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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Jersey adopts legislation to implement Pillar 2 from 202522 October 2024 Ministers have welcomed the decision of the States Assembly to unanimously adopt legislation to implement a Pillar 2 Income Inclusion Rule and a multinational corporate income tax from 2025, fulfilling… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    22 October 2024

    Ministers have welcomed the decision of the States Assembly to unanimously adopt legislation to implement a Pillar 2 Income Inclusion Rule and a multinational corporate income tax from 2025, fulfilling Jersey’s commitment to enact the OECD’s global minimum tax framework for large in-scope multinational groups. 

    For accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2025, in-scope Jersey companies and branches of multinational groups will pay an effective rate of 15% on their Jersey profits under the new Multinational Corporate Income Tax (MCIT). Jersey’s MCIT applies the OECD Model Rules and takes account of certain instances of double taxation. 

    Jersey will also impose a top-up tax on low-taxed profits outside of the Island under the OECD’s Pillar 2 Income Inclusion Rule (IIR) but will not apply the Undertaxed Profits Rule (UTPR). 

    Jersey has a long-standing corporate income tax regime and Revenue Jersey is well resourced to deal with the roll out of Pillar 2. Over 95% of Jersey companies will be unaffected by this Pillar 2 legislation and will remain within the existing Jersey income tax regime. 

    Jersey’s Minister for Treasury & Resources, Deputy Elaine Millar, said: “The Government is committed to providing an internationally competitive business environment in Jersey and is working with industry and the Jersey Financial Services Commission in a tri-partite Ministerial Working Group. One of the outcomes will be a new Pillar 2-compliant Qualifying Refundable Tax Credit (QRTC) regime. This regime will be effective in incentivising business growth and deepening business ties with Jersey. 

    “Jersey is committed to providing taxpayers with the tax certainty they need and the highest standards of customer service. We will be keeping the Pillar 2 administrative burden in Jersey as low as possible, within the boundaries of the OECD global rules.”

    Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, Deputy Ian Gorst, added: “The passing of this legislation maintains Jersey’s reputation as a forward-thinking jurisdiction that is fully aligned with international tax initiatives developed by standard-setting bodies like the OECD. I am confident that Jersey is well positioned to implement this new Pillar 2 regime and maintain a globally competitive business environment for our taxpayer customers worldwide.” 

    Affected taxpayers and their advisers can also contact Revenue Jersey officers with any questions or requests by email at pillar2@gov.je​.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Interim report on drugs “positive to see progress on saving lives and reducing harm” – Senator O’Hara

    Source: The Green Party in Northern Ireland

    Interim report on drugs “positive to see progress on saving lives and reducing harm” – Senator O’Hara

    Senator Mal O’Hara said “I am delighted to see this interim report. With an election due within weeks, this report gives a clear direction to any incoming Government on how to move to a health led approach which will save lives and reduce harm.
    Mal continued “The work of the joint committee is to respond to the 36 recommendations made by the Citizens Assembly. The Committee held engagements with stakeholders in June, July, September, and October of 2024 which provided evidence from a broad perspective of voices and sectors of Irish society. Arising from these engagements, the Committee made 59 recommendations in its interim report. Some of which include repealing the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997, introducing a regulatory model for certain drugs and decriminalisation in relation to possession of all substances for personal use. 
    These include:
    • the stigmatisation of drug use and the shaming of drug users are a source of significant harm.
    • the Committee recommends that steps are taken to introduce a regulatory model for certain drugs. The Committee recommends this should be considered with particular reference to Spain, Malta, and Germany in the development of an Irish not for profit regulated cannabis market.
    • that Government introduce a health-led approach to the use and misuse of substances.
    • the decriminalisation of the person in relation to the possession of all substances for personal use, in line with the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly – this highlights that the goal of drug policy should be to reduce harm and eliminate stigma, both, in large part, caused and exacerbated by the criminalisation of people who use drugs.
    • Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997 be repealed, to give effect to a comprehensive health led approach.
    • the decriminalisation of possession for personal use should apply equally to all illicit drugs.
    • people should be offered all supports and health resources that are required, but that no person should be criminalised for not availing of a supportive intervention.
    • the importance of there being a strong, constructive working relationship between the community, voluntary and statutory services, and An Garda Síochána, to support the provision of compassionate and person-centred interventions where required, underpinned by a robust Memorandum of Understanding.
    • local authorities and An Garda Síochana are supported and empowered in strongly discouraging and reducing consumption in public areas. This should be done in an appropriate and sensitive way which considers the complex inter-relationship between problematic use and extreme deprivation and homelessness.
    • that specific trauma and harm reduction training be provided to An Garda Síochána and local authorities, to inform their work with individuals and communities affected by drug misuse and addiction.
    • the development of clear guidelines for An Garda Síochána to operate within a decriminalised model
    Senator O’Hara finished “It is positive to see this progress on saving lives and reducing harm. It is disappointing that despite Northern Ireland having a higher drug death rate than the Republic, and drug deaths almost tripling in the last decade, that the Executive Parties sit on their hands while vulnerable people die.”
    ENDS 
    Press enquiries – Mal O’Hara on 07540790663 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Winners Announced at the 2nd Annual World Championships of System Architecture and Modeling

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CLEVELAND, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The 2nd Annual World Championships of System Architecture and Modeling concluded today at Integrate24, the prestigious digital engineering symposium hosted by Zuken Vitech. The event, held on September 17-18 in Cleveland, Ohio, brought together leading minds in the field to tackle complex engineering challenges in real time.

    Jeremy Ross of Ford triumphed in the individual competition, showcasing outstanding technical prowess and creativity. In the team category, the Belcan team consisting of Tony Sukhwani, David Rulseh, and Paul Watson claimed victory, impressing judges with their cohesive approach and effective collaboration. Additionally, Dan Spencer of Spencer Tech received special recognition for “Most Innovative Solution,” a prestigious award highlighting his forward-thinking and cutting-edge approach to solving the challenge.

    The problem statement for this year’s competition tasked participants with retrofitting a fictitious amusement park while adhering to a set of marketing analysis data, detailed requirements, constraints, and cost objectives. Competitors had just 7 hours to develop their system architectures and prepare their presentations, making the event a high-stakes test of skill, speed, and ingenuity.

    A distinguished panel of judges, including Risa Gorospe and Shannon Dubicki from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, Dr. Oleg Yakimenko from the Naval Postgraduate School, and Adam Skrzypczak from Strategic Technology Consulting, evaluated the participants’ designs on criteria such as creativity, technical execution, and overall feasibility.

    The World Championships of System Architecture and Modeling are quickly becoming a cornerstone event in the digital engineering calendar, attracting top talent from industry and academia alike. The event aims to promote the highest standards of system architecture and modeling, while fostering innovation and collaboration across sectors.

    “We are thrilled with the caliber of competition this year,” said Brian Selvy, Chief Innovation Officer from Zuken Vitech and organizer of the competition. “The participants demonstrated extraordinary skill in tackling complex real-world problems, and their solutions have the potential to inspire advancements in digital engineering.”

    About Integrate24

    Integrate24 is an annual digital engineering symposium hosted by Zuken Vitech, featuring industry leaders, experts, and innovators from around the globe. The event serves as a forum for discussing the latest trends, technologies, and challenges in systems engineering, modeling, and digital transformation.

    About Zuken Vitech Inc.

    Zuken Vitech Inc. is a leading provider of model-based systems engineering software. For over 30 years it has delivered innovative, industry-leading solutions, helping organizations around the world solve complex problems. To learn more, visit http://www.vitechcorp.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Coalesce Recognized as Leader in Snowflake’s Modern Marketing Data Stack Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Coalesce, the data transformation company, today announced that it has been recognized as an Integration and Modeling leader in the Modern Marketing Data Stack 2025: How Leading Marketers Are Thriving In a World Redefined By AI, Privacy and Data Gravity executed and launched by Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company.

    The third annual edition of Snowflake’s Modern Marketing Data Stack report identifies the technologies, tools, and platforms used by Snowflake customers to show how marketers and advertisers can leverage the Snowflake AI Data Cloud with accompanying partner solutions to serve existing customers and convert valuable prospects.

    Snowflake analyzed usage patterns from a pool of approximately 9,800 customers as of April 2024, and identified 10 technology categories that organizations consider when building their marketing data stacks to capitalize on AI.

    The extensive report highlights three core factors throughout the industry that mark a significant departure from the martech ecosystem highlighted in the inaugural report in 2022, creating a new normal where AI, data gravity, and privacy are intertwined.

    The report offers details on how this paradigm shift is giving rise to new trends in the marketing landscape, from truly data-empowered marketers to innovative measurement techniques for marketing effectiveness. The categories include:

    Marketing and Advertising Tools & Platforms

    • Analytics & Data Capture
    • Enrichment & Hygiene
    • Identity & Onboarding
    • Customer Data Platforms
    • Marketing & Customer Engagement
    • Programmatic Solutions
    • Measurement & Optimization

    Data Tools & Platforms

    • Integration & Modeling
    • Consent Management
    • Business Intelligence

    The report explores each of these categories that comprise the Modern Marketing Data Stack, highlighting AI Data Cloud Product Partners and their solutions as “leaders” or “ones to watch” within each category. The report also details how current Snowflake customers leverage a number of these partner technologies to enable data-driven marketing strategies and informed business decisions. Snowflake’s report provides a concrete overview of the partner technology providers and data providers marketers choose to create their data stacks.

    “We’re witnessing a changing of the guard around AI and how marketers capitalize on this massive opportunity as the very shape of the marketing stack evolves, leveraging the Snowflake AI Data Cloud to access and act on data directly where it resides,” said Denise Persson, Chief Marketing Officer at Snowflake. “Coalesce emerged as a leader in the Integration and Modeling Category with joint customers leveraging their platform to build high-quality data products that are accessible for marketing teams, and easily collaborated on with their data experts.”

    Coalesce was identified in Snowflake’s report as a leader in the Integration and Modeling Category for enabling joint customers to build data pipelines on Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud that are accessible and scalable for their marketing teams.

    “We’re proud that Snowflake has identified Coalesce as a leader in Snowflake’s 2025 Modern Marketing Data Stack report,” said Wade Tibke, CMO at Coalesce. “Instant access to trusted and governed data is critical to the success of marketing teams today. Too often, marketing teams feel slowed down or even bottlenecked by centralized data teams that are busy maintaining data infrastructure and pipelines, and overwhelmed with business requests. Our mission is to empower marketing data practitioners of every ability to build data projects at scale, whether that’s updating existing data pipelines feeding critical marketing dashboards, or building entirely new data projects that drive marketing insights and innovation.”

    Click here to read The Modern Marketing Data Stack 2025: How Leading Marketers Are Thriving In a World Redefined By AI, Privacy and Data Gravity.

    About Coalesce
    Coalesce revolutionizes data transformations to accelerate the delivery of data projects. Recognizing data transformation’s critical role in the analytics lifecycle, we’ve created an inclusive developer platform that automates most SQL coding without sacrificing flexibility. Our platform boosts data team efficiency tenfold, allowing faster data pipeline development while empowering organizations to concentrate on extracting maximum value from their data. Discover more at Coalesce.io.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Fractile licenses Andes Technology’s RISC-V vector processor as it builds radical new chip to accelerate AI inference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Jose, CA, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Andes Technology, a leading supplier of high-efficiency, low-power 32/64-bit RISC-V processor cores and Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, are proud to announce a partnership with Fractile, the company building the chips and systems needed to reach the next frontier of AI performance. Fractile is developing AI inference accelerators based on in-memory compute and aim to be able to run frontier AI models – large language, vision and audio models – two orders of magnitude faster than existing hardware, at a tenfold reduction in cost.

    Large language models and other foundation models have become the driving force behind the skyrocketing scale of data center AI compute requirements. From ChatGPT to the open-source Llama model series, LLMs and other foundation models are finding widespread application. Model inference – the process of serving these trained models – is coming to be the dominant portion of compute costs, exceeding the cost of model training.  Fractile has licensed the powerful Andes AX45MPV RISC-V vector processor, combined with ACE (Andes Automated Custom Extension™) and Andes Domain Library, and plans to incorporate the vector processing unit into their first-generation data center AI inference accelerator.  

    Fractile’s uses novel circuits to execute 99.99% of the operations needed to run model inference in on-chip memory. This removes the need to shuttle model parameters to and from processor chips, instead baking computational operations into memory directly.  This architecture drives both much higher energy efficiency (TOPS/W) as well as dramatically improved latency on inference tasks (tokens per second per user in an LLM context, for instance). The company has been betting on inference scaling – leveraging more inference time-compute to improve AI performance – as the next frontier of AI scaling. The AI world seems to agree with OpenAI recently releasing their latest LLM, o1, which requires orders of magnitude more inference compute than previous LLMs. Fractile’s hardware and software stack is built to take models that can still take many seconds to produce an answer on current hardware and make this instantaneous.

    As part of the collaboration, Fractile will integrate Andes Technology’s high-performance RISC-V vector processor with its own groundbreaking in-memory computing architecture via ACE. Fractile’s architecture leverages the strengths of both companies, aiming to deliver an exceptionally fast and cost-effective AI inference system that overcomes the limitations of conventional computing methods – blasting through the memory bottleneck.

    Dr. Charlie Su, President and CTO of Andes Technology, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, “AX45MPV, with strong compute capabilities, high memory bandwidth and the flexible ACE tool, has been chosen by innovative AI companies large and small since its debut in 2023. Andes RISC-V vector processors have enabled many AI SoCs to break free from architecture limitation and achieve new levels of performance and efficiency. We are confident that the synergy between Fractile’s In-Memory Computing technologies and Andes’ award-winning RISC-V vector processing will lead to yet another success.”

    Dr. Walter Goodwin, CEO and founder of Fractile, added: “The limitations of existing hardware present the biggest barrier to AI performance and adoption. Andes Technology has unmatched technical and commercial leadership on RISC-V vector processors and is a natural partner for us as we build Fractile’s accelerator systems. Building hardware for AI acceleration is intrinsically hard – the world’s leading models can change overnight, while chips take time to bring to market. Software-programmable vector processors like Andes’ are a key part of staying robust to these changes. We’re delighted to announce this collaboration as Fractile furthers its mission to supercharge inference.

    For more information about Andes Technology and Fractile, please visit their respective websites at https://www.andestech.com and https://www.fractile.ai/

    About Andes Technology

    Nineteen years in business and a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, Andes is a publicly-listed company (TWSE: 6533; SIN: US03420C2089; ISIN: US03420C1099) and a leading supplier of high-performance/low-power 32/64-bit embedded processor IP solutions, and the driving force in taking RISC-V mainstream. Its V5 RISC-V CPU families range from tiny 32-bit cores to advanced 64-bit Out-of-Order processors with DSP, FPU, Vector, Linux, superscalar, and/or multi/many-core capabilities. By the end of 2023, the cumulative volume of Andes-Embedded™ SoCs has surpassed 14 billion. For more information, please visit https://www.andestech.com . Follow Andes on LinkedIn, Twitter, Bilibili and YouTube! ! 

    About Fractile

    Fractile is an AI hardware company that is building its first groundbreaking new AI chip, capable of running state-of-the-art AI models up to 100x faster and 10x cheaper than existing hardware. Founded in 2022 in London by 28-year-old artificial intelligence PhD Walter Goodwin, Fractile’s transformative computing technology will enhance collective AI capabilities by enabling the largest and most capable neural networks of today and tomorrow to run faster, more efficiently and more sustainably. The company has raised $17.5m (£14m) in funding from investors including the NATO Innovation Fund, Kindred Capital, Oxford Science Enterprises, Cocoa and Inovia Capital, as well as angel investors including Hermann Hauser (founder, Acorn, Amadeus), Stan Boland (ex-Acorn, Icera, NVIDIA and Five AI) and Amar Shah (co-founder, Wayve).

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: DeepComputing and Andes Technology Partner to Develop the World’s First RISC-V AI PC with 7nm QiLai SoC, Featuring Ubuntu Desktop

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Jose, CA, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DeepComputing, a pioneer in RISC-V innovation, today announced a strategic partnership with Andes Technology Corporation, a leading provider of high-efficiency, low-power 32/64-bit RISC-V processor cores. Together, the two companies collaborate to develop the world’s first RISC-V AI PC, powered by Andes’ 7nm QiLai SoC. This innovated low-power PC will come equipped with Ubuntu Desktop and aims to redefine AI computing by combining industry-leading hardware and software designed specifically for RISC-V.

    The collaboration marks a significant milestone in the evolution of AI PCs, which utilize artificial intelligence to enhance productivity, creativity, entertainment, security, and more. The power-efficient RISC-V AI PC, based on the QiLai SoC, integrates a multi-core CPU, vector processor, GPU, and various peripherals for optimal performance, and AI workload handling. This product is designed to cater to developers and enterprises looking for advanced, open-standard RISC-V solutions.

    Revolutionizing AI Computing with RISC-V and Andes Technology

    The Andes QiLai SoC contains 2 Andes RISC-V processors: a high-performance quad-core  AX45MP cluster and an NX27V vector processor. The AX45MP superscalar multicore is optimized for Linux-based applications by configuring a 2MB Level-2 cache and a Memory Management Unit (MMU). The NX27V vector processor, with a 512-bit vector length and data path width, is specifically designed to handle AI workloads efficiently. Running at up to 2.2 GHz (AX45MP) and 1.5 GHz (NX27V), the QiLai SoC delivers high performance while maintaining low power consumption of approximately 5W at full speed. A configuration of the AX45MP is used in the Renesas RZ/Five MPU while two instances of the NX27V help construct the PE’s (Processing Elements) in the 8×8 PE array of the Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA).

    “We are excited to work with DeepComputing and Canonical for this AI PC project based on our newly-introduced QiLai SoC.” said Frankwell Lin, Chairman and CEO of Andes. “The QiLai leverages TSMC’s 7nm process technology and underscores our commitment to supporting the expansion of the RISC-V ecosystem. As always, Andes continues its position as a pure-play IP provider, not entering the chip business. Andes welcome chip company considering to license QiLai as an SoC IP for production. This AI PC project will demonstrate the power of the RISC-V architecture for general application processing and AI acceleration, and provide a powerful RISC-V platform for application development and processor IP evaluation.”

    The World’s First RISC-V AI PC

    The RISC-V AI PC developed by DeepComputing and Andes will feature Ubuntu Desktop. In addition, there are a suite of tools and frameworks optimized for AI workloads, including the AndeSight™ toolchains, AndeSoft™ software stacks, and AndesAIRE™ NN SDK, which compiles AI/ML models to executables running on the NX27V vector processor.

    The product represents a breakthrough in AI PC design, offering an open and modular approach that caters to the growing RISC-V developer community. Designed for a wide range of use cases, the RISC-V AI PC supports diverse AI-driven applications, from productivity and creativity to gaming and security.

    Gordan Markuš, Director of Silicon Alliances at Canonical noted, “We are thrilled to collaborate with DeepComputing and Andes on this groundbreaking project. By equipping the world’s first RISC-V AI PC with Ubuntu Desktop, we’re not only offering a powerful development platform but also enabling a robust, open-source software ecosystem. This partnership will help accelerate the adoption of RISC-V technology and broaden the possibilities for developers and businesses working with AI at the edge.”

    Expanding the RISC-V Ecosystem

    By offering the world’s first RISC-V AI PC, DeepComputing and Andes aim to accelerate the development of RISC-V-based AI solutions and expand the reach of RISC-V in the broader computing landscape. This collaboration is driven by the growing demand for RISC-V platforms that enable fast software development, evaluation, and deployment.

    “We’re excited to partner with Andes Technology on this innovative project,” said Yuning, CEO of DeepComputing. “This partnership aligns with our mission to push the boundaries of RISC-V technologies and provide developers with the tools and platforms they need to shape the future of AI computing.”

    The RISC-V AI PC platform will be unveiled at the RISC-V Summit NA 2024, where it will be showcased at the DeepComputing booth. The product will be officially available in early 2025.

    About Andes Technology

    Nineteen years in business and a Founding Premier member of RISC-V International, Andes is publicly-listed company (TWSE: 6533; SIN: US03420C2089; ISIN: US03420C1099) and a leading supplier of high-performance/low-power 32/64-bit embedded processor IP solutions, and the driving force in taking RISC-V mainstream. Its V5 RISC-V CPU families range from tiny 32-bit cores to advanced 64-bit Out-of-Order processors with DSP, FPU, Vector, Linux, superscalar, functional safety and/or multi/many-core capabilities. By the end of 2023, the cumulative volume of Andes-Embedded™ SoCs has surpassed 14 billion. For more information, please visit https://www.andestech.com. Follow Andes on LinkedIn、Facebook、X、Bilibili  and YouTube! 

    About Canonical

    Canonical, the publisher of Ubuntu, provides open source security, support and services. Their portfolio covers critical systems, from the smallest devices to the largest clouds, from the kernel to containers, from databases to AI. With customers that include top tech brands, emerging startups, governments and home users, Canonical delivers trusted open source for everyone. Learn more at https://canonical.com/.

    About DeepComputing

    Formed in 2022 by a group of dedicated RISC-V enthusiasts, DeepComputing is a pioneer in RISC-V innovation, leading the way in connecting developer communities, suppliers, tools and systems with the world of RISC-V. We are committed to advancing the adoption and implementation of RISC-V beyond existing ISA chipsets. Together with a diverse and dedicated array of partners, we are focused on driving development of the RISC-V ecosystem through our DeepComputing laptops, pads, workstations, AI speakers and routers, as well as our BravoMonster autonomous remote-control toys and real-world vehicles.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MX Chief Advocacy Officer Jane Barratt Named Financial Data Exchange (FDX) Co-Chair

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Financial Data Exchange (FDX) – an industry standards body focused on Open Banking – today announced MX Chief Advocacy Officer Jane Barratt as its new Board Co-Chair alongside Franklin Garrigues from TD Bank. She replaces Steve Smith who has served as Co-Chair since 2018 and is retiring from MasterCard. 

    “Jane has been instrumental in FDX’s work building consensus standards and has worked with regulatory groups for years, perfectly positioning her to take on this role without missing a beat,” shared Steve Smith. “She has passionately advocated for the financial services industry to give consumers full control over their financial data and will be able to make an even greater impact serving as FDX Co-Chair.”

    As MX’s Chief Advocacy Officer and Global Head of Public Policy, Barratt has served as a member of the FDX Board of Directors since 2021. She collaborates across consumer advocacy groups, financial institutions, fintechs, regulatory bodies, and industry groups advocating to empower consumers to achieve better financial outcomes via secure access to their financial data. 

    “As I’ve spoken and written about for years, consumers should be in control and reap the full benefits of their financial data. FDX’s work is critical in promoting secure consumer data sharing within the U.S. and unifying the industry around a common standard,” said Jane Barratt. “I couldn’t be more excited to step into this new role with FDX.”

    About FDX 
    Financial Data Exchange (FDX) is a non-profit organization operating in the US and Canada that is dedicated to unifying the financial industry around a common, interoperable, royalty-free standard for secure and convenient consumer and business access to their financial data. FDX empowers users through its commitment to the development, growth, and industry-wide adoption of the FDX API, according to the principles of control, access, transparency, traceability, and security. Membership is open to financial institutions, fintech companies, financial data aggregators, consumer advocacy groups, payment networks and other industry stakeholders. For more information and to join, visit http://www.financialdataexchange.org.

    Contact:
    Porche Matthews, Marketing Manager
    pmatthews@financialdataexchange.org

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Expanding cardiac services in southern Alberta

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Alberta’s government is working to ensure Albertans living in southern Alberta have access to the cardiac services and care they need close to home. The planning work for a cardiac catheterization laboratory in Lethbridge has been underway since 2022 and is now complete. Alberta Health is moving the project forward to the next stage, which will define the project’s scope, schedule, budget and associated impacts.

    “Residents in southern Alberta should not have to travel for comprehensive cardiac care. Expanding services and building a new cardiac catheterization lab will help residents access the services and treatments they need close to home.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    Earlier this year, Alberta Health Services submitted a needs assessment for cardiac services in southern Alberta. Typically, the next step in the process would be to develop a business case to assess options to address the identified needs and gaps; however, the needs assessment for this project identified solutions within existing facilities and it was determined the project could advance to functional programming. This will expedite the project timelines by up to one year. 

    To date, government has approved $2 million to support project planning.

    “Alberta Infrastructure is proud to work with our partner ministries to streamline project planning. We are looking forward to delivering the new cardiac catheterization lab at the Chinook Regional Hospital in a timely and cost-effective manner to improve access to vital cardiac services for residents in southern Alberta.”

    Pete Guthrie, Minister of Infrastructure

    The completed functional program will be used to inform capital funding discussions and decisions for future budget preparations.

    Quick facts

    • Compared with the provincial average, residents of southern Alberta are 30 per cent more likely to die from cardiac-related disease.
    • The submitted needs assessment recommended the construction of new intensive care units at Chinook Regional Hospital and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, and the development of interventional cardiac services in Lethbridge.
    • The Health Facilities Capital Program Manual provides an overview of the provincial health capital planning process.
      • Project stages include clinical services plan, needs assessment, business case, functional program, and design and construction.  

    Related information

    • Health Facilities Capital Program Manual

    Related news

    • Expanding cardiac care at Chinook Regional Hospital (April 12, 2023)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Media Accreditation for the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s Peace Formula

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada, together with co-organizers Norway and Ukraine, will host the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula on October 30-31, 2024.

    October 22, 2024 – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada, together with co-organizers Norway and Ukraine, will host the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine’s 10-Point Peace Formula on October 30-31, 2024.

    Media representatives who wish to cover the visit must obtain media accreditation.

    The media accreditation process is open to journalists (print, radio, television, news agencies and online media) who are on assignment with a bona fide media organization.

    Individuals performing journalistic functions who do not work for a media organization and are unable to provide a letter of assignment will have to provide proof of recent publications under the applicant’s by-line that can be readily found in the public realm and under a bona fide media organization.

    Government officials, representatives, or observers will not be accredited as media.

    To apply, please complete the form here and include all requested documentation. The registration code for media is: c&Dw8sbLRQ@M

    Only applications that include all requested information will be considered.

    The application period will close on October 29, 2024 at 15:30 PM ET. Once the application process is closed, there will be no further opportunity to apply for accreditation. Please note that accreditation does not guarantee access to all events during the visit.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mikhail Mishustin held a meeting with the State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met with State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev.

    During the meeting, priority tasks for deepening Russian-Belarusian integration in the Union State were discussed in the context of preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Union State.

    The draft agenda of the Union Council of Ministers includes current issues of practical cooperation between Russia and Belarus. Priority attention will be given to the implementation of the Main Directions for the Implementation of the Provisions of the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State for 2024–2026, approved by the Supreme State Council of the Union State on January 6, 2024.

    It is also planned to discuss the promotion of joint projects in various areas in order to create favorable conditions for increasing trade and economic cooperation and improving the well-being of citizens of Russia and Belarus.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: DOE Awards $48.6 Million in Support of Project Tundra

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    10.22.24

    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded more than $48.6 million in support of Project Tundra, a carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) effort led by Minnkota Power Cooperative. The funding is being awarded to the DCC East Project in Grand Forks.

    “North Dakota has always been a leader in energy innovation and now with Project Tundra, we’re leading the technology development of carbon capture and storage on a traditional coal-fired power plant,” said Hoeven. “Project Tundra is vital to the future of our lignite industry, and will help ensure we have the reliability and affordability of coal-fired electric power today and for future generations.”

    Hoeven has worked to advance Project Tundra to provide a way forward for the state’s coal-fired electric industry. Last year, Minnkota and Hoeven announced that Project Tundra had entered its final stage of development as new affiliates, including TC Energy, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kiewit, were added to build the project.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Helps Secure $20 Million to Rehabilitate & Preserve Highway 52

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    10.16.24

    BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, today announced a $20 million award to the North Dakota Department of Transportation for the Freight Reliability and Preservation Project on US 52. Specifically, the project will restore roughly 45 miles of existing asphalt pavement from west of Drake to Fessenden, consolidate access points at the intersection of US 52 and North Dakota Highway 3 (ND 3) in Harvey, add acceleration and deceleration lanes at existing at-grade railroad crossings as well as add turn lanes at critical intersections from seven miles south of Portal to Carrington. 

    “The funding we worked to secure will support much needed rehabilitation and enhancements for US 52,” said Hoeven. “This major highway is essential to North Dakota and this award will help expand access with greater safety across the state.”

    Earlier this year, Hoeven led the North Dakota congressional delegation in making the case for funding the project to the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary, stressing the benefits to freight transportation, while reducing congestion and improving safety.

    -###-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks by Vice President Harris in Press Gaggle | Royal Oak,  MI

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Royal Oak Music TheatreRoyal Oak, Michigan
    3:59 P.M. EDT
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everyone.  Well, we are here in Michigan, just left Pennsylvania.  And then after Michigan, we’ll be on our way to Wisconsin. 
    And I will mention a couple of things that have just recently come up — for example, that my opponent, Donald Trump, does not believe we should raise minimum wage.  And I think everyone knows that the current federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, which means that the person who is working a full day and working full weeks will make $15,000 a year, which is essentially poverty wages. 
    So, there is a big difference between Donald Trump and me on a number of issues, including this, where I absolutely believe we must raise minimum wage and that hardworking Americans, whether they’re working at McDonald’s or anywhere else, should have at least the ability to be able to take care of their family and take care of themselves in a way that allows them to actually be able to sustain their needs.
    The other issue that has come up recently has been the issue of what we are seeing, again, about Donald Trump just being, frankly, hostile to the whole notion and importance of Social Security.  There are many seniors in our country that Social Security is their only form of income.  And now an independent agency has reviewed Donald Trump’s theory about Social Security and his policies and has indicated that his policy would actually render the Social Security fund empty, essentially, in six years.
    Again, if you look at it from minim- — minimum wage to Social Security, Donald Trump clearly does not understand the needs of working people.  With Social Security be- — being rendered insolvent in six years, what that would mean for the seniors of America is catastrophic. 
    And then, lastly, on the issue of contraception, I’m very pleased that our administration today announced a rule that would essentially allow folks to get contraception over the counter.  And as we know, my policy is about making sure that Americans have what they need in terms of their reproductive health.  And Donald Trump, you just look at his plan 20- — his Project 2025 would actually restrict access to contraception, which would just contribute to the public health crisis he’s already created.
    I’ll take any questions.
    AIDE:  We’re going to start with Erica Green at the New York Times.
         Q    Madam President — Vice President, sorry.  Keeps happening.  Could you please speak to your — your messaging today —
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Sure.
         Q    — particularly as you go through the suburbs?
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.
         Q    You’re trying to reach swing voters.  Among them are women —
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yep.
         Q    — white women who voted for Donald Trump in the last two elections.  Can you talk about your messaging to them and what you’re hoping will break through to them?
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, today, I am spending the day with former Congresswoman Liz Cheney.  We are traveling to three states to talk with all Americans about what is at stake in this election, but doing it through the lens of a very important point, that what is at stake in this election is so fundamental that it really does cross partisan lines.
    We are talking about whether you will have a president of the United States who takes seriously their duty and their oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States.  And there is a clear distinction here, which is that I will and he will not, as evidenced by many statements he has made, including his intention to be a dictator on day one, his intention to weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies. 
    And then you just look at what the people who know him best and worked with him in the Oval Office and the White House have said about him, which is he is unfit to serve and would be dangerous if he were president again.  And he, even by the former chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, has been called a “fascist to his core.”  I am quoting.
    So, what we are talking with folks about today is what I’ve been talking with folks about since I’ve been on the campaign trail these last 70-odd days, which is this is a choice for the American people, and it is a choice between whether we’re going to chart a new way forward that turns the page on the division, the hate, the chaos of Donald Trump. 
    But also, and maybe even more fundamentally, do we have a president of the United States who stands behind the seal of the president of the United States taking seriously their oath and their duty to uphold the Constitution of the United States and abide by the rule of law?
    And so, I’m out here talking with folks to remind them of what’s at stake.  And I’m very pleased and honored that so many people are showing up to these events to have this conversation, because I think they know, regardless of who they voted for in the last election and the party with which they’re registered to vote, on some issues, we just have to all be Americans and put party aside.
    AIDE:  We’re going to go to Colleen at the AP.
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi. 
    Q    Hi, Madam Vice President.  Do you think that Republican voters — in specific, women voters — will be more likely to vote for you because of the fall of Roe?  And are the Republican votes key to winning the (inaudible) states?
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, I look at what happened in the midterms and in special elections to guide my thinking about this issue.  And what we saw is, in so-called “red” states and so-called “blue” states, when the issue of the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body is on the ballot, the American people vote for freedom regardless of the party with which they’re registered to vote.
    And I do believe it is such a fundamental issue, which is understanding you don’t have to abandon your faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling women what to do with their body.  So, I do believe it is a compelling issue, especially when we consider the fact that, for so many of us, our daughter is going to have fewer rights than their grandmother. 
    And America’s strength — one of the attributes of our progress has been the expansion of rights, not the restriction of rights.  And that’s what we’re seeing happen, and it has happened because Donald Trump created this situation when he hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade, and they did as he intended.
    AIDE:  We have time for one more.  Andrea at Reuters, are you here?
         Q    Yeah.  Hi.  So, Elon Musk is giving away a million dollars a day to voters who sign a petition.  Do you have concerns about that in ter- — in the context of law, you know, the sort of legal framework around elections? 
    And secondly, a Reuters investigation has shown something like 300 cases of political violence already in the run-up to the election.  Can you just address what can be done and what the federal government can do to push back against that?
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, on the first point, I think people are looking into that.
    On the second point —
         Q    When you say “people,” do you mean the U.S. government?
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I mean I hear that folks are looking into it, just based on the stuff you all are reporting.  (Laughs.)
    On the second point, there should be no place in America where we are seeing political violence.  And, sadly, we have seen, if we just look back to January 6th, when that occurred in a way that was most shocking and brought on because, of course, of Donald Trump, who incited a mob — a violent mob that attacked the United States Capitol, wherein over 140 uniformed law enforcement officers were injured and some were killed and where Donald Trump has still yet to acknowledge the travesty of that day and the political violence that occurred that day.
    So, I will say and repeat what I think most people understand: In America, in a democracy, we should have no room for nor should we ever condone any form of political violence.  In a democracy, people will debate, people will disagree, but not resort to violence.  And everyone should speak out about that, including and especially anybody who’s running for president of the United States.
    AIDE:  Thank you, Madam Vice President.
         Q    Thank you.
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  All right.  Thank you all.
                            END                     4:07 P.M. EDT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: 2025 Young Investigators

    Source: United States Navy

    Today, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) celebrates the 40th year of its Young Investigator Program (YIP) by honoring the Class of 2025 YIP awardees.

    Approximately $18 million in funding will be shared by 24 university professors to conduct innovative scientific research that will benefit science and technology development for the Department of the Navy.

    “In order for ONR to bring innovative science and technology to the Sailors and Marines we have the privilege of serving, we must identify and attract the brightest scientists and engineers from around the nation,” said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus. “The Young Investigator Program is crucial to that mission, and I am honored to announce the recipients for 2025.”

    The ONR YIP is a highly competitive program that attracts outstanding early-career academics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to propose innovative solutions to Navy and Marine Corps warfighter challenges. Prior academic accomplishments and potential for significant scientific breakthroughs are key elements of the evaluation criteria. The 2025 YIP awardees were chosen from more than 230 applicants — all of whom are college and university tenure-track or equivalent faculty and who obtained a Ph.D. on or after Jan. 1, 2017.

    Awardees represent 19 academic institutions in 14 states, supporting a broad range of naval-relevant research topics, including quantum information, mathematical optimization, atmospheric predictions, quantum materials, artificial intelligence, autonomous operations, advanced sensors, soft robotics, cognitive performance, unsteady boundary layers and high-temperature thermal management.

    The YIP awards support postdoctoral and graduate student stipends and scholarships, the acquisition of laboratory equipment, and other expenses critical to the planned research. Typical grants are $750,000 over a three-year period.

    “Congratulations to the ONR Young Investigator Program on 40 years of fostering and advancing scientific discovery and cultivating creative, forward-thinking scientists and engineers,” said ONR Executive Director Dr. Thomas Fu. “This esteemed program is vital to ensuring the Department of the Navy has an abundant pipeline of talent to address naval S&T challenges.”

    Established in 1985, the ONR YIP is one of the nation’s oldest and most selective basic-research, early-career awards in science and technology. Its purpose is to fund tenure-track academic researchers, or equivalent, whose scientific pursuits show outstanding promise for supporting the Department of Defense, while also promoting their professional development.

    View the list of 2025 Office of Naval Research Young Investigator awardees at https://www.onr.navy.mil/2025-young-investigators.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Leads Senators In Demanding Answers From Pfizer, Eli Lilly On New Telehealth Platforms Amid Concerns Of Inappropriate Prescribing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    10.22.24
    In Letters to Pfizer and Eli Lilly, Durbin, Sanders, Welch, and Warren request details about whether the companies’ new advertising & telehealth schemes create conflicts of interest that steer patients toward particular medications
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to the CEOs of Pfizer Inc. and Eli Lilly demanding answers about the pharmaceutical companies’ recent move to establish new direct-to-consumer (DTC) telehealth platforms.  These new arrangements steer patients toward particular medications and create the potential for inappropriate prescribing that can increase spending for federal health care programs. 
    As Durbin notes in his letters, federal law, specifically the Anti-Kickback Statute, prohibits the willful payment of remuneration to induce patient referrals for Medicare or Medicaid-covered services or goods.  Durbin requested additional information about the nature of Pfizer and Eli Lilly’s contracts with their chosen telehealth platforms, including the characteristics of the medical evaluation and whether the telehealth providers are pressured to prescribe Pfizer or Eli Lilly medications.
    Along with Durbin, the letters were also signed by U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) .
    “Pfizer recently launched a new telehealth platform, PfizerForAll, that links patients interested in receiving specific medications with a health care provider who can virtually prescribe that medication…  We write to learn more about the financial relationship between Pfizer and its chosen telehealth prescribers, given the potential implications for the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS),” the Senators began their letter to Pfizer.
    The United States is one of only two countries in the world that permit DTC advertising of prescription drugs, in part because this practice has been shown to increase patient demand for advertised drugs and the likelihood of a patient receiving a prescription for that drug.  Pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, spend an estimated $6 billion annually on DTC advertising to boost patient demand for medications.  As a result, a small number of prescription drugs advertised on television accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s overall spending on prescription drugs between 2016 and 2018. 
    The Senators continued their letter, expressing his concern that Pfizer and Eli Lilly’s new telehealth platforms may be pressuring health care providers into prescribing their medications, which could violate federal law. 
    “The launch of Pfizer’s new telehealth platform, similar to an existing platform for the virtual prescribing of Nurtec, raises questions about the nature of Pfizer’s relationship with its hired telehealth prescribers and the potential for inducement of prescriptions payable by federal health care programs,” the Senators wrote in their letter to Pfizer.
    “After describing Pfizer’s medications and the benefit they can have for patients, Pfizer’s telehealth platform provides a link for patients to ‘talk to a doctor now’ and fill prescriptions via an online pharmacy.  This creates the impression that any patient interested in a particular medication can indeed receive it with just a few clicks, and the appearance of Pfizer’s approval that these chosen telehealth providers can ensure a patient receives the given medication,” the Senators wrote.
    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG) has been wary of telehealth platforms, issuing a Special Fraud Alert in 2022 to warn health care practitioners of specific risks of schemes involving telehealth platforms that “intentionally paid physicians … kickbacks to generate … prescriptions for medically unnecessary … medications, resulting in submission of fraudulent claims to Medicare [and] Medicaid.”  HHS OIG listed limited interaction with the purported patient, limited opportunity to review the patient’s medical records, and/or a directive to prescribe a preselected item, regardless of clinical appropriateness as potential fraudulent aspects of telehealth platforms’ arrangements with prescribers.
    In their letter to Pfizer, the Senators points to a specific example of PfizerForAll engaging in behavior that HHS OIG warned about.
    “The nature of the PfizerForAll platform appears to reflect many aspects of the HHS OIG warning for potential fraud.  Unsurprisingly, a patient coming straight from Pfizer’s website to a telehealth appointment with a prescriber chosen by Pfizer is overwhelmingly more likely to ask for Pfizer’s medication.  Further, that prescriber may have an incentive to prescribe such medication, whether or not it is medically necessary or clinically appropriate.  Payments by Pfizer hold the potential to induce specific actions of the prescribing pen,” the Senators wrote.
    The Senators continued, “These concerns are underscored by statements by Pfizer’s chosen prescribing contractor—Populus—for its Nurtec migraine medication.  Populus’ co-founder claimed in reporting by STAT News that more than 90 percent of eligible patients receive a prescription for the brand of drug whose marketing they clicked on, further adding, ‘We’re driving prescriptions.’  Similarly, UpScriptHealth has advertised job openings to prescribers with the statement, ‘on average, providers can complete 6-10 visits an hour’ and by defining ‘a completed visit is either an approval or denial of prescription request,’ which raises concerns about the adequacy of the provider’s patient engagement, quality of medical review, and expected outcomes.”
    The Senators concluded their letters to both Pfizer and Eli Lilly by requesting details about how the companies run their telehealth platforms and if patients are receiving adequate care rather than a hastily written prescription to a heavily-advertised medication produced by the pharmaceutical company.
    Today’s letters are Durbin’s latest action in cracking down on excessive prescription drug advertising that can harm patients and increase prescription drug costs.  Last November, Durbin took to the Senate floor to request unanimous consent for his bipartisan Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, a bill that would require price disclosures on advertisements for prescription drugs in order to empower patients and reduce excessive spending on medications.  Durbin also introduced the Protecting Patients from Deceptive Drug Ads Online Act, bipartisan legislation that would protect public health and close regulatory loopholes by having the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) address false and misleading prescription drug promotions by social media influencers and telehealth companies. 
    In May, Durbin chaired a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Ensuring Affordable & Accessible Medications: Examining Competition in the Prescription Drug Market.”  The hearing examined prescription drug prices, competition, and innovation, and how to ensure medications are accessible and affordable for American families.
    In his role as Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Durbin also supported the advancement of a package of bills, which were reported unanimously out of Committee in February 2023, to lower prescription drug prices.  The package included Durbin’s Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act, which establishes an interagency task force between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and FDA for purposes of sharing information and providing technical assistance with respect to patents.
    A copy of the letter to Eli Lilly is available here.
    A copy of the letter to Pfizer is available here and below:
    October 21, 2024
    Dear Mr. Bourla:
                Pfizer recently launched a new telehealth platform, PfizerForAll, that links patients interested in receiving specific medications with a health care provider who can virtually prescribe that medication.  This manufacturer-sponsored arrangement appears intended to steer patients toward particular medications and creates the potential for inappropriate prescribing that can increase spending for federal health care programs.  We write to learn more about the financial relationship between Pfizer and its chosen telehealth prescribers, given the potential implications for the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). 
                Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs has been shown to increase both patient demand for specific medications and the likelihood of a patient receiving a prescription for that drug.  Pharmaceutical manufacturers like Pfizer spend an estimated $6 billion annually in DTC advertising to boost patient awareness and demand for advertised medications.  The U.S. is one of only two developed countries in the world that permits such health claims.  The American Medical Association has stated, “direct-to-consumer advertising inflates demand for new and expensive drugs, even when these drugs may not be appropriate.”
                A recent study found that more than two-thirds of drugs advertised on television were considered “low added value.”  This creates concern for taxpayers, as a review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the small number of prescription drugs advertised on television accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s overall spending on prescription drugs between 2016-2018.  For example, these DTC advertisements helped to balloon Medicare spending on Pfizer’s Xeljanz to more than $886 million in 2022.
                Telehealth can help to address barriers to care, including by expanding access for patients facing transportation barriers, helping to overcome stigma, and identifying providers when there may be workforce shortages.  But those important aspects of care can be undermined without comprehensive services that ensure a thorough patient evaluation and follow-up, especially if there is any appearance of a conflict of interest for the treatment provider.
    The launch of Pfizer’s telehealth platform, similar to an existing one for the virtual prescribing of Nurtec, raises questions about the nature of Pfizer’s relationship with its contracted telehealth prescribers and the potential for inducement of prescriptions payable by federal health programs.  The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG) warns, “as a physician, you are an attractive target for kickback schemes because you can be a source of referrals for … health care … suppliers.”  OIG adds, “many … companies want your patients’ business and would pay you to send that business their way.”
                After describing Pfizer’s medications and the benefit they can have for patients, Pfizer’s telehealth platform provides a link for patients to “talk to a doctor now” and fill prescriptions via an online pharmacy.  This creates the impression that any patient interested in a particular medication can indeed receive it with just a few clicks, and the appearance of Pfizer’s approval that these chosen telehealth providers can ensure a patient receives the given medication. 
    In 2022, the HHS OIG issued a Special Fraud Alert to notify health care practitioners of the specific risks of schemes involving telehealth platforms that “intentionally paid physicians … kickbacks to generate … prescriptions for medically unnecessary … medications, resulting in submission of fraudulent claims to Medicare [and] Medicaid.”  According to the HHS OIG, fraudulent aspects of these arrangements for prescribers may include: limited interaction with the purported patient, limited opportunity to review the patient’s medical records, and/or a directive to prescribe a preselected item, regardless of clinical appropriateness.
    The nature of the PfizerForAll platform appears to reflect many aspects of the HHS OIG warning for potential fraud.  Unsurprisingly, a patient coming straight from Pfizer’s website to a telehealth appointment with a prescriber chosen by Pfizer is overwhelmingly more likely to ask for Pfizer’s medication.  Further, that prescriber may have an incentive to prescribe such medication, whether or not it is medically necessary or clinically appropriate.  Payments by Pfizer hold the potential to induce specific actions of the prescribing pen. 
    These concerns are underscored by statements from Pfizer’s chosen prescribing contractor—Populus—for its Nurtec migraine medication.  Populus’ co-founder claimed in reporting by STAT News that more than 90 percent of eligible patients receive a prescription for the brand of drug whose marketing they clicked on, further adding, “We’re driving prescriptions.”  Similarly, UpScriptHealth has advertised job openings to prescribers with the statement, “on average, providers can complete 6-10 visits an hour” and by defining “a completed visit is either an approval or denial of prescription request,” which raises concerns about the adequacy of the provider’s patient engagement, quality of medical review, and expected outcomes.
    To better understand the nature of Pfizer’s relationship with contracted telehealth prescribers, we request written responses to the following questions by November 25, 2024:
    1.       Do Pfizer’s DTC advertisements for certain medications, including commercials on television or promotions on social media, direct consumers to PfizerForAll or the Nurtec/Populus page?
    1.       How much has Pfizer spent on such advertisements in the most recent six-month period for which data is available?
    2.       How much has Pfizer spent on disease awareness, continuing medical education activities, medical publications, patient advocacy/engagement, or other health promotion directed at prescribers or consumers for diseases related to medications listed on PfizerForAll or the Nurtec/Populus page in the most recent six-month period for which data is available?
    2.       Are any forms of insurance excluded from eligibility or participation with PfizerForAll or the Nurtec/Populus page?  Please list which types of insurance are not eligible to participate.
    3.       Does Pfizer direct, encourage, or educate UpScriptHealth- or Populus-affiliated health care providers to prescribe Pfizer’s medications?
    4.       Did Pfizer share, consult, or communicate with UpScriptHealth or Populus in creating the “discussion guide” for patients to speak with their Pfizer-linked telehealth provider?
    5.       What is the average duration of the virtual health care visit between an UpScriptHealth- or Populus-affiliated health care provider and a patient who is connected to them via Pfizer’s website? 
    1.       After initially filling out information, are such visits always conducted via a video platform, or are there other options available?
    6.       Do UpScriptHealth- or Populus-affiliated health care providers always review the medical history and records of a patient who is connected to them via Pfizer’s website?  If so, please describe in detail how those records are accessed.
    7.       How does Pfizer set the compensation paid to its telehealth partners?  Please provide a copy of the terms of agreement between Pfizer and UpScriptHealth, and between Pfizer and Populus.
    1.       Is Pfizer paying fair market value for the services of UpScriptHealth or Populus?
    2.       Does Pfizer make a bonus payment to UpScriptHealth or Populus based on the number of prescriptions written, including refills?
    3.       Does Pfizer contract with UpScriptHealth or Populus to furnish a certain number of prescriptions for certain medications?
    4.       Would the UpScriptHealth- or Populus-affiliated health care provider have actual or constructive knowledge that a patient was referred to them via Pfizer’s telehealth platform?
    5.       What metrics does Pfizer use to evaluate the performance of its contracts with UpScriptHealth and Populus and affiliated health care providers?
    8.       What data is being provided by UpScriptHealth or Populus to Pfizer as part of these agreements?  Please list all fields or categories of data being provided to Pfizer, including patient information, consumer behavior information, and marketing outcomes information.
    9.       What role, if any, does Pfizer play in collecting, defraying, or otherwise interacting with the co-pay that is associated with the provider consultation on Pfizer’s telehealth platforms?
    10.   Based upon prescribing or claims data that Pfizer has access to, how many prescriptions for a Pfizer medication have UpScriptHealth- or Populus-affiliated health care providers written in the most recent 30-day period for which Pfizer has available information?
    11.   What percentage of consumers who meet virtually with an UpScriptHealth- or Populus-affiliated health care provider receive a prescription for a Pfizer medication?
    1.       What percentage of such consumers receive a prescription for a medication manufactured by another brand-name company?
    2.       What percentage of such consumers receive a prescription for a generic medication?
    3.       What percentage of such consumers receive no prescription?
    12.   How much revenue has Pfizer generated from these telehealth platforms in the most recent 30-day period for which Pfizer has available information?
    13.   Outside of the contract terms with UpScriptHealth or Populus, please provide a list of all payments by Pfizer to each health care provider that is linked to via PfizerForAll over the past 12-month period, including for “speaking,” “consulting,” or other goods, fees, or services.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter.  We look forward to your response. 
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Parliamentary elections

    Source: United Nations – English

    he Secretary-General congratulates the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and its people on the holding of parliamentary elections on 20 October, which took place in a calm and peaceful manner. He further commends the efforts of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), supported by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in the preparations and conduct of these elections.

    As the Kurdistan Region of Iraq awaits the final results, the Secretary-General encourages all political leaders and segments of society to continue to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and urges political actors to resolve any electoral disputes through established legal channels and to complete the electoral process by forming an inclusive government as soon as possible. He reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to support Iraq’s efforts to consolidate democratic gains and build a prosperous future for the people of Iraq.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Microsoft healthcare ransomware report highlights need for industry action

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Microsoft healthcare ransomware report highlights need for industry action

    Healthcare organizations are an increasingly attractive target for threat actors. In a new Microsoft Threat Intelligence report, US healthcare at risk: strengthening resiliency against ransomware attacks, our researchers identified that ransomware continues to be among the most common and impactful cyberthreats targeting organizations. The report offers a holistic view of the healthcare threat landscape with a particular focus on ransomware attacks observed in recent years. By reading the report, healthcare organizations will gain insights that will help navigate these cyberthreats and understand how collective defense strategies can help improve protection and increase access to relevant threat intelligence.

    Read Microsoft’s new report on healthcare security trends

    Prior to 2020, there was an unspoken rule of threat actors to not launch attacks against schools and children, infrastructure, and healthcare organizations.1 However, that “rule” no longer applies, and in the past four years the healthcare threat landscape has seen tremendous shifts for the worse.

    To put this shift into context, consider these trends from the Microsoft Threat Intelligence report showing healthcare cybersecurity challenges:

    • Healthcare is one of the top 10 most targeted industries in the second quarter of 20242—and has been for the past four quarters.
    • Ransomware attacks are costly, with healthcare organizations losing an average of $900,000 per day on downtime alone.3
    • In a recent study, out of the 99 healthcare organizations that admitted to paying a ransom and disclosed the ransom paid, the average payment was $4.4 million.4

    The serious impact of ransomware on healthcare

    While the potential financial risk for healthcare organizations is high, lives are at stake because ransomware attacks impact patient outcomes. If healthcare providers are not able to use diagnostic equipment or access patient medical records because it’s under ransom, care will be disrupted.

    Healthcare facilities located near hospitals that are impacted by ransomware are also affected because they experience a surge of patients needing care and are unable to support them in an urgent manner. As a result, patients can experience longer wait times, which studies show could lead to more severe stroke cases and heart attack cases.5

    These attacks don’t just impact facilities in large cities; in fact, rural health clinics are also a target for cyberattacks. They are particularly vulnerable to ransomware incidents because they often have limited means to prevent and remediate security risks. This can be devastating for a community as these hospitals are often the only healthcare option for many miles in the communities they serve.  

    Why healthcare is an appealing target for threat actors

    Healthcare organizations collect and store extremely sensitive data, which likely contributes to threat actors targeting them in ransomware attacks. However, a more significant reason these facilities are at risk is the potential for huge financial payouts. As referenced earlier, lives are at stake and healthcare facilities committed to patient care can’t risk poor patient outcomes if their systems are taken down. They also can’t risk their patients’ data being exposed if they don’t pay the ransom. That reputation for paying ransoms—for understandable reasons—makes them a target.

    Healthcare facilities are also targeted because of their limited security resources and cybersecurity investments to defend against these threats compared to other sectors. Facilities often lack staff dedicated to cybersecurity and in fact, some facilities don’t have a chief information security officer (CISO) or dedicated security operations center at all. Instead, their IT department may be tasked with managing cybersecurity. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff may not have received any cybersecurity training or know the signs to look for to identify a phishing email.

    Explore healthcare security trends in new Microsoft report

    How cyber criminals target healthcare organizations

    Financially motivated cyber criminals are using an evolving set of ransomware tactics on healthcare organizations. One common approach involves two steps. First, they gain access to an organization’s network, often using social engineering tactics through a phishing email or text. Then, they use that access to deploy ransomware to encrypt and lock healthcare systems and data so they can seek a ransom for their release.

    “Once ransomware is deployed, attackers typically move quickly to encrypt critical systems and data, often within a matter of hours,” said Jack Mott of Microsoft Threat Intelligence in the Microsoft ransomware report. “They target essential infrastructure, such as patient records, diagnostic systems, and even billing operations, to maximize the impact and pressure on healthcare organizations to pay the ransom.”

    Social engineering tactics often involve convincing the email recipient to act in ways they normally wouldn’t, such as clicking on an unknown link, and using the tactics of urgency, emotion, and habit. Social engineering fraud is a serious problem. In just this fiscal year, a staggering 389 healthcare institutions across the United States fell victim to ransomware attacks, according to the 2024 Microsoft Digital Defense Report.6 The aftermath was severe, resulting in network closures, offline systems, delays in critical medical operations, and rescheduled appointments.

    Another common approach is ransomware as a service (RaaS), a cybercrime business model growing in popularity. The RaaS model is an agreement between an operator, who develops extortion tools, and an affiliate, who deploys the ransomware. Both parties benefit from a successful ransomware and extortion attack, and it’s “democratized access to sophisticated ransomware tools,” Mott said. This model enables cyber criminals without the means of developing their own tools to launch their nefarious activities. Sometimes, they may simply purchase network access from a cybercrime group that has already breached a network. RaaS severely widens the risk to healthcare organizations, making ransomware more accessible and frequent.

    Cybercrime tactics continue to grow in sophistication. Microsoft is continually tracking the latest cybercrime threats to support our customers and increase the knowledge of the entire global community. These threats include actions by threat actor groups Vanilla Tempest and Sangria Tempest, which are known for their financially motivated criminal activities.

    US healthcare at risk: Read the report

    Take a collective defense approach to boost your cyber resilience and visibility

    We recognize that not all organizations have a robust cybersecurity team or even the resources to enable a cybersecurity resilience strategy. This is why it is important for us as a community to come together and share best practices, tools, and guidance. We encourage your organization to collaborate with regional, national, and global healthcare organizations such as Health-ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Centers). The Health-ISAC provides healthcare organizations with platforms to exchange threat intelligence. Health-ISAC Chief Security Officer Errol Weiss says these organizations are like “virtual neighborhood watch programs,” sharing threat experiences and defense strategies. 

    It’s also important to foster a security-first mindset among healthcare staff. Dr. Christian Dameff and Dr. Jeff Tully, Co-directors of the University of California San Diego Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity, emphasize that breaking down silos between IT security teams, emergency managers, and clinical staff to develop cohesive incident response plans is key. They also recommend running high-fidelity clinical simulations that expose doctors and nurses to real-world cyberattack scenarios.

    For rural hospitals that provide critical services to the communities they serve across the US, Microsoft created the Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals, which provides affordable access to Microsoft security solutions, builds cybersecurity capacity, and helps solve root challenges through innovation.

    For healthcare organizations that have the resources, as part of this report we provide guidance on how to:

    • Establish a robust governance framework.
    • Create an incident response and detection plan. Then be prepared to execute it efficiently during an actual attack to minimize damage and ensure a quick recovery.
    • Implement continuous monitoring and real-time detection capabilities.
    • Educate your organization using our cybersecurity awareness and education #BeCyberSmart Kit.
    • Harness more resilience strategies found in the report.

    Given the serious cyberthreats against healthcare organizations, it’s critical to protect your assets by understanding the situation and taking steps to prevent it. For more details on the current healthcare cyberthreat landscape and ransomware threats, and for more in-depth guidance on boosting resilience, read the “US healthcare at risk: Strengthening resiliency against ransomware attacks” report and watch our healthcare threat intelligence briefing video, which is included in the report. To stay up-to-date on the latest threat intelligence insights and get actionable guidance for your security efforts, bookmark Microsoft Security Insider.

    Learn more

    To learn more about Microsoft Security solutions, visit our website. Bookmark the Security blog to keep up with our expert coverage on security matters. Also, follow us on LinkedIn (Microsoft Security) and X (@MSFTSecurity) for the latest news and updates on cybersecurity.

    1How to protect your networks from ransomware, justice.gov.

    2Threat Landscape: Healthcare and Public Health Sector, April 2024. Microsoft Threat Intelligence.

    3On average, healthcare organizations lose $900,000 per day to downtime from ransomware attacks, Comparitech. March 6, 2024.

    4Healthcare Ransomware Attacks Continue to Increase in Number and Severity, The HIPAA Journal. September 2024.

    5Ransomware Attack Associated With Disruptions at Adjacent Emergency Departments in the US, JAMA Network. May 8, 2023.

    6Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2024.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: More new languages supported in Microsoft 365 Copilot

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: More new languages supported in Microsoft 365 Copilot

    This month we rolled out support for an additional 12 languages in Microsoft 365 Copilot:  Bulgarian, Croatian, Estonia, Greek, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Serbian (Latin), Slovak, Slovenian, and Vietnamese. Microsoft 365 Copilot now supports a total of 42 languages. 

    There are a few noteworthy items in this latest set of languages we’re releasing. For example, very early in October, we have already introduced support for Welsh and Catalan, and it’s also important to note that the rollout of Indonesian and Serbian, which began in mid-October, will not reach all customers until early November. And finally, users working in Serbian language will see Teams meeting transcripts in Cyrillic, rather than Latin script. This is an issue we’re working to resolve.  We will provide customers with updates on progress towards providing Teams meeting transcripts for Serbian language in Latin script on an as-appropriate basis. Learn more about supported languages for Microsoft Copilot here.  

    We are always improving and refining Copilot’s language capabilities. We are also continuing to expand the list of supported languages, with plans to offer support for even more languages in the coming months.  

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni’s telephone conversation with President Erdoğan

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    22 Ottobre 2024

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a telephone conversation today with the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 

    The two leaders focused on the strength of bilateral relations, underlining the importance of continuing to work to further consolidate the steadily growing trend in trade. In this regard, President Meloni invited President Erdoğan to visit Italy in the first half of 2025 for a new session of the Italy- Türkiye intergovernmental summit.

    Their discussion also centred around the dramatic situation in the Middle East. Reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself, the President of the Council of Ministers stressed the need to increase humanitarian aid to the civilian populations affected. The telephone conversation also highlighted the common commitment to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and in Lebanon. With regard to the latter, President Meloni underscored the crucial role played by UNIFIL and the need for the safety of this mission to be guaranteed at all times.

    At the end of their conversation, the two leaders also discussed the situation of Syrian refugees in the region and how to keep supporting Ukraine’s efforts for a just and lasting peace.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Celebrates Colorado’s Leadership in Education With Visits to Poudre Valley High School and National Blue Ribbon School in Fort Collins

    Source: US State of Colorado

    NORTHERN COLORADO – Today, Governor Polis made visits across Northern Colorado to celebrate Colorado’s leadership in education. This morning, the Governor visited Poudre High School for their Ninth Grade Success Showcase. Poudre received a Colorado Ninth Grade Success Grant to help increase the number of 9th grade students with the skills needed to successfully reach 10th grade on-track and on-time. To date , the school has seen a 13% increase in students who are on track. Poudre School District also received a $457,999 Response, Innovation, and Student Equity Education (RISE) Youth Apprenticeship grant in December 2023. This grant has helped high schools in the region expand youth-based apprenticeship opportunities and create more pathways for students to build skills and experiences needed to get good-paying jobs. 

    “Colorado is committed to helping every student succeed no matter their zip code and it’s exciting to see the work Poudre High School is doing to help more students get the needed skills to thrive in the classroom and beyond, whether that’s through the Ninth Grade Success grant or in partnership with the school district through our RISE Youth Apprenticeship grant,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

    The Governor also visited Zach Elementary School, one of Colorado’s 2024 National Blue Ribbon Award-Winning Schools. Zach Elementary received their second Blue Ribbon Award in September, for continuing to promote collaboration and personalized learning approaches to ensure student success. 

    “Schools across Colorado are creating more pathways for students to succeed. I am excited to visit this nationally-recognized school. Zach Elementary is an important reflection of our shared efforts to make Colorado a leader in education and I want to thank the educators and staff who work so hard to support students,” said Governor Polis. 

    Governor Polis then joined Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, to announce $3 million in funding for Climate Resilience Projects through the National Science Foundation-funded Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine, which is driving climate resilience projects across the region. This plan will help support water security, wildfire prediction and response, extreme weather modeling, soil carbon sequestration, and methane emissions mitigation.

    “Colorado is leading the way in addressing climate change and using innovative solutions to become more resilient in the face of its impact. I’m thankful for Wyoming and Governor Gordon’s partnership and openness to work together to drive innovation, strengthen public-private partnerships, and make the region more climate resilient. These projects will help secure our water future, protect Coloradans from wildfire dangers, and protect our air and I am excited to see them in action,” said Governor Polis. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS discusses water security challenges with Namibia and Botswana agencies

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The USGS Office of International Programs’ Science Advisor for International Water John Lane and USGS Water Mission Area Hydrologic Networks Branch Chief Molly Wood visited Namibia and Botswana on an assignment of the U.S. Ambassador’s Water Experts Program (AWEP). AWEP is administered by the Department of Interior International Technical Assistance Program (DOI ITAP) with funding from the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs. 

    USGS scientists met with representatives of the water sector in both countries, including government ministries, bulk water suppliers, municipal utilities operators, multinational water commissions, private consultants, and U.S. Embassy staff. 

    Namibia and Botswana have semi-arid to arid climates and are undergoing severe drought. Water resources for drinking water supply, livestock watering, mining, and industry are stretched thin. The Namibia and Botswana governments are seeking technical support for improved understanding and use of available water resources.

    Discussions centered on potential USGS support to Namibia and Botswana agencies to

    • Leverage remote sensing datasets to improve understanding of water availability,
    • Improve hydrologic monitoring networks to increase access to hydrologic data to inform water resource management decisions, and
    • Collaboratively develop scientific solutions to better manage groundwater and surface water resources to address the ongoing drought.

    DOI ITAP posted on Facebook about the visit.

    USGS employees Molly Wood (3rd from left) and John Lane (3rd from right) with staff from the Namibia Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, after a workshop on geophysics data collection.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Biden Hosts a Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister Golob of the Republic of Slovenia

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    The White House

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB5sLkYQ3bQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    October 22, 2024

    1. The G-24 expresses its deep concern over the humanitarian crises and conflicts afflicting numerous regions across the globe, resulting in loss of lives, immense suffering, forced displacement and migration for countless individuals. We call for a strong, united, multilateral approach to restore peace, stability, and livelihoods. To this end, we urge all parties to prioritize diplomacy, de-escalation, and cooperation. Furthermore, we call for robust multilateral support for recovery, reconstruction, and long-term development efforts in affected areas.

    2. Global economic growth is forecast to remain relatively stable in the coming year, but risks and uncertainties persist, especially for some Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs). Despite a projected stabilization of global growth in 2024 and 2025, the relatively optimistic forecast masks the tepid economicprospects in the most vulnerable countries. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, increasingly frequent extreme weather conditions, and a more pronounced slowdown could pose significant headwinds to global growth and worsen some EMDEs’ prospects of as they deal with the spillover effect of Advanced Economies’ policies.

    3. Although inflationary pressures are gradually easing, the outlook remains uncertain due to elevated risks. Food price inflation is declining or stabilizing, and energy prices have remained low, in part reflecting the role of the OPEC Declaration of Cooperation in safeguarding oil market stability. Though many advanced economies have successfully brought inflation back to target levels, some EMDEs are still grappling with high inflation rates. Looking ahead, trade tensions and increased policy uncertainty would contribute to heightened upside risks to inflation. Furthermore, escalating geopolitical tensions could lead to heightened volatility in food and energy prices. Given the uncertainty, central banks may likely maintain a cautious approach to monetary easing, potentially keeping interest rates high for an extended period.

    4. Against this background, some EMDEs are confronted with significant challenges, as a prolonged period of elevated or slower reduction of policy rates increases external, fiscal, and financial risks. Furthermore, depreciation of some EMDE’s currencies, together with high debt and rising debt-servicing costs, is constraining fiscal space, impacting capital flows and growth, while straining financial stability. As EMDE policymakers struggle to balance sizable investment needs with fiscal sustainability, real growth could suffer.

    5. Given the uncertain economic environment, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should stand ready to fulfill its role as the center of the Global Financial Safety Net. Strengthening the international monetary system by enhancing crisis prevention and adjustment mechanisms; coordinating global stability; and providing timely, predictable, and adequate liquidity support to members facing balance of payments difficulties will contribute to a more resilient and interconnected global economy.

    6. We welcome the ongoing reviews and updates of IMF procedures and policies, as this will support members. The incorporation of emerging challenges such as climate-related risks, domestic public debt, and complex debt restructuring scenarios in the review of the Low-Income Countries Debt Sustainability Framework (LIC-DSF) is welcome. However, we look forward to the comprehensive review which we hope will address the fundamental concerns about the methodology. Furthermore, the recent approval of the use of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) for the acquisition of hybrid capital instruments by prescribed holders is a significant step forward. The approved limit of SDR15 billion could increase lending by four-fold, including through supporting the goals of G20 Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, the sustainable development and climate goals. We call on countries with strong external positions to voluntarily explore rechanneling SDRs, including through Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), where legally possible, while respecting the reserve asset quality of the SDR and ensuring their liquidity. 

    7. Ongoing refinements to the IMF’s lending toolkit provide another opportunity to address the challenges confronting members while strengthening IMF’s financial resilience. We welcome the refinements to the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), including adjustments to its design to facilitate early disbursements, eliminate dual-purpose reforms, and ensure program continuity. We look forward to further work to operationalize the RST mandate on pandemic preparedness. We also call for the comprehensive review planned for 2026 to address the remaining issues, especially with respect to the requirement of an upper credit tranche program and expansion of focus into other medium-term challenges facing EMDEs. Additionally, we welcome the completion of the review of charges and surcharges that resulted in a reduction of the cost of borrowing from the General Resource Account. The approved changes are in the right direction, but we call on the IMF to consider initiating, as soon as possible, further reforms to provide more significant reduction of surcharges, and additional cut in the margin for the rate of charge. Furthermore, we welcome the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) reforms, including the increase in resources for concessional financing, and the additional boost to the subsidy resources.

    8. The approval of a Third chair for Sub-Saharan Africa at the IMF Executive Board would strengthen the region’s voice, improve its representation, and simultaneously, reduce the workload of the region’s officials. Additionally, we recommend further pursuit of governance reforms in MDBs and International Financial Institutions, (IFIs), to correct the regional and gender underrepresentation in their top management and senior staff positions. We call upon all countries to complete the internal approval procedures for the 16th General Review as soon as possible. We await the result of the ongoing efforts to develop possible approaches for a new quota formula and we hope that it will serve as a guide for quota realignment that reflects members’ relative economic weight and strengthen the voice of EMDEs under the 17th General Review of Quotas. As the review is crucial for the legitimacy of the IMF, we emphasize the importance of adhering to the June 2025 deadline.

    9. We welcome the progress in the implementation of the World Bank Group (WBG) Evolution Roadmap. The launch of the PortfolioGuarantee Platform, and stronger private capital mobilization efforts have the potential to help bring additional resources to support client countries in meeting their development needs. We hope that more contributions to the Livable Planet Fund would incentivize global challenge related projects across borders, and that the launch of the Grant Facility for Project Preparation Trust Fund would enhance clients’ institutional capacity in project preparations. Not only is it paramount to increase investment, but such investment must be at an affordable cost in order to ensure the debt sustainability of EMDEs as they pursue new growth strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. Therefore, we look forward to a timely and successful conclusion of the 2-stage International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan pricing adjustments to enhance affordability of IBRD loan.

    10. International Development Association, (IDA21), replenishment will be crucial for supporting vulnerable populations, breaking the cycle of poverty, and promoting global stability. We welcome the focus on key areas of People, Planet, Prosperity, Digitalization, and Infrastructure, which are at the core of the development challenges of the Global South. Given rising external financing needs amidst declining Overseas Development Assistance and Foreign Direct Investments, we hope that the ongoing IDA21 replenishment discussions will result in a robust and impactful outcome, increasing support for LICs in real terms, supported by an expanded donor base. We call on donors to be ambitious, and to align their contributions with the scale of the challenges. It is also important to thoroughly consider the different levels of fragility before applying any adjustment to loan terms that may impact debt sustainability. While we welcome the proposed Global and Regional Opportunities Window (GROW), which aims to address regional and global challenges, such as adaptation, we call for an expanded focus on other issues that impact the Global South such as biodiversity, desertification, carbon and methane gas emissions from agricultural production, and rising sea level.

    11. Considering the need for significant resources, and the misalignment of shareholding structure, the upcoming 2025 Shareholding Review for IBRD and the International Finance Corporation, (IFC), is crucial. We call on shareholders to build consensus for a speedy and successful review in line with the Lima Shareholding Principles, resulting in the increase of the voice and representation of EMDEs and ensuring a more equitable balance of voting power to improve legitimacy and effectiveness. In addition, the review should propose specific options to address misalignment.

    12. We look forward to the implementation of the G20 Brazil Presidency MDB Roadmap Towards Bigger, Better, and more Effective MDBs, building on the mandate from G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration, and based on the recommendations of the G20 Independent Experts Group. To further increase scale and impact, we call for deepening of engagement and cooperation between WBG and the MDBs with a view to operating as a system to address countries’ development priorities and needs, as well as global and regional challenges. We call for regular reviews of the alignment of MDBs resources and strategies. These reviews would lay a solid basis for MDB Boards’ consideration on if and when additional capital may be needed. In addition, to enhance private capital mobilization, we advocate for providing support aimed at removing regulatory bottlenecks to private investment, developing innovative risk-sharing and hedging instruments, including through local currency lending and domestic capital market reforms. To further maximize the impact of public investment, and its ability to boost growth, improve productivity, and reduce poverty, EMDEs should be supported with comprehensive policy reform programs to improve public investment efficiency, governance and fiscal administration, subject to the country’s specific circumstance.

    13. We commend the recent progress under the G20 Common Framework and the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR), including establishing a common understanding of processes and practices. We call for a step up of the implementation of the G20 Common Framework in a predictable, timely, orderly, and coordinated manner and more meaningful debt relief. Additionally, we welcome the joint efforts of all stakeholders to enhance debt management and transparency and encourage private creditors to follow suit. We draw attention to the need for further reforms, especially with respect to early engagement with creditors and interaction with credit rating agencies. Ultimately, we urge for a comprehensive reform of the sovereign debt framework that addresses debt vulnerabilities in low and middle-income countries in an effective, comprehensive and systematic manner. We call for consideration of options – including the support of the IMF and the World Bank – to help countries facing short-term liquidity challenges whose debt is sustainable.

    14. The global community is falling short of attaining climate and development goals, and in providing the commensurate financial support to developing countries towards achieving them. The frequency, intensity, and scale of extreme weather events, particularly in developing countries, are increasing, necessitating urgent action. Recognizing the varying national circumstances, we call for accelerating climate action based on equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Therefore, climate change strategies must incorporate the needs of EMDEs, and mitigation and adaptation actions should aim at ensuring accessibility to all types of energy, and energy security, bearing in mind sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty. Furthermore, MDBs and IFIs should support investment in the research and development of green technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We acknowledge the need to significantly scale up finance, and hence call for a concrete goal that is commensurate with the pressing challenges, and that is therefore greater than the $100 billion per year planned during the upcoming CoP29. We look forward to faster progress on the operationalization and capitalization of the Loss and Damage Fund. We reiterate our call for new and additional grant-based, highly concessional finance and non-debt instruments to support both middle- and low-income countries, especially as they transition in a just and equitable manner.

    15. Domestic Resource Mobilization is essential for sustainable development. We strongly support national efforts to prevent and combat illicit financial flows, corruption, money-laundering and tax evasion, as such efforts would increase domestic resources. We call for increased capacity building to support members, to improve their expertise in domestic resource mobilization. We acknowledge the work of the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development on tax base erosion and profit shifting, and welcome the progress made on the Two-Pillar Solution under the OECD Inclusive Framework. Additionally, we look forward to the forthcoming negotiation of the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation and its two early protocols. We call for a constructive engagement as well as multilateral consensus to achieve lasting progress on this initiative. Finally, we commend the work of the Brazil G20 Presidency on taxation and inequality.

    16. Challenges to multilateralism are not abating. It is concerning that policymakers in some of the world’s largest economies continue to pursue protectionist or nationalist policies that are not in line with global integration on trade and development. We reaffirm our support for a rules-based, non-discriminatory, fair, open, inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and transparent, multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its We encourage countries to contribute to the strengthening of multilateralism through ongoing initiatives. These include the Bretton Woods Initiative, which seeks to develop a long-term perspective on the global economy and the roles of the IMF and World Bank, and the Fourth Conference on Financing for Development, a forum aimed at identifying obstacles and constraints to the achievement of the SDGs and supporting the reform of the international financial architecture. We call for enhanced collaboration and cooperation among multilateral institutions to ensure a coherent and collaborative approach towards multilateralism.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER:

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Hata, a dual-licensed digital asset exchange in Asia raises $4.2 million to make digital assets more accessible

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hata.io, one of the trailblazing digital asset brokerage and exchange in Asia Pacific, has announced $4.2 million in seed fundraise. The company will use the capital to expand into new products and acquire users in the Asia region.

    Hata is regulated by both the Securities Commission Malaysia and the Labuan Financial Services Authority, making it the only dual-licensed digital asset exchange in Malaysia that serves both Malaysians and global digital asset investors. Malaysia is reported to have more than 840,000 digital asset investors with more than RM21 billion of trading volume traded annually on local exchanges.

    Hata is founded by an experienced team of exchange operators and compliance experts, including David Low as CEO (a qualified lawyer and formerly the General Manager of Luno’s Asia Pacific businesses), KK Chong as CTO (a former university lecturer and cofounder of a blockchain solutions company) and Darien Ng as CRO (cofounder of a blockchain solutions company with 15 years of experience in the tech industry). Hata aims to serve the retail and institutional users in Asia who prefer to trade in fiat currencies such as the MYR and USD.

    The seed fundraise is led by prominent US-based institutional investors. Castle Island Ventures and Cadenza Ventures led the fundraise as lead investors, alongside other participating investors such as Bybit, AP Capital, Plug and Play Tech Centre, and Alliance.xyz

    “We are thrilled to have the backing of such esteemed institutional investors,” said David Low, CEO of Hata. “With their support and our innovative offerings, we are committed to creating a robust platform that empowers users in Malaysia and in the Asia region to navigate the digital asset market with confidence.”

    Both lead investors Castle Island Ventures and Cadenza Ventures bring a wealth of expertise to the table and will join Hata’s Board as Directors.

    Castle Island Ventures is a digital asset firm that was founded by Fidelity alums Nic Carter and Matt Walsh. Castle Island Ventures primarily invests in startups in the monetary network, financial services and internet architecture spaces including Web 3. The firm’s portfolio includes a number of infrastructure businesses, including Yellowcard, BlockFi, Matrixport, River Financial, Talos, Bitwise and Casa. Notably, Castle Island Ventures is also an early investor in Pintu, Indonesia’s third largest digital asset exchange.

    Nic Carter, Founding Partner of Castle Island Ventures, expressed enthusiasm about the investment. Nick Carter said: “Malaysia and the broader SE Asia region is the global epicenter of blockchain adoption and we are excited to support the talented team at Hata in their support of this market. We believe Hata is well-positioned to win due to their differentiated product focus and regulatory approach.”

    Meanwhile, Cadenza Ventures is led by managing partners Kumar Dandapani, who was formerly the data science head at Norwest Venture Partners, and Max Shapiro, a veteran of Blue Line Advisors. With a focus on transformative and decentralised technologies, Cadenza has raised a $50 million blockchain and fintech focused venture fund to invest in early-stage digital finance and blockchain technology companies. Van Eck Associates anchored the fund with participation from Solana, Dapper Labs and WorldQuant Ventures, among others. Cadenza has recently launched its third early stage blockchain fund where it has a focus on emerging markets.

    Cadenza has previously invested in seed and Series A funding rounds of fintech companies including CoinDCX (India’s largest digital asset exchange), VALR (South Africa’s leading digital asset exchange), Rain (leading exchange in Middle East), FalconX, and Lemon (leading exchange in Latin America).

    Max Shapiro, Managing Partner at Cadenza Ventures, added, “We believe that Hata’s innovative approach and commitment to user engagement will drive the next wave of growth in Malaysia’s digital asset market. We are looking forward to working closely with the team as they navigate this evolving landscape.”

    Hata previously secured MYR 3 million in pre-seed funding from a group of reputable angel investors in the fintech community, including 1337 Ventures and Raja Hamzah.

    About Hata

    Hata seamlessly connects the traditional financial system with the evolving world of digital assets, enabling anyone to easily buy, sell, and access digital assets using fiat currencies like the US Dollar and Malaysian Ringgit.

    Hata is regulated by both the Securities Commission Malaysia and the Labuan Financial Services Authority, making it the only dual-licensed exchange in Malaysia which ensures the highest standards of safety and oversight. As the exchange with the lowest trading fees and most number of digital assets offerings in Malaysia, Hata aims to make digital assets trading accessible and cost-effective for all users.

    In a move to further enhance user engagement, Hata has introduced a unique affiliate program that rewards users with a 30% share of the trading fees generated from their referrals. This initiative not only incentivizes community participation but also fosters a collaborative trading environment.

    For press inquiries, contact Hata at press@hata.io

    Contact:
    David Low,
    press@hata.io

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f67c33a-db10-4a02-ad77-ebb86f421bba

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7503c9fc-47d6-4d8b-bb4a-b62ade32aa53

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Expands Support to Community Development Financial Institutions and State Housing Finance Agencies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) released enhancements to its credit and collateral risk policy that will enable greater lending by non-depository Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and state-charted Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) to better support the low-income communities they serve. The enhancements align with the Bank’s mission to support affordable housing and economic development and are designed to provide increased liquidity to support community development for communities in need.

    “We have spent significant time listening to our CDFI members and analyzing ways we can expand our relationships with CDFIs and HFAs, working together toward a shared mission of advancing economic opportunity and affordable housing. Our new underwriting enhancements are a first step toward increasing access and liquidity,” said Alanna McCargo, president and chief executive officer of FHLBank San Francisco. “By improving our terms and funding access for our non-depository CDFI members and increasing financing availability for housing associates like HFAs, we will be able to increase the availability of funds to benefit the communities that we collectively serve. Furthermore, we will continue to partner with our CDFI members and housing associates to innovate new programs that support their efforts, as there is a lot of untapped opportunity to expand in this space.”

    The main borrowing enhancements include:

    • Increased credit terms from 5 years to up to 20 years on collateral, including Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, for non-depository CDFIs that can offer financing for the life of large affordable housing projects
    • Increased borrowing availability on posted collateral to support affordable housing and community development projects
    • Housing associate program limits increased from $250 to $500 million to continue to support state housing finance agency programs

    FHLBank San Francisco will discuss the impact of these enhancements with CDFIs this week at the annual Opportunity Finance Network Conference in Los Angeles, the largest annual gathering of CDFIs. The Bank looks forward to engaging, collaborating and celebrating the work CDFIs and HFAs do to expand economic opportunity in the communities they serve.

    CDFIs and HFAs are on the front lines of providing capital to low-income communities. The FHLBank San Francisco supports the missions of our non-depository CDFIs members and housing associates by providing access to low-cost capital and grants for affordable housing and economic development. With non-depository CDFIs traditionally finding it challenging to obtain long-term, affordable financing, FHLBank San Francisco has worked to partner with them to enhance their ability to serve their customers and communities. This important partnership increases the supply of affordable housing and facilitates homeownership and economic development initiatives in underserved communities.

    To further their own community impact goals, CDFI members also benefit from FHLBank San Francisco’s discounted Advances for Community Enterprise (ACE) and Community Investment Program (CIP) credit products, the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and the Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) Program that provides micro grants for economic development.

    For over a decade, FHLBank San Francisco has partnered with its non-depository CDFIs to generate positive community impact, including:

    • Funding $686 million in competitively priced advances since 2011, and an additional $36 million in discounted advances for community development.
    • Awarding $79.9 million in AHP grants to construct or preserve 6,885 affordable housing units.
    • Awarding $1.6 million in AHEAD grants to our non-depository CDFI members for 45 economic development and recovery initiatives.
    • Supporting programs aimed at supporting Latina entrepreneurs, providing vital housing and other services to Native American communities, facilitating career development for people of color, and other programs and projects that benefit underserved communities.

    About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

    The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-owned cooperative supporting local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada to build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Syncfusion Contributes Open-Source .NET MAUI controls

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Syncfusion, Inc., the enterprise technology partner of choice, announces the release of its first set of open-source .NET MAUI controls. The controls are shipping as NuGet packages and will be included in a new .NET MAUI project template for .NET 9.

    “Microsoft’s .NET MAUI team is thrilled to be collaborating with Syncfusion in the open on GitHub,” said David Ortinau, .NET MAUI Principal Product Manager. “Microsoft welcomes all members of the .NET community to contribute to .NET as it benefits everyone and creates a thriving developer community.”

    Below are the 14 open-source controls to be released:

    1. Charts– – Cartesian, Circular, Pyramid, Funnel and Polar Chart
    2. Carousel
    3. TabView
    4. SegmentedControl
    5. Chips
    6. EffectsView
    7. Shimmer
    8. Pull To Refresh
    9. Text Input Layout
    10. Navigation Drawer

    Source code available at: https://github.com/syncfusion/maui-toolkit

    “Syncfusion believes .NET MAUI represents the future of cross-platform development for .NET developers. We are fully committed to being an active and contributing member within the open-source ecosystem,” said Daniel Jebaraj, CEO of Syncfusion. “Our open-source contributions are just the beginning—we are dedicated to continuous innovation, addressing existing challenges, and enhancing the platform’s capabilities. By collaborating with the broader developer community, we will not only strengthen .NET MAUI but also help shape it into the most powerful tool for cross-platform development.”

    “Syncfusion has already made a significant impact—having resolved over 75 issues within the product.” Daniel added, “We plan to release additional controls in the future and strongly encourage others in the .NET community to contribute to the development of .NET MAUI.”

    To learn more about these open-source controls and Syncfusion’s collaboration on .NET MAUI, be sure to tune into .NET Conf on November 12 (http://www.dotnetconf.net).

    About Syncfusion, Inc.

    Headquartered in the technology hub of Research Triangle Park, N.C., Syncfusion, Inc. delivers an award-winning ecosystem of compatible developer control suites, embeddable BI platforms, and business software. Syncfusion was founded in 2001 with a single software component and a mission to support businesses of all sizes–from individual developers and start-ups to Fortune 500 enterprises. Though its pilot product, the Essential Studio suite, has grown to over 1,800 developer controls, its mission remains the same. With offices in the U.S., India, and East Africa, Syncfusion prioritizes the customer experience by providing feature-rich solutions to help developers and enterprises solve complex problems, save money, and build high-performance, robust applications.

    Contact: Brittany Kearns
    Phone: 919-270-8054
    Email: brittany@crossroadsb2b.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Applications are now open for business growth and artificial intelligence projects

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Eligible southern Ontario businesses and organizations can now apply for support to grow, innovate and diversify, including targeted investments for artificial intelligence projects.

    Eligible southern Ontario businesses and organizations can now apply for support to grow, innovate and diversify, including targeted investments for artificial intelligence projects

    October 22, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario   

    The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) works with businesses and organizations to support strong and inclusive economic growth throughout Canada’s most populous region.

    Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, announced that the fall intake is open for eligible small- and medium-sized businesses, and the organizations that support them, for projects that support business growth and artificial intelligence (AI).

    FedDev Ontario is delivering the national Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in southern Ontario. Support is available for projects that accelerate the development of the AI sector in the region and for businesses and organizations to adopt or integrate AI to improve operational efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.

    Targeted regional support is available for projects that help businesses grow, innovate and diversify so they can launch new products, compete in a changing marketplace, or reach new customers. Not-for-profit and community economic development organizations can apply for funding to support businesses, grow economic networks and strengthen the economic resilience of our communities.

    Applications for all initiatives are being accepted until December 20, 2024. For more information and to apply, visit the FedDev Ontario website. Indigenous businesses and organizations are encouraged to contact the Agency’s dedicated team at 1-877-553-5507 or visit Funding and support for Indigenous businesses and organizations.

    Edward Hutchinson
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
    Edward.Hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver shines bright with new federal funding

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    VANCOUVER, October 22, 2024

    Cultural institutions inspire curiosity and wonder, strengthening community connections and creating opportunities to explore diverse perspectives.

    Today, Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced an investment of $350,000 in the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honorable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

    This funding, provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, will allow the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society to upgrade and modernize its Planetarium Star Theatre, and support the purchase and installation of new state-of-the-art equipment, including projectors and computers.

    This specialized technology will enable the Space Centre to offer more innovative and creative programming, develop a broader range of content, and encourage collaboration across cultural and technological sectors, given the many community organizations that also use the Planetarium Star Theatre.

    The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society is also exploring exciting possibilities for the theatre in spatial computing, virtual reality and augmented reality, expanding the impact of this investment beyond hardware replacement.

    Quotes

    “For more than half a century, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre has inspired generations of British Columbians to look to the skies, cementing a love of science and space education for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. This funding ensures that the Planetarium Star Theatre will remain at the forefront of innovation, captivating audiences with high-quality programming and experiences. It is not only an investment in creativity and vision, but also in the future of learning. I am over the moon that Canadian Heritage is a partner in this important modernization project.”

    —The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

    “The improvements to the Planetarium Star Theatre will not only elevate visitor experiences, but expand the horizons of possibility, transforming how we engage with science, culture and technology. With upgraded projectors and computers, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre can continue to share the wonders of our planet and the cosmos without technological restriction. This project reflects our government’s commitment to supporting vibrant and accessible cultural spaces that enrich our communities.”

    —Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage

    “As the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre embarks on an exciting new chapter, we are profoundly grateful to Canadian Heritage for its crucial support for the Planetarium Star Theatre upgrades. This funding arrives at a pivotal moment, with advancements in space science and technology accelerating, and Vancouver emerging as a dynamic hub for technology and innovation. Our revitalized dome will not only inspire future innovators but also serve as an immersive platform for storytelling, celebrating the shared history with our Host First Nations. We look forward to fostering vibrant cross-disciplinary partnerships in this remarkable journey ahead.”

    —Lorraine Lowe, Executive Director, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

    Quick facts

    • The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society oversees the operations and management of the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, located in Vanier Park in Vancouver. The Space Centre opened in 1968 and welcomes more than 145,000 visitors every year.  The organization shares its facility with the Museum of Vancouver.

    • The Planetarium Star Theatre is the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre’s main attraction and features a dome screen that provides a 360-degree immersive experience. As the largest theatre of its kind in British Columbia, it can seat up to 230 guests.

    • The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports improvements to the physical conditions for arts, heritage, culture and creative innovation. The Fund also supports renovation and construction projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment and feasibility studies related to cultural spaces.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Charles Thibault-Béland
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
    charles.thibault-beland@pch.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Canadian Heritage
    1-819-994-9101
    1-866-569-6155
    media@pch.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brown Announces New Investment at John Glenn Columbus International Airport

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced a new $8.5 million investment for the John Glenn Columbus International Airport. The investment will be used to acquire five passenger boarding bridges and associated ground power units.

    “Ohio airports are vital infrastructure supporting travel and commerce in our state,” Brown said. “These investments will enhance operations at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and improve travel for Ohioans.”

    The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration awarded these investments as a part of its FY 2025 Airport Terminal Program. The Airport Terminal Program is made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Brown helped write and pass.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brown Announces New Investment at Port Bucyrus-Crawford County Airport

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced a new $1.9 million investment for the Port Bucyrus-Crawford County Airport. The investment will be used to design and construct a new 2,400 square foot general aviation terminal for area and regional fliers.

    “Ohio airports are vital infrastructure supporting travel and commerce in our state,” Brown said. “These investments will enhance operations at Port Bucyrus-Crawford County Airport and improve travel for Ohioans.”

    The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration awarded these investments as a part of its FY 2025 Airport Terminal Program. The Airport Terminal Program is made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Brown helped write and pass.

    MIL OSI USA News –