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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Minutes reveal Scottish Government agency’s doubts about Flamingo Land support

    Source: Scottish Greens

    19 Mar 2025 Nature

    Flamingo Land’s plans would be a scar on Loch Lomond.

    More in Nature

    Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer has urged the Scottish Government’s business agency, Scottish Enterprise, to withdraw its support for Flamingo Land’s controversial proposals for a mega-resort on the banks of Loch Lomond.

    The call comes after revelations that, despite continuing to publicly back the plans, agency bosses privately acknowledged the proposal has “no clear alignment with Scottish Enterprise’s mission focus.”

    The admission was found in minutes of a Scottish Enterprise Enterprise Executive Leadership Team meeting, obtained via a Freedom of Information request by Nick Kempe of Park Watch Scotland. [1]

    Flamingo Land’s application for a sprawling tourist resort on the southern shore of Loch Lomond at Balloch was unanimously rejected by the board of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in September.

    This came after an almost decade-long campaign led by Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer collected a record 155,000 individual objections. Opposition to the plans also came from the Woodland Trust, Ramblers Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and environmental watchdog SEPA.

    After the plans were rejected, Scottish Enterprise, which owns most of the land, extended their exclusive agreement with Flamingo Land. This was done in order to support the developer lodging an appeal against the Park’s decision. That appeal is now sitting with the Scottish Government awaiting a decision.

    Mr Greer said:

    “Flamingo Land’s proposed mega-resort is the most unpopular planning application in Scottish history. For almost a decade they have ignored Balloch residents and tried to force these daft plans on Loch Lomond – but we have beaten them at every stage.

    “Scottish Enterprise knows how ridiculous, damaging and widely opposed the proposals are. Their own leadership team have admitted that it doesn’t match their mission, but they’ve decided to continue backing it out of a misguided sense of obligation.

    “By extending Flamingo Land’s exclusive contract for the site, they are stopping others from putting forward different proposals which would actually benefit the community and protect the world famous local environment.

    “The community is absolutely exhausted by all of this. Balloch residents will continue to defend Loch Lomond but they shouldn’t have to. It’s time for Scottish Enterprise to finally pull the plug on Flamingo Land and end this whole sorry saga.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Medical bill set for LegCo

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A bill allowing patients to accept physiotherapy and occupational therapy without a doctor’s referral under specified circumstances and enabling allied health professionals to accept referrals from Chinese medicine practitioners will be published in the Gazette on March 21.

    Announcing the move today, the Government said the Medical Professions (Amendment) Bill 2025 is scheduled for the first reading at the Legislative Council on March 26 following its gazettal.

    Noting that “supplementary medical professions” has been used for over 40 years since the enactment of the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance in 1980, the Government said the bill will rename the term as “allied health professions” in view of the increasingly important and specialised roles of five professions in Hong Kong’s healthcare system.

    To address the challenges to the healthcare system posed by an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the Government also encouraged citizens to seek early medical intervention for common illnesses, noting that allowing patients to access physiotherapy and occupational therapy direct is one of the key elements.

    The bill sets out three circumstances under which patients may seek these therapy services directly without a doctor’s referral.

    People may seek services directly from physiotherapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) for health conditions covered by recognised clinical protocols, and the PTs and OTs must adhere to the recognised clinical protocols at all times.

    Patients may also seek direct physiotherapy or occupational therapy services for health conditions diagnosed by a registered doctor or Chinese medicine practitioners (CMP) within the past 12 months without obtaining a new referral letter each time.

    Alternatively, PTs and OTs may provide direct services to patients without a doctor’s referral in emergency or other situations and community services approved by the Medical Professions Council, which will be renamed as the Allied Health Professions Council. Details of the designated situations will be set out in the two professional codes of practice issued by the council.

    To further Chinese medicine as a constituent part of the healthcare system, the bill provides a legal framework for allied health professionals to accept referrals from CMPs under suitable conditions.

    The Chinese medicine profession and allied health professions must reach a consensus on professional standards regarding knowledge, skills, professional competencies and conduct to formulate implementation details and update the relevant codes of practice.

    In view of the practical clinical and operational needs of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong, the bill also allows relevant allied health professionals to accept referrals from CMPs within the hospital, supporting its phased commencement of services from the end of this year.

    Additionally, a new limited registration pathway is proposed to admit qualified non-locally trained allied health professionals to practise in designated institutions within their specialised fields on the premise of not compromising professional standards.

    Applications will be subject to approval by the Allied Health Professions Council. The designated institutions include Department of Health, Hospital Authority, Primary Healthcare Commission, Chinese Medicine Hospital and institutions offering allied health profession training programmes.

    The council may impose conditions on an applicant’s practice to confine them to a specific scope of practice. Allied health professionals under limited registration will not be eligible for migration to full registration.

    Meanwhile, the Government has proposed a new temporary registration pathway to enable non-locally trained allied health professionals to come to Hong Kong for academic exchanges and clinical demonstrations. A temporary registration will be valid for no more than 14 days and is not renewable.

    The bill’s other amendments include the introduction of continuing professional development as a mandatory requirement for allied health professionals and changes to the composition and structure of the aforesaid council and its five constituent boards to better regulate the professions and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration.

    Also included are technical amendments, such as extending the validity of the existing practising certificates to three years and adjusting various fees under the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Spring is the time of love: we invite you to the course “Architecture of Relationships”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    In April-May 2025, an educational and enlightening course for students entitled “Architecture of Relationships” will be held at the State University of Management.

    Spring is the time when love blossoms! And we present a pilot project of 13 lessons that will help you learn how to build good human relationships.

    Who is the Relationship Architecture course for? – For single people who dream of meeting their soulmate and building a strong relationship; – For couples, including married ones, who want to develop their relationship or have problems understanding each other; – For those who simply want to better understand themselves, work through fears, and break down barriers that prevent them from building relationships.

    Course duration: 13 lessons of 1.5 hours, 1-2 times a week. You can take the entire course or choose the lessons you are interested in.

    Invite your relatives or friends, including those from other universities. The number of places is limited!

    Register for the course via the link: https://anketolog.ru/registraciya_arhitektura_otnosheni

    For more detailed information about the course content, see the cards below.

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 03/19/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NSF Project Evaluates Students’ Attitudes Toward Human Rights in Engineering 

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Every year, more than 2 million tourists flock to the Peruvian Andes town of Cusco, to visit remnants of the Inca Empire and its world-famous citadel, Machu Picchu. Rapid urbanization with this tourism boom however, didn’t develop at the same pace as infrastructure and transportation services. 

    “As a result, low-income residents who live on the outskirts of the city’s center have less access to employment, medical care, education, and social events because they don’t own a private vehicle or their communities lack public transportation,” explains Davis Chacón-Hurtado, an assistant professor jointly appointed in Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute. “This is a key barrier for many people to access opportunities and services, resulting in barriers to participation and disparities in access.”

    By using an engineering for human rights-based approach, Chacón-Hurtado and doctoral student Ashley Benítez Ou developed a metric of transport disadvantage and equal access in Cusco’s outer districts. Their goal is to provide data-driven insights so that rural Cusco residents have equal access to essential services. 

    “We as engineers have the potential to either alleviate or intensify societal challenges. Engineering shapes every facet of human life, and with this level of influence comes a profound responsibility.” — Davis Chacón-Hurtado

    “Having the ability to see a doctor or travel to the inner city to work is a human right,” Chacón-Hurtado says. “We as engineers have the potential to either alleviate or intensify societal challenges. Engineering shapes every facet of human life, and with this level of influence comes a profound responsibility.” 

    Chacón-Hurtado is Principal Investigator on a recently awarded National Science Foundation grant, “Measuring Changes in Attitudes Towards Human Rights in Engineering Students,” that explores ways expand students’ awareness of engineering’s societal impact. He and fellow UConn researchers will use the study’s findings to shape human rights curriculum for engineering students. 

    Other members of the research team include Arash Esmaili Zaghi, professor of civil and environmental engineering; Shareen Hertel, Wiktor Osiatyński Chair of Human Rights and professor of political science; and Betsy McCoach, professor of research methods, measurements, and evaluation from the Neag School of Education. Chacón-Hurtado and Hertel also co-direct UConn’s Engineering for Human Rights Initiative, a collaborative venture between UConn’s College of Engineering and the UConn’s Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute. 

    “As students progress through their undergraduate education, their concern for societal well-being tends to diminish,” Chacón-Hurtado says. “The Measuring Changes project proposes that incorporating human rights—particularly principles like indivisibility of rights, accountability, and participation—into the engineering curricula can bridge this gap, fostering a more socially aware generation of engineers.” 

    The Learning Modules  

    Chacón-Hurtado and his team are developing contextualized training modules that will be deployed within current engineering curriculum. The four main modules are aligned with specific learning objectives. They cover foundational concepts of human rights and related ethical paradigms; historical perspectives and connections between engineering and human rights; human rights-based and ethical approaches to engineering practice; and tools used by engineers to assess the impact of human rights and consideration of human rights impacts. The content is based in part on critical observations gleaned during teaching that Chacón-Hurtado carried out jointly with Sandra Sirota, assistant professor in residence in Human Rights and Experiential Global Learning—in particular, from their course on “Engineering for Human Rights” (ENGR/HRTS 2300). The team has the help of a graduate research assistant, Natalie Goncalves, a Master’s student in Human Rights.  

    During the NSF grant period, the research team will integrate the four modules within a controlled comparative research setting, by applying them selectively to student cohorts across two classes: Transportation Engineering and Planning (CE 2710) and Civil Engineering Projects (CE 4900W). Not every student will receive the extra training modules. As part of this quasi-experimental design structure, one group is considered the “treatment” and the other the “control” group.  

    After deploying the modules, the team will survey both groups to measure the effectiveness of the modules by measuring the change in attitudes towards human rights in engineering. They’ll derive psychometric measures from the survey results and use statistical reports to support the quantitative differences.  

    “Our hypothesis is that tailored engineering modules focused on human rights positively influence the attitudes of engineering students towards human rights and the social impact of engineering in society, when compared to a control group of students who do not receive human rights education using a quasi-experimental design,” Zaghi says.  

    Beyond UConn 

    Assistant Professor Davis Chacón-Hurtado, pictured here at an EWB project in Peru, received an NSF grant to study how engineering students perceive human rights in engineering. Findings from this project are relevant to broader human rights education in STEM (contributed photo)

    Once the study is completed, the outcomes and modules will be available freely to both English and Spanish speakers on the Engineering for Human Rights website. 

    “We hope that these dissemination efforts will reach not only engineering educators but also human rights organizations and community-based groups with experience in engaging communities in New England and abroad,” Chacón-Hurtado says. “We hope this will also facilitate research on the development of practical and cross-culturally appropriate tools for education, training, and mentorship tools from diverse contexts and schools in both the U.S. and Global South.”  

    “Human rights are critical enablers of economic development and shared prosperity, promoting progress within the United States and throughout the world – whether in global regions like Cusco, Peru or rural parts of the US,” Chacón-Hurtado says.  

    Ongoing Efforts in Engineering for Human Rights  

    This innovative approach to engineering education is integral to the broader Engineering for Human Rights Initiative at UConn, which applies a human rights framework to diverse engineering challenges—from sanitation to sustainable transportation, and from environmental risk management to economic resilience research. Several students, faculty, and alumni have already completed projects in the discipline: 

    • Faculty are contributing to the UConn Brownfields Program, supporting the remediation of contaminated sites throughout New England.  
    • And alumnus Kevin Musco ’19 (ENG, Human Rights), H’23 JD is using his degree in human rights to objectively assess risk and opportunities in a more wholistic manner. He uses these skills in his current job as an associate attorney at Cohen and Wolf, P.C. in New York City.  

     “The field of human rights offers something for everyone,” Musco says in this past Engineering News article. “For those who currently study the natural or applied sciences, concepts from human rights can be applied to ‘humanize’ subjects which otherwise lack a prominent social aspect.” 

     Additionally, UConn has already gained national recognition for its novel integrative approach to developing the engineering and human curriculum.  

     In November 2024, Chacón-Hurtado and Hertel collaborated with staff of the National Academy of Engineering’s Cultural, Ethical, Social, and Environmental Responsibility in Engineering (CESER) Program and the National Academies’ Committee on Human Rights (CHR) to develop and host a two-day symposium on “Issues at the Intersection of Engineering and Human Rights.” The workshop engaged academic, industry, government and NGO representatives in considering together how engineering solutions could be aligned with human rights principles to address local and global challenges. Chacón-Hurtado, who was integral to the organizing committee, characterized the symposium as “an inspiring event to understand the many ways in which engineering can not only impact human rights but also be enriched by incorporating them at its core.” 

    Recordings of the symposium are available on YouTube.   

     Zaghi believes attitudes toward human rights in engineering should focus on epistemic justice, which means valuing diverse talent, perspectives, and knowledge without forcing any political agendas or ideologies. 
     “Engineering should serve humanity as a whole,” he says. “Engineers need to ensure fairness by including different voices and avoiding biased designs. The focus must remain on technical evidence and practical solutions rather than virtuous narratives. Human rights in engineering are about creating systems that are fundamentally fair, accessible, and enable economic development and shared prosperity. This approach keeps engineering grounded in universal principles and ensures that it benefits everyone.” 

    Read more about human-rights centered engineering at UConn in this recent UConn Today story.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: New Flexera Report Finds that 84% of Organizations Struggle to Manage Cloud Spend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ITASCA, Ill., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Flexera, the global leader in technology spend and risk management, today announced the release of its 2025 State of the Cloud Report. The 14th annual report, which polled more than 750 technical professionals and executive leaders worldwide who were involved in the use of cloud, uncovered that 84% of respondents believe that managing cloud spend is the top cloud challenge for organizations today. With cloud spend expected to increase by 28% in the coming year, the report findings suggest that many respondents are rethinking their existing cloud cost management strategies.

    As organizations continue to invest in artificial intelligence (AI), nearly one-third (33%) of organizations are spending more than $12 million annually on the public cloud alone. With cloud budgets already exceeding limits by 17%, organizations are increasingly turning to managed service providers (60%) and expanding use of their FinOps teams to regain control over spending (59%). In fact, the number of respondents that use, or plan to use, a FinOps team increased by eight percentage points year over year.

    “AI is in its prime with no indication of losing momentum,” said Jay Litkey, Senior Vice President of Cloud and FinOps at Flexera and Governing Board Member at the FinOps Foundation. “I suspect we’ll see further acceleration of AI use as more organizations embrace their own AI investments and technology vendors introduce agentic AI into their existing toolsets. To stay on budget and accurately forecast for future needs, organizations need to fine-tune how to track and manage their cloud spend and use with FinOps now—or risk a significantly wasted investment.”

    While estimated wasted cloud spend is falling, the adoption of AI-related public cloud services is rising. In addition to an increase in the use of data warehouse services (76%), often leveraged to feed AI models, generative AI (GenAI) public cloud services use is booming with 72% of organizations reportedly using the technology either extensively or sparingly, as compared to 47% in 2024.

    “FinOps is taking center stage as many enterprises prepare for the onslaught of AI services to eat away at their cloud resources and budgets,” said Becky Trevino, Chief Product Officer at Flexera. “As we’re witnessing an increase in FinOps adoption, we’re simultaneously seeing estimated wasted cloud spend trending downward. This illustrates the power and promise of FinOps practices, proving it is a winning strategy for organizations worldwide.”

    Additional key findings include:

    • Cloud repatriation is starting to slowly unfold. Today, analysts and experts have indicated that some organizations are moving their workloads back to non-cloud environments (their own data centers and/or co-located/hosted environments). While this is beginning to happen, only a minority (21%) of cloud workloads have been repatriated. However, the ongoing migration to the cloud and net-new cloud workloads outstrip these cloud exits, resulting in continued cloud growth.
    • Cloud sustainability initiatives are becoming top-of-mind. Organizations are highly focused on fine-tuning their sustainability practices. Over half (57%) of respondents reported they have, or plan to have, a defined sustainability initiative in place within twelve months, including carbon footprint tracking of cloud use. Regardless, ​saving money is still top of mind given 57% said cost optimization takes priority over sustainability.
    • Cost efficiency continues to be the shining metric. Eighty-seven percent of respondents indicated that cost efficiency/savings is the number one metric used for assessing progress against cloud goals for the sixth year in a row, a 22-point increase from 2024. Organizations are also focused on the volume of workloads migrated (up from 36% in 2024 to 78% in 2025), and cost avoidance, which saw an uptick from 28% to 64%. This continues to validate the narrative that more workloads are moving to—or being developed in—the cloud, making a case for increased cost optimization tools.
    • Organizations are extending the scope of cloud costs to SaaS and software licensing. Those responsible for managing cloud use and costs are increasingly expanding their world beyond public cloud (IaaS/PaaS) to more effectively balance costs, usage and future spend. Seventy-nine percent of respondents indicated that they are now involved in cloud software decisions, with 69% involved in managing use and/or cost of SaaS applications and 64% are managing the use and/or costs of cloud licenses (or software running in the cloud).
    • Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure competition remains heated. According to those surveyed, AWS and Azure continue to compete for the top spot regarding public cloud adoption. Recent data shows that AWS maintains a lead among SMBs—53% of SMBs reportedly use AWS, compared to 29% leveraging Azure. Google Cloud Platform holds the third spot, with just under half (46%) of all organizations running some or significant workloads on it.

    For more information on the Flexera 2025 State of the Cloud report, please visit: https://info.flexera.com/CM-REPORT-State-of-the-Cloud.

    Follow Flexera

    About Flexera
    Flexera helps organizations understand and maximize the value of their technology, saving billions of dollars in wasted spend. Powered by the Flexera Technology Intelligence Platform, our award-winning IT asset management, FinOps and SaaS management solutions provide comprehensive visibility and actionable insights on an organization’s entire IT ecosystem. This intelligence enables IT, finance, procurement, FinOps and cloud teams to address skyrocketing costs, optimize spend, mitigate risk and identify opportunities to create positive business outcomes. More than 50,000 global organizations rely on Flexera and its Technopedia reference library, the largest repository of technology asset data. Learn more at flexera.com.

    For more information, contact:
    Ciri Haugh
    Flexera
    publicrelations@flexera.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Blackford Capital Announces Hiring of Rick Lopez as Managing Director

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blackford Capital (“Blackford”), a leading private equity firm focused on investing in lower middle-market businesses, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Lopez as Managing Director. With over 25 years of experience in finance, investment banking, and private equity investing, Rick brings a wealth of expertise to the firm.

    In his new role, Rick will primarily oversee Blackford Capital’s fundraising efforts, while also contributing to transaction sourcing, investment analysis, portfolio construction and management, deal financing, and internal operations. He will be based in the firm’s Chicago office.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Rick to the Blackford Capital team,” said Martin Stein, Founder and Managing Director of Blackford Capital. “Rick’s extensive background in capital raising, deal structuring, and his deep understanding of both investment banking and private equity make him an ideal fit to help guide the firm through its next phase of growth.”

    Prior to joining Blackford Capital, Rick was a Partner and Co-Founder at Rush Street Capital, a middle-market investment bank specializing in capital raising for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. In this capacity, he led the capital markets group and was responsible for deal sourcing, execution, sponsor and capital provider relationship management, and deal structuring and negotiation. Rick co-managed six deal professionals and over a dozen interns in his time at Rush Street. Additionally, Rick worked closely with Rush Street’s investment arm assisting with deal sourcing, fundraising, diligence, the closing process, portfolio management, and served on the boards of the two portfolio companies. While at Rush Street Capital, Rick was involved with 93 total successful middle market raises totaling over $1.4 billion in capital commitments.

    Jeff Johnson, Managing Director of Blackford Capital, noted that, “Rick’s direct working experience with our team and our portfolio gives him a level of familiarity with Blackford Capital that has allowed him to be extremely effective since joining us.” Rick assisted Blackford Capital as an advisor while at Rush Street between 2016 and 2024. During that period, Rick successfully completed 18 different mandates for Blackford Capital raising over $367 million in capital. Rick completed raises for six of Blackford Capital’s current seven portfolio companies, including the initial platform investments for Helio Outdoors, Outova, PACIV, Security Fire Systems, and Design Environments. Rick also assisted with capital raises for key add-on acquisitions, such as Empire Distributing for Outova and Mortech Manufacturing for the recently exited Mopec investment.

    Rick’s extensive career also includes over 15 years at major financial institutions, including Chase Bank, LaSalle Bank, BMO, and Huntington Bank, where he gained valuable experience in retail banking and corporate bond units as well as commercial lending.

    Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rick is an active member of the business community, serving on several boards. He is also a board member and treasurer of the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago-Western Suburbs and actively participates in ACG Chicago’s Private Equity and M&A Committee.

    Rick earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Outside of work, Rick enjoys family time, early morning F3 Naperville bootcamps, and spending time at Wrigley Field.

    “I am excited to join Blackford Capital and look forward to working with the team to help drive the firm’s mission of creating value for our investors and portfolio companies,” said Rick Lopez. “The firm’s strong track record and commitment to supporting industrial businesses in the lower middle-market space present great opportunities for growth, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success and lead our Chicago office.”

    About Blackford Capital
    Founded in 2010, Blackford Capital is a private equity investment firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Blackford acquires, manages, and builds founder and family-owned, lower middle-market companies, with a focus on the manufacturing, industrial and distribution industries. Blackford has a track record of exceptional returns, a disciplined and relentless approach to value creation, and a focus on operational excellence and a compelling culture. In 2023 and 2024, Blackford Capital was named to Inc’s list of Founder-Friendly Investors, was recognized by ACG Detroit with the 2023 M&A Dealmaker of the Year Award and awarded the 2023 Small Markets Deal of the Year award by both Buyouts Magazine and the Global M&A Network Atlas Awards. For more information, visit www.blackfordcapital.com.

    Media Contact:
    Lambert by LLYC
    Jennifer Hurson
    (845) 729-3100
    jhurson@lambert.com

    Jackson Lin
    (646) 717-4593
    jlin@lambert.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ba3b42a-a7d3-4c04-b62c-c1101dae6ee8

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: GDS Holdings Limited Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI, China, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GDS Holdings Limited (“GDS Holdings”, “GDS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GDS; HKEX: 9698), a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centers in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

    DayOne Data Centers Limited (“DayOne”), previously known as GDS International or GDSI, completed and closed its Series B equity raise on December 31, 2024. At closing, GDS’s equity interest in DayOne was diluted from 52.7% to 35.6%. Accordingly, GDS deconsolidated DayOne as a subsidiary and recognized DayOne as an equity investee. In the consolidated financial statements for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, DayOne’s operational results and cash flows have been excluded from the Company’s financial results from continuing operations and have been separately itemized under discontinued operations. Retrospective adjustments to the historical statements of operations and cash flows have also been made to provide a consistent basis of comparison for the financial results. Furthermore, retrospective adjustments were made to categorize and label DayOne’s assets and liabilities as “assets or liabilities of discontinued operations” on balance sheets for the comparative periods. Additionally, DayOne’s operating metrics have also been excluded from the Company’s operating metrics and have been separately itemized under discontinued operations.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights For Continuing Operations

    • Net revenue increased by 9.1% year-over-year (“Y-o-Y”) to RMB2,690.7 million (US$368.6 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024 (4Q2023: RMB2,465.3 million).
    • Net loss from continuing operations was RMB173.4 million (US$23.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024 (4Q2023: RMB3,074.6 million).
    • Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased by 13.9% Y-o-Y to RMB1,297.7 million (US$177.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024 (4Q2023: RMB1,139.2 million). See “Non-GAAP Disclosure” and “Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results” elsewhere in this earnings release.
    • Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 48.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024 (4Q2023: 46.2%).

    Full Year 2024 Financial Highlights For Continuing Operations

    • Net revenue increased by 5.5% Y-o-Y to RMB10,322.1 million (US$1,414.1 million) in 2024 (2023: RMB9,782.4 million).
    • Net loss from continuing operations was RMB770.9 million (US$105.6 million) in 2024 (2023: RMB3,926.0 million).
    • Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) increased by 3.0% Y-o-Y to RMB4,876.4 million (US$668.1 million) in 2024 (2023: RMB4,733.0 million). See “Non-GAAP Disclosure” and “Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results” elsewhere in this earnings release.
    • Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 47.2% in 2024 (2023: 48.4%).

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Operating Highlights For Continuing Operations

    • Total area committed and pre-committed increased by 1.8% Y-o-Y to 629,997 sqm as of December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023: 618,942 sqm).
    • Area utilized increased by 11.8% Y-o-Y to 453,094 sqm as of December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023: 405,302 sqm).
    • Utilization rate for area in service was 73.8% as of December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023: 73.9%).

    “In 2024, we executed our business strategy in a disciplined way,” stated Mr. William Huang, Chairman and CEO of GDS. “We focused on backlog delivery while being selective on new commitments. At the same time, we made significant progress with our asset monetisation program with first ever data center ABS issue in China. Looking forward, we are well positioned strategically and financially to capture new business opportunities arising from AI.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results For Continuing Operations

    Net revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB2,690.7 million (US$368.6 million), a 9.1% increase over the same period last year of RMB2,465.3 million. The Y-o-Y increase was mainly due to continued ramp-up of our data centers.

    Cost of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB2,112.5 million (US$289.4 million), a 3.9% increase over the same period last year of RMB2,032.4 million. The Y-o-Y increase was in line with the continued growth of our business.

    Gross profit was RMB578.1 million (US$79.2 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 33.5% increase over the same period last year of RMB432.9 million.

    Gross profit margin was 21.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 17.6% in the same period last year. The Y-o-Y increase was mainly due to a lower level of depreciation and amortization costs as percentage of net revenue as the data centers continue to ramp up.

    Adjusted Gross Profit (“Adjusted GP”) (non-GAAP) is defined as gross profit excluding depreciation and amortization, operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights, accretion expenses for asset retirement costs and share-based compensation expenses allocated to cost of revenue. Adjusted GP was RMB1,396.7 million (US$191.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, an 11.8% increase over the same period last year of RMB1,249.3 million. See “Non-GAAP Disclosure” and “Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results” elsewhere in this earnings release.

    Adjusted GP margin (non-GAAP) was 51.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 50.7% in the same period last year. The Y-o-Y increase was mainly due to a lower level of cash cost components as percentage of net revenue.

    Selling and marketing expenses, excluding share-based compensation expenses of RMB6.9 million (US$0.9 million), were RMB23.7 million (US$3.2 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 4.1% decrease over the same period last year of RMB24.7 million (excluding share-based compensation of RMB9.3 million). The Y-o-Y decrease was mainly due to less marketing activities.

    General and administrative expenses, excluding share-based compensation expenses of RMB55.9 million (US$7.7 million), depreciation and amortization expenses of RMB79.0 million (US$10.8 million) and operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights of RMB15.6 million (US$2.1 million), were RMB108.5 million (US$14.9 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 3.3% increase over the same period last year of RMB105.1 million (excluding share-based compensation expenses of RMB35.8 million, depreciation and amortization expenses of RMB88.9 million and operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights of RMB16.6 million). The Y-o-Y increase was due to an increase in corporate activities as business continues to grow.

    Research and development costs were RMB6.9 million (US$0.9 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with RMB12.8 million in the same period last year.

    Impairment losses of long-lived assets was zero in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with RMB3,013.4 million in the same period last year.

    Net interest expenses for the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB458.7 million (US$62.8 million), a 1.8% increase over the same period last year of RMB450.7 million. The Y-o-Y increase was mainly due to a higher level of total borrowings.

    Foreign currency exchange gain for the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB8.1 million (US$1.1 million), compared with a loss of RMB6.0 million in the same period last year.

    Others, net for the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB29.7 million (US$4.1 million), compared with RMB30.3 million in the same period last year.

    Income tax expenses for the fourth quarter of 2024 were RMB34.1 million (US$4.7 million), compared with income tax benefits of RMB225.3 million in the same period last year.

    Net loss from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB173.4 million (US$23.8 million), compared with RMB3,074.6 million in the same period last year.

    Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) is defined as net income (loss) excluding income (loss) from discontinued operations, net interest expenses, income tax expenses (benefits), depreciation and amortization, operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights, accretion expenses for asset retirement costs, share-based compensation expenses, gain from purchase price adjustment and impairment losses of long-lived assets. Adjusted EBITDA was RMB1,297.7 million (US$177.8 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 13.9% increase over the same period last year of RMB1,139.2 million.

    Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 48.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 46.2% in the same period last year. The Y-o-Y increase was mainly due to a lower level of cash cost components as percentage of net revenue and a decrease in corporate expenses as percentage of net revenue.

    Full Year 2024 Financial Results For Continuing Operations

    Net revenue in 2024 was RMB10,322.1 million (US$1,414.1 million), a 5.5% increase from RMB9,782.4 million in 2023, or a 6.3% increase excluding previously disclosed one-time items in 2023.

    Cost of revenue in 2024 was RMB8,099.4 million (US$1,109.6 million), a 3.4% increase from RMB7,831.2 million in 2023.

    Gross profit was RMB2,222.6 million (US$304.5 million) in 2024, a 13.9% increase from RMB1,951.2 million in 2023. Gross profit margin was 21.5% in 2024, compared with 19.9% in 2023.

    Selling and marketing expenses, excluding share-based compensation expenses of RMB25.0 million (US$3.4 million), were RMB91.4 million (US$12.5 million) in 2024, a 5.9% decrease from RMB97.1 million (excluding share-based compensation of RMB43.8 million) in 2023.

    General and administrative expenses, excluding share-based compensation expenses of RMB165.6 million (US$22.7 million), depreciation and amortization expenses of RMB291.7 million (US$40.0 million) and operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights of RMB65.3 million (US$8.9 million), were RMB395.3 million (US$54.2 million) in 2024, a 13.9% increase from RMB347.1 million (excluding share-based compensation expenses of RMB162.9 million, depreciation and amortization expenses of RMB387.8 million and operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights of RMB68.2 million) in 2023.

    Research and development costs were RMB36.3 million (US$5.0 million) in 2024, compared with RMB38.2 million in 2023.

    Impairment losses of long-lived assets was zero in 2024, compared with RMB3,013.4 million in 2023.

    Net interest expenses were RMB1,834.9 million (US$251.4 million) in 2024, a 0.4% decrease from RMB1,842.5 million in 2023.

    Others, net was RMB49.1 million (US$6.7 million) in 2024, compared with RMB109.7 million in 2023.

    Net loss from continuing operations was RMB770.9 million (US$105.6 million) in 2024, compared with RMB3,926.0 million in 2023.

    Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was RMB4,876.4 million (US$668.1 million) in 2024, a 3.0% increase from RMB4,733.0 million in 2023, or a 5.1% increase excluding previously disclosed one-time items in 2023.

    Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 47.2% in 2024, compared with 48.4% in 2023, or 47.8% excluding previously disclosed one-time items in 2023.

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results for Discontinued Operations

    Net revenue was RMB443.4 million (US$60.7 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 331.1% increase from RMB102.9 million in the same period last year. For the full year 2024, net revenue was RMB1,262.1 million (US$172.9 million), a 618.2% increase from RMB175.7 million in 2023.

    Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB190.5 million (US$26.1 million), compared with RMB90.0 million in the same period last year. Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes in 2024 was RMB400.8 million (US$54.9 million), compared with RMB359.4 million in 2023.

    Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for discontinued operations is defined as loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes excluding net interest expenses, income tax expenses (benefits), depreciation and amortization, operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights and accretion expenses for asset retirement costs. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was RMB109.7 million (US$15.0 million) in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with RMB3.8 million in the same period last year. For the full year 2024, Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was RMB332.3 million (US$45.5 million), compared with negative RMB98.5 million in 2023.

    Adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 24.7% in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 3.7% in the same period last year. For the full year 2024, adjusted EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 26.3% compared with negative 56.1% in 2023.

    Gain on Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries

    Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries in the fourth quarter of 2024 and full year of 2024 was RMB4,475.5 million (US$613.1 million), arising from the difference between the aggregate of the fair value of retained non-controlling equity interest and the carrying amount of equity interest owned by other investors in former subsidiaries at the date of deconsolidation, and the carrying amount of the deconsolidated subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities.

    Net Income

    Net income in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB4,111.6 million (US$563.3 million), compared with a net loss of RMB3,164.6 million in the same period last year.

    Net income was RMB3,303.8 million (US$452.6 million) in 2024, compared with a net loss of RMB4,285.4 million in 2023.

    Basic and diluted income per ordinary share in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB2.81 (US$0.39), compared with loss of RMB2.16 in the same period last year.

    Basic and diluted income per American Depositary Share (“ADS”) in the fourth quarter of 2024 was RMB22.51 (US$3.08), compared with loss of RMB17.30 in the same period last year.

    Basic and diluted income per ordinary share was RMB2.29 (US$0.31) in 2024, compared with loss of RMB2.96 in 2023.

    Basic and diluted income per ADS was RMB18.28 (US$2.50) in 2024, compared with loss of RMB23.67 in 2023.

    Liquidity for GDS Excluding DayOne

    GDS deconsolidated DayOne as a subsidiary on December 31, 2024. As a result, the following financial information excludes DayOne’s assets and liabilities.

    As of December 31, 2024, cash was RMB7,867.7 million (US$1,077.9 million).

    Total short-term debt was RMB4,978.4 million (US$682.0 million), comprised of short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term borrowings of RMB4,341.6 million (US$594.8 million), the current portion of convertible bonds payable of RMB575 thousand (US$79 thousand) and the current portion of finance lease and other financing obligations of RMB636.2 million (US$87.2 million). Total long-term debt was RMB38,084.2 million (US$5,217.5 million), comprised of long-term borrowings (excluding current portion) of RMB21,906.0 million (US$3,001.1 million), the non-current portion of convertible bonds payable of RMB8,576.6 million (US$1,175.0 million) and the non-current portion of finance lease and other financing obligations of RMB7,601.7 million (US$1,041.4 million).

    During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company obtained new debt financing and refinancing facilities of RMB960.0 million (US$131.5 million) for continuing operations.

    During the full year of 2024, the Company obtained new debt financing and refinancing facilities of RMB5,734.0 million (US$785.5 million) for continuing operations.

    Liquidity For DayOne

    As of December 31, 2024, upon deconsolidation, cash was RMB9,930.9 million (US$1,360.5 million). Total gross debt, including borrowings and finance lease and other financing obligations, was RMB10,417.6 million (US$1,427.2 million).

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Operating Results For Continuing Operations

    Sales

    Total area committed and pre-committed at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 was 629,997 sqm, compared with 618,942 sqm at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and 626,783 sqm at the end of the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 1.8% Y-o-Y and 0.5% quarter-over-quarter (“Q-o-Q”), respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2024, gross additional total area committed was 9,387 sqm, mainly contributed by data centers in Shanghai. Net additional total area committed was 3,214 sqm. In the full year of 2024, gross additional total area committed was 49,452 sqm, and net additional total area committed was 11,055 sqm.

    Data Center Resources

    Area in service at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 was 613,583 sqm, compared with 548,352 sqm at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and 595,606 sqm at the end of the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 11.9% Y-o-Y and 3.0% Q-o-Q. In the fourth quarter of 2024, net additional area in service for China was 17,977 sqm, mainly from data centers in Changshu, Langfang and Huizhou.

    Area under construction at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 was 102,691 sqm, compared with 151,602 sqm at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and 120,422 sqm at the end of the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 32.3% Y-o-Y and 14.7% Q-o-Q, respectively.

    Commitment rate for area in service was 91.9% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 92.5% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and 92.1% at the end of the third quarter of 2024. Pre-commitment rate for area under construction was 64.1% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 73.8% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and 65.1% at the end of the third quarter of 2024.

    Move-In

    Area utilized at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 was 453,094 sqm, compared with 405,302 sqm at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and 438,654 sqm at the end of the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 11.8% Y-o-Y and 3.3% Q-o-Q. In the fourth quarter of 2024, gross additional area utilized was 16,390 sqm, mainly contributed by data centers in Langfang, Huizhou and Shanghai. Net additional area utilized was 14,440 sqm. In the full year of 2024, gross additional area utilized was 79,431 sqm, and net additional area utilized was 47,792 sqm.

    Utilization rate for area in service was 73.8% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with 73.9% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 and 73.6% at the end of the third quarter of 2024.

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Operating Results for Discontinued Operations

    Total power committed was 469 MW as of December 31, 2024, an increase from 433 MW as of September 30, 2024. The contribution was mainly from the two sites in Johor, Malaysia.

    Power Capacity in Service was 132 MW as of December 31, 2024, compared to 131 MW as of September 30, 2024. Power Capacity Under Construction was 369 MW as of December 31, 2024, an increase from 320 MW as of September 30, 2024. This increase was primarily driven by the progress of two new data centers under construction in Johor sites.

    Power utilized was 123 MW as of December 31, 2024, an increase from 105 MW as of September 30, 2024. Utilization Rate was 93.6% as of December 31, 2024.

    Recent Development

    Reference is made to the Company’s press release on March 10, 2025 where it announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to monetize, on a net basis, a 70% equity interest in certain of its data centers, at an implied enterprise value (“EV”) to EBITDA multiple of around 13 times. In such transaction, GDS is selling a 100% equity interest in certain data center project companies to a purchaser which is special purpose vehicle involving the issue of an Asset Backed Security (“ABS”). The ABS is 70% subscribed by top tier institutional investors in China, led by China Life Insurance Company Limited (“China Life”), whilst GDS subscribes for the remaining 30% and retains the rights for on-going operation of the underlying data centers. The ABS will be registered on the Shanghai Stock Exchange as a privately-held standardized security product. The ABS is specifically designed to facilitate an eventual injection into a public REIT vehicle (commonly referred to as “C-REIT”) for public offering and listing in the future, when certain qualification requirements under the ABS scheme are satisfied. Notwithstanding the above, such potential injection remains subject to, among other things, the satisfaction of relevant regulatory and disclosure requirements (including but not limited to the Hong Kong Listing Rules requirement on spin-off listing) and there is currently no concrete or definitive plan in this regard.

    Business Outlook For Continuing Operations

    For the full year of 2025, the Company expects its total revenues to be between RMB11,290 million to RMB11,590 million, implying a year-on-year increase of between approximately 9.4% to 12.3%; and its Adjusted EBITDA to be between RMB5,190 million to RMB5,390 million, implying a year-on-year increase of between approximately 6.4% to 10.5%. In addition, the Company expects capex to be around RMB4,300 million for the full year of 2025.

    This forecast assumes completion of the ABS transaction and deconsolidation of the underlying data center project companies. However, the gain on sale is not included in Adjusted EBITDA.

    This forecast reflects the Company’s preliminary view on the current business situation and market conditions, which are subject to change.

    Conference Call

    Management will hold a conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on March 19, 2025 (8:00 p.m. Beijing Time on March 19, 2025) to discuss financial results and answer questions from investors and analysts.

    Participants should complete online registration using the link provided below at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Upon registration, participants will receive the conference call access information, including dial-in numbers, a personal PIN and an e-mail with detailed instructions to join the conference call.

    Participant Online Registration:
    https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI4cc739e1f3c748ffa22f7df4125e5079

    A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at investors.gds-services.com.

    Non-GAAP Disclosure

    Our management and board of directors use Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted GP and Adjusted GP margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures, to evaluate our operating performance, establish budgets and develop operational goals for managing our business. We believe that the exclusion of the income and expenses eliminated in calculating Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted GP can provide useful and supplemental measures of our core operating performance. In particular, we believe that the use of Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure captures the trend in our operating performance by excluding from our operating results the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest expense), asset base charges (primarily depreciation and amortization, operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights, accretion expenses for asset retirement costs and impairment losses of long-lived assets), other non-cash expenses (primarily share-based compensation expenses), and other income and expenses which we believe are not reflective of our operating performance, whereas the use of adjusted gross profit as a supplemental performance measure captures the trend in gross profit performance of our data centers in service by excluding from our gross profit the impact of asset base charges (primarily depreciation and amortization, operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights and accretion expenses for asset retirement costs) and other non-cash expenses (primarily share-based compensation expenses) included in cost of revenue. In addition, we exclude the income (loss) from discontinued operation from our Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin to measure our financial performance from continuing operations, which will be consistent with our future financial performance disclosure.

    We note that depreciation and amortization is a fixed cost which commences as soon as each data center enters service. However, it usually takes several years for new data centers to reach high levels of utilization and profitability. The Company incurs significant depreciation and amortization costs for its early stage data center assets. Accordingly, gross profit, which is a measure of profitability after taking into account depreciation and amortization, does not accurately reflect the Company’s core operating performance.

    We also present these non-GAAP measures because we believe these non-GAAP measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as measures of the financial performance of companies in our industry.

    These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and when assessing our operating performance, cash flows or our liquidity, investors should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for gross profit, net income (loss), cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities or other consolidated statements of operations and cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. There are a number of limitations related to the use of these non-GAAP financial measures instead of their nearest GAAP equivalent. First, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted GP, and Adjusted GP margin are not substitutes for gross profit, net income (loss), cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities or other consolidated statements of operation and cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Second, other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently or may use other measures to evaluate their performance, all of which could reduce the usefulness of these non-GAAP financial measures as tools for comparison. Finally, these non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect the impact of income (loss) from discontinued operations, net interest expenses, incomes tax benefits (expenses), depreciation and amortization, operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights, accretion expenses for asset retirement costs, share-based compensation expenses, gain from purchase price adjustment and impairment losses of long-lived assets, each of which have been and may continue to be incurred in our business.

    We mitigate these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance. We do not provide forward-looking guidance for certain financial data, such as depreciation, amortization, accretion, share-based compensation and net income (loss); the impact of such data and related adjustments can be significant. As a result, we are not able to provide a reconciliation of forward-looking U.S. GAAP to forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures without unreasonable effort. Such forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures include the forecast for Adjusted EBITDA in the section captioned “Business Outlook For Continuing Operations” set forth in this press release.

    For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Reconciliations of GAAP and non-GAAP results” set forth at the end of this press release.

    Exchange Rate

    This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“USD”) at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB7.2993 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on December 31, 2024 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

    Statement Regarding Preliminary Unaudited Financial Information

    The unaudited financial information set out in this earnings release is preliminary and subject to potential adjustments. Adjustments to the consolidated financial statements may be identified when audit work has been performed for the Company’s year-end audit, which could result in significant differences from this preliminary unaudited financial information.

    About GDS Holdings Limited

    GDS Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: GDS; HKEX: 9698) is a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centers in China. The Company’s facilities are strategically located in and around primary economic hubs where demand for high-performance data center services is concentrated. The Company’s data centers have large net floor area, high power capacity, density and efficiency, and multiple redundancies across all critical systems. GDS is carrier and cloud-neutral, which enables its customers to access the major telecommunications networks, as well as the largest PRC and global public clouds, which are hosted in many of its facilities. The Company offers co-location and a suite of value-added services, including managed hybrid cloud services through direct private connection to leading public clouds, managed network services, and, where required, the resale of public cloud services. The Company has a 24-year track record of service delivery, successfully fulfilling the requirements of some of the largest and most demanding customers for outsourced data center services in China. The Company’s customer base consists predominantly of hyperscale cloud service providers, large internet companies, financial institutions, telecommunications carriers, IT service providers, and large domestic private sector and multinational corporations. The Company also holds a non-controlling 35.6% equity interest in DayOne Data Centers Limited which develops and operates data centers in International markets.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “guidance,” “intend,” “is/are likely to,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “target,” “will,” and similar statements. Among other things, statements that are not historical facts, including statements about GDS Holdings’ beliefs and expectations regarding the growth of its businesses and its revenue for the full fiscal year, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as GDS Holdings’ strategic and operational plans, are or contain forward-looking statements. GDS Holdings may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Forms 20-F and 6-K, in its current, interim and annual reports to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the website of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause GDS Holdings’ actual results or financial performance to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: GDS Holdings’ goals and strategies; GDS Holdings’ future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the market for high-performance data centers, data center solutions and related services in China and regions in which GDS’ major equity investees operate, such as South East Asia; GDS Holdings’ expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its high-performance data centers, data center solutions and related services; GDS Holdings’ expectations regarding building, strengthening and maintaining its relationships with new and existing customers; the results of operations, growth prospects, financial condition, regulatory environment, competitive landscape and other uncertainties associated with the business and operations of our significant equity investee DayOne; the continued adoption of cloud computing and cloud service providers in China and other major markets that may impact the results of our equity investees, such as South East Asia; risks and uncertainties associated with increased investments in GDS Holdings’ business and new data center initiatives; risks and uncertainties associated with strategic acquisitions and investments; GDS Holdings’ ability to maintain or grow its revenue or business; fluctuations in GDS Holdings’ operating results; changes in laws, regulations and regulatory environment that affect GDS Holdings’ business operations and those of its major equity investees; competition in GDS Holdings’ industry in China and in markets that affect the business of our major equity investees, such as South East Asia; security breaches; power outages; and fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and globally, and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in GDS Holdings’ filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 20-F, and with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release and are based on assumptions that GDS Holdings believes to be reasonable as of such date, and GDS Holdings does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    GDS Holdings Limited
    Laura Chen
    Phone: +86 (21) 2029-2203
    Email: ir@gds-services.com

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Ross Warner
    Phone: +86 (10) 6508-0677
    Email: GDS@tpg-ir.com

    Brandi Piacente
    Phone: +1 (212) 481-2050
    Email: GDS@tpg-ir.com

    GDS Holdings Limited

    GDS HOLDINGS LIMITED
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
     
        As of December 31, 2023 As of December 31, 2024
        RMB RMB US$
             
      Assets      
    Current assets      
      Cash 7,354,809   7,867,659   1,077,865  
      Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses 2,493,059   3,021,956   414,006  
      Value-added-tax (“VAT”) recoverable 214,385   240,506   32,949  
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets 483,833   482,950   66,164  
      Current assets of discontinued operations 437,567   0   0  
      Total current assets 10,983,653   11,613,071   1,590,984  
             
    Non-current assets      
      Long-term investments in equity investees 7,298   7,544,555   1,033,600  
      Property and equipment, net 40,098,423   40,204,133   5,507,944  
      Prepaid land use rights, net 22,388   21,774   2,983  
      Operating lease right-of-use assets 5,310,723   5,193,408   711,494  
      Goodwill and intangible assets, net 6,574,669   6,367,493   872,343  
      Other non-current assets 2,538,542   2,704,194   370,473  
      Non-current assets of discontinued operations 8,910,994   0   0  
      Total non-current assets 63,463,037   62,035,557   8,498,837  
      Total assets 74,446,690   73,648,628   10,089,821  
             
      Liabilities, Mezzanine Equity and Equity      
    Current liabilities      
      Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term borrowings 2,582,350   4,341,649   594,803  
      Convertible bonds payable, current 0   575   79  
      Accounts payable 2,749,896   2,593,305   355,281  
      Accrued expenses and other payables 1,265,259   1,389,072   190,302  
      Operating lease liabilities, current 132,811   117,345   16,076  
      Finance lease and other financing obligations, current 547,847   636,152   87,152  
      Current liabilities of discontinued operations 1,027,313   0   0  
      Total current liabilities 8,305,476   9,078,098   1,243,693  
             
    Non-current liabilities      
      Long-term borrowings, excluding current portion 23,088,055   21,905,985   3,001,108  
      Convertible bonds payable, non-current 8,434,766   8,576,583   1,174,987  
      Operating lease liabilities, non-current 1,344,264   1,279,726   175,322  
      Finance lease and other financing obligations, non-current 7,894,185   7,601,651   1,041,422  
      Other long-term liabilities 1,586,012   1,537,952   210,699  
      Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations 3,670,129   0   0  
      Total non-current liabilities 46,017,411   40,901,897   5,603,538  
      Total liabilities 54,322,887   49,979,995   6,847,231  
             
    Mezzanine equity      
      Redeemable preferred shares 1,064,766   1,080,656   148,049  
      Total mezzanine equity 1,064,766   1,080,656   148,049  
             
    GDS Holdings Limited shareholders’ equity      
      Ordinary shares 516   527   72  
      Additional paid-in capital 29,337,095   29,596,268   4,054,672  
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss (974,393 ) (1,094,377 ) (149,929 )
      Accumulated deficit (9,469,758 ) (6,044,372 ) (828,075 )
      Total GDS Holdings Limited shareholders’ equity 18,893,460   22,458,046   3,076,740  
    Non-controlling interests 165,577   129,931   17,801  
      Total equity 19,059,037   22,587,977   3,094,541  
             
      Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and equity 74,446,690   73,648,628   10,089,821  
                   
    GDS HOLDINGS LIMITED
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    (Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”)
    except for number of shares and per share data)
     
        Three months ended   Year ended  
        December 31, 2023 September 30, 2024 December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024
        RMB RMB RMB US$   RMB RMB US$
                       
    Net revenue                
    Service revenue 2,465,283   2,619,578   2,690,482   368,595     9,781,884   10,321,888   1,414,093  
    Equipment sales 0   0   180   25     564   180   25  
    Total net revenue 2,465,283   2,619,578   2,690,662   368,620     9,782,448   10,322,068   1,414,118  
    Cost of revenue (2,032,352 ) (2,061,995 ) (2,112,545 ) (289,417 )   (7,831,222 ) (8,099,439 ) (1,109,619 )
    Gross profit 432,931   557,583   578,117   79,203     1,951,226   2,222,629   304,499  
                       
    Operating expenses                
      Selling and marketing expenses (34,050 ) (32,356 ) (30,571 ) (4,188 )   (140,890 ) (116,440 ) (15,952 )
      General and administrative expenses (246,274 ) (211,392 ) (259,048 ) (35,490 )   (965,982 ) (917,877 ) (125,748 )
      Research and development expenses (12,800 ) (8,588 ) (6,862 ) (940 )   (38,159 ) (36,319 ) (4,976 )
      Impairment losses of long-lived assets (3,013,416 ) 0   0   0     (3,013,416 ) 0   0  
    (Loss) income from continuing operations (2,873,609 ) 305,247   281,636   38,585     (2,207,221 ) 1,151,993   157,823  
    Other income (expenses):              
      Net interest expenses (450,700 ) (463,327 ) (458,745 ) (62,848 )   (1,842,529 ) (1,834,851 ) (251,374 )
      Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net (5,991 ) 586   8,117   1,112     (1,573 ) 18,942   2,595  
      Others, net 30,347   5,001   29,727   4,072     109,729   49,057   6,721  
    Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (3,299,953 ) (152,493 ) (139,265 ) (19,079 )   (3,941,594 ) (614,859 ) (84,235 )
    Income tax benefits (expenses) 225,342   347   (34,144 ) (4,678 )   15,577   (156,053 ) (21,379 )
    Net loss from continuing operations (3,074,611 ) (152,146 ) (173,409 ) (23,757 )   (3,926,017 ) (770,912 ) (105,614 )
                       
    Discontinued operations                
      Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes (90,033 ) (78,963 ) (190,491 ) (26,097 )   (359,376 ) (400,796 ) (54,909 )
      Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries 0   0   4,475,539   613,146     0   4,475,539   613,146  
    (Loss) income from discontinued operations (90,033 ) (78,963 ) 4,285,048   587,049     (359,376 ) 4,074,743   558,237  
                       
    Net (loss) income (3,164,644 ) (231,109 ) 4,111,639   563,292     (4,285,393 ) 3,303,831   452,623  
                       
    Net loss from continuing operations (3,074,611 ) (152,146 ) (173,409 ) (23,757 )   (3,926,017 ) (770,912 ) (105,614 )
    Net income from continuing operations attributable to non-controlling interests (1,676 ) (1,755 ) (1,268 ) (174 )   (5,026 ) (6,209 ) (851 )
    Net loss from continuing operations attributable to GDS Holdings Limited shareholders (3,076,287 ) (153,901 ) (174,677 ) (23,931 )   (3,931,043 ) (777,121 ) (106,465 )
                       
    (Loss) income from discontinued operations (90,033 ) (78,963 ) 4,285,048   587,049     (359,376 ) 4,074,743   558,237  
    Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to non-controlling interests 366   5,092   3,373   462     366   7,317   1,003  
    Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests 0   35,432   75,550   10,350     0   120,447   16,501  
    Net (loss) income from discontinued operations attributable to GDS Holdings Limited shareholders (89,667 ) (38,439 ) 4,363,971   597,861     (359,010 ) 4,202,507   575,741  
                       
    Net (loss) income attributable to GDS Holdings Limited shareholders (3,165,954 ) (192,340 ) 4,189,294   573,930     (4,290,053 ) 3,425,386   469,276  
    Cumulative dividend on redeemable preferred shares (13,679 ) (13,618 ) (13,679 ) (1,874 )   (53,625 ) (54,232 ) (7,430 )
    Net (loss) income available to GDS Holdings Limited ordinary shareholders (3,179,633 ) (205,958 ) 4,175,615   572,056     (4,343,678 ) 3,371,154   461,846  
                       
    (Loss) income per ordinary share              
    Basic and diluted (2.16 ) (0.14 ) 2.81   0.39     (2.96 ) 2.29   0.31  
                       
    Weighted average number of ordinary share outstanding              
    Basic and diluted 1,469,982,015   1,476,130,132   1,484,083,188   1,484,083,188     1,468,187,956   1,475,079,754   1,475,079,754  
                                   
    GDS HOLDINGS LIMITED
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
    (Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
     
      Three months ended   Year ended
      December 31, 2023 September 30, 2024 December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024
      RMB RMB RMB US$   RMB RMB US$
                     
    Net (loss) income (3,164,644 ) (231,109 ) 4,111,639   563,292     (4,285,393 ) 3,303,831   452,623  
    Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of nil tax 117,674   538,739   (391,639 ) (53,654 )   (125,118 ) 74,741   10,239  
    Defined benefit plan, net of nil tax 0   0   (41 ) (6 )   0   (41 ) (6 )
    Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 0   0   (96,957 ) (13,283 )   0   (96,957 ) (13,283 )
    Comprehensive (loss) income (3,046,970 ) 307,630   3,623,002   496,349     (4,410,511 ) 3,281,574   449,573  
    Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests (1,678 ) (5,287 ) 6,631   908     (5,575 ) (1,076 ) (147 )
    Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests 0   (107,365 ) 126,721   17,361     0   24,904   3,412  
    Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to GDS Holdings Limited shareholders (3,048,648 ) 194,978   3,756,354   514,618     (4,416,086 ) 3,305,402   452,838  
                                   
    GDS HOLDINGS LIMITED
    UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
     
      Three months ended   Year ended
      December
    31, 2023    		 September
    30, 2024    		 December 31, 2024   December 31,
    2023    		 December 31, 2024
      RMB RMB RMB US$   RMB RMB US$
                     
    Net (loss) income (3,164,644 ) (231,109 ) 4,111,639   563,292     (4,285,393 ) 3,303,831   452,623  
    Net loss (income) from discontinued operations 90,033   78,963   (4,285,048 ) (587,049 )   359,376   (4,074,743 ) (558,237 )
    Depreciation and amortization 865,485   803,535   865,896   118,627     3,368,474   3,243,004   444,290  
    Amortization of debt issuance cost and debt discount 34,010   33,467   18,290   2,506     140,625   110,724   15,169  
    Share-based compensation expense 80,765   61,194   82,965   11,366     336,616   296,487   40,619  
    Impairment losses of long-lived assets 3,013,416   0   0   0     3,013,416   0   0  
    Others (202,637 ) (63,810 ) (29,703 ) (4,069 )   (187,844 ) (115,941 ) (15,884 )
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities 326,171   (42,362 ) 315,821   43,267     (385,994 ) (543,700 ) (74,487 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations 1,042,599   639,878   1,079,860   147,940     2,359,276   2,219,662   304,093  
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from discontinued operations (93,209 ) 1,636   (150,554 ) (20,626 )   (294,019 ) (281,297 ) (38,538 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities 949,390   641,514   929,306   127,314     2,065,257   1,938,365   265,555  
                     
    Purchase of property and equipment and land use rights (282,591 ) (788,123 ) (381,382 ) (52,249 )   (3,175,406 ) (2,965,384 ) (406,256 )
    (Payments) receipts related to acquisitions and investments (396,051 ) 0   27,000   3,699     (1,339,639 ) 1,125,023   154,128  
    Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations (678,642 ) (788,123 ) (354,382 ) (48,550 )   (4,515,045 ) (1,840,361 ) (252,128 )
    Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations (784,990 ) (2,110,682 ) (3,011,040 ) (412,511 )   (2,827,863 ) (6,920,177 ) (948,060 )
    Net cash used in investing activities (1,463,632 ) (2,898,805 ) (3,365,422 ) (461,061 )   (7,342,908 ) (8,760,538 ) (1,200,188 )
                     
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations (271,778 ) (392,325 ) (612,447 ) (83,905 )   1,266,936   174,295   23,878  
    Net cash provided by financing activities from discontinued operations 958,799   2,334,112   11,441,448   1,567,472     2,892,824   16,883,042   2,312,967  
    Net cash provided by financing activities 687,021   1,941,787   10,829,001   1,483,567     4,159,760   17,057,337   2,336,845  
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash 4,705   (28,109 ) (6,457 ) (885 )   154,302   (13,592 ) (1,862 )
                     
    Net increase (decrease) of cash and restricted cash 177,484   (343,613 ) 8,386,428   1,148,935     (963,589 ) 10,221,572   1,400,350  
    Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period 7,740,395   10,096,689   9,753,076   1,336,166     8,882,066   7,917,932   1,084,752  
    Reclassification as assets of disposal group classified as held for sale 53   0   0   0     (545 ) 0   0  
    Cash and restricted cash at end of period 7,917,932   9,753,076   18,139,504   2,485,101     7,917,932   18,139,504   2,485,102  
    Less: Cash and restricted cash of discontinued operations at end of period or deconsolidation date (420,610 ) (1,760,719 ) (10,045,974 ) (1,376,293 )   (420,610 ) (10,045,974 ) (1,376,293 )
    Cash and restricted cash of continuing operations at end of period 7,497,322   7,992,357   8,093,530   1,108,808     7,497,322   8,093,530   1,108,809  
                                   
    GDS HOLDINGS LIMITED
    RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS
    (Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”)
    except for percentage data)
     
      Three months ended   Year ended
      December 31,
    2023    		 September 30,
    2024    		 December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024
      RMB RMB RMB US$   RMB RMB US$
                     
    Gross profit 432,931   557,583   578,117   79,203     1,951,226   2,222,629   304,499  
    Depreciation and amortization 775,122   731,630   786,869   107,801     2,974,546   2,947,444   403,798  
    Operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights 10,615   11,536   11,996   1,643     38,792   44,872   6,147  
    Accretion expenses for asset retirement costs 1,588   1,730   1,709   234     6,599   6,827   935  
    Share-based compensation expenses 29,066   20,549   18,002   2,466     116,467   92,402   12,659  
    Adjusted GP 1,249,322   1,323,028   1,396,693   191,347     5,087,630   5,314,174   728,038  
    Adjusted GP margin 50.7%   50.5%   51.9%   51.9%     52.0%   51.5%   51.5%  
                                   
    GDS HOLDINGS LIMITED
    RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS
    (Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”)
    except for percentage data)
     
      Three months ended   Year ended
      December 31, 2023 September 30, 2024 December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024
      RMB RMB RMB US$   RMB RMB US$
                     
    Net (loss) income (3,164,644 ) (231,109 ) 4,111,639   563,292     (4,285,393 ) 3,303,831   452,623  
    Loss (income) from discontinued operations 90,033   78,963   (4,285,048 ) (587,049 )   359,376   (4,074,743 ) (558,237 )
    Net loss from continuing operations (3,074,611 ) (152,146 ) (173,409 ) (23,757 )   (3,926,017 ) (770,912 ) (105,614 )
    Net interest expenses 450,700   463,327   458,745   62,848     1,842,529   1,834,851   251,374  
    Income tax (benefits) expenses (225,342 ) (347 ) 34,144   4,678     (15,577 ) 156,053   21,379  
    Depreciation and amortization 865,485   803,535   865,896   118,627     3,368,474   3,243,004   444,290  
    Operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights 27,199   27,602   27,609   3,782     106,964   110,126   15,087  
    Accretion expenses for asset retirement costs 1,588   1,730   1,709   234     6,599   6,827   935  
    Share-based compensation expenses 80,765   61,194   82,965   11,366     336,616   296,487   40,619  
    Impairment losses of long-lived assets 3,013,416   0   0   0     3,013,416   0   0  
    Adjusted EBITDA 1,139,200   1,204,895   1,297,659   177,778     4,733,004   4,876,436   668,070  
    Adjusted EBITDA margin 46.2%   46.0%   48.2%   48.2%     48.4%   47.2%   47.2%  
    Additional Information for Discontinued Operations
    (Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”))
     
      As of December
    31, 2023    		 As of December 31, 2024
      RMB RMB US$
    Property and equipment, net 7,401,071 16,646,191 2,280,519
    Cash 355,902 9,930,915 1,360,530
    Gross debt 5,169,734 (1) 10,417,647 1,427,212

    Note:

    1. Including amounts due to GDSH.
    Additional Information for Discontinued Operations Cont’d
    (Amount in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and US dollars (“US$”)
    except for percentage data)
     
      Three months ended   Year ended
      December 31, 2023 September 30, 2024 December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023 December 31, 2024
      RMB RMB RMB US$   RMB RMB US$
                     
    Net revenue 102,853   363,209   443,413   60,747     175,737   1,262,063   172,902  
    Cost of revenue (90,862)   (252,211)   (290,131)   (39,748)     (194,570)   (859,254)   (117,717)  
    Operating expenses (66,214)   (88,776)   (150,543)   (20,624)     (233,249)   (400,336)   (54,846)  
    (Loss) income from operations (54,223)   22,222   2,739   375     (252,082)   2,473   339  
    Other expenses, net (35,020)   (110,846)   (126,457)   (17,324)     (106,494)   (346,145)   (47,422)  
    Loss from operations of discontinued operations before income taxes (89,243)   (88,624)   (123,718)   (16,949)     (358,576)   (343,672)   (47,083)  
    Income tax (expenses) benefits (790)   9,661   (66,773)   (9,148)     (800)   (57,124)   (7,826)  
    Loss from operations of discontinued operations, net of income taxes (90,033)   (78,963)   (190,491)   (26,097)     (359,376)   (400,796)   (54,909)  
    Net interest expenses 42,060   76,069   102,991   14,110     107,286   280,652   38,449  
    Income tax expenses (benefits) 790   (9,661)   66,773   9,148     800   57,124   7,826  
    Depreciation and amortization 50,650   107,739   128,662   17,627     151,271   393,735   53,941  
    Operating lease cost relating to prepaid land use rights 295   0   1,778   244     1,290   1,782   244  
    Accretion expenses for asset retirement costs 52   0   (1)   0     206   (211)   (29)  
    Adjusted EBITDA 3,814   95,184   109,712   15,032     (98,523)   332,286   45,522  
    Adjusted EBITDA margin 3.7%   26.2%   24.7%   24.7%     (56.1)%   26.3%   26.3%  
                     
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (93,209)   1,636   (150,554)   (20,626)     (294,019)   (281,297)   (38,538)  
    Net cash used in investing activities (784,990)   (2,110,682)   (3,011,040)   (412,511)     (2,827,863)   (6,920,177)   (948,060)  
    Net cash provided by financing activities 958,799   2,334,112   11,441,448   1,567,472     2,892,824   16,883,042   2,312,967  
                                   

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Stoke-on-Trent City Council becomes an Endometriosis Friendly Employer

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 19th March 2025

    The city council has become only the second local authority in England to be officially recognised as an Endometriosis Friendly Employer.

    The city council has signed up to the national scheme – run by leading charity Endometriosis UK – to pledge its support to colleagues impacted by the chronic condition.

    The move highlights the council’s commitment to creating a more inclusive, supportive workplace.

    Endometriosis affects around 1.5 million people across the UK. The condition occurs when cells similar to the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body.

    These cells can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle and can cause inflammation, pain and scar tissue.

    Symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, painful bowel movements and pain when urinating. It can take on average nearly nine years to get a diagnosis, showing the lack of understanding of the condition.

    As part of the scheme, the council will appoint Endometriosis Champions. These staff – who will be trained by Endometriosis UK – will provide guidance, raise awareness, and offer practical support to colleagues living with the condition.

    Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member of health and wellbeing, said: “I am proud that the city council has become only the second local authority in England to be an Endometriosis Friendly Employer. Joining this scheme is a significant step towards creating a more understanding and supportive workplace to support our employees who live with endometriosis.

    “This condition can take a physical and mental toll on those diagnosed, but we are committed to making our staff feel supported as they navigate balancing the condition with their work.

    “We look forward to working with Endometriosis UK and hope that it inspires others in the city and others in local government to take this step and join the scheme as well.”

    Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK said: “I’m delighted to welcome the Stoke-on-Trent City Council to the diverse range of organisations tackling taboos around menstrual health and endometriosis through the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme.

    “By showing its team that they are valued and can expect support and reasonable adjustments to help those with endometriosis and menstrual conditions succeed at work, they will be increasing engagement across the whole of their workforce, ultimately making the organisation more successful.”

    As well as providing support services, reliable information and a sense of community, Endometriosis UK works to ensure that everyone with the condition gets a prompt diagnosis and the best treatment and support, whilst raising awareness to the wider public.

    For more information about the Endometriosis Employer Scheme, visit: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-friendly-employer-scheme  

    To learn more about Endometriosis and support available, visit the Endometriosis UK website: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Update on on-street car parking bay charges in Harpenden and St Albans

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Publication date:

    An average 1,150 motorists a day are parking at on-street parking bays in Harpenden following the introduction of charges.

    The data suggests a high turnover of spaces with each of the 243 bays being used almost five times a day.

    The charges were introduced a month ago with one of the aims being to encourage broader use of these slots.

    An update on charges was given to a meeting of St Albans City and District Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee on Monday 17 March. 

    Councillor Paul de Kort, Leader and Committee Chair, revealed that during the first four weeks there were 27,887 parking sessions booked in Harpenden.

    Of these, 19,606 were for the free parking sessions of up to 30 minutes and 8,281 involved payment.

    The PayByPhone app was the most popular booking method with 78% of the sessions authorised that way and the other 22% made using the payment machines.

    In St Albans, charges were introduced at a further 70 bays and these have clocked up 2,043 sessions in the first four weeks.

    Cllr de Kort, speaking after the meeting, said:

    We have been closely monitoring the data given the considerable public attention the parking bay changes received.

    This shows that the new regime is settling in with more than 1,000 motorists a day booking sessions in these on-street bays in Harpenden, the majority for the free half-hour.

    The turnover of spaces is now high, meaning that people are not having to circle around the centre of town looking for an available bay should they prefer to visit without using the local car parks.

    Access Permit

    Cllr de Kort also revealed the latest data for another Council initiative – a car parking Access Permit for older residents.

    The permit was introduced last month for residents aged over 70, providing parking for up to three hours a day for £190 a year at all Council car parks. 

    A total of 294 Access Permits have been issued so far and Cllr de Kort added:

    I am very pleased with the take up to date and encourage people to pass on to other eligible residence its existence.

    Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Parking restrictions on busy roads for gully clearance work

    Source: City of Leicester

    TEMPORARY parking restrictions will be in place on some residential streets in Leicester next week as part of a rolling programme of street cleaning and gully clearance.

    The city council will be targeting 30 roads in parts of Belgrave, Rushey Mead, Spinney Hills and Westcotes, where heavy parking makes routine gully – or street drain – clearance difficult.

    Each of the roads will have all parking suspended for up to two days while works are carried out.

    Work will begin on Monday 24 March on Arbour Road, Kings Newton Street and parts of Eggington Street, Harrison Road and Olphin Street.

    The teams will then move on to other busy roads over the next four days.

    The work will be complete, and all temporary parking restrictions lifted, by the end of Friday 28 March.

    Martin Fletcher, Leicester City Council director of highways, said: “This weeklong programme of targeted street cleaning and gully, or street drain clearance will focus on those roads where heavily parked up roads can make it difficult to carry out this work as part of our routine maintenance programme.

    “It’s part of a rolling programme that helps to provide safer and cleaner roads and highways as well as minimising the risk of flooding in the city.

    “We have written to all residents in the roads affected to inform them that parking will be temporarily suspended for up to two days while we undertake this work.”

    Full details of all roads affected are available on the city council’s website at www.leicester.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/temporary-traffic-regulation-notices

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Tectum and PropChain Bring Fee-Free Real Estate Investing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Tectum and PropChain announce a strategic partnership to integrate high-speed blockchain solutions for tokenized real estate investments 
    • PropChain will deploy Tectum’s Layer 1 blockchain for faster, more efficient transactions in its PropYield DeFi platform
    • SoftNote Bills will be integrated as a fee-free payment method, enhancing escrow solutions and user experience
    • The collaboration aims to democratize access to real-world asset investments and drive blockchain adoption in traditional finance

    Dubai, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tectum, the high-performance blockchain innovator, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with PropChain, a trailblazer in tokenized real estate investments. This collaboration represents a monumental leap in merging traditional finance (TradFi) with blockchain innovation, introducing Real-World Assets (RWA) to Tectum’s high-speed Layer 1 blockchain network.

    PropChain is set to integrate Tectum’s high-speed Layer 1 blockchain into its PropYield section. This powerful network ensures low-cost, secure, and instantaneous transactions, significantly enhancing the distribution of staking rewards to participants by capitalizing on Tectum’s exceptional transaction speeds and scalability.

    In a bold move to enhance accessibility, PropChain will also adopt Tectum’s SoftNote Bills as a payment method. This fee-free crypto payment gateway will power escrow solutions, delivering instant, cost-free transactions that elevate the efficiency and global reach of real estate investments. Together, these integrations position the partnership at the forefront of blockchain-driven financial innovation.

    “PropChain’s achievements in tokenizing over $50 million in real estate assets and attracting thousands of investors globally are a testament to their leadership in the RWA sector,” said Alexander Guseff, Founder & CEO of Tectum. “Their vision aligns perfectly with Tectum’s mission to bridge the gap between traditional assets and blockchain technology. By working together, we can unlock new possibilities for fractionalized ownership, liquidity, and transparency in real estate investments. This partnership is a significant step toward making blockchain-based financial solutions accessible to everyone.”

    The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment for tokenized real estate, with the market projected to grow significantly in the coming years. PropChain has already tokenized and attracted thousands of investors worldwide, showcasing its leadership in the RWA sector. By pairing this expertise with Tectum’s high-performance blockchain, the partnership sets a new standard for transparency, fractionalized ownership, and liquidity in real estate markets.

    Robin Ubaghs, Co-Founder and CEO of PropChain, added, “Partnering with Tectum is a game-changer for PropChain and our PropYield DeFi platform. By integrating with Tectum 4.0 blockchain and its advanced smart contract capabilities, we can offer our users faster, more efficient, and cost-effective real estate-backed investments. Additionally, the integration of SoftNote, Tectum’s feeless crypto payment solution, into our escrow system ensures seamless and instant transactions for our global user base. This collaboration not only enhances the user experience but also solidifies our position as a leader in tokenized real estate innovation.”

    This partnership is set to drive the future of blockchain-powered RWAs, leveraging Tectum’s high-speed transaction capabilities and PropChain’s next-generation asset tokenization platform to revolutionize real estate investment.

    About Tectum

    Tectum is transforming digital payments with Tectum 4.0, its high-performance Layer-1 blockchain, designed for scalability and real-world adoption.

    Built on Tectum 3.0, SoftNote enables zero-fee, instant peer-to-peer crypto transactions, eliminating network confirmations and gas fees. The SoftNote ecosystem includes the SoftNote Wallet for secure storage, the SoftNote Merchant Terminal for seamless point-of-sale transactions, and the SoftNote Pay App for simplified everyday payments.

    Tectum empowers Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to become truly spendable, breaking barriers to adoption and enabling seamless micropayments. Its ecosystem includes the Tectum Emission Token ($TET) for SoftNote minting and quantum-proof authentication (XFA) for enhanced security.

    A subsidiary of Crispmind Ltd., Tectum is committed to scalable, secure, and inclusive blockchain solutions that redefine global transactions. To learn more, visit www.tectum.io.

    About PropChain

    PropChain is a leading digital real estate investment platform that leverages blockchain to democratize access to real estate markets. By offering fractionalized ownership of properties, PropChain enables investors to participate in high-value real estate with lower capital requirements. This innovative approach allows users to diversify their portfolios and earn returns from rental income, property appreciation, and other revenue streams, making real estate investment accessible to a broader audience.

    At its core, PropChain specializes in tokenizing real-world assets (RWA), converting traditionally illiquid real estate into tradable digital tokens backed by tangible assets. The platform also features Prop Yield, a DeFi solution that lets users earn yield on real estate-backed investments. With a mission to bridge traditional real estate and blockchain technology, PropChain is revolutionizing the sector by offering transparent, efficient, and cost-effective investment opportunities. Learn more at www.propchain.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: InitVerse 2nd Anniversary Celebration — Full Breakdown of 500,000 $INI, Limited NFTs, and Exclusive Benefits

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — InitVerse, the next-generation Web3 SaaS platform, has rapidly expanded its footprint across nine countries, including Japan, Vietnam, France, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand. With over 20 localized Telegram and Discord communities, InitVerse now boasts a global user base exceeding 400,000 users.

    On March 17th, InitVerse celebrates its 2nd anniversary, marking an exciting Web3 carnival where technology, profitability, and exclusivity converge. To express gratitude to the global community, InitVerse is generously distributing 500,000 $INI tokens through various activities, including NFT minting, on-chain tasks, staking and mining, and community KOL recruitment. Each activity incorporates limited-edition elements and high-reward mechanisms, creating a thrilling event that blends innovation with financial rewards.

    This article will dive deep into the anniversary celebration, focusing on technological empowerment, revenue strategies, and effective participation methods, helping you seize this golden opportunity to achieve high returns at zero cost.

    Tech at the Core: How INIChain Redefines Blockchain with Privacy Computing and Dynamic Block Partitioning

    From its inception to the upcoming 2025 mainnet launch, INIChain has established a foundational privacy computing infrastructure. Coupled with the InitVerse SaaS platform, which provides streamlined developer tools, the ecosystem covers the entire lifecycle of blockchain application development—from core privacy infrastructure to rapid dApp deployment. Together, INIChain and InitVerse have built a comprehensive ecosystem catering to miners, developers, and blockchain builders. At the core of this vibrant InitVerse ecosystem lies INIChain’s innovative technology, transforming traditional Proof-of-Work (PoW) from an “energy-intensive competition” into a collaborative privacy-computing infrastructure. The recent 2nd-anniversary event prominently showcased these groundbreaking technical capabilities:

    1. TfhEVM: The “Invisibility Cloak” for Private Smart Contracts
      • Technology Overview: TfhEVM integrates Fully Homomorphic Encryption (TFHE) with Ethereum’s EVM, enabling real-time computations on encrypted data. Input data is transformed into randomized polynomial ciphertexts, ensuring results are verifiable without decrypting sensitive information.
      • Developer Advantages: Through the InitVerse SaaS platform, Ethereum developers can easily deploy or migrate dApps with just one click, significantly reducing costs while providing robust privacy protection.
    2. DDA Mechanism: The “Hash Power Regulator” for Miners
      • Dynamic Block Partitioning: Blocks are segmented into high-privacy blocks (requiring TFHE computation) and standard blocks (traditional PoW). High-privacy blocks offer higher rewards but have a higher computational barrier, whereas standard blocks enable participation from regular CPU miners.
      • VersaHash Algorithm: A more equitable mining approach that dynamically adjusts computational difficulty, ensuring balanced earnings across miners of varying capabilities.
      • Miner Rewards Model:
        • Base Reward: Each block consistently yields 727.39 $INI, distributed proportionally based on mining contributions.
        • Privacy Computing Bonus: Miners participating in high-privacy block validation receive an additional 15% reward boost.

    Earn 500,000 $INI Risk-Free: Events You Shouldn’t Miss!

    The anniversary event offers a series of mini-challenges that caters to users of all levels, allowing you to get high returns and unique rewards. Participate via the official event page.

    Event 1: Limited NFT Minting – Guaranteed 5 $INI for First 10,000 Participants + Exclusive Epic Cards!

    • Total Rewards: 50,000 $INI + Limited Edition INIBoo NFTs
    • Event Period: From March 17th to April 13th. Split into 4 batches, each batch lasting 7 days (the first batch ends on March 13th).
    • Participation Steps: Log in to the Candy platform → Complete verification → Select the batch → Pay 0.5 $INI → Mint NFT and claim $INI.

    How It Works:

    • Step-by-Step Participation:
      • Follow InitVerse on X, join the Telegram and Discord groups—this grants eligibility for a free NFT mint.
      • $INI back immediately — even after deducting the 0.5 $INI mint cost, yielding a net profit of 4.5 $INI per mint.
    • Guaranteed Earnings:
      Each mint directly returns rewards—every user will profit at least 4.5 $INI per NFT minted.
    • Scarcity and Benefits:
      • The NFT collection “INIBoo” is limited, featuring epic cards whose availability decreases daily.
      • NFT holders get perks such as merchandise, early testing access, whitelist airdrops, exclusive event tickets, VIP privileges, and governance rights, with benefits expanding alongside ecosystem growth.

    Event 2: Earn 10 $INI + Mining Rewards in 4 Easy Steps!

    • Prize Pool: 100,000 $INI
    • Event Window: March 28 – April 16 (UTC), limited to the first 10,000 participants.

    Step-by-Step Guide:

    1. Follow the InitVerse X account and retweet the pinned tweet.
    2. Join the Telegram and Discord communities.
    3. Perform 10 mainnet transactions (e.g., token transfers between your addresses).
    4. Mine on C-Mining Pool via provided tutorials (only 5 hours required).

    After completing these tasks, claim your guaranteed 10 $INI reward.

    Extra Benefits: Double your earnings by stacking mining rewards and the 10 $INI task reward.

    Event 3: High-Yield Staking—Earn up to 50% APR!

    • Total Prize Pool: 300,000 $INI
    • Event Duration: March 28–April 16 (UTC). The staking period is fixed at 20 days, after which participation closes.
    • Eligibility: Must first complete Event 2.

    Participation Details:

    • Stake at least 10 $INI on the event page.
    • Rewards released after completing a 20-day staking period.
    • Open to all, making it accessible even to small token holders.

    Dynamic Reward:

    • If ≥50,000 participants join, staking rewards increase to 50%, encouraging collective community participation.
    • Guaranteed Minimum: Even if fewer than 20,000 users join, participants will still earn a guaranteed 10% return, far exceeding typical DeFi standards.
    • Low Barrier to Entry: Participation starts from just 10 $INI, with straightforward staking rules, ensuring inclusivity for small-scale holders.

    Ideal for: Long-term holders, community governance participants, and those seeking to maximize returns.

    Event 4: 50,000 $INI Partnership Program

    Details:
    Seeking partnerships and influencers who can bring additional traffic and collaborate with InitVerse.

    • Application:
      Directly message on Telegram: @samylmz

    Final Thoughts:

    InitVerse’s 2nd anniversary emphasizes universal community engagement, attractive rewards, and unique privileges, distributing 450,000 $INI directly to participants, with an additional 50,000 $INI allocated to strategic partnerships. This celebration isn’t just about rewards—it’s a decentralized initiative showcasing the power of community-driven innovation, paving the way for blockchain’s future.

    About InitVerse:

    InitVerse is an automated Web3 SaaS platform designed for streamlined DApp development and deployment, backed by INIChain and INICloud. It simplifies blockchain app creation, enhancing development efficiency through comprehensive, user-friendly tools.

    Contact:
    Sami Yilmaz
    support@inichain.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by INIChain. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a50c8380-529d-4650-97e4-fed7f10f3ace

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor promises PBS scripts will cost no more than $25, under latest health pitch for election

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    The Albanese government will make another pre-election offer in health, promising that if re-elected it will legislate to ensure people pay no more than $25 for a script under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

    The measure, to be announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday, would start on January 1 next year.

    The government says it represents a cut of more than 20% in the maximum cost of PBS medicines, and would save Australians more than $200 million a year. Four out of five medicines would become cheaper.

    The measure, included in next week’s budget, costs the government $689 million over the forward estimates.

    Pensioners and concession card holders will continue to have the cost of their PBS medicines frozen at $7.70 until 2030.

    This is the latest in a range of initiatives the government has taken in health, including promising billions of dollars to expand bulk billing and adding a number of drugs for women’s health to the PBS. The opposition, which matched the government’s bulk billing policy, will be under pressure to do the same with this latest measure.

    Anthony Albanese said: “With cheaper medicines, more free GP visits and a stronger Medicare, we say to Australians, we’ve got your back”.

    Health Minister Mark Butler said the last time Australians paid no more than $25 for a PBS medicine was more than 20 years ago.

    Butler said when Peter Dutton was health minister in the Abbott government “he tried to make medicines cost more”.

    “The contrast in this election is clear: cheaper medicines with a re-elected Albanese government or the frankly terrifying legacy of Peter Dutton, who wants medicines to cost more, not less.”

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

    – ref. Labor promises PBS scripts will cost no more than $25, under latest health pitch for election – https://theconversation.com/labor-promises-pbs-scripts-will-cost-no-more-than-25-under-latest-health-pitch-for-election-252510

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Yemens rising tide of malnutrition

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Over the past decade, Yemen has endured one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises. This has been deepened by the country’s economic collapse, which has pushed 83 per cent of the people into multidimensional poverty. Since 2015, years of violent conflict have destroyed essential infrastructure and left the healthcare system depleted, underfunded, and struggling to function. Of Yemen’s population of 39 million people, an estimated 17.1 million are projected to face food insecurity in 2025. According to multi-sectoral surveys, some 2.2 million children are already acutely malnourished, with 48 per cent of children under five stunted and chronically malnourished.

    The destruction of vital civilian infrastructure, including the latest strikes on the shipping port of Al-Hudaydah and on Sana’a International Airport, and the volatile political climate and ongoing regional tensions have derailed Yemen’s roadmap to peace, and continue to fuel instability. Tensions in the Red Sea remain connected to the very fragile situation in Gaza.

    Data from MSF-supported facilities over the past three years reveals increases in hospital admissions of malnourished children under the age of five (0-59-month-olds) in most MSF-supported facilities, with longer seasonal peaks and overwhelming caseloads during peak months. In 2024 the malnutrition peak season pushed MSF-supported inpatient therapeutic feeding centres (ITFC) beyond limits. With the capacity to expand to 120 beds during peak malnutrition season, Abs Hospital ITFC recorded a staggering 200 per cent bed occupancy rate in September 2024, followed by 176 per cent in October – the highest levels in the last six years. Between January 2022 and December 2024, nearly 35,500 malnourished children were admitted and treated in MSF-supported facilities in total. Nearly 14,000 and over 13,500 children were admitted into MSF-supported facilities for treatment in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

    Due to the high demand for malnutrition care in northern Yemen, MSF expanded its nutritional programmes in 2022 and 2023 to try to respond to this need. With six MSF-supported facilities now offering inpatient nutritional stabilisation since 2023, MSF hospitalised nearly 5,900 more children with complicated malnutrition in 2024 than in 2022.

    Yemen’s rising tide of malnutrition: seasonal trends 2022-2024 pdf — 1.3 MB Download

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: An alarming rise in the numbers of malnourished children in Yemen

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    • Health facilities in Yemen are becoming increasingly overwhelmed with the number of children with malnutrition.
    • Suspensions and reductions in food assistance, gaps in healthcare infrastructure, and gaps in vaccination coverage are exacerbating the crisis.
    • MSF calls for an urgent response and urges stakeholders to expand community-based vaccination efforts.

    Amman – Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is raising the alarm about malnutrition in Yemen as people’s needs are far outstripping the existing treatment capacity, underscoring a deep humanitarian crisis. Between January 2022 and December 2024, MSF-supported facilities treated 35,442 malnourished children under the age of five across five governorates: Amran, Saada, Hajjah, Taiz, and Hodeidah. These figures reflect the ongoing struggle for families to buy food and access healthcare after years of conflict and instability, compounded by the country’s deteriorating economy.  

    A new MSF report, Yemen’s rising tide of malnutrition: seasonal trends 2022-2024, outlines the alarming figures seen in our facilities.

    Yemen’s rising tide of malnutrition: seasonal trends 2022-2024 pdf — 1.3 MB Download

    “This is not the time for half-measures,” says Himedan Mohammed, head of operations for MSF Middle East.

    “Children are arriving in increasingly critical condition. People can no longer wait for help that simply isn’t coming fast enough” says Mohammed. “If we don’t act now by boosting nutrition programmes, ensuring affordable transport to health facilities, and bringing care closer to people in need, then we risk an even greater surge of malnutrition in the months ahead.”

    Ali Amin, a six-month-old boy, receives treatment for moderate acute malnutrition at the MSF-supported inpatient therapeutic feeding centre in Abs General Hospital. Yemen, March 2025.
    Majdi Al Adani/MSF

    While MSF has scaled up treatment capacity, we are unable to meet all the needs. Each annual malnutrition season is leaving our facilities overwhelmed with children in need of care, with many also suffering from measles, cholera and acute watery diarrhoea. Last September, during the annual peak malnutrition season, bed occupancy rates in most MSF-supported facilities reached extremely high levels. In Al-Salam hospital in Amran governorate, bed occupancy rate soared to 254 per cent that month. Healthcare staff are often forced to provide care for patients in crowded hallways and makeshift spaces.

    Aisha brought her five-month-old daughter Zahra’a to Al-Salam hospital for lifesaving care. 

    “We travelled over two hours and spent 15,000 Yemeni riyals [about US$61] to get here,” she says. “With only one breadwinner in our family of 12, we can barely meet our daily needs, and the nearest health centres don’t have specialised departments to treat malnutrition.” 

    “I am afraid to lose her, she is the only girl in the family,” says Aisha. “I hope she recovers soon and I hope more organisations will come here to support people, especially those who do not have enough food or income.”

    Suspensions and reductions in food assistance programmes have intensified hardship for people across Yemen. In 2023 and 2024, over 10,000 children received treatment at the MSF-supported facility in Ad-Dahi hospital, Hodeidah governorate. The Abs hospital in Hajjah governorate recorded a staggering 200 per cent bed occupancy rate in September 2024, followed by 176 per cent in October – the highest levels in the last six years.

    Malnutrition is aggravated by gaps in healthcare infrastructure and gaps in vaccination coverage, among other factors. According to the World Health Organization, as of April 2024, nearly 46 per cent of health facilities in Yemen were partially functional or completely out of service. 

    An MSF nurse checks on a malnourished baby girl at the MSF-supported Abs General hospital. Yemen, March 2025.
    Majdi Al Adani/MSF

    In view of the sudden and drastic reductions in humanitarian funding to Yemen, sustained donor engagement and flexible funding from major donors is crucial to address Yemen’s escalating humanitarian crisis. Adequate and consistent funding, along with stronger partnerships between the Ministry of Health, donors, and implementing partners, will help revive healthcare centres and ensure they effectively serve local communities and the most affected locations. MSF urges these stakeholders to expand community-based vaccination efforts in order to curb preventable diseases like measles, cholera and acute watery diarrhoea.

    There is a need for urgent improvements in targeted food distribution programmes in Yemen. Efforts like these will ensure pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under five, receive the nutrition they need before their health is threatened. Without swift collective action, Yemen’s most vulnerable people will suffer further under an overburdened health system and rising malnutrition rates.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Health Science – Moscow Scientists Prove Telemedicine Effectiveness for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine

    Researchers from Moscow have confirmed the effectiveness of telemedicine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), demonstrating that remote monitoring and online consultations can significantly improve patient outcomes.

    Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine.

    A recent study found that patients who received care through a specialized telemedicine platform reported lower levels of anxiety, better treatment adherence, and overall improved quality of life compared to those who received traditional in-person consultations.

    At the same time, studies show that remote monitoring is comparable to in-person monitoring in its ability to reduce disease activity and improve quality of life.

    In a recent study involving more than 60 patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, scientists compared two different treatments.

    One group received traditional face-to-face consultations, while the other used a specialized medical web platform. This platform allowed patients to report their health status and participate in online consultations with gastroenterologists.

    The aim of the study was to assess a range of well-being indicators, including quality of life, levels of anxiety and depression, patient satisfaction with health care and adherence to prescribed medication regimens.

    The experiment was conducted jointly with the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine and the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov.

    The results of the study showed a significant reduction in anxiety levels in the telemedicine group, by 30% compared to the face-to-face group. In addition, depression decreased by 29%, and colon pain sensitivity by 27%. Notably, both groups experienced a reduction in disease severity.

    According to Yuri Vasiliev, General Director of the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Department of Health and Chief Consultant for Radiology of the Moscow Department of Health, the results obtained clearly demonstrated the benefits of remote treatment.

    “The results obtained highlight the effectiveness of telemedicine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases,” Vasiliev noted.

    “By using digital platforms, patients can have more convenient access to treatment, which can lead to improved psychological outcomes and greater adherence to treatment plans.”

    This design allows for a comprehensive assessment of the impact of telemedicine on the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases in the context of Russian healthcare.

    The study began in 2023 and is part of Moscow’s broader efforts to integrate telemedicine and artificial intelligence into healthcare.

    This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the role of telemedicine in chronic disease management, highlighting its potential to increase access, improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on health systems.

    The Diagnostics and Telemedicine Center, established in 1996, is a leading scientific and practical organization within the Moscow City Hall Social Development Complex. The Center is engaged in the implementation of artificial intelligence in medicine, the development of radiology and medical personnel training programs.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Mozambique and Tanzania strengthen South-South cooperation in early warning and disaster preparedness

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Dodoma, Tanzania – On 3-4, March 2025, a delegation from Mozambique visited Tanzania’s Emergency Operations and Communication Centre (EOCC) National Situation Room in Dodoma. This visit was part of a technical advisory mission co-organized by UNDRR, the CIMA Foundation and the African Union Commission as part of the African Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Action System (AMHEWAS) programme.

    Tanzania and Mozambique face similar and often transboundary threats, such as droughts, floods and cyclones. Strengthening cooperation between their respective disaster risk management authorities is critical for improving coordination in early warning and early action efforts within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

    During the visit, Mozambique’s National Disaster Management Institute had the opportunity to engage with Tanzania’s Disaster Management Department counterparts and observe the operational framework of Tanzania’s National Situation Room, which was inaugurated in June 2024, supported by the Government of Italy.

    The insights gained from this exchange will be instrumental in the ongoing modernization of Mozambique’s own National Situation Room in Maputo. Within the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation funded Ready2Act project in Mozambique, the situation room will be refurbished and better connected with AMHEWAS.

    Additionally, the exchange will inform the installation of a pilot province-level situation room in Beira, set to further strengthen Mozambique’s disaster risk management infrastructure. Mozambique also hosts the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) in Nacala that is connected to AMHEWAS.

    “This event in Dodoma is a practical example of what AMHEWAS can and should be, a network for exchanging risk information, but also, and above all, knowledge and experience, between experts and institutions.” said Mr. Luca Ferraris, President of CIMA Research Foundation

    The mission highlighted the value of South-South cooperation in disaster risk reduction, showcasing how shared experiences and collaborative learning can enhance national and regional capacities. By leveraging Tanzania’s experience, Mozambique aims to refine its own institutional mechanisms, improve connectivity with AMHEWAS, and ensure timely and coordinated disaster response.

    “The technical exchange mission with ourTanzanian counterparts was timely as Mozambique is working towards upgrading its own Situation Room. As Tanzania launched its own Situation Room in 2024, they already have some valuable experience and lessons that Mozambique can learn from. More so, Mozambique and Tanzania are neighbours, with similar risk profiles and often experience transboundary risk. This exchange builds the foundation for information sharing for better transboundary risk management.” Mr. Alberto Armando, head of the Mozambique Delegation.

    Through the AMHEWAS network, disaster risk management authorities of both countries can strengthen their relations, enabling experience and information sharing for a more coordinated management of warnings and emergencies.

    “Natural phenomena become disasters without adequate prevention. AICS works with stakeholders to enhance early warning and early action systems at all levels. Italy, renowned for its expertise in risk management and civil protection, has contributed to establishing Situation Rooms in Addis Ababa (continental level), regional centers in Niamey, Nairobi, and Abuja, and a national office in Dodoma. This know-how strengthens Partner Countries’ resilience and response capacity.” Marco Riccardo Rusconi, Director of the Italian Development Cooperation Agency. 

    This visit marks an important step in fostering resilience against climate-related disasters in the region. Through continued cooperation and knowledge sharing, both Mozambique and Tanzania are setting a precedent for effective and coordinated disaster risk management in Africa.

    “This technical exchange represents a learning opportunity, and an opportunity to reinforce the partnership among different AMHEWAS stakeholders. It is from such events that we can collectively take stock of our progress and identify priorities for further investment in early warning systems.” Tsitsi Magadza, Programme Management Officer for Early Warning Systems, UNDRR. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Universidad Nacional de Asunción (UNA)

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    The Universidad Nacional de Asunción or Mbo’ehaovusu Tetãgua Paraguaygua, abbreviated UNA, anglicized as, The National University of Asuncion, is a public university founded in San Lorenzo, Paraguay. Founded in 1889, it is the oldest and most traditional university in the country.

    When the university first started, it consisted of only the Faculties of Law, Medicine and Mathematics, and schools of Clerical, Pharmacy and Obstetrics. As of 2015, the UNA had 12 faculties and a number of institutes in 74 careers that take place in different areas of knowledge, offering students the most comprehensive range of vocational training opportunities. It also has several technology centers and research facilities for the academic community, both for conducting scientific research, and for the development of postgraduate studies, resulting in contributions to society.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: [UNDRR-WCCD-AJMAN] Data-Driven Resilient Cities Workshop

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Time: 09:30 – 16:00 Ajman, UAE
    Date: 6-7 MAY 2025
    Workshop Language: English

    Workshop Objective

    The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Council on City Data (WCCD), together with the host city of Ajman, UAE, are holding a two-day Data-Driven Resilient Cities Workshop designed to equip city leaders and stakeholders with tools to leverage ISO-certified data for enhancing governance and planning for risk reduction and informing capital investment for more resilient futures. Participants will explore the UN Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) Initiative, the two ISO international Standards – ISO 37123 – Indicators for Resilient Cities and ISO 37125 – Indicators for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in Cities and the certification work being led by the WCCD, and the critical role of city-level data in disaster risk reduction, planning and recovery.

    One of the most pressing challenges facing cities is mobilizing sufficient financial resources for disaster resilience. This workshop will bring together local governments and the sustainable finance sector, to explore innovative financing models, address the critical need for risk assessment and comprehensive disaster loss databases to support evidence-based policymaking, to enhance data governance and early warning systems to mitigate disaster risks, and to examine the role of high calibre data in advancing sustainable financing for disaster risk reduction.

    Expected Outcomes:

    • Apply ISO data to urban resilience strategies
    • Integrate data-driven approaches into risk assessment, planning and investment
    • Leverage ESG indicators for sustainable financing and capital investment in more resilient city infrastructure
    • Connect with global experts and peer cities for learning, collaboration and partnership
       

    Target Audience:

    Local government officials and partner organizations working with cities on disaster risk reduction and resilience strategies, data-driven/evidence-based decision making, and are interested in ISO37123 Resilient Cities certification.

    The workshop is by invitation only. Anyone interested in participating can express their interest through this form by Friday, 28 March 2025.

    As seats are limited, only a selected number of applicants may be invited to participate in the training. Confirmation will be communicated via email by Friday, 4 April 2025.

    ** Note: Participants are responsible for self-arranging transportation and covering all relevant expenses associated with attending the workshop. No financial support will be provided by the co-organizers.
     

    Organizers:

    • UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
    • World Council on City Data (WCCD)
    • City of Ajman, UAE
    • Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM)
    • MCR2030
       

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Members consider trade agreements involving Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Nicaragua

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement , covering trade in goods and services, came into force on 29 December 2022. Australia will eliminate customs duties on 98.3% of its tariff lines by the end of the implementation period in 2026, while India will do so for 69.8% by 2031. For trade in services, both parties have enhanced sectoral commitments beyond those under the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), including the movement of natural persons.

    Australia said the landmark Agreement represents a significant development in the economic relationship between Australia and India and supports both countries’ deeper integration into the global economy. Australia added that the Agreement includes provisions on strengthening investment certainty, promoting regulatory cooperation and enhancing mobility for skilled professionals.

    India said the Agreement has driven mutual growth and showcases the complementarity of both economies. The Agreement has significantly advanced trade ties and created new opportunities for business and employment. India added that both countries are committed to building on the momentum to deepen economic integration.

    The Free Trade Agreement between China and Nicaragua,  goods and services, entered into force on 1 January 2024. At the end of the transition period in 2038, 95.2% of tariff lines of China and 94.8% of tariff lines of Nicaragua will be duty-free under the Agreement. Each party will retain tariffs on approximately 5% of tariff lines after full implementation.  On trade in services, the Agreement follows a negative list approach and adds new or improved commitments compared to the parties’commitments under the GATS in a number of areas including business services and health services. Moreover, the Agreement includes, among other things, provisions on the environment, competition, dispute settlement, small and medium enterprises, and e-commerce.

    China said the Agreement establishes a high level of openness between both economies in terms of trade in goods and services and for investment. China noted that both economies are highly complementary and that there is a great potential for trade and investment cooperation.

    Nicaragua said the Agreement, which builds upon the July 2022 Early Harvest Agreement, will produce mutual benefits for both countries. Nicaragua added that the Agreement provides an opportunity to transform the country’s structure of production, trading and investment.

    The Free Trade Agreement between China and Cambodia, covering trade in goods and services, came into force on 1 January 2022. Under the Agreement, China has committed to eliminating customs duties on 97.3% of its tariffs by 2041, while Cambodia has committed to eliminating 90% of its tariffs during the same period. Much of the tariff elimination has been “front loaded” by both parties, with most tariff reductions already applied since 2022. For trade in services, Cambodia’s sectoral commitments remain the same as in its GATS commitments, except for a limited number of sectors, while China’s existing GATS commitments are further enhanced for a number of sectors under the Agreement. The Agreement also contains provisions on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

    China said the Agreement is its first bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) signed with a least-developed country (LDC), noting that this sets a good example of cooperation with LDCs. China said it is also the first FTA that sets an independent chapter on cooperation under the BRI and that it will enhance value chains between the two countries.

    Cambodia said the Agreement is consistent with WTO commitments as it eliminates duties on a substantial amount of trade between the two countries. Cambodia noted the Agreement provides benefits beyond the economic aspect as it also contributes to Cambodia’s broader development strategies.

    Implementation of the RTA Transparency Mechanism

    The Committee also took note of one new notification of an RTA, as well as five notifications of changes since its last session in November 2024. The signature of one Agreement was also the subject of an early announcement.

    The outgoing chair, Ambassador Salomon Eheth (Cameroon), noted that there are 30 RTAs involving only WTO members and 38 involving non-members for which a factual presentation has to be prepared, counting goods and services separately. In addition, there are at least 58 RTAs currently in force that have not been notified to the WTO, with an updated list of these circulated prior to the Committee meeting and available on the RTA database. A number of delegations encouraged members to notify these agreements as soon as possible, while noting that delays may be due to constrained capacities of small delegations.

    The Committee took note of the updated schedule for the submissions of  implementation reports on RTAs. It noted that as of 1 March 2025, such reports were due for 223 RTAs with an additional 15 becoming due in 2025.

    Election of new Chair

    Members elected Ambassador José Valencia of Ecuador as the new Committee Chair. He replaces Ambassador Eheth.

    Next meeting

    The next Committee meetings for 2025 are scheduled for 17 June and 10 November.

    Share

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Mexico: The state must investigate the finding of mass graves in Jalisco and Tamaulipas

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Amnesty International expresses deep concern over the discovery of mass graves and cremation ovens in Teuchitlán (Jalisco) and Reynosa (Tamaulipas) on 5 and 11 March, respectively. This discovery, made by search collectives from these states, warrants the immediate opening of an independent and comprehensive investigation by the Mexican state so that the remains found can be identified and returned to the families searching for their disappeared loved ones in a respectful and caring way.

    The Mexican state has a duty to provide the searchers who found the two sites with all the necessary protection measures, given the potential risk to their physical integrity. These measures must be maintained over time so that the searchers are kept safe and can continue their work.

    Amnesty International calls for the prevention of the spread of rumours that stigmatize disappeared persons, who deserve respect and dignity above all.

    “In the face of this tragedy, we urge the Mexican state to establish the facts by providing the necessary resources to do so, and to give appropriate and dignified treatment to those who, after seeing images of the mass graves that have been discovered, have recognized items of clothing worn by disappeared family members,” said Edith Olivares Ferreto, Executive Director at Amnesty International Mexico.

    In the face of this tragedy, we urge the Mexican state to establish the facts by providing the necessary resources to do so, and to give appropriate and dignified treatment to those who, after seeing images of the mass graves that have been discovered, have recognized items of clothing worn by disappeared family members

    -Edith Olivares Ferreto, Executive Director at Amnesty International Mexico.

    “The Mexican state has been the great absentee in the problem of forced disappearances in Mexico. This has given rise to groups of searchers, the vast majority of whom are women, who have helped locate hundreds of bodies of disappeared persons. Their work has generated trust and has led people with disappeared relatives to turn to them for help instead of approaching the authorities. The state cannot ignore its obligation to recognize the searchers as human rights defenders who carry out their work with great dignity, and it must provide them with the guarantees they need to continue their work,” added Edith Olivares Ferreto.

    “In the context of this terrible tragedy, Amnesty International urges the Mexican state to engage in dialogue with the searchers, to listen to their needs and to recognize the experience they have gained through many years of work in the field, in addition to adopting the international standards that guarantee their right to search without fear,” concluded Edith Olivares Ferreto.

    Amnesty International urges the Mexican state to engage in dialogue with the searchers, to listen to their needs and to recognize the experience they have gained through many years of work in the field, in addition to adopting the international standards that guarantee their right to search without fear

    -Edith Olivares Ferreto. Executive Director at Amnesty International Mexico

    The events described take place in an environment of almost total impunity, which creates an idea of permissibility and at the same time revictimizes the victims. It is essential that events of this nature be effectively investigated, including through the hypothesis of enforced disappearances, as it is unlikely that the two mass graves could have operated without the support or acquiescence of the authorities.

    Disappearances in Mexico, an ongoing scourge

    The horrific discovery of the mass graves and crematoriums is further evidence of an ongoing scourge that spares no state in the country.

    Mexico continues to face a serious crisis of disappearances linked to the context of violence and insecurity that has increased in the country in recent decades, as evidenced by the fact that, according to government data, 30 people disappear every day in Mexico.

    Information from the National Registry of Disappeared and Missing Persons shows that between 1 January 1950 and 10 March 2025, the number of disappeared or missing persons reached 122,821. Jalisco is listed as having 15,013 disappeared persons, followed by the state of Mexico with 13,625 disappeared persons and Tamaulipas with 13,307.

    The United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances stated in its 2021 report that the number of disappearances in Mexico increased exponentially between 2006 and 2021. It was precisely in 2006 that the administration of President Felipe Calderón took the decision to deploy the armed forces to enforce public security, a process that was institutionalized in September 2024, the last month of the latest six-year presidential term.

    Amnesty International has denounced that the decision to militarize and institutionalize public security in Mexico is in breach of judgments issued by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

    Amnesty International has pointed out that the problem of enforced disappearances in Mexico affects men, women, children, Indigenous peoples, migrants, journalists, human rights defenders and the LGBTI community. Disappearances are linked to sexual violence, femicide, recruitment by criminal groups, kidnappings and human trafficking, among other crimes.

    Amnesty International has documented that women searchers in the Americas, and in Mexico in particular, face a high level of risk when searching. From 2011 to date, 24 family members of disappeared persons (14 of them women) have been killed.

    Contextual information:

    Searching Without Fear: International Standards for protecting women searchers in the Americas

    Amnesty International call on behalf of Women Searchers

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Health Science – Moscow Scientists Demonstrate the Effectiveness of Telemedicine for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

    Source:  Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine
     
    Researchers in Moscow have confirmed the effectiveness of telemedicine in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), demonstrating that remote monitoring and online consultations can significantly improve patient outcomes.
    Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine.
    A recent study found that patients who received care via a specialized telemedicine platform reported lower anxiety levels, better adherence to treatment, and an overall improved quality of life compared to those receiving traditional face-to-face consultations.
    Simultaneously, study indicate that remote monitoring is comparable to in-person monitoring in its ability to reduce disease activity and improve quality of life.
    In a recent study involving over 60 patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases, researchers implemented a comparative analysis between two distinct care methods.
    One group received traditional face-to-face medical consultations, while the other group used a specialized health web platform. This platform enabled patients to report their health status and engage in online consultations with gastroenterologists.
    The study aimed to evaluate a range of well-being indicators, including quality of life, levels of anxiety and depression, patient satisfaction with medical care, and adherence to prescribed medication regimens.
    This experiment is a collaborative effort between the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine and the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.
    The findings revealed a significant reduction in anxiety among the telemedicine group, with levels 30% lower than those in the face-to-face group. Additionally, depression decreased by 29%, and colonic pain sensitivity was reduced by 27%. Notably, both groups experienced a decrease in disease severity.
    According to Yuri Vasiliev, CEO of the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine of the Moscow Healthcare Department and Chief Consultant for Radiology in the Moscow Healthcare Department, the results clearly demonstrated the benefits of remote care.  
    “The results underscore the effectiveness of telemedicine in managing inflammatory bowel diseases,” Vasilev noted.
    “By leveraging digital platforms, patients can access care more conveniently, which may lead to improved psychological outcomes and better adherence to treatment plans.”
    “IBD patients require continuous treatment and lifelong follow-up. These conditions, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can significantly impact quality of life, making it difficult for patients to visit hospitals regularly. Our research confirms that telemedicine provides a more convenient and accessible alternative, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits while maintaining high standards of care,” said Anton Vladzimirskyy, Dr.Sc. and Deputy Director for Research at the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine. 
    The study, titled “Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Russia,” is a randomized controlled trial. It comprises three stages: (1) patient selection and random assignment into two groups with a 1:1 allocation ratio, (2) follow-up care utilizing either telemonitoring or traditional face-to-face appointments, and (3) evaluation and comparison of the efficacy of follow-up in both groups.
    This design allows for a comprehensive assessment of telemedicine’s impact on managing inflammatory bowel diseases in the Russian healthcare context.
    The research began in 2023 and is part of Moscow’s broader efforts to integrate telemedicine and artificial intelligence into healthcare.
    This study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the role of telemedicine in managing chronic diseases, highlighting its potential to enhance accessibility, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. 
    The Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine, established in 1996, is a leading scientific and practical organization within the Social Development Complex of the Moscow Mayor’s Office. The Center focuses on the implementation of AI in medicine, the advancement of radiology, and the development of medical training programs. 

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow schoolchildren have begun writing practice papers before the Unified State Exam

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow schoolchildren have begun to re-write practice papers in the format of the Unified State Exam (USE). More than 71 thousand eleventh-graders will take it this year.

    “Three years ago, a program to prepare for the Unified State Exam was launched in the capital’s schools, which has won the trust of students, parents and teachers. In the first half of the year, eleventh-graders master the program in the main subjects, and in the second, they move on to practical classes, which take up at least 40 percent of the school time. Practice work in the Unified State Exam format is conducted in the subjects that students choose to take. During the year, Moscow schoolchildren can write them twice, now the kids will finally check their knowledge before the exams,” the press service of the capital said.

    Department of Education and Science.

    Eleventh-graders will write practice papers in 11 subjects. They will test their knowledge of both compulsory subjects — Russian language and mathematics (basic or advanced level) — and elective subjects — physics, English, biology, history, chemistry, literature, geography, computer science, and social studies. The practice tests will end on April 19. The schedule was compiled taking into account the subjects chosen by the graduates.

    Training work in the Unified State Exam format has been carried out in Moscow schools since 2022. They are organized by the capital Department of Education and Science. In addition, for graduates who aspire to achieve high exam scores in advanced mathematics, physics, biology, literature and social science, the Center for Pedagogical Excellence offers online courses. They are taught by the best teachers who have trained winners of all-Russian and international Olympiads.

    In preparation for the Unified State Exam, Moscow schoolchildren also use the platform’s capabilities “Moscow Electronic School”. The “Exams” service in the electronic diary contains materials for independent study: video analysis of assignments, tests with automatic checking and interactive applications. In addition, here you can find recommendations on filling out forms, advice on managing your time, emotions and psychological support. Also on the start page of the “MESh” library in the selection “Preparation for the Unified State Exam-2025” schoolchildren have access to video analysis for preparing for the unified city test. Students can save time searching for materials in different sources and prepare for exams more effectively.

    It was previously revealed most popular electives at the Unified State Exam. More than 38 thousand children plan to take the profile level mathematics, more than 25 thousand – social science. 18 thousand graduates chose the Unified State Exam in computer science, 15 thousand – in English. For the first time in several years, physics entered the top five most popular subjects – more than 10 thousand schoolchildren registered for the exam.

    The early exam period will be held from March 21 to April 21, the main period – from May 23 to July 4, and the additional period – from September 4 to 23. See the full schedule andfind out more can be found on the website of the Regional Information Processing Center of Moscow. All questions of interest can be answered by phone: 7 499 653-94-50.

    Moscow graduates show high results in the Unified State Exam. In 2024, Moscow became the only region where a student scored 400 points in four subjects. Another 1,860 people received the maximum score in one subject, 178 in two, and 17 graduates in three subjects.

    Conducting preparatory activities for successfully passing state exams not only helps students achieve high results in tests, but also contributes to the development of their talents, the formation of skills that will be useful in their future profession, and corresponds to the objectives of the project “All the best for children” of the national project “Youth and Children”.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Construction of heating network for Biryulevskaya metro line has begun

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Specialists from the Moscow City Economy Complex have begun relocating the heating network in the area of the future ZIL metro station for the construction of the new Biryulevskaya metro line. In total, work to remove heating networks will be carried out at nine sites for the construction of the new line.

    In four areas, work is being carried out using a technology called tunnel heating network installation, which is rare for the capital’s heating system.

    “Using tunnel technology for laying the heating network allows us to reduce inconveniences for city residents. Thus, the work time is reduced and the relocation of third-party communications is minimized: water supply and sanitation networks, sewerage, gas supply, communications and others. Thanks to this technology, the costs of improvement are also reduced,” said Denis Bashuk, Managing Director of PJSC MOEK.

    Construction and installation work on laying the heating network in the area of the future ZIL station of the Biryulevskaya metro line is carried out using a tunnel boring machine at depths of 12 to 22 meters. The total length of the four sections is over 1.3 thousand meters (the combined length of two parallel lines). Communication tunnels will pass under the railway lines and the Moscow Central Circle, Lisitsky and Bratyev Ryabushinskikh streets, as well as Likhachev Avenue.

    The remaining engineering infrastructure facilities for the Biryulevskaya line are currently being designed, with construction planned to begin in the spring of 2025. In total, specialists will lay over 8.5 kilometers of heating network with a diameter of 100 to 1.4 thousand millimeters.

    The Moscow City Economy Complex noted that PJSC MOEK is actively involved in the development of the city’s transport infrastructure, including as part of the expansion of the capital’s metro. If necessary, the company uses tunnel boring machines during the construction of new lines. In particular, in 2024, a 93-meter-long heating network was laid under Profsoyuznaya Street in the technical zone of the Akademicheskaya metro station of the Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya line at a depth of 16 meters. This was necessary to switch the load from the previously operating heating network and remove it from the construction zone of the new Troitskaya line.

    The Biryulevskaya Line is a radial branch of the Moscow Metro that will serve the southern districts of the capital. Its length will be over 22 kilometers. Ten stations will be built on it. The line will run from the territory of the former ZIL industrial zone to the districts of Zapadnoye and Vostochnoye Biryulyovo.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Industrial vacancies to be presented at Quarry Workshop festival

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Professions of the Future Center invites city residents to the Quarry Workshop, an industrial employment festival, on March 25. There, you can interview potential employers and take the most sought-after positions.

    “Industry is a strategically important sector that creates the basis for sustainable economic development. An area where engineering ideas and scientific achievements are embodied in real products and services, improving the quality of life. As Sergei Sobyanin noted

    in the strategy for the development of the social protection system of Moscow until 2030, the city offers residents to develop their human resources potential and successfully integrate into the largest labor market in the country. The festival “Career Workshop” is a unique opportunity for job seekers to become part of a dynamically developing industrial sector. At the event, participants will get acquainted with current offers and receive valuable advice from career experts. For those who are just starting their professional path in this direction, short educational programs lasting up to 3.5 months are available,” said Andrey Tarasov, Director of the Moscow Employment Service, Head of the Professions of the Future Center.

    The enterprises of the holding company “Roselectronics”, which is part of the state corporation “Rostec”, will present their vacancies: the Scientific Research Institute of Automatic Equipment named after Academician V.S. Semenikhin, the concern “Avtomatika”, the Scientific Research Center for Electronic Computer Engineering, the Central Scientific Research Institute “Cyclone”, the scientific and production association “Angstrem” and others.

    Applicants will be offered employment in the positions of process engineer, designer, assembler of electronic equipment and devices, fitter, turner, milling machine operator, operator of CNC machines, roofer and other blue-collar jobs.

    The event will take place on March 25 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the address: Shchepkina Street, Building 38, Building 1. Participation is free, but advance registration is required. registration.

    How the Professions of the Future Center Helps Employers Select PersonnelDevelop soft skills and start your own business: what programs does the employment service offer to Muscovites

    The Moscow City Employment Service is the largest state personnel operator that helps residents of the capital find work. Its structure includes employment offices, many of which are located in the My Documents government service centers. The flagship centers are open at the following addresses: Kuusinen Street, Building 2, Building 1, and Shabolovka Street, Building 48. The specialized My Career employment center is located on Sergiya Radonezhskogo Street (Building 1, Building 1).

    In the center “Professions of the Future” on Shchepkina Street (38 Building 1) you can master one of 75 in-demand specialties in various sectors of the economy in a maximum of 3.5 months. Career mentors will help you find a job after completing your studies. The center’s partners include more than three thousand employers. In addition, it implements a comprehensive career guidance program for ninth-grade students.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Industrial production is a complex system where science is closely intertwined with engineering and management.

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    4th and 5th year students Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU Danila Anikyev and Serafim Tishchenko successfully completed an internship at the BratskKhimSintez plant. This is an enterprise that produces active pharmaceutical substances (APS) – the main component of a drug, with which its medicinal properties are associated. They are necessary for the production of drugs used in the treatment of socially significant diseases, such as tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis and oncology. Today, the plant’s capacity is 120 tons of APS per year.

    The plant actively accepts students for practical training and internships, providing them with the opportunity to become familiar with technological processes, modern equipment and real tasks of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

    — My interest in pharmaceuticals and drug development was formed during my studies. It is important for me that science has practical application, and an internship at R

    The guys learned about the internship from the faculty’s Telegram channel, where a career meeting with the head of R was announced.

    During the internship, the students had the opportunity to work in two research groups, where they were engaged in optimizing the synthesis of pharmaceutical substances and scaling it up. Every week, the students and their supervisors analyzed the results, adjusted the tasks, and planned the next steps. The students saw how even small improvements at each stage — from the choice of reagents and solvents to reducing the reaction time — directly affect the reduction of the product cost, which is critical for the industry.

    — The main discovery for me was the specifics of working with industrial volumes. Before the internship, my experience at NSU and the SB RAS Institute of Organic Chemistry was limited to laboratory scales — I worked with reactions hundreds of times smaller than in production. Here I learned how to adjust the synthesis parameters when scaling: for example, control heat release in reactors or select the mixing speed for large volumes. This is a completely different level of complexity, where even a minor error can lead to serious consequences. In addition, I saw how the logistics of processes are structured: from planning stages to synchronizing the work of teams. Now I understand that industrial production is not just an “enlarged flask”, but a complex system where science is closely intertwined with engineering and management, — Danila shared.

    Such experience not only broadens professional horizons, but also allows students to feel like part of a large industry, where the quality and effectiveness of future drugs depend on their knowledge and skills. Real work in laboratories, interaction with experts and familiarization with previous technologies helped the internship participants better understand what role they can play in the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

    “It was very interesting and useful. Moreover, I am sure that it will definitely be useful to me in the future,” shared his emotions Serafim Tishchenko, a 5th-year student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU, specializing in Fundamental and Applied Chemistry.

    — The emotions were extremely positive. I learned from my own experience how important my studies at NSU and my internship at the NIOC SB RAS were: they gave me both the theoretical basis and the skills that were immediately useful during the internship. It was nice when the managers noted this — I felt that I was moving in the right direction. And I also clearly understood that I wanted to develop in this area: when you see how your calculations or ideas help optimize the process and reduce costs, you want to take on more complex tasks. This is not just a job — it is an opportunity to create something truly significant, — concluded Danila Anikyev.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From March 22, ground transport routes will change in 11 districts of the capital

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    From March 22, six bus and electric bus routes will be adjusted in the capital. The changes will take place in the east, northeast and north of Moscow, as well as in TiNAO. Transport will come closer to new buildings, rail frame stations and social facilities. This was announced by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.

    “Sergey Sobyanin instructed to provide comfortable ground transportation within walking distance from rail frame stations, residential buildings, and places of attraction. From March 22, we will adjust six routes of electric buses and buses in 11 districts of the capital,” said Maxim Liksutov.

    In particular, the routes will change in the south of Troitsk. This is due to the opening of traffic along Akademika Cherenkova and Akademika Franka streets. Route #168 will be merged with route #C174. After the stop “Ulitsa Akademika Dykhne” instead of Promyshlennaya street, buses will go along Akademika Franka street to Bylov. Buses in both directions will call at the village of Krasnaya Pakhra. Between Tekstilshchikov, Gorodskaya and Tsentralnaya streets, instead of route #C174, passengers will be able to travel on buses #C117, #C187 and #C924. Route #906 after the stop “Troitsky Khram” will go along Fizicheskaya, Akademika Cherenkova and Akademika Franka streets to Promyshlennaya street.

    Buses T75 will go only to Nikolay Starostin Street under the new number 635. Boarding will take place at the stop “3rd microdistrict Novokosina”. On Saltykovskaya Street, passengers will be able to use route No. 674. Buses of route No. 723 will take them to the 2nd Moscow Crematorium.

    In the village of Kozhukhovo, you can use the stops on Lukhmanovskaya Street. Instead of buses of route No. 772, buses C613 will run to the third Moscow Central Diameter (MCD-3) in the village of Ukhtomsky. At the same time, city transport will start running more often.

    Route #643 will cease operating. It is no longer required, as passengers prefer to use MCD-3, where trains run every 10 minutes. The north and east of Moscow are also connected by the MCC and the Nekrasovskaya metro line. From Kozhukhov, you can take buses #726, 773, 787, 808, 821, 849 and 855 to the Nekrasovskaya line and #787 to the Kosino MCD station. From Zapadnoye Degunino, buses #154 go to the Botanichesky Sad metro station and #215 go to the Grachevskaya MCD station.

    In accordance with the objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for life” In Moscow, much attention is paid to the modernization of social and municipal infrastructure, including increasing the number of convenient public transport routes and updating the rolling stock. In addition, within the framework of the national project, the capital has begun developing the Central Transport Hub. It will become a single circuit with regular suburban rail transport for more than 30 million residents of 11 regions of Russia.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Master classes, lectures, professional testing: the forum of capital colleges has begun in Moscow

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A large-scale college forum has begun in the capital. On March 19–21, schoolchildren and their parents will be able to get acquainted with the capital’s colleges at Gostiny Dvor, take part in master classes on more than 140 in-demand professions, undergo professional testing, and meet with famous speakers and artists. This was reported by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

    “In recent years, the labor market has seen a huge demand for specialists with secondary vocational education (SVE). In turn, colleges are increasingly becoming a choice for further career paths for schoolchildren. In order to maintain the interest of children and give them the opportunity to get acquainted with the wide opportunities that SVE now offers, today we opened a three-day forum of capital colleges in Gostiny Dvor. 48 educational organizations will take part in it. Here, every schoolchild will be able to practically assess their predisposition to a particular direction, literally “touch” the specialty and feel which professions may be interesting to them,” noted Anastasia Rakova.

    She added that a separate program has been prepared for parents, for whom this period is also difficult. They will meet with experts in the field of psychology and adolescent personality development. Parents will be able to talk to college representatives and ask all the questions they have about admission and the children’s further adaptation.

    In the morning and afternoon hours, the forum will be available only for organized visits by Moscow schoolchildren, and from 17:30 – for everyone.

    On March 19, doctor, journalist and TV presenter Sergei Malozemov will tell how to stick to a healthy diet and stay active while studying. At a lecture by communications trainer and digital etiquette expert Keti Sapovich, you can learn about the basics of eco-friendly communication, and at a speech by figure skater and TV presenter Evgenia Medvedeva, you can learn how to properly use the opportunities of a metropolis in your profession.

    As part of the evening program, psychologist Anetta Orlova will share advice on how to cope with stress during exams, and Konstantin Sidorkov, director of work with artists at a major IT company, will talk about how secondary vocational education helps people get jobs in successful Russian companies.

    On March 20, three-time Olympic champion Maria Kiseleva will share the secrets of achieving goals, and blogger Alexander Ivanov will talk about the demand for scientific specialties. In the evening, there will be an awards ceremony for the winners of the first Moscow college film festival “Profession in the frame”, as well as a lecture by the creative director of the design company Alisa Bokha.

    On March 21, Doctor of Biological Sciences Vyacheslav Dubynin will talk about the effective work of the brain under stress, and Seda Kasparov’s voice coach will talk about the secrets of successful communication. Somnologist Roman Buzunov will give the children advice on how to properly rest under intense study conditions.

    Each day, the lecture hall will close with a concert program. In addition, more than 120 master classes will be held within the forum. Using virtual reality technologies, schoolchildren will try themselves in the role of racers and drone pilots, master the skills of 3D modeling and additive technologies, and get acquainted with advanced welding and robotics techniques. They will be able to learn the basics of programming and auto mechanics, as well as reveal their potential in the field of beauty, floristry and medicine.

    Detailed information about the in-demand professions and specialties taught in the capital’s colleges is available in the section“Colleges” on the portal“School. Moscow”, in the telegram channel“Colleges of Moscow” And community of the same name on the social network VKontakte.

    Most Moscow college students start working while still studyingSobyanin approved priorities for the development of the Moscow education system

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/151488073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Two gas pipeline lines were laid under the Moscow River during the reconstruction of the Shchukinsky siphon

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Two gas pipeline lines under the Moscow River have been built in the northwest of the capital as part of the reconstruction of the Shchukinsky siphon, said the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “Since 2018, the city has been implementing a comprehensive reconstruction program for 12 high- and medium-pressure siphons. Work on 10 structures has already been completed, and the Kropotkinsky and Shchukinsky siphons are currently being upgraded. A set of microtunneling activities has been completed at the second facility, within the framework of which two gas pipeline lines have been built under the Moscow River,” noted Pyotr Biryukov.

    The Shchukinsky gas pipeline-duker appeared in the early 1960s and runs along the bottom at a depth of more than five meters. Its length is 3.5 kilometers, it is located along the territory of the natural and historical park “Moskvoretsky”.

    This siphon is the only underwater high-pressure gas pipeline supplying gas to residential, public utility and industrial facilities in the Western and Central Administrative Districts.

    During the work, specialists used a tunneling shield, which allowed them to lay a reinforced concrete casing with minimal impact on the environment. According to Petr Biryukov, microtunneling of each section was divided into two intervals: the length of the first tunnel was 231 meters, the second – 197 meters. At the final stage of reconstruction, work will be carried out on the installation of vertical sections of the gas pipeline, its connection to the existing gas supply system, as well as landscaping of the territory.

    Specialists from JSC Mosgaz will equip the siphon with automatic shut-off devices, which will allow, if necessary, to remotely shut off the gas supply within two minutes. All materials and pipelines used during the reconstruction are made in Russia and comply with modern safety standards.

    The projects implemented in the capital to modernize and improve the reliability of public utilities infrastructure correspond to the goals and objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/151495073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Toyota Automobile Museum to Hold the 35th Classic Car Festival

    Source: Toyota

    Headline: Toyota Automobile Museum to Hold the 35th Classic Car Festival

    The Toyota Automobile Museum, a cultural facility of Toyota, will host the 35th Toyota Museum Classic Car Festival on Sunday, April 20, at Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park. The event aims to foster and preserve automobile culture in the community. Under the theme “The Evolution of Japanese Automobile Culture,” the festival will feature vehicle displays and demonstration runs, with support from domestic automakers, transcending brand boundaries.

    MIL OSI Economics –