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Category: Americas

  • MIL-Evening Report: Poll shows Australians hate Trump policies and have lost trust in US, but still strongly believe in alliance

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Australians strongly disagree with key policies of US President Donald Trump, and have overwhelmingly lost trust in the United States to act responsibly in the world, according to the Lowy Institute’s 2025 poll.

    Despite this, 80% of people say the alliance is “very” or “fairly” important for Australia’s security, only fractionally down on last year’s 83%.

    The poll also found people nearly evenly divided on whether Peter Dutton (35%) or Anthony Albanese (34%) would be the better leader to manage Australia’s relations with Trump.

    But Albanese rated much more strongly than Dutton as better able to manage Australia’s relationship with China and President Xi Jinping (45% to 25%).

    Albanese was also well ahead (41%-29%) when people were asked who would be more competent at handling Austrlaia’s foreign policy over the next three years.

    The poll comes as the “Trump effect” has overshadowed the campaign, and increasingly worked against Dutton. Labor has cast Dutton as having looked to the US for policies, such as his proposed cuts to the public service. It has labelled him “DOGEy Dutton”, a reference to Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

    The Lowy poll of 2,117 people was taken between March 3 and 16. This was after Trump had announced plans for a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium imports, and other tariffs, but before his “Liberation Day” regime which saw a 10% general tariff hitting all countries.

    Trust in the US has plummeted since the last Lowy poll in 2024, with nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) having little or no trust in the US to act responsibly in the world, compared with 44% a year before.

    This is a new low in the poll’s two-decade history. Trust fell dramatically among older voters. Trust was already relatively low among younger voters, and fell by a smaller margin.

    On various Trump stances, the poll found Australians most disapproving (89%) of Trump’s pressure on Denmark to sell or or hand over its self-governing territory of Greenland to the US.

    More than eight in ten (81%) disapproved of Trump’s use of tariffs to pressure other countries to comply with his administration’s objectives.

    Three-quarters disapproved of the US withdrawing from the World Health Organization (76%) and from international climate change agreements (74%).

    In addition, three-quarters (74%) disapproved of Trump negotiating a deal on the future of Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin that might require Ukraine to accept a loss of territory. The dramatic Oval Office showdown between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President JD Vance took place just before the survey.

    Australians also disapproved of the US cutting spending on foreign aid (64%) and undertaking mass deportations of undocumented migrants (56%).

    On Trump’s demand that US allies spend more on defence people were, however, evenly divided (49% approved/disapproved).

    Michelle Grattan 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. Poll shows Australians hate Trump policies and have lost trust in US, but still strongly believe in alliance – https://theconversation.com/poll-shows-australians-hate-trump-policies-and-have-lost-trust-in-us-but-still-strongly-believe-in-alliance-254587

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Francis and Laudato Si’: looking back at an ecological turning point for the Catholic Church

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Bernard Laurent, Professeur, EM Lyon Business School

    In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis called for a radical break with consumerist lifestyles. Ricardo Perna/Shutterstock

    On May 24, 2015, Pope Francis signed his encyclical Laudato Si’ – “Praise be to you” in medieval Italian. This letter to Roman Catholic bishops was no half measure: it took many Catholics by surprise with its uncompromising conclusions and call for an in-depth transformation of our lifestyles. In France, it managed to bring together both conservative currents – such as the Courant pour un écologie humaine (Movement for a Human Ecology), created in 2013 – and more open-minded Catholic intellectuals such as Gaël Giraud, a Jesuit and author of Produire plus, polluer moins: l’impossible découplage? (Produce more, Pollute Less: the Impossible Decoupling?).

    The Pope was taking a cue from his predecessors. Benedict XVI, John Paul II and Paul VI had also expressed concern about the dramatic effects of an abusive exploitation of nature on humanity:

    “Man is suddenly becoming aware that by an ill-considered exploitation of nature he risks destroying it and becoming in his turn the victim of this degradation.”

    What does Pope Francis’s encyclical teach us? And how does it reflect the Catholic Church’s vision, and his own?


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    The “green” pope

    In the text, Pope Francis describes a situation in which the environment is deteriorating rapidly:

    “There is […] pollution that affects everyone, caused by transport, industrial fumes, substances which contribute to the acidification of soil and water, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and agrotoxins in general.” (§-20)

    The “green” pope published Laudato Si’ on June 18, 2015, a few months prior to the Paris climate conference. The aim was to raise public awareness around the challenges of global warming by creating a relational approach that included God, human beings and the Earth. It was the first time an encyclical had been devoted wholly to ecology.

    In it, the Pope voiced his concern about the effects of global warming:

    “Warming has effects on the carbon cycle. It creates a vicious circle which aggravates the situation even more, affecting the availability of essential resources like drinking water, energy and agricultural production in warmer regions, and leading to the extinction of part of the planet’s biodiversity.” (§-24)

    Criticizing a “technocratic paradigm”

    Since Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, the various social encyclicals have consistently rejected the liberal idea of a society solely regulated by the smooth functioning of the market. The French sociologist of religion Émile Poulat summed up the Church’s position perfectly in 1977 in his book Église contre bourgeoisie. Introduction au devenir du catholicisme actuel, in which he writes that the Church “never agreed to abandon the running of the world to the blind laws of economics”.

    In 2015, Pope Francis rejected technical solutions that would not truly be useful, as well as the belief in the redeeming virtues of a self-regulating market. He accused “the technocratic paradigm” of dominating humankind by subordinating the economic and political spheres to its logic (§-101). His comments are reminiscent of the unjustly forgotten French Protestant philosopher Jacques Ellul and his idea of a limitless “self-propulsion” of technology, which has become the alpha and omega of our societies.

    For Jacques Ellul, technology is anything but neutral since it represents genuine power driven by its own movement.
    Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    The pope’s charge against the supposed virtues of the market was spectacular. Among others, he criticized the following:

    • overconsumption in developed countries:

    “Since the market tends to promote extreme consumerism in an effort to sell its products, people can easily get caught up in a whirlwind of needless buying and spending.” (§-203);

    • the glorification of profit and a self-regulating market:

    “Some circles maintain that current economics and technology will solve all environmental problems.” (§-109);

    • the hypertrophy of speculative finance:

    “Politics must not be subject to the economy, nor should the economy be subject to the dictates of an efficiency-driven paradigm of technocracy.” (§-189);

    • the unequal distribution of wealth in the world:

    “In fact, the deterioration of the environment and of society affects the most vulnerable people on the planet: […] the gravest effects of all attacks on the environment are suffered by the poorest.” (§-48);

    • the unequal levels of development between countries, leading Francis to speak of an “ecological debt” owed by rich countries to the least developed ones. (§-51)

    Social justice and shrinking growth

    In Francis’s words, the goals of saving the planet and social justice go hand in hand. His approach is in keeping with the work of the [economist Louis-Joseph Lebret, a Dominican, who in 1941 founded the association Économie et humanisme. Father Lebret wanted to put the economy back at the service of humankind, and work with the least economically advanced countries by championing an approach based on the virtues of local communities and regional planning.

    Pope Francis, for his part, is calling for a radical break with the consumerist lifestyles of rich countries, while focusing on the development of the poorest nations. (§-93). In Laudato Si’, he also wrote that developed countries’ responses seemed insufficient because of the economic interests at stake (§-54).

    This brings us back to the principle of the universal destination of goods – the organizing principle of property defended by the Catholic Church’s social doctrine, which demands that goods be distributed in such a way as to enable every human being to live in dignity.

    In addition to encouraging the necessary technical adjustments and sober individual practices, Pope Francis is urging citizens in developed countries not to be content with half measures deemed largely insufficient. Instead, he is calling for people to make lifestyle changes in line with the logic of slowing growth. The aim is to enable developing countries to emerge from poverty, while sparing the environment.

    “Given the insatiable and irresponsible growth produced over many decades, we need also to think of containing growth by setting some reasonable limits and even retracing our steps before it is too late. […] That is why the time has come to accept decreased growth in some parts of the world, in order to provide resources for other places to experience healthy growth.” (§ -193)

    Nearly 10 years on, Laudato Si’ resonates fully with our concerns. In the United States, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who both identify as Catholic, would be well advised to read it anew.

    Bernard Laurent is a member of the CFTC and of the IRES Scientific Council

    – ref. Pope Francis and Laudato Si’: looking back at an ecological turning point for the Catholic Church – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-and-laudato-si-looking-back-at-an-ecological-turning-point-for-the-catholic-church-253977

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Draganfly Establishes Public Safety Advisory Board, Appoints Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Expert Paul Goldenberg as Chair

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Industry Veteran Joins Draganfly to Drive Innovation at the Intersection of Public Safety and Technology

    Tampa, FL, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, is proud to announce the formation of its Public Safety Advisory Board. This new initiative reinforces Draganfly’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, mission-critical technologies that support enforcement and public safety agencies worldwide. Renowned global public safety expert and Homeland Security advisor Paul Goldenberg will serve as the inaugural Chair of the Board.

    With more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, global security, and national intelligence, Goldenberg brings unparalleled expertise to the role. Recently named America’s Most Influential Person in Homeland Security, he has advised U.S. Presidents, members of Congress, and international security bodies on counterterrorism, cybercrime, and public safety. As a former senior member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), Goldenberg led pivotal initiatives, including the DHS Cybersecurity Task Force and the Countering Foreign Influence Task Force. He currently serves as Chief Advisor for Policy and International Policing at the Rutgers University Miller Center on Policing, a Distinguished Visiting Fellow for Transnational Security at the University of Ottawa, and a member of the National Sheriffs’ Association Southern Border Security Committee.

    Goldenberg’s career also includes directing the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) transitional policing mission, working on the ground in regions such as Kosovo, Bosnia, Ukraine, and France. His efforts focused on strengthening police responses to extremism and fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and vulnerable communities.

    “Draganfly’s commitment to utilizing technology to enhance public safety and law enforcement aligns with my lifelong mission to improve security and foster trust between agencies and the communities they serve,” said Goldenberg. “Given the challenges law enforcement agencies face, including recruitment and retention issues, drones have become an invaluable tool that helps officers protect both themselves and the communities they serve.”

    Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly, emphasized the significance of Goldenberg’s appointment:
    “Paul’s vast experience in homeland security, counterterrorism, and law enforcement makes him the ideal choice to lead our Public Safety Advisory Board. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing Draganfly’s mission to deliver innovative, AI-powered drone technologies that improve situational awareness and operational efficiency for law enforcement agencies across the globe.”

    Goldenberg’s past roles have included serving as the first Chief of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for Hate Crime and Domestic Terrorism Investigations, managing major organized crime cases, spending six years deep undercover as part of the South Florida Task Force, and leading one of the United States’ largest social service and juvenile justice systems. His work has directly influenced modern policing strategies and shaped national and international policy.

    The creation of Draganfly’s Public Safety Advisory Board marks a pivotal step in the Company’s continued efforts to strengthen public safety and law enforcement capabilities, offering innovative solutions that support officers in the field.

    About Draganfly

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a pioneer in drone solutions, AI-driven software, and robotics. With over 25 years of innovation, Draganfly has been at the forefront of drone technology, providing solutions for public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying. The Company is committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and industry-leading technology that helps organizations save time, money, and lives.

    For more information, visit www.draganfly.com.

    For investor details, visit:
    CSE
    NASDAQ
    FRANKFURT

    Media Contact
    media@draganfly.com

    Company Contact
    info@draganfly.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking ‎‎‎‎information” as ‎‎‎‎defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information can ‎‎‎‎generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‎‎‎‎‎“may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, ‎‎‎‎‎“estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar ‎‎‎‎terminology. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information are based on forecasts of future ‎‎‎‎results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and ‎‎‎‎assumptions that, while believed by ‎‎‎‎management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant ‎‎‎‎business, economic and ‎‎‎‎competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎include, but are not ‎‎‎‎limited to, statements with respect to the Public Safety Advisory Board advancing Draganfly’s mission to deliver innovative, AI-powered drone technologies that improve situational awareness and operational efficiency for law enforcement agencies across the globe. Forward-‎‎‎‎looking statements and information are subject to various ‎known ‎‎and unknown risks and ‎‎‎‎‎uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to ‎control or ‎‎predict, that ‎‎‎‎may cause ‎the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be ‎materially ‎‎different ‎‎‎‎from those ‎expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions ‎about ‎‎such ‎‎‎‎risks, uncertainties ‎and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎impact of epidemics, ‎pandemics or other public health crises, including the ‎COVID-19 pandemic, on the Company’s business, operations and financial ‎‎‎‎condition; the ‎‎‎successful integration of ‎technology; the inherent risks involved in the general ‎‎‎‎securities markets; ‎‎‎uncertainties relating to the ‎availability and costs of financing needed in the ‎‎‎‎future; the inherent ‎‎‎uncertainty of cost estimates; the ‎potential for unexpected costs and ‎‎‎‎expenses, currency ‎‎‎fluctuations; regulatory restrictions; and liability, ‎competition, loss of key ‎‎‎‎employees and other related risks ‎‎‎and uncertainties disclosed under the ‎heading “Risk Factors“ ‎‎‎‎in the Company’s most recent filings filed ‎‎‎with securities regulators in Canada on ‎the SEDAR ‎‎‎‎website at www.sedar.com and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ‎‎‎no obligation to update forward-‎looking ‎‎‎‎information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-‎‎‎looking information represents ‎‎‎‎‎managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ‎‎‎No forward-looking ‎‎‎‎statement ‎can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ‎‎‎Accordingly, readers ‎‎‎‎are advised not to ‎place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ‎‎‎information.‎

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – The London conference ends without a final declaration; the RSF proclaim the formation of an alternative government

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 16 April 2025 war  

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – The London conference organized exactly two years after the outbreak of the Sudanese civil war on 15 April 2023, to try to put an end to the conflict, ended without a final declaration.The conference was convened by the United Kingdom, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), France and Germany, and was attended by foreign ministers and high-level representatives of Canada, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Qatar, South Sudan, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda and the United States of America, together with high-level representatives of the League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations (UN). However, the absence of the two opposing forces—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo—has severely limited the prospects for progress. The organizers of the conference said that this year’s participants pledged more than $1 billion to Sudan and its neighbors. This figure includes $590 million from the EU and its member states and $158 million from the United Kingdom.The final declaration that was supposed to address the formation of a contact group to mediate between the parties, fell through due to differences between Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, according to The Guardian. The first two support General al-Burhan, while the third are suspected of siding with Dagalo. The latter, coinciding with the London conference, proclaimed once again yesterday, April 15, the formation of an alternative government to the one led by General al-Burhan, calling it a “Government of Peace and Unity, the true face of Sudan.” Dagalo described the administration as “an alliance between the Sudanese Revolutionary Front, civil society, humanitarian organizations, and youth movements.” He also emphasized that the RSF government aims to unify Sudan by committing to providing education, healthcare, and essential services throughout the war-torn country, and not only in the territories they control. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/HAITI – “The State is collapsing, opening the door to criminal gangs”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Port-au-Prince (Agenzia Fides) – “The Haitian people are a martyred people (…) and the Church that is in communion with this people lives this suffering in its flesh”, said Father Marc-Henry Siméon, spokesman for the Haitian Episcopal Conference, in a television debate broadcast by Radio Télé Métropole, on Sunday 13 April. Referring to the assassination of Sister Evanette Onezaire and Sister Jeanne Voltaire, of the Little Sisters of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, killed on March 31 in Mirebalais about fifty kilometers north-east of the capital Port-au-Prince (see Fides, 3/4/2025), Father Siméon said that the security conditions in Mirebalais are so precarious that they have not yet made it possible to recover the bodies of the two nuns in order to offer them dignified funeral services.About a year after the installation of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), the priest draws a gloomy balance of the achievements of this body, which was supposed to bring the country out of the insecurity caused by the criminal gangs that have been raging in the country for years. “The state is progressively collapsing, leaving is gradually collapsing, leaving the door open to the gangs that are extending their grip, especially on the capital,” he said.Faced with what he calls a collective failure, Father Siméon calls for a moral revolution instead of a brutal revolt. He urges political leaders to conduct a sincere self-assessment and open an inclusive dialogue to find a credible solution to the crisis. “Those who have failed will never walk away from power alone.”According to the UN, there are more than a million displaced people in Haiti, a number that has tripled in the space of a year. Gang violence in the capital Port-au-Prince has forced thousands of families to flee several times. According to the United Nations, in the first three months of the year at least 1,518 people died and 572 were injured due to gang violence, law enforcement operations and self-defense militias. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Morning After Federal Election, Canada’s Top Innovation Leaders Converge at NACO Summit in Ottawa

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) will host its flagship NACO Summit 2025 on April 29–30 at Ottawa’s iconic National Arts Centre, directly across from Parliament Hill. This sold-out event gathers 500 of Canada’s leading investors, entrepreneurs, and senior innovation leaders at a pivotal moment—as the country welcomes a newly elected federal government.

    Kicking off the morning immediately after the federal election, this symbolic setting underscores the Summit’s role in shaping a bold vision for Canada’s economic future. The event convenes leaders representing the full spectrum of the country’s innovation economy—from globally scaled entrepreneurs to founders of high-growth companies in strategic sectors.

    “At this moment of national reflection, a new economic story is being written—one shaped by Canada’s builders, innovators, and investors,” said Claudio Rojas, CEO of NACO. “These bold leaders and job creators are gathering to chart the path toward a resilient, self-reliant, and globally competitive Canadian economy.”

    “The Summit serves as a premier forum for innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to convene, exchange ideas, and share insights,” said Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa. “It provides unparalleled networking opportunities, connecting global investors directly with Canada’s tech leaders and high-growth startups. Events like the NACO Summit significantly enhance Ottawa’s—and Canada’s—position as a leading innovation economy.”

    Honouring Canada’s Builders, Entrepreneurs, and Risk-takers

    At the heart of the Summit is a celebration of those whose leadership and vision are shaping Canada’s innovation landscape toward a more transformative and innovation-driven future.

    The 2025 NACO Awards recognize outstanding contributions in three categories:

    • Canada’s Angel of the Year – a national honour recognizing an outstanding angel investor who has made a meaningful and lasting impact on Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
    • NACO Nation Builder Award – honouring leaders whose extraordinary contributions have significantly advanced Canada’s cultural, economic and innovation landscape.
    • Lifetime Achievement Award – recognizing decades-long commitment to mobilizing angel capital and strengthening Canada’s innovation infrastructure.

    Showcasing Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies

    NACO Summit will unveil the highly anticipated 2025 Moonshots Showcase, highlighting more than 20 of Canada’s most promising early-stage ventures, representing sectors that are essential to the economy of the future—including healthtech, artificial intelligence, cleantech, enterprise software, and frontier technologies. Collectively, these companies have raised over $122 million in early-stage funding with many actively pursuing Series A and B investment rounds.

    Interactive Roundtables with Canada’s Innovators and Entrepreneurs

    With Canada at an economic inflection point, interactive roundtables will tackle the country’s most urgent innovation challenges, including:

    • Resilience Through Risk Capital: Leveraging early-stage investment to build adaptive, resilient ventures that thrive amid market shifts.
    • Angel-to-VC Pipeline: Exploring how angel investment serves as a critical foundation for venture capital success and long-term innovation growth.
    • Regional Capital Gaps and Opportunities: Revealing new data and strategies to address funding disparities across Canadian regions.
    • Scaling Emerging Ecosystems: Actionable strategies for growing vibrant entrepreneurial communities beyond major urban centres.

    Fireside Interviews with Media Personalities and Thought Leaders

    Renowned media personalities Amanda Lang, Keshia Chanté, Takara Small, Douglas Soltys, Camila Gonzalez, Michael Curran, and others will moderate fireside chats and panel discussions, revealing bold ideas and fresh insights on innovation, economic resilience, and Canada’s evolving global role.

    Notable speakers at NACO Summit include:

    • Daniel Debow, angel investor, serial entrepreneur and founding member of Build Canada, an initiative committed to building a more prosperous nation.
    • Mike Serbinis, CEO and Co-Founder of League, a leading healthcare technology platform, and a serial entrepreneur with over $1 billion in successful exits.
    • Mark Miller, an angel investor and the Chief Operating Officer of Constellation Software, a TSX-listed company valued at CAD $96 billion.
    • Senia Rapisarda, Managing Director at HarbourVest, a global private-markets investment firm with USD $140 billion in assets.
    • Tabatha Bull, President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business.
    • Allen Lau, Operating Partner and Co-Founder of Two Small Fish Ventures, and Co-Founder of Wattpad, acquired in 2021 for USD $660 million.
    • Christiane Germain, Co-President and Co-Founder of Germain Hôtels, Canada’s pioneering boutique hotel company with 40 years of innovation leadership.
    • Geneviève Bouthillier, Executive Vice President at BDC Capital, Canada’s largest and most active venture investor, managing over CAD $6 billion.


    About National Angel Capital Organization (NACO)

    Established in 2002, NACO is Canada’s professional association representing over 4,000 angel investors, serving as the national umbrella for more than 100 member organizations—including angel groups, venture funds, incubators, and accelerators. Collectively, NACO members have invested more than CAD $1.66 billion into over 2,000 Canadian ventures.

    Angel investors are individuals or funds deploying capital at the earliest stages of growth. They include limited partners (LPs) investing in venture funds, family offices backing pre-seed and seed-stage ventures, and individuals investing directly or through angel groups.

    High-growth companies backed by angel investment that went on to achieve significant global scale include Slack (British Columbia), Verafin (Newfoundland and Labrador), Wealthsimple (Ontario), Hopper (Québec), and Jobber and Neo Financial (Alberta). Recent standouts include CoLab (NL) and 7shifts (Saskatchewan). These successes illustrate how angel investment drives Canada’s pipeline of innovative ventures, fueling future global success stories.

    Learn more at nacocanada.com

    For media inquiries, contact:
    Claudio Rojas, CEO, National Angel Capital Organization
    Email: media@nacocanada.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: 
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b08d0f6-5bd3-4549-98bc-850c5518908f

    A video accompanying this announcement is available at: 
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ca74a13c-cf87-46ce-9ca8-4108e44f6c5d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Kingsoft Cloud Announces Proposed Public Equity Offering and Concurrent Private Placement to Kingsoft Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited (“Kingsoft Cloud” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: KC and HKEX: 3896), a leading cloud service provider in China, today announced the commencement of an underwritten public offering (the “Public Offering”) of 18,500,000 of American depositary shares (the “ADSs”), each representing 15 ordinary shares of the Company, or a total of 277,500,000 ordinary shares (the “Firm Shares”). All ADSs will be offered by Kingsoft Cloud. Kingsoft Cloud expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional ADSs. Investors have an option to receive ordinary shares of the Company to be traded on the HKEX (the “Shares”) in lieu of ADSs in this offering.

    Morgan Stanley Asia Limited, Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, and Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Limited are acting as the underwriters for the Public Offering, which is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the Public Offering may be completed.

    Concurrently with, and subject to, among other closing conditions, the completion of the Public Offering, the Company’s existing shareholder, Kingsoft Corporation Limited (“Kingsoft Corporation”) has agreed to purchase from the Company certain number of its ordinary shares at a price per share equal to the Public Offering price per ordinary shares, in a concurrent private placement (the “Concurrent Private Placement”). The number of shares to be purchased by Kingsoft Corporation equals 20% of the aggregate number of (i) the Firm Shares and (ii) the shares to be purchased in the Concurrent Private Placement, subject to certain adjustments. The Concurrent Private Placement to Kingsoft Corporation is being made pursuant to Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Concurrent Private Placement constitutes connected transactions within the meaning of the Listing Rules of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and are subject to, among other conditions, (i) the approval by independent shareholders in a shareholder meeting the Company plans to convene, and (ii) the completion of the Public Offering.

    The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Public Offering and the Concurrent Private Placement for (i) investments in upgrading and expanding infrastructure, (ii) investments in technology and product development, and (iii) general corporate and working capital purposes.

    The ADSs and ordinary shares are offered in the Public Offering pursuant to an automatic shelf registration statement on Form F-3 filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. A preliminary prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus related to the proposed Public Offering have been filed with the SEC and are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The final prospectus supplement will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at: http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained by contacting Morgan Stanley Asia Limited, c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, United States, or by telephone at +1-866-718-1649 or by emailing prospectus@morganstanley.com; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, telephone: 1-866-471-2526, facsimile: 212-902-9316 or by emailing Prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com; China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, 29/F International Finance Center, No.1 Harbor View Street, Central, Hong Kong, by email at ecm_supernova_plus@cicc.com.cn; Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, Attention: Asia Equity Capital Market, Level 60, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West Kowloon, Hong Kong, or by phone at +852 22038166 or by email at asia.ecm.internal@list.db.com; HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. sales representative or by emailing ny.equity.syndicate@us.hsbc.com; or Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Limited, c/o BofA Securities, Inc., Attention: Prospectus Department, One Bryant Park, New York, NY, 10036, United States, or by telephone at +1 (800) 294-1322 or by email at dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy ADSs, Shares or any other securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of ADSs or Shares in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to”, “could”, “potential” or other similar expressions. Among other things, the Business Outlook, and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Kingsoft Cloud’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Kingsoft Cloud may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Kingsoft Cloud’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Kingsoft Cloud’s goals and strategies; Kingsoft Cloud’s future business development, results of operations and financial condition; relevant government policies and regulations relating to Kingsoft Cloud’s business and industry; the expected growth of the cloud service market in China; Kingsoft Cloud’s ability to monetize its customer base; general economic and business conditions in China and globally; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Kingsoft Cloud’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Kingsoft Cloud does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    About Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited

    Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: KC and HKEX:3896) is a leading cloud service provider in China. With extensive cloud infrastructure, cutting-edge cloud-native products based on vigorous cloud technology research and development capabilities, well-architected industry-specific solutions and end-to-end fulfillment and deployment, Kingsoft Cloud offers comprehensive, reliable and trusted cloud service to customers in strategically selected verticals.

    For more information, please visit: http://ir.ksyun.com.
      
    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited
    Nicole Shan
    Tel: +86 (10) 6292-7777 Ext. 6300
    Email: ksc-ir@kingsoft.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4511-4512: Low energy after a big weekend?

    Source: NASA

    Written by Lauren Edgar, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center
    Earth planning date: Monday, April 14, 2025
    We all know the feeling: it’s Monday morning after a big weekend and you’re coming into the week wishing you’d had a little more time to rest and recharge.  Well, Curiosity probably feels the same way today. Curiosity accomplished a lot over the weekend, including full contact science, a MAHLI stereo imaging test, testing the collection of ChemCam passive spectral data at the same time as data transmission with one of the orbiters, and some APXS and MAHLI calibration target activities, plus a long 57 m drive. It was great to see all of those activities in the plan and to see some great drive progress. But that means we’re a bit tight on power for today’s plan!
    I was on shift as Long Term Planner today, and the team had to think carefully about science priorities to fit within our power limit for today’s plan, and how that will prepare us for the rest of the week.  The team still managed to squeeze a lot of activities into today’s 2-sol plan. First, Curiosity will acquire Mastcam mosaics to investigate local stratigraphic relationships and diagenetic features. Then we’ll acquire some imaging to document the sandy troughs between bedrock blocks to monitor active surface processes. We’ll also take a Navcam mosaic to assess atmospheric dust. The science block includes a ChemCam LIBS observation on the bedrock target “Santa Margarita” and a long distance RMI mosaic of “Ghost Mountain” to look for possible boxwork structures. Then Curiosity will use the DRT, APXS and MAHLI to investigate the finely-laminated bedrock in our workspace at a target named “The Grotto.”  We’ll also collect APXS and MAHLI data on a large nodule in the workspace named “Torrey Pines” (meanwhile the Torrey Pines here on Earth was shaking in today’s southern California earthquakes! All is well but it gave some of our team members an extra jolt of adrenaline right before the SOWG meeting).  The second sol is focused on continuing our drive to the south and taking post-drive imaging to prepare for Wednesday’s plan.
    Phew! Good job Curiosity, you made it through Monday.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4509-4510: A weekend of long drives

    Source: NASA

    Written by Abigail Fraeman, Planetary Geologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
    Earth planning date: Friday, April 11, 2025
    Curiosity is continuing to book it to the potential boxwork structures.  The rover drove over 50 meters on Wednesday, and we plan to drive more than 50 meters again in today’s plan thanks to an unusually good viewshed that allows us to see far ahead.  We’ve been able to see glimpses of the boxwork structures in the distance for a few weeks now, and I am really excited about being able to plan long drives that get us closer and closer. What will we find when we reach them?
    Power was on everyone’s mind as we put the plan together today. The science team had lots of amazing ideas about observations to collect from our current location, but we had to carefully plan and prioritize them to make sure we didn’t use too much power and leave the rover battery lower than we’d like for Monday’s plan.  Winter on Mars certainly keeps us on our toes!  We ended up putting together what I think is a pretty good set of activities for the weekend.  MAHLI, APXS, and ChemCam will all work together to observe a flat rock in front of us named “Iron Mountain.” MAHLI will also do an experiment with this rock, testing different combinations of camera positions to see which produces the best data to help us generate 3D models of the rock’s surface.  I know rocks don’t have feelings, but if they did, I hope Iron Mountain can use this time to feel a bit like a movie star on the red carpet, getting photographed from all angles. Mastcam will also be photographing the surroundings, working with ChemCam’s RMI imager to take images the ridge containing boxwork structures named “Ghost Mountain,” and taking some solo shots of targets in the foreground named “Redondo Flat,” “Silverwood Sanctuary,” and the oft photographed Gould Mesa.  Navcam, REMS, and DAN round out the science plan with some environmental observations. We’ll be getting one more science and engineering hybrid observation when we collect ChemCam passive spectral data of the instrument’s calibration target in parallel with one of our communication passes.  This observation is part of a series of tests we’re doing to run rover activities in parallel with these passes, and if successful, will allow us to be more even more power efficient in the future.
    We’re also celebrating a soliday this weekend, which means we only have a two-sol plan instead of our usual three as the Mars and Earth time zones re-align for the next few weeks.  I’m looking forward to seeing where Curiosity drives next week.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: NovaSeeds Rebrands to NovaMeme; Announces Strategic Collaboration with Toobit

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NovaSeeds, the next-generation decentralized finance (DeFi) IDO platform, today announces its official rebrand to NovaMeme. The rebrand will coincide with the launchpad’s strategic partnership with Toobit, an award-winning centralized exchange that offers both Spot and Futures cryptoasset trading.

    “The transition from NovaSeeds to NovaMeme represents our renewed focus on the memecoin ecosystem. By integrating centralized and decentralized trading models, we combine the freedom offered by DeFi and the efficiency of CeFi,” said Perry, founder of NovaMeme. “Aside from exposing new projects on NovaMeme to a wider audience, these features will enable traders to optimize their trading strategies, improve capital efficiency, and unlock deeper liquidity in DeFi and DEX ecosystems.”

    Backed by early funding from Bybit and Mantle Ecofund, NovaMeme’s latest collaboration will bring centralized finance (CeFi) closer to the fast-evolving DeFi space, creating more accessible opportunities for traditional investors and bringing its scalability to the decentralized ecosystem.

    Toobit is a crypto derivatives exchange with over 3 million registered users and over 1,000 traded pairs. The trading platform has an average daily trading volume of over $20 billion and has a proof-of-reserves of over $80 million.

    By leveraging the exchange’s established infrastructure, NovaMeme will connect DeFi innovators with millions of eager investors who are already comfortable with a trusted centralized exchange platform, accelerating fundraising efforts.

    The collaboration will also mean immediate liquidity for tokens launched on the IDO platform, while opening up new markets for trading on Toobit—ensuring that early investors have the option to trade seamlessly once tokens hit the market.

    “DeFi and CeFi are symbiotic, pushing from different perspectives the common goal of crypto adoption,” said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer of Toobit. “We see this partnership as an opportunity to create a more seamless, secure, and inclusive experience for crypto traders worldwide.”

    For more information about Toobit, visit: https://www.toobit.com

    About NovaMeme

    NovaMeme is a leading decentralized finance (DeFi) launchpad that empowers creators and traders. Dedicated to offering fair and innovative asset launch solutions, the fundraising platform bridges the gap between early-stage projects and the DeFi community. NovaMeme is community-first, and is supported by Mantle Ecofund, Bybit, Bybit Web3, Hashkey, and OKX.

    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

    NovaMeme Contact:
    Perry
    pr@nova.meme

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the 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. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. 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. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. 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. 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 assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. 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/e405db62-265c-4322-9739-e6a521a0f63d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Measures to attract inward investment

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
     
    Question:
     
         Regarding measures to attract inward investment, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the respective numbers of applications received, approved and rejected by the authorities under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) since its enhancement measures took effect on the first of last month, together with a breakdown by the applicants’ place of domicile and total investment amount; and the reasons for rejecting applications under New CIES;
     
    (2) whether it has compiled statistics on, among the approved applications mentioned in (1), the number of successful applicants who have already made investments in Hong Kong; whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the enhancement measures for New CIES in promoting the development of family offices in Hong Kong;
     
    (3) as it has been reported that the delegation of Hong Kong deputies to the National People’s Congress has proposed to establish a dedicated remittance mechanism called “Property Purchase Capital Connect” to allow residents of the Mainland and Hong Kong to make cross-‍boundary remittances for purchasing properties in Hong Kong or on the Mainland, with a view to further facilitating the flow of talents and economic integration between the two places, whether the authorities will look into this proposal and communicate with the relevant Mainland authorities in this regard; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) as it has been reported that even though the policies adopted by some countries to combat investment immigrants’ money laundering are more stringent compared to Hong Kong, such money laundering still exists in those countries, how the authorities strike a balance between anti-money laundering on the one hand and facilitating the entry of and attracting investment immigrants to Hong Kong on the other; and
     
    (5) as it is learnt that while persons who have been granted visas under New CIES may apply to become Hong Kong permanent residents after meeting the relevant requirements and having resided in Hong Kong continuously for seven years, there is no such arrangement for the major asset managers of family office who have also come to Hong Kong for investment, whether the authorities will consider putting in place an identical arrangement for the aforesaid major asset managers with reference to New CIES; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         In consultation with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Immigration Department (ImmD) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the reply to various parts of the question is as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) Since the implementation of the enhancement measures for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (the Scheme) from March 1, 2025 up to end-March, a total of 174 applications have been received. The applications are being processed and no application has been rejected so far. Under the Scheme, applicants must invest a minimum of HK$30 million in the permissible investment assets. If all the aforementioned applications are approved, it is estimated that they will bring more than HK$5.2 billion to Hong Kong. Besides, since the Scheme opened for application from March 2024, a total of 1 092 applications have been received, having a positive impact on attracting more new capital to Hong Kong and strengthening the development of our asset and wealth management business, financial services and related professional services.
     
         In accordance with the application procedures under the Scheme, after InvestHK has verified that the applicant fulfills the net asset requirement, he/she may submit to the ImmD an entry application for a visa/entry permit to enter Hong Kong for residence (entry application). Upon “approval-in-principle” after assessment from the immigration perspectives, the ImmD will grant a visa/entry permit to the applicant for entering Hong Kong as a visitor for not more than 180 days for making the committed investment within the period. Among the 174 applications received in March, InvestHK has approved 99 applications for Net Asset Assessment, and the ImmD has received 65 entry applications. The ImmD will generally complete the assessment of “approval-in-principle” in around three weeks, upon receipt of all needed documents. Since no application has been granted “approval-in-principle” so far, applicants have yet to commence their investments in Hong Kong. The detailed breakdown of the 65 entry applications received by the ImmD is set out in the table below:
     

      Entry applications received by the ImmD
    Guinea-Bissau 41
    Vanuatu 15
    Hungary 2
    New Zealand 2
    Australia 1
    Canada 1
    France 1
    Greece 1
    Malta 1
    Total 65

     
         Since the enhancement measures under the Scheme have only been implemented for a short period of time, the Government will continuously review the applicants’ investment arrangement and suitably evaluate its effectiveness.
     
    (3) The Government has maintained communication with financial regulatory authorities in the Mainland on various cross-boundary remittance arrangements to seek to provide more facilitation arrangements for the convenience and benefit of the public and the business sector while ensuring that the risks are manageable. On facilitation for cross-boundary property purchases, the facilitative payment arrangement for Hong Kong and Macao residents purchasing properties in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), announced in January 2024, has been implemented. This arrangement applies to both newly built and second-hand residential properties purchased by individual Hong Kong and Macao residents, and allows them to remit funds in Renminbi or foreign currencies from outside the Mainland for property purchases and repayment of mortgage loans in the Mainland following the relevant procedures for settlement and payment.
     
         For cross-boundary remittance arrangements (including that for property purchases) for Mainland residents or Mainland talents admitted to Hong Kong, since it involves different regulatory regimes (including requirements for capital inflows and outflows), the Government has been, with regard to their practical needs, exploring facilitation arrangements with the Mainland authorities concerned, with an aim to explore a gradual approach for seeking suitable policies and solutions through close collaboration between the two places within their regulatory framework and existing practices. Any facilitation arrangements will be announced in due course.
     
    (4) Under the Scheme, an applicant is required to appoint eligible financial intermediary(ies) to manage the permissible investments in his/her designated account(s). The appointed financial intermediary(ies) is/are required to carry out customer due diligence and fulfill relevant anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), and report to InvestHK on the applicant’s continuous compliance with the Scheme Rules. When processing the applications for Assessment on Investment Requirements, InvestHK will also check the fund flow and investment arrangement of the applicant, and examine contract notes/reference letters, etc as provided by the applicant or issued by the appointed financial intermediary(ies). If necessary, InvestHK will also request the applicant to provide other supporting documents and information to certify that the applicant’s investment complies with the requirements of the Scheme.
     
    (5) Since the enhancement measures to the Scheme effected in March 2025, applicants may make investments through eligible family-owned investment holding vehicles or family-owned special purpose entities. The Government has included experienced management professionals in asset and wealth management under the Talent List to promote the development of Hong Kong as an asset and wealth management hub. Outside talents who meet the eligibility criteria for the relevant profession (including family office professionals and asset managers) may apply for entry under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the General Employment Policy or the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. Persons admitted under the above various talent admission schemes who have ordinarily resided in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in the HKSAR in accordance with the law.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Technical Textile Mission in association with M/s SYSTEM 5S Pvt. Ltd developing an innovative Firefighting Suit

    Source: Government of India

     National Technical Textile Mission in association with M/s SYSTEM 5S Pvt. Ltd developing an innovative Firefighting Suit

    The specialized Firefighting Suit is developed using aluminised coated glass fabrics

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 3:14PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM), an initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has supported an innovative project titled “Development of Specialized Fire fighting Suit.” These specialized fire fighter suits are used by Firefighting & Emergency services, Defence forces, Oil & Gas industry, Aerospace & Aviation, Power Plants & Thermal Industry, etc. Manufacturing of firefighting suits in India is in its nascent stage and currently, in India, specialized firefighting suits (also known as fire entry suits) are imported mostly from Europe, the USA, and China. The NTTM project is implemented by Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), in collaboration with its industrial partner, M/s System 5S Private Ltd.

    The annual current consumption would be approximately 1000 sets by various End Users in India. However, with the introduction of an Indian Certified Aluminized suit, the consumption could go up exponentially. M/s SYSTEM 5S Pvt. Ltd has an annual production capacity of 1000 suits with this commercialisation.

    According to EN 1486 (a European Standard that specifies the requirements and test methods for protective clothing for fire fighters), protective clothing for specialized fire fighting must protect the full body, including the head, hands, and feet, against radiant heat and flame impingement. This protective gear includes a garment, a hood (integrated or separate), gloves, and over boots. Additionally, the design of such suits is intended for use with respiratory protection, with designs varying on whether the breathing apparatus is worn inside or outside the protective clothing.

    M/s System 5S Private Ltd, has developed an indigenous Specialized Fire Fighting Suit, designed to meet the EN 1486 or ISO 15538 standards. The development process prioritised the safety, comfort, and ease of donning and doffing for fire fighters. The suit is developed using aluminised coated glass fabrics, OPAN (Oxidized Polyacrylonitrile) Nonwoven battings and FR (Flame Resistant) viscose fabric. All the inner layers are quilted together. The industrial partner has already begun manufacturing these suits for trial purposes, and commercial manufacturing will commence once the fire manikin test is completed successfully, as per the EN ISO 13506 (a standard that defines a test method for evaluating the performance of protective clothing against heat and flame) standard, to ensure the suit meets all necessary performance requirements.

    ***

    Dhanya Sanal K

    Director

    (Release ID: 2122075) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH reminds public who plan to travel during Easter holidays to stay vigilant against infectious diseases

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    With the approach of the Easter holidays, the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (April 16) appealed to members of the public who intend to travel to stay alert to the situation of infectious diseases at their destinations and to prevent various infectious diseases, in particular measles, dengue fever (DF) and norovirus infection.
     
    Measles
     
    Recently, the number of measles cases in some overseas countries has been increasing. The outbreaks in North America (including the United States and Canada), Europe and neighbouring areas (including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines) are ongoing due to the relatively low vaccination rate. Furthermore, an increasing number of measles cases have also been recorded in Japan and Australia this year. Overseas cases mainly affected people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. This shows the importance of maintaining a high vaccination rate and herd immunity within the community.
     
    Vaccination is the safest and most effective preventive measure against measles. For those who plan to travel to measles-endemic areas, they should check their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received two doses of the measles vaccine or are not sure if they have received the measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination. Healthy people in general can enjoy long-term, even lifelong protection after receiving the measles vaccination as recommended. Two doses of the measles-containing vaccine can confer protection of up to 97 per cent.
     
    The incubation period of measles is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. If such symptoms appear after returning from measles-endemic areas, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune systems, pregnant women and children under 1 year old, and should consult their doctors as soon as possible.
     
    Dengue fever

    During their travels, members of the public are urged to stay vigilant against mosquito-borne diseases, including DF, Japanese encephalitis, zika virus infection, and malaria, with DF being a particular concern, and to carry out stringent anti-mosquito measures. In 2024, the World Health Organization recorded over 14 million cases of DF, which was a record number of cases. Some popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, are also endemic areas for DF.
    ​
    Members of the public should follow these anti-mosquito measures when travelling to areas affected by DF to reduce the chance of acquiring mosquito-borne diseases during travels and spreading the diseases to others through mosquitoes:
     

    • Wear loose, light-coloured, long-sleeved tops and trousers;
    • Use DEET-containing insect repellent on exposed parts of the body and clothing. For details about the use of insect repellents and key points to be observed, please refer to Tips for using insect repellents;
    • When engaging in outdoor activities, avoid using fragrant cosmetics or skincare products, reapply insect repellents according to instructions, and apply insect repellents after sunscreen if both are used; and
    • Apply insect repellent for 14 days upon returning to Hong Kong from areas affected by DF.

     
    Norovirus infection
     
    Norovirus is more active in winter, and the virus can be transmitted through various means, such as eating contaminated food, contacting with the vomit or excreta of infected persons, and touching contaminated objects. It may lead to an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE). With the current AGE activities in popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, being higher than during the same period last year, and with temperatures in some areas remaining low, members of the public are still at risk of infection during travels.
     
    Norovirus is also a common cause of food poisoning and is often related to consumption of undercooked or raw shellfish. Therefore, the following points on food safety should be observed during travels:
     

    • Patronise reliable and licensed restaurants;
    • Avoid raw food or undercooked food, especially raw seafood or meat;
    • Be careful in choosing cold cuts, including sashimi, sushi and oysters in buffets;
    • When having hotpots or barbecuing, make sure the food is thoroughly cooked before eating;
    • Drink boiled water; and
    • Wash hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water before eating and after using the toilet.

     
    Dr Tsui reminded returned travellers to consult a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms such as fever, respiratory symptoms, rash or gastroenteritis symptoms, and to inform the doctor of their travel history for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
     
         “The CHP will continue to monitor the situation of infectious diseases locally and abroad and provide timely updates to members of the public to keep them informed about the development of infectious diseases and help them prepare for precautionary measures,” Dr Tsui said. 
     
    The public may visit the DH’s Travel Health Service webpage for the latest information on infectious disease outbreaks in various parts of the world and the preventive measures.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Treatments Continues in Kona

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Treatments Continues in Kona

    Posted on Apr 15, 2025 in Main

    April 15, 2025
    NR25-08

    HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), with the assistance of the County of Hawai‘i Public Works Department, have been working collaboratively since January 2025 to combat the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) after detections in the Kona area. The HDOA and Hawai‘i County crews completed the latest round of treatments on palm trees last week at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport in the continuing effort to protect the island from CRB infestations.

    “The staff of the Department of Agriculture remains dedicated to stopping the further spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, with emphasis in areas that are not known to be infested,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. “We truly appreciate the concern and assistance of Mayor Kimo Alameda and the county’s public works crew in providing the resources to prevent CRB from taking hold on Hawai‘i Island. We also appreciate all the various agencies and organizations that work tirelessly in the fight against invasive species.”

    Mayor Alameda emphasized the importance of the state and county working collaboratively to protect the island from the invasive species. “The introduction of the coconut rhinoceros beetle is a major concern, and we are committed to doing everything we can—alongside HDOA and our other partners—to stop its spread,” he said.

    In September 2024, HDOA Plant Pest Control (PPC) personnel found a single CRB in a trap during routine monitoring in Waikoloa. This was the first detection of CRB on the island since October 2023 when a Waikoloa resident found six grubs (larvae) in a decaying palm tree stump. Increased surveillance continued throughout the island and more intensely on the Kona side.

    In January 2025, Mayor Alameda and the County of Hawai‘i offered their resources and assistance to HDOA, including the use of their 75-foot boom truck to treat the crowns of palm trees. On January 14, the team treated a total of 38 trees in the Waikoloa area via crown treatments and 24 trees were treated via an injection system which provides systemic protection against CRB. HDOA’s Pesticides Branch was also at the site to assist. So far, there have been no further detections of CRB in Waikoloa.

    On March 3, 2025, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) reported one adult CRB in a detection trap along the boundary of the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. A day later, two more adult CRBs were found in traps at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i (NELHA).

    After the detections, HDOA, county crews and airport staff targeted treatments at the airport over a period of three days in March. The county provided the use of two boom trucks and the team treated 128 trees on the airport grounds and injected 12 more trees that were inaccessible to the boom trucks. So far, there have been no further detections at the airport.

    Last week, on April 7 and 8, crews began work at NELHA and treated 58 trees via crown treatments with about 14 trees treated via injections due to their close proximity to water.

    All palms that were treated were tagged and surrounded with yellow tape to indicate treatment. Coconuts from treated trees should not be consumed. Questions regarding pesticide use may be addressed to HDOA’s Pesticides Branch at 808-973-9402.

    Surveillance for CRB continues around Hawai‘i Island by HDOA, BIISC, University of Hawai‘i, the County of Hawai‘i and the state Department of Health Vector Control Branch.

    Residents on all islands are asked to be vigilant when purchasing mulch, compost and soil products, and to inspect bags for evidence of entry holes. CRB grubs breed in decomposing plant and animal waste. An adult beetle is about 2-inches long, all black and has a single horn on its head.

    Residents may go to the CRB Response website at:  https://www.crbhawaii.org/  to learn more about how to detect the signs of CRB damage and how to identify CRB life stages. Reports of possible CRB infestation may also be made to the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378).

    # # #

    CRB treatment at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport

    CRB treatment at Kona Airport

    Waikoloa tree injection treatment

    Waikoloa CRB treatment using boom truck

    Tagging of treated trees – do not consume coconuts

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deadline day: Today is the last day to register up for Los Angeles fire debris removal

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 15, 2025

    What you need to know: The passage of Proposition 1 by California voters adds rocket fuel to Governor Gavin Newsom’s transformational overhaul of the state’s behavioral health system. These reforms refocus existing funds to prioritize Californians with the most serious mental health and substance use issues, who are too often experiencing homelessness. They also fund more than 11,150 new behavioral health beds and supportive housing units and 26,700 outpatient treatment slots.

    LOS ANGELES – Today, April 15 is the deadline for property owners to submit a Right of Entry (ROE) form to LA County in order to have debris removed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

    “This recovery is moving quickly and it is critical that all fire survivors sign up for this important program.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Nearly 500 crews of expert heavy equipment operators are working around the clock to rapidly clear ash, soot, and fire debris from structures damaged by the Eaton and Palisades fires. More than 2,200 parcels have already been completed and signed off by the county and hundreds more have been cleared of debris and are now just awaiting erosion controls, tree removal, and final inspection.

    Debris Removal at a glance 

    Federally funded debris removal is available to residents of single-family and owner-occupied multi-family units. 

    All disaster impacted property owners should submit a ROE form by today, April 15, 2025 to opt-in or opt-out of the debris removal program. 

    If a property owner opts out of the USACE debris removal program, they become responsible for all permits, inspections, and other associated debris removal requirements and costs. 

    There is no out-of-pocket cost to have debris removed by USACE, however the program is unable to duplicate other forms of funding specific to debris removal. If a property owner has insurance for debris removal, residual funds not used by the property owner may be remitted to the county to offset the cost of debris removal at a later date. 
     

    Commercial and multi-family buildings now included

    Last week, at Governor Newsom’s request, the Federal Emergency Management Agency agreed to expand the scope of cleanup to a number of facility types that were not previously eligible for debris removal, including owner occupied condominiums, multi-family units, and certain commercial properties.

    Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California has expedited the cleanup process by cutting red tape and eliminating bureaucratic barriers, allowing highly trained crews to enter impacted communities sooner and help survivors rebuild their lives faster.

    Debris removal from private commercial property is typically the responsibility of property owners and is usually not eligible for federal programs. 

    Commercial properties – including multi-family rental properties – will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The criteria for these properties being included in the USACE debris removal program is based upon: 

    • An immediate threat to public health and safety due to debris.
    • Barriers to the commercial entity completing debris removal independently.
    • Insurance coverage and status of claim.
    • Economic impact of debris removal on the commercial entity and community.

     

    Debris removal and insurance

    Residents have the option to opt-in to the government-sponsored debris removal program at no direct cost or manage the cleanup independently by opting out by the end of the day. Whether you are insured, uninsured, or underinsured, the program comes at no direct cost to eligible homeowners.

    Submit your form to LA County

    To find other forms of assistance and track progress in wildfire recovery visit: https://www.ca.gov/LAfires/

    Recent news

    Apr 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: The First Partner released the final report of a working group tasked with developing recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and the judicial system in order to better support survivors of sexual assault….

    Apr 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: Preliminary data suggests property and violent crimes in California were down in 2024. Sacramento, California – As the state continues to invest in the safety and security of California communities, new data suggests violent and property…

    Apr 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: With one of the state’s leading climate programs – cap-and-trade – set to expire in 2030, Governor Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced they would seek an extension of the program….

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint Statement from the United Kingdom and France on Haiti

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Joint Statement from the United Kingdom and France on Haiti

    Joint statement from the United Kingdom and France on Haiti.

    The UK and France are concerned by reports of criminal gangs coordinating to further destabilise Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC). We reiterate our collective support for CARICOM and the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission in assisting the TPC and the Haitian National Police to tackle the gangs who continue to cause daily suffering to the Haitian people and in their efforts to bring about the stability required to restore democratic institutions and the rule of law in Haiti. We are committed to maintaining pressure on those who seek to destabilise Haiti via the implementation of sanctions, and we call on authorities to fully implement the sanctions regime in Haiti.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Restriction of USAID funding for health programmes – E-001430/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001430/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Liudas Mažylis (PPE)

    USAID has set out plans to significantly reduce or eliminate health programmes in various regions of the world.

    • 1.Is the Commission prepared to contribute to the funding of various health projects and programmes in different regions of the world and, if so, to what extent, what amount could be allocated to this, and from what specific sources?
    • 2.How will it contribute to health programmes that provide vaccinations against viruses that have the potential to develop into pandemics?
    • 3.Will the Commission develop programmes to fight HIV/AIDS in different regions of the world?

    Submitted: 8.4.2025

    Last updated: 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Transparency of the chemical composition of menstrual products and rules governing their safety in the EU – E-001459/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001459/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus (S&D)

    There is no obligation in the EU to indicate the composition of menstrual products on their packaging. This means that millions of persons who menstruate do not know what substances are coming into direct contact with their bodies. The lack of transparency regarding the composition of menstrual products in the EU is a serious health and consumer issue. The substances in these products can affect both intimate health and the body’s overall health[1], and current regulations do not provide adequate protection. The examples of France[2] and some states in the USA[3] show that the introduction of regulations is possible and necessary.

    • 1.Does the Commission plan to make it mandatory for the chemical composition of menstrual products to be indicated on their packaging, as is the case in the USA and France?
    • 2.What steps is the Commission taking to ensure greater transparency and safety in relation to menstrual hygiene products in the EU?
    • 3.Are there any plans to regulate the chemical substances allowed in tampons and sanitary pads to minimise health risks?

    Submitted: 9.4.2025

    • [1] CNN. (2024). Tampons may contain lead, arsenic, and plastics, study finds. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/11/health/tampons-lead-arsenic-plastics-wellness/index.html
    • [2] RTL. (2024). Protections hygiéniques : la composition des produits devra être indiquée à partir d’avril. https://www.rtl.fr/actu/debats-societe/protections-hygieniques-la-composition-des-produits-devra-etre-indiquee-a-partir-d-avril-7900361430
    • [3] Women’s Voices for the Earth. (2021). Nation’s first menstrual products disclosure law goes into effect in New York. https://womensvoices.org/2021/10/20/nations-first-menstrual-products-disclosure-law-goes-into-effect-in-new-york/
    Last updated: 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Toobit Announces Strategic Collaboration with IDO Platform NovaMeme

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Award-winning digital asset trading platform Toobit today announces its partnership with NovaMeme, a cutting-edge IDO-to-market decentralized finance (DeFi) fundraising platform. With this collaboration, the leading crypto derivatives exchange can now offer direct access to early-stage crypto projects across different blockchains, notably Solana, Ethereum, and BSC.

    Aside from NovaMeme’s hallmark multi-chain token launchpad, Toobit users also gain access to NovaMeme’s robust DeFi infrastructure, including its cross-chain token swaps and rewards-based architecture that supports airdrops and token rewards. They will also be able to benefit from NovaMeme’s automated market maker (AMM) leverage trading, limit orders, and its decentralized exchange (DEX).

    “DeFi and CeFi are symbiotic, pushing from different perspectives the common goal of crypto adoption,” said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer of Toobit. “We see this partnership as an opportunity to create a more seamless, secure, and inclusive experience for crypto traders worldwide.”

    NovaMeme, formerly known as NovaSeeds, is a pioneering member of the Mantle ecosystem. As the first IDO platform on Mantle, the launchpad allows project owners without technical expertise to easily launch their own tokens and expose them to a wider crypto audience.

    “By integrating centralized and decentralized trading models, we combine the freedom offered by DeFi and the efficiency of CeFi,” said Perry, founder of NovaMeme. “Aside from exposing new projects on NovaMeme to a wider audience, these features will enable traders to optimize their trading strategies, improve capital efficiency, and unlock deeper liquidity in DeFi and DEX ecosystems.”

    Users can also participate in fundraising for high-potential crypto projects, supporting their early-stage development and growth, with the potential for financial returns as such projects develop.

    For more information about NovaMeme, visit: https://nova.meme/

    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

    About NovaMeme

    NovaMeme is a leading decentralized finance (DeFi) launchpad that empowers creators and traders. Dedicated to offering fair and innovative asset launch solutions, the fundraising platform bridges the gap between early-stage projects and the DeFi community. NovaMeme is community-first, and is supported by Mantle Ecofund, Bybit, Bybit Web3, Hashkey, and OKX.

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the 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. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. 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. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. 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. 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 assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. 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/e8f1ff92-6fe7-43ac-8fa5-0e5853f35468

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Brings Tokenized Gold Trading Onchain Amid Market Uncertainty

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, a leading Web3 non-custodial wallet, has added support for both spot and futures trading of Pax Gold (PAXG), a tokenized version of physical gold. This move comes amid renewed global interest in gold as a hedge against market volatility.

    PAXG is issued by Paxos and backed 1:1 by physical gold, with each token representing one ounce stored in a secure vault. As gold prices surge beyond $3,200 in response to rising geopolitical tensions, digital gold has emerged as a practical safe-haven for on-chain users. By integrating PAXG, Bitget Wallet provides a seamless way for Web3 participants to preserve value without leaving the blockchain — combining the stability of gold with the accessibility of crypto.

    To further drive engagement, Bitget Wallet has launched a limited-time trading campaign featuring a $9,000 prize pool, with additional rewards available for new users. From April 12 to April 20, users can earn the rewards by trading PAXG via Bitget Wallet’s Swap feature or its futures trading interface powered by tatadex, the wallet’s built-in decentralized engine for onchain derivatives.

    As a multi-chain wallet supporting over 130 blockchains and a million tokens, Bitget Wallet delivers a secure, simple, and seamless trading experience. Its infrastructure includes one-click cross-chain swaps, gas optimization, MEV protection, and smart contract risk detection — features designed to streamline trading while maintaining high standards of user safety and accessibility.

    “As traditional finance and Web3 converge, we believe digital access to real-world assets like gold should be effortless,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “With this campaign, we’re giving users an easy way to tap into the gold narrative while enjoying the full benefits of onchain trading.“

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is the home of Web3, uniting endless possibilities in one non-custodial wallet. With over 60 million users, it offers comprehensive onchain services, including asset management, instant swaps, rewards, staking, trading tools, live market data, a DApp browser and crypto payment solutions. Supporting over 130 blockchains, 20,000+ DApps, and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges, along with a $300+ million protection fund to ensure safety of users’ assets.

    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

    For media inquiries, please contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa7639b6-4519-479e-91a1-a519ffa50463

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: G7 foreign ministers’ statement marking 2 years since the beginning of Sudan war

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    G7 foreign ministers’ statement marking 2 years since the beginning of Sudan war

    G7 foreign ministers gave a joint statement marking 2 years since the beginning of the war in Sudan.

    Joint statement:

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, unequivocally denounce the ongoing conflict, atrocities and grave human rights violations and abuses in Sudan, as the world marks two years since the beginning of the devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

    As a direct result of the actions of the SAF and the RSF, the people of Sudan, especially women and children, are enduring the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crises, and continued atrocities, including widespread conflict-related sexual violence, ethnically motivated attacks and reprisal killings. These must end immediately.

    We strongly condemn the RSF attacks carried out in and around El Fasher on the Zamzam and Abu Shouk IDP camps, which have caused numerous casualties, including humanitarian workers. Civilians must be protected and allowed safe passage.

    As famine continues to spread across Sudan, G7 members are disturbed by reports of the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and reiterate that such actions are prohibited under international humanitarian law.

    We call on the warring parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, which include the crucial responsibility to distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military targets.

    We call on all parties to the conflict to lift impediments to effective crossline humanitarian assistance, provide assurances of safety and security for local and international humanitarian actors, and allow humanitarian access through all border crossings into Sudan, including through South Sudan and Chad. We recognize the important role of Emergency Response Rooms in providing for and protecting civilians and call for their protection. We further call on all parties to refrain from attacks on critical infrastructure that civilians rely upon, including dams and telecommunications systems.

    We call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urge both the SAF and the RSF to engage meaningfully in serious, constructive negotiations. All external actors must cease any support that further fuels the conflict, in accordance with the Declaration of Principles adopted at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries in Paris in 2024 and the United Nations arms embargo on Darfur. We condemn all violations and unlawful attacks by the SAF, the RSF, and their allied militias.

    For sustainable peace in Sudan, any resolution to the conflict must be rooted in the voices of Sudanese civilians. Women, youth, and civil society must be meaningfully included in all peace processes.

    We reaffirm our support for a democratic transition and express our solidarity with the people of Sudan in their efforts to shape the future of their country that reflects their aspirations for freedom, peace and justice.

    The sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan are paramount.  

    G7 members remain committed to deepening collective diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and secure an end to the conflict, including through the London Sudan Conference.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amata’s Statement for the Historic 125th Flag Day

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement in celebration of Flag Day 2025, which marks 125 years of American Samoa’s official relationship with the United States. 

    Flag Day historic photo

    “Flag Day is a wonderful tradition in American Samoa, and this year has added significance as the 125th Flag Day. Our forefathers in 1900, led by our Matai chiefs of the time, came together in agreement with the U.S., and raised the U.S. flag on Tutuila Island. Just four years later Manu’a also joined the U.S. in 1904. Together, these decisions changed the course of our history, and secured generations of potential opportunities that our people can choose. 

    “Because of this, we are today part of a great and free country that is a worldwide influence for the cause of freedom, constitutional democratic government and elections, human rights and dignity, all of which we cherish. We honor the people of the U.S. for generations of exceptional charitable giving throughout the world in times of severe need and disasters, supporting emergency response both publicly and privately with a generous spirit. 

    “For more than 80 years, since the U.S. entered World War II, the nation has had enormous leadership responsibility within the free world, that depends on a strong, mobile military backed by a powerful economy. Especially since World War II and before, American Samoa has been part of that story with a strong tradition of patriotic service, and we honor our many Veterans and Service Members for their distinguished part in making our Flag Day special.

    “Our Flag Day is a tradition that is uniquely ours, as we celebrate in the Samoan way, honoring our ancient culture and language, while the reason we celebrate is American, honoring our deep patriotic ties to the United States. God bless American Samoa and the USA! 

    “Have a happy and historic 125th Flag Day!”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: ACT Group Enhances Support for Latin America with New Miami Office

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ACT Group, the leading developer and provider of comprehensive and innovative environmental solutions for businesses globally, is enhancing its longstanding presence in Latin America with the opening of its Miami, Florida office. This strategic move will enable ACT to provide even greater support and localized expertise for businesses headquartered in the region, as well as global companies with operations there.

    With existing offices in Amsterdam, London, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo, ACT’s operations in Latin America reflect its commitment to addressing evolving client needs locally and globally. As the pressure to decarbonize and navigate complex regulatory frameworks intensifies, ACT’s Miami office will serve as a regional hub, empowering organizations to bridge the gap between ambition and action with tailored, market-based solutions. These solutions include tools to measure carbon footprints, set climate targets, and reduce, mitigate, and disclose emissions efficiently.

    “ACT has always been about more than just helping businesses achieve environmental goals—it’s about empowering them to decarbonize with clarity and confidence. Across Latin America, we’re seeing a growing commitment to net zero, and our role is to make that journey as accessible and impactful as possible,” said Ronald Rozgonyi, CEO of ACT Americas.

    David Maarek to Lead Latin America Office

    Pioneering this initiative is David Maarek, a 15-year veteran of ACT who played a pivotal role in the company’s early growth in Amsterdam and spearheaded the successful energy efficiency business in Paris, France. As Head of Latin America, David will oversee efforts to deepen ACT’s impact in the region, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of leadership.

    “Latin American businesses are eager to contribute to a low-carbon economy but often face challenges in knowing where to begin,” said Maarek. “Our goal is to meet them where they are and provide the holistic tools and on-the-ground assistance needed to chart a path forward.”

    His leadership reflects ACT’s strong corporate culture, which prioritizes client-centric dedication, a high standard of excellence, and open collaboration within teams and with partners.

    Actionable Insights in Mexico’s Carbon and Energy Markets

    To complement this expansion, ACT has launched a comprehensive whitepaper titled Navigating Mexico’s Carbon and Energy Markets: Practical Insights for Compliance and Voluntary Success. Created by ACT’s dedicated R&D team—who continuously track global regulatory and market developments—this resource offers businesses a roadmap to accelerate low-carbon goals while efficiently meeting regulatory obligations.

    Inside, you’ll find:

    • A detailed overview of Mexico’s regulatory landscape, including Clean Energy Certificates (CELs) and carbon tax frameworks.
    • Practical insights into utilizing CELs and International Renewable Energy Certificates (IRECs) for voluntary sustainability goals.
    • Updates on the operational phase of Mexico’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) and its implications for businesses.

    About ACT

    ACT develops and provides comprehensive and innovative environmental solutions that empower businesses globally to act on and achieve their environmental goals efficiently and transparently. No matter how ambitious. Founded in 2009, thousands of customers worldwide rely on ACT’s extensive global environmental regulation, market, standard, and product expertise to deliver real results.

    Providing solution discovery, optimized procurement strategies, environmental project development, and cutting-edge digital decarbonization services as well as physical environmental products, ACT simplifies and streamlines its customers’ journeys to net zero and empowers them through market expertise and digital simplicity.

    A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at 

    http://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/beaeb218-63c1-4ab3-a5b5-51a6c0d2975d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Gaza has become a “mass grave” for Palestinians and those helping them – MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    JERUSALEM, 16 APRIL – As Israeli forces resume and expand their military offensive by air, ground and sea on the Gaza Strip, Palestine, forcibly displacing people and deliberately blocking essential aid, Palestinian lives are once again being systematically destroyed, warns Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF). A series of deadly attacks by Israeli forces have shown a blatant disregard for the safety of humanitarian and medical workers in Gaza. We call on Israeli authorities to immediately lift the inhumane and deadly siege on Gaza, protect the lives of Palestinians, humanitarian and medical personnel, and for all parties to restore and sustain the ceasefire.

    “Gaza has been turned into a mass grave of Palestinians and those coming to their assistance. We are witnessing in real time the destruction and forced displacement of the entire population in Gaza.” says Amande Bazerolle, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza. “With nowhere safe for Palestinians or those trying to help them, the humanitarian response is severely struggling under the weight of insecurity and critical supply shortages, leaving people with few, if any, options for accessing care.”

    Over 50,000 people have been killed since October 2023, nearly a third of whom are children, according to the Ministry of Health. Since the resumption of hostilities on 18 March, more than 1,500 people have been killed, according to local authorities.

    According to the United Nations, at least 409 aid workers, most of whom were UNWRA staff, the main provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza, have been killed since October 2023. Eleven MSF colleagues, some while on duty, have been killed since the start of the war, including two in just the past two weeks.

    In the latest instance of a ruthless attack by Israeli forces on aid workers, the bodies of 15 emergency responders and the ambulances they were traveling in were found in a mass grave on 30 March in Rafah, southern Gaza. The group was killed by Israeli forces while trying to assist civilians caught in shelling on 23 March. Recent publicly shared evidence has shown that the workers and their vehicles were clearly marked and identifiable, challenging the initial claims given by Israeli authorities.

    “This horrific killing of aid workers is yet another example of the complete disregard shown by Israeli forces for the protection of humanitarian and medical workers. The silence and unconditional support of Israel’s closest allies further emboldens these actions,” says Claire Magone, General Director of MSF France. MSF considers that only international and independent investigations can bring to light the circumstances of, and the responsibilities for, these attacks on aid workers.

    Although the situation has already been catastrophic for over 18 months, over the past three weeks, MSF has witnessed several incidents involving the killing of humanitarian and medical workers. The coordination of humanitarian movements with Israeli authorities, known as the Humanitarian Notification System (HNS), an already imperfect mechanism, has become more unreliable and is now barely affording any protection guarantees. Notified locations, in which humanitarians have informed Israel of their presence, such as health facilities where we work, compounds of humanitarian stakeholders, and MSF offices and guesthouses have been hit by shells or bullets. Areas near healthcare facilities have been subjected to strikes, fighting and evacuation orders.

    Medical facilities are not exempt from attacks and evacuation orders by Israeli forces. MSF teams have had to leave many facilities, while others continue operating with staff and patients trapped inside, unable to leave safely for hours at a time. On 7 April, MSF teams and patients found themselves trapped in the MSF field hospital in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza. Rockets were launched by Hamas in close proximity to our field hospitals in Deir Al-Balah endangering both patients and staff and leading to an evacuation order of the area by Israeli forces, who also carried out strikes near the compounds of Al Aqsa and Nasser hospitals. We strongly denounce these actions by the warring parties and call on them to respect and protect healthcare facilities, patients and medical staff.

    Since March 18, MSF has not been able to return to Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza where our teams were set to begin pediatric care but had to flee the field hospital, which was set up right next to the compound. MSF mobile clinics in North Gaza were suspended, and in the south, teams have been unable to return to Al-Shaboura clinic in Rafah.

    The full siege on Gaza has depleted food, fuel and medical stocks. MSF is especially facing shortages in medications for pain management and chronic illnesses, antibiotics and critical surgical materials. The lack of fuel replenishment across the Strip will lead to the inevitable suspension of activities as hospitals rely on generators for electricity to keep critical patients alive and conduct lifesaving operations.

    “Israeli authorities have deliberately blocked all aid from entering Gaza for over a month. Humanitarians have been forced to watch people suffer and die while carrying the impossible burden of providing relief with depleted supplies, all while facing the same life-threatening conditions themselves,” explains Bazerolle. “There is no way they can carry out their mission under such circumstances. This is not a humanitarian failure — it is a political choice, and a deliberate assault on a people’s ability to survive, carried out with impunity.”

    Israeli authorities must end their collective punishment of Palestinians.

    We urge Israel’s allies to end their complicity and stop enabling the destruction of Palestinian lives.

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au 

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 96% of children in city get their first choice of primary school

    Source: City of Leicester

    THOUSANDS of children across the city will be offered a place at a primary school today, with 96% of Leicester children gaining a place at their first-choice school, and 99% getting a place at one of their top three preferred schools.

    Today (16 April) is National Offer Day, when children up and down the country learn which primary school they will attend from the 2025/26 academic year.

    A total of 3,740 on-time applications were received from families in Leicester.

    Online applicants – who made up 89% of all applications – can to log on to the website and see their offers from midnight on national offer day, 16 April 2025. Emails will also be sent out on offer day, with letters posted out to the home addresses of all applicants within two to three days.

    Cllr Elaine Pantling, assistant city mayor for education, said: “We know that starting school for the first time can be an anxious time for families, and our aim is always to take away as much of the stress from the process as possible, which is why we’re always really pleased that we manage to provide chosen school places for the vast majority of people who apply to us on time. We have made sure that, once again, no-one who applies on time is without a place.”

    Only 38 applicants did not gain a place at one of their preferred schools. Families are strongly encouraged to use all of the four preferences they are entitled to when applying for school, as the main reason these families were not offered a place at one of their preferred schools was because they had made one choice only.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic students prepare Leningrad-style treats

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The Institute of Secondary Vocational Education of SPbPU held the defense of a student research paper, “Leningrad Lunch,” which became part of the St. Petersburg government project, “St. Petersburg Cuisine.”

    The event began with the opening of the updated exhibition of the Museum of the History of the Development of Public Catering in St. Petersburg. Visitors were presented with exhibits telling about the development of culinary art in the 18th–19th centuries: coronation and restaurant menus, kitchen utensils used to create culinary masterpieces in the homes of the Russian aristocracy, etc. One of the museum’s rarities is an ice cream maker used to make ice cream for Catherine II herself.

    Then, students of the 1st–4th years of study of the public catering, low-temperature and food technologies department, under the guidance of a teacher Tatyana Tsvetkova told about the peculiarities of the history of Leningrad cuisine, the traditions of city restaurants and outstanding chefs who hosted the top officials of the USSR, Europe and the USA. The guys also prepared a “Leningrad Lunch” using recipes from a collection of USSR recipes and 19th century cookbooks by Ignatius Radetsky and Pelageya Aleksandrova-Ignatyeva, thereby emphasizing the peculiarity of Leningrad cuisine, which has preserved the culinary traditions of St. Petersburg cuisine. The guests were served Leningrad-style fish, Novinka cutlets, herring forshmak, Ladoga salad, Leningrad cake, Yeralash multilayer jelly and ice cream.

    The event was attended by the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg, head of the “St. Petersburg Cuisine” project, Sergei Markov.

    It is important that students study the history of St. Petersburg cuisine and participate in such projects, where they not only demonstrate deep knowledge, but also prepare historical dishes of our region. This inspires optimism and faith that in the city’s restaurants in the future there will be more and more chefs who are familiar with our local gastronomic specialties, – noted Sergey Markov.

    Photo archive

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Axi Attends the 2025 Invest Cuffs, Showcases Their Products and Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, April 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading online FX and CFD broker Axi participated in the 2025 Invest Cuffs conference, which took place on March 28-29, 2025, at the ICE Kraków Congress Center, in Kraków, Poland.

    Event attendees had the opportunity to explore the Axi brand, and their products and services, learn more about their yearslong partnership with Premier League Champions, Man City, as well as win exciting prizes and snap exclusive photos with Man City’s Premier League memorabilia and the club’s mascot, brought in especially for the event. 

    Santiago Vazquez-Munoz, Regional Head, UK, Europe, and LatAm at Axi, shared his excitement for the event, “We extend our appreciation to the event organisers for a seamless conference experience, and to all event attendees who visited our booth to meet with our team. Our pledge has remained unchanged over the years: to provide our clients with the ultimate edge to maximise every trading opportunity. We were thrilled to showcase Axi’s exceptional trading conditions to those in attendance and demonstrate how they can sharpen their trading performance with us.”

    Further to the long-standing partnership with Premier League club, Manchester City FC, the broker also partners with LaLiga club, Girona FC, Brazilian club, Esporte Clube Bahia, and named England international John Stones as their Brand Ambassador in 2023. In 2024, the broker was recognised with the ‘Most Reliable Broker – Europe’ award at the 2024 Global Forex Awards, emphasising the broker’s commitment to transparency in the trading industry.

    Watch video : https://youtu.be/uih6_6sAtLk

    CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

    71.46% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

    About Axi

    Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Shares, Gold, Oil, Coffee, and more.

    For more information or additional comments from Axi, please contact: mediaenquiries@axi.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ress Life Investments A/S publishes portfolio composition for Q1 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Ress Life Investments A/S
    Nybrogade 12
    DK-1203 Copenhagen
    Denmark
    CVR nr. 33593163
    resslifeinvestments.com

    To: Nasdaq Copenhagen
    Date: 16 April 2025

    Corporate Announcement 14/2025

    Ress Life Investments A/S publishes portfolio composition for Q1 2025

    Ress Life Investments A/S hereby publishes a portfolio overview for the benefit of the company’s shareholders.

    Questions related to this announcement can be made to the company’s AIF-manager, Resscapital AB.

    Contact person:
    Gustaf Hagerud
    gustaf.hagerud@resscapital.com
    Tel + 46 8 545 282 09

    Note: The terms for subscription of shares, minimum subscription amount and redemption of shares are provided in the Articles of Association, Information Brochure and in the PRIIPS KIID documentation available on the Company’s website, www.resslifeinvestments.com.

    As per 31 March 2025, the number of life insurance policies owned is 377. The total face value of the portfolio is USD 1.1 billion.

    Portfolio composition as of 2025-03-31

    Top 10 Carriers Weight % of portfolio value
    John Hancock Life Insurance Company USA 16.3%
    Lincoln National Life Insurance Company 15.0%
    AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company 6.3%
    American General Life Insurance Company 4.8%
    Pruco Life Insurance Company Inc 4.5%
    Brighthouse Life Insurance Company 4.0%
    Pacific Life Insurance Company 3.7%
    Protective Life Insurance Company 3.3%
    Transamerica Life Insurance Company 3.2%
    Principal Life Insurance Company 3.0%
    Carrier Rating Weight % of face value
    A++ 6.7%
    A+ 46.0%
    A 42.2%
    A- 0.1%
    B++ 4.3%
    B+ 0.0%
    B 0.0%
    B- 0.2%
    C++ 0.5%
    Top 10 States Weight % of face value 
    FLORIDA 15.7%
    CALIFORNIA 12.3%
    NEW YORK 7.4%
    PENNSYLVANIA 6.8%
    TEXAS 6.2%
    MASSACHUSETTS 4.7%
    OHIO 4.4%
    NEW JERSEY 4.1%
    MISSOURI 3.8%
    ARIZONA 3.5%
    Face Group Weight % of face value  
    100,000-250,000 0.2%
    250,001-500,000 1.5%
    500,001-1,000,000 8.3%
    1,000,001-2,000,000 13.4%
    2,000,001-3,000,000 10.7%
    3,000,001-5,000,000 22.2%
    5,000,001-10,000,000 29.3%
    10,000,001-15,000,000 7.3%
    15,000,001- 7.1%
    Age Group Weight % of face value
    < 65 5.4%
    65 – 69 13.7%
    70 – 74 22.5%
    75 – 79 19.8%
    80 – 84 15.5%
    85 – 89 12.6%
    90 – 94 7.6%
    95 < 2.9%
    Gender Weight % of face value
    Female 13.8%
    Male 63.3%
    Joint 22.9%

    Note: The terms for subscription of shares, minimum subscription amount and redemption of shares are provided in the Articles of Association, Information Brochure and in the Key Information Document available on the Company’s website, www.resslifeinvestments.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ASML reports €7.7 billion total net sales and €2.4 billion net income in Q1 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ASML reports €7.7 billion total net sales and €2.4 billion net income in Q1 2025
    2025 total net sales expected to be between €30 billion and €35 billion

    VELDHOVEN, the Netherlands, April 16, 2025 – Today, ASML Holding NV (ASML) has published its 2025 first-quarter results.

    • Q1 total net sales of €7.7 billion, gross margin of 54.0%, net income of €2.4 billion
    • Quarterly net bookings in Q1 of €3.9 billion2 of which €1.2 billion is EUV
    • ASML expects Q2 2025 total net sales between €7.2 billion and €7.7 billion, and a gross margin between 50% and 53%3
    • ASML continues to expect 2025 total net sales to be between €30 billion and €35 billion, with a gross margin between 51% and 53%
    (Figures in millions of euros unless otherwise indicated) Q4 2024   Q1 2025
    Total net sales 9,263   7,742
    …of which Installed Base Management sales1 2,147   2,001
    New lithography systems sold (units) 119   73
    Used lithography systems sold (units) 13   4
    Net bookings2 7,088   3,936
    Gross profit 4,790   4,180
    Gross margin (%) 51.7   54.0
    Net income 2,693   2,355
    EPS (basic; in euros) 6.85   6.00
    End-quarter cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments 12,741   9,104

    (1) Installed Base Management sales equals our net service and field option sales.
    (2) Net bookings include all system sales orders and inflation-related adjustments, for which written authorizations have been accepted.
    (3) The bandwidth for Q2 2025 gross margin guidance is larger than usual, given the uncertainty around the impact of tariffs.
    Numbers have been rounded for readers’ convenience. A complete summary of US GAAP Consolidated Statements of Operations is published on www.asml.com.

    CEO statement and outlook
    “Our first-quarter total net sales came in at €7.7 billion, in line with our guidance. The gross margin was 54.0%, above guidance, driven by a favorable EUV product mix and the achievement of performance milestones. In the first quarter, we shipped our fifth High NA system, and we now have these systems at three customers.

    “Our conversations so far with customers support our expectation that 2025 and 2026 will be growth years. However, the recent tariff announcements have increased uncertainty in the macro environment and the situation will remain dynamic for a while. As previously shared, artificial intelligence continues to be the primary growth driver in our industry. It has created a shift in the market dynamics that benefits some customers more than others, contributing to both upside potential and downside risks as reflected in our 2025 revenue range.

    “We expect second-quarter total net sales between €7.2 billion and €7.7 billion, with a gross margin between 50% and 53%3. We expect R&D costs of around €1.2 billion and SG&A costs of around €300 million. As we previously communicated, we expect total net sales for the year between €30 billion and €35 billion, with a gross margin between 51% and 53%, subject to the uncertainties mentioned earlier,” said ASML President and Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet.

    Update dividend and share buyback program
    ASML intends to declare a total dividend for the year 2024 of €6.40 per ordinary share, which is a 4.9% increase compared to 2023.

    Recognizing the three interim dividends of €1.52 per ordinary share paid in 2024 and 2025, this leads to a final dividend proposal to the Annual General Meeting of €1.84 per ordinary share.

    In the first quarter, we purchased around €2.7 billion worth of shares under the current 2022-2025 share buyback program.

    Details of the share buyback program as well as transactions pursuant thereto, and details of the dividend are published on ASML’s website (www.asml.com/investors).

    Media Relations contacts Investor Relations contacts
    Monique Mols +31 6 5284 4418 Jim Kavanagh +31 40 268 3938
    Willem van Ewijk +31 6 2744 1187 Pete Convertito +1 203 919 1714
    Karen Lo +886 9 397 88635 Peter Cheang +886 3 659 6771

    Quarterly video interview and investor call
    With this press release, ASML is publishing a video interview in which CEO Christophe Fouquet and CFO Roger Dassen discuss the 2025 first-quarter and outlook for 2025. This video and the video transcript can be viewed on www.asml.com shortly after the publication of this press release.

    An investor call for both investors and the media will be hosted by CEO Christophe Fouquet and CFO Roger Dassen on April 16, 2025 at 15:00 Central European Time / 09:00 US Eastern Time. Details can be found on our website.

    About ASML
    ASML is a leading supplier to the semiconductor industry. The company provides chipmakers with hardware, software and services to mass produce the patterns of integrated circuits (microchips). Together with its partners, ASML drives the advancement of more affordable, more powerful, more energy-efficient microchips. ASML enables groundbreaking technology to solve some of humanity’s toughest challenges, such as in healthcare, energy use and conservation, mobility and agriculture. ASML is a multinational company headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, with offices across EMEA, the US and Asia. Every day, ASML’s more than 44,100 employees (FTE) challenge the status quo and push technology to new limits. ASML is traded on Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ under the symbol ASML. Discover ASML – our products, technology and career opportunities – at www.asml.com.

    US GAAP Reporting
    ASML’s primary accounting standard for quarterly earnings releases and annual reports is US GAAP, the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Quarterly summary US GAAP consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated balance sheets are available on www.asml.com.

    The consolidated balance sheets of ASML Holding N.V. as of March 30, 2025, the related consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows for the quarter and three months ended March 30, 2025 as presented in this press release are unaudited.

    Regulated information
    This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This document and related discussions contain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements with respect to plans, strategies, expected trends, including trends in the semiconductor industry and end markets and business environment trends, expected growth in the semiconductor industry by 2030, our expectation that AI will be the key driver for the industry and the expected impact of AI demand on our business and results, our expectation that lithography will remain at the heart of customer innovation, expected demand, bookings, outlook of market segments, outlook and expected financial results including expected results for Q2 2025, including net sales, Installed Base Management sales, gross margin, R&D costs, SG&A costs, outlook for full year 2025, including expected full year 2025 total net sales, gross margin, estimated annualized effective tax rate and expected growth in IBM sales, the expectation that 2025 and 2026 will be growth years, statements made at our 2024 Investor Day, including revenue and gross margin opportunity for 2030, statements with respect to the recent US tariff announcements and the expected impact of such tariffs on our business and results, our expectation to continue to return significant amounts of cash to shareholders through growing dividends and share buybacks, statements with respect to our share buyback program, and statements with respect to dividends, statements with respect to expected performance and capabilities of our systems and customer plans, statements with respect to our ESG strategy and other non- historical statements. You can generally identify these statements by the use of words like “may”, “expect”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “project”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “plan”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “potential”, “intend”, “continue”, “target”, “future”, “progress”, “goal”, “model”, “opportunity” and variations of these words or comparable words. These statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions, plans and projections about our business and our future financial results and readers should not place undue reliance on them. Forward- looking statements do not guarantee future performance and involve a number of substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to customer demand, semiconductor equipment industry capacity, worldwide demand for semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing capacity, lithography tool utilization and semiconductor inventory levels, general trends and consumer confidence in the semiconductor industry, the impact of general economic conditions, including the impact of the current macroeconomic environment on the semiconductor industry, uncertainty around a market recovery including the timing thereof, the ultimate impact of AI on our industry and business, the impact of inflation, interest rates, wars and geopolitical developments, the impact of pandemics, the performance of our systems, the success of technology advances and the pace of new product development and customer acceptance of and demand for new products, our production capacity and ability to adjust capacity to meet demand, supply chain capacity, timely availability of parts and components, raw materials, critical manufacturing equipment and qualified employees, our ability to produce systems to meet demand, the number and timing of systems ordered, shipped and recognized in revenue, risks relating to fluctuations in net bookings and our ability to convert bookings into sales, the risk of order cancellation or push outs and restrictions on shipments of ordered systems under export controls, risks relating to the trade environment, import/export and national security regulations and orders and their impact on us, including the impact of changes in export regulations and the impact of such regulations on our ability to obtain necessary licenses and to sell our systems and provide services to certain customers, the impact of the recent tariff announcements, exchange rate fluctuations, changes in tax rates, available liquidity and free cash flow and liquidity requirements, our ability to refinance our indebtedness, available cash and distributable reserves for, and other factors impacting, dividend payments and share repurchases, the number of shares that we repurchase under our share repurchase program, our ability to enforce patents and protect intellectual property rights and the outcome of intellectual property disputes and litigation, our ability to meet ESG goals and execute our ESG strategy, other factors that may impact ASML’s business or financial results, and other risks indicated in the risk factors included in ASML’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings with and submissions to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this report or to conform such statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Agenda – Health Infrastructure Plan ushering in privatisation of the health system – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The PSA strongly opposes moves signalled in the Government’s Health Infrastructure Plan to use public-private partnerships to build new hospital buildings and car parks.
    Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the plans’ references to using public-private partnerships and long-term leases to provide health infrastructure is alarming.
    “The plan is ushering in the privatisation of the health system. Buildings and carparks will be the thin end of the wedge,” Fitzsimons says.
    “Privatisation will inevitably mean syphoning money off from providing health services for all to pay profits to private corporations. This will result in only those who can pay being able to access adequate health care and other vital services.
    “Just look at the health system in the USA where the private sector dominates and sick people without health insurance are left at hospital doors. We don’t want that here.
    “The use of the private sector to provide car parks, as proposed in the plan, is a clear example. Car parking at hospitals for patients, staff and visitors is an ongoing problem. But privatising the provision of parking will be more about making profits for car parking companies charging exorbitant parking fees than providing parking for those working at, or using, the hospital.
    “Public health services and assets belong to all of us and are there to deliver for people not shareholders.
    “Privatisation will also mean that the workers who deliver quality public, health services will see their livelihoods threatened by redundancies and reduced pay and conditions,” Fitzsimons says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –