Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City council celebrates the contribution of children of foster carers

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 23rd October 2024

    The city council held a Kids of Carers Celebration Day last weekend to thank all the children in Stoke-on-Trent who welcome children into their home.

    It’s part of the city council celebrating The Fostering Network’s Children of Foster Carers Month, a UK-wide campaign to celebrate the significant contribution of children of foster carers to successful foster care. It marks the importance of the children of foster carers and the vital role they play in the lives of fostered children.

    The Kids of Carers group offers support to foster carers’ own children and thanks them for all that they do. It recognises that being the child of a foster parents means sharing your home and family and welcoming another child into your life.

    Lauren, aged 15, said: “I think Kids of Carers makes the kids of foster parents feel valued and appreciated and is also a good opportunity to speak with other people who understand what it like living in a fostering family with fostered children. It’s also nice to meet other people who are doing the same thing.”

    Tia, aged 11, said: “I have been part of Kids of Carers for over 4 years now and I have enjoyed meeting other children that also foster and everybody is so friendly. I enjoy all the activities and know that there is always somebody I can talk too if I need too. I would encourage all children to and meet new friends and have a good time with people that understand fostering.”

    Daisy aged 15, said: “I wanted to start Kids of Carers due to how much fun my older sister had when she was there. When dropping her off to all the fun activities, I was so excited when I was seven so I could join.

    “When I first started I was scared but I was made to feel welcome and I really enjoyed it. I met so many amazing people who were in the same boat as me and understood what it was like fostering – something I had never experienced before and it was so lovely. I highly recommend everyone going, as I have been going for 8 years now and it is so good every time and if you join you will never regret it.”

    Kole aged 13, said: “I enjoy Kids of Carers because you get to meet new people, and Marie and her team always make you feel special. We get to do fun things that are just for us.”

    Kids of Carers thanks children for their support through activities and days out including:

    • Bowling
    • Games
    • Craft activities
    • Trips to football matches

    … and much more.

    New initiatives in the city like higher skills payments and grants for adaptations to home to make them suitable for fostering mean that more people in the city can now foster. Here, there is no typical foster carer and Stoke-on-Trent City Council fostering team is keen to hear from anyone who wants to find out more about opening their heart and home to a child.

    We encourage applications from all people who want to make a difference to children regardless of age, gender, religious, or cultural background, sexual orientation or relationship status. We are looking for people from all walks of life whether you are interested in fostering full time, or can only offer short breaks or emergency care.

    Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services said: “I’d like to thank all the children and young people who welcome children into their homes. We know it’s not always easy to share your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles so we want to give you a huge thank you. We want to support you all as much as possible through things like our support group, Kids of Carers.

    “We’re always on the look out for more foster carers to enable more children to be cared for locally in a supportive home environment. I’d urge anyone who has a spare bedroom and wants to make a difference to the lives of children in Stoke-on-Trent to consider fostering. As a city council we’re committed to reducing the number of children in care and finding children safe, loving homes.”

    Anyone who would like to know more about becoming a foster carer in Stoke-on-Trent can visit https://fostering.stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 234555.

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work begins on new Community-Led Housing project in Ryde 23 October 2024 Work begins on new Community-Led Housing project in Ryde

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Work is underway on a new Community-Led Housing project in Ryde — one of the first of its kind on the Island.

    The innovative development will offer a mix of studio and one-bedroom flats, available at truly affordable rents.

    The scheme is the first to be funded under the Isle of Wight Council’s Community-Led Housing project and is due to welcome its first residents in June next year.

    John Prickett, the council’s Community-Led Housing officer, has been supporting Aspire Ryde to purchase and re-purpose the charity’s High Street building.

    Last month work started to convert the upper two floors into seven self-contained flats for Island people, including veterans, who would otherwise be in danger of homelessness.

    The ARCH Community Hub and shop will be retained on the ground floor.

    Aspire will support people with their tenancies with the view to their eventual move to a suitable permanent home.

    Councillor Ian Stephens, the council’s Cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re excited that we’re finally able to start work on this important, Community-Led Housing project in partnership with Aspire Ryde.

    “We recognise the issues facing the Island and remain absolutely committed to the delivery of affordable housing.

    “We hope developments such as this will encourage more Community-Led Housing schemes to come forward and help us to provide the affordable homes we so desperately need for Islanders.”

    Aspire has been able to fund the purchase and development of the project through a mix of specific Community-Led Housing funding from the Isle of Wight Council, and a long-term loan from Charity Bank.

    Grants from Charity Bank, the Armed Forces Covenant Trust and the B&Q Foundation have also been secured to fund the finishes to the flats.

    The designers for the project, who worked with Aspire through various re-designs, were local practice Arid Design (Ltd) and the building contractor is DN Associates Limited.

    Trevor Nicholas, chief executive of Aspire Ryde, said: “We are thrilled to have got to this point with the project and are extremely grateful to John Prickett and the Isle of Wight Council, alongside Charity Bank and other grant funders for their support and commitment to providing homes for those in the greatest need.

    “It is fantastic to see Community-Led Housing taking shape here and we hope that this will act as a catalyst for other projects across the Island. We are so looking forward to welcoming our first residents.”

    Photo shows: JD Viette (project manager for Aspire), John Prickett, Trevor Nicholas and council Leader Councillor Phil Jordan.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ODS and Oxford City Council Launch Recycling Trial for Flats to Reduce Waste Contamination

    Source: City of Oxford

    Published: Wednesday, 23 October 2024

    ODS, in partnership with Oxford City Council, has launched a new recycling and waste management trial at some flat sites in Oxford to improve recycling and reduce contamination.

    ODS, which manages domestic recycling and waste collections on behalf of Oxford City Council, is exploring a new approach to waste management at six blocks of Council flats across the city.  

    Blocks of flats typically share bin stores for recycling, rubbish, and food waste, often leading to high contamination rates. This trial aims to address these issues by testing new approaches.  

    The initiative is part of a six-month trial, which will see the Council and ODS trialing different approaches to waste management, to encourage increased participation in recycling efforts and reduce contamination, and identify which approach works best.  

    The Council and ODS have identified six blocks of flats that have recognised concerns around recycling contamination and overflowing waste. The blocks of flats that are participating in the trial are: 

    • Henry Taunt Close  
    • Field Avenue (blocks 113-139) 
    • Hawksmoor (blocks 1-12) 
    • Williamson Way (blocks 2-24) 
    • Mason Road (blocks 69-103) 
    • Wolseley and Riley House 

    At the start of each trial, residents in participating blocks of flats were visited by Recycling Officers, and received a letter and informational leaflet detailing what can and cannot be disposed of in each bin. Signage located near the bins at each block has also been updated to reflect the trial.  

    ODS and the Council will be monitoring and reviewing feedback from residents as well as recycling and waste collection crews. Each approach will be assessed before making any decisions about permanent changes or expanding the new approaches across the city.  

    There will be no change for blocks of flats that are not participating in the trial, and these residents are encouraged to continue to follow their regular recycling and waste advice.   

    “We can all improve our recycling habits. We are committed to increasing recycling rates and reducing costly contamination, which is why we’re trialing these new approaches. We will be working closely with residents in the blocks of flats throughout the trial and will be asking for their feedback before making any permanent changes.”

    Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies (including ODS)

    “We’re excited to launch a new recycling initiative aimed at tackling the unique challenges faced by residents in Oxford who use shared bins. Our pilot programme, starting at six flat sites, will trial innovative strategies to reduce fly-tipping, cut down on contamination, and make recycling easier. If successful, we would look to expand this approach to other flat sites across the city.” 

    Michelle Bradbury, Recycling Team Leader, ODS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local Area Energy Plan adopted by Lancaster City Council Lancaster City Council has adopted a pioneering new strategy that aims to shape future energy planning, reduce carbon emissions and support economic prosperity.

    Source: City of Lancaster

    Lancaster City Council has adopted a pioneering new strategy that aims to shape future energy planning, reduce carbon emissions and support economic prosperity.

    Front cover of the Local Area Energy Plan

    On Tuesday (October 22) the council’s cabinet approved a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP), which sets out a long-term vision for decarbonising the district by 2040 and looks beyond the council’s own 2030 target for its direct activities.

    The LAEP sets out the changes required to transition the Lancaster district energy system and built environment to net zero while also addressing fuel poverty. It details what changes are required, where, when and by whom.

    It also provides a high-level overview of the likely scale of investment that will be required to achieve net zero.

    This includes:

    • Domestic fabric upgrades – 38,000 domestic properties (approximately 54% of all buildings) are recommended to be retrofitted with fabric upgrade measures
       
    • Low carbon heating – installing heat pumps to 52,000 – 65,000 and having approximately 75% of non-domestic building floorspace being heated by heat pumps in the future
       
    • Installation of electric vehicle charge points – The LAEP recommends the deployment of up to 1,250 public charge points to plug the gaps. It is estimated that 45% of households will not have the ability to charge at home
       
    • Local renewable generation – The district has a significant opportunity to generate renewable energy locally from solar PV and onshore wind. Up to 575 GWh of annual generation is recommended
       
    • Energy Networks: The plan illustrates the importance of investment in the electricity network to ensure there is capacity for the rapid growth of low carbon technologies. The council has been working closely with Electricity North-West to develop the LAEP

    Councillor Paul Stubbins, cabinet member with responsibility for climate action, said: “The city council set itself an ambitious target to decarbonise its services by 2030 and we are well on the way to delivering on that aim.

    “The next step is to set out how the whole district can transition to a low carbon future, and that’s what the LAEP is all about. But it’s not just a blueprint for reducing emissions, it’s a vision for a sustainable future and supporting the local economy.

    “The city council will need to collaborate closely with key local stakeholders along the way but this is an exciting start to delivering a net zero district.”

    To find out more about the plan visit Lancaster.gov.uk/laep .

    Last updated: 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New initiative to boost growth and innovation for Winchester district businesses

    Source: City of Winchester

    IncuHive Chief Executive Officer George Scott-Welsh and Cabinet member for Business and Culture Cllr Lucille Thompson

    Entrepreneurs, early-stage startups, and small- to medium-sized businesses across the Winchester district are being encouraged to get involved in a new initiative to boost their growth and inspire innovation.

    The Business Growth Factory, delivered by IncuHive in partnership with Winchester City Council, will provide businesses with crucial skills, such as the ability to identify target markets, effectively manage finances and make successful investment pitches.

    The programme itself features a mix of tailored support, expert-led mentoring and hands-on workshops to help participants make the most of the support on offer and make sure they have the tools and insights needed to thrive in competitive marketplaces.

    The programme is provided completely free of charge thanks to funding from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

    Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Culture, Councillor Lucille Thompson, said:

    “Local entrepreneurship is a vital part of our district’s vibrant local economy and it’s hugely important that our start-ups and small businesses have the support they need.

    “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to partner with IncuHive on this fantastic initiative to empower our local business community by equipping them with important skills for growth”.

    The Business Growth Factory is open to new entrepreneurs, early-stage startups and small businesses in the Winchester district.

    Those interested can apply by visiting incuhive.co.uk/acceleration-investment/winchester-cc-business-growth-factory and completing the online application form.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Aktia’s interim report for January–September will be published on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 8.00 a.m.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aktia Bank Plc
    Press release
    23 October 2024 at 1.00 p.m.

    Aktia’s interim report for January–September will be published on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 8.00 a.m.

    Aktia’s interim report for January–September 2024 will be published on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 8.00 a.m. (EET). The interim report is available at Aktia’s website http://www.aktia.com after the publication.

    Briefing for analysts, investors and media

    Aktia’s briefing for analysts, investors and media will be held in English at Flik Studio Eliel (Sanoma House, 1st floor, Töölönlahdenkatu 2, Helsinki) on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 10.30 a.m. Aktia’s CEO Aleksi Lehtonen and interim CFO Karri Varis will be presenting the results. Attendees are kindly asked to register before 1 November 2024 by email at the address ir@aktia.fi.

    The briefing can be seen live as a webcast or as a recording after the briefing at https://aktia.videosync.fi/aktia-pankki-oyj-q3-report-2024. Questions can be asked in writing during the live webcast.

    The presentation material in English is available at Aktia’s website http://www.aktia.com before the briefing.

    Aktia Bank Plc

    Further information:
    Oscar Taimitarha, Director, Investor Relations, tel. +358 40 562 2315

    Distribution:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Mass media
    http://www.aktia.com

    Aktia is a Finnish asset manager, bank and life insurer that has been creating wealth and wellbeing from one generation to the next for 200 years. We serve our customers in digital channels everywhere and face-to-face in our offices in the Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Vaasa and Oulu regions. Our award-winning asset management business sells investment funds internationally. We employ approximately 850 people around Finland. Aktia’s assets under management (AuM) on 30 June 2024 amounted to EUR 14.1 billion, and the balance sheet total was EUR 12.4 billion. Aktia’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd (AKTIA). aktia.com.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: NRRP: institutional meetings and technical working groups to be held from today until 24 October as part of the sixth visit by the European Commission

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    21 Ottobre 2024

    The sixth visit by the European Commission to discuss in detail the next stages of implementation of Italy’s NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) is planned from today until Thursday 24 October.

    Around forty working groups will be held, focusing on the Plan’s strategic measures, the new REPowerEU mission, and the progress of reforms and investments. The meetings will closely examine the milestones and targets for the seventh instalment and for the last three instalments of Italy’s NRRP, while  the verification phase is finalised regarding the milestones and targets for the sixth instalment in order to allow its disbursement.

    The visit, which has been coordinated by the NRRP task force at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in constructive cooperation with the European Commission services, will see the active participation of the ministries and institutions involved. The meetings are part of the well-established dialogue which provides for the planning of strategic events for coordination and liaison between the European Commission services and Member States, in order to allow for timely verification of the implementation status of National Recovery and Resilience Plans. 
    Technical working groups on specific topics with all administrations involved will be held together with high-level institutional meetings, all of which are of significant importance ahead of Italy submitting the payment request for the seventh instalment of its NRRP. The aim is to share with the European Commission the path that will lead Italy to achieve the important objectives set by the Plan.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement on Defence – Joint Communique

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A commitment to improve and enhance bilateral defence co-operation between the Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    In July this year, the Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland committed to improve and further enhance bilateral defence co-operation to better meet the common challenges of the 21st Century and to best secure the common interests of both countries in defence-related areas. We outlined escalating security concerns, exacerbated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We said that the deteriorating strategic environment demanded a unified response to ensure the preservation of European security.

    As we confront these challenges together with Allies and partners, we are guided by our shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Recognising the imperative for closer collaboration in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges and shared security threats, we aim to promote stability on NATO’s eastern flank, in Europe as a whole, and beyond for the Euro-Atlantic area. Strategic defence co-operation is an important first pillar in the new relationship between Germany and the United Kingdom, which will be codified in the forthcoming bilateral treaty in 2025.

    Recognising the imperative, we have worked at pace to create our response through this historic, first-of-its kind, defence agreement between our two great nations. Our shared strategic objective is to sustain effective deterrence against would-be aggressors by building credible, resilient defence forces and defence industries, working towards the vision of a peaceful and stable Euro-Atlantic area. To do this, our agreement will become a crucial element in the broader architecture of European security; it is explicitly designed to support our Allies and strengthen the European contribution to NATO. In particular, it complements our respective existing bilateral agreements with France, laying the foundation for increasingly close co-operation between the E3.

    Through this agreement, we have brought focus, resource, and ambition to our previously stated objectives: Strengthening Defence Industries, Reinforcing Euro-Atlantic Security, Enhancing Interoperability, Addressing Emerging Threats, Supporting Ukraine, and Deep Precision Strike. In addition to new governance structures, we will bring these objectives to life through the creation of totemic lighthouse projects, which will serve as beacons for unprecedented levels of co-operation and integration between our respective Armed Forces.

    Deep Precision Strike and Defence: The UK and Germany will work jointly to rapidly develop extended Deep Precision Strike capabilities, to provide a conventional deterrent in Europe and strengthen European Integrated Air and Missile Defence. We will do this in the short term through:

    • Undertaking a comprehensive exercise to compare capability needs and identify synergies.
    • Developing common requirements and military doctrine to aid the development of long-range systems, working in co-operation with Allies and partners, in particular through the European Long Range Strike Approach.
    • Identifying opportunities for industrial collaboration and investment to achieve closer working on countering threats through Integrated Air and Missile Defence.

    And in the medium term through:

    • Joint development and procurement of new extended Deep Precision Strike capabilities in close co-ordination with Allies and partners, giving special focus to new capabilities which far exceed today’s ranges.
    • Joint development of a common approach to deploying extended Deep Precision Strike in all physical domains.
    • Cohering Integrated Air and Missile Defence activity through the European Sky Shield Initiative, NATO’s Multinational Procurement Initiatives, and the UK’s DIAMOND initiative.

    Uncrewed Aerial Systems and Future Connectivity: The UK and Germany will work jointly, in close co-ordination with Allies and partners, to develop and employ Uncrewed Aerial and Offboard Air Systems to ensure interoperability between Future Combat Air Systems. We will do this in the short term through:

    • Joint integration of common missile systems into drone fleets to enhance precision strike capabilities, drawing benefit from each nations’ previous experience, e.g. the integration of Brimstone to UK Uncrewed Air Systems.
    • Sharing plans on integration of capabilities between Current and Future Combat Air Systems, to enable development of interoperable offboard systems.

    And in the medium term through:

    • Joint exploration and development of cross-system Combat Cloud capabilities across aircraft fleets.
    • Joint exploration and development of new Maritime Uncrewed Air System capabilities.
    • Joint exploration and development of common offboard systems compatible with respective Future Combat Air Systems to enable, inter alia, data sharing, to support interoperability and integration of those systems.
    • Supporting implementation of NATO-agreed common standards to ensure connectivity and collaboration between fighter aircraft, reinforcing inter-generation and (un)crewed teaming.

    Strengthening the Eastern Flank through a new Land Strategic Partnership: Using our Forward Land Forces and shared enduring commitment to NATO’s eastern flank as a catalyst, the UK and Germany will work to strengthen NATO by developing doctrine, uncrewed systems, and enabling capabilities to transform our land forces; sustaining continuous land-based deterrence within Europe. We will do this in the short term through:

    • Working jointly in the Armour Capability Coalition to drive innovation in the land domain, through support to Ukraine.
    • Working jointly with Canada and the Baltic States, including through the 3+3 format, to rapidly transform the capability and effectiveness of our respective Forward Land Forces and tap the full potential of synergies of the Forward Land Forces in the Baltic States
    • Co-ordination of UK and German exercises between the Forward Land Forces, with the goal of combined exercises.
    • Working together to tackle the challenges in the shortage of NATO Corps troops across the Alliance. Equipping, training, and exercising the German-British Amphibious Engineer Battalion 130 in Minden to fulfil tasks as one entity within the NATO Force Model.
    • Fostering a deep Industrial Partnership between UK and German Defence Industries, including assisting respective prime contractors wishing to expand production facilities in each other’s countries. Our will to develop industrial co-operation is illustrated by developing plans between the UK MOD and Rheinmetall for a new barrel factory to be opened in the UK, further strengthening the defence industrial links between the UK and Germany.
    • Close collaboration in the BOXER User Group, conducting regular consultations on the “strategic pipeline”, and joint exploration of new capabilities and variants, striving for a closer exchange of BOXER In-Service-Experience topics, and close co-operation in the area of BOXER training and operation. Beyond BOXER, we will pursue joint procurement and through-life capability management initiatives around land vehicles.

     And in the medium term through:

    • Joint development of common offboard systems for Future Ground Combat Systems to support interoperability between those systems, in co-ordination with Allies and Partners
    • Joint development of military doctrines for future land warfighting, supported by Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Disruptive Technologies.

    Undersea Co-operation in the Northern Seas: The UK and Germany will work jointly to strengthen UK-German naval co-operation with a focus on the North Atlantic and North Sea. We will aim to establish and share a clear and concise picture of underwater activity, significantly contributing to the protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure and Sea Lines of Communications. We will do this in the short term through:

    • Co-ordination of combined and joint operations in the North Atlantic, in close co-operation with Allies and partners, focussing on Anti-Submarine Warfare with ships, submarines, and aircraft. We will enable forward deployments of each other’s units and goods between our countries when required.
    • Episodic deployments of German P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft in the UK to support interoperability and collaborative Anti-Submarine Warfare operations in the North Atlantic, following their entry into service.
    • Joint development of common training for our Maritime Patrol Aircraft crews.
    • Promoting a common co-operative procurement of the UK’s Lightweight Torpedo STINGRAY MOD 2 for our Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
    • Contributing to the strengthening of NATO’s work strand on Critical Undersea Infrastructure.

    And in the medium term through: 

    • Exploring new offboard undersea surveillance capabilities to improve detection of adversary activity and support the protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, supported by Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Disruptive Technologies.

    In addition, we are committed to working together for as long as it takes to support and enable Ukraine to counter Russian aggression. Our combined will is unequivocal, we will continue to ensure Ukraine has the military capabilities it requires. Our specialist teams and our Defence Industries will work ever more closely to ensure that Ukraine will prevail and achieve a fair and lasting peace. In the short term, we will collectively provide Ukraine with a new offensive capability, supporting fitting German donated Sea King Helicopters with modern missile systems. In the longer term, we will work increasingly closely through the Capability Coalitions for Ukraine using the lessons learnt there to continuously develop our co-operation. The UK will increase its support to the German and Polish-led Armour Coalition, Germany will support the UK and Latvian led drone coalition.

    Through our agreed mechanisms, enhanced dialogue, and increased political leadership, we will drive co-operation for decades to come. We will regularly review the content and our collaboration. We will consistently raise our ambitions to meet tomorrow’s threats wherever they come from: on Land, at Sea, or in the Air, in Space or in the Cyber domain; and irrespective of whether these threats are caused by hostile actors or are a result of natural disasters or Climate Change.

    We will confront such threats across all domains and between each of our Armed Forces and joint organisations, with co-operation in Cyber, Communications, and Information Systems forming the backbone and connective tissue required to embark on such an ambitious programme of work.

    John Healey Boris Pistorius
    Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom Federal Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany

    UK-Germany Trinity House Agreement on Defence

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: TransUnion Announces Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Exceeded third quarter 2024 financial guidance for revenue and earnings
    • Accelerated revenue growth to 12 percent, driven by U.S. Financial Services, Insurance, Consumer Interactive and International, while executing on technology modernization and transformation program savings
    • Voluntarily prepaid $25 million in debt, bringing total prepayments to $105 million in 2024
    • Raising 2024 financial guidance, we now expect to deliver 9 percent revenue growth for the year

    CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) (the “Company”) today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

    Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Revenue:

    • Total revenue for the quarter was $1,085 million, an increase of 12 percent (12 percent on a constant currency basis), compared with the third quarter of 2023.

    Earnings:

    • Net income attributable to TransUnion was $68 million for the quarter, compared with a loss of $319 million for the third quarter of 2023. Diluted earnings per share was $0.35, compared with a loss per share of $1.65 in the third quarter of 2023. Net income attributable to TransUnion margin was 6.3 percent, compared with a loss of 32.9 percent in the third quarter of 2023. Our third quarter 2023 net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion, diluted loss per share and net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion margin were impacted by a $414 million non-cash goodwill impairment expense for our United Kingdom reporting unit in the period.
    • Adjusted Net Income was $205 million for the quarter, compared with $177 million for the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share was $1.04, compared with $0.91 in the third quarter of 2023.
    • Adjusted EBITDA was $394 million for the quarter, compared with $356 million for the third quarter of 2023, an increase of 11 percent (11 percent on a constant currency basis). Adjusted EBITDA margin was 36.3 percent, compared with 36.8 percent in the third quarter of 2023.

    “In the third quarter, TransUnion exceeded financial guidance,” said Chris Cartwright, President and CEO. “U.S. Markets grew by double-digits against stable market conditions, driven by mortgage strength, improving non-mortgage financial services, accelerating insurance growth and large breach remediation wins. Our International segment delivered double-digit organic constant currency revenue growth across India, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa.”

    “We continue to progress well against our transformation program. We now expect to capture $85 million of operating expense savings in 2024, driven by strong execution against our operating model optimization to expand our Global Capability Center network. Additionally, our technology modernization is accelerating our pace of innovation with several new capabilities and products launched in the quarter, powered by OneTru.”

    “We are raising our 2024 guidance and now expect to deliver 9 percent revenue growth, reflecting third quarter outperformance, stronger mortgage volumes and broad-based strength across the portfolio.”

    Third Quarter 2024 Segment Results

    U.S. Markets:

    U.S. Markets revenue was $848 million, an increase of 12 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.

    • Financial Services revenue was $367 million, an increase of 17 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.
    • Emerging Verticals revenue was $307 million, an increase of 3 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.
    • Consumer Interactive revenue was $174 million, an increase of 21 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.

    Adjusted EBITDA was $320 million, an increase of 9 percent compared with the third quarter of 2023.

    International:

    International revenue was $242 million, an increase of 11 percent (12 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.

    • Canada revenue was $39 million, an increase of 7 percent (9 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
    • Latin America revenue was $33 million, an increase of 7 percent (13 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
    • United Kingdom revenue was $58 million, an increase of 6 percent (4 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
    • Africa revenue was $17 million, an increase of 12 percent (10 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
    • India revenue was $68 million, an increase of 21 percent (23 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.
    • Asia Pacific revenue was $26 million, an increase of 11 percent (11 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.

    Adjusted EBITDA was $110 million, an increase of 14 percent (15 percent on a constant currency basis) compared with the third quarter of 2023.

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

    Cash and cash equivalents was $643 million at September 30, 2024 and $476 million at December 31, 2023.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $579 million, compared with $444 million in 2023. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to improved operating performance, partially offset by employee separation payments and a penalty paid for the early termination of a facility lease, both of which were in connection with our operating model optimization program. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash used in investing activities was $195 million, compared with $231 million in 2023. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was due primarily to prior year investments in non-consolidated affiliates and lower capital expenditures. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, capital expenditures were $199 million, compared with $213 million in 2023. Capital expenditures as a percent of revenue represented 6% and 7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash used in financing activities was $220 million, compared with $375 million in 2023. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to a decrease in debt prepayments.

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Outlook

    Our guidance is based on a number of assumptions that are subject to change, many of which are outside of the control of the Company, including general macroeconomic conditions, interest rates and inflation. There are numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve the results expressed by this guidance.

        Three Months Ended December 31, 2024   Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024
    (in millions, except per share data)   Low   High   Low   High
    Revenue, as reported   $ 1,014     $ 1,034     $ 4,161     $ 4,181  
    Revenue growth1:                
    As reported     6 %     8 %     9 %     9 %
    Constant currency1, 2     6 %     8 %     8 %     9 %
    Organic constant currency1, 3     6 %     8 %     8 %     9 %
                     
    Net income attributable to TransUnion   $ 65     $ 77     $ 284     $ 295  
    Net income attributable to TransUnion growth     n/m       n/m       238 %     243 %
    Net income attributable to TransUnion margin     6.4 %     7.4 %     6.8 %     7.1 %
                     
    Diluted Earnings per Share   $ 0.34     $ 0.39     $ 1.45     $ 1.51  
    Diluted Earnings per Share growth   n/m       n/m       237 %     243 %
                     
    Adjusted EBITDA, as reported5   $ 360     $ 375     $ 1,488     $ 1,503  
    Adjusted EBITDA growth, as reported4     10 %     15 %     11 %     12 %
    Adjusted EBITDA margin     35.5 %     36.2 %     35.8 %     36.0 %
                     
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share5   $ 0.92     $ 0.98     $ 3.87     $ 3.93  
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share growth     14 %     21 %     15 %     17 %
    1. Additional revenue growth assumptions:
      1. The impact of changing exchange rates is expected to have an insignificant impact for Q4 2024 and FY 2024.
      2. There is no impact from recent acquisitions for Q4 2024 and FY 2024.
      3. The impact of mortgage is expected to be approximately 5 points of benefit for Q4 2024 and approximately 4 points of benefit for FY 2024.
    2. Constant currency growth rates assume foreign currency exchange rates are consistent between years. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
    3. Organic constant currency growth rates are constant currency growth excluding inorganic growth. Inorganic growth represents growth attributable to the first twelve months of activity for recent business acquisitions. There is no impact from recent business acquisitions in Q4 2024 and FY 2024.
    4. Additional Adjusted EBITDA assumptions:
      1. The impact of changing foreign currency exchange rates is expected to have an insignificant impact for Q4 2024 and FY 2024.
    5. For a reconciliation of the above non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, refer to Schedule 7 of this Earnings Release.

    Earnings Webcast Details

    In conjunction with this release, TransUnion will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Central Time to discuss the business results for the quarter and certain forward-looking information. This session and the accompanying presentation materials may be accessed at http://www.transunion.com/tru. A replay of the call will also be available at this website following the conclusion of the call.

    About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

    TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

    http://www.transunion.com/business 

    Availability of Information on TransUnion’s Website

    Investors and others should note that TransUnion routinely announces material information to investors and the marketplace using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the TransUnion Investor Relations website. While not all of the information that the Company posts to the TransUnion Investor Relations website is of a material nature, some information could be deemed to be material. Accordingly, the Company encourages investors, the media and others interested in TransUnion to review the information that it shares on http://www.transunion.com/tru.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of TransUnion’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Any statements made in this earnings release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, including our guidance and descriptions of our business plans and strategies. These statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “suggest,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimate,” “target,” “project,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “potential,” “continues,” “seeks,” “predicts,” or the negatives of these words and other similar expressions.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, or that could materially affect our financial results or such forward-looking statements include:

    • macroeconomic effects and changes in market conditions, including the impact of inflation, risk of recession, and industry trends and adverse developments in the debt, consumer credit and financial services markets, including the impact on the carrying value of our assets in all of the markets where we operate;
    • our ability to provide competitive services and prices;
    • our ability to retain or renew existing agreements with large or long-term customers;
    • our ability to maintain the security and integrity of our data;
    • our ability to deliver services timely without interruption;
    • our ability to maintain our access to data sources;
    • government regulation and changes in the regulatory environment;
    • litigation or regulatory proceedings;
    • our ability to effectively manage our costs;
    • our efforts to execute our transformation plan and achieve the anticipated benefits and savings;
    • our ability to remediate existing material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;
    • economic and political stability in the United States and international markets where we operate;
    • our ability to effectively develop and maintain strategic alliances and joint ventures;
    • our ability to timely develop new services and the market’s willingness to adopt our new services;
    • our ability to manage and expand our operations and keep up with rapidly changing technologies;
    • our ability to acquire businesses, successfully secure financing for our acquisitions, timely consummate our acquisitions, successfully integrate the operations of our acquisitions, control the costs of integrating our acquisitions and realize the intended benefits of such acquisitions;
    • our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property, trade secrets and other forms of unpatented intellectual property;
    • our ability to defend our intellectual property from infringement claims by third parties;
    • geopolitical conditions and other risks associated with our international operations;
    • the ability of our outside service providers and key vendors to fulfill their obligations to us;
    • further consolidation in our end-customer markets;
    • the increased availability of free or inexpensive consumer information;
    • losses against which we do not insure;
    • our ability to make timely payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness;
    • our ability to satisfy covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness;
    • our ability to maintain our liquidity;
    • share repurchase plans; and
    • our reliance on key management personnel.

    There may be other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this report in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release speak only as of the date of this earnings release. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this earnings release.

    For More Information

    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
    (in millions, except per share data)

        September 30,
    2024
      December 31,
    2023
    Assets        
    Current assets:        
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 643.2     $ 476.2  
    Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance of $18.2 and $16.4     798.4       723.0  
    Other current assets     228.2       275.9  
    Total current assets     1,669.8       1,475.1  
    Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $858.3 and $804.4     181.5       199.3  
    Goodwill     5,184.5       5,176.0  
    Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $3,055.8 and $2,719.8     3,356.9       3,515.3  
    Other assets     661.1       739.4  
    Total assets   $ 11,053.8     $ 11,105.1  
    Liabilities and stockholders’ equity        
    Current liabilities:        
    Trade accounts payable   $ 319.4     $ 251.3  
    Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt     66.5       89.6  
    Other current liabilities     609.8       661.8  
    Total current liabilities     995.7       1,002.7  
    Long-term debt     5,134.9       5,250.8  
    Deferred taxes     481.8       592.9  
    Other liabilities     120.2       153.2  
    Total liabilities     6,732.6       6,999.6  
    Stockholders’ equity:        
    Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1.0 billion shares authorized at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 201.4 million and 200.0 million shares issued at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and 194.9 million and 193.8 million shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively     2.0       2.0  
    Additional paid-in capital     2,524.3       2,412.9  
    Treasury stock at cost, 6.6 million and 6.2 million shares at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively     (333.0 )     (302.9 )
    Retained earnings     2,312.6       2,157.1  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (289.5 )     (260.9 )
    Total TransUnion stockholders’ equity     4,216.4       4,008.2  
    Noncontrolling interests     104.8       97.3  
    Total stockholders’ equity     4,321.2       4,105.5  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 11,053.8     $ 11,105.1  
     

    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
    (in millions, except per share data)

        Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
         2024     2023     2024     2023 
    Revenue   $ 1,085.0     $ 968.7     $ 3,147.0     $ 2,876.9  
    Operating expenses                
    Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)     448.7       368.8       1,261.7       1,136.8  
    Selling, general and administrative     305.7       290.8       922.1       867.7  
    Depreciation and amortization     133.6       131.3       400.5       391.1  
    Goodwill impairment           414.0             414.0  
    Restructuring     40.5             66.8        
    Total operating expenses     928.6       1,205.0       2,651.0       2,809.6  
    Operating income (loss)     156.4       (236.3 )     495.9       67.3  
    Non-operating income and (expense)                
    Interest expense     (66.6 )     (72.7 )     (203.2 )     (217.2 )
    Interest income     7.8       5.0       19.9       15.1  
    Earnings from equity method investments     4.7       3.7       14.0       11.7  
    Other (expense) and income, net     (5.4 )     8.7       (26.2 )     (16.3 )
    Total non-operating income and (expense)     (59.6 )     (55.4 )     (195.4 )     (206.8 )
    Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     96.8       (291.7 )     300.5       (139.5 )
    Provision for income taxes     (24.9 )     (22.2 )     (68.9 )     (60.1 )
    Income (loss) from continuing operations     71.9       (313.9 )     231.6       (199.6 )
    Discontinued operations, net of tax           (0.5 )           (0.7 )
    Net income (loss)     71.9       (314.4 )     231.6       (200.3 )
    Less: net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests     (3.9 )     (4.3 )     (13.4 )     (11.9 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 68.0     $ (318.8 )   $ 218.2     $ (212.2 )
                     
    Basic earnings (loss) per common share from:                
    Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.12     $ (1.09 )
    Discontinued operations, net of tax                        
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.12     $ (1.10 )
    Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from:                
    Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.11     $ (1.09 )
    Discontinued operations, net of tax                        
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.11     $ (1.10 )
    Weighted-average shares outstanding:                
    Basic     194.6       193.4       194.3       193.3  
    Diluted     197.0       193.4       196.3       193.3  
                                     

    As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
    (in millions)

        Nine Months Ended September 30,
         2024    2023
    Cash flows from operating activities:        
    Net income (loss)   $ 231.6     $ (200.3 )
    Less: Discontinued operations, net of tax           0.7  
    Income (loss) from continuing operations     231.6       (199.6 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:        
    Depreciation and amortization     400.5       391.1  
    Goodwill impairment           414.0  
    Loss on repayment of loans     2.6       3.0  
    Deferred taxes     (94.1 )     (101.3 )
    Stock-based compensation     85.6       72.9  
    Loss on early termination of lease     40.5        
    Other     17.9       13.1  
    Changes in assets and liabilities:        
    Trade accounts receivable     (88.9 )     (104.2 )
    Other current and long-term assets     31.4       (42.4 )
    Trade accounts payable     44.2       16.9  
    Other current and long-term liabilities     (92.8 )     (19.7 )
    Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations     578.5       443.8  
    Cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations           (0.2 )
    Cash provided by operating activities     578.5       443.6  
    Cash flows from investing activities:        
    Capital expenditures     (198.7 )     (213.2 )
    Proceeds from sale/maturities of other investments           63.9  
    Purchases of other investments           (43.7 )
    Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates     (5.9 )     (36.9 )
    Proceeds from the sale of investments in nonconsolidated affiliates     3.8        
    Payment related to disposal of discontinued operations           (0.5 )
    Other     5.7       (0.1 )
    Cash used in investing activities     (195.1 )     (230.5 )
    Cash flows from financing activities:        
    Proceeds from term loans     934.9        
    Repayments of term loans     (927.9 )      
    Repayments of debt     (141.0 )     (310.9 )
    Debt financing fees     (13.5 )      
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock and exercise of stock options     24.5       23.1  
    Dividends to shareholders     (61.7 )     (61.4 )
    Employee taxes paid on restricted stock units recorded as treasury stock     (30.1 )     (17.6 )
    Distributions to noncontrolling interests     (4.7 )     (8.5 )
    Cash used in financing activities     (219.5 )     (375.3 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     3.1       (2.2 )
    Net change in cash and cash equivalents     167.0       (164.4 )
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     476.2       585.3  
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 643.2     $ 420.9  
     

    As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    We present Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes, Adjusted Effective Tax Rate and Leverage Ratio for all periods presented. These are important financial measures for the Company but are not financial measures as defined by GAAP. These financial measures should be reviewed in conjunction with the relevant GAAP financial measures and are not presented as alternative measures of GAAP. Other companies in our industry may define or calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, including operating income, operating margin, effective tax rate, net income attributable to the Company, diluted earnings per share or cash provided by operating activities. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables below.

    We present Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate as supplemental measures of our operating performance because these measures eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our cash operations and ongoing operating performance. These are measures frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of the operating performance of companies similar to ours.

    Our board of directors and executive management team use Adjusted EBITDA as an incentive compensation measure for most eligible employees and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share as an incentive compensation measure for certain of our senior executives.

    Under the credit agreement governing our Senior Secured Credit Facility, our ability to engage in activities such as incurring additional indebtedness, making investments and paying dividends is tied to our Leverage Ratio which is partially based on Adjusted EBITDA. Investors also use our Leverage Ratio to assess our ability to service our debt and make other capital allocation decisions.

    Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

    Management has excluded the following items from net income attributable to TransUnion in order to calculate Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

    • Discontinued operations, net of tax, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We exclude discontinued operations, net of tax because we believe it does not reflect the underlying and ongoing performance of our business operations.
    • Net interest expense is the sum of interest expense and interest income as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
    • Provision for income taxes, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
    • Depreciation and amortization, as reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
    • Stock-based compensation is used as an incentive to engage and retain our employees. It is predominantly a non-cash expense. We exclude stock-based compensation because it may not correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations during the period since it is measured at the grant date fair value and it is subject to variability as a result of performance conditions and timing of grants. These expenses are reported within cost of services and selling, general and administrative on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
    • Operating model optimization program represents employee separation costs, facility lease exit costs, and other business process optimization expenses incurred in connection with the transformation plan discussed further in “Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business. Further, these costs will vary and may not be comparable during the transformation initiative as we progress toward an optimized operating model. These costs are reported primarily in restructuring and selling, general and administrative on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
    • Accelerated technology investment includes Project Rise and the final phase of our technology investment announced in November 2023. Project Rise was announced in February 2020 and was originally expected to be completed in 2022. Following our acquisition of Neustar in December 2021, we recognized the opportunity to take advantage of Neustar’s capabilities to enhance and complement our cloud-based technology already under development as part of Project Rise. As a result, we extended Project Rise’s timeline to 2024 and increased the total estimated cost to approximately $240 million. In November 2023, we announced our plans to further leverage Neustar’s technology to standardize and streamline our product delivery platforms and to build a single global platform for fulfillment of our product lines. The additional investment is expected to be approximately $90 million during 2024 and 2025 and represents the final phase of the technology investment in our global technology infrastructure and core customer applications. We expect that the accelerated technology investment will fundamentally transform our technology infrastructure by implementing a global cloud-based approach to streamline product development, increase the efficiency of ongoing operations and maintenance and enable a continuous improvement approach to avoid the need for another major technology overhaul in the foreseeable future. The unique effort to build a secure, reliable and performant hybrid cloud infrastructure requires us to dedicate separate resources in order to develop the new cloud-based infrastructure in parallel with our current on-premise environment by maintaining our existing technology team to ensure no disruptions to our customers. The costs associated with the accelerated technology investment are incremental and redundant costs that will not recur after the program has been completed and are not representative of our underlying operating performance. Therefore, we believe that excluding these costs from our non-GAAP measures provides a better reflection of our ongoing cost structure. These costs are primarily reported in cost of services and therefore do not include amounts that are capitalized as internally developed software.
    • Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization expenses are non-recurring expenses associated with specific transactions (exploratory or executed) and consist of (i) transaction and integration costs, (ii) post-acquisition adjustments to contingent consideration or to assets and liabilities that occurred after the acquisition measurement period, (iii) fair value and impairment adjustments related to investments and call and put options, (iv) transition services agreement income, and (v) a loss on disposal of a business. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business operations and vary depending upon the timing of such transactions. These expenses are reported in costs of services, selling, general and administrative and other income and (expenses), net, on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
    • Net other adjustments principally relate to: (i) deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancing, (ii) currency remeasurement on foreign operations, (iii) other debt financing expenses consisting primarily of revolving credit facility deferred financing fee amortization and commitment fees and expenses associated with ratings agencies and interest rate hedging, (iv) legal and regulatory expenses, net, and (v) other non-operating (income) expense. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business and create variability between periods based on the nature and timing of the expense or income. These costs are reported in selling, general and administrative and in non-operating income and expense, net as applicable based on their nature on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

    Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin

    Management defines Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue as reported.

    Adjusted Net Income

    Management has excluded the following items from net income attributable to TransUnion in order to calculate Adjusted Net Income for the periods presented:

    • Discontinued operations, net of tax (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
    • Amortization of certain intangible assets presents non-cash amortization expenses related to assets that arose from our 2012 change in control transaction and business combinations occurring after our 2012 change in control. We exclude these expenses as we believe they are not directly correlated to the underlying performance of our business operations and vary dependent upon the timing of the transactions that give rise to these assets. Amortization of intangible assets is included in depreciation and amortization on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
    • Stock-based compensation (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
    • Operating model optimization program (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
    • Accelerated technology investment (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
    • Mergers and acquisitions, divestiture and business optimization (see Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above).
    • Net other is consistent with the definition in Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA above except that other debt financing expenses and certain other miscellaneous income and expense that are included in the adjustment to calculate Adjusted EBITDA are excluded in the adjustment made to calculate Adjusted Net Income.
    • Total adjustments for income taxes relates to the cumulative adjustments discussed below for Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes. This adjustment is made for the reasons indicated in Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes below. Adjustments related to the provision for income taxes are included in the line item by this name on our consolidated statement of operations.

    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

    Management defines Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share as Adjusted Net Income divided by the weighted-average diluted shares outstanding.

    Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes

    Management has excluded the following items from our provision for income taxes for the periods presented:

    • Tax effect of above adjustments represents the income tax effect of the adjustments related to Adjusted Net Income described above. The tax rate applied to each adjustment is based on the nature of each line item. We include the tax effect of the adjustments made to Adjusted Net Income to provide a comprehensive view of our adjusted net income.
    • Excess tax expense (benefit) for stock-based compensation is the permanent difference between expenses recognized for book purposes and expenses recognized for tax purposes, in each case related to stock-based compensation expense. We exclude this amount from the Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes in order to be consistent with the exclusion of stock-based compensation from the calculation of Adjusted Net Income.
    • Other principally relates to (i) deferred tax adjustments, including rate changes, (ii) infrequent or unusual valuation allowance adjustments, (iii) return to provision, tax authority audit adjustments, and reserves related to prior periods, and (iv) other non-recurring items. We exclude these items because they create variability that impacts comparability between periods.

    Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

    Management defines Adjusted Effective Tax Rate as Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes divided by Adjusted income from continuing operations before income taxes. We calculate adjusted income from continuing operations before income taxes by excluding the pre-tax adjustments in the calculation of Adjusted Net Income discussed above and noncontrolling interest related to these pre-tax adjustments from income from continuing operations before income taxes.

    Leverage Ratio

    Management defines Leverage Ratio as net debt divided by Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the most recent twelve-month period including twelve months of Adjusted EBITDA from significant acquisitions. Since the Leverage Ratio is calculated on a trailing twelve month basis, prior period goodwill impairment is excluded as this expense may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations during that period and may vary significantly between periods. Net debt is defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents as reported on the balance sheet as of the end of the period.

    This earnings release presents constant currency growth rates assuming foreign currency exchange rates are consistent between years. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. This earnings release also presents organic constant currency growth rates, which assumes consistent foreign currency exchange rates between years and also eliminates the impact of our recent acquisitions. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and the impacts of recent acquisitions.

    Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and is a measure we may refer to.

    Refer to Schedules 1 through 7 for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

    SCHEDULE 1
    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth rates as Reported, CC, and Organic CC
    (Unaudited)

        For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared with
    the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
      For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared with
    the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
        Reported   CC Growth1   Organic CC
    Growth2
      Reported   CC Growth1   Organic CC
    Growth2
    Revenue:                        
    Consolidated   12.0 %   12.2 %   12.2 %   9.4 %   9.4 %   9.4 %
    U.S. Markets   12.5 %   12.5 %   12.5 %   8.4 %   8.4 %   8.4 %
    Financial Services   17.1 %   17.1 %   17.1 %   13.5 %   13.5 %   13.5 %
    Emerging Verticals   3.3 %   3.3 %   3.3 %   4.0 %   4.0 %   4.0 %
    Consumer Interactive   21.4 %   21.3 %   21.3 %   6.0 %   6.0 %   6.0 %
    International   11.3 %   12.1 %   12.1 %   13.4 %   13.5 %   13.5 %
    Canada   6.8 %   8.6 %   8.6 %   11.5 %   12.7 %   12.7 %
    Latin America   7.2 %   12.7 %   12.7 %   11.8 %   10.9 %   10.9 %
    United Kingdom   6.0 %   3.7 %   3.7 %   4.9 %   2.5 %   2.5 %
    Africa   12.3 %   9.5 %   9.5 %   8.3 %   10.4 %   10.4 %
    India   21.5 %   23.1 %   23.1 %   25.4 %   27.0 %   27.0 %
    Asia Pacific   11.1 %   11.5 %   11.5 %   13.6 %   14.2 %   14.2 %
                             
    Adjusted EBITDA:                        
    Consolidated   10.5 %   10.9 %   10.9 %   10.9 %   11.0 %   11.0 %
    U.S. Markets   9.0 %   9.0 %   9.0 %   8.2 %   8.2 %   8.2 %
    International   13.9 %   15.3 %   15.3 %   17.4 %   17.9 %   17.9 %
    1.  Constant Currency (“CC”) growth rates assume foreign currency exchange rates are consistent between years. This allows financial results to be evaluated without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
       
    2.  We have no inorganic revenue or Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented. Organic CC growth rate is the CC growth rate less the inorganic growth rate.

    SCHEDULE 2
    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated and Segment Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin (Unaudited)
    (dollars in millions)

      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
       2024    2023    2024    2023
    Revenue:              
    U.S. Markets gross revenue              
    Financial Services $ 367.2     $ 313.7     $ 1,077.6     $ 949.6  
    Emerging Verticals   307.2       297.3       913.1       877.9  
    Consumer Interactive   173.7       143.1       455.1       429.4  
    U.S. Markets gross revenue $ 848.1     $ 754.0     $ 2,445.9     $ 2,256.9  
                   
    International gross revenue              
    Canada $ 39.4     $ 36.9     $ 115.9     $ 103.9  
    Latin America   33.5       31.2       100.9       90.2  
    United Kingdom   57.8       54.5       168.6       160.7  
    Africa   17.1       15.2       48.0       44.3  
    India   68.2       56.1       202.8       161.8  
    Asia Pacific   25.6       23.1       77.1       67.9  
    International gross revenue $ 241.6     $ 217.1     $ 713.3     $ 628.9  
                   
    Total gross revenue $ 1,089.6     $ 971.2     $ 3,159.2     $ 2,885.8  
                   
    Intersegment revenue eliminations              
    U.S. Markets $ (2.8 )   $ (1.0 )   $ (7.4 )   $ (4.6 )
    International   (1.9 )     (1.5 )     (4.8 )     (4.3 )
    Total intersegment revenue eliminations $ (4.7 )   $ (2.5 )   $ (12.3 )   $ (8.9 )
                   
    Total revenue as reported $ 1,085.0     $ 968.7     $ 3,147.0     $ 2,876.9  
                   
    Adjusted EBITDA:              
    U.S. Markets $ 319.9     $ 293.7     $ 920.9     $ 850.9  
    International   110.5       97.0       318.1       271.0  
    Corporate   (36.7 )     (34.5 )     (110.6 )     (104.3 )
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin:1              
    U.S. Markets   37.7 %     38.9 %     37.6 %     37.7 %
    International   45.7 %     44.7 %     44.6 %     43.1 %
    1.  Segment Adjusted EBITDA Margins are calculated using segment gross revenue and segment Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated using total revenue as reported and consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.
      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
       2024     2023     2024    2023 
    Reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:              
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion $ 68.0     $ (318.8 )   $ 218.2     $ (212.2 )
    Discontinued operations, net of tax         0.5             0.7  
    Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion $ 68.0     $ (318.3 )   $ 218.2     $ (211.5 )
    Net interest expense   58.9       67.8       183.3       202.1  
    Provision for income taxes   24.9       22.2       68.9       60.1  
    Depreciation and amortization   133.6       131.3       400.5       391.1  
    EBITDA $ 285.4     $ (97.0 )   $ 870.8     $ 441.8  
    Adjustments to EBITDA:              
    Stock-based compensation   33.8       27.0       85.7       73.3  
    Goodwill impairment1         414.0             414.0  
    Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization2   7.3       (6.0 )     17.1       24.5  
    Accelerated technology investment3   21.8       16.3       58.6       53.5  
    Operating model optimization program4   47.3             86.4        
    Net other5   (2.0 )     1.8       9.7       10.6  
    Total adjustments to EBITDA $ 108.3     $ 453.1     $ 257.5     $ 575.8  
    Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA $ 393.7     $ 356.1     $ 1,128.4     $ 1,017.6  
                   
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion margin   6.3 %     (32.9 )%     6.9 %     (7.4 )%
    Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin5   36.3 %     36.8 %     35.9 %     35.4 %
                                   

    As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the tables above and footnotes below.

     1.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $414.0 million related to our United Kingdom reporting unit in our International segment.
     2.  Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
          Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
           2024    2023     2024    2023 
      Transaction and integration costs   $ 3.6   $ 5.8     $ 7.0   $ 21.0  
      Fair value and impairment adjustments         (10.7 )     0.8     0.8  
      Post-acquisition adjustments     3.7           9.4     5.1  
      Transition services agreement income         (1.1 )         (2.4 )
      Total mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization   $ 7.3   $ (6.0 )   $ 17.1   $ 24.5  
     3.  Represents expenses associated with our accelerated technology investment to migrate to the cloud. There are three components of the accelerated technology investment: (i) building foundational capabilities, which includes establishing a modern, API-based and services-oriented software architecture, (ii) the migration of each application and customer data to the new enterprise platform, including the redundant software costs during the migration period, as well as the efforts to decommission the legacy system, and (iii) program enablement, which includes dedicated resources to support the planning and execution of the program. The amounts for each category of cost are as follows:
          Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
          2024   2023   2024   2023
      Foundational Capabilities   $ 9.9   $ 8.0   $ 25.0   $ 27.7
      Migration Management     11.0     7.2     29.9     21.9
      Program Enablement     0.9     1.1     3.8     3.9
      Total accelerated technology investment   $ 21.8   $ 16.3   $ 58.6   $ 53.5
     4.  Operating model optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
          Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
           2024    2023    2024    2023
      Employee separation   $   $   $ 24.7   $
      Facility exit     40.5         42.1    
      Business process optimization     6.8         19.6    
      Total operating model optimization   $ 47.3   $   $ 86.4   $
     5.  Net other consisted of the following adjustments:
          Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
           2024     2023     2024     2023 
      Deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancing   $ 0.1     $ 1.0     $ 9.2     $ 3.1  
      Other debt financing expenses     0.5       0.3       1.6       1.5  
      Currency remeasurement on foreign operations     (1.7 )     0.8       (0.4 )     6.5  
      Other non-operating (income) expense     (0.8 )     (0.3 )     (0.7 )     (0.5 )
      Total other adjustments   $ (2.0 )   $ 1.8     $ 9.7     $ 10.6  
     6.  Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue.


    SCHEDULE 3

    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (Unaudited)
    (in millions, except per share data)

        Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 68.0     $ (318.3 )   $ 218.2     $ (211.5 )
    Discontinued operations, net of tax           (0.5 )           (0.7 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 68.0     $ (318.8 )   $ 218.2     $ (212.2 )
                     
    Weighted-average shares outstanding:                
    Basic     194.6       193.4       194.3       193.3  
    Diluted     197.0       193.4       196.3       193.3  
                     
    Basic earnings (loss) per common share from:                
    Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.12     $ (1.09 )
    Discontinued operations, net of tax                        
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.12     $ (1.10 )
    Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from:                
    Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.11     $ (1.09 )
    Discontinued operations, net of tax                        
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.11     $ (1.10 )
                     
    Reconciliation of Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion to Adjusted Net Income:                
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 68.0     $ (318.8 )   $ 218.2     $ (212.2 )
    Discontinued operations, net of tax           0.5             0.7  
    Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 68.0     $ (318.3 )   $ 218.2     $ (211.5 )
    Adjustments before income tax items:                
    Amortization of certain intangible assets1     71.5       72.1       214.9       221.2  
    Stock-based compensation     33.8       27.0       85.7       73.3  
    Goodwill impairment2           414.0             414.0  
    Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization2     7.3       (6.0 )     17.1       24.5  
    Accelerated technology investment3     21.8       16.3       58.6       53.5  
    Operating model optimization program4     47.3             86.4        
    Net other5     (2.1 )     1.8       8.6       9.6  
    Total adjustments before income tax items   $ 179.6     $ 525.2     $ 471.3     $ 796.0  
    Total adjustments for income taxes6     (43.1 )     (29.5 )     (112.9 )     (85.2 )
    Adjusted Net Income   $ 204.5     $ 177.4     $ 576.6     $ 499.3  
                     
    Weighted-average shares outstanding:                
    Basic     194.6       193.4       194.3       193.3  
    Diluted     197.0       194.6       196.3       194.8  
                     
    Adjusted Earnings per Share:                
    Basic   $ 1.05     $ 0.92     $ 2.97     $ 2.58  
    Diluted   $ 1.04     $ 0.91     $ 2.94     $ 2.56  
        Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
        2024   2023   2024   2023
    Reconciliation of Diluted earnings (loss) per share from Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share:                
    Diluted earnings (loss) per common share from:                
    Net income (loss) attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.11     $ (1.10 )
    Discontinued operations, net of tax                        
    Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TransUnion   $ 0.35     $ (1.65 )   $ 1.11     $ (1.09 )
    Adjustments before income tax items:                
    Amortization of certain intangible assets1     0.36       0.37       1.09       1.14  
    Stock-based compensation     0.17       0.14       0.44       0.38  
    Goodwill impairment2           2.13             2.13  
    Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization3     0.04       (0.03 )     0.09       0.13  
    Accelerated technology investment4     0.11       0.08       0.30       0.27  
    Operating model optimization program5     0.24             0.44        
    Net other6     (0.01 )     0.01       0.04       0.05  
    Total adjustments before income tax items   $ 0.91     $ 2.70     $ 2.40     $ 4.09  
    Total adjustments for income taxes7     (0.22 )     (0.15 )     (0.57 )     (0.44 )
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share   $ 1.04     $ 0.91     $ 2.94     $ 2.56  
     

    Each component of earnings per share is calculated independently, therefore, rounding differences exist in the table above.

     1.  Consists of amortization of intangible assets from our 2012 change-in-control transaction and amortization of intangible assets established in business acquisitions after our 2012 change-in-control transaction.
     2.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a goodwill impairment of $414.0 million related to our United Kingdom reporting unit in our International segment.
     3.  Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
          Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
          2024   2023   2024   2023
      Transaction and integration costs   $ 3.6   $ 5.8     $ 7.0   $ 21.0  
      Fair value and impairment adjustments         (10.7 )     0.8     0.8  
      Post-acquisition adjustments     3.7           9.4     5.1  
      Transition services agreement income         (1.1 )         (2.4 )
      Total mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization   $ 7.3   $ (6.0 )   $ 17.1   $ 24.5  
     4.  Represents expenses associated with our accelerated technology investment to migrate to the cloud. There are three components of the accelerated technology investment: (i) building foundational capabilities which includes establishing a modern, API-based and services-oriented software architecture, (ii) the migration of each application and customer data to the new enterprise platform, including the redundant software costs during the migration period, as well as the efforts to decommission the legacy system, and (iii) program enablement, which includes dedicated resources to support the planning and execution of the program. The amounts for each category of cost are as follows:
          Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
          2024   2023   2024   2023
      Foundational Capabilities   $ 9.9   $ 8.0   $ 25.0   $ 27.7
      Migration Management     11.0     7.2     29.9     21.9
      Program Enablement     0.9     1.1     3.8     3.9
      Total accelerated technology investment   $ 21.8   $ 16.3   $ 58.6   $ 53.5
     5.  Operating model optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
          Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
          2024   2023   2024   2023
      Employee separation   $   $   $ 24.7   $
      Facility exit     40.5         42.1    
      Business process optimization     6.8         19.6    
      Total operating model optimization   $ 47.3   $   $ 86.4   $
     6.  Net other consisted of the following adjustments:
          Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
          2024   2023   2024   2023
      Deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancing   $ 0.1     $ 1.0   $ 9.2     $ 3.1
      Currency remeasurement on foreign operations     (1.7 )     0.8     (0.4 )     6.5
      Other non-operating (income) and expense     (0.5 )         (0.2 )    
      Total other adjustments   $ (2.1 )   $ 1.8   $ 8.6     $ 9.6
     7.  Total adjustments for income taxes represents the total of adjustments discussed to calculate the Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes.

    SCHEDULE 4
    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (Unaudited)
    (dollars in millions)

      Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
    Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 96.8     $ (291.7 )   $ 300.5     $ (139.5 )
    Total adjustments before income tax items from Schedule 3   179.6       525.2       471.3       796.0  
    Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 276.4     $ 233.5     $ 771.8     $ 656.5  
                   
    Reconciliation of Provision for income taxes to Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes:              
    Provision for income taxes   (24.9 )     (22.2 )     (68.9 )     (60.1 )
    Adjustments for income taxes:              
    Tax effect of above adjustments   (41.8 )     (27.9 )     (108.5 )     (90.1 )
    Eliminate impact of excess tax (benefit) expense for stock-based compensation   (2.3 )     0.7       (1.4 )     2.7  
    Other1   0.9       (2.2 )     (3.0 )     2.2  
    Total adjustments for income taxes $ (43.1 )   $ (29.5 )   $ (112.9 )   $ (85.2 )
    Adjusted Provision for Income Taxes $ (68.0 )   $ (51.7 )   $ (181.8 )   $ (145.3 )
                   
    Effective tax rate   25.7 %     (7.6 )%     22.9 %     (43.1 )%
    Adjusted Effective Tax Rate   24.6 %     22.2 %     23.6 %     22.1 %
                                   

    As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

      1.  Other adjustments for income taxes include:
          Three Months Ended
    September 30,
      Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
          2024   2023   2024   2023 
      Deferred tax adjustments   $ 3.8     $ (0.2 )   $ (1.4 )   $ 0.6  
      Valuation allowance adjustments     (2.3 )     (1.9 )     (2.1 )     (0.8 )
      Return to provision, audit adjustments, and reserves related to prior periods     (1.2 )     1.4       1.2       2.6  
      Other adjustments     0.7       (1.6 )     (0.7 )     (0.3 )
      Total other adjustments   $ 0.9     $ (2.2 )   $ (3.0 )   $ 2.2  
     

    SCHEDULE 5
    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Leverage Ratio (Unaudited)
    (dollars in millions)

        Trailing Twelve
    Months Ended
    September 30, 2024
    Reconciliation of Net income attributable to TransUnion to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:    
    Net income attributable to TransUnion   $ 224.2
    Net interest expense     248.6
    Provision for income taxes     53.6
    Depreciation and amortization     533.8
    EBITDA   $ 1,060.2
    Adjustments to EBITDA:    
    Stock-based compensation   $ 113.0
    Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization1     27.2
    Accelerated technology investment2     75.6
    Operating model optimization program3     164.0
    Net other4     14.4
    Total adjustments to EBITDA   $ 394.3
    Leverage Ratio Adjusted EBITDA   $ 1,454.5
         
    Total debt   $ 5,201.4
    Less: Cash and cash equivalents     643.2
    Net Debt   $ 4,558.2
         
    Ratio of Net Debt to Net income attributable to TransUnion     20.3
    Leverage Ratio     3.1

    As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

    1.  Mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
          Trailing Twelve
    Months Ended
    September 30, 2024
      Transaction and integration costs   $ 16.9  
      Fair value and impairment adjustments     10.3  
      Post-acquisition adjustments     0.1  
      Transition services agreement income     (0.1 )
      Total mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and business optimization   $ 27.2  
    2.  Represents expenses associated with our accelerated technology investment to migrate to the cloud. There are three components of the accelerated technology investment: (i) building foundational capabilities which includes establishing a modern, API-based and services-oriented software architecture, (ii) the migration of each application and customer data to the new enterprise platform including the redundant software costs during the migration period, as well as the efforts to decommission the legacy system, and (iii) program enablement, which includes dedicated resources to support the planning and execution of the program. The amounts for each category of cost are as follows:
          Trailing Twelve
    Months Ended
    September 30, 2024
      Foundational Capabilities   $         33.0        
      Migration Management             37.5        
      Program Enablement             5.1        
      Total accelerated technology investment   $         75.6        
    3.  Operating model optimization consisted of the following adjustments:
          Trailing Twelve
    Months Ended
    September 30, 2024
      Employee separation   $         96.6        
      Facility exit             45.5        
      Business process optimization             21.9        
      Total operating model optimization   $         164.0        
    4.  Net other consisted of the following adjustments:
          Trailing Twelve
    Months Ended
    September 30, 2024
      Deferred loan fee expense from debt prepayments and refinancings   $ 15.4  
      Other debt financing expenses     2.3  
      Currency remeasurement on foreign operations     (2.2 )
      Other non-operating (income) and expense     (1.2 )
      Total other adjustments   $ 14.4  
       

    SCHEDULE 6
    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Segment Depreciation and Amortization (Unaudited)
    (in millions)

      Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
       2024    2023    2024    2023
                   
    U.S. Markets $ 99.3   $ 99.3   $ 299.4   $ 292.3
    International   33.4     31.0     98.1     95.5
    Corporate   1.0     1.1     3.0     3.3
    Total depreciation and amortization $ 133.6   $ 131.3   $ 400.5   $ 391.1
     

    As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

    SCHEDULE 7
    TRANSUNION AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Guidance (Unaudited)
    (in millions, except per share data)

      Three Months Ended December 31, 2024   Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024
      Low   High   Low   High
    Guidance reconciliation of Net income attributable to TransUnion to Adjusted EBITDA:              
    Net income attributable to TransUnion $ 65     $ 77     $ 284     $ 295  
    Interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization   216       219       868       872  
    EBITDA $ 281     $ 296     $ 1,152     $ 1,167  
    Stock-based compensation, mergers, acquisitions divestitures and business optimization-related expenses and other adjustments1   79       79       336       336  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 360     $ 375     $ 1,488     $ 1,503  
                   
    Net income attributable to TransUnion margin   6.4 %     7.4 %     6.8 %     7.1 %
    Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin2   35.5 %     36.2 %     35.8 %     36.0 %
                   
    Guidance reconciliation of Diluted earnings per share to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share:              
    Diluted earnings per share $ 0.34     $ 0.39     $ 1.45     $ 1.51  
    Adjustments to diluted earnings per share1   0.58       0.58       2.42       2.42  
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.92     $ 0.98     $ 3.87     $ 3.93  
     

    As a result of displaying amounts in millions, rounding differences may exist in the table above.

    1. These adjustments include the same adjustments we make to our Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income as discussed in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of our Earnings Release.
    2. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA by total revenue.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Designing Defence’s next generation multi-satellite system

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Dstl scientific expertise and advice is at the heart of the Ministry of Defence’s ambitions in space.

    Scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are at the forefront of designing and developing Defence’s next generation satellite constellation – a system that will bring giant leaps in operational advantage to the armed forces. 

    We have developed new collaborative ways of working with both Space Command and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) to deliver the next generation multi-satellite system to support greater global surveillance and intelligence for military operations – known as the ISTARI programme.

    ISTARI will cost £968 million and involves the development of a constellation (group) of satellites to deliver global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and to send data and information rapidly to decision makers across the globe. A series of operational capability demonstrator missions will first be carried out to test the concept.

    Dstl is leading the initial constellation design and development. Using our evidence-based decision-making and systems engineering we are working with DE&S to jointly deliver the missions and bring them into service for Space Command.

    Taking a multi-disciplinary approach enables more rapid decision-making and sharing of best practice across technical, programmatic and operational disciplines. It enables defence to ask the right questions and make the right decisions to develop and deliver capability effectively and efficiently.

    Tyche: MOD’s first sovereign Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellite

    Space Command’s first satellite, Tyche, launched in August aboard SpaceX Falcon 9. Dstl provided technical assurance to Tyche, which was built by UK industry.

    Space Command’s first satellite, Tyche

    Tyche is an electro-optical imaging satellite capable of collecting images of the ground, and short image sequences of ground locations, to detect moving objects. It also possesses an additional on-board processor for immediate processing of data collected, including the ability to upload Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms for data reduction.

    Tyche will be able to communicate with commercial data relays in geostationary orbit to reduce data latency and increase opportunities for tasking.

    A key aspect to the experimentation Tyche will deliver will be the opportunity to demonstrate how the satellite interfaces with the wider emerging MOD space architecture.

    Goonhilly Earth Station: new communications ground stations in Cornwall

    Dstl is also building on the existing ground facilities to enhance space operations. In conjunction with the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), 2 new remote ground stations have been installed at Goonhilly Earth Station (GES) in Cornwall to expand Dstl’s space-to-ground capability and enable increase experimentation.

    Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station (Credit: Shutterstock)

    The powerful 3.9m Safran Legion antennas, to be operated by Dstl, complement Dstl’s Hermes ground station and will track satellites and download Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) data – vital to demonstrating the ISTARI concept.

    Dstl is also working with Goonhilly to tailor and assess the suitability of an open standard for booking and scheduling of remote ground terminals within a network; this will broker access between multiple end users.

    Dstl’s in-house expertise is vital to these missions as we help build Defence’s next generation space capability, which will be vital to ensure operational advantage on the frontline. Find out more about our space defence science and technology capability.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Multitude P.L.C.: The Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders Decided on the Approval of the Final Accounts and Discharging the Members of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer from Liability

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Multitude P.L.C.: The Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders Decided on the Approval of the Final Accounts and Discharging the Members of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer from Liability 

    Gzira, 23 October 2024 – The Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (“Meeting”) of Multitude P.L.C., a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and other FinTechs (WKN: A40G1Q, ISIN: MT0002810100) (“Multitude” or “Company”), has today resolved to adopt and approve the Company’s final accounts including the financial statements and the Board of Directors’ report for the period for which financial statements had not yet been presented at the Shareholders’ General Meeting, i.e., for the period running from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024.  

    In addition, the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders resolved, insofar as permitted under the Maltese Companies Act (chapter 386 of the laws of Malta), and in line with Finnish market practice, to discharge the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO from liability for the period covered by the final accounts (i.e., while the Company was still registered in Finland).  

    The Meeting was held following the transfer of the Company’s registered office from Finland to Malta in accordance with Article 8 of the Council Regulation (EC) No 2157/2001 of 8 October 2001 on the Statute for a European company (SE) on 30 June 2024, in order to adopt the Company’s final accounts as required pursuant to Section 11 of the Finnish European Companies Act (742/2004, as amended) and to make certain related resolutions. Accordingly, for the purposes of Section 11 of the Finnish European Companies Act, the Meeting was deemed to be a meeting of shareholders (in Finnish: “osakkeenomistajien kokous”). 

    The full minutes of the October EGM setting out said resolutions which were adopted will be available on the Company’s website no later than one week after the date of the Extraordinary General Meeting, i.e., no later than on 30 October 2024.  

    Contact: 

    Lasse Mäkelä  
    Chief Strategy and IR Officer 
    Phone: +41 79 371 34 17 
    E-Mail: Lasse.makela@multitude.com 

    About Multitude P.L.C.: 

    Multitude is a listed European FinTech company, offering digital lending and online banking services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other FinTechs overlooked by traditional banks. The services are provided through three independent business units, which are served by our internal Banking-as-a-Service Growth Platform. Multitude’s business units are Consumer Banking (Ferratum), SME Banking (CapitalBox), and Wholesale Banking (Multitude Bank). Multitude Group employs over 700 people in 25 countries and offers services in 16 countries, achieving a combined turnover of 230 million euros in 2023. Multitude was founded in Finland in 2005 and is listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘E4l’. http://www.multitude.com 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The need for immediate assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism – P-001717/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    When a disaster occurs, the affected country can request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)[1].

    On 13 September 2024, Poland pro-actively activated the Rapid Mapping of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service[2] for floods. On 18 September 2024, Poland activated the UCPM and requested support to strengthen its response to the floods.

    Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Lithuania, Sweden and Slovenia have immediately offered parts of the requested items. Austria, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden, have already delivered them to Poland. The transport arrangements for the remaining items are ongoing. In addition, the EU’s strategic reserve, rescEU[3], has been mobilised to complete the offers.

    • [1] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en
    • [2] https://emergency.copernicus.eu/mapping/ems/rapid-mapping-portfolio
    • [3] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/resceu_en
    Last updated: 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Impact of possible curb on exports of Russian uranium – E-001721/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Already in 2014, with the European Energy Security Strategy[1], the Commission emphasised the need for all EU operators to have a diversified portfolio of fuel supply and for fuel supply diversification to be a condition for any new investment in the nuclear sector.

    In response to Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU decided to phase out its remaining dependence on Russia. The REPowerEU Plan[2] emphasises further the need for diversification and securing alternative sources of uranium, and boosting conversion, enrichment, and fuel fabrication capacities.

    The Commission and the Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) have been engaging with concerned Member States to assess dependencies and ensure security of supply in the nuclear value chain. Utilities have taken steps to diversify their supplies, increase stockpiling of nuclear material and fuel, and prepare for potential disruptions to supplies.

    The electricity produced in Soviet-designed reactors (dependent on Russian fuel supply) accounts for about 10% of EU gross nuclear electricity capacity. Utilities operating these reactors in Bulgaria, Czechia, Slovakia and Finland have signed supply contracts with alternative fuel suppliers and are moving forward with the licensing process for the new fuels (already tested by several utilities).

    Meanwhile, mothballed uranium mines in the United States (US), Australia, Canada and Africa have returned to operation, and additional conversion and enrichment capacity is being developed in the EU, United Kingdom, US and Canada.

    The Commission and ESA continue to monitor the market and the supply situation and engage with utilities and national authorities to ensure the diversification of supply in the civil nuclear industry.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52014DC0330&from=EN
    • [2] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/repowereu-affordable-secure-and-sustainable-energy-europe_en

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Lethal fires in Attica – E-001640/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) can only be activated at the request of Greece within 12 weeks as from the first damage occurred, demonstrating that the total direct damage exceeds the thresholds specified in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002[1].

    The EUSF may cover part of the costs for emergency and recovery operations incurred by public authorities. This includes, for example, the recovery of essential infrastructure, provision of temporary accommodation to the population, cleaning-up operations, and protection of cultural heritage. So far, Greece has not requested the EUSF assistance for this disaster.

    With response remaining primarily a national competence, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism[2] is already prepositioning ground and aerial resources in forest fire-prone countries.

    This summer, 240 firefighters from Bulgaria, Moldova, Malta and Romania were prepositioned in Greece from 1 July to 15 September 2024 to support the Greek response to forest fires. During the fire in Attica, 80 firefighters from Moldova, Malta and Romania have been immediately deployed as first responders.

    Regarding aerial resources, the EU is financing, as of 15 June until end of October 2024, 75% stand-by costs of two Canadairs firefighting planes, two light scooping planes and one heavy helicopter located in Greece as part of the rescEU safety net response[3]. All these assets are available for a European response and primarily operate on the Greek territory.

    In addition, the EU has signed a grant agreement with Greece for the purchase of two Canadairs that will complement the national response.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Italian court ruling on Libyan Coast Guard rescue operations and its implications for the legal compliance of EU funding – E-002089/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    16.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002089/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE)

    In June 2024, Crotone Civil Court in Italy ruled[1] that interceptions at sea conducted by the Libyan Coast Guard cannot legally qualify as rescue operations since the Libyan authorities are systematically armed, fire gunshots to intimidate civil society actors and migrants, and create an overall situation of danger. Furthermore, the court recalled that Libya cannot be considered a safe place for disembarkation due to its serious and systematic violations of human rights and the fact that it has never ratified the Geneva Convention.

    • 1.Can the Commission confirm that it maintains the view that providing EU funds to the Libyan authorities through the programme entitled ‘Support to integrated border and migration management in Libya’ is justified on humanitarian grounds (see answers E-005612/2021[2] and E-000363/2022[3])?
    • 2.If so, what implications will the Crotone ruling have for the provision of EU funds to Libya under this programme, considering the principle of sound financial management as enshrined in the Financial Regulation[4], which stipulates that EU funds should be effective in achieving the objectives of a project, and also considering the Italian court ruling, which states that Libyan border authorities are unable to carry out rescue operations in line with international standards?

    Submitted: 16.10.2024

    • [1] Ruling No 348/2024, available at: https://www.asgi.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024_06_26_Court-of-Crotone_final-decision_ITA_geschwarzt.pdf.
    • [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2021-005612-ASW_EN.html.
    • [3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2022-000363-ASW_EN.html.
    • [4] Article 33 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012, OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1046/oj.
    Last updated: 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Reintroduction of German border controls – E-002115/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    16.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002115/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE)

    In September 2024, Germany announced that it was reinstating checks at all its borders to tackle illegal immigration, a major policy issue for Olaf Scholz’s socialist government and for the German people. This announcement came two weeks after the Solingen attack, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility and which left three people dead and eight injured at a local festival. The investigation revealed that the terrorist, a Syrian who had arrived in Germany at the end of 2022, was subject to an expulsion order and should have been returned to Bulgaria, where his arrival in the EU had been registered.

    Although Member States can ask the Commission for six-month exemptions in the event of a threat to internal security, as Germany has done, this decision contradicts, in theory, the rules of the Schengen area and of free movement within the European Union.

    A Commission spokesperson pointed out that any border controls must be exceptional, necessary and proportionate.

    • 1.Does the Commission think an attack that killed three people warrants exceptional measures?
    • 2.Does the Commission see the reintroduction of border controls within the EU as a sign that the EU’s external borders are completely permeable?
    • 3.As the Commission wishes to limit internal border controls, does it intend to increase Frontex’s budget in order to tighten checks at the EU’s external borders?

    Submitted: 16.10.2024

    Last updated: 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton COT102 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council – B10-0145/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
    Members responsible: Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Anja Hazekamp

    B10‑0145/2024

    European Parliament resolution on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton COT102 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D098499/04 – 2024/2835(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

     having regard to the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton COT102 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D098499/04),

     having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed[1], and in particular Article 7(3) and Article 19(3) thereof,

     having regard to the vote of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, on 8 July 2024, at which no opinion was delivered, and the vote of the Appeal Committee on 3 September 2024, at which again no opinion was delivered,

     having regard to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers[2],

     having regard to the opinion adopted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 10 May 2023, and published on 26 June 2023[3],

     having regard to its previous resolutions objecting to the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (‘GMOs’)[4],

     having regard to Rule 115(2) and (3) of its Rules of Procedure,

     having regard to the motion for a resolution of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

    A. whereas, on 31 March 2017, Syngenta Crop Protection NV/SA, based in Belgium, submitted, on behalf of Syngenta Crop Protection AG, based in Switzerland, an application to the national competent authority of Germany for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton COT102 (the ‘GM cotton’), in accordance with Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (‘the application’); whereas the application also covered the placing on the market of products containing or consisting of the GM cotton for uses other than food and feed, with the exception of cultivation;

    B. whereas, on 10 May 2023, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion, which was published on 10 May 2023, concluding that the GM cotton is as safe as its non-GM comparator and the tested non-GM cotton varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment;

    C. whereas the GM cotton contains genes producing insecticidal proteins (‘Bt toxins’) and an antibiotic resistance marker gene (‘ARMG’);

    D. whereas cottonseed oil may be used in the production of a wide variety of food products such as dressings, mayonnaise, fine bakery wares, chocolate spreads and chips; whereas consumption of cottonseed flour is the most likely way in which humans could be exposed to the two proteins resulting from the genetic modification; whereas cotton is commonly used in animal feed in the form of undelinted seeds and meal;

    Outstanding questions concerning Bt toxins

    E. whereas the toxicity of the Bt toxins was assessed on the basis of feeding studies using only isolated Bt proteins produced by bacteria; whereas little significance can be attributed to toxicological tests conducted with proteins in isolation, due to the fact that Bt toxins in GM crops, such as maize, cotton and soybeans, are inherently more toxic than isolated Bt toxins; whereas this is because protease inhibitors (PI), present in the plant tissue, can increase the toxicity of the Bt toxins by delaying their degradation; whereas this phenomenon has been demonstrated in a number of scientific studies, including one conducted for Monsanto which showed that even the presence of extremely low levels of PI enhanced the toxicity of Bt toxins up to 20-fold[5];

    F. whereas this enhanced toxicity is not taken into account in EFSA risk assessments, even though it is relevant for all Bt plants approved for import or cultivation in the Union; whereas risks to humans and animals that consume food and feed containing Bt toxins and which arise from this enhanced toxicity due to the interaction between PI and Bt toxins cannot, therefore, be ruled out;

    G. whereas a number of studies show that side effects have been observed that may affect the immune system following exposure to Bt toxins and that some Bt toxins may have adjuvant properties[6], meaning that they can increase the allergenicity of other proteins with which they come into contact;

    Bt crops: effects on non-target organisms

    H. whereas, unlike the use of insecticides, where exposure is at the time of spraying and for a limited time afterwards, the use of Bt GM crops leads to continuous exposure of the target and non-target organisms to Bt toxins;

    I. whereas the assumption that Bt toxins exhibit a single target-specific mode-of-action can no longer be considered correct and effects on non-target organisms cannot be excluded[7];

    J. whereas an increasing number of non-target organisms are reported to be affected in many ways; whereas 39 peer-reviewed publications that report significant adverse effects of Bt toxins on many ‘out-of-range’ species are mentioned in a recent overview[8];

    Reducing dependency on imported feed

    K. whereas one of the lessons from the COVID-19 crisis and the still ongoing war in Ukraine is the need for the Union to end the dependencies on some critical materials; whereas in the mission letter to Commissioner-delegate Christophe Hansen, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asks him to look at ways to reduce imports of critical commodities[9];

    Inclusion of ARMG

    L. whereas the GM cotton produces the APH4 protein, which is used as an ARMG and which deactivates the activity of the antibiotic hygromycin B;

    M. whereas Article 4(2) of Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council[10] requires that ‘GMOs which contain genes expressing resistance to antibiotics in use for medical or veterinary treatment are taken into particular consideration when carrying out an environmental risk assessment, with a view to identifying and phasing out antibiotic resistance markers in GMOs which may have adverse effects on human health and the environment’ and sets a deadline of 2004, beyond which they should not be placed on the Union market;

    N. whereas Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013[11] states that it is now possible to develop GMOs without the use of ARMGs […] the applicant should therefore aim to develop GMOs without the use of ARMGs;

    O. whereas several Member States raised critical comments regarding the use of ARMGs, including that, in the face of the current crisis concerning antibiotic resistance, it would be wise to implement the precautionary principle, especially in the present case where the application of the ARMG is completely unnecessary and the removal of the ARMG from the plant genome possible; whereas one Member State’s competent authority gave the authorisation an unfavourable opinion based on the presence of the ARMG in the genome of the GM cotton;

    P. whereas the European Medical Agency has confirmed there are no products containing hygromycin B authorised for therapeutic, prophylactic or any other medical uses in humans or animals in the Member States and there are no central authorisations for human or veterinary use for medicinal products that contain hygromycin B11; whereas the EFSA opinion states that ‘the GMO Panel considers that the risk assessment may need to be updated in case products containing hygromycin B or other substrates of the APH4 enzyme obtain future market approval in the EU’; whereas, however, hygromycin B is used in veterinary products which are sold outside the Union;

    Q. whereas the Parliament has, on at least one previous occasion, objected to the import of GM crops which contained ARMGs[12];

    R. whereas antimicrobial resistance poses a threat to global health, food security, and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and drug-resistant infections know no borders[13];

    Member State competent authority and stakeholder comments

    S. whereas Member States submitted many critical comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period[14] including that cultivation of the GM cotton on agricultural fields is to be considered as deliberate contamination of natural environments with antibiotic resistance genes, as well as that the information provided on molecular characterisation, composition and toxicology is insufficient and therefore EFSA’s conclusions of equivalence of the GM cotton with conventional cotton in terms of food and feed safety is premature;

    T. whereas Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 states that GM food or feed must not have adverse effects on human health, animal health or the environment, and requires the Commission to take into account any relevant provisions of Union law and other legitimate factors relevant to the matter under consideration when drafting its decision; whereas such legitimate factors should include the Union’s commitments to tackle antimicrobial resistance;

    Undemocratic decision-making

    U. whereas, in its eighth term, Parliament adopted a total of 36 resolutions objecting to the placing on the market of GMOs for food and feed (33 resolutions) and to the cultivation of GMOs in the Union (three resolutions); whereas, in its ninth term, Parliament adopted 38 objections to the placing GMOs on the market;

    V. whereas despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs;

    W. whereas no change of law is required for the Commission to be able not to authorise GMOs when there is no qualified majority of Member States in favour in the Appeal Committee[15];

    X. whereas the vote on 8 July 2024 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed referred to in Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States; whereas the vote on 3 September 2024 of the Appeal Committee again delivered no opinion;

    1. Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003;

    2. Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision is not consistent with Union law, in that it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, which is, in accordance with the general principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council[16], to provide the basis for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests, in relation to GM food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market;

    3. Calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing decision and to submit a new draft to the committee;

    4. Reiterates its call on the Commission not to authorise the placing on the market of any GM plants containing genes which confer antimicrobial resistance; notes that authorisation would be in violation of Article 4(2) of Directive 2001/18/EC which calls for a phase out of ARMGs which may have adverse effects on human health or on the environment;

    5. Welcomes the fact that the Commission finally recognised, in a letter of 11 September 2020 to Members, the need to take sustainability into account when it comes to authorisation decisions on GMOs[17]; expresses its deep disappointment, however, that, since then the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against;

    6. Urges the Commission, again, to take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; reiterates its call for draft implementing acts to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of ‘do no harm’[18];

    7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Press conference: rapporteur Victor Negrescu on the EU budget 2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The rapporteur for the 2025 EU budget will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 13:30 following the plenary vote on the EP’s stance on the EU budget for 2025.

    Who? Victor Negrescu (S&D, Romania), general rapporteur for the EU budget 2025 (for section III – Commission)

    When? Wednesday, 23 October, 13:30

    Where? DAPHNÉ CARUANA GALIZIA ROOM – STRASBOURG – WEISS N-1/201

    Journalists online wishing to actively participate and ask questions, please connect via Interactio by using this: https://ep.interactio.eu/uw5m-71vf-mi2k

    You can also follow the press conference online via webstreaming.

    Parliament is set to vote on Wednesday for a budget that focuses on improving people’s lives, boosting competitiveness, and addressing current challenges.

    In their draft position, to be debated in plenary on Tuesday and voted on by MEPs on Wednesday, the Budget Committee set the overall level of appropriations for the 2025 draft budget at almost €201 billion in commitment appropriations, and at €153.5 billion in payment appropriations. MEPs increased funding for programmes vital in addressing health challenges, helping young people, supporting agriculture, boosting climate action, managing migration and security needs, and strengthening EU support for neighbouring regions amidst global geopolitical and humanitarian crises.

    Details are available in the press release on the recent vote on the budgetary figures (7 October) and in the corresponding budgetary resolution adopted a week later (14 October).

    Information for the media – Use Interactio to ask questions

    Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser).

    When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields.

    For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video.

    Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary.

    When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.

    For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Addressing the impact of the housing crisis on teachers and other categories of public servants in Greece – E-001890/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001890/2024/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Elena Kountoura (The Left), Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left), Nikos Pappas (The Left), Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)

    Greece faces a steadily worsening housing crisis that is affecting all its citizens, especially workers in critical parts of the public service sector such as teachers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers and members of the armed services. The problem is acute in tourist areas and on the islands, where the cost of living is disproportionately high, there is a serious shortage of available housing and rents have skyrocketed with the rapid rise in short-term rentals.

    What is more, civil servants’ salaries are still low and are not sufficient to cover the increased cost of housing[1]. This state of affairs has direct consequences for the functioning of critical public services, as workers are discouraged from serving in remote and island areas[2], creating gaps in sectors such as education, health and security.

    As the Commission has announced the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan[3], can it answer the following questions:

    • 1.What European financial instruments can the Member States use to assist public servants such as teachers, doctors, nurses, firefighters and police officers facing difficulties in finding affordable housing – especially in tourist and remote areas of Greece?
    • 2.Does it intend to support the Member States, such as Greece, with targeted programmes or financial resources to address the housing crisis that is affecting public servants in key sectors such as education, health and public security owing to the rise in housing prices and short-term rentals?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Last updated: 23 October 2024

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Safeguarding the construction of the Great Sea Interconnector from Türkiye’s illegal acts – E-002071/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    15.10.2024

    Question for written answer  E-002071/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Geadis Geadi (ECR)

    In a statement from the floor of the United Nations, the Turkish President referred to a definition of the continental shelf in the eastern Mediterranean which includes illegitimate claims by Türkiye against the Republic of Cyprus and of Greece.

    The European Great Sea Interconnector project, which links Cyprus to the European market, crosses through the EEΖ of the Republic of Cyprus and extends to Greece. In view of this:

    • 1.What legal means does the Commission have at its disposal to deal with external risks to the unimpeded construction of the project?
    • 2.What steps will it take to ensure that the laying of the cable is not jeopardised?
    • 3.How does the Commission plan to act to prevent Türkiye from carrying out illegal acts that would stand in the way of a European project of general interest?

    Submitted: 15.10.2024

    Last updated: 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Worrying situation of people living in Luxembourg and working for the EU institutions – P-001925/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001925/2024/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Fernand Kartheiser (ECR)

    The situation of people living in Luxembourg and working for the EU institutions remains a matter of concern. This is particularly true for some European Parliament employees. They receive exactly the same salary as their colleagues in Brussels, even though the cost of living, and particularly of housing, is much higher in Luxembourg.

    In light of the above:

    • 1.How does this situation affect the ability of the Commission in Luxembourg to recruit, and can it still attract enough qualified people from all Member States? What percentage of people in Luxembourg leave their jobs early for financial reasons and go to work either in the public or private sector in Luxembourg or in another EU institution in another Member State?
    • 2.Does the Commission intend to defend the interests of the EU civil service and commit itself to the introduction of a housing allowance for certain categories of staff in Luxembourg and to the application of a correction coefficient for Luxembourg?

    Submitted: 2.10.2024

    Last updated: 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Why won’t Labour even consider putting water companies back into public hands ask Greens

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    Responding to the news (BBC) that a new independent commission will soon launch the largest review of the water industry since privatisation in the 1980s, Green Party Co-Leader, Carla Denyer said,

    “Water is a basic human need. It should be in public hands run for people, not profit. I don’t know why Labour won’t even consider this.”

    Press Releases

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Caol Swedish Timber Retrofit Project

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    The Highland Council is undertaking a retrofit project in Caol for Swedish Timber properties which aims to enhance the energy efficiency of homes, reduce carbon emissions and reduce energy demand and costs. This initiative is part of the Council’s efforts to meet its 2045 Net Zero targets, in line with the Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy.

    The project aims to reduce energy costs, improve lifestyles and make homes warmer for residents, while addressing fuel poverty. Focusing on properties which have a low energy efficiency rating and are amongst the most in need of energy efficiency upgrades to meet Scotland’s energy standards. This is a mixed tenure project and available to both privately owned and Council properties.

    Councillor Sarah Fanet, Chair of the Climate Change Committee, said “It is wonderful to see the Council delivering a mixed tenure project which offers significant benefits to Highland residents, aligning with Net Zero targets and housing standards. This project is an exemplar for building future mixed-tenure retrofit projects which can attract various sources of external funding, aligning with the Council’s ambition to reduce fuel poverty across the region.”

    Anticipated benefits of the project include lower energy bills, improved home comfort, and significant reductions in carbon emissions. Some properties are expected to see significant increases in their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, potentially increasing ratings from E to B. The improvements are expected to make homes not only more energy efficient but also more affordable to maintain in the long term.

    The Council is delivering the project in partnership with Union Technical Services Limited, who is the Council’s approved Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS) contractor and have produced a video (link below) which outlines the project.

    https://vimeo.com/1008021843/ab3462bf62?share=copy

    Michael Sweeney, Director, Union Technical Services said “We are delighted to be delivering the scheme in Caol. This will give the whole area a lift in terms of aesthetics but more importantly we will be reducing fuel bills and giving residents a better quality of life and a warmer home to live in.”

    Multiple funding streams, including Scottish Government EES:ABS, Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding, SSE Renewable grant and Council Housing Capital budget, have been secured to enable the Council to have a wider impact and achieve economies of scale.

    Lindsay Dougan, Senior Manager, SSE Renewables said “The Highland Energy Efficiency Programme is a great example of partners working together to support the needs of the Highlands. SSE Renewables Sustainable Development Fund has provided £1.8 million to the programme to ensure households in extreme fuel poverty are supported to have the warmer, energy efficient homes they need.”

    This project builds on the success of the Council’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme, which the Council is delighted to announce has been shortlisted as a finalist for The Scottish Green Energy Awards in two award categories; Outstanding Project Award and Carbon Reduction Award.

    For more information and to stay updated on the Energy Efficient Highland Project, please visit our website https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/1210/environment/829/energy_and_sustainability/4

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Shetland residents have their say about population decline across island communities Shetland residents have supported a new research project looking at ways to help make the islands’ population sustainable.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Survey responses can still be returned by post and online until 5 NovemberShetland residents have supported a new research project looking at ways to help make the islands’ population sustainable.
    More than 450 households took part in a study investigating changing population dynamics and the role policy and place-based interventions can play to help create and maintain healthy and balanced populations in Shetland and other Scottish island communities.
    The project is led by Marcus Craigie, a PhD student based at the University of Aberdeen, supervised by academics in the Department of Geography and Environment at the School of Geosciences and The James Hutton Institute. Marcus’ research is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
    Marcus, who grew up in Orkney, said: “I am delighted by the support shown by local communities during fieldwork in August and September and with the response rates to surveys distributed across Unst, Bressay, Burra and Trondra, and Walls and Sandness.
    “It is vitally important that the challenges and opportunities associated with retaining existing residents and attracting new and returning residents – for example, transport, housing and jobs – are considered in a way that is geographically nuanced and to do this, we need people to have their say.”
    Over 450 surveys have already been returned but, from discussions in the community, Marcus says he is aware others were filled out but may not have been returned or were left in places the restrictions of his role prevent him from accessing.
    “From chatting to local residents, I know that a number left their surveys ready to be collected inside their front doors but I wasn’t able to enter someone’s home and collect in this way without prior permission from the homeowner,” he added.
    “The survey will help increase awareness of the Shetland context in Scotland-wide discussions about island population change and support policy recommendations for national and local government, so we want the best representation possible. I am hugely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their views, and it would be a real shame not to collect any responses which either missed the initial deadline for collection or were left for collection in this way.”
    If anyone has already received an invitation to take part in the survey and has a completed response that was not collected it may be returned by 5 November 2024 to: Marcus Craigie, Doctoral Candidate, Geography and Environment, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, St Mary’s, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen, AB24 3UF.
    An opportunity to complete and submit a response online at https://bit.ly/ShetlandSurvey using the participant ID on the invitation to participate also remains available until 5 November 2024.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: September 2024 Retail Prices Index published23 October 2024 ​​​Statistics Jersey have today published the September 2024 Retail Prices Index report. The All Items Retail Prices Index (RPI) is the main measure of inflation in Jersey. It measures the change from… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    23 October 2024

    ​​Statistics Jersey have today published the September 2024 Retail Prices Index report. 

    The All Items Retail Prices Index (RPI) is the main measure of inflation in Jersey. It measures the change from quarter to quarter in the price of the goods and services purchased by an average household in Jersey. 

    ​The September report shows:

    • ​the All Items Retail Prices Index (RPI) for Jersey increased by 3.0% to stand at 233.7 (June 2000 = 100)
    • the increase in the RPI was less than that to June 2024 (5.0%); hence the annual rate of inflation decreased by 2.0 percentage points (pp) since last quarter
    • a few groups contributed to the decrease in the annual rate of inflation, most notably the housing group
    • prices in most groups increased and these increases were similar to or less than those over the 12 months to June 2024, which resulted in an overall downward contribution to the annual rate of inflation
    • leisure services which includes entertainment, sport and leisure fees and foreign and UK holidays, was the price group that made the largest contribution to the annual rate of inflation, contributing +0.8 pp to the rate
      • the overall price change in the leisure services price group was lower compared with the 12 months to June 2024, hence its contribution to the change in rate of the RPI was -0.3 pp
    • the increase in the RPI was 7.1 pp smaller than a year ago (10.1% in September 2023)
    • RPI(Y), which measures underlying inflation, increased by 3.3%, which was 0.6 pp smaller than the June 2024 rate (down from 3.9%)
    • RPI(X) increased by 3.5%
    • RPI Pensioners increased by 3.6%
    • RPI Low Income increased by 3.4%
    • annual changes in RPI(X), RPI(Y), RPI Pensioners, and RPI Low Income were 0.6 to 0.8 pp smaller than those in June 2024
    • the rate of inflation in Jersey as measured by the RPI, was 0.4 pp higher than the UK CPIH, which is the broadly comparable headline rate of inflation for the UK

    ​Retail Prices Index September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Everyone invited to Community Wellbeing Event

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Parents, young people, community groups and everyone in between are invited to a Community Wellbeing Event taking place in Craigavon Civic Centre on Thursday 7 November.

    Focusing on relaxation, fun and self-care, this event will also feature information stands with details on support services for drugs, alcohol and mental health.

    With health checks, a mocktail bar, spot prizes and goodie bags, this event is open to the whole community. There will be interactive activities helping to educate people on the services provided by organisations within the ABC area, as well as improving access to these services.

    Look out for signposting, advice, guidance and information and make sure to enjoy some of the light refreshments that will also be served on the night.

    Guest speaker will be Theresa Burke who has been tirelessly helping to raise awareness of the devastating and long-lasting impact of drugs following her son’s death in 2009.

    “We would like to encourage people to come along, get involved, avail of some health checks and listen to Theresa who bravely continues to raise awareness of the real cost of drugs,” commented Alderman Mark Baxter, Chair of the PCSP.

    “Vital information and advice on these important issues will also be readily available and will show how all of our local organisations work together to help those who need this support and help.”

    The event has been organised by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) in partnership with Southern Drug and Alcohol Communication Team Connections Service (SDACT).

    If you are interested in attending this event please rsvp to 

    *protected email*

     by Thursday 31 October.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kingswells bus to resume with ACC-supported service

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Following a procurement exercise for a supported bus service between Kingswells and the city centre, Aberdeen City Council has awarded a contract to McGill’s Buses to run the service. 

    The service will operate up to every 30 minutes at peak times and up to every 60 minutes at off-peak times, Monday to Friday, between Kingswells and Bridge Street, via Lang Stracht, Westburn Road, and Holburn Junction, from 6.30am to 8.05pm.

    The Council will now work with McGill’s Buses and the Traffic Commissioner for the service to start on Monday 25 November 2024. Timetables and route maps will be available from the Council’s website in the coming weeks.   

    Stagecoach Bluebird season passes will be accepted on the service up to and including 31 December 2024. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: BLOG | Sowing the seeds for future investment, collaboration and economic growth

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Key representatives from the Liverpool City Region are currently on a trade mission to the United States. Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, outlines why the visit is vital for the city’s future economic success...

    One of Liverpool’s key strengths is that, thanks to our maritime, music and sporting heritage, we are known around the world.

    No matter whether you are in Boston, or Botswana, mentioning the city’s name means instant recognition – usually linked to our history as a place of emigration, the city that gave birth to The Beatles, and is home to two Premiership football clubs.

    It is a useful ‘foot in the door’ when you want to have conversations with the right people about driving trade and investment.

    That is why I am delighted that ‘Team Liverpool City Region’ are currently on a high-level mission to the United States aimed at driving tens of millions of pounds of long-term investment, trade and tourism to the Liverpool City Region.

    Liverpool has a rich shared history with the United States and was the exit port for millions of people emigrating to America during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

    The delegation includes senior representatives from the city region’s Health and Life Sciences sector, including the University of Liverpool and Health Innovation North West Coast, as well as leaders from our hugely successful cultural, museums and events sectors.

    They are taking part in a packed schedule of meetings with civic and business leaders aimed at promoting our city region as a place that is ready to do investment deals, and is a must-visit destination for tourists.

    The United States is already the Liverpool City Region’s largest export market worth £1.8bn a year.

    Total trade between the city region and the US is worth £2.5bn, and Liverpool is the UK’s largest western-facing port, handling 45% of the UK’s trade from the US.

    But we believe there are huge opportunities to do more.

    The trade mission is all about sowing the seeds for future investment, collaboration and economic growth.

    We know our city region is a great place to live, work and visit – but it is vital that, in an increasingly competitive world, we do all we can to spread that message around the globe.

    Photo credit: Stratus Imagery

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council statement about Rathbone Park

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Liverpool City Council is continuing discussions with the City of Liverpool Football Club about finding a new location to meet their aspirations of building a community stadium.

    It follows a recent decision by the Council to refuse their application for a Community Asset Transfer of Rathbone Park in Old Swan.

    In mid-2023, the Club submitted an Expression of Interest in taking over the land.

    In September 2023, Liverpool City Council provided the Club with extensive feedback, and requested that they resubmit it.

    The Council received no further information from the Club, but did receive a number of objections from the community, including the Friends of Rathbone Park following the Clubs own consultation.

    Based on the substantial gaps in the Club’s initial submission, and the objections, a decision was taken to refuse the application, in line with Council policy.

    The Council is committed to an ongoing dialogue with the Club to find a suitable site with a fully funded, viable scheme, and met with representatives last Friday to discuss a way forward.

    Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said: “The Council is supportive of the work the Club does and its aspirations to grow the impact of community football in Liverpool and beyond.

    “I realise that this decision is a disappointment for the Club and its supporters, but the Council is committed to an ongoing dialogue with the Club to find a suitable alternative site for a fully funded, viable scheme. 

    “We want to keep working with the Club constructively to explore alternatives and hope we can continue talking.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Day 2 of ITU Kaleidoscope 2024 Highlights Cutting-Edge AI Innovations for Sustainable Development

    Source: Government of India

    Day 2 of ITU Kaleidoscope 2024 Highlights Cutting-Edge AI Innovations for Sustainable Development

    “ITU Kaleidoscope 2024: Bridging Technology and Sustainability for a more secure, equitable, and sustainable digital ecosystem “: Rohit Sharma Member (Services), Digital Communications Commission, DoT

    Posted On: 23 OCT 2024 8:42AM by PIB Delhi

    The second day of ITU Kaleidoscope 2024, which concluded yesterday on the sidelines of ITU-WTSA 2024 in New Delhi, brought forward transformative discussions focused on AI and digital technologies driving sustainable development. Kicking off with a special presentation by Mari Carmen Aguayo Torres, the day emphasized inclusive technology solutions, particularly through public-private partnerships to attract women to tech fields.

    Kicking off with a special presentation by Mari Carmen Aguayo Torres, the day emphasized inclusive technology solutions, particularly through public-private partnerships to attract women to tech fields.

    Eva Ibarrola, from the University of the Basque Country, Spain, chaired the session for the presentation on Attracting Girls to Technology Through Public-Private Partnership, and Applications and Services for Sustainable Development. Mr. Rohit Sharma, Member (services), Department of Telecommunications, Government of India and Mr. Sunil Kumar, President – IETE chaired the sessions on Social, economic, environmental and policy aspects for sustainable development.

    The event presented groundbreaking insights into AI applications for healthcare, education, and sustainable development. Themes included AI’s impact on healthcare, education, and agriculture, with discussions on AI-driven diagnostics and AI’s role in rural education access. The sessions also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in IoT applications and explored AI’s ethical implications in content creation. Overall, the event underscored the critical need for innovation and international collaboration in developing technologies that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The afternoon poster session fostered vibrant research collaboration, with topics covering AI’s role in education and the use of space systems to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Mr. Rohit Sharma Member (Services), Digital Communications Commission, DoT said, “ITU Kaleidoscope 2024 provided a crucial platform for exploring the intersection of technology and sustainability. From the cybersecurity implications of agricultural IoT devices to the complexities of AI-generated copyright and the future of international taxation for ICT solutions, the discussions highlighted the importance of global cooperation in ensuring that technological advancements contribute to sustainable development. The insights shared by experts across fields underscore the need for robust policies and innovative standards to create a more secure, equitable, and sustainable digital ecosystem.”

    Mr. Atul Sinha Dy. Director General National Communications Academy said that, “The diverse research presented today showcases practical solutions to pressing global challenges, emphasizing the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration. I am confident that the ideas shared will help shape the future of technology for the greater good.”

    ITU WTSA New Delhi 2024 witnessed another happening day yesterday with Mr. Sunil Kumar, President IETE, who chaired sessions on Social, economic, environmental and policy aspects for sustainable development, with presentations on The Role of Refurbished Mobile Phones in Digital Inclusion and Sustainable Development”, “Advancing Trustworthy AI for Sustainable Development: Recommendations for Standardising AI Incident Reporting” and on “Modelling Internet Use in the Global Development Context.

    Concluding the day, interactive discussions focused on the social, economic, and policy impacts of AI, particularly cybersecurity challenges in agriculture and copyright issues in AI-generated content. These sessions provided critical insights into real-world challenges and opportunities that arise with the integration of AI into key sectors.

    On Day 3, two important panel discussions will take the spotlight, delving into the future of global standards and innovation opportunities, followed by the presentation of paper awards.

    Kaleidoscope 2024 continues to inspire meaningful dialogue around technology, standards, and sustainability, propelling forward global efforts for a more inclusive digital future.

    About ITU Kaleidoscope

    ITU Kaleidoscope is an annual event that has been instrumental in bridging the gap between academia and industry, promoting the exchange of ideas that contribute to the global standardization of telecommunications technologies. Since its inception in 2008, Kaleidoscope has become one of the most influential platforms for discussing the future of digital communications, providing a space where researchers and innovators can present their most promising work.

    Visit the official ITU Kaleidoscope 2024 website at https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/academia/kaleidoscope/2024/Pages/default.aspx or simply type ITU Kaleidoscope 2024 in google and select the first displayed website for detailed information on the event program, speakers, and sessions.

    About WTSA 2024:

    WTSA 2024, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), serves as a platform for the development and implementation of global telecommunications standards, uniting regulators, industry leaders, and policymakers to shape the future of communications worldwide.

     

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