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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ofqual seeks views on improvements to supporting compliance for AOs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The regulator is to refine its approach to ensure awarding organisations continue to offer high quality qualifications. 

    Changes to improve the way Ofqual both supports compliance and takes regulatory action were put out for consultation today.  

    The changes are designed both to support awarding organisations and ensure that enforcement action, when it is needed, is proportionate and fair, to maintain the standards of qualifications that students and the public rely on.

    The updated approach introduces proposals to better explain the way in which the regulator uses its powers. It also proposes revised and more efficient processes for dealing with regulatory breaches and a new sanction.

    Proposals include:  

    • a streamlined process for settling simple cases quickly, where organisations agree they have breached Ofqual’s conditions  

    • a new sanction of a public rebuke from the regulator in cases where it’s right that a failure to follow regulatory rules be addressed formally and publicly, but where a fine may not be proportionate

    Where cases are not contested, it is proposed that the chief regulator will have the power to decide that a final decision can be made by a single decision-maker.

    Deputy Chief Regulator Michael Hanton said:  “The 11 million certificates awarded for regulated qualifications in England each year are intrinsic to our education system, the economy, and wider society. Ofqual’s job is to be the guardian of standards and quality in those qualifications.

    “Like all regulators, we want those we regulate to comply with our rules, so that standards are maintained. These proposals are intended to bring clarity about how we will both support compliance and also take action when necessary.” 

    The updated policy, ‘Supporting Compliance and Taking Regulatory Action’, will include a new section explaining the ways Ofqual can support awarding organisations to meet its requirements and avoid the need for formal enforcement action.

    Previous work on updating the policy was interrupted by the pandemic.  

    The consultation was launched today, Thursday, 20 February 2025, and will end on Tuesday, 15 May 2025, at 11:45pm.

    Background information:  

    • Ofqual regulates 249 awarding organisations, certificating over 11 million certificates a year. These include GCSEs, A levels, T Levels, apprenticeship assessments and safety critical qualifications in sectors such as healthcare, childcare and security.   

    • Parliament gave Ofqual enforcement powers in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. Those powers were amended by the Education Act 2011. 

    • The Taking Regulatory Action policy was last amended in 2012. 

    • Ofqual previously consulted on the proposal to implement a ‘rebuke’ as part of its consultation on this policy in 2019. This work was paused due to the pandemic. 

    • The consultation and further details are here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/amending-our-taking-regulatory-action-policy

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    Updates to this page

    Published 20 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local Plan steps closer to development and growth ambitions

    Source: City of York

    City of York Council is set to consider the adoption of its Local Plan following the findings of the Inspector’s Report on the Examination of City of York’s Local Plan.

    The Local Plan will be presented for consideration at Full Council on Thursday 27 February.

    City of York Council is set to consider the adoption of its Local Plan following the findings of the Inspector’s Report on the Examination of City of York’s Local Plan, which will be presented for consideration at Full Council on Thursday 27 February.

    Once adopted, this Plan will be the city’s first comprehensive development framework since 1956 and will guide York’s growth for the next decade, marking a pivotal milestone in the city’s future development and growth ambitions, whilst establishing the city’s green belt and historic setting for the first time.

    The Local Plan outlines the vision for sustainable housing, economic development, and infrastructure in York. It addresses key priorities such as affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and the protection of York’s historic character. The Plan provides a policy framework for decisions on development, shaping the city’s future spatial development until 2038.

    As part of the adoption process, the Council will review the Inspector’s recommendations and the main modifications to housing allocations, green belt boundaries, and transport infrastructure planning. The final decision on whether to formally adopt the Local Plan will be made at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 27 February.

    Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of the Council, said:

    The Local Plan is an historic step in shaping York’s bright future, and we’re excited about what it means for our city. We welcome the Inspector’s findings and are confident that their modifications will strengthen the Plan, ensuring it supports York’s vision for a sustainable, inclusive city for all. The Plan provides us with a clear roadmap for how our city will develop and grow over the next decade – meeting the needs of our residents and businesses.

    “A huge thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to bring this Plan to life. We truly appreciate your dedication and commitment to York’s future.”

    Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality, and Inclusion, added:

    This Local Plan is designed to support the growth of York while promoting equality, accessibility, and sustainability. We are particularly focused on ensuring that affordable housing remains a central component of this Plan, along with infrastructure that meets the needs of all residents, including those from the most disadvantaged groups. This is a long-term investment in creating a fairer, greener York for future generations.

    Cllr. Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities, commented:

    The Local Plan represents the outcome of 7 years extensive consultation, public hearings, and thorough examination. The Plan outlines significant investments in housing, transport, and employment opportunities, which will help drive York’s economy and provide much-needed infrastructure. For York to prosper we need to be ambitious, and this Plan unlocks the potential to make those ambitions a reality.

    Inspector’s Report and Next Steps

    The Inspector’s Report, published following extensive independent examination, recognised that the Local Plan meets all statutory duties to cooperate and aligns with national planning policies. However, the Report also identified certain areas requiring modifications to ensure the Plan’s soundness, particularly regarding the housing supply, green belt boundaries, and infrastructure delivery.

    The Council has already responded to the Inspector’s recommendations, requesting main modifications that will address these deficiencies. Full Council will be asked to adopt the plan with the Inspectors’ modifications.

    The Local Plan in Brief

    The Local Plan will provide a comprehensive strategy for:

    • Delivering 20,000 new homes over the duration of the plan, including a significant proportion of affordable housing
    • Allocating sites for economic growth, including areas for employment and retail expansion
    • Investing in sustainable transport infrastructure, including improved bus routes, cycling paths, and EV charging stations
    • Mitigating and adapting to climate change with enhanced green infrastructure, flood defences, and energy-efficient building standards.
    • Safeguarding York’s historic and cultural heritage while ensuring new development respects the city’s unique character.
    • Setting the city’s green belt and protecting the historic setting for the first time.

    The adoption of the Local Plan represents a turning point in York’s growth, ensuring that development is sustainable, well-planned, and consistent with local priorities.

    For more details on the Inspector’s Report and the upcoming Full Council meeting, visit the our Local Plan Inspectors Report.

    Full Council takes place on Thursday 27 February, the agenda is available to view online at our Democracy website and the meeting will be available to view live or on demand at our webcasts page.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Firms Encouraged to Meet the Buyer

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    A call is going out for local businesses keen to bid for work in the public sector to attend a Dundee event where they can meet buyers from organisations across Tayside. 

    The free Meet the Buyer gathering on March 4 at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) will give potential suppliers the opportunity to talk informally about upcoming contracts. 

    A wide range of goods and services are bought in by public bodies including personal care, building works, transport and catering. 

    Councillor Steven Rome, convener of Dundee City Council’s Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure committee, said: “This event aims to help local businesses to be ready to bid for work from councils, health boards, universities and other public bodies when it comes up. 

    “Attendance is free, but we are keen that new and existing suppliers, particularly local businesses in and around Dundee, register for the event. 

    “Buyers will be there to meet potential suppliers to chat about upcoming contracts, how they go about tendering and what they look for when buying goods and services for their organisations.” 

    “Suppliers will also be able to network with meet larger contractors with public sector contracts to learn about current and active subcontract opportunities, and how to join their supply chains.”                                                       

    The free event is being organised by Dundee City Council in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council, Angus Council, and the Supplier Development Programme (SDP). 

    It takes place on Tuesday March 4 between 10am and 2pm at the Innovation Hub at the MSIP, Baldovie Road, Dundee.  

    Anyone who wants to attend should register on the SDP website here  

    Attendees on the day will be able to introduce their business to a wide range of public sector organisations, including: 

    • Dundee City Council 

    • Abertay University 

    • Angus Council 

    • Scotland Excel 

     

    Contractors confirmed to attend are Robertsons Tayside, McLaughlin & Harvey, MVV Environment Baldovie Ltd and Balfour Beatty. 

    Gillian Cameron, Programme Manager of the Supplier Development Programme, said: “Meet the Buyer Tayside is a fantastic opportunity to network with the real buyers that design and advertise local public sector contracts and supply chain opportunities, as well as learn about the free business support and training local businesses can access to help them bid better. 

    “The Supplier Development Programme works hand in hand with local authorities to create free events like Meet the Buyer Tayside, which help local businesses find, win and keep public sector contracts. So, if you want to consider and win work with the public sector or its partners in Tayside, this event is an unmissable opportunity.” 

    The session will include speakers and workshops, looking at topics like Quick Quotes for smaller contract opportunities, Community Wealth Building and how to use Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) and Public Contracts Scotland Tender (PCS-T) to tender for work. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Get a chance to win 1.5 million rubles for an innovative project

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The application process for the Moscow Mayor’s “Moscow Innovator” award has begun.

    The competition for the best entrepreneurs, scientists and inventors will allow them to contribute to the development of the capital, implement technological developments in Moscow and win up to 1.5 million rubles.

    Applications are accepted in six key areas: medicine and pharmaceuticals, industry, transport and logistics, improvement and construction, ecology and environmental protection, and public projects.

    Both individuals (students, schoolchildren, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs) and representatives of organizations (research laboratories, design bureaus, corporations, engineering centers) in a team of 2 to 5 people can compete for the prize.

    Both early stage developments and projects with revenue can participate. The total prize fund is more than 20 million rubles.

    Register on the award website before May 5. Success stories of participants and current news of the competition are published on the channel “Moscow Innovators”.

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 02/20/2025

    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 –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing has 1,100 parks, set to add 15 more

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Beijing has currently built 1,100 parks, two-thirds of which are wall-free, and plans to construct 15 more urban leisure parks this year, according a work conference on the greening of the city held on Wednesday.
    In 2024, Beijing built 15 new leisure parks and urban forests, along with 50 pocket parks and small green spaces. The coverage rate of parks and green spaces within a 500-meter service radius reached 91%. Many parks have removed fences and walls, allowing the natural scenery to blend with the city.
    Over 500 million park visits were made by residents in Beijing during the past year.
    “This year, the plan is to complete afforestation of 10,000 mu (666.67 hectares), build 200 hectares of parkland, and establish 1,000 kilometers of greenways,” said Gao Dawei, head of the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau at the conference. “By the end of this year, the city’s forest coverage rate is expected to reach 45%, with annual carbon sequestration from forest and green land reaching 10 million metric tons.”
    In addition, Beijing plans to create 50 “small but beautiful” pocket parks and small green spaces, renovate 10 age-friendly parks, upgrade 10 green buffer parks, and build 100 micro-gardens within residential communities this year.
    At present, Beijing is advancing the construction of a garden city, with more garden city landscapes expected to emerge in the future.
    To make the parks and greenways more exquisite, the city plans to build 50 scenic corridors in these places in 2025. Currently, the sites for these corridors are being selected, with various types of viewing platforms to be set up in higher terrain areas.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Dubai International Financial Center marks 20 years, strengthens ties with China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has strengthened its position as the leading financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region after 20 years of growth, with a strong focus on deepening economic ties with China.

    In recent years, the center has witnessed a notable rise in the number of Chinese companies joining its ecosystem, further establishing Dubai as a key gateway for Chinese financial institutions seeking access to the Middle East and the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, according to press releases issued recently by Dubai authorities. 

    In 2024, DIFC reported a 25% year-on-year increase in active companies, reaching a total of 6,920 firms, with a significant surge in the number of Chinese financial institutions and multinational corporations establishing a presence. Notably, China’s Bank of Communications inaugurated its regional headquarters in DIFC in November 2024, following in the footsteps of other Chinese financial giants such as the Agricultural Bank of China and the Bank of China. Collectively, these Chinese institutions now account for over 30% of DIFC’s total banking and capital markets assets, solidifying Dubai’s reputation as the UAE’s largest hub for Chinese financial firms.

    “DIFC has become the financial center of choice for Chinese entities within the finance sector as well as multinational companies,” said Arif Amiri, chief executive officer of DIFC Authority. “We remain committed to providing Chinese businesses with the best-in-class platform that will help shape their growth and expansion within the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.”

    The growing role of Chinese financial institutions in Dubai is also evident in their active participation in the bond market. Chinese banks have been issuing bonds on Nasdaq Dubai, including green bonds that fund renewable energy, clean transportation and water desalination projects across the UAE and beyond. Most recently, in November 2024, bonds worth $2 billion were listed on Nasdaq Dubai by China’s Ministry of Finance.

    In 2024, DIFC achieved impressive performances across multiple sectors. The center’s combined revenues reached $484 million, a 37% increase from the previous year, with operating profit soaring 55% to $363 million. The technology and innovation sector was a standout performer, growing by 38% to 1,245 companies in 2024.

    Looking ahead, DIFC remains committed to expanding its financial and technology sectors, with major initiatives such as the Dubai AI Campus, and the upcoming DIFC Funds Center, which is set to open in 2025. These efforts, combined with Dubai’s ambition to become the top global financial center, further highlight DIFC’s role in attracting Chinese businesses and fostering long-term growth across the region, according to press releases from the center. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: eHealth enrolment for children opens

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Health Bureau has announced that from today citizens can open eHealth accounts for their children via the one-stop platform on the eHealth mobile application.

    Citizens who are registered with eHealth can use the eHealth app to register their children, provided they are under 16, and verify their identities through the “My Family” function. Creating an account involves providing a photo of each child’s Hong Kong Birth Certificate, and filling in the required information.

    Upon successful registration, children can start building a lifelong electronic health record and receive coherent healthcare services as they grow up. Through the “My Family” function, parents can also access and manage their children’s health records, including vaccination records, growth records, and details of allergies or adverse drug reactions.

    From today until May 31, children will earn health coins on their eHealth App account, for gift redemption, following successful registration by their parents.

    During this period, parents who register children under one year old will also receive a limited-edition Newborn Gift Box, which includes a multipurpose baby stroller bag, a mini soft tape measure, an eHealth picture book and other exquisite gifts.

    For gift box redemptions, eligible parents simply need to use the “My Family” function on the app and select a delivery address in accordance with the instructions. Click here for details.

    In September, the bureau launched its “e+ Life” health challenge platform on eHealth to encourage public participation in various health challenges, including  
    “e+ Go to the Park” and the now-concluded “10 000 Steps a Day Walking Challenge 2024”.

    From today until May 31, citizens can use health coins earned from “e+ Life” or registering their children on eHealth to redeem rewards. Visit the thematic website for more details, or call 3467 6300, from 9am to 9pm, from Mondays to Fridays.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU teachers are prize winners of the regional Spartakiad

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    NSU
    News and Events
    News
    NSU teachers are prize winners of the regional Spartakiad

    02.20.2025

    Latest news

    02/19/2025

    NSU scientist talks about the current epidemic season

    In the last two weeks of January and the first two weeks of February, there was a slight increase in the incidence of respiratory viral infections; the H3N2 subtype of influenza A viruses that were dominant in the 2023/24 season were replaced by strains of the H1N1 subtype.

    02/19/2025

    Exhibition “Life as a Vocation” to Open at NSU

    It is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Honorary Professor of NSU, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, founder of the scientific school of modern Siberian science studies and cultural studies, veteran of the Great Patriotic War Varlen Lvovich Soskin.

    02/18/2025

    Sergey Netesov: “You have to root for the positive”

    To overcome ARVI, medications and immune stimulation alone are not enough. The patient’s emotional state is no less important. A positive attitude will make the medications more effective.

    All news

    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 –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Axi Select Celebrates Top Milestone: Trader Secures $1,000,000 in Capital Funding

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Axi, a leading global provider of online trading services, has proudly announced that trader Francisco Quesada Godines has reached the top milestone in its innovative capital allocation program, Axi Select, securing $1million in capital funding. This incredible achievement is a testament to the broker’s commitment to provide its Axi Select traders with a real opportunity to maximise their trading potential.

    According to Greg Rubin, Head of Axi Select, “Francisco, has demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment to the program. This milestone extends far beyond receiving $1million in funding. It not only highlights what traders can achieve when they trade consistently and can seize market opportunities to their advantage, but it also underscores the power of an all-inclusive, trader-centric program designed to unlock traders’ full potential.”

    “We are incredibly excited for this milestone–a testament to the hard work and dedication of our traders” said Rajesh Yohannan, CEO of Axi, as he shares his pride in their unique program. “When we launched Axi Select in 2023, our aim was clear: we wanted to change the narrative by creating a model that meets traders’ demands; when traders are free from upfront costs, restrictive trading conditions, and other barriers, they can focus exclusively on sharpening their trading performance. Indeed, our experience over the past year has demonstrated that, when a program is geared towards harnessing traders’ full potential, they can achieve remarkable results.”

    Axi Select offers ambitious traders a pathway to access capital funding up to $1,000,000 USD and earn up to 90% of their profits, as well as the advantage to join the program with zero registration or monthly fees*. Moreover, Axi Select uses a Standard or a Pro live account, unrestrictive trading conditions, and a suite of tools to nurture traders’ success and growth.

    *Standard trading fees apply.

    The Axi Select program is only available to clients of AxiTrader Limited. CFDs carry a high risk of investment loss. In our dealings with you, we will act as a principal counterparty to all of your positions. This content is not available to AU, NZ, EU and UK residents. For more information, refer to our Terms of Service.

    For more information contact : mediaenquiries@axi.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3372dba-9460-4833-8180-ff68d3c17652

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing’s Shunyi accelerates high-quality development

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Shunyi district in northeastern Beijing is accelerating high-quality, internationalized development.
    With 15 indicators of high-quality development in place, the district aims for an economic output of over 330 billion yuan (US$45.32 billion) and a modern service industry worth 150 billion yuan, as well as an annual trade value exceeding 200 billion yuan in its Tianzhu comprehensive bonded zone, according to local officials.
    The district has been working to become a hub for international companies and resources, as demonstrated by its Beijing China-Germany Industrial Park.
    China’s only national-level park focusing on China-Germany economic and technological cooperation, the industrial compound has attracted 118 German-funded and affiliated enterprises since its establishment three years ago, including major brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Bosch. During this period, the park registered an annual industrial output exceeding 40 billion yuan. 
    With an innovative environment and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, the park has been an attractive landing spot for German companies looking to expand in China. 
    The park has also forged cooperation with more than 50 institutions, such as the European Economic Senate, and hosts forums and expos to foster international collaboration.
    In addition, it has introduced commercial facilities like German-style beer houses, cafes, and convenience stores selling German goods. It has also become a venue for events such as wine and beer festivals, football tournaments, and equestrian competitions organized by the resident companies.
    The district is also leading in cross-border pharmaceutical trade.
    According to officials, 10 rare disease drugs and clinically urgent medications have been approved in Beijing. These will be purchased globally and transported through the Tianzhu bonded zone to medical institutions in the city. Rare disease medications can now be cleared through customs once and used multiple times outside the zone, ensuring continuous availability for patients.
    Moreover, rare disease patients can receive top-tier diagnosis and treatment here.
    Last year, the total trade value of the Tianzhu zone reached 123.49 billion yuan, yuan, with pharmaceutical trade accounting for 106.93 billion yuan, marking a 6.39% increase.
    Cutting-edge industries are also flourishing in the district, which has introduced public rental housing to lure top talent.
    Cui Xiaohao, the district head, announced that by 2030, the total output value of its five high-end manufacturing industries — new-energy intelligent vehicles, aerospace, third-generation semiconductors, intelligent equipment, and medical and health industries — will exceed 300 billion yuan.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Way paved for reduced tunnel tolls

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today welcomed the passage of the Road Tunnels (Government) (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Legislative Council.

    The bill lays the foundation for the Government’s takeover of Tai Lam Tunnel (TLT) and the implementation of new tolls at a suitably reduced level starting May 31, it explained.

    Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan said: “The new tolls, which are devised based on scientific and traffic data, will enable the flow of people and freight between the Northwest New Territories and the urban area. The new tolls are a comprehensive proposal that takes into account both public opinion and holistic policy considerations.”

    Under a time-varying toll, private cars will be charged between $18 and $45, while motorcycles will pay between $7.2 and $18.

    The toll for taxis will be at an all-day fixed rate of $28. Other commercial vehicles including goods vehicles and buses will be charged an all-day fixed toll of $43.

    The Government noted that the reduced tolls can ensure that the TLT remains smooth and its spare capacity is utilised to alleviate heavy traffic on Tuen Mun Road and Tolo Highway, while also ensuring smooth public transport services through the tunnel, thereby enabling the public’s commute.

    The updated toll scheme also adheres to the principles of “user-pay” and “cost-recovery”, while embodying the principle of “efficiency first” to attract commercial vehicles, it added.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 4 care homes added to GD scheme

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Social Welfare Department announced today that four additional residential care homes for the elderly will become Recognised Service Providers under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong from March 1 to provide subsidised care and attention places for seniors joining the scheme.

    These care homes are located in Jiangmen, Foshan and Shenzhen.

    Together with the existing 11 care homes, the number of care homes registered under the scheme will increase to 15 in six Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to provide more choice for seniors with an interest in retiring in Mainland cities in the GBA.

    Click here for details of the scheme.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Biggs Urges President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin to Stop the Implementation of Biden-Era Woke Environmental Policies in Maricopa County

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

    Congressman Andy Biggs led a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging his Administration to stop the redesignation of Maricopa County’s Clean Air Act nonattainment status from moderate to serious. Eighty percent of the emissions assigned to Arizona are attributable to natural or international sources, and the implementation of stricter regulations would accomplish nothing except crippling the local economy.

    “Americans soundly rejected Biden-Harris era woke nonsense at the ballot box last November,” said Congressman Biggs.

    “Eighty percent of the air pollution in Maricopa County is caused by natural phenomena or international transport. Arizona—and Maricopa County specifically—is home to economic and technological development that will better the lives of Arizonans and Americans nationwide. Putting the local economy in a chokehold to serve the Green priorities of a rejected President is unwise.

    “I’m thankful for the support of my colleagues on this crucial issue and look forward to continue working with President Trump’s Administration to fulfill Americans’ mandate.”

    Cosigners of the letter are: Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Abraham J. Hamadeh (R-AZ), and Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ).

    The letter may be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Discusses Putting Patients First with NYU Langone

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. spoke with NYU Langone CEO, Dr. Robert Grossman, to discuss his initial letter and the importance of putting patients first.

    “Ensuring health care providers who receive federal funding are good stewards of taxpayer dollars is of utmost importance to me,”  said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. “Dr. Grossman answered all my questions and fully alleviated my initial concerns. In fact, after discussing the state of American health care at length and learning about NYU Langone’s success story both as a hospital system and medical school, I was left impressed and grateful for the work the institution is doing. NYU Langone’s commitment to transparency and willingness to engage with me in good faith sets it apart. I encourage all institutions of medicine, including insurers, to follow in its footsteps as we work to improve access to high-quality, affordable care for all Americans.”

    Read my follow-up letter to CEO of NYU Langone, Dr. Robert Grossman, M.D. here.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Roy Re-Introduces Legislation to Remove Federal Liability Protections for COVID-19 Vaccines

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)

    WASHINGTON —  Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) re-introduced H.R.1432, the Let Injured Americans Be Legally Empowered (LIABLE) Act today, a bill that would empower Americans to hold COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers liable for any harms their vaccines caused.

    Congressman Roy said the following about this legislation:

    “The government-healthcare industrial complex’s response to COVID-19 was a tragedy for healthcare freedom. Millions of Americans were forced to choose between a largely untested vaccine or their livelihood, leading to many suffering a range of vaccine injuries as a result. 

    Few have been afforded proper recourse. The COVID-19 vaccine is the most liability-protected vaccine on the market right now. To date, only 50 injury cases have been opened and paid out, despite hundreds of millions of doses administered.

    The American people harmed by this deserve justice. I am re-introducing the LIABLE Act to give Americans who were injured by the COVID-19 vaccines a chance to have their day in court and their injuries properly addressed.”

    The LIABLE Act would empower injured Americans by:

    • Removing all federal liability protections for the COVID-19 vaccine;
    • Preserving the ability of injured Americans to access pre-existing compensation programs; and
    • Specifying the bill is retroactive to ensure Americans who received the COVID-19 vaccine before the bill is enacted benefit.

    Co-sponsors of the bill include Representatives Thomas Massie (KY-04), Josh Breechen (OK-02), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Ralph Norman (SC-05), and Scott Perry (PA-10).

    Supporting organizations of the bill include React19.

    “In exchange for our constitutional right to sue, the US taxpayer is set to foot the bill for all Covid vaccine harms. This inevitable multi-billion dollar bill is an unnecessary burden on the taxpayer. Chip Roy’s bill would put the responsibility back where it belongs, on the manufacturer.” – Brianne Dressen, Co-Chairwoman, and Joel Wallskog, Co-Chairman, React 19.

    Full text of the legislation here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Higgins Legislation Forces Federal Support for Oil and Gas Leasing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) reintroduced the Federal Lands and Waters Leasing Transparency Act, which would hold energy regulators accountable and streamline the federal leasing process for lands and waters.

    In the past few years, the oil and gas industry has experienced significant challenges during the leasing process managed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The current evaluation methods by BOEM do not accurately reflect the true market value of resources, leading to frequent rejections of industry bids with little explanation. This causes uncertainty and discourages investments in new energy exploration and production.

     

    The legislation would:

    • Require the Secretary of Interior to provide detailed reports to bidders if their bids are rejected, ensuring transparency by explaining how the bid compares to various valuation metrics;
    • Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to prevent court orders from delaying the issuance of onshore oil and gas leases unless said lease violates federal law, thereby streamlining the leasing process;
    • Ensures that civil actions that challenge offshore lease sales do not invalidate the leases or delay related approvals and applications.

    “Every FedGov bureaucracy will serve the interests of the American people or MAGA Republicans will aggressively restructure that bureaucracy. Through Executive Branch action and Congressional legislation, every alphabet agency is being forced to comply with the America First agenda. The American energy industry produces clean, affordable, abundant, transportable energy for the entire world, and I will continue to fight for American energy dominance,” said Congressman Higgins.

     

    Read the legislation here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance issues RON 108 million notes under its MTN programme

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    20 February 2025 at 10:00 am (EET)

    Municipality Finance issues RON 108 million notes under its MTN programme 

    Municipality Finance Plc issues RON 108 million notes on 21 February 2025. The maturity date of the notes is 21 February 2028. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.36% per annum. 
    The notes are issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular, the supplemental offering circular and the final terms of the notes are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

    MuniFin has applied for the notes to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki. The public trading is expected to commence on 21 February 2025.

    Société Générale acts as the dealer for the issue of the notes.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The owners of the company include Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the State of Finland. The Group’s balance sheet is over EUR 53 billion.

    MuniFin’s customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, joint county authorities, corporate entities under the control of the above-mentioned organisations, and affordable social housing. Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic, but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance issues SEK 1 billion notes under its MTN programme

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    20 February 2025 at 10.00 am (EET)

    Municipality Finance issues SEK 1 billion notes under its MTN programme

    Municipality Finance Plc issues SEK 1 billion notes on 21 February 2025. The maturity date of the notes is 21 February 2028. The notes bear interest at a floating rate equal to 3-month Stibor plus 150 bps per annum.

    The notes are issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular, the supplemental offering circular and the final terms of the notes are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

    MuniFin has applied for the notes to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki. The public trading is expected to commence on 21 February 2025.

    Danske Bank A/S act as the Dealer for the issue of the notes.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The owners of the company include Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the State of Finland. The Group’s balance sheet is over EUR 53 billion.

    MuniFin’s customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, joint county authorities, corporate entities under the control of the above-mentioned organisations, and affordable social housing. Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic, but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: www.munifin.fi

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics receives IDEX Pay order for VISA biometric cards in MEA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, Norway – 20 February 2025 – A leading smart card technology, security and ID company based in MEA (Middle-East & Africa) has placed a production order of 10,000 units with IDEX Biometrics. The order supports Visa biometric bank card programs in one of the fastest growing payment markets in the region, and marks the first Visa program in market on the IDEX Pay biometric technology solution. The IDEX Biometrics partner serves over 500 banks, governments, and corporations worldwide.

    ‘The innovation pace of our card manufacturing partners in bringing biometric smart cards to market is accelerating; certifications allow them to move to industrialized production and commercialization. Ultimately bringing more secure payments, access and identity control to more consumers around the world’, comments Catharina Eklof, Chief Executive Office at IDEX Biometrics.

    For further information contact:
    Marianne Bøe, Head of Investor Relations, +47 91800186
    Kristian Flaten, CFO, +47 95092322
    E-mail:ir@idexbiometrics.com

    About IDEX Biometrics
    IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. The company’s solutions provide convenience, security, peace of mind, and seamless user experiences worldwide. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, IDEX Biometrics’ biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry enabler, the company partners with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring its solutions to market.

    For more information, please visit www.idexbiometrics.com.

    Trademark Statement
    IDEX, IDEX Biometrics and the IDEX logo are trademarks owned by IDEX Biometrics ASA. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.

    About this notice:
    This notice was issued by Marianne Bøe, Head of Investor Relations, on 20 February 2025 at 08:30 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA.

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN receives the Ambassador for the Promotion of the Asia Zero Emission Community

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a courtesy call from Ambassador for the Promotion of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) and Special Assistant to the Foreign Minister of Japan, H.E. Takio Yamada, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. They exchanged views on enhancing ASEAN-Japan cooperation, particularly in advancing energy transition initiatives as well as in promoting sustainable and low-carbon solutions to support regional targets.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN receives the Ambassador for the Promotion of the Asia Zero Emission Community appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Rosen Blasts Republican Budget Plan to Give More Tax Cuts to Ultra-Wealthy on the Backs of Hardworking Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took to the Senate floor to call out Congressional Republicans for their budget plan, which cuts funding to vital programs like Medicaid and SNAP in favor of funding tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. In her speech, Senator Rosen emphasized how these cuts will hurt hardworking Nevadans.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s floor remarks:
    Mr. President,
    I rise today to speak on an issue that will affect millions of hardworking families, seniors, children, veterans, and any American who relies on essential services.
    As we’ll soon see, Republicans are going to use the budget reconciliation process, a tool that was originally designed to help rein in wasteful spending and lower the national debt, to pass massive new tax cuts for billionaires and the ultra-wealthy. 
    And to pay for these tax breaks, they’re proposing devastating cuts to vital programs that people in my state of Nevada rely on, including Medicaid, SNAP, and supplemental programs for women, infants, and children. 
    So let me say that again. Congressional Republicans are going to cut critical government programs like Medicaid and SNAP in order to give the wealthiest Americans even more tax cuts. You got that right.
    Their policies are, well, billionaires win, and families lose.
    This isn’t “fiscal responsibility,” it’s moral negligence. 
    This isn’t just about economic policy. This is about the livelihoods of everyday Americans. 

    At a time when Nevadans are already grappling with economic hardship and a rising cost of living, these actions by my Republican colleagues, well, they’re just plain wrong. They’re just out of step.
    Instead of using this budget process to provide relief for hardworking families, well, Republicans are exploiting it to push through policies that benefit billionaires like Elon Musk, while leaving millions of Americans – I’ll say it, everyday hardworking families, regular people, everyday people – leaving them all behind, leaving you in the lurch.
    Again, their motto seems to be billionaires win, families lose.
    […]
    The numbers tell the story. 
    Extending these tax cuts would give the top one percent of earners – those making roughly $750,000 a year or more – a tax cut averaging more than $60,000 a year.
    And I’m going to put that in perspective for a moment. The tax cut the top one percent would get is more than the total income of most families who rely on Medicare or SNAP, or just most families in general, it’s the top one percent. And the two programs Republicans are planning to cut – Medicare and SNAP – they’re going to cut them in order to pay for tax cuts – trillions of dollars – again, for who? Elon Musk and their billionaire buddies.
    So you heard that right. These expanded tax cuts will cost the federal government $4.2 trillion. 
    So you might be asking yourself “wait, so how are Republicans – how are they going to pay for all of this?” 

    Well, in order to help offset some of that cost, they’re going to decrease funding for Medicaid, for SNAP, and other services that support people with disabilities and elderly individuals. 
    […]
    These existing cuts coupled with the Republicans proposed budget cuts – it’s just going to be devastating for American families. 
    And the fact that these cuts are being made to give billionaires even more tax breaks, well, it’s unconscionable. 
    The American people deserve better. 
    They deserve a government that works for them, that works for our families, not for the ultra-wealthy. 
    At the end of the day, Mr. President, Republicans have to decide who they’re fighting for. 
    Because right now, with this budget proposal, they’re fighting for billionaires and the largest corporations who have already benefited from their 2017 tax cuts.
    We cannot and we must not turn our backs on the American people. 
    We cannot allow billionaires to get richer on the backs of everyday Americans.
    We cannot let the motto be for this Administration billionaires win and families lose. Because families are the backbone of America. Families are the backbone of America, and they deserve respect and attention. And we cannot allow the billionaires to break their backs.
    So I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and put the American people first. People over billionaires. Let’s work together to strengthen our economy, protect our vital programs, and ensure that everyone, regardless of their wealth or status, has an equal opportunity to succeed.
    Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Air India and Lufthansa Group announce significant expansion of codeshare partnership: ~60 additional routes across 12 Indian and 26 European cities

    Source: Lufthansa Group

    Air India and Lufthansa Group have agreed to build on their longstanding codeshare partnership, which sees Air India enter into a new codeshare agreement with Austrian Airlines, as well as expand the existing codeshare agreements between Air India, Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS).

    The expanded partnership significantly boosts flight options and connectivity for travellers between the Indian Subcontinent and Europe with the addition of close to 60 codeshare routes operated by the four airlines across 12 Indian and 26 European cities.

    The expanded agreements increase the total number of codeshare routes between Air India, Lufthansa and SWISS from 55 to nearly 100. Additionally, the new agreement between Air India and Austrian Airlines adds 26 codeshare routes. This provides greater choice, convenience, and seamless experiences to travellers from both regions.

    Customers of Lufthansa Group will now be able to connect to Air India’s domestic services to or from 15 points within India, namely Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Goa Mopa, Goa Dabolim, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Thiruvananthapuram. Additionally, Lufthansa Group carriers will add their respective designator codes to Air India’s international services to 3 destinations from Delhi and Mumbai: Kathmandu, Melbourne, and Sydney.

    Additionally, flights currently operated by Air India and Lufthansa Group carriers between India and Germany or Switzerland will be covered under the expanded codeshare partnership. For example, customers who wish to fly between Delhi and Frankfurt will now have three daily flight options each way with ‘LH’ flight numbers, including two flights operated by Air India and one flight operated by Lufthansa.

    Reciprocally, Air India will now offer its customers a total of 26 destinations across Europe and 3 destinations in the Americas beyond its gateways in Europe (Frankfurt, Vienna, and Zurich), with the ‘AI’ designator code placed on the following services operated by airlines in the Lufthansa Group, including Austrian Airlines for the first time:

    Lufthansa
    Between Frankfurt and: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Dublin, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Luxembourg, Lyon, Manchester, Marseille, Munich, Nice, Nuremberg, Oslo, Prague, Riga, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Toulouse, Valencia, Washington D.C.

    SWISS
    Between Zurich and: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Dublin, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Luxembourg, Manchester, Marseille, Munich, Nice, Oslo, Prague, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Valencia.

    Austrian Airlines
    Between Vienna and: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bremen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Geneva, Hamburg, Hannover, Lyon, Manchester, Marseille, Munich, Nice, Oslo, Prague, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Valencia.

    Both airlines plan to progressively include other destinations in their network to the codeshare arrangements.

    Air India and the three Lufthansa Group carriers are members of Star Alliance. Frequent flyers will continue to earn and redeem points/miles on all four airlines, while elite status holders of Air India’s Maharaja Club and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More programmes will benefit from Star Alliance Gold benefits including priority services, extra baggage allowance, and airport lounge access across the world. 

    According to Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer, Dieter Vranckx: “We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Air India and elevate the travel experience for our joint customers. By further enhancing our cooperation, we will increase the travel options between Europe and India and offer our passengers improved access to additional destinations. Lufthansa Group remains committed to India, and we are excited about the possibilities and potential the country and Air India as a partner have to offer”.

    Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Our goal is to enable our customers to travel from any corner of the world to another via Air India and its partner airlines. The expansion of our partnership with Lufthansa Group is a step in that direction, and we are pleased to take this long-standing relationship to the next level. With this renewed partnership, our customers will have access to more destinations and greater flexibility to travel across Europe on Lufthansa Group carriers. It also gives us the opportunity to serve Lufthansa Group customers, with warmth and quintessential Indian hospitality, aboard Air India flights. We look forward to continue working closely with our Star Alliance partners in making the world feel like a smaller place.”

    Subject to regulatory approvals, the codeshare flights will be progressively made available for sale through the airlines’ respective booking channels.

    ABOUT LUFTHANSA GROUP:

    The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. With 100,000+ employees, Lufthansa Group generated revenue of €35.4bn in the financial year 2023. Our largest business segment is Passenger Airlines while other key business segments include Logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). Other companies and Group functions such as IT companies and Lufthansa Aviation Training form complimentary components of the Group. All airlines and business segments play leading roles in their respective markets.

    ABOUT AIR INDIA GROUP:

    The Air India group – comprising of full-service global airline Air India and low-cost regional carrier Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries customers to 55 domestic and 48 international destinations across five continents.

    Returning to the Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India group is in the midst of a five-year transformation program, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India placed the then largest-ever order for 470 new aircraft in 2023. In 2024, sister airlines Air Asia India and Vistara were successfully merged into Air India Express and Air India respectively, and the Airline opened South Asia’s largest aviation training academy.

    A new flying school is scheduled to open in 2025, and construction of a greenfield maintenance base, to be operational in 2026, is underway. In addition to receiving new aircraft, all existing aircraft are progressively undergoing a full interior refit.

    With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Job Opening: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    This is a permanent role based in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, or Manila.

    Greenpeace activists and volunteers gather at a wind farm at Baru beach during Buru Baru festival to hold letters forming a banner reading: ‘#ActionForClimate.’ Part of a Global Day of Action in Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. © Ulet Ifansasti / Greenpeace

    About the Role

    The Executive Director will provide visionary leadership, ensuring alignment with Greenpeace’s core values. This includes overseeing operations in four countries, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, driving international collaboration, and maintaining accountability across governance, human resources, and financial management. The role requires a proactive approach to campaign contributions within Greenpeace’s global objectives.

    The job holder will have the following key responsibilities:

    Strategic Leadership

    • Develop and communicate a clear vision and strategic objectives aligned with Greenpeace’s mission.
    • Empower staff and volunteers to foster a shared sense of purpose and organisational culture.
    • Monitor external developments and implement responsive strategies as needed.

    Operation, Finance, and Fundraising

    • Oversee all organisational functions, ensuring strategies and policies align with core values.
    • Maintain financial discipline and ensure adherence to auditing practices.
    • Collaborate with the Fundraising Director to explore alternative funding streams and improve grassroots contributions from individual donors across the region.
    • Recruit, train, and develop staff with a focus on accountability and high performance.

    Change Management

    • Drive organisational transformation through strategic planning, operational efficiency, and transparent decision-making.
    • Align global objectives with mission-focused strategies to enhance morale, inclusivity, and overall effectiveness.
    • Determine and implement effective management structures and systems to achieve organisational objectives.
    • Foster cross-country collaboration to enhance efficiency and inclusivity.

    Communications and Network

    • Enhance internal communication and information flow across departments, countries and hierarchy levels.
    • Build and maintain productive relationships with NGOs, media, government, and relevant stakeholders.

    Governance and Relationship to The Board

    • Create and adapt annual, mid-term and long-term strategies in partnership with the Board and Greenpeace International.
    • Ensure compliance with legal, statutory, and regulatory responsibilities.
    • Identify and mitigate organisational risks while maintaining operational effectiveness.
    • Provide regular reports to the Board, ensuring informed decision-making.

    Campaign Advocacy and Representation

    • Create and adapt annual, mid-term and long-term strategies in partnership with the Board and Greenpeace International.
    • Ensure compliance with legal, statutory, and regulatory responsibilities.
    • Identify and mitigate organisational risks while maintaining operational effectiveness.
    • Provide regular reports to the Board, ensuring informed decision-making.

    Personnel, Health, and Safety

    • Lead and implement impactful campaigns on rainforest conservation, climate justice, ocean, plastic and coal reduction.
    • Drive grassroots mobilisation, engage key stakeholders, and amplify GPSEA’s successes through strategic advocacy efforts.
    • Represent GPSEA at international meetings and in public forums.
    • Act as a spokesperson for the organisation.

    Personnel, Health, and Safety

    • Ensure adherence to best practices in all operational areas, balancing ambition with available resources.

    Skills and Experience

    • Environment movement background.
    • Proven leadership in a complex organisation, with a focus on effective management and accountability.
    • Deep understanding of global environmental issues and sustainability principles.
    • Strong systems thinking, strategic planning, and horizon-scanning skills.
    • Ability to inspire and unite diverse stakeholders around a compelling vision.
    • Commitment to Non-Violent Direct Action (NVDA) and grassroots campaigning.
    • Financial literacy and a positive attitude toward digital innovation.
    • Fluency in English; additional language skills are an asset.

    Personal Attributes

    • Responsive and adaptive. 
    • Highly emotionally intelligent with strong interpersonal skills.
    • Courageous, empathetic, and humble leadership style.
    • Committed to social and environmental justice.
    • Activist spirit with a passion for Greenpeace’s mission.
    • Understanding of Southeast Asia’s cultural and operational dynamics.

    Greenpeace’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

    Greenpeace values diversity as essential to its mission and success. The organisation fosters an inclusive environment that respects varied cultural experiences and perspectives, promoting solutions rooted in social and environmental justice.

    Deadline for applications: March 20, 2025

    Jobs

    Do you have a passion for this planet and want to do more? Work with us!

    TAKE ACTION

    MIL OSI NGO –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Tourism industry piggybacks on DeepSeek’s AI prowess, creating new opportunities

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People who used to spend hours juggling ticketing apps and tourism websites to arrange a travel itinerary can now type a simple description of their plans into an AI platform — such as the latest release from DeepSeek — and their work is done.

    On Jan. 20, roughly a week before this year’s Spring Festival, Chinese AI startup DeepSeek released its latest open-source model R1, which boasts a technological breakthrough in leveraging pure deep learning methods to allow AI to spontaneously emerge with reasoning capabilities.

    With its top-class performance and cost-effectiveness, the DeepSeek-R1 has not only stirred up the tech world, but also gone viral among people from various sectors. Since its launch, the model has also become a new favorite for many travelers to generate their travel plans.

    Take Xi’an, one of China’s most popular travel destinations, as an example. Inputting “a five-day tour to dive deep into historical sites, specialties and folk culture in Xi’an” into DeepSeek-R1 will yield a detailed travel plan instantly, including daily schedules, as well as suitable times and modes of transport to visit every scenic spot and dining choice along the way.

    Zhang Yu, who visited Xi’an with the aid of DeepSeek earlier this month, shared the novel experience with local media. “DeepSeek proved my worries — that unexpected things might ruin the AI-generated travel plan — were completely unnecessary. The trip was so well-planned that I managed to visit all the sites smoothly and seamlessly, and enjoyed every moment of it.”

    Zhao Xinyue, a university student who has posted many Xi’an travel vlogs on the Xiaohongshu lifestyle-sharing platform, echoed Zhang’s view.

    “As a person who cares so much about details, I found that travel plans generated by DeepSeek did a very good job with all the specifics. They not only recommended popular tourist attractions but also presented distinctive niche sites to enrich my travel experience. DeepSeek can also adjust travel plans based on real-time weather and crowd-flow data, which is very helpful,” Zhao said.

    During this year’s Spring Festival, traditionally a bustling holiday season for travel and consumption, cities including Nanjing, Zhanjiang and Weifang kicked off an experiment to generate tourism promotions with DeepSeek on social media. Based on AI-generated content, these posts have introduced local scenic areas, cuisines and cultural heritage to potential travelers, gaining huge traction online.

    “During the early stage of trialing DeepSeek to create content, we found the AI-generated answers were more intelligent and efficiently presented than we expected. It’s helpful for us when we’re writing,” said a social media staff worker promoting culture and tourism of Shaanxi Province.

    DeepSeek also brings new momentum and increased productivity to tourism enterprises. Recently, Chinese online travel platform Mafengwo announced that it has upgraded its smart travel services in Guizhou Province by connecting them with the DeepSeek model.

    Simulating the logical thought process of human beings, the platform factors in various user demands and how different tourist sites correlate, and it also coordinates times, traffic and the physical condition of travelers.

    “This deep integration with DeepSeek not only provides more accurate and personalized services for tourists through AI, but also mirrors the tourism industry’s transformation from traditional algorithm-based recommendations to interpretable, traceable, intelligent decision-making,” according to Mafengwo’s AI project manager. “This has ushered in a new chapter of smart tourism.”

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Foreign Affairs – New report highlights untapped potential in New Zealand-Viet Nam relationship

    Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation

    The Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is thrilled to launch its latest report Viet Nam and New Zealand at 50: The next chapter. This report explores the growing potential of the bilateral relationship as the two nations celebrate 50 years of formal diplomatic ties.
    Commissioned by the Foundation and authored by Haike Manning, the report builds on the 2020 publication, Viet Nam & New Zealand: Let’s Go, offering fresh insights into Viet Nam’s dynamic environment and celebrating the people who have contributed to the New Zealand – Viet Nam relationship over the last 50 years. 
    “This report is timely, especially with the Prime Minister’s upcoming delegation to Viet Nam. Its insights will be a valuable resource for those who want to learn more about our bilateral relationship,” says Suzannah Jessep, CE of the Foundation.
    “Viet Nam is already our 14th biggest trading partner, with bilateral trade worth NZ$2.68 billion in 2024. Given Viet Nam’s booming economy, the potential for New Zealand businesses, from fashion and food to tech and the arts is huge. We do have a bit of a trade deficit at the moment, but that just means there’s room to grow.”
    The report’s author Haike Manning describes the pace of change in Viet Nam as “remarkable”.
    “It is expected to see some of the fastest income growth in the world over the next decade,” he says.
    “Viet Nam’s increasingly wealthy consumers trust our high quality, safe food, which has underpinned significant growth in our exports to Viet Nam over the past 10 years.”
    Beyond trade, the report also celebrates long-standing ties between the two countries, especially in areas like healthcare, education and diplomacy.
    People-to-people connections are flourishing, with 8,000 Vietnamese visiting New Zealand in 2023 and 40,000 New Zealanders visiting Viet Nam in 2024. New Zealand and Viet Nam also share a commitment to a stable international environment and are actively collaborating on defence and security matters.
    The full report is a great read for anyone looking to understand the incredible opportunities in Viet Nam, from businesses to policymakers, academics and anyone curious about understanding and engaging with this dynamic market.
    • Download the full report (PDF – 14 MB): https://www.datocms-assets.com/125706/1739755386-viet-nam-report-2025.pdf
    Additional Information:
    About the Author
    Haike Manning is the former New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam (2012-2016). Haike’s 20-year career as a New Zealand diplomat spanned key global economies (India, Brazil, China, as well as Viet Nam), with a strong focus on supporting trade, business and education outcomes for New Zealand.
    Since 2017, Haike has been based in Ho Chi Minh City, where he founded LightPath Consulting Group, a consulting business supporting international education providers to engage effectively in Viet Nam. In 2021, LightPath was acquired by Acumen, another international education consulting business. Haike subsequently joined Acumen to spearhead their expansion throughout Southeast Asia.
    About the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono
    Established in 1994, the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is New Zealand’s leading authority on Asia. Its mission is to equip New Zealanders to thrive in Asia, by providing experiences and resources to build knowledge, skills and confidence. The Foundation’s activities cover more than 20 countries in Asia and are delivered through eight core programmes: arts, business, entrepreneurship, leadership, media, research, Track II diplomacy and sports. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ING to redeem Perpetual Capital Securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ING to redeem Perpetual Capital Securities

    ING announced today it will redeem USD 1,250 million of 6.500% Perpetual Additional Tier 1 Contingent Convertible Capital Securities (the “Perpetual Capital Securities”) on the call date of 16 April 2025, in line with ING’s goal to continuously optimise its capital structure.

    The Perpetual Capital Securities (CUSIP 456837AF0/ISIN US456837AF06) will be redeemed in full in accordance with their terms, with payment to be made on 16 April 2025. The redemption price will be the principal amount of the Perpetual Capital Securities. Accrued and unpaid interest due on the redemption date will be paid in the usual manner to holders of record as of 15 April 2025. The paying agent for the Perpetual Capital Securities is The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch 160 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4LA United Kingdom.

    Any future decisions by ING as to whether it will exercise (or cause to be exercised) calls in respect of debt securities will be made on an economic basis, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders. Other factors that ING will consider include prevailing market conditions, regulatory approval and capital requirements.

    Note for editors

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

    ING PROFILE
    ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank’s more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries.

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

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

    Important legal information

    Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 (‘Market Abuse Regulation’).

    ING Group’s annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (‘IFRS- EU’). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2023 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding.

    Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: (1) changes in general economic conditions and customer behaviour, in particular economic conditions in ING’s core markets, including changes affecting currency exchange rates and the regional and global economic impact of the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and related international response measures (2) changes affecting interest rate levels (3) any default of a major market participant and related market disruption (4) changes in performance of financial markets, including in Europe and developing markets (5) fiscal uncertainty in Europe and the United States (6) discontinuation of or changes in ‘benchmark’ indices (7) inflation and deflation in our principal markets (8) changes in conditions in the credit and capital markets generally, including changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness (9) failures of banks falling under the scope of state compensation schemes (10) non-compliance with or changes in laws and regulations, including those concerning financial services, financial economic crimes and tax laws, and the interpretation and application thereof (11) geopolitical risks, political instabilities and policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, including in connection with the invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the related international response measures (12) legal and regulatory risks in certain countries with less developed legal and regulatory frameworks (13) prudential supervision and regulations, including in relation to stress tests and regulatory restrictions on dividends and distributions (also among members of the group) (14) ING’s ability to meet minimum capital and other prudential regulatory requirements (15) changes in regulation of US commodities and derivatives businesses of ING and its customers (16) application of bank recovery and resolution regimes, including write down and conversion powers in relation to our securities (17) outcome of current and future litigation, enforcement proceedings, investigations or other regulatory actions, including claims by customers or stakeholders who feel misled or treated unfairly, and other conduct issues (18) changes in tax laws and regulations and risks of non-compliance or investigation in connection with tax laws, including FATCA (19) operational and IT risks, such as system disruptions or failures, breaches of security, cyber-attacks, human error, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including in respect of third parties with which we do business and including any risks as a result of incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise flawed outputs from the algorithms and data sets utilized in artificial intelligence (20) risks and challenges related to cybercrime including the effects of cyberattacks and changes in legislation and regulation related to cybersecurity and data privacy, including such risks and challenges as a consequence of the use of emerging technologies, such as advanced forms of artificial intelligence and quantum computing (21) changes in general competitive factors, including ability to increase or maintain market share (22) inability to protect our intellectual property and infringement claims by third parties (23) inability of counterparties to meet financial obligations or ability to enforce rights against such counterparties (24) changes in credit ratings (25) business, operational, regulatory, reputation, transition and other risks and challenges in connection with climate change and ESG-related matters, including data gathering and reporting (26) inability to attract and retain key personnel (27) future liabilities under defined benefit retirement plans (28) failure to manage business risks, including in connection with use of models, use of derivatives, or maintaining appropriate policies and guidelines (29) changes in capital and credit markets, including interbank funding, as well as customer deposits, which provide the liquidity and capital required to fund our operations, and (30) the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the most recent annual report of ING Groep N.V. (including the Risk Factors contained therein) and ING’s more recent disclosures, including press releases, which are available on www.ING.com.

    This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. ING has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third-party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of such information.

    Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. In addition, there is currently no single, globally recognized set of accepted definitions in assessing whether activities are “green” or “sustainable.” Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security.

    This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING’s control.

    Any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason.

    This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction.

    Attachment

    • ING to redeem Perpetual Capital Securities

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tax – Keeping ability to gather tax information essential says tax reform group – TJA

    Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

    20 February 2025 – Tax Justice Aotearoa is calling on the Minister of Revenue to retain the ability for Inland Revenue to collect vital information that supports effective tax policy making.

    “We are concerned that the Minister initiated a review of this important provision within the Tax Administration Act just over a year after IR produced its report on High Net Worth Individuals,” said Glenn Barclay, Chairperson of Tax Justice Aotearoa.

    “That piece of work provided us with the first in depth information on the scale of the inequities of our tax system and the review has the air of an exercise to close down or restrict similar research in the future. We are calling on the Minister to stick with this provision, which is essential to good tax policy making.”

    S.17GB of the Tax Administration Act is the provision that enabled Inland Revenue to carry out that ground breaking Report on High Net Worth Individuals in 2023.

    The report revealed that the wealthiest 311 families in the country had an effective tax rate of around 9%, while the average taxpayer had an effective tax rate of over 20%.
     
    “The lack of balance in our tax system is now well understood, but without the information gathered under s.17GB we would not have had the research on High Net Worth Individuals and would be guessing about the extent of the problem,” said Glenn Barclay.

    S.17GB goes beyond the general information collecting power in the Act, which is not sufficient to provide access to information that could potentially lead to policy change – it is mainly about enforcement.
     
    “The need for this provision is also a symptom of our badly out of balance tax system. If we were already taxing capital in any meaningful way, then it is reasonable to assume that IR would have much better information about what high net worth individuals are worth.

    “In the absence of those taxes and that information, this provision becomes even more essential.”
     
    Glenn Barclay also drew attention to the relevance of s.17GB to other recently announced policies.
     
    “Government policies such as the possibility of reducing corporate taxes and encouraging wealthy individuals to come to New Zealand, mean that understanding their contribution to revenue is going to become more important, not less,” he said.
     
    “There is no good reason to reduce or eliminate this power to gather information other than to protect vested interests and we ask the Minister to put the public interest first.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Viridien and Matnex partner to accelerate AI-powered materials discovery

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, France – February 20, 2025

    Viridien, an advanced technology and digital company, and Materials Nexus Ltd. (trading as Matnex), a leader in AI-driven materials discovery, are partnering to rapidly scale Matnex’s computational capacity for the discovery and production of groundbreaking materials.

    The partnership between Viridien and Matnex reflects a shared goal to accelerate innovation and reduce the environmental impact of technologies critical to the net-zero transition in areas such as energy generation, energy storage, transport and sustainable computing.

    This expansion of computational resources, powered by Viridien’s Outcome-as-a-Service model, represents a paradigm shift in materials discovery. By leveraging AI/HPC and optimization expertise, Viridien will industrialize Matnex’s innovation pipeline. This partnership is set to deliver the highest throughput of new material discoveries globally, unlocking unprecedented commercial opportunities and industry-wide transformation.

    Dr. Jonathan Bean, CEO of Matnex, said: “This project marks a major leap forward in materials science. By harnessing AI at this scale, we can tackle complex challenges that have previously been beyond reach. This partnership with Viridien provides us with computational power that is not only unrivalled but transformative for the field of materials discovery.”

    Chris Page, EVP, New Business Development, Viridien, said: “This agreement is another exciting example of how Viridien’s HPC & Cloud Solutions teams are collaborating with high HPC baseload scientific companies to achieve faster, more accurate results with lower and more predictable R&D and operating costs enabling them to accelerate scientific discoveries and push innovative products to the market more quickly and economically. We are particularly delighted to be supporting Matnex’s research into next-generation materials for the HPC industry. This fits well with our corporate commitment to help catalyze technology innovations for a more sustainable future for society.”

    About Viridien:

    Viridien (www.viridiengroup.com) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resource, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Viridien employs around 3,500 people worldwide and is listed as VIRI on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: FR001400PVN6).

    Contacts

    Attachment

    • PR Viridien Matnex HPC agreement

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: CLIQ Reports Full Year 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Tougher market conditions: €243m sales (-26%) and €21m EBITDA (-58%)
    • Transformation programme: €11m special items on EBITDA level
    • -€4.75 EPS resulting from -€28m net loss (-188%)
    • €12m net cash position per year-end vs. €16m at end of 2023
    • Share buyback programme successfully completed and €0.04 dividend per share proposed
    • 2025 outlook: €180-220m sales, €10-15m EBITDA, €50-75m customer acquisition costs

    DÜSSELDORF, 20 February 2025 – The CLIQ Group publishes today its audited 2024 financial statements. The Annual Report 2024 is available on the Group’s website at https://cliqdigital.com/investors/financialreporting.

    Performance

    in millions of € FY
    2024    		 FY
    2023    		 Δ   4Q
    2024    		 4Q
    2023    		 Δ
    North America 168 197 -15%   34 54 -37%
    Europe 52 109 -52%   9 25 -64%
    Latin America 14 13 10%   4 3 11%
    ROW 9 8 20%   1 5 -29%
    Sales 243 326 -26%   48 84 -43%
    Expected average LTV1 (in €) 77 85 -10%   70 87 -19%
    Total CAC2 -75 -135 -45%   -11 -35 -68%
    EBITDA (before special items3) 21 50 -58%   5 12 -59%
    EBITDA margin3 9% 15%     10% 14%  
    Profit/loss for the period -28 32 -187%   -29 7 n/a
    EPS (basic, in €) -4.75 4.90 n/a   -4.99 1.07 n/a
    • Sales: In 2024, Group sales declined by 26% year-on-year to €243 million (2023: €326 million) mainly due to less customers. 97% of Group sales in 2024 were generated with bundled-content services and in line with the Management decision to focus on profitability, revenue in North America declined by 15% and in Europe by 52% in 2024. In Latin America and in the region Rest of the World, sales increased by 10% and 20%. However, the quarter-on-quarter Group sales decrease decelerated notably from -21% in 3Q 2024 to -11% in the fourth quarter.
    • Total customer acquisition costs: The total customer acquisition costs in 2024 amounted to €75 million (2023: €135 million). The 45% lower total customer acquisition costs reflected the Group’s decision to strategically increase its focus on profitability and the subsequent lowering of the target cost per acquisition (CPA).
    • EBITDA: In 2024, EBITDA before special items decreased by 58% to €21 million (2023: €50 million) and the corresponding EBITDA margin was accordingly lower at 9% (2023: 15%) predominantly as a result of the lower sales development and despite reduced cost of sales and operating expenses. Reported EBITDA amounted to €10 million and included therein were €11 million special items relating mostly to the Group’s transformation programme “Fit For Future”. The reported EBITDA margin was 4%.
    • Loss for the period: In 2024, the result for the year amounted to a loss of €28 million (2023: €32 million profit). Resulting from the annual impairment test performed on the goodwill, CLIQ corrected its goodwill and recognised an impairment loss of €27 million. This goodwill impairment was primarily attributable to the challenging market conditions going forward as well as to the significant decline in 2024 in the Group’s market value as determined by the stock market capitalisation.
    • Earnings per share: In 2024, the loss per share (basic EPS) was -€4.75 (2023: €4.90) and the diluted loss (EPS) totalled -€4.71 (2023: €4.82).
    • Cash flow: In 2024, the operating free cash flow decreased to €3.4 million (2023: €19 million). The cash inflow from operating activities during 2024 amounted to €9 million (2023: €30 million) and the decrease was mainly due to the drop in sales and margin contraction. The 2024 cash outflow from investing activities was €5 million (2023: €12 million) and largely related to payments for licensed content as well as for investments in platform and technical developments. The cash flow from financing activities during 2024 was an outflow of €7 million (2023: €13 million) and included €5.5 million cash outflow for the share buyback programme and €0.3 million dividend distribution.
    • Liquidity: Due to the lower operating free cash flow, the net cash position decreased to €12 million at the year-end close (31/12/2023: €16 million).

    Operational indicators

    • Lifetime value of a customer: In 2024, the expected average lifetime value of a customer (LTV) was down 10% to €77 (2023: €85). The year-on-year decrease was due to the higher churn rates against 2023 resulting from new customer care tools in place at the card scheme companies, which consequently resulted in shorter average customer loyalty durations.
    • Customers: The number of unique paying customers for the Group’s bundled- and single-content streaming services decreased to 0.7 million per 31 December 2024 (31/12/2023: 1.2 million). The decrease resulted from the Group’s stronger focus on profitability than on sales growth. Whereby the CPA was brought more in line with the lower expected average lifetime value (LTV) of the customers, which led to less new customer acquisitions.
    • Lifetime value of Customer Base: As at 31 December 2024, the lifetime value of the customer base (LTVCB) dropped by €70 million to €94 million compared to prior year-end (31/12/2023: €164 million). The lower LTVCB was the result of the decrease in the number of customers as well as the lower expected average lifetime value of a customer. The LTVCB represents the expected sales to be generated from paying customers as at reporting date over their estimated individual remaining lifetime.

    Capital return

    CLIQ successfully completed its share buyback programme ahead of schedule on 3 January 2025 and acquired in total nearly 647k own shares for just under €5.5 million at an average price of around €8.50 per share. As part of its capital return strategy, CLIQ’s Management Board decides on a yearly basis to what extent and how capital will be returned to shareholders. Despite the poor operating performance, CLIQ’s Management Board and Supervisory Board propose to distribute a dividend for the financial year 2024 of €0.04 per share.

    Outlook

    In 2025, CLIQ expects to generate an EBITDA of between €10 and 15 million on the back of Group sales expected to range between €180 and 220 million and after €50 to 75 million total customer acquisition costs forecast.

    Management Board statement

    “CLIQ and our shareholders faced significant challenges in 2024 as our business encountered tougher market conditions and our new sales growth initiatives advanced more slowly than anticipated,” said CEO Luc Voncken. “While market conditions in 2025 remain uncertain, we have strengthened our business foundations and must now move forward with a renewed entrepreneurial spirit and a clear vision to seize the growth opportunities ahead.“

    Earnings call

    A live audio webcast conducted in English will be held today at 2.00 p.m. CET with presentations from Luc Voncken, CEO, and Ben Bos, member of the Management Board.

    Questions submitted before 12.00 p.m. CET via email to investors@cliqdigital.com will be answered after the presentations.

    Please click on the link below to register for this webcast:

    https://cliqdigital.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UManLyZkSvyaKCEkPZeQmg

    ZOOM details will be sent to you via email post registration and a replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at: https://cliqdigital.com/investors/financials/financial-reporting.

    Contacts

    Investor Relations:
    Sebastian McCoskrie, s.mccoskrie@cliqdigital.com, +49 151 52043659

    Media Relations:
    Daniela Münster, daniela.muenster@h-advisors.global, +49 174 3358111

    Financial calendar

    Annual General Meeting 2025 Friday 11 April 2025
    Financial report 1Q 2025 & earnings call Thursday 8 May 2025
    Half-year financial report 2025 & earnings call Thursday 7 August 2025
    Financial report 3Q/9M 2025 and earnings call Thursday 6 November 2025

    About CLIQ

    The CLIQ Group is a data-driven online performance marketing company that sells bundled subscription-based digital products to consumers worldwide. The Group licenses content from partners, bundles it to digital products, and sells them via performance marketing. CLIQ is expert in turning consumer interest into sales by monetising online traffic using an omnichannel approach.

    The Group operated in 40 countries and employed 132 staff from 33 different nationalities as at 31 December 2024. The company is headquartered in Düsseldorf and has offices in Amsterdam and Paris. CLIQ Digital is listed in the Scale segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE000A35JS40, GSIN/WKN: A35JS4) and is a constituent of the MSCI World Micro Cap Index.

    Visit our website https://cliqdigital.com/investors. Here you will find all publications and further information about CLIQ. You can also follow us on LinkedIn.

    1 Lifetime value of a customer
    2 Customer acquisition costs
    3 2024 numbers are before special items

    The MIL Network –

    February 20, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – With a little help from their friends: school challenges – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    School friendships and social connections are vital to positive student experiences so need to be actively fostered, according to findings from the Our Voices project at the University of Auckland.

    Peer friendships and caring social connections with teachers and other school community members are central to students’ experiences of school, according to two recently published reports from the Our Voices project at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland.
     
    The reports analysed responses to a range of general wellbeing questions from 1,000 13-year-olds in theGrowing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) longitudinal study.
     
    One of the reports’ authors, Dr Emma Marks, a research fellow in Social and Community Health, says the latest research shows how important it is for schools and other groups to create a range of opportunities for social connection, both in and out of school.
     
    “Respondents felt that increasing school engagement should focus not only on learning and achievement, but also on offering students’ good experiences to make school more attractive; for example, teachers who care about a young person in their entirety, not just as a learner, and extracurricular activities that help them ‘find their people’,” she says.
     
    Young people mostly felt a sense of belonging with friends and whānau through talking, having fun together and positive emotional engagement. However, they believed strengthening those things takes time and opportunity, says Marks.
     
    “They need to be given a range of opportunities to develop meaningful social connections, particularly during school transitions, like moving from intermediate to high school, when they can get separated from friends.”
     
    She says a sense of belonging can be created in different contexts and groups, including between peers, family, sports teams and cultural groups, and on social media, although that comes with pitfalls.
     
    “The ease of communicating on social media provides opportunities for friendships and connections beyond the school environment but also comes with risks our respondents were well aware of; in particular cyberbullying.”
     
    However, she says it is clear social media is an important part of many young people’s social lives, and that they use it to feel connected to “friends, family, others, everyone, and the world.”
     
    Marks says bullying remains a significant concern, especially for anyone who is seen as ‘different’ or not ‘fitting in’, but friendships can create a ballast.

    “Having friends is important across all life stages, but particularly during adolescence, when young people are more likely to spend time with peers in and out of school than with their family.”
     
    The reports note that challenges for young people, both in school and out, vary in type and who’s most affected, depending on things like home environment, learning abilities, individual differences and peer pressure.
     
    “So having a better understanding of these particular challenges can help target support to those who need it most,” says Marks.
     
    Respondents viewed friends as being similar to themselves, with shared qualities and interests, and as worthy of being cherished and valued, the reports note.
     
    “However, the data clearly shows not all young people have friends, and some feel like they don’t belong anywhere,” says Marks.
     
    She says young people have good ideas about how to make school a more inclusive place, but recognise they need support from school staff and leadership to make this happen.
     
    “Some of their ideas included more effective antibullying programmes, more teacher intervention and clearer disciplinary action.”
     
    “Other suggestions included greater efforts to support students’ mental health, smaller classes, and removing ability groupings (that put students in the same year in different groups for subjects like Maths and English, depending on perceived ability).
     
    The Our Voices project aims to understand what young people in Aotearoa need to thrive to inform policies and services focused on supporting their wellbeing.
     
    A further two reports will focus on the influence of teachers and how young people seek help to solve problems.
     
    The project was funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and involves a multidisciplinary team of national and international experts.

    Visit the Our Voices website for the full reports: https://ourvoices.auckland.ac.nz/
     
    ‘School Experiences: Overcoming Challenges’ by Dawson-Bruce, R., Rudd, G., Peterson, E. R., Marks, E., Walker, C., & Meissel, K. (2025).
    ‘Social Connections: In-person and online’ by Fan, J., Ogden S. E., Rudd, G., Marks E., Peterson, E. R., Walker, C. G. & Meissel, K. (2025).
     
    Tō Mātou Rerenga – Our Journey app and Growing Up in New Zealand
     
    Data was collected within Tō Mātou Rerenga – Our Journey, an app co-designed by University of Auckland researchers alongside young people from the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study (GUiNZ).
     
    GUiNZ recruited over 6,000 New Zealand children born between 2009 and 2010, with the aim of creating an in-depth summary of what life is like for them and what factors affect their happiness, health and development.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 20, 2025
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