NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-Evening Report: Albanese government bans DeepSeek from official devices on security grounds

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

    The Albanese government is banning DeepSeek – the Chinese artificial intelligence model – from all government systems and devices on national security grounds.

    It says this is in line with the actions of a number of other countries and is based on “risk and threat information” from security and intelligence agencies.

    The Chinese platform TikTok is already banned from government systems and devices.

    Under the decision, announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, government bodies must immediately remove all DeepSeek products, applications and services from systems and mobile devices. No new installations are allowed.

    But politicians can still have DeepSeek on their personal non-government devices. This presently happens with TikTok – for example opposition leader Peter Dutton has a TikTok account.

    While the direction only applies to official systems and devices, the government is also urging all Australians to inform themselves about how their data can be used online and to carefully review a company’s privacy policy on how customer data is managed.

    Burke said: “The Albanese government is taking swift and decisive action to protect Australia’s national security and national interest.

    “AI is is a technology full of potential and opportunity, but the government will not hesitate to act when our agencies identify a national security risk.

    “Our approach is country-agnostic and focused on the risk to the Australian government and our assets.‘

    The NSW Department of Customer Service acted late last month to ban DeepSeek from official devices and systems.

    The department told Cyber Daily it had “taken a precautionary approach to restrict corporate access to DeepSeek AI, consistent with the approach taken for many new and emerging applications, systems and services”.

    Commenting on the NSW department’s decision Dana Mckay, Senior Lecturer in Innovative Interactive Technologies at RMIT, said: “The reason Chinese-made and-owned tools are being banned is that the data they collect is available to the Chinese government not just when a crime has been committed, but also for economic or social reasons.

    “DeepSeek even collects keystroke patterns, which can be used to identify individuals, potentially allowing them to match in-work searches with leisure time searches, potentially leading to national security risks,” she said.

    “It is fair to ask whether DeepSeek is more dangerous to Australian national security than, say, OpenAI which collects similar data: the difference is that OpenAI will only give data to government to comply with relevant laws, and this typically means where a crime may have been committed.

    “Whether governments should be concerned about the level of data collected by commercial companies, such as OpenAI and Google, is still a significant question, but one that is separate to the national security concerns raised by China’s data sovereignty laws.”

    Among those banning Deepseek are the Pentagon, the United States Navy, NASA, Italy and Taiwan.

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

    – ref. Albanese government bans DeepSeek from official devices on security grounds – https://theconversation.com/albanese-government-bans-deepseek-from-official-devices-on-security-grounds-249022

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Archaeological Discoveries on Display at York Explore

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A display at York Explore Library is showcasing artefacts uncovered during construction of the Environment Agency’s Flood Alleviation Scheme at Clifton Ings.

    Image of a fragment of pottery that was found at the site.

    York Explore Library located at Library Square, Museum Street, York (Y01 7DS) is showcasing remarkable artefacts uncovered during the construction of the Environment Agency’s Flood Alleviation Scheme at Clifton Ings.

    These 19th-century artefacts, originating from a former mental health institution, provide rare insights into the lives of past patients and staff. The display will be available until 27 February 2025. 

    Part of a £21 million investment to protect homes and businesses from flooding, the Clifton Ings Flood Alleviation Scheme not only enhances flood defences but has also led to the discovery of significant historical artefacts.

    The discoveries, made in 2021-2022 by York Archaeology, originate from a rubbish dump associated with Clifton Hospital, formerly the North Riding Lunatic Asylum (established 1847) and later known as North Riding Mental Hospital.

    The hospital was demolished in 1994, making these objects rare physical traces of its history.  

    Among the items on display are a fragment of a hot water bottle with its stopper still in place, an enamelled iron jug, and fragments of ceramic cups, saucers, plates, and dishes, some bearing the hospital’s initials.

    Also featured are a bone toothbrush and dominoes made from bone and wood. These objects provide a rare and valuable insight into the everyday lives of both patients and staff.  

    An image showing an overview of the finds.

    Mental health institutions have historically been overlooked in archaeological research, making these discoveries particularly significant.

    The display sheds light on the lived experiences within Clifton Hospital and highlights the evolving history of mental health care.  

    After the display period at York Explore, the finds will be deposited with the Mental Health Museum in Wakefield, ensuring their preservation and continued study.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Consultation on permit application for Fleetwood landfill opens

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Environment Agency has opened a consultation on a permit variation application from the operator of Jameson Road Landfill in Fleetwood, Lancashire.

    Transwaste Recycling & Aggregates has applied to the Environment Agency for permission to operate a dedicated tipping bay for waste brought on to the site.

    The tipped waste would be transferred to dump trucks that would take the waste to final disposal in the landfill.

    To be able to do this, the company needs to apply for a change to its existing environmental permit for the site.

    The Environment Agency is seeking views from the local community and interested groups on the application.

    The consultation runs from Monday 3 February until Monday 17 March, 2025.

    John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

    We understand the ongoing public interest and concerns around this landfill site.

    I’d like to reassure people that we will carry out a detailed and rigorous assessment of Transwaste’s permit variation application

    Our regulatory controls are in place to protect people and the environment.

    We welcome comments from the public and interested groups on local environmental factors related to this permit consultation.

    In its application, the company proposes that the tipping bay would have sealed drainage and containment. It also proposes the bay would be surrounded by nets to minimise the potential for litter escaping.

    The application includes screening, which would act as a wind shield and visual screen for the tipping operation.

    The Environment Agency assesses applications for environmental permits, or to vary existing environmental permits, under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).

    Its role is to assess the application and decide if it meets all requirements under relevant environmental legislation and provides a high level of protection to the environment and human health.

    It will only vary the environmental permit for the site to allow the tipping bay if it is satisfied this would be the case.

    The consultation is live on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space page.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Crackdown on illegal wildlife products at the border

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Thousands of unlicensed and illegal wildlife products have been seized by Border Force as part of Operation Thunder.

    Operation Thunder is an intensive international operation to target the criminal networks behind wildlife crime,

    From 11 November to 6 December 2024, Border Force officers taking part in Operation Thunder 24 made 217 seizures of wildlife products which are controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES).

    Seizures included live plants, a range of beauty products containing caviar and cactus extracts, a quantity of bear bile, and clothes and accessories containing animal skins.

    Border Force officers also detected over 400 live birds as part of the operation, including rosella parakeets, king parrots, African grey parrots and blue-fronted Amazon parrots. Where possible, Border Force will rehome any live animals found.

    Operation Thunder is a global effort to target the illegal wildlife trade and is co-led by Interpol and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

    Wildlife crime is estimated to be worth up to £17 billion globally per year and is the fourth largest international crime according to Interpol, behind only arms, drugs and human trafficking. Strengthening border security and breaking the criminal networks that seek to abuse our borders is a key part of the government’s plan for change.

    Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra said:

    Detecting and seizing illegal wildlife products is not just a matter of enforcement, but a vital act of preservation for this planet’s biodiversity.  

    The work of Border Force in interrupting this serious organised crime is critical to the UK’s efforts to regulate the international trade in endangered species.

    Border Force Director for National Operations, Danny Hewitt said:

    Wildlife crime is a serious organised crime which fuels corruption, threatens species with extinction, deprives some of the world’s poorest communities of sustainable livelihoods, and degrades ecosystems.

    We take an intelligence-led approach to detecting illegal trade and work closely with our partners across the global community to share training, expertise and skills.

    Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh said:

    Tackling wildlife crime is essential to protecting iconic biodiversity at home and abroad. Criminal gangs must face justice for the part they play in nature destruction for self-gain.

    These figures reflect the invaluable role of the Border Force in safeguarding wildlife, and are an example of international collaboration to combat global criminal networks.

    Border Force works closely with other enforcement agencies, both nationally and internationally, to tackle the illegal wildlife trade and keep borders secure. This includes the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), London Heathrow Animal Reception Centre and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, amongst others.

    This year’s Operation Thunder was also supported by the police, who executed 5 warrants in relation to bird egg smuggling. This has so far resulted in the confiscation of over 5,000 bird eggs.

    Operation Thunder 24 led to seizures in the UK which included:

    • over 400 live birds (51 CITES listed)
    • 7kg of ivory
    • 450 live plants
    • 315kg of beauty products containing caviar
    • over 2,500 pills and 21.5kg of powders containing endangered plant and animal species
    • live corals
    • snow leopard garments

    Border Force is responsible for frontline detection and seizure of items covered by the CITES convention, which tackles the illegal trade in endangered animals and plants. The Heathrow-based Border Force CITES team are specialist officers who are recognised as world leaders in their field.

    Border Force’s work to prevent the trade of unregulated and illegal products made from endangered species is helping the government in its safer streets mission by smashing organised crime.

    Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling and trafficking of any kind can report it online using the report smuggling service.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A house under the renovation program will appear near the Zyuzino metro station

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the Cheryomushki area of the South-West Administrative District, a house will be built under the renovation program. It will be located near the Zyuzino metro station, at the address: Kakhovka Street, Building 20a. This was reported by Juliana Knyazhevskaya, Chairman of the Committee for Architecture and Urban Development of Moscow (Moskomarkhitektura).

    “Moskomarkhitektura has developed a land planning project for a 0.92 hectare site for the construction of a building under the renovation program with a maximum residential development area of 9.5 thousand square meters,” noted Yuliana Knyazhevskaya.

    In addition to the proximity of the transport network, the advantage for residents of the new building will be the presence of developed social and commercial infrastructure around it.

    Previously Mayor of Moscow reported, that 1.2 trillion rubles have been allocated in the draft budget for three years to implement the renovation program.

    Renovation program approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses.

    Sergei Sobyanin instructed to double the pace of implementation of the renovation program.

    Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction volumes. High rates of housing construction correspond to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149657073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The second stage of the major repairs of the Krasnopresnensky overpass has begun

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The second stage of the major repairs of the Krasnopresnensky overpass has begun. About 100 workers and specialists are employed at the site. Excavators, loaders, manipulators, rollers, asphalt pavers, a beam dismantling unit, compressors and generators are involved in the work.

    There are currently four lanes for cars: two each in the direction of Begovaya Street and 1905 Street. A temporary dividing barrier with red signal lights has been installed between the oncoming directions. Fences, information boards and temporary road signs have also been erected in the work area. Pedestrians can use the sidewalk located outside the work boundaries. The speed limit on the overpass is 40 kilometers per hour.

    “The dismantling of the bridge deck has now been completed. Specialists have begun dismantling the beams of the superstructure. A total of 90 beams will be dismantled. Each weighs over 50 tons, and is 24.3 to 33.7 meters long. The work is being carried out at night and during the day, depending on the process windows, in agreement with the railway workers. At present, 14 beams have already been dismantled, located on the side of 1905 Goda Street and above the railway tracks,” said the deputy head of the capital’s Department of Capital Repairs.

    Anton Akulov.

    To determine which technology to use for the safe dismantling of each beam, specialists conduct laboratory testing of its condition. For this purpose, special openings are made to provide access. If the defects are significant, the beam will be sawn into pieces and dismantled. In this case, supporting underbridge elements can also be used. If the beam is strong, it can be dismantled entirely.

    To dismantle the beams of the superstructure, an assembly unit is used. This is a specially designed lifting crane that moves along the rails laid on the overpass. After the beams are disconnected using a diamond cutting machine, the unit lifts them with special grips and takes them to the storage site. The dismantled beams are crushed and disposed of at special landfills.

    Anton Akulov added that 60 beams out of 90 will be dismantled using an assembly unit. Then the rails will be dismantled, and the remaining beams will be dismantled using truck cranes. After the repair of the bridge structure supports is completed, they will begin installing new beams that meet modern requirements for strength and load resistance. They will be protected from corrosion using special means. Then they will install expansion joints and begin forming the bridge deck. The beams will be covered with monolithic slabs, leveling layers will be applied, and then waterproofing and asphalt will be performed.

    At the final stage, the builders will install a curb and equip sidewalks, along which they will install lighting poles and put the railings in order. In addition, it is planned to repair the staircases and the granite cladding of the overpass. Specialists will also reconstruct the exit onto Bryansky Post Street.

    Tests were successfully conducted on the Krasnopresnensky overpassMajor repairs of Krasnopresnensky overpass are already half complete

    Krasnopresnensky overpass runs over the railway tracks of the Smolensk direction of the Moscow Railway and connects 1905 Goda and Begovaya streets with Khoroshevskoye Highway. It is part of an important city road. It was decided to carry out major repairs in stages, without closing the bridge completely. The first stage was completed in January of this year.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149658073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than 300 ventilation shafts of utility collectors will be modernized in the capital

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    This year, specialists from the city services complex will renew more than 300 ventilation shafts of utility collectors. This was announced by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.

    “The main task was to organically fit these structures into the urban landscape, so the old houses were replaced by modernized lattices,” explained Petr Biryukov.

    Ventilation shafts are above-ground parts of utility manifolds through which air enters. They are necessary for the smooth functioning of underground engineering structures.

    Modernization of ventilation shafts has been carried out in the capital since 2011, when large-scale programs for the improvement of streets and public spaces began to be implemented. Specialists dismantle old metal structures on the shaft heads, thoroughly clean the surfaces, restore the concrete layer and waterproofing. If necessary, they change the fans. At the final stage, the structures are faced with granite. When carrying out the work, the craftsmen use materials and equipment from Russian manufacturers.

    The capital’s collector system is a unique underground city, unparalleled in terms of length, network ramifications, and compactness of the communications laid inside. The total length of the collectors is more than 815 kilometers, and the number of ventilation shafts exceeds 13 thousand.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149677073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The My Payments service recommended that residents of the capital pay their utility bills safely

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    You can pay your housing and communal services (HCS) bills quickly, conveniently and, most importantly, safely using the My Payments service. It is available atmos.ru portal and in mobile applications “Gosuslugi Moskvy” and “My Moscow”. When making a payment through this official resource, you can be sure of the authenticity of the invoices, the safety of personal data and the absence of malicious links or programs. This is especially important in connection with cases of fraud using fake receipts for payment of housing and communal services – fakes were dropped into mailboxes.

    “Thanks to the My Payments service, residents of the capital can always be aware of new utility bills and pay them on the mos.ru portal without going to third-party resources. City residents save time by using templates and the batch payment function, and do not worry about the timeliness of payment for services by setting up automatic payments and notifications,” said Vladimir Novikov, Director of the Department for Support of Citywide Payment Systems of the Moscow Department of Information Technology.

    Almost half of the payments that residents make online in city services are for housing and communal services. In 2024 alone, residents of the capital paid more than 8.7 million housing and communal services bills on the mos.ru portal and in mobile applications, and over 46 million in total, they said inDepartment of Information Technology of the City of Moscow.

    Finds accounts automatically

    The My Payments service will automatically find all unpaid utility bills if the user has a standard or full account onmos.ru portal, and the personal account contains the address, the payer code of the single payment document (EPD) and the personal accounts of the resource supplying organizations that issue invoices under direct contracts. If the information in the personal account is not enough, you can find the required account and simultaneously enter the information directly in the service using the widget “Documents and data”.

    To avoid missing a payment, Muscovites are being asked to sign up to receive it notifications about new accounts. To do this, in your personal account on the mos.ru portal, you need to select the “Profile” section and go to the “Subscription settings” tab, and in the section categories, check the box next to the form of receiving notifications that is convenient for you.

    Save time: set up templates, auto payments and batch payments

    Save time on paying bills too templates will help. To create them, you need to activate the “Save as template” option when paying for the service. Then the details and amount for making a regular payment will be saved. All templates are displayed in the “My Payments” service on the invoices page, so then you just need to select the one you need and immediately proceed to payment. This is convenient, for example, when regularly paying for solid municipal waste management services. The name and amount of the template can be changed at any time.

    In addition, for convenient and regular payment of bills in the My Payments service, you can set up auto payment on invoice. This function will simplify regular payment of the EPD. You can connect it after the first payment. To do this, you will need to select the frequency and date of the write-off, specify the amount and bank card details, after which the invoice will be paid automatically.

    The service also allows you to use one-time (package) payment function. Simply select the required invoices from the list by ticking them, and then click “Pay”. You will only need to enter one payment confirmation code for the first invoice in the package, which will be sent to your mobile phone number. Payment receipts will be generated separately for each invoice and will be available in the “Payment History” section.

    Payment of water and electricity bills not included in the EPD

    In addition, in the “My Payments” service on mos.ru you can pay bills for water and electricity issued under direct contracts with resource supplying organizations. You will need a standard or full account. To pay for electricity in your personal account on the portal (in the “Real Estate” section), you need to add the personal account of JSC Mosenergosbyt and the number of the electricity meter, and to pay for water consumption, you need to add the subscriber number of JSC Mosvodokanal. The issued bills for water and electricity will be displayed in the “My Payments” service automatically, you will only need to make a payment at any time.

    Fast and easy: how to pay bills via SBP without commission and with cashback

    Paying bills through the fast payment system (FPS) frees city residents from the need to provide bank card details. And until January 10, 2026, when using the FPS in the My Payments service on the mos.ru portal, residents of the capital can pay bills without commission, as well as receive cashback (partial refund) in the amount of one percent of the payment amount when paying for services in certain categories. To do this, you must register in the loyalty program before making a payment onon the website vamprivet.ruCashback in rubles will be automatically returned within a minute to the bank account from which the payment was made through the SBP.

    The promotion is being held by the National Payment Card System. You can find out more about the organizer, terms and rules of the promotion aton the website vamprivet.ru, as well as in the instructions onmos.ru portal. If any questions arise, participants of the action can contact the support service of the mos.ru portal in the section “Feedback” and by calling the hotline: 7 495 539-55-55 (24-hour information and reference service for the provision of government services).

    The My Payments service on the mos.ru portal, as well as in the city mobile applications Moscow State Services and My Moscow, is one of the most popular ways to pay bills for services among residents, legal entities and entrepreneurs of the capital. It allows you to pay for about nine thousand different services. Over the seven years of operation, city residents paid with it over 107 million accounts. More information about all the features of the My Payments service — in the instructions.

    The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, correspond to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149676073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nearly 20,000 live animals seized, 365 suspects arrested in largest-ever wildlife and forestry operation

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    4 February 2025

    138 countries and regions join forces to target fauna and flora trafficking worldwide

    LYON, France – Nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

    Operation Thunder 2024 (11 November – 6 December) brought together police, customs, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017.

    Authorities arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Such species are illegally trafficked to meet specific market demands, whether for food, perceived medicinal benefits, “luxury” and collector items or as pets and competition animals.

    Globally, more than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were identified.

    The operation led to the rescue of 18 big cats, including these tiger cubs in the Czech Republic.

    The seized animals were sent to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation.

    Organized crime networks profit from the demand for rare plants and animals, like this bird seized in Mexico.

    More than 5,877 live turtles were seized during Operation Thunder, including these ones in Tanzania.

    Morocco conducted intelligence-led investigations and seized over 50 snakes of various species.

    12 live pangolins were seized during the action weeks, such as this one in Mozambique.

    These Oryx were seized in Iraq. The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions.

    1,731 other reptiles were seized live, like these blue-tongued lizards in Australia.

    Overall, nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, were rescued.

    33 protected primates were seized during the operation, this one was discovered in Chile.

    An example of a deer seized in North Macedonia during the operation that was jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

    This primate was rescued in Indonesia during Operation Thunder.

    The live animals, which included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates and reptiles were rescued in connection with 2,213 seizures made worldwide.

    Where possible, wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring the animals to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation, in line with national frameworks and relevant protocols.

    The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions, as it helps confirm the type of species and its origin or distribution, shedding light on new trafficking routes and emerging trends.

    Large-scale trafficking of animal parts, plants and endangered species

    In addition to the live animals, participating countries seized hundreds of thousands of protected animal parts and derivatives, trees, plants, marine life and arthropods.

    Timber cases represent the most significant seizures, primarily occurring in sea cargo container shipments, while most other seizures took place at airports and mail processing hubs.

    Authorities also investigated online activities and found suspects using multiple profiles and linked accounts across social media platforms and marketplaces to expand their reach.

    More than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species were also identified.

    Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General said:

    “Organized crime networks are profiting from the demand for rare plants and animals, exploiting nature to fuel human greed. This has far-reaching consequences: it drives biodiversity loss, destroys communities, contributes to climate change and even fuels conflict and instability.

    “Environmental crimes are uniquely destructive, and INTERPOL, in cooperation with its partners, is committed to protecting our planet for future generations.”

    Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, said:

    “Operation Thunder continues to shed light on a crime that is often not a priority for enforcement actors. Through our joint efforts we have established cooperation mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence, and we have refined our enforcement strategies.

    “The illegal wildlife trade is still rapidly growing, highly lucrative and has devastating effects. The WCO remains committed to supporting its members and partners to effectively combat this serious crime.”

    This leopard hide was seized in Namibia, during the largest-ever global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking.

    As well as this leopard skin coat discovered in Poland, Polish authorities also seized 300 seahorse tablets.

    This Mariposa butterfly found in Peru was one of 5,991 pieces and 233kg of arthropods seized globally.

    This wood in Brazil was among 49,572 pieces, 214.9 tonnes and 1340 m3 of timber seized worldwide.

    These sea cucumbers and shark fins were seized in Mozambique.

    Nearly 4.5 tonnes of pangolin scales were seized in Nigeria.

    Mongolia reported the seizure of 40 m3 of timber.

    This skull, discovered by Mexican authorities, was among 53 pieces of big cats seized around the world, including claws, furs, and skulls.

    Python skin products, like this one seized in Italy, are perceived as high-end or luxurious items.

    This coral, found in Italy, was one of 493 pieces and 21.41kg of coral seized globally.

    Indonesia reported two instances of trafficking of African ivory.

    Significant seizures include:

    • Indonesia: 134 tonnes of timber headed to Asia via ocean freight.
    • Kenya: 41 tonnes of exotic timber headed to Asia via ocean freight.
    • Nigeria: 4,472 kg of pangolins scales
    • Türkiye: 6,500 live songbirds discovered during a vehicle inspection at the Syrian border.
    • India: 5,193 live red-eared ornamental slider turtles concealed in passenger suitcases arriving from Malaysia at Chennai Airport.
    • Peru: 3,700 protected plants intercepted en route from Ecuador.
    • Qatar: Eight rhino horns found in a suspect’s luggage while transiting from Mozambique to Thailand.
    • United States: One tonne of sea cucumbers, considered a seafood delicacy, smuggled from Nicaragua.
    • Hong Kong, China: 973 kg of dried shark fins originating from Morocco seized at the airport.
    • Czech Republic: Eight tigers, aged between two months and two years, discovered in a suspected illegal breeding facility.
    • Indonesia: 846 pieces of reticulated python skin, from the world’s longest snake species, concealed on board a ship.
    • More than 300 firearms, vehicles and poaching equipment.

    Building a global intelligence picture of wildlife and timber trafficking

    Regular operations such as Thunder enable investigators to build a comprehensive global intelligence picture and detailed offender profiles, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of enforcement efforts and resolution of cross-border cases.

    Cooperation between various stakeholders is essential for effectively combating transnational criminal networks, from seizure to arrest and prosecution, as the data collected enable customs administrations to refine their risk management and compliance strategies, and stay one step ahead of criminals, ensuring that their contribution to the fight against wildlife crime is dynamic and responsive.

    Ahead of the operation, countries exchanged actionable intelligence on ongoing cases and high-value targets, updating critical information on 21 INTERPOL Red Notices for suspected traffickers wanted internationally. This exchange continued throughout the operation, with officers using the secure channels provided by both INTERPOL and the WCO to communicate in real time.

    The Operation Thunder series is backed by the CITES Secretariat and carried out under the partnership framework of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). The 2024 edition was co-funded by the European Union, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Seven-year ban for former manager of Chinese takeaway who employed illegal workers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Director banned for breaching immigration rules

    • Qiqing He employed three people who were not allowed to work in the UK at his takeaway in Aberdeen 
    • The illegal workers were discovered during a visit to the premises by Immigration Enforcement 
    • He has now been banned as a company director for seven years following investigations by the Insolvency Service 

    The former manager of a Chinese takeaway in Aberdeen has been banned as a company director for seven years after employing three illegal workers. 

    Qiqing He, 54, hired the workers at the former Chinese Cooking takeaway on Holburn Street which was visited by Immigration Enforcement officials in 2022. 

    The three workers, all Chinese nationals in their 50s and 60s, had no right to work in the UK. 

    He, of Denburn Court, Aberdeen, was disqualified as a director at a hearing of the Court of Sessions in Edinburgh last month. 

    His director ban started on Tuesday 4 February. 

    Dave Magrath, Director of Investigation and Enforcement Services at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Company directors have a responsibility to follow all the rules and regulations expected of them. Qiqing He clearly failed to do this, employing three people who had no right to work in the UK. 

    Illegal working puts some of the most vulnerable people in society at risk of exploitation, undercuts honest employers who pay their taxes, and encourages others to break our immigration laws. 

    Improving director conduct is a key priority for the Insolvency Service and we will continue to work with our partners at the Home Office to clamp down on those who do not meet the standards we expect.

    He was the director of QQ Holburn Limited, the company through which the takeaway traded. The company was incorporated on Companies House in October 2019 with He as its sole director. 

    Immigration Enforcement found the illegal workers when they visited the takeaway in September 2022. 

    Despite formally resigning as director of the company four months earlier in May 2022, He had continued to control and manage the business. 

    In interviews with Immigration Enforcement, He also admitted that he had employed the workers and was responsible for paying them. 

    Immigration Enforcement fined the company £30,000 for the immigration breach, which remains unpaid. 

    Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said:  

    These sanctions demonstrate the serious consequences that await business owners who flout employment regulations. 

    All employers have a responsibility to carry out right to work checks on individuals they hire and we’re ramping up enforcement action against those who fail to do so. 

    I would like to thank the Home Office Immigration Enforcement team and our partners at the Insolvency Service for taking robust action in this case. Together we will continue to make sure those who abuse our immigration system face the full consequences.

    The disqualification order prevents He from becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court until February 2032.  

    QQ Holburn stopped trading as a company in March 2024. 

    A Chinese takeaway with a different company and trading name currently operates from the same address as Chinese Cooking. He is not a director of this company. 

    Further information

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Time to subscribe online to Lancaster City Council’s garden waste collection service for 2025/26 Residents can avoid multiple trips to the tip this year by subscribing online to Lancaster City Council’s fortnightly garden waste collection service for 2025/26.

    Source: City of Lancaster

    Residents can avoid multiple trips to the tip this year by subscribing online to Lancaster City Council’s fortnightly garden waste collection service for 2025/26.

    The opt-in service runs from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

    To help cover rising operational costs and ensure the service continues to run efficiently, this year’s subscription fee has increased by £1 to £46.

    Current subscribers will receive reminder letters and emails in the coming weeks with instructions on how to renew their subscriptions online.  However, residents can subscribe online at any time by visiting www.lancaster.gov.uk/garden-waste, where they will also find the terms and conditions of the service and a set of helpful FAQs.

    Councillor Paul Hart, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “Raising fees and charges is never a decision we take lightly.  However, our garden waste collection service is a subsidised service and to maintain the high standard of it, a modest fee increase is necessary this year to address the rising costs of fuel, vehicle maintenance, staffing and demand.”

    Current customers who do not wish to renew their subscriptions don’t need to take any action. Collections will automatically stop after March 31, 2025.

    Residents can request the removal of surplus garden waste bins by completing an online form at www.lancaster.gov.uk/contact-us.

    Last updated: 04 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Unlock Your Trading Edge with Axi at the 2025 Money Expo Mexico

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading online FX and CFD broker Axi announced that it is attending this year’s Money Expo Mexico, taking place on February 26-27, 2025, at Centro Citibanamex.

    Event attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Axi Select, Axi’s innovative capital allocation program designed to empower ambitious traders on their trading journey, as well as meet Axi Select traders who are well on their way to reaching the $1million milestone. “We invite all traders to visit our team at Booth 14 and uncover the future of trading with Axi,” says Greg Rubin, Head of Axi Select at Axi, before adding “We look forward to networking with fellow traders and showcasing the exceptional benefits of Axi Select. Our program features zero registration fees, capital funding of up to $1,000,000 USD, the opportunity to earn up to 90% of the profits, and advanced tools to accelerate traders’ trading potential.”

    Additionally, visitors can explore their Introducing Broker (IB) and Affiliate programs or learn more about Axi’s longstanding partnership with Manchester City, Premier League Champions. Man City memorabilia and the club’s mascots will be on-site for photos and attendees stand the chance to win exciting prizes from the broker, including signed player shirts and other merchandise.

    The broker has a longstanding partnership with Premier League club, Manchester City FC, as well as LaLiga club, Girona FC, and Brazilian club, Esporte Clube Bahia. In 2023, they also announced England international John Stones as their Brand Ambassador. More recently, the broker was recognised with the ‘Innovator of the Year’ award at the 2024 Dubai Forex Expo, as well as being named ‘Most Innovative Proprietary Trading Firm’ by Finance Feeds.

    The Axi Select programme 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.

    About Axi

    Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Gold, Oil, and more.

    For more information or additional comments from Axi, please contact: mediaenquiries@axi.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Picus Security Finds 3X Increase in Malware Targeting Password Stores

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Picus Security, the leading security validation company, today released The Red Report™ 2025. Based on an in-depth analysis of more than 1 million pieces of malware collected in 2024, the fifth annual report reveals that 25% of malware targets credentials in password stores — a 3X increase from 2023. For the first time ever, stealing credentials from password stores is in the top 10 techniques listed in the MITRE ATT&CK Framework. The report reveals that these top 10 techniques accounted for 93% of all malicious actions in 2024.

    “Threat actors are leveraging sophisticated extraction methods, including memory scraping, registry harvesting and compromising local and cloud-based password stores, to obtain credentials that give attackers the keys to the kingdom,” said Picus Security co-founder and VP of Picus Labs, Dr. Suleyman Ozarslan. “It’s vital that password managers are used in tandem with multi-factor authentication, and that employees never reuse a password, especially for their password manager.”

    Picus observed that attackers are prioritizing complex, prolonged, multi-stage attacks that require a new generation of malware to succeed. Picus Labs researchers coined the term “SneakThief” to represent the evolution of info-stealing malware, which involves increased stealth, persistence and automation. They liken the increasingly sophisticated approach to “the perfect heist,” noting that most malware samples now contain more than a dozen malicious actions designed to help attackers evade defenses, increase permissions and exfiltrate data.

    “Focusing on Top 10 MITRE ATT&CK techniques is the most viable way to stop the kill chain of sophisticated malware strains as early as possible”, said Volkan Ertürk, CTO and co-founder of Picus. “SneakThief malware is not an exception, enterprise security teams can stop ninety percent of malware by focusing on just 10 of MITRE’s entire library of techniques.”

    Additional key findings from the report include:

    • Malware samples now contain an average of 14 malicious actions. This means each individual piece of malware is more complex and can perform more actions in the cyber kill chain.
    • Exfiltration and stealth tactics made up 11.3 million actions in 2024. Adversaries are shifting to covert exfiltration methods — “whispering channels” like encrypted communications (HTTPS, DoH) — and living-off-the-land techniques to blend malicious activity into legitimate traffic. It is more common than ever to see tactics like process injection and application layer protocols used as key enablers, allowing attackers to persist in environments and exfiltrate data without triggering an alert.
    • No evidence that cybercriminals are using AI-driven malware. Despite the widespread hype surrounding AI and its potential applications in cybersecurity, Picus’s analysis revealed no significant increase in the use of AI-driven malware techniques in 2024.

    Methodology
    Picus Labs processed 1,094,744 pieces of malware collected between January and December 2024. From the identified malicious files, 14,010,853 malicious actions were detected, averaging approximately 14 actions per malware sample. These malicious actions were systematically mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework. The Picus Red Report offers a more in-depth description of the research methodology.

    To learn more, download the Picus Red Report 2025 and register to explore the report results with the Picus Research team during a (live) webinar on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. EST.

    Resources

    About Picus Security 
    Picus Security, the leading security validation company, gives organizations a clear picture of their cyber risk based on business context. Picus transforms security practices by correlating, prioritizing and validating exposures across siloed findings so teams can focus on critical gaps and high-impact fixes. With Picus, security teams can quickly take action with one-click mitigations to stop more threats with less effort.

    The pioneer of Breach and Attack Simulation, Picus delivers award-winning, threat-centric technology that allows teams to pinpoint fixes worth pursuing, offering a 95% recommendation in Gartner® Peer Insights™ Customers’ Choice for 2024 in the BAS tools category.* 

    Contact Info:
    Jennifer Tanner
    Look Left Marketing
    picus@lookleftmarketing.com 

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/73c8bf25-cd5e-41a8-8b6d-4561fe99df09

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/009eaa50-d2e3-4bee-aadb-f2140af1864c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WTW Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Earnings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Revenue1 increased 4% over prior year to $3.0 billion for the quarter and increased 5% to $9.9 billion for the year
    • Organic Revenue growth of 5% for both the quarter and the year
    • Diluted Earnings per Share was $12.25 for the quarter, up 105% over prior year, and Diluted Loss2 was $0.96 for the year.
    • Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share was $8.13 for the quarter, up 9% from prior year, and $16.93 for the year, up 17% over prior year 
    • Operating Margin was 29.7% for the quarter, up 300 basis points over prior year, and 6.3% for the year, down 810 basis points from prior year
    • Adjusted Operating Margin was 36.1% for the quarter, up 190 basis points from prior year, and 23.9% for the year, up 190 basis points over prior year

    LONDON, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) (the “Company”), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    “WTW is entering 2025 with considerable momentum after delivering on our 2024 financial targets through solid revenue growth, robust margin expansion and earnings growth,” said Carl Hess, WTW’s chief executive officer. “The successful completion of our Grow, Simplify and Transform strategy has primed all of our businesses to perform, and we are now stronger, more connected and more efficient than we have ever been. I’m confident our new strategy to accelerate our performance, enhance our efficiency and optimize our portfolio will produce innovative solutions for our customers and create more value for shareholders. I’m proud of our team’s dedication and look forward to executing on our strategic and financial goals in the years ahead.”

