Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Government of the Solomon Islands

The Manakwai Community High School in North Malaita has expressed its gratitude to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through its Embassy in Honiara for a generous donation of $100,000 towards its fencing project.  

This financial support will enable the school to procure essential materials needed for the project.  

“This support is indeed a blessing and the first of its kind for our school, marking a milestone in our efforts to improve infrastructure and security,” School Principal Ridley Rongomea said.

Mr. Rongomea emphasized that the project would enhance the school's security by protecting resources and facilities, as well as providing a safer learning environment for students.  

“On behalf of the school board, staff, students, parents, and the entire Manakwai community, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to the PRC government for its timely support.”  

He also acknowledged the PRC’s ongoing support for educational development in the country.  

He highlighted that such a partnership between the school and PRC is essential for progress, as it encourages collaboration, pools resources and expertise, improves efficiency, and fosters sustainable growth through combined efforts.

The School Principal also thanked parents, guardians, students and the Manakwai community for their ongoing firm support and contributions towards the school over the years.

The Chinese Embassy in Honiara expressed its pleasure in supporting the school and reaffirmed its commitment to the education sector, contributing to the safety and well-being of students and teachers across the Solomon Islands.

Principal, Rongomea, said that the school looks forward to working with the Manakwai community, PRC, and stakeholders in the implementation of the project, ensuring its successful completion to provide a safer learning environment for all.

Source: Solomon Islands Government

The Central Honiara Constituency (CHC), under the leadership of Honourable Member of Parliament Gordon Darcy Lilo, has donated a brand-new three-tonne truck worth $381,561.00 to All Saints Parish in Honiara.

Hon. Lilo officially handed over the keys to the parish leaders in a small but significant ceremony held on November 23, 2025.  

Speaking during the ceremony, the former Prime Minister said that the support signifies the CHC office’s ongoing commitment and efforts to support and invest in the work of churches.

He assured the All Saints members, along with the church leaders, that the support is part of the constituency office’s rollout program to help people in Central Honiara through the different churches within the constituency.  

Hon. Lilo also highlighted that one of the projects he is excited about, scheduled to start next year, is the road project that will ensure proper roads in East, West, and of course, Central Honiara Constituency.

“We are giving back what belongs to the people, and I have a very committed team working together to ensure we deliver what belongs to the people,” he said.  

The All Saints church leaders expressed profound gratitude to the leadership of Hon. Lilo and the constituency office for the generous donation.

They said that the church is pleased to receive such support, as it will enhance the church’s daily operations and outreach programs within Honiara.  

Meanwhile, Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Paul Rexford said that MP Lilo and the constituency office are pleased to facilitate support to the churches in the constituency. The vehicle was procured under the 2024 CDF budget allocation.  

“Giving back to churches what is due to them is important to ensure they can support their operations and outreach programs to spread the gospel to our people,” he said.  

He added that CHC, under MP Lilo’s guidance, will continue to deliver support to communities, churches, and organizations toward building a better community for everyone.

“Despite Central Honiara having the largest number of registered voters—over 17,000 in the last election—we continue to see it as both fitting and important to give back to churches. This is to ensure the work of our Lord Jesus Christ continues in this country,” CDO Rexford emphasized.  

“…As Christians, let us all pray for each other, pray for our constituency and country, and work together as a team for the betterment of CHC and our nation,” Mr. Rexford urged.  

The CHC office also provided similar support to Holy Cross Catholic Parish on September 14, with the donation of a three-tonne truck worth $388,000. Additionally, on August 16, the office supported the South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC) with a donation of $20,000 to assist with hosting the National Mission Summit in Honiara.  

Other support includes financial contributions in the form of tithes and offerings valued at $546,323.76 to 42 churches in the constituency in May this year.  

Apart from church support, CHC continues to assist the health sector by donating two brand-new 15-seater buses in May this year, worth $497,231.80, to the Honiara City Council (HCC). These buses were allocated to the Health Division, specifically for Mbokonavera and Mataniko Pikinini clinics, to support healthcare services for both health workers and patients within the constituency.

All these supports were made possible by the Solomon Islands Government through the CDF program administered by the Ministry of Rural Development and the Church Grant program managed by the Ministry of Traditional Governance and facilitated by the CHC office.

The Constituency Development Funds (CDF) is a national program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG). It is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) and implemented across the 50 constituencies to improve the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders, in line with the ministry’s vision: “To empower all Solomon Islanders for self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development.”

Source: International Campaign to Free Marwan Barghouti

Over two hundred international cultural figures, including Margaret Atwood, Sir Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo, Sting, Paul Simon, Stephen Fry, Delia Smith, Ai Wei Wei, Javier Bardem, Brian Eno, Annie Lennox, Sir Richard Branson and Zadie Smith have signed an open letter calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti, widely described as the “Mandela of Palestine”

The signatories, spanning film, music, literature and sport, are urging the United Nations and governments around the world to pressure the Israeli government to free Marwan, 66, who has spent 23 years in prison following what legal experts describe as a flawed trial. Marwan, an elected parliamentarian at the time of his arrest, remains the most popular Palestinian leader, consistently topping polls as the people's choice to lead.

The campaign echoes the cultural movement that was central to securing the freedom of Nelson Mandela and ending apartheid in South Africa. As Mandela himself said in 2002, “what is happening to Barghouti is the same as what happened to me”. This open letter is the start of a wider public effort organised by the International Campaign to Free Marwan with the ultimate aim of helping to secure long-lasting peace in the region.

British musician Brian Eno said: “History shows us that cultural voices can shift the course of politics. Just as global solidarity helped free Nelson Mandela, we all have the power to accelerate the day that Marwan Barghouti walks free. His release would mark a turning point in this long struggle and bring much-needed hope to all of us.”

Selma Dabbagh, author and lawyer said: “Marwan Barghouti's trial was widely recognised as a sham. The body that represents parliaments around the world – the Inter-Parliamentary Union – undertook their own assessment and concluded it was deeply flawed. Marwan's release would be a critical step in allowing Palestinians to determine their own leadership, whatever shape that may take.”

The appeal comes following the launch of the new International Campaign to Free Marwan Barghouti on 29 November 2025, as concerns mount over Barghouti's treatment in prison. Israeli cabinet member Itmar Ben-Gvir filmed himself in August taunting a gaunt-looking Barghouti in his prison cell, and in the weeks following the visit, Barghouti was beaten unconscious by guards during a prison transfer.

Organisers of the letter say the current Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to consider releasing Marwan because of his ability to unify the Palestinian people and his capability to achieve lasting peace.

NOTES

The full statement reads: “We express our grave concern at the continuing imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, his violent mistreatment and denial of legal rights whilst imprisoned. We call upon the United Nations and the governments of the world to actively seek the release of Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison.”

Signatories include:

Angela Davis, Annie Ernaux, Annie Lennox, Arundhati Roy, Bassem Youssef, Bella Freud, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bobby Gillespie, Brian Cox, Brian Eno, Carice van Houten, Cynthia Nixon, David Byrne, Delia Smith, Eric Cantona, Eyal Weizman, Fontaines D.C., Gabor Maté, Gary Lineker, Jarvis Cocker, Javier Bardem, Josh O'Connor, Julie Christie, Justine Triet, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Mabel, Margaret Atwood, Mark Ruffalo, Massive Attack, Michael Stipe, Nan Goldin, Naomi Klein, Neneh Cherry, Olga Tokarczuk, Paul Simon, Pedro Almodovar, Peter Gabriel, Philip Pullman, Rebecca Solnit, Riz Ahmed, Rob Delaney, Robert Macfarlane, Sally Rooney, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Jonathan Pryce, Sir Richard Branson, Stephen Fry, Sting, Susan Sarandon, Tilda Swinton, William Dalrymple, Zadie Smith

A full list of the 200+ names is available here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-V7nl_oDgZY4JzfgGh289SB8hSl_swG9XeRbqlmtoyc/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Further quotes

“I call for the immediate release of Marwan Barghouti, who has been imprisoned by Israel for 23 years in scandalous conditions. He embodies the possibility of peace which Netenyahu refuses, determined as he is to continue with the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.” – Annie Ernaux

“Palestine's most popular leader has suffered 23 years of imprisonment and solitary confinement, severe torture and starvation conditions in an Israeli jail. Everyone that believes in freedom and dignity for the Palestinian people should join in the call for his immediate release. ”  – Brian Cox

International Campaign to Free Marwan Barghouti
#FreeMarwan
freemarwan.org

Source: University of East Anglia (UEA)

New research shows how the combination of extreme climate events, sea-level rise and land subsidence could create larger and deeper floods in coastal cities in future.
 
The study focused on Shanghai, in China, which is threatened with flooding by large and strong typhoons, or tropical storms, producing storm surge and waves.
 
When these events coincide with other causes of flooding, such as high water flows in the Yangtze River, they can combine to create even more catastrophic floods, as happened with Typhoon Winnie in 1997.
 
The study was carried out by researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA), Shanghai Normal University and the University of Southampton, together with other institutions in China, the United States and the Netherlands.
 
It assessed all the causes of flooding in Shanghai and found that if considering climate, sea-level rise and land subsidence, by 2100 the floods of Shanghai could expand in size by up to 80 per cent and be much deeper.
 
The authors say that to avoid disaster a major adaptation effort is required, which will almost certainly include raising defences and constructing mobile flood barriers, like those seen at the Thames Barrier in London.
 
However, they warn there is also the risk of “catastrophic failure” of defences due to rising water levels, especially due to the combination of subsidence, sea-level rise and higher surges during typhoons, as occurred in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
 
They say this danger is not fully appreciated and must be considered in adaptation in Shanghai and other deltaic cities, with a layered rather than single line of defence needed.
 
The study, published today in the journal One Earth, is the first comprehensive analysis of flooding in a delta city.
 
“These findings have wider implications for all coastal cities and especially those built on deltas like Shanghai,” said lead UK author Prof Robert Nicholls, of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at UEA and University of Southampton. “Such analyses are critical to anticipate and support the significant adaptation needs in these cities.”
 
Low-lying deltas host some of the world's fastest-growing cities and vital economic centres, but they are increasingly vulnerable to flooding from tropical and extratropical cyclones.
 
Floods are driven by combinations of tide, storm surge, wave, river flows and rain. The most extreme floods occur due to the simultaneous combination of different sources of flood, such as a high river flow and a storm at the same time.
 
“The likelihood and magnitude of floods are often underestimated as these combined floods are not considered,” said Prof Nicholls. “Further climate change and land subsidence – all deltas sink – is increasing the likelihood of flooding. Therefore, the threat is growing in all coastal cities and especially delta cities where all these issues occur.”
 
The team used an atmosphere, ocean, and coast model (AOCM) of the Shanghai region that for the first time includes all the flood drivers. Taking 10 historic typhoon events that produced significant floods, they simulated how they will change over the next 75 years to 2100, with different amounts of climate change and land subsidence.
 
Lead author Prof Min Zhang, of Shanghai Normal University, said: “We find that the area flooded in a typhoon by an extreme, one in 200-year event – an event that should be considered in disaster risk management and flood planning – could increase by up to 80 percent in 2100”.
 
“The response to this challenge will almost certainly be raising of defences as Shanghai and most delta cities are already defended. However, rising water levels, especially due to the combination of subsidence, sea-level rise and higher surges during typhoons raise the prospect of catastrophic failure and large, deep floods if the defences fail.”
 
Prof Nicholls added: “This so-called 'polder effect' when defences fail is not fully appreciated. It must be carefully considered in adaptation planning in Shanghai and other deltaic cities. Rather than depending on a single line of defences, layered defence is needed to make these cities more resilient today and into the future.”
 
'Growing Compound Flood Risk Driven by Both Climate Change and Land Subsidence Challenges Flood Risk Reduction in Major Delta Cities', is published in One Earth on December 3.

NOTES

A copy of the paper is available on this Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/d4i2k6cwsagt9gehjnm5i/AO97VnHsWRmlxVRAYGIK6Mo?rlkey=nesjshphrocfj60ygm3ii0ywa&st=atsp9hs8&dl=0  

The University of East Anglia (UEA) is a UK Top 25 university for research quality (Times Higher Education Rankings 2026) and UK 26th in the Complete University Guide. It also ranks in the World Top 60 (QS World Rankings for Sustainability 2025) and the World Top 20 for reduced inequalities and World Top 200 (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025). Known for its world-leading research and good student experience, its 360-acre campus has won nine Green Flag awards in a row for its high environmental standards. The University is a leading member of Norwich Research Park, one of Europe's biggest concentrations of researchers in the fields of environment, health and plant science. www.uea.ac.uk.  

Prof Robert Nicholls was the Director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research from 2019 to 2024 and is currently Professor of Climate Adaptation. https://research-portal.uea.ac.uk/en/persons/robert-nicholls/  

Dr Min Zhang is an associate professor at Shanghai Normal University. In 2024, he served as a visiting scholar at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia, when much of the work on the paper was completed.  https://tyndall.ac.uk/people/zhang-min/

Source: Christian Solidarity International (CSI)

Williams explores how, in situations of persecution, barriers between Christians “dissolve”.

Christian Solidarity International (CSI) released today a new essay by Dr. Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, as part of its ongoing international series, “Persecution and the unity of believers.”

Responding to the series' inaugural essay by Cardinal Koch, Dr. Williams explores how the “gift” of martyrdom challenges Christians to overcome divisions between different church bodies.

Williams points to the recently translated journal of Nicolae Steinhardt, a Romanian intellectual who converted to Orthodox Christianity while imprisoned by the communist regime. While in prison, he was baptized, in a sacrament witnessed by Catholic and Protestant priests.

“Clearly,” Williams writes, “in extreme situations, some barriers dissolve almost without question; mutual recognition is made simple if all are paying the same price for their commitment to the new life in Christ.”

Williams also insists that persecution must be named and contested, “for the sake of justice for all.” He criticizes the “fantasy” believed in some circles, “that Christianity is intrinsically a tool of colonialism, capitalism, [or] American hegemony.”

“It is especially dispiriting to have to explain this to government ministers, or even to some religious leaders,” he comments.

As the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (2002–2012), Dr. Rowan Williams led the 100-million-member Anglican Communion for a decade. A distinguished scholar who has served as the Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford and Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, Williams is widely recognized as one of the world's leading theologians.

The essay series was initiated by CSI International President Dr. John Eibner to address the urgent reality of anti-Christian persecution in today's world. Eibner described the initiative in his introductory essay as a project “to stimulate deeper conversation about the 'ecumenism of the martyrs' among Christians of all traditions.” (ref. https://www.csi-schweiz.ch/app/uploads/sites/13/2025/11/Eibner-Introduction-final.pdf )

“Even if Christians today are divided by confession, politics, economics, and history, they can find unity by focusing on those who have been martyred because of their common faith,” wrote Eibner. “I would encourage Christians from all traditions to read this series not just as a theological exercise for the mind, but also as a call to action.”

The series will continue in the coming months with contributions from Archbishop Angaelos, the Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London.

He will be followed by Professor Yusuf Turaki, a renowned Nigerian theologian who has documented the systematic persecution of Christians in northern Nigeria.

The full text of Dr. Rowan Williams' essay is available now on the CSI international website.

Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is a Christian human rights organization promoting religious liberty and human dignity.

Source: Invest Moldova

Chișinău, Republic of Moldova – December 2025. The Government of the Republic of Moldova's Regional State Aid Scheme for Industrial Investments, launched in January 2025, is rapidly positioning the country as one of the most competitive destinations for strategic industrial capital in Eastern Europe. Designed under the National Industrialization Plan 2024–2028, the scheme offers substantial financial incentives to both local and foreign investors, aiming to accelerate Moldova's industrial modernization and integrate the country deeper into European and global value chains.

Generous Incentives for Foreign Enterprises

Foreign companies investing in Moldova are fully eligible to access the scheme. Depending on company size and project location, investors can receive up to 60% of eligible investment costs for large enterprises and up to 75% for small businesses.
 
Investment support is structured across two components:

25% direct grant, enabling immediate liquidity for capital expenditure;
75% income tax exemption, ensuring long-term fiscal relief and improved profitability.

The minimum eligible investment value is 10 million MDL (approx. €500,000). A single project cannot receive more than 20% of the scheme's total budget, ensuring broad participation and competitive allocation.

“This scheme gives foreign investors a compelling reason to consider Moldova as their next strategic location. The incentive structure is aligned with EU rules and directly supports large-scale projects in manufacturing, electronics, agrifood, and automotive supply chains. Investors entering now gain a first-mover advantage in a rapidly transforming industrial landscape,” says Natalia Bejan, Director of Invest Moldova Agency

Six Priority Sectors Open to International Investors

The scheme focuses on six high-growth, export-oriented sectors with strong regional integration potential:

• Electronics
• Chemical & pharmaceutical production
• Automotive components
• Textiles & apparel
• Construction materials
• Food & agrifood processing.

For construction materials, the scheme explicitly covers thermal insulation systems, adhesives, cement, bricks, and related product lines—reflecting growing demand across Romania, Ukraine, and EU markets.

Balanced Regional Development Incentives

Aid intensity varies by region:

• Higher support is available for investments in the northern and southern regions;
• Moderate support for investments in central areas.

This strategy encourages balanced territorial development and reduces regional disparities—an important criterion for EU-aligned state-aid policy.

“Foreign manufacturers looking to diversify production within the European neighbourhood will find Moldova both cost-effective and strategically located. The scheme reflects our long-term commitment to industrial modernization and to attracting investors who generate value-added jobs and export capacity,” Mrs Bejan continues.

Strong Early Uptake from Industry

By October 2025, six companies had already signed state aid agreements, demonstrating strong early demand from both domestic and foreign-owned enterprises. These include:

• Imcomvil Group Ltd. – 30.2 million MDL in state support for a 60 million MDL snack production expansion, generating 60 new jobs;
• Electrotehnica (Bălți) – 173.8 million MDL in support for a 293 million MDL transformation of a historic plant into a modern food production center, creating 319 jobs;
• Gido Park (Criuleni district) – state aid agreement for over 72 million MDL investment to establish a new production facility of pressed concrete items with 40 new jobs.

These early results highlight Moldova's growing appeal to investors seeking nearshoring, supply-chain diversification, and export access to the EU.

Long-Term Commitment and Scale

The total scheme budget is estimated at 4 billion MDL (approx. €200 million), with state aid agreements available until 31 December 2034, subject to annual budget allocations.
The government expects up to 150 enterprises to benefit from the program over the next decade.

This aligns with Moldova's national targets to:

Increase manufacturing share of GDP from 8.2% (2023) to 11.5% (2028);
Increase industrial output by at least 25% by 2028.

About Invest Moldova
Invest Moldova is the national investment and export promotion agency, dedicated to advancing Moldova's global competitiveness. The agency supports international investors throughout the full investment cycle and assists Moldovan exporters with market entry, compliance, and expansion strategies. Through coordinated promotion, policy dialogue, and private-sector engagement, Invest Moldova works to attract investment, diversify exports, and strengthen Moldova's long-term economic growth.

Source: ARM Hub

BRISBANE – ARM Hub welcomes today's National AI Plan, which delivers practical AI deployment support for Australia's industrial sector, sovereign capability, and safety guidance.

The plan provides $29.9 million for the AI Safety Institute and more than $460 million across existing AI programs, with coordination of Australia's AI adoption efforts through the AI Adopt Centre network.

The plan's three goals align directly with ARM Hub's work: capturing AI opportunities through practical deployment, spreading benefits across Australian industry, and keeping businesses safe as they adopt new technologies.

“The plan strengthens how Australia supports industrial AI adoption,” said Professor Cori Stewart, ARM Hub CEO and Founder.

“By coordinating the AI Adopt Centre network under NAIC and maintaining the $17 million AI Adopt Program, it ensures SMEs get practical support to deploy AI without the barriers larger companies can overcome. ARM Hub delivers that support across sectors including advanced manufacturing, medical technology, defence, clean energy, metal fabrication, and even enabling technologies like robotics and embedded AI.”

The plan directly supports ARM Hub's industrial work in several areas:

Coordinated adoption support: The National AI Centre's expanded role coordinating all four AI Adopt Centres strengthens ARM Hub's focus on industrial applications while improving national consistency. The plan brings the $17 million AI Adopt Program under NAIC oversight, enhancing support for SMEs implementing AI.

Practical skills development: The plan emphasizes TAFE and workforce programs alongside research institutions, recognising that floor managers and production staff across industrial sectors need AI confidence to succeed in an AI-enabled economy.

Sovereign capability: The plan's investment in local infrastructure and the GovAI framework addresses security concerns for industrial businesses working with robotics and AI, providing clarity for companies investing in advanced technologies.

The plan also establishes the AI Safety Institute to monitor, test and share information on emerging AI capabilities, risks and harms, supporting regulators as AI becomes embedded in industrial production systems and supply chains.

ARM Hub's AI Adopt Centre continues supporting industrial businesses nationally through practical guidance, data infrastructure support, and connections to Australia's broader AI ecosystem, helping companies access national programs and scale their innovations.

Source: Amnesty International

Responding to today’s decision by an Azerbaijani court to remand in custody prominent opposition leader Ali Karimli, following a raid on his home and his arrest by the State Security Service, Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:

“Ali Karimli’s detention is the latest outrage in the ongoing consolidation of authoritarian practices in Azerbaijan. There appears to be no limits to the government’s campaign to crush all political opposition and suppress all dissent in the country. While few are prepared to openly challenge the authorities, the decision to arrest an opposition leader, hold him incommunicado and press dubious charges of ‘attempted seizure of power’ against him, sends a chilling warning to anyone who may have doubts as to how far the Azerbaijani government is prepared to go.”

“Authorities must release Ali Karimli unless they can demonstrate reasonable evidence of an alleged criminal offence. All they have demonstrated so far, by snatching and holding him incommunicado, and thus denying him his right to a fair trial, is their determination to take this wave of politically motivated arrests targeting opposition figures, academics, journalists and activists, even further.”

Background

On 1 December, the Sabayil District Court in Baku remanded Ali Karimli, chairman of the opposition Azerbaijani Popular Front Party (APFP) in pre-trial detention for two months and 15 days, under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code (“actions aimed at the violent seizure of power” and “violent change of the constitutional order”). Authorities have connected him to a criminal investigation against Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former head of the presidential administration, who was charged in October with attempted “seizure of power,” “high treason” and the “legalization of property obtained by criminal means.”

Ali Karimli was detained on 29 November after security agents raided his home in Baku after which he was kept incommunicado for two days. Several other APFP members were also detained following searches, including Presidium member Mammad Ibrahim who has been held incommunicado since.

These arrests come amid an intensified crackdown on dissent in Azerbaijan, where journalists, academics and opposition figures increasingly face harassment, arbitrary detention and politically motivated prosecutions.

Source: Equinor

01 DECEMBER 2025 – Equinor and Shell have completed a deal to combine their UK offshore oil and gas operations to form a new company. Adura, which launched today, will be the UK North Sea’s largest independent producer.

Adura CEO Neil McCulloch, who brings more than 30 years' experience in the energy sector, said: “It’s a rare privilege to be part of a company’s first chapter. A commitment to safety, a belief in the future of the North Sea, and the combined expertise from Equinor and Shell form the foundation of our exciting new company. I can't wait to begin working with this exceptional team.”

Adura, jointly owned by Shell (50%) and Equinor (50%), combines decades of North Sea expertise into a joint venture that is positioned to deliver a more cost-competitive portfolio and maximize long-term value for UK assets.

Shell’s executive vice president for Conventional Oil & Gas, Rich Howe said: “Forming the largest independent producer together with Equinor is an historic moment for our business and the UK energy industry. With an exceptional asset base and industry leading expertise, Adura is well-positioned to lead in this mature basin.”

Equinor’s executive vice president for Exploration and Production International, Philippe Mathieu, said: “Adura represents a new chapter in the UK North Sea, bringing together two strong portfolios and decades of experience. With the focus, scale and operational flexibility needed to succeed, the company is positioned for long-term impact. As owners, we are confident that Adura will generate long-term value and reinforce the UK North Sea’s role in meeting the country’s energy needs.”

Adura assumes Equinor and Shell’s interests in 12 producing oil and gas assets and projects in execution, including: Mariner, Rosebank, Buzzard, Shearwater, Penguins, Gannet, Nelson, Pierce, Jackdaw, Victory, Clair and Schiehallion. It also holds a number of exploration licenses. The company is headquartered in Aberdeen. Staff from both Shell and Equinor have transferred into Adura, ensuring that industry-leading expertise is retained.

Notes

• Adura employs approximately 1,200 people.
• Adura is expected to produce over 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2026.
• According to data produced by Wood Mackenzie, Adura is expected to produce more oil and gas from the UK North Sea than any other producer in 2026.
• Equinor will retain ownership of its cross-border assets, Utgard, Barnacle and Statfjord and offshore wind portfolio including Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon, Hywind Scotland and Dogger Bank. It will also retain the hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, power generation, battery storage and gas storage assets.
• Shell U.K. Limited will retain ownership of its interests and projects that are part of the UK SEGAL system, namely Fife NGL Plant, St Fergus Gas Terminal and the Braefoot Bay facility, and in the Bacton onshore gas terminal and multiple assets in the Southern North Sea. It also retains its interest in the Howe asset as well as a number of assets that are post cessation of production.

Source: KOF Economic Institute

The KOF Economic Barometer increases slightly in November. After now rising for three consecutive months, it continues to remain above its medium-term average. The outlook for the Swiss economy is steady.

In November, the KOF Economic Barometer increases by 0.2 points to a level of 101.7 (after revised 101.5 in the previous month). The positive developments are particularly reflected by the demand side indicators included in the KOF Economic Barometer. Both the indicator bundles for foreign demand as well as for private consumption show a favourable outlook. Among the production side indicator bundles, the indicators for financial and insurance services and for construction are under pressure.

Many of the indicators for the different aspects of business activity within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction) are under pressure. In particular, the sub-indicators for employment prospects as well as for stockpiling of intermediate goods exhibit negative developments. This is slightly cushioned by a positive outlook for the sub-indicators for exports in particular.

The sub-indicators within manufacturing indicate a mixed outlook. While the sub-indicators for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry are particularly improving, the sub-indicators for paper and printing products as well as for the metal industry are under pressure.