Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: DR Congo: UN call to reopen Goma airport ‘lifeline’, as crisis deepens

    Source: United Nations 4

    By Vibhu Mishra

    Peace and Security

    The UN’s top humanitarian official in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday called for Goma airport to be urgently reopened, warning its continued closure is paralyzing relief operations.

    Goma airport is a lifeline,” said Bruno Lemarquis. “Without it, the evacuation of the seriously injured, the delivery of medical supplies and the reception of humanitarian reinforcements are paralyzed.”

    Growing casualties

    The M23 armed group, supported by Rwandan troops, seized the airport last week as its fighters swept through Goma – the regional capital of North Kivu. Several hundred people have reportedly been killed in the hostilities, with tens of thousands more forced to flee their homes.

    Rebels have seized control of large areas of Goma, setting up checkpoints and severely restricting humanitarian access, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). This has disrupted the delivery of food, water, and medical aid for up to two million people.

    Humanitarian workers also face restricted access to displacement camps, limiting the provision of essential services, including emergency obstetric care.

    An absolute emergency

    Mr. Lemarquis urged all parties to “shoulder their responsibilities” and facilitate the immediate reopening of the airport.

    Every hour lost puts more lives at risk. This is an absolute emergency. All those involved must act without delay to enable humanitarian flights to resume operations and guarantee access to relief supplies,” he stressed.

    “The survival of thousands of people depends on it.”

    Sexual violence ‘tragically routine’

    Meanwhile, UN Women, the Organization’s lead agency for protection of women and girls, warned that reports of sexual violence and exploitation have become “tragically routine.”

    “As the clashes unfold in a country that has endured prolonged instability, women and girls are bearing the brunt of both direct and indirect consequences, with their rights, safety, and dignity increasingly under threat,” said the agency’s Sofia Calltorp, Chief of Humanitarian Action, briefing journalists in Geneva.

    Local women’s organizations have reported widespread sexual violence, forced displacement, and severe gaps in basic social as well as protection services.

    With the situation worsening, UN Women called for immediate action by State and non-state actors in DRC as well as the wider international community to combat sexual and gender-based violence and end impunity for perpetrators.

    Aftermath in Goma

    In Goma, displacement sites around the city have been abandoned and destroyed, with water, sanitation, and health facilities severely damaged, according to UN aid coordination office, OCHA.

    The city has also seen a surge in crime, including vehicle hijackings and looting of humanitarian warehouses belonging to UN agencies and partner organizations.

    Although some businesses have resumed operations, schools remain closed, internet services are down, and hospitals are overwhelmed. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) is warning of potential disease outbreaks, including mpox, cholera and measles.

    South Kivu

    In South Kivu’s Kalehe territory, clashes since 25 January between the Congolese army and M23 rebels have displaced thousands. Some 6,900 people have fled to Bukavu, while others are seeking refuge in host communities.

    The situation remains dire, with a worsening cholera outbreak due to disrupted health services.

    Adding to the crisis, the 90-day suspension of US humanitarian funding is severely impacting food security, sanitation and relief efforts in both North and South Kivu, humanitarian partners warned. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Consent Judgment Entered Against Philadelphia Drone Flyer For Violations of FAA Regulations

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Jacqueline C. Romero, announced today that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment against Michael DiCiurcio of Philadelphia, PA. In its complaint against DiCiurcio, the United States alleges that DiCiurcio operated small unmanned aircraft systems (“sUAS”) – commonly known as drones – unlawfully and unsafely in the Philadelphia area between at least December 2019 to the present, in violation of Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) requirements.

    The United States alleges that DiCiurcio operated flights at night, in close proximity to the William Penn Statue, PSFS Building, and Liberty One Building, resulting in the sUAS almost striking a church steeple during one flight. The United States alleges that during certain flights DiCiurcio improperly operated the sUAS inside of controlled airspace near the Philadelphia airport, over people and cars, and, in at least one instance, lost control of the sUAS, causing it to fly uncontrolled over Philadelphia.

    The FAA warned DiCiurcio in writing and provided him with counseling and education regarding requirements for safe operations of a sUAS under the Federal Aviation Regulations. The United States alleges that DiCiurcio nonetheless has continued to operate sUASs illegally and in a careless or reckless manner that endangers others.

    Terms of the Consent Judgment

    On January 23, 2025, before Magistrate Judge Jose Arteaga, DiCiurcio agreed to the terms of the consent judgment, including that: DiCiurcio (1) admits that all allegations of his conduct set forth in the Verified Complaint are true and accurate; (2) admits that the conduct as alleged in the Verified Complaint violated FAA regulations and safety guidance as alleged; and (3) accepts the administrative findings of violations and further acknowledges that the FAA will deem those matters as findings of violations that may be considered aggravating factors in any future enforcement proceedings against him.

    In addition, DiCiurcio agrees that he will: (1) never operate in any manner any sUAS of any type, size, model, of any kind within the United States, nor will he ever seek any type of certification or license to operate any type or form of sUAS; (2) take down the YouTube channel known as “Philly Drone Life” and no longer operate or resurrect its content or any part in any form; (3) abandon those sUAS and other items he surrendered to the FAA on May 23, 2024, pursuant to the Court’s Order sanctioning DiCiurcio for contempt of the preliminary injunction entered by the Court on February 29, 2024.     

    On January 29, 2025, Chief Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg signed the consent judgment.

    “We work hard to educate people about safely flying their drones, and we don’t hesitate to take strong enforcement action when pilots deliberately flout the rules,” said Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson.

    “Failing to adhere to the safety requirements for flying small unmanned aircraft systems endangers people and property,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “All drone flyers have a responsibility to ensure that they observe all applicable regulations and guidance. Our Office is committed to ensuring total compliance with the FAA regulations and we will vigorously enforce violations wherever we find them.”

    The allegations regarding unsafe sUAS flights in violation of FAA regulations are described in detail in the complaint. The case is captioned United States of America v. Michael DiCiurcio, Case No. 24-0612 (E.D. Pa.).

    The case has been investigated by the FAA’s Flight Standards Division, and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Viveca D. Parker.

    All civil claims are allegations only.  There has been no determination of civil liability.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Camrose, Wetaskiwin, and Leduc County — Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit and Camrose Police Service conduct a two-day project focusing on repeat offenders

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit has concluded a two-day project focusing on active property crime offenders in the surrounding rural areas. During the project, Wetaskiwin RCMP officers worked in collaboration with RCMP officers from the Leduc Crime Reduction Unit, RCMP Air Services, and Camrose Police Service.

    On Nov. 27, 2024, Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit officers located a stolen truck in Camrose. A tire deflation device was utilized to disable the vehicle, and the lone occupant was arrested.

    The vehicle had been stolen in Devon, Alta. on Oct. 26, 2024.

    RCMP charged a 39-year-old individual, a resident of Camrose County, with:

    • Fraudulent concealment;
    • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000;
    • Offences under the Traffic Safety Act (x2).

    The 39-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Dec. 11, 2024, at the Albert Court of Justice in Camrose.

    On Nov. 27, 2024 Camrose Police officers arrested repeat offender, a 57-year-old individual, a resident of Bawlf, Alta., for breaching a conditional sentence order. The 39-year-old individual was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and unstamped cigarettes.

    She has been additionally charged with:

    • Possession of a controlled substance;
    • Charge under the Tobacco Ta Act.

    The 39-year-old individual was taken before justice of the peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Dec. 11, 2024.

    On Nov. 28, 2024 officers from the Camrose Police Service located a stolen vehicle. Officers were able to safely stop the vehicle and arrest the driver.

    A 26-year-old individual, a resident of Camrose, has been charged with:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000;
    • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000;
    • Mischief over $5000;
    • Possession of a controlled substance;
    • Charges under the Traffic Safety Act (x5).

    The 26-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and released with her next court date set for Jan. 8, 2025, at the Albert Court of Justice in Camrose.

    On Nov. 28, 2024, officers from the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit were monitoring a property in Leduc County, Alta., known for prolific offenders and stolen property. Officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle, and the driver fled. The vehicle was disabled from a tire deflation device. The vehicle fled onto the property and the driver was arrested.

    A 28-year-old individual, a resident of Leduc County resident, has been charged with:

    • Flight from Peace Officer
    • Fraudulent concealment

    Additionally, the 28-year-old individual was arrested for outstanding warrants out of Edmonton which including breaking and entering.

    While on the property, police observed a stolen truck from Calmar, Alta. on Nov. 12, 2024. Officers obtained a search warrant for the property and seized the stolen truck.

    RCMP charged two individuals from the home a 58-year-old individual and a 32-year-old individual, they were charged with:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000;
    • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 (x2).

    Additionally, the 32-year-old individual had warrants for breaching a probation order.

    The 58-year-old individual was released from custody with her net court date set for Jan. 23, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Leduc.

    The 32-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set in the future.

    “Coordinated enforcement efforts focusing on repeat offenders can be very effective,” says Cpl. John Learn, “having these kinds of successes working closely with our Camrose Police Services partners will no doubt foster more similar projects in the future.”

    Sgt. Scott Sveinbjornson of the Camrose Police Services emphasizes the importance of targeting prolific offenders and breaking down judicial boundaries to achieve successful outcomes. He notes that integrated efforts and close collaboration with the R.C.M.P. will remain key strategies for producing positive results in future projects.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Prince Albert — Prince Albert RCMP: woman charged in relation to fatal rollover

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On August 4, 2024, Prince Albert RCMP received a report of a single vehicle rollover on Whitfield Road, in the RM of Buckland.

    Officers immediately responded. One adult female passenger was declared deceased by EMS at the scene. The adult female driver and an adult male passenger were taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening in nature.

    Prince Albert RCMP continued to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.

    As a result of continued investigation, an adult female was arrested in Prince Albert on January 22.

    33-year-old Destiny Michel from Prince Albert is charged with:

    – one count, operate a conveyance causing death, Section 320.13(3), Criminal Code;

    – one count, operate a conveyance with a blood alcohol concentration equal or greater than 80 mg/100 ml of blood, Section 320.14(3), Criminal Code; and

    – one count, operate a conveyance in a manner that was dangerous to the public, Section 320.13(3), Criminal Code.

    She is scheduled to appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court on February 13, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road closure, SH39, Ngāhinapōuri

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway 39 is closed following a crash near Ngāhinapōuri.

    Emergency services attended the crash involving three vehicles, reported at around 2.20am. Critical injuries are reported.

    Serious Crash Unit are conducting a scene examination.

    The road is closed and diversions are in place, motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Man prosecuted for running illegal waste site near Milton Keynes

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Waste including asbestos was burned next to a housing estate and ancient woodland

    Burning waste found at the illegal waste site

    A man has been fined for operating an illegal waste site near Milton Keynes, following an investigation by the Environment Agency.

    Mark Greenhalgh, age 64 of Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to two waste crime charges at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on 31st January. He has been ordered to pay fines, victim surcharges and prosecution costs totalling £20,864.

    From 2018 to 2023, Environment Agency officers investigated the site in Woburn Sands which Mr Greenhalgh operated without an environmental permit. Despite repeated visits, he ignored the Environment Agency’s guidance and failed to comply with a notice requiring him to clear the waste from the land. Officers found an increased amount of waste on site with each visit.

    Drone image showing part of the illegal waste site

    Waste was burned repeatedly including asbestos, plastic, metals, wood, soft furnishings, vehicles, domestic appliances and commercial refrigeration units. Scrap vehicles were also stored and broken on site.

    The waste site is surrounded by a housing estate and ancient woodland. The activities of the illegal operation put the neighbouring residents and nature at huge risk of harm.

    All types of waste were stored improperly, creating even more fire risk. The local fire and rescue service were called to the site numerous times throughout the years, and in August 2022 there was a significant fire on site. The fire service had to close a road and deploy multiple pumps, using an estimated 800,000 litres of water.

    Louis de Quincey, East Anglia Environmental Crime Officer, said:

    Waste criminals make their profits by breaking the law and not paying tax. Illegal waste sites such as the one operated by Mr Greenhalgh undermine legitimate businesses which carry out their activities with consideration for the environment. 

    The Environment Agency works to stop waste criminals and support legitimate business whilst protecting communities and nature from harm. We take illegal waste activity very seriously and will not hesitate to disrupt criminal activity and prosecute those responsible.

    Anyone who suspects illegal waste activity should report it to our 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060, or anonymously through CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

    Background information

    Charges:

    1. Mark Greenhalgh, between 13 September 2018 and 10 July 2023, did deposit controlled waste on land at the north side of Bow Brickhill Road, Woburn Sands, registered under title number BM146933, when there was not in force an environmental permit authorising such a deposit.

    2. Mark Greenhalgh, between 13 September 2018 and 10 July 2023, did knowingly cause or knowingly permit the deposit of controlled waste on land at the north side of Bow Brickhill Road, Woburn Sands, registered under title number BM146933, when there was not in force an environmental permit authorising such a deposit.

    Sentence:

    Mark Greenhalgh was ordered to pay a total of £20,864.23 within 12 months, after which the debt will be enforced. This total consists of:

    • Fines: £720 (£360 fine for each charge)
    • Victim surcharges: £288 (£144 for each charge)
    • Prosecution costs: £19,856.23

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operation against international drug trafficking network

    Source: Eurojust

    French and Spanish authorities, with the support of Eurojust and Europol, have stopped an illegal drug delivery into France arriving from Spain. The drug seizure is part of an operation against an international trafficking network active in the two countries. Authorities arrested 24 members of the network, including the two leaders, and seized over 150 kg of drugs with a market value of EUR 2.5 million.

    The French criminal group set up import routes to transport drugs into France from their headquarters in Spain. Using vehicles with hidden compartments, the group was able to avoid detection and transport multiple types of synthetic drugs and cannabis into France. By frequently changing the routes used, the group further ensured that they remained undetected. 

    French authorities started investigating the network together with their partners in Spain in June 2024. They soon located the head of the network in Southern Spain and investigated the criminal activities such as drug trafficking and money laundering. A takedown of the network was planned, with the preparation of European Investigation Orders and European Arrest Warrants taking place at Eurojust. 

    Europol supported the investigation by providing analytical expertise to map out the syndicate’s structure, identify key players and track smuggling routes. Europol also coordinated intelligence sharing and funded the deployment of French officers to Spain to facilitate cross-border cooperation. On the action day, Europol deployed experts to France and Spain to ensure real-time information exchange between the involved law enforcement authorities.

    On 28 January, actions to take down the group took place simultaneously in Spain and France. Authorities caught a drug convoy arriving in France in the early morning. Over 120 kg of drugs were intercepted from the delivery. The three drivers and the head of the network in France were arrested on the spot. During searches in France, money, drugs and weapons were seized, and 13 suspects were put in police custody and 9 in preventive custody. In Spain, the two leaders of the criminal group were arrested, and cash and drugs were seized during house searches. The leaders are now awaiting extradition to France. The members of the criminal group who were involved in drug trafficking and money laundering could face up to 30 years in prison. 

    The following authorities carried out the operations:

    • France: JIRS Rennes (interregional specialised jurisdiction); Gendarmerie Nationale (SR Rennes)
    • Spain: Public Prosecution Office Antidrug; Central Investigative Court num 2 at Audiencia Nacional; National Police (Policía Nacional – UDYCO Málaga)

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Mechanic Admits Defrauding Missouri Customer, Others Out of $1.4 Million

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – A purported auto mechanic from Arizona on Tuesday admitted defrauding at least nine victims in Missouri and elsewhere out of more than $1.4 million, including one victim after he was charged.

    Andres “Manny” Lopez, 36, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of wire fraud.

    Lopez admitted that from November 2019 through July 2023, while running All Performance Tuning and Diesel Repair LLC in Arizona, he committed fraud by accepting money for vehicle upgrades and parts with no intention of performing the work. Lopez used the advance payments for personal expenses. He also damaged some customer vehicles and loaned vehicles to others without the owners’ consent. Several customers paid Lopez to find and purchase vehicles on their behalf. After receiving up-front payments, Lopez falsely told customers that he purchased their requested vehicles. But he actually used the money for personal expenses and provided customers with myriad false excuses as to why the vehicles could not be delivered.

    A Missouri victim wired Lopez $45,000 for a Toyota RAV4 that he wanted to buy for his mother. Lopez falsely claimed that he’d bought the vehicle. He then provided a series of excuses about why it was not being delivered. Lopez claimed delivery delays were due to product recalls, even impersonating the general manager of a Florida Toyota dealership in text messages to the client’s mother.

    In the guilty plea, Lopez admitted defrauding one victim out of approximately $567,892 after he was indicted in October of 2023 for the other frauds.

    Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced May 9.

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Sudan malnutrition crisis: Millions face emergency levels of food insecurity story Feb 03, 2025

    Source: Doctors Without Borders –

    International donors, the UN, Sudan’s warring parties, and their allies must act now to prevent even more avoidable deaths from malnutrition in Sudan, as an already catastrophic situation is expected to worsen this year, according to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). 

    Half of Sudan’s population faces high levels of acute food insecurity (24.6 million people), among whom more than 8 million people face an emergency and more than 600,000 people are experiencing a catastrophe described by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report as a famine.

    A health worker screens a child for malnutrition in Tawila, North Darfur. | Sudan 2024 © MSF

    Exponential increase in aid is essential to address extreme hunger

    “Despite this new wake-up call, robust humanitarian and diplomatic mobilization to act on aid deliveries has fallen far short of the needs,” said Stephane Doyon, MSF operations manager. “To provide only those in the most extreme situation with monthly food rations, 2,500 aid trucks per month would be required, whereas only about 1,150 crossed into Darfur in the last six months.” 

    MSF has released data showing horrific rates of malnutrition in multiple locations, both at the height of Sudan’s lean season last year and as recently as December 2024. The conflict-driven malnutrition crisis has been exacerbated by the continued obstruction of aid by both of Sudan’s warring parties and by the neglectful inertia of the UN and aid system in Darfur. With the seasonal hunger gap coming in May, decisive action must be taken now.

    People displaced from flighting in El Fasher arrive in Tawila, North Darfur. | Sudan 2024 © MSF

    The failure to act is a choice, and it’s killing people

    “Parts of Sudan are difficult to work in, but it is certainly possible, and this is what humanitarian organizations and the UN are supposed to do,” said Marcella Kraay, MSF emergency coordinator, speaking from Nyala, South Darfur state. 

    To provide only those in the most extreme situation with monthly food rations, 2,500 aid trucks per month would be required, whereas only about 1,150 crossed into Darfur in the last six months.

     Stephane Doyon, MSF operations manager

    “In places that are easier to access, as well as in the hardest-to-reach areas like North Darfur, options like air routes remain unexplored. The failure to act is a choice, and it’s killing people,” Kraay continued. 

    The malnutrition crisis has been acknowledged for some time, with the UN in October warning that “never in history have so many people faced starvation and famine as in Sudan today.”

    MSF staff conduct a food distribution in a South Darfur. | Sudan 2025 © Abdoalsalam Abdallah

    The upcoming rainy season creates a race against time

    Moving supplies will become an even more difficult task during the upcoming rainy and lean season, when flooded dirt roads become impossible to navigate. A wide-scale humanitarian response must be launched now, including by drastically increasing available funding and logistical capacities, securing food pipelines and prepositioning food stocks in Chad and neighboring countries. 

    MSF is calling for UN agencies, international organizations, donor countries, and governments with leverage to pursue all options, including air routes, to complement and even replace road access where necessary. 

    Bureaucratic requirements from the warring parties have long been an obstacle to international organizations’ ability to reach and provide services to people. Rather than reacting to critical needs in a timely manner, permissions to respond are either delayed or denied altogether by the warring parties. This is impeding MSF’s work in South Darfur, with aid trucks stuck in Chad waiting for permissions to move from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their offices. A food distribution in South Darfur was also recently postponed as MSF was refused the necessary travel permits.

    Warring parties must grant unhindered access for humanitarian organizations. Access must be defined by lifesaving aid reaching people who need it, not by announcements celebrating piecemeal measures that fall far short. MSF calls on the warring parties, their allies, and influential states to use their leverage to ease the obstacles that are causing deaths and suffering.

    Food baskets, cooling oil, and bags of grain are laid out before a food distribution begins in South Darfur. | Sudan 2025 © Abdoalsalam Abdallah

    MSF data shows depth of the malnutrition crisis

    North Darfur

    An ongoing RSF siege on the state capital El Fasher is starving people and depriving them of lifesaving assistance, while malnutrition also affects people in surrounding areas. MSF teams screened over 9,500 children under 5 years old while conducting a therapeutic food distribution in Tawila locality in December 2024. They found a staggering global acute malnutrition estimate of 35.5 percent, with 7 percent of the screened children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. 

    In September 2024, 34 percent of the 29,300 children screened by MSF during a vaccination campaign in Zamzam camp were found to be suffering from acute malnutrition. Since the beginning of December, repeated shelling has made it impossible for our team to carry out further assessments in the camp and has most likely exacerbated the levels of malnutrition.

    Khartoum

    MSF teams also see concerning rates of malnutrition outside of Darfur, in areas where displaced people have sought shelter, or in areas closer to the conflict. In Omdurman, Khartoum state, a conflict zone under control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), MSF carried out a nutritional screening while assisting with a vaccination campaign for children in October 2024, finding 7.1 percent of children screened were severely acutely malnourished.

    South Darfur 

    Even those far from the front lines still face the risk of malnutrition. In October 2024, 23 percent of children under five screened at MSF-supported facilities in Nyala, South Darfur’s capital, and nearby locations were suffering from severe acute malnutrition. In two MSF-supported facilities, 26 percent of the pregnant and breastfeeding women seeking care were acutely malnourished. With World Food Programme (WFP) food distributions lacking, MSF launched a targeted food distribution in South Darfur in December 2024, providing two months’ food to about 30,000 people.

    Zahra Abdullah holds her child inside her kitchen after receiving their food distribution in South Darfur. | Sudan 2025 © Abdoalsalam Abdallah

    Not the first war for many, but the most devastating 

    Zahra Abdullah received food for her and her son. They live together in the Al Salam displacement camp outside of Nyala city. 

    “This is not the first war I have experienced, but it is definitely the most devastating to my life,” said Abdullah. “The living conditions here are harsh, and everything is a daily struggle. The aid we receive has somewhat improved our situation. At least now, we finally have a meal in the morning.”

    “But even so, the suffering never ends. It starts with finding clean water to drink, continues with trying to provide enough food, and ends with finding a place to sleep. Sometimes I sit alone and think: is this the life I will live forever?” she said.

    For millions of people like Abdullah, the time is now to act to prevent the situation from becoming ever more dire. MSF will continue to do what it can, but the scale is well beyond the organization’s capacity to respond. We need to see a massive response now to prevent more death and starvation.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Africa: DRC: history is repeating itself in Lubumbashi as the world scrambles for minerals to go green

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Brandon Marc Finn, Research Scientist at the School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan

    Lubumbashi is a city in the mineral-rich Katanga region in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    Many people might not have heard of it, but Lubumbashi and its surrounding region have been at the centre of global geopolitics since the start of the 20th century. The area provided immense sources of copper, a metal that helped electrify the planet in the 1900s. It was also the source of all the uranium for the atom bombs used in the second world war.

    The global demand for these minerals came at a great price. Lubumbashi grew as a divided city where housing and labour were spatially and racially segregated. Congolese workers were exploited, abused and taxed as urban and mining strategies were used to reshape society.

    History is repeating itself. Neocolonialism now shapes the extraction of DRC resources.


    Read more: DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt – how control by local elites can shape the global battery industry


    Today, the southern DRC produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt. Cobalt is a mineral essential to decarbonisation – a strategy to reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Cobalt is present in batteries in electric vehicles, mobile phones, laptop computers and renewable energy storage systems.

    Like copper and uranium before it, cobalt mining has been linked to widescale exploitation and child labour. Corruption and elite capture remain defining features of mining in the DRC.

    We are academics who research urbanisation, mining and sustainability as well as urban planning and environmental management. Our recent paper addresses the fact that African cities like Lubumbashi are at the heart of events that have shaped the modern world, yet they are woefully neglected in global urban theory (thinking about how cities form and develop) and urban geography.

    Focusing on the global north and neglecting the south leads to major data gaps and contributes to mismatched and outdated urban policy.

    Rock containing cobalt. © Brandon Marc Finn

    We also argue that the human rights abuses and perils of today’s cobalt mining are new forms of old colonial practices. They strip the land and people of resources without proper pay. They offer green minerals to the global north at the cost of lives in the global south.

    Sustainable cities and global decarbonisation are essential if we are to reduce cities’ carbon footprints and decarbonise economies in the face of the climate crisis.

    Lubumbashi’s history, therefore, can offer a fuller understanding of the human and historical costs of minerals that shape cities – and the world.

    A brief history of Lubumbashi

    Lubumbashi was originally called Elisabethville. It was established by colonial Belgium in 1910 precisely to extract copper for global markets. This was done through a company named Union Minière du Haut Katanga (UMHK).

    Concessionary companies made enormous profits in the Congo Free State between 1885 and 1908. The entire country stood under the private ownership of King Leopold II of Belgium. These companies were given the right to extract minerals and rubber through taxes imposed on local people.

    A road being built in the Belgian Free State in 1890. PHAS/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

    The Belgian Compagnie du Katanga (which later founded UMHK) had the task of establishing the physical and economic infrastructure of the region. In exchange for laying the groundwork for the extractive industries, soon to be headquartered in Elisabethville, the company was given a third of all unoccupied land in Katanga. The Belgians established a copper smelter and constructed roads. Temporary headquarters were established to supervise Elisabethville’s expansion.

    One initial method of controlling the local rural people was a “hut tax” that had to be paid to live in Lubumbashi. Later, a “head tax” was introduced to raise funds for colonial management. It forced people into labour as the only means to pay off their newly acquired debt to the colonial state.

    Elisabethville served as the device to assert effective occupation. It also staved off the possibility of British occupation of the territory. The Belgians planned Elisabethville by reproducing the urban forms and racial segregation of Bulawayo’s grid in Southern Rhodesia (part of today’s Zimbabwe) and Johannesburg in South Africa.

    Elisabethville’s early plan. F Grevisse/Institut Royal Colonial Belge

    UMHK dominated the colonial economy as demand for copper increased worldwide. UMHK also stipulated which seeds would be planted where for agriculture. It dissolved local markets and whipped labourers.

    Copper was in such high demand because it is a non-corrosive material that conducts electricity well. It lined telegraph and electrical transmission cables across the globe.

    Copper mining acted as a springboard from which UMHK could spread its influence. It developed railways, cities, labour camps and mining sites throughout Katanga.

    Spatial segregation in Elisabethville. P Vandenbak

    This allowed UMHK access to the extraction of another resource that would shape the global geopolitical landscape: uranium – extracted from the Shinkolobwe mine in Katanga.

    It was the Belgian colonial presence that allowed the US to have access to uranium deposits as they sought to beat Germany in the race to build atomic weapons. All the uranium used in the two nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki came from Katanga.

    This highlights the global significance of, but a neglected focus on, the impacts of mineral supply chains in the global south. Control over Lubumbashi’s minerals cannot be underplayed in this global historical event.

    Katanga seceded from the Congo for three years, 11 days after the country gained independence from Belgium in 1960. The fight to gain control over Katanga’s resources led to the US and Belgian-backed assassination of the first independence leader, Patrice Lumumba. He was intent on reunifying Congo.

    Mobutu Sese Seko became president of Zaire (today’s DRC) after a coup in 1965. He nationalised UMHK a year later. Mobutu served as president for almost 32 years, and his regime was characterised by autocratic corruption and economic exploitation.

    Cobalt and global decarbonisation

    The growth of modern technology relies, at least in part, on the extraction of cobalt in the DRC before it is shipped, mainly to China.

    Cobalt is extracted as a byproduct of copper mining. Artisanal and small-scale mining and child labour remain a salient feature of cobalt extraction in the DRC. These miners receive little to no support and reflect the historical structural marginalisation created in the region.

    Europeans settled in the city centre and locals in camps and informal areas. Junior Kannah/AFP/Getty Images

    Lubumbashi serves as the mining headquarters of the southern DRC, and other cities, like Kolwezi, have grown rapidly in response to the surge in cobalt demand. Spatial and labour-related inequalities from the past are being replicated and expanded on in the present.

    The DRC’s impoverishment continues apace as South African, Kazakh, Swiss and, with increasing influence, Chinese mining companies maintain their practice of exclusionary extraction, social displacement and political corruption.

    Why this matters

    Our research shows the importance of understanding the history of extraction and urban settlement in the region to shed light on new forms of old practices associated with decarbonisation. We see this as a continuing form of colonial power – as neocolonialism.

    Contemporary debates around global inequalities associated with decarbonisation highlight how African populations must endure poor living conditions while the global north transitions to low-carbon technologies. We must find ways to move away from carbon-based economies that do not reproduce colonial inequalities.


    Read more: Patrice Lumumba’s tooth represents plunder, resilience and reparation


    Lubumbashi demonstrates the importance of African cities and resources in understanding critical global developmental and geopolitical issues.

    For decarbonisation to be socially and environmentally just, it must contend with the people, places, and environments on which the future of low-carbon technology is based. Lubumbashi’s history shows how challenging this task will be.

    – DRC: history is repeating itself in Lubumbashi as the world scrambles for minerals to go green
    – https://theconversation.com/drc-history-is-repeating-itself-in-lubumbashi-as-the-world-scrambles-for-minerals-to-go-green-248571

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Global: DRC: history is repeating itself in Lubumbashi as the world scrambles for minerals to go green

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Brandon Marc Finn, Research Scientist at the School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan

    Lubumbashi is a city in the mineral-rich Katanga region in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    Many people might not have heard of it, but Lubumbashi and its surrounding region have been at the centre of global geopolitics since the start of the 20th century. The area provided immense sources of copper, a metal that helped electrify the planet in the 1900s. It was also the source of all the uranium for the atom bombs used in the second world war.

    The global demand for these minerals came at a great price. Lubumbashi grew as a divided city where housing and labour were spatially and racially segregated. Congolese workers were exploited, abused and taxed as urban and mining strategies were used to reshape society.

    History is repeating itself. Neocolonialism now shapes the extraction of DRC resources.




    Read more:
    DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt – how control by local elites can shape the global battery industry


    Today, the southern DRC produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt. Cobalt is a mineral essential to decarbonisation – a strategy to reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Cobalt is present in batteries in electric vehicles, mobile phones, laptop computers and renewable energy storage systems.

    Like copper and uranium before it, cobalt mining has been linked to widescale exploitation and child labour. Corruption and elite capture remain defining features of mining in the DRC.

    We are academics who research urbanisation, mining and sustainability as well as urban planning and environmental management. Our recent paper addresses the fact that African cities like Lubumbashi are at the heart of events that have shaped the modern world, yet they are woefully neglected in global urban theory (thinking about how cities form and develop) and urban geography.

    Focusing on the global north and neglecting the south leads to major data gaps and contributes to mismatched and outdated urban policy.

    We also argue that the human rights abuses and perils of today’s cobalt mining are new forms of old colonial practices. They strip the land and people of resources without proper pay. They offer green minerals to the global north at the cost of lives in the global south.

    Sustainable cities and global decarbonisation are essential if we are to reduce cities’ carbon footprints and decarbonise economies in the face of the climate crisis.

    Lubumbashi’s history, therefore, can offer a fuller understanding of the human and historical costs of minerals that shape cities – and the world.

    A brief history of Lubumbashi

    Lubumbashi was originally called Elisabethville. It was established by colonial Belgium in 1910 precisely to extract copper for global markets. This was done through a company named Union Minière du Haut Katanga (UMHK).

    Concessionary companies made enormous profits in the Congo Free State between 1885 and 1908. The entire country stood under the private ownership of King Leopold II of Belgium. These companies were given the right to extract minerals and rubber through taxes imposed on local people.

    The Belgian Compagnie du Katanga (which later founded UMHK) had the task of establishing the physical and economic infrastructure of the region. In exchange for laying the groundwork for the extractive industries, soon to be headquartered in Elisabethville, the company was given a third of all unoccupied land in Katanga. The Belgians established a copper smelter and constructed roads. Temporary headquarters were established to supervise Elisabethville’s expansion.

    One initial method of controlling the local rural people was a “hut tax” that had to be paid to live in Lubumbashi. Later, a “head tax” was introduced to raise funds for colonial management. It forced people into labour as the only means to pay off their newly acquired debt to the colonial state.

    Elisabethville served as the device to assert effective occupation. It also staved off the possibility of British occupation of the territory. The Belgians planned Elisabethville by reproducing the urban forms and racial segregation of Bulawayo’s grid in Southern Rhodesia (part of today’s Zimbabwe) and Johannesburg in South Africa.

    UMHK dominated the colonial economy as demand for copper increased worldwide. UMHK also stipulated which seeds would be planted where for agriculture. It dissolved local markets and whipped labourers.

    Copper was in such high demand because it is a non-corrosive material that conducts electricity well. It lined telegraph and electrical transmission cables across the globe.

    Copper mining acted as a springboard from which UMHK could spread its influence. It developed railways, cities, labour camps and mining sites throughout Katanga.

    This allowed UMHK access to the extraction of another resource that would shape the global geopolitical landscape: uranium – extracted from the Shinkolobwe mine in Katanga.

    It was the Belgian colonial presence that allowed the US to have access to uranium deposits as they sought to beat Germany in the race to build atomic weapons. All the uranium used in the two nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki came from Katanga.

    This highlights the global significance of, but a neglected focus on, the impacts of mineral supply chains in the global south. Control over Lubumbashi’s minerals cannot be underplayed in this global historical event.

    Katanga seceded from the Congo for three years, 11 days after the country gained independence from Belgium in 1960. The fight to gain control over Katanga’s resources led to the US and Belgian-backed assassination of the first independence leader, Patrice Lumumba. He was intent on reunifying Congo.

    Mobutu Sese Seko became president of Zaire (today’s DRC) after a coup in 1965. He nationalised UMHK a year later. Mobutu served as president for almost 32 years, and his regime was characterised by autocratic corruption and economic exploitation.

    Cobalt and global decarbonisation

    The growth of modern technology relies, at least in part, on the extraction of cobalt in the DRC before it is shipped, mainly to China.

    Cobalt is extracted as a byproduct of copper mining. Artisanal and small-scale mining and child labour remain a salient feature of cobalt extraction in the DRC. These miners receive little to no support and reflect the historical structural marginalisation created in the region.

    Lubumbashi serves as the mining headquarters of the southern DRC, and other cities, like Kolwezi, have grown rapidly in response to the surge in cobalt demand. Spatial and labour-related inequalities from the past are being replicated and expanded on in the present.

    The DRC’s impoverishment continues apace as South African, Kazakh, Swiss and, with increasing influence, Chinese mining companies maintain their practice of exclusionary extraction, social displacement and political corruption.

    Why this matters

    Our research shows the importance of understanding the history of extraction and urban settlement in the region to shed light on new forms of old practices associated with decarbonisation. We see this as a continuing form of colonial power – as neocolonialism.

    Contemporary debates around global inequalities associated with decarbonisation highlight how African populations must endure poor living conditions while the global north transitions to low-carbon technologies. We must find ways to move away from carbon-based economies that do not reproduce colonial inequalities.




    Read more:
    Patrice Lumumba’s tooth represents plunder, resilience and reparation


    Lubumbashi demonstrates the importance of African cities and resources in understanding critical global developmental and geopolitical issues.

    For decarbonisation to be socially and environmentally just, it must contend with the people, places, and environments on which the future of low-carbon technology is based. Lubumbashi’s history shows how challenging this task will be.

    Brandon Marc Finn has received funding from the University of Michigan and Harvard University to conduct this research.

    Patrick Brandful Cobbinah has received research funding from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. He is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia.

    ref. DRC: history is repeating itself in Lubumbashi as the world scrambles for minerals to go green – https://theconversation.com/drc-history-is-repeating-itself-in-lubumbashi-as-the-world-scrambles-for-minerals-to-go-green-248571

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bay Roberts — Bay Roberts RCMP seeks public’s assistance in locating vehicle stolen in Bay Roberts

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Bay Roberts RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in relation to a vehicle stolen from Bay Roberts in the overnight hours of Monday, February 3, 2025.

    The grey, four door 2017 Honda Civic Touring, NL license plate JGZ 878, was stolen from a residential property in the Water Street area. A stock photo of the same vehicle is attached.

    Anyone with any information about this crime, the identity of the person(s) responsible or the current location of the vehicle is asked to contact Bay Roberts RCMP at 709-786-2118. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app. #SayItHere

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wetaskiwin — Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit arrest male with gun offences after ramming police car

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Jan. 27, 2025, members of the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit observed a Dodge Durango with a known offender who was a recent suspect in a firearms investigation driving around in Wetaskiwin. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle; however, it fled. Police later observed the vehicle again pulling into a rural driveway off North Boundary Road. RCMP attempted to stop the vehicle however the vehicle rammed the police car and attempted to flee the area. RCMP observed the vehicle become disabled from the earlier contact with the police car and stop. All occupants in the vehicle were arrested. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded sawed off shot gun as well as stolen mail.

    RCMP have charged a 25-year-old individual, a resident of Maskwacis, with:

    • Drive a motor vehicle while prohibited;
    • Possession of identity documents;
    • Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon;
    • Weapons offences (x4);
    • Possession of property obtained by crime.

    The 25-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Jan. 28, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin.

    RCMP have charged a 31-year-old individual, a resident of Maskwacis, with fail to comply with a release order.

    The 31-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Jan. 28, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Athabasca — Athabasca RCMP dismantle large scale chop shop make major recovery of stolen property – Update 2

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Athabasca RCMP respectfully requests that members of the public refrain from contacting Athabasca Detachment to inquire about potential found property. We understand the interest in recovering stolen items, and we are committed to ensuring property is returned to its rightful owners. RCMP investigators are currently in the process of identifying and cataloging recovered property, including vehicles and equipment. Owners will be contacted directly by police.

    Thank you for your cooperation as we continue this complex investigation. We remain committed to addressing property crime and protecting our communities.

    Background:

    Jan. 2, 2025

    Athabasca RCMP dismantle large scale chop shop make major recovery of stolen property – Update

    Athabasca RCMP has successfully recovered a substantial quantity of stolen property valued in the multi-million-dollar range as part of an ongoing investigation into rural property crime.

    On Dec. 29, 2024, Athabasca RCMP received a report from a member of the public that their vehicle had been stolen. The vehicle’s GPS tracking system indicated that it was located at a rural property, located on Township Road 670.5. Officers from Athabasca RCMP, K Division Auto Theft Unit, Eastern Alberta District (EAD) Crime Reduction Unit, and EAD General Investigations Section attended the property, and during their investigation and subsequent search warrant discovered a large number of stolen items including:

    • Multiple stolen vehicles, including semi-trucks and trailers
    • Off-road vehicles such as quads
    • Heavy equipment and parts

    Further investigation revealed evidence that the property was being used as a “chop shop”, where stolen vehicles and equipment were dismantled and repurposed for illegal resale.

    A 36-year-old individual, a resident of Athabasca, has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
    • Alter/destroy/remove a Vehicle Identification Number

    The 36-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and was released with conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Athabasca.

    This recovery reflects the ongoing dedication of the RCMP to address property crime, particularly in rural areas where these thefts have significant impacts on residents and businesses. “The successful recovery of millions of dollars’ worth of stolen property, including semi-trucks, trailers, RV’s, and construction and oilfield equipment, highlights the critical role of community collaboration in combating property crime.” said S/Sgt. Mark Hall, Athabasca RCMP Detachment Commander. “Thanks to the diligence of a vigilant property owner who tracked their missing equipment and the meticulous investigation by the Athabasca RCMP members, we were able to uncover and recover this significant cache of stolen assets. This operation serves as a powerful example of how community members and law enforcement working together can achieve remarkable results in protecting property and holding offenders accountable.”

    As part of our commitment to addressing property crime, the RCMP would like to share the following tips that can aid in decreasing the risk of becoming a victim of property crime.

    • Store valuables out of sight and in secure locations
    • Secure vehicles and equipment with high-quality locks and immobilizers
    • Use GPS tracking devices on vehicles and heavy equipment
    • Install proper lighting and surveillance cameras on properties
    • Regularly document and photograph property, including serial numbers and other unique identifiers.

    If you have any information regarding property crime within the area of Athabasca please contact Athabasca RCMP at 780-675-4252. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: High Prairie — High Prairie RCMP locate wanted male

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Jan. 9, 2025, High Prairie RCMP began a project to target offenders on warrant in the area of High Prairie and utilized resources including Faust RCMP, Western Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (WAD CRU), the Provincial Crime Reduction Team (CRT), Alberta’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), High Level and Grande Prairie Police Dog Services (PDS), and RCMP Air Services.

    A 28-year-old individual, a resident of Atikameg, Alta., was located with a stolen vehicle in a forested area; all RCMP units were engaged, and the individual fled on foot.

    Police Dog Peyak, tracked the individual to a residence. All occupants exited the home safely before the individual was located and then arrested, inside the home, with no further incident.

    The individual was charged with 19 offenses, including:

    • Operating a motor vehicle while prohibited x3
    • Flight from police officer
    • Resist/obstruct police officer
    • Possession of property obtained by crime
    • Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
    • Failure to comply with probation order x2
    • Take motor vehicle without consent
    • Firearms offences x 12
    • Additionally, Grey was arrested for his 29 warrants

    The individual was brought before a justice of the peace, where he was remanded with a court date of Jan. 20, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in High Prairie.

    Additionally, RCMP seized several weapons, a firearm and an assortment of ammunition.

    The High Prairie RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the location of, or sightings of wanted persons or suspicious criminal behaviour in the area. Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to please contact the High Prairie RCMP at 780-523-3378 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNRWA delivers bulk of aid in Gaza, as destruction mounts in West Bank

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    Some 30,000 residents from Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank have fled their homes after large swathes of it were destroyed in a series of controlled detonations by the Israeli security forces (ISF), the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said on Tuesday.

    UNRWA’s communications director Juliette Touma described catastrophic scenes at the camp, where some 100 buildings had been “destroyed or heavily damaged” by the detonations at the weekend.

    The camp’s residents had “endured the impossible”, she said, after nearly two months of “unceasing and escalating violence” linked to the Israeli military operation.

    The detonation on Sunday was when children were supposed to go back to school,” Ms. Touma explained, adding that the 13 UNRWA schools in the camp and its surrounding areas remain closed, depriving 5,000 children of education.

    Israeli ban

    UNRWA faces unprecedented challenges to continue carrying out its work following the Israeli parliament’s adoption in October last year of two laws banning its operations in Israeli territory and prohibiting Israeli authorities from having any contact with the agency. The Knesset laws entered into force last Thursday.

    Still, Ms. Touma said that to this day, the Government of Israel has “not communicated to UNRWA how they intend to implement” the laws.

    The agency’s teams are “staying and delivering” in the remaining parts of the West Bank, Ms. Touma said, with basic services, including primary healthcare and education ongoing.

    Schools and clinics remain open, including in occupied East Jerusalem, providing services to refugees,” the UNRWA spokesperson said. “We are seeing attendance at UNRWA schools at over 80 to 85 per cent.”

    Ms. Touma also reported a “steady increase” in the number of patients visiting the UNRWA health centres in the West Bank, with one clinic in East Jerusalem recording more than 400 patients a day.

    Turning to the Gaza Strip, where humanitarian needs are sky-high, Ms. Touma said that the “biggest priority” for UNRWA teams there is distributing supplies from 4,200 aid trucks that have entered the enclave since the start of the ceasefire on 19 January.

    This is the target number that was set as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire and represents a welcome boost for the people of Gaza whose needs remain enormous – particularly among the hundreds of thousands of people who have returned to the shattered north.

    More trucks are expected to arrive later this week, Ms. Touma said, adding that “hundreds of trucks” are waiting to enter Gaza from Egypt and Jordan.

    Truce opportunity

    The first phase of the temporary truce between Israel and Hamas followed more than 15 months of war which in which some 46,000 Palestinians were killed, according to the Gaza health authorities. The conflict was sparked by the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage.

    Ms. Touma stressed that UNRWA has brought in 60 per cent of all supplies that came into Gaza since the ceasefire began and that the “vast majority” of the aid is distributed by the agency which has more than 5,000 staff there. A fifth of them are health workers, Ms. Touma added, underscoring UNRWA’s major role as a primary healthcare provider in the enclave, offering an average of 17,000 daily consultations.

    Following the Knesset ban, UN chief António Guterres and the heads of many UN agencies insisted that UNRWA is irreplaceable in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    Besides obstacles stemming from the new Israeli legislation, the agency’s operations are also constantly in jeopardy because of its “very bad” financial health, Ms. Touma said. The United States, notably, had stopped funding UNRWA as of January 2024.

    The UNRWA spokesperson said that the agency was able to pay salaries to its workers last month but had limited visibility over its financial situation, calling the funding crisis “endemic”.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI: Seafarer Capital Partners Reveals Key Drivers of Performance in Emerging Markets Value Investing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LARKSPUR, Calif., Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Drawing on fourteen years of fundamental research and investing in global emerging markets, and over eight years of hands-on experience in managing the Seafarer Overseas Value Fund (SIVLX, SFVLX, SFVRX), Seafarer Capital Partners (Seafarer) recently published a white paper providing empirical data and evaluating key opportunity sets found in emerging markets value investing.

    The new white paper, titled “Revisiting the Seven Sources of Value in Emerging Markets,” examines practical lessons the Seafarer Value team has learned in its pursuit of investing in seven distinct sources of value in the emerging markets, which were first identified by Seafarer in 2016. The full paper is available on Seafarer’s website here.

    “Rather than taking a traditional approach focused solely on simplistic valuation multiples, Seafarer’s approach to value investing in emerging markets started with the idea that these markets present a number of distinct underlying sources of value that may give rise to viable investment opportunities,” said Brent Clayton, author of the white paper and co-portfolio manager of the Seafarer Overseas Value Fund. “This paper looks back on our team’s practical experience pursuing these sources of value in emerging markets, including opportunities and risks we have become more attuned to.”

    The white paper reviews all seven sources of value identified at the launch of the Value Fund (read the original 2016 white paper here) and breaks out the impact of each source on the Fund’s performance since inception (see included chart). The commentary also includes a nuanced analysis of these sources of value and provides “emblematic stock” examples to help practically illustrate the sources of value in action.

    The key lessons shared in the white paper, by source of value, include the following:

    • Asset Productivity: Companies that are among the lowest-cost, highest-margin operators within their industries have been able to survive prolonged cyclical downturns. Such business resiliency can render the exact timing of the cycle less important.
    • Structural Shift: Highly-cash generative companies structurally shifting to a lower growth rate provided fruitful opportunities for the strategy, particularly in China in 2016 and Brazil in 2020.
    • Balance Sheet Liquidity: Companies with high levels of cash on their balance sheets have been more prone to be “value traps” than anticipated. While a potential source of latent value, it can also be a sign of poor capital allocation or weak corporate governance.

    The paper provides detailed discussion of lessons learned while pursuing investing in each of the seven sources of value and includes one portfolio holding for each of the sources as an illustration.

    “Finding low-priced stocks in the emerging markets is not difficult. The challenge is finding low-priced businesses with both sustainable competitive advantages and management teams that think carefully about how they steward corporate capital,” said Clayton. “A focused and long-term approach has been critical to realizing value across the seven opportunity sets that this strategy pursues.”

    About the Seafarer Overseas Value Fund
    The Seafarer Overseas Value Fund (tickers: SIVLX, SFVLX, SFVRX) seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation. The Fund invests primarily in the securities of companies located in developing countries. The Fund invests primarily in common and preferred stocks. The Fund’s portfolio is comprised of securities identified through a bottom-up security selection process based on fundamental research. The Fund seeks to produce a minimum long-term rate of return by investing in securities priced at a discount to their intrinsic value.

    About Seafarer Capital Partners
    Seafarer Capital Partners is an investment adviser focused on emerging markets. Seafarer offers investment portfolios that seek to participate in the opportunities afforded by the growth and progress in the developing world. The firm employs a bottom-up, fundamental investment approach. Seafarer’s objective is to provide long-term investment portfolios that offer sustainable growth, reasonable income, suitable diversification and which mitigate volatility. The firm serves as the investment adviser to the Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund and the Seafarer Overseas Value Fund. Founded in 2011, Seafarer is a wholly employee-owned firm located in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, please visit www.seafarerfunds.com.

    1 Percentages in the chart are based on the aggregate contribution to total return for portfolio holdings in each primary source of value divided by the aggregate contribution to total return of all portfolio holdings from the inception of the Seafarer Overseas Value Fund on May 31, 2016 through September 30, 2024. They exclude cash and other assets and liabilities held by the Fund. A portfolio holding’s primary source of value is defined as the intended driver of value Seafarer was targeting over the majority of a position’s holding period. Sources: Bloomberg, Seafarer.

    ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the Seafarer Funds.

    Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before making an investment decision. This and other information about the Funds are contained in the Prospectus, which may be obtained by calling (855) 732-9220. Please read the Prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

    Important Risks:  An investment in the Funds involves risk, including possible loss of principal. International investing involves additional risks, including social and political instability, market and currency volatility, market illiquidity, and reduced regulation. Emerging markets are often more volatile than developed markets, and investing in emerging markets involves greater risks. Fixed income investments are subject to additional risks, including but not limited to interest rate, credit, and inflation risks. Value investments are subject to the risk that their intrinsic value may not be recognized by the broad market. An investment in the Funds should be considered a long-term investment.

    The views and information discussed herein are as of the date of publication, are subject to change, and may not reflect Seafarer’s current views. The views expressed represent an assessment of market conditions at a specific point in time, are opinions only and should not be relied upon as investment advice regarding a particular investment or markets in general. Such information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell specific securities or investment vehicles. It should not be assumed that any investment will be profitable or will equal the performance of the portfolios or any securities or any sectors mentioned herein. The subject matter contained herein has been derived from several sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of compilation. Seafarer does not accept any liability for losses either direct or consequential caused by the use of this information.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3388df52-1d76-4853-aa15-51bbf250f6dd

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Smart brands rein in ad spending when a rival faces a setback − here’s why

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Vivek Astvansh, Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics, McGill University

    When a rival business stumbles, it’s both a threat and an opportunity. Matt Molloy via Getty Images Plus

    Imagine: You’re in charge of marketing for a major automaker, and your biggest competitor just recalled thousands of vehicles. Now customers are worried about the safety of cars like yours. Do you seize the moment and ramp up advertising to steal market share? Or do you pull back on ads, fearing that customers will connect your brand with the bad press?