    Consolidated Results

    Fourth Quarter 2024, as reported, USD millions, except %

    Key Metrics Q4-24 Q4-23 Y/Y Change
    Revenue1 $3,035 $2,914 Reported 4% | CC 5% | Organic 5%
    Income from Operations $901 $779 16%
    Operating Margin % 29.7% 26.7% 300 bps
    Adjusted Operating Income $1,096 $998 10%
    Adjusted Operating Margin % 36.1% 34.2% 190 bps
    Net Income $1,248 $623 100%
    Adjusted Net Income $827 $775 7%
    Diluted EPS $12.25 $5.97 105%
    Adjusted Diluted EPS $8.13 $7.44 9%

    Revenue was $3.04 billion for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 4% as compared to $2.91 billion for the same period in the prior year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenue increased 5%. On an organic basis, revenue increased 5%. See Supplemental Segment Information for additional detail on book-of-business settlements and interest income included in revenue.

    Net Income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $1.25 billion compared to Net Income of $623 million in the prior-year fourth quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $1.2 billion, or 38.6% of revenue, an increase of 9%, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 billion, or 37.1% of revenue, in the prior-year fourth quarter. The U.S. GAAP tax rate for the fourth quarter was 26.0%, and the adjusted income tax rate for the fourth quarter used in calculating adjusted diluted earnings per share was 21.3%.

    Full Year 2024, as reported, USD millions, except %

    Key Metrics FY-24 FY-23 Y/Y Change
    Revenue1 $9,930 $9,483 Reported 5% | CC 5% | Organic 5%
    Income from Operations $627 $1,365 (54)%
    Operating Margin % 6.3% 14.4% (810) bps
    Adjusted Operating Income $2,378 $2,082 14%
    Adjusted Operating Margin % 23.9% 22.0% 190 bps
    Net (Loss)/Income2 $(88) $1,064 NM
    Adjusted Net Income $1,730 $1,536 13%
    Diluted EPS2 $(0.96) $9.95 NM
    Adjusted Diluted EPS $16.93 $14.49 17%
    1 The revenue amounts included in this release are presented on a U.S. GAAP basis except where stated otherwise. This excludes reinsurance revenue which is reported in discontinued operations. The segment discussion is on an organic basis.
    2 Net Loss and Diluted Loss Per Share for the year ended 2024 primarily includes impairment charges of over $1.0 billion related to the sale of TRANZACT.
    NM Not meaningful

    Revenue was $9.93 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of 5% as compared to $9.48 billion for the prior year. On an organic basis, revenue increased 5%. See Supplemental Segment Information for additional detail on book-of-business settlements and interest income included in revenue.

    Net Loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $88 million, compared to Net Income of $1.1 billion in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $2.7 billion, or 27.3% of revenue, an increase of $278 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $2.4 billion, or 25.6% of revenue, in the prior year.

    The U.S. GAAP tax rate for 2024 was 184.7%, and the adjusted income tax rate for 2024 used in calculating adjusted diluted earnings per share was 21.5%.

    Cash Flow and Capital Allocation 

    Cash flows from operating activities were $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $1.3 billion for the prior year. Free cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, an increase of $184 million, primarily driven by operating margin expansion, partially offset by cash outflows related to transformation and discretionary compensation payments. During the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repurchased $395 million and $901 million of WTW shares, respectively.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Segment Highlights

    Health, Wealth & Career (“HWC”)

    As reported, USD millions, except %

    Health, Wealth & Career Q4-24 Q4-23 Y/Y Change
    Total Revenue $1,853 $1,798 Reported 3% | CC 3% | Organic 3%
    Operating Income $776 $729 6%
    Operating Margin % 41.9% 40.5% 140 bps

    The HWC segment had revenue of $1.85 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 3% (3% increase constant currency and organic) from $1.80 billion in the prior year. Health had organic revenue growth led by increased project work and brokerage income in North America and the continued expansion of our Global Benefits Management client portfolio in International and Europe. Wealth generated organic revenue growth from higher levels of Retirement work globally, an increase in our Investments business due to growth of our LifeSight solution and capital market improvements. Career had organic revenue growth from increased advisory services and product revenue. Benefits Delivery & Outsourcing (BD&O) had an organic revenue decline for the quarter primarily as a result of deliberately moderating growth in TRANZACT.

    Operating margins in the HWC segment increased 140 basis points from the prior-year fourth quarter to 41.9%, primarily from Transformation savings. Please refer to the Supplemental Slides for TRANZACT’s standalone historical financial results.

    Risk & Broking (“R&B”)

    As reported, USD millions, except %

    Risk & Broking Q4-24 Q4-23 Y/Y Change
    Total Revenue $1,141 $1,076 Reported 6% | CC 7% | Organic 7%
    Operating Income $383 $354 8%
    Operating Margin % 33.5% 32.9% 60 bps

    The R&B segment had revenue of $1.14 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 6% (7% increase constant currency and organic) from $1.08 billion in the prior year. Corporate Risk & Broking (CRB) had organic revenue growth driven by higher levels of new business activity and strong client retention. Insurance Consulting and Technology (ICT) had organic revenue growth for the quarter primarily due to strong software sales in Technology.

    Operating margins in the R&B segment increased 60 basis points from the prior-year fourth quarter to 33.5%, primarily due to operating leverage driven by organic revenue growth and disciplined expense management, as well as Transformation savings which were partially offset by headwinds from book-of-business activity and foreign currency fluctuations.

    Select 2025 Financial Considerations

    Changes to Non-GAAP financial measures:

    • All reported non-GAAP metrics will exclude non-cash net periodic pension and postretirement benefit credits
    • Free cash flow and free cash flow margin will capture cash outflows for capitalized software costs
    • Refer to Supplemental Slides for recast of historical Non-GAAP measures

    Business mix:

    • Divested TRANZACT business, which contributed $1.14 to adjusted diluted earnings per share in 2024, is no longer part of the business portfolio
    • Reinsurance joint venture expected to be a headwind on adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.25 to $0.35

    Free cash flow:

    • Expect cash outflows in 2025 from the settlement of accrued costs related to the Transformation program which concluded in 2024
    • Cash taxes related to receipt of earnout from reinsurance divestiture will be classified as Cash Flows from Operating Activities on Statement of Cash Flows

    Capital allocation:

    • Expect share repurchases of ~$1.5 billion, subject to market conditions and potential capital allocation to organic and inorganic investment opportunities

    Foreign exchange:

    • Expect a foreign currency headwind on adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.18 in 2025 at today’s rates

    Adjusted operating margin outlook:

    • ~100 basis points of average annual margin expansion over next 3 years in R&B
    • Incremental annual margin expansion at HWC and enterprise levels

    The 2025 Financial Considerations above include Non-GAAP financial measures. We do not reconcile forward-looking Non-GAAP measures for reasons explained under “WTW Non-GAAP Measures” below.

    Conference Call

    The Company will host a live webcast and conference call to discuss the financial results for the fourth quarter 2024. It will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available on WTW’s website here. The conference call will include a question-and-answer session. To participate in the question-and-answer session, please register here. An online replay will be available at www.wtwco.com shortly after the call concludes.

    About WTW

    At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance. Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you. Learn more at www.wtwco.com.

    WTW Non-GAAP Measures

    In order to assist readers of our consolidated financial statements in understanding the core operating results that WTW’s management uses to evaluate the business and for financial planning, we present the following non-GAAP measures: (1) Constant Currency Change, (2) Organic Change, (3) Adjusted Operating Income/Margin, (4) Adjusted EBITDA/Margin, (5) Adjusted Net Income, (6) Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share, (7) Adjusted Income Before Taxes, (8) Adjusted Income Taxes/Tax Rate, (9) Free Cash Flow and (10) Free Cash Flow Margin.

    We believe that those measures are relevant and provide pertinent information widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in our industry to provide a baseline for evaluating and comparing our operating performance, and in the case of free cash flow, our liquidity results.

    Within the measures referred to as ‘adjusted’, we adjust for significant items which will not be settled in cash, or which we believe to be items that are not core to our current or future operations. Some of these items may not be applicable for the current quarter, however they may be part of our full-year results. Additionally, we have historically adjusted for certain items which are not described below, but for which we may adjust in a future period when applicable. Items applicable to the quarter or full year results, or the comparable periods, include the following:

    • Restructuring costs and transaction and transformation – Management believes it is appropriate to adjust for restructuring costs and transaction and transformation when they relate to a specific significant program with a defined set of activities and costs that are not expected to continue beyond a defined period of time, or significant acquisition-related transaction expenses. We believe the adjustment is necessary to present how the Company is performing, both now and in the future when the incurrence of these costs will have concluded.
    • Impairment – Adjustment to remove the non-cash goodwill impairment associated with our Benefits, Delivery and Administration reporting unit related to the sale of our TRANZACT business.
    • Provisions for specified litigation matters – We will include provisions for litigation matters which we believe are not representative of our core business operations. Among other things, we determine this by reference to the amount of the loss (net of insurance and other recovery receivables) and by reference to whether the matter relates to an unusual and complex scenario that is not expected to be repeated as part of our ongoing, ordinary business. These amounts are presented net of insurance and other recovery receivables. See the footnotes to the respective reconciliation tables below for more specificity on the litigation matter excluded from adjusted results.
    • Gains and losses on disposals of operations – Adjustment to remove the gains or losses resulting from disposed operations that have not been classified as discontinued operations.
    • Pension settlement – Adjustment to remove significant pension settlement to better present how the Company is performing.
    • Tax effect of significant adjustments – Relates to the incremental tax expense or benefit resulting from significant or unusual events including significant statutory tax rate changes enacted in material jurisdictions in which we operate, internal reorganizations of ownership of certain businesses that reduced the investment held by our U.S.-controlled subsidiaries and the recovery of certain refunds or payment of taxes related to businesses in which we no longer participate.

    We evaluate our revenue on an as reported (U.S. GAAP), constant currency and organic basis. We believe presenting constant currency and organic information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our comparable results, consistent with how we evaluate our performance internally.

    We consider Constant Currency Change, Organic Change, Adjusted Operating Income/Margin, Adjusted EBITDA/Margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share, Adjusted Income Before Taxes, Adjusted Income Taxes/Tax Rate and Free Cash Flow to be important financial measures, which are used to internally evaluate and assess our core operations and to benchmark our operating and liquidity results against our competitors. These non-GAAP measures are important in illustrating what our comparable operating and liquidity results would have been had we not incurred transaction-related and non-recurring items. Reconciliations of these measures are included in the accompanying tables with the following exception: The Company does not reconcile its forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, due to variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections and/or certain information not being ascertainable or accessible; and because not all of the information, such as foreign currency impacts necessary for a quantitative reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is available to the Company without unreasonable efforts. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. The Company provides non-GAAP financial measures that it believes will be achieved, however it cannot accurately predict all of the components of the adjusted calculations and the U.S. GAAP measures may be materially different than the non-GAAP measures.

    Our non-GAAP measures and their accompanying definitions are presented as follows:

    Constant Currency Change – Represents the year-over-year change in revenue excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. To calculate this impact, the prior year local currency results are first translated using the current year monthly average exchange rates. The change is calculated by comparing the prior year revenue, translated at the current year monthly average exchange rates, to the current year as reported revenue, for the same period. We believe constant currency measures provide useful information to investors because they provide transparency to performance by excluding the effects that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations have on period-over-period comparability given volatility in foreign currency exchange markets.

    Organic Change – Excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, as described above and the period-over-period impact of acquisitions and divestitures on current-year revenue. We believe that excluding transaction-related items from our U.S. GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental information to our investors, and it is important in illustrating what our core operating results would have been had we not included these transaction-related items, since the nature, size and number of these transaction-related items can vary from period to period.

    Adjusted Operating Income/Margin – (Loss)/Income from operations adjusted for impairment, amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results. Adjusted operating income margin is calculated by dividing adjusted operating income by revenue. We consider adjusted operating income/margin to be important financial measures, which are used internally to evaluate and assess our core operations and to benchmark our operating results against our competitors.

    Adjusted EBITDA/Margin – Net (Loss)/Income adjusted for provision for income taxes, interest expense, impairment, depreciation and amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation, gains and losses on disposals of operations and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA by revenue. We consider adjusted EBITDA/margin to be important financial measures, which are used internally to evaluate and assess our core operations, to benchmark our operating results against our competitors and to evaluate and measure our performance-based compensation plans.

    Adjusted Net Income – Net (Loss)/Income Attributable to WTW adjusted for impairment, amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation, gains and losses on disposals of operations and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results and the related tax effect of those adjustments and the tax effects of internal reorganizations. This measure is used solely for the purpose of calculating adjusted diluted earnings per share.

    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share – Adjusted Net Income divided by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares, diluted. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is used to internally evaluate and assess our core operations and to benchmark our operating results against our competitors.

    Adjusted Income Before Taxes – (Loss)/Income from operations before income taxes adjusted for impairment, amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation, gains and losses on disposals of operations and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results. Adjusted income before taxes is used solely for the purpose of calculating the adjusted income tax rate.

    Adjusted Income Taxes/Tax Rate – Benefit from/(provision for) income taxes adjusted for taxes on certain items of impairment, amortization, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation, gains and losses on disposals of operations, the tax effects of internal reorganizations, and non-recurring items that, in management’s judgment, significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results, divided by adjusted income before taxes. Adjusted income taxes is used solely for the purpose of calculating the adjusted income tax rate. Management believes that the adjusted income tax rate presents a rate that is more closely aligned to the rate that we would incur if not for the reduction of pre-tax income for the adjusted items and the tax effects of internal reorganizations, which are not core to our current and future operations.

    Free Cash Flow – Cash flows from operating activities less cash used to purchase fixed assets and software for internal use. Free Cash Flow is a liquidity measure and is not meant to represent residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. Management believes that free cash flow presents the core operating performance and cash-generating capabilities of our business operations.

    Free Cash Flow Margin – Free Cash Flow as a percentage of revenue, which represents how much of revenue would be realized on a cash basis. We consider this measure to be a meaningful metric for tracking cash conversion on a year-over-year basis due to the non-cash nature of our pension income, which is included in our GAAP and Non-GAAP earnings metrics presented herein.

    These non-GAAP measures are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the information contained within our condensed consolidated financial statements.

    WTW Forward-Looking Statements

    This document contains ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations or certain considerations relating to our future results. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as our outlook, plans and references to future performance, including our future financial and operating results (including our revenue, costs, or margins), short-term and long-term financial goals, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, including with respect to organic revenue growth, free cash flow generation, adjusted net revenue, adjusted operating margin and adjusted earnings per share; future share repurchases; demand for our services and competitive strengths; strategic goals; existing and evolving business strategies including those related to acquisition and disposition activity; the benefits of new initiatives; the growth of our business and operations; the sustained health of our product, service, transaction, client, and talent assessment and management pipelines; our ability to successfully manage ongoing leadership, organizational, and technology changes, including investments in improving systems and processes; our ability to implement and realize anticipated benefits of any cost-savings initiatives including our multi-year operational transformation program; the potential impact of natural or man-made disasters like health pandemics and other world health crises; future capital expenditures; ongoing working capital efforts; the impact of changes to tax laws on our financial results; and our recognition of future impairment charges or write-off of receivables, are forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘continues’, ‘seek’, ‘target’, ‘goal’, ‘focus’, ‘probably’, or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking disclosure is speculative by its nature.

    There are important risks, uncertainties, events and factors that could cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained in this document, including the following: our ability to successfully establish, execute and achieve our global business strategy as it evolves; our ability to fully realize the anticipated benefits of our growth strategy, including inorganic growth through acquisitions; our ability to execute strategic transactions, including both acquisitions and dispositions, including our ability to receive adequate consideration or any earnout proceeds in return for any dispositions or integrate or manage acquired businesses or effect internal reorganizations; incremental risks relating to the transitional arrangements in effect subsequent to our previously completed sale of TRANZACT; our ability to successfully manage ongoing organizational changes, investments in improving systems and processes, and in connection with our acquisition and divestiture activities; risks relating to changes in our management structures and in senior leadership; our ability to achieve our short-term and long-term financial goals, such as with respect to our cash flow generation, and the timing with respect to such achievement; the risks related to changes in general economic conditions, business and political conditions, changes in the financial markets, inflation, credit availability, increased interest rates and changes in trade policies; the risks to our short-term and long-term financial goals from any of the risks or uncertainties set forth herein; the risks relating to the adverse impacts of macroeconomic trends, including inflation, changes in interest rates and trade policies, as well as political events, war, such as the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts, and other international disputes, terrorism, natural disasters, public health issues and other business interruptions on the global economy and capital markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and long-term goals; our ability to successfully hedge against fluctuations in foreign currency rates; the risks relating to the adverse impacts of natural or man-made disasters such as health pandemics and other world health crises on the demand for our products and services, our cash flows and our business operations; material interruptions to or loss of our information processing capabilities, or failure to effectively maintain and upgrade our information technology resources and systems and related risks of cybersecurity breaches or incidents; our ability to comply with complex and evolving regulations related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence; significant competition that we face and the potential for loss of market share and/or profitability; the impact of seasonality and differences in timing of renewals and non-recurring revenue increases from disposals and book-of-business sales; the insufficiency of client data protection, potential breaches of information systems or insufficient safeguards against cybersecurity breaches or incidents; the risk of increased liability or new legal claims arising from our new and existing products and services, and expectations, intentions and outcomes relating to outstanding litigation; the risk of substantial negative outcomes on existing litigation or investigation matters; changes in the regulatory environment in which we operate, including, among other risks, the impacts of pending competition law and regulatory investigations; various claims, government inquiries or investigations or the potential for regulatory action; our ability to integrate direct-to-consumer sales and marketing solutions with our existing offerings and solutions; disasters or business continuity problems; our ability to successfully enhance our billing, collection and other working capital efforts, and thereby increase our free cash flow; our ability to properly identify and manage conflicts of interest; reputational damage, including from association with third parties; reliance on third-party service providers and suppliers; the loss of key employees or a large number of employees and rehiring rates; our ability to maintain our corporate culture; doing business internationally, including the impact of foreign currency exchange rates; compliance with extensive government regulation; the risk of sanctions imposed by governments, or changes to associated sanction regulations (such as sanctions imposed on Russia) and related counter-sanctions; our ability to effectively apply technology, data and analytics changes for internal operations, maintaining industry standards and meeting client preferences; changes and developments in the insurance industry or the U.S. healthcare system, including those related to Medicare, any legislative actions from the current U.S. Congress, the recent Final Rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for contract year 2025 and any judicial claims, rulings and appeals related thereto, and any other changes and developments in legal, regulatory, economic, business or operational conditions that could impact our Medicare benefits businesses; the inability to protect our intellectual property rights, or the potential infringement upon the intellectual property rights of others; fluctuations in our pension assets and liabilities and related changes in pension income, including as a result of, related to, or derived from movements in the interest rate environment, investment returns, inflation, or changes in other assumptions that are used to estimate our benefit obligations and their effect on adjusted earnings per share; our capital structure, including indebtedness amounts, the limitations imposed by the covenants in the documents governing such indebtedness and the maintenance of the financial and disclosure controls and procedures of each; our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all; adverse changes in our credit ratings; the impact of recent or potential changes to U.S. or foreign laws, and the enactment of additional, or the revision of existing, state, federal, and/or foreign laws and regulations, recent judicial decisions and development of case law, other regulations and any policy changes and legislative actions, including those that may impose additional excise taxes or impact our effective tax rate; U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. persons owning at least 10% of our shares; changes in accounting principles, estimates or assumptions; our recognition of future non-cash pre-tax losses and related impairment charges; risks relating to or arising from environmental, social and governance practices; fluctuation in revenue against our relatively fixed or higher than expected expenses; the laws of Ireland being different from the laws of the U.S. and potentially affording less protections to the holders of our securities; and our holding company structure potentially preventing us from being able to receive dividends or other distributions in needed amounts from our subsidiaries.

    The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and new factors may emerge from time to time that could also affect actual performance and results. For more information, please see Part I, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies are available online at www.sec.gov or www.wtwco.com.

    Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and therefore also the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. Given the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this document, our inclusion of this information is not a representation or guarantee by us that our objectives and plans will be achieved.

    Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we will not update these forward-looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so. With regard to these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this document may not occur, and we caution you against unduly relying on these forward-looking statements.

    Contact

    INVESTORS
    Claudia De La Hoz | Claudia.Delahoz@wtwco.com

     

    WTW
    Supplemental Segment Information
    (In millions of U.S. dollars)
    (Unaudited)
     
    REVENUE    
                  Components of Revenue Change(i)
                        Less:       Less:    
        Three Months Ended
     December 31,    		     As Reported   Currency   Constant Currency   Acquisitions/   Organic
        2024     2023     % Change   Impact   Change   Divestitures   Change
                                     
    Health, Wealth & Career                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 1,847     $ 1,791     3%   0%   3%   0%   3%
    Interest income     6       7                      
    Total     1,853       1,798     3%   0%   3%   0%   3%
                                     
    Risk & Broking                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 1,115     $ 1,049     6%   (1)%   7%   0%   7%
    Interest income     26       27                      
    Total     1,141       1,076     6%   (1)%   7%   0%   7%
                                     
    Segment Revenue   $ 2,994     $ 2,874     4%   (1)%   5%   0%   5%
    Corporate, reimbursable expenses and other     37       35                      
    Interest income     4       5                      
    Revenue   $ 3,035     $ 2,914     4%   (1)%   5%   0%   5%(ii)
                  Components of Revenue Change(i)
                        Less:       Less:    
        Years Ended December 31,    As Reported   Currency   Constant Currency   Acquisitions/   Organic
        2024    2023    % Change   Impact   Change   Divestitures   Change
                                     
    Health, Wealth & Career                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 5,745     $ 5,557     3%   0%   3%   0%   4%
    Interest income     32       25                      
    Total     5,777       5,582     3%   0%   4%   0%   4%
                                     
    Risk & Broking                                
    Revenue excluding interest income   $ 3,926     $ 3,656     7%   0%   8%   0%   8%
    Interest income     112       79                      
    Total     4,038       3,735     8%   (1)%   9%   0%   8%
                                     
    Segment Revenue   $ 9,815     $ 9,317     5%   0%   6%   0%   6%
    Corporate, reimbursable expenses and other     93       125                      
    Interest income     22       41                      
    Revenue   $ 9,930     $ 9,483     5%   0%   5%   0%   5%(ii)

    (i)  Components of revenue change may not add due to rounding.
    (ii)  Interest income did not contribute to organic change for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024.

    BOOK-OF-BUSINESS SETTLEMENTS AND INTEREST INCOME

        Three Months Ended December 31,  
        HWC    R&B    Corporate    Total 
        2024    2023    2024    2023    2024    2023    2024    2023 
    Book-of-business settlements   $ 5     $ 1     $ 6     $ 14     $ —     $ —     $ 11     $ 15  
    Interest income     6       7       26       27       4       5       36       39  
    Total   $ 11     $ 8     $ 32     $ 41     $ 4     $ 5     $ 47     $ 54  
        Years Ended December 31,  
        HWC    R&B    Corporate    Total 
        2024    2023    2024    2023    2024    2023    2024    2023 
    Book-of-business settlements   $ 8     $ 1     $ 14     $ 25     $ —     $ —     $ 22     $ 26  
    Interest income     32       25       112       79       22       41       166       145  
    Total   $ 40     $ 26     $ 126     $ 104     $ 22     $ 41     $ 188     $ 171  


    SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME (i)

        Three Months Ended
    December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Health, Wealth & Career   $ 776     $ 729  
    Risk & Broking     383       354  
    Segment Operating Income   $ 1,159     $ 1,083  
        Years Ended
    December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Health, Wealth & Career   $ 1,717     $ 1,565  
    Risk & Broking     958       813  
    Segment Operating Income   $ 2,675     $ 2,378  


    (i)     Segment operating income excludes certain costs, including amortization of intangibles, restructuring costs, transaction and transformation expenses, certain litigation provisions, and to the extent that the actual expense based upon which allocations are made differs from the forecast/budget amount, a reconciling item will be created between internally-allocated expenses and the actual expenses reported for U.S. GAAP purposes.

    SEGMENT OPERATING MARGINS

        Three Months Ended December 31,
        2024    2023 
    Health, Wealth & Career   41.9%   40.5%
    Risk & Broking   33.5%   32.9%
        Years Ended
    December 31,
        2024    2023 
    Health, Wealth & Career   29.7%   28.0%
    Risk & Broking   23.7%   21.8%


    RECONCILIATIONS OF SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME TO INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

        Three Months Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Segment Operating Income   $ 1,159     $ 1,083  
    Amortization     (50 )     (60 )
    Restructuring costs     (32 )     (38 )
    Transaction and transformation(i)     (113 )     (121 )
    Unallocated, net(ii)     (63 )     (85 )
    Income from Operations     901       779  
    Interest expense     (66 )     (63 )
    Other income, net     853       23  
    Income from operations before income taxes   $ 1,688     $ 739  
        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Segment Operating Income   $ 2,675     $ 2,378  
    Impairment(iii)     (1,042 )     —  
    Amortization     (226 )     (263 )
    Restructuring costs     (61 )     (68 )
    Transaction and transformation(i)     (409 )     (386 )
    Unallocated, net(ii)     (310 )     (296 )
    Income from Operations     627       1,365  
    Interest expense     (263 )     (235 )
    Other (loss)/income, net     (260 )     149  
    Income from operations before income taxes   $ 104     $ 1,279  

     (i) In 2024 and 2023, in addition to legal fees and other transaction costs, includes primarily consulting fees and compensation costs related to the Transformation program.
     (ii) Includes certain costs, primarily related to corporate functions which are not directly related to the segments, and certain differences between budgeted expenses determined at the beginning of the year and actual expenses that we report for U.S. GAAP purposes.
     (iii) Represents the non-cash goodwill impairment associated with our BDA reporting unit related to the completed sale of our TRANZACT business.

    WTW
    Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures
    (In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)

    RECONCILIATIONS OF NET INCOME/(LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO WTW TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

        Three Months Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Net income attributable to WTW   $ 1,246     $ 622  
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Amortization     50       60  
    Restructuring costs     32       38  
    Transaction and transformation     113       121  
    Pension settlement     23       —  
    (Gain)/loss on disposal of operations     (853 )     1  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(i)     216       (67 )
    Adjusted Net Income   $ 827     $ 775  
                 
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, diluted     102       104  
                 
    Diluted Earnings Per Share   $ 12.25     $ 5.97  
    Adjusted for certain items:(ii)            
    Amortization     0.49       0.58  
    Restructuring costs     0.31       0.36  
    Transaction and transformation     1.11       1.16  
    Pension settlement     0.23       —  
    (Gain)/loss on disposal of operations     (8.39 )     0.01  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(i)     2.12       (0.64 )
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share(ii)   $ 8.13     $ 7.44  
        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Net (loss)/income attributable to WTW   $ (98 )   $ 1,055  
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Impairment     1,042       —  
    Amortization     226       263  
    Restructuring costs     61       68  
    Transaction and transformation     409       386  
    Provision for specified litigation matter(iii)     13       —  
    Pension settlement     23       —  
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     337       (43 )
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(i)     (276 )     (195 )
    Tax effect of significant adjustments     (7 )     2  
    Adjusted Net Income   $ 1,730     $ 1,536  
                 
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, diluted(iv)     102       106  
                 
    Diluted (Loss)/Earnings Per Share(iv)   $ (0.96 )   $ 9.95  
    Adjusted for certain items:(ii)            
    Impairment     10.20       —  
    Amortization     2.21       2.48  
    Restructuring costs     0.60       0.64  
    Transaction and transformation     4.00       3.64  
    Provision for specified litigation matter(iii)     0.13       —  
    Pension settlement     0.23       —  
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     3.30       (0.41 )
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(i)     (2.70 )     (1.84 )
    Tax effect of significant adjustments     (0.07 )     0.02  
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share(ii)   $ 16.93     $ 14.49  

     (i) The tax effect was calculated using an effective tax rate for each item.
    (ii) Per share values and totals may differ due to rounding.
    (iii) Represents a provision related to litigation arising out of a structured insurance program originally placed for a client over 15 years ago. The program is of a type and complexity that was highly bespoke to the client and for that reason is unlikely to be exactly replicated elsewhere. We believe excluding this matter from adjusted results makes results more comparable from period to period and more representative of our core business operations.
    (iv) When there is a net loss attributable to WTW for the period, basic and diluted shares and earnings per share are the same values.

    RECONCILIATIONS OF NET INCOME/(LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA

        Three Months Ended December 31,    
        2024    2023   
                   
    Net Income   $ 1,248   41.1% $ 623   21.4%
    Provision for income taxes     440       116    
    Interest expense     66       63    
    Depreciation     54       58    
    Amortization     50       60    
    Restructuring costs     32       38    
    Transaction and transformation     113       121    
    Pension settlement     23       —    
    (Gain)/loss on disposal of operations     (853 )     1    
    Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin   $ 1,173   38.6% $ 1,080   37.1%
        Years Ended December 31,    
        2024    2023   
                   
    Net (Loss)/Income   $ (88 ) (0.9)% $ 1,064   11.2%
    Provision for income taxes     192       215    
    Interest expense     263       235    
    Impairment     1,042       —    
    Depreciation     230       242    
    Amortization     226       263    
    Restructuring costs     61       68    
    Transaction and transformation     409       386    
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13       —    
    Pension settlement     23       —    
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     337       (43 )  
    Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin   $ 2,708   27.3% $ 2,430   25.6%

     (i) Represents a provision related to litigation arising out of a structured insurance program originally placed for a client over 15 years ago. The program is of a type and complexity that was highly bespoke to the client and for that reason is unlikely to be exactly replicated elsewhere. We believe excluding this matter from adjusted results makes results more comparable from period to period and more representative of our core business operations.

    RECONCILIATIONS OF INCOME FROM OPERATIONS TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

        Three Months Ended December 31,    
        2024     2023    
                   
    Income from operations and Operating margin   $ 901   29.7% $ 779   26.7%
    Adjusted for certain items:              
    Amortization     50       60    
    Restructuring costs     32       38    
    Transaction and transformation     113       121    
    Adjusted operating income and Adjusted operating income margin   $ 1,096   36.1% $ 998   34.2%
        Years Ended December 31,    
        2024     2023    
                   
    Income from operations and Operating margin   $ 627   6.3% $ 1,365   14.4%
    Adjusted for certain items:              
    Impairment     1,042       —    
    Amortization     226       263    
    Restructuring costs     61       68    
    Transaction and transformation     409       386    
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13       —    
    Adjusted operating income and Adjusted operating income margin   $ 2,378   23.9% $ 2,082   22.0%

    (i) Represents a provision related to litigation arising out of a structured insurance program originally placed for a client over 15 years ago. The program is of a type and complexity that was highly bespoke to the client and for that reason is unlikely to be exactly replicated elsewhere. We believe excluding this matter from adjusted results makes results more comparable from period to period and more representative of our core business operations.

    RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP INCOME TAXES/TAX RATE TO ADJUSTED INCOME TAXES/TAX RATE

        Three Months Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Income from operations before income taxes   $ 1,688     $ 739  
                 
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Amortization     50       60  
    Restructuring costs     32       38  
    Transaction and transformation     113       121  
    Pension settlement     23       —  
    (Gain)/loss on disposal of operations     (853 )     1  
    Adjusted income before taxes   $ 1,053     $ 959  
                 
    Provision for income taxes   $ 440     $ 116  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     (216 )     67  
    Adjusted income taxes   $ 224     $ 183  
                 
    U.S. GAAP tax rate     26.0 %     15.7 %
    Adjusted income tax rate     21.3 %     19.1 %
        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Income from operations before income taxes   $ 104     $ 1,279  
                 
    Adjusted for certain items:            
    Impairment     1,042       —  
    Amortization     226       263  
    Restructuring costs     61       68  
    Transaction and transformation     409       386  
    Provision for specified litigation matter(i)     13       —  
    Pension settlement     23       —  
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     337       (43 )
    Adjusted income before taxes   $ 2,215     $ 1,953  
                 
    Provision for income taxes   $ 192     $ 215  
    Tax effect on certain items listed above(ii)     276       195  
    Tax effect of significant adjustments     7       (2 )
    Adjusted income taxes   $ 475     $ 408  
                 
    U.S. GAAP tax rate     184.7 %     16.8 %
    Adjusted income tax rate     21.5 %     20.9 %

    (i) Represents a provision related to litigation arising out of a structured insurance program originally placed for a client over 15 years ago. The program is of a type and complexity that was highly bespoke to the client and for that reason is unlikely to be exactly replicated elsewhere. We believe excluding this matter from adjusted results makes results more comparable from period to period and more representative of our core business operations.
    (ii) The tax effect was calculated using an effective tax rate for each item.

    RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE CASH FLOW

        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Cash flows from operating activities   $ 1,512     $ 1,345  
    Less: Additions to fixed assets and software for internal use     (136 )     (153 )
    Free Cash Flow   $ 1,376     $ 1,192  
                 
    Revenue   $ 9,930     $ 9,483  
    Free Cash Flow Margin     13.9 %     12.6 %

     

    WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
    (In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data)
    (Unaudited)
                 
        Three Months Ended
     December 31,     		   Years Ended
     December 31, 
        2024    2023    2024    2023 
    Revenue   $ 3,035     $ 2,914     $ 9,930     $ 9,483  
                             
    Costs of providing services                        
    Salaries and benefits     1,367       1,325       5,502       5,344  
    Other operating expenses     518       533       1,833       1,815  
    Impairment     —       —       1,042       —  
    Depreciation     54       58       230       242  
    Amortization     50       60       226       263  
    Restructuring costs     32       38       61       68  
    Transaction and transformation     113       121       409       386  
    Total costs of providing services     2,134       2,135       9,303       8,118  
                             
    Income from operations     901       779       627       1,365  
                             
    Interest expense     (66 )     (63 )     (263 )     (235 )
    Other income/(loss), net     853       23       (260 )     149  
                             
    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES   1,688       739       104       1,279  
                             
    Provision for income taxes     (440 )     (116 )     (192 )     (215 )
                             
    NET INCOME/(LOSS)   1,248       623       (88 )     1,064  
                             
    Income attributable to non-controlling interests     (2 )     (1 )     (10 )     (9 )
                             
    NET INCOME/(LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO WTW   $ 1,246     $ 622     $ (98 )   $ 1,055  
                             
    EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER SHARE                        
    Basic earnings/(loss) per share   $ 12.32     $ 6.02     $ (0.96 )   $ 10.01  
    Diluted earnings/(loss) per share   $ 12.25     $ 5.97     $ (0.96 )   $ 9.95  
                             
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, basic     101       103       102       105  
    Weighted-average ordinary shares, diluted     102       104       102       106  

     

    WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In millions of U.S. dollars, except share data)
    (Unaudited)
     
        December 31,    December 31, 
        2024    2023 
    ASSETS            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,890     $ 1,424  
    Fiduciary assets     9,504       9,073  
    Accounts receivable, net     2,494       2,572  
    Prepaid and other current assets     1,217       364  
    Total current assets     15,105       13,433  
    Fixed assets, net     661       720  
    Goodwill     8,799       10,195  
    Other intangible assets, net     1,295       2,016  
    Right-of-use assets     485       565  
    Pension benefits assets     530       588  
    Other non-current assets     806       1,573  
    Total non-current assets     12,576       15,657  
    TOTAL ASSETS   $ 27,681     $ 29,090  
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY            
    Fiduciary liabilities   $ 9,504     $ 9,073  
    Deferred revenue and accrued expenses     2,211       2,104  
    Current debt     —       650  
    Current lease liabilities     118       125  
    Other current liabilities     793       678  
    Total current liabilities     12,626       12,630  
    Long-term debt     5,309       4,567  
    Liability for pension benefits     615       563  
    Deferred tax liabilities     45       542  
    Provision for liabilities     341       365  
    Long-term lease liabilities     502       592  
    Other non-current liabilities     226       238  
    Total non-current liabilities     7,038       6,867  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES     19,664       19,497  
    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES            
    EQUITY(i)            
    Additional paid-in capital     10,989       10,910  
    Retained earnings     109       1,466  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax     (3,158 )     (2,856 )
    Total WTW shareholders’ equity     7,940       9,520  
    Non-controlling interests     77       73  
    Total Equity     8,017       9,593  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   $ 27,681     $ 29,090  

    ________________________
    (i)  Equity includes (a) Ordinary shares $0.000304635 nominal value; Authorized 1,510,003,775; Issued 99,805,780 (2024) and 102,538,072 (2023); Outstanding 99,805,780 (2024) and 102,538,072 (2023) and (b) Preference shares, $0.000115 nominal value; Authorized 1,000,000,000 and Issued none in 2024 and 2023.

     

    WILLIS TOWERS WATSON PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (In millions of U.S. dollars)
    (Unaudited)
         
        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
    NET (LOSS)/INCOME   $ (88 )   $ 1,064  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to total net cash from operating activities:            
    Depreciation     230       242  
    Amortization     226       263  
    Impairment     1,042       —  
    Non-cash restructuring charges     41       38  
    Non-cash lease expense     98       105  
    Net periodic benefit of defined benefit pension plans     4       (26 )
    Provision for doubtful receivables from clients     13       6  
    Benefit from deferred income taxes     (213 )     (109 )
    Share-based compensation     121       125  
    Net loss/(gain) on disposal of operations     337       (43 )
    Non-cash foreign exchange (gain)/loss     (31 )     20  
    Other, net     58       31  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase of subsidiaries:            
    Accounts receivable     (233 )     (206 )
    Other assets     (373 )     (185 )
    Other liabilities     301       16  
    Provisions     (21 )     4  
    Net cash from operating activities     1,512       1,345  
                 
    CASH FLOWS FROM/(USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES            
    Additions to fixed assets and software for internal use     (136 )     (153 )
    Capitalized software costs     (109 )     (89 )
    Acquisitions of operations, net of cash acquired     (107 )     (6 )
    Proceeds from sale of operations     619       89  
    Cash and fiduciary funds transferred in sale of operations     (5 )     (922 )
    Purchase of investments     (12 )     (4 )
    Net cash from/(used in) investing activities     250       (1,085 )
                 
    CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES            
    Senior notes issued     746       748  
    Debt issuance costs     (9 )     (7 )
    Repayments of debt     (655 )     (254 )
    Repurchase of shares     (901 )     (1,000 )
    Net proceeds/(payments) from fiduciary funds held for clients     785       (234 )
    Payments of deferred and contingent consideration related to acquisitions     (2 )     (12 )
    Cash paid for employee taxes on withholding shares     (56 )     (26 )
    Dividends paid     (354 )     (352 )
    Acquisitions of and dividends paid to non-controlling interests     (13 )     (63 )
    Net cash used in financing activities     (459 )     (1,200 )
                 
    INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED
       CASH    		     1,303       (940 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (97 )     11  
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF
       PERIOD (i)    		     3,792       4,721  
    CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD (i)   $ 4,998     $ 3,792  

    ________________________
    (i)  The amounts of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, their respective classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as well as their respective portions of the increase or decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for each of the periods presented have been included in the Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information section.

    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

        Years Ended December 31, 
        2024    2023 
                 
    Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,890     $ 1,424  
    Fiduciary funds (included in fiduciary assets)     3,108       2,368  
    Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   $ 4,998     $ 3,792  
                 
    Increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and other restricted cash   $ 510     $ 163  
    Increase/(decrease) in fiduciary funds     793       (1,103 )
    Total (i)   $ 1,303     $ (940 )

    (i) Does not include the effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Officer Trainee of the Year’s pride to win ‘symbol of excellence’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The determination of a mariner who grew up in a landlocked town without any seafaring background has won her the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) prestigious Officer Trainee of the Year 2024 award.  

    CEO Virginia McVea (left) presents and Luka Haynes with her award

    Luka Haynes (28), who grew up in Chorley, is now an Officer of the Watch working on Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels. She described herself as “an ordinary person with a passion for learning and a determination to succeed”. 

    She was presented with her prize by MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea at the UK Chamber of Shipping’s annual dinner on Monday 3 February 2025 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel, London. 

    Luka was nominated by Fleetwood Nautical Campus, near Blackpool, where she completed her studies as a mature student, having navigated the obstacles of the pandemic which began around the same time as her cadetship in 2020. 

    Members of the judging panel each highlighted how Luka had overcome Covid challenges and being a student again, while also supporting younger cadets facing their own obstacles. 

    One judge said Luka had “demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination in the face of significant adversity”.  

    Another noted how she had been “so supportive of their classmates and would seek out those that are struggling”. 

    Luka’s path to working at sea made her the first in her family to follow such a career. It began as an eight-year-old entranced by the close-up sight of a vessel aground at Blackpool. 

    She soon joined the Sea Cadets but, growing up, later moved into a series of office jobs. Aged 23, however, the call of the sea came again and this time she signed up to be an officer cadet – and she’s never looked back. 

    Luka said:

    My only regret in this career is that I didn’t do it sooner. I hope that younger students come through as the progression in the industry is quick and you are always learning professional and personal skills. There are so many options; wherever you are working – on shore or at sea – it’s going to set you up for life.

    MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea said:

    Luka demonstrates that maritime as a career is open to everyone and anyone to forge their path – no matter their background or experience.

    Her drive and determination have made her stand out from an impressive field. She is a worthy recipient who reminds us of the thanks and respect we owe to all our trainees and those in service.

    Luka’s story is an inspiration, and she is a worthy recipient of the Officer Trainee of the Year 2024 award. It was a pleasure to celebrate her achievement, and I wish her all the best for a very promising career. I hope many more follow in Luka’s footsteps as the UK maritime industry continues to flourish.

    Commenting on her award, Luka added:

    During my cadet training the Officer Trainee of the Year Award always stood out as a symbol of excellence. It was awarded to those who went above and beyond, individuals I deeply admired and who inspired me to achieve my Officer of the Watch certification.

    I was stunned to learn that not only had I been nominated, but I had actually won. As someone from Chorley with no seafaring background, I saw myself as an ordinary person with a passion for learning and a determination to succeed.

    Now, I’m excited to begin a career where hard work truly pays off, and I’ll continue striving to reach new heights.

    Press office

    Email public.relations@mcga.gov.uk

    Press enquiries (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) 0203 817 2222

    Outside these hours or on bank holidays and weekends, for media enquiries ONLY, please send an email outlining your query and putting #Urgent in the subject title.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government Enhances Haj Pilgrimage Experience with ‘Haj Suvidha App’ and Comprehensive Healthcare Support for Pilgrims

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 2:36PM by PIB Delhi

    The ‘Haj Suvidha App’ was launched to leverage information technology for enhancing the pilgrimage experience. Pilgrims can use the app to access training content, accommodation and flight details, baggage information, an emergency helpline (SOS), grievance redressal, feedback, language translation, and miscellaneous information related to the pilgrimage. The app also provides an administrative interface for government officials deployed for managing the Haj operations in Saudi Arabia by assisting in real-time monitoring and emergency response, and ensures better coordination and accountability. More than 78,000 out of a total 1,75,025 pilgrims from India registered on the app during Haj-2024 and over 8,500 grievances and more than 2,100 SOS calls were handled during through the app. Further, missing baggage cases reduced drastically during Haj-2024 as a result of QR code mechanism of baggage identification being introduced through the app.

    A total of 4558 female pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage without a Mehram (male companion) in 2024 which is an all time high since the introduction of the Ladies without Mehram category in Haj-2018.

     Government of India is committed to the welfare and wellbeing of the India pilgrims and establishes several temporary healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia during the Haj period so as to ensure good quality healthcare services to the Indian pilgrims including elderly.

    The necessary support with respect to treatment of Haj pilgrims was provided by the Government of India in Saudi Arabia through the Indian Haj Mission administered by the Government of India, and in accordance with Saudi law for tertiary care. 

    Special emphasis was placed on the health and well-being of elderly pilgrims, identified as a high-risk group. Medical teams comprising doctors and paramedics conducted daily visits to the buildings accommodating pilgrims, ensuring routine health monitoring, consultations, and immediate response to any emerging medical concerns. To cater to the healthcare needs of all pilgrims, especially the elderly, four medical centers in Makkah and one in Madinah, along with 17 dispensaries, were operational 24/7. Free consultations, medications, and treatment were provided to all Indian pilgrims, always ensuring access to healthcare.

    A fleet of 24 ambulances was deployed strategically across Makkah, Madinah, and other key locations to ensure swift response during emergencies, especially for the elderly who are more vulnerable to extreme weather. Dedicated contact numbers were established to facilitate ambulance services and handle queries, suggestions, and complaints related to medical services.  Medical staff and ambulances were stationed in areas with potentially large gatherings, to ensure immediate assistance to elderly pilgrims. Critically ill elderly pilgrims requiring advanced treatment were transferred to hospitals of the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Indian translators were deployed at Saudi hospitals to ensure effective communication, guidance, and support for patients. To mitigate the effects of extreme heat, a hydration program ensured that elderly pilgrims had access to ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) and regular hydration checks. Awareness campaigns educated pilgrims, particularly the elderly, about precautions to combat heat stress, such as staying hydrated, avoiding peak sun hours, wearing loose clothing, and using umbrellas. Furthermore, special arrangements were made for elderly pilgrims admitted to hospitals to ensure their participation in essential rituals.

     This information was provided by the the Minister of Minority Affairs ,Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to Rajya Sabha yesterday.

     

     ****

    SS/STK

    (Release ID: 2099532) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tourism as a Key Driver for Employment and Growth Budget 2025-26 Focuses on Infrastructure, Medical Tourism, and Heritage Conservation

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 2:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Introduction

    India’s tourism sector, rich in heritage, culture, and diversity, is emerging as a global favorite and a key driver of economic growth. Recognizing its potential for employment-led development, the Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated ₹2541.06 crore to enhance infrastructure, skill development, and travel facilitation. A major initiative includes developing 50 top tourist destinations in partnership with states through a challenge mode, ensuring world-class facilities and connectivity. With committed efforts, tourism is set to drive India’s progress toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.

    Employment-Led Growth in Tourism

     

    The tourism sector’s contribution to GDP regained the pre-pandemic level of 5 per cent in FY23. The tourism sector created 7.6 crore jobs in FY23.  International tourist arrivals (ITAs) in India have rebounded to pre-pandemic level in 2023. The share of India’s ITAs in World ITAs stands at 1.45 per cent in 2023. Foreign exchange earnings through tourism were 28 billion USD. India received 1.8 per cent of world tourism receipts and attained a rank of 14th worldwide in world tourism receipts during 2023.

    Measures to Facilitate Employment-Led Growth in the 2025-26 Budget:

    1) Organizing intensive skill-development programmes for our youth including in Institutes of Hospitality Management

    2) Providing MUDRA loans for homestays

    3) Improving ease of travel and connectivity to tourist destinations

    4) Providing performance-linked incentives to states for effective destination management including tourist amenities, cleanliness, and marketing efforts and

    5) Introducing streamlined e-visa facilities along with visa-fee waivers for certain tourist groups.

    Transforming Tourism Infrastructure: Enhancing Connectivity and Investment

    Presenting the budget, Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman announced a landmark initiative to develop 50 top tourist destinations in partnership with states through a challenge mode. This initiative aims to elevate tourism infrastructure, improve ease of travel, and strengthen connectivity to key sites. As part of this framework, states will be required to provide land for critical infrastructure, including hotels, which will be classified under the Infrastructure Harmonized Master List (HML) to attract investments and boost hospitality services.

    Furthering this commitment, 40 projects across 23 states will receive interest-free loans for 50 years, amounting to ₹3,295.8 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment. This funding will support the creation of globally recognized tourist destinations by facilitating their development and strategic marketing. Additionally, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 (SD 2.0), which focuses on sustainable and responsible tourism, will continue to expand, with 34 projects already approved under this initiative, receiving ₹793.2 crore in total funding. To strengthen employment opportunities in the tourism sector, Government has allocated ₹60 crore for skill development in the financial year 2025-26. This funding will support intensive skill-development programs for youth, including training in hospitality management and other tourism-related services.

    Revitalizing Spiritual Tourism: A Focus on Heritage and Pilgrimage

    Recognizing the deep cultural and spiritual significance of religious tourism, the government will prioritize the development of sites associated with pilgrimage and heritage. Special emphasis will be placed on destinations linked to the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, aligning with India’s vision to become a key center for Buddhist tourism.

    The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) will continue to play a crucial role in enhancing infrastructure at major pilgrimage sites and heritage cities, ensuring world-class amenities and accessibility for visitors. By strengthening spiritual tourism, the government aims to position India as a global cultural hub while driving economic growth and employment generation in the sector.

    Medical Tourism: Strengthening India’s Global Position Through “Heal in India”

    Recognizing the immense potential of India’s healthcare sector, the Union Budget 2025-26 prioritizes medical tourism as a key growth driver. Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman announced that medical tourism and the “Heal in India” initiative will be promoted in partnership with the private sector, enhancing India’s position as a premier global healthcare destination. By leveraging world-class medical expertise, cutting-edge infrastructure, and traditional wellness systems like Ayurveda and Yoga, India aims to attract a larger share of international patients seeking high-quality, cost-effective treatment.

    Growing Potential of Medical Value Travel (MVT)

    India’s Medical Value Travel (MVT) sector is witnessing significant growth. The market, valued at $2.89 billion in 2020, is projected to reach $13.42 billion by 2026, driven by increasing foreign patient arrivals seeking high-quality and cost-effective treatment.

     India’s key advantages in this sector include:

    Specialties in Focus

    The Indian Healthcare Ecosystem is delivering world-class medical care/treatment across the healthcare spectrum ranging from Modern Medicine, Ayurveda, Yoga, and other Traditional Systems of Healthcare. It provides tertiary-quaternary care, treatment for serious chronic and non-communicable diseases, comprehensive rehabilitation across all major medical specialties such as cardiac care, orthopedics, neurosciences, oncology, and promotive health-revitalization, functional health, and therapeutic wellbeing.

    Medical Visa Introduction

    Gyan Bharatam Mission

    Finance Minister also said that documentation and conservation of our manuscript heritage with academic institutions, museums, libraries and private collectors will be undertaken to cover more than 1 crore manuscripts. She added that Government will set up a National Digital Repository of Indian knowledge systems for knowledge sharing.

    Conclusion

    The Government of India is committed to positioning the country as a global leader in tourism by enhancing infrastructure, boosting employment, and promoting diverse tourism segments, including spiritual, medical, and heritage tourism. The “Heal in India” initiative and Medical Value Travel sector underscore India’s growing prominence as a premier healthcare destination. Additionally, the Gyan Bharatam Mission aims to preserve and digitize India’s rich manuscript heritage, ensuring knowledge accessibility for future generations. With a strong emphasis on ‘Seva’ and ‘Atithi Devo Bhava,’ India is set to redefine its tourism landscape and establish itself as a world-class destination.

    ***

    References:

     

    1. https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/sbe99.pdf
    2. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2098371
    3. https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/echapter.pdf 
    4. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2098371
    5. https://www.investindia.gov.in/blogs/unlocking-potential-medical-value-travel-india-importance-and-key-factors-developing
    6. https://healinindia.gov.in/

    Click here to see in PDF:

    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Anchal Patiyal

    (Release ID: 2099519) Visitor Counter : 18

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AGRICULTURE CENTRES & DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 1:38PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established 4 research institutes and 10 regional research stations in the State of West Bengal. These institutes are catering to the agricultural technology needs of the State of West Bengal besides other parts of the country. In addition, at district level, 23 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have also been established in West Bengal for training and demonstration of the technologies developed by ICAR.

    The list of the Research Institutes and Regional Research Stations located in the State of West Bengal is attached as Annexure-I.

    Agricultural research institutes/centres located in West Bengal have undertaken research for the development of various field crops, pulses, oilseeds, fibres, horticultural crops, climate resilient varieties; poultry and fisheries sectors; development of ergonomically improved tools & equipment and women friendly tools and machineries; demonstration, training and skill development programmes for farmers and stakeholders etc. During the last three years (2021-2023) and 2024 a total of 132 field crops varieties were developed and released for West Bengal. These include 69 varieties of cereals; 16 of oilseeds; 22 of pulses; 11 of fibre crops; 8 of forages and 6 of sugarcane.

    Agricultural growth depends upon various policies and schemes of Central Government, State Governments and the research carried out by the Agriculture Research Institutes. In West Bengal, over the last three years, agricultural research and development institutions along with Government policies and support have made significant strides in improving agricultural growth.

    Annexure-I

    List of Agriculture Research Institutes located in the State of West Bengal

    1. National Institute of Natural Fiber Engineering & Technology (NINFET), Kolkata
    2. Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibers (CRIJAF), Barrackpore, Kolkata
    3. Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore, Kolkata
    4. Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Kolkata

    List of Regional Centres of ICAR Institutes located in the State of West Bengal

    1. Eastern Regional Station of ICAR-IVRI, Belgachia Road, Kolkata
    2. Eastern Regional Station of ICAR-NDRI, Kalyani, Nadia
    3. ICAR-CTRI Research Station, Dinhata, Cooch Behar
    4. IARI Regional Station, Kalimpong, Darjeeling
    5. ICAR-Regional Research Centre of CIBA, Kakdwip, 24 Parganas (South)
    6. ICAR-CIFE Centre, Salt Lake City, Kolkata
    7. Regional Research Centre of ICAR-CIFA, Rahara Fish Farm, Rahara
    8. ICAR-CPCRI, Research Centre, Mohitnagar, Jalpaiguri
    9. ICAR-CSSRI Regional Research Station, Canning Town, 24 Parganas (South)
    10. ICAR-CISH Regional Research Station, Makhdumpur, Malda

    This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ******

     MG/KSR

    (Release ID: 2099495) Visitor Counter : 60

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fish Production

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 4:07PM by PIB Delhi

    Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing flagship scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” with investment of ₹20,050 crore in fisheries sector for a period of 5 years with effect from the FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all the States/UTs. PMMSY  inter-alia, envisages to  address critical gaps in fish production, productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernization and strengthening of value chain, reduction of post-harvest losses, traceability etc including marketing infrastructure.  For creation and strengthening of marketing infrastructure, PMMSY has supported  27189 units of fish transportation facilities (refrigerated vehicles, insulated vehicles, two wheelers/ three wheelers), 21 state of the art wholesale fish markets, 202 fish retail markets, 6694 fish kiosks and 5 E-platform for e-trading and e-marketing of fish and fisheries products with total outlay of Rs. 1654.51 crore in all the States/UTs across the country. To provide real-time and accurate price information to fishers and fish farmers and to help them for negotiating better price and profitability, the Department through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has launched the ‘Fish Market Price Information System’ (FMPIS) during 2018-19 to capture and disseminate fish market prices of commercially important marine and inland fishes from 111 wholesale and retail fish markets in 29 States/UTs.

    Further, the Department of Fisheries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) with an objective to provide a digital platform and empower all stakeholders including traditional fishermen, fish farmers producer organization, entrepreneurs from fisheries sector to buy and sell their products through e-market place. Further, PMMSY has supported 2195 fisheries cooperatives as Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) with project outlay of Rs. 544.85 crore through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) as implementing agencies.

    The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a flagship scheme implemented for overall development of fisheries and aquaculture sector in the country, inter-alia envisages to enhance fisheries exports to Rs 1.0 lakh crores by 2024-25. In order to enhance India’s export competitiveness and higher price realization, the PMMSY supports a basket of interventions/activities along the fisheries value chain including quality fish production, expansion, diversification and intensification of brackish water aquaculture, promotion of export-oriented species, infusion of technology, robust disease management and traceability, training and capacity building, creation of modern post-harvest infrastructure with seamless cold chain, development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centres, etc. The seafood exports of India have more than doubled since FY 2013-14. While the seafood exports stood at Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14, the same has increased to Rs. 60,523.89 crore during FY 2023-24. Further, the MPEDA has informed that they have prepared a Vision Document -2030 for the India’s marine products export sector with recommendation to achieve an export turnover of USS$ 18.00 billion by 2030. The details of fish products in the country, State and year-wise during the last five years (2019-20 to 2023-24) is annexed.

     

    Annexure

     

    Information regarding Fish Production:

                 

    Item-Wise Export Of Marine Products From India

    Q: Quantity in M T, V: Value in Rs. Crore

    Item

     

    2019-20

    2020-21

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    Frozen Shrimp

    Q:

    652253

    590275

    728123

    711099

    716004

    V:

    34152.03

    32520.29

    42706.04

    43135.58

    40013.54

     

     

     

     

     

    Frozen Fish

    Q:

    223318

    188130

    226586

    368549

    381588

    V:

    3610.01

    2941.65

    3471.91

    5503.18

    5509.69

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Fr Cuttle Fish

    Q:

    70906

    59292

    58992

    54919

    54316

    V:

    2009.79

    1626.34

    2062.63

    2353.34

    2252.63

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Fr Squid

    Q:

    87631

    61176

    75750

    83846

    93509

    V:

    2196.59

    1998.90

    2806.09

    3593.75

    3061.46

     

     

     

     

     

    Dried Item

    Q:

    84417

    85661

    73679

    252918

    300966

    V:

    981.50

    1148.38

    1472.98

    3080.92

    4070.60

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Live Items

    Q:

    7287

    4379

    7032

    7824

    7585

    V:

    324.26

    239.69

    353.36

    440.06

    397.84

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Chilled Items

    Q:

    21202

    17622

    21689

    24428

    35925

    V:

    631.84

    477.99

    733.47

    616.29

    687.19

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Others

    Q:

    142638

    142975

    177414

    231703

    191709

    V:

    2756.84

    2767.74

    3979.99

    5246.03

    4530.92

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Total

    Q:

    12,89,651

    11,49,510

    13,69,264

    17,35,286

    17,81,602

     

    V:

    46,662.85

    43,720.98

    57,586.48

    63,969.14

    60,523.89

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    State-Wise Export of Marine Products From India

    Q: Quantity in Tons, V: Value in Rs. Crore

     

     

    2019-20

    2020-21

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    Gujarat

    Q

    252712

    203917

    200099

    248863

    284088

     

    V

    5001.43

    4188.52

    4421.10

    5466.94

    5511.36

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Maharashtra

    Q

    151425

    110822

    193999

    214167

    222453

     

    V

    4829.17

    3684.94

    7303.92

    7466.47

    6923.34

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Goa

    Q

    21498

    16549

    36057

    63333

    55167

     

    V

    520.65

    435.25

    730.64

    1007.60

    934.20

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Karnataka

    Q

    111465

    121348

    120427

    312347

    301183

     

    V

    1520.10

    1689.14

    1962.19

    4737.23

    4785.05

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Kerala

    Q

    163563

    157698

    182430

    218629

    196807

     

    V

    5672.27

    5623.12

    6971.56

    8285.03

    7231.84

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Tamil Nadu

    Q

    130377

    110023

    114810

    123157

    134317

     

    V

    6465.71

    5565.48

    6559.64

    6957.67

    6854.22

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Andhra Predesh

    Q

    293314

    279992

    324904

    328160

    347927

     

    V

    15498.64

    15831.74

    20035.49

    19846.95

    19420.38

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Telangana

    Q

    0

    0

    3102

    6676

    11758

     

    V

    0.00

    0.00

    156.91

    358.39

    565.10

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Odisha

    Q

    66671

    60718

    86765

    85308

    84231

     

    V

    3243.93

    3107.68

    4627.91

    4546.47

    3954.60

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    West Bengal

    Q

    98626

    88443

    103398

    125025

    132318

     

    V

    3910.95

    3595.12

    4742.47

    5121.33

    4145.51

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Delhi

    Q

    0

    0

    766

    1083

    1294

     

    V

    0.00

    0.00

    39.00

    63.61

    79.84

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Others

    Q

    0

    0

    2507

    8536

    10058

     

    V

    0.00

    0.00

    35.64

    111.47

    118.46

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Total

    Q

    12,89,651

    11,49,510

    13,69,264

    17,35,286

    17,81,602

     

    V

    46,662.85

    43,720.98

    57,586.48

    63,969.14

    60,523.89

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    This information was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ******

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Welfare Schemes for Fishermen

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 4:11PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana” (PMMSY) to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector and welfare of fishermen in India with an investment of Rs.20,050 crore in all States/ Union Territories.  The scheme inter-alia envisages several welfare related activities for fishers and fish farmers wherein the Department has approved the National Rollout Plan of Vessel Communication and Support System under the PMMSY scheme including installation of transponders on 1,00,000 fishing vessels in all Coastal States and Union Territories with a total outlay of Rs. 364.00 Crore. The assistance for transponder is provided free of cost to the boat owners to send short text messages with a two way communication during any emergency covering entire EEZ of the country. It also gives alerts to the fishermen if they approach or crosses Maritime Boundaries. In addition, other activities include (i) development of Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages in the maritime States/UTs with an aim to maximize economic and social benefits to coastal fishers while minimizing environmental degradation through sustainable fishing practices, (ii)  insurance with a coverage of Rs.5.00 lakh against accidental death or permanent total disability, Rs. 2.50 lakh against accidental permanent partial disability and  Rs. 25,000 against accidental hospitalization in the age group of 18 to 70 years, (iii) livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers families for conservation of fish resources during fishing ban/lean period in the age group of 18 to 60 years wherein assistance is provided @Rs.3000/- per fishers and beneficiaries’ own contribution of Rs.1500/- for three months during fishing ban/lean period in the ratio of 50:50 for general state, 80:20 for North Eastern States and Himalayan States while 100% for UTs.

    Further, under the ongoing PMMSY, there is a provision to provide  financial assistance for setting up of Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs) to economically empower the fishers and fish farmers and enhance their bargaining power which ultimately help to improve the standard of living of fishers. The Department of Fisheries has so far accorded approval for setting up of a total of 2195 FFPOs at a total project cost of Rs.544.85 crore comprising 2000 fisheries cooperative as FFPOs and 195 new FFPOs. Further, to facilitate access to institutional credit by fishers and fish farmers, Kisan Credit Card facility has been extended to fisheries since 2018-19 and till date 4,50,799 KCC card have been sanctioned to fishers and fish farmers.

    This information was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Necessity of academia-industry collaboration in shaping standards driving innovation and economic growth: Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Necessity of academia-industry collaboration in shaping standards driving innovation and economic growth: Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards

    BIS hosts Annual Convention in Healthcare Sector

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 11:47AM by PIB Delhi

    There’s necessity of academia-industry collaboration in shaping standards that drive innovation and economic growth, said Director General Bureau of Indian Standards, Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari during an Annual Convention on Healthcare Sector.

    The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, organized the Annual Convention for Deans and HODs of Academic Institutions and R&D Organizations in the Healthcare Sector at its National Institute of Training for Standardization, Noida. Among the series of conventions that are being held with Academic and Research organizations, this was the first convention focussing on the Healthcare sector. Around 36 participants from 28 institutes were present at the convention, represented by Deans, HODs, faculty members and experts from Research organizations.

    The convention aimed to generate awareness regarding standardization in the healthcare and medical device sector and to explore the opportunities for collaboration with academia and research organisations to strengthen the standardization activity of BIS in this sector. BIS aims to strengthen the usability of Indian Standards which may not be limited to industries or consumers groups in particular, but also prove to be of technical interest to academicians. This exercise of engaging with the institutes is an initiative for greater awareness of standards within the academic and research arena seeking their active participation and developing standards. 

    Shri Tiwari addressed the participants, discussing the importance of strengthening India’s manufacturing base in the healthcare sector. Shri Tiwari informed the attendees about the appointment of ‘Chairs’ of standardization in academic institutions and the signing of MoUs to enhance collaboration.

    He also highlighted BIS’s initiatives, including orientation programs in institutions and annual conventions across various disciplines. He urged experts to actively participate in BIS technical committees, engage in R&D projects, and integrate standards into engineering curricula to enhance learning. He concluded by identifying the challenges of a limited manufacturing base and restricted research capabilities, emphasizing the need to align with the Prime Minister’s vision of Indian Standards gaining global recognition.

    Shri Chandan Bahl, Scientist-G and DDG (International Relations) welcomed the delegates. During his address, he highlighted on creating standards that are not only scientifically advanced, but are also timely as per the needs. He also emphasized on the significance of Academia and Research organizations, an important stakeholder having latest technical know-how of the field. He described the convention as an attempt to take knowledge of standards further to the research communities and scholars and the beginning of engagement of the research community in future standardization.

    Shri Deepak Aggarwal, Scientist-F and Head (Standards Coordination & Monitoring Dept.) acquainted the participants with the overview of BIS and activities of BIS especially standradization. The SCMD team of BIS shared the initiatives taken by BIS for interpretation of subjects on key achievements and digital interfaces for the same.  

    Shri Chinmay Dwivedi, Scientist-E & Head (Medical Equipment & Hospital Planning Dept.) apprised the audience on the activities of standards formulation in Healthcare Sector in BIS. Officers from MHD briefed on the important standards in health sector which are based on the technical concepts in academic areas of biotechnology and biomedical engineering.

     

     

    Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma

    (Release ID: 2099416) Visitor Counter : 133

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pre-event Press release for Chennai Roadshow

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 04 FEB 2025 11:35AM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) will host the North East Trade and Investment Roadshow in Chennai on February 5, 2025, starting at 3:30 PM at Hotel Hilton, Guindy, Chennai. The event will be inaugurated by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for MDoNER.

    Key officials, including Shri Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, MDoNER, and Shri Shantanu, Joint Secretary, MDoNER, along with senior representatives from various North Eastern States, will also be in attendance.

    The roadshow will feature B2G meetings, providing a unique opportunity for potential investors to engage directly with state representatives and explore investment opportunities across multiple sectors. This event is organized in collaboration with the State Governments of the North Eastern States, FICCI (Industry Partner), and Invest India (Investment Facilitation Partner).

    This Chennai Roadshow is the eighth event in the ongoing series, showcasing presentations from the eight North Eastern States—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. These states will highlight a diverse range of investment opportunities in key sectors, including agri-food processing, IT & ITES, entertainment & sports, energy, infrastructure & logistics, tourism & hospitality, education & skill development, healthcare, textiles, handloom & handicrafts, all crucial for driving economic growth in the region.

    The Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat and Viksit North East’ has driven significant infrastructure development in the region over the past decade, including roadways, airways, railways, and waterways. These efforts have greatly improved the lives of the local population, boosting tourism and economic activities.

    The North East Investor Summit supports this vision by attracting investments and unlocking the region’s untapped potential, further advancing its journey toward prosperity and development.

    Previous roadshows in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad, along with the state seminar at Vibrant Gujarat, have garnered substantial interest from potential investors. Building on these successes, MDoNER organized a signing and exchange of MoUs event for the North East Investors Summit on March 6, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, facilitating discussions between senior officials and investors.

    The recent Ahmedabad roadshow, attended by  MoS for MDoNER, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, facilitated numerous B2G meetings that encouraged potential investments.

    The upcoming Chennai Roadshow aims to build on this momentum, providing investors with the opportunity to engage directly with state officials. Given the success of previous editions, this event is anticipated to attract even greater attention and participation, solidifying Chennai’s role as a financial hub for the economic growth of the North East.

    The session will include valuable insights from the  Minister of MDoNER and presentations from various states, highlighting investment opportunities and empowering investors to become part of the dynamic investment landscape of North East India.

    *****

    Samrat/Dheeraj@: donerpib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2099415) Visitor Counter : 89

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public urged to adopt healthy lifestyle in support of World Cancer Day 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Public urged to adopt healthy lifestyle in support of World Cancer Day 2025
    Public urged to adopt healthy lifestyle in support of World Cancer Day 2025
    ***************************************************************************

         The Department of Health (DH) today (February 4) urged members of the public to support World Cancer Day 2025 by adopting a healthy lifestyle and initiating early detection of cancer through screening.     World Cancer Day has been designated on February 4 every year by the Union for International Cancer Control since 2000 to increase worldwide awareness of cancer and to combat cancer together. This year’s theme, “United by Unique”, emphasises the importance of placing people at the centre of cancer care. Every patient is unique, and it takes a united effort to help patients receive comprehensive care and lead better lives.     “The Government has long upheld the principle of putting people at the centre of cancer prevention and control. Cancer is the top killer in Hong Kong, causing nearly 15 000 deaths registered in 2023. In 2022, more than 35 000 new cancer cases were diagnosed in Hong Kong, and the five most common cancers were lung, breast, colorectal, prostate and liver cancers. Given the ageing population, the number of new cases and healthcare demands are expected to further increase,” a spokesman for the DH said.     About 40 per cent of all cancers can be prevented through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and the reduction of exposure to major risk factors, such as refraining from smoking or alcohol consumption, being physically active, having a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy body weight and waist circumference. The DH has launched a series of health promotion programmes targeting various age groups to raise public awareness of health issues through education and publicity. To systematically and comprehensively improve public health, the “Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” announced that the Government will formulate a life-course approach health promotion strategy having regard to Hong Kong’s demographic structure and the health needs of different social groups, and will draw up health management plans according to different age groups and health statuses.     To shift the emphasis of the healthcare system and mindset from treatment-oriented to prevention-oriented, the Government is reforming healthcare services with the establishment of the District Health Centres (DHCs) that provide health promotion, health risk factors assessment, disease screening and chronic disease management. In this regard, the DHCs and DHC Expresses (collectively referred to as “DHCs”) have been established in all 18 districts across the territory. Steered by the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHCC), the DHCs actively promote the “Life Course Preventive Care plan”. Based on the core principles of prevention-oriented and whole-person care, a personalised preventive care plan will be formulated to address the health needs of citizens across different life stages based on the most updated evidence. Family doctors and primary healthcare professionals collaborate to promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention, including providing education and vaccination for cancer prevention, and advising on cancer screening services according to personal risk factors.     On cancer screening, the Government adopts an evidence-based approach to achieve early cancer detection, which is essential for initiating early treatment and enhancing survival. So far, the Government has implemented the Cervical Screening Programme, Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, and the risk-based Breast Cancer Screening Pilot Programme (BCSPP). The PHCC will launch a pilot programme to subsidise hepatitis B screening by the end of this year, aiming for early detection and treatment of chronic hepatitis B to reduce the risk of complications (such as cirrhosis and liver cancer). The DH spokesman also reminds the public to talk to their doctors to understand the benefits and limitations of screening tests before making an informed decision to undergo cancer screening. Relevant health advice is available on the website of the Centre for Health Protection or via the “@DH mobile application”.     In addition to cancer prevention and screening, the Hospital Authority (HA) has implemented a host of measures to enhance cancer care services. A multidisciplinary approach is adopted for diagnostic services to provide timely investigations and diagnoses for suspected cancer patients. The HA has piloted this service model for suspected lung cancer patients and will explore suitable service expansion. With the installation of new linear accelerators in HA hospitals in phases from this financial year, the service capacity for cancer treatment will be enhanced. Meanwhile, the HA has also expanded the coverage of the Drug Formulary by incorporating new cancer treatment drugs and broadening the scope of clinical applications of existing Special Drugs. Being patient-centred, the HA has devised personalised care programmes, such as the Cancer Case Manager Programme and Systemic Anti-cancer Therapy Clinic service, to better support patients along their cancer journey.           The Government will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to prevent and control cancer and is committed to providing appropriate treatment for all cancer patients. To learn more about World Cancer Day, please visit www.worldcancerday.org.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 4, 2025Issued at HKT 12:21

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Australia’s Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show “Grug and the Rainbow” (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Australia’s Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show “Grug and the Rainbow” (with photos)
    Australia’s Windmill Theatre returning to Hong Kong with puppetry show “Grug and the Rainbow” (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has invited Australia’s Windmill Theatre Company with Grug, a celebrated picture-book character, to return to Hong Kong after a hiatus of 10 years. The Company will perform the puppetry show “Grug and the Rainbow” as the finale of this year’s “Cheers!” Series from February 28 to March 2 (Friday to Sunday), bringing a colourful and heart-warming adventure to toddlers and Grug fans of all ages.     Grug is a character from the much-loved picture books by Australian writer Ted Prior. Grug started out as the top of a burrawang tree that fell to the ground. He is fascinated by the world around him. In “Grug and the Rainbow”, Grug is amazed by the vibrant colours of a rainbow after the rain stops, and wants to have a rainbow of his own. On his journey to gather the colours of a rainbow, Grug encounters a bowerbird and a crab, and sets off on trips to the beach, the city and the snowfields, where he experiences cycling, playing drums, house painting, skiing, and more. His friends Cara the carpet snake and Snoot the echidna join him to experience a series of surprises and fun happenings as he explores a world of colour.      With accessible storytelling, a simple yet delicate set and magical sound effects, “Grug and the Rainbow” is best suited for children aged 2 to 6. The actors skillfully manipulate the exquisite puppets, blending them with vivid and riveting voices, to bring the characters of the picture book to life. There are several audience participation bits throughout the performance, while the company ingeniously integrates daily objects and knowledge into the scenes, enabling young audiences to acquire knowledge through the theatre-going experience, unleashing their imagination and creativity.     Founded in Adelaide, Australia, in 2002, the Windmill Theatre Company has earned a global reputation as a leading producer of theatre for children, teenagers, and families. It was hailed by newspaper The Australian as “the best children’s theatre company in the country”. Over the years, the Company has presented 65 productions in over 3 000 performances in more than 300 cities and towns across 30 countries.      The performance schedule of “Cheers!” Series: “Grug and the Rainbow” by the Windmill Theatre Company (Australia) is as follows:      Performances in English with simple Cantonese interpretation:     February 28 (Friday), 5pm and 7.30pm     March 1 (Saturday), 11.30am     March 2 (Sunday), 2.30pm     Performances in English:     March 1 (Saturday), 2.30pm     March 2 (Sunday), 11.30am     The above-mentioned performances will be held at the Cultural Activities Hall of Sha Tin Town Hall. Each performance will run for about 35 minutes without intermission. An interactive session will be held after each performance. Tickets priced at $280 (half-price tickets for full-time students and children aged 6 or below) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Children must be accompanied by a parent or an adult, and one ticket per person is required regardless of age (including young children). The “Cheers!” Series offers various discount schemes, such as package discounts and family package discounts. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1779.html.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, February 4, 2025Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Civil Society Organizations Brief the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the Situation of Women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal, Belarus and Luxembourg

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    GENEVA, Switzerland, February 4, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was this afternoon briefed by representatives of civil society organizations on the situation of women’s rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal, Belarus and Luxembourg, the reports of which the Committee will review this week.

    In relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speakers raised concerns regarding gender-based violence and abuse of internally displaced women and girls in the context of the escalating conflict, and the impact of the withdrawal of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    On Nepal, speakers addressed discrimination against vulnerable women, including indigenous women and girls, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women, and women sex workers; anti-discrimination legislation; and the participation of women in political processes.

    Non-governmental organizations speaking on Belarus raised topics including the dissolution of civil society organizations, imprisonment of women human rights defenders, and barriers to access to justice for women.

    Regarding Luxembourg, a speaker raised issues related to a lack of gender sensitive policies and measures to address intersecting forms of discrimination, and the subordination of women through the social system.

    The National Human Rights Commissioner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo spoke on the country, as did the following non-governmental organizations: Centre for Migration, Gender, and Justice; Groupe d’Action pour les Droits de la Femme; and SAVIE ASBL LGBT.

    Regarding Nepal, the following non-governmental organizations spoke: Forum for Women, Law and Development; Feminist Dalit Organization; Nepal Indigenous Women Federation; Sex Workers and Allies South Asia and Team; Campaign for Change, Mitini Nepal, and Intersex Asia; and Visible Impact.

    The following non-governmental organizations spoke on Belarus: Belarusian Helsinki Committee; Human Constanta; Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions; Coalition against gender-based and domestic violence; and Our House.

    A representative of the Consultative Commission of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg on Human Rights spoke on Luxembourg.

    The Committee also held an informal meeting with the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and representatives from civil society and the business sector on “increasing the bottom line through smart, gender-inclusive, rights-focused approaches in digitisation.”

    Opening the meeting, Nahla Haidar, the newly elected Committee Chairperson, said artificial intelligence and digital technologies had revolutionised everyday life and business practices across sectors in ways that were never envisioned in the past. She called for action to prevent bias and discrimination against women through cyber-enabled modalities; expand women’s economic opportunities in the new digital era; and equip women and girls with necessary skills, capacities and tools to contribute to providing digital solutions.

    In the meeting, speakers discussed topics such as measures to prevent discrimination of women in the private sector, and particularly in the field of technology; measures to promote access to science, technology, engineering and maths education for women; measures to address the impacts of artificial intelligence on women; and measures to protect women’s rights in the energy transition era.

    Committee Experts and members of the Working Group spoke in the meeting, as did representatives of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Trade Organization, and various private sector and civil society organizations.

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s ninetieth session is being held from 3 to 21 February. All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Meeting summary releases can be found here. The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 4 February to consider the report of the Democratic Republic of the Congo submitted under the exceptional reporting procedure (CEDAW/C/COD/EP/1).

    Opening Remarks by the Committee Chair

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said that during each session, the Committee invited national and international non-governmental organizations to informal public meetings to provide specific information on the States parties that were scheduled for consideration by the Committee. She welcomed the representatives of non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions that had come to provide information on the States parties whose reports were being considered this week: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal, Belarus and Luxembourg.

    Statements by Non-Governmental Organizations from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal and Belarus

    Democratic Republic of the Congo

    On the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speakers, among other things, said violence against displaced persons was on the rise in the State. Gender-based violence, specifically, was rampant, leaving survivors with limited access to justice. Displaced women had a lack of access to reproductive health care and were giving birth in unsafe conditions. The economic struggles that displaced women and girls faced were equally alarming. With scarce income opportunities, many were driven to survival sex, which exposed them to sexual exploitation and abuse.

    The withdrawal of the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo raised real concerns. Plans from national authorities to take on the responsibilities of the Mission remained lacking. Armed militias and members of the security forces continued to abuse women with impunity. There were also “tolerance houses” where internally displaced women and girls were sexually abused. Justice remained inaccessible for most survivors.

    Speakers called on the Government to bolster administrative capacities; ensure the transfer of United Nations facilities to the armed forces; investigate “tolerance houses” and hold perpetrators of gender-based violence criminally liable; control the spread of weapons; and ensure justice and dignity for all women in the State. Speakers also called for a national migration strategy that was gender-responsive; mechanisms for gender-based violence prevention, mitigation, and response; provision of health services and resources, especially with regards to maternity health, that connected to related concerns such as food insecurity and nutrition; and programmes to expand livelihood provisions that supported displaced women and girls.

    Nepal

    Speakers said Nepal had yet to enact a robust anti-discrimination law, making women more vulnerable to abuse. There was a need to criminalise discrimination against women and eliminate all discriminatory legal provisions against them. The State party also needed to allocate sufficient human and financial resources to public bodies working on women’s rights. Appropriate support needed to be provided to women victims of violence.

    Fifteen per cent of Nepal’s population of women faced multiple forms of discrimination; many women faced social exclusion and violence. Some girls did not report crimes due to a lack of trust in the justice system.

    Nepal needed to amend the Constitution to address historical discrimination of indigenous women and to recognise the customary laws of indigenous people. The Government needed to amend the act on the rights of persons with disabilities to address the rights of indigenous women with disabilities. Access to justice needed to be promoted for indigenous women and women with disabilities.

    Nepal had failed to ratify the Palermo Protocol, and human trafficking and sex work were treated as the same in the country. Sex workers faced various forms of discrimination and violence. Nepal’s legislation had a direct impact on sex workers’ access to citizenship. Legislation on trafficking in persons needed to be amended to differentiate between trafficking and sex work. The Government also needed to facilitate sex workers’ access to citizenship and promote awareness raising campaigns on the rights of sex workers.

    Lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex girls faced harmful treatment and violence, and systematic discrimination in education and healthcare in Nepal, and the Government had failed to act in response. The Government needed to ensure such women could access single women’s allowances, redefine marriage to include gender-free terminology, and support this group’s access to rights.

    Education on sexual and reproductive health remained optional and inadequate in Nepal. It needed to be made compulsory. Legislation needed to be amended to fully decriminalise abortion, particularly abortions in cases of rape. The State also needed to amend legislation to include sexual and reproductive health and rights and sensitise health care providers and community members on safe births. It further needed to decriminalise sexual relations between consenting adolescents under the age of 18.

    The meaningful participation of women in political processes was lacking; many women politicians faced violence. Nepal needed to investigate historic violence against marginalised women, collect disaggregated data on women, enhance women’s leadership capacities, take measures to eliminate discrimination against marginalised women and girls, and provide quality health services to all women and girls, particularly indigenous women, at a minimal cost.

    Belarus

    Speakers on Belarus said the Constitution did not provide effective protection against discrimination. Women’s rights to education and health care were limited. Belarus had institutionalised discriminatory food provisions; women and girls were not able to access fruit and nuts, leading to long-term health risks.

    Access to justice for women was undermined by the persistent persecution of women human rights defenders. Women activists had been falsely labelled as terrorists despite their peaceful actions. The State had systematically dissolved various civil society organizations, including many that supported women. Almost 2,000 non-governmental organizations had been forced to liquidate. All women’s organizations that had prepared shadow reports to the Committee for the last review had been liquidated. It was immensely difficult to find legal assistance due to the political suppression of lawyers. In 2022, the Government had forcibly liquidated all trade unions. Six women trade union activists remained in prisons.

    At least 139 women were political prisoners in Belarus. They lacked access to healthcare and were persistently ill-treated. Imprisoned women faced forced labour and modern forms of slavery. If women refused to work, they were put in “cages of shame” and forced to stand outside for several hours. Women prisoners earned between five and 10 euros per month and faced harsh penalties for not meeting quotas.

    When domestic violence cases were reported to police, police screened the political activities of the victim rather than provide support. Victims and aggressors were invited together to meetings with authorities, promoting impunity.

    Women migrants were vulnerable to trafficking and violence. Domestic violence was not a ground for asylum in Belarus.

    Luxembourg

    No non-governmental organizations spoke on the situation of women in Luxembourg.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said that there were many laws and policies for women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but there was weak implementation. How was the transitional justice policy being implemented for women? Was there a plan to promote the security of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

    The Expert shared the non-governmental organizations’ concern regarding the suppression of civil society in Belarus. Were there plans to update the national action plan on human rights in Belarus, and were there plans to establish a national human rights institution?

    Another Expert asked about anti-trafficking activities being carried out in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To what extent were women represented in local governments and decision-making bodies in Nepal?

    One Committee Expert asked about financial resources devoted to implementing the national gender equality plan in Nepal. What were areas of concern related to sexual and reproductive health services in Belarus?

    A Committee Expert asked about problems regarding access to justice for Dalit women in Nepal. How common was the dowry custom in Nepal? Why was the dowry for younger women and girls lower?

    Another Committee Expert asked if the Democratic Republic of the Congo had laws on the accountability of military personnel and contractors involved in violence against women. What social protection system and benefits did Belarus have for women and girls?

    One Committee Expert asked about legal provisions that needed to be challenged. What needed to be done to educate girls and society about the harms of the kumari practice in Nepal, which isolated girls from their community?

    A Committee Expert called for information on the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s national action plan on the development of the security forces. What action had been taken to dismantle non-governmental armed groups in the east? Was it still possible for non-governmental organizations in Belarus to protect women and interact with the Government?

    Responses by Non-Governmental Organizations

    Nepal

    Responding to questions on Nepal, speakers said there was a very low percentage of women in federal and provincial decision-making bodies in Nepal, and an even lower percentage of Dalit women. There needed to be increased representation of women in these bodies. There were several laws that directly discriminated against women, including laws on legal residences, which considered women and girls’ residences as those of their husbands and fathers. Divorced women lost their property rights. It was prohibited to oppose gender biases in cultural and social practices. Nepal’s laws did not recognise lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women as minorities; this needed to be done.

    In Nepal, the parents of women paid dowries, and less dowry was paid for younger women. Dowry payments were most prevalent in the south of the country. The Criminal Code criminalised this practice, but it still existed.

    Sexual and reproductive health education was part of the school curriculum but was no longer a compulsory subject. There were also gaps in sexual and reproductive health legislation, with many marginalised women not able to access sexual and reproductive health services.

    Dalit women and other marginalised women could not easily access the justice system. They were not made aware of where and how to access justice and faced violence and discrimination from the police because of their identity.

    Belarus

    Responding to questions on Belarus, speakers said Belarus’ Gender Equality Council did not include non-governmental organizations working on human rights and gender equality. Belarus’ legislation on incitement to hatred was used to oppress women human rights defenders. One such woman had been imprisoned for seven years under this legislation. Raids, inspections and blocking of websites were tools used by the Government to restrict the activities of civil society organizations.

    Statements by National Human Rights Institutions

    Democratic Republic of the Congo

    GISÈLE KAPINGA NTUMBA, National Human Rights Commissioner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said the Democratic Republic of the Congo was going through one of its darkest times in recent history, marked by the invasion of the M23 rebels in the east of the country, which was facing a protracted, violent crisis. Many women and girls had been displaced and were facing heightened risks of sexual violence and rape. The National Human Rights Commission had conducted investigations into sexual violence linked to conflict, engaging with competent institutions to address this problem and combat impunity.

    The Commission welcomed that the Government had implemented several measures to protect women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence, including a law criminalising such violence and enshrining access to justice for victims. However, there was still a long way to go until these measures could effectively protect civilians from sexual and gender-based violence. The number of internally displaced persons continued to grow, and there had been many cases of rape reported. There needed to be increased funds to limit the circulation of small arms and light weapons, build new camps, and increase humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons. Care for victims of sexual and gender-based violence needed to be given by trained professionals.

    The national fund for compensation for the victims of gender-based violence had helped victims to access care. The Commission also welcomed the organisation of travelling courts to combat impunity. The Government needed to restore peace in the east and take steps to protect civilians from gender-based violence, and provide internally displaced persons with adequate aid. Armed groups needed to respect the rules of international humanitarian law and implement an immediate ceasefire. The international community needed to promote peace by adopting sanctions against M23 and other armed groups.

    Luxembourg

    LAURA CAROCHA, Human and Social Sciences Expert,Commission consultative des Droits de l’Homme du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg [Consultative Commission of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg on Human Rights], welcomed the efforts made by Luxembourg to combat discrimination against women since the last report, while noting persistent shortcomings, including a social system that kept women in a subordinate position to men. Luxembourg’s policy favoured a “neutral” approach that was not gender sensitive. Ms. Carocha urged politicians to openly acknowledge this systemic patriarchal domination and to make the deconstruction of this mechanism a priority. To this end, it was imperative that the Government finally implemented the principle of gender mainstreaming in a cross-cutting manner in all its policies.

    Luxembourg’s equality efforts lacked an intersectional approach and the Government rarely addressed multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Disability was conspicuously absent from the National Action Plan for Equality between Women and Men, while the gender dimension was neglected in the National Action Plan on Disability. It was essential to have detailed data, disaggregated by gender, age, ethnicity, disability and education level, to better understand and address the different forms of discrimination that women faced. The Government also needed to impose concrete actions on companies, municipalities and administrations in terms of gender equality and the fight against discrimination against women.

    All actions taken in the fight against discrimination against women needed to be carried out in close collaboration with civil society. This cooperation needed to be translated into lasting partnerships and political will to ensure that the contributions of civil society were seriously considered in the decision-making process.

    Ms. Carocha concluded by calling for the recognition of multiple forms of discrimination, and a proactive and participatory response from the Government to gender inequalities rooted in societal dynamics. This meant adopting structural solutions that addressed the root causes of discrimination.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert offered condolences to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including families of civilians who had lost their lives. What did the National Human Rights Commission wish the Committee to highlight in the dialogue with the State party?

    Another Committee Expert asked about measures to prevent conflict-related gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

    One Committee Expert asked if humanitarian aid groups were able to access Goma and deliver food, health and menstrual products?

    A Committee Expert expressed concern regarding the lack of participation from women’s organizations from Luxembourg in the dialogue. What progress had been made in reforming the Constitution? Was there an initiative to amend the timeframe for authorising abortions in the State? The State party did not publish data broken down by origin. Could data be provided on migrant workers in Luxembourg?

    Another Committee Expert asked about Luxembourg’s process for identifying stateless persons.

    Responses by National Human Rights Institutions

    GISÈLE KAPINGA NTUMBA, National Human Rights Commissioner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said that in Goma, people in displacement camps had been bombarded. They had no power and no water, and the Rwandese army was on its way in. The international community needed to assist the Democratic Republic of the Congo in creating humanitarian corridors to assist internally displaced persons fleeing the region. The State had approved laws and measures on preventing sexual violence, but implementing these was a challenge, particularly in regions where the Government did not have control. In the dialogue, the Committee needed to ask the Government to choose diplomacy over other means, as the population was dying for nothing. Those involved in the conflict needed to be prosecuted. The international community needed to condemn the situation in the east and promote diplomacy.

    Meeting with the Working Group on Business and Human Rights

    Statements

    ANDREA ORI, Director, Groups in Focus Section, Human Rights Treaties Branch, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the meeting would address the nexus between business and human rights, and gender and digital technologies. Cooperation and practices in digital fields needed to not perpetrate discrimination against women. There was room for improvement on measures addressing gender discrimination in the workplace, representation of women in leadership positions, workplace harassment, and labour rights for women. Women were over-represented in low-paying jobs. Stereotypes hindered women’s access to finance and investments, and women had less access to technology and digital services. Today’s discussion would focus on enhancing the promotion and protection of women.

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chairperson, said artificial intelligence and digital technologies had revolutionised everyday life and business practices across sectors in ways that were never envisioned in the past. Strategic, innovative modalities to better safeguard the rights of women and girls called for partnerships, joint approaches and harmonised frameworks. Women needed to be engaged in digital developments from the beginning. States needed to avoid the re-inventing of stereotypes, bias and discrimination and the perpetuation of violence against women through cyber-enabled modalities; safeguard women’s livelihoods and expand economic opportunities in the new digital era for them; and equip women and girls with necessary skills, capacities and tools to contribute to providing digital solutions.

    This briefing was anticipated to be the first in a series of collaborative efforts to address substantive issues on women’s economic rights in a digital world based on the provisions of the Convention. Business and human rights principles and the jurisprudence of the Committee and standards could be systematically deployed to uphold and respond to women’s rights protection and economic empowerment, particularly through inclusive digital technologies.

    Sadly, gender equality had often been constrained by interpretations outside the text of the Convention, resulting in persistent gender gaps and disparities. Critical partnerships would enable the Committee to explore a collaborative and coordinated approach for bridging digital gender inequalities to create a more inclusive and equitable digital future for women and girls, one that was not only free of all forms of violence but also offered them equal opportunities to access and utilise digital technologies to boost their livelihoods and human capital assets.

    LYRA JAKULEVIČIENĖ, Chairperson of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, said that this year, the Working Group was preparing a report on the use of artificial intelligence in businesses and its human rights impacts. It focused on the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies and procurement by States and businesses, looking at biases and other issues. The use of artificial intelligence and other technologies had many benefits and but also created concerns, including related to gender, and these would be captured in the report. Synergy with the Committee would help both bodies to advance their agendas and strengthen the global protection of human rights, particularly for vulnerable women and girls.

    ESTHER EGHOBAMIEN-MSHELIA, Committee Expert, said 300 million fewer women than men had access to mobile internet globally. Although about a third of small and medium enterprises were owned by women, women were under-represented in discussions on the global value chain. States needed to focus on the energy transition and artificial intelligence technologies, as if they did not address issues in these fields, the gender gaps would widen.

    FERNANDA HOPENHAYM, Gender Focal Point of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, said the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights had a cross-cutting gender perspective, and this needed to be addressed by States and businesses. The Guiding Principles said that States needed to include a gender perspective in all policies on business and human rights. It also called on businesses to respect human rights and to implement measures promoting diversity and inclusion. Women needed to be able to access remedies in cases in which their rights were violated. Technologies needed to be gender sensitive, responsive and transformative.

    Panel Discussion

    In the ensuing discussion, speakers, among other things, said women faced many barriers to accessing the labour market; these needed to be addressed. Countries needed to change company cultures to address discrimination against women employees, and promote diversity and family-friendly policies. Businesses needed to consider documents outlining the rights of women and girls, such as the Convention, and use tools to assess the effectiveness of gender equality measures. They also needed to create an enabling environment for women. Another key requirement was to conduct human rights due diligence with a gender lens.

    Some speakers expressed concerns related to discrimination against women in the technology sector. Many companies lacked a gender lens when assessing their value chains and were not carrying out gender-related due diligence. There was evidence of disproportionate harm to non-binary women and the targeting of women human rights defenders online. Companies were actively amplifying gender biases. The Committee and the Working Group needed to work with civil society and to call out companies by name when they violated human rights. They also needed to promote corporate accountability and prevent regression.

    Speakers presented measures to change cultural mindsets to support women to succeed professionally; to promote a healthy work-life balance for women; to raise awareness of women’s rights among businesses; and to develop rules and tools to protect women and girls on social media platforms.

    Some speakers said technology could allow for greater access to education for women and girls, so women needed increased access to it. One speaker said girls had less opportunities to study in fields such as programming and robotics. With simple reforms and measures encouraging participation, more and more women and girls would choose information technology as a profession, they said.

    Some speakers expressed concerns that artificial intelligence technology was not sufficiently regulated. It was possible for artificial intelligence systems to learn and reproduce societal biases and there were also privacy concerns regarding the data that these systems used. One speaker presented efforts to eliminate biases in artificial intelligence systems and to develop tools to ensure that such systems respected human rights.

    One speaker called for respect for women’s rights in the energy transition. Women had strong roles to play in preventing child labour in the energy sector and supporting children’s access to education. Businesses needed to ensure women’s experiences were incorporated in energy transition programmes, and to finance science, technology, engineering and maths education programmes for women, speakers said.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Thierry Breton’s appointment to the Bank of America advisory council – E-000275/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000275/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Paolo Inselvini (ECR), Alessandro Ciriani (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Ruggero Razza (ECR), Michele Picaro (ECR), Alberico Gambino (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Daniele Polato (ECR), Francesco Torselli (ECR), Marco Squarta (ECR), Carlo Ciccioli (ECR), Stefano Cavedagna (ECR)

    The former European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, has recently taken up a consultative role on Bank of America’s global advisory council. His appointment was approved by the Commission which, in spite of the requisite two-year waiting period for former commissioners, appeared to deem it consistent with EU ethics rules.

    The case is a concerning one, not least given the sensitive nature of Mr Breton’s Commission portfolio, his possible impact on EU policies, the influence that some major financial institutions may have wielded over the Commission in the past, and the obligation incumbent on the EU to uphold transparency and integrity.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.On the basis of what criteria did the Commission deem Mr Breton’s advisory role with Bank of America to be consistent with EU ethics rules, including the two-year waiting period?
    • 2.How could the Commission strengthen oversight measures to ensure that former commissioners do not take up roles liable to undermine trust in the impartiality of the EU institutions?
    • 3.What specific steps could it take to review the existing rules and prevent such cases from compromising the integrity and transparency of the EU?

    Submitted: 22.1.2025

    Last updated: 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Thierry Breton, Bank of America advisor – E-000255/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000255/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Virginie Joron (PfE)

    According to reports in the Le Figaro newspaper[1], the Commission has given its approval to former Commissioner (2019-2024) Thierry Breton to join Bank of America’s global advisory council. He will perform this role three days a year (and will not be a member of staff or receive a salary[2]).

    It is highly symbolic, as Thierry Breton was one of the Commission’s few champions of European strategic autonomy. One can hardly imagine General de Gaulle wanting to work for Bank of America.

    Thierry Breton is the former CEO of French digital and security giant Atos, which is currently in deep trouble. Atos says it received more than EUR 12 million from the Commission in 2023[3] and a cyberdefence contract in 2024[4].

    In 2021, the Commission imposed a EUR 371 million fine on the Bank of America and a number of banks for forming a cartel on EU government bonds. Bank of America’s fine was eventually waived, however[5]. Bank of America bought and sold millions of shares in Atos in 2024[6].

    • 1.What remuneration, allowances or benefits has Thierry Breton declared for three days’ work for Bank of America in 2025 in order to receive the Commission’s approval?
    • 2.Does the recruitment of a former Commissioner by a bank fined by the Commission damage the institution’s reputation?

    Submitted: 21.1.2025

    • [1] https://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/l-ex-commissaire-europeen-thierry-breton-va-integrer-le-conseil-consultatif-international-de-bank-of-america-20250116; https://urlr.me/yVK95r; Article 245 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that when entering upon their duties, Members of the Commission give a solemn undertaking to respect their duty to behave with integrity and discretion as regards the acceptance, after they have ceased to hold office, of certain appointments or benefits. https://urlr.me/xHfVQM
    • [2] Thierry Breton said on 21 January 2025 that he would not be a member of staff or receive a salary; https://x.com/SudRadio/status/1881612253717237932
    • [3] https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/atos-se?rid=249876817241-03
    • [4] https://urlr.me/4GRVmS; https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/informatics/items/28799/en
    • [5] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_2565
    • [6] https://urlr.me/XqFNCc; https://urlr.me/QuzKkE; In 2009, Bank of America received USD 120 billion from the US Government; https://urlr.me/GzD8Yf
    Last updated: 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Use of public funds for environmental lobbying – P-000317/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-000317/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Mathilde Androuët (PfE), Jordan Bardella (PfE), Christophe Bay (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Mélanie Disdier (PfE), Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Philippe Olivier (PfE), Gilles Pennelle (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), André Rougé (PfE), Malika Sorel (PfE), Pierre-Romain Thionnet (PfE), Rody Tolassy (PfE), Alexandre Varaut (PfE)

    It has been reported[1] that the Commission has funded environmental organisations, including those supported by former Commissioner Frans Timmermans in connection with the Nature Restoration Law. Subsidies amounting to EUR 700 000 have reportedly been used to steer the public debate towards the greenest positions. This funding raises questions about the use of public funds and compliance with the principles of transparency and ethics.

    Swift clarification is essential to ensure the proper use of public funds and restore citizens’ trust in the European institutions. In this regard:

    • 1.Can the Commission confirm whether public subsidies have been used to encourage organisations to lobby for its own legislative proposals, and if so, to what extent?
    • 2.What measures have been taken to prevent public funds from being used for indirect lobbying, in particular through the LIFE programme, which promotes green laws?
    • 3.How does the Commission ensure transparency and impartiality in the award and use of subsidies allocated to organisations carrying out lobbying activities?

    Supporters[2]

    Submitted: 24.1.2025

    • [1] Lobbyschandaal in Brussel: EU betaalde milieuclubs in het geheim voor promotie van groene plannen Timmermans – Alexander Baaker – De Telegraaf – 22 January 2025.
    • [2] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Fabrice Leggeri (PfE), Matthieu Valet (PfE), Séverine Werbrouck (PfE)
    Last updated: 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – RENEWI PLC – Ordinary Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1. KEY INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Full name of discloser: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.  
    (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
    The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		    
    (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
    Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Renewi PLC  
    (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:    
    (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken:
    For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 03 February 2025  
    (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
    If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A  
       
    2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.  
    (a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)  
       
    Class of relevant security: 100p ordinary (GB00BNR4T868)  
      Interests Short Positions  
      Number % Number %  
    (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 2,287,078 2.84 %      
    (2) Cash-settled derivatives:          
    (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:          
      Total 2,287,078 * 2.84 %      
    * Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 7,989 shares that are included in the total above.  
       
    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    		  
       
       
    (b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)  
       
    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:    
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:    
       
    3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE  
       
    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    		  
    (a) Purchases and sales  
       
    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit  
    100p ordinary (GB00BNR4T868) Purchase 25,067 8.0113 GBP  

    Please note, there were net transfers in of 5,886

    		  
    (b) Cash-settled derivative transactions  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit  
               
       
    (c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)
     
    (i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
     
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   
       
    (ii) Exercise  
       
    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit  
               
       
    (d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)  
                 
    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)  
             
       
    4. OTHER INFORMATION  
       
    (a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements  
       
    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives  
       
    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”    		  
    None  
       
    (c) Attachments  
       
    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO  
       
    Date of disclosure 04 February 2025  
    Contact name Thomas Hone  
    Telephone number +44 20 3033 3419  
       

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Healthcare companies may be neglecting environmental responsibilities in AI push, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Healthcare companies may be neglecting environmental responsibilities in AI push, says GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    Since US President Trump’s first day in office, he has been rolling back environmental responsibilities, marked by withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, which set out guidelines for developed countries to support efforts of developing countries to build clean, climate-resilient futures through financial and technological support. The recent developments in the US may result in the lack of pressure in implementing environmental initiatives, and many healthcare companies may be neglecting them at a time when there is an increased focus on usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in the sector, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    According to GlobalData’s “Strategic Intelligence: ESG Sentiment Polls Q4 2024,” 45% of respondents indicated that the primary reason a company would set up an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance plan would be because of legislation and pressure from the government. In the absence of any pressure from the governments, positive environmental initiatives, especially ESG, will be lost.

    Selena Yu, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “With most ESG survey respondents in Q4 2024 indicating that not only is ESG performative in their companies but also that ESG initiatives are typically placed due to government pressures, it’s vital that healthcare companies mitigate negative environmental impacts. The basis of it is to provide healthcare companies exceptional, innovative care to patients. This overlaps greatly with the impacts of a warming global climate like limiting access to clean water, increased air pollution, and decline in agricultural diversity. Healthcare extends outside of the hospital, as preventative and follow-up care is essential for patients.”

    The developments in the US also come during a time of increased AI initiatives and growth in healthcare with an estimated $1 trillion market worth by 2030, according to GlobalData’s thematic report “Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (2024)”.

    According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) 2024 report, global AI energy demand is expected to increase to at least 10 times the current level by 2026. Additionally, clean water is required to cool down the processors used for AI. Combined with the rising global temperature, scarcity of clean water, and decreased environmental sentiments in the US government, it’s vital that companies take initiatives to balance AI usage to future healthcare advancements with environmental impact.

    AI has many advantages in healthcare, from choosing the best treatment for patients and optimizing patient triage in emergency care to improving manufacturing capabilities to limit waste and optimizing storage. But it’s vital to balance AI-led innovation with environmental impact, as current methods to mitigate carbon emissions, for example, have not been successful.

    Yu continues: “Tech leaders like Google, Meta, and Microsoft have promised to replenish the clean water they used for their AI usage, but how feasible is that with clean water being a limited resource. This ties us back to how most global survey respondents in Q4 2024 believe company ESG plans are performative. The decision to prioritize environmental initiatives is a difficult battle to fight. I believe most stakeholders are putting increased company revenue over ESG because they don’t see the innate benefit to it. This is a dated way of strategizing, as overall company success should go hand in hand with environmental protection.”

    Healthcare companies need to position themselves as the spearheads of balancing environmental responsibilities and AI-led innovation. With the health of the overall ecosystem directly correlated to patient health, it is in their best interest to be contributing to patient health outside of the clinic.

    Yu concludes: “There are many options for patient-facing bodies and healthcare companies to balance the needs of patients using AI for personalized care and spearheading the importance of incorporating strong environmental policies into manufacturing practice. It’s really a cycle, the decline in healthy foods due to changes in climate impacting farming and decreased air and water quality will directly be seen in the overall population being less healthy, which goes back into our healthcare systems.”

    MIL OSI Economics –