NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI: Marex Group Plc to Announce Third Quarter 2024 Earnings on November 7, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marex Group plc (NASDAQ: MRX) today announced that it will release its fiscal 2024 third quarter results before market open on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The earnings release and supplementary materials will be available through the “Investors” section of the Marex website at https://ir.marex.com/.

    A conference call to discuss the results will take place at 9am ET the same day. Analysts and investors who wish to participate in the live conference call can register using the link here: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI35bc4ad5c3ed48f8b2e48ab5dbfeb65e

    About Marex:

    Marex Group plc (NASDAQ: MRX) is a diversified global financial services platform providing essential liquidity, market access and infrastructure services to clients across energy, commodities and financial markets. Enabling access to 58 exchanges, the Group provides coverage across four core services: Clearing, Agency and Execution, Market Making and Hedging, and Investment Solutions. It has a leading franchise in many major metals, energy and agricultural products, serving over 4,000 active clients and executing around 129 million trades and clearing 856 million contracts in 2023. The Group provides access to the world’s major commodity markets, covering a broad range of clients that include some of the largest commodity producers, consumers and traders, banks, hedge funds, and asset managers. Headquartered in London with more than 35 offices worldwide, the Group has over 2,000 employees across Europe, Asia and the Americas. For more information visit http://www.marex.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Abaxx Announces C$2.795 million Strategic Financing

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

    TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abaxx Technologies Inc. (CBOE CA:ABXX) (“Abaxx” or the “Company”), a financial software and market infrastructure company, majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd., the owner of Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse (individually, “Abaxx Exchange” and “Abaxx Clearing”), and producer of the SmarterMarkets™ Podcast, is pleased to announce that it anticipates entering into a binding agreement with a strategic investor, pursuant to which the investor has agreed to purchase 215,000 common shares (the “Shares”) of the Company at a price of CAD$13.00 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,795,000 on a private placement basis (the “Financing”).

    The proceeds of the Financing are expected to be used for general corporate and working capital requirements, including to fund ongoing operations and/or working capital and minimum regulatory requirements for Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing. No finder’s fees or commissions were paid in connection with the Financing. The parties must enter into a binding subscription agreement to complete the Financing which is expected to close as soon as reasonably practicable and is subject to final acceptance of Cboe Canada.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities issuable under the Financing have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold to or for the account or benefit of persons in the “United States” or “U.S. persons” (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

    About Abaxx Technologies
    Abaxx is building Smarter Markets — markets empowered by better financial technology and market infrastructure to address our biggest challenges, including the energy transition. In addition to developing and deploying financial technologies that make communication, trade, and transactions easier and more secure, Abaxx is a majority-owner of Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing, subsidiaries recognized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as “recognized market operator” and “approved clearinghouse”, respectively.

    Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing are a Singapore-based commodity futures exchange and clearinghouse, introducing centrally cleared, physically deliverable commodities futures and derivatives to provide better price discovery and risk management tools for the commodities critical to our transition to a lower-carbon economy.

    For more information please visit abaxx.tech, abaxx.exchange and smartermarkets.media.

    For more information about this press release, please contact:

    Steve Fray, CFO
    Tel: 647-490-1590

    Media and investor inquiries:

    Abaxx Technologies Inc.
    Investor Relations Team
    Tel: +1 647 490 1590
    E-mail: ir@abaxx.tech

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx’s future plans, objectives, or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “seeking”, “should”, “intend”, “predict”, “potential”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “continue”, “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Since forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet respective management expectations. Risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

    Forward-looking information related to Abaxx in this press release includes but is not limited to, Abaxx’s objectives, goals or future plans, the anticipated closing and timing of closing of the Financing, regulatory approvals in connection with the Financing and intended use of proceeds from the Financing. Such factors impacting forward-looking information include, among others: the ability to enter into a binding subscription agreement and completion of the Financing on the terms as announced or at all; risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; Abaxx’s limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; the ability to list Abaxx’s securities on stock exchanges in a timely fashion or at all; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, contractual risk, third-party risk; clearinghouse risk, malicious actor risks, third-party software license risk, system failure risk, risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure; and changes in the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labor and international travel and supply chains. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx’s normal course of business.

    Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. When relying on forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Abaxx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and information. Cboe Canada does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Month of Discovery: Undergraduate Researcher Krithika Santhanam

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Krithika Santhanam’s ’25 (CLAS) research activities started early on in her time at UConn.  

    During her freshman year, Santhanam reached out to Caroline Dealy, professor of orthodontics, about working in her lab.  

    Santhanam spent her first and sophomore years in Dealy’s lab, which researches treatments for osteoarthritis. 

    “Osteoarthritis is a condition where there’s a spontaneous degeneration of cartilage cells which impacts our joints,” Santhanam says.  

    There is currently no treatment for osteoarthrosis. That’s why Dealy’s lab is working on finding a way to get cartilage cells to spontaneously regenerate. Santhanam found that when certain BMP ligands, a type of molecule, were removed in mouse models, something caused cartilage cells in their knees to regenerate.  

    Santhanam had the opportunity to present her findings at the 16th International Conference on Limb Development, Regeneration, and Evolution and the New England Science Symposium at Harvard University.  

    “The amount of skills that I gained, the confidence that I gained through that opportunity as a freshman,” Santhanam says. “I was able to talk to professional scholars within the field, which was amazing.”  

    After identifying a new cell population within the cartilage of mice samples, Santhanam continued her work with Dealy through a SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Find) Award. With the SURF Award, Santhanam dug deeper to determine what was causing the regeneration she had observed in the last step of her project.  

    “My project proposal was looking at what properties do these new cells have,” Santhanam says. “Because we have no idea what type of cartilage cells these are, what is allowing them to regenerate, what stage of chondrocyte maturation are they in?”  

    After a long process of trial and error, Santhanam found that the cells matched with a tag called RUNX2, which is related to bone cell differentiation. 

    Santhanam is now working with Fumilayo Showers, assistant professor of sociology and Africana studies, on a project looking at frontline and non-frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of how health care had to change during the pandemic and what we can learn from the emergency. 

    Santhanam is also currently putting the finishing touches on a documentary project about disability advocacy in South India that she made through the BOLD Scholars program.  

    Santhanam’s individualized major in health policy and racial disparities has allowed her to take classes in a wide array of subjects including women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and human development and family sciences. In these classes, she learned about harmful patient-provider interactions where individuals with disabilities do not feel heard or lack access to healthcare facilities in the first place.  

    “This was interesting to me because I feel like when we talk about intersectionality between race, class, gender, and all these things, sometimes we don’t think about disability as one of those social determinants of health,” Santhanam says.  

    Santhanam went to her parents’ home of Chennai, India to interview people involved in disability advocacy there. 

    “The differences and cultural stigmas I see when I go back really is something that is not talked about enough,” Santhanam says. “I know individuals with disabilities in India, and I know how that care is different, and I really want people to know that, and I also want people to know the positive strides that have been made in the past 20 years.”  

    Santhanam interviewed doctors and people involved with advocacy groups, including Dr. Aishwarya Rao, pediatrician, disability rights activist, and the founder of Better World Shelter, a rehabilitation shelter for women with disabilities; Sharada Devi, an assistant professor at the University of Kerala’s Institute of English; and KVJ Sumitra Prasad, founder of SAI Center, which promotes the importance of adults with disabilities living independently through the DORAI Foundation.  

    Santhanam will screen her documentary at UConn Storrs in January. 

    Santhanam plans to attend medical school after graduation with the long-term goal of opening a clinic focused on women’s health.  

    During her sophomore year, Santhanam participated in the UConn Health Leaders program where she screened patients for social determinants of health. She quickly realized that in Connecticut there are massive disparities in people’s ability to access healthcare, like healthy food and transportation that support wellbeing.  

    “That experience really was eye-opening,” Santhanam says. “Doing that program really made me feel like this is my calling, and really sent me into wanting to see what internal medicine was like. In my opinion, I believe primary care is the first place and the most important place where you can make an impact on someone’s health outcomes.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Task Group on New Medical School holds first meeting today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, and the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, cochaired the first meeting of the Task Group on New Medical School today (October 22) to discuss strategic directions and major parameters for the establishment of a third medical school in Hong Kong.

         At the meeting, members of the Task Group discussed the considerations for establishing a third medical school in Hong Kong, and concluded that the third medical school should adopt an innovative strategic positioning in pursuit of complementary development with the two existing medical schools. The Task Group recommended that the curriculum design of the new medical school should be accorded top priority in consideration, requiring the medical curriculum to meet the requirements as stipulated by the Medical Council of Hong Kong. Proper arrangements should also be made for medical students to undergo an adequate amount of clinical training, thus ensuring that the medical students are well equipped with both professional knowledge and clinical skills to safeguard the interest of patients. The new medical school should also set out a forward-looking long-term development plan for its campus and teaching facilities, as well as an interim arrangement for a campus and a teaching hospital if admission of students is essential before the long-term facilities are available, alongside strategies to ensure financial soundness.

         Professor Lo said, “The establishment of a third medical school is a significant project in the development of medical education in Hong Kong. Not only will it attract global talent and help nurture more outstanding doctors for further reinforcement of the city’s healthcare system in the sustainable provision of healthcare services with enhanced quality and quantity, but also serves to promote high-quality development in medical education and research, dovetailing with the city’s development as an international hub for medical training, research and innovation.”

         Dr Choi said, “The establishment of a new medical school will further elevate Hong Kong’s position as an international education hub. Taking this unique opportunity, the scope of local medical teaching and research will be expanded through an innovative curriculum design and diversified student recruitment arrangements, complementing our goals of nurturing future talent and promoting the development of the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand.”

         The first target of the Task Group is to extend an invitation of proposals within this year to local universities interested in setting up the new medical school. The Task Group will liaise with respective universities and assess the proposals, addressing issues on funding arrangements, course accreditation, sources of teaching staff and students, a teaching hospital and research etc. The Task Group will subsequently submit to the Chief Executive in Council recommendations on the establishment of the new medical school and related arrangements. Land will also be reserved in the Northern Metropolis Ngau Tam Mei for the construction of the new medical school campus and the associated integrated medical teaching and research hospital.

         The Chief Executive announced in the Policy Address last Wednesday (October 16) that the Government supports the plan, by local universities, to establish a third medical school. The Task Group on New Medical School was then established the next day (October 17) to take up the responsibilities of devising the direction and parameters for establishing the new medical school, exploring ways to nurture more local medical talent and enhance Hong Kong’s healthcare system, as well as promoting various measures for Hong Kong to become an international medical training, research and innovation hub. The Task Group comprises seasoned local, Mainland and overseas academics for medical teaching and university management, professionals, the Chairman of the Medical Council of Hong Kong, the President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, as well as representatives from relevant government bureaux and departments.         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The number of tourists from foreign countries has increased by 70 percent in Moscow

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    More than a million foreign tourists visited Moscow in the first half of 2024. The Russian capital is chosen for business trips, gastronomic discoveries, and vacations with family and friends. The city attracts travelers with its architectural heritage, culture, pedestrian streets and embankments, parks, numerous cafes and restaurants, and a diverse event program.

    “In six months, the tourist flow to Moscow from foreign countries has grown by 70 percent compared to the same period in 2023. The leaders in the number of guests were China, Turkey, India and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region,” she said.

    Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.

    China ranks first in the number of tourists among non-CIS countries — about 190 thousand visits. This is 2.4 times more than in the first two quarters of last year. Turkey is in second place (35.2 thousand trips), and India is in third place (28.5 thousand trips).

    The number of travelers from the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America has doubled — 260.6 thousand and 17.2 thousand people, respectively. There have been more guests from Vietnam: from January to June of this year, Moscow was visited by 16.6 thousand people.

    In addition, Moscow is seeing an increase in business travelers, with 40 percent of them later returning to the capital for family vacations. The city is introducing business travel industry representatives to opportunities to organize large-scale events. For example, in April this year, the Shaping MICE Future conference was held, which brought together over 100 participants from India and Russia. In June, the first BRICS tourism forum was held. It was attended by delegations from Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, China, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and the Republic of South Africa.

    In addition, there is an online certification program called Moscow MICE Ambassadors. During the training courses, industry representatives from India can learn about the stages of planning and organizing events in the capital.

    In 2023, the foreign tourist flow to the Russian capital amounted to 2.3 million people. To strengthen international ties, the city participates in major specialized exhibitions, organizes business missions, as well as projects and events aimed at domestic and foreign audiences.

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

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

    http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145593073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Kwai Chung Hospital announces incident of losing patient data

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

         â€‹The spokesperson for Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH) made the following announcement today (October 22) regarding an incident of losing patient data:
          
         A case manager of the KCH Community Psychiatric Service lost a document containing patient’s personal data yesterday (October 21), which involves the name, date of birth, gender, telephone number and address of 19 patients, and the telephone number of some relatives.

         The staff concerned brought the document for contacting patients during an outreach visit yesterday afternoon. The staff had taken out the document to check patient’s address. Upon completion of the visit, the staff returned to office and found the document missing. The staff immediately informed the hospital and conducted a search but in vain.

         KCH is very concerned about the incident. The hospital has contacted patients concerned to express apology and explain the incident. Patient’s treatment is not affected. KCH has reminded all staff again on the guidelines of safekeeping and handling patients’ data and will strengthen internal training.
          
         KCH has reported the case to the Police and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 – The Konark Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Ulhasnagar – Extension of period

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    The Reserve Bank of India, vide directive No.CO.DOS.SED.No.S592/45-11-001/2024-25 dated April 23, 2024, had placed The Konark Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Ulhasnagar under Directions from the close of business on April 23, 2024 for a period of six months.

    2. It is hereby notified for the information of the public that, the Reserve Bank of India, in exercise of powers vested in it under sub-section (1) of Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, hereby directs that the aforesaid Directions shall continue to apply to the bank till close of business on January 23, 2025 as per the directive DOR.MON/D-62/12.22.805/2024-25 dated October 17, 2024, subject to review.

    3. All other terms and conditions of the Directives under reference shall remain unchanged. A copy of the directive dated October 17, 2024, notifying the above extension is displayed at the bank’s premises for the perusal of public.

    4. The aforesaid extension and /or modification by the Reserve Bank of India should not per-se be construed to imply that Reserve Bank of India is satisfied with the financial position of the bank.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2024-2025/1354

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: UP Fintech Announces Proposed Follow-on Public Offering of American Depositary Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UP Fintech Holding Limited (Nasdaq: TIGR) (“UP Fintech” or the “Company”), a leading online brokerage firm focusing on global investors, today announced that it intends to offer and sell 15,000,000 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each representing 15 Class A ordinary shares of the Company, subject to market and other conditions, in an underwritten public offering. The underwriters have an option to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,250,000 additional ADSs from the Company at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, exercisable within 20 days from the date of the prospectus supplement.

    The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the proposed ADS offering for strengthening the Company’s capital base and furthering the Company’s business development initiatives.

    Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited and US Tiger Securities, Inc. will act as the joint bookrunners for the proposed ADS offering.

    The proposed ADS offering will be made pursuant to an automatic shelf registration statement on Form F-3 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. A preliminary prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus related to the proposed ADS offering have been filed with the SEC and are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The final prospectus supplement will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at: http://www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained by contacting Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, Level 60, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong; China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited 29/F, one International Finance Centre, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, Hong Kong; or, US Tiger Securities, Inc., 437 Madison Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10022, United States of America.

    This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the securities described herein, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About UP Fintech Holding Limited

    UP Fintech Holding Limited is a leading online brokerage firm focusing on global investors. The Company’s proprietary mobile and online trading platform enables investors to trade in equities and other financial instruments on multiple exchanges around the world. The Company offers innovative products and services as well as a superior user experience to customers through its “mobile first” strategy, which enables it to better serve and retain current customers as well as attract new ones. The Company offers customers comprehensive brokerage and value-added services, including trade order placement and execution, margin financing, IPO subscription, ESOP management, investor education, community discussion and customer support. The Company’s proprietary infrastructure and advanced technology are able to support trades across multiple currencies, multiple markets, multiple products, multiple execution venues and multiple clearinghouses.

    For more information on the Company, please visit: https://ir.itigerup.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “aim,” “likely to,” “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements or expressions. Among other statements, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, the Company’s strategic and operational plans and expectations regarding growth and expansion of its business lines, and the Company’s plans for future financing of its business contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Forms 20−F and 6−K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties, including the earnings conference call. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company’s ability to effectively implement its growth strategies; trends and competition in global financial markets; changes in the Company’s revenues and certain cost or expense accounting policies; and governmental policies and regulations affecting the Company’s industry and general economic conditions in China, Singapore and other countries. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 22, 2024. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

    For investor and media inquiries please contact:

    Investor Relations Contact
    UP Fintech Holding Limited
    Email: ir@itiger.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: RTI Joins the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE®) Program as a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Real-Time Innovations (RTI), the infrastructure software company for smart-world systems, has become the first DDS vendor to be named as a CNA by the CVE® Program. This designation showcases RTI’s commitment to system integrity by identifying vulnerabilities early, offering enhanced protection for customers. RTI will continue to adopt best cybersecurity practices which includes a secure coding standard, static and dynamic analysis tools, and extended endurance testing to improve systems across industries such as defense, medical, and automotive.

    RTI Connext®, based on the Data Distribution Service (DDS™) standard, is the trusted industry solution that delivers reliability, security, and real-time performance essential for highly distributed autonomous systems. As a CNA, RTI has established a vulnerability management and notification process to monitor and notify customers of any known vulnerabilities that may affect systems using RTI software. The goal is to ensure that Connext users receive the information needed to properly assess their impact, through well established mechanisms, and that solutions are provided in a timely manner.

    “By enhancing our visibility and control over the CVE publication process, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering top-notch cybersecurity for our customers,” said David Barnett, VP of Products and Markets at RTI. “This initiative will streamline our disclosure process, making it easier for users to access crucial information about vulnerabilities through a trusted, recognized platform. Our priority is ensuring the security of our customers’ systems, and we are committed to providing the best solutions to protect them against evolving threats.”

    CVE is an international initiative that relies on the community to identify and catalog publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Once discovered, vulnerabilities are assigned and published in the CVE List. CNAs are organizations responsible for the regular assignment of CVE IDs to vulnerabilities, and for creating and publishing information about the risk in the associated CVE Record.

    Securing autonomous and intelligent systems requires constant and careful architecting of the entire framework. RTI enables customers to design robust, reliable systems that safeguard without sacrificing real-time performance. Whether it is a large application running on powerful hardware or an embedded application running on a resource-constrained device, RTI has the industry-leading security solutions for intelligent distributed systems.

    For more information about RTI’s approach to vulnerability detection and management, please visit the policy page. To learn more about RTI’s security offerings, please visit our website.

    About RTI
    Real-Time Innovations (RTI) is the infrastructure software company for smart-world systems. RTI Connext® is the world’s leading software framework for intelligent distributed systems. Uniquely, Connext users can build systems that combine advanced sensing, fast control, and AI algorithms.

    With 2,000 customer designs, RTI excels at getting customers to production. RTI software runs over 250 autonomous vehicle programs, supports dozens of automotive ADAS and software-defined architectures, controls the largest power plants in North America, integrates over 400 major defense programs, drives a new generation of MedTech systems and robotics, and underlies Canada’s air traffic control and NASA’s launch control systems.

    RTI runs a smarter world.

    RTI is the market leader in products compliant with the Data Distribution Service (DDS™) standard. RTI is privately held and headquartered in Silicon Valley with regional offices in Colorado, Spain, and Singapore.

    Download a free trial of the latest, fully-functional Connext software today: http://www.rti.com/downloads

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cayson Acquisition Corp Announces Separate Trading of its Ordinary Shares and Rights

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cayson Acquisition Corp (NASDAQ:CAPNU) (the “Company”) announced today that, commencing on or about October 24, 2024, holders of its units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the Company’s ordinary shares and rights included in the units. The ordinary shares and rights that are separated will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “CAPN” and “CAPNR,” respectively. No fractional rights will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole rights will trade. Those units not separated will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “CAPNU.” Holders of units will need to have their brokers contact Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company’s transfer agent, in order to separate the units into ordinary shares and rights.

    The Company is a Cayman exempt company, formed as a blank check company for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The Company intends to focus its search for a target business on entities located throughout Asia but will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic location. The Company is led by its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Yawei Cao.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

    This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s final prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC on September 20, 2024. Copies are available on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Contact:

    Taylor Zhang
    taylorzhang@caysonspac.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BOS’ Supply Chain Division Receives a $500,000 order from a Customer in India

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RISHON LE ZION, Israel, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BOS Better Online Solutions Ltd. (“BOS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BOSC), an integrator of supply chain technologies, announced today that its Supply Chain Division, which provides franchised distribution of electronic components, received a $500,000 order from a customer in India. The order is for delivery gradually by August 2025.

    Avidan Zelicovski, BOS’ President, expressed confidence in the division’s ability to expand its global sales, citing the success of achieving $6 million in overseas sales in 2023. Additionally, he highlighted that since the announcement on July 10, 2024, regarding initial sales to Greek customers, the division has received $280,000 orders from that territory.

    About BOS

    Through its three business divisions, BOS leverages cutting-edge technologies to optimize supply chain operations.

    The robotic division automates the inventory process by replacing handwork with robots. RFID division optimizes inventory management by marking and tracking inventory through the supply chain, and the supply chain division integrates its franchised electro-mechanical components into its client’s products.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sophos Appoints Torjus Gylstorff as Sophos’ Chief Revenue Officer and Jon Bove as Sophos’ Senior Vice President of Americas Sales

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OXFORD, United Kingdom, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced that Torjus Gylstorff has joined the company as chief revenue officer (CRO). Sophos has also appointed Jon Bove senior vice president of Americas sales. Sophos hired Gylstorff and Bove, two key industry executives, to further accelerate sales of Sophos’ portfolio of cybersecurity services and products, including Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services and endpoint, network, email, and cloud security.

    Gylstorff is responsible for driving revenue growth through effective leadership of Sophos’ global sales organization and partner and customer networks. This includes expanding Sophos’ presence beyond its already strong customer base of more than 600,000 organizations worldwide in the small and mid-sized business market. Gylstorff will also leverage his skills in the channel to develop strategies that strengthen and drive additional business with existing and new Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

    Gylstorff has more than 25 years of experience in sales, channels and business development across the technology and cybersecurity sectors, leading worldwide sales teams and building global channel ecosystems. Prior to joining Sophos, Gylstorff was the worldwide sales leader for Thales’ Application and Data Security Business. Prior to Thales, he was vice president of Worldwide Channels and Alliances at Symantec. Before that, Gylstorff led emerging business initiatives at Blue Coat Systems and managed major turnarounds in Japan and South Korea. His career includes significant tenures at Norman Shark, IBM and Lotus Software, where he held various senior sales and leadership positions across Europe. 

    As senior vice president of Americas sales for Sophos, Bove is working closely with the company’s extensive partner network in North America and Latin America to develop new revenue streams and ensure partners and their customers have the proper security needed to defend against ransomware, data breaches and other persistent cyberattacks. Bove will also direct and oversee the growth of new partners and MSPs in the region to increase sales of Sophos security solutions, which plug into the Sophos Central management platform. With Sophos Central, partners and MSPs can elevate and streamline customer defenses and operations, upgrades, renewals and much more, increasing revenue opportunities, while also improving customers’ security.

    Bove brings more than 20 years of sales experience, with 15 years in cybersecurity and channel sales leadership, to Sophos. Most recently, Bove served as vice president sales, U.S. enterprise, at Fortinet, where he was responsible for driving significant revenue growth through channel sales in North America. At Fortinet, Bove grew the small and medium business (SMB) sales organization and defined the company’s channel sales strategy to expand focus on the enterprise market. Bove also previously held sales and channel leadership positions at Proofpoint.

    “Sophos is already a leading provider of security services and technologies for the midmarket and smaller organizations that need help defeating cyberattacks, due to resource constraints such as skills gaps, limited budgets and other issues that cause them to be under protected. Our vision at Sophos is a world where organizations of any size and means have a clear path to superior cybersecurity outcomes, and the work we do every day aims to close the cybersecurity divide and protect more organizations in the most at-risk segments of the market. The best and most efficient way to do this is by scaling with channel partners and MSPs,” said Joe Levy, CEO, Sophos. “With Torjus and Jon, both of whom have decades of experience in leading channel sales, managing sales operations and developing relationships with customers, we can scale faster and in a way that accelerates growth for partners, MSPs and Sophos. I’m excited to have Torjus and Jon on board to help drive the next phase of Sophos’ go to market evolution.”

    About Sophos
    Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, including Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and incident response services and a broad portfolio of endpoint, network, email, and cloud security technologies. As one of the largest pure-play cybersecurity providers, Sophos defends more than 600,000 organizations and more than 100 million users worldwide from active adversaries, ransomware, phishing, malware, and more. Sophos’ services and products connect through the Sophos Central management console and are powered by Sophos X-Ops, the company’s cross-domain threat intelligence unit. Sophos X-Ops intelligence optimizes the entire Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem, which includes a centralized data lake that leverages a rich set of open APIs available to customers, partners, developers, and other cybersecurity and information technology vendors. Sophos provides cybersecurity-as-a-service to organizations needing fully managed security solutions. Customers can also manage their cybersecurity directly with Sophos’ security operations platform or use a hybrid approach by supplementing their in-house teams with Sophos’ services, including threat hunting and remediation. Sophos sells through reseller partners and managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at http://www.sophos.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Starbox Launches “StarboxAI VI-Pro – Live Streaming System”: Supporting Starbox’s Merchants in Live Streaming Social Commerce

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Starbox Group Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: STBX) (“Starbox” or the “Company”), a service provider of cash rebates, advertising, and payment solutions, is excited to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Starbox Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (“Starbox Technologies”), is launching “StarboxAI VI-Pro – Live Streaming System,” a platform designed to support Starbox’s over 800 existing merchants in their live streaming social commerce efforts. This artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered system enhances digital interaction and is expected to boost sales performance with automated content creation and real-time engagement tools.

    What distinguishes StarboxAI VI-Pro – Live Streaming System is its integration with the Company’s existing cash rebates ecosystem, which currently serves Starbox’s over 2 million existing users. The integration allows merchants to offer real-time cash rebates during live streaming events, creating a seamless experience for merchants and users alike, incentivizing users to engage and purchase products. Starbox Technologies will keep a percentage of the cash rebates generated from successful sales as revenue.

    With StarboxAI VI-Pro – Live Streaming System, merchants can broadcast 24/7 on platforms such as WeChat Channels, allowing continuous audience engagement. The system can read out live streaming content, respond to audience questions in real time, and guide the audience toward purchasing products. These features can help merchants provide immersive shopping experiences and are anticipated to increase sales conversion rates.

    Lee Choon Wooi, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Starbox, remarked: “The launch of StarboxAI VI-Pro – Live Streaming System reflects our commitment to empowering merchants with AI technology. We believe this unique link to our existing cash rebates ecosystem with over 2 million users will enhance the live streaming experience while driving sales. With real-time interaction, 24/7 live streaming, and seamless purchase guidance, merchants may be able to engage customers and expand their market reach.”

    This launch aligns with Starbox’s vision to strengthen the social commerce landscape, complementing the recent successful launch of AI-Driven Digital Human System for merchants on WeChat Channels. As demand for personalized and interactive content grows, Starbox expects to continue to introduce innovative solutions to improve how businesses communicate, engage, and succeed in the digital era.

    About Starbox Group Holdings Ltd.

    Headquartered in Malaysia, Starbox is a technology-driven, rapidly growing company with innovation as its focus. Starbox is aiming to be a comprehensive technology solutions provider within Southeast Asia and also engages in building a cash rebate, advertising, and payment solution business ecosystem, targeting micro, small, and medium enterprises that lack the bandwidth to develop an in-house data management system for effective marketing. The Company connects retail merchants with retail shoppers to facilitate transactions through cash rebates offered by retail merchants on its GETBATS website and mobile app. The Company provides digital advertising services to advertisers through its SEEBATS website and mobile app, GETBATS website and mobile app and social media. The Company also provides payment solution services to merchants. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://ir.starboxholdings.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “assesses,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. References and links (including QR codes) to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

    For more information, please contact: 

    Starbox Group Holdings Ltd.
    Investor Relations Department
    Email: ir@starboxholdings.com

    Ascent Investor Relations LLC
    Tina Xiao
    Phone: +1-646-932-7242
    Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AFCD laid charges against Mainland fisherman deckhands suspected of using snake cages for fishing and local coxswain (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 22) laid charges against six Mainland fisherman deckhands suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages (a type of cage trap banned in Hong Kong waters) on a local fishing vessel in waters off Hei Ling Chau and a local coxswain on board.

         A joint operation was conducted by the AFCD together with the Hong Kong Police Force yesterday (October 21). A local fishing vessel was suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages and was intercepted at around 11am on the same day for investigation. Some fishing gear (including snake cages and winches) on board was seized by the AFCD.

         After the investigation, charges were laid against the seven men who were suspected to have violated the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171). They will appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 23). 

         Only a vessel registered under the Ordinance can be used for fishing in Hong Kong waters and only the fishing methods listed on its Certificate of Registration of Local Fishing Vessel can be employed for fishing by the vessel. The conditions of the Certificate of Registration of Local Fishing Vessel regarding cage traps stipulate that any collapsible cage traps should not be connected in any way to another; or should not exceed five metres in any of its extended dimensions. Hence, fishing using snake cages is in breach of the registration conditions. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.

         A spokesman for the AFCD stressed, “The Government is committed to combatting illegal fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. The AFCD will continue to step up patrols and take stringent enforcement action.”         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Medical school task group meets

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau and Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin today co-chaired the first meeting of the Task Group on New Medical School to discuss strategic directions and major parameters for the establishment of a third medical school in Hong Kong.

    The task group concluded that the third medical school should adopt an innovative strategic positioning in pursuit of complementary development with the two existing medical schools.

    It recommended that the curriculum design of the new medical school should be accorded top priority and that the medical curriculum should meet the requirements stipulated by the Medical Council of Hong Kong.

    The task force also required that arrangements should also be made for medical students to undergo adequate clinical training to ensure they are well equipped with both professional knowledge and clinical skills to safeguard the interest of patients.

    Additionally, the new medical school should set out a forward-looking and long-term development plan for its campus and teaching facilities, as well as an interim arrangement for a campus and a teaching hospital if admission of students is essential before the long-term facilities are available, alongside strategies to ensure financial soundness.

    Prof Lo said the establishment of a third medical school is a significant project in the development of medical education in Hong Kong.

    “Not only will it attract global talent and nurture more outstanding doctors to reinforce the city’s healthcare system in the sustainable provision of healthcare services with enhanced quality and quantity, but also serves to promote high-quality development in medical education and research, dovetailing with the city’s development as an international hub for medical training, research and innovation.”

    Noting that the establishment of a new medical school will elevate Hong Kong’s position as an international education hub, Ms Choi supplemented that the scope of local medical teaching and research will be expanded through an innovative curriculum design and diversified student recruitment arrangements, complementing the goals of nurturing future talent and promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand.

    Land will also reserved in the Northern Metropolis Ngau Tam Mei for the new medical school campus and the associated integrated medical teaching and research hospital.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/BANGLADESH – Archbishop of Dacca: “We have faith in the work of the interim government”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Dhaka (Agenzia Fides) – “The interim government in power in Bangladesh is doing its best, working against corruption and for transparency. The executive, led by Mohammad Yunus, is made up of people who seem sincerely committed to the good of society,” said the Archbishop of Dhaka, Bejoy D’Cruze, OMI, to Fides about the present and future of the South Asian country where a student uprising between July and August 2024 led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India. “The interim government gave itself about two years to carry out the necessary reforms in the country, listening to the representatives of the student movement, civil society, political movements and religious communities,” he reports. “I met Yunus and he assured me that he is committed to respecting the rights of all, including those of religious minorities such as Hindus and Christians,” D’Cruze continued. Meanwhile, Yunus announced the establishment of six commissions to deal with reforms in as many areas as possible: electoral system, police, judiciary, anti-corruption, public administration and the constitution. “The issues on the agenda are diverse and challenging, and we need time to take the right steps. I believe that the Bangladeshi people must now be patient and confident. It is important that democracy is always protected, that the rights of religious and ethnic minorities are guaranteed, that the secularity of the state is not abandoned and that the rule of law is always respected and promoted,” the archbishop hopes. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has in recent days begun trials for crimes against humanity committed during anti-government protests in July and August, issuing arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 45 others, including several prominent members of the Awami League, Hasina’s party. The new government reinstated the court and appointed judges who have examined more than 60 complaints of crimes against humanity and genocide. Former Prime Minister Hasina is implicated in over 200 investigations for murders, attempted murders, kidnappings and other crimes. Recalling the days of protests, the archbishop said: “In truth, no one expected such a major turnaround. The former prime minister had ruled for three terms and was accused of political manipulation, corruption and lack of transparency. Her government was then harsh towards any political opposition and restricted freedom of opinion, conscience and speech. After initial protests, the police responded with strong violence, which further inflamed tempers and increased the scale of the revolt, which ultimately led to the fall of the government,” the Archbishop notes. “It was a shock for many, but it must be said that the country needed a change. Now we are trying to build a just and peaceful future. It is true that we are in a transitional phase of uncertainty, that the protests have not yet completely subsided and that there have been some problems, for example for the Hindu communities, which have suffered unfounded aggression. There is a fear that radical Islamist groups could seize the opportunity and recruit new followers. As Bangladeshi Catholics, we have confidence and hope in the good work and goodwill of the Yunus government, which we hope will lead the country into a new historic phase of stability, justice and prosperity,” Archbishop D’Cruze concludes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 22/10/2024)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Empowering Türkiye’s Energy Sector: The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) And SAMPA Sign Eur 15 Million Term Sheet

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    For further details, please contact:Nabil El-Alami
    Communications & Corporate Marketing Division Manager
    nalami@isdb.orgSampa, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty vehicle parts based in Türkiye, has transformed from a small workshop into a globally recognized industry leader. With a robust global presence across multiple industries, the company is dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and promoting equal opportunities within its workforce. Through strategic expansion, Sampa has established a foothold in key markets across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is a multilateral development financial institution and a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. Established in November 1999, ICD supports the economic development of its member countries through financing private sector projects, promoting competition and entrepreneurship, providing advisory services to governments and private companies, and encouraging cross-border investments. ICD is rated by international credit agencies, including A2 by Moody’s, A+ by Fitch, and A- by S&P.

    ICD aims to complement the activities of IsDB and national financing institutions in member countries by focusing on private sector institutions across various activities and operations in full compliance with the principles of Islamic Shari’ah. The organization focuses its financing on development projects such as infrastructure and private equity funds that aim to create job opportunities and encourage exports. For more information, please visit: http://www.ICD-PS.org.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Giftbit Makes Global Incentive Programs Easy, Automated, and Transparent

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE and VICTORIA, British Columbia, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Giftbit, a digital rewards provider that helps companies increase revenue and productivity, today launched a major update to their rewards platform offering global reach, automation, and transparency.

    “The updated Giftbit platform is another step forward for the digital rewards industry, one that in the past has been characterized by waste, opaque pricing, and manual effort,” said Leif Baradoy, Giftbit’s CEO. “Companies can now launch a modern automated incentive program in just a few clicks and know exactly where and how their rewards budget is being used.”

    International Options Mean Something for Everyone

    The expanded global platform makes it easy for businesses of all sizes to incentivize employees, recruit research participants, and reward customers. Giftbit’s catalog now offers nearly 1000 gift card options, including dozens of options from countries in Europe, the UK, Australia, and India. In addition to the growing gift card options, Giftbit has also launched a new international prepaid card which can be used in over 100 countries.

    Ease of Use and Automation That Can Reach Participants in Any Country

    Giftbit’s platform is automation-first. Its single API can power an entire global rewards program, meaning nobody has to juggle dozens of contracts and technical setups. By running their incentives through Giftbit, companies can automate what were once mundane and time-consuming reward fulfillment tasks.

    For example, a market research firm can automatically send a digital gift card or prepaid card when a survey is completed or a sales organization can instantly reward employees when they hit a sales goal.

    Transparent Financials and Customer-Friendly Pricing

    Price transparency remains a core part of the newly expanded platform. In contrast to similar platforms, Giftbit gives customers a clear view into their program financials and offers innovative ways to save money or tap into revenue opportunities.

    “If you’ve been wanting to launch or grow a rewards program but you’ve been turned off by the effort required, a fear of being ripped off, or a clunky international setup, the updated Giftbit platform is for you,” added Baradoy.

    About Giftbit

    Giftbit is a leading platform for digital reward and payout fulfillment, designed to help businesses achieve their goals with effective incentive programs. Knowing that rewards work, Giftbit offers a robust catalog of gift cards and prepaid cards, along with easy integration and transparent pricing. Giftbit ensures businesses can effortlessly motivate their prospects, customers, partners, and employees. Learn more about Giftbit at http://www.giftbit.com.

    Media Contact
    Sergut Dejene
    sergut@propllr.com

    Giftbit Media Contact
    pr@giftbit.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Exclusive Markets Receives Top Honors at International Business Magazine Awards 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Exclusive Markets, a globally renowned leader in online multi-asset trading, has once again showcased its commitment to excellence by holding several prestigious awards at the highly esteemed International Business Magazine Awards 2024. The company has emerged victorious in the following categories:

    • Most Trusted Forex Broker Global 2024
    • Best FX Broker Global 2024
    • Best Customer Support Global 2024
    • Best Partners Program Global 2024
    • Most Transparent Broker Asia 2024

    These esteemed awards reaffirm Exclusive Markets’ steady dedication to setting new benchmarks in the industry and delivering unmatched service to its worldwide clientele. The company’s forward-thinking strategies, which are always at the forefront of industry trends, its emphasis on transparency, and its unwavering focus on providing exceptional experiences for traders and partners have set it apart in the fiercely competitive market.

    The official award presentation is scheduled to take place at the prestigious Grand Annual Awards Ceremony 2024 in the luxurious Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, UAE, later this year. This highly anticipated event, set for Q4, will bring together top professionals from the global finance industry to celebrate outstanding achievements and innovation.

    Hemant Kumar, Exclusive Markets’ CMO, expressed his gratitude, remarking, “Securing 5 prestigious awards is a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence and the firm trust that our clients and partners have placed in us. Our entire team has worked tirelessly to uphold these values, and we take immense pride in seeing our efforts acknowledged on such a prestigious platform.”

    With these remarkable awards, Exclusive Markets has further solidified its position as a revered leader in the Forex trading industry, strengthening its reputation as a company that prioritizes partnerships and remains dedicated to delivering unparalleled client satisfaction!

    About Exclusive Markets

    Exclusive Markets is dedicated to providing traders with a robust, secure, and transparent platform for investing in a variety of financial instruments. With a focus on cutting-edge technology and holding ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Certification by MSECB, Exclusive Markets offers traders an exceptional platform that seamlessly integrates advanced features with user-friendly interfaces.

    Traders can access a wide array of trading instruments, including CFD stocks, commodities, forex, and spot metals. The company’s expert team is committed to meeting the evolving needs of its clients by continually expanding its range of products and services, allowing traders to invest according to their preferences.

    Risk Warning: Trading involves risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f223189a-99c1-4610-bd6c-84d9a48d6f66

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks in Kyiv by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom (As Delivered)

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Well, good afternoon.

    Thanks for welcoming me back to Kyiv, and to this proud academy.

    Director Nadolenko, I’m very grateful for those generous words.

    And speaking of outstanding diplomats: All Americans should be proud of our tireless and fearless ambassador, Bridget Brink. Ambassador, thanks for doing tremendous work.

    [Applause]

    Let me also thank my good friend, Minister Umerov. Rustem, thanks for that very kind introduction and for your tremendous service to your country.

    Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a great honor to be here with you today.

    I’d like to talk today about Ukraine’s just war of self-defense, and the road ahead.

    And I’d like to start by echoing the words of President Kennedy in his historic 1963 speech in Berlin.

    There are some who say that they don’t understand — or say they don’t understand — what is at stake between the free world and an aggressive tyrant like Putin.

    And I say to them: Let them come to Kyiv.

    There are some who say that both sides are to blame for Putin’s war of aggression.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    There are some who blur the lines between aggressor and victim.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    There are some who deny that the Kremlin targets Ukrainian civilians.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    There are some who say that Ukraine isn’t a real nation.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    And finally, there are some who claim that Ukraine lacks the courage to prevail.

    Let them come to Kyiv.

    Ladies and gentlemen, let us never forget how this war began.

    For years, Putin had harassed and assaulted the independent nation-state of Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, Putin crossed the line into an all-out invasion. And the Kremlin started the largest war in Europe since World War II.

    Now, Putin’s war of choice poses fundamental questions to every government and every person who seeks a decent and secure world.

    And so I ask today: Do rules matter?

    Do rights matter?

    Does sovereignty matter?

    I believe that they do.

    President Biden believes that they do.

    And every free citizen of Ukraine believes that they do.

    When the largest military in Europe becomes a force of aggression, the whole continent feels the shock.

    When a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council tries to deny self-rule to more than 40 million people, the whole world feels the blow.

    And when a dictator puts his imperial fantasies ahead of the rights of a free people, the whole international system feels the outrage.

    And so that’s why nations of goodwill from every corner of the planet have seen and have risen to Ukraine’s defense. And that’s why the United States and our allies and partners have proudly become the arsenal of Ukrainian democracy.

    America’s values call us to stand by a peaceful democracy fighting for its life. And America’s security demands that we stand up to Putin’s aggression.

    America’s security demands that we stand up to Putin’s aggression.

    Ukraine matters to U.S. security for four blunt reasons.

    Putin’s war threatens European security.

    Putin’s war challenges our NATO allies.

    Putin’s war attacks our shared values.

    And Putin’s war is a frontal assault on the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe.

    Now, this invasion hasn’t gone the way that the Kremlin planned. After 970 days of war, Putin has not achieved one single strategic objective.

    Not one.

    President Zelenskyy didn’t flee. Kyiv didn’t fall. And Ukraine didn’t fold.

    Instead, Russia has paid a staggering price for Putin’s imperial folly.

    Russian forces have suffered hundreds of thousands of casualties since February 2022. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russian losses in just the first year of Putin’s war were more than Moscow’s losses in all of its conflicts since World War II—combined.

    And Russia has had to dig so deep into its Soviet stockpiles that it’s attacking Ukraine with tanks from the time of World War II.

    And Russia has squandered more than 200 billion dollars to sustain its invasion. And Russia has given up untold billions of dollars more in previously anticipated economic growth.

    Now, Ukraine has suffered terribly at Putin’s hands.

    Since February 2022, according to the U.N., Russian forces have killed more than 11,000 Ukrainian civilians in verified civilian casualty incidents. And that includes more than 600 children.

    The U.N. says that Putin’s forces have bombed more than 250 Ukrainian schools and hospitals. And they’ve wrecked treasured sites of Ukrainian history, culture, and memory.

    But the Kremlin’s malice has not broken Ukraine’s spirit. Ukraine stands unbowed — and strengthened.

    You know, your fight began with soldiers setting tank ambushes on the streets of Kyiv, and with ordinary citizens making Molotov cocktails to defend their homes.

    And it continues today with a battle-tested Ukrainian military and security forces — and a roaring Ukrainian defense industrial base.

    Ukrainian factories are now pumping out some of the best UAVs in the world, and experienced Ukrainian air defenders are protecting their forces and their families. 

    And your soldiers have shown incredible skill. Your frontline defenders have shown heroic resolve. And your citizens have shown stunning courage.

    Ukraine’s resistance is powered by the emergency workers who rush to the scene; and by the energy workers who race to fix the damage of the Kremlin’s attacks; by the doctors who risk their own lives to save the wounded; by the nurses who provide comfort in hours of anguish; and by the clergy who tend to suffering souls; by the teachers who keep Ukraine’s schools open; and by the parents and grandparents who fight every day to keep their children safe and give them a future of peace.

    So your admirers around the world are studying the Ukrainian way of resistance. And we strongly encourage the reforms that Ukraine has launched to help realize its people’s hopes of joining the European Union and NATO. 

    Ukraine’s defenders have brought inspiration to the world — and glory to Ukraine.

    Slava Ukraini!

    [Audience responds in Ukrainian]

    Yet this struggle imposes obligations on us all. As President Biden told the U.N. General Assembly in September, “Our test is to make sure that the forces holding us together are stronger than the forces that are pulling us apart.”

    And make no mistake. The outcome of Ukraine’s fight for freedom will help set the trajectory for global security in the 21st century.

    Europe’s future is on the line.

    NATO’s strength is on the line.

    And America’s security is on the line.

    So the U.S. government has moved with urgency and purpose. And we’ve seen the huge progress that principled diplomacy can produce —the kind of diplomacy taught right here in this academy.

    Since April 2022, I have been convening the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — the coalition of some 50 countries from around the world determined to help Ukraine fight Putin’s aggression. The Contact Group has met 24 times now.

    And I know that Minister Umerov and my other Ukrainian friends often refer to the Contact Group as “the Ramstein format”— after Ramstein Air Base, where the Contact Group was forged.

    And each time that I’m back at Ramstein, I find it moving to look around that long table; to see in human form the global indignation over Putin’s crimes; and to see determined defense leaders from around the world — from Argentina to Australia, and from Tunisia to Türkiye.

    And it has worked.

    America’s allies and partners are sharing the burden of our shared security.

    And that’s the power of Ramstein.

    You know, as a percentage of GDP, a dozen U.S. allies and partners now provide more security assistance to Ukraine than the United States does. And members of the Contact Group have provided more than [51] billion dollars in direct security assistance to Ukraine.

    And I am proud to remind you that the United States is doing our part as well.

    My country has committed more than 58 billion dollars in security assistance for Ukraine since February 2022. We’ve delivered two Patriot batteries and dozens of other air-defense systems. We’ve provided 24 HIMARS [rocket] systems, and thousands of armored vehicles and drones, and millions of rounds of artillery and other critical munitions.

    Now, that is a very real financial commitment. But for anyone who thinks that American leadership is expensive — well, consider the price of American retreat.

    In the face of aggression, the price of principle is always dwarfed by the cost of capitulation.

    Our allies and partners know that. And I’ve been proud to watch the pro-Ukraine coalition dig deep.

    So just consider Germany, host to Ramstein Air Base. Germany alone has provided or committed to military assistance for Ukraine valued at close to 31 billion dollars.

    And through the Contact Group and its capability coalitions, Ukraine’s friends are now forging an unprecedented, coordinated, 13-country drive to increase industrial production, to meet Ukraine’s battlefield requirements, and to build up the force to deter and repel Russian aggression in the future.

    And so, not since World War II has America systematically rallied so many countries to provide such a range of industrial and military assistance for a partner in need.

    Now, there is no silver bullet. No single capability will turn the tide. No one system will end Putin’s assault.

    What matters is the way that Ukraine fights back. What matters is the combined effects of your military capabilities. And what matters is staying focused on what works.

    Now, I believe that President Biden and Vice President Harris will have a proud place in history for rallying the world to defend Ukraine.

    So will the allies and partners who seek a free Ukraine in a safer world.

    But the proudest place of all will go to the Ukrainian people.

    From President Zelenskyy on down, your leaders chose to fight back. And the people of Ukraine have met Russia’s aggression and atrocities with magnificent defiance.

    The spirit of Ukraine has inspired the world. And it has reminded us all to never take our freedom for granted.

    So we refuse to blame Ukraine for the Kremlin’s aggression.

    We refuse to offer excuses for Putin’s atrocities.

    And we refuse to pretend that appeasement will stop an invasion.

    We fully understand the moral chasm between aggressor and defender.

    And we will not be gulled by the frauds and the falsehoods of the Kremlin’s apologists.

    And we will continue to defend the Ukrainian people’s right to live in security and freedom.

    The Kremlin has forced us into an age where Europe’s largest military invades Europe’s second-largest country. And we dare not believe, as the novelist George Eliot once wrote, that “the giant forces that used to shake the earth are forever laid to sleep.”

    America’s goals remain clear, achievable, and principled. We seek a free and sovereign Ukraine that can defend itself from Russian aggression today — and deter Russian aggression in the future.

    We seek a more secure Europe — and a reinforced commitment from nations of goodwill worldwide to an open international system of rules, rights, and responsibilities.

    I know that the Kremlin’s war is a nightmare from which the Ukrainian people are trying to awake. But we should all understand that Putin’s assault is a warning. It is a sneak preview of a world built by tyrants and thugs — a chaotic, violent world carved into spheres of influence; a world where bullies trample their smaller neighbors; and a world where aggressors force free people to live in fear.

    So we face a hinge in history.

    We can continue to insist that cross-border invasion is the cardinal sin of world politics. And we can continue to stand firm against Putin’s aggression.

    Or we can let Putin have his way. And we can condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a far bloodier and more dangerous world.

    So we must continue to face, to squarely face, the specter of an aggressive Russia — backed by other autocrats from North Korea and Iran.

    If Ukraine falls under Putin’s boot, all of Europe will fall under Putin’s shadow.

    Putin is not just hammering at the norms of the international system built at such a terrible cost by the Allies after World War II. He is shoving us all toward a world where right — where might makes right, and where empire trumps sovereignty. And he is determined to show that his brand of autocracy can outlast the world’s democracies.

    You see, Putin does not just think that his will is stronger. He thinks that his system is better.

    But he could not be more wrong.

    You know, few forces are more powerful than a democracy fighting for freedom.

    As I have said: Peace is not self-executing. Order does not preserve itself. And the principles of freedom, and sovereignty, and human rights do not uphold themselves.

    Yes, there is a price to be paid for human freedom. But it is dwarfed by the price that we would all pay for letting aggression go unchecked.

    So President Biden has chosen the path of mutual responsibility and common security. And we have chosen to share the responsibility of ensuring that Ukraine remains sovereign and free.

    And make no mistake. The United States does not seek war with Russia. And even as Putin makes profoundly reckless and dangerous threats about nuclear war, we will continue to behave with the responsibility that the world rightly demands of a nuclear-armed state.

    So the United States will uphold our sworn NATO obligations.

    The United States will defend every inch of NATO territory.

    And the United States will get Ukraine what it needs to fight for its survival and security.

    [Applause]

    Ladies and gentlemen, let’s be clear.

    Ukraine does not belong to Putin.

    Ukraine belongs to the Ukrainian people.

    And Moscow will never prevail in Ukraine.

    You know, Putin thought that Ukraine would surrender. He was wrong.

    Putin thought that our democracies would cave. He was wrong.

    And Putin thought that the free world would cower. He was wrong.

    And Putin thinks that he will win. He is wrong.

    And as I said in Halifax almost two years ago: free people will always refuse to replace an open order of rules and rights with one dictated by force and fear.

    Now, Ukraine faces complex challenges in the days to come.

    And as then-Vice President Biden said at this academy in 2014, “Democracy is not a destination. Democracy is a road traveled. And it’s a hard damn road to travel.”

    But you have shown the world the moral power of a free people fighting to defend their country.

    That force can bend the arc of history.

    Ladies and gentlemen: never underestimate the strategic advantage of a just cause.

    Never underestimate the resolve of free citizens.

    And never underestimate the power of a democracy summoned to defend itself.

    Ukraine has chosen the course of courage.

    And so have we.

    My friends, you walk a hard road.

    But you do not walk it alone.

    Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless all who fight to defend freedom.

    [Standing ovation]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gateway: Life in a Lunar Module

    Source: NASA

    Teams at NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and Thales Alenia Space, including astronauts Stan Love and Luca Parmitano, came together in Turin, Italy, this summer for a test run of Gateway, humanity’s first space station to orbit the Moon.
    The group conducted what is known as human factors testing inside a mockup of Lunar I-Hab, one of four Gateway modules where astronauts will live, conduct science, and prepare for missions to the Moon’s South Pole region. The testing is an important step on the path to launch by helping refine the design of spacecraft for comfort and safety.
    Lunar I-Hab is provided by ESA and Thales Alenia Space and is slated to launch on Artemis IV. During that mission, four astronauts will launch inside the Orion spacecraft atop an upgraded version of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and deliver Lunar I-Hab to Gateway in orbit around the Moon.
    ESA, CSA (Canadian Space Agency), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre of the United Arab Emirates are providing major hardware for Gateway, including science experiments, the modules where astronauts will live and work, robotics, and life support systems.
    International teams of astronauts will explore the scientific mysteries of deep space with Gateway as part of the Artemis campaign to return to the Moon for scientific discovery and chart a path for the first human missions to Mars and beyond.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: One De Brazza’s Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passes away

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    One De Brazza’s Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passes away
    One De Brazza’s Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passes away
    ********************************************************************************

         The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced that the De Brazza’s Monkey of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) which had been put under isolation since October 13 was found dead today (October 22). The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has conducted a necropsy on the animal body to ascertain the cause of death.     A total of 12 animals of the HKZBG have passed away since October 13. After receiving necropsy, pathological diagnosis and laboratory tests results by relevant government departments, and ruling out other possible causes of illness, it is confirmed that the cause of death of the 11 animals deceased earlier is sepsis induced by bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Similar lesions were also found in the tissues of relevant organs of the 12th monkey that died today. Pathological diagnosis and testing are in progress.     The LCSD will continue to close the Mammals Section of the HKZBG to closely monitor the health conditions of the animals. At present, the health conditions of the 78 mammals are normal. The LCSD will also continue to provide protective gear and health monitoring for staff who take care of animals. The health conditions of staff concerned are normal.      The LCSD has all along been communicating with the AFCD and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, and has implemented appropriate protective measures and stepped up cleaning in accordance with their recommendations.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, October 22, 2024Issued at HKT 21:58

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: De Brazza’s Monkey dies

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced that the De Brazza’s Monkey at the Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) that has been under isolation since October 13, was found dead today.

    The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department then conducted a necropsy on the animal to ascertain the cause of death.

    A total of 12 animals at the HKZBG have passed away since October 13.

    After receiving the necropsy, pathological diagnosis and laboratory test results by relevant government departments, it was confirmed that the cause of death of the previous 11 animals was sepsis induced by bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.

    Similar lesions were also found in the tissues of the organs of the monkey that died today.

    The LCSD will keep the HKZBG’s Mammals Section closed to monitor the health conditions of the animals. The health conditions of the 78 mammals are normal.

    It will also continue to provide protective gear and health monitoring for staff who take care of animals. The health conditions of the staff concerned are normal.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First-day auction results for Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair stalls

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         A total of 175 wet goods stalls and 4 fast food stalls were all successfully let in an auction for stalls at the 2025 Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair starting today (October 22).
          
         Nearly 470 people attended the auction at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, from 9am to 7pm today, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said.
          
         The average bid price for the wet goods stalls was $20,316, with the successful bids ranging from $6,530 to $75,000. The highest bid of $75,000 was about 11.5 times the opening price of $6,530.
          
         The auction of wet goods stalls fetched a total of $3,555,258 compared with $5,182,204 last year.
          
         The successful bids of the 4 fast food stalls ranged from $120,470 to $182,000 with an average of $150,735 against an opening price of $120,470.
          
         The auction for the 216 dry goods stalls, including 166 regular size dry goods stalls and 50 large size dry goods stalls, will be held at 9am from tomorrow (October 23) to Thursday (October 24) at the same venue.
          
         The spokesman reminded the successful bidders to comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Maryland Delegation Announces $48.7 Million for Maryland-Based Non-Profits to Expand Workforce Development Opportunities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (2nd District of Maryland)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $48,722,721 in Department of Labor (DOL) funding to bolster workforce development opportunities for underrepresented groups in Maryland and across the country including older adults, young adults with disabilities and women.

    The funding is administered through three DOL grant programs.

    • Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) grants provide training and career services to low-income older individuals who are seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce.
    • Workforce Pathways for Youth(WPY) grants help out-of-school time organizations partner with state and local organizations that serve historically marginalized and underserved youth to provide workforce readiness programming.
    • Womenin Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations(WANTO) grants provide technical assistance to support women’s participation in fields where they are traditionally underrepresented, such as construction, advanced manufacturing, energy, technology and transportation.

    “Supporting pathways to competitive, good-paying jobs through opportunities like apprenticeships and other training initiatives helps ensure everyone can contribute to a thriving economy,” said the lawmakers. “These workforce development programs provide inclusive training options that can serve as a bridge between skilled workers and career opportunities. We’re investing in these efforts led by Maryland-based organizations so that workers here and across the country can reach their full potential and employers can tap into a diverse pipeline of talent.”

    The following projects received awards: 

    • $30,071,551 for the Center for Workforce Inclusion, Inc., Silver Spring, MD: Toprovide training for low-income, unemployed people aged 55 and older in a variety of community service activities at non-profit and public agencies, including schools, hospitals, day-care centers, senior centers in Maryland and service areas across 11 other states: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.
    • $14,640,900 for Goodwill Industries International, Inc., Rockville, MD: To provide training and employment services for older workers in service areas across 10 states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington.
    • $3,294,240 for Bridges from School to Work, Inc., Bethesda, MD: Toexpand workforce development services for youth with disabilities aged 16 to 21 across 10 Bridge cities: Los Angeles, CA; Oakland, CA; San Francisco, CA; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; New York City, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Dallas, TX; and Fort Worth, TX.
    • $716,030 for the Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation, Parkton, MD: To use the state’s existing infrastructure to expand women’s participation in quality registered apprenticeship programs through equity-focused, pre-apprenticeship programs with a focus on the two regions with the highest rates of child poverty: Baltimore City and Somerset County. 

    “The funding we’re announcing today advances the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of promoting worker-focused training programs that incorporate industry and worker voices,” said Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su. “The grants will help enhance access to quality jobs for care workers and people in critical sectors, broaden job training and career opportunities for youth and strengthen public-private partnerships that prepare workers for high-quality infrastructure jobs.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Baird Applauds New International Service from Indianapolis International Airport

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

    Rep. Baird Applauds New International Service from Indianapolis International Airport

    Washington, October 22, 2024

    Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement regarding the announcement that the Indianapolis International Airport will host a nonstop flight from Indianapolis to Dublin, Ireland. The flight is slated to run four times a week beginning on May 3, 2025.

    “Ireland has been a friend and strong economic partner with the United States and the State of Indiana,” said Rep. Baird. “Opening this transatlantic route will strengthen our ties with Ireland and serves as a gateway to the rest of Europe, increasing opportunities for Hoosier businesses and travel abroad. This route is a huge win that will drive greater economic investment in our state and Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Shocktober: Xbox’s celebration of all things spooky slashes prices on PC and console games

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Shocktober: Xbox’s celebration of all things spooky slashes prices on PC and console games

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Returns Over $1 Million to Constituents, Secures Millions to Strengthen Public Safety, Support the Economy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Today, October 17, 2024, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) highlighted his ongoing commitment to helping New Mexicans navigate federal bureaucracy and securing funding for community projects. The event brought together constituents who have directly benefited from his office’s assistance with federal agencies as well as local leaders whose projects have received significant federal support through Community Project Funding (CPF).

    Since taking office, Vasquez has returned over $1 million to constituents, successfully resolving over 1,200 cases involving IRS disputes, Social Security benefits and VA assistance for veterans. Several constituents shared their stories of how Vasquez helped them overcome obstacles when dealing with federal agencies.

    “I’m excited to announce that my office has returned over $1 million to hard-working New Mexicans,” said Vasquez. “My office has helped seniors access hard-earned Social Security benefits, resolved IRS issues for families and helped countless veterans. I’m here to fight for everyone in southern New Mexico. Every success story shows the real impact we can have when we prioritize people over politics and ensure the federal government works for them.”

    “My husband was a Vietnam veteran. He was very, very sick, and he died in Texas because that’s where they sent him, and I waited and waited for my benefits. Every time I contacted the VA, they told me they’re working on it, but it never moved. I came here, filled out paperwork. Congressman Vasquez’s office sent it. On Thursday, your office sent me a letter saying that you heard from them, and on Saturday, I got my money. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done,” said Karen of Las Cruces.

    “My husband and I are both veterans. I started getting heart issues in 1998. Recently, I was told I needed a transplant, and they told me I needed to go to Utah. My husband and I are pretty close to retirement and by us having to temporarily move and lose our employment, would mean our house and our car would be gone. All of the things that we’ve worked for for retirement in a few years would be out the window. I called Congressman Vasquez and within the same week, the doctor called me back with an option to stay in state. It’s amazing how fast things worked for us. I really appreciate your intervention, because without that, I would have been dead within a week or two” said Cyprina of Alamogordo. 

    “Congressman Vasquez helped me with a Post Office issue,” said John of Las Cruces. “Our mailbox on our block got vandalized, and for months, we had to pick up our mail at the Post Office. I contacted the office and within days we got a new mailbox. It was crazy!” 

    In addition to casework success, Vasquez highlighted over $14.2 million he has secured for Community Project Funding. Vasquez’s submission of fifteen CPF projects for Fiscal Year 2024 marked the first time that New Mexico’s second congressional district has participated in the CPF process in recent years. Local leaders in attendance praised Vasquez’s leadership in bringing federal dollars back to New Mexico to fund essential community programs that will grow the economy and keep New Mexicans safe. 

    “Unlike my predecessor, I have secured millions of dollars in Community Project Funding for our district for the first time,” said Vasquez. “These investments are supporting critical infrastructure upgrades, public safety initiatives and strengthening New Mexico’s economy and families.”

    “I’ve been on the City Council while we’ve had a representative who was unresponsive to our community’s needs, and I don’t ever want to go back to that. Because of the impact that Representative Vasquez has talked about here today, I just couldn’t be more grateful for how you are representing us and for the support that you’re bringing, of course, to Las Cruces, but also to rural communities all across the southern part of our state. Thank you,” said Las Cruces City Councilor Johana Bencomo.

    “We’re here to work together at a local level, at a state level, at a federal level, and really here for our community and for our people. I think that just Congressman Vasquez being there to do that, it acknowledges that, and I can’t thank you enough for that. Our little community of Mesilla in the past has not actually gone after any type of federal dollars, but Congressman Vasquez really opened that door and that opportunity, and it’s been a breath of fresh air to see what’s available and out there. I can’t thank you more for that because it’s great for our community and the future of the town,” said Mesilla Mayor Russell Hernandez.

    Vasquez remains committed to helping constituents navigate federal agencies, securing federal funding for local projects and ensuring that the voices of southern New Mexico are heard in Washington. For assistance with federal agencies, please visit vasquez.house.gov/help. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Open Dialogue Key to Local Support in Nuclear Projects

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Open dialogue is key to earning the support of local communities to host nuclear power projects, ranging from power reactors to research laboratories and deep geological repositories for spent fuel, a side event at the IAEA’s General Conference heard.  

    “Host communities are a key protagonist in the nuclear story,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who delivered opening remarks at the event. “We want to highlight their role in energy transitions and the strong support for the facilities they host. We need even broader local backing – the world needs more ‘yes in my backyard’ for nuclear to thrive.” 

    The IAEA will also host the first International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes from 26 to 30 May 2025 at its headquarters in Vienna. The conference will bring together a wide range of participants including policymakers, regulators, communication experts, technical support organizations, waste management organizations, community representatives, industry leaders, academic researchers, NGOs and international organizations.  

    At the General Conference side event speakers from Argentina, Canada, Hungary, Japan and the United States of America considered the challenges and opportunities presented to nuclear facility host communities and highlighted success stories and lessons learned. Participants heard how the success of large infrastructure projects typically relies on social licence and nuclear power projects are no exception. Open dialogue among all stakeholders is vital, especially with host communities, and can help keep projects on time and budget while addressing local concerns.  

    The recording of the event can be viewed here. 

    Panellists provided examples illustrating how proactive, cooperative engagement between community members, government bodies and implementing organizations led to positive outcomes and laid the foundation for long-term success.  

    The town of Ignace in Canada recently confirmed its willingness to host a deep geological repository (DGR) for Canada’s spent nuclear fuel. This expression of interest came after a long process emphasizing dialogue and providing resources for the community to learn what hosting a repository would involve. 

    “In 2010, our mayor and council brought Ignace forth as one of 22 communities potentially interested in a DGR. We want our community to prosper and thrive, but we also had some concerns about safety, and it was clear that Ignace wanted to have a strong voice in the process,” said Chantal Moore, a resident committee member in Ignace’s Willingness Ad Hoc Committee, which was established to determine residents’ willingness to move forward with hosting. Canada’s National Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and the municipality worked with the community to provide information about what the project would entail and a local committee was established to engage the community in learning about the process. 

    “After 14 years, we are one of the two communities in Canada being considered for a DGR, and 77% of the community members who participated in the voting process has voted in favour of the project.” 

    Ongoing discussions with NWMO have been an important component of successful engagement. “We have a large geography, very good geology. And it was key for this to be a voluntary process,” said Isaac Werner, Senior Advisor for Government Relations at NWMO. “We have very clearly stated that we will not move forward with our project without willing and informed host communities. We plan to announce our preferred location by the end of this year.”  

    Mayor Rebecca Casper of Idaho Falls, the city which hosts the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory (INL), said local engagement is essential. INL is a major nuclear energy research laboratory that has hosted numerous demonstration reactors and is set to act as the testing ground for several advanced reactors in the near future. “Mayors tend to consider themselves partners,” Casper said. “Unlike the many other players who will be a part of a project, only the local community will be around for the entire 100 year relationship.”  

    Host communities and nuclear operators often share a common goal and work together to achieve it, explained Csaba Dohoczki, Vice President of the Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities. “In Hungary, for example, municipalities across the river from the Paks Nuclear Power Plant identified the need to have easier access to the site. They worked together with the operator and government, and opened a bridge last March, connecting the two sides of the river and providing more access to jobs for the community and a larger offer of services to the operator and the new nuclear project Paks II.” 

    Disruption caused by construction is often one of the top concerns of the host communities, as well as the challenge of developing the community infrastructure fast enough to meet the needs of a growing economy. “Zarate municipality and its town of Lima are proud to host nuclear power reactors,” said Marcelo Matzkin, Mayor of Zarate municipality in Argentina, site of Atucha nuclear power plant and a small modular reactor under construction. “Lima grew together with the nuclear projects – it used to be a town, now it is a city. The nuclear power plant brought jobs, good salaries and new shops, but the challenge is to provide adequate infrastructure to this growing city and we are working with the operator of the plant to find solutions.”  

    Masahiro Sakurai, Mayor of Kashiwazaki, home to Japan’s largest nuclear power plant, added: “There are many positive sides of hosting nuclear power plant, such as supporting the country’s economic growth and local employment. However, sometimes there are divisions within the community in terms of support and this has to be discussed. While safety reviews are crucial for the restart of reactors that were shut down after the Fukushima Daiichi accident, it is the local community that must consent to the restart.”  

    The relationship between the national government and municipalities with nuclear facilities extends beyond nuclear operation. “Our priority is to have a regular dialogue with the municipalities and provide various forms of support tailored to their needs,” said Masahiro Yagi, Special Research Officer in the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. “For example, after the shutdown of nuclear power plants, we supported the diversification of the industrial structure in Hokkaido through using locally grown rice to produce high-value bioplastics, in order to increase the impact of agriculture and the number of people involved in agriculture,” he added. 

    A community’s reaction to the idea of hosting a nuclear facility often depends on the type of facility. “The local communities are proud of our nuclear power plants, but if we go the other way in terms of establishing a DGR, there could be a lot of opposition,” said German Guido Lavalle, President of Argentina’s National Atomic Energy Commission. “There are different local communities, but in the end, there is a common concept that you have to engage, you have to discuss. Talking with the community about all kinds of nuclear facilities is very important.” 

    More information on International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes registration and participation is available here. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tritium Level Far Below Japan’s Operational Limit in Tenth Batch of ALPS Treated Water, IAEA Confirms

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have confirmed that the tritium concentration in the tenth batch of diluted ALPS treated water, which the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) began discharging 17 October, is far below Japan’s operational limit.

    IAEA experts stationed at the Agency’s office at the site of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) conducted an independent on-site analysis of samples from the treated water. The IAEA confirmed that the tritium concentration in the diluted water is far below the operational limit of 1500 becquerels per litre and is in line with international safety standards.

    In line with Japan’s plans, the ALPS-treated water is being released from FDNPS in a series of batches over the next decades, following the start of the discharge in August 2023. The IAEA confirmed that the tritium concentrations in the previous nine batches, totalling approximately 72 000 cubic meters of water, were also far below operational limits.

    In a comprehensive report issued on 4 July 2023, the IAEA’s safety review found that Japan’s plan for handling the treated water was consistent with international safety standards and that the release as planned would have a negligible radiological impact to people and the environment.

    Earlier this month, the IAEA, with experts from third-party laboratories, performed sampling for interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) to corroborate environmental monitoring conducted by TEPCO and relevant Japanese authorities. Samples of seawater, sediment, fish and seaweed were collected from coastal and offshore locations and a fish market close to FDNPS. The IAEA also initiated the first steps of additional measures at sea near FDNPS.

    Reports on sampling, independent analysis, data evaluation, as well as timeline, are available on the IAEA website.

    MIL Security OSI –