of pulling us apart, and tapping into and pooling our respective strengths in resources, market and industries, we will be able to foster even stronger synergy for development.

Fourth, efforts to cultivate stronger emotional bonds. Our region is home to diverse and splendid civilizations, where different nations and cultures have interacted and converged with each other throughout the course of history and coexisted in harmony. This has been the source of popular support for cooperation among SCO member states. We need to further promote mutual learning among civilizations and cultural exchanges so as to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people of SCO member states.

Fifth, efforts to boost coordination in multilateral fora. Embracing 26 countries from three continents, the SCO family is a constructive force that carries important global influence. With our commitment to the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and our enhanced communication and coordinated actions, SCO member states will better rally the developing world in promoting a more just and equitable global order.

As president of the SCO for 2024-2025, China has introduced “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move” as our slogan. The goal is to engender effective actions among ourselves to deliver on the agreement of our heads of state and realize the vision of building a common home featuring solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, and fairness and justice. In this connection, China proposes the following four points.

First, enhancing strategic synergy for our shared purpose. Pursuing peaceful development is the abiding purpose of the SCO. We should stay grounded in the fundamental and long-term interests of the region, bear in mind the big picture and keep external disruptions at bay. Our best efforts must be directed toward mapping out the SCO’s development strategy for the next decade and drawing up roadmaps for cooperation in various areas. Member states should step up strategic communication, bridge differences and boost mutual trust through dialogue, and pool strengths for unity.

Second, expanding practical cooperation in line with development needs. The year 2025 will be the SCO Year of Sustainable Development. China stands ready to deepen cooperation with all sides in poverty reduction, digital economy and green development, to generate sustained momentum for development. We should continue to draw impetus from openness and cooperation, boost the region’s trade and investment facilitation and connectivity, and maintain stable and smooth industrial and supply chains. Active efforts should be made to establish an SCO development bank in order to provide financing support for countries in their pursuit of development.

Third, proactively addressing major risks. Our region continues to face grave security issues. The fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism remains a long-term, arduous task, and various challenges lie ahead in such areas as safeguarding information security and combating transnational organized crime. China stands ready to work with all sides to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint operations, move faster to build a universal center to address the challenges and threats to the security of SCO member states and the Anti-Drug Center, and strive for major outcomes at next year’s summit, so that we can put in place new platforms and a new architecture for regional security cooperation.

Fourth, expanding people-to-people exchange to meet popular expectations. We should fully leverage the role of the SCO Committee on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, develop an effective SCO digital education alliance, organize excellent events under our flagship programs such as the Forum on People-to-People Friendship and the Forum on Friendship Cities, the Forum on Women, and the Art Exhibition of Young Artists, and increase our peoples’ participation and sense of fulfillment, to keep people-to-people friendship strong for generations to come.

Colleagues,

As an ancient Chinese saying goes, “Those who take real actions are more likely to succeed, and those who hit the road are more likely to reach the destination.” Let’s continue to carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, pull together, and take practical and determined steps. Let’s get on the move to deliver on our responsibility, build prosperity and usher in a better future for our common home.

Thank you.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Chinese agricultural scientists win FAO Achievement Award

Source: China State Council Information Office

Qu Dongyu (R), director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presents the FAO Achievement Award to the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPPCAAS) at a ceremony to mark the World Food Day in Rome, Italy, on Oct. 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPPCAAS) was awarded the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Achievement Award Wednesday at a ceremony held by the FAO to mark the 44th World Food Day in Rome, Italy.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu presented the prestigious FAO Achievement Award to the IPPCAAS and described their groundbreaking work in combating the Fall Armyworm as having a profound impact in China, across Asia, and globally, making significant strides in protecting crops and securing food supplies.

This year’s World Food Day, with the theme “Right to foods for a better life and a better future,” aims to raise global awareness about the right to foods and advocates for transforming agrifood systems to support peaceful, resilient, and inclusive livelihoods for all.

According to the FAO, around 730 million people are currently facing hunger, and over 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. This means that even if their calorie intake is sufficient, they may not be receiving the necessary nutrients and dietary diversity to maintain good health.

In his address, Qu called for renewed “commitment to building more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems that can nourish the world,” saying, “There is no time to lose; we must take immediate action.”

In a video message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that a zero-hunger world was possible, but “food systems need a massive transformation,” to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

As part of the World Food Day celebrations, a World Food Forum event is being held at FAO headquarters from Oct. 14 to 18.

The FAO Award for Achievement is awarded every two years to honor an entity or individual for outstanding technical cooperation or humanitarian work in the fields of sustainable agriculture, rural development, or food security at the country level.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Zelensky unveils Ukraine’s ‘victory plan’

Source: China State Council Information Office

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday presented to parliament his “victory plan,” outlining Ukraine’s strategy in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

“If we begin implementing this Victory Plan now, we could end the war no later than the next year,” Zelensky was quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency as saying.

Zelensky said the five-point plan covers geopolitical, military, economic, and security goals, emphasizing that inviting Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the “near future” is its key element.

Other proposals include lifting the current restrictions hindering Ukraine from using long-range Western weapons on targets inside Russia and placing a comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package in Ukraine, Zelensky said.

He also said the document envisages that Ukraine will jointly protect, use and invest in its critical resources with partners.

Besides, Kiev stands ready to replace U.S. military contingents in Europe with Ukrainian units after the end of the conflict, according to the plan, which also contains three classified annexes.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI China: EU nations in UNIFIL agree to exert ‘utmost’ pressure on Israel

Source: China State Council Information Office

This photo shows the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) during their patrol in Marjeyoun, Lebanon, on May 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Sixteen countries of the European Union (EU) contributing troops to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have agreed to increase political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to avoid further incidents involving the mission.

This decision was reached after a videoconference led by Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu on Wednesday, amidst escalating clashes between the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The videoconference involved key EU nations, including Ireland, Germany, Spain, Austria, and Greece, among others.

These countries collectively condemned attacks on UNIFIL bases, which have endangered the safety of the mission’s over 10,000 personnel coming from 48 countries, and urged Israel to take preventive measures to ensure no more such incidents occur.

The Italian defense ministry said in a statement that a key conclusion of the meeting was “the shared will to exert utmost political and diplomatic pressure on Israel, so that no further incidents occur.” Meanwhile, the statement also stressed that Hezbollah cannot use UNIFIL personnel as a shield in the context of the conflict.

The call followed a series of IDF strikes on UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon since Oct. 9, which resulted in injuries to several peacekeepers.

Although Israel had asked UNIFIL to withdraw its troops within 5 km of the Israeli-Lebanese border, which would mean leaving all UNIFIL positions in south Lebanon, all countries contributing to the mission declined.

On Wednesday, the EU countries reiterated their commitment to maintaining a stable UNIFIL presence in the region and asserted that any changes to the mission’s future should be decided collectively by the UN.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Shining at the Paris Motor Show丨SEVB’s Core products open a new chapter of globalization

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PARIS, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — From October 14 to October 21, Sunwoda Mobility Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “SEVB”), a leading Chinese power battery provider, made a significant appearance at the Paris Motor Show, showcasing its core products. Concurrently, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony at its manufacturing base in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion.

SEVB Chairman Mingwang Wang stated, “Our participation in the Paris Motor Show showcases the company’s five core strengths: leading technology, superb intelligent manufacturing, ultra-high quality, reliable delivery, and extensive service experience for major customers. SEVB will leverage nearly 30 years of lithium battery expertise and the local service advantages of our Hungarian base to continue providing first-class solutions for our European customers.”

SEVB presented a range of products at this year’s Paris Motor Show, including its HEV batteries, PHEV batteries, the globally launched 6C Super-fast Charging Battery 3.0, as well as cutting-edge solid-state and sodium-ion batteries.

Among these, the Dacia Spring model, powered by SEVB’s HEV battery, was previously awarded the title of “Best-Selling Electric Vehicle in Italy” and ranked second in electric vehicle sales in France. The 6C Super-fast Charging Battery 3.0, making its global debut, can charge to 80% SoC in just 10 minutes, significantly easing charging anxiety. The PHEV batteries, known for its practicality and environmental benefits, holds strong value in Europe, where usage of electric vehicles has slowed, and environmental standards are high.

To align our global strategy with “REGULATION (EU) 2023/1542”, SEVB is, firstly, strengthening its supply chain management system and enhancing carbon emission controls. Secondly, promoting the implementation of a “China Battery Passport,” aligning domestic battery systems with international standards. Thirdly, expanding into battery recycling.

To date, SEVB has established 12 manufacturing bases worldwide. The company has reached Benchmark’s top tier EV battery cell manufacturer status and was recognized as a “Greater Bay Area New Energy Innovation Enterprise” by KPMG. According to SNE Research, from 2021 to 2023, SEVB ranked first in China for HEV battery installations, and in H1 2024, it entered the global top ten for power battery installations.

In the future, SEVB will continue to base itself in China and look to the world, promoting the globalization of its power battery and energy storage battery solutions to empower customers with world-class products and services.

Photo: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bc4cb4bb-af82-4156-be23-22ccbd72bd46

The MIL Network –

January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Death of an idol: response to Liam Payne’s death highlights the power of childhood and music

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Giuffre, Senior Lecturer in Communication, University of Technology Sydney

Former One Direction band member and solo artist Liam Payne has been found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires, media reports have confirmed. Payne was just 31 years old – a loved friend and father.

Alongside his former One Direction band mates Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, Payne had a huge influence on popular culture in his home country of the United Kingdom and internationally.

The group formed in 2010 on the British talent show X Factor and stayed together for about five years before officially splitting in 2016. Throughout this time, Payne remained a valuable member of the band and a clear talent in his own right.

Although each member auditioned seperately, they were eventually hand-picked by Simon Cowell to form a group.

After the split (and a brief hiatus from music-making), Payne continued to release music periodically as both a songwriter and collaborator. He most recently released the single Teardrops in March, ahead of an anticipated second solo album.

News of Payne’s death has led to an outpouring of tributes. Like many young people thrust into stardom seemingly overnight, his life wasn’t without controversy. But the response to his death by fans and industry colleagues alike is proof of the impact he had.

The making of a pop supergroup

While One Direction may have not been together for as long as other globally successful acts, their influence far exceeded bands that have been together for decades. They released five studio records – and broke many more, including six Guinness World Records. And even though they didn’t make it to their 10th anniversary together, they had still sold some 70 million records by 2020.

In the years since the split, fans continued to gather, listen and celebrate – with the most recent anniversary (14 years) seeing fan-led events held in Australia and the rest of the world.

It’s easy to dismiss pop music and its influence, especially in the face of what feel like increasingly dire global circumstances. But pop, like many other forms of entertainment, provides a practical way for people to gain momentary pleasure and comfort.

It also provides connection with others – and relief from politics and other daily pressures. For example, one of One Direction’s biggest hits, That’s What Makes You Beautiful, sought to empower young people who might otherwise be overwhelmed by negative messaging.

Within a year of their debut, the group was met with massive crowds of fans almost everywhere they want.

One Direction has been compared to The Beatles in terms of their influence on young people – and female and queer fans in particular.

The impact on fans when their idol dies

The loss of life, especially a young person’s life, is always a tragedy.

For some young fans, this might be the first person they “know” who has died. While it may not be the same as losing a family member or close friend, the feeling of loss is significant. Young fans will need support. And in 2024, many will find this support through social platforms and online forums.

I still remember the impact the deaths of stars such as Kurt Cobain and Jeff Buckley had on people like me who were teenagers in the 1990s. These were artists I admired and listened to – and whose art I relied on during times of pleasure and pain.

A similar pang was felt when artists such as George Michael, Aretha Franklin and David Bowie died, albeit later in my life and theirs.

The experience of losing a music idol is in many ways a universal one. People whose art we attach to our own life experiences become inseparable from our lives. And when they die, it can feel like those experiences are over too.

After news of Payne’s death broke, hundreds of fans took to the streets of Palermo in Buenos Aires, where Payne had been visiting. They held a vigil, cried and consoled one another in front of the Casa Sur hotel where Payne had been staying.

One fan, 25-year-old Yamila Zacarias, probably spoke for many when she said:

He meant a lot to me because the band came into my life at this time when you’re trying to be a part of something, and being a One Direction fan became that something for me.

Lifelong fandom and memories

There’s a stereotype of “fans” as hordes of screaming girls, which can really take away from the depth of fandom.

Anyone at any stage of life can be a fan of just about anything. And the best thing about fandom is that it can, and often does, allow lots of different types of people an outlet for connection throughout their lives.

Many fans have left comments on old music videos.
YouTube/screenshot

The death of US actress Betty White in 2021, as sad as it was, brought people across generations and walks of life together. And not just those who knew her personally, but those who had connected with each other through their love of her work. It reminded me of my own family, including my Nan and Dad, now gone, and the laughs we’d share as we watched her.

As more details and tributes to Payne’s life and death emerge, the fans will have each other to lean on. If you yourself know someone who is a fan of Payne or One Direction, even reaching out to just acknowledge that person’s grief and experience is important. It says to them, “what you love is valid, and so are you”.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Liz Giuffre 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. Death of an idol: response to Liam Payne’s death highlights the power of childhood and music – https://theconversation.com/death-of-an-idol-response-to-liam-paynes-death-highlights-the-power-of-childhood-and-music-241554

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: 12 new metro stations are planned to be built in Moscow in three years

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

The development of transport infrastructure is the largest section of the Targeted Investment Program both in terms of the amount of funds spent and the expected results. In 2025–2027, it is planned to commission 28.4 kilometers of lines, 12 stations, and two electric depots of the Moscow Metro. Sergei Sobyanin reported this on his Telegram channel.

“We will continue construction of the Troitskaya line – four stations on the ZIL – Novatorskaya section. A new Rublevo-Arkhangelskaya line will appear on the map – we will build eight stations on the Shelepikha – Ilyinskaya section,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

The Biryulevskaya line, the Golyanovo station of the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line and the Dostoyevskaya (Suvorovskaya) station of the Circle Line will also be built.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11904050/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dad is Near: How to Celebrate Father’s Day at VDNKh

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

On the third Sunday of October, our country celebrates Father’s Day. In honor of the holiday, VDNKh has prepared a special promotion, within the framework of which on October 20, fathers with children will be able to receive a 30 percent discount when visiting several exhibition spaces. Guests will also enjoy thematic excursions at the sites of the VDNKh Museum City, events at the robot exhibition “Robostation”, in the robotics and innovation center “Kulibin Pro” and at the “City Farm”. And in the pavilion “House of Russian Cuisine”, fathers who are cooks with many children will hold master classes on preparing various dishes from the cuisines of the peoples of Russia.

On October 20, a 30 percent discount can be received when visiting two facilities of the Orion family amusement park: the Aerial Tram cable car and the House of Fears attraction. And also the City Farm, the Museum of the Special Purpose Garage of the Federal Protective Service of Russia, the exhibitions In the Galaxy Far, Far Away, Terracotta Army. Immortal Warriors of China and Find Banksy, the SkyTown rope park, the Robostation and the Kulibin Pro center. To receive a discount at the box office, fathers with children must say the code phrase “it’s not scary with dad” and present identification documents, as well as proof of relationship. You can read the terms of the promotion on the VDNKh website.

Interesting excursions

On October 20 at 10:30, 13:00, 15:30 and 18:00 you can visit thematic excursions around the territory of the country’s main exhibition “Male images of VDNKh”. Guests will learn little-known facts about the people who left their mark on the history of VDNKh: for example, who was its first director or in whose honor the first chestnut tree was planted on the Cosmonauts’ Alley. Guests will gather at the VDNKh Museum.

At 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00 the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center invites you to thematic excursions “Space Fathers”. Tour guides will tell you about the children of famous cosmonauts who followed in their fathers’ footsteps, about the founders of cosmonautics itself and the difficulties of orbital flight.

And at 17:00, 18:00 and 19:00 in the pavilion “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman” thematic excursions will take place “Father’s Day at VDNKh: Inspiration and Traditions”. We will talk about who became the architect of this pavilion, who was the inventor in the field of cinema technology for the unique cinema at the main exhibition of the country, thanks to whom the revival of VDNKh took place.

At 19:00, guests of the Museum of Slavic Literature “Slovo” are invited to a thematic excursion “Where there is a good father, there is a good son”. The father always served as an unconditional example for the younger generation, which was reflected in numerous Russian epics, fairy tales, sayings, proverbs and chronicles. You can learn about this and much more on the excursion.

Celebration at the “Robostation” and in the “Kulibin Pro” center

In honor of Father’s Day, the largest robotics exhibition “Robostation” (Pavilion No. 2) printed more than five thousand festive keychains on a 3D printer, which all guests will receive. On October 20 at 13:00, there will be a master class where children will make a gift for dad with their own hands and learn the basics of robotics and soldering. At the same time, there will be a master class “Constructor from Childhood”, where dads will be able to reminisce and assemble a Soviet metal constructor. At 14:00, as part of the karaoke guessing game, guests will be divided into two teams and will sing the famous song “Papa Can”, but they must remember the correct words and sing them instead of the gaps. The winners will be determined by the least number of mistakes, and everyone will receive gifts for participation.

Throughout the day, there will be sparring sessions between dads and kids, where they will control robot boxers. The winners will receive gifts printed on a 3D printer. To participate in the activities, you must purchase entrance ticket to the exhibition.

The Kulibin Pro Robotics and Innovation Center, which is located in the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center at VDNKh, has also prepared a festive program for Father’s Day. On October 20 at 1:00 p.m., a master class on construction for fathers and children will be held, during which guests will be able to assemble a suspension bridge from construction set parts. At 2:00 p.m., you can listen to a lecture entitled “Calling – Inventor.” Throughout the day, all fathers will be congratulated by Boris the Robot. To participate, you must purchase an entrance ticket to the center. “Cosmonautics and Aviation”.

Walking with animals

The “City Farm” at VDNKh has prepared its own festive program. The main characters will be not only human dads, but also animal fathers: alpaca Pedro, goat Ivan and goose Vasily. On October 19 and 20, guests will enjoy master classes and farm games. Walks with animals will also be organized. Over the course of two days, from 11:00 to 18:00, there will be master classes “Postcard for Dad”, “Autumn Craft”, “Toy for Animals”, “Animal Portraits”. At the same time, you can take part in the sports relay race “My Dad and Me”. At 13:00 and 16:00, there will be an interactive lecture “The Best Fathers in the Animal World”, and at the end of the event – a quiz.

In addition, on October 19 and 20, guests of the City Farm will be able to walk with animals: a donkey (from 11:00 to 11:30), a sheep (from 12:00 to 12:30), goats (from 12:00 to 12:30, from 14:00 to 14:30 and from 16:00 to 16:30), an alpaca (from 15:00 to 15:30), and a reindeer (from 17:00 to 17:30).

During the holiday weekend, you can also watch the feeding of nutria (at 11:00), poultry (at 16:00), goats, sheep, reindeer, alpacas and donkeys (from 17:30). Participation in all events is subject to an entrance ticket to the “City Farm”. The cost can be found out on the website.

Master classes by fathers-chefs

On October 20, the House of Russian Cuisine pavilion at VDNKh invites you to International Chef’s Day and Father’s Day. In 2024, these dates coincided, and in honor of this, regional entrepreneurs and chefs of the House of Russian Cuisine, and part-time fathers of many children, will hold free master classes from 12:00. They will dedicate them to preparing dishes from the cuisines of the peoples of Russia. Among the presenters are Mikhail Gavrilov (chef of the V Karelia Yest corner and father of three children), Alexander Volkov-Medvedev (chef of the Ruski restaurant and father of three children), Danila Kozlov (founder of a chain of northern delicacies stores, brand chef of the Azbuka Severa corner of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), father of three children), Alexey Votintsev (founder of the Perepechkin Udmurt cuisine chain, author and inventor of the mobile Russian stove, father of five children), Damdin Dashiev (founder of the Orda Buryat cuisine restaurants, father of four children).

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145398073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Three important steps for a hotelier: Mosturism has prepared instructions for opening a hotel

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

The number of tourists visiting Moscow is constantly growing and has already approached pre-pandemic levels: 24.5 million people visited it last year. Due to the increase in tourist flow, the capital will need to expand its hotel stock by 25.7 thousand rooms by 2030. This means that the hotel business is expecting a new rise, and opening hotels remains a profitable investment. But where should an entrepreneur who wants to work in the hospitality industry start? Head of the Hotel Management Department of Mostourism Ekaterina Kirillova has prepared step-by-step instructions for those planning to open a new hotel.

Opening a hotel is not only a significant financial investment, but also the competent execution of the necessary documents. It is important to take into account all the nuances: from the design of rooms and public areas to the selection of a suitable location. Investors are responsible for the funds, desire and opportunities when opening a hotel, and the city will help with the solution of bureaucratic and technical issues. If any questions arise, including after studying the checklist, you can contact the specialists of Mosturism, who provide online consultations.

The first step will be to calculate the financial business model. To begin with, the investor must determine the required (desired) capacity of the room stock and the category of the future hotel. In Moscow, guests’ expectations even from a three-star hotel are already quite high. Therefore, during construction, it is worth considering even the smallest details, without trying to save on quality. Moreover, such requirements are becoming even more relevant for four- and five-star hotels.

You can build a hotel yourself or organize the redevelopment of your inefficiently used building (or purchase such a building with various rights of use).

The location plays a vital role here. Here are the main points to consider in the infrastructure of the chosen area:

transport accessibility (availability of nearby metro stations, convenient transfer from airports and train stations to the hotel and back); availability of nearby business centers, attractions, etc.; proximity to the city center.

The second step is to determine the possibility of using the territory for a hotel. Mosturism draws the attention of investors to the fact that financing the creation of a hotel facility does not cancel the rules of use provided for in a specific territory. The purpose for which the land plot will be used in the future is determined only by the urban development regulations of a specific territory. Therefore, it is very important to first familiarize yourself with the extract on the land plot, which will indicate the possible type of permitted use.

If the required type of permitted use is not available (4.7. “Hotel services”), changes must be made to the land use and development regulations. How to do this, Mosturism will tell you.

To obtain detailed information, you need to be honest about your plans. In the future, by attaching a concept of a hotel project indicating the planned hotel category, number of rooms and management contract with a hotel operator, you will be able to obtain a conclusion from Mosturism.

The third step is construction. After receiving all the necessary permits, it is necessary to start construction on time, designing the hotel in accordance with the technical specifications.

Due to the fact that tourists’ interest in the capital is constantly growing, the demand for comfortable and cozy small hotels with the best price-to-service ratio is also increasing. Since tourism is a priority industry, the Moscow Government is interested in building new high-quality hotels of three-star categories. Good hotels meet the high expectations of guests from the Russian capital and support Moscow’s reputation as one of the most progressive cities in the world.

The city provides comprehensive support to the hotel industry as an important part of the tourism infrastructure and is constantly in dialogue with the hotel business, responding to industry requests. Moscow provides various preferential programs to investors opening new hotels. For example, they can receive the right to preferential rent of buildings and premises at a cost of one ruble per square meter per year. New facilities also appear thanks to the concession mechanism – one of the forms of public-private partnership, which makes it possible to develop hotel infrastructure through investor investments. The Moscow City Tourism Committee forms an up-to-date information field on the dynamics of tourism development in the capital.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145395073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Palace of Science: What Opportunities Does the Lomonosov Cluster Open for Innovators

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

Cluster “Lomonosov” — one of the leading innovation platforms of the capital. It has become the flagship of the scientific valley of the Moscow State University (MSU) named after M.V. Lomonosov. 66 companies — residents of the cluster are engaged in developments in medicine, information and biotechnology, industry, service infrastructure and other areas. They have at their disposal production sites and laboratories, offices and coworking spaces, conference halls and lecture halls.

A mos.ru correspondent went to the scientific valley and found out how the Lomonosov cluster is structured, what it offers to Moscow companies and what innovative production facilities are located there.

Driver of Innovation

The Lomonosov cluster opened in 2023. On behalf of Sergei Sobyanin, the building concept was developed by the chief architect of Moscow Sergey Kuznetsovand architect Ivan Grekov. Lomonosov became one of nine future clusters of the innovative scientific and technological center of Moscow State University “Vorobyovy Gory”. The ten-story building with mirrored facades was erected in less than two years.

“The Lomonosov Cluster is a project of the Moscow Government, which is being implemented by the Moscow Innovation Cluster Foundation. This is a territory for the development of innovative and high-tech companies. Here, scientists and entrepreneurs create new products and services, improve existing ones, find partners and investors. At the same time, the cluster provides tax benefits to resident companies,” notes Alexander Ulanov, Deputy General Director of the Foundation.

“Moscow Innovation Cluster”.

Residents of Lomonosov can reduce their tax burden by up to 30 percent. They are exempt from paying income taxes, value-added tax, and property tax for 10 years. In addition, they are subject to reduced insurance premium rates, and they can also reimburse customs duties paid.

Capital companies with useful and innovative projects were able to become residents of the cluster. Their developments were related to science, brought new ideas and helped the city. The declared projects passed the examination, and based on its results, the companies were granted the status of a resident.

Today, Lomonosov’s production facilities employ more than two thousand people. They have original ideas, modern technologies and know-how in their arsenal that can compete with both Russian and foreign products. The inventions of the cluster residents not only help develop the city’s economy, but also make a major contribution to import substitution. For example, the capital’s factories are already using innovative air purification filters manufactured in Lomonosov, and the Arctic seas of Russia are using a hardware and software complex for seismic research.

Vladimir Putin and Sergei Sobyanin opened the Lomonosov cluster, the flagship of the Moscow State University innovation center Sergei Sobyanin: The Lomonosov Cluster has united the best innovators of the capital

Offices, laboratories and engineering workshop

The Lomonosov cluster is located on Ramensky Boulevard (building 1), not far from the Ramenki and Universitet metro stations. Sharp angles, straight projections, and even ribbons of rectangular windows make the building look like a spaceship.

In front of the main entrance there is an installation of two hemispheres with a truncated lower base, reminiscent of a core divided into two. On the first floor of the building you can examine a model of the future scientific valley, drink coffee and work, sitting in soft chairs with a noise-insulating effect. Here, the cluster employees meet guests and relax at lunchtime. Some go out for a walk in the courtyard.

We walk to the escalator along the bright interactive signs and go up to the second floor. In front of us is the cluster’s scientific treasure trove with spacious lecture halls and halls. The largest of them is the Molecule hall, where up to 650 people can sit in front of a huge screen. Forums, conferences and congresses are held here.

Then we take the elevator up. Resident companies rent premises from the cluster and equip them for their needs. Some organize a laboratory, others — an office, an engineering center or a design bureau. The companies also purchase equipment at their own expense.

“Our main task is to provide residents with the opportunity to create and develop, to unite them in one place so that they can grow together, exchange specialists, developments, suppliers, create joint projects and use each other’s infrastructure. Such an effective synergy,” emphasizes Alexander Ulanov.

The corridors are spacious and green, plants stretch along the walls, decorating the space. There are logos of residents on the doors. On the fourth floor, we are met by Svyatoslav Krivozubov, the CEO of Adaptto. He opens one of the office doors, and we find ourselves in a small production workshop. Here, electric drives for electric transport are manufactured.

Engineers have everything they need. The laboratory has a complete cycle of electronic product manufacturing — from applying solder paste to soldering and testing the manufactured devices. Special equipment is used for this: a printer, a component arranger, and a furnace. Manufacturing processes are controlled through a control system.

“Our flagship products – controllers – have a record high specific power. At peak, the equipment can pump up to 50 kilowatts. In this indicator, we are ahead of manufacturers not only in Russia, but also in the world. And our controllers are four times lighter than their analogues. Such equipment weighs about a kilogram, and can power a two-ton vehicle,” says Svyatoslav Krivozubov.

The company’s electric drive powers excursion buses, ATVs and snowmobiles, as well as the Muscovites’ favorite wireless robot cleaner “Pixel”You can see such an assistant in the parks “Kuzminki”, “Sokolniki” and 50th Anniversary of October.

Drug development and shampoo for astronauts

The specialists of the company “Simurgpharm” work in the neighboring office. It became one of the first residents of the cluster.

“We develop software for analyzing biomedical data. They are obtained during the testing of new drugs. The Simurg platform created by the company is the first software in Russia for clinical drug development and comprehensive data analysis,” says Kirill Zhudenkov, the company’s CEO.

The experts work in a modern, high-tech office with panoramic windows and their own lounge. There you can take a break from complex tasks and play table football or guitar.

“To achieve results, you need to not only work in science, you need to live it. And team spirit and the desire to invest in a common cause are also very important. That is why our work areas are united. There is a feeling of unity. This corresponds to our mission – to create and implement new technologies in the development of domestic drugs. By the way, the cluster itself is organized in a similar way. You can find partners literally in the neighborhood,” emphasizes Kirill Zhudenkov.

Dmitry Kurshin, CEO of Intersen-Plus, also speaks about the power of common opportunities. Together with another resident of the cluster, they began to produce a line of skin care cosmetics with peptides.

“Conferences, meetings and other events held in Lomonosov help to unite forces. For example, our company organized about five scientific events in the cluster this year. There you can tell about yourself and meet other residents,” says Dmitry Kurshin.

The company is located in a small room on the eighth floor. At the entrance, there are long shelves with vessels of different sizes – from jars to canisters. Each has its own valuable product. Behind the glass doors is a laboratory with a picturesque view of Moscow. On the tables are test tubes, flasks, and vials. Experts painstakingly mix the compositions and create new formulas.

It also produces biopreparations, disinfectants, cosmetics for palliative care and smart hand sanitizer dispensers with the ability to control the flow rate of liquid. In addition, the company’s experts have created a one-of-a-kind desiccant meter for mixing and dosing working solutions of disinfectants.

“We have also developed a leave-in shampoo for astronauts. It will allow them not to waste a valuable resource in zero gravity — water. The products are currently being tested in the SIRIUS space flight experiment. It is important to note that the cluster provides everything necessary for testing. This is very valuable for companies. And in general, supporting production allows them to grow faster. Therefore, we can say that the Lomonosov cluster is a palace of science and a source of advanced opportunities,” the mos.ru source notes.

Companies from the fields of IT, biomedicine and robotics have become residents of the Lomonosov cluster Sobyanin: Moscow’s innovative infrastructure has grown by a quarter in five years Place of Innovation: How New Developments Are Tested in the Lomonosov Cluster Generation of Machines, or How Robots Help Moscow Sergei Sobyanin presented Moscow awards in the field of architecture and construction

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145307073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow company carries out major repairs at one of the largest energy enterprises in Donbass

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

Moscow entrepreneurs help to establish life in new territories of Russia by restoring industrial and infrastructure facilities. Thus, a Moscow engineering company is carrying out major repairs at one of the largest energy-generating enterprises in Donbass under a state contract. The mechanism of guarantee support for small and medium-sized enterprises is used to finance these works.

The company has 20 years of experience in implementing projects of varying levels of complexity. Its specialists build, reconstruct, repair and modernize structures and facilities throughout Russia. The enterprise has a powerful design and production base and uses modern technologies.

The Moscow Guarantee Fund provided a guarantee in the amount of 52.5 million rubles (70 percent of the bank guarantee amount) for the return of an advance payment under a government contract for the execution of major repairs of an important energy facility.

The fund helps enterprises in various industries obtain financing and solve the problem of a lack of their own collateral by providing guarantees for loans, bank guarantees, letters of credit, leasing and factoring in the amount of up to 70 percent of the transaction amount, but not more than 100 million rubles.

The Moscow Guarantee Fund was established by the Government of Moscow and is subordinate to the capital Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development. During its operation, the fund has issued more than 20 thousand guarantees, under which small and medium-sized businesses received financing in the amount of over 370 billion rubles.

Support for entrepreneurs is provided within the framework of the national project “Small and medium entrepreneurship and support for individual entrepreneurial initiatives”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow can be found on a special page.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145371073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The hotline for receiving meter readings has received more than 27 million calls over 12 years

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

Over the 12 years of operation, the hotline for registering readings of individual metering devices of the citywide contact center (CCC) has received more than 27 million calls from residents of the capital.

“Every year, the demand for a hotline for transmitting meter readings is growing. If in the first year of operation it received 67 thousand calls from residents, then since the beginning of 2024 alone – more than four million. This is the most robotic line of the OKC – up to 99 percent of calls on it are received by a voice assistant without involving operators. The use of artificial intelligence technologies allows saving citizens’ time and makes the process of transmitting meter readings convenient and fast,” said Andrey Savitsky, head of the citywide contact center.

As noted inDepartment of Information Technology of the City of Moscow, the voice assistant has been receiving readings from water meters since September 2012, and from electricity meters since October 2023. Over the year, residents transmitted electricity meter readings by phone about 200 thousand times, of which more than 122 thousand were with the help of the voice assistant.

Artificial intelligence can not only register data, but also help prevent errors when transmitting information. For example, if a person names a number much higher or lower than previously transmitted readings, the virtual assistant will report this and offer to clarify the information.

How to transmit meter readings by phone

To submit water or electricity meter readings, you need to call the hotline of the citywide contact center: 7 495 539-25-25. Calls are received around the clock by a voice assistant. You need to tell the virtual assistant your personal account number, apartment and meter, and then provide the current readings. Artificial intelligence will record them and automatically redirect them to the system. If the data cannot be transmitted, the voice assistant will prompt the reason, for example, it will report a malfunction of the meter or the need for a scheduled inspection. In addition, it can inform you where to go to resolve these issues. If necessary, the voice assistant will connect you to a contact center operator.

Water consumption data must be submitted from the 15th of the current month to the third of the following month inclusive, and electricity meter readings must be submitted monthly from the 15th to the 26th.

This can also be done online on the city portal mos.ru, in the Telegram messenger using a bot @mos_services_here and in the mobile applications “My Moscow” and “Gosuslugi Moskvy” using the service “Receiving readings and paying for electricity”. You can independently submit readings at the “My Documents” government service centers, in the premises of the control room of your district or the management company.

If the meters are equipped with an automated information and measuring system for commercial metering, the data is entered into the system automatically.

The citywide contact center has been operating in Moscow since 2011 and includes more than 70 hotlines. Every month, it receives about five million calls from residents. Half of the calls are processed by artificial intelligence without involving operators. In just 12 years, Muscovites have called the citywide contact center more than 365 million times, including over 40 million this year. Residents contact to clarify the status of document processing and public transport schedules, make an appointment with a doctor, call a technician to fix utility problems, and for other issues.

The implementation of digital solutions in public administration corresponds to the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in the capital can be found Here.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145304073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: In the flagship offices of My Documents, Muscovites can consult with tax service specialists

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

In the flagship offices of “My Documents” you can consult with specialists of the Federal Tax Service. Muscovites are told about the possibility of receiving benefits on property taxes for individuals, as well as about debt or overpayment. Employees of the mobile office of the tax service show how to work in the “Personal Account of the Taxpayer” service and help fill out the declaration on form 3-NDFL.

Consultations are held until November 28. You can contact specialists from 12:00 to 20:00, except for the government service centers in Kommunarka and Moskovsky, which are open from 10:00 to 18:00.

Working hours of mobile tax service offices:

— October 17 — the flagship office of “My Documents” in the Central Administrative District (Afimall City shopping and entertainment center, Presnenskaya Embankment, Building 2 (first floor);

— October 22 and 24 — the flagship office of “My Documents” in the South-West Administrative District (TRC “Spektr”, Novoyasenevsky Prospekt, Building 1 (third floor);

— October 29 and 31 — the flagship office of “My Documents” in the Southern Administrative District (Columbus shopping center, Kirovogradskaya street, building 13a (third floor);

— November 5 and 7 — the flagship office of “My Documents” in the Eastern Administrative District (TC “Shchelkovsky”, Shchelkovskoye Shosse, Building 75 (fourth floor);

— November 12 and 14 — the flagship office of “My Documents” in the South-East Administrative District (TC “Gorod”, Ryazansky Prospekt, Building 2, Building 3 (first floor);

— November 19 and 26 — the flagship office of “My Documents” in the Northern Administrative District (Metropolis shopping center, Leningradskoe shosse, building 16a, building 8 (minus first floor);

— November 26 and 28 — the flagship office of “My Documents” in the North-West Administrative Okrug (Kaleidoscope shopping center, Skhodnenskaya street, building 56 (fourth floor);

— November 18 — the Kommunarka district government services center (Aleksandry Monakhovoy Street, building 23);

— November 20 — Moskovsky government services center (Filimonkovsky district, Moskovsky, 3rd microdistrict, building 21).

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145221073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Unnecessary things for recycling: the information project “Ekotochki Moskvy” has opened in the capital

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

A new environmental project has been launched on the mos.ru portal “Ecopoints of Moscow”, aimed at developing a separate waste collection system. Its main goals are to popularize eco-habits and create a convenient map of collection points for unwanted items, where city residents can easily find the nearest collection point for different types of secondary raw materials.

The Moscow government helps businesses that strive to reduce waste generation and involve them in secondary circulation. Stolichny Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection acts as an aggregator of the partner network of collection points, confirms the transfer of recyclable materials for further useful use and provides partners with places to open new collection points. The project partners are responsible for these sites.

The map now contains addresses more than 200 collection points clothing, textiles and accessories with a detailed description of their location, work schedule and other necessary information. It is planned to constantly increase the number of eco-points and expand the list of collected recyclable materials. In particular, the next points on the map will be collection points for car tires, and then batteries.

“Proper disposal of things that have served their time is an important step towards creating an environmentally friendly metropolis. We strive to make this practice accessible and understandable to all city residents. By participating in the “Ecopoints of Moscow” project, each of us gets the opportunity to make a significant contribution to preserving the environment. In the new project, the Moscow Government will provide maximum support to organizations that are ready to ensure proper handling of all types of secondary raw materials,” said

Yulia Urozhaeva, head of the capital’s Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection.

All eco-points participating in the project have a special sign with a QR code for easy access to the page, which provides detailed information on separate collection and collection points. All collected unnecessary items will be sent for recycling, charity or sale to specialized stores, which will help support social and environmental programs and help develop clothing recycling infrastructure throughout Russia.

Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs with a transparent system for collecting and recycling recyclable materials can join the Moscow Ecopoints.

Which organizations have already joined the project?

The Vtoroe Dykhanie (Second Breath) charity fund collects unwanted clothing through its own containers, partner stores, and home removal services. There are over 700 collection points in Russia, over 300 of which are in Moscow. Every month, the fund collects over 120 tons of clothing, which is sorted. Items in good condition are sent to charity and sold to second-hand stores, and the rest are recycled into rags and regenerated fiber.

The autonomous non-profit organization Ecosystem is implementing the project “It’s easy to hand over things”. More than 70 containers have been installed in the capital, and the Ecotaxi service is also available for taking things out of the house. You can hand over clothes, shoes, accessories, toys and dishes. Every month, the organization collects and sorts up to 50 tons of things. Things in good condition are sent to charity or for sale, and those unsuitable for use are sent for recycling.

The “Grateful Wardrobe” project is a social eco-project implemented by the charity foundation “S Miru po nitke” and OOO “Ekotekstil”. There are more than 100 containers in Moscow, and there is also a service for address removal. The project collects 45-60 tons of clothes every month, which are sorted in a warehouse in the Moscow region. Clothes in good condition are donated to charity or sold to second-hand stores. Unusable items are sent for recycling or used to produce RDF fuel.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145287073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q3 2024

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Nokia Corporation
Interim Report
17 October 2024 at 08:00 EEST

Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q3 2024

Strong gross margin improvement amidst ongoing market weakness

Q3 net sales declined 7% y-o-y in constant currency (-8% reported) as growth in Network Infrastructure and Nokia Technologies was offset by decline in Mobile Networks primarily in India and a divestment in Cloud and Network Services.
Order intake remained strong in Network Infrastructure, while the sales recovery continues to be slower than expected.
Comparable gross margin in Q3 increased by 490bps y-o-y to 45.7% (reported increased 500bps to 45.2%), with improvements across business groups, particularly in Mobile Networks.
Q3 comparable operating margin increased 160bps y-o-y to 10.5% (reported up 70bps to 5.7%), mainly due to higher gross margin, continued cost control and a benefit from the reversal of loss allowances for certain trade receivables.
Q3 comparable diluted EPS for the period of EUR 0.06; reported diluted EPS for the period of EUR 0.03.
Q3 free cash flow of EUR 0.6 billion, net cash balance EUR 5.5 billion.
Continued to make significant progress with cost savings program, EUR 500 million run-rate of gross savings actioned.
Nokia’s full year 2024 outlook is unchanged. Nokia currently expects comparable operating profit of between EUR 2.3 billion and 2.9 billion and free cash flow conversion from comparable operating profit of between 30% and 60%.

This is a summary of the Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q3 2024 published today. Nokia only publishes a summary of its financial reports in stock exchange releases. The summary focuses on Nokia Group’s financial information as well as on Nokia’s outlook. The detailed, segment-level discussion will be available in the complete financial report hosted at http://www.nokia.com/financials. A video interview summarizing the key points of our Q3 results will also be published on the website. Investors should not solely rely on summaries of Nokia’s financial reports and should also review the complete reports with tables.

PEKKA LUNDMARK, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ON Q3 2024 RESULTS

As I reflect on our performance in the third quarter, I am optimistic we are now turning the corner in many parts of our business, even if some continue to experience market weakness. Among the key highlights was a return to net sales growth in Network Infrastructure with Fixed Networks growing 9% in constant currency and IP Networks growing 6%. Order intake in Network Infrastructure continued to be robust with strong year-on-year growth and a growing order backlog. Additionally, we delivered a significant improvement in our gross margin at the group level and cash generation remained strong with EUR 621 million free cash flow in the quarter.

There are reasons for optimism across our portfolio. We expect a significant acceleration in growth in Q4 in Network Infrastructure and see a number of structural demand trends supporting our future growth. In Mobile Networks, although market dynamics are more challenging, we have secured several important deals in the quarter, remain confident in our competitive position and are improving our gross margin. In Cloud and Network Services we are seeing excellent momentum in 5G Core along with strong progress in network automation, cloudification and enabling network APIs. Nokia Technologies continues to benefit from greater stability following the conclusion of its smart-phone renewal cycle and is making good progress expanding into the new growth areas.

Across Nokia we are investing to create new growth opportunities outside of our traditional communications service provider market. We see a significant opportunity to expand our presence in the data center market and are investing to broaden our product portfolio in IP Networks to better address this. Our pending acquisition of Infinera will also bolster our Optical Networks exposure to this market and accelerate our growth opportunities. Additionally, we see a compelling new long-term opportunity in bringing 5G technology to the defense market and we continue to invest in private wireless networks where we are the clear market leader.

Regarding our financial performance in Q3, our net sales declined by 7% in the quarter in constant currency. Three quarters of the decline was driven by India due to a strong year-ago quarter. Importantly we delivered a significant improvement in comparable gross margin which expanded 490 basis points from the year-ago period to reach 45.7%. This was driven by a combination of improved product mix, regional mix and actions to reduce product cost. Despite continued intense competition, we remain disciplined on price while still winning deals as we remain focused on improving the profitability of our business. We also progressed our cost reduction efforts contributing to a solid improvement of 160 basis points in our comparable operating margin on a year-on-year basis.

Regarding full year 2024, our comparable operating profit outlook remains EUR 2.3 to 2.9 billion and we are currently tracking within the bottom-half of the range. The net sales recovery is happening slower than we expected previously, however, this is being partially offset by an improving gross margin and quick action on cost. We expect to be at the high end of our free cash flow target of 30% to 60% conversion from comparable operating profit.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

EUR million (except for EPS in EUR)	Q3’24	Q3’23	YoY change	Constant currency YoY change	Q1-Q3’24	Q1-Q3’23	YoY change	Constant currency YoY change
Reported results
Net sales	4 326	4 709	(8)%	(7)%	13 236	15 722	(16)%	(15)%
Gross margin %	45.2%	40.2%	500bps		46.1%	39.4%	670bps
Research and development expenses	(1 116)	(1 067)	5%		(3 376)	(3 197)	6%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(692)	(697)	(1)%		(2 101)	(2 104)	0%
Operating profit	246	237	4%		1 082	1 127	(4)%
Operating margin %	5.7%	5.0%	70bps		8.2%	7.2%	100bps
Profit from continuing operations	145	130	12%		965	700	38%
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations	31	3	933%		(494)	11
Profit for the period	175	133	32%		471	711	(34)%
EPS for the period, diluted	0.03	0.02	50%		0.08	0.13	(38)%
Net cash and interest-bearing financial investments	5 460	2 960	84%		5 460	2 960	84%
Comparable results
Net sales	4 326	4 709	(8)%	(7)%	13 236	15 722	(16)%	(15)%
Gross margin %	45.7%	40.8%	490bps		47.0%	39.9%	710bps
Research and development expenses	(1 029)	(1 024)	0%		(3 169)	(3 119)	2%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(591)	(594)	(1)%		(1 785)	(1 833)	(3)%
Operating profit	454	418	9%		1 477	1 507	(2)%
Operating margin %	10.5%	8.9%	160bps		11.2%	9.6%	160bps
Profit for the period	358	293	22%		1 198	1 035	16%
EPS for the period, diluted	0.06	0.05	20%		0.21	0.18	17%
ROIC⁽¹⁾	10.4%	11.9%	(150)bps		10.4%	11.9%	(150)bps

¹ Comparable ROIC = Comparable operating profit after tax, last four quarters / invested capital, average of last five quarters’ ending balances. Refer to the Alternative performance measures section in Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q3 2024 for details.

