Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

• The Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC) collaborative research project aims to develop the world’s first wearable ultrasound imaging system for continuous, real-time monitoring and personalised diagnosis of chronic conditions such as hypertension and heart failure.
• WITEC is a multi-million dollar, multi-year initiative that brings together top researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore, with Tan Tock Seng Hospital as its clinical collaborator.
• To support the research, WITEC is equipped with advanced tools such as Southeast Asia’s first Nanoscribe Quantum X sub-micrometre 3D printer and the most advanced Verasonics ultrasonic imaging system available in Singapore. 

Singapore, 10 Dec 2025 – What if ultrasound imaging is no longer confined to hospitals? Patients with chronic conditions, such as hypertension and heart failure, could be monitored continuously in real time at home or on the move, giving healthcare practitioners ongoing clinical insights instead of the occasional snapshots – a scan here and a check-up there. This shift from reactive, hospital-based care to preventative, community and home-based care could enable earlier detection and timely intervention, and truly personalised care.
 
Bringing this vision to reality, the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) research enterprise in Singapore, has launched a new collaborative research project – Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC).
 
 
WITEC marks a pioneering effort in wearable technology, medical imaging, research and materials science. It is Singapore’s first centre dedicated to foundational research and development of the world’s first wearable ultrasound imaging system capable of 48-hour intermittent cardiovascular imaging for continuous and real-time monitoring and diagnosis of chronic conditions such as hypertension and heart failure.
 
This multi-million dollar, multi-year initiative, supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme, brings together top researchers and expertise from MIT, Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) is WITEC’s clinical collaborator and will conduct patient trials to validate long-term heart imaging for chronic cardiovascular disease management.
 
“Addressing society’s most pressing challenges requires innovative, interdisciplinary thinking. Building on SMART’s long legacy in Singapore as a hub for research and innovation, WITEC will harness interdisciplinary expertise – from MIT and leading institutions in Singapore – to advance transformative research that creates real-world impact and benefits Singapore, the US and societies all over. This is the kind of collaborative research that not only pushes the boundaries of knowledge, but also redefines what is possible for the future of healthcare,” said Bruce Tidor, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Interim), SMART.
 
Industry-leading precision equipment and capabilities
To support this work, WITEC’s laboratory is equipped with advanced tools, including Southeast Asia’s first Nanoscribe Quantum X sub-micrometre 3D printer and the latest Verasonics Vantage NXT 256 ultrasonic imaging system, which is the first unit of its kind in Singapore.
 
Unlike conventional 3D printers that operate at millimetre or micrometre scales, WITEC’s 3D printer can achieve sub‑micrometre resolution, allowing components to be fabricated at the level of single cells or tissue structures. With this capability, WITEC researchers can prototype bioadhesive materials and device interfaces with unprecedented accuracy — essential to ensuring skin‑safe adhesion and stable, long‑term imaging quality.
 
Prototype of WITEC’s customised patch ultrasonic transducers that adhere to the human body using bioadhesive gel soft materials (Photo: SMART WITEC)
 
Complementing this is the latest Verasonics ultrasonic imaging system. Equipped with a new transducer adaptor and supporting a significantly larger number of probe control channels than existing systems, it gives researchers the freedom to test highly customised imaging methods. This allows more complex beamforming, higher‑resolution image capture, and integration with AI‑based diagnostic models — opening the door to long‑duration, real‑time cardiovascular imaging not possible with standard hospital equipment.
 
Together, these technologies allow WITEC to accelerate the design, prototyping and testing of its wearable ultrasound imaging system, and to demonstrate imaging quality on phantoms and healthy subjects.
 
Transforming chronic disease care through wearable innovation
Chronic diseases are rising rapidly in Singapore and globally, especially among the ageing population and individuals with multiple long-term conditions. This trend highlights the urgent need for effective home-based care and easy-to-use monitoring tools that go beyond basic wellness tracking.
 
Current consumer wearables, such as smartwatches and fitness bands, offer limited physiological data like heart rate or step count. While useful for general health, they lack the depth needed to support chronic disease management. Traditional ultrasound systems, though clinically powerful, are bulky, operator-dependent, can only be deployed episodically within the hospitals, and are limited to snapshots in time — making them unsuitable for long-term, everyday use.
 
WITEC aims to bridge this gap with its wearable ultrasound imaging system that uses bioadhesive technology to enable up to 48 hours of uninterrupted imaging. Combined with AI-enhanced diagnostics, the innovation is aimed at supporting early detection, home-based pre-diagnosis and continuous monitoring of chronic diseases.
 
Beyond improving patient outcomes, this innovation could help ease labour shortages by freeing up ultrasound operators, nurses and doctors to focus on more complex care, while reducing demand for hospital beds and resources. By shifting monitoring to homes and communities, WITEC’s technology will enable patient self-management and timely intervention, potentially lowering healthcare costs and alleviating the increasing financial and manpower pressures of an ageing population.
 
Driving innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration
WITEC is led by the following Co-Lead Principal Investigators:

Prof Xuanhe Zhao, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MIT
Prof Joseph Sung, Senior Vice President (Health & Life Sciences), NTU Singapore, and Dean, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine)
Prof Cher Heng Tan, Assistant Dean, Clinical Research, LKCMedicine
Prof Chwee Teck Lim, NUS Society Professor of Biomedical Engineering, NUS, and Director, Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, NUS
Prof Xiaodong Chen, Distinguished University Professor, School of Materials Science & Engineering, NTU

“We’re extremely proud to bring together an exceptional team of researchers from Singapore and the US to pioneer core technologies that will make wearable ultrasound imaging a reality. This endeavour combines deep expertise in materials science, data science, AI diagnostics, biomedical engineering and clinical medicine. Our phased approach will accelerate translation into a fully wearable platform that reshapes how chronic diseases are monitored, diagnosed and managed,” said Prof Xuanhe Zhao, Co-Lead Principal Investigator, WITEC.
 
Research roadmap with broad impact across healthcare, science, industry and economy
Bringing together leading experts across interdisciplinary fields, WITEC will advance foundational work in soft materials, transducers, microelectronics, data science and AI diagnostics, clinical medicine and biomedical engineering. As a deep tech R&D, its breakthroughs will have the potential to drive innovation in healthcare technology and manufacturing, diagnostics, wearable ultrasonic imaging, metamaterials, and AI-powered health analytics. WITEC’s work is also expected to accelerate growth in high-value jobs across research, engineering, clinical validation and healthcare services, and attract strategic investments that foster biomedical innovation and industry partnerships in Singapore, the US and beyond.
 
“Chronic diseases present significant challenges for patients, families, and healthcare systems, and with aging populations such as Singapore, those challenges will only grow without new solutions. Our research into a wearable ultrasound imaging system aims to transform daily care for those living with cardiovascular and other chronic conditions – providing clinicians with richer, continuous insights to guide treatment, while giving patients greater confidence and control over their own health. WITEC’s pioneering work marks an important step towards shifting care from episodic, hospital-based interventions to more proactive, everyday management in the community,” said Prof Joseph Sung, Co‑Lead Principal Investigator, WITEC.
 
Led by Dr Violet Hoon, Senior Consultant at TTSH, the clinical trials are expected to commence in early 2026 to validate long-term heart monitoring in the management of chronic cardiovascular disease. Through innovations in bioadhesive couplants, nanostructured metamaterials and ultrasonic transducers, over the next three years, WITEC aims to develop a cart-based bioadhesive ultrasound (BAUS) system capable of continuous, real-time monitoring and personalised diagnosis of medical conditions. In future stages, WITEC aims to develop a fully integrated portable BAUS platform capable of 48-hour intermittent imaging.
 
As MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, SMART is committed to advancing breakthrough technologies that address pressing global challenges. WITEC adds to SMART’s existing research endeavours that foster a rich exchange of ideas through collaboration with leading researchers and academics from the US, Singapore, and around the world in key areas such as antimicrobial resistance, cell therapy development, precision agriculture, AI and 3D-sensing technologies.

The Global Coincident and Leading Barometers rise in December, with both surpassing slightly the 100-point mark for the first time since March of this year. This month's increases are primarily attributable to favourable developments in the Asia, Pacific & Africa region.

In December, the Global Economic Coincident Barometer rises by 1.4 points to 101.3 points, and the Leading Barometer rises by 1.5 points to 101.6 points. Among the regions, Asia, Pacific & Africa and, to a lesser extent, the Western Hemisphere contribute positively to the result, while the indicators for Europe remain stable in both time horizons.

“Although it is only slightly above its long-term average, the Coincident Global Barometer has reached its highest level since March 2022. It is the Western Hemisphere, and specifically the US, that is pulling this sentiment down. The latter also applies to the Leading Global Barometer. This does not mean that structural problems in Europe and Asia have been resolved. Rather, it suggests that the world economy can no longer depend on the US market to ensure demand to the same extent as before”, comments KOF Director Jan-Egbert Sturm.

Coincident Barometer – regions and sectors

The 1.4-point increase in the Coincident Barometer in December results from a positive contribution of 1.2 points from the Asia, Pacific & Africa region and a small contribution of 0.2 points from the Western Hemisphere. The Europe indicator remains stable this month. As a result, only the Western Hemisphere records levels below 100 points, despite improvements in the last two months, while the Asia, Pacific & Africa region reaches 102.2 points, its highest level since February 2022 (107.1 points).

Among the coincident sectoral indicators, only the Services sector decreases in the month. Wholesale and retail trade records the highest level among sectors for the third consecutive month.

Leading Barometer – regions and sectors

The Global Leading Barometer rises in December, with the Asia, Pacific & Africa and Western Hemisphere regions contributing positively with 0.9 and 0.6 points, respectively. Europe, as in the Coincident Barometer, remains stable in the month. As a result, only the Western Hemisphere remains below the 100-point level. The Leading Global Barometer leads the world economic growth rate cycle by three to six months on average.

Among the leading sectoral indicators, only wholesale and retail trade decreases in the month and remains below the 100-point level. Construction returns to the neutral level.

Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, December, 2025 –  AmCham Moldova has released the second edition of  METRIX, a comprehensive assessment of the Moldovan business climate that combines nationwide survey data, econometric policy impact modeling, and forward-looking indicators.

METRIX, the Moldovan Economic Transformation and Reform IndeX, measures how companies perceive the business environment across key domains such as taxation, labor, trade, digitalization, and human capital. Supported by Visa, Victoriabank, and the Netherlands Embassy to Chisinau, the second edition  shows a shift from initial optimism to a cautious, balanced outlook, signaling stabilizing expectations rather than deterioration. Overall sentiment remains neutral, with rising concerns in operational areas and enduring structural constraints in labor and regulatory predictability.

What is METRIX & why it matters

Developed by a team of  international experts organized by AmCham Moldova, METRIX combines three complementary analytical components: a nationwide statistically representative survey of companies across sectors, including a dedicated sample of AmCham members; qualitative interviews that capture deeper perspectives from the business community; and a comparative policy-impact assessment using a Vector Auto-Regression (VAR) model to benchmark Moldova against regional peers. Together, these elements form a coherent evidence framework that allows both policymakers and the private sector to understand how reforms shape the business environment in practice and to identify areas requiring further action. The methodology has been reviewed and validated by academic and professional experts from leading institutions such as Oxford University, NYU Shanghai, IFC, and the World Bank, ensuring its analytical rigor and credibility

“METRIX provides the business community and policymakers with a shared language about the real effects of policy – not assumptions, but measurable insights,” Alexandru Gozun, President, AmCham Moldova, PwC Moldova Country Director

A remarkably preserved horseshoe crab fossil from North America offers rare insight into some of the earliest known cases of animal disease in a Late Carboniferous swamp – more than 300 million years before the age of dinosaurs.

The specimen, uncovered from the mass-burial fossil deposit at the famous Mazon Creek Lagerstätte in Illinois in the US, shows more than 100 small pits across the front of its shell, representing one of the earliest documented examples of microbial or algal infection killing groups of these ancient aquatic animals.

“Ancient arthropods faced many of the same ecological pressures that modern species experience today, including microbial attacks and environmental stress,” says Dr Russell Bicknell, lead author of a new Biology Letters article, and recent appointee at Flinders University in South Australia.

“This fossil links a specific biological event – likely microbial or algal infestation – to a broader evolutionary picture, showing that interactions between animals and microbes were already well established long before dinosaurs evolved,” says Dr Bicknell, who previously worked at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

“It also ties the specimen to the Late Carboniferous world, a time when Earth’s ecosystems were undergoing significant changes that shaped the future of animal evolution.

“From an evolutionary perspective, this discovery pushes back evidence of such infestations in horseshoe crabs by more than 300 million years. “

Dr Bicknell, an Australian Research Council DECRA fellow at Flinders University, says the fossil horseshoe crab (Euproops danae) regularly shed their shells while growing so the “heavy fouling” indicates the specimen had stopped moulting and reached maturity.

“The Late Carboniferous nutrient-rich environment at Mazon Creek, with its regular flooding and fluctuating salinity, would have promoted microbial growth and rapid burial. These conditions helped preserve organisms inside ironstone concretions with exceptional detail.”

At the time, vast forests covered the planet, oxygen levels were high, and land animals – including amphibians and reptile ancestors, were diversifying.

“This fossil adds to a new piece of the ecological puzzle, highlighting the pressures shaping ancient marine anthropods and their evolutionary responses to infestation.”

Horseshoe crabs are related to spiders and scorpions today.

The article, ‘Unique, dimple-like exoskeletal structures suggest syn-vivo infestations in Late Carboniferous horseshoe crabs’ (2025) by Russell DC Bicknell (American Museum of Natural History, University of New England and Flinders University), Jason Dunlop (Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin), Andrew Young (Lauer Foundation, Illinois), Bruce Lauer (Lauer Foundation), René Lauer (Lauer) and Victoria E McCoy (Lauer Foundation and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) has been published in the journal of Biology Letters (Royal Society) – DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0565.

Acknowledgement: This research was funded by a MAT Program Postdoctoral Fellowship to Dr Bicknell. With thanks for access to the collection at the Lauer Foundation for Paleontology, Science and Education.

Against a backdrop of the spread of authoritarian practices, climate collapse and the erosion of international law, Amnesty International is launching its annual Write for Rights campaign on Human Rights Day (10 December) to support the victims of human rights violations and show that humanity can win.

This year’s campaign brings people together from around the world to fight for justice, dignity and a shared future, supporting those who are paying the price for defending human rights and speaking truth to power. From an Indigenous reindeer herder fighting to protect her community’s land in Norway, to a photojournalist jailed for reporting on a cyclone in Myanmar, and a little boy who lost his life after falling into a pit toilet at his pre-school in South Africa, all those featured in this year’s campaign are connected because their human rights have been violated.

“Despite the stark challenges facing humanity, every year Amnesty witnesses countless people from all over the world coming together to demonstrate the importance of activism and the lifechanging power of solidarity. Amongst others, this year’s Write for Rights campaign features people on the frontlines of the climate crisis, fighting to protect their communities from droughts, gas flares, development projects and pollution, who urgently need our collective support,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.

“We have a choice to make at this critical moment in history: continue to let authoritarian practices erode our freedoms or resist together and stand up for human rights. By taking just a few minutes to write a letter, post on social media or sign a petition, anyone can help change the world and even save a life. Together we will prove that, even in the most adverse of circumstances, humanity can, must and will win out.”

Supporting people at risk

This year, Write for Rights is calling on millions of people to come together to change the lives of individuals whose rights have been violated around the world.

Those featured in this year’s campaign include: 

• Damisoa, from Madagascar, who is fighting for climate-displaced people in his country.
• Unecebo Mboteni, a three-year-old boy who died after falling into a pit toilet at his pre-school in South Africa.
• Juan López, from Honduras, shot dead after fighting to protect local rivers and a national park from mining and energy projects.
• Members from Mother Nature Cambodia, jailed for defending Cambodia’s environment from exploitation.
• Photojournalist Sai Zaw Thaike, arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison with hard labour for reporting on the aftermath of a cyclone in Myanmar. 
• Ellinor Guttorm Utsi, fighting to ensure Sámi voices in Norway are heard and their rights are respected. 
• Sonia, a Tunisian lawyer who has dedicated her life to defending human rights and is facing years in prison for speaking out.
• The Guerreras por la Amazonía, from Ecuador, who are protecting their communities from gas flares which are causing toxic fumes and environmental degradation in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

For Ellinor Guttorm Utsi, the support she is receiving as part of Write for Rights has given her hope. The reindeer herder’s land and way of life are currently under threat, as the Norwegian Government plans to build several hundred wind turbines, which would disrupt the reindeer’s herding patterns.

While Ellinor is calling for a stop to these wind turbines, in a bid to protect her land and her culture, the 60-year-old is struggling to do it on her own.

“I am so pleased Amnesty International, an organization focused on activism, is supporting my campaign today. I am so happy to have the support of people who do this work every day,” said Ellinor. “This is our life – I don’t know another way of living. We need to fight for our land, to protect future generations.”

Changing lives

Since Write for Rights started in 2001, millions of people have changed the lives of those whose human rights had been stripped from them. Over 100 people featured in the campaign have seen a positive outcome to their case.

In 2023, Rocky Myers, a Black man with an intellectual disability, featured in the Write for Rights campaign. Rocky spent three decades on death row in Alabama for murder. He was convicted following testimonies blighted by inconsistencies and alleged police pressure. Hundreds of thousands of Amnesty supporters called for Rocky’s release, writing letters to demand that Alabama’s governor grant him clemency and commute his death sentence. In February 2025, this was granted.

Rocky’s fight is not over, as he seeks justice for violations in his case, but the threat of execution has been stopped. 

“Not only did this campaign bring awareness to his case, but it was done in such a way that honoured Rocky as a person, father, and grandfather,” said Miriam Bankston, a member of Rocky Myers’ legal team. 

“I know the outpouring of support meant the world to Rocky, and to know that so many people felt called to action is truly inspiring.”

Join this year’s campaign and become part of a community working to make the world a more just and compassionate place. Join Write for Rights today.

JUBA – 9 December 2025 – People in South Sudan are facing a deteriorating humanitarian situation while at the same time international interest and support continue to decline, says a new report titled Left Behind in Crisis: Escalating Violence and Healthcare Collapse in South Sudan by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Drawing on routine medical data as well as testimonies from patients, caretakers, community members, and healthcare staff living in areas where MSF works, it shares the human impact of a faltering health system and humanitarian response.    

“South Sudan's health system is stretched to breaking point. In every location where MSF works, our teams witness huge gaps in health services. Health facilities are either non-functional or severely under-resourced. Chronic shortages of medicine and staff mean that people are dying from preventable and treatable diseases. Health facilities need support on the ground not on paper,” says Dr Sigrid Lamberg, MSF head of field operations in South Sudan.  

This year, violence between government and opposition forces, and non-state armed groups steeply increased, marking the worst escalation since the signing of the 2018 peace agreement. Escalating violence, attacks on health facilities by all parties to the conflict, and access constraints are further impeding the delivery of healthcare and aid. According to UN since January, new waves of violence have displaced over 320,000 people and 2,000 have been killed. In Malakal, between April and November 2025, MSF teams treated 141 trauma patients, including women and children, many with gunshot wounds.

In flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, 2025 also saw a sharp increase in attacks on health facilities by all parties to the conflict. MSF alone experienced eight targeted attacks on its facilities and staff in Central Equatoria, Jonglei and Upper Nile, forcing the closure of two hospitals in Ulang and Old Fangak. On 3 December, our facility was hit by an airstrike in Pieri town, Jonglei State. On the same day, after Pieri, MSF teams witnessed additional airstrikes in Lankien, where MSF also runs healthcare facilities.

Communities are facing multiple overlapping crises: conflict, large-scale displacement, flooding, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks – including the largest cholera outbreak in the country’s history. International support, however, continued to decline in 2025 despite people’s living situations and access to essential services getting worse.  

The Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP), a multi-donor initiative launched in July 2024, remains South Sudan’s main vehicle for healthcare delivery. Led by the government with WHO, UNICEF, and other partners, the project originally aimed to support 1,158 health facilities across 10 states and three administrative areas. However, due to funding constraints, 816 facilities are currently supported under the programme, and even these still face persistent shortages of medicines and staff.

“I travelled from Keurdeng, it took one hour. There is a small health facility [in Keurdeng], but it does not have all the medication – sometimes they finish supplies very fast. I took the child to the health centre, but there was no medication,” a female caretaker in Toch told MSF teams.  

Malaria remains a major challenge, continuing to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in South Sudan, particularly for women and children. Despite this, for the second year in a row, 2025 saw nationwide stockouts of malaria drugs during peak season. Without timely treatment, malaria can quickly become deadly. Between January and September 2025, MSF teams treated 6,680 people with severe malaria who required hospitalisation.  

For years, people in South Sudan have faced some of the world’s highest medical and humanitarian needs. In 2025, the situation in South Sudan has worsened significantly. Rising needs require urgent action: international donors must uphold their commitments to support health and humanitarian efforts, and shortcomings in existing programmes must be urgently addressed.

At a minimum, the timely delivery of essential medicines, supplies, and salaries for health workers need to be ensured. Amidst escalating violence, humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and respect for health facilities must be guaranteed. MSF also calls on South Sudan’s government to raise the national health budget in line with its Abuja Declaration commitment of allocating 15 per cent to health. Currently, only 1.3 per cent of the national budget is allocated to health.

“The situation in the country is catastrophic,” says Lamberg. “The urgent needs of people in South Sudan demand coordinated action, renewed commitment, and genuine international solidarity. The world can’t look away, especially not now.”

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation.  MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. Every year more than 120 Australians and New Zealanders go on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières  working as: doctors, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, human resource/finance coordinators, pharmacists, mental health specialists and logisticians. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

Unseenlabs, the global leader in space-based radio frequency (RF) detection, has announced it will supply S&P Global, a leading provider of information services and solutions to the global markets, with RF data dedicated to maritime surveillance. This unprecedented data provides a more reliable understanding of routes and activities at sea, going beyond the limitations of AIS.

This collaboration with S&P Global confirms Unseenlabs’ unique position, built since 2015 on the analysis of hundreds of thousands of RF signals. Capable of detecting and locating vessels even when their AIS system is switched off, this data has essential applications: maritime surveillance, combating illegal fishing, monitoring trade flows (with nearly 70% of global trade value estimated to transit by sea), preventing pollution, and assessing risks for insurance and transportation.

“Being chosen by such a prestigious player as S&P Global is a strong recognition of our expertise,” said Clément Galic, CEO and Co-founder of Unseenlabs. “It shows that RF data is no longer just an innovation, but a trusted tool for decision-makers around the world.”

By joining S&P Global’s solutions, Unseenlabs’ RF data will bring a new dimension to the analyses delivered to clients in over 150 countries, contributing to a better understanding of global maritime activity. Furthermore, Unseenlabs will launch its second constellation of new satellites in 2026. This next generation will expand capabilities beyond the maritime domain to provide multi-domain surveillance (maritime, land, and space), serving defense, environmental, and global security needs.

ABOUT S&P GLOBAL
S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through sustainability and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and accelerate progress for the world. We are widely sought after by many of the world’s leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world’s leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today. Learn more: https://www.spglobal.com/

ABOUT UNSEENLABS
Unseenlabs is the world leader in space-based RF detection, specializing in maritime surveillance. Its exclusive technology enables the geolocation and characterization of vessels at sea at any time and in any weather conditions. The company provides clients with high-value data and solutions to fight illegal activities, making its services a reference in the space and maritime industries.

Source: Amnesty International

Indonesian police used unlawful force against protesters, including beatings and the improper use of water cannon and tear gas grenades, during mass demonstrations that swept the country earlier this year, according to new investigation released today by Amnesty International.

Thirty-six videos authenticated by Amnesty International’s Evidence Lab, along with interviews with five victims and witnesses, detailed the police’s use of unlawful force during rallies between 25 August and 1 September 2025. This included firing water cannon at protesters at close range, beating people with batons and using a dangerous model of tear gas grenade known to cause serious injuries, including loss of limb.

“Video evidence, alongside victims and eyewitnesses' testimonies, reveal that Indonesian police ruthlessly and violently cracked down on a movement that began with peaceful marches against low wages, tax hikes and lawmakers’ pay. The authorities’ excessive and unlawful use of force lays bare a policing culture that treats dissent as a threat rather than a right,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.

According to information aggregated from various NGOs and legal aid organizations, at least 4,194 protesters were arrested between 25 August and 1 September, a figure confirmed to Amnesty International by local and national police. As of 27 September, the police had charged 959 of these individuals, while the rest were released without charge.

At least 12 of those charged are activists or human rights defenders who, according to the police, are “accused of inciting people to take part in violent protests”. The police confirmed media reports that 295 of those charged were children at the time of arrest.

NGOs and legal aid groups also documented that at least 1,036 people were victims of violence during the protests, recorded in 69 separate incidents in 19 cities. While some protesters were involved in violent acts, the majority of these cases involved police use of unnecessary and excessive force.

Despite calls from civil society organizations, President Prabowo Subianto's government has failed to establish an independent team to investigate the violent crackdown on the protests.

Videos show police using unlawful force

Amnesty International’s Evidence Lab verified 36 videos filmed during protests in Jakarta, Bandung, Surakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Bengkulu between 25 August and 1 September. The videos show improper use of tear gas and water cannon and unlawful use of batons and sticks, alongside other forms of beatings.

In at least two cases, Amnesty International found that police fired GLI-F4-style tear gas grenades, which are extremely dangerous because they may contain an explosive compound that disperses chemical irritants. These grenades can cause serious physical injury through the blast or debris and have been banned in many countries. Amnesty International has repeatedly called for their prohibition in law enforcement due to the excessive harm they may cause.

In one incident, on 25 August, a video showed police firing tear gas grenades behind protesters in Slipi sub-district, Jakarta. This violates international human rights standards, including the UN Human Rights Guidance on Less-lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement, as it forces protesters to move towards law enforcement officials, increasing the risk of a confrontation with security forces. Another video shows police releasing tear gas grenades from a bridge towards protesters in Surabaya city on 29 August, East Java. One video also shows a tear gas was fired towards confined space in the Karet train station in Jakarta on August 28.

In other videos verified by Amnesty International, police used unnecessary and excessive force to detain protesters who were already immobilized, striking them with batons, sticks or other weapons. One video from a protest in Jakarta on 28 August showed several armoured police beating someone who was lying on the ground. Footage from Surakarta on 29 August showed a similar incident.

Police also aimed water cannon directly at protesters, at times at high-pressure and from a short distance, as shown by a video of a protest near the parliamentary compound in Jakarta on 28 August.

“Indonesia’s police have shown an inability to use less lethal weapons responsibly and lawfully. Firing tear gas in enclosed areas or directly at people is not just reckless, it’s unlawful and potentially lethal,” Erika Guevara-Rosas said.

“President Prabowo’s government cannot claim to uphold human rights while ignoring widespread police abuse. An independent investigation is not optional, it’s the only credible path to accountability.”

‘Swollen eyes and vomiting blood’

Amnesty International interviewed five victims and witnesses of police use of unlawful force in Yogyakarta, Bandung, Makassar and Surabaya.

A medical volunteer in the city of Yogyakarta told Amnesty International he was hit by a tear gas cannister while helping an injured protester, when police shot tear gas directly at his medical post. Meanwhile, a student protester said that the police fired tear gas directly (horizontally) at protesters without warning on 29 August

An activist in Makassar told Amnesty International he provided legal assistance to a bystander who said police had beaten him with a baseball bat after being arrested. The same activist provided legal aid to 10 university students who he said were arbitrarily arrested while protesting in late August.

The activist said the students “had swollen eyes, were limping and were vomiting blood” when he visited them at the South Sulawesi police station. They told him they were not given access to a lawyer, or had their families notified, until five days after the arrests.

“These numerous examples of state-sponsored violence show the police’s flagrant disregard for the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, as well as the right to life, and the right to liberty and security of person during these protests,” Erika Guevara-Rosas said.

“The Indonesian authorities must carry out prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigations into human rights violations committed by the police. When Indonesians speak out against injustice, the government should listen to them — not silence them with batons and tear gas.”

The North Guadalcanal Constituency (NGC) office delivered livelihood projects and essential materials worth $1,421,928 to various rural communities yesterday, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to improve socio-economic livelihoods in the region.

This was made possible under the NGC’s Constituency Development Funds (CDF) budget allocation for 2025.  

Project materials and goods delivered include:

• 12 paddle canoes valued at $70,000 for coastal communities involved in fishing and transportation.

• 1 x 2-ton tipper truck valued at $180,000 for the Binu registered youth group involved in the brick manufacturing business under the Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) sector.

• Housing hardware materials valued at $1,061,928 under the CDF Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA) component. Total of 123 families received their projects on Wednesday.

The constituency also supported community road works in Ghilutae, Makile, and Maluka with $110,000 from its 2025 allocation under the CDF Grant component.  

The initiative aims to enhance the living standards of NGC rural communities by providing vital resources and supporting sustainable social and economic activities within the constituency.

Total project goods delivered, including the cost for community road works in Ghilutae, Makile, and Maluka, amounted to $1,421,928.  

Speaking during the small but significant handover ceremony, Honourable Member of Parliament Dr. Paul Bosawai said he is pleased to facilitate this support on behalf of the government and encouraged recipients to take good care of their projects to ensure they benefit their livelihoods.

He also thanked his constituents and the communities for their patience and understanding despite the delayed delivery due to financial challenges faced by the government.  

On youth support, Hon. Dr. Bosawai said that the support provided to Binu youth with the new truck is an initiative of the constituency office with the aim to have youths participate in economic activities.

“I believe in our youths, and this is the first support to our youths in the constituency. Similar assistance will be provided next year. I want to see our youths involved in economic initiatives. Next year, we will support more youths and encourage them to participate in business enterprises,” he stressed.  

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, while congratulating project recipients, appreciated the strategic leadership of Hon. Dr. Bosawai for leading the constituency.

“You have set a very good example and vision for your people. The Ministry is pleased to note the development investments that you have continued to make with the resources provided by the government, especially the CDF program, to improve our rural people's livelihoods.”  

PS Misite’e also acknowledged community chiefs, village leaders, church leaders, and constituents of North Guadalcanal for their firm support and cooperation with their MP and the constituency office.

He affirmed the ministry’s ongoing commitment and support to all constituencies, ensuring services are delivered to the very core of our rural communities to improve people’s livelihoods.  

Clement Tavoria, who spoke on behalf of the project recipients, expressed gratitude to Hon. Bosawai for the support, especially since many of them received assistance for the first time through the NGC office, marking a change from previous leadership.

Mr. Tavoria also thanked Hon. Dr. Paul for his inclusive support to all constituents and communities of NGC.  

This support underscores the NGC’s commitment to empowering its people and building a prosperous future for all.

The handover on Wednesday marked the first batch of projects delivered under NGC’s major initiatives planned for the 2025 budget. More deliveries to communities and schools are scheduled for the coming weeks.

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.”

09 DECEMBER 2025 – Equinor takes a new step in the power business with the launch of its first hybrid power complex that combines solar and wind resources.

Equinor and its Brazilian subsidiary Rio Energy have started commercial power production at the Serra da Babilônia Solar facility in Brazil. Strategically co-located with the existing Serra da Babilônia Wind, this represents the first hybrid asset in Equinor’s power portfolio, comprising 140 MW of solar and 223 MW of wind capacity.

“Hybrid projects that effectively integrate solar and wind technologies support a stable and reliable energy supply while enhancing value creation, in line with Equinor’s strategy. Such projects and the integration of technologies will be important for building a competitive power business,” says Helge Haugane, executive vice president for Power at Equinor.

Hybrid projects take advantage of the complementary nature of solar and wind resources, which generate power at different times of the day and throughout different seasons. This helps to reduce the intermittency associated with renewable power generation and enhance grid stability.

Further, Serra da Babilônia Solar leverages synergies from the operating wind facility by sharing existing infrastructure on site, and by achieving efficiencies during the operations and maintenance phase. This results in material cost savings for the hybrid complex compared to a standalone solar asset.

Accumulated annual production from Serra da Babilônia Solar is estimated at 236 GWh of power per year, which is equivalent to the consumption of 143,000 Brazilian households. The produced energy will be sold in the Brazilian power market by Equinor’s energy trading house, Danske Commodities.

“Brazil is a key area for Equinor’s long-term growth. Building on a solid portfolio of oil and natural gas, including Raia that will supply around 15% of Brazil’s total gas demand, we are advancing towards a more integrated and diverse energy offering in the country. With Serra da Babilônia Solar operational, we now have around 600 MW of solar and wind capacity in power production, which we can further optimize through our trading arm Danske Commodities based in São Paulo,” says Veronica Coelho, senior vice president and country manager for Equinor Brazil.

Serra da Babilônia Solar is the first project delivered by Rio Energy as a wholly owned subsidiary of Equinor. Acquired in 2023 with an operating onshore wind complex of 223 MW and a pipeline of projects, Rio Energy is Equinor’s platform for growth in onshore power production in Brazil, bringing more than 10 years of experience in the Brazilian market.

Equinor’s power portfolio in Brazil

The power portfolio in commercial operation totals around 600 MW in equity capacity:

The Serra da Babilônia 1 onshore wind complex (223 MW) and the Serra da Babilônia Solar complex (140 MW) in the state of Bahia are operated by Equinor’s subsidiary, Rio Energy, and are fully owned by Equinor.
Equinor is also a partner in the Apodi solar complex (162 MW) in the Ceará state and the Mendubim complex of solar plants (531 MW) in the Rio Grande do Norte state. The assets are operated by Scatec, with Equinor holding respective shares of 43.5% and 30%.

Additionally, there is a 1.5 GW pipeline of onshore wind and solar project opportunities being matured by Rio Energy.

Equinor’s wholly owned trading arm, Danske Commodities, through its trading office in São Paulo, supports Equinor’s market-driven approach to building a value creating power portfolio in Brazil.