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Category: Vehicles

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government backs Heathrow expansion to kickstart economic growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Lift-off for growth as government backs expansion at Britain’s busiest and only hub airport.

    • Plan could create over 100,000 direct jobs, boost a better-connected British economy by billions, and lead to cheaper fares and fewer delays for families as part of Plan for Change.
    • Expansion must be delivered in line with UK’s legal, environmental and climate obligations.

    Working people and businesses across Britain will benefit from a government going “further and faster” to kickstart economic growth, as the Chancellor today [29 January] announced the government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow.

    Speaking to an audience of business chiefs at Siemens in North Oxfordshire this morning, the Chancellor set out the government’s latest set of reforms to kickstart economic growth and drive up living standards across the UK by driving investment, getting Britain building and tackling regulatory barriers. This included the announcement that the government supports and is inviting proposals for a third runway at Heathrow.

    The Chancellor confirmed that the government will move at speed to review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). This provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow, to ensure that any scheme is delivered in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations.

    In her speech, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    I have always been clear that a third runway at Heathrow would unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected as part of our Plan for Change.

    And now the case is stronger than ever because our reforms to the economy – like speeding up our planning system, and our strengthened plans to modernise UK airspace – mean the delivery of this project is set up for success.

    So I can confirm today that this Government supports a third runway at Heathrow and is inviting proposals to be brought forward by the summer.

    As well as creating over 100,000 jobs in the local area and many more indirectly, research published today by Frontier Economics finds that 60% of the economic boost from a third runway would be felt by areas outside of London and the South East – putting more money in the pockets of working people across the UK through lower fares and greater choice for passengers as part of our Plan for Change.

    During the speech, Reeves announced that the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to take decisions on expansion plans at Gatwick and Luton shortly, and that the government will work with Doncaster Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire to support their efforts to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport as a thriving regional airport.

    The Chancellor also announced that a new partnership between global logistics giant Prologis and East Midlands Airport to build a new advanced manufacturing park within the East Midlands Freeport zone to unlock £1 billion of investment and 2,000 jobs. It follows this government’s swift approval of similarly stalled plans for London City Airport to expand to nine million passengers per year by 2031 and a £1.1 billion investment at Stansted Airport to extend its terminal and create 5,000 jobs.

    After delivering stability to the public finances and wider economy as the basic precondition for economic growth, the pace of investment and reform demonstrates the government’s willingness to secure the future of the UK’s world-class aviation sector and the sustainable growth it can provide. Air freight represented 57% of the UK’s non-EU exports by value in 2023, with over 60% of freight coming through the UK doing so through Heathrow. International connectivity also supports vital tourism and business links, with overseas visitors spending £31 billion on their visits to the UK in 2023 and 15 million business travellers using Heathrow in the same year.

    It comes after reforms to speed up the planning system and a presumption to ‘back the builders over the blockers’ were set out by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week. The government has committed to making decisions on 150 major economic infrastructure applications over this Parliament, having already made decisions on multiple significant projects within its first six months spanning airports, data centres, energy farms, and major housing developments. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill to be introduced in Spring will enact further sweeping reforms and take an axe to the red tape that slows down approval of infrastructure projects.

    Alongside these reforms and plans to modernise UK airspace, the government is taking great strides in transitioning to greener aviation. Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces CO2 emissions compared to fossil jet fuel by around 70% and the Chancellor announced that the government is supporting UK producers by investing £63 million in 2025-26 into the Advanced Fuels Fund and setting out details of a Revenue Certainty Mechanism. This will support investment and high-skilled green jobs in plants across the UK – with previous winners of the Fund ranging from across the north of England to South Wales – and follows the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate coming into law at the start of 2025. Taken together, our commitments to SAF will support thousands of jobs in places like Teesside and Humberside, bring down our transport emissions, and help make the UK a clean energy superpower as part of our Plan for Change.

    The government is also assessing options for privately financing the Lower Thames Crossing, which will improve connectivity across vital ports and alleviate congestion as goods to be exported come from across the country to markets overseas. 

    In further recognition that the Government’s clean energy superpower mission is helping to drive the UK’s economic growth mission, Reeves announced that the government will designate new Marine Protected Areas to enable offshore wind, whilst protecting our marine environment. In doing so, barriers to 16 gigawatts of offshore wind will be unblocked – as much electricity as was produced by all gas power plants in 2024 – and up to £30 billion of private investment in homegrown clean power will be unlocked, creating thousands of good clean energy jobs in the offshore wind sector in areas like East Anglia and Yorkshire.

    A new approach to the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor – a centre of innovation which could become Europe’s answer to Silicon Valley – will be spearheaded by Sir Patrick Vallance as a Ministerial Champion. The economic potential of this region will be unlocked through leveraging the strengths it boasts in sectors across Britain’s new modern Industrial Strategy, from life sciences and tech to advanced manufacturing.

    The Chancellor set out the government’s plans to increase investment across the whole of the UK. She stressed that the government would do more to support city regions and local leaders outside of London and the South East, in recognition that bringing the productivity of major cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds to the national average would deliver an extra £33 billion in output for the UK economy.

    Reeves confirmed the backing of the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s plans for the regeneration of the area around Old Trafford, including new housing and commercial development, and the new approach to planning decisions on land around stations, changing the default to yes. The Office for Investment is expanding its support to local leaders across the UK to help develop and promote their investment plans, and new strategic partnerships from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) will provide deeper, more focused support for city regions starting in Glasgow, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, and Greater Manchester.

    NWF and Aviva have today invested £65 million in Connected Kerb to back plans for the electric vehicle smart charging infrastructure company to expand its UK EV charging network towards 40,000 sockets – up from 9,000 as of the end of 2024. This substantial investment into the UK’s public charging infrastructure – one of the NWF’s priority sectors – is crucial for delivering the forecast requirement of at least 300,000 public EV chargers by 2030. NWF is also investing £28 million in Cornish Metals to provide the raw materials to be used in solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles, supporting growth and jobs in the South West of England.

    Reeves announced that the Treasury will review the Green Book and how it is being used to provide objective, transparent advice on public investment across the country, including outside London and the South East. There were also further details announced on Investment Zones, with the Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone to focus on the area’s strengths in advanced manufacturing. Backed by the likes of Airbus and JCB, this is expected to crowd in £1 billion of private investment over a decade and create up to 6,000 jobs.

    The Chancellor said that the Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will visit India next month to relaunch talks on a free-trade agreement and bilateral investment treaty, She set out that the guiding principle the government will take in its approach to trade is acting in the national interest of Britain’s economy, its businesses and working people. A trade deal with India, as one of the fastest growing economies in the world and one which is projected to be the fourth largest global importer by 2035, is in line with this approach.

    Notes to Editors

    • The Chancellor’s speech can be found on gov.uk later today here.
    • As part of the ANPS review, government will engage the Climate Change Committee on how aviation expansion can be made consistent with our net zero framework.

    Stakeholder reaction

    Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, said:

    I welcome the Government’s pro-growth agenda and their recognition of the importance of aviation and the crucial role it plays as an enabler of economic growth. As an island nation, this industry provides much-needed connectivity as well as creating many skilled jobs which contribute to the wider prosperity of the country. 

    Expansion at Heathrow will provide consumer and economic benefits and represents a unique opportunity for easyJet to operate from the airport at scale for the first time and bring with it lower fares for consumers.

    Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK said:

    The Chancellor’s announcements reflect a drive to support enhanced UK economic growth, which underscores Prologis’ global partnership with East Midlands Airport to unlock investment at the nation’s only inland Freeport site.

    We are focused on delivering a new Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics park at pace and in partnership, harnessing the site’s unique potential.

    Prologis, as a partner of choice, continues to commit to opportunities across the UK that underpin growth, building the foundations that support economic opportunities and on-the-ground benefits, with central, regional and local government.

    Gordon Sanghera, Chief Executive Officer, Oxford Nanopore Technologies said:

    The attention given to the innovation potential in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor is welcome. This is an opportunity to strengthen the UK’s tech infrastructure, expand access to talent, and attract investment—the foundations of innovation—so we can turn more pioneering UK life science start-ups into global scale-ups. The UK can be the best place in the world for breakthrough technologies.

    Tim Knowles, Founder and Managing Director of FI Real Estate Management, said:

    As an investor in Wrexham for almost 20 years, we’re delighted to see the announcement that Wrexham and Flintshire will receive Advanced Manufacturing Investment Zone status, with three of our schemes on Wrexham Industrial Estate – Wrexham 1M, Wrexham 152, and Bridgeway Centre – forming part of the designated zone.

    Across these sites, we’ll be investing £115m to create new, high-quality industrial accommodation, supporting the creation of over 1,000 new jobs and delivering an estimated economic value of £1.2bn in Wrexham over the next 10 years.

    Mark Turner, JCB’s Chief Operating Officer said:

    JCB has been a prominent feature of the industrial and economic landscape in Wrexham and Flintshire for over 45 years. Innovation is the lifeblood of our business and we welcome the creation of an Investment Zone in North Wales and hope that it will attract many other businesses to the area. As an advanced manufacturer of precision engineering components, JCB Transmissions looks forward to other advanced manufacturing businesses coming to the area. This could go a long way towards building the supply chain resilience of existing manufacturing businesses in the area, such as JCB.

    We place a lot of values on skills in our business and we look forward to the Investment Zone positively supporting skills development in the future. JCB continues to invest in our business in Wrexham and today’s IZ announcement bodes well for the economic development of the area in the future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin: Construction of a school on the territory of the Tushino airfield has been completed

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    A school has been completed on the territory of the former Tushino airfield. The building on Volokolamsk Highway has created a comfortable and safe space for 825 children to study. This was reported in his telegram channel written by Sergei Sobyanin.

    “Universal and specialized classrooms were created for teachers and students, as well as a creative space similar to a university campus with laboratory and research complexes. The central element of the school is the atrium, which can be used as an assembly hall or an event venue. The building’s design is the winner of the 2023 Moscow Architecture and Urban Development Award in the educational facilities category,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    The construction of a new school building at 75v Volokolamskoe Shosse began in May 2022 and was completed in January 2025. It was built at the expense of the investor, Asterus, the developer of the Ália residential complex, which is implementing a project to create a modern residential area with an educational hub on the territory of the former Tushino airfield.

    In addition to the school building, it will include children’s educational routes and a Coastal Park, organized according to the concept of a forest school, where adults and young city residents will be able to gain a variety of experiences interacting with living nature.

    The investor will donate the new educational building to the capital’s education system free of charge; it will become part of the complex of School No. 58.

    School with atrium

    The building was constructed according to the design of an architectural bureau that won the 2023 Moscow City Prize in architecture and urban planning in the nomination “Best Architectural and Urban Planning Solution for a School”.

    The building has four floors and one underground floor. Its area is more than 12 thousand square meters. It has created a comfortable and safe space for studying for 825 schoolchildren of grades 1-11, including a barrier-free environment for children with disabilities.

    The school building fits harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. Visually, it consists of two blocks – for primary and secondary schools. The facades with panoramic windows were made in yellow, white and gray colors to emphasize the features of the complex volumetric composition and highlight large elements in the structure of the building, assembled like a construction set.

    The design of the classrooms differs depending on the age of the students: a more formal design was created for older students and a brighter one for younger students. The walls of the school are decorated with images of function graphs, chains of molecules and diagrams of sound waves. Cryptograms were used in the design of the corridors, which facilitate navigation around the building.

    The central element of the building is the atrium — a multifunctional and multi-light space with increased ceiling height. It can be used as a lecture hall, an assembly hall or a venue for events. In addition, the atrium can serve as a comfortable space for relaxation. In fact, it will become a kind of heart of the school. At the same time, special acoustic panels will absorb possible noise, so neither loud music nor children’s laughter in the atrium will interfere with classes in the classrooms.

    In addition to 33 universal and specialized classrooms, students and teachers will have access to a creative space similar to a university campus, including laboratory and research complexes. The building also houses a media library, creative workshops, gyms, and much more.

    A sports core was set up on the school grounds: circular and straight running tracks, playgrounds for playing sports (basketball, football, volleyball), as well as recreation areas with a playground for students in grades 5-11, where a shade canopy and small play equipment were installed. In addition, an educational and experimental unit with greenhouses was located next to the school.

    The new school is scheduled to accept its first students on September 1, 2025.

    “Mathematical vertical” and pre-professional classes

    The new educational space will feature a combination of classical programs of in-depth training in the academic model of specialized education with practice-oriented engineering and technical classes, which the school implements jointly with partners (STEM approach) in the context of integrated support from a strong psychological service. Close attention will be paid to the involvement of children in sports, the use of available sports infrastructure, and the development of a school sports club.

    The school’s partners in developing the engineering and technical direction will be the state corporation Rostec and leading technical universities: Bauman Moscow State Technical University, MIREA – Russian Technological University and Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University).

    The school plans to open classes with a mathematical and natural science focus as part of the city project “Mathematical Vertical” for students in grades seven through nine, as well as pre-professional classes (10th and 11th) as part of the city projects “Engineering Class in a Moscow School” and “IT Class in a Moscow School”.

    The focus on practical tasks and project work will be a special feature of the profile training of schoolchildren. The educational process provides for an individual approach to the children.

    Thus, the plans include introducing students to advanced professions in the field of engineering and motivating them to master professions that are in demand in the metropolis labor market. It is also planned to implement practice-oriented training based on additional pre-professional training courses, partnerships with universities and employers as part of the Rostec state corporation. In addition, it is planned to involve children in project and research activities in the field of modern engineering. Excursions, guest classes, master classes and the like will be held for schoolchildren, for example, off-site classes at the enterprises of the Rostec state corporation, as well as scientific events.

    Graduates of the school who have completed pre-profile engineering classes are planned to be considered as a priority for further training within the framework of targeted programs of the Rostec state corporation, such as Wings of Rostec, Code of Rostec, Rostec. Biotechmed.

    Medalists and winners of the Olympics

    School No. 58, created in 2019, currently includes two educational buildings on Tvardovskogo and Letnaya streets — a school building and a preschool building. It has 741 students, including 598 schoolchildren and 143 preschoolers. The workforce consists of 82 employees, including 60 teaching staff.

    The system of additional education includes programs of various focus areas: natural science, technical, physical education and sports, and social and humanitarian. The coverage of students by additional education is 95 percent.

    In the 2023/2024 academic year, 71 eleventh-graders graduated. Of these, 23 people (32 percent) were awarded the federal medal “For Special Achievements in Studies” (gold and silver), 11 people (15 percent) – the Moscow medal “For Special Achievements in Studies”. Based on the results of the Unified State Exam, 31 graduates (44 percent) received 250 points or higher in three subjects. Two graduates scored 100 points in English and mathematics.

    Last academic year, 60 children were also awarded diplomas of winners and prize winners of the municipal stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad. 34 students took part in the regional stage, of which 10 people became prize winners. Eight children received the title of prize winners of the Moscow School Olympiad. Teams of 10th and 11th grades became winners and prize winners of programming Olympiads (for example, PROD) and various hackathons.

    New schools and kindergartens

    Since 2011, 648 educational facilities have been built in Moscow, including 450 kindergartens and 198 schools. Of these, 327 were financed from the city budget and 321 from extra-budgetary funds. Plans call for the construction of about 200 new educational facilities by 2027.

    Sergei Sobyanin spoke about the development of the territory of the former Tushino airfield

    Program “My District”. Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo

    Program “My area”, developed on the initiative of Sergei Sobyanin, is the largest project for the comprehensive improvement and development of urban areas. Its goal is to create comfortable living conditions for Muscovites, regardless of their place of residence.

    More than 67 thousand people live in Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo, located in the North-West Administrative District. In recent years, much has been done here to improve the quality of life of the townspeople.

    The ground metro has arrived here — the second Moscow Central Diameter with the stations Trikotazhnaya, Tushinskaya and the city stations Shchukinskaya and Streshnevo. Convenient approaches and approaches from residential buildings have been arranged to them. At Shchukinskaya and Tushinskaya, you can transfer to the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya metro line, and from Streshnevo — transfer to the station of the same name on the Moscow Central Circle.

    The reconstruction of Volokolamskoe Shosse with a radical upgrade of the interchange on the Moscow Ring Road has been completed. As a result, traffic has accelerated on one of the busiest outbound highways, and it has also improved on the northwestern section of the Moscow Ring Road. And thanks to the new U-turn overpass on Volokolamskoe Shosse towards Shchukino, it has been possible to significantly reduce the excess mileage of vehicles. In addition, Volokolamskoe Shosse has been improved – it has turned into a highway with comfortable transfers with convenient stops and pedestrian crossings.

    Seven new ground transportation routes were organized in the district. More than 50 modern bus stops were installed.

    Three charging stations of the Energy of Moscow project have been equipped for electric vehicles. Fans of cycling can use 44 bicycle parking areas and three city bike rental stations.

    The Skhodnya River Bank Park was improved, where water obstacles for rowers to train were installed on the territory of the rowing base. The Khimki River Valley Park, the embankment along the Skhodnensky Canal (left bank) from the Western Bridge to the Moscow Canal, as well as the squares near the Gzhel Moscow State Academic Dance Theater and in front of the S.G. Stroganov Russian State University of Art and Industry were put in order. In addition, 43 courtyards were improved.

    Water obstacles for slalom have been installed at the rowing base in the Skhodnya River Bank ParkMajor improvement works on Volokolamsk highway completed

    A large and significant project was the development of the natural and historical park “Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo”. During the work, the idea of its conditional division into several functional zones was implemented. Thus, a natural, ecological and educational, leisure and recreational, sports and historical and cultural parks appeared. The main and central part of “Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo” remained a natural reserve zone, and the places of active recreation were moved closer to residential areas and transport highways. In the park, the outdated infrastructure was updated and new infrastructure was created for a comfortable and safe stay of city residents, including the arrangement of 16 playgrounds, 23 sports areas, 16 gazebos for picnics.

    In the historical and cultural part of the park, the restoration of the estate ensemble is currently underway. The regular garden has been recreated, the facade work on the main house, the greenhouse and the fence with turrets has been completed, and the interiors are being restored. All elements of the architectural ensemble will be carefully restored using archival photos and drawings and adapted for modern use.

    Parquet flooring to be recreated in Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo estate

    An important event for the development of healthcare was the opening of a new treatment and diagnostic complex of the Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital No. 1. These are three buildings with Meltzer boxes, which have no analogues in the country in terms of equipment and level of comfort.

    Sergei Sobyanin announced the imminent opening of a new complex of infectious diseases hospital No. 1The new complex of the Infectious Diseases Hospital No. 1 will become the best specialized hospital in Russia – Sergei Sobyanin

    As part of the modernization of the outpatient sector, a comprehensive reconstruction of the main building of Children’s Clinic No. 94 (Vishnevaya Street, Building 20, Building 2) has been completed and work is underway in Branch No. 3 of Clinic No. 115 (Dolgov Street, Building 1, Building 4).

    The multifunctional sports complex “Chkalov Arena” is popular with the city residents. It houses an ice arena, a universal sports hall, choreography halls and other areas where professionals and amateurs train. The new physical culture and health complex on Tushinskaya Street (house 16a) is also in demand among the residents of the district.

    Completed a comprehensive renovation of the sports and fitness complex on Gabrichevsky Street with modern sports equipment. They plan to build a multifunctional Sports Palace with an ice arena, a swimming pool, a multi-purpose hall and a gym at the address: Volokolamskoe Shosse, Building 71/10.

    For communication, leisure and creativity of the older generation, the Moscow Longevity Center of the Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo district was opened at the address: Svobody Street, Building 8/4, Building 1. Routine repairs were carried out at Children’s Libraries No. 232 (1st Tushinsky Proezd, Building 4), No. 236 (Bolshaya Naberezhnaya Street, Building 15) and Library No. 234 (Gabrichevsky Street, Building 8).

    Renovation in Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo

    In Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo, 48 buildings are included in the renovation program; about 8.3 thousand Muscovites will move into new modern apartments. The stages of resettlement have been determined:

    — first stage (2020–2024) — three houses have been resettled and demolished (the task has been fully completed);

    — the second stage (2025–2028) — resettlement of another 25 houses (eight of them are in the process of resettlement);

    — the third stage (2029–2032) — resettlement of 20 houses.

    Eight territories have been selected for resettlement of residents. Residential complexes have already been built on two of them. Design and urban planning documentation is being prepared for another six sites.

    Sergei Sobyanin included nine new sites in the renovation programA house will appear in Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo under the renovation program

    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/12326050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government publishes research report into e-bike battery safety

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Government has published new independent research into the safety of e-bike and e-scooter lithium-ion batteries, chargers and e-bike conversion kits.

    A lithium-ion battery with a battery management system.

    The Government has published new independent research into the safety of e-bike and e-scooter lithium-ion batteries, chargers and e-bike conversion kits.

    The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) commissioned Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) to produce the research to improve Government’s evidence base on the risks associated with unsafe e-bike and e-scooter batteries and chargers, following a rise in the number of fires in the UK related to these products, some of which have sadly led to fatalities.

    The research gives new insight into:

    • how battery failures occur during real-world use and environments, including scenarios of foreseeable misuse or modification
    • the types of processes and materials used in product manufacture that achieve safer design and safer use of lithium-ion batteries
    • potential shortcomings in technical requirements in product standards that have not kept pace with technological innovation

    The research brings together evidence and data from the UK and overseas with input from stakeholders and businesses across the supply chain. This evidence gathering has been supported by detailed technical product inspections and product testing in laboratory settings.

    Read the research on battery safety.

    OPSS is carefully assessing the evidence to inform our future activity and is working to support wider Government and interested stakeholders on future actions that could be taken to improve the safety of these products. 

    A WMG spokesperson said: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to assist OPSS to achieve a deeper understanding of the root causes of these battery fires.”

    OPSS is already undertaking a programme of enforcement and market surveillance activity. In December 2024, the Government published new statutory guidelines for businesses producing and distributing lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes. The guidelines set out that such batteries must contain mechanisms capable of preventing thermal runaway to be considered safe products.

    Read the statutory guidelines on lithium-ion battery safety for e-bikes.

    OPSS is also assessing products and conducting checks on businesses selling e-bikes, e-scooters and kits used to convert standard bikes to e-bikes, both online and on the High Street. Since 2022, there have been 21 product recalls, and 29 Product Safety Reports published for unsafe or non-compliant e-bikes or e-scooters subject to corrective action.

    This activity follows the launch of Government’s Buy Safe, Be Safe consumer information campaign which launched in October 2024 to raise awareness of these risks, and provided safety advice for consumers purchasing e-bikes, e-scooters and lithium-ion batteries.

    Find out more about the Buy Safe, Be Safe campaign.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University develops artificial skin for robots

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Scientists from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University have created a prototype of a tactile sensor for industrial robots. The development will help robots better sense objects during gripping and other manipulations. Data from the “artificial skin” sensors will allow industrial robots to sense the structure of objects and control the force of compression. The work was carried out with the support of the Priority 2030 strategic academic leadership program.

    Every year, the number of industrial robots is steadily growing. Manipulators assemble cars and weld parts, sort goods in warehouses of large marketplaces, mix compounds in chemical laboratories, and even help surgeons perform complex robot-assisted operations. Engineers are constantly improving the robot’s skills. One of the areas of such improvements is the creation of an analogue of human systems that will minimize the operator’s participation in the robot’s work.

    Polytechnic University scientists have developed a prototype tactile sensor for industrial robots. Essentially, it is an “artificial skin” that allows the machine to sense the structure of objects and the force of its impact on them, making them more versatile and accurate than their counterparts.

    The sensor consists of an elastic material that can be deformed and sensitive elements embedded in it. During the project, sensitive elements and the skin material itself were selected, the parameters of the elements were selected to obtain a stable sensor response, and a system was developed that analyzes the data received from the sensor, which can be used to form the robot’s movement, – noted Alexander Markvart, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Applied Physics and Space Technologies at SPbPU.

    The development of such sensors is currently being carried out all over the world. The peculiarity of the approach proposed at the Polytechnic University is the use of fiber-optic sensitive sensors that are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference, radiation exposure, and have increased survivability in aggressive external conditions. According to the project manager, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Applied Physics and Space Technologies of SPbPU Nikolay Ushakov, the use of fiber-optic sensors is of particular interest in such areas as medicine, the oil and gas sector, and the nuclear industry. Such sensors also simplify the manufacturing technology of the final product and reduce the cost.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trade-in program boosts China’s Spring Festival shopping season

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

    BEIJING, Jan. 29 — China’s consumer goods trade-in program remained highly popular at the start of the year, especially during the Spring Festival shopping season.

    The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) reported receiving subsidy applications for 10.79 million electronic devices over a four-day period starting Jan. 20, following the inclusion of mobile phones, tablets and smartwatches in the trade-in subsidy program, marking a significant expansion of the initiative launched in March last year.

    Moreover, automobile and home appliance trade-ins had reached 34,000 and 1.04 million units, respectively, as of Jan. 23, according to the ministry.

    The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important holiday in China and an occasion for family reunions, and it falls on Jan. 29 this year.

    The strong participation in the trade-in program boosted consumer sentiment in the holiday market. According to Sheng Qiuping, vice commerce minister, the program, along with a series of shopping promotion events, will help meet the growing demand for Spring Festival shopping.

    Since last year, “trade-in” has become a buzzword in China’s consumer market, driving steady retail sales growth and boosting consumer sentiment.

    In 2024, more than 6.8 million vehicles, including gasoline-powered and electric cars, were traded in, while over 56 million home appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines and computers, were sold under the program. Additionally, the sales of electric bicycles surpassed 1.38 million units.

    The total sales value of eligible products under the program topped 1.3 trillion yuan (about 180 billion U.S. dollars) last year, highlighting strong market vitality and immense potential. Notably, purchases of smart and eco-friendly products surged, particularly new energy vehicles (NEVs) and energy-efficient appliances.

    The trade-in program has revitalized consumption momentum, promoted a more sustainable economy, and enhanced the quality of life for consumers, according to MOC official Li Gang.

    In recent years, consumer spending has become an increasingly important economic driver. In 2024, final consumption expenditure accounted for 44.5 percent of economic growth, boosting GDP by 2.2 percentage points. Consumption now plays a more pivotal role than investment or exports in shaping the economic landscape.

    New consumer trends in China have gained significant momentum, including a resurgence in tourism and rapid growth in digital entertainment, online education, and live-streaming e-commerce. Green products, such as energy-efficient appliances and NEVs, have also emerged as new growth areas.

    In 2025, supporting consumption will remain a top priority for the government.

    At the Central Economic Work Conference in December 2024, China’s policymakers, while mapping out economic work for 2025, highlighted the need to vigorously boost consumption and expand domestic demand on all fronts.

    As part of its ongoing efforts to boost consumption, China has expanded the trade-in program. In addition to including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches, the government has increased the number of eligible home appliance categories from eight to 12 and added a wider range of passenger vehicles to the program. Approximately 81 billion yuan has been allocated for the first round of funding for the program this year.

    Sheng noted that the government will ensure subsidies are delivered to consumers quickly and conveniently.

    Local authorities are actively rolling out measures for the trade-in program. For instance, Shandong has launched 10 special initiatives for vehicle and appliance trade-ins, while Jiangsu is offering subsidies for smartphones, tablets and Bluetooth headsets. In Guizhou, an online platform has been set up to streamline the process of applying for subsidies.

    Experts predict that with such supportive measures in place, consumer spending will continue to grow steadily this year, while the Chinese economy demonstrates strong resilience, underpinned by solid fundamentals and enormous potential.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Storm Éowyn – information and advice

    Source: Northern Ireland Direct

    Date published:

    There is information about public services affected by Storm Éowyn and drop-in centres for those without water or power. Also, advice on food safety, the dangers of carbon monoxide and damaged electricity equipment or power lines. Keep a close eye on neighbours and support them in whatever way you can.

    Emergency numbers

    You should note the following numbers in case of emergency:

    • emergency services – 999 or 112
    • Northern Ireland Electricity Networks – 03457 643 643
    • NI Gas Emergency Service – 0800 002 001
    • Northern Ireland Water Waterline – 03457 440 088
    • Flooding Incident Line – 0300 2000 100
    • Housing Executive – 03448 920 901

    Damaged electricity equipment or power lines

    Do not approach any damaged electricity equipment or broken power lines.

    Be extra careful around fallen trees, as they often take electricity poles and wires with them as they fall.

    Be aware that electricity can jump gaps. 

    Report anything that looks dangerous to NIE Networks on:

    • phone: 03457 643643

    Reporting a power cut or damaged power line

    If your power is off or you’ve found a damaged power line, you can report it or get more information – contact NIE Networks or visit their website:

    • NIE Networks Customer Helpline: 03457 643 643
    • Power cuts

    Electricity supply

    You can information about electricity supply, including an updated list of areas affected by power cuts, on the NIE Networks website.

    Local councils information and community assistance or drop-in centres

    There is information about community assistance or drop-in centres at this link – NIE Networks representatives will be at a number of these venues:

    You can find your local council area information, including about community drop-in centres, at these links:

    Water supply

    If there are difficulties with water supply and sewerage, you will get the most up-to-date information on areas experiencing disruption and what is being done on the NI Water website. This includes a full postcode search facility. 

    You can also phone Waterline 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year on:

    • 03457 440088

    Older people, people with a serious medical condition, or people who need extra help for any other reason can join the NI Water customer care register to get a range of free extra services.

    Carbon monoxide dangers

    If you’re without electricity, using equipment such as kerosene heaters, charcoal grills (BBQs) and portable generators indoors can cause carbon monoxide levels high enough to result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

    Only equipment designed to be used indoors should be brought inside the home.

    For any fuel-burning equipment indoors:

    • there must be good ventilation
    • it must be used with a carbon monoxide alarm

    Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance.

    There is further advice at this link: 

    Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, collapse, and loss of consciousness. 

    If affected, you should:

    • open doors and windows for ventilation and go outside into the fresh air
    • go to your GP or nearest Emergency Department
    • if it’s urgent, call 999
    • call the relevant emergency advice line
      • Gas Emergency Service (24 hours) 0800 002 001
      • Oil (OFTEC) 0845 65 85 080

    Food safety advice

    If a power cut has affected your home and you have no electricity supply, it’s important you continue to store and prepare food safely. 

    You can find advice at this link: 

    If your water supply is cut off, it is recommended using alcohol-based hand sanitiser for cleaning your hands before touching food.

    Report a fallen tree or blocked road

    You can report a fallen tree or blocked road at the following link:

    Roads information

    Work is ongoing to remove obstructions. Road users are advised to use caution, as there is debris on some roads and roadsides. 

    You can get the latest updates about roads at this link:

    Where roads are closed, follow road signs and any diversions in place.

    Public transport

    For the latest information on bus and train services, go to the Translink website.

    School closures

    You can find information about schools affected by the bad weather at this link:

    MOT and driving tests 

    Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) testing services resumed as scheduled on Saturday 25 January.

    There is some disruption for vehicle tests anticipated at Armagh and Omagh, and driving tests at Altnagelvin.

    DVA will contact affected customers.

    Unless you receive a notification from DVA, you should arrive for your appointment as scheduled. 

    Public libraries

    All public libraries are open, with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and seating.

    Find out more about the services available at: 

    Jobs and Benefits offices and Department for Communities offices 

    All Jobs and Benefits offices and Department for Communities offices are open, except for the Foyle Jobs and Benefit Office due to some storm damage.

    Temporary closure of Foyle Jobs and Benefits office

    Information for benefits customers:

    • Foyle Jobs and Benefits office is currently closed due to storm damage
    • staff working remotely are providing a normal service
    • while the office is closed, benefit payments due will still be paid by the date due
    • Universal Credit customers can use the online service and journal as usual
    • telephone calls will be handled by staff working remotely
    • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) signing at Foyle Jobs and Benefits offices is excused
    • staff will contact affected customers for telephone or alternative in-person appointments
    • customers in need of urgent in-person support can contact another Jobs and Benefits office

    Forests, country parks, nature reserves and angling

    Safe public access at all sites by the storm will be reinstated as soon as possible.

    Birdkeepers

    Birdkeepers are reminded to be extra vigilant during the clean-up following the storm.

    Flooding or damage to hen houses can increase the risk of an avian influenza incursion.

    Health services

    Urgent and emergency care services are open as normal.

    Use the Phone First service for your local Health and Social Care Trust before travelling to an Emergency Department.

    However, call 999 if you or someone you care for is experiencing a life-threatening emergency.

    You can find information from the Trusts at these links:

    Financial help if your house floods

    If your home is flooded due to the weather, contact the local council and ask about their emergency payments scheme.

    More useful links

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Instant answers and detailed consultations: how chatbots help Muscovites

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Digital technologies are actively developing in Moscow. Chatbots, including those created with artificial intelligence technology, are used to ensure that residents of the capital receive city services quickly and at any convenient time. They promptly answer questions, find relevant information, and provide detailed and clear recommendations for solving urgent problems. For example, with the help of virtual assistants, you can make an appointment with a doctor, and also convey complaints about your health before the appointment. In addition, digital assistants will tell you how to pay for utilities and transmit meter readings, provide information on how to pay for travel on public transport, and much more.

    “Moscow residents have access to the help of many virtual consultants. They work on the basis of capital portals, messengers, mobile applications. Some of them have added the ability to request information by voice. Chatbots are constantly being trained, and the number of topics on which they can be contacted is constantly growing. This not only allows city residents to find the information they need, but also relieves operators in support chats and on hotlines. Specialists can devote more time to solving complex and non-standard issues. In 2025, the capital will continue to develop artificial intelligence technologies to make it even more convenient for residents to receive consultations and services online,” the press service said.

    Department of Information Technology of the City of Moscow.

    How Digital Consultants Work

    A chatbot is a virtual assistant. Most programs are equipped with artificial intelligence technologies. They are trained to understand spoken language, even if the text of the question contains slang words, complex expressions or typos. The bot gives answers based on the knowledge base.

    Experts are constantly improving artificial intelligence algorithms. To do this, when preparing each communication scenario, a chatbot is given the maximum number of potential questions, formulations, and answer options. If the digital assistant cannot answer the question on its own, it passes it on to the operator and informs the user about it. After the operator sends the answer, the program includes it in the chatbot’s knowledge base. Next time, it will provide the necessary information on its own.

    Ask a question on the mos.ru portal and prepare for your doctor’s appointment

    Virtual assistants are in demand among Muscovites in various spheres of life. However, they are most often used to obtain city services.

    How to make an appointment with a doctor, register with a clinic, transfer a child to another school and pay utility bills – you can ask the bot about this and much more in the support chat on the mos.ru portal. It communicates with users in real time and helps quickly find information on more than 6.2 thousand topics. You no longer need to waste time independently searching for information and making phone calls. To use the chat bot, you need to go to any of the mos.ru portal sections and click on the blue icon in the lower right corner of the screen (it is not available only on the main page). Another way is to open the chat from the section “Help” in the main menu, by selecting the “Support Chat” item in the “Support Service” block. You can formulate your question yourself or use the prompts.

    Currently, the bot processes 76 percent of requests independently. Most often, Muscovites use it to search for various instructions, information on how to obtain a particular service, as well as how to log into their personal account on the mos.ru portal, change or add data to it. In addition, people turn to the virtual assistant to find out how to open access to an electronic medical record, receive a single payment document and pay for city services. The chatbot was developed by the capital Department of Information Technology on the basis citywide contact center.

    Since last year, a voice assistant has appeared in the mos.ru portal support chat by the name Moscow. It is currently in test mode. The distinctive feature of this chatbot is that its search system is built on a large language model. With the help of artificial intelligence, the virtual assistant recognizes users’ speech and searches for answers to questions in the knowledge base. Then it voices its answer. It is planned that the voice assistant will soon become available to all users of the mos.ru portal.

    A chatbot based on artificial intelligence also helps residents take care of their health. It can be used when making a remote appointment with one of the specialists: a therapist, otolaryngologist, gynecologist, ophthalmologist, surgeon or urologist. With its help, residents can report their ailments before visiting a doctor. In a special survey form, it is necessary to indicate complaints and answer questions in order to specify the symptoms and information about their condition. The chatbot asks questions selected based on an analysis of the complaints entered and the doctor’s specialty. The information is completely confidential and protected, it is transferred to the unified medical information and analytical system of the city of Moscow and is recorded in the protocol of the upcoming examination. Thus, the specialist can familiarize himself with the patient’s complaints in advance and pay more attention to his examination, diagnosis and treatment during the appointment. A huge array of information was used to create the medical chatbot. Its work is based on smart algorithms trained on anonymized data from electronic medical records, as well as information from open reference books and medical databases. Experienced practicing doctors took part in the creation of the digital assistant.

    Express tips for those on the go and consultations for businessmen

    The chatbot Alexandra has become an indispensable assistant for passengers, motorists and pedestrians. It helps to receive useful information about public transport 24/7. For example, the virtual assistant can tell you about payment methods and tariffs, about the operation of the subway and ground transport, the functions of transport complex applications and bicycle and scooter rental services. Alexandra will also tell you how to use paid parking, about the rules for towing cars, about the organization of traffic, car sharing and taxi services.

    The smart chatbot can answer more than 60,000 questions. If the request is too complex, it will transfer the conversation to an operator who will help the passenger. You can write to Alexandra atdifferent platforms: on the websites of the Moscow Metro, Mosgortrans, the Center for Traffic Management, in the applications “Moscow Metro”, “Moscow Transport”, “Parkings of Russia”, “Velobike – city bike rental”. Chatbot consultations are also available on the social network “VKontakte” Andtelegram channel.

    A special chat bot can be used by capital entrepreneursSuppliers portal. With the help of a virtual consultant, they will learn how to register on the portal, take part in a quotation session or mini-auction, sign an offer, and how to select and add products to the catalog. The service helps users navigate the platform and quickly find reference information. The chatbot’s knowledge base contains answers to more than 600 topics. To contact the digital assistant on the supplier portal, you need to click on the red icon on the left side of the screen. In the window that opens, you can select one of six popular topics or ask your own question. The chatbot will provide the appropriate information on its own or connect a support specialist. During the conversation, you can attach documents and photos. This allows you to get more detailed advice. Requests are accepted in both text and voice formats.

    You can quickly transmit readings of water, heat, and electricity meters using chatbot in Telegram. It will tell you how to correctly enter information about the apartment and data from energy meters, and will also help you get acquainted with the archive (history) of readings. If they are transferred correctly, the message “Data successfully added” will appear in the chat. In case of an error, you can click the “Delete last readings” button, and then enter the data again. The Telegram bot will send them to the automated system of the Unified Information and Settlement Center of the city of Moscow. Based on the data, unified payment documents are generated for paying for utilities that residents of the capital receive every month.

    In addition, virtual assistants are indispensable in such areas as construction control, social support, innovation development, and others. You can find a chatbot and start a conversation using the following links:

    – telegram bot “Free access”;

    – telegram bot “Samostroy.net”;

    – chatbot for the “Million Prizes” program;

    – chatbot of the project “City of Ideas”;

    – chatbot of the “City of Tasks” project;

    – chatbot on the Moscow investment portal;

    – chatbot “Electronic Concierge” on the website of the platform “Electronic House”;

    – chatbot Dobrynya Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the City of Moscow;

    – chatbot Vera of the City Center for Housing Subsidies.

    The use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve the quality of life of city residents is in line with the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149449073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Kim, NJ Non-Profits Warn of Severe Disruptions to Vital Community Services Following Trump OMB Guidance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    NEWARK, NJ –– This afternoon, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) joined New Jersey non-profit service providers to warn of the immediate and tangible negative effects the Trump-Vance administration’s January 27 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandum will have on communities across the Garden State.

    Requiring all executive departments and agencies “to identify and review all Federal financial assistance,” OMB’s memorandum pauses all grant, loan, and other congressionally apportioned financial assistance programs to municipalities and critical service providers across the country, including funding for veterans’ assistance groups, police, firefighters, and local first responders, early childhood education centers, older adult service providers, and domestic violence survivor organizations. 

    Condemning these pauses, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Andy Kim, and local and state-wide service providers warned:

    “Once again, President Trump has made clear his willingness to inflict pain upon communities across the country, including at home in New Jersey. OMB’s latest guidance has produced immense uncertainty across our state’s municipalities and critical service providers. My office has heard from veterans’ assistance groups, local first responders, and domestic violence survivor organizations, and they’re all telling us the same thing. Their operational integrity and the wellbeing of those they serve are in jeopardy. These are the actions of a callous president––one wholly unconcerned by the day-to-day realities of the majority of Americans and New Jerseyans. While President Trump continues to ignore families who want to see actions that lower costs and make their lives better, I’ll continue to work to guarantee New Jerseyans––from Sussex County to Cumberland County and everywhere in between––have the resources they need to get ahead,” said Senator Cory Booker.

    “President Trump and his administration continue to serve their own power first, not caring that local communities are the collateral damage to their incompetence. OMB’s decision disregards the basic functions of our federal government and how it meets critical needs in communities across our country. We want Donald Trump to know exactly what these decisions and loss of funding could mean for New Jersey: it places independent living centers on the brink, risks vital Meals on Wheels for our seniors, and threatens crucial Head Start services for our families. These are just a couple examples from the calls and messages coming into my office today.  At a moment of such distrust between people and their government, this isn’t simply a disregard for our Constitution, this is a cruel attack hurting families all across this nation. We will look at all possible actions to force the Trump administration to honor Congress’ power of the purse and ensure these funds reach our communities,” said Senator Kim.

    “The new executive order pausing the release of federal grant funding impacts sexual violence services, putting individuals who have been assaulted and their loved ones at greater risk. With reduced funding, service providers face the challenge of maintaining critical support systems, including the availability of advocates to answer hotlines, provide accompaniments to forensic exams, navigate the court system, and offer counseling and other critical services.  Often, there is no duplication of services supporting survivors, and our data show that there are already existing waitlists for them. Interruptions in funding will only exacerbate an already strained system and delay access to care. This increase in wait times will not only heighten the immediate danger of further harm but also prolong the impact on survivors’ healing,” said Robert Baran and Denise Rodriguez, Co-Directors, New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

    “We have worked with Senator Booker countless times to be sure we have secured these much needed dollars to Fire Departments across New Jersey. These dollars have offset costs for manpower, training, and equipment. All of which have provided a safer workplace for our members while we protect the residents and visitors of our great State. We urge the President to release these funds Congress has appropriated for AFG and SAFER grants,” said Eddie Donnelly, President, New Jersey State Firefighters’ Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA).

    “A pause in federal funding of any length will impact our ability to serve our homeless veteran population. This is not just the case for our program but for similar programs throughout the nation. The effects of this pause will be immediate and grave. For example, they will imperil the support families enrolled in the VA’s Support Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) programs receive, including rental assistance. And, as rents come due in a matter of days, this raises the specter of evictions and increased veteran homelessness. Additionally, a pause in the federal funding we receive will immediately affect our ability to purchase and prepare food for our 100+ housed veterans, prevent us from taking in, and providing services, for additional homeless veterans in New Jersey, halts our ability to pay leases on vehicles used for support services, and jeopardizes the jobs of nearly 200 employees dedicated to serving our nation’s veterans, many of whom are veterans or were once unhoused veterans themselves. While we will continue to provide those who rely on us with the dignity and care they deserve, OMB’s memorandum seriously endangers the wellbeing of an already vulnerable population,” said Bruce Buckley, Chief Executive Officer, Soldier On.

    “The recent pause in funds has produced considerable concern across the Rutgers University community, which prides itself on the federally supported research and service it carries out to promote the common good and serve the national interest. The federal government is a critical partner to Rutgers, with federal funding for student aid, research, and public service initiatives accounting for about $1 billion of the university’s $5.6 billion budget. As we work across the university to understand the impact of the federal pauses and to provide guidance to our community during these uncertain times, Rutgers remains profoundly committed to our public mission of research, teaching, and service, and to our students’ success,” said Jonathan Holloway, President, Rutgers University.

    “A freeze to the release of federal funds will impact all victims and survivors of domestic violence. The vast majority of our 33 domestic violence providers in NJ rely on federal funding to ensure that every county has a domestic violence shelter, legal advocacy, counseling and other critical services that survivors need. A freeze in funding will increase barriers for survivors seeking safety, and will cause many to stay in abusive situations, increasing the danger and harm they will experience. The federal government must act accordingly, and not hastily, to ensure victims and survivors have the services they need in their community when they need them” said Adrienne Gantz and Nicole Morella, Co-Executive Directors, New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence.

    “Just a few days into their term, the Trump-Vance Administration has imposed an unprecedented freeze on federally funded programs, including programs that benefit more than 578,000 New Jerseyans, who rely on community health centers for vital, cost-efficient and life-saving care. For a majority of our state’s community health centers, this freeze in federal funding will cause them to shutter, leaving hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans without access to healthcare. These freezes come asemerging public health risks––like bird flu and other infectious diseases––continue to pose dangers to our communities. Our health centers are already struggling financially, and many are facing the likelihood of not making payroll in the next few weeks, dealing a death blow to centers that are already having difficulty in retaining an adequate workforce for the services they provide,” said Selina Haq, Ph.D., President/Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Primary Care Association.

    “Boys & Girls Club of Newark has six funding sources that may be impacted by the federal spending freeze. These funds represent more than 10% of our annual budget of $5M and could affect funding for 35-50 team members in direct service with youth. The kinds of programs that could be affected are meal service at our after-school programs, food distribution to families, mentorship for at-risk youth, and critical funding related to safety at our facility. We believe these services are of vital importance to the work we do in our community. Our hope is to see funding restored to ensure our constituents can receive these services that they rely on for their well-being,” said Ameer Washington, Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Club Newark.

    “The freeze in federal funding, which has been imposed, will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on Centers for Independent Living throughout the country. These centers provide crucial support and assistance to individuals with disabilities, allowing them to live independently and fully participate in their communities. With this ban in place, these centers may be forced to put vital services on hold, leaving many individuals without the necessary resources and support they rely on. Furthermore, the ban may also result in significant financial strain for these centers, potentially leading to payrolls being put on hold and difficulty paying rent. This could ultimately jeopardize the ability of these centers to continue operating and providing essential services to those in need. The impact of this ban will not only be felt by the centers themselves, but also by the individuals they serve, creating a ripple effect throughout the disability community. It is essential that this ban be reconsidered and alternative solutions be explored to ensure that Centers for Independent Living can continue their important work without interruption,” said Carole Tonks, Executive Director, Alliance Center for Independence – Edison, NJ.

    “This order to halt federal funding will have devastating consequences for millions of New Jerseyans, including many that New Jersey Citizen Action directly serves. Federal grants enable many organizations like ours to help New Jerseyans to save themselves from foreclosures, afford first-time homebuyer loans, protect themselves from housing discrimination, file their taxes for free, navigate essential social safety-net programs, and achieve financial stability. These key investments have allowed New Jersey to build stronger communities and healthier, thriving families. The order would also affect the entire New Jersey nonprofit sector dedicated to serving our state’s most vulnerable populations.  These include organizations that provide services for seniors, people with disabilities, children, women, victims of domestic violence, and organizations in the field of mental health. It’s unconscionable that the Trump administration should halt these investments—which have already been approved by Congress—for American taxpayers while considering further tax cuts for billionaires and corporations,” said Dena Mottola, Executive Director, New Jersey Citizen Action.

    “The work that we do along with other nonprofit public health agencies is vital to the health of our communities. We know that maternal child health is critical to the health of our nation and limiting or cutting funding that states, agencies and programs like ours receive will have negative long-term consequences on the women, children and families that we serve,” said Robyn D’Oria MA, RNC, APN, Chief Executive Officer, Central Jersey Family Health Consortium. 

    Additional programs and initiatives adversely impacted by OMB’s memorandum include but are not limited to:

    Head Start

    Click here for a state-by-state table of FY 2024 funding for Head Start, which funds comprehensive early childhood education, or here for state-by-state fact sheets that use the same funding data.  

    VAWA Grants

    Click here for state level totals of FY 2024 grant funding from the Office of Violence Against Women.    

    Community Health Center

    Click here for a 2023 table of state-by-state Section 330 grant funding for community health centers, which provide affordable care for millions of Americans. 

    IDEA and Other Department of Education Grant Programs

    Click here for a state-by-state table of IDEA Grants (which help children with disabilities) from FY 2023, and data on other grant programs through the Department of Education that could be impacted by the freeze.  

    COPS Grants

    The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program is a Department of Justice grant program for law enforcement. More info here, and many of the links include state-by-state fact sheets. This link here includes FY 2024 grant amounts for the COPS Hiring Program (CHP). These are divided up by state but you may have to calculate your state’s total separately.  

    State Opioid Response Grants

    Click here for total state awards from FY 2024 for the State Opioid Response Grantsprogram, which funds addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services.  

    SBA Loans to Small Business

    Click here for a dashboard of approved SBA loans by state for recent fiscal years including FY 2024. State totals for both the 7(a) program and 504 program are available. Copying values from the dashboard does not always work, but the Download Data option is a good other way to access the numbers.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Muscovites have begun inspecting apartments under the renovation program in a new building on 1st Vladimirskaya Street

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An information center for resettlement has opened for residents of the first and second buildings of the house 36 on Perovskaya Street, which is being resettled. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of City Property Maxim Gaman.

    “At the end of December, the city offered equivalent apartments in building 47, block 1 on 1st Vladimirskaya Street to more than 200 Muscovites living in two old five-story buildings on Perovskaya Street. Since January 14, they have begun to inspect the new housing. Residents can ask any questions about the move to specialists from the resettlement information center, which operates in the neighboring new building – building 40a on Perovskaya Street. It is located next to the five-story buildings being resettled,” said Maxim Gaman.

    The area around the new house was landscaped. Complex landscaping was carried out, children’s and sports playgrounds were equipped, as well as a recreation area.

    “The new building will have 108 apartments with improved finishing according to the renovation program standards. Three of them have been equipped for people with disabilities – the width of the corridors and doorways has been increased, and special plumbing has been installed. The total area of all the apartments is almost seven thousand square meters. The passage in the entrance is through, this will allow residents to get to both the internal courtyard space without cars, and to the external space with guest parking. The first floor of the new building is non-residential, in the future, social and household infrastructure facilities will open there. In order to make the move of Muscovites under the renovation program more comfortable, the city provides free movers and a truck that will help transport things from the old apartment to the new one,” clarified the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Urban Development Policy

    Vladislav Ovchinsky.

    For program participants who have full account on mos.ru, super service works “Moving under the renovation program”.

    They can sign up for an inspection of the apartment online, and after the draft contract is ready, choose a convenient time to sign it. If necessary, you can also sign up for an appointment with a notary remotely and send it to Department of City Property personal and title documents by uploading them using the appropriate serviceIn addition, Muscovites can submit an online application to eliminate construction defects, as well as call movers to transport things from an old apartment to a new one.

    In the capital Department of Information Technology noted that general instructions posted in the super service “Moving under the renovation program” will help prepare for relocation on the mos.ru portal. It includes information about the organization of the process, a list of necessary documents for drawing up the contract and links to useful services. By setting certain parameters, residents will receive instructions adapted to their specific situation.

    Renovation program approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses. Earlier, Sergei Sobyanin ordered to increasethe pace of implementation of the renovation program has doubled.

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

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149450073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Qiongzhou Strait enhances ferry services

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Staff members check before the departure of a ferry carrying new energy vehicles at Xiuying Port, Haikou City of south China’s Hainan Province, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    To brace for the Spring Festival travel rush and better manage the influx of tourists and vehicles in Hainan, authorities have enhanced ferry services across the Qiongzhou Strait and upgraded piers to ensure safe ocean transport.
    Ferries specifically designated for transporting new energy vehicles (NEVs) have also been put into operation. At least 20 voyages of this ferries have been scheduled daily, which can guarantee 3,500 NEVs in or out of the island, during this travel rush.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU helps Anapa: university volunteers fight fuel oil spill on the coast

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On December 15, 2024, two tankers sank in the Black Sea. Several tons of fuel oil ended up in the water and were later washed up on the coast. Rescuers have been fighting the consequences of the accident for over a month. The coast is being cleaned, among other things, by specialists from the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps. On January 16, a group of 18 volunteers joined the liquidators, including representatives of the State University of Management. There is still a lot of work to do, but there are already great results. 35 days after the tankers sank in the Kerch Strait and the fuel oil spill, the main beaches of Anapa are almost cleared. This was reported by the head of the Moscow city branch of the VSKS, director of the Educational and Training Center for Actions in an Emergency and Basic Military Training of the State University of Management Maxim Dzhetygenov and a second-year master’s student Matvey Ulyanov.

    As noted by the university representatives, the work is well-coordinated and productive, but is complicated by weather conditions. Strong winds are raging on the coast of Anapa, which is why rescuers are working in shifts to avoid hypothermia.

    “There is plenty of work now. The sea is rough, yesterday we were cleaning the beach area, and today we arrived and discovered that the waves had washed up fuel oil on the shore again. The guys have to get back to work and clean familiar places from new pollution,” said Maxim Dzhetygenov.

    To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the volunteers, a mutual aid headquarters called “We Are Together” has been created. Two people are on duty there 24 hours a day, giving everyone personal protective equipment. Before starting work, all rescuers undergo safety training and receive instructions on how to perform specific tasks for the day. And there are really many who want to help. As Matvey Ulyanov noted, about 7,000 volunteers participate in the cleanup every day, including local residents and representatives of various organizations.

    “Many local residents come. They bring fuel, food, water. That is, everything that we, in principle, need. We also supply civilians who want to help with personal protective equipment. These are overalls, gloves, glasses, respirators. And we involve them in our work,” said Matvey Ulyanov.

    Volunteers make an invaluable contribution to cleaning the coast. It is worth noting that their work is not limited to this. All the guys are “universal soldiers”. When the weather does not allow continuing rescue operations, volunteers help ecologists. They build structures for cleaning and rehabilitating injured birds, install barriers designed to collect fuel oil. This work is carried out indoors, which allows work even in bad weather.

    “The guys also insulate special houses, where electricity is later installed, lamps are hung to keep it warm, sand is brought in there, and it is also placed on the insulation so that the birds can undergo rehabilitation in more comfortable conditions,” noted Maxim Dzhetygenov.

    Volunteers working on the beach first collect a mixture of sand and fuel oil in bags. Then special equipment comes to the rescue: a tractor with a bucket, which drives up to the collection site and loads the bags. After that, the cargo is transferred to KAMAZ dump trucks, which take the waste to the landfill. During the day, rescuers collect an average of 150-170 bags.

    The situation is now much better than it was in the first days after the accident. This is confirmed by Maxim Dzhetygenov.

    “As the chief of staff, I drive around our area of responsibility along the coastline every morning and inspect it. I can say that there are no large deposits of fuel oil now. But a small “crumb” of oil product is still thrown out,” noted Maxim Dzhetygenov.

    And this once again emphasizes the importance of work to restore the ecology of the Anapa coast. The efforts of volunteers with the support of local residents inspire hope for the successful completion of the work and the restoration of the ecological situation. We will add that on January 24, representatives of the State University of Management will return to Moscow.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 01/29/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tesla suing EU over tariffs on China-made EVs

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    United States electric vehicle, or EV, maker Tesla is challenging the European Union’s decision to slap hefty import tariffs on China-made electric autos.

    The legal action by the company, which is owned by technology guru Elon Musk, is similar to court challenges launched last week by German automaker BMW and Chinese carmakers, including BYD Auto, SAIC Motor, and Geely. Chinese industry body the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products has also launched a legal challenge in the EU’s courts. And China’s government has filed a complaint about the bloc’s tariffs with the World Trade Organization.

    The European Court of Justice confirmed Tesla’s legal challenge on Monday.

    Olof Gill, the EU’s trade spokesperson, told Agence France-Presse: “We take note of these cases and we look forward to defending ourselves in court as necessary.”

    Tesla’s legal challenge is in response to the EU introducing tariffs at the end of October of 7.8 percent on Tesla’s China-made vehicles. The bloc has also set tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on other China-made EVs. The new tariffs come on top of a 10 percent standard import tariff that was already in place for electric vehicle imports into the EU.

    The bloc said it introduced the China-specific tariffs in response to what it says are unfair subsidies that include low-interest loans, cheap land, and supplier discounts, claims China has strongly denied.

    Tesla’s legal challenge will be heard in the EU’s General Court. Any verdict handed down there could then be challenged in the European Court of Justice.

    The court case comes against the backdrop of deteriorating relations between the EU and Musk, who is the world’s richest individual.

    Musk, who owns the social media platform X, has spoken out strongly against the bloc’s efforts to regulate internet activity. He has also angered the EU by throwing his support behind far-right political parties, including Germany’s Alternative for Germany.

    Critics have said Musk’s political activism may have contributed to Tesla’s recent decline in Europe, with the brand seeing its sales fall by 13 percent, year-on-year, in 2024, to 242,945 units, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. Around 28 percent of Chinese-made electric automobiles imported into the EU in 2023 were Teslas.

    Around one-fifth of all electric cars sold in the EU – some 300,000 units – are made in China.

    The court case is likely to take around 18 months to complete.

    Tesla has also called on the Canadian government to scrap its 100 percent tariff on electric cars imported from China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: How Moscow Research Companies Saved Thanks to the National Project “Labor Productivity”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    22 Moscow companies in the field of scientific research and development (R&D) took part in the national project “Labor Productivity”. During the pilot stage, they were able to optimize business processes and obtain a total economic effect of more than 660 million rubles. This was reported by Maria Bagreeva, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, Head of the Moscow Department of Economic Policy and Development.

    “Increasing labor productivity at research and development enterprises is a strategically important task. With the help of the tools of the national project “Labor Productivity”, companies learn to effectively use existing resources and improve their production indicators without additional costs. Over two years, 22 organizations engaged in scientific research and development have become participants in the national project. All of them completed the pilot part and, with the help of lean technologies, were able to improve the production management system and refine the technologies used. Thanks to lean technologies, R&D companies increased the volume of work performed by an average of 40 percent, accelerated key processes by 34 percent and reduced losses that arose due to violation of project implementation deadlines by 39 percent. The total economic effect of R&D companies from participating in the national project amounted to almost 667 million rubles,” said Maria Bagreeva.

    Moscow pays special attention to the development of high-tech production in areas without which the development of domestic industry is impossible – these are microelectronics and photonics, pharmaceuticals, electric vehicle manufacturing, unmanned aircraft systems, the space industry, and machine tool manufacturing.

    “On the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, the capital’s industrialists receive significant support from the city, including significant tax breaks. The companies invest the saved funds in increasing production volumes, research and development of innovative products, as well as in obtaining patents for them. Today, in the R

    Maxim Liksutov.

    Thus, the joint-stock company “Zelenograd Nanotechnology Center”, a resident of the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”, has introduced an innovative approach to managing the processes of creating and assembling microcircuits. At each stage of work – from development and conducting a full range of tests to the release of finished products – intermediate control was introduced, which allows for the prompt identification and elimination of possible deviations and contributes to increasing the reliability of the implementation of scientific and design projects. The company increased the speed of assembling microcircuits by 42 percent, and their production volume – by 10 percent (from 4.8 to 5.3 microcircuits per person per hour).

    Another resident of the Technopolis Moscow SEZ, the Nanotechnology Center for Composites Limited Liability Company, has successfully implemented a comprehensive production analysis aimed at optimizing all stages of development and manufacturing of carbon and fiberglass products. As a result, the time of the full work cycle — from the receipt of components and materials for production to the transfer of finished products to the warehouse — was reduced by 34 percent, and labor productivity at the enterprise increased by 18 percent. In the future, the company plans to replicate the experience gained in other business processes, including those related to the development of new technologies.

    The Joint-Stock Company “G.S. Petrov Institute of Plastics” has improved the processes of development, research and production of polysulfone, a thermoplastic polymer used in the manufacture of electronics, household and medical equipment, and in instrument making, thanks to lean technologies. The company has organized targeted storage of raw materials and finished products and introduced autonomous equipment maintenance. This helped to speed up research and production processes at the pilot stage by 44 percent and increase polymer production by 50 percent.

    The experience gained by the enterprise will be used in other business processes to improve their efficiency.

    The national project “Labor Productivity” was implemented in Moscow in 2022-2024 using funds from the city budget. How reported Sergei Sobyanin, all 419 capital companies participating in the national project have completed the pilot stage and are now independently implementing a culture of continuous improvement.

    Since 2025, Moscow enterprises will continue to increase labor productivity within the framework of the national project “Efficient and competitive economy” (federal project “Labor Productivity”). It is being implemented in the capital at the expense of the city budget. Applications for participation are accepted on the website operator of the federal project.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149442073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Development Asia: From Guesswork to Precision: Enhancing Agricultural Mapping with Geospatial Tech

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    The growing accessibility of geospatial technologies is reshaping how agricultural statistics are gathered, processed, and disseminated. Advanced technologies like remote sensing using satellite imagery, GPS, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer the potential for more efficient methods to monitor changes in agriculture with greater precision and frequency.

    When considering the most suitable method for GPS land measurement, several critical factors—such as the size, shape, and terrain of the parcel—must be considered, along with available resources.

    Walking method: The common method involves an enumerator, usually guided by the farmer, physically walking the perimeter of a parcel while carrying a GPS device, which automatically tracks and calculates the area. This approach reduces the need for multiple pieces of surveying equipment and extensive training for field staff. Furthermore, the time required for measurement is limited to the duration of walking the parcel’s perimeter, significantly streamlining the overall process. It is recommended when the highest positional accuracy and measurement precision are required.

    Moreover, GPS measurement methods integrated into tablets can be advantageous in certain cases, particularly due to their convenience and potential integration with other data collection tools.

    The walking method, whether using a dedicated handheld GPS device or an on-tablet GPS sensor, is particularly effective for smaller parcels with complex shapes and easily navigable terrain. It allows for precise boundary capture but can be time-consuming for larger parcels, potentially taking up to one hour for areas exceeding 10,000 m².

    Digitization method: Conversely, the digitization method is more suitable for large, monocropped areas. This method involves the farmer tracing the boundary of their parcel directly over a satellite image, negating the need for the farmer and enumerator to walk the boundary physically. Key to the success of this approach is the ability of the farmer to accurately recognize their land from an aerial perspective and the assumption that the satellite imagery is up-to-date and reflects the current agricultural season.

    Parcel corner GPS: The parcel corner GPS method involves an enumerator identifying and marking only the corners of the parcel using the Survey Solutions geometry multi-point question type to speed up the data input process. The goal is to capture the essential boundaries of the parcel more easily. The key challenge in using this method is the difficulty in accurately identifying corner points, particularly in irregularly shaped parcels. Significant inaccuracies in area measurement may also occur if enumerators are not properly trained and well-versed in using the field instruments.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Key considerations for renewable energy developers seeking private capital to fund expansion

    Source: Allens Insights

    Establishing renewable energy platforms and capital partnerships 8 min read

    As renewable energy developers look to expand their project pipelines and operational portfolios, many are turning to private capital sources to help fund their expansion plans. Increasingly, that capital is being sought through newly established platforms between developers and investors that jointly own the renewable projects through a legal ownership structure separate from the developer’s remaining business.

    Establishing renewable energy platforms and capital partnerships requires a strategic balance of risk mitigation and the optimisation of growth opportunities in an increasingly competitive environment. Each platform and capital partnership is unique, necessitating customisation based on the objectives and risk tolerance levels of the parties involved. With robust planning and transparent communication from day one, these capital partnerships can help drive the energy transition while delivering attractive returns for investors.

    In this Insight, we explore the key issues for developers and investors to consider when establishing a capital partnership for a new renewable energy platform.

    Key takeaways

    • Commitment to the platform: each party should seek a form of commitment to the platform from the other. We are increasingly seeing both developers and investors be willing to provide that commitment in the form of an exclusivity undertaking, pursuant to which the parties are prohibited from developing or funding projects outside of the platform (subject to certain carveouts).
    • Operational model: new platforms are typically structured as either a standalone business or a simple ownership vehicle where operational functionality is outsourced back to the developer. Alignment between the parties on the preferred approach, and how it impacts key issues such as revenue strategy and exit, is a key to success.
    • Funding obligations: the parties’ funding obligations to the platform should be designed to ensure the platform receives sufficient funding to develop, acquire and operate projects. However, while certainty of funding is important, the parties should avoid rigid frameworks (which set out precise financial and operational criteria for investment in new projects), which run the risk of stifling growth (particularly when dealing with seasoned developers with a track record of bringing projects to market).
    • Governance and regulatory considerations: when evaluating potential investors/platform partners, developers should consider the regulatory implications relevant to each investor (in particular in relation to tax, FIRB, AFSL and ACCC requirements), and how those implications may affect the day-to-day operation of the platform.
    • Debt financing strategy: the platform’s debt financing structure must be adaptable to accommodate new projects and multiple funding sources, ensuring room for future growth without excessive lender restrictions.
    • Funding and compensation: any platform must be structured in a way that recognises the different initial and ongoing contributions from both the developer and the investor. In particular, developers should ensure they are properly compensated for the seed assets vended into the platform.

    Key considerations

    Commitment to the platform

    Notwithstanding the specific technology focus of the platform, such as solar, wind, BESS, other forms of generation and storage, or all of the above, each party should seek a form of commitment to the platform from the other with respect to the relevant technology focus. While it might be expected that the developer provides a stronger form of commitment, limiting their ability to develop projects of the applicable technology outside the platform, investors are increasingly also willing to ‘put all their eggs in one basket’ and accept a form of exclusive commitment. This is often based on the understanding that, through diligence and alignment with the developer on key principles, the platform is their best means of investing in that technology in Australia. If an investor is willing to make such a commitment, establishing carveouts to ensure they are not inappropriately constrained is essential. Investors will often seek to ensure the commitment does not cover existing investments, projects outside the geography, investments via other funds and projects beyond a specific capacity range.

    Structuring your operating model

    When establishing a new platform, developers have two primary operational model options to consider: standalone platforms and ownership vehicles. Each model has distinct characteristics, benefits and challenges that can significantly impact the platform’s success.

    Standalone platforms operate as independent businesses with their own management teams and operational autonomy. For standalone platforms, a key focus should be on selecting the right management team. This process typically takes time, so it’s important to establish a robust transition plan in which the developer provides the necessary support until the management team is fully onboarded.

    Ownership vehicles function through a network of development and service agreements where operational functionality is outsourced back to the developer. This model leverages existing capabilities within the developer’s organisation but operates under a separate legal structure.

    Whatever the operational structure, a key to success is ensuring alignment between the developer and investor from the outset—particularly on headline issues such as revenue strategy (especially important for BESS assets, which offer a variety of potential revenue options, eg tolling agreements, Capacity Investment Scheme agreements, system support agreements, merchant operations, etc) and exit strategy.

    Certainty of funding

    As a vehicle designed to fund both seed and future projects, funding obligations are often the most heavily negotiated elements of platform arrangements. In an ideal scenario for developers, they would retain full control over financial investment decisions (FID) and funding decisions, allowing them to call for capital as needed. Meanwhile, in a perfect world for investors, they would have complete discretion over which projects their capital is used to fund.

    To avoid potential deadlocks with respect to funding decisions, including through the exercise of veto rights, one approach is for the investor to make an upfront capital commitment. This requires them to fund a pre-agreed amount (at a pre-agreed valuation) for a set of seed and pipeline assets, which they diligence at the outset. Once this initial capital is provided, future funding can be provided on a pre-emptive basis, potentially tied to target return criteria and procedural milestones that must be met before a project is onboarded to the platform or funded via FID.

    While this strategy helps prevent deadlocks that could hinder platform growth, it’s important to recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be ideal. In our experience, rigid procedures around project onboarding and funding may not serve the platform’s best interests, particularly when developers have a proven track record of managing development and construction risks in a more flexible manner. Retaining flexibility with regards to milestone requirements to take FID may enable the platform to reprioritise projects in response to shifting market demands and opportunities.

    Managing governance and regulatory requirements

    When evaluating potential investors, developers should consider a range of factors beyond simply choosing the one with the deepest pockets. Issues such as Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) implications (particularly whether an investor’s involvement will characterise the platform as a ‘foreign government investor’ or FGI), Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) requirements and complex competition law concerns can create significant challenges for the platform if not addressed and managed at the outset.

    Tax implications must also be considered. For example, upcoming changes to the foreign resident capital gains tax regime in Australia—specifically how ‘taxable Australian real property’ is defined in the context of renewable energy assets—may affect after-tax returns for foreign developers and investors.

    These changes, expected to come into effect on 1 July 2025, could have substantial impacts on renewable energy platforms and should be closely monitored.

    Implementing your debt financing strategy

    The initial debt financing required to establish the platform and transition seed and early-stage assets to the platform will depend on the number and characteristics of those assets, including the technology type and whether the assets are operational or under construction, merchant or contracted, etc.

    Whatever the makeup of that initial financing, flexibility for growth is key. In particular, the debt financing structure must be flexible enough to accommodate:

    • the inclusion of new greenfield and operating assets (with a focus on minimising lender consent rights);
    • construction financing for greenfield projects, either within the portfolio financing structure or separately financed outside the portfolio through an excluded subsidiary mechanism and brought in once the project is operational (subject to risk tolerance on a case-by-case basis); and
    • multisource financing options (including bank debt, private long-term credit and note issuance) with the necessary intercreditor mechanics.

    Funding structure

    The platform will need to be structured in a way that recognises the different initial contributions from both the developer and the investor. In most platforms, the developer provides seed and pipeline assets, while the investor supplies capital for the development and construction of those assets.

    An investor’s capital contribution typically needs to be structured so that the platform can draw down the capital over time, on an as-needed basis to fund project capex. This can be achieved through various methods, such as partly paid shares or equity ‘catch up’ or ‘farm-in’ regimes, with the optimum approach usually driven by the investor’s requirement regarding governance rights from day one, FIRB considerations and any potential requirement to ‘return’ capital commitments in the future.

    From the developer’s perspective, it is essential to ensure that they are properly compensated for the seed assets transferred into the platform. Whether that compensation takes the form of equity in the platform or proceeds from the transfer of assets, it would typically reflect (for each asset/project) all devex spent on the project, fees for the origination and development services provided and, where applicable, a development premium.

    Key questions to ask

    • Asset strategy: what technology should the platform focus on? Solar, wind, BESS, other forms of generation and storage, or all of the above? Whatever the technology, what level of commitment is each party willing to give to the platform and what carve outs to the commitment are needed?
    • Operational model: should the platform be structured as a standalone business with its own management team and operational autonomy, or as an ownership vehicle that, through a network of development and services agreements, outsources operational functionality to the developer?
    • Funding obligations: what level of capital commitment is required from both parties at the outset? How will future funding needs be determined and agreed upon? Are there predefined criteria or milestones that need to be met for additional funding to be provided?
    • Governance and regulatory: are FIRB, AFSL, ACCC and tax requirements fully understood and planned for?
    • Debt financing strategy: how flexible is the debt financing structure in accommodating new assets and various stages of project development? Are there multisource financing options (ie bank debt, private long-term credit or note issuance) and how will the necessary intercreditor mechanics be managed?
    • Funding structure: how will initial contributions from both developer and investor be recognised within the platform structure? What methods (eg partly paid shares, equity ‘catch up’, farm-in regimes) will facilitate drawdown of capital over time? How will developers be compensated for seed assets transferred into the platform?

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: What services of the flagship My Documents in the South-East Administrative District are most in demand

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Over the four years of operation, city residents have contacted the flagship office of “My Documents” of the South-Eastern Administrative District more than a million times. It opened in January 2021 on the first floor of the shopping and entertainment center “Gorod” at the address: Ryazansky Prospekt, Building 2, Building 3 and became the fifth flagship in Moscow.

    During this time, the most popular service was the registration of vehicles (TS) and trailers to them – more than 110 thousand requests were recorded. The second most popular service is cadastral registration and (or) registration of rights to real estate objects, more than 70 thousand applications were received for it. The third place in the rating was taken by the service of registration of citizens of the Russian Federation – over 60 thousand requests.

    The flagship offices of My Documents offer unique services that are not available in district centers, such as out-of-court bankruptcy. Young Muscovites can receive their first passport in a ceremonial setting, and Moscow entrepreneurs can use the services of the state budgetary institution Small Business of Moscow, as well as register a legal entity, a peasant (farming) enterprise, and the status of an individual entrepreneur. City residents also have access to vehicle registration services, making changes to registration data, or deregistering a vehicle. This can be done conveniently by prior appointment on the portal Mos.ru or Internet portal of public services.

    At the flagship of the South-Eastern Administrative District, Muscovites can apply for a foreign passport for children under 14 years of age, submit a birth certificate or marriage registration certificate, extracts from the register of legal entities and other documents for legalization, and also enter information about foreign certificates of registration of civil status acts into the Unified State Register of Civil Registry Offices within 24 hours.

    In addition, residents of the capital are provided with two of the most popular services of the guardianship service, related to the issuance of permission for transactions with property and the management of money in the accounts of minors, incapacitated or partially incapacitated citizens.

    On the territory of the flagship office of the South-East Administrative District, newlyweds can register their marriage in a separate hall equipped with a bright photo zone.

    Muscovites are also offered additional services, such as booking a tour in the “My Travels” zone, visiting the “My Photo” photo studio, or visiting the “Moscow – Caring for History” exhibition. The current exhibition is dedicated to the dynasties of Moscow confectioners. In addition, the flagship has a “My Notary” legal bureau, which has become the most popular additional service. Over four years, residents have contacted this bureau more than 40 thousand times.

    The flagship centers are equipped with everything necessary for the convenience and comfort of visitors and are decorated in a modern design. There are spacious waiting areas with soft sofas, USB ports for charging phones and portable lamps, a large children’s area with interactive games and modern cartoons, a mother and child room. You can also charge your mobile device using a portable power bank. All My Documents flagship offices host exhibitions about outstanding cultural figures. The current exhibition is dedicated to Arkady Gaidar.

    The flagship office of “My Documents” in the South-East Administrative District is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149366073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China sees robust increase in electric vehicle charging facilities

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China saw a significant surge in electric vehicle charging facilities in 2024, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

    By the end of last year, the total number of electric vehicle charging poles in the country had reached 12.82 million, marking a 49.1 percent year-on-year increase.

    Of these, public charging poles accounted for approximately 3.58 million, while private charging poles neared 9.24 million.

    In 2024, China added more than 4.22 million electric vehicle charging poles.

    The expansion of charging facilities comes amid surging demand for new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China, with both production and sales surpassing 12 million units in 2024.

    China has maintained its position as the world’s leading NEV market for 10 consecutive years. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road blocked, SH30, Bennydale

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway 30 is blocked after a truck rolled dislodging a powerline around 12:56pm.

    The driver received minor injuries.

    The road is expected to remain blocked for the next 1-2 hours and motorists are advised to take an alternate route. 

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Improving Mornington traffic flow

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Major infrastructure upgrades will see the Mornington roundabout replaced with traffic lights to improve road safety and traffic flow. The project will also include the construction of new ramps connecting the Tasman Highway with Gordons Hill Road.

    The Albanese and Rockliff Governments have committed $100 million ($80 million and $20 million respectively) to the Mornington Roundabout Upgrade project, which will increase safety and efficiency through the known pinch point.

    Objectives will be met by a multi-stage solution of improvements along the South Arm and Tasman Highways near Mornington.

    The staged approach for planning, design and construction will be done over the coming years to minimise the impact on road users.

    Work will start with building ramps to connect Gordons Hill Road with the Tasman Highway, allowing cars better access to Rosny from the highway while reducing traffic volumes at the Mornington roundabout.

    Community consultation and design work on the ramps project will start this year, with construction planned for late 2026.

    Once finished, other improvements near the Mornington roundabout will begin.

    These future stages include:

    • Replacing the Mornington roundabout with traffic lights. Traffic lights were chosen as the best option of all considered, as they will improve traffic flow in all directions and will have fewer impacts and a smaller footprint;
    • Moving the off ramp from the Tasman Highway to South Arm Highway onto Cambridge Road, improving safety and travel efficiency both on the Tasman Highway and at the Mornington roundabout intersection;
    • Moving and changing the Mornington Road intersection with South Arm Highway. The intersection is located very close to the Mornington roundabout intersection, and this can cause queuing and safety issues; and
    • Safer access to bus stops by improving crossing points for people who walk, wheel or ride in the area.

    The exact locations or layouts of these projects are yet to be decided, with further work required to develop design concept plans and engage with the community.

    For more information, visit the Transport website here, following RoadsTAS on Facebook, or sign up to the State Roads email newsletter at transport.tas.gov.au/roadworks/stay_up_to_date.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

    “The Mornington roundabout is a headache for local residents, causing congestion and safety concerns, which is why we invested an additional $50 million in our recent Budget to get this fixed.

    “This is one of many priority projects we are working closely on with the Tasmanian Government to make the everyday lives of locals that little bit easier.”

    Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent:

    “This set of projects will improve safety and traffic flow for all those who travel through the Mornington area and beyond.

    “Community consultation was a key part of developing this program. Through our consultation process we heard access to and from Mornington Road can be difficult. Moving this intersection will help with the flow of traffic through this area.

    “We also know that queuing on the westbound Tasman Highway off-ramp to South Arm Highway regularly spills onto the Tasman Highway and so moving the ramp will provide more separation between the off-ramp and the Mornington roundabout intersection.

    “These changes will assist in the continuing growth in this region.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Franklin Julie Collins:

    “It’s long been known that the Mornington roundabout has been a dangerous stretch of road and as the Federal Member for Franklin, I have long been advocating for these vital upgrades.

    “That is why the Albanese Labor Government has backed road safety and traffic flow and delivered $80 million towards the upgrade of this infrastructure project over our past two Federal Budgets.

    “I’m pleased to see the Tasmanian Government start to get on with works on this project and look forward to the local community benefiting from improved safety and traffic flow.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Syracuse Man Admits to Illegally Possessing a Rifle at a Gas Station

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Richard Bradley, age 36, of Syracuse, New York, pled guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.

    As part of his guilty plea, Bradley admitted that, on September 9, 2024, he possessed a loaded rifle in his vehicle, which was parked at a gas station in East Syracuse. Bradley inadvertently fired the rifle several times, but did not strike anyone. As a result of his prior felony conviction for Criminal Mischief, Bradley could not lawfully possess a firearm.

    Sentencing is scheduled for June 10, 2025, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. Bradley faces up to fifteen years in federal prison, along with a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of up to three years. He also could be fined up to $250,000, and will be required to forfeit the assault rifle to the United States. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

    ATF and the Manlius Police Department are investigating the case with assistance from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is a ‘crime scene’, really? An expert explains how it’s more than just blue police tape

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Hurley, Lecturer in Criminology. Police and policing. Dept of Security Studies & Criminology, Macquarie University

    When you watch the news, one phrase usually comes up as soon as crime is mentioned: “police have established a crime scene”.

    If you’re a fan of the forensics crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, it will conjure up images of police waving a blue, fluorescent UV light in a darkened room looking for blood, saliva, fingerprints, footprints or tooth impressions.

    CSI has influenced an entire generation – this year, the franchise will celebrate its 25th anniversary. But the reality of crime scene investigation is far more complex.

    As a criminology lecturer and ex-police officer, I know a thing or two about crime scenes, having managed hundreds of them. I have even been a crime scene myself. Here’s what they really entail.

    There’s usually more than one crime scene

    In the early 20th century, French forensic science pioneer Edmond Locard noted it’s impossible for criminals to act “without leaving traces of this presence”. No matter where a criminal steps or what they touch, they leave behind, even unconsciously, evidence that serves as a silent witness against them.

    The idea that criminals will leave something behind at the crime scene while taking something with them is known today as Locard’s principle.

    Crime scenes are incredibly diverse. They don’t just involve the physical location. A person’s body and any objects found in relation to the crime are also part of a crime scene.

    The primary crime scene is where the event took place – for example, where a murder, arson attack or drive-by shooting occurred.

    There will be several additional crime scenes, too. In the course of the investigation, a second crime scene might be established where the criminal planned the crime. If they dumped a getaway vehicle, that’s a third crime scene. If they stashed a weapon, clothes or other objects in a safe house after the crime, that’s a fourth crime scene.

    A fifth crime scene will be established when the criminal is arrested – they themselves are also a crime scene. Their hair, clothing and fingernails will be tested for various residues, such as the skin or blood of a victim, or even illicit substances if the crime involves drug trafficking.

    Lastly, the victim is a crime scene, too. They may have body fluids, skin, hair and other material from the criminal on them.

    In my detective career, I myself have been a crime scene when I found a badly injured abduction victim who collapsed in my arms. At that point, traces of the offender’s blood and hair transferred onto my clothing. I had to take the clothes off and they were kept as evidence.

    Hair found on a victim’s clothing can serve as evidence.
    Sendo Serra/Shutterstock

    Crime scenes are confusing

    Shows like CSI often portray crime scenes as neat and clear cut, with evidence easily obtained.

    In reality, crime scenes are chaotic. They are full of clutter and the police don’t know what’s relevant and what’s not.

    During a crime scene search, police have to speculate about what happened, as often there are no eyewitnesses. A bullet casing or a bloody knife would be obvious. But what of the more common household items in the house or room? Who owns the shirt or jumper? Why is the bedroom in disarray, is that normal? What did the criminal touch or not touch? Was there just one criminal or two? What belongs to the victim?

    Unlike on TV, police don’t always know what they are looking for because often they don’t know how the crime occurred. The cause of a death can be obvious, but how it unfolded is not.

    Crime scenes are fragile

    With a murder on a TV show, the CSI team usually arrives at a home or an outdoor crime scene, surrounded by crime scene tape. The first thing they do is lift the tape and walk straight to the body.

    This is the worst possible crime scene practice.

    The detectives would be walking directly on and over the same entry or exit path the offenders used. This would destroy fragile microscopic residues of blood, dirt or plant vegetation.

    In reality, walking in and out of a crime scene this way does not happen. Prior to entering any crime scene, police look around and try to figure out which way the offender may have come and gone.

    Once weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of each option, they’ll pick a specific entry and exit point, and stick to that until the scene has been completely examined.

    Lifting the police tape and walking straight to the body is bad practice – the tape is there for a reason.
    Gordenkoff/Shutterstock

    A systematic search – and not just for DNA

    Crime scenes are also searched in different ways.

    One way to ensure no evidence is missed is with a “grid and height” search. This means searching one square metre at a time. As the police get closer to the walls of the room, they start looking from the floor up to the height of their knees.

    Once this is done, they go from their knee to their waist, then from their waist to their shoulder, then their shoulder to the top of their head, and then from the top of their head to a metre above it – until they reach the ceiling. Then they examine the ceiling.

    Police don’t look solely for the holy grail of DNA. Rather, they are trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle of what happened, why it happened, and what the criminal unintentionally left behind.

    Decades of forensic TV dramas have resulted in the “CSI effect” – the idea that finding, collecting and analysing evidence at a crime scene is straightforward, and that the evidence is infallible. This is not so. But shows like CSI have also spawned a generation of people interested in becoming real crime scene investigators and forensic scientists.

    Vincent Hurley 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. What is a ‘crime scene’, really? An expert explains how it’s more than just blue police tape – https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-crime-scene-really-an-expert-explains-how-its-more-than-just-blue-police-tape-245369

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Police seize more than 4500 XL Bully dogs since ban

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    500% increase in police costs for dealing with dangerous dogs expected by end of financial year 

    Almost one year on from the ban on XL Bully dogs in the UK, the latest figures show the huge burden this has placed on policing, with kennel spaces reaching capacity and costs increasing by the day.  

    Chief Constable Mark Hobrough is National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for dangerous dogs, he said: 

    “Since the introduction of the ban on XL Bully dogs police services have had to quickly adapt, taking positive action to respond to thousands of calls from the public and doing everything we can to remove these dangerous dogs from our communities.  

    “Undoubtedly the ban and our response to it has driven down the number of dog attacks and we are pleased that the public continues to support us by reporting suspected XL Bully dogs in their local area.  

    “However, the demand has been and continues to be simply huge. We are facing a number of challenges in kennel capacity, resourcing and ever-mounting costs and as of today, we have not received any additional funding to account for this.  

    “Veterinary bills and the cost of kennelling across policing has risen from £4m in 2018 to currently standing at more than £11m and this is expected to rise to as much as £25m by the end of April 2025. That’s a predicted 500% increase. 

    “Before the XL Bully ban was introduced there were 120 Dog Liaison Officers across England and Wales, we then trained an additional 100 with a further 40 identified to be trained this coming year.  This means that in some areas established dog handlers have been called away from other policing duties. We have had to purchase additional vehicles, equipment and find countless extra kennel spaces from the finite that are available within the industry.   

    “Policing will uphold the government’s decisions, and we’ll act robustly to do so, but the bigger picture is a focus on responsible dog ownership. People need to be aware of the types of dogs that they’re bringing into their homes and make the right decisions to choose a breed which suits their lifestyle, environment and experience. 

    “We are also asking for amendments to the existing legislation so we have alternative options to deal with the specific circumstances of a particular case. At the moment, the only option you have is to go to court when someone is in possession of an unregistered XL Bully but we feel there are some situations which could be swiftly dealt with through out of court disposals. For example, there’s potentially a big difference in someone who has unwittingly ended up owning a dog from a young age they weren’t aware was an XL Bully or those who on veterinary advice were unable to have their dog neutered by the deadline versus an individual who is intentionally breeding and selling these dogs.  

    “At the top end, unscrupulous criminal dealers and breeders need to feel the full weight of the law going to court but alternative methods of out of court disposals would support us in taking a proportionate response as required.   

    “We will always protect our communities by ensuring these dangerous dogs are dealt with but we urgently need the Government to support us in coping with the huge demand the ban has placed on our ever-stretched resources.” 

    Statistics 
    • Police forces in England and Wales have seized and euthanised 848 dogs between February and September 2024 at an estimated cost of £340K. These were dogs which were surrendered to police by owners who had not complied with the ban, nor taken advantage of the compensation scheme. 
    • Between February and September 2024, policing has seized over 4,586 suspected S1 dogs * throughout England and Wales. People have been going to court, and will continue to do so, facing criminal convictions, fines and imprisonment for being in possession of these illegal types of dog. 
    • Since the start of the XL Bully ban police services have increased kennel capacity by a third.  
    • It can cost up to £1,000 a month to keep dogs in kennels and with up to an 18-month lead in time so both kennel demand / expenditure moving forward will become even more acute. We are aware of court cases not being scheduled until mid-2026 for some dangerously out of control cases. 
    • The police officer/staff overtime bill for forces between February 2024 and September 2024 was circa £560K. 

    *A section 1 dog is any of the specified banned breeds in the Dangerous Dogs Act.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: People’s life gradually returns to normal in quake-affected county of Xizang

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

    People’s life gradually returns to normal in quake-affected county of Xizang

    Updated: January 29, 2025 08:08 Xinhua
    A man pastes Spring Festival couplets at a temporary shelter in Gyiru Village, Lnaze County of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 26, 2025. Lnaze County is one of the counties affected seriously by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake which struck southwest China’s Xizang earlier this month. As the Chinese Lunar New Year and Tibetan New Year approach, people in the affected area moved into newly constructed makeshift houses and received food packages with beef, tea leaves, sugar, highland barley wine, etc. As relief efforts continue and life gradually returns to normal, affected people feel the warmth and support pouring in from all directions. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A woman hangs festive decoration at a temporary shelter in Gyiru Village, Lnaze County of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Volunteers write Spring Festival couplets at a temporary shelter in Gyiru Village, Lnaze County of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    People receive food packages at a temporary shelter in Gyabgag Village, Lnaze County of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish rocket launch boost to get Britain back into space race

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    A landmark Scottish rocket launch is set to solidify the UK as a European leader in the space sector.

    £20 million to launch the first UK made orbital rocket from Saxavord.

    • Landmark Scottish rocket launch set to boost UK’s launching power and make Britain a European space leader
    • £20 million government investment will help to fund the construction and launch of the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket
    • Orbex’s rocket Prime will encourage economic investment and support high-skilled jobs, as part of the Plan for Change

    A landmark Scottish rocket launch is set to solidify the UK as a European leader in the space sector, following a £20 million government investment in UK launch company Orbex to build and launch a rocket from the shores of Scotland.

    Tech Secretary Peter Kyle announced the investment today (29th January) at Brussels’ European Space Conference, positioning Britain as a leading international partner and cooperator in Europe’s access to space. The investment will help to fund Orbex’s rocket Prime, the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket.

    Prime is set to take off from late 2025 at Scottish spaceport SaxaVord, one of two licensed vertical launch spaceports in Europe. It will catalyse the UK’s position as a leading small satellite manufacturer and global space leader, and support 140 highly paid jobs in the region as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    The investment will contribute to this government’s mission to grow the economy, boosting the UK’s ability to regularly launch rockets into orbit from its shores and attracting launch investment into the UK.

    With European demand for satellites up to 2033 forecasted to be worth $50 billion, even 2% of this would bring around $1 billion in revenues for the UK economy alone.

    Developing Britain’s launch capabilities is already helping to bring new jobs and economic benefits to communities and organisations across the UK. So far, the Prime project has created more than 140 highly skilled jobs in Forres, with many more anticipated as the company continues to grow.

    The launch of Prime will also help to inspire a new generation of British space professionals. By showcasing the pivotal role of Britain in the space age, government is investing now to ensure a sector that is vibrant, innovative, and above all, successful in achieving our goal for the UK to become a leading European provider of small satellite launch.

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    Britain’s impressive toolkit of scientific talent, world class facilities, and unique geography means we stand ready to lead the charge and to work together with our international partners as a key part of the new space revolution in Europe.

    By investing £20 million in this rocket launch, we are not only helping the country to become a leading destination for small satellite launches in Europe but bringing highly skilled jobs and investment to communities and organisations across the UK, as part of our Plan for Change.   

    Supporting Orbex’s launch will also turbocharge the country’s position in the space sector and inspire our next generation of space professionals, who will be able to design, test, build and launch British rockets, carrying British satellites, from British soil.

    Designed to launch satellites into orbit, Prime will benefit from the UK’s latitude, with Scotland’s geographical positioning providing easy access to valuable polar orbits.

    The British-built Prime is also Europe-leading in its pioneering approach to sustainability.  It is poised to become the first in a new generation of ultra green launch systems, powered by renewable bio-propane fuel, which cuts carbon emissions significantly compared to other similarly sized rockets being developed elsewhere around the world.

    The rocket is also designed to be re-useable. Upon returning to Earth, what does not burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere will be recovered and components will be refurbished and reused in future projects.    

    Britain is already a key player in the satellite industry, with Glasgow building more satellites than any other city in Europe.

    Dr Paul Bate CEO UK Space Agency said:

    Space is a fast-growing global industry and there is a real opportunity for the UK to play a greater role now than ever before. This new government investment is not just about launching a rocket, but building a more prosperous future for all, powered by space technology.

    Orbex is a highly innovative company that can serve customers in the UK, Europe and beyond with its Prime launch vehicle, create hundreds of high skilled jobs in Scotland and inspire a new generation to reach for the stars. We will work closely with them as we countdown to launch, continue to develop our national space capabilities, and strengthen our international partnerships.

    Scotland Office Minister, Kirsty McNeill, said:

    It’s an exciting time for the Scottish space sector and this £20 million investment from the UK government in Orbex will help Scotland maintain our position as a leader as we look forward to the first satellite launch later this year.

    This important industry is playing a vital role in our Plan for Change, helping economic growth and employing thousands of people in good quality jobs, often in small towns and rural communities, across the country.

    Phillip Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said:

    This first of a kind investment by the UK government demonstrates its confidence in the UK’s space rocket manufacturing and launch sector and is an exciting start to the opening of our Series D fundraising. We are entering the final preparations to deliver the most flexible and environmentally sustainable launch services to the global satellite industry.

    This investment paves the way not only for us to launch our first rocket this year but also to develop a larger rocket to enable us to compete in the European Launcher Challenge. These development goals are crucial to our longer-term development.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fleeing driver: Charges confirmed

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    A man is expected in court today, following a fleeing driver incident across much of central Auckland.

    On Tuesday, a vehicle with mismatching plates was located on the Northwestern Motorway.

    After allegedly failing to stop for Police, the matter concluded at Dress Smart shopping centre in Onehunga.

    Auckland City Road Policing Manager acting Inspector Scott Jones says the vehicle the man was driving has since been confirmed as stolen.

    “A 31-year-old Northland man is expected to appear in the Auckland District Court today,” he says.

    “He faces charges of aggravated assault, reckless driving, failing to stop and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.”

    During the fleeing driver incident, it was established the man was also sought in relation to other active court matters, including aggravated robbery. 

    “It’s fortunate that neither the public nor Police staff suffered any injuries as a result of the man’s alleged actions yesterday afternoon,” acting Inspector Jones says.

    ENDS

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police seek information on Ōkaihau hit-and-run

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Northland Police is investigating the fatal hit-and-run of a cyclist in Ōkaihau last night.

    An investigation team is forming in the small Far North town to locate the person responsible.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry, of Northland CIB, says Police were contacted by Settlers Way residents at around 10.15pm on 28 January.

    “We believe the collision between a cyclist and vehicle has occurred between 10pm and 10.15pm on that road,” he says.

    “Tragically, it has resulted in a 19-year-old dying from his injuries at the scene.”

    In the small hours of the morning, a traffic crash analyst attended and examined the scene.

    “A criminal investigation is now underway, and detectives are working to piece together who is responsible,” Detective Senior Sergeant Verry says.

    “Police will be in the Ōkaihau township as part of our investigation, seeking witnesses and further information.”

    Investigators want to hear from anyone in the area last night that has information.

    “Police will be searching for a vehicle that has obvious signs of damage.

    “A young man has lost his life, and it’s important that anyone in the community with information does the right thing and speaks up now.”

    Victim Support has been engaged for the cyclist’s family.

    “Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time and with what they are going through.”

    Anyone who may have witnessed the lead up or aftermath of the incident, or who has any information, is asked to contact Police.

    Update Police online or call 105, using the reference number 250129/0360.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of drug trafficking ring that used social media to communicate and advertise wares sentenced to 10 years in prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant recruited young people with images of money, exotic cars, and expensive jewelry

    Tacoma – The leader of a South Puget Sound drug trafficking organization that sent dangerous drugs as far away as Georgia and Ohio was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to ten years in prison for his multi-state drug trafficking scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Joel Adrian Valencia Rosas, 28, of Lakewood, Washington was indicted in December 2023 following a lengthy investigation that uncovered the trafficking of cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana to East Coast locales, and the importation and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine in Western Washington. The drug ring used social media such as Snapchat and Instagram to communicate and recruit new members. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright noted that Mr. Valencia Rosas was glamorizing drug dealing with his social media posts. “He used the lower-level members of the drug ring to take on higher risks… Mr. Valencia Rosas was willing to recruit and sacrifice others to make more money,” Judge Cartwright said.

    “The defendants in this case are all young – 18-28 years old.  Mr. Valencia Rosas, the ringleader of this trafficking group, actively enticed young people to join his criminal enterprise,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “On social media he not only posted the drugs available for sale and their prices, he also attempted to portray the drug trafficking lifestyle as glamorous and lucrative, posting pictures of himself with firearms, flashy vehicles, and cash. In reality, drug trafficking leaves destruction in its wake.”

    During this investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and partner law enforcement agencies seized nearly 52 kilos of cocaine, more than 23 kilos of fentanyl pills, and 131 kilos of marijuana. One drug shipment seized by law enforcement contained 37 kilos of cocaine and more than a kilo of fentanyl pills. In June 2023, a traffic stop on Interstate 5 resulted in the seizure of 200,000 fentanyl pills that had been hidden in the vehicle.

    According to records filed in the case, Valencia Rosas has been trafficking drugs since at least 2018. His posts on social media talked about how much money he would pay for people to work as drug couriers. Even after Snapchat closed his account in December 2022, Valencia Rosas simply moved his recruiting efforts to another social media site: Instagram. He continued posting on his trafficking activities through 2023.

    Valencia Rosas has been in custody since his arrest in December 2023.

    In asking for an 11-year prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Marci Ellsworth wrote to the court, “Valencia Rosas was so successful that he could not traffic the drugs without bringing others into his criminal orbit. He could not move the hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash drug proceeds from Ohio and Georgia without more people, driving cash back to him or flying with it stuffed into their bags… none of those codefendants made money from their involvement in the DTO. Only Valencia Rosas made money, off the backs of his codefendants.”

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) IRS- Criminal Investigations, TNET (Tacoma Narcotics Enforcement Team), TNT (Thurston Narcotics Task Force), Lakewood PD, Puyallup PD, Bonney Lake PD, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, Tacoma PD, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, and Metro Cities SWAT.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Marci L. Ellsworth and Crystal Correa. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pair arrested after Panmure aggravated robbery

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police were on the money, arresting two offenders shortly after an aggravated robbery in Panmure this morning.

    Just after 9am, two offenders entered the Cash Converters store on Queens Road.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, from Auckland City Crime Squad, says the pair were allegedly carrying weapons at the time.

    “They allegedly took the store’s till and used those weapons to smash cabinets and take jewellery on display,” he says.

    “Both fled the store and got into the stolen vehicle they arrived in.”

    Police were quickly contacted and deployed to the area.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says the stolen vehicle was located on Swan Crescent in Pakuranga, after colliding into a gate.

    “A Police dog handler deployed in the area and tracked to an address in the nearby area.”

    Inside, Police have since located two 16-year-old males and they have been arrested.

    The store’s till has also been recovered.

    “Charges will be laid in due course as our investigation continues,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.

    “I’d like to acknowledge the various Police teams that deployed to the aggravated robbery this morning, as we continue to hold offenders to account.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Wheels come off yard burglary

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Two men face a slew of charges after their alleged burglary plans uncoupled on Auckland Anniversary Day.

    On Monday, frontline Police responded to a burglary in progress at an industrial area in Takanini, at around 8.54am.

    “Two men had allegedly broken into the business’ yard and were in the process of stealing a trailer and an all-terrain vehicle,” Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes says.

    “The victims had arrived on scene and had approached the two offenders.”

    After being asked about their actions, one of the men allegedly assaulted one of the victims. Fortunately, he did not sustain serious injuries.

    “Police had received a 111 call, and our staff were soon in the area,” Inspector Hoyes says.

    “A Police unit signalled for the stolen vehicle and trailer to stop; however, the offender accelerated at speed and wasn’t pursued.”

    The second offender left the area on foot.

    Meanwhile, the Police Eagle helicopter had deployed and was overhead of the vehicle as it travelled north on the motorway.

    Inspector Hoyes says the vehicle exited at Highbrook and travelled to Kilkenny Drive in East Tamaki.

    “The vehicle came to a stop and units quickly moved in and blocked in the vehicle before the driver was arrested.”

    A 56-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault, two counts of burglary, reckless driving and failing to stop.

    He will appear in the Papakura District Court on 30 January.

    The second man, a 45-year-old, was arrested in the Takanini area. He is also facing two charges of burglary and one count of aggravated assault.

    He has since appeared in the Papakura District Court and will reappear on 20 February 2025.

    “We acknowledge the victims’ quick reporting of offending taking place at their premises so our staff could respond and it’s a great outcome that we have returned both pieces of equipment to them,” Inspector Hoyes says.

    ENDS. 

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Historic Booth Street bridge set to close to vehicle traffic

    Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

    The City of Greater Bendigo will permanently close the historic Booth Street Bridge over Bendigo Creek to vehicle traffic from February 2025.

    The Booth Street bridge is one of six remaining Monier reinforced concrete arch bridges built in Bendigo over 120 years ago between 1900 and 1902 by Monash & Anderson. The Monier bridges are significant because they demonstrate an important stage in the development of reinforced concrete technology and early twentieth century engineering.

    In 2008 the City reduced the load limit of the Booth Street Bridge to five tonne to slow and reduce the deterioration of the structure. In 2020 a further engineering investigation and load testing was undertaken which found that the capacity of the bridge had continued to reduce since the 2008 inspection.

    City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director Brian Westley said the decision to close the bridge to vehicle traffic has been undertaken due to the continuing deterioration of the bridge and the significant and costly repairs that would need to be undertaken for it to continue to remain open.

    “The City is responsible for maintaining over 300 bridges and only has limited funds to undertake renewal projects which need to be prioritised,” Mr Westley said.

    “Repairing the bridge was considered under the City’s bridge renewal program. However, it was not deemed to be a high priority when compared to the other bridge renewal projects that are needed in Greater Bendigo.

    “Traffic counts have shown that the Booth Street Bridge carries a volume of approximately 430 vehicles per day and the surrounding road network is considered adequate to absorb this traffic. Using Laurel/Wade Street as an alternative would only require vehicle to travel an additional 250 metres.

    “Therefore, closing the bridge to vehicles but leaving it open to pedestrians and cyclists is considered the most beneficial and cost-effective option and the City has made the decision to permanently close the bridge to vehicle traffic given the low usage and easily accessible alternate routes.”

    As part of the bridge closure some minor works will take place including the installation of a court bowl turn around area and installation of vehicle barriers on the High Street side of the bridge, and some kerbing/vehicle barriers on the Old High Street side.

    MIL OSI News –