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  • MIL-OSI USA: A Proclamation on National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month,  2024

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
         Too many Americans know the pain of losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s — a leading cause of death in older adults.  During National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, we honor the courage and resilience of all those facing this devastating disease.  We recommit to supporting every caregiver who pours their heart into helping people with Alzheimer’s face this disease with dignity.  And we strengthen our resolve to do everything we can to prevent, treat, and eliminate Alzheimer’s as we know it.
         Currently, over six million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, which robs people of their memories, clarity, and identity — taking a difficult emotional, financial, and physical toll on people facing the disease and the loved ones standing by their side.  Alzheimer’s also disproportionately impacts African Americans and Latino Americans, who are more likely to develop dementias than people of any other race or ethnicity.  People with Down syndrome also have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
         My Administration has taken steps to drive new breakthroughs toward preventing, detecting, and treating Alzheimer’s.  I secured $4 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, directing funding to researchers and innovators who are pioneering new techniques and technologies to transform the lives of people with Alzheimer’s and improve human health outcomes.  I was also proud to sign the reauthorization of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act, ensuring the Federal Government is doubling down on our commitment to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.  The National Institutes of Health is funding new clinical trials that are doing cutting-edge work to improve the lives of people with Alzheimer’s — from pursuing new drugs that could prevent and treat dementia to improving cognition and memory for those who have it.
         My Administration is committed to supporting the caregivers who care for people with Alzheimer’s.  I signed the Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers — the most comprehensive set of executive actions any President has ever taken to improve care for hardworking families while supporting care workers and family caregivers.  In response, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the GUIDE Model, which offers a package of respite services, caregiver support and education, and care management and coordination for people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.  CMS is also continuing to increase access to cognitive care assessments so more people with Alzheimer’s get the resources and care they need.  And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to increase access to early detection, prevention, and treatment of dementias like Alzheimer’s.
         During National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, we recommit to improving the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.  We honor all the lives we have lost and all those we can still save.  And we uplift the spirit of hope that countless medical professionals, researchers, and caregivers working to help people with Alzheimer’s carry each day.
         NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2024 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.  I call on the people of the United States of America to honor and support those living with Alzheimer’s and the many people who continue extraordinary and tireless efforts to combat this disorder and care for those affected by it.  I encourage all Americans to visit Alzheimers.gov for evidence-based resources and information.
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
                                   JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Torres Celebrates Announcement of New Nonstop Destination Flight from Ontario International Airport to Baltimore Washington International

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    October 31, 2024

    Bringing California’s 35th District Closer to Our Nation’s Capital

    Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee which oversees federal aviation spending, released the following statement following the announcement of a new, non-stop flight route from Ontario International Airport (ONT) to Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI). Fostering connections between California’s 35th district and our nation’s Capital is essential for supporting the continued growth of Southern California’s airport, ensuring it meets the rising demand for air travel to the East Coast.

    “Today’s announcement of the first non-stop flight route from Ontario International Airport (ONT) ever to Washington, D.C. at Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) is a significant win for our community and the economy of the Inland Empire. Our area is one of the fastest growing population centers in the entire United States, so I am thrilled to see the Inland Empire’s primary airport expanding its reach, making travel more accessible for our residents, civic leaders, advocates, and businesses to the nation’s capital,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This achievement is a testament to the importance of regaining local control of Ontario Airport years ago and the importance of proactive and strategic transportation decisions. Together, we’ve worked hard to secure crucial funding through THUD appropriations, which supports vital projects at our airports. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this new route will have on our region.”

    Background: Since entering Congress, Congresswoman Norma Torres has been a steadfast advocate for the Ontario International Airport (ONT), facilitating its transfer from the city of Los Angeles to the Ontario International Airport Authority. Strategically located at the heart of a vital freight movement system, ONT plays a crucial role in stimulating economic activity in the region and provides local businesses with convenient access to broader markets. To advance local control of the airport, Congresswoman Torres worked with bipartisan colleagues to pass essential legislation that implements the agreement between ONT and LAX. Now that the community has local control, she is focused on enhancing accessibility through public transit initiatives and has supported substantial funding for various projects at ONT, including $15.9 million for runway and taxiway improvements, $2.52 million for low-emission equipment, and $24.82 million for airport concessions that create good-paying jobs. The Congresswoman also led the Inland Empire delegation last year in sending a letter to the House Transportation Committee advocating for more slots for Ontario to get a nonstop flight to Washington, D.C.  As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Air Cargo Caucus, she is committed to supporting ONT’s growth as a leading air cargo airport in the U.S. and has worked to secure international flights to Central America, further bolstering the region’s economic development. As Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) FAA Reauthorization Chair, the Congressman also spearheaded aviation efforts and priorities for the Caucus. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Robin Kelly to Introduce Bill to Prevent High-Risk People from Buying Guns

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) will introduce a bill tomorrow to prevent people with violent misdemeanors from owning or buying a firearm. The Keeping Guns from High-Risk Individuals Act prevents guns from falling into the hands of people with high-risk behaviors such as stalking, violent hate crimes, and domestic violence.

    “I’ve introduced the Keeping Guns from High-Risk Individuals Act every Congress because dangerous individuals shouldn’t be able to easily access firearms,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. “If someone has a history of violent behaviors, it’s simply common sense to prevent that person from buying or owning a gun. Whenever a gun is present in a high-risk situation – whether that be a domestic violence emergency or hate crime – it instantly escalates the chances of injury or death. We should prevent a gun from entering the situation in the first place.”

    According to Everytown for Gun Safety, states with similar laws have seen an 18% reduction in all homicides.

    The Keeping Guns from High-Risk Individuals Act implements the following:

    • Prohibits people convicted of a violent misdemeanor offense from purchasing or possessing firearms for a period of five years from the date of conviction.
    • Juveniles convicted of violent crimes are prohibited from purchasing a firearm until they reach the age of 25.
    • Individuals specifically convicted of stalking are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms.

    The Keeping Guns from High-Risk Individuals Act has been endorsed by several nationwide gun violence prevention organizations: Brady, Community Justice, Everytown for Gun Safety, GIFFORDS, March for Our Lives, and 97Percent.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Don’t Wait! Saturday is the Final Day to Apply for FEMA Assistance

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Don’t Wait! Saturday is the Final Day to Apply for FEMA Assistance

    Don’t Wait! Saturday is the Final Day to Apply for FEMA Assistance

    Oct. 31, 2024DR-4787-WV NR-015FEMA News Desk: 215-931-5597FEMAR3NewsDesk@fema.dhs.govNews releaseDon’t Wait! Saturday is the Final Day to Apply for FEMA AssistanceCHARLESTON, W.Va. – Saturday is the final day for residents in Boone, Hancock, Kanawha, Marshall, Ohio, Roane, Wetzel and Wood counties to apply for FEMA Assistance if they had damages during the April 11-12, 2024, storms, floods, and landslides. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS SATURDAY, NOV. 2, 2024.FEMA assistance for individuals and families affected by the flooding can cover home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.The easiest way to apply for FEMA assistance is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, is also the final deadline to apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan. Applicants can apply online at sba.gov/disaster, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay service.For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page,www.fema.gov/disaster/4787 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). 
    issa.mansaray
    Thu, 10/31/2024 – 14:30

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center in Galax, Va. Will Open Nov. 2

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Center in Galax, Va. Will Open Nov. 2

    Disaster Recovery Center in Galax, Va. Will Open Nov. 2

    BRISTOL, Va.– A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be opening in Galax at 816 Glendale Rd. on Saturday November 2, 2024, at 8 a.m. Disaster survivors can visit any DRC to receive assistance. This will be the ninth DRC open in the impacted area; to find the DRC closest to you, including addresses and hours, visit FEMA.gov/drc or text DRC and a ZIP code to 43362. A Disaster Recovery Center is an accessible facility that survivors can visit in person to learn more about FEMA and other agencies providing disaster assistance in Virginia. Residents, property owners, and business owners can go to a DRC to apply for assistance and obtain resources from other agencies based on their needs. Survivors do not need an appointment at a DRC to receive assistance. The center is located at:City of Galax816 Glendale RdGalax, VA 24333Hours of operation:Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.Closed SundaysSurvivors do not have to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. You can call 800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone line operates seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. You can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA App on your phone.The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Dec. 2, 2024.If you have received a letter from FEMA about your application status, visit a DRC to learn more about next steps. DRC staff can help you submit additional information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue to process your application and answer any questions you may have. Learn more about what to expect at a DRC here.FEMA has set up a rumor response webpage to clarify our role in the Helene response. Visit Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response.For more information on Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit vaemergency.gov, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page , fema.gov/disaster/4831 and facebook.com/FEMA.  ###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.To apply for FEMA assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, or download and apply on the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Civil Rights Office if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination.  FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted at FEMA-OCR-ECRD@fema.dhs.gov or toll-free at 833-285-7448. 
    erika.osullivan
    Thu, 10/31/2024 – 14:29

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from CWA Following Studio Closures and Layoffs at Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    Sony Interactive Entertainment’s announcement that it will shut down and lay off video game workers at two of its studios, Neon Koi and Firewalk Studios, makes it clear that now more than ever, video game workers deserve a free and fair opportunity to join together to form unions. Union membership not only gives workers a seat at the table to bargain for fair compensation but also a voice on the job to have a say over how they will be impacted by job cuts.

    This devastating news comes on the heels of record layoffs across the video game industry. These decisions by highly insulated video game CEOs are creating perilous working conditions for video game workers by eliminating their job stability. Last month, former Sony Computer Entertainment Europe President Chris Deering suggested that laid-off game workers should “go to the beach for a year,” further demonstrating the lack of respect executives have for their workforce amid layoffs.

    Alongside these layoffs, Sony’s decision to dissolve studios outside their walled garden of PlayStation-exclusive content rather than making games that have to compete in the highly diverse and competitive mobile game market should be a cautionary warning sign of Sony’s interest in furthering its monopoly position in the video game industry. CWA plans to raise the anti-competitive impacts of Sony’s increasing monopoly and monopsony power with the appropriate antitrust regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders.

    We will continue to support workers across the video game industry who seek to form a union and improve their workplace.

    ###

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Members Hit the Ground in North Carolina to Boost Union Turnout for Pro-Labor Candidates 

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM members are actively campaigning in the crucial state of North Carolina to support Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who have both demonstrated a strong commitment to labor rights, in their run for the presidency. Partnering with the North Carolina AFL-CIO, IAM members are canvassing union households, aiming to boost turnout among union voters.

    The labor walks will continue through Election Day, with IAM members and other union affiliates working hard to secure a pro-labor victory at the polls. The AFL-CIO is leading an extensive effort to mobilize union members to vote for candidates who support labor. Teams of union members are going door-to-door, sharing election information and encouraging households to make voting plans.

    The North Carolina AFL-CIO is the federation of unions of working people in North Carolina, representing over a hundred thousand union members working together for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers’ rights, consumer protections, and quality public services on behalf of all working people.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM GOTV Teams Canvass Philadelphia to Educate Union Member

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    This past week in northeast Philadelphia, several hundred union members from various unions gathered at the Sprinkler Fitters Local 692 Hall, coordinated through the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, for its Saturday labor walk. The walks are organized to canvass the city and educate union members at their homes by dropping off materials so they can make an informed decision in this year’s presidential election.

    Watch the video here.

    U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) came to the hall to speak to all the members and thank them for their work educating union members.

    “The same Supreme Court that took away a 49-year right for women would easily take away the right to organize a union established 80 years ago,” said Casey. “We have to remind them the right to organize a union is on the ballot this election.”

    The Pennsylvania State Council of Machinists has endorsed Casey for his reelection to the Senate. This year, IAM and other union members also have two presidential and vice presidential candidates to choose from on the ballot.

    The two tickets are ideologically opposite on labor issues and worker rights. Candidates Trump and Vance would be fine firing striking workers not paying overtime to workers, and both have crossed picket lines. On the other hand, the IAM-endorsed candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have both walked picket lines and support the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.

    One of the unionists participating was retired IAM Local 796 Eastern Airlines ramp serviceman Paul Baicich, a dedicated unionist who came to canvass the area.

    “This is the most important election in my lifetime,” said Baicich. “Electing pro-Labor candidates is extremely important. It’s all on the line, and people need to vote! “

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: United States Files Suit for Unpaid Duties and Penalties for Alleged Failure to Pay Duties on Imported Chinese Bedroom Furniture

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    The United States has filed a civil lawsuit against Lawrence Bivona, who was the President of LaJobi Inc., a Delaware corporation that imported Chinese-manufactured children’s bedroom furniture into the United States. The lawsuit alleges that Bivona made false statements to customs officials and, as a result, avoided paying antidumping duties owed on the imported furniture.

    At the time merchandise is entered into the United States, the importer is responsible for providing all information necessary to enable Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to assess the applicable duties owed on the goods, including any antidumping duties applicable to the merchandise. Antidumping duties are trade remedies that help protect domestic industries from unfair trade practices by foreign businesses and countries, such as government subsidies or below market sales.

    The United States’ complaint contends that Bivona caused LaJobi to misrepresent the identity of the manufacturers of the children’s furniture imported from China. In particular, the United States alleges that Bivona falsely represented that the furniture was manufactured by Chinese entities subject to duty rates of approximately 7% or less, and failed to disclose that the furniture was actually manufactured by entities subject to duty rates of 216%.

    “Anti-dumping duties play an important role in countering illegal foreign trade practices and protecting U.S. manufacturers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to pursue those who seek to gain an unfair advantage by violating our trade laws.”

    “These civil penalties support the seriousness of CBP’s trade mission and protect the U.S. economy, while maintaining fair trade and preserving American jobs from predatory practices,” said Executive Director Susan Thomas of CBP’s Cargo and Conveyance Security, Office of Field Operations. “CBP’s antidumping and countervailing duties enforcement aims to mitigate harm by anti-competitive behavior and supports a level playing field for U.S. companies injured by unfair trade practices.”

    “We take very seriously our role in protecting the U.S. economy from illegal and predatory trade practices,” said Assistant Director Ivan J. Arvelo of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Global Trade Investigations. “HSI is committed to working alongside CBP and partners to stop those who engage in fraud to circumvent U.S. trade laws.”

    The complaint seeks the recovery of over $7 million in import duties and over $15 million in civil penalties.

    HSI Newark led the investigation with CBP Trade Regulatory Audit Newark, CBP Associate Chief Counsel New York, CBP Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising (CPMM) Center of Excellence and Expertise. CBP and HSI are the agencies responsible for enforcing U.S. laws related to the importation of merchandise into the United States, including the collection of duties and assessment of penalties.

    Trial Counsel Daniel Hoffman of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, National Courts Section, is handling the case.

    The case is filed in the Court of International Trade and captioned United States v. Lawrence Bivona No. 24-00196.

    To combat trade fraud, including avoidance of import duties, the Justice Department created a Trade Fraud Task Force. The Task Force partners with CBP and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with U.S. trade laws.

    The claims in the complaint are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Arrest Non-Compliant Sex Offenders During Operation Trick or Treat 2

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Arlington, VA – From October 1-28, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) partnered with 112 law enforcement agencies in 22 states to conduct Operation Trick or Treat 2, an enforcement initiative during the Halloween season to investigate and arrest non-compliant and fugitive sex offenders.

    Operation Trick or Treat 2 resulted in 331 total arrests, including 129 for failure to register as a sex offender, 74 sex offenders for other offenses, as well as 128 others for various criminal activities. During the operation, law enforcement personnel also conducted 3,334 sex offender compliance checks and seized 40 illegally possessed firearms.

    “Operation Trick or Treat 2 reaffirms one of our Agency’s highest priorities to ensure safety of children in our communities,” said Director Ronald L. Davis of the U.S. Marshals Service. “I applaud the women and men of the Marshals Service and all of the agencies who participated in this operation.”

    Operation Trick or Treat 2 investigators initiated federal criminal cases for failure to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act; apprehended sex offenders in violation of registration requirements or wanted on active warrants; and utilized sex offender compliance checks to increase police presence and identify non-compliant sex offenders for further investigation.

    Law enforcement personnel in select counties and tribal nations from the following federal judicial districts participated in Operation Trick or Treat 2: District of Arizona, Eastern District of Arkansas, Western District of Arkansas, Central District of California, Eastern District of California, District of Colorado, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Illinois, Southern District of Illinois, Northern District of Indiana, Northern District of Iowa, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Missouri, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, Northern District of New York, District of Oregon, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Eastern District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Western District of Washington, and Eastern District of Wisconsin.

    Significant arrests:

    • On October 11, U.S. Marshals arrested Antonio D. Cooke in the Northern District of Illinois who was a Wisconsin Department of Corrections most wanted sex offender and had been on the run for more than four years. He was wanted on warrants for failure to register as a sex offender and probation violation with an underlying conviction for sexual abuse of a child.  Operation personnel located and arrested the fugitive sex offender at a Chicago hospital.
    • On October 16, U.S. Marshals arrested Ryan Kirkham in the Western District of Washington for failing to register as a sex offender. The subject had prior convictions for child molestation, immoral communication with a child, and possession of child pornography. Operation personnel located and arrested the individual at a residence in Everett, Wash. 
    • On October 17, U.S. Marshals arrested Isaiah Navarro in the District of Arizona for allegedly attempting to sexually exploit a minor and committing a dangerous crime against children. Operation personnel arrested the subject in Glendale, Ariz.

    All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    As the federal government’s primary agency for sex offender and fugitive investigations, the United States Marshals Service use its resources and investigative expertise to make neighborhoods safer. The agency has a key mission to help keep non-compliant sex offenders accountable.

    Sex offenders are required to comply with federal, state, and local requirements to register as a sex offender. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (AWA) authorizes USMS to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities in the location and apprehension of non-compliant and fugitive sex offenders; investigate violations of the AWA for federal prosecution; and assist in the identification and location of sex offenders relocated because of a major disaster.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: U.S. Commercial Drone Market Size Estimated to Reach a Value of $ 31 Billion By End of 2034

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The commercial drone industry is witnessing rapid growth and transforming various sectors such as agriculture, delivery and logistics, and energy among others. Advancements in drone technologies have led to increased demand and utilization in industries such as filming, emergency response, construction, and real estate. Additionally, drone software solution providers and manufacturers are continuously innovating and upgrading their offerings to cater to diverse market needs. As governments establish regulatory frameworks, the integration of drones into industries is expected to accelerate. This, in turn, is likely to create lucrative opportunities for market expansion over the forecast period. A report from Grand View Research projected that the U.S. commercial drone market size is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% through 2030. The report said: “Furthermore, favorable legislations and rising use of commercial drones by authorities in the U.S. is expected to attract various industries to utilize drones for different processes. Similarly, government authorities across the region are constantly working on framing new regulations for the commercial applications of drones. This is attributed to increased focus on the adoption of commercial drones due to their economic potential, while prioritizing the safety and security of the country. This, in turn, is anticipated to drive the U.S. commercial drone market growth over the forecast period.”   Active Tech Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI).

    Fact.MR continued: “In addition, surveyors and engineers use drones to visualize the progress made in their construction projects by taking overhead images. Having a project overview leads to simplification of decision-making, thereby streamlining building site operations. Drones are now being used for several applications, ranging from surveillance, deployment in military operations, video recording, agriculture, and film & television. With this rise in drone applications, key players in the United States market are incorporating advanced technologies in drones. Increasing drone payload capacity and introducing drones for specific applications are anticipated to promote the profits of drone manufacturers. Furthermore, leading companies are also making drones with high-power motors. Home deliveries through drones have now become a reality with the help of retail and logistics organizations such as Amazon.”

    ZenaTech Inc.’s (NASDAQ:ZENA) ZenaDrone Completes the First Phase of an IQ Nano Inventory Management Trial for Multinational Auto Parts Customer – ZenaTech, a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone solutions and enterprise SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solutions, today announced that its subsidiary, ZenaDrone, has successfully completed the first phase of drone testing and 3D mapping, and is beginning the next phase of production of a paid trial for a multinational auto parts manufacturer. This production phase consists of flying automatic and fully autonomous flights of the IQ Nano drone in an inventory management application.

    Testing took place over several months at ZenaDrone’s production facility in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to ensure the smooth operation of the inventory scanning application. The 3D mapping took place just recently at the customer’s site consisting of scanning and mapping the warehouse area to create a 3D map that automates the drone flight path and its operations while in production.

    View video showing the IQ Nano in test flight here.

    The production phase is set to begin imminently and will consist of the IQ Nano flying and reading product and component bar codes, collecting information for verification and integration with the customer’s inventory management and accounting systems.

    “We look forward to the production phase and concluding a successful trial, proving the viability of the IQ Nano and enabling us to deliver our product to our customer. A successful trial also opens the potential to win additional business with this customer and to verifiably demonstrate IQ Nano’s utility for the benefit of attracting additional market interest. The revolutionary use of an indoor drone for productivity and cost savings value can be implemented across hundreds of warehouse facilities, turning a week-long activity like counting inventory into a day,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. – Get the full details by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/

    Additional Groundbreaking ZenaTech Inc. Developments this week include:

    ZenaTech Enters the Drone Sensor and Components Market Establishing a New Taiwan Subsidiary to Win More US Defense Contracts for Its AI Drones – ZenaTech also announced it will establish a new company in Taiwan to manufacture drone sensors and components for use in the drone products produced by its subsidiary ZenaDrone. The new company, named Spider Vision Sensors Ltd., will ensure ZenaDrone’s products are compliant with the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an important requirement for the company to win more business with the US Military.

    Spider Vision Sensors Ltd. will manufacture drone sensors, electronics, and components such LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), thermal, infrared, multi-spectral and hyper sensors, cameras, and PBCs (Printed Circuit Boards). Having in-house manufactured sensors and components will enable ZenaDrone to have a steady supply to fulfill customer orders and drone production needs at its Sharjah, UAE, and future Arizona-based drone manufacturing facilities. Taiwan was selected due to its size and skills as an electronics hub, and the availability of low-cost alternative components versus those from China. The new company is currently at the prototype stage, and the manufacturing facility is expected to be open in November.

    “Establishing a drone sensor and components manufacturer in Taiwan will help bring our products to market faster and removes dependencies on any Chinese made electronics. This will position us to win more US military contracts via achieving Green UAS (Uncrewed Arial Systems) and Blue UAS certifications as an approved supplier,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D.    Read this full release at:      https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zenatech-enters-drone-sensor-components-113000155.html

    Other recent developments in the technology industry include:

    AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently successfully showcased the maritime prowess of its combat-proven JUMP® 20 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) during the NATO REPMUS 2024 (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems) exercise off the coast of Portugal. This dynamic demonstration reinforced JUMP 20’s advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, autonomously launching and landing on a moving vessel in rough seas, with conditions reaching sea state level 5 and winds over 20 kts.

    The JUMP 20 also highlighted its multi-sensor mission versatility, seamlessly executing wide-area search and detection tasks. Its advanced Electro Optical and Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) turret automatically slewed to investigate identified targets without repositioning the platform, ensuring constant operational focus. Full-motion video was captured and later analyzed using AV’s cutting-edge computer vision technology, SPOTR-Edge™, enabling perception analysis using its robust library of object classifications, including persons, vehicles, and maritime vessels. Additionally, video from this event will further enhance the solution, making the JUMP 20 even more capable for future deployments by refining its object recognition and situational response capabilities.

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO), an award-winning, industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, recently announced its participation in the upcoming Wings of Saskatchewan event in Regina, from October 30 to October 31, 2024. Draganfly will showcase its latest drone technology advancements, contributing to discussions on industry trends, safety, and regulatory considerations alongside key stakeholders in the aviation sector.

    The Wings of Saskatchewan Conference, hosted by the Saskatchewan Aerial Applicators Association and the Saskatchewan Aviation Council, serves as a vital gathering for the aviation community. This year’s event will bring together leaders from both civil and commercial aviation sectors to discuss technological advancements, regulatory updates, and future trends within the industry.

    Draganfly will emphasize the need for synergy across the aviation industry at the conference by addressing essential topics, including airspace safety and the regulatory challenges impacting the drone sector. This presentation will spotlight the benefits of enhanced communication and collaboration between fixed-wing, helicopter, and RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) to promote safe, efficient, and integrated airspace management.

    Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, recently announced a new contract and order for 12 of its FlightWave Edge 130 Blue system from the Royal Australian Navy. The contract was secured through Criterion Solutions Pty Ltd., an Australian-based distributor of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and information technology solutions.

    FlightWave, an industry-leading provider of VTOL drone, sensor and software solutions was acquired by Red Cat in September 2024. The acquisition brought FlightWave’s flagship drone, the Edge 130 Blue into its family of low-cost, portable unmanned reconnaissance and precision lethal strike systems. FlightWave’s size, weight and vertical take off capabilities makes it ideal for maritime operations and littoral environments.

    Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI) recently shared a video highlighting the capabilities of the Company’s patent-pending SpotlightAI™ AI-powered demining solution presented by Amazon Web Services (AWS) at this year’s AWS Summit Washington, D.C. The video highlights AWS Partners in the AWS Partner Network (APN) featuring senior Safe Pro team members discussing how AWS’s hyper scalability and compute resources are enabling the Company to modernize demining efforts in Ukraine by utilizing AI-powered image analysis of drone-based imagery.

    “Our inclusion in this year’s AWS Summit Washington, D.C. spotlights our continued success in locating thousands of landmines and unexploded ordnance currently scattered over thousands of hectares of land in Ukraine utilizing our AI-powered image analysis technology. AWS continues to provide us invaluable support as we work to harness the power of AI and AWS’s hyper scalability to modernize real world demining operations. Working with AWS, we have greatly enhanced our ability to provide leading humanitarian mine action organizations with powerful new tools that can improve their situational awareness as they execute their land clearance operations across Ukraine, expediting the release of land for agricultural and civilian use,” said Dan Erdberg, Chairman and CEO of Safe Pro Group Inc.

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    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Noma Exits Stealth with $32M to Secure the Entire Data & AI Lifecycle from Development to Production

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Noma exited stealth today, announcing $32M in funding and the launch of their application security platform for securing the entire Data & AI Lifecycle. The company’s series A round was led by Ballistic Ventures and comes less than a year after a previously undisclosed seed round led by Glilot Capital Partners, with participation from Cyber Club London. Dozens of strategic angel investors have backed Noma, including current and former CISOs of McDonald’s, Google DeepMind, Twitter, Atlassian, BNP Paribas, T-Mobile, and Nielsen.

    The rapid adoption of AI has thrown data science and machine learning teams into the spotlight, introducing new application security risks. “The Data & AI Lifecycle is significantly different from the software development lifecycle. It comes with a whole new supply chain, as well as unique open source components and runtime artifacts that traditional security tools don’t cover,” said Niv Braun, co-founder and CEO of Noma. “We’re already seeing organizations compromised by misconfigured data pipelines and MLOps tools and vulnerable and malicious open source models. It’s only a matter of time before we see AI’s equivalent of SolarWinds or Log4Shell. There’s an urgent need for a new security solution that holistically covers the Data & AI Lifecycle.”

    Noma’s platform provides end-to-end AI discovery, security, protection, and compliance. It protects against supply chain risks — like vulnerable data pipelines, unscanned code in data science environments, misconfigured MLOps tools, and sensitive data used for model training — as well as threats like vulnerable and malicious models, runtime prompt injection, and more.

    The platform seamlessly deploys across any cloud-based, SaaS, or self-hosted environment within minutes, requiring no agents or code changes and adding no friction to data science teams’ day-to-day workflows. Noma’s end-to-end approach provides coverage across the entire Data & AI Lifecycle, from development to production and from classic data pipelines and ML to GenAI.

    “Like traditional software development, AI has introduced a new range of security risks — but is moving at hyperspeed and with even higher stakes,” said Kobi Samboursky, Founder and Managing Partner of Glilot. “AppSec evolved over decades with fragmented tools for static and dynamic analysis, open source, supply chain, and runtime, but security teams have come to realize that they need consolidated solutions. Noma is uniquely positioned to tackle this problem from the start, consolidating multiple use cases into a single platform. We backed Noma to become the complete application security solution for the Data and AI Lifecycle.”

    “The role of data science teams has rapidly evolved from supporting business functions like reporting and analytics to developing AI-powered applications that significantly impact business outcomes,” said Jake Seid, Co-founder and general partner of Ballistic Ventures.

    “As security and compliance become more top of mind for organizations adopting AI, embedding security from the start ensures that innovation can flourish without compromise. Noma’s approach gives AppSec teams full visibility and confidence while empowering data science teams to move fast and drive business value.”

    Founders Niv Braun (CEO) and Alon Tron (CTO) met in the prestigious 8200 intelligence unit and have combined their respective experience leading security groups and data science teams to start Noma. Together they have quickly built a team with deep expertise in AI, application security, and beyond. Noma has helped shape industry standards for AI security as members of the OWASP AI Exchange and has contributed to US government policy on AI security, including informing guidelines like NIST SP 800-218A. The Noma platform is already used by paying customers, including Fortune 500 companies.

    Learn more about Noma’s platform and vision on the Noma website and blog.

    Media Contact
    Lazer Cohen
    lazer@concrete.media
    347-753-8256

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1996901b-4732-4856-b705-03949017b91e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy Limited – Prospectus approved for listing of bonds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BW Energy Limited – Prospectus approved for listing of bonds

    Reference is made to the announcement by BW Energy Limited (the “Company”) on 7 June 2024 about the successful completion of a new senior unsecured bond issue with an initial issue amount of USD 100 million with ISIN NO 0013259663 (the “Bonds”).

    The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway has today approved a prospectus prepared by the Company in connection with the application for admission to trading and listing of the Bonds on the Euronext Oslo Børs. The admission to listing of the bonds is expected on or about 4 November 2024.

    The prospectus will be made available on the company’s website: www.bwenergy.no/investors/


    For further information, please contact:

    Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy, +33.7.81.11.41.16 ir@bwenergy.com


    About BW Energy:

    BW Energy Limited is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block in, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil and a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 580 million barrels of oil equivalents at the start of 2024.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMMOND, La., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (“First Guaranty”) (NASDAQ: FGBI), the holding company for First Guaranty Bank, announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter and nine months ending September 30, 2024.

    Financial Highlights for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2024, are as follows:

    • Total assets increased $371.2 million and were $3.9 billion at September 30, 2024 and $3.6 billion at December 31, 2023. Total loans at September 30, 2024 were $2.8 billion, an increase of $20.9 million, or 0.8%, compared with December 31, 2023. Total deposits were $3.4 billion at September 30, 2024, an increase of $420.8 million, or 14.0%, compared with December 31, 2023. Retained earnings were $72.7 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $4.7 million compared to $68.0 million at December 31, 2023. Shareholders’ equity was $256.4 million and $249.6 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
    • Net income for the third quarter of 2024 and 2023 was $1.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, an increase of $0.2 million or 8.7%. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $11.4 million and $7.9 million, respectively, an increase of $3.5 million or 44.5%.
    • Earnings per common share were $0.11 and $0.10 for the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $0.78 and $0.56 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Total weighted average shares outstanding were 12,504,717 and 11,431,083 for the third quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively, and 12,499,799 and 11,022,919 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change in shares was due to the issuance of 44,341 and 29,293 shares of common stock under the Equity Bonus Plan during the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, respectively, and the issuance of 1,714,287 shares of common stock under private placement in 2023.
    • The allowance for credit losses was 1.20% of total loans at September 30, 2024 compared to 1.13% at December 31, 2023.
    • Net interest income for the third quarter of 2024 was $22.7 million compared to $20.4 million for the same period in 2023. Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $65.9 million compared to $63.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
    • The provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2024 was $4.9 million compared to $0.6 million for the same period in 2023. The provision for credit losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $14.0 million compared to $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
    • Charge-offs were $13.7 million during the first nine months ended September 30, 2024 and $2.0 million during the same period in 2023. Recoveries totaled $0.7 million during the first nine months ended September 30, 2024 and $1.2 million during the same period in 2023.
    • Net gains on the sale of loans for the third quarter of 2024 was $1.5 million compared to $0 for the same period in 2023. Net gains on the sale of loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $1.5 million compared to $12,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
    • First Guaranty had $1.2 million of other real estate owned as of September 30, 2024 compared to $1.3 million at December 31, 2023.
    • The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was 2.51% which was a decrease of 3 basis points from the net interest margin of 2.54% for the same period in 2023. The net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was 2.52% which was a decrease of 23 basis points from the net interest margin of 2.75% for the same period in 2023. First Guaranty attributed the decrease in the net interest margin to the increase in market interest rates that began in 2022 and continued through 2023 that increased the cost of liabilities. Loans as a percentage of average interest earning assets decreased to 80.0% at September 30, 2024 compared to 83.2% at September 30, 2023.
    • Investment securities totaled $664.0 million at September 30, 2024, an increase of $259.9 million when compared to $404.1 million at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024, available for sale securities, at fair value, totaled $342.6 million, an increase of $259.1 million when compared to $83.5 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in available for sale securities was primarily due to purchase of Treasury securities. At September 30, 2024, held to maturity securities, at amortized cost and net of the allowance for credit losses totaled $321.4 million, an increase of $0.8 million when compared to $320.6 million at December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses for HTM securities was $0.1 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
    • Total loans net of unearned income were $2.8 billion at September 30, 2024, a net increase of $20.9 million from December 31, 2023. Total loans net of unearned income are reduced by the allowance for credit losses which totaled $33.3 million at September 30, 2024 and $30.9 million at December 31, 2023, respectively.
    • Nonaccrual loans increased $40.6 million to $65.8 million at September 30, 2024 compared to $25.2 million at December 31, 2023. The increase in total nonaccrual loans was concentrated primarily in one commercial real estate relationship that totaled $37.0 million. This relationship is comprised of five loans secured by real estate located in the Midwest. $13.9 million of this relationship was previously reported in 90 day plus but still accruing at December 31, 2023.
    • At September 30, 2024, our largest non-performing assets were comprised of the following nonaccrual loans: (1) a $37.0 million non-farm non-residential loan relationship comprised of five loans with a specific reserve of $4.1 million; (2) a $3.3 million one- to four-family loan relationship; (3) a $1.8 million commercial real estate loan; (4) a commercial lease loan that totaled $1.7 million; (5) a commercial lease loan that totaled $1.6 million; (6) a $1.3 million one- to four-family loan relationship; and (7) a $1.3 million loan relationship that is classified as purchased credit deteriorated.
    • First Guaranty charged off $2.6 million in loan balances during the third quarter of 2024. The details of the $2.6 million in charged-off loans were as follows:
    1. First Guaranty charged off $0.5 million in consumer loans during the third quarter of 2024. The consumer loan charge offs included $0.1 million in credit card loans, $0.1 million of loans secured by automobiles or equipment, and $0.3 million in unsecured loans.
    2. First Guaranty charged off $1.0 million on a loan relationship that is classified as purchased credit deteriorated during the third quarter of 2024. This relationship had remaining principal balance of $1.3 million at September 30, 2024.
    3. First Guaranty charged off $0.1 million on a commercial and industrial loan relationship during the third quarter of 2024. This relationship had a remaining principal balance of $1.0 million at September 30, 2024.
    4. First Guaranty charged off $0.1 million on a one- to four-family loan during the third quarter of 2024. This loan had no remaining principal balance at September 30, 2024.
    5. Smaller loans and overdrawn deposit accounts comprised the remaining $0.9 million of charge-offs for the third quarter of 2024.
    • Return on average assets for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was 0.21%, for each period. Return on average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was 0.42% and 0.33%, respectively. Return on average common equity for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was 2.40% and 2.27%, respectively. Return on average common equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was 5.87% and 4.06% respectively. Return on average assets is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average assets. Return on average common equity is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average common equity.
    • Book value per common share was $17.86 as of September 30, 2024 compared to $17.36 as of December 31, 2023. The increase was due primarily to the recent issuance of new shares and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). AOCI is comprised of unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, including unrealized losses on available for sale securities at the time of transfer to held to maturity.
    • First Guaranty’s Board of Directors declared cash dividends of $0.08 and $0.16 per common share in the third quarter of 2024 and 2023. First Guaranty has paid 125 consecutive quarterly dividends as of September 30, 2024.
    • First Guaranty paid preferred stock dividends of $1.7 million during the first nine months of 2024 and 2023.
    • As previously announced, on June 28, 2024, the Bank consummated a sale-leaseback transaction relating to two stand-alone branches and a portion of the headquarters building which also contains a branch (collectively, the “Properties”). The aggregate cash purchase price was $14.7 million. The sale-leaseback transaction resulted in a pre-tax gain of approximately $13.2 million, or $10.4 million after tax. Aggregate first full year of rent expense under the Lease Agreements will be approximately $1.3 million pre-tax, or $1.0 million after tax.

    About First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.

    First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for First Guaranty Bank, a Louisiana state-chartered bank. Founded in 1934, First Guaranty Bank offers a wide range of financial services and focuses on building client relationships and providing exceptional customer service. First Guaranty Bank currently operates thirty-six locations throughout Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky and West Virginia. First Guaranty’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol FGBI. For more information, visit www.fgb.net.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact which represent our current judgement about possible future events. We believe these judgements are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of factors, many of which are described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements.

    For full release click here.

    CONTACT: ERIC DOSCH, CFO

    985.375.0308

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US-Africa relations under Biden: a mismatch between talk and action

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Christopher Isike, Director, African Centre for the Study of the United States, University of Pretoria

    In his first year in office, US president Joe Biden committed to resetting US-Africa relations based on a doctrine of equal partnership.

    He sent his secretary of state, Antony Blinken, to Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. The visit was used to outline the administration’s policy outlook towards Africa. It laid the ground for the official US-Africa policy commitment that Blinken launched the following year in South Africa.

    Since then, there have been high level engagements between the US and African countries to deepen ties. They included visits by top cabinet members of the administration: vice-president Kamala Harris, secretary of defence Lloyd Austin and treasury secretary Janet Yellen. First lady Jill Biden also came.

    Biden hosted a well attended US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC in December 2022. Kenyan president William Ruto paid a state visit to the White House in May.

    Yet our view, which is based on years of studying and writing on US and Africa relations, is that the Biden administration has not fulfilled its commitment to resetting US-Africa relations based on an equal partnership. It hasn’t recognised Africa’s growing agency in international affairs.

    We argue that there has been a mismatch between the rhetoric and practice of an equal partnership. For example, African leaders or the African Union were not consulted about the agenda of the 2022 US-Africa Leaders Summit. This was also the case with the US’s Africa strategy.

    This reflects the traditional paternalistic relationship of the US with Africa.



    Read more:
    Joe Biden in Africa: US president has ignored the continent for his entire term — why he’s visiting Angola

    Biden is due to visit Angola in December – his only African visit as president. A much more encouraging message of equal partnership would have been delivered if the US-Africa Leaders Summit, for example, had been held at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia. Biden would have then been able to engage with African leaders in the continent early in his term.

    A full diary of engagements

    There are a number of positive indicators of Biden’s commitment to reset relations with Africa.

    August 2022: The first tangible step was through the US Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa. This presented a shift in emphasis from great power politics (vis-a-vis China and Russia in Africa) and Trump’s America First diplomacy, to one of mutual respect and partnership (at least on paper) under Biden.

    Priorities included fostering open societies, delivering democratic and security dividends, advancing pandemic recovery and economic opportunity, and supporting the climate agenda.

    December 2022: The US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC was attended by 49 African leaders, three months after the release of the Africa strategy. The focus was on

    strengthening ties with African partners based on principles of mutual respect and shared interests and values.

    Biden pledged US$55 billion in investments until 2025 to advance goals that aligned with shared priorities. The US is said to have allocated 80% of said funds.

    The US used the summit to formally announce its support for the African Union’s membership of the G20. This was realised when the AU officially joined the G20 as a permanent member in 2023.

    November 2023: Biden hosted Angolan president João Lourenço at the White House on an official visit. They discussed cooperation on the economy, security, energy, transport, telecommunications, agriculture and outer space.

    May 2024: Kenyan president William Ruto’s state visit was the first by an African leader in more than 15 years.

    September 2024: US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced US support for Africa getting two permanent seats on the UN security council.

    Finally, Biden’s visit to Angola, set for the first week in December would be the first by a US president since 2015.

    What’s gone wrong

    It’s possible to see serious flaws in the US approach towards Africa set against the expectation of an equal partnership.

    Firstly, the US has attempted to undermine African agency through its bid to pressure African countries to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many African countries chose non-alignment.

    Secondly, the US championing two seats for Africa on the security council looks commendable on the surface. But the lack of veto power perpetuates power imbalances between Africa and the current permanent security council members – the US, France, the UK, Russia and China.

    The question again is how equal the partnership is if Africa will be a junior member of the security council.

    Thirdly, there has been a lack of joint agenda setting. African countries have made no input into US-Africa strategy or the US-Africa Leaders Summit.

    Failing to consult African leaders, institutions and civil society on the continent’s own priorities reflects the same old practice of imposing priorities on African states. It looks like a continuation of the usual passing off of American national interests as African interests.

    Fourthly, there have been challenges in implementing what’s set out in the US Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa. These have included inadequate resource allocation.



    Read more:
    US-Africa trade deal turns 25 next year: Agoa’s winners, losers and what should come next

    Fifth, the Biden administration has used the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) as diplomatic leverage over African countries. For example, in October 2023 it announced the removal of Uganda, Niger, Gabon and Central African Republic from the beneficiaries. Earlier, the administration removed Ethiopia, Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. These countries were removed from Agoa for not complying with US human rights and political demands.

    Between February and March 2024, the US Congress also considered the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Bill, which risks South Africa’s exclusion from Agoa because of Pretoria’s position on the Israel/Palestine conflict.

    Lastly, the fact that Biden is only visiting Africa in the last days of his presidency suggests Africa is not a priority. The fact that only one African head of state has been afforded a state visit to Washington reinforces this thinking.

    If the US is serious about equal partnership, it mustn’t treat Africa as an afterthought. It must always consult African states in shaping policies that affect them and the continent.

    Ruth Kasanga, a postgraduate student in the Department of Political Sciences and Research Assistant at the African Centre for the Study of the United States, University of Pretoria, made contributions to this article.

    Samuel Oyewole is affiliated with Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria.

    Christopher Isike 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. US-Africa relations under Biden: a mismatch between talk and action – https://theconversation.com/us-africa-relations-under-biden-a-mismatch-between-talk-and-action-242307

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Alzheimer’s treatment donanemab is not a ‘miracle drug’ – not providing it on the NHS is the right choice

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ian Maidment, Professor in Clinical Pharmacy, Aston University

    There was frustration in some corners of the media when it was announced that a new drug to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s was not going to be made available on the NHS.

    Alzheimer’s wonder drug blocked on NHS over cost, a Telegraph headline ran. The Daily Mail went with: Alzheimer’s ‘wonder’ drug will be blocked by NHS from TODAY due to cost.

    In late August, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which provides clinical guidance for the NHS, rejected another Alzheimer’s treatment called lecanemab. The media response at that time was similar.

    One million people in the UK have dementia, and this figure is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. We have no drugs that slow the disease progression – so-called “disease-modifying drugs” – for this mind-robbing disease, only drugs to treat symptoms. It is clear that we need new drugs, so has Nice made the wrong decision?

    Let’s dig a bit more into the rationale for Nice’s decision.

    The “wonder” drug (or “miracle drug”) that some newspapers referred to is donanemab, an antibody that latches onto amyloid plaques in the brain and removes them. These plaques are the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, but it is not known if they are the cause of Alzheimer’s or a consequence of it. (Some people have an abundance of these plaques but no Alzheimer’s.)

    At the end of October, Nice declined to approve this drug for use on the NHS for treating early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. This was despite the UK’s drugs regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) approving donanemab.

    How can we explain the different decisions of the two public bodies? And which one was right?

    We can understand the decisions in the context of the different roles of the MHRA and Nice. Essentially, the MHRA reviews the scientific evidence and decides whether the drug is safe and effective. It aims to assess whether the benefits outweigh the risks. If they do, then the drug is approved for use in the UK.

    Nice focuses on developing guidelines to support the adoption of new treatments, while considering value for money for the taxpayer alongside safety and effectiveness.

    We don’t know how much donanemab will cost in the UK. In the US, the list price is £25,000 per patient per year. It is thought that about 70,000 people in the UK would be eligible for treatment with donanemab.

    These drugs, donanemab and lecanemab, are given by infusion every two or four weeks and there are additional costs related to this and the monitoring needed.

    To successfully treat patients in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s, these people first need to be identified. So new specialist diagnostic clinics would need to be created to test and confirm potential underlying disease. This might include genetic tests and lumbar puncture tests (to look for elevated amyloid in spinal fluid).

    The drug infusions need to be started in specialist clinics with trained staff and facilities available for routine administration. This will all potentially increase the medication management burden on the patient and any family carer, which already can be difficult.

    Nice concluded that donanemab slows the rate of decline in symptoms, but is not a cure. We don’t know enough about the long-term effects or the cost-effectiveness of this treatment. Nice consulted various expert groups on how well donanemab works, and the consensus was that it is modest at best.

    The main outcome measurement used in the clinical trial was the integrated Alzheimer’s disease rating scale at 76 weeks. The scale, which measures both cognition and daily functioning, ranges from 0 to 144. A meaningful change is considered to be five points for people with Alzheimer’s who have mild cognitive impairment and nine points for people with Alzheimer’s who have mild dementia.

    The change in the scale from the start of the trial to 76 weeks was −10.19 in patients receiving donanemab compared with −13.11 in patients receiving a placebo. This difference of 2.92 is less than what is considered to be a meaningful change for patients. Given this, donanemab is certainly not a “wonder” drug or a “miracle” drug, and describing it as such may give false hope to vulnerable people with dementia and their family carers.

    Substantial side-effects

    The side-effect burden of donanemab is substantial and like all new drugs, more side-effects may be identified when it is used in day-to-day practice. One particular concern is swelling and bleeding on the brain.

    In human trials, brain swelling and bleeds occurred in 37% of patients on donanemab compared with 15% on the placebo. Overall, 13% of patients on donanemab stopped treatment because of the side-effects compared with 4% on placebo. Although the consequences are generally mild, it can lead to serious problems, such as seizures.

    Hypersensitivity reactions, including swelling of the lips, face, tongue, throat and other parts of the body and breathing difficulties, are also a risk.

    Many families in the UK have been touched by Alzheimer’s and fully understand the need for effective care. For families, one clear need is social care and support. Government after government has identified the need to invest in and reform social care. This, rather than spending money on drugs of questionable benefit, needs to be the priority.

    Ian Maidment 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. Alzheimer’s treatment donanemab is not a ‘miracle drug’ – not providing it on the NHS is the right choice – https://theconversation.com/alzheimers-treatment-donanemab-is-not-a-miracle-drug-not-providing-it-on-the-nhs-is-the-right-choice-242147

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Overshooting 1.5°C is risky – that’s why we need to hedge our bets

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Carl-Friedrich Schleussner, Research Group Leader, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

    Further warming hugely increases the risk we will pass climate tipping points, such as the collapse of Greenland’s ice sheet. Michal Balada / shutterstock

    The global response to climate change has gained momentum since the 2015 Paris agreement, yet it remains inadequate to meet the scale of the challenge. That agreement established the goal of holding global warming to well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. To achieve this, greenhouse gas emissions should peak and decline as soon as possible.

    The latest reports of the UN Environment Programme, the International Energy Agency and others have suggested that we are on the cusp of global emissions peaking. However, halting the increase in annual emissions is only the first step. Failure to act earlier and more decisively to bring emissions down to net zero has made limiting global warming to 1.5°C an uncomfortably close call.

    The IPCC has looked at “pathways” to keeping 1.5°C in reach. In nearly all of these, temperature rises will exceed 1.5°C, after which warming is reversed by humanity removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits. This temporary breach of 1.5°C for at least a few decades is referred to as “overshoot”.

    In a recent study in the journal Nature, we discuss the pitfalls of being overly optimistic about the feasibility and safety of such temperature overshoot scenarios. Excessive confidence could lead to underestimating the risks associated with going over 1.5°C – even temporarily.

    There is a need to be clear about what climate science does and does not know about overshoot, and plan accordingly. This means that, while some risks can be directly reduced by global climate action, others may require additional measures. A responsible strategy to limit near- and long-term climate risks requires both stringent near-term emission reductions and to develop a large-scale carbon removal capacity.

    What if the planet warms more than we expect?

    Even if warming goes below 1.5°C after the overshoot, the impacts of climate change will not automatically and uniformly reverse. Overshoot comes with irreversible consequences for people and ecosystems, such as species extinction, and the world we return to will be different from the one we failed to safeguard.

    We can’t be certain how much warming a given amount of greenhouse gas emissions will lead to, and overshoot projections are often based on a best estimate. The IPCC, for instance, talks about high overshoot pathways exceeding 1.5°C “by 0.1–0.3°C”.

    But those numbers are just the middle of a wide range of possible outcomes. In reality, uncertainty about how some features of the Earth system will respond to warming, such as the carbon cycle, means that peak warming could be substantially higher – by up to 1°C or more. We cannot even rule out continuous warming after reaching net zero carbon emissions. Every fraction of a degree of warming counts – exceeding 1.5°C by as much as an additional 1°C would come with grave repercussions.

    We may have to remove billions of tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.
    TR STOK

    A capacity to remove several hundred billion tonnes of CO₂ in this century might be needed to hedge against the risks of high warming outcomes, and to ensure we can bring warming back to 1.5°C once this has been exceeded.

    In fact, our results imply we might need close to 10 billion tonnes of CO₂ removal a year after 2050 (about 25% of current annual emissions). This would require a massive effort, but might just be possible with the rapid scaling up of a range of methods.

    These include well-known strategies such as restoring forests and wetlands and managing the soil better. But it also includes novel methods such as direct air capture technology, in which carbon would be sucked directly from the sky, or bioenergy and carbon capture and storage, which involves extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it underground.

    Some of these methods may not work out as envisioned due to technological, economic, social or sustainability limitations. But even if they do not work at the scale envisioned, or not at all, we still need to try.

    Limiting near- and long-term climate risks

    Because we can’t be certain exactly how much the climate will warm, we’ll need to limit the risks as much as possible.

    First, we must reduce emissions as fast as possible to slow down Earth’s temperature increase, limit peak warming, and reduce how dependent we ultimately are on removing large amounts of CO₂ to achieve net zero emissions.

    The Paris agreement accommodates such temperature reversal. Even if 1.5°C is exceeded, countries are obliged to hold peak temperatures to “well below 2°C” and to aim for long-term temperature decline.

    However, every fraction of warming will disproportionately make poor and vulnerable people suffer greater hardship, so delaying stringent emissions cuts is not a resilient strategy. The urgency to reduce emissions now should guide the next round of countries’ targets for cutting emissions that are due early next year.

    Second, we should consider hedging against high-risk, high-warming outcomes by building up our capacity to remove carbon and reverse warming. Just as governments hold strategic food and water reserves to weather unexpected disruptions, the world needs to develop the ability to remove large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. But, given potential limits to how much carbon removal we can scale up in time, we also cannot afford to squander this capacity on any emissions that could be avoided in the first place.

    Investing in this kind of removal capability, on top of pursuing the most ambitious emissions cuts possible, is a no-regrets strategy. Should we have certainty that a more fortunate climate outcome will materialise, being able to remove this scale of carbon would enable us to bring temperatures down faster. And if the warmer side of our projections are realised, we will have put ourselves in a position in which we are best equipped to make temperatures decline again.

    Achieving temperature decline in the long run would limit longer-term climate impacts. For instance, in our study we showed that temperature decline could shave off about 40cm (and potentially up to 1.5 metres) of global sea level rise in 2300. This could be the difference between having a future or not for whole nations of people. It may also limit risks from triggering tipping points in the Earth system, such as the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet or currents in the Atlantic ocean.

    The high-risk outcomes of overshooting 1.5°C means we need to do more, not less, right now – and to focus on bringing temperatures back below 1.5°C in the long run.


    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get our award-winning weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Carl-Friedrich Schleussner received funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation
    programme under grant agreement No 101003687 (PROVIDE).

    Gaurav Ganti received funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

    Joeri Rogelj received funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

    – ref. Overshooting 1.5°C is risky – that’s why we need to hedge our bets – https://theconversation.com/overshooting-1-5-c-is-risky-thats-why-we-need-to-hedge-our-bets-241623

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Russia is meddling in politics in Georgia and Moldova – trying to do by stealth what it is doing by war in Ukraine

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Amy Eaglestone, PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham; Visiting Lecturer, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University

    Recent votes in the former Soviet states of Georgia and Moldova have been dogged by interference from Russian-backed elements. Both countries had previously aspired towards closer ties with western Europe and future membership of the EU. And in both countries there is a strong suggestion of influence from Moscow that could jeopardise those aspirations.

    The Moldovan government held a referendum on the country’s EU accession target for 2030 on October 20. Despite consistent polling suggesting that 60% of Moldovans support further integration, the referendum only passed by a slim majority of 50.4%.

    On the same day, the first round of Moldova’s presidential election saw pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu secure 41% of the vote. This was insufficient for an outright win. Sandu now faces a run off against her closest rival, pro-Russian Alexandr Stoianoglo, who garnered 26% of the first vote.

    In the run-off, Stoianoglo will be backed by the two other candidates, both them pro-Russian populists. This makes a Sandu reelection far from inevitable.

    Meanwhile, in Georgia’s parliamentary elections on October 26, Georgian Dream won its fourth consecutive term with 54% of the vote, its best result to date. It will allow the pro-Russia party to retain control of the government and continue the process of pulling the country further away from Europe and towards closer ties with Moscow.

    This is despite the fact that there has been consistently strong popular support for EU integration and growing dissatisfaction toward Georgian Dream’s increasingly pro-Russian policies.

    The difference between public opinion as expressed by independent polling in both Moldova and Georgia and the outcomes of these votes has raised suspicions of interference. These suspicions have been further corroborated by international and domestic election monitoring organisations raising concerns that the elections were not entirely free and fair.

    The pro-European camps in both Moldova and Georgia say Russia is behind this. There is a suggestion that these efforts are part of Russia’s multifaceted hybrid warfare. It’s a campaign aimed at destabilising these countries and hindering their European integration.

    Russia has long manipulated domestic fears and grievances. The Kremlin and its agents have strong influence over media, civil society organisations and the orthodox church.

    Both Moldova and Georgia also have a Russian military presence. In Moldova this is in the breakaway region of Transnistria, where there is a “peacekeeping force” of about 2,000 troops. Georgia has two pro-Russia breakaways making up 20% of the total land area of the country, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

    The war in Ukraine has also heightened concerns in both both countries about Moscow’s ambitions towards them. Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party campaigned for a closer relationship with Russia.

    Its slogan, “No to war! Choose peace!” contrasted peace and alignment with Russia with being dragged into a war by the west. In Moldova opposition parties used similar rhetoric, calling for Russian protection and framing EU integration as a threat to national sovereignty. This resonated particularly among Russian-speaking populations.

    Russia’s influencers have also escalated cultural tensions in both countries. In Moldova, Moscow-backed opposition groups have rallied conservative segments of society to fight against governments efforts to introduce EU-aligned anti-discrimination legislation.

    Similarly, the Georgian Dream party introduced Russian-style anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Georgia to appeal to the traditional family values of conservative and religious voters. By leveraging such issues, Russia has aimed to exploit people’s cultural concerns, to increase political polarisation, and to affect political choices.

    Follow the money

    But the most important way the Kremlin, or people associated with Russia, is interfering in the domestic politics of Georgia and Moldova is money. In the case of Moldova, fugitive pro-Moscow tycoon Ilan Shor (who lives in Moscow after being found guilty of fraud in Moldova) has been accused of bribery and helping orchestrate electoral fraud. Shor has denied any wrongdoing connected to the election.

    Georgian banking and tech billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili one of the country’s wealthiest oligarchs, founded Georgian Dream in 2012. He has been described in one article as “the man who bought a country”. With a fortune worth the equivalent of 25% of Georgia’s GDP, he is thought to wield an outsize influence in the country’s politics, influence he reportedly uses to “tilt the country towards Moscow” (although some say he primarily furthers his own interests).

    Ivanishvili himself, announcing his return to mainstream politics in 2023 as the honorary chair of Georgian Dream, said the party’s role was to “protect our national identity, restore state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and transform Georgian into a high-income state till 2030 and bring it into the European Union”.

    In the conditions in these countries, individuals’ vast resources can be used unchecked for political activities. The influx of funds disadvantages opposing parties, who don’t have access to similar financial backing. They have created a lopsided political environment that favours Russian-aligned candidates.

    There is also a risk that informal or unchecked financing could also have funded election day irregularities. Reports of vote buying, ballot stuffing and violence at polling stations were observed in both countries.

    In one incident in Moldova captured by the BBC, a woman from Transnistria, where people still hold Moldovan citizenship, was filmed openly inquiring where she should go to receive payment for her vote.

    In Georgia, Ivanishvili’s influence allegedly extends to civil servants and the electoral commission as well as the judiciary, which rules on complaints of vote rigging. Claiming victory shortly after polls closed, Ivanishvili said: “It is a rare case in the world that the same party achieves such success in such a difficult situation.”

    The exact impact of Russian interference remains difficult to prove. But the dramatic apparent shifts in electoral sentiment are highly suggestive. This kind of election interference opens the door for autocratic leaders to gradually dismantle democratic institutions.

    This then allows them to enact further illiberal policies, such as the hated recent “foreign agents” law modelled after similar Russian legislation, which targets pro-democracy civil society organisations critical of the government.

    Moldovans are now preparing to vote in the run-off election on November 3, which will determine the immediate future of the country and could affect its future relationship with Europe. Many Georgians, meanwhile – led by the country’s president, Salome Zourabichvili – have taken to the streets to protest what Zourabichvili has called the “total falsification” of the vote.

    If she and Sandu are right, Russia – along with its supporters – appears to be trying to achieve, through this “hybrid warfare” in Georgia and Moldova, what it is striving for on the battlefield in Ukraine: regaining control over currently free nations that used to be Russia’s obedient satellites.

    Amy Eaglestone 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. Russia is meddling in politics in Georgia and Moldova – trying to do by stealth what it is doing by war in Ukraine – https://theconversation.com/russia-is-meddling-in-politics-in-georgia-and-moldova-trying-to-do-by-stealth-what-it-is-doing-by-war-in-ukraine-242135

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gaza: can the UN suspend Israel over its treatment of Palestinians? It’s complicated, but yes

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Aidan Hehir, Reader in International Relations, University of Westminster

    “Where is the UN?” is a question that has often been asked since the start of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. As the death toll rises and the conflict spreads, the UN appears woefully unable to fulfil its mandate to save humanity “from the scourge of war” – as it was set up to do.

    While the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, has repeatedly condemned Israel – and been banned from the country for his pains – his pleas have been ignored. Attempts by the UN to sanction Israel have also failed. UN sanctions require the UN security council’s consent. The US has used its power as a permanent member to veto draft resolutions seeking to do so.



    Read more:
    Hard Evidence: who uses veto in the UN Security Council most often – and for what?

    There have also been calls to suspend Israel from the UN. On October 30, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, called on the UN general assembly to suspend Israel’s membership because, as he said: “Israel is attacking the UN system.”

    Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories is reported to have told a news conference the same day that the UN should “consider the suspension of Israel’s credentials as a member of the UN until it ends violating international law and withdraws the ‘clearly unlawful’ occupation.”

    But suspending a member is more complicated and politically fraught than many appreciate.

    Israel and the UN

    For decades, Israel’s relationship with the UN has been fractious. This is primarily because of the UN’s stance on what it refers to as Israel’s “unlawful presence” in what it defines as
    “occupied territories” in Palestine. In the past 12 months of the latest conflict in Gaza, this relationship has deteriorated further.

    Many have argued that Israel has repeatedly violated UN resolutions and treaties, including the genocide convention during its campaign in Gaza. Some UN officials have accused Israel – and certain Palestinian groups – of committing war crimes. Israel has also come into direct conflict with UN agencies – some 230 UN personnel have been killed during the offensive, and many governments and UN officials have alleged that Israel deliberately targeted UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

    But the enmity between Israel and the UN came to a head on October 28, when the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, banned the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) from operating inside Israel, sparking a wave of condemnation.

    The UN’s powers

    Given this open hostility towards the UN, it is not surprising that some are now calling for Israel’s membership to be suspended.

    But can the UN legally suspend a member? The answer is yes. Under articles 5 and 6 of the UN charter a member state may be suspended or expelled if it is found to have “persistently violated the Principles contained in the present Charter”.

    But articles 5 and 6 both state that suspension and expulsion require the consent of the general assembly as well as “the recommendation of the security council”. As such, suspending Israel requires the consent of the five permanent security council members: the US, UK, China, Russia and France.

    And, given the US’s past record and current president Joe Biden’s affirmation of his “ironclad support” for Israel, this is effectively inconceivable. But while it is, therefore, highly unlikely that articles 5 or 6 will be invoked against Israel, there remains a potentially feasible option.

    The South Africa precedent

    At the start of each annual general assembly session, the credentials committee reviews submissions from each member state before they are formally admitted. Usually, this is a formality, but on September 27 1974, the credentials of South Africa – which was then operating an apartheid system – were rejected.

    Tanzanian ambasador to the UN, Salim A. Salim, announces that South Africa has been suspended fdrom the UN, November 1974.
    Teddy Chen/photograph courtesy of the United Nations

    Three days later, the general assembly passed resolution 3207 which called on the security council to, “review the relationship between the United Nations and South Africa in light of the constant violation by South Africa of the principles of the Charter”.

    A draft resolution calling for South Africa’s expulsion was eventually put to the security council at the end of October, but it was vetoed by the US, the UK and France.

    However, on November 12, the president of the general assembly, Algeria’s Abdelaziz Bouteflika, ruled that given the credentials committee’s decision and the passing of resolution 3207, “the general assembly refuses to allow the delegation of South Africa to participate in its work”. South Africa remained suspended from the general assembly until June 1994 following the ending of apartheid.

    It is important to note that South Africa was not formally suspended from the UN, only the general assembly. Nonetheless, it was a hugely significant move.

    A viable solution?

    Could the same measure be applied against Israel and would it be effective? The South Africa case shows it is legally possible. It would also undoubtedly send a powerful message, simultaneously increasing Israel’s international isolation and restoring some much needed faith in the UN.

    The 79th session of the UN general assembly began in September, so it’s too late for the credentials committee to reject Israel. But this could conceivably happen prior to the 80th session next year, if there was sufficient political will. But this is a big “if”.

    Though a majority of states in the general assembly are highly critical of Israel, many do not want the credentials committee to become more politically selective because they fear this could be used against them in the future. Likewise, few want to incur the wrath of the US by suspending its ally.

    As ever, what is legally possible and what is politically likely are two very different things.

    Aidan Hehir 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. Gaza: can the UN suspend Israel over its treatment of Palestinians? It’s complicated, but yes – https://theconversation.com/gaza-can-the-un-suspend-israel-over-its-treatment-of-palestinians-its-complicated-but-yes-242559

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Birmingham Cultural Compact launch and Culture Strategy refresh

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Early October saw the first official ‘coming together’ of the new Birmingham Cultural Compact Board.

    A cross-sector partnership designed to support the city’s cultural sector and enhance its contribution to development, it has a special emphasis on cross-sector engagement beyond the cultural sector itself.  

    The Cultural Compacts model was born out of the UK Cultural Cities Investment Inquiry 2019 and their implementation in towns and cities across the country has been supported by Arts Council England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

    Chaired by Professor David Mba (Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University) with Councillor Saima Suleman (Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism at the city council) as Deputy Chair, the Birmingham Cultural Compact brings together stakeholders from the local authority, culture, business, education, healthcare and allied sectors with the aim to help culture thrive and grow in the city and, in turn, increase the city’s health, wellbeing, resilience, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. 

    Chair of the Birmingham Cultural Compact Professor David Mba said “It is an immense privilege to lead Birmingham’s Cultural Compact Board. We hope to offer the strategic vision for the future that represents the voices of all local communities.  Birmingham has a unique and diverse culture that has global impact. We saw this through the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and, more recently, the city’s successful bid to host the Serendipity Arts Festival.  Our work will put the preservation and celebration of culture at the forefront of regional decision making.” 

    Councillor Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and tourism and Deputy Chair of the Birmingham Cultural Compact, stated: “The establishment of the Birmingham Cultural Compact marks a pivotal moment for our city. By uniting diverse sectors—culture, business, education, and healthcare—we can cultivate a thriving cultural landscape that not only enriches lives but also drives economic growth and community wellbeing. Together, we will ensure that Birmingham’s cultural sector flourishes for generations to come.”

    Erica Love, Chief Executive Office of Culture Central said “We know the power Culture has on people and places and we believe in the power of working collectively. Culture Central are excited to be supporting Birmingham’s Cultural Compact and the collaborative approach to the Cultural strategy. It’s great to see the importance of Culture recognised and the vital role it plays in the City.  We look forward to working with the Compact to advocate for, develop and celebrate the vibrant and varied cultural ecology of Birmingham.”

    One of the first actions for the Birmingham Cultural Compact is to lead and oversee development of Birmingham’s new Cultural Strategy 2025 – 2035. Creative Concern, a creative and strategy agency that works on local and regional projects across the UK has been commissioned to deliver the new ten-year arts and culture strategy for Birmingham, supported by its partner consultancy Hatch. Their work will build  on the previous extensive consultation that resulted in the city’s Cultural Statement of Intent but also build on the considerable cultural successes that Birmingham has demonstrated to date. The outcome of the project will be an action-orientated framework strategy that supports culture and the arts across Birmingham for the next ten years.

    Founder and Director of Creative Concern, Steve Connor, said: “Culture is the lifeblood of any city and never was that more the case than for Birmingham. We’re delighted to be working collaboratively with a range of partners from across the city to develop this new strategy, which will re-affirm the importance of culture and the transformative role it can play in delivering civic pride, greater prosperity, wellbeing and of course, joy, happiness and entertainment.” 

    Tim Fanning, Director at Hatch, said: “Culture makes life worthwhile, and we at Hatch spend a lot of time helping institutions and places make the case for it. We are very happy to be supporting partners in Birmingham to ensure that its cultural strategy is built on firm socio-economic evidence.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Cammack Joins Florida Colleagues In Urging USDA To Expedite Aid For Hurting Florida Agricultural Producers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Kat Cammack joined Congressman Scott Franklin (R-FL-18), and Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, in a letter from the entire Florida delegation writing Secretary Vilsack to strongly urge the USDA take immediate action to provide disaster assistance for Florida agricultural producers affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    “Back-to-back hurricanes have dealt a devastating blow to Florida’s agricultural producers, many of whom are still recovering from the disastrous 2022 season,” said Congressman Franklin. “After four major storms in two years, our farmers and ranchers desperately need help now. One-size-fits-all federal disaster programs consistently fail our state’s agricultural sector, creating onerous application processes and delaying critical aid. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, when USDA administered appropriated funds to Florida through a block grant, the state quickly got help into the hands of our producers.  Putting Florida in the driver’s seat made all the difference. Forgoing a federal program in favor of a state solution is a critical, but simple fix.”

    “The devastation from Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton has hit Florida’s farmers hard, and the impacts are rippling through our state. These back-to-back storms wiped out crops, destroyed infrastructure, and put countless livelihoods in jeopardy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture must act swiftly to deliver the critical aid our agricultural producers need to rebuild and recover. Florida can’t do this alone, and our farmers deserve nothing less than our full support,” said Senator Rubio (R-FL).

    “I’m grateful to Congressman Franklin, Senators Rubio and Scott, and the Florida delegation for working together to provide support for our agricultural communities after the two devastating hurricanes this fall,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “When Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region, my colleagues to the south were quick to jump in and support our efforts as the recovery process began, and I’ll be here to do the same with Hurricane Milton in South and Central Florida. Agriculture is one of our state’s top industries and largest exports, and without it and all of the amazing people who work to feed, clothe, and fuel our state, we’d simply never be the same. I look forward to seeing this effort across the finish line and ensuring our producers have everything they need to recover and come back stronger.”

    Specifically, in the letter Rep. Franklin and the Florida delegation:

    1. Emphasize the necessity for the USDA to utilize block grants to distribute aid to Florida and other specialty-crop states, where high volume of disaster program applications overwhelm local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and delay assistance for producers;
    2. Demand USDA enhance current FSA operations and improve staffing issues;
    3. Urge the USDA to provide a budgetary request to House and Senate Appropriations Committees to ensure Congress can appropriate adequate funding for disaster response;
    4. Discuss crop insurance reforms to help specialty crop producers recover in tandem with disaster aid; and
    5. Reasserts Congress’ desire to collaborate with USDA to ensure proper support for Florida agriculture.

    Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast just 13 days after Helene and brought high winds, flooding and damage across the entire state. Milton’s path impacted some of Florida’s most productive agricultural areas for fruits, vegetables, dairy, cattle, citrus and other specialty crops. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the preliminary estimate of total crop and infrastructure losses ranges from $1.5 to $2.5 billion.

    Congress appropriates relief and disaster funds for the USDA to disburse relief. Currently, it is USDA’s practice to stand up new, unique programs after disasters. These programs are administered by FSA, the USDA subagency charged with helping agricultural producers apply for aid and other USDA assistance programs.

    This practice not only makes the disaster relief process arduous, but also delays delivery of critical assistance for the producers who feed our state and nation. FSA offices across Florida are still having trouble facilitating disaster assistance programs after 2022 Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, which were not in the form of a block grant.

    In contrast, block grants administered by the state expedite disbursement, free up personnel at FSA to efficiently carry out routine programs and provide needed flexibility for states. 

    After Hurricane Irma, Congress appropriated relief to help Florida agriculture and USDA delivered that aid through a block grant to the state. The State of Florida was successful in getting that aid without delay.

    You can read the text of the letter here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Interest of foreign citizens in studying at HSE is growing: results of 2024/25 admissions and the start of a new campaign

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The steady growth of interest in studying at HSE, especially among applicants from the CIS and Asia, speaks to the high quality of Russian education. This year, as part of a separate competition for foreign citizens, 2,267 students were enrolled in all HSE campuses for the 2024/25 academic year, which is 14% more than last year.

    November 1st starts Admission campaign for foreign citizens planning to enter in 2025. The results of the 2024/25 admissions campaign for foreign applicants were previously announced.

    HSE Vice-Rector Victoria Panova commented on the growing demand for Russian higher education, emphasizing the campaign’s success: “There are a number of factors that explain the interest in studying at HSE. Applicants and their parents are attracted by the opportunity to receive a high-quality, world-class education in various fields of study. HSE occupies leading positions in national and international rankings. Our graduates are in demand in most sectors of the labor market and can count on a very high level of salary already at the start of their careers, which is proven, among other things, by first place in the ranking of universities with the best reputation among employers by Forbes Education“.

    Having received a diploma from the National Research University Higher School of Economics, a graduate receives a ticket to a world of great opportunities and a wide range of modern, well-paid professions.

    Total number of applicants

    The number of applications for undergraduate and graduate programs has also increased this year: 33.3% more applications for undergraduate programs and almost twice as many for graduate programs. At the same time, the ratio of the number of enrolled students to the number of applications has decreased, which indicates that the requirements for international applicants have increased. Among the first-year undergraduate students of 2024/25, as in the previous year, the majority are from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China and Turkmenistan. The number of students from Moldova, Vietnam and Armenia has increased. In the graduate program, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of enrolled citizens of Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, while the number of applicants from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India and Kyrgyzstan has decreased.

    What areas do foreign applicants choose?

    Among the most popular areas for international undergraduate students are still “Design”, “Business Management” And “Economy”. Master’s programs are in demand “Data Analytics for Business and Economics”, “International Relations: European and Asian Studies” And “Finance”.

    Alexander Deev, Director of Talent Abroad, notes: “The 2024/25 admissions campaign was a success, and this was made possible by the coordinated work of all HSE campuses. We are proud that HSE attracts truly talented applicants not only from Russia, but also from around the world. Thanks to the unified admissions system, international applicants do not need to take exams at each individual campus, or travel or fly in, which makes the process more convenient and creates equal opportunities for everyone.”

    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: Marat Khusnullin stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to modernizing the housing and utilities sector at a headquarters meeting

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin held a meeting of the presidium (headquarters) of the Government Commission on Regional Development, where they discussed key tasks in further work on modernizing the public utility infrastructure and other key areas of the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”.

    “We have large-scale plans ahead for the construction of housing, related and non-residential infrastructure, so it is extremely important to plan the work in terms of housing and communal services competently. Regional teams should already now describe in detail where we are modernizing communal facilities and where we are building new ones. We need to develop a maximally systematic approach, and for this purpose we are working on a “road map” for improving the regulatory framework for housing and communal services. I draw the attention of governors to the need to update general plans, heat, water supply and sanitation schemes, as well as control over the fulfillment of social obligations to citizens, in whose income the payment for housing and communal services takes up a significant part. I emphasize that the modernization of housing and communal services should become a priority for each region in the coming decades,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that within the framework of the national project “Infrastructure for Life” for 200 large and small cities, master plans will be developed on the instructions of the President. They will be designed to significantly simplify urban development procedures, which in turn will allow for the prompt updating of territorial development plans. Proposals for legislative consolidation of master plans will be presented in the near future.

    The meeting participants discussed the progress of national and federal projects in the regions. Marat Khusnullin noted the Chechen Republic, Penza, Nizhny Novgorod, Kursk regions and the Republic of Adygea, which consistently show good results and are successful in 17 or more programs.

    In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister noted the need to continue the active work of the Territorial Development Fund to monitor the activities of entities in terms of fulfilling plans for the major repairs of apartment buildings and implementing projects at the expense of infrastructure budget and special treasury loans. Thus, 289 facilities of engineering and utilities, road, transport, social infrastructure and infrastructure of the special economic zone have already been commissioned using IBC funds, more than 1.7 thousand units of public transport have been purchased and delivered. Thanks to the SCC, 18 facilities have been completed, and almost 6 thousand new buses have been delivered to the 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: An additional $22.2 million to support farm businesses affected by weather hazards in 2023

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    Canada-Quebec Initiative to Help Mitigate the Impacts of Excess Rainfall in Quebec in 2023

    October 31, 2024 – Quebec City, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are launching the Canada-Quebec Initiative to Help Mitigate the Impacts of Excess Rainfall in Quebec in 2023 (known as AgriRecovery). The Canada-Quebec Initiative will provide $22,2 million in addition to the sums already allocated by existing programs. The financial support will partially offset the extraordinary costs incurred by vegetable, potato, strawberry and raspberry growers affected by the exceptionally adverse weather conditions of summer 2023.

    André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region, and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, made the announcement today.

    Here are the key points for companies affected by the Initiative:

    • The registration form will be available in December 2024 in the producer’s online account at La Financière agricole du Québec (FADQ).
    • The registration period will run from December 2024 to February 2025.
    • The registration will be online only, and no paper forms will be made available.
    • If necessary, a FADQ staff member will contact the company to obtain information or request additional supporting documents.
    • To demonstrate that they have incurred costs beyond their capacity, companies will have to provide financial data covering the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons if they have not already done so. They will also have to meet the Initiative’s criteria, in particular having incurred a given level of expenditure for the categories eligible for the Initiative.

    In the meantime, companies are asked to create or update their FADQ online account. If they need assistance in this regard, they are asked to contact their service centre.

    To speed up the processing of applications, if they have not already done so, companies participating in AgriStability are encouraged to submit their financial data for the 2023 participation year to the FADQ as soon as possible. For companies not participating in AgriStability, it will be possible to register by filing audited tax documents, such as the T2042 form.

    Full participation details will be available shortly on the FADQ website.

    Quotes

    “Our farmers work so hard every single day, often in the face of different challenges, including unpredictable weather. Our government will always be there to support them and help them build resilience, so they can continue to produce the top-quality products they have become known for.”

    – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

    “For our government, it was essential to come to the aid of agricultural businesses to respond to the consequences of exceptional weather, which were disastrous for many of them. I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to supporting farms in their efforts to improve their resilience to the impacts of climate change, for a strong, agile and competitive sector.”

    – André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region

    Quick facts

    • Summer 2023 was characterized by abundant and frequent rainfall in the regions of Montérégie, Capitale-Nationale, Laurentides, Montréal-Laval-Lanaudière, Chaudière-Appalaches, Mauricie, Estrie, Centre-du-Québec, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Outaouais, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Côte-Nord.

    • Production losses, combined with the extraordinary costs due to the situation, have had an impact on the liquidity and financial capacity of Quebec horticultural companies.

    • The Initiative, which will be administered by the FADQ, stems from the AgriRecovery disaster relief framework under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Multilateral Framework Agreement.

    • AgriRecovery is a federal-provincial/territorial disaster relief framework. It is more precisely designed to help agricultural producers meet the extraordinary costs of recovering from natural disasters. AgriRecovery initiatives are cost-shared by the federal government and the provinces and territories concerned on a 60%-40% basis, as set out by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

    • In addition to risk management programs, the Initiative completes a series of measures put in place by the FADQ and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ) to support horticultural producers following the excess rainfall in 2023, for example:

      • Introduction of the Mesure complémentaire pour certaines productions horticoles affectées lors de la saison de culture 2023 (Complementary assistance measure for certain horticultural crops affected during the 2023 growing season). This measure offers assistance, which is complementary to the Agri-Québec Plus assistance, which allows the company to record at most $200,000 in net profit, depending on the number of shareholders or the equivalent established by the FADQ;
      • $30 million increase in the Working Capital component of the Sustainable Growth Investment Program, for a total of $55 million;
      • Grant of $50,000 in financial assistance to the Association des producteurs maraîchers du Québec to conduct a study explaining the low rate of enrollment in crop insurance;
      • Payment of indemnities in advance at the request of producers;
      • Extension of warehouse loss coverage for some crops;
      • Extensions of sowing deadlines for market garden crops;

    • Cancellation of the account-to-account policy for companies that request it.

    • Financial assistance could reach up to $904 per hectare for vegetable crops and potatoes, and up to $3,613 per hectare for strawberries and raspberries.

    • This announcement is the result of discussions and exchanges between various stakeholders involved.

    • Agricultural associations and the MAPAQ continue their collaboration to adapt the sector to climate change.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For media:

    Annie Cullinan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Ottawa, Ontario
    613-773-7972
    1-866-345-7972
    aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
    Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Makena Mahoney
    Minister’s Office
    Makena.Mahoney@ontario.ca

    Meaghan Evans
    Communications Branch
    OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca
    519-826-3145

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: GBA ambulance transfers set for Nov

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today conducted a second drill for the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area, which is expected to launch next month.

    It carried out the drill in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government to observe the simulated transfer of a patient by a cross-boundary ambulance.

    Having obtained the quota for cross-boundary ambulances of Guangdong and Hong Kong, the Shenzhen ambulance participating in the drill today is able to travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen with dual licence plates of the Mainland and Hong Kong, further streamlining the actual operation and procedures for the direct ambulance transfer.

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau, together with relevant representatives of the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government inspected the drill at the Hospital Authority’s Major Incident Control Centre.

    Prof Lo noted that the governments of the three places have finalised the mechanism and procedures for the direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

    He expressed confidence that the pilot scheme could be launched next month to provide a point-to-point transfer arrangement between designated hospitals for patients with specific clinical needs, adding that by then, patients can be transferred in a safer, more timely and convenient manner.

    The direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangement in the GBA concerns not only patients’ safety but also the cross-boundary travel of vehicles, healthcare personnel, medication and devices as well as dangerous goods for medical use, the health chief noted.

    He said the Hong Kong SAR Government will keep deepening collaboration with other GBA cities and harmonise rules and mechanisms among the bay area cities to ensure safety for entry or exit and quarantine.

    The pilot scheme is limited to transfers between designated hospitals with the first phase focusing on the arrangement of direct ambulance transfer of patients from designated hospitals in Shenzhen and Macau to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong.

    The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital and the Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao are the designated hospitals.

    The cross-boundary ambulance mechanism will only be activated when a prior agreement between these two sending hospitals and designated public hospitals in Hong Kong has been reached in advance.

    They have to take the clinical needs, safety and interests of patients as the prime concerns, and have a mechanism in place to avoid abuse, while ensuring the safety of cross-boundary transfer.

    Prof Lo also thanked various national ministries, including the State Council’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, the National Health Commission and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China for the successful implementation of the transfer arrangement, and their support and guidance.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Secretary General to visit Germany

    Source: NATO

    On Monday, 4 November 2024, Secretary General Mark Rutte will travel to Berlin, Germany.

    The Secretary General will meet the President, Mr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Chancellor, Mr Olaf Scholz, the Minister of Defence, Mr Boris Pistorius, the Minister of Finance, Mr Christian Lindner, and other senior officials.

    Media advisory

    15:50 (CET)  Joint press conference by the Secretary General and the Chancellor of Germany

    Media coverage

    The press conference will be streamed live on the NATO website.

    A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks, as well as photographs, will be on the NATO website. Video can be downloaded from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.

    For more information:
    General queries: contact the NATO Press Office
    Follow us on X: @NATO, @SecGenNATO and @NATOPress

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES GROUP PLC – 30 10 2024] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES GROUP PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 30 OCTOBER 2024
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 0.375p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 10,024,162 1.2654    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 10,024,162 1.2654    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    0.375p ORDINARY PURCHASE 1,770 90.1188p
    0.375p ORDINARY PURCHASE 220 90.12p
    0.375p ORDINARY PURCHASE 15,750 90.6p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 31 OCTOBER 2024
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. (OTC: BCAP) Announces Successful Reinstatement with the State of Florida and Outlines Strategic Path to Regulatory Compliance and Market Expansion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Miami, FL, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. (OTC: BCAP) is pleased to announce its successful reinstatement with the State of Florida Secretary of State, effective October 30, 2024. This significant milestone underscores the company’s commitment to regulatory compliance and sets the foundation for a new era of growth and development.

    Strategic Compliance Initiatives

    Under the leadership of Jake P. Noch, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. is undertaking several key initiatives to enhance its corporate governance and regulatory standing:

    •       Updating Articles of Incorporation: The company will proceed to update its Articles of Incorporation to reflect its renewed strategic direction and operational focus.

    •       Financial Statement Preparation: Baron Capital is committed to preparing and filing comprehensive financial statements covering the period from 2017 to the present. This effort is crucial for regaining compliance with disclosure requirements and ensuring transparency for shareholders and regulatory bodies.

    •       Regaining Disclosure Compliance: By addressing past filing deficiencies, the company aims to restore its compliance with all regulatory disclosure obligations, reinforcing its reputation as a trustworthy publicly traded entity.

    •       Engaging a Market Maker: The company plans to engage a leading market maker to assist in filing a new Form 211 with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This action is intended to restore proprietary quote eligibility, enhancing market confidence and facilitating efficient trading of the company’s shares.

    Rebranding and Expansion Strategy

    In alignment with its forward-looking strategy, Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. plans to rename and rebrand itself as Sunset Trading Group LTD. This rebranding initiative reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and its focus on emerging opportunities in the financial services sector.

    As part of its expansion plans, the company intends to establish or acquire a non-U.S. subsidiary that will seek registration as an offshore broker-dealer. This subsidiary will specialize in ultra-high-frequency proprietary trading, leveraging advanced trading algorithms and strategies to capitalize on market inefficiencies and drive profitability.

    Commitment to Shareholders

    Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. extends its sincere gratitude to its shareholders for their patience and unwavering support during this transitional period. The company is dedicated to maintaining open and transparent communication as it progresses through each phase of its strategic plan. Under Mr. Noch’s leadership, Baron Capital is poised to re-emerge as a dynamic and influential player in the financial markets, with a focus on sustainable, long-term growth.

    About Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. (OTC: BCAP)

    https://www.sunsettg.com

    Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. (OTC: BCAP) is a publicly traded portfolio company of Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC., a St. Kitts & Nevis-based single family office. The company is currently undergoing a comprehensive restoration and restructuring process under the leadership of Jake P. Noch. Baron Capital is focused on exploring new business opportunities in the financial services sector, including the establishment of an offshore Broker-Dealer subsidiary to engage in ultra-high-frequency proprietary trading. As part of its transformation, the company plans to rename and rebrand itself as Sunset Trading Group LTD.

    About Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC

    https://www.jakepnoch.com/

    Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC is a single-family office with no outside clients, dedicated to strategically investing in Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and fostering the growth of emerging companies. Our firm specializes in guiding these ventures towards successful exits through public market mergers, leveraging our expertise and resources to maximize their potential. At Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC, we are more than just investors—we are partners committed to the long-term success of the companies we support. Through continuous financial backing facilitated by court-approved 3(a)(10) mechanisms, we provide ongoing support to ensure sustained growth and prosperity, driving value creation and innovation in the businesses we invest in.

    Forward-Looking Statements:

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC., BARON CAPITAL ENTERPRISE, INC. to accomplish their stated plan of business. Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC., BARON CAPITAL ENTERPRISE, INC. believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable; however, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC., BARON CAPITAL ENTERPRISE, INC., or any other person.

    Non-Legal Advice Disclosure:

    This press release does not constitute legal advice, and readers are advised to seek legal counsel for any legal matters or questions related to the content herein.

    Non-Investment Advice Disclosure:

    This communication is intended solely for informational purposes and does not in any way imply or constitute a recommendation or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, commodities, bonds, options, derivatives, or any other investment products. Any decisions related to investments should be made after thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor or professional. We assume no liability for any actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this communication.

    Contact

    investors@ProMusicRights.com

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JPNFamilyOffice

    Twitter: https://x.com/Sunset_TG

    SOURCE: BARON CAPITAL ENTERPRISE, INC.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: US applies double standards on nuclear issue: Defense Spokesperson 2024-10-31 “On the nuclear issue, the US has long been holding a “flashlight” only to check on the behaviors of others but not itself,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference on Thursday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

      BEIJING, Oct. 31 — “On the nuclear issue, the US has long been holding a “flashlight” only to check on the behaviors of others but not itself,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference on Thursday.

      The spokesperson made the remarks when responding to the US’s speculative hype of China’s nuclear force. It is reported that the latest review of the US Defense Intelligence Agency said that China was accelerating and expanding nuclear arsenal of its Army, Navy and Air Force. According to statistics from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global nuclear arms race is intensifying. As of January 2024, the total number of global nuclear warheads has amounted to 12,121.

      “The US has been deliberately hyping up the non-existent ‘China nuclear threat’, only to cover up its malicious agenda of maintaining hegemony,” said the spokesperson, pointing out that the US, with the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, pursues a nuclear policy of first use of nuclear weapons, conducts nuclear intimidation and blackmail on others, and plays with fire by seeking nuclear proliferation, which seriously undermines global strategic security and stability.

      The spokesperson further noted that China pursues a self-defensive nuclear strategy, and is committed to a nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances. China keeps its nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security and has no intention to engage in arms race with any country.

      “What the US needs to do is not to make groundless accusations on others but to introspect its fault and correct its wrong doings,” said the spokesperson, adding that  the US should earnestly assume its special and primary responsibilities toward nuclear disarmament, and take concrete actions to reduce global strategic security risks.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: The MND: China and India Jointly Safeguard Peace and Tranquility in the Border Areas 2024-10-31 China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border areas through diplomatic and military channels. The frontline troops of the two militaries are making progress in implementing the resolutions in a orderly manner.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

      Question: It is reported that China and India have reached a deal on patrol arrangements in the border areas, which can lead to disengagement, ending a conflict began in 2020. India’s Chief of Army Staff recently said that India hopes to restore the border situation to the state before April 2020, and gradually resume normal management along the Line of Control. May I have your comment?

      Zhang Xiaogang: China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border areas through diplomatic and military channels. The frontline troops of the two militaries are making progress in implementing the resolutions in a orderly manner. President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the margins of the BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. Both sides agreed that China and India should view and handle the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and make sure that differences on specific issues would not affect the overall bilateral relationship. We hope the Indian side will work together with China, take the important common understandings between the two state leaders as guidance, continuously implement the above-mentioned resolutions, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas.

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    MIL OSI China News –