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  • MIL-OSI: Aurora Mobile’s GPTbots.ai Partners with EasyCraft to Expand AI Agent Markets Abroad

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, today announced that its leading enterprise AI agent platform, GPTbots.ai has recently entered into a strategic collaboration with EasyCraft. The partnership aims to deeply integrate AI-powered agents into business process automation, knowledge management, and multi-platform collaboration, redefining the boundaries of enterprise digital transformation.

    As a leading provider of information and business automation platforms, EasyCraft is dedicated to empowering traditional enterprises with innovative solutions, paving the way for smart office practices in the era of big data and AI. Through its centralized platform, EasyCraft enables companies to optimize operational efficiency, enhance team collaboration, and respond swiftly to market changes. The goal of this strategic alliance is to leverage the strengths of both companies to achieve comprehensive digital transformation in knowledge management, business process automation, and multi-platform collaboration.

    Key Highlights of the Partnership:

    • AI-Powered Workflow Automation: EasyCraft will integrate GPTbots.ai’s AI agents to optimize its workflow management system, offering intelligent approval processes, dynamic task assignments, and data-driven decision support. This solution will significantly enhance operational efficiency, enabling rapid responses and automated management, ensuring that teams can collaborate effectively at every stage.
    • Enhanced Third-Party Integration: GPTbots.ai’s AI agents will collaborate with EasyCraft’s Third-Party Integration Bus, enabling businesses to gain AI-driven insights across various business tools (such as CRM and ERP).
    • Multi-Device AI Accessibility: GPTbots.ai’s AI agent solutions will enhance EasyCraft’s PC and mobile multi-operating system experience. Through AI-driven virtual assistants, users will enjoy seamless interactions and support across different operating systems and devices, allowing for a more flexible working environment.
    • AI-Augmented Low-Code Development: The partnership will develop AI-driven business applications tailored for international markets, assisting enterprises in quickly building intelligent workflows through a low-code platform, unlocking the full potential of AI.
    • Revolutionary Knowledge Management: Leveraging GPTbots.ai’s AI agents, EasyCraft’s Knowledge Management System (KMS) will transform traditional knowledge retrieval methods, allowing enterprises to conduct in-depth, context-aware knowledge searches. With the implementation of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology, businesses will gain more precise insights and analyses from their internal knowledge bases, enhancing intelligent decision-making and supporting flexible application and innovation of knowledge.

    This collaboration will also include joint marketing initiatives, joint participation in international AI and enterprise technology forums, and customized solution packages for various industries, including financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail, further promoting AI adoption in the global markets.

    The deepening collaboration between GPTbots.ai and EasyCraft aims to provide enterprises with more flexible, efficient, and intelligent business solutions, helping them thrive in an AI-driven era. We look forward to exploring new possibilities together in the days ahead, advancing enterprise digital transformation hand in hand.

    About EasyCraft

    EasyCraft is a brand under FORTUNE DUO SDN. BHD. and a leading expert in intelligent digital office solutions. We provide a centralized information and business automation platform designed to empower enterprises with seamless workflow automation, third-party integrations, and low-code development. EasyCraft’s solutions help businesses optimize processes, enhance team collaboration, and swiftly adapt to market changes, driving digital transformation. Our goal is to leverage advanced technology and innovation to support traditional enterprises in thriving in the era of intelligent office solutions.

    About GPTBots.ai

    GPTBots.ai is a complementary general-purpose LLM AI bot featuring private data input and continuous fine-tuning, which can replace ‘rule-based’ chatbots, improve user experience, and reduce costs. GPTBots.ai aims to provide users with an end-to-end business platform that can seamlessly integrate robots into existing applications and workflows via plug-ins. GPTBots.ai also allow users to have great access to, and more efficiently and effectively using, AIGC to improve overall corporate productivity and output quality.

    To know more, please visit https://www.gptbots.ai.

    About Aurora Mobile Limited

    Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Aurora Mobile Limited 
    E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn

    Christensen

    In China
    Ms. Xiaoyan Su
    Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
    E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com

    In U.S.
    Ms. Linda Bergkamp
    Phone: +1-480-614-3004
    Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed9def4e-b8ad-4e94-a5d3-8e90911504e3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Minister and cricketers face off in ‘Battle of the Buses’, as government pledges to get buses back on track through new bill

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Minister and cricketers face off in ‘Battle of the Buses’, as government pledges to get buses back on track through new bill

    We’re determined to ensure our bus services stay safe, inclusive and comfortable for all passengers.

    • Local Transport Minister took part in a precision time trial at First Bus’ ‘Battle of the Buses’, which saw participants learn more about the learner bus driver test
    • Simon Lightwood meets apprentice drivers and competes alongside Essex cricketers Matt Critchley and Paul Walters, to understand elements of the learner driver test
    • £1 billion investment and incoming Bus Services Bill set to boost local control and unlock transport links, getting the country moving to drive growth through our Plan for Change

    A ‘Battle of the Buses’ saw Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, compete against pro cricketers to promote apprenticeships for the next generation of bus drivers, as the government accelerates journey to growth through our Plan for Change.

    Arranged by First Bus, one of the UK’s largest bus operators, the time trial event is designed to showcase the rigorous tests taken by learner bus drivers, emphasising the high skill level and rigorous standards expected of all staff.

    Minister Lightwood and pro-cricketers were put through their paces, tackling elements of the real-life driving test, including reversing, roundabouts and turning the bus without knocking over cones.

    Increasing opportunities for young people across the country is vital to drive up living standards and the government is supporting apprentices in the bus sector by including measures to enhance their training in the incoming Bus Services Bill.

    The event comes alongside £1 billion of investment to improve bus stop infrastructure, enhance bus service frequency and reliability and boost bus connectivity – and the incoming Bus Services Bill – which will deliver on the government’s Plan for Change by boosting local control of services, upskilling staff and better linking local people to job opportunities.

    The minister and Essex County cricketers, Paul Walter and Matt Critchley, were all scored on safety, speed, checking mirrors and using the correct turning signals. To understand the versatility required from learner drivers, they also took a 10-question theory test. Last week, the Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, also took part in the challenge, alongside Essex Women’s cricketers, Eva Gray, Cordelia Griffith and Kelly Castle.

    Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said: 

    Today has been a fantastic opportunity to better understand the commitment and skill required of our incredible bus driver apprentices up and down the country.  

    As the future of the industry, we’re determined to provide apprentice drivers with the skills they need to deal with challenges facing the bus sector and to ensure our bus services stay safe, inclusive and comfortable for all passengers.

    Delivering better bus services will ensure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities, putting more money in their pockets and powering growth in every corner of the country.

    As part of the incoming Bus Services Bill, all bus staff will get mandatory training on improving women’s safety by responding to anti-social behaviour and incidents of violence against women and girls. The bill will be introduced in the House of Commons shortly and will support the government’s mission to keep our streets safe by also giving local authorities new powers to crack down on offenders.  

    The bill will also hand control to local leaders to operate bus services to deliver the reliability that local people deserve, whether they choose to emulate the achievements of Manchester’s Bee Network by taking operations fully in house or work closely with operators to improve bus services, which has had great success in Cornwall.  

    Piers Marlow, Managing Director of First Bus East of England, said:

    This is a fantastic and fun challenge for our partners at Essex County Cricket and the Department for Transport, but it also highlights the incredible skill required to be a bus driver.

    At First Bus, we place a huge emphasis on training to ensure our drivers are equipped with the expertise and confidence to navigate our roads safely and efficiently. Events like this help to showcase the professionalism of our drivers and the importance of ongoing development across the industry.

    Paul Walter, Essex County Cricket Club all-rounder, said:

    The Battle of the Buses challenge was a lot of fun. I didn’t realise how tough driving a bus would be, it felt like something out of Top Gear, with the leaderboard, obstacles and the First Bus Stig.

    We’re all naturally competitive and it’s always good to get one over a teammate. I also really enjoyed going head-to-head with Critch [Matt Critchley] and I understand that Kelly, Cordelia and Eva got on great.

    Thank you to First Bus for having us down for the day.

    A measure is also included to push ahead with a bright, new and clean future for the sector, by ending the use of new diesel and petrol buses on English bus services by 2030, heralding a green new era for buses across the country,

    The government is ensuring that industry bosses and local leaders have a voice by hosting panel sessions, the first of which took in Sheffield on 13 March 2025. This discussion considered how British manufacturing of new zero emission buses will grow our regional economies and drive up quality of life, as outlined in the Plan for Change.  

    Local authorities are also currently being supported with £1 billion in bus service improvement funding, including £17.8 million for Essex County Council to maintain and improve bus services and enhance infrastructure. They are expected to outline their full plans for the funding in due course.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

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    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: GAM announces 2024 full year results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    26 March 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 Listing Rules:

    GAM announces 2024 full year results

    Strong progress in implementing turnaround strategy. GAM continues to target profitability in fiscal year 2026.

    Financial Highlights for Full Year 2024

    • IFRS net loss of CHF 70.9 million compared to CHF 82.1 million for FY 2023.
    • Underlying loss before tax of CHF 66.8 million compared to CHF 49.5 million for FY 2023.
    • AuM at CHF 16.3 billion compared to CHF 19.3 billion as at 31 December 2023.
    • Cost optimisation initiatives across the business resulted in a 20% decrease in underlying expenses compared to FY 2023. The full impact of these cost optimisation initiatives will be reflected in FY 2025 and beyond.
    • Successful CHF 100 million rights issue completed in November 2024, which resulted in our anchor shareholder, NJJ Holding SAS (through its holding in Rock Investment SAS (“Rock”)) becoming our majority shareholder.
    • The maturity of the existing CHF 100 million Rock loan facility has been extended until 31 December 2027.
    • GAM is now a highly scalable pure investment platform with strong global distribution capabilities focusing on three core areas to drive sustainable growth and profitability: Specialist Active Investing, Alternative Investing and Wealth Management.
    • GAM continues to target profitability in fiscal year 2026.

    Strategic Highlights

    • Launched GAM Alternatives, providing access to in-house and third-party alternative managers focusing on absolute return strategies and best-in-class talent.
    • A new, high performing and successful European Equity team joins GAM in 2025.
    • Partnering with Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd to drive growth and enhance our distribution capabilities across Greater China including Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau.
    • In 2025, GAM will continue to partner with best-in-class external managers, to include the development of new products and the distribution of their own existing products to GAM clients.

    Elmar Zumbuehl, Group CEO at GAM said: “We have made strong progress in implementing GAM’s turnaround strategy and have now evolved into being a pure play investment management firm, but we are not finished yet. The cost optimisation initiatives implemented in 2024 will yield their full benefit in 2025 and beyond. While we stay focused on further cost optimisation, our main emphasis is growing our AuM and revenues as we continue our turnaround. With an unwavering commitment to our clients, and an expanding suite of innovative and distinctive products, we continue to build positive momentum and strengthen our market position. Backed by our majority shareholder, we continue to target profitability in fiscal year 2026 and remain focussed on delivering for our clients and all our stakeholders.”

    Summary Financials

    In 2024, we reported IFRS net loss after tax of CHF 70.9 million, compared with an IFRS net loss after tax of CHF 82.1 million in 2023. The loss in 2024 was mainly driven by the underlying net loss after tax of CHF 66.9 million.

    Please refer to the ‘Financial Results for FY 2024’ section later in this press release for full information.

    Financial Strength

    In November 2024, GAM completed its CHF 100 million fully underwritten ordinary capital increase by way of a rights issue to support the implementation of GAM’s strategy and provide long-term financial stability. Given Rock’s underwriting commitment, NJJ Holding SA (indirectly) is now the majority shareholder of GAM following the rights issue.

    The existing CHF 100 million Rock loan facility remains in place with its maturity extended to 31 December 2027.

    Strategy Update

    GAM’s strategy is designed to achieve sustainable growth and profitability by delivering best possible investment performance and exemplary service for our clients by focusing on our Investment and Wealth Management capabilities. The four pillars of our strategy remain:

    • Focusing on clients in existing core markets;
    • Amplifying and growing core active equity, fixed income and multi-asset strategies by investing in talent and product ideas;
    • Diversifying into new investment product areas and our Wealth Management offering by leveraging GAM’s heritage in active management, building strategic partnerships, and its alternatives and hedge funds platform; and
    • Enhancing effectiveness by reducing complexity.

    GAM is now focusing exclusively on its Investment (Specialist Active and Alternatives) and Wealth Management businesses, expanding its distribution reach and capabilities, amplifying its core active strategies, and diversifying into new product areas, including building out our higher margin alternatives capabilities.

    We have made strong progress throughout 2024 on our four-pillar strategy to transform GAM into a focused, client-centric, and profitable business.

    Focusing on clients

    Focusing on our clients in our existing core markets has been the most important way to rebuild GAM. In key markets where we have clients, but lack scalable distribution, we have, and will continue to, add partnerships to support our growth strategy and provide a broader range of client’s access to unparalleled investment expertise, opportunities, and exceptional outcomes across specialist active and alternative investment strategies.

    We established a strategic alliance with Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd. to grow our client base, distribute our products, and innovate our alternatives offering across the Greater China region, including Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau.

    We have also enhanced our regional presence and client coverage by hiring new Heads of Distribution across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Iberia, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and France to drive our local market presence. This significant investment into our client facing teams will enable GAM to provide clients with excellent local contacts, strong relationship management and access to unparalleled investment expertise targeting exceptional outcomes.

    We additionally expanded our client reach through opening a second US office in Miami to cover the US international and Latin American markets and we are close to gaining customary approvals to open our planned branches in Paris and Milan.

    Amplifying and growing core active equity, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies by investing in talent and product ideas

    We are enhancing our capabilities by recruiting first-class investment talent in alternatives, systematic and equities teams.

    We have established a multi-asset centre of excellence in a global team to optimise all our multi-asset investment capabilities, enhance client outcomes, and align with evolving market dynamics and client needs. The high quality and excellent performance of this team will allow GAM to grow its wealth management business.

    In February 2025, we announced the hiring of three high performing and successful European Equity team members from Janus Henderson Investors. These strategic hires underscore GAM’s steadfast dedication to providing clients with access to unparalleled investment expertise and exceptional outcomes. The team brings extensive experience, having managed over EUR 6.5 billion in European Equity funds on behalf of institutional and retail clients globally.

    In addition, we have strengthened our sustainability and stewardship practices, meeting the principles of the UK and Swiss Stewardship Codes. Today GAM released its 2024 Sustainability Report which is available at www.gam.com

    Diversifying into new investment products while expanding the wealth management offering by leveraging GAM’s heritage in active management, strategic partnerships, and its alternatives and hedge funds platform

    Randel Freeman joined GAM in 2024 as Co-head / Co-CIO of GAM Alternatives to build out our alternative investments platform to meet growing investor demand with differentiated offerings. In addition, in 2025, we hired two senior sales specialists with deep experience in Alternatives distribution.

    In 2024, we launched GAM funds to introduce and distribute Avenue Capital’s Sports Opportunities fund, plus partnered with Arcus Investment to distribute their Japanese long/short equities fund. GAM also partnered with world leading Trafigura Group’s subsidiary Galena Asset Management to manage the GAM Commodities fund providing best-in-class sector expertise. This provides our clients access to exclusive and attractive commodity investment opportunities.

    We are launching the GAM LSA Private Shares strategy in Europe to provide access for European clients to this award-winning evergreen, late-stage private equity fund.

    Throughout 2025, GAM will be assessing M&A opportunities to enhance existing offerings, attracting best-in-class long-term strategic partnerships, and recruiting top talent to our core business areas globally.

    Enhancing effectiveness by reducing complexity

    Following the transfer of our fund services business for third-party funds we also successfully transitioned our Luxembourg, Irish and Swiss fund management company (ManCo) activities to Apex Group and 1741 Group in Q4 2024. In addition, we consolidated our operations onto our cloud based SimCorp investment management platform. GAM now operates on a global platform that delivers operational efficiencies.

    These implementations pave the way to a much less complex operating model underpinning and delivering best outcomes for our clients.

    GAM is now a highly scalable global investment platform with strong global distribution capabilities focusing on three core areas to drive sustainable growth and profitability: Specialist Active Investing, Alternative Investing and Wealth Management.

    Business Areas

    GAM Investments is focused on three core business areas to drive sustainable growth and profitability:

    • GAM Specialist Active: Deep expertise, experience and specialisms unlocking core and niche returns in equities, fixed income, and multi-asset investing;
    • GAM Alternatives: Access to in-house and third-party alternative investment managers focusing on absolute return strategies and best-in-class talent; and
    • GAM Wealth Management: Multi-asset solutions with tailored portfolios for high-net-worth individuals, charities and trusts, utilising best-of-breed GAM and third-party products.

    These three core business areas share and benefit from GAM’s global platform and agile operating model and modern technology.

    Investment Performance

    GAM has continued to deliver strong overall investment performance across our diverse and distinctive products, with 64% of assets under management (AuM) outperforming their three-year benchmark and 89% outperforming their five-year benchmark, as at 31 December 2024. Despite some weaker short-term performance in equities, the longer-term 5-year performance remains strong.

    Percentage of GAM Fund AuM Outperforming Benchmark

        3 years 3 years 5 years 5 years
    Business Area Asset Class 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023
    Specialist Active Fixed income 94% 98% 95% 91%
    Specialist Active Equity 1% 39% 79% 59%
    Alternatives Alternatives 60% 73% 75% 96%
    Total   64% 78% 89% 81%

    % of AuM in funds outperforming their benchmark (excluding mandates and segregated accounts) across our business areas. Three- and five-year investment performance based on applicable AuM of CHF 9.0 billion and CHF 9.0 billion, respectively.

    Compared to our peer group performance remained strong, 66% of AuM outperformed their three-year Morningstar peer group and 82% outperformed their five-year Morningstar peer group, as at 31 December 2024.

    Percentage of GAM Fund AuM Outperforming Morningstar Peer Group

        3 years 3 years 5 years 5 years
    Business Area Asset Class 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023
    Specialist Active Fixed income 61% 53% 60% 50%
    Specialist Active Equity 20% 51% 89% 89%
    Alternatives Alternatives 91% 89% 95% 96%
    Total   66% 66% 82% 76%

    GAM continues to be recognised for its investment performance, including having been awarded the overall best European small group 2025 by Lipper. Four GAM funds (including two funds of our Swiss Equity strategy) won Lipper’s 2025 top performance awards across multiple countries. For the second time, at the Citywire Investment Performance Awards, GAM Multi-asset won the Best Large Firm Award. GAM won the Wealth Management PAM 2024 award for its growth portfolios. GAM’s Sustainable Climate Bond strategy won and was chosen as the best ESG Investment Fund in the Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds category at the ESG Investing Awards 2024. For further details on these and other awards please visit http://www.gam.com/awards.

    Assets Under Management and Net Flows by Business Area

    Total AuM were CHF 16.3 billion as at 31 December 2024, compared to CHF 19.3 billion as at 31 December 2023. Net outflows of CHF 4.4 billion were partially offset by positive market and foreign exchange movements of CHF 2.0 billion.

    Business Area Opening AuM
    1 Jan 2024    		 Net
    flows    		 Disposal(1) Market/FX
    movements    		 Closing AuM
    31 Dec 2024
    Specialist Active 17.5 (3.9) (0.6) 1.9 14.9
    Alternatives 0.9 (0.4)   – 0.5
    Wealth Management 0.9 (0.1)   0.1 0.9
    Total 19.3 (4.4) (0.6) 2.0 16.3
    (1) In the second half of 2024, the sale of the UK Equity Income Fund to Jupiter Asset Management completed and subsequently is reflected as a disposal. Therefore, net outflows of CHF 0.6 billion in 2024 have been reflected as a disposal.

    Financial Results for FY 2024

    The average management fee margin earned on investment management AuM in 2024 was 40.4 basis points, compared with the average margin for the financial year 2023 of 49.7 basis points. The change in average management fee margin primarily reflects the mix of assets under management across products and sub-advisory agreements with existing and new partners.

    Net management fees and commissions in 2024 totalled CHF 75.9 million, down from CHF 124.4 million in 2023 due primarily to the sale of the third-party fund services business in January 2024, lower average AuM and reduced average management fee margin in investment management.

    Underlying net performance fees totalled CHF 1.9 million, down from CHF 4.8 million in 2023.

    Underlying net other income/expenses includes net interest income and expenses, the impact of foreign exchange movements, net gains and losses on seed capital investments and hedging, as well as fund-related fees and service charges. In 2024, a net loss of CHF 2.3 million was recognised, compared with a CHF 0.4 million net loss in 2023. The 2024 net loss was mainly driven by the interest expenses incurred on the Rock Investment SAS loan facility and the impact of foreign exchange movements. The IFRS net other expense in 2024 amounts to CHF 4.4 million. The difference between the underlying and the IFRS net other expense of CHF 2.1 million mainly relates to a net foreign exchange loss on pension loan note offset by other income driven by the assignment of the UK property lease to a third party.

    Underlying personnel expenses decreased by 26% to CHF 76.6 million in 2024, compared with CHF 96.8 million in 2023. Fixed personnel costs decreased by 28%, driven by lower headcount. Headcount stood at 294 FTEs as at 31 December 2024, compared to 478 FTEs as at 31 December 2023. Variable compensation in 2024 fell to CHF 11.2 million from CHF 13.1 million in 2023, mainly driven by lower management and performance fees which impacted variable compensation arrangements. The underlying personnel expenses compares to IFRS personnel expenses of CHF 81.0 million. The difference between the underlying and the IFRS personnel expenses of CHF 4.4 million primarily relates to a reorganisation charge. (For further information, see note 6 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements).

    Underlying general expenses in 2024 were CHF 52.1 million, down from CHF 65.0 million in 2023 due to cost optimisations initiatives across the business. This compares to IFRS general expenses of CHF 54.0 million. The difference between the underlying and the IFRS general expenses of CHF 1.9 million mainly relates to the Group’s reorganisation initiatives.

    Underlying depreciation and amortisation charges were CHF 13.8 million in 2024 compared to CHF 16.5 million in 2023. There is no difference between underlying and IFRS amounts.

    The underlying pre-tax loss in 2024 was CHF 66.8 million, compared to a CHF 49.5 million underlying pre-tax loss in 2023. The higher loss was driven mainly by lower net fee and commission income being only partially offset by lower personnel and general expenses. The underlying loss compares to an IFRS net loss before tax of CHF 69.6 million. The difference of CHF 2.8 million mainly relates to the remeasurement of the brand intangible, strategic initiative expenses and foreign exchange loss on pension loan note. (For further information, see note 6 of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements).

    The underlying income taxes in 2024 was a tax expense of CHF 0.1 million compared to a tax expense of CHF 0.3 million in 2023.

    Diluted underlying losses per share in 2024 was a negative CHF 0.25, compared to a negative of CHF 0.32 in 2023. This compares to a diluted IFRS earnings per share of negative CHF 0.27 in 2024. The difference between the diluted underlying and the diluted IFRS earnings per share of CHF 0.02 relates to the lower underlying net loss.

    Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2024 were CHF 65.1 million, down from CHF 87.2 million as at 31 December 2023.This reduction was driven by the losses made by the Group partially offset by the proceeds received from the ordinary capital increase made by way of a rights offering in November 2024.

    Adjusted tangible equity as at 31 December 2024 was CHF 58.5 million, up from CHF 20.9 million as at 31 December 2023.The main contributor to this increase was ordinary capital increase by way of a rights issue that took place in November 2024. See page 17 of our Annual Report 2024 for full definition of adjusted tangible equity.

    The Board of Directors proposes to shareholders that no dividend will be paid for financial year 2024 given the underlying net loss in 2024.

    Outlook

    GAM continues to focus on implementing its strategy. Our priority is to achieve sustainable overall positive net inflows by rebuilding GAM’s distribution capabilities with a focus on our existing products and new product launches. The timeline for achieving these net inflows will be driven by our success in delivering our strategy, subject to market conditions. GAM continues to target profitability in fiscal year 2026.

    Additional information

    Results Centre | [FY2024 year report] | [FY2024 Investor presentation] | [FY2024 Investor workbook] | [2024 Sustainability Report] | [GAM corporate calendar]

    Investor Relations        
    Magdalena Czyzowska        
    T +44 (0) 207 917 2508            		 Media Relations        
    Colin Bennett        
    T +44 (0) 207 393 8544

    Visit us: www.gam.com
    Follow us: X and LinkedIn

    About GAM Investments

    GAM Investments is a highly scalable global investment platform with strong global distribution capabilities focusing on three core areas, Specialist Active Investing, Alternative Investing and Wealth Management, that is listed in Switzerland. It delivers distinctive and differentiated investment solutions across its Investment and Wealth Management businesses. Its purpose is to protect and enhance clients’ financial future. It attracts and empowers brightest minds to provide investment leadership, innovation and a positive impact on society and the environment. Total assets under management were CHF 16.3 billion as of 31 December 2024. GAM Investments has global distribution with offices in 14 countries and is geographically diverse with clients in almost every continent. Headquartered in Zurich, GAM Investments was founded in 1983 and its registered office is at Hardstrasse 201 Zurich, 8037 Switzerland. For more information about GAM Investments, please visit www.gam.com

    Other Important Information

    This release contains or may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “aim”, “project”, “forecast”, “risk”, “likely”, “intend”, “outlook”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “continue”, “plan”, “probability”, “indicative”, “seek”, “target”, “plan” and other similar expressions are intended to or may identify forward-looking statements.

    Any such statements in this release speak only as of the date hereof and are based on assumptions and contingencies subject to change without notice, as are statements about market and industry trends, projections, guidance, and estimates. Any forward-looking statements in this release are not indications, guarantees, assurances or predictions of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the person making such statements, its affiliates and its and their directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors and may involve significant elements of subjective judgement and assumptions as to future events which may or may not be correct and may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such statements. You are strongly cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and no person accepts or assumes any liability in connection therewith.

    This release is not a financial product or investment advice, a recommendation to acquire, exchange or dispose of securities or accounting, legal or tax advice. It has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, legal, financial or tax situation and needs of individuals. Before making an investment decision, individuals should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to their own objectives, legal, financial and tax situation and needs and seek legal, tax and other advice as appropriate for their individual needs and jurisdiction.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How Netflix has shaped (and shattered) our content landscape over the past decade – and what comes next

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexa Scarlata, Research Fellow, Media & Communication, RMIT University

    Shutterstock

    To mark 10 years since Netflix began operating in Australia, we and our colleagues at the Streaming Industries and Genres Network have published a report that looks at the state of Australia’s streaming industry today – and back at the platforms that have failed over the years.

    It once seemed like Netflix was the be-all and end-all of streaming in Australia. But a decade of competition with other streamers, and stress on local content, paint a very different picture.

    The streaming wars rage on

    Australia’s “streaming wars” kicked off in early 2015 with the arrival of Stan and Netflix, joining smaller players already on the scene. At the time, some industry insiders predicted the new streaming video-on-demand services would quickly consolidate – that there was room for only two major players: Netflix and one other.

    These early assumptions were proven wrong. Instead, Australia has sustained numerous streamers of different sizes, audiences and ownership. The larger, more generalist services such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ compete directly with each other for exclusive content.

    Other niche genre players such as Shudder (horror) and Hayu (reality TV) have managed to stay afloat by catering to a specific audience segment and keeping their prices low.

    There have also been a few fatalities along the way. Quickflix and Presto were early to the market. Both services had gained considerable ground by 2014, with Quicklix leading the way. But they were eventually viewed as sluggish and limited in comparison to Netflix.

    Netflix always on top

    Netflix has always been the most popular streaming service in Australia. One million users had access to the platform within just three months of its arrival in 2015.

    In 2020, analytics firm Ampere Analysis identified Australia as the most highly-penetrated Netflix market in the world, then available in 63% of Australian homes, compared to 50% in the United States.

    In the first half of 2024, it was used by 67% of Australian adults, including some 800,000 people with an ad-tier subscription.

    The global behemoth has produced some notable local titles.

    In January of last year, the series adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe became Netflix’s most successful Australian-made show in its first two weeks on the platform.

    Later in April, the second season of the Heartbreak High reboot debuted at number one in Australia and stayed on the Global Top 10 English TV Series list for three consecutive weeks.



    Read more:
    Streaming, surveillance and the power of suggestion: the hidden cost of 10 years of Netflix

    Collectively, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+ and Stan spent A$225.2 million on 55 commissioned or co-commissioned Australian programs in the 2023–24 financial year.

    That said, their commitment to the local production sector over the last decade has been limited, as they have no obligation to invest in local content.

    A lack of regulation decimates local genres

    The lack of streaming regulation in Australia, alongside the gradual watering-down of commercial broadcaster obligations, has resulted in the collapse of investment in local content.

    Children’s TV, documentary, drama TV programming and Australian film have all suffered as a result.

    The introduction of multi-national streamers has radically shifted financing practices in Australia, leaving our production sector in distress.

    Last year, we partnered with ACMI to pull together a symposium where streaming industry insiders discussed the deeper implications of streaming on local genres, as well as the opportunities and challenges ahead.

    We heard from Andy Barclay, manager of business and legal affairs at Screen Producer Australia, who said the traditional “jigsaw puzzle” of finance planning based on international territories was all but gone in favour of major streamers offering full funding and “a little premium” upfront.

    But this comes at a cost, as the streamers then control global distribution and hold a tight grip on viewership data. It also means local production can become beholden to the whims of US business interests. As Barclay explain:

    These huge [streaming] companies, their Australian businesses […] we don’t drive their business decisions. It’s what happens over in the United States that drives their business decisions.

    Nonetheless, having fresh, cash-rich and risk-taking players in the Australian content market has led to opportunities for some local creators.

    As Sam Lingham of Australian comedy group Aunty Donna remarked on the same panel:

    Netflix, creatively, were pretty hands-off. We pitched them the show and they were like, ‘yeah, go do that’.

    What’s on the horizon?

    The streaming sector in Australia is now poised to splinter even further.

    Warner Bros Discovery will launch its streaming platform, Max, next week. It will be a real blow to the Foxtel-owned streamer, Binge, which has long touted its exclusive rights to much of the Warner catalogue.

    There are also concerns about the access and affordability of sport. This year, a new AFL broadcast agreement with Fox Sports and Channel Seven saw Saturday night games move behind a paywall. People will now need Kayo Sports or Foxtel to watch these games live.

    Big streamers have also entered the fray. Back in 2016, Netflix said it had no intention of investing in live sport. But we’re now seeing it and other players such as Prime Video, Apple TV+ and YouTube buy into sports rights around the world.

    According to Free TV Chief Executive Bridget Fair

    we saw it [in 2023] with Amazon hoovering up the whole of the World Cup cricket and it’s going to keep happening […] people who previously got a lot of stuff for free are going to have to start paying.

    Finally, many streamers – Netflix, Binge, Prime Video and Stan – have introduced or announced that they will introduce ad-tier subscriptions. Streamers can expect to see better profit margins on their advertising-supported offerings, compared to the monthly subscription model.

    Cheaper, ad-supported subscriptions may prove to be a popular option for viewers stacking multiple subscriptions. Already, 800,000 Australians have signed up to Netflix’s A$7.99 + ads option. But this does make for a disrupted, broadcast-like viewing experience (and one you still have to pay for).

    As the last 10 years of streaming in Australia has shown, the future can be hard to predict when it comes to new players entering established markets. One thing seems certain though – Netflix is here to stay.

    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. How Netflix has shaped (and shattered) our content landscape over the past decade – and what comes next – https://theconversation.com/how-netflix-has-shaped-and-shattered-our-content-landscape-over-the-past-decade-and-what-comes-next-251471

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Culture – Arts and creative sector continues to make strong contribution to economy – new data shows

    Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

    New data released by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage shows the arts and creative sector contributes $17.5 billion to New Zealand’s economy, or 4.2 percent of GDP. The data, updated annually, includes insights for the year ending March 2024.
    “The arts and creative sector make a significant contribution to the lives of all New Zealanders, and it’s great to be able to measure economic impacts as part of our wider insights programme,” says Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae.
    “Overall, the GDP contribution remains relatively steady in comparison to last year. There has been a slight increase in the number of people employed and number of businesses within the sector.
    “We’ve worked with Infometrics to capture these statistics and the economic breakdowns. This data is valuable, as it gives us a good indication of how the arts and cultural sectors are faring against the rest of the economy.”
    Leauanae says: “For the first time, we’ve published specific data about New Zealand’s heritage sector. The heritage sector contributes $5.1 billion to GDP, employing just under 36,000 people.”
    Key statistics from the Infometrics economic sector profiles:
    • The arts sector’s GDP contribution grew by 2.5 percent from the previous year – compared to a 1.4 percent growth for the total economy. 
    • The data is beginning to reflect the ongoing challenges in the media sector, which had negative GDP growth of -1.9 percent and employment growth of -0.9 percent. The slight decrease in GDP across the arts and creative sector overall is -0.3 percent.
    • There are 117,912 people employed in the wider arts and creative sector. We expect just under 8,700 new jobs will be created by 2030.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKPF conducts inter-departmental tabletop exercise to strengthen collaboration and responsiveness in transportation services near KTSP (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    HKPF conducts inter-departmental tabletop exercise to strengthen collaboration and responsiveness in transportation services near KTSP  
         The exercise built on insights from the first phase of the tabletop exercise completed on October 25, 2024, and data collected from a number of subsequent large-scale test events and stress tests, which showed approximately 70 per cent of participants chose to take the MTR Tuen Ma Line during large-scale events at the KTSP. As such, this exercise, which was based on the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens simulated different emergency scenarios involving train operations and signal systems at nearby MTR stations,  causing varying degrees of impact to the MTR Tuen Ma Line service.
     
         The exercise aimed to enhance stakeholders’ ability to immediately deploy manpower, implement appropriate contingency measures, and coordinate inter-departmental actions according to different emergency situations, so as to minimise impacts on participants of large-scale events and local residents near the KTSP, as well as ensuring their safety and smooth mobility.
     
         Supported by 13 government bureaux, departments and relevant organisations, over 150 representatives participated in the exercise, including personnel from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Security Bureau, the HKPF, the Fire Services Department, the Hospital Authority, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Transport Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Home Affairs Department (Wong Tai Sin District Office and Kowloon City District Office), the MTR Corporation Limited and the KTSP Limited.
    Issued at HKT 21:35

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by Acting CE at Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit Principal Dinner (English only) (with photo/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by Acting CE at Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit Principal Dinner (English only) (with photo) 
    Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good evening. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to tonight’s Principal Dinner, on the eve of the third annual Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit.
     
    Allow me to begin by thanking our Hong Kong dancers for their elegant and innovative approach to the traditional Chinese lion dance – tonight performed as a lion ballet dance. That mingling of Asian and Western cultures is very much in keeping with today’s Hong Kong, the world’s rising East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
     
    Hong Kong’s singular role as a gainful bridge between East and West is why many of you are here, with us, from all over the world – from Mainland China and throughout Asia, from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and beyond. And while our Chief Executive, John Lee, is unfortunately away on a duty visit, I am delighted to be your host for this evening’s gala dinner.
     
    Over these next few days, I invite you to immerse yourselves in all that Hong Kong has to offer – to discover, first-hand, why our city is the leading choice for family offices.
     
    And for good reason. Hong Kong is a super-connector bringing together people and ideas. We are a platform for visionaries looking to create lasting legacies, a dynamic hub where your offices and families can flourish.
     
    The theme of this year’s Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit, “Hong Kong of the World, for the World,” smartly reflects that reality, spotlights our commitment to international collaboration and mutual rewards.
     
    Hong Kong’s advantages are clear and unique. Our “one country, two systems” framework ensures close and beneficial ties with our country and deep connectivity with the rest of the world.
     
    It helps, too, that Hong Kong is China’s international financial centre and one of the world’s major financial centres. In the latest Global Financial Centres Index, out last week, Hong Kong maintained its position as the world’s third-ranked financial centre, and the top in the Asia-Pacific. In the Index’s “human capital,” “infrastructure” and “financial sector development” areas, Hong Kong climbed to second, worldwide, while our rankings in “business environment” and “reputational and general” rose to third, globally.
     
    We are at the forefront of digitalisation, too, the first government to issue tokenised green bonds, demonstrating our flexibility and support for financial technology.
     
    And we will soon publish a second policy statement on virtual assets, including advancing stablecoin regulations to set a new global standard for the future of digital finance.
     
    Hong Kong is also a hub for world-class events such as this evening’s. We bring together thought leaders, policymakers, and industry innovators to help shape the future of finance, technology and sustainability.
     
    Yesterday, the Milken Institute held its second Global Investors’ Symposium, attracting senior players from finance, business, technology, healthcare, philanthropy and government.
     
    It’s just one of a number of events making up our “Wealth & Investment Mega-Event Week”. The HSBC Global Investment Summit opened earlier today. On Thursday, we have the Bloomberg Family Office Summit. And the World Economic Forum is hosting several sustainability-themed events here, including Friday’s One Earth Summit.
     
    Our commitment to creating an enriching environment extends beyond finance and investment. Earlier this month, we opened Kai Tak Sports Park, the striking, pearl-like landmark rising from the waterfront in East Kowloon.
     
    The world-class venue features a 50 000-seat stadium, complete with a retractable roof, and stunning views to Victoria Harbour from the South Stand. The 100-metre Champions Bar will be a popular watering hole this weekend, given that the renowned Hong Kong Sevens kicks off on Friday.
     
    And there’s more, much more, on tap this month in Hong Kong. Art Basel Hong Kong opens this week, featuring more than 240 galleries from 42 countries and regions. And the five-day Art Central opens tomorrow, spotlighting Asian galleries and emerging artists.
     
    Family offices, let me add, are no less critical to Hong Kong’s flourishing future.
     
    At the inaugural Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit, in 2023, we issued a Policy Statement setting out our strategic vision for family offices.
     
    The majority of the Policy Statement’s eight initiatives have already been implemented, I’m pleased to tell you.
     
    They include establishing a dedicated FamilyOfficeHK team within Invest Hong Kong. To date, the team has helped more than 160 family offices set up or expand their operations in Hong Kong.
     
    We’ve also launched the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, designed to attract asset owners to invest and reside in Hong Kong.
     
    And, more good news, a series of enhancement measures are now in place. They include recognising jointly owned assets and investments through specified family-owned entities. And that works well with the tax concession regime we introduced in 2023 for single-family offices.
     
    We are, let me add, expanding tax concessions for single-family offices, increasing the types of qualifying transactions. Add it up, and I think you’ll agree with me that Hong Kong is one of the world’s most attractive destinations for asset owners.
     
    More good reason to turn to Hong Kong for your family office future. You’ll be in good company, with more than 2 700 single-family offices now operating here.
     
    Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we’re just one group photo away from a fine dinner and a fabulous evening.

    ​I wish you all a rewarding Summit and a memorable stay in Hong Kong, Asia’s world city. Thank you.
    Issued at HKT 20:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Animal Welfare – Major Federal Dogfighting Bust Draws Commendation from Leading Animal-Welfare Organizations

    Source: Animal Wellness Action

    This kind of robust enforcement, plus stronger anti-cruelty laws, is needed to wipeout animal-fighting ventures in America

    BROKEN ARROW, Okla.—Animal-welfare advocates applauded federal officials at the FBI and the Department of Justice for the arrest of Broken Arrow man Leshon Eugene Johnson, the former NFL running back and kick returner, following a grand jury indictment for his alleged role in a large-scale dog fighting operation.

    Johnson, who pleaded guilty in 2005 to the crime of dog fighting in Okmulgee County, Okla., is accused of breeding, training, and selling dogs for illegal fights through his operation, Mal Kant Kennels. Officials say he selectively bred “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs, marketing their bloodline to other dog fighters across the country. The 190 pit bull-type dogs seized from his properties in Broken Arrow and Haskell represent the largest number ever taken from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case.

    If convicted, Johnson faces up to five years in prison per count and a $250,000 fine. He received a five-year deferred sentence for his 2005 guilty plea.

    “Dogfighting is perhaps the most sickening form of animal cruelty,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “The scale of cruelty in this case is jarring to the core, and I commend the FBI and the DOJ for their hard, life-saving work.”

    Pacelle was involved with the aftermath of the arrest of football star Michael Vick. In 2007, the NFL quarterback was charged and later convicted for his role in a dogfighting operation known as “Bad Newz Kennels.” The case brought national attention to the horrors of dog fighting, sparking widespread condemnation and leading to stronger anti-cruelty laws and enforcement efforts.

    “After the Michael Vick case, I thought the lessons would spillover to convince others—especially high-profile athletes—not to participate in this bloodsport. I was wrong. That’s why we need new and tougher legislation and government response.”

    Advocates in Oklahoma recently helped defeat a pro-cockfighting group that wanted to weaken the state’s animal fighting laws. Kevin Chambers, the Oklahoma state director for Animal Wellness Action, helped swat down the efforts. “As a native of eastern Oklahoma, I continue to be deeply disturbed by the prevalence of dogfighting and cockfighting in our communities,” Chambers said. “This case should send a signal to every one of these felons that they risk their freedom if they continue to engage in this barbarous abuse of animals.”

    Ramping Up the Fight Against Animal-Fighting

    Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are advocating for passage of the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, which has been endorsed by the hundreds of sheriffs’ associations and other enforcement groups across the country. The legislation would enhance enforcement of these laws by banning online gambling on animal fights; halting the shipment of mature roosters (chickens only) through the U.S. Postal Service (it is already illegal to ship dogs through the mail); allowing a civil right of action for private citizens against animal fighters after proper notice to federal authorities; and enhancing criminal forfeiture penalties to include real property for those convicted of animal fighting crimes.

    The groups also are advocating for the DOJ to create an Animal Cruelty Crimes section to combat acts of malice toward animals. The new section would concentrate on enforcing federal anti-cruelty laws, including a series of measures signed by President Trump during his first term.

    “Without enforcement, our laws are just aspirations, and criminals ignore them and charge ahead with their cruelty and chaos,” Pacelle said. “Crimes of malice toward animals are predictors of violence toward humans, so we are making everybody safer in our communities by robustly enforcing these laws.”

    He added, “I consider passing the FIGHT Act in Congress as urgent a priority as we have at Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.”

    Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News

    The Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. X: @TheHumaneCenter

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Powhiri at Terenga Paraoa Marae

    Source: New Zealand Governor General

    Kaka Porowini

    Terenga Paraoa

    E te kōpuni kauika kua ū mai,

    tēnei ka mihi.

    Tēnā ra koutou kei āku rangatira

    Nōkū te maringa, ki te haere mai ki roto I a koutou, kei nga uri o Te Whare Tapu o Nga Puhi, o Ngati Hine, o Ngati Wai, o Ngati Whatua,

    Mihi mai!

    Mihi mai!

    Mihi mai!

    Kaka Porowini (wharenui)

    Terenga Paraoa (Marae)

    to the gathering of esteemed ones

    who have arrrived here,

    I greet you my chiefs.

    I am pleased to be able to be amongst you today, the descendants of Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai and Ngāti Whatua.

    Thank you for inviting Richard and me to be here today.

    As you can imagine, my role takes me to all points on the map in Aotearoa. What makes today special is that Te Tai Tokerau is my ahi kaa.

    My story begins with the connections I share with you, and which have sustained me throughout my life. I am grateful for the aroha and support I have received over the years, and I am so proud to be the first Governor-General from Te Tai Tokerau.

    I take inspiration from two of my predecessors – Sir Jerry Mateparae and Sir Paul Reeves – who was the first Māori in this role.

    Like them, I too come from a modest background. I hope our stories show what’s possible.

    No career path can really prepare a Governor-General for the unique constitutional and ceremonial duties we undertake. These include dissolving Parliament as per our constitution, swearing in new governments and opening a new Parliament after elections.

    I give Royal assent to legislation passed by MPs in the House, I host investiture ceremonies, formally recognising outstanding New Zealanders for their service to the country. Richard and I have the privilege of welcoming visiting royalty, heads of state and governments along with diplomats – and from time to time, I represent Aotearoa at significant occasions overseas – such as state funerals, coronations, the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

    It’s impossible to fully engage with all 160 of my patronages, but we do try to support them wherever we can.

    I know how important it is to maintain those close and special links with all the people that I represent, including in our realm countries such as the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau and the Ross Dependency.

    Within Aotearoa, I try to visit outside the main centres whenever I can. Last year, our extended visits included communities in Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, and a visit to Rēkohu, the Chatham Islands.

    So much of what is good and just in our communities is due to the efforts of good-hearted people, driven by their sense of service and manaakitanga to others. I know we will meet many more such people over the next few days.

    In this instance, Whangārei is the starting point for a four-day visit that will also include Whangaroa, Kaikohe and Kaitaia.

    I have lived here and worked with some of you, I have close whānau here, and I know something of the challenges and opportunities for nga iwi o Te Tai Tokerau. I welcome this chance to catch up with old friends and hear what’s top of mind for you.

    Over the next few days, I will also make new acquaintances, with people who, in various ways, have seen a need, and have done something about it – whether it be in developing new enterprises, educating tamariki, providing leadership in local government, caring for people with addiction issues, building healthy affordable houses, growing food for their community, or nurturing and celebrating toi Māori.

    I will spend time with our precious tamariki and rangatahi, and listen to what they have to say about their concerns, as well as their hopes and dreams for the future.

    In these uncertain times, one thing is certain – and that’s our responsibility to bequeath to our young people the sustainable and prosperous future they deserve.

    In my dealings with hapu and iwi in Aotearoa, I see a renewed kotahitanga – unity of purpose that drives a desire to share their unique contribution with others. New migrants are contributing and enriching our communities, cementing new bonds with our increasingly diverse peoples.

    Iwi Māori are also drawing on the expertise of our tupuna with an understanding of matauranga– and in our dealings with each other ensuring that we reflect our core values such as kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and whakawhanaungatanga.

    By working together to improve the lot of our whanau and communities, we will continue to enrich the country as a whole. Let us celebrate this together.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Human Rights and Sport – Global: FIFA must recognize, support Afghan Women’s team in exile

    Source: Amnesty International

    New Report Details Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for Right to Play

    (Amsterdam, March 25, 2025) – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) should act to stop the ongoing discrimination against Afghan women footballers living in exile and facilitate their return to international competition, the Sport & Rights Alliance said in a report released today.

    In two days, the Afghanistan Women’s National Football Team (AWNT) will be absent from the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers draw, which feeds into qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup – marking the second World Cup-qualifying cycle from which the team has been excluded since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

    “Though the Afghanistan Women’s National Team escaped the Taliban in 2021, the shadow of systematic gender discrimination continues to follow them across borders, denying them their rightful place on the international stage,” said Samira Hamidi, South Asia campaigner at Amnesty International. “Amnesty, the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and other civil society organizations, has called for the Taliban’s gender persecution to be investigated as crimes against humanity.”

    The new Sport & Rights Alliance report, titled “’It’s not just a game. It’s part of who I am’: Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for the Right to Play,” details how the Afghan women’s team, a symbol of women’s empowerment in post-Taliban Afghanistan, was specifically targeted for reprisals when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The report documents that dozens of Afghan women footballers who were evacuated to countries including Australia, Portugal, Albania, the United Kingdom and the United States remain eager and ready to represent Afghanistan in international competition.

    “Right now, the game is at halftime, and the Taliban think they are winning,” said Khalida Popal, founder of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team and Girl Power Organization. “If FIFA would change its rules and let us play, we could show the world that Afghan women and girls belong in sport, in school and everywhere in society – and we will not be defeated.”

    FIFA regulations currently require the team to receive recognition from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation, which will not recognize a women’s football team due to the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports. For more than three years, the Afghan women’s team players and their supporters have campaigned for FIFA to intervene and provide them with the official recognition and financial support denied to them by Afghanistan.

    In response to a letter from the Sport & Rights Alliance requesting comment on the report, FIFA shared on 21 March that a plan has been developed to provide football opportunities for Afghan women both within and outside the country, but did not say whether they intend to officially recognize the AWNT or how specific funding would be allocated.

    “The Afghanistan Women’s National Team has shown remarkable resilience since its establishment – even in the face of harassment, abuse and death threats, and being forced to leave their homes and build new lives in cities all over the world,” said Joanna Maranhão, network coordinator for the Sport & Rights Alliance’s Athletes Network for Safer Sports. “Restoring the AWNT’s ability to access training facilities and resources to play and represent their country would be an important form of remedy, as required under international human rights law.”

    The FIFA Statutes and Human Rights Policy prohibit discrimination of any kind, including gender discrimination, and commits the global sport governing body to promoting women’s football. The FIFA Statutes mandate that all member associations comply with the organization’s regulations, including the obligation to prevent and oppose discrimination and to promote women’s football. Member associations may face sanctions for any violations of these obligations.

    “Afghan women footballers’ ability to play internationally depends entirely on intervention from FIFA,” said Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance. “FIFA’s letter in response to our report laid out their strategy to support Afghan women. It is great to hear that FIFA is working to promote playing opportunities for the players, but we remain hopeful that they will decide to officially recognize the team and allocate financial support as it does to other member associations.”

    The Sport & Rights Alliance also said that FIFA should provide financial support for the women’s team to train and participate in international competitions, as it does with other member associations. Through the FIFA Forward Development Programme for instance,  each of FIFA’s 211 member associations are currently entitled to up to $9.2 million over a four-year period.

    The Afghan team’s campaign has garnered global attention and support over the last three years, including from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai and nearly 200,000 people who have signed a Change.org petition urging FIFA to recognize the team in exile.

    “For these athletes, football is not only their passion but a fundamental act of resistance against the Taliban – an act of solidarity with their sisters still living in Afghanistan,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “FIFA’s recognition of and support for the team would be a powerful statement that Afghan women’s rights cannot be erased.”

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did recognize an Afghan Olympic Committee in exile for the 2024 Paris Olympics, enabling Afghan women athletes to compete despite Taliban restrictions. Several UN experts called this move from the IOC a “welcome start,” but called on international and national sports bodies to do more to push back against the Taliban’s oppressive policies and “support female Afghan athletes wherever they are.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Global: FIFA must recognize, support Afghan women’s team in exile

    Source: Amnesty International –

    New Report Details Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for Right to Play

    The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) should act to stop the ongoing discrimination against Afghan women footballers living in exile and facilitate their return to international competition, the Sport & Rights Alliance said in a report released today.

    In two days, the Afghanistan Women’s National Football Team (AWNT) will be absent from the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers draw, which feeds into qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup – marking the second World Cup-qualifying cycle from which the team has been excluded since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

    “Though the Afghanistan Women’s National Team escaped the Taliban in 2021, the shadow of systematic gender discrimination continues to follow them across borders, denying them their rightful place on the international stage,” said Samira Hamidi, South Asia campaigner at Amnesty International. “Amnesty, the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and other civil society organizations, has called for the Taliban’s gender persecution to be investigated as crimes against humanity.”

    The new Sport & Rights Alliance report, titled “‘It’s not just a game. It’s part of who I am’: Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for the Right to Play,” details how the Afghan women’s team, a symbol of women’s empowerment in post-Taliban Afghanistan, was specifically targeted for reprisals when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The report documents that dozens of Afghan women footballers who were evacuated to countries including Australia, Portugal, Albania, the United Kingdom and the United States remain eager and ready to represent Afghanistan in international competition.

    “Right now, the game is at halftime, and the Taliban think they are winning,” said Khalida Popal, founder of the Afghanistan Women’s National Team and Girl Power Organization. “If FIFA would change its rules and let us play, we could show the world that Afghan women and girls belong in sport, in school and everywhere in society – and we will not be defeated.”

    FIFA regulations currently require the team to receive recognition from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Football Federation, which will not recognize a women’s football team due to the Taliban’s ban on women’s sports. For more than three years, the Afghan women’s team players and their supporters have campaigned for FIFA to intervene and provide them with the official recognition and financial support denied to them by Afghanistan.

    In response to a letter from the Sport & Rights Alliance requesting comment on the report, FIFA shared on 21 March that a plan has been developed to provide football opportunities for Afghan women both within and outside the country, but did not say whether they intend to officially recognize the AWNT or how specific funding would be allocated.

    “The Afghanistan Women’s National Team has shown remarkable resilience since its establishment – even in the face of harassment, abuse and death threats, and being forced to leave their homes and build new lives in cities all over the world,” said Joanna Maranhão, network coordinator for the Sport & Rights Alliance’s Athletes Network for Safer Sports. “Restoring the AWNT’s ability to access training facilities and resources to play and represent their country would be an important form of remedy, as required under international human rights law.”

    The FIFA Statutes and Human Rights Policy prohibit discrimination of any kind, including gender discrimination, and commits the global sport governing body to promoting women’s football. The FIFA Statutes mandate that all member associations comply with the organization’s regulations, including the obligation to prevent and oppose discrimination and to promote women’s football. Member associations may face sanctions for any violations of these obligations.

    “Afghan women footballers’ ability to play internationally depends entirely on intervention from FIFA,” said Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance. “FIFA’s letter in response to our report laid out their strategy to support Afghan women. It is great to hear that FIFA is working to promote playing opportunities for the players, but we remain hopeful that they will decide to officially recognize the team and allocate financial support as it does to other member associations.”

    The Sport & Rights Alliance also said that FIFA should provide financial support for the women’s team to train and participate in international competitions, as it does with other member associations. Through the FIFA Forward Development Programme for instance,  each of FIFA’s 211 member associations are currently entitled to up to $9.2 million over a four-year period.

    The Afghan team’s campaign has garnered global attention and support over the last three years, including from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai and nearly 200,000 people who have signed a Change.org petition urging FIFA to recognize the team in exile.

    “For these athletes, football is not only their passion but a fundamental act of resistance against the Taliban – an act of solidarity with their sisters still living in Afghanistan,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “FIFA’s recognition of and support for the team would be a powerful statement that Afghan women’s rights cannot be erased.”

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) did recognize an Afghan Olympic Committee in exile for the 2024 Paris Olympics, enabling Afghan women athletes to compete despite Taliban restrictions. Several UN experts called this move from the IOC a “welcome start,” but called on international and national sports bodies to do more to push back against the Taliban’s oppressive policies and “support female Afghan athletes wherever they are.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: The forum “Russia – a sports power” in Samara will host about 3 thousand delegates from different countries

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Approved new composition organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the International Sports Forum “Russia is a sports power“.

    It is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko. The deputy chairmen of the organizing committee are Aide to the President of Russia Alexey Dyumin, Minister of Sports Mikhail Degtyarev, Adviser to the President of Russia, Executive Secretary of the organizing committee Anton Kobyakov. The composition also includes Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, Chairman of the Board, Director of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev, representatives of relevant ministries and departments.

    Byto order In 2025, the forum “Russia – a Sports Power” will be held in Samara in the fall, according to President Vladimir Putin.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized the importance of the forum and Samara as a venue for it.

    “As President Vladimir Putin noted, the forum “Russia – a Sports Power” is designed to strengthen international cooperation, ties, contacts, provides an opportunity to exchange the best practices of sports training, methods of scientific support for amateur and professional sports and ideas for promoting a healthy lifestyle culture. The forum will be held in hospitable Samara, which will host about 3 thousand delegates, including foreign representatives. More than a thousand volunteers will be involved in organizing the event. This year, the forum is designed to ensure a high-quality reboot of the entire industry, taking into account events in world sports,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    The key space for strategic sessions and round tables, as well as the venue for sports events and the interactive exhibition “Heroes of Sports”, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, will be the Solidarity Samara Arena stadium.

    In turn, the Minister of Sports, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev reported that an extensive sports and cultural program is planned within the framework of the forum “Russia – a Sports Power”.

    “A pavilion of 5.7 thousand square meters will be set up on the territory of the stadium, where the main part of the forum will take place, for a large-scale exhibition of the latest sports technologies. This entire space will be designed in accordance with the new corporate style of the forum, which will be updated for the first time in many years, will become more concise, but at the same time modern. In addition, a street sports festival is planned within the framework of the forum, including competitions in breaking, parkour, workout, skateboarding, BMX and streetball, as well as thematic zones dedicated to the GTO, phygital sports, car modeling and aircraft modeling. We plan that the cultural program of the forum will attract thousands of spectators and will serve to popularize a healthy lifestyle among young people,” emphasized Mikhail Degtyarev.

    Advisor to the President of Russia, responsible secretary of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the International Sports Forum “Russia – a Sports Power” Anton Kobyakov outlined the main topics of the upcoming event.

    “The progress of the implementation of the state program of the Russian Federation “Development of Physical Culture and Sports” will be discussed at the forum. Special attention will be paid to the current issues of rehabilitation of SVO participants through sports with the participation of regions of our country. I am confident that the forum, which will be held this year in Samara, will not only become a new bright point in the sports life of the country, but will also confidently become part of the business schedule of all those interested in the development of sports in Russia,” noted Anton Kobyakov.

    The first meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the forum is expected in the near future.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Ajax-Lazio Europa League match: discrimination against Lazio fans and unfounded allegations of anti-Semitism – E-002720/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    It is within the competence of the Member States to apply public policy and public security measures to prevent violence and hooliganism at sports events.

    If the persons concerned consider that their rights have been violated, national courts would be competent to assess their claim, in accordance with the applicable national law.

    General EU consumer protection legislation does not regulate the consequences of the intervention by national authorities, such as in this case, resulting in the impossibility for consumers to use a booked service. Such situations must be addressed under the applicable national law.

    However, if the affected consumers had booked a travel package within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2015/2302[1], it could be assessed whether the packages may be cancelled due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, in which case travellers are entitled to a refund.

    In any event, the Commission has no competence to intervene in disputes between individual service providers and consumers. This is within the competence of national dispute resolution bodies and courts[2].

    As for the reimbursement of travel expenses, EU rules do not provide for any passenger right in case the passenger is prevented from travel and has to cancel the reservation. The passenger’s entitlement to a refund depends on the carrier’s terms and conditions.

    As stated in the First progress report of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life[3], the Commission and the Union of European Football Associations adopted in June 2022 the third cooperation agreement.

    One of the main objectives is to promote European values through the power of football, which is reflected by emphasising the importance of football in the prevention of and fight against racism and antisemitism in Europe.

    • [1] Directive (EU) 2015/2302 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on package travel and linked travel arrangements, amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directive 90/314/EEC. OJ L 326, 11.12.2015, p. 1-33.
    • [2] Information on EU consumer rights, the competent national authorities, European Consumer Centres, consumer organisations and dispute resolution mechanisms is available at: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/index_en.htm; https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/consumers/consumer-protection-policy/our-partners-consumer-issues/national-consumer-bodies_en
    • [3] Adopted on 14 October 2024; https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/racism-and-xenophobia/combating-antisemitism/eu-strategy-combating-antisemitism-and-fostering-jewish-life-2021-2030/first-progress-report-eu-strategy-combating_en?prefLang=ro

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The TGL golf league might signal that indoor sport is the future, for better or worse

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Brad Millington, Associate Professor, Sport Management, Brock University

    The inaugural season of the TGL golf league closes this week with a final championship-deciding series. The upstart, team-based, men’s league has made headlines for its celebrity backers, including star golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

    Even more noteworthy is TGL’s unique format. Events are played inside SoFi Center, a custom-built venue in Florida with an audience capacity of 1,500.

    At one end lies the “ScreenZone,” where a golf simulator is used for longer shots such as drives and iron play. At the other end, players chip and putt along the physical surface of the “GreenZone” to record a final score on each hole.

    TGL is the latest commercial venture to shake up the golf world in recent years. The league is no doubt novel in some ways, yet it can also be explained as the convergence of two longstanding trends: the “mediatization” and “indoorization” of sport.



    Read more:
    PGA Tour-LIV merger: What this new partnership means for the future of golf and elite sport

    A ‘mediatized’ sports landscape

    Mediatization is a concept that speaks to relationships of interdependence between media and other institutions, such as sport. More than simply conveying sport content, communication technologies have helped change sport over the years — consider “television timeouts” or the use of instant replay.

    In return, sport is a source of live, unpredictable and exciting media content, something that is highly valuable in a competitive attention economy.

    In this context, TGL stands out as an especially tech-infused venture.

    First, there is the golf simulator. The ScreenZone is so named because players hit into a massive screen measuring 64 by 53 feet. Tracking technology is used to map and represent the flight of the ball on screen. This allows for a thoroughly datafied sport experience as an array of performance metrics are available to both players and fans.

    Also relevant are TGL’s seemingly made-for-TV conventions, some of which might be anathema to golf traditionalists. Among them, a 40-second shot clock keeps a brisk pace of play. Players are also mic’d up, making strategy conversations and reactions accessible to the audience.

    In all, TGL is a media spectacle. It is not uncommon for sports leagues to adopt new rules and formats, seemingly in a bid to capture consumer attention. But, through TGL’s video game-like components, media representation — golf on a simulated volcano, among other places — becomes part of the sport competition itself.

    Sport moves indoors

    TGL is also an indoor spectacle. In this sense, it contributes to the indoorization of outdoor sports.

    Outdoor sports from surfing to skiing, rock climbing and many more have moved indoors in recent years (while remaining outdoor sports too). A potential trade-off is that, while outdoor sports often foreground adventure, uncertainty and danger, their indoor analogues often trade this for control, predictability and calculability. The authenticity of indoor sport might therefore be debated, especially in historically counter-cultural sports such as surfing.

    Yet indoorization can also lead to expansion. From the late 1800s onwards, artificial ice in North American arenas allowed for reliable skating conditions and helped hockey move to new locations, growing the game as a commercial endeavour and cultural institution.

    There was also the benefit of escaping the elements. As architectural historian Howard Shubert writes:

    “Covered rinks allowed patrons to escape winter’s cold temperatures, harsh winds, and blowing snow and eliminated the immediate danger of falling through thin ice on ponds and streams.”

    Indoorization is not new, even for golf: golf simulators can be found in converted garages; Topgolf facilities offer high-tech, all-weather golf experiences. But TGL is a high-profile entrant in a history of moving sport indoors.

    Indoorization as adaption?

    Researchers assessing the prospects for outdoor skating against recent climate projections have concluded the future looks bleak for outdoor rinks, and that indoor arenas and synthetic surfaces will grow more important in the years ahead.

    Put another way, indoorization may increasingly be a requirement, and not just a luxury, in the context of a worsening climate crisis.

    Likewise, sport mega-events have implemented various climate adaptation measures over time, from snow-making on ski slopes to refrigeration of sliding tracks and far beyond. The future is likely to see host cities become climate unreliable to an even greater extent.

    It’s not just winter sports. From air-conditioned stadiums to relocated events in search of cooler conditions to indoor recess for students escaping poor-quality outdoor air, the changing climate is a point of vulnerability year-round — and for sport and physical activity participation at various levels.

    Our point here is not that TGL was conceived with the climate crisis in mind. Nor do we expect outdoor golf to disappear. Rather, the climate crisis will demand adaptation in sport in the years ahead.

    In a time of technological innovation — augmented reality, artificial intelligence and more — the mediatization of sport will provide new commercial and recreational opportunities that offer escape from, and perhaps distraction from, worsening outdoor conditions.

    TGL’s blend of real and artificial elements can be seen as foreshadowing “solutions” to much greater problems that are beginning to seem inevitable.

    Brad Millington receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    Brian Wilson receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    Michael L. Naraine receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Sport Canada.

    Parissa Safai has received funding from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

    – ref. The TGL golf league might signal that indoor sport is the future, for better or worse – https://theconversation.com/the-tgl-golf-league-might-signal-that-indoor-sport-is-the-future-for-better-or-worse-252608

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Rodgers announces strategic initiatives to drive KZN economic growth, job creation

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers, has announced a number of strategic initiatives aimed at boosting the province’s economic growth, creating jobs, and stabilising the cost of living.

    Rodgers highlighted some of the initiatives, when he was tabling the province’s R158.478 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, on Tuesday.

    In his address, Rodgers highlighted the positive signs of economic recovery, pointing to key indicators, including an increase in the province’s equitable share and additional allocations in conditional grants.

    He also noted the progress being made through the Provincial Financial Recovery Plan.

    “What is required now is discipline with a sharp focus on the end objective, growth in our economy, job creation, and stabilising and reducing the cost of living,” Rodgers said.

    Initiatives to strengthen financial discipline

    The MEC said the provincial Treasury is committed to perform financial oversight and monitor provincial expenditure, with a view to prevent non-essential government activities.

    He added that efforts are underway to identify new streams of revenue for the provincial fiscus.

    Another key initiative is the adoption of a cost-containment instruction by the Executive Council, which aims to sustain KZN’s ability to meet its needs, “while protecting its future.”

    “Cutting the nice to haves to protect the must haves. One such example is [council] agreement to do away with rental vehicles, with procurement for vehicles, in line with National Treasury guidelines.

    “When the GPU (Government of Provincial Unity) took office, the province was projecting to over-spend in the region of R10 billion, [but] with strict control measures and compliance, we have now reduced this to R4.9 billion,” Rodgers highlighted.

    E-procurement tool

    To further improve financial efficiency, Rodgers announced that Treasury is awaiting approval for the acquisition and implementation of an e-procurement tool, a system designed to eliminate overcharging of goods and services during the Supply Chain Management (SCM) and tender processes.

    “This system will yield enormous savings for the province and reduce irregularities in the procurement process,” Rodgers said.

    The MEC said the provincial government is making great strides in achieving a balanced budget, noting that “it’s a painful process, but a process that needs to be sustained and supported.”

    Rodgers further announced that starting in April 2025, the provincial government will introduce departmental financial dashboards, which will reflect departments financial metrics, such as creditors, debtors, cash balances, and projected expenditure.

    He said these dashboards will assist members of the Executive Council and oversight committees with a clearer picture of the province’s financial health.

    Additionally, the provincial Treasury is exploring the establishment of an information centre, which will focus on “Operation Pay on Time” and assist with tender processes and supplying information on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).

    “Going forward, I will continue, in my capacity as MEC, to regularly engage the Premier and the provincial executive on good financial practices. We will be consistent in our advocacy for efficient expenditure and the prioritisation of programmes aimed at alleviating poverty, inequality, unemployment, effective service delivery and building a sustainable economy,” the MEC said.

    Provincial budget highlights

    A large portion of the 2025/2026 provincial budged (79.9%), has been allocated to the three key social services departments, including Education, Health, and Social Development.

    The Education Department received the largest share of the budget, with R66 690 206 allocated, followed by Health with R56 211 801.

    Other allocations include:
    •    Transport allocated R13 827 066.
    •    Office of the Premier R817 875. 
    •    Provincial Legislature R850 796. 
    •    Agriculture and Rural Development R2 757 443. 
    •    Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs R3 606 998.
    •    Provincial Treasury R710 190. 
    •    Human Settlements R3 549 877.
    •    Community Safety and Liaison R275 716.
    •    Sport, Arts and Culture R1 598 141.
    •    Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs R1 931 153.
    •    Social Development R3 613 297. 
    •    Public Works and Infrastructure R2 037 490. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Upholds Idahoans’ Second Amendment Rights

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–In keeping with his longstanding support of the Second Amendment, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) announced his efforts so far in the 119th Congress to protect Idahoans’ access to the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
    “Those seeking to strip away Second Amendment rights have sought every creative way possible to advance their agenda through legislation, regulation and litigation,” said Crapo.  “The majority of Americans are law-abiding citizens who own, possess, carry and use firearms in a lawful and peaceful fashion.  Their right to do so is enshrined in our Constitution. That right must not be abridged while we seek to prevent violence perpetrated by criminals.”
    Senator Crapo’s efforts to protect the Second Amendment in the 119th Congress so far include:
    Leading reintroduction of the Hearing Protection Act, which would reclassify suppressors to regulate them like a regular firearm;
    Co-sponsoring the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow any person legally authorized to carry a concealed firearm in their home state to exercise that right in any other state that allows the practice;
    Co-sponsoring Senator Jim Risch’s (R-Idaho) Sporting Firearms Access Act, which would limit the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives’ (ATF) ability to restrict firearm models from importation into the United States;
    Backing the Fair Access to Banking Act, which would prevent discrimination by banks and financial services providers against constitutionally-protected industries and law-abiding businesses, such as firearms manufacturers;
    Co-sponsoring the Financial Integrity and Regulation Management (FIRM) Act, which would remove “reputational risk” as a component of federal supervision, which has become a way to weaponize power against politically disfavored groups;
    Joining legislation to prohibit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service from banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle on public lands unless such action is supported by the best available science;
    Co-sponsoring Senator Risch’s No REGISTRY Act, which would require the ATF to delete all existing records of firearms transactions and allow federal firearms licensees to destroy firearm transaction records when they go out of business.
    Backing the ATF Transparency Act, which would require a transparent and speedy National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) process and create an appeals process for erroneous NICS denials;
    Co-sponsoring the FIND Act, which would prohibit companies with policies that discriminate against the firearm and ammunition industries from receiving federal contracts;
    Supporting the Traveler’s Gun Rights Act to allow military spouses and those without a fixed address (such as those who live full time in a recreational vehicle) to purchase handguns in the state where they are permanently stationed for duty or consistent with the P.O. Box listed on their driver’s license;
    Sending a letter to the ATF demanding it comply with President Trump’s Executive Order, Protecting Second Amendment Rights, in order to align the ATF’s rules and polities with the President’s strong support for the Second Amendment; and
    Signing a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce highlighting concerns with the Department’s Interim Final Rule finalized under the previous Administration that restricted firearms exports to certain countries.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Two recreational shellfish harvesters receive fines and fishing bans

    Source: Government of Canada News

    March 25, 2025

    Courtenay, British Columbia – Canada’s marine species are a precious resource and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)’s mandate is to help sustain and protect them, now and for the future.

    On February 14, 2025, in Courtenay Provincial Court, the Honourable Judge B.E. Hutcheson found Richmond resident Diosa Delacruz guilty of retaining more than the daily quota for clams and oysters and for fishing without a British Columbia (B.C.) Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. Ms. Delacruz was fined a total of $5,000 and was banned from fishing for one year. Her fishing companion, Nanaimo resident Rosemarie Allam, was found guilty by the Honourable Judge D.M.D. Stewart, in an earlier court appearance in August 2024, of daily quota violations, and for failing to comply with her conditions of licence. She was fined a total of $4,500 and received a two-year fishing ban.

    The case resulted from an inspection by fishery officers in the Baynes Sound Recreational Shellfish Harvest Reserve (RSR). DFO fishery officers support the Department’s ongoing efforts to protect and sustain Canada’s marine resources through regular patrols and by enforcing the Fisheries Act and its regulations, including by carrying out investigations and laying charges against alleged offenders.

    In May 2024, the two offenders were found harvesting shellfish in the Baynes Sounds RSR, a designated section of Crown Land where commercial shellfish harvesting has been excluded or limited to support recreational harvesting. The area, between Buckley Bay and Union Bay on Vancouver Island, covers approximately 14 hectares, is easily accessible from the road at low tide, and is often the site of illegal harvesting and over-retention.

    On May 25, 2024, both Ms. Delacruz and Ms. Allam were found to have harvested and retained a collective total of 262 Manila Clams and 151 oysters, with 222 of the clams under the legal size limit. The daily possession maximum number of Manila Clams that can be retained is 60, and 12 for oysters.

    It is everyone’s responsibility to know the rules before they engage in any fishing activities, and to play their part in ensuring that B.C.’s shellfish populations and their habitats are protected and sustained. The minimum size limit of 35 mm for Littleneck and Manila clams in the recreational fishery ensures that the clams will spawn at least once before they reach the legal size limit. Harvesting undersize clams threatens conservation as it impacts their ability to re-populate the beach, creating an unsustainable fishery that could result in management changes or fisheries closures.

    Not possessing a valid fishing licence (and non-compliance with licence conditions in general) inhibits effective management of the fishery and undermines DFO’s ability to pursue conservation-based management measures. Unlicensed harvesting can deplete the resource, remove the opportunity for other licensed harvesters and threaten the significant economic and social benefit to coastal communities, including recreational fisheries, tourism, the livelihood of commercial harvesters and traditional food sources for Indigenous people.

    DFO protects and conserves fisheries resources, and enforces the Fisheries Act. As part of DFO’s work to disrupt and prevent illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any alleged contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call DFO Pacific Region’s toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tyrone and Donegal youngsters have the angling world at their feet

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Tyrone and Donegal youngsters have the angling world at their feet

    25 March 2025

    Three young fishermen from the North West are looking forward to the experience of a lifetime in Idaho Falls in the USA later this summer after qualifying with the Ireland youth team at the International World Fly Fishing Championships.
    Jacob Griffin, Zack Barnett and Lewis Porter who learned their craft on the local waters of the Mourne, the Derg and the Finn sealed their place on the national team at two qualifying events organised by the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland.
    The trio fought off stiff opposition from 25 other young anglers from all over Ireland at the events in the River Suir in County Tipperary and Ardaire Springs Angling Centre in Kilkenny.
    Jacob and Lewis will exhibit their world class fly tying skills to thousands of people at this weekend’s North West Angling Fair at the Melvin Sports Complex on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th of March.
    The boys TAFI Ulster Coach, Campbell Baird, commended all three of them on their hard work to reach this elite level: “These youths are a credit to the Ulster Fishing community,” he said. “Their dedication, knowledge and determination has shone through in the qualifiers and this team representing Ireland are at the highest level of their game, competing at standard that will hopefully see them reach the top position within the competition and to be on that podium making us all proud.
    “They have come through the ranks of FROG (Foyle River –Catchment Outdoor Group CIC) and are now fishing in world competitions.”
    Damien Devine FROG added: “The climb to the top of the tree in the angling journey of these youth angling representatives is something myself and Joseph Owens could never have imagined at the outset.
    “They came along to us at a very tender age, some without even the basic equipment at that time.
    “However, in the early days of casting lessons, it was very noticeable that there was a hunger from them and a support network from their guardians, which was pointing towards greater heights.
    “With many angling titles and success in the last few years, the world stage now awaits the new generation of Irish youth anglers.
    “All our coaches at FROG CIC are so privileged to have played our part in steering these fine young men towards their dream of international representation.
    “They are now true Ambassadors of our group, as the next generation of 10 years we have in our ranks are aspiring to reach the same heights as these young anglers in the years to come. “All are a credit to us, their families, and the wider angling community of the North-West corner of the Foyle river-basin.”
    The boys will also travel to Scotland with the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association in July as part of the Ireland Youth Team to compete in the Four Nations Competition 2025, who have already claimed gold medals in the Four Nations in England 2024 and Wales 2023.
    The 2025 North West Angling Fair at the Melvin Sports Complex will host some of the UK and Ireland’s leading fly dressers, casters and angling specialists.
    The public will also have the opportunity to source angling merchandise from a wide range of fishing tackle producers, fly tying brands and fishing outfitters in the Melvin’s Main Hall.
    The North West Angling Fair is organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from the Loughs Agency.
    To see the full programme visit www.derrystrabane.com/anglingfair and follow Northwestangling on facebook for updates.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Annual General Meeting of Jyske Bank A/S on 25 March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    At the annual general meeting, the management’s review was presented, and the annual report for 2024 was approved, including the Supervisory Board’s proposal for a dividend payment of DKK 24 per share, corresponding to DKK 1,543m.

    The motions proposed by the Supervisory Board, cf. item c (remuneration report) and item d (remuneration to the Shareholders’ Representatives and the Supervisory Board) were both adopted.

    The Supervisory Board’s motion to the effect that the Bank be authorised to acquire own shares (item e of the agenda) was adopted.

    The motions proposed by the Supervisory Board, cf. items f.1-f.3 of the agenda (motions of amendments to the Articles of Association) were all adopted.  As the members in general meeting with a right to vote represented less than 90% of the share capital, an Extraordinary General Meeting is hereby called for the purpose of final adoption of the proposed amendments of the Articles of Association. Notice of the extraordinary general meeting will be given in a separate corporate announcement and will be available at Jyske Bank’s website.

    Elected as new Shareholders’ Representatives (item g.1 of the agenda):

    Electoral Region North:
    Diana Østergaard, Herning
    Steen Hintze, Skive    		 Electoral Region South:
    Camilla Avlbjerg Christiansen, Kolding
    Eva Berner, Faaborg
    Jesper Norup, Vejle
    Lisbeth Henricksen, Havndal
    Pia Møller Rasmussen, Copenhagen    		 Electoral Region East:
    Christel Arpalice Piron, Solrød Strand
    Lars Andersen, Fuglebjerg

    The 27 Shareholders’ Representatives who sought re-election were all re-elected.

    The two Supervisory Board members, Lisbeth Holm and Glenn Söderholm, were both re-elected (item g.2 of the agenda).

    In addition, EY Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab was re-elected under item h.1 of the agenda as well as re-election of EY Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab under item h.2 of the agenda.

    At the subsequent meeting of the Shareholders’ Representatives, Birgitte Haurum was elected, and Anker Laden-Andersen was re-elected to the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board elected Kurt Bligaard Pedersen as its chairman and Anker Laden-Andersen as its deputy chairman.

    Yours sincerely,
    Jyske Bank

    Contact person: CFO, Finance, Birger Krøgh Nielsen, tel. +45 89 89 64 44.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Falkland Islands cricket team returns to Costa Rica after 14 years

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    Falkland Islands cricket team returns to Costa Rica after 14 years

    British Embassy in San Jose celebrates the role of sport in fostering bilateral ties.

    British Ambassador, Ben Lyster-Binns, and Falklands Islands Cricket team

    The recently concluded visit of the Falkland Islands cricket team to Costa Rica marked a historic occasion, as the team returned after a 14-year absence to participate in a tournament from 10-14 March.

    The visit, organised by the Costa Rica Cricket Federation, was not only an exciting sporting event but also a chance for the British Embassy in San Jose to highlight the important role of sport in creating lasting social and cultural connections.

    British Ambassador, Ben Lyster-Binns, at cricket prize-giving

    The Embassy hosted a reception for both teams, which was a unique opportunity for the Falkland Islands team and their Costa Rican counterparts to bond over their shared passion for cricket and deepen their understanding of each other’s cultures. This occasion also provided an ideal platform to highlight the growing role of women in cricket, both in Costa Rica and globally, particularly as the Embassy welcomed the winners of the 2024 women’s cricket tournament, the Siquirres Tigresses.

    The Embassy’s involvement in this event reinforced the significance of cricket, a sport with deep roots in British history, as a powerful tool for social change and international connection. In his speech at the reception, the British Ambassador to Costa Rica, Ben Lyster-Binns, spoke about the importance of inclusion in sport:

    Sport belongs to everyone, and every time women step onto the pitch, they are helping to build a future where opportunities in sport are equal. Cricket has a long and proud history, but its future will be even brighter with greater inclusion, diversity, and participation from all.

    British Ambassador, Ben Lyster-Binns, and Siquirres Tigresses

    The Ambassador also took the opportunity to highlight the games intrinsic values:

    Cricket, in particular, is a game of respect, teamwork, and resilience – values that go far beyond the pitch.

    The growing popularity of cricket in Costa Rica, especially among women, was on full display during the reception as the Siquirres Tigres—winners of last year’s women’s cricket tournament—shared their journey and passion for the sport. Their success stands as a powerful example of how women in Costa Rica are finding their place in cricket and shaping the future of the game in the region.

    The tournament, which was part of the Costa Rican national cricket calendar, saw spirited matches and valuable exchanges between the teams, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved. The event not only rekindled a long-standing sporting connection between the Falkland Islands and Costa Rica but also underscored the importance of inclusivity in sport, especially in empowering women and young people to pursue their athletic dreams.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Six ‘great Coventrians’ to be honoured for their work for the city

    Source: City of Coventry

    Six people who have shown dedication and passion to support the city of Coventry and its residents are to be honoured with The Coventry Award of Merit.

    The six include famous names from the world of entertainment and sport, as well as those who have dedicated their lives to local communities, education, and the work for peace and friendship.

    The Award was launched by the Council in the 1960s and is a way of recognising and honouring personal behaviour that reflects the highest ideals of citizenship, improves the good name of Coventry and inspires its residents.

    There have only been eight award ceremonies over the years, honouring 46 individuals and organisations.

    Award winners have included famous names such as athlete David Moorcroft; head of Jaguar Sir John Egan; poet Phillip Larkin; Sir Basil Spence, designer of Coventry Cathedral; and Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, Inventor of the jet engine.

    Now, six more names are to join the list.

    They are: Pauline Black, Professor Stuart Croft, Sybil Hanson, Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Mark Robins and Jon Sharp.

    Pauline Black OBE DL, is an icon of British music who was a major part of the 2-Tone and Ska music revolution in the 1970s that became synonymous with Coventry and helped spread a message of racial equality. She has performed for over 50 years with The Selecter and is a pioneer for Black performers and in particular Black women in music. She is a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands and combines her music career with supporting many local community projects.

    Professor Stuart Croft is the Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Warwick and has been part of this key part of city life since 2007. He has dedicated his whole life to supporting, promoting, and delivering higher education and academia, and has been instrumental in bringing inclusive economic growth to Coventry. He has overseen the university’s work to be a part of city life and a good neighbour, and has helped build links with local communities, charities and residents.

    Sybil Hanson has spent over 50 years making a significant contribution to education in Coventry, including 25 years at Blue Coat CE School. In her retirement, Sybil has served on the Board of Directors for the Inspire Education Trust, the Diocesan Board of Education, and the Schools Forum. At the age of 85, she continues to play a role in education in Coventry. Her contribution is highly valued by the many organisations with which she works.

    Councillor Abdul Salam Khan began his career in local government in 2007 and has been a member of the city’s Cabinet for 15 years and Deputy Leader of the Council since 2015. He demonstrates a profound commitment to inclusivity and respect and believes the strength of our city lies in its diversity. He represents the city around the world as he helps lead Coventry’s work as a city of peace and reconciliation, telling its story and inspiring others towards friendship.

    Mark Robins took over at the helm of Coventry City Football Club in 2017 when the club, along with its fanbase, was at an all-time low. He took a club that was at one of its lowest points in its history and restored its pride. He not only made it a better team, he helped re-establish the club as a true part of the city. He took players and staff into the community, built links with local groups, supported work in diversity and equality, and instilled a real sense of togetherness and pride in the city. 

    Jon Sharp is a true Coventrian who was born in Hillfields and developed his love for rugby while a student at Bablake Grammar School. After building a successful career in the aero industry, John returned home to take over at Coventry Rugby Club as it was on the verge of bankruptcy. The club is now in its best place for a generation and Jon has built strong community links with schools and local clubs, and launched “Project 500’, which has helped over 6,000 children enjoy activities and hot meals.
     

    Congratulating the six winners, Leader of Coventry City Council, Cllr George Duggins, said: “The Award of Merit is not awarded often, it is not an annual presentation, but only given when people have  shown outstanding commitment to our city and those who live here.

    “The six people we are honouring are wonderful examples of that dedication and I am delighted that they are being recognised. They have not only excelled in their own chosen fields, they have taken their pride in Coventry and love for their city and used their skills to give something back.

    “The nominations for these latest winners show the great amount of outstanding and selfless work they have carried out. They all come from different backgrounds and have different talents, but they all have something in common – their desire to help others and make Coventry a better place.

    “Thank you to them all for everything they have done for our city. They are great Coventrians, and very worthy recipients of this great honour.”

    Pauline Black, said: “I have always tried to place Coventry and its wonderful community of people at the centre of my life and It is an absolute honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award.”

    The six will officially receive their Awards at a ceremony later this year.

    To find out more about the Coventry Award of Merit and previous winners, visit the website – The Coventry Award of Merit – Coventry City Council

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Museums and libraries set to receive a share of over £30 million of funding to improve access to arts and culture

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Museums and libraries set to receive a share of over £30 million of funding to improve access to arts and culture

    Over £30 million of funding available to support museums and libraries with maintenance repairs and upgrades to their buildings

    • Expressions of interest to open in May for the Museum Estate and Development Fund and the Libraries Improvement Fund
    • Support to boost people’s access to art and culture, delivering Government’s Plan for Change to increase opportunities for all

    Museums and libraries will soon be able to apply for a share of over £30 million of funding as part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to arts and culture in the places they call home. 

    The funding will support museums and libraries’ vital maintenance repairs and upgrades, ensuring they can continue to tell the story of our nation’s rich history and providing spaces for people from all walks of life to access books, work and learn. For example, funding could be used to refurbish tired buildings, increase accessibility, offer more workshops, open new exhibitions, or buy specialist equipment.

    The Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) will open for expressions of interest on Tuesday 6 May 2025, followed by the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) opening for expressions of interest on Monday 12 May 2025. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on Arts Council England’s website. 

    Public libraries across England are encouraged to apply for a share of the £5.5 million Libraries Improvement Fund as part of the Government’s commitment to ensure libraries are able to upgrade their physical and digital infrastructure to adapt to changing user needs and can be enjoyed by future generations. 

    Likewise accredited museums across England will be able to apply for a share of £25 million to undertake vital infrastructure projects and tackle urgent maintenance backlogs, protecting important collections and buildings, whilst improving the visitor experience and museums’ resilience. Grants from £50,000 to £5 million will be available, to ensure museums can continue to share the stories of our rich regional and national history with visitors for many years to come. 

    It follows the announcement from the Culture Secretary last month of the £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to support economic growth and increase opportunities for people across the country.

    Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said: 

    Local museums are the storytellers of our nation’s rich history and creative heritage, providing precious civic spaces that attract millions of visitors every year, whilst public libraries play a key role in communities by providing access to spaces where everyone can work and learn. 

    Our Plan for Change will support these vital institutions to boost opportunity for all. I’m delighted that this investment into museums and libraries will fund repairs and upgrades to their infrastructure, improving the experience for visitors and ensuring they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

    Arts Council England Chief Executive, Darren Henley said:

    Museums and libraries are cherished cultural spaces in villages, towns and cities across the country where people come together, share ideas and make discoveries. This new investment in museums and libraries will help secure their future for years to come.

    Notes to editors

    • In February, Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy announced more than £270 million in funding for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in a major boost for growth. 

    • Arts Council England delivers these funds on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Guidance has been published today by Arts Council England to provide further information for museums and libraries considering making an application to these schemes. 

    • The online portal to register Expressions of Interest for LIF opens on Tuesday 6th May 2025. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on Arts Council England’s website. 

    • The online portal to register Expressions of Interest for MEND opens on Monday 12th May 2025.  Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on Arts Council England’s website.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Who is Kirsty Coventry and how did she become the most powerful person in world sports?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Davies Banda, Lecturer in Sport Policy and Management, University of Edinburgh

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected a woman as its president for the first time ever. Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry is also the youngest ever IOC president and the first from an African country, becoming a symbol of the IOC’s drive to diversify its leadership and image.

    Sports management scholar Davies Banda was part of a global research team that compiled an IOC-commissioned report on the roles of women in the organisation. He traces Coventry’s journey as a swimming star, politician and sports administrator.

    Who is Kirsty Coventry?

    She is Africa’s most decorated Olympian of all time. She won seven medals across the 2004 Athens Games and the 2008 Beijing Games.

    Born in Harare, she is not only Zimbabwe’s best known sports star but also the politically troubled country’s sports minister. The IOC presidency makes her one of the most powerful figures in world sports.

    Coventry is driven. She set her sights on the Olympics at the age of nine. She achieved her dream through hard work and a profound understanding of what a results-oriented athletic career looks like. She believes true success lies in sharing knowledge and skills, extending her impact beyond athletics into social activism and a political career in Zimbabwe.

    Her Olympic journey began at the 2000 Sydney Games, where she competed in two swimming events but failed to qualify for the finals. Her breakthrough happened at the 2004 Athens Games, where she won the first of her two gold medals in the 200-metre backstroke. She successfully defended this title at the 2008 Beijing Games.

    She retired from swimming competitively after her final Olympic appearance at the 2016 Rio Games, holding the joint record for the most individual women’s swimming medals in Olympic history. By then her sports administration dreams had begun to pay off.

    In 2012 she was elected to the IOC’s powerful Athletes’ Commission. Thanks to her extensive experience of being an Olympic athlete, she became a significant voice within the body. She was elected chair of the commission in 2018 and held the post until 2023, when she was elected to the IOC’s executive committee under Thomas Bach, also a former athlete and the outgoing IOC president.

    At the same time, Coventry transitioned into government service as an independent member of parliament in Zimbabwe. She was first appointed as the country’s Minister of Sport, Art and Recreation in 2018, and re-appointed in 2023.

    She’s a member of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, previously serving as its vice president. She’s also a member of the Athletes’ Commission of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.

    Why has it taken so long to have a female president?

    In 1997 the IOC set targets for National Olympic Committees to achieve at least 10% female representation in executive decision-making positions by the end of 2000. This was followed by a goal of at least 20% by 2005 and 30% by 2020.

    The IOC reported that female representation on its commissions doubled between 2013 and 2023, reaching 50% by the latter year.

    These deliberate measures can be seen as foundational to Coventry’s election. Globally, National Olympic Committees have seen a rise in female executive board members and leaders, increasing the pool of qualified candidates. An IOC report highlighted co-mentoring of female members on a governance leadership development initiative.

    Policies promoting the recognition of women’s leadership in sport and communities have nurtured leaders capable of competing for the highest IOC roles.

    However, considering that women were first allowed to participate in the 1900 Paris Games, it’s taken 124 years to see the election of a female IOC president.

    Despite the extended time frame, the IOC’s progressive initiatives, particularly its gender equality targets, have yielded tangible results.

    Some observers believe that Bach’s legacy, particularly in promoting gender equality, will be continued by Coventry, given their shared values and aspirations for the Olympic movement.

    What would a female president bring to Olympic sports?

    There is a drive for gender equality in Olympic sport. Coventry’s extensive experience as an athlete representative and her continued involvement with the Athletes’ Commission provide her with a deep understanding of athletes’ concerns. These include gender eligibility, a threat to the integrity of the Games due to doping, climate change, and athlete advocacy.

    Her relatively young age, 41, further strengthens her connection with athletes, the Olympic Games’ most valuable stakeholders, who are much younger than the administrators. This unique perspective allows her to engage with athletes in ways that previous IOC leaders could not. Her predecessors were close to or past their 60th birthdays when elected.

    So she is also likely to connect with younger generations more effectively than her predecessors, through modern technologies.

    Coventry is poised to lead the Olympic movement’s focus on sport for social change, given her experience of life in the global south, where she has been a social activist for underprivileged youth.

    The substantial growth of sport-for-change initiatives in the global south and beyond fuels the hope among scholars, including myself, that sport and athlete advocacy can achieve greater visibility. It can make an impact on global challenges, moving them from the sidelines to the heart of major sporting events.

    Coventry’s political career, conducted in Zimbabwe’s challenging economic climate, suggests a potential for using sport as a catalyst for positive social transformation.

    That said, while she may champion athlete advocacy on certain issues, her stated commitment to neutrality, particularly regarding the games, indicates a potential reluctance to engage with politically charged issues. The IOC’s status quo, the apolitical stance of the games, is likely to continue to limit the potential impact of athlete activism.



    Read more:
    Olympics in Africa: Egypt’s ambitious bid to host the games could succeed – but will it be worth it?

    What will be closely watched will be her approach to the contentious issue of transgender athletes in women’s events. Her current position advocates for their exclusion from female categories. She’s emphasised the protection of women’s sport and the enforcement of gender eligibility standards.

    It remains to be seen how closely her policies will align with, or diverge from, those of her predecessor. But for the IOC she no doubt represents a more diverse, gender equal movement.

    Davies Banda is affiliated with University of Edinburgh in Scotland and University of Lusaka in Zambia as a Senior Visiting Scholar

    – ref. Who is Kirsty Coventry and how did she become the most powerful person in world sports? – https://theconversation.com/who-is-kirsty-coventry-and-how-did-she-become-the-most-powerful-person-in-world-sports-252938

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Who is Kirsty Coventry and how did she become the most powerful person in world sports?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Davies Banda, Lecturer in Sport Policy and Management, University of Edinburgh

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected a woman as its president for the first time ever. Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry is also the youngest ever IOC president and the first from an African country, becoming a symbol of the IOC’s drive to diversify its leadership and image.

    Sports management scholar Davies Banda was part of a global research team that compiled an IOC-commissioned report on the roles of women in the organisation. He traces Coventry’s journey as a swimming star, politician and sports administrator.

    Who is Kirsty Coventry?

    She is Africa’s most decorated Olympian of all time. She won seven medals across the 2004 Athens Games and the 2008 Beijing Games.

    Born in Harare, she is not only Zimbabwe’s best known sports star but also the politically troubled country’s sports minister. The IOC presidency makes her one of the most powerful figures in world sports.

    Coventry is driven. She set her sights on the Olympics at the age of nine. She achieved her dream through hard work and a profound understanding of what a results-oriented athletic career looks like. She believes true success lies in sharing knowledge and skills, extending her impact beyond athletics into social activism and a political career in Zimbabwe.

    Her Olympic journey began at the 2000 Sydney Games, where she competed in two swimming events but failed to qualify for the finals. Her breakthrough happened at the 2004 Athens Games, where she won the first of her two gold medals in the 200-metre backstroke. She successfully defended this title at the 2008 Beijing Games.

    President Robert Mugabe shows off Coventry’s Olympic medals in 2004. STR/AFP/Getty Images

    She retired from swimming competitively after her final Olympic appearance at the 2016 Rio Games, holding the joint record for the most individual women’s swimming medals in Olympic history. By then her sports administration dreams had begun to pay off.

    In 2012 she was elected to the IOC’s powerful Athletes’ Commission. Thanks to her extensive experience of being an Olympic athlete, she became a significant voice within the body. She was elected chair of the commission in 2018 and held the post until 2023, when she was elected to the IOC’s executive committee under Thomas Bach, also a former athlete and the outgoing IOC president.

    At the same time, Coventry transitioned into government service as an independent member of parliament in Zimbabwe. She was first appointed as the country’s Minister of Sport, Art and Recreation in 2018, and re-appointed in 2023.

    She’s a member of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, previously serving as its vice president. She’s also a member of the Athletes’ Commission of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.

    Why has it taken so long to have a female president?

    In 1997 the IOC set targets for National Olympic Committees to achieve at least 10% female representation in executive decision-making positions by the end of 2000. This was followed by a goal of at least 20% by 2005 and 30% by 2020.

    The IOC reported that female representation on its commissions doubled between 2013 and 2023, reaching 50% by the latter year.

    These deliberate measures can be seen as foundational to Coventry’s election. Globally, National Olympic Committees have seen a rise in female executive board members and leaders, increasing the pool of qualified candidates. An IOC report highlighted co-mentoring of female members on a governance leadership development initiative.

    Policies promoting the recognition of women’s leadership in sport and communities have nurtured leaders capable of competing for the highest IOC roles.

    However, considering that women were first allowed to participate in the 1900 Paris Games, it’s taken 124 years to see the election of a female IOC president.

    Despite the extended time frame, the IOC’s progressive initiatives, particularly its gender equality targets, have yielded tangible results.

    Some observers believe that Bach’s legacy, particularly in promoting gender equality, will be continued by Coventry, given their shared values and aspirations for the Olympic movement.

    What would a female president bring to Olympic sports?

    There is a drive for gender equality in Olympic sport. Coventry’s extensive experience as an athlete representative and her continued involvement with the Athletes’ Commission provide her with a deep understanding of athletes’ concerns. These include gender eligibility, a threat to the integrity of the Games due to doping, climate change, and athlete advocacy.

    Her relatively young age, 41, further strengthens her connection with athletes, the Olympic Games’ most valuable stakeholders, who are much younger than the administrators. This unique perspective allows her to engage with athletes in ways that previous IOC leaders could not. Her predecessors were close to or past their 60th birthdays when elected.

    So she is also likely to connect with younger generations more effectively than her predecessors, through modern technologies.

    Coventry is poised to lead the Olympic movement’s focus on sport for social change, given her experience of life in the global south, where she has been a social activist for underprivileged youth.

    The substantial growth of sport-for-change initiatives in the global south and beyond fuels the hope among scholars, including myself, that sport and athlete advocacy can achieve greater visibility. It can make an impact on global challenges, moving them from the sidelines to the heart of major sporting events.

    Coventry’s political career, conducted in Zimbabwe’s challenging economic climate, suggests a potential for using sport as a catalyst for positive social transformation.

    That said, while she may champion athlete advocacy on certain issues, her stated commitment to neutrality, particularly regarding the games, indicates a potential reluctance to engage with politically charged issues. The IOC’s status quo, the apolitical stance of the games, is likely to continue to limit the potential impact of athlete activism.

    Read more: Olympics in Africa: Egypt’s ambitious bid to host the games could succeed – but will it be worth it?

    What will be closely watched will be her approach to the contentious issue of transgender athletes in women’s events. Her current position advocates for their exclusion from female categories. She’s emphasised the protection of women’s sport and the enforcement of gender eligibility standards.

    It remains to be seen how closely her policies will align with, or diverge from, those of her predecessor. But for the IOC she no doubt represents a more diverse, gender equal movement.

    – Who is Kirsty Coventry and how did she become the most powerful person in world sports?
    – https://theconversation.com/who-is-kirsty-coventry-and-how-did-she-become-the-most-powerful-person-in-world-sports-252938

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Amid a tropical paradise known as ‘Lizard Island,’ researchers are cracking open evolution’s black box – scientist at work

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By James T. Stroud, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolution, Georgia Institute of Technology

    After gathering data on the captured anole, the team releases it back to the wild. Neil Losin/Day’s Edge Prods.

    Every morning in Miami, our fieldwork begins the same way. Fresh Cuban coffee and pastelitos – delicious Latin American pastries – fuel our team for another day of evolutionary detective work. Here we’re tracking evolution in real time, measuring natural selection as it happens in a community of Caribbean lizards.

    As an assistant professor of ecology and evolution at Georgia Tech, my journey with these remarkable reptiles has taken me far from my London roots. The warm, humid air of Miami feels natural now, a far cry from the gray, drizzly and lizard-free streets of my British upbringing.

    Our research takes place on a South Florida island roughly the size of an American football field – assuming we’re successful in sidestepping the American crocodiles that bask in the surrounding lake. We call it Lizard Island, and it’s a special place.

    Here, since 2015, we’ve been conducting evolutionary research on five species of remarkable lizards called anoles. By studying the anoles, our team is working to understand one of biology’s most fundamental questions: How does natural selection drive evolution in real time?

    Each May, coinciding with the start of the breeding season, we visit Lizard Island to capture, study and release all adult anoles – a population that fluctuates between 600 to 1,000. For the entire summer, female anoles lay a single egg every seven to 10 days. By October, a whole new generation has emerged.

    The anoles of Lizard Island, clockwise from top left: Cuban knight anole, Hispaniolan bark anole, American green anole, Cuban brown anole, Puerto Rican crested anole.
    Neil Losin/Day’s Edge Prods.

    The secret lives of lizards

    Anoles aren’t early risers, so we don’t expect much activity until the Sun strengthens around 9:30 a.m.; this gives us time to prepare our equipment. Our team catches anoles with telescopic fishing poles fitted with little lassos, which we use to gently pluck the lizards off branches and tree trunks. Ask any lizard biologist about their preferred lasso material and you’ll spark the age-old debate: fishing line or dental floss? For what it’s worth, we recently converted – we’re now on Team Fishing Line.

    Picture yourself as an anole on Lizard Island. Your life is short – typically just one year – and filled with daily challenges. You need to warm up in the Sun, find enough food to survive, search for a mate, guard your favorite branch from other lizards and avoid being eaten by a predator.

    Like human beings, each lizard is unique. Some have longer legs, others stronger jaws, and all behave slightly differently. These differences could determine who survives and who doesn’t; who has the most babies and who doesn’t.

    These outcomes drive evolution by natural selection, the process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more. These advantageous traits are then passed on to future generations, gradually changing the species over time. However, scientists still have an incomplete understanding of exactly how each of these features predicts life’s winners and losers in the wild.

    To understand how species evolve, researchers need to crack open this black box of evolution and investigate natural selection in wild populations. My colleagues and I are doing this by studying the anoles in exquisite detail. Last year was especially exciting: We ran what we called the Lizard Olympics.

    Catching an anole with a lizard lasso. Look closely – the anole blends in quite well with the tree.
    Neil Losin/Day’s Edge Prods.

    Tiny fishing poles

    As the morning heat builds, we spot our first lizards: Cuban brown anoles near to the ground, and the mottled scales of Hispaniolan bark anoles just above them. Further up, in the leafy tree canopies, are American green anoles, and the largest species, the Cuban knight anole, about the size of a newborn kitten.

    In 2018, a new challenger entered the arena – the Puerto Rican crested anole, a species already present in Miami but one that hadn’t yet made it to Lizard Island. Its arrival provided us with an unexpected opportunity to study how species may evolve in real time in response to a new neighbor.

    Catching these agile athletes requires patience and precision. With our modified fishing poles, we carefully loop the dental floss over their heads. Each capture site is marked with bright pink tape and a unique ID number; all lizards are then transported to our field laboratory just a short walk away.

    In the laboratory, Stroud weighs a green anole.
    Neil Losin/Day’s Edge Prods.

    The Lizard Olympics

    Here, the real Olympic trials begin. Every athlete goes through a comprehensive evaluation. Our portable X-ray machine reveals their skeletal structure, and high-resolution scans capture the intricate details of their feet. This is particularly critical: Like their gecko cousins, anoles possess remarkable sticky toes that allow them to cling to smooth surfaces such as leaves and maybe even survive hurricanes.

    We also measure the shape and sharpness of their claws, as both features are crucial for these tree climbers. DNA samples provide a genetic fingerprint for each individual, allowing us to map family relationships across the island and see which is the most reproductively successful.

    A portable X-ray machine takes detailed measurements of a lizard’s skeleton.
    James Stroud

    The performance trials are where things get interesting. Imagine a tiny track meet for lizards. Using high-speed video cameras, we precisely test how fast each lizard runs, and using specialist equipment we measure how hard it bites and how strong it grips rough branches and smooth leaves.

    These aren’t arbitrary measurements – each represents a potential evolutionary advantage. Fast lizards might better escape predators. Strong bites might determine winners in territorial disputes. Excellent grip is crucial for tree canopy acrobatics.

    Each measurement helps us answer fundamental questions about evolution: Do faster lizards live longer? Do stronger biters produce more offspring? These are the essential metrics of evolution by natural selection.

    The identification code lets researchers track the lizard’s growth and survival.
    Neil Losin/Day’s Edge Prods.

    As afternoon approaches, the team relocates each piece of bright pink tape and returns the corresponding lizard to the exact branch it was caught on. The anoles now sport two tiny 3-millimeter tags with a unique code that lets us identify it when we recapture it in future research trips, along with a small dot of white nail polish so we know not to catch it immediately after we let it go.

    At 8:30 p.m., with the Lizard Olympics done for the day, we return to the island donning headlamps. Night brings a different perspective. Some of the most wily lizards are difficult to catch when fully charged by the midday Sun, so our nocturnal jaunts allow us to find them while they sleep. However, it’s often a race against time. Hungry lizard-eating corn snakes are also out hunting, trying to find the anoles before we do. As we wrap up another 16-hour day around 11:30 p.m., the team shares stories of the night.

    Should a snake climb along a branch where a baby anole sleeps, the lizard will wake up and drop to the ground to escape.
    James Stroud

    Evolution on the island

    Now spanning 10 years, 10 generations and five species, our Lizard Island dataset represents one of the longest-running active studies of its kind in evolutionary biology. By tracking which individuals survive and reproduce, and linking their success to specific physical traits and performance abilities, we’re documenting natural selection with unprecedented detail.

    So far we have uncovered two fascinating patterns. Initially, it didn’t pay to be different on Lizard Island. Anoles with very average shapes and sizes lived longer compared with those that are slightly different. But when the crested anoles arrived, everything changed: Suddenly, brown anoles with longer legs had a survival advantage.

    Anoles communicate with their dewlap, an expandable throat fan that signals other lizards.
    Jon Suh

    The Lizard Olympics is helping us understand why. The larger, more aggressive crested anoles are forcing brown anoles to spend more time on the ground, where those with longer legs might run faster to escape predators – allowing them to better survive and pass on their long-leg genes, while shorter-legged anoles might be eaten before they can reproduce.

    By watching natural selection unfold in response to environmental changes, rather than inferring it from fossil records, we’re providing cutting-edge evidence for evolutionary processes that Charles Darwin could only theorize about.

    These long days of observation are slowly revealing one of biology’s most fundamental processes. Every lizard we catch, every measurement we take adds another piece to our understanding of how species adapt and evolve in an ever-changing world.

    James T. Stroud 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. Amid a tropical paradise known as ‘Lizard Island,’ researchers are cracking open evolution’s black box – scientist at work – https://theconversation.com/amid-a-tropical-paradise-known-as-lizard-island-researchers-are-cracking-open-evolutions-black-box-scientist-at-work-246474

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor’s Columns Support Key Initiatives; Align with Actions Taken by President Trump

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Trump.  The Governor’s latest column was published in The Federalist just prior to his attendance at last week’s White House signing ceremony promoting efforts to right size the U.S. Department of Education and boosting state and local control.  

    The editorial points out: “Since the Department of Education was formed as a standalone department in 1980, we’ve seen its budget and workforce bloat — but we haven’t seen improved outcomes for students, parents, or teachers. We clearly aren’t getting what we’re paying for.

    There is a simpler, better path forward. By sending education back to states, we let those nearest to the student have the biggest influence. This is a pro-kid, pro-parent, pro-teacher, pro-school position. No matter the style of schooling families choose — public, private, homeschool, or hybrid — our lessons should be focused on helping our youth succeed, and you don’t need federal government mandates to do that.”

    The entire column can be found here: https://governor.nebraska.gov/gov-pillen-editorial-supports-us-department-education-changes-praises-nebraska-teachers.

    The benefit of youth sports and providing protections to girls and women was the focus of another column in which Gov. Pillen said: “Data show that youth sports are a gold mine for those that participate. Student athletes are more likely to excel academically and graduate at a higher rate than non-athletes. They learn teamwork, communication, and leadership skills that are hard to replicate in just about any classroom. They become more disciplined by juggling practices and schoolwork. They form friendships and find role models, like coaches, who can inspire.

    Youth sports have especially benefited girls, who before the enactment of Title IX in the 1970s, had many fewer sports opportunities than boys. Now, those benefits are threatened by the rise of a movement to allow biological boys to participate in girls’ sports.”

    Gov. Pillen was part of the White House celebration at which President Trump signed the executive order Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports. At the start of the legislative session, he and Senator Kathleen Kauth stood with female athletes to introduce the Stand With Women Act (LB89), which was voted out of committee last week.

    In his column (https://governor.nebraska.gov/legislative-update-values-sports-teach-our-kids) the Governor said:  “Just like most Nebraskans, I want to keep politics as far from the field as possible, but this conversation – taken over by a vocal minority – needs a dose of common sense and straightforward policy. The reality is that this issue is NOT political – it’s simply about protecting our girls and standing up for our values.”

    Supporting actions by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to combat avian flu and reduce egg prices, Gov. Pillen shared with FoxNews.com that strong leadership and effective management of animal disease were key.  

    “Nebraska’s fields and pasture lands are expansive – about 90% of our land is devoted to farming and ranching. I’ve seen it firsthand: as rural goes, so goes agriculture. Secretary Rollins believes this, and she is an advocate for us. I’ve heard her articulate a vision for rural economic prosperity and development that will go a long way in giving our families and communities a boost.

    We need to work with our federal partners to help build this roadmap for American agriculture. We know our potential is second to none. We have the best people and plentiful water, crops, and livestock.  With great optimism and renewed partnerships, this season of leadership and newfound opportunity will lead to a long-lasting period of abundance – and cheaper eggs – for the American people.”

    That editorial is available at: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/smart-policy-cheaper-eggs-trump-rollins-team-good-farmers-us-consumers.

    Gov. Pillen has also been vocal in his support of targeted tariff’s implemented by President Trump, which are designed to combat trade imbalances with countries around the world.  

    “Trade hinges on the idea of mutual economic benefit — it’s a great goal, and it’s good for everyone. But we aren’t playing in a “free trade” space anymore, certainly not with foreign adversaries and trade manipulators such as China on the scene. Agriculture has to rely on trade. We know it, and we depend on it. However, the status quo just isn’t working.

    We aren’t victims, but U.S. farmers and ranchers need a boost. We’re problem solvers who know how special it is to fulfill our calling. That’s why this conversation matters. Agriculture across this country deserves free and fair trade because if we get it, we know the U.S. is going to win big. I’ll bet the farm on it.”

    The Governor’s column can be found here: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/faith-freedom-self-reliance/3324484/trump-trade-policy-will-save-farmers/.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Dr. Sandeep Rout Joins Locus Technologies to Drive EHS Software Adoption

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Locus Technologies, the sustainability and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance software leader, welcomed Sandeep Rout, PhD, MBA, as Director of Customer Success, effective immediately. Dr. Rout will leverage more than two decades of expertise in the EHS domain, mostly with Global Oil & Gas and Chemical companies, to deliver expert guidance to Locus clients and contribute to R&D. Dr. Rout earned his Doctoral degree in Biochemical Engineering and Biomaterials and an M.S. in Engineering Science from Louisiana State University, as well as an MBA from Cornell University.

    “Locus continues to differentiate through talent, and Sandeep Rout is no exception,” said Neno Duplan, Founder and CEO of Locus Technologies. “We aren’t a generic software company that targets an environmental niche. Locus is comprised of highly educated environmental engineers and scientists with incredibly rich and relevant backgrounds who steer the innovation and implementation of Locus software. Dr. Rout will be an asset to Locus clients as they optimize their EHS&S practices.”

    Dr. Rout has worked in the EHS and Information Systems fields since 2001 — specializing in implementing EHS software solutions that collect, calculate, and report Air Emissions/GHG.

    “As an experienced advisor in the EHS field, I have long admired the technical capability of Locus software and I’m pleased to contribute to the company’s continued growth in the US and abroad,” said Dr. Rout. “This is a pivotal era with organizations facing regulatory uncertainty, data complexity, and shifting expectations from shareholders. I’m looking forward to helping organizations neutralize those complications with Locus Platform and the company’s growing portfolio of purpose-built applications.”

    To learn more about Locus software and the company’s elite team of subject matter experts, please visit http://www.locustec.com.

    About Locus Technologies
    Locus Technologies, the global environmental, social, governance (ESG), sustainability, and EHS compliance software leader, empowers companies of every size and industry to be credible with ESG reporting. From 1997, Locus pioneered enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) for EHS compliance, water management, and ESG credible reporting. Locus apps and software solutions improve business performance by strengthening risk management and EHS for organizations across industries and government agencies. Organizations ranging from medium-sized businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises, such as Sempra, Corteva, Chevron, DuPont, Chemours, San Jose Water Company, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Port of Seattle, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, have selected Locus. Locus is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For further information regarding Locus and its commitment to excellence in SaaS solutions, please visit http://www.locustec.com or email info@locustec.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Why Investors Are Rushing Into XploraDEX $XPL Presale – The Only AI-Powered DEX on XRP Ledger

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZURICH, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In the fast-paced world of crypto, early access to innovation often defines who wins big. That’s why XploraDEX is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about projects on the XRP Ledger. As the first and only AI-powered decentralized exchange (DEX) on XRPL, it brings a unique value proposition to XRP holders, DeFi traders, and early-stage investors.

    The $XPL Token Presale is live, and it’s not just a fundraising event—it’s your ticket into an ecosystem built for intelligent trading, automation, and long-term utility. If you’re serious about riding the next wave of innovation in DeFi, this is one opportunity you don’t want to ignore.

    Why XploraDEX Is Different and Better

    DEXs aren’t new but DEXs powered by AI, built on a high-speed chain like XRPL, are unheard of.

    Here’s what sets XploraDEX apart:

    AI-Driven Trade Execution – Trades are automatically optimized using machine learning models trained to recognize patterns and predict market behavior.

    24/7 AI Surveillance – Real-time monitoring of the market to identify arbitrage opportunities, track liquidity movements, and flag unusual trading activity.

    Predictive Analytics Dashboard – Traders get actionable insights, not just charts. Forecasts, heatmaps, and alerts are built into the platform.

    Built Natively on XRPL – Leverages XRP Ledger’s ultra-low fees and lightning-fast transaction speed, ideal for real-time DeFi operations.

    Smarter Liquidity – AI automates pool balancing and routing to reduce slippage and maximize efficiency.

    XploraDEX isn’t just a tool, it’s a trading ally designed to help both seasoned traders and newcomers stay profitable in volatile markets.

    PARTICIPATE IN XPLORADEX PRESALE

    The Role of $XPL – More Than Just a Utility Token

    The $XPL token is at the core of everything on XploraDEX. It’s not just used for transactions; it powers the platform’s functionality, governance, and incentive structure.

    Why You Shouldn’t Miss the $XPL Presale

    The presale phase offers early investors first-mover advantages and access to discounted $XPL tokens before the public launch.

    Here’s why it matters:

    Low Entry Price – Buy in before market listing and price discovery.

    Exclusive Presale Bonuses – Higher staking multipliers and access to beta AI features.

    High Growth Potential – As the only AI-powered DEX on XRPL, XploraDEX has first-mover leverage.

    This is more than just a presale—it’s a chance to be early on what could become the go-to AI DeFi platform for XRP traders globally.

    BUY $XPL TOKEN

    $XPL PreSale Information:

    Token Name: XploraDEX

    Total Supply: 500,000,000

    Presale Allocation: First Come, First Serve!

    DEX Listing: 25% Higher

    Liquidity Pools: Launching immediately after TGE!

    The $XPL Token Presale is already attracting major interest, early investors will gain first-mover advantages!

    Buy $XPL Tokens: https://sale.xploradex.io

    Final Thoughts: A Rare Opportunity on XRPL

    While many DEX projects are chasing trends, XploraDEX is building real infrastructure that solves actual trading problems. By combining AI technology with the speed and efficiency of XRPL, it positions itself as a platform with long-term relevance.

    Participate in the $XPL Presale Today: https://sale.xploradex.io

    Stay connected and Join the XploraDEX AI Revolution

    Website | $XPL Token Presale | X | Telegram

    Contact:
    Oliver Muller
    oliver@xploradex.io
    contact@xploradex.io

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the XploraDEX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c02de130-c4aa-4ea0-bfba-8c0de3c6d3ad

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Culinary expert, Christian Abegan, named WFP Chef advocate in West and Central Africa

    Source: World Food Programme

    Photo: WFP/Evelyn Fey. Chef Christian Abegan becomes WFP’s Chef Advocate for Food Security, Nutrition, Sustainable Food Systems.

    DAKAR – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today announced Christian Abégan, -renowned culinary expert, author and TV Host, as its new Chef Advocate for food security, nutrition and sustainable food systems in West and Central Africa.

    A champion of sustainable food systems and healthy diets, Abégan has dedicated his career to elevating African gastronomy, advocating for food security and promoting the use of nutritious, locally sourced ingredients to fight hunger. Honoured with the Diplôme d’Honneur de l’Institut de la Gastronomie Française, laureate of the Afro-Caribbean Excellence Trophy and author, he brings a wealth of expertise and passion to WFP’s mission of fighting hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

    In his new role as WFP’s Chef Advocate, Christian Abégan will collaborate with WFP to promote fortified foods, advocate for homegrown school meals, and mobilize decision-makers to support global food security efforts. Chef Abegan will also share his culinary knowledge and techniques, empowering people to access nutritious meals using available resources.

    “As a chef and a passionate advocate for nutritious and accessible food for all, I fully identify with WFP’s mission to fight hunger,” said Chef Christian Abégan. “Taking on this role is a great honour and a responsibility that I embrace with passion and determination.“ 

    For the past 35 years, Abégan has advocated for the power of food as a tool for better health, culture, community cohesion and growth. His expertise in African cuisine and sustainable food systems aligns with WFP’s efforts to promote nutrition, food security, support to smallholder farmers and education through its homegrown school feeding programme.

    “Chef Christian Abégan’s expertise and creativity bring a powerful synergy to WFP’s efforts in West and Central Africa, blending culinary innovation with social impact,” said Margot Van Der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa.  “WFP’s engagement with Chef Abégan exemplifies the powerful impact of partnerships in addressing hunger and improving food and nutrition security. Through culinary innovation, capacity building, advocacy, we will bring about positive change to communities around the world.” 

    Western Africa is in the grips of an acute food security and nutrition crisis with an estimated 52.7 million women, men and children projected to experience acute hunger by June 2025. This hunger crisis is mainly driven by conflict, displacement, economic crises and severe climate shocks, with devastating floods in 2024 affecting over six million people across the region. Moreover, 8 in 10 children under two lack access to dietary diversity in a region hosting 16 percent of the global burden of child stunting. 

    WFP has been instrumental in fostering local food solutions, delivering emergency assistance to those in   greatest need and enhancing access to affordable and nutritious diets. WFP’s response encompasses support for local agribusinesses, initiatives for the production of nutritious foods and efforts to connect farmers with school feeding programmes. 

    Over the last seven years, Chef Abégan has actively been supporting WFP, participating in campaigns and events, including the Healthy Not Hungry campaign in Burkina Faso, and WFP Fight Famine across the Sahel, raising awareness about the importance of healthy eating and sustainable food practices. His engaging presence and ability to connect with diverse audiences make him an effective advocate for WFP’s mission in West and Central Africa.

    #                 #                   #

    About WFP: 

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

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @wfp_media @wfp_wafrica @wfp_chad

    About Chef Christian Abégan:

    Chef Christian Abégan, a Cameroonian-born culinary expert and Le Cordon Bleu Paris graduate, is a master of African cuisine. Based in Paris, he is dedicated to showcasing the richness of African gastronomy. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, he launched L’Arche Culinaire Africain—a platform uniting African and Diaspora chefs to elevate local ingredients and promote nutrition-focused cuisine. In 2010, he received the Grand Diploma of Honor from the French Institute of Gastronomy, and in 2017, he was a finalist for the Archestrate Prize for his book Le Patrimoine Culinaire Africain (The African Culinary Heritage).  As a jury member on the Star Chef TV show from 2011 to 2016, he influenced culinary trends across 28 African countries. His ability to merge heritage and creativity earned him the Afro-Caribbean Excellence Trophy in 2009.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to Chair 84th Annual General Meeting of Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education and Development

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 5:04PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will chair the 84th Annual General Meeting of the Governing Body of the Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education and Development in New Delhi tomorrow. The meeting aims to ensure the effective implementation and review of the Workers Education Scheme for the nation’s workforce.

    The event will be attended by Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, senior officials from various ministries, representatives of trade unions, and employer organizations.

    Headquartered in New Delhi, the Board has been empowering workers across the country through its 50 Regional Directorates since 1958. It focuses on training and awareness programmes for organized sector workers on human resources and industrial development, while also educating unorganized and rural workers about social security and various other labour welfare schemes and programmes.

    In response to the evolving landscape, the Board is conducting Shramik Chaupals and Awareness-cum-Registration Camps to train workers and enroll them in various flagship government schemes, ensuring direct benefits. Additionally, the Board is collaborating with various institutions to provide skilling, reskilling, and upskilling opportunities to workers.

    The Board is also in the process of obtaining Awarding Body status from the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET).

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2114888) Visitor Counter : 15

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –