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Category: Trade

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Three nominations received for Labour Advisory Board By-election of Employee Representative

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Three nominations received for Labour Advisory Board By-election of Employee Representative
    ******************************************************************************************

    The By-election of Employee Representative to the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) for filling a vacancy of the current LAB term (2025-2026) will be held on March 29 (Saturday) at Function Rooms, 3/F, South Tower, The Salisbury – YMCA of Hong Kong, 41 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. The Labour Department (LD) received three valid nominations of candidates from employee unions registered under the Trade Unions Ordinance during the nomination period from February 3 to 25, 2025.     The candidates, listed in the order of receipt of nomination forms by the LD, are:* Mr Yang KaiqiangVice Chairman,Hong Kong Seamen’s Union* Mr Chong Yuk-shingChairman,Hong Kong Security Guards Alliance* Mr Yeung Wai-leungChairman,Union of Government School Teachers     A total of 837 employee unions registered as electors have appointed authorised representatives to vote in this by-election. The electors will soon be informed in writing of the candidate list and detailed proceedings on the by-election day. Authorised representatives may cast votes at the polling station at Function Rooms, 3/F, South Tower, The Salisbury – YMCA of Hong Kong, from 9am to 5pm on the by-election day of March 29.     Candidates may monitor the counting of votes in person on the by-election day. The Assistant Commissioner for Labour (Development) will act as the Returning Officer.     The respective lists of candidates and electors with authorised representatives appointed, as well as the rules and procedures for the by-election, are available on the homepage of the LD (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/LAB_By-election2025.htm). Enquiries on matters relating to this by-election can be made at 2852 4024.     The LAB is a tripartite consultative body comprising representatives of employees and employers to advise the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters.

    Ends/Friday, March 7, 2025Issued at HKT 15:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Medicine shop salesman convicted of engaging in commercial practice involving misleading omission for selling Chinese herbal medicine

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Medicine shop salesman convicted of engaging in commercial practice involving misleading omission for selling Chinese herbal medicine
    ******************************************************************************************

    A medicine shop salesman was earlier convicted of engaging in a commercial practice involving a misleading omission in the sale of a Chinese herbal medicine, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on February 21. After being remanded in custody for 14 days, the salesman was sentenced to 120 hours’ community service order today (March 7) and must compensate the victim in the case by an amount of $11,000.     Customs earlier received information from a Mainland visitor alleging that a staff member of a medicine shop in Mong Kok misled him in the course of selling a Chinese herbal medicine. After an investigation, it was revealed that the staff member did not disclose the pricing unit of the medicine despite the visitor’s inquiry, misleading the visitor to believe that the unit price of the medicine was calculated per catty. After the medicine was ground into powder, the staff member revealed that it was priced per mace and cost $22,400 in total, which was 160 times higher than what was expected. Eventually the visitor was forced to purchase a portion of the medicine at around half the price.     Customs has long been concerned about visitors being misled into making purchases by unfair trade practices and has established a Quick Response Team to handle urgent complaints lodged by short-haul visitors. The complaints will be promptly referred to investigators to handle with priority.     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers should procure products from reputable traders. They are also reminded to check carefully the total price and unit price of the goods before making a payment, and to retain the transaction receipts and related records, which can be used as the basis for follow-up action in case a complaint is lodged in the future.       Under the TDO, any trader who engages in a commercial practice that omits or hides material information or provides material information in a manner that is unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely, and as a result causes, or is likely to cause, an average consumer to make a transactional decision, commits an offence of misleading omissions. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.     ???     Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

    Ends/Friday, March 7, 2025Issued at HKT 15:08

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Electrical and Mechanical Expo 2025 provides one-stop career information (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Electrical and Mechanical Expo 2025 provides one-stop career information (with photos)
    **************************************************************************************

    The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and the Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Trade Promotion Working Group today (March 7) jointly held the Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) Expo 2025.      With the theme “E&M, Together We Forge Ahead”, the Expo provided information on career prospects, continuing education and training of the E&M industry. Trade representatives were invited to share the latest trade developments at career talks.      The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, said at the Expo that the EMSD is committed to driving the development of the E&M industry through digitalisation and the application of innovative technologies. He encouraged young people to seize opportunities and join the industry to pursue their aspirations and showcase their talents.      The representative of the Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Trade Promotion Working Group and President of the Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Limited, Mr Emil Yu, said that with the launch of major construction projects, the prospects for the E&M industry are promising. He expressed hope that more young people will join this industry, which has significant development potential, to inject new impetus.      Established in 2012, the Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Trade Promotion Working Group includes members from the EMSD. The Working Group is committed to promoting the sustainable development of the E&M industry.

    Ends/Friday, March 7, 2025Issued at HKT 18:05

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: S for S departs for Thailand to co-ordinate rescue of six Hong Kong residents detained in Southeast Asia (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    S for S departs for Thailand to co-ordinate rescue of six Hong Kong residents detained in Southeast Asia (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

    The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, departed for Thailand earlier to participate in the co-ordination and rescue operation for six Hong Kong residents who were lured to Myanmar to engage in illegal work. Mr Tang returned to Hong Kong today (March 7), while the six residents, to be accompanied by members of the Security Bureau’s dedicated task force, will return to Hong Kong tonight.     The dedicated task force, comprising members from the Security Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department, departed for Thailand earlier to participate in the rescue operation for the six Hong Kong residents who were detained in Myanmar. Upon arrival in Bangkok, the members of the dedicated task force proceeded to the Mae Sot area near the border between Thailand and Myanmar to participate in the joint rescue operation involving various parties. Mr Tang also departed for Thailand yesterday (March 6) to co-ordinate the rescue operation together with senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice, and the Police of Thailand.     The six Hong Kong residents, comprising three men and three women aged between 29 and 44, were detained in Myanmar for periods ranging from five to seven months. They were sent to Mae Sot, Thailand, at midnight by the military of Myanmar after being rescued. With the assistance of Thai authorities and personnel from the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai, the dedicated task force escorted the six residents to depart from Mae Sot and arrived in Bangkok this afternoon.     Mr Tang expressed gratitude to all units involved in the joint operation, including the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China, frontline personnel at the Thai-Myanmar border; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai; the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence, the Police and the military of Thailand; as well as the relevant Myanmar authorities, the Security Bureau’s dedicated task force and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok.     Mr Tang had a video meeting with the six Hong Kong residents earlier and was pleased to learn that they were safe and in good condition. They expressed gratitude to those who helped in the rescue and looked forward to returning to Hong Kong to reunite with their families later today.     The dedicated task force will continue to actively follow up on the remaining three request-for-assistance cases of individuals who have yet to return to Hong Kong and will strive to facilitate their return as soon as possible.

    Ends/Friday, March 7, 2025Issued at HKT 18:28

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Six detainees in Myanmar rescued

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Security Bureau announced today that six Hong Kong residents lured to Myanmar to engage in illegal work have been rescued following a joint rescue operation.

     

    A dedicated task force, consisting of members from the bureau, the Police Force and the Immigration Department, had earlier travelled to the Mae Sot area of Thailand, near its border with Myanmar.

     

    Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung subsequently flew to Thailand yesterday to co-ordinate the operation alongside senior officials from Thailand’s Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, and police.

     

    The six Hong Kong residents, comprising three men and three women all aged between 29 and 44, had been detained in Myanmar for periods ranging from five to seven months. After being rescued, they were sent to Mae Sot by Myanmar’s military. With the assistance of Thai authorities, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai, the task force escorted the six from Mae Sot to Bangkok, which they reached this afternoon.

     

    Mr Tang had earlier held a video meeting with the citizens and was pleased to learn that they were safe and in good condition. They expressed gratitude to those who had helped in their rescue and said they looked forward to reuniting with their families in Hong Kong.

     

    Mr Tang thanked all units involved in the joint operation, including the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China; frontline personnel at the Thai-Myanmar border; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chiang Mai; Thailand’s Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence, police and military; relevant authorities in Myanmar; the task force; and the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Bangkok.

     

    Regarding three individuals who have yet to return to Hong Kong, the bureau stressed that it will actively follow up on their cases and strive to facilitate their return as soon as possible.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: The G20: how it works, why it matters and what would be lost if it failed

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Danny Bradlow, Professor/Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria

    South Africa took over the presidency of the G20 at the end of 2024. Since then the world has become a more complex, unpredictable and dangerous place. The most powerful state in the world, the US, seems intent on undermining the existing order that it created and on demonstrating its power over weaker nations. Other influential countries are turning inward.

    These developments raise concerns about how well mechanisms for global cooperation, such as the G20, can continue to operate, particularly those that work on the basis of consensual decision making. Danny Bradlow sets out how the G20 works, and what’s at stake.

    What’s the G20’s purpose?

    The G20 is a forum in which the largest economies in the world meet regularly to discuss, and attempt to address, the most urgent international economic and political challenges. The group, which includes both rich and developing countries, accounts for about 67% of the world’s population, 85% of global GDP, and 75% of global trade.

    The G20, in fact, is a misnomer. The actual number of G20 participants in any given year far exceeds the 19 states and 2 international entities (the European Union and the African Union) that are its permanent members. Each year they are joined by a number of invited “guests”. While there are some countries, for example Spain and the Netherlands, that are considered “permanent” G20 guests, the full list of guests is determined by the chair of the G20 for that year. This year, South Africa has invited 13 countries, including Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. They are joined by 24 invited international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the United Nations and eight African regional organisations, among others.

    The G20 should be understood as a process rather than a set of discrete events. Its apex is the annual leaders’ summit at which the participating heads of state and government seek to agree on a communiqué setting out their agreements on key issues. These agreements are non-binding and each of the participating states usually will implement most but not all the agreed points.

    The communiqué is the outcome of a two track process: a finance track, consisting of representatives of the finance ministries and central banks in the participating counties, and a “sherpa” track that deals with more political issues. In total these two tracks will involve over 100 meetings of technical level officials and policymakers.

    Most of the work in each track is done by working groups. The finance track has seven working groups dealing with issues ranging from the global economy and international financial governance to financial inclusion and the financing of infrastructure. The sherpa track has 15 working groups dealing with issues ranging from development and agriculture to health, the digital economy, and education.

