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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Norwich secures £750,000 funding boost to empower local communities

    Source: City of Norwich

    A major funding boost is coming to Norwich, with £750,000 set to strengthen community initiatives, improve housing stability, and enhance street cleanliness across the city.

    Awarded by Norwich City Council through central government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), this funding builds on the success of the £1.6 million already allocated between 2022 and 2025. The new funding will support fourteen carefully selected projects that align with the government’s latest UKSPF priorities: strengthening communities and places, supporting local businesses, and enhancing people’s skills.

    Extending successful community-led projects

    Two established projects will receive extended funding to continue their impactful work:

    • Brighter Futures (run by Future Projects): Having already helped 105 unemployed individuals into work, training, or volunteering, this programme will now expand its reach to support even more people facing employment barriers.

    Daniel Childerhouse chief executive of Future Projects, said:

    “We’re absolutely thrilled to continue this work, offering flexible, creative support where it’s needed most—and changing lives in the process.”

    • MENTA (in collaboration with FUSE): Offering essential start-up advice, training, and mentoring for businesses, social enterprises, and entrepreneurs, this initiative has already equipped over 250 individuals and start-ups with crucial skills to launch and grow their ventures.

    Willow Farrell, chief executive of FUSE, said:“We are delighted to be working with FUSE and to see the extension of UKSPF funding for enterprise support within Norwich. This vital investment ensures that new, emerging, and existing microbusinesses—alongside those exploring social enterprise—continue to receive the guidance and resources they need to thrive.”

    Supporting a diverse range of community initiatives

    The funding will also boost several other key initiatives, including:

    • BITC (Business in the Community): Business Encounter Schools in East Earlham, working with education providers to bridge the gap between business and education and enhance social mobility.
    • INTERACT: A multi-agency intervention supporting those at risk of falls.
    • Clean streets: Additional resources dedicated to improving the cleanliness of the city and its neighbourhoods.
    • Community safety: Increased capacity to tackle anti-social behaviour and respond to safety concerns.
    • Homelessness prevention: Early intervention, tenancy support, and mediation services to reduce the risk of homelessness.
    • Let NCC: Incentives designed to increase the availability of affordable rental properties in Norwich.
    • Housing estate enhancements: Improvements to estates to support ongoing clean street initiatives.
    • Reducing inequality: Strengthening neighbourhood networks in target areas to foster a more inclusive community.
    • NoW: Project management support to streamline services, making it easier for residents to access the help they need.

    A track record of success

    Previous rounds of UKSPF funding have already delivered significant community benefits across Norwich, from upgrading public spaces and facilities to supporting local engagement. Alongside training and skills programmes, the fund has helped deliver community-led improvements, refurbished public buildings, and established a popular skill-sharing hub in Mile Cross.

    Initiatives such as the Love Norwich grants have contributed to the creation of new community gardens and murals, while increased support for events, volunteering, and social enterprises has strengthened local participation. Neighbourhood cleanliness efforts have also led to improved waste management and enforcement.

    A Fairer Norwich for all

    Davina Howes, Norwich City Council’s executive director overseeing communities, welcomed the additional funding, stating: “Norwich is home to many fantastic community groups and initiatives, and we are proud to support them as part of our commitment to A Fairer Norwich.

    “The additional UKSPF funding is a testament to the achievements of these projects, which continue to make a real difference in our city.

    “Investing in these projects will enable us to further support our residents, improve quality of life, and foster a stronger, more vibrant Norwich.”

    The funding proposals will be presented to Norwich City Council’s cabinet for approval on Wednesday, 2 April.

    Achievements to date:

    Since its inception, the UKSPF has enabled Norwich City Council to deliver a broad range of impactful initiatives:

    1. Love Norwich grants: 39 grants awarded for community-led improvements to public outdoor spaces, including community gardens, wildflower areas, murals, and park improvements.
    2. Community building improvements: 60 small capital grants for upgrades to public buildings, enhancing facilities and energy efficiency.
    3. New Community facility: A skill-sharing hub, 185, opened in Mile Cross, offering activities focused on creativity and wellbeing, with 4,000 visitors since September 2023.
    4. Green Hearts in Mile Cross: Partnership creating seven new community gardens, improving biodiversity, reducing fly-tipping, and fostering community action.
    5. Community insights: Insights from community connectors have informed various initiatives, including employment support and age-friendly city work.
    6. Community action: 131 events held and 35 people supported into regular volunteering.
    7. Support for social enterprises: Workshops and one-to-one support delivered by FUSE, bringing an additional £137k into the city’s social enterprises.
    8. Business support: Startup and growth support provided to 189 businesses and 74 entrepreneurs.
    9. Employment support: 21 long-term unemployed individuals helped into employment, with 66 receiving training or volunteering support through the Brighter Futures project.
    10. Neighbourhood cleanliness: Improved 52 communal bin facilities and piloted CCTV enforcement to reduce fly-tipping, with 57 new street bins being installed.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Foreign aid cuts could mean 10 million more HIV infections by 2030 – and almost 3 million extra deaths

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Rowan Martin-Hughes, Senior Research Fellow, Burnet Institute

    CI Photos/Shutterstock

    In January, the Trump administration ordered a broad pause on all US funding for foreign aid.

    Among other issues, this has significant effects on US funding for HIV. The United States has been the world’s biggest donor to international HIV assistance, providing 73% of funding in 2023.

    A large part of this is the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which oversees programs in low- and middle-income countries to prevent, diagnose and treat the virus. These programs have been significantly disrupted.

    What’s more, recent funding cuts for international HIV assistance go beyond the US. Five countries that provide the largest amount of foreign aid for HIV – the US, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands – have announced cuts of between 8% and 70% to international aid in 2025 and 2026.

    Together, this may mean a 24% reduction in international HIV spending, in addition to the US foreign aid pause.

    We wanted to know how these cuts might affect HIV infections and deaths in the years to come. In a new study, we found the worst-case scenario could see more than 10 million extra infections than what we’d otherwise anticipate in the next five years, and almost 3 million additional deaths.

    What is HIV?

    HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. HIV can be transmitted at birth, during unprotected sex or thorough blood-to-blood contact such as shared needles.

    If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a condition in which the immune system is severely damaged, and which can be fatal.

    HIV was the world’s deadliest infectious disease in the early 1990s. There’s still no cure for HIV, but modern treatments allow the virus to be suppressed with a daily pill. People with HIV who continue treatment can live without symptoms and don’t risk infecting others.

    A sustained global effort towards awareness, prevention, testing and treatment has reduced annual new HIV infections by 39% (from 2.1 million in 2010 to 1.3 million in 2023), and annual deaths by 51% (from 1.3 million to 630,000).

    Most of that drop happened in sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic was worst. Today, nearly two-thirds of people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, and nearly all live in low- and middle-income countries.

    HIV can be diagnosed with a simple blood test.
    MaryBeth Semosky/Shutterstock

    Our study

    We wanted to estimate the impact of recent funding cuts from the US, UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands on HIV infections and deaths. To do this, we used our mathematical model for 26 low- and middle-income countries. The model includes data on international HIV spending as well as data on HIV cases and deaths.

    These 26 countries represent roughly half of all people living with HIV in low- and middle income countries, and half of international HIV spending. We set up each country model in collaboration with national HIV/AIDS teams, so the data sources reflected the best available local knowledge. We then extrapolated our findings from the 26 countries we modelled to all low- and middle-income countries.

    For each country, we first projected the number of new HIV infections and deaths that would occur if HIV spending stayed the same.

    Second, we modelled scenarios for anticipated cuts based on a 24% reduction in international HIV funding for each country.

    Finally, we modelled scenarios for the possible immediate discontinuation of PEPFAR in addition to other anticipated cuts.

    With the 24% cuts and PEPFAR discontinued, we estimated there could be 4.43 million to 10.75 million additional HIV infections between 2025 and 2030, and 770,000 to 2.93 million extra HIV-related deaths. Most of these would be because of cuts to treatment. For children, there could be up to an additional 882,400 infections and 119,000 deaths.

    In the more optimistic scenario in which PEPFAR continues but 24% is still cut from international HIV funding, we estimated there could be 70,000 to 1.73 million extra new HIV infections and 5,000 to 61,000 additional deaths between 2025 and 2030. This would still be 50% higher than if current spending were to continue.

    The wide range in our estimates reflects low- and middle-income countries committing to far more domestic funding for HIV in the best case, or broader health system dysfunction and a sustained gap in funding for HIV treatment in the worst case.

    Some funding for HIV treatment may be saved by taking that money from HIV prevention efforts, but this would have other consequences.

    The range also reflects limitations in the available data, and uncertainty within our analysis. But most of our assumptions were cautious, so these results likely underestimate the true impacts of funding cuts to HIV programs globally.

    Sending progress backwards

    If funding cuts continue, the world could face higher rates of annual new HIV infections by 2030 (up to 3.4 million) than at the peak of the global epidemic in 1995 (3.3 million).

    Sub-Saharan Africa will experience by far the greatest effects due to the high proportion of HIV treatment that has relied on international funding.

    In other regions, we estimate vulnerable groups such as people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and trans and gender diverse people may experience increases in new HIV infections that are 1.3 to 6 times greater than the general population.

    The Asia-Pacific received US$591 million in international funding for HIV in 2023, which is the second highest after sub-Saharan Africa. So this region would likely experience a substantial rise in HIV as a result of anticipated funding cuts.

    Notably, more than 10% of new HIV infections among people born in Australia are estimated to have been acquired overseas. More HIV in the region is likely to mean more HIV in Australia.

    But concern is greatest for countries that are most acutely affected by HIV and AIDS, many of which will be most affected by international funding cuts.

    Rowan Martin-Hughes receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. He has previously received funding to conduct HIV modelling studies from the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Health Organization.

    Debra ten Brink has previously received funding to conduct HIV modelling studies from the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Health Organization.

    Nick Scott receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. He has previously received funding to conduct HIV modelling studies from the Australian government Department of Health and Aged Care, Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, World Bank and World Health Organization.

    – ref. Foreign aid cuts could mean 10 million more HIV infections by 2030 – and almost 3 million extra deaths – https://theconversation.com/foreign-aid-cuts-could-mean-10-million-more-hiv-infections-by-2030-and-almost-3-million-extra-deaths-253017

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: First year of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how autocracies are replicating Russian model − and speeding up the time frame

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Anastasiya Zavyalova, Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Rice University

    Demonstrators protest the foreign influence law in front of the Georgian Parliament building on May 28, 2024. Nicolo Vincenzo Malvestuto/Getty Images

    Autocracy is on the move worldwide and becoming more resilient.

    One of the driving forces behind this phenomenon is something scholars call “authoritarian learning,” a process by which autocratic leaders study each other and adapt tactics based on what appears to work, and how to proceed when they encounter resistance.

    Take Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party has steered the Caucasus nation from a path toward democracy back to autocracy – and it has done so by learning from Russia. In particular, it adopted a “foreign agent” law in May 2024 – legislation that came straight from Vladimir Putin’s playbook.

    Sold to the public as increasing transparency, the legislation has been utilized to persecute Georgia’s opposition and arrest dissidents with impunity.

    As researchers examining the structure and effects of autocratic regimes, we view Georgia’s first year of its foreign agent law as an example of how politicians are not only learning the tactics of Russian authoritarianism but improving on them in a shorter time frame.

    Bouncing from Europe to Russia

    Georgia’s current ruling party came to power after then-President Mikheil Saakashvili enacted a major series of reforms in the 2000s. Saakashvili, who was jailed in 2021 under highly contested charges, inherited a Georgia seen as a failing and corrupt state tethered to Russia.

    The reform-minded politicians of Saakashvili’s government set the country on a pro-Western path. But after Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008, a socially conservative coalition under the banner Georgian Dream won the parliamentary elections in 2012.

    Georgian Dream was buoyed by the fortune of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, a Russian citizen until 2011. The party capitalized on the public’s fatigue after a decade of Saakashvili’s necessary but intense reforms. The new coalition married a promise for continuing the pro-Western reforms, but with a more traditional, conservative approach to social issues.

    This appeal to traditional Georgian values won support in rural communities and carried the coalition to an absolute majority in Parliament in 2016. Since then, Georgian Dream has adopted pro-Russian rhetoric, accusing a “global war party” of running the West. Increasing attacks on the European Union, in particular, have been a part of a broader strategy to bring Georgia back into Russia’s orbit.

    The Georgian Dream progression in power has mirrored that of Putin in Russia. In 2012, Putin signed a “foreign agents” law that originally targeted NGOs receiving foreign funding and alleged to be engaged in political activity.

    The Kremlin equated this law to the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, in the United States, and justified it as a means to increase transparency around foreign involvement in Russia’s internal affairs.

    Unlike FARA, however, Russia’s version of the law neither required establishing a connection between foreign funding and political activity nor provided a clear definition of political activity.

    This vagueness allowed for a wide range of NGOs deemed undesirable by the Kremlin to be labeled as “foreign agents.” The result was the suppression of NGO activities through financial, administrative and legal burdens that led to their liquidation or departure from the country.

    Over the years, this law has reduced Russian civil society’s ability to independently voice and address issues that its population faces.

    Yearlong slide into autocracy

    Georgian Dream passed a very similar foreign agent law on May 28, 2024, after overcoming a presidential veto. It forced NGOs receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register with the Ministry of Justice as “serving the interests of a foreign power.”

    Activists opposing the law have been physically assaulted, and the law has been utilized against what the ruling party has described as “LGBT propaganda.”

    The law fits a wider political landscape in which the ruling party has moved to restrict freedom of the press, prosecuted political opponents and postponed Georgia’s European Union candidate status despite the overwhelming majority of Georgians being pro-EU.

    Protestors take part in a pro-European rally in Warsaw, Poland, on April 30, 2024.
    Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Improving on Russian authoritarians

    Three critical factors played a role in allowing for the foreign agent law in Russia to expand its reach: the power imbalance between the Russian government and NGOs, limited action by international authorities, and delayed media attention to the issue.

    At the time the law was passed, civil society inside Russia itself was split. Some foresaw the dangers of the law and engaged in collective action to oppose it, while others chose to wait and see.

    As it happened, the law and the accompanying repressive apparatus spread to a broader range of targets. In 2015, Putin signed a law that designated an “undesirable” status to foreign organizations “on national security grounds”; in 2017, an amendment expanded the targets of the law from NGOs to mass media outlets; and at the end of 2019, the law allowed the classification of individuals and unregistered public associations – that is, groups of individuals – as mass media acting as foreign agents. By July 2022, the foreign funding criterion was excluded and a status of a foreign agent could be designated to anyone whom the Russian authorities deemed to be “under foreign influence.”

    Russia’s experience highlights the process of early stages of authoritarian consolidation, when state power quashes independent sources of power, and political groups and citizens either rally around the government or go silent. The foreign agent law in Russia was passed only after the protests that accompanied the 2012 elections, which returned Putin to the presidency for the third term.

    In Georgia, the ruling government borrowed from Russia’s lead – after backing down from its first attempt to pass a foreign agent law in the face of massive protests, it pushed it through before the elections.

    The law was then used to raid NGOs sympathetic to the opposition days before the October 2024 parliamentary election. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said before the elections that in the event of Georgian Dream’s victory, it would look to outlaw the pro-Western opposition, naming them “criminal political forces.”

    In the wake of President Donald Trump’s suspension of USAID assistance in February 2025, Georgian Dream has seized the opportunity to expand its war on civil society, echoing Russian, Chinese and American far-right conspiracy rhetoric that foreign-funded NGOs were fomenting revolution. To combat such phantoms, Georgian Dream has passed new legislation that criminalizes assembly and protest.

    A springboard for repression

    The foreign agent law has been a springboard for repressive activities in both Russia and Georgia, but while it took Russia a decade to effectively use the law to crush any opposition, Georgian Dream is working on an expedited timetable.

    Although the EU has suspended direct assistance and closed off visa-free travel for Georgian officials as a result of the law, Trump’s turn toward pro-Russian policies has made it more difficult to obtain Western consensus in dislodging the Georgian government from its authoritarian drift.

    Georgia’s experience, following the Russian playbook, illustrates how authoritarians are learning from each other, utilizing the rule of law itself against democracy.

    Christopher A. Hartwell has received funding from the Institute for Humane Studies and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

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

    – ref. First year of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how autocracies are replicating Russian model − and speeding up the time frame – https://theconversation.com/first-year-of-georgias-foreign-agent-law-shows-how-autocracies-are-replicating-russian-model-and-speeding-up-the-time-frame-250878

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Myanmar’s civil war: How shifting US-Russia ties could tip balance and hand China a greater role

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Tharaphi Than, Associate Professor of World Cultures and Languages, Northern Illinois University

    Myanmar’s civil war involves a range of different ethnic groups fighting the military. Thierry Falise/LightRocket via Getty Images

    While the United States talked military assistance and minerals with Ukraine, Russia did the same with one of its few remaining allies: Myanmar.

    On March 4, 2025, the commander in chief and leader of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing, visited Russia. It was his fourth official visit since a coup in 2021 saw the military seize power.

    That coup ended a decade-long power-sharing arrangement between the army and the democratically elected government in Myanmar, sparking peaceful protests that soon developed into a nationwide armed resistance known as the Spring Revolution and an ensuing government crackdown.

    The resulting civil war – now into its fourth year – has seen 6,000-plus people killed, 29,000 arrested and more than 3.3 million displaced, according to estimates from the human rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. The conflict pits the country’s military, which has had a stranglehold on Myanmar’s politics for much of the past six decades, against a broad-based opposition that includes ethnic minority groups like the Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, People’s Defense Force and Bamar People’s Liberation Army.

    With seemingly no immediate end to the fighting in sight, all sides are becoming increasingly reliant on foreign suppliers of weapons and fuel.

    And this prompts an important question: Could the shifting policies and alignments of global powers – notably China, Russia and the U.S. – tip the balance of Myanmar’s civil war?

    Russia: Myanmar’s ‘forever friend’

    Throughout the civil war, Myanmar’s generals have turned to Russia for support. Both nations are heavily sanctioned and seen as “pariah states,” so it is, in many ways, a convenient alignment.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Myanmar Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing on March 4, 2025, in Moscow, Russia.
    Getty Images

    In his latest visit to Moscow, Min Aung Hlaing granted Russia rights to extract minerals in Myanmar’s conflict zones and build an oil refinery and a port in the coastal city Dawei.

    Russia has exported oil to Myanmar for many decades. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has been using the Southeast Asian country as a route to transport oil to China in an attempt to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions on energy exports. Myanmar has also agreed to supply skilled workers to Russia in a deal to alleviate the country’s labor shortages.

    This mutual arrangement also extends to defense and security matters. Myanmar and Russia engage in joint naval exercises, and Moscow is a top supplier of weapons to Myanmar’s generals and trains personnel for the military government.

    But any diplomatic benefit from having Russia as a sponsor has been blunted due to Moscow’s loss of international support over the war in Ukraine. Should that change, as the new U.S. administration seems keen on, then it could benefit Myanmar’s military by giving the generals a stronger ally on the international stage.

    As such, warming relations between Russia and the U.S. could be to the detriment of Myanmar’s myriad opposition groups. Already, the Trump administration’s policies mean that the resistance can no longer rely on the same level of support from Washington, and it’s no guarantee that European Union countries – already facing the prospect of withdrawn U.S. support for Ukraine – would step in to fill the gap.

    US pivots away from Myanmar

    Washington has nominally supported the Spring Revolution.

    The U.S. provides shelter to Myanmar dissidents, including exiled leaders of the National Unity Government, or NUG, and has pushed for sanctions against the army.

    But that support has been largely symbolic. The U.S. still has not officially recognized the NUG as the legitimate government of Myanmar – a decision that prevents Washington from releasing US$1 billion held at the Federal Reserve to the democratic representatives. That money could be used both to bolster the resistance and deliver much-needed aid to the country’s people.

    U.S. foreign policy as it evolves under the Trump administration is having further ripples in Myanmar.

    The Trump White House has gutted the U.S. Agency for International Development, the department tasked with funding Myanmar through 2023’s Burma Act, which authorized sanctions on the military, support for those opposing the junta and assistance for Myanmar’s people.

    Services such as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia have been suspended amid the recent U.S. cutbacks. As a result, people in Myanmar have more-limited access to reliable information and, more importantly, fewer media to represent and amplify their voices.

    Whether the U.S. chooses to continue to support the opposition or engage with the military government and endorse Myanmar elections expected for later this year could have wide implications for the future of democracy in the country.

    U.S. President Barack Obama encouraged Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to take part in elections.
    Soe Than Win/AFP via Getty Images

    Myanmar has witnessed such a U.S. reversal before.

    For a long period, Washington supported the opposition’s boycott of elections that guaranteed the power to the military. But in 2009, the U.S. administration under Barack Obama sent a message to the National League for Democracy (NLD), which at the time was under the leadership of now-imprisoned Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, that Washington would recognize the military’s elections as part of a policy of “pragmatic engagement” with the then-ruling junta.

    It forced the recalcitrant NLD to cooperate by entering the 2012 by-elections – the first time it had taken part in elections since 1990.

    Although the NLD won a sweeping victory – and went on to win the 2015 national vote – it meant giving legitimacy to a system rigged in favor of the military, with a quarter of parliamentary seats reserved for officers. Given that 75% approval was needed for any constitutional reform, it meant that the NLD could form a government but could only make decisions with the consent of the still-powerful generals.

    The political situation now is different from 2012. The yearslong resistance has weakened the military significantly. And even if the NUG, which consists of member of the NLD and other political parties, does feel compelled to participate in elections, the various other resistance groups and ethnic armies will likely choose otherwise. Regional autonomy has become a reality as a result of the decentralized nature of the resistance movement; elections will not satisfy the various demands for autonomy.

    Chinese push for stability

    The U.S. administration’s reduction in aid and, potentially, support for Myanmar’s opposition could lead the way to China taking a greater role in shaping the course of the civil war.

    Beijing, like Washington, had traditionally had a close relationship with the opposition NLD. President Xi Jinping visited Myanmar in 2020 and signed a series of infrastructure deals as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

    After the 2021 coup, China initially drew back from supporting Myanmar. But Beijing has since attempted to revive stalled or canceled bilateral projects while supporting reconciliation efforts and positioning itself as a neutral mediator.

    China’s main concern is spillover from the war. For that reason, Beijing became concerned when an alliance of armed ethnic groups launched a major anti-military push in October 2023, fearing the spread of instability across the China-Myanmar border.

    Since the civil war broke out, Chinese investments in Myanmar have stalled. Meanwhile, lawlessness inside Myanmar has led to the growth of mostly Chinese-run online scam centers – victims of which include Chinese citizens who have been kidnapped, trafficked and forced to work as scammers.

    What China wants most is a stable Myanmar. Yet its chosen strategy to try to bring this about – forcing warring parties to sign ceasefire agreements – hasn’t worked so far.

    This could change. The reduction of U.S. aid in Myanmar places an additional burden on ethnic resistance groups – they now have to shoulder more of the burden of providing for the people while fighting for autonomy. As such, resistance groups might be under greater urgency to accept China’s role as a mediator. And with that changed calculus, the imperative to find a negotiated solution may increase.

    But a rushed ceasefire born of necessity does not equate to a lasting solution. As such, the shifting geopolitics of Russia, the U.S. and China may impact Myanmar’s civil war – but it will do little to encourage democracy in the country, nor put it on a path to lasting peace.

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

    – ref. Myanmar’s civil war: How shifting US-Russia ties could tip balance and hand China a greater role – https://theconversation.com/myanmars-civil-war-how-shifting-us-russia-ties-could-tip-balance-and-hand-china-a-greater-role-251782

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New 1,500-place prison opens as government grips crisis

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New 1,500-place prison opens as government grips crisis

    “Public safety must never be put at risk again by the failure to have enough prison places”, Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said as she opened a new nearly 1,500-place prison in Yorkshire.

    • Major milestone in plan for 14,000 more prison places nationwide by 2031 

    • New prison designed to cut crime and get offenders into work 

    • Part of government’s Plan for Change to create safer streets 

    HMP Millsike is the first of four new jails to be built as part of the Plan for Change to create 14,000 extra prison places by 2031. This extra capacity will help put more violent offenders behind bars, make streets safer and ensure the country never runs out of cells again. 

    Last summer, the government inherited a prisons system days away from collapse which would have left police unable to take dangerous criminals off the streets. 

    Ms Mahmood said the opening marked another milestone in her work to get a grip of the prisons crisis that has dominated her first nine months in post. 

    As a Category C prison, HMP Millsike has been designed with a clear aim – cutting crime. It includes 24 workshops and training facilities aimed at getting offenders into work on release and away from crime for good so fewer people become victims in the future. 

    Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood, said: 

    This Government is fixing the broken prison system we inherited, delivering the cells needed to take the most dangerous criminals off our streets. 

    HMP Millsike sets the standard for the jails of the future, with cutting crime built into its very fabric. It is a huge step in our plan to add 14,000 extra prison places by 2031. 

    But building jails only takes us so far in ending this crisis, which is why we’re also reviewing sentencing so we can always lock up dangerous offenders and make our streets safer.

    The prison is the size of 39 football pitches and comes fitted top-to-bottom with security technology to combat the drugs, drones and phones that have plagued prisons in recent years and risked the safety of frontline officers.  

    This includes reinforced barless windows to deter drone activity, hundreds of CCTV cameras, and X-ray body scanners to spot and stop contraband entering the prison. 

    The prison will be operated by Mitie Care and Custody and will have education and workplace training provider PeoplePlus on site to give offenders the tools they need to find work on release and stay on the straight and narrow. 

    The construction of the prison alone generated nearly 800 jobs and around 600 will be created now it is in full operation, providing an economic boost to Yorkshire. 

    With the country still using many of its Victorian prisons, HMP Millsike has been built to also stand the test of time. Its use of modern materials and fittings will keep running and repairs costs to a minimum for taxpayers. 

    Russell Trent, Managing Director, Mitie Care & Custody said: 

    We are a proud partner to the MoJ, focused on building safer communities. 

    As a resettlement prison, our focus is on rehabilitation and restoration centred on future orientation to break the cycle of reoffending. We want our prisoners to leave HMP Millsike qualified, employable and equipped for life in the outside world. Everything from the building design to the technology, education and training opportunities has been engineered to create an environment where people leave ready to integrate and contribute to society. 

    Stuart Togwell, group managing director at Kier Construction said:  

    Using our significant experience in the justice sector, Kier has delivered a state-of-the-art, carbon-efficient facility designed to support rehabilitation, which has also provided new jobs, economic investment and skills development for the surrounding communities.  

    HMP Millsike supports the government’s commitment to increasing prison capacity and reducing reoffending, and joins our growing portfolio of prison redevelopment and build projects awarded in recent years.

    Its opening is a major milestone in the government’s 10-year prison capacity strategy published in December. This plan includes 6,400 places through new houseblocks and 6,500 places via new prisons. One thousand rapid deployment cells will be rolled out across the estate while more than 1,000 existing cells will be refurbished.   

    The government started the 700-place expansion at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk earlier this month, and a new houseblock providing nearly 460 places at HMP Rye Hill in Northamptonshire recently received its first prisoners. 

    It follows a £2.3 billion investment to deliver these prison builds, with a further £500 million going towards vital building maintenance across prisons and the probation service. The strategy will work alongside the Independent Sentencing Review to ensure the most serious offenders can always be sent to prison to protect the public.

    Background information 

    • Situated on land next to the existing HMP Full Sutton, HMP Millsike has been named after Millsike Beck, a local stream that runs adjacent to the new jail, firmly embedding the prison into its local community. 
    • The MoJ has produced a short documentary, Building a Prison: Inside HMP Millsike, which offers an exclusive look at the final stages of building the new prison. The documentary is available to watch on MoJ’s YouTube Channel.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Media Release – Community & Leisure Feasibility Study Friday 28 March 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Media Release 

    Date:  28thMarch 2025

    Alderney Community & Leisure Facilities proposals available to the public

    A comprehensive report delivered to the States of Alderney reveals how the Island’s community and leisure facilities could be elevated across three sites to benefit the working population, the elderly and young families.

    The report by consultants Avison Young with partners Maccreanor Lavington leveraged the onsite interaction and background of the Braye Opportunity Area study and sought to meet objectives in the Island Plan. The report provides a costing exercise which used both UK benchmarks and estimates of escalation factors for Alderney (indicative funding requirements of £12 million) and potential income that could be generated at the States-owned sites.

    Numerous key stakeholders and residents were consulted and in all, eight locations considered, including the Glacis at Braye which is a key location in the Braye Opportunity Area plan delivered earlier this year.

    The executive summary of the report is being submitted to the States meeting of the 14th May and is available, together with the full report, on the States website which can be found on the following link Alderney Community & Leisure Feasibility Study.

    The States is expected to discuss the opportunities and affordability for three possible developments:

    ·       A Community Hub at a modernised, upgraded Butes Centre with a multi-purpose hall, spaces for studios, health and wellness, café and kitchenette, accommodation pods and storage.

    ·       An Indoor Sports Facility with a four-court sports hall and indoor swimming pool situated either at the Glacis or the school, although the Butes may also be an option.

    ·       A Cultural Hub with theatre hall, space for events and exhibitions based at the Island Hall which could be upgraded and expanded to broaden and improve its use.

    Mr Abel said: “The recommendations of the report are that these facilities would benefit everyone in our community and enhance our reputation as a great place to live and work for families and all age groups.”

    The States will consider suggestions from relevant groups, organisations or businesses of how they would manage the delivery of these projects from a preliminary business case through to final site selection, design, costing, funding, implementation, management and operation, maintenance and usage fees (a normal project delivery process). Proposals would be welcomed by the 30th June 2025 and meetings can be arranged for further clarification.

    For further information and submissions of proposals please contact the Chief Executives office ceo@alderney.gov.gg

    Ends

    States of Alderney media enquiries:Publications@alderney.gov.gg

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayoral Youth Initiative invitation widened to include all generations

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Mayoral Youth Initiative invitation widened to include all generations

    28 March 2025

    The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s hugely successful ‘Our Guildhall, Our Space’ events, where young people from across the Council area have come together to enjoy a night of music and entertainment, is being extended next month to include their parents, grandparents and family members and older adults from across the Council area as part of a wider Intergenerational Celebration of Youth.

    Mayor Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr says she wants to make the Youth Initiative event even more inclusive with an invitation to older persons across the Council area to come along and join in the celebration of young people. The next ‘Our Guildhall, Our Space’ event is scheduled to take place at the Guildhall on Saturday, 12 April, from 6pm to 9.30pm and young people registering to attend are being encouraged to bring their parents, grandparents or any family members. An invitation is also being extended to older persons groups across the Council area who want to be part of this unique celebration.

    Mayor Barr said: “I want this to be an intergenerational celebration of young people in our Council area and for people of all generations to join together for a fantastic night of music, games and food at the Guildhall. I have been hosting this youth initiative during my Mayoral year and it has been a huge success. The young people involved really love it and have been so positive about the experience that I wanted to give others the opportunity to be part of this unique experience.”

    The night promises to be fantastic night of entertainment and music for everyone with live performances from local music legend Ritchie Remo, fun, games and entertainment with comedian and entertainer Fabu D aka The Black Paddy alongside the opportunity to dance the night away with Q Radio’s Tyree Patton on the decks, taking requests. On top of all that there will be delicious food served!

    The event is open to young people between the age groups of 12 and 20 years of age, their parents, grandparents or family members and to older persons groups across the Council area.

    Encouraging people to sign up, Mayor Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr said next Saturday’s event is a unique celebration of young and old coming together to share the joy of laughter and music in the historic setting of the Guildhall.

     “I want to invite parents and adults across our council area to meet with young people, encourage them, and explore ways to support their growth in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

    “Our young people need role models, and who better to guide, nurture, and inspire them than members of our own community? They are facing challenges that are very different from what many of us experienced growing up. I want them to build resilience, grow in confidence, and believe in their ability to thrive right here in our city and district 

    “This intergenerational event is all about bridging the gap between young people and adults. It’s a chance to engage in open discussions, learn from one another, and most importantly, have fun together. Let’s show them that they’re not alone, and that we, as a community, are here to support them every step of the way.”

    The Mayor added that the ‘Our Guildhall, Our Space’ events also demonstrate the commitment by Council that decision makers at all levels in the district are making to young people on the journey towards UNICEF UK Child Friendly Community Status.

    It also coincides with the Council’s support for Intergenerational week which is 24th April to 30th April when the Council offices on Strand Road and the Alley Theatre in Strabane will be lit up Pink.

    The event on Saturday 12th April is the second last in the series with the final one scheduled to take place on 17th May.

    To secure your place you must register now and submit your consent form at –  www.derrystrabane.com/mayorshub,

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Tens of millions at risk of extreme hunger and starvation as unprecedented funding crisis spirals

    Source: World Food Programme

    Photo: WFP/WFP/Jerry Ally Kahashi. WFP food distribution in Goma, DRC.

    ROME – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today that 58 million people risk losing life-saving assistance in the agency’s 28 most critical crisis response operations unless new funding is received urgently.

    Despite the generosity of many governments and individual donors, WFP is experiencing a steep decline in funding across its major donors. The severity of these cuts, combined with record levels of people in need, have led to an unprecedented crisis for tens of millions across the globe reliant on food aid.

    Right now, the organization is facing an alarming 40 percent drop in funding for 2025, as compared to last year. This is having severe repercussions for its food aid efforts globally, particularly emergency feeding programs that support the most vulnerable.

    “WFP is prioritizing countries with the greatest needs and stretching food rations at the frontlines. While we are doing everything possible to reduce operational costs, make no mistake, we are facing a funding cliff with life-threatening consequences,” said Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation. “Emergency feeding programmes not only save lives and alleviate human suffering, they bring greatly needed stability to fragile communities, which can spiral downwards when faced with extreme hunger.”

    WFP on the Frontlines 

    Today, global hunger is skyrocketing as 343 million people face severe food insecurity, driven by an unrelenting wave of global crises including conflict, economic instability, and climate-related emergencies. In 2025, WFP’s operations are focused on supporting just over one-third of those in need – roughly 123 million of the world’s hungriest people – nearly half of whom (58 million) are at imminent risk of losing access to food assistance.

    Last year, WFP teams helped feed more than 120 million people in 80 countries, delivering urgent food aid to hunger hot spots and frontline crises around the world. 

    Imminent Pipeline Breaks

    As WFP works to quickly adapt its operations to current low funding levels, it is alerting donors that its 28 most critical crisis response operations are facing severe funding constraints and dangerously low food supplies through August. 

    The 28 programs span: Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, South Sudan, Chad, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Uganda, Niger, Burkina Faso, DRC, Yemen, Mali, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Haiti, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, Kenya, Ukraine, Malawi, Burundi, Ethiopia, Palestine, Central African Republic, Jordan, and Egypt. 

    Below are a few examples of these programmes.
     

    • Sudan: WFP requires nearly US$570 million to support over 7 million people per month in Sudan where a looming pipeline break will hit as early as April. Famine was first confirmed in Zamzam camp near the embattled city of El Fasher and has since spread to 10 areas across North Darfur and the Western Nuba mountains. In Sudan 24.6 million people do not have enough to eat. Delays in funding to deliver emergency food assistance, emergency nutrition and emergency logistics will cut a vital lifeline for millions with immediate and devastating consequences for vulnerable populations, who in many cases are just one step away from starvation.
    • Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): WFP requires US$399 million to feed 6.4 million as escalating violence by militia groups in the east has already displaced more than a million people. Food and nutrition assistance across the DRC is vital to stabilize the region and reach the most vulnerable who have already been displaced by conflict multiple times.
    •  Palestine: WFP emergency response requires approximately US$265 million over the next six months to provide support to nearly 1.4 million people in Gaza and the West Bank. An additional US$34 million is urgently needed for 3-month shock-responsive cash transfer assistance to support 40,000 families in the West Bank. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical with over 2 million people fully dependent on food assistance – most of them displaced, without shelter and income.
       
    • Syria: WFP requires US$140 million to provide food and nutrition assistance to 1.2 million people every month. Without new funding, WFP faces a pipeline break in August which would cut off food assistance to one million of the most severely food-insecure individuals. Any disruption in life-saving assistance threatens to erode stability and social cohesion during a critical moment when millions of Syrians try to return home.
       
    • Lebanon: WFP requires US$162 million to feed 1.4 million people as severe funding shortfalls are already disrupting food assistance to vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees – fostering instability and heightened social tensions. With an ongoing economic crisis and government transition in Lebanon, food insecurity continues to rise with one in three already facing acute hunger. 
       
    • South Sudan: WFP requires US$281 million to provide food and nutrition assistance to 2.3 million people escaping war, climate extremes, and an economic disaster – plunging them into a severe hunger crisis. South Sudan has also seen more than one million people arrive, fleeing from the war in Sudan. Nearly two-thirds of the people in South Sudan are acutely food insecure. New funding for WFP’s crisis response activities in South Sudan is needed now to preposition life-saving food ahead of the rainy season.
    • Myanmar: WFP requires US$60 million to provide life-saving food assistance to 1.2 million people. Without immediate new funding a pipeline break in April will cut off one million from all support. Increased conflict, displacement and access restrictions are already sharply driving up food aid needs as the lean season is expected to begin in July when food shortages hit hardest.
    • Haiti: WFP requires US$10 million to feed 1.3 million as brutal violence by armed groups has caused record levels of hunger and displacement. Half the population is facing extreme hunger and a quarter of the children under the age of five are stunted. More than a million people have been forced from their homes, including a record 60,000 in just one month this year. WFP has been providing hot meals and cash assistance to displaced people, but without new funding, that lifesaving assistance could be suspended in the coming weeks.
    • Saheland Lake Chad Basin: WFP requires US$570 million to reach 5 million people with life-saving food and nutrition assistance. Without new funding a pipeline break is expected in April. Millions of the most vulnerable people in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria in need of emergency support also face dire consequences as the June to August lean season approaches. At current funding levels, five million people risk losing critical support from WFP in the months ahead.

    #                 #                   #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing Intl Film Festival announces star-studded jury, lineup and events

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Organizers have announced the Tiantan Award jury panel and additional details for the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), set for April 18-26 in Beijing.

    Organizers reveal the jury panel for the Tiantan Award main competition of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival during a press conference in Beijing, March 27, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the BJIFF Organizing Committee] 

    Prominent Chinese filmmaker Jiang Wen will chair the seven-member jury, organizers revealed at a press conference in Beijing on March 27.

    Jiang, known for his award-winning works “In the Heat of the Sun” (1994) and “Let the Bullets Fly” (2010), also gained international recognition for his role as Baze Malbus in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016).

    His experience includes serving as a competition juror at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2003 and the Venice International Film Festival in 2013. In 2017, Jiang became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The following year, he presided as jury president at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

    The BJIFF’s Tiantan Award main competition jury will include Chinese American director and actor Joan Chen, British director David Yates, Chinese mainland actor Ni Ni, Finnish director Teemu Nikki, Swiss director and actor Vincent Perez, and Chinese art director Tim Yip from China’s Hong Kong. The panel will select winners across 10 categories, including best feature film, best director and best screenplay. All awards will be presented at the festival’s closing ceremony and gala.

    The competition received a record 1,794 feature film submissions from 103 countries and regions, marking a 19% increase over last year’s 1,509 entries. International submissions accounted for 1,608 films, comprising nearly 90% of all entries and reflecting exceptional diversity in genre and thematic scope.

    Fifteen films have been shortlisted for the final competition, including three Chinese entries: Hao Ming and Li Peiran’s “Better Me, Better You,” Li Yongyi’s “Deep in the Mountains,” and Zhang Qi’s “Trapped.”

    International selections for the competition include Emine Yildirim’s “Apollon by Day Athena by Night” (Turkey), Sora Hokimoto’s “BAUS: The Ship’s Voyage Continues” (Japan), Maria Brendle’s “Frieda’s Case” (Switzerland), Tim Ellrich’s “In My Parents’ House” (Germany), Lilja Ingolfsdottir’s “Loveable” (Norway), Tobias Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine, and Vallentine Chelluget’s “Nawi: Dear Future Me” (Kenya/Germany), Sophie Deraspe’s “Shepherds” (Canada/France), Andrea Segre’s “The Great Ambition” (Italy/Belgium/Bulgaria), Ivan Fund’s “The Message” (Argentina/Spain/Uruguay), Charlie McDowell’s “The Summer Book” (Finland/United Kingdom/United States), Noëlle Bastin and Baptiste Bogaert’s “Vitrival – The Most Beautiful Village in the World” (Belgium), and Hadi Mohaghegh’s “Vortex” (Iran/Czech Republic).

    The festival is supported by the China Film Administration and hosted by the Beijing municipal government and China Media Group. It will include star-studded opening and closing ceremonies featuring red-carpet shows.

    The festival’s core forums will delve into key topics, including intellectual property development, industry innovation, audience-driven storytelling and emerging film technologies. Additionally, the event will offer masterclasses conducted by acclaimed directors Jiang Wen and Jia Zhangke, along with French cinema icon Isabelle Huppert.

    The official poster for the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, designed by the renowned art director Huo Tingxiao. [Photo courtesy of the BJIFF Organizing Committee] 

    The festival also includes the Beijing Film Panorama, a highly anticipated program showcasing nostalgic classics, new blockbusters and previously unreleased films in China. This year, it will celebrate the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema and the 130th anniversary of world cinema.

    It will feature 18 thematic sections with nearly 300 exceptional international films across about 900 screenings at 33 premium venues in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. These venues span commercial theaters, arthouse cinemas and cultural spaces. Initial confirmed films include a Robert Altman centenary retrospective, as well as works by Jiri Menzel, Andrei Tarkovsky and the late David Lynch.

    The BJIFF will feature a diverse lineup with hundreds of events, including a film carnival, pitch sessions for emerging filmmakers and cross-industry collaborations that merge cinema with music, fashion and gastronomy.

    Additional highlights include cutting-edge tech showcases, programs focused on short films, sports films, works by female directors, and young filmmakers, plus creative markets, an AI-generated film competition unit, and a university student film festival.

    This year, Switzerland serves as the Country of Honor to commemorate 75 years of China-Switzerland diplomatic relations, with a special Swiss Film Week. The festival will also introduce its inaugural China Film Global Distribution and Promotion Awards, recognizing 10 domestic and international distributors for their outstanding work in promoting Chinese cinema globally and enhancing both its commercial reach and cultural impact.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Anniversary Statement: Rans S6-ESD XL, G-MZBU

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Anniversary Statement: Rans S6-ESD XL, G-MZBU

    Departed runway during landing and overturned, Yatesbury Airfield, Wiltshire, 30 March 2024

    This statement provides an update on the ongoing AAIB investigation into an accident involving a Rans S6-ESB which departed the runway during landing, overturned and suffered substantial damage at Yatesbruy airfield, Wiltshire.

    The draft report has been produced and consultation comments received.  The final report will be published in the near future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: World first as MHRA approves trofolastat for diagnostic imaging of prostate cancer in men 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    World first as MHRA approves trofolastat for diagnostic imaging of prostate cancer in men 

    As with all products, the MHRA will keep its safety under close review.

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved trofolastat (RoTecPSMA), the first prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting product authorised for use with technetium-99m to detect cancerous lesions in men with prostate cancer.

    Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men in the UK, with 1 in 8 men diagnosed in their lifetime. Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in identifying cancerous areas, which may help guide treatment decisions. 

    Trofolastat is combined with the radioactive tracer technetium-99m to form Technetium (99mTc) trofolastat, which is administered as a single injection. It binds to a protein called PSMA found on prostate cancer cells, helping doctors identify cancerous areas during a medical imaging technique known as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).  

    Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director, Healthcare Quality and Access, said:  

    Keeping patients safe and ensuring access to high quality, safe and effective medical products are key priorities for the MHRA.  

    As the first PSMA-targeting diagnostic product approved with Technetium-99m, which is widely available in UK nuclear medicine facilities, this approval has the potential to expand access to prostate cancer imaging and support diagnostic pathways within the NHS. 

    The approval of this diagnostic product follows a rigorous assessment to ensure that it meets the required regulatory standards. As with all products, we will continue to monitor its safety and effectiveness.

    Trofolastat has been approved for use in three clinical settings: identifying how far high-risk prostate cancer has spread before treatment, detecting recurrence in patients with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and determining whether targeted therapies might be effective for metastatic prostate cancer patients. 

    This national approval is supported by evidence from a multi-centre, prospective study involving 105 prostate cancer patients. Technetium (99mTc) trofolastat demonstrated 94.2% sensitivity in identifying prostate cancer lesions and an 83.3% specificity in confirming cancer-free areas.  

    The most common side effect associated with Technetium (99mTc) trofolastat was headache. A full list of side effects can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) or the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), available on the MHRA website within 7 days of approval. 

    As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of RoTecPSMA under close review.  Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.  

    ENDS  

    Notes to editors   

    1. The new marketing authorisation was granted on 27th March 2025.  

    2. More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.   

    3. For more information about prostate cancer, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/  

    4. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.   

    5. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.   

    6. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to Myanmar earthquake

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has hit central Myanmar.

    Prof Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, University College London (UCL), said:

    “Myanmar is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, so this quake is not a surprise. It looks to have occurred on the major Sagaing Fault, which marks the boundary between two tectonic plates, and which runs north – south close to a number of large population centres.

    “This is probably the biggest earthquake on the Myanmar mainland in three quarters of a century, and a combination of size and very shallow depth will maximise the chances of damage. It is highly likely that build quality will generally not be high enough to survive this level of shaking, and casualty numbers will almost certainly climb significantly as more becomes known of the scale of the disaster.

    “There has already been one sizeable aftershock and more can be expected. This will threaten the collapse of weakened buildings and make the jobs of rescue workers that much more challenging”

     

    Prof Joanna Faure Walker, Professor of Earthquake Geology and Disaster Risk Reduction, University College London (UCL), said:

    “Myanmar is no stranger to earthquakes. The plate boundary between the India Plate and Eurasia Plate runs approximately north-south, cutting through the middle of the country. These two plates move past each other as they are moving at different rates along a transform plate boundary (a bit like the San Andreas Fault in the south west of the United States). Although such strike slip earthquakes are of smaller magnitude than the largest earthquakes seen in subduction zones, like to the south in Sumatra, they can still reach magnitudes 7 to 8 and cause severe destruction, as we are seeing in the March 2025 earthquake.”

     

    Dr Roger Musson, Honorary Research Fellow, British Geological Survey (BGS), said:

    “Large earthquakes in this region are rare but not unknown, the last similar event being in 1956, more or less beyond living memory. This means that buildings are unlikely to be designed against seismic forces, and therefore are more vulnerable when an earthquake like this occurs, resulting in more damage and higher casualties. The ultimate cause of the earthquake is the northward movement of the Indian Plate, which produces a tearing effect along N-S trending vertical faults.”

     

    Prof Ilan Kelman, Professor of Disasters and Health, Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (IRDR), University College London (UCL), said:

    “Getting humanitarian relief into the worst-affected areas of Burma / Myanmar might not be politically easy. In 2008, Cyclone Nargis killed over 130,000 people in the country. The government took days to accept significant aid and then inhibited its delivery.

    “For ‘disaster diplomacy’ to work – supporting disaster-affected people in areas with violent or political conflict – the world and the disaster-struck authorities must cooperate. Many governments running Burma / Myanmar have been highly controlling, including since the February 2021 military coup. Helping people in need without helping an oppressive government is a tricky situation for aid donors to navigate, not helped by the reported damage to transportation and communication systems.

    “The usual mantra is that ‘Earthquakes don’t kill people; collapsing infrastructure does’. Governments are responsible for planning regulations and building codes. This disaster exposes what governments of Burma / Myanmar failed to do long before the earthquake which would have saved lives during the shaking.”

    Declared interests

    Prof Bill McGuire “No interests to declare”

    Prof Joanna Faure Walker “None to declare”

    Prof Ilan Kelman “Ilan has been researching disaster diplomacy since 1999.”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Katapult Delivers Double-Digit Gross Originations Growth in the Fourth Quarter, Above Outlook

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Strong Holiday Season Performance; Momentum Continuing into 2025
    Establishes 2025 Outlook; Expects Growth to Continue in Q1 2025

    PLANO, Texas, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Katapult Holdings, Inc. (“Katapult” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: KPLT), an e-commerce-focused financial technology company, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    “We had a great fourth quarter, which included stronger-than-expected gross originations growth and 50% growth in application volume,” said Orlando Zayas, CEO of Katapult. “The fourth quarter holiday season is an incredibly important time for many of our merchant-partners and the Katapult marketplace delivered, including more than 100% year-over-year gross originations growth during the Cyber 5 period in 2024. This growth was driven by a number of initiatives including targeted and co-branded marketing campaigns and the launch of new app features that enhance the customer experience. Given our high repeat customer rate and the incremental sales we’re generating for our merchant-partners, we are confident that retailers, partners and consumers alike understand the value Katapult brings to the table.”

    “Prior to the launch of our app, we relied on direct and waterfall merchants to send us consumers and we developed a consistent track record for converting this traffic to the benefit of our merchant-partners. When we launched the Katapult app two years ago, we believed we could transform our operating model from a single-input driven business to a two-sided marketplace with a multidimensional growth engine. Our fourth quarter results demonstrated the progress we are making toward this goal. Customers are engaging more and more frequently with our marketplace, and during the fourth quarter, this led to approximately 61% of our gross originations starting in the Katapult app marketplace. The two-sided Katapult app marketplace, powered by KPay (Katapult Pay (R)), has become a reliable shopping destination for consumers across the US and a growth partner for durable goods merchants. We are excited about our potential and are looking forward to a great 2025.”

    Operating Progress: Recent Highlights

    • Successfully transitioning business model to two-sided marketplace and increasing platform velocity
      • ~61% of fourth quarter gross originations started in the Katapult app marketplace, making it the single largest customer referral source
      • Customer satisfaction remained high and Katapult had a Net Promoter Score of 58 as of December 31, 2024
      • 61.5% of gross originations for the fourth quarter of 2024 came from repeat customers1
    • Grew consumer engagement by adding app functionality and features and executing targeted marketing campaigns
      • Lease applications grew 50% year-over-year in the fourth quarter driven by new and existing customers
      • KPay gross originations grew approximately 52% year-over-year in the fourth quarter; 41% of total gross originations were transacted using KPay
      • Launched Metro by T-Mobile(R) (December 2024), Zales(R) (January 2025) and Rooms to Go(R) (February 2025) in the Katapult app marketplace, bringing the total number of merchants in our ecosystem to 33.
    • Strong progress against merchant engagement initiatives
      • Direct and waterfall gross originations, which represented 68% of total fourth quarter originations, grew approximately 44%, excluding the home furnishings and mattress category
      • Continued to expand our waterfall partnerships by onboarding 11 new merchants, including eight that are new to the Katapult app marketplace and three that already had a direct integration with Katapult
      • Together with several merchant-partners, we launched co-branded, co-promoted marketing campaigns that helped drive gross originations during the Cyber 5 period higher by more than 100% compared with the same period of last year
    • Entered new partnerships focused on expanding our applicant pool and providing consumers with more reasons to engage with the Katapult app marketplace

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

    (All comparisons are year-over-year unless stated otherwise.)

    • Gross originations were $75.2 million, an increase of 11.3%. Excluding the home furnishings and mattress category within our direct/waterfall channel, gross originations grew 50% year-over-year.
    • Total revenue was $63.0 million, an increase of 9.4%
    • Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter decreased 37.4%. Our fixed cash operating expenses2, which exclude litigation settlement expenses, decreased approximately 7.1%.
    • Net loss was $9.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, an improvement compared with net loss of $14.6 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Adjusted net loss2 was $8.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to an adjusted net loss of $6.3 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2023
    • Adjusted EBITDA2 loss was $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to Adjusted EBITDA2 loss of $0.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The year-over-year performance was driven largely by higher cost of sales related to rapid, faster-than-expected gross originations growth in the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • Katapult ended the quarter with total cash and cash equivalents of $16.6 million, which includes $13.1 million of restricted cash. The Company ended the quarter with $82.8 million of outstanding debt on its credit facility.
    • Write-offs as a percentage of revenue were 9.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and are within the Company’s 8% to 10% long-term target range. This compares with 8.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    2024 Financial Highlights

    (All comparisons are year-over-year unless stated otherwise.)

    • Gross originations were $237 million, an increase of 4.7%
    • Total revenue was $247 million, an increase of 11.6%
    • Total operating expenses decreased 11.0%. Excluding litigation settlement expenses, total operating expenses decreased 17.0%. Our fixed cash operating expenses2, which exclude litigation settlement expenses, decreased approximately 7.1%.
    • Net loss was $26 million, an improvement compared with net loss of $37 million for 2023
    • Adjusted net loss2 was $17 million, an improvement compared to an adjusted net loss of $23 million for 2023
    • Adjusted EBITDA2 was $5 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA2 loss of $2 million in 2023
    • Write-offs as a percentage of revenue were 9.2% in 2024 and are within the Company’s 8% to 10% long-term target range. This compares with 9.2% in 2023.

    [1] Repeat customer rate is defined as the percentage of in-quarter originations from existing customers.
    [2] Please refer to the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure and Certain Other Data” section and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation tables below for more information.  

    First Quarter and Full Year 2025 Business Outlook

    The Company is continuing to navigate a challenging macro environment particularly within the home furnishings category. Given the current breadth of our merchant selection as well as our plans to introduce new merchants to the Katapult App Marketplace during 2025, our strategic marketing and our strong consumer offering, we believe we are well positioned to deliver continued growth in 2025. We continue to believe that we have a large addressable market of underserved, non-prime consumers, and it’s important to note that lease-to-own solutions have historically benefited when prime credit options become less available.

    Given our quarter-to-date progress, Katapult expects the following results for the first quarter of 2025:

    • Approximately 11% year-over-year increase in gross originations
    • Approximately 10% year-over-year increase in revenue
    • Approximately $3 million of positive Adjusted EBITDA

    Based on the macroeconomic assumptions above and the operating plan in place for the full year 2025, Katapult expects to deliver the following results for full year 2025:

    • We expect gross originations to grow at least 20%

      This outlook does not include any material impact from prime creditors tightening or loosening above us and assumes that there are no significant changes to the macro environment.

      Both our first quarter and full year outlooks assume that the gross originations for the home furnishings and mattress category does not improve materially from our 2024 performance.

    • We also expect to maintain strong credit quality in our portfolio. This will be driven by ongoing enhancements to our risk modeling, onboarding high quality new merchants through integrations, and repeat customers engaging with Katapult Pay
    • Revenue growth is expected to be at least 20%
    • Finally with the continued execution of our disciplined expense management strategy combined with our growing top-line, we expect to deliver at least $10 million in positive Adjusted EBITDA

    “During 2024, we delivered strong top-line growth while continuing to lean into fiscal discipline and as a result, we were able to generate our first full year of Adjusted EBITDA profitability since 2021,” said Nancy Walsh, CFO of Katapult. “Since we have a two-sided marketplace business model, we can continue to scale our revenue without adding commensurate expenses. This means that in times of rapid revenue growth, as we are expecting in 2025, we can meaningfully accelerate our Adjusted EBITDA flow-through. We are executing well across the breadth of our two-sided marketplace and we expect to build on this momentum throughout 2025.”

    Conference Call and Webcast

    The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 8:00 AM ET on Friday, March 28, 2025, to discuss the Company’s financial results. Related presentation materials will be available before the call on the Company’s Investor Relations page at https://ir.katapultholdings.com. The conference call will be broadcast live in listen-only mode and an archive of the webcast will be available for one year.

    About Katapult

    Katapult is a technology driven lease-to-own platform that integrates with omnichannel retailers and e-commerce platforms to power the purchasing of everyday durable goods for underserved U.S. non-prime consumers. Through our point-of-sale (POS) integrations and innovative mobile app featuring Katapult Pay(R), consumers who may be unable to access traditional financing can shop a growing network of merchant partners. Our process is simple, fast, and transparent. We believe that seeing the good in people is good for business, humanizing the way underserved consumers get the things they need with payment solutions based on fairness and dignity.

    Contact

    Jennifer Kull
    VP of Investor Relations
    ir@katapult.com 

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements included in this Press Release and on our quarterly earnings call that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potentially,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: in this Press Release and on our associated earnings call, statements regarding our first quarter of 2025 and full year 2025 business outlook and underlying assumptions, the expectation that the home furnishings category will not materially improve in the first quarter or throughout 2025, statements regarding our expectations for 2025, the impact of KPay on customer acquisition and our relationship with existing customers, the durability and timing of macroeconomic headwinds, the impact of our integrations within third-party waterfalls and our relationships with new merchant-partners on gross originations and financial expectations beyond 2025. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this Press Release, and on the current expectations of our management and are not predictions of actual performance.

    These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond our control. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, our ability to refinance our indebtedness and continue as a going concern, the execution of our business strategy and expanding information and technology capabilities; our market opportunity and our ability to acquire new customers and retain existing customers; adoption and success of our mobile application featuring Katapult Pay; the timing and impact of our growth initiatives on our future financial performance; anticipated occurrence and timing of prime lending tightening and impact on our results of operations; general economic conditions in the markets where we operate, the cyclical nature of customer spending, and seasonal sales and spending patterns of customers; risks relating to factors affecting consumer spending that are not under our control, including, among others, levels of employment, disposable consumer income, inflation, prevailing interest rates, consumer debt and availability of credit, consumer confidence in future economic conditions, political conditions, and consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security and willingness and ability of customers to pay for the goods they lease through us when due; risks relating to uncertainty of our estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth; risks related to the concentration of a significant portion of our transaction volume with a single merchant partner, or type of merchant or industry; the effects of competition on our future business; meet future liquidity requirements and complying with restrictive covenants related to our long-term indebtedness; the impact of unstable market and economic conditions such as rising inflation and interest rates; reliability of our platform and effectiveness of our risk model; data security breaches or other information technology incidents or disruptions, including cyber-attacks, and the protection of confidential, proprietary, personal and other information, including personal data of customers; ability to attract and retain employees, executive officers or directors; effectively respond to general economic and business conditions; obtain additional capital, including equity or debt financing and servicing our indebtedness; enhance future operating and financial results; anticipate rapid technological changes, including generative artificial intelligence and other new technologies; comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business, including laws and regulations related to rental purchase transactions; stay abreast of modified or new laws and regulations applying to our business, including with respect to rental purchase transactions and privacy regulations; maintain and grow relationships with merchants and partners; respond to uncertainties associated with product and service developments and market acceptance; the impacts of new U.S. federal income tax laws; material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting which, if not identified and remediated, could affect the reliability of our financial statements; successfully defend litigation; litigation, regulatory matters, complaints, adverse publicity and/or misconduct by employees, vendors and/or service providers; and other events or factors, including those resulting from civil unrest, war, foreign invasions (including the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict), terrorism, public health crises and pandemics (such as COVID-19), trade wars, or responses to such events; our ability to meet the minimum requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market; and those factors discussed in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 that we filed with the SEC.

    If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this Press Release or on our quarterly earnings call. All forward-looking statements contained herein or expressed on our quarterly earnings call are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

    Key Performance Metrics

    Katapult regularly reviews several metrics, including the following key metrics, to evaluate its business, measure its performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections and make strategic decisions, which may also be useful to an investor: gross originations, total revenue, gross profit, adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA.

    Gross originations are defined as the retail price of the merchandise associated with lease-purchase agreements entered into during the period through the Katapult platform. Gross originations do not represent revenue earned. However, we believe this is a useful operating metric for both Katapult’s management and investors to use in assessing the volume of transactions that take place on Katapult’s platform.

    Total revenue represents the summation of rental revenue and other revenue. Katapult measures this metric to assess the total view of pay through performance of its customers. Management believes looking at these components is useful to an investor as it helps to understand the total payment performance of customers.

    Gross profit represents total revenue less cost of revenue, and is a measure presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a description and presentation of adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures utilized by management.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    To supplement the financial measures presented in this press release and related conference call or webcast in accordance with GAAP, the Company also presents the following non-GAAP and other measures of financial performance: adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss) and fixed cash operating expenses. The Company believes that for management and investors to more effectively compare core performance from period to period, the non-GAAP measures should exclude items that are not indicative of our results from ongoing business operations. The Company urges investors to consider non-GAAP measures only in conjunction with its GAAP financials and to review the reconciliation of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to its comparable GAAP financial measures, which are included in this press release.

    Adjusted gross profit represents gross profit less variable operating expenses, which are servicing costs, and underwriting fees. Management believes that adjusted gross profit provides a meaningful understanding of one aspect of its performance specifically attributable to total revenue and the variable costs associated with total revenue.

    Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as net loss before interest expense and other fees, interest income, change in fair value of warrants and loss on issuance of shares, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software, provision of impairment of leased assets, loss on partial extinguishment of debt, stock-based compensation expense, and litigation settlement and other related expenses.

    Adjusted net loss is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as net loss before change in fair value of warrants and loss on issuance of shares, stock-based compensation expense, and litigation settlement and other related expenses.

    Fixed cash operating expenses is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as operating expenses less depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software, stock-based compensation expense, litigation settlement and other related expenses, net and variable lease costs such as servicing costs and underwriting fees. Management believes that fixed cash operating expenses provides a meaningful understanding of non-variable ongoing expenses.

    Adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss are useful to an investor in evaluating the Company’s performance because these measures:

    • Are widely used to measure a company’s operating performance;
    • Are financial measurements that are used by rating agencies, lenders and other parties to evaluate the Company’s credit worthiness; and
    • Are used by the Company’s management for various purposes, including as measures of performance and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

    Management believes that the use of non-GAAP financial measures, as a supplement to GAAP measures, is useful to investors in that they eliminate items that are not part of our core operations, highly variable or do not require a cash outlay, such as stock-based compensation expense. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating operating performance and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the business, are important in comparing current results with prior period results and are useful to investors and financial analysts in assessing operating performance. However, these non-GAAP measures exclude items that are significant in understanding and assessing Katapult’s financial results. Therefore, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to revenue, net loss, gross profit, cash flows from operations or other measures of profitability, liquidity or performance under GAAP. You should be aware that Katapult’s presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
    (amounts in thousands, except per share data)
           
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
                   
    Revenue              
    Rental revenue $ 62,031     $ 56,735     $ 243,978     $ 218,347  
    Other revenue   932       823       3,216       3,241  
    Total revenue   62,963       57,558       247,194       221,588  
    Cost of revenue   55,557       48,657       201,423       179,881  
    Gross profit   7,406       8,901       45,771       41,707  
    Operating expenses:              
    Servicing costs   1,156       1,118       4,589       4,311  
    Underwriting fees   814       549       2,304       1,919  
    Professional and consulting fees   631       1,247       5,201       6,694  
    Technology and data analytics   1,740       1,642       7,170       6,905  
    Compensation costs   4,376       5,396       20,076       22,732  
    General and administrative   3,208       2,594       10,866       10,938  
    Litigation settlement, net   314       7,000       3,666       7,000  
    Total operating expenses   12,239       19,546       53,872       60,499  
    Loss from operations   (4,833 )     (10,645 )     (8,101 )     (18,792 )
    Loss on partial extinguishment of debt   —       —       —       (2,391 )
    Interest expense and other fees   (4,849 )     (4,271 )     (18,851 )     (17,822 )
    Interest income   148       363       1,163       1,697  
    Change in fair value of warrant liability   (5 )     36       17       807  
    Loss before income taxes   (9,539 )     (14,517 )     (25,772 )     (36,501 )
    Provision for income taxes   (30 )     (112 )     (143 )     (165 )
    Net loss $ (9,569 )   $ (14,629 )   $ (25,915 )   $ (36,666 )
                   
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   4,518       4,130       4,347       4,088  
                   
    Net loss per common share – basic and diluted $ (2.12 )   $ (3.54 )   $ (5.96 )   $ (8.97 )
                                   
    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
       
      December 31,
        2024       2023  
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,465     $ 21,408  
    Restricted cash   13,087       7,403  
    Property held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment   67,085       59,335  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   6,731       4,491  
    Litigation insurance reimbursement receivable   —       5,000  
    Total current assets   90,368       97,637  
    Property and equipment, net   253       327  
    Security deposits   91       91  
    Capitalized software and intangible assets, net   2,076       1,919  
    Right-of-use assets, non-current   383       888  
    Total assets $ 93,171     $ 100,862  
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 1,491     $ 903  
    Accrued liabilities   17,372       24,146  
    Accrued litigation settlement   2,199       12,000  
    Unearned revenue   4,823       4,949  
    Revolving line of credit, net   82,582       —  
    Term loan, net, current   30,047       —  
    Lease liabilities   179       297  
    Total current liabilities   138,693       42,295  
    Revolving line of credit, net   —       60,347  
    Term loan, net, non-current   —       25,503  
    Other liabilities   828       95  
    Lease liabilities, non-current   444       614  
    Total liabilities   139,965       128,854  
    STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT      
    Common stock, 0.0001 par value– 250,000,000 shares authorized; 4,446,540 and 4,072,713 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively   —       —  
    Additional paid-in capital   101,657       94,544  
    Accumulated deficit   (148,451 )     (122,536 )
    Total stockholders’ deficit   (46,794 )     (27,992 )
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit $ 93,171     $ 100,862  
                   
    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (dollars in thousands)
       
      Year Ended December 31,
        2024       2023  
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net loss $ (25,915 )   $ (36,666 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:      
    Depreciation and amortization   140,636       126,533  
    Depreciation for early lease purchase options (buyouts)   29,061       25,784  
    Depreciation for impaired leases   24,962       22,019  
    Change in fair value of warrants and other non-cash items   (256 )     (807 )
    Stock-based compensation   5,759       7,034  
    Loss on partial extinguishment of debt   —       2,391  
    Amortization of debt discount   3,104       2,760  
    Amortization of debt issuance costs, net   220       277  
    Accrued PIK interest expense   1,440       1,555  
    Amortization of right-of-use assets   318       355  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
    Property held for lease   (201,189 )     (183,695 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (2,053 )     3,610  
    Litigation insurance reimbursement receivable   5,000       (5,000 )
    Accounts payable   588       (361 )
    Accrued liabilities   (6,775 )     4,419  
    Accrued litigation settlement   (7,055 )     12,000  
    Lease liabilities   (288 )     (387 )
    Unearned revenues   (126 )     765  
      Net cash used in operating activities   (32,569 )     (17,414 )
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Purchases of property and equipment   (54 )     (20 )
    Additions to capitalized software   (1,249 )     (954 )
      Net cash used in investing activities   (1,303 )     (974 )
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Proceeds from revolving line of credit   34,421       14,297  
    Principal repayments on revolving line of credit   (12,406 )     (11,551 )
    Principal repayment on term loan   —       (25,000 )
    Payments of deferred financing costs   —       (34 )
    Repurchases of restricted stock   (613 )     (355 )
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options   211       1  
      Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   21,613       (22,642 )
    Net (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (12,259 )     (41,030 )
    Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period   28,811       69,841  
    Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 16,552     $ 28,811  
    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:      
    Cash paid for interest $ 13,709     $ 13,014  
    Cash paid for income taxes $ 270     $ 206  
    Deferred financing costs included in accrued liabilities $ —     $ 481  
    Issuance of warrants to purchase common stock in connection with debt refinancing $ —     $ 4,060  
    Issuance of common stock in connection with litigation settlements $ 1,756     $ —  
    Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ —     $ 471  
    Cash paid for operating leases $ 359     $ 513  
                   

    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES AND CERTAIN OTHER DATA (UNAUDITED)
    (amounts in thousands)

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
                   
    Net loss $ (9,569 )   $ (14,629 )   $ (25,915 )   $ (36,666 )
    Add back:              
    Interest expense and other fees   4,849       4,271       18,851       17,822  
    Interest income   (148 )     (363 )     (1,163 )     (1,697 )
    Change in fair value of warrants   5       (36 )     (17 )     (807 )
    Provision for income taxes   30       112       143       165  
    Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software   287       454       1,219       1,133  
    Provision for impairment of leased assets   1,921       1,508       2,227       1,727  
    Loss on partial extinguishment of debt   —       —       —       2,391  
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,331       1,356       5,759       7,034  
    Litigation settlement and other related expenses, net   226     $ 7,000       3,666       7,000  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ (1,068 )   $ (327 )   $ 4,770     $ (1,898 )
                                   
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2024       2023  
                   
    Net loss $ (9,569 )   $ (14,629 )   $ (25,915 )   $ (36,666 )
    Add back:              
    Change in fair value of warrants   5       (36 )     (17 )     (807 )
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,331       1,356       5,759       7,034  
    Litigation settlement and other related expenses, net   226       7,000       3,666       7,000  
    Adjusted net loss $ (8,007 )   $ (6,309 )   $ (16,507 )   $ (23,439 )
                                   
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024     2023     2024     2023
                   
    Total operating expenses $ 12,239   $ 19,546   $ 53,872   $ 60,499
    Less:              
    Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software   287     454     1,219     1,133
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,331     1,356     5,759     7,034
    Servicing costs   1,156     1,118     4,589     4,311
    Underwriting fees   814     549     2,304     1,919
    Litigation settlement and other related expenses, net   226     7,000     3,666     7,000
    Fixed cash operating expenses $ 8,425   $ 9,069   $ 36,335   $ 39,102
                           
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024     2023     2024     2023
                   
    Total revenue $ 62,963   $ 57,558   $ 247,194   $ 221,588
    Cost of revenue   55,557     48,657     201,423     179,881
    Gross profit   7,406     8,901     45,771     41,707
    Less:              
    Servicing costs   1,156     1,118     4,589     4,311
    Underwriting fees   814     549     2,304     1,919
    Adjusted gross profit $ 5,436   $ 7,234   $ 38,878   $ 35,477
                           

    CERTAIN KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS

    (in thousands) Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
        2024     2023     2024     2023
    Total revenue $ 62,963   $ 57,558   $ 247,194   $ 221,588
                           

    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC.
    GROSS ORIGINATIONS BY QUARTER

        Gross Originations by Quarter
    ($ millions)   Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4
    FY 2024   $ 55.6   $ 55.3   $ 51.2   $ 75.2
    FY 2023   $ 54.7   $ 54.7   $ 49.6   $ 67.5
    FY 2022   $ 46.7   $ 46.4   $ 44.1   $ 59.8
    FY 2021   $ 63.8   $ 64.4   $ 61.0   $ 58.9

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Enlight Wins Israel’s First Ever Land Tender for an Integrated Data Center and Renewable Energy Facility in the Ashalim Region

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEL AVIV, Israel, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enlight Renewable Energy (“Enlight”, “the Company”, NASDAQ: ENLT, TASE: ENLT.TA), a leading renewable energy platform, announced today that it won an Israel Land Authority (ILA) tender to develop a state-of-the-art integrated data center and renewable energy complex on a 50-acre site in Ashalim, southern Israel. The Company plans to invest up to $1.1 billion in the project, which marks a major milestone in the expansion of data centers to southern Israel, contributing to the strategic national goal of relocating large electricity consumers to regions with renewable energy production.

    There is enormous demand for new data centers in Israel, but most of them are concentrated in the central region, where there is a severe shortage of suitable land and power infrastructure. This region requires the costly transmission of electricity produced in the south to meet its growing energy needs. Ashalim, home to Israel’s largest renewable energy hub with existing high-voltage transmission and communication networks, offers an ideal solution for large-scale data centers. Enlight views the ILA tender as a visionary step forward for Israel, and sees the award as a significant opportunity for the Company.

    The solar generation and energy storage facility planned adjacent to the data center will help meet part of its electricity demand and reduce operating costs. By integrating a renewable energy facility with the data center, Enlight will leverage its expertise in energy development, construction, financing, and management, marking another milestone in Israel’s energy revolution. The integrated data, generation, and storage complex, which Enlight plans to build in accordance with the tender’s terms, will feature a 100 MW AC hourly consumption capacity.

    Enlight is actively exploring additional opportunities in the expanding market of combined renewable energy and data center facilities, both in Israel and Europe.

    Gilad Peled, GM of Enlight MENA: “Enlight is leading the integration of renewable energy into the growing data center sector. We believe that powering data centers with renewable energy is the right path to take, both as a national initiative and for us as a developer. Winning this tender will allow us to leverage our expertise in renewable energy and lead a national effort to develop data centers in southern Israel. This represents both an economic growth engine as well as a solution to the challenges and costs of electricity production and transmission into the country’s central region.”

    About Enlight Renewable Energy

    Founded in 2008, Enlight develops, finances, constructs, owns, and operates utility-scale renewable energy projects. Enlight operates across the three largest renewable segments today: solar, wind and energy storage. The company’s portfolio is 30.2 FGW, out of which the mature portfolio is 8.6 FGW, and the operational portfolio is 3 FGW. A global platform, Enlight operates in the United States, Israel and 10 European countries. Enlight has been traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange since 2010 (TASE: ENLT) and completed its U.S. IPO (Nasdaq: ENLT) in 2023. Learn more at www.enlightenergy.co.il.

    Contacts:

    Yonah Weisz

    Director IR

    investors@enlightenergy.co.il

    Erica Mannion or Mike Funari

    Sapphire Investor Relations, LLC

    +1 617 542 6180

    investors@enlightenergy.co.il

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s expectations relating to the Project, the PPA and the related interconnection agreement and lease option, and the completion timeline for the Project, are forward-looking statements. The words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “target,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “possible,” “forecasts,” “aims” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: our ability to site suitable land for, and otherwise source, renewable energy projects and to successfully develop and convert them into Operational Projects; availability of, and access to, interconnection facilities and transmission systems; our ability to obtain and maintain governmental and other regulatory approvals and permits, including environmental approvals and permits; construction delays, operational delays and supply chain disruptions leading to increased cost of materials required for the construction of our projects, as well as cost overruns and delays related to disputes with contractors; our suppliers’ ability and willingness to perform both existing and future obligations; competition from traditional and renewable energy companies in developing renewable energy projects; potential slowed demand for renewable energy projects and our ability to enter into new offtake contracts on acceptable terms and prices as current offtake contracts expire; offtakers’ ability to terminate contracts or seek other remedies resulting from failure of our projects to meet development, operational or performance benchmarks; various technical and operational challenges leading to unplanned outages, reduced output, interconnection or termination issues; the dependence of our production and revenue on suitable meteorological and environmental conditions, and our ability to accurately predict such conditions; our ability to enforce warranties provided by our counterparties in the event that our projects do not perform as expected; government curtailment, energy price caps and other government actions that restrict or reduce the profitability of renewable energy production; electricity price volatility, unusual weather conditions (including the effects of climate change, could adversely affect wind and solar conditions), catastrophic weather-related or other damage to facilities, unscheduled generation outages, maintenance or repairs, unanticipated changes to availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments, environmental incidents, or electric transmission system constraints and the possibility that we may not have adequate insurance to cover losses as a result of such hazards; our dependence on certain operational projects for a substantial portion of our cash flows; our ability to continue to grow our portfolio of projects through successful acquisitions; changes and advances in technology that impair or eliminate the competitive advantage of our projects or upsets the expectations underlying investments in our technologies; our ability to effectively anticipate and manage cost inflation, interest rate risk, currency exchange fluctuations and other macroeconomic conditions that impact our business; our ability to retain and attract key personnel; our ability to manage legal and regulatory compliance and litigation risk across our global corporate structure; our ability to protect our business from, and manage the impact of, cyber-attacks, disruptions and security incidents, as well as acts of terrorism or war; the potential impact of the current conflicts in Israel on our operations and financial condition and Company actions designed to mitigate such impact; changes to existing renewable energy industry policies and regulations that present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to renewable energy projects; the reduction, elimination or expiration of government incentives for, or regulations mandating the use of, renewable energy; our ability to effectively manage our supply chain and comply with applicable regulations with respect to international trade relations, tariffs, sanctions, export controls and anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws; our ability to effectively comply with Environmental Health and Safety and other laws and regulations and receive and maintain all necessary licenses, permits and authorizations; our performance of various obligations under the terms of our indebtedness (and the indebtedness of our subsidiaries that we guarantee) and our ability to continue to secure project financing on attractive terms for our projects; limitations on our management rights and operational flexibility due to our use of tax equity arrangements; potential claims and disagreements with partners, investors and other counterparties that could reduce our right to cash flows generated by our projects; our ability to comply with tax laws of various jurisdictions in which we currently operate as well as the tax laws in jurisdictions in which we intend to operate in the future; the unknown effect of the dual listing of our ordinary shares on the price of our ordinary shares; various risks related to our incorporation and location in Israel; the costs and requirements of being a public company, including the diversion of management’s attention with respect to such requirements; certain provisions in our Articles of Association and certain applicable regulations that may delay or prevent a change of control; and other risk factors set forth in the section titled “Risk factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and our other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC.

    These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this press release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: White paper highlights human rights progress in Xizang

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    All-round and historic progress has been made in human rights cause in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, according to a white paper released on Friday.
    The document, titled “Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era,” was released by the State Council Information Office at a press conference held in Lhasa, capital city of the region.
    The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government have implemented effective measures to develop the economy, improve living standards and people’s wellbeing, promote ethnic unity and progress, and protect the basic rights of all the people in the region, it said.
    Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, respecting and protecting human rights has been made an important part of the Party Central Committee’s guidelines for the governance of the region, according to the document.
    The CPC has maintained a people-centered approach to human rights and a commitment to ensuring human rights through development, and has vigorously promoted whole-process people’s democracy, it said.
    The Party has strengthened legal protection of human rights, and coordinated efforts to increase people’s civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights, so as to achieve well-rounded development and common prosperity for all people from all ethnic groups, according to the white paper.
    Today, Xizang enjoys political stability, ethnic unity, economic development, social harmony, and amity among different religions, the document said.
    Its environment is sound, and local people are content with their work and daily lives. This progress represents a remarkable achievement in protecting human rights on the snowy plateau, it said.
    Full text: Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Peter Kyle’s speech at the Space-Comm Expo 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Speech

    Peter Kyle’s speech at the Space-Comm Expo 2025

    A speech delivered by Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, at the Space-Comm Expo 2025 on Tuesday 11 March.

    The British Space programme began in the same year that our late queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, ascended to the throne.

    Sixty-three years ago, the launch of Ariel One, the first British-American satellite, made Britain only the 3rd country to launch into orbit.

    In little more than a decade, we went from a nation with space ambition to one of the few countries with a satellite operation. 

    Then, as I was enjoying my first birthday, Prospero became the first British satellite to be launched by a British rocket.

    All those years ago, deciding to have a space programme, designing, building and launching a spacecraft, took decades of planning.

    Fast-forward to today:

    • When, somewhere around the world, there is a rocket launching every 34 hours.
    • When the UK’s space economy is outpacing the growth of our economy as a whole.
    • And when, just this month, the second-ever private spacecraft touched down successfully on the surface of the moon. Powered by British engines, engineered in Buckinghamshire.

    An international effort, with British expertise, contributing to a successful lunar mission.

    There is no mistaking the increasing pace of change.

    Or just how much the people in this room – and the businesses you lead – now contribute towards the growing the British economy.

    So, to begin with, it’s my job to say thank you to all of you.

    Britain’s space sector is not just safe in your hands. It is thriving under your stewardship.

    And with the British economy, it’s felt increasingly, and it’s felt day by day.

    This is a government that has economic growth as our number one mission.

    And for us, growth isn’t just a soundbite.

    It is our very purpose.

    Growth rates are more than an indicator of the state of the economy…

    …They are an indication of this government’s state of mind.

    We are:

    • ambitious for Britain

    • determined to build the wealthier, fairer nation for everyone.

    • And we are impatient for the increased wealth and opportunities that economic growth brings to communities, businesses and to people alike.

    With 16% of UK GDP depending on satellite services, there’s no doubt that the space sector is important to that.

    Because Britain has never had a space flight with our own crew on board, it is too easy for some ‘armchair astronauts’ to dismiss the UK space programme.

    I believe we are approaching a space tipping point. At which it becomes simply impossible for even the most determined science-cynic to ignore. 

    From how we message family and friends or check the weather, to how our country protects itself from climate change and national security threats that we increasingly face – space technologies simply underpin our lives.

    From the everyday, right through to the extraordinary.

    As heavy launches into low orbit become less costly – 95% cheaper than 40 years ago – and the barriers to entry are more easily overcome, the space tipping point now brings with it new risks that we have to face up to:

    • Hundreds of millions of pieces of space junk that threaten the satellites that support almost every part of our interconnected world.
    • As that figure rises, so does the chance of an accidental collision of catastrophic consequences.
    • And at the same time, space is becoming more and more accessible to hostile actors as well, eventually, possibly seeking to do Britain harm.

    The severity of these risks cannot be overstated.

    But neither should we be blind to the extraordinary opportunities that space technologies offer to our country and to us.

    To embed innovation in every part of our economy…

    …and open the doors to a new era of high productivity and growth.

    To secure our nation for the century ahead…

    …and make discoveries that will transform citizens’ lives.

    We reach this tipping point, and we have a narrow window to secure our stake in space.

    We sometimes talk about scientific progress as if it were inevitable.

    But there is nothing inevitable about progress as every one of you knows well.

    If we and our allies stand still, whilst our competitors stride ahead – or hostile actors get a foot in the door – we will find ourselves locked out of the opportunities space can bring.

    And left exposed further to the risks.

    That’s why space is a strategic priority for this Labour government as we deliver our Plan for Change.

    That requires strategic partnerships with our allies in Europe and around the globe, and between the public and the private sectors.

    And it also means being clear about the roles and responsibilities of each.

    There are some activities – like national security – which only governments can and should do.

    Others, where the creativity, the ingenuity and the enterprise of the private sector will suffice.

    And then there is a third way, where the power of partnership of governments and enterprise is the route to discovery, prosperity and to greater growth as well.

    Since we took office in July, I’ve met many of the players behind Britain’s burgeoning space economy.

    Businesses like Astroscale and ClearSpace, designing new missions to remove dangerous space clutter from orbit.

    And Space Forge, who are finding ways to manufacture semiconductors in microgravity.

    The success of businesses like these depends on world-leading research and an ambitious, entrepreneurial mindset.

    The UK is well placed to lead in both.

    These businesses also need a government that understands and appreciates their potential, has their back, and gives them the foundations to keep pushing the frontiers forward.

    Since 2015, the UK has attracted more private investment in space than any other country outside of the United States.

    We cherish Britain as a beacon for innovation, investment, stability and the rule of law.

    And we are determined to keep that beacon burning brightly in the increasingly competitive and uncertain international environment.

    Space is one of the first 4 areas singled out for attention by the new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO).

    That Office will cut the burden of bureaucracy, freeing up your time and your resources to invest and innovate further and faster.

    Government must, always must, continue to fulfil our side of the bargain, backing British space with the support the sector needs.

    That means grant funding for innovation; direct investment into strategically significant projects; and procuring from the UK firms from government contracts.

    Take our £20 million investment into Orbex, to fund the first British-made, British-launched rocket, set for orbit later this year.

    Prime is designed to take small satellites into the polar orbits, to improve our understanding of a region right at the frontline of climate change.

    The launch will transform the UK space industry.

    It will bring highly-paid jobs to the Shetland Islands, whilst boosting Europe’s ability to access space from our own continent.

    The UK space sector is further bolstered by Britain’s membership of the European Space Agency.

    Indeed, Britain does better because of that key partnership.

    From inspiring the nation with Tim Peake’s flight to the International Space Station, to our instrumental role in the James Webb Space Telescope, our partnership with the ESA means British firms winning in this unique global marketplace.

    In the last quarter of 2024, UK businesses’ net revenues from the ESA were £80 million higher than our contribution.

    That’s a record for any member state.

    And this success is a direct result of public and private sectors working closer together to make sure the UK sees the great return on our collective investment.

    The knock-on effects of these contract wins will add up to a £1 billion of boost across our economy.

    They’ll create 3,800 highly skilled jobs, from Stevenage right up to the Shetland Isles.

    And they will ensure that British businesses have the power and investment to continue making discoveries that will transform people’s lives:

    • Like Airbus, selected to build a spacecraft to help us weather violent solar storms.
    • Thales Alenia Space, which will propel crucial cargo and scientific instruments right up to the moon’s surface.
    • And Open Cosmos, granted contracts to study the magnetic field, and using what they learn to bolster our satellites and better fight climate change.

    The immense contribution British businesses make to our island’s space story shows ambition, integrity, and leadership.

    It is testament to these traits, alongside the determination and dedication of our people.

    As we stand in this space tipping point, the government’s commitment to economic growth demands that we support science and we invest in innovation.

    We also champion the critical technologies to maximise the power and potential of the British economy.

    Your contribution and the commitment to our economic growth mission is profoundly important.

    So, I want to finish exactly where I started:

    By acknowledging your efforts and extending our appreciation for them, as you help to make Britain more productive, more prosperous, and more pioneering.

    On this planet and beyond.

    Thank you very much.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Turtle Creek Asset Management UCITS fund surpasses US$100m in AUM

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Turtle Creek Asset Management Inc. (‘Turtle Creek’), a Canadian independent investment management firm with a 26-year history, is pleased to announce that assets for its UCITS fund, Turtle Creek North American Equity Fund, an Irish ICAV fund, surpassed US$100m in January 2025.

    The fund also has a new administrator, US Bank Global Fund Services (Ireland) and from March 10th there has been daily dealing.

    Turtle Creek’s North American mid-cap value strategy has a track record of over 25 years, and is both rigorous and repeatable. The UCITS fund portfolio targets to own shares in 30 companies between US$2 billion – US$20 billion at the time of purchase, and is constructed from the 100+ companies that the firm actively follows. It is managed according to the same cash flow based value investing strategy and continuous optimization process that has been successful for over 25 years.

    Andrew Brenton, Turtle Creek’s CEO, said: “This is a very significant landmark in AUM to have reached for the UCITS fund, and is indicative of the importance to Turtle Creek of it. North American mid-caps represent excellent opportunities for European investors seeking quality companies that are underappreciated by the market and offer diversification beyond a highly concentrated U.S. large-cap market. The current environment means the portfolio is trading at a favorable discount to its intrinsic value, offering an attractive entry point.”

    Michael Bowen, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Relationship Management, said: “We think long-term value investing in North American equities with a well-considered, consistent and nuanced investment approach represents a primary portfolio building block. Given the current volatility and uncertainty in markets we believe allocators understand the importance of a very active approach to stock selection and portfolio optimization, and also appreciate why our mid-cap focus is particularly attractive in these circumstances.”

    Turtle Creek was established in 1998 by Andrew Brenton, Jeffrey Cole and Jeffrey Hebel who have worked together continuously for over 30 years. Prior to Turtle Creek, they founded and ran the private equity investment subsidiary of The Bank of Nova Scotia. While successful at generating strong returns for the bank, they pivoted to public equity investing on account of routinely observing better run, profitable companies trading at irrational prices, and concluded that improved risk-adjusted-returns could be achieved. Today, Turtle Creek manages mid-cap public equity portfolios totalling more than US$4 billion. There is a 12 person investment team based in Toronto.

    Turtle Creek’s strategy has an open-ended, publicly available track record via a Canadian vehicle. The UCITS is very similar in overall exposure to the existing strategy. The UCITS Fund has been available for qualified investors in the UK, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Poland, and Turtle Creek is actively considering registration in other jurisdictions.

    About Turtle Creek Asset Management Inc.

    Turtle Creek Asset Management Inc. was founded in 1998 by Andrew Brenton, Jeffrey Cole and Jeffrey Hebel. Based in Toronto, Turtle Creek is comprised of twelve investment team members and sixteen additional employees, offering a different kind of value investing focused on long-term capital growth for a clientele of high-net-worth families, institutions and wealth advisors.

    For further information, please visit:
    https://www.turtlecreek.ca/
    https://funds.carnegroup.com/turtlecreekucitsicav

    Contacts:

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK commends the historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    The UK commends the historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan: UK statement to the OSCE

    Connor Creeley (UK Delegation to the OSCE) praises the landmark border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which resolves decades of conflict and instability along their shared border.

    Thank you Chair.   

    The UK commends this historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Since the 1990s, there have been repeated outbreaks of violence over the long, shared border. After the most recent clash in September 2022, both governments agreed that enough was enough and began negotiations to resolve the conflict. Through hard work and patient cooperation, a decades-long issue – and source of instability for Central Asia – has now been resolved, with the border delineated.  

    We note positively that both states achieved this agreement without the need of any third-party mediators. Such actions by our fellow participating States help to reaffirm the OSCE commitments and uphold the Helsinki Final Act’s core principles of non-use of force, peaceful settlement of disputes and cooperation among States. We hope this peaceful resolution will help to promote stability throughout the region and serve as an example to the wider world.  

    I encourage both countries to support their local communities on the border. This agreement offers huge potential for regional integration and supports economic cooperation and development. We look forward to the resumption of cross-border trade and travel that will help to build people-to-people ties. The UK will continue to reiterate – in this Council and beyond – the importance of diplomacy to help resolve disputes. We look forward to a new era of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the OSCE stands ready to support.  

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lord Chancellor letter to the Sentencing Council: 20 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Lord Chancellor letter to the Sentencing Council: 20 March 2025

    The Lord Chancellor wrote to the Sentencing Council to reiterate the government’s opposition to the ‘differential treatment’ introduced by new sentencing guidelines.

    Applies to England and Wales

    Documents

    Lord Chancellor letter to the Sentencing Council: 20 March 2025

    PDF, 154 KB, 3 pages

    Details

    In this letter, to Sentencing Council Chair Rt Hon Lord Justice William Davis, the Lord Chancellor acknowledges the Council’s plans to publish new Imposition of Community and Custodial Sentence Guidelines.

    The letter reiterates the government’s objections to the guidelines, specifically that it introduces ‘differential treatment’ in court on the basis of race or ethnicity – and notes the risk this would have on public confidence in the justice system.

    The Lord Chancellor also raises concerns about the fact the current government was not consulted on the introduction of the guidelines, and sets out her position that matters of policy should be decided by Parliament and Ministers.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 March 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Natural England board member reappointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Natural England board member reappointed

    Clare Fitzsimmons has rejoined the board for a second term

    Clare Fitzsimmons has today (Friday 28 March) been reappointed to the board of Natural England.

    Her second term will run for three years from 12 March 2025 until 11 March 2028.

    This appointment has been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office.

    Natural England is the government’s statutory adviser for the natural environment in England. Its purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

    Biography:

    • Clare Fitzsimmons is Professor of Marine Ecosystems and Governance at Newcastle University. She is Director of Business, Innovation and Skills in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences and chairs the External Advisory Board, gaining commercial experience in defence and consultancy sectors.

    • Clare is also a Marine Management Organisation-appointed member of the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority. She is co-chair of Natural England’s Science Advisory Committee, multi-disciplinary experts to ensure the best available scientific advice is used to underpin decision-making for nature recovery.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Announces Listing of Kinto (K) with Massive 12,800 K & 50,000 USDT Prize Pool

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is excited to announce the upcoming listing of Kinto (K) on March 31, 2025. To celebrate, MEXC is launching exclusive events with a combined prize pool of 12,800 K & 50,000 USDT in bonuses, offering traders the opportunity to earn substantial rewards while engaging with the Kinto ecosystem.

    Kinto is a modular exchange (MEX) that combines the advantages of both centralized (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX), offering users a secure, compliant, and seamless trading experience. Founded by a team of blockchain developers and financial experts, Kinto operates on a strong community governance model that enables users to actively shape the platform’s future.

    The K token ($K) serves as both the governance and utility token within the Kinto ecosystem, granting holders governance rights, staking opportunities, and rewards for participation.

    To celebrate the listing of Kinto (K), MEXC has launched a series of exciting events with low entry requirements and a simple participation process, ensuring that users with different needs can easily join and share generous rewards.

    Below are the key details of the events:

    MEXC has established itself as an industry leader by consistently providing users with early access to promising Web3 projects. In 2024, MEXC introduced 2,376 new tokens, with 1,716 of those being initial listings. According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC leads the industry with the highest number of spot listings, at 461, and the fastest listing speed. Additionally, the exchange consistently adds new tokens in bi-weekly cycles, showcasing its exceptional ability to capture market trends quickly.

    Looking ahead, MEXC will continue to enhance its platform by providing advantages such as low fees, deep liquidity, a wide selection of trending tokens, and daily airdrops, enabling traders to access high-potential projects early, receive generous rewards, and enjoy an optimal trading experience.

    For full event details and participation rules, visit here.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    Risk Disclaimer:
    The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

    Source

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    PR Manager
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bdd074d0-6d90-42f8-a153-79bda20526ff

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing cultural exchange event promotes unity, inclusion

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Guests mingle at “The Night of Lights” cultural exchange event in Beijing, March 23, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]
    A vibrant cultural exchange event titled “The Night of Lights” was hosted in a Beijing cultural space on March 23, bringing together diplomats, students and business professionals from Pakistan, Tunisia, Morocco, Türkiye and other countries. The gathering, centered on themes of “unity and inclusion,” created a warm atmosphere for cross-cultural dialogue through culinary delights, traditional attire and artistic performances.
    The evening buzzed with intercultural energy as participants sampled international delicacies like Pakistani samosas, Moroccan harira soup and Argentine madeleine cakes. Many of the attendees dressed in colorful national costumes, exchanging stories about their home countries and sharing their experiences of living in China.
    Safaa Merzane, a Moroccan student at Capital University of Economics and Business, has developed a deep appreciation for Chinese cuisine during her year and a half in the country. When asked about her most memorable cultural experience in China, she enthused: “The first idea that comes to my mind is the Chinese food. When I try spicy food, I think it’s so delicious!”

    Moroccan student Safaa Merzane shares her impressions of Chinese cuisine during the cultural event, March 23, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]
    Hina Shaikh, a teacher at the Pakistan Embassy College in Beijing, expressed her delight in participating. “There are many different foods, culture traditions and cultural performances I see today,” Shaikh remarked. “That has really amused me how people interact with each other, how they respect each other’s culture. And I feel very happy when I’m a part of such an event.” She particularly noted the eagerness of the young performers to showcase their cultural heritage through dance, music and traditional dress.
    Shaikh, who regularly participates in cultural activities through her work, added: “The students of the college are normally taking part in many cultural programs. Even in our college, there are lots of Chinese students come to perform. And we have culture programs.” In her opinion, these events act as vital bridges fostering international understanding and friendship.
    Tunisian students Sirin Jridi and Khaoula Louhichi from Minzu University of China enthusiastically shared their perspectives on China’s inclusive cultural environment. “I came to this event at my friend’s invitation,” Jridi explained. “We try to showcase our traditional clothes and some of our food and introduce them to a lot of nationalities. Of course, we have tried other people’s food and we really like it. We are willing to have more of this kind of events to participate in.”

    Tunisian exchange students Khaoula Louhichi and Sirin Jridi showcase their traditional attire at the cultural gathering in Beijing, March 23, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]
    Louhichi also described how her understanding of Chinese society has transformed: “I used to think that Chinese people are cold. But when I came here, I just figured out it was totally wrong. I felt like really welcomed here.” She expressed admiration for China’s social harmony, where 56 ethnic groups coexist peacefully. “They’re all living in peace here, and Chinese culture is really immense. I really like it here. Chinese people are also very proud of their culture.”
    Louhichi credited Chinese government scholarships for enabling international students to experience the country firsthand. “Thanks to the scholarship that the Chinese government gives to other students, many people can come to China and experience the real China,” she said.
    She also praised China’s academic initiatives promoting cultural exchange. “Many universities host ‘cultural days’ during which students from all over the world will have stands and they will share with others their culture. I think in China, it’s so convenient to know other people’s culture,” she said.

    Attendees sample international delicacies at the cultural event in Beijing, March 23, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]
    The event ended on a hopeful note, as participants called for more cultural exchanges. The lively gathering showcased how such initiatives celebrate diversity while creating genuine international bonds. As a reflection of China’s vibrant multiculturalism, it highlighted the country’s growing role in fostering cross-cultural understanding through openness and mutual respect.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the General Assembly on the International Day of Zero Waste [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations – English

    r. President, Madame First Lady, Excellencies, Dear Friends,

    The waste crisis is an issue that goes to the heart of how we produce, and how we consume.

    And one that requires action at every level – local, national, and global. 

    This year’s International Day focuses on fashion and textiles.

    And rightly so.

    Unless we accelerate action, dressing to kill could kill the planet.

    Textile production often uses thousands of chemicals – many of them harmful to people and the environment.

    It devours resources like land and water – putting pressure on ecosystems.

    And it belches out greenhouse gases – inflaming the climate crisis.  

    Clothes are being produced and discarded at a staggering rate – driven by business models that prioritize newness, speed, and disposability.  

    Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothing is incinerated or sent to landfill.

    Excellencies, Dear Friends,

    Fashion is just the tip of a toxic iceberg.

    Waste is an issue in every sector. 

    Every year, humanity produces over two billion tonnes of garbage.

    If you pack all that into shipping containers stacked end to end, they would stretch to the moon and back.

    Here on Earth, toxin-filled waste is seeping into our soil, our water, and our air. And ultimately into us.

    As usual, the poorest pay the highest price.

    More than one billion people live in slums and informal urban settlements, where waste management is non-existent and disease runs rampant.

    The rich world is flooding the Global South with garbage, from obsolete computers to single-use plastic and more.

    Many nations do not have the infrastructure to process even a fraction of what is dumped on their shores.

    As a result, materials that could be recycled are burned or sent to landfill. 

    And waste pickers are exposed to toxic chemicals as they sift through potentially hazardous materials, including broken electronics, in appalling conditions.

    Excellencies, Dear Friends,

    We need a different approach: one that delivers on the commitment in the Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable production and consumption.

    And there are signs of hope.

    Change is possible. And it presents exciting opportunities.

    In fashion, for example, designers are experimenting with recycled materials.

    Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability.

    In many countries, resale markets are booming.

    And important initiatives are bringing together large and small businesses, industry associations, civil society and many others to drive sustainability across the sector.

    They include the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, and the Fashion Pact.

    We must celebrate the power of these innovations to transform the industry.

    But we need more.

    And we need change in every sector.

    I welcome the work of the Chair and the First Lady and members of the United Nations Advisory Board on Zero Waste to raise awareness, and help meet the SDGs.

    The fight against waste requires us all.

    Governments must act:

    Through policies, regulations and subsidies:

    That promote sustainability, and zero waste initiatives…

    That encourage businesses to adopt positive practices…

    That provide decent jobs…

    And that empower everyone – not just the wealthy – to afford products that last.

    The current negotiations for a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution – due in August this year – are a key opportunity for governments to drive progress.

    I urge them to take it…

    And to translate any treaty into action to support consumers to make environmentally friendly choices, and into a clear roadmap across industries.

    Addressing plastic pollution must be at the core of corporate responsibility.

    There is no space for greenwashing.

    Businesses must increase circularity, waste reduction and resource efficiency across their supply chains.

    We need accountability for corporate sustainability commitments.

    We need transparency for customers. 

    And we need consumers to use their purchasing power to encourage change:

    Reducing excessive consumption, valuing products that last, and embracing exchanges and resales.

    And we need young people and civil society to keep using their voices and power to demand change through advocacy.

    Excellencies, Dear Friends,

    We must build on progress, to end the waste practices wasting our planet.

    On this International Day, let us commit to do our part to clean up our act, and build a healthier, more sustainable world for us all. 

    And I thank you.
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor launches ambitious new London policing plan for 2025-2029

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Sadiq’s new Police and Crime Plan will help revitalise neighbourhood policing teams with City Hall working with Government to help put more officers in the heart of communities over the next four years
    • The Plan re-commits to being tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime, and places partnership working with the Met Police, Government, Transport for London, London Councils and other agencies at the heart of work to tackle Londoners’ priorities
    • Detailed plan has been developed in consultation with more than 4,000 Londoners and key partners including police, local councils, justice agencies and voluntary groups

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today launched his new London Police and Crime Plan1 which will focus on revitalising high-visibility policing in our neighbourhoods and high streets to deal with local priorities and make London safer for everyone. 
     
    The detailed plan for 2025-2029 sets out Sadiq’s priorities to build on crime reductions already achieved in the capital2 and is focused on working with Government throughout the four-year period of the plan to strengthen neighbourhood policing in London so that more officers are in the heart of communities to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour. 
     
    Comparing statistics for the financial year before the Mayor’s previous Police and Crime Plan and the 12 months from January-December 2024, violence with injury in the Met Police area fell by 11%, domestic homicide by 28%, non-domestic homicide by 8%, teen homicide by 43%, lethal barrel discharges by 25% and the number of people under 25 admitted to hospital due to assault with a sharp object by 13%. 
     
    Latest ONS figures show the rate of violence in London is lower than the rest of England and Wales. Last year there were fewer homicides of people under-25 than any year since 2003 and the number of teenage homicides in London in 2024 was also at its lowest total since 2012.
     
    The plan comes as the Mayor has welcomed the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, announced at the end of last year, to have 13,000 additional neighbourhood policing officers, Police Community Support Officers and special constables in dedicated neighbourhood policing roles nationally to help tackle and prevent crime in high streets and town centres.
     
    As Mayor, Sadiq has gone above and beyond to ensure the capital’s police have the resources to continue tackling crime locally. Directly funding 1,300 extra police officers, backing the Met with a record £1.16bn in City Hall funding in this year’s budget alone.
     
    The Mayor’s new plan has been developed following consultation with more than 4,000 Londoners, the Met Police and other key partners including local authorities, and voluntary groups. The key priorities are: reducing violence and criminal exploitation; building safer, more confident communities; supporting and overseeing reform of the Met Police; and improving the criminal justice system and supporting victims.
     
    The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) will bring partners and agencies together to help address community concerns and bear down effectively on crime and anti-social behaviour. This will include looking at ways to improve best practice in the sharing of data, cross-boundary working and developing critical partnership skills.
     
    Neighbourhood policing remains the bedrock of community confidence and safety in London. Against the backdrop of 14 years of Government austerity and its continued impact on the Met, record investment from City Hall3 is empowering the Met to deliver its new Met for London plan, which prioritises local high-visibility policing and taking officers out of back-office roles to deliver on the issues that matter most to Londoners including tackling robbery, theft and anti-social behaviour.
     
    The Mayor is clear that one violent crime is one too many and his new plan will build on reductions already achieved to further drive down serious violence in line with the Government’s national mission to halve knife crime in a decade. Sadiq has always been clear that the police alone cannot reduce violence and the plan is focused on enhanced and effective working with partners including the Met Police, Government, Transport for London, London Councils and other agencies. 
     
    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe and I’m determined to do all I can to tackle violence and crime in our city. My new Police and Crime Plan is about putting communities first and over the next four years we will work with the Government and the Met to improve visible neighbourhood policing and strengthen partnership working to deal with the violence, crime and anti-social behaviour issues that matter to Londoners.

    “This plan is about tackling the issues that matter most for our city and it has been created in consultation with thousands of Londoners, partners and local organisations. I want to thank everyone who took the time to give their views – and all of those who continue to work day-in, day-out to make our city safer.  

    “My new plan will build on crime reductions already achieved in the capital where we have seen fewer young people being injured with knives and the number of teenage homicides in London in 2024 being at its lowest total since 2012. But clearly there is still much more work to do. At City Hall we are fully focused on that, and I will continue to do everything in my power to make London a safer city for all.”
     
    The Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) will continue to tackle the complex causes of violence through prevention and early intervention, building on 400,000 diversionary activities and opportunities for young Londoners through youth work and access to youth clubs, and interventions to tackle school exclusions. 

    His VRU will oversee the Government’s Young Futures Prevention Partnerships in London, which aim to provide support for young people at risk of crime.
     
    The plan also highlights the continued commitment of the Mayor and the Met Commissioner to crack down on mobile phone robberies – a key driver of violence in London. Over the next four years, the Met will continue to take tough enforcement action against robbery offenders and City Hall will continue to work in partnership with the Government, leading mobile phone companies, manufacturers and the tech industry to design out the theft of their products. 
     
    The Mayor has committed to publishing a refreshed strategy to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), building on the pioneering work done in London over the last eight years to tackle the perpetrators of these crimes, support victims and survivors and educate young men and boys about the dangers posed by misogynistic attitudes and behaviours – backed with £233 million investment from the Mayor. 
     
    Sadiq has been clear that police reform is a critical part of his Mayoralty, and he will not be satisfied until Londoners have the police service they deserve – one that is trusted, puts communities first, is representative of London and delivers the highest possible service to every community in our city. Important steps forward have been made, including the Met coming out of HMICFRS special measures earlier this year. The plan sets out how Sadiq will continue to support and oversee the work of the Met to embed reform and deliver more trust, less crime and higher standards.
     
    Victims of crime will remain at the heart of everything City Hall does, and the plan sets out how the Mayor will continue to invest in innovative, high-quality services for victims through the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). The plan also sets out how London’s Independent Victim’s Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE, will continue her vital work to champion the rights of victims of crime and press for improvements in the services they receive at every stage of their journey. 
     
    Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said: “It has been so valuable to hear from so many Londoners, partner organisations and community groups as we’ve developed this plan who contribute daily to keeping London safe. I’m grateful to everyone who has helped us to shape the strategy we publish today so that we can continue delivering for Londoners.
     
    “After years of chronic underfunding by the previous Government and huge cuts to policing, the Mayor and I are determined to drive this plan forward and working with partners is at the heart of my approach to build on the progress that has already been made to reduce serious violence in the capital.
     
    “Strong partnerships make communities safer, and that’s why this plan focuses so much on strengthening joint working between police, Government, local authorities, justice agencies and key partner organisations like TfL and the NHS. I look forward to working with all of our partners to make London a safer city for all.”

    London’s Independent Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE, said: “I’m glad to see a focus within this new Police and Crime Plan on investing in high-quality services to support victims of crime. It’s critical victims and bereaved families remain at the heart of the Mayor’s work at City Hall.

    “Our Criminal Justice System is in crisis and in need of serious reform following years of underfunding by the previous government. That’s why, in my role, I’m determined to continue standing up for victims’ rights, ensuring that their voices are heard, and work closely with the Government to lobby for adequate funding and improved policies to support victims.

    “I look forward to continuing to collaborate with MOPAC to better understand the specific points within the system where victims are being failed. Underpinned by MOPAC research, my London Rape Reviews and Stalking Review have respectively helped to shape national policy and I am keen to build on their successes. Through this work, I hope to effect changes that will improve victims’ experiences and keep them at the heart of all decision and policy making.”

    Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said: “The safety and security of our customers and staff is our top priority. We are committed to working alongside the Mayor, police and other partners to ensure that everyone travelling in London can do so safely. We welcome this new plan which will see visible local policing in communities supporting the transport network across the capital.  It is vital we continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that our transport network remains a welcoming environment to work and travel.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: 2nd Golden Panda Awards to be held in Chengdu in September

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The second Golden Panda Awards will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in September, recognizing outstanding films and TV series while promoting the giant panda cultural brand, organizers announced on March 25.

    Organizers attend a press conference to brief the media about the second Golden Panda Awards in Beijing, March 25, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Golden Panda Awards Organizing Committee]

    Xie Li, a member of the organizing committee for the 2025 Golden Panda Awards and secretary of the secretariat of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, said the ceremony will take place in Chengdu on Sept. 12, 2025. 

    “There are 27 awards in four categories: film, TV drama, documentary and animation,” he said. “These awards cover best picture, director and screenplay, among others. The event aims to promote cross-cultural understanding through the selection of film and television works.”

    Li Junchen, deputy secretary-general of the Sichuan provincial government, outlined the awards’ “3+3+1” framework, which includes three main events, three side activities, and one extension activity.

    According to Li, the main events include the “Golden Panda Night” welcome, the “Golden Panda International Cultural Forum,” and the “Golden Panda Awards Ceremony.” The forum will gather politicians, scholars, and industry leaders to explore cross-cultural exchange and technology-culture integration. Winners in four categories will be announced at the awards ceremony, which will feature cultural performances.

    Li also disclosed that side activities include the “See the World with Panda” international film and TV exhibition, which will promote project cooperation and exchanges, as well as the “Let’s Watch Movies Together” film panorama featuring classic works via screenings. Additionally, the “Face-to-Face with Pandas” tour will offer close encounters with giant pandas while showcasing Chinese culture.

    The extension activity, “Our Panda,” invites global submissions of short videos, photos and written works featuring panda-inspired creative pieces that highlight harmony between humans and nature.

    Gao Zhongwei, deputy director of the Golden Panda Awards organizing committee office and director of the executive committee office, updated the status of global submissions as of the prior day: 1,788 entries were received, comprising 71 films, 385 TV dramas, 854 documentaries and 478 animations. Of these, 1,373 entries — 77% of the total — originated from 104 countries and regions across five continents.

    Eligible works are outstanding film and television productions that premiered or screened between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2025. With the submission deadline set for April 25, 2025, organizers encourage more film and television institutions and industry associations to participate, Gao said.

    Organizers noted that the jury panel covers five continents, with overseas experts making up over 40% of the jurors. The panel includes internationally renowned film and television experts to ensure professional evaluations and authoritative results.

    A poster for the second Golden Panda Awards. [Image courtesy of Golden Panda Awards Organizing Committee]

    Organizers noted that the Golden Panda Awards will be market-driven, featuring enhanced industrial functions such as project incubation and copyright trading to encourage cooperation in the global film and television industry. Additionally, they plan to develop “film and television plus culture plus ecosystem” experiences based on the giant panda’s intellectual property and Sichuan’s cultural tourism resources.

    The biennial Golden Panda Awards aim to uphold standards by collecting and selecting works that reflect shared human values, while facilitating cross-cultural exchanges and learning through film and television, the organizers said.

    The inaugural Golden Panda Awards in 2023 drew 7,024 submissions from 104 countries and regions. Foreign entries made up 70% of submissions, and foreign works accounted for 60% of the winners, demonstrating the event’s extensive global reach.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Consumer expo expected to be biggest ever

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

    The upcoming fifth China International Consumer Products Expo, to be held from April 13 to 18 in Haikou, Hainan province, is expected to attract the highest number of participants compared with past editions, which points to the confidence of global consumer enterprises in China, the Ministry of Commerce said.

    The event, the largest consumer goods expo in the Asia-Pacific region, will become China’s first significant international expo this year, and an important platform for the country to further boost consumption and expand high-quality development, said the ministry, the co-organizer of the expo.

    In the recently delivered Government Work Report, boosting consumption was listed as a top priority among this year’s tasks.

    “This year, the expo is expected to attract the participation of more than 1,700 companies and over 4,100 brands from 71 countries and regions. This scale far exceeds the previous four editions,” said Sheng Qiuping, vice-minister of commerce, at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday.

    Hainan Free Trade Port is a pioneer in China’s opening-up efforts. An FTP system focused on trade and investment liberalization as well as facilitation will be “basically established” in Hainan by 2025, according to the plan.

    The holding of the consumer expo, coupled with the policies of the FTP, is expected to help drive the growth of duty-free shopping, catering, accommodation, and tourism consumption in Hainan, promoting its development into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination, the ministry said.

    This year, the United Kingdom will serve as the guest of honor, and the UK, France, Switzerland and Slovakia will showcase their products in the form of national exhibition groups, according to the local government of Hainan.

    In addition, different provinces and cities across the country will showcase popular domestic products and time-honored brands. In addition to the exhibition of products, services consumption — such as healthcare and wellness, sporting events and artificial intelligence — will also be highlights of the event this year.

    “With the hosting of four editions of the consumer expo, international consumer enterprises have increasingly felt the charm of the Hainan FTP and felt that the door of China’s reform and opening-up is opening increasingly wider,” said Gu Gang, vice-governor of Hainan.

    In the first two months, total retail sales of consumer goods in China reached 8.37 trillion yuan ($1.15 trillion), up 4 percent year-on-year, and the growth rate was 0.5 percentage point higher than the whole year figure of last year, the ministry said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Initiative for boosting sustainable development via digital sci-tech released at Zhongguancun Forum

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

    Initiative for boosting sustainable development via digital sci-tech released at Zhongguancun Forum

    BEIJING, March 28 — Participants at a parallel forum of the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing unveiled an initiative on Thursday, calling for global collaboration to leverage digital science and technology to accelerate sustainable development and address global challenges.

    Nearly 200 representatives from international organizations, as well as domestic and foreign scholars, attended the International Forum on Sciences for Sustainable Development, which is one of the activities of UNESCO’s “International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033).”

    The Beijing Initiative on Digital Science and Technology for Sustainable Development released at the forum outlines key objectives, including promoting innovative applications of digital sci-tech in sustainable development, and expanding the use of big data, artificial intelligence, space technology and the Internet of Things to address challenges — such as biodiversity conservation, climate change, disaster risk reduction and poverty alleviation.

    The initiative emphasizes the development of digital tools to optimize energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and enhance natural resource management capabilities.

    The initiative also proposes building global platforms for sharing digital resources and technologies, strengthening the role of digital tools in policy formulation, and promoting public engagement and education concerning sustainability through digital means.

    A highlight of the initiative is the proposal to launch international big-science programs on digital sustainable development — aiming to unite global research institutions, governments and private sectors to establish collaborative platforms for cross-border technology R&D, data sharing and standard-setting. These programs will prioritize technology transfer and capacity-building, particularly for developing nations, to ensure equitable and inclusive global cooperation.

    Guo Huadong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director-general of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, said that digital technologies and open data are pivotal to solving sustainability challenges.

    Highlighting data-sharing achievements, Guo noted that China launched SDGSAT-1, the world’s first satellite dedicated to serving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, on Nov. 5, 2021. Since its launch, the satellite has captured over 420,000 data scenes — which were freely shared worldwide.

    According to Guo, China had met the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 52 percent of its environmental indicators by 2022 — well ahead of schedule. Beijing, China’s capital, ranks first nationwide in terms of environmental SDG indicators, with average PM2.5 concentration showing an annual average reduction rate of 7.56 percent from 2015 to 2023, according to satellite observations.

    Scientists from 104 countries have utilized the data supplied by SDGSAT-1 to inform research efforts and in policy making. Applications span urban planning, environmental monitoring, agricultural monitoring and disaster response. Notable projects enabled by this satellite include the development of sustainability data products for BRICS nations, the conducting of SDG assessments for African countries, and analysis of light pollution on the Iberian Peninsula.

    “In the future, a satellite constellation is expected to be built to serve as a sharper ‘eye in space’ for global sustainable development,” Guo added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The PCA has written to all pub owning businesses about the price match right

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    The PCA has written to all pub owning businesses about the price match right

    The PCA is concerned to ensure that pubs companies are fully compliant with regulation 46 of the Pubs Code relating to premises insurance, and in particular, a tied tenant’s right to price match.

    What does the Pubs Code say about premises insurance?

    Under regulation 46 of the Pubs Code, a pub company must provide tied tenants with information about premises insurance where it intends to charge the tenant in respect of the premium. This ensures full transparency and allows the tenant to look for a cheaper policy. If the tied tenant finds one that is suitable and comparable in coverage, the pub company must buy that policy or agree the tenant will not have to pay the difference.

    What has the PCA done?

    In March 2024, the PCA concluded its review of Star’s reported breaches of regulation 46(2) of the Pubs Code. This supervised inquiry related to the information Star provided to tenants in relation to the premises insurance for which they were charged. As a result of this review, Star worked with the PCA to revise its correspondence to tied tenants to clearly explain its insurance arrangements and the method used to calculate the premium for each premises.

    In October 2024, the PCA wrote to all pub companies to draw attention to Star’s actions and to ask the other pub companies to make sure they were complying with the information requirements in regulation 46(2) of the Code, including where they had self-insurance arrangements.

    Since then, the PCA has been considering how pub companies comply with their tenants’ price match right in the Pubs Code. The price match right ensures that, where the tenant finds a cheaper ‘suitable and comparable’ alternative policy, the pub company must buy it, or agree in writing that the tenant will not have to pay the difference in cost.

    In March 2025, the PCA again wrote to all pub companies asking them to verify compliance with regulation 46 of the Pubs Code, and in particular, the requirements of the price match right. The PCA is clear that pub companies should not be considering whether a tenant’s alternative policy is the same or better than the pub company’s existing policy, or ‘like for like’. The statutory test is ‘suitable and comparable’.

    The PCA’s 2024 Annual Tied Tenant Survey showed that only 56% of tenants were aware of their right to price match the amount they pay their pub company for premises insurance on the open market. The PCA has asked all pub companies to consider whether changes should be made to their insurance communications with tied tenants to improve awareness of their rights, and to ensure the price match right under the Pubs Code is clearly explained.

    The PCA welcomes information from stakeholders, including tied tenants, regarding pub company compliance with the insurance price match right, or the information requirements under regulation 46 of the Pubs Code.

    The PCA can be contacted at office@pubscodeadjudicator.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Announces Ventura County Fire Chief as Joint Session Guest

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced that Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner will be her guest at this year’s Joint Session of Congress, taking place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM Pacific. Chief Gardner leads the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD), an all-hazards department of 658 personnel dedicated to protecting Ventura County. Chief Gardner has served with VCFD since 1998.

    “Chief Gardner has shown unwavering dedication in protecting Ventura County during some of the most devastating wildfires and emergencies we’ve faced,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “His leadership has been crucial not only in Ventura County, but also in coordinating firefighting efforts across Los Angeles County and throughout California.

    “Chief Gardner’s expertise, steady leadership, and calm under pressure embody the bravery and selflessness of our first responders. As President Trump addresses Congress tonight, I am honored to have Chief Gardner as my guest to remind us that protecting communities from wildfires and natural disasters must remain a national priority. Federal support for our firefighters and emergency responders is essential – and disaster assistance should never be politicized. When disaster strikes, our communities deserve timely and effective federal support, regardless of politics.

    “As wildfires continue to devastate our state and communities face unprecedented disasters, the bravery and commitment of firefighters like Chief Gardner are more important than ever,” Brownley continued. “Ensuring that our first responders, emergency personnel, and disaster recovery teams have the resources and support they need is essential to improving crisis response and safeguarding our communities.”

    “I am grateful for the opportunity to join Congresswoman Brownley at the Joint Session,” said Dustin Gardner, Ventura County Fire Chief. “The fires that destroyed thousands of homes in Southern California recently demonstrate the need for wildfire prevention efforts, coordinated responses and effective recovery measures. The federal government’s involvement and support in such efforts across the country is important, because no single agency is equipped to deal with disaster-level events alone.”

    Congresswoman Brownley is pleased to welcome Chief Gardner as her guest as an important way to recognize him and the heroic first responders across the nation who risk their lives every day to protect our communities.

    ###

    Issues: 119th Congress, Disaster Relief, Local Issues

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Remarks at Planned Parenthood California Central Coast’s Power of Love

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Camarillo, CA – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) was proud to join Planned Parenthood California Central Coast at its annual Power of Love Brunch to celebrate the organization’s work in Ventura County. Below are Congresswoman Brownley’s remarks as prepared.

    “After the week we’ve all had, I can say it is truly a pleasure to be among friends!

    “It’s an honor to be here today to celebrate the incredible work of Planned Parenthood – and to recognize the transformative impact all of you do everyday – especially here in Ventura County.

    “From opening the new health center in Oxnard to expanding access to primary care and mental health services, your work is fundamental to the health and well-being of people – from all walks of life – across our region.

    “Now, more than ever, we must ensure Planned Parenthood can not only continue its vital work – but continue to grow.

    “Because we are all clear – we are facing an evil, relentless, coordinated assault on our fundamental freedoms.

    “We have all lived through the Trump administration’s all-out war on reproductive rights – a campaign of utter cruelty driven by right-wing extremists who are hell-bent on turning back the clock.

    “They tried to dismantle Planned Parenthood at every turn.

    “They pushed gag rules, defunded critical programs, and used the full power of the federal government to attack our rights, our bodies, and our dignity.

    “And I think we are all clear – they are not done.

    “House Republicans are once again gearing up to try to defund Planned Parenthood – but this fight isn’t new to any of us.

    “For decades, you have stood strong in the face of these relentless threats, fighting not just for reproductive freedom, but for all vulnerable communities – immigrants, LGBTQ people including trans youth, low-income families, and communities of color.

    “When our country has failed to provide essential health care – when our federal safety net has fallen short – Planned Parenthood has always stepped up.

    “You’ve opened your doors to all who need care, no matter who they are, where they come from, or how much money they have.

    “And in doing so, you have saved lives!

    “That’s why keeping the doors to Planned Parenthood health centers open – no matter what – is not just a priority. It is an act of resistance.

    “Planned Parenthood has always been at the forefront of the fight for what is right.

    “For reproductive freedom, for bodily autonomy, for dignity and justice – not just for some, but for everyone.

    “Last Wednesday, I met with Alexis McGill Johnson to talk about how we move forward together in this fight.

    “And I want to be clear – this is not just my fight, and it’s not just Alexis’ fight.

    “This is the fight of the entire Reproductive Freedom Caucus, the Democratic Women’s Caucus, House Democrats, and every single person in this room.

    “We will stand shoulder to shoulder with Planned Parenthood on the front lines – every step of the way.

    “I had the privilege of knowing Cecile Richards, and her passing this year was a profound loss for all of us who care about reproductive rights and justice.

    “Cecile was a fearless advocate, a champion, and a visionary. As these attacks intensify, we must honor her legacy – and the legacy of all those who have stood for justice and equality – by continuing the fight for reproductive freedom and the right to access essential care.

    “This is a fight for our lives – but we are not backing down. Not now. Not ever.

    “Together, we will keep fighting at every level of government to protect and expand access to the life-saving care that millions rely on.

    “And together, we will fight for a future where everyone – no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have – has the freedom to make the best decisions for their bodies, their lives, their families, and their futures.

    “Thank you and thank you for everything you do.”

    ###

    Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare, Local Issues

    MIL OSI USA News –