NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI: Ellomay Capital Ltd. Announces the Execution of an Agreement to sell 49% of its Italian Solar Portfolio of 198 MW to Clal Insurance, a Leading Israeli Institutional Investor

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tel-Aviv, Israel, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American; TASE: ELLO) (“Ellomay” or the “Company”), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe, USA and Israel, today announced that it entered into an investment agreement (the “Clal Agreement”) with Clal Insurance Ltd., a leading Israeli institutional investor, and several of its affiliates (together, “Clal”), for an aggregate investment by Clal of approximately €52 million.

    Pursuant to the Clal Agreement, Clal and Ellomay will set up a new Israeli limited partnership (the “Israeli LP”) in which an entity wholly-owned by Ellomay will be the general partner and Ellomay will hold 51% of the limited partner interests and Clal will hold the remaining 49%. The Israeli LP will wholly-own a newly founded Luxembourg entity, to which Ellomay’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Ellomay Luxembourg Holdings, S.à.r.l. (“Ellomay Luxembourg”), will transfer all of the issued and outstanding shares of seven Italian project companies, who hold a solar portfolio in an aggregate capacity of approximately 198 MW (the “Italian Solar Portfolio”). The Italian Solar Portfolio consists of (a) solar facilities with an aggregate capacity of 38 MW that are connected to the grid and operating and (b) additional solar facilities with an aggregate capacity of 160 MW that have reached Ready-to-Build status and with respect to which Engineering, Procurement and Construction agreements were executed. Project finance agreements were executed with respect to the Italian Solar Portfolio in March 2025.

    The Clal Agreement includes customary representations and warranties of Ellomay and Clal and an indemnification mechanism for breaches of representations, warranties and undertakings, subject to customary caps and limitations, as a sole remedy, subject to customary exceptions. The Clal Agreement provides Clal with a right of first look commencing with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Clal Agreement with respect to investment in other solar projects currently developed or that will be developed by Ellomay and its subsidiaries in Italy for an investment under similar terms as the Clal Agreement, mutatis mutandis. Pursuant to the right of first look mechanism, Ellomay will provide Clal certain information with respect to each project that has reached Ready-to-Build status and Ellomay decided to advance its construction, and Clal will have a few months to notify Ellomay that it is interested in investing up to 49% in such projects or any portion thereof upon the terms set forth in the notice provided to Clal by Ellomay.

    The Clal Agreement provides that upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Clal Agreement, Ellomay and Clal will sign a partners agreement (the “Clal PA”) and Ellomay will issue Clal a warrant (the “Clal Warrant”).

    The Clal PA sets forth the relationship between the general partner and the limited partners, the governance and management of the Israeli LP, the funding and financing of the Israeli LP and the mechanism for future transfers of interests in the Israeli LP. Pursuant to the Clal PA, Clal undertakes to provide its pro rata portion of the amounts required for the development of the Italian Solar Portfolio to the Israeli LP, which in turn will fund the Luxembourg subsidiary and the Italian project companies. Ellomay’s aggregate funding commitment in the Italian Solar Portfolio has already been provided by Ellomay. The Clal PA also provides for the payment of annual management fees to Ellomay. The Clal PA provides each limited partner with customary rights, including a full tag-along right in the event of a change in control of Ellomay and includes customary veto rights. The Clal PA provides that following repayment of partners’ loans, the Israeli LP’s surpluses will be distributed to the limited partners, pro rata to their holdings, on a semi-annual basis, subject to maintaining the working capital required by the Israeli LP for the two following quarters.

    The Clal Warrant covers 416,000 ordinary shares of Ellomay, with an exercise price of NIS 69.7 (approximately $18.5) per share. The Clal Warrant is for a term of twenty-six months and may only be exercised on a cashless basis. In the event Ellomay’s shares are traded at a price higher than NIS 80 (approximately $21.2) per share when the Clal Warrant is exercised, Ellomay, at its discretion, may choose to issue shares on a cashless basis assuming a market price per share of NIS 80 and pay Clal the remainder in cash. 

    The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Clal Agreement is subject to the fulfillment or waiver of several customary conditions to closing, including receipt of regulatory approvals, that are not entirely within the control of Ellomay, Ellomay Luxembourg, Clal or the Israeli LP. There can be no assurance as to whether or when the conditions to closing will be satisfied.

    Ran Fridrich, CEO and a board member of Ellomay, commented: “Ellomay is pleased to announce the establishment of a partnership with Clal Insurance, which will invest in a 198 MW solar portfolio in central and northern Italy. The Company sees great importance in the entry of a quality institutional investor as a partner to part of its Italian solar portfolio, and in Clal’s interest in examining participation in the future in building the remainder of the Company’s Italian portfolio and views this as a vote of confidence in the Company, its management and its operations. The Company thanks the investment team of Clal, led by Barak Bensky, for their professional work in a complex cross-border transaction.”

    About Ellomay Capital Ltd.

    Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ELLO”. Since 2009, Ellomay focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, USA and Israel.

    To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including:

      ● Approximately 335.9 MW of operating solar power plants in Spain (including a 300 MW solar plant in owned by Talasol, which is 51% owned by the Company) and approximately 38 MW of operating solar power plants in Italy;
      ● 9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel’s largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel’s total current electricity consumption;
      ● Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;
      ● 83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;
      ● Solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 294 MW that have reached “ready to build” status; and
      ● Solar projects in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas, USA with an aggregate capacity of approximately 27 MW that are placed in service and in process of connection to the grid and additional 22 MW are under construction.

    For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com.

    Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company’s plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including the inability to fulfill all of the conditions to closing set forth in the Clal Agreement, changes in the market price of the Company’s shares, changes in electricity prices and demand, regulatory changes increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company’s facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, the impact of the war and hostilities in Israel and Gaza, the impact of the continued military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Kalia Rubenbach (Weintraub)
    CFO
    Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
    Email: hilai@ellomay.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: DIAGNOS Provides Update on its Health Canada Medical Device Licence Application

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BROSSARD, Quebec, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diagnos Inc. (“DIAGNOS” or the “Corporation”) (TSX Venture: ADK, OTCQB: DGNOF, FWB: 4D4A), a pioneer in early detection of certain ophthalmic health issues using advanced technology based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), provides an update on the progress of its Medical device license application for CARA System, submitted to Health Canada in early September 2024.

    Following the submission of its application in early September, DIAGNOS has engaged in ongoing communication with Health Canada, providing timely responses to all regulatory requests. After more than 11 proactive inquiries regarding the application’s status, we are pleased to announce that Health Canada has confirmed that the application is now under “active processing”, having progressed from a previous backlog.

    “We remain steadfast to complying with all regulatory requirements and ensuring that Health Canada has all the necessary information to support the review of our CARA System application,” said André Larente, CEO of Diagnos Inc. “We appreciate the continued collaboration with Health Canada and are optimistic about the future progress of our application.”

    Diagnos Inc. is dedicated to advancing its mission of providing cutting-edge medical diagnostic solutions, and the CARA System is a key part of the company’s growth strategy.

    About DIAGNOS
    DIAGNOS is a publicly traded Canadian corporation dedicated to early detection of critical eye-related health problems. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence, DIAGNOS aims to provide more information to healthcare clinicians to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflows, and improve patient outcomes on a global scale.

    Additional information is available at www.diagnos.com  and www.sedarplus.com.

    This news release contains forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements. DIAGNOS disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Coal Miners at the White House: Trump’s Tariffs Help Our Industry and Will Bring Jobs to America

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

    President Trump signed major energy executive orders today—surrounded by REAL AMERICANS.

    The fake news media’s latest orchestrated attack—this time over tariffs—falls flat with coal miners, who told us: “it’s actually gonna help our industry out [&] bring jobs back to America.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rzfECHWpMo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4505-4506: Up, up and onto the Devil’s Gate 

    Source: NASA

    Written by Catherine O’Connell-Cooper, Planetary Geologist at University of New Brunswick
    Earth planning date: Monday, April 7, 2025
    Over the weekend, we completed our drive up the steep side of a canyon, up onto “Devil’s Gate,” a small butte which forms part of the ridge along the top of the canyon and now we can see down into the next canyon. It is always true that we are going somewhere no one has been before – that’s the idea of an exploratory mission after all, and everyone kind of gets used to it, we don’t stop to think about it. But today, coming over the top of a hill like this and fully looking for the first time into an area that we have only had glimpses of before, it really brings it home that the mission is doing something extraordinary, something out of this world …. and brings that feeling of awe back into focus. 
    We did not pass SRAP (Slip Risk Assessment Process) a couple of times as we climbed up the side of this canyon, meaning that the contact science instruments (APXS and MAHLI) had to stand down for that day’s planning. However, this morning, in addition to a brand new vista, we saw that all six wheels are firmly on the ground and we passed SRAP quickly this morning, which must have been a relief to the rover planner in charge of assessing it today! (no one wants to be the bearer of bad news, day after day!) 
    Bedrock here has both flat bedrock and amazing large nodular features, which appear to have “wind tails” caused by winds consistently blowing in the same direction. This is a Touch and Go plan, so APXS and MAHLI are focusing on a single target, the brushed “Coronado” target on the flat bedrock in front of us. ChemCam will use LIBS to investigate the nodular features at “La Cumbre Peak.”  
    Near the rover, Mastcam will image some small diagenetic features at “Boulder Oaks” and the LIBS target. The 3×2 (2 rows of 3 images) “La Jolla Valley” mosaic focuses on a very nodular patch, just outside of the workspace reachable by the arm. Further from the rover, the 6×2 mosaic (2 rows of 6 images) “Los Penasquitos” looks at an amazing almost vertical vein. This discontinuous vein stretches for about 6 meters (about 18 feet), with vein fins sticking above the surface at various points, like a series of shark fins breaking the bedrock surface. Much further afield, ChemCam will acquire a long distance image on “Condor Peak,” which appears to have large scale vein networks, known as “boxwork structures” and may be an early example of the boxworks we are hoping to reach in Fall 2025.  
    The ENV (Environmental and Atmospheric group) planned a Mastcam “tau” measurement, to look at dust in the atmosphere. There is a paired Navcam activity, looking at dust devils towards the north of the crater on the first sol and towards the south on the second sol. A suprahorizon movie and our usual DAN and REMS measurements round out this plan.  
    Let’s see what the next drive will reveal to us! 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Caraluzzi’s Markets Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Caraluzzi’s Italian Style Seafood Burger, 8 oz

    Source: US Food and Drug Administration

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    April 08, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    April 08, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & BeveragesAllergens
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Undeclared egg allergen

    Company Name:
    Caraluzzi Markets
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Caraluzzi’s

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Italian Style Seafood Burgers

    Company Announcement
    Caraluzzi’s Markets of Bethel, CT is recalling 8oz Caraluzzi’s Italian Style Seafood Burgers, because it contains undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
    The Italian Style Seafood Burger was sold in-store at Caraluzzi’s Markets locations in Bethel, Wilton, Newtown and Danbury Connecticut.
    The product comes in 8oz clear packaging with a blue overwrap label, expiration date of 01/16/2026 located on back of clear packaging, with UPC of 0-95864-80008-8. Product was sold February 18th to April 2nd 2025.
    One allergic reaction on has been reported to date.
    The recall was initiated after an investigation following a consumer complaint. It was discovered that product containing egg was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. The mislabeled product has been removed from sale.
    Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at customerservice@caraluzzis.com or 203-748-3547 or stop by the customer service desk at Caraluzzi’s Markets.

    Company Contact Information

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    04/08/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Topic(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Centers in Kentucky to Reopen Following Temporary Weather-Related Closures

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2

    strong>FRANKFORT, Ky. – Disaster Recovery Centers across Kentucky will reopen at 9 a.m. Wednesday following temporary closures due to severe weather and flooding over the past several days.
    “We understand how important these recovery centers are to Kentuckians impacted by the February Severe Storms,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Jeremy Slinker. “Our priority remains the safety of everyone involved in the recovery process.”
    Now that weather conditions have improved, all centers are ready to reopen and resume normal operations. Survivors can visit any center to speak with FEMA specialists in person, ask questions, check application status, and receive help with uploading documents. Find a DRC near you: DRC Locator
    Survivors do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for assistance. Help remains available in multiple languages through:

    Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
    Phone at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). Lines are open daily. FEMA remains committed to working side by side with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, local leaders, and community organizations to ensure everyone impacted by this disaster receives the help they need.

     
    For the most up-to-date information on recovery efforts, visit: fema.gov/disaster/4860

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welcome to the Mission Support Directorate (MSD)

    Source: NASA

    Have you ever wondered how NASA manages to achieve all the incredible missions it does, like probing the Sun and studying the history of our Universe? We do it through teamwork, one of our core values. And an essential part of NASA’s team is what we call Mission Support. Mission Support makes sure NASA’s missions, centers, and programs have the capabilities and services they need to explore the unknown, innovate for the future, and inspire the world.  
    To illustrate Mission Support at NASA, look at the example of the Roman Space Telescope. It’s not just scientists and engineers who are making the telescope happen. The program works with NASA’s financial office to plan the budget for the telescope. Engineers design the telescope with tools developed in coordination with NASA’s shared services and information technology offices. NASA’s engineering authority checks the design, and international relations manages NASA’s collaborations with other countries on the telescope. All of this is Mission Support. 
    Of course, there is much more to Mission Support, but I think you get the picture. MSD enables Mission Support by:  

    Planning and executing the Mission Support budgets for safety, security, and mission services as well as construction and environmental management.  

    Executing strategy and governance to ensure Mission Support is financially sound, aligned with the agency’s goals, and serving NASA’s missions. 

    Addressing Mission Support’s financial, operational, legal, and reputational risks to ensure resilience and mission success. 

    Working with mission directorates and centers to ensure NASA is prioritizing the Mission Support services they need most urgently to be successful. 

    Integrating Mission Support services across the agency to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. 

    Current and future missions require significant support to be successful. MSD is working today to ensure Mission Support is there for NASA to explore the unknown, innovate for the future, and inspire the world.  
    To learn more, visit MSD Organization.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Flooding Along the Mississippi

    Source: NASA

    After unleashing dozens of destructive tornadoes, a slow-moving storm system dumped heavy rain across the U.S. Midwest and Southeast in early April 2025. In some areas, 10-15 inches (25-38 centimeters) fell between April 1 and 6. According to hydrograph data from the National Weather Service, the rain fueled major floods on several tributaries of the Mississippi River, particularly within the Ohio River watershed in Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana, and along the Black River and White River in Arkansas.
    A break in the clouds on April 7, 2025, revealed to satellites the widespread flooding that spanned several states. The image above (right) was acquired by the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the NOAA-21 satellite. The other image, also acquired by VIIRS, shows the same area before the deluge.
    Both images were assembled from false-color data using a combination of infrared and visible light (VIIRS bands M11-I2-I1). Floodwater appears navy or black; vegetation is bright green; and bare ground is brown. This band combination makes it easier to spot changes in river dimensions.
    Western Kentucky was particularly hard hit, according to news reports. In Frankfort, floodwater destroyed dozens of homes as the Kentucky River rose to 48.27 feet (14.71 meters) on April 7, the second-highest level on record. Floods swamped many buildings downtown, as well as America’s oldest continuously operating distillery and part of a water treatment plant.
    Though rain in the region has stopped and flooding on some rivers has crested, forecasts from the National Weather Service show that water levels on the Mississippi River will continue to rise in the coming days as water works its way downstream through networks of lakes, reservoirs, and rivers in the region.
    While scientists and water managers use many types of data to anticipate flooding, they have a relatively new source of information from the SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) satellite. Since early 2023, this NASA-CNES satellite has been measuring the height of nearly all water on Earth’s surface at least once every 21 days, including in the Ohio River Basin.
    With this information, researchers are developing new ways to incorporate SWOT data into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Water Model, which predicts the potential for flooding and its timing along U.S. rivers. SWOT data can help fill in spatial gaps in observations from ground-based water gauges, improve estimates of streamflow, and help quantify how much water lakes and reservoirs can store in ways that will help scientists build better flood models.
    NASA’s Disasters Response Coordination System has been activated to support federal partners in the identification of damage, flooding, and landslide risks following the severe weather in the southern U.S. The team will be posting maps and data products on its open-access mapping portal as new information becomes available.
    NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). Story by Adam Voiland.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – Measles Case Confirmed in Child on Oʻahu – DOH Notifies Public of Measles Exposure Locations

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – Measles Case Confirmed in Child on Oʻahu – DOH Notifies Public of Measles Exposure Locations

    Posted on Apr 8, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

     

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

    MEASLES CASE CONFIRMED IN CHILD ON OʻAHU — DOH NOTIFIES PUBLIC OF MEASLES EXPOSURE LOCATIONS    

         

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 8, 2025                                                                                                    25-033

    HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) State Laboratories Division last night confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated child under 5 years of age on Oʻahu. The DOH is investigating the case to identify those who might have been exposed and is working with them to prevent the spread of disease.

    The child had recently returned from international travel with its parents. The child developed a fever, runny nose and cough shortly after returning to Hawaiʻi, sought medical care after breaking out in a rash, and is now recovering at home. A household member with similar symptoms is also being evaluated for possible measles infection.

    Members of the public may have been exposed to measles if they visited the following locations during the specified times:

     

    • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
      • C gates, customs and baggage claim area on March 30 between 10:50 a.m. and 2 p.m.
      • Terminal 2 departures, TSA checkpoints and gate area for Delta flight 309 to Atlanta, Georgia, on April 4 between 1 and 7 p.m.
    • Mānoa Valley District Park art class on April 1, between 9 to 10 a.m.
    • Queen’s Island Urgent Care Kapahulu on April 4, between 8 a.m. to noon

    Flight notifications have been issued for the airlines and airports through which the confirmed and suspected cases traveled. The DOH is also reaching out directly to individuals who had known contact with the confirmed or suspected case.

    If you were at one of the above locations on the day and time specified:

    • Not vaccinated? If you have never received a measles-containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or a measles-only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who was exposed and considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Vaccine or immune globulin can be given to prevent measles if received shortly after exposure.
    • Be vigilant. Watch for symptoms until three weeks after your last exposure. If you notice the symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
    • Immunocompromised? Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions or develop symptoms.
    • Already vaccinated? If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.
    • Another dose? If you have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.

    A medical advisory will be issued to healthcare providers statewide.

    Highly contagious

    Measles is one of the most highly contagious viruses in the world. It spreads by direct contact with an infected person or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. An infected person can spread measles to others from four days before developing the rash through four days afterward. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room.

    Symptoms of measles

    Measles symptoms typically include fever of greater than 101 F, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. Three to five days after symptoms start, a rash begins to appear on the face and spread to the rest of the body.

    How to protect yourself

    The best protection against measles is the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. All children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose is given at age 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. If you are planning travel, consult your healthcare provider to determine whether an additional or earlier dose of MMR is recommended.

    All adults born during or after 1957 should also have documentation of at least one MMR vaccination, unless they have had a blood test showing they are immune to measles or have had the disease. Certain adults at higher risk of exposure to measles (e.g., post-secondary school students, international travelers and healthcare personnel) need a second dose of MMR vaccine, at least four weeks after the first dose.

    If you are exposed and not protected

    If you are not protected against measles and are exposed to someone with the disease, contact your healthcare provider immediately:

    • The MMR vaccine may prevent or lessen the severity of measles if given with 72 hours of exposure
    • Immune globulin (a blood product containing antibodies to the measles virus) may prevent or lessen the severity of measles if given within six days of exposure.

    If you are not protected against measles, believe you have been exposed and cannot reach your healthcare provider promptly, please call the DOH Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586, or call the Disease Investigation Branch at 808-586-8362.

    There is no specific treatment for measles. Care of patients with measles consists mainly of ensuring adequate intake of fluids, bed rest and fever control. Patients with complications may need treatment specific to their problem.

    Contact your healthcare provider to get the MMR vaccine, or locate a vaccine provider at https://www.vaccines.gov/en/

    For more information about measles, visit:

    DOH measles information website

    CDC measles website

    MMR vaccine factsheet

    #  # #

    Media Contact:

    Stephen J. Downes

    Director of Communications

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    Landline: 808-586-4417

    Email: [email protected]

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor – News Release – First Hawaiʻi Measles Case of 2025 Confirmed; Gov. Green, Health Leaders Urge Vaccination Amid National Crisis

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor – News Release – First Hawaiʻi Measles Case of 2025 Confirmed; Gov. Green, Health Leaders Urge Vaccination Amid National Crisis

    Posted on Apr 8, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

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

    GOVERNOR GREEN AND HEALTH LEADERS URGE VACCINATION AMID NATIONAL MEASLES CRISIS

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    April 8, 2025

    HONOLULU — In response to Hawai‘i’s first confirmed case of measles in years, Governor Josh Green, M.D., joined Department of Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink and The Queen’s Health Systems Clinical Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Nadine Tenn Salle, to issue an urgent call to action: protect Hawai‘i’s communities through vaccination.

    The confirmed case involves an unvaccinated child under age 5 who recently returned to O‘ahu from international travel. The child is recovering at home. A household member with similar symptoms is under evaluation. The Department of Health is actively investigating, issuing flight notifications, contacting those who may have been exposed and alerting healthcare providers statewide.

    Today, Governor Green signed emergency rules to help prevent a measles outbreak in Hawai‘i. The rules allow children with religious exemptions to receive the MMR vaccine while still retaining their exemption to other vaccines and staying in school.

    “There’s no need to panic — but there is a need to act,” said Governor Green. “Measles isn’t just a rash and a fever — it’s one of the most contagious viruses known. We’ve already seen what happens when vaccination rates drop: more cases, more outbreaks, more lives at risk. The best thing you can do to protect your family, your community and our keiki is to get vaccinated. It’s simple, it’s safe and it saves lives.”

    Measles, declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, is resurging. In 2025, more than 600 cases have already been reported across 22 states. Globally, cases have surged, with the World Health Organization estimating 10.3 million cases in 2023.

    “We have a new confirmed case of measles in Hawai‘i,” said Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. “The last confirmed case occurred in 2023, and additional travel-related cases are not unexpected. Our goal is to prevent cases from becoming outbreaks. The best way to prevent an outbreak is to have at least a 95% community vaccination rate. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. If you or a family member are not up to date, please talk with your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated against measles to protect your ʻohana and our community.”

    Statewide, Hawai‘i’s MMR vaccination rate stands at 89.8% — below the 95% threshold needed for community (or herd) immunity. Some schools have dangerously low coverage, especially on the Neighbor Islands.

    “Hospitals and clinics across Hawai‘i are on high alert,” said Dr. Nadine Tenn Salle, Clinical Chair of Pediatrics at The Queen’s Health Systems. “We’re ready to identify and isolate cases, but our best defense is prevention. That means vaccination — not just for your child, but to protect newborns, the immunocompromised, and others who cannot be vaccinated. This is a community effort, and the medical community is here to help every step of the way.”

    The best protection against measles is the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. All children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose is given at age 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. If you are planning travel, consult your healthcare provider to determine whether an additional or earlier dose of MMR is recommended.

    All adults born during or after 1957 should also have documentation of at least one MMR vaccination, unless they have had a blood test showing they are immune to measles or have had the disease. Certain adults at higher risk of exposure to measles (e.g., post-secondary school students, international travelers, and healthcare personnel) need a second dose of MMR vaccine, at least four weeks after the first dose.

    Contact your health care provider to get the MMR vaccine, or locate a vaccine provider at https://www.vaccines.gov/en/.

    For more information about measles, visit:

    DOH measles information website

    CDC measles website

    MMR vaccine factsheet

    Photos from today’s news conference can be found here.

    Video from today’s news conference can be found here.

    # # #

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

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

    Stephen J. Downes
    Director of Communications
    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health
    Office: 808-586-4417
    Email: s[email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Needles gets safe drinking water, thanks to state investment

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 8, 2025

    What you need to know: A state grant of $14 million has secured safe drinking water for the severely disadvantaged community of Needles.

    NEEDLES – After years of struggling with poor water quality and aging facilities, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the completion of a new water system for the City of Needles in eastern San Bernardino County. This system will ensure reliable access to safe drinking water for Needles’ 5,000 residents.

    Today’s announcement of the new clean water system in Needles furthers the state’s goal to provide all Californians with clean and safe drinking water. Since 2019, thanks to state efforts, the number of Californians without safe drinking water has been reduced by half, from 1.6 million to about 800,000 people.

    “I’m proud of the state’s work to expand clean water access to more Californians than ever before. With today’s announcement, the City of Needles now joins the 98% of Californians served by clean drinking water systems – and we won’t stop until we achieve safe water for all.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The state fully funded the planning and construction of Needles’ new water system through a $14 million grant from its Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) drinking water program. The project is part of Governor Newsom’s build more, faster agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades and creating thousands of jobs across the state. Find projects building your community at build.ca.gov. 

    The program was launched after Governor Newsom signed SB 200 in 2019, establishing funding for drinking water projects through the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. The city of Needles sought help from the State Water Board after a burst pipe and lightning strike caused its 80-year-old water system, already contending with contamination issues, to fail completely in 2020.

    Needles’ experience illustrates the challenges that small, rural disadvantaged communities often face in providing safe drinking water. With a median household income of $40,000, the city was reluctant to raise water rates to pay for improvements to its prior water system, which fell into disrepair over time.

    “This project represents more than a milestone — it’s a generational investment in the future of Needles,” said Patrick Martinez, Needles City Manager. “The $14.3 million SAFER grant provided a critical opportunity to turn long-standing infrastructure challenges into a model of resilience and sustainability. In strong partnership with the State Water Resources Control Board, we are restoring public confidence, strengthening regional capacity, and positioning our community for long-term economic growth. This is the kind of forward-looking, outcomes-driven investment California needs, and the City Council is proud to help secure a stable, reliable water future for the residents of Needles.”

    California’s SAFER drinking water program

    Today, 98% of Californians are served by water systems that consistently meet state and federal drinking water standards. Through the SAFER program, the state works to establish access to safe drinking water for the remaining 2% of Californians who predominantly reside in disadvantaged communities and communities of color with drinking water contamination and aging infrastructure. 

    SAFER leverages the State Water Resources Control Board’s regulatory authorities and funding from the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, Propositions 1, 68, and 84, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and other sources to support strategies to develop and implement sustainable solutions for these disadvantaged communities and communities at risk of lacking access to safe drinking water. 

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Apr 7, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis today issued a proclamation declaring April 6 to April 12, 2025 as California Library Week. The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATION During National Library Week, we…

    Apr 7, 2025

    News What you need to know: CAL FIRE is launching a new campaign supporting Californians to take steps now – including home hardening and defensible space – to prepare for peak fire season. SACRAMENTO – “Prepare your home and property! Start at the house and work your…

    Apr 7, 2025

    News What you need to know: As National Library Week begins, California is suing the Trump administration after millions of dollars in grants to the state’s libraries were terminated abruptly when the federal administration illegally dismantled a federal agency….

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: TransUnion Study Finds More than Half (56%) of Canadians Said They Were Targeted by Fraud in Second Half of 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Almost One in Five (17%) Canadians Reported Losing Money Due to Fraud in Last Year with
    Median Loss of $2,013

    Gaming, Government and Communities were Most Targeted Sectors by Digital Fraudsters in Canada

    Key Study Findings:

    • 39% of Canadians surveyed said fraud concerns is the top reason why they abandon online shopping carts.
    • 46% prioritize security of personal data as the #1 quality (more than cost savings or quality of goods and services) when deciding what online company to do business with.
    • 13% report taking no action when discovering they became a victim of fraud.
    • 43% who said they were targeted by fraud involved phishing.
    • 11% of attempted digital gaming transactions (including online betting, poker, etc.) where consumer was in Canada were suspected of digital fraud in 2024.

    TORONTO, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to the newly-released TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report, more than half (56%) of 1,000 Canadians surveyed said they were targeted by fraudsters through email, online, phone call or text messaging channels from August to December 2024. Nearly one in 10 (9%) of those reporting being targeted said they fell victim to it. Furthermore, when surveyed from Nov. 21 to Dec. 6, 2024, nearly one-fifth of Canadians (17%) said they lost money due to email, online, phone call or text messaging in the past year. The number of Canadians targeted and who fell victim may be significantly higher, but people may be unaware they were targeted.

    “Our research indicates that many Canadians don’t take the proper steps if they have fallen victim to Digital Fraud,” said Patrick Boudreau, head of identity management and fraud solutions at TransUnion Canada. “These steps should include reporting the suspected fraud to your bank or credit card company to freeze accounts and changing all passwords. Consumers should also notify credit bureaus, including TransUnion, to place a fraud alert on their file, as well as report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If personal information was compromised or large sums of money were involved, it should be reported to the local police as well.”

    Fraud concerns have major influence on who Canadians choose to do business with online.
    When engaging online, concerns around security and fraud has a significant impact on Canadians’ preferences and behaviours, including when making purchases or choosing who to do business with.

    According to the survey that was part of TransUnion’s State of Omnichannel Fraud Report:

    • 91% of Canadians said having confidence that their personal data will not be compromised is important when choosing who to transact with online.
    • 46% said security of personal data is the number one consideration when deciding what company to do business with online, significantly higher than prioritizing cost savings (25%) and quality of goods and services (19%).
    • 70% said fraud concerns would cause them not to return to a website.
    • 31% said they have switched doing online transaction to another website due to fraud or security concerns.
    • 39% said fraud and/or security concerns is a top reason to abandon their online shopping cart. Conversely, 16% said having too many security steps is a top reason to abandon their online cart.
    • 35% said they have abandoned an online application for a financial or insurance product before completing it.

    While many Canadians took various actions after discovering they had become a victim of fraud, more than 1 in 10 (13%) reported no action at all.
    Among Canadians who said they fell victim to email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud from August to December 2024, they reported taking the following actions:

    • 51% contacted relevant impacted companies such as credit card issuers, retailers, etc.
    • 48% placed a freeze on their credit.
    • 29% placed a fraud alert on their credit report.
    • 16% called the police.
    • 15% contacted a company that compiles and provides credit reports.
    • 13% said they took no action.

    While Canadians were targeted by a mix of fraud schemes, phishing was the most reported kind.
    Among those who said they were targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the second half of last year, the most common reported method by them was phishing (43%). Phishing is when a fraudster uses an email, website, social post or QR code that appears to legitimate meant to trick a consumer into sharing personal information. Other common fraud attempt methods reported by those who said they were targeted include:

    • Smishing (40%), where fraudulent text messages try to trick recipients into revealing data.
    • Vishing (35%), where fraudulent phone calls try to induce recipients into revealing personal information.
    • Third-party seller scams on legitimate online retail websites (19%).

    Gaming, Government and Communities Were the Top 3 Industries Targeted by Digital Fraudsters in Canada.
    Gaming (including online betting, poker, etc.) had the highest rate of suspected digital fraud1 attempts where the consumer or fraudster was in Canada when transacting. Over 11% of all attempted digital gaming-related transactions were suspected of fraud in 2024, an 80% increase from 2023. This was followed by government (9%), communities which includes online dating sites and forums (7%) and video gaming (6%).

    The logistics industry, which has seen growth in shipping fraud (often perpetrated by organized crime rings), saw the greatest suspected digital fraud attempt rate and volume growth among industries analyzed, up 203% and 180% respectively for transactions from Canada YoY compared to 2023. However, the suspected digital fraud attempt rate for that industry was a relatively modest 2% in 2024. Conversely, telecommunications saw the biggest YoY suspected digital fraud attempt rate and volume decrease from 2024 (-88% and -86%) from Canada in that time period.

    Canadian Sectors that Experienced Shifts in YoY Suspected Digital Fraud in Many Cases Differed from Global Changes:

    Industry Canada suspected digital fraud attempt rate 2024 Change from 2023 Global suspected digital fraud attempt rate 2024 Global change from 2023
    Gaming (online sports betting, poker, etc.) 11.1% +80% 7.8% +20%
    Government 8.5% +21% 1.7% +6%
    Communities (online dating, forums, etc.) 7.0% -19% 11.6% +9%
    Video gaming 6.4% +15% 10.8% -23%
    Financial services 4.7% +13% 4.9% +3%
    Retail 4.6% +9% 7.6% -45%
    Insurance 3.3% +54% 2.0% -29%
    Logistics 1.9% +203% 2.6% +101%
    Telecommunications 0.3% -88% 3.0% -79%
    Travel & leisure 0.2% -26% 0.9% -38%

    Source: TransUnion TruValidate™

    “While cybercriminals will attack at any time using any channel, they appear to focus on channels most popular in the regions they are targeting,” added Boudreau. “Emails are widely used in Canadians’ personal and business lives, while many use their mobile phones for everything from work calls to ordering groceries and organizing their families’ lives. Fraudsters view these channels as the most likely way that they’ll be able to trick people into sharing personal information, which is why all Canadians need to be vigilant about responding to messages of any kind on their digital platforms.”

    TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud based on intelligence from TransUnion TruValidate.

    Specific country and regional data in the report includes Canada, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends.

    About TransUnion® (NYSE: TRU)
    TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries, including Canada, where we’re the credit bureau of choice for the financial services ecosystem and most of Canada’s largest banks. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this by providing an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care.

    Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

    For more information visit: www.transunion.ca

    For more information or to request an interview, contact:
    Contact: Katie Duffy
    E-mail: katie.duffy@ketchum.com
    Telephone: +1 647-772-0969

    1 The rate or percentage of suspected digital fraud attempts reflects those which TransUnion customers determined met one of the following conditions: 1) denial in real time due to fraudulent indicators, 2) denial in real time for corporate policy violations, 3) fraudulent upon customer investigation, or 4) a corporate policy violation upon customer investigation — compared to all transactions assessed. The country and regional analyses examined transactions in which the consumer or suspected fraudster was located in a select country or region when conducting a transaction. Global statistics represents every country worldwide and not just the select countries and regions.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Calfrac Well Services Ltd. 2025 First Quarter Earnings Release, Conference Call and Webcast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calfrac Well Services Ltd. (“Calfrac”) (TSX:CFW) intends to release its 2025 first quarter results before the market opens on Thursday, May 15, 2025, 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://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=DD0D5A7B-5CD0-4DA1-B242-DC4725B8FCC9&LangLocaleID=1033

    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) 1-800-717-1738 (or at 1-646-307-1865 for international participants) fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the call and ask for the Calfrac Well Services Ltd. 2025 First 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 www.calfrac.com or under the Company’s public filings found at 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: www.calfrac.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: InitVerse Shines at Hong Kong Web3 Festival: Leading the Next Generation of Web3 Infrastructure with Privacy and Innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — One of the world’s most influential events in the Web3 space, the 2025 Hong Kong Web3 Festival, concluded successfully at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 6th to 9th. Co-hosted by Wanxiang Blockchain Labs and HashKey Group, the event attracted over 50,000 attendees, 300+ top industry leaders, and 150 cutting-edge projects. As a pioneering innovator in Web3 infrastructure, InitVerse stood out as one of the spotlight projects at the festival with its strong technical foundation and global strategy. Hakan Sezikli, Chief Business Officer of InitVerse, was invited to participate in several major panel discussions, sharing with global developers and investors how InitVerse is reshaping the future of Web3 through privacy protection and automation.

    Since its debut in 2023, the Hong Kong Web3 Festival has become a key bridge connecting blockchain ecosystems across Asia and Europe. This year’s theme, “Web3 Globalization: Technology, Compliance, and Innovation,” brought together notable guests such as Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, Binance founder CZ, and Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Covering hot topics like infrastructure, DeFi, and AI+Web3, the event once again positioned Hong Kong—Asia’s first Web3 event with full government support—as a magnet for global capital and innovation. InitVerse’s participation not only highlighted its globally competitive technical solution but also marked a strategic step forward in the Asia-Pacific region.

    On the main stage and across various sub-events, InitVerse showcased the core strengths of its next-generation Web3 infrastructure to developers worldwide. Built on the INIChain blockchain, InitVerse is an all-in-one platform committed to offering full-lifecycle solutions for DApps—from development to deployment and scaling. Thanks to its technological innovation, InitVerse has already garnered significant attention from industry media and top-tier investment institutions.

    During the panel discussion titled “AI + DePIN: New Possibilities for All Things,” InitVerse CBO Hakan Sezikli remarked:

    “The core contradiction facing current cloud and AI ecosystems lies in the imbalance between data utilization and privacy protection. InitVerse’s TfhEVM technology combines Fully Homomorphic Encryption (TFHE) with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), delivering a highly secure, private, and fully functional decentralized computing environment. This allows developers to run AI models directly on encrypted data—without needing to decrypt the original information. This breakthrough is crucial for fields like healthcare and finance, where compliance and trust are paramount.”

    InitVerse adopts a modular architecture, separating the INIChain base layer, privacy computing layer, and AI service layer. This ensures decentralization and security while allowing INICloud to dynamically scale computing resources. Developers can flexibly access computing power based on their needs, ensuring DApps maintain high performance even during traffic surges.

    In the forum, Hakan Sezikli further elaborated on InitVerse’s technical vision and community ecosystem. He emphasized that InitVerse’s tech roadmap always seeks a balance between decentralization, performance, and usability. He also revealed that InitVerse is collaborating with multiple institutions to build the next generation of encrypted applications.

    The Hong Kong Web3 Festival marks the third stop in InitVerse’s 2025 globalization strategy. With the unique value of its technology stack, InitVerse has drawn attention from top institutions including **HashKey Capital**, and plans to expand its global influence through the following events:

    • Jakarta, Indonesia (April 12): Community meetup with local leaders to explore the Southeast Asian market
    • Moscow (April 23): First appearance at the Eastern European Blockchain Forum, pushing for enterprise collaborations in Russian-speaking markets
    • Dubai (April 30): Participation in Token2049, expanding into regulated financial use cases in the Middle East
    • (More locations are being planned and will be announced soon)

    InitVerse’s globalization efforts are not only reflected in technology deployment but also in its ongoing efforts to build a decentralized community. Through incentive programs and outreach, the official community grew by over 2,000 new members during the event—demonstrating the market’s strong demand for privacy technology.

    The 2025 Hong Kong Web3 Festival once again proved that the future of Web3 belongs to projects that can balance technical innovation with real-world needs. With TFHE encryption, modular architecture, and AI empowerment, InitVerse is offering developers the ultimate toolkit for privacy and performance. As Hakan Sezikli aptly put it during the panel: “If the future of AI is private, encrypted, and decentralized—InitVerse is building it.”

    About InitVerse

    the next-generation platform designed to simplify the development, deployment, and scaling of decentralized applications (DApps). Powered by INIChain, an advanced blockchain infrastructure, InitVerse provides a secure, efficient, and scalable ecosystem for Web3 projects.By leveraging INIChain’s robust blockchain processing and dynamic scalability, InitVerse offers developers a complete solution for the entire DApp lifecycle. From secure deployment to seamless scaling, InitVerse makes Web3 development accessible and efficient for developers at all levels.

    Contact:
    Sami Yilmaz
    support@inichain.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by INIChain. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cb84d6a8-b0fb-4af1-be8c-82286818edf9

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/19392f2e-a984-4521-a29c-5a106600fff9

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Ramirez Demands Secretary Noem Resign

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Delia Ramirez – Illinois (3rd District)

    Congresswoman Ramirez’s demand that Secretary Noem step down came after a visit to the southern border, where she saw children facing immigration processing without lawyers

    Washington, DC— Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) demanded Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem resign immediately, given her abuse of the Department’s power and authority to pursue a campaign of persecution, mass incarceration, and deportation. After a press conference with Congresswomen Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and human rights advocates, Ramirez sent the letter to the Secretary, outlining the violations of rights and criminal actions Noem has allowed.

     

    “Since your appointment, you have disregarded the authority of Congress, the rule of law, the constitutional rights of residents, the courts, due process, and every check and balance that protects us from authoritarianism,” wrote Congresswoman Ramirez. “Under your supervision, DHS has irreversibly harmed Americans. You have exploited your position to weaponize enforcement to detain, deport, and violate people. Your shameful actions have also left children and women vulnerable and without counsel. You have wasted millions of taxpayer dollars to run anti-immigrant campaigns and illegally detain people in offshore prisons without due process. Your intentional criminalization of immigrants and dissenting voices against your deplorable acts threaten the foundations of our democracy.”

    During the press conference that pre-coursed the letter, Congresswoman Ramirez outlined that Americans have paid more than just the human price for Noem’s criminal actions. Taxpayers have also paid $200 million for an anti-immigrant ad campaign, $46 million to illegally detain people in off-shore prisons, and more than $300 million to militarize and end parole and due process at our borders.

    In the letter, Congresswoman Ramirez, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, explains that she has tried on multiple occasions to receive answers from Noem, but those efforts have gone unanswered. “I cannot allow you to continue to violate the rights of the people, undermine due process, and misuse our resources. You are one of the greatest threats to our national security,” continued the member. 

    For the full text of the letter, CLICK HERE

    For photos of the press conference, CLICK HERE

    For a live of the press conference, CLICK HERE

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Trastuzumab deruxtecan approved to treat adults with HER2-positive cancer that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery 

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Trastuzumab deruxtecan approved to treat adults with HER2-positive cancer that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery 

    As with all products, the MHRA will keep its safety under close review.

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (9 April 2025) approved trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) to treat people with solid tumours that have mutations in human epidermal growth factor 2 (known as HER2 positive cancers) that have spread to other parts of the body (metastatic disease) or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable), and who have no alternative treatment options.  

    This approval is an extension to the indication (use) of the medicine, which has previously been approved for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancers, who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens for non-small cell lung cancer with an activating HER2 mutation and HER2-postivie gastric cancer. 

    Trastuzumab deruxtecan has been approved through Project Orbis, a global partnership between the MHRA, the Therapeutics Goods Administration in Australia, Health Canada, the Health Sciences Authority in Singapore, Swissmedic, Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária in Brazil and Israel’s Ministry of Health, coordinated by the US Food and Drug Administration.  This programme reviews and approves promising cancer drugs, helping patients to access treatments more quickly.    

    As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of trastuzumab deruxtecan under close review. Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card. 

    Notes to editors  

    1. The variation to the marketing authorisation was granted on 9 April 2025 to Daiichi Sankyo UK Ltd. 

    2. The aim of Project Orbis is to deliver faster patient access to innovative cancer treatments with potential benefits over existing therapies.  For more information, see: Project Orbis

    3. For more information about cancer, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/ 

    4. More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.  

    5. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgments to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.  

    6. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  

    7. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry meat and products from areas in Poland and Canada suspended

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (April 9) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Åšrem District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, and in Lambton County of Ontario Province in Canada, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

    A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 6 600 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland, and about 400 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Canada last year. 

    “The CFS has contacted the Polish and Canadian authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Brazilian president says US trade policy ‘won’t work,’ accuses Trump of trying to dictate global rules

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday criticized the new tariff regime of the United States, saying Washington’s attempt to reshape global trade under U.S. President Donald Trump “won’t work” and violates the principles of multilateralism.

    Speaking at an event in Sao Paulo, Lula condemned what he called Washington’s unilateral approach to international trade.

    “All of a sudden, one man thinks he can dictate the rules for everything that happens in the world,” Lula said. “No one grabs hold of a fully loaded transatlantic ship and tries to steer it like this. It won’t work.”

    Lula added that Trump’s decision to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on other countries and regions ignores the reality of a multipolar world.

    “There are nearly 200 countries,” he said. “All of them want sovereignty and a harmonious process. Today, the most important thing is multilateralism.”

    The Brazilian leader also recalled the free trade rhetoric of the 1980s, when then U.S. President Ronald Reagan and U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher publicly opposed protectionism. Lula contrasted those earlier stances with what he viewed as the current protectionist turn of the United States.

    The United States has been Brazil’s second-largest trading partner since 2009, behind China. In recent weeks, the Trump administration raised import tariffs on Brazilian goods, including a 10 percent tariff on a broad range of products, following earlier hikes on steel and aluminum. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Negative views of U.S., Trump rise among Brazilians, poll shows

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Brazilians’ perception of the United States has deteriorated sharply, and nearly half of the population holds an unfavorable view of U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a new poll released Tuesday.

    The survey by Brazilian research firm Quaest found that 41 percent of Brazilians now have a negative image of the United States, a steep increase from 24 percent in March 2024, when Trump had not yet returned to the presidency. Favorable views of the United States dropped from 58 percent to 44 percent over the same period, creating a near even split in public opinion.

    The data marks a significant shift from previous years, when positive sentiment toward the United States consistently outweighed negative views.

    As for Trump, 43 percent of respondents said they view him negatively, while only 22 percent expressed a favorable opinion. Another 23 percent described their view as neutral, and 12 percent were undecided.

    The poll surveyed 2,004 Brazilians between March 27 and 31, just days before Trump announced a new round of import tariffs targeting nearly all countries and regions across the world, including Brazil.

    The United States had already imposed steep tariffs on Brazilian steel and aluminum exports, prompting backlash from officials in Brasilia.

    When asked how Brazil should respond to Trump’s latest tariff announcement, 53 percent of respondents favored pursuing dialogue. In contrast, 33 percent supported retaliatory trade measures, while 14 percent were unsure or declined to answer. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Argentina’s risk index hits six-month high amid US tariff fallout

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Argentina’s sovereign bonds and equities fell sharply on Tuesday, pushing the country’s risk index above 1,000 basis points for the first time since October, as global markets plunged in reaction to sweeping new U.S. tariffs.

    The JPMorgan risk benchmark, a reflection of how investors view the country’s debt, briefly surged past 1,000 basis points after midday trading before closing at 978 amid anticipation of a new disbursement from the International Monetary Fund.

    Dollar-denominated Argentine bonds dropped as much as 3.7 percent, while the benchmark S&P Merval index fell 1.74 percent, according to data from local exchange operator BYMA.

    Energy and utility stocks were among the hardest hit, with Transportadora de Gas del Norte down 11.9 percent, Metrogas off 11.6 percent, and power grid operator Transener falling 8.3 percent.

    Shares of Argentine companies listed in New York also slid. Steelmaker Ternium dropped 7.1 percent, biotech firm Bioceres fell 6.8 percent, and agribusiness group Cresud lost 5.3 percent.

    The losses followed the Trump administration’s announcement of a 10 percent tariff on all Argentine imports, a move analysts say has amplified investors’ uncertainty.

    “As long as the U.S.-driven trade war continues, Argentina will remain highly exposed to volatility,” Rafael Di Giorno, an analyst at Proficio, told local media outlet Ambito Financiero. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Energy Department Acts to Unleash American Coal by Strengthening Coal Technology and Securing Critical Mineral Supply Chains

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WASHINGTON— Following President Trump’s Executive Order, “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry”, Energy Secretary Chris Wright today announced a series of actions the Department of Energy (DOE) is taking to unleash American coal production. These actions will help modernize coal technologies, expand domestic critical mineral production and accelerate commercialization of mineral extraction technology, strengthening America’s energy and industrial security.

    “The American people need more energy, and the Department of Energy is helping to meet this demand by unleashing supply of affordable, reliable, secure energy sources– including coal,” Secretary Wright said. “Coal is essential for generating 24/7 electricity generation that powers American homes and businesses, but misguided policies from previous administrations have stifled this critical American industry. With President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting the red tape and bringing back common sense.”

    The announcement includes five key initiatives to strengthen coal innovation and critical mineral independence:

    Reinstatement of the National Coal Council

    DOE is reinstating the National Coal Council as a federal advisory committee that was established in 1984 and lapsed during the Biden administration. The Council is a 50-member body appointed by the Secretary, that provides expert guidance on the future of coal technologies and markets. Members on the newly restated council will represent coal producers, users, equipment suppliers, state and local officials, and other stakeholders across the coal value chain.

    Facilitating New Investment in Coal-Powered Electricity Generation

    DOE’s Loan Program Office’s Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) Program is making $200 billion in low-cost, long-term financing available to invest in energy infrastructure, including coal. The EIR program can support a wide range of projects available for coal energy investments, including upgrading energy infrastructure to restart operations or operate more efficiently or at a higher output, replacing retired energy infrastructure with new energy infrastructure and building new facilities that utilize legacy energy infrastructure.

    Designation of Steelmaking Coal as a Critical Material and Mineral

    In coordination with the Department of the Interior, DOE is recommending the designation of coal used in steelmaking as both a critical material and a critical mineral in the upcoming 2025 Critical Materials Assessment. This strategic designation will help ensure the U.S. maintains a stable supply of steelmaking coal in the decades to come and underscores the vital role of steelmaking coal in bolstering national security and economic stability.

    Deployment of Mineral Extraction Technology from Coal Ash

    DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has patented new technology to extract critical minerals from coal ash. This development supports ongoing work to convert coal byproducts into high-value materials needed for use in energy, defense, and manufacturing.

    Commercialization of Coal Ash Conversion Technologies

    The Department of Energy is supporting commercialization efforts through partnerships with DOE’s National Laboratories and emerging companies. These projects are advancing the recovery of critical minerals from coal ash and building a domestic supply chain for critical materials currently dominated by foreign adversaries and will reduce U.S. reliance on China for key materials.

    The Energy Department is committed to restoring American energy dominance and strengthening America’s industrial base. Secretary Wright will continue to work with all members of the National Energy Dominance Council to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens on coal and unleash American energy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Mexican president rejects US drone strikes on drug cartels

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday rejected U.S. “intervention” in Mexican territory, including deploying attack drones along the U.S.-Mexico border against drug cartels.

    During her daily press conference, Sheinbaum reiterated her long-standing opposition to such measures, emphasizing coordination and cooperation without subordination.

    “That wouldn’t solve anything. The solution is to be permanently addressing the causes and making arrests, which have to do with intelligence and investigation, coordination, and zero impunity,” she said, adding that Mexico does not accept such measures.

    U.S. media reported that the White House is still weighing its options and has not yet finalized a plan for its fight against drugs.

    In January, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency along the U.S. southern border, and in February, the U.S. government designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

    The Mexican president has repeatedly made it clear that U.S. authorities have no jurisdiction over Mexican territory. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The ‘morning shed’: a brief history of the sometimes dangerous lengths women have gone to look beautiful

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Louise N Hanson, PhD in Social and Developmental psychology, Durham University

    An advert for the tape worm pills.

    In TikTok’s latest viral beauty trend “the morning shed,” beauty influencers “shed” hair and skin products that have been worn overnight. These include hair styling items, skin masks and creams, and physical products such as chin straps and mouth tape, which are intended to help with breathing through the night and keep away the drooping of the jaw that happens with age.

    While this trend has come under fire for alleged unsustainability and over-consumerism, it is only the latest beauty fad in a long line of time and money consuming “hacks” that women have been undertaking for centuries. From tapeworms to tuberculosis, women have taken part in a laundry list of beauty hacks in order to meet appearance ideals, many of which have been dangerous, painful and even deadly.

    As far back as the ancient Egyptians, women ground up toxic substances to make eyeliner and eye shadow. These were dangerous when inhaled as a powder (such as during the grinding process) and could cause irritation of the skin when applied. And yet somehow, heavy metal poisoning is among the least dangerous of these historic beauty trends.

    Ready to make a change? The Quarter Life Glow-up is a new, six-week newsletter course from The Conversation’s UK and Canada editions. Every week, we’ll bring you research-backed advice and tools to help improve your relationships, your career, your free time and your mental health – no supplements or skincare required. Sign up here to start your glow-up at any time.

    In China, foot binding is an example of a painful and life altering treatment first recorded around the 10th century. The feet were usually bound before the arch of the foot had developed (aged four to nine).

    The process involved forcefully curling the toes towards the sole of the foot until the arch broke then the foot would be tightly bandaged to keep it in this position. Small feel were coveted at the time. Thankfully, this practice was banned in the early 1900s after almost 200 years of opposition from both Chinese and western sources.

    A Chinese woman with bound feet.
    Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    In Europe, the Renaissance period saw a new wave of beauty hacks, from arsenic baths (which bleach the skin to a near translucent white) to Belladonna drops (literal poison) used on the eyes to induce an aroused or watery-eyed look. Many women who used these tactics ended up poisoned or blind.

    During the reign of Elizabeth I, the “English rose” look was all the rage. Women would blood let for a perfectly pale pallor, or paint their faces with “Venetian ceruse” or “Venetian white” – otherwise known as lead paint. The use of Venetian ceruse is one of the suspected causes of death of Elizabeth I.

    In the Victorian era and early 1900s, women often engaged in dangerous practices to achieve the coveted pale skin, red lip and small waist that was the height of fashion. This aesthetic could be achieved by contracting tuberculosis (a lung infection that was often fatal), taking tapeworm pills, consuming mercury to look forever young, or chewing arsenic wafers to make skin pale.

    My own research has shown that sociocultural pressures to look a certain way are experienced differently across the world. I found that white western women experience some of the highest appearance pressures, followed by east Asian women. Although these decline a little with age for white western women, they persist in Asian women and never reach the lower levels seen elsewhere. I found the lowest levels of sociocultural pressure and the highest levels of body appreciation in Nigeria.

    As the “morning shed” proves, women still go to great lengths to meet culturally shaped standards, particularly under conditions of higher economic inequality – something that is getting worse in many countries. For example, in the United States, cities which have higher economic inequality see higher spend on beauty products and services, such as beauty salons or women’s clothing.

    With the advent of social media, especially short-form content like TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts, the speed at which beauty trends rise and fall has been expedited and globalised. These trends range from the painful lip suction women undertook to get big lips like the celebrity Kylie Jenner, to the normalisation of botox and fillers, to laser hair removal of every unwanted follicle.

    The “morning shed” is just the latest evolution in skin care trends, which started as health-focused, with an emphasis on sun protection and moisturisation. It has since morphed into a study in over-consumption and over-commitment of time and money in the pursuit of staying ever youthful.

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

    – ref. The ‘morning shed’: a brief history of the sometimes dangerous lengths women have gone to look beautiful – https://theconversation.com/the-morning-shed-a-brief-history-of-the-sometimes-dangerous-lengths-women-have-gone-to-look-beautiful-253921

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Toobit Wins Best Crypto Exchange MENA 2025 at World Business Outlook Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Toobit, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has been named Best Crypto Exchange MENA 2025 at the World Business Outlook Awards. This accolade highlights Toobit’s outstanding performance, innovation, and commitment to delivering secure and efficient trading experiences across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

    The World Business Outlook Awards celebrates excellence in business leadership, innovation, and market influence each year, spotlighting industry leaders who set new benchmarks in their respective sectors.

    “Toobit is honored to receive this recognition,” said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer of Toobit. “MENA presents exciting opportunities for digital asset growth, and we are happy to work with our many partners within the region to expand access to crypto education as well as adoption.”

    The MENA region has recently emerged as a hub for cryptocurrency activity. In the United Arab Emirates alone, the cryptocurrency market is projected to reach a transaction value of US$1.53 billion in 2025, with over 30% of its population—approximately 3 million people—owning digital assets. This rapid market growth is representative of the region’s rising influence in the global digital asset space.

    Toobit’s foray into the MENA region is not the platform’s first expansion into the wider cryptocurrency markets. In July 2024, the exchange formally ventured into South Korea, responding to a burgeoning demand for crypto derivatives in the APAC region.

    For more information about the World Business Awards 2025, visit: https://worldbusinessoutlook.com/awards/

    About Toobit

    Toobit is where the future of crypto trading unfolds—an award-winning cryptocurrency derivatives exchange built for those who thrive exploring new frontiers. With deep liquidity and cutting-edge technology, Toobit empowers traders worldwide to navigate the digital asset markets with confidence. We offer a fair, secure, seamless, and transparent trading experience, ensuring every trade is an opportunity to discover what’s next.

    For more information about Toobit, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Instagram

    Contact: Davin C.
    Email: market@toobit.com
    Website: www.toobit.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Toobit. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe4b1882-6204-43c3-80f8-86523e3b53d1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares Forms Exclusive Partnership with the House of Doge to Launch Dogecoin ETP in Europe

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Zurich, 9 April 2025 – 21Shares AG (“21Shares”), one of the world’s largest issuers of crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), has formed an exclusive partnership with the House of Doge to create the only Dogecoin ETP endorsed by the Dogecoin Foundation, which will be listed on SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker: DOGE). This collaboration marks a major milestone in bringing institutional-grade exposure to Dogecoin, one of the most community-driven and widely recognised digital assets.

    Exchange Product Name Ticker ISIN Fee
    SIX Swiss Exchange 21Shares Dogecoin ETP DOGE CH1431521033 2.50%

    The 21Shares Dogecoin ETP is 100% physically backed, offering a transparent and seamless way for investors to gain exposure to Dogecoin through traditional financial channels. Originally launched in 2013 as a light-hearted alternative to Bitcoin, Dogecoin has since grown into one of the most widely recognised and accessible cryptocurrencies, known for its fast transaction speeds, low fees, and increasing merchant adoption. Today, leading brands such as Microsoft and AMC Theatres accept Dogecoin as a payment method, reinforcing its role in mainstream finance. 

    Beyond its technical advantages, Dogecoin has built a highly engaged and socially impactful community, rallying around the principle of “Do Only Good Everyday.” Over the years, its supporters have helped drive initiatives ranging from charitable fundraising to financial accessibility efforts, demonstrating the power of decentralised communities in shaping the future of digital finance.

    “With this exclusive partnership we’re providing investors with the most direct and accessible way to gain exposure to the Dogecoin ecosystem,” said Duncan Moir, President at 21Shares. “Dogecoin has become more than a cryptocurrency: it represents a cultural and financial movement that continues to drive mainstream adoption, and DOGE offers investors a regulated avenue to be part of this exciting project.”

    “This partnership marks a very large step forward for the Dogecoin vision,” said Jens Wiechers, Advisory Board Member at House of Doge and Co-Executive Director of the Dogecoin Foundation. “Dogecoin was created to be a fun, accessible form of peer-to-peer money, and over the years, it has demonstrated real-world utility in payments, tipping, and charitable giving. For Dogecoin to reach its full potential as a global currency, institutional support and corporate partnerships are essential. This initiative with 21Shares provides a regulated path for institutions to participate in and amplify the ‘Dogecoin is Money’ vision, while still honoring the community’s spirit. Global adoption is critical, and we’re excited to take this next step – ensuring Dogecoin stays fun, but gains the credibility and backing needed to thrive at scale.”

    “Our partnership with 21Shares demonstrates the evolving maturity and legitimacy of Dogecoin in the financial world,” said Sarosh Mistry, President and CEO of Sodexo North America and Director-Elect of House of Doge. “Institutional products will empower new types of investors to participate in the Dogecoin ecosystem, reinforcing its role as a leader in the future of digital assets.”

    With over $7.3 billion in assets under management and listings on 11 major exchanges, including SIX Swiss Exchange, Nasdaq, and Euronext, 21Shares continues to drive the integration of digital assets into mainstream finance.

    Notes to editors

    About 21Shares

    21Shares is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers. We were founded to make cryptocurrency more accessible to investors, and to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance. In 2018, 21Shares listed the world’s first physically-backed crypto ETP, and we have a seven-year track-record of creating crypto exchange-traded funds that are listed on some of the biggest, most-liquid securities exchanges globally. In addition to our seven-year track record, 21Shares offers investors best-in-class research and unparalleled client service.

    21Shares is a member of 21.co, a global leader in decentralized finance. For more information, please visit www.21Shares.com.

    About House of Doge

    The House of Doge is the official corporate arm of the Dogecoin Foundation, committed to transforming Dogecoin into a fully integrated and accessible global payment platform and currency. The House of Doge’s mission is to advance the mainstream adoption of Dogecoin by enhancing its utility through real-world applications.

    About Dogecoin Foundation

    The Dogecoin Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to developing open-source technology that enhances Dogecoin’s accessibility and utility as a peer-to-peer digital currency.

    Media Contact
    Matteo Valli
    matteo.valli@21shares.com

    DISCLAIMER

    This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.

    This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.

    This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

    Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

    Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under www.21Shares.com.

    The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

    This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2024 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with BX Swiss AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2024 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

    ###

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Norton Announces Community Project Funding Application Process

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced the process for applying to her office for Community Project Funding, formerly known as earmarks, for fiscal year 2026 (FY26). For a Community Project Funding request to be considered, eligible entities must submit an application by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21st to NortonCommunityProjectFunding@mail.house.gov.

    Under the House Committee on Appropriations’ eligibility requirements for FY26, only governmental entities and public institutions of higher education will be eligible for projects under the T-HUD Economic Development Initiatives program. Memorials, museums, and commemoratives (i.e., projects named for an individual or entity) are not eligible for Community Project Funding. The subcommittees’ requirements can be found here. All projects that were included in House Reports for Fiscal Year 2025 are eligible in Fiscal Year 2026 but must be resubmitted for consideration.

    Late or incomplete applications, including applications that do not provide the information required by the relevant subcommittee, will not be considered. The project must be located in the District of Columbia.

    An application consists of all the information about the entity and project required by the applicable subcommittee, as well as the following:

    • Name of the recipient
    • Address of the recipient
    • Amount of the request
    • Explanation of the request, including purpose, and a justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds
    • Evidence of community support
    • If on behalf of a non-profit, evidence the entity is a non-profit organization as described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and evidence non-profit’s work is primarily focused on D.C.

    The Appropriations Committee is only permitting certain programs within specific subcommittees, listed below, that are going to participate in the Community Project Funding process.

    Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

    • Department of Agriculture–Farm Production and Conservation Programs
      • Natural Resources Conservation Service (Conservation Operations)
    • Department of Agriculture–Research, Education, and Economics
      • Agricultural Research Service (Buildings and Facilities)
    • Department of Agriculture–Rural Development
      • Rural Housing Service (Community Facilities)
      • Rural Utilities Service (ReConnect Program)
      • Rural Utilities Service (Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants)
      • Rural Utilities Service (Rural Water and Waste Disposal Grants)

    Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

    • Department of Commerce
      • NIST—Scientific and Technical Research
      • NOAA—Coastal Zone Management
    • Department of Justice
      • COPS Technology and Equipment
      • Byrne Justice
    • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
      • Safety, Security, and Mission Services

    Energy and Water Development

    • Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works)
      • Investigations
      • Construction
      • Mississippi River and Tributaries
      • Operation and Maintenance
    • Department of the Interior/Bureau of Reclamation
      • Water and Related Resources

    Homeland Security

    • Federal Emergency Management Agency
      • Federal Assistance—Emergency Ops. Centers
      • Federal Assistance—Pre-Disaster Mitigation

    Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

    • Environmental Protection Agency
      • STAG—Clean Water State Revolving Fund
      • STAG—Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

    Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies

    • Army
    • Army National Guard
    • Army Reserve
    • Navy & Marine Corps
    • Navy Reserve
    • Air Force and Space Force
    • Air National Guard
    • Air Force Reserve
    • DoD, Defense-Wide

    Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

    • Department of Housing and Urban Development
      • CDBG – Economic Development Initiatives
    • Department of Transportation
      • Airport Improvement Program
      • Highway Infrastructure Projects
      • Transit Infrastructure Projects
      • Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements
      • Port Infrastructure Development Program

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Hosts Virtual Town Hall on Trump Administration’s Attacks on Health Care Innovation and Access in Massachusetts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (April 8, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Small Business Committee, as well as the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, today hosted a virtual town hall with panelists from MassMEDIC, Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals, VentureWell, Boyd Biomedical, and the Wyss Institute on the importance of protecting health care innovation and patient access to care in Massachusetts and across the country. Recent Trump administration actions threaten health care innovation and access in the United States and the Commonwealth, including cuts to research funding, disruptions in funding for health providers, and firing of employees at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
    “With President Trump’s and Congressional Republicans’ attacks on medical research, on health care access, on small businesses, and innovation, they are attacking Massachusetts,” said Senator Markey. “I heard stories from health care leaders, manufacturers, researchers, and patients that demonstrate what these reckless and indiscriminate tariffs, cuts to medical research and personnel, and efforts to gut Medicaid will mean for our ability to innovate affordable, accessible treatments and cures, and deliver high-quality care to patients in Massachusetts. I stand with them in the fight to protect life-saving research and care.”
    Massachusetts is a national leader in developing groundbreaking treatments and cures, giving hope to patients, families, and caregivers in need of breakthroughs and discoveries. Massachusetts received nearly $3.5 billion in 2024 from the NIH to support 6,000 grants including for Alzheimer’s and youth mental health. Massachusetts received nine percent of National Institutes of Health funding in 2024 despite only having two percent of the population. Since its inception, Massachusetts has also received $26,000 from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, totaling $9 billion in funding including for Alzheimer’s prevention, diagnosis and treatment and breast cancer detection. Committed health providers, researchers, and workers drive these innovations, relying on sustainable funding to do their work. 
    “On behalf of the region’s medical device sector, I thank Sen. Markey for his steadfast support of life science innovation and manufacturing. The Commonwealth’s economy depends on our ability to deliver new cures and treatments to the world. The senator is a great partner in developing federal policy that encourages growth and patient impact,” said Brian Johnson, President of MassMEDIC.
    “The NIH continues to be our nation’s greatest hope for identifying life changing diagnostics, treatments, and cures, while supporting countless jobs, driving economic activity, and ensuring the United States’ position as a global leader in scientific research and medical innovation,” said Patricia McMullin, Executive Director of the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals. “We are grateful to Senator Markey and the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation for their advocacy to strengthen our nation’s medical research, which saves lives and gives hope to families across the nation and around the world.”
    “The scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow and the health solutions that improve lives depend on sustained investment in foundational biomedical research and development funding. Agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), play a critical role in enabling this progress. Continued funding and support ensure that discoveries can be translated into transformative products and services for patients,” said Mark Marino, Vice President at VentureWell. “Federal research investments in areas such as cancer, chronic disease, Alzheimer’s, mental health, environmental health, nutrition, and pandemic preparedness are essential to maintaining a strong biomedical innovation ecosystem. We applaud Senator Markey for underscoring the importance of timely, robust funding to advance research and fuel the innovation economy in Massachusetts and across the country. We urge Congress and this administration to prioritize innovative research funding for activities that help bring biomedical innovations out of the lab and into the market.”
    “We believe in the value of strong manufacturing in America, and we’re very happy that that sentiment is more widely held today than it was just a decade ago. But the financial impact of these tariffs on American manufacturers is stark. Especially for small and mid-sized companies,” said Matthew Boyd, Chief Commercial Officer at Boyd Biomedical. “The tremendous biomedical innovation we create here in Massachusetts is not a valve you can turn off and then expect to turn back on. The consequences of these cuts to federally funded biomedical research will have a decades-long impact on biomedical innovation.”
    “Even if some of these actions are reconsidered by the administration or blocked by courts, the current uncertainty and the possibility of some of these actions being implemented will delay life-saving therapies from getting into patients by delaying innovation,” said Dr. Girija Goyal, Ph.D., Principal Scientist at the Wyss Institute.
    On March 26, Senator Markey hosted a virtual office hours meeting with Congressman McGovern, food security advocates and food banks, and hundreds of constituents on the importance of protecting SNAP and other essential food security benefits for people in Massachusetts. Earlier that month, Senator Markey led members of the Massachusetts delegation in a joint statement blasting the Trump administration’s cuts to the National Institutes of Health. Also in March, Senator Markey hosted a town hall in Malden, Massachusetts to hear directly from constituents about their concerns about what President Trump and DOGE would mean for their health care and Social Security. In February 2025, Senators Markey, Warren and Schumer demanded that the Trump administration, Elon Musk and DOGE make no cuts to Medicaid or Medicare and to end DOGE’s unauthorized access to sensitive health information.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Blasts Trump’s Coal Executive Orders

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (April 8, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today released the following statement after President Trump signed four executive orders to boost the dying coal industry.
    “Just like Trump, coal is outdated, costly, and dangerous,” said Senator Markey. “Coal is the dirtiest energy source out there, both a major contributor to the climate crisis and a public health threat for communities nearby. Despite what Trump says, renewables are beating coal pound for pound in the market. Building new solar – even solar plus storage – is now cheaper than running existing coal plants in the United States.
    “The real emergency is not the lack of coal, but Trump’s order to open up America’s beautiful public lands to coal mining and expedite coal leasing and permitting. Attempts to revive this dying industry are not only costly to American taxpayers, but a danger to public health and our environment. From gutting the Environmental Protection Agency and its mission to ensure clean air and clean water, to attempting to roll back the clean energy investments in the historic Inflation Reduction Act, Trump is simply paying back his fossil fuel contributors, whose only goal is to kill clean energy and smother the revolution that has made onshore wind and solar the most cost-effective sources of electricity in the country.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aegon announces reset of perpetual subordinated bonds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The Hague, April 9, 2025 – Aegon today announces that it will reset the coupon on its EUR 113 million (NLG 250 million) 1.506% perpetual cumulative subordinated bonds (ISIN: NL0000120004, originally issued in 1995, the “bonds”) on June 8, 2025.

    As of June 8, 2005, and every ten years thereafter, Aegon has had the option to either call the bonds or reset the coupon.

    The bonds will continue to be outstanding in accordance with their terms, with the next optional redemption date on June 8, 2035. The new coupon will be published on or around June 3, 2025.

    Contacts

    About Aegon

    Aegon is an international financial services holding company. Aegon’s ambition is to build leading businesses that offer their customers investment, protection, and retirement solutions. Aegon’s portfolio of businesses includes fully owned businesses in the United States and United Kingdom, and a global asset manager. Aegon also creates value by combining its international expertise with strong local partners via insurance joint-ventures in Spain & Portugal, China, and Brazil, and via asset management partnerships in France and China. In addition, Aegon owns a Bermuda-based life insurer and generates value via a strategic shareholding in a market leading Dutch insurance and pensions company.

    Aegon’s purpose of helping people live their best lives runs through all its activities. As a leading global investor and employer, Aegon seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion & diversity. Aegon is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, domiciled in Bermuda, and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the New York Stock Exchange. More information can be found at aegon.com.

    Forward-looking statements
    The statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following are words that identify such forward-looking statements: aim, believe, estimate, target, intend, may, expect, anticipate, predict, project, counting on, plan, continue, want, forecast, goal, should, would, could, is confident, will, and similar expressions as they relate to Aegon. These statements may contain information about financial prospects, economic conditions and trends and involve risks and uncertainties. In addition, any statements that refer to sustainability, environmental and social targets, commitments, goals, efforts and expectations and other events or circumstances that are partially dependent on future events are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Aegon undertakes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any duty, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which merely reflect company expectations at the time of writing. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from expectations conveyed in forward-looking statements due to changes caused by various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following:

    • Financial risks – Rapidly rising interest rates; Sustained low or negative interest rate levels; Disruptions in the global financial markets and general economic conditions; Elevated levels of inflation; Illiquidity of certain investment assets; Credit risk, declines in value and defaults in Aegon’s debt securities, private placements, mortgage loan portfolios and other instruments or the failure of certain counterparties; Decline in equity markets; Downturn in the real estate market; Default of a major financial market participant; Failure by reinsurers to which Aegon has ceded risk; Downgrade in Aegon’s credit ratings; Fluctuations in currency exchange rates; Unsuccessful management of derivatives; Subjective valuation of Aegon’s investments, allowances and impairments;
    • Underwriting risks – Differences between actual claims experience/underwriting and reserve assumptions; Losses on products with guarantees due to volatile markets; Restrictions on underwriting criteria and the use of data; Unexpected return on offered financial and insurance products; Reinsurance may not be available, affordable, or adequate; Catastrophic events;
    • Operational risks – Competitive factors; Difficulty in acquiring and integrating new businesses or divesting existing operations; Difficulties in distributing and marketing products through its current and future distribution channels; Slow to adapt to and leverage new technologies; Failure of data management and governance; Epidemics or pandemics; Unsuccessful in managing exposure to climate risk; Unidentified or unanticipated risk events; Aegon’s information technology systems may not be resilient against constantly evolving threats; Computer system failure or security breach; Breach of data privacy or security obligations; Inaccuracies in econometric, financial, or actuarial models, or differing interpretations of underlying methodologies; Inaccurate, incomplete or unsuccessful quantitative models, algorithms or calculations; Issues with third-party providers, including events such as bankruptcy, disruption of services, poor performance, non-performance, or standards of service level agreements not being upheld; Inability to attract and retain personnel;
    • Political, regulatory, and supervisory risks – Requirement to increase technical provisions and/or hold higher amounts of regulatory capital as a result of changes in the regulatory environment or changes in rating agency analysis; Political or other instability in a country or geographic region; Changes in accounting standards; Inability of Aegon’s subsidiaries to pay dividends to Aegon Ltd.; Risks of application of intervention measures;
    • Legal and compliance risks – Unfavorable outcomes of legal and arbitration proceedings and regulatory investigations and actions; Changes in government regulations in the jurisdictions in which Aegon operates; Increased attention to sustainability matters and evolving sustainability standards and requirements; Tax risks; Difficulty to effect service of process or to enforce judgments against Aegon in the United States; Inability to manage risks associated with the reform and replacement of benchmark rates; Inability to protect intellectual property;
    • Risks relating to Aegon’s common shares – Volatility of Aegon’s share price; Offering of additional common shares in the future; Significant influence of Vereniging Aegon over Aegon’s corporate actions; Currency fluctuations; Influence of Perpetual Contingent Convertible Securities over the market price for Aegon’s common shares.

    Additionally, Aegon provides some information in this report that is informed by various stakeholder expectations, non-US regulatory requirements, and third-party frameworks. Such information, whether provided here or in Aegon’s other disclosures (including website materials), is not necessarily material for SEC reporting purposes.

    Even in instances where we use “material”, this should not in all instances be deemed to refer to materiality for purposes of our U.S. federal securities filings, as there are various definitions of materiality used by different stakeholders, including but not limited to a more expansive “double materiality” standard pursuant to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards that has informed much of our sustainability disclosure. Similarly, while we leverage various frameworks in our disclosures, we cannot guarantee, and language such as “align” or “follow” is not meant to imply complete alignment with these requirements.

    We similarly cannot guarantee complete alignment with any stakeholder’s interpretation or preference for the measurement or presentation of sustainability or other information in this report. Expectations, as well as our own approach, continue to evolve and may change for a variety of reasons, including regulatory or business requirements or other factors that may not be in our control. Similarly, certain disclosures are based on hypothetical scenarios which may not be reflective of expectations or future events; such scenarios are subject to inherent uncertainty given the long-time frames and breadth of variables involved. As a final note, documents and website references included herein are provided solely for convenience and are not incorporated by reference absent express language to the contrary.

    This document contains information that qualifies, or may qualify, as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting Aegon are described in its filings with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 2023 Integrated Annual Report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, Aegon expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Aegon’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Canada’s countermeasures against US takes effect on Wednesday

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne on Tuesday confirmed that Canada’s new countermeasures announced last week in response to the U.S. tariffs on the Canadian auto industry will come into force at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 9.

    Champagne said Canada would continue to “respond forcefully” to all unwarranted and unreasonable tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian products.

    “The government is firmly committed to getting these U.S. tariffs removed as soon as possible, and will protect Canada’s workers, businesses, economy and industry,” Champagne said in a release issued by the Finance Ministry.

    The countermeasures, announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney Prime Minister last week, include 25-percent tariffs on non-Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) compliant fully-assembled vehicles imported into Canada from the United States, and 25-percent tariffs on non-Canadian and non-Mexican content of CUSMA compliant fully-assembled vehicles imported into Canada from the United States.

    A remission framework for auto producers that incentivizes production and investment in Canada, and helps maintain Canadian jobs, will also be implemented, said the release.

    On April 3, U.S. tariffs of 25 percent on Canadian automobiles came into effect, targeting the auto industry and the more than 500,000 Canadians this industry supports across the country, said the release, adding that the United States also intends to apply 25-percent tariffs on certain automobile parts on May 3.

    Vehicle imports from the United States totaled 35.6 billion Canadian dollars (25 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, said the release. 

    MIL OSI China News –