NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Innovation@Leeds funding aims to provide launchpad for future business success

    Source: City of Leeds

    Funding has been confirmed for seven projects that will provide support to business trailblazers in Leeds and strengthen the city’s reputation as an innovation hotspot.

    Leeds City Council’s Innovation@Leeds programme recently invited grant applications from organisations that were ready, willing and able to use their expertise to turbocharge the development of a new wave of digital and tech-savvy companies.

    A total of 40 applications were received, with the seven successful bidders – chosen by the council following a competitive selection process – each receiving a grant of up to £25,000.

    They will now use the funding to run a range of knowledge-sharing events and mentoring programmes aimed at people from diverse communities and backgrounds who want to launch or further develop their own innovation-led businesses.

    This work will, it is anticipated, help the participants build the kind of skills and contacts that will prove crucial as they look to carve out their own niche in fields such as artificial intelligence or health and financial tech.

    In the longer term, it is hoped their businesses will go on to deliver cutting-edge products, processes and services that make Leeds a healthier and greener place to live.

    The grants are also designed to benefit the Leeds economy by driving inclusive growth while showcasing the city’s innovation strengths to outside investors.

    The initiatives that have been chosen to receive funding are:

    • GreenTech Gathering, four full-day workshops that will provide green technology businesses with expert insight in areas such as investor readiness and brand strategy. The sessions will be delivered with support from madeby.studio, Sustainable Ventures, Bruntwood SciTech and Optimo;
    • A programme of mentoring, workshops and public speaking opportunities – delivered by FinTech North – that will help aspiring entrepreneurs and future business leaders develop their pitching and presenting skills;
    • The Brand Lab, which will see creative design studio Buttercrumble running a series of workshops focused on how tech organisations can connect with target audiences through the use of techniques such as visual storytelling and inclusive communication;
    • Athena VC Elevate, a venture capital-focused programme – being run by Lifted Ventures – that will aim to give business founders the tools and knowledge they need to achieve rapid growth and long-term success;
    • A programme of business support – including grant-writing assistance and one-to-one mentoring – delivered by Quick Labs, a science innovation hub that provides affordable, fully-equipped laboratory space for early-stage tech start-ups;
    • Global Innovators, a project designed to help innovative businesses better understand – and realise – their international growth potential. The programme will be delivered by Creaticity, Synhrgy and Investor Ladder;
    • AI 360 Leeds, an AI Tech UK business support programme that will give start-ups, entrepreneurs and others the chance to find out more about artificial intelligence strategies and how they can be used to power growth.

    Innovation@Leeds was launched by the council in 2021 to try to ensure that opportunities in sectors such as digital are made available to all.

    The programme’s latest grants are being funded through central government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is administered locally by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

    The award of the grants will align with a city-wide vision – co-created by the council with key local partners – for stimulating innovation in a way that has a positive social impact.

    One aspect of that vision is the further development and transformation of the Leeds Innovation Arc, an area on the west side of the city centre that is home to globally-renowned educational, health and cultural establishments as well as an array of start-ups, scale-ups and major businesses.

    Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

    “We are determined, as a council, to play our part in giving people from all backgrounds and communities the opportunity to make the most of their potential.

    “These Innovation@Leeds grants are a great example of how that ambition can be achieved, with the chosen projects set to offer expert insight and guidance to a diverse range of founders, entrepreneurs and thinkers.

    “Their success will be the city’s success, as a productive future for their businesses will have a positive wider impact on Leeds and its economy through the creation of jobs and other opportunities.

    “By sharing knowledge and expertise, the projects also underline how a collaborative approach to working can help our thriving innovation sector reach even greater heights.”

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to EDX medical press release giving topline findings on a new prostate cancer screening test

    Source: United Kingdom – Science Media Centre

    Scientists comment on a press release from EDX that gives findings on a new screening test for prostate cancer. 

    Prof Derek Rosario, Consultant Urological Surgeon, Honorary Professor and Clinical Advisor (Prostate) to the UK National Screening Committee, said:

    “As far as I can tell from the information in the press release from EDX Medical, there have been no prospective clinical studies of this ‘super test’. The test relies on an algorithm to combine information from around 100 previously ‘validated’ biomarkers in blood and urine. To what extent these biomarkers are feeding in additional information and how the algorithm will work in clinical practice has yet to be determined. The most telling statement to me is … “EDX Medical scientists expect the test to consistently deliver exceptionally high accuracy with levels of sensitivity and specificity of between 96-99% across an extended age-range and diverse ethnic groups. By comparison, current standard of care prostate testing, including prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests and biopsies, can be below 50%.EDX Medical’s scientific team will validate further clinical data over coming months prior to seeking regulatory approval from the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a view to launching the test later this year or early 2026.” So, there is an expectation that this test will be effective, but as far as I can tell these claims have not been demonstrated with a clinical study as yet. The test needs to be prospectively validated – I’m not sure whether I have missed the original literature on this, but we need more information than is currently provided by the press release to be able to validate the claims. To what extent this test will outperform something like the Stockholm 3 (a blood test that estimates the risk of prostate cancer in men) remains to be seen. A test that has both a sensitivity and specificity of 96-99% would be truly unusual in clinical practice – usually there is a trade-off to be had between the two, so that statistic does not quite make sense to me, though I would need to see the data underlying these claims to make a final judgement, but it is not yet provided.”

    Professor Ros Eeles, Professor of Oncogenetics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant in Clinical Oncology and Cancer Genetics at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said:

    “The development of new biomarker tests for early detection of prostate cancer is an important area of research to increase the number of prostate cancer cases found at an earlier stage and to prevent deaths from prostate cancer.

    “However, it is very important to show that any new biomarker tests do indeed improve earlier diagnosis and such tests need trials to determine this. While the biomarkers used in this test have been validated, this particular combination of markers has not yet been shown to detect cancer at an earlier stage and prevent deaths.

    “The TRANSFORM trial – led by six researchers including myself – will assess several approaches to earlier detection of prostate cancer in hundreds of thousands of men, including genetic risk stratification, imaging techniques and biomarkers.”

    Prof Freddie Hamdy, Nuffield Professor of Surgery, Professor of Urology, University of Oxford, said:

    “The fact that there is nothing published on the test does not necessarily mean they have not validated it already. They claim: “Individually, these biomarkers have all been clinically validated and published and in previous trials on more than 31,000 positive prostate cancer samples as well as more than 100,000 control non-cancer samples.” So we have to assume that they have already done this, we just don’t know the data and the nature of the cohorts on which the test was validated, and we don’t know if it has been peer-reviewed and I tried to find published literature but couldn’t. They also admit the test needs further validation.

    “They claim both high sensitivity/specificity AND accurate risk prediction. But increasing the diagnosis of prostate cancer in itself is not a desirable achievement unless it detects ‘important’ disease, i.e. clinically significant, and this is where the problem lies. How did they define ‘risk prediction’? Urologists themselves are revisiting what ‘clinical significant’ prostate cancer means. So for example if the ‘bar’ was the detection of any cancer with Gleason Grade Group 2 as the threshold, it is fraught with problems because it will continue to increase over-diagnosis and over-treatment.”

    Press release: https://edxmedical.co.uk/product/a-new-comprehensive-prostate-cancer-screening-test/

    Declared interests

    No reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Madagascar’s WTO Trade Policy Review: UK Statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    UK Statement at Madagascar’s World Trade Organization Trade Policy Review. Delivered on 12 February 2025.

    1. Let me begin by offering a warm welcome to the delegation from Madagascar led by Her Excellency Priscilla Andrianarivo. I thank Madagascar for the significant preparations and work which I know go into a Trade Policy Review and we express our gratitude to colleagues from the WTO Secretariat for their respective reports, and as ever, to our Discussant, Her Excellency Ms Clara Delgado Jesus, for their insightful comments.

    2. Chair, we are grateful for the Reports provided by this Trade Policy Review, which have given us important insights into Madagascar’s own economic efforts, and reforms, over the review period.

    3. As we have heard this morning regarding Madagascar’s aspirations on trade, the Reports highlights the growth in trade Madagascar has seen over the period of review, initially accounting for just under half of GDP to now over two thirds.

    4. We welcome continued efforts to integrate into global supply chains and note that this is key to addressing the severe levels of poverty that are present. The Reports note the importance of Madagascar realising its growth potential through improving the economy and tackling corruption; we look forward to supporting Madagascar to go further and faster on this.

    5. We hope to also see further growth in Foreign Direct Investment; Madagascar’s location and array of resources make it an attractive destination for this and we hope to see the recent reforms to the Mining Code and the introduction of the new Investment Law create even more opportunities here. In this context it would be remiss of me not to mention the opportunities that the International Foodservices Distribution Association (IFDA) could afford here and we encourage Madagascar to consider their participation.

    6. Chair, the UK and Madagascar have a positive and longstanding relationship. As well as being the first official diplomatic partner Madagascar ever had, the UK and the English language has been a consistently trusted and regular feature in Madagascar.  We are particularly pleased to see this relationship marked last November by Lord Collins, FCDO Minister for Africa, meeting with General Ravalomanana.

    7. This was a valuable conversation and we were particularly pleased to hear of the focus on deforestation and the importance of raising awareness on its impact. One of the first things most people picture when thinking of Madagascar is your beautiful landscapes. These initiatives are crucial in preserving Madagascar’s natural environment, ensuring its beauty and biodiversity remain intact for future generations, as well as visitors.

    8. In this conversation we also encouraged Madagascar to interrogate the decline in per capita income since independence in 1960 and promoted the need for national industrialisation to tackle extreme poverty. We discussed economic diversification and the value of new partnerships. We look forward to seeing increased efforts to deliver regulatory reforms and the types of government-backed initiatives that make Madagascar a more accessible and easier-to-navigate option for foreign investors.

    9. Our relationship recently reached another significant milestone with Madagascar entering into our regional Economic Partnership Agreement. This will offer better access to the UK market, stimulate growth through foreign investment and increase development cooperation, which can support infrastructure, natural resources, and environmental projects in Madagascar. We hope this year we can propel our technical engagement in order to see trade between our countries flourish.

    10. There are also some exciting engagements to look forward to. Next week, the International Trade Centre and the UK Trade Partnerships Programme bring together operators in the textile industry to prepare Malagasy enterprises on the new sustainability regulations for UK market and the EU.

    11. I also welcome Madagascar’s efforts to support women in trade and gender equality, in particular its work to meet AfCFTA protocols [the African Continental Free Trade Area]. The UK encourages Madagascar’s engagement in the important work happening here in Geneva too, to which they can make valuable contribution, not least the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, of which my Ambassador co-chairs, along with our esteemed discussant today.

    12. As a member of several negotiation groups at the WTO, such as the G90, the African Group, ACP, the LDC group and the G33, we hope Madagascar continues to make the most of support available to LDC Members. For example, the Enhanced Integrated Framework, providing in-country technical assistance and the Advisory Centre on WTO Law which provides legal support on WTO issues, both of which the UK is very pleased to support.

    13. As we consider participation in activities here in Geneva, and the opportunities, I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage Madagascar to ratify the ‘Fish 1’ agreement, as well as to consider their participation in the e-commerce JI, and on domestic regulation, in addition to the aforementioned IFDA.

    14. Chair, Trade Policy Reviews are an important time of reflection. It is a time to both take stock of successes and to set goals. In this regard, it is positive to hear that the government has expressed willingness to liberalise the market and to attract more investors, notably with the promotion of the Special Economic Zone and the new Investment Law.

    15. We encourage Madagascar to address barriers around monopolies and dominance in certain markets. We look forward to proactive steps to encourage competition, particularly in the telecommunications, vanilla, lychee, and renewables industries.

    16. I’d also like to take this chance to underline the valuable potential for expansion in renewable energy in Madagascar and say that the UK is committed to accelerating the global clean power transition and to work with countries who share our ambitions on this.

    17. Finally, Chair, I wanted to end with a few words of Malagasy wisdom, from the epic poem Ibonia: “So long as this tree is green and healthy, I will be all right”. Cultivating an economy aligned with the international rules-based order of which the WTO is part of will mean not just Madagascar, or the WTO blossoms: we all do.

    18. Again, I would like to thank the WTO Secretariat, the discussant and Madagascar for the huge amount of work that goes into a Trade Policy Review, and for the informative answers to our questions. We hope this will be a valuable exercise in transparency.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following serious assault

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Officers investigating a serious assault near Archway Station have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder, as detectives continue to appeal for witnesses.

    Police were called at 22:28hrs on Saturday, 15 February after a man was admitted to hospital with stab wounds. Enquiries indicated that the assault had occurred in Navigator Square, N19.

    The man, who is in his 20’s remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition.

    Enquiries indicated that the assault occurred in Navigator Square, N19, close to Archway Station. A cordon remains in place.

    A 22-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, 16 February, on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.

    Investigating officers are carrying out multiple enquiries in the local area and appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to contact police.

    Detective Inspector Anna Deighton, of Central North Local Investigations said:

    “Our officers worked quickly to establish where this assault occurred, putting a cordon in place and carrying out enquiries in the area. Yesterday evening, a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and he remains in custody.

    “Residents and visitors to the area will have noticed an increased police presence whilst this investigation remains ongoing.

    “We have designated officers on reassurance patrols, to answer questions that the public may have.

    “I encourage anyone who has information but may not have contacted police yet to get in touch and assist with this investigation.”

    Anyone with any information is asked to contact police quoting CAD 7159/15FEB.

    Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: VEEA® and VAPOR IO Announce a Strategic Partnership to Provide Turnkey AI-as-a-Service Pioneering Solutions for AI Inferencing, Federated Learning, Agentic AI and AIoT

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Visit us at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, March 3-6, 2025, for demonstrations
    By appointment (marketing@veea.com) in Hall 6, Stand 6A or on M37 Yacht in Port Vell, Barcelona

    NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Veea Inc. (NASDAQ: VEEA), a pioneer in hyperconverged heterogenous Multiaccess Edge Computing (MEC) with AI-driven cybersecurity and edge solutions and Vapor IO, the leading developer of Zero Gap™ AI for zero-configuration data centers enabling comprehensive training utilizing a catalog of state of the art models, delivering ultra-low latency AI inferencing with private 5G networks across distributed edge locations, announced a partnership to offer turnkey AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) to enterprises, municipalities and others without investing in capital-intensive edge devices, servers, networking equipment and data center facilities.

    For enterprise applications, such as Smart Manufacturing, Smart Warehouses, Smart Hospitals, Smart Schools, Smart Construction, Smart Infrastructure, and many others, Veea Edge Platform™ collects and processes the raw data at the Device Edge, where user devices, sensors and machines connect to the network, most importantly, for reasons of low-latency, data privacy and data sovereignty. VeeaWare® full stack software running on VeeaHub® devices and on third-party hardware solutions with GPUs, TPUs or NPUs, such as NVIDIA AGX Orin and Qualcomm Edge AI Box-based hardware on a Veea computing mesh, provide for the full gamut of AI inferencing with cloud-native edge applications and AI-driven cybersecurity with bespoked Agentic AI and AIoT for the specific use cases. Combined with its VeeaCloud management functions, AIoT platform and extension of network slicing through the LAN with SDN and NFV, Veea Edge Platform offers an unrivaled capability for AI inferencing for enterprise use cases at the edge.

    The core of Vapor IO’s Zero Gap AI is built around Supermicro MGX servers with the NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip for high-performance accelerated computing and AI applications. The Zero Gap AI makes it possible to simultaneously deliver AI inferencing and train complex models while supporting 5G private networks, including NVIDIA Aerial-based 5G private network services. Through a PoC together with Supermicro and NVIDIA in Las Vegas, Vapor IO demonstrated how Zero Gap AI customers can receive the benefits of AI inferencing for a range of use cases including by those in mobile environments with the highest level of performance and reliability that may be achieved today. For low-latency use cases, Zero Gap AI is offered as high-performance micro data centers, strategically placed in close proximity where AI inferencing is delivered. Zero Gap AI offering provides for the AI tools, libraries, SDKs, pre-trained models, frameworks and other components that may optionally be employed to develop AI apps.

    “AI represents a new class of software. Just as computing evolved from the client-server architectures to more decentralized models, for most enterprise applications AI will inevitably migrate to the edge sooner rather than later—driven by the need for data sovereignty, real-time processing, lower latency, enhanced security, and greater autonomy. The future of AI is on the edge, where intelligence meets efficiency,” stated Allen Salmasi, co-founder and CEO of Veea. “As the first PCs brought general computing to business customers first, through the partnership with Vapor IO, we intend to accomplish the same by streamlining the application of AI where data is generated at the edge. By integrating scalable computing, storage, hyperconverged networking and AI-driven cybersecurity into a unified system with a cloud-native architecture at Device Edge and VeeaCloud management capabilities together with Vapor IO we have taken much of the uncertainty and friction out of the adoption of AI at the edge.”

