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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: RSH publishes regulatory judgements for 11 social landlords

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    RSH publishes regulatory judgements for 11 social landlords

    The Regulator of Social Housing has today published regulatory judgements for 11 social landlords. 

    ForHousing has been upgraded from G3 to G2 following a period of intensive engagement. The landlord has delivered an agreed improvement plan, including significant restructuring that involved removing an unregistered parent and disposal of its interest in another unregistered company that was part of the same parent group.   

    It has strengthened its control framework and improved its oversight of strategic risks. The board has been able to evidence that it has full, independent control over decisions that impact its outcomes.  

    ForHousing needs to continue to make improvements in its governance and risk management as it reviews the effectiveness of the changes it has made.  

    Two landlords, West Lancashire Borough Council and City of Westminster Council, received C1 gradings. This means that overall they are delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards and they have demonstrated that they identify when issues occur and put plans in place to remedy and minimise recurrence.  

    The London Borough of Wandsworth, Central Bedfordshire Council, and Anchor Hanover Group failed to meet the outcomes of RSH’s consumer standards and received C3 gradings.  

    During a planned inspection of the London Borough of Wandsworth, RSH found:  

    • Around 40% of homes and almost 80% of communal areas had not had an electrical safety test.  
    • Almost 1,800 overdue fire safety remedial actions, all of which were more than 12 months overdue.  
    • Only 6.5% of its 17,000 total homes had been surveyed in the last ten years  
    • Weaknesses in how tenants’ views are taken into account in decision making.  

    During an inspection of Central Bedfordshire Council, RSH found:  

    • More than 1,800 overdue repairs orders.  
    • More than 300 outstanding fire safety actions arising from fire risk assessments had not been tracked by age or prioritised by urgency.  
    • No tracking, monitoring, or reporting of the number and age of damp and mould cases.  
    • A limited range of opportunities for tenants to scrutinise their landlord’s performance and influence how its housing services are delivered  

    Following responsive engagement with Anchor Hanover Group, RSH found:  

    • Over a third of its homes did not have a current satisfactory electrical safety inspection report  
    • A significant backlog of electrical remedial actions 
    • Incomplete and unreliable information available on the presence of damp and mould 
    • Weaknesses across landlord health and safety, including fire safety and water hygiene 

    RSH has also placed Anchor Hanover Group on its gradings under review list. RSH is currently investigating matters which may impact on whether the landlord continues to meet the governance elements of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard.  

    RSH is engaging intensively with all three social landlords as they work to address the issues identified in each of the cases.  

    Mansfield District Council and Waverley Borough Council received C2 gradings.   

    RSH also published regulatory judgements for three further landlords following stability checks.  

    Peabody Trust and One Manchester retained their current G1/V2 gradings, while Bolton at Home retained its G2/V2 gradings.  

    Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said:  

    “As we approach the end of the first year of our programmed inspections, we are continuing to see a broad spectrum of gradings – though it is still too early to draw concrete trends. 

    “While our engagement is the most intensive with landlords that fail to meet the outcomes of our standards, even landlords that receive a C1 grading have room for improvement.   

    “Along with our consumer regulation, our scrutiny of governance and financial viability remains as important as ever. Landlords must have rigorous oversight of strategic risk and continue to stress test their financial plans. Without strong governance, landlords will not be able to deliver more and better social homes for tenants.   

    “We can confirm that we have placed Anchor Hanover Group on the gradings under review list. The outcome of the investigation will be confirmed in a regulatory judgement, once completed.”

    All the judgements published today can be found on the Regulatory Judgements and Enforcement Notices page.

    Notes to Editors  

    1. On 1 April 2024 RSH introduced new consumer standards for social housing landlords, designed to drive long-term improvements in the sector. It also began a programme of inspections for all large social landlords (those with over 1,000 homes) over a four-year cycle. The changes are a result of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 and include stronger powers to hold landlords to account. More information about RSH’s approach is available in its document Reshaping Consumer Regulation.  

    2. RSH carries out stability checks on all housing associations, and other private registered providers, who own 1,000 homes or more. The stability checks are a yearly exercise. We look at the financial information landlords have submitted to us (including their most recent business plan and annual accounts) and consider if there are any risks which might result in a change to their financial viability or governance gradings.  The checks do not include local authorities because our governance and financial viability standard does not apply to them.  

    3. More information about RSH’s responsive engagement, programmed inspections and consumer gradings is also available on its website.  

    4. RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.

    5. For general enquiries email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk. For media enquiries please see our Media Enquiries page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chancellor to meet G20 finance ministers in South Africa

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Chancellor to meet G20 finance ministers in South Africa

    At the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in South Africa the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will make the case for defence investment, declaring that it’s the “bedrock of economic growth”.

    • Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, touches down in South Africa for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting today, 26 February.
    • At the meeting Rachel Reeves will make clear that a strong defence is the “bedrock of economic growth” and make the case for “free and fair trade.”
    • Follows the PM’s commitment to boost the UK’s defence spending by £13.4 billion to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and the British Government’s steadfast support for the people of Ukraine.

    Following the PM’s announcement yesterday, the Chancellor will state that in a dangerous world the UK will not shy away from bolstering defence spending and will set out our ambition to raise UK defence spending further to 3% by the next parliament, subject to economic and fiscal conditions. 

    Protecting national security to protect the economy will also be a key message that the Chancellor will set out on the global stage today as she attends the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. 

    The UK is already the third largest defence spender in NATO in cash terms, and this government has already boosted defence spending by almost £3 billion at the Autumn Budget. 

    The Chancellor will also reaffirm our commitment to European defence and encourage other European allies at the G20 to boost their defence spending in line with the UK in response to the security threats we face.   

    She will also discuss the possibilities for like-minded countries to mobilise private finance to maximise our financial resources for defence.

    The government’s commitment to invest in defence will protect UK citizens from threats at home but will also create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive, supporting the Government’s number one mission to deliver economic growth.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said: 

    It’s clear we are facing a more dangerous world, and I will not hide from this reality. This is the moment for us all to step up – and together with our European partners we will go further and faster on defence. 

    National security will always be the first responsibility of this government and is the bedrock economic growth. Through intelligent investment, relentless reform, and free and fair trade – the most reliable driver of global growth – we can deliver sustainable growth that puts more money into the pockets of working people. 

    The Chancellor is also expected to set out that she is a champion of free and fair-trade and, will continue to make the case for openness in a series of bilateral meetings with G20 finance ministers. 

    While in Cape Town the Chancellor will engage with best-in-class British firms in South Africa and visit Cape Town’s historic V&A Waterfront. The Chancellor is expected to welcome British companies including consultancy Turner & Townsend and engineering firm Arup winning new contracts to play a role in the site’s expansion, showcasing UK expertise in designing, planning, and building infrastructure around the world.  

    The Chancellor will also meet influential businesses and investors in South Africa, such as representatives from Old Mutual Limited, the Foschini Group, and Absa, at a private reception at the High Commissioner’s residence, where she will deliver a keynote speech highlighting growth and investment opportunities in the UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bond issuance for infra. investment

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan today announced that the Government will raise capital by issuing bonds to ensure the progress of infrastructure works projects crucial to the future development of Hong Kong can proceed on schedule.

    While delivering the 2025-26 Budget this morning, Mr Chan said that the capital works expenditure will increase from the previously estimated $90 billion to about $120 billion per annum on average in the future.

    Apart from public-private partnerships, in-situ land exchanges and pilot areas for large-scale land disposal, government bonds will be issued as part of the Government’s efforts to leverage market resources more flexibly for the infrastructure works projects to proceed on schedule and deliver early benefits to the economy and the people, he added.

    In the five-year period from 2025-26 to 2029-30, a total of about $150 billion to $195 billion worth of bonds will be issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme and the Infrastructure Bond Programme annually. About 56% of the bonds issued will be used for refinancing short-term debts.

    Noting that the borrowing ceiling of these two bond programmes is expected to increase from the existing level of $500 billion to $700 billion in the Medium Range Forecast (MRF), Mr Chan explained that the ratio of government debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will stay at a prudent and manageable level of 12 to 16.5%, well below most of the advanced economies.

    He emphasised that the proceeds from the bond issuance will be used to invest in infrastructure, and not to fund government recurrent expenditure, in strict adherence to the Government’s fiscal discipline.

    “As long as the amount of bonds issuance is contained at a level that ensures fiscal prudence, capital can be utilised flexibly and for investing in future economic development, bringing greater returns and benefits to the society.”

    The Financial Secretary also stated that in the MRF, the ratio of total government expenditure to GDP will gradually fall from about 24.4% for 2025-26 to about 20.9% for 2029-30.

    For 2026-27 and onwards, revenue from land premium is assumed to be progressively rising to 2% of GDP, which is lower than the 20-year average ratio of 3.3%. The growth rate of revenue from profits tax and other taxes will correspond to the economic growth rate in the next few years. 

    The ratio of government revenue to GDP will maintain at about 20% starting from 2025-26 as a whole, Mr Chan said, adding that the MRF reflects the proceeds from the annual issuance of government sustainable bonds and infrastructure bonds.

    “Based on the above assumptions and arrangements, the deficits in the Operating Account and Capital Account in the next five years will gradually reduce every year.”

    The Operating Account may return to a surplus from 2026-27 onwards, while the deficit in the Capital Account will fall progressively from $159.8 billion in 2025-26 to $87.6 billion in 2029-30, Mr Chan pointed out.

    After taking account of net proceeds from the issuance of bonds, the Consolidated Account will return to a surplus starting from 2028-29. The aforesaid forecast has not taken into account any tax concessions or relief measures that may be implemented after 2025-26, he noted.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Business Leaders Sound Alarm on Global Economic Uncertainty, Call for Unified APEC Action Brisbane, Australia | 26 February 2025 APEC Business Advisory Council

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    Amidst rising global economic tensions, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) met in Brisbane this week to reaffirm its support for the value of trade and cooperation, and the original APEC commitment to free, fair, open and rules-based trade.

    Members expressed alarm at the escalating challenges posed by rising protectionism, regulatory complexity and other challenges including climate change, aging populations, declining growth rates for member economies and the business environment. Global uncertainty impacts trade flows, business planning and investment decision-making. Now more than ever, business and government must come together for the benefit of all.

    Economies must remain alert to emerging and disruptive technologies, including advancements in artificial intelligence and quantum computing, which offer both enormous promise and challenge to our economic development.

    “We must also redouble our efforts to put in place tangible enabling solutions like paperless trade, trade facilitation, resilient supply chains and other tangible items that ABAC 2025 aims for,” said ABAC Chair 2025 H.S. Cho.

    ABAC underscored the need for robust trade architecture, emphasising that a strengthened WTO and the APEC vision for a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) are vital counterweights to economic fragmentation. ABAC believes that this is the way to ensure fair, mutually beneficial trade as economies navigate the challenges of digital transformation and the climate crisis. 

    ABAC has adopted an ambitious theme for the year: “Bridge. Business. Beyond.” The 2025 work program emphasizes the role of business in connecting policymakers and stakeholders across the region, driving innovative growth, and shared prosperity.

    The ABAC work program is both visionary and practical.  For example, ABAC is looking at how to use digital tools like AI to promote small-business formalisation, create smart health systems, and tackle the carbon transition, including energy.  Economies must also urgently address gaps in infrastructure investment for energy security, energy transition, and digital transformation.

    ABAC wants to use the FTAAP process to drive quick progress on safer and more resilient supply chains, advance digital trade interoperability, and unlock green trade. ABAC remains committed to breaking down the barriers to women’s economic success, including by being able to tap into the venture capital they need and by closing the gender pay gap.

    ABAC will also develop recommendations to narrow the digital divide by using digital tools including AI, to support MSMEs to transition to the formal economy and access global markets.

    On meeting the challenges posed by aging populations, rising healthcare costs, and inequities in accessing medical services, ABAC will be developing recommendations for innovative, inclusive and smart health care systems. This will incorporate sustainable financing mechanisms, advanced health care models and the integration of digital health tools to enhance accessibility, efficiency and resilience of healthcare systems.

    To meet decarbonization goals amid rising electricity demand, ABAC will also develop recommendations to achieve a realistic and ambitious energy transition by utilizing advanced technologies to increase low carbon investments and expanding transition finance, supported by international cooperation and the development of low-carbon roadmaps.

    In a series of dynamic discussions with APEC Senior Officials, ABAC members sought to align priorities to produce actionable recommendations for leaders. “These discussions are the first of many interactions that we will have with policymakers and ministers this year.  We are keen to ensure that the business perspective is woven into key policy decisions,” the Chair added.

    The Chair expressed ABAC’s deep gratitude to the Australian government, particularly to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for their support in hosting this meeting.

    ABAC will reconvene in late April in Toronto, Canada, as it continues to develop its recommendations to achieve APEC’s goals, for presentation to APEC Leaders during their meeting in October in Korea.

     

    For further information please contact:

    Hyungkon Park (Mr), ABAC Executive Director 2025  at +82 2 6050 3686 and [email protected]

    Antonio Basilio (Mr), Director of the ABAC Secretariat at +63 917 849 3351 and [email protected]

     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over 100 Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars return to Pakistan after UK studies

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Over 100 Chevening and Commonwealth Scholars return to Pakistan after UK studies

    British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, welcomed back 43 Chevening and 71 Commonwealth Scholars, celebrating their studies in the UK.

    The 2023-24 cohort include scholars from every part of Pakistan, studying public policy, health sciences, climate change, and business at institutions across the UK.  As they return, these scholars become part of a thriving network of over 3,500 alumni, spanning government, media, business, and civil society.  

    Many Chevening and Commonwealth alumni have become leaders in their fields, shaping policy and driving social change. Notable alumni include the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi; the Honourable Supreme Court Judge, Justice Athar Minallah; Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chief Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory; Zulfiqar Younis, Additional Secretary for Climate Finance; Abia Akram, Founder of the National Forum of Women with Disabilities; and Maha Kamal, Co-Chair of Women in Energy. 

    British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said: 

    “Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships are among the UK’s most prestigious opportunities for Pakistanis. These scholars return empowered by a world-class education, global networks, fresh ideas, and the ambition to create real impact in Pakistan. Studying at UK universities is no easy feat, and I offer them my highest congratulations.”  

    Oneir Raza, a scholar from Pakistan’s education sector, said:  

    “Chevening was a remarkable experience. Studying at the University of Cambridge allowed me to gain practical skills, learn from a diverse faculty, and connect with people from different cultures. Beyond academics, Chevening broadened my horizons and helped me build lifelong bonds. I am super grateful for this opportunity.” 

    The British High Commission has launched climate-focused Chevening alumni engagement initiatives, including debates on the impacts and solutions to climate change in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, and a climate mentorship scheme pairing 13 mentees with 8 Chevening alumni mentors. These programmes are helping to grow Pakistani climate leadership, sparking critical dialogue, convening experts to come together to find tangible solutions to Pakistan’s climate challenges. 

    Applications for Commonwealth Scholarships will next open in September 2025. To find out more information, visit the CSC website. Applications for Chevening scholarships will open in August 2025. Interested candidates can register for alerts by visiting Chevening.

    Notes to editors 

    Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships – Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK are highly competitive scholarships provided by the UK government to provide financial assistance to talented international students from across the Commonwealth nations who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree in the UK. In Pakistan, there are over 1,500 Commonwealth alumni to date. The scholarships have been available to Pakistani students since 1960.  

    Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarships programme. Established in 1983, these scholarships support study at UK universities – mostly one-year Masters’ degrees – for students with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers. In Pakistan, there are over 2000 alumni to date.

    For updates on the British High Commission, please follow our social media channels:

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Skills and Training Scheme expanded to help 100,000 people into work

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Skills and Training Scheme expanded to help 100,000 people into work

    Over 100,000 people looking for work to benefit from tailored training next year, providing employers with work-ready recruits.

    • Coastal towns including Blackpool and Scarborough to benefit as Minister for Employment urges more businesses to sign up to help fill vacancies.
    • New research shows Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) can boost earnings by more than £1,400.

    Thousands of employers and individuals looking for work will benefit from a new record-breaking number of workplace training schemes, the government will announce today [Wednesday 26 February]. This will mean surpassing the previous target of 80,000 and offering new opportunities in some of the country’s most deprived communities.

    Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern will confirm the expansion of the Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAPs) to provide 100,000 more places available over the next financial year, a boost of over a quarter from this year. 

    Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) offer participants in England and Scotland who are receiving certain benefits the opportunity of training towards a job in a particular industry, alongside a work placement and a guaranteed interview that can kickstart a new career with over 63,000 people joining the SWAPs programme to help them find employment in the last year alone. 

    This boost for people looking for work through SWAPs is a crucial part of our plan to get Britain working to unlock growth, improve living standards and break down barriers to opportunity as part of our Plan for Change.

    The expansion comes as new research shows that in the two years after finishing a SWAP, participants stay in their jobs on average up to three months longer, earn up to £1,400 more, and save the taxpayer over £350 per person compared with those who don’t take part in the programme. 

    The same research finds that, while all demographics benefit from taking part in a SWAP, the impact is greater for more disadvantaged groups, such as older customers and those with restrictive health issues.

    The announcement builds on measures in the government’s Get Britain Working White Paper to overhaul jobcentres, tackle inactivity and improved outcomes for jobseekers. This will boost the nation’s skills and put more money into people’s pockets under the Plan for Change. 

    Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern MP said:

    The evidence is clear – SWAPs boost your earnings and keep you in your job for longer. That is why we are promising to deliver more of them than ever, as we Get Britain Working as part of our Plan for Change.

    And alongside our partnership with UKHospitality, more people in more areas of the country will be able to access the training they need to unlock the opportunities on their doorsteps.

    Anyone in receipt of unemployment benefits is eligible to take part in a SWAP via their local Jobcentre and any business can work with DWP to develop one. This enables businesses to recruit from a wider range of candidates and provide the necessary skills training tailored to an open vacancy.

    As part of this expansion, Minister for Employment Alison McGovern will announce that a hospitality SWAPs pilot, launched in partnership with UKHospitality, will be rolled out to 26 new areas in need of jobs and opportunity, including 13 coastal towns such as Scarborough and Blackpool.

    This will ensure jobs are filled in sectors with high vacancies, such as the 88,000 roles available in the hospitality industry as the government drives up opportunity as part of our wider reforms to Get Britain Working.

    Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality said:

    UKHospitality’s Sector-Based Work Academy pilot proved to be a brilliant way to provide high quality, entry-level training for both new starters and those looking to get back into work.

    I’m delighted that the government is rolling out our pilot to 26 new areas and using it as the model for its exciting plans to deliver at least 100,000 SWAP participants next year.

    This announcement gives us the impetus to expand our work across the country, help more people find rewarding jobs in hospitality, boost growth, tackle economic inactivity and continue to develop our Hospitality Skills Passport.

    Further information: 

    • SWAPs are designed to support unemployed benefit claimants on Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Employment and Support Allowance, who are aged 16 years and over and who do not need extra support to address a lack of basic employability skills. Participants remain on benefits during their placement.
    • The programme runs in England and Scotland. SWAPs are developed by Jobcentres in partnership with employers and training providers. These opportunities are offered in job sectors with high volumes of current local vacancies.
    • Employers interested in taking the opportunity to start a SWAP for a role in their business can contact the Employers Service Line here – Jobcentre Plus help for recruiters: Recruitment advice and support – GOV.UK.
    • The SWAP impact assessment, carried out by DWP, focused on UC customers who started a SWAP between April 2021 and March 2022 and compared their employment outcomes to individuals who were eligible to start a SWAP but did not start a placement.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Lantronix Selects Redtree Solutions Ltd to Serve as a Manufacturer’s Rep for Its Open-Q Family of Embedded Compute Solutions in EMEA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader of compute and connectivity for IoT solutions enabling AI Edge Intelligence, today announced a strategic partnership with Redtree Solutions, the largest manufacturer representative in EMEA, to represent its Open-Q™ embedded compute System-on-Module (SOM) and Development Kit solutions throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

    Designed to broaden Lantronix’s market presence in EMEA, this relationship expands access to Lantronix’s advanced SOMs and Development kits, which provide the fastest, easiest and most cost-effective path for developers to create ground-breaking products.

    “In response to the growing demand for cost-effective embedded compute development solutions, we are delighted to add Redtree Solutions to our network of trusted partners and are excited about growing our business with them in EMEA,” said Kurt Hoff, VP of Global Sales & Marketing at Lantronix.

    “By leveraging Redtree Solutions’ embedded connect expertise and expansive customer relationships, this alliance is poised to accelerate the adoption of Lantronix’s Open-Q solutions across EMEA,” Hoff added. “This relationship represents a significant milestone in Lantronix’s ongoing commitment to deliver innovative solutions throughout EMEA and the world at large.”

    “We are pleased to partner with Lantronix and add the immense value in offering Lantronix’s world-class embedded compute solutions to our mutual customers,” said Steve Judge, president of Redtree Solutions. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver leading-edge technologies that enable our customers to innovate, differentiate and speed breakthrough solutions to market.”

    About Redtree Solutions Ltd.

    Redtree Solutions, founded in 2006 and now a group company within Crest Holding BV, is the largest Pan-European representative company in the Semiconductor Industry. It has greater than 48 people at your service, speak local languages, and cover more than 20 countries across EMEA, with more than 500 active customers from the Electronic Industry. Redtree invests in next-generation technologies for the benefit of its customers’ success. Its application team is devoted to helping customers find the most optimized architecture for their electronic systems use cases, with the help of our partners’ solutions and expertise.

    About Lantronix

    Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth markets, including Smart Cities, Enterprise and Transportation. Lantronix’s products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that enable AI Edge Intelligence. Lantronix’s advanced solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing.

    For more information, visit the Lantronix website.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements related to Lantronix products or leadership team. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, future business, financial condition, or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this news release. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as the effects of negative or worsening regional and worldwide economic conditions or market instability on our business, including effects on purchasing decisions by our customers; our ability to mitigate any disruption in our and our suppliers’ and vendors’ supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other outbreaks, wars and recent tensions in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, or other factors; future responses to and effects of public health crises; cybersecurity risks; changes in applicable U.S. and foreign government laws, regulations, and tariffs; our ability to successfully implement our acquisitions strategy or integrate acquired companies; difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights; the level of our indebtedness, our ability to service our indebtedness and the restrictions in our debt agreements; and any additional factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Sept. 9, 2024, including in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of that report, as well as in our other public filings with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in our future filings. In addition, actual results may differ as a result of additional risks and uncertainties about which we are currently unaware or which we do not currently view as material to our business. For these reasons, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements we make speak only as of the date on which they are made. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our opinions or expectations, except as required by applicable law or the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. If we do update or correct any forward-looking statements, investors should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections.

    ©2025 Lantronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Lantronix is a registered trademark. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

    Lantronix Media Contact:        
    Gail Kathryn Miller
    Corporate Marketing &
    Communications Manager
    media@lantronix.com

    Lantronix Analyst and Investor Contact:        
    investors@lantronix.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Shaping a Brighter Future for Asia and the Pacific: ADB President Asakawa’s Legacy

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Transcript

    In January 2020, President Masatsugu Asakawa took the helm of the Asian Development Bank with a vision for sustainable growth and regional cooperation. Little did he know that two months later, the world would face an unprecedented crisis—the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic swept across countries, President Asakawa recognized the urgency and mobilized ADB’s resources to respond swiftly.

    Masatsugu Asakawa
    President
    Asian Development Bank
    2020-2025

    “In a crisis, every moment counts. I’m proud that ADB acted decisively when our members needed us most.”

    Under his leadership, ADB launched a $20 billion assistance package, including the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Option (CPRO) and a $9-billion Asia Pacific Access Facility (APVAX) to help countries procure and distribute drugs.

    Amidst the global health crisis, another pressing challenge demanded attention—climate change. At COP26 in Glasgow, President Asakawa reaffirmed ADB’s climate leadership.

    “We can’t afford to wait on climate action. That’s why we pledged at least $100 billion in climate financing by 2030 and pioneered innovative tools like the Energy Transition Mechanism and IF-CAP to drive real change.”

    Under his guidance, ADB became the region’s “climate bank,” promoting sustainable, inclusive growth while addressing environmental challenges. President Asakawa advocated action to help developing member countries become more resilient against climate change impacts, such as extreme heat and accelerated glacial melt.

    “Climate action has been a top priority for ADB, and for me personally. Throughout my presidency, ADB has intensified efforts to address the climate crisis— with initiatives focused on protecting vulnerable areas like the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region.”

    Alongside these initiatives, President Asakawa never lost sight of the people behind ADB’s success—its staff. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he introduced flexible work arrangements and prioritized safety measures.

    “Our people are the heart of ADB. Their safety and well-being come above all else. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, we empower our staff to deliver their best for the communities we serve.”

    In a critical moment, President Asakawa orchestrated the evacuation of 120 ADB staff and their families from Afghanistan. His actions not only safeguarded lives but reinforced a culture of care within the ADB community.

    Looking beyond immediate crises, President Asakawa also focused on building stronger foundations for the future. He championed domestic resource mobilization, helping countries strengthen their financial resilience.

    “True progress is when countries stand on their own feet. Our role is to help them build that foundation, strengthening their ability to create sustainable growth and resilience for future generations.”

    Through initiatives like the creation of the Asia Pacific Tax Hub,  ADB has helped strengthen tax systems, improve governance, and secure social safety nets for people across the region.

    Understanding that the region’s prosperity depends on cooperation, President Asakawa reinforced the importance of robust partnerships to rejuvenate trade and improve supply chains.

    “Asia and the Pacific has benefited immensely from globalization. With the looming threat of protectionism, our region must continue to champion connectivity and collaboration.”

    To support his ambitious goals, President Asakawa also spearheaded significant transformation within ADB. A review of the Capital Adequacy Framework unlocked an additional $100 billion in lending capacity over the next decade.

    Meanwhile, the new operating model introduced strategic shifts to expand private sector operations, intensify climate action, drive innovation, and locate staff closer to clients to strengthen support and responsiveness.

    These initiatives align with the MDB evolution agenda, ensuring ADB remains a key player in global development.

    “To meet tomorrow’s challenges, we must evolve today. Innovation isn’t just an option. It’s an imperative.”

    As his tenure comes to a close, President Asakawa leaves a strengthened, future-focused ADB.

    His vision encourages ADB to stay invested in the region’s success and responsive to emerging challenges. And he reminds us that building trusted, long-term partnerships is key to driving meaningful change.

    “ADB’s strength lies in being a trusted development partner- a reliable friend and partner of choice for Asia and the Pacific. This close relationship is our legacy. And it’s vital we preserve it.”

    President Asakawa has guided ADB through challenging times with transformative leadership that has left an indelible mark on the organization and region. As we look to the future, his legacy sets the foundation for a prosperous, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific.

    “I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to ADB’s staff, Board of Directors, member governments, and our many partners. Together, we have achieved milestones that will continue to shape a brighter future for Asia and the Pacific.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Сall for project proposals under Enabling Fund 2025-2026

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Сall for project proposals under Enabling Fund 2025-2026

    The British Embassy Kyiv invites proposals from non-profit organisations for project work under the Enabling Fund (EF) for the period from May 2025 to March 2026.

    The British Embassy Kyiv: call for project proposals under Enabling Fund 2025-2026

    The deadline for submitting proposals is 17.00 (Kyiv time) on 21 March 2025.

    The British Embassy Kyiv uses its Enabling Fund (EF) to complement work funded by the large-scale programmes in Ukraine via funding small-scale quick-win projects or aimed at leveraging bigger funding, at providing unique UK expertise in areas of top priority for Government of Ukraine or at obtaining insights into new areas of activity for future interventions. We will particularly welcome applications that show how they would contribute to the objectives of the 100 Year Partnership, which seeks to deepen the relationship between Ukraine and the UK across all areas.

    The programme will focus on the following areas:

    1. Supporting pillars of the 100 Years Partnership not funded by other programmes, thus strengthening Ukraine’s national and regional democratic institutions, helping Ukraine carry out reforms to meet EU, IMF and NATO standards, supporting Ukraine’s innovative tech capabilities; this can include support to local Ukrainian media, media watchdogs and consortia working to service critical information needs in frontline communities and occupied Crimea and affected by USAID freeze; support to development of innovative academic, science and research courses and modules in Ukraine in partnership with UK, harnessing best UK experience in education and education management, economics, banking sector; support to local hromadas in designing e-toolkit for harmonising hromadas’ recovery plans with regional and national ones (all projects to meet GESI-D requirements)

    2. Supporting vulnerable groups not covered by larger UK programmes, such as work on barrier-free Ukraine, protecting rights of persons with disabilities, LGBT people, work on protecting human rights in temporarily occupied territories including Crimea and on reintegration of de-occupied territories, including reintegration of children returned from Russia or temporarily occupied territories, ensuring cooperation between state institutions, civil society and international partners (all projects to meet GESI-D/E requirements)

    NOTES:

    Non-profit organisations are invited to bid. Successful projects should have sustainable outcomes and should clearly identify the change that will be brought about. All bids should make clear how they complement existing activities supported by other donors and international partners, and how work in the regions complements national level activity.

    The minimum indicative funding for projects is £75,000 and maximum £100,000. This may be in addition to co-funding and self-funding contributions; indeed this will be considered a merit. Our funding is for the UK financial year April 2025-March 2026 only (projects must be implemented and all payments made by 15 March 2026). Where appropriate, bidders are encouraged to describe how their project could be further scaled-up if additional funding became available.

    The British Embassy Kyiv will carry out due diligence of potential grantees, including seeking references, as part of the selection process.

    Bidding is competitive and only selected projects will receive funding. The Embassy reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds of such acceptance or rejection. Due to the volume of bids expected we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids. If bidders are not contacted by end April they have been unsuccessful in this bidding round.  

    Bidding process

    Bidders should fill in the standard Project Proposal Form and include a breakdown of project costs in the Activity Based Budget (ABB). We will not consider proposals submitted in other formats. Budgets must be Activity Based Budgets (ABB), all costs should be indicative, in GBP (not Ukrainian Hryvna).

    Successful bids must demonstrate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Category D or E (please see description of all GESI Categories in Annex below), i.e. have a gender equality objective explicit in the project documentation and an explanation of a positive impact of the project on advancing gender equality. If the project is designed with the principal intention of advancing gender equality, it must have outcomes on gender equality and outputs that contribute to these outcomes.

    All projects or activities must align with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and assess climate and environmental impact and risks, taking steps to ensure that no environmental harm is done and, where relevant, support adaptation.

    Successful implementers should be able to receive project funding in GBP (UK pound sterling) and open a GBP bank account for the project.

    Proposals should be sent to the British Embassy Kyiv at Kyiv.Projects@fcdo.gov.uk by 17.00 (Kyiv time) on 21 March 2025. In the subject line, please indicate the name of the bidder, the area (1 or 2), and the subtopic under which the project is submitted (e.g. [name of NGO]/area 1/Support to local hromadas). We aim to evaluate proposals by end-April. Approved projects will commence in May 2025.

    Evaluation criteria

    Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

    • fit to programme objectives – the extent to which the proposal addresses the issues
    • quality of project – how well defined and relevant the outcome is and how outputs will deliver this change; ability to leverage bigger funding would be an advantage
    • value for money – the value of the expected project outcomes, the level of funding requested and institutional contribution
    • previous experience – evidence of the project team’s understanding the issue and of its regional activities, ability to manage and deliver a successful project, through work done to date in the area or in related fields
    • gender-sensitive approach and alignment with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change – as indicated above; the proposals will be assessed by a mixed gender panel.

    ISF_Project Proposal Template_Part A 30-09-2024

    ODT, 60.8 KB

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    ISF_Project_Activity-Based_Budget_Template 28-01-2025 w upd guidance

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    GESI Priorities

    PNG, 505 KB

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 26 February 2025 News release WHO strengthens support for grassroots crowdsourcing campaign: a global movement of unity and solidarity

    Source: World Health Organisation

    What started as a grassroots initiative by a WHO staff member has grown into a global movement for health. Building on the success of the 1 Dollar 1 World campaign, the World Health Organization (WHO) is now amplifying and evolving the initiative to encourage more people around the world to show their solidarity.

    Inspired by an individual’s initiative, WHO is now backing the 1 Dollar 1 World movement, encouraging regions, countries, champions, and its own workforce to unite behind the effort. Together with the WHO Foundation, WHO will strengthen its efforts to create awareness about its critical work and engage communities worldwide.

    With this initiative, WHO is embracing a new approach by leveraging crowdfunding to support its mission. For the first time, WHO is activating its existing infrastructure – spanning 150 country offices – alongside the WHO Foundation’s reach, to amplify this grassroots movement. This strategic shift not only strengthens community engagement but also aligns with WHO’s broader strategy to diversify funding sources and support its ongoing Investment Round.

    Since its launch in early 2025, almost 5000 people from over 140 countries have contributed to the campaign through the WHO Foundation, created to bring together funders and high impact health initiatives to further the mission of WHO. The high level of success and engagement demonstrates that there is a broad sense of solidarity and shared commitment to global health. This campaign is not just about crowdfunding – it’s about people standing together to remind us that health is a right, not a privilege.

     “The power of the 1 Dollar, 1 World movement comes from the people. In particular, I would like to thank my colleague Tania Cernuschi for her inspiration to launch this initiative,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It shows that in times of crisis, people everywhere can unite and commit to protecting and promoting the health of others. WHO is proud to stand behind this initiative, which embodies the values of solidarity, action, innovation and hope.”

    A moment for action

    The challenges global health has faced in recent years – from pandemics to humanitarian crises – make it clearer than ever that no one is safe until everyone is safe. The 1 Dollar 1 World movement is a chance for people everywhere to turn concern into action and show that solidarity, just like health, knows no borders.

    “This campaign started with one person, but it belongs to all of us,” said Tania Cernuschi, the WHO staff member who launched the original initiative. “It’s proof that individuals can make a difference, and that together, we are stronger.”

    Join the movement

    Media and the public are invited to support and share this movement. Every action – whether a donation, a post, or a conversation – helps spread the message that health should be for all, not just for some. Every stakeholder – whether a person, an organization, a community or a government – has a role in building efficient and effective collaboration for health.

    A grassroots campaign with global impact

    The 1 Dollar 1 World movement invites everyone to take action for global health in three simple ways:

    • Donate through the WHO Foundation – Every dollar counts. Contributions support WHO’s lifesaving work worldwide.
    • Share – Post a photo holding up your index finger to symbolize unity. Use #1Dollar1World & #HealthForAll, and link to the donation page.
    • Amplify – Encourage others to join the movement. More information is in the communications toolkit.

    All donations, collected by the WHO Foundation, support lifesaving efforts around the world, with a strong focus on country-level initiatives. These resources are essential in driving impactful implementation where it matters most based on the decisions of WHO’s 194 Member States. Together, we can drive real change.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Budget promotes reform: CS

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today said the 2024-25 Budget, through comprehensive and pragmatic measures, strives to promote reform and innovation with an appropriate focus on controlling government expenditure and increasing government revenue.

    Speaking at a media session after the Financial Secretary delivered the Budget, Mr Chan said the Government had worked closely with the community to strive for economic growth and development over the past year, actively seizing national and international opportunities to drive the economy forward.

    He added that Hong Kong, as a small and externally oriented economy, has inevitably encountered various challenges in the face of a complicated, volatile external environment, but emphasised that the Government’s latest Budget had pragmatism at its heart.

    “This year’s Budget is comprehensive, well balanced and pragmatic, while promoting development, reform and innovation. It also focuses on controlling government expenditure and increasing government revenue where appropriate.”

    The Chief Secretary called on Legislative Councillors to support the corresponding bill.

    “I fully support this year’s Budget and hope the Legislative Council will promptly scrutinise and approve the appropriation bill.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS revs up city’s trade engine

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan said today that the Government will strive to bolster Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre, supply chain management centre, and transportation and logistics hub.

    In his 2025-26 Budget speech, he said efforts will be made to expand the city’s trade network, reinforce its connectivity and attract more inward investment, while also strengthening support for local enterprises.

    As regards Hong Kong’s supply chain management capabilities, Mr Chan iterated that the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and InvestHK jointly provide assistance to Mainland enterprises in using Hong Kong as a base to manage their offshore trading and supply chain activities.

    In terms of trade financing, he said the Trade Financing Liquidity Facility recently introduced by Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the People’s Bank of China provides greater flexibility for RMB financing. In addition, the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation offers credit insurance to support enterprises seeking to go global.

    Mr Chan said the Government is considering making legislative amendments to facilitate digitalisation of trade documents, and will submit proposals to the Legislative Council next year.

    In efforts to expand Hong Kong’s trade network and attract more inward investment, the Financial Secretary said the Government is liaising with the governments of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia with a view to establishing Economic & Trade Offices in those countries. In addition, InvestHK has established consultant offices in Egypt and Türkiye, while the HKTDC has set up a consultant office in Cambodia.

    Moreover, the Government is exploring investment agreements with Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt and Peru, and is conducting negotiations with 17 countries on establishing Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements.

    Mr Chan outlined that Hong Kong will continue to cultivate markets in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Middle East, besides exploring opportunities in Central Asia, South Asia and North Africa. With regard to the Belt & Road (B&R) Initiative, he added that the HKTDC will strengthen project matching, particularly in relation to green development and innovation and technology (I&T).

    Meanwhile, to support the development of local enterprises and help them to go global, the finance chief said the Government will inject a total of $1.5 billion into two funds: the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales and the Export Marketing and Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund. Application arrangements will also be streamlined.

    In terms of support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Mr Chan also highlighted that numerous banks have joined the Taskforce on SME Lending jointly established by the HKMA and the Hong Kong Association of Banks. He said that the funds dedicated for SME financing in the participating banks’ loan portfolios recently increased to over $390 billion.

    In collaboration with large-scale e-commerce platforms, the HKTDC will also launch “E-Commerce Express”, in order to provide Hong Kong enterprises with one-to-one consultation services and thematic seminars. In addition, it will enhance the mentorship scheme it operates in collaboration with the Trade & Industry Department, and will organise a second edition of the Hong Kong Shopping Festival.

    Turning to Hong Kong’s maritime industry, Mr Chan said the Government will adopt an “innovative spirit” with regard to its development.

    He revealed that a Hong Kong Maritime & Port Development Board will be established this year to support research, industry promotion and manpower training. In addition, he said a half-rate tax concession for eligible commodity traders will be introduced.

    With regard to logistics development, the finance chief said the Government has initiated a study on developing modern logistics sites in the Northern Metropolis and expects that its findings will be announced this year.

    Meanwhile, with a view to developing a smart port, $215 million has been allocated to installing a port community system that will encourage the flow of data among stakeholders in the maritime, port and logistics industries. 

    In relation to the Government’s plans to bolster Hong Kong’s reputation as an international aviation hub, Mr Chan said the Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport was commissioned at the end of last year and that related passenger facilities will become operational in phases from the end of this year.

    He also highlighted that the Airport Authority (AA) recently promulgated a development plan for the expansion of Airport City, and revealed that the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy will expand its training programmes to cover C919 aircraft following their official deployment in scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Shanghai in January.

    Mr Chan added that the AA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a leading overseas professional aeronautic services company to explore the possibility of providing professional services such as aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and related training in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Germany card payments market to surpass $850 billion in 2029, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Germany card payments market to surpass $850 billion in 2029, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Banking

    The Germany card payments market is forecast to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% between 2025 and 2029 to reach EUR788.1 billion ($852.1 billion) in 2029, supported by a constant consumer shift towards electronic payments, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s report, “Germany Cards and Payments – Opportunities and Risks,” reveals that card payment value in Germany registered a growth of 11.2% in 2023, driven by the rise in consumer spending. The value grew further to register an estimated growth of 6.4% to reach EUR 574.6 billion ($621.3 billion) in 2024.

    Ravi Sharma, Lead Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Germany’s payment card market is experiencing rapid growth, with a decline in cash usage. It is expected to continue expanding in 2025, driven by factors such as a 100% adult banked population, the convenience of electronic payments, improving payment infrastructure, the increasing preference for contactless payments, and the growth in e-commerce payments.”

    Debit cards are the most popular card type in Germany, accounting for a significant share of total card payments. While debit cards were traditionally used for cash withdrawals, their usage for payments is gradually increasing. This growth can be attributed to the rising adoption and usage of contactless debit cards, which offer convenience and speed for low-value transactions.

    On the other hand, credit and charge cards have a lower adoption in Germany. This can be attributed to the debt-averse nature of German consumers. However, banks are encouraging the adoption and usage of credit cards by offering value-added benefits such as installment facilities, reward points, and discounts at partner retailers.

    Despite the growth in the payment card market, Germany still has a strong inclination towards cash usage. However, the EU-wide interchange fee regulation, the growth of contactless payments, the emergence of digital-only banks, and a robust e-commerce market have contributed to a gradual increase in payment card usage.

    Banks and payment companies are also focusing on expanding payment infrastructure to encourage businesses to go digital. As of July 2024, there were 3.1 million SMEs operating in the country—accounting for 99.4% of German firms. To serve them, POS providers offer low-cost mobile POS (mPOS) solutions. For example, Worldline subsidiary PAYONE offers Tap On Mobile, which enables merchants to convert Android-based mobile devices into POS terminals to accept payment via cards and mobile wallets.

    Sharma concludes: “Looking ahead, a continued growth in the total card payments is expected to expand in Germany by 9% in 2025. The key drivers of this growth include the ongoing efforts to promote electronic payments, the expansion of the e-commerce market, and the availability of value-added benefits for cardholders. However, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and economic slowdown will remain challenges.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign Minister Lin hosts luncheon for British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts luncheon for British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation

    • Date：2025-02-19
    • Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    February 19, 2025  

    No. 041  

    On February 18, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon to welcome a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group led by its chair, Sarah Champion MP, who also chairs the House of Commons International Development Committee. In his remarks, Minister Lin thanked the members of the UK parliamentary cross-party group for demonstrating their support for Taiwan through concrete actions.

     

    Minister Lin noted that the Group of Seven had consistently stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element to global security and prosperity since 2021, when the United Kingdom held the G7 rotating presidency. He thanked the UK government for continuing to underline the fact that the interests and security of the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic were indivisible. Furthermore, Minister Lin expressed gratitude to the House of Commons for passing a motion last November concerning Taiwan’s international status. The motion noted that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 neither mentioned Taiwan nor addressed Taiwan’s status in the United Nations. Minister Lin said that he looked forward to Taiwan and the United Kingdom signing subarrangements under the framework of the Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition in the near future. He also expressed the hope that the United Kingdom would publicly voice support for Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

     

    In her remarks, Ms. Champion noted that the international community was currently facing many challenges as authoritarian regimes continued to create conflict through various means. She said that democracies therefore needed to be more united to jointly defend freedom, human rights, and other core values. With friendship and cooperation between Taiwan and the United Kingdom continuing to deepen, Ms. Champion expressed hoped that the two sides would further strengthen collaboration on issues such as foreign information manipulation interference, critical infrastructure protection, and semiconductor supply chains. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome banquet for Canadian parliamentary delegation

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome banquet for Canadian parliamentary delegation

    • Date：2025-02-20
    • Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

    February 20, 2025 

    No. 043 

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome banquet on February 17 for a delegation from the Parliament of Canada led by Senator Michael MacDonald, Chairman of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. The two sides exchanged opinions on deepening economic and trade exchanges and strengthening talent development.  

     

    In his remarks, Minister Lin first expressed thanks for Canada’s staunch support of cross-strait peace and stability in recent years, including the February 16 transit of the Taiwan Strait by the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa. This was yet another concrete demonstration that the Taiwan Strait constitutes international waters. Since releasing its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022, Canada has continued to bolster cooperation with Taiwan on economics and trade as well as science and technology. The two sides have signed the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Arrangement as well as the Science, Technology, and Innovation Arrangement. 

     

    In the context of Taiwan promoting a policy of integrated diplomacy, Minister Lin expressed hope that Canada would continue to support Taiwan’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, strengthen regional economic cooperation, and jointly build resilient non-red supply chains. With Canada holding the rotating presidency of the G7 this year, Minister Lin said he expected it to play a pivotal role in upholding the international order and leading like-minded nations in a continued coordinated effort to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. 

     

    In his response, Senator MacDonald praised Taiwan’s achievements in high tech, education, public health, and democratic development. He expressed support for Taiwan’s appropriate participation in international organizations and said that he hoped national security would no longer be an issue of concern for Taiwan in the near future. 

     

    In addition to Senator MacDonald, the delegation included Sens. Donald Neil Plett and John M. McNair. The group will attend the HFX Taipei Forum and call on government agencies and private organizations including the Legislative Yuan, Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations, Tainan City government, and Doublethink Lab.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Foreign Minister Lin hosts luncheon for British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts luncheon for British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation

    Date：2025-02-19
    Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    February 19, 2025  
    No. 041  

    On February 18, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung hosted a luncheon to welcome a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group led by its chair, Sarah Champion MP, who also chairs the House of Commons International Development Committee. In his remarks, Minister Lin thanked the members of the UK parliamentary cross-party group for demonstrating their support for Taiwan through concrete actions.
     
    Minister Lin noted that the Group of Seven had consistently stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element to global security and prosperity since 2021, when the United Kingdom held the G7 rotating presidency. He thanked the UK government for continuing to underline the fact that the interests and security of the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic were indivisible. Furthermore, Minister Lin expressed gratitude to the House of Commons for passing a motion last November concerning Taiwan’s international status. The motion noted that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 neither mentioned Taiwan nor addressed Taiwan’s status in the United Nations. Minister Lin said that he looked forward to Taiwan and the United Kingdom signing subarrangements under the framework of the Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition in the near future. He also expressed the hope that the United Kingdom would publicly voice support for Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
     
    In her remarks, Ms. Champion noted that the international community was currently facing many challenges as authoritarian regimes continued to create conflict through various means. She said that democracies therefore needed to be more united to jointly defend freedom, human rights, and other core values. With friendship and cooperation between Taiwan and the United Kingdom continuing to deepen, Ms. Champion expressed hoped that the two sides would further strengthen collaboration on issues such as foreign information manipulation interference, critical infrastructure protection, and semiconductor supply chains. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome banquet for Canadian parliamentary delegation

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome banquet for Canadian parliamentary delegation

    Date：2025-02-20
    Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

    February 20, 2025 
    No. 043 

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome banquet on February 17 for a delegation from the Parliament of Canada led by Senator Michael MacDonald, Chairman of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group. The two sides exchanged opinions on deepening economic and trade exchanges and strengthening talent development.  
     
    In his remarks, Minister Lin first expressed thanks for Canada’s staunch support of cross-strait peace and stability in recent years, including the February 16 transit of the Taiwan Strait by the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa. This was yet another concrete demonstration that the Taiwan Strait constitutes international waters. Since releasing its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022, Canada has continued to bolster cooperation with Taiwan on economics and trade as well as science and technology. The two sides have signed the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Arrangement as well as the Science, Technology, and Innovation Arrangement. 
     
    In the context of Taiwan promoting a policy of integrated diplomacy, Minister Lin expressed hope that Canada would continue to support Taiwan’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, strengthen regional economic cooperation, and jointly build resilient non-red supply chains. With Canada holding the rotating presidency of the G7 this year, Minister Lin said he expected it to play a pivotal role in upholding the international order and leading like-minded nations in a continued coordinated effort to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. 
     
    In his response, Senator MacDonald praised Taiwan’s achievements in high tech, education, public health, and democratic development. He expressed support for Taiwan’s appropriate participation in international organizations and said that he hoped national security would no longer be an issue of concern for Taiwan in the near future. 
     
    In addition to Senator MacDonald, the delegation included Sens. Donald Neil Plett and John M. McNair. The group will attend the HFX Taipei Forum and call on government agencies and private organizations including the Legislative Yuan, Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations, Tainan City government, and Doublethink Lab.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: 15 million South Africans don’t get enough to eat every day: 4 solutions

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stephen Devereux, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies

    At least 15 million South Africans suffer from food insecurity. That means they don’t have enough nutritious food to live healthy lives.

    This is due to a combination of factors, including unemployment, poverty, inequality and food system failures.

    More than 1,000 children die from malnutrition each year. This compares unfavourably with 350 child deaths from malnutrition in Brazil, which has more than three times South Africa’s population, and 269 child deaths in Colombia, which has about the same per capita income as South Africa.

    A robust indicator of chronic hunger is child stunting. Stunting in South Africa has flatlined at around 25%, or one in four children, since the early 1990s. Other middle-income countries such as Brazil and Peru have made impressive progress. Peru halved its rate from 28% in 2008 to 13% in 2016, after the president committed to reducing stunting.

    Read more: South Africa’s hunger problem is turning into a major health crisis

    How can South Africa’s government deliver on the right to food and begin the urgent process of eradicating hunger?

    We have worked on food security and food justice for many years. We’ve researched the links between social protection and hunger and between food systems and nutrition, and the cost of hunger.

    Based on this experience, our view is that food shortages are not a cause of hunger in South Africa. The country produces and imports all the food it needs. Instead, the problem is unequal access to food. While some South Africans live in a world of abundance, with no budget constraints, millions more survive below the food poverty line, unable to afford even a basic nutritious diet for their families.

    We believe that the government must deliver on the constitutional right to food and begin the urgent process of eradicating hunger. It can do this by expanding the social grant system, extending the school nutrition programme, reducing food waste, and ensuring access to land for low-income rural and peri-urban households.

    Above all, a coherent and coordinated strategy for tackling hunger is needed, led by a minister of food, following models like Brazil’s Zero Hunger initiative. In December 2024, Brazil handed over the G20 presidency to South Africa, after it launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. South Africa should embrace the embrace the spirit and focus of the alliance to develop its own Zero Hunger strategy.

    Four steps to end hunger

    The South African government pays out 19 million social grants a month, or 26 million if the 9 million recipients of the special social relief of distress grant are included. Without these cash transfers, poverty and malnutrition in the country would be even higher. But they are inadequate, especially in a context of high and rising food prices.

    Read more: South Africa’s fight against extreme poverty needs a new strategy – model shows how social grants could work

    Pregnant women must receive a maternal grant. Shutterstock

    Firstly, the following changes should be made to social grant payments.

    • An immediate increase in the child support grant, followed by further increases. The goal should be to get this grant, which is currently below the food poverty line at R530 a month (US$28), to R1,634 (US$34). This is the minimum amount of money needed to meet basic needs, including nutritious food, clothing and shelter.

    • Pregnant women should receive a maternal support grant from 12 weeks of pregnancy, to reduce the risk of low birth weight.

    • Social grants should increase to match inflation every year.

    Secondly, the National School Nutrition Programme, which provides one nutritious meal to all learners in poorer primary and secondary schools, has limited impact because meals are provided only on weekdays during school terms.

    The programme should be boosted in the following ways:

    • The Department of Basic Education must deliver adequate nutrition to all children in early learning programmes, all year round.

    • Programmes for school-age children should be extended to ensure that they all receive at least one nutritious meal every day, including on weekends and school holidays.

    • Adequate funding should be given to school food gardens and nutrition education. Moreover, the national school nutrition programme starts too late to address under-5 stunting. It only begins when children enter grade R, aged 5.

    Read more: Malnutrition in South Africa: how one community wants resources to be spent

    Thirdly, interventions are needed in the food system.

    • Prices of essential food items should be regulated, to keep them affordable for low-income South Africans and to encourage shifts in consumption choices towards healthier, more nutritious diets.

    • Positive dietary choices can also be promoted through the use of subsidies, discounts or vouchers on “best buy” foods, either for all consumers or for shoppers receiving social grants. They could be given vouchers for nutritious food items along with their cash transfers. Food subsidies or vouchers must include foods that are protein-rich (meat, fish, eggs, dairy), since protein is highly inaccessible to the poor.

    Read more: How do people choose what food to buy? Answers depend on what you ask – so we built a research tool for African countries

    • Government must extend social security protections to seasonal and informal workers during periods of unemployment and underemployment. Seasonal hunger requires specific attention. Seasonal farm workers – most of whom are women – have low incomes, few savings, and limited access to unemployment insurance. They face food insecurity and hunger during the off-season winter months.

    • The government’s land redistribution programme should prioritise securing access to land for poor agrarian or peri-urban households, and providing support (water, inputs, extension advice) to farm that land. This would help vulnerable groups which derive most of their food from production.

    Agrarian households (smallholder farmers, farm workers, farm dwellers) are poorer and more food insecure, especially the female-headed households who survive below the food poverty line. When farm women with food gardens have direct access to fresh vegetables, their dietary diversity improves, and they earn income by selling produce to meet their basic needs.

    Reforms are needed to bolster smallholder farmers. Shutterstock

    Lastly, steps must be take to reduce loss and waste in the food system.

    A third of food produced in South Africa, 10 million of 31 million tons, goes to waste each year. This is equivalent to 30 billion meals, in a context where an estimated 20 billion meals would be enough to end hunger. The government has committed to halving food waste by 2030, in its draft food losses and waste strategy of 2023. It must be finalised and operationalised.

    Next steps

    These interventions would cost money. And the government will argue that it is doing all it can to address hunger with the resources available.

    There are many options for raising additional resources to address the hunger crisis – as seen when the government found R500 billion (US$33 billion) to address the COVID-19 crisis in 2020.

    The government should also consider raising additional revenue by introducing a wealth tax targeting high-net-worth individuals. This could be used to increase social grants or subsidise nutritious foods.

    Read more: Urban food gardens produce more than vegetables, they create bonds for young Capetonians – study

    Finally, government needs to tackle hunger in a coordinated way. Several government departments, including agriculture, social development and health, address issues related to food security. However, no government ministry focuses specifically on hunger.

    The president should appoint a minister of food to address the hunger crisis along the lines of the special minister of electricity position established in 2023 to deal with the country’s energy supply problem.

    Read more: South Africa needs to change direction on maternal health to solve child malnutrition

    At the same time, a national food commission should be established, to monitor and coordinate all initiatives that focus on the goal of eradicating hunger.

    The government should be guided by the priorities set down by a new coalition – the Union Against Hunger – which is due to be launched on 26 February. The initiative is a coalition of civil society organisations and academics (the authors are among the founding members). It has compiled a list of 10 demands that reflect our analysis of the causes of hunger and recommended solutions. They include realising everyone’s constitutional right to food, halving child stunting by 2030 and making nutritious food accessible to all.

    – 15 million South Africans don’t get enough to eat every day: 4 solutions
    – https://theconversation.com/15-million-south-africans-dont-get-enough-to-eat-every-day-4-solutions-250700

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MSPs urged to support end to public grants for genocide profiteers

    Source: Scottish Greens

    26 Feb 2025 External Affairs

    Public money should be used for public good.

    More in External Affairs

    The Scottish Greens have urged MSPs from all parties to support their call for an end to public grants for arms companies implicated in Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.

    The motion will be heard today in a Green opposition debate led by Scottish Green Co-leader Lorna Slater.

    The Scottish Government has rightly and strongly opposed the bombing and collective punishment of Gaza. Despite this, since the war began, it has given over £1 million to companies that have armed Israel via Scottish Enterprise.

    Ms Slater said:

    “The Scottish Government rightly called for a ceasefire in Gaza when Westminster refused to, but it has continued to support companies who have enabled the killing.

    “Fundamentally, this is a debate about our values and the sort of country we want to be. The Scottish Government may not be able to set UK foreign policy, but it can decide which companies it supports and the criteria it applies for doing so.

    “If a company is profiting from war crimes and genocide, it should not be receiving public money from our government.”

    In 2018, the Scottish Greens secured new requirements for Scottish public bodies to conduct human rights checks for grant applicants. Despite this, Scottish Enterprise has continued to fund the world’s biggest arms dealers.

    Ms Slater added:

    “These human rights checks are clearly not good enough. If firms who have profited from some of the worst atrocities of this century are not beyond the pale then who is?

    “I hope all MSPs who have backed a ceasefire and condemned the destruction of Gaza will join us in saying enough is enough and calling for these grants to be halted.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens call for cross-party support for cutting rail fares

    Source: Scottish Greens

    26 Feb 2025 Transport

    It’s time to scrap peak rail fares.

    More in Transport

    The Scottish Greens’ transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, is urging all MSP’s to back his party’s call for cheaper, accessible rail travel ahead of today’s Holyrood debate.

    This afternoon the party will use opposition debate time to bring forward a vote on halting the above inflation rail fare hikes coming in April and permanently removing peak rail fares.

    While in government, the party secured a scheme to remove peak fares for 12 months, but this was reintroduced last year by the SNP.

    Mr Ruskell said:

    “I hope that MSP’s from all parties will join us today in voting to lower costs for commuters and end peak rail fares for good.

    “Households and families across Scotland deserve affordable, accessible rail, especially when so many people are struggling financially.

    “Our rail fares are among the highest in Europe. ScotRail is rightfully publicly owned, but the extortionate prices that people are being made to pay totally defeats the purpose.

    “Peak rail fares are fundamentally unfair, particularly when most people have no say on when they travel to work or to study. Ending them for good will make the services more affordable and accessible for all.

    “It will encourage people to leave their cars at home, making our roads safer for walking, wheeling and cycling while utilising the most sustainable way to travel across our country.

    “Cleaner, greener and affordable public transport is a way for us to put our best foot forward for people and planet, and I hope that MSPs will embrace it today.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 15 million South Africans don’t get enough to eat every day: 4 solutions

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stephen Devereux, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies

    At least 15 million South Africans suffer from food insecurity. That means they don’t have enough nutritious food to live healthy lives.

    This is due to a combination of factors, including unemployment, poverty, inequality and food system failures.

    More than 1,000 children die from malnutrition each year. This compares unfavourably with 350 child deaths from malnutrition in Brazil, which has more than three times South Africa’s population, and 269 child deaths in Colombia, which has about the same per capita income as South Africa.

    A robust indicator of chronic hunger is child stunting. Stunting in South Africa has flatlined at around 25%, or one in four children, since the early 1990s. Other middle-income countries such as Brazil and Peru have made impressive progress. Peru halved its rate from 28% in 2008 to 13% in 2016, after the president committed to reducing stunting.



    Read more:
    South Africa’s hunger problem is turning into a major health crisis

    How can South Africa’s government deliver on the right to food and begin the urgent process of eradicating hunger?

    We have worked on food security and food justice for many years. We’ve researched the links between social protection and hunger and between food systems and nutrition, and the cost of hunger.

    Based on this experience, our view is that food shortages are not a cause of hunger in South Africa. The country produces and imports all the food it needs. Instead, the problem is unequal access to food. While some South Africans live in a world of abundance, with no budget constraints, millions more survive below the food poverty line, unable to afford even a basic nutritious diet for their families.

    We believe that the government must deliver on the constitutional right to food and begin the urgent process of eradicating hunger. It can do this by expanding the social grant system, extending the school nutrition programme, reducing food waste, and ensuring access to land for low-income rural and peri-urban households.

    Above all, a coherent and coordinated strategy for tackling hunger is needed, led by a minister of food, following models like Brazil’s Zero Hunger initiative. In December 2024, Brazil handed over the G20 presidency to South Africa, after it launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. South Africa should embrace the embrace the spirit and focus of the alliance to develop its own Zero Hunger strategy.

    Four steps to end hunger

    The South African government pays out 19 million social grants a month, or 26 million if the 9 million recipients of the special social relief of distress grant are included. Without these cash transfers, poverty and malnutrition in the country would be even higher. But they are inadequate, especially in a context of high and rising food prices.



    Read more:
    South Africa’s fight against extreme poverty needs a new strategy – model shows how social grants could work

    Firstly, the following changes should be made to social grant payments.

    • An immediate increase in the child support grant, followed by further increases. The goal should be to get this grant, which is currently below the food poverty line at R530 a month (US$28), to R1,634 (US$34). This is the minimum amount of money needed to meet basic needs, including nutritious food, clothing and shelter.

    • Pregnant women should receive a maternal support grant from 12 weeks of pregnancy, to reduce the risk of low birth weight.

    • Social grants should increase to match inflation every year.

    Secondly, the National School Nutrition Programme, which provides one nutritious meal to all learners in poorer primary and secondary schools, has limited impact because meals are provided only on weekdays during school terms.

    The programme should be boosted in the following ways:

    • The Department of Basic Education must deliver adequate nutrition to all children in early learning programmes, all year round.

    • Programmes for school-age children should be extended to ensure that they all receive at least one nutritious meal every day, including on weekends and school holidays.

    • Adequate funding should be given to school food gardens and nutrition education. Moreover, the national school nutrition programme starts too late to address under-5 stunting. It only begins when children enter grade R, aged 5.



    Read more:
    Malnutrition in South Africa: how one community wants resources to be spent

    Thirdly, interventions are needed in the food system.

    • Prices of essential food items should be regulated, to keep them affordable for low-income South Africans and to encourage shifts in consumption choices towards healthier, more nutritious diets.

    • Positive dietary choices can also be promoted through the use of subsidies, discounts or vouchers on “best buy” foods, either for all consumers or for shoppers receiving social grants. They could be given vouchers for nutritious food items along with their cash transfers. Food subsidies or vouchers must include foods that are protein-rich (meat, fish, eggs, dairy), since protein is highly inaccessible to the poor.



    Read more:
    How do people choose what food to buy? Answers depend on what you ask – so we built a research tool for African countries

    • Government must extend social security protections to seasonal and informal workers during periods of unemployment and underemployment. Seasonal hunger requires specific attention. Seasonal farm workers – most of whom are women – have low incomes, few savings, and limited access to unemployment insurance. They face food insecurity and hunger during the off-season winter months.

    • The government’s land redistribution programme should prioritise securing access to land for poor agrarian or peri-urban households, and providing support (water, inputs, extension advice) to farm that land. This would help vulnerable groups which derive most of their food from production.

    Agrarian households (smallholder farmers, farm workers, farm dwellers) are poorer and more food insecure, especially the female-headed households who survive below the food poverty line. When farm women with food gardens have direct access to fresh vegetables, their dietary diversity improves, and they earn income by selling produce to meet their basic needs.

    Lastly, steps must be take to reduce loss and waste in the food system.

    A third of food produced in South Africa, 10 million of 31 million tons, goes to waste each year. This is equivalent to 30 billion meals, in a context where an estimated 20 billion meals would be enough to end hunger. The government has committed to halving food waste by 2030, in its draft food losses and waste strategy of 2023. It must be finalised and operationalised.

    Next steps

    These interventions would cost money. And the government will argue that it is doing all it can to address hunger with the resources available.

    There are many options for raising additional resources to address the hunger crisis – as seen when the government found R500 billion (US$33 billion) to address the COVID-19 crisis in 2020.

    The government should also consider raising additional revenue by introducing a wealth tax targeting high-net-worth individuals. This could be used to increase social grants or subsidise nutritious foods.



    Read more:
    Urban food gardens produce more than vegetables, they create bonds for young Capetonians – study

    Finally, government needs to tackle hunger in a coordinated way. Several government departments, including agriculture, social development and health, address issues related to food security. However, no government ministry focuses specifically on hunger.

    The president should appoint a minister of food to address the hunger crisis along the lines of the special minister of electricity position established in 2023 to deal with the country’s energy supply problem.



    Read more:
    South Africa needs to change direction on maternal health to solve child malnutrition

    At the same time, a national food commission should be established, to monitor and coordinate all initiatives that focus on the goal of eradicating hunger.

    The government should be guided by the priorities set down by a new coalition – the Union Against Hunger – which is due to be launched on 26 February. The initiative is a coalition of civil society organisations and academics (the authors are among the founding members). It has compiled a list of 10 demands that reflect our analysis of the causes of hunger and recommended solutions. They include realising everyone’s constitutional right to food, halving child stunting by 2030 and making nutritious food accessible to all.

    Stephen Devereux receives funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF). He holds a Research Chair in Social Protection for Food Security, affiliated to the DSI–NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security and the Institute for Social Development at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

    Busiso Moyo previously received funding from the Centre of Excellence in Food Security – UWC and the IDRC-Canada. He is affiliated with the Union Against Hunger (UAH) initiative.

    Mark Heywood previously headed Section 27, which receives funding and received funding for the Justice and Activism Hub. He is affiliated with the Union Against Hunger initiative.

    – ref. 15 million South Africans don’t get enough to eat every day: 4 solutions – https://theconversation.com/15-million-south-africans-dont-get-enough-to-eat-every-day-4-solutions-250700

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: the mud flies, but will the voters take much notice?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    In these scrappy days before the prime minister announces the election date, the mud and the personal insults are flying, despite the politicians knowing voters hate this sort of thing.

    On Wednesday morning TV, shadow finance minister Jane Hume, usually reasonably restrained with her language, called Employment Minister Murray Watt “king grub” of the “grubbiest people you will ever come across” – a reference to Labor’s pursuit of Peter Dutton’s past share trading. As Watt remarked, “That’s quite an accusation”.

    Hume was later on the warpath in a Senate estimates hearing, where Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy fended off an opposition attack suggesting, in essence, that Treasurer Jim Chalmers had sought to make Treasury his political pawn.

    Dutton spent most of his Wednesday news conference pushing back on attacks on his integrity relating to his purchase of bank shares during the global financial crisis, and dealing with questions about his acquisition of an extensive property portfolio over decades.

    What the opposition dubs Labor’s “dirt unit” apparently drove the share story. The core of it is that Dutton bought bank shares just before the Rudd government announced its guarantee to ensure the financial security of the banks.

    Labor demanded to know whether Dutton had insider knowledge of the imminent guarantee through a Rudd government briefing of the opposition. Dutton, who declared the share purchase, says he had no information other than what was in the public domain.

    The story about Dutton’s property portfolio – which he has unloaded, no doubt as part of preparations in pursuit of the prime ministership – ran in Nine media. The report said

    Peter Dutton has made $30 million of property transactions across 26 pieces of real estate over 35 years, making him one of the country’s wealthiest-ever contenders for prime minister.

    Dutton was late with declaring on the parliamentary register some of the transactions.

    Nine says the story didn’t come from a Labor “dirt unit”, but it was grist for an embattled government.

    Dirt digging, mud throwing, and exploitation of the politics of envy are recurring features of election campaigns. Whether they’ll have much resonance this time is doubtful.

    The share story, going back the best part of a couple of decades, doesn’t sound like a smoking gun. We’ve heard about Dutton’s property buying before. We know he has plenty of money. Not as much, of course, as earlier PMs Malcolm Turnbull and Kevin Rudd.

    Dutton, working on the assumption these stories will be brief wonders, kept his cool.

    He hasn’t provided more details about the bank shares, relying on a general response that everything had been above board. On his property purchases, he made it clear he’s proud of his climb up the aspirational ladder since he was a “butcher’s boy” in those days when he had a job in a butcher’s shop.

    For Dutton, the mud is all in a day’s work. The attack on Kennedy is in a rather different category.

    In the run-up to an election, Treasury often finds itself in a awkward position, as a government seeks to use it, while an opposition objects. This time, Chalmers employed it to discredit the opposition’s policy to give a tax break to small businesses for taking their workers or clients to a meal.

    Treasury doesn’t cost opposition policies. So the government asked it to cost a theoretical policy that was similar to that of the Coalition. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Treasury came up with a much bigger cost than the opposition said was produced by the Parliamentary Budget Office.

    Kennedy insisted to the Senate hearing, “we do not act politically”.

    “I have behaved no differently with this government, nor have I observed the department’s behaving any differently,” he said. “I understand how the circumstances might lead you to question that, but all I can do is assure you that that has not been the case.”

    If Dutton became prime minister, would Kennedy’s position be at risk?

    It shouldn’t be. Kennedy, appointed by the Coalition, served the previous Liberal government very well and was a key figure in its ambitious economic response to the COVID pandemic. That response kept many people in jobs and the economy out of recession.

    While Kennedy was taking the flak in estimates, Chalmers had been in Washington making Australia’s case for an exemption of the Trump aluminium and steel tariffs.

    Chalmers’s visit was timely and carefully managed. The treasurer said before he left Australia he wouldn’t obtain an outcome on tariffs – it was about making Australia’s case. So when there was not an outcome, it was not a disappointment. “My task here in DC wasn’t to try and conclude that discussion, it was to try and inform it,” Chalmers told a news conference after his talks.

    Chalmers spent time with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett. He said the discussion was “wider-ranging than just steel and aluminium”. Bessent also was a speaker at the superannuation summit held at the Australian embassy (a coup for ambassador Kevin Rudd as well as Chalmers).

    In his 2023 Monthly essay, Chalmers argued for the super funds to invest more widely in Australia, notably in social housing.

    At the embassy conference, Chalmers was able to look to a much wider horizon for the funds.

    The current value of Australian super fund investments in the US is around $400 billion – due to reach $1 trillion over the next decade. So, Australia’s superannuation sector has the size, scale and presence to play a big role in driving new American industries and creating jobs.

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

    – ref. View from The Hill: the mud flies, but will the voters take much notice? – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-the-mud-flies-but-will-the-voters-take-much-notice-250897

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Active Citizens” to Choose Name for Moscow Zoo Alpaca

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the project “Active Citizen” it has begun vote, the participants of which will choose a name for the new inhabitant of the Moscow Zoo – a snow-white male alpaca.

    Zoologists have suggested six options. Some of them are inspired by the Inca culture, which domesticated these animals about six thousand years ago. One of them is Inti, the name of the mythological god of the Sun. It symbolizes the warmth and fluffy wool of the alpaca, which warms like the sun’s rays.

    Another name, Pacha, translates as “Universe” and emphasizes the uniqueness of each living being. Another option is Cusco, named after the capital of the ancient Inca Empire.

    The name Zephyr conveys the soft and affectionate nature of the alpaca. In addition, he can be called Vatny Puffik in honor of his parents – mom Vatny and dad Puffik. And due to the light color of the fur, the male may be suited to the name Albert, which comes from the Latin word albus, which translates as “white”.

    The alpaca was born in the fall of 2023 in the center for the reproduction of rare animal species near Volokolamsk, becoming the firstborn in its family. At the end of last year he was transported to the children’s zoo, where he became friends with a chocolate-colored female named Zarina. They now share an enclosure and may form a couple in the future.

    The young friendly male also met other inhabitants of the zoo: Border Leicester and Ouessant sheep, Cameroon goats and a Scottish bull named Gavryusha.

    New voting organized by the capital Department of Culture and the project “Active Citizen”With its help, city residents have already chosen names for many animals, including the Malayan bears Masha, Luchik and Zvezdochka, the dolphin Lucky, the panda Katyusha and the tiger Amur.

    Luchik, Zvezdochka and Masha: “active citizens” named Malayan bear cubs from Moscow ZooHello, Lucky: “Active Citizens” Chose a Name for a Baby Dolphin from MoskvariumSobyanin: Muscovites have chosen a name for the panda cub from the capital’s zoo

    Project “Active Citizen” has been operating since 2014. During this time, more than seven million people have joined it, and more than seven thousand votes have been held. Every month, 30–40 decisions made by Muscovites are implemented in the city. The project is being developed by the capital Department of Information Technology and the State Institution “New Management Technologies”.

    The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, correspond to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the Moscow regional project “Digital Public Administration”.

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/150586073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: ING to redeem two series of SEC registered Senior Notes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ING to redeem two series of SEC registered Senior Notes

    ING announced today it will redeem two series of outstanding SEC registered securities: the USD 500 million Callable Floating Rate Senior Notes (CUSIP 456837 BD4 / ISIN US456837BD49) and the USD 1,250 million 3.869% Callable Fixed-to-Floating Rate Senior Notes (CUSIP 456837 BA0 / ISIN US456837BA00) (together the “Callable Senior Notes”) on their call date of 28 March 2025.

    The Callable Senior Notes will be redeemed in full in accordance with their terms, with payment to be made on 28 March 2025. The redemption price will be the principal amount of the Callable Senior Notes. Accrued and unpaid interest due on the redemption date will be paid in the usual manner to holders of record as of 27 March 2025. The paying agent for the Callable Senior Notes Securities is The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch 160 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4LA United Kingdom.

    Any future decisions by ING as to whether it will exercise (or cause to be exercised) calls in respect of debt securities will be made on an economic basis, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders. Other factors that ING will consider include prevailing market conditions, regulatory approval and capital requirements.

    Note for editors

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    Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. In addition, there is currently no single, globally recognized set of accepted definitions in assessing whether activities are “green” or “sustainable.” Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security.

    This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING’s control.

    Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason.

    This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Development Asia: 3 Lessons from Crowdsourcing Digital Solutions for Improving MSMEs’ Access to Finance

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Here are three lessons that we have learned in crowdsourcing digital solutions to support MSMEs’ and WMSMEs’ access to financing:

    Employ a bottom-up and top-down, collaborative approach. Effective crowdsourcing requires a deep understanding of the problem. Therefore, various stakeholders, including government and non-governmental institutions, (W)MSMEs, financial institutions, and technology service providers, were consulted to learn more about the situation on the ground to better frame and flesh out the challenges. The collaborative approach used by ADB’s IT Department, gWFX, the Private Sector Financial Institutions Division of ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department, and the Finance Sector Office ensured that the challenges were relevant and actionable. In addition, collaboration generated lessons for broader engagement with various groups.

    Design problem statements tailored to match the unique needs of Developing Member Countries (DMCs). The intent behind these challenges is to obtain proposals that are no longer at the ideation stage. Instead, these should be actionable, relevant, and responsive to the specific context in the DMC covered by the challenge. Prioritizing local experience in the evaluation process also helped in shortlisting proposals that were socio-culturally and economically appropriate.

    Furthermore, we used local experience as one of the criteria for evaluating submissions to ensure that the shortlisted teams were familiar with the context. Taking these criteria into consideration enabled the team to filter out which of the submitted solutions would best fit the context and needs of the respective DMCs. This was also to ensure that any solution would not leave out the women’s market segment but would instead look at technology through a gender lens and provide tools to help women access the financing they need to thrive.

    Ensure the right solution is selected through validation. Beyond identifying and selecting a solution that addresses a specific challenge faced by financial institutions, it is equally crucial to validate the solution through a “test-and-learn” approach. By stress testing the solution during both the proof of concept and pilot stages, teams can assess its viability and scalability, ensuring that it meets the needs of the financial institutions and the entrepreneurs it aims to support.

    For example, in Pakistan, the AI-leveraged solution for financial statement analytics underwent testing to ensure that the solution met the financial institution’s objectives of scoring WMSMEs more effectively. The team gathered business and technical requirements of the institution, prioritized features and functionalities, and worked with the IT and Operations teams to create and implement an integration roadmap. Next, the solution will be deployed in a test environment to lend to a sample size of WMSMEs for validation.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong unveils its first generative AI model

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Hong Kong on Tuesday unveiled its first-ever generative artificial intelligence (AI) model, dubbed HKGAI V1, heralding a new chapter in the city’s AI development.

    The tool was developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center (HKGAI) under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government’s InnoHK innovation program.

    As of now, approximately 70 HKSAR government departments have test-run the locally developed AI tool powered by DeepSeek’s data learning model. This innovative achievement signifies the successful localization of DeepSeek in Hong Kong, injecting new vitality into the city’s AI ecosystem while showcasing the robust collaborative innovation capabilities between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland in AI, according to an HKGAI press release.

    Speaking at the launch event, Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR government, emphasized that AI is at the forefront of a new technological revolution and industrial transformation, and Hong Kong is actively engaging in this AI wave.

    Sun also underscored the HKSAR government’s broader efforts to support AI development, including the establishment of an AI supercomputing center, a 3-billion-Hong Kong dollar (386-million-U.S. dollar) AI funding scheme, and the clustering of over 800 AI companies at Science Park and Cyberport.

    He expressed optimism that the locally developed large language model will soon be made available for use, not only by businesses and residents but also by overseas Chinese communities. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice of Annual General Meeting of Jyske Bank A/S

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    This is to give notice of an Annual General Meeting of Jyske Bank A/S, which will be held on Tuesday 25 March 2025, at 3.00 p.m. at Gl. Skovridergaard, Marienlundsvej 36, DK-8600 Silkeborg

    AGENDA of general meeting:

    a. Report of the Supervisory Board on Jyske Bank’s operations during the preceding year.
    b. Presentation of the annual report for adoption or other resolution as well as resolution as to the application of profit or cover of loss according to the financial statements adopted, including the Supervisory Board’s proposal for payment of dividend.
    c. Presentation of and consultative ballot on the remuneration report.
    d. Determination of remuneration to the Shareholders’ Representatives and the Supervisory Board:
      1 Determination of the remuneration of Shareholders’ Representatives for 2025, cf. Art.15(5) of the Articles of Association.
      2 Determination of the remuneration of Supervisory Board members for 2025, cf. Art.16(9) of the Articles of Association.
    e. Consideration of motion to the effect that the Supervisory Board authorises the Bank to acquire Jyske Bank shares on one or more occasions, until the next annual general meeting, of up to a nominal amount of DKK 64,272,095 and at amounts not deviating by more than 10% from the closing bid price listed on NASDAQ Copenhagen A/S at the time of acquisition.
    f. Motions.
      Motions proposed by the Supervisory Board:
      1 Reduction of Jyske Bank’s nominal share capital by DKK 27,651,180 (corresponding to 2,765,118 shares at a nominal value of DKK 10) from DKK 642,720,950 to DKK 615,069,770. With reference to S.188(1) of the Danish Companies Act we point out that the capital reduction takes place through cancellation of previously acquired own shares acquired by Jyske Bank in accordance with authorisation from members in general meeting. Hence, the capital reduction is spent on payment of capital owners.
    If the motion is adopted, Jyske Bank’s holding of own shares will be reduced by 2,765,118 shares of a nominal value of DKK 10 These shares have been bought back at a total amount of DKK 1,499,999,584 which implies that, apart from the nominal capital reduction, a total amount of DKK 1,472,348,404 has been paid to the capital owners in connection with the buy-backs. The capital reduction takes place at a share premium since it will be at 542.47 for each share of a nominal amount of DKK 10, corresponding to the average price at which the shares have been bought back.

    In consequence of the above, the following amendment to the Articles of Association is proposed:
    Art. 2 to be amended to the effect that Jyske Bank’s nominal share capital be DKK 615,069,770 distributed on 61,506,977 shares.
      2 Amendments to Art. 3(8), Art. 4(2) and (3), Art. 5(1) and (2) and Art. 24(2): “VP Securities Services” to be changed into “VP Securities A/S”.
      3 To replace the existing authorizations in the Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board is authorized to carry out capital increases with and without pre-emption rights and to raise convertible loans with and without pre-emption rights by amending Art. 4(2), (3) and (5), Art. 5(1), (2), (3) and (4) of the Articles of Association. The amendments are considered together and are proposed to be changed to the following wording:
        – Art. 4(2): As specified by the Supervisory Board in respect of time and terms and conditions, the share capital can be increased through the subscription of new shares without preferential subscription rights for existing shareholders. The increase may be in one or several issues by not more than a nominal amount of DKK 60 million (6 million shares of a face value of DKK 10). The increase may be effected through cash payment or through acquisition of existing businesses or specific assets. The increase must in every case be effected not below the market price. The increase cannot be effected through part payment. The authorisation will be effective until 1 March 2030.

    The new shares shall when issued and transferred be registered in the names of their holders at VP Securities A/S and in the Bank’s register of shareholders. The new shares are negotiable instruments, and there are no restrictions in their negotiability except for the provisions laid down in Art. 3 of the Articles of Association. Shareholders shall be under no obligation to have their shares redeemed in full or in part.
        – Art. 4(3): As specified by the Supervisory Board in respect of time and terms and conditions, the share capital can be increased through the subscription of new shares with preferential subscription rights for existing shareholders. The increase may be in one or several issues by not more than a nominal amount of DKK 120 million (12 million shares of a face value of DKK 10). The increase may be effected through cash payment or in any other manner. The increase may be offered at a favourable price. The increase cannot be effected through part payment. The authorisation will be effective until 1 March 2030.

    The new shares shall when issued and transferred be registered in the names of their holders at VP Securities A/S and in the Bank’s register of shareholders. The new shares are negotiable instruments, and there are no restrictions in their negotiability except for the provisions laid down in Art. 3 of the Articles of Association. Shareholders shall be under no obligation to have their shares redeemed in full or in part.
        – Art. 4(5): To be deleted.
        – Art. 5(1): The Bank may, following resolution by the Supervisory Board, up to 1 March 2030, on one or more occasions raise loans against bonds or other instruments of debt which bonds or instruments of debt shall entitle the lender to convert his claim into shares (convertible loans) and the Supervisory Board is authorised to carry out the related capital increase. Convertible loans may be raised with a conversion right to a maximum number of shares with a total nominal value corresponding to the maximum nominal amount at the time of raising the convertible loans by which the share capital may be increased using the remaining authorization in Art. 4(3), calculated in relation to the conversion price determined at the time of raising the convertible loans. Exercising the authorisation to increase the share capital in Art. 4(3), will hence reduce the authorisation to raise convertible loans in accordance with this provision. The Bank’s shareholders shall have a preferential subscription right to convertible loans. Where the Supervisory Board decides to raise convertible loans, when exercising the authorization in this provision, the authorisation to increase the share capital, cf. Art. 4(3), shall be considered to be utilised by an amount corresponding to the maximum conversion right. The term allowed for conversion may be fixed at a period exceeding five years after the raising of the convertible loan. For shares which shall be issued on the basis of the convertible loans mentioned in this provision, the Supervisory Board shall decide – with due regard to the time of subscription or utilisation of the conversion right – the time from when such new shares shall carry a right to receive dividend and other terms and conditions of the share issue. Shares issued on the basis of the convertible loans mentioned in this provision cannot be paid in by partial payment, are registered shares and are registered in the name of the holder in VP Securities A/S and the Bank’s register of shareholders upon issuance and transfer. The new shares are negotiable instruments, and the same rules as apply to the existing shares in respect of rights and duties, redeemability and transferability shall apply.
        – Art. 5(2): The Bank may, following resolution by the Supervisory Board, up to 1 March 2030, on one or more occasions raise loans against bonds or other instruments of debt which bonds or instruments of debt shall entitle the lender to convert his claim into shares (convertible loans) and the Supervisory Board is authorised to carry out the related capital increase. Convertible loans may be raised with a conversion right to a maximum number of shares with a total nominal value corresponding to the maximum nominal amount at the time of raising the convertible loans by which the share capital may be increased using the remaining authorization in Art. 4(2), calculated in relation to the conversion price determined at the time of raising the convertible loans. Exercising the authorisation to increase the share capital in Art. 4(2), will hence reduce the authorisation to raise convertible loans in accordance with this provision. The Bank’s shareholders shall not have a preferential subscription right to convertible loans which are offered at a subscription price and a conversion price to the effect that the right of conversion corresponds to the market price of the shares at the time the resolution to raise convertible loans by using the authorisation of this provision was passed by the Supervisory Board. The convertible bonds or other instruments of debt may be issued as payment upon the Bank’s acquisition of existing businesses or specific assets corresponding to the value of the convertible bonds or other instruments of debt. Where the Supervisory Board decides to raise convertible loans, when exercising the authorization in this provision, the authorisation to increase the share capital, cf. Art. 4(2), shall be considered to be utilised by an amount corresponding to the maximum conversion right. The term allowed for conversion may be fixed at a period exceeding five years after the raising of the convertible loan. For shares which shall be issued on the basis of the convertible loans mentioned in this provision, the Supervisory Board shall decide – with due regard to the time of subscription or utilisation of the conversion right – the time from when such new shares shall carry a right to receive dividend and other terms and conditions of the share issue. Shares issued on the basis of the convertible loans mentioned in this provision cannot be paid in by partial payment, are registered shares and are registered in the name of the holder in VP Securities A/S and the Bank’s register of shareholders upon issuance and transfer. The new shares are negotiable instruments, and the same rules as apply to the existing shares in respect of rights and duties, redeemability and transferability shall apply.
        – Art. 5(3): To be deleted.
        – Art. 5(4): To be deleted.
    g. Election of members:
      1 Election of Shareholders’ Representatives, cf. Art. 14(4) of the Articles of Association. The proposed candidates and further information about them are available as from Friday 28 February 2025 at Jyske Bank’s website.
      2 Election of Supervisory Board members, cf. Art. 16(1)(b) of the Articles of Association.
    The Supervisory Board proposes re-election of Lisbeth Holm, CEO, Vejle and Consultant and Professional Board Member, Glenn Söderholm, Vejbystrand (Sweden).
    h. Election of auditors:
      1 The Supervisory Board proposes the re-election of EY Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab. The motion is in accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee to the Supervisory Board. The recommendation of the Audit Committee is free from influence by any third parties and is not – and has not been – subject to any agreement with a third party who in any way limits the appointment of specific auditors or audit firms by members in general meeting.
      2 The Supervisory Board proposes the re-election of EY Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab for verification of statutory information on sustainability. The motion is in accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee to the Supervisory Board. The recommendation of the Audit Committee is free from influence by any third parties and is not – and has not been – subject to any agreement with a third party who in any way limits the appointment of specific auditors or audit firms by members in general meeting.
    i. Any other business.

    Reference to Jyske Bank’s website for further information
    Where in this notice of a General Meeting, reference is made to Jyske Bank’s website for further information, this link can be used: https://jyskebank.com/investorrelations/generalmeetings.

    Adoption of motions – special requirements
    Motions to amend the Bank’s Articles of Association at annual general meetings shall only be adopted where not less than 90 per cent of the voting share capital is represented at the annual general meeting and only where adopted by both three fourth of the votes cast and by three fourth of the voting share capital represented at the general meeting, cf. Art. 12 of the Articles of Association. Where less than 90 per cent of the voting share capital is represented at the annual general meeting, but the said motion obtains both three fourth of the votes cast and three fourth of the voting share capital represented at the annual general meeting, the said motion may be adopted at a new general meeting by the said qualified majority irrespective of the proportion of the share capital represented.

    Size of the share capital, voting rights of the shareholders and registration date
    Jyske Bank’s share capital is DKK 642,720,950, comprising shares at a face value of DKK 10. Any share amount of DKK 10 shall carry one vote, provided always that 4,000 votes are the highest number of votes any one shareholder may cast on his own behalf. Voting rights can only be exercised by shareholders or their proxies. For the voting right of a share to be exercised, the share shall be registered in the name of the holder in Jyske Bank’s register of shareholders not later than on the day of registration, which is Tuesday, 18 March 2025, or the title to such share shall be notified and documented to the Bank within that same time limit.

    Proxy and postal vote
    Shareholders may as from Friday, 28 February up to and including Friday, 21 March 2025 give voting instructions, appoint Jyske Bank’s Supervisory Board or a third party as proxy either electronically or by means of the Power of Attorney form.

    Shareholders may attend the General Meeting by proxy and cast their votes by proxy.

    In addition, shareholders may as from Friday, 28 February to Monday 24 March 2025 at 10.00 a.m. cast postal votes either electronically or by means of a form.

    Proxies may be appointed, or postal votes may be cast electronically at the Investor Portal via Jyske Bank’s website. A form for the appointment of proxies or for casting postal votes is available at one of Jyske Bank’s branches or can be downloaded from Jyske Bank’s website. Where the form is used, please forward the completed and signed form either by post to Euronext Securities (VP Securities A/S) at the address Nicolai Eigtveds Gade 8, 1402 Copenhagen K or by email to CPH-investor@euronext.com. The form must reach Euronext Securities (VP Securitas A/S) by the above-mentioned deadlines, and proxies must have been appointed or postal votes must have been cast electronically by the same deadlines.

    Custodian bank
    Jyske Bank’s shareholders may choose Jyske Bank A/S as their custodian bank in order to exercise their financial rights through Jyske Bank A/S.

    Questions from shareholders
    Shareholders are recommended to ask questions in writing before the general meeting about the items of the agenda or Jyske Bank’s financial position. Please send questions to Jyske Bank A/S, Juridisk Afdeling, Vestergade 8-16, DK-8600 Silkeborg or by email to Juridisk@jyskebank.dk. Questions and answers will be presented at the general meeting, and shareholders who have asked questions will receive replies directly from Jyske Bank. At the General Meeting, the management will also answer questions from the shareholders about matters of importance for the financial situation of Jyske Bank and questions for consideration at the General Meeting.

    Additional information
    The following documents and information can be downloaded from Jyske Bank’s website from Friday, 28 February 2025:

    1. Notice of General Meeting.
    2. The total number of shares and voting rights at the date of the notice.
    3. Agenda and full wording of motions.
    4. Annual Report and the consolidated financial statements with the auditor’s report and the management’s review.
    5. Remuneration report
    6. List of candidates and further information about the proposed candidates with respect to election of Shareholders’ Representatives and the Supervisory Board.
    7. The forms to be used when voting by proxy or by postal vote.

    Notification of participation
    Shareholders who wish to attend and cast their votes at the General Meeting may register for the General Meeting at the Investor Portal via Jyske Bank’s website as from Friday 28 February 2025 up to and including Friday 21 March 2025.
    Confirmation of registration and QR code for the general meeting portal will be submitted by email (also in case of powers of attorney to third parties), and therefore it is important that you register your email address at the Investor Portal.
    At the entrance to the general meeting, you press the submitted QR code in the email to register your attendance which is why you must bring your smart phone or your tablet. Any votes will also take place via the General Meeting Portal. Additional guidelines for using the General Meeting Portal will be available at the entrance to the general meeting.
    If you are unable to receive confirmation of registration to the general meeting by email, you may register for the general meeting by means of the sign-up form available at Jyske Bank’s website or by contacting one of Jyske Bank’s branches. If so, you must contact and confirm your attendance at the entrance to the general meeting which requires that you produce valid identification.

    Live webcast
    The general meeting will be live webcasted via InvestorPortalen. The transmission will comprise images and sound. In order to follow the general meeting shareholders must log on to InvestorPortalen with their MitIDs or VP-IDs. Registration to the general meeting is not required in order to follow the webcast. It will not be possible to ask questions or make presentations and/or cast votes during the process.

    Before commencement of the proceedings of the Annual General Meeting, coffee/tea etc. will be served from 1.30 p.m.

    Silkeborg, 26 February 2025

    The Supervisory Board

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Elevating Road Safety and Autonomous Driving: LeddarTech to Demonstrate Innovative Solutions at Three Key European Events

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    QUEBEC CITY, Canada, Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech® Holdings Inc. (“LeddarTech”) (Nasdaq: LDTC), an automotive software company that provides patented disruptive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software technology, LeddarVision™, for ADAS, AD and parking applications, is set to bring its transformative solutions to Europe. LeddarTech will participate in three key industry events this March and April—Embedded World, Tech.AD Europe and Hannover Messe 2025—offering an opportunity to showcase how its technologies are enhancing safety, performance and efficiency in automotive systems.

    Following a recently announced significant milestone—the selection of LeddarVision by a global commercial vehicle OEM for its ADAS program in model year 2028 vehicles—LeddarTech’s participation in these events reinforces its expanding influence and commitment to driving technological excellence and safety innovation in Europe.

    Event Highlights

    1. Embedded World

    • Dates: March 11-13, 2025
    • Location: NürnbergMesse, Nuremberg

    At Embedded World, a premier event dedicated to embedded technologies, LeddarTech will present its advancements in perception, sensor fusion and real-time processing. Through live demonstrations of LeddarVision, attendees will witness firsthand how LeddarTech’s solutions contribute to the SOAFEE ecosystem with a new blueprint. Utilizing Arm technology on AWS G5g, LeddarVision Surround offers adaptable, scalable perception solutions that meet the evolving standards of the automotive industry.

    2. Tech.AD Europe

    • Dates: March 16-18, 2025
    • Location: Hotel Titanic Chaussee, Berlin
    • Booth: # 7

    Tech.AD Europe is a leading conference for ADAS and AD technologies. LeddarTech will not only showcase its solutions but also provide immersive experiences with live LeddarNavigator demonstrations. Participants will join on-road demonstrations to experience the real-time performance of LeddarVision “Full Surround” (LVS-2+), offering an authentic view of how LeddarTech’s AI-driven software navigates complex driving environments. This demonstration builds on the success of the LeddarNavigator’s showcase at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where it received significant industry recognition.

    3. Hannover Messe 2025

    • Dates: March 31 – April 4, 2025
    • Location: Messegelände Hannover
    • Booth: # 44 A, Hall 17

    As Canada takes the spotlight as the host country at Hannover Messe, LeddarTech will be part of the Canadian delegation showcasing innovations in green, digital and resilient technologies. Visitors to LeddarTech’s booth will experience 360° virtual reality demonstrations, detailed product presentations and customer meetings. This event is a strategic platform to engage with industry leaders and demonstrate how LeddarVision technology supports advanced manufacturing and drives the adoption of autonomous systems across diverse sectors.

    A Vision for the Future of Automotive Technology

    “With our recent first OEM design win and our strategic collaboration with Texas Instruments, LeddarTech is solidifying its leadership in sensor fusion and perception software for ADAS and autonomous driving,” said Frantz Saintellemy, President and CEO of LeddarTech. “These milestones, coupled with our strong market momentum, reflect the increasing adoption of our LeddarVision technology. Our presence at Embedded World, Tech.AD Europe and Hannover Messe 2025 presents a valuable opportunity to demonstrate our innovative approach to enhancing safety, performance and cost efficiency in ADAS and AD systems—both in Europe and globally.”

    About LeddarTech

    A global software company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Quebec City with additional R&D centers in Montreal and Tel Aviv, Israel, LeddarTech develops and provides comprehensive AI-based low-level sensor fusion and perception software solutions that enable the deployment of ADAS, autonomous driving (AD) and parking applications. LeddarTech’s automotive-grade software applies advanced AI and computer vision algorithms to generate accurate 3D models of the environment to achieve better decision making and safer navigation. This high-performance, scalable, cost-effective technology is available to OEMs and Tier 1-2 suppliers to efficiently implement automotive and off-road vehicle ADAS solutions.

    LeddarTech is responsible for several remote-sensing innovations, with over 170 patent applications (87 granted) that enhance ADAS, AD and parking capabilities. Better awareness around the vehicle is critical in making global mobility safer, more efficient, sustainable and affordable: this is what drives LeddarTech to seek to become the most widely adopted sensor fusion and perception software solution.

    Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook and YouTube.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements contained in this Press Release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which forward-looking statements also include forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws), including, but not limited to, statements relating to LeddarTech’s selection by the OEM referred to above, anticipated strategy, future operations, prospects, objectives and financial projections and other financial metrics. Forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “likely,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend” and other similar expressions among others. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including, without limitation: (i) our ability to continue to maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards following our transfer to the Nasdaq Capital Market; (ii) the risk that LeddarTech and the OEM referred to above are unable to agree to final terms in definitive agreements; (iii) the volume of future orders (if any) from this OEM, actual revenue derived from expected orders and timing of revenue, if any; (iv) our ability to timely access sufficient capital and financing on favorable terms or at all; (v) our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants, including our ability to enter into any forbearance agreements, waivers or amendments with, or obtain other relief from, our lenders as needed; (vi) our ability to execute on our business model, achieve design wins and generate meaningful revenue; (vii) our ability to successfully commercialize our product offering at scale, whether through the collaboration agreement with Texas Instruments, a collaboration with a Tier 2 supplier or otherwise; (viii) changes in our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs and plans; (ix) changes in general economic and/or industry-specific conditions; (x) our ability to retain, attract and hire key personnel; (xi) potential adverse changes to relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers or other parties; (xii) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (xiii) the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings; (xiv) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism, outbreak of war or hostilities and any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; and (xv) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in LeddarTech’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risk factors contained in LeddarTech’s Form 20-F filed with the SEC. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Except as required by applicable law, LeddarTech does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Maram Fityani, Media and Public Relations, LeddarTech Holdings Inc.
    Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 623, maram.fityani@leddartech.com

    Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, VAYADrive, VayaVision and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.

    LeddarTech Holdings Inc. is a public company listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LDTC.”

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy Limited: Annual report 2024  

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Annual report 2024  

    BW Energy today published its annual report for the financial year ended 31 December 2024. BW Energy also published the Board-approved report on payments to governments and the annual statement of reserves for 2024. Please find the reports attached.  

    The reports are also available at: www.bwenergy.no/investors/reports-and-presentations 

    For further information, please contact: 

    Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy, +33.7.81.11.41.16 

    ir@bwenergy.com  

    About BW Energy:  

    BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.  

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New report skewers Coalition’s contentious nuclear plan – and reignites Australia’s energy debate

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland

    Debate over the future of Australia’s energy system has erupted again after a federal parliamentary inquiry delivered a report into the deployment of nuclear power in Australia.

    The report casts doubt on the Coalition’s plan to build seven nuclear reactors on former coal sites across Australia should it win government. The reactors would be Commonwealth-owned and built.

    The report’s central conclusions – rejected by the Coalition – are relatively unsurprising. It found nuclear power would be far more expensive than the projected path of shifting to mostly renewable energy. And delivering nuclear generation before the mid-2040s will be extremely challenging.

    The report also reveals important weaknesses in the Coalition’s defence of its plan to deploy nuclear energy across Australia, if elected. In particular, the idea of cheap, factory-built nuclear reactors is very likely a mirage.

    A divisive inquiry

    In October last year, a House of Representatives select committee was formed to investigate the deployment of nuclear energy in Australia.

    Chaired by Labor MP Dan Repacholi, it has so far involved 19 public hearings and 858 written submissions from nuclear energy companies and experts, government agencies, scientists, Indigenous groups and others. Evidence I gave to a hearing was quoted in the interim report.

    The committee’s final report is due by April 30 this year. It tabled an interim report late on Tuesday, focused on the timeframes and costs involved. These issues dominated evidence presented to the inquiry.

    The findings of the interim report were endorsed by the committee’s Labor and independent members, but rejected by Coalition members.

    What did the report find on cost?

    The report said evidence presented so far showed the deployment of nuclear power generation in Australia “is currently not a viable investment of taxpayer money”.

    Nuclear energy was shown to be more expensive than the alternatives. These include a power grid consistent with current projections: one dominated by renewable energy and backed up by a combination of battery storage and a limited number of gas peaking plants.

    The Coalition has identified seven coal plant sites where it would build nuclear reactors. Some 11 gigawatts of coal capacity is produced on those sites. The committee heard replacing this capacity with nuclear power would meet around 15% of consumer needs in the National Electricity Market, and cost at least A$116 billion.

    In contrast, the Australian Energy Market Operator estimates the cost of meeting 100% of the National Electricity Market’s needs – that is, building all required transmission, generation, storage and firming capacity out to 2050 – is about $383 billion.

    What about the timing of nuclear?

    On the matter of when nuclear energy in Australia would be up and running, the committee found “significant challenges” in achieving this before the mid-2040s.

    This is consistent with findings from the CSIRO that nuclear power would take at least 15 years to deploy in Australia. But is it at odds with Coalition claims that the first two plants would be operating by 2035 and 2037 respectively.

    The mid-2040s is well beyond the lifetime of Australia’s existing coal-fired power stations. This raises questions about how the Coalition would ensure reliable electricity supplies after coal plants close. It also raises questions over how Australia would meet its global emissions-reduction obligations.

    Recent experience in other developed countries suggests the committee’s timeframe estimates are highly conservative.

    Take, for example, a 1.6GW reactor at Flamanville, France. The project, originally scheduled to be completed in 2012, was not connected to the grid until 2024. Costs blew out from an original estimate of A$5.5 billion to $22 billion.

    The builder, Électricité de France (EDF), was pushed to the edge of bankruptcy. The French government was forced to nationalise the company, reversing an earlier decision to privatise it.

    EDF is also building two reactors in the United Kingdom – a project known as Hinkley C. It has also suffered huge cost blowouts.

    Recent nuclear reactor projects in the United States have also fallen victim to cost overruns, sending the owner, Westinghouse, bankrupt.

    What does the Coalition say?

    The committee report included dissenting comments by Coalition members.

    As the Coalition rightly points out, global enthusiasm for nuclear power remains steady. The UK, France and the US all signed a declaration in 2023 at the global climate change conference, COP28, pledging to triple nuclear power by 2050.

    And in the UK and France, advanced plans are afoot to construct new nuclear reactors at existing sites.

    But even there, progress has been glacial. The UK’s Sizewell C project has been in the planning stage since at least 2012. The French projects were announced by President Emmanuel Macron in 2022. None of these projects have yet reached a final investment decision. Delays in Australia would certainly be much longer.

    The Coalition also draws a long bow in claiming Australia’s existing research reactor at Lucas Heights, in New South Wales, means we are “already a nuclear nation”.

    At least 50 countries, including most developed countries, have research reactors. But very few are contemplating starting a nuclear industry from scratch.

    At least one issue seems to have been resolved by the committee’s inquiry. Evidence it received almost unanimously dismissed the idea small modular reactors (SMRs) will arrive in time to be relevant to Australia’s energy transition – if they are ever developed.

    The Coalition’s dissenting comments did not attempt to rebut this evidence.

    Looking ahead

    Undoubtedly, existing nuclear power plants will play a continued role in the global energy transition.

    But starting a nuclear power industry from scratch in Australia is a nonsensical idea for many reasons – not least because it is too expensive and will take too long.

    In the context of the coming federal election, the nuclear policy is arguably a red herring – one designed to distract voters from a Coalition policy program that slows the transition to renewables and drags out the life of dirty and unreliable coal-fired power.

    The Conversation

    John Quiggin is a former member of the Climate Change Authority. His submission to the nuclear electricity generation inquiry was cited in the interim report

    – ref. New report skewers Coalition’s contentious nuclear plan – and reignites Australia’s energy debate – https://theconversation.com/new-report-skewers-coalitions-contentious-nuclear-plan-and-reignites-australias-energy-debate-250912

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –