Category: Scandinavia

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia networking backbone to connect ResetData’s ‘AI Factory’ data centers across Australia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia networking backbone to connect ResetData’s ‘AI Factory’ data centers across Australia

    • Nokia deployment to support immediate roll-out of Australia’s first sovereign and sustainable liquid immersion-cooled AI Factory data centers.
    • ResetData’s AI factories up to 10 times as efficient as legacy designs, can cut emissions by 45% to deliver more sustainable AI cloud operations.
    • Nokia FP5 routing silicon provides 75% reduction in energy consumption over previous generations.

    14 April 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced it has been selected by Australian cloud provider ResetData to supply a networking backbone that supports its immediate rollout of sovereign ‘AI Factory’ data centers across the continent. The Nokia IP solution will deliver the speed, scale and reliability required for lossless, low-latency performance as ResetData targets an Australian cloud services market that in 2024 saw a 19% year on year increase.

    Sovereign AI ensures systems and data stay within a country’s jurisdiction, promoting national security and compliance with domestic laws and regulations. ResetData’s AI factories with liquid immersion cooling are up to 10 times as efficient as legacy designs and can cut cloud costs by 40% and emissions by 45% to deliver more sustainable AI cloud operations.

    Backed by Australasian real estate fund manager Centuria Capital Group (ASX:CNI), ResetData will deploy the Nokia 7750 Service Router in commercial properties nationwide as part of a series of highly efficient and sustainable liquid immersion cooled AI factories, commencing in Melbourne’s CBD. While addressing precision timing and other key requirements that are fundamental to the performance of AI infrastructure, the FP5-based Nokia IP platform provides super-fast, reliable and highly secure performance at scale. In doing so, Nokia’s approach also revolutionizes data center operations by delivering a 75 percent reduction in energy consumption over previous generations.

    Functioning as a data center gateway to front-end ResetData’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) clusters, the FP5-based Nokia 7750 SR-1x enables connectivity between data centers and to the Internet with massive routing scale, reaching speeds of up to 800Gb/s.  

    “We are moving quickly because sovereign AI is critical to Australia’s international competitiveness. Together with the ResetData AI Marketplace, our rollout is delivering critical AI, machine learning and large language model capabilities on-shore and on-demand for the first time. To make it happen, we needed a partner as committed to sustainability as we are, with local resourcing and global reach, who could meet a demanding timeline, scale from single GPUs to entire AI Factories, and replicate Melbourne’s launch nationally. Nokia has been a core partner at every step,” said Karl Kloppenborg, Chief Technology Officer at ResetData.

    “As dynamic new-generation cloud builders like ResetData seize the opportunities that artificial intelligence generates, Nokia is ready with an IP portfolio primed for the stringent and exacting data demands of AI infrastructure. Combining speed, capacity and reliability with cost-efficiency and sustainability, Nokia IP is a top choice for the world’s most modern and secure data centers. We are pleased to partner with ResetData as they deliver Australia’s first sovereign AI at scale,” said Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager, IP Networks at Nokia.   

    Multimedia, technical information and related news
    Product Page: 7750 Service Router | Nokia
    Product Page: FP5 network processor | Nokia.com
    Web Page: Networking for AI workloads | Nokia

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong’s InnoEX 2025 draws record global exhibitors, spotlights low-altitude economy

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The third edition of InnoEX, a four-day innovation and technology expo, kicked off in Hong Kong on Sunday, spotlighting cutting-edge advancements in AI, robotics, low-altitude economy, cybersecurity, and smart mobility.

    Co-organized by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event aims to foster global collaboration in tech innovation, focusing on the theme of “Innovate, Automate and Elevate”.

    Sun Dong, secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said the expo brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders worldwide through exhibitions, networking sessions, and seminars, creating opportunities for international partnerships.

    HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said this year’s InnoEX features over 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, including first-time participants such as Australia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside expanded showcases from Japan, Thailand, and the UK.

    Running concurrently, the 21st Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) focuses on smart home solutions, health tech, and wearable devices.

    As core events of Hong Kong’s International I&T Business Week 2025, the twin expos have drawn more than 2,800 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions.

    Ida Liu, marketing director of Seagull (Suzhou) Flying Car Limited, said in an interview that the company is leveraging Hong Kong’s global connectivity to expand its international presence and explore partnerships.

    Derek Chim, head of Startup Ecosystem and Development at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), said the InnoEX has become a flagship innovation and technology exhibition in Asia, attracting industry experts, investors and buyers from around the world.

    “We will seize this opportunity to accelerate the expansion of tech enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region and global markets,” he added.

    The expo also features four themed days, each hosting forums on trending tech topics, further enriching the exchange of ideas. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 2023 Australian CRS reportable accounts by jurisdiction

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    Limitations of the CRS report

    The Total accounts column represents the number of Financial Accounts held by foreign tax residents; it does not represent the number of foreign tax residents holding accounts. An account holder may be a tax resident of multiple jurisdictions, so accounts may be reported more than once.

    The Balance ($A) column represents the total balance or value of the Financial Assets held in the accounts. The figure includes:

    • cash
    • securities
    • bonds
    • commodities
    • partnership interests
    • debt interests and equity interests.

    Where an account is held by more than one account holder, the balance or value is attributed in full to each account holder. Where an account is held by a passive non-financial entity, such as a trust, the value of the equity interest is attributed in full to each controlling person. These accounts will be reported in the Total accounts and Balance ($A) columns more than once.

    Table: CRS statistics tabled by the Minister

    Jurisdiction

    Total Accounts

    Balance (AUD)

    Afghanistan

    11070

    $95,581,415

    Aland Islands

    693

    $3,871,473

    Albania

    728

    $10,764,088

    Algeria

    515

    $10,363,535

    American Samoa

    555

    $7,413,499

    Andorra

    1355

    $101,244,778

    Angola

    296

    $10,861,848

    Anguilla

    166

    $1,170,312

    Antigua and Barbuda

    234

    $3,613,577

    Argentina

    43207

    $239,451,920

    Armenia

    725

    $5,711,104

    Aruba

    510

    $18,999,978

    Austria

    16740

    $394,878,370

    Azerbaijan

    893

    $29,236,263

    Bahamas

    1044

    $232,452,443

    Bahrain

    1944

    $70,119,634

    Bangladesh

    29473

    $229,111,457

    Barbados

    378

    $15,992,240

    Belarus

    564

    $6,673,642

    Belgium

    11622

    $328,051,334

    Belize

    141

    $1,882,633

    Benin

    147

    $4,016,713

    Bermuda

    802

    $1,003,121,189

    Bhutan

    33564

    $129,472,928

    Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

    644

    $4,267,066

    Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

    65

    $320,289

    Bosnia and Herzegovina

    1015

    $18,562,691

    Botswana

    1551

    $74,047,155

    Brazil

    115912

    $665,938,179

    Brunei Darussalam

    4830

    $175,136,606

    Bulgaria

    1168

    $30,359,474

    Burkina Faso

    209

    $6,083,998

    Burundi

    359

    $1,251,294

    Cabo Verde

    57

    $801,533

    Cambodia

    13543

    $310,460,409

    Cameroon

    286

    $12,837,192

    Canada

    131945

    $4,655,911,312

    Cayman Islands

    1261

    $2,287,140,562

    Central African Republic (The)

    65

    $1,886,237

    Chad

    47

    $1,931,612

    Chile

    34790

    $184,569,286

    China

    1168312

    $35,846,564,031

    Colombia

    117549

    $329,328,309

    Comoros

    202

    $1,192,041

    Congo (Democratic Republic of The)

    955

    $15,603,703

    Congo (The)

    592

    $5,826,658

    Cook Islands

    966

    $15,755,625

    Costa Rica

    737

    $9,190,245

    Cote d’Ivoire

    154

    $12,847,535

    Croatia

    2570

    $91,851,975

    Cuba

    270

    $3,587,708

    Curacao

    63

    $489,577

    Cyprus

    2728

    $174,738,630

    Czech Republic

    5737

    $138,163,643

    Denmark

    13370

    $711,421,080

    Djibouti

    56

    $94,469

    Dominica

    118

    $20,557,976

    Dominican Republic

    6717

    $219,006,335

    Ecuador

    4375

    $24,093,968

    Egypt

    7828

    $130,461,587

    El Salvador

    549

    $4,583,826

    Equatorial Guinea

    43

    $5,787,039

    Eritrea

    574

    $3,235,597

    Estonia

    5283

    $19,768,874

    Ethiopia

    2203

    $22,578,132

    Falkland Islands [Malvinas]

    100

    $662,808

    Faroe Islands (The)

    45

    $320,055

    Fiji

    33661

    $418,588,501

    Finland

    7518

    $243,196,353

    France

    88770

    $1,312,556,582

    French Guiana

    63

    $1,169,649

    French Polynesia

    1466

    $144,692,251

    Gabon

    95

    $254,579

    Gambia

    98

    $1,040,902

    Georgia

    519

    $14,078,846

    Germany

    97566

    $2,136,961,996

    Ghana

    3662

    $45,920,708

    Gibraltar

    271

    $98,559,288

    Greece

    18433

    $874,732,119

    Greenland

    34

    $1,090,263

    Grenada

    45

    $860,469

    Guadeloupe

    59

    $1,397,246

    Guam

    567

    $22,049,141

    Guatemala

    609

    $4,477,478

    Guernsey

    709

    $188,289,280

    Guinea

    467

    $16,333,658

    Guinea-Bissau

    22

    $52,235

    Guyana

    145

    $5,865,208

    Haiti

    79

    $3,315,500

    Holy See (The)

    31

    $223,543

    Honduras

    284

    $3,912,750

    Hong Kong

    417259

    $19,652,979,316

    Hungary

    4166

    $89,013,732

    Iceland

    706

    $9,559,465

    India

    541071

    $3,337,392,017

    Indonesia

    141551

    $2,447,310,574

    Iran (Islamic Republic of)

    25484

    $220,602,656

    Iraq

    5657

    $47,263,403

    Ireland

    99386

    $1,184,004,246

    Isle of man

    755

    $77,412,757

    Israel

    14404

    $870,500,826

    Italy

    61111

    $1,042,858,008

    Jamaica

    502

    $10,346,693

    Japan

    122031

    $2,930,986,700

    Jersey

    1191

    $1,500,635,721

    Jordan

    3192

    $51,114,032

    Kazakhstan

    2762

    $76,557,742

    Kenya

    19121

    $167,004,133

    Kiribati

    1728

    $27,628,158

    Korea (The Democratic People’s Republic of)

    1300

    $11,985,623

    Korea (The Republic of)

    120329

    $692,796,653

    Kuwait

    2278

    $59,151,943

    Kyrgyzstan

    253

    $10,798,328

    Lao Peoples Democratic Republic

    3950

    $56,663,831

    Latvia

    662

    $19,990,384

    Lebanon

    4658

    $77,228,058

    Lesotho

    76

    $1,552,742

    Liberia

    331

    $7,577,445

    Libya

    321

    $5,848,095

    Liechtenstein

    115

    $2,373,413

    Lithuania

    1572

    $17,114,640

    Luxembourg

    1269

    $1,281,207,061

    Macao

    8485

    $557,432,905

    Madagascar

    302

    $4,468,823

    Malawi

    602

    $7,546,068

    Malaysia

    207495

    $9,736,791,971

    Maldives

    1145

    $9,633,668

    Mali

    204

    $6,447,711

    Malta

    3940

    $266,412,830

    Marshall Islands (The)

    142

    $267,119,933

    Martinique

    54

    $348,133

    Mauritania

    107

    $2,254,652

    Mauritius

    7436

    $190,515,176

    Mayotte

    43

    $89,402

    Mexico

    12583

    $107,075,070

    Micronesia (Federated States of)

    147

    $15,869,862

    Moldova (The Republic of)

    251

    $2,923,446

    Monaco

    655

    $148,818,123

    Mongolia

    18288

    $90,339,348

    Montenegro

    244

    $25,032,609

    Montserrat

    5287

    $264,020,964

    Morocco

    919

    $34,620,243

    Mozambique

    551

    $16,987,061

    Myanmar

    10713

    $94,691,582

    Namibia

    852

    $28,134,752

    Nauru

    1258

    $71,353,711

    Nepal

    151948

    $530,415,177

    Netherlands (The)

    38960

    $5,741,717,769

    New Caledonia

    14843

    $946,289,722

    New Zealand

    593810

    $13,924,735,966

    Nicaragua

    212

    $1,863,857

    Niger (The)

    118

    $4,131,203

    Nigeria

    8518

    $59,998,862

    Niue

    63

    $457,441

    Northern Mariana Islands (The)

    86

    $1,940,793

    Norway

    12085

    $116,151,200

    Oman

    2919

    $53,732,678

    Pakistan

    40606

    $233,873,735

    Palau

    90

    $2,489,305

    Palestine, State of

    490

    $4,307,127

    Panama

    817

    $22,319,621

    Papua New Guinea

    20645

    $1,000,357,988

    Paraguay

    611

    $4,606,315

    Peru

    8102

    $93,464,956

    Philippines

    149788

    $1,081,032,048

    Pitcairn

    42

    $2,255,280

    Poland

    10216

    $183,398,727

    Portugal

    8340

    $364,367,730

    Puerto Rico

    111

    $1,240,149

    Qatar

    5561

    $199,292,806

    Republic of North Macedonia

    2098

    $48,970,081

    Reunion

    198

    $5,016,186

    Romania

    2257

    $33,817,593

    Russian Federation

    13479

    $311,237,493

    Rwanda

    349

    $2,900,073

    Saint Barthelemy

    43

    $132,991

    Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

    19

    $53,689

    Saint Kitts and Nevis

    164

    $65,704,365

    Saint Lucia

    99

    $11,339,027

    Saint Martin (French part)

    24

    $1,272,193

    Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

    54

    $648,955

    Samoa

    5642

    $12,252,804

    San Marino

    22

    $225,736

    Sao Tome and Principe

    16

    $47,212

    Saudi Arabia

    17461

    $290,408,054

    Senegal

    246

    $17,019,253

    Serbia

    2765

    $61,671,117

    Seychelles

    747

    $66,081,694

    Sierra Leone

    518

    $59,985,702

    Singapore

    216492

    $16,932,866,043

    Sint Maarten (Dutch)

    44

    $2,030,457

    Slovakia

    2683

    $34,211,553

    Slovenia

    1143

    $31,256,112

    Solomon Islands

    5670

    $107,624,274

    Somalia

    419

    $883,615

    South Africa

    85705

    $3,036,112,507

    South Sudan

    409

    $1,439,169

    Spain

    34964

    $615,458,859

    Sri Lanka

    59417

    $496,470,828

    Sudan

    1369

    $9,428,890

    Suriname

    99

    $808,495

    Swaziland

    491

    $11,837,248

    Sweden

    24838

    $395,550,321

    Switzerland

    27602

    $2,522,289,323

    Syrian Arab Republic

    3146

    $16,259,175

    Taiwan (Province of China)

    215091

    $5,182,123,415

    Tajikistan

    150

    $6,070,527

    Tanzania, United Republic of

    1483

    $28,785,672

    Thailand

    115526

    $1,671,533,990

    Timor-Leste

    5625

    $103,220,105

    Togo

    50

    $392,068

    Tokelau

    34

    $94,511

    Tonga

    10335

    $27,905,071

    Trinidad and Tobago

    429

    $10,964,301

    Tunisia

    505

    $42,954,529

    Turkey

    12815

    $123,250,809

    Turkmenistan

    80

    $269,557

    Turks and Caicos Islands (The)

    62

    $12,992,454

    Tuvalu

    332

    $24,161,951

    Uganda

    1469

    $26,010,162

    Ukraine

    6358

    $57,835,515

    United Arab Emirates

    34016

    $1,525,677,609

    United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (The)

    650226

    $15,897,900,722

    United States Minor Outlying Islands (The)

    616

    $17,009,421

    United States of America (The)

    607512

    $32,140,613,865

    Uruguay

    2967

    $20,416,335

    Uzbekistan

    843

    $14,924,835

    Vanuatu

    12745

    $166,367,754

    Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

    3429

    $16,703,255

    Vietnam

    108399

    $1,368,106,502

    Virgin Islands (British)

    664

    $1,583,993,488

    Virgin Islands (U.S.)