    The combined capabilities of Veea Edge Platform and Zero Gap AI, offer a unified, automated platform with orchestration for seamless workload distribution, which enables a new class of collaborative, distributed AI applications as an AI-in-a-Box solution:

    • VeeaCloud management of GPU clusters – Plays a crucial role in balancing performance, scalability, and efficiency for AI inferencing, while utilizing cloud orchestration for resource optimization, model updates, and intelligent workload distribution.
    • Providing On-Demand AI Compute – Eliminates the need for enterprises to invest in costly on-prem AI hardware by offering scalable, GPU-accelerated AI compute at the edge.
    • Enabling AI at Any Scale – Supports AI workloads ranging from lightweight IoT analytics to full-scale deep learning training, ensuring enterprises can adopt AI incrementally or at full scale.
    • Harnessing Agentic AI – Integrates intelligent, autonomous decision-making capabilities that enable AI systems to adapt and optimize their performance in real-time, enhancing the effectiveness of applications across various edge environments.
    • Facilitating Federated Learning – Supports collaborative model training across distributed edge devices while maintaining data privacy, allowing enterprises to leverage insights from decentralized data sources without compromising sensitive information.
    • Supporting Model Hosting & AI Inference – Allows users to deploy, manage, and scale AI models in real-time, with low-latency inference APIs available across edge locations.
    • Offering Bare Metal and Virtualized AI Instances – Users can lease dedicated AI hardware or deploy workloads in multi-tenant GPU/CPU environments, ensuring flexibility for both small and large-scale AI applications.
    • Integrating Edge Storage & AI Data Management – Includes NVMe-based high-speed caching for inference and object storage for large-scale AI datasets, reducing reliance on cloud-based data transfers.
    • Ensuring Seamless Connectivity Options – A range of ultra-low latency connectivity options to optimize AI data transfer between on-prem devices and Edge-to-Edge compute.
    • Reducing AI Deployment Complexity – Automates AI workload orchestration, allowing businesses to expand, migrate, or failover AI models across distributed edge nodes without manual reconfiguration.
    • Accelerating Time-to-Value for AI Deployments – Provides a pre-integrated solution that reduces AI setup time from months to minutes, allowing enterprises to launch AI-powered solutions with minimal friction and on-going maintenance.

    “According to Gartner, 85% of all AI models/projects fail because of poor data quality or little to no relevant data. We have largely addressed this industry pain point most cost-effectively with much reduced complexity and little risk of disappointment through our Edge-to-Edge partnership with Veea,” explained Cole Crawford, Vapor IO’s founder and CEO. “With our substantial ecosystem of major partners and developers, we are well positioned to offer one of the most competitive turnkey real-time AI inferencing capabilities in the market with federated learning, Agentic AI and AIoT to public and private enterprises.”

    About Veea

    Veea Inc. (NASDAQ: VEEA) was formed in 2014 and is headquartered in New York City with a rich history of major innovations in the development of advanced networking, wireless and computing technologies. Veea® has unified computing, communications, edge storage and cybersecurity solutions through fully integrated cloud- and edge-managed products. Veea’s pioneering Multiaccess Edge Computing (MEC) product, developed from the ground up in several compact form factors, brings together the functionality typically provided for through any combination of servers, Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, routers, firewalls, Wi-Fi APs, IoT gateways, 4G or 5G wireless access, and Cloud Computing by means of multiple hardware, software and systems integrated and maintained by IT/OT professionals.

    Veea Edge Platform™ is a cloud-managed full-stack platform designed to manage multi-vendor heterogeneous devices with a Linux server hosting VeeaWare stack to enable compute capabilities with any combination of GPUs, TPUs, and NPUs on a networking and computing mesh. VeeaHub products are hyperconverged, multi-access and multi-protocol devices that provide for control plane management of heterogeneous devices on any vMesh cluster. This leading-edge solution enables network slicing for seamless connectivity across diverse network environments with Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and advanced Software Defined Networking (SDN) with fixed-line and/or wireless WAN connection, including 5G. AI-driven cybersecurity and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) provide for a highly simplified Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). Its integrated compute and storage support a virtualized software environment enabling cloud-native applications to run in Secured Docker™ containers. Veea Edge Platform provides for end-to-end cloud management of devices, applications and services. Veea Developer Portal and development tools provide for rapid development of edge applications. The combined capabilities with AI-driven intelligence enables unparalleled scalability, security, and operational efficiency for enterprises, IoT ecosystems, and next-gen AI applications.

    Veea has been recognized in 2021 and 2023 by Gartner for the innovativeness and capabilities of its Edge Computing platform. Veea was named a top 10 Edge AI solution provider alongside IBM, Microsoft, AWS and others in Market Reports in its research report published in October 2023. For more information, visit veea.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    About Vapor IO
    Vapor IO stands at the forefront of the AI revolution, delivering ultra-fast and ultra-low latency solutions on- premises and across distributed edge locations with AI and private 5G networks. The company’s Zero Gap™ AI platform uniquely delivers on-demand GPUs and AI services directly to the locations where it’s needed and through Network-Delivered AI services in 36 key U.S. markets, including cities like Dallas, Las Vegas, and Seattle. Zero Gap AI uses Vapor IO’s Kinetic Grid® infrastructure, Supermicro’s AI-optimized servers, and NVIDIA’s groundbreaking AI silicon, including NVIDIA Aerial 5G private networks, to offer on-demand AI services in top U.S. markets.

    Zero Gap AI is a uniquely cost-effective way for enterprises, municipalities, and cloud providers to implement or expand their AI capabilities without investing in capital-intensive servers, networking equipment and data center facilities. Multiple AI access points in each market can be configured as availability zones, allowing for nearly unlimited degrees of resilience and continuous operating without interruption. Uniquely packaged with spectrum, highly optimized NVIDIA Aerial 5G private network services extend Zero Gap AI services to wherever they’re needed in many markets. Vapor IO’s extensive partner ecosystem can deliver specialized AI solutions built around the Zero Gap platform. From Smart City to Smart Retail, network of partners has the industry know how to build best-in-class solutions. Discover the difference Vapor IO can make with Network-Delivered AI solutions that fit your specific needs. Visit www.zerogap.ai to learn more.

    Zero Gap, Vapor, Kinetic Edge, Kinetic Grid, and Kinetic Edge Exchange are registered trademarks or trademarks of Vapor IO, Inc.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) as well as Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company’s future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely” or other comparable terms, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding the Company’s strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties including those regarding: the Company’s business strategies, and the risk and uncertainties described in “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements” and the additional risk described in Veea’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024 and any subsequent filings which Veea makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements made in the press release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in the press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by law. You should read this press release with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

    The Equity Group

    Devin Sullivan
    Managing Director
    dsullivan@equityny.com

    Conor Rodriguez
    Associate
    crodriguez@equityny.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Coordination meeting between the Government, the ODG and the FNSI

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    A coordination meeting between the Government, the Italian Order of Journalists (‘Ordine dei Giornalisti’, ‘ODG’) and the Italian National Press Federation (‘Federazione nazionale della stampa italiana’, ‘FNSI’) was held at Palazzo Chigi today to define best practices in order to reduce risks for journalists and other media professionals working in war zones or highly unstable areas, as President of the Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni had announced during her beginning-of-year press conference. 

    The meeting, chaired by Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano, was attended by Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Riccardo Guariglia, President of the ODG Carlo Bartoli, Deputy Secretary General of the FNSI Domenico Affinito, and representatives from the Department for information and publishing and intelligence agencies.

    Further initiatives will be held over the coming weeks, in coordination with all the players involved, with the aim of creating specific training courses and seminars and raising awareness of the protection technologies that are already available on a voluntary basis.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Christodoulos Patsalides: The Central Bank of Cyprus agenda – strategic vision and priorities

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Introduction – Strategic Vision Statement and Elaboration

    Distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues,

    I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organizers of the 12th Banking Forum and Fintech Expo for bringing us together for this important exchange of ideas and insights.

    It is my privilege to have today the opportunity to present the strategic vision and priorities of the Central Bank of Cyprus. In an ever-evolving global and digital economy, we are committed to leading the way in fostering a resilient, innovative, and sustainable financial sector for Cyprus. Our agenda focuses on embracing digital transformation, ensuring robust governance, addressing societal and environmental challenges, and safeguarding financial stability.

    Today, I will outline our key priorities, including advancements in the digital economy, the evolving role of digital payments, the potential introduction of a digital euro, and the regulatory frameworks that ensure responsible governance and societal considerations in our financial systems. Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen Cyprus’ position as a dynamic player within the European financial landscape.

    Cyprus Economy

    To ground our strategic vision, we must first examine the economic landscape in which the Cyprus economy operates. With its key sectors-ICT (Information Communication Technology), tourism, trade, shipping, and construction-, the economy has demonstrated resilience and adaptability despite the consecutive significant geopolitical challenges, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. In recent years, Cyprus has achieved robust growth rate well above the EU average and maintained a strong fiscal position, consistently posting surpluses that have bolstered public finances. As a result, international rating agencies have upgraded their ratings well within the investment grade, highlighting our sound economic management, fiscal discipline, and reforms in the banking sector.

    Banking Sector in Cyprus

    Building on the strength of our economy is the Cypriot banking sector, which has built up remarkable resilience and robustness despite a series of unprecedented and successive crises in recent years. The sector’s solvency, as indicated by the Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio, rose to 23,5% in the third quarter of 2024, achieving its highest level on record and significantly surpassing the European average of 16,0%. Additionally, the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)-a key indicator of credit institutions’ capacity to withstand severe liquidity stress-reached 336% in September 2024. This level exceeds the regulatory minimum of 100% by more than threefold and stands well above the European average of 161,4%. The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio fell to 6,5% in the third quarter of 2024, marking its lowest level since 2014, when the NPL definition was standardized across the European Union.

    However, there is no room for complacency as macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical risks, and emerging threats like cyber and climate risks grow. Banks must adapt quickly to identify and address these evolving challenges effectively. Moreover, technological advancements bring about a new landscape in which banks are called upon to compete. The pursuit of an appropriate business model is key.

    Digital Economy and Global Digital Trends

    As we look toward the future, the digital economy emerges as a defining feature of global trends. Technology has the ability to sustain and improve our standards of living and the long-term productivity of our economy. Examples of innovative technologies used in financial services (usually referred to as FinTech) include artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital wallets, big data analytics and biometrics. These technologies have been applied to improve customer service, automate payments, reengineer business processes, detect suspicious activity, and assist with customer profiling and digital onboarding. However, we are yet to see the realization of potential in other promising new technologies such as distributed ledger technology (DLT), smart contracts and tokenization.

    As technology becomes more widespread in our evolving digital economy, cyber risk and data security continue to be by far the most prominent driver of operational risk for banks. Technological advances with increased sophistication, growing reliance on digital solutions, but also growing capabilities of cyber offenders, have all resulted in enhanced risk exposure for banks, including vulnerability to sophisticated cyber-attacks. Cyber risk is often driven by geopolitical risk, thus raising overall risk to a much higher level. Supervising these risks remains one of our priorities.

    To take full advantage of the potential of innovative technologies responsibly while managing risks, common supervisory and regulatory approaches are essential. The EU has introduced key legislation such as DORA, PSD3, FiDA, MiCAR, and the AI Act, which aim to strengthen financial sector resilience and boost consumer and investor confidence by guiding responsible innovation. Recognizing the evolving market dynamics, the Central Bank of Cyprus has established an Innovation Hub to foster dialogue with fintech stakeholders and support domestic financial innovation.

    Digital Payments in Cyprus

    A key element of the digital economy is the rapid rise of digital payments. We find ourselves in an era where digital transformation is reshaping economies, and Cyprus is no exception. One of the most prominent trends is the proliferation of digital payments, which now capture around 96% of cashless payments. At the same time, preference for cash payments is shrinking, as evidenced by a remarkable decline of 11% since 2022 that placed Cyprus at the top of euro area countries. Cypriots use cards 1,3 times more frequently than their European peers, while our contactless card payments capture more than half of all card payments consistently since 2022. This reflects the readiness of local businesses to accept cards and to opt for terminals that embed Near-Field-Technology. 

    In the same vein, e-commerce exhibits gradual expansion, manifested by online purchases via cards almost doubling over a six-year period to 28% of the total of card payments. It is indeed remarkable that the use of mobile phones for online purchases has almost reached one quarter of the total, outperforming the EU average which stands at 16%.

    As of the 9th of January of this year, instant payments have become a reality for all banking participants. This signifies that account-to-account payments can be effected at the speed that people demand in the digital and social media age: transmission within 10 seconds, with immediate access to funds on a 24/7/365 basis, as opposed to the current 1-2 days waiting time. Consumers and businesses will reap the benefits in the months to come. 

    Electronic Money Institutions & Payments Institutions

    E-money payments are gaining traction, driven by opportunities in fintech, e-commerce, and digital payments. Having licensed 4 electronic money institutions this year, the Central Bank of Cyprus now supervises 27 electronic money institutions and 11 payment institutions. 

    As part of our broader strategic agenda, we are committed to drawing on international experience in supporting the Central Bank of Cyprus in refining its approach for regulating, licencing and supervising Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) and Payment Institutions (PIs) in Cyprus.

    In December, the CBC, announced the establishment of a comprehensive licensing and supervisory strategy for the sector of these institutions.

    For the development of this strategy, the CBC appointed an international consultancy firm whose experts, in collaboration with CBC staff, conducted an analysis of the sector and its inherent risks.

    The objective of the new strategy is to pursue the prudent and sustainable growth of the sector. Among other measures, the strategy includes:

    • The enhancing and enriching of the licensing processes for institutions applying to participate in the sector.
    • The Strengthening of the supervision of institutions by implementing a risk-based supervisory approach for each institution and enriching supervisory tools. 
    • And the adoption of best practices for the operation of the sector.

    To achieve these objectives, a Division for the Supervision of Electronic Money and Payment Institutions is being established, which will henceforth undertake the prudential supervision of the sector.

    Digital Euro

    Moving on to the digital euro, I will give a brief status update from last year’s forum. As legislative negotiations continue in Brussels, the Eurosystem is progressing through the first part of the preparation phase for the digital euro, focusing on calibrating the holding limits without compromising financial stability or bank intermediation as the banks will retain their role vis-à-vis their customers. The ECB continues to rapport with the market, with specific holding entitlements to be defined later. The rulebook formulation, developed with stakeholder input, will set standards for future digital euro distributors, leveraging existing frameworks for cost efficiency and allowing flexibility for innovation. Consumers and businesses prioritize functionalities like conditional payments and effortless bill-splitting, guiding expectations for future services.

    Moving on to the platform and infrastructure preparations, the ECB is now selecting candidates from its recent application process and plans to enhance engagement with distributors to ensure readiness for the potential issuance and successful distribution of the digital euro, if and when the decision to issue is made.

    Allow me to take a moment to refer to our efforts at raising awareness within our market through various communication channels, targeting the general public, the business community, and financial institutions. Aside from articles that we regularly publish in the press and on professional social networking platforms, we invite various stakeholder groups to the CBC premises. Last July we gave a press conference with Mr Piero Cipollone, member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, as keynote speaker. In November we held a focus session with business associations and their members, and in December we presented a thorough status update of the project to the members of our National Payments Committee. Last but not least, the Central Bank of Cyprus participates in panel discussions and presents the digital euro project at various local and international conferences.

    ESG Regulatory Landscape: Governance, Society, and Climate Change

    A. Governance

    As we embrace these innovations, we remain steadfast in our commitment to strong governance. Governance, a core pillar of ESG, is crucial in enhancing transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in financial institutions. Strong governance enables sound lending decisions, reduces conflicts of interest, and ensures compliance with regulations including the updated Directive on Corporate Sustainability and ESG provisions in the recently enacted CRD 6, protecting institutional reputation and minimizing financial risks.

    B. Encompassing Society Considerations in Business Activity: Financial Conduct

    Social factors, including diversity, labour practices, community engagement, and adherence to human rights standards, are also vital for modern credit institutions. Embedding diversity in governance and fair pricing in operations fosters trust among stakeholders, promotes financial inclusion, and enhances institutional resilience, strengthening reputation and market standing.

    C. Climate Change – CBC Initiatives

    The Central Bank of Cyprus actively engages in thematic reviews, stress tests, and in-depth analyses led by the European Central Bank to assess institutions’ preparedness on climate risk and its integration into their strategy, governance, risk management and disclosures. This supervision helps ensure credit institutions speed up their preparations to manage ESG risks while meeting necessary sustainability and resilience standards. Additionally, the smaller institutions, directly supervised by us, were requested to develop implementation plans, with specific milestones, in order to advance the management of climate related risks, in line with the ECB’s 13 supervisory expectations which stipulate how banks should integrate climate and environment risks into their business models and strategies, governance and risk appetite.

    Beyond what is expected from the supervised institutions, the Central Bank of Cyprus has set up internally a Sustainability Team, aiming to support the CBC in addressing climate change in line with its mandate to maintain price stability, safeguard financial stability, supervise banks and support the general economic policy of the State, while also contributing to the target of net zero carbon emissions, and the continuation of strong governance. The recent visit of Mr Frank Elderson, member of the ECB’s Executive Board and Co-Chair of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Risks of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision touched upon these issues as well.

    Concluding remarks

    Let me now conclude: the strategic vision of the Central Bank of Cyprus is built on the pursuit of price stability and financial stability in its capacity as the macroprudential authority of the country. By embracing the digital economy, ensuring robust governance, and addressing climate change, we are positioning Cyprus as a forward-looking financial hub in Europe. Together, we will navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future, ensuring stability and prosperity for all.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Christodoulos Patsalides: Cyprus and the euro area – navigating growth, stability, and opportunities

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    I would like to thank the Cyprus Shipping Chamber for giving me the opportunity to address this meeting today and discuss key economic developments. My remarks will begin with an overview of Cyprus’ economic performance. I will then discuss the notable progress achieved in the banking sector and underscore the critical role of the shipping industry in driving export revenues. Following this, I will turn to the broader economic outlook for the Euro Area, concluding with insights into the European Central Bank’s latest monetary policy decision on achieving price stability.

    Domestic economic outlook

    The Cypriot economy continues to exhibit robust growth, despite facing persistent external challenges in a turbulent and uncertain global environment. Geopolitical risks, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, and rising international tensions, have elevated economic uncertainty.

    Amidst these conditions, the Cypriot economy has consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience and flexibility. This is clearly reflected in its recent upgrades by credit rating agencies to the “A” category, further cementing its reputation in international financial markets. These upgrades underscore the growing confidence in Cyprus’s fiscal policies and the solid outlook for its economic and banking systems.

    Improved fiscal performance has been a cornerstone of these positive developments. Public debt has been reduced significantly, declining from 114% of GDP in 2020 to 74% in 2023, highlighting disciplined financial management. Projections from the Ministry of Finance indicate that this downward trajectory will continue, with public debt expected to fall below 50% of GDP by 2028. This progress strengthens fiscal sustainability and enhances the country’s ability to respond to future challenges, reflecting a strong commitment to long-term economic stability.

    According to the December 2024 projections of the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC), economic growth for 2024 is expected to reach 3.7%, significantly higher than the projected Eurozone average of 0.7%. The expansion of productive sectors such as technology, trade, tourism, financial and professional services, shipping, and construction-particularly large private sector infrastructure projects-has been a key driver of growth.

    For the period 2025-2027, GDP is expected to grow by approximately 3% annually, driven primarily by a projected increase in domestic demand and, to a lesser extent, external demand. Domestic demand is expected to be supported by a rise in private consumption due to the increase in real disposable household income and the continued resilience of the labour market. Additionally, domestic demand will benefit from ongoing large-scale private non-residential investments, infrastructure projects aimed at supporting digital and green development, and other reform projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

    Regarding the shipping sector in particular, our small island has a maritime history spanning hundreds of years, and it is rightly is considered as one of the main pillars of the Cypriot economy. The country’s maritime industry considerably contributes directly and indirectly to the country’s GDP. Based on 2023 data, the shipping sector ranks third with a share of 17.2% to the total value of exports of services, after the Information and Communication Technology sector, the financial services and the tourism sectors, with shares of 30.2%, 20.3% and 11,5% respectively. In view of the aforementioned figures, it is evident that the sector managed to stay focused and strong despite the unprecedented challenges faced in the last few years, namely the covid pandemic, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as the tensions in the Red Sea. 

    The strength of the labour market further reinforces this positive narrative. Unemployment has declined to 5% in the first nine months of 2024, compared to 5.8% in 2023. It is projected to remain at 5% for the full year and to fall further to 4.6% by 2027, approaching levels indicative of full employment. These figures compare favourably to the euro area, where unemployment is forecast to stabilize at 6.1% by 2027.

    On the prices front, inflationary pressures have eased significantly, with inflation dropping to 2.2% in the first eleven months of 2024, compared to 4.1% in the same period of 2023. According to the CBC’s December 2024 projections, inflation is expected to stabilize near the 2% medium-term target, reaching 1.9% in 2025, 2.1% in 2026, and 2.0% in 2027.

    The Cyprus banking sector

    The Cyprus banking sector has demonstrated tangible progress and resilience, with key financial metrics reflecting a strong and sound performance. A primary indicator of this strength is the solid improvement in terms of solvency, with the Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio increasing from 21.5% in December 2023 to 23.5% in September 2024. This increase marks the highest CET1 ratio in the Union, surpassing the EU average of 16.0%.

    Despite the challenges posed by consecutive crises, no tangible signs of credit quality deterioration are observed up to this point. In fact, the Non-Performing Loans (NPL) ratio has continued its positive downward trend. As of September 2024, the NPL ratio stands at 6.5%, a marked improvement from 7.9% in December 2023. This reduction reflects the sector’s ongoing commitment to addressing legacy issues, bolstering the financial health of the asset side of its balance sheet, and reinforcing its capacity to support economic recovery. Yet, there is still some way to go, particularly considering that the average NPL ratio of the EU sector stands as of September 2024 at 1.9%. Furthermore, the improvement within the Cyprus banking sector has not been homogeneous across all institutions, with certain banks lagging behind. These institutions must therefore accelerate their efforts to align with the sector-wide advancements.

    Profitability metrics have been robust, with the Return on Equity (RoE) reaching 23.2% in September 2024 as opposed of 11,1% of the EU average. Operational efficiency has improved as the cost-to-income ratio declined to 35.5%, a notable reduction from previous years and lower than the EU average of 53%.

    Cyprus banks also exhibit some of the highest liquidity standings in the EU, reinforcing their ability to meet potential liquidity demands. The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR), a measure of a bank’s ability to withstand large liquidity outflows under a stressed period, stands as of September 2024 at 336%, compared to the EU average of 161% and minimum requirement of 100%. Furthermore, the Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR), which assesses the stability of a bank’s funding base, stands also high at 187%, surpassing both the EU average of 127% and the minimum regulatory requirement of 100%. The Cypriot banking sector is thus well-positioned to face potential market disruptions and continue driving economic stability.

    Through the first 11 months of 2024, Cypriot banks granted €3.3 billion in new loans to households and non-financial corporations (NFCs), surpassing the already high €2.9 billion provided during the same period in 2023. A negative side effect of a strongly liquid banking sector in a small country is the slow adjustment of interest rates in response to ECB monetary policy actions. Banks must exhibit responsible pricing policies in the face of reputation risk and the need to support the competitiveness of the economy.

    Looking to the future, the banking sector faces challenges such as adapting to AI, mitigating cyber risks, addressing geopolitical uncertainties, and transitioning to a greener economy. Tackling these priorities is essential for sustaining the sector’s positive trajectory and remains central to our supervisory agenda.

    Economic Developments in the Euro Area

    The risks to economic growth continue to lean towards the downside. Increased disruptions in global trade may hinder euro area growth by suppressing exports and slowing the global economy. Additionally, reduced confidence could delay the recovery of consumption and investment beyond current expectations. The ECB’s December projections estimate economic growth of 0.7% in 2024, 1.1% in 2025, 1.4% in 2026, and 1.3% in 2027. This recovery is expected to be driven primarily by rising real incomes, which should enable households to boost consumption, alongside increased investment by firms.

    On the price front, euro area inflation rose to 2.4%, in December 2024, up from 2.2% in November, primarily driven by increased energy costs but this was expected due to energy-related upward base effects.

    Despite the upticks in recent months, the disinflation process is well on track. ECB Staff see headline inflation averaging 2.4 per cent in 2024, 2.1 per cent in 2025, 1.9 per cent in 2026 and 2.1 per cent in 2027 when the expanded EU Emissions Trading System becomes operational. Services inflation continues to be sticky at around 4%, largely stemming from the delayed catch-up adjustment of certain services prices to past inflation surges and ongoing wage pressures. At the same time, recent signals point to continued moderation in wage pressures and to the buffering role of profits.

    Inflation is expected to fluctuate around its current level in the near term. It should then settle sustainably at around the two per cent medium-term target. Easing labour cost pressures and the continuing impact of past monetary policy tightening on consumer prices should help this process. Most measures of longer-term inflation expectations continue to stand at around 2 per cent.

    ECB Monetary Policy

    Based on our updated assessment of the inflation outlook, underlying inflation dynamics, and the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission, we decided at our January Governing Council meeting to further reduce the three key ECB interest rates by 25 basis points. This adjustment brought the deposit facility rate-the primary tool for steering our monetary policy stance-to 2.75%

    Overall, the euro area’s economic environment remains intricate, with the risks to economic growth tilted to the downside and with both upside and downside risks to inflation present. The ECB continues to navigate these challenges through measured, careful adjustments in its monetary policy stance. Growth is a factor influencing inflation dynamics. It is crucial to ensure that the economy does not grow too slowly, as this could lead to inflation stabilizing below the target. As we move forward, in the current environment of elevated uncertainty stemming from potential global trade frictions and geopolitical tensions, the ECB’s prudent data-dependent meeting by meeting approach shall continue to be important in addressing the evolving economic conditions within the euro area to ensure the timely return to the inflation target in a sustainable manner. The ECB is not pre-committing to a particular rate path.

    Conclusion

    Let me now conclude: the Cypriot economy has shown resilience and adaptability, supported by strong performance, prudent fiscal policies, and a stable financial system, with key contributions from banking and shipping. As one of the pillars of our economy, the shipping sector continues to demonstrate global competitiveness and innovation, further strengthening Cyprus’s position as a leading maritime hub. Looking ahead, challenges like climate change and geopolitical risks demand strategic foresight, but Cyprus is well-prepared to sustain growth.

    At the Euro Area level, the economic outlook balances risks and opportunities, with the ECB ensuring price stability and sustainable growth through proactive, data-driven policies. By remaining data-driven and proactive, we can ensure that the monetary framework across the region remains resilient and responsive to evolving global dynamics.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Who are Ismaili Muslims and how do their beliefs relate to the Aga Khan’s work?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Shariq Siddiqui, Assistant Professor of Philanthropic Studies, Indiana University

    Prince Karim Aga Khan at an event on Oct. 2, 2019, in London. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

    Prince Karim Aga Khan, who died on Feb. 4, 2025, served as the religious leader of Ismaili Muslims around the world since being appointed as the 49th hereditary imam in 1957. He came to be known around the world for his enormous work on global development issues and other philanthropic work.

    The Ismaili community considers the imam a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Ismaili Muslims are considered to be a branch of Shiite Islam. They constitute the second-largest community within the Shiite sect.

    An estimated 15 million Ismaili Muslims live in 35 countries, across all parts of the world. In the U.S., with around 40,000 Ismailis, Texas has the largest concentration of the community.

    As a scholar of Muslim philanthropy, I have long been impressed by the philanthropic and civic engagement of the Ismailis.

    Ismaili religious beliefs

    Following the death of the Prophet in A.D. 632, differences emerged over who should have both political and spiritual control over the Muslim community. A majority chose Abu Bakr, one of the Prophet’s closest companions, while a minority put their faith in his son-in-law and cousin, Ali. Those Muslims who put their faith in Abu Bakr came to be called Sunni, and those who believed in Ali came to be known as Shiite.

    Like other Shiite sects, Ismailis believe that Ali should have been selected as the successor of the Prophet Muhammad. They also believe that he should have been followed by Ali’s two sons – the grandsons of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima.

    The key difference among other Shiites and Ismailis lies in their lineage of imams. While they agree with the first six imams, Ismailis believe that Imam Ismail ibn Jafar was the rightful person to be the seventh imam, while the majority of Shiites, known as Twelvers, believe that Imam Musa al-Kazim, Ismail’s younger brother, was the true successor. They both agree that Ali was the first imam and on the next five imams, who are direct descendant of Ali and Fatima.

    The Ismaili sect split into two branches in 1094. Aga Khan was the leader of the Nizari branch, which believes in a living imam or leader. The second branch – Musta’lian Tayyibi Ismailis – believes that its 21st imam went into “concealment”; in his physical absence, a vicegerent or “da’i mutlaq” acts as an authority on his behalf.

    Like all Muslims, Ismailis believe that God sent his revelation to the Prophet Muhammad through Archangel Gabriel. However, they differ on other interpretations of the faith. According to the Ismailis, for example, the Quran conveys allegorical messages from God, and it is not the literal word of God. They also believe Muhammad to be the living embodiment of the Quran. Ismailis are strongly encouraged to pray three times a day, but it is not required.

    Ismailis believe in metaphorical, rather than literal, fasting. Ismailis believe that the esoteric meaning of fasting involves a fasting of the soul, whereby they attempt to purify the soul simply by avoiding sinful acts and doing good deeds.

    In terms of “Zakat,” or charity – the third pillar of Islam, which Muslims are required to follow – Ismailis differ in two ways. They give it to the leader of their faith, Aga Khan, and believe that they have to give 12.5% of their income versus 2.5%.

    Pluralism and its embrace

    Ismaili history has a strong connection to pluralism – part of their philosophy of embracing difference. The Fatimid Empire that ruled over parts of North Africa and the Middle East from 909 to 1171 is said to have been a “golden age of Ismaili thought.”

    It was a pluralistic community, in which Shiite and Sunni Muslims, as well as Christian and Jewish communities, worked together for the success of the flourishing empire, under the rule of the Ismaili imams.

    In the modern period, Ismailis have sought to further pluralism within their own communities by arguing that pluralism goes beyond tolerance and requires people to actively engage across differences and actively embrace difference as a strength. For example, Eboo Patel, an Ismaili American, has established the nonprofit Interfaith America as a way to further pluralism among faith communities.

    The Aga Khan’s philanthropic work

    Prince Karim Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Development Network and Aga Khan Foundation in 1967.

    Some 53 nurses and 98 midwives from Ghazanfar Institute of Health Sciences, supported by The Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan, and the United States Agency for International Development, attend a graduation ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, on March 29, 2009.
    Massoud Hossaini AFP via Getty Images

    The network supports health care, housing, education and rural economic development in underprivileged areas. The foundation is one of nine agencies of the network that focuses on philanthropy. The Aga Khan Development Network has hospitals serving the poor in several parts of the world. The Aga Khan Medical University in Karachi, Pakistan, is considered to be a leading medical school globally.

    While previous imams or leaders also led charity and development projects, the Aga Khan was the first to create a formal, global philanthropic foundation.

    The Aga Khan Foundation operates in countries with Ismaili populations or historical connections to the Ismaili community, such as Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Uganda. The foundation also has offices in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, focusing primarily on raising funds and advocating for the foundation.

    According to the foundation, in 2023 it served over 20 million people through 23,310 civil society partner organizations.

    The Ismaili community will now be led by the Aga Khan’s eldest son, Rahim Al-Hussaini, as the 50th imam. He has been actively involved with the Aga Khan Development Network and is expected to continue the important philanthropic and development work of his global community.

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

    – ref. Who are Ismaili Muslims and how do their beliefs relate to the Aga Khan’s work? – https://theconversation.com/who-are-ismaili-muslims-and-how-do-their-beliefs-relate-to-the-aga-khans-work-249318

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Cutting funding for science can have consequences for the economy, US technological competitiveness

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona

    National Institutes of Health indirect costs, which are under the knife, go toward managing laboratories and facilities. Fei Yang/Moment via Getty Images

    America has already lost its global competitive edge in science, and funding cuts proposed in early 2025 may further a precipitous decline.

    Proposed cuts to the federal agencies that fund scientific research could undercut America’s global competitiveness, with negative impacts on the economy and the ability to attract and train the next generation of researchers.

    I’m an astronomer, and I have been a senior administrator at the University of Arizona’s College of Science. Because of these roles, I’m invested in the future of scientific research in the United States. I’m worried funding cuts could mean a decline in the amount and quality of research published – and that some potential discoveries won’t get made.

    The endless frontier

    A substantial part of U.S. prosperity after World War II was due to the country’s investment in science and technology.

    Vannevar Bush founded the company that later became Raytheon and was the president of the Carnegie Institution. In 1945, he delivered a report to President Franklin D. Roosevelt called The Endless Frontier.

    In this report, Bush argued that scientific research was essential to the country’s economic well-being and security. His advocacy led to the founding of the National Science Foundation and science policy as we know it today. He argued that a centralized approach to science funding would efficiently distribute resources to scientists doing research at universities.

    The National Science Foundation awards funding to many research projects and early career scientists. Pictured are astronomers from the LIGO collaboration, which won a Nobel Prize.
    AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

    Since 1945, advances in science and technology have driven 85% of American economic growth. Science and innovation are the engines of prosperity, where research generates new technologies, innovations and solutions that improve the quality of life and drive economic development.

    This causal relationship, where scientific research leads to innovations and inventions that promote economic growth, is true around the world.

    The importance of basic research

    Investment in research and development has tripled since 1990, but that growth has been funded by the business sector for applied research, while federal investment in basic research has stagnated. The distinction matters, because basic research, which is purely exploratory research, has enormous downstream benefits.

    Quantum computing is a prime example. Quantum computing originated 40 years ago, based on the fundamental physics of quantum mechanics. It has matured only in the past few years to the point where quantum computers can solve some problems faster than classical computers.

    Basic research into quantum physics has allowed quantum computing to develop and advance.
    AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

    Worldwide, basic research pays for itself and has more impact on economic growth than applied research. This is because basic research expands the shared knowledge base that innovators can draw on.

    For example, a biotech advocacy firm calculated that every dollar of funding to the National Institutes of Health generates US$2.46 in economic activity, which is why a recent cut of $9 billion to its funding is so disturbing.

    The American public also values science. In an era of declining trust in public institutions, more than 3 in 4 Americans say research investment is creating employment opportunities, and a similar percentage are confident that scientists act in the public’s best interests.

    Science superpower slipping

    By some metrics, American science is preeminent. Researchers working in America have won over 40% of the science Nobel Prizes – three times more than people from any other country. American research universities are magnets for scientific talent, and the United States spends more on research and development than any other country.

    But there is intense competition to be a science superpower, and several metrics suggest the United States is slipping. Research and development spending as a percentage of GDP has fallen from a high of 1.9% in 1964 to 0.7% in 2021. Worldwide, the United States ranked 12th for this metric in 2021, behind South Korea and European countries.

    In number of scientific researchers as a portion of the labor force, the United States ranks 10th.

    Metrics for research quality tell a similar story. In 2020, China overtook the United States in having the largest share of the top 1% most-cited papers.

    China also leads the world in the number of patents, and it has been outspending the U.S. on research in the past few decades. Switzerland and Sweden eclipse the United States in terms of science and technology innovation. This definition of innovation goes beyond research in labs and the number of scientific papers published to include improvements to outcomes in the form of new goods or new services.

    Among American educators and workers in technical fields, 3 in 4 think the United States has already lost the competition for global leadership.

    Threats to science funding

    Against this backdrop, threats made in the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term to science funding are ominous.

    Trump’s first wave of executive orders caused chaos at science agencies as they struggled to interpret the directives. Much of the anxiety involved excising language and programs relating to diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.

    The National Science Foundation is particularly in the crosshairs. In late January 2025, it froze the routine review and approval of grants and new expenditures, impeding future research, and has been vetting grants to make sure they comply with orders from the U.S. president.

    The National Institutes of Health announced on Feb. 7, 2024 a decision to limit overhead rates to 15% which sent many researchers reeling though it has since been temporarily blocked by a judge. The National Institutes of Health is the world’s largest funder of biomedical research, and these indirect costs provide support for the operation and maintenance of lab facilities. They are essential for doing research.

    The new administration has proposed deeper cuts. The National Science Foundation has been told to prepare for the loss of half of its staff and two-thirds of its funding. Other federal science agencies are facing similar threats of layoffs and funding cuts.

    The impact

    Congress already failed to deliver on its 2022 commitment to increase research funding, and federal funding for science agencies is at a 25-year low.

    As the president’s proposals reach Congress for approval or negotiation, they will test the traditionally bipartisan support science has held. If Congress cuts budgets further, I believe the impact on job creation, the training of young scientists and the health of the economy will be substantial.

    Deep cuts to agencies that account for a small fraction – just over 1% – of federal spending will not put a dent in the soaring budget deficit, but they could irreparably harm one of the nation’s most valuable enterprises.

    Chris Impey has received funding from NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

    – ref. Cutting funding for science can have consequences for the economy, US technological competitiveness – https://theconversation.com/cutting-funding-for-science-can-have-consequences-for-the-economy-us-technological-competitiveness-249568

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Wallet Expands Digital Key Support for Select Volvo Cars and Polestar Vehicles

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics today announced Digital Key compatibility with select Volvo Cars1 and Polestar2 vehicles through Samsung Wallet, offering more drivers a seamless way to use their Galaxy smartphone to unlock, lock and start their vehicle.
     
    “Expanding Samsung Digital Key access is an important part of our commitment to offering connected, secure experiences within the Galaxy ecosystem,” said Woncheol Chai, EVP and Head of the Digital Wallet Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our partnership with automakers such as Volvo Cars and Polestar marks another exciting step forward in making everyday activities like driving hassle-free for more Galaxy users worldwide.”
     

     
    ▲ Volvo EX90
     
    ▲ Polestar 3
     
    Built directly into Galaxy devices, Digital Key3 lets users lock, unlock and start the paired vehicle without a physical key. Digital Key offers three ways to control the car: Ultra-wideband (UWB)4 for hands-free access, Near Field Communication (NFC) for tap-to-unlock and start, and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) control via Samsung Wallet. Users can also share Digital Keys with friends and family across OEM devices, managing access as needed.
     
    Samsung Digital Key meets EAL6+5 certification standards, the top-level security for smart devices, to protect against unauthorized access by ensuring secure embedding within the device. UWB technologies, a standardized communication protocol set by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), further reduce the risk of unauthorized vehicle access with precise and reliable functionality. If a device containing a Samsung Digital Key is lost or stolen, users can remotely lock or delete their Digital Key via Samsung Find. Biometric and PIN-based user authentication on Samsung Wallet ensures that every interaction remains secure and private.
     
    Launched in June 2022, Samsung Wallet is a versatile platform that allows Galaxy users to organize Digital Keys, payment methods, identification cards and more in one secure application. Protected by defense-grade security from Samsung Knox and integrated across the Galaxy ecosystem, Samsung Wallet provides seamless connectivity and enhanced security for users in their everyday lives.
     
     
    Availability
    Samsung Digital Key functionality for select Volvo Cars vehicles will roll out starting this month in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia.6 Samsung Digital Key functionality for select Polestar vehicles will roll out starting this month in Europe, North America and Asia.7
     
     
    About Volvo Car Group
    Volvo Cars was founded in 1927. Today, it is one of the most well-known and respected car brands in the world with sales to customers in more than 100 countries. Volvo Cars is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange, where it is traded under the ticker “VOLCAR B”.
     
    “For life. To give people the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way.” This purpose is reflected in Volvo Cars’ ambition to become a fully electric car maker and in its commitment to an ongoing reduction of its carbon footprint, with the ambition to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
     
    As of December 2024, Volvo Cars employed approximately 42,600 full-time employees. Volvo Cars’ head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars’ production plants are located in Gothenburg, Ghent (Belgium), South Carolina (US), Chengdu, Daqing and Taizhou (China). The company also has R&D and design centres in Gothenburg and Shanghai (China).
     
    About Polestar
    Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) is the Swedish electric performance car brand with a focus on uncompromised design and innovation, and the ambition to accelerate the change towards a sustainable future. Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, its cars are available in 27 markets globally across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
     
    Polestar has three models in its line-up: Polestar 2, Polestar 3 and Polestar 4. Planned models include the Polestar 5 four-door GT (to be introduced in 2025), the Polestar 6 roadster and the Polestar 7 compact SUV. With its vehicles currently manufactured on two continents, North America and Asia, Polestar plans to diversify its manufacturing footprint further, with production of Polestar 7 planned in Europe.
     
    Polestar has an unwavering commitment to sustainability and has set an ambitious roadmap to reach its climate targets: halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 per-vehicle-sold and become climate-neutral across its value chain by 2040. Polestar’s comprehensive sustainability strategy covers the four areas of Climate, Transparency, Circularity and Inclusion.
     
     

    1 Volvo vehicles supporting Digital Key include: Volvo EX90. More vehicles will follow.2 Polestar vehicles supporting Digital Key include: Polestar 3. More vehicles will follow.3 Samsung Wallet Digital Key support is available on select devices, including: Galaxy S20 Ultra/S20+/S20, S21 Ultra/S21+/S21/S21 FE, S22 Ultra/S22+/S22, S23 Ultra/S23+/S23/S23 FE, S24 Ultra/S24+/S24/S24 FE, S25 Ultra/S25+/S25, Note20 Ultra/Note20, Z Fold2, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6, Z Flip 5G, Z Flip3, Z Flip4, Z Flip5, Z Flip6.4 UWB support is available on select devices, including: Galaxy S21 Ultra/S21+, S22 Ultra/S22+, S23 Ultra/S23+, S24 Ultra/S24+, S25 Ultra/S25+, Note20 Ultra, Z Fold2, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6.5 Evaluation Assurance Level 6 Augmented (EAL6+) is one of the highest security certifications within Common Criteria, an internationally recognized standard for computer security certification.6 Digital Key rollout for Volvo in Asia begins in Australia, Malaysia and Thailand.7 Digital Key rollout for Polestar in Asia begins in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Cost of living and the environment are top concerns of young people, survey finds

    Source: European Union 2

    An EP survey of EU citizens aged 16-30 shows social media is their main information source, and that the majority are also aware of the risks of online disinformation.

    Rising prices and the cost of living are a concern for 40% of the 16-30 year-olds who took part in the latest Eurobarometer Youth Survey published on Monday. One third of respondents said they believed the EU should focus its attention on the environment and climate change over the next five years, while 31% believe the economic situation and job creation should be a priority.

    Almost three in ten (29%) want the EU to prioritise social protection, welfare and access to healthcare. More than one in five respondents highlighted education and training (27%), housing (23%) and the EU’s defence and security (21%) as important priorities for the EU. European defence is of particular concern for young people in Czechia (36%), Poland (33%), and Estonia (32%).

    Roberta Metsola said: “Listening to young Europeans and their concerns is vital for politicians, policy-makers and European democracy. Young people today are worried about rising prices, climate change, security and their chances of finding a good job. These are concerns that we must address in every decision we take and every law that we pass. Otherwise, we risk losing a generation to disillusionment.”


    Social media outrun TV as main source of information

    Social media is the top source of information on political and social issues for 42% of respondents aged 16-30, with television being the second most-popular source (39%). The preference for TV is particularly noticeable among those aged 25-30. This age bracket is also more likely to use online news platforms and radio than 16-18 year-olds. Younger participants (16-18) rely more on social media (45%) than 25-30 year-olds (39%), and trust friends, family or colleagues for information (29% compared to 23%).

    “The information landscape is rapidly changing. With most young people predominantly getting their news from social media, politicians and social media platforms have a particular responsibility to fight increasing disinformation,” President Metsola added.

    TV also remains the leading source of information for young people in Portugal (53%), Italy (52%), Slovenia (45%), and France (43%). Online press and/or news platforms and radio are sources of information for 26% of the younger participants and 16% of their older counterparts. In the 2021 edition of the survey, the main sources of news were social media and news websites (each of which was mentioned by 41% of respondents).


    Instagram and TikTok are the most used social media for news

    Instagram is the top platform for obtaining political and social news among young people (47%), followed by TikTok (39%). X (formerly Twitter) is only used by 21% of young people, the survey shows.


    Young people are aware of their exposure to disinformation

    A significant majority (76%) of young people believed they had previously been exposed to disinformation and fake news.

    In nine EU countries, more than half of respondents report having been exposed to disinformation ‘often’ or ‘very often’, with the highest proportions from Malta (59%), Hungary (58%), Greece (57%), Luxembourg (55%), and Belgium (54%). By contrast, the share of those who believe they have never been exposed to disinformation and fake news is the highest in Romania (19%) followed by Bulgaria (11%).

    70% of the participants in the survey were confident they could recognise disinformation. Respondents from Malta and Croatia were the most confident in their ability to recognise disinformation, while those from Austria, Germany and Slovenia felt the least confident.

    Background

    The Eurobarometer Youth Survey was carried out by Ipsos between 25 September and 3 October 2024 in all 27 EU member states. A total of 25,863 young people aged 16-30 were surveyed via Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) using online panels. The results were weighted according to the proportion of this age group within each EU country.

    The full results can be found here.


    Young people discuss EU action at EYE2025

    Insights from the Eurobarometer Youth Survey provide a detailed understanding of the political participation of young Europeans and their needs and concerns. These findings will help ensure that Parliament’s flagship youth event,EYE2025, addresses topics that matter most to the EU’s young generation.

    Registration for EYE2025 is open until 21 February. From 13-14 June 2025, the EYE will bring together thousands of young people from across the EU and beyond to debate, exchange views, and contribute to shaping Europe’s future in Parliament’s Strasbourg premises.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Thames river rage drama ends with huge fine

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Boat-owner that caused Kingston Regatta incident charged more than £4,000. Video evidence shows disgraceful behaviour on the water.

    Boat-owner fined for “disgraceful” behaviour during Thames regatta

    An appalling incident of river rage on the River Thames at Kingston-upon-Thames in July 2024 has ended with £4,334.54 in fines, compensation and costs at Staines magistrates’ court on 28 January 2025.

    The perpetrator had navigated his boat dangerously and used abusive language at other river users. He was also found guilty of obstructing a boat race and interfering with the safety of persons gathered, failing to comply with a harbour master’s notice, and failing to register his boat for use on the Thames.  

    Scott Keen, of Morden, Surrey, steered his boat, Barney McGrew, along the Thames into a closed area of the river being used for Kingston Amateur Regatta, an event established in 1852, narrowly avoiding colliding with and swamping rowers.  

    Foul-mouth tirade

    The court heard how Keen was advised by an umpire that the river ahead was closed and he should return to a navigation channel. He ignored the request and continued past the umpire, cutting across the racing line and narrowly missing one of the boats, which had to take last-minute evasive action to avoid a collision. His cruiser than caught the anchor rope of a race stake boat, before he stopped and launched a foul-mouthed tirade against participants, yelling that ‘they did not own the (expletive) water.’  

    His actions and the way he navigated his vessel endangered the safety of those present at the Regatta, included young scullers in rowing boats. An eyewitness captured the full extent of the drama on a mobile phone. 

    Environment Agency officers carried out a detailed investigation into the incident and discovered that Barney McGrew was also an unregistered vessel. Keen was invited to a voluntary interview but failed to attend. A summons was subsequently issued for his appearance at Staines magistrates’ court on 28 January 2025. Again, he failed to attend. 

    Incident ‘was a disgrace’

    Maria Herlihy, operations manager at the Environment Agency and harbour master of the Thames, said:

    “This incident was a disgrace. Keen showed no regard for the safety of other river users and could easily have caused a tragedy. Quite frankly, it was no surprise to discover that his boat was unregistered, and we are happy with the court result.

    “We hope that this serves as a clear warning to all – anti-social and dangerous behaviour on our rivers will not be tolerated, and we will take robust action to deal with those who disregard the rules and regulations for boating on the River Thames.” 

    The magistrates fined Keen the maximum penalty of £1,000 for interfering with the boat race and navigating his boat without due care and attention. The court explained that it used its discretion to go outside the sentencing guidelines to deal with the matter robustly.

    The court heard the incident was shocking in its totality, with clear criminality that endangered the safety of other people, including the young people involved in the regatta.

    The court also complimented the Environment Agency’s investigation, and the evidence submitted.  

    Also charged in court, on the same day, for separate and unrelated incidents was Paul Campbell of West Molesey, who was found guilty in his absence of having not registered his boat, Enigma, for 2024 and failing to comply with directions to move his vessel from its location at West Molesey riverbank. He received a total of £2024.24 in fines, compensation and costs to be paid within 28 days.

    Ms Herlihy added:

    “As these prosecutions show, we have no hesitation in bringing offenders to court who avoid their obligations and responsibilities to lawful river users. Just one day in court has resulted in more than £6,000 of fines and compensation, which should serve as a major deterrent.” 

    Last year’s crackdown on unregistered vessels in the Thames resulted in 40 boaters having to pay a combined total of over £55,000 for their offences. 

    Renewal invitation letters for 2025 registrations on the River Thames were sent in November last year to everyone that registered their boat in 2024, and owners were encouraged to register early to ensure their boats were compliant by 1 January when the new season began.  

    The Environment Agency’s approach to non-registration on the Thames has changed – boat owners are given ample opportunity to register their boat. However, once a summons has been issued, it won’t stop court proceedings, even if the boat owner subsequently pays their registration fee. 

    Similar to excise duty for road vehicles, boat registration fees allow the Environment Agency to manage and maintain more than 600 miles of inland waterways across England, keeping them open and safe for thousands of boaters to enjoy. 

    Boats can be registered by calling 03708 506 506 or going to River Thames: boat registration and application forms – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

    Ends 

    • Owners of powered or non-powered boats, including paddleboards, must register their boats annually with the Environment Agency for use on the non-tidal River Thames.  

    • Boat registration on the Thames starts on 1 January every year. Any boats found on the water after that date, without having registered, may be liable to a fine. 

    • In mid-September 2024, during a river-wide census, Environment Agency officers recorded the locations of 10,890 boats on the river. 

    • Scott Keen, on Barney McGrew, was charged with: 

    1. On 13 July 2024, being the master of the vessel Barney McGrew, in the vicinity of Ravens Ait and Kingston Bridge on the River Thames, Keen failed to comply with a harbour master’s notice, contrary to section 84 of the Thames Conservancy Act 1932 – found guilty in absence and fined £50. 

    2. On 13 July 2024, being the master of the vessel Barney McGrew, in the vicinity of Ravens Ait and Kingston Bridge on the River Thames, Keen navigated his vessel in a manner as would risk obstructing impeding or interfering with such boat race regatta or function or endangering the safety of persons assembling on the river or preventing or interfering with the maintenance of order thereon, contrary to byelaw 52 and 86(a) of the Thames Navigation Licensing & General Byelaws 1993 – found guilty in absence and fined £1,000. 

    3. On 13 July 2024, being the master of the vessel Barney McGrew, in the vicinity of Ravens Ait and Kingston Bridge on the River Thames, Keen used abusive, threatening and language towards officials and volunteers involved in the regatta and conducted himself in a threatening or offensive manner contrary to 63(a) and 86(a) of the Thames Navigation Licensing & General Byelaws 1993 – found guilty in absence and fined £440. 

    4. On 13 July 2024, being the master of the vessel Barney McGrew, in the vicinity of Ravens Ait and Kingston Bridge on the River Thames, Keen failed to navigate with care and caution and at such a speed and in such a manner as not to endanger the lives of others of cause injury to person or endanger the safety of or cause damage to other vessels or any moorings or to the banks of the Thames or other property, contrary to section 97 of the Thames Conservancy Act 1932 – found guilty in absence and fined £1,000. 

    5. On 17 July 2024, at Riverside Walk, near Kingston-upon-Thames, being the owner or master of a vessel named Barney McGrew, Keen failed to register the vessel with the Environment Agency in accordance with article 4(1)(a) of the Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010, contrary to article 18(1)(a) of the Environment Agency (Inland Waterways) Order 2010 – found guilty in absence and fined £220. 

    A total of £2,710 in fines, £275 costs, £265.54 compensation and a £1,084 victim surcharge. A grand total £4,334.53. 

    • Paul David Campbell on Enigma, was found guilty in absence of the following charges 

    • Not registering his vessel Enigma, contrary to article 4(1) and article 18(1) of the Inland Waterway Order 2010. 

    • Failure to adhere to an officer’s directions to move, byelaw 58, Thames Navigation and General Byelaws 1993. 

    • He received £440 in fines – £220 for each charge – £275 costs, £1,593.40 compensation and £176 victim surcharge. Total: £2,024.24   

    Contact us:

    Journalists only – 0800 141 2743 or communications_se@environment-agency.gov.uk

    Both cases were heard at Staines magistrates’ court on 28 January 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New bus route to take passengers to Ocean Retail Park and beyond

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth residents are set to enjoy exciting upgrades to local bus services, including a new bus route to Ocean Retail Park. These improvements, made possible through funding from the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), will make travel around the city more convenient, faster, and more frequent.

    A brand-new route 19 is being introduced to connect bus passengers between Anchorage Park and Leigh Park, stopping at the Airport Industrial Estate, Admiral Lord Nelson School and Ocean Retail Park. Buses will run every hour between Monday and Saturday.

    Additionally, the popular route 18 will be enhanced, extending to Clarence Pier and running every 20 minutes between Monday and Saturday, and every 30 minutes on Sunday, offering a more frequent service for passengers.

    These enhancements are part of the Portsmouth BSIP and are aimed at meeting the growing demand for faster and more frequent public transport.

    Portsmouth City Council has partnered with local bus operator, Stagecoach, to bring these much-needed changes to the city, that will take effect from 6 April 2025. The new route and improved services will support commuters, shoppers, students and visitors to QA Hospital. They will provide better connections to key destinations across Portsmouth and offer a convenient connection for those heading to the Isle of Wight via Hovertravel.

    Improving the bus service is a key part of the council’s overall plan to make travel in the city better for everyone.

    Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:


    “We’re excited to further enhance Portsmouth’s bus network, making it easier and more efficient to get around the city. These changes, part of our broader plan to improve travel for all, are based on feedback from our residents and will improve transport for commuters and visitors alike. We’re committed to delivering services that meet the needs of our community.”

    Rob Vince, Business Development Manager for Stagecoach said:

    “We’re proud to partner with Portsmouth City Council to enhance bus services across Portsmouth. Through joint investment, we’re improving reliability, expanding services, and strengthening key connections to QA Hospital, Ocean Retail Park and the Isle of Wight—making travel more convenient and accessible for our communities.”

    Key improvements to bus services:

    • Service 18: Southsea • Fratton • Hilsea • QA Hospital • Paulsgrove
      Service 18 will run every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime, and every 30 minutes on Sundays. Buses will extend to Clarance Pier and will now call at St Jude’s Church for Southsea Shops, offering better access to Southsea and improved connections to Hovertravel for the Isle of Wight.
    • Service 19: Leigh Park • Farlington • Burrfields • Portsmouth City Centre
      The new service 19, replacing the 21 between Anchorage Park and Leigh Park, will run every hour Monday to Saturday. The service will link Leigh Park with Farlington, the Airport Industrial Estate, Admiral Lord Nelson School, Ocean Retail Park, and Portsmouth city centre, providing faster, more direct travel for those living in and around the Leigh Park area.

    For further details on the new services visit stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south/portsmouth-changes-2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Voting opens on community improvement proposals

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Voting opens today (Monday 17 February) for people, young and older, living in Aberdeen’s Priority Neighbourhood Areas (North, South and Central) to select the projects they think are best suited to meet their community needs.

    Aberdeen City Council’s Participatory Budgeting programme UDECIDE is asking eligible voters to choose from proposals for individual projects worth up to £3,000 in value, with a total of up to £20,000 available for each of the three Priority Neighbourhood Areas.

    To be eligible to vote, would-be voters must reside in one of the areas within the priority neighbourhoods. These are:

    • North – Northfield, Mastrick, Heathryfold, Cummings Park, Middlefield  
    • South – Torry, Kincorth   
    • Central – Tillydrone, Woodside, Seaton, Ashgrove, Stockethill, George Street

    Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard, Chair of Community Planning Aberdeen, said: “Aberdeen City Council’s Participatory Budgeting process UDECIDE enables people living in our Priority Neighbourhood Areas to select the projects that they think will best meet the needs of their community.

    “UDECIDE is an excellent example of community empowerment and I would encourage everyone who is eligible to vote. By doing so, they can help improve their neighbourhoods, making them even better places for all families and individuals to enjoy.”

    Each Priority Neighbourhood will host a main event where voters can meet those bidding for the UDECIDE funding before they vote for their favourite proposals.  Each voter must select three projects. Voters must be aged eight or over to vote at the in-person events. Free tea, coffee and biscuits will be available at the three main events.

    North – 1.30pm-3.30pm on Saturday 1 March at Get Active @Northfield, Kettlehills Crescent, AB16 5TL.

    South – 11am-1pm on Saturday 1 March at Greyhope Community Hub, 8 Tullos Circle, AB11 8HD.

    Central – 11am-1pm on Saturday 1 March at St George’s Community Centre, Hayton Road, AB24 2RN.

    Roadshows

    There will also be 24 voting roadshows held at various community locations to maximise the opportunity for people to get involved.

    For more details, please click on the below links:

    North Roadshows South Roadshows Central Roadshows

    Online

    Anyone unable to attend one of the in-person events is welcome to vote online. To vote online individuals must be 16-years-old or over. To do so, please click here.

    Please note that anyone who votes online or at one of the roadshows cannot vote again at their local main event, however they are still welcome to attend.

    A total of up to £60,000 is on offer with the Council making £40,000 available through Community Planning Aberdeen and £20,000 through the Fairer Aberdeen Fund.

    The results of the voting will be published online on the Community Planning Aberdeen website on Friday 7 March 2025.

    The invitation to make a submission to the UDECIDE budget fund opened on Monday 13 January 2025 and closed on Monday 3 February.  

    The proposals had to relate to one or more of the priority outcomes and community ideas detailed within the locality plans for North, South and Central, which underpin Aberdeen’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP).  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City prepares for Everton FC’s historic first game at new stadium

    Source: City of Liverpool

    The first Everton Stadium test event takes place today (Monday, 17 February) in front of a capacity of 10,000 spectators.

    Kick off for this historic game at Bramley Moore Dock (an Under-18s friendly fixture against Wigan Athletic) will be 7pm, with road closures around the £500m venue to begin at 5pm (see below).

    To coincide with the venue hosting its first match, a new experimental parking zone for the area around the 52,888 capacity stadium and the city’s north docks (see the map here) also goes live today.

    Established under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), the zone is subject to a public consultation to gain feedback from residents and businesses.

    Although it goes live today, the new parking scheme becomes fully operational when the 2025/26 football season begins in August.

    There are two key points about the ETRO:

    1. It allows the Council to monitor and evaluate the scheme’s effectiveness, and modify it, if necessary, before making the measures permanent.
    2. These measures can run for a maximum of 18 months (expiring in August 2026) but that does not mean changes have to wait until then.

    For example, although it states the number of permits per business will be set at 10, we will consider any request for more permits on a case-by-case basis.

    You can have your say on this ETRO in our quick survey at: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BramleyMooreParking/ and if you have any further questions, please email: bramleymooredockETRO@liverpool.gov.uk 

    All travel options for today’s first test game are outlined below.

    A second test game is being scheduled for March, which will see 25,000 fans use all four stands of the waterfront stadium.

    ROAD CLOSURES:

    Road closures will be in place two hours before kick-off on the main approach roads to the stadium: Waterloo Road, Regent Road, Ten Streets Area, roads surrounding Wellington Employment Park, and roads south of Bankfield Street.

    These roads will also be closed from final whistle until crowds have dispersed. Sandhills Lane will be closed following the final whistle at Sandhills Station to assist in crowd management.

    Supporters travelling by car are advised to avoid these closure areas.

    WALKING to the stadium:

    Road closures in place on surrounding streets will create a safe walking route for supporters on approach to Everton Stadium.

    Both Regent Road and Waterloo Road will be closed to general traffic between the city centre and Bankfield Street to assist pedestrian safety, as well as much of the Ten Streets area.

    Sandhills Lane will also be closed to traffic in the post-match period to assist with crowd movement.

    Supporters crossing the Bascule Bridge on Regent Road will be managed by stewards in attendance, with a flow-system in place for safety reasons.

    BY TRAIN:

    Merseyrail services will be running to normal timetables.

    The closest station is Sandhills, which is approximately a 15-minute walk from the stadium entrance.

    Please note: The Old Hall Street entrance of Moorfields station in Liverpool city centre is only open until 7pm on Monday 17 February.

    A new fan management area will be in operation adjacent to Sandhills in the post-match period, to aid the expected increase in numbers of rail users.

    Sandhills Lane will be closed to general vehicle traffic in the post-match period to assist with crowd movement.

    BY SHUTTLE BUS:

    There will be three commercially-operated shuttle bus services operating for the first test event, running from two hours before kick-off and from 15 minutes from the final whistle, but not during the match. The fare is a standard £2 single fare, and these routes are as follows:

    · 919 Service from / to Commutation Row / Lime Street

    City Centre Pick up & Drop Off: Commutation Row

    Stadium Drop off: Great Howard Street at Blackstone Street

    Stadium Pick Up: Great Howard Street at Bentinck Street

    · 929 Service from / to Liverpool One Bus Station

    City Centre Pick Up & Drop Off: Liverpool One Bus Station

    Stadium Drop off: Great Howard Street at Blackstone Street

    Stadium Pick Up: Great Howard Street, north of Denbigh Street

    · 939 Service from / to Bootle Strand Bus Station

    Bootle Pick-Up & Drop Off: Bootle Bus Station, Washington Parade (Strand Shopping Centre). Please note, the Strand Shopping Centre Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP) will be open late to accommodate supporters wishing to park in Bootle to use the dedicated Shuttle Bus (MSCP location – Vermont Way, Bootle, L20 4XZ).

    Stadium Drop Off: Derby Road at Wellington Employment Park, north of Blackstone Street

    Stadium Pick Up: Derby Road, north of Boundary Street

    ACCESSIBLE SHUTTLE SERVICE:

    A free shuttle bus service will operate for supporters with accessible needs between Sandhills Station (Sandhills Lane) and Boundary Street (around 175 metres from Everton Stadium), before and after the first test event. This service must be booked in advance by contacting the Accessibility Team at Everton on 0151 556 1878 (option 1, then 2, followed by 3).

    The 919, 929 and 939 shuttle buses, outlined above, also stop at stadium bus stops and Boundary St (at Royal Crest Hotel), for those with limited mobility.

    TAXIS:

    There will be three nearby taxi ranks. All three ranks lie outside of the road closures (outlined below) and are for black/Hackney cabs only. These are located at:

    · Sandhills Station

    · Boundary Street, near junction with Shadwell Street

    · Dublin Street

    BY BICYCLE:

    Cycle parking stands are available for supporters to use. These are located along the Regent Road/dock wall inside the stadium footprint. Bikes are left at the owner’s risk.

    No access to the stadium for supporters to collect their cycles will be possible once the stadium closes post-match.

    Supporters are advised not to cycle within the road closure areas through crowds of supporters.

    BY CAR:

    Supporters are advised that road closures and parking restrictions will be in place in the vicinity of the stadium for the first test event and are advised not to drive directly to the stadium.

    Please DO NOT park on residential and industrial streets surrounding the stadium, as parking enforcement will be in operation. Any illegally parked cars will incur a fine.

    Supporters travelling by car are advised to use car parks in the vicinity of the city centre or Bootle Strand for onward travel to Everton Stadium by train, shuttle bus, or on foot. The Strand Shopping Centre Multi-Storey Car Park, located at Vermont Way, Bootle, L20 4XZ, will be open late to accommodate supporters attending the test event.

    There is limited accessible car parking on site at Everton Stadium, which is now fully booked. Supporters with accessibility requirements who have already been allocated car parking for the first test event are advised to arrive no later than one hour before kick-off as access through closed roads will be denied.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Congratulations on the Day of Russian Student Teams

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    This year marks the 66th anniversary of the Russian student brigade movement. And 10 years ago, by Decree of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, an official holiday was established for the participants of student brigade groups.

    The spring of 1959 is considered to be the time when the detachments emerged, when a group of 339 students from the Lomonosov Moscow State University went to work on a construction site in the North Kazakhstan region, where virgin lands were being developed at the time. However, this date is also very conditional, since university students had been involved in agricultural work, large construction projects, and laying railways since 1920.

    In the summer of 1962, the commanders of student detachments from leading Moscow universities wrote a collective letter to the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee Nikita Khrushchev asking him to support their movement. He gave the go-ahead, and on November 15, 1963, the first All-Union Rally of the VSSO took place in the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, where a single Charter for all student detachments was adopted.

    Since then, the movement has acquired a truly grand scale. Student brigades participated in the development of virgin lands, the development of gas fields in Tyumen, the construction of the BAM, the Moscow metro, the VAZ and KAMAZ plants, the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station and other large facilities. Thanks to their activities, many settlements were founded, including the cities of Bratsk and Ust-Ilimsk. Over the years of the movement’s existence, tens of millions of students passed through it. The apogee was reached in 1982, when the one-time number of construction brigade fighters reached almost 550 thousand people.

    During their student years, the current President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, the Chairperson of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko and many other famous people had the opportunity to work in construction teams.

    Of course, this movement did not pass by the State University of Management, which in the heyday of student brigades was called the Moscow Engineering and Economic Institute. The modern campus of the university was built with the most active participation of its students. Among them were the current professor of the Department of Information Systems Vladimir Godin, professor of the Department of Project Management Alexey Lyalin, deputy chairman of the primary trade union organization of GUU employees Nikolay Nesterov, professor of the Department of Management Theory of the Institute of Public Administration and Law Alexander Raichenko and others. We talked with the latter about the history of student brigades at GUU.

    Alexander Vasilyevich, please tell us how the student work brigade movement began at our State University of Management and about your experience in them.

    — It all started for us much earlier than I started participating in it. I first came to the construction team in August 1968, after I was enrolled as a first-year student. That year, we were sent to prepare the construction site of the university complex in the garden near the metro station, which is now called Vykhino. In addition, we already had construction teams in the Moscow region and teams that were engaged in harvesting agricultural products on state farms in the Moscow and Astrakhan regions. Then, starting in 1969, we began very large-scale construction of our complex.

    Every year, 300 to 700 students worked here – this was our main construction site. Some worked not only in the summer months. In connection with this, their curriculum was redrawn, but they completed it in full. The next most important detachment was the agricultural harvesting detachment of approximately 600 people, who went to work in the Astrakhan region almost every year from 1969 to 1981.

    Where else in the country, besides Astrakhan, did our detachments work? After all, the movement is known for its all-Union construction projects.

    — Large construction teams worked in Siberia. Every year, two or three teams worked on the construction of the first line of the Baikal-Amur Mainline. We worked on the construction of the Khrebtovaya-Ust-Ilimsk branch, the settlement of Igirma. 120 of our students worked there for two years. And some time later, we worked for another two years in the settlement of Zvezdny, also on the BAM. We also had teams in the Gorno-Altai Region. In 1969, there were about eight teams there, from each faculty. And in the Uzhur District of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in the settlement of Shchetinkino, they were building a large residential complex. There were also some rather exotic places to work. One of the teams worked on industrial and civil construction in the settlement of Mirny, in Yakutia, the diamond capital of Russia. This was an unexpected appointment for us, but our students showed themselves well there.

    What practical benefits did these works provide to students?

    — The experience that students gained in construction teams was very helpful. I know more than 30 current managers who gained their first experience in production activities in student teams. Today they hold respectable positions, from the head of the construction and installation department to the governor of the region.

    And who from the current faculty of the State University of Management used to work in construction teams?

    — I know more than 20 people working at the university today who had such experience. The thing is that this work was considered as industrial practice. Rector of MIEI Olimpiada Vasilyevna Kozlova defined this activity as the first immersive industrial practice. It was not industry-specific, but it provided real and useful experience. Almost 100% of students, with the exception of those who could not participate in the work due to physical condition, were involved in one or another detachment. And the most active did this throughout the entire period of study. That is, every year, starting in May, when our quartermasters left, and ending in October, when the final results were summed up and we settled accounts with our customers, they actively participated in this work.

    We have an archive photo of MIE students in Czechoslovakia. Did our guys go anywhere else abroad?

    — What you are talking about was an interesting practice, it was called “currency-free exchange”. Student teams from our university were sent to four countries: the German Democratic Republic, Czechoslovakia (Charles University was a major partner of ours), Bulgaria (we had strong and long-term ties with it, our teams went there almost every year), and there were also ties with the Polish People’s Republic, although to a lesser extent. The same number of students from the universities with which we cooperated came from these countries. They worked for us, as a rule, on the construction of buildings for our university. Our students abroad worked at various sites, on construction sites of the national economy and the like.

    Today, RSO is 400 thousand young people from 85 regions of Russia who cooperate with more than 1000 employers, including Russian Railways, Rosatom, Gazprom, EkoNiva, Artek and other large organizations. Thus, students not only gain practical skills in professional activities, but also help solve important economic problems, form the country’s personnel reserve.

    “This is a unique school of life that shapes not only professional and personal qualities, but also the desire to live and develop in the native country. We are proud that the guys are becoming part of a big cause – strengthening the economy and social sphere of Russia. The contribution of the student brigades is an investment in the future of our country,” said the head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), associate professor of the Department of State and Municipal Administration of the State University of Management Grigory Gurov.

    Let us recall that at the end of last year, the State University of Management signed a cooperation agreement with the RSO and this spring will begin active joint work in the area of pedagogical and educational activities, as well as the work of service departments.

    We congratulate everyone involved in the movement on the holiday! We wish you success in work and study, as well as a lot of pleasant impressions from business trips and communication with new acquaintances.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 02/17/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Joachim Nagel: Financing the transition to greenhouse gas neutrality – how much and with which instruments?

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Check against delivery 

    1 Introduction

    Ladies and gentlemen, 

    I am delighted to be here with you today. What better place than Glasgow to discuss the economic impacts of climate change and the green transition! And not just because it played host to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

    Glasgow is also where Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, studied and taught as a professor. Have you ever wondered what he would have thought of climate change? As a famed free-market economist, he might not be the first person you would think of. But even Adam Smith acknowledged that the invisible hand can sometimes lead to suboptimal outcomes.

    Climate change is a prime example of this: market prices do not reflect the negative side effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, it is now widely acknowledged that governments need to intervene and encourage individuals and companies to reduce their emissions. 

    Switching to a net-zero emissions economy is a major task. It requires changes in behaviour, innovation and significant investment to rebuild our capital stock. And this transition requires significant financing. 

    In my speech, I will explore what financing the transition to a greenhouse gas-neutral economy could look like. More specifically, I will focus on two key issues. First, how much investment is needed to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality, and how much of this investment is “additional”? Second, what could the financing mix to fund this investment look like?

    I know that answering these questions seems like a tough challenge – a taughy fleece tae scoor. But I will do my best to illustrate my points with clear, practical examples. Along the way, I will discuss electric cars and heating systems to help us understand the issues. 

    My remarks will focus on the European Union (EU), borrowing some detailed insights from Germany. Unfortunately, these data do not cover the United Kingdom (UK). But I will do my best to infer some insights for the UK as well.

    2 How much needs to be invested?

    Let me start with the question of how much the EU needs to invest to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality. The EU’s Fit for 55 package aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030. These reductions are benchmarked against 1990 emission levels. This is an intermediate step towards full greenhouse gas neutrality, for which the EU still needs to pass legislation.

    From 2021 to 2030, the European Commission estimates that EU countries need to invest over €1.2 trillion annually.1 This amounts to nearly 8 per cent of the EU’s GDP. The private sector must take on the bulk of these investments. The investment needs are significantly more than the actual annual investment of €760 billion in the previous decade. 

    The European Commission defines the difference between the investment required and the actual investment as the “additional” investment need. This additional investment need amounts to €480 billion, or around 3 per cent of GDP.

    This definition of “additional” investment is very useful from an accounting perspective. It gives a clear picture of how much more the EU needs to invest to meet its climate goals. However, from a financing perspective, it helps to define additional investment differently.

    There are two types of investment needed to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality. The first type is investment that would not happen without the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A prime example of this type of investment is technology to capture and store carbon dioxide. This technology will play a crucial role in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise. These investments need economic resources and financing beyond what an economy spends just to maintain its capital stock.

    The second type is investment where a greenhouse gas-neutral alternative replaces a fossil fuel-based technology. To illustrate this point, imagine two households buying a new car. The Jones family spend €45,000 on a new combustion engine car. From a technical perspective, the Jones family are making a replacement investment. No additional financing is needed. Meanwhile, the Smith family decide to switch from a combustion engine car to an electric vehicle. Let us say a comparable electric car costs €50,000. Of this amount, €45,000 is a replacement investment. Only the remaining €5,000 requires additional financing.

    Contrast this with how the European Commission defines additional investment: They subtract the annual average value of electric cars bought in the past from the value of electric vehicles needed to meet the EU’s intermediate greenhouse gas reduction goals. Past registrations of electric vehicles fell significantly short of what is needed. Accordingly, the additional investments, as defined by the European Commission’s accounting perspective, are presumably much higher than the additional financing needs. 

    How great could the additional financing needs be? While we do not yet have specific figures for the EU, there are some numbers for Germany. A recent study estimates that Germany needs to invest around €390 billion annually from 2021 to 2030 to reduce emissions by 65 per cent compared to 1990.2 They measure this absolute sum in 2020 prices. Relative to GDP, the investment amounts to 11 per cent. 

    This is fairly close to the 8 per cent investment needs calculated by the European Commission for the EU.3 However, only around 30 per cent of this investment requires additional financing. In absolute terms, this amounts to about €120 billion. 

    Let me pause for a moment to summarise the two key takeaways from my remarks so far. First, the transition to greenhouse gas neutrality calls for significant investment. However, in many cases, we are replacing fossil-based technologies with greenhouse gas-neutral alternatives. Accordingly, the additional financing needs are much smaller and seem manageable.

    Second, we can minimise the additional financing needs by replacing already largely depreciated capital stock. By contrast, replacing relatively new capital stock that has barely depreciated would increase the economic and financial costs. Let me illustrate this point with a brief anecdote. 

    On 1 January 2024, the German government introduced a new law governing heating systems. In German, it is known by the beautiful name “Gebäudeenergiegesetz“. This law mandates that heating systems use around two-thirds renewable energy. In anticipation of this new law, many households replaced their old gas heating systems with new ones. These heating systems can run for around 25 years, so they depreciate over a long period. 

    Bad luck if you just installed a new gas heating system and live in the German city of Mannheim. Here, the local gas provider has said it intends to stop its services in 2035. This means that a long-term investment will become unviable when little more than half of it has depreciated: A waste of both financial and economic resources.

    This anecdote highlights one key point: to avoid wasting money, we need a clear and reliable path to greenhouse gas neutrality. With a clear path mapped out, people can confidently invest in the transition. 

    3 What could the financing mix look like?

    Now, let us explore what the potential financing mix could look like. To achieve a greenhouse gas-neutral economy, households, firms and the public sector all need to invest. They can fund these investments using both internal and external sources.

    As the name would suggest, internal financing comes from within. Like the Smith family putting aside some of their income to pay for their new car. Or think of a firm that sells its products and saves some of the profits. That is internal financing, too. External financing, on the other hand, comes from outside sources such as banks or investors. 

    Regarding their financing mix, households, non-financial firms and the public sector differ considerably. Households tend to save significantly and mainly use bank loans as a source of external finance. The public sector, on the other hand, raises most of its funds from external sources by issuing debt securities. Only firms have a more diversified financing mix. Equity and bank loans play prominent roles here. Note that these observations hold for the EU, the UK and Germany alike. 

    So, what might the financing mix for the transition to a greenhouse gas-neutral economy look like? To estimate these figures, we need two key components: First, the respective shares of households, firms and the public sector in total investment. According to rough estimates by Bundesbank staff for Germany, households might have to cover about one-third of the investment, the public sector around 20 per cent, and firms just under half.4

    Second, estimates for the future financing structure of the sectors. We assume that future financing structures will remain unchanged from today.5 This implies that past financing structures are suitable for future climate investment. If this were not the case, perhaps due to the need for innovative financing instruments, the financing structure may differ. 

    What result do we get when we combine the two components? For Germany, we estimate that about 20 per cent of the financing mix could come from internal financing, primarily household savings. In terms of external financing, bank loans might play the largest role. They account for over one-quarter of the estimated financing mix. Households in particular obtain almost all their external financing from banks.

    The second-largest external financing source could be debt securities, accounting for around 20 per cent. The public sector plays a prominent role here, with funding coming almost exclusively from bonds. Finally, the third-largest external financing source could be equity financing, comprising around one-sixth. Firms are the only users of this financing source, as households and the public sector do not issue equity. Different instruments, like loans from non-bank financial intermediaries, might cover the final sixth of the overall investment needs. 

    So, what does this mean for the EU and the UK? Can the findings for Germany be generalised? Fortunately, the financing structures of households, firms and governments are largely comparable across these regions.6 Therefore, one of the two components in the calculations is roughly equal.

    The second component – the sectoral investment needs – is less certain. I am not aware of any studies for the EU or the UK that divide the investment needs across households, firms and the public sector.7 Without a better alternative, the findings for Germany may provide a reasonable initial estimate for both the EU and the UK.

    4 Concluding remarks

    Let me summarise and conclude. I have three main takeaways to share.

    First, “additional” investment needs to become greenhouse gas-neutral can also be defined from a financing perspective. In many cases, we are replacing fossil fuel-based technologies with greenhouse gas-neutral alternatives. And this requires additional financing only if greenhouse gas-neutral technologies are more expensive or if the capital stock being replaced is not yet fully depreciated. The additional financing needs are significantly smaller than the total investment required. Accordingly, I am confident that our financial system can mobilise the necessary financing. 

    Second, banks may play a larger role in financing the climate transition than is commonly anticipated. The main reason for this conclusion is that a substantial portion of climate investments falls on households. They need to make their homes more energy-efficient and replace fossil-fuelled heating systems with greenhouse gas-neutral alternatives. And households simply do not have many viable alternatives to bank loans.

    Accordingly, a robust banking system is essential for achieving greenhouse gas neutrality. That is why we at the Bundesbank are committed to completing the European banking union. However, we also need to improve access to alternative financing sources. Non-financial firms, in particular, would greatly benefit from better capital market financing. That is why we at the Bundesbank are dedicated to creating a European capital markets union. 

    Third, legislators can minimise the additional financing needs by ensuring that the path to greenhouse gas neutrality is planned stringently and for the long term. Why? Because it provides incentives to avoid investments in fossil fuel technologies that may not be fully depreciated before they become non-viable. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: SimCorp: BaFin warns about identity fraud

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The financial supervisory authority BaFin warns against investment offers, in particular via WhatsApp, which allegedly originate from SimCorp GmbH, Bad Homburg, or another company of the SimCorp Group. According to their findings, unknown persons using unauthorised names and photos of members of the SimCorp Group are providing financial and investment services without permission. In particular, they offer the brokerage of pre-IPO shares in connection with upcoming IPOs. This is a case of identity fraud.

    Anyone providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the necessary authorisation

    The information provided by BaFin is based on section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG)..

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man sentenced to life in prison for killing neighbour in Harrow

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Robert Weston in Harrow, following an investigation by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.

    Jaden Sheriff, 20 (22.01.05) of Forston Street, Hackney, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 14 February to life with a minimum term of 19 years’ imprisonment.

    Detectives launched a murder investigation after police were called at 14:05hrs on Monday, 26 February 2024 to Hamilton Crescent, Harrow following reports that a man had been stabbed.

    Robert, a Hackney resident, was found with two stab wounds, including one to the heart. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Detective Inspector Devan Taylor, who led the investigation into the murder, said:

    “Robert was just 37-years-old when he lost his life in this senseless attack, killed by someone who should have been a friend and neighbour.

    “Jaden Sheriff now has to spend the rest of his life knowing he killed a man.

    “No amount of time will make up for the pain Robert’s family have endured at losing their loved one.

    “They have conducted themselves with great dignity throughout the trial and our thoughts remain with them as they continue to process what happened.”

    In initial interviews with officers, Sheriff claimed he accidentally stabbed Robert in self-defence, alleging he had pulled a knife on him.

    However, witnesses gave police a different account, saying Sheriff had set upon Robert following a dispute.

    Forensic evidence revealed his wounds could only have been caused by a deliberate stabbing to the chest.

    Investigators obtained phone records, which showed Robert had called 999 to complain about Sheriff just three days before he was stabbed.

    He told police that he’d been “threatened” in his own house after an argument with the Sheriff; a statement which was used at trial to illustrate the spiralling relationship between the two men, culminating in murder just days later.

    Officers worked quickly to arrest Sheriff the day after the incident.

    He was arrested on suspicion of murder on Tuesday, 27 February 2024 and subsequently charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon in the early hours of Thursday, 29 February 2024.

    He was found guilty of murder by a jury at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 30 January.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New funding to help create the next generation of aviators and boost the economy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Latest round of Reach for the Sky programme awarded £810,000 to 16 organisations across the UK.

    • £810,000 of new government funding to help young people start a career in aviation by breaking down barriers to opportunity
    • with the air transport and aerospace sector contributing £20 billion to the UK economy, investment in the next generation of professionals will secure long-term economic growth and deliver on the government’s Plan for Change
    • Reach for the Sky scheme has now provided £2.3 million to 37 organisations, reaching 100,000 people across the country, from Cornwall to Carlisle

    The Aviation Minister has today (17 February 2025) launched the latest round of funding to encourage more young people into a career in aviation, helping to secure long term economic growth and ensuring the sector has the workforce needed for the future.

    Now in its third round, the government’s Reach for the Sky programme will see £810,000 awarded to 16 organisations across the UK, from Cornwall to Newcastle.

    The successful scheme, which totals £2.3 million, has now delivered funding to 37 outreach organisations and reached 100,000 people across the country.

    Supporting young people to pursue careers such as pilots, navigators and controllers also aligns with the government’s ambition to go further and faster to kickstart growth. As part of the drive to build up aviation capacity at Heathrow and across the sector – from increased travel options to more UK homegrown aviation jobs – expansion in the sector plays a crucial part in unlocking economic prosperity.

    Reach for the Sky aims to break down barriers to opportunity and form the next generation of aviators, particularly by supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have considered a career in the sector before.

    Funding will help organisations deliver events, interactive workshops, taster days, mentorship schemes and educational initiatives with schools, universities and career professionals.

    Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:

    As part of our Plan for Change, we are breaking down barriers to opportunity so that every young person has the chance to pursue their dreams.  

    Programmes like Reach for the Sky turn ambition into reality, helping to inspire young people and introducing them to the benefits of a career in the skies.  

    I look forward to seeing the achievements of the next generation of aviators.

    With Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showing that young people from disadvantaged households are more likely to feel they do not have as much of a chance in life, programmes like Reach for the Sky help break down barriers to opportunity and expand horizons for underserved, hard-to-reach groups.

    This year’s recipients of the DfT-funded scheme include SaxonAir, The King’s Trust and Employers and Educators, amongst others.

    SaxonAir, who have been successful in previous rounds, offer a range of scholarships, volunteering programmes and events for people of all backgrounds.

    One of their main initiatives is the INSPIRE programme, delivered in partnership with Business In The Community (BITC) at West Earlham Infant School. It aims to make the aviation industry inclusive for individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

    The initiative is already making a tangible difference, with teachers at West Earlham Infant School in Norwich reporting a surge in enthusiasm for aviation among pupils following a recent visit.

    Hannah Colledge, HR and Wellbeing Coordinator at SaxonAir, said: 

    Our INSPIRE Outreach Programme is designed to spark a passion for aviation from as young as 5 years old offering tailored activities that align with different age groups and connect appropriately to the curriculum.

    With support from the Reach for the Sky funding, we can extend our reach, ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have the chance to experience aviation firsthand.

    By breaking down barriers and bringing aviation opportunities to underrepresented communities, we are reinforcing our commitment to a more diverse and inclusive aviation sector.

    Graham, the father of a student at Aylsham High School, Norwich, said:

    [My son] really enjoyed the INSPIRE event and loved the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes in the aviation industry. His ambition is to be a pilot, but this event opened his eyes into other possibilities of work with and around aircraft. Thank you for providing him with this rare opportunity.

    Education and Employers Charity helps young people discover their future by bringing inspiration from the world of work into school. Reach for the Sky funding helps them connect aviation professionals with young people to deliver careers events and provide training across the UK.

    Speaking about one of these events, a pupil at Ealing Fields High School, Josh from London said:

    I’ve wanted to be a pilot for a long time and the opportunity to listen to a pilot tell his story and career path was really impactful. At the end I was lucky enough to speak to him 1:1 and this really helped me with my questions. Since meeting with him I’ve made the most of opportunities and even visited a flight simulator. The talk was so impactful.

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for delivering the Reach for the Sky programme on behalf of DfT.

    Sophie Jones, Head of Organisational Capability and STEM Sponsor at the CAA, said:

    The aerospace sector provides many jobs and opportunities for development, and with the innovation and growth currently taking place, it is all the more vital for young people to join the industry.

    The Reach for the Sky Challenge fund provides support for outreach programmes that inspire the next generation, from all backgrounds, to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace, ensuring that the UK continues to be at the forefront of innovation and development.

    As the UK’s aviation regulator, we are proud to inspire the next generation’s journey into this fantastic industry through our STEM programme, funded by the Department for Transport.

    Aviation, Europe and technology media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Amish voters for Trump? The Amish and the religion factor in Republican electoral politics

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Daniele Curci, PhD Candidate in International and American History, University of Florence

    On November 5, 2024, as millions of Americans headed to the polls, billionaire Elon Musk posted a video on his social media platform X depicting a caravan of Amish individuals travelling via horse and buggy to vote for Donald Trump. The following day, in response to a post expressing gratitude to the Amish for their contribution to Trump’s victory, Musk wrote: “The Amish may very well save America! Thank goodness for them. And let’s keep the government out of their lives.” Musk’s tweets underscore the growing prominence of religion in US politics and the Republican party’s efforts to integrate the Amish into its electorate.

    The Amish and their vote in US history

    The Amish are a Protestant religious community rooted in early European Anabaptist movements. They accept technological advancements selectively, adhering to a distinct way of life marked by simple living, plain dress and a focus on community, distinguishing between what strengthens their social bonds and what might compromise their spiritual path. The Amish are a tiny minority in the US: in 2022, there were approximately 373,620 individuals in a population of around 330 million–slightly more than one in 1,000 Americans. They are predominantly concentrated in the election swing states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, which partly explains Republicans’ interest in courting their support.

    Traditionally, the Amish mainly abstain from voting unless they feel compelled to protect their religious freedoms, preserve their way of life or address critical moral issues. Historically, such instances of electoral participation have occurred only three times.

    The first instance dates back to the 1896 presidential election, when the Republican nominee, William McKinley, campaigned on a platform centred on industrial corporate interests. These interests diverged significantly from those of the Amish, who aligned instead with Democrat William Bryan’s policies advocating for small farmers and the defense of rural America.

    Amish political engagement resurfaced during the 1960 presidential election, which featured Republican Richard Nixon vs Democrat John F. Kennedy. The Amish viewed Kennedy as an ally of the Catholic church, an institution they viewed as intolerant. Consequently, they supported Nixon, a Quaker, whom they saw as a defender of a Protestant America.

    The most recent instances of notable Amish participation occurred amid the presidential election campaigns of Republican George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. This phenomenon, dubbed “Bush Fever,” saw unprecedented Amish voter turnout. In 2000, 1,342 out of 2,134 registered Amish voters in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania–which has one of the largest Amish communities in the US–cast ballots, achieving a turnout rate of 63%. By 2004, Amish voter registration had increased by 169%, with 21% of eligible adults being registered. This mobilization was spearheaded by Chet Beiler, the son of Amish parents who left the community when he was three. Leveraging his heritage and fluency in Pennsylvania German, a traditional language spoken in many Amish communities, Beiler developed a voter registration strategy targeting the Amish to support Bush’s re-election campaign.

    The religious factor in US politics

    To understand the Republican party’s interest in the Amish, one must examine the increasing centrality of religion in US politics. This phenomenon persists despite a growing number of Americans identifying as non-religious or less religious.

    In the US political context, religion extends beyond faith to encompass cultural identity and social cohesion. Scholars often describe this phenomenon as “Christianism,” a form of nationalism that is bound together by a belonging to Christianity and that emerges, as a form of reaction, within the culture wars. Consequently, a political platform emphasizing Christian principles and rural values has the potential to galvanize segments of the electorate. This dynamic is exemplified by Musk’s tweets about the Amish. Within some parts of the Republican electorate, the Amish are perceived as “guardians of lost values,” embodying a vision of an untainted rural America defined by traditional family structures and an agrarian work ethic. This narrative has been further amplified by Amish PAC, a political action committee established in Virginia in 2016 to rally support for Trump through religiously framed identity politics that advocate for traditional values and oppose abortion rights.

    The influence of religion within the Republican party is further underscored by the ascendancy of the Christian right, a political movement that emerged in the late 1970s. Though not a monolithic entity, it is composed of individuals–primarily evangelical Christians–seeking to shape US politics based on a conservative interpretation of biblical principles and societal values.

    Legislation and the Amish

    Some Republicans have advocated for legislation favourable to the Amish, such as former US representative Bob Gibbs, who won election in the Amish-dominated congressional district of Holmes County, Ohio. In December 2021, Gibbs introduced legislation to allow people with specific religious beliefs such as the Amish, who view photography as a form of idolatry, to be exempt from a requirement of possessing identification documents featuring their photographs “to purchase a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer.” In the same month, Gibbs also proposed another bill to benefit the Amish, which would have allowed them to opt out of social security and Medicare wage deductions if they were employed by non-Amish-owned companies.

    Earlier in 2021, the conservative-majority Supreme Court resolved a longstanding dispute between the Amish of Lenawee County, Michigan and local authorities, ruling in favour of the Amish. The issue at the heart of the case concerned wastewater management. Following their religious principles, the Amish typically avoid using modern inventions such as septic systems, and the Amish in Lenawee County used a management method considered noncompliant by health officials. This case followed similar ones involving other Amish communities in Ohio, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Legal disputes such as these could be leading the Amish to form a more positive view of the Republican party and Trump, both for their advocacy of “less government” and for positioning themselves as defenders of religious freedom.

    The Amish and the 2024 presidential election

    According to the online news source Anabaptist World, media reports suggested that the 2024 presidential election saw a surge in voter registrations among the Amish in Pennsylvania, allegedly contributing to Trump’s victory in the state. The alleged surge was reportedly driven by a reaction to federal legal actions against an Amish farmer accused of selling raw dairy products across state lines, which resulted in cases of Escherichia (E.) coli.

    However, official data from Lancaster County–where the principal Amish settlement in Pennsylvania is located–challenge claims of a massive Amish turnout. The increase in Trump’s vote share in the state, from 48.84% in 2020 to 50.37% in 2024, primarily occurred in urban and suburban areas. For example, by the time the Associated Press declared that Trump had won Pennsylvania, his vote share in Philadelphia had improved by three percentage points. Key suburban counties such as Bucks, Monroe and Northampton, which former president Joe Biden won in 2020, had swung in his favour. And the Republican had also performed better in the Philadelphia-area suburbs of Delaware and Chester counties. These regions, with few Amish residents, experienced substantial shifts, while districts with larger Amish populations saw only modest gains for Trump.

    While the Amish did not become a significant component of Trump’s electoral coalition, voters in some Amish communities may have grown more sympathetic to his candidacy. More importantly, members of the religious group serve as a potent symbol of mobilization and propaganda for the Republican party amid the intensifying polarization of US politics.

    Daniele Curci ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

    – ref. Amish voters for Trump? The Amish and the religion factor in Republican electoral politics – https://theconversation.com/amish-voters-for-trump-the-amish-and-the-religion-factor-in-republican-electoral-politics-247869

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Autistic women face barriers to safe and supportive maternity care – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Aimee Grant, Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow, Swansea University

    New research looks at the experiences of autistic women during pregnancy and childbirth. Zhuravlev Andrey/Shutterstock

    Childbirth is often described as one of life’s most profound experiences, but for many, it can be fraught with anxiety, pain and trauma.

    Autism is a lifelong neurotype, which affects around 3% of people. It is linked to differences in communication and sensory processing.

    Women have historically been underdiganosed with autism, diagnosed at an older age and misdiagnosed. This may explain why very little research has been conducted on the experiences of autistic women during pregnancy and childbirth – an oversight we have aimed to address in our new research.

    There are issues affecting maternity services across the nations of the UK. Last year, almost half of maternity services in England were rated as “needing improvement” or “inadequate” by England’s health service regulator, the Care Quality Commission. They also noted that communication with women – especially those from marginalised groups – could lead to fear, anxiety and having a negative birth experience.

    Following reviews of baby deaths in Scotland, inspections of maternity services are underway, with units given no prior notice. Likewise, following the death of a baby, an independent review of maternity services in Northern Ireland recommended widespread changes and additional funding to make services safe. While a review of maternity services in Wales reported that services are generally good and safe, issues have been identified in some health boards.

    In a medical context, “informed consent” means that a person understands what will happen during a test or treatment, and that they are aware that they can say “no” to having it. We know that in English maternity units, there are sometimes issues with women not being given the information needed for them to give informed consent.

    What we found

    Our research aimed to understand barriers to good maternity care for autistic people. We asked 193 autistic people from across the UK who had been pregnant to tell us what happened during their care in an online survey. It’s important to note that half of our participants weren’t aware they were autistic when they gave birth.

    Most participants told us they felt they had to “mask”, or act as though they weren’t autistic, to try to get better maternity care. Despite this, more than half said they felt they weren’t listened to by maternity staff. Almost half also said they felt staff misunderstood them and that they were unsupported.

    Worryingly, more than a third didn’t understand explanations from healthcare professions about their examinations and treatments. Nearly half said they weren’t given the choice to say no to having examinations, including vaginal examinations. This means that many of our participants weren’t able to give informed consent to the treatment they received.

    Another concerning issue was that some participants’ pain during childbirth was untreated. And ten people told us that they could tell they were on the verge of giving birth, but were not believed by maternity staff.

    Maternity services are not meeting the needs of autistic women.
    christinarosepix/Shutterstock

    When sharing their stories, most of our participants felt that staff didn’t understand autistic people, including how they communicate and experience pain. While autistic people feel pain at the same level as non-autistic people, they often show it differently, including having fewer outward signs of pain.

    Our participants also acknowledged there were issues in how maternity systems are designed, with staff appearing to have too much work to understand the needs of the individual pregnant person and change the care they give accordingly.

    Altogether we found that autistic people’s needs were not met during maternity care, with lack of consent, breached trust and safety issues common. Many of the issues we asked participants about are known to be linked to birth trauma. Our study provides initial support for a hypothesis that rates of birth trauma may be higher in autistic people.



    Read more:
    ‘Dehumanising policies’ leave autistic people struggling to access health, education and housing – new review

    Also, autistic women are at much greater risk of sexual assault compared to non-autistic peers, with one study reporting nine in ten had been victims. Research shows that sexual abuse survivors can be re-traumatised during birth.

    Participants told us that they did not have their questions about pregnancy and birth answered by maternity staff, and that this caused anxiety. So, we have worked with the autistic organisations Autistic Parents UK and Autistic UK alongside autistic maternity professionals and parents to create 114 short videos to answer their questions. They are available in English and Welsh, and are already being used by some NHS trusts.

    UK maternity services urgently need to become more autism-friendly. Things that may help include seeing the same midwife every time and having longer appointments, so that all questions can be answered.

    It’s also important for maternity staff to receive training in how to best support autistic people, which has been developed by autistic people. This is already available in England but not in the other UK nations. That should be introduced as a matter of urgency.

    Aimee Grant receives funding from the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council and the Morgan Advanced Studies Institute. She is a non-executive director of Disability Wales.

    Kathryn Williams receives funding for her PhD from the Economic and Social Research Council. She is a Director of Autistic UK CIC.

    Catrin Griffiths 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. Autistic women face barriers to safe and supportive maternity care – new research – https://theconversation.com/autistic-women-face-barriers-to-safe-and-supportive-maternity-care-new-research-247017

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Heat pumps have a cosiness problem

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Aimee Ambrose, Professor of Energy Policy, Member of Fuel Poverty Evidence and Trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network, Sheffield Hallam University

    How we keep warm at home accounts for 17% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. The UK cannot reach net zero emissions, and end its contribution to climate change, without ending its reliance on natural gas as the dominant source of heating.

    As elsewhere in Europe, heat pumps (which use electricity to draw heat out of the air or ground and circulate it indoors) are regarded as the best way to reduce carbon emissions. But are people ready to ditch their gas boilers?

    My colleagues and I spent three years researching what people need, want and expect from their heating systems by asking 300 people in eight settlements across the UK, Finland, Sweden and Romania about their experiences of trying to keep warm at home. These memories ranged from as early as 1945 to the present day.

    Among the four countries we studied, the uptake of heat pumps is most sluggish in the UK and Romania. In Sweden, heat pumps are an established technology, used to heat homes outside of dense urban areas that tend to be served by heat networks, where a boiler is shared by multiple dwellings and heat pumped to each home through pipes.

    Successive oil crises accelerated the roll-out of electric heating in Sweden during the 1970s. Our participants credited widespread trust in the Swedish government at the time for the successful adoption of heat pumps.

    Relatively low trust in the government makes it more difficult to increase heat pump uptake in the UK, a problem shared by Romania, where, low trust in the government follows decades of communist rule during which energy could be cut off to maintain supply to industries.

    When coal was king and stoves were guilt-free

    We found that there were strong attachments to high-carbon fuels in many of the communities we studied – even where people were committed to a future with low-carbon energy.

    In former coalfields, such as Rotherham in south Yorkshire and Jiu Valley in south-west Romania, people spoke wistfully of the coal industry which provided jobs, housing and plentiful fuel for heating and cooking, except during industrial disputes. The coal fire was where most of our participants let their minds linger.

    The subsequent move to natural gas heating for most UK households, which started in the 1960s, failed to evoke the same enthusiasm. People did acknowledge the benefits of being able to heat the whole home evenly with gas central heating and remembered feeling glad to no longer have to clean out the grate, but this was a less remarkable era in home heating. Participants talked about it in less detail, for less time and with less enthusiasm.

    Many of our Finnish participants, despite having heat pumps or connection to a district heating network, wanted to continue burning wood at home. This treasured practice brought a sense of wellbeing. The intense pleasure of the fireside created a sense of homeliness and enabled cultural traditions such as cooking on a wood fire, plus the multi-sensory experience of a wood-fired sauna.

    Some participants worried about being considered an “environmental criminal” for driving a diesel car, but regarded burning wood as more socially acceptable. Outside of cities, plots of woodland are inherited in some families. Gathering firewood was a ritual many enjoyed and didn’t want to give up.

    Nice, but not sustainable.
    Skylines/Shutterstock

    More affluent participants in the UK also valued their wood burning stoves – a growing trend essentially borrowed from Scandinavian neighbours. Those we interviewed in Sweden also prized their wood burners but usually only in the homes or cabins where they holidayed.

    Thermal delight

    In 1979, US architect Lisa Heschong’s concept of “thermal delight” held that building designers were forgetting the importance of enabling pleasure through heat. Our research participants had not forgotten, however, and confirmed that we seek the most joyous route to warming our bodies.

    While the necessary speed of the net zero transition entails a clean sweep that substitutes fossil-fuelled heating for low-carbon, electric alternatives, our research shows that this may be unappealing to many households.

    The people we met wanted heating options to reflect different needs and preferences. Our participants valued central heating for bringing their houses to a consistent temperature, but this did not preclude a desire for the radiant heat of the log burner on some days. They also wanted the option of plugging in a portable, electric heater when they only needed to heat one room.

    They enjoyed the contrast between the intense warmth of the fireside and a cool bedroom and many regarded an even heat throughout the home as “uninviting” – something that met their needs but not their desires. The experience of different eras of home heating had taught them the value of flexibility and variety, which makes a “clean sweep” to electric heating unattractive.

    These findings do not mean that heat pumps are doomed. Indeed, heat pumps have a lot to offer in terms of reducing heating emissions. What we found does indicate a need for multiple ways to heat the home within scenarios for reaching net zero emissions.

    The transition from coal to gas heating is within living memory in the UK.
    AstroStar/Shutterstock

    Partly, this calls for innovation in home heating technology. There is really no place for burning solid fuels in a net zero future, but a concerted effort between heating researchers, designers and technologists could create a beautiful heat source that acts as a focal point, and offers something akin to the multi-sensory joy of the fireside.

    The findings also indicate the need to change how heating transitions are talked about by the government and energy companies. Away from an implacable duty to switch heating sources and the need for efficiency, and towards the joy and abundance of a heat source that (in the case of heat pumps) offers four times the heat output for the same energy input as a gas boiler.

    The best way to sell the low-carbon heating transition is locally, where the kinds of attachments and allegiances to heat that we have uncovered are best appreciated and understood. Local authorities are typically best placed to do that.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Aimee Ambrose receives funding from The Collaboration for the Humanities and Social Sciences in Europe (CHANSE) and The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

    – ref. Heat pumps have a cosiness problem – https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-have-a-cosiness-problem-249529

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Earning Points for Lufthansa Group frequent flyer status now also possible on ITA Airways flights

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    The integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group is making further progress: Miles & More members can now also earn Points for their frequent flyer status on ITA Airways flights in addition to miles. By Points, Qualifying Points and – in Business Class – HON Circle Points, they will have even more opportunities to obtain or achieve Lufthansa Group frequent flyer status in future. The number of Points is awarded on ITA Airways flights according to the same system as for the other Lufthansa Group airlines and the co-issuing Miles & More airline partners.

    ITA Airways has been a member of the Lufthansa Group since January 17, 2025, offering passengers additional benefits and improvements. Miles & More members already have the opportunity to earn and redeem miles on ITA Airways flights. In addition, members of Volare, the frequent flyer program of ITA Airways, can also earn and redeem Volare Points on Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines. The offer to qualify for Lufthansa Group status on flights with ITA Airways with immediate effect is another important step in the collaboration.

    “It is great to see how quickly the integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group is progressing,” says Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group. “This is a significant strategic step as loyalty is a key success factor of this integration, since we can offer seamless benefits and an even more comprehensive offering to our loyal passengers.”

    “I am delighted for the most loyal customers of the Lufthansa Group airlines, which now also includes ITA Airways. For them, the new opportunity to earn Points for Lufthansa Group frequent flyer status is a great benefit,” says Caroline Drischel, Senior Vice President Customer Journey Lufthansa Group. “This gives our frequent flyers more opportunities to achieve or maintain their status – and thus enjoy exclusive benefits.”

     

    Welcome promotion for members: earn up to 6,000 additional miles

    To welcome the Italian airline to the Lufthansa Group, Miles & More members will benefit from a special welcome offer: Anyone flying with ITA Airways between March 1 and April 15, 2025 will earn 2,000 additional miles for two continental flights and 4,000 additional miles for two intercontinental flights, regardless of the travel class. To do so, participants simply activate the offer by March 31, 2025 at https://www.miles-and-more.com/row/en/earn/ita-airways/partner/airlines/ita-airways/earn/promotional-offer/2503_earn_promotion_launchpromotion.html

     

    Next steps already planned

    The addition of ITA Airways flights to the Lufthansa Group airlines route network will give customers greater choice and more flexibility. Starting with the summer flight schedule on March 30, more than 100 flight connections will initially share their flight numbers and can thus be combined more easily. Also from March 30, ITA Airways passengers will also be able to visit and use the approximately 130 lounges of the Lufthansa Group and its partners during their travels. The lounges of ITA Airways will also be open to Lufthansa Group passengers from this date. ITA Airways is scheduled to officially join the Star Alliance in the first half of 2026.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The PCA’s Annual Tied Tenant Survey 2025 reaches the halfway point

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    50% of 1200 tied tenants have now been interviewed as part of the The PCA’s Annual Tied Tenant Survey 2025.

    The PCA’s Annual Tied Tenant Survey 2025 has now reached the halfway point with 50% of the target of 1200 tied tenants already interviewed. The independent research company, Ipsos, has engaged with tied tenants from the six pub companies operating within the Pubs Code (Admiral, Greene King, Marston’s, Punch, Star and Stonegate).

    Fiona Dickie, Pubs Code Adjudicator, said “The survey allows us to understand the views and opinions of tied tenants on important topics, such as their relationship with their pub company and their understanding of their Pubs Code rights. Gathering these insights from tied tenants is important as it allows for comparisons between the pub companies and helps to inform the work we carry out in the coming year. I would like to encourage any tied tenant who has the opportunity to participate, to do so. If you get a call from Ipsos, please take part as your voice can make a real difference.”

    The survey is expected to remain open until approximately mid-March.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Too distracted to watch? Netflix has the perfect ‘second-screen’ show for you

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Daphne Rena Idiz, Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Arts, Culture and Media, University of Toronto

    Overly expository dialogue, repeating plot points and lots of voice-overs to narrate action help distracted viewers along. (Shutterstock)

    Netflix knows we’re on our phones while we watch TV. Recent articles discuss Netflix’s or streamers’ requests for creatives to produce content optimized for casual viewing, meaning intentionally scripted for distracted viewers.

    I’ve spent the last few years researching how Netflix shapes European screen production, a region where the streaming giant has invested billions in original content.

    I first encountered the concept of “second-screen shows” — created with distracted viewing in mind — in 2022.

    At the time, I was doing interviews with producers, showrunners, screenwriters and directors who had worked on European Netflix originals (due to confidentiality, they have been given pseudonyms here). Two of my interviewees described what they saw as very unusual feedback coming from Netflix executives: make a show that the audience can follow without looking at the screen.

    Recipe for a ‘second-screen show’

    So, how exactly do you make a second-screen show?

    One of my interviewees, Eleven, said that Netflix explicitly labels certain series “second-screen shows” and develops them as such. Another, Tokyo, shared their experience encountering similar directives:

    “[Netflix] basically said, ‘What you need to know about your audience here is that they will watch the show, perhaps on their mobile phone, or on a second or third screen while doing something else and talking to their friends, so you need to both show and tell, you need to say much more than you would normally say. […] You need your audience to understand what’s going on, even if they’re not looking at the screen.’”

    These series are designed around the viewing behaviours of their target audience, described by my interviewees as “younger” and “young adult” viewers.

    As Eleven explained, a Netflix executive would talk about how “in this show, we have to make sure that the points come through, even though kids are watching TikTok while they watch it.”

    Because Netflix knows a certain target audience will be “second-screening” these series, the streamer wants the show’s writing to facilitate this practice. Concretely, this means overly expository dialogue, repeating plot points and adding lots of voice-overs to narrate the action and help the distracted viewer follow along.

    Other sources cite examples where screenwriters were told to have characters announce what they’re doing and make the show less distracting from the viewer’s “primary screen” (their phone).

    Eleven joked about how if a character was sad, Netflix would ask to include a line of dialogue for the character saying, “I’m sad” with tears streaming down their face, while rain pours, and mournful violins play in the background.

    Here, the golden rule of screenwriting “show, don’t tell,” is cast aside for “show and tell” (and tell again). Joking aside, they reflected: “It saddens me, on behalf of great storytelling traditions.”

    The revival of casual viewing

    But are second-screen shows really the final nail in the coffin for prestige TV? The idea of casual or background viewing is not new.

    There is a long history of content targeting the distracted viewer.
    (Shutterstock)

    From soap operas to sitcoms to reality TV, there is a long history of content targeting the distracted viewer.

    Sometimes we’re just tired and need an easy watch. But these types of series are a far cry from the era of HBO-style Netflix, hyping itself as the home of quality TV, a place where showrunners could find unprecedented creative freedom.

    There is still a time and place for complex storytelling. But data suggests
    that over half of viewers in many national markets — including in India, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, the United States, Britain and Denmark — are periodically checking their phones while watching TV. And Netflix is creating shows that enable this ritual.

    ‘Cult’ of data

    Netflix’s strategy has always hinged on a granular understanding of its users. Netflix collects a huge amount of data on its subscribers and their viewing behaviors: what they’re watching, how, when, where and on what device. This information is used by teams of data scientists to not only improve Netflix’s personalization but also to help with decisions about what content to develop and how.

    Yet research suggests Netflix has really cultivated the “myth of big data,” flip-flopping over the years about how much data influences the creative process of Netflix productions.

    And while screen workers may resist what they sense about analytics as they participate in creative processes, ultimately, it is the executives greenlighting content who interpret data and choose how to use it.

    Geralt, another producer I interviewed, described how “whenever you talk to the algorithm people and the data people at Netflix, it feels like a cult. They talk about the algorithm like it’s a god, like ‘Well the algorithm tells us…’”

    One part of the content strategy

    With that said, it’s critical to take blanket statements about Netflix’s operations with a grain of salt.

    The behemoth operates in more than 190 countries, with offices in 30, housing different teams and producing content around the globe. It’s estimated that 589 new Netflix originals were added in 2024.

    Recent articles about “second screen” productions focused on the U.S. context, and my research did not seek to determine how many Netflix productions are made this way.

    Netflix’s goal these days, according to CEO Ted Sarandos, is to be “equal parts HBO and FX and AMC and Lifetime and Bravo and E! and Comedy Central.”

    Second-screen shows, it seems, are one part of this strategy.

    Outlook for storytellers

    It’s clear that viewing behaviours are driving changes in storytelling. But for screenwriters today, second-screen shows are only a symptom of bigger problems.

    Between a shrinking drama market and the competition for attention from platforms like YouTube and TikTok, streamers are investing a lot less in content than they used to. They’re also much more risk-averse with these investments.

    Even before now, producing for streamers brought its own set of challenges.

    Writer advocates with the 2023 TV writers strikes highlighted how streaming introduced new and exciting formats for TV writing, but also a new kind of precarity. And concerns continue to loom around how AI might impact creativity, career sustainability and IP rights.

    Last year, the Canadian Media Producers Association joined production organizations around the world in issuing a call for streaming regulation that underscores independence, IP rights and fair remuneration.



    Read more:
    Online Streaming Act: As we revisit Netflix support for Canadian content, it’s about more than money

    It’s no surprise the mantra across the media industries last year was “survive ‘til ’25.”

    As media creators become increasingly dependent on data-driven tech companies, they will continue producing content to the whims of executives following the holy algorithm.

    The next time you’re watching a Netflix show and feel the urge to scroll during another repetitive voice-over, the question is: Are some shows written like this because the audience is disengaged, or is the audience disengaged because shows are written like this?

    Daphne Rena Idiz 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. Too distracted to watch? Netflix has the perfect ‘second-screen’ show for you – https://theconversation.com/too-distracted-to-watch-netflix-has-the-perfect-second-screen-show-for-you-249012

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Namibia’s Shark Island: Europe’s push for green hydrogen risks compromising sites of colonial genocide

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Rosanna Carver, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Victoria

    An aerial view of Shark Island and the town of Lüderitz in Namibia. (Black Court Studios)

    In September 2025, Namibia will host the Global African Hydrogen Summit. The Namibian government has ambitions to turn the country into a leading producer of green hydrogen for export to markets in Europe and elsewhere. However, the lands and waters now regarded as being essential to Europe’s energy transition are tied to traumatic memories of colonial violence; especially the ocean, which is the final resting place for thousands of Namibians.

    As countries around the world transition to renewable energy, an inconspicuous peninsula in Namibia known as Shark Island is positioned to play a key role in the production of so-called “green” hydrogen, which is a proposed alternative to fossil fuels.

    However, the peninsula and its waters are at risk of being compromised by proposed port expansions to support the transportation of green hydrogen. Shark Island, near the town of Lüderitz, is now a campsite for tourists.

    But Shark Island is also called Death Island, and it was a concentration camp and a site of genocide during German colonial rule from 1884 to 1915. The concentration camp has since been destroyed, leaving little evidence of the violence that occurred there. However, recent international investigations highlight what many Namibians have known and worked on for generations.

    Germany’s colonization and genocide

    In 1884, German colonizer Adolf Lüderitz annexed Namibia, intending to finance colonial rule through minerals. Between 1904 and 1908, German colonial forces killed approximately 100,000 people (80 per cent of the Herero and half of the Nama population). The genocide also affected the ǂNukhoen and the ǂAonin communities.

    During the genocide, those who were not immediately killed were sent to concentration camps, where they were forced to perform manual labour, such as working on railways and harbours. This occurred across Namibia, including on the coast: in Swakopmund and Lüderitz alone, more than 1,550 Nama died.

    The research agency Forensic Architecture has digitally reconstructed the camps and identified evidence of burial places. On Shark Island, they demonstrate that the port expansion “poses further imminent risk to the site.”

    Attention has been given to the land-based component of green hydrogen projects including the multinational joint venture, Hyphen Energy. But the ocean, which Namibia’s development projects also interact with, is often overlooked as a space of memory, justice and relations. This is in part due to colonial and apartheid histories that erased or excluded people from the coasts and oceans.

    During colonial rule, German colonizers incarcerated Namibians offshore aboard ships. They also threw the bodies of those who had died in the concentration camp into the ocean. The local saying “the sea will take you” highlights how the ocean is involuntarily tied to memories of death and trauma.

    Namibians have not forgotten the violence that occurred on the land and at sea. Local groups are restoring grave sites and establishing memorials. The discussion of recognition, justice and equitable rights and access to the coast and ocean are important for Namibia’s communities and the decedents of those killed during the genocide.

    Waves of energy colonialism

    Green hydrogen has a central role in global decarbonization ambitions. Namibia is considered an “export production site” for Europe’s future hydrogen economy. This is due to its solar and wind potential, and access to the ocean.

    Hydrogen can only be produced in Namibia if the infrastructure exists to enable it. For example, hydrogen requires the industrial and transportation infrastructure to get it to international markets. To meet these demands, the Namibian Ports Authroity is proposing port expansions in the city of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, where expansion could have implications for Shark Island and its waters.

    Campaigners in Namibia are demanding the government and industry halt the expansion plans on Shark Island, and meaningfully engage with reconciliation. Among them is the Windhoek-based Black Court Studio, where Natache Iilonga, co-author of this article, is the creative director.

    These proposed developments signal the continued European dominance in Namibia’s blue and green economy projects. They enable energy colonialism, where the push for green energy continues colonial injustices. European countries and industry perpetuate ecological, social and cultural harm to satisfy their own climate change agendas.

    Projects and partnerships between Namibia and European countries like Germany are emblematic of (neo)colonial power relations. While these projects propose to foster co-operation, they also continue to dispossess communities from their lands and waters, and erase environmental and cultural relations.

    Through “development assistance,” the German government and non-governmental organizations continue to influence economic projects in Namibia, while avoiding discussion of meaningful reparations for colonial crimes.



    Read more:
    Germany’s genocide in Namibia: deal between the two governments falls short of delivering justice

    The land and ocean are not merely passive witnesses to colonial violence. Black Court Studio incorporates the ocean as a dynamic participant in the conversation about these violent histories, and justice and healing. Through community exercises and counter-mapping, the studio explores people’s socio-cultural relations with the ocean.

    Together, the studio’s interventions are beginning to resituate previously erased and forgotten connections with Shark Island. This work also highlights cultural and spiritual relations with the ocean that persist despite this dispossession.

    Namibia’s ocean and coasts are not empty spaces to be exploited for the benefit of Europe’s energy future. A deeper understanding of histories, and present day connections, provide lessons for meaningful reconciliation.

    Natache Iilonga is a practicing architect with Iilonga Architects Inc and the co-founder of Black Court Studios Namibia.

    Rosanna Carver 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. Namibia’s Shark Island: Europe’s push for green hydrogen risks compromising sites of colonial genocide – https://theconversation.com/namibias-shark-island-europes-push-for-green-hydrogen-risks-compromising-sites-of-colonial-genocide-239549

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with Prime Minister Støre of Norway: 17 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre this morning.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre this morning. 

    The Prime Minister began by setting out his aims for the informal meeting of European leaders taking place later today in Paris to discuss the situation in Ukraine. 

    Ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position is paramount, and they both agreed that all international leaders must come together to ensure Euro-Atlantic security.

    The Prime Minister reiterated that this is a once in a generation moment for our national security and there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.

    The leaders agreed to stay in touch.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: PM call with Prime Minister Støre of Norway: 17 February 2025

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

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre this morning.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre this morning. 

    The Prime Minister began by setting out his aims for the informal meeting of European leaders taking place later today in Paris to discuss the situation in Ukraine. 

    Ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position is paramount, and they both agreed that all international leaders must come together to ensure Euro-Atlantic security.

    The Prime Minister reiterated that this is a once in a generation moment for our national security and there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.

    The leaders agreed to stay in touch.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –