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  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to joint declaration by G7 defence ministers expressing concern over China’s joint military exercise around Taiwan and reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to joint declaration by G7 defence ministers expressing concern over China’s joint military exercise around Taiwan and reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability

    October 20, 2024  

    The Group of Seven (G7) defense ministers held a meeting in Naples, Italy, from October 18 to 20. In a joint declaration issued on October 19, they expressed concern over China’s provocative actions, particularly the recent People’s Liberation Army military drills around Taiwan. They reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait was indispensable to international security and prosperity and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highly welcomes and sincerely appreciates the G7 member states’ staunch support for maintaining the peaceful status quo across the Taiwan Strait. 

     

    As a responsible member of the Indo-Pacific community, Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with G7 member countries and take concrete actions to uphold the core values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. It will work in solidarity with like-minded partners to safeguard the rules-based international order and promote prosperity and stability in the region and throughout the world.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to joint passage of US, Canadian warships through Taiwan Strait on October 20

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to joint passage of US, Canadian warships through Taiwan Strait on October 20

    October 21, 2024 

    The US Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins and the Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver conducted a routine transit of the Taiwan Strait on October 20. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomes and affirms the United States and Canada once again taking concrete action to emphasize the Taiwan Strait’s status in law as an international waterway and their firm stance on safeguarding freedom of navigation and regional stability.

     

    The US 7th Fleet and Canadian Joint Operations Command provided details of their joint mission in separate media statements and posts on the social media platform X. The US 7th Fleet statement noted that the transit had taken place through waters where high-seas freedom of navigation applied in accordance with international law. It said that the mission demonstrated the United States’ and Canada’s commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations and that the international community’s navigational rights and freedoms in the Taiwan Strait should not be limited. It further stated that the United States rejected any assertion of sovereignty or jurisdiction that was inconsistent with freedoms of navigations, overflight, or other lawful uses of the sea and air. The Canadian Joint Operations Command post on X stated that its activities promoted peace, resilience, and security in the Indo-Pacific.

     

    This was the fourth joint transit of the Taiwan Strait by the United States and Canada in under two years, demonstrating democratic allies’ determination to take firm and concrete actions to safeguard Taiwan Strait peace. The government of Taiwan will continue to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, staunchly oppose authoritarian expansion, and deepen cooperation with like-minded nations so as to jointly defend the rules-based international order as well as peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign Minister Lin to attend Saint Vincent and Grenadines’ 45th Independence Day celebrations as presidential envoy and visit Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Christopher and Nevis

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Foreign Minister Lin to attend Saint Vincent and Grenadines’ 45th Independence Day celebrations as presidential envoy and visit Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Christopher and Nevis

    • Date：2024-10-23
    • Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

    October 23, 2024 

    No. 362

    Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will celebrate the 45th anniversary of independence on October 27. Underscoring the importance that Taiwan attaches to its diplomatic relations between the two countries, President Lai Ching-te appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung as his special envoy to extend congratulations to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on behalf of the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). During his visit, Minister Lin will attend various celebration activities and meet with Governor-General Susan Dougan and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to exchange views on issues of mutual concern and the direction of future cooperation. 

     

    To further deepen Taiwan’s friendships with its Latin American and Caribbean allies, Minister Lin will also visit four other countries—Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Christopher and Nevis. He will hold meetings with their respective heads of state and government and conduct an inspection tour of bilateral collaboration projects. The delegation led by Minister Lin will depart on October 23 and return to Taipei on November 2. Minister Lin’s wife will accompany him on his visit to Guatemala. She has been invited by Guatemalan First Lady Lucrecia Peinado, who recently traveled to Taiwan for National Day celebrations.

     

    On this trip, Minister Lin will discuss in detail the content and vision of the Taiwan government’s Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. This initiative will mark a new chapter of bilateral cooperation based on mutual benefits and shared prosperity, with a shift from consolidating alliances to creating prosperity. Taiwan and its allies will build on the existing solid foundations to further deepen collaboration, support national development programs, and enhance people’s well-being.

     

    Taiwan and its allies in Latin America and the Caribbean enjoy robust relations, having long engaged in close cooperation across such domains as public health, health care, agriculture, education, ICT, and women’s empowerment. Joint endeavors aimed at benefiting the economy and people’s livelihoods have achieved significant success and earned widespread acclaim. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website Maintenance Notification

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website Maintenance Notification

    • Date：2024-10-24
    • Data Source：Public Diplomacy Coordination Council

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.mofa.gov.tw) and its subdomains, including the Youth Programs website (www.youthtaiwan.net) and the Minister’s Mailbox (eyes.mofa.gov.tw), will be unavailable due to maintenance work on Saturday, October 26, from 12:00 to 15:00 (Taipei time). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to US, ROK, and Japan national security advisors reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability and calling for peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to US, ROK, and Japan national security advisors reaffirming importance of cross-strait peace and stability and calling for peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues

    • Date：2024-10-26
    • Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

    October 26, 2024 

    US White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Japanese National Security Secretariat Secretary-General Takeo Akiba, and Republic of Korea National Security Office Director Shin Won-sik held a trilateral meeting in Washington, DC, on October 25. In a joint readout issued after the meeting, the three national security advisors reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, and expressed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the waters of the Indo-Pacific.

     

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) thanks the United States, Japan, and the ROK for continuing to jointly reiterate the importance of cross-strait peace and stability through high-level meetings of national security officials and diplomats, underscoring the high degree of international consensus on maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the region. Taiwan will continue to work with the United States, Japan, the ROK, and other like-minded nations to preserve peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and beyond.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Income and Living Conditions 2022 (SILC): Indebtedness – More than one in eight people lived in a household with at least one arrear in 2022

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Home Affairs

    In 2022, 12.1% of the population lived in a household with at least one arrear. The most common arrears were for taxes and health insurance premiums. The most common type of debt was vehicle leases, with 14.5% of the population living in a household leasing a vehicle. Next came mortgages financing real estate other than main residence, at 12.6%. The main reasons for people taking out a loan vary depending on their income. These are some of the findings from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU held the second strategic session for MBA students in the Republic of Belarus

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The State University of Management held the second strategic session for students of the professional retraining program “Master of Business Administration (MBA)”, studying within the quota established by the Government of the Russian Federation.

    The event was held at the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Republic of Belarus – the Russian House in Minsk.

    The strategic session “Effective tools for analyzing business processes of an organization”, conducted by the head of the department of industrial organizations management of the Institute of Industry Management Victoria Borisova and associate professors of the department of project management of the Institute of Industry Management Natalia Titova and Tatyana Chernova, is dedicated to tools for constructing, analyzing and identifying problems in existing business processes in an organization.

    During the two-day face-to-face session, MBA students also developed recommendations and projects for improving business processes in their organizations. More than 50 students of the program took part in the event.

    Let us recall that the first strategic session for MBA program students was held in April of this year.

    The State University of Management trains foreign citizens in additional professional education programs within the framework of the Eurasian Network University, whose activities are aimed at creating and developing a single educational space of EAEU universities. More than 250 students have already been trained in various additional professional programs in 2024.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/29/2024

    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 China: ​New board unveiled to empower China’s film industry

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A new special committee was launched on Oct. 24 in Beijing to actively implement the central government’s instructions for the development of the film industry. This new committee intents to better empower filmmaking through industrialization and informatization, as well as harness technologies to create new quality productive forces for Chinese cinema.

    Representatives from several companies that found the Industry and Technology Film and Television Special Committee of the China Xia Yan Film Institute (CXYFI) pose for a photo with their respective certificates at a launch ceremony held in Beijing, Oct. 24, 2024. [Photo courtesy of CXYFI]

    Jointly established by the Industrial Culture Development Center under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the China Xia Yan Film Institute (CXYFI), the Industry and Technology Film and Television Special Committee’s establishment was announced during the third meeting of the CXYFI’s fifth council, which coincided with the opening ceremony for the 14th Beijing International Internet Film Festival. 

    Sun Xing, deputy director of the Industrial Culture Development Center, will serve as the general advisor to this new special committee. The renowned filmmaker Zhang Jianya will take up the role of committee director while Zhang Lu, the secretary-general of the MIIT’s Industry and Science Fiction Film and TV Experts Committee, will be the committee’s secretary-general.

    A list of inaugural members was also revealed. These initial members cover various aspects of the industry, such as firms that focus on film production, distribution and promotion, and include 32 leading enterprises such as Shanghai-based Three-Body Universe Cultural Development Co., Ltd., iQiyi and Beijing Airmita Culture Development Co., Ltd.

    Sun emphasized in his speech during the announcement that the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) explicitly proposed that the nation needs to “achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology,” highlighting the film industry’s stride toward self-reliance and high-quality development. He also noted that the rapid development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual filming is profoundly impacting the transformation of the film industry. 

    According to information that was provided during the announcement, the Industry and Technology Film and Television Special Committee will prioritize promoting research, development, application and industrialization of film technologies and equipment, including advanced technologies like virtual production and artificial intelligence. It will focus on creating and producing industry-themed and sci-fi works, taking film industrialization as its primary responsibility. The committee also aims to foster integration and innovation of industry and culture as well as technology and art, contributing to the development of socialist cultural undertakings with Chinese characteristics. Additionally, it plans to organize industry exchange activities, regularly host forums and seminars to share technological advancements and trends, showcase the achievements of China’s film industry and boost Chinese cinema’s international influence.

    The China Xia Yan Film Institute is named after Xia Yan, a prominent Chinese screenwriter, pioneer, activist and leader of the Chinese Left-wing Cinema Movement in the 1930s.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint Subcommittee holds first meeting today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint Subcommittee holds first meeting today (with photos)
    Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint Subcommittee holds first meeting today (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development (C for CMD) of the Health Bureau (HHB), Dr Vincent Chung, chaired the first meeting of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint Subcommittee (CMDBSC) today (October 29), and discussed with members the major areas to be covered in the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint in order to harness collective wisdom and insights.     Hong Kong embraces a healthcare system that incorporates both Chinese and Western medicine on a dual-track basis. The application of pure traditional Chinese medicine (CM) theories and methods for prevention and treatment of diseases is a distinctive advantage of CM in Hong Kong. The development of CM in Hong Kong has been progressing steadily over the past two decades or so. Complemented by the successive implementation of various policy initiatives, CM has emerged as an integral part of the city’s healthcare system. On this basis, the members were of the view that it is now an opportune time for Hong Kong to further strengthen the role of CM in the overall healthcare system. A framework should also be set up in a proactive manner to enable collaboration among the CM sector and other healthcare professions, with a view to providing more comprehensive Chinese and Western medical services to members of the public.     During the meeting, the members engaged in in-depth discussions and offered constructive suggestions on multiple major areas to be covered in the Blueprint, including establishing a comprehensive governance framework and service system for CM, upgrading CM education and professional training standards, constructing a professional development system for CM personnel, reviewing the prevailing regulatory framework and legislation for CM, cultivating interdisciplinary collaboration networks among CM practitioners, making good use of medical data to promote service development and support policy formulation, driving scientific research and innovation, facilitating the CM industry in levelling up and assisting high-quality CM products to go global, as well as fostering cultural inheritance and promotion of CM. The relevant suggestions, having regard to their nature, will be relayed to the three working groups under the CMDBSC, namely the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Services, the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Industry and Cultural Popularisation, and the Working Group on the Development of Chinese Medicine Profession and Talent Cultivation, for focused study and exploration to formulate a preliminary plan of the Blueprint and relevant strategies.     Dr Chung expressed gratitude to members for being keen to engage in the discussions and expression of views. He said, “The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address that the Government will make use of Hong Kong’s advantages in its healthcare system, regulatory regime, standard-setting, clinical research and trade, and other areas to develop Hong Kong into a bridgehead for the internationalisation of CM, and publish the Blueprint next year. The Chinese Medicine Unit of the HHB will work towards these goals by pressing ahead with the consultation on the Blueprint and maintaining close liaison with local, Mainland and international stakeholders through different platforms and means to forge consensus, with a view to mapping out and formulating the vision and strategies for the future development of the CM sector in Hong Kong through concerted efforts.”     To gather a wider spectrum of views, the Government established the CMDBSC under the Chinese Medicine Development Committee (CMDC) on September 1 this year. Chaired by the C for CMD of the HHB, the CMDBSC comprises ex-officio members, Chairmen of the Chinese Medicine Practice Subcommittee and the Chinese Medicines Industry Subcommittee under the CMDC, representatives from the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the schools of CM of three local universities, and persons from the fields of CM practice, CM drugs, other healthcare professions, testing, research and development, social services, education, etc. The CMDBSC is tasked to make recommendations to the CMDC on concrete strategies for the overall development of CM, as well as the short, medium and long-term objectives and respective feasible initiatives for the long-term planning.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, October 29, 2024Issued at HKT 15:43

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Erdoğan’s Message on UN Day

    Source: Republic of Turkey

    Following is the message President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued on October 24, United Nations Day and the 79th Anniversary of the Establishment of the United Nations Organization:
    “I congratulate the UN Secretary-General and the UN staff on the 79th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations (UN) Organization.
    The Organization commemorates its anniversary unfortunately with feelings of bitterness at a time when the number of UN officials who have lost their lives in Gaza and other conflict zones has reached record levels, peacekeeping missions have been attacked, and even the Secretary-General himself has been declared “persona non grata.”
    And yet, the destruction caused by conflicts all over the world, the ever-expanding and deepening state of hunger and poverty, Islamophobia and xenophobia that permeate the world, are increasing the duties and responsibilities that fall upon the United Nations. The proper fulfillment of these responsibilities can only be possible by ensuring appropriate conditions under which all the main organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council, can perform their functions.
    The United Nations, which was established 79 years ago today to protect future generations from wars and of which Türkiye was among the founders, is unfortunately in a state of inertia due to the inability of the Security Council, the body empowered with the broadest authority for this purpose, in the face of developments that trample both international law and human dignity. The Security Council, which has failed to take steps to end the genocide in Gaza, emboldens the perpetrators with this stance and undermines faith in the rules-based international system. It is vital that the Security Council takes and implements the measures required by international law, before the current situation in the Middle East turns into an even more devastating, large-scale crisis.
    Türkiye is ready to support all efforts to make the United Nations, which it considers to be the cornerstone of multilateralism, the hope for humanity again, and to transform the international system into an effective structure based on the principles of justice, equality and solidarity, free from double standards.
    We are determined to continue our concrete contributions to mediation, conflict prevention and peacekeeping, fight against terrorism, migration management, sustainability and environmental protection as well as to initiatives such as the Alliance of Civilizations, carried out under the umbrella of the Organization. The increasing presence of the UN in our country, especially in Istanbul, is another tangible manifestation of our enhanced cooperation with the UN.
    With these thoughts, I congratulate October 24, the United Nations Day, commemorate respectfully the UN employees who lost their lives on duty, and wish that the 79th anniversary of the Organization be auspicious for all humanity.”

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Erdoğan’s Message on 29 October Republic Day

    Source: Republic of Turkey

    My dear citizens living at home and abroad,
    My treasured friends sharing our happiness on this joyful day,
    I salute you all with my most heartfelt feelings, affection and respect.
    I congratulate our each and every citizen living in our country and all across the world on 29 October Republic Day.
    Also, on behalf of my country and nation, I thank all our guests and friends who share our joy in our country and in different geographies of the world.
    Today we are experiencing the happiness and rightful pride of marking the first anniversary of the new century of our Republic.
    Happy 101st anniversary of the proclamation of our Republic!
    I remember with gratitude all the founding cadres of our state, particularly Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, the final and eternal link of our thousands-year-long sequence of states.
    I wish Allah’s mercy upon our veterans and martyrs, who have sacrificed themselves for our independence and future since Malazgirt up to date.
    Our each brother and sister, who has sacrificed themselves for the sake of our future, especially our martyrs we lost in the attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries’ facility, the leader organization of our defense industry, will always live in our hearts.
    As the poet who says, ‘People grow in cradles, to lie in a grave; and heroes sacrifice themselves, to make the homeland live,’ points out:
    I remember with grace all our heroes, who contributed to the establishment, sustainment and them leaving indelible marks in history of our states that reigned over the vast borders of our beloved geography.
    We are determined to make the independent, strong, dignified and prosperous Türkiye, which is the legacy of our states extending from the extending from the Seljuks to the Ottomans and finally to the Republic on the Anatolian lands, live forever.
    Our nation has a deep-rooted statecraft of over 2,200 years, which has manifested itself in the 16 stars on our presidential seal.
    We aim to use, develop and empower this heritage in a way to make the biggest contribution to the common heritage of the humanity with the participation of our kinsmen and friends.
    We will further embrace our civilizational values and this ancient historical perspective of our nation in order for peace, calm, security and justice prevail in our country, region and the world.
    Neither terrorist organizations nor those, who seek to wreak carnage in our region with expansionist ambitions, or imperialists who spoil them by supporting them can prevent us from achieving our goal.
    To that end, we work round-the-clock to raise our country above the level of contemporary civilizations, making up for our shortcomings wherever we have.
    During this period we have left behind with our nation’s support, we have really made great progress by making great sacrifices, foiling many insidious games and traps, and thwarting numerous treacherous attacks.
    We are now on the eve of a period during which we will be reaping the rewards of the sacrifices we have made in every area, from security and technology, diplomacy to economy.
    We have few obstacles to overcome, few problems to resolve ahead of us to reach the bright futures that we call the ‘Century of Türkiye’.
    We are well aware of the challenges caused by the attempts to undermine our country in economy as well as in other areas, particularly through security threats, in the past six years.
    In the similar vein, we know that by using all our means, we should eliminate the scourge of terror, which has wasted our energy, eroded our brotherhood and kept us away from our goals for 40 years.
    We would like to wide open the doors of a Türkiye, whereby we compete our joys, not pains, share our richness, not poverty, and germinate our hopes, not disappointments.
    As we stated in last year’s Republic Day message, we do whatever we do to glorify the great and strong Türkiye ideal without paying heed to malevolent people at home and abroad.
    With Allah’s help, our nation’s sagacity and support, and the political and military strength of our country, we are determined to make sure that our Republic emerges even stronger from the period we have entered.
    We believe from the bottom of our hearts that all the individuals of our nation, regardless of their origin, disposition or political view, and all our friends, no matter where they live, will stand with us in this historical struggle of ours.
    May my Lord help and guide us.
    With these thoughts, I wholeheartedly congratulate all our citizens living in Türkiye and abroad on 29 October Republic Day.
    May our martyrs rest in peace!
    Happy 101st anniversary of the proclamation of our Republic!
    May you all remain in good health…

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: To the staff of the Federal State Budgetary Cultural Institution “State Central Theatre Museum named after A.A. Bakhrushin”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 29, the museum celebrates its 130th anniversary.

    Dear friends!

    I sincerely congratulate you on this significant anniversary.

    For 130 years, the unique collection of the famous Moscow industrialist, patron and philanthropist Alexey Alexandrovich Bakhrushin has been carefully preserved and constantly replenished with priceless rarities. More than one and a half million exhibits, the largest collection of paintings, portraits and photographs, autographs and costumes that belonged to outstanding actors, directors and artists, scenery and playbills clearly demonstrate to visitors the four-century history of the development of the Russian theater, convey the atmosphere of past centuries.

    Today, the State Central Theatre Museum is a special cultural and educational space, a creative cluster. Exhibition, scientific and publishing activities are carried out here, large-scale educational projects and programs are implemented, international conferences, forums, seminars are held, attracting connoisseurs and fans of dramatic art and literature.

    It is important that the highly professional team continues the work of its predecessors, combining in its work a commitment to tradition, introducing modern technologies and multimedia solutions, and making a significant contribution to the preservation of the national theatrical heritage.

    I wish you new successes, achievements and all the best.

    Sincerely,

    M. Mishustin

    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 Asia-Pac: “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” to be held today and tomorrow (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         With support from the Trade and Industry Department, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is holding “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” (the Fair) for two consecutive days starting today (October 29). The Fair seeks to provide information on government funding schemes and assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in undertaking digital transformation, with a view to bringing new impetus to SMEs’ sustainable development.

         Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, said that supporting SMEs in developing new markets and pursuing new growth areas, and assisting SMEs in digitalisation and green transformation have long been the priority tasks of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Trade and Industry Department. This year’s Policy Address announced a number of initiatives, such as injecting $1 billion into the BUD Fund (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales), expanding the geographical coverage of E-commerce Easy to the 10 ASEAN countries, and providing more targeted funding support for enterprises to implement green transformation projects. He encouraged the trade to make good use of the various support measures to expand their business and embrace changes.

         The Fair, a leading annual event organised by “SME ReachOut”, contains five thematic zones, covering topics including government funding schemes, digital transformation, e-commerce, business expansion and ESG (environmental, social and governance). The Fair also features 10 thematic seminars, where experts will share information related to government funding schemes, digital transformation and e-commerce, enabling SMEs to understand the latest market trends and seek opportunities for co-operation and suitable solutions.

         Operated by the HKPC under the support of the Government, “SME ReachOut” has been in service since January 2020 to assist SMEs in identifying suitable government funding schemes and answer questions related to applications. The enhanced services of “SME ReachOut” rolled out in October 2023 have strengthened the support to SMEs on government funding applications and provided capacity building services for SMEs, including one-on-one technology/business know-how consultation meetings with SMEs and networking events for SMEs, as well as annual large-scale events, such as the Fair.

         Details of “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2024” are available at u.hkpc.org/fund_tech2024_en. For details of “SME ReachOut”, please visit smereachout.hkpc.org/en.

         For enquiries, please contact “SME ReachOut” (Tel: 2788 6868).            

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Share buybacks in Spar Nord Bank – transactions in week 43

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 65
     

    In company announcement no. 10 2024, Spar Nord announced a share buyback programme of up to DKK 500 million. The share buyback was initiated on 12 February 2024.

    The purpose of the share buyback is to reduce the bank’s share capital by the shares acquired under the programme, and the programme is executed pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of 16 April 2014 (“Market Abuse Regulation”).

    In last week the following transactions were made under the share buyback programme.

      Number of shares Average purchase price (DKK) Transaction value (DKK)
    Accumulated from last announcement 2,727,197   343,387,069
    21 October 2024 14,000 138.18 1,934,520
    22 October 2024 14,000 140.39 1,965,460
    23 October 2024 14,000 142.08 1,989,120
    24 October 2024 14,000 140.18 1,962,520
    25 October 2024 14,000 139.93 1,959,020
    Total week 43 70,000   9,810,640
    Total accumulated 2,797,197   353,197,709

    Following the above transactions. Spar Nord holds a total of 2,918,269 treasury shares equal to 2.48 % of the Bank’s share capital.

    Please direct any questions regarding this release to Rune Brandt Børglum, Head of Investor Relations on tel. + 45 96 34 42 36.

    Rune Brandt Børglum
    Head of Investor Relation

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Making a difference in communities and social care: Westminster’s Community Catalysts Programme leads local change | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Since the launch of the Community Catalysts Programme in Westminster earlier this year, the initiative has achieved remarkable success in fostering innovative, local micro-enterprises that support residents with learning disabilities, older people, and those with dementia.

    Funded by Westminster City Council, this two-year programme empowers local residents and community organisations to establish and grow sustainable community micro-enterprises through dedicated support, business advice and mentorship. From drama workshops to fitness and music sessions, these micro-enterprises are thriving, creating opportunities for social engagement and meaningful connections. Residents now have access to a diverse range of activities that improve mental and physical wellbeing, while also addressing some of the longstanding challenges within social care.

    Among the early success stories are Dende Collective, offering drama and arts activities for older people; Colliers Wood Shanty Singers, providing engaging musical experiences; and Creative Yoga Workshops, running accessible yoga sessions for all abilities. These enterprises exemplify the programme’s aim to foster independence and enable individuals to follow their passions while contributing meaningfully to their communities.

    Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Cllr Nafsika Butler-Thalassis, said:

    “We’re thrilled to see how the Community Catalysts Development Programme is transforming the way we think about social care in Westminster.

    Community Catalysts is not just creating businesses; it’s building a network of compassionate, local support that understands and responds to the unique needs of our residents. This programme is a testament to what can be achieved when we empower our communities to be part of the solution to social care challenges.

    The creativity and commitment of the micro-enterprises we’ve supported so far have been inspiring, and we’re excited to see even more residents get involved.”

    Andre Pink, Artistic Director of Dende Collective, also expressed the value of the programme:

    “Community Catalysts has been a helpful resource for us, offering support in areas like safeguarding, risk assessments, and connecting us with others in the community.

    As a small organisation, their input has streamlined some of the behind-the-scenes work, allowing us to focus more on what we’re passionate about — involving a wide range of diverse audiences with live theatre and making a positive difference locally.”

    As the programme continues to grow, Westminster City Council and Community Catalysts are calling on more local residents to join the network and set up or grow their own community enterprises. Whether you have an idea or an existing group that needs support, the programme is here to help turn those ideas into sustainable, impactful ventures.

    For more information on how to get involved or to access services provided by these new enterprises, visit the Community Catalysts website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ghana’s Minister for National Security highlights the important role the country plays in the region The University of Aberdeen welcomed the Minister for National Security in Ghana, the Honourable Albert Kan-Dapaah, in a visit where he shared the important role Ghana plays in upholding democracy and resolving the security challenges in the region.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    The University of Aberdeen welcomed the Minister for National Security in Ghana, the Honourable Albert Kan-Dapaah, in a visit where he shared the important role Ghana plays in upholding democracy and resolving the security challenges in the region.
    The delegation, which also included Emmanuel Dadzie, Technical Director at the Ministry of National Security and Mrs Ann-Marie Ekpale, Head of Human Resource at Ministry of National Security, was given a tour of the University’s 500-year-old campus and met with the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Councillor David Cameron on Monday (October 28).
    Relations between the UK and Ghana are rooted in long-standing economic, political and cultural connections, since Ghana became independent from the UK in 1957. More recent commercial oil exploration and energy transition has led to the exchange of experiences and ideas with the industry in Aberdeen. Mr Kan-Dapaah was presented with a football shirt by Aberdeen Football Club in recognition of the connections between the regions.
    The Honourable Minister spoke during his visit on the political and security situation in the West African region and underscored the urgency for West Africa’s longstanding friends to empower the region to meet ongoing multidimensional challenges.
    He shared his perspectives on the decline in democracy in the region and highlighted the impact of the ongoing great power rivalry as a factor shrinking the space for meaningful regional and international security cooperation. 
    The speech also stressed the role of Ghana in upholding democracy and resolving the security challenges in the region and the upcoming General Elections and the country’s preparedness to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.
    The University of Aberdeen has a large number of Ghanian students and more than 500 alumni including Hon. Prince Hamidu Armah, MP for Kwesimintsim Constituency, Western Region, who studied for a PhD in Mathematics Education at the University of Aberdeen.
    Many retain strong links with their Alma mater and in 2022 an Alumni Chapter for the University of Aberdeen was established in Accra.
    The Chapter aims to foster connections among graduates living and working in Ghana and serves as a bridge between alumni in Ghana and the broader University of Aberdeen community, helping to maintain and strengthen professional and personal ties beyond graduation.
    The University also has an active Ghana Students Society helping to create a sense of community among students, helping them connect, support each other, and build strong friendships while studying abroad. It promotes cultural exchange and understanding by organising events, workshops, and activities that showcase the traditions, customs, and history of Ghana.
    Dr Manu Lekunze, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, introduced the Minister’s talk by highlighting why European security planners cannot ignore security developments in West Africa.
    He said: “These reasons include West Africa’s proximity to Europe, significant demographic change, strategic resources, and great power meddling that has implications for Europe
    “We were pleased to welcome the Honourable Minister to the University of Aberdeen and to hear first hand his insights into the role Ghana plays in the security challenges of the region.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Judge Finds Milwaukee Man Guilty of Sex Trafficking and Arson

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced that on October 28, 2024, United States District Court Judge Lynn Adelman found Bobby McNeil (age 45) guilty of all five counts with which he was charged, which were Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion; Arson in Furtherance of a Federal Felony; Arson of a Building/Rental Property; Interstate Transportation for the Purpose of Prostitution; and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Judge Adelman announced the verdict after a two-day bench trial that concluded on October 16, 2024.

    The evidence presented at trial established that between 2021 and 2022, McNeil used force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion to compel an adult female victim to engage in commercial sex acts on the south side of Milwaukee.  He also induced the victim to travel from Florida back to Wisconsin to engage in further commercial sex acts. McNeil also committed a retaliatory act of arson by throwing a Molotov cocktail into the home of another adult who attempted to help the female victim get away from McNeil.  In rendering his verdict, Judge Adelman pointed to numerous text messages, Facebook messages, and recorded messages the defendant made and sent that corroborated the trafficking victim’s testimony and reflected the defendant’s intentions and violence.

    McNeil’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2025, before Judge Adelman.  McNeil faces a maximum life term of imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of 25 years of imprisonment.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Milwaukee Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Abbey M. Marzick and Porchia S. Lewand prosecuted the case.

    # # #

    For Additional Information Contact:

    Public Information Officer

    Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

    414-297-1700

    Follow us on Twitter

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Midaxo named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions Software 2024 Vendor Assessment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Midaxo, the leading provider of software solutions for corporate development, today announced it has been named a Leader in the first IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions Software 2024 Vendor Assessment. According to the IDC MarketScape report, “The platform enhances collaboration with role-based access, supports real-time analytics and AI-driven insights, and integrates with existing productivity tools, serving industries such as healthcare, financial services, and IT. Midaxo aims to increase deal velocity and visibility, helping organizations manage complex transactions more efficiently and achieve consistent inorganic growth.”  

    “Midaxo is the cloud for corporate development to drive inorganic growth for their businesses.” said Jude McColgan, CEO Midaxo. Large and mid-sized companies rely on us to find, manage and close more deals.  We are pleased to be named a Leader by the IDC MarketScape.”  

    Midaxo strengths: 

    • Capabilities: Midaxo offers an impressive number of capabilities for a full end-to-end M&A process. 
    • Road map: Midaxo has a robust road map that includes more capabilities on the horizon for a more thorough financial valuation and analysis but also AI-enhanced capabilities to help with automation and guidance. 
    • Customer support: Customers noted customer support and service as being excellent. 

    “We have been using Midaxo since 2021 for the full M&A lifecycle: sourcing, closing and implementing deals,” said Joerg  Windbichler, Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and Integrations at SoftwareOne, a leading global software and cloud solutions provider. “We have seen an impressive development of features over that time.  We look forward to our continued collaboration and seeing even more capabilities supporting our M&A process”. 

    SOURCE: IDC MarketScape Worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions Software 
    Vendor Assessment, by Heather Herbst Kevin Permenter, September 2024, IDC #US51053324  

    About the IDC MarketScape: 
    IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors. 

    About Midaxo 
    Midaxo provides the most widely used work management solution for corporate development. Digitally transforming the transaction process, Midaxo Cloud leverages automation, AI, and machine learning to deliver accelerated inorganic growth while decreasing deal risk. The platform can be customized to fit the needs of each company to enable corporate development and M&A leaders to find, evaluate, and deliver inorganic growth with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Users of the M&A capabilities report identifying and managing 5x more targets, reducing diligence time by 50%, and accelerating time to value realization up to 40%. More than 500 Midaxo customers, including Banner Health, Daimler AG, Professional Services Co., and United Site Services, have closed over 5,000 transactions valued in excess of $1 trillion. 

    Contact: 
    Neil Lieberman 
    Midaxo 
    neil.lieberman@midaxo.com 

    All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 1300 Clients and Accelerating Growth: European Tech Scaleflex Unveils Visual Experience Platform to Disrupt $4.5B DAM Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Since 2020, the company has reached 1300 clients. The release of the Visual Experience Platform is set to reshape the $4.5B market of Digital Asset Management (DAM) and AI Visual Enhancement markets solutions. The DAM market is expected to reach $16.2B dollars by 2032.1

    PARIS, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With €2.5M in funding, France-founded solution provider Scaleflex introduces its new Visual Experience Platform (VXP).

    Analysts expect the DAM market to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) surpassing 17%2. Key drivers include increased adoption of cloud-based architecture and the integration of AI and machine learning for asset management.

    “VXP answers our clients’ call for a single platform that goes beyond traditional DAM — facilitating content optimization, enrichment, and distribution. Our work with L-Commerce, an E. Leclerc subsidiary, France’s leading grocery retailer, is proof. We helped them process assets faster, at lower costs, boosting both scalability and web performance. Both are critical for eCommerce success,” says Emil Novakov, co-founder and CEO of Scaleflex.

    VXP is a first-of-its-kind software in the DAM market, offering integrated functions tailored to marketing, digital, and IT teams :

    • Digital Asset Management, a single source of truth to reference and distribute visual assets (images, videos…)
    • Visual AI-enhancement to automate tasks like Not safe for work moderation, enrichment, tagging and visual search (vector search)
    • Web Portals to collaborate and share assets such as brand guidelines, marketing campaigns…
    • Dynamic Media Optimization transforming visuals to increase web performance

    The composable VXP helps IT & business teams from enterprise & midmarket companies optimize billions of visual assets. Over 1300 clients benefit from the VXP modules, including Michelin, Hyundai, Rakuten, Grupo Piñero, SeLoger, or the European Space Agency.

    The VXP’s intuitive interface can be used by marketing, digital, and communications teams. In addition, IT departments can leverage a full headless approach thanks to scalable APIs that easily integrate into existing systems, driving faster innovation.

    “With a cloud-agnostic architecture built to scale and provide blazing-fast performance for our customers, our platform easily integrates with any system, including MACH-based architectures, providing businesses the agility to adapt and scale their visual stack,” says Julian De Maestri, co-founder and CTO of Scaleflex. “VXP is a next-gen composable solution.”

    About Scaleflex:

    A fast-growing European Tech SaaS, Scaleflex provides comprehensive visual content management solutions. The company’s portfolio includes state-of-the-art tools that help business and IT teams maximize the value of their media assets, optimize content delivery, and improve digital experiences across the board. With a focus on performance, scalability, and innovation, Scaleflex is trusted by more than 1300 customers.
    For more information, please visit www.scaleflex.com.

    Media Contact:
    Jonathan Britel
    Phone: +33 6 77 91 18 49
    Email: jonathan.britel@scaleflex.com
    Side topics : Interview enquiries about IT & technology innovation in Retail, Real Estate, Tourism and Online Media

    1 Fortune Business Insights. (2024, September). Digital Asset Management (DAM) Market Size, Share & Regional Forecast, 2024-2032. Report ID: FBI104914. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/digital-asset-management-dam-market-104914

    2 FNFR. (2024). Digital Asset Management (DAM) Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report 2020-2026. https://www.fnfresearch.com/digital-asset-management-dam-market

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/487a4984-c96d-4880-a2b3-2f7ae6c5f405

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: The notes redeemed by Municipality Finance have been removed from trading at Nasdaq Helsinki

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    29 October 2024 at 10:00 am (EET)

    The notes redeemed by Municipality Finance have been removed from trading at Nasdaq Helsinki

    On 14 October 2024 Municipality Finance Plc announced that it is exercising its right to redeem in whole its USD 150 million notes (XS2548900146). Nasdaq Helsinki has approved MuniFin’s application to remove the notes from trading. The last day of trading was 28 October 2024.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The company is owned by Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the Republic of Finland. The Group’s balance sheet totals over to EUR 50 billion.

    MuniFin’s customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, corporate entities under their control, and non-profit organisations nominated by the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA). Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic, but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Navy Reserve Officer Sentenced for Bribery Scheme Involving Department of State’s Approval Process for Special Immigrant Visas

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    A U.S. Navy Reserve Commander from Florida was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for his role in a years-long bribery scheme involving Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan nationals.

    According to court documents and evidence submitted at trial, Jeromy Pittmann, 53, of Pensacola, accepted bribe payments from Afghan nationals in exchange for drafting, submitting, and verifying fraudulent letters of recommendation for Afghan nationals who applied for SIVs with the U.S. Department of State. Since 2009, Congress has authorized the State Department to offer a limited number of SIVs to enter the United States for Afghan nationals who were employed as translators for U.S. military personnel. Pittmann signed over 20 letters in which he fraudulently represented that he personally knew and had supervised the Afghan national visa applicants while they worked as translators in support of the U.S. military and NATO; that the applicants’ lives were in jeopardy because the Taliban considered them to be traitors; and that, based on his personal knowledge of the applicants, he believed they did not pose any threat to the national security of the United States. In truth, Pittmann did not know the applicants and had no basis for recommending them for SIVs. In exchange for the fraudulent letters, Pittmann received several thousands of dollars in bribes. To avoid detection, Pittmann received the bribe money through an intermediary and created false invoices purporting to show that Pittmann was receiving the money for legitimate work unrelated to his military service.

    On July 12, Pittmann was convicted by a jury in the District of New Hampshire after a four-day trial of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, making a materially false writing, and conspiring to commit money laundering.

    “By protecting Afghan nationals who risk their personal safety to help the U.S. government, the SIV program is essential for the security of U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Jeromy Pittmann, however, used his position of authority over the program to benefit foreign nationals who paid him bribes, falsely asserting that they had served the United States. Today’s sentence demonstrates that the Justice Department has zero tolerance for those who place their self-interest ahead of our national security.”

    “This case shows how someone betrayed his sacred oath of office to commit crimes for personal gain, with no regard for how his actions could threaten U.S. homeland security and harm Afghans, who risked their lives to help the United States,” said Inspector General John F. Sopko of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). “It also shows how a U.S. Government investigation — from initial tip to prosecution to conviction — can hold individuals accountable for their crimes. I’m proud of SIGAR special agents and our investigative partners who brought Pittmann to justice, and I hope their hard work will deter others from pursuing similar acts.”

    “Pittmann’s participation in this bribery scheme not only jeopardized the integrity of the SIV program, which protects our allies, but also introduced significant security risks to our nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our partners will continue to hold accountable those who exploit government processes for personal gain, ensuring that the safety of the public and our warfighters is preserved.”

    “Pittmann deliberately chose self-enrichment over service when he violated federal law in his lengthy bribery scheme. He also compromised the integrity of the Afghan SIV system which is intended for those who faithfully performed activities while working for, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Afghanistan,” said Inspector General Robert P. Storch of the Department of Defense. “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), in collaboration with its law enforcement partners, is resolved to help bring to justice those who abuse their public office for personal gain.”

    “The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is firmly committed to protecting the integrity of all U.S. visas and travel documents,” said Deputy Assistant Director Greg Batman of DSS. “This case is the result of a strong partnership among federal law enforcement agencies and DSS’ global network of special agents working together to stop visa and passport crimes, and to stop criminals from earning illegal income by exploiting U.S. visas, passports, and foreign nationals.”

    SIGAR, NCIS, DCIS, and DSS investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Matt Kahn and Theodore M. Kneller of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: MSF outraged by killing of our colleague in north Gaza

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Médecins Sans Frontières is outraged by the repeated killings of our staff in Gaza, Palestine, and calls for an immediate halt on attacks against medical personnel, humanitarian workers, and civilians. 

    Israeli forces killed Hasan Suboh on the night of 24 October after an airstrike hit his relative’s house, where he was staying in Khan Younis, northern Gaza. According to the Ministry of Health, this attack hit several houses and killed 38 people, including 14 children and four members of Hasan’s family.

    Hasan joined MSF as a skilled labourer in April 2019. He was 41 years old and is survived by his wife and seven children.  In this tragic moment, our thoughts are with his family and all colleagues mourning his death. 
     

    Hasan Suboh, skilled labourer for MSF, in an MSF vehicle in Gaza.

    Hasan’s tattered MSF vest, which he wore all the time, was found under the rubble. This vest symbolises Hasan’s commitment to helping people in distress, but more globally it also symbolises healthcare and humanitarian assistance. To see it destroyed is representative of how in this war, Israel, the US government, and the rest of Israel’s allies, have disregarded the protection of healthcare workers, and ripped the rules of war to shreds. The claim that humanitarian workers are protected, that civilian lives are protected, has once again been exposed as a lie for all the world to see. 

    Hasan Suboh’s tattered MSF vest, which he wore all the time, was found under the rubble. Palestine, October 2024.

    This attack happened only two weeks after the killing of our colleague  Nasser Hamdi Abdelatif Al Shalfouh on October 10, who died after being injured by shrapnel following relentless attacks by Israeli forces in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Eight of our colleagues have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the war. 

    We denounce these killings in the strongest possible terms and are revolted by the fact that in over one year of war, Israel has acted with total impunity. Israel’s repeated direct attacks, which do not distinguish between military objectives and civilians, must be investigated independently. 

    All over Gaza, people continue to be killed and injured by relentless fighting and bombings. Israel’s all-out war on the people of Gaza and its complete disregard of civilian lives must stop now.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Film Archive to screen 17 Hong Kong films inspired by literary works (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present screening programme “Dancing Between Words and Images – Hong Kong Film and Literature” from December 1 to February 23, 2025, screening 17 Hong Kong films adapted from or inspired by literary works at the Cinema of the HKFA to show the intricate ties between film arts and literature.
     
         The screening programme is divided into five sections. The first section, “Adaptations from Classic Literature”, consists of five films adapted from literary classics, namely “A Reborn Romantic” (1948), which reinterprets the plots in literary giant Leo Tolstoy’s final novel “Resurrection”, highlighting the struggles that women face in a traditional society; “Modern ‘Red Chamber Dream’” (1952), which transposes the story of Chinese classical novel “Dream of the Red Chamber” to the 1940s; “A Beautiful Corpse Comes to Life” (1956), adapted from “The Peony Pavilion” from the Ming dynasty, with Cheung Wood-yau and Pak Yin in lead roles; “Sunrise” (1956), which is adapted from a play of the same title by modern Chinese playwright Cao Yu; and “Red Rose White Rose” (1994), adapted from a short story by Eileen Chang, directed by Stanley Kwan and scripted by Edward Lam.
     
         The second section, “Her Stories in the City”, covers three films focusing on the psychological journeys of women in an urban setting. “The Rich House” (1942) is a tragic love story between a handsome writer, played by Cheung Wood-yau, and a waitress. “The Tender Age” (1957) reveals the hypocrisy of the upper class through the story of a young girl being ensnared into a life of prostitution. “Her Tender Heart” (1959) depicts the suppression and suffering of a woman, who has given up her family for love and dreams.
     
    　　In the third section, “Reflections of Time”, there are three films that explore the changes in social values from the perspective of humanistic concerns. In order to give her husband a male heir, a wife in “The Long Lane” (1956) is burdened by guilt in her deathbed for abandoning her own daughter and adopting a son, played by King Hu, who has grown up to be a disappointment. In “A Widow’s Tears” (1956), a recently widowed woman, played by Hsia Moon, after being blamed by her mother-in-law for accepting comforts from her best male friend, decides to leave her husband’s family. Through the story, the film illustrates the idea that women should take courage to pursue their own autonomy. “The Seaman and the Dancing Girl” (1961) highlights the darker side of a bustling city with the protagonist working as a nightclub hostess to provide for her family.
     
         The fourth section, “Tales of Love and Romance”, features three tender and passionate stories from different periods of time. Renowned actor Patrick Tse played a suave thief targeting wealthy women in “The Heart-Stealer” (1958), who decides to reform himself after falling for a mysterious woman. The story of “Diary of Monita” (1968) begins with the abrupt end of the romance between a rich girl and a poor student. As the girl’s family plunges into poverty, the girl’s life becomes a series of misadventures. Adapted by Erica Li from her novel, “77 Heartbreaks” (2017) skilfully depicts a romantic relationship from passionate love to its unravelling and how people nowadays navigate their love lives.
     
         Three films adapted from literary works from the period around the turn of the millennium comprise the fifth section, “Made in Hong Kong”, which showcases the continuing local creative prowess. The films are “Reincarnation of Golden Lotus” (1989), which is a story of lust and desire told from a woman’s perspective and adapted from a novel by the author Lilian Lee herself; “The Mad Phoenix” (1997), adapted from a critically acclaimed stage play by its playwright Raymond To; and “The Midnight After” (2014), which is based on an online serial sci-fi novel written by Kong Ho-yan under the pseudonym “Mr. Pizza” and directed by Fruit Chan.
     
         Most of the screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks, hosted by scholars Professor Yung Sai-shing, Professor Mary Wong, Professor Wong Nim-yan, Dr Lo Wai-luk, and Dr Kenny Ng; directors Yim Ho and Fruit Chan; screenwriters Raymond To, Kong Ho-yan, and Chan Fai-hung; writer Peter Dunn; film critics Sam Ho, Shu Kei, Eric Tsang and more. The post-screening talk for “Red Rose White Rose” will be attended by director Stanley Kwan and screenwriter Edward Lam, and the talk will be livestreamed online simultaneously. For details, please refer to the programme webpage mentioned below.
     
         “Modern ‘Red Chamber Dream’”, “Her Tender Heart”, “The Long Lane”, “The Seaman and the Dancing Girl”, and “Diary of Monita” are in Mandarin, while the others are in Cantonese or dubbed in Cantonese.
     
         Tickets priced at $55 will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from Friday (November 1). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme details, please visit the HKFA website (www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2024/literature/pe-event-2024-literature.html) or call 2739 2139.                                                

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Navy Reserve Officer Sentenced for Bribery Scheme Involving Department of State’s Approval Process for Special Immigrant Visas

    Source: US State of California

    A U.S. Navy Reserve Commander from Florida was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for his role in a years-long bribery scheme involving Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan nationals.

    According to court documents and evidence submitted at trial, Jeromy Pittmann, 53, of Pensacola, accepted bribe payments from Afghan nationals in exchange for drafting, submitting, and verifying fraudulent letters of recommendation for Afghan nationals who applied for SIVs with the U.S. Department of State. Since 2009, Congress has authorized the State Department to offer a limited number of SIVs to enter the United States for Afghan nationals who were employed as translators for U.S. military personnel. Pittmann signed over 20 letters in which he fraudulently represented that he personally knew and had supervised the Afghan national visa applicants while they worked as translators in support of the U.S. military and NATO; that the applicants’ lives were in jeopardy because the Taliban considered them to be traitors; and that, based on his personal knowledge of the applicants, he believed they did not pose any threat to the national security of the United States. In truth, Pittmann did not know the applicants and had no basis for recommending them for SIVs. In exchange for the fraudulent letters, Pittmann received several thousands of dollars in bribes. To avoid detection, Pittmann received the bribe money through an intermediary and created false invoices purporting to show that Pittmann was receiving the money for legitimate work unrelated to his military service.

    On July 12, Pittmann was convicted by a jury in the District of New Hampshire after a four-day trial of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, making a materially false writing, and conspiring to commit money laundering.

    “By protecting Afghan nationals who risk their personal safety to help the U.S. government, the SIV program is essential for the security of U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Jeromy Pittmann, however, used his position of authority over the program to benefit foreign nationals who paid him bribes, falsely asserting that they had served the United States. Today’s sentence demonstrates that the Justice Department has zero tolerance for those who place their self-interest ahead of our national security.”

    “This case shows how someone betrayed his sacred oath of office to commit crimes for personal gain, with no regard for how his actions could threaten U.S. homeland security and harm Afghans, who risked their lives to help the United States,” said Inspector General John F. Sopko of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). “It also shows how a U.S. Government investigation — from initial tip to prosecution to conviction — can hold individuals accountable for their crimes. I’m proud of SIGAR special agents and our investigative partners who brought Pittmann to justice, and I hope their hard work will deter others from pursuing similar acts.”

    “Pittmann’s participation in this bribery scheme not only jeopardized the integrity of the SIV program, which protects our allies, but also introduced significant security risks to our nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our partners will continue to hold accountable those who exploit government processes for personal gain, ensuring that the safety of the public and our warfighters is preserved.”

    “Pittmann deliberately chose self-enrichment over service when he violated federal law in his lengthy bribery scheme. He also compromised the integrity of the Afghan SIV system which is intended for those who faithfully performed activities while working for, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Afghanistan,” said Inspector General Robert P. Storch of the Department of Defense. “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), in collaboration with its law enforcement partners, is resolved to help bring to justice those who abuse their public office for personal gain.”

    “The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is firmly committed to protecting the integrity of all U.S. visas and travel documents,” said Deputy Assistant Director Greg Batman of DSS. “This case is the result of a strong partnership among federal law enforcement agencies and DSS’ global network of special agents working together to stop visa and passport crimes, and to stop criminals from earning illegal income by exploiting U.S. visas, passports, and foreign nationals.”

    SIGAR, NCIS, DCIS, and DSS investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Matt Kahn and Theodore M. Kneller of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Syracuse Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Receiving Child Pornography from Multiple Minors via Snapchat

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – William Futrell, age 31, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve over 21 years (262 months) in federal prison following his previous conviction for ten counts of receipt of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Buffalo Field Office, and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.

    As part of his previous guilty plea, Futrell admitted that he used Snapchat to communicate with minors from across the country. In some instances, Futrell would offer to pay the minor children to entice them to send explicit images to him, but with no intention of ever paying them. On at least the 10 occasions charged, Futrell obtained, directly from minor children, images depicting the children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Futrell is a registered sex offender with a previous conviction for possession of child pornography in New York.

    Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ordered that Futrell serve a 15-year term of post-incarceration supervised release. Futrell will be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison.

    United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation with the assistance of the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the NYSP Troop D Computer Crime Unit. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck prosecuted Futrell as part of Project Safe Childhood. 

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Int’l horticultural expo attracts over 10 million visitors

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

    Int’l horticultural expo attracts over 10 million visitors

    Updated: October 29, 2024 16:32 Xinhua

    The International Horticultural Exhibition 2024 Chengdu closed on Monday in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The 186-day event attracted over 10 million visitors.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The results of the 10th All-Russian Prize “For Loyalty to Science” have been summed up

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On October 28, 2024, the Zaryadye Concert Hall hosted the award ceremony of the 10th All-Russian Prize “For Loyalty to Science”.

    The All-Russian Prize “For Loyalty to Science” is one of the key events of the Decade of Science and Technology and the country’s main industry prize, which has been awarded for outstanding achievements in the field of scientific communication and popularization of science since 2015. This year, about 2 thousand applications from 80 regions of Russia were submitted for the prize.

    The International Festival SCIENCE 0 won in the nomination “Russian Science to the World” (nomination named after Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky). The award was presented to its initiator, the rector of the Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov Viktor Sadovnichy by the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov.

    “It is probably our country’s duty to contribute to the development of world science… We have opened up many new areas where our scientists find new opportunities for interaction and cooperation… Our scientists continue to remain open to the entire world. There is a circulation that provides the necessary energy for the development of science. No science can develop under a glass dome. It must be open, especially such a great science of such a great country,” Dmitry Peskov noted.

    Let us recall that young scientists from the State University of Management took part in the All-Russian campaign “Education in Schools”, held as part of the SCIENCE 0 festival.

    In the nomination “Author of Digital Content”, the award was received by the CEO of OOO “Technologies and Creativity”, co-author of the show “Revuzor” Vadim Bakin. The award was presented to him by Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    “You are doing a great job, one of the most important ones that President Vladimir Putin has ordered to be carried out within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology – you are popularizing the high title of scientist. We see a good result. This year, the number of applications for the All-Russian Prize “For Loyalty to Science” has increased by 1.5 times – to almost 2 thousand. According to VTsIOM polls, more than half of Russians called the professions of scientist and engineer prestigious,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The victory in the nomination “Work with experience: protection of historical truth” went to the historiographic study of the activities of scientific and legal centers of Russia and foreign countries over the past 100 years “Chronicle of Russian legal science in five volumes”. The prize was presented to the authors of the project by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, a lawyer by education Valery Falkov.

    “We consciously cultivate a special attitude towards history. Because history is not a set of events, but a valuable experience that is passed down from generation to generation. It forms national consciousness, strengthens spiritual and cultural ties both within the state and at the international level,” said Valery Filkov.

    List of winners of the 10th All-Russian Prize “For Loyalty to Science”:

    Russian: Russian Science to the World Nomination (Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky Nomination) — SCIENCE 0 International Festival; Recognition Nomination — Soviet and Russian zoologist and biogeographer, host of the Animal World program Nikolai Drozdov; Scientific Press Service of the Year Nomination — press service of the Russian Science Foundation; Science Journalist of the Year Nomination — author and host of the scientific travel show Hitchhiker’s Guide to Science Alexander Prudnikov; Special Prize named after Daniil Granin Nomination — FANK Scientific Film Laboratory; Digital Content Author Nomination — CEO of Technologies and Creativity LLC, co-author of the Revuzor show Vadim Bakin; Working with Experience: Protecting Historical Truth Nomination — The Chronicle of Russian Legal Science in Five Volumes; Nomination “Special Prize named after Khristopher Ledentsov” (State Corporation “Rosatom”) — TASS special project “Atomic Age”; Nomination “Special Prize named after Khristopher Ledentsov” (State Corporation “Roscosmos”) — rocket-building championship “Jet Propulsion”; Nomination “Special Prize named after Khristopher Ledentsov” (State Corporation “Rostec”) — information portal “SPbGU in Action”; Nomination “Special Prize named after Khristopher Ledentsov” (PJSC “Gazprom”) — a series of career guidance quests “I am a future oil and gas chemistry engineer!”; Nomination “Science for Children” — competition “Scientific Universe”.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/29/2024

    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: Legends of Russian Science: Evgeny Antonovich Gailish

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The next issue of the special project “Legends of Russian Science” of the SPbPU Public Relations Department and the Polytechnic History Museum is dedicated to Evgeny Antonovich Gailish, the organizer of the production of high-quality radio equipment, Hero of Socialist Labor.

    Evgeny Gailish was born on September 27, 1914 in Petrograd, into a peasant family. In 1931, he graduated from high school, then entered the physics and mechanics department of the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute.

    During his student years, Evgeny Antonovich worked in a radio materials laboratory. There he created a method for calculating antenna insulators, which later found its practical application. After graduating from the university, the polytechnic student was a laboratory assistant, designer, and head of the laboratory at Research Institute-34 of the State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the USSR for Radio Electronics. In 1942, he got a job as a chief engineer at the Radio Engineering Semi-Finished Goods Plant No. 436. There, Evgeny Antonovich supervised the creation of elements for the portable transceiver “Sever”, which was widely used during the Great Patriotic War. During the siege of Leningrad, the transmitter was manufactured at the Kozitsky Plant. In 1945, E. A. Gailish joined the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks).

    After the war, Evgeny Antonovich worked as chief engineer and deputy general director for science at NPO Positron in Leningrad. He was engaged in theoretical research that was of great importance for the development of domestic instrument-making. The results of his work in this area were highly recognized with many state awards.

    Since 1975, Evgeny Aleksandrovich headed the Department of Design and Manufacturing Technology of Radio Components at the V. I. Lenin Electrotechnical University of Leningrad (LETI), and defended his doctoral dissertation.

    In 1949, E. A. Gailish received the Stalin Prize for organizing the production of high-quality radio equipment. On June 17, 1961, he was awarded the title Hero of Socialist Labor for outstanding achievements in the creation of rocket technology models and ensuring the successful flight of man into outer space. Among his awards are the Order of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and the Badge of Honor.

    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 Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $10 million (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $10 million (with photos)
    Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $10 million (with photos)
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         Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport, Fanling and Tai Po on October 27 and yesterday (October 28) and seized a total of about 8 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 20kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $10 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.     The first case involved one male passenger and one female passenger, aged 64 and 59, who arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, on October 27. During customs clearance, Customs officers seized a total of about 8kg of suspected cocaine concealed in their check-in suitcases. The two persons were subsequently arrested.     In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Fanling yesterday afternoon, Customs intercepted a 28-year-old man and found about 1.5kg of suspected cannabis buds inside two recycle bags carried by him. He was then arrested. Customs officers later further seized about 15kg of suspected cannabis buds from his private vehicle parked nearby. Upon a follow-up investigation, the man was brought to a village house rented by him in Tai Po for a search, and about 3.5kg of suspected cannabis buds and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia were uncovered. About 20kg of suspected cannabis buds in total were seized in the operation.     All arrestees in the two cases claimed to be unemployed. The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 30), while the man arrested in the second case has been charged with three counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow.     Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.      Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 1828080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

     
    Ends/Tuesday, October 29, 2024Issued at HKT 16:45

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Stolen car parts worth millions of euros recovered

    Source: Europol

    German investigators had an initial breakthrough with the arrest and detention of two Romanian nationals following a series of break-ins in bakeries in Wallersdorf. Over the course of the investigation conducted by the Landshut Criminal Investigation Department, evidence emerged that one of the suspects, with the help of one other accomplice, was involved in the break-in at the Wallersdorf logistics…

    MIL Security OSI –