Business group results	Network Infrastructure		Mobile Networks		Cloud and Network Services		Nokia Technologies		Group Common and Other
EUR million	Q3’24	Q3’23	Q3’24	Q3’23	Q3’24	Q3’23	Q3’24	Q3’23	Q3’24	Q3’23
Net sales	1 525	1 534	1 747	2 157	702	742	352	258	3	22
YoY change	(1)%		(19)%		(5)%		36%		(86)%
Constant currency YoY change	1%		(17)%		(4)%		35%		(86)%
Gross margin %	42.1%	40.5%	39.8%	34.8%	40.9%	39.1%	100.0%	100.0%
Operating profit/(loss)	180	165	92	99	65	36	242	181	(126)	(62)
Operating margin %	11.8%	10.8%	5.3%	4.6%	9.3%	4.9%	68.8%	70.2%

SHAREHOLDER DISTRIBUTION

Dividend

Under the authorization by the Annual General Meeting held on 3 April 2024, the Board of Directors may resolve on the distribution of an aggregate maximum of EUR 0.13 per share to be paid in respect of financial year 2023. The authorization will be used to distribute dividend and/or assets from the reserve for invested unrestricted equity in four installments during the authorization period, in connection with the quarterly results, unless the Board decides otherwise for a justified reason.

On 17 October 2024, the Board resolved to distribute a dividend of EUR 0.03 per share. The dividend record date is 22 October 2024 and the dividend will be paid on 31 October 2024. The actual dividend payment date outside Finland will be determined by the practices of the intermediary banks transferring the dividend payments.

Following this announced distribution, the Board’s remaining distribution authorization is a maximum of EUR 0.03 per share.

Share buyback program

In January 2024, Nokia’s Board of Directors initiated a share buyback program to repurchase shares to return up to EUR 600 million of cash to shareholders in tranches over a period of two years. The share buyback execution started on 20 March 2024. On 19 July 2024, Nokia’s Board of Directors decided to accelerate the timeframe for the share buyback program with the aim of completing the full EUR 600 million program by the end of this year instead of the initial two year timeframe.

On 27 June 2024, Nokia announced its intention to acquire Infinera in a transaction that valued Infinera at US$1.7 billion equity value with up to 30% of the consideration to be paid in Nokia American depositary shares (“ADSs”), depending on the elections of Infinera shareholders. Nokia’s Board of Directors is committed to repurchase additional shares on top of the on-going EUR 600 million program to offset the dilution from the transaction to Nokia shareholders.

Under the share buyback program, by 30 September 2024, Nokia had repurchased 84 295 899 of its own shares at an average price per share of approximately EUR 3.48.

OUTLOOK

	Full Year 2024
Comparable operating profit⁽¹⁾	EUR 2.3 billion to EUR 2.9 billion
Free cash flow⁽¹⁾	30% to 60% conversion from comparable operating profit

¹Please refer to Alternative performance measures section in Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q3 2024 for a full explanation of how these terms are defined.

The outlook, long-term targets and all of the underlying outlook assumptions described below are forward-looking statements subject to a number of risks and uncertainties as described or referred to in the Risk Factors section later in this release. Along with Nokia’s official outlook targets provided above, below are outlook assumptions by business group that support the group level outlook.

	Nokia business group assumptions (full year 2024)
	Net sales growth (constant currency)	Operating margin
Network Infrastructure	-6% to -3% (update)	10.0% to 12.0% (update)
Mobile Networks	-22% to -19% (update)	5.0% to 7.0% (update)
Cloud and Network Services	-7% to -4% (update)	6.0% to 8.0% (update)

Nokia provides the following approximate outlook assumptions for additional items concerning 2024:

	Full year 2024	Comment
Nokia Technologies operating profit	at least EUR 1.4 billion	Nokia expects cash generation in Nokia Technologies to be EUR 700 million below operating profit in 2024 due to prepayments received in 2023. From 2025 onwards Nokia expects greater alignment between cash generation and operating profit in Nokia Technologies.
Group Common and Other operating expenses	EUR 350 million	This includes central function costs which are expected to be largely stable at approximately EUR 200 million and an increase in investment in long-term research to approximately EUR 150 million.
Comparable financial income and expenses	Positive EUR 75 to EUR 125 million
Comparable income tax rate	~25%
Cash outflows related to income taxes	EUR 450 million
Capital Expenditures	EUR 450 million (update)

2026 TARGETS

Nokia’s current targets for its existing perimeter of the business for 2026 are outlined below. This does not consider pending acquisitions. The Network Infrastructure operating margin assumption below considers Submarine Networks being treated as a discontinued operation. Nokia sees further opportunities to increase margins beyond 2026 and believes an operating margin of 14% remains achievable over the longer term. Net sales	Grow faster than the market
Comparable operating margin⁽¹⁾	≥ 13%
Free cash flow⁽¹⁾	55% to 85% conversion from comparable operating profit

¹ Please refer to Alternative performance measures section in Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q3 2024 for a full explanation of how these terms are defined.

The comparable operating margin target for Nokia group is built on the following assumptions by business group for 2026:

Network Infrastructure	13 – 16% operating margin
Mobile Networks	6 – 9% operating margin
Cloud and Network Services	7 – 10% operating margin
Nokia Technologies	Operating profit more than EUR 1.1 billion
Group common and other	Approximately EUR 300 million of operating expenses

RISK FACTORS

Nokia and its businesses are exposed to a number of risks and uncertainties which include but are not limited to:

Competitive intensity, which is expected to continue at a high level as some competitors seek to take share;
Changes in customer network investments related to their ability to monetize the network;
Our ability to ensure competitiveness of our product roadmaps and costs through additional R&D investments;
Our ability to procure certain standard components and the costs thereof, such as semiconductors;
Disturbance in the global supply chain;
Impact of inflation, increased global macro-uncertainty, major currency fluctuations and higher interest rates;
Potential economic impact and disruption of global pandemics;
War or other geopolitical conflicts, disruptions and potential costs thereof;
Other macroeconomic, industry and competitive developments;
Timing and value of new, renewed and existing patent licensing agreements with licensees;
Results in brand and technology licensing; costs to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights; on-going litigation with respect to licensing and regulatory landscape for patent licensing;
The outcomes of on-going and potential disputes and litigation;
Our ability to execute, complete and realize the expected benefits from our ongoing transactions;
Timing of completions and acceptances of certain projects;
Our product and regional mix;
Uncertainty in forecasting income tax expenses and cash outflows, over the long-term, as they are also subject to possible changes due to business mix, the timing of patent licensing cash flow and changes in tax legislation, including potential tax reforms in various countries and OECD initiatives;
Our ability to utilize our Finnish deferred tax assets and their recognition on our balance sheet;
Our ability to meet our sustainability and other ESG targets, including our targets relating to greenhouse gas emissions;as well the risk factors specified under Forward-looking statements of this release, and our 2023 annual report on Form 20-F published on 29 February 2024 under Operating and financial review and prospects-Risk factors.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect Nokia’s current expectations and views of future developments and include statements regarding: A) expectations, plans, benefits or outlook related to our strategies, projects, programs, product launches, growth management, licenses, sustainability and other ESG targets, operational key performance indicators and decisions on market exits; B) expectations, plans or benefits related to future performance of our businesses (including the expected impact, timing and duration of potential global pandemics, geopolitical conflicts and the general or regional macroeconomic conditions on our businesses, our supply chain, the timing of market changes or turning points in demand and our customers’ businesses) and any future dividends and other distributions of profit; C) expectations and targets regarding financial performance and results of operations, including market share, prices, net sales, income, margins, cash flows, cost savings, the timing of receivables, operating expenses, provisions, impairments, taxes, currency exchange rates, hedging, investment funds, inflation, product cost reductions, competitiveness, revenue generation in any specific region, and licensing income and payments; D) ability to execute, expectations, plans or benefits related to our ongoing transactions and changes in organizational structure and operating model; E) impact on revenue with respect to litigation/renewal discussions; and F) any statements preceded by or including “continue”, “believe”, “envisage”, “expect”, “aim”, “will”, “target”, “may”, “would”, “see”, “plan” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from such statements. These statements are based on management’s best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to them. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and views of future events and developments and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause these differences, include those risks and uncertainties identified in the Risk Factors above.

ANALYST WEBCAST

Nokia’s webcast will begin on 17 October 2024 at 11.30 a.m. Finnish time (EEST). The webcast will last approximately 60 minutes.
The webcast will be a presentation followed by a Q&A session. Presentation slides will be available for download at http://www.nokia.com/financials.
A link to the webcast will be available at http://www.nokia.com/financials.
Media representatives can listen in via the link, or alternatively call +1-412-317-5619.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

• Nokia plans to publish its fourth quarter and full year 2024 results on 30 January 2025.

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Inquiries:

Nokia
Communications
Phone: +358 10 448 4900
Email:press.services@nokia.com
Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

Nokia
Investor Relations
Phone: +358 4080 3 4080
Email:investor.relations@nokia.com

Attachment

2024_ Q3 Nokia_ Earnings_release_English

The MIL Network –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI: LHV Group Financial Calendar for 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

AS LHV Group has decided the company’s Financial Calendar for the 2025 financial year.

In 2025 LHV Group plans to disclose information and organise the Annual General Meeting of shareholders according to the following schedule:

11.02.2025	Q4 2024 and unaudited full year results
13.02.2025	Disclosure of Financial Plan
18.02.2025	January results
04.03.2025	Audited results for 2024
12.03.2025	February results
26.03.2025	Annual General Meeting
08.04.2025	Ex-dividend date (ex-date)
22.04.2025	Q1 interim results
13.05.2025	April results
17.06.2025	May results
22.07.2025	Q2 interim results
12.08.2025	July results
16.09.2025	August results
21.10.2025	Q3 interim results
18.11.2025	October results
16.12.2025	November results

LHV Group is the largest domestic financial group and capital provider in Estonia. The LHV Group’s key subsidiaries are LHV Pank, LHV Varahaldus, LHV Kindlustus, and LHV Bank Limited. The Group employs over 1,100 people. As at the end of August, LHV’s banking services are used by 441,000 clients, the pension funds managed by LHV have 118,000 active clients, and LHV Kindlustus protects a total of 168,000 clients. LHV Bank Limited, a subsidiary of the Group, holds a banking licence in the United Kingdom and provides banking services to international financial technology companies, as well as loans to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Priit Rum
Communication Manager
Phone: +372 502 0786
Email: priit.rum@lhv.ee

The MIL Network –

January 23, 2025

MIL-OSI China: Chinese automakers push forward with growth plans

Source: China State Council Information Office

People visit the pavilion of Chinese carmaker BYD at the 2024 Paris Motor Show during the media day in Paris, France, Oct. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese automakers are pushing forward with their development plans despite protectionist tariff threats from the European Union.

Nine leading Chinese brands, including BYD, Xpeng, and Leapmotor, showcased new electric vehicle (EV) models at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, highlighting their technological advancements and determination to grow.

Among the key unveilings was Leapmotor’s global debut of its B10 model, a compact electric SUV that will be manufactured in Poland for European consumers.

Zhu Jiangming, founder of Leapmotor, outlined the B10’s advanced features, which include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, a customizable digital cockpit, and intelligent driving capabilities. He also noted the company’s collaboration with the Stellantis team for chassis tuning, aiming to meet the preferences of younger consumers seeking innovation and quality.

“The debut highlights Leapmotor’s rapid growth in Europe, with over 200 dealers already established across 13 markets, aiming to reach 500 sales points by 2025,” Leapmotor revealed.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares commended Leapmotor’s rapid growth and its in-house R&D capabilities, highlighting that the Leapmotor joint venture will promote affordable EVs globally and reshape Europe’s EV market.

China’s Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co., Ltd. showcased four new energy vehicles: the flagship luxury Forthing V9 MPV, the pure electric sedan Forthing S7, the pure-electric SUV Friday and the hybrid MPV U-Tour.

General Manager Lin Changbo emphasized the company’s portfolio of over 21,000 active patents, highlighting the commitment to enhancing global competitiveness and fostering collaboration with industry partners.

Xpeng Motors introduced its AI-powered P7+ sedan, which it described as the “world’s first AI car.”

Currently, the automotive industry is benefiting from two major advantages: intelligence and electrification, He Xiaopeng, chairman and CEO of Xpeng, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

He stressed that as a member of China’s emerging car manufacturing forces, the company will continue to invest in R&D and deliver innovative intelligent technology to the European market.

BYD unveiled its mid-sized electric SUV, the Sealion 7, and introduced its luxury Yangwang U8 SUV to the French market. Executive Vice President Li Ke told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper that the company plans to start vehicle production in Hungary by late 2025, further cementing its position as a major Chinese player in Europe’s EV market.

MIL OSI China News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Viridien Announces its Q3 Financial Results on Thursday 31st October 2024, after Market Close
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Paris, France – October 17th, 2024

Viridien, formerly CGG, will announce its third quarter 2024 financial results on Thursday, October 31^st, after market close.
- The press release and the presentation will be made available on our website http://www.viridiengroup.com at 5:45 pm (CET)
- An English language analysts conference call is scheduled the same day at 6.00 pm (CET)
Participants should register for the call here to receive a dial-in number and code or participate in the live webcast from here.

A replay of the conference call will be made available the day after for a period of 12 months in audio format on the Company’s website http://www.viridiengroup.com.

About Viridien (formerly CGG):

Viridien (http://www.viridiengroup.com) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resource, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Viridien employs around 3,500 people worldwide and is listed as VIRI on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: FR001400PVN6).

Contacts

Attachment
- Viridien Announces its Q3 Financial Results on Thursday 31st October
The MIL Network –
January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Unable to get its cosmetics plant project financed, Global Bioenergies is now focusing all its efforts on SAF opportunities
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

PRESS RELEASE

Unable to get its cosmetics plant project financed, Global Bioenergies is now focusing all its efforts on SAF opportunities

Evry, 17 October 2024 – 07:30 a.m.: After several months of efforts, the Company has been unable to find investors for its 2,500-ton plant dedicated to the cosmetics market, in a highly unfavorable context for the financing of first-of-a-kind projects. The Company is now devoting all its energy to applying its technology to the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (“SAF”), with a model of industrial partnerships.

Samuel Dubruque, Chief Financial Officer of Global Bioenergies, commented: “Despite all our efforts over the last few months, and with the conviction that we have presented the most mature case possible, we are now coming to the conclusion that our plant project will not reach final investment decision. Like all first-of-a-kinds, this project necessarily involves risks at various levels. The prospect of a significant return on investment linked to the cosmetics market should have been a sufficient counterbalance, allowing us to convince private investors to commit to the project, but we must realize that this is not the case in the current political, economic and financial context. Today, infrastructure investors limit themselves to less risky industrial replica projects¹, and to projects more directly focused on energy markets.”

Marc Delcourt, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, added: “Global Bioenergies regrets that this project is not moving forward, and draws the necessary conclusions: the Company will therefore not be carrying out any plant projects of its own in the short or medium term, and will be focusing all its efforts on a partnership model. The intrinsic value of the process developed by Global Bioenergies is not diminished by the non-realization of this first industrial project designed to meet the needs of the niche cosmetics market. Our main ambition remains to produce much larger volumes of SAF, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation sector and fight global warming, now an absolute priority. To achieve this, the technology partnership approach is the most appropriate.”

As a reminder, the Company’s process is one of only a dozen solutions to have obtained ASTM certification. The SAF market is currently in the start-up phase, and will really accelerate in 2030, when the European mandate increases to 6% (i.e. around 3 million tons/year) and production in the United States reaches the “Grand Challenge” target of 3 billion gallons per year (i.e. 9 million tons/year)². The Company still aims to contribute to achieving these 2030 objectives on both sides of the Atlantic. Alongside this future large-scale SAF production, the Company intends to continue serving niche markets, in particular cosmetics.

About GLOBAL BIOENERGIES

As a committed player in the fight against global warming, Global Bioenergies has developed a unique process to produce SAF and e-SAF from renewable resources, thereby meeting the challenges of decarbonising air transport. Its technology is one of the very few solutions already certified by ASTM. Its products also meet the high standards of the cosmetics industry, and L’Oréal is its largest shareholder with a 13.5% stake. Global Bioenergies is listed on Euronext Growth in Paris (FR0011052257 – ALGBE).

Contacts

1 Réussir le passage à l’échelle des cleantech en France (website-files.com) – Cleantech for France (in French
2 Sustainable Aviation Fuel Market Outlook – June 2024, SkyNRG

Attachment
- Global Bioenergies_Unable to get its cosmetics plant project financed Global Bioenergies is now focusing all its efforts on SAF opportunities_EN
The MIL Network –
January 23, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Loss of an idol: response to Liam Payne’s death highlights the power of childhood and music

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liz Giuffre, Senior Lecturer in Communication, University of Technology Sydney

Former One Direction band member and solo artist Liam Payne has been found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires, media reports have confirmed. Payne was just 31 years old – a loved friend and father.

Alongside his former One Direction band mates Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, Payne had a huge influence on popular culture in his home country of the United Kingdom and internationally.

The group formed in 2010 on the British talent show X Factor and stayed together for about five years before officially splitting in 2016. Throughout this time, Payne remained a valuable member of the band and a clear talent in his own right.

Although each member auditioned seperately, they were eventually hand-picked by Simon Cowell to form a group.

After the split (and a brief hiatus from music-making), Payne continued to release music periodically as both a songwriter and collaborator. He most recently released the single Teardrops in March, ahead of an anticipated second solo album.

News of Payne’s death has led to an outpouring of tributes. Like many young people thrust into stardom seemingly overnight, his life wasn’t without controversy. But the response to his death by fans and industry colleagues alike is proof of the impact he had.

The making of a pop supergroup

While One Direction may have not been together for as long as other globally successful acts, their influence far exceeded bands that have been together for decades. They released five studio records – and broke many more, including six Guinness World Records. And even though they didn’t make it to their 10th anniversary together, they had still sold some 70 million records by 2020.

In the years since the split, fans continued to gather, listen and celebrate – with the most recent anniversary (14 years) seeing fan-led events held in Australia and the rest of the world.

It’s easy to dismiss pop music and its influence, especially in the face of what feel like increasingly dire global circumstances. But pop, like many other forms of entertainment, provides a practical way for people to gain momentary pleasure and comfort.

It also provides connection with others – and relief from politics and other daily pressures. For example, one of One Direction’s biggest hits, That’s What Makes You Beautiful, sought to empower young people who might otherwise be overwhelmed by negative messaging.

Within a year of their debut, the group was met with massive crowds of fans almost everywhere they want.

One Direction has been compared to The Beatles in terms of their influence on young people – and female and queer fans in particular.

The impact on fans when their idol dies

The loss of life, especially a young person’s life, is always a tragedy.

For some young fans, this might be the first person they “know” who has died. While it may not be the same as losing a family member or close friend, the feeling of loss is significant. Young fans will need support. And in 2024, many will find this support through social platforms and online forums.

I still remember the impact the deaths of stars such as Kurt Cobain and Jeff Buckley had on people like me who were teenagers in the 1990s. These were artists I admired and listened to – and whose art I relied on during times of pleasure and pain.

A similar pang was felt when artists such as George Michael, Aretha Franklin and David Bowie died, albeit later in my life and theirs.

The experience of losing a music idol is in many ways a universal one. People whose art we attach to our own life experiences become inseparable from our lives. And when they die, it can feel like those experiences are over too.

After news of Payne’s death broke, hundreds of fans took to the streets of Palermo in Buenos Aires, where Payne had been visiting. They held a vigil, cried and consoled one another in front of the Casa Sur hotel where Payne had been staying.

One fan, 25-year-old Yamila Zacarias, probably spoke for many when she said:

He meant a lot to me because the band came into my life at this time when you’re trying to be a part of something, and being a One Direction fan became that something for me.

Lifelong fandom and memories

There’s a stereotype of “fans” as hordes of screaming girls, which can really take away from the depth of fandom.

Anyone at any stage of life can be a fan of just about anything. And the best thing about fandom is that it can, and often does, allow lots of different types of people an outlet for connection throughout their lives.

Many fans have left comments on old music videos.
YouTube/screenshot

The death of US actress Betty White in 2021, as sad as it was, brought people across generations and walks of life together. And not just those who knew her personally, but those who had connected with each other through their love of her work. It reminded me of my own family, including my Nan and Dad, now gone, and the laughs we’d share as we watched her.

As more details and tributes to Payne’s life and death emerge, the fans will have each other to lean on. If you yourself know someone who is a fan of Payne or One Direction, even reaching out to just acknowledge that person’s grief and experience is important. It says to them, “what you love is valid, and so are you”.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Liz Giuffre 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. Loss of an idol: response to Liam Payne’s death highlights the power of childhood and music – https://theconversation.com/loss-of-an-idol-response-to-liam-paynes-death-highlights-the-power-of-childhood-and-music-241554

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study looking at Ozempic as treatment for opioid and alcohol addiction

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

October 17, 2024

A study published in Addiction looks at the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (Ozempic) for opioid and alcohol addiction.

Prof Matt Field, Professor of Psychology, University of Sheffield, said:

“This study suggests that patients with heroin or alcohol addiction who are prescribed Ozempic (typically for diabetes or obesity) are less likely to be hospitalized for heroin overdose or alcohol intoxication, respectively. The findings add to those from other studies, particularly animal research, which suggest that this and similar drugs might one day be prescribed to help people with addiction.

“A note of caution is that the outcomes are very extreme instances of substance intoxication. Those outcomes are very different from the outcomes used when researchers test new treatments for addiction, in which case we might look at whether the treatment helps people to stop taking the substance altogether (complete abstinence), or if it helps people to reduce the amount of substance they consume, or how often they consume it. Those things could not be measured in this study. This leaves open the possibility that while Ozempic may (for reasons currently unknown) prevent people from taking so much alcohol or heroin that they overdose and end up in hospital, it may not actually help them to reduce their substance use, or to abstain altogether. Indeed, one of the trials referred to in the paper (Klausen et al., 2022) reported that a similar medication “did not reduce the number of heavy drinking days compared with placebo”.”

‘The Association Between Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide and/or Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Prescriptions and Substance-Related Outcomes in Patients with Opioid and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Real-World Data Analysis’ by Qeadan F, et al. was published in Addiction at 06:01 UK time on Thursday 17th October.

DOI: 10.1111/add.16679

Declared interests:

Prof Matt Field: “I have no conflicts of interest to declare.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Commuter trains will start running on winter schedule from October 27

MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

From October 27, trains of the Central Suburban Passenger Company (CPPK) will switch to the winter schedule. The changes will affect the Paveletsky, Savelovsky, Kazansky, Kaluzhsky and Nizhny Novgorod directions, as well as the Big Ring of the Moscow Railway.

The schedule adjustment is traditionally carried out jointly with the Moscow Railway twice a year. This is due to the beginning and end of the dacha season. In the spring, passengers often go out of town, and in the fall, the demand for such trips decreases, so for the autumn-winter period, “dacha” trains will be temporarily removed from the schedule.

Paveletsky direction and the Big Ring of Moscow Railway

On the Paveletsky direction and the Big Ring of the Moscow Railway, the following trains will be cancelled:

— No. 6991 and 6993 Paveletsky Station – Yaganovo;

— No. 6992 and 6994 Yaganovo — Paveletsky Station;

– No. 6875/6975 Bekasovo-1 – Detkovo – Mikhnevo;

— No. 6393 Paveletsky railway station — Mikhnevo;

— No. 6394 Mikhnevo — Paveletsky Station;

— No. 6181 Paveletsky Station – Kashira;

— No. 6182 Kashira — Paveletsky Station.

On weekends, other trains will run there:

— No. 6391 Paveletsky railway station — Mikhnevo;

— No. 6392 Mikhnevo — Paveletsky Station;

– No. 6904 Yaganovo – Mikhnevo;

– No. 6873/6973 Bekasovo-1 – Detkovo – Yaganovo;

— No. 6683 Paveletsky Station – Domodedovo;

— No. 6682 Domodedovo — Paveletsky Station.

Savelovskoye and Kazanskoye directions

Three weekend electric trains will be cancelled on the Savelovsky direction: trains No. 6354v Savelovsky Station – Savelovo, No. 6363v Savelovo – Savelovsky Station and No. 6921v Lobnya – Savelovsky Station.

On the Kazan direction, two trains will be cancelled on weekends: electric trains No. 6016v Golutvin — Ryazan-1 and No. 6007v Ryazan-1 — Golutvin. On Sundays, electric trains No. 6366v Voskresensk — Yegoryevsk-2 and No. 6365v Yegoryevsk-2 — Voskresensk will not run. On Saturdays, starting November 2, trains No. 7193v Kurovskaya — Kazansky Station, No. 7194v Kazansky Station — Cherusti and No. 7687 Cherusti — Kurovskaya will be removed from the schedule.

In addition, train #7051 from Ryazan-2 to Kazansky Station, which runs on Sundays, has been cancelled since October 6. New routes #6009 Ryazan-1 to Rybnoye and #6018 Rybnoye to Ryazan-1 have been organized on the Kazan direction on weekends.

Kaluga and Nizhny Novgorod directions

On the Kaluga and Nizhny Novgorod directions, weekend trains No. 6383 Kyiv Station – Maloyaroslavets, No. 6384 Maloyaroslavets – Kyiv Station, No. 6773 and 6775 Ferzikovo – Kaluga-1, as well as No. 6772 and 6776 Kaluga-1 – Ferzikovo will be removed from the schedule. At the same time, six-car electric trains No. 6157/6158 and 6107/6108 Kyiv Station – Kaluga-1 will be assigned daily.

Since September 28, trains No. 7083/7084 Ploshchad Trekh Vokzalov — Vladimir, No. 7703/7704 Vladimir — Ploshchad Trekh Vokzalov and No. 7103/7104 Zheleznodorozhnaya — Ploshchad Trekh Vokzalov, which ran on Saturdays, have been cancelled.

You can check the train schedule on the official website the transport company and in the mobile application “TsPPK schedule and tickets”.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145316073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Asian Development Bank and Kazakhstan: Fact Sheet

Source: Asia Development Bank

As of 31 December 2023, ADB has committed 131 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $6 billion to Kazakhstan. ADB’s current sovereign portfolio in Kazakhstan includes 3 loans worth $452.2 million. In addition, ADB has committed $865 million nonsovereign financing for 38 transactions.

Updated yearly, this ADB Fact Sheet provides concise information on ADB’s operations in the country and contact information.

MIL OSI Economics –

January 23, 2025

Category: Europe

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Paveletsky direction and the Big Ring of Moscow Railway

Savelovskoye and Kazanskoye directions

Kaluga and Nizhny Novgorod directions