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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Patients who feel heard are more likely to stick with medical treatment

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Diana Pérez-Arechaederra, Associate Professor of Organizational Psychology, ESCP Business School

    In the 2000s, when I worked as a psychologist in long-term elderly care and primary healthcare services, many of the patients I saw were living with chronic or complex conditions. These situations required that patients trust care providers, consistently adhere to treatments and, often, receive care over an extended period of time.

    But what stood out to me were the differences in how those protocols were applied. Some practitioners took time to explain something clearly, asked questions that showed genuine care, or invited patients into a conversation about their treatment. I also noticed how differently patients responded when none of that happened.

    The quality of communication – the level of respect, attention and clarity – often made the difference between patients’ cooperation and resistance, between their motivation and withdrawal.

    These observations led me to systematically investigate the psychological processes involved in how patients perceive fairness in healthcare.

    What I found, in collaboration with colleagues, is that this “soft” dimension of care – how people perceive their treatment, how information is shared with them, and how much time and space they are given to take part in the process – has very real effects on behaviour. Patients’ perception of respect – what we call interactional fairness – often hinges on whether they are given the chance to ask questions, make sense of information, weigh different options and even participate in making decisions. For patients to follow a practitioner’s recommendations, they need to feel informed, heard, respected and involved – not just treated.

    What fairness looks like in practice

    In our study, we examined two forms of what psychologists call organizational justice in healthcare settings:

    • Interactional justice – the sense of being treated with dignity, attentiveness and respect

    • Informational justice – the perception that shared information is clear, complete, timely and relevant

    We surveyed over 850 patients in Spain and the United States who had visited a healthcare provider in the previous six months. We asked them how they experienced their interactions with health professionals, how much they trusted those professionals, how satisfied they were with the service, whether they followed medical advice, and whether they intended to return to the same provider.

    What we saw was a clear pattern. Patients who perceived fairness – being treated with respect and given clear and appropriate information – were more likely to trust their healthcare provider. That trust, in turn, shaped whether they felt able to engage with treatment and sustain their relationship with (or, in the language of our study, their “loyalty” to) the healthcare service or physician. What we call informational fairness had a particularly strong direct link to adherence to treatments or clinical advice, showing its importance for understanding patient behaviour.

    In healthcare, patients are navigating uncertainty, vulnerability, and long-term relationships with systems and providers. Their ability to understand, participate in and trust that process is integral to care.


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    Insights across borders

    Despite the structural and institutional differences between Spain, with its predominantly public healthcare system, and the United States, where healthcare is largely organised through the private sector, our goal was to identify common patterns in how patients interpret and engage with services. Specifically, we sought to understand whether similar cognitive and emotional processes create the patient experience, regardless of the broader healthcare system in place.

    Using path analysis models, we assessed the relationships between patients’ perceptions of fairness and their resulting levels of trust and satisfaction, and then, the relationship between those perceptions and patients’ adherence and loyalty to the service. While patients in the United States exhibited slightly stronger associations between perceived fairness and both trust and satisfaction, the overall nature of the relationships was highly consistent across both countries.

    These findings suggest that despite differences in how care is delivered and financed, patients in both countries respond to their healthcare interactions in fundamentally similar ways. This matters for healthcare providers and policymakers across diverse settings who are aiming to enhance patient-centred care.

    Recognizing patients as agents

    At the heart of this is an ethical question: Are patients treated as agents in their own care, or simply as objects of intervention?

    Medicine is not a closed, flawless system. It is a developing field of research being translated into practice, and its shortcomings are shaped by social and structural biases, and by the fact that patients may not be given all of the options they should receive. In areas such as women’s health, chronic pain, mental health and rare diseases, patients often offer insights that clinical protocols miss. When their lived experience is ignored or dismissed, we lose opportunities for better diagnoses, more responsive and efficient care, and more sustainable treatment plans.



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    When I was working in elderly care, I remember the testimony of a resident who was very upset because his parenteral treatment (an injection) had been changed to an enteral one (a drink). Nobody informed him about the change. When I asked him why he was so unhappy, he said: “I much preferred the injections because the clinician who came to administer them was very nice to me. We were friends. Now, I’ll never see her again.”

    I’m not sure whether continuing with the parenteral administration was even possible, but what was certain is that nobody asked him what he preferred. And that had an impact on him.

    Listening to patients is not merely being polite: it is recognizing that they have information that professionals lack. And that the ethical foundation of health care depends not only on what medical professionals do to patients, but on how they work with them.

    What can be done

    Creating fairer care involves the following concrete practices, which come from our findings:

    • Designing information systems that support timely, accessible and patient-centred communication

    • Designing procedures and allocating enough time for professionals to conduct themselves in accordance with interactional and informational fairness principles

    • Training for professionals in relational and communication skills that foster patients’ perceptions of respect and dignity

    • Educating patients about what care can reasonably provide to help set appropriate expectations

    • Reframing patient participation so that patients are not just surveyed after the fact, but listened to and given agency throughout the care process



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    Power to the patient: Person-centred care and how you can take your health into your own hands

    None of this is separate from clinical quality. On the contrary, it is what allows clinical care to work best and for all. When patients feel that they matter – that they are respected and informed – they are more likely to collaborate, follow through and return for more care if they need it. That would benefit patients, their practitioners, healthcare systems and society.

    The scientific article referred to in this piece was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), whose projects, RD24/0005/0018, were co-funded by the European Union and the Facility for Recovery and Resilience (MRR). The Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS) was involved in the development of RD24/0005/0018. Projects PI22/01677 and PI20/00321 were co-financed by the European Union. The government of Castilla y León also collaborated in the funding of this study through research projects BioSan 2009 and BioSan 2011. These funders played no role in the study design, data analysis, results reporting or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

    – ref. Patients who feel heard are more likely to stick with medical treatment – https://theconversation.com/patients-who-feel-heard-are-more-likely-to-stick-with-medical-treatment-260750

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKPL showcases diverse e-resources at Hong Kong Book Fair (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) has set up a booth at the Hong Kong Book Fair 2025, which is being held from today (July 16) to July 22 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, to introduce the HKPL’s rich e-resources under the theme “Zoom/LIBRARY”.

         The booth is located at A32 in Hall 1C on 1/F. Members of the public can experience the online services and e-resources of the HKPL through touchscreen displays and tablets in the booth. They can also enjoy the audio programmes of selected books from the podcast channel of the HKPL, “24/7 Story Pavilion”. There are also special photo-taking spots, including some about Hong Kong’s historic sites related to the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Visitors who upload a photo taken at the spots to social media platforms can redeem a souvenir on-site, while stocks last.

         The HKPL has a number of rich electronic collections. Patrons can access a variety of Chinese and English e-books and e-magazines through electronic collections of Kono Libraries, OverDrive and Flipster, as well as a wide range of business and economic journals and scholarly dissertations in the ProQuest Business Collection. The e-book database Boundless by Baker & Taylor provides English e-books and audiobooks suitable for adults, teenagers and children. Parents can enjoy reading time with children utilising Chinese books in the FunPark e-book collection, and cultivate their children’s reading habits and language skills.

         In addition, Chinese books suitable for people of different ages are available in the popular SUEP e-book database, which provides audiobooks of Jin Yong’s martial arts novels, works of renowned Hong Kong writers and more. The “Popular Good Reads@SUEP” series in the database selects popular books of diverse subjects for patrons to enjoy trending works in the comfort of their homes.

         The selection of locally published e-books in the “Pop-up e-Book” page of the HKPL website (www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/collections/pop-up-e-book.html) is updated quarterly. Members of the public can experience the convenience and joy of e-reading with book titles from areas of literature, fiction, lifestyle, children’s books and others, without the requirement of logging into a library account. 

         The HKPL provides over 550 000 e-books and 80 e-databases. Members of the public can log in to their library accounts to read online or download content to computers and mobile devices for e-reading. Hong Kong residents who have never applied for library cards or HKPL e-accounts can visit the HKPL’s website to apply for e-accounts and enjoy immediate access to the diverse e-resources.

         Please visit the HKPL’s booth at the fair or visit www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/e-resources/index.html to know more about the e-resources. More latest information of the HKPL is also available at the “Reading is Joyful” Facebook page (www.facebook.com/readingisjoyful) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/readingisjoyful). 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ8: Measures to encourage childbirth

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Shang Hailong and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (July 16):

    Question:

         It has been reported that Hong Kong’s fertility rate has remained persistently low in recent years, with the total fertility rate for 2023 standing at only 0.8, which is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 required to maintain the population level. This situation presents profound challenges to Hong Kong’s future economic development, public service demands and workforce structure. The latest report published by the United Nations Population Fund indicates that the primary cause of the global decline in fertility rates is insufficient “reproductive autonomy”, which includes structural barriers such as economic pressure, gender inequality, lack of partner support and want of comprehensive reproductive health services. There are views that Hong Kong’s current pro-natalist policies largely focus on providing short-term economic incentives (e.g. allowances and increased maternity leave) without formulating long-term strategies to address the aforementioned structural barriers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether it will conduct a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of the existing pro-natalist measures, and propose ground-breaking policies to address the current structural economic issues faced by citizens (such as high housing costs, intense educational competition, and job instability); 

    (2) given that a survey has reportedly indicated that only 22 per cent of enterprises offer family-friendly measures beyond those required by law, whether the authorities will consider implementing a “family-friendly workplace certification” programme, through which enhanced subsidies would be provided to enterprises to offer more flexible working arrangements and childrearing support; 

    (3)whether the authorities will consider drawing on overseas and the Mainland experiences to actively expand the childcare service network, such as by exploring the introduction of a “neighbourhood childcare voucher scheme”, subsidising parents to use qualified private childcare services within their communities, or making better use of idle government sites or community facilities in commercial areas to establish more childcare service centres; and 

    (4) whether the authorities will consider allowing “top talent”, “quality migrants” and “professionals” admitted under various talent admission schemes to apply for the Newborn Baby Bonus scheme, with a view to encouraging more talent to stay in Hong Kong and contribute to its development?

    Reply:

    President,

         The issue of childbearing straddles across a number of policy areas and bureaux, including the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office, the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Education Bureau, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Health Bureau and the Housing Bureau. A consolidated reply by relevant government bureaux and departments is as follows:

    (1) Childbearing is a major life decision which involves different considerations. Fertility cannot be boosted substantially by Government’s policies alone. Various government bureaux and departments have adopted a range of measures to encourage fertility.

         In respect of child care, the Government has been supporting parents who cannot take care of their children temporarily through subsidising NGOs to provide a variety of day child care services, including Child Care Centre (CCC) services for children aged from birth to under three, After School Care Programme and Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project (NSCCP). To strengthen support for working families in childbearing, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) is setting up 11 aided standalone CCCs in phases over the three years starting from 2024, doubling the total number of service places to reach around 2 000. The SWD is also extending the After School Care Programme for pre-primary children to cover all districts in phases, and increasing the number of service places under the NSCCP to 2 500 with the estimated number of beneficiaries increasing to 25 000. The Government has also launched the School-based After School Care Service Scheme to provide focused support for students in need (particularly those from single-parent families) to stay in school after school hours for care and learning support, thereby allowing their parents to take up jobs. Over 120 primary schools covering 18 districts across the territory participated in the scheme in the 2024/25 school year, providing about 6 000 places. We will encourage more schools to participate in the scheme in the 2025/26 school year without imposing any quota. Meanwhile, the Government reviews the Working Family Allowance (WFA) Scheme from time to time. The rates of the household and child allowances under the WFA Scheme have been increased by 15 per cent across the board with effect from April 2024, benefiting all households receiving the WFA. The WFA Scheme provides additional allowances for relevant childbearing families, and increasing the rates of the WFA helps further alleviate the burden of grassroots working families. Taking a four-person household with two eligible children as an example, the maximum monthly WFA they may receive have increased from the original amount of $4,200 to $4,830 at present.

    Hong Kong’s education system values equity and diversity. The government provides 12 years’ free primary and secondary education through public sector schools, and ensures the provision of sufficient public sector school places for students eligible for receiving education in Hong Kong. Regardless of students’ backgrounds, all are given access to quality education. Diversified support mechanisms are in place to cater to individual differences and promote whole-person development. Our competitive edge is clearly reflected in the excellent performance of Hong Kong students in international studies and assessments. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 results underscore Hong Kong’s outstanding performance in educational equity. Hong Kong ranked second among countries or economies with high academic achievements, indicating that the family socio-economic status of Hong Kong students, including occupation and education level of their parents, had minimal bearing on their performance. This demonstrates that, under our education system, schools are able to provide ample and appropriate education support services for students with different socio-economic backgrounds. The results reaffirmed the merits of the Hong Kong education system in providing all students with quality and equal education opportunities, thereby facilitating social mobility. Besides, the Government has launched the Kindergarten Education Scheme since the 2017/18 school year with the objectives of providing good quality and highly affordable kindergarten education, and enhancing the accessibility of students to different modes of services that suit their specific needs. About 90 per cent of half-day kindergartens are currently free of charge, while the school fees for whole-day kindergartens are maintained at a low level. Families with financial needs may apply for fee remission under the Kindergarten and Child Care Centre Fee Remission Scheme (KCFRS). At present, parents can receive full level of fee remission under the KCFRS.

         The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) has been supporting the work of the Family Council (the Council) in promoting a culture of loving families to the general public through organising different publicity programmes and activities. In October 2024, the HYAB and the Council launched the five-year Funding Scheme on the Promotion of Family Education (the Scheme). With annual funding of $8 million, the Scheme subsidises non-profit-making community projects in promoting family education to meet the needs of different families. For the 2024-25 round of applications, a total of 12 projects have been approved. On the other hand, the Council has been encouraging the wider adoption of more diversified and flexible family-friendly employment practices (FFEPs) in the community. These measures will also help promote a childbearing-friendly environment. Since 2023-24, the Council has been launching promotional videos entitled “Family-friendly Workplace” featuring various FFEPs adopted by local companies with sharings by employers and employees. The FFEPs presented include breastfeeding-friendly arrangements, allowing employees to bring their children to work during summer vacation, work-from-home arrangement and flexible work hours, etc. The Council has also collaborated with the Radio Television Hong Kong to produce radio programmes to promulgate different FFEPs. The Council will continue the relevant promotion work.

         In terms of tax measures, the basic child allowance and the additional child allowance for each child born during the year of assessment (YA) have been raised to $130,000 starting from YA 2023/24. Moreover, starting from YA 2024/25, for taxpayers who live with their children born on or after October 25, 2023, and meet the prescribed conditions, the deduction ceiling for home loan interest or domestic rents may be raised from $100,000 to $120,000 for a maximum of 19 YAs. These measures help alleviate the financial burden of taxpayers from raising children.

         As regards healthcare services, the Government has been committed to supporting assisted reproductive (AR) services and promoting healthy fertility, to assist those who wish to have children. Currently, nine public hospitals under the Hospital Authority (HA) offer assisted reproductive services, among which Queen Mary Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, and Kwong Wah Hospital provide in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) services. The HA is gradually increasing the publicly subsidised service quotas of assisted reproductive services for IVF treatment starting from 2024-25, from the previous 1 100 per year to 1 800 per year in 2028-29, and in parallel enhancing the training for relevant professionals. Achievement of the relevant target is underway, where the HA provided 100 additional subsidised service quotas in 2024-25 as planned, and 300 more quotas will be in place in 2025-26, followed by an additional service quota of 100 places per year in the three years that follow. In addition, the HA repositioned seven AR drugs from self-financed items to special drugs in the HA Drug Formulary in late April this year, whereby patients are only required to pay standard fees if prescribed these seven drugs under specified clinical applications, reducing the financial burden on patients receiving the relevant AR drug therapies. Aside from public AR services, starting from the year of assessment 2024-25, the Government is providing tax deductions for expenses on AR services under salaries tax and personal assessment, to relieve the financial burden from the relevant expenditure and encourage couples faced with fertility difficulties to seek medical assistance as necessary. In the meantime, the Department of Health will also revamp maternal and child health and family planning services, providing new pre-pregnancy health services to reproductive age group women at the Maternal and Child Health Centres in phases, as well as review and adjust the scope of the subsidised family planning service currently provided by non-government organisations, to promote healthy fertility. Furthermore, the Council on Human Reproductive Technology plans to lift the statutory maximum storage periods of gametes and embryos for own use within this year, to allow the members of the public to make their own decisions on the storage duration of gametes and embryos depending on their health and other conditions, so as to better realise reproductive autonomy.

         In respect of housing, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has implemented the Families with Newborns Allocation Priority Scheme and the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme to encourage childbearing by giving incentives to family applicants of public rental housing (PRH) and subsidised sale flats (SSF) sale exercises. Regarding the allocation of PRH, the HA has implemented the Families with Newborns Allocation Priority Scheme since April 1, 2024. PRH family applications with babies born on or after October 25, 2023, and aged one or below are credited one year of waiting time. As at end-June 2025, about 5 000 PRH applications have been credited one year of waiting time under the scheme, of which about 420 families have already been successfully housed to PRH. As for SSF, starting from the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2024 (HOS 2024), the HA has implemented the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme which was announced in the 2023 Policy Address. A quota of about 40 per cent of the new flats for sale (i.e. 2 900 flats) under HOS 2024 were set aside for eligible applicants under the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme and the Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members for balloting and priority flat selection. Family applicants of HOS with babies born or after October 25, 2023, are eligible if their children are aged three or below on the closing day of the application. During the application period of HOS 2024, the HA received a total of around 106 000 applications. Among them, around 50 000 were family applicants, of which around 19 000 (i.e. about 40 per cent) applied under the Priority Scheme for Families with Elderly Members and Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme. Among these 19 000 applicants, 800 applicants have successfully purchased flats through the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme. If eligible families applying under the Families with Newborns Flat Selection Priority Scheme fail to purchase a flat under HOS 2024, they may still apply under the Scheme for priority flat selection as long as their children are aged three or below on the closing day of the application in subsequent SSF sale exercises.

    (2) Through publicity and promotional activities, the Labour Department (LD) motivates employers to adopt employee-oriented good human resources management measures and implement family-friendly employment practices, including allowing flexible work arrangements, granting special leave approval to cater for family needs of employees and providing relevant support to employees’ family life, etc. Implementing FFEPs enables employees to balance the needs of taking care of their family, and also helps employers recruit and retain staff. Considering the diverse circumstances of enterprises, it is more appropriate to adopt an approach that motivates and encourages enterprises to flexibly implement FFEPs. The LD will continue to take forward relevant work by launching publicity and promotion through various channels, including organising activities on the Good Employer Charter.

    (3) As regards the network of child care services, the SWD is setting up 11 aided standalone CCCs in phases over the three years starting from 2024. The SWD has been continuously reviewing the service planning for CCCs and would consider the overall situations of child care services and the characteristics of individual districts so as to take follow-up measures in a timely manner, including enhancing service promotion, and adjusting the planned provision of CCCs and the distribution of service places, etc., to better meet the service demand of the community.

         Regarding the planning for child care facilities, the Government has incorporated the population-based planning ratios into the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines in respect of aided standalone CCCs, with a view to reserving necessary sites and space for these facilities early in the planning process of new and redeveloped areas. The SWD has been maintaining close contact with relevant departments to identify suitable sites in various development or redevelopment of public housing estates and urban renewal projects for the provision of child care facilities. In addition, the SWD will make the best use of vacant government accommodation/premises and vacant non-domestic premises in public housing estates to explore whether they are suitable for the use of child care facilities. The SWD will also provide relevant information and assistance to private organisations applying for registration to operate CCCs, and encourage private organisations to provide child care support for their employees.

    (4) The Government announced in the 2023 Policy Address that a cash reward of $20,000 will be provided to eligible parents for each baby born from October 25, 2023, for a period of three years. Starting from October 25, 2023, parents can submit an application for the bonus at the same time when registering the birth of their baby and applying for a birth certificate. As of end-June 2025, a total of 49 567 qualified applications have been received, and the bonus has been distributed to 48 984 applicants, at a total amount of approximately $979 million. The Office of the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration is carrying out a review of the Newborn Baby Bonus Scheme. In the review, suggestions which have been raised in the community, including whether to cover families under different talent schemes, will be considered. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – Afternoon Briefing with Patricia Karvelas

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: Let’s get some immediate political reaction, not just to this story, but of course the broader child care crisis too and go straight to the Education Minister Jason Clare. 

    Jason Clare, lovely to have you on the show. 

    JASON CLARE, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Thanks, PK, great to be here. 

    KARVELAS: Two child care workers have been charged with assault of a toddler in Western Sydney. New South Wales Police have said the child sustained significant bruising and injuries. Of course, this is one case being handled now by the legal system, as it should be —

    CLARE: Yes. 

    KARVELAS: — but does this latest case show that we have a broader crisis? 

    CLARE: What it underlines is if you don’t care about our kids, you shouldn’t be there working in early education and care. 

    In that report you mentioned that those workers are no longer there, that’s a good thing. But we do need to put in place the sort of measures to help to weed people out that aren’t there for the right reasons, whether it’s the sort of penalties that you impose on centres that don’t act when this evidence comes to light, or naming and shaming centres, giving information to parents about the conditions that are in the centres where their children are, or putting in place things like CCTV. 

    I want to make the point if I can, PK, that 99.9 per cent of the people who care for our kids every single day in these centres love them, they care for them, they educate them, they’re great people that are doing really, really important work, and at the moment they’re as shocked and angry as everybody else in Australia. Their jobs are on TV for all of the wrong reasons. They want to make sure that we do everything we can to weed out the people that shouldn’t be there too. 

    KARVELAS: We also learnt today that the alleged Melbourne paedophile, Joshua Dale Brown, worked at an additional daycare centre that has not been listed by authorities online. That brings the total number of centres he’s worked at to 24. I mean, Minister, why – I know this a state issue in terms of the investigation, but why are we still finding out about child care centres several weeks after the first allegations? 

    CLARE: It’s a bloody good question. This is a nightmare for hundreds more parents, mums and dads who now have to go through the wringer of working out whether their kids are sick or not. And for their little kids, they’ve got to go through the trauma of testing – blood tests and urine tests – to find out whether they’ve got an infectious disease or not. 

    It strikes me when I saw this yesterday that this is another reason why we need an educator register, a database that tells us where people are working and where they have been working. The company responsible here should know this at the click of a button. But so should we. This shouldn’t be the sort of information that comes out in drip feed form, it should be information that’s easy to access quickly. 

    KARVELAS: It seems that there might be more centres. I mean, have you been briefed about whether there are even potentially more that we might find out about? 

    CLARE: No, I haven’t. The Victorian Police would be briefing the Victorian Government specifically on that. But I just make the general point, this is the sort of information that police should have at their fingertips, it’s the sort of information that we should have right now. We don’t have it, but we should do. 

    KARVELAS: Is your legislation on child care changes that you’ve been talking about ready to table into the Parliament and have you briefed the Opposition? 

    CLARE: Yeah, the legislation is almost finalised. I’ll introduce that legislation into the Parliament next week, and we held our first briefing with the Opposition on the legislation today. I want to take this opportunity to thank Sussan Ley, the Opposition Leader, and Jonno Duniam, the Shadow Minister, for the really constructive way in which they’re working with us on this legislation to make sure we get it right. You know, it’s not always the case that Labor and Liberal work together the way we should. We are here, and that’s really important with legislation like this. 

    So, as I said, I’ll introduce the legislation next week. What the bill will do is give us the power to cut off funding to child care centres where they’re not up to scratch when it comes to safety. 

    At the moment a state regulator can shut a centre down tomorrow if they think there’s an imminent threat to safety. But where they’ve identified centres that aren’t meeting the standard and repeatedly they’re not meeting that standard, this will give us the power to issue a condition to that centre, and say that if you don’t meet the standards that we’ve set for you as a nation over the course of, it might be a couple of months, then we will suspend your child care funding or we’ll cancel it. 

    And there’s nothing more important in running a child care centre than the taxpayer funding that runs it – it’s about 70 per cent of the funding that runs a child care centre, it can’t run without it. This is the biggest stick that the Commonwealth has to wield here, and putting a condition on a centre that we would provide publicly, so parents know about it, I think is the sort of thing that hopefully will lift standards to where they need to be. 

    If we get this legislation right, it won’t mean that we’re shutting centres down, it will mean that we’re lifting standards up where centres aren’t meeting the standards at the moment. 

    KARVELAS: Okay, that’s really interesting. So, you’ll issue essentially a warning that will then be publicly shared, would that be like on a central website where people can look to see ‑‑ 

    CLARE: That’s right. 

    KARVELAS: ‑‑ if this has been – and what’s the timeframe? ‘Cause that must be all articulated, it has to be in the legislation, for which they have to respond ‑‑

    CLARE: Yeah. 

    KARVELAS: ‑‑ before that money is suspended?  

    CLARE: The legislation won’t set out the specific timeframe. There will be discretion provided to the Secretary of my Department, but we’re anticipating, depending on circumstances, you’re talking about a couple of months. 

    But let me just make the point again, if we’ve identified a centre where there’s a threat to kids right now, state regulators can shut it down. This is about centres where over a period of time they’re just not meeting the National Quality Framework standard to say, unless you get there soon, the centre is not going to be funded by the taxpayer. 

    KARVELAS: So, at the moment “Working Towards,” as you know, is a rating given to a centre that doesn’t meet quality rating standards. I’m just confused about how that will work still. These centres, are they allowed to keep operating? For how long will you be able to keep operating if you’re just “Working Towards”? 

    CLARE: At first instance what we’re intending to do if we get this legislation passed is to work with the state governments and the state regulators on the centres that they’re most concerned about, that are under that category that you’ve just described where they’re concerned that they’re repeatedly not working hard enough to get to the standard they need to be under the National Quality Framework. 

    So we’ll work with states and territories on the centres that we think need to be the subject of this legislation first and set those conditions for them, set a timeframe for them, and if they don’t meet those conditions within that timeframe, then suspend the child care subsidy payment that helps that centre to operate or cancel it altogether. 

    KARVELAS: And you said this is about lifting standards rather than shutting child care centres down. Of course that would always want to have that aim, because you need children in care —

    CLARE: Indeed. 

    KARVELAS: — or the system would collapse, right? 

    CLARE: That’s right. 

    KARVELAS: But do you envisage that inevitably some child care centres will have to close down? You would think that would have to be an inevitability of a tough system.  

    CLARE: It is a tough system, and that may very well happen. We’re not putting this legislation into the Parliament as an idle threat. But these centres run – 70 per cent of the funding is based on the child care subsidy that the taxpayer provides to help child care centres run. This is the biggest stick we have to wield, to say to centres that if you want to continue to receive this support from the Australian taxpayer, then you have to meet that standard, and if you don’t, then funding will be suspended or cancelled. 

    And what I’m hoping is that that threat is going to be strong enough to get the boards of these companies or the investors in these companies to sit up and listen and realise that we’re serious here and if you don’t meet the standard, then the funding will be cut off. 

    KARVELAS: Spot checks by your Department is another issue that you’ve raised. Are they only going to be deployed for fraud, or will it be child safety as well? 

    CLARE: Principally fraud but not exclusively fraud. At the moment I’ve got a team of investigators in the Department of Education that can do checks on child care centres for fraud. Unfortunately it’s the case that this exists, that child care centres might claim a child is there for three days but they’re only there for two days, and they’re claiming funding from the taxpayer for three days. This legislation will give my officers the power to be able to go in without a warrant or without the AFP to do those checks. 

    But while they’re there, they’ll be able to also examine the safety of centres and share that information with state regulators that do the lion’s share of this work. 

    The Federal Government sets the standards, the state governments do the lion’s share of the work in terms of regulating the system and making sure that it’s safe. 

    KARVELAS: Should there be a national regulator though? Because that’s part of the issue, isn’t it, that we’ve got state-based regulation, it’s quite inconsistent across states. Is there an option for a national regulation? 

    CLARE: There’s a national authority at the moment, ACECQA, that helps to set that standard, and they work closely with the states and territories in the work that they do. 

    There’s a separate question that’s posed by the Productivity Commission’s report last year about whether we set up an Early Education and Care Commission that would look at how we reform the system over the next decade and beyond. That recommendation wasn’t principally about safety; it wanted government to look at a steward for the system to make it more accessible and more affordable. I’ve got an open mind to that recommendation, Patricia, it’s something that we’ll look at over the medium term. It wasn’t intended to be something specifically about safety, but that’s something that it could potentially include.

    KARVELAS: Oh, that’s really interesting. So, you think you could take the Productivity Commission’s recommendation and sort of morph it into something broader?  

    CLARE: Potentially. It’s the sort of thing it’s my job as a Minister to sit down with smart people and pick their brains about how this would work best in practice, people like Georgie Dent at The Parenthood I spoke to the other day about this. 

    I want to make sure that we get this right, I want to make sure that our system is affordable for mums and dads, that it’s accessible everywhere around the country, but most importantly that it’s safe. That’s what this legislation is fundamentally about. But it’s not the only thing that we need to do. 

    The other things that have got to be on the table here are this register so we can track people across the system, identify when people are moving from centre to centre to centre and whether that should be a red flag that something is wrong here, that people are just moving people on rather than reporting them to a regulator or to the police. Proper mandatory child safety training for everybody who works in our centres. 

    I said a moment ago that 99.9 per cent of people who work in our centres are fantastic people. We’ve got to equip them with the skills they need to identify the bad person that might be up to the most horrific of crimes in our centres. And then CCTV as well, which can potentially play a role in deterring somebody from getting up to no good but also help police with their investigations as well. 

    KARVELAS: Minister, if I could just ask you about the Antisemitism Envoy’s report, which of course has been handed to the government. You’ve been talking about this as well. As you know ‑‑ 

    CLARE: Yeah. 

    KARVELAS: ‑‑ your colleague Ed Husic is critical of some parts – not all – but some parts of the report, including the very definition of antisemitism that it’s using. Are you troubled by this definition? 

    CLARE: No, I’m not. I had a quick look at what Ed had to say. I think Ed was fundamentally making the point that any definition of antisemitism shouldn’t stop somebody from criticising the Government of Israel, and I think he’s right in that respect. I don’t think the definition does, by the way.

    But I’ve been critical of the Government of Israel. I think as long as you can make that point very, very clear, you’re on pretty good ground.

    KARVELAS: But it does actually, and I’m just looking at the words here, it does actually refer to the State of Israel by claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a racist endeavour. Do you think that’s antisemitic? 

    CLARE: No, I think what Ed was saying is it’s a little bit different to then be called an antisemite for criticising the Government of Israel. That’s the fundamental point I think ‑‑ 

    KARVELAS: The existence of Israel is really at the heart of the question, isn’t it? That’s what some people criticise. 

    CLARE: You know my view, the view of the Government, the view I think of the overwhelming majority of people watching the tele today is that we want two countries in the Middle East that sit side by side, one’s called Israel, one’s called Palestine, and they can live together in peace and security behind secure borders and have the sort of safe life that we take for granted here in Australia and in many other parts of the world. 

    KARVELAS: How did the part of the report – this is something that Ed Husic definitely mentioned in relation to younger Australians holding views that are antisemitic. Do you think that – are you witnessing that younger Australians have higher rates of antisemitism? 

    CLARE: I was asked this question today. I said certainly social media plays a role here, and I’m hoping that the ban on access to social media for young people under 16, when that comes into force later this year, is going to have a positive impact on that, but also the mental health and wellbeing of younger Australians. 

    I was also asked about the recommendations in the report about universities. We’re considering those at the moment. We’re not making any announcements about that at the moment. But antisemitism is real, it’s a poison that we’ve seen infect parts of the community. There’s no place for it in our universities, there’s no place for it anywhere in Australia, but it’s just one type of the sort of racism that we see in our community and in our universities. 

    I made the point today that we’ve established a Student Ombudsman that provides a vehicle for students to make complaints, whether it’s about antisemitism, Islamophobia or sexual assaults, or any concerns that they’ve got about the way their university has dealt with them. 

    TEQSA, which is the federal regulator of our universities, has certain powers to intervene here and works closely with universities on this. It has the power to put conditions on universities or to go to court and issue fines. I think there’s an open question there about whether TEQSA needs more powers in this area. 

    And I also made the point today that we will shortly receive a report from the Special Envoy Combating Islamophobia, and we want to see their report as well, as well as the report that we received a few weeks ago. 

    KARVELAS: So, will they be considered together? 

    CLARE: I think that’s the way in which we should consider it, that’s probably the best way to go about this. I’ll also receive a report in a couple of months’ time from the Race Discrimination Commissioner about racism in all its ugly forms in our universities, and I’m sure there’s Indigenous Australians and Asian Australians and international students watching today that are saying, “Don’t forget about me, this affects me too”.

    We don’t necessarily need to wait for that report before we take action. You can do this step‑by‑step. But I just flag, I want to see that report from the Special Envoy on Islamophobia, and there’s also a piece of work that I’ve commissioned around the governance, improving the governance of our universities, that I’ll receive too. And I also want to think about what more powers we should properly give TEQSA, the Tertiary Education Regulator here. 

    KARVELAS: That’s really interesting. Jason Clare, Minister, it’s been great to speak to you. Thanks for joining us. 

    CLARE: Thanks PK.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Allies agree NATO’s 2026-2030 Common Funding Resource Plan

    Source: NATO

    On Wednesday 16 July, the North Atlantic Council approved the 2026-2030 Common Funding Resource Plan. This newest Resource Plan gives an overview of the resource demands over the next five years and allocates the necessary common funds to reflect NATO’s increased level of ambition. In approving this Resource Plan, the Council agreed the 2026 ceilings for the common‑funded Military and Civil Budgets, as well as for NATO’s Security Investment Programme, allocating in total EUR 5.3 billion.

    NATO common funding contributes to strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence, providing core military capabilities, fulfilling responsibilities in Alliance operations and missions, and enabling NATO’s consultation and command and control processes. It also provides resources for priority activities in support of Ukraine, such as for the NATO Security Assistance and Training to Ukraine and the NATO Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Quest Unveils AI to Cut Identity Threat Response Without Deep AD Skills

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quest Software, a global leader in securing critical IT infrastructure, modernising Microsoft and database environments, and driving data readiness for AI, today announced the global release of Security Guardian Intelligence, a generative AI enhancement to its Security Guardian identity threat detection and response (ITDR) platform. Built specifically for hybrid Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID environments, the update helps organizations reduce investigation time and act faster on identity threats—even without specialized AD expertise.

    “Security Guardian Intelligence doesn’t just detect identity threats—it explains them with business or board-level context,” said Heath Thompson, President, and Chief Product Officer at Quest. “It gives teams a faster way to prioritize real risk and take action, without needing to interpret every technical detail manually.”

    Why It Matters: Identity Threats Are a Top Risk

    Security and IT teams are under pressure. Identity based attacks are growing fast, and downtime from Active Directory issues can cost over $730,000 per hour. But teams are still slowed down by alert overload, disconnected tools, and a shortage of AD specialists.

    The longer it takes to contain identity threats, the higher the impact. A successful ransomware attack can shut systems down for an average of 23 days, crippling operations and extending recovery timelines.

    Security Guardian Intelligence (SGI) closes that gap with three high-impact capabilities:

    • Plain-language threat summaries: Turn raw AD findings into readable insights anyone can understand
    • Mapped attacker behavior: Tied to MITRE ATT&CK tactics and real-world breach scenarios
    • Built-in remediation: Follow step-by-step resolution guidance with no scripting or escalation required

    “We support customers across industries who are drowning in identity alerts but lack the in-house expertise to act on them,” said Eric Aslaksen, General Manager of Security and CISO at ivision. “Security Guardian already gives visibility – SGI adds the context and speed they’ve been missing. By helping surface what matters and guiding the response, it’s shaping up to be a valuable tool in our identity security toolkit.”

    Legacy Platforms Can’t Keep Up

    Unlike legacy platforms still anchored in on-premises architectures and now retrofitting AI features, Quest built Security Guardian for the cloud from day one, ready for modern identity environments and real-time use of Generative AI.

    Where traditional on-prem tools often struggle to operationalize large language models (LLMs) due to performance and infrastructure limitations, Quest’s architecture enables secure, real-time application of LLMs across live identity telemetry, without workarounds or bolt-ons. The result is faster insights, better context, and more scalable threat response.

    Cloud-Native by Design. AI-Ready from the Start

    SGI is embedded directly into Quest’s cloud-native platform and purpose-built for Active Directory and Entra ID environments. It uses a click-to-context model that takes users from an identity alert to the business impact and recommended fix in a single step. SGI doesn’t just summarize log data, it analyzes live signals, maps them to real-world attacker behavior, and delivers clear guidance to act—even without a senior identity specialist on the team.

    Built-In at No Extra Cost.

    Security Guardian Intelligence is now available to all existing Security Guardian customers at no additional cost.

    It also integrates seamlessly with other Quest solutions across its Cybersecurity & Resilience portfolio, including enterprise backup and disaster recovery, endpoint protection, and 24/7 incident response, making it easier to protect most critical assets at every stage of the attack lifecycle.

    Learn More or See a Demo

    Want to see how SGI handles real-world AD threats?

    About Quest Software 
    Quest Software creates technology and solutions that build the foundation for enterprise AI. Focused on data management and governance, cybersecurity and platform modernization, Quest helps organizations address their most pressing challenges and make the promise of AI a reality.  Around the globe, more than 45,000 companies including over 90% of the Fortune 500 count on Quest Software.  For more information, visit www.quest.com or follow Quest Software on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. 

    Media contact:
    Slava Balykov
    PR Manager
    slava.balykov@quest.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Perth and Kinross Apprentice Awards open for nominations

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    The Perth and Kinross Apprentice Awards 2025, developed in partnership by Perth and Kinross Council, Skills Development Scotland (opens new window), Developing the Young Workforce Tay Cities (opens new window), Perthshire Chamber of Commerce (opens new window) and UHI Perth (opens new window), opened for entries on Monday 14 July and will close on Friday 8 August 2025.

    The awards aim to highlight the value of apprenticeships to individuals, businesses and the wider economy, and to encourage more local nominations for the national Scottish Apprenticeship Awards later this year.

    Award categories include:

    • Foundation Apprentice of the Year
    • Modern Apprentice (SCQF Level 5) of the Year
    • Modern Apprentice (SCQF Level 6+) of the Year
    • Graduate Apprentice of the Year
    • Apprenticeship Employer of the Year

    Winners will be announced at a celebration event in early September, ahead of the national awards.

    As of 31 March 2025, there were 981 Modern Apprentices in training across Perth and Kinross. In the past year alone, 654 new apprenticeships were supported by Skills Development Scotland, with nearly 60% of those aged 16-24. The local Modern Apprenticeship achievement rate stands at an impressive 84.1%.

    Thomas Glen, Chief Executive of Perth and Kinross, said: “The Perth and Kinross Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on the achievements of our local apprentices and the employers who support them. Apprenticeships offer young people a valuable route into rewarding careers, and these awards allow us to celebrate that success and the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and our wider community.”

    A spokesperson for Skills Development Scotland said: “Apprenticeships support individuals, employers and Perthshire’s economy offering high quality opportunities for people to gain valuable skills that support them throughout their career and meet local industry demands now and for the future.”

    Vicki Unite, Chief Executive of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Apprenticeships are a powerful force for growth – for individuals, for businesses, and for our region as a whole. These new awards are a brilliant opportunity to shine a spotlight on the talent, dedication and potential that exists right here in Perth and Kinross. We’re proud to be part of a partnership that’s committed to celebrating the achievements of our apprentices and the employers who support them.”

    Lesley English, Regional Lead, Developing the Young Workforce Tay Cities, said: “Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), is delighted to be a key partner in driving these awards forward. DYW’s continued commitment to connecting young people with meaningful career opportunities is integral to the event’s mission: to recognise and reward those making a difference across the apprenticeship landscape. This event is about more than just awards, it’s about celebrating the impact apprenticeships have—not just on individuals, but on the businesses and communities they serve. We’re proud to support the next generation of skilled professionals.”

    Sarah-Jane Urquhart, National Training Programmes Manager, UHI Perth, said: ”UHI Perth is proud to be part of the strong partnership supporting the Perth and Kinross Apprenticeship Awards, celebrating the achievements of apprentices and their employers across the region. This partnership reflects our commitment to skills development and lifelong learning, and we are excited to help shine a light on the value of apprenticeships. These awards highlight how apprenticeships not only equip individuals with practical, career ready skills but also strengthen local businesses and communities.”

    To enter the awards complete the simple online nomination form:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Jena Acquisition Corporation II Announces the Separate Trading of its Class A Ordinary Shares and Rights, Commencing July 21, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jena Acquisition Corporation II (NYSE: JENA.U) (the “Company”) announced today that, commencing July 21, 2025, holders of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the Company’s Class A ordinary shares and rights included in the units. The Class A ordinary shares and rights that are separated will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “JENA” and “JENA.R,” respectively. Those units not separated will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “JENA.U.”

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

    About Jena Acquisition Corporation II

    The Company is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue a business combination in any business or industry, it intends to capitalize on the ability of its management team and initially focus its search on identifying a prospective target business that can benefit from its co-founder and Chairman William P. Foley, II’s and its co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Richard N. Massey’s historical areas of business expertise.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may include, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may include, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding possible business combinations and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Company Contact

    Jena Acquisition Corporation II
    Richard N. Massey, CEO
    jenaacquisition.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cority Continues to Be a Leader in the Sustainability Software Market, According to Prominent Industry Analyst Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cority, the sustainable performance software company, has been named a leader in the 2025 Verdantix Green Quadrant for ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software. The report highlights Cority’s ability to provide a unified platform for EHS+ and sustainability, which enables organizations to move beyond compliance reporting to data-driven sustainability performance management.

    As demand for trustworthy, auditable sustainability data accelerates, Cority’s unified platform stands apart. Verdantix highlighted Cority’s strength in unifying compliance, risk, and operational performance data with sustainability metrics. Cority’s integrated approach enables organizations to consolidate this data within a single system, ensuring consistent, high-quality data flows that support forecasting, target-tracking, and regulatory reporting, according to Verdantix.

    The report reinforces Cority’s long-held belief that sustainability performance can’t be managed in isolation. It must be integrated with the full scope of operational and EHS data to drive real results—particularly in moderate to risk-heavy industries such as manufacturing, energy, chemicals, and industrial operations.

    “Cority is uniquely positioned to help organizations not only meet their sustainability reporting obligations, but also to operationalize their data and drive real-time improvements,” said       Alex Hardwick, director of sustainability planning & enablement at Cority. “This recognition by Verdantix underscores the value of our integrated platform for enterprises navigating complex, fast-moving sustainability requirements.”

    Meeting the Market’s Moment

    The sustainability software market is maturing fast, driven by evolving regulations such as the EU’s Omnibus proposal reshaping the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and California’s Climate disclosure laws, along with voluntary reporting frameworks often aligned with the ISSB standards and rising investor scrutiny. According to the Verdantix report, nearly 60% of firms now use software for ESG and sustainability reporting—a sharp rise from 40% just three years ago.

    Organizations are increasingly seeking platforms that unify operational, risk, finance, and sustainability data to meet these growing demands. Verdantix highlights this shift:

    “The demand for more performance monitoring may also be the impetus for various software tools, such as sustainability reporting, EHS, and carbon management, to come together in one platform.”

    Cority is the only enterprise-grade solution recognized for this integrated approach in the 2025 Green Quadrant. Its converged EHS+ platform, CorityOne enables global firms to not only report on sustainability performance but also to trace sustainability metrics back to source operations, allowing proactive adjustments that improve outcomes across the value chain.

    Key Highlights from the Report:

    • Top Scores: Cority received top scores for Data Acquisition & Architecture, Data Management, Organizational Structure, User Interface, and Customer Success.
    • Data Integrity & Scale: Cority earned high marks for scalable, high-integrity data management, essential for large, multinational organizations.
    • Advanced Functionality: The platform’s ability to integrate ESG and EHS data in a single environment supports forecasting, compliance, and operational decision-making.
    • Market Position: Positioned among the leading providers, Cority stands apart from most competitors with clear separation from the pack.

    Verdantix also specifically cited Cority’s acquisition strategy and expanding functionality across key solution areas as strengths. The report also noted Cority’s partnerships with firms like Arcadia to streamline AI-powered data ingestion—further reducing manual data burdens.

    The Verdantix Green Quadrant is one of the industry’s most comprehensive, evidence-based
    assessments of ESG and sustainability reporting software. The 2025 edition evaluates 21 of the most prominent providers based on rigorous functional and market momentum criteria.

    The complete report can be downloaded at https://www.cority.com/reports/green-quadrant-esg-reporting-and-data-management-software/

    About Cority
    Cority is the sustainable performance software company, helping customers transform operating risks into a performance advantage. Our flagship platform, CorityOne, merges deep industry expertise with intelligent software so customers can engage their workforce to see and prevent risks that impact people, the environment, and performance. For 40 years, Cority has been the trusted solution for thousands of organizations in a range of operationally complex industries worldwide, including oil & gas, chemicals, food & beverage, utilities, manufacturing, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.cority.com

    Media Contact
    Natalie Rizk
    RiotMind
    natalier@theriotmind.agency

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Rolls Out Web3 Young Learners’ Encyclopedia to Schools, Libraries, and Beyond

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced the release of Web3 Young Learners’ Encyclopedia, marking a key milestone in its #Blockchain4Youth global education initiative. The print edition will be distributed across schools, libraries, and community centers to promote blockchain literacy among young learners, while the digital version will be available through CoinGecko, the leading independent crypto data aggregator.

    Structured as an A-to-Z guide, the encyclopedia introduces young readers to the world of blockchain through easy-to-understand terms, think “A is for Altcoin” and “Z is for Zero-Knowledge Proofs.” Each letter features clear definitions and playful illustrations that break down complex ideas into bite-sized, beginner-friendly explanations. It’s a fun, approachable way to spark curiosity about digital finance and help kids grasp the building blocks of Web3 from an early age.

    “To me, education remains the most effective entry point to the future of blockchain,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “The encyclopedia is designed to bridge the knowledge gap by meeting young learners where they are with clear language and relevant examples, in a format that makes blockchain approachable.”

    The development of the encyclopedia was undertaken in collaboration with Cryptita Plays, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to empowering youth through blockchain education and outreach programs. Drawing from its experience working directly with students and educators in underserved communities, Cryptita Plays provided valuable on-the-ground insights that helped shape the content and approach of the encyclopedia. This partnership reinforces the shared goal of both organizations—to make blockchain education more approachable, inclusive, and impactful for young learners worldwide.

    “Our aim has always been to make blockchain meaningful to the next generation—not as a distant concept, but as something they can see, touch, and understand,” said Arshelene Lingao, founder of Cryptita Plays. “This encyclopedia is a tool to help bring those ideas to life and beyond the classroom.”

    The print rollout will commence in areas where internet access is limited or inconsistent, allowing for offline education in underserved regions. The printed edition complements the online version of the encyclopedia, which remains accessible to learners worldwide, encouraging learning and multilingual adaptation. The online encyclopedia can be found here. To extend its reach, the digital edition will also be hosted on CoinGecko, making the encyclopedia more accessible to young learners, educators, and blockchain newcomers globally. CoinGecko users can redeem the encyclopedia through the Candy Rewards program using Candies earned from daily check-ins. View the CoinGecko page here.

    “Blockchain is often framed as the future, but its impact already shapes lives today. The goal is to ensure young people, regardless of geography or background, have the tools to participate in that future,” said Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget. “This encyclopedia is one way of turning abstract concepts into real plans. It’s a small start, but an important one.”

    The encyclopedia is part of Bitget’s broader Blockchain4Youth initiative, a global education effort aimed at equipping the next generation with foundational knowledge of blockchain and digital assets. Designed to be both accessible and engaging, the initiative delivers learning resources through physical publications like the encyclopedia, as well as digital content and in-person programming. By introducing key Web3 concepts in formats that are age-appropriate and widely accessible, Blockchain4Youth aims to make blockchain literacy a practical reality for students worldwide, particularly in regions where access to emerging technology education is limited.

    To learn more about the encyclopedia, visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist), and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet
    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/87f81256-cc72-4690-b851-d57be60236ac

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Civil society seminar: Digital euro – ensuring European autonomy and resilience

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Evelien Witlox, Programme Manager of the digital euro project, European Central Bank
    Barbora Kalmaityte, offline expert in the digital euro project, European Central Bank
    Fabian Geuther, Communication specialist digital euro project, European Central Bank

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYsbN5cKhDQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20, GHF blames armed agitators

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators.

    The GHF, which is supported by Israel, said 19 people were trampled and one fatally stabbed during the crush at one of its centres in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

    “We have credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd – armed and affiliated with Hamas – deliberately fomented the unrest,” GHF said in a statement.

    There has been no immediate comment from Hamas.

    Palestinian heath officials told Reuters 21 people had died of suffocation at the site. One medic said lots of people had been crammed into a small space and had been crushed.

    On Tuesday, the U.N. rights office in Geneva said it had recorded at least 875 killings within the past six weeks in the vicinity of aid sites and food convoys in Gaza – the majority of them close to GHF distribution points.

    Most of those deaths were caused by gunfire that locals have blamed on the Israeli military. The military has acknowledged that Palestinian civilians were harmed near aid distribution centres, saying that Israeli forces had been issued new instructions with “lessons learned”.

    The GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics companies to get supplies into Gaza, largely bypassing a U.N.-led system that Israel alleges has let Hamas-led militants loot aid shipments intended for civilians. Hamas denies the accusation.

    The U.N. has called the GHF’s model unsafe and a breach of humanitarian impartiality standards – an allegation GHF has denied.

    Amjad Al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGOs Network, accused the GHF on Wednesday of gross mismanagement, saying its lack of crowd control and failure to uphold humanitarian principles had led to chaos and death among desperate civilians.

    “People who flock in their thousands (to GHF sites) are hungry and exhausted, and they get squeezed into narrow places, amid shortages of aid and the absence of organization and discipline by the GHF,” he told Reuters.

    The war in Gaza, triggered in October 2023 by a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, has devastated large swathes of the coastal enclave, displaced almost all of the territory’s population and led to widespread hunger and privation.

    ISRAELI ARMY ROAD

    Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military said it had finished paving a new road in southern Gaza separating several towns east of Khan Younis from the rest of the territory in an effort to disrupt Hamas operations.

    Palestinians see the road, which extends Israeli control, as a way to pressure on Hamas in ongoing ceasefire talks, which started on July 6 and are being brokered by Arab mediators Egypt and Qatar with the backing of the United States.

    Palestinian sources close to the negotiations said a breakthrough had not yet been reached on any of the main issues under discussion.

    Hamas said Israel wanted to keep at least 40% of the Gaza Strip under its control as part of any deal, which the group rejected. Hamas has also demanded the dismantlement of the GHF and the reinstatement of a U.N.-led aid delivery mechanism.

    Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said the road showed Israel was not serious about reaching a ceasefire deal.

    “It confirms the occupation’s long-term intentions and plans to remain inside the Strip, not to withdraw, and not to end the war. This contradicts everything it claims at the negotiating table or communicates to mediators,” Naim said in a post on his Facebook page.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the war will end once Hamas is disarmed and removed from Gaza.

    Gaza local health authorities said Israeli military strikes have killed at least 17 people across the enclave on Wednesday.

    Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

    Almost 1,650 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed as a result of the conflict, including 1,200 killed in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. An estimated 50 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza, including 28 hostages who have been declared dead and whose bodies are being withheld.

    (Reuters)

  • India’s EV sales projected to cross 7% market share by FY28: CareEdge report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s electric car sales are projected to cross a 7 per cent market share by FY28, provided supply chain challenges around rare earth elements (REEs) are addressed in time, according to a new report released on Wednesday.

    The report by CareEdge Advisory highlighted that India’s electric car market has witnessed robust growth over the past three years, expanding from just over 5,000 units in FY21 to more than 1.07 lakh units in FY25 — a 21-fold increase.

    While electric four-wheelers currently form a small part of India’s overall EV sales — which are led by two- and three-wheelers — the segment is expected to see rapid expansion in the coming years, driven by fresh model launches, strengthening public policy support and growing private sector participation.

    The Indian government has set a target of achieving 30 per cent EV penetration by FY30 and is rolling out multiple initiatives to boost adoption.

    Schemes such as FAME III, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for advanced chemistry cell (ACC) batteries, and customs duty exemptions for critical battery minerals are expected to lower production costs and enhance domestic supply chains.

    “India’s electric car sales penetration is likely to cross 7 per cent by FY28, provided rare earth disruption is resolved in a timely manner. With a robust pipeline of new models, expanding charging infrastructure and battery localisation under the PLI scheme, India is well-positioned to accelerate EV adoption,” said Tanvi Shah, Senior Director and Head, CareEdge Advisory & Research.

    The report underlined that charging infrastructure, historically seen as a major hurdle in EV adoption, is witnessing rapid expansion.

    The number of Public EV Charging Stations (EVPCS) in India has grown nearly fivefold in the past three years, from 5,151 in 2022 to over 26,000 by early FY25 — recording a compound annual growth rate of more than 72 per cent.

    The FAME III scheme includes dedicated support for charging infrastructure, while states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat have introduced targeted incentives, including land subsidies and capital expenditure support for setting up new stations.

    Urban local bodies are also implementing policies mandating EV-ready parking in new residential and commercial buildings, aiming to reduce range anxiety for potential buyers.

    Private charge point operators are expanding networks rapidly, often in partnership with local municipal corporations and power distribution companies. Efforts are also underway to standardise charging protocols to ensure interoperability and ease of use for consumers.

    In addition, the Union Budget for FY26 introduced zero basic customs duty on 16 key minerals used in battery manufacturing. This is expected to reduce India’s reliance on imports and lower production costs.

    CareEdge estimates that India’s dependence on lithium-ion cell imports could drop to 20 per cent by FY27, compared to nearly 100 per cent in FY22, supported by new investments in integrated battery manufacturing facilities.

    The report comes as global EV leader Tesla begins its operations in India, signalling further momentum for the country’s electric mobility landscape.

    (IANS)

  • India’s EV sales projected to cross 7% market share by FY28: CareEdge report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s electric car sales are projected to cross a 7 per cent market share by FY28, provided supply chain challenges around rare earth elements (REEs) are addressed in time, according to a new report released on Wednesday.

    The report by CareEdge Advisory highlighted that India’s electric car market has witnessed robust growth over the past three years, expanding from just over 5,000 units in FY21 to more than 1.07 lakh units in FY25 — a 21-fold increase.

    While electric four-wheelers currently form a small part of India’s overall EV sales — which are led by two- and three-wheelers — the segment is expected to see rapid expansion in the coming years, driven by fresh model launches, strengthening public policy support and growing private sector participation.

    The Indian government has set a target of achieving 30 per cent EV penetration by FY30 and is rolling out multiple initiatives to boost adoption.

    Schemes such as FAME III, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for advanced chemistry cell (ACC) batteries, and customs duty exemptions for critical battery minerals are expected to lower production costs and enhance domestic supply chains.

    “India’s electric car sales penetration is likely to cross 7 per cent by FY28, provided rare earth disruption is resolved in a timely manner. With a robust pipeline of new models, expanding charging infrastructure and battery localisation under the PLI scheme, India is well-positioned to accelerate EV adoption,” said Tanvi Shah, Senior Director and Head, CareEdge Advisory & Research.

    The report underlined that charging infrastructure, historically seen as a major hurdle in EV adoption, is witnessing rapid expansion.

    The number of Public EV Charging Stations (EVPCS) in India has grown nearly fivefold in the past three years, from 5,151 in 2022 to over 26,000 by early FY25 — recording a compound annual growth rate of more than 72 per cent.

    The FAME III scheme includes dedicated support for charging infrastructure, while states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat have introduced targeted incentives, including land subsidies and capital expenditure support for setting up new stations.

    Urban local bodies are also implementing policies mandating EV-ready parking in new residential and commercial buildings, aiming to reduce range anxiety for potential buyers.

    Private charge point operators are expanding networks rapidly, often in partnership with local municipal corporations and power distribution companies. Efforts are also underway to standardise charging protocols to ensure interoperability and ease of use for consumers.

    In addition, the Union Budget for FY26 introduced zero basic customs duty on 16 key minerals used in battery manufacturing. This is expected to reduce India’s reliance on imports and lower production costs.

    CareEdge estimates that India’s dependence on lithium-ion cell imports could drop to 20 per cent by FY27, compared to nearly 100 per cent in FY22, supported by new investments in integrated battery manufacturing facilities.

    The report comes as global EV leader Tesla begins its operations in India, signalling further momentum for the country’s electric mobility landscape.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NUKES: Funding for military gimmicks insult to the people of Scotland say Greens

    Source: Scottish Greens

    16 Jul 2025 External Affairs

    More in External Affairs

    A new £250 million investment from the UK Government into the Faslane nuclear weapons base is an ‘insult’ to local families in poverty, says the area’s Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer.

    The United Kingdom’s nuclear weapons are housed on the River Clyde at HMNB Clyde, encompassing the Faslane and Coulport sites only 20 miles from Glasgow.

    In recent years, the cost for these weapons of mass slaughter has skyrocketed, with a report in 2023 uncovering “costs increased by £38.2 billion to £99.5 billion” a 62% increase for the Defence Nuclear Organisation.

    UK Labour Ministers Ian Murray and Maria Eagle will visit HMNB Clyde (Faslane) today to announce the funding for new nuclear infrastructure at the same time as their Government refused to lift thousands of children out of poverty by scrapping the Tories’ cruel two-child benefit cap and its associated ‘rape clause’.

    Reacting to the visit Scottish Greens MSP for West Scotland, Ross Greer said:

    “Pouring hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money into military gimmicks won’t make us any safer. It will only take money away from the urgent work needed to lift children out of poverty and tackle the climate emergency. The only winners here are the arms companies who will make a fortune.

    “The UK Government continues to use Scotland as a dumping ground for their weapons of mass slaughter. This new funding isn’t going to reduce the risk of living near Faslane nor the totally unacceptable risk of transporting nuclear and explosive materials by road through Scotland’s towns and cities.

    “Even if these weapons had no cost implications, they would still be totally immoral and a huge risk to the people of Scotland. There can never be justification for weapons which are only capable of indiscriminate mass killing. The terrible legacy of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is all the warning we need from history in that regard.

    “Our communities in the West of Scotland need sustainable, safe jobs and a decent safety net in the social security system. This money could have been used for that, but instead it will go straight to some of the world’s biggest arms manufacturers.

    “Faslane could be a conventional naval base, meeting our defensive needs on the west coast for a fraction of the cost of this nuclear arsenal, with the rest of that money used to make this a fairer and greener country. But yet again, it will instead be thrown into the bottomless pit of money that is the Trident nuclear weapon programme.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russia rejects Trump’s ultimatum on Ukraine

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

    Russia on Tuesday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50-day ultimatum to agree to an Ukraine ceasefire, dismissing the threat of “severe tariffs” as unacceptable.

    Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Moscow favors a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict and is ready to negotiate.

    “However, if this is not met with a proper response, if we cannot reach our set goals through diplomacy, then the special military operation will go on,” he continued.

    He said Moscow’s position is unshakable. “We expect Washington and NATO to take this seriously.”

    Trump on Tuesday denied earlier allegations that he encouraged Kiev to strike deep into Russian territory, saying that he isn’t taking sides in the conflict and advised Ukraine “shouldn’t target Moscow” with long-range weapons.

    Just one day before the clarification, Trump said at the Oval Office that the United States will send weapons to Ukraine through NATO, and threatened “severe tariffs” targeting Russia if a ceasefire deal is not reached in 50 days.

    He said some of the first Patriot missile systems could arrive in Ukraine “within days.”

    The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the weapon deliveries as evidence that NATO countries are not interested in peace.

    U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Trump’s reference to 100 percent secondary tariffs meant “economic sanctions.”

    Meanwhile, Ukraine’s parliament on Tuesday voted to extend the country’s wartime status and military mobilization for another 90 days, through Nov. 5. Lawmakers also approved a temporary withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, an international treaty that prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Atos awarded Golden Certificate by SAP as Global Operations Partner

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Global News

    20 years of trusted partnership: Atos awarded Golden Certificate by SAP as Global Operations Partner

    Atos is the second SAP Global Operations Partner to date to receive the Golden Certificate

    Paris, France, July 16, 2025 – Atos proudly announces that it has received the Golden Certificate from SAP and is thus certified for the 10th time in a row as SAP® Global Operations Partner. This exemplifies the enduring partnership between Atos and SAP in providing managed services to our clients, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality, scope, and global availability. Additionally, Atos has achieved the distinction of being only the second SAP Global Operations Partner to receive the prestigious golden certificate recognizing this significant milestone.

    With more than 10,000 SAP experts worldwide, Atos is a SAP Platinum Partner and has strong expertise and flexible global delivery capabilities. Through its longstanding alliance with SAP, deep industry insights and an extensive partner network, Atos goes beyond technology to meet the needs of customers, employees and business. Since 2004 Atos has always certified all critical global operations service areas. Recently Atos has globally re-newed its certification in five core business areas:

    • Global SAP S/4HANA® solutions operations and works with RISE with SAP
    • Global SAP SuccessFactors® solutions operations
    • Global SAP HANA® operations and works with RISE with SAP
    • Global SAP BTP operations and works with RISE with SAP
    • Global DevOps

    As part of SAP’s audits, four local Atos entities are recognized as SAP Operations Partners holding various SAP operations certifications: India, United States, Germany and Poland. Visit the SAP Operations Partner Guide for details on our local SAP Operations Partner certifications.

    “This certification reflects our dedication to our long and trusted partnership with SAP. Our experts at Atos constantly work hard to both exceed the expectations of our customers as well as further strengthen our partnership with SAP to deliver the best possible outcome. It makes me proud to continue this long-standing partnership”, says Chetan Manjarekar, Atos Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Smart Platforms & Transformation.

    Stefan Kallweit, Partner Engagement Expert at SAP, adds: “We are proud to count Atos among our longstanding global partners, part of a select group of certified organizations that meet our highest standards across all regions. Atos earns our trust especially by their broad expertise across multiple SAP products and their integration.”

    Atos SAP services and accelerators empower organizations to unleash the full potential of SAP Business Suite. By integrating best-in-class SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP applications, data, and AI solutions we enhance decision-making, improve efficiency, drive innovation and fuel growth. We support our customers end-to-end—guiding them from initial strategy and implementation through ongoing service innovation and management —helping them navigate the complexities of modern business with ease and confidence.

    ***

    About Atos Group

    Atos Group is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 72,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion, operating in 68 countries under two brands — Atos for services and Eviden for products. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, Atos Group is committed to a secure and decarbonized future and provides tailored AI-powered, end-to-end solutions for all industries. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

    The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

    Press contact

    Laurent Massicot | laurent.massicot@atos.net | +33 (0)7.69.48.01.80

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister Burke introduces an amended audit exemption regime for small and micro companies

    Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

    16th July 2025

    The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, has today announced the commencement of Section 22 of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024.

    This provides for a change to the current audit exemption regime, whereby small and micro sized companies will not, in future, automatically lose the privilege of audit exemption on a first occasion, in a five-year period, of late filing of an annual return with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).

    Minister Burke said:

    “I am pleased to sign the Commencement Order, putting in place an amended audit exemption regime for those small and micro sized companies that are late filing annual returns with the CRO. For the minority of small businesses that do not file on time, the loss of audit exemption can have a disproportionate impact due to the significant costs associated with providing two years of audited financial statements.  This new regime will ease the burden on small companies, reducing paperwork and regulatory obligations on our SME sector while bearing in mind the importance of timely filing of annual returns with the CRO”

    Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth added:

    “Timely filing of annual returns is a key aspect of company law and access to company information is important for a whole range of stakeholders. It is important to emphasise that companies will still be subject to late filing fees if annual returns are not filed on time with the CRO.  I would encourage all companies and their advisors to ensure that they are in a position to file in accordance with statutory filing deadlines.”

    Notes for Editors

    Section 22 replaces section 363 of the Companies Act 2014 (whereby a company loses its audit exemption on the first occasion of its failure to deliver an annual return) with an updated regime as follows: 

    • provides that a company that qualifies as a small company will not be entitled to an audit exemption for the following two years where it fails to deliver its annual return and has previously failed to file an annual return in any of the previous five financial years 
    • further provides that a company’s first annual return or previous failure to file an annual return before the commencement of the provision (as the company has already lost its audit exemption) shall not be considered a previous failure.

    This approach being introduced retains late filing fees in all cases but does not penalise small businesses further with the loss of audit exemption where a once-off late filing may arise in any five-year period. 

    The remaining provisions of the 2024 Act relate to a variety of administrative and filing matters relating to the CRO and will be commenced later in 2025. 

    ENDS

    For further information please contact Press Office, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, press.office@enterprise.gov.ie or (01) 631-2200

    Back to Department News

    Back to Top

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Adult Education Service recognised with prestigious award for inclusion

    Source: City of Coventry

    Coventry City Council is proud to announce that its Adult Education Service has been recognised as a winner at this year’s prestigious West Midlands Adult Learner Awards.

    The Service was named Inclusive Learning Provider of the Year, acknowledging its steadfast commitment to ensuring that learning opportunities in Coventry are accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstances.

    This award also recognises learning providers who go above and beyond to create inclusive, empowering, and transformative learning environments; well beyond what is legally required.

    Coventry’s programmes are tailored to meet the diverse needs of adult learners, including those with learning difficulties and disabilities. The comprehensive learning offer provides flexible, accessible, and community-based courses, equipping learners not just with qualifications, but with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to thrive.

    Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Coventry City Council said: “I am so proud of the Adult Education Service and of all those who contribute to making lifelong learning a reality in Coventry.

    “These awards reflect not only the hard work and vision of our staff and partners, but also the determination of our learners. This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue building inclusive, inspiring, and successful learning experiences for everyone in our city.”

    In addition to this remarkable achievement, the Council is delighted to share that two further nominations from Coventry received high commendation:

    • Inspiring Learner Achievement: Lilia Baleva, for her dedication and success in adult learning.
    • Successful Partnership: for the collaborative work between Coventry Adult Education and DHL eCommerce UK to develop workforce learning and development initiatives.

    These honours were celebrated at a special awards ceremony held on Tuesday 8 July in central Birmingham, where educators, learners, and partners from across the region gathered to recognise excellence in adult education.

    Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The Adult Learning Awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our adult learning champions and show that there is a wealth of talent and enormous potential in the region.

    “It’s an important opportunity to recognise the role played by employers and supporting organisations to help residents improve their employment prospects, whether through apprenticeships, skills bootcamps, or other innovative programmes.

    “These awards showcase the incredible work already changing people’s lives. Congratulations to the winners, highly commended and everyone who has been involved for sharing your inspirational experience and journeys.”  

    Watch the Inclusive Learner Awards video

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft implements natural solutions in production

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Specialists from the environmental protection service of the Novokuibyshevsk Petrochemical Company (part of Rosneft) are implementing a unique environmental project. For the first time, the company’s wastewater treatment facilities will use water hyacinths (eichornia) to bio-purify wastewater.

    The phytofiltration technology at the wastewater post-treatment unit is used by several Rosneft enterprises in the Samara region. The pioneer of implementation was the Kuibyshev Oil Refinery, where not only water hyacinths, but also pancratium and calamus help to achieve a high degree of wastewater disinfection. Eichhornia seedlings have proven themselves well at the treatment facilities of the Syzran and Novokuibyshevsk Oil Refineries.

    Eichhornia is not just a beautiful ornamental plant. Its powerful root system works as a highly effective natural filter. The roots absorb any bacteriological contaminants, suspended matter, phosphorus, nitrogen and other chemical compounds from the water, providing a high degree of disinfection and bringing the quality of purified water closer to natural reservoirs. It is important that the plant is effective precisely in the warm period of the year, when bacteria are most active and the risk of contamination increases.

    During the flowering period, the Eichhornia produces blue inflorescences, turning the water surface into a flower garden. The use of plants in the process of additional wastewater treatment is an example of the implementation of environmental solutions with proven economic and environmental efficiency.

    Department of Information and AdvertisingPJSC NK RosneftJuly 16, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: PS Turnbull to Make a Forestry Announcement

    Source: Government of Canada News

    WHITBY — Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), will make a forestry announcement on behalf of the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. Media availability will follow. 

    Date: July 17, 2025

    Time: 1 p.m. ET  

    All accredited media are asked to pre-register by emailing media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca. Details on how to participate will be provided upon registration.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS visits Heilongjiang

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki met local officials and attended activities relating to the Strive & Rise Programme during a visit to Harbin, Heilongjiang, yesterday and today.

    Yesterday, Mr Chan met CPC Heilongjiang Provincial Committee Secretary Xu Qin to exchange views on deepening co-operation between Hong Kong and Heilongjiang.

    Highlighting that the two places entered into various pacts at the Heilongjiang-Hong Kong Investment Cooperation Conference, held in Hong Kong in March, Mr Chan said Hong Kong-Heilongjiang exchanges have reached an unprecedented level.

    Stressing that Hong Kong possesses unique advantages under “one country, two systems” and offers a favourable business environment, Mr Chan said he eagerly looks forward to Hong Kong-Heilongjiang ties making greater contributions to the country.

    Afterwards, Mr Chan attended the launch ceremony of the Hong Kong Patriotic Education Heilongjiang Study Tour, which is part of the Strive & Rise Programme. He encouraged participants to make the most of the study tour to deepen their understanding of the country and to use it to help them set goals for the future.

    This morning, the Chief Secretary and members of the study tour visited the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army. He expressed hope that the youths, through learning about the unit’s crimes, would gain a fuller understanding of the hardships encountered in the country’s development and build a firmer patriotic sentiment.

    This afternoon, Mr Chan met CPC Harbin Municipal Committee Secretary Yu Hongtao to exchange views on strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and Harbin.

    Highlighting that Harbin has been one of the Mainland cities included in the Individual Visit Scheme since last May, and that direct flights between Hong Kong and Harbin have been launched, the Chief Secretary said he hopes the two cities can work together to develop more co-operation opportunities. He added that he anticipates more young people from Hong Kong will visit Harbin, thereby enhancing their sense of national identity and pride.

    Mr Chan returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Liquid Intelligent Technologies and DropByDrop partner to drive smart water management across Kenya

    Source: APO

    Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) (www.Liquid.Tech), a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has announced a strategic partnership with DropByDrop Water Systems (DropByDrop), a global provider of smart water technologies. This collaboration, which combines Liquid’s extensive network and tailored technology solutions with DropByDrop’s cloud-based water management platform, will deliver smart water solutions to resolve non-revenue water challenges in the country.

    “Water scarcity is a growing challenge across the continent, and managing this precious resource efficiently is more important than ever. Through our partnership with DropByDrop, we’re bringing Liquid’s advanced technology and data-driven solutions to Kenya’s water sector. By helping providers digitise their infrastructure and build smart water ecosystems, we’re empowering them to serve their communities better,” said Neeraj Pradhan, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Kenya.  

    Addressing non-revenue water challenges is a key focus of this partnership, with reports (http://apo-opa.co/4lzAoaX) indicating that approximately 47% of the water released for distribution in Kenya remains unaccounted for. By reducing these losses through improved leak detection, accurate metering, and real-time monitoring, water utilities can boost revenue collection and unlock greater funding opportunities for water infrastructure development.

    Furthermore, smart water solutions play a crucial role in advancing broader societal and environmental objectives. The data generated supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, demonstrates progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and enables informed planning for urban development and infrastructure expansion.

    Liquid’s existing Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure integrates with DropByDrop’s platform to provide reliable, efficient water delivery based on real-time data. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) integration enables remote monitoring and control, while geo-asset management ensures that infrastructure is well-maintained. Additionally, remote valve control allows for quick shut-offs or adjustments. The platform’s multilingual design and compatibility with various networks mean more people benefit from accurate billing, usage monitoring, and leak detection alerts.

    “Water is at the heart of life, yet millions still struggle to access it reliably. At DropByDrop, our mission is to harness the power of data and technology to make every drop count. Leveraging Liquid’s extensive infrastructure enables us to scale our advanced water management platform in Kenya. Together, we’re creating a future where water is managed sustainably, equitably, and intelligently,” said Sergey Khorolsky, International Projects Partner of DropByDrop.

    Liquid’s collaboration with DropByDrop underscores the critical role technology plays in addressing everyday challenges. Bringing innovative digital solutions to water management not only enhances service stability but also ensures that users have reliable, data-powered access to this essential resource, while reducing non-revenue water wastage. It also reflects Liquid’s commitment to delivering end-to-end technology solutions that support Africa’s digital transformation journey.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

    About Liquid Intelligent Technologies:
    Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a business of Cassava Technologies (Cassava), a technology company of African heritage with operations in 40-plus markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where the Cassava group companies operate. Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure with a 110,000 km-long fibre broadband network and satellite connectivity that provides high-speed access to the Internet anywhere in Africa. Liquid is also leveraging its digital network to provide Cloud and Cyber Security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players. Liquid is a comprehensive technology solutions group that provides customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across the continent.

    For more information, visit https://www.Liquid.Tech/.  

    About DropByDrop Water Systems:
    DropByDrop (DBD) is Hardware Vendor Neutral, Multi-protocol Compatible, Cloud-based Smart Water Management Internet of Things (IoT) Platform with Intelligent Billing, Alerts and Geo-Asset Management, SCADA integration and Big Data Analytics capabilities.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Lessons from high inflation: tighter monetary policy, two new forecasting models and an open CNB

    Source: Czech National Bank

    High inflation must not be allowed to recur. Thanks to tight monetary policy, open communication and a strong koruna policy, the Czech National Bank (CNB) succeeded in taming double-digit inflation in 2022–2023 and returning it to the 2% target. It then undertook a monetary policy review to make itself better prepared for similar situations in the future. The CNB is now offering an inside look at the discussions behind the change in its approach to preparing key materials for the Bank Board’s monetary policy decision-making, the development of two new forecasting models and the strengthening of its research capacity. It has published on its website the Proceedings of the Czech National Bank Workshop on Monetary Policy: Inflation Targeting Frameworks Under Review, featuring a foreword by CNB Governor Aleš Michl.

    Three years ago, in July 2022, inflation in the Czech Republic stood at 17.5%. The CNB’s forecasting model at the time was recommending further rate hikes above the then level of 7%, but the Bank Board, under the leadership of Governor Aleš Michl, opted for a different strategy. It decided to keep interest rates unchanged until it was confident that inflation was on track to return to the target, and communicated this intention openly to the public and markets. It also supported a strong koruna policy.

    This approach resulted in the strongest exchange rate of the koruna against the euro in history and the tightest monetary conditions in 20 years in spring 2023. Inflation dropped sharply to near the 2% target in January 2024. The average inflation rate for 2024 as a whole was 2.4%, the lowest since 2018.

    The CNB has now published the proceedings of the international Czech National Bank Workshop on Monetary Policy: Inflation Targeting Frameworks Under Review. This concludes the first phase of the external review of its monetary policy analytical and modelling framework. The Bank Board initiated this review in response to the turbulent inflation episode of 2022–2023.

    In his foreword to the proceedings, Governor Aleš Michl presents the rationale behind the decision to openly review the CNB’s monetary policy analytical framework and summarises the Bank’s approach to tackling inflation. He provides a detailed account of the Bank Board’s strategy during the period when inflation neared 18%, noting that traditional macroeconomic models underestimated the impact of global shocks and often failed to forecast inflation accurately. For the first time in its history, the CNB commissioned three independent external reviews of its modelling framework. These focused on the forecasting performance of the core model, its suitability as a sole forecasting tool, and the interaction between monetary and fiscal policy. According to the Governor, a central bank must be able to learn from the past and adapt its tools to a new reality in which the economy is affected by unexpected and difficult-to-model factors. The review of the modelling framework is therefore a key step towards ensuring future price stability.

    Based on the recommendations of the review teams, the CNB has decided to expand its modelling framework. It will develop two new alternative models to complement its existing tools, enabling the Bank to better manage forecast uncertainty and respond to hard-to-predict economic shocks. This aligns with the practice of many other central banks which routinely use multiple forecasting models. The first components are expected to be ready for internal testing in late 2025 and early 2026, with development of the new models continuing throughout 2026.

    The reviewers also recommended strengthening the CNB’s research and data analytics capabilities. On 1 January 2025, the CNB established a new Research and Statistics Department, replacing the former Statistics and Data Support Department. An important task for the new department is to develop alternative macroeconomic models. It will also focus on enhancing the CNB’s data infrastructure and expanding the role of research beyond model development.

    The final versions of all the external evaluations were published on the CNB website in November 2024. In April 2025, the CNB presented these evaluations in detail, along with the conclusions of the first phase of the monetary policy review, at the international Czech National Bank Workshop on Monetary Policy: Inflation Targeting Frameworks Under Review. The outputs of this conference are now available in the Proceedings of the Czech National Bank Workshop on Monetary Policy: Inflation Targeting Frameworks Under Review. In addition to contributions from domestic and international experts – including the former head of the BIS Monetary and Economic Department Claudio Borio and ESCB Monetary Policy Committee Chair Óscar Arce – the publication features a foreword by CNB Governor Aleš Michl summarising the CNB’s approach to monetary policy during the period of elevated inflation and the steps it took to bring inflation down.

    Jakub Holas
    Director, CNB Communications Division

    Related links

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Special Report: Kazakhstan Supercomputer Is the Largest Computing Cluster in Central Asia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    ALMATY, July 16 (Xinhua) — Kazakhstan’s first national supercomputer was officially launched in Astana in July 2025, an ambitious project that aims to make the country a regional leader in high technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital sovereignty.

    The idea of creating a supercomputer was born in early 2024. On February 12, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, the Samruk-Kazyna National Fund and the Emirati company Presight AI signed a strategic cooperation agreement.

    The project was initiated as part of the digital agenda of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

    According to the agreement, the project is being implemented in two stages. The first stage involved the integration of new computing capacities into the existing digital infrastructure of Kazakhstan, including the e-government platform eGov.

    The second phase involves the construction of a Tier III data center and the deployment of a supercomputer cluster based on the latest NVIDIA H200 graphics processors.

    In terms of technical characteristics, the Kazakh supercomputer is the largest in the region: it is capable of providing performance of up to 2 exaflops using the FP8 calculation method. This allows processing colossal amounts of information, providing a computing base for scientific research, AI development, modeling and data processing in real time.

    On May 19, 2025, the supercomputer cluster arrived in Kazakhstan and was placed in a data center with the participation of Presight AI.

    The official launch of the system took place on July 9, 2025, as part of a ceremonial event at the Alemcloud National Supercomputer Center in Astana. The event was attended by President K.-Zh. Tokayev, who emphasized that the supercomputer will allow Kazakhstan to achieve significant progress in the development of digital technologies.

    Access to high-performance computing will be given to startups developing neural network solutions, universities, research centers, as well as public and private companies.

    “The power of a supercomputer is like the entire world population, 8 billion people, doing mathematical calculations every second, but it would take them more than 4 days to do what a supercomputer does in a second,” said Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digitalization and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, on the day the system was launched.

    The project pursues strategic goals. Firstly, it strengthens the country’s digital sovereignty by reducing dependence on foreign cloud solution providers.

    Secondly, it creates conditions for the development of the domestic IT ecosystem: universities, research centers, public and private companies gain access to powerful computing resources.

    Thirdly, this is an important step towards the formation of a full-fledged infrastructure for the development and implementation of AI-based solutions – from city management systems to working with large language models.

    Thus, the launch of the national supercomputer has become not just a technological achievement, but also an important element of Kazakhstan’s new digital strategy. The country is demonstrating its readiness to take an active position on the high-tech map of Eurasia by investing in the infrastructure that determines the future. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Holy Mass in the Chapel of the Castel Gandolfo Carabinieri Station

    Source: The Holy See

    At 9.00 this morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass in the Chapel of the Castel Gandolfo Carabinieri Station.
    At the end of Mass, the Holy Father visited the Monastery of the Poor Clares in Albano, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
    The following is the homily delivered by the Pope during the Eucharistic Celebration, after the proclamation of the Gospel:
     
    Homily of the Holy Father
    Dear brothers and sisters,
    The Gospel we have heard gives us the authentic Christian meaning of these two words. Brother and sister are names of relation, which we repeat often in the liturgy as a greeting, as a sign of closeness and affection. Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, explains their meaning in relation to himself and to his Father, revealing a bond stronger than blood, since it involves all of us, uniting every man and every woman. Indeed, we are all truly brothers and sisters of Jesus when we do God’s will, that is, when we live loving each other,as God has loved us.
    Every relationship that God lives, in himself and for us, thus becomes a gift: when his only Son becomes our brother, his Father beomes our Father, and the Holy Spirit, which joins the Father and the Son, comes to dwell in our hearts. God’s love is so great that Jesus does not keep even his mother for himself, giving Mary to us as our mother, in the hour of the cross (cf. Jn 19:27). Only those who live by such full dedication can affirm: “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother” ( Mt 12:50). In particular, these words let us understand that Mary becomes the mother of Jesus because she listens to the word of God with love; she welcomes it into her own heart and lives it faithfully. Commenting the Gospel passage recalled just now, Saint Augustine therefore wrote that “Mary … is blessed, because she heard the word of God and kept it” ( Sermon 72/A, 7). The meaning of Mary’s life is enshrined in her faithfulness to the Word she received from God: the Word of life she received, carried in her womb and gave to the world.
    Dear friends, the 75 th anniversary of the proclamation of the faithful Virgin, the Virgo fidelis , as Patroness of the Carabinieri Corps, was recently celebrated. Right here in Castel Gandolfo, in 1949 my venerable predecessor Pope Pius XII accepted this beautiful proposal from the general Command of the Corps. After the tragedy of the war, in a period of moral and material reconstruction, Mary’s fidelity to God thus became a model of the fidelity of every Carabiniere towards his homeland and the Italian people. This virtue expresses the devotion, purity, and constancy in commitment to the common good which the Carabinieri protect by guaranteeing public safety and defending the rights of all, especially those in dangerous conditions.
    I therefore wish to express deep gratitude for the noble and demanding service that the Corps provides to Italy and her citizens, as well as to the Holy See and the faithful who visit Rome: I think in particular of the many pilgrims in this Jubilee year.
    Devotion to the faithful Virgin also reflects the motto of the Carabinieri, Nei secoli fedele – faithful throughout the centuries – expressing the sense of duty and abnegation of every member of the Corps, to the point of self-sacrifice. I therefore thank the authorities present, both civil and military, for what you do in the fulfilment of your duties: in the face of injustice, which harms the social order, you do not give in to the termptation of thinking that evil may prevail. Especially in this time of wars and violence, you remain faithful to your oath: as servants of the State, you respond to crime with the force of the law and with honesty. This is how the Carabinieri Corps, the Benemerita , will always be worthy of the respect of the Italian people.
    In this Eucharist, as we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord, it is right and dutiful to remember the Carabinieri who have given their lives in the course of duty: I offer as an example to you the venerable Salvo D’Acquisto, awarded the gold medal for military valour, whose cause for beatification is underway. In every mission, may the Virgo fidelis accompany you, watching lovingly over each one of you, your families and your work.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [MARLOWE PLC – 15 07 2025] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 MARLOWE PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 15 JULY 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 NO

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 50p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 3,013,053 3.8372    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 3,013,053 3.8372    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    50p ORDINARY SALE 1,415 438.923p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 16 JULY 2025
    Contact name: PHIL HULME
    Telephone number: 01253 376551

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [MARLOWE PLC – 15 07 2025] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 MARLOWE PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 15 JULY 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 NO

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 50p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 3,013,053 3.8372    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 3,013,053 3.8372    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    50p ORDINARY SALE 1,415 438.923p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 16 JULY 2025
    Contact name: PHIL HULME
    Telephone number: 01253 376551

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HTX Rolls Out Multi-Layered Incentives to Welcome Users Into the Next Frontier in the Golden Age of Stablecoins

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PANAMA CITY, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange is launching a series of stablecoin-focused campaigns to accelerate user onboarding and expand stablecoin adoption across its platform, positioning itself at the forefront of a structural evolution in the crypto economy. This move comes as global financial institutions like Mastercard and Morgan Stanley rapidly enter the stablecoin market, following the implementation of Hong Kong’s Stablecoins Bill and the U.S. GENIUS Act. These initiatives aim to leverage favorable global regulatory trends and offer a comprehensive range of rewards, from airdrops to trading bonuses.

    Campaign 1: New Users Exclusive — Draw up to 200 USDT Instantly after Signup

    From July 7, 16:00 to July 24, 15:59 (UTC), new users who register on HTX will receive a free lucky draw chance to win up to 200 USDT. Completing additional tasks, such as initial deposit, spot trade, or futures trade, can unlock further rewards for each new user, totaling up to 700 USDT. Daily spot and futures trading challenges provide even more bonuses. Moreover, completing the exclusive limited-time challenges can net up to 600 USDT.

    *Event details: https://www.htx.com/en-us/welfare/

    Campaign 2: Refer Friends and Share a $100,000 Stablecoin Prize Pool

    Between July 9, 10:00 and July 20, 10:00 (UTC), invite friends to register and trade on HTX, both inviters and their invitees will earn rewards in USD1, USDC, USDT, and more. The more friends you refer, the more you can earn! Upon successful signup and login by your invitee, you’ll receive a Mystery Box worth up to 20 USDT. If your invitee reaches a qualifying trading volume, you’ll snap three additional Mystery Boxes, and your friend will unlock two more. Each box contains rewards worth up to 1,500 USDT. Additionally, you can earn up to a 20% boost on your referral bonus by inviting a certain number of valid invitees, i.e. new users who sign up on HTX using your referral link and reach a cumulative trading volume of ≥10 USDT on designated USD1, USDT, USDC pairs during the event. Each inviter can get up to 600 USDT from the $50,000 prize pool.

    *Event details: https://www.htx.com/support/25006291608056

    Campaign 3: Trade Spot USD Stablecoins and Share $100,000 in Rewards

    From July 10, 10:00 to July 24, 10:00 (UTC), trade eligible stablecoin pairs including BTC/USD1, ETH/USD1, and BTC/USDT to claim your share of a $100,000 prize pool. New users completing trading tasks can win up to 5,000 USDT in token airdrops and Cashback Vouchers. Deposit USD1 to HTX from external wallets and split a $5,000 reward pool based on net deposit volume. In addition, trade specified stablecoin pairs and join the leaderboard for a chance to win up to 12,000 USDT. There is a noteworthy chance to win a Xiaomi YU7 SUV by joining the team trading contest.

    *Event details: https://www.htx.com/support/75006190718889

    As global stablecoin regulations begin to crystallize, these assets are becoming the primary bridge between traditional finance and the decentralized future. HTX is aligning with this macro trend by launching a diversified suite of user incentives designed to lower the entry barrier and enhance capital efficiency across its stablecoin ecosystem.

    Looking ahead, HTX remains committed to compliance-driven innovation and product development. By offering a secure, seamless, and regulated trading environment, the platform aims to empower more users to unlock the full potential of decentralized finance.

    About HTX

    Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

    As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

    To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord. For further inquiries, please contact glo-media@htx-inc.com.

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by HTX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/153a3609-b8ef-4dae-97f9-070912172f1b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aurora Mobile’s GPTBots.ai Poised for Expansion with Nvidia H20 Chip Sales Resumption in China

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, is set to benefit from the recent announcement by Nvidia regarding the resumption of H20 chip sales in China. This development comes at a crucial time for Aurora Mobile’s AI agent platform, GPTBots.ai, which is experiencing rapid growth in the global market.

    The Significance of Nvidia H20 Chips
    Nvidia’s H20 chips are well-known for their prowess in AI inference tasks. With a computing performance of 148 TFLOPS@FP16 and 900 gb/s of interconnect bandwidth, these chips offer a competitive edge in the software ecosystem and interconnect capabilities. The H20 chip is currently the most powerful inference accelerator that can be legally exported to China under the existing US regulations. It is optimized for running existing AI models, which is of great relevance to GPTBots.ai’s operations.

    GPTBots.ai: A Growing Force in the AI Space
    GPTBots.ai has been making a strong impact in the technology sector with its end-to-end business platform. It allows businesses to connect AI bots with their enterprise data, services, and workflows. The platform offers a wide range of services, such as text to speech conversion, quote generation, and grammar checking. GPTBots.ai has already demonstrated its value across multiple industries, from retail and e-commerce to finance.

    In the retail and e-commerce space, GPTBots.ai has revolutionized customer support. By automating inquiries and providing 24/7 multilingual assistance, it has enhanced user experiences significantly. For instance, after implementing GPTBots.ai, a global gaming platform saw customer satisfaction rise from 70% to 95%, while average response time dropped from 10 minutes to just 15 seconds. GPTBots.ai significantly enhanced the overall customer experience. In the finance industry, GPTBots.ai streamlines customer service, compliance workflows, and risk analysis, reducing operational costs while improving regulatory adherence.

    Mr. Weidong Luo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Mobile, commented, “The resumption of Nvidia H20 chip sales in China is a game-changer for GPTBots.ai. We have seen robust demand for our AI agent platform, and with the enhanced computing power these chips deliver, we are confident that GPTBots.ai will not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations. This milestone brings us significantly closer to our goal of becoming the leading global provider of AI-powered enterprise solutions.”

    About Aurora Mobile Limited

    Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Aurora Mobile Limited
    E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn

    Christensen

    In China
    Ms. Xiaoyan Su
    Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
    E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com

    In US
    Ms. Linda Bergkamp
    Phone: +1-480-614-3004
    Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

    The MIL Network –