    86

    $12,262,261

    Wallis and Futuna

    79

    $735,705

    Western Sahara

    54

    $172,955

    Yemen

    436

    $3,698,663

    Zambia

    2508

    $52,915,353

    Zimbabwe

    8557

    $181,025,534

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Opening remarks by SITI at Welcome Dinner of InnoEX 2025 (English only)(with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the Welcome Dinner of InnoEX 2025 today (April 12):
     
    Margaret (the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Ms Margaret Fong), å¾�常委 (Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Ms Xu Xiaolan), 任秘書長 (the Secretary General of the World Internet Conference (WIC), Mr Ren Xianliang), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
         Hello! 你好! What a thrill to have you all here this evening! A very warm welcome to friends from around the world to the InnoEX 2025 in Hong Kong. 
     
    This welcome dinner is a prelude to the InnoEX 2025, Hong Kong’s signature exhibition on innovation & technology (I&T) to start tomorrow. Also an anchor event of our vibrant Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week), InnoEX 2025 can be “digitised” into the magic figure of “12345” –
     

    • 1 vision to connect global I&T power;
    • 2 much to anticipate;
    • 3 years in a row;
    • 4 incredible days of a full programme from April 13 to 16; and
    • 5 frontier tech areas we are going to focus on.

         InnoEX returns stronger and bigger this year, from countries and regions – from Hong Kong, Macao, and 16 Mainland provinces and cities, to France, Canada, India, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and across ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Joining us first-time also include those from Australia, the UAE (United Arab Emirates), Malaysia, Sweden, and Luxembourg. 

    To the familiar faces and all new friends, thank you so much for bringing your tech, your creativity and your interest to our city!

    This year’s theme of InnoEX – “Innovate • Automate • Elevate” says it all: only with innovation powering the engine, automation steering the course, our journey towards a more prosperous economies and societies could be elevated to the next higher level. 

    The five tech areas we focus this year, namely artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, low-altitude economy, and smart mobility, are the components of this autonomous vehicle, leading us to a better and smarter future.

    Indeed, these aren’t just tech and small parts of an engine. They fundamentally change the way we work, connect, interact and grow. They change how we see the future.

    And right here at InnoEX, you’ll see how these agents are applied in different places around the globe, and how ideas translate into impact on industries and people.

    As the brand InnoEX implies, Hong Kong is also witnessing the exponential power of innovation. We may be like a GPU (graphics processing unit) in terms of physical size, but Hong Kong is huge in terms of innovative power – top-notch R&D (research and development), five world-class universities, 16 State Key Laboratories, and a staunch supporter of free economy and international partnerships. This is how we fuel novel ideas, groom talents, attract investment, and build an increasing robust I&T ecosystem.

    And we believe innovation thrives when people come together – across sectors and borders, and blending cultures and values. That’s what the BIT Week and InnoEX are all about: a global stage with no boundaries and limits. This spirit of connection is echoed at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit happening soon at this convention centre.

    So this evening, we are here to start conversations; to cultivate friendships; and to scale possibilities. Whether you are a policymaker, buyer, exhibitor or tech leader – there is always a space here in InnoEX for you to spark something big.

    Before I close, my heartfelt thanks to our incredible partner, HKTDC, and my fellow colleagues at the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the Digital Policy Office for their hard work. You have made this possible.

    To our guests: please enjoy the evening, get ready for four exciting days ahead, and make the best out of InnoEX! Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI China: 2025 Chengdu Europe Culture Season & European Culture Street opens in SW China

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

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Trump fatigue’ is putting Kiwis off the news, with trust in media still low – new report

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Merja Myllylahti, Senior Lecturer, Co-Director Research Centre for Journalism, Media & Democracy, Auckland University of Technology

    Getty Images

    The news media is doing its best to keep everyone up to speed with the pace of Donald Trump’s radical changes to the world order.

    But in Aotearoa New Zealand, where avoiding news is more common than in other countries, many of us are blocking our ears to it all.

    In 2025, “Trump fatigue” is now one of the key reasons 73% of New Zealanders say they actively avoid the news to some extent. For context, in Finland (where trust in news is highest), avoidance sits at only 21%.

    For our 2025 Trust in News report, we asked New Zealanders why they were avoiding the news and analysed 749 responses. A couple of quotes give a sense of what we found:

    “Trump, Trump, Trump and no real investigative news.” – Female, European/Pākehā, aged 55-64, party vote Labour in 2023.

    “I actively avoid any news of Donald Trump. If I hear any extreme right-wing views on the news […] I will turn it off. There is no place for that.” – Female, European/Pākehā, aged 35-44, party vote National in 2023.

    This fatigue appears to cross age, gender and even political boundaries. Incessant news about the unpredictable United States president had similar effects on a middle-aged Pākehā woman who voted National, an elderly Māori woman who voted Labour, and a middle-aged Pākehā who identified as “another gender” and voted Te Pāti Māori.

    Many said Trump-related reporting encouraged them to disengage from news entirely, or at least selectively avoid US politics.

    Other reasons for avoiding the news were familiar to us from earlier research: the overwhelming negativity, perceived political bias from journalists, sensationalism and the repetitive nature of the news cycle.

    The trust puzzle

    To measure general trust in news, we asked respondents to what extent they feel they can “trust most news most of the time”. The numbers agreeing with that statement have plummeted in New Zealand faster than in comparable countries, from 53% in 2020 to 33% in 2024.

    The slide has slowed, however, with general trust levels falling just one percentage point to 32% in 2025.

    We also asked respondents how much they agreed with this statement: “I think I can trust most of the news I consume most of the time.” Those who agreed stayed steady at 45%.

    And trust in all the New Zealand news brands we asked about had improved. Overall, trust in news appears to be stabilising, albeit at low levels.

    That may be better news for a functioning democracy, but our latest report also shows the number of New Zealanders “interested” or “very interested” in the news has dropped, from 72% in 2024 to 69% in 2025.

    At the same time, New Zealand has among the highest overall levels of interest in the news (92% at least “somewhat interested”) when compared internationally.

    This is something of a paradox, given the high numbers of news avoiders, with one-third (34%) of those surveyed saying they are “worn out by the amount of news these days”.

    Similarly, sizeable majorities say they are “highly interested” in international news (70%) and political news (60%). Yet many feel overwhelmed by the number of stories dealing with Trump, Gaza and Ukraine.

    One male respondent, 55-64 years old, said: “I try to Trumptox as much as is possible. He’s hard to escape currently, so I find myself [going] near news generally less and less to avoid the creep.”

    Politics and the news

    We also wanted to better understand the links between trust in news and politics, so this year we asked for respondents’ political leanings.

    Going by 2023 party vote, approximately 64% of those on the right and 54% on the centre-right believe you can’t trust the news. Those who trust the news most tend to be centre-left (46%) and left (40%).

    Those who voted ACT or NZ First in 2023 were more likely to avoid the news often. Those who distrust publicly-owned broadcasters RNZ and TVNZ tended to be on the right of the political spectrum, while those who distrust Newstalk ZB tended to be on the left.

    Social media as a news source

    The latest Reuters Institute survey of 47 countries found the use of Facebook for news had declined four percentage points in a year, with 26% of respondents now using it as a source.

    In New Zealand, the trend is the opposite. Facebook continues to be the main social media news source, rising from 53% in 2024 to 58% in our 2025 survey.

    But YouTube is growing fastest as a news platform in New Zealand: 43% of people in 2025 use the video-sharing platform as a news source, rising from 33% in 2024.

    Facebook, YouTube and Instagram are now among the seven most-used news sources in Aotearoa New Zealand. In order, according to our survey, these are Stuff, TVNZ, the New Zealand Herald, Facebook, YouTube, RNZ and Instagram.

    AI in the newsroom

    New Zealand newsrooms have rapidly adopted artificial intelligence (AI) tools in news gathering and production. One recent report suggested most story selection and placement on a major local news site is managed by AI.

    It remains to be seen how far into news production this trend will continue. But when we asked our survey respondents if they were comfortable with news mostly produced by AI with some human oversight, approximately 60% said no. Only 8% were comfortable with news mainly produced by AI.

    Conversely, when we asked about news produced mainly by human journalists with assistance from AI, 26% were comfortable and 35% felt uncomfortable. At the moment, then, New Zealanders seem to be generally wary of news produced or assisted by AI.

    Change is the only constant in New Zealand’s turbulent news media sector. As new complexities like AI emerge, the trust puzzle will become more complex too. Next year’s survey will give us a better sense of where these trends and attitudes are heading.

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

    ref. ‘Trump fatigue’ is putting Kiwis off the news, with trust in media still low – new report – https://theconversation.com/trump-fatigue-is-putting-kiwis-off-the-news-with-trust-in-media-still-low-new-report-252714

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Concluding Session, Commission on Population and Development Fails to Adopt Text on Ensuring Healthy Lives, Promoting Well-being for All

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Several Delegates Take Issue with Language Concerning Sexual, Reproductive Health Services, Reproductive Rights

    The Commission on Population and Development failed to adopt an outcome document today as it concluded its fifty-eighth session, with delegates sharply divided about support for sexual and reproductive rights, and some questioning commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    At the outset of the meeting, Catharina Jannigje Lasseur (Netherlands), Chair of the Commission at its fifty-eighth session, withdrew the draft resolution she had circulated earlier, citing a lack of agreement among delegations.  While noting “strong efforts towards consensus”, she acknowledged: “I see no other possibility at this late hour than to withdraw my proposal.”

    If adopted, that wide-ranging text, titled “Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages” (document E/CN.9/2025/L.4), would have urged Member States to ensure everyone’s right to the enjoyment of the highest-attainable standard of physical and mental health and called on them to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services.  It would have also called on Governments to take concrete measures towards the full implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development.

    The Programme, adopted by 179 countries at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo, set out an ambitious vision about the relationships between population, development and individual well-being.  It recognized that reproductive health and rights, as well as women’s empowerment and gender equality, are cornerstones of development.

    In the contentious discussion that followed the Chair’s withdrawal of her resolution, many speakers expressed regret that the Commission could not adopt a consensus text this year but diverged as to why agreement was not possible.

    Several speakers took issue with language concerning “sexual and reproductive health services”, as well as “reproductive rights”.  The representative of Djibouti said that there is an “ever-growing number of delegations who have come to realize that [these terms] have become — and remain — highly controversial”. Similarly, the observer for the Holy See said:  “This language has always been controversial.”  Nigeria’s delegate said that, despite various calls for the removal of certain language, the facilitators ignored these requests, which concern “cultural and ethical values and core national priorities”.

    Burundi’s delegate underscored that the phrase “sexual and reproductive rights” must not be interpreted to mean the right to abortion.  The term “gender” must be understood as exclusively meaning the biological sexes of male and female.  Further, “a strong family policy” must be at the heart of sustainable development, he said. The representatives of Iran, Cameroon, Belarus and the Russian Federation also said they could not agree with a text that did not incorporate references to the role of the family.

    However, South Africa’s delegate, delivering a statement on behalf of a number of countries, said:  “We are deeply concerned by what we have witnessed in this forum around fundamental rights and issues that have enjoyed long-standing consensus in the United Nations.”  Noting the ongoing challenge to human rights — including the right to development and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights — she reaffirmed commitment to the International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action.

    Poland’s delegate, speaking for the European Union, also reiterated support to that Programme and the role of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in advancing sexual and reproductive health and gender equality. She stressed the need to ensure that “we live in a world without sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, where all women and girls can make choices about their life, health and well-being, where the potential of every individual is fulfilled and no mother or infant dies simply because the health system has failed them”.

    Inclusive and resilient health systems, universal healthcare and inclusive sexual health and reproductive services are essential to sustainable development, stressed Sweden’s representative, while France’s delegate stressed that reproductive rights “are what determines access to development for women and girls”.

    The representative of the United States, meanwhile, said that his delegation “rejects and denounces the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and will no longer affirm the SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals] as a matter of course”.

    Many delegations, however, took the floor to reaffirm their support for the 2030 Agenda, including the representatives of Chile, Lebanon, Colombia, the Republic of Moldova, the Philippines and Japan.  The representatives of Portugal, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Australia (also speaking for Canada and New Zealand), Norway, Belgium and Luxembourg expressed concern that foundational references to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs were consistently challenged during negotiations.

    “We cannot become accustomed to delegations picking and choosing from international commitments,” Brazil’s delegate said.  China’s delegate described the rejection of references to the 2030 Agenda as “a regression in the course of history”.

    In the face of such attacks, Germany’s delegate said, it is all the more vital to work together to realize the aspirations collectively agreed upon in the International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action, the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future.  The United Kingdom’s representative warned that “ignoring links between health, climate change and inequality do not make them disappear”, while Uruguay’s delegate observed:  “Sadly, we are living in a time when reason is insufficient.”

    Algeria’s representative sounded a more-hopeful note:  “Thanks to the work of this Commission, it was possible to have an exchange of views and achieve agreements that will undoubtedly facilitate negotiations in the future.”  For his part, the representative of Bangladesh urged:  “Let us not allow short-term differences to undermine our long-term destiny; consensus is not the surrender of national interests, it is the recognition that our fates are intertwined.”

    In her closing remarks, Ms. Lasseur encouraged delegates to reflect upon the larger role of the Commission.  With 116 Member States speaking in the general debate and more than 30 side events, this year’s session featured many examples of positive steps that have been made to implement the International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action, she said.  “This shows that the [Programme and the Commission on Population and Development] are very much alive and kicking,” she said.  Participating in this forum, she added, “really made it clear to me who we are fighting for:  women and girls, often living in rural areas, sometimes in dangerous conflict settings, lacking access to basic healthcare services, not having the basic necessities to live a life of dignity”.

    “How unfortunate then that the Commission’s best efforts could not translate into an action-oriented outcome this year,” said Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, in her closing remarks.  People are dying because they are denied fundamental rights and choices, food, life-saving medicines and the basic necessities of life, caught up in catastrophes not of their own making, and for women and girls, in battles over their own bodies.

    “In this year, like no other, women and girls expect UNFPA and the United Nations to rush to their rescue,” she said, adding that once again, it will be poor people and the most vulnerable women and girls who will bear the greatest burden of ill health and preventable deaths.  “Who is listening to them?  Who will defend their fundamental rights?” she asked.  Reaffirming the Fund’s commitment to listening to them, she said it will continue to respond “based on what women and girls tell us they need”.

    Also regretting the lack of an outcome document, Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, expressed appreciation for the “frank, thoughtful and interactive” discussions held throughout the week.  The Commission heard about important progress in improving people’s health and well-being over the past decades even as it learned about the many health-related SDG targets that are off track.  She noted that these insights will feed into the Economic and Social Council’s activities.

    In other business, the Commission adopted the report of its fifty-eighth session (document E/CN.9/2025/L.3) and the provisional agenda of the fifty-ninth session (document E/CN.9/2025/L.2).  The Russian Federation’s delegate said his delegation was short-handed because one member arrived late due to visa delays and stressed that the United States has a legal obligation to issue visas in a timely manner.

    The Chair said that in the absence of an outcome document, she would prepare a summary of the proceedings.  Iran’s delegate said such a summary should not be considered a representation of the positions of delegations.

    The Commission also adopted a decision (document E/CN.9/2025/L.5), which decided that the special theme for its sixtieth session, to be held in 2027, will be “Population, poverty eradication and sustainable development”.  The Russian Federation’s delegate, noting that eliminating poverty is an important global goal, hailed the consensus by which the Commission chose the theme.

    The Commission then concluded its fifty-eighth session and opened its fifty-ninth session, electing Zéphyrin Maniratanga (Burundi) as Chair and Arb Kapisyzi (Albania), Sasha-Kay Kayann Watson (Jamaica) and Stéphanie Toschi (Luxembourg) as Vice-Chairs.  The nomination of the remaining Vice-Chair, to represent Asia-Pacific States, was deferred to a later date.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE trains Uzbek border and customs officers in identifying suspected foreign terrorist fighters

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE trains Uzbek border and customs officers in identifying suspected foreign terrorist fighters

    The OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the Border Troops and Customs Committee of Uzbekistan, held a national training course on identifying suspected foreign terrorist fighters and other criminals at border crossings in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 4 to 7 April.
    Twenty-two first- and second-line border and customs officers sharpened their skills through practical exercises on identity management, detecting illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW), profiling techniques, risk analysis, and methods for preventing trafficking in human beings.
    The training course was delivered by seven members of Uzbekistan’s National Mobile Training Team as part of their third deployment mission since they completed their advanced training with support of the OSCE-led Mobile Training Team in 2023. International experts from Belgium, North Macedonia and the United Kingdom as well as the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the OSCE also contributed with their expertise and provided training materials.
    The course was followed by an official opening of the OSCE classroom at the Advanced Training Faculty under the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan. This included a handover ceremony of two servers to improve the video surveillance system at Uzbek border checkpoints as well as 100 copies of Frontex guidebooks on SALW in the Uzbek language. The classroom and donations are expected to enhance the effectiveness of local customs and border officers’ daily work.
    These activities are part of the OSCE extrabudgetary project “Strengthening the resilience of Uzbekistan to address cross-border challenges emanating from Afghanistan” funded by Germany, Sweden and the United States of America. Further training courses are scheduled in 2025.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Global: China’s new underwater tool cuts deep, exposing vulnerability of vital network of subsea cables

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By John Calabrese, Assistant Professor, School of Public Affairs and Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute, American University

    Laying an undersea fiber-optic cable at Arrietara beach near the Spanish village of Sopelana. Ander Gillenea/AFP via Getty Images

    Chinese researchers have unveiled a new deep-sea tool capable of cutting through the world’s most secure subsea cables − and it has many in the West feeling a little jittery.

    The development, first revealed in February 2025 in the Chinese-language journal Mechanical Engineering, was touted as a tool for civilian salvage and seabed mining. But the ability to sever communications lines 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) below the sea’s surface − far beyond the operational range of most existing infrastructure − means that the tool can be used for other purposes with far-reaching implications for global communications and security.

    That is because undersea cables sustain the world’s international internet traffic, financial transactions and diplomatic exchanges. Recent incidents of cable damage near Taiwan and in northern Europe have already raised concerns of these systems’ vulnerabilities − and suspicions about the role of state-linked actors.

    The growing sophistication and openness of underwater technology evidenced by the latest news from China suggest that undersea infrastructure may play a larger role in future strategic competition. Indeed, this development adds a new layer to the broader challenge of securing critical infrastructure amid expanding technological reach and the rise of so called “gray zone” tactics – antagonisms that take place between direct war and peace.

    The backbone of global communication

    Despite their unassuming appearance, undersea cables form the backbone of modern communication systems. Stretching around 870,000 miles (over 1.4 million kilometers) across every ocean, these cables transmit almost 100% of global internet communication.

    Underwater cables unite the world.
    TeleGeography/submarinecablemap.com, CC BY-SA

    These information superhighways are a major engine for the modern economy and are indispensable for things such as almost instantaneous financial transactions and real-time diplomatic and military communications.

    If all these cables were suddenly severed, only a sliver of U.S. communication traffic could be restored using every satellite in orbit.

    The entire system is built, owned, operated and maintained by the private sector. Indeed, approximately 98% of these cables are installed by a handful of firms. As of 2021, the U.S. company SubCom, French firm Alcatel Submarine Networks and Japanese firm Nippon Electric Company collectively held an 87% market share. China’s HMN Tech holds another 11%.

    Tech giants including Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft now own or lease roughly half of the undersea bandwidth worldwide, according to analysis by the U.S.-based telecommunications research group TeleGeography.

    Vulnerabilities and sabotage

    The very characteristics that make undersea cables effective also render them highly vulnerable. Built to be lightweight and efficient, they are exposed to a variety of natural hazards, including underwater volcanic eruptions, typhoons and floods.

    But human activity is still the primary cause of cable damage, whether it’s from accidental anchor drags or inadvertent entanglement with trawler nets.

    Now, security experts are increasingly concerned that future human disruptions might be intentional, with nations launching coordinated attacks on undersea cables as part of a hybrid war strategy.

    Such assaults could disrupt not only civilian communications but also critical military networks.

    An adversary, for example, could cut off a nation’s command structures from intelligence feeds, sensor data and communication with deployed forces. The ramifications extend even to nuclear deterrence: Without reliable communication, a nuclear-armed state might lose the ability to control or monitor its strategic weapons.

    The loss of communications, even for a few minutes, could be catastrophic. It could mean the difference between a successful defense and a crippling first strike.

    A technician explains the undersea damage to cables around Taiwan following a 2006 earthquake.
    Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images

    Geopolitical threats

    In recent years, Western policymakers have become particularly concerned about the capabilities of Russia and China to exploit the vulnerabilities of undersea cables.

    One particularly illustrative incident occurred in 2023 when Taiwanese authorities accused two Chinese vessels of cutting the only two subsea cables supplying internet to Taiwan’s Matsu Islands.

    The resulting digital isolation of 14,000 residents for six weeks was not an one-off episode. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party has pointed to a pattern, noting that Chinese vessels have disrupted cable operations on 27 occasions since 2018.

    In January 2025, Taiwan’s coast guard blamed a Cameroon- and Tanzania-flagged vessel crewed by seven Chinese nationals and operated by a Hong Kong-based company when an undersea cable was severed off the island’s northeastern coast.

    Such incidents, often described as gray-zone aggression, are designed to wear down an adversary’s resilience and test the limits of response.

    China’s recent push to enhance its cable-cutting capabilities coincides with a surge in its military drills around Taiwan, including a number of recent exercises.

    Similar cable disruptions have occurred in the Baltic Sea. In October 2023, a telecom cable connecting Sweden and Estonia was damaged along with a gas pipeline. In January 2025, a cable linking Latvia and Sweden was breached, triggering NATO patrols and a Swedish seizure of a vessel suspected of sabotage tied to Russian activities.

    Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, even hinted at the possibility of targeting undersea communication cables as retaliation for actions such as the Nord Stream pipeline explosions in 2023.

    The involvement of state-linked vessels in incidents operating under flags of convenience − that is, registered to another country − further complicates efforts to attribute and deter such attacks.

    It isn’t just security and defense at risk. The modern financial system is predicated on the assumption of continuous, high-speed connectivity; any interruption, however brief, could disrupt markets, halt trading and lead to significant monetary losses.

    The undersea battlefield

    Given the strategic importance of undersea cables and the multifaceted risks they face, Western governments intent on preventing further conflict would be wise to find a comprehensive and internationally coordinated way to secure the infrastructure against threats.

    One clear option would be to bolster repair and maintenance capacities. Currently, a significant vulnerability stems from the overreliance on Chinese repair ships. China’s robust maritime industry and state-supported investments in global telecommunications has contributed to the Asian nation taking a prominent position when it comes to cable repair ships.

    The protection of undersea cables should not, I believe, be viewed as the responsibility of any single nation but as a collective priority for all nations reliant on this infrastructure. As such, international frameworks and agreements could facilitate information sharing, standardize security protocols and establish rapid response mechanisms in the event of a cable breach.

    But such international efforts would be fighting against the tide. The incidents in Taiwan, the Baltic Sea and elsewhere come as great power competition intensifies between the U.S. and China.

    China, in developing deep-water cable-cutting technology, may be sending a message of intent. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s “America First” approach signals a shift that could complicate efforts to foster partnerships for the general global good.

    The defense of undersea cables reflects the challenges of our hyperconnected world, requiring a balance of innovation, strategy and cooperation. But as nations including China and Russia seemingly test and probe this vital global infrastructure, it appears the systems underpinning the West’s prosperity and security could become one of its greatest vulnerabilities.

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

    ref. China’s new underwater tool cuts deep, exposing vulnerability of vital network of subsea cables – https://theconversation.com/chinas-new-underwater-tool-cuts-deep-exposing-vulnerability-of-vital-network-of-subsea-cables-251877

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Deteriorating Human Rights situation in Georgia: Joint Statement to the OSCE, April 2025.

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    Deteriorating Human Rights situation in Georgia: Joint Statement to the OSCE, April 2025.

    UK and other OSCE participating States express concern over the deteriorating human rights situation and call on Georgia to open an inclusive dialogue with political parties, civil society and the OSCE institutions.

    Thank you, Madam Chair,  

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of  Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and my own country, Germany.  

    As OSCE participating States, we have committed to upholding and defending fundamental human rights, democracy, and the rule of law—not only within our own borders, but across our shared OSCE region. This commitment carries a responsibility: to hold each other accountable when we witness signs of democratic backsliding. 

    It is in this spirit that we express again our deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia. Since our last discussion in February, we have regretfully witnessed Georgian authorities taking further steps away from their democratic and human rights commitments. 

    Madam Chair,  

    Our main concerns are threefold: the legislative restriction of civic space, the targeting of independent media, and the continued lack of accountability for excessive use of force by police, the use of indiscriminate violence by unidentified groups against peaceful protesters as well as unnecessarily long pre-trial detention periods and the reported ill-treatment of those in pre-trial detention. 

    The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires all individuals and organisations receiving foreign funding to register as so-called “Foreign Agents,” with financial sanctions and criminal penalties imposed on those who refuse. We share ODIHR’s concern that “this law, along with other recent legislative initiatives, could further curtail the activities of civil society organizations and human rights defenders by removing the safeguards needed for them to carry out their work”. This law lacks the legal safeguards that prevent civil society, media and private individuals from being branded as instruments of foreign influence based solely on funding sources, which strongly suggests that this law is not about transparency, but about suppressing dissent and tightening the grip on civil society. This is of particular concern in view of the upcoming local elections.  

    We are also closely monitoring recent amendments to Georgia’s electoral legislation. It is essential that any changes to the electoral framework enhance transparency and public trust, and that reforms are developed through inclusive dialogue and in line with OSCE commitments. Relatedly, we are concerned about legislative amendments undermining freedom of peaceful assembly, including the amendments to the Criminal and Administrative Offences Codes and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations. The amendments undermine the principle of equal suffrage and restrict freedom of assembly, as stated in relevant ODIHR’s and Venice Commission latest opinions. We urge the Georgian authorities to implement their recommendations.  

    Madam Chair,  

    We are alarmed by the escalating threats and intimidation faced by journalists in Georgia. The Public Defender’s 2024 Human Rights Report highlights a significant decline in media freedom, exacerbated by restrictive laws—such as the recent amendments to the Law on Broadcasting—and growing hostility toward journalists. 

    Notably, there have been incidents where journalists were being targeted by police while covering protests, including physical assaults and equipment seizures. Furthermore, reports of targeting journalists in exile and negative rhetoric from high-ranking officials and politicians have further eroded media freedom and increased risks for journalists. 

    We call for the immediate cessation of these practices and the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained journalists, including Mzia Amaghlobeli, who remains in detention on charges of up to 7 years in prison. 

    Finally, we remain deeply troubled by the persistent lack of accountability for police violence. We have seen no evidence of credible efforts by the Georgian authorities to investigate reports of disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, arbitrary detentions, excessive over-reliance on long pre-trial detention periods, and mistreatment of detainees. 

    We call on the Georgian authorities to take immediate action to protect the rights of those exercising their fundamental freedoms and to conduct a thorough investigation of the use of police force during peaceful protests since 28 November 2024 in order to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account. Failure to do so further undermines public trust in Georgia’s institutions. 

    Madam Chair, 

    Despite repeated statements by Georgia reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and the OSCE principles and commitments, we have yet to see any concrete and genuine steps toward meaningful engagement. Instead, recent actions by the Georgian authorities have moved Georgia further away from democracy. We call on the Georgian authorities to open an inclusive dialogue with all political parties and civil society organisations in order to find peaceful and democratic solutions to the ongoing crisis. 

    We welcome recent statements by ODIHR and RFoM and strongly urge Georgia to continue to constructively engage with OSCE institutions and make use of their expertise. As fellow OSCE participating States, we will explore all available tools and mechanisms within the OSCE context going forward. In this spirit, we call on Georgian authorities to implement recommendations by ODIHR with regard to the upcoming elections. 

    Our unwavering commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unchanged. We stand steadfast in our support for the Georgian people and their pursuit of a democratic, stable and European future, and we remain ready to work with Georgia to ensure it upholds its international obligations and ensures that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected.​

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report by the Representative on Freedom of the Media to the OSCE Permanent Council: Joint Statement, April 2025.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Report by the Representative on Freedom of the Media to the OSCE Permanent Council: Joint Statement, April 2025.

    UK and others call for action to uphold safety of journalists and media freedom against a deteriorating background within some OSCE countries.

    Thank you Mr. Chair,  

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States that are members of the informal Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists namely Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and my own country, Lithuania. 

    First of all we welcome the Representative on Freedom of the Media Mr. Jan Braathu – dear Jan-  to the Permanent Council and thank him for his first report since taking on this role.   

    We reaffirm our strong support for the autonomous mandate of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, which plays a vital role in monitoring media developments in participating States, providing early warning on violations, and promoting compliance with OSCE commitments. 

    Mr. Chair, 

    We believe there is no genuine security without media freedom, and no media freedom without journalists being able to carry out their work safely. Unfortunately, despite the commitments of participating States, the environment for journalists across the OSCE region is extremely concerning, as they face physical and online violence, legal harassment, including strategic lawsuits against public participation, arbitrary detention, forced disappearance and even death for simply doing their job.  

    Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, with the complicity of Belarus, has directly impacted media freedom and the safety of journalists. As Russia‘s atrocities in Ukraine continue, Reporters Without Borders has recorded that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, nearly 150 journalists have become victims of Russian abuses performing their duties. 13 journalists have been killed by Russian forces. 47 journalists have been injured while reporting as a result of attacks by Russian forces. 19 Ukrainian journalists are currently detained by Russia after being mainly arrested in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. According to the Moscow Mechanism reports, Russia uses arbitrary detention and threats against journalists in the temporarily occupied territories to intimidate the population and to eliminate activists. 

    In Russia and Belarus, the systematic crackdown on independent media has reached unprecedented levels. This has resulted in the closure of nearly all independent media organizations, leading to a media and information space almost entirely controlled by the state apparatus. At least 38 journalists and media actors are unjustly imprisoned in Russia, part of over 1500 political prisoners. In Belarus, at least 45 journalists and media actors are unjustly imprisoned among more than 1200 political prisoners. Many more journalists and media actors have been forced into exile. We call on both Russia and Belarus to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including those held by Russia in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. 

    We are increasingly concerned about the deteriorating media freedom situation in other participating States, where journalists are labelled under so-called foreign agent laws and hindered from performing their duties. We urge Georgia to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists who are arbitrarily detained or arrested, and to engage in constructive dialogue with the RFoM and ODIHR to align its laws and actions with OSCE commitments. In Azerbaijan,  there has been an unsettling rise in cases brought against journalists and independent media outlets. We call on Azerbaijan to ensure all citizens‘ fundamental rights and to provide safe and dignified conditions for detainees in line with its OSCE commitments, including  access to health and independent legal services.  All those detained for exercising their fundamental rights should be released. We also echo the statement by the RFoM on March 27 calling for the swift release of journalists arrested in Türkiye while covering demonstrations. 

    Mr. Chair, 

    In this context, the role of the RFoM is more important than ever. We commend the RFoM’s continued work on the Safety of Journalists by creating a network of National Focal Points, developing guidelines and advising participating states on how to improve the implementation of their commitments from the 2018 Milan Ministerial Council decision. We are pleased to hear that the RFOM is developing a comprehensive capacity-building strategy to ensure that women journalists are able to take part in public debates online and offline without fear of harassment, attacks or violence.  

    Mr Chair 

    As pressure on journalists is often an early sign of a broader deterioration of the human rights situation, we also expect the RFOM to fulfil the early warning and rapid response function in cases of serious non-compliance with our shared commitments regarding freedom of expression and media freedom, including with respect to the protection of journalists and other media actors. 

    Thank you very much for listening.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    £450M surge of military support to boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as UK and Germany chair meeting of 50 nations

    Package will support UK jobs and growth, with equipment and repair contracts connecting UK companies with Ukrainian industry

    The UK is surging rapid military support to Ukraine to put them in the strongest position to secure a lasting peace as partners meet in Brussels for the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group, chaired by the UK and Germany.

    The security of the UK and Europe starts in Ukraine, and a major new military support package will be delivered by British and Ukrainian suppliers to help boost Ukraine’s Armed Forces as they continue to defend against Russian attack. As chair of the meeting, the UK has secured ambitious pledges for Ukraine from donor countries.

    Today’s package, worth £450 million, includes £350 million from the UK from this year’s record £4.5 billion military support funding for Ukraine. Further funding is being provided by Norway, via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.

    The support package will be announced by Defence Secretary John Healey when he chairs the contact group alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius later today, where 50 nations will come together to coordinate urgent military support for Ukraine.

    It will include £160 million of UK funding to provide repairs and maintenance to vehicles and equipment the UK has already provided to Ukraine – partnering UK companies with Ukrainian industry, supporting the UK economy and skilled jobs.

    Today’s support also includes a new ‘close fight’ military aid package – with funding for radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones – worth more than £250 million, using funding from the UK and Norway. The package builds on the work of the drone capability coalition, led by the UK and Latvia.

    This will include high manoeuvrable first-person view (FPV) drones to attack targets, and drones which can drop explosives on Russian positions. These two types of drones are reported to be responsible for 60-70% of damage currently caused to Russian equipment.

    The new kit will be procured from a mixture of UK and Ukrainian suppliers, demonstrating how investment into Ukraine’s defence supports jobs and the economies of both the UK and Ukraine.

    The £160 million package for equipment repairs and maintenance will ensure vital armoured vehicles and other equipment can get back to the battlefield as quickly as possible. It will be implemented through the UK’s Taskforce HIRST, linking UK and Ukrainian companies to ensure repairs can be conducted in country to ensure that vital equipment is returned to the frontline as quickly as possible.

    The support provides opportunities for British companies to learn lessons from the battlefield and support the UK’s own industrial capabilities, an example of the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership announced by the Prime Minister in action.

    Addressing the contact group, Defence Secretary John Healey MP will say:

    The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on Putin to help force him to end this terrible war.

    We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why today’s major package will surge support to Ukraine’s frontline fight.

    2025 is the critical year for Ukraine. Our job as defence ministers is to put into the hands of the Ukrainian war fighters what they need. We must step up to deter Russian aggression by continuing to bolster Ukraine’s defences.

    Yesterday, [Thursday] the Defence Secretary and his French counterpart, Minister Lecornu, chaired the first meeting of Coalition of the Willing defence ministers, bringing together 30 countries to progress planning for a reassurance force to support a lasting peace in Ukraine.

    The meeting followed a series of high-level meetings of leaders and defence chiefs in the last month to move forward with operational planning.

    This work delivers on the Prime Minister’s four-point plan to support Ukraine by ramping up delivery of weapons and equipment, boosting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in the long term, working with allies to develop robust security assurances, and keeping up pressure on Putin.

    The UK is fully committed to working with allies to step up support to ensure Ukraine remains in the strongest possible position, which is why £4.5 billion of military support will be provided this year – more than ever before.

    As well as demonstrating leadership through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and Coalition of the Willing, the UK is also contributing heavily to NATO’s Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) Command, which is coordinating further support for Ukraine in the form of training and providing more capabilities. Through the International Fund for Ukraine, the UK will manage the NSATU Trust Fund for rapid procurement – which Canada, Denmark and Iceland have already pledged funding towards, to meet Ukraine’s urgent equipment support and logistical needs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI China: Chaplin documentary opens intl comedy film event in Macao

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A unique documentary film produced by the family of Charlie Chaplin opened the film screening segment of the second Macao International Comedy Festival, currently taking place in China’s special administrative region.

    Dolores Chaplin (third from left) alongside organizers and guests at the opening of the film screening segment of the second Macao International Comedy Festival, Macao, April 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]

    “Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp ,” directed by Carmen Chaplin, a granddaughter of the legendary comedian, actor, director and producer, is not a conventional biopic and features deep involvement from the Chaplins. Several members of the family either appear on camera to share their insights and memories or contribute behind the scenes as producers.

    In the film, Chaplin’s family embarks on a revealing journey into the Romani heritage that inspired the creation of Charlie Chaplin’s iconic and beloved character of the Tramp. Featuring intimate interviews and unprecedented access to the Chaplin estate, the documentary offers a profound exploration of Chaplin’s roots, woven together through film excerpts, home movies, archival footage and contributions from renowned contemporary Romani artists.

    Dolores Chaplin, another granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin, served as a producer on the film and attended the comedy festival to present it to Chinese viewers on Thursday, also participating in a post-screening discussion.

    “I think that this documentary is a great way to introduce my grandfather’s works to the younger generation who maybe don’t know his movies that well,” Dolores said. “Every time we’ve shown it to children or the younger generation or young adults or people who don’t know my grandfather, they wanted to see his movies. It’s like rediscovering his movies through the documentary, through the man, through his passion and through the family side, but also with the clips.”

    As a comedy icon, Charlie Chaplin’s films have influenced generations. His movies are able to transcend language and travel across cultures like music. “For an actor, it’s difficult to be known worldwide, but for a musician, it’s easier because music travels. Yet as an actor in silent films, he was known everywhere — from Iceland to China to Spain. It’s nice to keep that alive.”

    While opening a film segment meant to be filled with laughter, “Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp” instead offers an emotional retrospective. Yet Dolores stressed that its messages remain vital.

    “I feel that humor is a great way to convey any kind of message — it could be political, it could be emotional and it could be anything really. If you pass it through humor, people will relate to it easier or sometimes we’ll maybe look at it and understand it better. Humor must never be one thing, it has many coats,” she added. 

    “Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp” will also be shown at the upcoming 15th Beijing International Film Festival, set to open on April 18.

    The comedy festival’s film program, which is running from April 10-13, will feature classic comedies such as “Crazy Rich Asians,” the “Detective Chinatown” series, “Johnny Keep Walking!” and “Lost in Thailand,” alongside the premiere of Takeshi Kitano’s new film “Broken Rage.” The film event will also feature post-screening panels and masterclasses, offering both movie enthusiasts and industry professionals the opportunity to discuss comedy creation.

    The second Macao International Comedy Festival kicked off in Hengqin, a district of Zhuhai city in Guangdong province neighboring Macao, on Wednesday. Running through Sunday across the two regions, it will gather top comedians like Shen Teng and Ma Li, international filmmakers including Takeshi Kitano and Aamir Khan, and include film screenings, stage performances, industry forums, pitch sessions and a gala night at venues in both locations.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI: Notice to the Annual General Meeting of KH Group Plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KH Group Plc
    Stock Exchange Release 11 April 2025 at  10:00 am EEST

    Notice to the Annual General Meeting of KH Group Plc

    Notice is given to the shareholders of KH Group Plc (“KH Group” or the “Company”) to the Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 at 2:00 p.m. EEST at Sanomatalo, Flik Event Studio Eliel, at the address Töölönlahdenkatu 2, 00100 Helsinki, Finland. The reception of attendees who have registered for the meeting and the distribution of voting tickets will commence at 1:30 p.m. EEST.

    Shareholders may also exercise their voting rights by voting in advance. Shareholders who have registered for the meeting may also follow the meeting via a live webcast. Further instructions for shareholders are provided in section C “Instructions for the participants in the Annual General Meeting” of this notice.

    In connection with the Annual General Meeting, coffee will be served at the meeting venue.

    A. Matters on the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting

    At the Annual General Meeting, the following matters shall be considered:

    1. Opening of the meeting

    2. Calling the meeting to order

    3. Election of persons to scrutinise the minutes and to supervise the counting of votes

    4. Recording the legality and quorum of the meeting

    5. Recording the attendance at the meeting and adopting the list of votes

    6. Presentation of the Financial Statements, the Board of Directors’ Report, the Auditor’s Report and the assurance report on the sustainability statement for the year 2024, and presentation of the CEO’s Review

    7. Adoption of the Financial Statements

    8. Resolution on the use of profit shown on the balance sheet and the payment of dividend

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that no dividend be paid for the financial period ended 31 December 2024.

    9. Resolution on the discharge from liability of the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO

    10. Adoption of the Governing Bodies’ Remuneration Report

    11. Resolution on the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board of KH Group proposes to the General Meeting that the remuneration of the Board of Directors remain unchanged, so that the Chairman of the Board of Directors be paid as remuneration EUR 3,550 per month and the other members of the Board of Directors each EUR 2,300 per month. The Nomination Board further proposes that the travel expenses of the members of the Board of Directors be compensated in accordance with the Company’s travel policy and that each of the members of the Board of Directors shall have the right to abstain from receiving remuneration.

    Earnings-related pension insurance contributions are paid voluntarily for the paid remuneration.

    12. Resolution on the number of members of the Board of Directors

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board of KH Group proposes to the General Meeting that the number of members of the Board of Directors shall be six (6).

    13. Election of members of the Board of Directors

    The Shareholders’ Nomination Board of KH Group proposes to the General Meeting that the current members of the Board of Directors Juha Karttunen, Taru Narvanmaa and Jon Unnérus shall be re-elected as members of the Board of Directors and that Christoffer Landtman, Jari Rautjärvi and Carl Haglund shall be elected as a new members of the Board of Directors, for a term ending at the closing of the 2026 Annual General Meeting. Of the current Board members, Kati Kivimäki and Timo Mänty have indicated that they are not available for re-election.

    All persons nominated as members of the Board of Directors have given their consent to the election. The Nomination Board considers all the nominees to be independent of the Company and of the significant shareholders of the Company.

    According to the Articles of Association of KH Group, the Board of Directors elects a Chair from among its members.

    CVs, photographs and the evaluation regarding the independence of the proposed members of the Board of Directors are presented on the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/

    14. Resolution on the remuneration of the auditor and the sustainability reporting assurance provider

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the remuneration of the auditor shall be paid according to the auditor’s reasonable invoice approved by the Company.

    The Board of Directors further proposes to the General Meeting that the remuneration of the sustainability reporting assurance provider shall be paid according to the sustainability reporting assurance provider’s reasonable invoice approved by the Company.

    15. Election of the auditor and the sustainability reporting assurance provider

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that Ernst & Young Oy, Authorised Public Accountants, be re-elected as the Company’s auditor. Ernst & Young Oy has notified that Timo Eerola, APA, will act as the principally responsible auditor for the Company.

    The Board of Directors further proposes to the General Meeting that Ernst & Young Oy, Authorised Sustainability Audit Firm, be elected as the Company’s sustainability reporting assurance provider. Ernst & Young Oy has notified that Timo Eerola, ASA (Authorised Sustainability Auditor), will act as the principally responsible sustainability auditor for the Company.

    The term of the auditor and the sustainability reporting assurance provider ends at the closing of the Annual General Meeting following the election.

    16. Authorising the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the General Meeting authorise the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares and/or the granting of special rights entitling to shares as referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, in one or several instalments as follows: The total number of shares to be issued under the authorisation may be at the most 11,400,000 shares. The authorisation concerns both the issuance of new shares as well as the conveyance of shares held by the Company. The authorisation is proposed to be used to finance or carry out possible acquisitions or other arrangements or investments related to the Company’s business, to implement the Company’s incentive program, or for other purposes decided by the Board of Directors.

    The Board of Directors decides on all terms and conditions of a share issue and the issuance of special rights referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, and the authorisation therefore includes the right of the Board of Directors to deviate from the shareholders’ pre-emptive subscription right (directed issue), the right to issue shares against consideration or without payment, and the right to decide on a free issuance of shares to the Company itself, however, taking into account the provisions of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act concerning the maximum number of own shares held by the Company.

    The authorisation is proposed to be effective until 30 June 2026, and it will cancel the corresponding authorisation given to the Board of Directors by the Annual General Meeting on 7 May 2024.

    17. Authorising the Board of Directors to decide on the repurchase of the Company’s own shares

    The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that the General Meeting authorise the Board of Directors to decide to repurchase a maximum of 5,700,000 shares in the Company in one or several instalments by using funds in the Company’s unrestricted equity, however, taking into account the provisions of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act concerning the maximum number of own shares held by the Company. The Company’s own shares may be repurchased to be used as consideration in possible acquisitions or in other arrangements related to the Company’s business, to finance investments, as a part of the Company’s incentive program, to develop the Company’s capital structure as well as to be conveyed for other purposes, to be held by the Company or to be cancelled. The authorisation also includes the right to pledge the Company’s own shares.

    The Company’s own shares may be repurchased in public trading organized by Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd otherwise than in proportion to the shareholdings of the shareholders, at the market price at the time of repurchase. The shares will be repurchased and paid in accordance with the rules of Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd and Euroclear Finland Oy. The Board of Directors is in all other respects authorised to decide on the terms and conditions of the repurchase of own shares.

    The authorisation is proposed to be effective until 30 June 2026, and it will cancel the corresponding authorisation given to the Board of Directors by the Annual General Meeting on 7 May 2024.

    18. Closing of the meeting

    B. Documents of the Annual General Meeting

    The aforementioned proposals on the agenda of the General Meeting, this notice, the Governing Bodies’ Remuneration Report as well as the Annual Report, which includes the Financial Statements of the Company, the Board of Directors’ Report (including the sustainability report), the Auditor’s Report and the assurance report on the sustainability statement, are available on KH Group’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025.

    The minutes of the General Meeting will be available on the aforementioned website on 20 May 2025, at the latest.

    C. Instructions for the participants in the Annual General Meeting

    1. Shareholder registered in the shareholders’ register

    Each shareholder who is registered on the record date of the General Meeting, on 23 April 2025, in the shareholders’ register of the Company maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy, has the right to participate in the General Meeting. A shareholder whose shares in the Company are registered on their personal Finnish book-entry account, is registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company.

    The registration to the General Meeting begins on 14 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST. A shareholder who is registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company and who wants to participate in the General Meeting, shall register no later than on 28 April 2025 at 4:00 p.m. EEST, by which time the registration must be received.

    Registration can be done:

    a)   Through the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/

    In the electronic registration, a strong identification of the shareholder or their proxy representative or legal representative is required with Finnish, Swedish or Danish banking codes or a mobile ID.

    b)   By email or mail to Innovatics Ltd to the address agm@innovatics.fi, to the address Innovatics Ltd, AGM / KH Group Plc, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland.

    Shareholders registering by email or mail shall submit the registration form and possible advance voting form available on the Company’s website https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025 or corresponding information in the message.

    In connection with the registration, a shareholder shall provide the requested information, such as their name, date of birth or business ID, phone number and/or email address as well as the name of assistant or a proxy representative, if any, date of birth of the proxy representative and their phone number and/or email address. The personal data given by the shareholders or the representatives to KH Group or Innovatics Ltd is used only in connection with the Annual General Meeting and with the processing of necessary related registrations.

    The shareholder, legal representative or their proxy representative shall, if necessary, be able to prove their identity and/or right of representation at the meeting venue.

    Additional information on registration and advance voting is available by phone during the registration period of the General Meeting at Innovatics Ltd’s phone number +358 (0)10 2818 909 from Monday to Friday at 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon and at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EEST.

    2. Proxy representative and powers of attorney

    A shareholder may participate in the General Meeting and exercise their rights at the meeting by way of a proxy representative. The shareholder’s proxy presentative may also vote in advance as described in this notice. The proxy representative must identify him/herself to the electronic registration service and advance voting with strong identification, after which he/she will be able to register and vote in advance on behalf of the shareholder he/she represents. The shareholder’s proxy representative shall produce a dated proxy document or otherwise in a reliable manner demonstrate their right to represent the shareholder at the General Meeting. The representation right can be demonstrated by using the suomi.fi authorisation service available in the electronic registration service.

    A power of attorney template and voting instructions will be available on the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025 on 14 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST at the latest. If a shareholder participates in the General Meeting by means of several proxy representatives representing the shareholder with shares at different securities accounts, the shares by which each proxy representative represents the shareholder shall be identified in connection with the registration.

    Possible proxy documents are requested to be delivered primarily as an attachment in connection with the electronic registration, or alternatively by email to agm@innovatics.fi or by mail to the address Innovatics Oy, AGM / KH Group Plc, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland before the expiry of the registration period. In addition to providing proxy documents, the shareholder or the proxy representative must register for the General Meeting as detailed above in this Notice.

    3. Holder of nominee registered share

    A holder of nominee registered shares has the right to participate in the General Meeting by virtue of such shares based on which he/she on the record date of the General Meeting, i.e., on 23 April 2025, would be entitled to be registered in the shareholders’ register of the Company maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy. The right to participate in the General Meeting requires, in addition, that the shareholder on the basis of such shares has been temporarily registered into the shareholders’ register of the Company maintained by Euroclear Finland Oy at the latest by 1 May 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST. As regards nominee registered shares, this constitutes due registration for the General Meeting. Changes in shareholding after the record date of the General Meeting do not affect the right to participate in the General Meeting or the number of votes of the shareholder.

    A holder of a nominee registered share is advised to request without delay the necessary instructions regarding the registration in the temporary shareholders’ register of the Company, the issuing of proxy documents, the registration and participating for the General Meeting and voting in advance from their custodian bank. The account management organisation of the custodian bank has to register a holder of a nominee registered share, who wants to participate in the General Meeting, temporarily into the shareholders’ register of the Company and if needed to see to the voting in advance on behalf of a holder of a nominee registered share before the expiry of the registration period for the holders of nominee registered shares.

    4. Advance voting

    A shareholder whose shares are registered on their personal Finnish book-entry account may vote in advance during the period from 14 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST until 28 April 2025 at 4:00 p.m. EEST on certain matters on the agenda of the General Meeting.

    Advance voting can be done in the following ways:

    a)   Through the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/
           Logging in to the service is done in the same way as for registration above in the Section C.1.

    b)   By email or mail by delivering the advance voting form available on the Company’s website on 14 April 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EEST at the latest or corresponding information by email to agm@innovatics.fi or to the address Innovatics Ltd, AGM / KH Group Plc, Ratamestarinkatu 13 A, FI-00520 Helsinki, Finland. The advance votes shall be received before the expiry of the advance voting period. Submitting votes in such manner before the expiry of registration and advance voting period constitutes due registration for the General Meeting, provided that the documents delivered by the shareholder contain the information required for registration.

    A shareholder who has voted in advance can use their right to request information under the Finnish Companies Act or their right to request a vote at the General Meeting or vote on a possible counterproposal only if the shareholder participates in the General Meeting in person or by way of proxy representation at the meeting venue.

    An agenda item subject to advance voting is considered to have been presented unchanged to the General Meeting.

    The terms and conditions as well as other instructions related to the electronic advance voting are available on the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/.

    5. Other instructions and information

    The meeting language will be Finnish.

    Pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 25 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, a shareholder who is present at the General Meeting has the right to request information with respect to the matters to be considered at the meeting.

    The Company will arrange an opportunity for shareholders who have registered for the meeting to follow the meeting online via a live webcast. A video link and password to follow the meeting remotely will be sent via email and text message to the email address and mobile phone number provided in connection with the registration. Following the meeting through the remote access is only possible for shareholders who are shareholders on the record date of the General Meeting.

    Detailed instructions on following the webcast will be available on the Company’s website at https://khgroup.com/en/investors/corporate-governance/general-meetings/annual-general-meeting-2025/. Shareholders are asked to take into account that following the meeting via webcast is not considered participating in the Annual General Meeting, and that it is not possible for the shareholders to exercise their shareholder rights in the Annual General Meeting through the webcast. Shareholders that wish to follow the webcast can exercise their voting rights by voting on the matter on the agenda in advance in accordance with the instructions provided above.

    On the date of this notice, the total number of shares and votes in KH Group is 58,078,895.

    No free parking has been arranged at the meeting venue.

    Helsinki, 10 April 2025

    KH GROUP PLC
    Board of Directors

    FURTHER INFORMATION:
    CEO Ville Nikulainen, tel. +358 400 459 343

    DISTRIBUTION:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Main media
    www.khgroup.com

    KH Group Plc is a Nordic conglomerate operating in the business areas of KH-Koneet, Nordic Rescue Group and Indoor Group. We are a leading supplier of construction and earth-moving equipment, rescue vehicle manufacturer as well as furniture and interior decoration retailer. The objective of our strategy is to create an industrial group around the business of KH-Koneet. KH Group’s share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Trifork secures landmark project to transform Oman’s healthcare system

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press release

    Trifork secures landmark project to transform Oman’s healthcare system

    Muscat, 11 April 2025 – The Ministry of Health in Oman has selected Trifork to develop a state-of-the-art Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) system while integrating with the National Health Information Exchange (NHER), which in parallel will be upgraded by Trifork during the project. This project represents a significant milestone in modernizing Oman’s healthcare system in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.

    After a competitive bidding process involving six contenders, Trifork was selected for its more than 20 years of expertise in Digital Health, which has been demonstrated through successful projects in Switzerland and Denmark and its strong international profile.

    Strengthening Oman’s healthcare system

    The project aims to upgrade Oman’s healthcare systems. The benefits of the new system include improved cost recovery, allowing government providers to reclaim insurance companies’ expenses more efficiently, faster claims processing, and reduced waiting times for patients at Ministry of Health facilities, which are key steps toward a more patient-focused healthcare experience.

    Key phases and deliverables

    The project is structured into phases, with gradual implementation over two years. The initial proof of concept will be completed in six months, followed by a gradual implementation of core functionalities, ensuring that the benefits of the solutions are implemented as soon as possible.

    These milestones align with the Ministry of Health’s digitalization strategy, which focuses on enhancing healthcare efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and seamless patient care through advanced technology. They also support Oman Vision 2040’s broader goals of leveraging digital transformation to improve public services, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and drive sustainable national development.

    Strategic partnership

    Trifork Oman brings invaluable expertise from similar engagements across Europe to the project. By integrating advanced solutions and leveraging global best practices, the company will deliver a tailored system that meets the unique needs of Oman’s healthcare ecosystem.

    The Ministry of Health in Oman oversees 263 health institutions, including 50 hospitals (4,954 beds), 21 health complexes, and 192 health centers. In 2022, they recorded 14.9 million outpatient visits – about 41,000 daily. Serving over 5 million people, the ministry prioritizes accessible, high-quality care and advances digital transformation under Oman’s Vision 2040.

    Commitment to innovation in Oman

    “This contract represents a major milestone for Trifork Oman in our ambition to contribute to the Sultanate’s goals for digital transformation and innovation. We are honored to use our strong expertise in digital health to contribute to the ongoing innovation in Oman’s healthcare sector and see this as the start of a long partnership,” says Christian Hemmingsen, CEO of Trifork Oman.

    Investor and media contact

    Frederik Svanholm
    Group Investment Director, Head of IR & PR
    frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 7317


    About Trifork

    Trifork is a pioneering global technology partner, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative solutions. With 1,229 professionals across 73 business units in 16 countries, Trifork delivers expertise in inspiring, building, and running advanced software solutions across diverse sectors, including public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. Trifork Labs, the Group’s R&D hub, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic and high-potential technology companies. Trifork Group AG is a publicly listed company on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Learn more at trifork.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Extradites Alleged Co-Conspirator of 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks to Face Charges in India

    Source: US State of California

    Mumbai Attacks in 2008 Killed More than 160 People, Including Six Americans, and Wounded Hundreds More

    The United States on Wednesday extradited convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Rana’s extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks.

    Rana, 64, is charged in India with numerous offenses, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks committed by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Between November 26 and 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. They infiltrated the city by sea and then broke into teams, dispersing to multiple locations. Attackers at a train station fired guns and threw grenades into crowds. Attackers at two restaurants shot indiscriminately at patrons. Attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel gunned people down and detonated explosives. Attackers also shot and killed people at a Jewish community center. When the terror finally subsided, 166 victims, including six Americans, were dead, along with all but one of the LeT terrorists. Hundreds more were injured, and Mumbai sustained more than $1.5 billion in property damage. The attacks were among the most horrific and catastrophic in India’s history.

    India alleges that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley), a U.S. citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai for the purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for LeT. As India alleges, Headley had received training from LeT members in Pakistan and was in direct communication with LeT about plans to attack Mumbai. Among other things, Rana allegedly agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite Headley’s having no immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false. Rana also allegedly supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headley’s attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of Rana’s business. Over the course of more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met with Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT, LeT’s responses to Headley’s activities, and LeT’s potential plans for attacking Mumbai.

    After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told Headley that the Indians “deserved it.” In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that “[t]hey should be given Nishan-e-Haider”—Pakistan’s “highest award for gallantry in battle,” which is reserved for fallen soldiers.

    India’s pending proceedings against Rana are not the first proceedings in which Rana has been accused of conspiring to commit violent acts of terrorism. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison following his trial conviction in the Northern District of Illinois for conspiring to provide material support to LeT and to a foiled LeT-sponsored terrorist plot in Copenhagen, Denmark. As part of those same criminal proceedings, Headley pleaded guilty to 12 federal terrorism charges, including aiding and abetting the murders of the six Americans in Mumbai and later planning to attack a Danish newspaper, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

    In June 2020, the United States acted on a request for Rana’s extradition submitted by the Republic of India, which Rana contested for almost five years. On May 16, 2023, a U.S. magistrate judge in the Central District of California certified Rana’s extradition to India. Rana then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California denied on August 10, 2023. On August 15, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision. The Supreme Court likewise denied Rana’s petition for certiorari on January 21, 2025. The Secretary of State issued a warrant ordering Rana’s surrender to Indian authorities. Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit denied Rana’s application for a stay of extradition, and on April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Rana’s application for a stay of extradition.

    On April 9, the U.S. Marshals Service executed the Secretary’s surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India. Rana’s extradition is now complete.

    The extradition litigation was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John J. Lulejian and David R. Friedman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bram M. Alden of the Central District of California and Deputy Director Christopher J. Smith, Associate Director Kerry A. Monaco, and former Associate Director Rebecca A. Haciski of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. The U.S. Marshals Service and attorneys and international affairs specialists in the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided support to this extradition. The FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in New Delhi also provided assistance.

    U.S. Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 
    U.S. Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Extradites Alleged Co-Conspirator of 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks to Face Charges in India

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Mumbai Attacks in 2008 Killed More than 160 People, Including Six Americans, and Wounded Hundreds More

    The United States on Wednesday extradited convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Rana’s extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks.

    Rana, 64, is charged in India with numerous offenses, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks committed by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Between November 26 and 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. They infiltrated the city by sea and then broke into teams, dispersing to multiple locations. Attackers at a train station fired guns and threw grenades into crowds. Attackers at two restaurants shot indiscriminately at patrons. Attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel gunned people down and detonated explosives. Attackers also shot and killed people at a Jewish community center. When the terror finally subsided, 166 victims, including six Americans, were dead, along with all but one of the LeT terrorists. Hundreds more were injured, and Mumbai sustained more than $1.5 billion in property damage. The attacks were among the most horrific and catastrophic in India’s history.

    India alleges that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley), a U.S. citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai for the purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for LeT. As India alleges, Headley had received training from LeT members in Pakistan and was in direct communication with LeT about plans to attack Mumbai. Among other things, Rana allegedly agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite Headley’s having no immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false. Rana also allegedly supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headley’s attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of Rana’s business. Over the course of more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met with Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT, LeT’s responses to Headley’s activities, and LeT’s potential plans for attacking Mumbai.

    After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told Headley that the Indians “deserved it.” In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that “[t]hey should be given Nishan-e-Haider”—Pakistan’s “highest award for gallantry in battle,” which is reserved for fallen soldiers.

    India’s pending proceedings against Rana are not the first proceedings in which Rana has been accused of conspiring to commit violent acts of terrorism. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison following his trial conviction in the Northern District of Illinois for conspiring to provide material support to LeT and to a foiled LeT-sponsored terrorist plot in Copenhagen, Denmark. As part of those same criminal proceedings, Headley pleaded guilty to 12 federal terrorism charges, including aiding and abetting the murders of the six Americans in Mumbai and later planning to attack a Danish newspaper, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

    In June 2020, the United States acted on a request for Rana’s extradition submitted by the Republic of India, which Rana contested for almost five years. On May 16, 2023, a U.S. magistrate judge in the Central District of California certified Rana’s extradition to India. Rana then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California denied on August 10, 2023. On August 15, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision. The Supreme Court likewise denied Rana’s petition for certiorari on January 21, 2025. The Secretary of State issued a warrant ordering Rana’s surrender to Indian authorities. Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit denied Rana’s application for a stay of extradition, and on April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Rana’s application for a stay of extradition.

    On April 9, the U.S. Marshals Service executed the Secretary’s surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India. Rana’s extradition is now complete.

    The extradition litigation was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John J. Lulejian and David R. Friedman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bram M. Alden of the Central District of California and Deputy Director Christopher J. Smith, Associate Director Kerry A. Monaco, and former Associate Director Rebecca A. Haciski of the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. The U.S. Marshals Service and attorneys and international affairs specialists in the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided support to this extradition. The FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in New Delhi also provided assistance.

    U.S. Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 
    U.S. Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Delivers Keynote Address at AI Biotechnology Summit

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WATCH: Padilla emphasizes importance of American biotechnology leadership for national security and economyWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a Commissioner of the bipartisan National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), joined the AI+ Biotechnology Summit to deliver a keynote address on the future of biotechnology and artificial intelligence. Earlier this week, the Commission delivered their major report and action plan, urging Congressional action to bring the full weight of American innovation to improve and maintain U.S. global leadership in biotechnology.
    Key Excerpts
    The United States has long led the world in biotechnology progress, but Padilla underscored the growing threat posed by China’s skyrocketing investments in research and development (R&D) for biotechnological advancements. China’s biopharma R&D investments have risen from $35 million in 2015 to $15 billion today, and they now control 80 percent of global pharmaceuticals.
    “This is no longer hypothetical — we are at real risk of falling behind. Today, we need a molecular moonshot to get ahead, and stay ahead, in developing the biotech of the future. Why? Because our very national security is on the line.”
    “Every day that we allow China to drive the industry is another day American leadership in biotech falls behind. So we have an enormous problem set before us, there’s no denying it. But we also have an enormous opportunity before us, and I hope we seize it.”
    Padilla also highlighted California’s longstanding leadership in biotechnology, noting that more patents for bioscience and biotech are issued to California than any other state and that California’s life sciences companies continue to raise the most venture capitalism investment in the nation. He also discussed the crucial problems biotechnology can help solve, including agriculture, medicine, biofuels, food security, and more.
    He emphasized the importance of strengthening international collaboration to promote these essential biotechnology priorities as the Trump Administration pulls back from longstanding alliances and cuts ties with programs and partnerships that keep Americans safe.
    “You don’t have to have a PhD in foreign policy to understand that we cannot go at this alone. We understand the adage that ‘No Man Is an Island’ — and that when we pull back on our commitments, it’s not only wrong to our allies, it also creates a vacuum for our adversaries to fill. That’s true for our security, that’s true economically, and it is absolutely true for biotechnology.”
    “With the release of this report, my hope is that we can highlight just how dangerous it would be to pull back now. Instead of moving further away from our spot at the head of the table, we should be leveraging it to mobilize our allies.”
    Senator Padilla was appointed to serve as a Congressional Commissioner after Congress formed the Commission in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Yesterday, Padilla and the other Commissioners, Chair Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Representatives Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.-05) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to promote federal coordination on emerging biotechnology and streamline the regulatory structures currently inhibiting biotechnology innovation. Last year, Padilla and Young introduced a bipartisan package of bills focused on protecting America’s food security and agricultural supply chains, which are critical to U.S. national security. Padilla also announced the Commission’s first round of findings and recommendations for policymakers in an interim report outlining the promise of biotechnology for U.S. national security and economic competitiveness and growth.
    Video of Padilla’s remarks is available here.
    Padilla’s full remarks as prepared for delivery are available below:
    Good afternoon!
    It is so great to be here at the AI and biotechnology summit alongside members of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology to unveil our new report!
    I want to thank:
    My colleague and Chair of the Commission, Senator Todd Young
    Vice Chair, Dr. Michelle Rozo, who has been instrumental to all our Congressional engagements on both sides of the aisle
    And all of the other commissioners and staff who have worked so hard to make this day happen
    This is a report three years in the making. And my hope is that it can serve as a watershed moment for biotech in America and, as we’ll talk about later, for the world.
    I am proud to be here today as a commissioner. But I’m also proud to be here today as a U.S. Senator who represents California.
    California is the birthplace of biotech.
    Whether it’s the founding of Genentech in 1970s San Francisco, or a booming industry aided by researchers at Stanford, Berkeley, and UCSF.
    Even today, more patents for bioscience and biotech are issued to California than any other state.
    And our life sciences companies continue to raise more in venture capitalism investment than any other state.
    So you could say California has some experience here!
    And while my personal experience isn’t in biotech, I am one of the few Senators with a background in engineering.
    I earned my degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
    And to this day, people ask me, “How do you go from engineering to politics and government?”
    I tell them: “It’s perfectly logical. Engineers are trained to solve problems. Isn’t that what policymakers are supposed to do?”
    Today, we’ve got quite the problem set before us!
    It’s not just about the problems that biotech can help us solve — from agriculture to medicine to biofuels and more.
    It’s also the global technology competition we now find ourselves in with China.
    From artificial intelligence to biotechnology, the stakes are high — and the time to act is now.
    We are truly at an inflection point in biotechnology development.
    We’re making progress at a speed once unimaginable. And yet, we also know we’re at risk of falling behind.
    How can that be?
    It comes down to investment. And priorities.
    Over the last two decades, China has invested in biotechnological advancements.
    And as a result, as you may have heard today, China’s research and development have skyrocketed.
    In 2015, China’s biopharma R&D investment sat at 35 million dollars.
    Today, it’s 15 billion — that’s billion, with a “B.”
    China now controls 80 percent of global pharmaceuticals.
    This is no longer hypothetical — we are at real risk of falling behind.
    Today, we need a molecular moonshot to get ahead — and stay ahead — in developing the biotech of the future.
    Why? Because our very national security is on the line.
    Of course, that means investments in things Americans think about and interact with every single day — like the fruits and vegetables they count on to be safe to eat, and the supply chains they rely on every time they go to the grocery store.
    Because yes, food security is national security, too.
    In fact, that’s why just last spring, Senator Young and I came together to introduce a bipartisan package of bills to protect our food supply — which would establish a Senior Advisor for National Security within the USDA, and establish the USDA Office of Biotechnology policy.
    But it has to reach beyond food to things like energy sources, vaccines, and medicine.
    Because we can’t afford to find ourselves in a position where China controls a majority of the world’s pharmaceuticals — and then decides to turn off the spigot.
    Let’s say they wanted to retaliate for some hypothetical trade war a U.S. president was waging…
    But that’s what’s at stake! And we have to be clear-eyed and honest about the threats we face.
    And of course, the shadow hanging over any discussion of national security and biotech is the threat of biological war and bioterrorism.
    While we hope we never see it, warfare of the future won’t just be fought with AI and drones.
    It’ll be fought with bioweapons, too.
    We have a responsibility try to prepare and prevent that.
    Now, I know that in a few minutes you’ll have the opportunity to hear a discussion on the importance of allies in this fight.
    And it’s an important point! Because for as much progress as we’ve made as a nation, we can be that much stronger on the world stage if we’re pulling in the same direction as our allies.
    In fact, our Commission has already sent delegations to visit partners, including Sweden and the UK … whose ambassadors you will hear from shortly.
    But I also want to acknowledge that we’re in a strange moment in history for U.S. leadership.
    In just less than three months, the Trump Administration has dramatically pulled back from international alliances. They’ve cut ties with programs and partnerships that in many cases have kept us safe.
    And they have openly taunted and threatened our allies.
    But what I would say is this: you don’t have to have a PhD in foreign policy to understand that we cannot go at this alone.
    We understand the adage that “No Man Is an Island” — and that when we pull back on our commitments, it’s not only wrong to our allies, it also creates a vacuum for our adversaries to fill.
    That’s true for our security, that’s true economically, and it is absolutely true for biotechnology.
    With the release of this report, my hope is that we can highlight just how dangerous it would be to pull back now.
    Instead of moving further away from our spot at the head of the table, we should be leveraging it to mobilize our allies.
    We should be working with the State Department to not only fund international research and secure supply chains, but to also use them to promote American industry in foreign markets.
    We can and should be forming reciprocal biological data sharing agreements.
    Because together, the U.S. can learn more from other leading researchers.
    At the same time, we can build out our influence, so that other nations rely on our homegrown biotech hubs.
    And lastly, Congress should jump at the opportunity to write the rules of the road for biotech.
    Because every day that we allow China to drive the industry is another day American leadership in biotech falls behind.
    So we have an enormous problem set before us — there’s no denying it.
    But we also have an enormous opportunity before us, and I hope we seize it.
    With that, I want to thank you, again, for having me. And enjoy the rest of today’s summit.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Economy – Report finds global companies have lost over $10 trillion of their market cap in 3 weeks – BestBrokers

    Source: BestBrokers

    Amid a volatile stretch for global stock markets, BestBroker’s latest analysis offers a data-driven look at how different countries are positioned in the face of a major downturn.

    Between 17 March and 8 April, the world’s 10,000 largest publicly listed companies lost a combined $10.3 trillion in market capitalisation, according to our research at BestBrokers. The U.S. was hit hardest, with $5.36 trillion wiped from company valuations, followed by China ($923.6 billion), Japan ($434 billion), Germany ($289 billion), and Taiwan ($267.7 billion).

    While the U.S. S&P 500 alone has lost nearly $6 trillion since the announcement of sweeping tariffs under President Trump, the impact has been global. Billions in value have evaporated across markets in every major region.

    Despite the scale of these losses, many leading indices are still above where they were a year ago — supported by resilient earnings and long-term growth. In addition to tracking the drop in market value, BestBrokers.com also examined how countries stack up in terms of billion-dollar company density, measured relative to population and economic output, across 74 countries and territories.

    Here are some key highlights from our report:

    • In March, we identified 5,522 publicly listed companies worldwide with a market value of at least $1 billion, with 1,873 headquartered in the United States. Three weeks after that, on March 8, the number of billion-dollar public companies dropped to 5,370, with just the U.S. losing 74 companies.
    • When adjusted for population, Monaco leads the world with 77 billion-dollar companies per million citizens, followed by Luxembourg (32) and Iceland (18).
    • Other countries with a large number of billion-dollar companies per million citizens are Switzerland with nearly 14, Sweden with 10.5, Singapore with close to 9, and Qatar with 8. Norway, Israel, and Denmark round up the top ten countries with nearly 8 companies per million people in Norway and Israel, while Denmark has 7.
    • Although the United States has the largest absolute number of billion-dollar companies, it ranks 16th globally on a per capita basis — trailing behind smaller, entrepreneurial economies like Ireland, Qatar, and Israel. The U.S. has roughly 5 billion-dollar companies per 1 million people.
    • Although the aggregate market capitalization of U.S.-based billion-dollar companies dropped to $51.75 trillion, this is still nearly double the size of the American economy.

    As volatility shakes larger markets, understanding where corporate strength is most concentrated can offer valuable insights for navigating the months ahead. Smaller, agile economies continue to punch well above their weight, signaling resilience and opportunity even as the broader market faces renewed pressure. A total of 13 countries saw a market wipeout of $100 billion or more within the past 22 days.

    These are the countries where companies have lost the most market capitalization:

    • United States – down $5.36 trillion to $51.75 trillion
    • China – down $923.6 billion to $6.87 trillion
    • Japan – down $433.9 billion to $4.68 trillion
    • Germany – down $289.1 billion $2.39 trillion
    • Taiwan – down $267.7 billion to $1.48 trillion
    • France – down $230.8 billion to $2.83 trillion
    • Switzerland – down $177.7 billion to $2.29 trillion
    • United Kingdom – down $170.5 billion to $3.47 trillion
    • Netherlands – down $149.7 billion to $1.17 trillion
    • Ireland – down $111.5 billion to $894.79 billion
    • Sweden – down $109.9 billion to $1.02 trillion
    • Hong Kong – down $108.5 billion to $835 billion
    • South Korea – down $105.6 billion to $932.9 billion.
    More detailed information about the economies with a high concentration of large-cap companies is available in the full report. It also includes the full methodology behind our findings. Feel free to use any data or graphics for publication by providing a proper link attribution to the original report. For more, see the Full Report: https://www.bestbrokers.com/forex-brokers/the-nations-with-the-most-billion-dollar-companies-per-capita-in-2025/

    MIL OSI – Submitted News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Bombardment, deprivation and displacement continue in Gaza

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    Hostilities across the Gaza Strip continue to take a devastating toll on the population, with daily reports of Israeli strikes killing and injuring many civilians, UN aid coordination office OCHA said on Thursday. 

    OCHA said dozens of people, including at least eight children, were killed in Gaza City on Wednesday after an Israeli strike hit a residential building. Many others are still missing under the rubble. 

    The agency stressed that civilians must be protected and should never be a target.

    Medical evacuations and displacement orders

    Israel’s total blockade on all commercial and lifesaving relief supplies remains in place, though the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed to some good news as 18 Gazans were medically evacuated for specialized treatment abroad. 

    The patients along with nearly 30 companions headed for Norway, Malta, Luxembourg and Romania via the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza on Wednesday.

    WHO noted, however, that some 12,500 patients in the enclave still need to be evacuated.

    Access to healthcare facilities has been impacted by displacement orders issued by the Israeli military and the safety of healthcare workers remains at risk.

    At least two medical professionals were reported killed as they left their health facility in Gaza City on Monday, according to OCHA.

    Today, 12 out of 17 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are partially functional and there is only one field hospital

    Blockade’s devastating impacts

    WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the dire health conditions in a media briefing on Thursday.

    He said the blockade, which took effect on 2 March, has prevented the entry of all food and medicine. Additionally, 75 per cent of UN missions within Gaza over the past week were denied or impeded.

    This blockade is leaving families hungry, malnourished, without clean water, shelter, and adequate healthcare, and increasing the risk of disease and death,” he said, speaking from WHO Headquarters in Geneva.

    He noted that during the recent “precious ceasefire” WHO was able to re-supply the Gaza health system as well as its warehouses. Stocks are now dangerously low and will run out within two to four weeks.

    Healthcare under attack

    Tedros said that “180,000 doses of routine childhood vaccines – enough to fully protect 60,000 children under the age of two – have not been allowed to enter, leaving newborns and young children at risk.”

    Furthermore, it is estimated that since the ceasefire collapsed, almost 1,500 people have been killed, including 500 children, and almost 400,000 people have been displaced again.

    “The health system is only functioning partially and is overwhelmed. Meanwhile, healthcare continues to be attacked,” Tedros said, recalling that more than 400 humanitarians have been killed since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023, following the deadly Hamas terror attacks in southern Israel.

    Looting on the rise

    As supplies inside the Gaza Strip near exhaustion and the situation becomes increasingly dire, there has been an increase in looting in recent days, OCHA said.  

    Several incidents were reported in Rafah, and Deir Al-Balah, and Al Zawaida earlier this week.

    OCHA once again reiterated the urgency of re-opening crossings to allow the entry of critical supplies. 

    Children going hungry

    Currently, more than 60,000 children are reportedly suffering from malnutrition at a time when community kitchens are rapidly running out of fuel and supplies.   

    Humanitarian partners are also warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. 

    The loss of water – together with the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock – are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations,” OCHA said.

    This week, humanitarian partners also identified more than a dozen unaccompanied and separated children and are doing everything possible to reunite them with their families. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty for Illegally Importing and Selling Sperm Whale Teeth and Bones

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, S.C. —Lauren H. Deloach, 69, of Saint Helena Island, has pleaded guilty to Lacey Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) charges for importing and selling sperm whale teeth and bones.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, DeLoach admitted to, from September 2021 through September 2024, importing sperm whale parts to South Carolina, including at least 30 shipments from Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine. Records showed that DeLoach instructed suppliers to label the items as “plastic” so they would not be seized by U.S. customs authorities. From July 2022 through September 2024, DeLoach acknowledged selling the teeth and bones in violation of the Lacey Act. He sold at least 85 items on eBay worth over $18,000, and agents seized approximately $20,000 worth of sperm whale parts from DeLoach’s residence during a search warrant.

    The MMPA prohibits importing any marine mammal, which includes whales, except for limited public display, scientific research, or enhancement of a species survival. The Lacey Act is the nation’s oldest wildlife protection law and makes it unlawful to sell any wildlife that was illegally imported.

    The sperm whale is the largest species of toothed whale, reaching up to 78 feet and 45 tons. Individuals prize their teeth and bones as decorations or as a scrimshaw or painting medium. Sperm whale have been listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered since 1970 and are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The United States and the countries from which imported DeLoach are signatories to CITES, an international agreement to protect fish, wildlife, and plants that are or may become threatened with extinction.

    “Illegal wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar global business that endangers protected animals and fuels organized crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “We will continue to enforce the Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act so vulnerable species like the sperm whale are not killed and sold for parts.”

    “Whales are among the world’s most iconic species, and they’re also among the most vulnerable to illegal harvest driven by commercialization. The illicit trade in sperm whale teeth and ear bones contributes to the monetization of at-risk marine mammal populations that America protects through federal laws and international treaties,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Doug Ault. “As part of ‘Operation Raw Deal’ — a nationwide crackdown on the illegal trade in whale parts — this investigation demonstrates our commitment to bringing justice to those who exploit protected wildlife for profit.”

    DeLoach faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the felony Lacey Act charge and a maximum sentence of one year in prison for the misdemeanor MMPA violation. United States District Judge David C. Norton accepted the guilty plea and will sentence DeLoach after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

    Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina, and Assistant Director Douglas Ault of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle Klein and Winston Holliday are prosecuting the case with Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Israel’s Actions ‘Threaten Syria’s Fragile Political Transition’, Senior Official Tells Security Council, Calling on All States to Respect Country’s Sovereignty

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Opportunity to Bring Syria Back to Peace, Legitimacy ‘Must Not Be Derailed as Result of Syria Regressing into Geopolitical Battlefield’, Delegate Stresses

    In the wake of hundreds of reported Israeli air strikes across Syria since 8 December 2024, the Israel Defense Forces’ public confirmation that it built multiple positions in the area of separation and statements by Israeli leaders on their intent to stay in Syria for the foreseeable future, senior UN officials told the Security Council today that all parties must uphold their obligations under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.

    “Such facts on the ground are not easily reversed — they do threaten Syria’s fragile political transition,” observed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations.  He pointed to reports of multiple Israeli air strikes across Syria on 3 April, as well as earlier indications by the authorities in Damascus on “not presenting threats to [Syria’s] neighbours and seeking peace on their borders”.  He also pointed to the Israel’s Defence Minister’s 3 April statement qualifying the strikes as “a warning for the future”.

    “Considering these developments”, he spotlighted the Council’s 14 March presidential statement calling on all States to respect Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity and to “refrain from any action or interference that may further destabilize Syria”.  Underscoring that the Council’s commitment to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity “grows in importance by the day”, he urged:  “Syria’s opportunity to stabilize after 14 years of conflict must be supported and protected, for Syrians and for Israelis, this is the only way regional peace and security can be realized.”

    Providing additional information, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said that the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) area of operations is characterized by significant violations of the Disengagement Agreement.  Israeli forces currently occupy 10 positions in the area of separation and 2 in the area of limitation.  They also continue to construct countermobility obstacles along the ceasefire line and have flown aircraft across the line and into the area of separation.

    Detailing the incident on 3 April, he said that UNDOF personnel observed the movement of Israeli troops in vehicles.  Such personnel later heard and observed multiple explosions, assessing them to be a result of Israeli artillery fire, likely in Nawa and Tasil.  It remains critical, he emphasized, that all parties uphold their obligations under the Disengagement Agreement — including by ending all unauthorized presence in the areas of separation and limitation — and he underscored:  “There should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation other than those of UNDOF.”

    As the floor opened, the representative of Algeria — also speaking for Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia — condemned Israel’s military operations in Syria as violations of international law.  “It is crucial to highlight that Syria has neither threatened nor attacked Israel,” he added.  “Upholding international law is not a matter of choice,” he underscored, stating that these escalatory actions — coupled with inflammatory statements by Israeli officials regarding the “indefinite” presence of their forces in Syria — “are contributing to instability and threatening regional peace and security”.

    “In the four months since the change of power in Damascus, Israel has already carried out more than 700 strikes targeting Syria,” said the representative of the Russian Federation, adding that the geographical span of these strikes has recently expanded.  He stressed:  “These actions are a gross violation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which under no circumstances need to be called into question — regardless of who holds power in Damascus.”

    Similarly, the representative of Pakistan said that Israel’s recent air strikes — flagrant violations of international law — “further undermine Syria’s pursuit of political stabilization and national reconciliation”.  Moreover, he pointed to a “deeply troubling pattern” of Israel’s continued, unprovoked military aggression, repeated violations of the Disengagement Agreement, illegal military presence in the area of separation and open declaration of indefinite occupation.  “The Security Council cannot allow illegal military actions to set dangerous precedents,” he urged.

    “The fragmentation of Syria is in no one’s interest,” said the representative of France, Council President for April, speaking in his national capacity.  He therefore joined others in calling on Israel to cease its military activities in Syrian territory, respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and withdraw from the area of separation.  In addition to making those calls, China’s representative said that “a smooth political transition is the key to restoring peace and stability in Syria and should be the primary goal of the joint efforts of all parties”.

    Several Council members underlined the deleterious effect that instability could have on that transition.  While acknowledging neighbouring countries’ interest in ensuring that events in Syria do not pose a risk to their security, Slovenia’s representative stressed:  “We remain convinced that external military interventions in the fragile moment of Syrian transition do not contribute to this legitimate objective — indeed, they could have a countereffect.”  The “historic opportunity” to bring Syria back to peace and legitimacy “must not be derailed as a result of Syria regressing into a geopolitical battlefield”, urged the representative of the Republic of Korea.

    “Events reported by different sources cause concern for a number of reasons,” said Panama’s representative — particularly when they result in mass casualties, significant material damage and generate a climate of greater uncertainty and instability “at a particularly delicate time for the country”.  He also expressed concern over the impact on civilians, underscoring the importance of guaranteeing the protection of civilians and respecting international humanitarian law “at all times”.

    “After 14 years of tyranny and conflict at the hands of the Assad regime, the Syrian people still face staggering humanitarian needs,” observed the representative of the United Kingdom, noting that her country has recently pledged up to $207 million in critical humanitarian assistance. “Our focus now should be on supporting Syrians to rebuild their country,” she stressed.  Similarly, the representative of Greece urged those present not to lose sight of Syria’s humanitarian crisis, highlighting the European Union’s overall commitment of some €2.5 billion for Syria’s recovery.

    Stating that Council members should all agree that a stable, sovereign Syria is “critical for our collective security”, the representative of the United States stressed:  “Israel has an inherent right of self-defence, including against terrorist groups operating close to its border.”  She urged the Council to “recommit itself to combating terrorism in Syria, call on Iran and other external actors to stop arming and advising terrorist groups, and urge regional States to rein in the actions of proxies who threaten regional peace and security”.

    Also acknowledging Israel’s legitimate security concerns, Denmark’s representative nevertheless expressed concern over its recent attacks in Syria.  Expressing support for UNDOF, which “has worked to address both Israel’s and Syria’s security concerns” for decades, she urged Israel to withdraw from the area of separation.  With both progress made and challenges present on Syria’s path to a new future, she stressed: “The international community — in particular this Council — has a responsibility to support the people of Syria on that path.”

    Syria’s representative, for his part, noted the “positive and constructive declarations and initiatives undertaken by Member States, international organizations and political groups to support Syria and its people”.  However, in parallel, Israel has challenged international efforts, threatened Syria’s territorial integrity and undermined Government efforts.  Citing the Secretary-General’s latest report, he pointed to “the incursion of the Israeli occupation forces into the buffer zone, the significant alteration of the situation therein and the impact on [UNDOF’s] operations since 8 December [2024]”.

    Israel is also threatening Syria’s water security, establishing military outposts for its forces and promoting tourist tours for settlers in the areas it has invaded, he stressed.  “This exposes the falsity of the occupation entity’s claims that its incursion is temporary and limited — it clearly reveals its aggressive and expansionist intentions,” he added.  Calling on the Council to end Israel’s ongoing aggression and compel its withdrawal from all Syrian lands, he concluded:  “Attempts to impose solutions by force — and to give precedence to the law of force over the force of law — are doomed to failure.”

    Meanwhile, the representative of Israel said:  “We will do whatever is necessary — for however long it takes — to prevent another 7 October [2023].”  Israel’s actions, he stressed, have been guided not by ambitions of expansion, but by necessity, security and prevention.  Pointing, as an example, to the Israel Defense Forces’ dismantling of an underground missile factory “constructed by Iran” in central Syria, he said that “this factory of death had already begun producing precision-guided missiles, several of which were subsequently used in attacks on Israeli territory by Hizbullah”.

    While underscoring that “Israel does not seek territorial gains in Syria”, he stated:  “Where threat exists, we will meet it without hesitation.”  For its part, Israel continues to coordinate with UNDOF under the framework of resolution 350 (1974).  He emphasized, however, that peacekeeping efforts alone cannot stop the spread of sophisticated weapons, intercept Iranian missile parts, dismantle terrorist tunnels or prevent the creation of launch sites embedded in civilian terrain. While Israel is committed to deconfliction and dialogue, he stressed:  “But we are also committed to the protection of our people, and that must take precedence when lives are at stake.”

    For his part, the representative of Libya spoke for the Arab Group to condemn Israel’s repeated aggression against Syria as “blatant” violations of international law.  “They are undoubtedly a threat to the peace and security of the entire region,” he stressed, calling on the international community — particularly the Council — to shoulder its legal and moral responsibility to pressure Israel to immediately cease its aggression and withdraw from all Syrian territory.

    Türkiye’s representative, stating that eliminating terrorist organizations in Syria “remains essential for lasting peace and unity”, stressed that all armed elements must surrender their weapons to the Syrian State, that all terrorist entities must be removed from Syrian territory and that security responsibilities for detention centres and camps in the country’s north-east must be swiftly transferred to the Syrian administration.  “Failure in Syria is not an option,” she said.

    __________

    * The 9895th Meeting was closed.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI: Proposal by the IL Fund to amend the terms of HFF bonds approved by bondholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    On 10th of April, a meeting of bondholders of HFF34 and HFF44 was held. At the meeting, a proposal was put forward for an amendment to the terms of the bonds, which permits the issuer to settle the bonds by delivery of certain assets. The proposal is the result of more than a year of negotiations between the advisors of 18 pension funds, which together hold the majority of the fund’s debt, and the negotiating committee of the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs.

    81.4% of the owners of the claim amount who voted at the meeting on the HFF34 category, approved the proposal, which is binding for all owners equally.

    81.6% of the owners of the claim amount who voted at the meeting on the HFF44 category, approved the proposal, which is binding for all owners equally.

    On 8th of April, a Supplementary Budget Bill, Parliamentary Document 367, was published on the website of the Parliament. If the bill becomes law, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs will have the necessary powers from Parliament to be able to enter into a settlement in accordance with the proposal, which is a prerequisite for the winding up of the IL Fund.

    According to the proposal, the issuer is expected to notify the creditor with at least seven days’ notice if the issuer decides to exercise the settlement authorisation. On June 14, 2025, the proposal expires.

    Daði Már Kristófersson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs:

    “I welcome the decision of the bondholders, which in most cases are domestic pension funds, to accept this offer to complete the settlement of the IL Fund. I would also like to take this opportunity to praise and thank all parties involved in the case for having solved this complex issue and come to a common conclusion for the good of Icelandic society.”

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Proposal by the IL Fund to amend the terms of HFF bonds approved by bondholders

    Source: Government of Iceland

    On 10th of April, a meeting of bondholders of HFF34 and HFF44 was held. At the meeting, a proposal was put forward for an amendment to the terms of the bonds, which permits the issuer to settle the bonds by delivery of certain assets. The proposal is the result of more than a year of negotiations between the advisors of 18 pension funds, which together hold the majority of the fund’s debt, and the negotiating committee of the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs.

    81.4% of the owners of the claim amount who voted at the meeting on the HFF34 category, approved the proposal, which is binding for all owners equally.

    81.6% of the owners of the claim amount who voted at the meeting on the HFF44 category, approved the proposal, which is binding for all owners equally.

    On 8th of April, a Supplementary Budget Bill, Parliamentary Document 367, was published on the website of the Parliament. If the bill becomes law, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs will have the necessary powers from Parliament to be able to enter into a settlement in accordance with the proposal, which is a prerequisite for the winding up of the IL Fund.

    According to the proposal, the issuer is expected to notify the creditor with at least seven days’ notice if the issuer decides to exercise the settlement authorisation. On June 14, 2025, the proposal expires.

    Daði Már Kristófersson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs:

    “I welcome the decision of the bondholders, which in most cases are domestic pension funds, to accept this offer to complete the settlement of the IL Fund. I would also like to take this opportunity to praise and thank all parties involved in the case for having solved this complex issue and come to a common conclusion for the good of Icelandic society.”

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Drug pollution in water is making salmon take more risks – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jack Brand, Researcher in Behavioural and Movement Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

    An Atlantic salmon smolt, ready for its seaward migration. Jörgen Wiklund

    “Out of sight, out of mind” is how we often treat what is flushed down our toilets. But the drugs we take, from anxiety medications to antibiotics, don’t simply vanish after leaving our bodies. Many are not fully removed by wastewater treatment systems and end up in rivers, lakes and streams, where they can linger and affect wildlife in unexpected ways.

    In our new study, we investigated how a sedative called clobazam, commonly prescribed for sleep and anxiety disorders, influences the migration of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from the River Dal in central Sweden to the Baltic Sea.

    Our findings suggest that even tiny traces of drugs in the environment can alter animal behaviour in ways that may shape their survival and success in the wild.

    A recent global survey of the world’s rivers found drugs were contaminating waterways on every continent – even Antarctica. These substances enter aquatic ecosystems not only through our everyday use, as active compounds pass through our bodies and into sewage systems, but also due to improper disposal and industrial effluents.

    To date, almost 1,000 different active pharmaceutical substances have been detected in environments worldwide.

    Particularly worrying is the fact that the biological targets of many of these drugs, such as receptors in the human brain, are also present in a wide variety of other species. That means animals in the wild can also be affected.

    In fact, research over the last several decades has demonstrated that pharmaceutical pollutants can disrupt a wide range of traits in animals, including their physiology, development and reproduction.

    Pharmaceutical pollution in the wild

    The behavioural effects of pharmaceutical pollutants have received relatively less attention, but laboratory studies show that a variety of these contaminants can change brain function and behaviour in fish and other animals. This is a major cause for concern, given that actions critical to survival, including avoiding predators, foraging for food and social interaction, can all be disrupted.

    Lab-based research has provided useful insights, but experimental conditions rarely reflect the complexity of nature. Environments are dynamic and difficult to predict, and animals often behave differently than they do in controlled settings. That’s why we set out to test the effects of pharmaceutical exposure in the wild.

    As part of a large field study in central Sweden, we attached implants that slowly released clobazam (a common pharmaceutical pollutant) and also miniature tracking transmitters to juvenile Atlantic salmon on their seaward migration through the Dal.

    The Dal is a large river in central Sweden that flows into the Baltic Sea.
    Michael Bertram

    We found that clobazam increased the success of this river-to-sea migration, as more clobazam-treated salmon reached the Baltic Sea compared with untreated fish. These clobazam-exposed salmon also took less time to pass through two major hydropower dams that often delay or block salmon migration.

    To better understand these changes, we followed up with a laboratory experiment which revealed that clobazam also altered how fish group and move together – what scientists call shoaling behaviour – when faced with a predator.

    This suggests that the migration changes observed in the wild may stem from drug-induced shifts in social dynamics and risk-taking behaviour.

    What does this mean for wildlife?

    Our study is among the first to show that pharmaceutical pollution can affect not just behaviour in the lab, but outcomes for animals in their natural environment.

    While an increase in migration success might initially sound like a positive effect, any disruption to natural behaviour can have ripple effects across ecosystems.

    Even seemingly beneficial changes to animal behaviour, like faster passage through barriers, can come at a cost. Changes to the timing of migrations, for instance, might lead fish to arrive at the sea when conditions are not ideal, or expose them to new predators and risks. Over time, these subtle shifts could influence the dynamics of entire populations and threaten the balance of ecosystems.

    Pharmaceuticals are vital for keeping people and animals healthy. But the accumulation of these drugs in rivers and lakes demands smarter approaches to keeping waterways clean.

    One part of the solution is upgrading wastewater treatment plants. Some advanced methods such as ozonation, which involves bubbling ozone gas through wastewater to break down pollutants, can be effective at removing pharmaceuticals. But such advanced treatment systems are often prohibitively expensive to install and out of reach for many regions.

    Another promising avenue is green chemistry: designing drugs that break down more easily in the environment or become less toxic after use. Our team has recently highlighted this as a key step toward reducing pharmaceutical pollution in the environment.

    Stronger regulations and better drug disposal practices can also help to prevent medications from ending up in waterways in the first place.

    There’s no single fix, but by advancing and integrating science, technology and policy, we can help to protect wildlife from the unintended effects of pharmaceutical pollution.


    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.


    Jack Brand receives funding from the Swedish Research Council Formas and the Carl Trygger Foundation.

    Michael Bertram receives funding from the Swedish Research Council Formas, the Kempe Foundations, the Marie-Claire Cronstedt Foundation, the ÅForsk Foundation, and the Baltic Salmon Foundation.

    ref. Drug pollution in water is making salmon take more risks – new research – https://theconversation.com/drug-pollution-in-water-is-making-salmon-take-more-risks-new-research-254312

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Economics: IADC’s First Geothermal Drilling Conference Draws a Crowd

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: IADC’s First Geothermal Drilling Conference Draws a Crowd

    The inaugural IADC Geothermal Drilling Conference & Exhibition took place 25-26 March in Vienna, Austria. Over 250 attendees showed up to take part in conversations about the future of geothermal drilling. 

    Opening and keynote presentations were given by: 

    • Angelika Zartl-Klik, Senior Vice President Low Carbon Business and Renewable Energy & Bernhard Novotny, Project Director Geothermal, OMV
    • Marit Brommer, Chief Executive Officer, International Geothermal Association
    • Bruce Gatherer, Business Development and Drilling Advisor, Iceland Drilling

    During the event, IADC and the International Geothermal Association signed a new MOU, ensuring future collaboration and further partnership in the advancement of geothermal.

    According to IGA CEO Marit Brommer:

    “To fully unlock geothermal’s potential, we must remove the bottlenecks—and permitting is at the top of the list. With IGA and IADC working side by side, we’re building the trust, alignment, and momentum needed to turn endorsement into action.” 

    Drilling Contractor Interviews from the 2025 IADC Geothermal Drilling Conference

    IADC completes inaugural Geothermal Conference in Vienna

    As an emerging source of renewable energy for the world, geothermal holds vast potential for drilling contractors not only in terms of new applications for existing drilling rigs but also in terms of potential contributions to the world’s carbon emissions reduction efforts.

    At IADC’s first-ever Geothermal Conference, held 25-26 March in Vienna, Austria, DC spoke with Lars Nydahl Jorgensen, IADC Regional Director for Europe and staff liaison for the IADC Geothermal Committee, about geothermal’s value proposition for the global drilling industry, as well as key takeaways from the conference.

    European Geothermal Energy Council: Few “tweaks” needed for geothermal to go mainstream

    While geothermal energy makes up a miniscule slice of the global energy mix today, it holds great potential that’s waiting to be tapped, and Sanjeev Kumar, Head of Policy at the European Geothermal Energy Council, said he believes only a few tweaks are needed to make geothermal go mainstream.

    Speaking with DC, Mr Kumar discussed the regulatory framework that currently exists for geothermal energy, as well as how European policymakers view geothermal versus other renewable energy sources. He also speaks to why “levelized cost of energy” may not be the best metric with which to analyze the potential for geothermal.

    OMV hosts IADC Geothermal Conference attendees at Hydros drilling site in Vienna

    On 27 March, OMV hosted nearly 100 attendees of the IADC Geothermal Conference on a tour of the Hydros geothermal project as it was drilling ahead within the city limits of Vienna, Austria.

    During the tour, DC spoke with Alexander Heger, Head of Well Delivery for OMV, about the status and goals of the pioneering project, as well as OMV’s views on the future of geothermal.

    IADC Geothermal Committee presents Well Classification system, previews Risk Index

    The IADC Geothermal Committee presented its recently launched Geothermal Well Classification at the inaugural Geothermal Conference. Scott Farmer, Committee Chairman and Well Engineering Manager for H&P, spoke with DC during the conference about the three levels of the classification system – project, site and well levels – as well as key feedback that has been received from the industry so far. He also provides a preview of the IADC Geothermal Well Risk Index, a beta version of which is expected to be launched later this year.

    Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, exhibited, sponsored, and organized this conference!

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: Treasury Bill Auction Announcement – RIKV 25 0716 – RIKV 25 1015

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Series RIKV 25 0716 RIKV 25 1015
    ISIN IS0000037117 IS0000037448
    Maturity Date 07/16/2025 10/15/2025
    Auction Date 04/14/2025 04/14/2025
    Settlement Date 04/16/2025 04/16/2025

    On the Auction Date, between 10:30 am and 11:00 am, the Government Debt Management will auction Treasury bills in the Series, with the ISIN numbers and with the Maturity Dates according to the table above. Payments for the Treasury bills must be received by the Central Bank before 14:00 on the Settlement Date and the Bills will be delivered in electronic form on the same day.

    Further reference is made to the General Terms of Icelandic Treasury bills and General Terms of Auction for Treasury bills on the Government Debt Management website.

    For additional information please contact Oddgeir Gunnarsson, Government Debt Management, at +354 569 9635.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Assessing the Global Climate in March 2025

    Source: US National Oceanographic Data Center

    March Highlights:

    Temperature

    The March global surface temperature was 2.36°F (1.31°C) above the 20th-century average of 54.9°F (12.7°C), making it the third-warmest March on record. According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Outlook, there is a 6% chance that 2025 will rank as the warmest year on record. 

    Land and Ocean Temperature Percentiles for March 2025 (°C). Red indicates warmer than average and blue indicates colder than average.

    It was the second-warmest March for the global land air temperature and the second-warmest March for the global ocean surface temperature. Europe and Oceania had their warmest Marches on record, and Africa ranked third warmest.

    March temperatures were above average across much of the global land surface, particularly over the Arctic, Alaska, the eastern U.S., most of Europe, northwest Africa, and Australia. Much of central Canada and eastern Asia were much colder than average, and a few other areas such as southern Africa were slightly below normal. Sea surface temperatures were above average over most areas, while parts of the eastern tropical Pacific and parts of the Southern Ocean were below average.

    Surface Temperature Departure from the 1991–2020 Average for March 2025 (°C). Red indicates warmer than average and blue indicates colder than average.

    Snow Cover

    The Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent in March was well below average, ranking seventh smallest on record. Snow cover over North America and Greenland was below average (by 170,000 square miles), and Eurasia was also below average (by 550,000 square miles). A lack of snow cover was particularly obvious over the United States and Europe.

    Sea Ice

    Global sea ice extent was the second smallest in the 47-year record at 6.60 million square miles, which was 780,000 square miles below the 1991–2020 average. Arctic sea ice extent was below average (by 340,000 square miles), ranking lowest on record and Antarctic extent was below average (by 440,000 square miles), ranking fourth lowest on record.

    Map of the Arctic (left) and Antarctic (right) sea ice extent in March 2025.Map of the Arctic (left) and Antarctic (right) sea ice extent in March 2025.Map of the Arctic (left) and Antarctic (right) sea ice extent in March 2025.Map of the Arctic (left) and Antarctic (right) sea ice extent in March 2025.

    Tropical Cyclones

    Eight named storms occurred across the globe in March, which was slightly above the long-term average of six. A record five named storms occurred in the southwestern Indian Ocean while four occurred in the Australian region (one storm traversed the two basins).


    For a more complete summary of climate conditions and events, see our March 2025 Global Climate Report or explore our Climate at a Glance Global Time Series.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran

    Source: Government of Iceland

    Iceland’s first session as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council 2025-2027 concluded on 5 April. 

    Thirty-two resolutions were adopted by the Human Rights Council during the 58th session after six weeks of negotiations. The resolution that addresses the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran put forward by a core group led by Iceland was adopted by vote with broad cross-regional support.

    “It is encouraging to see such strong support for the resolution on the human rights situation Iran led by Iceland. By adopting the resolution, the Human Rights Council expresses its support for the people of Iran and offers hope for accountability of the widespread human rights violations and abuses committed in the country,” says the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. The resolution was adopted by 24 votes in favor, 8 votes against and 15 abstentions. 

    The resolution renews the mandate of the Special Rapporteur to monitor and report regularly on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In addition, it extends and expands the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission (FFM) which Iceland initiated along with Germany, following the death in custody of Jina Mahsa Amini and the subsequent nationwide protests in the autumn of 2022. The fact-finding mission, together with the Special Rapporteur, provides valuable information on the number and nature of human rights violations in Iran, playing a key role in efforts to ensure accountability for those responsible for committing human rights violations and abuses.

    The 58th session of the Human Rights Council commenced with a high-level segment where Iceland’s Foreign Minister participated and addressed the Council. 

    Alongside several joint statements by the Nordic and Baltic states, which work closely together in the Council, Iceland also delivered a few national statements. Additionally, Iceland led and delivered a joint statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of countries calling for the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism with a comprehensive mandate and broad scope to complement the important work of the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan. All statements delivered by Iceland during this session can be found here.

    Further information about Iceland’s membership in the Human Rights Council can be found here

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tax Day highlights the costs of single living – but demographics are forcing financial change

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Peter McGraw, Professor of Marketing and Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder

    Tax Day is right around the corner – an annual reminder that without the option to file jointly, singles pay more per dollar earned than married people. Tax advantages are just one of over 1,000 legal and economic benefits married couples enjoy, a disparity worsened by marketplace and employer practices.

    Despite its disadvantages, single living is on the rise. While the average age of first marriage was just 21 in 1960, today it has risen to 29. Half the adults in the U.S. are unmarried, and half of them aren’t seeking a relationship. As many as a third of Zoomers may never tie the knot.

    But this shift is more than cultural – it’s redefining the rules of personal finance. Freed from the constraints of shared decision-making, single people are earning, spending and investing on their own terms.

    And as a behavioral economist who studies single living, I think this could mean big things for the future of money. As more people opt out of marriage, I expect that governments, businesses and financial systems will adapt – just as they did in response to women’s economic independence.

    The price of singlehood

    As a lifelong bachelor, I have a cheeky response when filing my taxes: “That’s the price of freedom.”

    For many singles, the price is too steep. More than half of singles over 30 feel financially insecure, one survey found, and their economic reality backs it up. For example, singles spend about US$5,500 more annually than their married peers – which adds up to more than $200,000 over a 40-year career.

    Some of the challenge is mathematical. Married couples split major expenses like housing, transportation and travel, and rely on dual incomes as a buffer against job loss or disability.

    Policy amplifies the financial burdens. One-person households are the most common type in the U.S., yet developers still prioritize building large single-family houses – driving up apartment and condo costs. Retirement presents another stark contrast. Singles can’t claim spousal or survivor Social Security benefits and solely fund their retirement.

    Employers design benefits around families – offering spousal coverage, dependent tax breaks and family leave. Single employees tend to shoulder more responsibilities yet receive 3.6 fewer paid days off per year than their married peers.

    In the marketplace – from travel to tech and insurance – businesses often price goods and services with couples and families in mind. Solo travelers often pay single supplements on cruises and tours. Streaming, phone and retail memberships offer “family plans” with no option for solo users subscribing as part of a group. Even auto insurance penalizes solo drivers – two-door cars cost 16% more to insure.

    The costs add up – but the news for singles isn’t all bad.

    Peter McGraw discusses living single in a financial system built for two.

    The financial upside of going solo

    I study how singles build financial security through the hallmarks of single living: autonomy and adaptability.

    An obvious financial factor is the cost of children. While some singles are parents, they’re far less likely than married couples to shoulder the expense of raising a child – an outlay of more than $300,000 per child before college.

    A key advantage: Singles have complete financial control. They choose how to earn, save and spend. There’s less risk of absorbing a partner’s credit card or student loan debt, covering for reckless spending, or facing the financial fallout of divorce.

    Career flexibility is another key advantage. Singles can more easily relocate for higher-paying jobs or lower-cost locales – freedom that enables powerful financial arbitrage. Many digital nomads, most of them single, choose countries with lower costs and better quality of life.

    Singles also have greater control over when and how they retire. Unlike couples, who must coordinate timing and strategies, singles have more freedom to retire early, ride out a down market, or ease into semiretirement.

    Building a financial system for everyone

    As a business school professor, I’ve seen how slow business and government can be to respond to demographic shifts. The tax system won’t change overnight – governments have long used the tax code to promote marriage – but other policies and practices will evolve. I believe the rise of singles – and the power of their votes and dollars – will make the status quo unsustainable.

    Scandinavia and parts of Asia are setting precedents. In Sweden, solo adults are recognized as a “family of one,” with access to housing support, parental leave and pension benefits – no marriage required. Smart companies will also adapt to recruit and retain singles, who make up a large portion of the labor force. I expect to see an expansion of single-inclusive offerings like caregiving leave, flexible work arrangements and individual-friendly health plans.

    Singles also build lifelong support systems outside marriage. Sweden again offers a glimpse of what might be: A landmark court case recently granted life insurance benefits to a platonic partner, proving that legal protections don’t have to hinge on romance.

    Housing remains another legacy system built for couples. While most new developments still prioritize single-family homes, markets like Japan and
    Hong Kong have embraced lower-cost micro-apartments with shared community spaces – an appealing model for solo dwellers. Some U.S. cities are beginning to experiment with similar designs, signaling a shift toward more inclusive urban housing.

    China’s celebration of solo living, Singles’ Day – held every year on 11/11 – is now the world’s largest e-commerce holiday, generating more sales than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. The company that created it, Alibaba, promotes deals on single-serve appliances, one-way flights and self-care bundles.

    Western companies are catching on: Travel brands are waiving singles supplements, restaurants are welcoming solo diners with dedicated seating, and telecom companies are rolling out “friends and family” plans that don’t require a romantic partner.

    Finally, I believe wealth management will respond to the rise of singles. While I’ve found that most financial advice still assumes that people will eventually marry, solo earners need different strategies, such as bigger emergency funds, flexible housing options and proactive estate planning. Expect a wave of financial products designed for solo living, from retirement tools to mortgages built for one.

    As singles become the majority in many countries, governments, businesses and financial institutions will adapt by necessity.

    The bottom line

    As an advocate for singles, I am an optimist. Yes, singles pay more on Tax Day – among other challenges. But they also have one undeniable advantage: financial freedom. Singles can do more than survive in a system built for two – they can thrive.

    Americans are not going back to the 1960s. As solo living becomes the norm, financial systems will evolve. Governments will face pressure to modernize policy, businesses will launch products and services for one-person households, and financial professionals will adapt to better serve solo earners.

    The institutions that recognize this shift first will shape the future – for everyone.

    I have a book (“Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own”) and a podcast (“Solo – The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life”) that are relevant to this article.

    ref. Tax Day highlights the costs of single living – but demographics are forcing financial change – https://theconversation.com/tax-day-highlights-the-costs-of-single-living-but-demographics-are-forcing-financial-change-254035

    MIL OSI – Global Reports