Category: Transport

MIL-OSI Europe: Poland: Electricity grid to get further upgrades with EIB loan payment of over €400 million to Orlen Group
Source: European Investment Bank
- EIB set for loan of 1.7 billion Polish zlotys (€405 million) for Orlen to finance investment programme of its electricity supplier Energa Operator and improve and expand Poland’s electricity network
- Loan to make Polish power grid more reliable and green, bolstering customer service, climate action and energy independence
- Loan marks third and final tranche of 3.5-billion-zloty EIB loan to Orlen for upgrades to Poland’s power infrastructure
The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed 1.7 billion Polish zlotys (€405 million) to electricity supplier Energa to improve and expand Poland’s electricity network. This is the third and final tranche of a 3.5- billion-zloty loan to Orlen for upgrades to power distribution grid in northern and central Poland.

With the latest EIB loan tranche, Orlen subsidiary Energa Operator will upgrade over 4,600 kilometres of existing grid infrastructure, build a further 2,300 km of power lines in Poland to accommodate around 25,000 new customers. Energa Operator will also be able to modernize its electricity network’s metering systems.

“Our support to Orlen is a strategic investment in the sustainable and long-term growth of the Polish economy,” said EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwinska. “This underlines our strong commitment to a genuine and fair green transition, development of modern energy infrastructure and energy security for Poland and the European Union.”

The operation advances EU goals to expand clean power such as wind and solar, become climate neutral by mid-century and reduce reliance on energy imports, outlined in RePowerEU initiative of the European Commission. It also strengthens a Polish aim of accelerating the shift to a net-zero-emissions power grid.

“This record-high financing from the European Investment Bank is a strong vote of confidence in our growth strategy. We have an ambitious yet well-structured plan that will not only create value for our shareholders but also contribute to the broader economy. The EIB funding will be directed toward investments in our electricity distribution network, such as building new power lines and connecting new customers, including prosumers with their own renewable energy sources. These projects will be carried out by Energa Operator, which, thanks to the financing secured by ORLEN, is well-positioned to reinforce its leadership in Poland’s energy transition,” said Magdalena Bartoś, Vice President of the Management Board and Chief Financial Officer at ORLEN.

The EIB loan supports Energa Operator long-term plans to expand the Polish national grid by 11,000 kilometres of new power lines and 7,000 kilometres of underground cables, while upgrading nearly 10,000 kilometres of existing infrastructure by the end of 2035. These investments will enable the connection of 350,000 new customers and integration of 9 GW of renewable energy sources, increasing the installed capacity of the national grid by more that 16 percent, and add energy storage facilities to further stabilise the power system.

Background information

EIB

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the European Union, and the capital markets union. The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high -impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

In 2024, the EIB Group financing in Poland grew to €5.7 billion. This bolstered sustainable development of cities and regions, energy transition and included the group’s largest security defence project last year.

High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

ORLEN Group is an integrated multi-utility energy company listed in the prestigious global Fortune Global 500. It was the first company in the region to declare achieving total emission neutrality in 2050. Thanks to the recent acquisitions and mergers, it became one of the 150 largest companies in the world. The company operates on 10 home markets: Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Canada, Norway and Pakistan. Retail sales are carried out using the largest network of 3,500 fuel stations in the region. The ORLEN Group’s offer reaches over 100 countries on 6 continents.

By the end of this decade, ORLEN will have invested over PLN 320 billion to implement strategic projects, of which approximately 40% will be allocated to green investments, including wind energy at sea and on land, photovoltaics, biogas and biomethane, biofuels, electromobility, green hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Europe’s energy independence strategy and making use of Greek deposits – E-000777/2025
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000777/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE)

Greece has unexploited gas and oil deposits that can contribute to its energy independence and to the phasing out of the European Union’s dependence on third-party energy sources/supplies. However, the Greek Government is hampering investment, mainly through lengthy procedures, bureaucratic stumbling blocks/obstacles and delays in judicial proceedings, leading to partial withdrawals by large companies and seriously harming European energy interests in the long run.

Europe cannot ignore the chaotic changes in the global energy system. It must help create a resilient institutional and legal framework for rapidly exploiting and shaping the energy mix, under which states and their industrial infrastructure operate.

In view of the above, can the Commission answer the following:

1.What initiatives can it take to accelerate the path towards making use of Greek hydrocarbons in the interests of European and Greek energy security?

2.How does it intend to prompt the Greek Government to adopt speedier and more effective licensing and judicial reforms to make it easier to invest in the energy sector?

3.Given the progress made by neighbouring countries such as Cyprus, Israel and Egypt, how could the Commission support Greece so that it is not left off the Eastern Mediterranean energy map?

Submitted: 20.2.2025
Last updated: 20 March 2025
MIL OSI Europe News –
March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Oxford City Council Approves Redevelopment Plans for 38-40 George Street for New Wilde Aparthotel and Community Space

Source: City of Oxford

Published: Thursday, 20 March 2025

PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF MARICK REAL ESTATE: Oxford City Council Approves Redevelopment Plans for 38-40 George Street for New Wilde Aparthotel and Community Space

Marick Real Estate is thrilled to announce that Oxford City Council has approved plans to redevelop 38-40 George Street into a stunning 145-room aparthotel operated by Staycity Group under their lifestyle Wilde brand. This major development will not only enhance the city’s hospitality offerings but also bring vital community benefits, making it a landmark project for the Gloucester Green area.

In addition to the aparthotel, the development will include a 400m² community space, developed in partnership with Makespace Oxford. This versatile space will serve as a hub for a wide variety of community activities, further enriching the local area and providing a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.

The project, designed with sustainability at its core, will be awarded a BREEAM “Excellent” rating. It will contribute to Oxford’s green agenda by achieving a 60% Biodiversity Net Gain, enrolling into the City’s “Safe Places” scheme, and reducing carbon emissions by over 40%. This scheme promises to set a new standard for environmentally responsible development in Oxford.

Councillor Ed Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, commented: “This is an exciting milestone for the project and I look forward to seeing more detailed plans emerge as the team moves forward. This regeneration will revitalise the area, provide much-needed accommodation relieving pressure on family homes, and create a dedicated community space. It will also support local jobs, with workers being paid at least the Oxford Living Wage. We look forward to seeing it take shape.”

Andrew Heselton, of Marick Real Estate, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “We are pleased to achieve this important milestone and look forward to developing the design, securing third-party agreements, and procuring our construction partner for this scheme prior to commencing the works in early 2026.”

The regeneration of 38-40 George Street promises to be a significant step forward in enhancing Oxford’s urban landscape, supporting its local economy, and improving the overall quality of life for residents. Staycity’s Wilde aparthotel will offer a unique, premium experience, while the new community space will become a valuable asset for people of all ages.

Construction is set to begin in early 2026, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the city’s vibrant Gloucester Green area.

For any further information please visit the project website: www.george-street.co.uk

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI: Health and safety remains top concern for directors and officers worldwide, according to Willis

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LONDON, March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 80% of directors and officers consider health and safety risks to be very important or extremely important to their organisation, according to the latest Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Survey by Willis, a WTW business, (NASDAQ:WTW), in collaboration with Clyde & Co. Physical workplace risks were deemed the most important by 43% of respondents, followed by employee mental health and wellbeing consequences stemming from work (28%) and from personal matters (12%).

For the first time since 2018 civil litigation and third party claims were included among the top seven concerns, with 63% of directors and officers surveyed considering these significant risks to their Directors and Officers. Smaller organisations (<$50 million in revenue) and those with revenues between $1 and $5 billion mentioned litigation more often. The largest organisations surveyed (>$5 billion in revenue) included diversity, equity and inclusion as well as bribery and corruption as top risks, while excluding the financial distress, bankruptcy and insolvency concerns of smaller organisations.

Climate change is no longer considered a top seven risk in several regions, including Asia, North America and the Middle East. In contrast, diversity, equity and inclusion, a risk that was included in the survey for the first time this year, has made its way into the top seven for Great Britain, North America and Africa. Social risks as a whole feature prominently in the list of concerns and, when looked at over a five-year period, the increase in concern is notable. For example, breach of human rights within or by business operations has risen from 23% of responders considering it a very or extremely important concern in 2021 to 62% in 2025. Similarly, concern about supplier business practices has risen from 27% in 2021 to 59% in 2025.

In general, there is a strong alignment between perceived material risks and board expertise and priorities. However, there is a notable exception when it comes to cybersecurity and data privacy, with many boards indicating more time is needed. Data loss and cyber-attacks, including extortion, are considered to be very important or extremely important for 77% of those surveyed. Artificial intelligence lags behind (only 51% of respondents consider it to be very or extremely important and considered by the fewest number of respondents to be material to the business while also being the lowest ranked issue on which respondents considered the board to have the relevant expertise), but this perception may change in the future as new use cases and regulations develop.

Angus Duncan, global D&O coverage specialist at Willis, said: “The latest survey results underscore the diverse challenges directors and officers face today, highlighting how fraught the landscape has become. Despite increasing concerns over litigation risks, cost remains the dominant driver for D&O insurance purchasing decisions. This trend persists even as regulatory scrutiny and shareholder activism increase global liability exposures. By taking a proactive approach, companies can optimise their D&O coverage while mitigating financial and reputational risk. Our data helps clients anticipate emerging risks before they become serious exposures.”

James Cooper, Partner and Head of Financial Institutions and D&O, Clyde & Co said: “The risk landscape for directors and officers is fast evolving and complex, driven by a multitude of factors from geopolitics to tech advancements and a challenging economic climate. Identifying the most critical risks and understanding where pressure points may appear is crucial in successfully navigating existing and emerging challenges. So too is ensuring that protections such as D&O insurance reflect this changing environment and can adequately cover areas where leaders may feel more exposed such as cyberattacks or data loss.”

The report can be downloaded here.

About the survey:

Respondents include 765 global senior decision makers working in services, finance and insurance, healthcare, industry, energy and utilities and transportation and retail. Company size includes revenues of $5 billion or more (10%), $1 to 5 billion (15%), $50 million to $1 billion (33%) and less than $50 million (33%).

About WTW

At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.

Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.

Learn more at wtwco.com.

About Clyde & Co

Clyde & Co is a leading global law firm, helping organisations navigate risk and maximise opportunity in the sectors that underpin global trade and commercial activity, namely: insurance, aviation, marine, construction, energy, trade and natural resources. Globally integrated, the firm has 490 partners, 2,400 lawyers, 3,200 legal professionals and 5,500 people overall in nearly 70 offices and associated offices worldwide. For more information please visit www.clydeco.com

Media contact

Sarah Booker:
Sarah.Booker@wtwco.com / +44 7917 722040

The MIL Network –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Department for Business and Trade welcomes Ghanaian Healthcare Delegation
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

World news story

Department for Business and Trade welcomes Ghanaian Healthcare Delegation

Fifteen organisations from Ghana’s healthcare sector will be participating in a UK roadshow from 17-21 March 2025.
The UK’s Department for Business and Trade has today welcomed a delegation of 15 organisations from Ghana’s healthcare sector for a four-city roadshow aimed at strengthening trade partnerships and development opportunities.

