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Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Banks Introduces End Executive Branch Amnesty Act to Reform TPS and CHNV

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03)

    Today, Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03) introduced the End Executive Branch Amnesty Act, extensive immigration legislation to secure our border by stopping the Biden-Harris administration’s abuse of Temporary Protected Status and the CHNV Parole Program, limiting the use of immigration parole, banning the use of the CBP One application as a form of identification, and reforming treatment of unaccompanied minors. Read the bill text HERE and a one pager HERE.

    Said Rep. Banks: “Small towns across our nation like Logansport, Indiana, are bearing the brunt of the Biden-Harris White House’s reckless open border policies. It’s time for Congress to secure our border once and for all.”

    “The Biden-Harris administration has abused the laws on the books to grant millions of non-citizens legal status. Republicans must restore our immigration system to Congress’s original intent and ensure parole is only used as a last-ditch humanitarian measure to help foreign nationals in times of catastrophe. Over the past three years, millions of foreigners have made the dangerous and illegal journey across our southern border because of the Biden-Harris administration’s promise of future amnesty. Democrats broke our immigration system, and my bill would help fix it by ending mass parole and other magnets drawing people here illegally.”

    Background:

    Logansport, Indiana, a small town of just 18,000 residents, has recently been overwhelmed by an influx of an estimated 5,000 Haitian migrants in just two years. Logansport resident Candice Espinoza told Fox News that, “We don’t have space for everybody, so the housing has been taken over and our schools have been taken over; pretty much the whole town has been taken over.”

    The Biden-Harris administration has granted parole to over 2.1 million foreigners since October 2021.

    Currently over 850,000 foreign migrants from sixteen different nations are protected from deportation and authorized to work in the U.S. through Temporary Protected Status.

    The Biden-Harris administration’s Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela Parole Program (CHNV), which was never authorized by Congress, has flown over 520,000 foreign nationals into America since January 2024. An internal report by USCIS found rampant fraud in the CHNV Parole Program. As a result, the CHNV Parole Program was paused in July 2024, before the Biden-Harris administration restarted it several weeks later.

    In 2023, the Biden-Harris administration began allowing illegal aliens to use the CBP One mobile app to submit identification and schedule appointments at ports of entries to be processed and then released into the U.S. A DHS OIG report from September 2024 found widespread fraud on the application.

    The Biden-Harris administration has lost track of 325,000 unaccompanied migrant children.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKHSA detects first case of Clade Ib mpox

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected a single confirmed human case of Clade Ib mpox.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected a single confirmed human case of Clade Ib mpox. The risk to the UK population remains low.

    This is the first detection of this Clade of mpox in the UK. It is different from mpox Clade II that has been circulating at low levels in the UK since 2022, primarily among gay, bisexual and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (GBMSM).

    UKHSA, the NHS and partner organisations have well tested capabilities to detect, contain and treat novel infectious diseases, and while this is the first confirmed case of mpox Clade Ib in the UK, there has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any confirmed cases.

    The case was detected in London and the individual has been transferred to the Royal Free Hospital High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit. They had recently travelled to countries in Africa that are seeing community cases of Clade Ib mpox. The UKHSA and NHS will not be disclosing any further details about the individual.

    Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. Any contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.

    UKHSA is working closely with the NHS and academic partners to determine the characteristics of the pathogen and further assess the risk to human health. While the existing evidence suggests mpox Clade Ib causes more severe disease than Clade II, we will continue to monitor and learn more about the severity, transmission and control measures. We will initially manage Clade Ib as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) whilst we are learning more about the virus.

    Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:

    It is thanks to our surveillance that we have been able to detect this virus. This is the first time we have detected this Clade of mpox in the UK, though other cases have been confirmed abroad.

    The risk to the UK population remains low, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread. In accordance with established protocols, investigations are underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, said:

    I am extremely grateful to the healthcare professionals who are carrying out incredible work to support and care for the patient affected.

    The overall risk to the UK population currently remains low and the government is working alongside UKHSA and the NHS to protect the public and prevent transmission.

    This includes securing vaccines and equipping healthcare professionals with the guidance and tools they need to respond to cases safely.

    We are also working with our international partners to support affected countries to prevent further outbreaks.

    Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccination and screening, said:

    The NHS is fully prepared to respond to the first confirmed case of this clade of mpox.

    Since mpox first became present in England, local services have pulled out all the stops to vaccinate those eligible, with tens of thousands in priority groups having already come forward to get protected, and while the risk of catching mpox in the UK remains low, if required the NHS has plans in place to expand the roll out of vaccines quickly in line with supply.

    Clade Ib mpox has been widely circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent months and there have been cases reported in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sweden, India and Germany.

    Clade Ib mpox was detected by UKHSA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

    Common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last 2 to 4 weeks. It can also cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

    The infection can be passed on through close person-to-person contact with someone who has the infection or with infected animals and through contact with contaminated materials. Anyone with symptoms should continue to avoid contact with other people while symptoms persist.

    The UK has an existing stock of mpox vaccines and last month announced further vaccines are being procured to support a routine immunisation programme to provide additional resilience in the UK. This is in line with more recent independent JCVI advice.

    Working alongside international partners, UKHSA has been monitoring Clade Ib mpox closely since the outbreak in DRC first emerged, publishing regular risk assessment updates.

    The wider risk to the UK population remains low.

    UKHSA has published its first technical briefing on clade I mpox which provides further information on the current situation and UK preparedness and response.

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    Published 30 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Secret of Creativity: What is Needed for Industry Development

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On the first day of the conference, four thematic sessions were held. The first was dedicated to creative cities. “This is a complex topic, and now in Russia it is very acute, very relevant, popular. In 2020, this was completely different, four years have changed everything. Our measurements show that creative industries are incredibly unevenly distributed across regions and cities and are concentrated in certain places. That is, they are very selective. This is very important knowledge, and of course, I want to understand what kind of cities and spaces are that attract the creative industry, and what their secret is,” shared the session moderator, Director Center “Russian Cluster Observatory” Evgeny Kutsenko, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, National Research University Higher School of Economics.

    Head of Department “Creative Industries Research Laboratory” Victoria Boos, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, National Research University Higher School of Economics, presented Rating of innovative attractiveness of world citieswith an analysis of the distribution of creative industries around the world.

    “The key feature of our rating is that it provides an information base for making management decisions in the field of urban management. Another feature is a truly unique system of indicators: we do not use municipal statistics, we do not use expert assessments, we use data from independent platforms that aggregate information about the best representatives of creative industries, that is, about the leaders of creative industries,” she said.

    The study included eight industries that together account for about 90% of the income of the entire creative sector in the world. These are cinema and animation, computer games, music, fashion, advertising and PR, architecture, industrial design and art, which includes literature, performing arts and contemporary art.

    The top 5 cities with the highest concentration of creative industry leaders include London, New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Paris. “If we look at this rating, we will see that in the top twenty there is parity between the East and the West, and in the top thirty there are more Western cities. Accordingly, we can say that the East is declaring itself as a full-fledged participant in the creative industries market,” Victoria Boos noted.

    At the same time, the study showed that the top five cities are distinguished by a very large gap from all other cities. “You shouldn’t think that mega-creative cities only do what they do, pull creative leaders away from other settlements. The fact is that these mega-creative cities develop themselves and create creative leaders themselves,” the speaker emphasized.

    The researchers also noted that over the past two years, the proportion between developed countries and the Global South in terms of the number of creative industry representatives has changed. Today, every tenth artist who has released the most downloaded music tracks is a representative of Latin America, while 150 of the most popular fashion brands, designers, and architectural firms are concentrated in the countries of North Africa and West Asia.

    Creative industries are also developing in small towns – they have their own special style of creativity. It turned out that in some industries, more than 5% of stars are concentrated in cities with a population of less than 250 thousand people.

    Over the past year, many cities have shown impressive dynamics, the speaker noted. For example, Dubai rose from 76th to 38th place, and Tokyo entered the top three. Victoria Boos emphasized that creative support measures are needed to develop creative industries. For example, a special economic zone for creative industries is being developed in Dubai. Similar zones have recently begun to appear and develop in China. In Australia, there are three professional associations in the field of architecture and sustainable construction. In Chile, localized music streaming services are developing. Korea subsidizes cable TV prices. India and Russia are creating film cities.

    Also speaking at the session were the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Creative Initiatives and Cultural Heritage Foundation (Kazakhstan) Dina Abdrakhmet, the co-founder and Chairman of the Expert Council of the Agency for Strategic Development “CENTER” Sergey Georgievsky and the Chairman of RuGBC Guy Ims.

    The second session was devoted to the management of creative industries in Russia, the third to strategic planning of creative industries and best global practices, and the fourth to education and skills in this area.

    On the second day of the session, October 31, the IV International Forum of Young Researchers of the Creative Economy will take place. The authors of scientific papers that have passed the competitive selection will present their reports.

    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 –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Ministerial Breakfast on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to end Plastic Pollution [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Excellencies, Friends,

    We are here today as we enter the last stretch of a crucial negotiation.

    Next month, Member States will meet in Busan, Republic of Korea to negotiate a multilateral solution to end plastic pollution.

    A solution that is vital for people, planet and prosperity alike.

    My thanks to the Government of Colombia for bringing us together today.

    And I commend you for leading by example – with ambitious national measures to reduce single-use plastics.

    Excellencies, dear Friends,

    We are here because we know the obvious.

    Plastic pollution is everywhere – all around us and even inside us – from our seas to our blood, to our brains.

    We are choking on plastic.

    Every year, people may ingest the equivalent of up to 50 plastic bags due to microplastics in food.

    Each year, humanity produces over 460 million metric tonnes of plastic.

    Half of it is designed for single-use purposes – used once and tossed away.

    By 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

    And so, it is clear that we need action, and fortunately, people are now demanding it.

    Excellencies, dear Friends,

    We would not be here today but for the historic step taken by Peru and Rwanda in introducing a joint proposal that paved the way for the adoption, in 2022, at the UN Environment Assembly, of a landmark resolution to begin the process to end plastic pollution.

    Since then, solidarity has been the hallmark of these negotiations.

    We see this solidarity enshrined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework that has reinforced the importance of addressing pollution from all sources to reduce the impacts of pollution on ecosystems and biodiversity.

    And we see this solidarity in the Pact for the Future, through which Member States recommitted to work towards the conclusion of a plastics agreement “with the ambition of completing negotiations by the end of 2024”.

    In Busan, Member States will have the chance to deliver on these promises and agree on a global treaty to end plastic pollution – once and for all.

    This has not been a road without challenges, but it has been a journey of progress.

    I thank the Chair of the International Negotiating Committee, Luis Vayas Valdivieso, as well as his predecessor Gustavo Meza-Cuadra, for getting us through five rounds of complex negotiations.

    This is an opportunity to demonstrate that multilateralism, while not always easy, can deliver for people, health and the environment.

    The ball is now in the court of Member States to land an agreement that is ambitious, credible and just.  

    An agreement that addresses the life cycle of plastic – tackling single-use and short-lived plastics;

    An agreement that responds to the needs of people and communities and that unleashes a just transition for all – including 20 million waste pickers around the world. 

    Excellencies, dear Friends,

    As the Montreal Protocol demonstrated almost forty years ago, international cooperation underpinned by meaningful legally binding agreements remains the most fruitful avenue to address global environmental challenges.

    I urge you to step up for human health, equity and justice.

    To step up for the future of people and planet.

    An ambitious agreement is the only way to end plastic pollution.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Felix partners with Zero Hash to expand its simplified, borderless remittance solution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Felix, the chat-based platform that combines Stablecoins and AI to make remittances as easy as sending a WhatsApp, has partnered with Zero Hash, the leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform. Leveraging Zero Hash’s infrastructure that seamlessly connects fiat, crypto and stablecoins, with broad regulatory coverage (across 52 US jurisdictions), Felix now offers their simplified cross-border payments solution to more than 60 million US-based Latinos, who collectively send $150bn to their families every year.

    In just two years, Felix has grown over 500x in payment volume helping hundreds of thousands of Latinos in the US sending money back home to family and friends. In May 2024, Félix Pago raised $15.5 million in Series A funding, and in 2023 they won a prestigious award from CrossTech: ‘Fintech Making a Difference’.

    Felix has identified a crucial need in the Latino immigrant community, where sending money back home using traditional methods is often a complex, slow and expensive process. By integrating their service with Whatsapp, an app used by 85% of Latinos, and using stablecoins to move money across borders 24/7/365 and in near real-time, Felix has created a user-friendly, more cost-efficient solution for sending remittances.

    Through embedding Zero Hash’s infrastructure natively into the Felix service, Felix is able to control the front end customer experience, while Zero Hash handles the end-to-end technical and regulatory compliant money movement on the back end; receiving and converting USD to USDC, and then sending to global partners instantly, who convert the USDC to the local currency, and send the funds to the receiver. Leveraging stablecoins offer a faster and more affordable way to remit money from the US to Mexico.

    “One of the biggest indicators of our success is our NPS score of 90, which is more than double the typical score in the remittance industry. We’re extremely proud of that number. It’s a testament of our success in delivering user-friendly, efficient remittance solutions for the Latino community. By combining a familiar messaging application with stablecoin technology, we’re not just transferring money – we’re ensuring that more of the money that is sent goes to the recipient.” said Manuel J Godoy, Co-Founder & CEO at Felix. ” Zero Hash’s seamless, connected and safe stablecoin infrastructure, abstracts the complexity for us, and means Felix can focus on building the best remittance experience, for the millions of Latinos sending money back home.”

    “This remittance flow, powered by stablecoin technology as the ‘network of networks’, enables sender and receiver to operate in fiat, without having to interact with stablecoins,” said Edward Woodford, Founder and CEO of Zero Hash. “We have always believed that the adoption of crypto and stablecoins will happen when the technology moves from the foreground to the background, and are delighted that the partnership between Zero Hash and Felix achieves that; resulting in simple, instant, and cheap money transfers.”

    About Felix

    Félix is ​​a chat-based platform that enables Latinos in the US to send money abroad. We combine Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence to disrupt how remittances are done today and build the future of cross-border payments.

    Felix launched its services in the summer of 2022 and since then has supported hundreds of thousands of Latinos to send money back home in seconds and at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. Felix has raised $20m+ in capital from investors including Castle Island Ventures, Switch Ventures, HTwenty, Contour and MELI Capital (the corporate VC of Mercado Libre)

    About Zero Hash

    Zero Hash is a B2B2C crypto-as-a-service infrastructure platform that allows any platform to embed digital assets natively into their own customer experience quickly and easily through a matter of API endpoints. Zero Hash’s turnkey solution handles the entire backend complexity and regulatory licensing required to offer crypto products.

    Zero Hash Holdings, through its subsidiaries, powers neo-banks, broker-dealers, payment groups as well as non-financial brands to offer crypto and stablecoin powered products.

    Zero Hash Holdings is backed by investors, including Point72 Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and NYCA.

    Zero Hash LLC is a FinCen-registered Money Service Business and a regulated Money Transmitter that can operate in 51 US jurisdictions. Zero Hash LLC and Zero Hash Liquidity Services LLC are licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. In Canada, Zero Hash LLC is registered as a Money Service Business with FINTRAC.

    Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider, with DCE registered provider number DCE100804170-001. This registration enables Zero Hash to offer its crypto services in Australia. Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered on the New Zealand register of financial service providers, with Financial Service Provider (FSP) number FSP1004503. A FSP in New Zealand is a registration and does not mean that Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is licensed by a New Zealand regulator to provide crypto services. Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd.’s registration on the New Zealand register of financial service providers does not mean that Zero Hash Australia is subject to active regulation or oversight by a New Zealand regulator. Zero Hash Europe B.V. is registered as a Virtual Asset Services Provider (VASP) registration by the Dutch Central Bank (Relation number: R193684). Zero Hash Europe Sp. Zoo is registered as a VASP by the Tax Administration Chamber of Poland in Katowice (Registration number RDWW – 1212).

    Connect with Zero Hash

    Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Medium

    Zero Hash Contact

    Shaun O’keeffe

    (855) 744-7333

    media@zerohash.com

    Zero Hash Disclosures

    Zero Hash services and product offerings may not be available in all jurisdictions. Zero Hash accounts are not subject to FDIC or SIPC protections, or any such equivalent protections that may exist outside of the US. Zero Hash’s technical support and enablement of any asset is not an endorsement of such asset and is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any crypto asset. The value of any cryptocurrency, including digital assets pegged to fiat currency, commodities, or any other asset, may go to zero. Zero Hash is not registered with the SEC or FINRA. Zero Hash does not provide any securities services and is not a custodian of securities, including security tokens, on behalf of customers.

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scene set for Leicester Diwali Day celebrations

    Source: City of Leicester

    THE Diwali lights and decorations are up on Leicester’s Belgrave Road, the Wheel of Light is turning, and the scene is set for the city’s annual Diwali Day event, which takes place tomorrow (31 October).

    The city council’s festivals and events team is busy putting the finishing touches to the organisation of the event – one of the biggest on Leicester’s festival calendar.

    They are working closely with the police and emergency services, and the council’s highways, public safety and licensing teams, to ensure the tens of thousands of visitors expected have a great Diwali experience.

    Visitors from all over the city and beyond are expected to head to Leicester to join in the celebrations.

    The city council’s head of festivals & events, Graham Callister said: “The council works with a number of organisations to put on the biggest Diwali Day celebrations in the UK, and we are very grateful for their support.

    “We are also grateful for the work of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, which arranges the stage entertainment each year.

    “Now Diwali Day is almost here, and we look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to the Golden Mile on Thursday.”

    The festivities will begin at 3pm with the opening of the Diwali Village on Cossington Street Recreation Ground. A children’s funfair and arts and crafts will be among the activities on offer, as well as Indian food and drinks.

    Sponsored by Lidl GB, the Diwali Village will also feature a Fire Garden, offering a peaceful spot amid the hustle and bustle on the park.

    Leicester’s annual Rangoli exhibition will open at 4pm on Diwali Day. Brought to the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre by the city council and Tilda, it will feature modern, and traditional Rangoli patterns, celebrating the ancient form of folk-art using bright powders, often seen on doorsteps at Diwali.

    Entertainment including Indian dancing will begin at 5pm on the park’s main stage, with performances organised by the Hindu Festival Council. At the same time, the Red Bull DJ truck will be providing music and energising the Belgrave Road. A family-friendly programme of street art and processions will also take place on the road throughout the evening.

    This year a giant LED screen showing a live stream of the stage show on the park, will be located at the end of Belgrave Road near to the big wheel.

    The finale to the celebrations will be a stunning firework display, starting at around 7.30pm.

    This year’s festivities are being sponsored by Malabar Gold & Diamonds, which recently opened its second UK showroom on Leicester’s Golden Mile.

    A guide to all of the activities on offer, and information about ways to travel to the event is available from the Visit Leicester website.

    Diwali is an ancient festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all over the world. Often described as the festival of lights, it celebrates light over darkness and good over evil. It’s a time for exchanging presents and wishing goodwill to all.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S.-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting and 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue Fact Sheet

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    During the 56th U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) on October 30, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and ROK Minister of National Defense Kim Yong Hyun advanced numerous initiatives that deepen our extended deterrence cooperation, modernize our alliance capabilities, and strengthen our contributions to regional security. 

    On October 31, Secretary Austin and Minister Kim will join U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul for a Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting (2+2 Meeting) to align our diplomatic and defense efforts, ensuring that bilateral activities are synchronized to advance our Alliance’s shared values and interests.

    ENHANCING EXTENDED DETERRENCE

    The United States reaffirmed that its extended deterrence commitment to the ROK is ironclad. The United States and the ROK are enhancing our combined deterrence and response posture by:

    • Enhancing extended deterrence cooperation through Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) workstreams that enable integrated planning, decision-making, and execution of conventional-nuclear operations, as laid out in the “Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula.”
    • Conducting large-scale field training exercises to maintain a strong combined defense posture, such as Freedom Shield and Ulchi Freedom Shield, and enhance the Alliance’s crisis management capabilities and strengthen deterrence.

    MODERNIZING ALLIANCE CAPABILITIES

    The United States and the ROK are modernizing our capabilities to strengthen the combined defense architecture of the Alliance, empowering us to work together more seamlessly by:

    • Enhancing combined abilities to deter and respond to DPRK missiles by upgrading Shared Early Warning Systems and missile defense capabilities against advanced and novel threats.
    • Expanding science and technology cooperation through the new Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee (DSTEC) to guide defense innovation and accelerate the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies in areas such as autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.
    • Deepening industrial collaboration and supply chain resiliency by strengthening and connecting our defense industrial bases through our participation in the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities, allowing our forces to field the most modern, interoperable weapons systems.

    STRENGTHENING REGIONAL SECURITY COOPERATION

    The United States and the ROK resolved to jointly strengthen activities with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific by:

    • Launching a new Regional Cooperation Framework to better coordinate efforts to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Areas of focus under this framework include maritime security, multilateral exercises, capacity building, defense industrial cooperation, technical cooperation, and information sharing.
    • Deepening U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral security cooperation through a Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework that institutionalizes high-level dialogues, missile warning data sharing, and an increased scope, scale, and frequency of trilateral multi-domain exercises.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max

    October 30, 2024

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max

    M4 Pro and M4 Max join M4 to form the most advanced family of chips ever built for a personal computer

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced M4 Pro and M4 Max, two new chips that — along with M4 — bring far more power-efficient performance and advanced capabilities to the Mac. All three chips are built using industry-leading, second-generation 3-nanometer technology, which improves performance and power efficiency. The CPUs across the M4 family feature the world’s fastest CPU core, delivering the industry’s best single-threaded performance, and dramatically faster multithreaded performance.1 The GPUs build on the breakthrough graphics architecture introduced in the previous generation, with faster cores and a 2x faster ray-tracing engine. M4 Pro and M4 Max enable Thunderbolt 5 for the Mac for the first time, and unified memory bandwidth is greatly increased — up to 75 percent. Combined with a Neural Engine that’s up to 2x faster than the previous generation and enhanced machine learning (ML) accelerators in the CPUs, the M4 family of chips brings incredible performance for pro and AI workloads. And they deliver blazing performance for Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that transforms how users work, communicate, and express themselves, while protecting their privacy.

    “Apple silicon has taken the Mac to unprecedented heights, and the rapid pace of innovation continues with M4 Pro and M4 Max,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. “With the world’s fastest CPU core, immensely more powerful GPUs, and the fastest Neural Engine ever, the power-efficient performance and capabilities of the M4 family extend its lead as the most advanced lineup of chips in the industry.”

    M4: Phenomenal Performance and New Capabilities

    For entrepreneurs, students, creators, and more, the phenomenal performance of M4 comes to Mac for the first time. M4 features an up to 10-core CPU, with four performance cores and up to six efficiency cores. It’s up to 1.8x faster than M1, so multitasking across apps like Safari and Excel is lightning fast. A 10-core GPU provides incredible graphics performance, up to 2x faster than M1, making everything from editing photos to AAA gameplay exceptionally fast and smooth. And the faster 16-core Neural Engine is great for Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and other AI workloads.

    M4 supports up to 32GB of unified memory and has higher memory bandwidth of 120GB/s. The display engine of the M4 family is enhanced to support two external displays in addition to a built-in display. And M4 now supports up to four Thunderbolt 4 ports, providing fast data transfer speeds and even more flexibility across peripherals.

    M4 Pro: Far More Powerful and Capable than Any AI PC Chip

    M4 Pro takes the advanced technologies debuted in M4 and scales them up for researchers, developers, engineers, creative pros, and other users with more demanding workflows. M4 Pro features an up to 14-core CPU consisting of up to 10 performance cores and four efficiency cores. It’s up to 1.9x faster than the CPU of M1 Pro, and up to 2.1x faster than the latest AI PC chip.2 The GPU features up to 20 cores for graphics performance that is 2x that of M4, and up to 2.4x faster than the latest AI PC chip.2 This huge boost in performance makes building and testing apps across multiple simulators in Xcode quicker than ever. And with the improved hardware-accelerated ray-tracing engine in the M4 family GPU, games like Control look more compelling, and pro 3D renderers can produce stunning imagery in even less time.

    M4 Pro supports up to 64GB of fast unified memory and 273GB/s of memory bandwidth, which is a massive 75 percent increase over M3 Pro and 2x the bandwidth of any AI PC chip.3 This, combined with the faster Neural Engine of the M4 family, means on-device Apple Intelligence models run at blazing speed. M4 Pro also supports Thunderbolt 5 on Mac, delivering up to 120Gb/s data transfer speeds, which more than doubles the throughput of Thunderbolt 4. For professionals working on larger file sizes across AI, video, code bases, and more, M4 Pro offers stunning performance and Apple silicon’s legendary power efficiency.

    M4 Max: The Most Powerful Chip for a Pro Laptop

    M4 Max is the ultimate choice for data scientists, 3D artists, and composers who push pro workflows to the limit. It has an up to 16-core CPU, with up to 12 performance cores and four efficiency cores. It’s up to 2.2x faster than the CPU in M1 Max and up to 2.5x faster than the latest AI PC chip.2 The GPU has up to 40 cores for performance that is up to 1.9x faster than M1 Max and up to an astounding 4x faster than the latest AI PC chip.2 So heavy workloads like de-noising raw video footage in DaVinci Resolve Studio can now run in real time.

    M4 Max supports up to 128GB of fast unified memory and up to 546GB/s of memory bandwidth, which is 4x the bandwidth of the latest AI PC chip.3 This allows developers to easily interact with large language models that have nearly 200 billion parameters. The enhanced Media Engine of M4 Max includes two video encode engines and two ProRes accelerators, making it the ultimate choice for video professionals. And like M4 Pro, M4 Max also supports Thunderbolt 5 with up to 120Gb/s data transfer capability. M4 Max rips through the most challenging pro workloads and, thanks to the energy efficiency of Apple silicon, delivers exceptional battery life in a laptop.

    Apple Silicon Powers Apple Intelligence

    M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max are built for Apple Intelligence.4 Ushering in a new era for the Mac, Apple Intelligence brings personal intelligence to the personal computer. Combining powerful generative models with industry-first privacy protections, Apple Intelligence harnesses the power of Apple silicon and the Neural Engine to unlock new ways for users to work, communicate, and express themselves on Mac. It is available in U.S. English with macOS Sequoia 15.1. With systemwide Writing Tools, users can refine their words by rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text nearly everywhere they write. With the newly redesigned Siri, users can move fluidly between spoken and typed requests to accelerate tasks throughout their day, and Siri can answer thousands of questions about Mac and other Apple products. New Apple Intelligence features will be available in December, with additional capabilities rolling out in the coming months. Image Playground gives users a new way to create fun original images, and Genmoji allows them to create custom emoji in seconds. Siri will become even more capable, with the ability to take actions across the system and draw on a user’s personal context to deliver intelligence that is tailored to them. In December, ChatGPT will be integrated into Siri and Writing Tools, allowing users to access its expertise without needing to jump between tools.

    Apple Intelligence does all this while protecting users’ privacy at every step. At its core is on-device processing, and for more complex tasks, Private Cloud Compute gives users access to Apple’s even larger, server-based models and offers groundbreaking protections for personal information. In addition, users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in — their IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI won’t store requests. For those who choose to connect their account, OpenAI’s data-use policies apply.

    Better for the Environment

    The power-efficient performance of M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max helps the all-new MacBook Pro lineup meet Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and deliver up to 24 hours of battery life.5 This results in less time needing to be plugged in and less energy consumed over its lifetime. And for desktop systems like iMac and Mac mini, the energy efficiency of Apple silicon also reduces the total amount of energy used. Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations and, as part of its ambitious Apple 2030 goal, plans to be carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Testing was conducted by Apple in October 2024 using shipping competitive systems and select industry-standard benchmarks.
    2. Testing was conducted by Apple in October 2024 using select industry-standard benchmarks. AI PC chip performance data from testing MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo (A2VMG-014US) with Core Ultra 7 258V.
    3. Based on published technical specifications of shipping competitive chips as of October 2024.
    4. Apple Intelligence is available now as a free software update for Mac with M1 and later, and can be accessed in most regions around the world when the device and Siri language are set to U.S. English. The first set of features is in beta and available with macOS Sequoia 15.1, with more features rolling out in the months to come. Apple Intelligence is quickly adding support for more languages. In December, Apple Intelligence will add support for localized English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K., and in April, a software update will deliver expanded language support, with more coming throughout the year. Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages will be supported.
    5. Testing was conducted by Apple from August through October 2024. Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/macbook-pro for more information.

    Press Contacts

    Todd Wilder

    Apple

    wilder@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New MacBook Pro features M4 family of chips and Apple Intelligence

    Source: Apple

    Headline: New MacBook Pro features M4 family of chips and Apple Intelligence

    October 30, 2024

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple’s new MacBook Pro features the incredibly powerful M4 family of chips and ushers in a new era with Apple Intelligence

    With an advanced 12MP Center Stage camera, Thunderbolt 5 on M4 Pro and M4 Max models, and an all-new nano-texture display option, MacBook Pro gets even more capable and even more pro

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today unveiled the new MacBook Pro, powered by the M4 family of chips — M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max — delivering much faster performance and enhanced capabilities. The new MacBook Pro is built for Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that transforms how users work, communicate, and express themselves, while protecting their privacy. Now available in space black and silver finishes, the 14-inch MacBook Pro includes the blazing-fast performance of M4 and three Thunderbolt 4 ports, starting with 16GB of memory, all at just $1,599. The 14- and 16-inch models with M4 Pro and M4 Max offer Thunderbolt 5 for faster transfer speeds and advanced connectivity. All models include a Liquid Retina XDR display that gets even better with an all-new nano-texture display option and up to 1000 nits of brightness for SDR content, an advanced 12MP Center Stage camera, along with up to 24 hours of battery life, the longest ever in a Mac.1 The new MacBook Pro is available to pre-order today, with availability beginning November 8.

    “MacBook Pro is an incredibly powerful tool that millions of people use to do their life’s best work, and today we’re making it even better,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “With the powerful M4 family of chips, and packed with pro features like Thunderbolt 5, an advanced 12MP Center Stage camera, an all-new nano-texture display option, and Apple Intelligence, the new MacBook Pro continues to be, by far, the world’s best pro laptop.”

    Supercharged by the M4 Family of Chips

    Built using second-generation 3-nanometer technology, the M4 family is the most advanced lineup of chips for a personal computer. The M4 family features phenomenal single-threaded CPU performance with the world’s fastest CPU core,2 along with outstanding multithreaded CPU performance for the most demanding workloads. Combined with machine learning accelerators in the CPU, an advanced GPU, and a faster and more efficient Neural Engine, Apple silicon is built from the ground up to deliver incredible performance for AI. Together with faster unified memory, each chip also includes increased memory bandwidth, so large language models (LLMs) and other large projects run smoothly and on device. Additionally, the industry-leading performance per watt of the M4 family means that users get up to 24 hours of battery life, raising the bar of what users can do on a single charge.

    New 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4

    The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 is the ideal choice for entrepreneurs, students, creators, or anyone doing what they love. Featuring a more powerful 10-core CPU, with four performance cores and six efficiency cores, and a faster 10-core GPU with Apple’s most advanced graphics architecture, the new MacBook Pro starts with 16GB of faster unified memory with support for up to 32GB, along with 120GB/s of memory bandwidth. With M4, MacBook Pro is up to 1.8x faster than the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 for tasks like editing gigapixel photos, and even more demanding workloads like rendering complex scenes in Blender are up to 3.4x faster.1 With a Neural Engine that’s over 3x more powerful than in M1, it’s great for features in Apple Intelligence and other AI workloads. The M4 model also supports two high-resolution external displays in addition to the built-in display, and now features three Thunderbolt 4 ports so users can connect all their peripherals.

    MacBook Pro with M4 delivers:1

    • Up to 7x faster image processing in Affinity Photo when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with Core i7, and up to 1.8x faster when compared to the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1.
    • Up to 10.9x faster 3D rendering in Blender when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with Core i7, and up to 3.4x faster when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with M1.
    • Up to 9.8x faster scene edit detection in Adobe Premiere Pro when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with Core i7, and up to 1.7x faster when compared to the 13‑inch MacBook Pro with M1.

    MacBook Pro with M4 Pro: A Pro Powerhouse

    For researchers, developers, engineers, creative pros, or anyone that needs even faster performance for more demanding workflows, MacBook Pro with M4 Pro offers a tremendous performance boost. M4 Pro features a powerful 14-core CPU with 10 performance cores and four efficiency cores for a jump in multicore performance, along with up to a 20-core GPU that is twice as powerful as M4. With M4 Pro, the new MacBook Pro gets a massive 75 percent increase in memory bandwidth over the prior generation — double that of any AI PC chip.3 The new MacBook Pro with M4 Pro is up to 3x faster than models with M1 Pro, speeding up workflows like geo mapping, structural engineering, and data modeling.1

    MacBook Pro with M4 Pro offers:1

    • Up to 4x faster scene rendering performance with Maxon Redshift when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Core i9, and up to 3x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro.
    • Up to 5x faster simulation of dynamical systems in MathWorks MATLAB when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Core i9, and up to 2.2x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro.
    • Up to 23.8x faster basecalling for DNA sequencing in Oxford Nanopore MinKNOW when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Core i9, and up to 1.8x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro.

    MacBook Pro with M4 Max: The Ultimate in Pro Performance

    Designed for pros like data scientists, 3D artists, and composers who constantly push workflows to the limit, MacBook Pro with M4 Max empowers users to work on projects that were previously only imaginable on a desktop. M4 Max brings up to a 16-core CPU, up to a 40-core GPU, over half a terabyte per second of unified memory bandwidth, and a Neural Engine that is over 3x faster than M1 Max, allowing on-device AI models to run faster than ever. With M4 Max, MacBook Pro delivers up to 3.5x the performance of M1 Max, ripping through heavy creative workloads like visual effects, 3D animation, and film scoring.1 It also supports up to 128GB of unified memory, so developers can easily interact with LLMs that have nearly 200 billion parameters. And with the powerful Media Engine in M4 Max, which features two ProRes accelerators, MacBook Pro performance is amazing even when taking 4K120 fps ProRes video captured with the new iPhone 16 Pro and editing it in Final Cut Pro.

    MacBook Pro with M4 Max enables:1

    • Up to 7.8x faster scene rendering performance with Maxon Redshift when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9, and up to 3.5x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max.
    • Up to 4.6x faster build performance when compiling code in Xcode when compared to the 16‑inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9, and up to 2.2x faster when compared to the 16‑inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max.
    • Up to 30.8x faster video processing performance in Topaz Video AI when compared to the 16‑inch MacBook Pro with Intel Core i9, and up to 1.6x faster when compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max.

    Industry-Leading Liquid XDR Display Gets Even Better

    The new MacBook Pro introduces an all-new nano-texture display option that dramatically reduces glare and distractions from reflections. In bright lighting conditions, the new MacBook Pro can now show SDR content at up to 1000 nits and still displays HDR content at up to 1600 nits of peak brightness. All together, it’s a game-changing experience for users working outdoors.

    New 12MP Center Stage Camera

    MacBook Pro includes a new 12MP Center Stage camera that delivers enhanced video quality in challenging lighting conditions. Video calls are even more engaging with Center Stage, which automatically keeps users centered in the frame as they move around. The new camera also supports Desk View, which adds a whole new dimension to video calls. And with studio-quality mics and a phenomenal six-speaker sound system with support for Spatial Audio, MacBook Pro delivers an incredibly immersive audio experience whether users are listening to music or watching a movie in Dolby Atmos.

    Thunderbolt 5 Comes to the Mac

    MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and M4 Max features Thunderbolt 5 ports that more than double transfer speeds up to 120 Gb/s, enabling faster external storage, expansion chassis, and powerful docking and hub solutions. For example, by connecting just a single cable, pros like music producers can now light up their entire studio. All MacBook Pro models feature an HDMI port that supports up to 8K resolution, a SDXC card slot, a MagSafe 3 port for charging, and a headphone jack, along with support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

    A New Era with Apple Intelligence on the Mac

    Apple Intelligence ushers in a new era for the Mac, bringing personal intelligence to the personal computer. Combining powerful generative models with industry-first privacy protections, Apple Intelligence harnesses the power of Apple silicon and the Neural Engine to unlock new ways for users to work, communicate, and express themselves on Mac. It is available in U.S. English with macOS Sequoia 15.1. With systemwide Writing Tools, users can refine their words by rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text nearly everywhere they write. With the newly redesigned Siri, users can move fluidly between spoken and typed requests to accelerate tasks throughout their day, and Siri can answer thousands of questions about Mac and other Apple products. New Apple Intelligence features will be available in December, with additional capabilities rolling out in the coming months. Image Playground gives users a new way to create fun original images, and Genmoji allows them to create custom emoji in seconds. Siri will become even more capable, with the ability to take actions across the system and draw on a user’s personal context to deliver intelligence that is tailored to them. In December, ChatGPT will be integrated into Siri and Writing Tools, allowing users to access its expertise without needing to jump between tools.

    Apple Intelligence does all this while protecting users’ privacy at every step. At its core is on-device processing, and for more complex tasks, Private Cloud Compute gives users access to Apple’s even larger, server-based models and offers groundbreaking protections for personal information. In addition, users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in — their IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI won’t store requests. For those who choose to connect their account, OpenAI’s data-use policies apply.

    An Unrivaled Experience with macOS Sequoia

    macOS Sequoia completes the new MacBook Pro experience with a host of exciting features, including iPhone Mirroring, allowing users to wirelessly interact with their iPhone, its apps, and notifications directly from their Mac.4 Safari, the world’s fastest browser,5 now offers Highlights, which quickly pulls up relevant information from a site; a smarter, redesigned Reader with a table of contents and high-level summary; and a new Video Viewer to watch videos without distractions. With Distraction Control, users can hide items on a webpage that they may find disruptive to their browsing. Gaming gets even more immersive with features like Personalized Spatial Audio and improvements to Game Mode, along with a breadth of exciting titles, including the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Easier window tiling means users can stay organized with a windows layout that works best for them. The all-new Passwords app gives convenient access to passwords, passkeys, and other credentials, all stored in one place. And users can apply new beautiful built-in backgrounds for video calls, which include a variety of color gradients and system wallpapers, or upload their own photos.

    The Perfect Time to Upgrade or Switch to a Mac

    Upgraders will get monumental improvements over Intel-based MacBook Pro models, including the amazing features of Apple Intelligence. When compared to an Intel-based MacBook Pro, the new MacBook Pro provides nearly 10x faster performance for AI-based workloads,1 and for graphics-intensive workloads, users get up to 20x faster performance.6 With battery life on the new MacBook Pro now up to 24 hours, upgraders will also experience up to 14 additional hours. And with the Liquid Retina XDR display, a new 12MP Center Stage camera, an immersive six-speaker sound system, the unrivaled experience of macOS Sequoia, and more, there’s never been a better time to upgrade or switch to MacBook Pro.

    MacBook Air: The World’s Most Popular Laptop Now Starts at 16GB

    MacBook Air is the world’s most popular laptop, and with Apple Intelligence, it’s even better. Now, models with M2 and M3 double the starting memory to 16GB, while keeping the starting price at just $999 — a terrific value for the world’s best-selling laptop.

    Better for the Environment

    The new MacBook Pro is built to last and incredibly durable, created from a custom alloy that uses 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure. It also uses 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, and 100 percent recycled tin soldering, gold plating, and copper in multiple printed circuit boards. The packaging for the 14-inch MacBook Pro is now entirely fiber-based, joining the 16-inch MacBook Pro and bringing Apple closer to its goal to remove plastic from its packaging by 2025.

    Today, Apple is carbon neutral for global corporate operations and, as part of its ambitious Apple 2030 goal, plans to be carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade.

    Pricing and Availability

    • Customers can pre-order the new MacBook Pro starting today, October 30, on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 28 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, beginning Friday, November 8.
    • The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 starts at $1,599 (U.S.) and $1,499 (U.S.) for education; the 14‑inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro starts at $1,999 (U.S.) and $1,849 (U.S.) for education; and the 16‑inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499 (U.S.) and $2,299 (U.S.) for education. All models are available in space black and silver.
    • Additional technical specifications, including the nano-texture display and configure-to-order options, are available at apple.com/mac.
    • MacBook Air with M2 and M3 comes standard with 16GB of unified memory, and is available in midnight, starlight, silver, and space gray, starting at $999 (U.S.) and $899 (U.S.) for education.
    • New accessories with USB-C — including Magic Keyboard ($99 U.S.), Magic Keyboard with Touch ID ($149 U.S.), Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad ($179 U.S.), Magic Trackpad ($129 U.S.), Magic Mouse ($79 U.S.), and Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable ($69) — are available at apple.com/store.
    • Apple Intelligence is available now as a free software update for Mac with M1 and later, and can be accessed in most regions around the world when the device and Siri language are set to U.S. English. The first set of features is in beta and available with macOS Sequoia 15.1, with more features rolling out in the months to come.
    • Apple Intelligence is quickly adding support for more languages. In December, Apple Intelligence will add support for localized English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K., and in April, a software update will deliver expanded language support, with more coming throughout the year. Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages will be supported.
    • With Apple Trade In, customers can trade in their current computer and get credit toward a new Mac. Customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in to see what their device is worth.
    • AppleCare+ for Mac provides unparalleled service and support. This includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage, battery service coverage, and 24/7 support from the people who know Mac best.
    • Every customer who buys directly from Apple Retail gets access to Personal Setup. In these guided online sessions, a Specialist can walk them through setup, or focus on features that help them make the most of their new device. Customers can also learn more about getting started with their new device with a Today at Apple session at their nearest Apple Store.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Testing was conducted by Apple from August through October 2024. Battery life varies by use and configuration. See apple.com/macbook-pro for more information.
    2. Testing was conducted by Apple in October 2024 using shipping competitive systems and select industry-standard benchmarks.
    3. Based on published technical specifications of shipping competitive chips as of October 2024.
    4. Available on Mac computers with Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers with a T2 Security Chip. Requires that the user’s iPhone and Mac are signed in with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication, their iPhone and Mac are near each other and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and their Mac is not using AirPlay or Sidecar. Some iPhone features (e.g., camera and microphone) are not compatible with iPhone Mirroring.
    5. Testing was conducted by Apple in August 2024. See apple.com/safari for more information.
    6. Results are compared to previous-generation 1.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-based 13-inch MacBook Pro systems with Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD.

    Press Contacts

    Michelle Del Rio

    Apple

    mr_delrio@apple.com

    Starlayne Meza

    Apple

    starlayne_meza@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Six poems that tell stories about monsters and monstrosity

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jon Stone, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, Anglia Ruskin University

    Master1305/Shutterstock

    Poetry isn’t a medium typically associated with towering beasts. Lyric poems tend to be short, tender and concerned with minor everyday incidents. That, or abstract concepts like love and death. Poems also tend to be thought of, wrongly or not, as true accounts – the inverse of creature feature films with preposterous special effects.

    But poets, like everyone else, live in a world of disastrous events bigger than themselves. And the monster – particularly the giant monster – is an archetype that goes right back to ancient myth.

    Talos, the bronze guardian of Crete, and Humbaba, the ogre of the Epic of Gilgamesh, are just two dangerous titans of literary history. It’s tempting to think that today we know enough about our surroundings to no longer be awed by the possibility of giants. But the truth is that there is still much that makes us feel small and vulnerable. Writing about huge monsters is one way of confronting that.

    Two different anthologies of monster poetry are published this month in the UK. Ten Poets Defend Their Cities from Giant, Strange Beasts is edited by myself and Kirsten Irving and published by Sidekick Books. In it, poets envisage the outcomes of giant monster attacks on London, Cambridge, Glasgow and Liverpool, among other cities. These confrontations are frequently surreal, or representations of other kinds of epic battle.

    Alex Adams and Aaron Kent’s Devastation Songs, meanwhile, is a compilation of writing about kaiju, the Japanese term for gargantuan fantasy creatures. In the foreword, Adams writes about how the monster movie is often used as a vehicle for “powerfully resonant social and political ideas”, pointing to recent Oscar winner Godzilla Minus One (2024) as an example.

    Here are six more poems that deal in different ways with giant monsters:

    1. Beowulf

    Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic poem about the defeat of Grendel – a creature whose exact form is still debated. Depending on which translation you read, Grendel is either a “grim demon”, a berserker, a “miscreated thing in man’s form”, or a “horrible stranger”.

    Two things are certain, though: he is very large, and he is a violent murderer who must be destroyed.



    Read more:
    Publishing Tolkien’s Beowulf translation does him a disservice

    2. La Géante (The Giantess) by Charles Baudelaire

    This poem is from Baudelaire’s collection Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil, 1840-1867), which was dubbed “an insult to public decency” on publication.

    The Giantess reflects some of the book’s controversial themes, revelling in erotic fascination. Far from opposing the giantess, the poem’s narrator wants to see her “grow without restraint”, imagining an expedition across her vast body. Here, Baudelaire proposes monstrosity as a realm of wonder and temptation.

    The Jabberwock, as illustrated by John Tenniel, (1871).
    Wiki Commons

    3. Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll

    One of Carroll’s (1832-1989) most famous poems, Jabberwocky is teeming with nonsense words (manxome, whiffling, burbled). This strange language keeps the titular Jabberwock obscured even as its fiery approach and defeat is recounted.

    It makes for a faithful representation of monstrosity as a quality: we can perceive it, dream up words for it, even kill it, but we can never fully understand it.

    4. The Man-Moth by Elizabeth Bishop

    The epigraph to The Man-Moth explains that it was inspired by a misspelling of the word “mammoth”. Bishop’s man-moth isn’t necessarily a giant, but several lines allude to his having a giant’s perspective (“The whole shadow of Man is only as big as his hat”, “He thinks the moon is a small hole at the top of the sky”).

    He is a sad, lonely creature who sheds a tear at the end of the poem. Bishop often wrote about the darkness in the human psyche, and her take on the subway-dwelling city beast is an allegory for urban alienation.

    5. The Loch Ness Monster’s Song by Edwin Morgan

    Scottish poet Edwin Morgan (1920-2010) specialised in linguistic play. The Loch Ness Monster’s Song is almost unintelligible – a brief burst of transcribed watery noises. But it could easily be a poem written in another language.

    It challenges us to recognise that what we call “monstrous” might just be unfamiliar – not a threat, but an opportunity for connection.

    6. Dragons by Matthew Francis

    Every line of this poem, from Francis’ 2001 collection of the same title, ends in the word “dragons”. But the narrative is one of failing to find a single dragon.

    This contrast is used to illustrate how monsters and creatures of myth loom large in our minds primarily as the result of our imaginations. In other words, we invent them to fill the gaps in reality. We need them, because without them there are too many clues pointing nowhere.

    The poem isn’t available to read online, but you can read my own pastiche of it (framed as a “DVD extra”).


    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Jon Stone is an editor at Sidekick Books.

    – ref. Six poems that tell stories about monsters and monstrosity – https://theconversation.com/six-poems-that-tell-stories-about-monsters-and-monstrosity-239335

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Three judges announced for The Conversation Prize for writers

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jo Adetunji, Executive Editor – Partnerships

    L-R: Miriam Frankel, Priya Atwal, Alice Hunt. CC BY

    The Conversation UK, Curtis Brown and Faber are pleased to announce our three judges for The Conversation Prize for writers: Miriam Frankel, senior science editor at The Conversation UK, Priya Atwal, historian, broadcaster and community history fellow at the University of Oxford, and Alice Hunt, professor of early modern literature and history at the University of Southampton.

    Our competition is looking for the best longform article and nonfiction book idea aimed at a general audience from our community of academics. For your chance to win £1,000, publication on The Conversation Insights and mentorship from a literary agent and book publisher then enter your 2,000-word story and book idea.

    About our judges

    Miriam Frankel.

    Miriam Frankel is senior science editor at The Conversation UK. She is co-author of Are You Thinking Clearly? 29 Reasons You Aren’t and What To Do About It, a book investigating the many factors that influence and manipulate the way we think, from genetics, biology, bias and personality to time perception, culture, language, advertising and technology. Miriam also writes on a freelance basis for a number of publications including New Scientist, The Observer, BBC Future and BBC Science Focus magazine.

    Priya Atwal is a historian of monarchy, empire and cultural politics in Britain and South Asia. Her first book, Royals and Rebels: The Rise and Fall of the Sikh Empire, was published in 2020 and was one of BBC History Magazine’s Best Books of the Year. Priya is an active champion for public history and community empowerment in historical research. She is currently building a new Community History Hub at the University of Oxford, and regularly consults on a wide range of creative historical projects, from working on Netflix’s Bridgerton, to supporting the development of inclusive history curricula for UK state schools.

    Alice Hunt.

    Alice Hunt is professor of early modern literature and history at the University of Southampton. She was awarded a Leverhulme Trust fellowship to research her first trade book, Republic: Britain’s Revolutionary Decade, 1649-1660, which was published by Faber in 2024. Alice is also the author of The Drama of Coronation and has previously written about the Tudors and James I.

    How to Enter

    Submissions are open to academics employed or affiliated to a university or approved research institution (IRO) in the UK, Europe or Commonwealth, including PhD candidates under supervision by an academic. Submissions should be in the following areas: History, Arts + Culture, Business + Economy, Education, Environment, Health, Politics + Society, Science + Technology or World.

    To enter, please email your 2,000-word article, plus the following information, to uk-prize@theconversation.com:

    Name

    Institution

    Country

    Email

    Telephone no.

    Your book idea [max 350 words]
    Please provide a brief summary of a trade nonfiction book idea based on your article. Tell us why this topic deserves a deeper dive and why it would appeal to an audience of non-academic readers.

    About you [max 100 words]
    Tell us a little about you – your current academic role or affiliation, your area of expertise and any relevant research to your book idea. Why would you be the right author for this book?

    Please disclose any conflicts of interest that should be mentioned in relation to your article or book idea.

    Terms & Conditions [Pdf] – please read carefully.

    You can read more about what we’re looking for here [Pdf].

    – ref. Three judges announced for The Conversation Prize for writers – https://theconversation.com/three-judges-announced-for-the-conversation-prize-for-writers-242505

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Deep sea rocks suggest oxygen can be made without photosynthesis, deepening the mystery of life

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lewis Alcott, Lecturer in Geochemistry, University of Bristol

    chaylek/Shutterstock

    Oxygen, the molecule that supports intelligent life as we know it, is largely made by plants. Whether underwater or on land, they do this by photosynthesising carbon dioxide. However, a recent study demonstrates that oxygen may be produced without the need for life at depths where light cannot reach.

    The authors of a recent publication in Nature Geoscience were collecting samples from deep ocean sediments to determine the rate of oxygen consumption at the seafloor through things like organisms or sediments that can react with oxygen. But in several of their experiments, they actually found oxygen was increasing as opposed to decreasing as they would have expected. This left them questioning how this oxygen was being produced.

    They found that this “dark” oxygen production at the seafloor seems to only happen in the presence of mineral concentrates called polymetallic nodules and deposits of metals called metalliferous sediments. The authors think the nodules have the right mixture of metals and are densely packed enough for an electrical current to pass through for electrolysis, creating enough energy to separate the hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) from water (H₂O).

    The authors also suggested that the amount of oxygen created may fluctuate depending on the number and mixture of nodules on the ocean floor.

    This research team was trying to understand the implications of mining metals from the deep-sea floor such as lithium, cobalt or copper, funded by an extractions company in an effort to ensure deep sea mining leads to a net benefit to humanity and the Earth system. Lithium and cobalt are used, for example, to make rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops and electric vehicles. Copper is vital for electrical wiring in devices like TVs and radios and for roofing and plumbing.

    The investigation was focused on the Clarion-Clipperton zone of the Pacific Ocean, a vast plain between Hawaii and Mexico where millions of tons of these metals have been found. However, scientists believe mining on this scale is potentially unpredictable and can destroy habitats vital to ocean ecosystems. Deep-sea mining can also introduce harmful sediment plumes to fragile ecosystems leading to a growing number of countries calling for a moratorium.

    Dark oxygen for life

    The implications for this finding may also play a role in life elsewhere.

    Oxygen is essential to complex life as we know it. Complex life has evolved and expanded alongside photosynthesisers, which actually produce oxygen as a waste product. Yet this oxygen allows organisms’ metabolisms to be much more efficient than without it.

    Without photosynthetic bacteria, the reliance that Earth’s life has on oxygen may well have never happened, in addition to the evolutionary pathway to biodiversity as we know it. But this study shows that rich-nodules on the seafloor may have provided an additional source of oxygen to the biosphere – the zone of life on Earth encompassing all living organisms.

    We can’t understand how these nodules may have affected evolution until we understand more about how they formed deeper in time. At the moment, all we really know it that we these nodules would have needed oxygen themselves to form.

    Studies like this show how much the origin of life on Earth is still a mystery.

    Lewis Alcott 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. Deep sea rocks suggest oxygen can be made without photosynthesis, deepening the mystery of life – https://theconversation.com/deep-sea-rocks-suggest-oxygen-can-be-made-without-photosynthesis-deepening-the-mystery-of-life-238937

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Dallas Unveils Public Service Announcements in Different Languages to Increase Hate Crime Reporting

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    DALLAS, TX—The FBI Dallas Division developed a series of videos in five different languages to urge the community to report hates crimes to the FBI. The languages represented in the videos are English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Urdu. The goal is to reach people throughout the Dallas Division’s territory where English is not the first language.

    Hate crimes are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities. The FBI defines a hate crime as a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.

    The FBI is the lead investigative agency for criminal violations of federal civil rights statutes and works closely with local, state, tribal, and other federal law enforcement partners in many of these cases, even when federal charges are not pursued.

    “The FBI is committed to increasing awareness of how to report hate crimes. It is important for the communities we serve to understand this message. This is why we decided to translate our call to action into multiple languages,” said P.J. O’Brien, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Dallas Division. “We want to reassure the public that the FBI will hold people accountable for committing these serious crimes.”

    The FBI protects all victims of crimes, regardless of their country of national origin or immigration status. If you believe you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime, you are encouraged to report it to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting an online tip at tips.fbi.gov. You may remain anonymous, and reports can be made in an individual’s preferred language.

    Hate Crime Video Links

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s new digital ID scheme falls short of global privacy standards. Here’s how it can be fixed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ashish Nanda, Research Fellow, Deakin Cyber Research and Innovation Centre, Deakin University

    mayam_studio/Shutterstock

    Australia’s new digital ID system promises to transform the way we live. All of our key documents, such as driver’s licences and Medicare cards, will be in a single digital wallet, making it easier for us to access a range of services.

    The federal government is still developing the system, with a pilot expected to run next year. Known as the “Trust Exchange”, it is part of the Trusted Digital Identity Framework, which is designed to securely verify people’s identities using digital tokens.

    Earlier this year, in a speech to the National Press Club in Canberra, Federal Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten, called the new digital ID system “world leading”. However, it has several privacy issues, especially when compared to international standards like those in the European Union.

    So how can it be fixed?

    What is Trust Exchange?

    Trust Exchange – or TEx – is designed to simplify how we prove who we are online. It will work alongside the myID (formerly myGovID) platform, where Australians can store and manage their digital ID documents.

    The platform is intended to be both secure and convenient. Users would be able to access services ranging from banking to applying for government services without juggling paperwork.

    Think of the system as a way to prove your identity and share personal information such as your age, visa status or licence number — without handing over any physical documents or revealing too much personal information.

    For example, instead of showing your full driver’s licence to enter a licensed premises, you can use a digital token that confirms, “Yes, this person is over 18”.

    But what will happen to all that sensitive data behind the scenes?

    Falling short of global standards

    The World Wide Web Consortium sets global standards around digital identity management. These standards ensure people only share the minimum required information and retain control over their digital identities without relying on centralised bodies.

    The European Union’s digital identity system regulation builds on these standards. It creates a secure, privacy-centric digital identity framework across its member states. It is decentralised, giving users full control over their credentials.

    In its proposed form, however, Australia’s digital ID system falls short of these global standards in several key ways.

    First, it is a centralised system. Everything will be monitored, managed and stored by a single government agency. This will make it more vulnerable to breaches and diminishes users’ control over their digital identities.

    Second, the system does not align with the World Wide Web Consortium’s verifiable credentials standards. These standards are meant to give users full control to selectively disclose personal attributes, such as proof of age, revealing only the minimum personal information needed to access a service.

    As a result, the system increases the likelihood of over-disclosure of personal information.

    Third, global standards emphasise preventing what’s known as “linkability”. This means users’ interactions with different services remain distinct, and their data isn’t aggregated across multiple platforms.

    But the token-based system behind Australia’s digital ID system creates the risk that different service providers could track users across services and potentially profile their behaviours. By comparison, the EU’s system has explicit safeguards to prevent this kind of tracking – unless explicitly authorised by the user.

    Finally, Australia’s framework lacks the stringent rules found in the EU which require explicit consent for collecting and processing biometric data, including facial recognition and fingerprint data.

    Filling the gaps

    It is crucial the federal government addresses these issues to ensure its digital ID system is successful. Our award-winning research offers a path forward.

    The digital ID system should simplify the verification process by automating the selection of an optimal, varied set of credentials for each verification.

    This will reduce the risk of user profiling, by preventing a single credential from being overly associated with a particular service. It will also reduce the risk of a person being “singled out” if they are using an obscure credential, such as an overseas drivers licence.

    Importantly, it will make the system easier to use.

    The system should also be decentralised, similar to the EU’s, giving users control over their digital identities. This reduces the risk of centralised data breaches. It also ensures users are not reliant on a single government agency to manage their credentials.

    Australia’s digital ID system is a step in the right direction, offering greater convenience and security for everyday transactions. However, the government must address the gaps in its current framework to ensure this system also balances Australians’ privacy and security.

    The work has been supported by the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre Limited, whose activities are partially funded by the Australian government’s Cooperative Research Centres Programme.

    The work has been supported by the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre Limited whose activities are partially funded by the Australian government’s Cooperative Research Centres Programme.

    The work has been supported by the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre Limited, whose activities are partially funded by the Australian government’s Cooperative Research Centres Programme.

    – ref. Australia’s new digital ID scheme falls short of global privacy standards. Here’s how it can be fixed – https://theconversation.com/australias-new-digital-id-scheme-falls-short-of-global-privacy-standards-heres-how-it-can-be-fixed-241797

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Boost for climate adaptation in Europe as EIB and WWF join forces to develop Nature-based Solutions at scale

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • EIB and WWF will collaborate to mobilise early-stage funding for Nature-based Solutions.
    • Partnership will develop projects to strengthen climate adaptation by working with nature.
    • Accord signed during United Nations Convention on Biodiversity COP16 in Colombia.

    With Europe facing increasingly intense floods and droughts, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and WWF are teaming up to accelerate climate adaptation in Europe by developing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that will help to buffer societies and economies against the worsening impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises.

    In a Memorandum of Understanding, the EIB and WWF pledged to promote Nature-based Solutions across Europe to tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Signed during the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity COP16 in Colombia, the four-year partnership will focus on ecosystem restoration projects linked to sectors such as agriculture, energy, and urban resilience, which will harness the power of nature to strengthen climate adaptation in Europe – the fastest-warming continent on Earth.

    By investing in enhancing the health of ecosystems, the projects will also help to reverse nature loss in the continent. The recent WWF Living Planet Report found that species populations have declined by 35 per cent on average in Europe and Central Asia since 1970.

    Under the agreement, WWF will establish an ‘Incubation facility’ to develop a pipeline of Nature-based Solutions from origination until they are investment-ready, while the EIB will provide guidance on mobilising public and private funding for them.

    “Europe’s adaptation to climate change lags far behind what is needed,” said EIB Vice-President, Ambroise Fayolle, ”We want to support more nature-based-solution projects to restore and protect biodiversity and strengthen the climate resilience of our society. Partnerships with organisations like WWF with a strong presence on the ground are a relevant way for us to help deliver tangible results on a large scale.”

    Nature-based solutions face significant obstacles including a lack of awareness among investors and a need for consensus building among a wide range of local players.

    “Nowhere is immune from the climate crisis. Europe has been hit by a series of historic floods and droughts in recent years, devastating lives and livelihoods – and they are only going to get worse unless we urgently and drastically scale up investment in Nature-based Solutions,” said WWF Director General Kirsten Schuijt. “This partnership will do exactly that by creating a pipeline of projects that work with nature rather than against it. These projects will enhance the power of nature to protect Europeans from the worsening impacts of climate change, particularly droughts and extreme floods along the continent’s rivers and coasts.”

    The announcement of this partnership is timely as the new European Commission has announced that it will work on a European Climate Adaptation Plan, which will support building preparedness and planning with regular science-based risk assessments and a European Water Resilience Strategy.

    It also comes after the EU Nature Restoration Law was adopted in August 2024. This regulation combines an overarching restoration objective for the long-term recovery of nature in the EU with binding restoration targets for specific habitats and species.

    Over the years, the EIB has worked with WWF on a range of matters including Nature-based Solutions, biodiversity, climate resilience and ecosystem restoration. Cooperation has focused on the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles, of which the EIB is one of the founding partners alongside WWF. Another example is EIB cooperation with WWF-Greece on stakeholder engagement to identify and develop nature-based solutions for flood resilience in Thessaly, Greece.

    EIB at COP16

    The EIB delegation will be led by Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. For interview requests with members of the EIB delegation please get in touch with the press contact below. Find out more about EIB at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference here.

    Background information

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It is active in more than 160 countries and makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

    As the Climate Bank, the EIB recognises that climate change and nature loss are deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing environmental crises. The EIB Climate Adaptation Plan builds on the EU Adaptation Strategy, setting out how the EU can adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. The EIB Environment Framework outlines the EIB’s delivery of environmental sustainability impacts at scale. Mainstreaming nature-positive investments, increasing the co-benefits for nature, protecting biodiversity and managing the risks from biodiversity and nature loss are key elements of the Framework. 

    WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption

    Boost for climate adaptation in Europe as EIB and WWF join forces to develop Nature-based Solutions at scale
    Boost for climate adaptation in Europe as EIB and WWF join forces to develop Nature-based Solutions at scale
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    Boost for climate adaptation in Europe as EIB and WWF join forces to develop Nature-based Solutions at scale
    Boost for climate adaptation in Europe as EIB and WWF join forces to develop Nature-based Solutions at scale
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    Boost for climate adaptation in Europe as EIB and WWF join forces to develop Nature-based Solutions at scale
    Boost for climate adaptation in Europe as EIB and WWF join forces to develop Nature-based Solutions at scale
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the acquisition of additional share capital of Agilus Diagnostics Limited (Agilus) by Fortis Healthcare Limited (FHL)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 9:16PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition of additional share capital of Agilus Diagnostics Limited (Agilus) by Fortis Healthcare Limited (FHL)

    The Proposed Combination involves the acquisition of an additional 31.52% share capital of Agilus by FHL. Post the Proposed Combination, the shareholding of FHL in Agilus will increase from 57.68% to 89.2%.

    FHL is primarily engaged in providing integrated healthcare delivery services such as medicare, healthcare, diagnostics and its businesses include managing and operating a network of multi-specialty hospitals and providing preventive healthcare and diagnostics services. The diagnostics services business of FHL is being undertaken primarily through Agilus.

    Agilus is, inter alia, engaged in establishing, managing, maintaining clinical reference laboratories and other laboratories for providing testing and diagnostic services. It offers a range of routine and specialized diagnostics tests as well as wellness packages that cover an extensive range of specialties. It also offers a wide range of corporate wellness services and preventive care health packages comprising several pathology and radiology tests including home collection services.

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

     

    *****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2069429) Visitor Counter : 35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed combination involving acquisition of additional shareholding in Thoughtworks Holding, Inc. by AP Funds and Temasek

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 9:15PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed combination involving acquisition of additional shareholding in Thoughtworks Holding, Inc. by AP Funds and  Temasek

     

    Tasmania Midco LLC (Acquirer) is an SPV indirectly wholly-owned by the Apax Partners LLP (AP). AP is a limited liability partnership incorporated under the laws of United Kingdom and the parent of a number of entities which provide investment advisory services to private equity funds investing in a range of industry sectors.

    Nevado Investments Pte. Ltd. (Nevado) is a limited company incorporated in Singapore. It is an investment holding company and does not have any business operations other than holding investments. It is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited (Temasek). 

    Thoughtworks Holding, Inc. (Target) is a global technology consultancy corporation, providing IT consultancy and application implementation and managed services.

    The Proposed Transaction concerns an acquisition by the investment funds advised by Apax Partners LLP (AP) (the “AP Funds“) of additional shareholding in the Target such that post consummation of the proposed transaction the Target will be wholly owned by the AP Funds (through the Acquirer) with Temasek (through Nevado) holding approximately 10% of the Target’s equity as a minority non-controlling passive investor (Proposed Combination).

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    ****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2069427) Visitor Counter : 38

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed combination inter alia envisaging the merger of Diliigent Power into DB Power, and the reorganization of Decore Thermal Power pursuant to the buyback

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 9:15PM by PIB Delhi

    The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed combination inter alia envisaging the merger of Diliigent Power into DB Power, and the reorganization of Decore Thermal Power pursuant to the buyback

    The proposed combination inter alia envisages the merger of Diliigent Power Private Limited (DPPL) into its wholly owned subsidiary viz., DB Power Limited (DBPL), and the reorganization of Decore Thermal Power Private Limited (DTPPL) pursuant to the buyback of certain securities.

    DPPL is the holding company of DBPL. DBPL has set up a coal-based power plant, with an installed capacity of 1200 megawatts, in the state of Chhattisgarh.

    DTPPL is primarily a holding company for its wholly owned subsidiary DB Power (Madhya Pradesh) Limited, which presently only holds certain land in Singrauli District, Madhya Pradesh.

     

    Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

    ****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2069428) Visitor Counter : 35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan addresses the 20th Formation day function of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan addresses the 20th Formation day function of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, creating a disaster-resilient Bharat is a top priority of the Central Government

    Home Secretary launches ‘Yuva Apada Mitra Scheme’ to create 2,37,326 Young volunteers in 315 districts of 28 states across the country as the first responders to disaster preparedness and response

    Union Home Secretary urges the Himalayan and North Eastern Region (NER) states to put up their projects on Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in consultation with respective Stakeholders as per National Programme on GLOF

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 10:44PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan addressed the 20th Formation day function of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi, as Chief Guest, on Monday.

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, creating a disaster-resilient Bharat is a top priority of the Central Government

    Home Secretary also launched ‘Yuva Apada Mitra Scheme’ to create 2,37,326 Young volunteers in 315 districts of 28 states across the country as the first responders to disaster preparedness and response.

    The theme of the formation day event was “Empowering Communities for Disaster Risk Reduction through Awareness for Behavioral Change”. During the event, Union Home Secretary launched seven Guidelines/SOP/Handbook on disaster management viz. (i) Guidelines on Disaster Management Exercises (DMEx) (ii) Guidelines on International Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), (iii) Guidelines for Establishment & Operation of Emergency Operation Center (EOC) (iv) SOP on Off-site Emergency Action Plan (v)Guidelines on CBDRR (vi)Aapda Prabandhan Shabdavali and (iv) Handbook on Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme.

    In his address, Union Home Secretary urged the Himalayan and North Eastern Region (NER) states to put up their projects on Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in consultation with respective Stakeholders as per National Programme on GLOF.

     

     

    NDMA launched ‘Yuva Apada Mitra Scheme’ to train 2,37,326 Young volunteers from the youth organizations such as National Cadet Corps (NCC), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Bharat Scouts & Guides (BS&G), and National Service Scheme (NSS) in 315 districts of 28 states as a first respondent to disaster preparedness & response and Training of 1,300 trainers  (ToTs) for previously trained  volunteers under the Up-scaling of Aapda Mitra Scheme (UAMS) with the estimated cost of Rs. 469.53 Crore.

     

    ******

    RK / VV / RR / PS

    (Release ID: 2069426) Visitor Counter : 38

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Railways Signs MoU with Switzerland’s DETEC to Enhance its Technological Collaboration, Track Maintenance, and Infrastructure Modernization

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 10:37PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Railways today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications of the Swiss Confederation to enhance technical cooperation between the two nations. The MoU renewed and formalized through video-conferencing, received approval from the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of External Affairs.

    Addressing the MoU signing ceremony, Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said this MoU will provide comprehensive framework for collaboration to the Indian Railways in various areas, including technology sharing, track maintenance, management and construction. This MoU is also aligning with our government’s commitment to modernizing Indian Railways.

    Addressing the event, Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal DETEC, Mr. Albert Roesti said Switzerland’s advanced railway technology will benefit Indian Railway by improving operational efficiency, safety standards, Service quality and railways infrastructure development.

    The original MoU, signed on August 31, 2017, was valid for five years and focused on several key areas of collaboration:

    • Traction Rolling Stock 
    • Electric Multiple Units (EMU) and Train Sets 
    • Traction Propulsion Equipment 
    • Freight and Passenger Cars
    • Tilting Trains 
    • Railway Electrification Equipment 
    • Train Scheduling and Operational Improvements 
    • Railway Station Modernization 
    • Multimodal Transport Solutions 
    • Tunneling Technology 

    Before the signing of the MoU, a Joint Working Group (JWG) was formed to facilitate collaboration between representatives of Indian Railways and Swiss Railways. The JWG convened two meetings to explore various key areas of cooperation, with sessions taking place on October 21, 2019 and August 30, 2022. The primary areas of discussion were:

    • Freight and Passenger Cars
    • Railway Electrification Equipment
    • Railway Station Modernization
    • Tunneling Technology

    At the third JWG meeting that took place on October 11, 2023, chaired by then Chairperson and CEO of the Railway Board, alongside Mr. Peter Füglistaler, Director of the Federal Office of Transport in Switzerland, the Indian side presented ongoing capital expenditure initiatives, highlighting significant investment opportunities in the Indian Railway sector for Swiss firms.

    This partnership is set to enhance the efficiency and reliability of Railway services in India, ultimately benefiting passengers and freight operations alike. Notable Swiss companies will supply machinery, materials and tunneling consultancy services.

    The event was graced by Shri. Mridul Kumar, Ambassador of India to Switzerland, Mr. Albert Roesti, Federal Councilor and Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications (DETEC).

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

    (Release ID: 2069425) Visitor Counter : 51

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NMDC Observes Vigilance Awareness Week, Pledging a Future Rooted in Integrity and Ethical Practice

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:46PM by PIB Delhi

     NMDC Ltd, India’s largest iron ore producer, started celebrating Vigilance Awareness Week 2024 with a renewed commitment to integrity, transparency, and ethical practices, aligning with this year’s theme, “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity.”

    The event commenced with Shri Amitava Mukherjee, CMD (Addl. Charge), NMDC, administering the Integrity Pledge at NMDC HO in Hyderabad. He was joined by Shri Vinay Kumar, Director (Technical) and (Personnel, Addl. Charge), NMDC and Shri B. Vishwanath, Chief Vigilance Officer, NMDC, along with senior management and employees, who actively participated in the solemn ceremony. Simultaneously, the Integrity Pledge was also taken at NMDC’s project locations across Panna, Donimalai, Bacheli, Kirandul, Jagdalpur, Nagarnar and other regional offices reinforcing a company-wide culture of transparency and accountability.

    During the pledge, the messages from the Honourable President of India, Honourable Vice-President of India, Honourable Prime Minister of India, and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) were reiterated, highlighting the significant importance of integrity and in public service.

    As part of a three-month campaign running from August 16 to November 15, 2024, NMDC has initiated multiple programs to inculcate ethical practices within the organization and beyond. The campaign includes specialized training sessions for employees, focusing on importance of ethical governance, procurement processes, CDA rules, and preventive vigilance, ensuring transparency and responsibility at every operational level. A key highlight of this campaign is NMDC’s outreach to the community. The company has conducted vigilance awareness programs in more than 28 schools and colleges across Hyderabad, Bailadila, Jagdalpur, Nagarnar, Panna, and Donimalai, reaching over 1,800 students. In Hyderabad alone, more than 1,000 students from five schools and four colleges actively participated in essay writing, poster making, and elocution competitions.

    To recognize and encourage students’ efforts, the inaugural event at NMDC HO included a prize distribution ceremony for the winners of these competitions, underscoring NMDC’s commitment to nurturing ethical values like integrity and honesty among the youth.

    Speaking on the occasion, Shri Amitava Mukherjee, CMD (Addl. Charge), NMDC, remarked, NMDC remains committed in its mission to foster a culture of transparency, not just within the organization but also in the communities we serve. By engaging with students and raising awareness, we are laying the foundation for a future built on ethical conduct and responsible practices. Our collective efforts aim to realize the vision of a corruption-free India, where transparency and accountability become the pillars of national prosperity.”

    Throughout Vigilance Awareness Week, NMDC will conduct  various events to promote awareness about transparency, integrity, and ethical practices at all operational levels.

    *****

    MG

    (Release ID: 2069387) Visitor Counter : 23

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hurry Up! A golden opportunity for emerging Visual Effects (VFX) artists across India

    Source: Government of India

    Hurry Up! A golden opportunity for emerging Visual Effects (VFX) artists across India

    WAFX WAVES VFX challenge launched by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and ABAI to foster local talent and support ‘Create in India’ initiative

    Registration opens for young artists ready to explore opportunities in India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics sector

    The top finalists will compete in the grand finale at the WAVES Summit in Delhi, scheduled for 5th – 9th February 2025

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:35PM by PIB Delhi

    If you’re creative, know how to tell a story, and have the capability to bring the theme “Daily Life Superhero” to life through a 30-second Visual effects (VFX) clip, and then you have a great opportunity to win prizes and goodies worth up to INR 5 lakhs, as well as exclusive studio internships. Not only win prizes but an opportunity to make a career as your work will be trained & your work will be showcased before professionals in a global level world audio visual entertainment Summit in February. To promote VFX ecosystem in India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with ABAI- India’s leading AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) has launched the WAFX WAVES VFX Challenge as part of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit 2025 (WAVES). This initiative is part of the ‘Create in India’ challenge, aimed at nurturing local talent and promoting India as a one-stop destination for content creation, Align with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for creative growth.

    Join the Movement: Register Today

    Emerging Visual effects (VFX) artists across India may join the WAFX Waves VFX Challenge and gain recognition in the rapidly growing VFX industry. Registration is open now, with more details available at www.wafx.abai.avgc.in This competition is not only an opportunity for a showcase of skillsets, but also a stepping stone to professional growth, offering a chance to join a robust network of India’s top VFX studios and mentors. For further details, please contact wafx@abai.avgc.in, generalsecretary@abai.avgc.in ,www.wafx.abai.avgc.in

    Competition Structure and Prizes: WAFX will consist of 3 phases

    The first stage will feature an online qualifier round where we expect 2000+ entries out of which a ‘Pre-Selection’ Jury will shortlist 10 students and 10 professional contestants to move to the second phase and compete at the Zonal -level in-person competitions. Thereafter, the Zonal Winners will advance to the Grand Finale which will be held in a 24-Hour VFX Marathon format in front of a Grand Jury that is constituted of National Award-winning famed VFX Supervisors.

    Participants at WAFX will bring the theme “Daily Life Superhero” to life through a 30-second VFX clip and submit their work online in qualifying round, competing for prizes and goodies worth up to INR 5 lakhs, as well as exclusive studio internships. The Online Qualifiers winners will progress to the Zonal Finals scheduled in Chandigarh, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, where they will showcase their work before a panel of esteemed industry experts. The top finalists will compete in the grand finale at the WAVES Summit in Delhi, scheduled for 5th – 9th February 2025.

    WAFX challenge empowers aspiring VFX artists and boosts India’s global standing

    With India’s film and media industry witnessing unprecedented growth in Visual Effects, this national competition aims to prepare a generation of VFX professionals to meet industry demands and advance India’s competitiveness and prowess on the global stage. ABAI – the Karnataka-based trade association for the AVGC-XR industry has launched the national initiative of ‘WAFX Challenge,’ with a call to action to all budding Visual Effects artists to create stunning VFX masterpieces.

    WAFX Waves VFX Challenge: Unleashing young talent for a thriving future

    Indian cinema, recognized globally for its creativity and storytelling, now competes with international counterparts at global standards, owing much of its evolution to our VFX abilities. Despite this growth, the sector faces a shortage of skilled professionals to meet rising demands, making skill development and employment in VFX crucial for sustainable industry growth. The WAFX Waves VFX Challenge- ABAI’s flagship contest, has been curated to find & nurture young talent to prepare them for exciting opportunities in the AVGC sector.

    WAFX challenge and WAVES summit to propel India’s Creative Industry with New Skills

    Shri Biren Ghose, President- ABAI and Managing Director- Asia Pacific, Technicolor Group, spoke on the importance of WAFX and WAVES as game-changers for the business. “The creative sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with technological advancements and increasingly cutting-edge immersive content augmenting consumer experiences,” he said. “As we enter this new economy, imagery and storytelling are moving beyond TV and film into museums, airports, and across public spaces. This will foster innovation and to encourage new skills talent and diverse employment opportunities to create in and from India. The WAFX challenge is curated specifically to mobilize thousands of Indians in every nook and corner of the country to underscore every facet of AVGC-XR and help spotlight excellence at WAVES on a global stage for the finals.”

    *****

     

    Dharmendra Tewari/kshitij Singha

    (Release ID: 2069381) Visitor Counter : 73

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches & inaugurates multiple projects of Ministry of Ayush on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti & the 9th Ayurveda Day here today

    Source: Government of India

     Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches & inaugurates multiple projects of Ministry of Ayush on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti & the 9th Ayurveda Day here today

    PM Modi Inaugurates Phase II of India’s First All India Institute of Ayurved in Delhi; total cost of ₹Project cost is 274.58 Crore

    Prime Minister launches Nationwide Campaign “Desh Ka Prakriti ParikshanAbhiyan” to promote Health Awareness among Citizens

    Prime Minister inaugurates 4 Centers of Excellence in Ayush

    PM lays Foundation Stone for 2 Yoga & Naturopathy Institutes in Odisha & Chhattisgarh

    Country had witnessed the beginning of a new chapter in the health sector with the amalgamation of knowledge of Ayurveda with modern medicine: Shri Narendra Modi

    Efforts of PM Shri Narendra Modi have significantly contributed to the global prominence of Ayurveda in health: Shri Parataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ayush

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:31PM by PIB Delhi

    On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched, inaugurated, and laid the foundation stone of multiple health sector projects worth around ₹12,850 crore at the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi. Shri J.P. Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare & Chemicals & Fertilizers; Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour and Employment & Youth Affairs and Sports, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha,Secretary Ayush, Dr. Manoj Nesari (Advisor, Ayush), and others dignitaries were present on the occasion.

    Among the projects launched under the ministry of Ayush, the Prime Minister inaugurated Phase II of India’s First All-India Institute of Ayurveda. This phase, a significant project with a total cost of ₹258.73 crore, includes key features such as a 150-bed Panchakarma hospital, an Ayurvedic pharmacy for drug manufacturing, a sports medicine unit, a central library, an IT and start-ups center, a 500-seat auditorium, and guest houses for both general and international visitors.

    Moreover, to capitalize on the growing interest of the international community in Indian health and wellness solutions, especially yoga, and to boost R&D in the domain, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stones of two Central Research Institutes in Yoga and Naturopathy (CRIYNs) at Khorda (Odisha) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh), along with other significant projects. Additionally, the Prime Minister launched four Ayush Centres of Excellence (CoEs), each targeting specific areas in health research and innovation.  ​Centre of Excellence for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, focused on prediabetes and diabetes research and Ayurvedic formulation validation; ​Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Ayush at IIT Delhi, dedicated to developing advanced technological solutions, supporting start-ups, and creating net-zero sustainable solutions for Rasaushadhis; ​Centre of Excellence for Fundamental and Translational Research in Ayurveda at CDRI Lucknow, focused on advanced research in Ayurvedic botanicals like Ashwagandha; Centre of Excellence on Ayurveda and Systems Medicine at JNU, New Delhi, aimed at researching the molecular mechanisms of Ayurvedic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis using systems medicine.

     

    The Prime Minister also launched “Desh Ka PrakritiParikshan Abhiyan,” a nationwide campaign promoting health awareness and highlighting the importance of holistic well-being as part of daily life. Led by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Ayush, with 4,70,000 dedicated volunteers, this campaign aims to revolutionize health awareness efforts among citizens and will also attempt multiple Guinness World Records.

     

    Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister underscored that in the past decade, the country had witnessed the beginning of a new chapter in the health sector with the amalgamation of knowledge of Ayurveda with modern medicine. He added that the All India Institute of Ayurveda has been a focal point of this new chapter. Shri Narendra Modi remarked that seven years ago, on Ayurveda Day, he had the privilege to dedicate the first phase of the institute to the country, and today, with the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari, he was inaugurating the second phase.

    The Prime Minister stated that 7.5 lakh registered Ayush practitioners are already contributing to the nation’s healthcare. He stressed the need to increase this number further and highlighted the growing demand for medical and wellness tourism in India. He emphasized the need for youth and Ayush practitioners to prepare for expanding fields such as preventive cardiology, Ayurvedic orthopedics, and Ayurvedic rehabilitation centers, both in India and abroad. “Immense opportunities are being created for Ayushpractitioners,” he added.

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi underscored the importance of validating traditional herbs like Ashwagandha, turmeric, and black pepper through high-impact scientific studies. “Lab validation of our traditional healthcare systems will not only increase the value of these herbs but also create a significant market,” he remarked, noting the rising demand for Ashwagandha, which is projected to reach USD 2.5 billion by the end of this decade.

    Underlining that the success of Ayush is transforming not only the health sector but also the economy, the Prime Minister stated that the Ayush manufacturing sector has grown from USD 3 billion in 2014 to nearly USD 24 billion today, an 8-fold increase in just 10 years.

    Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ayush and Minister of State, Health & Family Welfare Shri Prataprao Jadhav said, “The essence of Ayurveda is rooted in the principle, ‘Sarve BhavantuSukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah.’ A recent survey on Ayush revealed that nearly 95% of the rural and 96% of the urban populations are aware of Ayush. These results are highly encouraging, and I am confident that this awareness will continue to grow. Prime Minister, you will be pleased to know that Ayurveda Day is celebrated today in over 150 countries”. The Ayush minister said that the efforts of the Prime Minister have significantly contributed to the global prominence of Ayurveda in health and since 2014 Ayurveda has reached new heights under his exemplary leadership.

    The Union Minister of State for Ayush added that “With the support of Ayurveda students, teachers, and professionals, we are launching a nationwide campaign called ‘Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan’. Through this campaign, based on the principles of Ayurveda, we can design an ideal lifestyle for every individual and conduct risk analysis to prevent diseases before they strike. In this direction, a positive approach can redefine our health sector.”

    Thanking the Prime Minister for inaugurating the second phase of AIIA, Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Nesari, Director, AIIA, said, “On this auspicious day of Dhanvantari Jayanti, the day of worshiping Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health, we seek blessings for health as the greatest wealth. This is why we celebrate Dhanvantari Day as Ayurveda Day—acknowledging Ayurveda as a divine blessing from Lord Dhanvantari that brings both health and happiness. Today, it is a matter of great pride for the All India Institute of Ayurveda that our esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the second phase of our institute, equipped with modern facilities and spread across 4.5 acres. This phase involves an investment of ₹275 crore.”

    The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) became the nodal agency for the 9th Ayurveda Day celebrations. Under the Ministry of Ayush, AIIA organized several initiatives to celebrate the event, including a marathon, selfie points, webinars, and health

     

    ****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2069378) Visitor Counter : 13

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Army Hospital (R&R) hosts Commissioning Ceremony for VII Batch of Military Nursing Cadets

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 8:22PM by PIB Delhi

    The College of Nursing, Army Hospital (R&R) proudly hosted the commissioning ceremony of its VII batch of 26 Military Nursing Cadets, marking the culmination of four years of rigorous education and training. The degree course is conducted under the aegis of the  University of Delhi.

    The commissioning ceremony was reviewed  by Lt Gen Shankar Narayan, Director and Commandant, Army Hospital (R&R). The occasion was also attended by esteemed guests, dignitaries, and proud parents. Lt Muskan Sharma was awarded the Silver Medal for First in Merit, Best All-Rounder Award.

    *********

    VK/SR/Anand

    (Release ID: 2069366) Visitor Counter : 53

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Army Hospital (R&R) hosts Breast Cancer Awareness Programme

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:54PM by PIB Delhi

    Army Hospital (Research and Referral) hosted an insightful Breast Cancer Awareness Programme, empowering attendees with crucial information and support.

    With expert speakers and survivor stories, the event highlighted the importance of awareness leading to early detection and ongoing support. The programme was attended by station ladies and many dignitaries of AWWA including Chairperson PRERNA patient support group, Mrs Saswati Aich, General Secy AWWA Mrs Seema Viresh Singh and Chairperson Patient Welfare Committee, AHRR Dr.(Mrs) Navneet Nath.

    ***

    VK/SR/Anand

    (Release ID: 2069348) Visitor Counter : 59

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NHRC, India’s open house discussion on ‘Sports and Human Rights: Safeguarding the Rights and Well-being of Sportspersons’ in India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    NHRC, India’s open house discussion on ‘Sports and Human Rights: Safeguarding the Rights and Well-being of Sportspersons’ in India

    Chairing the discussion, Acting Chairperson Smt Vijaya Bharathi Sayani says respecting human rights of the sportspersons and ensuring protection thereof through an institutionalized mechanism is necessary for better performance of the country’s talent in sports

    Intersectionality between athlete rights and the role of institutions in safeguarding them highlighted

    Among various suggestions, strengthening institutional mechanism within various sport bodies to develop social equitability among the sportspersons emphasized

    Ensuring action on complaints of sexual harassment through functional institutional mechanisms in all sports bodies underscored

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:51PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, organized an open house discussion in hybrid mode on ‘Sports and Human Rights: Safeguarding the Rights and Well-being of Sportspersons’ at its premises in New Delhi today. Chairing the discussion, Acting Chairperson, Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani said that maintaining human values is the hallmark of a sportsperson’s spirit. Therefore, respecting the human rights of the sportspersons and ensuring protection thereof through an institutionalized mechanism is necessary for better performance of the country’s talent in sports.

    She highlighted the importance of understanding the intersectionality between athlete rights and the role of institutions in safeguarding them. The concept of intersectionality can help policy makers and sport programmers understand how different types of discrimination – like racism, homophobia, and ableism – combine to prevent athletes particularly women from participating in sport.

    The Acting Chairperson also stressed strengthening the judicial mechanisms in addressing any violations of athlete rights besides the rehabilitation of sportspersons in case of abuse and addressing their mental health concerns.

    NHRC, India Director General (Investigation), Shri Ajay Bhatnagar emphasized zero tolerance for sexual abuse of sportspersons. He highlighted how institutions, especially those in authority, are more accountable for safeguarding athletes.

    Earlier, the NHRC, India Joint Secretary, Shri Devendra Kumar Nim gave an overview of the three technical sessions of the open house which included ‘Rehabilitation of Sportspersons after Incidents of Abuse,’ ‘Mental Health of Sportspersons in India’ and ‘Institutional Frameworks Required to Safeguard Interests of Sportspersons.’

    Some of the suggestions that emerged from the discussion were as follows:

    • It is necessary to have coaches having training in clinical psychology to prepare the athletes better;

    • Streamline insurance benefits to athletes suffering sports injuries;

    • Bring awareness among athletes to report sexual abuse;

    • Ensure action on complaints of sexual harassment through functional institutional mechanisms in all sports bodies;

    • Strengthen institutional mechanisms to support para-athletes;

    • Strengthen institutional mechanisms within various sports bodies to develop social equitability among sportspersons from diverse backgrounds and marginalized communities;

    The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Netaji Subhas Sports Authority of India at Patiala, National Centre for Sports Science and Research, National Sports University, Imphal, Wrestling Federation of India, National Rifle Association of India, All India Kabaddi Federation, Sports and Rights Alliance, Switzerland, WAKO India Kickboxing Federation, Humans for Sports, UK, GoSports Foundation based in Bangalore, India and Sports Injury Centre at the Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.

    ***

     

    NSK

    (Release ID: 2069346) Visitor Counter : 63

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FCI and state agencies procure 60.63 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy in Punjab during Kharif Marketing System (KMS) 2024-2025 till October 28

    Source: Government of India (2)

    FCI and state agencies procure 60.63 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy in Punjab during Kharif Marketing System (KMS) 2024-2025 till October 28

    Centre disburses Rs 12200 crore directly to farmers’ bank accounts in Punjab till date

    Total paddy purchase till date amounts to Rs 14,066 crore benefitting 3,51,906 farmers

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:42PM by PIB Delhi

    As of 28th October 2024, a total quantity of 65.75 LMT of paddy has arrived in the mandis out of which  60.63 LMT have been procured by state agencies and Food Corporation of India (FCI). An amount of Rs 12200/- crore has been released to the farmers in Punjab directly to bank accounts as of 28th October.

    The procurement of paddy in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 commenced from 1st October 2024 and 2,927 designated mandis including 1000 temporary yards have been opened throughout Punjab for smooth procurement of paddy. Centre has fixed an estimated target of 185 LMT for this ensuing KMS 2024-25.

    The paddy is being purchased at MSP rate of Rs 2320/- as decided by the Centre for Grade ‘A’ paddy for KMS 2024-25 and the total paddy purchase till date is amounting to Rs 14,066 crore and it has benefitted 3,51,906 farmers.

    Further,  4145 millers have applied for shelling of paddy and they are lifting the paddy from the mandis. Hence, the state is on track to achieve the target of 185 LMT of paddy by the end of November.

    ***

    AD/AM

    (Release ID: 2069342) Visitor Counter : 132

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: REPLICAS OF KONARK WHEELS AT RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:45PM by PIB Delhi

    Four replicas of the Konark wheels, made of sandstone, have been installed at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan. Installation of Konark wheels aims to showcase and promote rich heritage of the country among visitors. This initiative is part of the several steps being taken to introduce traditional cultural and historical elements in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

     

    The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the culmination of Odishan temple architecture.  It was built in the shape of a colossal chariot carrying the Sun God. The Konark wheels are symbols of India’s cultural legacy.

     

    ***

    MJPS

    (Release ID: 2069343) Visitor Counter : 46

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FCI and state agencies procure 60.63 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy during Kharif Marketing System (KMS) 2024-2025 till October 28

    Source: Government of India

    FCI and state agencies procure 60.63 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy during Kharif Marketing System (KMS) 2024-2025 till October 28

    Centre disburses Rs 12200 crore directly to farmers’ bank accounts in Punjab till date

    Total paddy purchase till date amounts to Rs 14,066 crore benefitting 3,51,906 farmers

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:42PM by PIB Delhi

    As of 28th October 2024, a total quantity of 65.75 LMT of paddy has arrived in the mandis out of which  60.63 LMT have been procured by state agencies and Food Corporation of India (FCI). An amount of Rs 12200/- crore has been released to the farmers in Punjab directly to bank accounts as of 28th October.

    The procurement of paddy in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 commenced from 1st October 2024 and 2,927 designated mandis including 1000 temporary yards have been opened throughout Punjab for smooth procurement of paddy. Centre has fixed an estimated target of 185 LMT for this ensuing KMS 2024-25.

    The paddy is being purchased at MSP rate of Rs 2320/- as decided by the Centre for Grade ‘A’ paddy for KMS 2024-25 and the total paddy purchase till date is amounting to Rs 14,066 crore and it has benefitted 3,51,906 farmers.

    Further,  4145 millers have applied for shelling of paddy and they are lifting the paddy from the mandis. Hence, the state is on track to achieve the target of 185 LMT of paddy by the end of November.

    ***

    AD/AM

    (Release ID: 2069342) Visitor Counter : 72

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PSA Prof. Ajay Sood Visits Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and Army War College (AWC) to assess the ongoing Research & Development (R&D) efforts and technology infusion for the Indian Army

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 OCT 2024 7:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India made a visit to the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and Army War College (AWC) to assess the ongoing Research & Development (R&D) efforts and technology infusion for the Indian Army. This visit highlights the nation’s commitment to fostering indigenous technology development in alignment with key national missions including National Quantum Mission (NQM), Chip to Startup (C2S) and INDIAai, and contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat. Prof. Sood engaged in interaction with officials of AWC and addressed their queries on various technologies of strategic importance.

    During Prof. Sood’s visit, MCTE suggested the following:

    • Association in the activities of office of PSA in programs aligned with strategic sectors
    • Specific verticals relevant to strategic sectors in National Missions such as National Quantum Mission (NQM)
    • Indian Army may serve as a testing and validation agency under National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP).
    • National Wireless Technology Mission may be launched to synergise the efforts of all stakeholders which will have a direct implication for Indian Army.
    • Possibility of setting up of Advanced Military Research & Incubation Centre as part of the S&T cluster supported by O/o PSA.
    • Establishment of a National Centre for Counter-Drone Development.

    Prof. Sood was accompanied by the Scientific Secretary, Dr. Parvinder Maini, and Adviser, Dr. Rakesh Kaur, from the Office of the PSA. High-ranking officials from MCTE and Army HQ, including Lt Gen KH Gawas, PVSM, VSM, Commandant MCTE, and Senior Colonel Commandant Corps of Signals, Lt Gen KV Kumar, PVSM, VSM, SO-in-C and Colonel Commandant, Corps of Signals, Lt Gen RK Shani, VSM, DGIS and Maj Gen CS Mann, AVSM, VSM, ADG ADB, facilitated the visit. The officials showcased MCTE’s achievements in developing indigenous technologies, which are critical to supporting India’s defence modernization and self-reliance efforts.

    The visit marks a pivotal step in strengthening the collaboration between scientific institutions and the defence sector, ensuring that India’s armed forces remain technologically advanced and future-ready. The PSA’s discussions with MCTE leaders and Army officials reinforced the shared vision of leveraging indigenous technologies to secure national interests, driving forward the mission of “Nation First, National Security”.

    This collaborative synergy is set to unlock new opportunities for innovation in defence technology and positions MCTE as a key player in India’s broader efforts to build a self-reliant and technologically advanced defence ecosystem.

     

    ***

    MJPS/ST

    (Release ID: 2069341) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025
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