    For what marketing professors like me call “substitute brands,” this sort of dilemma pops up all the time. Whether it’s a product recall, a customer data breach or a scandal, bad news for one brand can shake customers’ confidence in an entire product category.

    The big question: Should competitors respond by increasing or decreasing their advertising? And will these adjustments help or hurt sales?

    At first glance, the answer might seem obvious. More ad spending should mean bigger market share, right? But the reality is more complex. In a recent study looking at how 62 car brands responded to a 2014 recall, my colleagues and I found that, on average, when a rival brand issues a recall, its competitors cut their ad spending in half. In other words, most brands treat a rival’s crisis as a threat rather than an opportunity.

    And when we looked at the ads’ content, we saw something even more interesting. When a rival brand stumbled, we found substitutes boosted their price-focused advertising by 25% on average, likely in an attempt to attract deal seekers. At the same time, they cut quality-focused advertising by 71%, possibly to avoid drawing unwanted comparisons.

    And here’s the kicker: This strategy works.

    We found, on average, a rival’s recall raises a substitute’s monthly sales by 35.3% – and the more a brand pulls back on ad spending, the greater the effect. So, when a competitor falters, the best response isn’t necessarily to shout louder. Instead, the data suggests a smarter play: Spend strategically, focus on price messaging, and avoid drawing attention to quality comparisons.

    How we did our work

    To understand how brands respond when a competitor faces a crisis, we focused on a real-world case: Volkswagen’s recall of nearly half a million cars branded under the Sagitar model in October 2014. This provided the perfect opportunity to study how rival brands adjusted their advertising strategies.

    We identified Sagitar’s substitute models – 62 other sedans in the A-class category, sold by more than 30 manufacturers – and collected data on sales and ad spending across 308 media markets in the months before and after the recall. We then did a statistical analysis, controlling for several other variables that could influence ad spending.

    Why it matters

    Prior research offers mixed guidance on how a substitute brand should adjust its ad spending after a rival’s marketing crisis. Anecdotal evidence from the automotive and consumer goods industries is also mixed. For example, after Samsung recalled its Galaxy Note 7 in 2016 due to faulty batteries, competing phonemakers aggressively ramped up their advertising in an attempt to increase their market share.

    Similarly, in 2010, after a Toyota recall, General Motors offered incentives for Toyota owners to switch to a GM car. GM’s chief marketing officer positioned these incentives as GM’s way to meet car buyers’ desire for peace of mind, and reports suggest that GM’s and other rival carmakers’ sales increased following Toyota’s recall.

    But my team’s research suggests that this sort of strategy might not be the best one. Sometimes, saying less actually says more.

    The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

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

    ref. Smart brands rein in ad spending when a rival faces a setback − here’s why – https://theconversation.com/smart-brands-rein-in-ad-spending-when-a-rival-faces-a-setback-heres-why-248842

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Global: Some viruses prefer mosquitoes to humans, but people get sick anyway − a virologist and entomologist explain why

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lee Rafuse Haines, Associate Research Professor of Molecular Parasitology and Medical Entomology, University of Notre Dame

    The _Aedes_ mosquito is a vector of several viral diseases, including eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, and West Nile fever. Lee Haines, CC BY-ND

    Humans have an exceptional ability to deal with viruses. In most cases, your immune system is able to fight an infection. On the other hand, your body provides a spa-like environment that is temperate and stable, optimal for viruses to replicate. Human behavior, including close contact with animals and frequent travel, also increases the likelihood of becoming infected.

    From the perspective of viruses spread by insects, or arboviruses, making the evolutionary leap from insects to humans is a tough battle. Viruses cannot replicate very well in humans, which means transmission from mosquitoes is often very difficult.

    One might think arboviruses continually evolve in ways that enable them to infect more species. But do they?

    We are a virologist and an entomologist who study insect-borne and viral diseases and how human and insect immune systems respond to invading pathogens. Our work provides insights on the complex journey of an arbovirus as it cycles between insect and vertebrate hosts.

    As an example, let’s use a Togavirus, the mosquito-transmitted arbovirus that causes eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE. This rare but serious disease can cause a potentially fatal neurological condition in humans and horses. Although EEE is primarily endemic to the eastern United States, its incidence in recent years has increased in regions farther north, with several reported cases in states such as Michigan, Massachusetts and New York.

    While rare, a EEE infection in people can lead to severe complications or death.

    From animals to mosquitoes

    A female mosquito’s inner workings – particularly its guts and salivary glands – create the perfect environment for a virus to flourish.

    When a mosquito bites an infected nonhuman host, such as a sick bird, the virus is transported with freshly ingested blood into the mosquito’s midgut – the equivalent to the human stomach and intestines where food is stored and digested. The virus quickly infects midgut cells to avoid a hostile digestive environment and quietly replicates without activating the mosquito’s immune pathways.

    Within days, the virus will be released by damaged midgut cells to migrate to the mosquito’s salivary glands, where it will be positioned for transmission. Now, each time the mosquito feeds, it will pump virus-saturated saliva into its new animal host and continue the disease transmission cycle.

    This image shows a tissue section of the salivary gland of a mosquito infected with EEE. The virus particles are colored red.
    Fred Murphy and Sylvia Whitfield/CDC

    It is easy for the virus to avoid detection by the mosquito’s relatively primitive immune system. Compared with humans, the immune system of mosquitoes can launch only a generalized and overall less effective attack on pathogens. This means an arbovirus can usually establish a persistent, lifelong, almost symbiotic infection without damaging the mosquito’s health, perfect for the virus to disseminate itself.

    Mosquitoes have evolved over millions of years to become tolerant to arboviral infections. This relationship has allowed the mosquito to maintain viral populations without having to launch energy-expensive immune responses. However, this does not mean mosquitoes are just passive virus carriers. An arbovirus can change how infected mosquitoes behave or reproduce.

    For example, viruses can manipulate mosquitoes in two ways: by making them feed more frequently, and by increasing their attraction to infected hosts. However, this behavior puts the mosquito at greater risk of being killed by irritated hosts who notice the repeated biting attempts. Arboviruses can also affect mosquito reproduction by sometimes reducing the number of eggs a female mosquito produces and increasing the length of time it takes for the eggs to mature. In some cases, these viruses can even sterilize female mosquitoes.

    Arboviruses have evolved to expertly use mosquitoes as both transportation vehicles and breeding grounds. By spreading and multiplying without severely harming their insect hosts, these viruses ensure their own survival and continued transmission.

    From mosquitoes to humans

    The virus must overcome several barriers to successfully colonize a human host.

    The initial step for successful disease transmission – the virus’s ultimate goal – is perhaps the easiest: The EEE virus infects humans when a virus-infected female mosquito has an unquenchable appetite for warm blood. From the moment the virus is deposited under the skin through the mosquito’s infected saliva, a tough battle ensues.

    The first battle for the virus is to adapt to a typically much hotter setting than the ambient environment – the human body temperature of around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celcius) or higher.

    Then, the virus must evade the host’s immediate defenses, which includes physical barriers, such as layers of skin and mucosa, as well as immune cells that detect and attack invading microbes. Once in the bloodstream, the virus faces the adaptive arm of the human immune system, which is capable of targeting specific viral components with exquisite precision, like a biological sniper.

    Once the EEE virus reaches the central nervous system – the brain and spinal cord – the immune system can overreact to the infection and inadvertently cause inflammation and damage nerve cells. This can lead to serious long-term effects, such as cognitive impairment.

    The human immune response is more robust than that of a mosquito.
    Sashunita/Cavan Images via Getty Images

    To persist in this hostile human environment, the virus uses various survival strategies. One technique is creating new mutations on its surface and shape-shifting to avoid immune detection. Another strategy is to hijack human cells to replicate itself, such as using the cell’s machinery to synthesize new viral components and altering how the cell regulates division.

    As viruses adapt to overcome immune defenses, both humans and mosquitoes evolve countermeasures to fight infection. The greater complexity of the human immune system makes it especially challenging for viruses to survive and spread between human hosts.

    From human to human?

    Like many other arboviruses, the EEE virus cannot be transmitted from person to person, which effectively limits its spread among human populations. Your body keeps the virus contained. Consequently, when the EEE virus infects people via the bite from an infected mosquito, it is considered a dead end, as it cannot escape its human host or infect another bloodthirsty mosquito.

    So, what does the virus that causes EEE gain by infecting people? Not likely anything. A mosquito-borne virus like the Togavirus that causes EEE prefers its established transmission cycle between mosquitoes and birds. Human infections occur only when a mosquito deviates from its typical menu of birds.

    EEE spreads more easily between mosquitoes and birds than it does in humans, which helps explain why human infections don’t happen very often. Thankfully, human bodies simply aren’t the virus’s currently preferred environment.

    Pilar Pérez Romero is affiliated with the spin-off company Vaxdyn SL as a founding partner.

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

    ref. Some viruses prefer mosquitoes to humans, but people get sick anyway − a virologist and entomologist explain why – https://theconversation.com/some-viruses-prefer-mosquitoes-to-humans-but-people-get-sick-anyway-a-virologist-and-entomologist-explain-why-247076

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: Budd, Tillis, Rouzer Introduce Bill to Ensure Aid Access for All Types of WNC Homes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)

    Washington, D.C. — Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), along with Reps. David Rouzer (R-NC), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) have introduced the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act.

    The bill would require the President to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to remove debris from real estate owned by homeowners associations and condominiums when a state or local government determines the debris and wreckage constitute a threat to life, public health, or safety, or the economic recovery of the community.

    The bill would also clarify that FEMA should provide homeowners with financial assistance for the repair of “essential common elements,” such as roofs, heating and cooling equipment, stairwells, and plumbing or electricity.

    Senator Budd said in a statement:

    “The scope of the devastation in Western North Carolina continues to require the federal government to work quickly to help folks in their time of need. Our legislation will cut through red tape and remove dangerous debris from mountain homes. It will also make sure that all North Carolinians are eligible for disaster assistance regardless of the type of community they live in.  I will continue to work with my colleagues to provide Western North Carolina with the assistance they need, as quickly as possible.”

    Senator Tillis said:

    “As I have said since Helene struck Western North Carolina, we must respond differently to natural disasters. This commonsense bill ensures that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to the same critical resources and assistance programs they need to restore their homes and recover after a disaster.”

    Rep. Rouzer:

    “Last year’s hurricane season reminded us natural disasters do not discriminate among neighborhoods, location, or housing arrangements.  No matter your living situation, every individual deserves the same access and support in recovery. Yet, under FEMA’s current eligibility rules, certain individuals in condos, co-ops, and homeowner associations do not have access to Individual Assistance to cover the damage of common elements, often requiring increased costs for individuals to rebuild. This Disaster Assistance Fairness Act allows these individuals to receive the same assistance as everyone else.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI China: Passenger trips increase as Spring Festival holiday comes to end in China

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

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Directors banned after investors lost more than £4 million in Derby student accommodation development

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Three directors involved in the development have each now been banned for seven years

    • Forty-two investors were misled by Fraser MacDonald, Gavin Barry and Edward Fowkes, directors of companies which promoted an investment offer in a student accommodation development in Derby 
    • Investors paid in more than £4 million for the development but some of the money was transferred by the directors to a connected company 
    • When the companies entered administration in 2020, those investors lost out as they were given a lower priority for repayment when the development was subsequently sold than they were led to believe 

    Three people have been banned as company directors after they misled investors who paid more than £4 million into a Derby city centre student accommodation development.  

    Fraser MacDonald was a director of Prosperity Cathedral View Development Ltd which was behind The Croft development on Cathedral Road before the company went into administration in 2020. 

    The 53-year-old was also a director of Prosperity Cathedral View NMPI Ltd, a company used as a fundraising vehicle to attract investors for the development. 

    In his role as Investor Relations Director, MacDonald allowed 42 investors to be misled when they entered into loan agreements with Prosperity Cathedral View NMPI worth a combined £4.13 million. 

    They thought their money would go into the Derby development, but instead more than £2 million was transferred to a connected company. 

    MacDonald, of Walkdale Brow, Glossop, Derbyshire, has been disqualified as a company director for seven years, until February 2032.

    The companies’ Chief Executive Gavin Barry, 49, and Chief Operating Officer Edward Fowkes, 52, were both also disqualified as directors in 2021 for their roles in causing or allowing the investors to be misled in 2019. 

    Ann Oliver, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Fraser MacDonald, Gavin Barry and Edward Fowkes allowed the continued promotion of an investment offer which was misleading to investors. 

    Significant sums of money were invested by people who thought they had more security over their investments than they actually did. 

    We also uncovered evidence that the three directors did not use all the funds borrowed for financing the development at The Croft development as they had promised. 

    MacDonald has now been removed from the corporate arena until January 2032 and joins Barry and Fowkes in being barred from running, managing or promoting a company without permission of the court.

    A total of 44 investments were made by 42 high net worth investors in the Derby scheme between January and July 2019. The highest individual investment during that period was £504,000. 

    Investors were promised that their funds would only be used for The Croft development and that they would be second in line for repayment behind other high value investors. 

    However, Prosperity Cathedral View Development had also entered into loan agreements worth £13.7 million and £2.5 million with commercial lenders in January 2019 which had the highest priority for repayment. 

    This meant that the investments made through Prosperity Cathedral View NMPI were only third in line for repayment, not second as the investors were led to believe. 

    In total, more money was raised for The Croft development than was needed, with just over £2 million of investors’ money transferred to a connected company. 

    Prosperity Cathedral View Development entered administration in May 2020 with liabilities of more than £29 million. Prosperity Cathedral View NMPI went into administration in August of that year with liabilities of more than £11 million and no assets. 

    Administrators sold The Croft for more than £18 million in March 2021 with the priority lender being repaid in full and the second commercial lender being partially repaid. However, no money was returned to the 42 investors. 

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from MacDonald, and his ban started on Tuesday 4 February 2025. 

    Barry, of Boyd Avenue, Dublin, and Fowkes, of Bramalea Close, London, both signed seven-year disqualification undertakings which began in December 2021. 

    The undertakings prevent them from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court. 

    A financial settlement has also been reached between MacDonald and the liquidators of Prosperity Cathedral View NMPI. 

    Further information 

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: nuVizz Unveils AI-Powered “Vizzard” for Smarter Last-Mile Logistics

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — nuVizz, a leading innovator in Last-Mile Transportation Management Solutions (TMS), announces the release of its latest software version and its new artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, Vizzard. nuVizz’s Vizzard is an intelligent assistant designed to transform last-mile operations by leveraging data-driven insights and the latest in artificial intelligence technology. The innovation comes as part of nuVizz’s latest software update, version 10.01, marking a decade of groundbreaking advancements in the last-mile logistics space.

    nuVizz’s last-mile TMS solution supports retail, healthcare, food distribution, third-party logistics providers (3PL), carriers, and automotive parts distribution. During the past decade, nuVizz has accumulated an unparalleled depth of data, which has helped glean intelligence and fuel the development of AI-based models that deliver cutting-edge solutions for last-mile logistics challenges, including Vizzard.

    “As we celebrate a decade of innovation, the release of version 10.01 reflects our commitment to empowering our customers with smarter, more efficient solutions,” said Guru Rao, CEO of nuVizz. “Our introduction of nuVizz’s AI Vizzard also represents a significant leap forward in AI-driven last-mile logistics. By combining a decade of data intelligence with cutting-edge AI technologies, we are redefining the way businesses approach last-mile operations.”

    The 10.01 version extends the nuVizz platform’s capabilities to address critical logistics decisions with precision and efficiency, including:

    • Optimized Route Generation: AI-driven algorithms that create intelligent, cost-effective delivery routes.
    • Real-Time On-Demand Routing: Dynamic adjustments to delivery routes based on real-time events and data inputs.
    • Intelligent Data Mapping: Seamless integration of customer data from external sources, minimizing manual processes.

    Vizzard further empowers logistics teams by simplifying complex decision-making including:

    • Algorithm Selection Assistance: Helps dispatchers select the ideal algorithm to optimize routes, improve vehicle utilization, and reduce driven miles based on their delivery demand patterns.
    • Ease of Data Integration: Intelligently maps customer data from multiple external sources, streamlining data integration.
    • Address Correction and Validation: Provides intelligent suggestions and corrections by automatically detecting and correcting inaccurate customer addresses to minimize incorrect deliveries and operational inefficiencies.

    nuVizz continues to lead the way in last-mile TMS innovation by delivering customer-centric, technology-driven solutions, ensuring businesses can adapt to the rapidly evolving logistics landscape. You can learn more about the latest version, 10.01, of nuVizz’s last-mile TMS solution and AI Vizzard here.

    About nuVizz
    nuVizz lights the way to better delivery and transportation logistics. From the first mile to the last mile-and everything in between – we’re trailblazers in supply chain optimization and digitization. Infinitely flexible, the nuVizz SaaS platform drives visibility, control, cost savings, and a better customer experience across the fulfillment lifecycle.

    Our single-minded mission: simple, sustainable transportation solutions for every business on the planet. Go further, grow faster. For more information, visit nuvizz.com.

    Media Contact
    Erika Belezarian
    LeadCoverage
    erika@leadcoverage.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Video: Surveillance Video Related to Triple Homicide in Cypress, Texas

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)

    A compilation of short videos collected from the night of August 18, 2024, in the area where a triple homicide occurred in Cypress, Texas. The videos capture both the vehicle as well as a suspect believed to be involved in the murders.

    —————————————————
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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3CJsO7riMA

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI: STMicroelectronics and HighTec EDV-Systeme collaborate for safer software-defined vehicles

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STMicroelectronics and HighTec EDV-Systeme collaborate for safer software-defined vehicles

    Where safety meets safety: ST’s Stellar MCUs certified to the highest level of risk management, ISO 26262 ASIL D, are now supported with the same safety level by HighTec’s Rust compiler

    Geneva, Switzerland and Saarbrücken, Germany, February 4, 2025 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, and HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH are advancing automotive functional safety with a complete solution that will accelerate the development of safety-critical systems to make software-defined vehicles safer and more affordable.

    The solution supports the Rust programming language and combines HighTec’s Rust compiler, qualified to ISO 26262 ASIL D, with ST’s Stellar, the first 28nm microcontrollers certified to the same safety standard. Rust is gaining significant momentum in the automotive industry for its strong safety and reliability features.

    Software-defined principles are transforming vehicle design, and ownership experiences, replacing traditional hardwired electronic control units (ECUs) with programmable systems,” explained Davide Santo, Automotive Microcontroller Business Unit Director, STMicroelectronics. “This is the future for vehicles with any type of powertrain, letting automakers easily differentiate their product ranges and dynamically update vehicle features. The collaboration with our longstanding partner HighTec, ensures that automotive manufacturers can leverage the power of Rust while meeting the highest safety standards in the industry.”

    Here at HighTec, our engineers created the industry’s first software compiler to support Rust, the modern safety-ready programming language, and achieve qualification to the highest level of the automotive functional-safety standard, ISO 26262 ASIL D,” said Mario Cupelli, CTO at HighTec EDV-Systeme. “On the other hand, ST’s Stellar automotive microcontrollers are the first 28nm components certified according to ISO 26262 ASIL D. This makes them a natural fit with our compiler, enabling customers to have a complete solution where safety is assured seamlessly across compiler, hardware, and software.

    As automakers face intense pressure to shorten development cycles and meet evolving safety standards, this collaboration provides a robust and powerful safety compliant solution for automotive software development. The integration of the ASIL D qualified Rust compiler into the Stellar MCU family accelerates the development of safety-critical systems, reducing time-to-market while maintaining strict compliance with automotive safety requirements.

    Rust’s safety, performance, and reliability have made it an emerging choice for automotive mission-critical systems, poised to shape the future of the automotive industry. With HighTec’s Rust compiler support for Stellar products, ST is offering to its automotive customers an integrated, richly featured, and efficient toolchain that accelerates development cycles while ensuring compliance with ISO 26262.

    ST and HighTec are sharing a vision of creating innovative solutions that meet the highest safety standards in the automotive industry. The close cooperation ensures that developers can now integrate Rust along with their valuable C/C++ code base into their safety-critical projects with Stellar and accelerate the development of safety-critical systems, reducing time-to-market while maintaining strict compliance with automotive safety and security requirements.

    Further technical information:
    Rust contains provisions to protect the safety of memory, process threads, and data types. This ensures superior resilience appropriate for critical automotive systems, while Rust’s runtime efficiency is comparable to C/C++ in execution time and memory usage. These characteristics significantly lower costs in software development and maintenance, shorten development cycles, and increase safety and security.

    HighTec’s C/C++ and Rust automotive grade compiler allows Rust’s safety benefits to be integrated alongside legacy C/C++ code to build safe and secure automotive applications for the next-generation of software-defined vehicles.

    ST’s Stellar automotive MCUs are built on Arm® Cortex®-R52+ cores and a robust safety-focused hardware architecture. They are the first 28nm MCUs to achieve an ISO 26262 ASIL D certification, attained through an accredited assessor early in 2024. Additionally, they adhere to ISO 21434 cybersecurity standards and comply with UN155 requirements, which ensure meeting the latest safety and security standards. The Stellar MCUs offer exceptional performance, scalability, and integration for next-generation automotive vehicles, electrification, and safety-critical systems.

    The HighTec Rust compiler complements the already established HighTec C/C++ compiler suite. Both are qualified according to the highest safety level ISO 26262 ASIL D and enable automotive software developers to take full advantage of the high reliability and performance features of ST’s Stellar MCUs. The overall toolchain is built on the modern LLVM open-source technology and allows a hybrid development of Rust code along with C/C++, enabling the transition to modern software architectures. ST’s Stellar MCUs now benefit from HighTec’s Rust compiler, allowing a seamless development of safety-critical applications.

    For more information about HighTec’s ISO 26262 ASIL D qualified Rust and C/C++ compiler for ST’s Stellar automotive MCUs, please visit www.hightec-rt.com/rust

    About STMicroelectronics
    At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

    INVESTOR RELATIONS
    Jérôme Ramel
    EVP Corporate Development & Integrated External Communication
    Tel: +41.22.929.59.20
    jerome.ramel@st.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS
    Alexis Breton
    Corporate External Communications
    Tel: +33.6.59.16.79.08
    alexis.breton@st.com

    About HighTec EDV Systeme GmbH
    HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH, Saarbruecken/Germany, is the world’s largest commercial provider of compilers using innovative open-source technologies and offers ISO 26262 ASIL D certified tools for embedded software development, the real-time operating system PXROS-HR, and a wide range of design-in services.
    HighTec’s ASIL D qualified C/C++ compiler for leading multicore microcontrollers in the automotive and industrial sectors such as Arm®, TriCore™/AURIX™/TRAVEO™ families, RISC-V, Power Architecture (PowerPC) and GTM architectures are continuously adapted and optimized to new architectures in close cooperation with the silicon partners.
    In addition to the multi-architecture compiler, HighTec offers PXROS-HR, a safety-certified multicore RTOS for applications with safety and multicore requirements. PXROS-HR guarantees robustness, safety, high performance, and data security in real-time environments. PXROS-HR is certified according to ISO 26262 ASIL D / IEC 61508 SIL 3 and is complemented for ASIL D development by a Tool Qualification Kit as a basis for the certification of customer applications.
    Complementing this portfolio, HighTec offers development, training and consulting services.
    Founded in 1982, HighTec is a privately held global company with offices in Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Hungary and China. For more information about HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH, visit www.hightec-rt.com.

    Company Contact
    HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH
    Europaallee 19
    66113 Saarbrücken/Germany
    Tel.: +49 681 92613-16
    Email: info@hightec-rt.com

    Press Contact Agency:
    Catherine Schneider
    Mexperts AG
    Tel.: +49 8143 59744-27
    Email: catherine.schneider@mexperts.de

    Attachments

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: The impact of Donald Trump’s anti-climate measures on our heating planet

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Bruce Campbell, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Canada

    Before assessing the impact of United States President Donald Trump’s climate and energy policies, some context about the current state of the planet is in order. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres recently called the world’s fossil fuel addiction “a Frankenstein’s monster sparing nothing and no one.”

    The year 2024 was the first in which the average temperature exceeded the Paris Agreement threshold of 1.5°C. Under a status quo scenario, Earth is on track to reach an approximate 2.7°C increase in planetary warming by 2100.

    The 2024 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report found that climate-related global health threats are reaching new records, including heat-related deaths, food insecurity and the spread of infectious diseases.

    Despite six reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 29 COP conferences and thousands of scientific papers, the world has made only minor headway on climate action.

    Main carbon polluters and their victims

    The 10 largest oil-producing and consuming countries account for 73 per cent of total oil production and consumption globally.

    The U.S. is the largest oil producer and oil consumer, accounting for almost one-quarter of global production and more than 20 per cent of consumption in 2022. Canada is the fourth-largest oil producer and the ninth-largest consumer, and also has the highest per-capita CO2 emission levels of any country.

    The world’s 60 largest banks, meanwhile, earmarked US$6.9 trillion over the last eight years to enable the fossil fuel industry.

    According to an Oxfam International report, the richest one per cent of the world’s population, most of whom live in developed countries, are responsible for more than twice as much carbon pollution each year as the poorest 50 per cent of humanity. Low-income countries that make up nearly 60 per cent of the world’s population, on the other hand, account for less than 15 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

    At COP 29 in Azerbaijan last year, developed countries, including Canada, pledged to triple their financial support for poor climate-vulnerable countries to $300 billion a year by 2035 to help them mitigate emissions, adapt to climate threats and help pay for loss and damage.

    But this is far from the $1.3 trillion demanded by Global South countries. Their pledges bear little resemblance to global fossil fuel subsidies that totalled an estimated $7 trillion in 2022.

    Trump’s climate-related actions

    Ahead of Trump’s recent inauguration, and under sustained pressure by Republicans, major American and Canadian banks withdrew from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) originally led by Canada’s Mark Carney as the United Nations’ Special Envoy for Climate Action.




    Read more:
    Mark Carney might have the edge as potential Liberal leader, but still faces major obstacles


    The oil and gas industry donated more than $75 million to Trump’s campaign, though donations provided by those with links to fossil fuels were estimated to be five times greater than that.

    Trump’s more than 200 executive orders included a so-called National Energy Emergency Declaration, in which he:

    · Withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, which he called one-sided, joining only three other petro-states — Iran, Libya and Yemen — that are not signatories to the Agreement.

    · Signed an order aimed at “unleashing American energy.”

    · Signed a declaration that would allow his administration to fast-track permits for new fossil fuel infrastructure.

    · Blocked all new offshore wind power development.

    · Revoked former president Joe Biden’s order that half of vehicles sold by 2030 be electric

    · Enabled new oil and gas development on federal lands, including reversing restrictions on petroleum extraction in Alaska and the Arctic Wildlife Reserve.

    Elon Musk, among Trump’s closest billionaire allies, has been silent on the president’s 2025 exit from the Paris Climate Accord.

    This is noteworthy because after Trump’s first withdrawal from the accord in 2017, Musk announced he was leaving presidential advisory councils, stating: “Climate change is real, leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.”

    What’s ahead

    Notwithstanding the Trump fossil fuels embrace, there are some silver linings.

    Although the Trump snub of the COP climate conferences is generally seen as a setback, stronger climate action may now be possible without the U.S. at the table. Furthermore, many American states and municipalities will continue to push forward with aggressive emissions reduction measures. And thousands of climate lawsuits against U.S. governments and corporations are underway.




    Read more:
    Trump voters are not the obstacle to climate action many think they are


    Trump’s actions may also spur the migration of the U.S. renewables industry to Canada. Regardless, renewables will continue to replace fossil fuels worldwide.

    A global movement of governments, elected officials, organizations and individuals has endorsed the Canadian-founded Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation treaty initiative. Modelled on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it sets clear deadlines for the global phaseout of fossil fuels.

    At the 2025 World Economic Forum, Fortescue, a global metal mining giant, endorsed the treaty, the first major industrial company to do so.

    In his famous 2015 Lloyd’s of London speech, Carney, now the Liberal leadership frontrunner, called climate change “the tragedy of the horizon.”

    He warned that climate change will lead to financial crises and falling living standards unless the world’s biggest economies do more to ensure their companies come clean about their current and future carbon emissions.

    Payam Akhavan, an Iranian-born Canadian human rights lawyer, served as legal counsel to the Commission of Small Island States at the recent International Court of Justice climate hearings where these nations presented evidence about the devastating impact of climate change on their citizens.

    In an interview with CBC Ideas, Akhavan said: “What’s happening to the small island states today is going to happen to all of us tomorrow.”

    Ultimately, the writing is on the wall for fossil fuels. It’s not a matter of if the world moves away from them dramatically, but when.


    Bruce Campbell was awarded a Community Leadership in Justice fellowship from the Ontario Law Foundation in 2016. He is a voluntary member of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Rideau Institute for International Affairs, and the Group of 78.

    ref. The impact of Donald Trump’s anti-climate measures on our heating planet – https://theconversation.com/the-impact-of-donald-trumps-anti-climate-measures-on-our-heating-planet-247887

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin presented awards to young researchers ahead of Russian Science Day

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    On the eve of Russian Science Day Sergei Sobyanin presented to young scientists Moscow Government Prizes for 2024.

    “We never had so many competitive applications – more than 1300 works have been announced. And choosing you for us was also not an easy business. So these are really deserved awards that you deserve with your talent, skill, commitment to science. And of course, I hope that these awards in your life are not the last, but only the beginning of your large scientific career. In recent years, our country has been in difficult conditions of international sanctions, a special military operation. And more than ever, issues related to the technological sovereignty of our country in almost all key areas, starting from space to medicine. In recent years, we had to solve very difficult issues related to domestic industry, and high technology supply. And of course, the demand for own scientific research, for domestic science, for technologies related to both the military-industrial complex and with civilian technologies, more than ever. And what you do in your areas, inventing important, necessary technologies, opening new technologies for medicine, astronautics, aircraft building, new materials, creating a huge layer of inventions in the field of medical technologies, of course, is also very cool. Without this, we do not have to talk about any sovereignty. So you do a very important work, of course, for yourself as scientists, for the city, one of the most advanced technological centers not only of our country, but also the world, well, for Russia – for sovereignty, for security, for the future of our great power “, – said Sergey Sobyanin.

    The Moscow mayor thanked the scientists for their work on his own behalf and on behalf of Muscovites and congratulated them on their well-deserved awards. According to him, a decision was made to double the size of the bonus, which has not been indexed since 2019. The bonuses received by young specialists today are also planned to be recalculated taking into account the increase.

    The Moscow Government Prize Competition for Young Scientists has been held since 2013. Awards are given annually for achieving outstanding results in fundamental and applied scientific research in the field of natural, technical and humanitarian sciences, as well as for the development and implementation of new technologies, equipment, devices, equipment, materials and substances that contribute to improving the efficiency of activities in the real sector of the economy and the social sphere of the capital.

    Young Moscow scientists under the age of 35 (doctors of sciences under the age of 40) may apply for the award. We are talking about scientific and scientific-pedagogical workers, postgraduate students, doctoral students, and other specialists engaged in scientific and scientific-technical activities in scientific and higher education organizations located in the city, as well as employees of enterprises and organizations conducting experimental developments.

    In 2019, at the suggestion of the Mayor of Moscow, the size of one award was increased from 1.5 million to two million rubles. If the award is given to a research team, it is divided equally between its members, and diplomas are awarded to each of them.

    The number of awards has also increased from 33 to 50. At the same time, the number of nominations remains unchanged (22), including 11 nominations in the field of research and the same number in the field of development.

    During the competition for the awards in 2013–2024, more than eight thousand applications were submitted. The awards were given to 758 young scientists.

    In 2024, 1,332 applications were received from employees of 310 organizations.

    The prize is awarded since 2013 for outstanding results in fundamental and applied research. Moscow scientists under 35 years of age, and doctors of science under 40 years of age can apply for it. Compared to the previous year, the size of the prize has been doubled – from two to four million rubles,” the Mayor of Moscow wrote in his telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    The awards were won by 78 researchers whose developments and research have already proven themselves in practice.

    Photodetectors, biostimulators and vacuum tubes

    Thus, the award was presented to Sofia Morozova from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University). She developed methods for obtaining nanostructured polymeric materials, which are important for the creation of environmentally friendly transport based on hydrogen-air fuel cells and for preserving public health.

    “We were all lucky to become laureates of the Moscow Government Prize in a special period, the Decade of Science and Technology. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you, Sergey Semenovich, for the development of the city, which is happening through the development of Moscow universities, Moscow schools, colleges, and city infrastructure. Special thanks for the Fiztekh metro station and the Novodachnaya station of the first Moscow Central Diameter, which help us get to work, and also for the inspiration for us, young scientists. I congratulate everyone on receiving this significant award and wish to see how the developments will be put into practice,” said Sofia Morozova.

    Natalia Semenchenko, Vladislav Burlakov and Renat Davletshin from the Orion Scientific and Production Association have created photoreceiving devices for space-based optical-electronic systems that allow surveying the Earth’s surface and obtaining images of the thermal field of the entire Earth’s disk. The devices are used in the Electro-L and Arktika-M series of space weather satellites.

    Kristina Skuratovskaya, Anton Budaev and Maxim Makarov from the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care have come up with new types of medical preparations and materials that allow for the effective treatment of patients with intra-articular pathology of the musculoskeletal system. The developments are used in the surgery department of City Clinical Hospital No. 13 and the emergency traumatology department of the musculoskeletal system of the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care to replace traumatic defects in intra-articular fractures, which allows for the axial load on the operated limb to be reduced immediately after surgery.

    Seda Kurbanova from the Morozov Children’s City Clinical Hospital has developed a diagnostic program for verifying cardiovascular damage in Kawasaki disease. The program has already been implemented in the practice of the capital’s healthcare system.

    Andrey Briko and Vladislava Kapravchuk, representing the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, conducted a series of studies aimed at creating technologies for mapping neuromuscular activity. The results of the research and the technologies developed can be used to create exoskeletons for medical and industrial purposes, bionic prostheses, and rehabilitation robotic complexes for patients with impaired motor functions.

    Tatyana Bezbabicheva and Ramin Malik oglu Afandiev from the National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery named after Academician N.N. Burdenko have developed a comprehensive method for monitoring the state of the visual pathways during neurosurgical operations on the occipital, parietal and temporal lobes of the brain. The solution is already being used in neurosurgical operations at the center to ensure the greatest safety for patients.

    The work of Alexander Pushkarev from the Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education resulted in unique technologies of local exposure to low temperatures, which are used in cryosurgery, cryopreservation and cryotherapy. They are used in the treatment of oncological diseases, as well as for physiotherapy and rehabilitation of patients for the purpose of pain relief, reducing inflammation and swelling in diseases of the musculoskeletal system, sports, mine-explosive and other injuries. The method is used at the Russian University of Medicine, the Russian National Research Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov and CryoEngineering LLC.

    Another laureate of the award, Evgeny Bychkov from the Central Research Institute “Kurs”, is the author of an industrial technology for designing low-temperature refrigeration machines on multicomponent mixtures of refrigerants. The development allows for thermostatting of objects at temperatures from minus 90 to minus 160 degrees, which makes it possible to reduce the time and material costs of design, as well as increase the energy efficiency of machines of this class. The technology has already been implemented in the institution.

    Sergey Surkov and Sergey Sharkov, representing the scientific and production enterprise “Toriy”, received the award for electrovacuum devices for amplification and generation of electromagnetic oscillations of ultra-high frequency. The devices are used at the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute” to maintain the operability of the “Olivin” station, which is part of the “Siberia” accelerator-storage complex.

    The work of Milana Sharikova and Pavel Nikitin from the Scientific and Technological Center for Unique Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences is aimed at creating devices and methods for optical information processing in long-wave spectral ranges – infrared and terahertz. Interest in the terahertz range is due to the fact that by 2035 it is planned to create 6G generation information systems. The developments are in demand at domestic industrial enterprises, in institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences and universities.

    The use of a biostimulant composition created by Inessa Lugova (All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Animal Medicines and Feed) has made it possible to improve the qualitative and quantitative indicators of poultry farming, including hatching of chickens and preservation of livestock, as well as to save electricity during egg incubation due to the acceleration effect. The drug is in demand at the country’s leading poultry farms.

    Dmitry Korolev and Vladimir Alferov from the Research Institute of Molecular Electronics have developed the software and hardware of the NE501CD microcontroller, implementing a cryptographically protected protocol for contactless electronic travel documents. The microcontroller is currently being actively implemented in the Troika and Strelka transport cards.

    View the full list of winners of the Moscow Government Prizes for Young Scientists for 2013–2024 you can on the website Andfollow the link.

    Moscow Government Prize for Young ScientistsHow young scientists can receive the Moscow Government Prize

    In 2020, a council of laureates of the Moscow Government Prize for Young Scientists was created.

    “In addition, we have created a Council, which includes 70 award winners. They act as consultants

    under the Department of Education and Science of Moscow and are engaged in educational work. We involve them in such projects as “Scientists in Schools” and the All-Russian Festival SCIENCE 0,” said the Mayor of Moscow in his telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    This is a permanent advisory body whose main tasks are the popularization of science, the involvement of students in scientific activities, and the improvement of the quality of education.

    Moscow is the center of Russian science

    By decision of Vladimir Putin, the years 2022–2031 have been declared in Russia Decade of Science and Technology.

    Moscow has one of the most powerful intellectual and technological potentials among the world’s megacities. The capital is home to 840 scientific organizations — 20.3 percent of all organizations conducting research and development in Russia. Among them are academic and research institutes, national research universities and leading universities of the country.

    Moscow employs 33.3 percent of the country’s scientific personnel, including 44.9 percent of doctors of science and 38.5 percent of candidates of science. 22.3 percent of undergraduates and 42.2 percent of postgraduates in Russia study in the capital’s universities.

    The Moscow government attaches great importance to the development of science and the stimulation of scientific work. The largest project of the coming years in the field of scientific development is the creation of the innovative scientific and technological center of the Moscow State University (MSU) named after M.V. Lomonosov “Vorobyovy Gory”. In 2023, the Lomonosov cluster, the flagship of the MSU innovation center, opened. Its residents are 76 companies, employing more than two thousand employees.

    High-tech companies create developments in the fields of medicine, information and biotechnology, unmanned systems, robotic systems and other areas. Every year, the cluster residents invest more than two billion rubles in scientific research.

    In 2024, the creation of a new campus of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University was completed. As part of the project, 14 buildings with a total area of about 170 thousand square meters were built and restored. The campus includes a central cluster, a multifunctional scientific and educational building, a multifunctional complex “Quantum Park”, a center for biomedical systems and technologies, research and engineering centers, the Palace of Technologies and other buildings, which have all the necessary conditions for modern educational and research activities.

    Large-scale scientific and innovative projects include the construction of a national space center, the creation of production clusters for photonics, electric vehicle manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as support for the development of artificial intelligence technologies.

    47 Moscow technology parks have become a huge space for the development of applied science and innovation, where more than 2,200 high-tech companies have located their production, and over 74.5 thousand jobs have been created there. About a third of the residents of technology parks work in the field of scientific research and certification.

    Four technology parks were created on the basis of research institutes. The Kurchatov Institute technology park conducts research in the field of nuclear physics and genetics, and develops new methods of storing and transmitting data. The Research Institute of Computer Complexes (NIIVK) technology park creates new communication and navigation systems, as well as technologies for the space industry. The Innopark VNIRO technology park conducts research in the field of fisheries and biotechnology and is engaged in new methods of processing and storing food products. The Moscow State University Science Park technology park works in the field of biology, chemistry, physics and other sciences.

    Putin: Moscow has fully fulfilled its obligations to create the MSU clusterDigital platforms and useful services: which projects reached the final of the fourth stream of the capital’s “Academy of Innovators”

    The Moscow Innovation Cluster and its affiliates have become the link between science, business and the state. digital platform i.moscow. The platform unites everyone who wants to create a new product or service. More than 200 thousand users have already registered on it. 40 thousand companies from Moscow and other regions of the country have become participants and partners of the cluster. Thanks to i.moscow, every 10th company engaged in scientific research and development in the field of natural and technical sciences received support from the city. Their revenue is three times higher than that of other companies in the industry.

    In addition, much attention is paid to creating conditions for self-realization of young scientists, engineers, software developers and other specialists involved in the technology business.

    In 2024, a youth entrepreneurship hub opened in Moscow — the first center in Russia for engaging young talents in technology business. The project is aimed at creating a single point of attraction for Moscow youth involved in entrepreneurship, increasing entrepreneurial literacy and the level of public trust in young entrepreneurs.

    Over the past year, over 32,000 participants have joined the project, opening over a thousand new technology businesses in Moscow. Young entrepreneurs can take advantage of the hub’s programs, including:

    — The Academy of Innovators is an international continuous program for the intensive development of technology projects and startups. Students have access to training sessions with leading industry experts in the market, and they can also interact with personal business mentors. In addition, as part of the program, participants find their first customers among city structures and large businesses, and attract their first investments. Currently, the Academy’s digital ecosystem has over 28 thousand participants from more than 300 cities in Russia and about 40 countries around the world. They have founded over 800 new technology businesses in Moscow and attracted over 380 million rubles in funding in the form of investments and grants;

    — “Digital Transformation Leaders” is a Moscow Mayor’s competition for young IT specialists. This is the world’s largest competition for the development of digital solutions for city structures and large businesses. Over six years, more than 40 thousand people have taken part in the competition (hackathon), creating over two thousand digital solutions for customers. Vladimir Putin instructed to scale up the successful practice of holding a hackathon in the regions of Russia. In 2023, regional stages of the competition were held in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) and Krasnodar Krai, and Volgograd Oblast and Kamchatka Krai became task setters at the hackathon last year;

    — “Moscow Innovator” is a Moscow Mayor’s competition that promotes the recognition of talented young inventors and scientists. Participants compete for Moscow Mayor’s awards in six priority areas of urban economy and three nominations for different stages of project development. This allows identifying scientific and technological solutions (from promising ideas to finished products). The competition was first held in 2020. Over 11 thousand inventors took part in it during its existence. 174 innovative projects became winners.

    Along with the annual Moscow Government Prize, young scientists and winners of the Moscow Innovator competition can apply for annual grants in the amount of one billion rubles. The funds are intended for scientific teams of the capital’s medical organizations. This is provided for by the city’s ecosystem for supporting scientific research. The operator is the Moscow Center for Innovative Technologies in Healthcare. Over 170 breakthrough studies have been supported in three years. The projects are being implemented, among other things, jointly with leading Russian universities and research organizations.

    Moscow doctors and scientists are developing high-tech methods of diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation and implementing them in the city’s healthcare system. Some of the solutions have been created and applied in clinical practice for the first time in Russia and the world.

    The Moscow government provides financial support to the winners of the regional competition of the Russian Science Foundation in the amount of 50 million rubles annually. We are talking about scientific projects in priority areas for the city, implemented on the basis of scientific organizations and universities in the capital. Since 2022, more than 530 applications have been submitted for participation in the regional competition. 84 scientific teams have become winners.

    In addition, the city allocates grants to universities and scientific organizations. In 2024, 1.176 billion rubles were allocated for events with students within the framework of pre-professional, specialized and additional education programs, career guidance and education, as well as for the development and popularization of science. In particular, the following was provided:

    — 400 grants for the development of a system of specialized and pre-professional training;

    — 35 grants for the popularization of science, as well as for the support and implementation of additional education programs for students, including at centers for technological support of education.

    In 2024, the XIX All-Russian Science Festival Nauka 0 took place, which took place at 100 city venues. The festival events in a mixed format (online and offline) were attended by more than 18.5 million participants.

    The largest joint project of the Moscow Government and the scientific community is pre-professional classes of city schools (engineering, psychological and pedagogical, medical, IT, media and entrepreneurship), in which about 44 thousand schoolchildren study. Leading universities and scientific organizations of the city act as partners of pre-professional classes. Scientists and practitioners are actively involved in teaching in pre-professional classes. Schoolchildren are also introduced to scientific activities in academic classes. The curricula describe the practical application of scientific knowledge and the results of scientific research.

    Since 2013, within the framework of the Moscow Pre-University project, specialized classes for teaching high school students have been opened at Moscow universities. Fifteen universities are participating in the project: Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian University of Transport (MIIT), Russian State University for the Humanities, Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Kosygin Russian State University, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow State Linguistic University, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow Aviation Institute, Moscow Finance and Law University, State University of Management, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

    Touch the world of science. How future scientists are trained in academic classes of Moscow schoolsFruit leather, electronic nurse and printer-builder, or What the capital’s innovators have invented

    Under the guidance of university teachers, more than 7.3 thousand schoolchildren engage in practical work in laboratories, conduct educational research projects, and also participate in scientific student associations.

    In 2024, Moscow schools hosted more than 450 lectures by representatives of the scientific community — young scientists and professors of the Russian Academy of Sciences. They were attended by over 12 thousand students. Scientists told schoolchildren about new developments and advanced technologies, and also helped them make an informed choice of an educational trajectory in the field of science.

    Since 2024, the project “In the Center of Science” has been implemented, aimed at creating a community of young scientists in the capital and popularizing science among schoolchildren and teachers. Within its framework, festivals, clubs, trips and laboratory workshops are held, where students can get acquainted with the modern work of scientists and implement their own projects under the guidance of young researchers and teachers of leading universities in Moscow. The project helps teachers open scientific clubs in schools, and allows scientists to exchange experiences and learn about opportunities for professional growth. In 2024, over 10 thousand scientists, students and teachers of Moscow educational organizations took part in its events.

    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/mayor/tkhemes/12346050/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Czech Republic: 2024 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    The Czech Republic is evolving from a heavily manufacturing-based, export-oriented hub to a more mature and diversified economy. Non-auto manufacturing, energy, and construction, once important Czech engines of growth, have run out of steam, hampered by decelerating productivity growth, higher energy costs, and sluggish demand. The auto industry has shown resilience so far, but the required transition to electric vehicles and exposure to foreign competition are set to exert significant pressures in the coming years. Higher value-added sectors, including ICT services, are constrained by lack of skilled labor and limited access to capital, undermining their ability to compete in global markets.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Just Stop Oil’s protest during The Tempest is an extension of theatre’s radical tradition

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Cutler-Colclough, Lecturer in Theatre and Performance, University of Reading

    The theatre has long staged and debated society’s most pressing concerns. But when protest moves beyond the script and into the theatre itself, the reaction can shift from applause to confusion, and even outrage.

    Such was the case last week, when a Just Stop Oil demonstration interrupted a performance of The Tempest at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Actor Sigourney Weaver sat aghast as protesters walked on stage and fired a confetti cannon, holding placards and announcing politely: “We’ll have to stop the show, ladies and gentlemen, sorry.”

    Audience-members can be heard both booing and cheering in footage of the moment. But despite the shock of the crowd and actors, protest at the theatre has a long history.

    The moment Just Stop Oil protestors invaded the stage during a performance of The Tempest.

    Rather than interlopers like Just Stop Oil, these protests have often come from theatregoers themselves. In 1809, for example, riots erupted when the new theatre at Covent Garden in London raised its ticket prices, making theatre less accessible to working-class patrons.

    For over two months, theatregoers disrupted performances with whistles, horns and placards, ultimately forcing a reversal of the price hikes. The message was clear: the theatre belonged to the people, not just the elite.

    In more recent history, the feminist play The Vagina Monologues, has been the subject of protest and the vehicle for it in almost equal measure. Various groups have stood against its empowerment of women, and others have used it to fight for the very same thing.

    And in 2004, the play Behzti (Dishonour) was shut down after just two days of performances at Birmingham Rep, following violent protests by members of the Sikh community.

    The play, which depicted sexual abuse and murder inside a Sikh place of worship, sparked fierce opposition, with critics arguing it was deeply offensive to their faith. While the theatre was intended as a space for difficult conversations, protesters saw it as a site that needed to be defended from perceived harm.


    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.


    Political theatre

    Protest is not only something that happens at the theatre but an integral part of the art-form itself. Performance holds a mirror to society and asks us to look at ourselves.

    As a result, political theatre has long shaped public discourse in England. Agitprop, for example, a highly politicised theatre movement that originated in 1920s Europe and aimed to educate and mobilise audiences.

    More recently in 2018, participatory London theatre company Coney staged an intervention with their youth arm, Young Coneys at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) annual dinner, blurring the line between activism and performance.

    In a production called Codename Violet, young performers took on the role of activist agitators, posing as “very junior doctors”, informing guests of the health impact of diesel emission air pollution. “Is your event more important than a man’s life?” asked an actor calling out the industry’s role in the climate crisis.

    Like the Just Stop Oil’s action at The Tempest, this protest captured attention. Yet, while political theatre is often praised for its boldness, real-world disruptions are usually met with hostility.

    Perhaps the key difference is control. Audiences willingly engage with radical ideas when framed within a performance, but an uninvited protest strips them of choice. This is likely where the bewilderment arises over Just Stop Oil’s recent intervention. While theatre remains a space for political engagement, many still see it as a controlled environment, where the audience decides when and how to confront difficult and complicated truths.

    The tension between theatre as protest and protest at the theatre reveals an ongoing struggle over who gets to dictate the terms of political discourse.

    As long as theatre remains a mirror to society, the stage – and the spaces around it – will continue to be contested. Whether we see protest at the theatre as an intrusion or an extension of its radical tradition may depend on how willing we are to let performance spill into real life.

    Gemma Cutler-Colclough 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. Just Stop Oil’s protest during The Tempest is an extension of theatre’s radical tradition – https://theconversation.com/just-stop-oils-protest-during-the-tempest-is-an-extension-of-theatres-radical-tradition-248688

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major groyne refurbishment project announced for Lake and Colwell 4 February 2025 Major groyne refurbishment project announced for Lake Cliffs and Colwell Bay

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Timber groynes at Lake and Colwell Bay are set to be restored as part of a major Isle of Wight Council scheme to strengthen coastal defences.

    Ten groynes at Lake Cliffs, between Small Hope Beach and Littlestairs Steps, and six at Colwell Bay will undergo refurbishment over the coming months.

    Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for coastal protection, explained: “The refurbished groynes will help build beach material levels, offering better protection and improving safety for nearby properties and businesses.

    “This project will also save money on future repairs and enhance the appeal of our beaches, which is essential for tourism and local businesses.”

    An Island-based contractor will carry out the work, with minor disruptions expected due to plant and vehicle movements and material storage.

    Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment and planning, said: “This refurbishment project demonstrates the council’s dedication to maintaining and improving the Island’s coastal infrastructure, ensuring lasting benefits for the community and local economy.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom