NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Urgent warning about the safe disposal of batteries and disposable BBQs after Leeds bin wagon fires

    Source: City of Leeds

    Three concerning near-misses with bin wagons in the last week

    Leeds residents are being reminded about the dangers of binning batteries and hot ash from barbeques after three separate incidents in refuse collection vehicles in the last week.

    Waste crews were carrying out collections in Burmantofts, Armley and Middleton when smoke started emerging from the back of their wagons. In each case, thanks to the quick actions of the crews, the fire service was promptly called and advised tipping the smouldering waste on to the road to enable it to be safely extinguished.

    Evidence in each case appeared to show the fires were caused by either disposable barbeques or batteries from vapes or other discarded devices. Fortunately, on these occasions the crews were unhurt, and the bin wagons, roads and local properties were not damaged. The mess created in each location was cleared as soon as could be safely arranged, but not without the time and cost involved and some inconvenience to local residents and road users.

    As a result of these incidents, all residents are being reminded the best way to get rid of disposable barbeques is to let them completely cool down until at least the next day after use and to soak them in water before wrapping them in foil and disposing of them in a black wheelie bin.

    Loose batteries or devices like vapes that contain lithium-ion batteries can be safely recycled at the place they were purchased from, most supermarkets or any local household waste recycling centre in Leeds.

    Leeds City Council executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, Councillor Mohammed Rafique said:

    “We’d like to thank all of the crews in these incidents for their quick-thinking and attentiveness as well as West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for their guidance on how to handle these situations to avoid serious issues developing.

    “Fires in bin wagons or at recycling centres can be started from the smallest spark or heat source. This results in danger to our crews and staff, damaged vehicles and inconvenience for residents. We appeal to everyone to please dispose of your rubbish responsibly, taking extra care that disposable barbecues are fully cooled down and that hidden batteries in things like vapes are recycled in an appropriate battery bin. Taking the time to be vigilant helps to keep everyone safe.”

    Note for editors:
    To safely get rid of used E-cigarettes and disposable vapes, these should be taken back to the shops they were bought from and deposited in their vape bins.

    Alternatively, find an electrical recycling point at https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/ or deposit them in the special vape bins at one of the eight local household waste recycling centres across Leeds which can be found at Where to take your waste and recycling | Leeds.gov.uk

    A Material Focus local authorities survey in the UK estimated that over 1,200 fires were caused by crushed or damaged batteries in waste streams in 2023, an increase of 71 per cent from the year before.

    ENDS

    For media enquiries please contact:

    Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

    Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

    Tel: 0113 378 6007

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is Vladimir Putin’s indiscriminate bombing of Ukrainian civilians ‘crazy’? It’s more a sign of impatience

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Mark Edele, Hansen Professor in History and Deputy Dean, The University of Melbourne

    United States President Donald Trump was “not happy” with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, this week.

    For three consecutive nights, from Friday to Sunday, Russia launched about 900 drones and scores of missiles at Ukraine. At least 18 people were killed, including three children.

    “We’re in the middle of talking and he’s shooting rockets into Kyiv and other cities,” Trump told reporters on Sunday, after Putin ordered the largest air assault on Ukraine’s civilians in its three-year war.

    Following up on his remarks, Trump posted on social media that Putin had “gone absolutely CRAZY!”

    Putin is not crazy. He is a tactician with a long-term goal: to make Russia a great power again and secure his place in the history books as the re-builder of Russia’s imperial might.

    Trump announced after a phone call with Putin on May 19 that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start negotiations” towards a ceasefire.

    With his latest air campaign on Ukraine, however, Putin is threatening to destroy the goodwill he’s built up in Washington, where Trump has been consistently soft on Russia and tough on his allies.

    So, what is Putin’s strategy? Why is he launching these massive air bombardments on Ukrainian civilians now?

    Putin sees weakness in the West

    One theory is these attacks are somehow preparations for a major offensive. That makes little sense.

    Attacking military facilities, weapons depots or even frontline troops are useful preparations for an impending attack. Indiscriminate bombing of civilians, meanwhile, is a sign of either desperation or impatience.

    Britain and the US bombed German cities during the second world war because they had no alternatives until they built up enough capacity to transport land forces across the sea to invade the continent.

    The US also sent bombers to Japan in the final stages of the war because the American public became tired of seeing their sons, husbands, brothers and fathers die on Pacific islands they had never heard of. The war had dragged on forever by this point, and there seemed no end in sight.

    Is Putin desperate or impatient? Likely the latter.

    From the perspective of the Kremlin, Russia’s strategic situation is as good as it has been for years.

    The US is trying to destroy itself through trade wars and boorish diplomacy. Trump clearly dislikes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and hopes the war will somehow end if he just demands it.

    Europe is continuing to back Ukraine. However, for the time being, it still needs US support because its entire security structure is built around NATO and US strength, both economic and military.

    What Putin sees when he surveys the international scene is weakness. In his thinking, such weakness needs to be exploited – now is the time to hurt Ukraine as much as possible, and hope it will crack. Analysts call this a “cognitive warfare effort”.

    Indiscriminate air war on civilians is the only means Putin currently has to pressure Ukraine. His army has been advancing, but painfully slowly. There is no breakthrough in sight, even once the spring muds dry and the summer fighting season starts in earnest.

    Russia has gradually advanced in Ukraine throughout 2024, but with no perceivable change in the overall situation. Putin does not command precision weapons or super spies, which he could use to take out Ukraine’s leadership.

    All he can do is rain death on women, children and the elderly from relatively cheap, unsophisticated weapons, such as drones. He now has these in large supply, thanks to ramping up military production at home.

    Bombing campaigns do not end wars

    A strategic air war on civilians seldom works, however.

    Japan’s surrender in 1945 is an exception, but it is misleading in many ways. The Americans had flattened Japan’s cities for a while already, just not using their new atomic weapons. Japan had already lost the war and the real question was if there would be a bloody US invasion or surrender.

    And as the US dropped its two nuclear bombs in August of that year, the Red Army joined the fight, racing across Manchuria to help occupy Japanese territories.

    In Germany, the British-American bombings from 1942 onwards certainly had an effect on war production, as they killed workers and destroyed factories. But they did not incapacitate the German army and certainly did not break morale.

    Instead, the bombings led to embitterment and a closing of ranks around the regime. German society fought to the last moment. It did so not just despite, but because of the air war. The German army was eventually defeated by the ground troops of the Red Army, who took Berlin in an incredibly bloody fight.

    Other historical failures are even more spectacular. The US air force dropped 864,000 tons of bombs on North Vietnam during an air campaign of more than 300,000 sorties lasting from 1965 to late 1968. The North Vietnamese lost maybe 29,000 people (dead and wounded), more than half of them civilians. The Americans and their South Vietnamese allies still lost the war.

    Putin’s air war will likely follow the historical pattern: it has further embittered the Ukrainians, who know very well that what comes from the east is not liberation.

    Another summer of fighting lies ahead. Ukraine’s friends in the democratic world need to urgently redouble their efforts to support Ukraine. The misguided hopes that Putin would somehow “make a deal” lie under the rubble his drones leave behind in Ukraine’s cities.

    Mark Edele receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Is Vladimir Putin’s indiscriminate bombing of Ukrainian civilians ‘crazy’? It’s more a sign of impatience – https://theconversation.com/is-vladimir-putins-indiscriminate-bombing-of-ukrainian-civilians-crazy-its-more-a-sign-of-impatience-257630

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Notice of website maintenance

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Notice of website maintenance

    Date：2025-05-16
    Data Source：Public Diplomacy Coordination Council

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.mofa.gov.tw) and its subdomains, including the Youth Programs website (www.youthtaiwan.net) and the Minister’s Mailbox (eyes.mofa.gov.tw), will be unavailable due to maintenance work from Friday, May 23, 19:00 (Taipei time) to Saturday, May 24, 20:00 (Taipei time). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Tackling human trafficking

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Gone are the days when human trafficking felt like an obscure crime that occurs under the cover of night in far off places we have never heard of. 

    Every so often we hear of suspected human trafficking cases, and it is likely that you and I could have already interacted with a trafficked person(s) without even knowing it.

    This as police rescued 44 illegal immigrants who were found locked in a house in Gauteng’s Parkmore suburb recently.

    It was also reported in March that over 30 Ethiopian nationals were able to escape from a house in Johannesburg’s Lombardy East. In that case, it is suspected that the 30 were victims of a human trafficking syndicate.

    In January, over 20 Ethiopians were rescued from a house in Johannesburg. The rescue followed a similar one in August 2024 where 82 Ethiopians were also found at a house in Johannesburg.

    Additionally, human trafficking does not only take place on home soil. In March, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed that 23 South Africans who were part of a group of 7000 people from various countries, were rescued from Myanmar.

    Before leaving South African shores in 2024, the men and women were lured by an employment agency to Thailand under the pretences of lucrative jobs that were advertised on various social media platforms.
    According to DIRCO, the adverts promised the victims good salaries, free accommodation, comprehensive travel expenses, and other lucrative benefits. However, once in Thailand, they were transported to Myanmar against their will.

    They were held captive for more than four months in a cybercrime compound in Myanmar, which borders Thailand. 

    “The crime of human trafficking is a hidden one. It is a very different one in the sense that you are given promises of a better life through whatever means elsewhere. You wilfully participate in those engagements without knowing that as soon as you arrive at your destination, what you have been promised is no longer there,” said Deputy Director-General (DDG) Lucky Mohalaba.

    Mohalaba is the DDG for Court Administration at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD).

    “The courts are currently dealing with those matters [of human trafficking] and it ranges from sexual exploitation to forced labour,” he said in an interview with SAnews.

    Legislation

    He added that there are other forms of crimes in relation to the “Trafficking in Persons Act which may include harbouring, transporting [and] assisting in whatever form that those who have been trafficked are able to be moved around within our borders.”

    This as the objects of South Africa’s Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2013, among others, are to give effect to the country’s obligations concerning the trafficking of persons in terms of international agreements and to provide for the prevention of trafficking in persons and for the protection of and assistance to victims of trafficking, among others.

    According to the legislation, any person who delivers, recruits, transports, transfers, harbours, sells, exchanges, leases or receives another person within or across the borders of the Republic, by means of the threat of harm, abduction and kidnapping among others, for the purpose of any form or manner of exploitation, is guilty of the offence of trafficking in persons.

    It also states that any person who adopts a child, facilitated or secured through legal or illegal means; or concludes a forced marriage with another person, within or across the borders of the Republic, for exploitation purposes of that child or other person in any form, is guilty of an offence.

    A person convicted of an offence of trafficking (by delivering, recruiting, transporting transferring harbouring and selling among others another person by means of a threat of harm, fraud and kidnapping among others, is liable to a fine not exceeding R100 million or imprisonment, including imprisonment for life, or such imprisonment without the option of a fine or both.

    According to the National Prosecuting Agency, the passing of the trafficking legislation is a result of South Africa’s ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children.

    Additionally, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said the protocol -which was adopted by the United Nations in November 2000 – is the world’s primary legal instrument to combat human trafficking.

    Mohalaba stressed that government is tackling human trafficking.

    “What we can say to the public is that government is doing quite a lot of work in relation to this matter. But working together with civil society as well as communities, as a department we are of the view that we can do a lot to further curb instances and the incidence of trafficking in persons in South Africa,” he said from his office at the DOJ&CD.

    Increased effort 

    There is tangible evidence that the work government is doing in this area is paying off with the county having moved to a better spot on the United States of America’s (USA) annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.

    In 2024, South Africa moved from Tier 2 Watch List of the report to Tier 2. 

    Released in June last year, the report, which is available on the US Department of State website among others, notes that while South Africa does not “fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking… [it] is making significant efforts to do so.”

    “The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period; therefore South Africa was upgraded to Tier 2. These efforts included increasing prosecutions of traffickers; identifying and referring more trafficking victims to protection services; and increasing the number of shelters available to assist trafficking victims,” the report stated.

    It also took note of government’s National Inter-Ministerial Committee for Trafficking in Persons (NICTIP) to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts which included the Border Management Authority, the Anti-Money Laundering Integrated Task Team and the Financial Intelligence Center.

    He said that work done includes ensuring that there is domestic legislation in place that deals with trafficking in persons and that the country has in place mechanisms to identify, assess victims or suspected victims of trafficking and ensuring that there are shelters to accommodate victims while court processes continue.

    “As a result of our responses, we moved to Tier 2 as these are some of the issues the country has addressed. Of course, our aim is to ensure that we move a level higher up which will include putting more effort into ensuring that there’s appropriate training for officials that are dealing with these matters.  We are working on this,” he explained.

    According to the TIP, the placement of countries into various tiers is not based on the size of a country’s problem “but on the extent of government efforts to meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.”

    These standards include the prohibition of severe forms of trafficking in person and punishing acts of such trafficking.
    Tier 2 Watch List countries are those whose governments don’t fully meet the TVPA’s minimum standards but are making moves to “bring themselves into compliance” with the standards.

    Tier 2 countries are those whose governments do not fully meet the minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance. Additionally, Tier 1 countries are those in which governments fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

    The TIP also has Tier 3 countries whereby governments do not fully meet the minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.

    Mohalaba added that the NICTIP which the department and the NPA are co-chairing, is “seized with coordinating a lot of efforts around the trafficking in persons across the country.”

    “It also includes NGOs [non-government organisations] who take part in the discussions so that all of us working together are able to move our country forward and prevent this scourge in trafficking of persons.”

    The report however flagged several issues including that law enforcement did not have the capacity and training to refer victims of trafficking to care and that victim services remained insufficient among others.

    The report states that over “180 countries have ratified or acceded to the United Nations (UN) Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (the UN TIP Protocol), which defines trafficking in persons and contains obligations to prevent and combat the crime.”

    Collaboration 

    South Africa’s Parliament passed the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons, 2013 Act which came into operation in August 2015.

    “Again, we must appreciate the collaboration amongst the law enforcement agencies and particularly communities and civil society to ensure that these serious matters are addressed.

    The act requires the DOJ&CD to develop the draft National and Policy Framework (NPF) which also requires the Minister of Justice to table the approved NPF in Parliament within one year after the commencement of the Act.

    Added to that, the NFP is to be reviewed within three years after its publication in the government gazette and at least once every five years thereafter. The first NPF was approved by the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster in 2019 with the revised one having been approved by Cabinet in August 2023. It was tabled in Parliament in February 2024.

    The framework comprises four pillars – namely: prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships.

    “Trafficking is an international crime, and States have been encouraged to put in laws that deal with this. We are using the NFP to compliment the legislation working together with civil society to make sure that we combat and deal with issues of trafficking in persons,” said the DDG.

    The NPF states that trafficking in persons is a “serious crime and a grave violation of human rights posing a serious challenge to communities and to society at large.”

    In the document, government states that it is committed to preventing trafficking, as well as to assist and protect victims and to prosecute perpetrators.

    “People go to great lengths to ensure that when people are trafficked, that it falls within the ambit of organised crime. We really want to appeal to the public that we should be vigilant when we see instances of people being trafficked in our villages, townships, in towns or any other areas we see the potential of people being trafficked,” said the DDG.

    He added that the review of the policy framework will be made in 2027.

    “As a country, we remain resolute in working with whichever country across the globe to ensure that the issues of trafficking in persons are actually made a priority across the world.” –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: State visit by Palauan President Whipps concludes; successfully deepens bilateral relations

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    State visit by Palauan President Whipps concludes; successfully deepens bilateral relations

    • Date：2025-05-24
    • Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    May 24, 2025
    No. 173

    President of the Republic of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and his delegation concluded a successful state visit to Taiwan on the morning of May 24. Following President Lai Ching-te’s December visit to Pacific allies entitled “Smart and Sustainable Development for a Prosperous Austronesian Region” and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung’s January trip to Palau as special presidential envoy and head of an industrial fact-finding mission, this visit marked the further deepening of diverse and robust cooperation between Taiwan and Palau under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. It also underlined the significant accomplishments that the two countries had achieved thanks to their staunch commitment to jointly promoting sustainable development. 

    During his visit, President Whipps met with President Lai, attended a state banquet, and together with President Lai witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements on technical cooperation and diplomatic staff training and cooperation. Accompanied by Minister Lin, President Whipps also visited industries related to the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project in central and southern Taiwan. The tour reflected Taiwan’s continuing efforts to strengthen the resilience of Palau’s tourism-centered economy through integrated diplomacy and demonstrated the substantive success of bilateral collaboration.

    Leaving Taiwan today, the Palauan delegation was seen off at the airport by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Remus Li-kuo Chen. Since establishing diplomatic ties 26 years ago, Taiwan and Palau have enjoyed a solid friendship, mutual trust, and steadfast cooperation across all domains. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to uphold the close and cordial cooperative partnership between the two countries, promote the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, and deepen bilateral relations. It will also work with Palau to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: WSO2 Acquires Leading API Analytics and Monetization Startup Moesif

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Austin, TX , May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WSO2, the leader in enterprise digital infrastructure technology, today announced it has acquired Moesif, a San Francisco-based startup specializing in advanced API analytics and monetization. The all-cash acquisition marks a strategic milestone in WSO2’s long-term plan to accelerate global growth through targeted inorganic opportunities.

    As part of the agreement, Moesif will operate as an independent subsidiary under WSO2’s API Management Business Unit. The Moesif brand and current product offering will be retained, and its leadership along with its team will continue to drive existing business and expand customer growth globally. Moesif customers will continue receiving the same level of service and support, while benefiting from WSO2’s global presence and expanded product offerings. Moesif’s advanced API analytics and monetization capabilities will also be integrated into WSO2’s product portfolio, bringing enhanced value to existing and future customers.

    “This acquisition is a first step in our strategy to establish WSO2 as a global technology leader through select inorganic opportunities,” said Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana, founder and CEO of WSO2. “Moesif brings market-leading capabilities in API analytics and monetization, areas that are increasingly critical to digital businesses today. This is just the beginning—we’re committed to exploring further opportunities that align with our long-term goal to help enterprises deliver seamless, high-impact digital experiences.”

    The acquisition enhances WSO2’s positioning in the API management space by adding best-in-class analytics and monetization tools that help businesses optimize, measure, and generate revenue from their APIs. Moesif’s offerings will complement WSO2’s comprehensive API management platform, creating a synergy that benefits both customer bases.

    “Joining WSO2 is a natural next step in Moesif’s journey,” said Derric Gilling, founder and CEO of Moesif. “We share a deep commitment to empowering developers and businesses to build powerful digital experiences. As part of WSO2, we’ll continue to innovate rapidly, serve our customers with excellence, and now reach an even broader global audience.”

    WSO2 customers will start gaining access to Moesif’s capabilities as part of an enhanced product suite, while Moesif customers will benefit from WSO2’s global support infrastructure and expanded services.

    About WSO2
    Founded in 2005, WSO2 is the largest independent software vendor providing open-source API management, integration, and identity and access management (IAM) to thousands of enterprises in over 90 countries. WSO2’s products and platforms—including our next-gen internal developer platform, Choreo—empower organizations to leverage the full potential of artificial intelligence and APIs for securely delivering the next generation of AI-enabled digital services and applications. Our open-source, AI-driven, API-first approach frees developers and architects from vendor lock-in and enables rapid digital product creation. Recognized as leaders by industry analysts, WSO2 has more than 800 employees worldwide with offices in Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, and the US, with over USD100M in annual recurring revenue. Visit https://wso2.com to learn more. Follow WSO2 on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

    About Moesif
    Moesif is the leading AI-driven API analytics and monetization platform that helps companies build better developer experiences, monitor API usage, and drive revenue. With powerful tools for observability, governance, and product-led growth, Moesif empowers engineering and product teams to optimize APIs as a business channel. Moesif serves customers across many industries including logistics, fintech, and enterprise software including leading enterprises like UPS, Covetrus, and UK Royal Mail. Moesif was founded in 2017 and is based in San Francisco, US. Investors include Craft Ventures, Merus Capital, Heavybit, and Fresco. Visit www.moesif.com to learn more.

    Trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

    The MIL Network –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Aptean Expands DACH Manufacturing ERP Footprint Through Acquisition of VLEX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KULMBACH, Germany and ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aptean Inc., a global front-runner of AI-driven ERP solutions, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Vlexgroup AG (“VLEX”), a leading provider of variant-manufacturing focused ERP solutions for SME customers in the DACH region headquartered in Kulmbach, Germany.

    The acquisition of VLEX further increases Aptean’s DACH footprint while also bolstering its ERP capabilities for the variant-manufacturing sector.

    For over 40 years, VLEX has provided mission-critical variant-manufacturing solutions designed to manage complex, diverse, and fast-moving challenges across the SME manufacturing sector in the DACH region. With deep industry expertise, VLEX’s talented team aligns with Aptean’s strategic focus on the SME manufacturing industry in the DACH region, further strengthening commitment to innovation and excellence.

    “VLEX has a proven track record with over four decades of experience delivering mission-critical variant-manufacturing solutions across the DACH market,” said TVN Reddy, CEO of Aptean. “VLEX’s product VlexPlus delivers state of the art software solutions specifically designed to manage the complex needs of the variant manufacturing industry and is backed by a team of seasoned industry experts. VLEX will be an important driver in our strategy to scale our DACH manufacturing capabilities. Welcoming the VLEX team and customers into the Aptean family marks a significant step forward in our shared commitment to innovation and success.”

    “We are delighted to join a global organization like Aptean, where together we can continue to develop and deliver innovative solutions to our customers. The combination of our businesses offers an exciting opportunity for VLEX’s future growth given our shared commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. Being part of Aptean presents our customers and our team with exciting opportunities for growth and development and we can’t wait to get started,” said Jens Pfeil-Schneider, Chairman Managing Director of VLEX.

    About VLEX

    For over 40 years, VLEX has been a reliable partner for digital transformation and automation in medium-sized manufacturing companies and wholesale businesses. At the heart of their offer is the cloud-enabled ERP software VlexPlus, which acts as a central data and process hub, mapping all processes in the Customer’s value chain right down to the shop floor. Developed for the complex requirements of variant and order manufacturers, the ERP software is based on one of the most modern technology and process frameworks available today. It enables consistently networked work across system and company boundaries. To learn more visit: https://www.vlexplus.com/

    About Aptean
    Aptean is a global provider of industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. Aptean’s solutions and services help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for What’s Next, Now®. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com. Aptean and Ready for What’s Next, Now are Registered Trademarks of Aptean, Inc. All other companies and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

    For Media Inquiries Please Contact
    MediaRelations@aptean.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Correction: NBPE – April Monthly Net Asset Value Estimate

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HEADLINE ALTERATION

    The headline for NB Private Equity Partners announcement released on 28/05/2025 at 07.00 am should read – NBPE – April Monthly Net Assety Value Estimate

    The announcement text is unchanged and is reproduced in full below.

    NBPE Announces April Monthly NAV Estimate

    St Peter Port, Guernsey 28 May 2025

    NB Private Equity Partners (NBPE), the $1.2bn1, FTSE 250, listed private equity investment company managed by Neuberger Berman, today announces its 30 April 2025 monthly NAV estimate.

    NAV Highlights (30 April 2025)

    • NAV per share was $27.29 (£20.43), a total return of 0.4% in the month
    • Approximately 62% of fair value based on private company valuation information as of Q1 2025 or based on 30 April 2025 quoted prices
    • Based on information received so far, private company valuations increased fair value by 0.4% during Q1 2025 on a constant currency basis
    • NBPE expects to receive additional updated Q1 2025 financial information which will be incorporated in future monthly NAV updates
    • $307 million of available liquidity at 30 April 2025
    • ~151k shares repurchased during April 2025 at a weighted average discount of 33% which were accretive to NAV by ~$0.02 per share. Year to date, NBPE has repurchased ~680k shares at a weighted average discount of 29% which were accretive to NAV by ~$0.10 per share
    As of 30 April 2025 Year to Date One Year 3 years 5 years 10 years
    NAV TR (USD)*
    Annualised    		 0.8% 3.4% 4.1%
    1.4%    		 87.7%
    13.4%    		 160.7%
    10.1%
    MSCI World TR (USD)*
    Annualised    		 (0.8%) 12.6% 39.0%
    11.6%    		 96.6%
    14.5%    		 157.2%
    9.9%
               
    Share price TR (GBP)*
    Annualised    		 (8.0%) (8.9%) 3.6%
    1.2%    		 99.0%
    14.7%    		 189.5%
    11.2%
    FTSE All-Share TR (GBP)*
    Annualised    		 4.3% 7.5% 22.6%
    7.0%    		 67.9%
    10.9%    		 75.9%
    5.8%

    * All NBPE performance figures assume re-investment of dividends on the ex-dividend date and reflect cumulative returns over the relevant time periods shown. Three-year, five-year and ten-year annualised returns are presented for USD NAV, MSCI World (USD), GBP Share Price and FTSE All-Share (GBP) Total Returns.

    Portfolio Update to 30 April 2025

    NAV performance during the month driven by:

    • 1.1% NAV increase ($13 million) attributable to changes in foreign exchange
    • 0.9% NAV decrease ($10 million) attributable to changes in prices of quoted holdings (which now constitute 5% of portfolio fair value)
    • 0.3% NAV increase ($4 million) from the value of private holdings
    • 0.2% NAV decrease ($3 million) attributable to expense accruals

    $53 million of realisations in 2025 year to date

    • $6 million of proceeds received during the month of April, consisting primarily of full and partial realisations of GFL, Corona Industrials and Inflection Energy

    $307 million of total liquidity at 30 April 2025

    • $97 million of cash and liquid investments with $210 million of undrawn credit line available

    2025 Share Buybacks

    • ~151k shares repurchased in April 2025 at a weighted average discount of 33%; buybacks were accretive to NAV by ~$0.02 per share
    • Year to date, NBPE has repurchased ~680k shares at a weighted average discount of 29% which were accretive to NAV by ~$0.10 per share

    Portfolio Valuation

    The fair value of NBPE’s portfolio as of 30 April 2025 was based on the following information:

    • 5% of the portfolio was valued as of 30 April 2025
      • 5% in public securities
    • 57% of the portfolio was valued as of 31 March 2025
      • 57% in private direct investments
    • 38% of the portfolio was valued as of 31 December 2024
      • 38% in private direct investments

    For further information, please contact:

    NBPE Investor Relations        +44 (0) 20 3214 9002
    Luke Mason        NBPrivateMarketsIR@nb.com  

    Kaso Legg Communications        +44 (0)20 3882 6644

    Charles Gorman        nbpe@kl-communications.com
    Luke Dampier
    Charlotte Francis

    Supplementary Information (as at 30 April 2025)

    Company Name Vintage Lead Sponsor Sector Fair Value ($m) % of FV
    Action 2020 3i Consumer 83.9 6.6%
    Osaic 2019 Reverence Capital Financial Services 66.9 5.3%
    Solenis 2021 Platinum Equity Industrials 59.8 4.7%
    BeyondTrust 2018 Francisco Partners Technology / IT 47.7 3.8%
    Monroe Engineering 2021 AEA Investors Industrials 44.7 3.5%
    Business Services Company* 2017 Not Disclosed Business Services 40.1 3.2%
    Branded Cities Network 2017 Shamrock Capital Communications / Media 38.9 3.1%
    True Potential 2022 Cinven Financial Services 35.2 2.8%
    Mariner 2024 Leonard Green & Partners Financial Services 33.7 2.7%
    FDH Aero 2024 Audax Group Industrials 32.9 2.6%
    Marquee Brands 2014 Neuberger Berman Consumer 31.4 2.5%
    GFL (NYSE: GFL) 2018 BC Partners Business Services 30.6 2.4%
    Staples 2017 Sycamore Partners Business Services 29.6 2.3%
    Auctane 2021 Thoma Bravo Technology / IT 29.1 2.3%
    Fortna 2017 THL Industrials 28.7 2.3%
    Viant 2018 JLL Partners Healthcare 27.3 2.2%
    Stubhub 2020 Neuberger Berman Consumer 26.4 2.1%
    Engineering 2020 NB Renaissance / Bain Capital Technology / IT 26.3 2.1%
    Benecon 2024 TA Associates Healthcare 25.5 2.0%
    Agiliti 2019 THL Healthcare 25.3 2.0%
    Kroll 2020 Further Global / Stone Point Financial Services 25.0 2.0%
    Solace Systems 2016 Bridge Growth Partners Technology / IT 24.6 1.9%
    Excelitas 2022 AEA Investors Industrials 24.1 1.9%
    Addison Group 2021 Trilantic Capital Partners Business Services 23.8 1.9%
    Exact 2019 KKR Technology / IT 23.3 1.8%
    CH Guenther 2021 Pritzker Private Capital Consumer 21.2 1.7%
    Bylight 2017 Sagewind Partners Technology / IT 19.9 1.6%
    Constellation Automotive 2019 TDR Capital Business Services 19.0 1.5%
    Real Page 2021 Thoma Bravo Technology / IT 18.8 1.5%
    Tendam 2017 PAI Consumer 18.3 1.4%
    Total Top 30 Investments                             $982.1 77.6%

    *Undisclosed company due to confidentiality provisions.

    Geography % of Portfolio
    North America 77%
    Europe 22%
    Asia / Rest of World 1%
    Total Portfolio 100%
       
    Industry % of Portfolio
    Tech, Media & Telecom 23%
    Consumer / E-commerce 22%
    Industrials / Industrial Technology 17%
    Financial Services 14%
    Business Services 12%
    Healthcare 9%
    Other 4%
    Energy 1%
    Total Portfolio 100%
       
    Vintage Year % of Portfolio
    2016 & Earlier 9%
    2017 16%
    2018 15%
    2019 13%
    2020 13%
    2021 18%
    2022 6%
    2023 2%
    2024 8%
    Total Portfolio 100%

    About NB Private Equity Partners Limited
    NBPE invests in direct private equity investments alongside market leading private equity firms globally. NB Alternatives Advisers LLC (the “Investment Manager”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Neuberger Berman Group LLC, is responsible for sourcing, execution and management of NBPE. The vast majority of direct investments are made with no management fee / no carried interest payable to third-party GPs, offering greater fee efficiency than other listed private equity companies. NBPE seeks capital appreciation through growth in net asset value over time while paying a bi-annual dividend.

    LEI number: 213800UJH93NH8IOFQ77

    About Neuberger Berman
    Neuberger Berman is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with over 2,800 employees in 26 countries. The firm manages $515 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger Berman’s investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. Neuberger Berman has been named by Pensions & Investments as the #1 or #2 Best Place to Work in Money Management for each of the last eleven years (firms with more than 1,000 employees). Visit www.nb.com for more information. Data as of March 31, 2025.

    1Based on net asset value.

    Attachment

    • April 2025 NBPE Factsheet vF

    The MIL Network –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Former President Tsai visits UK Parliament and delivers speech at LSE, deepening bilateral ties

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    May 20, 2025  
    No. 165  

    Former President Tsai Ing-wen visited Europe from May 10 to 19, traveling to Lithuania and Denmark before continuing to the United Kingdom. On May 15, the first day of her stay in the United Kingdom, she visited the UK Parliament at the invitation of British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Cochairs Sarah Champion MP and Lord Rogan. She was warmly welcomed by parliamentarians from across the political spectrum. 
     
    The former president met with House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and took part in a reception at the House of Lords, where she delivered a speech. She exchanged greetings with nearly 50 parliamentarians and staff, including former Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza, House of Lords Deputy Speaker Baroness Finlay, Trade Envoy to Taiwan Lord Faulkner, Labour Friends of Taiwan Chair Navendu Mishra MP, former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, Conservative Shadow Minister for Innovation and Technology Ben Spencer MP, and Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller MP.
     
    In her address at the House of Lords, former President Tsai said that the growing threat of antidemocratic forces was testing democracy around the world, adding that this demonstrated the need for Taiwan and the United Kingdom to work together in defense of freedom and democracy. She commended the House of Commons for passing a motion last November clarifying that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 made no reference to Taiwan. This was important in countering reckless behavior in the Taiwan Strait, she explained. Highlighting Taiwan’s position on the front line of defending democracy, former President Tsai said that Taiwan was a critical deterrent to China’s expansionist ambitions and would continue to contribute to protecting democratic values.
     
    APPG Cochair Champion noted that Taiwan and the United Kingdom had a deep friendship and shared core values. She said that the United Kingdom should continue to pay attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which she added were essential to global security and prosperity. Cochair Champion noted that in recent years the Taiwan-UK partnership had deepened. She expressed hope that cooperation would expand in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, economic resilience, and other areas.
     
    Former President Tsai also delivered a speech titled “In an Era of Shifting World Order: Taiwan as a Stabilizing Force” at her alma mater, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The event was moderated by incoming LSE Law School Dean Andrew Murray, who represented the university and LSE President Larry Kramer. Around 100 people, including General Counsel Elizabeth Messud, attended the speech. In her remarks, former President Tsai noted that the international community was experiencing a reassignment of security responsibilities and a rebalancing of trade relations. She said that to appropriately respond to multiple challenges such as economic fragmentation, political extremism, and military conflict, the function of multilateralism was becoming even more important. The former president emphasized that Taiwan had shown a high degree of resilience in turbulent times in the past, such as during supply chain restructuring, and had proven to be a trustworthy and competitive strategic partner. She added that Taiwan was ready to play a more proactive role in the new world order by further deepening cooperation with democratic countries and contributing to the global trade system. Her remarks were enthusiastically received by the audience. 
     
    During her visit to the United Kingdom, former President Tsai also gave an address at Cambridge University, met with faculty and students at the School of Oriental and African Studies, attended a forum hosted by the Royal United Services Institute, and met with Taiwanese people working in the United Kingdom on technology startups and in the arts.
     
    Taiwan-UK relations have witnessed significant progress in recent years. In 2023, the United Kingdom signed the Enhanced Trade Partnership arrangement with Taiwan, becoming the first European country to establish a formal economic and trade framework with Taiwan. The United Kingdom is Taiwan’s fourth-largest trading partner in Europe, third-largest source of investment, and fifth-most popular destination for Taiwanese students studying abroad. The countries collaborate closely in fields such as technological innovation, renewable energy, and societal resilience. Taiwan will further work together with the United Kingdom and other like-minded countries to advance democratic resilience and prosperity. It looks forward to the United Kingdom continuing to demonstrate its commitment to security in the Indo-Pacific region by deploying naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait and taking other concrete actions. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: State visit by Palauan President Whipps concludes; successfully deepens bilateral relations

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    State visit by Palauan President Whipps concludes; successfully deepens bilateral relations

    Date：2025-05-24
    Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    May 24, 2025No. 173President of the Republic of Palau Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and his delegation concluded a successful state visit to Taiwan on the morning of May 24. Following President Lai Ching-te’s December visit to Pacific allies entitled “Smart and Sustainable Development for a Prosperous Austronesian Region” and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung’s January trip to Palau as special presidential envoy and head of an industrial fact-finding mission, this visit marked the further deepening of diverse and robust cooperation between Taiwan and Palau under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. It also underlined the significant accomplishments that the two countries had achieved thanks to their staunch commitment to jointly promoting sustainable development. During his visit, President Whipps met with President Lai, attended a state banquet, and together with President Lai witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements on technical cooperation and diplomatic staff training and cooperation. Accompanied by Minister Lin, President Whipps also visited industries related to the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project in central and southern Taiwan. The tour reflected Taiwan’s continuing efforts to strengthen the resilience of Palau’s tourism-centered economy through integrated diplomacy and demonstrated the substantive success of bilateral collaboration.Leaving Taiwan today, the Palauan delegation was seen off at the airport by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Remus Li-kuo Chen. Since establishing diplomatic ties 26 years ago, Taiwan and Palau have enjoyed a solid friendship, mutual trust, and steadfast cooperation across all domains. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to uphold the close and cordial cooperative partnership between the two countries, promote the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, and deepen bilateral relations. It will also work with Palau to advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 29, 2025

  • Three Indians missing in Iran; India takes up matter with Iranian authorities

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Embassy in Iran said on Wednesday it had raised with Iranian authorities the case of three Indian nationals from the same family who went missing after arriving in the country on May 2.

    The embassy said that India has urged Iranian authorities to trace the missing individuals and ensure their safety. It also said that the families are being regularly updated on the efforts being made.

    In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Iran said: “Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after traveling to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians be urgently traced and their safety ensured.”

    “We are also keeping the family members regularly updated on the efforts being made by the Embassy.”

    ANI

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Economic Outlook 2025—Africa’s short-term outlook resilient despite global economic and political headwinds

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

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Africa’s economy is projected to increase from 3.3 percent growth in 2024 to 3.9 percent in 2025, reaching 4 percent in 2026, despite mounting geopolitical uncertainties and trade tensions, the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) said Tuesday in its flagship 2025 African Economic Outlook report. 

    Despite the prevailing domestic and external challenges  Africa continues to demonstrate notable resilience. The report, titled “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” was released during the Bank Group’s 2025 Annual Meetings, taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. It demonstrates the continent’s capacity to weather multiple shocks while identifying pathways to unlock a vast potential for transformation.  

    Strong growth outlook despite global headwinds 

    The report presents encouraging projections despite significant challenges: 

    • 21 African countries will achieve growth exceeding 5 percent in 2025, with four countries—Ethiopia, Niger, Rwanda, and Senegal—potentially reaching the critical 7 percent threshold required for poverty reduction and inclusive growth. 
    • Africa’s projected growth rates will surpass the global average and outpace most other regions except emerging and developing Asia. 
    • Africa’s continued resilience is built on effective domestic reforms and improved macroeconomic management. 

    Mixed growth performance across Africa’s regions 

    Growth prospects vary significantly across regions: East Africa leads with a projected 5.9 percent growth in 2025-2026, driven by resilience in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tanzania. West Africa maintains solid 4.3 percent growth, driven by new oil and gas production coming onstream in Senegal and Niger. In the face of persistent headwinds, North Africa is expected to register 3.6 percent growth in 2025. In Central Africa, growth is projected to slow to 3.2% and Southern Africa will grow at only 2.2 percent, with its largest economy, South Africa, expected to achieve only 0.8 percent growth 

    Significant challenges persist. Fifteen countries are experiencing double-digit inflation, while interest payments now consume 27.5 percent of government revenue across Africa, up from 19 percent in 2019. 

    “Africa must now face the challenge and look inwards to mobilizing the resources needed to finance its own development in the years ahead,” said Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, Chief Economist and Vice President of the African Development Bank Group, presenting the report’s findings.  

    Massive domestic resource potential remains untapped  

    The AEO 2025 estimates that, with the right policies, Africa could mobilize an additional $1.43 trillion in domestic resources from tax and non-tax revenue sources through efficiency gains alone. Africa’s extraordinary but underutilized resource base includes: 

    • Natural capital: Africa hosts 30 percent of global mineral reserves and could capture over 10 percent of the projected $16 trillion in revenues from key green minerals by 2030 
    • Human capital: The continent’s median age of 19 represents a demographic dividend that could add $47 billion to Africa’s GDP through improved workforce participation 
    • Financial capital: Pension fund assets have grown to $1.1 trillion, while formal remittances could reach $500 billion by 2035 if transfer costs are reduced 
    • Business capital: Full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area could increase exports by $560 billion and boost continental income by $450 billion by 2035 

    Urgent action needed to address resource leakages 

    The report stresses that massive capital outflows are undermining the continent’s development. Compared to $190.7 billion of financial inflows received in 2022, Africa lost approximately $587 billion from financial leakages. Of this, around $90 billion was lost to illicit financial flows, a further $275 billion  siphoned away by multinational corporations shifting profits, and $148 billion lost to corruption. 

    Vice President Urama said: “When Africa allocates its own capital (human, natural, fiscal, business and financial) effectively, global capital will follow Africa’s capital to accelerate investments in productive sectors in Africa.” 

    Key policy recommendations 

    “There can be no substitute to sound macroeconomic policy management, quality institutions and good governance,  and rule of law.” VP Urama said, emphasizing the vital need to bolster governance. 

    The report also calls for comprehensive reforms across several critical areas. On fiscal revenue mobilization, it recommends enhancing tax administration through digitalization, broadening national tax bases, and strengthening social contracts with citizens to improve compliance. It advocates making natural capital accounting mandatory and enforcing domestic value retention through beneficiation requirements.  

    The AEO also emphasizes the need to deepen financial markets by tapping institutional savings, developing local currency bond markets, and harmonizing regulatory frameworks to facilitate cross-border investment.  

    The African Economic Outlook: The 2025 African Economic Outlook provides a comprehensive roadmap for unlocking Africa’s transformation potential through better mobilization and utilization of domestic capital resources. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 29, 2025

  • Cabinet approves continuation of Modified Interest Subvention Scheme for FY 2025–26

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the continuation of the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) for the financial year 2025–26. The scheme will retain the existing 1.5% interest subvention offered to eligible lending institutions, ensuring that short-term agricultural loans remain affordable and accessible to farmers across the country.

    The Modified Interest Subvention Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at making short-term credit available to farmers at a reduced interest rate through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) system. Under the scheme, farmers can avail loans of up to ₹3 lakh at a standard interest rate of 7%. A 1.5% interest subvention is provided to lending institutions, effectively reducing the lending burden. Furthermore, farmers who repay their loans promptly receive an additional incentive of up to 3% as a Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI), bringing down the effective interest rate to just 4%. For loans taken specifically for animal husbandry or fisheries, the interest benefit is available for amounts up to ₹2 lakh.

    No changes have been introduced in the structure or other operational aspects of the scheme for the upcoming financial year.

    As of now, there are more than 7.75 crore active Kisan Credit Card accounts in India. The continued implementation of MISS is expected to play a crucial role in sustaining the flow of institutional credit to the agriculture sector, particularly benefiting small and marginal farmers. This support is vital for enhancing farm productivity and ensuring financial inclusion in rural areas.

    In recent years, India has witnessed significant growth in agricultural credit. Institutional credit disbursed through KCC increased from ₹4.26 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹10.05 lakh crore by December 2024. Overall agricultural credit flow also rose substantially, from ₹7.3 lakh crore in the financial year 2013–14 to ₹25.49 lakh crore in 2023–24.

    In addition to credit expansion, digital reforms have improved efficiency and transparency in the credit system. The launch of the Kisan Rin Portal (KRP) in August 2023 has streamlined the claim processing mechanism under the scheme, reducing delays and promoting accountability in interest subvention disbursements.

    Given the current lending cost environment, including trends in the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) and repo rate movements, maintaining the 1.5% interest subvention is considered essential. This will help rural and cooperative banks continue providing low-cost loans, enabling farmers to access timely credit without additional financial pressure.

    May 29, 2025

  • UPSC launches new online application portal to streamline exam registration process

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a significant move to improve the examination process for aspirants, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has launched a new Online Application Portal, effective from May 28. The portal is designed to simplify and speed up the registration and application process for various UPSC examinations, making it more user-friendly and efficient.

    The new portal, available at [https://upsconline.nic.in](https://upsconline.nic.in), has been structured into four key sections presented as separate cards on the homepage. These include Account Creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form, and Examination.

    The first three sections contain details common to all exams and can be completed at any time, allowing candidates to register their information in advance. Only the fourth section, related specifically to each examination, needs to be filled in when an exam is officially announced. This section will include the exam notification, application form, and application status.

    This setup allows candidates to complete most of the application process ahead of time, helping them avoid last-minute delays and ensuring they are prepared as soon as a new examination is announced. The system enables the reuse of personal and academic information, making the process faster and reducing errors.

    All candidates are required to freshly register on the new portal and fill out their profiles and applications. The older One Time Registration (OTR) system will no longer be applicable. The portal offers detailed instructions on its homepage and within each section to assist candidates with application submission and document uploads.

    Applicants are strongly encouraged to use their Aadhaar Card as their primary identity document during the registration process. Using Aadhaar will allow for quick, seamless authentication and verification of identity and details, creating a permanent and unified record for use across all future UPSC examinations.

    The new portal will be used for the first time for applications to the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam-II, 2025, and the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (NDA & NA) Exam-II, 2025, both of which are being notified on May 28, 2025.

    With this digital reform, UPSC aims to bring greater transparency, convenience, and efficiency to its recruitment process, supporting the broader push toward digital governance in public service administration.

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Naval Special Warfare Group ONE celebrates 50 Years

    Source: United States Navy

    SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Retired and active operators, civilians, and combat support representing warfighters from every era of American combat since the Vietnam War, reunited with former and current teammates on May 22, 2025, to celebrate a milestone – 50 years of Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) 1.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: When Elvis and Ella were pressed onto X-rays – the subversive legacy of Soviet ‘bone music’

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Richard Gunderman, Chancellor’s Professor of Medicine, Liberal Arts, and Philanthropy, Indiana University

    In the Soviet Union, some clever people realized that X-ray film was just soft enough to be etched by a sound recording device. Michelle Mengsu Chang/Toronto Star via Getty Images

    When Western Electric invented electrical sound recording 100 years ago, it completely transformed the public’s relationship to music.

    Before then, recording was done mechanically, scratching sound waves onto rolled paper or a cylinder. Such recordings suffered from low fidelity and captured only a small segment of the audible sound spectrum.

    By using electrical microphones, amplifiers and electromechanical recorders, record companies could capture a far wider range of sound frequencies, with much higher fidelity. For the first time, recorded sound closely resembled what a live listener would hear. Over the ensuing years, sales of vinyl records and record players boomed.

    The technology also allowed some enterprising music fans to make recordings in surprising and innovative ways. As a physician and scholar in the medical humanities, I am fascinated by the use of X-ray film to make recordings – what was known as “bone music,” or “ribs.”

    This rather bizarre, homemade technology became a way to skirt censors in the Soviet Union – and even played an indirect role in its dissolution.

    Skirting the Soviet censorship regime

    At the end of World War II, Soviet censorship shifted into high gear in an effort to suppress a Western culture deemed threatening or decadent.

    Many books and poems could circulate only through “samizdat,” a portmanteau of “self” and “publishing” that involved the use of copy machines to reproduce forbidden texts. Punishments inflicted on Soviet artists and citizens for producing or disseminating censored materials included loss of employment, imprisonment in gulags and even execution.

    The phonographic analog of samizdat was often referred to as “roentgenizdat,” which was derived from the name of Wilhelm Roentgen, the German scientist who received the first Nobel Prize in physics in 1901 for his discovery of X-rays.

    Roentgen’s work revolutionized medicine, making it possible to peer inside the living human body without cutting it open and enabling physicians to more easily and accurately diagnose skeletal fractures and diseases such as pneumonia.

    Today, X-rays are produced and stored digitally. But for most of the 20th century they were created on photographic film and stored in large film libraries, which took up a great deal of space.

    Because exposed X-ray films cannot be reused, hospitals often recycled them to recoup the silver they contained.

    Making music from medicine

    In the Soviet Union in the 1940s, some clever people realized that X-ray film was just soft enough to be etched by an electromechanical lathe, or sound recording device.

    To make a “rib,” or “bone record,” they would use a compass to trace out a circle on an exposed X-ray film that might bear the image of a patient’s skull, spine or hands. They then used scissors to cut out the circle, before cutting a small hole in the middle so it would fit on a conventional record player.

    Then they would use a recording device to cut either live sound or, more commonly, a bootleg record onto the X-ray film. Sound consists of vibrations that the lathe’s stylus etches into grooves on the disc. Such devices were not widely available, meaning that only a relatively small number of people could produce such recordings.

    A disc-cutting lathe demonstrates the production of an X-ray record at a 2021 exhibition in Berlin, Germany.
    Adam Berry/Getty Images

    The censors kept a close eye on record companies. But anyone who could obtain a recording device could record music on pieces of X-ray film, and these old films could be obtained after hospitals threw them out or purchased at a relatively low price from hospital employees.

    Compared with professionally produced vinyl records, the sound quality was poor, with recordings marred by extraneous noises such as hisses and crackles. The records could be played only a limited number of times before the grooves would wear out.

    Nonetheless, these resourceful recordings were shared, bought and sold entirely outside of official channels into the 1960s and 1970s.

    A window into another life

    Popular artists “on the bone” included Ella Fitzgerald and Elvis Presley, whose jazz and rock ’n’ roll recordings, to the ears of many Soviet citizens, represented freedom and self-expression.

    In his book “Bone Music,” cultural historian Stephen Coates describes how Soviet authorities viewed performers such as The Beatles as toxic because they appeared to promote a brand of amoral hedonism and distracted citizens from Communist party priorities.

    One Soviet critic of bone music recalled of its purveyors:

    “It is true that from time to time they are caught, their equipment confiscated, and they may even be brought to court. But then they may be released and be free to go wherever they like. The judges decide that they are, of course, parasites, but they are not dangerous. They are getting suspended sentences! But these record producers are not just engaged in illegal operations. They corrupt young people diligently and methodically with a squeaky cacophony and spread explicit obscenities.”

    Bone music was inherently subversive.

    For one thing, it was against the law. Moreover, the music itself suggested that a different sort of life is possible, beyond the strictures of Communist officials. How could a political system that prohibited beautiful music, many asked, possibly merit the allegiance of its citizens?

    The ability of citizens to get around the censors and spread Western thought, whether through books or bone music, helped chip away at the government’s legitimacy.

    One Soviet-era listener Coates interviewed long after the USSR’s collapse described the joy of listening to these illicit recordings:

    “I was lifted up off the ground, I started flying. Rock’n’roll showed me a new world, a world of music, words, and feelings, of life, of a different lifestyle. That’s why, when I got my first records, I became a happy man. I felt like a changed person, it was as if I was born again.”

    The playing of a bootleg record from the Soviet Union, recorded on an X-ray negative.

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

    – ref. When Elvis and Ella were pressed onto X-rays – the subversive legacy of Soviet ‘bone music’ – https://theconversation.com/when-elvis-and-ella-were-pressed-onto-x-rays-the-subversive-legacy-of-soviet-bone-music-251885

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fire engineer scheme set for Nov

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Security Bureau today submitted a regulation to the Legislative Council (LegCo) that aims to facilitate the implementation of the Registered Fire Engineer (RFE) Scheme on November 1.

    The Security Bureau said that currently, a person who intends to run various types of licensed premises can only rely on public services in making a fire safety risk assessment of the premises concerned and certifying fire safety compliance.

    To facilitate business operations and make good use of professional and qualified human resources in the market, the bureau proposed to introduce the RFE Scheme to leverage professional engineers and qualified people in the market for the provision of fire safety risk assessment and certification services.

    The Fire Safety Department will continue to deliver such services to members of the public if they so choose.

    Apart from offering an additional option to the market, the implementation of the scheme could promote the development of the fire engineering profession. The fees of RFE services would be determined by the market.

    The bureau highlighted that one of the key considerations for the Government in introducing the RFE Scheme is that it must not compromise fire safety and public safety.

    Hence, in formulating the regulation, the Government aims to regulate RFE registration, and the provisions will cover the registration mechanism and duties of RFEs, the disciplinary and appeal mechanisms as well as the issue of the code of practice.

    The Fire Services (Registered Fire Engineers) Regulation is subject to LegCo’s scrutiny by the positive vetting procedures.

    At a later stage, the Government will introduce into LegCo the other three pieces of subsidiary legislation which are relevant to the implementation of the RFE Scheme for negative vetting.

    Separately, the Secretary for Security will specify November 1 as the commencement date by notice in the Gazette, so that the scheme can start on the same day.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Departure tax bill passed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government today welcomed the passage of a bill by the Legislative Council to increase the air passenger departure tax from $120 to $200 per passenger, which would apply to air tickets purchased from October 1 onwards.

    It is anticipated that government revenue will increase by about $1.6 billion per year.

    The Government said the new tax rate, which was proposed in the recent Budget, has struck a balance between raising revenue and minimising the impact on passengers when considering increasing the departure tax.

    It added that the impact of the increase on the overall cost of travelling for air passengers is minimal.

    The Air Passenger Departure Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be published in a Gazette notice on June 6.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Logic Pro amplifies beat making on Mac and iPad with advanced new capabilities

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Logic Pro amplifies beat making on Mac and iPad with advanced new capabilities

    May 28, 2025

    UPDATE

    Logic Pro amplifies beat making on Mac and iPad with advanced new capabilities

    An enhanced Stem Splitter and new features like Flashback Capture elevate hip-hop and electronic music production to a new level

    Apple today introduced new Logic Pro updates for Mac and iPad, supercharging beat making and producing. The innovative Stem Splitter feature now offers even greater audio fidelity, and can separate guitar and piano into stems. With Flashback Capture, users can retrieve and restore inspiring performances they may have forgotten to record. And with energetic new sound packs like Dancefloor Rush, beat makers have fresh loops and kits to fuel their next track.

    Stem Splitter Delivers Enhanced Audio Fidelity and New Stems

    The updated Stem Splitter extracts greater detail from old recordings and demos, and now offers added support for guitar and piano stems.1 Producers can easily select common stem variations, such as acapella, instrumental, or instrumental with vocals using presets. Additionally, a new submix feature makes it easy for users to export just the parts of audio they want — for example, removing vocals to create an instrumental track, or pulling out the drums and bass for a custom remix.

    Recall Every Moment with Flashback Capture

    Flashback Capture allows artists to recover unforgettable performances, even if they forgot to hit record.2 Users can quickly restore MIDI and audio performances using a key command or a custom control bar button. By enabling Cycle mode, musicians can improvise multiple takes, and Flashback Capture will automatically organize each pass into a take folder.

    New Sound Packs to Amplify Music Production

    Logic Pro adds new sound packs to amplify music production. Dancefloor Rush — the latest sound pack for Mac and iPad — features a world of expertly crafted drum-and-bass sounds with over 400 dynamic loops, punchy drum kits, and a custom Live Loops grid. Today’s update also introduces two new sound packs to Logic Pro for Mac: Magnetic Imperfections and Tosin Abasi. Magnetic Imperfections brings an original texture that captures the raw, unpolished essence of analog tape, while the Tosin Abasi sound pack showcases progressive metal guitar with boutique amps, unique effects, distinctive picking techniques, and the artist’s signature riffs.

    Learn MIDI Comes to iPad for Seamless Logic Pro Integration

    Learn MIDI is now available on iPad, allowing users to get hands-on control by easily assigning their favorite knobs, faders, and buttons on MIDI devices to control plug-ins, instruments, and other automatable parameters within Logic Pro.3 With Learn MIDI’s intuitive interface and real-time visual feedback, users can quickly create custom assignments, view available controls, and stay in their creative flow.

    Additional features to enhance creativity on Mac:

    • Notepad now features integrated support for Writing Tools, powered by Apple Intelligence, giving users more flexibility and control when they’d like to make their writing more expressive, get help with a rewrite, or even collaborate on song lyrics and more right inline.4
    • Users can manage large projects with the new search and select feature, which makes it easy to find and choose tracks by their name or track number.

    Pricing and Availability

    • Logic Pro for Mac 11.2 is available May 28 as a free update for existing users and for $199.99 (U.S.) for new users on the Mac App Store. It is also available as part of the Pro Apps Bundle for Education, which includes Final Cut Pro, MainStage, Motion, and Compressor for $199.99 (U.S.). Logic Pro for Mac requires macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later. For more information, visit apple.com/logic-pro.
    • Logic Pro for iPad 2.2 is available May 28 as a free update for existing users, and available on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial for new users. Logic Pro for iPad requires iPadOS 18.4 or later. For more information, visit apple.com/logic-pro-for-ipad.
    1. Stem Splitter requires iPad or Mac with M1 chip or later.
    2. Audio support for Flashback Capture requires Logic Pro to be in active play mode.
    3. Connecting third‑party external microphones, musical instruments, or MIDI controllers with Logic Pro for iPad requires devices compatible with iOS and iPadOS.
    4. Apple Intelligence is available in beta on iPad mini (A17 Pro), and all iPad and Mac models with M1 and later, with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), English (Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK, or U.S.), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), or Spanish, as part of an iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia software update, with more languages coming over the course of the year, including Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For more details, visit apple.com/apple-intelligence.

    Press Contacts

    Zachary Kizer

    Apple

    z_kizer@apple.com

    Emily Ewing

    Apple

    e_ewing@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mikhail Mishustin visits the Metalloobrabotka 2025 exhibition at the Expocentre Fairgrounds

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    This year marks the 25th anniversary of the international exhibition.

    Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalworking – 2025”. With the Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov and the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov

    May 28, 2025

    Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalloobrabotka – 2025”. The stand of LASSARD LLC. General Director of LASSARD LLC Oleg Nefedov gives explanations

    May 28, 2025

    Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalloobrabotka – 2025”. The stand of LASSARD LLC. General Director of LASSARD LLC Oleg Nefedov gives explanations

    May 28, 2025

    Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalloobrabotka – 2025”. The stand of LASSARD LLC. General Director of LASSARD LLC Oleg Nefedov gives explanations

    May 28, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Mikhail Mishustin visited the exhibition “Metalworking – 2025”. With the Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov and the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov

    The International Specialized Exhibition “Equipment, Devices and Tools for the Metalworking Industry” – “Metalloobrabotka” has been held since 1984 and is one of the largest international industry expositions in the machine tool industry. This year is the 25th anniversary international exhibition. The event will be attended by more than 1.2 thousand companies, including about 840 from 50 regions of Russia, as well as exhibitors from Belarus, China, India, Korea, Italy, Turkey and South Korea.

    The exhibition’s business program is focused on applied tasks and strategic issues of development of basic industries.

    The key focus of the business part is on the implementation of the national project “Production and Automation Tools” – its goals and key indicators, government support measures, as well as issues of technological leadership as a priority area of industrial policy, including issues of import independence, development of scientific and technical potential and training of highly qualified personnel.

    The event serves as a key platform for presenting advanced developments in the machine tool industry, and also contributes to the formation of sustainable production and technological chains. The exhibition is aimed at promoting industrial cooperation, strengthening ties between manufacturers, suppliers and consumers, implementing domestic solutions and expanding import-independent supplies of equipment and components.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Xinjiang’s Alashankou port handles over 3,000 China-Europe freight trains in Jan-May

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Xinjiang’s Alashankou port handles over 3,000 China-Europe freight trains in Jan-May

    URUMQI, May 28 — As of Monday, the Alashankou Port in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region had handled over 3,000 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight train trips this year, providing a significant boost to the stability and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains, according to railway authorities.

    Alashankou is a crucial hub connecting China with Central Asia and Europe. Currently, 123 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight train routes operate via the Alashankou Port, connecting 21 countries, including Germany and Poland.

    These trains transport more than 200 categories of goods, ranging from new energy vehicles and mechanical parts to electronics and daily consumer goods.

    “We operate a 24/7 ‘green channel’ to ensure the smooth operation of China-Europe freight trains,” said Yang Peng, a staff member of the Alashankou railway station.

    “This year, the station has handled an average of over 21 China-Europe freight train trips daily, with a peak of 30 trips in a single day,” Yang added.

    In recent years, Xinjiang’s railway authorities have consistently enhanced port logistics capacity, with the region now handling over 50 percent of China’s total China-Europe freight train volume.

    In 2024 alone, the region’s Horgos and Alashankou ports processed 16,400 China-Europe freight train trips, up 14 percent year on year.

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China expects 12% rise in daily cross-border trips during Dragon Boat Festival holiday

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) has projected a daily average of 2.15 million cross-border trips nationwide during the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival break, an increase of 12.2 percent compared with the holiday period last year.

    The peak of cross-border travel is anticipated on June 1.

    Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it was celebrated on May 31, and the holiday runs from May 31 to June 2.

    Major aviation hubs are expected to see a steady increase in passenger traffic, with Shanghai Pudong International Airport projecting 100,000 daily border crossings.

    During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, multiple dragon boat races and related events will be held in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao.

    Coinciding with Children’s Day on June 1 and the weekend, the holiday is expected to spur a surge in outbound travel from the Chinese mainland and home visits by Hong Kong and Macao residents.

    Land border checkpoints connecting Hong Kong and Macao are expected to see a notable increase in traffic. Luohu Port in Shenzhen City is expected to handle a daily average of 230,000 crossings, while the Gongbei checkpoint in Zhuhai City is projected to see a daily average of 367,000 crossings.

    The NIA has urged border authorities to closely monitor cross-border traffic and port operations, providing regular updates to assist travelers. The agency also required adequate staff arrangements to ensure Chinese citizens spend no longer than 30 minutes queuing for entry and exit.

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier returns to Beijing after official visit to Indonesia, ASEAN-China-GCC summit in Malaysia

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang returned to Beijing on Wednesday aboard a chartered plane after paying an official visit to Indonesia and attending the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-China-GCC (the Gulf Cooperation Council) Summit in Malaysia.

    Li was seen off from the airport by Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing and Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi.

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: FDCTech Engages E.F. Hutton to Lead Capital Raise and Advise on Uplisting to a Senior Exchange

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    E.F. Hutton’s leadership has advised on over $750 million in private credit deals, reinforcing its commitment to strategic financing and diversified investment solutions.

    Irvine, CA, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC” or the “Company,” PINK: FDCT), a fintech-driven firm specializing in acquiring and scaling small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, today announced that it has engaged E.F. Hutton & Co. LLC (“E.F. Hutton”) as its financial advisor. E.F. Hutton will provide general financial advisory services to FDCTech, including assistance in identifying and evaluating financing opportunities and potential strategic transactions. The engagement letter with E.F. Hutton became effective as of May 23, 2025.

    E.F. Hutton, a brokerage firm under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Joseph T. Rallo, has advised on over $750 million in private credit transactions across sectors including consumer, defense, industrials, healthcare, real estate, and technology. The firm’s global expertise in complex financial transactions and strategic capital solutions will help FDCTech pursue its growth and capital raise initiatives.

    Since December 2021, FDCTech has been rapidly growing its revenue and balance sheet, reflecting the success of its expansion and integration strategy. In February 2025, the Company engaged Lucosky Brookman LLP, a nationally recognized corporate and securities law firm, to assist in exploring an uplisting to a senior national securities exchange, such as the Nasdaq Capital Market or the New York Stock Exchange. Today’s announcement of E.F. Hutton’s engagement is another crucial step in the Company’s plan to pursue an uplisting and access broader capital markets.

    By leveraging E.F. Hutton’s extensive global network and deep industry relationships, FDCTech aims to accelerate its growth trajectory in 2025 and beyond, in line with its mission to become a leader in diversified financial services driven by its proprietary technology infrastructure. The Company intends to capitalize on E.F. Hutton’s advisory and capital markets expertise to support its multi-jurisdictional growth strategy and maximize long-term shareholder value.

    For more information on the Company’s results and strategic plans, please visit our SEC filings or the Company’s website.

    E.F. Hutton

    E.F. Hutton & Co. is a broker-dealer headquartered in New York, NY that provides advisory and financing solutions to a variety of clients including corporates, sponsors, and public-private partnerships. The Executive Team at E.F. Hutton & Co. has a proven track record of providing unwavering strategic advice to clients across the globe, including the US, Asia, Europe, UAE, and Latin America.

    Lucosky Brookman LLP

    Lucosky Brookman LLP is a full-service corporate and securities law firm providing sophisticated legal representation to public and private companies, institutional investors, and entrepreneurs. The firm specializes in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. With extensive experience in securities law and exchange listings, Lucosky Brookman assists companies in navigating complex financial transactions and regulatory frameworks.

    FDCTech, Inc.

    FDCTech, Inc. (“FDC”) is a regulatory-grade financial technology infrastructure developer designed to serve the future financial markets. Our clients include regulated and OTC brokerages and prop and algo trading firms of all sizes in forex, stocks, commodities, indices, ETFs, precious metals, and other asset classes. Our growth strategy involves acquiring and integrating small to mid-size legacy financial services companies, leveraging our proprietary trading technology and liquidity solutions to deliver exceptional value to our clients.

    Press Release Disclaimer

    This press release’s statements may be forward-looking statements or future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets, and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The Company does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or updated status of such forward-looking statements or information provided by the third party. Therefore, in no case will the Company and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or any related damages.

    Contact Media Relations

    FDCTech, Inc.
    info@fdctech.com
    www.fdctech.com
    +1 877-445-6047
    200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 300,
    Irvine, CA, 92618

    The MIL Network –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Primech A&P Secures New Contracts and Extensions Worth Over $2.6 Million for Q1 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Primech A & P, a subsidiary of Primech Holdings Limited (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PMEC), an established technology-driven facility services provider in the public and private sectors operating mainly in Singapore, today announced several newly secured contracts and extensions for the first quarter of 2025, with a total value exceeding $2.59 million.

    The latest contract wins and extensions include:

    • Secured a 2-year contract (January 2025 to December 2026) valued at $774,470 for public area cleaning and housekeeping services at a prominent international hotel chain in Singapore’s prime Orchard Road shopping district.
       
    • Secured a 2-year contract (April 2025 to March 2027) valued at $676,150 for comprehensive cleaning services at a premium residential condominium development.
       
    • Secured a 6-month extension (January through June 2025) valued at $563,620 for specialized cleaning services at a popular themed food destination within a major tourist attraction in Singapore.
       
    • Secured a 1-year contract (May 2025 to April 2026) valued at $257,540 for cleaning services at an upscale residential condominium development in Singapore.
       
    • Secured a 4-month extension (January through April 2025) valued at $168,150 for public area cleaning services at a prestigious international hotel in Singapore’s Central Business District.
       
    • Secured a 1-year contract (January 2025 to January 2026) valued at $148,230 for cleaning services at a mid-sized residential condominium, expanding Primech’s residential service portfolio.

    Mr. Khazid Omar, Chief Operating Officer of Primech A & P, commented, “We are delighted to announce these significant new contract wins and extensions across multiple sectors. These agreements underscore our clients’ confidence in our service quality and reflect our focus on expanding our presence in the premium residential and hospitality markets. As we continue integrating advanced technologies into our operations, we remain committed to delivering exceptional facility services tailored to each client’s unique requirements. These contracts provide a strong foundation for our growth trajectory in 2025 and beyond.”

    About Primech Holdings Limited

    Headquartered in Singapore, Primech Holdings Limited is a leading provider of comprehensive technology-driven facilities services, predominantly serving both public and private sectors throughout Singapore. Primech Holdings offers an extensive range of services tailored to meet the complex demands of its diverse clientele. Services include advanced general facility maintenance services, specialized cleaning solutions such as marble polishing and facade cleaning, meticulous stewarding services, and targeted cleaning services for offices and homes. Known for its commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, Primech Holdings integrates eco-friendly practices and smart technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction. This strategic approach positions Primech Holdings as a leader in the industry and a proactive contributor to advancing industry standards and practices in Singapore and beyond. For more information, visit www.primechholdings.com.    

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about completing the acquisition, anticipated revenues, growth, and expansion. 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. These forward-looking statements are also based on assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other 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 that such expectations will be correct. 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 SEC.

    Company Contact:

    Email: ir@primech.com.sg

    Investor Relations Contact:        

    Matthew Abenante, IRC
    President                                        
    Strategic Investor Relations, LLC                                         
    Tel: 347-947-2093
    Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Joint Statement of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and The People’s Republic of China (ASEAN-GCC-China Summit)

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and the People’s Republic of China, gathered on the occasion of the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit on 27 May 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
     
    ACKNOWLEDGING the long-lasting and deeply-rooted historical and civilisational linkage and economic ties among ASEAN, GCC, and China;
     
    Download the full statement here.
    The post Joint Statement of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and The People’s Republic of China (ASEAN-GCC-China Summit) appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: A common parasite can decapitate human sperm − with implications for male fertility

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Bill Sullivan, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University

    _Toxoplasma_ can infiltrate the reproductive system. wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Male fertility rates have been plummeting over the past half-century. An analysis from 1992 noted a steady decrease in sperm counts and quality since the 1940s. A more recent study found that male infertility rates increased nearly 80% from 1990 to 2019. The reasons driving this trend remain a mystery, but frequently cited culprits include obesity, poor diet and environmental toxins.

    Infectious diseases such as gonorrhea or chlamydia are often overlooked factors that affect fertility in men. Accumulating evidence suggests that a common single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii may also be a contributor: An April 2025 study showed for the first time that “human sperm lose their heads upon direct contact” with the parasite.

    I am a microbiologist, and my lab studies Toxoplasma. This new study bolsters emerging findings that underscore the importance of preventing this parasitic infection.

    The many ways you can get toxoplasmosis

    Infected cats defecate Toxoplasma eggs into the litter box, garden or other places in the environment where they can be picked up by humans or other animals. Water, shellfish and unwashed fruits and vegetables can also harbor infectious parasite eggs.

    In addition to eggs, tissue cysts present in the meat of warm-blooded animals can spread toxoplasmosis as well if they are not destroyed by cooking to proper temperature.

    While most hosts of the parasite can control the initial infection with few if any symptoms, Toxoplasma remains in the body for life as dormant cysts in brain, heart and muscle tissue. These cysts can reactivate and cause additional episodes of severe illness that damage critical organ systems.

    Between 30% and 50% of the world’s population is permanently infected with Toxoplasma due to the many ways the parasite can spread.

    Toxoplasma can target male reproductive organs

    Upon infection, Toxoplasma spreads to virtually every organ and skeletal muscle. Evidence that Toxoplasma can also target human male reproductive organs first surfaced during the height of the AIDS pandemic in the 1980s, when some patients presented with the parasitic infection in their testes.

    While immunocompromised patients are most at risk for testicular toxoplasmosis, it can also occur in otherwise healthy individuals. Imaging studies of infected mice confirm that Toxoplasma parasites quickly travel to the testes in addition to the brain and eyes within days of infection.

    Toxoplasma cysts floating in cat feces.
    DPDx Image Library/CDC

    In 2017, my colleagues and I found that Toxoplasma can also form cysts in mouse prostates. Researchers have also observed these parasites in the ejaculate of many animals, including human semen, raising the possibility of sexual transmission.

    Knowing that Toxoplasma can reside in male reproductive organs has prompted analyses of fertility in infected men. A small 2021 study in Prague of 163 men infected with Toxoplasma found that over 86% had semen anomalies.

    A 2002 study in China found that infertile couples are more likely to have a Toxoplasma infection than fertile couples, 34.83% versus 12.11%. A 2005 study in China also found that sterile men are more likely to test positive for Toxoplasma than fertile men.

    Not all studies, however, produce a link between toxoplasmosis and sperm quality.

    Toxoplasma can directly damage human sperm

    Toxoplasmosis in animals mirrors infection in humans, which allows researchers to address questions that are not easy to examine in people.

    Testicular function and sperm production are sharply diminished in Toxoplasma-infected mice, rats and rams. Infected mice have significantly lower sperm counts and a higher proportion of abnormally shaped sperm.

    In that April 2025 study, researchers from Germany, Uruguay and Chile observed that Toxoplasma can reach the testes and epididymis, the tube where sperm mature and are stored, two days after infection in mice. This finding prompted the team to test what happens when the parasite comes into direct contact with human sperm in a test tube.

    After only five minutes of exposure to the parasite, 22.4% of sperm cells were beheaded. The number of decapitated sperm increased the longer they interacted with the parasites. Sperm cells that maintained their head were often twisted and misshapen. Some sperm cells had holes in their head, suggesting the parasites were trying to invade them as it would any other type of cell in the organs it infiltrates.

    In addition to direct contact, Toxoplasma may also damage sperm because the infection promotes chronic inflammation. Inflammatory conditions in the male reproductive tract are harmful to sperm production and function.

    The researchers speculate that the harmful effects Toxoplasma may have on sperm could be contributing to large global declines in male fertility over the past decades.

    Sperm exposed to Toxoplasma. Arrows point to holes and other damage to the sperm; asterisks indicate where the parasite has burrowed. The two nonconfronted controls at the bottom show normal sperm.
    Rojas-Barón et al/The FEBS Journal, CC BY-SA

    Preventing toxoplasmosis

    The evidence that Toxoplasma can infiltrate male reproductive organs in animals is compelling, but whether this produces health issues in people remains unclear. Testicular toxoplasmosis shows that parasites can invade human testes, but symptomatic disease is very rare. Studies to date that show defects in the sperm of infected men are too small to draw firm conclusions at this time.

    Additionally, some reports suggest that rates of toxoplasmosis in high-income countries have not been increasing over the past few decades while male infertility was rising, so it’s likely to only be one part of the puzzle.

    Regardless of this parasite’s potential effect on fertility, it is wise to avoid Toxoplasma. An infection can cause miscarriage or birth defects if someone acquires it for the first time during pregnancy, and it can be life-threatening for immunocompromised people. Toxoplasma is also the leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.

    Taking proper care of your cat, promptly cleaning the litter box and thoroughly washing your hands after can help reduce your exposure to Toxoplasma. You can also protect yourself from this parasite by washing fruits and vegetables, cooking meat to proper temperatures before consuming and avoiding raw shellfish, raw water and raw milk.

    Bill Sullivan receives funding from the National Institutes of Health.

    – ref. A common parasite can decapitate human sperm − with implications for male fertility – https://theconversation.com/a-common-parasite-can-decapitate-human-sperm-with-implications-for-male-fertility-256892

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Highly deceptive’ fraudster secured Covid loan funds under his wife’s name and claimed innocent member of the public was his boss

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    ‘Highly deceptive’ fraudster secured Covid loan funds under his wife’s name and claimed innocent member of the public was his boss

    Bounce Back Loan fraudster also produced false invoice to liquidator

    • Shohid Ahmed applied for three Bounce Back Loans using his wife’s name, receiving £100,000 his Indian restaurant was not entitled to 

    • An invoice claiming to show £15,000 of the loan was spent on refurbishing the restaurant was revealed to be false during Insolvency Service investigations 

    • Ahmed also filed false documents with Companies House to suggest an innocent member of the public had taken over his business  

    A Bradford fraudster who secured £100,000 in Covid loan funds he was not entitled to and claimed an innocent member of the public was the director of his company has been jailed. 

    Shohid Ahmed used his wife’s name to apply for three maximum-value Bounce Back Loans on behalf of Red Square Restaurants Limited, an Indian restaurant on Huddersfield Road in Mirfield. 

    The 40-year-old received £100,000 of the £150,000 he fraudulently applied for in May and June 2020, with one of the applications refused. 

    Ahmed then used the personal details of a woman who rented a house from his father without her knowledge to create the illusion that she was the director of the company and had taken over the business. 

    He also produced invoices claiming to show the legitimate use of the Bounce Back Loans, one of which Insolvency Service investigators found to be fabricated. 

    Ahmed, of Bardsey Crescent, Bradford, pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act 2006, Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986 earlier this year. 

    He was sentenced to two years in prison at Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday 27 May. 

    Ahmed has repaid £5,000 of the Bounce Back Loans he illegally secured. The Insolvency Service is seeking to recover the remaining fraudulently obtained funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. 

    David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Shohid Ahmed’s actions were highly deceptive and involved a range of serious offending. 

    He not only obtained two Bounce Back Loans for the restaurant he earlier had said was no longer trading, but implicated a totally innocent member of the public by creating the false impression that she was now the director of the company. 

    The Insolvency Service will not hesitate to prosecute Covid fraudsters such as Ahmed who have stolen from the public purse and caused harm to others.

    Red Square Restaurants, which traded as Ruby’s Lounge, was incorporated in May 2018, with Ahmed’s wife as the sole director. 

    Ahmed himself was only officially director of the company for one day, being appointed and then resigning on 10 February 2020. 

    Despite not being the named director of the company, Ahmed made three Bounce Back Loan applications for Red Square Restaurants in the name of his wife as she had a better credit history than him. 

    Ahmed also claimed that the company was trading at the beginning of March 2020, to meet the requirements of the scheme. 

    That claim was contradicted by an application signed by Ahmed to strike the company off the Companies House register in early April 2020. 

    In the strike-off application, Ahmed said that the company had not traded in the previous three months. 

    Money from the Bounce Back Loans was also not used for the economic benefit of the business, as it should have been under the scheme. 

    Ahmed claimed that an invoice of £15,000 showed that money was spent on an interior redesign of his restaurant using a firm based in Stockton-on-Tees. 

    However, investigators found that the address for the design company Ahmed claimed to have used was actually a cafe which had been trading for 37 years. 

    Neither the cafe which occupied the unit or the landlord who manages the building had ever heard of the firm of interior designers. 

    A liquidator was appointed to wind-up Red Square Restaurants in July 2020. 

    Shortly before this, Ahmed filed false documents with Companies House claiming that a new director had been appointed on New Year’s Day in 2020. 

    Insolvency Service investigators spoke to the listed director who confirmed that she had no association whatsoever with Red Square Restaurants and had simply rented a house from Ahmed’s father. 

    However, Ahmed falsely claimed that she was the manager of the business who ran it day-to-day and had the power to recruit and dismiss members of staff. 

    Ahmed also falsely claimed that she had taken out both Bounce Back Loans and had access to the bank accounts where the money was deposited.  

    He added that he was a waiter and drew a salary of only £12,000. 

    Ahmed was disqualified as a company director for 11 years in December 2021 for his misconduct at Red Square Restaurants. 

    A restaurant under a different name now operates from the same address that Red Square Restaurants traded from. Shohid Ahmed is not a director of this company. 

    Further information 

    • Shohid Ahmed is of Bardsey Crescent, Bradford. His date of birth is 23 January 1985 

    • Red Square Restaurants Limited (company number 11370189) 

    • Read more about the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and the action the Insolvency Service can take if it finds misconduct  

    • Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Tokio Marine Group to launch GX business to support green transformation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • New global offering will provide specialist insurance and risk management solutions to businesses looking to decarbonize
    • Tokio Marine GX products and capacity will be available via TMHCC’s GX Team

    LONDON, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. today announced the launch of Tokio Marine GX (TMGX), a new underwriting business dedicated to providing specialist insurance and risk management solutions to businesses looking to decarbonize their operations and unlock new green opportunities.

    Founded upon GCube’s decades of experience in renewable energy underwriting, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire’s market-leading offshore marine offering, and with expertise drawn from across Tokio Marine’s global operations, TMGX will provide products and services for clients committed to more sustainable practices.

    TMGX will offer up to $500 million on any single risk and is committed to becoming a prominent lead underwriter, applying decades of knowledge to ensure profitable and sustainable capacity through the green transition.

    Fraser McLachlan, CEO of GCube, has been appointed to the new role of Chairman at TMGX and Ben Kinder, Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) for Marine, Energy & Renewables at Tokio Marine HCC International (TMHCCI), will take on the role of CUO at TMGX, in addition to his existing role at TMHCCI.

    Tokio Marine GX, an abbreviation of Green Transformation and an acknowledgment of Japan’s green transformation strategy, is Tokio Marine Group’s response to the growing demand for insurance that is critical to transitioning to a more decarbonized, sustainable society. TMGX will offer advisory and risk transfer for businesses, across multiple sectors, seeking to decarbonize their operations. From renewable energy and conventional power providers, to construction and industry, its teams will work with businesses around the world, at every stage of their transition journey.

    TMGX’s insurance products and risk solution services will equip businesses, innovators, entrepreneurs and investors, private and public, with the support they need to secure funding, and build and operate their sustainable initiatives. The business will offer a range of products and services to address risks linked to green initiatives from financial products, such as credit and surety, to bespoke policies for renewables, nuclear and hydrogen risks.

    Decarbonization and the green transition is an immense undertaking, and one which is poised to spark the greatest capital reallocation in a century, requiring $9.2 trillion1 in annual average spending on physical assets. The lack of cost-effective globally available cover has been a barrier to progress. TMGX will reduce the volatility and embed the certainty which this market needs to flourish.

    Brad Irick, Managing Executive Officer and Co-Head of International – Tokio Marine Holdings, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of Tokio Marine GX. This is a unique insurance proposition. It offers access to the pioneering underwriting spirit of GCube, combined with expertise drawn from across Tokio Marine’s global operations. TMGX clients will benefit from deep claims experience, holistic support and extensive risk appetite in every facet of renewable energy and the green transition. All of this is backed by the financial resources and capacity of one of the world’s largest insurers and an institutional commitment to accelerating societal progress. TMGX will ensure that Tokio Marine is at the forefront of the green transition.”

    Fraser McLachlan, Chairman of TMGX, said: “TMGX will harness the collective expertise and experience from across the Tokio Marine Group to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with clients at each stage of their decarbonization journey. Together, we will unlock new commercial opportunities, while creating a greener, more resilient world for tomorrow.”

    About Tokio Marine Holdings

    Tokio Marine Group is one of the world’s largest global insurance and risk players with a market capitalization of approx. $74 billion as of March 31, 2025, a network encompassing Japan and 46 countries and regions worldwide, and over 43,000 employees. Tokio Marine Group has the capabilities to drive genuine positive change through a business model grounded in a sense of purpose and social responsibility, built on 145 years of history and an enduring culture that fosters innovation and expertise.

    Composed of a diverse range of insurance and solutions businesses across the world, that bring a depth and breadth of capabilities to address and mitigate the ever-evolving risks we face, we provide our clients and communities with the security they need to move forward, while working to create more resilient societies and a better tomorrow.

    For further information:
    Media
    Brian Norris, MHP Group
    Tokiomarinegroup@mhpgroup.com

    ________________
    1 https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/the-net-zero-transition-what-it-would-cost-what-it-could-bring

    The MIL Network –

    May 29, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: xSuite North America to Host 2025 User Conference in Boston

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Showcasing Future-Driven SAP Finance and AI Solutions for Digital Transformation Leaders

    Boston, MA – May 28, 2025 – xSuite North America is pleased to announce its annual User Conference, taking place on June 17–18, 2025, at the Battery Wharf Hotel in Boston. Tailored for finance and IT decision-makers, this one-and-a-half-day event will spotlight next-generation technologies shaping the future of finance, including artificial intelligence (AI), e-invoicing, SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) solutions, intelligent archiving, and customer success enablement.

    Attendees can look forward to expert-led sessions, hands-on insights, and real-world use cases illustrating how xSuite empowers organizations to transform finance operations with intelligent automation and SAP-integrated workflows.

    Exploring Innovation: AI, Cloud, and Digital Finance Solutions

    As cloud computing and AI continue to redefine the finance function, xSuite will use this platform to unveil product innovations and outline its strategic roadmap. The conference will feature insights into emerging technology trends and customer-centric enhancements across its solution portfolio.

    A highlight of the event will be two customer presentations by Altenloh and Century Aluminum, detailing their journey with xSuite for automated invoice processing. The case study will walk attendees through project initiation, key challenges, implemented solutions, and the tangible results achieved.

    Conference Highlights – Day One: Strategy, Solutions, and Insights

    1. AI-Driven Invoice Processing in SAP
    This session will spotlight xSuite’s AI Solutions including Prediction Server, an AI-powered tool that analyzes invoice data to automate decisions across postings and workflows. Leveraging machine learning, it generates smart suggestions for account assignments, cost centers, approval routing, company codes, and more.

    2. E-Invoicing Roadmap and Strategy
    Attendees will gain a comprehensive view of xSuite’s strategic roadmap for e-invoicing, with a focus on upcoming features, performance enhancements, and initiatives designed to optimize digital finance operations.

    3. End-to-End P2P Solutions for SAP and SAP BTP
    xSuite will present a holistic approach to purchase-to-pay processes, order management, a supplier portal, and archiving—demonstrating seamless integration with SAP S/4HANA and SAP BTP environments.

    Networking and Collaboration Opportunities
    The first day will close with dedicated networking sessions, allowing attendees to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and explore xSuite’s role as a strategic partner in digital transformation initiatives.

    Day Two: Hands-On Training for xSuite Administrators

    The second day of the conference will feature technical training sessions tailored for on-site administrators of xSuite solutions. These workshops will equip participants with the practical knowledge needed to manage and optimize their xSuite environments effectively.

    Event Details:
    xSuite User Conference North America
    June 17-18, 2025
    Battery Wharf Hotel, Boston Waterfront
    Three Battery Wharf
    Boston, MA 02109, US

    June17: 10:00 AM – 04:00 PM
    June 18: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

    More information and registration:
    https://news.xsuite.com/en/user-conference-2025-north-america#Anmeldung

    About xSuite Group

    xSuite is a software manufacturer of applications for document-based processes and provides standardized, digital solutions worldwide that enable simple, secure, and fast work. We focus mainly on the automation of important work processes in conjunction with end-to-end document management. Our core competence lies in accounts payable (AP) automation in SAP (including
    e-invoicing), for leading companies worldwide, as well as for public clients. This is supplemented by applications for purchasing and order processes as well as archiving – all delivered from a single source, including both software components and services. xSuite solutions operate in the cloud or in hybrid scenarios. We take pride in the high-quality solutions we offer, as evidenced by the regular certifications we receive for our SAP solutions and deployment environments.” With over 300,000 users benefitting from our solutions, xSuite processes more than 80 million documents per year in over 60 countries.

    Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Ahrensburg, Germany, xSuite has around 300 staff across nine locations worldwide – in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Our company has an established information security management system that is certified in accordance with ISO 27001:2022.

    Press Contact Headquarters:
    Barbara Wirtz
    xSuite Group GmbH
    Tel. +49 4102 883836
    barbara.wirtz@xsuite.com
    www.xsuite.com

    Attachment

    • User-Conference-NA-880-450-px

    The MIL Network –

    May 29, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 389 390 391 392 393 … 1,154
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress