Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

The world is becoming a little more interconnected again: globalisation deepened in economic, social and political terms in 2023. The Netherlands remains the most globalised country in the world, while Switzerland ranks second.

International interdependence increased slightly again in 2023, as shown by the KOF Globalisation Index. The overall index rose on average compared with 2022. This increase is broadly based, with economic, so-cial and political globalisation being on average higher than in the previous year. At the same time, the bal-ance within the economic dimension is shifting: while trade globalisation declined slightly on average, finan-cial globalisation grew significantly. Social globalisation also increased markedly.

Although the composition of the top rankings remains stable, their order has changed. The Netherlands remains the most globalised country in the world. Switzerland is now in second place, ahead of Belgium. The United Kingdom remains in fourth place. Sweden moves up to fifth place, ahead of Austria in sixth, followed by Germany, Denmark, France and Finland. Although the top ten remain unchanged as a group, the scores within this group reveal different dynamics.

The scale of the changes outside the top group is much greater. In terms of overall globalisation, Afghanistan will be one of the countries achieving the largest increases in 2023 compared with 2022, while Turkey and the West Bank & Gaza will be among those suffering the sharpest declines.

Economic globalisation: trade slightly weaker, financial integration stronger

Economic globalisation increased on average in 2023 compared with 2022. However, the two sub-indices within this dimension fared differently. Trade globalisation declined slightly on average, while financial global-isation grew significantly. This countervailing trend was also evident in the de-facto figures: actual financial interdependence rose more sharply than de-facto trade interdependence.

Singapore remains at the forefront of economic globalisation, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium. The United Arab Emirates moves up to fourth place compared with 2022, followed by Switzerland. Luxembourg falls back in the economic globalisation rankings. Cyprus is new to the top ten.

Social globalisation: sharp rise driven by de-facto interconnectedness

Social globalisation shows the strongest average increase among the three dimensions in 2023. The differ-ence between de facto and de jure is particularly striking: actual social interconnectedness is growing much more sharply, while the institutional framework is changing only slightly. This finding is consistent with a situa-tion in which cross-border social activities are increasing without formal requirements changing to the same extent.
Luxembourg remains out in front, followed by Hong Kong SAR (China) and Monaco. Andorra and Singapore complete the top five. Switzerland and Norway enter the top ten. Both improve significantly in the social index compared with 2022, moving into the leading group. In contrast, Australia and Iceland fall out of the top ten.

Political globalisation: modest increase; change at the top

Political globalisation rose slightly on average in 2023 compared with 2022. Both de-jure and de-facto scores are higher on average than in the previous year. There has been a change at the top of the rankings, with the United Kingdom claiming first place, ahead of France and Germany. Germany thus falls from first to third place compared with 2022, while France remains virtually unchanged in second place. Italy and Spain follow behind. Belgium, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Austria remain in the top ten and reveal only minor changes in their political index scores overall.

During layoffs and hiring freezes, when shortsighted businessmen choose temporary savings over long-term wins, visionary employers are scooping up top cyber talent.

Mass layoffs, hiring freezes, market uncertainty, and rushed AI integration crack businesses wide open to cyberattacks. Visionary leaders, however, can see the current situation as a rare opportunity to snatch talent in between jobs.

Current cybersecurity landscape

Cybersecurity is no longer on the margins. Reactive approach to cyber incidents is being replaced by proactive measures to prevent cyberattacks. But while the necessary tools and innovation to fend off attackers might be in place, specialists are nowhere to be found. And the situation is getting even worse every year.

According to The 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the cybersecurity workforce gap is around 4,8 million, or 19% higher than the previous year. I would expect the demand will keep outpacing talent supply because of two main reasons:

Businesses favor AI over inexperienced workers. According to a 54‑page Stanford paper titled “Canaries in the Coal Mine? Six Facts about the Recent Employment Effects of Artificial Intelligence,” employment among early‑career workers (ages 22–25) in AI‑exposed sectors—such as software engineering and customer service—fell by about 13%. More experienced workers who could oversee AI are needed. But not all companies recognize the need to grow and upskill talent themselves.

AI is being implemented hastily by organizations and threat actors alike. Companies are eager to deploy AI tools to pursue the promising opportunities these technologies offer, often without realizing that doing so introduces additional security risks. Attackers, in turn, leverage AI at scale to automate the discovery and exploitation of vulnerabilities.

Recently, the The World Economic Forum (WEF) urged companies to implement cybersecurity measures at the speed of AI implementation as “AI introduces risk at the same rate as it introduces efficiencies.” They say security has to be a part of the strategic business roadmap.

But given there aren't enough specialists, is that easier said than done? Let me make a brief detour and give you a quick overview of the current job market to show that hope is not lost just yet.

What's happening with the job market and why it matters

If you asked me to describe it in one word, I'd say: uncertainty. Between market frenzy and AI‑bubble talk, and a rush to cut operational costs, employers seem unable to settle on a long‑term hiring strategy.

In the US, 7.2 million people (about 4.3%) are unemployed. Federal and AI-related layoffs, global trade tensions, and AI‑fueled uncertainty have left tens of thousands struggling to find jobs despite months of searching.

But businesses with a long‑term vision see opportunity. The talent pool has grown, making it easier to find the right candidate. Cybersecurity insiders say people are now more willing to relocate for work, and many value stability over salary—often accepting raises of only 3–4% instead of the 10–15% that was typical before.

Time to tap the bigger talent pool

AI is already replacing many intern tasks, especially in IT roles like programming, and companies are automating other functions such as customer support. But treating this shift as a looming catastrophe would be a mistake.

While AI automates some tasks and renders certain roles redundant, it also creates new jobs — and cybersecurity stands out as a clear growth area. Cybernews's in‑house investigations show that automation has, so far, introduced fresh security risks for organizations. For example, Lenovo's chatbot Lena could be compromised, giving attackers a way into internal systems.

Our researchers even outsmarted Meta AI, showcasing even the biggest players need more input and talent when it comes to the security of their systems.

As autonomous AI agents become capable of solving problems and acting on users' behalf, the attack surface that cybersecurity teams must defend will only expand.

“Cybersecurity is one of those rare fields where AI creates more work than it automates away,” a security insider told me.

We will not only need more people to defend our systems, but we will need more highly skilled people. In the short term, market turmoil may give employers a larger candidate pool, but that's no substitute for a long‑term talent strategy.

To meet future business needs, we must invest in young people now. Some intern tasks can be automated, but hiring and training juniors remains essential. Firms that focus solely on short‑term savings risk losing out — it's wiser to invest in the next generation of talent.

ISC2 highlighted that investing in entry-and junior-level talent is key to building a more resilient cybersecurity workforce.

The more we automate, the more human input we'll need. When searching for talent, cherish non‑technical skills like problem‑solving, analytical thinking, and a willingness to learn on the job.

In the age of AI, prioritize people.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jurgita Lapienytė is the Editor-in-Chief at Cybernews, where she leads a team of journalists and security experts dedicated to uncovering cyber threats through research, testing, and data-driven reporting, including AI security. With a career spanning over 15 years, she has reported on major global events, including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2015 Paris terror attacks, and has driven transparency through investigative journalism. A passionate advocate for cybersecurity awareness and women in tech, Jurgita has interviewed leading cybersecurity figures and amplifies underrepresented voices in the industry. Recognized as the Cybersecurity Journalist of the Year and featured in Top Cyber News Magazine's 40 Under 40 in Cybersecurity, she is a thought leader shaping the conversation around cybersecurity. Jurgita has been quoted internationally – by the BBC, Metro UK,  The Epoch Times, Extra Bladet, Computer Bild, and more. Her team reports on proprietary research highlighted in such outlets as the BBC, Forbes, TechRadar, Daily Mail, Fox News, Yahoo, and much more.

ABOUT CYBERNEWS

Cybernews is a globally recognized independent media outlet where journalists and security experts debunk cyber by research, testing, and data. Founded in 2019 in response to rising concerns about online security, the site covers breaking news, conducts original investigations, and offers unique perspectives on the evolving digital security landscape. Through white-hat investigative techniques, Cybernews research team identifies and safely discloses cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, while the editorial team provides cybersecurity-related news, analysis, and opinions by industry insiders with complete independence.

Cybernews has earned worldwide attention for its high-impact research and discoveries, which have uncovered some of the internet's most significant security exposures and data leaks. Notable ones include:

Cybernews researchers discovered multiple open datasets comprising 16 billion login credentials from infostealer malware, social media, developer portals, and corporate networks – highlighting the unprecedented risks of account takeovers, phishing, and business email compromise.

Cybernews researchers analyzed 156,080 randomly selected iOS apps – around 8% of the apps present on the App Store – and uncovered a massive oversight: 71% of them expose sensitive data.

Recently, Bob Dyachenko, a cybersecurity researcher and owner of SecurityDiscovery.com, and the Cybernews security research team discovered an unprotected Elasticsearch index, which contained a wide range of sensitive personal details related to the entire population of Georgia.

The team analyzed the new Pixel 9 Pro XL smartphone's web traffic, and found that Google's latest flagship smartphone frequently transmits private user data to the tech giant before any app is installed.

The team revealed that a massive data leak at MC2 Data, a background check firm, affects one-third of the US population.

The Cybernews security research team discovered that 50 most popular Android apps require 11 dangerous permissions on average.

They revealed that two online PDF makers leaked tens of thousands of user documents, including passports, driving licenses, certificates, and other personal information uploaded by users.

An analysis by Cybernews research discovered over a million publicly exposed secrets from over 58 thousand websites' exposed environment (.env) files.

The team revealed that Australia's football governing body, Football Australia, has leaked secret keys potentially opening access to 127 buckets of data, including ticket buyers' personal data and players' contracts and documents.

The Cybernews research team, in collaboration with cybersecurity researcher Bob Dyachenko, discovered a massive data leak containing information from numerous past breaches, comprising 12 terabytes of data and spanning over 26 billion records.

The team analyzed NASA's website, and discovered an open redirect vulnerability plaguing NASA's Astrobiology website.

The team investigated 30,000 Android Apps, and discovered that over half of them are leaking secrets that could have huge repercussions for both app developers and their customers.

AST Reygar today announces that Chris Huxley-Reynard, founder of Reygar and a key figure in the company's journey for more than 13 years, will be embarking on an exciting new chapter as the year draws to a close.

Chris established Reygar in 2012, with a vision to bring smarter, data-driven solutions to the marine industry. Under his leadership, Reygar grew from a specialist start-up into a trusted and innovative provider of vessel monitoring and control systems, widely respected for its engineering quality, reliability, and customer-first mindset.

“Over 14 years I have seen Reygar grow from a small one-man business developing niche vessel control solutions for the Tidal Turbine industry in the UK, to a team of 30+ engineers and supporting staff selling trusted telematics services to small commercial vessel customers all around the globe. This journey has involved a lot of hard work, and we have had our fair share of good fortune along the way. It has been an exciting and fulfilling time, the highlight of which for me has been building close and lasting relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers. I'm very proud of the reputation BareFLEET has built as a trusted remote monitoring solution for so many types of vessel, and the improvements in efficiency and safety that it has helped our customers achieve.” – Chris Huxley-Reynard

In 2024, Reygar was acquired by AST Networks, marking a significant milestone in the company's development and creating new opportunities for growth, capability expansion, and broader market reach. Chris played a pivotal role in this transition, ensuring that Reygar's core values and technical integrity continues to shape the combined organisation.

“The acquisition of Reygar by AST Networks in 2024 has allowed the company to further invest in building a best-in-class remote monitoring platform for the future. This investment is critical for staying at the forefront of our field and future-proofing BareFLEET. Reygar has benefited significantly from the AST Networks' global sales network as well as their software development and support expertise. Above all the team at AST headed up by Daniel Clark have been great to work with, and they have made the whole team at Reygar feel really welcome within the AST Group.”

Since the acquisition, Chris has continued to support the evolution of AST Reygar – most recently contributing to the advancement of next-generation monitoring and control technologies. His strategic insight and technical leadership have remained central to product innovation and long-term development.

“Whilst it will be sad to leave the company I started 14 years ago, I am confident that AST Reygar is in the safest hands, and that AST's vision for growing the company in the future will allow it to reach its full potential. Farewell AST Reygar, and may the wind always be at your back!”

Reflecting on Chris's departure, Daniel Clark, General Manager – Director at AST Reygar, said:

“As the founder of Reygar over 14 years ago, Chris has been instrumental in shaping our business from day one. His vision, dedication, and belief in what this company could become has laid the foundations for everything we have achieved to date. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and wish him every success in the next chapter of his journey.” – Daniel Clark

As Chris moves on to new endeavours, AST Reygar, along with AST Networks, extend their sincere thanks for his leadership, passion, and enduring impact. His legacy will continue to influence the company's direction and its commitment to delivering world-class maritime technology.

AST Reygar remains focused on building on the strong foundations Chris helped to create, driving innovation across vessel monitoring, control, and satellite-enabled solutions for the maritime community worldwide.

16 DECEMBER 2025 – In May 2021, Equinor Refining Norway AS (“Equinor Mongstad”) was charged with violations of the Pollution Control Act. The case concerns historical matters related to emissions and discharges that the company itself has uncovered, investigated, and improved.

The investigation has concluded, and Equinor Mongstad has received a fine from Økokrim of NOK 220 million and a confiscation claim of NOK 500 million.

“We take the matters mentioned very seriously. The company itself uncovered and reported the emissions and discharges to the authorities. Equinor has conducted thorough and transparent investigations and implemented a number of measures to correct relevant deviations. We disagree that the company has failed to fulfill its duty of proper maintenance of the plant over several decades and that the company has saved cost through inadequate maintenance. Økokrim has not specified what the punishable negligence consists of. The company therefore does not accept the penalty notice and will clarify the case in court,” says Siv Helen Rygh Torstensen, executive vice president, Legal & Compliance.

The law firm Hjort AS represents Equinor.

SAN DIEGO, CA – Cardiff, Inc. today released findings from its latest industry report, “The Economic Advantage of Speed-First Capital.” The analysis, based on anonymized loan performance data from Q1-Q4 2025, identifies a growing divergence between nominal interest rates and actual return on investment (ROI) for American small businesses.

The study challenges the historical standard of capital selection. Data modeling of a “Composite Organization” (construction/trade focus) indicates that the “Cost of Delay” associated with traditional bank underwriting (45-60 days) exceeded the “Cost of Capital” variance by a factor of 4.3x.

Consequently, businesses opting for algorithmic execution speed over lower-rate bank options realized a net positive ROI of 18%, driven by their ability to secure contracts and inventory that expired during the traditional underwriting window.

“We are witnessing a historic decoupling in the small business lending market,” said William Stern, Founder of Cardiff. “The value of capital is no longer defined solely by its cost; it is defined by its velocity. A low-rate loan that arrives after a contract bid has closed is statistically irrelevant to the borrower's bottom line.”

Key Findings from the Report:

• The “New Prime” Migration: 78% of borrowers in the dataset held FICO scores of 700+ and revenue profiles qualifying them for bank financing, yet opted for alternative execution rails to avoid administrative latency.

• The Inventory Hedge: Businesses utilizing capital for “Protective Inventory Acquisition”—hedging against projected 2026 tariffs—realized risk-adjusted material savings of 22%, offsetting the cost of financing.

• Underwriting Latency: The analysis contrasts the industry average for commercial bank funding (45-60 days) against algorithmic underwriting benchmarks (under 8 hours), highlighting a critical gap in liquidity access for time-sensitive projects.

• Algorithmic Efficiency: The integration of real-time banking APIs (such as Plaid) reduced the administrative burden of application from an average of 26 hours (traditional) to under 15 minutes (algorithmic).

“The data is unambiguous: for time-sensitive opportunities, the waiting period is often the most expensive line item on a P&L,” stated Dean Lyulkin, CEO of Cardiff. “In an environment defined by supply chain volatility and wage pressure, speed acts as a form of operational insurance. Our analysis shows that business owners are increasingly treating capital velocity as a competitive advantage rather than a simple utility.”

The report suggests that this trend is correlated with macro-economic factors. According to the Federal Reserve's latest Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS), over 50% of domestic banks have tightened standards for Commercial and Industrial loans. Cardiff's data indicates this tightening has created a “liquidity paradox,” where creditworthy businesses are forced to seek alternative financing not due to credit risk, but due to operational timelines.

About the Report

“The Economic Advantage of Speed-First Capital” analyzes 45 distinct touchpoints in the lending journey. The full report is available for download at:

https://cardiff.co/learn/reports/lending-performance/the-economic-advantage-of-speed-first-capital/

About Cardiff

Cardiff is a technology-enabled small business lender and financial platform based in San Diego, CA. Since 2004, the company has leveraged machine learning and real-time cash flow data to provide speed-first capital solutions to American entrepreneurs. Having funded over $12 billion to businesses nationwide, Cardiff combines institutional-grade credit modeling with fintech execution speed to bridge the gap between traditional bank underwriting and the immediate liquidity needs of the modern economy.

To learn more, visit: https://cardiff.co

Nairobi, Kenya – 15 December 2025: Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), the Pan-African Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) dedicated to promoting and financing housing, urban development and related infrastructure, has announced the election of Mr. Lionel Zinsou as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mr. Said Athman Mtwana as Vice Chairman.

The elections were concluded during the 149th Meeting of the Board of Directors held on 11 December 2025.

Mr. Zinsou, a distinguished economist, seasoned investment banker, and former Prime Minister of the Republic of Benin (2015–2016) brings to the role extensive experience spanning public policy, global finance, and private equity.

Accepting his appointment, Mr. Zinsou said: “I am honoured to assume the Chairmanship of ShafDB at this pivotal moment in its transformation. Across our continent, the demand for dignified, affordable housing and vibrant urban environments is both urgent and inspiring. Together with my fellow Directors, I am committed to steering the Bank with clarity, purpose, and ambition; ensuring that our investments strengthen communities, unlock economic opportunity, and reflect Africa's boundless potential.”

Mr. Mtwana, who is representing Group 1 Member States – brings strong expertise in urban development policy, project planning, and built-environment economics, together with extensive experience working in senior government roles on national housing and land policy.

“It is a privilege to serve as Vice Chairman of a Bank whose mission speaks directly to the aspirations of millions of African families. I look forward to working closely with the Board and Management to deepen ShafDB's impact, advance innovative urban development solutions, and uphold the governance needed to deliver lasting, inclusive growth across our Member States,” Mr. Mtwana said in response to his appointment.

Mr. Mtwana holds a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in Building Economics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Dedicated Leadership

Shelter Afrique Development Bank Managing Director Thierno-Habib Hann welcomed the new board leadership and also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chairperson Dr. Chii Akporji and the outgoing Vice Chairman Mr. Ahmed Belayat for their dedicated service and leadership.

“We warmly welcome Mr. Lionel Zinsou and Mr. Said Athman Mtwana to their new leadership roles at Shelter Afrique Development Bank. Their combined depth of experience in global finance, public policy, and urban development comes at a defining moment in the Bank's evolution. As we deepen our transformation into a fully-fledged Pan-African Development Bank, their guidance will be instrumental in advancing innovative housing finance solutions, strengthening partnerships, and accelerating inclusive, climate-resilient urban development across our Member States. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Chii Akporji and Mr. Ahmed Belayat, whose principled leadership and strategic stewardship have laid a strong foundation for the next phase of the Bank's growth and impact,” Mr. Hann said.

Sustainable Urban Growth

The leadership transition reaffirms ShafDB's commitment to its mandate of financing affordable housing and urban development across Africa. With the stewardship of its newly elected Board Chairman and Vice Chairman, the Bank is well-positioned to advance its vision for sustainable and inclusive urban growth on the continent.

Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, December 12, 2025 – The Republic of Moldova's energy market continues to attract international investors. The newest player is Westing Management Solutions – a company with mixed capital from Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine, part of the international Westing Management group. 

Despite the lack of results inside the negotiations, Break Free From Plastic members continue to keep plastic issues present at global talks.

Nairobi, KENYA – The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) concluded today, showing how geopolitics continues to undermine multilateralism. During the one-week talks, environmental ministers and world leaders adopted less than half of the resolutions presented to “advance sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” primarily regarding the mining of minerals and metals, a stronger global response to wildfires, and sustainability in sports (which was the only resolution with a brief mention of single-use plastics). At the same time, countries utterly neglected important measures on environmental crime and the protection of deep-sea and karst ecosystems, among others.

Importantly, the approved resolutions failed to include language to protect Indigenous Peoples, women, gender expansive people, Black People, and other impacted communities as mandated by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Convention on Ending All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the International Convention on Ending All Forms of Racial Discrimination.  

During the assembly, obstructionist countries deployed the same derailing tactics seen at both the most recent UN Climate Conference (COP30) and the ongoing negotiations for a Plastics Treaty, as well as some new ones that reflected the changing geopolitical mood. Unfortunately, these efforts have been successful (at least so far) in undermining international measures that would otherwise effectively address the planetary crises. And still, the fight to protect those most impacted by these crises continues.

The most constructive parts of UNEA-7 happened on the sidelines of the negotiations, including several events and actions focused on urgently addressing the plastic pollution crisis at a global level. For example, on December 9th, the Environmental Investigation Agency, a Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) member, organized a breakfast briefing focused on how to create the right conditions for advancing the global Plastics Treaty negotiations, bringing together governments, the private sector, academic institutions, and NGOs.

BFFP members also engaged in an official side event hosted by the Kenyan government on December 11th which gathered Ministers of governments and civil society leaders to discuss the future of the global Plastics Treaty. The dialogue focused primarily on how to shape an effective intermediary period before the next round of talks, as well as which pathways would be the most likely to secure a treaty that is ambitious and inclusive for all.

Earlier, before the actual start of UNEA-7, dozens of BFFP members and allies organized an on-site photo action to underscore the interconnectedness of plastic pollution with other pressing issues, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, health, and the rights of marginalized communities, including Indigenous Peoples, Black People, women, and youth.

Now, as UNEA-7 concludes in Nairobi and governments prepare to attend the next round of Plastics Treaty negotiations (INC-5.3) in Geneva on February 7, 2026, to select a new INC Chair, BFFP continues to call for the urgency of multilateral cooperation in order to deliver a global instrument that fulfills the mandate of UNEA Resolution 5/14 and addresses the plastics crisis across the full life cycle, from extraction to production, use, and disposal.

Together with civil society leaders around the world, we urge governments to persevere towards a strong, legally-binding treaty that cuts plastic production and protects human health, human rights, and the environment.

Break Free From Plastic members react to UNEA-7

Juressa Lee, Indigenous Peoples Major Group (New Zealand), said:
“UNEA-7 has failed Indigenous Peoples, and in doing so has weakened the credibility of environmental decision-making. We should not have to fight to participate in processes that systematically erode our right to full and effective participation, despite our rights being clearly recognised in international law … Despite the disappointing outcome of UNEA-7, Indigenous Peoples remain the Earth’s first defenders. We will continue to protect our territories, our rights, and the future of the planet.”

Ana Rocha, Global Alliance for Incineration Alternatives (Tanzania), said:
“UNEA-7 left many of us deeply concerned. It failed to create real space for agreement on critical issues, from deep-sea protection to the fight against environmental crime. Yet on plastics, the energy was undeniable. The large number of delegates present in side events, unofficial gatherings, and hallway discussions showed one thing: the pathway forward must be inclusive, transparent, and representative of the mandate at hand. It is time for countries to converge around a meaningful, forward-looking plastics treaty, guided by a fair, transparent, and effective process, and by leadership that matches the urgency of the crisis.”

Jo Banner, The Descendents Project (USA), said:
“UNEA-7 showed that governments are more seriously addressing issues like chemical pollution, mineral extraction, and ocean health. Yet, the exclusion of frontline communities – especially afro-descendant populations – from most of the programming exposed huge gaps in the process. When those most harmed by plastic are left out, ambition is weakened, and false solutions take root. There can be no meaningful response to the environmental crisis without full inclusion of fenceline communities and afro-descendants, who are not only closest to the harm of plastic but also closest to the solutions.”

Erika Xananine Calvillo Ramírez, Jna Tsjo / Indigenous Peoples Major Group (Mexico), said:
“We have witnessed once again the failure of institutions such as the United Nations to address the most serious environmental crises. UNEA-7 has failed us and the world by enabling mechanisms that favour the interests of extractivist industries that have proven to be the source of the problem.”

Christina Dixon, Environmental Investigation Agency (UK), said:
“The progress on plastics this week didn’t happen in the negotiation rooms. It happened in the hallways, at side events, and over dinners, where bold ideas and renewed momentum began to take shape. While delegations wrestle with uncertain leadership in the plastics treaty negotiations, the energy in the margins of UNEA showed that momentum can be revived. But we must be clear: rushing to unblock negotiations or push for a low ambition compromise risks delivering a weak treaty. As we leave Nairobi, we urge governments to stay true to the UNEA 5/14 mandate and deliver the strong, binding plastics treaty the world urgently needs.”

13 DECEMBER 2025 – After a thorough process and evaluation of various alternatives, the Equinor board has decided to keep the head office at Forus East. The building will be significantly upgraded to create a modern, attractive and sustainable head office gathering all employees in the Stavanger region.

“We have balanced many dilemmas and considerations in this process and decision. I am confident that staying at Forus East is a good choice. We have a proud history in this area. I now look forward to being able to gather all of our 4500 employees in an upgraded and renovated building. It will facilitate close teamwork and a good working environment,” says Equinor’s chief executive Anders Opedal.

Circular economy and good transportation alternatives

The decision to stay at Forus facilitates conservation, rehabilitation and refurbishment in a sustainable way. About 80% of the current building mass will be reused. Measures will be implemented to help make the building more energy efficient. The phased refurbishment will be completed in 2030.

“With the upgrade and refurbishment, we will get a modern head office. It has been important an important consideration for us that employees live across the region, where Forus has a central location. It is near public transportation hubs and the local airport. Forus East has served us well for 40 years and will continue to do so in the decades to come,” says Opedal.

Better flow, more greenery and shorter distances

The aim of the refurbishment is to create a modern and functional head office and better flow between the buildings.

One of the renovation measures is to move the main entrance towards south-east. This will also provide a better connection to public transportation and the bicycle paths and facilitate sustainable transportation alternatives. A new green park has also been proposed in the development project. The park will be part of a new green avenue with pedestrian and bicycle paths along Petroleumsveien.

Facts

The backdrop for the head office project is the expiration of the lease for the current building in 2030. A project was set up and has been working since October 2024 to obtain a solid fact base for the choice. The project started by investigating three strategic directions: Retaining and upgrading current offices, building on Equinor’s own property at Forus West, or moving to new offices in the Stavanger region.

Ultrasound systems are advancing rapidly, delivering faster, clearer, and more accessible imaging that is reshaping diagnostic care. With new levels of automation and precision, the ultrasound systems market in India is projected to reach $263 million in 2034, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s report, “Ultrasound Systems Market Size by Segments, Share, Regulatory, Reimbursement, Installed Base and Forecast to 2036,” reveals that India accounts for 7% of the Asia–Pacific (APAC) ultrasound systems market in 2025.

Samsung has recently launched the R20 Ultrasound System, designed to elevate diagnostic precision and clinical efficiency. The system combines a next-generation graphics processing unit and ultra-HD organic light-emitting diode display that enhances visualization and improves diagnostic accuracy, enabling clinicians to perform medical procedures more effectively.

Shamreen Parween, Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The introduction of modern, advanced technology in diagnostic imaging is enabling faster workflows and higher-quality images to meet the growing demand for improved patient care. In addition, support from governments and healthcare investors is helping hospitals adopt new systems. For example, the Delhi government recently announced plans to install 230 radiology machines, including 78 ultrasound units, early next year in key hospitals and other facilities. Such initiatives are elevating standards and setting higher benchmarks for diagnostic performance.”

The R20 system represents a paradigm shift by embedding intelligent, high-performance imaging architecture at the core of the diagnostic process, making it more efficient and accurate. It integrates Live LiverAssist, Live BreastAssist, AI-based automatic measurement tools, and Deep USFF to support complex workflows such as liver fat quantification with high correlation to magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction and real-time detection of liver or breast lesions during scanning.

Parween concludes: “As infrastructure continues to advance across the country, it is creating a solid foundation for adopting more sophisticated technologies. These ongoing improvements are driving progress that will enable higher-quality care, more efficient operations, and a stronger, more resilient healthcare system in the years ahead.”

Notes

Quotes provided by Shamreen Parween, Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData
The information is based on GlobalData’s report “Ultrasound Systems Market Size by Segments, Share, Regulatory, Reimbursement, Installed Base and Forecast to 2036,”
The report provides Ultrasound Systems Market Size by Segments, Share, Regulatory, Reimbursement, Installed Base and Forecast to 2036 is built to visualize quantitative and qualitative market trends within Diagnostic Imaging therapeutic area

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis, and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology, and professional services sectors.