The delegation, visiting the UK from 17-21 March 2025, includes representatives from the Ghanaian government, private health facilities, pharmaceutical and medical equipment distributors, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The visit will strengthen the existing healthcare collaboration between the UK and Ghana, which already spans research and training, knowledge and expertise transfer, investment, and healthcare systems strengthening.

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa, John Humphrey, who is leading the UK delegation, said:

The UK is committed to strengthening its economic ties with Africa, and Ghana is a key partner in this effort as we partner together to unlock growth, jobs, trade, investment, and opportunities in our economies.

The UK is committed to strengthening its economic ties with Africa, and Ghana is a key partner in this effort as we partner together to unlock growth, jobs, trade, investment, and opportunities in our economies.

The roadshow begins in London before continuing to Birmingham, Leeds, and Cardiff. Throughout the tour, Ghanaian delegates will meet with UK companies offering solutions and expertise that match Ghana’s healthcare needs. This initiative aligns with the UK’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with African nations and building capacity to address issues around supply chain disruption over the past years. By working together – we can get ahead of global shocks, mitigate their impact, and unlock new opportunities for growth between our two countries.

British High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Harriet Thompson said:

The UK and Ghana have enjoyed a long and consistent partnership on healthcare, enhancing the health services available to citizens as well as supporting opportunities for both British and Ghanaian businesses. This roadshow is an opportunity to deepen that partnership, harnessing our nations’ collective expertise, innovation, experience and dynamism. I am confident that the visit will foster productive connections, paving the way for growth and prosperity between Ghana and the UK.

This visit presents a valuable opportunity for UK businesses to explore Ghana’s growing healthcare market, while enabling Ghana to access the UK’s expertise, products, and services in the sector.

The Department for Business and Trade looks forward to productive engagement between the delegations, leading to increased trade and collaboration in healthcare.

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Published 20 March 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
March 20, 2025

MIL-OSI: Continued momentum for Oxford Metrics’ smart manufacturing division

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

20 March 2025

Oxford Metrics plc

(“Oxford Metrics” or the “Group”)

Continued momentum for Oxford Metrics’ smart manufacturing division

Appointment of smart manufacturing managing director
Industrial Vision Systems wins three contact lens inspection contracts since October 2024

Oxford Metrics plc (LSE: OMG), the smart sensing and software company servicing life sciences, entertainment, engineering and smart manufacturing markets, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Simon Gunter as managing director of our smart manufacturing division. The Group also announces that Industrial Vision Systems (“IVS”) has secured three contracts for global contact lens manufacturers with a combined value of c. £1.6 million (contained within current FY25 market expectations).

Appointment of managing director, smart manufacturing

Dr Simon Gunter has been appointed managing director of our smart manufacturing division, to lead and build the Group’s position in this important market and growth area. Simon is an experienced c-level leader with an extensive track record of growing early-stage technology businesses and successfully implementing change through business transformation, strategy and direction, M&A, and launching innovative products.

Simon has held executive board positions at Evinox Holding, Minibems, Nomad Digital and AlertMe and senior leadership positions at companies including Tiscali, Pirelli and 360networks, across the UK, Europe and North America.

Contact lens inspection contracts

IVS has secured three contracts for well-known, global, contact lens manufacturers. We are pleased to see that two of these contracts are with existing customers expanding their relationship with IVS. The third contract is with a new customer in contact lens manufacturing, as companies within IVS’ addressable market recognise the value of IVS’ specialised machine vision inspection systems for automated quality control.

Under the contracts, IVS will supply non-contact inspection systems enabling the manufacturers to automatically detect lens defects, errors and other irregularities, ensuring ‘right first time’ products. These inspection systems offer state-of-the-art checking, guidance and sorting using machine learning AI techniques, optimising line efficiency and increasing yield, while guaranteeing contact lens production quality.

Imogen O’Connor, CEO of Oxford Metrics, said, “Having established our presence in the smart manufacturing market, Simon, our new smart manufacturing managing director, brings a great deal of experience and will be a fantastic addition to the team as we work together to help build and capture more of this growth market.

I am also pleased to announce the recent contract wins; as demand for machine vision inspection continues to grow, manufacturers are increasingly turning to IVS’ technology to automate complex visual tasks, detect defects, and ensure quality products. The opportunity for inspection automation in manufacturing sectors such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, automotive and aerospace is very exciting, as smart manufacturing becomes the standard.”

For further information please contact:

Oxford Metrics	+44 (0) 1865 261860
Imogen O’Connor, CEO
Zoe Fox, CFO Emma Colven, Head of Communications

FTI Consulting	+44 (0)20 3727 1000
Matt Dixon / Emma Hall / Jemima Gurney

About Oxford Metrics

Oxford Metrics is a smart sensing and software company that enables the interface between the real world and its virtual twin. Our smart sensing technology helps over 10,000 customers in more than 70 countries, including all of the world’s top 10 games companies and all of the top 20 universities worldwide. Founded in 1984, we started our journey in healthcare, expanded into entertainment, winning an OSCAR® and an Emmy®, moved into defence, engineering and smart manufacturing. We have a strong track record of creating value by incubating, growing and then augmenting through acquisition, unique technology businesses.

The Group trades through its market-leading division Vicon, Industrial Vision Systems, and recently acquired, The Sempre Group. Vicon is a world leader in motion measurement analysis to thousands of customers worldwide, including Red Bull, Imperial College London, Dreamscape Immersive, Industrial Light & Magic, and NASA. Industrial Vision Systems is a specialist in machine vision software and technology for high precision, automated quality control systems trusted by blue-chip, smart manufacturing companies across the globe including BD, DePuy, Jaguar Land Rover, Johnson & Johnson, Zytronic and Alkegen. Sempre is a measurement specialist solving manufacturing challenges across multiple industries. Through their expert in-house consultants and partnerships with over 25 well-known manufacturers including Jenoptik, Renishaw and Micro-Vu, Sempre offers an extensive range of products and software to customers in aerospace, automotive, medical, energy and precision engineering.

The Group is headquartered in Oxford with offices in the United Kingdom, United States and Germany. Since 2001, Oxford Metrics (LSE: OMG), has been a quoted company listed on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. For more information about Oxford Metrics, visit www.oxfordmetrics.com.

About Reach announcements

This is a RNS Reach announcement. Reach is an investor communication service aimed at assisting listed and unlisted companies to distribute media only / non-regulatory news releases into the public domain. Information required to be notified under the AIM Rules, Market Abuse Regulation or other regulation would be disseminated as an RNS regulatory announcement and not on Reach.

The MIL Network –

March 20, 2025

MIL-OSI NGOs: Hunger skyrockets by nearly 80 percent in Eastern and Southern Africa over past five years amidst worsening water crisis
Source: Oxfam –
Nearly 116 million people in eight African countries, hardest hit by severe water crises, lack access to drinking water.

Globally, flash floods have become 20 times more frequent between 2000 and 2022

The climate crisis has dramatically worsened water scarcity in Eastern and Southern Africa over the past few decades, leaving nearly 116 million people –or 40 percent of the population – without safe drinking water, according to a new Oxfam report.

Climate change is supercharging extreme weather events like droughts, cyclones and flash floods, and has led to the disappearance of more than 90 percent of Africa’s tropical glaciers and the depletion of groundwater. This has had knock-on effects on Africa’s small-scale farmers, pastoralists and fisherpersons leaving millions without basic food, drinking water or income.

Oxfam’s report –Water-Driven Hunger: How the Climate Crisis Fuels Africa’s Food Emergency – published ahead of World Water Day, looked at the links between water scarcity and hunger in eight of the world’s worst water crises: Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It found that the number of people experiencing extreme hunger in those countries has surged by nearly 80 percent over the past five years – reaching over 55 million in 2024, up from nearly 31 million in 2019. That is two in every ten persons.

The report warns that La Niña weather pattern, which will last through this month, will worsen floods in swaths of Southern Africa and South Sudan while causing severe drought in East Africa further threatening people’s food availability and income.

Globally, flash floods have become 20 times more frequent between 2000 and 2022 and the duration of droughts has risen by 29% since 2000, impacting the most vulnerable communities.

Existing poverty, deep inequality and chronic under-investment along with poor governance in water systems have compounded this climate-fuelled water crisis. African governments are currently meeting less than half the US$50 billion annual investment target required to achieve water security in Africa by 2030.
“The climate crisis is not a mere statistic—it has a human face. It affects real people whose livelihoods are being destroyed, while the main contributors to this crisis—big polluters and super-rich—continue to profit. Meanwhile, national governments neglect to support the very communities they should protect.”

Fati N’Zi Hassane,

Director, Oxfam in Africa
Fati N’Zi-Hassane, Oxfam in Africa Director said:

“The climate crisis is not a mere statistic—it has a human face. It affects real people whose livelihoods are being destroyed, while the main contributors to this crisis—big polluters and super-rich—continue to profit. Meanwhile, national governments neglect to support the very communities they should protect.”

The Oxfam report also found that:

In the eight countries studied, 91 percent of small-scale farmers depend almost entirely on rainwater for drinking and farming.

In Ethiopia, food insecurity has soared by 175 percent over the past five years, with 22 million people struggling to find their next meal.

In Kenya, over 136,000 square kilometers of land have become drier between 1980 and 2020, which has decimated crops and livestock.

In Somalia, one failed rainy season is pushing one million more people into crisis-level hunger, raising the total to 4.4 million—24% of the population.

A farmer from Baidoa, Somalia explains: “In the past, we knew when to farm and when to harvest but that has all changed. The rains now come late or not at all. Last year, I lost all my crops and animals. I have now planted, but the rains have still not come. If this continues, I will not be able to feed my family.”

Deep inequalities mean that disadvantaged people like women and girls are too often the first and most severely punished by this water crisis. In Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, women and girls walk up to 10 kilometers in search of water, facing violence and extreme exhaustion. Many women and girls in rural households spend hours each day collecting water—time that could otherwise be spent on education or income generation.

“At the heart of this climate crisis lies a justice crisis. Sub-Saharan Africa receives only 3-4 percent of global climate finance, despite being heavily affected by climate change. Rich polluting nations must pay their fair share. It’s not about charity, it’s about justice.

“African governments must also double down on their investment in water infrastructures and social protection to effectively manage natural resources, and help the most vulnerable communities cope with climatic shocks,” added N’Zi-Hassane.
MIL OSI NGO –
March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: ‘New evidence has emerged’: Greenpeace requests revision of North West Shelf assessment criteria
Source: Greenpeace Statement –

PERTH, 20 MARCH 2025 – Greenpeace Australia Pacific has asked Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to reconsider the criteria used to assess Woodside’s North West Shelf Extension because significant new impacts have emerged since the original 2019 decision.

“We’re calling on the Environment Minister to assess Woodside’s North West Shelf Extension with all of the facts in front of her—including new evidence showing this project could devastate our environment, particularly Scott Reef,” said Joe Rafalowicz, Head of Climate and Energy, Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

“Like thousands of other individuals and community groups, Greenpeace has been participating in this assessment since at least 2022.

“While the 2019 decision to assess the North West Shelf Extension only focused on the project’s potential impact on national heritage values, new evidence has since emerged about the consequences of Woodside’s plans to drill for gas beside, and dump carbon near, the irreplaceable Scott Reef.

“Australians expect their elected representatives to make decisions following due process, independent of pressure from vested interests, and based on the best evidence.

“To properly assess the serious risk of extending the life of Woodside’s gas processing facility, it is essential that the Environment Minister gives due regard to all available evidence.

“Woodside plans to fuel its North West Shelf gas facility out to 2070 by drilling up to 50 gas wells near Scott Reef as part of its proposed Browse project. Recent statements from Woodside confirm that Browse and the North West Shelf Extension are directly linked—making Browse dependent on the North West Shelf Extension approval to be viable.

“Woodside also plans to take the carbon pollution from drilling for gas and inject it deep under the ocean into massive underground aquifers. The carbon is supposed to stay there for over 1000 years. However, carbon capture storage is an unproven technology at scale, with a track record of overpromising and underdelivering.

“Woodside’s reckless plans risk threatened species like Green Sea Turtles and Pygmy Blue Whales, while also jeopardising fragile coral reef habitats with noise, light pollution, and the potential for oil spills.”

“Given the clear possibility of adverse impacts on threatened species, migratory species and the Commonwealth marine environment, we are requesting the Minister to expand the assessment criteria to accurately consider the full picture of real-world impacts that approving the North West Shelf Extension will have.

“The assessment criteria originally set in 2019 are too narrow for an informed assessment of the project’s impacts.

—ENDS—

Note to editors:
- Greenpeace’s full reconsideration request can be found here.
- Images for media use can be found here.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Vai Shah on 0452 290 082 or [email protected].
MIL OSI NGO –
March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: “A blatant injustice”: Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s response to Energy Transfer lawsuit

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

In response to the verdict in Energy Transfer’s suit against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace US entities, the following lines can be attributed to Greenpeace Australia Pacific General Counsel Katrina Bullock:

“The $660 million North Dakota case against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace US entities is a blatant Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) brought by a fossil fuel giant. SLAPPs are a corporate weapon designed to strangle public debate. They’re not about justice — they’re about silencing dissent, draining environmental defenders of time, money, and energy until they have no choice but to stop fighting. It’s an abuse of the legal system to shield powerful polluters from accountability.

“It’s no wonder eminent US lawyer Marty Garbus has labelled it the most unfair trial he has witnessed in his six decades of legal practice. Distinguished legal experts who acted as Independent Trial Monitors collectively noted that ‘the jury verdict against Greenpeace in North Dakota reflects a deeply flawed trial with multiple due process violations that denied Greenpeace the ability to present anything close to a full defence’.

“A jury with close ties to the fossil fuel industry, a judge permitting defamatory and prejudicial attacks on Greenpeace, and a blatant refusal for court transparency — this trial was a blatant injustice.”

In a domestic context, Ms Bullock added:

“In Australia, opposition leader Peter Dutton has announced that a coalition government would introduce legislation based on these same racketeering laws that have been used against peaceful environmental groups in the US. Dutton’s proposal to introduce US-style RICO laws raises serious concerns. While his office claims it’s aimed at tackling organised crime in the construction sector, we’ve seen in the US how these laws have been weaponised to target charities and grassroots groups who engage in peaceful protest activities. We must be extremely wary of laws that could criminalise our ability to protect our environment and our communities.”

Greenpeace unequivocally disagrees with the verdict and refuses to be silenced. Greenpeace US entities will appeal.

“Greenpeace is not scared of SLAPPs, and where big oil companies might think we will back down, we won’t. Greenpeace rises in the face of injustice.

“Greenpeace Australia Pacific is an autonomous legal entity and is not a party to the lawsuit. While this verdict won’t have any programmatic or financial impacts for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, it is united in solidarity with Greenpeace US and Greenpeace International against this intimidation lawsuit and in the need for anti-SLAPP legislation.”

— ENDS —

Greenpeace International’s press release can be found here.

Photos and Videos can be accessed from the Greenpeace Media Library and photos of Katrina and from the Australia-Pacific region can be found here.

Contacts:

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Communications: Kimberley Bernard on +61 407 581 404 or [email protected]

MIL OSI NGO –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Energy Transfer lawsuit verdict

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

© Stephanie Keith / Greenpeace

The jury has officially reached a verdict in our trial against Big Oil company Energy Transfer’s meritless lawsuit.

This verdict is not the end of this case. Although a jury of nine people in North Dakota has decided that Greenpeace entities are liable for over $660 million in damages, this isn’t over.

We’re going to appeal. And we’re prepared to fight this all the way to victory.

We absolutely believe in our legal defense. We believe the law is fully on our side. We believe in what we did at Standing Rock, and that ultimately we will prevail against this meritless lawsuit.

Before we discuss next steps, let’s acknowledge that this is a dark moment in United States history. And let’s talk about what “victory” actually means.

We’ve fought Energy Transfer’s lawsuits for more than seven years. Every step of the way, we’ve emphasized that these types of lawsuits — intended to silence and shut down critics — are part of a growing national attack on our First Amendment rights.

The truth is, “victory” doesn’t just mean defeating this specific lawsuit. It means that no other organization or individual has to defend themselves against this type of attack.

This lawsuit was designed to scare and divide our movement. Instead, the opposite has happened — in the last year alone, more than 350,000 individuals around the world and more than 430 organizations representing millions of people have spoken out against it.

Thankfully, we’ve never been lonely in this fight. It’s entirely thanks to Greenpeace supporters that we’ve had the resources to fight back for more than seven years without ever slowing down our work campaigning for a green and peaceful future.

Greenpeace USA was founded on nonviolent direct action and peaceful protest over 50 years ago, and we’ve exercised our right to peacefully expose environmental harm ever since. Energy Transfer chose to target three Greenpeace entities because of what our history represents.

We are simply a community of people who share a set of values, and our community is part of a larger global movement. No courtroom or judgement can stop that movement.

As we’ve long said: we will not be silenced, and our movement will endure.

On Thursday, March 20th, you can join us on Zoom where we’ll be discussing this verdict and sharing more about the next steps — RSVP here.

For now, we’ll leave you with this quote from Standing Rock Grassroots member Waniya Locke, published last month in The New York Times:

“When you look back at history, they always try to wipe us out.”

Beyond just attempting to diminish every American’s free speech rights, this lawsuit attempts to erase Indigenous leadership. It’s an attack on Indigenous sovereignty, and a racist attempt to rewrite the actual history of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

More than seven years later, we remain deeply proud of what we did to support that Indigenous-led resistance. We own everything we did, because what we did was simply living our values.

With your support, we will continue living those values for many years to come.

Energy Transfer is trying to silence our movement.

Donate to the Warrior Defense Fund to help us fight back.

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MIL OSI NGO –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – March 19, 2025 – 2:00 PM

Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing, at the Department of State, on March 19, 2025.
———-
Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
X: https://x.com/StateDept
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Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
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White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

#StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_r5pkQMqqc

MIL OSI Video –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Department of State Press Briefing – March 19, 2025

Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce leads the Department Press Briefing at the Department of State, on March 19, 2025.

Transcript: https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-march-19-2025/
———-
Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
X: https://x.com/StateDept
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

#StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkiickmfuag

MIL OSI Video –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Vuk Talks Season 2 Episode 35 with Dr. Stanley Moloabi

Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

Dr. Stanley Moloabi, Principal Officer of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), as he shares valuable insights into the healthcare sector

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awA3OtI9rsU

MIL OSI Video –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University scientists propose a new comprehensive approach to cancer therapy

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

A new combination approach to antitumor therapy has been developed at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Studies on tumor models have shown its advantage over monotherapy. Scientists used the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin and nanoparticles to deliver radium-223 (²²³Ra) directly to the tumor. A scientific article describing the results was published in the international scientific journal Biomaterials scene.

According to experts, the results obtained during the experiments bring us closer to solving the problem of tumor resistance to the standard treatment methods used today – chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

Despite promising results in cancer treatment, standard monotherapy remains insufficient for a wide range of cancers. Combination therapy can significantly improve therapeutic outcomes compared to single agent treatment.

However, determining the optimal scheme can be a difficult task. For this purpose, scientists from the Polytechnic University are developing new approaches to the treatment of oncological diseases. The specialists created and studied the properties of new pharmacological combinations, and also conducted tests for the safety and compatibility of such systems with the body. In addition, the scientists proposed several therapeutic schemes at once that could become an alternative to existing ones. The Polytechnics worked with models of the most common types of cancer according to WHO: colorectal cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer.

Our results showed that each tumor model studied demonstrated a clear response to combination and monotherapy. In particular, combination chemo- and radionuclide therapy using doxorubicin and the isotope Radium-223 demonstrated a significantly higher therapeutic result than monotherapy. The average therapeutic response was more than 35% for monotherapy and over 60% – 80% for combination therapy. This means that the combination of active substances that we proposed is twice as effective as the standard treatment protocol, – noted Daria Akhmetova, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of Nano- and Microencapsulation of Biologically Active Substances at SPbPU.

Scientists used a combination of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) and nanoparticles based on polylactic acid and calcium carbonate (PLA and CaCO₃) to deliver radium-223 (²²³Ra). The radioactive isotope can be administered to the body either systemically into the bloodstream or by injection directly into the tumor. In the case of local delivery, the isotope is distributed most effectively throughout the tumor volume.

This approach can solve the problem of tumor resistance to the standard treatment methods used today. It is when using a combined treatment regimen that toxicity for healthy tissues and organs will be reduced and the burden on the patient’s health will be reduced, said Vladislava Rusakova, a research assistant at the Laboratory of Nano- and Microencapsulation of Biologically Active Substances at SPbPU.

According to the scientists, the main difference between the proposed approach and other protocols for combined cancer treatment is the simplicity and low cost of synthesizing the nanoparticles needed to deliver the radioactive isotope to the tumor. The novelty of the study is in using the clinical method of chemotherapy with doxorubicin and supplementing it with gentle alpha-radionuclide therapy of targeted action.

Experts noted that the combination therapy is not toxic to living organisms. This is evidenced by the data of laboratory and instrumental studies that were conducted during animal testing. The therapeutic effect of the action was assessed by regularly measuring the volume of tumors and the weight of laboratory mice. In addition, the morphological state of the tumors and organs of the animals was assessed using histological analysis.

Our team plans to further improve the efficiency of nanoscale delivery systems with an emphasis on radionuclide therapy. Modern technologies for creating nanoplatforms for delivering therapeutic radionuclides have significant potential and can save lives, shared Alisa Postovalova, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Nano- and Microencapsulation of Biologically Active Substances at SPbPU.

The work was supported by the grant of the Russian Science Foundation “Development of a new dosage form based on nanosized vaterite for systemic combined photodynamic therapy of breast cancer” (number 22-75-10011). The research is carried out within the framework of agreement No. 075-15-2021-1360 of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Synchrotron and Neutron Research “Development of a domestic innovative theranostic drug based on terbium isotopes for radioimmune therapy of malignant neoplasms of various histological types.”

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI: Equinor presents 2024 Annual report

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Equinor ASA (OSE: EQNR, NYSE: EQNR) publishes annual report for 2024, including financial and sustainability reporting.

“2024 was marked by continued unpredictability in energy markets, with growing energy demand, political uncertainty and uneven progress in the energy transition. Our focus is on producing the energy the world needs today, and at the same time developing the energy systems needed for the future,” says Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA.

Safety

“A systematic approach to safety over time is paying off with the best safety results to date in 2024. However, the year was marked by the fatal search and rescue (SAR) helicopter accident where we lost a dear colleague. We believe close collaboration with suppliers and shared learning in the industry is important for our continued safety improvement effort”, says Opedal.

The twelve-month average Serious Incident Frequency (SIF) for 2024 was 0.3, down from 0.4 in 2023.

Strong operational and financial performance

Equinor delivered adjusted operating income* of USD 29.8 billion, and adjusted net income* of USD 9.18. Net operating income was reported at USD 30.9 billion and net income at USD 8.83 billion.

“Our operational performance was strong, built on the dedicated efforts from employees across the company. Our role as a major supplier of energy to Europe is important and I am proud of the work we have done to provide energy security”, says Opedal.

Strong operational performance across the portfolio contributed to an equity production of liquids and gas of 2,067 mboe per day in 2024, on par with the year before. Equity production of renewable power increased by 51% to 2,935 GWh.

Strong financial result contributed to a return on average capital employed (RoACE)* at 21% for 2024. Capital discipline remained firm with organic capital expenditures* ending at USD 12.1 billion for the year. Equinor maintained a strong balance sheet with net debt to capital employed adjusted* of 11.9% at the end of 2024.

The strong financial results of 2024 also led to strong contributions to society through taxes. In 2024, Equinor paid USD 20.6 billion in corporate income taxes of which USD 19.7 billion was paid in Norway, where Equinor has the largest share of its operations and earnings.

Firm strategy and progressing industrial development

“We have a consistent growth strategy, and our strategic direction remains firm. By adapting to market situation and opportunities, we are positioned for stronger free cash flow and growth, and set to create shareholder value for decades to come”, Opedal continues.

Through progressing projects and portfolio shaping transactions Equinor spent 2024 high-grading the portfolio and positioning for stronger growth and cash flow.

On the Norwegian continental shelf, the development of the portfolio continued with 39 new licences and approvals of the PDOs of Eirin, Irpa, Verdande and Andvare projects. The Johan Castberg FPSO arrived at the field and started preparations for startup.

The international upstream portfolio was focused with the exits from our long-standing positions in Nigeria and Azerbaijan and deepened in core areas with the acquisitions of US Onshore gas assets close to premium markets. In the UK an agreement was signed to establish an incorporated joint venture with Shell UK Ltd., which will become the largest independent oil and gas company on the UK continental shelf.

Through 2024 Equinor high-graded the renewables portfolio to ensure profitable growth, in a market challenged by cost inflation and regulatory delays. In the UK the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, continued to progress towards commercial start-up. Production was commenced at the Mendubim solar plants in Brazil.

The long-term view on the importance of offshore wind remains firm. Through an acquisition of a 10% stake in Ørsted, Equinor got exposure to a premium portfolio of offshore wind projects and assets in operation.

Value chains for carbon transport and storage progressed notably. In Norway, Northern Lights, the first commercial CO2 transport and storage infrastructure was completed and is expected to receive and store CO2 in 2025. In the UK, execution started for two of UK’s first carbon capture and storage infrastructure projects where Equinor is a partner.

Progress on the Energy transition plan

In 2024, Equinor achieved a year-on-year reduction of 5% in operated scope 1+2 greenhouse gas emissions, bringing the total down to 11.0 million tonnes CO2 equivalents. This is a 34% reduction from 2015, which is the reference year for Equinor’s ambition to reduce group-wide operated emissions by 50% on a net basis by 2030. Throughout 2024, actions were taken for further emission reductions with the partial electrification of the Sleipner field center, the Gudrun platform, as well as the Troll B and C fields.

The average upstream CO2 intensity of Equinor’s operated portfolio was 6.2 kg of CO2 per boe in 2024 (100% basis), an improvement from 6.7kg of CO2/boe in 2023 and well below the industry average. The scope 3 GHG emissions from use of our products were 251 million tonnes in 2024, on par with the level in 2023.

Equinor improved in the net carbon intensity of energy produced (including scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions) in 2024, which is now 2% below the 2019 baseline. The reduction was mainly driven by increased renewable energy production and lower scope 1+2 emissions.

Equinor ambition is to to be a leading company in the energy transition. The updated Energy Transition Plan, published on March 20 2025, outlines the approach to deliver on Equinor’s strategy of creating value in the transition, while adjusting to changing external context and market realities.

***

The previously announced decision of the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), includes a requirement for Equinor to publish the following summary language:

“Les sociétés Danske Commodities A/S et Equinor ASA ont été condamnées, par une décision n° 08-40-23 de la Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE) du 20 janvier 2025, au titre de la méconnaissance de l’article 5 du règlement REMIT qui prohibe les manipulations de marché, au paiement de sanctions pécuniaires, dont les montants s’élèvent à huit millions d’euros (8.000.000 €) pour la société Danske Commodities A/S et quatre millions d’euros (4.000.000 €) pour la société Equinor ASA, pour des manipulations commises sur le marché de gros en 2019 et en 2020, en ce qui concerne les capacités de transport de gaz naturel entre la France et l’Espagne.

Danske Commodities A/S and Equinor ASA were ordered by decision no. 08-40-23 of Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE) of 20 January 2025 to pay – for infringement of Article 5 of REMIT Regulation prohibiting market manipulations – financial penalties in the amount of eight million euros (€8,000,000) as regards Danske Commodities A/S and four million euros (€4,000,000) as regards Equinor ASA, for manipulations committed on the wholesale market in 2019 and 2020, with regard to natural gas transmission capacity between France and Spain.”

The full decision is included in the attached appendix “Full decision text”. Equinor does not agree with the decision from CRE and will appeal the case to the Higher Administrative Court in France.

* * *

Our annual report and the subsidiary reports published separately can be downloaded from equinor.com/reports.

* * *

In accordance with Section 203.01 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, Equinor ASA announces that on 20 March 2025 it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission its 2024 Annual Report on Form 20-F that includes audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

The Equinor 2024 Annual Report on Form 20-F may be downloaded from Equinor’s website at www.equinor.com. References to this document or other documents on Equinor’s website are included as an aid to their location and are not incorporated by reference into this document. All SEC filings made available electronically by Equinor may be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Shareholders may also request a hard copy of the annual report free of charge at www.equinor.com.

* * *

(*) These are non-GAAP figures. See Use and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the annual report for more details.

Further information:

Investor relations
Bård Glad Pedersen, senior vice president Investor Relations,
+47 51 99 00 00

Press
Rikke Høistad Sjøberg, media spokesperson financial communication,
+47 901 01 451(mobile)

* * *

Cautionary Note regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect current views with respect to future events, are based on the management’s current expectations and assumptions, and are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in the 2024 Annual report and elsewhere in Equinor’s publications. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by applicable law, Equinor undertakes no obligation to update any of these statements, whether to make them conform to actual results, changes in expectations or otherwise.

* * *

This information is subject to disclosure obligations pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation, ref. section 3-1 in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act, and section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Attachments

The MIL Network –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China issues regulations on resolving foreign-related IP disputes

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, unveiling a set of regulations on resolving foreign-related intellectual property (IP) disputes.
The regulations clarify that relevant government departments should strengthen overseas IP information inquiry and warning services, offering guidance and IP right protection assistance to individuals and organizations.
Consisting of 18 articles, the regulations underscore the role of enterprises, calling for enterprises to enhance their awareness of the rule of law and step up efforts on building the IP talent pool. In addition, relevant government departments are required to provide training for enterprises in key areas of foreign-related IP disputes, sharing experiences and practices through typical case studies.
The regulations specify that the service of documents, as well as investigation and evidence collection in China, should be carried out in accordance with the international treaties to which China is a party or has acceded.
Countermeasures against unfair treatment are also emphasized. According to the regulations, if foreign entities fail to grant national treatment to Chinese citizens and organizations or fail to provide adequate and effective IP protection, the commercial departments under the State Council can conduct investigations and take necessary measures in accordance with the law.
When foreign countries use IP disputes as a pretext to constrain or suppress China, or impose discriminatory and restrictive measures on Chinese citizens and organizations, the relevant departments of the State Council can take appropriate countermeasures and restrictive measures in response, the regulations noted.
The administrative regulations will take effect on May 1, 2025.

MIL OSI China News –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 20 March 2025 News release Three cities honoured for public health achievements at 2025 Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit
Source: World Health Organisation

Today, during the annual Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in Paris, three cities were recognized for their achievements in preventing noncommunicable diseases and injuries: Córdoba, Argentina; Fortaleza, Brazil; and Greater Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Summit, co-hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Health Organization (WHO), Vital Strategies, and the City of Paris, convened mayors and officials from 61 cities in the Partnership for Healthy Cities network to address pressing public health issues and share effective strategies for saving lives and building healthier communities at the local level.

“Noncommunicable diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and injuries are responsible for more than 80% of all deaths globally, but the good news is, they are preventable,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, and 108th mayor of New York City. “Cities are leading the way in implementing policies that are protecting public health and saving lives. This year’s winning cities are proving that progress is possible with strong leadership and political will, and we look forward to seeing the results of their efforts.”

The recipients of the 2025 Partnership for Healthy Cities Awards were chosen because they have made demonstrable progress in preventing noncommunicable diseases and injuries, setting an example that can be replicated in other jurisdictions.

All three winning cities are part of the Partnership’s Policy Accelerator, which provides training and support for drafting policies and establishing the political strategies needed to develop and enact them. These cities are working with the Partnership to improve public health in the following ways:
- Córdoba, Argentina, passed a new policy committing the city to promoting healthy school food environments by eliminating sugary and artificially sweetened beverages and ultra-processed products from all schools by 2026. The program has benefited 26 schools to date, reaching 15 000 of the city’s 138 000 primary school children.
- Fortaleza, Brazil, established the city’s first legal framework for air quality surveillance. The 2023 decree guarantees the local monitoring of air pollutants to estimate their impact on residents’ health, along with the installation of low-cost sensors to improve data collection. Reliable data will help inform city policies that can significantly reduce air pollution.
- Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, expanded the number of outdoor smoke-free areas as part of efforts to reduce smoking, including opening its first smoke-free park, covering 6.5 acres of public space. Greater Manchester also conducted a series of community consultations and workshops with residents to help with decision-making; launched a smoke-free toolkit and communication guidance for National Health Service (NHS) hospitals and sites; and is scaling this initiative by developing a broader smoke-free spaces toolkit for other organizations and groups that want to create smoke-free spaces.
“Cities are at the forefront of the fight against noncommunicable diseases and injuries. The progress made in Córdoba, Fortaleza, and Greater Manchester is not only improving health today but also setting a model for others to follow,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “WHO is committed to working with cities to build healthier, safer and more resilient communities for all.”

“Local leadership has emerged as a powerful force for addressing the complex challenges presented by noncommunicable diseases and injuries,” said Dr Mary-Ann Etiebet, President and CEO, Vital Strategies. “We applaud the work of city leaders around the globe in their efforts to create healthier, safer environments for their populations. Their efforts are having a significant impact on people’s lives and well-being, while also demonstrating to national governments that there is significant support for these policy solutions.”

Launched in 2017, the Partnership for Healthy Cities is a global network of 74 cities working to prevent noncommunicable diseases and injuries. Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with the World Health Organization and Vital Strategies, this initiative empowers cities worldwide to implement high-impact policy or programmatic interventions to reduce noncommunicable diseases and injuries in their communities. Through this network, city leaders are enacting transformative measures to improve the health of 300 million people across the globe.

The mayors participating in the Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit include:
- Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, Bogotá, Colombia
- Municipal Commissioner Palitha Nanayakkara, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Intendant Daniel Passerini, Córdoba, Argentina
- Honorable Administrator Mohammad Azaz, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Municipal President Verónica Delgadillo, Guadalajara, Mexico
- Mayor Juhana Vartiainen, Helsinki, Finland
- Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kampala, Uganda
- Mayor Chilando Chitangala, Lusaka, Zambia
- Intendant Mauricio Zunino, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Paris, France
- Mayor Pabel Muñoz López, Quito, Ecuador
- Governor Claudio Benjamín Orrego Larraín, Santiago, Chile.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the arts, education, environment, government innovation, and public health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed US$ 3.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for ournewsletter, or follow us onInstagram,LinkedIn,YouTube,Threads,Facebook, and X.

About the World Health Organization
Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. For more information, visit www.who.int and follow WHO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube.

About Vital Strategies

Vital Strategies believes every person should be protected by an equitable and effective public health system. We partner with governments, communities and organizations around the world to reimagine public health so that health is supported in all the places we live, work and play. The result is millions of people living longer, healthier lives. To find out more, please visit www.vitalstrategies.org or follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contacts

Veronica Lewin, Bloomberg Philanthropies, veronical@bloomberg.org

Erin Pallotta, Allison Worldwide, bloomberghealth@allisonworldwide.com

Jaimie Guerra, World Health Organization, guerraja@who.int

Christina Honeysett, Vital Strategies, choneysett@vitalstrategies.org

MIL OSI United Nations News –
March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Sky News Afternoon Agenda with Ashleigh Gillon

Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

ASHLEIGH GILLON, HOST: Well, Peter Dutton has addressed the Lowy Institute, outlining his foreign policy agenda. The Opposition Leader discussed the wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas, and he also said the Coalition will grow Australia’s trading relationships and nurture international relationships.

Joining us live with reaction is the Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Minister, thank you for your time. Mr Dutton said earlier that one of his first acts as Prime Minister would be to call the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to affirm Australia’s support for Israel. He attacked your handling of this relationship, saying instead of treating Israel like the ally it is, this government, he said, has treated Israel like an adversary. As a friend of Israel, do you support the strikes that’s carried out on the Gaza Strip in recent days, which has led to hundreds of people dying?

PENNY WONG, FOREIGN MINISTER: That’s a very long question and first, it’s good to be with you, Ashleigh. And I think what we saw from this speech from Peter Dutton is, as he said, you know, past behaviour is the best indicator of future behaviour. And I’d agree with him, because what we know about Peter Dutton is he’s lost in our region. We know that he made fun of the Pacific. He was part of the government that withdrew from the Pacific, leaving a vacuum for others to fill. We’ve seen him both in opposition and also in government, beating the drums of war. This is a man lost in our region. In terms of what we are seeing in the Middle East, where we are seeing, unfortunately, the ceasefire that Mr Dutton opposed has broken. We continue to urge all parties to observe the ceasefire for hostages to be returned, we want humanitarian aid to flow. We have been clear in that position alongside the majority of the international community, and it was Mr Dutton who is out of step.

GILLON: Let’s turn to Mr Dutton’s comments on Ukraine. He again criticised your government’s willingness to send Australian peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, saying Australia doesn’t have the ability to have a presence in multiple theatres. Why would Australia send troops halfway around the world to Ukraine when the US has said it won’t? And Russia has made it very clear any such move would lead to grave consequences, in its words, for Australia.

FOREIGN MINISTER: Well, first, I’d say a few things about what Mr Dutton said. He made a lot of criticism in relation to Ukraine, and I think everyone can see what he’s trying to do, which is, he’s trying to back up an argument which the facts don’t support. The reality is, if you ask President Zelenskyy what sort of friend and supporter he has in Australia and in this government, I think he’d be very clear about that, and he has been very clear about that. What I’d say is that the Prime Minister has articulated very clearly the reason why we want to back Ukraine, why it is something that matters to us. It’s because Russia’s behaviour is both illegal and immoral and is a breach of the UN Charter. And a permanent member of the Security Council has used its veto to justify a breach of the UN Charter. Now, that matters to middle powers like Australia. Now, what we have said is that if a request is made, we would consider it. Unfortunately, Mr Dutton, he had a chance to back Australia again, but as always, he wants to pick a political fight. Back Australia – he never chooses that path, always wants to pick a political fight.

GILLON: I’m sure you were pleased to hear Mr Dutton say the PBS wouldn’t be up for negotiation with the Trump Administration if he does become Prime Minister. But what actually can Australia do to avoid potential tariffs on Australian medicine exports to the US? Our efforts, as we know so far, when it’s come to aluminium and steel, have failed.

FOREIGN MINISTER: Well, first on the PBS, you can never trust Mr. Dutton on the PBS. We know that the only reason the PBS was protected when the US Free Trade Agreement was first struck was because of the Labor Party back in 2004. We know what Mr Dutton’s record is when it comes to health. And what the Prime Minister has said is this government, this Labor Government, is very clear. We are not up for negotiation on the PBS. We will fight to protect it. Full stop and end of story.

In terms of the position of President Trump and the administration, I think every Australian can see President Trump’s second administration is taking a much harder position. A much harder position. In excess of 30 countries got exemptions the last time around, in the first Trump Presidency, on steel and aluminium, not one now. So, it’s very clear from that they’ve taken a much harder position. We will continue to engage, we will continue to negotiate, and we also continue to be very clear that the American pharmaceutical companies may be doing what they did some 20 years ago where they came after the PBS, this government is not for moving.

GILLON: I’m keen for your thoughts on a developing story today. Malaysia has just announced it’s come to an agreement with the exploration firm Ocean Infinity. It’s going to be resuming the search for the wreckage of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Has Australia received a briefing from either Malaysia or Ocean Infinity on where exactly they’re searching? Is there any support that we can be providing via the Australian Transport Safety Bureau?

FOREIGN MINISTER: Oh, look, we have been part of the engagement on the search for MH370 for a very long time. We’ll continue to engage as Malaysia requires. Obviously, this is a tragedy, and it was a tragedy that so many families still carry with them. And so we continue to look for justice and resolution for those who lost their loved ones on that flight.

GILLON: Well, considering our prolonged involvement in this, does the government have a view as to where it would be best to begin this search? As you know, there’s been a lot of speculation that the wreckage lies in the Seventh Arc in the Indian Ocean.

FOREIGN MINISTER: Look, I’m not going to speculate about the location of this aircraft. Obviously, there’s been a lot of years, a lot of experts involved. What we hope is that it can be found and that there can be some closure for those who lost loved ones and for whom the lack of resolution here is a continued source of pain.

GILLON: Foreign Minister Penny Wong, really appreciate you making the time. Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER: Great to speak with you, Ashleigh.

MIL OSI News –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The renovation of the large physical auditorium will be financed from the Polytechnic Endowment Fund

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

In 2024, as part of the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the university, the Polytechnic University Endowment Fund took the initiative to implement an infrastructure project using funds from the management of endowment capital in the amount of 5 million rubles.

In December 2024, the Foundation Board announced a call for applications, inviting the directorates of all SPbPU institutes to participate. The commission for the distribution of income from the management of the Foundation’s endowment capital received 12 projects, each of which was of particular importance and was highly appreciated by the commission.

According to the results of the competition, the most important project for the university was the renovation of the large physics auditorium of the Main Academic Building, which has enormous historical and symbolic significance for SPbPU. Such great Russian and Soviet scientists as V. V. Skobeltsyn, A. F. Ioffe, P. L. Kapitsa, N. N. Semenov, A. A. Fridman, Yu. B. Khariton, A. I. Alikhanov, B. P. Konstantinov and many others gave and listened to lectures there.

The renovation will be completed after classes end in the summer of 2025.

Director of the Institute of Physics and Mathematics Pavel Zakharov noted: The Large Physics Auditorium is not only the heart of the Physics Department, where demonstrations and lectures have been held since the university was founded, but also one of the largest and most legendary auditoriums. Thousands of our students pass through it every year. We are grateful to the Foundation for the opportunity to carry out repair work in the auditorium.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

March 20, 2025

MIL-OSI: Announcement of Fixed Income Investor Meetings

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC) (NYSE: DEC) (“Diversified” or the “Company”), an independent energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transportation, marketing and well retirement, today announces that it has mandated DNB Markets, a part of DNB Bank ASA, as Sole Bookrunner to arrange a series of fixed income investor calls commencing March 24, 2025. Following such fixed-income investor calls, the Company intends to commence an offering of four-year US$ denominated senior secured notes, subject inter alia to market conditions (the “Contemplated Bond Offering”).

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Contemplated Bond Offering to repay existing debt and for general corporate purposes.

The Contemplated Bond Offering, if issued, will be offered in the United States or its territories only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”). The Contemplated Bond Offering, if issued, will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute or form a part of any offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Diversified, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful, and is being issued in the United States pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

For further information, please contact:

Diversified Energy Company PLC	+1 973 856 2757
Doug Kris	dkris@dgoc.com
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

FTI Consulting	dec@fticonsulting.com
U.S. & UK Financial Public Relations

About Diversified
Diversified is a leading publicly traded energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transport, marketing, and well retirement. Through our unique differentiated strategy, we acquire existing, long-life assets and invest in them to improve environmental and operational performance until retiring those assets in a safe and environmentally secure manner. Recognized by ratings agencies and organizations for our sustainability leadership, this solutions-oriented, stewardship approach makes Diversified the Right Company at the Right Time to responsibly produce energy, deliver reliable free cash flow, and generate shareholder value.

Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning Diversified and the Contemplated Bond Offering. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect Diversified’s beliefs and expectations, are based on numerous assumptions regarding Diversified’s present and future business strategies and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. No representation is made that any of these statements will come to pass. Forward-looking statements involve inherent known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond Diversified’s ability to control or estimate precisely. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement include the risk factors described in the “Risk Factors” section in Diversified’s Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of their date and neither Diversified nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates or advisers expressly disclaim any obligation to supplement, amend, update or revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, except where it would be required to do so under applicable law. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Important Notice to UK and EU Investors
This announcement is directed at and is only being distributed to persons: (a) if in member states of the European Economic Area, “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”) (“Qualified Investors“); or (b) if in the United Kingdom, “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the UK version of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, who are (i) persons who fall within the definition of “investment professionals” in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order“), or (ii) persons who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order; or (c) persons to whom they may otherwise lawfully be communicated (each such person above, a “Relevant Person“). No other person should act or rely on this announcement and persons distributing this announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. This announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons, if in the United Kingdom, or Qualified Investors, if in a member state of the EEA. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement or the the Contemplated Bond Offering relates is available only to Relevant Persons, if in the United Kingdom, and Qualified Investors, if in a member state of the EEA, and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons, if in the United Kingdom, and Qualified Investors, if in a member state of the EEA.

The MIL Network –

March 20, 2025

MIL-OSI: New Zscaler AI Security Report Reveals an Over 3,000% Surge in Enterprise Use of AI/ML Tools
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
- ChatGPT is the most popular AI/ML application, accounting for nearly half of all AI/ML transactions (45.2%) and is also the most-blocked AI application, followed by Grammarly, and Microsoft Copilot as the second and third most-blocked applications, respectively
- Agentic AI and open-source model DeepSeek are creating new opportunities for threat actors to weaponize AI and automate and scale their attack
- The top five countries generating the most AI/ML transactions are the United States, India, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan
- The Finance & Insurance and Manufacturing industries generate the most AI/ML traffic, with 28.4% and 21.6% share of all AI/ML transactions in the Zscaler cloud, respectively, followed by Services (18.5%), Technology (10.1%), Healthcare (9.6%), and Government (4.2%)
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZS), the leader in cloud security, today released the ThreatLabz 2025 AI Security Report, based on insights from more than 536 billion AI transactions processed between February 2024 to December 2024 in the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™platform, the largest in-line security cloud, which discovered real-world threat scenarios ranging from AI-enhanced phishing to fake AI platforms. This report also explores recent developments in areas that will undoubtedly influence AI in 2025 and beyond, including agentic AI, the emergence of DeepSeek, and the evolving regulatory landscape.

The report reveals a 3,000+% year-over-year growth in enterprise use of AI/ML tools, highlighting the rapid adoption of AI technologies across industries to unlock new levels of productivity, efficiency, and innovation. Enterprises are sending significant volumes of data to AI tools, totaling 3,624 TB, underscoring the extent to which these technologies are integrated into operations. However, this surge in adoption also brings heightened security concerns. Enterprises blocked 59.9% of all AI/ML transactions, signaling enterprise awareness around the potential risks associated with AI/ML tools, including data leakage, unauthorized access, and compliance violations. Threat actors are also increasingly leveraging AI to amplify the sophistication, speed, and impact of attacks—forcing enterprises to rethink their security strategies.

“As AI transforms industries, it also creates new and unforeseen security challenges,” said Deepen Desai, Chief Security Officer at Zscaler. “Data is the gold for AI innovation, but it must be handled securely. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform, powered by AI with over 500 trillion daily signals, provides real-time insights into threats, data, and access patterns—ensuring organizations can harness AI’s transformative capabilities while mitigating its risks. Zero Trust Everywhere is the key to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving threat landscape as cybercriminals look to leverage AI in scaling their attacks.”

Key Insights from the ThreatLabz 2025 AI Security Report

ChatGPT Dominates AI/ML Transactions, But Security Concerns Remain
ChatGPT emerged as the most widely used AI/ML application, driving 45.2% of identified global AI/ML transactions in the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. However, it was also the most-blocked tool due to enterprises’ growing concerns over sensitive data exposure and unsanctioned use. Other most-blocked applications include Grammarly, Microsoft Copilot, QuillBot, and Wordtune, showing broad usage patterns for AI-enhanced content creation and productivity improvements.

“We had no visibility into ChatGPT. Zscaler was our key solution initially to help us understand who was going to it and what they were uploading.”
—Jason Koler, CISO, Eaton Corporation | See the video case study

DeepSeek and Agentic AI: Innovation Meets Escalating Threats
AI is amplifying cyber risks, with usage of agentic AI and China’s open-source DeepSeek enabling threat actors to scale attacks. So far in 2025, we’ve seen DeepSeek challenge American giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta, disrupting AI development with strong performance, open access, and low costs. However, such advancements also introduce significant security risks.

Geographies Leading AI Adoption: US and India
The United States and India generated the highest AI/ML transaction volumes, representing the global shift toward AI-driven innovation. However, these changes aren’t occurring in a vacuum, and organizations in these and other geographies are grappling with increasing challenges like stringent compliance requirements, high implementation costs, and shortage of skilled talent.

Finance & Insurance Lead Enterprise AI Traffic by Industry
The Finance & Insurance sector accounted for 28.4% of all enterprise AI/ML activity, reflecting its widespread adoption, and indicative of the critical functions supported by the industry, such as fraud detection, risk modeling, and customer service automation. Manufacturing was second, accounting for 21.6% of transactions, likely driven by innovations in supply chain optimization and robotics automation. Additional sectors, including Services (18.5%), Technology (10.1%), and Healthcare (9.6%), are also increasing their reliance on AI, while each industry also faces unique security and regulatory challenges posing new risks and possibly impacting the overall rate of adoption.

The Zscaler AI Advantage
Built on a true zero trust architecture, Zscaler delivers Zero Trust Everywhere, securing user, workload, IoT/OT communication using business policies, not network policies. Zscaler mitigates AI-powered threats by hiding applications and IP addresses from attackers, inspecting all traffic for threats, and ensuring users access only authorized applications—never full networks. This approach minimizes the attack surface, prevents lateral movement, and stops threats before they can cause harm. Zscaler protects its users against today’s most sophisticated AI-driven threats by implementing the following:
- Zero Trust Foundation: Minimize the external attack surface through continuous verification and least-privilege access.
- Real-time AI Insights: Employ predictive and generative AI to deliver actionable insights that enhance security operations and digital performance.
- Data Classification: Leverage AI-driven classification to seamlessly detect and safeguard sensitive data across Zscaler’s Data Fabric.
- Threat Protection: Block AI-enhanced threats through continuous monitoring and response powered by the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange.
- App Segmentation: Restrict lateral movement and reduce the internal attack surface with AI-driven, automatic app segmentation.
- Breach Prediction: Harness the power of Zscaler Breach Predictor that combines the power of generative AI and multi-dimensional predictive models.
- Cyber Risk Assessments: Leverages AI-generated security reports to continuously optimize your zero trust implementation.
Download the Full ThreatLabz 2025 AI Security Report
Download the full version of the 2025 AI Security Report here for more information about real-world threat scenarios, AI predictions, insights into AI regulations, and AI best practices.

Methodology
Analysis of 536.5 billion total AI and ML transactions in the Zscaler cloud from February 2024 to December 2024. The Zscaler global security cloud processes over 500 trillion daily signals and blocks 9 billion threats and policy violations per day, delivering over 250,000 daily security updates.

About ThreatLabz
ThreatLabz is the security research arm of Zscaler. This world-class team is responsible for hunting new threats and ensuring that the thousands of organizations using the global Zscaler platform are always protected. In addition to malware research and behavioral analysis, team members are involved in the research and development of new prototype modules for advanced threat protection on the Zscaler platform, and regularly conduct internal security audits to ensure that Zscaler products and infrastructure meet security compliance standards. ThreatLabz regularly publishes in-depth analyses of new and emerging threats on its portal, research.zscaler.com.

About Zscaler
Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across more than 150 data centers globally, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange™ is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

Media Contact
Natalia Wodecki
press@zscaler.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9c2bf5d3-5720-4db8-bf1f-a9675f48840e

The MIL Network –
March 20, 2025

MIL-OSI: PDMR Shareholdings

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC) (NYSE: DEC), announces the vesting of certain Performance Stock Units (“PSU’s”) and Restricted Stock Units (“RSU’s”) previously awarded to Persons Discharging Material Responsibility (“PDMRs”), resulting in a change to previously disclosed PDMR holdings of Ordinary Shares of £0.20 each in the Company (“Ordinary Shares”).

Members of the Company’s senior management vested in previously awarded PSUs and RSUs included:

Rusty Hutson, Jr, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Bradley Gray, President and Chief Financial Officer
Benjamin Sullivan, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal & Risk Officer and Corporate Secretary

Mr. Hutson’s listed awards were solely PSUs, while the awards to Mr. Gray, and Mr. Sullivan included a mix of PSUs and RSUs. The Company provides additional information about its 2022 long-term incentive plan within its Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2024 available on its website.

To settle the awards, the Company will transfer Ordinary Shares (net of customary withholdings, including taxes) from its Employee Benefit Trust (the “EBT”) as set forth in the table below:

	Net Award	Shares Held Post-Award	% of Issued Share Capital
Rusty Hutson, Jr	42,007	1,276,141	1.58%
Bradley Gray	26,546	192,131	0.24%
Benjamin Sullivan	21,902	62,319	0.08%

For further information, please contact:

Diversified Energy Company PLC	+1 973 856 2757
Doug Kris	dkris@dgoc.com
www.div.energy

FTI Consulting	dec@fticonsulting.com
U.S. & UK Financial Public Relations

About Diversified Energy Company PLC

Diversified is a leading publicly traded energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transport, marketing, and well retirement. Through our differentiated strategy, we acquire existing, long-life assets and invest in them to improve environmental and operational performance until retiring those assets in a safe and environmentally secure manner. Recognized by ratings agencies and organizations for our sustainability leadership, this solutions-oriented, stewardship approach makes Diversified the Right Company at the Right Time to responsibly produce energy, deliver reliable free cash flow, and generate shareholder value.

NOTIFICATION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF TRANSACTIONS BY PERSONS DISCHARGING MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERSONS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THEM

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Rusty Hutson, Jr
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
b)	Initial notification/Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Diversified Energy Company PLC
b)	LEI	213800YR9TFRVHPGOS67
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Bonus award of performance share units constituting a right to acquire Ordinary Shares of 20p each
	Identification code	GB00BQHP5P93
b)	Nature of the transaction	Vesting of performance share units units under the Company’s equity incentive plan
c)	Price(s) and volumes(s)	Price(s)	Volume(s)
		£Nil	42,007
d)	Aggregated information	N/A single transaction
	Aggregated volume	N/A single transaction
	Price	N/A single transaction
e)	Date of the transaction	17 March 2025
f)	Place of the transaction	Outside a trading venue (XOFF)

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Bradley Gray
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	President and Chief Financial Officer
b)	Initial notification/Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Diversified Energy Company PLC
b)	LEI	213800YR9TFRVHPGOS67
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Bonus award of performance share units and restricted stock units constituting a right to acquire Ordinary Shares of 20p each
	Identification code	GB00BQHP5P93
b)	Nature of the transaction	Vesting of performance share units units under the Company’s equity incentive plan
c)	Price(s) and volumes(s)	Price(s)	Volume(s)
		£Nil	26,546
d)	Aggregated information	N/A single transaction
	Aggregated volume	N/A single transaction
	Price	N/A single transaction
e)	Date of the transaction	17 March 2025
f)	Place of the transaction	Outside a trading venue (XOFF)

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	Benjamin Sullivan
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Legal & Risk Officer and Corporate Secretary
b)	Initial notification/Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Diversified Energy Company PLC
b)	LEI	213800YR9TFRVHPGOS67
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Bonus award of performance share units and restricted stock units constituting a right to acquire Ordinary Shares of 20p each
	Identification code	GB00BQHP5P93
b)	Nature of the transaction	Vesting of performance share units and restricted stock units under the Company’s equity incentive plan
c)	Price(s) and volumes(s)	Price(s)	Volume(s)
		£Nil	21,902
d)	Aggregated information	N/A single transaction
	Aggregated volume	N/A single transaction
	Price	N/A single transaction
e)	Date of the transaction	17 March 2025
f)	Place of the transaction	Outside a trading venue (XOFF)

The MIL Network –

March 20, 2025

MIL-OSI: Director Shareholdings

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC) (NYSE: DEC) announces that on March 18-19, 2025, members of the Company’s Board of Director’s (the “Board”) transacted in ordinary shares of 20p each in the Company (“Ordinary Shares”).

Members of the Board transacting in Ordinary Shares included:

David Johnson, Non-Executive Chair of the Board
David J. Turner, Jr., Independent Non-Executive Director

Details of the Board member transactions in Ordinary Shares and the resulting positions in the Ordinary Shares of the Company are as follows:

Name	Activity Date	Activity Type	Number of shares	Trading Venue	Average Price
David Johnson	3/18/2025	Buy	1,250	LSE	£10.20
David J. Turner, Jr.	3/19/2025	Buy	15,000	NYSE	$13.19

Following the transactions, the total interest and per cent of the Company’s total issued share capital (“ISC”) of the aforesaid Board members may be found in the table below:

Name	Total Shareholdings	% of ISC
David Johnson	25,000	0.031%
David J. Turner, Jr.	48,087	0.059%

For further information please contact:

Diversified Energy Company PLC	+1 973 856 2757
Doug Kris	dkris@dgoc.com
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications	www.div.energy

FTI Consulting	dec@fticonsulting.com
U.S. & UK Financial Public Relations

About Diversified Energy Company PLC

NOTIFICATION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF TRANSACTIONS BY PERSONS DISCHARGING MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERSONS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THEM

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	David Johnson
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Non-Executive Chair of the Board
b)	Initial notification/Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Diversified Energy Company PLC
b)	LEI	213800YR9TFRVHPGOS67
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Ordinary Shares of 20 pence each
	Identification code	GB00BQHP5P93
b)	Nature of the transaction	Purchase of Ordinary Shares
c)	Price(s) and volumes(s)	Price(s)	Volume(s)
		£10.20	1,250
d)	Aggregated information
	Aggregated volume	1,250
	Price	£10.20
e)	Date of the transaction	March 18, 2025
f)	Place of the transaction	London Stock Exchange (XLON)

1	Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
a)	Name	David J. Turner, Jr.
2	Reason for the notification
a)	Position/status	Independent Non-Executive Director
b)	Initial notification/Amendment	Initial notification
3	Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)	Name	Diversified Energy Company PLC
b)	LEI	213800YR9TFRVHPGOS67
4	Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
a)	Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument	Ordinary Shares of 20 pence each
	Identification code	GB00BQHP5P93
b)	Nature of the transaction	Purchase of Ordinary Shares
c)	Price(s) and volumes(s)	Price(s)	Volume(s)
		$13.19	15,000
d)	Aggregated information
	Aggregated volume	15,000
	Price	$13.19
e)	Date of the transaction	March 19, 2025
f)	Place of the transaction	New York Stock Exchange (XNYS)

The MIL Network –

March 20, 2025

MIL-OSI: Diversified Energy Announces Details of Share Buyback Program

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC) (NYSE: DEC) announces details regarding the parameters of a Share Buyback Program (the “Program”).

As previously approved at the 2024 Annual General Meeting held on May 10, 2024 (the “2024 AGM”), the Company has the authority to buy back the Company’s ordinary shares of 20p each (the “Shares”). Under the Program, the Company, at its discretion and on occasion, may (subject to applicable law) purchase its Shares in open market transactions depending on market conditions, share price, trading volume, and other factors.

The Company intends to conduct the Program concurrent with the following parameters:

The maximum number of Shares repurchased shall not exceed 4,756,842 Shares
The total consideration of Shares repurchased under the Program shall not exceed an aggregate market value of £52.3 million.
The Program will expire at the earlier date of the 30 June 2026 or the Company’s 2026 Annual General Meeting of its Shareholders.

The purpose of the Program is to reduce the issued share capital of the Company. The Board believes that this Program will take advantage of a capital allocation opportunity as the Board is of the view that the shares are trading at a substantial discount to net asset value and is an appropriate use of the Company’s cash resources.

Diversified will execute the Program on the London Stock Exchange within the limitations of the shareholder authority granted at the 2024 AGM and the 2025 AGM (if approved) and within the parameters of the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014/EU and the Commission Delegated Regulation 2016/1052/EU (in each case, as it forms part of UK law pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) and Chapter 9 of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules. The Company will hold as treasury shares any Shares repurchased in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and will cancel the Shares thereafter. Diversified will make appropriate disclosures during the buyback period of the number of Shares that the Company has repurchased.

To facilitate the Program, Diversified has entered into an engagement with Peel Hunt LLP (“Peel Hunt”) pursuant to an engagement letter under which the Company has issued an irrevocable instruction providing Peel Hunt with the authority to repurchase Shares in the Company subject to certain agreed parameters. Purchases may continue during any closed periods of the Company, and any purchases of shares made during closed periods pursuant to the Program shall be made independently of and uninfluenced by the Company.

For further information please contact:

Diversified Energy Company PLC	+1 973 856 2757
Doug Kris	dkris@dgoc.com
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

FTI Consulting	dec@fticonsulting.com
U.S. & UK Financial Public Relations

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s beliefs and expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties may relate to factors that are beyond the Company’s ability to control or estimate precisely, including the risk factors described in the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of their date and neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates or advisers expressly disclaim any obligation to supplement, amend, update or revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, except where it would be required to do so under applicable law. As a result, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

The MIL Network –

March 20, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Nuclear free Pacific – back to the future, Earthwise talks to David Robie

Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. –

Pacific Media Watch

Earthwise presenters Lois and Martin Griffiths of Plains FM96.9 radio talk to Dr David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report, about heightened global fears of nuclear war as tensions have mounted since US President Donald Trump has returned to power.

Dr Robie reminds us that New Zealanders once actively opposed nuclear testing in the Pacific.

That spirit, that active opposition to nuclear testing, and to nuclear war must be revived.

This is very timely as the Rainbow Warrior 3 is currently visiting the Marshall Islands this month to mark 40 years since the original RW took part in the relocation of Rongelap Islanders who suffered from US nuclear tests in the 1950s.

After that humanitarian mission, the Rainbow Warrior was subsequently bombed by French secret agents in Auckland Harbour on 10 July 1985 shortly before it was due to sail to Moruroa Atoll to protest against nuclear testing.

A new edition of Dr Robie’s book Eyes of Fire The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior will be released this July. The Eyes of Fire microsite is here.

Lois opens up by saying: “I fear that we live in disturbing times. I fear the possibility of nuclear war, I always have.

“I remember the Cuban missiles crisis, a scary time. I remember campaigns for nuclear disarmament. Hopes that the United Nations could lead to a world of peace and justice.

“Yet today one hears from our media, for world leaders . . . ‘No, no no. There will always be tyrants who want to destroy us and our democratic allies . . . more and bigger, deadlier weapons are needed to protect us . . .”

Listen to the programme . . .

[embedded content]
Nuclear free Pacific . . . back to the future. Video/audio: Plains FM96.9

Broadcast: Plains Radio FM96.9

Interviewee: Dr David Robie, deputy chair of the Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN) and a semiretired professor of Pacific journalism. He founded the Pacific Media Centre.
Interviewers: Lois and Martin Griffiths, Earthwise programme

Date: 14 March 2025 (27min), broadcast March 17.

Youtube: Café Pacific: https://www.youtube.com/@cafepacific2023

https://plainsfm.org.nz/

Café Pacific: https://davidrobie.nz/

This article was first published on Café Pacific.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI: AI-Powered Quality Inspection in Manufacturing with Lenovo & Trifork
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press release

AI-Powered Quality Inspection in Manufacturing with Lenovo & Trifork

Zurich, Switzerland, 20 March 2025 – Trifork’s AI-Powered Quality Inspection for Manufacturing, one component of our suite of Vision AI offerings, has successfully passed the Lenovo Validated Design (LVD) process.
By combining Lenovo Edge systems, Nvidia technologies, and Trifork’s Vision AI capabilities, manufacturers gain access to a powerful quality assurance solution that not only automates real-time inspection but also detects defects and classifies objects based on shape, color, size, and other critical attributes.

This validated solution significantly reduces manual inspection efforts and related costs while enhancing accuracy. It delivers high-value, timely, and detailed insights to manufacturing and quality teams, enabling them to monitor production quality in real-time and assess the impact of quality improvement initiatives.

Key benefits include:
- Instant visual capture of manufacturing production output and real-time assessment of product quality
- Significant reduction in manual QA inspection efforts and costs
- Minimized waste and rework, improving operational efficiency
- Higher production effectiveness, leading to increased profitability and customer satisfaction
- Continuous evaluation of QA investments and their impact
“AI-powered quality inspection is transforming manufacturing by enabling real-time defect detection, reducing waste, and optimizing production efficiency. Our partnership with Trifork ensures that manufacturers can deploy a validated, scalable, and secure Edge AI solution that seamlessly integrates into their operations.”
— Allen Holmes Jr., AI Innovation Leader, Lenovo

“At Trifork, we believe in building intelligent, scalable solutions that drive real business impact. By integrating our Vision AI technology with Lenovo’s powerful Edge systems, we are enabling manufacturers to achieve next-level quality control with automated inspections and real-time insights—setting a new standard for efficiency and precision in the industry.”
— Jørn Larsen, Founder & CEO, Trifork

Designed for manufacturing leaders, quality engineers, and industrial automation experts, this solution helps drive operational excellence with AI-driven precision.

Learn more: https://lenovopress.lenovo.com/lp2178.pdf

Investor and media contact

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

About Trifork

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

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The MIL Network –
March 20, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: How can you tell if your child’s daycare is good quality?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Victoria Minson, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education, Australian Catholic University

PhotoMavenStock/Shutterstock

This week, we heard claims of shocking abuse and neglect in Australian childcare centres on ABC’s Four Corners program.

While 91% of services met or exceeded the national standards as of February 2025, there have also been reports of centres operating with unqualified staff, abusive practices and nutritionally substandard food.

How can you tell if your child is going to a good quality childcare service?

Read more:
Amid claims of abuse, neglect and poor standards, what is going wrong with childcare in Australia?

What are the standards?

Australian’s childcare regulator – the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority or ACECQA – oversees national quality standards for early childhood education and care.

Services are assessed and given a rating across seven areas including the staffing, children’s health and safety and the educational program. The ratings note whether services are “exceeding”, “meeting” or “working towards” the national standards. In some cases, they may note “significant improvement [is] required”.

These ratings are public (you can search the national register of services) and are a useful starting point for parents.

However, they may not reflect the current situation in a service. As the Productivity Commission noted, many services assessed as “meeting” the national standards (which
comprise the bulk of the sector) have a gap of more than four years between assessments. Services with lower ratings are reassessed more frequently.

But there are other ways for parents to assess the quality of their child’s early childhood education.

Read more:
We need more than police checks: how parents and educators can keep childcare services safe from abuse

Do educators want to work there?

If early childhood educators want to work at your childcare service, this is a strong sign it is a good quality service.

One of the major issues in the early childhood sector is staff retention. Excessive workloads, not being valued by employers and poor pay are some of the reasons early childhood educators leave their jobs.

This is a huge problem, because high-quality staff are key to providing high-quality education and care, built on strong, stable relationships with children.

If you are considering a service, a key question to ask is how long educators have been working there? How often do they have to replace staff?

If you are already at a service, ask yourself, are there consistent staff at drop off/pick up? Are there familiar relief educators to cover absences? Or is there unexplained high turnover?

As a bottom line, all educators should be warm and caring and get to know every child and their family.

Seeing the same educators when you drop off and pick up is a sign the service has a stable, committed workforce.
PhotoMavenStock/Shutterstock

What is the centre itself like?

Some daycare centres market themselves to parents by offering a “barista made” coffee in the morning, yoga classes and designer interiors.

While this might appeal to adult tastes, it is important to think about whether the centre is set up to be suitable and fun for children. For example:
- is there space to play outside, with natural materials? It is recommended toddlers and preschoolers are physically active for at least three hours per day
- are there plenty of different play options to appeal to different interests and different children? Or does nothing seem to be organised?
- are toys and equipment in good condition? Are pencils sharpened and ready to use? Are there puzzle pieces missing?
It’s important for children to have different options for play, both inside and outside.
CrispyPork/Shutterstock

Read more:
Real dirt, no fake grass and low traffic – what to look for when choosing a childcare centre

What about the activities and educational program?

In Australia, centres need to provide play-based learning opportunities, which support children’s wellbeing, learning and development.

This is not about teaching children to read and do algebra before they start school. It is about supporting children to have positive play experiences, so the associated learning is fun and leaves children wanting to know (and do) more.

Services should provide children with lots of opportunities to explore in age-appropriate ways. For example, toddlers may have a sandpit with multiple tools and toys. Three- and four-year-olds may work on projects, such as building kites, or go on excursions in their local community.

Educators should be involved in this play. Sometimes they may act as a partner, helping to extend children’s imaginations. Other times, they may support from the sideline, encouraging a child to climb to a higher part of the climbing frame than yesterday.

They should not be telling children what to do all the time. It’s important for children to be given the time and space to test out their theories about how the world works.

Some things to look out for include:
- is there “cookie cutter” art (where every piece of children’s art looks the same) on the wall? Or are children given the chance to express their creativity?
- can toys be used in more than one way, in different areas (to encourage children’s agency)? Or are toys required to be kept in certain places?
- can educators talk about the different things they are doing to stimulate and extend children’s play and interests?
Families should also receive clear, regular communication about their child’s development and progress. If there are issues with behaviour, the centre should provide evidence-based support that respects the rights and dignity of children (rather than punishing or shaming them).

Finally, does your child seem to have fun at childcare? Provided there are no other issues (such as separation anxiety), do they want to go and see their educators and friends? This is a good sign of a quality service that is building children’s sense of belonging.

Need more information?

If you have any concerns or need more information, try talking to your centre director first. Alternatively, you can contact the regulatory authority in your state or territory.

Victoria Minson is the Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) (Accelerated) at Australian Catholic University. The Victorian version of the course has received funding from the Victorian government and Victorian Department of Education

– ref. How can you tell if your child’s daycare is good quality? – https://theconversation.com/how-can-you-tell-if-your-childs-daycare-is-good-quality-252613
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: GlobalData Country Risk Index shows slight drop in Q4 2024

Source: GlobalData

The global economy stands at a crossroads, balancing trade policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions against easing price pressures. The latter is supporting a revival in domestic demand and providing central banks with room for potential rate cuts. Against this backdrop, GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, reports a slight drop in the GlobalData Country Risk Index (GCRI) from 55.6 in Q3 2024 to 55.0 in Q4 2024.

GlobalData’s latest, “Global Risk Report Quarterly Update – Q4 2024,” highlights that the Americas and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) face high risk scores due to economic instability and geopolitical conflicts. The Asia-Pacific region, while risky, has a lower score than the Americas and MEA, buoyed by strong growth in emerging economies. In contrast, Europe is the least risky region, benefiting from a solid economic recovery and improved investment sentiment.

Annapurna Pillutla, Economic Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Global economic growth is projected to reach 3.1% in 2024, slightly down from 3.3% in 2023, reflecting both resilience and ongoing challenges. While the US economy continues to expand steadily, China’s real estate turmoil and potential US tariff hikes present key risks. Inflation remains above central bank targets in some regions, adding to the economic uncertainty. Growth in 2025 is expected to follow a similar trajectory, constrained by geopolitical tensions and policy unpredictability.”

The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs are likely to disrupt the global supply chains and raise business costs. By 2025, these measures could reduce production efficiency and alter trade patterns as companies face higher prices for imported goods and raw materials.

Europe – Steady recovery amid persistent challenges

Europe continues to be the world’s least-risk region, with its risk score improving slightly from 41.4 in Q3 2024 to 41.0 in Q4 2024. The region’s economic recovery is marked by a gradual decline in inflation, improved labor markets, and supportive policy rate cuts by the ECB. However, geopolitical tensions, particularly involving Russia and Ukraine, along with political shifts to the far right, an aging population and labor shortages, present ongoing challenges. In the Q4 2024 GCRI update, Switzerland, Denmark, and Ireland were identified as the least risky countries, while Ukraine, Turkiye, and Belarus, faced the highest risks.

Asia-Pacific – Resilience amidst geopolitical challenges

The Asia-Pacific region’s risk score decreased from 54.0 in Q3 2024 to 53.4 in Q4 2024, indicating ongoing economic recovery. Projected to account for more than half of global growth in 2025, the region benefits from strong domestic demand and increased exports. However, risks persist due to geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea and economic slowdown in China. China’s stimulus measures may offset some impact of US tariffs, while easing inflation and resilient consumption in other emerging economies improve the outlook. Strong growth prospects in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia further enhance regional stability.

In the Q4 2024 GCRI update, the highest-risk countries included Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Conversely, the countries with the lowest risk were Singapore, Taiwan (Province of China), and Hong Kong (China SAR).

Americas – Risk decline amid economic gains and political shifts

Americas’ risk score decreased slightly from 57.0 in Q3 2024 to 56.6 in Q4 2024, reflecting benefits from policy rate cuts and strong consumer spending, particularly in the US. However, high US debt and fiscal challenges in Latin America persist, alongside political instability marked by protests and governance issues. Donald Trump’s return to the presidency adds to the region’s volatility, potentially affecting economic strategies and stability.

In the Q4 2024 GCRI update, Canada, the US, and Costa Rica were the least risky, while Haiti, Venezuela, and Argentina remained the highest-risk nations.

MEA – Persistent risks amid geopolitical tensions

The MEA regions risk score slightly decreased from 66.3 in Q3 2024 to 65.4 in Q4 2024, driven by growth in the non-oil sector. However, ongoing geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, and humanitarian crises continue to pose significant challenges. Africa faces rising debt and natural disasters, exacerbating food insecurity and displacement. In the Q4 2024 GCRI update, Yemen, Syria, and Burundi were among the highest-risk nations globally, highlighting the region’s persistent instability.

Pillutla concludes: “Geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and market volatility present significant challenges for both policymakers and investors. To effectively manage these risks, a sophisticated approach is necessary, emphasizing adaptation and diversification.”

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis, and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology, and professional services sectors.

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Visit by Foreign Minister, His Excellency Sugiono and high-level Indonesian business delegation to Australia

Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Indonesian Foreign Minister His Excellency Sugiono, met today in Sydney to discuss cooperation on shared priorities under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This is Minister Sugiono’s first official visit to Australia since his appointment in October 2024.

The Ministers highlighted the profound strategic trust and strong friendship that characterises the relationship between Indonesia and Australia.

Australia and Indonesia are working to strengthen economic prosperity for both countries, advancing shared development priorities, enhancing the links between our people, and deepening longstanding cooperation on defence and regional security.

The Ministers agreed to update the Plan of Action for the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2025–2029) ahead of the next Annual Leaders’ meeting. This plan will set key priorities for forward cooperation.

A high-level Indonesian business delegation is also visiting Sydney this week. This builds on momentum from Australia’s largest ever investor mission to Indonesia last month, an initiative under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

Indonesia’s strong economic growth represents an enormous opportunity for Australian businesses and investors. There is a great appetite amongst Indonesian consumers for Australian education, healthcare and consumer goods. At the same time, Indonesian investment into Australia has increased.

Minister Sugiono will attend this evening’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between the Australian and Indonesian men’s soccer teams, alongside Indonesian Minister for Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo.

Quotes attributable to Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“This visit to Australia by Minister Sugiono, Minister Dito Ariotedjo and a high-level Indonesian business delegation demonstrates the breadth of our bilateral relationship across political and strategic cooperation; economic partnership; and the strong links between our people.

“Deepening our economic engagement with Indonesia is of enormous value to both our countries, and is a key part of Australia’s broader effort to diversify our economy, especially through growing markets in Southeast Asia.”

Quotes attributable to Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs Sugiono:

“This visit signifies the strong partnership between our two countries which is built on shared values, mutual respect for sovereignty, and our unwavering commitment to take an active part in fostering peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and at the global stage.

“We will continue to highlight our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through mutually beneficial cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, critical minerals, electric vehicle and battery products, agriculture and food security, education, research, defense and security, and people-to-people contact.”

Media note: Imagery will be available via the DFAT Multimedia Library

MIL OSI News –

March 20, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Wellington Queer Community to hold Hīkoi to Defend Trans Teens’ Access to Puberty Blockers

Source: Queer Endurance

Queer community organisations and protest groups intend to hold a Hīkoi from Waitangi Park to Parliament Lawn on Sunday, 23 March. The march is to be part of the annual Wellington Pride Festival, and is organised by a coalition of groups including several high school Queer Students’ Associations, Queer Endurance in Defiance, Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition, Wellington Pride Festival, Wellington Pride Parade, and the International Bolshevik Tendency.

Queer Endurance in Defiance press spokesperson Wyatt Dawson said marchers demanded “puberty blockers and hormones on demand.”

Many of the same medications are more easily available to cisgender minors in need of gender affirming care, such as for early-onset puberty or conditions affecting hormonal regulation. Dawson says this exposes the reason behind the restrictions as “political, not about kids’ health.”

“Our current government has been further restricting access our rangatahi have to puberty blockers, ignoring their bodily autonomy and the pleas of our trans community. This is life changing and life saving medical treatment for our youth, and these restrictions—made based on ideology not medical evidence—are tantamount to banning puberty blockers outright.”

The Hīkoi is intended to pressure the Government and Ministry of Health to reverse moves towards restrictions, and guarantee access to puberty blockers and hormones. While framed as improving service quality, the suggested changes impose such a high standard of expert review that medical professionals and activists worry they will effectively make prescriptions impossible. The restrictions were inspired by the much-criticised Cass Review of transgender healthcare in the UK, and have been described as unnecessary by the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa.

Protesters are set to assemble at 10am at Waitangi Park, before marching through the city to the Parliament steps, where organisers have arranged for performances, and speeches by high schoolers, protestors, and politicians who agree with their demand. A bus will be provided for some of the protestors unable to make the walk.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

March 20, 2025

Category: Transport

Department for Business and Trade welcomes Ghanaian Healthcare Delegation

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Updates to this page

What are the standards?

Do educators want to work there?

What is the centre itself like?

What about the activities and educational program?

Need more information?