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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: YOUTH MUST BECOME ACTIVE STAKEHOLDERS IN BUILDING A STRONG, SELF-RELIANT INDIA: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    Source: Government of India

    YOUTH MUST BECOME ACTIVE STAKEHOLDERS IN BUILDING A STRONG, SELF-RELIANT INDIA: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    INDIAN STUDENTS REPRESENT SPIRIT OF INNOVATION, DIVERSITY, AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    EDUCATION MUST EMBODY BOTH TRADITIONAL WISDOM AND MODERN INNOVATION: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER INSPIRES YOUTH AT LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY WITH VISION OF “ONE INDIA & ONE WORLD”

    LOK SABHA SPEAKER ADDRESSES AT LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY, PUNJAB

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 7:51PM by PIB Delhi

    Phagwara/New Delhi, 22 April, 2025: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today exhorted the youth to become active stakeholders in building a strong and self-reliant India. He called upon the youth to engage themselves proactively in nation building, innovation, and global leadership and to contribute meaningfully to India’s growth story by participating in democracy, research, law-making, and technological advancement.

    Shri Birla was speaking at the Study Grant Awards event of Lovely Professional University (LPU), held under the theme “One India & One World”, which was attended by thousands of students including students from over 50 countries, faculty members, academic leaders, and families. He articulated the role of youth to achieve the vision of Vikshit Bharat 2047 – a vision that encompasses economic growth, social equity, global leadership, and sustainability. The Speaker’s speech struck a powerful chord with the youth, urging them to be proactive participants in shaping India’s destiny.

    He mentioned that India today is being recognized globally for its vibrant youth population who are excelling in all domains—technology, governance, academia, and entrepreneurship. The Speaker encouraged the students to face challenges with resolve and to enrich India’s global standing with integrity, innovation, and a sense of service. Indian students represent the spirit of Innovation, Diversity and Global Leadership, he highlighted. With creativity, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and moral conviction, the youth of India can steer this country toward becoming a model for the world, he added.

    Stating that education must be a harmonious blend of traditional wisdom and modern innovation, Shri Birla underlined the importance of preserving cultural roots while embracing the transformative power of technology and contemporary knowledge systems. He emphasized that the timeless values enshrined in India’s ancient educational traditions must serve as the foundation upon which modern advancements in science, technology, and pedagogy are built. In a rapidly evolving global landscape, it is imperative that the education system nurtures not only skilled professionals but also socially conscious citizens, rooted in heritage and equipped to shape the future. He stressed the importance of developing a sense of purpose among the youth, grounded in national identity, global vision, and social commitment.

    Commending LPU as a symbol of India’s educational progress, Shri Birla noted that the university reflects the spirit of unity in diversity. He called LPU a true microcosm of cultural richness, where students from every Indian state and over 50 countries study together in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect. He observed that LPU has continuously adapted to the evolving needs of the times, offering world-class facilities while upholding Indian values and culture. Events like “One India, One World” were lauded as excellent examples of India’s civilization philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family, he said, adding that the youth of India must think beyond national borders in an interconnected world we live in today. They must be global citizens with an Indian heart and that is what ‘One India & One World’ is all about,” he explained.

    Shri Om Birla reiterated his optimism about India’s future and his deep faith in the younger generation. He urged that as we move toward 2047, let us pledge to build an India that is not just developed but also just, inclusive, compassionate, and wise and let us work toward a world where India leads with values, and where every Indian contributes to the global good. Shri Birla congratulated the graduating class and encouraged them to carry the values of discipline, determination, and unity into their professional journeys, and to strive for excellence while remaining deeply connected to their roots.

    Shri Ashok Mittal, Member of Parliament and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.

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    AM

    (Release ID: 2123584) Visitor Counter : 71

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Relief to Tobacco Farmers: Government Notifies 3-Year Validity for Grower Registrations and Barn Licenses

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 6:06PM by PIB Delhi

    Government of India has decided to renew the Certificate of Registration as Virginia tobacco grower and License for operation of a barn to 3 years instead of 1 year as a part of ease of doing business, in order to reduce the burden of mandatory yearly renewal of Certificate of Registration as Virginia tobacco grower and license for operation of a barn. This means, the registrations / licenses will be valid for 3 years instead of the existing practice of renewing every year.

    To facilitate the growers to renew this registration / licenses once in 3 years, the Government of India has amended the sub-rule(5), (6) and (7) of rule 33 and sub-rule (2) and (3) of rule 34N, of Tobacco Board Rules, 1976.  The amendment to the aforementioned Tobacco Board Rules, 1976 was published in the Gazette of India by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department of Commerce, Government of India.The same will be effective from 2025-26 crop season in Andhra Pradesh.

    This amendment of increasing the periodicity from one to three years will be greatly helpful to around 83,500 farmers covering around 91,000 barns in renewing their registrations/licenses across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha states.

    Virginia tobacco is being regulated in India by an Act of Parliament i.e., Tobacco Board Act, 1975 and the rules notified there under.  As per the Tobacco Board Act, 1975 and Rules notified thereunder, every grower intending to take up cultivation of Virginia tobacco has to obtain certificate of registration as a grower and a license for operation of a barn.  Accordingly, the Tobacco Board is facilitating the registration / licensing on an annual basis. 

    India is 2nd largest producer and 4th largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco in the World (in value terms during 2023) and generating to the Indian exchequer.   During 2024-25 Financial Year, Tobacco exports contributed 1979 US million dollars (Rs.16,728 Crores) to the Indian exchequer. 

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    Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI Organises Workshop of Senior officers from States and Union Territories regarding “Regulation on Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity”

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 7:51PM by PIB Delhi

    As per the studies, 70-80% mobile data consumption takes places inside buildings or indoor areas.  High frequency bands are used to deliver high speed internet in 4G and 5G technologies. However, high frequences bands get attenuated at higher rate by the building fabric containing steel and concrete walls compared to 2G bands.  With the exponential rise in quantum and speed of data consumption due to progressive digitization of economy, governance and the society in general, good digital connectivity has become very important in the present age. Hence, the good in-building digital connectivity has become an essential requirement. To achieve seamless communication inside buildings, the Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) must be planned and developed alongside other essential building services such as water, electricity and safety systems.

    The workshop was chaired by Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman TRAI. The workshop received overwhelming response from States and UTs and was attended by over 125 participants, including senior officers from Housing & Urban development and IT department of States/Union Territories.  

    Chairman, TRAI in his opening remarks, emphasised that States and UTs can play a pivotal role to drive collaboration among property developers and telecom service providers for facilitating development of DCI in the projects through respective building byelaws. TRAI regulations envisage star ratings of properties for quality of digital connectivity similar to Green Building Ratings of projects or Energy Efficiency Ratings of appliances. The digital connectivity ratings will be live process and cover review of digital connectivity rating during lifecycle of the project. TRAI has already started the process of empanelment or registration of Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs).

    The workshop provided details of initiatives taken by TRAI for improving in-building digital connectivity in the country and overview of the “Regulation on Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity, 2024” issued by TRAI on 25th October 2024. The presentation also covered the provisions of National Building Code (NBC) and Model Building By-Laws (MBBL) related to Digital Communication infrastructure. The session covered the rating process in detail by which properties are going to be assessed and rated. The workshop concluded with a Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with the experts to gain more insight about inbuilding digital connectivity.

    The rating of buildings for digital connectivity will provide uniform standard reference for creating DCI in the country. With adoption of rating framework in the bylaws, the end user of residential and commercial properties will be able to make informed choices at the time of buying or leasing the properties. Further, the quality of experience in public buildings will also improve with the help of rating framework. Under the regulation, the consumer may also seek review of ratings in case of degradation of digital connectivity in the property. Like wise property mangers can seek review of ratings if they carry out significant improvements.

    The workshop concluded with the closing remarks by Dr. M. P. Tangirala, Member, TRAI.

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    Samrat

    (Release ID: 2123585) Visitor Counter : 79

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Microsoft come together to launch ‘AI Careers for Women’ by establishing 30 Centers of Excellence in Women Colleges Across Six States in the Country

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Microsoft come together to launch ‘AI Careers for Women’ by establishing 30 Centers of Excellence in Women Colleges Across Six States in the Country

    CoEs in Tier-II and Tier-III towns to offer specialized undergraduate AI courses to equip young women with industry-aligned skills and foster careers in Artificial Intelligence

    ‘Empowering young women with in-demand digital skills will not only transform individual careers but also accelerate the nation’s journey towards a more equitable and innovation-driven economy’: Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 5:33PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch AI Careers for Women—a pioneering skilling initiative aimed at empowering women in higher education institutions to pursue careers in Artificial Intelligence (AI). This strategic collaboration seeks to bridge the gender gap in emerging tech by equipping women with industry-aligned AI skills, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and become active contributors to India’s innovation-led growth.

     

    As part of this collaboration, Microsoft will provide 240-hours training curriculum under AI skilling and Innovation framework for women, aligned to the industry standards, and developed in consultation with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). The training will be delivered in a hub and spoke model in partnership with the state government departments for higher education, across a network of 30 Centre of Excellence – Hubs and 150 educational institutions – spokes in Tier-II and Tier-III towns across six states.

    Speaking on the partnership, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, said, “This initiative exemplifies how government and industry can come together to shape an inclusive and future-ready workforce. Our partnership with Microsoft underlines the Ministry’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women in emerging tech fields like AI. By embedding this program within credit-linked university curricula and aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP), we’re reimagining 21st-century learning—making it flexible, interdisciplinary, and deeply rooted in industry needs. Empowering young women with in-demand digital skills will not only transform individual careers but also accelerate the nation’s journey toward a more equitable and innovation-driven economy.”

     

     

    As one of the program partners, Edunet Foundation will implement this program, working closely with the participating academic institutions, government bodies, corporate organizations and industry bodies, building an alliance to bring ecosystem change and enable industry relevant skills and economic opportunities for Women in AI, thereby enhancing their workforce participation.

    The program complements classroom learning in higher education by establishing 30 centers of excellence at women institutions that act as hub centers and further support 150 spoke centers in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, offering in-depth AI training with hands-on exposure to AI tools and real-world applications, helping 20,000 learners to gain industry-relevant skills and project-based experience. Learners will benefit through structured training from experts, AI certifications, internships, apprenticeship, fellowship, career guidance and job opportunities in AI enabled roles.

    The program will also create opportunities for women in rural India to innovate on AI and enhance their economic opportunities, equipping them to be AI developers, building AI applications and datasets, thereby building talent pipeline for rural AI innovation/enterprise. This initiative builds on Microsoft’s ongoing skilling efforts with MSDE. MSDE will collaborate with Microsoft in accreditation of the curriculum and enable rural girls with apprenticeship and job opportunities through these centers of excellence.

     

     

    Highlighting Microsoft’s commitment to inclusive skilling, Aparna Gupta, Global Delivery Center Leader Microsoft India, said, “I’m thrilled to see Microsoft’s partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) take shape, empowering young women in India to build careers in AI. We believe that equitable access to AI skills is crucial for inclusive economic growth. Through this collaboration, we’re strengthening capacity building across institutions in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, ultimately enabling more women to thrive in an AI-powered economy and shape the workforce of tomorrow”.

    The initiative aims to enhance women workforce participation in digital economy and aligns with the government’s mission of creating equitable access to future-ready skills. The program is designed to expand digital career pathways for women and contribute to a more inclusive technology workforce.

     

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    Beena Yadav/SH

    (Release ID: 2123510) Visitor Counter : 101

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri Shripad Yesso Naik chairs the 4th meeting of Group of Ministers constituted for addressing issues related to viability of distribution utilities in the country

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri Shripad Yesso Naik chairs the 4th meeting of Group of Ministers constituted for addressing issues related to viability of distribution utilities in the country

    Regulatory reforms, cost reflective tariff

    Financial restructuring of DISCOMs to improve efficiency and quality  of operation

    Reducing cost of Generation is essential to improving viability of Utilities

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 7:49PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, chaired the 4th meeting of Group of Ministers constituted for addressing issues related to viability of electricity distribution utilities in Vijayawada today.

    Shri A. K Sharma, Energy Minister, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Energy Minister, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Hiralal Nagar, Minster of State for Energy, Rajasthan and Smt. Meghana Sakore Bordikar, Minister of State for Energy, Maharashtra as members of the Group attended the meeting. The meeting was also attended by senior representatives from All India DISCOM Association (AIDA), senior officials from Central Government, State Governments, State Power Utilities of Member States and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Ltd.

    Union Minister of State in his opening address welcomed Energy Ministers from the member States and thanked Energy Minister, Andhra Pradesh, for hosting the meeting. He highlighted about the deliberations held during the first three meetings of GoM regarding challenges being faced by the distribution utilities and stressed upon the need for regulatory reforms. He also mentioned about the key actionable items identified by GoM till the last held meeting including the steps that needs to be taken by the Central and the State Governments for improving efficiency of utilities.

    Hon’ble Minister highlighted about the collective responsibilities of State Governments and Regulatory Commissions for making distribution sector sustainable.

    In his address, Energy Minister, Andhra Pradesh thanked the Union Minister of State for having the 4th meeting of the Group of Ministers in Vijayawada.

    All India DISCOMs Association (AIDA), as a special invitee, also made a presentation on the subject. It was mentioned that SERCs need to comply with Tariff Policy and Rules while finalising the Tariff petitions of the Utilities. It was also mentioned that there is a need for having a comprehensive review of the tariff policy which is in sync with the present requirements and challenges of the Utilities and its consumers.

    Joint Secretary (Distribution), Ministry of Power, GoI made a presentation highlighting key areas of intervention. He presented the key parameters reflecting the present financial status of the utilities of the member States, and major regulatory disallowances in their tariff/true-up orders. It was also presented that the annual revenue increase of most of the utilities is not commensurate with the increase in debt being taken by them. The presentation also highlighted the action plan proposed to reduce the outstanding debts and losses of the distribution utilities.

    The key points of discussions included role that the State Governments may play for ensuring cost reflective tariff, in ensuring timely payment of subsidies and Government department dues, expediting works ongoing under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme including the smart metering works, increasing the use of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics to improve power purchase optimisation and demand forecasting, etc. The States also requested support of GoI in reforming its distribution sector through measures like distribution franchisee/privatization/ introduction of parallel licensee, etc.

    It was emphasised by the Member States that the Group of Ministers may be continued beyond submission of the final report, and on a rotation basis States may be invited to brainstorm on the issues affecting the power sector as a whole. It was proposed to hold a dedicated session on measure for reducing Power Purchase costs by inviting all the stakeholders.

    The Group of Ministers reiterated its commitment and expressed resolve to take necessary measures for improving the financial viability of distribution utilities.

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    SK

    (Release ID: 2123583) Visitor Counter : 53

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr Jitendra Singh calls for greater synergy between innovation and industry for a sustainable StartUp ecosystem;

    Source: Government of India

    Dr Jitendra Singh calls for greater synergy between innovation and industry for a sustainable StartUp ecosystem;

    Startup Ecosystem must link all stakeholders together to become globally competitive: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    ‘Time to Open the Gates’: Union Minister Calls for Science-Industry Synergy at Hyderabad Conclave

    Agriculture is India’s exclusive and relatively under-explored domain, says Minister

    Hyderabad Startup Meet Marks Shift Toward Inclusive Innovation, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 5:22PM by PIB Delhi

    In a spirited call for greater synergy between innovation and industry for a sustainable StartUp ecosystem, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the time has come for Indian science to break silos and integrate with stakeholders including industry, investors, and the public.

    Speaking at the Startup Conclave jointly organized by CSIR-IICT, CSIR-CCMB, and CSIR-NGRI in Hyderabad, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that India’s moment in science and innovation has arrived.

    Addressing a gathering of scientists, entrepreneurs, students, and policymakers, Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded the rare joint initiative by the three Hyderabad-based CSIR labs, noting that “such an integrated scene of science and governance under one roof” reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of collaborative and inclusive innovation.

    The Minister made a strong pitch for dismantling the outdated image of government labs as “ghost-haunted places where frogs are dissected,” narrating how villagers once misunderstood the work of CSIR labs due to lack of public outreach. “Science should not be confined behind gates. If your domain is agriculture, invite the farmers in. Let them see what you’re doing,” he asserted.

    Dr Jitendra Singh underlined the need for early and deep industry involvement in research and innovation, pointing to the success of CSIR’s Aroma Mission, where over 3,000 youth, many of them non-graduates, became successful agri-entrepreneurs with minimum annual earnings of ₹60 lakh. “That’s the real transformation—a blend of technology, livelihood, and dignity,” he said.

    Referring to India’s rapidly growing biotechnology sector, Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled that in 2014, there were only 50 biotech startups. Today, the number exceeds 10,000. “It’s not just numbers. We’ve moved from $10 billion to nearly $170 billion in biotech valuation. This is not just growth, it’s a revolution,” he said, citing the government’s dedicated policies like Bio-E3 and the National Quantum Mission.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed concern over internal compartmentalization within CSIR and even within his own Ministry. He revealed that he now holds monthly joint meetings of all science departments including Atomic Energy, Space, and Biotechnology, to ensure overlapping initiatives are integrated rather than duplicated. “How can we compete globally if we don’t even know what our neighbouring lab is doing?” he questioned.

    The Minister also announced plans to open up the nuclear sector, noting that a new realism has replaced the secrecy that once shrouded scientific endeavours. “When Google can peek into our lives, what’s the point of denying access to potential collaborators in the name of confidentiality?” he asked.

    The Minister made a compelling case for realistic, demand-driven innovation. “Let the industry do the mapping. Let them invest from day one. If they put in ₹20, they’ll make sure your startup doesn’t fail,” he said, encouraging researchers to see industry not just as a customer but as a co-investor.

    In a candid remark, Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged that while the government has significantly increased support—CSIR and DSIR budgets have risen over 230% since 2014—true sustainability lies in self-sufficiency and public-private collaboration. “You can start a startup, but sustaining it is the challenge. Social and economic security must match the aspiration,” he said.

    Concluding his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that Hyderabad, with its unique blend of scientific legacy and tech-savvy spirit, is best positioned to lead India’s science-led development agenda. “This is not just about Hyderabad or about CSIR. This is about India stepping out of the shadows and leading the global innovation narrative,” he said.

    The event, held at a time when India’s Global Innovation Index has jumped from 81 to 39 in less than a decade, marked a decisive moment in the Centre’s mission to democratize science, empower youth, and position India as a global innovation powerhouse.

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    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2123497) Visitor Counter : 65

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India hosts inaugural Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics on combating terrorism financing

    Source: Government of India

    India hosts inaugural Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics on combating terrorism financing

    Senior experts from five Central Asian countries of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan participated in knowledge exchange

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 7:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Revenue (DoR), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), successfully organised the first-ever Capacity Building Programme for Central Asian Republics (CARs) on ‘Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) through Cryptocurrencies, Crowdfunding, and Non-Profit Organisations’. The two-day programme was held on 21st-22nd April, 2025.

     

    Bringing together senior experts from five Central Asian countries — Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan — the programme served as a platform for knowledge exchange and regional cooperation in tackling terrorism financing. Participants benefited from a series of sessions led by Indian authorities, including representatives from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Cell of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND). Additionally, an expert from the Eurasian Group (EAG), a FATF-style regional body (FSRB), contributed valuable insights on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) standards, with a focus on the non-profit and virtual asset sectors.

    Customised to the specific needs of the Central Asian region, the programme aimed to build technical capacity and deepen understanding of emerging terrorism financing risks. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and the sharing of operational best practices, the initiative fostered a collaborative approach to addressing key challenges.

    Technical sessions explored a broad range of issues, including the use of financial intelligence in terrorism-related investigations, the growing threat posed by the misuse of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), and the exploitation of crowdfunding platforms. Additional discussions covered the financing of radicalization and the abuse of Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) for terrorist purposes.

    This initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening regional cooperation and resilience against terrorism financing, reflecting India’s commitment to global counterterrorism efforts.

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    NB/KMN

    (Release ID: 2123579) Visitor Counter : 114

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NEW PRIVATE SUBSCRIBERS UNDER NPS CROSS 12 LAKH DURING 2024-25

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 7:34PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Pension System (NPS) has achieved significant growth of private sector subscriber enrolment of over 12 lakh during 2024-25, taking total subscriber number to over 165 lakh by March 2025.

    NPS Vatsalya , a scheme specifically designed for minors, introduced in September 2024 has registered over one lakh subscribers .

    The Assets Under Management (AUM) for both NPS and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) expanded by 23 percent during 2024-25 to Rs 14.43 lakh crore by end-March 2025.

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    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2123577) Visitor Counter : 23

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Minority Affairs MoS inaugurates orientation-cum-training programme for Haj deputationists for Haj-2025

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 7:23PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian today inaugurated the orientation-cum-training programme of selected Haj deputationists of Haj 2025 for two days on 22ndand 23rdApril, 2025 at SCOPE Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. In his inaugural address, the Minister of State, appreciating the role of Haj deputationists as crucial enablers in successful Haj operations, exhorted the deputationists to perform the duties assigned to them with utmost sincerity and commitment.  In total, 620 deputationists (266 administrative and 354 medical) have been selected this year in order to assist CGI Jeddah in effective Haj management in Saudi Arabia with the objective of serving Indian Haj pilgrims.

    These deputationists have been selected through a rigorous selection process and during the orientation-cum-training programme, they are being trained on different issues including overview of Haj operations, role of deputationists, health issues, crowd and disaster management, and the Haj Suvidha App before being deputed to Saudi Arabia. Special emphasis is being made to acquaint  the deputationists with the functioning of Haj Suvidha App, which was introduced during Haj-2024 and played a crucial role in information dissemination and grievance redressal of Indian Haj pilgrims. Building on the success of the App during Haj-2024, the Government intends to further realise its potential by effectively providing training to the deputationists.

    Further, since management of the Indian Haj pilgrimage is the largest logistical exercise managed by Government of India outside the country’s borders, the orientation-cum-training programme for Haj deputationists would contribute towards  helping Indian pilgrims in successfully performing Haj.

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    SS/ISA

    (Release ID: 2123572) Visitor Counter : 124

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bharat Pavilion to be unveiled at WAVES 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Bharat Pavilion to be unveiled at WAVES 2025

    To take through a journey of India’s Cultural Brilliance and Media Evolution

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 6:51PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai, 22 April 2025

     

    As the world gathers for WAVES 2025 – the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit in Mumbai – India will proudly unveil the Bharat Pavilion, a vibrant tribute to the country’s profound legacy of storytelling and its growing influence in the global media and entertainment landscape.

    Guided by the theme “Kala to Code” the Pavilion will celebrate India’s spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family — and showcase how the country’s artistic traditions have long been a beacon of creativity, harmony and cultural diplomacy.

    Rooted in legacy and driven by innovation; India now looks to the future — ready to lead the world in storytelling, technology and transformative cultural exchange.

    At the core of the Bharat Pavilion are four immersive zones that will take visitors through the continuum of India’s storytelling traditions:

    • Shruti – spotlighting oral traditions, from Vedic chants and folk ballads to classical music, radio and the spoken word.
    • Kriti – highlighting written legacies, tracing the journey from cave engravings and palm-leaf manuscripts to the evolution of print media, literature and modern publishing.
    • Drishti – exploring visual expression, from ancient dance forms, puppetry and folk theatre to India’s thriving cinema, television, digital and immersive storytelling ecosystems.
    • Creator’s Leap – showcasing the future of storytelling with cutting edge technology

    Through these experiential zones, visitors are invited to witness how India’s timeless narratives have evolved into powerful modern media formats. From the echoes of Om to the beat of the tabla, from the etched symbols of Bhimbetka to today’s digital screens, from the dance of Nataraja to cinematic blockbusters—the Pavilion will be a living archive of how India shaped and continues to shape the global storyscape.

    But this is more than a cultural showcase—it is a declaration of India’s creative prowess and future-forward vision. With many OTT platforms, a tech-savvy mobile-first audience, world-class VFX, gaming and animation studios, as well as a thriving Startup ecosystem, India stands as one of the fastest-growing media and entertainment markets in the world.

    The Bharat Pavilion stands as a dynamic platform for creators, collaborators and change makers across the media and entertainment ecosystem. It will present a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to connect with India’s exceptional talent, advanced storytelling technologies and rapidly expanding market potential. More than a showcase of cultural heritage, the Bharat Pavilion will be a reflection of strong government support in fostering cross-cultural partnerships and investment — positioning itself as a Global centre for creative innovation and collaboration.

    Bharat Pavilion at WAVES 2025 is where ancient inspiration will meet cutting-edge innovation. With its rich cultural legacy, unparalleled creative talent and world-class technological capabilities; India is poised to emerge as a Global leader in media and entertainment—ready to captivate and inspire the world.

     

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    PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Rabee/ Sriyanka/ Darshana | 101

    Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai    /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai   pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com  /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai

    (Release ID: 2123557) Visitor Counter : 113

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister strongly condemns the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 6:51PM by PIB Delhi

    Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, today.”Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice. They will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger”, Shri Modi added. 

    The Prime Minister posted on X :

    “I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected. 

    Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger.”

     

     

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    MJPS/VJ

    (Release ID: 2123552) Visitor Counter : 188

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SHRI GEORGE KURIAN, MoS MINORITY AFFAIRS INAUGURATES ORIENTATION-CUM-TRAINING PROGRAM FOR HAJ-2025 DEPUTATIONISTS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 4:47PM by PIB Delhi

    Minister of State for Minority Affairs Shri George Kurian inaugurated a two day (22- 23 April) orientation -cum-training program for Haj 2025 deputationists .

    Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar & JS (Haj) Shri CPS Bakshi welcomed all the Haj deputationists and appealed to them to make Haj 2025 successful.

    A total of 620 deputationists, including administrative and medical personnel, have been selected for this pious job.

    The two day session aims at capacity building and training of the selected administrative and medical personnel.

     

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    SS/ STK

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NISE’s New PV Lab to Set Global Benchmarks in Solar Testing Capabilities: Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi

    Source: Government of India

    NISE’s New PV Lab to Set Global Benchmarks in Solar Testing Capabilities: Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi

    India on Track to Meet 500 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Target by 2030, Including 292 GW Solar: Union Minister Joshi

    Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Inaugurates Solar PV Testing Facility at NISE, Gwal Pahari

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 5:13PM by PIB Delhi

    Marking a major advancement in India’s renewable energy capabilities, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the PV Module Testing and Calibration Lab at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gwal Pahari, Bandhwari, Haryana. Speaking at the occasion, the Minister stated that the new lab will set global benchmarks in solar R&D, testing, training, and policy support while marking a bold step towards self-reliance, innovation, and global excellence.

    Shri Joshi also said that NISE is now equipped to offer comprehensive testing, calibration, and certification services, particularly for photovoltaic modules and technologies where no established standards currently exist. He termed the lab a pioneering facility for India and further highlighted that as Indian companies scale up the production of large modules, this lab will ensure that products meet the highest quality standards. Shri Joshi noted that the lab also aligns with BIS standards and will provide a major boost to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and support India’s aspiration to become a global manufacturing hub.

    The Minister also underlined the importance of NISE as a training ground for government officials, industry professionals, and international delegates. He appreciated NISE’s efforts in training over 55,000 Suryamitra technicians and for installing more than 300 solar air dryer-cum-space heating systems in Leh, which are being used by farmers to dry apricots. He said such initiatives strengthen technical capacity and foster collaboration among government, industry, and academia. Shri Joshi also stated that with the new facility, NISE will significantly improve its efficiency, quality, and research in accordance with global benchmarks.

    Tremendous Growth in RE Sector

    Highlighting the exponential growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Minister said that India’s installed solar capacity increased from 2.82 GW in 2014 to crossed 106 GW now, marking a growth of over 3700%. In terms of manufacturing, solar module production has increased from 2 GW in 2014 to 80 GW today, with a target of reaching 150 GW by 2030. Alongside solar progress, the Minister also underscored the achievement of 50 GW in wind energy capacity.

    Emphasising the government’s ambitious targets, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi said that India is firmly on track to achieve the 500 GW non-fossil fuel energy target by 2030, including 292 GW of solar energy, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

    The Minister said that NISE should reflect the transformation India’s renewable energy sector has seen in the last 11 years under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He also urged the institute to step up efforts in global research impact and patent generation.

    Emerging Technologies and Scalable Innovations

    Union Minister Joshi highlighted the need for deep research, innovation, and global collaboration. He advised NISE to build partnerships, develop talent, and push boundaries so that its work resonates across laboratories, manufacturing units, and solar farms worldwide.

    He also acknowledged that NISE is already working on advanced technologies like Perovskite Solar Cells and Bifacial Panels. Going forward, he said, NISE should undertake initiatives for mass adoption of innovations such as AI for Solar Power Forecasting, Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), and Solar-Driven EV Charging Stations. He added that enabling sustainable EV charging through solar is a part of Prime Minister Modi’s vision and should be explored by NISE at scale.

    Strengthening Global Solar Cooperation

    The Minister also chaired a meeting to review the progress of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), along with MNRE Secretary Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, ISA Director General Shri Ashish Khanna and other senior officials. He emphasized the need for collaborative global efforts in solar energy adoption.

    Commemorating Earth Day with Green Commitments

    Shri Joshi also planted a tree as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ plantation drive at NISE, calling it a heartfelt initiative by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He stated that each sapling is a tribute to our mothers and a promise for a greener tomorrow. On World Earth Day, he called upon all to renew their commitment to building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable planet.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Centre Writes to Chief Secretaries /Administrators of all States/UTs on Measures for Effective Management and mitigation of Adverse Effects of Extreme Heat Waves on Workers and Labourers

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Labour and Employment has advised all States and UTs to ensure effective measures to reduce the impact of extreme heat waves on workers and labourers engaged in different sectors.

    In a letter addressed to Chief Secretaries /Administrators of all States/UTs, Secretary, Ministry of of Labour & Employment emphasized upon the need to issue directions to the occupiers / employers / construction companies / industries to undertake necessary steps to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme heatwave on workers/labourers.

    The letter recommended for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach listing out various steps including rescheduling of working hours, ensuring adequate drinking water facilities, ventilation and cooling of work places, rest areas, conducting regular health check-ups for workers and providing emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention materials to construction workers etc.

    The letter also advised for instructions to be issued to mine and factory managements to allow slower work pace, flexible schedules, two-person crews during extreme heat, proper ventilation in underground mines. In addition to factories and mines, it stressed upon special attention to be given for construction and brick kiln workers and the need for widespread dissemination of information to workers about ways to protect themselves from extreme heat conditions through awareness camps, posters and banners at labour chowks etc.

    The ministry has also issued instructions to its organisations (DGLW, CLC, DTNBWED, VVGNLI, DGFASLI, DGMS, ESIC) to conduct awareness sessions and to include specific modules in their training programmes focusing on educating workers about causes and impact of heat wave, recognising heat stress, preventive strategies and ways to mitigate adverse effects of heatwave.

    Hospitals and dispensaries under DGLW and ESIC have also been asked to set up dedicated desks to take care of heat stroke cases and ensure adequate supply of ORS, ice packs and other heat illness prevention material.

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    Himanshu Pathak

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Coal Hosts Stakeholder Consultation on Sustainable Coal Transportation through RSR Mode

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 4:59PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Coal today convened a stakeholder consultation on “Exploring the Opportunities for Sustainable Coal Transportation through the Rail-Sea-Rail (RSR) Mode” in New Delhi. The consultation aimed at driving consensus and synergy among key players in the coal logistics value chain to promote multimodal transportation for a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable future.

    Delivering the keynote address, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, termed the RSR model as a forward-looking initiative that aligns with the nation’s broader goals of enhancing logistical efficiency, ensuring energy security, and promoting environmental sustainability. He underscored that RSR transportation, which integrates rail and coastal shipping, is not only an economical alternative but also significantly environment-friendly due to its lower carbon footprint. Shri Dutt emphasized the importance of embracing innovative, smarter, greener, and more resilient multimodal transport systems to meet the growing demand for coal in distant consumption centers, especially in Southern and Western India. He called for close coordination among Ministries, State Governments, power generation companies (Gencos), coal producers, port authorities, and logistics providers to streamline infrastructure, optimize operations, and remove procedural bottlenecks for the successful implementation of RSR movement.

    The consultation witnessed active participation from a wide array of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Ministry of Power, State Governments, Coal India Limited (CIL), captive and commercial miners, Gencos and port operators. During the discussions, stakeholders shared valuable insights and practical suggestions on enhancing intermodal connectivity, deploying mechanized coal handling infrastructure at ports, improving rake availability, and rationalizing port charges.

    With a projection of transporting 120 MT of coal through the Rail-Sea-Rail (RSR) mode by FY 2030, the Ministry of Coal has set a target of 65 MT to be moved via this route by FY 2026. This goal will be supported by key initiatives such as the Telescopic Freight Circular issued by the Ministry of Railways, which provides substantial freight savings, and the planned infrastructure expansion under the Rail Sagar Corridor to enhance port connectivity. Going forward, adequate rake supply and robust rail infrastructure connecting mines to ports will be crucial responsibilities of the Ministry of Railways. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) will play a vital role by optimizing shipping and port handling charges and developing dedicated coal berths. These coordinated inter-ministerial efforts are expected to provide strong momentum to the RSR model and significantly improve the sustainability and efficiency of coal transportation across the country.

    The Ministry reiterated its commitment to advancing multimodal coal logistics by fostering inter-agency collaboration, promoting infrastructure investment, and providing policy support to unlock the full potential of the RSR transportation model thereby supporting India’s journey toward energy security and sustainable growth.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strickland Announces 2025 Congressional Art Competition Winner Grace Kim 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Lakewood, WA – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) announced Grace Ye Kim as the 2025 Congressional Art Competition winner for the district. “Moments as We Wait” was selected by a panel of jurors and will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year. 

    The theme of this year’s competition was “Freedom” and high school students submitted artwork expressing what Freedom means to them.  

    “This piece is based on a photo I took of my four siblings while we waited for the fireworks show on the Fourth of July. Despite the countless videos of the light show that day, what remains most memorable is everything beforehand – The gathering of family and friends as we celebrated alongside so many others in our community at the waterfront. This painting is my way of recapturing that joyful moment to share with others,” said competition winner, Grace Kim.  

    “These talented and creative student submissions depict freedom in so many ways: the freedom to be themselves, to exercise guaranteed rights, to be happy and secure in the community, and the sacred obligation to defend these ideals,” said Strickland. “I’d like to thank all the students, teachers, and jurors who supported the program.” 

    “Several artists responded with images related to identity such as self-portraits to express the pursuit of life, others used traditional symbols including the bald eagle, American flag, and Statue of Liberty to represent the pursuit of liberty, and some represented scenes from their daily lives to show the pursuit of happiness. This competition highlights the excellence of the art teachers who educate and guide their students and it provides a valuable practical experience for students in the district.” said Dr. Jennifer Olson, competition juror. 

    “There were several pieces in the final round of consideration each demonstrating characteristics and qualities worthy of top spot. I particularly enjoyed the winning works use of depth effects along with the works playful use of color to portray a moment in young adulthood when we are our freest whether we understand it in the moment or looking back on it when we’re older,” said PḰȺELWEȽTEN, Charles Bloomfield, competition juror. 

    This year’s panel of jurors for Washington’s 10th Congressional District included Indigenous documentary filmmaker, activist and Coast Salish artist PḰȺELWEȽTEN (English name Charles W Bloomfield); Pierce College and Tacoma Community College (TCC) professor Dr. Jennifer Olson; Head of Evergreen State College Instructional Photography and multimedia artist Carrie Chema; and Head of Pierce College Arts Department Dave Roholt. 

    The Congressional Art Competition was launched in 1982 to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of young constituents from across the country with the chance to display their art in the U.S. Capitol. 

    Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Key Tronic Corporation Announces Third Quarter Reporting Date

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Key Tronic Corporation (Nasdaq: KTCC), announced today that it plans to report its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 after market close on May 6, 2025.

    Key Tronic will host a conference call to discuss its financial results at 2:00 PM Pacific (5:00 PM Eastern) on May 6, 2025. A broadcast of the conference call will be available at www.keytronic.com under “Investor Relations” or by calling 888-394-8218 or +1-313-209-4906 (Access Code: 2003797). A replay will be available at www.keytronic.com under “Investor Relations”.

    About Key Tronic

    Key Tronic is a leading contract manufacturer offering value-added design and manufacturing services from its facilities in the United States, Mexico, China and Vietnam. The Company provides its customers full engineering services, materials management, worldwide manufacturing facilities, assembly services, in-house testing, and worldwide distribution. Its customers include some of the world’s leading original equipment manufacturers. For more information about Key Tronic visit: www.keytronic.com.

    CONTACTS:   Anthony G. Voorhees   Michael Newman
        Chief Financial Officer   Investor Relations
        Key Tronic Corporation   StreetConnect
        (509) 927-5345   (206) 729-3625

     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The CBSA launches an investigation into the alleged dumping of certain carbon and alloy steel wire from the People’s Republic of China, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, the Republic of India, the Italian Republic, the Federation of Malaysia, the Portuguese Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Türkiye, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

    Source: Government of Canada News

    April 22, 2025
    Ottawa, Ontario

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it is initiating an investigation to determine whether certain carbon and alloy steel wire originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, the Republic of India, the Italian Republic, the Federation of Malaysia, the Portuguese Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Türkiye, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is being sold at unfair prices in Canada. This practice of dumping goods into Canada can harm Canadian industries by undercutting Canadian prices, which undermines fair competition.

    The CBSA is investigating because of a complaint filed by Sivaco Wire Group 2004, L.P. and ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada G.P. The complainants allege that as a result of an increase in the volume of the dumped imports, they have suffered material injury in the form of price undercutting, price depression, lost sales, lost market share, reduced net income and profitability, reduction in capacity utilization, inability to raise capital for investments, and reduced employment.

    The CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) both play a role in the investigation. The CITT will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers and will issue a decision by June 20, 2025. Concurrently, the CBSA will investigate whether the imports are being sold in Canada at unfair prices, and will make a preliminary decision by July 21, 2025.

    Currently, there are 158 special import measures in force in Canada, covering a wide variety of industrial and consumer products. These measures have directly helped to protect approximately 31,000 Canadian jobs and $11.6 billion in Canadian production.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Joins Letter Demanding the Nation’s Leading Companies to Abandon DEI Initiatives

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador Joins Letter Demanding the Nation’s Leading Companies to Abandon DEI Initiatives

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador has joined a letter with 14 other attorneys general urging the Business Roundtable, an association of the nation’s leading companies, to abandon their unlawful and misguided DEI initiative. Many of the Roundtable’s members have replaced free-market principles with costly and divisive DEI policies against the guidance of the Supreme Court. 
    The attorneys general argue that the Business Roundtable should prioritize its stated mission of fostering economic growth, job creation, and shareholder returns—not implementing racial quotas and mandatory ideological training. The letter criticizes the group’s shift away from merit-based hiring and warns that such practices are “not only unworkable but also often illegal.”
    “Corporations have an obligation to focus on creating value for their shareholders,” said Attorney General Labrador. “When that duty is replaced with race-based hiring and DEI mandates, it raises serious legal concerns under state and federal law. These companies should return to merit-based practices and sound business judgment. The American people want a return to fairness—where individuals are judged by their abilities, not their immutable characteristics.”
    The letter highlights that members of the Business Roundtable are beginning to recognize that the tide is turning and that these policies are a mistake. A corporation’s true purpose should be to prioritize shareholders and hire based on merit rather than protected characteristics.
    The letter concludes by saying, “It’s time for the Business Roundtable to abandon its redefinition and rededicate itself to merit-based hiring, which supports the actual purpose of a corporation and complies with employment laws. The Business Roundtable’s member CEOs should immediately abandon quotas, targets, racial preferences, and other discriminatory DEI practices. Or face the potential of legal action by state attorneys general.” 
    Attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, and South Dakota signed the Missouri–led letter.
    Read more from the Idaho Dispatch here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: BAPM Grad Students Take First-Place in InsurTech NY Case Competition

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A UConn Business Analytics and Project Management (MSBAPM) team brought home the first-place award in the inaugural InsurTech NY Student Case Competition earlier this month, outshining ‘brilliant minds and razor-sharp pitches.’

    “All the teams were incredible,’’ said Elia Cocoli who represented UConn with friend and classmate Rehaan Ahamed. Both graduate students will earn their degrees in May. “I think we won because of our delivery. We were comfortable with our presentation, brought a great deal of energy, and felt very relaxed on the stage,’’ she said.

    Ahamed agreed.

    “We tried to make our presentation relatable and engaging. We made sure everything on our slides was relevant. It was more of a conversation than a presentation, and we were determined to enjoy ourselves, win or lose,’’ he said.

    Task Involved Disrupting Insurance Fraud

    The team was tasked with reducing fraud in the insurance industry. Cocoli and Ahamed suggested a series of application that could address fraud, and proposed a cross-industry data base, aided by artificial intelligence, that would help identify and flag serial fraudsters.

    The successful UConn team competed against other graduate students from Florida State University, the University of Iowa, and St. Joseph’s University. The event was judged by insurance professionals and the UConn students will share a $2,500 scholarship.

    In order to enter the InsurTech NY competition, Cocoli and Ahamed first competed against other UConn teams. Because they had completed many presentations together, they were comfortable as a team and knew each other’s strengths.

    “We practiced a lot and that was a gamechanger,’’ Cocoli said. “The best takeaway for me was the confidence boost. This is the first time I’ve spoken in front of a large audience. It was such a positive experience. I realized that I can do this.’’

    “Opportunities like this require our students to apply their learnings in a real-world way, gain important leadership skills, and showcase the talent we have at UConn,’’ said Laurissa Berk, director of Global and Experiential Education, who organized the pre-competition. “The students came in with a phenomenal idea based on their knowledge of industry and we are so proud they came out with the win!’’

    UConn Is a Sought-After Competitor

    Professor John Wilson, the academic director for the FinTech program, advised the team. He has also been instrumental in creating the InsurTech NY event and said he hopes the case competition will grow into a national event.

    “We have had extensive talks with the University of Iowa and, because of UConn’s continual visibility at industry conferences, we have more and more universities and companies seeking to partner with us,’’ Wilson said. “It is typically the very best students who participate in competitions like this, and UConn continues to establish itself as a program of excellence.’’

    Both Competition Winners Seeking Jobs With Impact

    Cocoli, who earned her bachelors in business analytics at UConn and then enrolled in the accelerated MSBAPM graduate program, is interviewing with a prominent company. She said her UConn education has been outstanding.

    “In my Generative AI class, professor Jing Peng is teaching us things that aren’t even known to the public yet. We are learning things before many experts in the industry. Everything is very new, very fresh,’’ she said. “I have developed a great network and connections. There are so many opportunities now for people with business analytics expertise.’’

    Ahamed, who earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA in India, said he is looking to work for a company that is invested in transformative progress.

    “My career goals center around creating impact and positive change, whether for an organization or a customer. That’s what motivates me,’’ he said.

    Ahamed said he and Cocoli decided to enter the competition on the last day of eligibility and he’s glad they did. “I was the optimist and she was the realist. We balanced each other out,’’ he said. “We are grateful for the experience, and that we could represent UConn and bring home the championship.’’

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni’s statement on terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    22 Aprile 2025

    I am deeply saddened by the terrorist attack that happened in India today, causing numerous victims. Italy conveys its sympathy to the families affected, to those injured, to the Government and to all Indian people.

    [Courtesy translation]

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ashwagandha: this ancient herb is trending for its potential health benefits – but also comes with risks

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University

    Mateusz Feliksik/Shutterstock

    Depending on who you follow on social media, you may have come across talk of a little-known herb called ashwagandha over the past year. Celebrities including Meghan Markle, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston are reported to use ashwagandha for its calming effects. Ashwagandha has been trending on social media with data showing #ashwagandha had more than 670 million views on TikTok in 2024.

    Scientifically known as Withania somnifera, ashwagandha is a common herb used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine – an ancient Indian system of healing based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a balance between the body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda emphasises a holistic approach to health using natural treatments, such as herbal remedies, dietary changes, physical therapy, meditation and yoga.

    But beyond the social media buzz, what does science say about this herb’s benefits?

    Ashwagandha root has been used in traditional medicine as an adaptogen. This means it could help people become more resilient to various types of stress, whether biological, physical, or chemical.

    The strongest evidence available for ashwagandha is as a stress and anxiety reliever. A review looking at several small studies showed that ashwagandha can significantly reduce levels of perceived stress and anxiety in people. This may be partly due to its regulating effect on stress hormones such as cortisol.

    Ashwagandha is also known for its ability to improve sleep quality. The “somnifera” part of its scientific name, meaning “sleep-inducing” hints at its effects. Some trials show it can help people fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper, more restful sleep, thus boosting energy levels. This may be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia. But there is no evidence showing whether it is better than taking sleeping tablets.

    Possible benefits

    Recently, this herb has been associated with other benefits. The Sanskrit word “ashwagandha” means “the smell of a horse,” symbolising its ability to give the strength and stamina of a horse. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts may benefit from ashwagandha’s ability to enhance physical performance. Some research indicates that ashwagandha can improve strength, muscle mass and oxygen use during exercise.

    For men, ashwagandha has been shown in some small studies to boost testosterone levels and improve fertility by increasing sperm count and motility. This may be linked to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – a sex hormone that your body naturally produces. DHEA is used to make other hormones such as testosterone. This means men with prostate cancer sensitive to testosterone should avoid using this herb.

    Ashwagandha has been linked to improved cognitive function, such as better memory and focus. Small studies, involving older people who have some cognitive impairment, suggest that ashwagandha may help to reduce oxidative stress – harmful molecules called free radicals that can damage cells in the body – and inflammation, which can negatively effect memory and thinking processes.

    There are also ongoing clinical trials investigating whether ashwagandha may be effective in treating long COVID symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive dysfunction – having trouble with mental tasks such as thinking, remembering and making decisions – but there’s no robust evidence yet.

    Ashwagandha is rich in phytochemicals, including withanolides. Withanolides are steroidal lactones – they are structurally similar to steroids, with a lactone ring in their chemical structure – that are thought to help cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This can lower blood sugar in both healthy people and those with diabetes, although larger studies need to be done. In animal studies, withanolides show anti-inflammatory activity.

    Side effects

    While ashwagandha may offer potential health benefits, it also has numerous risks and side effects. The long-term safety of ashwagandha is not well-documented. Most studies have focused on short-term use, typically up to three months – but the benefits may take some weeks or months to appear. The most common side effects are mild stomach upsets and nausea.

    Its use is not advised in people with some pre-existing health conditions such as liver disease. Although rare, there have been reports of liver problems, including severe liver failure, associated with ashwagandha use. Ashwagandha may stimulate the immune system, potentially causing flare ups for people with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

    It’s also possible that ashwagandha may interact with some medications, such as immunosuppressants, sedatives and thyroid hormone medications. Research suggests that ashwagandha may influence thyroid function, particularly by increasing thyroid hormone levels. It may also interact with thyroid medications, such as levothyroxine, possibly leading to overmedication.

    Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid ashwagandha, especially at higher doses. The herb may be linked to miscarriages and, although there’s conflicting evidence, it’s best to be cautious.

    Ashwagandha holds promise, then, as a stress reliever, sleep aid and even an energy booster. With growing interest and a large body of anecdotal evidence, it’s no surprise that it’s become a favourite among wellness enthusiasts. However, scientific research is still developing and more extensive clinical trials are needed to confirm the benefits, side effects and determine the safest, most effective doses.

    If you’re considering incorporating ashwagandha into your routine, especially for long-term use, do consult a healthcare professional first, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications.

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

    – ref. Ashwagandha: this ancient herb is trending for its potential health benefits – but also comes with risks – https://theconversation.com/ashwagandha-this-ancient-herb-is-trending-for-its-potential-health-benefits-but-also-comes-with-risks-253979

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s Greenland plan glosses over a history of segregation and discrimination for Indigenous Alaskans

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Gawthorpe, Lecturer in History and International Studies, Leiden University

    Donald Trump has wanted America to annex Greenland for a long time. He now has a concrete plan to do it. As reported by the New York Times, the president’s National Security Council has instructed several government departments to get to work on acquiring the island.

    Trump has made it clear that the use of military force remains on the table. But, at least for now, it seems the plan will rely mostly on persuasion.

    The first component is a coordinated advertising and social media campaign aimed at convincing Greenlanders that their future lies under the stars and stripes. The administration plans to tell the island’s residents that they will be more prosperous and more secure as part of the US.

    Driving that message home will be an uphill struggle. A poll in January 2025 found that 85% of Greenlanders oppose the idea of being annexed by the US. A parliamentary election in March also showed little support for it. The best-performing party was the pro-business Demokraatit, which wants to slow walk changes to Greenland’s international status.

    To overcome this resistance, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to appeal to shared ethnic and cultural ties between Inuit Greenlanders, who make up about 88% of the island’s population, and Indigenous peoples in the US state of Alaska. Greenlanders are likely to question that approach for a number of reasons.

    These ties are not completely imaginary. Greenland Inuit are descended from the Thule people, who migrated from Alaska around 1,000 years ago. There are similarities between the languages of Alaskan and Greenland Inuit.

    But these people have been separated by 2,000 miles for centuries, and in the interim have been shaped by their divergent histories. Though their languages are similar, they are generally not mutually intelligible.

    One of the main factors separating Alaskan and Greenland Inuit is their separate colonial histories. Greenland was colonised by Denmark, and Alaska by the US. The details of this colonial history are likely to give Greenlanders pause.

    Alaska became a US state in 1959. Before then, it was a territory – a colonial holding similar to Puerto Rico or Guam today. During its time as a territory, the US government and white settlers treated Alaska’s Indigenous people with a mixture of disinterest and malice.

    Until discrimination was outlawed by a state law in 1945, Indigenous Alaskans lived in a system of segregation and limited rights similar to the “Jim Crow” policies of the southern US. Indigenous Alaskans, like African Americans in the southern states, were not guaranteed the right to vote, and “whites only” signs were commonplace in businesses.

    During the second world war, the US government feared a Japanese attack on the Aleutian islands, which form part of Alaska. As a result, it forcibly evacuated the Indigenous population, burning their villages to prevent invading Japanese troops from using them as housing. Evacuees were forced to live in unsanitary camps on the mainland for years, where more than one in ten died.

    The US government justified this as a geopolitical necessity. But given that great power politics is also behind its drive to control Greenland, the island’s residents should question whether their rights will be respected if they conflict with another perceived geopolitical necessity.

    Buying favour

    Another plank of the Trump administration’s plan is financial. The White House apparently wants to replace the subsidy that Greenland currently receives from Denmark with a payment of US$10,000 (£7,600) per resident. It’s not clear if this money is intended to go directly to the population, or to the island’s central government.

    This works out at just over US$568 million (£429 million) a year. If it’s a subsidy for the central government, then it’s slightly less than the island currently receives from Denmark. And if it’s a payment directly to the population, then it’s unclear how public services on the island would be funded.

    Here again, a look at the experience of Indigenous Alaskans is instructive. Indigenous Alaskans, who receive various US government services through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, have a much higher poverty rate than the general population, lower rates of health coverage and worse educational outcomes.

    They also generally don’t live as long. According to the most recent figures, the life expectancy for Indigenous Alaskans is 70.4 years – much lower than the statewide average of 74.5.

    Economic development – or, perhaps more accurately, exploiting Greenland’s natural resources – is also part of Trump’s plan. Trump is apparently interested in Greenland’s “rare earth minerals, copper, gold, uranium and oil”.

    Greenland does indeed have vast mineral wealth. But it is unclear if it can be safely accessed in the island’s current inhospitable environment.

    Such resource extraction could also easily lead to environmental damage, as it has done in Alaska. In 1989, for example, the Exxon Valdez oil supertanker spilled more than 10 million gallons of crude oil in Alaska’s Prince William Sound.

    Meanwhile, without strong regulation and taxation, the wealth generated could easily accrue to corporations rather than Greenlanders.

    There is a long history of colonising powers claiming that only they, rather than “the natives”, can deliver prosperity and progress to a country. Trump’s plan, which tries to turn the experience of Indigenous Alaskans into one that Greenlanders should want to emulate, fits squarely into this genre.

    But the history of US involvement in Alaska and its treatment of Indigenous Alaskans gives lie to that story. For Greenlanders to trade their sovereignty to the US in return for a guarantee of prosperity and security would be a risky gamble indeed.

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

    – ref. Trump’s Greenland plan glosses over a history of segregation and discrimination for Indigenous Alaskans – https://theconversation.com/trumps-greenland-plan-glosses-over-a-history-of-segregation-and-discrimination-for-indigenous-alaskans-254418

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The New Yorker at 100: how bold, illustrated and wordless covers helped define the iconic magazine

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Geoff Grandfield, Associate Professor Illustration Animation Department, Kingston University

    olesea vetrila/Shutterstock

    Over the last century of glorious, tragic, turbulent and innovative human endeavour, the cover of the New Yorker magazine has used only the illustrated image to communicate talking points of American – and specifically New York City – life and culture.

    Beyond the masthead and issue date, no set typography has ever been allowed, maintaining a unique wordless space in magazine publishing where only an image connotes the idea. The absence of copy is arresting, the silent core of what the solely visual can communicate. Though notably, the majority of weekly sales are by subscription, not impulse buys.

    There are few of the New Yorker’s 1925 newsstand contemporaries left. Meanwhile, publications like Time, Newsweek and Fortune have not resisted the dominant orthodoxy of photography with multiple cover lines to gain sales.

    While photography delivers celebrity and the spectacle of modern life, the New Yorker has maintained a belief in visualising without written explanation to reach those readers who seek something more. But how can a magazine whose survival depends on sales maintain appeal with such apparently humble graphic means?

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

    The magazine’s strategy for success has been to employ a succession of brilliant art editors (just four in 100 years – somewhat unique in magazine publishing) who understand how illustration, in the right hands, can offer appeal, surprise, entertainment and imaginative freedom to invent what French poster artist Cassandre called “a visual incident”.

    Posters and magazine covers have a similar task: both vie to grab the attention of a public subjected to evermore intrusive image assault. From simple street hoardings and news vendors in 1925, to broadcast then digital media today, the changes over the last 100 years have been immense and profound.

    This audio-visual bombardment of words, images, sound and movement simply did not exist back then. This golden age of the printed poster and magazine cover appears now to belong another world – so how can preservation of these ideals be viable in a 21st century weekly magazine?

    Illustration and its reinvention as an agile alternative to the over-saturation of audio-visual and written media is one key. The choice of illustration as communication remains underrepresented. Other than courtroom reporting, there have been few front pages that have used a drawing, but its popular appeal evidences a relevance to complex modern lives.

    As a discipline, illustration is closely related to the cartoon and its sequential form, the comic strip. Many New Yorker cover artists operate across these practices, demonstrating the common ground of drawing.

    Illustrations are used for associative value – they conjure up an expressive or reflective mood, provide a seasoned commentary, or capture concisely a cultural moment. In the context of fake news, illustrations don’t purport to be objective – they best work through a coherent convincing visual language that offers more than words.

    For the majority of the New Yorker’s audience, illustration has an affectionate, unsophisticated association with successive stages of development, starting in childhood. From early picture books to comics, graphic novels, music and lifestyle, illustrated communication allows interpretation and relatability.

    Illustration can be successful in performing the elusive act of being inclusive and appealingly anonymous. The New Yorker recognises that diversity in content is reliant on the real-life experience of its artists. Since the 1930s when most journalists and illustrators were male and white, the magazine has sought to make a weekly visual statement of the contemporary by prioritising images that represent the diversity of New York.

    There is a disposable deal in buying a magazine – it is not designed to be a keeper. Certain images of “a moment” can later become the visual signature of an age, though it may not not always be apparent at the time.

    The early consistency of New Yorker art deco covers expressed both wonderful visual ideas and a graphic language for modernity. The skyscrapers, bridges and lights of the quintessential modern metropolis are beautifully shown in Adolph Kronengold’s cover from March 1938.

    Barry Blitt’s 2008 “politics of fear” cover, showing Barack Obama in Muslim clothing and Michelle Obama in combats with a gun slung over her back, expressed much more than portraits in an American presidential campaign. It provocatively articulated media exaggeration and control, forces that dominate today.

    And then there are the images that transcend a stylistic era and which are elevated above beyond specific facts in a way that helps us see the world in a new way, like Saul Steinberg’s “view of the world from 9th Avenue” cover from 1976.

    Saul Steinberg’s View From 9th Avenue New Yorker Cover.
    Wikipedia / The New Yorker

    The viewpoint is literally floating above the street, not so high that local details are unrecognisable, yet just beyond the Hudson are diminishing deserts and prairies and over the Pacific ocean you can see Japan.

    A wonderful satire on the attitude of global centrality and specifically a New Yorker’s idea of their own importance, the image has been copied and referenced ever since its publication.

    The completely black cover by Art Spiegelman and New Yorker art director Françoise Mouly for September 24 2001 achieved the impossible task of visualising the feeling of loss following the world trade centre attacks. Mouly has been the art director since 1993 and possesses a supreme visual intelligence that has driven the success of the pictorial cover for more than three decades.

    She maintains that artists are able to say new things about the same themes year after year – something AI cannot do as it refers only to the past. The present, however, is elusive and the province of the artist gathering energy like a lightning conductor. Plus, crucially, AI doesn’t doodle.

    New Yorker artists are people who can present a dilemma, an issue, a moment or a spectacle visually, not abstracted, but through emotional empathy. The covers are non-linear but require “reading”. The multiple layers of meaning are often open to interpretion.

    The beauty of the New Yorker cover lies in not equating it with a written description, but rather in prompting an emotional response to what it is to be alive in that moment, whether good times or bad. That’s a pretty wonderful objective and guiding principle for a weekly publication.

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

    – ref. The New Yorker at 100: how bold, illustrated and wordless covers helped define the iconic magazine – https://theconversation.com/the-new-yorker-at-100-how-bold-illustrated-and-wordless-covers-helped-define-the-iconic-magazine-253260

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: CLIK Announces Acquisition of Remaining 75% Equity Interest in Leading Nursing Care Competitor, Solidifying Market Leadership and Expanding Revenue Base

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Hong Kong, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Click Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: CLIK) (“Click” or the “Company” or “we” or “our”), a leading provider of human resources (“HR”) solutions in Hong Kong specializing in Seniors Nursing Care, Logistics, and Professional HR services, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the remaining 75% equity interest in a prominent nursing care competitor (“Target Company”). 

    The Target Company has over a decade of experience serving the Hong Kong seniors community and maintains a talent pool of over 9,000 nursing professionals. It is expected to generate annual billings of over HK$60 million and net profit in the range of approximately HK$2.0 million to HK$3.5 million, making it a financially accretive addition to Click’s growing healthcare HR platform.

    Click previously acquired a 25% equity interest in the Target Company in March 2025. Upon completion of the remaining 75% acquisition, Click will hold 100% ownership, granting it full control to integrate operations and drive long-term strategic value.

    “This acquisition marks a transformative step for Click,” said Mr. Chan, CEO of Click. “With full ownership, we are able to consolidate operations, align our resources, and unlock significant synergies that will accelerate our leadership in the nursing care sector.”

    The acquisition expands Click’s total talent pool to over 19,000 registered professionals, strengthening its ability to meet surging demand for skilled nursing services across Hong Kong and surrounding regions. The integrated operations are also expected to create substantial operational efficiencies and boost overall profitability.

    Full ownership further enables Click to fast-track development in high-growth verticals, including Home Seniors Nursing Services and Smart Home Nursing Solutions — key focus areas in its long-term strategy to deliver scalable, tech-enabled care solutions.

    Click remains focused on executing its integration roadmap and delivering superior value to its clients, talent network, and shareholders. Further updates on the progress of the integration, service enhancements, and growth milestones will be shared in due course.

    About Click Holdings Limited

    We are a fast-growing human resources solutions provider based in Hong Kong, aiming to match our client’s human resources shortfall through our proprietary AI-empowered talent pool by one “click”. Our key businesses primarily include nursing solution (mainly seniors) services, logistics solution services and professional solution services.

    For more information, please visit https://clicksc.com.hk.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

    For enquiry, please contact:

    Click Holdings Limited
    Unit 709, 7/F., Ocean Centre
    5 Canton Road
    Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
    Hong Kong
    Email: jack.wong@jfy.hk
    Phone: +852 2691 8900

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EY US unveils Neil Araujo of iManage as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Midwest Award finalist

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Midwest Award. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors bold entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow. The Midwest program celebrates entrepreneurs from Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

    An independent panel of judges selected Neil Araujo, CEO and co-founder of iManage, among 29 finalists for their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.

    “This recognition is a reflection of our team’s resilience and commitment to long-term success,” said Neil Araujo, CEO of iManage. “We’ve transformed iManage into a global SaaS leader trusted by knowledge workers in law, accounting, financial services, and beyond. I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made, not just in business, but in the communities we serve and the lives we touch through our platform.”

    Founded in 1995, iManage helps over 4,000 global organizations — including 85% of the Global 100 law firms and 41% of the Fortune 100—manage and protect confidential information. Under Neil’s leadership, iManage has grown into a market leader in AI-powered, cloud-native work management platforms, and is committed to delivering purpose-driven innovation. The company’s SaaS platform is more carbon efficient than on-premises alternatives, and its commitment to community impact includes long-standing partnerships with nonprofits like Genesys Works and Chicago Debates.

    Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

    Regional award winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 11, during a special celebration in Chicago and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

    Sponsors
    Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA and SAP. In the Midwest, sponsors also include LaSalle Staffing, Inc. and Becker Professional Education.

    About Entrepreneur Of The Year
    Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally.

    The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

    About EY
    EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

    Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

    EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

    All in to shape the future with confidence.

    EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

    Media Contact:
    Alicia Saragosa
    Head of Public Relations, iManage
    press@imanage.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Mr. Ian Martin of the United Kingdom – Head of the Strategic Assessment of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

    Source: United Nations MIL-OSI 2

    he Secretary-General announced today the appointment of Ian Martin of the United Kingdom as Head of the Strategic Assessment, as part of his UN80 initiative, of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
     
    The Secretary-General is tasking Mr. Martin with conducting the Strategic Assessment in order to review UNRWA’s impact; implementation of its mandate under present political, financial, security and other constraints; and, consequences and risks, for Palestine
    Refugees.  He has further been tasked with identifying options for action, by Member States and/or the United Nations, and considering overall United Nations mandates provided by the General Assembly and the Security Council.
     
    Mr. Martin has had a distinguished service within the United Nations.  He was involved in a number of strategic reviews, most recently as the Lead of the Independent Strategic Review of the United Nations Mission in Somalia and before then as a member of the
    High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations.  Mr. Martin served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and in various positions in other UN field operations, including in Timor-Leste,
    Nepal, Eritrea, Rwanda and Haiti.
     
    Mr. Martin holds a Master of Arts in history and economics from Cambridge University, United Kingdom, and studied development economics at Harvard University, United States of America.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Rapid aging of world population will transform global property & casualty insurance industry by 2050

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press contact:
    Fahd Pasha
    Tel.: +1 647 860 3777
    E-mail: Fahd.Pasha@capgemini.com

    Rapid aging of world population will transform global property & casualty insurance industry by 2050

    • Global dependency ratio set to rise by 2050 there will be 26 seniors for every 100 working-age people, up from 16 today
    • Aging population is a key trend in forecasted 4.4% CAGR for global commercial insurance lines, 3.3% for personal insurance lines
    • 88% of insurers recognize the importance of more tech-enabled underwriting, but only 17% say they have the right capabilities

    Paris, April 22, 2025 – The Capgemini Research Institute’s World Property and Casualty Insurance Report, published today, shows how the aging of the world’s population will transform the industry globally by 2050. The report details how a shift in the ratio of seniors- to-working age adults will play a critical role in changing habits around consumption, transportation, and use of technology, with major implications for both commercial and personal P&C insurance. These trends will drive the industry towards a more prevention-focused, modular approach with real-time risk monitoring, as well as more technology-enabled underwriting models.

    The global population is aging, transforming consumer behavior
    The aging of the world population in the coming decades implies a major transformation in the workforce, with fewer working-age adults per retired senior. By 2050, it is expected that the global dependency ratio will rise to 26%, compared with 16% in 2024, meaning that for every 100 working-age people, there will be 26 seniors to support, up from today’s 16. Excluding the population of Africa, which is relatively young, the dependency ratio will reach 31%, up from 18%.

    This transition has profound implications for consumer behavior and the structure of the broader economy. As the global population grows older, consumer spending habits are expected to shift, with a greater focus on spending on experiences rather than large, fixed purchases. The report found 45% of consumers expect to increase their spending on lifestyle enhancements such as travel, luxury goods and home renovations while 70% do not plan to buy an additional house or upgrade their current house to a bigger one.

    This move in spending habits, combined with trends towards greater urbanization and automation of technology, will have a significant impact on how P&C insurers serve their customers. For example, auto insurers are expected to transition towards commercial insurance and shared mobility coverage, as seniors drive less and rely more on rideshares. Equally, personal property insurance will have to evolve towards preventive, age-friendly options that address smaller, multi-generational homes. In the workplace, commercial lines will need to account for demographic-driven automation and altered risk profiles.

    “Monumental demographic shifts are set to have a major and direct impact on P&C insurers in the coming decades. Today, insurers should be analyzing their portfolios to understand these sensitivities and to ascertain their exposure in mature and transitioning markets. This will support them in developing service models that are optimized and future-proofed,” said Adam Denninger, Global Insurance Industry Leader at Capgemini. “Finally, having an edge on customer experience, made possible through AI, will also help protect insurers against a competitive race to the bottom on prices.”

    Interconnected risks could drive loss potential
    In addition, insurers will have to grapple with the implications of climate change, and its effect on an aging work force. According to research from Oxford Economics prepared for Capgemini, 98.5% of the world’s population will be at risk from drought and 80% will be at risk from excessive rainfall. With such climate volatility, coupled with urban risk concentration, insurers will see the rise of interconnected risks that drive loss potential. To assess these risks and develop more climate-minded strategies, insurers will need to further integrate climate risk data and predictive analytics to correlate risks and improve underwriting, cites the report.

    Rising to the P&C challenge –with data and AI
    A key feature of these new approaches will be the use of predictive insights and real-time intelligence in underwriting. The report found 88% of insurers recognize the critical future importance of advanced underwriting, yet only 17% have mature capabilities.

    To prepare for and adapt to the changing demographics, the report recommends that P&C insurers embrace novel approaches including:

    • Placing focus on changing customer behavior: recalibrating geographic footprints and developing age-sensitive service models
    • Operating model transformation: modernizing data architectures and leveraging AI and automation to build resilient systems and drive efficiency
    • Risk governance: implementing predictive underwriting insights and dynamic portfolio management

    All these approaches require a process of continuous evolution, with executives delivering on medium-term actions while boards address long-term strategic questions.

    Read the full report: https://www.capgemini.com/insights/research-library/world-property-and-casualty-insurance-report//

    Report Methodology
    For this report, the Capgemini Research Institute surveyed three primary sources: the 2025 Global Voice of the Customer Survey (which polled 5,016 P&C insurance customers in 13 countries), the 2025 Global Insurance Executives’ Survey (which included interviews with 274 senior insurance executives of leading P&C insurance companies across 15 markets), and the 2025 Global Macroeconomic Forecasts created in collaboration with a leading macro forecaster (which includes insights across 11 markets representing all three regions of the globe).

    About Capgemini
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

    Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

    About the Capgemini Research Institute
    The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first.
    Visit us at www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Control over migrant transfers to be strengthened – Prosecutor General’s Office approves proposal

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Sours: Mainfin Bank –

    How does the Prosecutor General’s Office plan to strengthen control over migrants?

    The Russian Prosecutor’s Office supports the proposal to strengthen supervision of migrants’ financial transactions. The agency noted that foreigners often participate in fraudulent schemes and become mules (sometimes unknowingly). Registration bank cards in the name of migrants in the country is put on stream – non-residents are brought to the offices credit institutions “by buses”.

    The Prosecutor General’s Office believes it would be appropriate to organize information exchange between financial institutions and migration control agencies – supervision will help to understand where foreigners transfer money, as well as identify suspicious transactions. The measure is intended to reduce the number of violations in the economic security segment.

    What other measures of control over migrants may appear in Russia?

    Migration legislation in Russia is gradually becoming more stringent, but so far the laws being adopted have not produced the desired results. Dmitry Medvedev announced the need for new restrictions, calling for:

    prohibit foreigners with a criminal record from obtaining a residence permit or Russian citizenship; establish an exchange of data between agencies on the criminal records of migrants arriving in the country; eliminate abuses in conducting examinations for foreign citizens; strengthen control over institutions that conduct examinations, including by recording the procedures on video.

    “Migrants in Russia who have certificates of passing exams often do not even understand Russian – when receiving documents, mass violations are recorded,” the politician noted.

    Tightening of legislation may lead to an outflow of up to 1 million migrants from the Russian Federation. However, analysts are confident that “specialists” from the CIS countries may be replaced by citizens of the DPRK – it will be easier for Koreans to integrate into Russian society without causing discontent among the native inhabitants of Russia.

    15:00 04/22/2025

    Source:

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //Mainfin.ru/novosti/ Monkol-Snip-Portead-Migrants-Usilat-Gen-Prosecutor General-Odobril-Execution

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cultural co-operation panel held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum+ 2025 Ministerial Panel was held today, during which participating cultural ministers and senior officials exchanged views and shared their experience on policies and measures to promote arts and cultural development.

     

    Officiating at the panel opening, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law highlighted that technological advancement is inevitable as the world has undergone rapid and vigorous changes.

     

    A people-oriented approach, ie an approach to connect more with people, to create more for people and to engage more people, should be adopted, in order to promote arts and cultural development, she stressed.

     

    Miss Law added that by making good use of its positions as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange as well as the largest art trading centre in Asia, Hong Kong will continue to thrive.

     

    Separately, Acting Chief Executive Chan Kwok-ki hosted the gala dinner for the delegations as well as local cultural leaders. In his speech at the event, Mr Chan pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been actively fostering the city’s development into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange with the clear national support in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

     

    With its unique advantage of blending Chinese and Western cultures and its extensive international connections, Hong Kong will become a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the rest of the world, he stressed.

     

    The Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum aims to promote cultural co-operation and exchanges among regions. Themed “Connect, Create, Engage: Bridging Cultures for All”, this year’s gathering has expanded its scale, welcoming participation from Belt & Road countries outside Asia.

     

    The delegations attending the forum visited the Hong Kong Museum of Art and Oil Street Art Space yesterday. They will attend the plenary session and visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum tomorrow.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –