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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Courts and Tribunals Service Centres: supporting users through centralised systems and teams

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Courts and Tribunals Service Centres: supporting users through centralised systems and teams

    Our Courts and Tribunals Service Centres (CTSCs) were established as part of the HMCTS Reform Programme, to centralise the administration of cases for multiple digital services.

    Call handlers and agents are there to support and guide users who may have questions or need information about their court or tribunal case, delivering improved access to justice. 

    Service Centres are one of the three pillars of our National Services, the other two being the National Business Centres (NBCs) and Enforcement, both of which existed pre-reform.   

    There are five Service Centres across England and Wales:  

    • Stoke-on-Trent 

    • Birmingham 

    • Loughborough 

    • Salford  

    • Newport 

    Before 2019, it was the responsibility of individual courts and tribunals teams to handle case queries and administrative tasks, using mainly paper-based processes. This meant: 

    • service delivery was inconsistent, as processes varied between courts and tribunals  

    • processes were often inefficient and less flexible  

    • there was an increased risk of error 

    • users could not self-serve or have visibility of their case  

    • users incurred costs related to postage and travel  

    Benefits of a centralised service 

    Service Centres have brought significant change to the way we deliver justice and are a truly national resource. By having everyone involved in delivering a service centrally located, and using a single system, an issue can be identified, addressed and resolved far more quickly and efficiently, without the need to send information and instructions across multiple locations.  

    The benefits of this are: 

    • faster processing times  

    • consistent service delivery across all locations 

    • users and legal professionals have a single point of contact 

    • greater flexibility to meet peaks in demand 

    • multi-skilled teams are able to handle various tasks across the services 

    • court-based staff can focus on addressing local issues across our estate 

    Our digital transformation 

    The move from paper-based to digital processes in many of our services has fundamentally changed how justice is administered.  

    Benefits of the digital service include:  

    • real-time case visibility for users through online self-service options 

    • reduced paper usage, postage and storage costs 

    • service agents work from a single platform, improving efficiency and accuracy 

    • instant access to case histories  

    • quicker feedback and case outcomes for users 

    • legal professionals can manage their applications at any time and from any device 

    We are aware that some users need additional support when using digital our services. That is why we: 

    • offer our Digital Support Service, delivered by the We Are Group.  

    • still accept paper-based applications 

    • offer a range of contact methods to suit user preferences, including a webchat in certain services and traditional telephone support.  

    During 2024, Service Centres and National Business Centres handled over 2.8 million telephone calls. Service Centres received over 519,000 emails and replied to over 25,000 webchat messages (divorce and probate only) from the people who use our courts and tribunals, providing direct support to members of the public, professional users, members of the media, and many others.    

    These calls were dealt with in an average handling time of just over 14 minutes.  

    Contact management systems (the way we receive and handle calls, emails and webchat from our users) have changed significantly, with new technology meaning we:  

    • can respond more effectively to demand 

    • have better tools when handling enquiries such as knowledge articles and standard operating procedures on hand  

    • can better understand reasons for contact  

    • have rich data on demand, including types of interaction with users, wait times and service performance 

    Over 73% of users who completed the post-call survey about their telephony contact in 2024 were satisfied with their call. While feedback on their contact has been positive: 

    Your staff were professional, polite, compassionate, empathetic and showed good listening abilities. They addressed my concerns and queries efficiently and effectively. Great service in emotionally trying times.  

    Very helpful, polite and answered my questions and gave all the information needed very clearly and concisely.

    Case study  

    Ryan and John work in one of our Service Centres. They describe their experience of supporting a caller through a very difficult situation with professionalism and care. The example also highlights the benefits of new digital services over paper, underlining the benefits of reform.    

    We take lots of calls from the public who have queries about their applications. However, in this particular case a gentleman called us letting us know his application had gone wrong. He was suffering with lots of personal issues and was clearly feeling suicidal.   

    I decided we would take responsibility for this and assured him that if there was anything that we could do to help, we will. Luckily here at the Service Centre we have many options to relieve these situations.  

    We soon found his file wasn’t where it was supposed to be, and the court were not aware of this. My team acted quickly to locate the file, while keeping him on board and calm. We contacted the court, where the judge understood the urgency of the case and granted an order. By taking initiative and having autonomy to make decisions we were able to make this happen quickly.   

    This gentleman’s case was an old-style paper case. However, if this had been a digital case what took five days to resolve, would have taken under five minutes.   

    That’s the power of reform, and in these situations the reform project has massively helped people in those situations.   

    Working together 

    Service Centres, courts and tribunals work hand-in-hand to provide access to justice. They are all part of the same service, wherever in England, Wales or Scotland they are based. Successful working relationships have been built by ensuring there is clarity on the roles and responsibilities of the courts, tribunals and Service Centres and establishing channels of communication, to monitor performance, analyse feedback and plan future improvements. 

    Future plans 

    Now we have embedded our services nationally, we will continue to make incremental improvements. Our plans include: 

    • evolving the digital systems used in Service Centres 

    • exploring how we can build on the complexity of the work we deliver 

    • considering centralising more work into National Services, where it makes sense to do so   

    Stay updated 

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Common Platform: a modern digital case management system for the criminal justice system

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Common Platform: a modern digital case management system for the criminal justice system

    Common Platform is a bespoke digital case management system, designed and developed by HMCTS, for the Crown and magistrates’ courts in England and Wales.

    It has brought together a range of different ‘legacy’ case management systems used in the criminal justice system under a single, unified platform. 

    Before Common Platform, our people and partners faced significant daily challenges:  

    • High volumes of physical documents using hours of court time to manually handle 

    • Significant cost to the taxpayer of printing and transporting paper between agencies, causing delays and inefficiencies throughout the justice system. 

    • Need for legal advisers and court clerks to manually record and process actions after the hearing, slowing access to justice down further for victims, defendants and witnesses 

    • Delays and inefficiencies in completing daily tasks like booking interpreters, requesting screens, or processing court orders required multiple manual steps across different systems, causing delay and inefficiency 

    Benefits 

    Over 2.3 million criminal cases have been managed on Common Platform as of February 2025 (source Reformed Services Management Information, March 2025), meaning a number of benefits for the people and parties involved 

    • The right people involved in a case can access the right, up to date information at any time of day or night  

    • Users and agencies receive notifications and real time updates to the case instantly  

    • Automation of manual processes mean quicker progress, reduced chance of error and better use of expertise 

    • Information and data is kept and shared safely through controls over who can see what based on their role 

    • Greater resilience as HMCTS teams and external parties can access cases from any location, ensuring service continuity even if even if they cannot physically be on site at a court 

    • Quicker processing and uploading through automated case management, particularly for Single Justice Procedure cases 

    • Greater efficiency by eliminating some paper-based processes  

    • Better data collection to inform improvements  

    By developing the system in-house, we have strengthened our expertise and have greater flexibility to adapt the system to changing needs and technological developments.  

    Case Management Evolution  

    The implementation of Common Platform into all Crown and magistrates’ courts has transformed how cases are managed in criminal courts: over 2.3 million cases managed through the system (source Reformed Services Management Information, March 2025), demonstrates its robust capability , demonstrates its robust capability  

    • single system replacing multiple outdated platforms, reduces complexity and training needs 

    • real-time case updates across all agencies, significantly reduces delays in information sharing 

    Our Digital Transformation 

    The journey to modernise our criminal courts began in 2011, with Common Platform representing the most significant technological transformation in the justice system’s history. Under the Reform Programme from 2016, we faced the challenge of replacing multiple outdated systems that weren’t communicating with each other.  

    It has been very challenging to introduce such a significant change: 

    • Teams across HMCTS had to adapt to new roles and ways of working while managing existing caseloads  

    • The pandemic was especially challenging, as court personnel managed dual systems in live courtrooms 

    • We did not always get it right, initially focusing too heavily on technical solutions rather than user experience 

    • We did not deliver everything we set out to – for example Crown Prosecution Service case management systems interface with Common Platform, rather than being a direct part of it as originally planned 

    This has been valuable learning and helped shape our approach. By placing users at the heart of development and using their feedback to directly inform plans, we have still achieved a lot.  

    Digital Documentation  

    The move to digital processes has transformed how documents are handled and shared:  

    • Defence advocates can complete crucial forms digitally in real-time, saving court time and reducing errors  

    • Self-service access for case materials, allowing users more control  

    • Automatic generation of notices, orders and warrants, speeding up justice delivery  

    • Digital submission of documents, cutting costs and environmental impact  

    • Seamless transfer of materials between magistrates’ and Crown Courts, reducing delays 

    Automated Processing  

    Reform has introduced significant automation to streamline court processes:  

    • Automated Track Case Management (ATCM) for Single Justice Procedure (SJP) cases, increasing efficiency  

    • Instant case creation and updates, eliminating manual data entry  

    • Automatic notifications to relevant parties, improving communication flow  

    • Electronic monitoring forms processed immediately, reducing processing time from hours to minutes  

    • Screen requests handled automatically, ensuring courtroom readiness 

    Better Information Sharing  

    The digital system has revolutionised information sharing between justice partners:  

    • Instant result notifications to police forces, enabling swift action  

    • Direct updates to the Legal Aid Agency, speeding up payments to advocates  

    • Immediate sharing of sentencing information with prisons and probation, improving offender management  

    • Role-based access ensuring secure information sharing, maintaining data protection  

    • Single point of contact through Courts and Tribunals Service Centres (CTSC), providing consistent support 

    System Performance  

    The platform has demonstrated significant improvements in efficiency and user satisfaction:  

    • Criminal courts across England and Wales now fully digital since August 2023, modernising justice delivery  

    • Defence practitioners can access case information instantly, improving preparation time  

    • Court personnel report significant time savings through automated processes 

    • positive feedback from judiciary, legal professionals and court personnel (January 2025) 

    This transformation represents a fundamental, technological change in the criminal courts moving all information digitally onto a shared system that all stakeholders can access, creating a more efficient, accessible and resilient justice system for all. 

    Working Together 

    We worked closely with: 

    • local police forces on rollout and delivery – police prosecutors are now able to upload direct to the system and self-serve 

    • CPS, who were a founding partner on setting up the system, improving their access to digital forms and requests 

    • All criminal justice system partners 

    • non police prosecutors (NPPs) – NPPs are now able to upload direct on to the system and self-serve 

    • Legal Aid Agency – ensuring defence advocates are paid swiftly for legal aid cases 

    • Courts and Tribunals Service Centres to offer best support and advice with ongoing cases to all stakeholders 

    • HM Prisons and Probation Service improving offender management, as they previously did not have access to the Libra legacy system 

    • Magistrates, legal advisers and judiciary as a vital partner at all levels to deliver a more streamlined system 

    Getting Support 

    We’ve established comprehensive support systems: 

    • dedicated Courts and Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC) providing customer support 

    • specialised training programmes for court personnel and system users 

    • regular system updates based on user feedback 

    • technical support available for all professional users 

    • service boards to monitor live performance and system changes  

    • permanent change function to prioritise and resource future improvements 

    Feedback and Insights 

    Users across the justice system have praised the new platform: 

    We have better oversight of cases, the triage process ensures that cases are listed appropriately and in the correct court, which means we are saving court time.

    Sharon Kostanjsek, Criminal Justice Unit Manager, Avon and Somerset Police 

    Dealing with a case on a single system, rather than at least 3 different systems as we did previously, is more practical and efficient.

    Jon Sugden, legal adviser  

    I like that producing orders is far simpler, now they are created directly from the result. There is no need to produce orders manually and email them or complete a lengthy electronic monitoring form.

    Mark Whiteley, formerly Wales transformation implementer 

    Future Plans 

    As we continue to develop the platform, we’re focusing on:  

    • enhanced data analytics capabilities, enabling evidence-based improvements  

    • further automation opportunities to continue increasing efficiency  

    • maintaining system flexibility to adapt to future needs  

    • continue developing new features based on user feedback 

    • transfer of system responsibility to HMCTS live service teams by March 2025 

    Stay Updated 

    Keep up to date with the latest criminal court news and information by subscribing to our e-alerts and newsletters.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Modernising probate: easing the most challenging times through innovation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Modernising probate: easing the most challenging times through innovation

    Probate is the legal right to handle someone’s estate after they die.

    Before 2019, applications were made on paper meaning: 

    • a risk of human error when completing complex, inaccessible forms 

    • legal jargon was not explained well or in a user-friendly way 

    • an inefficient process for court staff, applicants and probate professionals when manually handling dozens of forms 

    • applicants needed to travel to compulsory in-person appointments at registry offices  

    • a lack of flexibility to suit modern ways of working for the courts and probate professionals 

    We wanted to create a more accessible, user-friendly service that works for everyone, whether they choose to apply online or use paper forms. 

    Benefits 

    The reformed service has transformed probate administration. Through over 1 million digital applications received since 2019, we’ve seen:  

    • positive environmental impact by eliminating over 25 million pieces of paper 

    • improved flow of legacy information from the probate service to charities, helping them to plan their vital work 

    • consistent, 24/7 access to the service from any device 

    • simplified language and streamlined processes 

    • increased flexibility with the digital statement of truth replacing inconvenient in-person oaths and the requirement for a ‘wet signature’ 

    • improved resilience, enabling continued granting of applications during the pandemic  

    Our digital transformation 

    The journey to modernise probate began in 2016 with extensive user research, leading to the 2019 launch of our digital service, making probate one of the first services to be reformed. We’ve created two tailored pathways. 

    For personal applicants we now have: 

    • a user-friendly online application via GOV.UK 

    • the ability to save and return to an online application 

    • step-by-step guidance throughout 

    • real-time application tracking 

    • the ability to complete digital statement of truth at home 

    • a service with clear, jargon-free language 

    Probate professionals now have a: 

    • comprehensive MyHMCTS platform for online probate applications 

    • collaborative team working features 

    • streamlined online payment system 

    • smoother integration with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) processes 

    • better way to manage workflows 

    • modern digital case files, accessible from any device 

    It’s clear that the digital service is working well: 

    • Digital applications have risen steeply from 17% in FY 19/20 to 80% April 2024 to December 2024  

    Getting support 

    For people who are less able or confident using online services, we’ve developed a comprehensive support system which includes: 

    • simplified paper forms 

    • a dedicated Digital Support service 

    • a specialist Service Centre for the probate service 

    • telephone support 

    • clear guidance on GOV.UK 

    • ensuring accessibility for all users 

    Feedback from service users 

    Applicants have told us what they think of the digital probate service: 

    It’s easy to use, fast and convenient. I found it so easy and efficient. It’s exactly what you want from an online government system – if only everything could be this easy!

    It was intuitive to use and the whole thing flowed from one section to the next really well. The way things are summarised at the end is very helpful. You can check it all before you send it and that’s reassuring.

    I’d been expecting sheets and sheets of questions – but that wasn’t the case. The instructions were clearly written and the way everything was set out was so user friendly. I think it took a couple of hours to complete.

    I initially thought the online service would be complicated and take some dealing with. I thought it would take me a long time to complete, but it didn’t take me long at all – an hour at the most.

    James’ story 

    “When James lost his father, he faced the daunting task of dealing with his estate. In the past, some of James’ friends who had gone through the probate process had told him it was paper-based, confusing, and filled with legal jargon that made it challenging for personal applicants like him, which worried him a lot. However, with the reformed digital service, James was able to apply for probate online at a time that suited him, without needing to visit a probate registry or deal with extensive paperwork. 

    Using the new digital service, James found the application process intuitive and efficient, allowing him to save his progress and return later. He could easily track his application status online, reducing uncertainty and providing reassurance during a difficult time. The digital statement of truth replaced the need for an in-person oath, saving James time and travel expenses. 

    Overall, the digital probate service provided James with a flexible, accessible, and user-friendly way to manage his father’s estate, making a challenging process much more manageable and allowing him to focus on what truly mattered.” 

    Working together 

    We work closely with: 

    • our probate service user group which includes Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners, Institute of Legacy Management, The Law Society, Remember a Charity and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England and Wales 

    • HMRC to streamline processes 

    Future plans 

    The journey to deliver an effective online service has not always been straight forward, and we’ve learned a lot. When we launched the service the combination of a planned fee increase, adapting to new ways of working and increased demand led to delays in applications being granted.  

    At its peak in August 2023, there was a backlog of 97,000 applications. The service is now concluding its recovery plan and the open caseload is around 37,000. The workable open caseload (where we have the information needed to progress the application) dropped by over 80% in the year to January 2025 to 9,856.  

    We’re now committed to continuously improving the service by: 

    • continuing to share information with the charity sector who rely on donations to carry out their important work 

    • working closely with probate professional representatives to improve the service 

    • improving notifications to make it easier for applicants to know what they need to send us 

    • streamlining inheritance tax processes with HMRC 

    • offering regional office drop-in sessions for probate professionals 

    • offering dedicated registrar appointments to progress complex applications 

    • improving notifications about application status 

    Stay updated 

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ATCM: Over 1 million Single Justice Procedure cases moved from paper to digital

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    ATCM: Over 1 million Single Justice Procedure cases moved from paper to digital

    The Single Justice Procedure (SJP) was introduced by the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

    It allows prosecutors – who decide whether a case should be taken through the procedure – to deal with cases involving adult defendants accused of lesser offences that cannot result in a prison sentence, including: 

    • speeding 

    • driving without insurance 

    • TV license evasion 

    • evading train fares  

    It enables defendants, prosecutors and courts to reach a resolution to minor offences without having to attend court (unless they choose to do so). 

    A single magistrate, advised by a professional lawyer, deals with cases under SJP away from a courtroom. There’s no prosecutor or defendant present and they can deal with the case swiftly without tying up valuable court time.  

    Before 2017, SJP cases relied on paper-based processes and outdated technology meaning: 

    • court staff and magistrates manually handling lots of paper 

    • hours spent manually entering data which also increased the risk of human error 

    • inefficient sharing of information over email causing delays 

    • cost to the taxpayer associated with printing and transporting files from building to building    

    The system needed modernisation to handle summary, non-imprisonable offences more efficiently.  

    Benefits 

    By introducing Automated Track Case Management (ATCM), a digital service created to help process SJP cases on the Common Platform criminal case management system, we’ve transformed the process. This modernised, streamlined service now provides courts, prosecutors, and the public with a more efficient service. 

    Over 1.1 million SJP cases have been completed digitally between April 2017 and 31 December 2024, each benefiting through: 

    • faster justice giving prosecutors more capacity and enabling for defendants to move on more quickly with their lives 

    • quicker information sharing between court, prosecutor and defendant 

    • the ability to interact with cases more accessibly at any time and keep informed of progress 

    • greater flexibility to magistrates and court staff, enabling a more efficient running of the work coming into court 

    • better consistency of service being provided to all stakeholders, with Courts and Tribunals Service Centres dealing with day-to-day enquiries, rather than individual courts 

    • more effective use of physical court capacity providing better value for money to the taxpayer 

    • case lists published online and additional information made available to journalists, to support open justice 

    • significant reduction in the financial cost of printing and transporting paper files 

    Our digital transformation 

    ATCM represents a transformation of the SJP system. The digital platform now manages cases from initial receipt through to the magistrate’s decision, while providing transparent access to case outcomes, referrals, and costs awarded to all stakeholders in the process, as well as journalists. 

    By creating a digital platform under the Reform Programme we’ve enabled: 

    • end-to-end digital case management from beginning of the process to decision, allowing all stakeholders to access the information they need in real time 

    • direct digital case uploading by prosecutors including DVLA, TV Licensing, TfL and local police forces 

    • online plea submissions, where defendants can upload supporting information  

    • real-time tracking of the progress made by a case 

    • automated notification system for case decisions to all stakeholders involved in the process, and also to journalists 

    • journalists can obtain detailed information (prosecution facts and defence mitigation) digitally 

    • digital access for magistrates to enter decisions directly into the system 

    • integrated support from Courts and Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC) 

    This benefits a range of people involved in the process: 

    • Prosecutors including the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, TV Licensing, and police forces can now upload cases directly to the system 

    • Defendants can submit pleas and access supporting information online 

    • Magistrates and legal advisers can access case details, record decisions, generate orders and notices, and update driver records all through one unified platform 

    • Journalists receive more information and do not have to travel to courts in person in order to report on cases 

    Better information sharing 

    The system’s role-based access ensures users only see information relevant to their needs, eliminating the need for paper documentation and reducing manual data entry.  

    Transparency is maintained through online publication of court lists, while journalists can access both upcoming hearing lists and court records, enabling scrutiny and reporting of outcomes to the public. 

    Take up of the digital service has been strong, with the volume of digital cases between April 2019 and March 2023 more than doubling.

    Since April 2022, 80% of people going through the single justice service are satisfied with the service they received.  

    Working together 

    We have consulted and collaborated with a number of justice partners to design, test and implement Automated Track Case Management, the digital system developed to administer Single Justice Procedure cases online: 

    • local police forces on rollout and delivery – police prosecutors are now able to upload direct to the system and self-serve 

    • all criminal justice system partners  

    • non police prosecutors (NPPs) – these are now digital by default and onboarding for NPPs will accelerate in 2025/2026 

    • Courts and Tribunals Service Centres to offer best support and advice with ongoing cases to all stakeholders 

    • magistrates, legal advisers and judiciary as a vital partner to deliver a more streamlined system 

    Getting support 

    The Courts and Tribunals Service Centres (CTSC) provide comprehensive assistance to all users. Key improvements include: 

    • dedicated support for defendants, prosecutors, and journalists 

    • consistent service levels across all interactions 

    • reduced wait times from over an hour to 15 minutes for phone queries 

    • new online self-endorsement system for driving licence details 

    Feedback and insights 

    Andrew Morris, Acting Head of Legal Operations for Wales, reflected:

    “It increases flexibility, is time efficient, more eco-friendly, and saves courtroom space for dealing with more serious offences.” 

    West Yorkshire Police Unit Operations Manager, Debbie Taylor, emphasised the impact:

    “Before ATCM and Common Platform, we did 600 SJP cases a week. In October 2024, it’s now gone up to 650 cases a week – and we are on track to increase to a thousand by June or July 2025.”   

    Future plans 

    We plan to continue to evolve the system including: 

    • completing the digital service rollout to all police forces nationwide engaging new non–police prosecutors including the Environment Agency and transport companies 

    • holding a comprehensive evaluation of the system’s sustainability and effectiveness 

    • improving media access and transparency measures – publishing more data than ever before, as well as inviting journalists to observe SJP sessions 

    • developing enhanced self-service options for users 

    • implementing continuous technological improvements 

    Stay updated 

    Keep up to date with the latest criminal court news and information by subscribing to our e-alerts and newsletters.  

    You can read more about how the Single Justice Procedure works by visiting: Explaining the Single Justice Procedure in the magistrates’ court – Inside HMCTS 

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Revised rules aim to boost China auto market

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s push to encourage the automotive industry is taking shape through measures including the expansion of trade-in policies, strengthening the used car market and easing purchasing restrictions, boosting confidence among automakers, dealers and consumers.

    An injection of long-term special treasury bonds amounting to 300 billion yuan ($41.4 billion) will be issued in 2025 to support the expansion of consumer goods trade-in programs, notably automobiles, which was outlined in an action plan revealed by the central government in mid-March.

    Compared to 2024’s 150 billion yuan in treasury bonds, it is expected to invigorate market activity, said Lang Xuehong, deputy secretary-general of the China Automobile Dealers Association.

    Driven by these trade-in policies, domestic passenger vehicle retail sales reached 22.89 million units in 2024, a 5.5 percent year-on-year increase, with rapid growth in new energy vehicles penetration.

    In early 2025, China expanded the scope of vehicle scrapping and replacement while improving subsidy standards for trade-ins. With new trade-in policies rolling out regionally, the China Passenger Car Association estimates that 5 million vehicles will be scrapped and 10 million vehicles will be replaced this year.

    Consequently, domestic car retail sales are projected to reach 23.4 million units, a 2 percent year-on-year increase, while NEV retail sales are expected to hit 13.3 million units, growing 20 percent to capture a 57 percent market share, the CPCA predicted.

    The auto consumption chain is set to be extended through pilot reforms in car distribution and an increased focus on the automotive aftermarket, encompassing car modifications, leasing and recreational vehicle camping.

    Lang noted that the action plan emphasizes service-oriented consumption, which aligns with the current state of the auto industry where car supply exceeds demand, yet the need for high-quality services remains unmet.

    While 4S stores still dominate China’s auto aftermarket, third-party brands are growing rapidly, said Xu Haidong, vice-chief engineer of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

    As the market becomes more standardized and diverse in demand, the value of the auto aftermarket will increase, emerging as a key growth area for China’s auto industry, Xu added.

    The rising popularity of RV camping exemplifies this trend. However, challenges such as inadequate facilities, unstable water and electricity supply as well as insufficient sewerage at campsites hinder the development of this sector.

    Addressing these issues and improving infrastructure could significantly boost consumption and promote automotive culture in China.

    The used car market will also receive a boost through enhanced cross-regional transaction measures and the development of third-party platforms to assist secure and convenient trade, according to the action plan.

    According to CADA statistics, there were 19.61 million used cars transacted in 2024, a 6.52 percent year-on-year increase, with a total transaction value of 1.29 trillion yuan. Notably, the transaction volume of secondhand NEVs exceeded 1 million units for the first time, reaching 1.13 million units, an increase of 47.97 percent.

    Zhang Xiang, an auto industry researcher at the Beijing-based North China University of Technology, noted that China’s used car market is still small compared to Europe and the United States. Expanding this market could benefit both used and new car sales by increasing car turnover.

    He suggested establishing an industry database to collect information on each used car, allowing consumers to transparently purchase secondhand vehicles.

    It is noteworthy that the action plan mentioned reducing consumption limits and removing unreasonable restrictions to ensure that long-term non-plate households can purchase cars.

    Guosen Securities stated that gradually easing purchase restrictions will release new car demand, leading to sales growth, with first-time buyers creating an incremental market.

    A report by China Merchants Securities pointed out that relaxing these restrictions is a low-cost, quick-acting stimulus measure.

    Traffic expert Xu Kangming said that the lottery-based vehicle plate application was initially intended as a short-term measure. However, in some major cities it has lasted for over a decade. This policy is increasingly seen as unfair to households without cars and long-term non-plate applicants. As the number of vehicles grows, the restriction’s effectiveness in alleviating traffic congestion diminishes.

    In recent years, various regions have gradually eased car purchase restrictions. Except for Guizhou and Hainan provinces, which have lifted all restrictions on NEVs, cities such as Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Tianjin have relaxed limits by increasing quotas or optimizing rules.

    An expert noted that for megacities like Beijing and Shanghai, lifting all car purchase restrictions is unlikely. Given the severe traffic congestion, completely removing limits would worsen road conditions.

    According to the Ministry of Public Security, by the end of 2024, Beijing and Shanghai had more than 7 million and 5 million vehicles on their roads, respectively.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s finance minister vows more proactive fiscal policy

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China will implement a more proactive fiscal policy this year and ensure its sustained strength and effectiveness, said Finance Minister Lan Fo’an at the ongoing China Development Forum 2025.

    Addressing current economic difficulties and challenges, Lan emphasized that China’s economic and fiscal strengths have grown significantly, and the country has accumulated richer experience in macroeconomic management and fiscal governance.

    He said the confidence in China’s economic development stems from its solid fundamentals, numerous advantages, strong resilience, and vast potential that underpin its long-term growth.

    The confidence also comes from a sober understanding of potential risks and the foresight to prepare accordingly, leaving ample fiscal room to respond to possible shocks and challenges, Lan added.

    The primary task of this year’s fiscal policy, Lan said, is to significantly boost consumption and enhance investment efficiency in an effort to expand domestic demand.

    “China has the world’s most promising super-sized market, with immense potential for consumption growth,” said Lan, adding that the central government is introducing measures on both the supply and demand sides to stimulate consumption.

    As part of these efforts, China is scheduled to issue a total of 1.3 trillion yuan (about 181 billion U.S. dollars) of ultra-long special treasury bonds in 2025, up 300 billion yuan from last year, official data showed.

    The government funding for the national consumer goods trade-in program will increase from 150 billion yuan last year to 300 billion yuan in 2025.

    To support the expansion of effective investment, Lan said a significant amount of fiscal funds has been arranged this year, with different funding channels coordinated to target specific areas.

    Accelerating the development of new quality productive forces is another fiscal priority, Lan added. The central government will ramp up support for education, science and technology, and talent development, promoting the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation.

    Speaking to global business leaders attending the forum, Lan also emphasized that China’s fiscal policy will support high-standard opening up. China will ensure equal treatment for all types of business entities and continue to improve the business environment.

    The China Development Forum 2025 is scheduled from March 23 to 24, with the theme “Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 4 key changes you may have missed in the new school funding agreement

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Wilson, Professor of Social Impact, University of Technology Sydney

    Queensland and the federal government have reached an agreement on school funding. This means all Australian states and territories are now signed up to new arrangements, which officially began at the start of 2025.

    The agreement follows more than a year of negotiations between the federal and state governments.

    The agreements mean government schools will receive 25% of funding from the federal government, up from 20%. Cash-strapped state and territory governments now only have to find 75% (down from 80%).

    In some good news for schools, it also means there is now a firm plan to “fully fund” public schools by 2034. This means they will get 100% of the funding recommended by the schooling resource standard (or school funding mechanism) – albeit more than a decade after it was first recommended by the Gonski review in 2011.

    Much of the debate about the agreements has understandably focused on the funding split between federal and state governments.

    But the agreements also tie vital funding for schools to specific targets and reforms for the next ten years. There is plenty of fine print.

    Here are four major changes we can expect to see in schools and classrooms around Australia.



    Read more:
    Underfunded? Overfunded? How school funding works in Australia

    1. A ‘unique’ identifier for all students

    The new agreement will see all students receive a “unique student identifier” as part of a national system.

    This is a number all students will have from the time they start school. It would follow them through school to tertiary education or any other further study or training.

    The idea was first agreed to by the former Council of Australian Governments in 2009 and is already in place for university and vocational education students.

    A long time in the planning, it was included in the last school funding agreement, which expired at the end of 2024, despite little progress.

    At the moment, education systems can easily lose track of students. For example, pre-COVID an estimated 50,000 children and young people were not officially tracked by education authorities.

    The identifier number means governments will be able to track students across school systems. For example, if they move from the public system to the private system. Or if they move states or begin homeschooling.

    The identifier will also provide a greater understanding of the pathways taken by young people after school and potentially make it easier to link senior high schooling with TAFE and other vocational studies.

    Introducing a bill to set up architecture for the indentifier last year, federal Education Minister Jason Clare said it would have “robust privacy measures”, including protection under the Privacy Act.



    Read more:
    NSW has finally struck a school funding deal. What does this mean for schools and students?

    2. A new numeracy check

    Along with rolling out a well-publicised national phonics check for Year 1 (which some states are already doing), the new agreements include a numeracy check for young students.

    While numeracy is checked as part of NAPLAN in Year 3, the test was not designed to provide diagnostic data on individual students.

    The new checks will be used to identify students and schools in need of extra support.

    So far, we have few details on the design or time frames. The checks may also need significant research and development to work effectively. But existing programs (such as in South Australia) show screening checks have the potential to provide better monitoring and resourcing for student needs.

    3. A review of how school funding is calculated

    The new agreement also flags two more significant reviews.

    One will be on the way school funding is calculated – the first review since the current system was devised in 2011.

    The schooling resource standard is an estimate of how much total public funding a school needs to meet its students’ educational needs.

    In 2025, the base rates are A$13,977 for primary students and $17,565 for high school students. On top of these, there are six loadings to provide extra funding for students and schools with additional needs. This includes students with disability, Indigenous students and students in remote areas.

    But as a 2023 Productivity Commission review noted, some individual students qualify under multiple categories, and “the effects can be compounding”. This means this level of disadvantage needs more understanding and policy adjustment.

    The review will examine the methodology behind the base rate and loadings. As part of this, it will hopefully look at transparency around school funding arrangements. The Australian National Audit Office identified this as an issue as far back as 2017.

    4. A review of how schools are measured

    There will also be a review of the national Measurement Framework for Schooling in Australia. This details key performance measures for schooling, such as attendance, NAPLAN results and school completion.

    This framework usually has just minor adjustments about every couple of years. But a more significant overhaul is now in the works, with states agreeing a review will look at “possible new and updated measures”.

    These could include indicators for students’ engagement and learning growth, as well as outcomes for students with disability and the teaching workforce.

    An improved national data set holds enormous potential for addressing educational challenges, like declining participation rates, school refusal and teacher shortages.

    Elsewhere in the new agreement, states and territories also agreed to “better understand” how socioeconomic diversity and school attendance are impacting student learning. This can be seen as high-level acknowledgement the current reporting mechanisms and data on students need to improve.

    Now we need to see progress

    The new schools agreement contains some promising new measures to improve outcomes for students and teachers. But we now need to see them implemented.

    As the Productivity Commission and National Audit Office have previously noted, just because something is included in a school funding agreement, does not necessarily mean it will happen on time or as planned.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. 4 key changes you may have missed in the new school funding agreement – https://theconversation.com/4-key-changes-you-may-have-missed-in-the-new-school-funding-agreement-252291

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Influenza of avian origin confirmed in a sheep in Yorkshire

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Influenza of avian origin confirmed in a sheep in Yorkshire

    Influenza of avian origin (H5N1) has been confirmed in a single sheep in Yorkshire.

    The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed a case of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep in Yorkshire following repeat positive milk testing.  

    The case was identified following routine surveillance of co-located livestock on a premises where avian influenza had been confirmed in captive birds. Defra has introduced livestock surveillance on infected premises following the outbreak of avian influenza in dairy cows in the US. 

    The infected sheep has been humanely culled to enable extensive testing. Further testing in the remaining flock of sheep at the premises was undertaken by the avian influenza national reference laboratory at the Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge laboratory. No further infection with avian influenza virus was detected in the remaining flock and this remains a single case in a mammal detected on the premises. 

    While this is the first time this virus has been reported in a sheep, it is not the first time influenza of avian origin has been detected in livestock in other countries. There is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the nation’s livestock population.  

    However, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer is urging all livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of avian influenza following recent outbreaks.  All keepers must maintain good biosecurity which is essential to protect the health and welfare of their animals and critical to preventing the further spread of disease in the event of an outbreak.

    In line with the UK’s international reporting requirements, this case will now be reported to both the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the World Health Organisation. 

    UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: 

    “We have confirmed the detection of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep on a farm in Yorkshire. Strict biosecurity measures have been implemented to prevent the further spread of disease.  

    “While the risk to livestock remains low, I urge all animal owners to ensure scrupulous cleanliness is in place and to report any signs of infection to the Animal Plant Health Agency immediately.” 

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low, but people should not touch any dead or sick wild birds they find. 

    The Food Standards Agency advises that properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, remain safe to eat and avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk to UK consumers since the H5N1 virus is not normally transmitted through food. 

    Dr Meera Chand, Emerging Infection Lead at the UK Health Security Agency, said:  

    “Globally, we continue to see that mammals can be infected with avian influenza A(H5N1). 

    “However, current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we’re seeing circulating around the world do not spread easily to people – and the risk of avian flu to the general public remains very low.  

    “UKHSA will continue to monitor the situation closely alongside Defra, DHSC, Animal and Plant Health Agency and Food Standards Agency. 

    “UKHSA has established preparations in place for detections of human cases of avian flu and will respond rapidly with NHS and other partners if needed.” 

    Robin May, Chief Scientific Adviser at the FSA said:  

    “We are working very closely with Defra, UKHSA and Food Standards Scotland following the discovery of avian influenza virus in a sheep in the UK. Our advice remains that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk to UK consumers since the H5N1 virus is not normally transmitted through food. 

    “We continue to monitor the situation closely and will assess any emerging information to continue to ensure UK food is safe.”   

    What you can do    

    Avian influenza is notifiable in all poultry and other captive birds and Influenza of avian origin is notifiable in both kept and wild mammals. If you suspect your animals are infected with avian influenza virus you must report it to the APHA immediately by calling: 

    ·                     03000 200 301 in England     

    ·                     0300 303 8268 in Wales     

    ·                     Contacting your local Field Services Office in Scotland 

    Failure to do so is an offence. 

    We have published a case definition for influenza of avian origin to support decisions around reporting suspicion, together with further information on how we  monitor the risk of influenza of avian origin in wild mammals gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM Chief Unveils New Partnership with LALIGA FOUNDATION to Strengthen Migrant Integration in Peru

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Lima, 24 March 2025 – International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope concluded her first official visit to Peru last Friday, kicking off a strategic partnership between IOM Peru and the premier Spanish football league LALIGA FOUNDATION to promote social cohesion and healthy living among migrant and host community children and teens.

    “The integration of migrants here in Peru is not just a humanitarian effort, it is an opportunity to build stronger, more cohesive societies,” DG Pope said. “Sport unites people across cultures, and no sport is more global than soccer. Through this partnership we are creating spaces where young people – both migrants and Peruvians – can learn teamwork and leadership, as well as fostering connections that go beyond the game.”

    This collaboration, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), builds upon the achievements of El Balón No Tiene Fronteras (Soccer Has No Borders), a similar programme implemented by IOM in Peru since 2019, which reached over 1,600 children and youth across Peru, fostering social inclusion and strengthening community ties.

    Through soccer clinics, leadership workshops, and community-building events, LALIGA’s coaches will work directly with students and local leaders to promote key values such as respect, sportsmanship, and solidarity. IOM will collaborate closely with the national Ministry of Education to ensure this initiative’s sustainability and broad impact across public schools in Lima with a significant number of migrant students.

    During her visit, DG Pope held meetings with President Dina Boluarte and the Prime Minister, Gustavo Adrianzén, and participated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to boost joint efforts to enhance national development through programmes that support migrants in Peru, Peruvians abroad, and Peruvians returning home.

    DG Pope also met with government officials, donors, private sector representatives, and UN partners; and visited the Central Orientation and Assistance Point (PAO), an IOM-supported site in southern Lima where over 7,000 migrants have received information on basic services and access to documentation, primary health care, and psychosocial support since August 2024.

    For more information, please contact:  

    In Peru: Leesly León, leleon@iom.int  

    In Panama: Jorge Gallo, jgallo@iom.int  

    In Geneva: Daniela Rovina, drovina@iom.int  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Development Asia: From Cash to Digital: Advancing Financial Inclusion in Pakistan

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    The role of mobile money in financial inclusion

    Mobile money offers huge potential to improve lives by enabling low-cost, fast, safe, and easy transactions. It addresses access barriers by eliminating the need to go to physical bank branches. In 2022, Pakistan had only 10.8 commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults—one of the lowest ratios in the region.

    Pakistan’s evolving financial landscape

    Over the past 15 years, financial services in Pakistan have evolved rapidly. Financial institution accounts grew by about 127% between FY19 and FY24. Of Pakistan’s 241 million people, 60% are adults. With 91 million unique financial institution accounts, two-fifths of the adult population still lack access to formal financial services. Deregulation in the sector led to new branchless banking regulations. This enabled kiryana convenience stores across the country to offer financial services. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shifted consumer behavior and further accelerated mobile and cashless banking adoption. Mobile and online transactions rose from 17% in early 2020 to 75% by September 2024, per the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    Raast, the country’s first instant payment system launched in 2021, has also simplified person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions. This system offers instant, reliable, and free digital payments for individuals and businesses within Pakistan. Users can send or receive money using their mobile numbers and bank accounts. This has extended financial services to the poor and the unbanked. Adoption has surged, with Raast processing over 102 million P2P payments in 2023, up from 7.9 million in 2022. By the end of September, daily transactions had reached 3 million, and there were 39.5 million registered Raast IDs, according to public data from the State Bank of Pakistan.

    Raast also revolutionized businesses, especially small and medium enterprises and the retail sector, with P2M transactions introduced in February 2022. This reduced fees and settlement times, enhancing efficiency and boosting economic activity.

    Lessons from India and PRC

    Lessons from regional giants like India and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) highlight the transformative potential of digital payment systems. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), introduced in 2016, processed 117.6 billion transactions in 2023, making it the world’s most popular alternative payment method. While P2P transactions initially drove its adoption, the widespread acceptance of P2M payments accelerated its growth. Similarly, PRC’s tech giant Alipay began with P2P transfers in 2004, followed by WeChat Pay in 2013. Exponential growth and near-universal adoption came after the introduction of P2M capabilities.

    The retail sector’s untapped potential

    Pakistan’s robust retail sector, which makes up almost 18% of GDP and is spread across a network of an estimated 2.5 million retail and wholesale outlets, offers an immense opportunity for growth. Traditionally, this sector has remained largely untaxed, contributing an estimated 4% of tax revenue. But recent pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has renewed the government’s drive to get the retail sector to pay more through taxation. To that end, several measures have already been taken, including the implementation of point-of-sale registers and the Tajir Dost scheme, where retailers are subject to a fixed monthly tax. The tax assessment is based on the market value and regular turnover of the enterprise. In 2024, the scheme was extended to 42 cities in Pakistan from the original six. Under the scheme, businesses can declare their assets and income and potentially receive benefits like reduced tax rates and simplified tax compliance procedures.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Somalia joins Afreximbank as it seeks to boost Intra-African trade and economic growth

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAIRO, Egypt, March 24, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Somalia has formally acceded to the Establishment Agreement of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), becoming the 53rd African member state of the African multilateral financial institution and bringing the Bank closer to its goal of broadening its product offerings to all parts of the continent.  

    In the instrument of accession signed by Hon. Hirsi Jama Gani, State Minister, Office of the Prime Minister, Somalia notified Afreximbank that Somalia “accepts, and hereby accedes, to the Agreement for the Establishment of the Bank” and pledged to undertake all necessary steps to expedite ratification of the Agreement. 

    Somalia’s membership of Afreximbank is a significant milestone that places the country on a path of sustainable economic transformation, upgrading of the country’s trade and industrial infrastructure, and most importantly joins the rest of the continent in the push towards continental integration and self-reliance through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

    Expressing deep satisfaction at Somalia’s decision to accede to the Agreement, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, emphasised the mutual benefits to both parties. 

    “We are delighted to welcome Somalia into the Afreximbank family. This is a significant milestone as it widens the opportunity for the Somali public and private sectors to access financing and other related interventions that addresses their real needs. By joining the Bank, Somalia embarks on a new journey of pursuing its developmental aspirations on its own terms, backed by unwavering support from Afreximbank, a bank with proven track record of supporting its Participating States in good and bad times. Today, we begin a collective journey to enable the Somali economy to realise the maximum value from its natural resources while hastening its integration into the African Continental Free Trade Area.” 

    Hon. Hirsi Jama Ganni, Somalia’s State Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Afreximbank for Somalia’s membership: “On behalf of the Government of Somalia and its people, I sincerely thank Afreximbank for its efforts that led our country to become a member state of the Bank. This milestone agreement signals our commitment to becoming a key player in regional and continental development, especially through trade, under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This partnership is significant to Somalia’s ongoing reconstruction and economic diversification efforts, opening doors for financial and technical support.” 

    Hon. Ganni added: “We urge Afreximbank to accelerate the implementation of its programs and initiatives in Somalia, aligning them with Somalia’s National Development Plan and helping it meet its ambitious development goals. This is a critical step in realising the full potential of our country and for Somalia to regain its position as a strategic trade hub within East Africa .”  

    This accession follows proactive engagements between Afreximbank and the Somalia government, aimed at identifying and exploring opportunities to support the country’s development agenda. A collaborative roadmap has been established to guide these efforts. Additionally, Afreximbank has initiated discussions with Somalia’s corporate and financial sectors, recognizing their vital role in delivering the Bank’s developmental programs and fostering economic growth within the country.  

    In the meeting with the Afreximbank team, Hon. Abdirahman Abdullahi, Governor of the Central Bank of Somalia said: “Afreximbank’s visit to Mogadishu was timely as it came just after Somalia joined the East African Community regional trade bloc in 2024, and successfully completed the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief process. The Somali people are renowned for their trade and entrepreneurial spirit, and I urge the business community in Somalia to fully leverage the opportunities offered by Afreximbank under its financing programs, to expand their reach, drive sustainable growth, and contribute to a more connected and competitive economy.” 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM Chief’s Visit to Guatemala Highlights Urgent Needs for People Returning Home

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Guatemala City, 14 March 2025 – Amid a sharp increase in southbound migration, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope visited Guatemala this week to reaffirm IOM’s commitment to supporting people caught in crisis, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance, and advancing sustainable solutions that ensure people can build a future back home.

    During this first official visit to Guatemala, DG Pope met with President Bernardo Arévalo and Vice President Karin Herrera to discuss migration management, regional cooperation, and support for Guatemalan returnees in line with the Guatemalan government’s National Return Home Plan (Plan Retorno al Hogar). These discussions underscored the critical role of coordinated efforts in addressing migration challenges and ensuring returning migrants receive the assistance they need to reintegrate with dignity.

    “More people are returning home, often under incredibly difficult circumstances,” said DG Pope. “IOM is committed to ensuring that return is safe and dignified while strengthening the conditions that allow people to build a future where they are. That’s why IOM is working closely with the Guatemalan government and other partners to make sure that returning home isn’t just a moment—it’s the start of something better.”

    In recent weeks, southbound migration has surged, with 65% of migrants recorded on irregular routes in Guatemala traveling south. Many face extreme hardship, requiring urgent humanitarian assistance, reintegration support, and safe return options. IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programs are playing a critical role in supporting this shift, facilitating safe returns from key transit points and responding to emerging migration routes through the Guna Yala territory.

    Through partnerships with governments, donors, and the private sector, IOM remains committed to meeting the urgent needs of people on the move while advancing long-term solutions that address the root causes of migration and promote stability.

    For more information, please contact:
     

    In Guatemala: Melisa Kljuca, mkljuca@iom.int 
    In Panamá: Jorge Gallo,     jgallo@iom.int
    In Geneva: Daniela Rovina, drovina@iom.int

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: AI INFRINGEMENT ALERT – NZ Authors books scraped in LibGEN dataset

    Source: New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ)

    NZ Authors books scraped in LibGEN dataset – NZSA condemns authors intellectual property theft
     
    March 24, 2025 – Over the weekend, The Atlantic published a search tool that allows authors around the world to check if their works have been used in LibGen, an illegal pirate site Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies copied for their AI systems.

    This is a similar tool to the one that journalist Alex Reisner made available for the Books3 AI training dataset last year, but this new list has more than 7.5 million books copied by Meta, Open AI and other AI companies for their AI systems. It is not clear whether Meta Downloaded and used every book in LibGen.

    Thousands of books by NZ writers are included in this latest theft of intellectual property by Big Tech. NZ authors average incomes from their writing is circa $16k per year (Horizon Writers Survey, 2021) and our writers should not be the ones deprived of lost revenue in the development of this new technology. Big Tech can afford to pay licence fees to legally use the content they need to train their AI language models.

    Meta and other AI companies know exactly what they are doing

    AI companies need books for their quality writing, style, expression, long-form narration and content and use this to train their AI models. It appears those companies would rather steal that content than ask and pay for the use of it, as they do all other necessary components, costs and compliance required to run their businesses, such as electricity, wages, government health and safety requirements, and programming.

    Pirate Sites Are Illegal Sources of Books for AI Training 

    Author societies around the world are collaborating with each other, publishers and governments to combat major piracy websites that cost authors millions in lost sales and licence fees.

    In the US, collective action took down Z-Library and its 250 mirror sites and successfully sued Kiss Library, and assisted publishers in actions against LibGen, resulting in blocked domains In the US and multi-million-dollar fines. These sites remain challenging to permanently eliminate as they operate from Russia or Ukraine, and quickly migrate to new domains when blocked. New Zealand currently does not have legislation that allows site blocking to protect intellectual property and our creative industries.
     
    Around the globe Copyright Law is being reviewed and updated to tackle AI development and intellectual property rights. In NZ, The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is the Ministry responsible for the Copyright Act review. MBIE is planning to progress formal consultation in 2025 with the creative industries and the public on Copyright legislation including AI.This is demonstrably urgent.

    NZSA is collating a list of all NZ books from NZSA members and other writers affected by this latest instance of mass piracy.

    The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) strongly condemns the appropriation of New Zealand Aotearoa authors intellectual property. This unauthorised use is intellectual property theft by Big Tech that infringes existing legislation. The imbalance of power between individual authors defending their property rights versus Big Tech money and might is alarming. The unsanctioned use of work is legally indefensible, and amoral. For the creative industries of Aotearoa to thrive we need robust copyright law, protections and enforcement mechanisms, and appropriate penalties for infringement.

    Article for reference:

    How the Emerging Market for AI Training Data is Eroding Big Tech’s ‘Fair Use’ US Law Copyright Defense: https://authors.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=905a5275ec5c023659502ec21&id=badb3ee21e&e=466373ae7c
    CLNZ/NZSA position statement on AI HERE: https://authors.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=905a5275ec5c023659502ec21&id=bbcb427614&e=466373ae7c

    About NZSA
    The NZSA represents over 1,800 writers in New Zealand. We offer support through advocacy and representation, professional development, information and guidance on publishing and the literary arts, administer prizes and awards and contract/business advice. We work to protect authors incomes and offer memberships for writers at all stages of their careers, including students. Our many assessment and mentorship programmes supported by Creative New Zealand. NZSA is affiliated to International PEN, a voice that upholds freedom of speech and protests against writers falsely silenced and imprisoned around the world. NZSA collaborates across the book sector with other organisations to make NZ books and NZ writers more visible. The NZSA is a not for profit incorporated society and a registered charity in Aotearoa.
    www.authors.org.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Another tranche of proposed financial advice changes lands

    Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

    The QAR recommended that superannuation fund trustees should be able to provide personal advice to their members about their interests in the fund, taking into account the member’s personal circumstances, including their family situation and social security entitlements if that is relevant to the advice. The review also recommended removing the restrictions on collective charging of fees.

    In its response, the Government said it would clarify the topics for which superannuation funds can charge for advice and the circumstances they can consider in providing advice about a member’s interest in the fund, and to allow collective charging for advice on these topics. The Bill amends section 99F of the SIS Act to enable regulations to be made to specify circumstances in which advice will be taken to relate to the member’s interest in the fund.

    The ‘Advice through superannuation’ document released with the draft Bill sets out proposed permitted advice topics (superannuation contributions, investment options, insurance held through superannuation, and retirement income), and permitted circumstances that may be taken into account in giving advice (household cashflow and income, household assets outside super, financial position of spouse, household debts and liabilities, and eligibility for government benefits). It also lists proposed ‘disallowed topics’ that are taken not to relate to the member’s interest in the fund (purchase or disposal of assets held outside super, ‘holistic financial planning’ and estate and tax planning).

    The proposed rules broadly align with the existing position under the law, although having the topics specified in regulations might give trustees more confidence about giving intra-fund advice.

    however, as is the case now, the intra-fund advice rules will continue to be a prohibition, not permission, and they will continue not to provide any relief from other obligations. Therefore, trustees will also need to continue to comply with the other charging rules, the best financial interests duty, the sole purpose test and the requirement to allocate costs in a fair and reasonable manner across members.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Tryg A/S – Q1 2025 pre-silent newsletter

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tryg A/S – Q1 2025 pre-silent newsletter

    Tryg will conduct pre-close analyst calls and meetings during the week commencing on March 24, ahead of the Q1 2025 results, which will be released on April 11. This newsletter aims to inform capital market participants of the key factors influencing the company’s recent financial performance.

    Insurance revenue growth

    Tryg maintains a balanced distribution of insurance revenue across the Scandinavian countries, with approximately 50% of revenue generated in Denmark, 30% in Sweden, and 20% in Norway. In Q1 2024, Tryg reported insurance revenue of DKK 9,531m.

    From 2025 Q1 and onwards the commercial and corporate segments will be reported together in the segment named ‘Commercial’. The commercial segment will experience a smaller spillover effect into 2025 of the derisking of the corporate portfolio carried out in 2024. In general, the group revenue development remains in line with recent development.

    When converting earnings from local currencies to DKK, Tryg’s reporting currency, the expected average value of SEK 100 is DKK 65.6 (66.6 Q1 2024), and NOK 100 is DKK 63.4 (65.6 Q1 2024).

    Claims environment

    Underlying claims development
    Tryg operates a stable business and recent trends in underlying performance should thus be considered reliable indicators for short-term trends. The Group’s underlying claims ratio was 72.3% in Q1 2024. At the capital markets day (CMD) on 4 December 2024, Tryg mentioned that it expects a broadly stable to slightly improving underlying performance in the new strategy period towards 2027.

    Weather claims
    For Q1, normalised weather claims amount to 40% of the annual DKK 800m guidance, equating to DKK 320m. As a reminder, the annual expectation for weather claims is split as follows (in percentages terms): 40% in Q1, 10% in Q2, 20% in Q3 and 30% in Q4.

    In general, a milder than average winter with warmer temperatures has been recorded in Scandinavia. A couple of smaller storms have hit the region (Floriane and  Éowyn). It is important to remember that freezing temperatures always cause bursting pipe claims and more car accidents are reported during the winter due to more difficult weather conditions.

    Large claims
    On an annual basis, Tryg provides guidance for large claims amounting to DKK 800m, evenly distributed across quarters. Occasionally, information about large claims may be available in mass media or local press.

    Interest rates development
    For Q1, we expect an approximate discount rate of 2.3% at the time of writing. The discounting percentage was reported at 2.1% in Q4 2024.

    Run-off expectations towards 2027
    At the 2024 CMD, Tryg stated a long-term run-off expectation of ~2% towards 2027.

    Investment activities

    Tryg has divided its investment activities into a match portfolio (approx. DKK 44bn at Q4 2024) and a free portfolio (approx. DKK 17bn as per Q4 2024). As announced at the 2024 CMD, the free portfolio was derisked during Q4 2024 and is now mainly made up by Scandinavian covered bonds and government bonds (approx. DKK 13bn) and the real estate portfolio (approx. DKK 3bn). As a rule of thumb, the return on bonds can be modelled as 50% NYKRCMB2 and 50% NYKRCMG2 (Bloomberg tickers). For the real estate portfolio, a normalised annual return of 6.5% is assumed. The current buyback program of DKK 2bn started in December will impact the size of the free portfolio accordingly.

    The return of the match portfolio mainly consists of the return on premium provisions, which is expected at DKK 75m per quarter with the current level of interest rates.

    Additionally, the line ‘Other financial income and expenses’ is guided at DKK -90m per quarter and mainly consists of costs related to currency hedges, general balance sheet items and costs related to running the investment operation. As described in the newsletter on inflation hedging dated 17 March 2025, this line now also includes the net result of the inflation hedge. In the medium term, this is expected to average zero, but mismatches may occur in the short term.

    Other income and cost

    Other income and cost are expected between DKK -350m and DKK -370m on a quarterly basis. This is primarily driven by amortisation of intangibles related to the RSA Scandinavia acquisition.

    Number of shares

    At year-end 2024, Tryg reported 613,165k outstanding shares. Tryg announced a DKK 2bn share buyback at the CMD in December 2024, and as at 14 March 2025, 6,010,787 shares have been acquired in the quarter to date. The status of the buyback is announced each Monday at noon CET.

    Outlook statement from annual report 2024

    Tryg reported an insurance service result, adjusted for the more favorable-than-normal large and weather claims outcome, of around DKK 7.2bn in 2024 and it is now targeting its highest ever insurance service result of between DKK 8.0-8.4bn in 2027. The insurance service result is expected to increase gradually throughout the strategy period.

    Tryg will publish the Group’s Q1 results for 2025 on 11 April 2025 at around 7:30 CET.

    Conference call

    Tryg will host a conference call on the day of the release at 10:00 CET. CEO Johan Kirstein Brammer, CFO Allan Kragh Thaysen, CTO Mikael Kärrsten and Head of Financial Reporting Gianandrea Roberti, SVP  will present the results in brief, followed by a Q&A session.

    The conference call will be held in English.

    Date 11 April 2025
    Time 10:00 CET
     

    Dial-in numbers

     Pin code

    		 +45 (DK) 78 76 84 90

    +44 (UK) 203 769 6819

    +1 (US) 646 787 0157

    560768

    You can sign up for an e-mail reminder on tryg.com. The conference call will also be broadcast on this site. An on-demand version will be available shortly after the conference call has ended.

    All Q1 2025 material can be downloaded on tryg.com shortly after the time of release.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM tells councils to prove action on pothole plague to unlock extra cash and reveals £4.8 billion for major roads

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM tells councils to prove action on pothole plague to unlock extra cash and reveals £4.8 billion for major roads

    The Plan for Change is tackling the pothole plague, building vital roads and ensuring every penny is delivering results for the taxpayer.

    • £1.6 billion investment to tackle scourge of potholes to be delivered to councils from next month as PM tells councils to put cash to use
    • for the first time every council in England must publish how many potholes they’ve filled or lose road cash
    • local authorities that comply will receive their full share of the £500 million roads pot – enough to fill the equivalent of 7 million potholes a year, as part of the government’s Plan for Change
    • government also announces £4.8 billion for 25/26 for motorways and major A-roads including economy boosting road schemes on the A47 and M3

    The public will now see exactly what’s being done to tackle potholes, as the government demands councils prove their progress or face losing cash. 

    From mid-April, local authorities in England will start to receive their share of the government’s record £1.6 billion highway maintenance funding, including an extra £500 million – enough to fill 7 million potholes a year. 

    But to get the full amount, all councils in England must from today (24 March 2025) publish annual progress reports and prove public confidence in their work. Local authorities who fail to meet these strict conditions will see 25% of the uplift (£125 millionm in total) withheld.

    Also today, the Transport Secretary has unveiled £4.8 billion funding for 2025/6 for National Highways to deliver critical road schemes and maintain motorways and major A-roads.

    This cash will mean getting on with pivotal schemes in construction, such as the A428 Black Cat scheme in Cambridgeshire, and starting vital improvements to the A47 around Norwich and M3 J9 scheme in Hampshire, building thousands of new homes, creating high-paid jobs, connecting ports and airports, to grow the economy and deliver the Plan for Change.  

    It comes as figures from the RAC show drivers encounter an average of 6 potholes per mile in England and Wales, and pothole damage to cars costs an average £600 to fix. According to the AA, fixing potholes is a priority for 96% of drivers. 

    This government is delivering its Plan for Change to rebuild Britain and deliver national renewal through investment in our vital infrastructure which will drive growth and put more money in working people’s pockets by saving them costs on repairs.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    The broken roads we inherited are not only risking lives but also cost working families, drivers and businesses hundreds – if not thousands of pounds – in avoidable vehicle repairs. Fixing the basic infrastructure this country relies on is central to delivering national renewal, improving living standards and securing Britain’s future through our Plan for Change.

    Not only are we investing an additional £4.8 billion to deliver vital road schemes and maintain major roads across the country to get Britain moving, next month we start handing councils a record £1.6 billion to repair roads and fill millions of potholes across the country.

    British people are bored of seeing their politicians aimlessly pointing at potholes with no real plan to fix them. That ends with us. We’ve done our part by handing councils the cash and certainty they need – now it’s up to them to get on with the job, put that money to use and prove they’re delivering for their communities.

    The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: 

    After years of neglect we’re tackling the pothole plague, building vital roads and ensuring every penny is delivering results for the taxpayer.

    The public deserves to know how their councils are improving their local roads, which is why they will have to show progress or risk losing 25% of their £500 million funding boost. 

    Our Plan for Change is reversing a decade of decline and mending our pothole-ridden roads which damage cars and make pedestrians and cyclists less safe.

    To ensure councils are taking action, they must now publish reports on their websites by 30 June 2025, detailing how much they are spending, how many potholes they have filled, what percentage of their roads are in what condition, and how they are minimising streetworks disruption.

    They will also be required to show how they are spending more on long-term preventative maintenance programmes and that they have robust plans for the wetter winters the country is experiencing – making potholes worse. 

    By the end of October, councils must also show they are ensuring communities have their say on what work they should be doing, and where. The public can also help battle back against pothole ridden roads by reporting them to their local council, via a dedicated online portal. 

    To further protect motorists given continued cost-of-living pressures and potential fuel price volatility amid global uncertainty, the government has frozen fuel duty at current levels for another year to support hardworking families and businesses, saving the average car driver £59.  

    Edmund King, AA president and member of the Pothole Partnership, said:  

    Getting councils to show value for money before getting full funding is a big step in the right direction, as it will encourage a more concerted attack on the plague of potholes. At the same time, local authorities can share best practice, so others can learn what new innovations and planned maintenance techniques have worked for them.

    The £4.8 billion for National Highways will protect the country’s strategic road network, which provides critical routes and connections across the country for people, businesses and freight to help drive for growth as part of Plan for Change.

    The £4.8 billion includes a record £1.3 billion investment to keep this vital network in good repair, so the network remains fit for the future, and £1.8 billion for National Highways’ daily operations that are critical to ensuring the network runs safely and smoothly for millions of people and businesses that rely on it every day. As well as £1.3 billion for essential improvement schemes to unlock growth and housing.  

    Since entering office, the government has approved over £200 million for the A47 Thickthorn Junction, and £290 million for M3 Junction 9 plus £90 million for local road schemes like the A130 Fairglen Interchange, the South-East Aylesbury Link Road, the A350 Chippenham Bypass, the A647 scheme in Leeds. This is a total of over £580 million for schemes to get Britain moving.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Mitsubishi Corporation & Alt Carbon sign agreement to scale carbon removal in South Asia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Partnership agreement to scale carbon removal through a breakthrough Enhanced Rock Weathering tech process.
    • Alt Carbon to generate high-quality, durable Carbon Removal (CDR) credits.

    LONDON, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), and Alt Carbon, a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) company, announced a partnership agreement to scale the removal of carbon dioxide in South Asia. The agreement between the two parties will generate high quality, durable, carbon removal tons that have been created through a breakthrough Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) tech process.

    “Removal of carbon dioxide is critical to meet net-zero emissions by 2050. With Alt Carbon, we have a formidable partner with highly innovative technology in a breakthrough Enhanced Rock Weathering process that locks carbon in the ocean sink. From removing carbon, helping local farmers, and stringent testing measures to generate CDR credits, Alt Carbon is uniquely positioned to capture the ERW market. MC’s commitment to decarbonization is unwavering and reflects our dedication to a sustainable future, as we scale the CDR industry through our collaboration with Alt Carbon in ERW,” said Tadashi Sawamura, GM, Carbon Management Dept., Mitsubishi Corporation.

    Alt Carbon deploys a process called ERW that takes crushed basalt rock and spreads it on large swathes of agricultural land. The rock’s natural reaction with rainwater pulls the CO2 from the air & stores it in the soil, thereby improving crop yields. This dissolved inorganic carbon ultimately reaches the ocean via river networks and remains locked in the ocean for 10,000+ years. 

    ERW is one of the novel techniques for Carbon Removal (CDR) that has been advocated by the The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a critical tool for reaching Net Zero by 2050. Alt Carbon is tapping into the increased demand for high quality, durable, traceable, carbon removal projects – and it’s operating in a growing market. Alt Carbon’s in-house MRV, team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and the Darjeeling-Climate Action Lab (D-CAL) make it one of the leading carbon removal companies in the Global South, ideally placed to remove CO2 at a gigaton scale.

    “Having an institution like Mitsubishi Corporation recognise and support our efforts entrenches our belief in the science and technology behind ERW for carbon removal. In 15 months, we have rigorously tested and modelled our operations and technology in the single pursuit of removing carbon dioxide. This is just the first step, but it feels like a giant leap as MC partners with us to make India a hub for carbon removal,” said Co-founder & CEO Shrey Agarwal, Alt Carbon. 

    Alt Carbon is the first Indian headquartered company to receive a prepurchase agreement from Frontier, an Advance Market Commitment to purchase $1+ billion of permanent carbon removal by 2030. As part of this agreement, Alt Carbon received $500,000 for the purchase of high quality, durable carbon removal tons that have been generated through the Enhanced Rock Weathering process. The participating buyers included Stripe, Shopify, Alphabet, Meta and Watershed (on behalf of Match). Alt Carbon also became the first ERW company globally to receive an offtake agreement from the South Pole & Mitsubishi-led NextGen buyer’s coalition.   

    In order to meaningfully undertake climate action, we require gigaton level projects — i.e. projects that have a shot at removing 1 billion tons of CO2 every year. Alt Carbon is targeting reaching up to 500,000 hectares of land in North East India’s tea belt by 2030, as part of the Darjeeling Revival Project, removing upwards of 5 million tonnes of CO2 every year. Beyond that, the company aims to scale up its operations in South Asia to further work towards its goal of removing 1 billion tons of CO2, each and every year. 

    Notes to the editor
    Media images can be found here. For further information please contact the Alt Carbon press office: Adithya Venkatesan on adithya@alt-carbon.com or +91 94811 74420

    About Alt Carbon
    Alt Carbon is a co2 Removal (cdr) company based out of India transforming Darjeeling’s struggling tea industry from being at-risk from the effects of climate change, to becoming pioneers for climate action. Alt Carbon is on a mission to capture vast amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. Its ambitious goal is to remove 5M MT of CO2 by 2030, with the ultimate aim of reaching a billion tons – for good. For more information please visit https://www.alt-carbon.com/ or follow via LinkedIn. 

    Media Contact:

    Name: Adithya Venkatesan

    Company Name: Alt Carbon

    Designation: Head of Brand

    Email Address: adithya@alt-carbon.com

    Website Link: https://www.alt-carbon.com/

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Alt Carbon. 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 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. 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.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d8f7c1b5-2498-42d7-9535-fd8d0fce67fd

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tony Juniper CBE reappointed to continue protecting nature and boosting growth as Natural England Chair

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Tony Juniper CBE reappointed to continue protecting nature and boosting growth as Natural England Chair

    His reappointment comes as Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, is rewiring and reforming Defra and its arm’s-length bodies to unlock growth under the Plan for Change

    Tony Juniper CBE (Photo credit: Jason Bye)

    The Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, has today (Monday 24 March) confirmed that Tony Juniper CBE has been reappointed as Chair of Natural England for a third term.

    Tony’s continued leadership comes as Mr. Reed is rewiring Defra and its arm’s-length bodies to embark on an ambitious programme of reforming regulation and delivery to unleash economic growth across the country, with Natural England playing a major role.

    Planning reforms and a new Nature Restoration Fund under the Secretary of State’s leadership will unblock much needed housing and development whilst supporting nature recovery at scale. It will help developers meet their environmental obligations more efficiently, making it easier to build vital infrastructure like wind farms, railways and roads, gigafactories and data centres.

    Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper said:

    “It is truly an honour to be reappointed Chair of Natural England. Our role in protecting and restoring the natural environment is vital for the country’s economy, health and security and I am looking forward to two more years supporting government in delivering Nature-positive change.

    “From creating the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves and the King Charles III England Coast Path, launching 12 new landscape-scale Nature Recovery Projects and bringing the iconic beaver back to Britain’s waterways, our work over the past six years is helping turn the tide toward Nature’s recovery.

    “I’m immensely proud of the Natural England team and excited to lead the organisation as we ensure development, growth and nature restoration go forward hand-in-hand – delivering a brighter future for everyone.”

    Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed said:

    “Tony brings a wealth of passion, experience and expertise to the role, which we will need more than ever as we grow the economy and restore our natural world. 

    “Tony and I are fully committed to infrastructure, to housing, to growth. 

    “Our reforms will fast-track development to boost economic growth while funding large-scale environmental improvements across whole landscapes as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.”

    First appointed in 2019, Tony Juniper will become the longest serving chair of Natural England, the government’s statutory adviser on nature. He will continue in the role for two years from 23 April 2025 to 22 April 2027. 

    Natural England is working with the government to deliver the shared ambition to grow nature and the economy for the benefit of everybody. This includes ensuring guidance is fit for purpose and moving toward better strategic planning to secure environmental improvements while development takes place.

    Nature in Britain is in decline. That is why this Government has launched a rapid review to deliver on our legally binding environment targets, including halting the decline of species by 2030. Under his extended chairmanship, Tony will be at the forefront of the Government’s drive to meet these targets.

    Tony Juniper’s reappointment has been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

    There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be made public. Tony has declared that he has not taken part in any significant political activity in the past five years.

    Tony Juniper biography

    • Tony Juniper CBE has been Chair of Natural England since 2019.
    • Prior to joining Natural England, Tony was Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at WWF-UK and President of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
    • He is a Fellow of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and former advisor to the Prince of Wales (now King Charles).
    • He began his career as an ornithologist, working with Birdlife International and for many years worked with Friends of the Earth, most recently as Executive Director and Vice Chair of Friends of the Earth International.
    • He is a prolific author publishing many books, including ‘Just Earth: How a Fairer World Will Save the Planet’ and the multi-award-winning bestseller ‘What has Nature ever done for us?’
    • In 2017, Tony was recognised for his services to conservation with a CBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.

    Natural England

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges loosening car quota rules

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    As part of broader efforts to stimulate domestic demand, China has called on cities to further refine their automobile quota systems to better accommodate households without cars of their own, following a series of favorable policies rolled out across the world’s largest auto market.

    The country on March 16 made public a plan on special initiatives to increase consumption. This plan, issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, calls for shifting auto consumption policies from “purchased-based controls” to “usage-based regulation” and ensuring car ownership eligibility for families that have been unsuccessful after long waits as part of the car lottery system.

    Metropolises in China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, have long placed ceilings on car purchases by adopting car lottery systems to combat traffic jams and air pollution, while in recent years, local governments in these and other cities have been introducing new policies to meet increasing demand and raise the quota of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the car license quota allocation process.

    In January this year, Beijing’s transport authorities announced that 100,000 passenger car license quotas would be allocated in the Chinese capital in 2025 — 80,000 of which will be for NEVs.

    Notably, Beijing will this year also issue an additional 40,000 NEV license quotas aimed specifically at households with no cars of their own. This selection will be based on a point-based ranking system, rewarding those who have been waiting for a long time and prioritizing fairness.

    Similarly, Tianjin Municipality in north China released 30,000 quotas for carless households in 2024, while Hangzhou, a tech hub in China’s eastern Zhejiang Province, has relaxed its eligibility criteria to allow individuals who have applied unsuccessfully at least 48 times to receive alternative car license quotas.

    Shanghai, also in east China, a city which uses an auction system to sell a limited number of license quotas to fossil-fuel and hybrid car buyers, is another location which has sought to lower barriers to car ownership.

    The economic hub’s authorities said at the end of last year that the city would reduce its contribution requirement periods in terms of the social security fund and the paying of individual income tax by non-local residents from three years to one, thereby expanding access to car licence quota auctions.

    Jia Xinguang, executive director of the China Automobile Dealers Association, said that given the plan released on March 16 — related cities can further boost consumption by encouraging citizens to trade in old vehicles.

    Regarding the “usage-based regulation” noted by this plan, cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou have already enforced plate number restrictions, along with tech-enabled traffic solutions.

    In the case of Hangzhou, an AI-powered “City Brain” monitors the city’s traffic in real time and issues alarms for potential congestion, enabling traffic authorities to adjust traffic lights based on vehicle flow. With more than 3,700 parking lots linked to the platform, citizens can park their cars more easily, enjoying a seamless experience that allows them to “pay after parking,” thus preventing traffic jams caused by parking problems.

    “Due to frequent traffic jams, I had long been hesitant to buy a car. But with improvements in traffic management, I’m now considering giving it a try,” said Li Xiang, a Hangzhou resident. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ABC Adelaide, interview

    Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

    This transcript has been redacted in accordance with Digital Transformation Agency guidelines.

    Rory McClaren: In a time of growing global uncertainty, my next guest is currently charged with trying to navigate Australia’s international trade relationships. Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism and South Australian Senator Don Farrell. Good morning to you.

    Trade Minister: Good morning, Rory.

    Rory McClaren: Minister, ABC News is reporting today that a lobby group representing the big tech sector in the US Is encouraging the Trump administration to try and put pressure on Australia to change its policies. And the group has attacked the way that social media, streaming services, and artificial intelligence is being regulated. How do you respond to that criticism?

    Trade Minister: Well, every day, Rory, you get reports of things happening in the United States. I don’t panic about them and try and work through all of these issues, in a calm and consistent way. On this particular topic, of course, we are not singling out United States companies. We treat all companies from all countries equally, and that’s how it should be, and that’s how we’ll proceed to deal with these issues. We have been working to try and improve online safety for all Australians and of course, ensure that we’ve got a diverse and sustainable news media sector. So, that’s our objective out of all of this. And we’ll keep working in the interest of Australians on that online safety and that diversification of the media sector.

    Rory McClaren: But is this intervention from this lobby group just another example of how volatile this trade relationship is becoming with the United States?

    Trade Minister: Look, again, I don’t think we should be overreacting to everything that comes out from the United States. We’ve had a very long standing and good relationship with the United States. Sure, things have started to change in the last few weeks and the last few months. But the goodwill that we have towards the Americans and that they have towards us is still on display. I spoke with my counterpart, the United States Trade Representative, on Tuesday morning. We had a very good discussion. He got to explain what their objectives are. And I explained to them just how important we think we are to the American economy. We have an interesting trade relationship with America. We roughly have $100 billion worth of trade. We buy $70 billion worth of product off them and we sell them $30 billion worth of product. So, we say to them, look, why would you impose a tariff on a country where you have a trade surplus? He pointed out to me that there are only a few other countries in the world where the United States has a trade surplus. One is Hong Kong and the other one is the Netherlands. So, as best we can, we are trying to explain to the highest levels of the United States government just how our trading relationship works. And we’ll continue to do that over the days and the weeks ahead. Obviously, there’s going to be some developments next week. The American government is going to announce what it’s going to do across the board on tariffs on that.

    Rory McClaren: Have you received any reassurances from the Trump administration about Australia and how Australia will be impacted?

    Trade Minister: We’re continuing to talk with them, Rory. I think that’s the most appropriate thing I can say at this stage. We want to engage with the Americans. We want to understand what it is that they want out there, out of the relationship. We’ve had 20 years of our free trade agreement. We think it’s been beneficial to both countries. We want that relationship to continue. Obviously, we have a very important relationship, particularly in South Australia with the AUKUS arrangement. We continue to talk to them about that and we have good, strong, friendly relationships with the United States and we want to keep it that way.

    Rory McClaren: Just on that, we’ve had a text with a question for you, Senator Don Farrell. Do we have a free trade agreement with the U.S. and if so, have they broken it? Do these free trade agreements really mean anything?

    Trade Minister: Well, answering that final question, yes, yes, they are important. You might recall three years ago when I first came into this job, we had $20 billion worth of tariffs and impediments imposed on us by the Chinese government. Despite the fact that we had a free trade agreement with the Chinese. Over that three year period, we – one by one – managed to remove all of those tariffs and all of those trade impediments. The last of them, interestingly, was crayfish just before Christmas last year. And already in that first month we’ve sold $33 million worth of crayfish back into the Chinese market. A record amount. But what did we use? We used our free trade agreement to take issues to, for instance, the World Trade Organization. And we were able to, by combination of diplomacy and other remedies, we were able to resolve each and every one of those issues. So, yes, we do have a free trade agreement with the United States and yes, we are able to use those free trade agreements to progress issues if there is a dispute. Now, obviously first point is we’re trying to resolve issues with the United States by discussion. That’s the first starting point. What we might do subsequently to that. Well, let’s, let’s see what happens. But my ambition is to do what we did in the China situation, that is sit down, open the dialogue, start talking, try and understand what their issues are, but also explain to the Americans what our issues are.

    Rory McClaren: Minister, could that also see you travel to the United States ahead of that decision?

    Trade Minister: Well, I’ve been taking video conferences in the post Covid world. That’s a pretty good way to talk to people and to communicate with people. I don’t want to predict just how we’ll conduct those negotiations, but the listeners should be, should rest assured that we’re open to dialogue and we are having dialogue with the Americans as we speak. And we’ll continue to do that because I think that’s the way you resolve issues. That’s how you resolve issues. Between other people. And that’s how you resolve issues between countries. And that’s what I’d like to do.

    Rory McClaren: Don Farrell, Federal Trade Tourism Minister, thank you for your time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Federal budget 2025: here’s what we know so far

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Cooper-Douglas, Deputy Politics + Society Editor

    The federal budget will be handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers at 7:30PM AEDT on Tuesday March 25.

    While the official budget papers are under lock and key until then, the government has been making spending announcements for weeks. Here’s what we know.

    Total promised spending is $29.3 billion, excluding off-budget spending on education, and over a range of forward years. Data is sourced from federal government announcements.

    – ref. Federal budget 2025: here’s what we know so far – https://theconversation.com/federal-budget-2025-heres-what-we-know-so-far-252925

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Investing in Melbourne’s booming north

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments are building Victoria’s future, backing an upgrade to the Donnybrook Road and Mitchell Street intersection to cut congestion and improve safety in Melbourne’s growing north.

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams today announced a $125 million investment to transform the roundabout at Donnybrook Road and Mitchell Street, delivering additional lanes and a fully signalised intersection.

    The project will deliver a new bridge over Kalkallo Creek and significantly improve safety in the area, with barriers set to be installed around the intersection helping to keep motorists and pedestrians safe.

    The new lanes through the intersection will deliver better access onto the Hume Freeway and help motorists travel through the community.

    The upgrade builds on the construction of a dedicated left turn slip lane in 2023, which has since helped to ease traffic congestion and provide easier access to the Hume Freeway.

    The recent improvements have reduced peak time congestion in the area and alleviated the queuing of traffic on Donnybrook Road and Dwyer Street while also improving access to the Hume Freeway for motorists travelling west.

    The project is part of the Albanese and Allan Labor Government’s joint $1.2 billion Road Blitz, with the Australian Government contributing $1 billion and the State Government contributing $200 million.

    The funding follows our recent $7.05 million investment in a business case to uplift services on the Craigieburn, Upfield and Northern Growth Corridor, exploring the full range of infrastructure upgrades required to respond to growth.

    Infrastructure upgrades that will be assessed include track modifications, electrification, signalling and power upgrades, level crossing removals, additional stabling and potential new stations such as Cloverton/Lockerbie, Beveridge and Summer Hill Road.

    Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

    “My Government is building Victoria’s future.

    “We have allocated more than $1 billion to upgrade local roads across Victoria, to help improve safety and congestion, and slash travel time.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “We’re giving Victorians the infrastructure they deserve after being short-changed by the former Coalition government.

    “This will be transformative project for Melbourne’s north, better connecting these growing suburbs with the city and the region.

    “We are committed to delivering critical projects across Victoria that will help keep people moving, which is why we’re investing in Kalkallo.”

    Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams

    “As Melbourne’s population continues to grow, we are investing in critical projects that will create better journeys for motorists – just like this upgrade.

    “After ten years of neglect from the Federal Liberal Government, it’s great to have a partner in Canberra that can find Victoria on a map and help deliver critical projects that people rely on every day.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell:

    “Our community deserves the infrastructure that will provide safer and faster travel and the Albanese Labor Government is investing in projects that build our future.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Palestine Occupied Territories – Mass displacements in northern West Bank take a dramatic toll on Palestinians, warns MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    JERUSALEM – Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warns that tens of thousands of displaced people in the northern West Bank, Palestine, are without proper shelter, essential services, and access to healthcare. Following the January 2025 ceasefire in Gaza, Israel launched the “Iron Wall” military operation in the occupied West Bank, forcibly displacing thousands and leaving them in an extremely precarious situation. Israel must immediately halt the forcible displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank and the humanitarian response must be scaled up and reach those in need.

    “This scale of forced displacement and destruction of the camps has not been seen for decades. People are unable to return to their homes as Israeli forces have blocked access to the camps, destroying homes and infrastructure. Camps have become ruins and dust” explains Brice de la Vingne, MSF director of operations. “Israel must stop this, and the humanitarian response needs to be scaled up”.

    Since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023, Israeli forces have increased the use of extreme physical violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, as MSF highlighted in its report “Inflicting harm and denying care”. In total, 930 Palestinians have been killed including 187 children according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Access to healthcare has been severely hindered as confirmed by MSF teams on the ground who have witnessed the systematic pattern of oppression by Israel on health workers and patients. The situation further deteriorated since the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel’s “Iron Wall” operation which has effectively emptied the three main refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams in northern West Bank forcibly displacing over 40,000 Palestinians according to OCHA.

    “The [Israeli] army raided our house and ordered us to evacuate. We weren’t allowed to take anything with us – not even our documents. All we received was the warning: ‘Get out’,” explains Issam, 55, MSF patient who was displaced from Nur Shams camp. “Displacement is suffering, a silent anguish, a deep pain in the heart for everyone. You see the tears in people’s eyes, but we hold them back.”

    The mental health situation is alarming, with many patients suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression due to the violent and unpredictable nature of incursions and displacement. “People don’t know what has happened to their homes and have suffered immense losses, including their sense of purpose,” says Mohammad, 30, an MSF community health educator.

    “Drones were flying over the houses, ordering the residents to get out.  They always destroy things, but nothing like this has ever happened before” according to Abdel, resident of Jenin camp.

    MSF previously offered support in the three camps but had to adapt activities given the security risks and displacement of the populations. MSF teams now operate daily mobile clinics in Tulkarem and Jenin to provide medical care to displaced people. Our teams are treating chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension which have worsened due to lack of access to medication; respiratory infections, and osteo-muscular disorders among others. MSF teams also distribute hygiene kits and food parcels to support those who were forced to leave their homes without resources or belongings. MSF is providing water to the Khalil Suleiman hospital, the main hospital in Jenin, to mitigate frequent supply shortages due to damage from the military operations.

    MSF continues to respond to the urgent needs, but the scale of displacement and the escalating humanitarian crisis amid the inadequate international response present an immense challenge and needs in the West Bank are only getting worse.

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government will allocate almost 1 billion rubles for the repair and technical re-equipment of checkpoints across the state border

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Order of March 21, 2025 No. 670-r

    Document

    Order of March 21, 2025 No. 670-r

    The government continues to work on developing cross-border logistics. In 2025–2027, 859 million rubles will be allocated for the repair and technical re-equipment of checkpoints across the state border. An order to this effect has been signed.

    With federal funding, it is planned to install modern inspection and screening systems at a number of checkpoints, which will reduce the time required to carry out control procedures.

    In total, within the framework of the program for modernizing checkpoints across the state border by 2030, it is planned to reconstruct 87 of the most popular checkpoints and increase their throughput capacity more than twofold. It is also planned to complete equipping checkpoints with modern equipment by this date.

    According to the Presidential Decree “On the national development goals of the Russian Federation until 2030 and for the future until 2036”, by 2030 the volume of transportation along international transport corridors should increase by at least 1.5 times compared to the 2021 level.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin discussed in the DPR the implementation of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Marat Khusnullin held a meeting on the program of socio-economic development of the region and the integration of its activities into the national project “Infrastructure for Life”

    March 23, 2025

    Marat Khusnullin visited the Donetsk People’s Republic and inspected a number of facilities

    March 23, 2025

    Marat Khusnullin visited the Donetsk People’s Republic and inspected a number of facilities

    March 23, 2025

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    Marat Khusnullin held a meeting on the program of socio-economic development of the region and the integration of its activities into the national project “Infrastructure for Life”

    Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin visited the Donetsk People’s Republic, where he held a meeting on the program for the socio-economic development of the region and the integration of its activities into the national project “Infrastructure for Life”, and also inspected a number of facilities.

    “We discussed the housing restoration program at the meeting, discussed the implementation of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”. We also looked closely at the road renovation program, which the region has worked out very well: a detailed plan is outlined up to 2030 and concerns federal, regional and municipal roads. The main emphasis this year is on repairing the street and road network. I would like to note that we are now preparing to restore four districts of Donetsk that have been under fire for a long time,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    As part of his tour of Mariupol, Marat Khusnullin visited the stadium, the infrastructure of which was completely modernized, and the Institute of Secondary Vocational Education of PSTU.

    “In September 2023, after a large-scale restoration, the Priazovsky State Technical University opened its doors. Today I visited another of its institutions and talked to students. The building from the late 19th century was originally planned for training, and to this day it is an alma mater that trains specialists in 21 areas. Including builders and metallurgists. The plans for the 2025 academic year include accepting more than 1.5 thousand people. The buildings with a total area of about 15 thousand square meters were half-destroyed, they were on fire. They were restored by specialists from the Leningrad Region, and during the work they also discovered a painting from the Soviet period, which depicts builders,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin made working trips to Zaporizhia Oblast and Sevastopol

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Marat Khusnullin visited Zaporizhia region and the city of Sevastopol on working trips

    March 22, 2025

    Marat Khusnullin visited Zaporizhia region and the city of Sevastopol on working trips

    March 22, 2025

    In Melitopol, Marat Khusnullin inspected the construction of a multidisciplinary pediatric medical center

    March 22, 2025

    In Melitopol, Marat Khusnullin got acquainted with the current and completed work at the largest university in the Zaporizhia region – Melitopol State University

    March 22, 2025

    Marat Khusnullin held a meeting on the socio-economic development of the region

    March 22, 2025

    In Melitopol, Marat Khusnullin held a meeting on the socio-economic development of the region

    March 22, 2025

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    Marat Khusnullin visited Zaporizhia region and the city of Sevastopol on working trips

    Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin visited Zaporizhia Oblast and Sevastopol on working trips. In Melitopol, he checked the progress of construction of a multidisciplinary pediatric medical center, familiarized himself with the current and completed work at the largest university in Zaporizhia Oblast – Melitopol State University, and held a meeting on the socio-economic development of the region.

    “During the meeting, they said that in order to attract people to the Melitopol and Berdyansk agglomerations, it is important to create a modern infrastructure, increasing the volume of housing construction, upgrading housing and communal services facilities, and social facilities. What is encouraging is that positive dynamics are visible in these areas. For example, they are actively working with long-term construction projects. I stopped by one of three such sites on Belyaeva Street in Melitopol. The first house was completed in December last year, and the second is planned to be commissioned in August. In total, there will be about 140 apartments. On my next visit, I hope to see that the construction of investment housing has also begun. They also talked about industrial development, interaction with the Free Economic Zone Territory Development Fund. I looked at how an enterprise producing parts for railway locomotives, motor cars, and rolling stock is working. They are planning to expand the sales market, but they are already sending their products to Penza and Kolomna,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    In the multidisciplinary pediatric medical center with an infectious diseases department under the control of the “Single Customer”, work is currently underway on reinforcing and concreting the foundation slab, reinforcing the columns and basement walls, and the construction of internal walls and partitions has already begun in the infectious diseases building. And at the Melitopol State University, builders are repairing academic buildings, dormitories, gyms, canteens, a library, boiler houses and other facilities located on the territory of the university. As a result, a comfortable educational environment will be created for more than 12 thousand students.

    During a working visit to Sevastopol, Marat Khusnullin met with the region’s governor, Mikhail Razvozhaev, and discussed the development of the region with him.

    “Sevastopol is among the leaders of the Southern Federal District in implementing national and federal projects. I consider it extremely promising in terms of housing development, investment attraction, and, of course, tourism. We will continue our comprehensive work within the framework of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”, – the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev ordered the creation of a single interdepartmental working group to resolve operational issues in the field of gardening and vegetable gardening

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting of the Government Commission on the development of gardening and vegetable gardening

    March 21, 2025

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting of the Government Commission on the development of gardening and vegetable gardening

    March 21, 2025

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting of the Government Commission on the development of gardening and vegetable gardening

    March 21, 2025

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting of the Government Commission on the development of gardening and vegetable gardening

    March 21, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting of the Government Commission on the development of gardening and vegetable gardening

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting of the Government Commission on the development of gardening and vegetable gardening. Senators, deputies and representatives of relevant departments took part in it. In particular, issues of preferential tariffs for electricity, removal of solid municipal waste and water supply were considered.

    “The sphere of gardening and vegetable gardening affects the interests of millions of Russian citizens, because garden plots are not only used to grow agricultural products – they are also a place of permanent residence for people. Gardening non-profit partnerships received a new impetus for development in connection with the order of the President of Russia to extend social gasification to them. Thus, the attractiveness of such plots will only increase in the future. The task of the government commission is to intensify work on resolving problematic issues in this area,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister ordered the creation of a single interdepartmental working group that will resolve operational issues in the field of gardening and horticulture.

    The commission meeting also discussed the use of the public services portal, including for conducting voting and other communications between citizens engaged in gardening and vegetable gardening.

    As part of the decisions taken by the commission, Rosreestr will speed up work to simplify the procedures for registering rights to common property in SNT, and Rosstat will work out the possibility of collecting statistical data on gardening and vegetable gardening by subjects and municipalities.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexey Overchuk held a meeting with members of the Government of the Republic of Belarus

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Current issues of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries were considered.

    Alexey Overchuk held a meeting with members of the Government of the Republic of Belarus

    March 21, 2025

    Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation with the powers of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Rogozhnik and Minister of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus Kirill Zalessky

    March 21, 2025

    Alexey Overchuk held a meeting with members of the Government of the Republic of Belarus

    March 21, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Alexey Overchuk held a meeting with members of the Government of the Republic of Belarus

    Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk held a working meeting with the delegation of Belarus, headed by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation with the powers of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Rogozhnik.

    The Belarusian delegation included the Minister of Industry of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Efimov, the Minister of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus Kirill Zalessky, the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Belarus Alexey Kushnarenko, the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Belarus Yury Seliverstov, and the First Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Belarus Ilya Glazko.

    The parties discussed current issues of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Belarus, paying particular attention to the progress of work within the framework of the Main Directions for the Implementation of the Provisions of the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State for 2024–2026, issues of interaction in the energy sector, improving transport connectivity, including increasing the capacity of railway communications and developing the port infrastructure of the two countries, implementing joint import-substituting projects, digitalization and the use of electronic digital signatures. Issues of increasing the availability of mobile communications services in the Union State were also discussed.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tatyana Golikova took part in an extended meeting of the board of Rospotrebnadzor

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Tatyana Golikova took part in an extended meeting of the board of Rospotrebnadzor

    March 21, 2025

    Tatyana Golikova took part in an extended meeting of the board of Rospotrebnadzor

    March 21, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Tatyana Golikova took part in an extended meeting of the board of Rospotrebnadzor

    An extended board meeting was held at Rospotrebnadzor, dedicated to the results of the agency’s activities in 2024 and tasks for 2025. Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova, and Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko took part in the work of the board.

    The meeting was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova. She emphasized that Rospotrebnadzor regularly faces new challenges and threats, but coordinated work and accumulated experience allow preventing the import and spread of dangerous infections. Based on the century-long history of its existence, the service is constantly developing. Participation in the state programs “Development of Healthcare”, “Ensuring Chemical and Biological Safety of the Russian Federation” and “Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation”, the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies, the implementation of the “Sanitary Shield of the Country” initiative gave the service the opportunity to reach a new technological level.

    According to Tatyana Golikova, the key area of the service’s work is the country’s biological safety. “Over three years, a network of 54 sequencing centers, 153 PCR centers has been formed, 20 mobile rapid response laboratories and 14 mobile sanitary and quarantine points operate in the regions. Of the 80 biological safety reference centers existing in the country, 46 operate in Rospotrebnadzor institutions,” she noted.

    What was introduced as pilot approaches and innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic has become routine today. “First of all, this is genomic surveillance and population immunological monitoring. Sequencing capacity in the country has increased fivefold since 2021 – up to 10 thousand sequences per week, which makes Russia one of the world leaders in genomic surveillance,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    The second block of tasks of the service is hygiene. The issues of healthy nutrition, clean water, safe environment are becoming increasingly relevant, as they directly affect the health of each person.

    “As part of the national project “Demography” completed in 2024, a large-scale information and communication campaign on healthy eating was conducted with an audience reach of more than 2 billion views. It was possible to achieve a reduction of almost three times the rate of growth of primary obesity incidence in 2019-2024,” said Tatyana Golikova.

    Rospotrebnadzor will continue activities to implement individual healthy nutrition programs within the framework of the federal project “Health for Everyone”, which is part of the national project “Long and Active Life”, which was launched on January 1 of this year.

    An important area of activity is quality control and food safety. The Service has conducted more than 1 million studies of food products for vitamin and macro- and micronutrient content and surveyed more than 675 thousand students in more than 15 thousand schools. A large-scale in-depth assessment of the actual nutrition of schoolchildren made it possible to identify problems in each region and develop recommendations for each of them on the consumption of food products that meet the requirements of healthy nutrition.

    The product traceability system is gradually expanding the list of products for assessing their compliance with mandatory requirements through the Honest Sign application. In September 2024, the procedure for licensing disinfection activities came into force. A lot of work has been done to change the methodological framework, and amendments to the sanitary rules have been prepared.

    The third important block of the service’s work is consumer rights protection.

    At the end of last year, amendments to the legislation aimed at protecting citizens from the imposition of goods or services on them were adopted in the first reading. “We expect that the proposed amendments will strengthen control in this area and, as a result, will increase the effectiveness of protecting the rights of consumers, as well as bona fide entrepreneurs who avoid such tricks in their activities,” noted Tatyana Golikova.

    In addition, in December of last year, amendments were made to the Code of Administrative Offences, which increased the amount of administrative fines for failure by entrepreneurs to submit notification of the commencement of activities and increased the statute of limitations for bringing to administrative responsibility from three to six months.

    An equally important block is science. The service has a unique scientific base, its infrastructure is constantly being modernized.

    Breakthrough research for biological safety is carried out by Rospotrebnadzor scientific institutions, including within the framework of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies. The latest candidate vaccines against especially dangerous infections have been developed. Plague and tularemia vaccines are already undergoing preclinical trials.

    “49 new rapid tests for diagnosing infections have been created, and the range should be expanded to effectively identify biological threats. The indisputable merit of the service’s scientific organizations is technological independence in the development and production of diagnostic test systems. Today, 100% import substitution of test system production has been ensured, with the release of up to 1 million kits per year,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    The work of the World-Class Genomic Research Center based at the service’s scientific institutions will continue in 2025–2030.

    An equally important block of tasks is international cooperation. The Service monitors and controls infections at near and far approaches. Today, the Service interacts with 30 countries, constantly works in joint centers in Southeast Asia and Latin America. 41 mobile laboratories have been transferred to 16 countries to ensure biological safety. In 2024, the warning and response system in the single epidemiological space of the CIS was strengthened. Fulfilling the initiative of the President of Russia, announced at the Russia-Africa summit in 2023, the geography of the presence of Rospotrebnadzor specialists in Africa has been expanded to 15 countries.

    Tatyana Golikova thanked her colleagues for their success in defending Russia’s position at the WHO and preventing changes to international health regulations.

    All achievements are impossible without the main thing – professional staff. Today, the service employs about 15 thousand young specialists under 35 years of age – this is almost a quarter of all employees. Tatyana Golikova thanked the employees of Rospotrebnadzor for their work and wished them new successes.

    In his speech, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko spoke about the joint work of Rospotrebnadzor and the Ministry of Health, aimed at reducing the total duration of temporary disability among unemployed citizens. By 2030, it is planned to reduce this figure by 15%.

    In turn, the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova announced the results of the department’s activities in 2024 and tasks for 2025. Thus, the unified information system of Rospotrebnadzor allows informing the population and authorities about the quality of drinking water and air within the framework of the Clean Water and Clean Air projects. The interactive water quality control map, which has been in operation since 2022, contains more than 19 million research results.

    An alternative method for determining the contamination of drinking water and reservoirs has been introduced – the “toxicity index”. Methods have been developed for determining eight antibiotics in drinking water.

    Anna Popova emphasized that Rospotrebnadzor actively protects consumer rights in court, which ensures a high level of legal protection in the consumer market. In 2024, 94–98% of claims were made in favor of consumers, the amount of awarded payments amounted to 4.2 billion rubles.

    As part of the federal project “Sanitary Shield of the Country”, a unique fleet of mobile laboratories has been created, which allows for a prompt response to risks: anywhere in the country within 24 hours and in the world – within 48 hours. Since 2023, the AIS “Perimeter” has been operating at 241 checkpoints to assess epidemiological risks in real time. Remote thermometry and testing at the border have also been introduced, and mobile sanitary and quarantine complexes with laboratory support have been installed in 14 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

    Territorial bodies of Rospotrebnadzor and hygiene and epidemiology centers operate in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Luhansk People’s Republic, Zaporizhia Oblast and Kherson Oblast. Since the summer of 2022, mobile complexes of anti-epidemic teams have been operating in the regions. Mobile laboratories for rapid response have been delivered to four entities, the work of which is integrated into the Rospotrebnadzor network, ensuring readiness to detect infectious diseases.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Active work has begun on the Adler bypass from the Kudepsta and Vysokoye side

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Construction of Adler bypass

    March 21, 2025

    Construction of Adler bypass

    March 21, 2025

    Construction of Adler bypass

    March 21, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Construction of Adler bypass

    In Krasnodar Krai, the implementation of a large-scale project to build a bypass around Adler continues. It will be part of a prospective road that will run from the federal highway M-4 “Don” to the city of Sochi. Currently, active work is underway on the western section of the future bypass, in the microdistrict of Kudepsta. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “We work daily to create comfortable living conditions for citizens, including improving the transport accessibility of the regions. This plays a key role in the development of the economy and other industries. As part of the modernization of the road network in the south of the country, we are building a bypass of Adler. The new road will reduce travel time to the Sochi airport and Krasnaya Polyana and ensure the withdrawal of transit transport from the resort area of Adler. Currently, active work is underway in the Kudepsta microdistrict, on the western side of the future highway. Drilling of wells for the supports of the overpass leading to the Kudepsta sanatorium has begun at the site. Reconstruction of a section of the Sukhum highway is planned in this area, powerful retaining walls will be erected, and the access road to the sanatorium and the existing underground pedestrian crossing will be reconstructed,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the construction of the Adler bypass, with a total length of about 10 km, is divided into several stages. Most of the artificial structures in both the Kudepsta microdistrict and the village of Vysokoye will be erected as part of Stage IV. A positive conclusion from Glavgosexpertiza and permission for its construction were received in January of this year.

    Also, according to the Chairman of the Board of the state company Avtodor, Vyacheslav Petushenko, in order to build the transport interchange of the Adler bypass with the A-147, concreting of the supports of the bridge crossing over the Kudepsta River is being carried out simultaneously in several sections.

    “To save time on the delivery of necessary construction elements, several machines for the production of reinforcement cages were installed directly at the construction sites. At the same time, we are working in the village of Vysokoye in the Adler district, where the bypass will begin. Here, we have begun concreting the foundations of the U-turn overpass across the high-speed direction of the A-149 highway. We are also continuing to expand the overpass as part of the future interchange at the Eastern Portal. After reconstruction, it will become a two-lane one, and we plan to open traffic on it already in the current resort season,” said Vyacheslav Petushenko.

    Currently, 74 units of special equipment and up to 400 specialists are involved in the construction of the Adler bypass.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –