NewzIntel.com

Category: housing

  • MIL-Evening Report: Ōtautahi man says family in Gaza will never leave despite US proposal

    Yasser Abdulaal, who has lived in Ōtautahi Christchurch for five years, said his two sisters had lost their homes in the 15-month-long war.

    “Toxic wasteland” . . . Palestinians take shelter in tents set up amid heavily damaged buildings in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Image: Al Jazeera screenshot APR

    Abdulaal said they and their husbands — all teachers — could have left at the start of the bombing but refused to abandon their land — and they would not be leaving now.

    “After the ceasefire and with Trump’s statements, they are definitely not going to leave Gaza, regardless of what he says and what [the US] does. It’s their land.”

    He said New Zealand should recognise Palestine as a state and sanction Israel in accordance with international law.

    It should also call for more funding for international aid to Gaza, he added.

    ‘Two-state solution’
    “New Zealand voted for a two-state solution and we have been asking the government to enforce that. Many countries during the genocide already recognise Palestine as a state but our government sees it as ‘not the right time’.

    “I think it is the right time, and New Zealand should recognise Palestine immediately.”

    Abdulaal said he reached a moment during the war where he could not bring himself to call his sisters.

    “I didn’t know what to say, remotely, from New Zealand.

    “It’s a really hard time for everyone, they’ve been in tents for more than eight months, both [my sisters’] houses have gone, they are completely rubble.

    “They are still in tents despite the ceasefire because they have no other place to go to.”

    But he has talked to the pair since the ceasefire began.

    Israeli tanks in area
    “One of my sisters can’t even go and see her house as there is still Israeli tanks in that area [the Philadelphia corridor]. But we know from footage — as she says — the height of my house now is half a metre, it was two levels but now it’s half a metre.

    “It’s mixed emotions. The killing and bloodshed has stopped, but I have lost 55 [relatives] in the airstrikes, most of them women and children.

    “They haven’t even had a proper funeral . . .  it’s really hard, people are just trying to get food for their kids, those basic human rights for people which they don’t have.

    “They are happy with the ceasefire, and we hope it will be a permanent ceasefire, but we have also lost lots of people . . .  [the rest] have lost their houses, their jobs, everything.

    “When I close my eyes and I think about losing 55 people, and that’s just the ones we know about. It’s horrific, I can’t believe it . . .  they’re all relatives: cousins, uncles, extended family.”

    Trump’s proposal was a “dangerous statement and outrageous”, Abdulaal said, likening it to “a reward to Netanyahu and the Israeli government who have been bombing everything in Gaza, killing everyone, committing genocide”.

    “[President Trump] says he wants to drive the people out of Gaza, meaning he wants to ethnically cleanse the people from Gaza, which is another war crime,” said Abdulaal.

    “This is our land and we are rooted to this land and we’ll never leave it.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Rescue efforts continue after landslide hits southwest China village

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Rescuers are working around the clock to locate survivors after a landslide hit a village in Sichuan Province, southwest China Saturday morning.
    The landslide occurred at about 11:50 a.m. on Saturday in the mountainous village of Jinping in Junlian County under the city of Yibin. As of Sunday, local authorities confirmed one person to be dead, 28 missing, and two injured.
    Xinhua reporters at the scene saw firefighters, equipped with life detectors, advancing through the rubble despite the challenging conditions. They frequently crouched down, using their hands to explore cracks and crevices, meticulously searching for any signs of life.
    Radar systems have been deployed on the mountainside to provide real-time monitoring of terrain stability, according to the tunnel emergency rescue team from Yunnan Province, southwest China.
    Meanwhile, geological experts are using drones and advanced surveying equipment to provide technical and safety support. At the site of the landslide, excavators and search teams remain steadfast, racing against time in the ongoing search and rescue mission.
    Rescue operations have been hampered by slippery conditions due to wet and cold weather, and the region’s complex terrain, said a staffer with the fire and rescue brigade in Yibin.
    Drone footage on Sunday morning showed a vast collapse zone stretching from the mountain summit to the base. The landslide spans around 100 meters in width, with a vertical drop of over 400 meters and extending 1.2 kilometers.
    So far, 360 people from 95 households have been evacuated to temporary shelters. The two injured people are receiving treatment.
    Sichuan has mobilized 949 personnel from the military, armed police, firefighting, emergency response, transportation, medical, telecommunication, and other forces to carry out or assist with the rescue efforts.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Grigorenko: The first regional services “life situations” have been launched

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Regional services “life situations” have been launched in Russia for the first time. 85 services “life situations” have been launched on the unified portal of state services and regional portals for the provision of services, which include services provided by the subjects of the Russian Federation. With the help of the services “life situations” the time for receiving state services is reduced, as well as the number of visits to departments and documents that need to be provided.

    Life situations services combine services that are needed by people and businesses in certain circumstances, provided comprehensively and in one place.

    At the federal level, the “life situations” services are being implemented since 2023. 34 federal “life situations” services have already been launched. In particular, these are services for large families, replacement and restoration of documents, moving to another region, opening a business.

    To date, more than 1.5 million people have used the federal “life situations” services.

    Within the framework of one regional service, “life situation” has decreased on average:

    – the time to receive services is almost 2 times shorter – up to 25 days;

    – the number of documents that need to be submitted to departments is doubled – up to 4 units;

    – the number of in-person visits to departments has increased fourfold, to one.

    “Citizens are faced with the need to receive government services that are provided both at the federal and regional levels. It is important that a person receives a comfortable service regardless of whether these services are federal or regional. For this purpose, we have launched the “life situations” services, including those that combine regional services. The practice of using the most successful of them will be extended to other regions. That is, some of the “life situations” created in a specific region will become federal,” commented Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko.

    For example, in the Republic of Buryatia, the service “life situation” helps in arranging care for an elderly relative at home and in providing the relative with assistance from a social worker. A person interacts with all departments in the “one-stop shop” mode on the page of the service “life situation”.

    The service “life situation” in the Yaroslavl region allows you to learn about the procedure for filing an application to receive the title “Veteran of Labor”. The service informs about the rights arising in connection with the assignment of the status “Veteran of Labor”, about the possibility of receiving regional social support measures, about the conditions for their appointment and provision.

    The service “life situation” in the Ryazan region helps to undergo a medical examination and preventive examination. Thanks to the service, you can sign up for a medical examination, fill out the documents required to visit the clinic, and get information on preparing for diagnostic tests. The results of the tests are sent to the citizen’s personal account on the public services portal.

    The “life situations” services launched in other regions allow one to solve a wide range of social issues, such as entering college or technical school, receiving regional support measures for the birth of children, and others.

    By the end of 2025, another 340 regional “life situations” services are planned to be launched. Thus, it is planned that by the end of 2025, 425 regional “life situations” services will be available.

    Work on the formation and launch of the “life situations” services is being carried out within the framework of the implementation of the federal project “State for People”.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Irradiator Removal Saves Millions of Dollars While Making Campuses Safer

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    In a milestone move intended to increase campus safety and lower operational costs, safety officials at UConn Storrs and UConn Health recently coordinated the removal of four cesium-sourced irradiators used for research and medical purposes.

    The disposal operation – a costly, highly-choreographed effort at each site that involved cranes, giant disposal casks, flatbed trucks, and campus and state police escorts – was made possible through the Cesium Irradiator Replacement Project (CIRP), a voluntary initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offering financial incentives to medical and research institutions willing to replace cesium-137 irradiators with new x-ray-based devices. Run by DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Radiological Security (ORS), the program covers 100% of the cost of disposing cesium-137 based irradiators and reimburses up to 50% of the purchase price of new equipment.

    Kevin Higgins, the radiation safety officer at UConn Health, estimates it would have cost roughly $580,000 each – a total of $1.74 million – had UCH attempted to dispose its three irradiators on its own. Another $450,000 to $500,000 in savings was realized, he says, thanks to CIRP covering half the cost of two new X-ray irradiators that replaced the two cesium-based devices used by researchers and the blood bank at UCH. A third cesium irradiator no longer in use, was removed but not replaced.

    At Storrs CIRP helped offset roughly $882,000 in costs associated with the removal and replacement of its single cesium-sourced irradiator, a 1969-era model housed in the Pharmacy Biology Building and used for genetics and cell research, says Amy Courchesne, the radiation safety officer at UConn Storrs. The program also reimbursed the cost of add-ons for the new X-ray irradiator, which included specialized accessories, and $16,000 for modifications to the room it occupies, and a service contract.

    “If we decided not to go with CIRP, the University would have had to cover those costs,” she says.

    The primary goal of CIRP is to reduce the security risks associated with the institutional use of cesium-137 and cobalt-60 sourced irradiators. The irradiators are safely shielded to protect users from exposure but contain highly radioactive isotopes with a long half-life that could pose a significant health risk if dismantled from their protective shielding or released into the environment.

    While radioactive source irradiators have benefits, such as scientific research and the irradiation of blood, they would pose a grave risk to communities should they be lost or stolen. In the wrong hands, even a small amount of high-activity radioactive material could be used in an act of radiological terrorism.

    Contributed photo.

    UConn is among the hundreds of academic, medical, and other institutions to participate in CIRP since its inception in 2014. In course of 10 years, the program has facilitated the replacement of 67% of the radio-isotopic irradiators in the United States, according to Evan Thompson, a foreign affairs specialist with NNSA.

    As of Sept. 5, 2024, some 235 cesium-137-sourced blood irradiators have been replaced through the program and 82% of self-shielded cesium-137-based blood irradiators in the U.S. have been replaced, removed, or are slated for removal by contract or pledge.

    Replacing the irradiators at both sites required a great deal of planning, teamwork, and coordination. At UCH, the new research irradiator was installed prior to the cesium irradiator being removed. For the blood bank, an entirely new location for blood irradiation was constructed.

    On removal day, UConn, state, and local police were onsite to secure the site and manage traffic flow. The irradiators were then disassembled to access the shielded containers housing the radioactive sources. The containers, which weigh several thousand pounds, were then moved under police escort to a loading dock, lifted from there to a loading dock and placed on the ground. A crane then hoisted them up and into a specially designed shipping cask securely fastened to the flatbed tractor-trailer. As a last step, the cask was pressure tested to ensure proper assembly and escorted offsite by state and local police.

    The advantages of participating in the program go well beyond the cost savings associated with removal and replacement, notes Courchesne. The bureaucratic and regulatory aspects of operating the cesium-sourced irradiators were significant.

    “Due to security, FBI background checks were required for unescorted access,” she says. “After 9/11, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission put additional security orders into effect, including 24/7 monitoring, fail-safe monitoring with backup power, contingency planning and more.”

    The stricter rules prohibited the university from publicly disclosing that it owned a cesium-sourced irradiator, which limited use of the device to researchers within the university. Individuals interested in using the irradiator for research had to contact Courchesne and take an exam to ensure they had the capability to safely use it, then be escorted by radiation safety personnel when they used it.

    Under CIRP, the cradle-to-grave custodianship of the cesium-sourced devices shifts from the owning institution to the federal government, freeing UConn and UCH from that responsibility and any associated costs.

    At Storrs, the removal was facilitated by UConn’s Office of Vice President for Research (OVPR). Jeremy Blasbaugh, director of UConn’s Center of Open Research Resources (COR²E), will oversee the installation and the new X-ray irradiator at that site and its future use by researchers.

    “As the radiation safety officer, I’m excited that researchers will be able to use the replacement X-ray irradiator,” says Courchesne. “We can share about it and promote collaboration. We don’t have the liability and regulatory restrictions around the device anymore.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: With No Competing Offers, Beacon Roofing’s Board Stalls and Misleads

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Beacon Insiders Recently Sold Shares Well Below Offer Price, Undermining Beacon’s Case Against QXO
    QXO Calls on Beacon Roofing to Let Shareholders Decide on QXO’s $124.25 All-Cash Offer

    GREENWICH, Conn., Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  QXO, Inc. (NYSE: QXO) today released a letter to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. shareholders regarding its $124.25 per share all-cash offer, addressing misrepresentations in Beacon’s recent 14D-9 filing.

    Dear Beacon Shareholders,

    We seek to set the record straight on some of the numerous misleading statements in Beacon’s recent communications.

    1.   QXO’s Offer to Acquire Beacon Roofing Supply is Highly Compelling and at a Significant Premium to Beacon’s Unaffected Share Price

    In evaluating QXO’s offer, Beacon conveniently ignores that its share price reflects our acquisition interest following the Wall Street Journal’s November 18, 2024 report. That day, Beacon’s stock rose 9.9%, compared to a 0.4% increase in the S&P 500. Yet, Beacon compares QXO’s offer to share price metrics as of January 14, 2025—a misleading approach that distorts expectations of Beacon’s standalone value.

    A more appropriate analysis shows that QXO’s offer represents:

    • A 37% premium to Beacon’s 90-day unaffected VWAP of $91.02 per share as of November 15, 2024;
    • A 26% premium to Beacon’s unaffected spot price of $98.75 per share as of November 15, 2024; and
    • A higher price than Beacon’s stock has ever traded.

    Indeed, Beacon acknowledges that November 15, 2024 is a significant date, referencing stock performance “from January 2, 2020 to November 15, 2024 (the last trading day before rumors surfaced).”

    Moreover, since November 15, 2024, Beacon’s Building Products Proxy Peers have lost 10.5% in value1, making QXO’s offer even more compelling:

    • A 41% premium to an implied spot share price of $88.42; and
    • A 52% premium to the peer-adjusted 90-day VWAP of $81.502.    

    2.   Data Indicates that Beacon Will Miss its Margin Targets. The Board’s Claim of Strong Performance is Flawed

    Beacon’s Board touts cherry-picked historical performance, painting a misleading picture of its track record. Consensus analysts’ estimates indicate that Beacon will miss all margin targets under its “Ambition 2025” plan. Further, Beacon’s revenue growth largely stems from extraordinary inflation and inorganic growth between 2022 and 2024. From 2019 through LTM September 2024, Beacon’s 7.7% revenue CAGR is the lowest of its peer group and well below the peer median of 12.1%3.

    Despite setting unambitious “Ambition 2025” targets, consensus analysts’ estimates indicate that Beacon will:

    • Miss its 2025 Gross Margin target by 130 basis points;
    • Miss its 2025 EBITDA Margin target by 114 basis points; and
    • Deliver EBITDA margins 20bps lower in 2025 than when the “Ambition 2025” plan was introduced4.

    Furthermore, Beacon’s claims of superior stock performance are easily debunked. Over the past five years, Beacon’s total shareholder return has trailed its Building Products Proxy Peers by 86% and trailed those peers by 140% since CEO Julian Francis took over as CEO in August 20195.

    3.   QXO’s Offer Represents a 3.0x Premium to Beacon’s Historical Multiple

    Beacon’s lackluster operational performance and relative share price underperformance are reflected in its enterprise value to next-twelve-months EBITDA multiple, which has remained rangebound at an average of 8.1x over the past three years. Meanwhile, its valuation gap relative to its Building Products Proxy Peers widened by 1.3x6 over the same period.

    Since Beacon has not closed the valuation multiple gap despite implementing “Ambition 2025,” reporting supposedly strong results and stock markets nearing all-time highs, we urge shareholders to decide if the current management and Board are the right team to create value for shareholders. QXO’s proposal provides a 3.0x premium to Beacon’s average historical next-twelve-months EBITDA multiple7, providing substantial immediate cash-certain value to shareholders.

    4.   If Beacon is Truly Confident in its Future, it Should Release its Projections Today

    Beacon’s upcoming financial projections for its March Investor Day warrant skepticism. Management itself acknowledged in its filings that its upcoming 2028 targets are “ambitious,” implying they may not be realistic. Beacon has already fallen short of some “Ambition 2025” goals. Adding to the skepticism, its decision to announce the Investor Day came only days after QXO disclosed its plan to go directly to shareholders.

    Further, these newly constructed projections will not be revealed for another month—more than three months after Beacon’s Board first rejected QXO‘s offer. Why the delay? What is Beacon formulating in the interim? If the company had strong, credible projections, there would be no reason for such a drawn-out disclosure process.

    5.   Actions Speak Louder than Words: Beacon Insiders Recently Sold Shares at Prices Far Below QXO’s Offer

    Since early 2024, Beacon’s Chairman and CEO have sold a significant percentage of their shares at prices well below QXO’s $124.25 per share offer:

    • Chairman Stuart Randle sold 20.9% of his shares at $94.808;
    • CEO Julian Francis sold 9.8% of his shares at $97.919;
    • CD&R, arguably the most sophisticated financial sponsor in the distribution space, exited its position in Beacon at $83.16 per share.

    If Beacon’s future is so bright under current management, why are insiders selling shares sharply below QXO’s offer price?

    Additionally, Beacon’s Board and management collectively own only 1.3% of outstanding10 shares, signaling a lack of alignment with shareholder interests and demonstrating their lack of confidence in Beacon’s standalone prospects.

    6.   Beacon’s Own Filings Suggest that No Actionable Competing Offer Exists

    Beacon’s recent filings indicate no viable third-party alternative to QXO’s premium offer. Beacon’s 14D-9 filing has not disclosed any competing offers, or even a single NDA being signed.

    Interestingly, on December 2, 2024, representatives of J.P. Morgan explicitly informed representatives of Morgan Stanley that they had been authorized to approach other potential suitors for Beacon. QXO’s letter to Beacon sent on the following day stated this clearly, yet Beacon made no effort to dispute this until two months later, on February 6, 2025.

    QXO’s offer is clear, compelling and in shareholders’ best interest. It is time for Beacon’s Board to stop obstructing shareholders and let them decide their own financial future.

    QXO’s tender offer for all of Beacon’s outstanding common stock will be effective until 12:00 midnight (New York City time) at the end of February 24, 2025, and QXO is prepared to complete the acquisition shortly after the tender expires, subject to the terms of the offer. The transaction is not subject to any financing conditions or due diligence conditions, and QXO expects that the waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and the Canadian Competition Act will have expired or been waived by the time the tender offer expires.

    Advisors

    Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as lead financial advisor to QXO, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is acting as legal counsel.

    About QXO

    QXO provides technology solutions, primarily to clients in the manufacturing, distribution and service sectors. The company provides consulting and professional services, including specialized programming, training and technical support, and develops proprietary software. As a value-added reseller of business application software, QXO offers solutions for accounting, financial reporting, enterprise resource planning, warehouse management systems, customer relationship management, business intelligence and other applications. QXO plans to become a tech-forward leader in the $800 billion building products distribution industry. The company is targeting tens of billions of dollars of annual revenue in the next decade through accretive acquisitions and organic growth. Visit QXO.com for more information.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about beliefs, expectations, targets, goals, regulatory approval timing and nominating directors are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on plans, estimates, expectations and/or goals at the time the statements are made, and readers should not place undue reliance on them. In some cases, readers can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “opportunity,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “target,” “goal,” or “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: the ultimate outcome of any possible transaction between QXO, Inc. (“QXO”) and Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (“Beacon”), including the possibility that the parties will not agree to pursue a business combination transaction or that the terms of any definitive agreement will be materially different from those proposed; uncertainties as to whether Beacon will cooperate with QXO regarding the proposed transaction; the ultimate result should QXO commence a proxy contest for election of directors to Beacon’s board of directors; QXO’s ability to consummate the proposed transaction with Beacon; the conditions to the completion of the proposed transaction, including the receipt of any required shareholder approvals and any required regulatory approvals; QXO’s ability to finance the proposed transaction; the substantial indebtedness QXO expects to incur in connection with the proposed transaction and the need to generate sufficient cash flows to service and repay such debt; that operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers or suppliers) may be greater than expected following the proposed transaction or the public announcement of the proposed transaction; QXO’s ability to retain certain key employees; and general economic conditions that are less favorable than expected. QXO cautions that forward-looking statements should not be relied on as predictions of future events, and these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date each statement is made. QXO does not assume any obligation to update any of these statements in light of new information or future events, except to the extent required by applicable law.

    Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

    This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation, an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell Beacon securities. QXO and Queen MergerCo, Inc. (the “Purchaser”) filed a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 27, 2025, and Beacon filed a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the tender offer with the SEC on February 6, 2025. Investors and security holders are urged to carefully read the Tender Offer Statement (including the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, as these materials contain important information that investors and security holders should consider before making any decision regarding tendering their common stock, including the terms and conditions of the tender offer. The Tender Offer Statement, Offer to Purchase, Solicitation/Recommendation Statement and related materials are filed with the SEC, and investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of these materials and other documents filed by QXO and Beacon with the SEC at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the Tender Offer Statement and other documents that QXO and the Purchaser file with the SEC will be made available to all investors and security holders of Beacon free of charge from the information agent for the tender offer: Innisfree M&A Incorporated, 501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10022, toll-free telephone: +1 (888) 750-5834.

    QXO and the other participants intend to file a preliminary proxy statement and accompanying WHITE universal proxy card with the SEC to be used to solicit proxies for, among other matters, the election of its slate of director nominees at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders of Beacon. QXO strongly advises all stockholders of Beacon to read the preliminary proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to such proxy statement, and other proxy materials filed by QXO with the SEC as they become available because they will contain important information. Such proxy materials will be available at no charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and at QXO’s website at investors.qxo.com. In addition, the participants in this proxy solicitation will provide copies of the proxy statement, and other relevant documents, without charge, when available, upon request. Requests for copies should be directed to the participants’ proxy solicitor.

    Certain Information Concerning the Participants

    The participants in the proxy solicitation are anticipated to be QXO, Brad Jacobs, Ihsan Essaid, Matt Fassler, Mark Manduca and the individuals nominated by QXO (the “QXO Nominees”). QXO expects to determine and announce the QXO Nominees prior to the nomination deadline for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders of Beacon. As of the date of this communication, other than 100 shares of common stock of Beacon beneficially owned by QXO, none of the participants who have been identified has any direct or indirect interest, by security holdings or otherwise, in Beacon.

    Media Contacts
    Joe Checkler
    joe.checkler@qxo.com
    203-609-9650

    Steve Lipin / Lauren Odell
    Gladstone Place Partners
    212-230-5930

    Investor Contacts
    Mark Manduca
    mark.manduca@qxo.com
    203-321-3889

    Scott Winter / Jonathan Salzberger
    Innisfree M&A Incorporated
    212-750-5833

    1 Market data as of February 7, 2025. Average of building products subset of the peer list presented in Beacon’s April 2024 Proxy Statement; includes: Builders FirstSource, Boise Cascade, GMS, Pool Corp, SiteOne, WATSCO, Wesco (“Building Products Proxy Peers”)
    2 Based on Beacon’s unaffected share price as of November 15, 2024 and the average share price performance since November 15, 2024 for the Building Products Proxy Peers
    3 Reported revenues for Beacon and Building Products Proxy Peers
    4 Based on median 2025E Wall Street research estimates, sourced from Capital IQ as of February 7, 2025
    5 Market data as of November 15, 2024. Total shareholder return reflects stock price performance adjusted for cash dividends paid, stock splits, rights offerings and spin-offs during the period
    6 As per Capital IQ as of November 15, 2024
    7 As of November 15, 2024; next-twelve-months EBITDA calculated using calendarized annual broker EBITDA estimates for Beacon
    8 As per Mr. Randle’s Form 4 filed with the SEC on May 28, 2024. According to Mr. Randle’s Form 4, this sale was not made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan or to pay any exercise price or tax liability incident to the receipt, exercise or vesting of equity awards.
    9 As per Mr. Francis’s Form 4 filed with the SEC on May 22, 2024. According to Mr. Francis’s Form 4, this sale was not made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan or to pay any exercise price or tax liability incident to the receipt, exercise or vesting of equity awards.
    10 As per Schedule 14D-9 filed with the SEC on February 6, 2025

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5854092c-16b2-41c5-918c-3c0e68bd5705

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Up to 70% Time Savings Achieved with Fully Integrated Advanced Referral Module of CareCloud’s AI-Enabled EHR

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Streamlining the Referral Process to Enhance Efficiency and Patient Experience

    SOMERSET, N.J., Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO, CCLDP), a leader in healthcare technology and AI-driven solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its new advanced referral module. This innovative solution is designed to simplify the referral process for medical providers and enhance the patient experience through advanced automation and location-based guidance. By optimizing referrals to specialists, the module reduces administrative time and effort, enabling a more streamlined, patient-focused approach. With its automated workflow, healthcare providers can save up to 70% of the time typically spent on generating and managing referrals, allowing them to prioritize patient care.

    92% of surveyed users rated the CareCloud’s advanced referral module as “exceptional”, praising its ease of use, efficiency, and ability to enhance patient satisfaction with one user explaining, “CareCloud’s advanced referral module has transformed how we handle patient referrals in our practice.” Asad Ullah of Mir Neurology & Spine Center continued, “Completing the referral process in real-time during patient visits ensures a seamless experience and faster access to specialty care. With the intuitive interface and location-based specialist recommendations, I can provide personalized options for my patients instantly. What’s even more valuable is that patients no longer have to call back or visit our office to complete or collect their referral forms. This not only improves efficiency but also enhances patient satisfaction by making the referral process more convenient and hassle-free.”

    The key features of CareCloud’s advanced referral module:

    1. Real-Time Referral Completion
      • Medical providers can complete referral forms while the patient is still in the office, ensuring accuracy and efficiency during the visit.
    2. Specialist Recommendations with Location Guidance
      • Integrated maps and location-based tools help doctors recommend specialists near the patient’s home or workplace, ensuring convenience and accessibility.
    3. Secure Patient Notifications
      • Patients receive text messages with a curated list of specialists, including secure links to detailed information such as the specialist’s name, contact details, and more.
    4. Seamless Appointment Booking
      • Patients can contact their chosen specialist and book appointments directly through secure links. Once confirmed, the system automatically forwards the referral form to the specialist.
    5. Patient Access to Referral Documentation
      • Patients can securely download, print, or access their referral forms through their Personal Health Record (PHR), ensuring ease of use and transparency.

    “With 92% of surveyed users rating it as exceptional and the ability to save up to 70% of referral processing time, the Advanced Referral Module is transforming care coordination,” said Hadi Chaudhry, Co-CEO of CareCloud. “By automating workflows and providing real-time specialist recommendations, it enhances efficiency for providers and accessibility for patients, improving the overall healthcare experience. This launch reinforces CareCloud’s commitment to reducing administrative burdens and driving innovation in healthcare technology.”

    About CareCloud

    CareCloud brings disciplined innovation to the business of healthcare. Our suite of AI and technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care, while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services, including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health at www.carecloud.com.

    Follow CareCloud on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “could,” “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “predicts,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

    Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, the impact of pandemics on our financial performance and business activities, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions.

    These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s ability to manage growth, migrate newly acquired customers and retain new and existing customers, maintain cost-effective global operations, increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, predict and properly adjust to changes in reimbursement and other industry regulations and trends, retain the services of key personnel, develop new technologies, upgrade and adapt legacy and acquired technologies to work with evolving industry standards, compete with other companies’ products and services competitive with ours, and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

    SOURCE CareCloud

    Company Contact:

    Norman Roth
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller
    CareCloud, Inc.
    nroth@carecloud.com

    Investor Contact:

    Stephen Snyder
    Co-Chief Executive Officer
    CareCloud, Inc.
    ir@carecloud.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Global: Nigerian residents take Shell to UK High court following 10-year fight for justice

    Source: Amnesty International –

    After a decade-long fight for justice, the Preliminary Issues Trial of Nigerian Law for Shell vs Ogale and Bille communities is set to take place at the UK High Court from 13 February to 10 March 2025.

    Ten years ago, residents from the Bille and Ogale communities in Nigeria claimed their livelihoods had been destroyed and homes damaged by hundreds of oil spills caused by Shell. The pollution caused widespread devastation to the local environment, killing fish and plant life, leaving thousands of people without access to clean drinking water.

    The communities brought their claims in the UK courts however Shell repeatedly delayed the case arguing it had no legal responsibility for any of the pollution. The delay has had a devastating effect on people’s lives.

    On 6 December 2024, the UK Court of Appeal gave the green light for the case finally to go ahead. Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s Country Director for Nigeria, said:

    “The Bille and Ogale communities of Nigeria’s Niger Delta oil-producing region have been living with the devastating impact of oil pollution for so long. Oil companies, particularly Shell, exposed them to multiple oil spills that have done permanent damage to farmlands, waterways, and drinking water – leaving them unable to farm or fish.

    “Water contamination and other impacts affect even babies that are in some cases born with deformities. These communities have been deprived of a good standard of living. They deserve justice and effective remediation, and I hope this long-overdue trial goes someway to providing it.”

    Amnesty International has published numerous reports, documenting the detrimental impact Shell’s operations are having on Nigerian communities. Going forward, Amnesty International is calling for Shell to conduct meaningful consultation with affected communities about its plans for disengagement. Shell must also provide a full remediation plan including details of all completed and ongoing clean-ups across its areas of operation, as well as adequate compensation for the severe and sustained harm affected communities have faced as a result of Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta.

    Background

    The two communities from Nigeria will be represented by Leigh Day. The Shell Preliminary Issues Trial of Nigerian Law will aim to resolve a number of Nigerian private and constitutional law questions, with a view to confirming the legal framework to be applied to the subsequent trial between Shell and the Ogale and Bille communities.

    The Court of Appeal heard the Shell Nigeria oil spill appeal on 8 October 2024. On 11 October 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Nigerian communities over alleged pollution by oil giant Shell. On 6 December 2024, a full trial of Nigerian communities’ claims against Shell was given the go ahead.

    Over the past 20 years, Amnesty International has conducted extensive research and documented the human rights and environmental impact of Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta. In Amnesty’s 2023 report, Nigeria: Tainted Sale?, the organization recommended a series of safeguards to protect the rights of people potentially affected by Shell’s planned disposal of its oil interests in Nigeria.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates India, iDEX & Karnataka Pavilions at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 4:18PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the India, iDEX and Karnataka Pavilions at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 10, 2025. The India Pavilion is showcasing the design, development, innovation and manufacturing capabilities of the domestic defence industries through state-of-the-art products and technologies. It signifies the ‘Flight of Self-Reliance’ which encapsulates synergy among the three Services and the space sector and India’s journey towards becoming a global aerospace and defence powerhouse. After the inauguration, Raksha Mantri visited  various stalls set-up in the pavilion and interacted with the representatives of the companies, inspecting their products.

    At the India Pavilion, more than 275 exhibits are being displayed through various mediums, represented by complete defence ecosystem of the country including Defence PSUs, design houses and private companies including MSMEs and start-ups. The exhibits at the Central Area include a striking display of marquee platforms including Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, Combat Air Teaming System and Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter. 

    At the iDEX Pavilion, leading innovators are displaying indigenously-developed products spanning a wide range of advanced domains including Aerospace, DefSpace, Aero Structures, Anti-drone systems, Autonomous Systems, Robotics, Communication, Cybersecurity, Surveillance & Tracking, Unmanned Ground Vehicles etc. The Pavilion will also feature a dedicated section highlighting the winners of the ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) scheme, showcasing their ground-breaking works in critical and niche technologies.

    Raksha Mantri unveiled three publications – iDEX Report 2024, iDEX Coffee Table Book and iDEX Finance Manual on the occasion. The iDEX Report and Coffee Table Book highlight the key milestones of the defence innovation ecosystem, celebrating the contributions of innovators & stakeholders. The iDEX Finance Manual simplifies the existing finance procedures to enhance the pace of projects, and facilitate ease of doing innovation for the iDEX winners.

    The Karnataka Pavilion is showcasing cutting-edge technologies from the defence and aerospace industries from the state. These innovations highlight Karnataka’s robust ecosystem in defence and aerospace, supported by over 2,000 SMEs. Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri DK Shiva Kumar was present on the occasion.

    ****

    VK/SPS/MJS/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2101326) Visitor Counter : 35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Education meets Gaming at Create in India Challenge Season-1 at WAVES 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Education meets Gaming at Create in India Challenge Season-1 at WAVES 2025

    Know Your City well? Come and Play City Quest: Shades of Bharat and get recognised at WAVES 2025 for your knowledge of Indian cities, their achievements and challenges

    Compete & learn with city-specific cards promoting SDG awareness & regional pride; Explore strengths of 56 Indian cities & overall sustainability performance on a global scale

    Innovative Gaming meets Sustainable Development: City Quest-Shades of Bharat highlighted the SDG action at IIT Bombay’s E-Summit 2025, driving youth engagement

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 3:17PM by PIB Delhi

    If you have in-depth knowledge of your city’s progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), here’s your chance to be recognized on a national stage. World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 offers a unique opportunity for individuals who understand their city’s sustainability efforts, challenges, and achievements.

    ‘City Quest: Shades of Bharat‘,  an innovative educational game, is a key component of the ongoing Create in India Challenge under WAVES 2025. This engaging game is designed to educate and inspire the youth by gamifying the metrics of urban development through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It explores the strengths and challenges of 56 cities across the country while reliving the joy of the childhood trump card game.

    This platform will provide a space to highlight cities making significant strides toward a sustainable future. Stand out as a champion of urban sustainability and get the opportunity to showcase your knowledge about the city’s SDG journey, with winners to be felicitated at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025.

    About the Game

    City Quest game engages in a single-player format where players compete against a computer opponent using a deck of city cards. Each card features six parameters, allowing players to compare cities based on various statistics, such as the Hunger Index, Good Health and Well-being, and Gender Equality. It tracks 15 SDGs and uses the top 6 SDGs across 56 cities using NITI Aayog’s Urban Index (2021).

    Through interactive gameplay, it educates players on the developmental challenges and achievements of 56 Indian cities, emphasizing the impact of sustainable practices.

    As players explore each city’s attributes through City Quest, they also gain insights into how individual and collective actions can significantly impact India’s overall sustainability performance on a global scale

    CityQuest game is open to participation by all individuals across all age groups offering a dive into a nostalgic card game experience with a fresh twist and an opportunity to learn more about Bharat’s vibrant cities. The game features both national and city-specific leaderboards, fostering healthy competition among players and encouraging participation from various regions. Players can sign up for their home city, creating a sense of community and local pride.

    City Quest: Igniting Minds at IIT Bombay’s E-Summit 2025

    ‘City Quest: Shades of Bharat’, an Edu-game that compares 56 Indian cities on Sustainable Development Goals was showcased at the recently concluded E-Summit 2025, the annual flagship event of E-Cell IIT Bombay last week. The event had unmatched energy, enthusiastic minds, endless excitement, and a buzzing crowd of over 30,000 students over two days.

    At IIT Bombay’s E-Summit 2025, E Gaming Federation (EGF), which is driving City Quest in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, steered key discussions on gaming, startups, and emerging tech. Their sessions illuminated the significant role that the gaming industry and innovative technologies play in modern entrepreneurship.

    Key headliners at the Summit included Nandan Nilekani, Anupam Mittal, and Sonam Wangchuk. City Quest caught the attention of IITB students and visitors, generating buzz around the upcoming World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit 2025, as well as the Create in India Season 1 Challenges.

    SDG engagement through Interactive Storytelling at IIT Bombay

    City Quest offered an immersive experience to students via interactive storytelling about Indian cities and the importance of active participation by Indian citizens through daily actions in significantly boosting India’s performance on SDG global rankings.

    Exciting competitions were also organized amongst students as brand ambassadors of their hometowns competing with each other through City Quest trump cards. Select winners were awarded a special edition of City Quest decks every hour of the day.

    Highlights of City Quest: Shades of Bharat:

    • Innovative Gameplay: Players participate in friendly competitions, using strategic thinking to assess how cities contribute to achieving the SDGs, fostering a sense of community and civic pride.
    • Bridging Gaps: City Quest exemplifies how gamification can effectively bridge policy and public participation, offering an engaging method to educate and motivate India’s youth towards sustainable development.

    WAVES 2025

    Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Railways, Electronics and IT, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, has announced the dates and venue for the upcoming World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025). This landmark event, set to position India as a global leader in the creative industries, will be held in Mumbai from 1st May 2025 to 4th May 2025.

    The announcement follows a fruitful meeting of the Advisory Board of WAVES with Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, reflecting the nation’s ambition to become the creative powerhouse of the world. This summit will bring together the world’s top media CEOs, biggest entertainment icons, and creative minds from across the globe—unifying entertainment, creativity, and culture like never before.

    The game is currently available for free on Android devices via Google Play, providing an accessible platform for players nationwide to engage with important social issues while contributing to a collective understanding of urban growth and sustainability.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha

    (Release ID: 2101293) Visitor Counter : 99

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey in progress

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey in progress
    2024/25 Household Expenditure Survey in progress
    ************************************************

         The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) conducts a Household Expenditure Survey (HES) once every five years to collect up-to-date information on the expenditure patterns of households in Hong Kong. This information is an important input for updating the expenditure weights of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). A new round of the 2024/25 HES, which began in mid-September last year, is currently in progress.      With the introduction of new products in the market and changes in people’s living habits, the types of goods and services that people purchase nowadays may differ significantly from those bought a few years ago. The C&SD conducts an HES once every five years to update the items included in the CPIs and their corresponding expenditure shares.      The HES is conducted for a whole year to take into account seasonal variations in household expenditure patterns throughout the year. For instance, Chinese households tend to spend more during the Chinese New Year compared to the rest of the year.      The C&SD expresses gratitude to those households who have participated in the survey and appeals for the support of all households selected for the remaining survey period. The detailed information provided by participating households is crucial for the compilation of the CPIs.      About three weeks before the commencement of each survey cycle, notification letters will be sent to the sampled living quarters to invite the households therein to participate in the survey. Census officers, whose names are shown on the notification letters, will then call on households in the sampled living quarters about one to two weeks after despatch of the letters to explain the purposes and data requirements of the survey. Each census officer will carry a Government Identity Card / Enumerator Identity Card and a Certificate of Identity issued by the C&SD authorising him/her to conduct the survey for inspection. Householders should check carefully the identity of the census officer before admitting him/her to their premises for interviews.      The major results of the 2024/25 HES are expected to be released in mid-2026.      For enquiries about the 2024/25 HES, please contact the Household Expenditure Survey Section of the C&SD at telephone number 2551 6500 or email address hesurvey@censtatd.gov.hk.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 10, 2025Issued at HKT 16:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Boosting Food Processing & Storage Infrastructure in India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 1:02PM by PIB Delhi

    Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) was envisaged as a comprehensive package which will result in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet. It will not only provide a big boost to the growth of food processing sector in the country but also improve the capacity of food processing units which help in providing better returns to farmers and creating employment opportunities especially in the rural areas, reducing wastage of agricultural produce, increasing the processing level and enhancing the export of the processed foods.

    However, standalone cold storages are not supported under PMKSY. The state-wise number of storages approved for captive use under PMKSY since inception in 2017 are at Annexue-1. Further, under the Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure a sub-scheme of PMKSY, 06 projects are approved in the state of Telangana in the last five years. The details district –wise are at Annexure-2.

    As informed by Food Corporation of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in order to upgrade and modernize the storage facilities, Government of India approved Action Plan for construction of steel silos on PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode in the country.  Under this plan, Silos with capacity of 24.25LMT at various locations throughout country are under implementation. Out of which silos with a capacity of 17.75LMT have been completed and remaining 6.5LMT are under various stages of development. In addition to above, silos of 5.5LMT capacity at 7 locations have already been constructed and put to in use in 2007-09 under circuit base model. Further, under phase –I of Hub & Spoke model Silos of 10.125 LMT at 14 locations on FCI owned land awarded and 24.75 LMT at 66 locations on private land have been awarded and are in development stage. As per the data of Food Corporation of India (FCI), the status of Grain Silos construction as on 30.11.2024 is placed at Annexure-3

    MoFPI has been implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme – PMKSY since 2016-17 to create post-harvest infrastructure and processing facilities to boost the overall development of the food processing sector including reduction in post-harvest losses. The component schemes under PMKSY provide credit linked financial assistance (capital subsidy) in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs for setting up of food processing/preservation infrastructure which, inter-alia, includes cold storages and refrigerated vehicles to minimize post-harvest losses.

    As per the Evaluation Study conducted and submitted by NABARD Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. (NABCONS) in 2020 on “Impact of Units Implemented under Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure assisted by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)”, it was highlighted that due to interventions of the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme of Ministry of Food Processing Industries, while all sectors had shown some decrease in wastages, but Fruits & Vegetables, Dairy and Fisheries sector had shown significant reduction in wastages.

    Apart from MoFPI, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has also launched the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme in July 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package in order to improve post-harvest infrastructure and create community farming assets. The AIF Scheme facilitates sanction of medium to long term loans by Banks and other lending institutions for the setting up of cold storage facilities, warehouses and processing units, aimed at reducing crop wastage and enhancing value addition.

    This information was provided by the minister of state for food processing industries Shri Ravneet Singh in a written reply to rajysabha.

    *****

     

    ANNEXURE-1

    ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 578 FOR ANSWER ON 07TH FEBRUARY, 2025 REGARDING “STORAGE FACILITIES UNDER PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJNA”

     

    Ministry is implementing Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna (PMKSY). Under PMKSY standalone Cold storages/ frozen storage/ CA/ MA are not supported. The number of storages approved for captive use under PMKSY since inception in 2017 are as follows:

     

    S.No

    State

    No of Cold storages/ frozen storage/ CA/ MA

    Capacity

    (LMT/Annum)

    1

    Andaman & Nicobar

    2

    0.29

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    31

    7.88

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    1

    0.14

    4

    Assam

    8

    6.97

    5

    Bihar

    1

    7.44

    6

    Chandigarh

    0

    0.0

    7

    Chhattisgarh

    6

    2.61

    8

    Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu

    0

    0.05

    9

    Delhi

    0

    0.0

    10

    Goa

    0

    0.06

    11

    Gujarat

    35

    20.28

    12

    Haryana

    30

    8.89

    13

    Himachal Pradesh

    28

    4.34

    14

    Jammu & Kashmir

    16

    1.99

    15

    Jharkhand

    0

    0.0

    16

    Karnataka

    35

    12.17

    17

    Kerala

    12

    4

    18

    Ladakh

    0

    0.0

    19

    Lakshadweep

    0

    0.0

    20

    Madhya Pradesh

    17

    8.17

    21

    Maharashtra

    93

    72.71

    22

    Manipur

    5

    0.09

    23

    Meghalaya

    0

    0.12

    24

    Mizoram

    9

    0.58

    25

    Nagaland

    3

    0.35

    26

    Orissa

    8

    2.54

    27

    Puduchery

    0

    0.0

    28

    Punjab

    61

    14.69

    29

    Rajasthan

    29

    7.18

    30

    Sikkim

    0

    0.0

    31

    Tamil Nadu

    59

    10.6

    32

    Telangana

    16

    9.49

    33

    Tripura

    1

    1.11

    34

    Uttar Pradesh

    38

    16.92

    35

    Uttarakhand

    64

    11.61

    36

    West Bengal

    35

    8.06

     

    TOTAL

    643

    241.33

     

    ANNEXURE-2

    ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 578 FOR ANSWER ON 07TH FEBRUARY, 2025 REGARDING “STORAGE FACILITIES UNDER PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJNA”

     

     

    Details of sanctioned projects in the state of Telangana under the scheme of Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure, a component of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna (PMKSY) in the last five years  (as on 31.12.2024)

     

    Sr.No.

    Project

    Sector

    District

    State

    Total project cost
     (₹ in crore)

    Approved grant   (₹ in crore)

    Amount of grant released          (₹ in crore)

    Status

    1

    Sri Krupa RGR Agrogatros

    F&V

    Nalgonda

    Telangana

    36.22

    9.36

    2.22

    Under Implementation

    2

    VNR Dairy Products

    Dairy

    Nalagonda

    Telangana

    26.20

    6.84

    4.56

    Under Implementation

    3

    Dadus

    Dairy

    Malkajgiri

    Telangana

    77.31

    7.35

    2.45

    Under Implementation

    4

    Almond House Private Limited

    Dairy

    Hyderabad

    Telangana

    56.81

    7.62

    2.54

    Under Implementation

    5

    Manjeera Dairy Products

    Dairy

    Sangareddy

    Telangana

    22.71

    6.51

    0

    Under Implementation

    6

    AL QAWI Frozen Foods Pvt Ltd

    Meat

    Sangareddy

    Telangana

    32.71

    8.68

    0

    Under Implementation

     

    TOTAL

     

     

     

    251.96

    46.36

    11.77

     

     

    ANNEXURE-3

     

    ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 578 FOR ANSWER ON 07TH FEBRUARY, 2025 REGARDING “STORAGE FACILITIES UNDER PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJNA”

                                                 (Position as on 30.11.2024)

     

    STATEMENT SHOWING AGENCY-WISE STATE-WISE STATUS OF SILO CONSTRUCTION

    (Fig. In LMT)

     

    Agency

     

    State

    Target as per Action Plan

     

    Completed

    Under Construction

     

    Grand Total

     

     

     

     

     

     

    FCI

    Assam

    0.5

    0.5

    0

    0.5

    Bihar

    4.5

    1.5

    2.0

    3.5

    Chattisgarh

    1

    0

    0

    0

    Delhi

    1

    0

    0

    0

    Gujarat

    1

    1.50

    0

    1.5

    Karnataka

    0.25

    0

    0

    0

    Haryana

    3

    2.50

    0

    2.5

    Maharashtra

    1

    0

    0

    0

    Punjab

    4.25

    3.75

    0

    3.75

    Rajasthan

    1.5

    0

    0

    0

    Uttar Pradesh

    7

    1.50

    2.0

    3.5

    West Bengal

    4

    0

    1.0

    1

    Total

     

    29

    11.25

    5.00

    16.25

    CWC

    Punjab

    2.5

    0

    0

    0

     

     

     

     

     

     

    State Govt.

    Andhra Pradesh

    3.5

    0

    0

    0

    Bihar

    5

    0

    0

    0

    Gujrat

    2

    0

    0

    0

    Haryana

    6.5

    0

    0

    0

    Madhya

    Pradesh

    10

    4.5

    0

    4.5

    Maharashtra

    0.5

    0

    0

    0

    Orrisa

    2

    0

    0

    0

    Punjab

    24.25

    2.0

    0

    2.0

    Rajasthan

    4.75

    0

    0

    0

    Telangana

    1.5

    0

    0

    0

    Uttar Pradesh

    5

    0

    1.5

    1.5

    West Bengal

    3.5

    0

    0

    0

    Total

     

    68.5

    6.50

    1.50

    8.00

    Grand Total

    100

    17.75

    6.50

    24.25

    Note: In addition the silos under process, it has been decided to construct further silos under Hub & Spoke model.

     

    STK

    (Release ID: 2101244) Visitor Counter : 48

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Railways working on war footing to make sure that devotees come in & go back smoothly during ongoing Mahakumbh 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Indian Railways working on war footing to make sure that devotees come in & go back smoothly during ongoing Mahakumbh 2025

    All eight stations in Prayagraj area including the Prayagraj Junction are fully functional; Railways run 330 trains on Sunday & 191 trains by today 3 pm to ease the continued rush of pilgrims

    Union Minister of Railways & the Chairman Railway Board review the ongoing rush situation & Railway’s preparedness ahead of next Amrit Snan of Maghi Poornima on 12th January, 2025

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 4:41PM by PIB Delhi

    Despite continued heavy rush, Indian Railways is working on war footing to serve the devotees by bringing them in & taking back their home during the ongoing Mahakumbh. Countering a wrong media report a day before, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the nation through media that about 330 trains from eight different stations in the Prayagraj area carried 12 Lakh 50 thousand passengers back to their homes. Even as rush is not coming down, Indian Railways by running one train each from these stations in just above 4 minutes is making sure that devotees don’t have to wait after their holy bathing.

    Ahead of the next pious Amrut Snan of Maghi Poornima, One rake of these trains is catering to on an average 3780 passengers in a single trip is showing that rush is not coming down. Reviewing the situation at a meeting with zonal & divisional railway officials, Chairman Railway Board & CEO, Shri Satish Kumar asked the officials to bring to the notice of the media all its efforts in serving the people efficiently and at full capacity. He mentioned that Prayagraj Junction along with 7 other stations Prayagraj Chheoki, Naini, Subedarganj, Prayag, Phaphamau, Prayagraj Rambagh, and Jhusi are fully functional. Despite the continued rush, Special and regular trains are running at full capacity from these 8 stations from Prayagraj area. The closure of only one station, Prayagraj Sangam, two days before and two days after any Amrit Snan is a routine practice, Shri Satish Kumar emphasized. Further, this is done on the suggestion of prayagraj district administration and was done all through previous holy baths, the Amrit Snans. There is nothing new in it. He urged the media, Zonal & Divisional offices of public relations of Indian Railway to highlight its massive efforts to help devotees reach the Mahakumbh city, specially in the light of reported traffic snarls in the adjoining areas. The fact remains that by 3 PM today, more than 190 special and regular trains had already departed from the 8 stations including the crucial Prayagraj Junction carrying more than 8 lakh pilgrims.

    Earlier in the day, CRB & CEO Shri Satish Kumar briefed the Union Rail Minister, Shri Ashwani Vaishnaw about the smooth functioning of railways’ services in Prayagraj area in the war room of Rail Bhawan, where CCTV camera footage from all the railway stations were being received. Both reviewed the ongoing situation of rush & discussed preparation of Railways ahead of the next Amrit snan of Maghi Purnima. Later Chairman, Railway Board urged the media and public in general not to fall prey to isolated media reports regarding services being affected at the crucial Prayagraj Junction.  He said that the facts can easily be verified by visiting the 8 Railway stations where the Mela special trains, painted with mahakumbh logo, are running day and night. Running 330 trains on a normal day by Indian Railway is an evidence of its unwavering commitment to the people of India. This number is almost on par with 360 trains that were run on Mauni Amavasya last month,  when the rush was on its historic peak.

    Passengers are advised to refer to official railway sources for the latest updates and to avoid misleading information.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/ Shatrunjay Kumar

    For more press releases & official information, follow PIB Railway’s WhatsApp Channel.

    (Release ID: 2101336) Visitor Counter : 53

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IEW’ 25 to Witness Unprecedented Global Participation and Innovation

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 4:38PM by PIB Delhi

    “India Energy Week 2025 (IEW’25) is set to be the first major global event on the energy calendar and the most comprehensive and inclusive energy gathering of the year, especially in light of recent global developments that are expected to have a transformative impact on the energy market,” said Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, while interacting with the media today. 

    Speaking on the sidelines of IEW’25, which will be held at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, from February 11 to 14, 2025, Shri Puri highlighted India’s growing stature in the global energy landscape. He stated that IEW’25 is set to be even larger, more diverse, and more impactful than its previous two editions. Covering over 1 lakh square meters, IEW’25 will be the second-largest energy event globally in terms of ministerial and CEO participation, exhibition space, and the number of sessions.

    IEW’25 is set to be a landmark event in the global energy calendar, continuing its rapid growth from previous editions. Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, highlighted key metrics showcasing this expansion: a 65% increase in exhibition space over 2024 (28,000 sqm), 105 conference sessions (15% higher than 2024, 24% higher than 2023), 70,000+ delegates (55% higher than 2024, 89% higher than 2023), 500 speakers (38% higher than 2024, 58% higher than 2023), and 700+ exhibitors (57% higher than 2024, 115% higher than 2023). He touched upon some more key milestones, including a 35% increase in abstracts received as compared to last year (2,702 submissions) and a rise in international speakers at the Strategic Conference from 33% in 2024 to 48% in 2025.

    The Minister said that on the sidelines of IEW’25, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas will host a Clean Cooking Ministerial, bringing together global policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to accelerate the transition to clean cooking solutions. The event will showcase India’s success with the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) as a model for global adoption. It aims to foster international collaboration, drive policy discussions, and facilitate technology sharing to ensure clean, affordable, and accessible cooking energy for households worldwide.

    Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Puri, underlined the event’s unprecedented scale, with 10 country pavilions (including Canada, Germany, Japan, the USA, and the UK) and 8 thematic zones covering areas such as hydrogen (1951 sqm), biofuels (1164 sqm), and net zero initiatives ( 350 sqm).

    The event will see participation from major Indian energy ministries, including the Ministry of Power, MNRE, NITI Aayog, and the Ministry of Mines, reflecting India’s commitment to integrated energy solutions, the Minister said. The Sustainable Mobility Pavilion, set up by SIAM, will showcase 15 cutting-edge vehicle models from 10 OEMs, under the theme “People-Centric Mobility Ecosystem.”

    Minister Shri Puri encouraged attendees to explore pioneering technologies developed by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Key exhibits include ONGC’s deep-sea simulation game, HPCL’s indigenous Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System, BPCL’s LPG cylinder ATM, and CSIR’s e-tractor for sustainable agriculture.

    With its scale, innovation, and global participation, IEW’25 is poised to position India at the forefront of the global energy transition.

    *****

    MONIKA

    (Release ID: 2101335) Visitor Counter : 77

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by CE at Opening Ceremony of Tech Applied Summit (English only) (with video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by CE at Opening Ceremony of Tech Applied Summit (English only) (with video)
    Speech by CE at Opening Ceremony of Tech Applied Summit (English only) (with video)
    ***********************************************************************************

         Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Opening Ceremony of Tech Applied Summit today (February 10):      Ir Sunny Lee (Chairman of Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,           Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to speak to you at the inaugural Tech Applied Summit, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of ASTRI – the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute.           Twenty-five years ago, ASTRI began its journey with an important mission: to boost Hong Kong’s global competitiveness through applied research. Today, it stands as a leading research and development (R&D) powerhouse, and a key contributor to Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) sector.           Hong Kong, too, is on a mission. We are racing towards the vision of becoming an international innovation and technology centre, with the support of the National 14th Five-Year Plan.           Under the unique “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. We boast an excellent business environment with world-class professional services. Our established common law regime dovetails with the legal system of many global financial centres. We are the only city in Asia with as many as five universities in the world’s top 100.           These helped to cultivate our highly talented and versatile workforce. We also continue to attract top scholars and researchers to our institutions. With unparalleled access to both the Mainland market and the global market, our business environment provides a good foundation for the commercialisation, and transformation, of outstanding research outcomes.           Last year, Hong Kong once again became the world’s freest economy, and ranked fifth in the World Competitiveness Yearbook. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster has been ranked the world’s second-most innovative hub for five consecutive years.           These aren’t just rankings – they are proof of Hong Kong’s resilience, adaptability and drive. Our dedication to innovation and transformation.           The Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government has been implementing forward-looking policies to drive our city’s I&T advancement. Our HK$10 billion RAISe+ Scheme (Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme), launched by this term of the Government, is fast-tracking R&D commercialisation. The New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme is helping industries like life and health technology and advanced manufacturing build cutting-edge, smart production facilities.            And we’re just getting started. The new HK$10 billion Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund will soon launch, to channel more investment in emerging and future industries of strategic importance. All these initiatives are making Hong Kong a launch pad for start-ups, researchers and investors to turn bold ideas into transformative realities.           The Northern Metropolis, situated in the north of our city, will become a growth engine and another game changer to our I&T scene. We are developing the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop, an area that straddles our boundary with the neighbouring Mainland city of Shenzhen, to create unprecedented opportunities for cross-boundary I&T collaboration.           As the Park officially enters into its operational phase this year, I am confident that it will become a hub where ideas radiate beyond boundaries, and where innovation know no limits.           Ladies and gentlemen, today’s Tech Applied Summit exemplifies how collaboration can supercharge innovation. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and are committed to continuing our journey of innovation and excellence.           I would like to thank ASTRI for organising this remarkable Summit, and for your unwavering commitment to Hong Kong’s I&T development. My best wishes to your continued success in the next quarter century and beyond.           I wish you all a prosperous Year of the Snake, and the best of innovation in the years to come. Thank you.

     
    Ends/Monday, February 10, 2025Issued at HKT 11:50

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SITI at Tech Applied Summit organised by ASTRI (English only) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Tech Applied Summit organised by the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) today (February 10):Sunny (Board Chairman of ASTRI, Mr Sunny Lee), 劉副市長 (Deputy Mayor of the Suzhou Municipal People’s Government, Professor Liu Bo), 葉部長 (Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Ye Shuiqiu), distinguished speakers and guests, ladies and gentlemen,      Good morning. It’s my pleasure to stand before you today at the Tech Applied Summit, a truly remarkable convergence of talents, ideas, and innovation.      First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to ASTRI for organising this event, bringing together more than 40 visionary speakers and 1 000 attendees from across the globe. To our distinguished speakers who have travelled from afar, a very warm welcome to Hong Kong. We are thrilled to have you here, and look forward to the insights you’ll share, which will no doubt inspire us all.     Innovation and technology, I&T in short, are not merely buzzwords – they are the lifeblood of Hong Kong’s future. As outlined in the Chief Executive’s latest Policy Address, we are investing ambitiously to ensure I&T serves as the engine for high-quality development in Hong Kong. New initiatives, such as the HK$10 billion Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund, the HK$180 million I&T Accelerator Pilot Scheme and the new round of HK$1.5 billion Research Matching Grant Scheme, are empowering start-ups, researchers, and businesses to transform bold ideas into transformative realities. These efforts are cementing Hong Kong’s position as a leading innovation powerhouse in the region.     Our investments extend beyond funding. We invest in talent, infrastructure, and partnerships. We are opening doors for the world’s brightest minds to call Hong Kong home, while nurturing local talent to lead in fields like AI, robotics, life and health technology, and advance manufacturing.      Today, as we gather under the banner of I&T, we are reminded of the power of collaboration. In Hong Kong, the close partnership among government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors forms the cornerstone of our strategy to unlock new opportunities and drive progress, and our partnerships extend far beyond our borders.     The potential for Hong Kong-Mainland collaboration is indeed immense. ASTRI has played a pivotal role in fostering this collaboration. With the opening of its office in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone last year, ASTRI has been instrumental in transforming ideas into impactful solutions that benefit businesses, society, and the economy.      This year is particularly special as ASTRI celebrates its silver jubilee – 25 years of excellence, dedication, and leadership in I&T. Well done to everyone at ASTRI who has been part of this incredible journey.     The Government earlier proposed the merger of ASTRI and NAMI (the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute), a combination of two strong public R&D (research and development) centres with complementary advantages and shared values, thereby enhancing our capability and capacity for high value-added applied R&D work. We are eager to unleash the integrated power of the new entity and jointly accelerate the development of new quality productive forces.      As we usher in the Year of the Snake, a year symbolising wisdom, transformation, and resilience, I wish you all an auspicious and prosperous year ahead. Let us work towards a smarter, more connected and innovative world. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Asian Development Blog: Cooling the Heat Crisis with Energy and Health Solutions

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Asia and the Pacific faces record heatwaves, straining energy systems and endangering public health. Investing in climate science, resilient technologies, and people-centered solutions can help mitigate these risks.

    The year 2024 was the hottest on record and the first time the world reached 1.6oC above preindustrial levels. Such extreme heat events are only expected to rise, with countries in Asia and the Pacific particularly at risk. 

    Energy systems face dual challenges that make them particularly vulnerable to extreme heat events. On the demand side, the heightened use of air conditioners during heatwaves can strain already stretched electricity networks and lead to power cuts and blackouts. 

    Asia and the Pacific’s rapid socio-economic and urban development has seen a surge in air conditioning usage and a notable increase in electricity consumption during days when temperatures reach 30oC (86oF) and above. 

    Less acknowledged are the negative impacts that higher temperatures can have on the supply side of energy systems. For example, solar photovoltaic cells become less efficient in producing electricity under temperatures above 25oC (77oF), while the efficiency of thermal power plants – using coal, gas or nuclear energy – decreases when the cooling water they use becomes warmer. 

    High temperatures also put additional stress on electronic components such as battery cells and power inverters. Power lines, transformers and substations can overheat during heatwaves, resulting in lower rates of electricity transmission and distribution efficiency or, in the worst case, power failures. 

    We have seen such impacts in the region this last year. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic experienced frequent power outages due to high electricity demand during April’s heatwave. The Philippines suffered brownouts across various regions due to shutdowns and reduced power plant and grid capacities during the same month. Bangladesh had to carry out power cuts in 2024, affecting millions of people. In Pakistan, frequent and prolonged power outages in Karachi during scorching heat in June contributed to the spread of heat-related deaths.

    The record-breaking heat of 2024 exposed the vulnerabilities of energy and health systems across Asia and the Pacific, underscoring the urgent need for climate-resilient investments in infrastructure, technology, and policy coordination.

    Such energy disruptions can impact the functioning of health systems severely. Energy is crucial for protecting public health by enabling the operation of medical devices and telemedicine, as well as regulating indoor temperatures, refrigerating food and medicine, and ensuring the supply of clean drinking water. 

    Power outages can curtail the basic functioning of hospitals and health clinics and shut down IT and communication systems.

    This includes limiting access to medical record systems and vital laboratory testing data needed to make critical decisions about patients. Added to this, heatwaves create a surge in demand for health care services, including emergency visits and ambulance call outs, which simultaneously increases energy demand.   

    The consequences for human health can be deadly. People with chronic health problems are more predisposed to the impacts of extreme heat, such as those with cardiovascular and upper respiratory disease, communicable disease, diabetes, kidney disease and mental illness. 

    Specific groups of people are also more vulnerable to the negative impacts of heat stress, including the elderly, pregnant women, infants, children, outdoor workers and those from lower socio-economic groups who often lack access to air conditioning systems in their homes. 

    Weak health surveillance systems in many Pacific Islands countries and lower middle-income countries in Asia unfortunately mean that heat-related deaths and illnesses are being underestimated. Where data exists, the impacts are alarming. A report in People’s Republic of China for example, showed a fourfold increase in heat-related mortality between the years 1990 and 2019. 

    With the frequency of extreme heat being the new reality, there are a number of immediate investments that can be considered across systems in Asia and the Pacific, spanning science, technology and people-centered approaches.

    Firstly, converging state-of-the-art science and data with people-centered approaches can help improve the design of systems-level investments that benefit the health and energy sectors. The use of advanced climate modeling techniques allows governments and companies to better understand the impacts of heat stress on these systems and to explore solutions that address these challenges. 

    More heat data allows insurance providers to design and offer more heat insurance products that better protect companies and workers. Upgrading early warning systems with the latest science in forecasting extreme heat allows more accurate and timely warnings. 

    Combining such upgrades with collaboration – such as with energy providers, health institutions and communities – also means more meaningful warnings that allow a multisectoral response to heat action planning, setting up local cooling centers, and preparing community outreach to vulnerable groups. 

    Secondly, investments in climate-resilient energy technologies can strengthen the reliability of energy systems against extreme heat. Currently, many Asian and Pacific countries rely on the use of fossil fuels and power conservation measures during higher power demands. Strengthening electricity networks and storage technology are longer-term solutions that can match the region’s growing electricity needs with the increasing frequency of heatwaves. 

    Implementing innovative cooling solutions and heat-resilient designs for power plants and grids can reduce efficiency losses during extreme heat events. Smart grid technologies can provide energy suppliers with real-time visibility that reduces the likelihood of large-scale outages. Promoting energy-efficient cooling appliances and energy-saving building designs – such as cool roofs – can also help reduce demands on electricity networks during heatwaves. 

    These investments will reduce energy disruptions to health systems during extreme heat events, but there is a third set of solutions within the health sector that should also be considered. This includes ensuring heat-resilient back-up energy options for health facilities during power failures, and the installation of energy-efficient smart air conditioning systems. 

    Wider investments to decarbonize and green health care facilities also lowers their energy demand. Equally crucial are the “softer” investments in strengthening health-heat surveillance systems, tailoring early warning systems and data sharing for the health sector, and developing business continuity plans that ensure health service delivery and surge capacity management during heatwaves. 

    The experience of 2024 as the hottest year on the planet highlights how urgent it is to address extreme heat. Sadly, it also heralds the implications ahead.  Asia and the Pacific sweltered under multiple heatwaves in 2024, seeing power outages and disruptions to people’s lives and livelihoods across the region. 

    There’s still hope. Countries and the international community need to continue to reduce greenhouse gases as part of their climate mitigation pledges to the Paris Agreement. But equally, we have climate adaptation opportunities to embrace science, technology and people-centered approaches. 

    Applying such measures to systems-level investments in Asia and the Pacific will produce more climate-resilient energy and health outcomes under the growing severity of a warmer future.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Statements by former Commissioner Thierry Breton on the upcoming parliamentary elections in Germany: a threat to democracy – E-000414/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000414/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Angéline Furet (PfE), Sarah Knafo (ESN), Pascale Piera (PfE), Marieke Ehlers (PfE), Ondřej Knotek (PfE), Tiago Moreira de Sá (PfE), Filip Turek (PfE), Marcin Sypniewski (ESN), Malika Sorel (PfE), Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Georgiana Teodorescu (ECR), António Tânger Corrêa (PfE), Petar Volgin (ESN), Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Petr Bystron (ESN), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Irmhild Boßdorf (ESN), Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI), Fernand Kartheiser (ECR), Thierry Mariani (PfE), Catherine Griset (PfE), Nikola Bartůšek (PfE), Jorge Buxadé Villalba (PfE), Christophe Bay (PfE), Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Tomasz Froelich (ESN), Harald Vilimsky (PfE), Georg Mayer (PfE), Séverine Werbrouck (PfE), Branko Grims (PPE), Silvia Sardone (PfE)

    On 9 January 2025, in an interview on RMC, former European Commissioner Thierry Breton suggested that the European Union had played a role in the judicial process that led to the cancellation of the presidential elections in Romania. He added that the EU could consider similar action in Germany, notably if the AfD were to win the elections, owing to concerns about possible foreign interference, in particular by Elon Musk.

    These statements raise questions about the EU’s commitment to democratic principles and the sovereignty of the Member States.

    • 1.Can the Commission clarify these statements and state whether it intervened, or could have intervened in any way, in the process leading to the cancellation of the first round of the elections in Romania?
    • 2.What criteria could justify such a measure in other Member States?
    • 3.What powers does the Commission have to intervene in national elections?

    Supporters[1]

    Submitted: 30.1.2025

    • [1] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Energy in the spotlight as Benjamin Dousa visits Moldova

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Energy in the spotlight as Benjamin Dousa visits Moldova – Government.se

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    Press release from Ministry for Foreign Affairs

    Published

    On 10–11 February, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa is visiting Moldova to hold discussions about the energy situation following Russia’s Gazprom suspending its gas supplies.

    “Suspending gas supplies is a way for Russia to undermine Moldova’s political and economic stability. This is why it’s important to support Moldova at this critical juncture,” says Mr Dousa.

    During the visit, Mr Dousa will meet with Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi. Mr Dousa will also meet with representatives of civil society and the private sector for discussions around energy issues, resilience and Moldova’s path to EU accession.

    Energy is an important component of Sweden’s long-term reform efforts with Moldova. Sweden provides support in areas such as increased access to sustainable energy solutions for agriculture and households in rural areas, as well as the development of district heating systems in the capital Chisinau. This cooperation enables Sweden to contribute to the green transition and to reducing the country’s reliance on Russian energy.

    Swedish support to Moldova

    Sweden provides extensive and long-term bilateral reform support to Moldova that aims to support the country’s path to EU accession. The support focuses on democracy, the rule of law, security, market economy development and the environment and climate. Sweden’s reform cooperation with Moldova is governed by a regional Eastern Europe strategy for the period 2021–2027, comprising a total of SEK 6.6 billion for the whole region. In 2023, Sweden’s development assistance to Moldova totalled over SEK 520 million, which included a support package to the energy sector worth SEK 300 million.

    Press contact

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Consultation launches to help shape Plymouth’s disability adaptation services

    Source: City of Plymouth

    A consultation has launched to help shape the Council’s independent living assistance policy.

    Last year, Plymouth was granted £3m to help deliver disability adaptions in the city.

    Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are financial grants provided by the government to support individuals with disabilities in adapting their homes to improve accessibility and safety.

    The grant provides essential funding to help disabled individuals live safely and independently at home. Whether it’s installing ramps, adapting bathrooms, or making other vital changes, this support transforms everyday living for those who need it.

    Over the past two decades, DFGs have become a key tool in supporting the inclusion of disabled people, allowing them to maintain autonomy, dignity and reduce reliance on care. 

    Over the last three years, the Council have supported over 500 adaptations in homes.

    Teresa recently had a ramp installed on the outside of her home, in the below video, she explains how much this has made a difference to her life.

    Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said: “The consultation is imperative to shaping our independent living assistance policy.

    “The adaptations make a huge difference to people’s lives. It is important to hear from residents like Teresa who have had adaptations made in their home to support their life, and how this has made a difference for her, to help shape our services for the future.

    “We ask residents to please fill out the consultation to help us shape our services for the future, and if you have had adaptations made in your home, please let us know.”

    The consultation closes on Friday 14 March.

    As part of the consultation, we will be holding two in-person workshops on 26 February.

    If you feel you could benefit from home adaptations, please email the Community Connections Team at [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Are high-rise housing policies working for London?

    Source: Mayor of London

    London has many more high-rise homes than the English average, but how much is known about whether they work for Londoners?

    A lot of work looking at the experiences of residents in tall buildings originated in the 1960s and 1970s and focused on social housing. In recent decades, there has been a shift in the types of homes being delivered by tall buildings towards private accommodation.

    Tomorrow, the London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee will ask the Deputy Mayor for Planning, and guests from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and London Boroughs about how they set policies and make decisions around the delivery of tall buildings in London.

    The guests include:

    Panel 1 – 10am – 11.15am:

    • Michael Ritchie, Place Shaping Manager, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
    • Michael Forrester, Head of Development Management, Lewisham Council

    Panel 2 – 11.30am – 12.30pm: 

    • Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and the Fire Service
    • Alan Smithies, Principal Strategic Planner, GLA

    The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 11 February from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
     
    Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
     
    The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
     
    Follow us @LondonAssembly.
     
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Call for Entries: 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

    Source: United Nations

    UNESCO has opened submissions for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, recognizing outstanding conservation efforts across the region. The Awards celebrate private sector projects and public-private partnerships that demonstrate excellence in preserving historical sites while fostering community engagement.

    Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation have honored 305 projects across 27 countries for their thorough understanding of historical significance, technical achievements, and impact at local, national, and regional levels. By spotlighting best practices, the Awards have helped shape regional conversations on heritage’s role in sustaining cities, societies, and the environment.

    This year, UNESCO especially welcomes submissions for projects conserving heritage sites that are integral to the region’s history but remain underrecognized or at risk of neglect. These include cultural landscapes, technological, industrial, and agricultural heritage, 20th-century sites, vernacular architecture, and cultural routes. Winning projects of this nature will be highlighted in a dedicated exhibition as part of the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the Awards.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Projects must have been completed within the last 10 years (February 2015 – May 2025 if the pre-existing use was retained, or May 2024 if a project involved a new use). Examples of eligible projects include:

    • Houses, commercial and institutional buildings
    • Historic towns and villages
    • Archaeological sites and cultural landscapes

    How to Apply

    Projects must be sent by mail to UNESCO Bangkok and postmarked no later than 31 May 2025. Winners will be announced in November 2025.

    Submission requirements

    Applicants must complete the entry form online and submit a project dossier, including:

    • A detailed project description in the official format.
    • Supporting documentation, such as architectural drawings and high-quality photographs.

    For submission details and application forms: click here

    Awards

    In 2024, eight projects from five countries received awards, including:

    • Award of Excellence – Inari-yu Bathhouse Restoration Project (Tokyo, Japan)
    • Award of Distinction – Gunan Street Historic Block Conservation Project (Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China) with Special Recognition for Sustainable Development; Abathsahayeshwarar Temple Conservation Project (Thukkatchi, Tamil Nadu, India)
    • Award of Merit – Guanyin Hall Teahouse Conservation Project (Sichuan Province, China); Helou Pavilion Conservation Project (Shanghai, China) with Special Recognition for Sustainable Development; BJPCI Conservation Project (Mumbai, India); Observatory Tower Conservation Project (Christchurch, New Zealand)
    • Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts – Rabindhorn Building (Bangkok, Thailand)

    For more details on previous award recipients: UNESCO Heritage Awards Winners

    Supporting Partnership

    Since 2021, the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation (NTFCF) has supported the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. This partnership advances transformative heritage practices across the region through diverse activities that amplify the Awards’ impact.

    Contact Information

    For project submissions:

    Culture Unit
    UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok
    Email: heritageawards@unesco.org

    For media inquiries:

    Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) Team
    UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok
    Email: cpe@unesco.org

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s trade-in campaign for consumer goods in full swing during Spring Festival holiday

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

    China’s trade-in campaign for consumer goods in full swing during Spring Festival holiday

    BEIJING, Feb. 10 — Chinese consumers made the most of the country’s trade-in campaign, which covers goods such as mobile phones, home appliances and automobiles, during the recent Spring Festival holiday, with mobile phone sales surging by 182 percent year on year, official data showed on Monday.

    The trade-in sales volume of automobiles, home appliances, furniture and digital products reached 8.6 million units during the holiday from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, with total sales exceeding 31 billion yuan (about 4.32 billion U.S. dollars), according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

    During the Spring Festival period, provincial-level regions such as Beijing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Henan, Hubei and Guangdong all achieved trade-in sales exceeding 1.5 billion yuan, placing them among the top performers nationwide.

    China started to offer subsidies for electronic products trade-in from Jan. 20 as the country expanded the scope of consumer goods trade-in program to further boost consumption, which provides consumers with up to 500 yuan a piece on the purchase of digital products.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ilchester Estate pays nearly £28,000 for over abstracting water

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Environment Agency used powers to impose a Variable Monetary Penalty after the estate took more water from the Dorset Frome than it was licensed to do.

    Ilchester Estate has a licence to abstract water from a spring on the headwaters of the Dorset Frome chalk stream

    Ilchester Estate, located in Dorset, has a licence to abstract water from a spring on the headwaters of the chalk stream Dorset Frome at Evershot. The water is used to supply houses, offices, gardens and farms that go to make up the Ilchester Estate. The current annual charge invoiced by the Environment Agency under its charges scheme for the abstraction licence is £120. The estate then sets its own charges for supplying the abstracted water to businesses and residents on the estate.  

    Enough excess water to fill 3 Olympic swimming pools taken

    The licence allows the estate to abstract up to 66.6 cubic metres of water a day, but following an investigation by the Environment Agency, it was found that between December 2022 and July 2023 the authorised licence limit had been exceeded by a total of nearly 7,500 cubic metres – around three Olympic size swimming pools worth of water. Between December 2022 and January 2023 Wessex was officially in a drought.   

    Now the estate has paid a variable monetary penalty (VMP) of £19,777.69, plus costs of £8,298.60, to the Environment Agency. The penalty came after the agency had previously warned the estate to stop over abstracting water.

    In 2018 the estate was advised by the Environment Agency of how an increase to their permitted abstraction levels could be applied for. Instead, the estate said steps would be taken to reduce the amount of water being taken, but amounts abstracted continued to be above the permitted level each year through to 2023.  

    Conditions ‘flouted’ during drought

    Carolyn Lane, senior environment officer for the Environment Agency, said:

    Chalk streams are stunningly beautiful, but ecologically sensitive, watercourses. Where companies or individuals hold licences to take water from them, they cannot ignore the conditions attached and take as much water as they like. 

    In this case, the Ilchester Estate not only deliberately flouted the conditions, they did so during a drought, when it is likely that damage will have been done to the river and the surrounding environment it supports.

    The headwater reaches of the Dorset Frome have been endorsed as a Flagship Chalk Stream catchment by Wessex Water. It is one of only 200 chalk streams in the world, of which 85 per cent are in the UK. The streams contain mineral-rich pure water and are havens for wildlife. 

    Background

    To operate other than in accordance with a licence is an offence; Ilchester Estates has committed a relevant offence; namely breach of s.24 Water Resources Act 1991. 

    Variable Monetary Penalties (VMPs) are a civil sanction, brought in under the provisions of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 and Environmental Civil Sanctions (England) Order 2010. 

    The Environment Agency may use a VMP when there is evidence of negligence or mismanagement; when there is an environmental impact; to remove an identifiable financial gain or saving as a result of the breach; or where prosecution is not necessary or can be avoided to get the most appropriate outcome, in accordance with our Enforcement and Sanctions Policy. 

    VMPs were initially capped at £250,000 for each offence, but the cap was removed for offences committed on or after 1 December 2023.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has approved a mechanism for issuing treasury infrastructure loans until 2030

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The decision was made on the instructions of the President.

    Document

    Resolution of January 25, 2025 No. 48

    Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a resolution approving the rules for providing treasury loans for the implementation of infrastructure projects until 2030. Regions will be able to receive them for a period of up to 15 years at 3% per annum.

    Loans will be provided on a priority basis for infrastructure projects in the housing and utilities sector, as well as for the purchase of public transport, the creation of transport, engineering, energy and tourism infrastructure facilities, infrastructure facilities of industrial parks and industrial technology parks, special economic zones, territories of advanced development, innovative scientific and technological centers and other purposes. The projects will be approved by the Presidium of the Government Commission for Regional Development.

    “We need to carefully select projects taking into account feedback from citizens,” Mikhail Mishustin emphasized atmeeting with deputy prime ministers on February 10.

    Treasury infrastructure loans will be provided within the framework of the new national project “Infrastructure for Life” and will be a continuation of infrastructure budget loans – the most capital-intensive instrument of the Government’s socio-economic initiative “Infrastructure Menu”.

    The President instructed the Government to ensure the provision of budget loans to regions in 2025–2030 for the implementation of infrastructure projects following the Address to the Federal Assembly in 2024.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Move Digital Leads AI Revolution in 2025, Expands High-Level Consulting for Family Offices Worldwide

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAHE, SEYCHELLES, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Move Digital, under the leadership of CEO Kristof Schöffling, is setting a groundbreaking trajectory for 2025, transitioning from an AI-first company to a premier consulting powerhouse for major family offices across Monaco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Bangkok, and other global financial hubs. This strategic shift positions Move Digital as the go-to advisor for high-net-worth individuals and influential organizations seeking cutting-edge AI solutions and investment exposure.

    AI-Powered Transformation Meets Elite Advisory Services

    Move Digital has long been at the forefront of technological innovation, pioneering AI-driven applications that enhance efficiency, accessibility, and user experience. Now, as the AI revolution accelerates, the company is expanding its impact beyond software—providing strategic counsel to family offices, corporations, and private investors looking to harness AI for competitive advantage.

    Schöffling’s approach is clear: AI is not just a trend; it is an economic force that, when applied correctly, redefines industries. Move Digital is uniquely positioned to advise on AI’s integration into business operations, offering solutions that improve efficiency, optimize workflows, and create long-term value.

    “Artificial intelligence is no longer a niche for tech firms—it’s a transformative asset for global investors and enterprises. Move Digital is committed to bridging the gap between AI innovation and strategic investment, ensuring that businesses and high-net-worth individuals worldwide gain real exposure to its potential,” Schöffling stated.

    Monaco: A Hub for AI Innovation and Strategic Investment

    A major focus of Move Digital’s consulting division is Monaco—a global center for wealth management and economic innovation. The firm collaborates closely with leading family offices in the principality, guiding them on AI adoption, investment strategies, and the integration of smart AI solutions into corporate infrastructures.

    Through direct engagements with high-net-worth individuals and wealth managers, Move Digital provides tailored insights into the evolving AI landscape, helping stakeholders identify lucrative opportunities and future-proof their portfolios.

    Beyond Monaco, the firm’s advisory reach extends across Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Bangkok, and other financial capitals, ensuring its clients stay ahead in the rapidly advancing AI ecosystem. Move Digital’s expertise spans AI-powered automation, investment allocation strategies, and enterprise-level AI deployments, enabling organizations to leverage intelligent systems for maximum efficiency.

    Expanding AI’s Role in Global Business and Investment

    Move Digital’s shift into high-end consulting aligns with the increasing demand for AI-focused expertise among family offices, institutional investors, and multinational corporations. The firm’s deep understanding of both AI development and its real-world applications allows it to offer exclusive insights into AI-driven wealth strategies, operational efficiencies, and next-gen technology adoption.

    As businesses and investors seek to navigate the complex AI landscape, Move Digital stands as a trusted partner—delivering tailored solutions that transform industries and secure long-term technological and financial advantages.

    About Kristof Schöffling

    Kristof Schöffling is a serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in emerging technologies. His leadership at Move Digital has established the company as a premier force in AI innovation and high-end consulting, helping businesses and investors capitalize on the future of artificial intelligence.

    About Move Digital

    Move Digital Limited is a global technology and consulting firm specializing in AI applications, strategic AI investment advisory, and smart AI solutions for enterprise efficiency. With operations spanning Monaco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sydney, Bangkok, and other major financial hubs, the company empowers family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and corporations to integrate AI for maximum impact.

    Media Contact

    Brand: Move Digital Limited

    Contact: Kristof Schöffling

    Email: hello@movedigital.io

    Website: https://movedigital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scientists in Scotland develop new method to understand wildfires past and present Scientists in Scotland have developed a new method to understand the heat and intensity of fires that burned out millions of years ago, which could unlock our understanding of wildfires during past and present periods of climate change.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    California WildfireScientists in Scotland have developed a new method to understand the heat and intensity of fires that burned out millions of years ago, which could unlock our understanding of wildfires during past and present periods of climate change.
    Scientists in Scotland have developed a new method to understand the heat and intensity of fires that burned out millions of years ago, which could unlock our understanding of wildfires during past and present periods of climate change.
    Developed by geoscientists at the university of Aberdeen – Dr Thomas Theurer, Dr Dmitri Mauquoy, Professor. David Muirhead, Dr Clemens von Scheffer, and Daniel Coathup – and fire engineers at the university of Edinburgh – Professor Rory Hadden, Dr Zakary Campbell-Lochrie, and Sergio Vargas Córdoba – the new technique to analyse charcoal can be applied to understand the behaviour of any wildfire, from the present day all the way back to the first evidence of wildfire 420 million years ago.
    They published their findings in the Nature journal Scientific Reports.
    The increase in wildfire activity is a major global concern, especially for vulnerable wetland ecosystems that play a key role in storing carbon and fighting climate change.
    Last month’s devastating wildfires in California, which destroyed or damaged more than 18,000 homes and structures, brought to global attention how the size of the areas affected by wildfires is growing, individual fires have increased in intensity and the fire season has extended.
    The recently published Forest Fires 2023 report, says this shows ‘the undeniable effects of climate change’.
    In addition to the devastation caused by fires which spread rapidly across forests and moorlands, so called ‘zombie fires’ also burn in peatland, smouldering deep in the soil, and can release 100 times the carbon that a wildfire does
    Wildfires have occurred throughout geological history, including during periods of extreme climate change.

    As charcoal can persist within rocks for hundreds of millions of years, this method can be applied to understand the behaviour of any wildfire, from the present day all the way back to the first evidence of wildfire 420 million years ag” Dr Thomas Theurer

    In creating a method to measure historical events, scientists applied state-of-the art analyses using a laser, called Raman spectroscopy, to charcoals created during experiments at the University of Edinburgh Rushbrook Fire Laboratory simulating wildfire.
    It is the first calculation of wildfire energy release measured from charcoal chemistry, the team say, that can be applied to complex, natural fuel mixes and wildfire reconstructions of any age.
    Dr Thomas Theurer, a research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen, said: “As geoscientists, we can study simultaneous changes in ancient plant communities, climate, and fire that are often preserved in rock, and begin to understand the drivers of intense fire activity in the past, and how this modifies ecosystems.
    “As charcoal can persist within rocks for hundreds of millions of years, this method can be applied to understand the behaviour of any wildfire, from the present day all the way back to the first evidence of wildfire 420 million years ago.”
    Dr Dmitri Mauquoy, Senior Lecturer in Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen added: “Current methods to estimate ancient fire temperatures, called ‘geothermometry’, study specific changes in charcoal chemistry that result from the temperatures experienced during a wildfire event. However, energy release and transfer in wildfires is a complex process that cannot be understood through temperature measurements alone. Therefore, these methods may not be as accurate or useful in understanding ancient fire behaviour as previously thought.
    “The method we have developed allows us to quantify the energy release from wildfires using charcoal remains – the first and only method of its kind that is non-destructive and universal to complex, natural mixes of vegetation as fuel.”
    Understanding modern wildfire activity and how it may change with escalating climate change is complicated by the modification of environments by humans throughout history – such as forestry, agriculture, and fire suppression.
    “By applying this new method, we are able to get insights into how past fire activity has changed with climate change, independent of human interference, in a way that allows comparison to modern wildfire activity,” said Professor Rory Hadden, Personal Chair of Fire Science at the University of Edinburgh.  
    “This allows us insights we can use to assess and contextualise predictions of future fire activity, and how they may impact global ecosystems and populations.“As charcoal is a commonplace by-product of fire, it is exciting to think how this method might be applied to other areas of study, such as archaeology, forensic fire investigations, and fire safety science more broadly.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: JLT Mobile Computers wins major order worth SEK 22M to leading American company in the food production industry

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Växjö, Sweden, January 10 2025 * * * JLT Mobile Computers, a leading supplier of rugged computers for demanding environments, today announces that its American subsidiary has won an order for a leading food producer in the US. The order includes JLT’s logistics computers JLT1214N at a total value of SEK 22M, plus 1-year service level agreements. The units are scheduled for delivery during the first half of this year.

    The company has been a JLT customer for many years. The reliability, dependability and performance of the JLT1214N computers have been consistently demonstrated over long periods of time. Their renewed choice of JLT for their rugged computer solution is a testament to their trust in the high-quality products and service from JLT.

    To learn more about JLT Mobile Computers and the company’s products, services and solutions, visit jltmobile.com. Additional financial information is available online on JLT’s investor pages.

    This information is information that JLT Mobile Computers AB (pub) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out below at 09:30 pm CET on Monday, January 10, 2025.

    About JLT Mobile Computers

    JLT Mobile Computers is a leading supplier of rugged mobile computing devices and solutions for demanding environments. 30 years of development and manufacturing experience have enabled JLT to set the standard in rugged computing, combining outstanding product quality with expert service, support and solutions to ensure trouble-free business operations for customers in warehousing, transportation, manufacturing, mining, ports and agriculture. JLT operates globally from offices in Sweden, France, and the US, complemented by an extensive network of sales partners in local markets. The company was founded in 1994, and the share has been listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market stock exchange since 2002 under the symbol JLT. Eminova Fondkommission AB acts as Certified Adviser. Learn more at jltmobile.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AI and satellites speed up planning approvals by tracking wild habitats across England

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    New records reveal the government is utilising AI and technology to enhance public services, including streamlining MOT inspections and speeding up planning with satellite habitat mapping.

    How AI is improving public services and new AI Playbook will drive public sector use.

    • New records reveal how government is using AI and tech to deliver for the public – including by streamlining MOT garage inspections and using satellite habitat mapping to speed up planning
    • Comes alongside practical tips to help public sector build tech to speed up decision making and transform services for working people – delivering the Plan for Change
    • Guidance shares top tips from development of GOV.UK Chat and other advanced tech on using safeguards to ensure the tech works in the public’s interest

    AI and satellite images are being used to predict how natural habitats are changing across the country, so more current data can be used to accelerate planning proposals and stop NIMBYism getting in the way of growth and the Plan for Change. 

    Satellite images and machine learning – a type of AI – are being used by Natural England to build a detailed map of “Living England”, showing the current extent of habitats across the country. Rather than the manual surveys of the past, changes to English habitats will now be tracked more efficiently and across the country – speeding up decisions around planning and land use while better protecting nature. 

    Details of the project are being released today alongside 13 other examples of how AI and algorithmic tools are used to speed up decision making and improve public services – spanning examples including how AI is being used to better predict the weather and keep standards high at MOT testing centres.

    A new AI Playbook, published today, gives public sector technical experts top tips and guiding principles on how to replicate this work and build AI to help their organisations fix services for citizens – ultimately delivering on the government’s ambition to transform public services with AI.

    Civil servants are guided on how to buy and manage the development of AI technology in their departments and encouraged to work with AI companies closely so the technology can be put to work more quickly. 

    Today’s announcement comes as world leaders gather for the AI Action Summit in Paris, and follow’s the publication of the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has put the UK on course to revolutionise public services and become an AI superpower – already attracting over £14 billion in investment since launching just last month.  

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: 

    Every corner of the public sector can be using technology to save money, speed things up, and crucially, improve public services for people across the UK, driving our Plan for Change forward. 

    The publication of our AI Playbook today comes with a call to arms for tech specialists across the public sector – use the guidance we are sharing to put AI to work in your organisations at whiplash speed, so we can repair our broken public services together.

    Natural England’s Chief Scientist, Professor Sallie Bailey said:

    Nature restoration, development and economic growth are not opposing forces – they can and must work together to create a sustainable future for both people and wildlife.

    Our Living England project is harnessing the power of AI to inform and support planning decisions far more efficiently. This means we can make the biggest impact for Nature recovery, while helping to deliver the new homes and infrastructure the country needs.

    The AI Playbook, published by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, outlines ten principles civil servants building AI should follow, making sure they: 

    • Have meaningful human control at the right stages, so any decisions recommended by technology can be monitored properly, and changed rapidly if needed. 

    • Choose the right tool for the right job and avoid using AI where more basic technology can fulfil the same task. 

    • Work with teams responsible for buying technology right from the start, to make sure agreements struck with private sector companies can be utilised to maximum potential in this rapidly evolving market. 

    The Playbook also insists that public servants working with AI do so openly and collaboratively, making sure the public know how technology is being used and allowing other public sector organisations to benefit from work that has already taken place.  

    Other records being released today detail how the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) uses AI to prioritise which of the 23,000 active MOT testing garages should receive an inspection next. 

    Producing a traffic light rating for every garage, the AI tool takes in data from MOT tests to spot anomalies and identify which garages should be checked first, so inspectors can confirm they are working to crucial safety standards. Previously, inspections were based only on the amount of time that had passed since the last check. 

    Today’s release follows the Technology Secretary publishing the blueprint for a modern digital government, setting out how his department will use AI and technology to help the public sector improve their services and target £45 billion in potential efficiency savings every year. This is as well as announcing a bundle of tools to be known as “Humphrey” and set to be made available to all civil servants soon.  

    Among other things, the tools will help civil servants assess responses to consultations, take minutes at meetings and analyse decades of debate from the Houses of Parliament. 

    Notes to editors

    Find the AI Playbook here.

    The full list of Algorithmic Transparency Records being published today is as follows. 

    Met Office (DSIT)

    Weather and climate forecasting: A combination of multiple different algorithmic tools used to produce weather forecasts.

    Natural England (Defra)

    Living England map: Habitat mapping for the whole of England using satellite imagery, targeted field survey and machine learning.

    DVSA (DfT)

    MOT Risk Rating: An algorithmic to identify potential non-compliance in MOT testing, and prioritise visits to MOT garages.

    Wilton Park

    Data Cleaning Tool: Enables compliance with The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by identifying and automatically cleaning personal data from the Wilton Park customer database.

    OSCB (DBT)

    Interest Calculator: Assists small business owners to calculate the amount of interest due on an overdue invoice.

    National Highways (DfT)

    Highways webchat: provides customers with an additional communication channel to get immediate answers to their questions using publicly available information (such as traffic information).

    The search engine for GOV.UK. It enables users to search for information and services on GOV.UK by entering a search query to view results that are relevant to their query.

    NHS Business Services Authority (DHSC)

    Residency Checker for EHIC/GHIC/PRC: A process to support confirmation of UK residency for entitlement to healthcare in an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.

    Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

    Employment and Support Allowance Online Medical Matching: A tool which helps Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) officials process claims more quickly.

    Money and Pensions Service (MaPs)

    Budget Planner: A free online tool that helps users track and categorize their spending, provides a detailed breakdown of their finances, and offers personalized tips to improve their money management.

    Money and Pensions Service (MaPs)

    Redundancy Pay Calculator: Online tool designed to help individuals who have been or are at risk of being made redundant understand their legal rights, calculate their potential redundancy pay, assess their financial situation, and explore available benefits and support.

    Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

    The Effective Proposal Framework: Used by Probation Practitioners at pre-sentence stage and as part of pre-release planning to identify requirements, licence conditions and interventions for individuals based on their risk and need profile.

    Health Research Authority (DHSC)

    Proportionate Review Toolkit: A toolkit to help Research Ethics Committee applicants determine whether their project would be eligible for proportionate review.

    His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

    Logo Detection and Classification Toolkit: A tool to detect unauthorised uses of HMRC’s logo.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Job opportunities up for grabs in new year

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

    China is experiencing a surge in job fairs following the Spring Festival holiday, aimed at helping urban and rural workers and college graduates secure employment.

    On Wednesday, a large-scale recruitment event was held in the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone in Henan province. BYD, a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, announced plans to hire 20,000 workers in a single recruitment drive, drawing a massive crowd of applicants. BYD’s Zhengzhou base is offering various positions with salaries ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 yuan ($686 to $1,234) per month.

    “Our company is part of the manufacturing sector, and those who join us will gain exposure to automotive manufacturing equipment, processes and skill standards. We also hope to contribute to Henan’s development,” said a manager at Zhengzhou BYD Auto Co who requested anonymity.

    Wei Wei, head of the talent service center at the personnel department of the Party working committee in the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, said: “This job fair not only ensures the resumption of work and production for enterprises, but also provides more opportunities for job seekers. It plays a role in boosting the local economy.”

    On Thursday, in Jingzhou, Hubei province, 150 companies offered nearly 5,000 positions at the first job fair after Spring Festival. The available jobs spanned various fields, including services and commerce.

    “I’m not planning to look for work elsewhere this year; I want to see if there are suitable jobs available locally,” said Yao, a job seeker who gave only his surname.

    After reviewing the job requirements and benefits from a local biotechnology company, he learned that the salary could exceed 5,000 yuan per month, which he said was “very attractive”.

    Jingzhou has organized over 200 job fairs, with an estimated 400 expected by March.

    Many migrant workers are considering returning to their hometowns for employment this year.

    On Wednesday, at a job fair in Hanchuan, Hubei, job seeker Li Xiaolin said: “I had moved to Guangdong province and was looking for a job as an electrician. However, I visited several companies at the fair and found promising opportunities here. If I find a suitable position, I might stay and work in Hanchuan.”

    On the first day of job fair activities in Hanchuan, approximately 8,600 people attended, with livestream viewers reaching 55,000.

    During Spring Festival, Jiangxi province also hosted numerous large-scale job fairs, both online and in person. One of them, held in Gao’an city, was a three-day fair aimed at assisting key groups such as college graduates and retired military personnel in finding employment or starting businesses.

    At the Gao’an fair, more than 100 companies offered over 6,000 job positions, and more than 1,200 people expressed interest in employment on-site. The Gao’an city employment and entrepreneurship service center said it will continue post-holiday employment support efforts, matching job seekers with companies and providing online and offline job services to guide local workers to opportunities and attract migrant workers to return to the city.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Rescuers make all-out efforts to find survivors after landslide in SW China

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

    Rescuers make all-out efforts to find survivors after landslide in SW China

    Updated: February 10, 2025 14:35 Xinhua
    Rescuers search for missing people in Junlian County in the city of Yibin, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. Rescuers are making all-out efforts to find survivors after a landslide in southwest China’s Sichuan Province left one dead, 28 missing and two injured. The landslide also buried 10 residential houses and a production building. The landslide occurred at about 11:50 a.m. on Saturday in Jinping Village, which is located in Junlian County in the city of Yibin. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Rescuers head for the rescue site of a landslide in Junlian County in the city of Yibin, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 9, 2025 shows the rescue site of a landslide in Junlian County in the city of Yibin, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A rescuer uses a drone to illuminate the rescue site in Junlian County in the city of Yibin, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –