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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Digital government can benefit citizens: how South Africa can reduce the risks and get it right

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Busani Ngcaweni, Visiting Adjunct Professor, Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand

    The digital revolution is reshaping governance worldwide. From the electronic filing of taxes to digital visa applications, technology is making government services more accessible, efficient and transparent.

    South Africa is making progress in its digital journey. In 2024 it climbed to 40th place out of 193 countries, from 65th place in 2022, in the United Nations e-Government Index. This improvement makes the country one of Africa’s digital leaders, surpassing Mauritius and Tunisia.

    South Africa has identified more than 255 government services for digitisation. Already, 134 are available on the National e-Government Portal. This achievement is remarkable. Nevertheless, the shift to digitisation comes with challenges and risks.

    Some countries have weakened the state’s role by rapidly outsourcing key government functions. But South Africa has the opportunity to build a model of digital transformation that strengthens public institutions rather than diminishes them.

    New technologies must bring tangible benefits for citizens. Digital transformation can improve public administration. But, if mismanaged, it could burden taxpayers with costs.

    Benefits

    Digital transformation comes at a cost. This is particularly true if the state fails to use its procurement power to negotiate reasonable prices. Infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity measures, software licensing and system maintenance require substantial financial investment.

    The question is whether these expenses are a necessary step towards a more efficient and accessible government.

    Two South African examples illustrate that digital transformation can save money and enhance service delivery quality.

    The first is the South African Revenue Service. Its goal is to ensure that taxpayers and tax advisers can use the service from anywhere and at any time. The changes made more than a decade ago show that digital systems can yield substantial financial gains. After introducing e-filing in 2006, the revenue service streamlined tax processes, reduced inefficiencies and led to higher compliance rates. Ultimately this led to improved revenue collection.

    Similarly, digitising social grant payments has had a number of positive effects. In a chapter of a recent edited volume on public governance, my colleagues and I wrote a case study about how the South African Social Security Agency used basic technologies and platforms like WhatsApp and email to process a grant during the COVID pandemic. It allowed over 14 million people to apply, paid grants to over 6 million beneficiaries during the first phase of the project.

    South African Social Security Agency annual reports show that over 95% of grant beneficiaries receive their payouts electronically through debit cards, instead of going to cash points. This improves security and lets beneficiaries decide when to get and spend their money.

    There are fears that automation could result in massive job losses. But global experience has shown that digitalisation does not necessarily lead to large-scale retrenchments. Instead it can shift the nature of work to other responsibilities.

    The South African Social Security Agency provides a compelling case. Its transition to digital grant payments did not lead to job losses. Similarly, the expansion of e-filing at the revenue service has not resulted in workforce reductions. In both cases efficiencies improved.

    These cases highlight that digital transformation is reshaping roles rather than displacing employees. Public servants are moving into areas such as cybersecurity, data analysis and AI-driven decision-making.

    Shortcomings and pitfalls

    A number of inefficiencies are at play in government services.

    Firstly, most government digital operations still work with outdated paper-based systems. The lack of a uniform digital identity creates bureaucratic inefficiencies and delays.

    Secondly, fragmented procurement of equipment in government has led to duplicated efforts, increased costs and fruitless expenditure.

    Thirdly, different departments often use isolated and incompatible digital systems. This reduce the mutual benefits of digital transformation. The State IT Agency has been blamed for inefficiencies, procurement failures and questionable spending.

    Fourthly, South Africa’s public service remains fragmented. Citizens still struggle to access government services seamlessly. They often move between departments to complete what should be a single transaction.

    Without a centralised system, departments operate in isolation, duplicating efforts, increasing costs and eroding public trust.

    Read more: South Africa’s civil servants are missing skills, especially when it comes to technology – report

    Fifth, a lack of skills. Increasing reliance on digital tools requires expertise in data analytics, cloud computing and automation. Many public servants lack the training to take on these new roles. The National Digital and Future Skills Strategy was introduced in September 2020 to bridge this gap, but its effectiveness depends on its implementation.

    Introducing it in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic forced government to make digital leaps which otherwise might have taken longer. To sustain services, technology had to be rapidly adopted, including basic things like holding Cabinet meetings online, using a system rapidly developed by the State Information Technology Agency.

    Sixth, security concerns complicate the transformation. As government systems become digital, they become vulnerable to cyberattacks. South Africa must put in place cybersecurity infrastructure to prevent identity theft, data breaches and service disruptions. A cyberattack on one department could affect the entire public sector.

    What needs to be done

    Government must streamline procurement, improve coordination and eliminate inefficiencies to ensure interdepartmental collaboration.

    A single, integrated e-government platform would:

    • cut red tape

    • reduce queues

    • increase efficiency.

    Government needs to upskill civil servants and improve their digital literacy.

    Government must create a seamless e-government system that connects services while protecting citizens’ personal information. The success of digitalisation depends on technological advancements as well as the level of trust citizens have in government systems. Without strong security measures, transparency and accountability, even the most sophisticated digital tools will fail to gain public confidence.

    South Africa has the chance to demonstrate that a strong, capable state can successfully integrate technology while safeguarding public interests. It should take full advantage of offers by Microsoft, Amazon and Huawei to support digital skills training in the public sector in a way that does not advantage one company’s technologies over others. Choices of technology must be user-centric, not based on preferences of accounting officers and chief information officers. Leaders of public institutions must be measured on their ability to digitally transform their organisations.

    – Digital government can benefit citizens: how South Africa can reduce the risks and get it right
    – https://theconversation.com/digital-government-can-benefit-citizens-how-south-africa-can-reduce-the-risks-and-get-it-right-254089

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: TikTok in Egypt: where rich and poor meet – and the state watches everything

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gabriele Cosentino, Assistant Professor, American University in Cairo

    After being released from detention in 2011, Egyptian engineer and activist Wael Ghonim told the media:

    If you want to liberate a society, all you need is the internet.

    He’d been taken into custody for his role in the revolution that toppled the regime of Hosni Mubarak. Part of the success of this unprecedented popular uprising was due to the role of social media in mobilising citizens around a common political cause.

    In 2025, after a decade under the repressive government of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, it’s fair to say that little has remained of Ghonim’s vision. Social media use in Egypt is closely guarded by the authorities to detect signs of opposition. Citizens are routinely detained, even for the slightest criticism of the government.

    In 2018 Egypt introduced a new law, apparently to curb the problem of online misinformation and disinformation. This law is, in reality, often used to stifle dissent. Egyptians today operate within unclear boundaries of what is permissible to say online. The result is widespread self-censorship for fear of arrest.

    As a scholar of political communication and new media I’ve written books on global social media. I teach students about the social and political impact of digital and social media in Egypt. The video sharing platform TikTok is a frequent subject in my classes because it reveals both the liberating and the repressive effects of social media use in Egypt.

    TikTok stands out for its ability to create viral videos and sudden micro-celebrities. This has made it a lightning rod for government crackdowns. But it has also connected people across socio-economic divides and bred a lively new cultural and political debate – one that’s not as easy for the government to police.

    TikTok in Egypt

    Since 2020, TikTok has become immensely popular in Egypt, with an estimated 33 million users over 18 years old.

    While TikTok hasn’t taken on the explicit political dimension that Facebook or Twitter did over a decade ago, it has already become the theatre of a series of incidents that have landed its users in the crosshairs of the authorities. This has exposed political rifts and tensions.

    Most of the incidents are related to the ability of TikTok to work as a “virality engine” – even users with few followers can gain a sudden and sometimes problematic celebrity.

    But while Egyptian authorities have evidently been cracking down on TikTok users, there have been no concrete plans to ban the platform. In fact, some government branches have used it to advance their own initiatives. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, for example, signed an agreement with TikTok to launch the Egyptian TikTok Creator Hub, designed to educate youth on using social media responsibly.

    Women targeted

    Since 2020, Egyptian authorities have arrested TikTok users under charges ranging from the violation of family values to the spread of false information and allegations of belonging to terrorist organisations. Most of these TikTokers didn’t post explicit sexual or political content, making the charges against them appear exaggerated. These cases suggest the authorities are closely monitoring the platform, following strict moral and political considerations.

    The most high profile cases have involved young women, most notably Haneen Hossam and Mawada Eladham, who were arrested in 2020 for violating family values. Article 25 of Egypt’s anti-cybercrime law states that content “violating the family principles and values upheld by Egyptian society may be punished by a minimum of six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine”. It leaves the definition of family values purposefully vague.

    Observers have noted that this vagueness has allowed the law to be applied in a range of different cases. More than a dozen women have faced similar charges, endured pretrial detention and been handed lengthy prison sentences.

    The arbitrary nature of many of the charges suggests a possible deeper motive: policing the presence of young women in digital spaces where they can gain influence and financial independence outside traditional family or work structures.

    TikTok has given ordinary users in Egypt unprecedented visibility, in some cases allowing them to challenge social norms, often through humour. This appears to have unsettled authorities, who appear to have sought to send a message to the broader population.

    Arrests

    TikTok-related arrests have not been limited to family values. In 2022, three users were arrested for criticising rising food prices. They were charged with spreading fake news, despite the fact that inflation in Egypt was rising sharply.

    In 2023, a parody skit of a fake jail visit by a TikToker went viral. The creators were arrested and charged with belonging to a terror organisation, spreading fake news and misusing social media.



    Read more:
    Why some governments fear even teens on TikTok

    Such arrests indicate that TikTok content that touches on politically sensitive matters, even in jest, is posing a new type of challenge for the Egyptian government. The state is particularly concerned with viral content that might bring attention to its poor human rights record. This includes notoriously bad conditions in jails.

    ‘Egypt’ and ‘Masr’

    At the same time, the platform is proving able to connect people from very different social and economic backgrounds, as it is seen to do globally.

    Egypt is very hierarchical. Small, affluent elite groups live in a separate and secluded socio-economic reality from the majority of the population. Thirty percent of Egyptians live under the poverty line.

    On TikTok, the more privileged, cosmopolitan section of society is referred to as “Egypt”. The poor and disenfranchised are “Masr” (مصر), the Arabic word for Egypt.

    TikTok is aimed at generating viral content more than it is a networking site, like Facebook, that’s based on pre-existing social connections. The result is a virtual common space where the two sides can interact in new ways. This engenders unique social and cultural dynamics also observed in other countries.



    Read more:
    TikTok in Kenya: the government wants to restrict it, but my study shows it can be useful and empowering

    “Egypt” watches “Masr” create all kinds of content – from singing and dancing routines to live begging. “Masr” gets to peek into the otherwise inaccessible world of the wealthy.

    In the current climate of an economic crisis, this divide can be glaring. While most Egyptians are struggling with inflation, the cost of living and unemployment, the wealthy flaunt their lifestyles on TikTok.

    When wealthy TikTokers post content complaining about relatively petty issues like a long wait for valet parking at a luxury restaurant or boast about their weekly allowance, it reveals their disconnect from the everyday hardships faced by the less privileged.

    Users are able to comment freely on each other’s videos, sharing their unvarnished opinions. A student boasting about their weekly allowance of 3,000 EGP (US$60) might be told, “This is some people’s monthly salary.”

    Political consequences

    Since it first appeared in 2020, TikTok in Egypt has evolved from a platform mainly geared towards silly and entertaining content by teenagers. It’s become an outlet for people of all ages interested in gathering information, keeping abreast of current trends and events, and also a space for political engagement, especially on the issue of Palestine.



    Read more:
    Young Nigerians are flocking to TikTok – why it’s a double-edged sword

    There hasn’t been an obvious politicisation of TikTok in Egypt yet and there might never be, given the strict policing by authorities. But TikTok’s ability to expose divisions in Egyptian society and connect citizens across demographic cleavages could potentially have unexpected political consequences in the near future.

    Shahd Atef contributed to the research for this article

    Gabriele Cosentino 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. TikTok in Egypt: where rich and poor meet – and the state watches everything – https://theconversation.com/tiktok-in-egypt-where-rich-and-poor-meet-and-the-state-watches-everything-253278

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Somalia’s exports are threatened by climate change and conflict: what 30 years of data tell us

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Mohamed Okash, Founding Director, Institute of Climate and Environment, Simad University

    In the sun-scorched lands of Somalia, farmers and livestock keepers have grown accustomed to the extremes of climate. In 2022, for example, the country suffered the longest drought in 40 years. This affected nearly half the national population of 18 million people. The following year, heavy and widespread flooding devastated the country’s farmlands and infrastructure.

    For a country whose economy breathes through its agriculture and livestock sectors, these extremes have adverse implications. Over 70% of the population relies on farming, herding and pastoral activities for their livelihoods. Despite these climatic shocks, agriculture contributes about 60% of Somalia’s GDP. This is down slightly from 65% two decades ago.

    The agricultural sector is diverse, yet fragile. It is made up of two primary components: crop cultivation (mainly sorghum, maize, sesame and fruit) and livestock rearing (camels, goats, sheep and cattle).

    Somalia’s strongest export offerings have included livestock and animal products, such as hides and skins, along with sesame seeds, bananas and charcoal.

    Livestock has been the cornerstone of exports for decades. It experienced strong growth from the early 2000s through the mid-2010s, but faced notable declines after 2017. This was a result of droughts, disease outbreaks and market disruptions. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman are among Somalia’s biggest trading partners.

    Apart from extremes of climate, the agricultural sector continues to be affected by political instability and conflict. Some of this conflict stems from disputes over water and land. These are common, particularly during times of drought, when competition for natural resources sparks conflict between settled and nomadic pastoralists.

    We are development researchers focused on the intersection of climatic vulnerability, conflict and economic resilience in fragile states. Our recent study set out to examine how the combined effects of climate change and conflict are shaping the country’s trade in agricultural and livestock products. We did this by analysing three decades (1985–2017). We analysed the long-term relationship between environmental stress, conflict events and the country’s export performance in key agricultural sectors.

    We found that erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and conflict have significantly constrained Somalia’s agricultural and livestock export performance over the past decade. While exports have not collapsed entirely, their growth trajectory has been repeatedly disrupted.

    Livestock exports, for instance, peaked in 2015–2016 at over US$530 million, but have since declined due to recurrent droughts, internal conflict and trade restrictions, including a partial import ban by Saudi Arabia in 2016.

    Our analysis confirms that a 1% rise in average temperature reduces agricultural exports by approximately 8.37%. Further, a single-unit increase in internal conflict correlates with a 0.13–0.16% drop in both livestock and crop exports in the long run.

    Although average rainfall boosts exports when available, its unpredictability creates volatility in both the short and long term. The study found that climatic shocks and ongoing conflict are deeply hurting Somalia’s agriculture and livestock exports.

    What the data says

    Our analysis, based on export figures, climate records and conflict datasets (including some from the World Bank), reveals a clear pattern: export performance rises with rainfall and declines with both rising temperatures and internal conflict.

    Banana and sorghum production have dropped by over 50% in some regions since the 1990s. Once a key export crop, bananas have nearly disappeared from Somalia’s export portfolio. Sesame remains a strong export, but yields are becoming more unpredictable.

    Heat stress, compounded by water scarcity, has reduced soil fertility and shortened growing seasons. Maize and groundnuts have been especially affected, with yields declining by up to 40% in recent drought years.

    Many of these crops were once sold in regional markets. They are now primarily consumed locally – or not grown at all.

    Overall, our research showed that Somalia’s competitiveness in global markets has weakened considerably. Livestock exports fell sharply during drought years, particularly 2011 and 2017.

    At the same time, Somalia has started importing basic food items such as maize and flour, which it used to grow domestically. This dependency is both economically and nutritionally dangerous.

    Falling production and exports

    Our analysis shows that internal conflict significantly reduces both agricultural and livestock exports in the long run. It does so by limiting market access and closing vital export corridors.

    This leads to a reliance on circuitous indirect trade routes through adjacent countries at the expense of the export economy. For example, livestock from southern Somalia can no longer reach key export ports due to insecurity.

    Violence over resources – especially water and land – frequently flares up in the central and northern rangelands between agro-pastoralists and nomadic herders. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, between 2012 and 2023, conflict alone forced more than 1.6 million people from their homes. In some of the worst years, like 2017 and 2021, over 400,000 people were displaced from their communities.

    The conflict has displaced rural populations. It has also fractured governance systems and access to international markets, making it harder for Somalia’s farmers and herders to survive.

    Extreme droughts and floods have had a severe impact on yields.

    When the rains are good, exports rise. But those rains are now unpredictable. Erratic precipitation patterns and higher temperatures have led to decreased crop yields and hampered livestock production. This is challenging the nation’s ability to sustain exports.

    What needs to be done

    In response to the challenges posed by climate change and conflicts over agricultural and livestock exports, Somalia needs strategic policy measures.

    First, Somalia should broaden the range of products it exports. Diversification reduces the country’s vulnerability to fluctuations in the market for specific goods. It also minimises risks associated with climate-related and conflict-induced disruptions, and enhances overall economic resilience.

    Second, the country must resolve internal conflicts which disrupt farming operations and displace rural communities.

    Third, the authorities should facilitate market access. Establishing export processing zones can help meet global quality standards. This would reduce the reliance on intermediaries and ensure that producers receive a fair share of profits.

    Finally, measures need to be taken to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture. The government needs to invest in climate-resilient farming systems, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and supporting farmers in adapting to changing climatic conditions. This adaptation should include:

    • irrigation systems to reduce dependence on erratic rainfall

    • drought-resistant and heat-tolerant crop varieties

    • research, skills building and extension services to support local communities

    • integrated pest management and sustainable land and soil management.

    For Somalia, investing in agricultural exports is not merely an economic imperative. It is a development challenge that demands a multifaceted approach encompassing climate resilience, institutional strengthening and inclusive economic growth.

    This research is funded by SIMAD University in Mogadishu, Somalia.

    This research is funded by SIMAD University in Mogadishu, Somalia.

    – ref. Somalia’s exports are threatened by climate change and conflict: what 30 years of data tell us – https://theconversation.com/somalias-exports-are-threatened-by-climate-change-and-conflict-what-30-years-of-data-tell-us-254146

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Digital government can benefit citizens: how South Africa can reduce the risks and get it right

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Busani Ngcaweni, Visiting Adjunct Professor, Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand

    The digital revolution is reshaping governance worldwide. From the electronic filing of taxes to digital visa applications, technology is making government services more accessible, efficient and transparent.

    South Africa is making progress in its digital journey. In 2024 it climbed to 40th place out of 193 countries, from 65th place in 2022, in the United Nations e-Government Index. This improvement makes the country one of Africa’s digital leaders, surpassing Mauritius and Tunisia.

    South Africa has identified more than 255 government services for digitisation. Already, 134 are available on the National e-Government Portal. This achievement is remarkable. Nevertheless, the shift to digitisation comes with challenges and risks.

    Some countries have weakened the state’s role by rapidly outsourcing key government functions. But South Africa has the opportunity to build a model of digital transformation that strengthens public institutions rather than diminishes them.

    New technologies must bring tangible benefits for citizens. Digital transformation can improve public administration. But, if mismanaged, it could burden taxpayers with costs.

    Benefits

    Digital transformation comes at a cost. This is particularly true if the state fails to use its procurement power to negotiate reasonable prices. Infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity measures, software licensing and system maintenance require substantial financial investment.

    The question is whether these expenses are a necessary step towards a more efficient and accessible government.

    Two South African examples illustrate that digital transformation can save money and enhance service delivery quality.

    The first is the South African Revenue Service. Its goal is to ensure that taxpayers and tax advisers can use the service from anywhere and at any time. The changes made more than a decade ago show that digital systems can yield substantial financial gains. After introducing e-filing in 2006, the revenue service streamlined tax processes, reduced inefficiencies and led to higher compliance rates. Ultimately this led to improved revenue collection.

    Similarly, digitising social grant payments has had a number of positive effects. In a chapter of a recent edited volume on public governance, my colleagues and I wrote a case study about how the South African Social Security Agency used basic technologies and platforms like WhatsApp and email to process a grant during the COVID pandemic. It allowed over 14 million people to apply, paid grants to over 6 million beneficiaries during the first phase of the project.

    South African Social Security Agency annual reports show that over 95% of grant beneficiaries receive their payouts electronically through debit cards, instead of going to cash points. This improves security and lets beneficiaries decide when to get and spend their money.

    There are fears that automation could result in massive job losses. But global experience has shown that digitalisation does not necessarily lead to large-scale retrenchments. Instead it can shift the nature of work to other responsibilities.

    The South African Social Security Agency provides a compelling case. Its transition to digital grant payments did not lead to job losses. Similarly, the expansion of e-filing at the revenue service has not resulted in workforce reductions. In both cases efficiencies improved.

    These cases highlight that digital transformation is reshaping roles rather than displacing employees. Public servants are moving into areas such as cybersecurity, data analysis and AI-driven decision-making.

    Shortcomings and pitfalls

    A number of inefficiencies are at play in government services.

    Firstly, most government digital operations still work with outdated paper-based systems. The lack of a uniform digital identity creates bureaucratic inefficiencies and delays.

    Secondly, fragmented procurement of equipment in government has led to duplicated efforts, increased costs and fruitless expenditure.

    Thirdly, different departments often use isolated and incompatible digital systems. This reduce the mutual benefits of digital transformation. The State IT Agency has been blamed for inefficiencies, procurement failures and questionable spending.

    Fourthly, South Africa’s public service remains fragmented. Citizens still struggle to access government services seamlessly. They often move between departments to complete what should be a single transaction.

    Without a centralised system, departments operate in isolation, duplicating efforts, increasing costs and eroding public trust.



    Read more:
    South Africa’s civil servants are missing skills, especially when it comes to technology – report

    Fifth, a lack of skills. Increasing reliance on digital tools requires expertise in data analytics, cloud computing and automation. Many public servants lack the training to take on these new roles. The National Digital and Future Skills Strategy was introduced in September 2020 to bridge this gap, but its effectiveness depends on its implementation.

    Introducing it in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic forced government to make digital leaps which otherwise might have taken longer. To sustain services, technology had to be rapidly adopted, including basic things like holding Cabinet meetings online, using a system rapidly developed by the State Information Technology Agency.

    Sixth, security concerns complicate the transformation. As government systems become digital, they become vulnerable to cyberattacks. South Africa must put in place cybersecurity infrastructure to prevent identity theft, data breaches and service disruptions. A cyberattack on one department could affect the entire public sector.

    What needs to be done

    Government must streamline procurement, improve coordination and eliminate inefficiencies to ensure interdepartmental collaboration.

    A single, integrated e-government platform would:

    • cut red tape

    • reduce queues

    • increase efficiency.

    Government needs to upskill civil servants and improve their digital literacy.

    Government must create a seamless e-government system that connects services while protecting citizens’ personal information. The success of digitalisation depends on technological advancements as well as the level of trust citizens have in government systems. Without strong security measures, transparency and accountability, even the most sophisticated digital tools will fail to gain public confidence.

    South Africa has the chance to demonstrate that a strong, capable state can successfully integrate technology while safeguarding public interests. It should take full advantage of offers by Microsoft, Amazon and Huawei to support digital skills training in the public sector in a way that does not advantage one company’s technologies over others. Choices of technology must be user-centric, not based on preferences of accounting officers and chief information officers. Leaders of public institutions must be measured on their ability to digitally transform their organisations.

    Busani Ngcaweni is affiliated with the National School of Government, Wits and Johannesburg Universities.

    – ref. Digital government can benefit citizens: how South Africa can reduce the risks and get it right – https://theconversation.com/digital-government-can-benefit-citizens-how-south-africa-can-reduce-the-risks-and-get-it-right-254089

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Digital clones of real models are revolutionizing fashion advertising

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Luana Carcano, Lecturer, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University

    Driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and metaverse technologies, digital clones are transforming fast-fashion marketing. Always available, ageless and adaptable to any setting, these virtual figures enable brands to create immersive, cost-effective campaigns that resonate with today’s digital-first consumers.



    Read more:
    Fake models for fast fashion? What AI clones mean for our jobs — and our identities

    Virtual influencers — digitally created personas used to provide entertainment, generate content and endorse brands — are becoming increasingly influential, especially among Gen Z and digital-first audiences.

    These virtual figures vary in form: some, like Lil Miquela and Shudu, are entirely computer-generated, while others, such as Hatsune Miku, incorporate human elements like voice or motion.

    Hybrid influencers blend real and virtual components, allowing for brand-specific customization. These virtual influencers boost brand visibility, drive engagement and influence market performance.

    Real persons, virtual personas

    The estimate for global influencer market size for 2024 was valued at over US$24 billion and is projected to grow to over US$32 billion in 2025. The rise of virtual influencers is particularly prominent in Asia.

    This trend is also reshaping the US$2.5 trillion modelling industry, according to The Business of Fashion. AI-generated avatars and digital clones enable brands to cut production costs and accelerate campaign development. As a result, companies such as Levi Strauss & Co. are partnering with AI modelling firms to integrate these virtual personas into their marketing strategies.

    Digital twins

    Digital twins — virtual replicas of real people — are gaining traction in marketing to enhance personalization, streamline content creation and deepen customer engagement.

    In the fashion world, they provide a means to maintain a sense of human connection while using AI for precision and volume purposes. Fast-fashion retailer H&M recently introduced AI-generated digital twins of real-life models for advertising and social media content. Positioned as a creative and operational aid rather than a replacement for human talent, the initiative has ignited industry-wide debate.



    Read more:
    AI clones made from user data pose uncanny risks

    While the brand highlights the advantages — lower production costs and faster catalogue development — some critics have raised ethical concerns regarding representation and transparency.

    These digital twins fall into the category of “front-of-camera” tools: static avatars used in visual content without independent personas or social media presence. Unlike virtual influencers, they do not interact with audiences or build followings. Instead, they function strictly as visual stand-ins for traditional models, who are compensated for the use of their likenesses, similar to conventional campaigns.

    As these avatars do not speak, endorse or engage directly with consumers, they remain subject to traditional advertising regulations — not influencer marketing laws.

    Digital models are used for operational efficiency: testing and refining creative strategies before rollout, reducing costs and potentially offering immersive digital experiences to enhance customer connection and brand loyalty.

    Authenticity and other challenges

    In July 2024, fast-fashion retailer Mango launched its first advertising campaign featuring AI-generated avatars to promote a limited-edition collection for teenaged girls.

    These AI-generated influencers and digital twins introduce numerous ethical and legal challenges. These innovations raise difficult questions about the displacement of human talent — including models, make-up artists, hairstylists and photographers — and broader implications for creative industries.

    Key concerns centre on consent and compensation. The unauthorized use of an individual’s likeness, even in digital form, poses a risk of exploitation and underscores the importance of clear standards and protections. The legal landscape regarding image rights and intellectual property is still evolving, which makes compliance both essential and complex.

    As the lines between reality and digital fabrication blur, brands risk eroding consumer trust. The authenticity that audiences value can be undermined if AI-generated content seems deceptive or inauthentic.

    Companies must tread carefully, balancing innovation with transparency.

    Diversity is another critical issue. While AI offers customization, it can also perpetuate biases or create an illusion of inclusivity without genuine representation.

    An Associated Press report on AI models and diversity.

    As the use of AI proliferates, ensuring that digital models support, rather than hinder, meaningful advancement in representation will be essential.

    Ultimately, brands must implement ethical frameworks to ensure that AI enhances creativity while maintaining integrity, inclusivity and legal accountability.

    Strategic considerations

    Digital clones provide fast-fashion brands with a powerful tool to create personalized shopping experiences and enable greater representation of diverse body types and style preferences. This degree of customization can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

    To ensure ethical integration, transparency is crucial. Brands must clearly disclose when digital models appear in campaigns. These digital representations should encompass a wide variety of demographics to genuinely promote inclusivity and engage with a broader audience.

    Establishing ethical and legal safeguards is equally important. Creating digital clones requires explicit consent and careful attention to intellectual property rights. Without clear guidelines and permissions, brands risk violating privacy, misusing likenesses and facing legal repercussions.

    Luana Carcano 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. Digital clones of real models are revolutionizing fashion advertising – https://theconversation.com/digital-clones-of-real-models-are-revolutionizing-fashion-advertising-254244

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The King’s speech: The world will be watching when Charles opens Canada’s Parliament

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Justin Vovk, European Royal History Reseacher, McMaster University

    Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited King Charles to embark upon a Royal Visit to Canada and open the new session of Parliament on May 27.

    The visit comes at a significant moment in Canadian history. Carney has just had his first meeting with Donald Trump, pushing back unequivocally against the American president’s continuing calls for Canada to become the 51st state.

    In their Oval Office news conference, Trump once again declared his desire to erase “the artificially drawn line” separating the U.S. and Canada and to annex Canada, as Carney made clear that would never happen.



    Read more:
    Mark Carney tells Donald Trump ‘Canada is not for sale’ in a high-stakes Oval Office meeting

    At the same time, Trump has been looking to reshape the global economic order through the use of tariffs on imported goods. Even though Canadians are fighting back with consumer and travel boycotts, many are also worrying about the future due to Trump’s actions.

    Amid this turmoil, the King’s timely visit could be a powerful show of support for Canadians, whose identity has often wilted in the shadow of its powerful but formerly protective American neighbour. The presence of the King will undoubtedly generate global attention, which could provide reassurances to Canadians that they’re not alone.

    Delivering the Speech from the Throne

    Charles is King of Canada and the country’s official head of state. This will be his 20th trip to Canada, but his first since becoming King in September 2022.

    In day-to-day government business, his duties are carried out by the Governor General. These include opening Parliament and delivering the Speech from the Throne, which outlines the government’s agenda.

    The King’s visit will mark the first time the sovereign has personally delivered the Speech from the Throne since Queen Elizabeth did so in 1957. She also opened a session of Canada’s 30th Parliament in 1977.

    Canada has maintained close ties with the United Kingdom. It still uses the Westminster parliamentary system. But Canada has also worked to establish its own national identity.

    In 1982, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau repatriated Canada’s Constitution. This replaced the British North America Act and established Canada’s full political independence, a process that began with Confederation in 1867.

    Signals of support to Canada

    Royal Visits are one of the monarchy’s most effective tools for promoting international relations. In Charles’s recent visit to Italy, he even made a point of honouring Canada.

    This upcoming visit is expected to highlight Canada’s identity separate from the United States. It will give Charles the opportunity to remind everyone of the Crown’s place at the heart of Canadian sovereignty and our constitutional relationship with monarchy. This is an image that Charles has been eager to foster since becoming King in 2022 following the death of his mother and amid waning enthusiasm for the monarchy in some Commonwealth countries.

    The King cannot make political statements — at least, not without the say-so of the prime minister. After meeting with Justin Trudeau in March before he was replaced by Carney as prime minister, Charles signalled his support for Canadian sovereignty through a series of subtle but important gestures.



    Read more:
    How King Charles is sending Canada subtle signals of support amid Trump’s threats

    He presented a ceremonial sword to the Usher of the Black Rod — one of the Canadian Senate’s senior ceremonial officers. A week later, Charles planted a red maple at Buckingham Palace to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth’s support for international forestry. He even wore Canadian military insignia on his admiral’s uniform during a public inspection of a British aircraft carrier.

    Commonwealth ties

    The King’s visit could also reinvigorate Canada’s ties to the Commonwealth.

    Canada has long maintained positive relations with the other Commonwealth countries through shared culture, military action and economic support. This Royal Visit could solidify the beneficial role of the Crown and of the Commonwealth for Canada as it seeks to assert its sovereignty and broaden its international economic ties in the face of American tariffs.

    Many in Canada and around the world will be watching and listening to the King’s speech when he opens Parliament on May 27.



    Read more:
    King Charles’s coronation: Can the British monarchy shed its imperial past?

    It is unlikely there will be any direct references to Trump’s 51st state threats or to the president himself. But its symbolic significance could reaffirm Canada’s place on the world stage. It may also help to quell, at least for a little while, the growing calls to reconsider the need for the British monarchy at all in modern-day Canada.

    Justin Vovk has previously received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Justin is currently on the advisory board of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada.

    – ref. The King’s speech: The world will be watching when Charles opens Canada’s Parliament – https://theconversation.com/the-kings-speech-the-world-will-be-watching-when-charles-opens-canadas-parliament-255852

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyoming Air National Guard selected for C-130J upgrade

    Source: US State of Wyoming

    CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Department of the Air Force has announced that the Wyoming Air National Guard base in Cheyenne has been selected to receive the C-130J Super Hercules, a modern upgrade to replace its aging fleet of C-130H aircraft.

    The decision marks a major milestone for the 153rd Airlift Wing and reflects the outstanding performance and reliability of Wyoming Airmen in support of missions at home and around the world. A total of eight C-130J aircraft will be assigned to Cheyenne, with the first deliveries expected to begin in early 2028.

    “This is a major win for the men and women of the Wyoming Air National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, Wyoming’s Adjutant General. “It’s a result of their hard work, the trust they’ve built across the Air Force, and the strong support we’ve received from our state and national leaders. We are grateful.”

    As part of the transition, pilots and loadmasters will undergo new training and certification, while flight engineers and navigators will be phased out of C-130J crew configurations. The changes will affect 19 manpower positions, which will be reallocated through the Air National Guard’s corporate process.

    Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon emphasized the long-term value of the investment.

    “This decision speaks volumes about the professionalism and dedication of our Cowboy Guard,” said Governor Mark Gordon. “I’m proud of the work that’s gone into making this possible and thankful to the Air Force for recognizing Wyoming as a critical part of its future. These aircraft will keep our state ready to serve—both in crisis response and in support of national missions.”

    Members of Wyoming’s congressional delegation praised the announcement as a reflection of the state’s ongoing role in national defense.

    “The men and women of the Wyoming Air National Guard represent the best of our state,” said Senator John Barrasso. “This C-130J upgrade ensures they have the tools they need to carry out missions more efficiently and effectively. It’s a well-earned investment in their capabilities and our national security.”

    Senator Cynthia Lummis added, “Wyoming’s Airmen are responsive, lethal, and always there when called. The arrival of the C-130J fleet will secure our Guard’s ability to respond quickly in emergencies, while strengthening our presence in key military operations.”

    Congresswoman Harriet Hageman echoed that sentiment: “This is a big moment for Cheyenne and the entire state of Wyoming. The C-130J upgrade reflects our Wyoming Guard’s stellar record and the community’s strong partnership with the military.”

    The 153rd Airlift Wing has long played a vital role in the Air National Guard’s airlift capabilities, including aeromedical evacuation, humanitarian relief, firefighting with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS), and global operations. The addition of the C-130J marks the next evolution in that legacy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nutanix and Pure Storage Partner to Deliver Greater Customer Choice with New Integrated Solution for Mission-Critical Workloads

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON and SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, and Pure Storage® (NYSE: PSTG), the IT pioneer that delivers the world’s most advanced data storage platform and services, today announced a partnership aimed at providing a deeply integrated solution that will allow customers to seamlessly deploy and manage virtual workloads on a scalable modern infrastructure.

    This integrated solution comes at a pivotal time for customers as the virtualization market evolution is top of mind. IT leaders are focused on helping their organizations maintain pace with the rapidly changing technology landscape while simultaneously implementing greater operational effectiveness. Gartner predicts that “by 2028, cost concerns will drive 70% of enterprise-scale VMware customers to migrate 50% of their virtual workloads1.”

    With this collaboration, the Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure solution, powered by the Nutanix AHV hypervisor along with Nutanix Flow virtual networking and security, will integrate with Pure Storage FlashArray over NVMe/TCP to deliver a customer experience uniquely designed for high-demand data workloads, including AI.

    Key Benefits:

    •     Scalable, Modern Infrastructure – This partnership will provide customers with access to high-performance, flexible, and efficient full-stack infrastructure to power their most business-critical workloads through the simplicity and agility of Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure for virtual compute, and the consistency, scalability, and performance density of Pure Storage all-flash systems.
    •     Built-in Cyber Resilience – Customers will be able to strengthen their end-to-end cyber-resilience posture by leveraging native Nutanix capabilities, such as Flow micro-segmentation and disaster recovery orchestration, alongside Pure Storage FlashArray capabilities, such as data-at-rest encryption and SafeMode.
    •     Freedom of Choice – Customers want agility and control of their mission-critical environments. The combination of Nutanix and Pure Storage will offer a resilient and easy-to-use alternative to existing market options.

    “We’re thrilled to see Nutanix and Pure Storage joining forces. Their collective expertise, innovative technologies, and shared commitment to reliability and performance will deliver a compelling solution that directly addresses critical needs in the market,” said Anthony Jackman, Chief Innovation Officer at Expedient. “Expedient is proud to be an early design partner, collaborating closely with both companies to ensure this solution elevates the quality of service we deliver, ultimately enhancing the value and experience for our clients nationwide.”

    “This new solution will help Nutanix and Pure Storage reach more customers together and help them better manage and modernize their mission-critical applications,” said Tarkan Maner, Chief Commercial Officer at Nutanix. “Our integrated solution will be ideally suited for companies with storage-rich environments looking for choices in modernization.”

    “With more than 13,500 global customers, I’m hearing more than ever that organizations of all shapes and sizes have a growing need for efficient, flexible, and high-performance solutions that can also scale to support their most critical, data-intensive applications,” said Maciej Kranz, General Manager, Enterprise at Pure Storage. “Nutanix and Pure Storage are both known for pushing the boundaries of traditional infrastructure, driving innovation, and enabling unmatched agility. With this easy-to-manage solution, our joint customers will have the power of a virtual infrastructure that’s truly built for change.”

    This solution will be supported on major server hardware partners that currently support Pure Storage FlashArray, including Cisco, Dell, HPE, Lenovo and Supermicro, for both existing and new deployments.

    Additionally, Cisco and Pure Storage are expanding their partnership of more than 60 FlashStack validated designs to include Nutanix in the portfolio – further simplifying full-stack delivery.

    “The future of infrastructure is defined by flexibility,” said Jeremy Foster, SVP and General Manager, Cisco Compute. “That’s exactly what this next evolution of FlashStack delivers. With nearly a decade of joint innovation with Pure Storage, and an expanded partnership and co-development roadmap with Nutanix, we’re offering a proven platform backed by Cisco validated designs, a world-class joint support model, and deep integration with Cisco Intersight – providing unified visibility across both Pure Storage and Nutanix clusters for a more complete view of the operating environment. This level of integration, insight, and support is what will set FlashStack with Nutanix apart in the market.”

    The solution is currently under development and is expected to be in early access by the summer of 2025 and generally available at the end of this calendar year through both Nutanix and Pure Storage channel partners.

    For more information and to sign up for early access visit Nutanix and Pure Storage.

    About Nutanix

    Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

    © 2025 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. All other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. This release contains express and implied forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding our plans and expectations about the partnership and its expected benefits, the new integrated solution and its expected benefits, capabilities, features and technology, and the timing of the availability of the new integrated solution. Such statements are not historical facts and are instead based on Nutanix’s current expectations, estimates and beliefs. The accuracy of such statements involves risks and uncertainties and depends upon future events, including those that may be beyond Nutanix’s control, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to any inability to develop, or any unexpected difficulties, delays or disruptions in developing, releasing or distributing, the new integrated solution in a timely or cost-effective basis. Any forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Nutanix assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise any of such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Certain products and features or functionalities described herein, including the new integrated solution and its features and functionalities, remain in varying stages of development and will be offered on a when-and-if-available basis. The development, release, and timing of any such products, features or functionalities are subject to change. Nutanix will not have any liability for any failure to deliver or delay in the delivery of any such products, features or functionalities. Any future product or product feature information is intended to outline general product directions, and is not a commitment, promise or legal obligation for Nutanix to deliver any functionality. This information should not be used when making a purchasing decision.

    About Pure Storage

    Pure Storage (NYSE: PSTG) delivers the industry’s most advanced data storage platform to store, manage, and protect the world’s data at any scale. With Pure Storage, organizations have ultimate simplicity and flexibility, saving time, money, and energy. From AI to archive, Pure Storage delivers a cloud experience with one unified Storage as-a-Service platform across on-premises, cloud, and hosted environments. Our platform is built on our Evergreen architecture that evolves with your business — always getting newer and better with zero planned downtime, guaranteed. Our customers are actively increasing their capacity and processing power while significantly reducing their carbon and energy footprint. It’s easy to fall in love with Pure Storage, as evidenced by the highest Net Promoter Score in the industry. For more information, visit www.purestorage.com.

    Pure Storage, the Pure Storage P Logo, and the marks in the Pure Storage Trademark List are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pure Storage, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries. The Trademark List can be found at purestorage.com/trademarks. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    1Gartner, Market Guide for Server Virtualization, Michael Warrilow, Philip Dawson, Tony Harvey, Elaine Zhang, 28 August, 2024. GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nutanix Enables Agentic AI Anywhere with Latest Release of Nutanix Enterprise AI

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — .NEXT Conference — Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, today announced the general availability of the latest version of the Nutanix Enterprise AI (NAI) solution, adding deeper integration with NVIDIA AI Enterprise, including NVIDIA NIM microservices and the NVIDIA NeMo framework, to speed the deployment of Agentic AI applications in the enterprise.

    NAI is designed to accelerate the adoption of generative AI in the enterprise by simplifying how customers build, run, and securely manage models and inferencing services at the edge, in the data center, and in public clouds on any Cloud Native Computing Foundation® (CNCF)-certified Kubernetes® environment.

    The latest NAI release extends a shared model service methodology that simplifies agentic workflows, helping to make deployment and day two operations simpler. It streamlines the resources and models required to deploy multiple applications across lines of business with a secure, common set of embedding, reranking, and guardrail functional models for agents. This builds on the NAI core, which includes a centralized LLM model repository that creates secure endpoints that make connecting generative AI applications and agents simple and private.

    “Nutanix is helping customers keep up with the fast pace of innovation in the Gen AI market,” said Thomas Cornely, SVP of Product Management at Nutanix. “We’ve expanded Nutanix Enterprise AI to integrate new NVIDIA NIM and NeMo microservices so that enterprise customers can securely and efficiently build, run, and manage AI Agents anywhere.”

    “Enterprises require sophisticated tools to simplify agentic AI development and deployment across their operations,” said Justin Boitano, Vice President of Enterprise AI Software Products at NVIDIA. “Integrating NVIDIA AI Enterprise software including NVIDIA NIM microservices and NVIDIA NeMo into Nutanix Enterprise AI provides a streamlined foundation for building and running powerful and secure AI agents.”

    NAI for agentic applications can help customers:

    • Deploy Agentic AI Applications with Shared LLM Endpoints – Customers can reuse existing deployed model endpoints as shared services for multiple applications. This re-use of model endpoints helps reduce usage of critical infrastructure components, including GPUs, CPUs, memory, file and object storage, and Kubernetes® clusters.
    • Leverage a Wide Array of LLM Endpoints – NAI enables a range of agentic model services, including NVIDIA Llama Nemotron open reasoning models, NVIDIA NeMo Retriever and NeMo Guardrails. NAI users can leverage NVIDIA AI Blueprints, which are pre-defined, customizable workflows, to jumpstart the development of their own AI applications that leverage NVIDIA models and AI microservices. In addition, NAI enables function calling for the configuration and consumption of external data sources to help AI agentic applications deliver more accurate and detailed results.
    • Support Generative AI Safety – This new NAI release will help customers implement agentic applications in ways consistent with their organization’s policies using guardrail models. These models can filter initial user queries and LLM responses to prevent biased or harmful outputs and can also maintain topic control and jailbreak attempt detection. For example, NVIDIA NeMo Guardrails are LLMs that provide content filtering to filter out unwanted content and other sensitive topics. These can also be applied to code generation, providing improved reliability and consistency across models.
    • Unlock Insights From Data with NVIDIA AI Data Platform – The Nutanix Cloud Platform solution builds on the NVIDIA AI Data Platform reference design and integrates the Nutanix Unified Storage and the Nutanix Database Service solutions for unstructured and structured data for AI. The Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure platform provides a private foundation for NVIDIA’s accelerated computing, networking, and AI software to turn data into actionable intelligence. As an NVIDIA-Certified Enterprise Storage solution, Nutanix Unified Storage meets rigorous performance and scalability standards, providing software-defined enterprise storage for enterprise AI workloads, through capabilities such as NVIDIA GPUDirect Storage.

    NAI is designed to use additional Nutanix platform services while allowing flexible deployments on HCI, bare metal, and cloud IaaS. NAI customers can also leverage the Nutanix Kubernetes Platform solution for multicloud fleet management of containerized cloud native applications, and Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) and Nutanix Database Service (NDB) as discrete data services, offering a complete platform for agentic AI applications.

    “Customers can realize the full potential of generative AI without sacrificing control, which is especially important as businesses expand into agentic capabilities,” said Scott Sinclair, Practice Director, ESG. “This expanded partnership with NVIDIA provides organizations an optimized solution for agentic AI minimizing the risk of managing complex workflows while also safeguarding deployment through secure endpoint creation for APIs. AI initiatives are employed to deliver strategic advantages, but those advantages can’t happen without optimized infrastructure control and security.”

    To learn more about how to get started with the latest NAI version and new NVIDIA capabilities, visit our latest blog post.

    NAI with agentic model support is now generally available.

    About Nutanix

    Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

    © 2025 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. Kubernetes is a registered trademark of The Linux Foundation in the United States and other countries. All other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. This release contains express and implied forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding the latest NAI release and its expected benefits, capabilities, features and technology. Such statements are not historical facts and are instead based on Nutanix’s current expectations, estimates and beliefs. The accuracy of such statements involves risks and uncertainties and depends upon future events, including those that may be beyond Nutanix’s control, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Any forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Nutanix assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise any of such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: UPDATE – Abundance Energy, SOLRITE Energy, and sonnen Develop Residential Battery-Enabled Virtual Power Plants in Texas

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abundance Energy, sonnen, SOLRITE Energy, and Energywell Technology Licensing, LLC (“Energywell”) are joining forces to power the future of energy through the development of behind-the-meter, battery-enabled Virtual Power Plants (“VPP”) in Texas.

    The collaboration empowers Abundance Energy customers to use their sonnenConnect home batteries to support grid stability, ensure reliable energy delivery, and lower electricity costs while driving the development of smart, sustainable energy solutions.

    Enabled by SOLRITE Energy’s innovative virtual power plant purchase agreement (VPA) financing model, participants can install solar panels and sonnen battery systems at no upfront cost, lowering barriers to entry for this VPP program. sonnen and SOLRITE first introduced this novel VPA structure to the Texas market in January 2025.

    Optimized through the integration of Energywell’s Proton platform with sonnen’s advanced control technology, each battery is continuously managed in response to market price signals, customer usage, and solar generation. Networked together, these batteries create a VPP, dynamically balancing energy supply and demand to maximize value for both the grid and the customer. Under the VPA financing model, SOLRITE owns and manages all the customer solar and sonnen energy storage systems and customers in turn receive the benefit of low energy costs and reliable back-up power.

    “Our mission is to empower homeowners with smarter, more sustainable energy solutions,” said Thomas Mandry, CEO of Abundance Energy. “By combining sonnen’s best-in-class battery technology, Energywell’s market expertise through its Proton platform, and SOLRITE’s unique financing model, we are delivering an innovative VPP model that benefits both customers and the Texas grid.”

    sonnen’s VPP technology intelligently manages energy supply and demand, ensuring stored solar or grid energy is strategically deployed when needed most. “Our VPP solutions enable customers to actively participate in the energy market while maintaining resilience in their homes,” said Blake Richetta, Chairman and CEO of sonnen. “With Abundance Energy, SOLRITE, and Energywell, we’re setting a new standard for residential energy management.”

    “At SOLRITE, we believe financial innovation is key to unlocking the full potential of distributed energy,” said Regan George, CEO of SOLRITE Energy. “By eliminating upfront costs for solar and battery installations, we enable more homeowners to participate in this VPP program, delivering clean, reliable power to customers and adding value to the grid.”

    Energywell’s Proton platform provides advanced forecasting and optimization tools to ensure batteries are dispatched in alignment with market opportunities. “The Texas energy landscape is evolving, and this partnership exemplifies the future of distributed energy,” said Michael Fallquist, CEO of Energywell. “By optimizing stored energy, we are reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions, building a smarter, cleaner, and more flexible grid.”

    This VPP initiative aligns with Texas’ growing demand for resilient, customer-driven energy solutions and paves the way for further innovation in the residential energy sector.

    About SOLRITE

    SOLRITE Energy is a clean energy financing company pioneering new ways to make solar and battery storage accessible to homeowners. Its flagship Virtual Power Plant Power Purchase Agreement (VPA), developed with sonnen, provides solar panels and home battery systems at no upfront cost in exchange for a low, fixed energy rate. By partnering with retail electric providers and technology companies, SOLRITE makes sustainable energy solutions accessible while supporting grid reliability. Visit solriteenergy.com for more information.

    About Abundance Energy

    Abundance Energy is a digital-native Retail Electric Provider (REP) startup licensed for operations in Texas. Abundance’s products include transparent fixed-rate residential plans and multi-meter Continuous Service Agreement plans for vacant property management with a built-to-purpose CSA customer platform. Abundance is part of the Quext family of companies that includes next-generation LoRaWAN proprietary IoT thermostats and smart locks for the multifamily market. Visit abundanceenergy.com for more information.

    About sonnen

    sonnen is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of smart energy storage systems for residential applications, and a pioneer of the residential battery based virtual power plant. The sonnen VPP is nationally recognized as a blueprint for the decentralized, digitalized, decarbonized energy system of the future. sonnen is one of the most experienced and fastest growing VPP energy storage companies in the world. sonnen has received many internationally recognized awards celebrating our technological achievement. sonnen products and services are used by the sonnenCommunity, a collection of visionaries around the world who share our vision of clean and affordable energy for everyone. In Texas, sonnen partners with SOLRITE Energy to bring their flagship Virtual Power Plant Power Purchase Agreement (VPA), to provide solar panels and home battery systems at no upfront cost.

    sonnen’s offices are located in Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, and the USA. sonnen is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell. Learn more at: https://sonnenusa.com/en

    About Energywell

    Energywell is an energy technology company powering the sustainable energy transition. Energywell combines the financial strength of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and capital and commodities expertise from Hartree Partners L.P. with proprietary technology and a seasoned team of energy industry veterans. Visit Energywell.com for more information.

    About Proton

    Energywell’s Proton platform delivers real-time energy insights and seamless device integration, empowering businesses and customers to optimize energy more sustainably. Proton uses cloud-native, event-driven architecture to ensure energy solutions scale quickly while maintaining the highest standards of security, including SOC 2 Type 2 compliance. Proton is available for licensing for third parties looking to accelerate their own energy management capabilities. Visit Energywell.com for more information.

    Media contact:

    FischTank PR

    sonnen@fischtankpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SNP must go further for people and planet

    Source: Scottish Greens

    07 May 2025 Climate

    The SNP needs to show the ambition that our planet needs.

    More in Climate

    The SNP must go further for people and planet, says Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater.

    Speaking in parliament today during a debate on the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, Ms Slater called for action to rapidly reduce carbon emissions and put money in people’s pockets.

    Opening her speech, Ms Slater said: 

    “The Scottish Government cannot be timid in its response to the challenges we face. We are facing profound threats and we need profound answers. It isn’t enough to try to do the same thing faster with ever-reducing resources.

    “It is possible to build a fairer and greener Scotland, and we need a brave and bold Government to do this.

    “Greener means rapidly reducing emissions and restoring our depleted nature. Fairer means redistributing wealth and opportunity so that homes are affordable, work pays fair wages, and ensures that our social security net allows everyone to live with dignity.

    “It means practical measures to get money back in people’s pockets, and reduce poverty.”

    Lorna went on to highlight the positives in the Programme for Government that Scottish Green policies and campaigning were central to securing.

    Ms Slater added: 

    “There are some good examples of these policies in this Programme for Government, including a permanent end to peak rail fares – a policy first brought in by the Scottish Greens in October 2023.”

    Ms Slater used her speech to voice her concerns that the SNP are not going far enough with their commitments, seeming to be rolling back progressive policy instead.

    Ms Slater concluded: 

    “This Government does not always seem willing to do the hard things we need to do to build a fairer, greener Scotland and, frankly, we’re running out of tomorrows.

    “Scotland is unfair for so many people and the Scottish Government could do more to make it fairer.

    “For example, with greater ambition to deliver warmer homes and cheaper energy bills. Through proper rent controls which end rip-off rents and protect renters.

    “We need an ambitious plan to effectively tax wealth in Scotland and invest in public services in communities.

    “We need cheaper fares across all public transport, including capped bus fares.

    “With the world and the climate in crisis, people across Scotland will want reassurances that the government is still on their side – and that can’t come from broken promises and scrapped commitments.

    “The Scottish Government can do better than this, and the Scottish Greens will keep pushing them to do so.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Resolution Demanding Public Input on Radical Upheaval at Federal Health Agencies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Senate Resolution Calls on Trump Administration to Reverse Course on Richardson Waiver, Mirroring 1980s Effort to Boost Transparency
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, last week joined Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Angus King (I-Maine) and 15 Senators in introducing a bicameral resolution calling on the Trump Administration to reverse course on a decision to stop seeking public input on many major changes to programs and policies overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Trump Administration’s actions break with decades of precedent that have allowed the public and health care organizations to make their voices heard. 
    “Donald Trump and Robert Kennedy Jr. are taking a wrecking ball to our health care system. Their cruel actions will destroy HHS’ capacity to deliver services that are essential to the well-being of the American people—including tearing down the long-standing tradition of giving patients a voice in decisions about their health care. If the goal is to have more efficiency, better service, and better outcomes for patients, this is a backwards way to do it,” said Senator Welch. “The Trump Administration must immediately retract this disastrous policy and prioritize people’s lives over power grabs.” 
    “Robert Kennedy promised radical transparency when he became HHS Secretary – instead he has delivered radical secrecy,” said Senator Wyden. “Rather than throw open the doors of government, RFK Jr. has shut the gates, locking out doctors, patient advocates, and everyday Americans from weighing in on the chaotic disruption of America’s health care that the Trump administration is pursuing. Trump and Kennedy should follow the example of Ronald Reagan and reverse course on this disastrous decision to plug their ears to the critical feedback of medical professionals, health care providers, and concerned citizens.” 
    “People deserve a voice in their health care because it is their lives that are impacted when decisions are made,” said Senator Markey. “But Robert Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump are tearing into our health care system, making it harder for people to get care, and trying to do so in secret. Donald Trump is not king, and he and his administration are accountable to the people. The stakes are too high for secrecy. Trump and Kennedy must reverse course and hear from the American people who they have an obligation to serve.”    
    “Public comment periods are a key component of our First Amendment rights and demonstrate a commitment to an engaged public to wise, representative government,” said Senator King. “Recent mass layoffs and pushes to dismantle key federal health care programs add burdens and pose risks to everyday Americans; those citizens who rely on the safeguards provided by the government have the right to be heard about decisions that affect hundreds of millions of lives. Right now, we need to be focusing on making our government more transparent, not sidelining the voices of care providers, medical professionals and concerned citizens. Rule reversals like this one won’t help ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ but it will lead to harmful, avoidable consequences for our nation’s public health.” 
    In early March, HHS reversed its long-standing practice of taking public comments on everything from proposed rules, grants, loans, and contracts to the structure of the agency itself. This came into full view when Secretary Kennedy announced a mass wave of firings and closures of dozens of offices across the agency that work on matters related to supporting seniors, cancer and infectious disease research and more. 
    The resolution would express the sense of the Senate that the Trump Administration should withdraw the change in policy that would significantly reduce public notice and comment, limit public engagement on new regulations at HHS, and allow HHS to take actions that will have immediate impacts on the health care system and the people it serves without soliciting public input. The text of the resolution mirrors a bipartisan resolution that was introduced in the House in 1982, which led HHS under the Reagan Administration to reverse course on a similar action to limit public input on rulemaking at the agency. 
    Joining Senators Welch, Wyden, Markey, and King on the resolution are Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Mark Warner (D-Va). 
    The House of Representatives introduced a companion resolution, led by U.S. Representatives Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), and Mike Quigley (D-IL-05). 
    Endorsing organizations and statements of support can be found here.  
    Read and download the full text of the resolution. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Three civilians killed in India-Pakistan clashes in Kashmir – Indian army

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    NEW DELHI, May 7 (Xinhua) — At least three civilians were killed and several others injured on Wednesday in clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops along the International Border and Line of Control dividing Kashmir, officials said.

    On the night of 6-7 May 2025, the Pakistan Army resorted to indiscriminate firing, including shelling, from positions across the Line of Control and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. Three innocent civilians were killed as a result of the indiscriminate firing and shelling, the Indian side said in a statement. “The Indian Army is responding proportionately,” the document added.

    Three civilians were reportedly killed in Poonch district, about 185 km southwest of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

    Wednesday marked the 13th consecutive day that ceasefire violations were recorded along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

    Early on Wednesday, Indian forces struck nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Health Physicians Named to 2025 “Top Doctors” List

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Each year, Connecticut Magazine honors leading physicians across dozens of specialties statewide, based on an impartial peer-review process—meaning these are the doctors other doctors trust and recommend.

    To compile the list, the magazine partners with Castle Connolly, a nationally respected health care research firm. Castle Connolly’s annual list highlights the top 7% of practicing physicians in the U.S., all nominated by their peers. Its rigorous selection process, led by a team of physicians, ensures that doctors are recognized solely for their clinical excellence, never through payment or sponsorship.

    Over 50 UConn Health physicians have been recognized on the 2025 Connecticut Magazine “Top Doctors” list.  The full list appears in the May 2025 issue of Connecticut Magazine. Below are the UConn Health physicians included this year. Click on any name for more details.

    Cardiovascular Disease
     Bruce T.  Liang, MD
    Christopher Pickett, MD
    Joyce Meng, MD

    Colon & Rectal Surgery
     Eric Girard, MD

     Dermatology
     Mary Chang, MD
    Hao Feng, MD
    Jane Grant-Kels, MD
    Marti Rothe, MD

    Diagnostic Radiology
     Alex Merkulov, MD

    Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
    Francesco Celi, MD

    Gastroenterology
     Joel Levine, MD

    Geriatric Medicine
     Karina Berg, MD
    Patrick Coll, MD
    Jatupol Kositsawat, MD

    Geriatric Psychiatry
     Mario Fahed, MD

    Gynecologic Oncology
     Jennifer Jorgensen, MD

    Hematology
    Biree Andemariam, MD

    Infectious Disease
     Lisa Chirch, MD
    Kevin Dieckhaus, MD 

    Internal Medicine
     Laurie Caines, MD
    Thomas Manger, MD

    Interventional Cardiology
     Michael Azrin, MD
    Patrick Corcoran, MD

    Medical Oncology
     Mary Buss, MD
    Upendra Hegde, MD
    Pragna Kapadia, MD
    Susan Tannenbaum, MD

    Neurological Surgery
     Ketan Bulsara, MD

    Neurology
     Marie Eugene, MD
     L. John Greenfield, MD, Ph.D.
    Jaime Imitola Herrera, MD

    Obstetrics & Gynecology
     Ramzi Alkass, MD
    Danielle Luciano, MD
    Christopher Morosky, MD

    Ophthalmology
     Sona Chaudhry, MD

    Orthopedic Surgery
     Robert Arciero, MD
    Katherine Coyner, MD
    Lauren Geaney, MD
    Cato Laurencin, MD, Ph.D.

    Otolaryngology
     Tessema Belachew, MD
    Todd Falcone, MD
    Denis Lafreniere, MD

    Pediatrics
     Anton Alerte, MD

    Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
     Joseph O’Keefe, MD

    Pulmonology Disease
     Raymond Foley, MD
    Omar Ibrahim, MD
    Mark Metersky, MD

    Radiation Oncology
     Robert Dowsett, MD

    Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility
     Claudio Benadiva, MD

    Surgery
    Brian Shames, MD
    Yu Liang, MD

    Urology
     Peter Albertsen, MD
    Benjamin Ristau, MD

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Convicts Raleigh County Man of Federal Gun Crime

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    BECKLEY, W.Va. – After a one-day trial, a federal jury convicted Alfred Leslie Pittman, 36, of Harper Heights, on Monday, May 5, 2025, of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    Evidence at trial proved that on April 26, 2023, Pittman was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Beckley Police Department officers in Beckley. During the traffic stop, officers found that Pittman possessed a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol with an extended magazine in the vehicle.

    Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Pittman knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for robbery in the first degree in Raleigh County Circuit Court on June 2, 2015.

    Pittman is scheduled to be sentenced on September 5, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

    “The defendant knew he had been convicted of a felony, robbery in the first degree, and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. He is now being held accountable for his criminal conduct,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “I commend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Beckley Police Department for their investigative work in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian D. Parsons and Joshua Hanks and our trial team did an excellent job in this case and I commend them for securing the guilty verdict.”

    Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk presided over the jury trial.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-169.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced To Over Four Years In Federal Prison For Illegally Reentering The United States, Possessing A Firearm, And Possessing Fake Identification Documents

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Tampa, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Lazzara has sentenced Pedro Antunez-Galarza (43, Mexico) to 46 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after deportation for an aggravated felony, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and possessing a false Permanent Resident card and Social Security card. The court also ordered Antunez-Galarza to forfeit the Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Shield, and ammunition used in the offense.

    On the same day as his sentencing hearing, Antunez-Galarza admitted that he had committed new law violations and Senior U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell sentenced him to 10 months in federal prison to run consecutive with the sentence that Judge Lazzara had imposed.

    According to court documents, Antunez-Galarza was deported in 2020 after he was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.  Antunez-Galarza was deported again in 2021 and 2022. In the early morning hours of July 19, 2024, deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop Antunez-Galarza, who was riding a bicycle without any lights on. Antunez-Galarza fled from the deputies. When a deputy caught up to him, Antunez-Galarza reached for his waistband before the deputy arrested him. The deputy searched Antunez-Galarza and found a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Shield that had been reported stolen, a Social Security card with invalid numbers for a “Tony Garcia,” and a fictitious Permanent Resident card with the name “Tony Garcia” that displayed a photograph of Antunez-Galarza. 

    Deputies booked and fingerprinted Antunez-Galarza at the Manatee County Jail. A biometric records check showed that Antunez-Galarza’s fingerprints matched those from his prior deportations. Immigration officers reviewed their files and determined that Antunez-Galarza had not received permission to reenter the United States. On October 18, 2024, Antunez-Galarza was arrested. At that time, Antunez-Galarza confessed to paying a smuggler to bring him back into the United States and illegally possessing the firearm.

    This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam W. McCall.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Murder of young Eastern Cape prosecutor condemned

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, May 7, 2025

    Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has passed condolences to the family of murdered prosecutor, Elona Sombulula.

    Sombulula, a young district prosecutor in the Eastern Cape, was shot during the evening of 29 April this year.

    The Minister paid a visit to Sombulula’s family and was accompanied by National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head, Advocate Shamila Batohi and other senior officials.

    “This is one of the prosecutors… who was committed and coming from our Aspirant Prosecutors programme but already showing promising signs. 

    “He was already dealing with complex cases and some of the suspicions are that it could be one of the cases that he was dealing that led to his demise,” she said.

    The Minister said law enforcement agencies are working around the clock to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

    “I have spoken to the Minister of Police and appealed that… they… must ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act face the might of the law so that the family can find justice.

    “We don’t want to find prosecutors being scared to do their work because they are fearing for their lives. [When our] people go to our courts, they [must] find prosecutors prepared to work, sacrificing and making sure that they do what is right but not [risk] their lives,” Kubayi said.

    Last week, Batohi sharply condemned the murder as an attack on the rule of law.

    “Any attack on a prosecutor is an attack on the rule of law, on justice and on the very foundation of our constitutional democracy. 

    “Our deepest condolences to Mr Sombulula’s family and loved ones. We will honour his memory by continuing the work he so bravely carried out,” Batohi said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Gendered socio-economic gap remains ‘untenable and unsustainable’

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has raised concern over the persistent gendered socio-economic gap, which remains both “untenable and unsustainable.”

    Speaking at the opening of the Global Conference on Financial Inclusion and Women Empowerment, currently underway at Sun City Resort, North West Province, Chikunga emphasised that despite decades of advocacy, women and girls across the globe continue to bear the brunt of poverty and exclusion.

    Held from 6 – 9 May 2025, the conference brings together the 2nd Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) and the Financial Inclusion Conference under the umbrella of South Africa’s G20 Presidency.

    The event, hosted by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), aims to influence future G20 policy through the introduction of a Guidelines Framework for Mainstreaming Women’s Priorities, ensuring women’s financial empowerment remains central to global institutional and economic reforms.

    In her opening address, Chikunga said poverty continues to rob women and girls of essential services, including healthcare and education, and their exclusion from socio-economic opportunities throughout their lives.

    “As a result, women continue to be underrepresented in economic decision-making positions. They have limited access to credit and capital, face discrimination in employment, earn less, shoulder disproportionate unpaid care responsibilities, and lag behind in digital financial access.

    “Even in areas where women’s labour force participation has peaked, their work often takes the form of self-employment in the informal sector with no security and limited opportunities for growth. Here on the continent, parts of the Global South and beyond, the majority of women are either unemployed, under employed, or mostly vulnerably employed,” Chikunga said.

    The Minister also noted that women who pursue entrepreneurship are often reduced to the informal sector, with limited access to capital and other formal financial services.

    “They are hindered by the lack of essential skills to effectively manage and sustain businesses, and take advantage of available financial services, products, and other existing business opportunities. Only a handful of financial institutions understand the unique needs of women enough to provide them with relevant products and services that adequately respond to these needs,” she said.

    Chikunga also raised concern about the delay in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls and is among the 37% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets that will not be met by 2030.

    She further warned that ongoing debt pressures carry the potential to push millions more women into extreme poverty, particularly as debt servicing costs continue to divert resources away from education, health, and other public goods.

    “More recently, we gathered in New York for the annual Commission on the Status of Women to commemorate 30 years since Beijing. The general feeling was that of hope and fear, fear that the struggle for gender equality is facing a significant pushback from powerful corners,” Chikunga said.

    The conference is taking place against the backdrop of the collective aspirations as reflected in critical global and regional frameworks, including the SDGs, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, G20’s 2025 priorities, as well as Key Priority 2 of the Working Group on the Empowerment of Women (Promoting Financial Inclusion of and for Women).

    All of these key documents foreground financial inclusion as a catalyst for women’s economic empowerment. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Report on George building collapse expected by month-end

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson says a report on the collapse of the George building conducted by the Council for the Built Environment and its body, the Engineering Council of South Africa, is expected to be completed by the end of May.

    This, as Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of the building collapse which claimed the lives of 34 people and seriously injured a further 28.

    Macpherson said government’s responsibility now was to fix what is broken and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

    “That is why I have insisted that transparency guides our work, and that those who fail in their duties, whether public servants or professionals, must face the consequences,” the Minister said.

    Last month an independent forensic investigation into the building collapse in the Western Cape revealed systemic failures at multiple levels.

    The report cited widespread non-compliance with regulatory standards and mismanagement by both the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and project personnel as key causes of the incident.

    The findings, presented by Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane, revealed a series of procedural and structural failures, including irregular project enrolment, inspection lapses, poor material quality, and violations of occupational health and safety (OHS) protocols.

    Speaking at the one-year commemoration at the George Town Hall collapse on Tuesday, Macpherson said all role-players should work together to achieve justice for the victims and their families.

    “We remember every life lost. We mourn every dream of a future life that was cut short that day. We honour and thank our brave men and women, as well as canines in the South African Police Service, who worked day and night to lead the rescue and recovery effort at that site,” Macpherson said.

    He thanked Captain Johan de Lange and his team of investigators for building a strong legal case in search of justice for the victims.

    “We honour the brave men and women from our emergency services who worked tirelessly for 11 days in an attempt to save those trapped under the rubble.

    “They are heroes who worked through the most difficult circumstances, day and night, to rescue survivors. We feel the pain of families whose fathers did not come home to read their daughters and sons bedtime stories, or to kiss their wives goodnight.

    “We are weighed down by the lifelong wait until we see them again in heaven. And we recognise every survivor who carries the physical and emotional scars of that day. This tragedy should never have happened.”

    He said the pain, trauma, and human tragedy that occurred called on all to work together. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: KwaZulu-Natal reaffirms mission to tackle rampant crime

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has reaffirmed the Council Against Crime’s (CAC) central mission to foster inter-sectoral collaboration, implement proactive interventions, and drive community-centred crime prevention strategies across the province.

    Speaking in his capacity as Chairperson of the CAC, Ntuli led the Council’s third official sitting at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Mayville, west Durban.

    The meeting, held on Tuesday, brought together law enforcement leaders, including government officials, and community representatives to strengthen KwaZulu-Natal’s united front in the fight against crime.

    Established in November 2024, the Council Against Crime has become a key instrument in KwaZulu-Natal’s mission to tackle rampant crime, stem illegal activities, and ensure public safety.

    A significant milestone of the sitting was the formal adoption of the Council’s Terms of Reference (TORs), a strategic framework that will guide the Council’s mandate, ensure accountability, and track measurable progress.

    Ntuli commended the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, especially during the 2025 Easter period, where coordinated law enforcement operations contributed to a notable sharp decline in road fatalities – from 47 in 2024 to 27 in 2025.

    He also acknowledged the critical role played by the South African Police Service (SAPS), including traffic enforcement teams, and responsible road users, who contributed to a safer holiday period.

    However, Ntuli warned that while progress has been made, more work remains, as the province was still faced with growing criminal acts.

    “We are still faced with growing threats including cash-in-transit heists, cybercrime, and the continued scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. The recent murder of Sergeant Sanele Dlamini, a member of the Presidential Protection Services, is a painful reminder of the dangers our officers face,” Ntuli said.

    The Premier further raised concern about the socio-economic impact of illegal immigration, reaffirming the province’s determination to implement its offensive under the slogan “Engangeni ngesango iyafohla” [He who does not come through proper channels is forcing].

    He emphasised that no developing country can thrive while its systems are undermined by unchecked, unlawful migration.

    Ntuli called for a collective attitude shift within communities, noting that lasting change requires both enforcement and societal transformation.

    “Without peace and stability, we cannot grow our economy, create jobs, or end poverty. The people of KwaZulu-Natal are depending on this Council to help realise their aspirations for a safer, more dignified life,” Ntuli said.

    As KwaZulu-Natal battles complex criminal threats, the Premier added that Council Against Crime is positioned as a catalyst for restoring public confidence, enhancing safety, and building a crime-free province for all. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Isowater Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement to Expand Heavy Water Production

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHALK RIVER, Ontario, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Isowater Corporation, a member of the KEY DH Technologies Inc. Group, a Canadian-based, international leader in the hydrogen and deuterium industries. The partnership will support the growth of Isowater’s deuterium oxide (heavy water) refinement business. Under terms of the agreement, CNL will offer support to Isowater in the form of expertise in hydrogen isotope separation and related technologies, leveraging Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s (AECL) extensive intellectual property related to the upgrading of heavy water.

    With CNL’s support, Isowater will work to expand and improve its deuterium refining capabilities. This will enable the company to better serve various non-nuclear deuterium markets through the provision of deuterium production and recycling services, and a higher-purity end-product. This aligns with CNL’s holistic heavy water strategy, which is aimed at leveraging the extensive expertise and technologies within Canada’s national nuclear laboratories to help address the growing international market demand for heavy water in both the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors.

    “CNL is excited to enter into this partnership with Isowater, a Canadian leader in the supply of heavy water and deuterium-based compounds, and a company whose expertise and capabilities complement our own,” commented Jack Craig, CNL’s President and CEO. “This agreement comes amidst growing interest in the use of heavy water in non-nuclear industries, from electronics to health sciences. By applying our expertise and technologies, built through more than 60 years of scientific research in hydrogen isotope management, we believe that CNL can help Isowater grow and improve its heavy water refining capabilities. We look forward to working with them under the terms of our new agreement.”

    “This partnership represents the next phase of the close relationship between Isowater, CNL and AECL that has developed over the past decade,” said Andrew T.B. Stuart, Chairman of KEY. “Our collaboration has been an important enabler of the more than 10% compound annual growth rate in deuterium oxide use by the global high technology and life sciences industries.” Stuart added, “CNL, Canada’s premier science and technology laboratory, offers world-class technology and expertise that support the path to global success of organizations like ours.”

    Deuterium oxide (heavy water) is a form of water in which the normal hydrogen is replaced by a heavier form of hydrogen called deuterium. Since the company was founded in 2009, Isowater has established a global market presence as a trusted and reliable supplier of high-purity heavy water to some of the world’s most sophisticated industries, including life sciences and manufacturers of semiconductors, OLED displays and fibre optics. As part of their strategic partnership, CNL will supply Isowater with isotope exchange catalyst technologies for its deuterium refinement process. On an as-needed basis, CNL will also provide subject matter expert support for Isowater’s deuterium refineries, which is envisioned to include process optimization and troubleshooting.

    Thanks to the foundation of research from its predecessor, AECL, CNL is now considered a world leader in heavy water production and upgrading technology, with over 60 years of expertise, experience and innovation covering all aspects of the technology. These capabilities include laboratory development activities; development of proprietary wetproofed catalysts with the required longevity for economical deployment; demonstrations through design, construction, commissioning and operation of pilot and prototype plants; and development of a family of proprietary codes for simulating the processes and catalyst performance profiles along the isotope exchange catalyst beds.

    As a federal Crown corporation, AECL owns and oversees the sites under management by CNL. “AECL is pleased to see the signing of this agreement, which makes use of our extensive intellectual property in heavy water production and refinement,” said Fred Dermarkar, AECL’s President and CEO. “This is another example of the value of Canada’s investment in its national nuclear laboratories. Our model allows us to connect commercial and academic partners with Canada’s unique nuclear science assets. This agreement would not be possible without the innovative collaboration between the federal government and the private sector,” added Dermarkar.

    To learn more about CNL, including its research related to hydrogen isotope technologies, please visit www.cnl.ca.

    About CNL

    As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

    By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

    To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.

    About Isowater

    Isowater is the deuterium oxide production, refining and sales entity of the Key (KEY) DH Technologies Inc. Group. The KEY Group also includes deutraMed, a developer and provider of value-added deuterium-based products and services to the high technology and life sciences industries; and Hydrogen Optimized, a manufacturer of large-scale water electrolyzers for the production of both hydrogen and enriched deuterium oxide. Together, these companies enable a long-term, secure supply of deuterium for global markets. KEY Group products are exported to customers in more than 25 countries.

    For more information, please visit www.keydht.com. Links to Isowater and other KEY Group companies can be accessed via this website.

    CNL Contact:
    Philip Kompass
    Director, Corporate Communications
    1-866-886-2325
    media@cnl.ca 

    Isowater Contact:
    Don Hogarth
    Director of Communications
    416-565-8920
    don-hogarth@isowater.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77c74a3b-5ad9-456d-bd4d-3ce3a62956e3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Westland Benefits acquires Alberta-based Sagium Health Strategies Inc.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Surrey, BC/Territories of the Coast Salish (Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations), May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westland Insurance today announced that its newly launched benefits brand, Westland Benefits, has acquired Sagium Health Strategies Inc. (Sagium Health) effective May 1. This strategic acquisition expands Westland Benefits’ position in the benefits and health insurance sector and grows its presence in Alberta. 

    Sagium Health, located in Calgary, specializes in providing employee benefits and private healthcare solutions tailored to the needs of individuals and small to mid-sized companies. The firm is known for bridging unique individual and employer needs through its bespoke health programs and comprehensive group benefits offerings. 

    “We’re very excited to welcome Sagium Health to the Westland Benefits team,” says Matt Mann, President of Westland Benefits. “The acquisition of Sagium Health is a pivotal step in our commitment to delivering exceptional benefits solutions to our clients. By integrating Sagium’s expertise and innovative offerings, we’re poised to enhance our service delivery and expand our reach in the Alberta market.” 

    Greg Guderyan, President & CEO of Sagium Health, added, “Joining forces with Westland Benefits allows us to leverage their extensive resources and network, enabling us to provide even more comprehensive solutions. We look forward to this new chapter and the opportunities it brings for our team and our clients.” 

    Westland continues to invest in and grow its business in Canada, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. 

    -30- 

    About Westland Benefits 

    Westland Benefits is the dedicated employee benefits division of Westland Insurance Group, one of Canada’s largest and fastest growing insurance brokerages. Combining the personalized service of a boutique advisory firm with the reach and resources of a national broker, Westland Benefits delivers tailored, people-first solutions that support employee well-being and business performance. With deep expertise and a high-touch approach, Westland Benefits helps organizations navigate the evolving benefits landscape with confidence. As part of the Westland family, Westland Benefits is committed to empowering Canadian businesses through trusted advice and innovative benefits strategies. For more information, please visit our website. 

    About Westland Insurance Group   

    Westland Insurance Group is one of the largest and fastest growing insurance brokers in Canada. Trading over $4 billion of premium, Westland continues to expand coast to coast. Westland’s brokers provide expertise and advisory-based services across commercial, personal, employee benefits, farm, and specialty insurance segments. The company’s mission is to protect individuals, businesses, and communities across Canada with trusted advice and tailored insurance solutions. As a Canadian-based company, Westland is proud to support local communities, Canadian jobs, and a strong economy. For more information, please visit westlandinsurance.ca.   

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AI Uncovers $27B Risk in Appraisals: Restb.ai White Paper Finds Flawed Condition and Quality Adjustments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new Restb.ai White Paper released today analyzes more than 1,200 real estate appraisals to reveal for the first time over $27 billion in potential hidden financial risk tied to flawed property condition and quality adjustments – exposing a major blind spot in the real estate and mortgage ecosystem.

    The new Restb.ai study uncovers widespread inconsistencies and transparency issues in how appraisers assess and adjust for a property’s physical condition and quality, two factors that directly impact property valuation, borrower equity, and lender risk. Crucially, the White Paper provides deep insight into how appraisers can leverage computer vision to mitigate risks using objective image-based scoring to detect and justify condition and quality adjustments with greater precision.

    The study’s findings echo recent warnings from Fannie Mae, which identified condition and quality misreporting as one of its top three appraisal quality concerns.

    “The scale of flawed condition and quality adjustments in appraisals is bigger than most people realize,” said Nathan Brannen, Chief Product Officer at Restb.ai. “Most AMCs and lenders simply don’t have a quick and easy way to check for these issues, so they ignore the problem and hope for the best. AI finally offers a solution to efficiently manage this risk.”

    Unlocking new findings from appraisals
    Using its proprietary computer vision technology, Restb.ai analyzed 1,271 appraisals and 6,495 comparable properties and uncovered:

    • 1 in 3 appraisals contains a major risk tied to condition or quality adjustments that don’t match the actual property.
    • Nearly 3 out of 4 appraisals show warning signs of inconsistencies that could lead to inaccurate valuations.
    • Most homes were lumped into just two categories for condition (86%) and quality (97%), making it difficult to identify the real differences that could affect property value.
    • Adjustments were made even when properties had identical condition or quality scores – 11.8% for condition and 5.3% for quality – raising questions about consistency and transparency.

    The study warns that these patterns can lead to systematic overvaluations or undervaluations, which carry legal, reputational, and financial risks for lenders and appraisal management companies.

    Supporting appraiser empowerment to reduce risk
    The Restb.ai White Paper on quality and condition findings come at a pivotal moment as the GSEs advance appraisal modernization and shift toward component-based scoring. The study provides indisputable statistical evidence demonstrating that AI-powered computer vision is a vital resource for appraisers – helping them tackle one of the industry’s most persistent and historically costly challenges with greater consistency, precision, and confidence.

    “Automated, scalable risk detection is no longer a luxury – it’s now a necessity,” said Tony Pistilli, President, Valuation at Restb.ai. “By integrating computer vision into appraisal workflows, high-risk files can be flagged by lenders earlier, protect against repurchase claims, and promote fairer outcomes for consumers.”

    The White Paper shows that implementation of AI tools can improve appraisal quality, enhance compliance, and align with evolving GSE requirements, ultimately supporting a more stable and equitable housing finance system.

    A free copy of the Restb.ai White Paper on conditions and quality is available at blog.restb.ai/impact-of-condition-and-quality-on-appraisal-accuracy.

    About Restb.ai
    Restb.ai, the leader in AI-powered computer vision for real estate, provides image recognition and data enrichment solutions for many of the industry’s top brands and leading innovators in the mortgage industry with AI solutions for valuations and appraisals. Its advanced AI-powered technology automatically analyzes property imagery to unlock visual insights at scale – including property conditions – empowering mortgage, valuation, and appraisal firms with relevant and actionable property intelligence. Its proprietary artificial intelligence technology transforms property imagery into actionable insights, helping clients unlock new value from visual data and providing deep insight into each of the 1 million property photos uploaded daily.

    Media contacts:
    Restb.ai
    Maya Makarem | maya@restb.ai
    or
    Kevin Hawkins | WAV Group
    206-866-1220
    kevin@wavgroup.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06854f8f-7e94-4319-84a9-9f75e4140b23

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0eb40f78-8077-41c3-af8a-7eca62a476b7

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8aee103a-cb72-47f4-9848-12af60ac4113

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New £4.5million project to boost NHS staffing

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is to lead the East of England delivery of a £4.5million national project, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), to improve healthcare in rural and coastal areas as well as disadvantaged urban communities.

    The five-year Allied Health Professions Workforce Research Partnership aims to improve patient care by ensuring staff such as paramedics, physiotherapists and radiographers are available when and where they are needed in NHS hospitals, community services, and general practice.

    There are 14 different allied health professions, providing specialist emergency, diagnostics, and treatment services from birth to end of life. After nurses and doctors, they are the third largest workforce in the NHS.

    The most recent figures put the East of England’s NHS unfilled vacancy rate at 8.1%, the highest in the country outside of London.

    Professor Sally Fowler-Davis of ARU will work closely with partners across the nation including Sheffield Hallam University, University of Lincoln, University of Sheffield, University of Suffolk, University of Leeds and NHS East of England.

    Researchers will collaborate in three regional hubs based in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and the East of England to test new ways to address staffing problems in these areas and help them to best meet the needs of patients.

    The project will bring together researchers and NHS partners, as well as patient and staff groups, to jointly design new ways of working that will improve patient care and help recruitment, retention and job satisfaction.

    “There are parts of the East of England that face significant challenges in accessing healthcare due to their geographical isolation and limited resources, such as rural and coastal areas, where we know services struggle to recruit and retain staff.

    “By enhancing the presence and support of allied health professionals in these areas, we aim to address these disparities and ensure that residents receive the high-quality care they deserve.

    “This initiative is crucial for improving health outcomes and fostering a sense of community wellbeing. By investing in the recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare professionals in underserved areas, we can build a more resilient and equitable healthcare system that meets the needs of everyone, regardless of their location.”

    Professor Sally Fowler-Davis

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Commemorative plaque for Denis Law

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Scotland’s only winner of the prestigious footballing award Ballon d’Or Denis Law is to be honoured with a commemorative plaque in the area he grew up in Aberdeen.

    Denis Law CBE was born on 24 February 1940 and raised in the Printfield area of Aberdeen, attending the former Powis Academy before moving to England to play for Huddersfield when he was 16. He went on to play for Manchester United, Torino, and Manchester City. Known as The Lawman, he scored 30 goals for Scotland. He died earlier this year, on 17 January 2025.

    The commemorative plaque will be sited at his birthplace at 6B Printfield Terrace. The Denis Law Legacy Trust had made the application which was unanimously agreed today by Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee, going against normal criteria for plaques that the person should have died at least 20 years ago and have been born more than 100 years ago.

    Finance and Resources convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “Denis especially demonstrated his strong and caring commitment to younger generations by creating a legacy trust. The positive support and opportunities that Denis Law has given through the trust is an enduring way to celebrate our much-loved and much-respected local football hero.

    “Denis Law has been an inspiring role model to so many people as well as being an exceptional footballer – he was and continues to be a hero in Aberdeen and abroad and we are very happy to agree to a commemorative plaque.”

    Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “It shows the depth of feeling to Denis Law that the Committee agreed today to go against normal criteria and agreed to a commemorative plaque honouring him.

    “It is fitting he is recognised for all his achievements, not just those on the football pitch.”

    Denis was European footballer of the year and Scotland’s only winner of Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious award for individuals. Denis frequently returned home to Aberdeen to his roots with several accolades in his honour. These include the Freedom of the City, featuring in the Sporting Champions section of Provost Skene’s House, and a 4.7m high bronze statue was unveiled in his honour in 2021.

    When Denis received the Freedom of the City in November 2017, more than 15,000 people lined the streets of Aberdeen as he led the annual Christmas lights switch-on parade, following an earlier conferral ceremony at the Beach Ballroom. He said at the time that receiving the Freedom of the City as one of his life’s highlights.

    Denis and his friend Sir Alex Ferguson feature in Provost Skene’s House, which showcases people with links to Aberdeen and the North East who have transformed the wider world.

    The bronze statue of Denis was unveiled by The King himself in the heart of his home city in Marischal Square, beside Provost Skene’s House. Sir Alex Ferguson was at the ceremony to watch the unveiling.

    Denis was known as ‘The King’ for his achievements in football and the statue was sited to be in close proximity to the statue of King Robert the Bruce outside Marischal College – two kings of the city facing each other.

    The legacy of Denis Law continues to be represented within Aberdeen through Denis Law Legacy Trust and its successful Streetsport initiative with Robert Gordon University, as well as the Trust’s Cruyff Courts in partnership with Aberdeen City Council.

    There is also a statue located at Aberdeen Sports Village and the Denis Law Legacy Trail – large-scale murals depicting Law on buildings in Printfield – is to be launched this month (May 2025).

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Summit set to attract new hotels, boost the economy and create jobs

    Source: City of Canterbury

    Home  »  Latest News   »   Summit set to attract new hotels, boost the economy and create jobs

    The district of Canterbury is the place to invest in new hotels – that’s the message behind the Canterbury Hotel Summit being held this Friday (9 May), designed to bring more investment to the district and boost jobs.

    Hosted by Canterbury City Council, the event is being paid for by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It is part of an ongoing collaboration with Locate in Kent, the county’s inward investment agency. The summit is being held at Canterbury Christ Church University, and will seek to:

    • Attract new hotel development
    • Build a strong project pipeline
    • Identify and overcome investment barriers
    • Support job creation and regeneration

    The council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Inclusion, Cllr Chris Cornell, said: “This summit is a unique opportunity to set the groundwork for Canterbury’s future in hospitality. With the Choose Canterbury initiative, we’re committed to fostering an environment that attracts quality hotel investments, supporting both our local economy and our growing visitor base.

    “By collaborating with partners across the public and private sectors, we can drive meaningful change and sustainable growth.”

    Business Development Manager for Locate in Kent, Charles Hutchings-Lawrence, said: “Locate in Kent is excited to work alongside Canterbury City Council to attract and support hotel investors looking to expand in Kent.

    “Canterbury’s combination of cultural appeal, academic excellence, and strategic location makes it a prime destination for the hotel industry. We look forward to collaborating on a long-term strategy that positions Canterbury as a key player in the hospitality sector.”

    The Canterbury Hotel Summit will bring together organisations key to driving future hotel investment in the district, including universities, local business leaders in hospitality and tourism, and strategic-site developers.

    Core partners including Visit Canterbury, Visit Kent and the award-winning Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) will also join to explore what needs to be done to further grow the district’s visitor economy through hotel investment.

    Canterbury district, which includes the historic city of Canterbury and the vibrant coastal towns of Whitstable and Herne Bay and a host of picture postcard villages, is one of the most visited areas of Kent welcoming over 7.2 million visitors annually. Tourism accounts for 16% of total jobs and generates £392 million in visitor spend annually.

    With its rich heritage, vibrant arts and cultural scene – including year-round events and festivals – plus stunning coastline, it’s no surprise that investors are choosing Canterbury.

    Canterbury’s UNESCO World Heritage status and strong visitor numbers – for both the leisure and business markets – continue to drive demand.

    Several new hotels have opening or are in development across the Canterbury district. Recent arrivals include Hampton-by-Hilton with several other hotel projects in the pipeline, including both boutique and branded hotels.

    Published: 7 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Free waste disposal options in Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    You can dispose of e-waste at either Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centre.

    In brief:

    • Many household items cannot go in your kerbside bins.
    • There are ways to dispose of these free of charge – even if they are large.
    • This article outlines how you can do this.

    Do you have old household items sitting around that can’t go in your kerbside bins?

    You may not know of the free services you can take advantage of, to declutter your home and save money in the process.

    Free drop-off at resource management centres

    If you’d rather get rid of things yourself, you may be able to drop them to a resource management centre for free.

    Canberra has two resource management centres:

    Both locations are open 7:30am– 5:00pm, seven days a week. They are closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

    When dropping your items at the resource management centres, please ensure they are sorted and clearly identifiable.

    There will be a charge for mixed loads which are not easily visible.

    Batteries and items with built-in batteries

    Plenty of household items cannot go in kerbside bins. Batteries, for example, are classed as hazardous waste and can cause fires if disposed of incorrectly.

    There are  many options to dispose of them.

    You can take your batteries and devices with built-in batteries – including damaged or fire affected batteries – to the hazardous waste collection area at either the Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centres.

    There are also over 50 B-cycle drop off points for household batteries located around Canberra.

    Find out more about where to drop off batteries.

    Other hazardous waste

    You can also drop off small amounts of other hazardous waste for free. Look out for the hazardous waste collection area at either Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centres.

    You can dispose of:

    • liquid hazardous waste, such as aerosol cans (full), caustic materials, household cleaning agents, cooking oils, household pesticides, photographic chemicals, domestic poisons, domestic pool chemicals
    • helium party balloon cylinders
    • fire extinguishers
    • gas bottles
    • paint (see the paintback website for more information)
    • fluorescent tubes (including compact fluorescent tubes and bulbs)
    • automotive fuels.

    Electronic waste (e-waste)

    You can dispose of e-waste, such as computers and laptops, televisions, tablets, mobile phones, printers and gaming consoles, at either Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centres.

    There is a limit of 15 items per person (a keyboard, mouse and monitor equals one item).

    You can also dispose of electrical appliances such as kettles, microwaves, toasters, hairdryers, coffee machines, irons and fans for free.

    White goods

    You don’t need to pay to take white goods to either Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centres. White goods include items such as fridges, freezers, clothes dryers, washing machines, dishwashers and ovens.

    It’s also worth noting ActewAGL offers a fridge buyback program. Working fridges can be collected for recycling and a $30 rebate applied to the account holder’s electricity account.

    Green waste

    Green waste bin overloaded? You can take your excess green waste to Corkhill Bros for free. This is located at Mugga Lane only.

    Fees apply to oversized (branches or trees larger than 20cm in diameter and/or two metres in length) residential and commercial green waste.

    Find out more about your green waste disposal options.

    Household recycling

    Household recycling can be dropped off for free at the Mugga Lane resource management centre or one of the five recycling drop off centres located at Mitchell, Gungahlin, Belconnen, Woden and Tuggeranong. You can take:

    • paper
    • cardboard
    • glass bottles and jars
    • aluminium and steel cans
    • plastic bottles and containers.

    Corflute signs

    Corflute signs are accepted for free at the corflute collection bins at Mitchell and Mugga Lane resource management centres.

    Please remove any paper, glue, plastic ties, stakes and metal from the signs.

    Find out more about what is accepted at the resource management centres, and how much you can dispose of.

    Give your items a new life

    Remember, if your items can be reused, you may be able to drop them off for free at Goodies Junction – located at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane resource management centres.

    Find out what can be donated to Goodies Junction.

    Still unsure about something? Check out ACT City Services’ A-Z guide to waste and recycling to see what can go where.

    Read more like this

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China announces fresh policy boost to fuel economic recovery

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

    BEIJING, May 7 — China’s monetary and financial authorities on Wednesday unveiled a raft of supportive measures, including policy rate and reserve requirement ratio (RRR) cuts, as the country stepped up efforts to stabilize markets and sustain economic recovery amid external headwinds.

    In one of its key policy actions, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), the country’s central bank, announced an RRR cut of 0.5 percentage points for eligible financial institutions from May 15. Notably, the RRR for auto financing and financial leasing companies will be slashed from 5 percent to 0 percent.

    PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng told a press conference that this move is expected to provide the financial market with roughly 1 trillion yuan (about 138.9 billion U.S. dollars) in long-term liquidity.

    PBOC on Wednesday also announced its decision to cut the rate for seven-day reverse repos by 0.1 percentage points starting Thursday to better implement the moderately loose monetary policy and enhance support for the real economy.

    Pan said this policy rate reduction is expected to result in the loan prime rate (LPR), a market-based benchmark lending rate, dropping by 0.1 percentage points.

    More financial support, meanwhile, will be given to sectors including tech innovation, service consumption and elderly care via relending — with relending rates lowered by 0.25 percentage points from Wednesday, the central bank said.

    These announcements followed a high-level meeting of Chinese policymakers in late April that called for faster implementation of more proactive and effective macro policies, ample liquidity and stronger support for the real economy, after an encouraging 5.4-percent GDP expansion witnessed in the first quarter of 2025.

    “The foundation for China’s sustained economic recovery needs to be further consolidated, and the country faces an increasing impact from external shocks,” said the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

    Pan said Wednesday’s policy decisions will steadily lower overall social financing costs, boost market confidence, and effectively support stable expansion of the real economy.

    CAPITAL MARKET BOOST

    Also speaking to the press, Wu Qing, head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), pledged efforts to keep capital markets stable and active, noting that the commission will help listed companies affected by tariffs cope with challenges.

    Relevant authorities will support listed companies in using various financing instruments such as equities, bonds and real estate investment trusts (REITs) to conduct direct financing, and encourage eligible domestic enterprises to pursue overseas listings in compliance with laws and regulations, Wu told the media.

    Financial institutions and tech firms, as well as private equity and venture capital firms, will be allowed to issue technological innovation bonds, with funds raised in this manner earmarked for investment and financing in the innovation sector, according to a statement jointly released by the PBOC and the CSRC on Wednesday.

    To further bolster the capital market, the central bank said it will combine the quotas of its two monetary policy tools to make them more convenient and flexible — thereby strengthening the inherent stability of the capital market.

    The Securities, Funds and Insurance companies Swap Facility (SFISF), with an initial scale of 500 billion yuan, and the 300-billion-yuan relending facility that supports stock buybacks and shareholding increases, will be operated under a shared quota of 800 billion yuan from Wednesday onwards.

    At the same press conference, Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, said the administration will continue to expand the pilot program for long-term investment by insurance funds.

    An additional 60 billion yuan in quotas is expected to be approved in the near term, injecting fresh liquidity into the market, Li revealed.

    “We have solid economic fundamentals, sound macro policies, and reliable institutional guarantees, all injecting much-needed certainty into China’s economy and capital markets amid global uncertainties,” Wu said.

    PROPERTY MARKET CONSOLIDATION

    Chinese authorities will also expedite the rollout of a series of financing systems aligned with the new development model of its property sector, reinforcing efforts to stabilize the property market, Li said at the media conference.

    Loans approved for China’s “white list” real estate projects have reached 6.7 trillion yuan, which facilitated the construction and delivery of over 16 million homes, significantly stemming the property sector downturn and restoring market stability, Li said.

    An official survey covering 70 major Chinese cities showed that commercial home prices in March this year had risen in more cities compared with a month earlier, as transactions in the real estate market revealed greater vibrancy.

    To consolidate this trend, PBOC said it will lower interest rates on personal housing provident fund loans by 0.25 percentage points starting Thursday.

    This adjustment is expected to save homeowners more than 20 billion yuan per year in terms of interest payments, thus supporting the rigid demands of Chinese households, Pan told the press.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Half century on, China-EU economic ties deepen amid global uncertainties

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

    BEIJING, May 7 — As China and the European Union (EU) mark 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2025, their economic partnership is showing renewed strength and resilience, even against the backdrop of mounting global uncertainties.

    Bilateral trade has expanded more than 320-fold over the past five decades, now standing at around 780 billion U.S. dollars, according to China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC).

    In the first quarter (Q1) of this year, trade between the two sides reached 1.3 trillion yuan (about 180.5 billion U.S. dollars), up 1.4 percent year on year. This translates to over 10 million yuan in trade every minute.

    Behind these figures lies not just massive trade volume, but increasingly diversified and innovation-led cooperation.

    In Q1, China’s imports of advanced equipment from the EU jumped 30.4 percent to 64 billion yuan, accounting for nearly a third of China’s total imports in this category. Meanwhile, China’s exports of industrial robots and high-end machine tools to the EU surged 81.9 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively.

    For many European multinationals, these trends are translating into long-term investment decisions and expanded innovation footprints in China.

    Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, told Xinhua in a recent interview that China is not only BMW’s largest single market but also a vital hub for innovation.

    Highlighting China’s growing role in innovation, particularly in AI, Zipse said BMW plans to integrate AI technology from Chinese startup DeepSeek into its latest models in China later this year.

    Likewise, European companies across various sectors are also strengthening their local presence.

    Earlier this year, German industrial giant Siemens opened its first industrial ecosystem hub in western China. Leading Danish energy efficiency solution provider Danfoss officially launched its new campus in Nanjing, the company’s very first carbon-neutral factory in China, in line with China’s green development drive.

    These moves came as China takes concrete steps to expand high-standard opening-up. Despite mounting protectionism and geopolitical tensions, the country has remained focused on building a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment for foreign firms.

    According to this year’s government work report, China will ensure national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises in areas such as access to production factors, license application, standards setting, and government procurement.

    Earlier this year, China released a new action plan to stabilize foreign investment. It includes 20 targeted measures to further expand market access, encourage foreign equity investment, and expand pilot programs to open up fields such as telecommunication and medical services.

    China’s unwavering efforts to open up, as well as the steady growth of the Chinese economy, have strengthened many European multinationals’ determination to tap win-win opportunities in the world’s second-largest economy.

    Danfoss President and CEO Kim Fausing told Xinhua that the company is confident in China’s market, citing its strong growth in sectors like data center, marine, and energy storage achieved last year.

    He added that the company looks forward to deepening cooperation with Chinese partners to accelerate the green transition in China, and at the same time for the purpose of shared wins.

    Wang Lingjun, deputy head of the GAC, said that China and the EU remain each other’s most important trading partners, with highly complementary economies and closely intertwined interests.

    “In a world marked by economic instability and growing uncertainties, China and the EU, with close communication and cooperation, jointly uphold free, open trade and investment, and maintain stable industrial and supply chains in the world, which will bring more stability and certainty to both sides and the global economy,” Wang said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Thriving urban forests in dry climates: Innovative water management for resilience

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The webinar Thriving Urban Forests in Dry Climates: Innovative Water Management for Resilience, will focus on innovative solutions for addressing water scarcity in urban forests. Highlighting successful case studies from cities like Cuenca (Ecuador), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and the work of SIWI’s LoCoFoRest initiative, the discussion will explore practical water management practices that help urban forests thrive in water-scarce environments. With the increasing urgency of climate change, this session aims to foster a collaborative, solution-oriented dialogue to build sustainable and resilient urban landscapes.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –