NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Social and Care Support Service to roll out under Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (April 30) that the New Home Association Limited (NHAL) has been commissioned to provide Social and Care Support Service under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong starting from tomorrow (May 1) to provide support to elderly participants and their families. 

    The Social and Care Support Service is one of the measures announced in the 2024 Policy Address to help elderly participants of the Scheme better adapt to the life in the residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) on the Mainland and receive timely assistance when needed.

         The NHAL will provide support services for the elderly participants under the Scheme, especially during the initial six-month trial period upon admission into the RCHEs, to assist them in understanding the Mainland’s medical systems and care services, maintain connections with their families in Hong Kong, and provide them with suitable advice and assistance in handling such matters as housing, medical care, financial matters, etc in Hong Kong. Continuous support will also be rendered in accordance with their needs upon completion of the trial period. 

    The Social and Care Support Service will also conduct assessments under the Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services and follow up applications for those Hong Kong elderly who have settled in Guangdong Province and are interested in joining the Scheme at their places of residence.

    Details of the Scheme are available at the SWD’s website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/pubsvc/elderly/cat_residentcare/subrcheplace/guangdong).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM to visit Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh on 1st and 2nd May

    Source: Government of India

    PM to visit Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh on 1st and 2nd May

    PM to inaugurate the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai

    India to host the Global Media Dialogue with Ministerial participation from around 25 countries

    PM to dedicate to the nation Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala

    It is India’s first dedicated container transshipment port

    PM to lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati

    In a major boost to connectivity in the region, PM to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple road and rail projects in Andhra Pradesh

    Posted On: 30 APR 2025 1:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh on 1st and 2nd May. He will travel to Mumbai on 1st May, and at around 10:30 AM, he will inaugurate the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES).

    Thereafter he will travel to Kerala and on 2nd May, at around 10:30 AM, he will dedicate to the nation Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

    Further, he will travel to Andhra Pradesh and at around 3:30 PM, he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati. He will also address the public function.

    PM in Maharashtra

    Prime Minister will inaugurate WAVES 2025, India’s first-of-its-kind World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai. The four-day summit with tagline “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries” is poised to position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation by bringing together creators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the world.

    In line with Prime Minister’s vision of leveraging creativity, technology, and talent to shape a brighter future, WAVES will integrate films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, broadcasting, and emerging tech, making it a comprehensive showcase of India’s media and entertainment prowess. WAVES aims to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, expanding India’s footprint in the global entertainment economy.

    At WAVES 2025, India will also host the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) for the first time, with ministerial participation from 25 countries, marking a milestone in the country’s engagement with the global media and entertainment landscape. The Summit will also feature the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace with over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects. It aims to connect buyers and sellers locally and globally, ensuring wide-reaching networking and business opportunities.

    Prime Minister will visit the Creatosphere and interact with creators, selected from the 32 Create in India Challenges launched nearly a year ago, which garnered over one lakh registrations. He will also visit the Bharat Pavilion.

    WAVES 2025 will witness participation from over 90 countries, with more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. The summit will feature 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses spanning diverse sectors including broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media.

    PM in Kerala

    Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport worth Rs 8,900 crore. It is country’s first dedicated container transshipment port that represents the transformative advancements being made in India’s maritime sector as part of the unified vision of Viksit Bharat.

    Vizhinjam Port, having strategic importance, has been identified as a key priority project which will contribute in strengthening India’s position in global trade, enhance logistics efficiency, and reduce reliance on foreign ports for cargo transshipment. Its natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters and location near one of the world’s busiest sea trade routes further strengthens India’s position in global trade.

    PM in Andhra Pradesh

    Prime Minister will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Amaravati.

    In line with his commitment to ensure world-class infrastructure and connectivity across the country, Prime Minister will inaugurate 7 National Highway projects in Andhra Pradesh. These Projects include widening of various sections of National Highways, construction of Road over bridge and subway among others. These projects will further enhance road safety; create employment opportunities; provide seamless connectivity to religious and tourist places like Tirupati, Srikalahasti, Malakonda and Udayagiri Fort among others.

    Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation railway projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting capacity. These projects are doubling of the rail line between Bugganapalle Cement Nagar and Panyam stations, enhancing connectivity between Rayalaseema and Amaravati and construction of a third rail line between New West Block Hut Cabin and Vijayawada stations.

    Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of 6 National Highway projects and one Railway project. These Projects include widening of various sections of National highways; construction of elevated corridor,  half clover leaf and Road over bridge among others. These projects will improve connectivity, inter-state travel, reduce congestion and improve overall logistics efficiency. Construction of Rail over Rail between Guntakal West and Mallappa gate stations aims to bypass freight trains and reduce congestion at the Guntakal Junction.

    Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects that include the Legislative Assembly, High Court, Secretariat, other administrative buildings and housing buildings for over 5,200 families, worth over Rs 11,240 crore. It will also include trunk infrastructure and flood mitigation projects featuring a 320 km world-class transport network with underground utilities and advanced flood management systems, worth over Rs 17,400 crore. The Land Pooling Scheme Infrastructure projects will cover 1,281 km of roads equipped with central medians, cycle tracks, and integrated utilities across the capital city of Amaravati, worth over Rs 20,400 crore.

    Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Missile Test Range at Nagayalanka in Andhra Pradesh worth around Rs 1,460 Crore.  It will comprise a launch center, technical instrumentation facilities, Indigenous Radars, Telemetry and Electro-Optical systems enhancing the country’s defence preparedness.

    Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of PM Ekta Mall at Madhurawada in Visakhapatnam. It has been envisioned with the objective of fostering national integration, supporting the Make in India initiative, promoting One District One Product, generating employment opportunities, empowering rural artisans, and enhancing the market presence of indigenous products.

    ***

     

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2125406) Visitor Counter : 96

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ18: Supply of seawater for flushing

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ18: Supply of seawater for flushing 
    Question:
     
         It is learnt that in order to help save fresh water resources, the Water Supplies Department has successfully extended the coverage of the seawater supply network for flushing (network) to about 85 per cent of the population in Hong Kong. However, some residents of housing courts in Sham Tseng have relayed to me that as the Government’s network does not cover their housing courts, residents can only use fresh water to flush toilets or purchase their own pumps to bring in seawater, and they have to pay the Government rent for the mains laid on Government land. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the housing courts that are currently not supplied with seawater for flushing and the number of households involved, as well as the reasons why they are not supplied with seawater for flushing, together with a breakdown by the 18 districts across the territory;
     
    (2) whether the Government has plans to extend the network to cover all the housing courts in the vicinity of Tsuen Wan and Sham Tseng; if so, of the relevant timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) as it is learnt that residents of housing courts who have brought in seawater themselves for flushing purposes currently have to bear the double expenses of the cost of the seawater supply facilities and the Government rent arising from the seawater mains laid on Government land, whether the Government will, on the basis of the principle of fairness, exempt such residents from paying the Government rent; if not, of the specific reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Salt water has been used for flushing in Hong Kong since the 1950s. Over the years, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has been progressively extending the salt water supply network which, nowadays, has covered about 85 per cent of Hong Kong’s population. The network supplies about 300 million cubic metres per annum of salt water to consumers.
     
         The reply to the various parts of the question raised by Dr the Hon Chan is as follows:
     
    (1) The accounts still using temporary mains fresh water for flushing (TMF) are scattered throughout the territory. The approximate number of accounts according to District Council districts is tabulated below (Note 1):
     

    DistrictNote 1: The number of TMF is counted by the WSD on an account basis. TMF accounts are normally registered by management offices, agents, owners’ corporations and developers (not registered by individual households) for the purpose of collecting water fees relating to TMF. Meanwhile, there are no separate TMF accounts for domestic and non-domestic consumers. Therefore, the WSD does not maintain statistics on the number of households and housing courts using TMF in each district.
     
    Note 2: The reclaimed water supply network in the North District was commissioned in March 2024. The WSD is supplying the reclaimed water to consumers progressively.
     
         The WSD is further extending the salt water supply network to Shui Chuen O Estate in Sha Tin, Tung Chung New Town and its extension, and anticipates to commence the supply of salt water progressively from the second half of 2025 onwards.
     
         In general, in the study of the extension of salt water supply network, the WSD takes into account the actual situation of the areas, including the proximity to the seafront, terrain, population distribution, cost effectiveness and technical feasibility, etc, ensuring the proper use of public funds. To supply salt water for flushing to individual areas that are remote, scattered, with low density or distant from the seafront, etc, the Government needs to lay water mains of long distance and construct pumping stations, which do not constitute the most cost-effective solution. Therefore, consumers in these areas use TMF for flushing. Meanwhile, the Government is promoting the use of recycled water in the Northern Metropolis for flushing and other non-potable uses. This will also help reduce the use of fresh water for flushing. The WSD will take into account the consideration of cost-effectiveness in reviewing the feasibility of extending the salt water and recycled water supply network to the districts listed above in a timely manner.
     
    (2) In 2023, the WSD reviewed the cost effectiveness of extending the salt water supply network to Tsing Lung Tau and Sham Tseng. The review result revealed that although the areas are located in the proximity to the seafront and have a considerable size of population, the population and housing courts are scattered there, which require the laying of long water mains, resulting in higher construction and operating costs (If a salt water supply system is to be provided in Sham Tseng, it is necessary to construct an intake opening and a pumping station at the seawall for pumping salt water to the salt water service reservoir, and to lay water mains with several kilometres long. Such works are of larger scale and involve higher capital cost). Therefore, the extension of salt water supply to the vicinity of Tsing Lung Tau and Sham Tseng is not cost-effective at this stage, and thus the WSD has no relevant extension plan. The WSD will continue to monitor the situation and conduct review in a timely manner, taking into account factors including future developments in the area, engineering technology and cost considerations.
     
    (3) Currently, for some private developments in seafront areas where the WSD does not supply salt water for flushing due to cost-effectiveness considerations, the Government will consider imposing lease conditions to require developers to construct flushing systems for residents, and to pay the licence fees/short term tenancy rentals for supply facilities that occupy Government land. The Sham Tseng housing court referred in the question falls under this situation.
     
         Prior to signing of the land lease, developers have acknowledged these terms and reflected the costs of constructing the flushing system into the land premium payable to the Government. This effectively means the Government shares a definite responsibility for these construction costs through the reduced land premium. Daily expenses being borne by individual property owners typically include (i) licence fees/short term tenancy rentals for water supply facilities occupying Government land; and (ii) maintenance and repair costs for the housing court’s salt water supply system. Regarding the cost of item (i), regarding the mentioned case of Sham Tseng housing court, based on the current licence fees and short term tenancy rentals charged by the Lands Department, and calculated across the approximately 2 200 households in the concerned housing court, the average annual cost per household amounts to over $500. As for the cost regarding item (ii), while specific data for the concerned court is unavailable, the maintenance costs are expected to be reasonably affordable for the majority of households because salt water supply system is not a complex technology and the associated maintenance and repair costs are shared collectively among all households.
     
         For future development projects, the WSD will consider whether to include the relevant conditions in land leases for developers to construct salt water flushing systems based on the factors mentioned in (2) above. If such water supply facilities occupy Government land, the Government currently charges licence fee/short term tenancy rental according to general land administrative policy. For similar new development projects in the future, we will consider whether waivers should be granted for such licence fees/short term tenancy rentals, and will make appropriate announcements before the implementation of development projects.
    Issued at HKT 16:55

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Research analyzes tools from the China-aligned TheWizards group, with targets across Asia and the Middle East

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ESET discovered and analyzed both Spellbinder and WizardNet, tools used by the China-aligned TheWizards APT group.
    • Spellbinder is used by the TheWizards to conduct local adversary-in-the-middle attacks and to redirect traffic from updating applications to an attacker-controlled server.
    • That server delivers WizardNet, TheWizards’ signature backdoor, which is being deployed by legitimate Chinese software update mechanisms to victims’ machines.
    • ESET also details the links between TheWizards and the Chinese company Dianke Network Security Technology, also known as UPSEC.

    SAN DIEGO, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET researchers have analyzed Spellbinder, a lateral movement tool used to perform adversary-in-the-middle attacks by the China-aligned threat actor TheWizards. Spellbinder enables adversary-in-the-middle attacks through IPv6 stateless address autoconfiguration spoofing, which allows the attackers to redirect the update protocols of legitimate Chinese software to malicious servers. Then the legitimate software is tricked into downloading and executing the malicious components that launch the backdoor WizardNet.

    TheWizards has been constantly active since at least 2022 until the present and, according to ESET telemetry, targets individuals, gambling companies, and unknown entities in the Philippines, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, mainland China, and Hong Kong.

    “We initially discovered and analyzed this tool in 2022, and observed a new version with a few changes that was deployed to compromised machines in 2023 and 2024,” says ESET researcher Facundo Muñoz, who analyzed Spellbinder and WizardNet. “Our research led us to discover a tool used by the attackers that is designed to perform adversary-in-the-middle attacks using IPv6 SLAAC spoofing to intercept and reply to packets in a network, allowing the attackers to redirect traffic and serve malicious updates to legitimate Chinese software,” explains Muñoz.

    The final payload in the attack is a backdoor that we named WizardNet – a modular implant that connects to a remote controller to receive and execute .NET modules on the compromised machine. ESET researchers have focused on one of the latest cases, in 2024, in which the update of Tencent QQ software was hijacked. The malicious server that issues the update instructions is still active. This variant of WizardNet supports five commands, three of which allow it to execute .NET modules in memory, thus extending its functionality on the compromised system.

    TheWizards and the Chinese company Dianke Network Security Technology (also known as UPSEC) – supplier of the DarkNights backdoor (also known as DarkNimbus), appear to be linked. According to NCSC UK, this malicious backdoor also has Tibetan and Uyghur communities among its primary targets. While TheWizards uses a different backdoor – the WizardNet, the hijacking server is configured to serve DarkNights to updating applications running on Android devices.

    For a more detailed analysis and technical breakdown of TheWizards’ tools, check out the latest ESET Research blogpost “TheWizards APT group uses SLAAC spoofing to perform adversary-in-the-middle attacks” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

    About ESET

    ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown — securing businesses, critical infrastructure and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e64e1152-5dee-4ed7-ad08-e0d87d089a16

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Amid Dutton’s ‘hate media’ and Trump’s despotism, press freedom is more vital than ever

    COMMENTARY: By Alexandra Wake

    Despite all the political machinations and hate towards the media coming from the president of the United States, I always thought the majority of Australian politicians supported the role of the press in safeguarding democracy.

    And I certainly did not expect Peter Dutton — amid an election campaign, one with citizens heading to the polls on World Press Freedom Day — to come out swinging at the ABC and Guardian Australia, telling his followers to ignore “the hate media”.

    I’m not saying Labor is likely to be the great saviour of the free press either.

    The ALP has been slow to act on a range of important press freedom issues, including continuing to charge journalism students upwards of $50,000 for the privilege of learning at university how to be a decent watchdog for society.

    Labor has increased, slightly, funding for the ABC, and has tried to continue with the Coalition’s plans to force the big tech platforms to pay for news. But that is not enough.

    The World Press Freedom Index has been telling us for some time that Australia’s press is in a perilous state. Last year, Australia dropped to 39th out of 190 countries because of what Reporters Without Borders said was a “hyperconcentration of the media combined with growing pressure from the authorities”.

    We should know on election day if we’ve fallen even further.

    What is happening in America is having a profound impact on journalism (and by extension journalism education) in Australia.

    ‘Friendly’ influencers
    We’ve seen both parties subtly start to sideline the mainstream media by going to “friendly” influencers and podcasters, and avoid the harder questions that come from journalists whose job it is to read and understand the policies being presented.

    What Australia really needs — on top of stable and guaranteed funding for independent and reliable public interest journalism, including the ABC and SBS — is a Media Freedom Act.

    My colleague Professor Peter Greste has spent years working on the details of such an act, one that would give media in Australia the protection lacking from not having a Bill of Rights safeguarding media and free speech. So far, neither side of government has signed up to publicly support it.

    Australia also needs an accompanying Journalism Australia organisation, where ethical and trained journalists committed to the job of watchdog journalism can distinguish themselves from individuals on YouTube and TikTok who may be pushing their own agendas and who aren’t held to the same journalistic code of ethics and standards.

    I’m not going to argue that all parts of the Australian news media are working impartially in the best interests of ordinary people. But the good journalists who are need help.

    The continuing underfunding of our national broadcasters needs to be resolved. University fees for journalism degrees need to be cut, in recognition of the value of the profession to the fabric of Australian society. We need regulations to force news organisations to disclose when they are using AI to do the job of journalists and broadcasters without human oversight.

    And we need more funding for critical news literacy education, not just for school kids but also for adults.

    Critical need for public interest journalism
    There has never been a more critical need to support public interest journalism. We have all watched in horror as Donald Trump has denied wire services access for minor issues, such as failing to comply with an ungazetted decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

    And mere days ago, 60 Minutes chief Bill Owens resigned citing encroachments on his journalistic independence due to pressure from the president.

    The Committee to Protect Journalists is so concerned about what’s occurring in America that it has issued a travel advisory for journalists travelling to the US, citing risks under Trump administration policies.

    Those of us who cover politically sensitive issues that the US administration may view as critical or hostile may be stopped and questioned by border agents. That can extend to cardigan-wearing academics attending conferences.

    While we don’t have the latest Australian figures from the annual Reuters survey, a new Pew Research Centre study shows a growing gap between how much Americans say they value press freedom and how free they think the press actually is. Two-thirds of Americans believe press freedom is critical. But only a third believe the media is truly free to do its job.

    If the press isn’t free in the US (where it is guaranteed in their constitution), how are we in Australia expected to be able to keep the powerful honest?

    Every single day, journalists put their lives on the line for journalism. It’s not always as dramatic as those who are covering the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but those in the media in Australia still front up and do the job across a range of news organisations in some fairly poor conditions.

    If you care about democracy at all this election, then please consider wisely who you vote for, and perhaps ask their views on supporting press freedom — which is your right to know.

    Alexandra Wake is an associate professor in journalism at RMIT University. She came to the academy after a long career as a journalist and broadcaster. She has worked in Australia, Ireland, the Middle East and across the Asia Pacific. Her research, teaching and practice sits at the nexus of journalism practice, journalism education, equality, diversity and mental health.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two Trustees appointed to the Natural History Museum board for four year terms commencing 17 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Two Trustees appointed to the Natural History Museum board for four year terms commencing 17 March 2025

    The Prime Minister has appointed Kate Robson Brown and Tanuja Randery as Trustees of the Natural History Museum.

    Kate Robson Brown

    Professor Kate Robson Brown is Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, at University College Dublin, Ireland. In this role she leads both UCDResearch (discovery and applied research) and NovaUCD (enterprise and commercial activities), and is the University AI Champion. She is Professor of Engineering Mathematics and Biological Anthropology. She is a member of the Ireland National Advisory Forum for Space Research, Honorary Fellow of the Alan Turing Institute for Data Science and AI, President of the European Low Gravity Research Association, co-chair of the UK Space Academic Network, and a Visiting Professor in Data Science at Strathmore University in Nairobi. Her previous role was Director of the Jean Golding Institute for Data Science and AI at the University of Bristol. Her research explores the computational modelling of the microstructure and performance of living tissues and manufactured materials and their response to changing and extreme environments, including space. She has a collaborative ESA and UKSA funded experiment currently in orbit on the ISS.

    Tanuja Randery

    Tanuja is Managing Director of Amazon Web Services EMEA, responsible for setting EMEA strategy and guiding the company’s growth across the region. She leads multi-country, cross-functional teams who work closely with customers to support digital transformation, from start ups through to the world’s largest enterprises. Tanuja has more than 25 years of strategic, commercial and operational experience. She was previously Partner at management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, where she was responsible for leading enterprise transformation projects in the technology and industrial sectors.

    Prior to this she served as CEO, UK & Ireland for Schneider Electric, the global energy management firm. Tanuja serves as non-executive director on the board of BusinessLDN and was previously a trustee for Save the Children UK. She is committed to diversity projects and founded the PowerWomen Network—a cross-industry network for senior women business leaders. She was recognised as a top-50 Champions for Women in Business by the Financial Times’ HERoes in 2017 and 2018. She was ranked number 6 on the UK Tech50 2022 list of most influential people in IT and was recognised in the Yahoo Finance 2022 Heroes Women Role Model Lists. Tanuja also hosts a podcast, PowerWomen Speak, on what it takes for women to be successful in business. Born and educated in India, with a Master’s degree from Boston University, Tanuja has lived in London for the past 19 years.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Trustees of the Natural History Museum are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s [Governance Code on Public Appointments].

    The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Kate Robson Brown and Tanuja Randery have not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Australia, Philippines, and U.S. Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone — The combined armed and defense forces of Australia, the Philippines, and the United States, demonstrating a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, April 29, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Igniting Gen Z Innovation: Samsung India Launches ‘Solve for Tomorrow 2025’ Competition with Over INR 1 Crore In Grants

    Source: Samsung

    (Left to right) Shubham Mukherjee, Head of CSR & Corporate Communication at Samsung Southwest Asia; Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY; JB Park, President & CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia; Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India; Prof Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi; Dr Sapna Poti, Senior Director, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India
     
    Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, unveiled the fourth iteration of its Samsung ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ initiative – a nationwide contest designed to inspire students to create innovative solutions to address some of society’s most pressing challenges by leveraging technology.
     
    Samsung ‘Solve for Tomorrow 2025’ will provide INR 1 crore to the top four winning teams to support the incubation of their projects, along with hands-on prototyping, investor connects, and expert mentorship from Samsung leaders and IIT Delhi faculty.
     
    This recognition highlights the significance of nurturing solutions that not only excel in the competition but also transcend it, ultimately evolving into scalable and sustainable ventures that will play a pivotal role in shaping communities across India.
     
    The programme, spanning six months, invites students aged 14-22 to submit their tech ideas as either individuals or groups. This year, participants are encouraged to create solutions across four key themes: AI for a Safer, Smarter, and Inclusive Bharat; Future of Health, Hygiene, and Well-being in India; Social change through Sports and Tech for Education and Better Futures; and Environmental Sustainability via Technology.
     
    “With Solve for Tomorrow, we are inspiring young innovators across every corner of India to dream big, tackle real-world challenges, and shape a smarter, more inclusive future through technology. This year, Solve for Tomorrow is going to be even bigger and more inclusive. We are reaching more cities, engaging students from more schools and colleges, and creating avenues for them to innovate, while applying the principles of design thinking. Solve for Tomorrow stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to the Government of India’s pioneering #DigitalIndia initiative that empowers our youth to become architects of the future,” said JB Park, President & CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.
     
    “IIT Delhi is excited about fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-world problem solving among youth. Our collaboration with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow offers mentorship, research infrastructure, and technical guidance to help the young turn their ideas into products that impact society. We are delighted to be part of this initiative that enables socially conscious innovation and contributes to Viksit Bharat,” said Prof Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi.
     
    “India’s young innovators are at the heart of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and realizing the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. With more young minds to tap solutions than any country ever before, India is uniquely positioned to lead with ideas that address local challenges and inspire global change. Initiatives like Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow provide a vital platform for young people to turn their ideas into solutions for the global good, using technology to drive inclusive and sustainable progress. The UN in India is proud to support such collaborations, especially with the private sector, that uplift youth leadership, innovation, and action, ensuring that we leave no one behind,” said Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India.
     
    “Young people hold the key to solving today’s most urgent global challenges. Initiatives Iike Solve for Tomorrow 2025 empower them to turn their ideas into reality using technology. We are excited to see solutions that help scale youth-led ideas to drive real change across communities,” said Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
     
    The fourth iteration of Samsung India’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aims to involve thousands of participants, offering more than 82,000 hours of extensive training in Design Thinking, Hands-on Prototyping, Go-to-Market Strategies, and Business Planning. In the final phase, teams selected as finalists will benefit from specialized training and mentorship provided by Samsung, IIT Delhi, and industry professionals.
     
    ‘Solve for Tomorrow 2025’ was inaugurated at IIT Delhi in the presence of all partners on Tuesday. Present at the event were Dr Sapna Poti, Senior Director, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Shardul Rao, Scientist C, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India and P. S. Madanagopal, CEO, MeitY Startup Hub.
     
    From ideas to impact: Programme stages
    The application window for the initiative will be open from April 29 to June 30, 2025. During this period, Samsung will host immersive design-thinking workshops in schools and colleges across the nation, empowering participants with essential problem solving and ideation skills.
     
    After the initial application phase, the top 100 teams will be chosen, with 25 teams selected from each of the themes. At this stage, participants will undergo online training led by thematic experts, followed by a video pitch round where 40 teams will be shortlisted – 10 teams from each theme.
     
    The top 10 semi-finalist teams from each theme will then progress to an intensive mentorship program guided by Samsung’s industry veterans and subject matter experts. These teams will also participate in curated learning visits to Samsung’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Samsung R&D Institute India in Bengaluru, Noida, and Delhi, as well as Samsung Design Delhi, offering them first-hand exposure to world-class innovation ecosystems.
     
    This phase will culminate in an experiential, hands-on Prototyping Programme at Delhi’s state-of-the-art labs, in collaboration with ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ alumni. There will also be a Residential Bootcamp focused on refining ideas and preparing for the final pitch. The top 20 teams will be finalized after this phase, with five teams from each theme advancing to the grand finale. These top five teams from each theme will receive exclusive one-on-one mentoring sessions with Samsung experts. They will participate in a Prototyping Day, Pitch Presentation, Investor Meet, and Awards Ceremony, all held over the last three days of the competition.
     
    What is in it for the participants
    The top 100 teams will receive certificates of achievement. The top 40 teams will receive INR 8 lakh and the latest Samsung laptops for every member. The top 20 will receive with INR 20 lakh and the latest Samsung ZFlip smartphones for each member.
     
    In addition, special awards include the Goodwill Award, Young Innovator Award, and Social Media Champion, with a total prize amount of INR 4.5 lakh.
     
    The four winning teams will collectively receive a grant of INR 1 crore for incubation at IIT Delhi, providing substantial resources to accelerate their innovative projects. This funding aims to nurture their ideas into reality.
     
    First launched in the US in 2010, ‘Solve for Tomorrow’ is currently operational in 68 countries globally and has seen over 3 million young people participate worldwide.
     
    The Global CSR vision of Samsung Electronics – ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People’ – is determined to provide education to young people around the world and empower them to become the leaders of tomorrow. Read more stories on Samsung Electronics’ CSR efforts on our CSR webpage https://csr.samsung.com/en-in/localMain.do
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU at the exhibition in Tashkent: how to choose the profession of the future and enter a leading technical university

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The 27th international exhibition “Education and Profession 2025” was held in Uzbekistan. The largest international educational event of the republic was organized by the Agency for Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of Uzbekistan and the company “My Fair” with the support of Rossotrudnichestvo and the National Bank of Uzbekistan. The event, which covered 12 cities of the country, brought together a record 100 universities from 15 countries for Central Asia. Our university was also represented at the exhibition.

    The Education and Profession 2025 exhibition is a unique opportunity for applicants, students and young professionals to take a look into the future of their careers. Here you can learn about the requirements for admission to universities and colleges, scholarships and grants that make education more accessible, as well as about the professions that will determine the labor market in a few years – from IT development and bioengineering to sustainable development and digital art. Experts from leading universities reveal right at the exhibition which skills are critically important today. For example, the ability to work with data, adapt to change, manage a team or solve interdisciplinary problems.

    Deputy Head of the Agency for Youth Affairs Dilnozahon Kattakhanova emphasized the significance of the event: More than 100 universities are more than 100 opportunities for self-realization, discovering potential and choosing a decent education. Young people will be able to contribute to the development of science, technology and all spheres of life in the country.

    Head of Rossotrudnichestvo in Uzbekistan Irina Staroselskaya emphasized the importance of choice: Young people can choose not only a university, but also a country, a direction. The main thing is that education brings pleasure – after all, we spend most of our lives at work. Let the choice be conscious!

    Over the course of two days of the exhibition, the stand of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was visited by more than 1,700 high school students from Uzbekistan considering the possibility of studying in Russia. The main audience was senior students who studied in detail the prospects of entering Russian universities.

    Leading Advertising Manager of the SPbPU Center for International Recruitment and Communications Zhanna Trunkova and specialist of the Department for Work with Foreign Students Evgeniya Borodina held individual consultations for the guests. They explained in detail the conditions of enrollment, the range of available educational programs, as well as scholarship and financial support options for foreign students of the university.

    Uzbek schoolchildren received information about scholarships, admission requirements and promising professions. The speakers thanked the partners for their contribution to the organization of the largest educational project in the region.

    International educational exhibitions help not only to obtain information, but also to immerse yourself in a dialogue with universities. Personal consultations, career guidance tests and live communication with representatives allow you to compare your interests with the real demands of the economy. This is a chance to rethink career goals, choose an educational trajectory that corresponds to both personal ambitions and global trends, and also to begin building a professional path without gaps in knowledge, – emphasized the head of the International Education Department of SPbPU Evgeniya Satalkina.

    You can find out more about the admission procedure at Polytechnic University atSPbPU website, and fill out the form inin the applicant’s personal account.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Foreign Minister Lin signs agreement with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ramírez on mutual visa exemption for regular passport holders of Taiwan and Paraguay

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Foreign Minister Lin signs agreement with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ramírez on mutual visa exemption for regular passport holders of Taiwan and Paraguay

    Date：2024-11-30
    Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

    November 30, 2024 
    No. 442

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung and Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rubén Ramírez Lezcano on November 29 signed an intergovernmental agreement on mutual visa exemption for regular passport holders from Taiwan and Paraguay. After the conclusion of the ceremony, which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Lin hosted a banquet for the Paraguayan delegation. The two sides exchanged views on such issues as further deepening the diplomatic alliance between Taiwan and Paraguay, promoting bilateral economic and trade exchanges, and pursuing trilateral cooperation together with the United States. 
     
    Minister Lin welcomed Minister Ramírez back to Taiwan, following an earlier trip in May to accompany President Santiago Peña to President Lai Ching-te’s inauguration. Minister Lin noted that this demonstrated the deep friendship and close relations between Taiwan and Paraguay. During their meeting, the two ministers discussed international political and economic developments and bilateral cooperation projects. They also exchanged opinions on economic, trade, and investment issues related to Taiwan’s electric bus, food processing, and textile industries and the import of agricultural and livestock products. Minister Ramírez said he was pleased that Taiwan had implemented the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project in Paraguay, which he hoped would bring mutual benefits and prosperity to both nations.
     
    Minister Ramírez reaffirmed the staunch support extended to Taiwan by President Peña and the government and people of Paraguay and conveyed sincere greetings on their behalf. He expressed the hope that by building a model of trilateral cooperation, Taiwan, the United States, and Paraguay could jointly safeguard the core values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. He affirmed the earlier signing of the agreement on mutual visa exemption for regular passport holders of the two countries, adding that this would foster people-to-people exchanges and afford greater convenience to Taiwanese businesses investing in Paraguay. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA extends sincere condolences to French overseas department Mayotte in aftermath of Cyclone Chido

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA extends sincere condolences to French overseas department Mayotte in aftermath of Cyclone Chido

    Date：2024-12-16
    Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    December 16, 2024  
    No. 462  

    Cyclone Chido struck the French overseas department of Mayotte on December 14, with gusts exceeding 200 kilometers per hour. It was the strongest cyclone to hit the area in over 90 years. The local government stated that casualties likely numbered in the hundreds and that the storm had caused severe property damage. 
     
    Upon receiving news of the disaster, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung immediately instructed the Taipei Representative Office in France to convey President Lai Ching-te’s sincere sympathies and condolences on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan to French President Emmanuel Macron. Minister Lin emphasized that, if necessary, the Taiwan government would gladly provide disaster assistance. He also indicated that Taiwan would donate €250,000 through its representative office to assist with local disaster relief and postdisaster reconstruction efforts. 
    According to information available to the representative office in France, no Taiwanese nationals have been injured or stranded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the representative office in France will continue to closely follow developments in Mayotte, maintain contact with the relevant French authorities, and provide any assistance necessary. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: US Congress passes NDAA 2025 with enhanced Taiwan security cooperation

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    US Congress passes NDAA 2025 with enhanced Taiwan security cooperation

    Date：2024-12-20
    Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

    December 20, 2024 
    No. 464 

    The US House of Representatives and Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA 2025) on December 11 and 18, respectively. The act includes a Taiwan security cooperation initiative, the establishment of a Taiwan-US military trauma care program, and other new provisions. Among other supportive measures for Taiwan, the act encourages the United States to work with European countries to strengthen relations with Taiwan and back efforts to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities. It also calls for enhanced defense industrial cooperation with Taiwan. 
     
    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely thanks the US Congress for continuing to demonstrate staunch support for Taiwan-US security cooperation and Taiwan’s security through legislation. The NDAA 2025 will pass into law once it is signed by President Joe Biden.
     
    MOFA will continue to stay in close contact with the US Congress and administration to jointly deepen the cordial partnership between Taiwan and the United States and to ensure a free, open, peaceful, and stable Indo-Pacific. (E) 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taiwan donates €4 million to EBRD’s Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Guarantee Facility to help revitalize Ukrainian insurance market

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Taiwan donates €4 million to EBRD’s Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Guarantee Facility to help revitalize Ukrainian insurance market

    Date：2024-12-14
    Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    December 14, 2024  
    No. 461  

    To assist Ukraine in revitalizing its domestic insurance market and to boost international investment interest in Ukraine, Taiwan has agreed to allocate €4 million from the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund for the Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Guarantee Facility (URGF) initiative led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The donation agreement was signed in Taipei on December 2 at a ceremony witnessed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang. It was signed on behalf of Taiwan by Jonathan C. Y. Sun, Director General of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by Director for Donor Partnerships Camilla Otto on behalf of the EBRD. 
     
    The EBRD held a ceremony to launch the URGF in its London headquarters on December 12, which was attended by Taiwan Representative to the United Kingdom Vincent C. H. Yao. In his remarks at the event, Representative Yao said that Taiwan staunchly supported Ukraine and looked forward to working with like-minded democratic allies to assist in Ukraine’s reconstruction through the URGF mechanism.
     
    Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, international reinsurance companies have had reservations about providing coverage for businesses operating in Ukraine. The EBRD thus aims to raise €110 million via the URGF mechanism so as to provide additional guarantees for potential losses incurred by war-related risks. This will increase international investor confidence and, in turn, accelerate economic recovery and improve the lives of the Ukrainian people. France, the United Kingdom, Norway, the European Union, and Switzerland have also pledged to donate to the URGF. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: European-first semiconductor facility launches in Southampton

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    European-first semiconductor facility launches in Southampton

    A new facility to build the next generation of semiconductor chips, and the first of its kind in Europe, was opened at the University of Southampton.

    • Science Minister Lord Vallance unveils new electron beam facility for creating incredibly small patterns onto chips to enable breakthroughs in AI and medical tech
    • Comes alongside nearly £5 million in new government support to boost talent pipeline and address skills gap in growing semiconductor industry
    • Support will fund new bursaries, chip design courses and outreach in schools – helping deliver growth as part of our Plan for Change by strengthening our sector and creating high-skilled jobs

    A new facility using cutting edge electron beam technology to build the next generation of semiconductor chips, and the first of its kind in Europe, was opened at the University of Southampton by Science Minister Lord Vallance today (Wednesday 30 April).

    The new E-beam lithography facility is just the second in the world, and first outside Japan, and provides incredible accuracy that is critical to designing the tiny components that power technologies of the future, from medical diagnostics to defence systems.

    Semiconductors – the small chips that power devices from smartphones to satellites – already contribute an estimated £10 billion to our economy each year, with the sector projected to grow to an estimated £17 billion by 2030.

    Strengthening the sector offers a major opportunity to drive the growth at the heart of our Plan for Change, through boosting innovation and jobs. It also supports the UK’s wider Industrial Strategy to grow key advanced manufacturing sectors and secure global competitiveness.

    E-beam lithography uses a focused beam of tiny particles called electrons to create patterns in materials with unrivalled resolution – allowing researchers to create features thousands of times smaller than a human hair.

    Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:

    Britain is home to some of the most exciting semiconductor research anywhere in the world – and Southampton’s new E-beam facility is a major boost to our national capabilities.

    By investing in both infrastructure and talent, we’re giving our researchers and innovators the support they need to develop next-generation chips right here in the UK.

    Our £4.75 million skills package will support our Plan for Change by helping more young people into high-value semiconductors careers, closing skills gaps and backing growth in this critical sector.

    The Science Minister’s visit to Southampton comes alongside new research being published today, which shows that one of the biggest barriers to achieving growth in the UK’s burgeoning semiconductor industry is a lack of emerging talent. With a single semiconductor worker contributing an average of £460,000 to the economy annually, the sector’s economic potential is huge.

    In response, the government has launched a new £4.75 million semiconductor skills package to help build the talent base needed to fuel this high-growth industry. The package will also help strengthen R&D capacity at leading universities, such as Southampton, which are central to UK semiconductor innovation and talent development. 

    By supporting local talent pipelines and university–industry collaboration, the programme will contribute to both regional and national economic growth, fuelling our Plan for Change, and reinforcing the role the semiconductors industry is set to play in the Industrial Strategy.

    The package includes:

    • £3 million for undergraduate bursaries, offering £5,000 each to 300 students starting Electronics and Electrical Engineering degrees this year, alongside specialist semiconductor content to raise awareness of the field, with a focus on courses that include semiconductor design and manufacturing.
    • £1.2 million for chip design training, with new chip design courses to teach practical chip design skills to undergraduates, postgraduates, and lecturers, as well as a feasibility study for new postgraduate conversion courses.
    • Almost £550,000 for school outreach, giving 7,000 students aged 15–18 and 450 teachers hands-on semiconductor experience in partnership with local employers, helping raise awareness and diversify the future workforce. This programme will be focused on existing UK semiconductor clusters – such as Newport, Cambridge, and Glasgow – helping to strengthen these ecosystems and create long-term career opportunities.

    This targeted skills support will underpin the long-term success of the UK semiconductor sector – helping to attract more students into high-value careers, fill key vacancies and support UK leadership in critical and emerging technologies that will be instrumental to our mission to grow the economy.

    University of Southampton’s Professor Graham Reed, who leads its Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), said:

    The introduction of the new E-Beam facility will reinforce our position of hosting the most advanced cleanroom in UK academia.

    It facilitates a vast array of innovative and industrially relevant research, and much needed semiconductor skills training.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs meets Director General of Asia and the Pacific, German Foreign Office

    Source: ASEAN

    Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. Nararya Sanggramawijaya Soeprapto, receives Director General of Asia and the Pacific, German Foreign Office, H.E. Frank Hartmann, at the ASEAN Headquarters today. They discussed ASEAN-Germany development cooperation partnership, as well as potential future development cooperation.
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN Presents Letter of Credence to the Secretary-General of ASEAN

    Source: ASEAN

    Jakarta, 30 April 2025 – Ambassador Sitsangkhom Sisaketh presented his Letter of Credence to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat today, formally commencing his tenure as Lao PDR’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN.
     
    The credential ceremony was followed by a courtesy call, during which Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassador Sitsangkhom Sisaketh on his new appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to contribute meaningfully to ASEAN Community-building and integration efforts. He underscored that the Ambassador’s extensive experience in ASEAN affairs would serve as a valuable asset to the work of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR).
     
    Secretary-General Dr. Kao also commended Lao PDR for its steadfast commitment and valuable contributions to ASEAN, especially during its most recent ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024. He acknowledged Lao PDR’s important role as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Canada Dialogue Relations for the 2024-2027 cycle, notably in efforts to strengthen and deepen the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership, as well as in the finalisation of the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (2026-2030) and ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) by 2025.
     
    Ambassador Sitsangkhom Sisaketh is Lao PDR’s fifth Permanent Representative to ASEAN since the CPR’s establishment in 2009. He previously served as the Deputy Director-General of ASEAN Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has played a key role in advancing ASEAN’s strategic initiatives over the years.
     
    Secretary-General Dr. Kao reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s readiness to support Ambassador Sitsangkhom Sisaketh and the Permanent Mission of Lao PDR to ASEAN in Jakarta, emphasising the importance of continued collaboration between the CPR and the ASEAN Secretariat to achieve ASEAN’s goals and objectives, including the upcoming adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its four Strategic Plans this year./.

    The post Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN Presents Letter of Credence to the Secretary-General of ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA expresses sincere condolences over passing of former Indian Prime Minister Singh

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA expresses sincere condolences over passing of former Indian Prime Minister Singh

    Date：2024-12-28
    Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    December 28, 2024No. 469Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on December 26. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) extends sincere condolences over his passing and has instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India to convey its sympathies to the government of India on behalf of the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).Former Prime Minister Singh boasted a wealth of political experience. During his tenure as prime minister from 2004 to 2014, he bolstered cooperation between India and Taiwan in such areas as the economy, trade, investment, culture, and education. He also facilitated the opening of the TECC in Chennai in 2012, significantly enhancing the development of bilateral relations. Prime Minister Singh will be remembered with great respect for advancing Taiwan-India relations and promoting regional peace and prosperity during his time in office. MOFA will build on the solid foundation he laid to further deepen friendship and cooperation with current Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Ukrainian delegation led by Lviv Mayor Sadovyy

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for Ukrainian delegation led by Lviv Mayor Sadovyy

    Date：2024-12-28
    Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    December 28, 2024  
    No. 468  

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on December 27 hosted a luncheon to welcome a Ukrainian delegation led by Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyy. During the event, the two sides exchanged views on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the peaceful development of Ukraine, the strengthening of local municipal exchanges, the building of resilient cities, and other initiatives. In addition to sharing with the guests Taiwan’s experience and insights regarding economic transformation and high-tech industrial development, Minister Lin stressed that cities in Taiwan and Ukraine could engage in exchanges at the annual Smart City Summit and Expo held in Taiwan.
     
    The visiting delegation thanked the Taiwan government for its humanitarian assistance and support to Ukraine, adding that the Ukrainian people were deeply moved by Taiwan’s goodwill. They expressed the wish that the two countries could further engage in reciprocal support and cooperation on the basis of friendship and mutual trust. 
     
    Lviv is the largest city in western Ukraine. Following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, it has become an important hub for other countries to deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine as well as a major medical base to which wounded soldiers and patients are transferred for follow-up treatment. On December 27, the Taipei Representative Office (TRO) in Poland, the Lviv city government, and the Multidisciplinary Clinical Hospital of Emergency and Intensive Care signed a memorandum on cooperation and partnership for the reconstruction of the UNBROKEN National Rehabilitation Center in Lviv. The virtual signing ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu. The government of Taiwan will fund the renovation of a rehabilitation facility, which will be named the Taiwan Friendship Building to accentuate Taiwan’s donation and friendship. 
     
    Speaking as Taiwan’s representative at the MOU signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Wu stated that postsurgery rehabilitation would be available to military personnel and civilians at the Taiwan Friendship Building in the UNBROKEN center and that the Taiwan government would continue to work with Lviv on the basis of mutual trust and support so as to help Ukraine work toward a brighter future amidst current adversity. Mayor Sadovyy presented a briefing on UNBROKEN’s operations and the recovery of those injured. Noting that the rehabilitation facility to be renovated with Taiwan government funding would benefit more Ukrainian patients, he expressed heartfelt appreciation to the government and people of Taiwan. 
     
    UNBROKEN is a national rehabilitation center supported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and overseen by the Lviv city government. The center includes a general hospital, a children’s hospital, a rehabilitation center, a surgery facility, a prosthetics manufacturing facility, and temporary housing. To date, more than 940,000 Ukrainian patients have received medical treatment at this nationally renowned center. The facility to be renovated with Taiwan’s assistance is a seven-story building located in the western part of the center. Once the project is completed, it will be home to specialized departments and provide such diverse medical and rehabilitation services as physical therapy, psychological consultations, and prosthetic fittings. It is expected to have the capacity to serve 13,000 patients simultaneously. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: US reaffirms staunch bipartisan support for Taiwan at bilateral working group meeting on international organizations

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    US reaffirms staunch bipartisan support for Taiwan at bilateral working group meeting on international organizations

    Date：2025-01-11
    Data Source：Department of International Organizations

    January 11, 2025 
    No. 007 

    Taiwan and the United States on January 8 convened the annual working group meeting on promoting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. During the event, held in Washington, DC, the United States reaffirmed staunch bipartisan endorsement of Taiwan’s bids to expand its international involvement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely appreciates this show of support.
     
    The two sides exchanged views on Taiwan’s pursuit of increased participation in organizations related to such issues as public health, aviation safety, fighting transnational crime, and environmental protection. They reviewed the progress made in 2024 and engaged in in-depth discussions on future strategies and approaches. The two sides also agreed to continue working together with Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and like-minded countries to further foster worldwide support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, advance Taiwan’s cause, and achieve related breakthroughs. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 2024 diplomacy review: building a new Taiwan of democracy, peace, and prosperity through integrated diplomacy

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    December 30, 2024  
    No. 471  

    In 2024, the global landscape underwent rapid changes; geopolitical turmoil continued unabated; democracy and authoritarianism remained starkly divided; the Russia-Ukraine war deadlocked; and instability prevailed in the Middle East, the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, and even in the first island chain. All of these events highlighted the increasingly formidable challenges that the world faces from the axis of upheaval. 
     
    Meanwhile, the Republic of China (Taiwan) successfully completed its eighth presidential election on January 13, another milestone in its democratic advancement. The situation across the Taiwan Strait continued to elicit a high level of international concern, while the Indo-Pacific became pivotal to global strategy. All of these developments were closely intertwined with Taiwan’s national security and interests.
     
    Diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and its overseas missions showed resilience and self-confidence. They did their utmost to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty, dignity, and interests, as well as the Taiwanese people’s rights and interests. Building on the excellent foundation laid by steadfast diplomacy over the past eight years, MOFA implemented integrated diplomacy, which aims at realizing values-based diplomacy and transforming Taiwan into a thriving global economic powerhouse as envisioned by President Lai Ching-te. Based on the three pillars of democracy, peace, and prosperity, MOFA fostered cooperation and deepened partnerships. MOFA pursued mutual benefits and coprosperity with diplomatic allies and like-minded nations, demonstrating that Taiwan was a pivotal force for stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and underscoring its value as a global model of freedom and democracy. 
     
    Democratic Taiwan neither yielded nor provoked, remaining calm and confident. It worked with the global democratic community to respond to threats posed by authoritarian regimes. Taiwan stood firm and resilient against authoritarian expansionism, actively provided international humanitarian assistance during times of crisis, and leveraged its strengths to share prosperity with diplomatic allies and like-minded countries. For its contributions, Taiwan gained worldwide acclaim and recognition from all sectors. 
     
    With the support of Taiwan’s people, MOFA and its overseas missions spared no effort to promote head-of-state diplomacy. In December, President Lai led a delegation to Pacific diplomatic allies the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau under the theme “Smart and Sustainable Development for a Prosperous Austronesian Region.” He achieved the three main objectives of smart sustainability, sustainable democracy, and sustainable diplomatic ties while also making successful US transit stops in Hawaii and Guam. The tour was immensely productive and successfully consolidated international support for Taiwan. It both deepened Taiwan’s friendships with allies and launched a new era of values-based diplomacy. 
     
    In October, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, serving as special presidential envoy, attended celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of the independence of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He also visited Guatemala, Saint Lucia, Belize, and Saint Christopher and Nevis, where he witnessed the achievements of values-based diplomacy and economic and trade diplomacy. In addition, he deepened partnerships on the foundations already laid for bilateral cooperation. In November, Minister Lin visited Belgium, where the European Parliament is headquartered, as well as Lithuania and Poland, further enhancing democratic alliances and cooperation as well as economic and trade linkages between Taiwan and Europe. 
     
    International friendship and support for Taiwan reached new heights this year. Following the successful completion of Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections in January, more than 1,600 prominent political figures from over 100 countries offered congratulations. Taiwan’s significant success in diplomacy was substantively reflected through its solid formal alliances, rock-solid partnership with the United States, growing ties with Europe, and steadfast friendship with Japan. Diplomatic allies and like-minded nations spoke in support of Taiwan’s international participation and reaffirmed the global consensus on maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They lauded Taiwan as a force for good that safeguarded democratic values, provided humanitarian assistance, and made concrete contributions. 
     
    Meanwhile, Taiwan has continued to deploy soft power, pursue public diplomacy, and seek international support. It has integrated resources across ministries, agencies, and departments to bolster its overall diplomatic strength. Furthermore, it has sought to have other countries implement consular measures addressing visas and digital governance to afford greater convenience to Taiwan’s people while also promoting closer people-to-people exchanges with other nations. 
     
    MOFA has devoted a maximum effort to the planning and implementation of the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project to deepen substantive relations with allies and like-minded countries. MOFA has formulated eight flagship projects concerning the Five Trusted Industry Sectors, covering semiconductor supply chain resilience, reliable networks and digital governance, new energy and carbon credit cooperation, smart demonstration parks overseas, smart medicine and healthcare, smart agriculture, sovereign AI, and sustainable tourism. Taiwan has brought its industrial strengths to play while integrating the resources of all ministries and agencies. Through the export of smart solutions, Taiwan has stimulated the prosperous development of allies and bolstered democratic supply chains. This has consolidated diplomatic ties and is helping allies enjoy greater prosperity. 
     
    Taiwan is greeting a new world and the world is greeting a new Taiwan. Not only is this MOFA’s mission in its diplomatic work, it is also the stellar outcome of coordinated efforts by the Taiwanese people and related agencies. MOFA has helped to promote the Executive Yuan’s economic diplomacy task force and has a strategic team conducting research and administrative work for the task force. This task force facilitates the efficient integration of resources from across ministries, enabling every citizen to be a diplomat and every ministry to serve as a foreign ministry. 
     
    MOFA will continue to improve the efficiency and quality of its public-facing services so that they have a tangible and positive impact on people’s lives. It will work diligently for the dignity, rights, interests, continuity, and development of the nation and people. MOFA will utilize Taiwan’s strengths as it connects to the world and work steadily to promote technology diplomacy, human rights diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, urban diplomacy, parliamentary diplomacy, medical and public health diplomacy, environmental diplomacy, sports diplomacy, indigenous diplomacy, religious diplomacy, and gender equality diplomacy. MOFA will help the international community better understand the important role that Taiwan plays. It will live up to the expectations of all sectors as concerns diplomatic efforts.
     
    In 2025, the world will usher in a new chapter in geopolitics. With confidence, resilience, and a professional and flexible approach, MOFA will maintain its footing in the new environment. It will leverage Taiwan’s strengths; overcome challenges; and amplify the values of democracy, peace, and prosperity. By integrating diplomatic momentum from all sectors, MOFA will continue to contribute to the international community and realize President Lai’s policy of values-based diplomacy and vision of Taiwan as a thriving global economic powerhouse. MOFA will demonstrate that Taiwan can help and that Taiwan can lead so that Taiwan continues to serve as a beacon shining far and wide across the globe. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA thanks Philippine Foreign Secretary Manalo for again publicly expressing concern over cross-strait peace and stability

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA thanks Philippine Foreign Secretary Manalo for again publicly expressing concern over cross-strait peace and stability

    Date：2025-01-09
    Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    January 9, 2025  
    No. 004  

    In response to a question at the Regional Outlook Forum 2025 held on January 9 by Singaporean think tank the Yusof Ishak Institute, Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo stated that the Philippines held a staunch position that the Taiwan Strait issue should be resolved through peaceful means. The Philippines is located close to Taiwan and hundreds of thousands of Filipinos live and work in Taiwan. Therefore, the Philippines has urged all parties concerned to maintain communications so as to prevent rising tensions.
     
    Secretary Manalo’s public comment followed an earlier expression of concern in August 2024 regarding the importance of cross-strait peace and stability to the international community. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes and appreciates the Philippines’ support. It stresses that Taiwan hopes to further deepen substantive bilateral cooperation through integrated diplomacy.
     
    President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr., Secretary Manalo, and other high-level government officials of the Philippines have all recently made numerous public statements on the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. MOFA welcomes the continuing concrete actions and expressions of concern by the global community in working together with Taiwan to preserve the rules-based international order and protect democracy, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome banquet for former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome banquet for former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis

    Date：2025-01-14
    Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    January 14, 2025  
    No. 012  

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on January 14 hosted a welcome luncheon for former Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis and his wife. During the event, the two sides exchanged views on how democracies can counter authoritarian nations, furthering bilateral collaboration on drone development, and exploring other areas of cooperation. 
     
    Minister Lin thanked Mr. Landsbergis for his staunch support of Taiwan and for his proactive efforts to bolster bilateral relations between Taiwan and Lithuania during his tenure as foreign minister, adding that this was an excellent model of democratic solidarity. He stated that he had led 20 drone-related Taiwanese companies to the Drone Industry Business Forum in Lithuania last November, demonstrating Taiwan’s determination to build democratic supply chains together with Lithuania and substantively implementing integrated diplomacy. 
     
    Minister Lin also noted that authoritarian expansionism posed a significant challenge to the democratic community. Pointing to the recent incidents of underwater cable sabotage in the Baltic Sea and the waters around Taiwan, he underscored the urgent need for democracies to collaborate and adopt joint strategic responses and prevention measures.
     
    Mr. Landsbergis said that Taiwan and Lithuania had done their utmost to protect freedom and democracy since transitioning away from authoritarian rule in the 1980s. Observing that the two nations had long faced geopolitical security threats from authoritarian countries, he stressed that it was important for democratic partners to work in concert and that the peoples of Taiwan and Lithuania had forged a friendship based on mutual understanding and appreciation. With the two countries having achieved considerable success in various joint projects, he expressed the hope that bilateral cooperation would continue to deepen.
     
    During his tenure as foreign minister, Mr. Landsbergis arranged for Lithuania to donate COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan, making it the first European country to do so. He further showed a firm commitment to safeguarding the values of democracy and freedom and backed the establishment of a Taiwanese representative office in Lithuania including the name Taiwan. A staunch friend of Taiwan, he spared no effort to strengthen relations between the two countries. During his visit, Mr. Landsbergis will deliver a speech at an event organized by the Prospect Foundation and will engage with Taiwanese students at National Taiwan University. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA announces US$500,000 donation to assist US relief efforts in wake of Southern California wildfires

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA announces US$500,000 donation to assist US relief efforts in wake of Southern California wildfires

    Date：2025-01-16
    Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

    January 16, 2025 
    No. 018 

    Recent wildfires raging across mountainous areas in Southern California in the United States have caused severe devastation, with at least 25 deaths confirmed and more than 12,300 structures destroyed. The fires remain severe. Nearly 90,000 people have been evacuated, and losses are estimated to have reached US$150 billion. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has announced a donation of US$500,000 to assist the local government in rescue and relief efforts.
     
    At the suggestion of the Los Angeles city government, the donation will be made to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and will be used for the purchase of professional firefighting equipment urgently needed in rescue operations. 
     
    Following the outbreak of wildfires in the mountainous regions of Los Angeles, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles promptly conveyed sympathies to the local government on behalf of the Taiwan government. It has also actively integrated relief resources of overseas Taiwanese communities, the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, the Buddha’s Light International Association, and other charitable organizations. To date, tens of thousands of N95 masks have been donated to rescue workers, disaster victims, and local educational institutions to help protect against poor air quality. Numerous overseas Taiwanese communities have responded by launching fundraisers and in-kind donation drives, providing free accommodation, and initiating other charitable acts. 
     
    Taiwan and the United States maintain a cordial partnership, and their peoples enjoy robust friendships. Taiwan and California have shared a sister-state relationship for 41 years, and Southern California has the largest population of Taiwanese compatriots in the United States. In the wake of the wildfire destruction, Taiwan has proactively upheld the spirit of humanitarian concern, showing that Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping. Taiwan hopes that rescue and relief operations will proceed smoothly; that the situation will be brought under control at an early date; and that those affected, including local Taiwanese compatriots, can resume their normal lives. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 conducts dive training with the Republic of Korea Navy’s Sea Salvage and Rescue Unit during SALVEX Korea 2025 [Image 15 of 17]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    JINHAE NAVAL BASE, Republic of Korea (April 10, 2025) Navy Diver 3rd Class Anthony Briggs, center, assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, receives a gear check from Navy Diver 1st Class Ernest Smith before conducting a simulated salvage mission alongside a Republic of Korea navy diver, left, during a joint dive and salvage exercise in the harbor of Jinhae Naval Base, Republic of Korea, April 10, 2025. Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 sustains the U.S. Navy’s maritime forces and is responsible for all diving and salvage operations in the Western Pacific in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)

    Date Taken: 04.10.2025
    Date Posted: 04.13.2025 22:26
    Photo ID: 8971783
    VIRIN: 250410-N-YV347-1299
    Resolution: 7998×5332
    Size: 14.13 MB
    Location: JINHAE, KR
    Web Views: 55
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 conducts dive training with the Republic of Korea Navy’s Sea Salvage and Rescue Unit during SALVEX Korea 2025 [Image 17 of 17], by PO2 Jordan Jennings, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Military Sealift Command Changes Commanders in Far East [Image 1 of 3]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    SINGAPORE—Capt. Robert R. Williams, outgoing commander, Military Sealift Command Far East, gets piped aboard during a change of command ceremony at the Singapore Naval Installation in Sembawang, April 30, 2025. (Photo by MC2 Jordan Jennings)

    Date Taken: 04.30.2025
    Date Posted: 04.30.2025 02:09
    Photo ID: 9003795
    VIRIN: 250430-N-YV347-1002
    Resolution: 4778×7167
    Size: 22.47 MB
    Location: SG
    Web Views: 3
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, Military Sealift Command Changes Commanders in Far East [Image 3 of 3], by PO2 Jordan Jennings, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: CREDIT AGRICOLE S.A. ANNOUNCES FULL REDEMPTION OF the outstanding principal amount of its GBP Undated Deeply Subordinated Additional Tier 1 Fixed Rate Resettable Notes issued on April 8, 2014 (ISIN: XS1055037920)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                                                Montrouge, 30 April 2025

    CREDIT AGRICOLE S.A. ANNOUNCES FULL REDEMPTION OF
    the outstanding principal amount of its
    GBP Undated Deeply Subordinated Additional Tier 1
    Fixed Rate Resettable Notes issued on April 8, 2014
    (ISIN: XS1055037920)*

    Crédit Agricole S.A. (the “Issuer”) announces today the full redemption (the “Redemption”) with effect on June 30, 2025 (the “Redemption Date”) of the outstanding principal amount of its GBP Undated Deeply Subordinated Additional Tier 1 Fixed Rate Resettable Notes (the “Notes”) which amount as of today to GBP103,316,000 (ISIN: XS1055037920).

    The Notes were issued on April 8, 2014 with a principal amount of GBP500,000,000 on the basis of the terms and conditions (the “Terms and Conditions”) included in the prospectus dated April 2, 2014 which was granted the visa n° 14-123 by the Autorité des marchés financiers on April 2, 2014 (the “Prospectus”). The Notes are governed by English law, which, following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, has become a third country law. The Terms and Conditions do not include a contractual recognition of bail-in clause and, as a result, the Notes will cease to qualify as Additional Tier 1 capital on June 28, 2025, upon expiry of the grandfathering applicable to the Notes in accordance with Article 494b(1) of the Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 26, 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms (as amended) (the “CRR Regulation”).

    On May 20, 2021, the Issuer launched an exchange offer inviting the eligible holders of the Notes to exchange their Notes for an equivalent principal amount of its new Undated Deeply Subordinated Additional Tier 1 Fixed Rate Resettable GBP Notes (the “New Notes”) (the “Exchange Offer”). The Exchange Offer was intended to offer eligible holders of the Notes the opportunity to receive New Notes for which the economic terms were substantially similar to those of the Notes, with the exception of, in addition to certain technical modifications aimed at aligning the Terms and Conditions with market practice (i) the replacement of the LIBOR linked mid-swap rate by a SONIA linked mid-swap rate in the context of the discontinuation of the LIBOR rate used for securities denominated in pounds sterling, and (ii) modifications aimed at enabling the New Notes to qualify as Additional Tier 1 capital under banking regulations in force at that date, notably through the introduction of a contractual bail-in recognition clause. As a result of the Exchange Offer, the Notes were exchanged up to an aggregate principal amount of GBP 396,684,000 against New Notes.

    The Notes that were not exchanged in the context of the Exchange Offer and that are still outstanding as of today,  i.e a principal amount of GBP103,316,000, will cease to qualify as Additional Tier 1 capital on June 28, 2025, upon expiry of the grandfathering applicable to the Notes in accordance with article 494(b)(1) of the CRR Regulation. Therefore a Capital Event will occur on June 28, 2025 enabling the Issuer, pursuant to Condition 7.3 (Redemption Upon the Occurrence of a Capital Event) of the Terms and Conditions, to redeem the outstanding principal amount of such Notes (i.e. GBP103,316,000).

    In accordance with Condition 7.3 (Redemption Upon the Occurrence of a Capital Event) of the Terms and Conditions, the Notes will be redeemed at their par value, together with any accrued interest thereon (the “Redemption Amount”) and such Redemption Amount shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date. As of such date, in accordance with Condition 5.2 (Accrual of Interest) of the Terms and Conditions, each Note shall cease to bear interest unless the Redemption Amount is improperly withheld or refused.

    The holders of the Notes will receive formal notice of the Redemption in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.

    The Issuer has requested and obtained the prior permission of the European Central bank to redeem the Notes early.

    For further information on Crédit Agricole S.A., please see Crédit Agricole S.A.’s website: https://www.credit-agricole.com/en/finance.   

    DISCLAIMER

    This press release does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes in the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan or in any other jurisdiction. The distribution of this press release in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions.

    No communication or information relating to the redemption of the Notes may be distributed to the public in a country where a registration obligation or an approval is required. No action has been or will be taken in any country where such action would be required. The redemption of the Notes may be subject to specific legal and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions; Crédit Agricole S.A. accepts no liability in connection with a breach by any person of such restrictions.

    This press release is an advertisement; and none of this press release, any notice or any other document or material made public and/or delivered, or which may be made public and/or delivered to the holders of the Notes in connection with the redemption of the Notes is or is intended to be a prospectus for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated 14 June 2017 (as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”). No prospectus will be published in connection with the redemption of the Notes for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.

    This press release does not, and shall not, in any circumstances, constitute an offer to the public of Notes by Crédit Agricole S.A. nor an invitation to the public in connection with any offer in any jurisdiction, including France.

    * The ISIN number is included solely for the convenience of the holders of the Notes. No representation is being made as to the correctness or accuracy of the ISIN number as contained herein.

    CRÉDIT AGRICOLE S.A. PRESS CONTACT

    Alexandre Barat                             + 33 1 57 72 12 19                                      alexandre.barat@credit-agricole-sa.fr
    Olivier Tassain                               + 33 1 43 23 25 41                                      olivier.tassain@credit-agricole-sa.fr

    Find our press release on: www.credit-agricole.com – www.creditagricole.info

      Crédit_Agricole   Groupe Crédit Agricole   créditagricole_sa

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: High Arctic Overseas Announces 2024 Fourth Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Arctic ‎Overseas Holdings Corp. (TSXV: HOH) (“High Arctic Overseas” or the “Corporation”) has released its financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2024. The Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) and management’s discussion & analysis (“MD&A”) for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All amounts are denominated in United States dollars (“USD”), unless otherwise indicated.

    The common shares of the Corporation began trading on the TSXV on August 16, 2024 under the trading symbol HOH.

    Mike Maguire, Chief Executive Officer commented on the Corporation’s fourth quarter 2024 financial and operating results:

    “We have finished the spin-out transaction and have established High Arctic Overseas Holdings Corp. with dedicated Management and have trimmed our recurring G&A on a go forward basis. We have maintained the Corporation’s cash balance thanks to solid contribution from our manpower services & equipment rentals.

    The Corporation is now well placed to participate meaningfully in anticipated future drilling activity, with a resilient core business. Our experience combined with ideal drilling equipment for the challenging PNG environment positions us well.

    We are heartened by announced LNG developments including key environmental approvals for Papua LNG and positive public statements by the PNG Prime Minister following meetings with senior executives from the major project participants in January.

    I remain excited about our prospects to play a strategic role servicing the major projects anticipated in PNG over the second half of the decade.”

    HIGHLIGHTS

    • Adjusted EBITDA for the Quarter and full year of ($482) and $4,290 as a result of low drilling activity and costs associated with the close out of the spin-out.
    • Significant adjustments to inventory carrying value as a result of confirmation of the terms of contracts which resulted in a one-time positive non-cash impact to earnings of $3.4 million;
    • Post the spin-out we have established independent management team and expect to see General and Administrative costs normalise moving forward; and
    • Exited the quarter with a strong liquidity position with a working capital balance of $20.6 million which includes a cash balance of $14.9 million and no debt.

    2024 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

    • Drilling rig 103 remained suspended and drilling rigs 115 and 116 remained cold-stacked. Manpower services and rental services continued with other customers. Operating margins decreased from 32.2% in Q4 2023 to 28.6% in Q4 2024. The net result was a substantial reduction to revenue and the generation of a significantly lower EBITDA in the quarter:
      • Revenue for the quarter of $2,421, a decrease of $10,112 or 81% compared to Q4 2023 at $12,533, and
      • Adjusted negative EBITDA of $482, decrease of $3,418 or 116% compared to Q4 2023 at $2,936.
    • The reduced revenue generating activities in Q4 2024 were offset by the significant adjustments to inventory and reported obligations that were the result of renegotiated terms of contracts related to spares inventory, this resulted in:
      • Net income of $1,806 in Q4 2024 compared to net income of $1,907 realized in Q4 2023.

    2024 YEAR TO DATE RESULTS

    • Drilling Rig 103 operated through into Q2 2024 when drilling was suspended at which point it was cold stacked. Manpower services and rentals with other customers continued at similar run rates through the remainder of 2024. Operating margins improved from 2023 of 33.2% to 37.7% in 2024 as a result of reduced material and supply costs and higher proportional contribution from higher margin rentals.
      • Revenue for 2024 was $24,075, a reduction of $19,305 or 45% compared to 2023,
      • Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $4,290, a 60% reduction compared to 2023 as a result of general and administrative costs not reducing proportionally to revenue, and
      • General and administrative costs were impacted by additional expenses related to the Arrangement.
    • The reduced operating activities combined with the Q4 2024 significant adjustments to inventory and reported obligations drove the following results for the Corporation:
      • Net income of $2,857 for 2024 compared to a net loss of $8,623 for the same period 2023 which included an impairment charge of $15,200.
    • Improved liquidity with a working capital balance of $20.6 million, which includes a cash balance of $14.9 million.

    Since the Corporation and HAES-Cyprus were both wholly-owned by HWO, the transfer of all of the outstanding ordinary shares of HAES-Cyprus to the Corporation was deemed a common control transaction. The Corporation’s Financial Statements are presented under the continuity of interests basis. Financial and operational results contained within this Press Release present the historic financial position, results of operations and cash flows of HAES-Cyprus for all prior periods up to August 12, 2024, under HWO’s control. The financial position, results of operations and cash flows from April 1, 2024 (the date of incorporation of the Corporation) to August 12, 2024, include both HAES-Cyprus and the Corporation on a combined basis and from August 12, 2024, forward include the results of the Corporation on a consolidated basis upon completion of the Arrangement.

    For reporting purposes in the Financial Statements, the MD&A and this Press Release, it is assumed that the Corporation held the PNG business prior to August 12, 2024, and as such, information provided includes the financial and operating results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024, including all comparative periods.

    In the above results discussion, the three months ended December 31, 2024 may be referred to as the “quarter” or “Q4 2024” and the comparative three months ended December 31, 2023 may be referred to as “Q4 2023”. References to other quarters may be presented as “QX 20XX” with X/XX being the quarter/year to which the commentary relates. Additionally, the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 may be referred to as “YTD” or “YTD 2024”. References to other twelve-month periods ended December 31 may be presented as “YTD 20XX” with XX being the year to which the twelve-month period ended December 31 commentary relates.

    FOURTH QUARTER 2024 SELECT FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL RESULTS OVERVIEW

       Three months ended Dec 31,   Year ended Dec 31,  
    (thousands of USD except per share amounts) 2024   2023   2024   2023  
    Operating results        
    Revenue 2,421   12,533   24,075   43,380  
    Net income (loss) 1,806   1,907   2,857   (8,623 )
    Per share (basic and diluted) (1) $0.14 $0.16 $0.23   ($0.69 )
    Operating margin (2) 693   4,037   9,069   14,416  
    Operating margin as a % of revenue (2) 28.6%   32.2%   37.7%   33.2%  
    EBITDA (2) 2,887   2,975   7,733   11,211  
    Adjusted EBITDA (2) (482)   2,936   4,290   10,797  
    Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenue (2) (19.9%)   23.4%   17.8%   24.9%  
    Operating income (loss) (2) (1,264)   2,240   455   4,575  
    Per share (basic and diluted) (1) ($0.10 $0.18 $0.04   $0.37  
    Cash flow from operations:        
    Cash flow from operating activities 248   6,131   10,112   8,906  
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1) $0.02 $0.49 $0.81   $0.71  
    Funds flow from operating activities (2) 2,667   2,929   6,770   10,273  
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1) $0.21 $0.24 $0.54   $0.83  
    Capital expenditures 62   93   652   1,080  
         
    (thousands of USD)       As at Dec 31, 2024   As at Dec 31, 2023  
    Financial position:        
    Working capital (2)       20,602   20,335  
    Cash and cash equivalents       14,930   10,958  
    Total assets       35,287   43,374  
    Shareholder’s equity       30,953   33,112  
    Per share (basic) (1)     $2.48   $2.66  
    Per share (fully diluted) (1)     $2.47   $2.66  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding (000’s) (1)       12,448   12,448  
    Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (000’s) (1)       12,539   12,448  

    (1) For the purposes of computing per share amounts, the number of common shares outstanding for the periods prior to the Arrangement is deemed to be the number of shares issued by the Corporation to the shareholders of HWO upon completion of the Arrangement. For the period after the Arrangement, the number of shares outstanding in the computation of per share amounts is the total issued shares of the Corporation on August 12, 2024, and any common shares issued subsequent to August 12, 2024. See the “Overview” section of this MD&A and the Corporation’s Financial Statements as at and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 for additional details.
    (2) Operating margin, EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, Operating income (loss), Funds flow from operating activities and Working capital do not have a standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. See “Non IFRS Measures” in this MD&A for calculations of these measures.

    Operating Results

      Three months ended Dec 31,   Year ended Dec 31,  
    (thousands of USD, unless otherwise noted) 2024   2023   2024   2023  
    Revenue 2,421   12,533   24,075   43,380  
    Operating expense (1,728)   (8,496)   (15,006)   (28,964)  
    Operating margin(1) 693   4,037   9,069   14,416  
    Operating margin (%) 28.6%   32.2%   37.7%   33.2%  

     (1)   See “Non-IFRS Measures”

    Revenues totaled $2,421 and $24,075 for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to $12,533 and $43,880 for the comparative periods in 2023. Revenues for the year ended 2024 and Q4 2024, as compared to the prior year comparative periods, were negatively impacted as a result of reduced overall utilization of Rig 103. Customer-owned Rig 103 was utilized for 8 months during 2023 versus the first 5.5 months in 2024. Despite reduced drilling activity in 2024 compared to 2023, the Corporation was able to maintain a consistent level of activity related to the provision of skilled personnel for key customers in PNG. Operating margin as a percentage of revenues increased from 2023 to 2024, largely as a result of reduced material and supply costs associated with the recommencement of Rig 103 during fiscal 2023 and a higher proportional contribution by higher margin rentals in 2024.

    The Corporation owns two heli-portable drilling rigs (Rigs 115 and 116) which remain preserved and maintained ready for deployment.

      Three months ended Dec 31,   Year ended Dec 31,  
    (thousands of USD except per share amounts) 2024   2023   2024   2023  
    Operating results        
    Revenue 2,421   12,533   24,075   43,380  
    Net income (loss) 1,806   1,907   2,857   (8,623)  
    Per share (basic and diluted) (1) $0.14 $0.16 $0.23 ($0.69)  
    Operating margin (2) 693   4,037   9,069   14,416  
    Operating margin as a % of revenue (2) 28.6%   32.2%   37.7%   33.2%  
    EBITDA (2) 2,887   2,975   7,733   11,211  
    Adjusted EBITDA (2) (482)   2,936   4,290   10,797  
    Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenue (2) (19.9%)   23.4%   17.8%   24.9%  
    Operating income (loss) (2) (1,264)   2,240   455   4,575  
    Per share (basic and diluted) (1) ($0.10 $0.18 $0.04 $0.37  
    Cash flow from operations:        
    Cash flow from operating activities 248   6,131   10,112   8,906  
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1) $0.02 $0.49 $0.81 $0.71  
    Funds flow from operating activities (2) 2,667   2,929   6,770   10,273  
    Per share (basic & diluted) (1) $0.21 $0.24 $0.54 $0.83  
    Capital expenditures 62   93   652   1,080  
         
    (thousands of USD)       As at Dec 31, 2024   As at Dec 31, 2023  
    Financial position:        
    Working capital (2)       20,602   20,335  
    Cash and cash equivalents       14,930   10,958  
    Total assets       35,287   43,374  
    Shareholder’s equity       30,953   33,112  
    Per share (basic) (1)     $2.48 $2.66  
    Per share (fully diluted) (1)     $2.47 $2.66  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding (000’s) (1)       12,448   12,448  
    Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (000’s) (1)       12,539   12,448  

    (1) For the purposes of computing per share amounts, the number of common shares outstanding for the periods prior to the Arrangement is deemed to be the number of shares issued by the Corporation to the shareholders of HWO upon completion of the Arrangement. For the period after the Arrangement, the number of shares outstanding in the computation of per share amounts is the total issued shares of the Corporation on August 12, 2024, and any common shares issued subsequent to August 12, 2024. See the “Overview” section of this Press Release and the Corporation’s Financial Statements as at and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 for additional details.
    (2) Operating margin, EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, Operating income (loss), Funds flow from operating activities and Working capital do not have a standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. See “Non IFRS Measures” in this Press Release for calculations of these measures.

    Operating Results

      Three months ended Dec 31,   Year ended Dec 31,  
    (thousands of USD, unless otherwise noted) 2024   2023   2024   2023  
    Revenue 2,421   12,533   24,075   43,380  
    Operating expense (1,728)   (8,496)   (15,006)   (28,964)  
    Operating margin(1) 693   4,037   9,069   14,416  
    Operating margin (%) 28.6%   32.2%   37.7%   33.2%  

     (1)   See “Non-IFRS Measures”

    Revenues totaled $2,421 and $24,075 for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, compared to $12,533 and $43,880 for the comparative periods in 2023. Revenues for the year ended 2024 and Q4 2024, as compared to the prior year comparative periods, were negatively impacted as a result of reduced overall utilization of Rig 103. Customer-owned Rig 103 was utilized for 8 months during 2023 versus the first 5.5 months in 2024. Despite reduced drilling activity in 2024 compared to 2023, the Corporation was able to maintain a consistent level of activity related to the provision of skilled personnel for key customers in PNG. Operating margin as a percentage of revenues increased from 2023 to 2024, largely as a result of reduced material and supply costs associated with the recommencement of Rig 103 during fiscal 2023 and a higher proportional contribution by higher margin rentals in 2024.

    The Corporation owns two heli-portable drilling rigs (Rigs 115 and 116) which remain preserved and maintained ready for deployment.

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

      Three months ended Dec 31,   Year ended Dec 31,  
    (thousands of USD) 2024   2023   2024   2023  
    Cash provided by (used in) operations:        
    Operating activities 248   6,131   10,112   8,906  
    Investing activities (62)   (93)   (652)   (1,080)  
    Financing activities (113)   (179)   (5,487)   (714)  
    Effect of exchange rate changes (1)   –   (1)   –  
    Increase (decrease) in cash 72   5,859   3,972   7,112  

    (thousands of USD, unless otherwise noted)  

    		 As at
    Dec 31, 2024    		   As at
    Dec 31, 2023    		  
    Current assets   24,706   30,090  
    Working capital(1)   20,602   20,335  
    Working capital ratio(1)   6.0:1   3.1:1  
    Cash and cash equivalents   14,930   10,958  

     (1)   See “Non-IFRS Measures”

    Liquidity and Capital Resources
    Cashflows from Operating Activities
    For the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, cash generated from operating activities was $248 (Q4 2023 $6,131) and $10,112 (YTD-2023 $8,906), respectively. The change in operating cash flow was largely driven by changes in working capital related to the timing of drilling activity in the respective years with a cash drawdown in 2023 as operations ramped up and a cash harvesting in 2024 as operations were ceased.

    Cashflows from Investing Activities
    For the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s cash used in investing activities was $62 (Q4 2023 $93) and $652 (YTD-2023 $1,080), respectively. Cash outflows associated with investing activities were directed towards capital expenditures on rental assets. The reduction in capital expenditures in 2024 is due to reduced customer activity. The Corporation will continue to seek opportunities to invest in additional capital assets, in particular where it can do so under take-or-pay agreements.

    Cash flows from Financing Activities
    For the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s cash used in financing activities was $113 (Q4 2023 $179) and $5,487 (YTD-2023 $714) respectively. Excluding the impact of a $5,000 dividend paid by HAES-Cyprus to HWO prior to the completion of the Arrangement transaction, cash outflows associated with finance activities were directed towards lease obligation payments.

    Outlook
    Consistent with the outlook provided by the Corporation in the third quarter of 2024, the outlook for the Corporation’s core business in PNG for 2025 remains subdued. The Corporation’s 2024 fourth quarter and annual results were impacted by the completion of customer drilling activity during the second quarter of 2024, with Rig 103 being relocated to the customer’s forward base location and cold-stacked. With no near-term drilling activity currently anticipated, the Corporation expects equipment rental and manpower to be the primary revenue generating activity for 2025. Quarterly revenues for 2025 are anticipated to be consistent with third and fourth quarters of 2024.

    The Corporation remains engaged with its principal customer on planning for future drilling activity and continues to focus on enhancing and optimizing its existing rental fleet deployment and manpower solutions offerings.

    The Corporation also continues to pursue business expansion opportunities in PNG, actively engaging with potential customers for its services in PNG and the wider region while also taking actions to protect its capability to realize the future potential of the business.

    Our rationale for a business strategy focussed on PNG is unchanged. Papua New Guinea possesses substantial deposits of natural resources including significant reserves of oil and natural gas and has emerged as a reliable low-cost energy exporter to Asian markets, particularly for liquefied natural gas (“LNG”). A significant investment in the country’s oil and gas industry was evidenced by the successful construction of the PNG-LNG project in 2014, with the primary partners in the venture being customers of the Corporation. In the period following, the Corporation’s predecessor company committed to the purchase and upgrade of drilling rigs 115 and 116 and expansion of the Corporation’s fleet of rentable equipment including camps, material handling equipment and worksite matting. These investments contributed to a substantive lift in revenues and earnings as PNG enjoyed its highest period of exploration and development activity.

    Since the onset of COVID-19 in early 2020, there has been a substantive reduction in drilling services in PNG. This follows some consolidation among the active exploration and production companies and evolving political and economic influences. In the longer term, High Arctic believes PNG is on the precipice of a new round of large-scale projects in the natural resources sector. ‎The next significant ‎LNG project currently being planned is Papua-LNG a project lead by the French oil and gas super-major TotalEnergies, with a final investment decision anticipated in late 2025. There is an expectation for increased drilling activity through the latter half of this decade, ‎not only to develop wells for the supply of gas to the Papua-LNG export facility, but also to explore for and ‎appraise other discoveries. The signing of a fiscal stability agreement between the P’nyang gas field joint venture and the government of PNG is another positive signal for that expansionary project to follow Papua-LNG.

    The Corporation is strategically positioned to support these developments, given its dominant position for drilling and associated services in PNG, existing work relationships with the operating companies, and proximity to the proposed sites of operation. The Corporation’s drilling rigs 115 and 116 are portable by helicopter and have been maintained and preserved for future use.

    There are a number of other petroleum projects and substantive nation-building projects including infrastructure, ‎electrification, telecommunications and defence projects planned for the development of PNG. ‎These ‎projects will require access to transport and material handling machinery, quality worksite and temporary ‎road mats and a substantive amount of labour including skilled equipment operators, qualified tradespeople and engineers, ‎geoscientists and other professionals. ‎High Arctic’s business continues to position itself to be a meaningful supplier of services, equipment and manpower for this market.

    NON-IFRS MEASURES
    This Press Release contains references to certain financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and may not be comparable to the same or similar measures used by other companies. High Arctic Overseas uses these financial measures to assess performance and believes these measures provide useful supplemental information to shareholders and investors. These financial measures are computed on a consistent basis for each reporting period and include Oilfield services operating margin, EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, Operating loss, Funds flow from operating activities, Working capital and Net cash. These do not have standardized meanings.

    These financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss), cash from operating activities, current assets or current liabilities, cash and/or other measures of financial performance as determined in accordance with IFRS.

    For additional information regarding non-IFRS measures, including their use to management and investors and reconciliations to measures recognized by IFRS, please refer to the Corporation’s Q3 2024 MD&A, which is available online at www.sedarplus.ca.

    About High Arctic ‎Overseas Holdings Corp.

    High Arctic Overseas is a market leader in Papua New Guinea providing drilling ‎and specialized well completion services, manpower solutions and supplies rental equipment including rig matting, camps, material ‎handling and drilling support equipment.

    For further information, please contact:

    Mike Maguire                                                
    Chief Executive Officer                                 
    1.587.320.1301                                        
                            
    High Arctic Overseas Holdings Corp.                        
    Suite 2350, 330–5th Avenue SW                        
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0L4                                                           
    www.higharctic.com
    Email: info@higharctic.com                         

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This Press Release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “seek”, “propose”, “estimate”, “expect”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Corporation’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Corporation’s actual results, performance, or achievements to vary from those described in this Press Release.

    Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this Press Release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Specific forward-looking statements in this Press Release include, among others, statements pertaining to the following: future energy projects including drilling activity and LNG projects in PNG; the Corporation’s ability to participate in the energy industry in PNG; potential future contracts with existing or new customers of the Corporation; future infrastructure and defence projects in PNG and the ability of the Corporation to participate in same; the Corporation’s expectations related to financial and operational results in 2025, including the expectation that the equipment rental and manpower services portion of the Corporation’s business will be the primary revenue generating activity for fiscal 2025; the timing and ability of the Corporation to put its own administrative infrastructure in place; the ability of the Corporation to expand its geographic customer base outside of PNG; and the deploying idle heli-portable drilling rigs 115 and 116 and securing future work with other exploration companies in PNG.

    With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release, the Corporation has made assumptions regarding, among other things: general economic and business conditions; the role of the energy services industry in future phases of the energy industry; the outlook for energy services both globally and within PNG; the impact of conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine; the timing and impact on the Corporation’s business related to potential new large-scale natural resources projects and increased drilling activity in PNG; the impact, if any, related to existing or future changes to government regulations by the government of PNG; the impact, if any, on the Corporation’s future financial and operational results related to non-resource development opportunities in PNG; market fluctuations in commodity prices, and foreign currency exchange rates; restrictions on repatriation of funds held in PNG; expectations regarding the Corporation’s ability to manage its liquidity risk, raise capital and manage its debt finance agreements; projections of market prices and costs; factors upon which the Corporation will decide whether or not to undertake a specific course of operational action or expansion; the Corporation’s ongoing relationship with its major customers; customers’ drilling intentions; the Corporation’s ability to position itself to be a significant supplier of services, equipment and manpower for other resource and non-resources based projects in PNG; the Corporation’s ability to invest in additional capital assets, including the impact on the Corporation’s future financial and operational results; the impact, if any, of geo-political events, changes in government, changes to tariff’s or related trade policies and the potential impact on the Corporation’s ability to execute on its 2025 business plan and strategic objectives; the Corporation’s ability to: maintain its ongoing relationship with major customers; successfully market its services to current and new customers; devise methods for, and achieve its primary objectives; source and obtain equipment from suppliers; successfully manage, operate, and thrive in an environment which is facing much uncertainty; remain competitive in all its operations; attract and retain skilled employees; and obtain equity and debt financing on satisfactory terms and manage liquidity related risks. While the Corporation considers these assumptions to be reasonable, the assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies.

    A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in the Corporation’s disclosure documents on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are given only as of the date of this Press Release. The Corporation does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Astronaut camp nominations to open

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Young Astronaut Training Camp 2025 will be open for nominations from local secondary schools from tomorrow until May 31, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department announced today.

     

    Selected participants will undergo astronaut training on the Mainland, in a nine-day cost-free training camp to be held from July 25 to August 2, where they will learn about space science, astronomy and China’s aerospace achievements.

     

    With a trip to Beijing, Jiuquan and Xi’an, the itinerary includes visiting key astronomy and aerospace facilities such as Beijing Aerospace City, the Xinglong Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatories and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. In addition, participants will have the chance to meet astronauts and aerospace experts.

         

    Thirty places are available for the training camp. Candidates should be local full-time students studying at Secondary 2 through 6 in the 2024-25 academic year. They must be aged 12 or above and be nominated by their school. Each school can nominate two students at most.

     

    There will be three rounds in the selection process – a quiz, a pre-camp training and an interview. The department noted that candidates who are graded outstanding will be selected to join the camp.

     

     A briefing will be conducted on May 6 at 5pm in the Space Museum.

     

    Click here for more details.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu Presents Certificates of Appointment to OCAC Honorary Consultants

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu was honoured to present Certificates of Appointment to the newly appointed OCAC Honorary Consultants, including Senior Advisers, Council Members, Advisers, and Associate Advisers of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, R.O.C. (Taiwan).
    Guided by the core principles of unity, harmony, and generational continuity, the government aims to integrate the strength of global overseas Taiwanese communities to form #TeamTaiwan in response to growing international political and economic challenges.
    We look forward to working hand in hand with all OCAC Honorary Consultants in Sydney to further strengthen the solidarity of the Taiwanese community, deepen Taiwan–Australia ties and contribute to Taiwan’s vision of becoming “A Country Where the Economic Sun Never Sets” .

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on April 30, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 2-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 50,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 14,952
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 14,952
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.01
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.01
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/213

    MIL OSI Economics –