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  • MIL-OSI Africa: Congo’s Strategy to Advance Local Content Hydrocarbon Sector

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), January 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The Republic of Congo is prioritizing local content development within its hydrocarbon sector through a combination of government policy and private sector initiatives. The country’s approach aims to maximize domestic benefits from its vast energy resources, with a focus on job creation, technology transfer and building local expertise.

    Regulatory Framework for Local Content

    In line with its economic goals, the government has established policies to ensure that Congo’s energy sector benefits local businesses and workers. The Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua recently launched a registration campaign for subcontracting and service companies in the oil and gas industry. This initiative is designed to enhance transparency and improve the integration of local companies into the industry.

    The government’s strategy is embodied in the Hydrocarbons Code, which mandates the prioritization of Congolese nationals in the workforce. The law encourages partnerships between foreign oil companies and local enterprises, with a focus on capacity building and knowledge sharing. This regulatory framework is supplemented by the development of a comprehensive law on local content, targeting multiple sectors, including hydrocarbons, mining and digital economy. The aim is to diversify the economy and foster the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises.

    Private Sector Initiatives

    While the government sets the framework, private sector companies are taking proactive steps to promote local content. Energy supermajor TotalEnergies employs around 600 local staff in Congo compared to just 40 expatriates, showcasing it commitment to workplace integration. The company also invests in training and development programs to equip Congolese employees with the skills needed for higher-level roles. In June 2024, TotalEnergies committed $600 million to expand production at the Moho Nord offshore field, with a focus on involving local subcontractors and training programs.

    Similarly, Italian multinational energy company Eni is investing in local workforce development. As part of its efforts to prepare for the launch of LNG production last year, the company trained 40 Congolese employees in liquefaction technologies. This initiative helped to ensure that Congo has the skilled workforce its needs to manage LNG facilities and reduce reliance on foreign specialists.

    To further drive local content development, the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum 2025, will be held in Brazzaville from March 24-26, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société National des Pétroles du Congo. The event will bring together government leaders, private sector companies and international investors to discuss progress in integrating local businesses into the energy sector. It will also provide a platform for Congolese companies to explore new opportunities and forge partnerships with global players.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Direct flights between Chinese mainland and India to resume

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

    BEIJING, Jan. 28 — China and India agreed Monday to resume direct flights between the Chinese mainland and India, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement on Tuesday.

    Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri held a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism between China and India on Monday in Beijing, focusing on promoting the implementation of the common understandings reached between Chinese and Indian leaders at their meeting in Kazan and discussing measures to improve and develop China-India relations, the statement said.

    The two sides reached common understandings on the following specific measures:

    First, India is willing to fully support China’s work as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and will actively participate in various activities hosted by China under the framework of the SCO.

    Second, the two sides agreed to utilize bilateral and multilateral occasions to carry out active interactions at all levels, strengthen strategic communication, and enhance political mutual trust.

    Third, the two sides agreed to jointly commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India in 2025, and carry out media and think tank exchanges, Track II talks and other people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

    Fourth, the two sides agreed to resume direct flights between the Chinese mainland and India, support the coordination and promotion of the competent departments of the two countries, and take measures to facilitate personnel exchanges and mutual dispatch of journalists between the two countries.

    Fifth, the two sides agreed to promote the resumption of pilgrimage by Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake of Xizang in China in 2025, and will negotiate relevant arrangements as soon as possible.

    Sixth, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation on cross-border rivers and to maintain communication on the early holding of a new round of meeting of the expert level mechanism on cross-border rivers.

    The Chinese side emphasized that both sides should act in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, adhere to viewing and handling China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and adopt an open and constructive attitude to actively promote dialogue, exchanges and practical cooperation, guide public opinion and popular support toward the positive direction, enhance trust and remove suspicion, properly handle differences, and promote China-India relations to move forward along a sound and stable track.

    The Chinese side and the Indian side also had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on issues of respective concerns.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Arkhangelskoye and Vyshka invite artists to participate in an open call

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    The educational program “ART HSE. Contemporary Art” at the HSE School of Design was created to train artists and curators, photographers and video artists, theorists and practitioners in all areas of contemporary art. The program offers bachelor’s, master’s and postgraduate programs.

    In the bachelor’s degree program, you can choose one of the educational profiles: “Contemporary Art”, “Screen Arts”, “Sound Art and Sound Design”, “Concept Art and Digital Art”, “Event. Theater. Performance”, “Design and Contemporary Art” and “Curating and Art Management”.

    For applicants to the Master’s program who have clearly defined the direction of their development, we offer the profiles “Practices of Contemporary Art”, “Contemporary Painting”, Sound Art

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Crisis in eastern DRC escalates – leads to greater humanitarian and protection needs

    Source: World Food Programme

    This is a summary of what was said by WFP DRC’s Spokesperson, Shelley Thakral, to whom quoted text may be attributed – at a press briefing In Geneva today

    Kinshasa/Geneva: A major surge in violence in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has led to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing multiple active conflict zones.

    There are growing protection concerns as hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in and around Goma, many are exposed to the Gender Base Violence crisis and with limited access to food, safe clean drinking water and an income – the risks facing the populations will only increase in these volatile conditions. 

     Families fleeing the fighting face unimaginable challenges. Every step of their journey is fraught with danger. Roads are blocked, ports are closed, and those crossing Lake Kivu risk their lives in makeshift boats. Certain IDP sites have been emptied where fighting has been the most violent. 

    I spoke earlier to a CSO activist in Goma:

    “The security and humanitarian situation in Goma is currently deteriorating. We are still here, but in hiding. We don’t know who will come to help us, we who are activists. There is a massive displacement of the population, including both new and long-time displaced people.”

    Even before the recent escalation of violence some 5.1 million people in Ituri, North and South Kivu, have been displaced and forced to live in overcrowded camps with little food and no security.    

     WFP’s priority is keeping staff and their dependents safe. Only critical WFP staff remain in the area and once the security situation improves, we can resume our emergency assistance and operations.  

    Food assistance activities in and around Goma have been temporarily paused. WFP is concerned about food scarcity in Goma and rising food prices as the airport and major access roads within region have been cut-off. Depending on the duration of violence the supply of food into the city could be severely hampered. This is a huge test for Congolese trapped by the fighting in Goma and surrounding areas – of their resilience and the next 24 hours will be critical as people start to run low on supplies and will need to see what they can find to survive.

    WFP strongly condemns the escalation of violence in the eastern DRC that is endangering civilian populations. We call on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and uphold obligations under International Humanitarian Law, including the protection and safety of humanitarian workers. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Health Bureau responds to inaccurate media report on waterpipe tobacco

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Health Bureau responds to inaccurate media report on waterpipe tobacco
    Health Bureau responds to inaccurate media report on waterpipe tobacco
    **********************************************************************

         In response to a local media report today (January 28) that the Government is considering a ban on waterpipe tobacco and that the measure will dampen the desire of tourists from the Middle East to visit Hong Kong, a spokesman for the Health Bureau (HHB) reiterated that the Government has proposed to prohibit, by legislation, flavours in conventional smoking products including waterpipe tobacco, rather than banning waterpipe tobacco itself. Tobacco control is a major public health issue. The HHB expresses regret over the inaccurate information, which is misleading to citizens and tourists, disseminated by certain media and individuals.     The HHB put forward proposals for tobacco control measures in June last year, including, among others, the proposal to prohibit flavours in conventional smoking products (including waterpipe tobacco) as defined under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), and did not propose to ban all kinds of waterpipe tobacco. In response to a question raised by a Legislative Council Member at the Legislative Council meeting on July 3 last year, the HHB has once again clearly pointed out that the proposal to prohibit adding flavours (such as fruit flavours) in conventional smoking products seeks to counteract the intention of tobacco companies to use flavouring agents to disguise the hazards of tobacco products and attract people to smoke. The Government also observed that the use of flavoured waterpipe tobacco has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. In order to prevent tobacco companies to use waterpipe smoking as another means to entice members of the public, in particular women and young people, to become addicted to smoking, the Government’s proposal to ban flavours in conventional smoking products will also apply to waterpipe tobacco.     Waterpipe is a smoking device originating from regions including the Middle East, and traditionally is used without added flavour. In order to entice people to smoke, tobacco companies add flavours to waterpipe tobacco and this has led to the growing popularity of waterpipes in other regions as well. In addition, Islam is widely followed in the Middle East, and alcohol consumption or bar patronage is not prevalent. As venues offering outdoor waterpipes in Hong Kong are mostly bars, the ban on adding flavours in waterpipe tobacco will have limited impact on the experience of Muslim tourists visiting Hong Kong. In fact, more progressive measures in other regions have been implemented. For example, Singapore banned the import and sale of all waterpipes in 2016, and publicly available information shows that the number of tourists from the Middle East (including Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) arriving in Singapore before and after the ban came into effect remain comparable.     Under the Ordinance, conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars) is prohibited. Any person engaged in a smoking act in statutory no smoking areas commits an offence and is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500. Currently, only about 10 per cent of bars in Hong Kong have outdoor areas where waterpipe tobacco may be smoked legally. The Government will consider introducing a grace period when formulating the new legislation to allow time for the public and the bar sector to make adjustments.     Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipe tobacco) are sold, in bars or other premises, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the smoking act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance. The spokesman appeals to operators and venue mangers of bars/restaurants not to assist any person in breaching the statutory smoking prohibitions, or provide a waterpipe apparatus and tobacco to customers for use in statutory no-smoking areas. The Department of Health will continue to closely monitor and take stringent enforcement actions to tackle illegal waterpipe smoking activities.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2025Issued at HKT 19:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two arrests following protest at central London theatre

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information after two protesters disrupted a theatre performance in central London last night (Monday, 27 January).

    At around 20:00hrs two Just Stop Oil protesters entered the stage area at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, WC2. Police attended but both had left the venue.

    Two people – a 42-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man – were subsequently arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass after attending a central London police station on Tuesday, 28 January. They remain in custody.

    Anyone who was at the performance and witnessed this incident, or who has information that could assist this investigation, is asked to call officers on 101 quoting CAD 2453/28JAN. You can also ‘X’ @MetCC.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reducing the risk of reoffending

    Source: Scottish Government

    Funding to support individuals released from prison following short-term sentences.

    A new approach will increase the support and help provided to people leaving prison following a short-term sentence from six to twelve months for those who need it most and will include men released from remand.

    Building on the strengths of current services, the national service will help people leaving prison reintegrate with their community and rebuild relationships, through mentoring, one-to-one support and guidance on accessing health care, housing and benefits.

    This type of support can help reduce the risk of reoffending, contributing to lower crime, while enabling individuals to build better lives for themselves, their families and communities.

    Replacing the two existing services ‘Shine’ and ‘New Routes’ for men and women serving sentences of four years or less, the national throughcare service will provide consistent support across Scotland, including in rural and island communities. Women released on remand already receive support and the new national service will also extend this to men.

    Launched in April this year, the service is backed by £5.3 million for the next three years and will be delivered by a partnership of third sector organisations led by Sacro, a community justice organisation, with oversight by Community Justice Scotland.

    Justice Secretary Angela Constance said:

    “It is critical that those serving short sentences and periods of remand are supported when released to make a safe transition back into the community. This reduces the risk of reoffending, resulting in less crime, fewer victims and safer communities.  

    “This new approach, backed by £5.3 million in funding, will allow more people to be supported and for longer, including now those leaving periods of remand, many of whom are not eligible for support at present.

    “It will also ensure consistent support can be provided across Scotland, including in rural and island communities and create greater efficiencies – with delivery partners able to work collaboratively to share resources, staff time and facilities.”

    Annie Mauger-Thompson, Chief Executive of Sacro said:

    “What makes this initiative so powerful is how it has been shaped through collaboration and listening to those with lived experience. We have worked closely with staff, stakeholders, and community partners, to design a service that meets real needs, provides trauma-informed support, and fosters sustainable futures for individuals and communities.”

    BACKGROUND
    The service, will be provided by a partnership of third sector organisations, led by Sacro, including Access to Industry, Action for Children, Apex Scotland, Barnardo’s, Circle, Families Outside and Turning Point Scotland.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New members sworn in at Young People’s Council

    Source: City of Leicester

    YOUNG people from across the city have been sworn in as members of the Leicester Young People’s Council.

    Forty-four young people have been elected to represent their peers, after nearly 4,500 (4,476) votes were cast in the ‘Choose or Lose’ young people’s elections, which ran in November and December last year.

    The Young People’s Council aims to provide a voice for young people in the city by ensuring their views are represented in the local decision-making processes that affect them.

    Young people living or attending school in Leicester were eligible to stand for election, and they campaigned at schools, colleges, youth and community groups all over the city to win votes and a seat on the Young People’s Council.

    On Monday (27 Jan), they were sworn in at a special ceremony in Leicester’s Town Hall, where they met with local leaders and visited the council chambers where meetings take place.

    Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell said: “The great response we had to the election shows how much young people care about their city. By getting involved in the Young People’s Council, they can help to shape it for the future.

    “It was wonderful to meet the new members of our Young People’s Council at their swearing-in ceremony and I am sure they will make a really important contribution to local democracy, helping to ensure that young people’s voices are heard and valued.”

    The Young People’s Council is made up of young people aged from 11 to 19, and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged up to 25. It will link into the work of councillors across the city and will be involved in several scrutiny committees, including those for health, children and young people, and the overview scrutiny committee.

    Benjamin Taylor, a year 11 student at New College in Leicester, is one of the new Young People’s Council members. He said: “I’m looking forward to tackling any issues that Leicester students may have with transport, healthcare or cultural representation. The most pressing issue I want to address now is the rising bus prices for children and students. I will do my absolute best to ensure that every student in Leicester is able to comfortably pursue their education, because everyone deserves a fair chance.”

    Also elected was Harmony Uwujare, who said: “I want all young people to feel that they have a voice on the Young People’s Council. I will do my best and am prepared to work hard. My main concerns are the cost of buses, equality and mental health. I want all young people to thrive and be able to access the help they need.”

    And Hanisha Anjay, who is also joining the Young People’s Council, said: “What a real honour to be voted in by my fellow students. I am excited for the future. We have issues around future opportunities for young people – we need more career aspirations. I will listen to what young people say.”

    Find out more about how the city council works with young people at https://www.leicester.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/support-for-children-and-young-people/rights-and-participation-service/

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New life to be breathed into a much-used corner of Morecambe A rejuvenation project will get underway this week to breathe new life into a much-used corner ..

    Source: City of Lancaster

    A rejuvenation project will get underway this week to breathe new life into a much-used corner of Morecambe. 

    Work will begin at the Greenway near the Morecambe railway line, which serves as a junction for pedestrians and cyclists, offering access to the coast, shops and the Way of the Roses cycle route, thanks to a £15k cash injection from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

    Repairs will be made to the path, benches will be over-hauled, trees and bushes will be thinned and trimmed, a litter bin installed and a well-used crossing area forming part of the ‘Way of the Roses’ cycle route will be revamped with a unique, People’s Jury and artist co-designed crossing. 

    Residents can get involved too with a public workshop to make bird and bat boxes and join in on litter picks, as part of the project to improve the environment, enhance safety and accessibility. 

    The project is a collaboration between, the Lancaster District People’s Jury on Climate Change, Lancaster City Council and artists from the Good Things Collective. 

    The project builds on the recommendations of The People’s Jury, which was formed after the council declared a climate emergency to guide its efforts towards achieving net-zero carbon by 2030. 

    The Jury’s 2020 report provided key recommendations, and this project was inspired through its on-going collaboration work on the Local Climate Engagement Programme (LCEP) with which it produced additional recommendations, particularly focusing on travel and transport. 

    On Saturday, volunteers from The People’s Jury joined council staff to litter pick at the site ahead of work starting in the coming days.

    Residents see action on the site for the next couple of weeks, with the project expected to be completed by the end of March. 

    Councillor Gina Dowding, Lancaster City Council cabinet member with responsibility for climate action, said:  “We are thrilled to receive the UKSPF funding for this important project, which aims to enhance this well-used public space and improve safety and accessibility for all. Whether it’s local commuters connecting to the cycle track, tourists embarking on the Way of the Roses, or residents walking to nearby shops, this initiative will benefit everyone. 

    “This is truly a community effort, and we encourage residents to get involved – from litter picks to making bird boxes – as we work together to improve our local area and also improve sustainable travel through our cycleways.” 

    Last updated: 28 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fix relationship with Europe to protect Wales’ economy

    Source: Party of Wales

    Plaid Cymru proposes new law that would undo botched Brexit damage

    Wales must reset its relationship with Europe to repair the damage done to the economy caused by Brexit, Plaid Cymru has said.

    Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Justice and European Affairs Adam Price MS said that a Plaid Cymru Government would introduce a new act to enable Welsh law to be aligned as closely and quickly as possible with essential European standards when it is in Wales’ best interests.

    Mr Price said a new European Alignment Act could help reset the relationship between Wales and Europe to protect the economy at a time of growing global instability.

    31 January 2025 will mark five years since the UK formally left the European Union.

    According to the Economic Cost of Brexit project, the average person in the UK is now £2,000 worse off as a result of Brexit, amplifying the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

    The type of Brexit taken by the last government has cost the Welsh economy up to £4bn.

    Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Justice and European Affairs Adam Price MS said,

    “Five years on, there can be no doubting the extent of the damage that Brexit done to Wales and the wider UK.

    “The form of hard Brexit pursued by the last UK Government has cost the Welsh economy up to £4bn. Brexit has reduced the value of Welsh exports by up to £1.1bn. Post-Brexit trade deals have hurt Welsh farmers, fishers and other producers across many key sectors.  £1bn has been lost to Wales in the form of European structural and rural development funding.

    “Plaid Cymru believe that returning to the single market and customs union as soon as possible would be the best way to begin to undo this economic damage. Under Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Labour are disappointingly resolute in refusing to acknowledge this starkest of economic realities.

    “We need an urgent reset in our relationship with the EU, including securing opportunities for young people in Wales to travel, work and study in Europe, and vice versa.

    “It is for this reason that I, and Plaid Cymru, are proposing the new European Alignment Act. Such an Act would restore powers we should never have given up and would enable Welsh law to be aligned as closely and quickly as possible with essential European standards when it is in Wales’ best interests.”

    “Wales needs to stick as close as we can to our European friends and allies and remain alive to changes in European politics and policy to protect our communities in an ever more insecure and uncertain world.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: BUDGET: Scottish Greens secure action on climate, transport costs and child poverty

    Source: Scottish Greens

    28 Jan 2025 Finance

    Scottish Green MSPs agree to support budget

    More in Finance

    The Scottish Greens will support the forthcoming budget, following confirmation that the Scottish Government have agreed to the party’s proposals on record climate funding, the expansion of free school meals and trialling a £2 cap on bus fares.

    As a result of proposals tabled by Scottish Green negotiators, the Government’s budget will now be changed to include the roll-out of free school meals to thousands more young people and a year-long regional trial of a £2 cap on bus fares.

    Other Green proposals accepted include increasing funding for nature restoration to a record £26m, more free ferry travel for young island residents, free bus travel for asylum seekers and help for first time home buyers by increasing tax on the purchase of second/holiday homes.

    Scottish Greens finance spokesperson Ross Greer MSP said:

    “The Scottish Greens put climate action, tackling child poverty, cheaper buses and ferries and funding for schools at the heart of our budget negotiations. We have delivered progress on all of these fronts, so our MSPs will be voting for the budget.

    “No young person should be sitting in school hungry. As a result of our work, thousands more pupils in S1-S3 will now receive a free school meal. This will build on the success of expanding free school meals in primary schools, a policy delivered by the Scottish Greens a few years ago.

    “Our Green MSPs have also secured a year-long regional trial where bus fares will be capped at £2, because we know the cost of public transport needs to come down. This also builds on the success of free bus travel for young people, another Scottish Green policy we made a reality.

    “With climate chaos all around us, we have worked to deliver record funding for nature restoration and our environment. These Green projects are creating well-paid jobs in communities across the country, particularly in rural areas.

    “From schools to libraries to social care to bin collections, our councils deliver the services we all depend on. We have worked with Scottish Green councillors to ensure that this year’s budget delivers a fair deal for local councils, including an end to the Council tax freeze.

    “These changes secured by Scottish Green MSPs will lift more children out of poverty, reduce the cost of public transport, create good quality jobs, tackle the climate crisis and protect local services. That’s in stark contrast to Labour, who agreed to let the SNP’s budget pass without making any attempt to improve it. If you want action to help people and planet, voting Scottish Greens is the best way to deliver it.”

    As a result of Scottish Green negotiations, this budget includes:

    • Making public transport cheaper: A year long regional trial of capping bus fares at £2 starting 1st January 2026, free bus travel for people seeking asylum and free inter-island ferry travel for young island residents
    • Action to tackle child poverty: The expansion of free school meals to thousands of S1-S3 pupils who receive the Scottish Child Payment, starting with eight councils areas in August 2025.
    • Record climate action: A record £4.9bn of funding for climate action and nature restoration.
    • Progressive taxation to support public services: Increased tax on the purchase of second or holiday homes and moving forward with proposals for a Cruise Ship Levy, the consultation for which will launch in February
    • Protecting local services: A real-term funding increase for local councils, and progress on giving councils more direct power through a consultation on devolving Parking Charge Notices (parking fines)

    Letter from Shona Robinson MSP confirming Green budget requests.

    Letter from Ross Greer MSP confirming Green support.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Three more residential buildings were built on the territory of the former Oktyabrskoye Pole industrial zone under the KRT program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the northwest of Moscow, as part of the redevelopment of the former industrial zone Oktyabrskoye Pole, a residential complex was built. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “The investor has completed the construction of three buildings with a total area of over 73.1 thousand square meters, with almost 46 thousand square meters of residential space. The facilities were built on the site of the former Oktyabrskoye Pole industrial zone as part of the first comprehensive territorial development agreement in the capital,” said Vladimir Efimov.

    The agreement for the former Oktyabrskoye Pole industrial zone, with an area of 5.9 hectares, was concluded in 2020. Its terms provide for the construction of almost 200 thousand square meters of real estate, including modern housing, public, business, educational and other facilities.

    “The multi-apartment residential complex is located on Berzarina Street. The building of variable height consists of three buildings and is designed for more than a thousand apartments. On the underground level there is a parking lot and storage rooms for residents. On the first floor it is planned to place commercial premises – shops, cafes and public spaces will be able to open there. The territory has also been improved,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of City Property

    Maxim Gaman.

    All stages of the work were supervised Committee for State Construction Supervision of the City of MoscowAccording to the head of the department Anton Slobodchikova, a total of 13 on-site inspections were organized. Specialists from the subordinate Center for Expertise, Research and Testing in Construction took part in them. Based on the results of the final inspection, a conclusion was drawn up on the conformity of the buildings with the approved design documentation.

    The first technology park under the integrated territorial development program was built in the Shchukino districtConstruction of a residential complex and kindergarten on part of the former Oktyabrskoye Pole industrial zone will be completed by the end of the yearAccording to the KRT program, parks, alleys, and boulevards will appear on 155 hectares in the city

    According to the program of integrated development of territories in the capital, multifunctional city quarters are being created, where roads, comfortable housing and all necessary infrastructure are being designed on the site of former industrial zones and inefficiently used areas. Currently, 302 KRT projects with a total area of about 4.2 thousand hectares are at various stages of implementation in Moscow. Their development is carried out on behalf of Sergei Sobyanin.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149415073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: It is important to integrate VOIR activities into educational programs of schools, colleges and universities

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the public organization “All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators”

    January 27, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the public organization “All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators”. With the Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov

    January 27, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the public organization “All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators”. With Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education Vladimir Kononov

    January 27, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the public organization “All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators”

    A meeting of the board of trustees of the public organization “All-Russian Society of Inventors and Rationalizers” (VOIR) was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that VOIR, as one of the oldest public organizations with more than 90 years of history, should make a significant contribution to achieving the national goal of technological leadership.

    “In order for VOIR to continue to be a platform for exchanging experience, generating new ideas and supporting inventors, it is necessary to build systemic work in all regions of the country. But the creation of new regional organizations is only the first step. It is necessary to cover all regions and establish close interaction between them so that the best solutions can be scaled up and used everywhere. It is also important to integrate VOIR events into the educational programs of schools, colleges and universities,” emphasized Dmitry Chernyshenko, Chairman of the VOIR Board of Trustees.

    In addition, it is necessary to create a mentoring system where experienced inventors and engineers can pass on their knowledge and skills to the younger generation. This will help maintain continuity and create conditions for the formation of new professional communities within the VOIR structure.

    Chairman of the Central Council of VOIR, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education Vladimir Kononov spoke about the results of the society’s work, projects being implemented and plans for the coming years.

    Today, VOIR is represented in 77 regions, and over 100 thousand inventors and innovators are members of the organization. The VOIR festival “Science and Inventions for Life” is held annually. Over two years, its events were held in 35 regions, with over 650 thousand people taking part. In 2025, the focus will be on thematic events dedicated to the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of Victory, as well as on expanding international cooperation with friendly countries. The All-Russian competition “Inventor of the Year” is held annually. Together with Rospatent, VOIR holds the competition “Capital of Invention”: in 2025, this status was awarded to the Novgorod Region.

    The meeting also discussed the objectives of VOIR for 2025. These include the popularization of technical creativity and inventive activity and the involvement of young people in it, in particular through promoting the development of student design bureaus at universities and cooperation with schools. In addition, the objectives include the creation of a center for the development of invention methods and the implementation of educational programs for inventors, the development and implementation of new digital services, the launch of a comprehensive program to support inventors, and the rating of the activities of regional organizations.

    “Ultimately, all of our proposals are aimed at increasing the number of citizens involved in the inventive and rationalization movement, and therefore increasing the number of new developments and technologies that will be implemented at our enterprises and ensure the technological leadership of our country,” said Vladimir Kononov.

    Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov noted that the Ministry of Education is open to cooperation with the All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators in implementing joint projects for the younger generation.

    “As part of our cooperation, we are ready to offer, firstly, to hold a class called “Conversations about the Important”, where schoolchildren will be told about the All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators and the opportunities it creates for young people. Secondly, we can include the topic of inventions in the career guidance course “Russia – My Horizons”. In addition, we are holding new Olympiads for schoolchildren – on unmanned aerial systems and robotics. And we can make the society our partner in holding them. These are relevant areas that are in great demand today,” added Sergey Kravtsov.

    The head of the Ministry of Education emphasized that the participation of society in the activities of the centers “Kvantorium”, “Tochka Rosta” and “IT-Kube” could become an opportunity for cooperation. Sergey Kravtsov also proposed considering cooperation in the area of secondary vocational education, in the system of which there are a large number of technical specialties.

    Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Konstantin Mogilevsky outlined possible areas of cooperation between VOIR and universities, including the work of student design bureaus, youth laboratories, student scientific societies, and student technological entrepreneurship.

    “All schools in Mordovia have “Growth Points”, quantum centers are open – the technical base is huge, our talented youth have something to work with. I am sure that the public and state status of VOIR will help us solve the most serious problems of technological sovereignty,” said the head of the Republic of Mordovia, Artem Zdunov.

    The meeting of the board of trustees was also attended by representatives of the Presidential Administration of Russia for Public Projects, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Finance, the State Duma, Rospatent, the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, other government agencies, companies, educational institutions, and regions.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of Poland Andrzej Duda

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, on the margins of a commemorative event to mark 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp in Oświęcim, Poland.

    The Prime Minister and the President paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to remembering the Holocaust, educating against Holocaust denialism and distortion, and combatting antisemitism and all forms of hate across the globe.

    As the full-scale invasion of Ukraine nears its three-year mark, the two leaders condemned Russia’s unjustifiable war of aggression and reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine. Prime Minister Trudeau and President Duda recognized the strong and continued co-operation between their countries in support of Ukraine.

    Prime Minister Trudeau and President Duda also reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional security, particularly on NATO’s Eastern Flank.

    The two leaders underscored the strong bilateral relations between Canada and Poland and discussed additional areas for further co-operation, including in the nuclear sector.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Leads Q4 2024 Meme Trading Wave: 140% QoQ Volume Growth & 240 New Projects Added

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, the world-leading digital asset trading platform, saw significant growth in memecoin trading during Q4 2024. Data shows that the overall trading volume of memecoins on the platform, including Spot and Futures, surged by 140% quarter-over-quarter. The proportion of daily active users trading memecoins climbed to 35.8%, while the proportion of daily average trading volume more than doubled to 18.8%.

    MEXC took strategic steps to enhance its memecoin trading services by launching the Meme+ zone on December 24, 2024. The dedicated zone proved highly successful, with approximately 124 popular memecoins listed within its first month of operation. This initiative generated significant momentum, leading to continued growth in memecoin trading activity on MEXC in January 2025. User engagement reached new heights, with the percentage of daily trading users increasing to 37.1%, while memecoins came to represent 25.9% of the platform’s average daily trading volume.

    MEXC demonstrated strong market leadership in Q4 2024 by strategically focusing on the memecoin sector, successfully introducing more than 240 high-quality meme projects to its platform. The exchange’s careful project selection proved highly successful, with the top 5 newly listed memecoins in 2024 achieving remarkable results – their prices recorded an average peak gain of over 8,700%, while standout performers KEKIUS and FWOG surpassed 10,000% gains. Market capitalization metrics were equally impressive, with the top 5 memecoins averaging peak gains of over 3,500%, notably led by PNUT which achieved an exceptional maximum gain of more than 7,000%.

    To enhance its asset offerings, MEXC recently introduced a new feature allowing users to search for trading pairs using contract addresses. This aims to help users identify target trading pairs more quickly and accurately, providing a more efficient trading experience and enhancing their overall journey.

    In a move to enhance platform functionality, MEXC has introduced a new contract address search feature for trading pairs, enabling users to locate specific trading pairs with greater precision and speed. This enhancement streamlines the trading process, making it more efficient for users to find and access their desired trading pairs. The feature allows users to input token contract addresses into MEXC’s global search or Spot trading search bar to accurately locate tokens. This is particularly valuable in the active memecoin market, where similar token names can cause confusion and bring investment risk. By utilizing contract addresses—the unique identifier for tokens on the blockchain—this search mechanism ensures precision and provides users with enhanced security.

    About MEXC

    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 30 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    PR Manager
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by MEXC. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/41b61707-d16e-4558-81e7-3fcb6f1ee432

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d1ad05ee-72ca-4d42-8c5e-e5c0b906ca4e

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a8cc556-be4d-4be2-afba-59f2c832ce2d

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be981b72-e7d5-473a-969d-3cfde42d4159

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e07c632a-ff90-4ff9-9437-174c4e8e53f6

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Provident Financial Holdings Reports Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Net Income of $872,000 in the December 2024 Quarter, Down 54% from the Sequential Quarter and 59% from the Comparable Quarter Last Year

    Net Interest Margin of 2.91% in the December 2024 Quarter, Up Seven Basis Points from the Sequential Quarter and 13 Basis Points from the Comparable Quarter Last Year

    Loans Held for Investment of $1.05 Billion at December 31, 2024, Unchanged from June 30, 2024

    Total Deposits of $867.5 Million at December 31, 2024, Down 2% from June 30, 2024

    Non-Performing Assets to Total Assets Ratio of 0.20% at December 31, 2024, Unchanged from June 30, 2024

    Non-Interest Expenses Remain Well Controlled

    RIVERSIDE, Calif., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Provident Financial Holdings, Inc. (“Company”), NASDAQ GS: PROV, the holding company for Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B. (“Bank”), today announced earnings for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

    The Company reported net income of $872,000, or $0.13 per diluted share (on 6.79 million average diluted shares outstanding), for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, down 59 percent from net income of $2.14 million, or $0.31 per diluted share (on 6.98 million average diluted shares outstanding), in the comparable period a year ago. The decrease in earnings was due primarily to a $586,000 provision for credit losses, in contrast to a $720,000 recovery of credit losses in the comparable period a year ago, and a $450,000 increase in non-interest expenses (primarily attributable to higher salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses).

    “I am pleased with the progress we have made in our fundamental operating results. Net interest income increased by approximately two percent from the prior sequential quarter and was largely the result of an expanding net interest margin. Growth in the loans held for investment portfolio, which increased from the September 30, 2024 balance, also contributed to this improvement. Credit quality remains strong; however, the increase in mortgage interest rates has resulted in a longer estimated average life of our loan portfolio and a corresponding provision for credit losses. Additionally, we remain active in our stock repurchase plan with our Board of Directors recently approving a new plan, demonstrating our commitment to sound capital management practices,” stated Donavon P. Ternes, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “As I described last quarter, our business model performs better in a flat or upward-sloping yield curve environment. Now that the Federal Open Market Committee has implemented looser monetary policy and the inverted yield curve has reversed course, we are transitioning back to less restrictive operating strategies,” concluded Ternes.

    Return on average assets was 0.28 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to 0.61 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 0.66 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Return on average stockholders’ equity for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was 2.66 percent, compared to 5.78 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 6.56 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2024.

    On a sequential quarter basis, the $872,000 net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 reflects a 54 percent decrease from $1.90 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $586,000 provision for credit losses, in contrast to a $697,000 recovery of credit losses, and a $271,000 increase in non-interest expense (primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits), partly offset by a $143,000 increase in net interest income (primarily due to a higher net interest margin). The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense was primarily attributable to higher employee compensation. Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 were $0.13 per share, down 54 percent from $0.28 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

    For the six months ended December 31, 2024, net income decreased $1.13 million, or 29 percent, to $2.77 million from $3.90 million in the comparable period in fiscal 2024. Diluted earnings per share for the six months ended December 31, 2024 decreased 27 percent to $0.41 per share (on 6.83 million average diluted shares outstanding) from $0.56 per share (on 7.00 million average diluted shares outstanding) for the comparable six-month period last year. The decrease in earnings was primarily attributable to a $1.12 million increase in non-interest expense (primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits and other operating expenses) and a $538,000 decrease in net interest income, partly offset by a $118,000 increase in non-interest income.

    In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, net interest income decreased slightly to $8.76 million from $8.77 million for the same quarter last year. The slight decrease in net interest income was due to a lower average balance of interest-earning assets, partly offset by a higher net interest margin. The average balance of interest-earning assets decreased five percent to $1.20 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $1.26 billion in the same quarter last year, primarily due to decreases in the average balance of loans receivable, investment securities and interest-earning deposits. The net interest margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 increased 13 basis points to 2.91 percent from 2.78 percent in the same quarter last year. The increase in net interest margin was due to increased yields on interest-earning assets outpacing increased funding costs. The average yield on interest-earning assets increased 33 basis points to 4.66 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from 4.33 percent in the same quarter last year. In contrast, our average funding costs increased by 23 basis points to 1.92 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from 1.69 percent in the same quarter last year.

    Interest income on loans receivable increased $541,000, or four percent, to $13.05 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $12.51 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase was due to a higher average loan yield, partly offset by a lower average loan balance. The average yield on loans receivable increased 33 basis points to 4.99 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from 4.66 percent in the same quarter last year. Adjustable-rate loans of approximately $100.7 million repriced upward in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 by approximately 15 basis points from a weighted average rate of 7.83 percent to 7.98 percent. The average balance of loans receivable decreased $27.8 million, or three percent, to $1.05 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $1.07 billion in the same quarter last year. Total loans originated for investment in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 were $36.4 million, up 80 percent from $20.2 million in the same quarter last year, while loan principal payments received in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 were $34.3 million, up 93 percent from $17.8 million in the same quarter last year.

    Interest income from investment securities decreased $53,000, or 10 percent, to $471,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $524,000 for the same quarter of fiscal 2024. This decrease was attributable to a lower average balance, partly offset by a higher average yield. The average balance of investment securities decreased $23.4 million, or 16 percent, to $123.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $147.2 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease in the average balance was due to scheduled principal payments and prepayments of investment securities. The average yield on investment securities increased 10 basis points to 1.52 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from 1.42 percent for the same quarter last year. The increase in the average yield was primarily attributable to a lower premium amortization during the current quarter in comparison to the same quarter last year ($97,000 vs. $137,000) due to lower total principal repayments ($5.3 million vs. $5.9 million) and, to a lesser extent, the upward repricing of adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities.

    In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, the Bank received $213,000 in cash dividends from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) – San Francisco stock and other equity investments, up eight percent from $197,000 in the same quarter last year, resulting in an average yield of 8.38 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to 8.29 percent in the same quarter last year. The average balance of FHLB – San Francisco stock and other equity investments in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was $10.2 million, up from $9.5 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2024.

    Interest income from interest-earning deposits, primarily cash deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) of San Francisco, was $287,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, down $148,000 or 34 percent from $435,000 in the same quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease was due to a lower average balance and, to a lesser extent, a lower average yield. The average balance of the Company’s interest-earning deposits decreased $7.8 million, or 25 percent, to $23.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $31.5 million in the same quarter last year. The average yield earned on interest-earning deposits in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was 4.74 percent, down 67 basis points from 5.41 percent in the same quarter last year. The decrease in the average yield was due to a lower average interest rate on the FRB’s reserve balances resulting from decreases in the targeted federal funds rate during the comparable periods.

    Interest expense on deposits for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was $2.67 million, an increase of $401,000 or 18 percent from $2.27 million for the same period last year. The increase was attributable to higher rates paid on deposits, partly offset by a lower average balance. The average cost of deposits was 1.23 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, up 24 basis points from 0.99 percent in the same quarter last year. The increase in the average cost of deposits was primarily attributable to an increase in higher cost time deposits, particularly brokered certificates of deposit. The average balance of deposits decreased $51.5 million, or six percent, to $863.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $914.6 million in the same quarter last year.

    Transaction account balances, or “core deposits,” decreased $21.6 million, or four percent, to $592.9 million at December 31, 2024 from $614.5 million at June 30, 2024, while time deposits increased slightly to $274.6 million at December 31, 2024 from $273.9 million at June 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, brokered certificates of deposit totaled $143.8 million, up $12.0 million or nine percent from $131.8 million at June 30, 2024. The weighted average cost of brokered certificates of deposit was 4.56 percent and 5.18 percent (including broker fees) at December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, respectively.

    Interest expense on borrowings, consisting of FHLB advances, for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 decreased $30,000, or one percent, to $2.59 million from $2.62 million for the same period last year. The decrease in interest expense on borrowings was primarily the result of a lower average balance, partly offset by a higher average cost. The average balance of borrowings decreased $3.8 million, or two percent, to $226.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $230.5 million in the same quarter last year. The average cost of borrowings increased two basis points to 4.53 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from 4.51 percent in the same quarter last year.

    At December 31, 2024, the Bank had approximately $246.2 million of remaining borrowing capacity at the FHLB. Additionally, the Bank has an unused secured borrowing facility of approximately $198.5 million with the FRB of San Francisco and an unused unsecured federal funds borrowing facility of $50.0 million with its correspondent bank. The total available borrowing capacity across all sources totaled approximately $494.7 million at December 31, 2024.

    The Bank continues to work with both the FHLB and FRB of San Francisco to ensure that its borrowing capacity is continuously reviewed and updated in order to be accessed seamlessly should the need arise.

    During the second quarter of fiscal 2025, the Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $586,000 (which included a $41,000 recovery of unfunded commitment reserves), in contrast to a $720,000 recovery of credit losses recorded during the same period last year and a $697,000 recovery of credit losses recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 (sequential quarter). The provision for credit losses recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was primarily attributable to a longer estimated life of the loan portfolio resulting from lower loan prepayment estimates (attributable to higher interest rates) and a slight increase in the outstanding balance of loans held for investment at December 31, 2024 from September 30, 2024.

    Non-performing assets, comprised solely of non-accrual loans with underlying collateral located in California, decreased $66,000 or three percent to $2.5 million, which represented 0.20 percent of total assets at December 31, 2024, compared to $2.6 million, which represented 0.20 percent of total assets at June 30, 2024. At both December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, non-performing loans were comprised of 10 single-family loans. At both December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, there was no real estate owned and no loans past due by 90 days or more that were accruing interest. For the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no loan charge-offs.

    The recent wildfires in Los Angeles, California did not have a material impact on the Company’s operations or the Bank’s customers. The Bank’s branches and facilities remained operational throughout the wildfire events, and there were no significant disruptions to customer services or business activities observed. Additionally, the Bank has not identified any significant credit exposure or financial impact attributable to the wildfires at this time.

    Classified assets were $5.8 million at December 31, 2024, consisting of $631,000 of loans in the special mention category and $5.1 million of loans in the substandard category. Classified assets at June 30, 2024 were $5.8 million, consisting of $1.1 million of loans in the special mention category and $4.7 million of loans in the substandard category.

    The allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment was $7.0 million, or 0.66 percent of gross loans held for investment, at December 31, 2024, down from $7.1 million, or 0.67 percent of gross loans held for investment, at June 30, 2024. The decrease in the allowance for credit losses was due primarily to a shorter estimated life of the loan portfolio, partly offset by a slightly higher balance of loans held for investment. Management believes that, based on currently available information, the allowance for credit losses is sufficient to absorb expected losses inherent in loans held for investment at December 31, 2024.

    Non-interest income decreased by $30,000, or three percent, to $845,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $875,000 in the same period last year, due primarily to decreases in loan servicing and other fess, deposit fees and card and processing fees, partly offset by an increase in other fees. On a sequential quarter basis, non-interest income decreased $54,000, or six percent, primarily due to decreases in loan servicing and other fess, deposit fees and card and processing fees, partly offset by an increase in other fees.

    Non-interest expense increased $450,000, or six percent, to $7.79 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 from $7.34 million for the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher salaries and employee benefits expenses and other operating expenses. The higher salaries and employee benefits expenses was primarily due to higher compensation expenses, retirement plan benefit expenses and executive search agency costs, partly offset by a lower accrual adjustment for the supplemental executive retirement plans expense. On a sequential quarter basis, non-interest expense increased $271,000, or four percent as compared to $7.52 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, due primarily to higher salaries and employee benefits expenses. The higher salaries and employee benefits expenses was primarily due to higher compensation expenses, a higher accrual adjustment for the supplemental executive retirement plans expense and executive search agency costs.

    The Company’s efficiency ratio, defined as non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was 81.15 percent, an increase from 76.11 percent in the same quarter last year and 79.06 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 (sequential quarter). The increase in the efficiency ratio during the current quarter in comparison to the comparable quarter last year was due to higher non-interest expense and, to a lesser extent, a lower net interest income and non-interest income.

    The Company’s provision for income taxes was $352,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, down 60 percent from $884,000 in the same quarter last year and down 55 percent from $789,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 (sequential quarter). The decrease during the current quarter compared to both the sequential quarter and same quarter last year was due to a decrease in pre-tax income. The effective tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 was 28.8 percent as compared to 29.2 percent in the same quarter last year and 29.3 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 (sequential quarter).

    The Company repurchased 63,556 shares of its common stock pursuant to its current stock repurchase program at an average cost of $16.04 per share during the quarter ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, a total of 31,919 shares remained available for future purchase under the Company’s current repurchase program, which expires on September 26, 2025.

    The Bank currently operates 13 retail/business banking offices in Riverside County and San Bernardino County (Inland Empire).

    The Company will host a conference call for institutional investors and bank analysts on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific) to discuss its financial results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-800-715-9871 and referencing Conference ID number 7361828. An audio replay of the conference call will be available through Tuesday, February 4, 2025 by dialing 1-800-770-2030 and referencing Conference ID number 7361828.

    For more financial information about the Company please visit the website at www.myprovident.com and click on the “Investor Relations” section.

    Safe-Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements that the Company believes are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business. You should not place undue reliance on these statements as they are subject to various risks and uncertainties. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as any cautionary statements the Company may make. Moreover, you should treat these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to the Company.

    There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated or implied by our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: adverse economic conditions in our local market areas or other markets where we have lending relationships; effects of employment levels, labor shortages, inflation, a recession or slowed economic growth; changes in the interest rate environment, including the increases and decreases in the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (the “Federal Reserve”) benchmark rate and the duration of such levels, which could adversely affect our revenues and expenses, the value of assets and obligations, and the availability and cost of capital and liquidity; the impact of inflation and the Federal Reserve monetary policy; the effects of any Federal government shutdown; credit risks of lending activities, including loan delinquencies, write-offs, changes in our ACL, and provision for credit losses; increased competitive pressures, including repricing and competitors’ pricing initiatives, and their impact on our market position, loan, and deposit products; quality and composition of our securities portfolio and the impact of adverse changes in the securities markets; fluctuations in deposits; secondary market conditions for loans and our ability to sell loans in the secondary market; liquidity issues, including our ability to borrow funds or raise additional capital, if necessary; expectations regarding key growth initiatives and strategic priorities; the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor and depositor sentiment; results of examinations of us by regulatory authorities, which may the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, institute a formal or informal enforcement action against us or our bank subsidiary which could require us to increase our ACL, write-down assets, change our regulatory capital position or affect our ability to borrow funds or maintain or increase deposits or impose additional requirements or restrictions on us, any of which could adversely affect our liquidity and earnings; legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in banking, securities and tax law, in regulatory policies and principles, or the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules; use of estimates in determining the fair value of assets, which may prove incorrect; disruptions or security breaches, or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in or attacks on our information technology systems or on our third-party vendors; the potential imposition of new tariffs or changes to existing trade policies that could affect economic activity or specific industry sectors; staffing fluctuations in response to product demand or corporate implementation strategies; our ability to pay dividends on our common stock; environmental, social and governance goals; effects of climate change, severe weather events, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises, acts of war or terrorism, civil unrest and other external events; and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available on our website at www.myprovident.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These risks could cause our actual results for fiscal 2025 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by, or on behalf of us and could negatively affect our operating and stock price performance.

             
    Contacts:   Donavon P. Ternes   TamHao B. Nguyen
        President and   Senior Vice President and
        Chief Executive Officer   Chief Financial Officer
             
     
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
    (Unaudited –In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Information)
     
         December 31,    September 30,    June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
          2024     2024   2024   2024   2023
    Assets                              
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 45,539     $ 48,193     $ 51,376     $ 51,731     $ 46,878  
    Investment securities – held to maturity, at cost with no allowance for credit losses     118,888       124,268       130,051       135,971       141,692  
    Investment securities – available for sale, at fair value     1,750       1,809       1,849       1,935       1,996  
    Loans held for investment, net of allowance for credit losses of $6,956, $6,329, $7,065, $7,108 and $7,000, respectively; includes $1,016, $1,082, $1,047, $1,054 and $1,092 of loans held at fair value, respectively     1,053,603       1,048,633       1,052,979       1,065,761       1,075,765  
    Accrued interest receivable     4,167       4,287       4,287       4,249       4,076  
    FHLB – San Francisco stock and other equity investments, includes $650, $565, $540, $0 and $0 of other equity investments at fair value, respectively     10,218       10,133       10,108       9,505       9,505  
    Premises and equipment, net     9,474       9,615       9,313       9,637       9,598  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     11,327       10,442       12,237       11,258       11,583  
    Total assets   $ 1,254,966     $ 1,257,380     $ 1,272,200     $ 1,290,047     $ 1,301,093  
                                   
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                              
    Liabilities:                              
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   $ 85,399     $ 86,458     $ 95,627     $ 91,708     $ 94,030  
    Interest-bearing deposits     782,116       777,406       792,721       816,414       817,950  
    Total deposits     867,515       863,864       888,348       908,122       911,980  
                                   
    Borrowings     245,500       249,500       238,500       235,000       242,500  
    Accounts payable, accrued interest and other liabilities     13,321       14,410       15,411       17,419       16,952  
    Total liabilities     1,126,336       1,127,774       1,142,259       1,160,541       1,171,432  
                                   
    Stockholders’ equity:                              
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value (2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding)     —       —       —       —       —  
    Common stock, $.01 par value; (40,000,000 shares authorized; 18,229,615, 18,229,615, 18,229,615, 18,229,615 and 18,229,615 shares issued respectively; 6,705,691, 6,769,247, 6,847,821, 6,896,297 and 6,946,348 shares outstanding, respectively)     183       183       183       183       183  
    Additional paid-in capital     98,747       98,711       98,532       99,591       99,565  
    Retained earnings     210,779       210,853       209,914       208,923       208,396  
    Treasury stock at cost (11,523,924, 11,460,368, 11,381,794, 11,333,318, and 11,283,267 shares, respectively)     (181,094 )     (180,155 )     (178,685 )     (179,183 )     (178,476 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax     15       14       (3 )     (8 )     (7 )
    Total stockholders’ equity     128,630       129,606       129,941       129,506       129,661  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 1,254,966     $ 1,257,380     $ 1,272,200     $ 1,290,047     $ 1,301,093  
     
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (Unaudited – In Thousands, Except Per Share Information)
                               
        For the Quarter Ended   Six Months Ended
           December 31,   December 31,
        2024   2023   2024 2023
    Interest income:                          
    Loans receivable, net   $ 13,050     $ 12,509     $ 26,073     $ 24,685  
    Investment securities     471       524       953       1,048  
    FHLB – San Francisco stock and other equity investments     213       197       423       376  
    Interest-earning deposits     287       435       647       898  
    Total interest income     14,021       13,665       28,096       27,007  
                               
    Interest expense:                          
    Checking and money market deposits     51       72       104       129  
    Savings deposits     117       73       229       111  
    Time deposits     2,506       2,128       5,165       3,918  
    Borrowings     2,588       2,618       5,223       4,936  
    Total interest expense     5,262       4,891       10,721       9,094  
                               
    Net interest income     8,759       8,774       17,375       17,913  
    Provision for (recovery of) credit losses     586       (720 )     (111 )     (175 )
    Net interest income, after provision for (recovery of) credit losses     8,173       9,494       17,486       18,088  
                               
    Non-interest income:                          
    Loan servicing and other fees     60       124       164       103  
    Deposit account fees     282       299       580       587  
    Card and processing fees     300       333       620       686  
    Other     203       119       380       250  
    Total non-interest income     845       875       1,744       1,626  
                               
    Non-interest expense:                          
    Salaries and employee benefits     4,826       4,569       9,459       8,683  
    Premises and occupancy     917       903       1,868       1,806  
    Equipment     379       346       722       633  
    Professional     412       410       838       882  
    Sales and marketing     187       181       360       349  
    Deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments     190       209       373       406  
    Other     883       726       1,697       1,441  
    Total non-interest expense     7,794       7,344       15,317       14,200  
    Income before income taxes     1,224       3,025       3,913       5,514  
    Provision for income taxes     352       884       1,141       1,611  
    Net income   $ 872     $ 2,141     $ 2,772     $ 3,903  
                               
    Basic earnings per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.31     $ 0.41     $ 0.56  
    Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.31     $ 0.41     $ 0.56  
    Cash dividends per share   $ 0.14     $ 0.14     $ 0.28     $ 0.28  
     
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Sequential Quarters
    (Unaudited – In Thousands, Except Per Share Information)
                                       
        For the Quarter Ended
        December 31,   September 30,   June 30,   March 31,   December 31,
        2024   2024   2024   2024   2023
    Interest income:                                  
    Loans receivable, net   $ 13,050     $ 13,023     $ 12,826     $ 12,683     $ 12,509  
    Investment securities     471       482       504       517       524  
    FHLB – San Francisco stock and other equity investments     213       210       207       210       197  
    Interest-earning deposits     287       360       379       397       435  
    Total interest income     14,021       14,075       13,916       13,807       13,665  
                                       
    Interest expense:                                  
    Checking and money market deposits     51       53       71       90       72  
    Savings deposits     117       112       105       97       73  
    Time deposits     2,506       2,659       2,657       2,488       2,128  
    Borrowings     2,588       2,635       2,632       2,573       2,618  
    Total interest expense     5,262       5,459       5,465       5,248       4,891  
                                       
    Net interest income     8,759       8,616       8,451       8,559       8,774  
    Provision for (recovery of) credit losses     586       (697 )     (12 )     124       (720 )
    Net interest income, after provision for (recovery of) credit losses     8,173       9,313       8,463       8,435       9,494  
                                       
    Non-interest income:                                  
    Loan servicing and other fees     60       104       142       92       124  
    Deposit account fees     282       298       278       289       299  
    Card and processing fees     300       320       381       317       333  
    Other     203       177       666       150       119  
    Total non-interest income     845       899       1,467       848       875  
                                       
    Non-interest expense:                                  
    Salaries and employee benefits     4,826       4,633       4,419       4,540       4,569  
    Premises and occupancy     917       951       945       835       903  
    Equipment     379       343       347       329       346  
    Professional     412       426       327       321       410  
    Sales and marketing     187       173       193       167       181  
    Deposit insurance premiums and regulatory assessments     190       183       184       190       209  
    Other     883       814       757       786       726  
    Total non-interest expense     7,794       7,523       7,172       7,168       7,344  
    Income before income taxes     1,224       2,689       2,758       2,115       3,025  
    Provision for income taxes     352       789       805       620       884  
    Net income   $ 872     $ 1,900     $ 1,953     $ 1,495     $ 2,141  
                                       
    Basic earnings per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.28     $ 0.28     $ 0.22     $ 0.31  
    Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.28     $ 0.28     $ 0.22     $ 0.31  
    Cash dividends per share   $ 0.14     $ 0.14     $ 0.14     $ 0.14     $ 0.14  
                                       
     
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
    Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited – Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Information)
                                     
        As of and For the  
        Quarter Ended     Six Months Ended  
        December 31,     December 31,  
           2024       2023        2024       2023  
    SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS:                                
    Return on average assets     0.28 %     0.66 %     0.45 %     0.60 %
    Return on average stockholders’ equity     2.66 %     6.56 %     4.22 %     5.98 %
    Stockholders’ equity to total assets     10.25 %     9.97 %     10.25 %     9.97 %
    Net interest spread     2.74 %     2.64 %     2.70 %     2.70 %
    Net interest margin     2.91 %     2.78 %     2.87 %     2.83 %
    Efficiency ratio     81.15 %     76.11 %     80.11 %     72.68 %
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities     110.52 %     110.27 %     110.43 %     110.22 %
                                     
    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA:                                
    Basic earnings per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.31     $ 0.41     $ 0.56  
    Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.31     $ 0.41     $ 0.56  
    Book value per share   $ 19.18     $ 18.67     $ 19.18     $ 18.67  
    Shares used for basic EPS computation     6,744,653       6,968,460       6,788,889       6,992,565  
    Shares used for diluted EPS computation     6,792,759       6,980,856       6,827,921       7,004,042  
    Total shares issued and outstanding     6,705,691       6,946,348       6,705,691       6,946,348  
                                     
    LOANS ORIGINATED FOR INVESTMENT:                                
    Mortgage loans:                                
    Single-family   $ 29,583     $ 8,660     $ 52,032     $ 21,112  
    Multi-family     6,495       6,608       11,685       11,721  
    Commercial real estate     365       4,936       1,625       5,875  
    Commercial business loans     —       —       50       —  
    Total loans originated for investment   $ 36,443     $ 20,204     $ 65,392     $ 38,708  
     
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
    Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited – Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Information)
                                             
        As of and For the  
        Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
        Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended  
           12/31/24        09/30/24        06/30/24        03/31/24        12/31/23  
    SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS:                                        
    Return on average assets     0.28 %     0.61 %     0.62 %     0.47 %     0.66 %
    Return on average stockholders’ equity     2.66 %     5.78 %     5.96 %     4.57 %     6.56 %
    Stockholders’ equity to total assets     10.25 %     10.31 %     10.21 %     10.04 %     9.97 %
    Net interest spread     2.74 %     2.66 %     2.54 %     2.55 %     2.64 %
    Net interest margin     2.91 %     2.84 %     2.74 %     2.74 %     2.78 %
    Efficiency ratio     81.15 %     79.06 %     72.31 %     76.20 %     76.11 %
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities     110.52 %     110.34 %     110.40 %     110.28 %     110.27 %
                                             
    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA:                                        
    Basic earnings per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.28     $ 0.28     $ 0.22     $ 0.31  
    Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.28     $ 0.28     $ 0.22     $ 0.31  
    Book value per share   $ 19.18     $ 19.15     $ 18.98     $ 18.78     $ 18.67  
    Average shares used for basic EPS     6,744,653       6,833,125       6,867,521       6,919,397       6,968,460  
    Average shares used for diluted EPS     6,792,759       6,863,083       6,893,813       6,935,053       6,980,856  
    Total shares issued and outstanding     6,705,691       6,769,247       6,847,821       6,896,297       6,946,348  
                                             
    LOANS ORIGINATED FOR INVESTMENT:                                        
    Mortgage loans:                                        
    Single-family   $ 29,583     $ 22,449     $ 10,862     $ 8,946     $ 8,660  
    Multi-family     6,495       5,190       4,526       5,865       6,608  
    Commercial real estate     365       1,260       1,710       2,172       4,936  
    Construction     —       —       1,480       —       —  
    Commercial business loans     —       50       —       1,250       —  
    Total loans originated for investment   $ 36,443     $ 28,949     $ 18,578     $ 18,233     $ 20,204  
     
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
    Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited – Dollars in Thousands)
                                             
           As of        As of        As of        As of        As of  
        12/31/24     09/30/24     06/30/24     03/31/24     12/31/23  
    ASSET QUALITY RATIOS AND DELINQUENT LOANS:                                        
    Recourse reserve for loans sold   $ 23     $ 23     $ 26     $ 31     $ 31  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment   $ 6,956     $ 6,329     $ 7,065     $ 7,108     $ 7,000  
    Non-performing loans to loans held for investment, net     0.24 %     0.20 %     0.25 %     0.21 %     0.16 %
    Non-performing assets to total assets     0.20 %     0.17 %     0.20 %     0.17 %     0.13 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to gross loans held for investment     0.66 %     0.61 %     0.67 %     0.67 %     0.65 %
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans receivable (annualized)     — %     — %     — %     — %     — %
    Non-performing loans   $ 2,530     $ 2,106     $ 2,596     $ 2,246     $ 1,750  
    Loans 30 to 89 days delinquent   $ 3     $ 2     $ 1     $ 388     $ 340  
                                       
           Quarter      Quarter      Quarter      Quarter      Quarter
        Ended   Ended   Ended   Ended   Ended
        12/31/24   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23
    (Recovery) recourse provision for loans sold   $ —     $ (3 )   $ (5 )   $ —     $ (2 )
    Provision for (recovery of) credit losses   $ 586     $ (697 )   $ (12 )   $ 124     $ (720 )
    Net loan charge-offs (recoveries)   $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  
                                           
           As of          As of          As of          As of          As of  
        12/31/2024       09/30/2024       06/30/2024       03/31/2024       12/31/2023  
    REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIOS (BANK):                                           
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   9.81 %       9.63 %       10.02 %       9.70 %       9.48 %
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   18.60 %       18.36 %       19.29 %       18.77 %       18.20 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   18.60 %       18.36 %       19.29 %       18.77 %       18.20 %
    Total risk-based capital ratio   19.67 %       19.35 %       20.38 %       19.85 %       19.24 %
                                     
        As of December 31,  
           2024        2023  
           Balance        Rate(1)        Balance        Rate(1)  
    INVESTMENT SECURITIES:                                
    Held to maturity (at cost):                                
    U.S. SBA securities   $ 385       5.35 %   $ 630       5.85 %
    U.S. government sponsored enterprise MBS     114,817       1.59       137,205       1.50  
    U.S. government sponsored enterprise CMO     3,686       2.14       3,857       2.17  
    Total investment securities held to maturity   $ 118,888       1.62 %   $ 141,692       1.54 %
                                     
    Available for sale (at fair value):                                
    U.S. government agency MBS   $ 1,152       4.46 %   $ 1,314       3.47 %
    U.S. government sponsored enterprise MBS     518       6.90       584       5.61  
    Private issue CMO     80       6.09       98       4.67  
    Total investment securities available for sale   $ 1,750       5.26 %   $ 1,996       4.16 %
    Total investment securities   $ 120,638       1.67 %   $ 143,688       1.57 %

         (1)  Weighted-average yield earned on all instruments included in the balance of the respective line item.

     
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
    Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited – Dollars in Thousands)
                                 
        As of December 31,  
           2024        2023  
           Balance        Rate(1)        Balance        Rate(1)  
    LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT:                            
    Mortgage loans:                            
    Single-family (1 to 4 units)   $ 533,140       4.60 %   $ 521,944       4.32 %
    Multi-family (5 or more units)     433,724       5.48       458,502       5.00  
    Commercial real estate     77,984       6.72       88,640       6.20  
    Construction     1,480       11.00       2,534       8.88  
    Other     90       5.25       102       5.25  
    Commercial business loans     4,371       9.67       1,616       10.50  
    Consumer loans     59       17.75       68       18.50  
    Total loans held for investment     1,050,848       5.15 %     1,073,406       4.79 %
                                 
    Advance payments of escrows     321               106          
    Deferred loan costs, net     9,390               9,253          
    Allowance for credit losses on loans     (6,956 )             (7,000 )        
    Total loans held for investment, net   $ 1,053,603             $ 1,075,765          
    Purchased loans serviced by others included above   $ 1,749       5.72 %   $ 10,239       5.59 %

         (1)  Weighted-average yield earned on all instruments included in the balance of the respective line item.

                                     
        As of December 31,  
           2024        2023  
           Balance        Rate(1)        Balance        Rate(1)  
    DEPOSITS:                                
    Checking accounts – noninterest-bearing   $ 85,399       — %   $ 94,030       — %
    Checking accounts – interest-bearing     251,024       0.04       275,396       0.04  
    Savings accounts     232,917       0.20       256,578       0.14  
    Money market accounts     23,527       0.29       31,637       0.82  
    Time deposits     274,648       3.61       254,339       3.76  
    Total deposits(2)(3)   $ 867,515       1.22 %   $ 911,980       1.13 %
                                     
    Brokered CDs included in time deposits above   $ 143,775       4.56 %   $ 122,700       5.26 %
                                     
    BORROWINGS:                                
    Overnight   $ 15,000       4.66 %   $ —       — %
    Three months or less     40,000       3.98       67,500       4.35  
    Over three to six months     22,500       4.17       32,500       5.00  
    Over six months to one year     59,000       5.05       40,000       5.21  
    Over one year to two years     94,000       4.46       67,500       4.14  
    Over two years to three years     —       —       20,000       4.72  
    Over three years to four years     15,000       4.41       —       —  
    Over four years to five years     —       —       15,000       4.41  
    Over five years     —       —       —       —  
    Total borrowings(4)   $ 245,500       4.51 %   $ 242,500       4.55 %

         (1)  Weighted-average rate paid on all instruments included in the balance of the respective line item.
         (2)  Includes uninsured deposits of approximately $134.7 million and $140.3 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
         (3)  The average balance of deposit accounts was approximately $35 thousand and $34 thousand at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
         (4)  The Bank had approximately $246.2 million and $266.5 million of remaining borrowing capacity at the FHLB – San Francisco, approximately $198.5 million and $183.0 million of borrowing capacity at the FRB of San Francisco and $50.0 million and $50.0 million of borrowing capacity with its correspondent bank at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

     
    PROVIDENT FINANCIAL HOLDINGS, INC.
    Financial Highlights
    (Unaudited – Dollars in Thousands)
                                     
        For the Quarter Ended     For the Quarter Ended  
        December 31, 2024     December 31, 2023  
           Balance      Rate(1)        Balance        Rate(1)  
    SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS:                                
                                     
    Loans receivable, net   $ 1,046,797       4.99 %   $ 1,074,592       4.66 %
    Investment securities     123,826       1.52       147,166       1.42  
    FHLB – San Francisco stock and other equity investments     10,172       8.38       9,505       8.29  
    Interest-earning deposits     23,700       4.74       31,473       5.41  
    Total interest-earning assets   $ 1,204,495       4.66 %   $ 1,262,736       4.33 %
    Total assets   $ 1,234,768             $ 1,293,471          
                                     
    Deposits(2)   $ 863,106       1.23 %   $ 914,629       0.99 %
    Borrowings     226,707       4.53       230,546       4.51  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities(2)   $ 1,089,813       1.92 %   $ 1,145,175       1.69 %
    Total stockholders’ equity   $ 131,135             $ 130,614          

         (1)  Weighted-average yield earned or rate paid on all instruments included in the balance of the respective line item.
         (2)  Includes the average balance of noninterest-bearing checking accounts of $86.2 million and $99.4 million during the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively; and the average balance of uninsured deposits (adjusted lower by collateralized deposits) of $130.2 million and $139.3 million in the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

                                     
        Six Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
           December 31, 2024        December 31, 2023  
           Balance      Rate(1)        Balance        Rate(1)  
    SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS:                                
                                     
    Loans receivable, net   $ 1,047,964       4.98 %   $ 1,073,600       4.60 %
    Investment securities     126,698       1.50       150,439       1.39  
    FHLB – San Francisco stock and other equity investments     10,146       8.34       9,505       7.91  
    Interest-earning deposits     25,015       5.06       32,758       5.36  
    Total interest-earning assets   $ 1,209,823       4.64 %   $ 1,266,302       4.27 %
    Total assets   $ 1,239,950             $ 1,296,811          
                                     
    Deposits(2)   $ 871,844       1.25 %   $ 927,406       0.89 %
    Borrowings     223,723       4.63       221,501       4.42  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities(2)   $ 1,095,567       1.94 %   $ 1,148,907       1.57 %
    Total stockholders’ equity   $ 131,317             $ 130,578          

         (1)  Weighted-average yield earned or rate paid on all instruments included in the balance of the respective line item.
         (2)  Includes the average balance of noninterest-bearing checking accounts of $88.4 million and $102.8 million during the six months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively; and the average balance of uninsured deposits (adjusted lower by collateralized deposits) of $125.7 million and $139.1 million in the six months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

    ASSET QUALITY:

                                             
           As of      As of      As of      As of      As of
        12/31/24   09/30/24   06/30/24   03/31/24   12/31/23
    Loans on non-accrual status                                        
    Mortgage loans:                                        
    Single-family   $ 2,530     $ 2,106     $ 2,596     $ 2,246     $ 1,750  
    Total     2,530       2,106       2,596       2,246       1,750  
                                             
    Accruing loans past due 90 days or more:     —       —       —       —       —  
    Total     —       —       —       —       —  
                                             
    Total non-performing loans (1)     2,530       2,106       2,596       2,246       1,750  
                                             
    Real estate owned, net     —       —       —       —       —  
    Total non-performing assets   $ 2,530     $ 2,106     $ 2,596     $ 2,246     $ 1,750  

         (1)  The non-performing loan balances are net of individually evaluated or collectively evaluated allowances, specifically attached to the individual loans.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: RecycLiCo Battery Materials Engages Carmot Strategic Group and Penney Capital for Grants and Cooperative Funding Consultation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SURREY, British Columbia, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RecycLiCo Battery Materials Inc. (“RecycLiCo” or the “Company”), (TSX.V: AMY | OTCQB: AMYZF| FSE: ID4), a pioneer in the field of lithium-ion battery recycling technology, is pleased to announce that it has engaged Penney Capital and Carmot Strategic Group, Inc. to assist in the company’s efforts to identify, and qualify for, government funding opportunities that could be used to further RecycLiCo’s critical mineral recovery activities in the U.S. and Canada, including research to enhance and find new applications for its current intellectual property and know-how and the continued exploitation of its upcycling technology.

    Carmot Strategic and Penney Capital advisory companies have won multiple federal grants to develop domestic sources of Critical Minerals, from mining and processing to advanced materials manufacturing, as well as developing innovative financial instruments to integrate these materials into U.S. supply chains.

    “We are very pleased to have Carmot Strategic and Penney Capital working with us,” said Richard Sadowsky, RecycLiCo’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. “Critical mineral recovery and reuse are becoming increasingly important, especially in terms of national security. The RecycLiCo Board has mandated that we explore new ways to exploit our recovery expertise and, at the same time, continue to offer high-quality upcycling of battery materials. We hope, with Carmot and Penney’s assistance, to establish relationships with government agencies that will support increases in the pace of both R&D and deployment.”

    About RecycLiCo

    RecycLiCo Battery Materials Inc. is a battery materials company specializing in sustainable lithium-ion battery upcycling and materials production. RecycLiCo has developed advanced technologies that efficiently recover battery-grade materials from lithium-ion batteries, addressing the global demand for environmentally friendly solutions in energy storage. With minimal processing steps and up to 99% extraction of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. RecycLiCo’s hydrometallurgical process turns lithium-ion battery waste into battery-grade cathode precursor, lithium hydroxide, and lithium carbonate for direct integration into the re- manufacturing of new lithium-ion batteries.

    About Penney Capital

    Founded in 2017 by President & CEO Clark Penney, Penney Capital excels at navigating, connecting, and expanding new development opportunities and large-investment infrastructure projects.

    Prior to founding Penney Capital, Clark Penney began his career working on energy and defense committees with the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. and with the president pro tempore. Later, he branched into the finance industry for over 10 years: co-founding Cypress Wealth Management, a private wealth management firm now with over $1 billion in assets under management and offices in Alaska and California, where he remains a partner.

    Today, Penney Capital’s resume includes leading economic development with The State of Alaska, new development projects worth over $2 billion, and other areas of expertise including resource development, financial technology firms, cryptocurrency, campaigns, wireless technology, and manufacturing.

    About Carmot Strategic Group

    Established in 2008 by Daniel McGroarty, Carmot Strategic Group, Inc. is an issues management firm focused on Critical Mineral development, based in the Washington, D.C. area.

    A recognized subject matter expert on Critical Minerals, Daniel McGroarty serves on the advisory boards of several companies developing U.S.-based Critical Mineral projects. He has testified on Critical Mineral issues before both U.S. Senate and House committees on energy and natural resources and served a term as Independent Advisory Board Member of the Critical Materials Institute, the Department of Energy’s Energy Innovation Hub. Prior to establishing his consulting practice, he served in senior positions in the U.S. Government, as special assistant at the White House and Presidential appointee at the Department of Defense.

    For more information, please contact:
    Teresa Piorun
    Senior Corporate Secretary
    Telephone: 778-574-4444
    Email: InvestorServices@RecycLiCo.com

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain “forward-looking statements”, which are statements about the future based on current expectations or beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward–looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate or true. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Step into a Fitter Tomorrow: Join Samsung Health’s ‘Walk-a-thon India’ Challenge and Win Big!

    Source: Samsung

     
    At Samsung, put your best foot forward to win big! Samsung India is thrilled to announce the ‘Walk-a-thon India’ Challenge, a unique initiative created exclusively for Indian users of the Samsung Health app.
     
    From January 30 to February 28, 2025, embark on a 30-day journey to complete 200,000 steps and discover the joy of walking together while competing with fellow participants. Powered by Samsung Health’s ‘Together’ feature, this challenge isn’t just about fitness—it’s about fostering a sense of community, healthy competition, and personal achievement.
     
    Why Join the Challenge?
    Walking isn’t just a workout; it’s a way to rejuvenate your mind and body. With the Walk-a-thon India challenge, Samsung Health makes tracking your steps and achieving fitness goals easy and rewarding. You’ll get access to a real-time leaderboard, allowing you to measure your progress against others and stay motivated.
     
    Complete the challenge and stand a chance to win big! From the pool of participants who achieve the 200,000-step goal and post their screenshots on the Samsung Members app using #WalkathonIndia, three lucky winners will be randomly selected to win the ultimate fitness companion—the Galaxy Watch Ultra.
     
    Who Can Participate?
    This challenge is open to all Samsung smartphone users in India who can access the Samsung Health app
     
    Here’s How to Join:
    1. Open the Samsung Health app and navigate to the ‘Together’ section.
    2. Opt into the ‘Walk-a-thon India’ challenge starting January 30, 2025.
    3. Put on your walking shoes, track your steps, and aim to hit 200,000 steps in 30 days.
    4. Post your completion screenshot on the Samsung Members app with #WalkathonIndia to qualify for the lucky draw.
     
    Why Walk Together?
    Samsung Health’s global challenges have inspired millions worldwide to embrace healthier lifestyles. This India-exclusive challenge is a chance to unite as a community, celebrate small victories, and take a giant leap towards a fitter future.
     
    The countdown begins—mark your calendars, set your fitness goals, and step into a healthier, more active lifestyle with Samsung Health. Let’s make every step count!
     
    Join the #WalkathonIndia challenge today!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Deepseek: China’s gamechanging AI system has big implications for UK tech development

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Feng Li, Chair of Information Management, Associate Dean for Research & Innovation, Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London

    Koshiro K

    DeepSeek sent ripples through the global tech landscape this week as it soared above ChatGPT in Apple’s app store. The meteoric rise has shifted the dynamics of US-China tech competition, shocked global tech stock valuations, and reshaped the future direction of artificial intelligence (AI) development.

    Among the industry buzz created by DeepSeek’s rise to prominence, one question looms large: what does this mean for the strategy of the third leading global nation for AI development – the United Kingdom?

    The generative AI era was kickstarted by the release of ChatGPT on November 30 2022, when large language models (LLMs) entered mainstream consciousness and began reshaping industries and workflows, while everyday users explored new ways to write, brainstorm, search and code. We are now witnessing the “DeepSeek moment” – a pivotal shift that demonstrates the viability of a more efficient and cost-effective approach for AI development.

    DeepSeek isn’t just another AI tool. Unlike ChatGPT and other major LLMs developed by tech giants and AI startups in the USA and Europe, DeepSeek represents a significant evolution in the way AI models are developed and trained.

    Most existing approaches rely on large-scale computing power and datasets (used to “train” or improve the AI systems), limiting development to very few extremely wealthy market players. DeepSeek not only demonstrates a significantly cheaper and more efficient way of training AI models, its open-source “MIT” licence (after the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where it was developed) allows users to deploy and develop the tool.

    This helps democratise AI, taking up the mantle from US company OpenAI – whose initial mission was “to build artificial general intelligence (AGI) that is safe and benefits all of humanity” – enabling smaller players to enter the space and innovate.

    By making cutting-edge AI development accessible and affordable to all, DeepSeek has reshaped the competitive landscape, allowing innovation to flourish beyond the confines of large, resource-rich organisations and countries.

    It has also set a new benchmark for efficiency in its approach, by training its model at a fraction of the cost, and matching – even surpassing – the performance of most existing LLMs. By employing innovative algorithms and architectures, it is delivering superior results with significantly lower computational demands and environmental impact.

    Why DeepSeek matters

    DeepSeek was conceived by a group of quantitative trading experts in China. This
    unconventional origin holds lessons for the UK and US.

    While the UK – particularly London – has long attracted scientific and technological excellence, many of the highest achieving young graduates have tended to disproportionately opt for careers in finance, something that has come the expense of innovation in other critical sectors such as AI. Diversifying the pathways for Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) professionals could yield transformative outcomes.

    The UK government’s recent and much-publicised 50-point action plan on AI offers glimpses of progressive intent, but also displayed a lack of boldness to drive real change. Incremental steps are not sufficient in such a fast-moving environment. The UK needs a new plan – one that leverages its unique strengths while addressing systemic weaknesses.

    Firstly, it’s important to recognise that the UK’s comparative advantage lies in its leading interdisciplinary expertise. World-class universities, thriving fintech and dynamic professional services and creative sectors offer fertile ground for AI applications that extend beyond traditional tech silos. The intersection of AI with finance, law, creative industries and medicine presents opportunities to lead in some niche but high-impact areas.

    The UK’s funding and regulatory frameworks are due an overhaul. DeepSeek’s development underscores the importance of agile, well-funded ecosystems that can support big, ambitious “moonshot” projects. Current UK funding mechanisms are bureaucratic and fragmented, favouring incremental innovations over radical breakthroughs, at times stifling innovation rather than nurturing it. Simplifying grant applications and offering targeted tax incentives for AI startups would represent a healthy start.

    Finally, it will be critical for the UK to keep its talent in the country. The UK’s AI sector faces a brain drain as top talent gravitates toward better-funded opportunities in the US and China. Initiatives such as public-private partnerships for AI research development can help anchor talent at home.

    DeepSeek’s rise is an excellent example of strategic foresight and execution. It doesn’t merely aim to improve existing models, but redefines the very boundaries of how AI could be developed and deployed – while demonstrating efficient, cost-effective approaches that can yield astounding results. The UK should adopt a similarly ambitious mindset, focusing on areas where it can set global standards rather than playing catch-up.

    AI’s geopolitics cannot be ignored either. As the US and China compete with one another, the UK has a critical role to play as the trusted intermediary and ethical leader in AI governance. By championing transparent AI standards and fostering international collaboration, the UK can punch above its weight on the global stage.

    DeepSeek’s success should serve as a wake-up call. Britain has the talent, institutions and entrepreneurial spirit to be a significant leading player in AI – but it must act decisively, and now.

    It is time to remove token gestures and embrace bold strategies that move the needle and position the UK as a leader in an AI-driven future. This moment calls for action, not just more conversation.

    DeepSeek has raised the bar. It is now up to the UK to meet it.

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

    – ref. Deepseek: China’s gamechanging AI system has big implications for UK tech development – https://theconversation.com/deepseek-chinas-gamechanging-ai-system-has-big-implications-for-uk-tech-development-248387

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – Predictable lineup of apologists for Israel attack PSNA campaign

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, the Chief Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow and the New Zealand Jewish Council have lined up to protect Israeli soldiers in New Zealand on “rest and recreation” from the industrial-scale killing of Palestinians in Gaza.

     

    “We are not surprised to see such a predictable lineup of apologists for Israel and its genocide in Gaza from lining up to attack a PSNA campaign with false smears of anti-semitism”, says PSNA National Chair John Minto.

     

    “Why is concern for the sensitivities of soldiers from a genocidal Israeli campaign more important than condemning the genocide itself?”

     

    Over 16 months Mr Peters has done absolutely nothing to put any pressure on Israel to end its genocidal behaviour but is full of bluff and bluster and outright lies to denounce those who demand Israel be held to account.

     

    If Mr Peters was doing his job he would not only stop Israeli soldiers coming here (as per Russian soldiers) but he would also support the recent International Court of Justice ruling and deny visas to any Israeli with an address in an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 

     

    The Human Rights Commission has issued a disingenuous media release – our campaign has nothing to do with Israelis or Jews – it is a campaign to stop Israeli soldiers coming here for rest and recreation after a campaign of wholesale killing of Palestinians in Gaza. To imply the campaign is targeting Jews is disgusting and despicable.

     

    Some of the soldiers will be Druse, some Palestinian Arabs and others will be Jews.

     

    In the meantime PSNA salutes the brave Israelis who have refused to take part in the genocide.

     

    The deeply racist New Zealand Jewish Council regularly makes a meal of false smears of anti-semitism and they are at it again here. It’s deeply problematic that this Jewish Council strategy takes attention away from the real anti-semitism which exists in New Zealand and around the world. 

     

    “The priority of the Jewish Council is to protect Israel from criticism and protect it from accountability for its apartheid policies, ethnic cleansing and genocide”.

     

    We are demanding that accountability.

     

    John Minto

    National Chair

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Launches Venice Token (VVV) in Innovation Zone and Futures Trading with Leverage Up to 50x

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, the world’s leading cryptocurrency trading platform, announces the listing of Venice Token (VVV) in its Innovation Zone, offering users access to the latest advancements in the AI sector. Starting from 02:00 UTC on January 28, MEXC will also introduce VVV/USDT Perpetual Futures trading, providing users with leverage options of up to 50x.

    Unlocking the Future with Venice Token (VVV)
    Venice Token (VVV) is at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution, serving as the world’s leading platform for private and uncensored AI solutions. Through the Venice App or API, users can access a range of cutting-edge open-source models for generative text, images, and code, empowering creators and developers across various sectors. With a total supply of 100,000,506 VVV, the token is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of digital intelligence and privacy.

    Join the Future of AI with Venice Token
    As MEXC launches VVV USDT-M Perpetual Futures, traders will have the opportunity to leverage their positions with adjustable leverage, making it easier than ever to capitalize on market movements. This listing not only highlights MEXC’s dedication to supporting innovative projects but also presents a unique opportunity for users to engage with a token that is revolutionizing the AI landscape.

    MEXC aims to become the go-to platform offering the widest range of valuable crypto assets. The platform has grown its user base to 30 million by providing a diverse selection of tokens, high-frequency airdrops, and simple participation processes. In 2024, MEXC launched a total of 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings and over 600 memecoins, with total airdrop rewards exceeding $136 million.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 30 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    PR Manager
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by MEXC. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/886317ab-f8fa-4164-8cd6-c99cd40384a4

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coventry City Council Unveils its Green Skills Roadmap

    Source: City of Coventry

    Coventry Council has launched its Green Skills Roadmap.

    The roadmap is a comprehensive guide designed to support educators, employers and investors in identifying, accessing, and embedding sustainable net-zero skills into their operations.

    It provides a clear Action Plan which Coventry will address in partnership with a range of public, private and third sector partners.

    Coventry is committed to building a robust green skills ecosystem, helping businesses transition to sustainable practices, and offering future generations the tools they need to succeed in green careers. This roadmap is a vital step towards achieving a sustainable, net-zero future for Coventry.

    With the government’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, green careers, defined as roles that directly contribute to reducing emissions or addressing climate change through mitigation or adaptation, are set to play a critical role in the UK’s future economy.

    Green skills encompass the technical knowledge and behaviours necessary to tackle environmental challenges, which are becoming essential across all industries to help businesses manage their environmental impact, promote sustainability and contribute to a greener economy. Green jobs include positions focused on environmental restoration, transitioning industries to sustainable practices, and adapting business models to reduce.

    Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “Coventry is at the forefront of the transition to green employment and investment, seamlessly integrating sustainability skills into education while fostering a green workforce through reskilling and technological innovation. 

    “The Green Skills Roadmap provides valuable guidance to educators and businesses, inspiring a new generation to pursue green careers and equipping them with the skills necessary to build a more sustainable future. 

    “Driving growth in green employment requires a united effort from public agencies, businesses, and investors. This roadmap will not only attract green industry investment to the region but also establish a strong green skills ecosystem, creating meaningful job opportunities and paving the way for future developments in the city.”

    The Green Skills Roadmap includes detailed Actions on the below:

    • Details On Improving Green Skills in Education: supporting teacher and careers advisors to aid student in finding green jobs, diversifying green skill pipeline subjects and partnering with adult education services to promote sustainability awareness programmes.
    • Implementation of Green Skills for Businesses: equipping business support advisors with green skills knowledge and collaborating with employers to align with green Apprenticeship Standards.
    • A Just Transition: for fossil fuel-dependent trades to reskill workforces with green skills, offering work experience and training programs.
    • Future Skills and skills for Investment: skills funding to support Greenpower park and electric vehicle development, encourage green skill training and apprenticeships and ensure the skills adapt to Coventry’s ‘Energy Plan’.

    The Green Skills Roadmap has been developed in partnership with key contributions and support from: Business in Community (BiTC), Coventry College, Coventry University, CW Chamber of Commerce, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), E.ON, The University of Warwick, Warwick manufacturing group (WMG) and others.

    Access the full Green Skills Roadmap.

    To keep up to date with the latest news, sign up for our Your Coventry email newsletter or follow the Council on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the award ceremony of the Russian Government Prize in Tourism for 2024, which is being held as part of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”. The list of winners was approved by order of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    January 28, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024. Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Inna Svyatenko

    January 28, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented the Russian Government awards in the field of tourism for 2024

    The winners of the award were the authors of 10 successful projects that contributed to the development of the Russian hospitality industry. Among them are initiatives to create new tourist facilities, innovative digital solutions, training programs, popularization of event tourism, as well as the development of tourism products accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

    The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the laureates for their significant contribution to the tourism and hospitality industry. According to him, this award recognizes the best industry practices and a highly professional approach to work. The laureates’ projects are not only effective from a business perspective, they change people’s lives for the better.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has named the development of domestic tourism as one of his priorities. According to his instructions, the tourism industry’s share in GDP should increase to 5% by 2030, and the number of annual trips around the country should grow to 140 million.

    “We see that more and more of our citizens are traveling around Russia, discovering its beauty, exploring new destinations and routes. By the end of 2024, Russians had made more than 92 million domestic trips – this is good growth. It is important that the laureates’ projects are aimed at creating hotel rooms for families with children in holiday destinations, as instructed by President Vladimir Putin, as well as a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities. We will continue to provide comfortable and accessible conditions for tourists. We will build hotels, seaside and ski resorts, amusement parks and other infrastructure. This will not only develop domestic tourism, but also increase the number of foreign guests,” Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized.

    He added that by decree of the head of state, 2025 has been declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland. It is important to build tourist routes to places of (military) glory of the Great Patriotic War in order to preserve the memory of the heroes and their exploits.

    “Russian tourism is developing rapidly today. We see a growing interest in traveling around the country every year, both from Russians and our foreign guests. The hospitality industry has seen a large increase in investment in recent years, both private and public. But in addition to financial resources, tourism now needs new ideas that will allow it to create world-class tourism products and services. Therefore, the federal tourism award every year encourages authors of interesting projects that offer unconventional approaches to the development of the industry,” said Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov.

    The award winners were also congratulated by Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council Inna Svyatenko and Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Tourism and Development of Tourism Infrastructure Sangadzhi Tarbaev.

    The winners receive a cash prize– 1 million rubles. In 2024, 88 projects were submitted for consideration by the award council.

    Applications are currently being accepted for the 2025 Government Tourism Prize. Projects nominated for the prize must have been implemented in practice at least one year before the start of the application process. Works will be accepted until March 1, 2025. More details are inannouncement of the start of the collection of applications for the Russian Government Awards in the field of tourism in 2025.

    Projects that received the Russian Government Prize in 2024

    1. The Attraction project is a complex development in Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, with social, sports and cultural facilities. The project area is a venue for mass festivals. From 2019 to 2024, the volume of investments in the project exceeded 15 billion rubles. (Awardee – R.V. Novitsky)

    2. The project “Ecopark “Yasnopole”. Living Village” is an association of several farms on a territory of 500 hectares in the Yasnogorsk district of the Tula region, which are engaged in agricultural and agrotourism activities, creating all the conditions for the development of surrounding villages and settlements. The ecopark uses energy-efficient technologies in construction and alternative energy sources, as well as advanced eco-technologies in agriculture – organic farming, a nursery of soil-forming microorganisms and others. The ecopark is visited by more than 20 thousand people per year. (Awardee – D.A. Cherepkov)

    3. The Green Path of the Krasnaya Polyana Resort Project, during which 29 events were held with the participation of over 2.5 thousand people. Within the framework of the project, several popular science books were published, the accessibility of the Krasnaya Polyana resort territory for people with limited mobility was increased, and projects to support children’s adaptive sports and physical education were implemented. Seven of the nine hotels of the resort passed independent environmental certification. (Awardees – L.M. Shagarov, A.A. Molochkova)

    4. TV channel “My Planet”, which has been covering the sphere of Russian tourism for 15 years. The TV channel ranks third in the rating of cited popular science TV channels. The audience of the TV channel is 55 million viewers per year. (Awardees – G.V.Kovbasyuk, N.A.Kuznetsova, A.B.Pankratov)

    5. The Hospitality Classes project in Crimea is aimed at creating conditions for successful socialization and professional self-determination of teenagers. The project program consists of nine modules, each of which is dedicated to a separate area in the hospitality industry and professions in this area. (Awardees – N.A. Vistunova, D.S. Kolesnikova, A.S. Petrova, E.V. Ponomareva)

    6. The project “System for the Development of Domestic and Inbound Tourism Based on the Synergy of the Tourism Business and the Government” – includes analytical and expert work on studying the preferences of Russians in recreation, assessment and analysis of the tourism potential of the regions, a set of training events for the regional tourism business. Based on this data, a tourism product is formed, a strategy for its promotion and implementation is developed. (Awardees – S.I. Gonetskaya, O.N. Ivanova, A.L. Malinina, G.Sh. Musalova, A.E. Fokeeva)

    7. The project of the active recreation park “Malskaya Dolina” is a modern complex for active recreation with developed infrastructure. It is located in the village of Rogovo in the Pskov region, a historical place on the territory of the Izborsko-Malskaya Valley – a natural monument of regional significance. The territory of the park is 194 hectares. (Awardee – V.A. Seliverstov)

    8. “Glamping Ecosystem “Green Trail”” is one of the first glampings in Russia, which contributed to the development of the corresponding recreation format. On its territory there are tents and guest houses, as well as a clearing for accommodating tent tourists and caravanners. Every year the hotel receives about 7 thousand people. (Awardee – I.I. Mamai)

    9. The project “Inclusive tourism as a comprehensive system of habilitation and rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorders”, during the existence of which more than 200 children with disabilities took part in trips. (Awardee – A.V. Senik)

    10. Research project “Rating of the event potential of Russian regions” is the first analytical tool for assessing the level of development of infrastructure for event and business tourism in the regions. Since 2014, the rating has annually assessed the potential of Russian regions in the sphere of organizing events on their territory that contribute to the development of business and event tourism, the growth of the investment attractiveness of the region, as well as support for the socio-economic and cultural life of the region. (Awardee – D.A. Ostrovskaya)

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft modernizes seismic data storage center

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Rosneft has modernized the information system and hardware and technical complex of the Seismic Information Storage Center. Thanks to this, the speed of access to data has increased by more than 20%.

    The work of the Center is based on the information system “KBD “Geobank-Seismic Exploration” – a unique system that has no analogues in Russia and the world. It provides access to seismic exploration data for Rosneft specialists from all over the country. The volume of information received by the Center annually is 500-800 TB.

    Thanks to the seismic information accumulated at the Center, the need for additional field seismic studies is reduced, as a result of which the costs of geological exploration work are reduced annually by an average of 2%.

    The total volume of information stored in the Center exceeded 5800 TB, which is comparable to the volume of data contained in 6 billion 400-page paper books. For comparison, the entire collection of the Russian State Library contains about 50 million copies of books and occupies an area of 8.5 hectares.

    Reference:

    The Rosneft Seismic Information Storage Center has been operating since 2008 on the basis of the Company’s scientific institute in Krasnoyarsk. The Center’s tasks include ensuring the collection and analysis of seismic information (land, sea, transit), ensuring the safety of seismic data, and providing a centralized service for access to seismic information for Company specialists.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft January 28, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA to Preview Sky-Mapping Space Telescope Ahead of Launch

    Source: NASA

    NASA will host a news conference at 12 p.m. EST Friday, Jan. 31, to discuss a new telescope that will improve our understanding of how the universe evolved and search for key ingredients for life in our galaxy.
    Agency experts will preview NASA’s SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) mission, which will help scientists better understand the structure of the universe, how galaxies form and evolve, and the origins and abundance of water. Launch is targeted for no earlier than Thursday, Feb. 27.
    The news conference will be hosted at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Watch live on NASA+, as well as JPL’s X and YouTube channels. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.
    Laurie Leshin, director, NASA JPL, will provide opening remarks. Additional briefing participants include:

    Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director, Astrophysics Division, NASA Headquarters
    James Fanson, project manager, SPHEREx, NASA JPL
    Beth Fabinsky, deputy project manager, SPHEREx, NASA JPL  
    Jamie Bock, principal investigator, SPHEREx, Caltech
    Cesar Marin, SPHEREx integration engineer, Launch Services Program, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida

    To ask questions by phone, members of the media must RSVP no later than two hours before the start of the event to: rexana.v.vizza@jpl.nasa.gov. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online. Questions also can be asked on social media during the briefing using #AskNASA.
    The SPHEREx observatory will survey the entire celestial sky in near-infrared light to help answer cosmic questions involving the birth of the universe, and the subsequent development of galaxies. It also will search for ices of water and organic molecules — essentials for life as we know it — in regions where stars are born from gas and dust, as well as disks around stars where new planets could be forming. Astronomers will use the mission to gather data on more than 450 million galaxies, as well as more than 100 million stars in our own Milky Way galaxy.
    The space observatory will share its ride on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA’s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, which will lift off from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Central California. 
    The SPHEREx mission is managed by NASA JPL for the agency’s Astrophysics Division within the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The principal investigator is based at Caltech in Pasadena, California, which manages NASA JPL for the agency. 
    The spacecraft is supplied by BAE Systems. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute contributed the non-flight cryogenic test chamber. Mission data will be publicly available through IPAC at Caltech.
    For more information about the mission, visit:
    https://nasa.gov/spherex
    -end-
    Alise FisherHeadquarters, Washington202-358-2546alise.m.fisher@nasa.gov
    Val Gratias / Calla CofieldJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-393-6215 / 626-808-2469valerie.m.gratias@jpl.nasa.gov / calla.e.cofield@jpl.nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Station Science Top News: Jan. 24, 2025

    Source: NASA

    Reducing reliance on resupply missions
    Resupply of life support elements such as air, water, food, clothing, and hygiene items will be impractical on missions to the Moon and beyond. This research assessed current use and resupply of these elements on the International Space Station and outlines technologies needed for sustained human presence in space, such as 3D printing maintenance parts, systems for laundering clothes, and improved recovery and recycling of elements.
    Researchers analyzed the types and mass of elements supplied from Earth to the station and astronaut feedback from various studies and interviews. The paper also used data from ISS Internal Environments, a wide-ranging investigation that samples various aspects of the space station environment in support of many types of research.

    Verifying a technique for analyzing emulsions
    This paper presents a review of examining the behavior of emulsions (suspensions of particles in a liquid) in microgravity using a technique called diffusing wave spectroscopy. Results offer insights that could support development of technologies to improve living environments and foods for crew members on future missions.
    FSL Soft Matter Dynamics – PASTA studied the dynamics of droplets in emulsions. Accurate study and characterization of the effects of additives on emulsion stability is possible in microgravity. Emulsions have applications in foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, fuels, paints and coatings, chemical processing, and materials.

    EEG measurements and predicting cognitive changes in spaceflight
    Researchers used an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure brainwave activity during a relaxed, wakeful state in crew members and found no significant differences before, during, and after flight. These types of measurements could serve as biomarkers of brain health status, helping to predict changes in cognitive performance and the need for prevention and countermeasure strategies during future missions.
    Studies have shown that spaceflight can affect key cognitive and motor skills such as task management, attention, and movement speed and accuracy. Neurowellness in Space Ax-1 tested using a portable, easy to use EEG headset to measure ongoing and task-related brain activity in microgravity. The data could help predict and monitor neural changes on future space missions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hear the experts give the real facts on California water

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jan 27, 2025

    LOS ANGELES — Scientists, water managers, state leaders, and experts throughout the state are calling out the federal administration’s ongoing misinformation campaign on water management in California. Here is a snapshot of what water leaders and media are saying in California and nationally:

    State water officials and water districts weigh in 

    Association of California Water Agencies: “Water supply has not hindered firefighting efforts. Reservoirs in California are at or above average storage levels for this time of year, thanks in part to years of proactive water management.” 

    Deven Upadhyay, Metropolitan Water District: “The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has enough water in storage to meet roughly three years of water demand. We can deliver what our agencies need.”

    Marty Adams, former general manager and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power or DWP: “ There’s way more water in local storage than you could ever fight a fire with.”

    Jennifer Pierre, general manager, State Water Contractors: “The policies currently in place overseeing the movement of California water maximize supply in compliance with the law and based on best available science.”

    Leading state researchers and university professors 

    Tom Holyke, Fresno State University political science and water policy professor: “There is no ‘valve…’”

    Letitia Grenier, director of the Public Policy Institute of California’s Water Policy Center: “The transfer of water from Northern California to Southern California is not related to water availability to fight the fires in the Los Angeles area. Currently, reservoirs in the Los Angeles area are mostly full.”

    Stephanie Pincetl, director of the California Center for Sustainable Communications at UCLA: “We’re finger pointing away from the problem.  We have really no lack of water. What we have is an infrastructure that is not made to fight cataclysmic fires, biblical-size fires.” 

     Community voices push back on misinformation

     Peter Gleick, hydro-climatologist and co-founder of the Pacific Institute: “[Trump’s order on California water policy] is what you get when you mix bluster, ignorance, and disinformation. There are no ‘enormous amounts of water’ that can be redirected legally, economically, or environmentally to different users in California ….” 

    John Buse, general counsel for the Center for Biological Diversity: “It’s difficult to explain what he’s talking about because nobody knows what he’s talking about. The idea of a valve and water will just flow is preposterous.”

    Mark Gold, water scarcity director for the Natural Resources Defense Council and a board member of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: “Tying Bay-Delta management into devastating wildfires that have cost people’s lives and homes is nothing short of irresponsible, and it’s happening at a time when the Metropolitan Water District has the most water stored in its system in the history of the agency. It’s not a matter of having enough water coming from Northern California to put out a fire….”

    “Los Angeles has access to more than enough water to fight the fires. I can say with great authority, we have as much water stored as any time in the history of our agency.”

    LA Water Keeper: “There is no need to increase water deliveries from the Bay-Delta or any other source from which LA imports water for the region to be able to fight the current fires.”   

    Miles Johnson, Columbia Riverkeeper: “That idea [of a valve] is completely far-fetched and detached from reality.”   

    Jason Wise @jasonjourneyman, water and environment influencer: “LA has plenty of water, reservoirs are near full because of the last two years of heavy rain. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to score political points off a tragedy.”

    State and national elected leaders defend California water, rebuke false claims

    Senator Alex Padilla: “Trump is fixated on false claims about California’s water supply. And he’s using it to withhold disaster aid from wildfire victims…Let’s get one easy thing out of the way. There’s no ‘valve’ that needs to be turned.”

    California State Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan: “I hope while Trump is in California he takes us to the giant faucet that he says releases all the water. I chair the state Natural Resource Committee and I’d love to see it. It’s got to be huge. We could turn it on together.”

    Fact checks in the media

    ✅ POLITIFACT: “Experts said that statewide, there are no major reservoirs that have been dry for more than 15 years, and most of California’s reservoirs are above their historic average storage.”

    ✅ New York Times: In California Fires, Trump Blames Newsom for Withholding Water. Experts Say He’s Wrong

    ✅ Wall Street Journal: The LA Fires have sparked waves of criticism and misinformation. Here’s what really happened with the fire hydrants and California’s water system.

    ✅ Washington Post: Trump says a ‘valve’ can fix California’s water. It’s not that easy 

    ✅ Los Angeles Times: Trump wants to alter California water policy. Experts say it could do harm

    ✅ The Guardian: ‘Chaos agent’ Trump revives California water wars as experts warn of turmoil

    ✅ Calmatters: Fact check: Donald Trump’s claims about LA fires and water

    ✅ USA Today: Of fish and men: Trump’s California water order takes aim at Newsom and troubled smelt

    ✅ Capital Public Radio: Conspiracies are rife about water and the LA fires. Here’s what experts say

    ✅ KQED: Trump again wades into California water use fight, drawing skepticism from experts

    ✅ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Fact check: Trump’s blame claims about wildfire response

    ✅ Associated Press: Trump targets California water policy as he prepares to tour LA fire damage

    Get the facts 

    FACT: California pumps as much water now as it could under prior Trump-era policies.   

    FACT: Water reservoirs in Southern California are at record levels. There is no shortage of water in Southern California.

    FACT: Most of Southern California’s water does not come from Northern California. In fact, Southern California gets roughly a third of its water from Northern California, a third from the Colorado River, and a third from local sources.

    FACT: State water operations have nothing to do with the local fire response in Los Angeles. The federal administration’s statements have been repeatedly fact-checked and debunked. 

    FACT: There is no spigot to magically make water appear at a wildfire, despite the administration’s false claims. 

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    Jan 24, 2025

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DCCA NEWS RELEASE: SAFETY AROUND ELECTRIC UTILITY POLES AND POWER LINES

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DCCA NEWS RELEASE: SAFETY AROUND ELECTRIC UTILITY POLES AND POWER LINES

    Posted on Jan 27, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

    KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

    DIVISION OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    NADINE Y. ANDO

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

    MICHAEL ANGELO

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    SAFETY AROUND ELECTRIC UTILITY POLES AND POWER LINES

    Public Urged to Report Safety Hazards Around Electric Utility Poles and Power Lines

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    January 27, 2025

    HONOLULU — The state of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Division of Consumer Advocacy (DCA), urges residents take appropriate action in case of emergencies involving downed power lines or sparking near electric utility poles. Residents are also encouraged to report non-emergency concerns, such as vegetation overgrowth near power lines, which can pose safety hazards.

    Residents should call 911 immediately if they observe downed power lines or sparking near a utility pole. The electric utility will then be notified by 911 dispatchers and a troubleshooter will be dispatched.

    For non-emergency concerns, such as vegetation overgrowth on power lines or damage, residents should contact their local electric utility directly.

    Emergency Concerns:

    • Downed Power Lines or Sparking Near a Utility Pole: If you witness downed power lines or sparking, call 911 immediately. Never touch a downed power line or attempt to move it, and always assume it is energized. Once 911 is called, dispatchers will notify the electric utility, and a troubleshooter will be sent. For after-hours emergencies, always contact 911 first, then report it to your electric utility’s trouble line.

    Emergency Contact Information:

    • Hawaiian Electric
      • O‘ahu: 1-855-304-1212
      • Maui: 808-871-7777
      • Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi: 1-877-871-8461
      • Hawai‘i Island: 808-969-6666
    • KIUC
      • Kaua‘i: 808-246-4300

    Non-Emergency Safety Concerns:

    • Vegetation Concerns or Equipment Issues Near/On Electric Utility Poles or Power Lines: If you see overgrown vegetation near power lines or have safety concerns related to electric utility equipment on utility poles (power lines, transformers, etc.), please report them to the relevant electric utility company. This document can assist with identifying electric utility equipment.
    • Contacting Electric Utility Providers: Once the electric utility company has been notified, a troubleshooter will assess the risk and, if necessary, remove the potential hazard. Response times vary based on the amount of volume being managed at that time.

    Non-Emergency Contact Information:

    • Hawaiian Electric
      • For vegetation concerns or questions regarding tree trimming and inspection, please contact:
    • KIUC
      • Members are encouraged to take photos and email a report to [email protected] with as much information on the location of the problem as possible. You can also send a message through Facebook Messenger with photos and location information. Reports can be made by phone to 808-246-4300, but specific information on the location and a description of the problem will be necessary.

    Safety Reminders:

    • Never touch a downed power line or attempt to move it.
    • Always assume a downed line is energized.
    • Never plant vegetation below or close to power lines.
    • Keep vegetation trimmed away from your home to prevent contact with power lines.
    • If you see sparking or smoke near a utility pole, call 911 and report it immediately to your local electric utility company.

     

    The Division of Consumer Advocacy is a state agency that plays a vital role in safeguarding the interests of consumers of regulated public utility services. Representing a broad spectrum of customers across various utility and transportation sectors, DCA advocates before the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission. DCA comprises a diverse team of professionals committed to ensuring the safe, reliable, and equitable delivery of utility services at affordable rates, while aligning with the state’s policy objectives.

    ###

    Media Contact:

    Communications Office

    Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

    Phone: 808-586-2760

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOD Media Release: HAWAI‘I AIR NATIONAL GUARD TO CONDUCT EXERCISE SENTRY ALOHA

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DOD Media Release: HAWAI‘I AIR NATIONAL GUARD TO CONDUCT EXERCISE SENTRY ALOHA

    Posted on Jan 27, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAI‘I

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    HAWAI‘I DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

    KA ʻOIHANA PILI KAUA

    OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

    MAJOR GENERAL STEPHEN F. LOGAN

    ADJUTANT GENERAL

    KA ʻAKUKANA KENELALA

    BRIGADIER GENERAL PHILLIP L. MALLORY

    DEPUTY ADJUTANT GENERAL

    KA HOPE ʻAKUKANA KENELALA

     

     

    HAWAI‘I AIR NATIONAL GUARD TO CONDUCT EXERCISE SENTRY ALOHA

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    January 27, 2025

    #2025-001

    JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i Air National Guard (HIANG) will be hosting a Sentry Aloha fighter exercise from Wednesday, Jan. 29 through Feb. 12. O‘ahu residents, particularly along the island’s southern coast, may see an increase in military aircraft during takeoffs and landings at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The public may hear more jets and there is a possibility of short flight delays.

    Sentry Aloha is an ongoing series of exercises hosted by the HIANG’s 154th Wing enabling tailored, cost-effective, and realistic combat training for Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force, and other Department of Defense services. It provides U.S. warfighters with the skill sets necessary to perform homeland defense and overseas combat missions.

    Sentry Aloha exercises have been conducted by the HIANG for more than 20 years. This iteration of the exercise, Sentry Aloha 25-1, will involve approximately 800 personnel and over 28 aircraft from four states.

    Visiting units include the F-35C Lightning II’s from California, and KC-135 Stratotankers from Washington and Mississippi. The visiting aircraft will take part in simulated combat exercises with the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons’ Hickam-based “Hawaiian Raptors.”

    The 199th Fighter Squadron is part of the 154th Wing, the largest wing in the Air National Guard. The Hawai‘i Air National Guard comprises nearly 2,500 personnel whose federal mission is to be trained and available for active duty Air Force operational missions.

    # # #

    Media contact:

    Maj. (Ret.) Jeffrey D. Hickman

    Director, Public Affairs

    State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense

    Office: 808-441-7000

    Direct: 808-779-8008

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor — News Release — Governor Green to Travel to Washington, D.C.

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — News Release — Governor Green to Travel to Washington, D.C.

    Posted on Jan 27, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 
     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 
     

    GOVERNOR GREEN TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    January 27, 2025

    HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., will travel to Washington, D.C., this week at the request of U.S. Senators and national health organizations to provide input regarding the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

    Governor Green has expressed concerns about the potential impact of Kennedy’s confirmation on Hawai‘i and the nation, emphasizing the importance of a science-driven approach to public health.

    “Our people deserve a Health and Human Services Secretary who champions science, supports vaccines, and is committed to lowering costs while safeguarding health care access,” said Governor Green. “Mr. Kennedy’s lack of experience raises serious concerns about the future of critical programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which are lifelines for the people of Hawai‘i.”

    Drawing on his extensive background as an emergency room physician, longtime Legislator, Lieutenant Governor and Governor, Dr. Green will highlight the potential risks of this nomination, which has drawn criticism from leading public health experts. In 2019 as Hawai‘i’s Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Green played a pivotal role in addressing a severe measles epidemic in Samoa. His hands-on efforts, including vaccinating tens of thousands of individuals, demonstrated the lifesaving importance of science-based public health initiatives.

    The Governor will depart Hawai‘i on Monday evening, January 27, 2025, and return on Thursday afternoon, January 30, 2025. During his absence, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke will serve as Acting Governor.

    # # # 

    Media Contacts:   
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Phone: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected]

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –