NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA, Partners to Welcome Fourth Axiom Space Mission to Space Station

    Source: NASA

    NASA and its international partners have approved the crew for Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, launching from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than spring 2025.
    Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
    “I am excited to see continued interest and dedication for the private astronaut missions aboard the International Space Station,” said Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s International Space Station Program at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “As NASA looks toward the future of low Earth orbit, private astronaut missions help pave the way and expand access to the unique microgravity environment.”
    The Axiom Mission 4, or Ax-4, crew will launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and travel to the space station. Once docked, the private astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprised of science, outreach, and commercial activities. The mission will send the first ISRO astronaut to the station as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. The private mission also carries the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the space station.
    “Working with the talented and diverse Ax-4 crew has been a deeply rewarding experience,” said Whitson. “Witnessing their selfless dedication and commitment to expanding horizons and creating opportunities for their nations in space exploration is truly remarkable. Each crew member brings unique strengths and perspectives, making our mission not just a scientific endeavor, but a testament to human ingenuity and teamwork. The importance of our mission is about pushing the limits of what we can achieve together and inspiring future generations to dream bigger and reach farther.”
    The first private astronaut mission to the station, Axiom Mission 1, lifted off in April 2022 for a 17-day mission aboard the orbiting laboratory. The second private astronaut mission to the station, Axiom Mission 2, also was commanded by Whitson and launched in May 2023 with four private astronauts who spent eight days in orbit. The most recent private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 3, launched in January 2024; the crew spent 18 days docked to the space station.
    The International Space Station is a convergence of science, technology, and human innovation that enables research not possible on Earth. For more than 24 years, NASA has supported a continuous human presence aboard the orbiting laboratory, through which astronauts have learned to live and work in space for extended periods of time.
    The space station is a springboard for developing a low Earth economy. NASA’s goal is to achieve a strong economy in low Earth orbit where the agency can purchase services as one of many customers to meet its science and research objectives in microgravity. NASA’s commercial strategy for low Earth orbit will provide the government with reliable and safe services at a lower cost, enabling the agency to focus on Artemis missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars while also continuing to use low Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for those deep space missions. 
    Learn more about NASA’s commercial space strategy at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-space
    -end-
    Josh Finch / Claire O’SheaHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov
    Anna SchneiderJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111anna.c.schneider@nasa.gov
    Alexis DeJarnetteAxiom Space850-368-9446alexis@axiomspace.com

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New submarine facility in Bristol opened by Defence Minister

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    New Submarine Availability Support Hub will support 100 new jobs, boost engineering capabilities and deliver on the Government’s Plan for Change.

    Defence Minister Maria Eagle opening the facility

    • New Submarine Availability Support Hub will support 100 new jobs, boost engineering capabilities and deliver on the Government’s Plan for Change.
    • The state-of-the-art facility will bring Government and industry closer together – enabling faster decision- making and innovative problem solving.
    • Follows the launch of the Government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, which will ensure the defence sector is an engine for growth.

    Britain’s nuclear submarine patrols will be strengthened by a new hub that brings Government and industry closer together, creating 100 new jobs and supporting apprenticeships across the UK.

    The Submarine Availability Support Hub (SASH) will improve submarine delivery, boost UK engineering capabilities, and help maintain the continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.

    The opening of the state-of-the-art facility will help deliver the government’s Plan for Change by strengthening security and supporting the mission to kickstart economic growth. 

    The facility will enable the Defence Nuclear Enterprise – the partnership of organisations that operate, maintain, renew and sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent – to work together more seamlessly with Babcock and other contractors to drive better submarine availability and delivery.  

    This will be achieved through utilising cutting-edge digital and learning tools and drawing together technical and engineering expertise in a collaborative space.

    The investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to the national security and follows the launch of the consultation for the Defence Industrial Strategy – which will place deterrence at the heart of a new approach and ensures the defence sector is an engine for growth in every region and nation of the UK.

    Defence Minister Maria Eagle today opened the SASH in Bristol, which adds to the 42,000 jobs, and supply chain of 3,000 businesses already supporting our national endeavour to maintain the continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent. 

    Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said:  

    It was a privilege to open the new Babcock Submarine Availability Support Hub in Bristol, and to have the opportunity to speak with civilian colleagues and Navy personnel alike.

    The investment in this new facility is another demonstration of the government’s commitment to making defence an engine for growth. 

    This brand new facility will benefit the UK’s nuclear deterrent, which safeguards our security, and bolsters our country’s prosperity.

    Submarine Delivery Agency, CEO Sir Chris Gardner KBE said:

    The opening of the Submarine Availability Support Hub in Bristol provides a collaborative space that will support submarine availability for the Royal Navy in defence of our nation. This innovative facility is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to the UK’s nuclear enterprise.

    It offers a dedicated space for the Submarine Delivery Agency and Babcock to undertake vital joint work which will support waterfront operations, as well as presenting an opportunity to develop future talent by providing placement roles for engineering students.

    In addition, the activity taking place within the SASH enables waterfront operations at Clyde and Devonport by improving the content, planning and preparation for maintenance periods as part of an integrated Naval Nuclear business to support submarine availability.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKHSA launches new metagenomic surveillance for health security

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK launches mSCAPE, a world-first metagenomics initiative by UKHSA to enhance health security through rapid pathogen detection and surveillance.

    The UK has taken a leap forward in its efforts to use pathogen genomics to improve health security. Today the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) launches a world-first metagenomics initiative to aid in the rapid detection of infectious diseases that could threaten the UK. The metagenomics Surveillance Collaboration and Analysis Programme (mSCAPE), which has been in development over the last year, is piloting the use of metagenomic data for public health surveillance and pathogen analysis.    

    The programme is a collaborative initiative, led by UKHSA and involving a consortium of NHS and academic partners including the University of Birmingham, University of Edinburgh, and the NHS Clinical Respiratory Metagenomics Network led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.    

    UKHSA will take anonymous pathogen data from multiple labs that are using metagenomics for diagnosis, including those in the NHS, and analyse it at a national level to monitor trends, epidemiology and pathogen emergence at speed. This will allow for assessment of the ability to significantly improve identification of new outbreaks as well as enabling the source of an outbreak to be better understood, predictions to be made about the effectiveness of potential treatments, and any concerning mutations can be identified.  

    Effective use of metagenomic data will add a new, crucial insight to current health protection surveillance systems in the UK. mSCAPE aims to develop the capability to use this data as part of UKHSA’s ongoing surveillance of new and emerging infections, pathogens of pandemic potential, and to monitor the evolution of pathogens that cause disease.    

    Metagenomic methodology allows for untargeted sequencing of patient samples for the presence of pathogenic viruses and bacteria, which is a significant step forward in detection and diagnosis abilities. Traditional genomic methodologies have required scientists to target sample sequencing towards pathogens that are already known to the scientific and medical community. Pathogen-agnostic metagenomic methods do not require scientists to know for sure what pathogens are present in a sample before the sequencing is conducted.  

    This is a major advantage in the detection of known but unexpected pathogens for which specific tests are not readily available and for pathogens not normally found in humans. It is also beneficial in the event of the emergence of a previously unknown novel pathogen.  Metagenomic sequencing is becoming established as a clinical diagnostic test, and its use is currently being expanded in the NHS.  

    Professor Susan Hopkins, UKHSA Chief Medical Advisor, said:  

    Genomics has been a crucial aspect of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic from the very start, and the UK’s enormous technical expertise in this area has allowed us to play a leading role in the identification and analysis of COVID-19 variants as they emerge.   

    The new mSCAPE programme will allow us to use the UK’s leading genomics capability to conduct community surveillance using pathogen-agnostic sequencing data for the first time anywhere in the world, and our new initiative to share our pathogen genomic data demonstrates our commitment to our data being used to improve health globally.  

    This is a hugely exciting development which will increase our ability to respond at speed to new and emerging pathogens and will help to ensure that we are as prepared as possible to act quickly and effectively to protect the public from future threats. 

    Professor Dame Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for NHS England and Senior Responsible Officer for NHS Genomics, said:

    Genomics is revolutionising the way we predict, prevent, diagnose and treat illness – whether it’s diagnosing rare conditions in children more quickly, helping personalise cancer treatments to make them more effective, or identifying people at greater risk from kidney disease.

    The mSCAPE programme is another great example of how the UK is leading the world in this field, and we are pleased to be able to support it through our Networks of Excellence in Severe Respiratory Infections.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Appeal to trace two teenagers from Morocco missing in London

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Police are appealing for the public’s help to find two teenage girls from Morocco who have been reported missing.

    Douae, 14, and Houda, 15, were last seen leaving the hostel they were staying at in Tavistock Place, WC1 at around 20:30hrs on Tuesday, 28 January.

    Both girls had arrived in London on Saturday, 25 January for a week-long stay as part of a student exchange programme run by an independent company. They were due to return to Morocco on 1 February.

    The programme the girls are on is not attached to a specific school and is run by a private company.

    Detective Chief Inspector Sarb Kaur from the Central North Command Unit said: “We are appealing for any information about Douae and Houda’s whereabouts. They have travelled from Morocco and are in a city and country that is not familiar to them, so the longer they remain missing then the greater our concern for their welfare is.

    “A team of detectives is working tirelessly to locate them and we are liaising with the Moroccan embassy and the company who organised the visit to ensure their families in Morocco are kept updated with any developments.”

    Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote ref 01/7101825/25. For an immediate sighting of Douae and Houda please call 999 immediately.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales Alenia Space signs contract with ESA to develop the Argonaut Lunar Lander for cargo delivery

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales Alenia Space signs contract with ESA to develop the Argonaut Lunar Lander for cargo delivery

    The lander will fly to the Moon and land on its surface assuring the European autonomous access to the Moon

    • Thales Alenia Space plays a pioneering role to enable the European autonomous access to the Moon
    • The Argonaut lunar lander is designed to offer versatility in the frame of the Artemis program to deliver cargo, rovers and more, or as stand-alone scientific missions.
    • Thales Alenia Space’s consolidated legacy, advanced technology and long-standing expertise in space exploration puts the company at the cutting-edge of space and human exploration.

    Cannes, January 30th, 2025 – Thales Alenia Space, joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), worth € 862 Million, related to the design, the development and the delivery of the Lunar Descent Element (LDE) for ESA’s Argonaut Mission, including responsibility for mission design and integration.

    Planned to be launched from the 2030s, Argonaut will deliver cargo, infrastructure and scientific instruments to the Moon’s surface.

    The first mission is envisioned to deal with delivery of dedicated navigation and telecommunication payloads as well as energy generation and storage system, as European enterprises to explore the Lunar southern area.

    About Argonaut

    © Thales Alenia Space/Briot

    The Argonaut spacecraft consists of three main elements: the lunar descent element (LDE) for flying to the Moon and landing on the target, the cargo platform one, which is the interface between the lander and its payload, and finally, the element that the mission designers want to send to the Moon.

    Adaptability is a key element of Argonaut’s design, which is why the cargo platform is designed to accept any mission profile: cargo for astronauts near the landing site, a rover, technology demonstration packages, production facilities using lunar resources, a lunar telescope or even a power station. The project will strengthen Thales Alenia Space’s skills in several technological areas essential to space exploration beyond the Moon.

    The future space ecosystem requires new solutions dedicated to the transport and return of cargo from low Earth orbit and lunar orbit, as well as crew transport to low Earth orbit. Thales Alenia Space is ready to put in place what is needed to prepare for humanity’s future life and presence in Space, laying the foundations for the post-ISS era and meeting new economic needs for research and science.

    Argonaut consortium: who does what?

    Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for the development of the Lunar Descent Element. The overall mission responsibility, ie the use of the LDE and integration with payload, will be the subject of a separate procurement in the future. The Lunar Descent Element is an independent architecture block of the international lunar exploration activities, namely a versatile system to support a variety of missions.

    As prime contractor and system integrator of the Lunar Descent Element, Thales Alenia Space in Italy will lead the industrial consortium that will be responsible for the system, the entry descent and landing aspects, as well as the general and specific architectures of the thermomechanical, avionics and software chains. Thales Alenia Space in France and in the UK will respectively focus on data handling systems and propulsion. OHB System AG as additional core team member of the Thales Alenia Space consortium will be responsible for guidance, navigation and control (GNC), electrical power systems (EPS) and telecommunications (TT&C) aspects.

    “Argonaut lunar lander means a lot to our company” said Hervé Derrey, Thales Alenia Space CEO. “Thanks to this astonishing space vehicle, tons of cargo will be delivered to the Moon’s surface, including rovers, scientific missions and many more. This new element of the Artemis program will serve at facilitating long-duration manned lunar exploration missions and will be crucial to increase European autonomy in lunar exploration. The Moon will also serve as a stepping stone for crewed missions into deep space, with Mars being the next stage of the journey. I wanted to express my gratitude to ESA for awarding this new contract to our company. Today’s major achievement strengthens more than ever Thales Alenia Space’s leading positions in the fields of space transportation systems, orbital infrastructures and space exploration”.

    “We are truly honored that ESA has renewed its trust in our company by awarding Thales Alenia Space this major contract to develop the European lunar lander that will enable Europe to access autonomously to the Moon’s surface”, said Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Senior Vice President, Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space. “Today, with its longstanding expertise in space exploration infrastructure and vehicles, our company, in line with ESA’s and ASI’s visions, has decided to enhance its competitiveness by investing in the development of technological solutions to help Europe achieve its goals. Supplying a significant proportion of the International Space Station’s pressurized volume, playing a major role on board Artemis, manufacturing the backbone of Orion’s European service module and leading flagship transportation programs such as IXV or Space Rider, Thales Alenia Space is more than ever at the forefront of exploration and space transportation systems”.

     

    About Thales Alenia Space

    Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately €2.2 billion in 2023 and has around 8,600 employees in 8 countries, with 16 sites in Europe.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Climate Minister in Brussels to kickstart growth in the North Seas

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Climate Minister forges stronger UK-EU cooperation to drive growth and energy security.

    • Closer UK-EU cooperation in the North Seas to deliver growth and greater energy security
    • new independent report shows economic benefits of working with EU on clean energy
    • collaboration with European partners on the clean energy transition will help to drive government’s Plan for Change, protecting bills and creating thousands of jobs

    Cooperation on the North Seas was at the top of the agenda for Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy’s first visit to Brussels yesterday (Tuesday 28 January). 

    During the visit, Minister McCarthy delivered a keynote speech to European leaders at the European Energy Forum, where she said that by working together the UK and the EU can turn the North Seas into the green power plant of Europe and unlock thousands of well-paid, skilled British jobs. 

    This comes as independent consultants Grant Thornton publish a report commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which finds that closer cooperation on the clean energy transition in the North Seas could lower bills, create up to 51,000 jobs, and add up to £36 billion to the UK economy.  

    Minister McCarthy also made the case to EU counterparts that the energy transition in the North Seas will ensure the oil and gas workforce are the ones who deliver the North Sea’s decarbonised future, through offshore wind, carbon capture and storage and hydrogen.  

    Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said:

    The EU is a crucial ally in bolstering our energy security and protecting families and businesses across Europe from volatile fossil fuel markets.  

    There is so much more we can do to speed up the clean energy transition, deliver our Plan for Change and make the North Seas the green power plant of Europe. 

    Through greater cooperation, we can build on our Mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030 helping keep bills down and kickstarting economic growth. 

    Tsvetelina Penkova President of the European Energy Forum and Member of the European Parliament said: 

    We simply have to build a robust cooperation between the EU and the UK on energy matters. It is crucial for addressing our shared challenges and ensuring energy security.  

    Key areas such as energy grids, connectivity and nuclear power require close collaboration to strengthen infrastructure, drive innovation, and support the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. By working together, we can create a more resilient and interconnected energy network that benefits both parties and contributes to a secure and sustainable energy future. 

    Minister McCarthy has met with a series of international partners including Belgian Energy Minister, Tinne van der Straeten and the European Union’s Principal Adviser on Energy Diplomacy, Tibor Stelaczky.  

    The visit comes as the UK continues work to reset its relationship with Europe, an ambition grounded in a new spirit of co-operation intended to strengthen ties, tackle barriers to trade and collaborate in the face of shared global challenges from climate change to illegal migration.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government aims to crack down on rogue higher education operators

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Proposed reforms to tighten rules around franchising and crack down on fraud in the student finance system that cost taxpayers £2m in 2022/23.   

    Tough new reforms proposed by the Department for Education would tighten controls on university franchising arrangements in England to safeguard public money and shore up the reputation of our world class higher education sector.   

    Franchising enables universities to subcontract courses to external providers. When done right, it makes it easier for more students to access higher education, especially in areas where options are limited, or when people such as mature students are balancing study around work and life.    

    The number of students studying at franchised providers has more than doubled in recent years, with over 130,000 using their services. But an investigation by the National Audit Office (NAO) raised concerns about franchising arrangements, with fraud in the sector costing the public purse £2m in 2022/23.    

    More than half of 341 franchised institutions are currently unregistered with the Office for Students (OfS), meaning they are not directly regulated. In some cases, students are offered poor-quality courses that fail to justify their cost, showing a clear need for reform.   

    Under new government plans published for consultation today (30 January), delivery partners with 300 or more students would be required to register with the OfS to ensure their courses meet rigorous quality standards, in order to be eligible to access to student finance.   

    If the OfS finds that a provider is not meeting the standards required of registered providers, they will be publicly held to account and could risk facing fines and the suspension of their registration, in the most extreme circumstances. The OfS will also publish student outcome data for all subcontracted partnerships every year.   

    The move comes ahead of a significant package of higher education reforms due to be announced this summer that will put students first and cement universities’ status as engines of growth in their communities, as the government delivers its Plan for Change to drive economic growth and raise living standards.   

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:   

    We are committed to cracking down on rogue operators who misuse public money and damage the reputation of our world-class universities.  

    Franchising can be a valuable tool to widen access to higher education, and these proposals will ensure students can trust the quality of their courses, no matter where or how they choose to study.   

    The credibility of our universities is at stake, but these proposals seek to protect students and safeguard taxpayer’s money, as part of our work to drive growth through our Plan for Change.  

    Franchising allows courses to be adapted to suit different needs and circumstances. It also helps colleges and universities work more closely together and gives new, innovative education providers a chance to get started.   

    Providers such as London South Bank University, which partners with some of the city’s top NHS teaching Trusts to help students’ studying midwifery and other front-line services, demonstrate the real-world benefits of franchising – with students achieving their qualifications alongside invaluable workplace experience, helping to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals.   

    Universities and colleges whose names and brands are being used by franchises will remain responsible for ensuring their subcontracted arrangements meet quality and standards requirements. New regulations could come into effect as soon as spring next year, depending on the outcome of the consultation.  

    These reforms would protect the high standards of the UK’s higher education sector, which contributes around £265bn to the UK economy, ensuring it continues to drive economic growth and benefit both students and the wider economy.

    These proposals would strengthen the OfS’s ability to protect the public money that goes into franchising. The consultation aligns with the OfS’s work to strengthen conditions of registration related to governance and student interests.    

    The OfS will shortly be consulting on changes to requirements for providers that wish to join its register to ensure they are all managed and governed effectively.   

    The OfS has currently paused registration of new higher education providers to support the sector with financial sustainability concerns, after finding 72 per cent of providers could be operating in deficit by next year.   

    They expect the pause to stay in place until August 2025 but will review the decision every three months, meaning the registration process should be open again by the time the government’s proposed changes would take effect.   

    The Department for Education’s consultation will be open from 30 January to 4 April 2024. After the consultation closes, the Department for Education will review the responses and aims to publish its official response in the summer.

    DfE media enquiries

    Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK response to the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly: UK statement to the OSCE, January 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Ambassador Neil Holland thanks the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for the Assembly’s work which underscores our collective commitment to strengthen democracy across the OSCE region.

    Thank you, Chair.  Madam President, welcome back to the Permanent Council and thank you for your address.  

    January is a time of new beginnings.  Here at the OSCE we have welcomed Finland as our new Chair in Office, and a new Secretary General. But sadly the agenda and the issues we face remain the same.  Russia continues to inflict its war on its neighbour, endangering the lives of ordinary citizens and threatening regional peace and stability. We have consistently supported Ukraine and the international community’s efforts to investigate, document, pursue and prosecute those committing war crimes. National parliaments and the Parliamentary Assembly have played an important role in maintaining political commitment in our capitals and promoting OSCE and national support for Ukraine. We look forward to hearing about the outcome of your upcoming visit to Kyiv.  

    Beyond Ukraine, we cannot neglect other vulnerable regions. Moldova and the South Caucasus remain unstable and we are concerned by the situation in Georgia. The OSCE has a versatile toolbox which could help address the challenges that we are witnessing and support participating States in meeting their OSCE commitments. We must ensure that it is sufficiently resourced and empowered to do that.   

    Madam President, you also mentioned the Assembly’s work on election monitoring.  This observation is an integral part of the democratic process, supporting electoral integrity and documenting whether elections are credible and inclusive. Last year was a bumper year for elections in the OSCE region including in the United Kingdom. We thank the hundreds of parliamentary observers who participated in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s missions and those who will do so in Albania and Moldova in the coming months. This coming together in a collective exercise to strengthen democracy across the OSCE is an important manifestation of our shared commitments. 

    Madam President, we look forward to marking with you and parliamentarians from across our region the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act this summer and in doing so reinvigorating our commitment to the principles within it. We would like to thank you, Secretary General Montella and the Assembly for the work you are doing. We offer our full support to you and your excellent team and look forward to continued co-operation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Beam Global Expands European Sales Network with Three New Distribution Partners

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for the electrification of transportation and energy security, announced today that it is expanding its sales network in Europe with the addition of three new business partners:

    • Seltis Glass Design S.R.L. for the Romanian market
    • Evrosimovski Consulting Ltd. for the North Macedonian market
    • BBA International for the Albanian market

    “These distributor agreements with quality companies are an excellent continuation of our efforts to expand our selling resources across Europe,” said Desmond Wheatley, CEO of Beam Global. “We have existing trusted relationships with each of these companies through our Beam Europe operation, and now we are able to leverage their success and contacts to significantly increase our audience without adding to our operating costs. I’m looking forward to supporting the new customers they bring to Beam Global.”

    This expansion marks a significant step into Beam Global’s strategic growth into Europe, tapping further into the world’s largest automotive market. Through the integration of outsourced distributors and agents, Beam Global intensifies its commitment to advancing the electrification of transportation and enhancing energy security with sustainable infrastructure solutions in Europe.

    Market Overview (EUROPE)

    • The EU has set ambitious targets, mandating that electric vehicles account for 80% of new car sales in 2030 and 100% by 2035.
    • The EU electric vehicle charging station market was valued at USD 10.8 billion in 2024, and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 29.3% from 2025 to 2034, to support the rapid growth of electric vehicles in Europe.

    About Beam Global
    Beam Global is a clean technology innovator which develops and manufactures sustainable infrastructure products and technologies. We operate at the nexus of clean energy and transportation with a focus on sustainable energy infrastructure, rapidly deployed and scalable EV charging solutions, safe energy storage and vital energy security. With operations in the U.S. and Europe, Beam Global develops, patents, designs, engineers and manufactures unique and advanced clean technology solutions that power transportation, provide secure sources of electricity, save time and money and protect the environment. Beam Global is headquartered in San Diego, CA with facilities in Chicago, IL and Belgrade and Kraljevo, Serbia. Beam Global is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol BEEM. For more information visit BeamForAll.com, LinkedIn, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter).

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This Beam Global Press Release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements in this Press Release other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may,” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or results. These statements relate to future events or future results of operations. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause Beam Global’s actual results to be materially different from these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, Beam Global expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    Media Contact
    Skyya PR
    +1 651-335-0585
    Press@BeamForAll.com

    Investor Relations
    Luke Higgins
    +1-858-799-4583
    IR@BeamForAll.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Baroness Hazarika on tackling shoplifting and antisocial behaviour | Lord Speaker’s Corner

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    ‘Where I live there is so much shoplifting going on.’
    Broadcast Ayesha Hazarika – Baroness Hazarika – is the latest guest on Lord Speaker’s Corner. She talks to the Lord Speaker about why she is using her new role to campaign for more to be done to tackle shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.

    Find out more, listen now wherever you get your podcasts or search ‘House of Lords’ on YouTube: https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/baroness-hazarika-lord-speakers-corner/

    #LordSpeakersCorner #HouseOfLords #LordsMembers

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wql65I9_g0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: January blues banished at ABC Age Friendly tea dance

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Cllr Kate Evans who is an Age Friendly Champion for the ABC Borough is pictured with ABC Age Friendly Officer Stephanie Rock at the tea dance at the Armagh City Hotel.

    The January blues were banished in style at the ABC Age Friendly Tea Dance held in the Armagh City Hotel.

    Over 200 people aged 50 plus, turned out for the social event on Thursday 23 January, which was organised by the ABC Age Friendly Officer Stephanie Rock and funded by the Public Health Agency.

    As well as the tea dance, the event included information stands from a wide range of Service Providers who were on hand to offer helpful advice.

    Cllr Kate Evans who is an Age Friendly Champion for the ABC Borough, welcomed everyone to the tea dance and thanked all those who helped organise the successful event.

    Everyone thoroughly enjoyed a great afternoon of moving, connecting and learning about services available to people aged 50 plus in the Borough.

    To find out about future Age Friendly events happening in the ABC Borough, or to sign up for the ABC Seniors Newsletter, you can contact Stephanie on tel: 07825 010630 or by email:

    *protected email*

    You can also keep up to date by visiting the Age Friendly webpage on the council website – www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/agefriendly

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘This Girl Moves’ inspires young leaders to get more girls active

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) have teamed up once again to host the ‘This Girl Moves’ Leadership Day to inspire and motivate teenage girls to get active!

    Funded by the Public Health Agency, the programme is designed to inspire female students to create positive change within their schools by encouraging and supporting their peers to become more active, irrespective of age, ability and shape.

    Twenty-four female pupils aged 13-15 years representing Brownlow Integrated College, Craigavon Senior High School, Lurgan Junior High School and Killicomaine Junior High School attended the recent event at Dromore Community Centre.

    Through a series of interactive workshops, physical activity sessions and team-building exercises, the girls explored the factors impacting on girls’ participation in sport and creative ways to help get more girls involved in exercise and sport.

    The participants will return to their schools as ambassadors tasked with promoting physical activities and encouraging more girls to get active and stay active. Over the coming months, they will continue to work with the ABC Council and SHSCT teams to fulfil their roles, whilst also working towards the ‘I Can Lead’ Award, developed by the Leadership Skills Foundation.

    Speaking at the ‘This Girl Moves’ Leadership Day, Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Kyle Savage said, “The research shows that girls are more likely to disengage from sport and physical activity, experience more barriers and drop out of sports in their teenage years. I am therefore delighted that we can continue to support this campaign to inspire young girls across the borough to create positive change together and among their peers. I wish all the girls every success with their leadership journeys and their campaigns to get more girls active.”

    Southern Health and Social Care Trust Physical Activity Lead, Clare Drummy, added, “Children here have the lowest physical activity levels throughout the UK. For this reason, we’re committed to supporting girls to become more active in a way that suits them, so this can be sustained into adulthood.

    “We know that peer support has the greatest influence on teenage girls, which is why we are recruiting physical activity ambassadors to support and encourage girls in their schools to be active.”

    The ‘This Girl Moves’ programme will run across the SHSCT area with further events to take place in the coming weeks. For further information, contact

    *protected email*

    or

    *protected email*

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free bus travel on offer for up to two thousand Spectra visitors

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    First Bus has teamed up with Scotland’s Festival of Light for the second year running to offer free bus travel to Spectra visitors.

    With an apt festival theme of Journeys this year, up to two thousand two-trip tickets have been made available, allowing visitors to claim free travel for First Bus services, as they make their way to and from Spectra on their chosen date.

    The festival, owned and commissioned by Aberdeen City Council, will return from February 6 to February 9, with a packed programme of 15 art light installations, and a wide range of supporting activations, from fire street performances to dancers and musicians.

    From a giant moon apparently removed from its orbit and lassoed to a boat, to a dreamy inflatable light castle, and an enormous illuminated slinky toy installation, there’ll be a wide range of artworks for people of all ages to enjoy.

    Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s Culture spokesperson, said: “Spectra draws in thousands of visitors to the city centre each year. It’s fantastic to be partnering with First Bus again, after the free travel offer proved so popular in 2024, to allow visitors to travel to and from the festival in a sustainable way.

    “We’re looking forward to the festival getting underway, as it truly shines a spotlight on everything Aberdeen has to offer. We hope that visitors take advantage of this offer and enjoy both the fantastic artworks and other performances, as well as the hospitality of our city centre businesses.”

    David Adam, Operations Manager for First Bus in Aberdeen, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Spectra once again to offer sustainable travel to up to two thousand visitors going to-and-from the festival. 

    “Events like Spectra, which bring so many people to Aberdeen city centre, are fantastic for everyone and captures the imagination while showing off some of Aberdeen’s most iconic buildings in a new, exciting way.”

    Now in its 11th year, the celebration of light, art and creativity is now firmly established in Scotland’s event calendar, having grown in the past decade, from an initial audience of 10,000 at a single site to attracting over 100,000 visits over four days in 2024 and contributing £2.6 million in visitor spend to the local economy.

    Those interested in claiming the free travel offer are encouraged to sign-up to the Spectra mailing list by 12pm on Monday 3 February. Details will then be shared with instructions on how to claim a two-trip ticket which will be redeemable through the First Bus app, per app user during the festival dates from 6 to 9 February. More information on how to claim the offer is available at: http://www.spectrafestival.com/

    Check out the full line-up for Spectra here: http://www.spectrafestival.com/ 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland growth opportunities showcased to international audience

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Whilst in attendance at the Scottish Cities Week the Council Leader had the opportunity to meet with the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland making representation on a number of matters that are important to the whole of the Highland Council area . Pictured is The Highland Council Leader, Councillor Raymond Bremner with the Secretary of State for Scotland, The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP and Allan Maguire, the Council’s Head of Development and Regeneration.

    The Highland Council’s Leader Councillor Raymond Bremner attended Scottish Cities Week in London (20-22 January) to promote investment opportunities in Inverness, the Highlands and the Highland Council area.  Scottish Cities Week aims to provide a focused opportunity to create and develop long-term strategic partnerships, with a wide array of investors and developers.

    Its success is rooted in the cities working in collaboration with the Scottish and UK Government, via the Scottish Cities Alliance, to boost investor confidence and deliver a programme of activity promoting the benefits of investing in Scotland’s smart and sustainable cities. It also provides opportunities for Highland Council representatives to meet with government Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries and discuss matters of importance to the Highlands.

    The multi-day event is attended by national and international investors together with representatives from the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and the Department of Business and Trade.  This year’s event programme focused on seizing the unique opportunities related to our contribution towards the transition to net zero and other high growth businesses and sectors, driving place-based investment and innovation and enabling infrastructure.  

    The event coincides with the council’s recent launch of the new Invest Highland brand which is aimed at promoting the Highlands’ wealth of investment opportunities.

    Council Leader Cllr Raymond Bremner said: “The Highland region is really coming into its own and is attracting interest from all over the world.  We have so much to offer inward investors and Scottish Cities Week is a great platform for showcasing the world class opportunities which exist throughout our area. Attracting investors to the region is essential to address societal challenges and unlock transformational change. 

    “With representatives also attending from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, it helps demonstrate the successful partnerships we have in Highland and shows our ambition for the future.”

    30 Jan 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Winter Road Conditions Report – Thursday 30 January 2025

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time.  It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.

    Maps of the Council’s gritting routes by priority and policy are available online. 

    The Met Office’s yellow warning for Ice over the Highlands expired at 10am today.

    Highland Road Conditions Report for Thursday 30 January 2025 are as follows:   

    Skye and Raasay 07:28 – Treatment is ongoing on all routes. Road conditions are reported as having icy patches. There are no known overnight issues.

    Nairn 07:42 – Treatment is ongoing on all routes and footpaths. Road conditions are damp on lower routes with ice and snow/sleet on higher routes. There are no known overnight issues.

    Badenoch and Strathspey 07:43 – Treatment is ongoing on all routes as well as footpaths, as resources permit. Road conditions have snow/sleet affecting the North of the area with damp and icy roads in the South. There are no known overnight issues.

    East Ross-shire 07:56 – All routes and footpaths have received treatment. Road conditions have widespread black ice across the area and caution is advised on all routes.

    Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh 06:58 – Road conditions are very icy due to a cold snap overnight. Extreme caution is advised when travelling across the ward. Road conditions in the East are reported to be very icy around Strathpeffer/Contin/Garve areas as well as Marybank through to Strathconnon. Snow is present on the A832 around The Fain. On the mountain passes, there is a covering of frozen snow on the Belach na ba and a covering of frozen hail on the Mam Ratagan. There are no known overnight issues.

    Caithness 06:49 – Road conditions are frosty especially on inland routes, with sleet showers continuing in the morning. Negative road surface temperatures were reported in the am. Weekend routes are being treated due to resource availability as well as footpaths. There are no known overnight issues.

    Lochaber 08:41 – All priority and secondary roads have received treatment. Treatment is ongoing on other routes as needed. Road conditions are damp/wet and some have a lot of sparkle sections. There are no known overnight issues.

    Sutherland 08:19 – All routes have received treatment. Road conditions are icy with a light dusting of snow on high ground. Conditions are milder to the North and West of the county.

    Inverness 06:32 – Treatment is ongoing on all routes and footpaths. Road conditions are damp with some snow on higher ground. There are no known overnight issues.

    No schools are currently closed today due to the weather.  For details visit www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures – please note that this page is cleared at 4pm each day.

    Follow our social media channels to keep up-to-date with all Highland Council road issues – X @HighlandCouncil and Facebook

    Information and flooding advice is available on our website

    Information on weather warnings is available on the Met Office website

    For information on Trunk Roads follow @trafficscotland

    For information on power cuts, visit SSEN website

    SEPA are the Scottish Environment Protection Agency – SEPA

    Ready Scotland’s aim is to make Scotland more resilient to emergencies. We know that disruptions can happen at any time and we’re here to help – Ready Scotland

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group increases investment in Austria for growth, innovation and climate action by nearly a third

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • In 2024, the EIB Group reached a funding volume of €1.7 billion in Austria
    • Focus on countercyclical investment promotion in energy-intensive industries such as steel production
    • The expansion of renewable energies remains a priority goal

    The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) can look back on a successful year 2024 in Austria.  With a total lending volume of nearly €1.7 billion, it granted around 30% more loans than in the previous year. Funding applications were submitted to the EIB by public and private sector firms, primarily for energy projects that reduce CO2 emissions and promote the transition to renewable energy.

    2024 brought a rise in the construction of solar plants and wind farms in Austria – supported by the national government, which has set the objective of generating all of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. As in the two previous years, in 2024 the EIB exceeded its goal of allocating at least 50% of funding to climate action. In Austria, 64% of total investment went to climate.

    The EIB co-finances wind and solar projects together with partner banks. In Burgenland, it is providing €80 million to fund six solar parks by Püspök. They will supply 71 000 households with electricity, and the farmland they will be built on can continue to be used to grow crops.

    Burgenland Energie AG will also receive EIB financing of up to €620 million to build solar and wind parks. With a generation capacity of 1.3 GW once complete, they will be able to meet one-sixth of Austria’s electricity needs. The EU bank is also co-financing the Spannberg wind park in Lower Austria, with four wind turbines and a further seven in the planning phase.

    The EIB Group, consisting of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), seeks to be a reliable partner in making European industry more competitive – especially in difficult economic times, by promoting countercyclical investment. In the steel and construction industries, the EIB Group finances projects in Austria that support their green transition: for example, with a €300 million grant issued to Voestalpine for research and development.

    “The EIB is a strong partner for Austria’s future,” EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros stated. “Our investments make it easier for firms to expand and become more innovative, to use renewable energy and to cut energy consumption. We invest countercyclically and promote the long-term competitiveness of Austrian industry. We will continue to support the development of wind, solar and hydro power plants.”

    To increase the housing supply, the EIB is continuing to back affordable housing projects. In Salzburg and Tyrol, it is working with regional savings banks to finance the construction of 1 750 rental units in non-profit housing with low-cost framework loans.

    As in previous years, the EIF – whose shareholders include the EIB, the European Commission and several national and regional promotional banks – continued to support specialised funds targeting startups and innovative technologies, investing €66 million in Austria.

    In 2024, in view of the EIB Group’s policy priorities, projects in Austria in the field of sustainable energy and natural resources received the most support, with €765 million, followed by innovation, digital and human capital, with €462 million. Sustainable cities and regions received €329 million, and SMEs and mid-caps received €112 million.

    EIB Group investment in Austria in 2024 supported investment of in total €4.3 billion. Thus, each euro of EIB Group financing raised investment of around €2.60.

    Background information

    EIB 

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the EU, and the Capital Markets Union.  

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 projects in 2024. These commitments are expected to mobilise around €350 billion in investment, supporting 400 000 companies and 5.8 million jobs.  

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Accord and the EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support  €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment. 

    Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and the convergence of living standards. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group financing in Slovenia totals €284 million in 2024, driving the energy transition and business innovation

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB Group provided €284 million of new financing in Slovenia last year, boosting the energy transition, business innovation and capital markets.
    • Funding of €154 million from EIB and €130 million from EIF in the country in 2024.
    • Investments strengthened Slovenia’s electricity grid, early-stage companies and venture-capital markets.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group  provided €284 million of fresh financing in Slovenia last year, bolstering the energy transition, business innovation and capital markets in the country. The total for 2024 includes €154 million from the EIB and €130 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF), which targets micro companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe.

    EIB financing in Slovenia last year focused on energy projects, fostering sustainable energy and energy efficiency, while the EIF investments supported venture capital and private equity to boost entrepreneurship and innovation.

    “We are committed to fostering a sustainable, innovative and inclusive Slovenian economy,” said EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris. “Our investments in Slovenia last year not only strengthen the country’s energy resilience and competitiveness but also ensure that businesses and communities can thrive in a rapidly changing environment.”

    Over the past five years, the EIB Group has invested over €1 billion in Slovenia, focusing on sustainable transport, energy infrastructure and capital markets. Its financing of local electricity distribution covers four out of five distribution companies, which supply around nine out of 10 Slovenian households.

    Grid upgrades and business innovation

    The EIB last year signed agreements with three power companies to upgrade Slovenia’s electricity grids. It committed €36 million to Elektro Maribor, €50 million to Elektro Ljubljana and €58 million to Elektro Celje.

    These loans will reinforce regional energy infrastructure, enabling the integration of renewable energy, expanding capacity for electric vehicle charging and climate-proofing critical systems. The projects align with Slovenia’s 2050 climate targets and the European Union’s REPowerEU strategy.

    Additionally, the EIB provided advisory services to municipalities, public institutions and private companies to ensure comprehensive support for sustainable growth across Slovenia.

    For its part, the EIF pressed ahead in 2024 with its long-standing support for Slovenian SMEs and Mid-Caps, focusing on innovation and early-stage businesses. A highlight last year was a €40 million EIF pledge to the Vesna Deep Tech Venture Fund to build up technology transfer in Slovenia as well as Croatia. The fund prioritises early-stage businesses, fosters innovation and protects intellectual property, strengthening Slovenia’s venture-capital ecosystem.

    Since 1996, the EIF has facilitated €531 million in financing for approximately 8,000 Slovenian enterprises, supporting 78,000 jobs.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It finances sound investment that contributes towards EU policy goals, including social and territorial cohesion, competitiveness, innovation, sustainable development and the just, swift transition to net zero. The EIB has committed €7.78 billion in total financing for projects in Slovenia since the start of its operations in the country.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group annual figures for 2024: €3 billion for competitiveness, strategic autonomy and SMEs in the Netherlands

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • In 2024, the EIB Group mobilised nearly €3.1 billion, primarily for small and medium businesses (SMEs) and innovation.
    • The EIB financed social infrastructure and increased support for innovative Dutch firms and those in the growth phase, promoting strategic autonomy.
    • The EIF also granted nearly €634 million in financing, in the form of guarantees and equity.

    Last year the EIB Group, made up of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF), invested nearly €3.1 billion in projects implemented in the Netherlands. Of that, €2.45 billion were granted by the EIB in the form of loans and venture debt. The EIF also mobilised some €634 million in the form of guarantees and equity contributions. Worldwide, the EIB Group granted a record amount of almost €89 billion, with no less than €50.7 billion going to help fight climate change and protect the environment.

    EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot remarked, “If Europe wishes to remain strong and competitive, it must invest more in technology, energy and manufacturing. In the long run, it cannot afford to depend on others in these areas. That is why the EIB Group is fully committed to fostering innovation in the Netherlands, especially through venture capital lending. And of course, we are also continuing to support projects that have a positive impact on the daily lives of people, like hospitals, flood control and better access to financing for SMEs. Sustainability will also remain a core principle in 2025.”

    In 2024, nearly a third of EIB Group investments in the Netherlands were linked to innovation in different areas, in particular those backed by the European Commission’s InvestEU programme. For example, companies such as Samotics, LUMICKS and Resato received EIB venture debt targeted to growing firms.

    In the realm of innovation, the chip manufacturer NXP also signed a financing agreement that will allow it to increase investment in research and development, in particular for next-generation semiconductors for the automotive sector.

    The EIF was also very active in the Netherlands in 2024. In addition to guarantees provided to SMEs by ABN Amro and microloans issued by Qredits, Dutch venture capital funds such as 4impact Fund, Innovation Industries and European Cyber Security Tech Fund also received support from the EIF.

    In 2024, sustainability remained a dominant factor for EIB Group investments in the Netherlands, especially in its support for SMEs. Along with a financing agreement with ABN Amro for €450 million, part of which targeted sustainable SMEs, the EIB and Rabobank signed a ninth impact loan providing reduced interest rates for SMEs certified under a sustainable development label.

    Background information

    The EIB is the EU’s long-term financing institution, owned by the Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. The Netherlands’ shareholding in it is 5.2%. Over the past decade, the EIB has lent more than €27 billion to support Dutch projects in a variety of sectors, including research and development, transport, clean water, healthcare and SMEs.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Lithuania financing from EIB Group totals €449 million in 2024, boosting business and green investments

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB Group financing in Lithuania last year totalled €449 million, bolstering business and green investments nationwide.
    • Funding supported 1,200 Lithuanian companies and sustained 19,000 jobs.
    • Energy storage and clean railways among key 2024 projects.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s financing in Lithuania last year amounted to €449 million, spurring business investments and accelerating the country’s green transition. The total for 2024 includes €240 million from the EIB and €209 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF), which targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    The EIB Group pledges last year in Lithuania supported 1,200 SMEs and Mid-Caps, sustained 19,000 jobs and covered 21 investment projects across the country.  Top operations included EIB loans of €105 million to Lithuanian utility Ignitis Group for expanding a pumped storage hydroelectric power plant and €100 million to national railway service LTG Link for buying electric and battery trains.

    “Lithuania’s commitment to sustainability is inspiring,” said EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros. “Our investments in the country in 2024 underscore our dedication to supporting Lithuania’s green transition and economic resilience. We are helping to build a sustainable future for all Lithuanians.”

    The level of EIB Group financing in Lithuania in 2024 was broadly in line with the organisation’s average annual commitments of €562 million in the country over the past five years. For example, EIB Group financing in Lithuania totalled €654 million in 2023 and €219 million in 2022. 

    Energy and transport projects

    The €105 million EIB loan last year to Ignitis Group is for expanding the Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant and making it one of Europe’s largest energy-storage facilities. The goal is to increase Lithuania’s energy independence and help the country achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

    The €100 million EIB loan to LTG Link is for replacing a third of the company’s train fleet. The aim is to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from trains, shorten rail-travel times and improve passenger accessibility.

    Also in the area of energy, the EIB last year signed a €35 million loan to district utility Kauno Energija for upgrading the heating and hot water system of the city of Kaunas by refurbishing pipelines, adding heat storage tanks and integrating renewable sources. This project will boost energy efficiency, diversify the energy mix and reduce reliance on imported natural gas, benefiting around 400,000 residents and businesses.

    Supporting small companies

    The EIF’s pledges in Lithuania last year included nearly €129 million to businesses through deals with various banks and financial institutions including AB Mano Bankas, AB SEB Bankas, Swedbank Bank Lithuania, UAB SME Bank, Lithuanian Central Credit Union, Taurus Fondas UAB and UAB Heavy Finance.

    These agreements unlock loans to Lithuanian SMEs at preferential terms to support growth, create jobs and speed up the transition to a carbon-neutral economy.

    In 2024, the EIF also invested €50 million in IAM CEE Student Housing Fund, an infrastructure fund committed to building housing for up to 3,500 students in Central-Eastern European countries including Lithuania, and €30 million in INVL Private Equity Fund II, a private equity fund dedicated to boosting investments in high-growth SMEs mainly in Lithuania.

    Background information     

    EIB

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality.  

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed a total of €88 billion in new financing for over 900 projects in 2023. These commitments are expected to mobilise around €320 billion in investment, supporting 400 000 companies and 5.4 million jobs.  

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Accord. The EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support  €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.  

    Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and the convergence of living standards. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Finland financing from EIB Group more than doubles in 2024 to €2.3 billion

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB Group investments in Finland rose to €2.3 billion in 2024 from €992 million the year before.
    • Financing boost of 132% supported 1,800 Finnish SMEs and Mid-Caps and sustained 40,000 jobs in the country.
    • Most funding went to green projects and business innovation.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s financing in Finland more than doubled to €2.3 billion in 2024, with the bulk of funds aimed at accelerating the green transition and business innovation in the country. The EIB Group’s pledges last year represent a 132% increase from €992 million in 2023.

    The financing in Finland last year included €1.7 billion from the EIB and €606 million from the European Investment Fund (EIF) arm, which focuses on supporting Europe’s micro companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    The EIB Group’s funding in Finland in 2024 supported 1,800 SMEs and Mid-Caps, sustained 40,000 jobs and covered 21 investment initiatives across the country. The amount is expected to trigger €5.1 billion of total investment, equivalent to 1.9% of Finnish gross domestic product (GDP).

    “Our significant investments in 2024 underscore our unwavering commitment to Finland’s economic growth and resilience,” said EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros. “By financing a diverse array of projects from cutting-edge healthcare to pioneering renewable-energy solutions, we are not just supporting Finland’s present needs but also building a brighter, more sustainable future. “

    Driving innovation and sustainability

    In 2024, half of the EIB Group’s funding in Finland was allocated to the green transition and a third to business innovation. This marks a 215% rise in support for Finnish sustainability and innovation compared with the previous year.

    “Finland stands as a leading example of innovation and sustainability in Europe,” said Östros.

    The EIB Group’s financing in Finland last year targeted a range of sectors including industrial investments, energy, education and healthcare.

    Key green transition and innovation projects

    Green transition and innovation projects backed by the EIB last year included a €168 million investment in the Keliber lithium project to enhance the EU’s battery material supply for electric vehicles and high-tech industries. Additionally, Prysmian’s factory in Pikkala received more than €221 million in EIB funding to expand its production of extra-high-voltage submarine power cables, supporting the EU’s clean energy-transmission goals.

    Furthermore, the EIB invested €150 million to replace Helsinki’s fossil-based heating plants with renewable energy, supporting the city’s sustainability and carbon-reduction efforts as part of REPowerEU. In addition, the EIB provided a €435 million loan to Stora Enso for producing sustainable packaging at the Oulu factory, promoting a circular economy with renewable materials.

    Lastly, Swappie received a €14 million venture-debt loan to refurbish and resell iPhones, reducing electronic waste and extending the lifecycle of devices, making high-quality technology more accessible.

    Empowering SMEs and Mid-Caps

    The EIB Group’s support for Finnish SMEs and Mid-Caps last year included a €200 million partnership with Finnvera. This initiative aimed to tackle barriers to accessing finance by sharing risks associated with economic uncertainties such as inflation, high interest rates, limited external growth opportunities, and unpredictable energy supplies.

    For its part, the EIF collaborated with leading Finnish banks to provide over €560 million in loan guarantees last year. This substantial financing empowers SMEs, small Mid-Caps and housing associations to advance Finland’s climate goals, promote environmental sustainability and invest in innovation and digitalisation. In addition, the EIF made two new commitments in Finnish venture capital and private equity funds.

    Investing in public infrastructure

    The EU bank prioritised healthcare and education infrastructure in 2024, making significant investments in Finland’s public sector. A €100 million loan will upgrade Helsinki’s Laakso hospital, providing state-of-the-art medical services. Thousands of children in Tuusula will benefit from modern schools funded by a €105 million EIB loan. Additionally, the EIB is financing water-infrastructure projects in the Helsinki area, promoting sustainable water management, one of the key priorities of the bank.

    Over the past five years, the EIB Group has provided nearly €8.6 billion in financing for Finland, highlighting the organisation’s dedication to the country’s economic growth and development.

    For more information on EIB Group results in 2024, please click here.

    Background information     

    EIB

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality. 

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed a total of €88 billion in new financing for over 900 projects in 2023. These commitments are expected to mobilise around €320 billion in investment, supporting 400 000 companies and 5.4 million jobs.  

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Accord. The EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support  €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.  

    Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and the convergence of living standards. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Estonia financing from EIB Group totals €498 million in 2024, fuelling business innovation and green growth

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • EIB Group financing in Estonia totalled €498 million last year.
    • Funding supported 800 Estonian companies and sustained 4,300 jobs.
    • The level of EIB Group funding in Estonia was among the highest in the EU as a share of GDP.
    • Most support directed towards green innovation and urban sustainability.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s financing in Estonia last year amounted to €498 million, representing 1.3% of Estonia’s GDP. This was the second highest in the European Union as a share of gross domestic product (GDP). This support helped hundreds of businesses grow and contributed to making the country greener, generating nearly €2.2 billion in additional investments.

    The EIB Group commitments last year in Estonia supported 800 SMEs as well as Mid-Caps and sustained 4,300 jobs across the country. The main operation was a €400 million EIB loan to the Estonian government for EU grants co-financing, including for green and digital initiatives.

    “Estonia’s dedication to innovation and sustainability is an example for all,” said EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros. “Our financing in the country last year highlights our commitment to propelling Estonian economic, green and digital advances.”

    The level of EIB Group funding in Estonia last year exceeded an annual average of €433 million in the country over the past five years. For example, EIB Group financing in Estonia amounted to €540 million in 2023 and €111 million in 2022.   

    To deepen its relationship with Estonia, the EIB Group plans to open an office in Tallinn in 2025.

    “This shows our long-term commitment to Estonia’s economic development and our desire to be closer to the communities we serve,” said Östros.

    Key operations

    The €400 million EIB loan to the Estonian government aims to boost green and digital initiatives and deliver multiple benefits, including energy efficiency improvements and the digitalisation of public and private organisations. This credit marks the second and final tranche of a €700 million EIB loan to bolster the Estonian economy.

    In a venture capital deal last year, the EIB provided UP Catalyst with an €18 million loan to scale up the converting of industrial emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon-neutral graphite and nanotubes – high-performance materials used in batteries, electronics, paints, coatings, polymers and concrete.

    Additionally, as part of multi-country operations in 2024, the EIB offered Finland-based iPhone refurbisher Swappie €1.4 million of financing in Estonia to refurbish and resell handsets and provided €2.4 million in funding to Italian automotive company SAPA to develop sustainable vehicle parts in Estonia.

    Notable European Investment Fund (EIF) operations in Estonia last year included support for businesses through deals with various banks and financial institutions, such as LHV Pank, Swedbank, and Hüpoteeklaen. These operations are expected to leverage almost €600 million in financing to support business growth, create jobs, and accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy.

    For more information on EIB Group results in 2024, please click here.

    Background information     

    EIB

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the EU, and the Capital Markets Union.   

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 projects in 2024. These commitments are expected to mobilise around €350 billion in investment, supporting 400 000 companies and 5.8 million jobs.   

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Accord and the EIB Group does not fund investments in fossil fuels. We are on track to deliver on our commitment to support  €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030 as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.   

    Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average. This underscores the Bank’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and the convergence of living standards.  

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group achieves record results in 2024, targets €95 billion in investments for 2025

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • The EIB Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024.
    • A record of nearly 60% of all EIB Group financing supported the green transition, climate action and environmental sustainability.
    • There was a sharp increase in higher-risk activities, with a record €8 billion committed for equity and quasi-equity investment.
    • Financing for security and defence projects doubled to €1 billion in 2024, with a further doubling planned in 2025.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group signed €89 billion in new financing last year. The Group made more investments than ever before to strengthen EU energy security, mobilising over €100 billion for projects in new and upgraded infrastructure such as grids and interconnectors, renewables, net-zero industries, efficiency and storage. Nearly 60% of the total financing supported the green transition, climate action and environmental sustainability.

    Our preliminary results once again signal robust profitability. At the same time, higher-risk EIB operations to back Europe’s most innovative companies have sharply increased. A record €8 billion in equity and quasi-equity investment from the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF) is expected to mobilise €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers.

    Eligible security and defence investment doubled in 2024, and the goal is to double this figure again this year. Furthermore, the EIB Group significantly extended its eligible investments in dual-use projects, which now include border protection, military mobility, de-mining and de-contamination, space, cybersecurity, anti-jamming equipment, seabed and critical infrastructure protection, research and development, and drones.  

    Looking ahead, the EIB Group plans to increase its overall investments to €95 billion in 2025, with flagship initiatives to support European tech champions and a dedicated TechEU programme, critical raw materials, water management, the energy efficiency of small and medium-sized companies, and a dedicated platform to promote sustainable and affordable housing.

    In parallel with increasing its investment capacity and impact, the EIB Group is making significant progress in cutting red tape for clients and has shortened the time to market required to approve and deploy new investments. During 2024, it introduced simplified appraisal procedures covering more than 40% of its operations.

    “We have broken records with our financing in 2024. We have made ourselves ready to support EU priorities in this new political mandate. And we will play an even more relevant role in 2025 – building on the excellent performance of the EIB Group to increase our impact, bolstering Europe’s security and competitiveness with strategic and ambitious investments,” said EIB Group President Nadia Calviño as she presented the annual operational results of the EIB Group in Brussels.

    Making records

    The EIB Group financing committed in 2024 is expected to power almost 15 million households with clean energy, create up to 1.5 million new jobs in Europe over the next few years, advance therapies against cancer, and help secure affordable housing from Croatia to Latvia.

    In more detail, highlights from last year include:

    • Stepped up higher-risk activities, expected to mobilise about €110 billion in new investments. This includes a record €7.2 billion of investments by the EIF in the equity funds ecosystem, and €1 billion in venture debt by the EIB.
    • More than €14 billion in total investment deployed by the EIF to support Europe’s small businesses and innovators, including in 102 venture capital funds, such as a dedicated fund to back women-owned and gender-balanced startups in space and deep tech.
    • A record €51 billion – around 60% of last year’s investments – to support the green transition, climate action and environmental sustainability, from the world’s first zero-emissions tyre factory in Romania to support for sustainable mobility in Valencia, keeping the EIB Group well on track to meet its target of supporting €1 trillion in climate and environmental sustainability investment in the critical decade to 2030.
    • A record €31 billion to back EU energy security, including for efficiency, renewables, storage and electricity grids, which is expected to support over €100 billion in investment. Flagship initiatives include counter-guarantees to bolster European wind manufacturers, electric vehicle battery manufacturing in France and the Princess Elisabeth Island in Belgium. For grids and storage, financing rose to a record €8.5 billion, mobilising 40% of Europe’s total investment in that sector in 2024, including transmission network upgrades and interconnectors in Spain, Czechia and Germany.
    • Support for eligible security and defence projects doubled to €1 billion, including the deployment of dual-use satellites in Poland, port upgrades to meet the needs of NATO vessels in Denmark and investment by the EIF in dedicated private investment funds. A further doubling of annual investments to €2 billion is expected this year.
    • A record €38 billion to accelerate social and territorial cohesion, including credit lines for farmers in Romania, innovative startups in Greece and just transition projects in Estonia.
    • The EIB Group has also provided financial support to boost climate resilience and adaptation from post-landslide reconstruction in Italy to recovery investments in European regions affected by devastating floods.
    • With more than €2.2 billion disbursed since 2022, EIB Group investments in Ukraine are helping to repair schools, kindergartens and hospitals, upgrade transport and protect energy infrastructure, as well as support the private sector.

    Beyond Ukraine, the EIB Group’s operations outside the European Union are supporting stability in the EU neighbourhood and partner countries on their path to EU membership, including with rail upgrades in countries such as Albania and Montenegro.

    Supporting EU global priorities and helping strengthen Europe’s voice in the world, EIB Group financing also helps drought-stricken countries like Jordan to manage water supplies. Thanks to reinforced partnerships inside and outside the European Union, EIB investments are helping eliminate diseases like polio and support sustainable infrastructure around the world from Vietnam to India.

    Ready for the challenges ahead

    Under President Calviño, who took office in January 2024, the EIB Group has updated its internal policies and investment strategy to maximise impact and scale up support for shared European priorities.

    Changes include:

    • A Strategic Roadmap, aligned with EU policies and agreed by the EU 27 Member States (the EIB’s shareholders) to focus resources on impactful investment on eight core priorities.
    • A revamped framework expanding the EIB Group’s activity in the areas of security and defence, with streamlined internal procedures and new partnerships with external stakeholders, such as the NATO Innovation Fund and the European Defence Agency.
    • EIB governors approved the increase of the gearing ratio, an outdated limit on EIB Group’s investments.[1] This will enable the EIB Group to make the necessary strategic investments to deliver on EU policy goals while preserving its leverage and capital ratios.
    • An action plan with building blocks for a deeper capital markets union.
    • Actions and proposals to cut red tape, improve the usability of EU sustainability reporting rules and optimise the use of EU budget instruments.
    • A stepped up time to market initiative to simplify internal processes and boost efficiency, enabling much faster approvals for new financing.
    • An action plan to improve transparency, accountability and well-being in the workplace, including the appointment of an ombudsperson to swiftly address common workplace issues and improve the working environment.

    More relevant than ever in 2025

    Looking ahead, the EIB Group Operational Plan covers up to €95 billion in new investment in 2025, supported by the Group’s stellar credit rating and strong capital position.

    New initiatives aligned with the priorities of the new European Commission expected to be rolled out in 2025 include:

    • Maintaining a 60% green finance target.
    • Scaling up support for leading technologies, including clean-tech, artificial intelligence, chips, high-performance and quantum computing, health sciences and medical technologies, and Europe’s cutting-edge industrial capacity.
    • An exit platform to facilitate the listing of European scale-ups in EU markets or the acquisition of these promising innovators by European companies.
    • An extension of the highly successful European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI) as part of the broader goal to boost equity and venture debt investments to scale up Europe’s innovative startups.
    • Further doubling of support for Europe’s security and defence industry
    • A pan-European investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing, together with the European Commission and increased financing for the housing sector.
    • Increasing investment for critical raw materials projects, such as the Keliber lithium production facility in Finland agreed last year.
    • A dedicated water programme of about €4.5 billion to focus investment on flood resilience, and to address water scarcity amid intensifying droughts.
    • New support for Europe’s farmers through agricultural insurance and other de-risking schemes, building on a €3 billion facility to improve access to financing for young farmers and women.
    • A €2.5 billion programme to scale up energy efficiency investments by small and medium-sized companies so they can lower their CO2 emissions and electricity bills.

    EIB Group press conference on annual results

    Background information

    The EIB Group is the financing institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It supports investment contributing toward EU policy goals, including sustainable growth, social and territorial cohesion, innovation and security. It finances its operations in global capital markets and has been consistently profitable in its operations since its inception. The EIB Group is the pioneer and one of the largest issuers of green bonds, while all of its operations are aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement.

    [1] Subject to final approval by the Council of the European Union.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Trade Minister visited South Africa and Botswana to strengthen trade ties

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    This was the first visit to Africa by UK Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander, which forms part of the UK Government’s wider resetting of partnerships with Africa, which the Foreign Secretary set out in November during his visits to Nigeria and South Africa.

    UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, Douglas Alexander, travelled to South Africa and Botswana to strengthen trade links and create opportunities for both African and UK businesses.

    He is the first Minister from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade to travel to the continent since the UK election, which took place last summer.

    The UK is seeking to deepen trade and investment across the continent and drive mutually beneficial growth in both the UK and Africa, including by making progress on removing barriers to trade to help businesses export more easily and providing UK support to trade for development programmes across the continent.

    During his trip, the Trade Policy Minister co-chaired the first Southern African Custom Union and Mozambique (SACUM) – UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Joint Council. The Economic Partnership Agreement underpins all goods trade with the UK and SACUM members. The Joint Council discussed where there is potential to strengthen our trade and investment partnerships and support economic growth across all member countries.

    He met with South Africa’s Minister for Trade Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, South Africa’s Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, as well as Botswana’s Vice-President and Trade Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, to discuss areas for future growth in key sectors including infrastructure, energy, transport and logistics, agriculture, minerals, and the digital economy. He also met with UK and South African companies and took part in a CEO roundtable, where he was seeking views from the private sector to help inform the Government’s cross-continent reset and wider trade strategy.

    Trade Policy Minister, Douglas Alexander said:

    The Government is taking a fresh approach to Africa, one which prioritises genuine partnerships, mutual benefit, and sustainable development. My visit is an important step in building new, long-lasting relationships in South Africa and Botswana.

    South Africa is our largest trading partner in Africa, with an exciting period ahead as the country assumes the G20 Presidency. Both of our Governments are laser focused on economic growth – this shared ambition is a powerful motivator for greater bilateral trade.

    Mutual economic growth is also at the forefront of the UK’s relationship with Botswana. There is a huge opportunity for us to collaborate on sectors important to our economies including renewable energy and I look forward to continuing to strengthen our ties.

    Minister Alexander emphasised the UK’s support for South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 this year and reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to building mutually beneficial partnerships with African countries. This follows on from the UK Foreign Secretary’s recent visit to the continent in November 2024, during which he agreed to develop a UK-South Africa Growth Plan.

    Further information

    • this visit forms part of the UK Government’s wider resetting of partnerships with Africa, which the Foreign Secretary set out in November during his visits to Nigeria and South Africa based on three priorities: economic growth and transformation, climate and nature, and governance and security
    • background for the UK’s Minister for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander MP can be found here
    • information on the SACUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement can be found here
    • information on the UK Foreign Secretary’s visit to Nigeria and South Africa, including agreement on developing a new UK-South Africa Growth Plan, can be found here

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SIA giving confiscated cash to charities to aid public safety

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Charities and community groups can now apply for grants to support projects aimed at improving public safety and supporting the private security.

    The money has been confiscated by the SIA from criminals through proceeds of crime confiscation orders and is now available to charities to bid for. 

    The ‘grants for good causes’ could help fund a range of projects run by charities. Last year, the SIA gave over £72,000 to support 7 initiatives across several charities and community groups including Employment 4 All, Diverse FM, and Glasgow Street Aid among others. 

    The SIA helped fund projects including human trafficking awareness workshops, employment and training opportunities for disadvantaged groups and training for volunteers in emergency first response care.  

    Paul Cartlidge, Chair of the grants for good causes panel, said: 

    I’m delighted to be opening this year’s grants for applications. Public safety is a team effort, and our commitment to protecting people goes beyond our day-to-day duties. Grassroots projects run by charities and community groups can have a profound impact on public safety, the private security industry and the people using their services.  

    As the regulator of the private security industry, we take robust enforcement action to prosecute those who put the public at risk through their offending. Through the grants for good causes, we are putting the ill-gotten gains of criminals to good use in a way that will benefit society and make the world a little bit safer.

    Applications are open now, and more information about how to apply is on the SIA grant for good causes page on GOV.UK. Registered charities and community interest companies in the UK have until Friday 21 February at 11:59 pm to apply for funding. Eligible organisations must show how a grant will benefit the UK private security industry and/or support public safety. 

    Notes to editors 

    The full amount of funding available will be confirmed in due course. 

    About the Proceeds of Crime Act 

    The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) enables the SIA to investigate the financial activity of people who have committed a criminal offence and confiscate the proceeds of crime through a court-issued confiscation order. The SIA has been a designated body under POCA since 2015. 

    The SIA receives a portion of the money it recovers through confiscation orders under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS). This money can only be used to fund its financial investigation capability or distributed to good causes. 

    About the SIA grant for good causes fund 

    Organisations can apply for a grant if they are a registered charity or community interest company (CIC) and can clearly show how they will benefit the UK private security industry and/or support public safety. 

    All the information needed to make an application is available on the SIA grants for good causes page on GOV.UK. Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday 21 February. 

    There is no guarantee that the organisations which apply will get funding. The SIA will inform successful applicants about its decision by Friday 7 March. 

    Further information 

    The Security Industry Authority is the regulator of the UK’s private security industry. Our purpose is to protect the public through effective regulation of the private security industry and working with partners to raise standards across the sector. We are responsible for licensing people who do certain jobs in the private security industry and for approving private security companies who wish to be part of the voluntary ‘Approved Contractor Scheme’.  

    The SIA is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Home Office. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/sia. 

    For media enquiries only, please contact media.enquiries@sia.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Publication of Annual Report and Accounts 2023/2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The report demonstrates an overview of the organisation’s activities, performance, financial accounts and future priorities.

    The Annual Report and Accounts for 2023/2024 has been published, covering key achievements and financial performance of the organisation during the reporting period when the organisation was known as the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) (now the Immigration Advice Authority, or IAA).

    The report demonstrates several milestones, including a new Code of Standards for advisers and the establishment of an Advisory Board to support the Commissioner. Intelligence capabilities were enhanced through stronger partnerships, improving enforcement outcomes. A national stakeholder engagement strategy led to a successful online conference in March 2024, attracting 550 advisers, with many more accessing the recording. Internal improvements included modernising processes and upskilling staff, with 75% of employees reporting positive mental and physical health in the annual wellbeing survey. Additionally, the organisation received a clean audit opinion, reflecting auditors’ confidence in the accuracy and fairness of financial reports.

    John Tuckett, Immigration Services Commissioner, said:

    The evolving immigration landscape has led to unprecedented demand for advice services, and while we’re encouraged by the increasing number of prospective advisers, significant challenges remain.

    Our focus is on building a sustainable network of regulated advisers who can meet this growing demand and ensure vulnerable individuals can access the support they need, when they need it. “This is not just about increasing adviser numbers – it’s about creating a resilient advice sector that can adapt to evolving immigration requirements.

    Key performance achievements during the reporting year:

    • 1117 new adviser applications received and 588 of these were approved
    • 1277 continued registration applications approved
    • 140 new organisation applications approved
    • 16 competence assessment events held
    • 737 applicants sat competence assessments
    • 400 applicants passed competence assessments
    • 79 audits completed
    • 27 investigations into complaints of illegal activity completed

    Please note, the OISC’s rebrand to become the IAA, which formally took place on Thursday 16 January, does not impact the content of the report or the activities it covers, which are presented under the OISC branding to accurately reflect the organisation’s identity during the reporting period.

    Read and download the full report.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Radware Delivers AI-Driven DDoS Protection for TelemaxX Telekommunikation’s Scrubbing Center

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAHWAH, N.J., Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR), a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments, today announced it expanded its relationship with TelemaxX Telekommunikation GmbH. TelemaxX is leveraging Radware’s AI-powered DefensePro® X DDoS Protection to advance the network and application security services offered to customers through its scrubbing center.

    Headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, TelemaxX is a leading regional provider of integrated IT solutions, specializing in telecommunications and data centers, as well as cloud and managed services. Today, TelemaxX operates five high-security data centers in Germany’s Karlsruhe Technology Region, one of Europe’s top centers for innovation. To support its business, TelemaxX also uses Radware’s Cyber Controller platform, a security management, orchestration, and automation solution.

    “Working with Radware, we’ve found a partner that can grow step-by-step with our business requirements and customers’ needs,” said Heiko Kreisz, head of internet from TelemaxX. “Through this technology expansion, we can scale our services and help our customers stay ahead of emerging threats while maintaining the integrity and availability of their networks.”

    This includes protection against Web DDoS Tsunami attacks, a new aggressive form of HTTPS Flood that targets web applications and APIs. According to Radware’s H1 2024 Global Threat Analysis Report, Web DDoS attacks surged globally 265% during the first six months of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023.

    “As the number and sophistication of DDoS attacks increase exponentially, the demand for state-of-the-art AI-driven protection has never been greater,” said Michael Giesselbach, Radware’s regional director in Germany. “Working with TelemaxX, we can meet the needs of growing organizations and improve their security posture while they focus on their core business activities.”

    Using AI-powered advanced behavioral algorithms, DefensePro X provides automated, adaptive DDoS protection from fast-moving, high-volume, encrypted or zero-day threats. It defends against IoT-based, Burst, DNS and TLS/SSL attacks, ransom DDoS campaigns, IoT botnets, phantom floods, and other types of cyber threats.

    Radware has received numerous awards for its DDoS mitigation, application and API protection, web application firewall, and bot detection and management solutions. Industry analysts such as Aite-Novarica Group, Gartner, GigaOm, IDC, KuppingerCole and QKS Group continue to recognize Radware as a market leader in cyber security.

    About Radware
    Radware® (NASDAQ: RDWR) is a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments. The company’s cloud application, infrastructure, and API security solutions use AI-driven algorithms for precise, hands-free, real-time protection from the most sophisticated web, application, and DDoS attacks, API abuse, and bad bots. Enterprises and carriers worldwide rely on Radware’s solutions to address evolving cybersecurity challenges and protect their brands and business operations while reducing costs. For more information, please visit the Radware website.

    Radware encourages you to join our community and follow us on: Facebook, LinkedIn, Radware Blog, X, YouTube, and Radware Mobile for iOS.

    ©2025 Radware Ltd. All rights reserved. Any Radware products and solutions mentioned in this press release are protected by trademarks, patents, and pending patent applications of Radware in the U.S. and other countries. For more details, please see: https://www.radware.com/LegalNotice/. All other trademarks and names are property of their respective owners.

    Radware believes the information in this document is accurate in all material respects as of its publication date. However, the information is provided without any express, statutory, or implied warranties and is subject to change without notice.

    The contents of any website or hyperlinks mentioned in this press release are for informational purposes and the contents thereof are not part of this press release.

    Safe Harbor Statement
    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements made herein that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about Radware’s plans, outlook, beliefs, or opinions, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plans,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may,” and “could.” For example, when we say in this press release that through this partnership, we can meet the needs of growing organizations and improve their security posture, we are using forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, could differ materially from Radware’s current forecasts and estimates. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the impact of global economic conditions, including as a result of the state of war declared in Israel in October 2023 and instability in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and the tensions between China and Taiwan; our dependence on independent distributors to sell our products; our ability to manage our anticipated growth effectively; a shortage of components or manufacturing capacity could cause a delay in our ability to fulfill orders or increase our manufacturing costs; our business may be affected by sanctions, export controls, and similar measures, targeting Russia and other countries and territories, as well as other responses to Russia’s military conflict in Ukraine, including indefinite suspension of operations in Russia and dealings with Russian entities by many multi-national businesses across a variety of industries; the ability of vendors to provide our hardware platforms and components for the manufacture of our products; our ability to attract, train, and retain highly qualified personnel; intense competition in the market for cyber security and application delivery solutions and in our industry in general, and changes in the competitive landscape; our ability to develop new solutions and enhance existing solutions; the impact to our reputation and business in the event of real or perceived shortcomings, defects, or vulnerabilities in our solutions, if our end-users experience security breaches, if our information technology systems and data, or those of our service providers and other contractors, are compromised by cyber-attackers or other malicious actors or by a critical system failure; outages, interruptions, or delays in hosting services; the risks associated with our global operations, such as difficulties and costs of staffing and managing foreign operations, compliance costs arising from host country laws or regulations, partial or total expropriation, export duties and quotas, local tax exposure, economic or political instability, including as a result of insurrection, war, natural disasters, and major environmental, climate, or public health concerns, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; our net losses in the past two years and possibility we may incur losses in the future; a slowdown in the growth of the cyber security and application delivery solutions market or in the development of the market for our cloud-based solutions; long sales cycles for our solutions; risks and uncertainties relating to acquisitions or other investments; risks associated with doing business in countries with a history of corruption or with foreign governments; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; risks associated with undetected defects or errors in our products; our ability to protect our proprietary technology; intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties; laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting our business; compliance with open source and third-party licenses; and other factors and risks over which we may have little or no control. This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting Radware, refer to Radware’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the other risk factors discussed from time to time by Radware in reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except as required by applicable law, Radware undertakes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statement in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made. Radware’s public filings are available from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or may be obtained on Radware’s website at www.radware.com.

    Media Contact:
    Gerri Dyrek
    Radware
    Gerri.Dyrek@radware.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Anti-immigration policies: why harsh new rules put in place by Trump and other rich countries won’t last

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alan Hirsch, Research Fellow New South Institute, Emeritus Professor at The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town

    Donald Trump, America’s new president, has cut back massively on US commitments to asylum seekers, blocked all asylum processes and started to remove irregular immigrants.

    Trump’s new measures are far reaching. They include the suspension of the US refugee admissions programme. Flights booked for refugees to the US have been cancelled. Arrests and deportations have begun.

    Strongly anti-immigrant policies were also pursued under the Biden administration, though Trump’s dramatic steps take them much further. Other countries in the global north have also introduced tougher policies. The 2024 EU Pact on Migration and Asylum sets out tougher border controls, quicker assessment of asylum seekers and swifter removal of those who did not qualify. In the UK, Labour prime minister Keir Starmer has promised to bring down the net migration rate and treat people-smugglers like terrorists.

    Based on my research into migration over the past 30 years I believe that these measures are unlikely to last. There are two linked trends that make closing the borders of the global north impractical and destined for revision.

    The first is that populations in most of the global north are ageing fast (on average) and the fertility rate, or natural population growth rate, has plummeted. There are many more older people as a percentage of the population.

    Secondly, with a workforce shrinking and the dependency ratio (the proportion of non-working to working people) rising rapidly, closing borders to potential labourers from other countries, without any other change, would lead to declining living standards in the global north. Economic growth and government revenues would slow or stagnate, undermining infrastructure maintenance and social service provision.

    There are several possible strategies that could be alternatives to anti-immigration measures. Some older people could migrate south, robots and AI could do more work, workers in the global south could perform remote work for the north, and arrangements could be made to allow migrants into the north either permanently or as circulating migrants.

    All these strategies are already in use, if modestly. Their application would have to expand considerably.

    Misplaced panic

    The responses of governments in the global north are exaggerated. Governments putting in place tough anti-immigrant measures have done so on the back of a narrative that there’s been a significant rise in the number of migrants worldwide.

    This isn’t true. Some countries, such as the US, Germany and Colombia, have seen a spike in refugees and other migrants. But for the rest of the world the picture remains much the same as it has done for decades.

    Foreign-born residents (the most widely used definition of migrants) rose as a proportion of residents worldwide from 2.3% in 1970 to 3.6% in 2020. But in 1960 the number was over 3%, and in the late 1800s migrants made up somewhere between 3% and 5% of the global population.

    So, 3.6% is nothing new.

    As for refugees, in 2023 there were about 38 million, of whom 69% sought refuge in neighbouring countries and 75% in middle- and low-income countries.

    In general, therefore, rich countries have not been carrying the greatest burden.

    The real reason behind these tougher measures is that living standards have stagnated in many countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The cost and availability of housing have worsened; inequality has grown since the 1980s; the quality and availability of public services have deteriorated since the global financial crisis of 2008 and COVID-19; and the quality of employment has shifted to precarious work and poorly paid service sector occupations.

    This has contributed to the rise of populism, including anti-foreigner sentiment and even xenophobia.

    Trump’s actions are the most extreme yet. They include an order to block “aliens involved in the invasion” using “appropriate measures” that give the security forces further powers. The prohibition of southern border asylum hearings in the US and the instruction to “remain in Mexico” means that prospective asylum seekers from third countries may not cross the border to make their applications at the port of entry. They must apply remotely.

    Trump has also ordered that birthright citizenship must be limited to the children of certain categories of residents, essentially citizens or those with residence rights in the form of a “green card”. This move has been temporarily blocked in some states by judges as unconstitutional.

    In addition, the acting head of the Homeland Security Department gave Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials the power to deport migrants admitted temporarily into the US under several programmes of the Biden administration, targeting refugees from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti, and possibly Afghan and Ukrainian refugees too.

    The very first bill to receive final approval from the US Congress under Trump’s second term, the Laken-Riley Act, would require the detention and deportation of migrants who enter the country without authorisation and are charged with certain crimes. This bill was passed with 263 votes and 156 votes against, meaning that 46 House Democrats supported the Republican bill.

    In contrast, in the global south, as I have discussed elsewhere, the trend has been in the opposite direction. South American regional communities liberalised migration most extensively in recent decades, but African regional communities have made progress too, as has the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

    The way forward

    Some alternative strategies are leading the way.

    In Canada, the Temporary Foreign Worker programme has expanded steadily since 1973, increasingly including long-term circulating migrating lower-skilled workers for key occupations like catering, care, construction and agriculture. Though it is currently under political scrutiny because of the panic in the north over migration, and because of housing shortages in Canada, it is likely to survive and evolve. Similar systems are emerging across the global north.

    In the EU, Talent Partnerships are now encouraged. Germany, for example, has talent partnerships with Kenya and Morocco, where they train health workers and IT technicians in those countries to work and live in Germany. Spain has various partnerships in Latin America and Africa. Prime minister Pedro Sanchez has chosen to be upfront on the choices. In October last year he told the Spanish people:

    Spain needs to choose between being an open and prosperous country or a closed off poor country.

    The current fashion for population protectionism in the global north is increasingly nasty, but it is unlikely to stand the test of time. Several constructive responses to the rising dependency ratio are feasible, but being open to more migration, possibly in new forms and through new channels. is an inevitable part of the solution.

    New formal pathways for working migrants and reasonable systems for asylum seekers, along with full enforcement of rules against irregular migrants, could be the combination that works politically and economically.

    – Anti-immigration policies: why harsh new rules put in place by Trump and other rich countries won’t last
    – https://theconversation.com/anti-immigration-policies-why-harsh-new-rules-put-in-place-by-trump-and-other-rich-countries-wont-last-248359

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Anti-immigration policies: why harsh new rules put in place by Trump and other rich countries won’t last

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alan Hirsch, Research Fellow New South Institute, Emeritus Professor at The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town

    Donald Trump, America’s new president, has cut back massively on US commitments to asylum seekers, blocked all asylum processes and started to remove irregular immigrants.

    Trump’s new measures are far reaching. They include the suspension of the US refugee admissions programme. Flights booked for refugees to the US have been cancelled. Arrests and deportations have begun.

    Strongly anti-immigrant policies were also pursued under the Biden administration, though Trump’s dramatic steps take them much further. Other countries in the global north have also introduced tougher policies. The 2024 EU Pact on Migration and Asylum sets out tougher border controls, quicker assessment of asylum seekers and swifter removal of those who did not qualify. In the UK, Labour prime minister Keir Starmer has promised to bring down the net migration rate and treat people-smugglers like terrorists.

    Based on my research into migration over the past 30 years I believe that these measures are unlikely to last. There are two linked trends that make closing the borders of the global north impractical and destined for revision.

    The first is that populations in most of the global north are ageing fast (on average) and the fertility rate, or natural population growth rate, has plummeted. There are many more older people as a percentage of the population.

    Secondly, with a workforce shrinking and the dependency ratio (the proportion of non-working to working people) rising rapidly, closing borders to potential labourers from other countries, without any other change, would lead to declining living standards in the global north. Economic growth and government revenues would slow or stagnate, undermining infrastructure maintenance and social service provision.

    There are several possible strategies that could be alternatives to anti-immigration measures. Some older people could migrate south, robots and AI could do more work, workers in the global south could perform remote work for the north, and arrangements could be made to allow migrants into the north either permanently or as circulating migrants.

    All these strategies are already in use, if modestly. Their application would have to expand considerably.

    Misplaced panic

    The responses of governments in the global north are exaggerated. Governments putting in place tough anti-immigrant measures have done so on the back of a narrative that there’s been a significant rise in the number of migrants worldwide.

    This isn’t true. Some countries, such as the US, Germany and Colombia, have seen a spike in refugees and other migrants. But for the rest of the world the picture remains much the same as it has done for decades.

    Foreign-born residents (the most widely used definition of migrants) rose as a proportion of residents worldwide from 2.3% in 1970 to 3.6% in 2020. But in 1960 the number was over 3%, and in the late 1800s migrants made up somewhere between 3% and 5% of the global population.

    So, 3.6% is nothing new.

    As for refugees, in 2023 there were about 38 million, of whom 69% sought refuge in neighbouring countries and 75% in middle- and low-income countries.

    In general, therefore, rich countries have not been carrying the greatest burden.

    The real reason behind these tougher measures is that living standards have stagnated in many countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The cost and availability of housing have worsened; inequality has grown since the 1980s; the quality and availability of public services have deteriorated since the global financial crisis of 2008 and COVID-19; and the quality of employment has shifted to precarious work and poorly paid service sector occupations.

    This has contributed to the rise of populism, including anti-foreigner sentiment and even xenophobia.

    Trump’s actions are the most extreme yet. They include an order to block “aliens involved in the invasion” using “appropriate measures” that give the security forces further powers. The prohibition of southern border asylum hearings in the US and the instruction to “remain in Mexico” means that prospective asylum seekers from third countries may not cross the border to make their applications at the port of entry. They must apply remotely.

    Trump has also ordered that birthright citizenship must be limited to the children of certain categories of residents, essentially citizens or those with residence rights in the form of a “green card”. This move has been temporarily blocked in some states by judges as unconstitutional.

    In addition, the acting head of the Homeland Security Department gave Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials the power to deport migrants admitted temporarily into the US under several programmes of the Biden administration, targeting refugees from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti, and possibly Afghan and Ukrainian refugees too.

    The very first bill to receive final approval from the US Congress under Trump’s second term, the Laken-Riley Act, would require the detention and deportation of migrants who enter the country without authorisation and are charged with certain crimes. This bill was passed with 263 votes and 156 votes against, meaning that 46 House Democrats supported the Republican bill.

    In contrast, in the global south, as I have discussed elsewhere, the trend has been in the opposite direction. South American regional communities liberalised migration most extensively in recent decades, but African regional communities have made progress too, as has the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

    The way forward

    Some alternative strategies are leading the way.

    In Canada, the Temporary Foreign Worker programme has expanded steadily since 1973, increasingly including long-term circulating migrating lower-skilled workers for key occupations like catering, care, construction and agriculture. Though it is currently under political scrutiny because of the panic in the north over migration, and because of housing shortages in Canada, it is likely to survive and evolve. Similar systems are emerging across the global north.

    In the EU, Talent Partnerships are now encouraged. Germany, for example, has talent partnerships with Kenya and Morocco, where they train health workers and IT technicians in those countries to work and live in Germany. Spain has various partnerships in Latin America and Africa. Prime minister Pedro Sanchez has chosen to be upfront on the choices. In October last year he told the Spanish people:

    Spain needs to choose between being an open and prosperous country or a closed off poor country.

    The current fashion for population protectionism in the global north is increasingly nasty, but it is unlikely to stand the test of time. Several constructive responses to the rising dependency ratio are feasible, but being open to more migration, possibly in new forms and through new channels. is an inevitable part of the solution.

    New formal pathways for working migrants and reasonable systems for asylum seekers, along with full enforcement of rules against irregular migrants, could be the combination that works politically and economically.

    Alan Hirsch receives funding from the New South Institute for research and the University of Cape Town for advice and supervision.

    – ref. Anti-immigration policies: why harsh new rules put in place by Trump and other rich countries won’t last – https://theconversation.com/anti-immigration-policies-why-harsh-new-rules-put-in-place-by-trump-and-other-rich-countries-wont-last-248359

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Sustainable’ aviation fuel and other myths about green airport expansion debunked

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition

    Taking off: emissions from the aviation sector. WildSnap/Shutterstock

    Environmentalists and locals have resisted a third runway at London’s Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, for more than two decades. Today, their efforts took a major setback.

    The UK government has announced it will give the green light to airport expansion. This is not guaranteed to increase growth in the national economy as Chancellor Rachel Reeves hopes. More flights and more emissions are certain, however, at a time when experts are practically screaming at governments to rein them in.

    This roundup of The Conversation’s climate coverage comes from our award-winning weekly climate action newsletter. 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.

    “No airport expansions should proceed” without a UK-wide plan to annually assess and control the sector’s climate impact said the government’s watchdog, the Climate Change Committee, in 2023. Aeroplanes are 8% of UK emissions and 2% of the world’s, but they also release gases that seed heat-trapping clouds in the upper atmosphere, which triples air travel’s greenhouse effect.

    While the government’s own advisers have effectively ruled out new runways for the sake of net zero, airport and airline bosses play a different tune. So what does the sector propose to manage its own pollution?

    Not enough cooking oil to save us

    Aviation is a notoriously difficult sector to decarbonise says Richard Sulley, a senior research fellow in sustainability policy at the University of Sheffield: “If electric or hydrogen-powered planes are possible, it won’t be for many years yet.”

    To justify air travel emissions ballooning in the meantime, the aviation sector has promised a mix of “supply-side” measures, like replacing kerosene with so-called “sustainable aviation fuel” (SAF), which Reeves described as “a game changer”, and making planes lighter and more fuel-efficient.

    Efficiency, in this context, is a slippery path to decarbonisation. When a high-emitting activity is reformed so that it consumes less energy, the efficiency savings are generally eclipsed by the increasing demand it drives.



    Read more:
    Expanding Heathrow is incompatible with net zero – here’s the evidence

    “Indeed, the sector’s own plans for growth will outstrip efforts to decarbonise through synthetic fuel, delivering a neutral effect at best,” Sulley says.

    Fuel consumption is the biggest emissions source in aviation.
    Sergey Ginak/Shutterstock

    “Demand-side” measures like fewer flights, taxes on frequent flying and domestic flight bans (see France) could cut emissions, he notes, but are seldom mentioned.

    The UK has set a target for airline fuel to be 10% SAF by 2030. So far we’re at 1.2% – and Sulley reports that the industry has not said how it will scale up in time.

    Even if airlines start taking their commitment to SAF seriously very soon, it’s a dubious solution to aviation’s climate impact according to political economists Gareth Dale (Brunel University) and Josh Moos (Leeds Beckett University).



    Read more:
    Why the world’s first flight powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel is a green mirage

    Earlier SAF test flights burned coconut oil – 3 million coconuts to power a journey from London to Amsterdam, as Dale and Moos calculate it. At that rate, they argue Heathrow would exhaust the world’s entire crop in a few weeks (there are 18,000 commercial airports worldwide).

    Modern SAF is blended with waste products from farms and kitchens. But the pair argue that the market for used cooking oil is “notoriously unregulated”. SAF may in fact be relabelled palm oil from plantations that are erasing orangutan habitat in the tropics. Again, Dale and Moos argue there is not enough used cooking oil to meet existing, let alone future, demand.

    Transport for the rich, by the rich

    At least the hype around SAF addresses the main problem, albeit misleadingly. Policy experts David Howarth (University of Essex) and Steven Griggs (De Montfort University) marvel at how often “carbon-neutral airports” in aviation sustainability strategies simply mean terminals powered by renewable energy.

    “A terminal’s heating or lighting is, of course, largely irrelevant when its core business is as emissions-intensive as flying,” says Sulley.



    Read more:
    Heathrow 2.0: a ‘sustainable airport’ that pretends no one has to choose between planes and pollution

    Unfortunately for Rachel Reeves, a 2023 report by the New Economics Foundation found that any economic benefits of airport expansion will be largely confined to the airports themselves. Meanwhile, a wealthy subset of UK society can be expected to capture the biggest share of any new flight capacity. Each year, around half of British residents do not fly at all, Sulley points out.

    At the stratospheric heights of that subset are the private jet passengers who are served by “more or less dedicated airports” that are more obscure to the general public, says Raymond Woessner, a geographer at Sorbonne Université. A study published in November found that emissions from these flights rose by 46% between 2019 and 2023. The lead author described wealthy passengers using jets “like taxis”.



    Read more:
    L’insolent succès des jets privés, entre empreinte carbone et controverses

    “Discretion and anonymity” is what one airport nestled in the Oxfordshire countryside promises for “routine celebrity, head of state and royal visits”. Without state direction or regulation, it is these people who are setting the agenda for air travel.

    Woessner notes that the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, successfully lobbied to derail a high-speed rail project in California in 2013. Instead of an option that has shown its ability to cut flight demand, the US will be offered intercontinental rocket travel.



    Read more:
    With planning, high speed rail could reduce flight demand

    Musk’s company SpaceX says that rockets could ferry passengers between New York and Shanghai in under an hour. Rockets would burn “vastly more fuel per trip than conventional aircraft”, says aerospace engineer Angadh Nanjangud of Queen Mary University of London, but this might “drive critical research into carbon-neutral” methane-based rocket fuel.

    It would not be the first time an industry seeking to grow has used an as yet fantastical fuel to justify more carbon in Earth’s atmosphere.



    Read more:
    New York to Paris in 30 mins? How to achieve Elon Musk’s vision of rockets replacing long haul

    “There is the potential to create a good life for all within planetary boundaries,” say Dale and Moos.

    “But getting there requires clipping the wings of the aviation industry.”

    – ref. ‘Sustainable’ aviation fuel and other myths about green airport expansion debunked – https://theconversation.com/sustainable-aviation-fuel-and-other-myths-about-green-airport-expansion-debunked-248483

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Baroness Hazarika: Lord Speaker’s Corner | House of Lords | Episode 25

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    From politics to comedy to campaigning against anti-social behaviour, broadcaster Ayesha Hazarika is the latest guest on Lord Speaker’s Corner.

    Baroness Hazarika grew up in Coatbridge, Scotland and is the first person of Indian Assamese heritage to join the House of Lords. She rose to become a senior adviser to Labour figures including Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband, playing a crucial role preparing them for PMQs:

    ‘I think Prime Minister’s Questions gets a very bad rap, because it does often become quite Punch and Judy, but I think it’s a really important function of our democracy. There are not many democracies around the world where the principal politician in the land is called to the same spot week in, week out, and faces questions on any topic from any Member of Parliament across the country.’

    In this episode, Baroness Hazarika talks about her unlikely career path from politics to stand-up comedy and broadcasting, and back to politics. She also explains to Lord McFall how she will use her new political platform to campaign against anti-social behaviour and crime:

    ‘I don’t like calling this low-level crime, because I don’t think it’s low-level crime. But I think this stuff is not easy, but the more we talk about it and the more we press government ministers, that puts the pressure on them to keep on keeping this a priority.’

    Finally, Baroness Hazarika tells Lord McFall about receiving the phone call to offer her a place in the Lords, explaining ‘I really couldn’t believe it, because if you’re somebody like me from my background and you’ve loved politics your whole life, it’s a real honour to be asked to join the House of Lords for the party that you have served and the party you love.’

    She shares that this wasn’t the first thought that went through her head though, saying ‘The person said, “I’m calling on behalf of Keir Starmer. This is really serious. Are you by yourself? I think you better sit down.” And the first thing I thought was, “Oh my goodness, what have I been saying on my social media? Am I about to get cancelled, or am I about to get suspended from the Labour Party? Have I said something terrible?’

    See more from the series https://www.parliament.uk/business/lords/house-of-lords-podcast/

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament #LordSpeakersCorner #LordsMembers

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

    MIL OSI Video –