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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Outlook for the European Council meeting on 17-18 October 2024 – 04-10-2024

    Source: European Parliament 2

    The provisional agenda for the 17-18 October European Council meeting has three main topics. First, EU Heads of State or Government will address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and the EU’s support to Ukraine and its people. Second, they will consider the situation in the Middle East, amid concerns over regional escalation following Israel’s targeting of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran’s missile strikes on Israel. Third, EU leaders will discuss competitiveness, with a first exchange on the report by Mario Draghi on ‘The future of European competitiveness’; they will also be called on to endorse the integrated country-specific recommendations, and thus conclude the 2024 European Semester cycle. In addition, EU leaders could hold a strategic debate on migration, and review progress on security and defence initiatives. Discussions could also touch upon developments in Georgia and Moldova, preparations for the COP29 on climate change and the COP16 on biological diversity, as well as the impact of the recent heavy flooding in central Europe.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – DOH Report Finds Earlier Death Associated with Hepatitis C$

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – DOH Report Finds Earlier Death Associated with Hepatitis C$

    Posted on Oct 3, 2024 in Latest Department News, Main, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

     

    KENNETH S. FINK, MD, MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

      

    DOH REPORT FINDS EARLIER DEATH ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS C

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 3, 2024                                                                                      24-130

    HONOLULU – As part of Liver Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has released a report that found hepatitis C was associated with death at an earlier age in Hawaiʻi. “Premature Deaths and Disparities Associated with Hepatitis C: The Hawaiʻi Hepatitis C Mortality Report,” analyzed mortality data from 2000 to 2021 to understand the burden of hepatitis C infections on local communities. The findings will guide efforts to improve liver health and reduce preventable deaths.

    This novel report was the first comprehensive analysis of hepatitis C death data for Hawaiʻi. The most important findings from the report include:

    • People with hepatitis C die at a younger age than the general population. Most (88 percent) Hawaiʻi residents with hepatitis C-related deaths did not reach age 75, which was lower than the U.S. life expectancy in 2021.
    • Many deaths occur before retirement age. Among Hawaiʻi residents with hepatitis C-associated deaths, more than 40 percent died before the average retirement age of 65 years (as compared to 23 percent for all causes of death).
    • Progress is being made. Hepatitis C death rates were lower than the national average  from 2017 to 2020, with 2.63 deaths per 100,000 in Hawaiʻi compared to 3.45 per 100,000 in the U.S. in 2020. However, disparities in death rates were observed for male and white residents in Hawaiʻi.

    To stem the tide of preventable deaths, the report makes recommendations on how to eliminate hepatitis C in Hawaiʻi, including universal reflex testing and increased access to curative medication. The report also prioritizes population-based data collection and analysis to share more information with community partners.

    “Deaths due to hepatitis C are completely preventable,” said State Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink. “Although Hawaiʻi has made progress in reducing these deaths, people are still dying unnecessarily from a curable infection. DOH is committed to working with our local coalition, Hep Free Hawaiʻi, and other partners to eliminate this deadly disease.”

    The development of this report was the result of a multi-sector collaboration between DOH and external partners, including Hep Free Hawaiʻi and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Download the report at https://health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/new-early-deaths-due-to-hep-c-in-hawai%ca%bbi/.

    This report aligns with “Hep Free 2030,” the statewide strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis in Hawaiʻi by 2030, which was developed by DOH in collaboration with Hep Free Hawaiʻi and more than 160 community stakeholders.

    For local hepatitis C screening and treatment resources, visit http://www.hepfreehawaii.org.

    For free local hepatitis C provider training, visit https://uhpcme.teachable.com/p/hepatitis-c-training.

    For more information on hepatitis elimination efforts in Hawaiʻi, visit http://www.hepfreehawaii.org/hep-free-2030.

    # # #

     

    Media Contact:

    Claudette Springer

    Information Specialist

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    808-586-4445

    [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 13 private properties receive Gold Awards for best landscape design and maintenance (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Winners of the Best Landscape Award for Private Property Development 2024, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), were announced at a prize presentation ceremony today (October 4). Thirteen private properties with outstanding landscape design and quality horticultural maintenance received Gold Awards. Thirty Merit Awards and 12 Environmental Efficiency Awards were also given out at the ceremony to commend organisations for their efforts in greening and enhancing public awareness of green issues.
     
         Addressing the ceremony, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu, said the Best Landscape Award, held once every two years, is one of the LCSD’s major activities to promote greening. The award aims to honour private property developments that excel in landscape design and horticultural maintenance.
     
         Mr Liu added that to offer members of the public more green space, last year the LCSD planted over 500 flowering trees in Sha Tin Park and along Shing Mun River and Yuen Long Nullah. Over the next five years, 2 500 additional trees will be planted in leisure venues and along roads across all the 18 districts to create more flower-viewing hotspots. Also, the LCSD has started to systematically replace senescent Acacia confusa with other flowering trees, in compliance with the Development Bureau’s guidelines. This serves the dual aim of reducing the risk of tree collapses and satisfying public interest in flower appreciation. Replacement work has started in Victoria Peak Garden, Sai Kung and Kwun Tong; by the end of the year, around 400 trees are expected to be planted.

         Apart from planting trees and shrubs, the LCSD has been organising a wide range of community engagement and public education activities. The Best Landscape Award is a notable example. The response to this year’s competition was fervent, with close to 200 nominated entries received. Each entry had its own characteristics, demonstrating the immense efforts made by the participating organisations in greening.
     
         In terms of landscape design, the winning projects integrated distinctive landscape features, large trees, seasonal flowers and plants to create a natural and soothing haven. Rooftop gardening and vertical greening concepts were also employed to enhance greenery coverage.
     
         As for horticultural maintenance, some winning projects highlighted plant care and adopted a variety of environmentally friendly measures to promote environmental awareness and green living. These served to reduce the effects of urban heat island and also offer comfortable greening spaces to residents.
     
         The prize presentation ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today. Other officiating guests included representatives from the co-organisers. They were the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Mr Benny Chan; the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, Mr Paul Chan; the Chairman of the Professional Green Building Council, Mr Kenneth Yun; the President of the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, Dr Edmond Cheng; Vice President of the Institute of Horticulture (Hong Kong) Mr Kingsley Choi; and the Chairman of the Planning and Development Division of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, Mr Victor Ng.
     
         The competition presented awards in five categories. The Gold Award winners are as follows:
     
    Domestic property:
     
    (1) Large-scale Domestic Property (with a site area of 20 000 square metres or above)
    i) Properties below six years of age: Wetland Seasons Bay
    ii) Properties between six and below 21 years of age: Valais
    iii) Properties of 21 years of age or above: Aegean Coast
     
    (2) Medium-scale Domestic Property (with a site area from 2 000 sq m to below 20 000 sq m)
    i) Properties below six years of age: Mount Regency
    ii) Properties between six and below 21 years of age: 18 Farm Road
    iii) Properties of 21 years of age or above: Royal Peninsula
     
    (3) Small-scale Domestic Property (with a site area under 2 000 sq m)
    i) Properties below six years of age: The Holborn
    ii) Properties between six and below 21 years of age: Lime Habitat
     
    Non-domestic property (such as hotels, shopping malls, commercial buildings, schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme [private premises] and private schools):
     
    (4) Large-scale Non-domestic Property (with a gross floor area of 40 000 sq m or above)
    i) Properties below six years of age: AIRSIDE
    ii) Properties between six and below 21 years of age: Domain
    iii) Properties of 21 years of age or above: Nina Mall 1 – Nina Park
     
    (5) Small and Medium-scale Non-domestic Property (with a gross floor area under 40 000 sq m)
    i) Properties below six years of age: Union Hospital Extension
    ii) Properties between six and below 21 years of age: Lee Tung Avenue
     
         The results of the Best Landscape Award are available on the LCSD webpage
    http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/green/property/awards/awards_2024.html.                           

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin together with Kokhir Rasulzoda held a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The 20th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan was held in Dushanbe under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Marat Khusnullin and Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda.

    Marat Khusnullin together with Kokhir Rasulzoda held a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan

    October 4, 2024

    Marat Khusnullin together with Kokhir Rasulzoda held a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan

    October 4, 2024

    Marat Khusnullin together with Kokhir Rasulzoda held a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan

    October 4, 2024

    Marat Khusnullin and Kokhir Rasulzoda signed the protocol of the 20th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as the program of economic cooperation between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan until 2027

    October 4, 2024

    Marat Khusnullin and Kokhir Rasulzoda signed the protocol of the 20th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as the program of economic cooperation between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan until 2027

    October 4, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Marat Khusnullin together with Kokhir Rasulzoda held a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan

    “Russia and Tajikistan maintain high dynamics of bilateral contacts. Constructive interaction has been established, all issues are discussed promptly thanks to our direct contacts. Our economic ties demonstrate high rates of development. Russia remains a key trading partner of Tajikistan. The volume of trade turnover for the first eight months of 2024 increased by 14%, both imports and exports are growing. Interregional cooperation is on the rise. More than 70 Russian regions have already established business contacts with the republic in a wide range of areas. I thank my colleagues for their fruitful work. I am confident that our mutually beneficial large-scale cooperation will develop in the future, and we will make every effort to achieve this,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that an important step in the development of Russian-Tajik relations was, among other things, the agreement reached on the construction of the Center for Gifted Children in Dushanbe and a new building for the Russian Drama Theater named after V. Mayakovsky. At present, the design assignments and general plans have been signed and a state registration certificate has been received. It is planned to begin construction directly this year.

    Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda noted the stability of development of Russian-Tajik relations in a wide range of areas. According to him, bilateral personal meetings are a good opportunity to resolve a number of issues and discuss important topics aimed at socio-economic cooperation of both states. The Republic of Tajikistan adheres to strategic partnership and alliance with Russia, and also intends to take further steps to develop Russian-Tajik partnership, the Prime Minister of Tajikistan noted.

    At the meeting, the parties discussed details of cooperation in the areas of trade, industry, customs, agriculture, culture, education, tourism, and also defined plans for the further development of bilateral relations.

    In conclusion, Marat Khusnullin and Kokhir Rasulzoda signed the protocol of the 20th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as the Program of Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan until 2027.

    In addition, within the framework of the intergovernmental commission, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan and the RVB company (Wildberries and Russ), as well as a memorandum between VisionLabs and the State Unitary Enterprise Smart City on cooperation aimed at developing joint projects in the field of digitalization.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/nevs/52896/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “I dream that all universities in Russia would have the same conditions for scientists as HSE”

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Anastasia Sherubneva studies spatial economics and is writing a dissertation on the crises of 2020 and 2022. In an interview with the Young Scientists of HSE project, she spoke about the influence of agglomeration effects on enterprises, the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, and a meeting with Nobel laureate Paul Krugman in Portugal.

    How I got started in science

    Since childhood, I liked creativity. I always came up with something new, tried to find non-standard solutions to problems. In the 10th grade, I took a six-month course in economics, and I liked that real processes are described by clear mathematical models.

    After school, I entered NSU to major in business informatics, where they study, on the one hand, economics, and on the other, programming. My favorite course in the first year of study was microeconomics. Our seminars on it were taught by Elizaveta Andreyevna Gaivoronskaya. She was then about the same age as I am now, and was passionate about science. She explained things in an interesting way, and I inherited her desire to do economic research.

    From my first year, I started thinking about how I could apply what we were taught in lectures and seminars, what I would do after graduating. I started planning a scientific career.

    NSU is located in Akademgorodok, where several dozen research institutes are located. In my third year, I was invited to work in the Department of Territorial Systems of the Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. I began to study regional economics under the supervision of Evgeniya Anatolyevna Kolomak. At the same time, my programming skills helped me work with real data. The institute had a great team, the seniors always supported the juniors. There was a Council of Young Scientists, we came up with activities, organized conferences, and could just go for a walk together.

    After working there for two years, I entered the Higher School of Economics and got into a single track “master’s degree – postgraduate study”. My academic supervisor was Olga Anatolyevna DemidovaShe works in spatial econometrics, and our research interests coincided.

    When I was in my second year of master’s degree, Olga Anatolyevna created the Scientific and Educational Laboratory of Spatial-Econometric Modeling of Socioeconomic Processes in Russia. I ended up in this laboratory. Now I am a postgraduate student, working under the supervision of Olga Anatolyevna on my PhD dissertation. Here, too, a wonderful scientific team has formed, and I am very glad that I went into science.

    What I am researching

    My area of research is spatial economics. Globally, this section of economics studies how the economic position of an entity depends on its geographical location.

    In my dissertation, I study the impact of macroeconomic shocks on the performance of Russian enterprises using the 2020 and 2022 crises as examples. I examine whether the impact of these shocks differed across enterprises located in different locations, both in different regions and within one, for example, in the capital and on the periphery.

    And while many researchers conduct interregional comparisons, few study spatial differences at the intraregional level. This is the main novelty of my research.

    I am currently finishing my research on the 2020 crisis and will be working on the 2022 crisis in graduate school.

    What business data do I use?

    I work with micro data, and I have the ability to build models at the enterprise level. I am currently using data from the SPARK database: financial statements of enterprises, their geographic location, individual characteristics.

    What I wanted to know

    I asked the question this way: how did the influence of various factors, in particular geographic location, on the efficiency of enterprises change during the crises of 2020 and 2022?

    Existing studies have shown that the differentiation of the COVID-19 crisis was mainly not regional, but sectoral. The sectors that suffered were those related to offline interaction: tourism, transport, hotels, and catering. This primarily concerned the regions where they are more represented. Another important factor was the state of medicine. In poor regions, quarantine measures were stricter because the medical system could not cope, and the economy began to decline. And regions where digitalization is developed, everyone has smartphones, experience using deliveries, good healthcare, survived the crisis easier.

    However, within a region, the effects of crises can also vary, and this is precisely the aspect I am exploring.

    My conclusions

    I studied how the financial performance of enterprises depends on similar performance of neighboring enterprises. Let’s say there is an enterprise, its neighbor has gone bad, the company closes or goes into the red. What happens to it? It is assumed that nearby enterprises interact with each other. I came to the conclusion that before the 2020 crisis, the financial condition of the enterprise had a positive impact on neighboring ones and during the crisis too, but this impact became weaker. The explanation here is obvious: offline interaction decreased during the pandemic, and this was confirmed by microdata using mathematical methods.

    Another interesting result describes the influence of agglomeration effects on the performance of enterprises depending on their location – in the city center, where there are many other enterprises and a high population density, or on the outskirts, where there is nothing.

    In general, agglomeration effects are beneficial for enterprises in Russia. But if we approach large agglomerations such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, the influence of agglomeration effects becomes negative. This is true both during and outside of a crisis. Big city effects (traffic jams, inflated prices, etc.) hinder the work of enterprises. These results indicate that large Russian agglomerations are heavily overloaded.

    What I am proud of

    In July, I published my independent article in the American journal Regional Science Policy

    I recently attended a conference of the European Regional Science Association in Portugal and gave a talk there. I mentioned that I used the HSE supercomputer in my research. And the discussant in my section said that it was great that I was able to use the supercomputer for such purposes and get new results.

    What is the HSE supercomputer?

    A supercomputer is a system of clusters between which computational processes can be distributed. It has a huge operational memory, which is measured in terabytes, and if calculations are parallelized between cores, it is possible to make cumbersome calculations.

    Using the HSE supercomputer allowed me to work with data from enterprises all over Russia, my sample included 300 thousand enterprises. I used a geographically weighted regression model, and for this you need to calculate pairwise distances between all enterprises, which requires enormous computing power.

    What I dream about

    I want to conduct a study on how enterprises in different industries influence each other geographically. For example, if a cinema and a cafe are located nearby, then most likely they will influence each other positively. But if it is a chemical plant and an eco-farm, it is clear that the mutual influence will be negative. This study requires certain data that is not yet available.

    For me, science is a way to learn something globally new and share it with others, to understand how this result relates to the results of other studies.

    I dream that all universities and research institutes in Russia would have the same comfortable conditions for scientists as HSE. If we talk about young scientists, there is a single track “Master’s degree – postgraduate study” with a large stipend. Postgraduate students are not forced, as happens in other organizations, to look for part-time jobs and can focus on writing a dissertation. HSE offers bonuses for publications, and there is an additional incentive to publish in high-level journals. Here, scientists receive a decent salary and are motivated to work for the benefit of science.

    If I hadn’t become a scientist

    I would become a human rights activist because justice has always been the highest value for me. Even at school I was interested in law, in any unclear situation I read the laws and in the 11th grade I became a prize winner of the regional stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad.

    Which scientist would I like to meet?

    If we talk about living scientists, it is Paul Krugman, the 2008 Nobel laureate in economics. He also studies regional economics, we are in the same field. I like his concept of new economic geography – it is a pool of theoretical models that explains the emergence of agglomerations from an economic point of view. This year at the congress in Portugal I met him, I even have a photo with Paul.

    If we talk about those who are no longer alive, it would be Marie Sklodowska-Curie. A great scientist, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, the first person to have two Nobel Prizes, and the only one to have these prizes in different sciences.

    I admire her for being so enthusiastic about her work, for overcoming obstacles all her life for the sake of science. The University of Warsaw in her native Poland did not accept women at the time, so she went to study in Paris. She was not accepted as a teacher or in a laboratory simply because she was a woman. Her colleagues did not recognize her achievements, even when she received her first Nobel Prize. At the same time, she worked with radioactive substances that were dangerous to health, and was one of the inventors of the X-ray machine, which saved many lives. I would like to ask her where she found the strength for this daily struggle.

    I often think about her now, when they are trying to return women to the kitchen again and deputies are talking about how women do not need an education, but rather need to give birth to five children.

    What my typical day looks like

    Basically, different combinations of work tasks. A significant part of my work consists of doing calculations, programming, writing articles, texts. In addition, I recently became a teacher, conducting seminars in English on the course “Mathematics for Economists” in my own master’s program, which I completed this year.

    Do I get burnout?

    I have not encountered burnout yet. My total scientific and pedagogical experience is about four years. And it is probably too early to talk about burnout, especially since I love my job. It is clear that there are more productive days, less productive days, but I try not to allow burnout. I arrange rest days when I do not think about work, walk in the fresh air, listen to music, read books, watch movies. I also like to ride a bike and swim.

    What am I interested in besides science?

    I like making memes. It helps me cope with life stress, because turning something into a joke is a kind of psychotherapy. The Institute of Economics has a group of the Council of Young Scientists on VKontakte. When I was a 4th-year undergraduate, I became one of the admins of this group, ran a section and published memes about our work and the institute.

    Now I have a Telegram channel “Nastya Sherubneva in …”, but I have become less likely to make memes. It is more dedicated to trips to conferences. I started it when I went to the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) conference in Spain a year ago. It was my first trip abroad, not counting Belarus, I was happy and wanted to document every second. At first, the channel was planned only for friends, but I thought that someone else might be interested, so I made it open access. Every time I go to a new place, I rename it.

    What was the last thing I read and watched?

    From books – “1984” by George Orwell. And from films – “Don’t Worry, Darling” by Olivia Wilde. A married couple lives in a small closed town, they have an ideal life, they are rich, they love each other. But at some point the wife notices that something is wrong, people are disappearing, and as a result she finds out that their whole life is a simulation. She got there thanks to her husband, who himself wanted to get rid of unbearable experiences and save her. The film raises the question of whether such a simulation is a way out, whether it is possible to pretend that everything is wonderful, to invent an imaginary world. And even more so to be a victim of someone else’s decision. I believe that a person should decide for himself, I am against lies and restrictions for the good.

    Advice to young scientists

    Start writing your own articles as early as possible. You don’t need to become a teaching assistant or do technical work, because later it will be hard to start writing articles, working with texts, and creating literature reviews. You also need to try to decide on a scientific direction as early as possible, to understand what undeveloped problems exist in this area. A good scientific supervisor who is interested in the student and sees the trajectory of his development can help you do this.

    Favorite place in Moscow

    Museum-Reserve “Tsaritsyno”. This place has a great history, but I also like it because it is a park-estate. Akademgorodok, where I used to live, is in the forest, and in Moscow I miss forest walks. But in Tsaritsyno it is green and you can walk.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.hse.ru/jung-scientists/sherubneva

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Households and non-financial corporations in the euro area: second quarter of 2024

    Source: European Central Bank

    4 October 2024

    • Households’ financial investment increased at higher annual rate of 2.1% in second quarter of 2024, after 1.9% in previous quarter
    • Non-financial corporations’ financing grew at higher annual rate of 1.0% (after 0.8%)
    • Non-financial corporations’ gross operating surplus decreased more slowly at annual rate of ‑3.5% (after -4.2%)

    Chart 1

    Household financing and financial and non-financial investment

    (annual growth rates)

    Sources: ECB and Eurostat.

    Data for household financing and financial and non-financial investment

    Chart 2

    NFC gross-operating surplus, non-financial investment and financing

    (annual growth rates)

    Source: ECB and Eurostat.

    Data for NFC gross-operating surplus, non-financial investment and financing

    Households

    Household gross disposable income increased in second quarter of 2024 at a lower annual rate of 4.8%, after 6.1% in the first quarter of 2024. The compensation of employees grew at a lower rate of 5.5% (after 6.0%), and gross operating surplus and mixed income of the self-employed increased at a lower rate of 4.6% (after 5.9%). Household consumption expenditure grew at a lower rate of 3.1% (after 4.2%).

    The household gross saving rate increased to 14.9% in the second quarter of 2024, compared with 14.5% in the previous quarter.

    Household gross non-financial investment (which refers mainly to housing) decreased at a lower annual rate of -1.7% in the second quarter of 2024 (after -3.2% ). Loans to households, the main component of household financing, increased at an unchanged rate of 0.5%.

    Household financial investment increased at a higher annual rate of 2.1% in the four quarters to the second quarter of 2024, after 1.9% in the four quarters to the first quarter of 2024. Among its components, currency and deposits grew at a higher rate of 2.3% (after 1.5%), while investment in debt securities increased at a lower rate (28.1% after 40.2%). Investment in shares and other equity grew at a higher rate of 0.3% (after 0.0%). This was due to unlisted shares and other equity decreasing more slowly (-0.3% after -0.9%), while investment fund shares grew at a broadly unchanged rate (1.9%). Investment in listed shares decreased faster (-0.9% after -0.6%). Life insurance decreased at a broadly unchanged rate (-0.2%) and pension schemes grew at a lower rate (2.2% after 2.4%).

    Household net worth increased at an annual rate of 2.8% in the second quarter of 2024, after 2.1% in the previous quarter. Net financial and non-financial assets grew due to valuation gains in addition to investments. Housing wealth, the main component of non-financial assets, increased (0.5%) after decreasing in the previous quarter (-1.3%). The household debt-to-income ratio decreased to 83.1% in the second quarter of 2024 from 87.5% in the second quarter of 2023.

    Non-financial corporations

    Net value added by NFCs grew at a higher annual rate of 1.6% in the second quarter of 2024 (after 1.2% in the previous quarter). The negative growth rate of gross operating surplus decreased (-3.5% after -4.2%), while the growth rate of net property income – defined in this context as property income receivable minus interest and rent payable – increased (4.2% after 0.7%). As a result gross entrepreneurial income (broadly equivalent to cash flow) decreased at a lower rate of -1.3% (after ‑3.7%).[1]

    NFCs’ gross non-financial investment decreased at a faster annual rate of -7.0% (after -5.8% in the previous quarter).[2] NFCs’ financial investment grew at a higher rate of 2.2% (after 1.9%) in the four quarters to the second quarter of 2024. Among its components, currency and deposits grew at a higher rate (2.5% after 0.4%), while loans granted increased at a lower rate (3.8% after 4.2%). Investment in shares and other equity grew at an unchanged rate of 1.6%.

    Financing of NFCs increased at a higher annual rate of 1.0% (after 0.8%), as financing via debt securities (3.1% after 2.2%), shares and other equity (0.8% after 0.4%) and trade credits (2.1% after 0.4%) all grew at higher rates. Loan financing grew at a lower rate of 0.8% (after 1.2%).[3]

    NFCs’ debt-to-GDP ratio (consolidated measure) decreased to 66.7% in the second quarter of 2024, from 69.2% in the same quarter of the previous year; the non-consolidated, wider debt measure decreased to 128.2% from 131.3%.

    For queries, please use the Statistical information request form.

    Notes

    • This statistical release incorporates revisions to the data since the first quarter of 2020.
    • Revisions of the entire time series may be more pronounced in this and the following release as in 2024 EU countries implement a benchmark revision in national accounts statistics. For further information see also: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/esa-2010/data-revision.
    • The annual growth rate of non-financial transactions and of outstanding assets and liabilities (stocks) is calculated as the percentage change between the value for a given quarter and that value recorded four quarters earlier. The annual growth rates used for financial transactions refer to the total value of transactions during the year in relation to the outstanding stock a year before.
    • The euro area and national financial accounts data of non-financial corporations and households are available in an interactive dashboard.
    • Hyperlinks in the main body of the statistical release are dynamic. The data they lead to may therefore change with subsequent data releases as a result of revisions. Figures shown in annex tables are a snapshot of the data as at the time of the current release.
    • The ECB publishes experimental Distributional Wealth Accounts (DWA), which provide additional breakdowns for the household sector. The release of results for 2024 Q2 is planned for 29 November 2024 (tentative date).

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Euro area quarterly balance of payments and international investment position: second quarter of 2024

    Source: European Central Bank

    04 October 2024

    • Current account surplus at €381 billion (2.6% of euro area GDP) in four quarters to second quarter of 2024, after a €76 billion surplus (0.5% of GDP) a year earlier.
    • Geographical counterparts: largest bilateral current account surpluses vis-à-vis United Kingdom (€215 billion) and Switzerland (€79 billion) and largest deficits vis-à-vis China (€78 billion) and United States (€18 billion).
    • International investment position showed net assets of €1.2 trillion (8.0% of euro area GDP) at end of second quarter of 2024.

    Current account

    The current account of the euro area recorded a surplus of €381 billion (2.6% of euro area GDP) in the four quarters to the second quarter of 2024, following a €76 billion surplus (0.5% of GDP) a year earlier (Table 1). This development was mainly driven by a larger surplus for goods (from €72 billion to €358 billion) and, to a lesser extent, by widening surpluses for services (from €134 billion to €149 billion) and for primary income (from €34 billion to €37 billion). Moreover, the deficit for secondary income decreased slightly from €164 billion to €163 billion.

    The estimates on goods trade broken down by product group show that, in the four quarters to the second quarter of 2024, the increase in the goods surplus was mainly due to a smaller deficit in energy products (from €454 billion to €275 billion). In addition, the surplus for machinery and manufactured products increased from €240 billion to €318 billion, while the balance for other products switched from a €28 billion deficit to a €2 billion surplus.

    The higher surplus for services in the four quarters to the second quarter of 2024 was mainly due to larger surpluses for telecommunication, computer and information (from €159 billion to €184 billion) and for travel (from €47 billion to €57 billion), and a lower deficit for other business services (from €54 billion to €42 billion). This was partly offset by a widening deficit for other services (from €55 billion to €75 billion) and a decreasing surplus for transport (from €16 billion to €1 billion).

    The increase in the primary income surplus in the four quarters to the second quarter of 2024 was mainly due to larger surpluses in direct investment (from €73 billion to €100 billion) and other primary income (from €5 billion to €14 billion), partly offset by a larger deficit in portfolio equity (from €143 billion to €182 billion).

    Table 1

    Current account of the euro area

    (EUR billions, unless otherwise indicated; transactions during the period; non-working day and non-seasonally adjusted)

    Source: ECB.
    Notes: “Equity” comprises equity and investment fund shares. Goods by product group is an estimated breakdown using a method based on statistics on international trade in goods. Discrepancies between totals and their components may arise from rounding.

    Data for the current account of the euro area

    Data on the geographical counterparts of the euro area current account (Chart 1) show that in the four quarters to the second quarter of 2024, the euro area recorded its largest bilateral surpluses vis-à-vis the United Kingdom (€215 billion, up from €184 billion a year earlier) and Switzerland (€79 billion, down from €89 billion). The euro area also recorded a surplus vis-à-vis the residual group of other countries of €96 billion, after a €21 billion deficit a year earlier. The largest bilateral deficits were recorded vis-à-vis China (€78 billion, down from €135 billion a year earlier) and the United States (€18 billion, down from €32 billion).

    The most significant changes in the geographical components of the current account relative to the previous year were as follows: the goods deficit vis-à-vis China declined from €166 billion to €105 billion, while the balance vis-à-vis Russia shifted from a deficit (€41 billion) to a surplus (€3 billion). Furthermore, the balance vis-à-vis the residual group of Other countries shifted from a deficit (€104 billion) to a surplus (€39 billion), which was partly explained by a smaller deficit vis-à-vis Norway (from €39 billion to €21 billion) and a shift from a deficit (€6 billion) to a surplus (€5 billion) vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia. The goods surplus increased vis-à-vis the United Kingdom (from €116 billion to €148 billion) and vis-à-vis the United States (from €169 billion to €191 billion). In services, the deficit vis-à-vis the United States increased (from €117 billion to €141 billion), which was more than offset by a shift from a deficit (€15 billion) to a surplus (€18 billion) vis-à-vis Offshore centres. In primary income, the deficit vis-à-vis Offshore centres (€11 billion) turned to a surplus (€21 billion), while a smaller deficit is recorded vis-à-vis the United States (from €82 billion to €67 billion). The deficit in secondary income vis-à-vis the EU Member States and EU institutions outside the euro area decreased (from €77 billion to €71 billion).

    Chart 1

    Geographical breakdown of the euro area current account balance

    (four-quarter moving sums in EUR billions; non-seasonally adjusted)

    Source: ECB.
    Note: “EU non-EA” comprises the non-euro area EU Member States and those EU institutions and bodies that are considered for statistical purposes as being outside the euro area, such as the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. “Other countries” includes all countries and country groups not shown in the chart, as well as unallocated transactions.

    international investment position of the euro area recorded its largest net assets on record, increasing to €1.18 trillion vis-à-vis the rest of the world (8.0% of euro area GDP), up from €0.76 trillion in the previous quarter (Chart 2 and Table 2).

    Chart 2

    Net international investment position of the euro area

    (net amounts outstanding at the end of the period as a percentage of four-quarter moving sums of GDP)

    Source: ECB.

    The €423 billion increase in net assets was mainly driven by lower net liabilities in other investment (down from €0.76 trillion to €0.63 trillion) and in portfolio equity (from €3.31 trillion to €3.19 trillion), as well as larger net assets in direct investment (up from €2.41 trillion to €2.52 trillion) and in reserve assets (up from €1.22 trillion to €1.27 trillion).

    Table 2

    International investment position of the euro area

    (EUR billions, unless otherwise indicated; amounts outstanding at the end of the period, flows during the period; non-working day and non-seasonally adjusted)

    Source: ECB.
    Notes: “Equity” comprises equity and investment fund shares. Net financial derivatives are reported under assets. “Other volume changes” mainly reflect reclassifications and data enhancements. Discrepancies between totals and their components may arise from rounding.

    Note: “Other volume changes” mainly reflect reclassifications and data enhancements. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Antidote Announces $100M for Community Building and User Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, NY, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Antidote platform, known for its innovative solutions in the field of investment strategies, has announced the distribution of $100 million to its users. This step is aimed at supporting hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and providing access to the most advanced arbitrage technologies.

    Alex Miron, co-founder, Vice President, and CVO of Antidote, who launched the platform in November 2023, comments on this initiative: “We have chosen a strategy where each user may earn up to 1% in daily returns. This result is achieved thanks to our arbitrage bot, which automatically analyzes numerous exchanges, identifying price discrepancies, and executes trades with maximum speed.” $100 million will be distributed among users who have joined the community and actively participate by investing any amount. Thus, all participants will receive higher return percentages, supplemented by bonuses for contributing to the development of the algorithm.

    However, as the company’s capitalization grows to $500 million, Antidote plans to gradually reduce the estimated yield percentages to 5-10% per month, maintaining high profitability while adapting to market conditions. “We are focused on long-term sustainable growth. Our goal is to offer stable and secure returns based on real arbitrage market opportunities,” adds Alex Miron.

    The Antidote technology relies on powerful algorithms that monitor millions of data points in real-time, automatically executing trades as soon as an opportunity arises to profit from price differences on different exchanges. This technological process makes the platform one of the most competitive in the world.

    Antidote is headquartered in Dubai and adheres to all international safety standards and regulatory requirements. It is encouraging that regulators are facilitating the global operation of cryptocurrency, thereby providing opportunities for a broad audience. (Please note: Antidote does not operate within the United States and does not accept investments from American citizens, nor from entities listed on the FATF blacklist.)

    One of the company’s partners, ByBit, provided the meeting and negotiation office in Dubai. Understanding that we are all working towards a common goal – educating the public on financial literacy and cryptocurrency – this collaboration was the right strategic move for Antidote.

    Recently, the company attracted the attention of international media, including Nasdaq TV, where the company’s successes and plans were discussed. The interview was conducted by Nasdaq’s leading journalist, Jane King, which is already a unique event for startups. Usually, journalists interview only stars and large corporations. It seems we are indeed witnessing the rise of a new unicorn in the financial market.

    In addition to its arbitrage opportunities, Antidote is developing initiatives in financial literacy, including educational projects in BRICS countries. These programs are aimed at giving people access to modern financial tools and helping them improve their financial well-being.

    Social Links

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antidoteoffcl

    X: https://x.com/Antidote_Offcl

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antidote_offcl

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Antidote_Official

    Telegram: https://t.me/+FLAkKOsvfXplZmU1?start=2jhq4cv

    Media contact

    Brand: Antidote

    Contact: Media contact

    Email: support@antidt.com

    Website: https://iamantidote.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Hlabisa to lead engagements with KZN provincial leadership

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa is expected to lead various engagements with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial and eThekwini leadership as well as the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders (PHTKL). 

    The engagements are expected to take place on Saturday.

    The first engagement will include the Minister, Deputy Minister Prince Burns Ncamashe, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, CoGTA MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and the metro’s executive committee. 

    This will be followed by a meeting with the PHTKL on issues affecting the sector. 

    Both meetings will be held in Durban. 

    Eastern Seaboard Regional Development

    On Monday, the Minister will lead the Eastern Seaboard Development Political Engagement with the Premier of the Eastern Cape and Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Oscar Mabuyane and Ntuli, respectively.

    They will be joined by traditional leaders, MECs, Mayors and Councillors from the Ugu, Harry Gwala, OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts at the Wild Coast Sun, Port Edward. 

    “The Eastern Seaboard Regional Development was declared as a region on 20 June 2022 in terms of Section 19 of Spatial Planning and Land Use Management (Act 16 of 2013) and has also been identified as a strategic area ready for investment. 

    “The region covers an area spanning the southern coastline of KwaZulu-Natal and the northern part of the Eastern Cape provinces and spans across four districts and 17 local municipalities,” the department explained.

    The Regional Spatial Development Framework, according to the department, has since been developed and catalytic projects across the four districts identified. 

    “This planned Ministerial engagement will review progress to date and agree on plans going forward in the implementation of the Eastern Seaboard programme. 

    “The meeting will also fortify traditional leadership participation in the next steps of the implementation phase of the programme, which include buy-in, stakeholder engagement and the awareness-raising of the project to all role players.”

    The department described the development as a flagship project facilitated through the District Development Model (DDM) and provides an opportunity to drive spatially referenced transformation through the integration of urban and rural development as well as targeted rural revitalisation.

    “Launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2021, the development has reached a critical stage, and significant progress has also been made concerning its design, establishment and coordination of key stakeholders to respond to the region’s rich cultural and environmental assets but remains deprived of substantial economic development and targeted investment in the region,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government working with communities to find suitable land for housing

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Department of Human Settlements intends to partner with traditional leaders to identify disaster-resilient areas suitable for human settlements development, using geo-mapping.

    Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi made the announcement at meeting held with Members of Executive Councils (MINMEC) responsible for Human Settlements across the country on Thursday.

    Kubayi said the collaborative initiative with traditional leaders aims to enable traditional leaders to identify safe land parcels for settlement purposes and avoid disaster-prone areas in vulnerable provinces.

    She said the department intends to pilot this approach in rural KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo Provinces, paving the way for proactive disaster mitigation and sustainable human settlements.

    “By leveraging geo-mapping technology, the department aims to inform decision makers to make better land allocation decisions, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities. We cannot be chasing after or reacting to disasters.

    “We must be proactive and put measures in place to mitigate future disasters. Climate change is upon us, and we should be better prepared and be able to respond accordingly,” Kubayi said.

    The Minister convened the meeting with the MECs, focusing on the 2024/2025 human settlements priorities.

    This was the second meeting in the seventh administration included the Mayors and Members of Mayoral Committees (MMCs) for Human Settlements in metropolitan municipalities and representatives from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to tackle key critical areas.

    These include prioritising vulnerable groups in housing allocation, the Title Deeds Restoration Programme, housing for military veterans, emergency housing, and an update on the Human Settlements White Paper.

    The meeting discussed the finalisation of the White Paper and MINMEC was informed that extensive consultations have been undertaken to ensure that all sectors of the community took part in shaping the new policy.

    Approved by Cabinet in 2023 for public consultation, the draft White Paper seeks to address the prevailing gaps and inconsistencies in the housing and human settlements sector by responding comprehensively to contemporary sector reforms.

    The meeting heard that sectors including NGOs, civil society, labour, academics, developers and contractors, and identified government departments were consulted.

    The draft White Paper will be presented to Cabinet for approval, and once approved, a nationwide awareness campaign will be launched to educate the public on the policy’s key points through various media channels.

    The Minister also underscored the importance of building integrated communities including rural areas, saying human settlements should be where people are, feel safe and have access to economic opportunities and social amenities.

    “Accordingly, the government has availed resources to build social amenities in rural areas including community halls and other facilities to encourage development within the communities,” the Minister explained.

    Assisting those affected by disasters

    On emergency response to people affected by disasters, MINMEC welcomed a briefing on the Emergency Housing Framework developed to ensure immediate response to people affected by disasters.

    MINMEC stressed the need to clarify roles and responsibilities since the national department has assumed responsibility.

    The meeting adopted a proposal outlining disaster response protocols, dividing responsibilities between the National Department of Human Settlements, provinces, and metros based on disaster severity.

    “Significant and severe disasters, affecting 51 to 100 or more households, will be jointly responded to by the National Department and provinces/metropolitan areas, while minimal and minor disasters, impacting 1 to 50 households, will be addressed by provinces working with metros,” Kubayi said.

    In response to disasters, the Emergency Housing Guidelines provide four key interventions, and these include restoration, rebuilding, relocation, and repairs.

    MINMEC emphasised the need to address historic disasters that occurred from 2019 to April 2024, which have affected numerous households, with estimated damages totalling R1 billion. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO explores ways to better protect commercial partners in space

    Source: NATO

    On Wednesday (2 October), NATO, Allied space experts and space industry representatives gathered at NATO Headquarters in Brussels to address how to increase the protection of commercial partners against hybrid threats.

    Over the past decade, the commercial space sector has grown substantially, driven by rapid advances in technology and higher demand from both civilian and military users.  However, new opportunities in space come with new risks, vulnerabilities and threats.  

    During the Commercial Space Forum at NATO, participants discussed the threats they face,  from cyber-attacks against ground systems, to jamming or spoofing of GPS and other satellite communications signals. They also addressed the importance of further investment in areas such as cybersecurity and sharing information about threats.  

    NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, Ms Tarja Jaakkola, highlighted the need for a new relationship between the military and the commercial sector, “where both sides can learn from another, and where we can support and harness the entrepreneurial spirit and technological innovation essential to keep our defences strong and effective.”

    The Forum will help frame NATO’s first Commercial Space Strategy next year, which will include direction for the protection of industry partners. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – October is Infant Safe Sleep Month

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – October is Infant Safe Sleep Month

    Posted on Oct 3, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, MD, MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

     

    OCTOBER IS INFANT SAFE SLEEP MONTH

    DOH encourages parents and caregivers to create a safe sleeping

    environment for babies

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     October 3, 2024                                                                                        24-129

    HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., issued a proclamation declaring October Infant Safe Sleep Month to coincide with the national observance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, which is marked to increase the public’s awareness of the high rates of these preventable infant deaths. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Maternal and Child Health Branch (MCHB) leads Safe Sleep Hawaiʻi, a statewide coalition that works to prevent infant sleep-related deaths by promoting safe sleep practices.

    “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3,400 infants die each year in the U.S. from sleep-related deaths,” said Annie Bell, MCHB supervisor. “Through Safe Sleep Hawaiʻi, we provide information, resources and referrals to help parents and caregivers create a safe sleeping environment for their babies, which includes following safe sleep recommendations.”

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides the following recommendations to help parents and caregivers reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths:

    • Always place your baby on its back for naptime and bedtime, or whenever it sleeps.
    • Never put any soft objects such as pillows, blankets, toys or crib bumpers where your baby is sleeping.
    • Infants should sleep in your room and close to your bed but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for at least the first six months.
    • Use a firm, flat, non-inclined sleep surface to reduce the risk of suffocation or wedging/entrapment. It’s dangerous for babies to sleep on a couch, armchair or nursing pillow.
    • It’s OK to swaddle a baby, but stop swaddling as soon as they start learning to roll.
    • Breastfeed and/or feed human milk to both term and preterm infants for at least the first six months if possible.
    • Offer your baby a pacifier at naptime and bedtime to reduce the risk of SIDS.
    • Never smoke or use substances around your baby or let anyone smoke or use substances around your baby. Smoking and using substances such as alcohol, marijuana, opioids or other illicit drugs should be avoided during pregnancy and after birth.

    The Safe Sleep Hawai‘i webpage includes referral links to community organizations partnering with the DOH. The Parent Line offers resources and information related to parenting, including free online safe sleep workshops, and will host a Community Baby Shower this Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Child & Family Service ‘Ewa Community Center (91-1841 Fort Weaver Rd.). Expectant and new parents with babies up to six months are invited to this free event for food, giveaways, resources and fun. Call The Parent Line at 808-526-1222 to register.

    Another safe sleep partner is the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaiʻi, which provides social services and clinical support for birthing families in Hawaiʻi. The coalition also runs the Hawaiʻi Cribs for Kids program that provides safe sleep education, support and cribs for income-eligible families.

    To learn more about safe sleep and download a Safe Sleep Guide for Parents available in 12 languages, visit health.hawaii.gov/safesleep.

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Brandin Shim

    Information Specialist

    Family Health Services Division

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    808-586-4120

    [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – DOH Approves Reopening of Crackinʻ Kitchen

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – DOH Approves Reopening of Crackinʻ Kitchen

    Posted on Oct 3, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, MD, MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

    DOH APPROVES REOPENING OF CRACKIN’ KITCHEN

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     October 3, 2024                                                                                                          24-131

    HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch has approved the reopening of Crackin’ Kitchen after a follow-up inspection found that it had resolved the water backup issue in their kitchen.

    Crackin’ Kitchen, located at 2330 Kalākaua Ave. Unit 318, received a red placard on Oct. 1 and was immediately closed. A follow-up inspection conducted on Oct. 2 found that the water backup issue was resolved, and the floor had been sanitized.

    The food establishment was advised to continue to monitor and maintain the proper drainage.

    The DOH Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawai‘i residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared, manufactured, distributed or sold.

    The branch also investigates the sources of foodborne illnesses and potential adulteration; and is charged with mitigating the effects of these incidents to prevent any future occurrences. The DOH food safety specialists strive to work with business owners, food service workers and the food industry to ensure safe food preparation practices and sanitary conditions.

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Kristen Wong

    Information Specialist

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    808-586-4407

    [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – DOH Alerts Public to ANSWERS Brand Dog Food Recall Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – DOH Alerts Public to ANSWERS Brand Dog Food Recall Due to Potential Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

    Posted on Oct 3, 2024 in Latest Department News, Main, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, MD, MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

    DOH ALERTS PUBLIC TO ANSWERS BRAND DOG FOOD RECALL DUE TO POTENTIAL SALMONELLA AND
    LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES CONTAMINATION

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     October 3, 2024                                                                                                      24-132

    HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) is alerting residents to a recall issued by Lystn, LLC for certain lots of raw dog food products because of potential Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. These products were sold directly to consumers online and through local boutique pet stores. The FDB is following up with local pet stores to ensure that the recalled products are no longer available for sale.

    Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

    Pets do not always display symptoms when infected with Salmonella, but signs can include vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, loss of appetite and/or decreased activity level. If your pet has these symptoms, consult a veterinarian promptly. You should also be aware that infected pets can shed the bacteria in their feces without showing signs of being sick.

    Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious and sometimes fatal infection in pets that eat Listeria-contaminated food. Listeriosis illnesses in pets are rare, and infected pets may display symptoms including mild to severe diarrhea, anorexia, fever, nervousness, muscular and respiratory issues, miscarriage, depression, shock and death. Pets exposed to contaminated food can also be asymptomatic. Infected pets, even those without symptoms, can transfer Listeria monocytogenes through their feces and saliva into the home environment and to people and other pets in the household. If your pet has eaten the recalled product(s) identified as below, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

    People can become infected with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes illness by handling the contaminated products, having contact with pets that have eaten the contaminated products, and/or having contact with surfaces that have touched the contaminated food, such as bowls, utensils or countertops. Risk of illness increases if people do not thoroughly wash their hands after handling the food or having contact with their pet, or by not thoroughly cleaning contaminated surfaces. Risk of illness also increases for those who are very young, very old, or have weak immune systems.

    People infected with Salmonella can develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most people recover without treatment, but in some people, the diarrhea may be severe enough to require hospitalization. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites unless the person is treated promptly. Consult your health care provider if you have symptoms of Salmonella infection.

    Listeria monocytogenes can also cause listeriosis in people, a disease that can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Healthy individuals may suffer symptoms such as fever, severe headache, muscle aches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and or diarrhea. Although people can develop listeriosis up to two months after exposure, symptoms will usually start within several days from exposure, often with diarrhea. Listeriosis may be treated with antibiotics. Contact your health care provider immediately if you are exhibiting symptoms after having been exposed to any of the recalled products.

    To date, there have been no reports of illness or adverse events attributed to the recalled products. The FDB advises consumers to check for the products listed below by “best used-by date” (BUBD) and do not feed the recalled product to pets or any other animals. Use gloves — do not touch the food product with bare hands — and seal the contaminated food in a plastic trash bag and dispose to make it inaccessible to children, pets and wildlife. Areas that may have touched the contaminated product should be sanitized.

    If you have any recalled products and would like a refund, please submit a receipt, product pictures and the retailer’s information to [email protected]. For additional inquiries, you can also email ANSWERS Pet Food at the same address.

    Product descriptions and relevant information for the recalled products are listed below:

    Product Name Size Best Used-By Date (BUBD) Representative Image
    ANSWERS Pet Food Detailed Beef Formula for Dogs/856554002102 4 pounds (half-gallon carton) May 6, 2026
    ANSWERS Pet Food Straight Beef Formula for Dogs/856554002072 4 pounds (half-gallon carton) Jan. 31, 2026
    ANSWERS Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs/856554002065 4 pounds (half-gallon carton) Jan. 2, 2026

    March 11, 2026

    # # #

    Media Contacts:

    Michael Burke

    Environmental Health Program Manager

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    [email protected]

    Kristen Wong

    Information Specialist

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    808-586-4407

    [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – Nine Inmates Earn Certificates, Degree Graduation Ceremony Honors First Inmate to Earn AA While in Custody

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – Nine Inmates Earn Certificates, Degree Graduation Ceremony Honors First Inmate to Earn AA While in Custody

    Posted on Oct 3, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION

    KA ‘OIHANA HOʻOMALU KALAIMA A HOʻOPONOPONO OLA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    TOMMY JOHNSON

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 3, 2024

    Nine Inmates Earn Certificates, Degree Graduation Ceremony Honors First Inmate to Earn AA While in Custody

    HONOLULU — The Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) in partnership with Windward Community College (WCC) hosted a graduation ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, for nine women who earned a Certificate of Competence in WCC’s Mental Health Technician Program.

    One of the nine women also earned her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, the first woman at the correctional facility to receive an AA degree while in custody.

    Honored guests attending the ceremony in the WCCC Maunawili Cottage courtyard included: Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) Director Tommy Johnson; Dr. Michael K. Champion, senior advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System, Office of the Governor; State Rep. Lisa Marten (D – Waimānalo, Keolu Hills, Lanikai, portion of Kailua) State Rep. Linda Ichiyama, member of the House Committee on Corrections, Military and Veterans; Honolulu Councilmember Esther Kia‘aina who represents District 3 (Windward O‘ahu); and WCC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg.

    During the event, Director Johnson addressed the graduates and said, “We all make mistakes in life but the content of our character is better defined by what we do after that. To move forward, to put those things behind us. To show people we’re not that person that they think we are, that we can change.”

    “We’re so proud of you. No matter what, never give up,” he added. 

    “This should be the beginning of your educational journey, not the end, and likewise, your achievements represent the start of opening doors to new and exciting paths forward to change the trajectory of your lives and those of your loved ones that supported you through your period of incarceration and positive changes forward,” Director Johnson said.

    Inmates’ Sarah Liaszenik,Tamila Alcoran, Mickie Kolo, Necia Hao, Ashley Nihipali, Juanita Grammer, Randikeli Banagan, Charisse Lawelawe and Ewalani Cluney earned a Certificate of Competence in the Mental Health Technician Program. Seven of the nine inmates attended Wednesday’s graduation ceremony.

    Individuals in the program earned nine college credits that encompass two required courses: Survey of Psychology and Conflict Resolution and Mediation and one elective psychology course. 

    In addition to earning a Certificate of Competence in the Mental Health Technician Program, Kolo, 52, received her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, the first woman to receive her AA degree awhile in custody at WCCC.

    “It was hard work and a long journey for me. It took a lot of discipline and a lot of focus and a lot of perseverance,” Kolo said after the ceremony. Earning an AA degree and certificate helped Kolo gain a positive outlook where she aims to continue her education and work as a case manager when she reenters the community.

    The nine graduates are participants of the WCC Pu‘uhonua Program which provides incarcerated individuals the opportunity to earn college credits through coursework and classes taught by WCC staff.

    WCCC Warden Ione “Noni” Guillonta said, “I’m very proud of them, all nine of them.” The AA and Mental Health Technician programs, Guillonta added, are examples of the efforts by WCC, WCCC and DCR’s Corrections Program Services – Education Services’ staff to better prepare inmates to transition back into the community when released from custody.

    WCC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg said she is thankful for the partnership with DCR to help change the lives of female inmates. At the ceremony, Eschenberg addressed graduates: “Your palapala (degree) is your gateway to your next dream. It is a testament to your knowledge, your skills, your abilities and hard work. I wish each of you big dreams.”

    For graduation photos and videos, please go to: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vxuBB1qfr_zupq0kWTaZ4_l8JpUqL96L.

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Rosemarie Bernardo

    Public Information Officer

    Hawai‘i Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

    Office: 808-587-1358

    Cell: 808-683-5507

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Joliet

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    strong>SPRINGFIELD – A FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center will open Friday, October 4, 2024, to help residents kickstart their recovery after the July 13 – 16, 2024, severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding.

    Specialists from FEMA, the state of Illinois and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the center to help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, get their questions answered in person, access other types of help that may be available and learn ways to make their property more disaster resistant.

    The center will be open at the following location, days and hours:

    Will County Center for Community Concerns
    2455 Glenwood Ave
    Joliet, IL 60435
    Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. – 12 p.m., Closed Sundays

    Additional recovery centers will be opening in other impacted counties soon. To find the center nearest you, visit FEMA.gov/DRC. Survivors may visit any center for assistance.

    Assistance in languages other than English, including American sign language, and translated materials are available at these centers. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. Accessible parking spaces are available at all centers. 

    Survivors don’t need to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. To apply without visiting a center, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.

    For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4819.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Biz2Credit to Host “Small Business, Inflation, and the Economy in 2024” Online Town Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 8, with U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota (R-NY) and Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Biz2Credit will host U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) and Sylvia Garcia (D, TX-29) to discuss the state of the small business economy in 2024 and the actions that Congress is taking to support business owners. The virtual forum will take place on Tuesday, October 8, at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) and will explore topics including:

    • Challenges for small business owners in 2024 and looking into 2025.
    • Initiatives the Federal government is considering next that may provide further economic support to American small businesses.
    • How a President Harris or President Trump will address small business issues.
    • Preparing for what’s coming next with Biz2Credit’s review of business financing options as 2024 closes and amid the recent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
    • Biz2Credit’s research and insights on primary data from small business owners.

    This online forum will give business owners a chance to hear from Rep. LaLota, a member of the House Committee on Small Business, and Rep. Garcia, who has helped provide crucial aid to Texas small businesses. They will discuss the small business environment in their districts, provide insights on how the Federal government and private industry are collaborating to help entrepreneurs, and respond to questions from constituents and business owners. To register for this event, click here.

    “We are thrilled to have Rep. LaLota and Rep. Garcia join our online Town Hall and discuss their positions on small business, the current economic environments in their home districts, and how Washington can best support entrepreneurial growth,” said Rohit Arora, CEO of Biz2Credit and one of the nation’s leading experts in small business finance.

    U.S. Representative Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) was sworn into office in January 2023. Inspired by his family’s history of service, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and reached the rank of Lieutenant. Later, he earned his MBA at Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business and his J.D. from Hofstra’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law. As a member of the Amityville Board of Trustees, he focused on reducing taxes and improving services. Today, in Congress, he advocates for lower taxes, energy independence, and the protection of constitutional freedoms. As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, he serves as chair of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure and is a member of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access.

    “I’m excited to join the Biz2Credit Small Business Town Hall to tackle the challenges and opportunities our small businesses face,” said Rep. LaLota. “As a proud member of the House Small Business Committee, I know just how crucial these businesses are to our economy. I’ll keep pushing for policies that strengthen small businesses as the backbone of America!”

    U.S. Representative Sylvia R. Garcia (D, TX-29) was sworn into Congress in January 2019 and thereby became the first Latina to represent Texas in her district. She graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in social work and political science, and later graduated from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Rep. Garcia has served as a social worker and a legal aid lawyer and later as Presiding Judge of the Houston Municipal System, Houston City Controller, and Harris County Commissioner. After serving in the Texas State Senate, she was elected to represent Texas’s 29th Congressional District 29 and became the first Hispanic member of the Houston Congressional Delegation and one of the first two Latinas to represent Texas in the Congress. She has long been an advocate for working families and economic development.

    “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and the start of so many American Dreams. Women and minority entrepreneurs, especially in the Latino community, have been driving our recovery with strength and resilience,” said Rep. Garcia, who serves as the Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee. “It’s our job in Congress to ensure they have the tools and resources to keep thriving. I’m excited to join Rep. LaLota and Biz2Credit to talk about how we can make that happen.”

    About Biz2Credit
    Founded in 2007, Biz2Credit has helped thousands of companies access more than $10 billion in small business financing. The company is expanding its industry-leading Biz2X® technology in custom digital platform solutions for banks and other financial institutions, investors, and service providers. Visit http://www.biz2credit.com, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter).

    Media Contact: John Mooney, (908) 720-6057, john@overthemoonpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Calfrac Well Services Ltd. to Announce 2024 Third Quarter Earnings Release and Hold a Conference Call and Webcast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calfrac Well Services Ltd. (“Calfrac”) (TSX:CFW) intends to release its 2024 third quarter results before the market opens on Wednesday November 6, 2024, and has scheduled a conference call to begin at 10:00 A.M. MT (12:00 P.M. ET) on the same day.

    Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis will be posted onto Calfrac’s website and on SEDAR+ after the press release has been disseminated.

    A webcast of the conference call can be accessed through the link below:

    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/u6rkjvae

    A replay of the conference call will also be available on Calfrac’s website for at least 90 days.

    To participate in the Q&A session, you may dial-in (toll free) 1-833-630-1956 (or at 1-412-317-1837 for international participants) fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the call and ask for the Calfrac Well Services Ltd. 2024 Third Quarter Earnings Release Conference Call to register.

    About Calfrac:

    Calfrac’s common shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “CFW”.

    Calfrac provides specialized oilfield services to exploration and production companies designed to increase the production of hydrocarbons from wells with continuing operations focused throughout North America and Argentina. The Company executes on its brand promise of “Do It Safely, Do It Right, Do It Profitably” to generate long-term, sustainable returns for its shareholders.

    Further information regarding Calfrac Well Services Ltd., including the most recently filed Annual Information Form, can be accessed on Calfrac’s website at http://www.calfrac.com or under the Company’s public filings found at http://www.sedarplus.ca.

    For further information on this conference call, please contact:

    Michael Olinek
    Chief Financial Officer
    (403) 234-6673

    Suite 500, 407 – 8 Avenue S.W.
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 1E5
    Website: http://www.calfrac.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Citizens urged to take part in International Fire Safety and Prevention Week

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has called on all South Africans to participate in this year’s International Fire Safety and Prevention Week, which will be observed from 6 to 12 October 2024.

    This global event aims to raise awareness of fire prevention and safety practices, encouraging individuals, communities and businesses to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of fires and protect lives.

    According to the organisation, South Africans can pledge their support by learning more about fire safety, practising safe fire prevention measures at home and in the workplace, and backing local fire services. 

    During the International Fire Safety and Prevention Week, fire services across the country will host a variety of awareness campaigns and community outreach activities to educate the public about fire safety. 

    “These efforts will include school visits, fire drills, safety demonstrations, and information sessions designed to help communities better understand how they can prevent fires and respond effectively in an emergency,” the NDMC said.

    Meanwhile, the NDMC has also taken the time to recognise the heroic work done by the brave men and women of fire services across the country, both public and designated services, who are at the forefront of fire prevention and emergency response. 

    “Their dedication to protecting lives and property, often in dangerous and challenging conditions, deserves the highest praise.” 

    The organisation has been working closely with all provinces and local municipalities to strengthen fire safety and prevention measures across the country.

    Since 2016, according to NDMC statistics, more than 118 municipalities have been assessed, with more than 500 fire safety practitioners trained in fire risk assessment and safety strategies through partnership with the Fire Protection Association of South Africa (FPASA).

    “In line with the Fire Services White Paper, fire services are encouraged to pursue the implementation of an integrated fire risk management strategy, as it is critical that collectively we, as a nation, focus on fire prevention and preparedness together,” the statement read. 

    Fire is preventable, and the NDMC urges everyone to take simple steps, such as:

    • Educating communities to build their informal dwellings with a minimum gap of three meters between them to reduce the risk of fire spreading quickly.
    • Ensuring that the spaces between these buildings are kept clear of debris and always maintain open and accessible roads leading to the homes, so that emergency vehicles can reach them without delay.
    • Ensuring that homes are equipped with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
    • Creating and practising fire escape plans.
    • Being mindful of potential fire hazards, such as unattended cooking or faulty electrical wiring.
    • Educating children, family members, and the frail and elderly about fire safety measures. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two Board Members reappointed to The National Lottery Community Fund board

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Secretary of State has reappointed John Mothersole as the England Committee Chair and Kate Still as the Scotland Committee Chair for a second term of two years commencing on 14 May 2024.

    John Mothersole

    John Mothersole has held senior local government posts in UK cities including London, most recently as Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council. Since standing down from that post in December 2019 after 11 years, John has taken on a series of non-executive roles which now include Chair of The Sheffield College, trustee of a community care charity and advisory roles with companies involved in regeneration and environment. He was also an assessor for the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, a role that concluded with the publication of the final report in September 2024. Prior to being selected as Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund England Committee John was a member of that committee.

    John has been heavily involved in the policy agenda for UK cities through the Core Cities network, the Northern Powerhouse initiative and with Government in securing city and city region devolution deals and participating in trade missions.His early career was in the arts, primarily in London and the North-East, and he sees a highlight of that part of his career being the reopening of the Roundhouse in London which enabled its subsequent redevelopment.

    Kate Still

    Kate is currently conducting the Independent Review of Community Learning and

    Development across Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. She was a Board

    member of ERSA for many years, Chair of Employment Support Scotland and a Fellow of

    the Institute of Employability. Kate started her career as a teacher after completing an MA

    (Hons) in Politics at Glasgow University.

    She has over 25 years of relevant experience in delivery of education, apprenticeships, skills, employability and community enterprise and regeneration programmes across multiple sectors, including 15+ years in the Charity sector. Kate has a passionate desire to make a difference coupled with the drive to achieve impact on issues of poverty, equality and diversity and social justice. Kate has held strategic leadership roles at EU and UK levels including Management of EU aid programmes to Central and Eastern Europe. A former Board Member of Strathclyde European Partnership, she completed her MPhil in European Policy research at Strathclyde University in 2011.Kate has held Director roles previously with the Prince’s Trust, Rathbone and Wise Group.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    These positions are remunerated at £24,000 per annum. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. John Mothersole and Kate Still have not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Inside the Oasis Restore secure school

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    YJB Chief Executive, Steph Roberts-Bibby reflects on her visit to the UK’s first secure school and its unique focus on education, healthcare and wellbeing.

    The secure school’s education centre.

    Back in May, I joined Minister Argar and the Youth Custody Service to visit the UK’s first secure school and explore its revolutionary approach to youth justice. As we toured the site, what stood out to me was an unmistakeable feeling of care.   

    The Oasis Restore secure school has now opened its doors and has started to welcome its first children.  

    What does the secure school offer?  

    The school, which was a former secure training centre, felt worlds away from my experiences as a prison officer at Feltham young offender’s institution (YOI) in 1997 and other adult prisons throughout my career, with more similarities to university accommodation than custody. The environment felt compassionate and child-orientated, nurturing children to change, grow and learn.  

    Security was built into the infrastructure without feeling oppressive, but still appropriately secure – there were no bars on the windows, no keys or locks, only wristband-operated fobs. It was these subtle differences that made me leave Oasis Restore feeling hopeful. 

    The bedrooms were calming and quiet with private ensuite bathrooms and built-in computer screens for doing homework and watching TV. The attention to detail throughout was evident. There was artwork on the walls, and soft blankets and sofas in the shared living spaces. These are incredibly important to help children learn to cohabit and foster a sense of community and responsibility. 

    Oasis Restore provides family rooms with kitchens so that children can cook and eat with their families when they visit. Our guide Dr Sadie pointed out that this can be very culturally important when living away from home, not least for successful rehabilitation but also for rebuilding existing family relationships. Siblings often visit with families, and evidence shows that intergenerational and sibling offending is common, so having a space promoting learning, togetherness and care is key to prevent further offending among families. 

    A shared living area in one of the flats at the secure school.

    The site boasts brand-new state-of-the-art facilities, including 3D printers in the design technology classroom, a hair and beauty salon and even music recording booths. While other sites do provide similar facilities, never had I seen them at this standard before. These facilities provide a wide range of educational opportunities, including core academic subjects and vocational training in areas like barbering, drama and catering, that children might otherwise have never been exposed to.  

    Therapeutic sensory rooms are also woven throughout the site. These supportive spaces have soft beanbags and padded walls to support children to regulate their emotions during the day and take time out when needed. 

    Looking to the future 

    As the tour was finishing, I stopped to speak to a restorative practitioner who was showing some of the creative activities on offer for children. She explained that she would be supporting children through every part of their day at Oasis Restore, be that walking with them to the education centre in the morning, or just being there to chat.  

    When I asked her what part of the new school she was most looking forward to, she said, “I’m just excited for the children to come now.” It’s clear that what makes this approach to youth custody different isn’t just the holistic model or the modern facilities; it’s the people.  

    Strong relationships between staff and children are at the heart of the Oasis model, to truly understand a child’s journey. Oasis Restore’s team are highly trained and committed to providing responsive, psychologically informed and developmentally appropriate models of support and education for children in their care. Relational practice is also crucial, with staff committed to loving children like their own, and this shone through from the practitioners I spoke with at the school.  

    The Oasis secure school is a prime example of how custody for children can and should be done: care-focused, needs-led and with children at the heart. This model inspires hope for the future about how we can best support children to go on to live crime-free lives and make our communities safer places with fewer victims. 

    What is a ‘secure school’?  

    The first-of-its-kind secure school in Rochester houses children who are on remand or sentenced to custody. But what exactly is a secure school? 

    Oasis Restore places education and healthcare at the heart of its approach to support children and steer them away from reoffending. This unique model was recommended by Charlie Taylor, the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, who has long advocated for a different approach to children in custody. In 2016, prior to becoming Chair of the Youth Justice Board from 2017-2020, he conducted an independent review of the youth justice system 

    The Oasis Restore philosophy 

    At the Youth Justice Board, we have long advocated for a rethink of how children are cared for in custody. This is because our evidence tells us that to be effective, secure settings must be small and replicate a safe family home environment with a sense of community and trust. They should also have excellent healthcare and education provisions. 

    The Oasis Restore model mirrors this, and I was pleased to see that these values shine through when visiting the school. Oasis Restore is guided by the understanding that children are different from adults. Its philosophy ensures that each child’s voice is heard and valued, and opportunities are created for them to contribute within a school community.  

    In the words of the school: “Oasis Restore is a secure school enabling young people to live their best lives, through education, wellbeing, and hope.” 

    The secure school gives children the opportunity to make positive choices about their futures upon release from custody. By equipping them with essential skills and education, the school not only benefits children but hopes to reduce crime rates and make our communities safer places to live with fewer victims.  

    Who is the Oasis Restore secure school for? 

    Although the number of children in custody is the lowest on record since records began (an average of 440 children were in custody between 2022-23), we know that the children who remain in the secure estate are vulnerable and often have complex needs.  

    2021 Census data showed that more than three-quarters (79.8%) of people who went on to receive a custodial sentence had been identified with special educational needs (SEN) at some point during their schooling 

    Lower education levels are also likely. The same dataset also found that young adults who receive custodial sentences have lower levels of educational attainment, with only 37% achieving the expected level of English and maths by the end of key stage 2 compared with 53% of peers with non-custodial sentences.  

    In a 2022 joint inspection of education, training and employment services from HM Inspectorate of Probation, almost 65% of children had been excluded from school from at some point 

    Justice-involved children have also experienced higher levels of trauma throughout childhood and themselves are victims. This makes it crucial for the school to be care-focused, needs-led, and Child First. In one study of 80 children, over 75% had experienced family violence or child abuse  

    The secure school will care for children aged between 12-18-years-old who are on remand or sentenced to custody. It will be home to up to 49 children at any one time, both girls and boys. Every child will be enrolled in formal education or training and encouraged into further study or employment on release. This innovative new model of care will promote rehabilitation and contribute to positive outcomes for children, leading to fewer victims and safer communities. 

    The Discovery-i education centre at the secure school.

    What makes Oasis Restore different? 

    The Oasis Restore secure school is unique in its approach and Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis Charitable Trust, said to visitors at the opening event: “From the day children arrive, the focus is on preparing them for the day they leave.”  

    The school has been co-designed with children working with youth justice services and will be registered as both an academy and a secure children’s home. It will be inspected by Ofsted and held to the same standards as other schools across England.  

    While the current secure estate is not fit for purpose, the secure school offers a Child First redesign. It’s an innovative, holistic approach to custody for children within a secure setting. This is what distinguishes the secure school from existing youth custody provisions and sends a message to children that they are valued; something many may not have experienced growing up.  

    I spoke to a colleague from NHS England during the visit, a key partner in the development of the school, and heard about just some of the wellbeing services on offer, including advice on dieting, smoking, body image, as well as wider mental health and physical health support.  

    Education at the school is based on the reflective practice model, with a therapeutic approach to learning. It is recognised that many of the children who will live at the secure school are likely to be disengaged from education and so staff are specially trained to focus on one-to-one support and children’s individual needs, which their curriculum will be tailored around.  

    A place of hope 

    The secure school is a place where children can feel safe and be supported by well-trained staff who are committed to developing positive purpose. We at the YJB support and advocate this approach in line with the evidence base. I echo the words of Ed Cornmell, Executive Director of the Youth Custody Service, when he says the school represents a “revolutionary change for the youth justice system.” 

    Find out more about the Oasis Restore secure school

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal development consent decision announced

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal application has today been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport.

    The application comprises a new roll-on/roll-off facility comprising a new jetty with three berths, improved hardstanding, Terminal buildings and an internal side bridge to cross over existing port infrastructure. 

    The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Associated British Ports on 10 February 2023 and accepted for Examination on 06 March 2023. 

    Following an Examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 25 April 2024.  

    This is the 53rd transport application out of 144 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.  

    Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to participate in this six-month Examination.  

    The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State. 

    The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Transport and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website. 

    Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:  

    Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 57: UK statement for Item 9 General Debate

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    UK Statement for Item 9 General Debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Location:
    Geneva
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Thank you Mr Vice President,

    The UK condemns all forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related forms of intolerance. We remain steadfast in our commitment to combatting it, at home and abroad.

    We celebrate Black History Month this October in the UK. That is a moment to reflect on the impact of black heritage and culture on our country and our place in the world. It’s a chance to celebrate the enormous contribution of black Britons in all walks of life. It is also a chance for us to acknowledge some of our country’s most painful history.

    As in all societies, challenges persist. Ongoing efforts to address racial and ethnic inequalities are essential to ensure better outcomes for all communities.

    The UK stands firmly against the scourge of racism and is committed to taking further meaningful action domestically and internationally to shape a better society for all. This includes bringing forward new legislation to tackle persistent racial inequalities. We are dedicated to fostering a society where everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or background, can thrive and live a life free from discrimination and intolerance.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Lebanon struggles to cope as over a million people flee Israel’s military invasion- Oxfam

    Source: Oxfam –

    The Lebanese authorities, communities and humanitarian agencies are struggling to shelter and provide the necessities of life to over one million people fleeing Israel’s airstrikes and invasion to the south, Oxfam said today. 

    Oxfam is working with local partners in Lebanon and alongside other aid agencies as part of the government’s humanitarian response plan following Israel’s invasion of Southern Lebanon and aerial bombardment. 

    Oxfam assessments in shelters across Lebanon have found people most need mattresses, bedding, and cooking and sanitation items. Women also need sanitary pads, towels, and underwear. Oxfam and partners have started distributing some of this aid as well as water.

    “People are coming to us traumatized. Most of them have lost their houses and relatives. Some of them are scared because of the scale of bombardment as they were fleeing.”

    Gheith Bittar, Executive Director of SHIFT

    Oxfam partner SHIFT – Social Innovation Hub

    Gheith Bittar, Executive Director for Oxfam partner SHIFT – Social Innovation Hub, said more displaced people are arriving by the day and he fears shelters may buckle under the strain.  

    “The shelters are not ready to host the number of displaced people we are taking on and 629 are already full. They are public schools that are not equipped to be shelters and we are facing problems. For example, we don’t have hot water for showers. We will get to a point where we won’t be able to cope. Without funds, we cannot sustain our support to the shelters. The ground invasion will only increase the number of refugees, and we have already seen an increase in the number of displaced people on a daily basis with the continuous bombardment. The situation will only get worse as winter approaches. 

    “People are coming to us traumatized. Most of them have lost their houses and relatives. Some of them were scared because of the scale of bombardment as they were fleeing, and many others because of their fear of the unknown coming to a new city. People are suffering, they have many, many, issues to think about,” 

    Oxfam says without a ceasefire, the greenlight by Israel to a ground invasion in southern Lebanon will likely lead to a further escalation of the conflict and fighting, that will cause even more destruction of communities and inflame an already volatile region. 

    “The ground invasion and bombardment that includes Beirut and the southern suburbs will create a serious challenge for the humanitarian system in a few short days. People are being forced to flee with little to no notice, and often having to leave everything behind to shelters that are inadequate or sharing crowded homes with few essential supplies. None know when they can return. Without a ceasefire, the number of people desperately in need will only grow, as will their needs. The shelter system is set to collapse if there is no peace on the horizon,” said Oxfam’s Lebanon Country Director, Bachir Ayoub. 

    Oxfam is appealing for donations globally. “The needs of people in Lebanon who’ve been injured, traumatized and displaced, in fear of what the future might hold for them, are already huge. No other solution other than a ceasefire can alleviate the crisis they are facing,” Ayoub said. 

    There must be an end to this violence. All parties must stop fighting. We need safe space to get people the aid they need,” he said.  

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI: Brazil Cancer Drug Clinical Trials Brazil Clinical Trial Registry ANVISA Brazil Guidelines

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Delhi, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brazil Cancer Drugs Clinical Trials Insight 2024 Report Offering:

    • Brazil Clinical Trials Market Opportunity 2024 and 2030 (In US$ Million)
    • Clinical Trials Regulatory Framework In Brazil
    • Total Number of Cancer Drugs In Clinical Trials In Brazil
    • Total Number Of Cancer Drugs Approved In Brazil
    • 400 Pages Clinical Trials Insight On All Cancer Drugs In Clinical Trials By Company, Indication and Phase
    • 80 Pages Clinical Insight On All Cancer Drugs Approved in Market By Company and Indication
    • Insight On 25 Pharmaceutical Companies & CRO In Brazil

    Download Report:  https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-clinical-trials-brazil-cancer-drug-research-brazil-cancer-drug-research-brazil-oncology-drug-development-brazil

    Brazil’s cancer drug clinical trial landscape has been evolving rapidly in recent years, positioning the country as an increasingly important player in global oncology research. As the largest country in Latin America, with a population of over 215 million and a diverse genetic makeup, Brazil offers unique opportunities for conducting clinical trials for conducting clinical trials in oncology. The Brazilian clinical trial environment is characterized by a mix of private and public health systems, providing researchers with access to a wide range of patient population. This diversity is particularly valuable in cancer research, where genetic and environmental factors can significantly influence treatment outcomes. Major urban cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre have become hubs for clinical research, housing state-of-the-art medical facilities and research institutions.

    One of the key drivers of Brazil’s growing prominence in cancer drug trials is the country’s high cancer burden. According to estimates, Brazil recorded around 630,000 new cancer cases in 2022, which is estimated to cross 750,000 by 2030. This high incidence rate, coupled with the need for innovative treatments, has created a song impetus for conducting oncology trials in the country. Breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancers are among the most common types, aligning with global trends and research priorities.

    The regulatory landscape for clinical trials in Brazil has seen significant improvements in recent years. The Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) has streamlined i8ts approval processes, reducing timelines for trial initiation. The creation of the Rede Nacional de Pesquisa Clínica (RNPC) has also facilitated the convict of multicenter trials across the country. These regulatory advancements have made Brazil more attractive to international pharmaceutical companies and research organizations looking to conduct global trials.

    Brazil’s participation in international collaborative research networks has further enhanced its position in cancer drug trials. The country is increasingly involved in global phase III trials, allowing Brazilian patients access to cutting-edge experimental therapies this involvement not only contributes to global drug development but also helps build local expertise and infrastructure for conducting complex oncology trials.

    The Brazilian government has also played a role in fostering cancer research through initiatives like the National Policy for Cancer Care (PNAO). This policy aims to improve cancer care across the country and includes provisions for supporting clinical research. Additionally, public-private partnerships have emerged as a key strategy for advancing cancer drug development in Brazil, combining government resources with private sector expertise and funding.

    However, challenges remain in Brazil’s clinical trial landscape. Disparities in healthcare access and quality between urban and rural areas can affect patient recruitment and trial conduct. Language barriers and the need for translation of trial materials can also add complexity to international studies. Moreover, navigating the Brazilian regulatory system, despite improvements, can still be complex for foreign sponsors unfamiliar with local processes.

    Another significant aspect of Brazil’s cancer drug trials landscape is the focus on biosimilars and generics. As patents on several key oncology drugs expire, Brazil has become an important market for biosimilar development and testing. This aligns with the country’s efforts to increase access to cancer treatments and reduce healthcare costs.

    Looking ahead, Brazil’s cancer drug clinical trial landscape shows promise for continued growth and innovations. The country’s large and diverse patient population, improving regulatory environment, and growing expertise in oncology research make it an attractive destination for global cancer drug development. As Brazil continues to invest in its research infrastructure and capabilities, it poised to play an increasingly significant role in advancing cancer treatments on a global scale.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lightbend and Scalac Partner to Enable Enterprises to Leverage the Power of Akka

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightbend, inventors of Akka, today announced a partnership with Scalac, a global consultancy for developer teams focusing on Scala and Akka. Lightbend’s cutting-edge solutions for building low-latency, fault-tolerant systems combined with Scalac’s expertise in Akka and Scala give enterprise developer teams a powerful joint solution to enable them to create resilient, high-performance applications.

    “Our collaboration with Scalac gives our customers an experienced partner they can turn to for help in getting their applications from design to development to production quickly,” said Jonas Bonér, inventor of Akka and Lightbend’s co-founder and CTO. “Our joint customers are driven to innovate faster and improve the user experience while reducing cost. For Scala projects, Akka and Scalac are a powerful combination to achieve those goals.”

    Akka provides an architecture and DevEx that eliminates the high latency, large footprint, and complexity barriers current cloud applications create for organizations wanting to build highly elastic and resilient multi-cloud applications. Akka enables organizations to streamline their infrastructure and operational burden, reducing infrastructure costs by as much as 85% while simultaneously boosting application resilience.

    “Akka serves as a powerful platform for building concurrent, distributed, and fault-tolerant applications,” said Lukas Kuczera, Scalac’s CEO. “We’ve had great success with Akka in customer environments, and we’re thrilled to partner more closely with Lightbend to help our customers innovate faster and reduce the cost of delivering great user experiences.”

    About Lightbend
    Lightbend (@Lightbend) is used by many of the world’s largest brands as the foundation for their multi-cloud, mission-critical applications. Through Akka, the industry’s most powerful distributed application platform, Lightbend provides scalable, high-performance microservices frameworks and streaming engines for building data-centric systems optimized to run on cloud native infrastructure. For more information, visit http://www.lightbend.com.

    About Scalac
    Scala and Akka experts. Scalac has over ten years of experience in accelerating project development, team extension, and team scaling. Whether you’re looking to scale your development team, extend its capabilities, or build a whole project from scratch, we offer flexible solutions that integrate seamlessly with your existing setup. We provide in-depth technical audits to assess your system’s performance, consultations to guide your strategy, and full end-to-end development support. From design to production, Scalac ensures your project’s success.

    Editorial Contact
    Kimberly Falk
    VP of Marketing, Lightbend
    +1 415 515 0686
    kimberly.falk@lightbend.com 

    Nichols Communications for Lightbend
    Jay Nichols
    +1 408 772 1551
    jay@nicholscomm.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Beneficient Consummates Transaction to Increase Permanent Equity by $126 Million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF) (“Ben” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled financial services holding company announces that its subsidiary Beneficient Company Holdings, L.P. consummated a previously announced transaction pursuant to which approximately $126 million of its preferred equity was redesignated as non-redeemable. As a result of the transaction, which was approved by the Company’s founders holding the majority of the preferred equity, Beneficient expects approximately $126 million of temporary equity to be reclassified to permanent equity on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2024.

    About Beneficient

    Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF) – Ben, for short – is on a mission to democratize the global alternative asset investment market by providing traditionally underserved investors − mid-to-high net worth individuals, small-to-midsized institutions and General Partners seeking exit options, anchor commitments and valued-added services for their funds− with solutions that could help them unlock the value in their alternative assets. Ben’s AltQuote™ tool provides customers with a range of potential exit options within minutes, while customers can log on to the AltAccess® portal to explore opportunities and receive proposals in a secure online environment.        

    Its subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial, L.L.C., received its charter under the State of Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution (TEFFI) Act and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

    For more information, visit http://www.trustben.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

    Investors

    investors@beneficient.com

    Contacts

    Matt Kreps: 214-597-8200, mkreps@darrowir.com
    Michael Wetherington: 214-284-1199, mwetherington@darrowir.com
    Investor Relations: investors@beneficient.com

    Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can be generally identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements reflect our views with respect to future events as of the date of this document and are based on our management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, assumptions, beliefs and information. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, and could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this document. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this document and in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Beneficient Appoints Patrick J. Donegan to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Beneficient (NASDAQ: BENF) (“Ben” or the “Company”), a technology-enabled financial services holding company, today announced the appointment of Patrick J. Donegan as an independent member of the Company’s Board of Directors as of September 30, 2024. In addition to being an independent director, he was appointed to serve on the Audit, Products and Related Party Transactions, Credit and Enterprise Risk committees of the Board.

    Mr. Donegan brings almost thirty years of compliance, legal, banking and capital markets experience to Ben, having held various senior compliance positions, including as Chief Compliance Officer, for bank holding companies and broker dealers and as Assistant General Counsel for a securities company. Over the course of his career, Mr. Donegan has attained eleven FINRA licenses and two certifications from the American Bankers Association, including the Certified Regulatory Compliance Mangers designation, and currently holds a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist certification.

    “Our Board worked to identify a new, independent director who would bring unique skills and senior experience to support Ben’s commitment to operate using industry best practices,” said Beneficient’s CEO and Chairman Brad Heppner. “I am pleased to welcome Patrick to Ben’s Board. Patrick’s extensive legal and regulatory compliance experience – specifically within the FinTech industry – will provide valuable leadership and governance insights to the Board.”

    Mr. Donegan received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John’s University and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Donegan currently serves as a Senior Adviser at Premier Consulting Partners, Inc., a consulting firm focused on operational risk evaluation and compliance, and previously served as the Global Chief Compliance Officer of OKX Group from August 2023 to January 2024. From 2015 to 2023, Mr. Donegan held various leadership positions at Signature Bank, including Chief Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President and Sanctions Compliance Officer. Mr. Donegan’s professional career has also included positions with a number of prominent investment banks, including Cantor Fitzgerald, RBC, Guggenheim, BNP Paribas and Nat West, and compliance roles at Mitsubishi UFJ and Hudson City Bancorp. Through his legal experience and compliance officer roles, Mr. Donegan has developed expertise in identifying risks and establishing policies and procedure to effectively manage those risks. Mr. Donegan’s understanding of banking and capital markets rules and the related regulatory processes will benefit the Company’s efforts to maintain industry best practices across the organization.

    About Beneficient

    Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF) – Ben, for short – is on a mission to democratize the global alternative asset investment market by providing traditionally underserved investors − mid-to-high net worth individuals, small-to-midsized institutions and General Partners seeking exit options, anchor commitments and valued-added services for their funds − with solutions that could help them unlock the value in their alternative assets. Ben’s AltQuote™ tool provides customers with a range of potential exit options within minutes, while customers can log on to the AltAccess® portal to explore opportunities and receive proposals in a secure online environment.

    Its subsidiary, Beneficient Fiduciary Financial, L.L.C., received its charter under the State of Kansas’ Technology-Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institution (TEFFI) Act and is subject to regulatory oversight by the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

    For more information, visit http://www.trustben.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

    Investors

    investors@beneficient.com

    Contacts

    Matt Kreps: 214-597-8200, mkreps@darrowir.com
    Michael Wetherington: 214-284-1199, mwetherington@darrowir.com
    Investor Relations: investors@beneficient.com

    Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can be generally identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements reflect our views with respect to future events as of the date of this document and are based on our management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, assumptions, beliefs and information. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, and could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this document. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors that are described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this document and in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Global LAG 3 Antibody FDA Approval Clinical Trials LAG 3 Inhibitors Market Future Growth Opportunity Insight

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Delhi, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global LAG-3 Inhibitors Market, Drug Sales, & Clinical Trials Insight 2029 Report Highlights:

    • Global LAG-3 Inhibitors Market Opportunity: > USD 3 Billion By 2029
    • Global & Regional Market Analysis
    • Commercially Approved LAG-3 Inhibitors: 1
    • Dosing, Pricing & Sales Insight On Approved LAG-3 Inhibitor
    • Insight On All LAG-3 Inhibitors In Trials: > 40
    • Global LAG3 Inhibitors clinical Trials Insight By Company, Country, Indication & Phase
    • Competitive Landscape: Insight on 15 Key Companies

    Download Report:
    https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-lag-3-inhibitors-inhibitor–lag-3-inhibitor-drugs
    landscape
    In recent years, cancer research has undergone significant transformation, marked by the introduction of numerous innovative therapies. With the emergence of advanced PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as Keytruda and Tecentriq, there is a growing necessity to explore additional therapeutic options. This pursuit has led to the discovery of various immune checkpoint receptors, including LAG-3, TIGIT, and VISTA. Among these, LAG-3 stands out for its potential to revolutionize treatment approaches for cancer and other diseases.

    The exploration of LAG-3 has catalyzed the development of new therapies, culminating in the approval of Opdualag, the world’s first LAG-3 therapy, by Bristol Myers Squibb in March 2022. This therapy is specifically indicated for patients aged 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, marking a significant milestone in cancer treatment.

    The approval of Opdualag by the FDA, alongside endorsements from regulatory bodies such as the UK’s MHRA, Australia’s TGA, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority, and Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, represents a major breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy. As research progresses, it is expected that additional LAG-3 inhibitors will be launched for cancer treatment in the near future.

    From a commercial standpoint, the global market for LAG-3 inhibitor therapy presents a wealth of opportunities for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. LAG-3 inhibitors can be leveraged for various conditions, including solid tumors, hematological malignancies, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory diseases. Ongoing clinical trials indicate that LAG-3 inhibitors are primarily being evaluated in combination therapies, where they are tested in conjunction with other immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy.

    In addition to these combination, studies suggest that LAG-3 inhibitors could be effective when used alongside other therapeutic interventions, such as therapeutic vaccines, oncolytic virus immunotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies, nanotechnology, and alkaloid therapeutics. This potential for diverse applications could significantly enhance the market viability and clinical relevance of LAG-3 inhibitors across multiple disease contexts.

    Several candidates for LAG-3 inhibitors have reached late-phase clinical trials, reflecting the rapid advancement in this field. Notable examples include Fianlimab, INCAGN02385, XmAb22841, HLX26, Relatlimab, RO7247669, AK129, and Sym022. This progress underscores the increasing momentum behind LAG-3 inhibitors and presents opportunities for pharmaceutical and biotech companies to contribute to this evolving landscape.

    Key industry players, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Symphogen A/S, Hoffmann-La Roche, Immutep, invoX Pharma, Incyte Corporation, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and Merck, are instrumental in driving the development of LAG-3 inhibitors. Currently, the US market leads in terms of sales, research and development, and regulatory support for LAG-3 therapies. However, active research and development are also underway in countries like China and across Europe, indicating a global commitment to advancing LAG-3 inhibitors.

    According to KuicK Research, the market value for LAG-3 inhibitors was approximately US$ 625 million in 2023. This figure is expected to soar, with projections suggesting that the global LAG-3 market could surpass billions in sales within the next 2 to 5 years. The successful launch of Opdualag has already generated over half a billion dollars in revenue within two years of its approval. Furthermore, Bristol Myers Squibb anticipates estimated sales of US$ 4 billion for Opdualag by 2029.

    In summary, the development of LAG-3 inhibitors represents a promising frontier in cancer therapy. With a growing pipeline of candidates, expanding research efforts, and increasing commercial interest, the potential for LAG-3 therapies to transform cancer treatment is significant. As the field continues to evolve, it is poised to offer new hope for patients facing challenging diagnoses, underscoring the importance of ongoing innovation in immunotherapy.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Global mRNA Cancer Vaccine Clinical Trial FDA Approval Market Size Future Opportunity Companies Insight

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Delhi, Oct. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global mRNA Cancer Vaccines Clinical Trials and Market Future Outlook 2024 Report Highlights:

    • mRNA Cancer Vaccines In Clinical Trials: > 60 Vaccines
    • Highest Phase Of Clinical Trials: Phase III ( 2 Vaccine)
    • mRNA Cancer Vaccine Clinical Trials Insight By Company, Country, Indication and Phase
    • First Commercial mRNA Vaccine Approval Expected By 2029
    • US and China Dominating mRNA Cancer Vaccines Clinical Trials: > 45 Vaccines
    • mRNA Vaccines For Skin Cancer Dominating Trials: > 10 Vaccines

    Download Report:

    https://www.kuickresearch.com/report-mrna-cancer-vaccine-rnca-vaccine-mrna-cancer-vaccine-market-fda-approved-mrna-cancer-vaccine-mrna-cancer-vaccine-clinical-trials-mrna-cancer-vaccines

    In the ever evolving landscape of pharmaceuticals, mRNA vaccines have emerged as a captivating and progressive area of research and development, and the dynamic nature of this market segment at present offers numerous opportunities, most of which remains to be explored. Researchers believe mRNA cancer vaccines hold great promise in revolutionizing cancer treatment. As a result, the market is witnessing a surge in research and development efforts dedicated to harnessing the potential of mRNA technology to target various types of cancers.

    In recent years, mRNA technology has garnered significant attention for its potential to target cancer cells with precision and trigger potent immune response. This has led to a surge in both academic and industry efforts to harness the power of mRNA for cancer immunotherapy. Consequently, positive strides have been made in clinical trials, showing the safety and efficacy of mRNA-based vaccines in certain cancer indications, mainly those that have had their respective biomarkers identified.

    The convergence of technological advancements and groundbreaking research has created a fertile environment for mRNA vaccine development for cancer indications. Conventional treatment modalities often come with limitations and side effects, which has opened the door for mRNA vaccines, which hold the promise of targeted and personalized therapies. The ability to tailor vaccines to an individual’s genetic makeup and specific cancer type has immense potential to revolutionize cancer treatment outcomes, which give mRNA cancer vaccines a commercial edge over available immunotherapy approaches.

    However, in this growing dynamic realm of mRNA cancer vaccines, the availability of comprehensive data remains a challenge that companies and academia are diligently addressing. While some companies, like Moderna, have encountered mixed results and reviews for their cancer vaccines, this is a testament to the complex nature of cancer therapeutics research.

    the current market opportunities for mRNA vaccine development in cancer treatment are a testament to the synergy between scientific research and innovation. Continuous insights illuminate the path forward, highlighting the conjunction of technological breakthroughs, favorable regulatory pathways, and a relentless pursuit of improved patient outcomes. As we navigate through the intricate landscape, the contributions from pharmaceutical companies, academia, regulatory agencies, and patients are poised to shape the trajectory of this burgeoning market, ushering in an era of tailored, effective and transformative cancer therapies.

    Table of Contents

    1. mRNA Vaccines as Next Generation Cancer Immunotherapy

    2. Global mRNA Cancer Vaccine Clinical Trials Insight By Company, Country, Indication & Phase

    3. Global Cancer mRNA Vaccines Clinical Pipeline Overview

    4. Global mRNA Cancer Vaccines Market Overview

    5. Global mRNA Cancer Vaccines Market Trends by Country

    6. Global mRNA Cancer Vaccines Clinical Landscape by Indication

    7. Global mRNA Cancer Vaccines Market Collaborations, Deals & Investments

    8. Proprietary Technologies & Methodologies for mRNA Cancer Vaccine Development

    9. Competitive Landscape

    The MIL Network –