    The agenda for the working group meetings is based on issues notes prepared by the G20 presidency. The issues notes will discuss both unfinished business from prior years and any new issues that the president adds to the G20 agenda.

    The working group chairs report on the outcomes of these meetings to the ministerial meetings in their track. These reports will first be discussed in meetings of the deputies to the ministers. The deputies will seek to narrow areas of disagreement and sharpen the issues for discussion so that when they are presented at the ministerial meeting the chances of reaching agreement are maximised.

    The agreements reached at each of these ministerial meetings, assuming all participants agree, will be expressed in a carefully negotiated and drafted communiqué. If the participants cannot agree, the minister chairing the meeting will provide a chair’s summary of the meeting. These documents will then inform the communiqué that will be released at the end of the G20 summit. This final communiqué represents the formal joint decision of the participating heads of state and government.

    The G20 process is supplemented by the work of 13 engagement groups representing, for example, business, labour, youth, think tanks, women and civil society in the G20 countries. These groups look for ways to influence the outcomes of the G20 process.

    What is the G20 troika and how does it operate?

    The G20 does not have a permanent secretariat. Instead, the G20 president is responsible for organising and chairing the more than 100 meetings that take place during the year. The G20 has decided that this burden should be supported by a “troika”, consisting of the past, present and future presidents of the G20. This year the troika consists of Brazil, the past chair; South Africa, the current chair; and the US, the future chair.

    The role of the troika varies depending on the identity of the current chair and how assertive it wishes to be in driving the G20 process. It will also be influenced by how active the other two members of the troika wish to be.

    The troika helps ensure some continuity from one G20 year to another. This is important because there is a significant carryover of issues on the G20 agenda from one year to the next. The troika therefore creates the potential for the G20 president to focus on the issues of most interest to it over a three year period rather than just for one year.

    How successful has the G20 process been?

    The G20 is essentially a self-appointed group which has designated itself as the “premier forum for international economic cooperation”.

    The G20 was first brought together during the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s. At that time, it was limited to a forum in which ministers of finance and central bank governors could meet to discuss the most important international economic and financial issues, such as the Asian financial crisis.

    The G20 was elevated to the level of heads of state and government at the time of the 2008 global financial crisis.

    The G20 tends to work well as a cooperative forum when the world is confronting an economic crisis. Thus, the G20 was a critical forum in which countries could discuss and agree on coordinating actions to deal with the global financial crisis in 2008-9.

    It has performed less well when confronted with other types of crises. For example, it was found wanting in dealing with the COVID pandemic.

    It has also proven to be less effective, although not necessarily totally ineffective, when there is no crisis. So, for example, the G20 has been useful in helping address relatively technical issues such as developing international standards on particular financial regulatory issues or improving the functioning of multilateral development banks. On other more political issues, for example climate, food security, and funding the UN’s sustainable development goals, it has been less effective.

    There’s one less obvious, but nevertheless important, benefit. The G20 offers officials from participating countries the chance to interact with their counterparts from other G20 countries. As a result, they come to know and understand each other better, which helps foster cooperation between states on issues of common interest. It also ensures that when appropriate, these officials know whom to contact in other countries and this may help mitigate the risk of misunderstanding and conflict.

    These crisis management and other benefits would be lost if the G20 were to stop functioning. And there is currently no alternative to the G20 in the sense of a forum where the leading states in the world, which may differ on many important issues, can meet on a relatively informal basis to discuss issues of mutual interest. Importantly, the withdrawal of one G20 state, even the most powerful, should not prevent the remaining participants from using the G20 to promote international cooperation on key global challenges.

    In this way it can help manage the risk of conflict in a complex global environment.

    Danny Bradlow, in addition to his position at the University of Pretoria, is working as a G20 senior advisor to the South African Institute of International Affairs and is co-chair of the T20 Taskforce on Financing of Sustainable Development.

    – ref. The G20: how it works, why it matters and what would be lost if it failed – https://theconversation.com/the-g20-how-it-works-why-it-matters-and-what-would-be-lost-if-it-failed-251500

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Event dedicated to attracting international organisations to Paris Region (5 Mar. 2025)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    On Tuesday 4 March, Laurent Saint Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, brought together international organisations operating in the Paris Region in the presence of Alexandra Dublanche, Vice-President of the Paris Region. The event was organised in partnership with Choose Paris Region, Paris-Île de France Capitale Économique, Business France and the Agence Française de Développement group. It was an opportunity to highlight the attractiveness of France, and the Paris region (Ile-de-France) in particular, to international organisations.

    There are now seventy international organisations in Paris Region, representing an economic weight of €4.8 billion for the region and employing more than 11,500 people, according to a study by Paris-Île de France Capitale Économique. Regional and multilateral initiatives such as the Club OI and the Paris Dialogue are helping these organisations to establish themselves, as well as new players, think tanks, associations and foundations that are helping to create a dynamic and innovative ecosystem. A new guide to welcoming international organisations to Paris Region, produced by Choose Paris Region in partnership with the MEAE, has been added to this programme.

    International organisations are all key players in France’s policy of multilateralism in the fields of global issues, development financing, climate, artificial intelligence and innovation. France reaffirms its commitment to these international players and its desire to strengthen the instruments and facilities at their disposal.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Orion Funded Launches Orion V2 with New Funding Models, Trader Dashboard, and AI-Powered Tools

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orion Funded has announced the launch of Orion V2, an update to its proprietary trading program that introduces new funding models, an enhanced trader dashboard, and AI-powered trading tools.

    The Orion V2 update introduces a revised funding model in which traders pay a portion of the challenge fee at the start of their evaluation and complete the remaining payment upon successful funding. Previously, traders were required to pay the full amount upfront. This adjustment restructures the cost framework for evaluation and funding.

    Orion Funded was recognized with the Best Challenge Prop Firm Award by Funded Trading, an industry-ranking platform. The award highlights firms that offer evaluation structures designed to align with trader interests. The award details can be found at FundedTrading.com.

    “Orion V2 is the evolution of our commitment to transparency, and trader success. While most firms follow the same outdated models, we are here to truly change the space, revolutionizing the funding process, reducing conflicts of interest, and giving traders the best opportunity to succeed with the most innovative model in the industry,” said David Viota, CEO of Orion Funded.

    Key Updates in Orion V2

    • Updated Challenge Funding Model – Traders now have the option to pay a portion of the evaluation fee upfront, completing payment upon funding.
    • Customizable Evaluation Options – New add-ons allow traders to adjust evaluation structures.
    • Redesigned Trader Dashboard – A new interface providing real-time performance tracking and data analysis.
    • WebTrader Integration – Traders can now access Orion Funded’s platform directly through a web-based trading terminal.
    • AI-Powered Trading Tools – New analytics and risk management features supported by artificial intelligence.
    • Orion University – A structured education platform with expanded learning resources.

    Institutional Trading Pathway

    Orion Funded continues to offer selected traders the opportunity to engage with Zenith Global, a trading firm managing its own capital, through the Pro & Ultimate Program. This initiative provides a structured pathway for traders who meet specific criteria to transition from proprietary trading to institutional trading roles.

    “We believe in creating real career opportunities for traders. The best-performing traders should have a pathway to professional, institutional-level trading, and that’s exactly what we’re offering,” said David Viota, CEO of Orion Funded.

    Expansion in the Spanish-Speaking Trading Community

    Orion Funded has also expanded its presence within the Spanish-speaking trading community, offering live mentorship, educational content, and a dedicated community platform. Additionally, Orion Room, the #1 trading podcast in Spanish, continues to provide traders with insights, interviews, and expert discussions.

    Orion V2 is now available for traders worldwide. Further details can be found at orionfunded.com.

    About Orion Funded

    Orion Funded is a proprietary trading firm that provides traders with access to capital through one-phase, two-phase, and instant funding models. The firm offers a range of funding options, trading analytics, and educational resources designed to support trader development.

    Contact
    Chief Executive Officer
    David Viota
    Orion Funded
    david@orionfunded.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b764c18f-174e-4194-8e87-d32dc4d9a6d6

    The MIL Network –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Celebration of 75th Anniversary of NSS by National Statistics Office (Field Operations Division), Regional Office, Sambalpur, MoSPI, Govt. of India

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 MAR 2025 4:48PM by PIB Delhi

    As part of celebration of 75th Anniversary of NSS, commemorating its transformative role in shaping India’s evidence-based policy making, an awareness campaign was organized by National Statistics Office (Field Operations Division), Govt. of India, Regional Office, Sambalpur at the 20th Annual Conference of Indian Association for Social Science and Health (IASSH) organized by Sambalpur University at Biju Patnaik Auditorium.The campaign was organized on 05.03.2025 and 06.03.2025. Publicity materials were displayed and distributed among the 250 nos. of participants of the conference.

    A plenary sessionwas conducted by NSO(FOD) RO, Sambalpur on the theme “Data for Development” on 06.03.2025. The session was chaired by Prof R. Nagarajan, IIPS Mumbai & Prof. Pradeep Kumar Panda from AIPH University, Bhubaneswar was the co-chair. Sh. Rahul Kumar Patel, Deputy Director & Regional Head, NSO(FOD) RO Sambalpur was the speaker. Importance of NSS data for policy formulation and decision making for the development and nation building were highlighted. A documentary about evolution of NSS during the last 75 years was also displayed. Information onrecently completed as well as ongoing surveys such as Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Household consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), Annual Survey of Unorganized Sector Enterprise (ASUSE), Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), Socio-economic survey 80thround (Health & Telecom), Pilot study on Annual Survey of Service Sector Enterprises (ASSSE), Price Collection, Forward Looking Survey on Private Corporate Sector Capex Investment Intentions etc.,wasshared with the participants.As the participants were mostly the post-graduate students, researchers, academicians etc., hence process to access the unit level data of various surveys under NSO was also explained for the benefit of the participants. 

    Prof. R. Nagarajan and Prof. Pradeep Kumar Panda congratulated NSS for completing 75 years of successful data collection, dissemination and also stressed the importance of NSS data and how it has helped Govt, researchers, policy makers in decision making, economic growth and resource allocation.

    Shri S.C.Bhoi, SSO, Shri K.Padhan, SSO, Shri J.K.Singh, JSO, Shri P.Panigrahi, SS, Shri Balaram Behera, SE and Shri R.K.Mohanty, ASS of NSO (FOD), RO, Sambalpur were also present on the occasion.

    *******

    Samrat/Dheeraj/Allen

    (Release ID: 2109112) Visitor Counter : 25

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DPIIT and Mercedes-Benz India Join Forces to Drive Innovation, Sustainability, and Road Safety

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 MAR 2025 12:22PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Mercedes-Benz India Private Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance India’s manufacturing ecosystem, road safety, and environmental sustainability. The partnership aims to support startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs in achieving technological excellence and fostering societal development.

    The collaboration will focus on creating structured programs that provide startups with infrastructure, mentorship, funding opportunities, and market linkages. The initiative will also facilitate international collaborations and ensure knowledge exchange to drive long-term impact.

    Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv stated that the partnership with Mercedes-Benz India is a strategic step towards enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities while promoting responsible and sustainable innovations. He emphasized that this collaboration would “strengthen industry-academia linkages and create an ecosystem that drives impactful technological advancements.”

    Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz India, Shri Santosh Iyer expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that it aligns with the company’s focus areas of road safety, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. He highlighted that through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding, Mercedes-Benz India will work closely with incubators and institutes to drive meaningful societal impact.

    The MoU was signed by Director, DPIIT, Dr. Sumeet Kumar Jarangal and Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz India, Shri Santosh Iyer, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan

    (Release ID: 2109009) Visitor Counter : 111

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Highly commended: GUU received a diploma at the Education and Career exhibition

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The State University of Management was awarded a diploma for work with youth, a major contribution to the development of higher and professional education and educational activities by the organizing committee of the Education and Career exhibitions.

    The award was presented at the 60th Moscow International Exhibition, which took place on the first weekend of March at Gostiny Dvor.

    SUM takes part in the event every year, telling thousands of applicants and parents about its programs. Read about how it was in 2025 in this article.

    The exhibition “Education and Career” is held with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, and the Government of the City of Moscow. In terms of scale and quality of implementation, the exhibition ranks among the first among similar events both in Russia and in the world.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 03/07/2025

    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 –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Network testing of Moscow Exchange backup data center

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    Moscow Exchange PJSC reminds about the planned move of the Moscow Exchange backup data center from the M1 data center (Moscow, Varshavskoe shosse, 125, building 1) to the NORD 6 data center (Moscow, Korovinskoe shosse, 37) and notifies about the start of network testing.

    The relocation of the backup data center will not affect customers who have connections to the Moscow Exchange under the “Universal Scheme” in the M1 data center. All work on organizing the channel in the NORD data center is carried out by the accredited telecom operator whose services you use and through which your connection is organized. The list of accredited telecom operators is provided at the link: HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.MO/A388. For clients connected to the Moscow Exchange under the Universal Scheme, the technical connection to the NORD Data Center will remain unchanged, and the IP addressing will not change.

    Clients who have connections to the Moscow Exchange under the “ConnectME” scheme in the M1 data center need to clarify the need to renew the agreement for organizing a channel in the NORD data center with the telecom operator providing you with the “ConnectME” service and represented in the NORD data center. You can see the list of current providers represented in the NORD data center at the link:HTTPS: //ftp.moex.kom/pub/onnectivotoids/ru/fak_ transfer_ -ram_moskovskaya_Birzhi.PDF

    Until March 31, 2025, all clients have the opportunity to test network connections to the TCS gateways of the Stock, Currency and Derivatives markets, located in the NORD data center using MOEX Trade series terminals or ASTSBridge and PlazaII gateways. Testing using FIX and TWIME gateways is not carried out.

    As part of the testing, you need to:

    1. Submit a request for access in free form to Connect@moex.Kom
    indicating the combat identifier (login) with which the connection is planned.

    2. Configure your MOEX Trade series terminals or ASTSBridge and PlazaII gateways through which your VPTS (system) operates, depending on the market you plan to connect to:

    For Stock and Forex Markets:

    To connect to the ASTS TCS gateway of the Currency and Stock Markets, located in the NORD data center, you need to use the following parameters in the terminal settings or VPTS connected via ASTS Bridge:

      SERVER Address Port
    Stock market Nord_Ek_Gatvay 10.61.1.155 8011/tcp 8012/udp
    Foreign exchange market Nord_So_Gatvay 10.61.1.156 8111/tcp 8112/udp

    For the Urgent Market:

    To connect to the SPECTRA TCS gateway of the Urgent Market, located in the NORD data center, you need to use the following parameters in the terminal or VPTS settings operating on the Plaza II protocol:

      Address Functional
    Futures and Options Direct = 91.203.254.38:4000 giving commands
    Default = 91.203.254.38:4001 auxiliary flows
    Direct = 91.203.254.38:4003 main trade flows
    Direct = 91.203.254.38:4004 obtaining historical data

    3. Try to connect to the system.

    4. In case of successful connection to the system, send information to the address Connect@moex.Kom.

    5. In case of unsuccessful connection, contact Connect@moex.Kom to find out the reasons for the unsuccessful connection and to fix the problems. In the letter, please indicate:

    Name of the organization; Date/time of the test; Login from which the connection was made; Test result in the form of a log or screenshot of the connection.

    For all questions related to testing, you can contact Connect@moex.Kom.

    Contact information for media 7 (495) 363-3232Pr@moex.kom

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

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

    HTTPS: //VVV. MEEX.K.Mom/N78301

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TRA announces Interim CEO and confirms board leadership

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    TRA announces Interim CEO and confirms board leadership

    Steve O’Donoghue has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Accounting Officer.

    The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is pleased to announce that Steve O’Donoghue will be stepping in as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Accounting Officer.

    From mid-March, the TRA’s CEO, Oliver Griffiths will be moving to take up a new role at Ofcom. Interviews for the permanent CEO successor are taking place and the TRA expects an appointment to be made late March. 

    Steve O’Donoghue joined the TRA as its Director of Corporate Services in February 2021 and was appointed an executive director of the Board in June 2021. Steve brings extensive leadership experience in public sector finance, HR, governance and risk management. 

    Board Non-Executive Directors

    Additionally, the TRA is pleased to confirm that John Hughes and Adam Marshall CBE have renewed a three-year term as Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) on the TRA Board.

    John Hughes was appointed non-executive director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) of the Trade Remedies Authority in June 2021. 

    Adam Marshall was appointed a non-executive member of the Board in June 2021 and appointed as the Senior Independent Director in June 2024.

    Their continued contributions will provide valuable oversight and guidance as the TRA advances its mission of ensuring fair and effective trade remedies for UK industries.

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    Published 7 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 8, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Secretaries Wright and Burgum Join American Energy Workers in Applauding President Trump’s Leadership & Historic Investment in American Energy Infrastructure

    Source: US Department of Energy

    PLAQUEMINES PARRISH, LOUISIANA—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, both leaders of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), today joined more than a thousand American energy workers at Venture Global’s Plaquemine LNG Export facility to highlight the impacts of President Trump’s energy agenda. The secretaries joined Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel in delivering remarks before touring the facility and speaking to the press.

    Thanks to President Trump’s commitment to restoring American energy dominance and day one reversal of the Biden-Harris LNG export permit ban, Sabel announced today that Venture Global would be making an additional $18 billion expansion to the Plaquemine LNG Export facility – making the facility the largest in the United States.

    Less than 50 days into the Trump administration, American energy companies are producing more energy here in the U.S. – lowering prices, providing good-paying jobs, strengthening local communities, and bolstering America’s national security.

    In case you missed it, remarks from Secretary Wright and Burgum are below:

    Secretary Wright:

    America is back.

    You, all of you here today, are bringing America back, making us greater and making us stronger. I could not be more humbled and proud to stand among you today. God bless what you do today and what you do every day.

    I want to also thank President Trump. He worked tirelessly, even putting his own life at risk to go back to Washington to become our president again, to bring commonsense back to Washington, DC. It all left the city. He brought back common sense with a simple agenda unleash American energy, unleash American business, and unleash the American spirit.

    And I see it here today with all of you. He’s from the East Coast. He’s a real estate developer. But instinctually he gets energy. He knows that energy is not one sector of the economy. It’s the sector of the economy that enables everything else, everything else.

    I want to thank the governor of Louisiana. Giant projects like this, they’re not getting built in California, where I lived many years. They’re not getting built in a lot of places. This takes leadership and boldness. This governor of Louisiana has allowed a flourishing in the Louisiana Gulf Coast and across the state. Louisiana today exports more LNG than every state in the United States. This is number one.

    That that that bar is going to be raised even higher because in the next several years, Louisiana will become a larger exporter of liquefied natural gas than any nation on Earth. You could be your own country and be number one.

    Venture global, as we heard from Mike Sable, the great, bold founding CEO, has taken huge risk. They raised money from all across America, from American like us, to build this business and make a bet. Make a bet on American energy production.

    The United States 15 years ago was the largest importer of natural gas in the world. And with bold entrepreneurs and leadership like President Trump, our governor in Louisiana, and Venture Global, today, the United States is the largest net exporter of natural gas in the world and growing strong, growing strong.

    What’s the fastest growing source of energy on the planet by far is natural gas. I looked at this over the last 15 years. Nothing else is close. Oil is second, by the way. The fastest growing sense source of energy in the planet is natural gas. The largest producer of natural gas on the planet is the United States.

    And so hence we’re growing our exports because of your work, because of your efforts, we’re going to increase the prosperity of America, increase the strength of America, increase the opportunities for Americans and for the citizens of the world.

    Where does this gas go? What’s this gas going to do? It’s going to make fertilizer so farmers can grow more food and feed everyone. It’s by far the largest source of electricity in the United States. Natural gas is. It’s to make petrochemicals. All the clothes were wearing the toys. Our cars are our computers. Our phones. Those are all made of natural gas.

    All the uses of natural gas, you can say. In short, they make our lives possible. They allow us to have a modern world and live these wonderful lives we live.

    But that doesn’t fall from heaven. That doesn’t just fall on earth. It has to be made, produced and delivered. And that only happens with hard working people like you. You are changing the world. You are changing people’s lives.

    I’ll end there. I just am humbled to be among you. I’m proud to be among you. I cannot overstate how important what you’re doing is and how aligned it is with the agenda of President Donald Trump. This guy wants America to be great. He wants America to be strong. He wants to lower our cost and expand opportunities for Americans.

    A strong, energized, empowered America is not just good for Americans. It’s good for the world. God bless you. God bless America and God bless President Trump.

    Secretary Burgum:

    What a gorgeous day we have here today. And today is a day of gratitude. And it’s a day of celebration.

    You’ve heard from the great speakers up here, my friend, Governor Jeff Landry. We’ve got two amazing entrepreneurs, Mike and Bob and the amazing Chris Wright. But we’re celebrating today American innovation, American entrepreneurship, and American workers. I stand here before you humbled because I can’t think of anything more patriotic.

    There’s no place I’d rather be than here looking at all of you standing here among this, this creation that you’ve built. And it started with two guys that said, hey, maybe we can do something that’s never been done before. Maybe we can invent a new way to think about how we want to process natural gas. Maybe we can figure out that the U.S., instead of being a net importer, is going to be a net exporter.

    And it was a couple of guys just sitting around a table that came up with the idea of Venture Global. Then you hear, it’s like when only in America, now is going to be one of the most important and influential energy companies in the world. That happens in our country only when we get the government out of the way.

    It happens when we cut red tape. One of our pathways to energy dominance is just unleashing the incredible resources that we have in this country. Getting the red tape, getting the federal government off the back of the worker, off the back of companies, and so that everybody can do the amazing work and build projects like this.

    And so, we’re celebrating that today. But I also said today is a day of gratitude. And I want to bring a message from President Trump to all of you, because President Trump fights for all of you every day. This guy I know everybody here, you work hard, you put in a long day, you go home, you get up and you do it the next day. He respects that. And you know what? He does that too.

    This guy didn’t take a day off for the last 90 days before the election. Then the next day he got up and he didn’t. He didn’t take a day off. He just started jamming all the way through to January 20th. And then since January 20th, he’s gotten more done than any president in the history of the United States ever has in their first month and a half.

    And somebody asked me, what’s it like working for the president? And I said, well said, you guys, you watch football. And they said, yeah, I watch football. I said, well, think about this. Think about the best football team ever assembled. The President Trump is the team owner and he’s the manager, and he’s the head coach, and he’s playing quarterback and he’s running a no huddle offense. And everybody that’s working for him has got to scramble back to the line for the next play, because we’re just going that fast every single day. And the change that he’s driving, the red tape that he’s cutting, it’s absolutely incredible. And one of the things that we’re here today, the announcement today is happening.

    The prior administration had a full-on attack against U.S. energy. They literally were stopping the permitting, killing jobs, killing capital formation, the money to come together to build something like this. And you know what that did that hurt every American and it helped our adversaries. President Trump is fighting for you every day. And he’s fighting because he believes in the we have U.S. energy dominance. It does two things. It builds American prosperity, and it brings peace abroad.

    We’re in two proxy wars right now. And both of our adversaries in those wars, Russia and Iran, Iran funding 24 terrorist groups. They’re funding those wars against us with energy production. With a facility like this where we can sell LNG around the world, we’re literally going to stop war.

    So, when you guys go to work every day, tell yourselves you’re just not doing a job building the most amazing, most technological plant in the planet. The biggest construction project in North America. You’re also building world peace. And the other thing you’re also doing is you’re building prosperity here at home for everybody that’s here.

    And it all starts with one thing, and that’s American energy. And you’re going to say it with me because with energy dominance part of our job is to cut red tape. And the other is we got to get more things flowing through those pipes heading towards Louisiana. And how are we going to do that?

    You know, how we are going to do it is three words. What are we going to do. We’re going to drill, baby drill one more time. What are we going to do. We’re going to drill, baby drill. And when we do that, we’re also going to mine baby, mine. We’re going to get critical minerals going. So, we’re stop buying critical minerals from China. We’re going to map baby, map, and we get the US Geological Survey going back and actually discovering all the resources we have on America’s balance sheet.

    People talk about America’s debt, $36 trillion in debt. Our assets could be 3 to 5 times more than that. But we don’t even know that because we’ve stopped looking for all the resource assets in this country. And we’re going to become an energy powerhouse. And with that, we’re going to bring inflation down for you and your families. And here at home, prosperity in America and world peace abroad.

    That’s what you’re working on every day. How exciting is it to be here with all of you? And again, a message of gratitude for President Trump to you. Nothing more patriotic than American worker that’s working to build energy dominance for this country. Your impact? It carries far and wide. It touches people all over the world. And it certainly helps your kids and your grandkids, and it helps our country reduce our debt, do everything that we’re doing.

    So, a big thank you from President Trump and a big thank you to the innovators and entrepreneurs that built this place and came up with the idea. And none of it happens without all of you. But let’s go. And what’s at the end? I want to say, I will say one thing when you’re doing when we’re doing this today, what are we doing together?

    We’re making America great again. One more time. What are we doing? Making America great again. Thank you. Way to go, venture global. Thank you all.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: THSYU Exchange Unveils Next-Gen Trading Platform: Redefining Cryptocurrency with AI, Blockchain, and Unmatched Security

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — THSYU CRYPTO GROUP LIMITED, a global leader in the cryptocurrency industry, has announced the launch of its next-generation trading platform, THSYU Exchange. Combining cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), advanced blockchain technology, and military-grade security measures, THSYU Exchange is set to revolutionize the way users trade digital assets, offering unparalleled efficiency, security, and innovation.

    AI-Powered Trading: Smarter Decisions, Better Results
    At the heart of THSYU Exchange is its proprietary AI-driven trading engine, designed to empower users with intelligent investment tools. Leveraging deep learning and real-time big data analytics, the platform captures market trends, identifies potential opportunities, and predicts price movements with remarkable accuracy. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned trader, THSYU’s AI algorithms provide actionable insights, helping you optimize trading strategies and navigate market volatility with confidence.

    Unmatched Security: Protecting Your Assets
    THSYU Exchange prioritizes user security with a multi-layered protection system. The platform employs multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and end-to-end encryption to ensure that user funds and data remain secure at all times. Additionally, THSYU’s smart contracts undergo rigorous security audits, while its real-time monitoring system detects and neutralizes potential threats instantly. With THSYU, users can trade with peace of mind, knowing their assets are safeguarded by the most advanced security measures in the industry.

    Blockchain Innovation: Faster, Smarter, Scalable
    THSYU Exchange leverages blockchain technology to deliver lightning-fast transaction speeds and seamless scalability. The platform’s high-performance trading engine ensures instant order execution, even during peak trading volumes. By integrating cloud computing infrastructure, THSYU provides elastic resource scaling, ensuring smooth operations and uninterrupted access for users worldwide.

    Privacy First: Your Data, Your Control
    In an era where data privacy is paramount, THSYU Exchange adheres to the strictest privacy standards. The platform employs a data minimization approach, collecting only essential user information, and uses advanced encryption to protect data transmission. THSYU’s commitment to privacy ensures that users retain full control over their personal information, setting a new benchmark for trust in the cryptocurrency industry.

    A Vision for the Future of Trading
    “THSYU Exchange is not just a platform; it’s a movement towards smarter, safer, and more inclusive cryptocurrency trading,” said Alexander Johnson, CEO of THSYU CRYPTO GROUP LIMITED. “By integrating AI, blockchain, and cloud computing, we are redefining what’s possible in the digital economy. Our goal is to empower users with the tools they need to succeed in the fast-evolving world of crypto.”

    Join the THSYU Revolution
    THSYU Exchange invites traders, investors, and crypto enthusiasts to experience the future of cryptocurrency trading. With its AI-driven insights, robust security, and cutting-edge technology, THSYU is the ultimate platform for anyone looking to unlock the full potential of digital assets.

    Contact Information:

    Jessica Green

    Chief Operating Officer

    Thsyu CRYPTO GROUP LIMITED

    Address:1670 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202, US

    Email: jessica.green@thsyu.com

    Website: www.thsyu.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c8b86dfb-2b92-4e69-9cc8-3a019456da75

    The MIL Network –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s foreign trade shows steady performance, resilience in first two months

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Despite external challenges, China’s foreign trade demonstrated solid performance, structural improvements and resilience in the first two months of 2025, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Friday.

    Total goods trade value reached 6.54 trillion yuan (about 912.07 billion U.S. dollars) during this period, reflecting a moderate decrease of 1.2 percent from a year earlier, the data showed.

    Lyu Daliang, director of the GAC’s Department of Statistics and Analysis, said China’s foreign trade remained “generally stable” in the January-February period, as various regions and departments actively responded to adverse effects resulting from the external environment.

    After excluding the impact of incomparable factors, China’s total goods imports and exports grew by 1.7 percent year on year in the first two months of 2025, fully demonstrating the resilience of China’s foreign trade development, Lyu noted.

    Exports rose 3.4 percent from the same period last year to reach 3.88 trillion yuan, while imports dropped by 7.3 percent to 2.66 trillion yuan, the data revealed.

    China’s exports continued to show structural improvements in the first two months. Exports of mechanical and electrical products, which accounted for 60 percent of the total export value, rose 5.4 percent to reach 2.33 trillion yuan during this period.

    Improvements in production and demand in the domestic manufacturing sector, meanwhile, spurred growth in imports of related products in the first two months of 2025, the GAC said.

    Lyu also highlighted that as the pace of work and production resumption accelerated following the Spring Festival holiday, the Purchasing Managers’ Index rebounded to the expansion zone in February.

    Sectors such as general equipment and electrical machinery and equipment experienced a notable acceleration in both production and demand, driving an increase in imports of related products, he added.

    Friday’s data also showed that the innovation capabilities of China’s private enterprises had continued to strengthen in early 2025. In the first two months, the total goods trade value of private enterprises totaled 3.69 trillion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 2 percent.

    This figure represents 56.4 percent of China’s total foreign trade value during the period. Notably, imports and exports of high-tech products by private enterprises amounted to a combined 624 billion yuan, accounting for almost half of the total trade value of such products.

    ASEAN remained China’s largest trading partner in the first two months of 2025. During this period, trade between China and ASEAN countries reached a total of 1.03 trillion yuan — or 15.8 percent of China’s overall trade value, the GAC said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ING to nominate Petri Hofsté and Stuart Graham as members of the Supervisory Board

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ING to nominate Petri Hofsté and Stuart Graham as members of the Supervisory Board

    ING announced today that it will propose to appoint Petri Hofsté and Stuart Graham to the Supervisory Board at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on 22 April 2025. The proposed appointments are part of the agenda for ING’s 2025 AGM that has been published today. Upon decision by the AGM, the appointments will be effective as of 1 July 2025.

    Petri Hofsté (Dutch, 1961) has extensive experience in the financial and corporate sector, including as auditor, controller and CFO. She served as division director of Banking Supervision at De Nederlandsche Bank and held board positions at various financial institutions. Currently she is a member of the supervisory board at Achmea (until 15 April 2025), Royal Friesland Campina and Pon Holdings and is chair of the Nyenrode Foundation. Petri holds a master’s degree in Business Economics, Finance and Accounting from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, as well as a degree as chartered accountant.

    Stuart Graham (British/German, 1967) has more than three decades of experience in the financial sector. He is the co-founder and prior CEO of Autonomous Research, a leading global financial services research firm. Before that, he was a banking analyst at JP Morgan and Merrill Lynch and was regularly ranked as a leading equity research analyst on European banks. He currently is consultant to Trade Republic. Stuart holds a master’s degree in Modern History from Cambridge University.

    Karl Guha, chairman of the Supervisory Board of ING said: “The addition of Petri Hofsté and Stuart Graham to our board will allow ING to benefit greatly from their experience and insights as we execute our strategy to be the best European bank by accelerating growth, increasing impact and delivering value. I look forward to working with them.”

    The AGM agenda also includes the proposals to reappoint Steven van Rijswijk and Ljiljana Čortan for a term of four years to the Executive Board, and to reappoint Lodewijk Hijmans van den Bergh for a term of four years and Margarete Haase for a term of two years to the Supervisory Board. All four were (re)appointed at the AGM in 2021. All proposed (re)appointments have been approved by the European Central Bank.

    It will also be proposed to appoint Deloitte Accountants BV as the external auditor to provide assurance on the Sustainability Statement for a term of four years starting on 1 January 2026. At the 2024 AGM, Deloitte was appointed as external auditor for the audit of the financial statements for a term of four years starting on 1 January 2026.

    Full details of all agenda items are included in the proxy materials for our AGM. The proxy materials also include the 2024 Annual Report of ING, including the Annual Accounts and the reports of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board, as published on 6 March 2025, as well as other information and documents as required by law. The proxy materials, including the agenda for the AGM, are available on our website (ing.com/agm).

    Registered shareholders may attend the AGM starting at 2 p.m., either in person at Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ (Piet Heinkade 1, 1019 BR Amsterdam, the Netherlands) or remotely, by logging on to the electronic platform ‘Evote by ING’, available via ing.com/agm. The supporting materials published today provide further details on how to register, participate and vote. The AGM will also be webcast live via ing.com. Shareholders are advised to check the information on the website regularly for any updates, including details on admission requirements.

    Note for editors
    For more on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroom. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr.

    ING PROFILE

    ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank’s more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 100 countries.

    ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N).

    ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING’s ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as ‘AA’ in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics’ view, ING’s management of ESG material risk is ‘Strong’. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that’s not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate.

    IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION

    Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 (‘Market Abuse Regulation’).
    ING Group’s annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (‘IFRS- EU’). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2024 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding.
    Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: (1) changes in general economic conditions and customer behaviour, in particular economic conditions in ING’s core markets, including changes affecting currency exchange rates and the regional and global economic impact of the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and related international response measures (2) changes affecting interest rate levels (3) any default of a major market participant and related market disruption (4) changes in performance of financial markets, including in Europe and developing markets (5) fiscal uncertainty in Europe and the United States (6) discontinuation of or changes in ‘benchmark’ indices (7) inflation and deflation in our principal markets (8) changes in conditions in the credit and capital markets generally, including changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness (9) failures of banks falling under the scope of state compensation schemes (10) non- compliance with or changes in laws and regulations, including those concerning financial services, financial economic crimes and tax laws, and the interpretation and application thereof (11) geopolitical risks, political instabilities and policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, including in connection with the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the related international response measures (12) legal and regulatory risks in certain countries with less developed legal and regulatory frameworks (13) prudential supervision and regulations, including in relation to stress tests and regulatory restrictions on dividends and distributions (also among members of the group) (14) ING’s ability to meet minimum capital and other prudential regulatory requirements (15) changes in regulation of US commodities and derivatives businesses of ING and its customers (16) application of bank recovery and resolution regimes, including write down and conversion powers in relation to our securities (17) outcome of current and future litigation, enforcement proceedings, investigations or other regulatory actions, including claims by customers or stakeholders who feel misled or treated unfairly, and other conduct issues (18) changes in tax laws and regulations and risks of non-compliance or investigation in connection with tax laws, including FATCA (19) operational and IT risks, such as system disruptions or failures, breaches of security, cyber-attacks, human error, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including in respect of third parties with which we do business and including any risks as a result of incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise flawed outputs from the algorithms and data sets utilized in artificial intelligence (20) risks and challenges related to cybercrime including the effects of cyberattacks and changes in legislation and regulation related to cybersecurity and data privacy, including such risks and challenges as a consequence of the use of emerging technologies, such as advanced forms of artificial intelligence and quantum computing (21) changes in general competitive factors, including ability to increase or maintain market share (22) inability to protect our intellectual property and infringement claims by third parties (23) inability of counterparties to meet financial obligations or ability to enforce rights against such counterparties (24) changes in credit ratings (25) business, operational, regulatory, reputation, transition and other risks and challenges in connection with climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion and other ESG-related matters, including data gathering and reporting and also including managing the conflicting laws and requirements of governments, regulators and authorities with respect to these topics (26) inability to attract and retain key personnel (27) future liabilities under defined benefit retirement plans (28) failure to manage business risks, including in connection with use of models, use of derivatives, or maintaining appropriate policies and guidelines (29) changes in capital and credit markets, including interbank funding, as well as customer deposits, which provide the liquidity and capital required to fund our operations, and (30) the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the most recent annual report of ING Groep N.V. (including the Risk Factors contained therein) and ING’s more recent disclosures, including press releases, which are available on www.ING.com.
    This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. ING has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third-party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of such information.
    Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. In addition, there is currently no single, globally recognized set of accepted definitions in assessing whether activities are “green” or “sustainable.” Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security.
    This docuent may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING’s control.
    Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason.
    This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction.

    Attachment

    • ING to nominate Petri Hofsté and Stuart Graham as members of the Supervisory Board

    The MIL Network –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Asia’s largest flower market booms ahead of Intl Women’s Day

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    In the run-up to International Women’s Day on March 8, floral scents and anticipation have filled the air at Dounan Flower Market, Asia’s largest and the world’s second-largest fresh-cut flower trading market.

    Recently, the market’s vibrant flowers have attracted tourists to Dounan, which is located in the city of Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

    Meanwhile, numerous auctioneers can be seen monitoring the screens in an auction center of the market, preparing to press the purchase button at any moment. Once that step is completed, the auctioned flowers embark on journeys far and wide.

    As International Women’s Day approaches, staff at the market’s Kunming International Flora Auction Trading Center are working to ensure that flowers are delivered to domestic and international consumers in optimal condition.

    Zhu Qi, head of planning at the center, said that the flower supply for International Women’s Day has significantly increased compared to last year. From March 1 to 5, the average daily supply was 5.86 million stems, up 34 percent from the previous week and 15 percent from last year.

    “Since March, the price index for fresh-cut flowers has continued to rise, with sales of various types showing consistent growth,” Zhu said.

    Zhu noted that the diversity of popular flower varieties for International Women’s Day is expanding, providing consumers with more options. “In terms of color, light shades such as purple, pink and white are particularly favored, and less common flowers like pea flowers are also popular among young people,” Zhu said.

    Talha Elahi, a Pakistani intern at Kunming Huaeb Technology Co., Ltd., has been busy sending product and logistics information to customers in various countries on an e-commerce platform. The platform connects flower farmers and traders, integrating the supply chain resources of Yunnan’s flower industry, including planting, trading and logistics resources.

    Wang Dong, who works with the company, said that the platform has seen a surge in orders prior to International Women’s Day — up 50 percent from the same period last year.

    In addition to booming online trade, the offline flower business has also been flourishing at the market. Young shoppers stroll through the aisles, wearing flower garlands and holding bouquets purchased on-site.

    Among these shoppers is Ms. Zhou, a tourist from east China’s Zhejiang Province. She received a hand-woven flower garland from an elderly vendor while shopping and taking photos.

    “I came to the market before leaving Kunming to buy flowers for myself and bring some of Kunming’s romance back home,” she said.

    Flower cultivation in Dounan dates back to 1983. In the 1990s, local residents began commercial cultivation and trading. And in 1999, China’s first professional flower trading market was established there.

    The market has since expanded its flower industrial chain, solidifying its position as a major flower trading hub.

    Statistics showed that the Dounan Flower Market’s flower transaction volume increased 5 percent to nearly 14.18 billion stems last year. With a transaction value of 11.57 billion yuan (about 1.61 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, the market has led the country in both flower transaction volume and value for 25 consecutive years.

    Dounan’s blossoming flower industry highlights China’s prominence in the global flower market. With about 1.5 million hectares dedicated to flower cultivation and more than 5 million people involved in the industry, China has become the world’s largest flower producer and an important flower trader and consumer.

    “Flowers were once seen as gifts, but now they are a part of everyday life, and the young consumer base is expanding,” Zhu said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s foreign trade records steady performances in first two months

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s foreign trade recorded steady performances in the first two months of 2025, with total goods trade volume reaching 6.54 trillion yuan (about 912.07 billion U.S. dollars), data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Friday.

    This represents a moderate decrease of 1.2 percent from a year earlier, the data showed. After excluding the impact of incomparable factors, China’s total goods imports and exports grew by 1.7 percent year on year.

    Exports rose 3.4 percent from the same period last year to reach 3.88 trillion yuan, while imports went down 7.3 percent year on year, according to the data.

    MIL OSI China News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump grants one-month suspension of tariffs on Mexico, Canada under trilateral agreement

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders on Thursday to grant a one-month exemption from tariffs on Mexico and Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

    “No tariffs on those goods from Canada and Mexico that claim and qualify for USMCA preference,” the White House said in a fact sheet, while noting that 25-percent tariffs remain on goods that do not satisfy USMCA rules of origin.

    “A lower 10-percent tariff on those energy products imported from Canada that fall outside the USMCA preference. A lower 10-percent tariff on any potash imported from Canada and Mexico that falls outside the USMCA preference,” the White House said.

    About half of goods coming into the United States from Mexico would fall under the exemption and around 38 percent of goods from Canada would qualify, the NBC News quoted a senior administration official as saying.

    When signing the executive orders at the White House, Trump told reporters that the policy adjustments would help U.S. automakers during the “short-term transition” from now until April 2, when wide-ranging “reciprocal tariffs” will be announced.

    The day before, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump had decided to grant a one-month tariff exemption to the three major automakers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, temporarily waiving the 25-percent tariff on autos imported from Mexico and Canada under the USMCA.

    Earlier on Thursday, Trump said on social media that tariffs on Mexico will be paused until April 2, applying to anything covered under the USMCA, a trade agreement negotiated, signed, and ultimately enacted during Trump’s first term to replace the former North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

    On Feb. 1, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25-percent tariff on products imported from Mexico and Canada, with a 10-percent tariff increase on Canadian energy products.

    On Feb. 3, Trump announced a 30-day delay in implementing the tariffs on both countries and continued negotiations. According to this decision, the relevant tariff measures were set to take effect on March 4.

    Economists and observers have expressed deep concerns about the potential impact of the tariffs on the U.S. economy.

    In a report released Tuesday, the Tax Foundation, a Washington-based think tank focused on U.S. tax policies, estimated that, without considering retaliatory measures, Trump’s 25-percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico will reduce long-term GDP by 0.2 percent, reduce hours worked by 223,000 full-time equivalent jobs, and reduce after-tax incomes by an average of 0.6 percent.

    For Mexico and Canada, the impact could also be significant.

    “If sustained the impact of the U.S. tariffs on Canada and Mexico can be expected to have a significant adverse economic impact on those countries given their very strong integration and exposure to the U.S. market,” IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said at a press briefing Thursday.

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said earlier that day that Canada will continue to be in a trade war with the United States for the foreseeable future. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Substantial oil discovery made on the Bourdon prospect 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Substantial oil discovery made on the Bourdon prospect 

    BW Energy is pleased to announce a substantial oil discovery with good reservoir quality on the Bourdon prospect in the Dussafu Licence offshore Gabon.  

    Evaluation of logging data and formation pressure measurements confirm approximately 34 metres of pay in an overall hydrocarbon column of 45 metres in the Gamba formation, making it the largest hydrocarbon column discovered to date in the Dussafu licence. The well was drilled by the Norve jack-up rig to a total depth of 4,135 metres. 

    The discovery will enable the Company to book additional reserves not included in its 2024 Statement of Reserves. 

    “The Bourdon appraisal well again confirms the significant resource potential of the Dussafu licence, which holds multiple additional prospects,” said Carl K. Arnet, CEO of BW Energy. “We will now carefully review the drilling results, but initial data indicates the potential for establishing a new development cluster with a production facility following the MaBoMo blueprint. We are evaluating a second sidetrack to further appraise the discovery”. 

    Bourdon is located approximately 15 kilometres west of BW Adolo FPSO and 7.5 kilometres southeast of the MaBoMo facility.  

    For further information, please contact:  

    Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy

    +33.7.81.11.41.16 

    ir@bwenergy.no 

    About BW Energy:  

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

    This information is considered inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange release was published by Regine Andersen, 7 March 2025. 

    The MIL Network –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: DNO to Acquire Sval Energi in Transformative Transaction; Quadruples North Sea Output

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, 7 March 2025 – DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today announced it has reached agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Sval Energi Group AS from HitecVision for a cash consideration of USD 450 million based on an enterprise value of USD 1.6 billion.

    The Sval Energi assets are complementary to DNO’s North Sea portfolio and will add scale and diversification to solidify the Company’s position as a leading listed European independent oil and gas company. The acquisition will be financed from existing liquidity including available credit facilities. The Company will set in place the optimal capital structure prior to completion.

    “This is a rare opportunity to acquire a portfolio of high-quality oil and gas assets on the Norwegian Continental Shelf,” said DNO’s Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani, “and we have moved fast to capture it.” He continued that “given low unit production costs and limited near-term investment requirements, the Sval Energi portfolio is highly cash generative and will help underpin development of the numerous discoveries we have made in Norway recently,” he added.

    This transaction will:

    • Boost DNO’s global net production by two thirds to around 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) on a 2024 pro forma basis and proven and probable (2P) reserves by 50 percent to 423 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe)
    • Increase North Sea 2P reserves from 48 million boe to 189 million boe post-closing and 2C resources from 144 million boe to 246 million boe
    • Quadruple North Sea production to around 80,000 boepd, propelling the Company to the upper ranks of Norwegian Continental Shelf players
    • Turn the North Sea into the biggest contributor to Company’s net production with some 60 percent of the total (with the balance coming predominantly from two operated fields in the Kurdistan region of Iraq)
    • Provide tax synergies, G&A savings and lower DNO’s borrowing costs
    • Strengthen presence in core areas on the Norwegian Continental Shelf where the Company has unparalleled exploration success since 2020 with 14 discoveries including Bergknapp/Åre, Bergknapp, Carmen, Cuvette, Heisenberg, Kveikje, Mistral, Norma, Ofelia, Othello, Overly, Ringand, Røver Nord and Røver Sør, together adding contingent resources (2C) of around 100 million boe net to DNO
    • Capitalize on Sval Energi’s extensive portfolio which includes interests in hubs and existing tiebacks that provide potential development synergies with DNO’s discoveries

    Sval Energi in brief:

    • Non-operated interest in 16 producing fields offshore Norway, with net production of 64,100 boepd in 2024
    • 141 million boe in net 2P reserves and 102 million boe of net 2C resources
    • Largest assets (measured by net 2P reserves) are Nova, Martin Linge, Kvitebjørn, Eldfisk, Maria, Symra and Ekofisk
    • Portfolio is highly cash generative (cash flow from operations totaled USD 565 million in 2024) with low production cost (USD 14 per boe) and limited near-term investments
    • Balanced portfolio split about equally between liquids and gas
    • Additional upside and production potential from organic growth in producing assets, fields under development (Maria Revitalization, Symra, Dvalin North) and discoveries (Cerisa, Ringhorne North, Beta), as well as redevelopment opportunities (Albuskjell, West Ekofisk)
    • The MLK wind farm will be carved out prior to closing and is not part of the transaction
    • A team of 93 employees to be integrated into the DNO organization

    The acquisition will be financed with existing cash and other debt financing facilities available to DNO. At yearend 2024, the Company held USD 900 million in cash and a further USD 100 million liquidity under its reserve-based lending (RBL) facility. Additional funding sources include new bond and RBL debt as well as offtake-based financing.

    The effective date of the transaction is 1 January 2025, with expected completion mid-year 2025, subject to customary regulatory approvals from the Norwegian Ministry of Energy, the Norwegian Ministry of Finance and competition authorities.

    Pareto Securities is acting as financial advisor to DNO and Advokatfirmaet Thommessen as legal counsel.

    DNO’s executive management will participate in a videoconference call, including a question-and-answer session, today at 10:00 CET.

    Please visit www.dno.no to participate in the call.

    A presentation of the transaction is attached to this release.

    – 

    For further information, please contact:
    Media: media@dno.no
    Investors: investor.relations@dno.no

    – 

    DNO ASA is a leading Norwegian oil and gas operator active in the Middle East, the North Sea and West Africa. Founded in 1971 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the Company holds stakes in onshore and offshore licenses at various stages of exploration, development and production in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Norway, the United Kingdom, Côte d’Ivoire, Netherlands and Yemen. More information is available at www.dno.no

    This announcement is considered to include inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This announcement was published by Gudmund Hartveit, Manager Corporate Development and IR DNO ASA, at the date and time set out above.

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

    Attachment

    • Acquisition of Sval Energi Group AS – Investor Presentation

    The MIL Network –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 66-2025: Services Restored: Friday 07 March 2025 – DAFF messaging

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    07 March 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients submitting the below declarations:

    • Full Import Declaration (FID)
    • Long Form Self Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
    • Short Form Self Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
    • Cargo Report Self Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
    • Cargo Report Personal Effects (PE)

    All clients of the Export / Next Export Documentation (EXDOC/NEXDOC) systems.

    Information

    Restored time:

    …

    MIL OSI News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Cyclone Alfred is already retraumatising people who’ve lived through other disasters. I’m one of them

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Smith, Associate Professor and Discipline Lead (Paramedicine), La Trobe University

    In 2011, as Cyclone Yasi approached the Queensland coast, I sat in my home in the tropical far north of the state and worried what the future would hold. Would my family be OK? Would our home be destroyed? Would my workplace be damaged and my job uncertain? Would my community be devastated?

    Now, as we wait for Cyclone Alfred to make landfall, I am watching on from my new home in Melbourne. I am safe. But last night, I couldn’t sleep. I’m having intrusive thoughts, remembering what it was like when Cyclone Yasi barrelled into us. I feel agitated, distracted and anxious. The news coverage of the impending cyclone makes my heart race, so I have turned off the television.

    As someone who has researched the impact of disasters for more than 20 years, I recognise what I am feeling now is similar to how I felt all those years ago. Again, I am experiencing the normal range of stress reactions common after living through a disaster, even though I am not directly impacted by this one.

    This is known as retraumatisation, where we re-live stress reactions experienced as a result of a traumatic event when faced with a new, similar incident.

    As a researcher in emergency responses to a broad range of disasters, I understand why I am feeling like this.

    However, many people may not realise the stress they are experiencing right now is related to an earlier disaster or traumatic event in their life. That earlier disaster could be another cyclone, or a different event, such as a flood or bushfire.

    Some signs and symptoms of retraumatisation might be:

    • intrusive thoughts (for example, I keep remembering my fear of the predicted tidal surge of water rushing up at me in the darkness as Cyclone Yasi made landfall)

    • nightmares and having trouble sleeping

    • hypervigilance (for example, feeling “on edge” all day)

    • sensitivity to triggers (for example, the sound of intense wind and windows creaking can trigger intense feelings because they remind me of the night we lived through Cyclone Yasi passing over the top of us)

    • feeling isolated

    • thinking about, planning or attempting suicide

    • panic atacks

    • using/abusing substances, such as alcohol and other drugs

    • increase in unhealthy behaviours (for example, being more prone to aggression or violence).

    For many of us, Cyclone Alfred is awakening memories and feelings, and the re-emergence of those stress reactions can be confronting. It can feel like re-opening a wound that hasn’t quite healed.

    Disaster upon disaster take their toll

    We are now beginning to understand the effects of being exposed to multiple disasters – bushfires, cyclones, floods, and let’s not forget the COVID pandemic – that erode our resilience.

    This type of multiple exposure influences our feelings of safety, security and even our hope for the future, all increasing the risk of poorer mental health.

    For people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), retraumatisation may cause people to relive their past traumas in intense detail. It can feel like past traumatic events are happening all over again.

    What to do now, and in the future

    However, there are steps we can take to help build our resilience in the face of multiple disasters.

    For now

    Right now, it is useful to understand how we respond to trauma. We may notice a range of physical responses (for example, my heart has been racing), psychological reactions (for example, I am feeling more anxious than usual) and social impacts (for example, I cancelled dinner plans last night as I did not want to leave the house).

    It is also important to stay connected to our usual social supports, as they can act as a great buffer to stress reactions.

    So, even though I stayed home last night, I was on a group chat discussing the Real Housewives of Sydney with friends, which helped reduce both the physical and psychological stress reactions I was experiencing.

    Staying connected to friends, family, neighbours and other supports will help.
    Caftor/Shutterstock

    For later

    In the longer term, it is useful to develop and implement a self-care plan that includes activities to support our emotional, physical and spiritual health.

    Self-care means taking the time to do things that help your wellbeing and improve your physical health and mental health. This can help you manage the stress reactions that may emerge as part of retraumatisation. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.

    Today, I made the time to go for a short walk in the park and listened to some of my favourite music. It helped in the moment, but it also helps me in the longer term when I routinely include these small acts of self-care in my daily life.

    We also need to consider the first responders and volunteers who will be preparing for Cyclone Alfred, and communities devastated by similar disasters in the past (for example, the 2022 floods in Lismore, New South Wales). With their exposure to cumulative trauma, these groups will need ongoing, focused support.

    Most importantly, we need to understand that the way we are feeling is normal. Be patient with yourself and look for small opportunities to take control of your reactions.

    I am keeping the television turned off (except when the Real Housewives is on).

    Some resources

    The website blueknot, from the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma, gives more information about how we respond to trauma. The Black Dog Institute guides you through developing a self-care plan.

    If you are a first responder, you can access free treatment and support through a range of providers, including: Phoenix Australia, Fortem Australia and the Black Dog Institute.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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

    – ref. Cyclone Alfred is already retraumatising people who’ve lived through other disasters. I’m one of them – https://theconversation.com/cyclone-alfred-is-already-retraumatising-people-whove-lived-through-other-disasters-im-one-of-them-251701

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 63-2025: Unplanned Outage: Friday 07 March 2025 – DAFF messaging

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    07 March 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients submitting the below declarations:

    • Full Import Declaration (FID)
    • Long Form Self Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
    • Short Form Self Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
    • Cargo Report Self Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
    • Cargo Report Personal Effects (PE)

    All clients required to use the Export / Next Export Documentation (EXDOC/NEXDOC) systems during this unplanned outage.

    Information…

    MIL OSI News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Warren, Senators Raise Alarm About Reports of X Officials Leveraging Elon Musk’s Government Position to Drive Ad Revenue & Enrich the Billionaire

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in sending a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, raising concerns about reports that Elon Musk’s social media company “X” (formerly Twitter) is leveraging his influential position in the Trump Administration to extract revenue from advertisers and enrich himself. If Musk uses his government position to interfere with federal antitrust enforcement, allegedly threatening to stall or block an advertiser’s merger if they do not pay up, then he risks running afoul of criminal ethics laws.
    In 2023, a wave of advertisers withdrew ads from X after Musk “endorsed an antisemitic post” and loosened content moderation rules in ways that increased inflammatory content on the platform, reportedly costing the company as much as $75 million in ad revenue that year.
    In 2024, as Musk prepared to begin his new role in the federal government, an attorney at X allegedly demanded that the advertising conglomerate Interpublic Group “get its clients to spend more on Elon Musk’s social-media platform, or else.” 
    Interpublic has reportedly interpreted these communications to mean that Musk will leverage his influence over President Trump to stall or block Interpublic’s $13 billion deal to merge with advertising competitor Omnicom Group,” weaponizing federal antitrust enforcers, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
    In the first letter, the Senators raise concerns that “X officials could … be attempting to strike a quid-pro-quo deal, pressuring Interpublic to get its clients to spend a certain amount on advertising on X in exchange for directing President Trump to use his antitrust enforcement agencies to allow Interpublic’s merger with Omnicom to proceed.”
    “The fear that the FTC and DOJ could be used in such a way is not unfounded. There is precedent for the Trump Administration weaponizing federal antitrust enforcers to punish his perceived opponents. During his first term, President Trump allegedly interfered with the AT&T-Time Warner merger, in which the DOJ sued to block the merger, to punish CNN for the news agency’s reporting on the President,” wrote the Senators.
    The Senators request that the FTC and DOJ inform the undersigned of any attempts made by Elon Musk or his associates to interfere with federal antitrust enforcement writing, “The federal government’s antitrust enforcers should be prioritizing lowering costs for American consumers, empowering workers, and supporting small businesses. They should not be weaponized by wealthy business owners to put more money in the hands of billionaires or retaliate against American businesses.”
    Additionally, in a related letter sent today, the senators urge Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Special Government Employee Elon Musk if he uses his government position to protect those who engage in business with him as he would risk violating criminal ethics laws.  
    “Musk is not above the law by virtue of being the world’s richest man,” continued the senators. “If evidence emerges that Musk is, in fact, using his official role to coerce advertisers or is participating in particular matters in which he has a financial interest, we ask that DOJ investigate the potential violation of federal ethics laws, as the Department should for any other federal employee who appears to be breaking the law.”
    To read the full text of the letter, click here and here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump: Tariffs on Mexico paused until April 2

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    U.S. President Donald Trump attends a press conference at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, Feb. 13, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media Thursday that tariffs on Mexico will be paused until April 2, applying to anything covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

    “After speaking with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, I have agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement. This Agreement is until April 2nd,” Trump said in a post on “Truth Social.”

    “I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum,” Trump said, noting that “our relationship has been a very good one.”

    Earlier that day, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC that more one-month tariff exemptions under USMCA are “likely.”

    “It’s likely that it will cover all USMCA compliant goods and services, so that which is part of President Trump’s deal with Canada and Mexico are likely to get an exemption from these tariffs,” Lutnick said.

    Trump’s latest announcement on Mexico tariffs came one day after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the president is granting a one-month exemption to three major automakers from the newly imposed 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

    The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a trade agreement negotiated, signed, and ultimately enacted during Trump’s first term, aimed at replacing the former North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

    On Feb. 1, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on products imported from Mexico and Canada, with a 10 percent tariff increase on Canadian energy products. On Feb. 3, Trump announced a 30-day delay in implementing the tariffs on both countries and continued negotiations. According to this decision, the relevant tariff measures took effect on March 4.

    Canada has announced retaliatory measures, while Mexico has signaled its intent to implement tariffs and other economic countermeasures. Businesses are increasingly concerned about the rising costs due to these tariffs, which could drive up consumer prices and contribute to an economic slowdown.

    The stock market has shown significant volatility in response to the new tariffs, with investor uncertainty mounting as fears of potential economic repercussions grow.

    The escalating tensions and economic uncertainties might have prompted Trump to reassess his trade policies.

    Trump has yet to make announcement on an overall pause on Canada tariffs. In a post on Truth Social Thursday, he accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of using the tariff problem to further his reelection bid.

    Trudeau, meanwhile, said on Thursday that Canada will continue to be in a trade war with the United States for the foreseeable future.

    MIL OSI China News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Volcano Watch — When have lava fountains formed on Kīlauea and what are their hazards?

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

    Lava fountains during the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption (upper left), 1969 Maunulu eruption (upper right), 1983 Puʻuʻōʻō eruption (lower left), and the ongoing summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu (lower right). USGS images. 

    Even more recently, fissure 8 of the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption exhibited a continuous lava fountain for over two months. However, the lava fountain at fissure 8 differed from episodic lava fountains occurring recently at Kīlauea summit. The continuous fissure 8 lava fountains were primarily driven by a pressure gradient as magma moved from storage chambers beneath the summit to erupt out of the low-elevation vent on the flank of the volcano. 

    Episodic lava fountains are driven by changes in pressurization, related to new magma being supplied. As new magma accumulates, the amount of pressure builds. Eventually, lava erupts and de-pressurizes the system. As magma rises to the surface, magmatic gas rapidly exsolves as bubbles—just like when you open a bottle of soda or champagne.  This gas is a major driving force of the lava fountaining, and the pieces of lava found around the crater rim are filled with bubbles, resembling a stiff foam. 

    Many people remember the 1983–2018 middle East Rift Zone of eruption of Puʻuʻōʻō for the accessible lava flows on the coastal plain and ocean entries. But the first three years of the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption were characterized by 44 lava fountaining episodes that built a prominent cinder- and spatter-cone vent standing 835 feet (255 meters) above the surrounding landscape. Lava fountaining episodes during this eruption occurred every 3–4 weeks and lasted about a day.  Reaching heights up to 1,500 feet (460 meters), the lava fountains fed lava flows that traveled downslope. Some of the lava flows reached the Royal Gardens subdivision and destroyed several houses. 

    At the start of the Maunaulu eruption in 1969, twelve lava fountaining episodes occurred in the upper East Rift Zone. Each lava fountaining episode generally lasted for several hours, slowly building in height until a maximum height was reached, after which the fountains died within minutes. Fountains from Maunaulu reached up to 1,770 feet (540 meters). Lava flows fed by Maunaulu fountains traveled downslope, once going more than 12 miles (7.5 kilometers) to eventually enter the ocean. 

    The short but spectacular Kīlauea Iki eruption occurred in the crater just northeast of Kaluapele, the summit caldera. From November 14 to December 20, 1959, there were 17 episodes of lava fountaining that filled in the Kīlauea Iki Crater with 440 feet (135 meters) of lava. The longest episode was 6 days and episode 15 of the eruption included the highest lava fountains yet measured on Kīlauea, reaching staggering heights of 1,900 feet (580 meters). These high lava fountains built the prominent Puʻupuaʻi cinder cone, which you can view on the Devastation Trail in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. 

    Hazards associated with lava fountaining include the fallout materials (termed tephra), volcanic gas emissions, and lava flows. Tephra generally accumulates in the area immediately downwind of the vent and can build features such as cinder cones. Changes in wind direction and speeds can result in these particles being wafted greater distances to impact nearby communities. Like all eruptions, increased volcanic gas emissions associated with lava fountains creates volcanic air pollution (vog), which affects regions downwind.  When lava fountain events occur on the flanks, they feed lava flows that travel downslope, and destroy everything in their path. 

    The ongoing eruption is occurring within Halemaʻumaʻu, with lava flows contained in the summit caldera. Trade winds transport tephra and gas emissions to the southwest, away from the closest communities, but changes in wind conditions may result in Pele’s Hair and vog in areas that include Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities. 

    Lava fountains in the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption haven’t reached “high” fountain heights of over 1,000 feet (305 meters). So far, there have been 12 episodes of lava fountaining in the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption—the same number as Maunaulu. Continuing inflation suggests this eruption will likely continue, but whether it catches up to Kīlauea Iki or Puʻuʻōʻō, in terms of the number of episodes or fountain heights, remains to be seen. 

    Volcano Activity Updates

    Kīlauea has been erupting episodically within the summit caldera since December 23, 2024. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.

    The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began in Halemaʻumaʻu crater on December 23 continued over the past week, with one eruptive episode. Episode 12 was active from the morning of March 4 until the morning of March 5. Kīlauea summit has been inflating since episode 11 ended, suggesting that another eruptive episode is possible. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. 

    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

    Four earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.2 earthquake 11 km (6 mi) S of Hala‘ula at 20 km (12 mi) depth on March 4 at 3:00 p.m. HST, a M3.0 earthquake 6 km (3 mi) ENE of Honoka‘a at -1 km (0 mi) depth on March 2 at 4:25 a.m. HST, a M3.6 earthquake 31 km (19 mi) SSW of Hana at 29 km (18 mi) depth on March 1 at 7:34 p.m. HST, and a M3.0 earthquake 12 km (7 mi) SSE of Fern Forest at 7 km (4 mi) depth on March 1 at 7:19 p.m. HST.

    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

    Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Active-Duty and Former U.S. Army Soldiers Arrested for Theft of Government Property and Bribery Scheme

    Source: US State of California

    One Soldier Charged with Conspiring to Transmit National Defense Information to Individuals Located in China

    View the indictment for Jian Zhao.

    Jian Zhao, and Li Tian, active-duty U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with Ruoyu Duan, a former U.S. Army soldier, were arrested today following indictments by federal grand juries in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington. Tian and Duan were charged in the District of Oregon for conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao was charged in the Western District of Washington for conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to an individual not authorized to receive it, and also for bribery and theft of government property.

    “The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China,” said Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi. “They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”

    “While bribery and corruption have thrived under China’s Communist Party, this behavior cannot be tolerated with our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information, including national defense information,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The FBI and our partners will continue to work to uncover attempts by those in China to steal sensitive U.S. military information and hold all accountable who play a role in betraying our national defense. The FBI would like to thank U.S. Army Counterintelligence for their close partnership during this investigation.”

    “We thank the FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command for their hard work on this investigation and commitment to protecting our national security,” said Acting U.S. Attorney William M. Narus for the District of Oregon.

    “These arrests underscore the persistent and increasing foreign intelligence threat facing our Army and nation,” said Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General, Army Counterintelligence Command. “Along with the Department of Justice and FBI, Army Counterintelligence Command will continue to work tirelessly to hold those accountable who irresponsibly and selfishly abandon the Army values and choose personal gain over duty to our nation. We remind all members of the Army team to increase their vigilance and protect our Army by reporting suspicious activity.”

    The indictment in the District of Oregon alleges that beginning on or about Nov. 28, 2021, and continuing to at least on or about Dec. 19, 2024, Duan and Tian along with others, known and unknown to the grand jury conspired with each other to surreptitiously gather sensitive military information related to the United States Army’s operational capabilities, including technical manuals and other sensitive information, and that Tian transmitted this information to Duan in return for money, in violation of his official duties as an active-duty U.S. Army officer. Specifically, Tian was tasked with gathering information related U.S. military weapon systems, including information related to the Bradley and Stryker U.S. Army fighting vehicles, and transmitting them to Duan.

    The indictment in the Western District of Washington alleges that beginning in or about July 2024, and continuing to the date of the arrest, Jian Zhao, an active-duty U.S. Army Supply Sergeant, conspired with others known and unknown to the grand jury to obtain and transmit national defense information to individuals based in China. Zhao is further alleged to have committed bribery and theft of government property.

    Specifically, Zhao was charged for his conspiracy to collect and transmit several classified hard drives, including hard drives marked “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET”, negotiating with individuals based in China for their sale, and agreeing to send the classified hard drives to the individuals in China. In exchange for the sale of the classified hard drives, Zhao received at least $10,000. Zhao is further alleged to have conspired to sell an encryption capable computer that was stolen from the U.S. Government, and sensitive U.S. military documents and information, including information related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and information related to U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with the People’s Republic of China. Zhao is alleged to have violated his duties as a U.S. Army Soldier and public official to protect sensitive military information in exchange for money. In total, Zhao is alleged to have corruptly received and accepted payments totaling at least $15,000.

    The FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey Barrow and Katherine Rykken for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorneys Christopher Cook and Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: More than two-thirds of organisations have a formal work-from-home policy. Here’s how the benefits stack up

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Boedker, Professor, Business School, University of Newcastle

    Floral Deco/Shutterstock

    The opposition wants to call time on letting public servants work from home. In a speech to the Menzies Research Institute this week, shadow public service minister Jane Hume said, if elected, a Coalition government would require public servants in the office five days a week:

    While work from home arrangements can work, in the case of the [Australian Public Service], it has become a right that is creating inefficiency.

    Hume said Labor had given public servants a “blank cheque” to work from home, creating an “unsustainable” system that was no longer working.

    She stressed that exceptions “can and will be made”, but only “where they work for everyone rather than be enforced on teams by an individual”.

    Few workplace issues have drawn such heated debate as whether people should be allowed to work from home. The Coalition’s latest election promise, with parallels to a similar move by Donald Trump in the United States, has brought these questions back into the spotlight.

    What impact do work from home arrangements have, not only on performance and productivity but also employee wellbeing? Is it really wise to reverse course?

    Our research has examined these questions in detail – and we’ve found a changing picture.



    Read more:
    Dutton hints he’ll sack 36,000 public servants. Voters deserve to know what services will be affected

    Our research

    We have examined the impacts of working from home on staff performance and productivity in Australian workplaces as part of the Australian Workplace Index, surveying 2,932 Australian employees across 2022 and 2024.

    This is a research collaboration project between Australian National University and University of Newcastle.

    The Coalition argues public servants should return to the office.
    Ground Picture/Shutterstock

    An Australian Workplace Index 2022 working paper (which has not been peer-reviewed) actually suggested working from home was linked with a number of negative impacts.

    In 2022, we saw that compared to those who didn’t, employees who worked from home three to four days a week experienced lower wellbeing, higher depression and anxiety, and higher loneliness.

    They also experienced more administrative hassles, higher pressure to meet targets and increased levels of conflict with supervisors and colleagues.

    We found working from home was also associated with a reduction in staff productivity, job-target performance and an increase in staff turnover intentions.

    A changing picture

    We have recently completed analysis for a similar study based on data from 2024, to be published in an upcoming working paper. And it paints a very different picture.

    We found the negative impacts of working from home, originally found in 2022, had reversed in 2024.

    In the most recent 2024 Australian Workplace Index employment data, we see no significant difference in productivity between employees who work from home and those in the office.

    In fact, the latest data suggest numerous benefits.

    For example, staff who worked from home one or more days a week had 9.9% more autonomy in how they carried out their work. Those with higher job autonomy were up to 16.8% more productive in their work when compared to those with low job autonomy.

    We found staff who work from home also save on average 100 minutes in commuting time each day.

    But on top of this, staff who worked from home one or more days a week were 10.6% less burnt out from work compared to those who never did, and had reported lower intention to quit their jobs.

    A reduced need to commute is a major benefit of work-from-home arrangements.
    Adam Calaitzis/Shutterstock

    Better support for employees

    This positive trend likely reflects investment by employers in improving support for staff who work from home.

    In 2024, we found a majority of organisations (69%) now had a work-from-home policy in place.

    There was also an increase in the physical, technological and psychological infrastructure support available to staff who work from home. For example:

    • Physical: 82% of staff have a dedicated workspace, 93% have their own desk, and 93% have air conditioning.
    • Technological: 85% of staff have access to IT support, 94% have access to collaborative technology and 95% have internet access.
    • Psychological: 80% of staff have access to psychological support from their supervisor and 72% have access to counselling services.

    Importantly, employees still value the opportunity highly. Our 2024 data show 38% of Australian employees chose to work from home for 50% or more of their work hours.

    32% of Australian employees would prefer to exclusively work from home, 41% prefer a hybrid option, while 27% prefer to work exclusively from the office.

    Christina Boedker has received research grant funding from the University of Newcastle’s RSP Stimulus Funding Scheme and from The Australian National University for this research project.

    Kieron Meagher received research grant funding from the University of Newcastle’s RSP Stimulus Funding Scheme and from The Australian National University for this research project.

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

    – ref. More than two-thirds of organisations have a formal work-from-home policy. Here’s how the benefits stack up – https://theconversation.com/more-than-two-thirds-of-organisations-have-a-formal-work-from-home-policy-heres-how-the-benefits-stack-up-251598

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    March 7, 2025
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