NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Healthcare companies may be neglecting environmental responsibilities in AI push, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Healthcare companies may be neglecting environmental responsibilities in AI push, says GlobalData

    Posted in Medical Devices

    Since US President Trump’s first day in office, he has been rolling back environmental responsibilities, marked by withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, which set out guidelines for developed countries to support efforts of developing countries to build clean, climate-resilient futures through financial and technological support. The recent developments in the US may result in the lack of pressure in implementing environmental initiatives, and many healthcare companies may be neglecting them at a time when there is an increased focus on usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in the sector, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    According to GlobalData’s “Strategic Intelligence: ESG Sentiment Polls Q4 2024,” 45% of respondents indicated that the primary reason a company would set up an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance plan would be because of legislation and pressure from the government. In the absence of any pressure from the governments, positive environmental initiatives, especially ESG, will be lost.

    Selena Yu, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “With most ESG survey respondents in Q4 2024 indicating that not only is ESG performative in their companies but also that ESG initiatives are typically placed due to government pressures, it’s vital that healthcare companies mitigate negative environmental impacts. The basis of it is to provide healthcare companies exceptional, innovative care to patients. This overlaps greatly with the impacts of a warming global climate like limiting access to clean water, increased air pollution, and decline in agricultural diversity. Healthcare extends outside of the hospital, as preventative and follow-up care is essential for patients.”

    The developments in the US also come during a time of increased AI initiatives and growth in healthcare with an estimated $1 trillion market worth by 2030, according to GlobalData’s thematic report “Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (2024)”.

    According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) 2024 report, global AI energy demand is expected to increase to at least 10 times the current level by 2026. Additionally, clean water is required to cool down the processors used for AI. Combined with the rising global temperature, scarcity of clean water, and decreased environmental sentiments in the US government, it’s vital that companies take initiatives to balance AI usage to future healthcare advancements with environmental impact.

    AI has many advantages in healthcare, from choosing the best treatment for patients and optimizing patient triage in emergency care to improving manufacturing capabilities to limit waste and optimizing storage. But it’s vital to balance AI-led innovation with environmental impact, as current methods to mitigate carbon emissions, for example, have not been successful.

    Yu continues: “Tech leaders like Google, Meta, and Microsoft have promised to replenish the clean water they used for their AI usage, but how feasible is that with clean water being a limited resource. This ties us back to how most global survey respondents in Q4 2024 believe company ESG plans are performative. The decision to prioritize environmental initiatives is a difficult battle to fight. I believe most stakeholders are putting increased company revenue over ESG because they don’t see the innate benefit to it. This is a dated way of strategizing, as overall company success should go hand in hand with environmental protection.”

    Healthcare companies need to position themselves as the spearheads of balancing environmental responsibilities and AI-led innovation. With the health of the overall ecosystem directly correlated to patient health, it is in their best interest to be contributing to patient health outside of the clinic.

    Yu concludes: “There are many options for patient-facing bodies and healthcare companies to balance the needs of patients using AI for personalized care and spearheading the importance of incorporating strong environmental policies into manufacturing practice. It’s really a cycle, the decline in healthy foods due to changes in climate impacting farming and decreased air and water quality will directly be seen in the overall population being less healthy, which goes back into our healthcare systems.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: US startups secure over half of high-value VC deals announced globally during 2024, finds GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    US startups secure over half of high-value VC deals announced globally during 2024, finds GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    The US maintained its dominance in the global venture capital (VC) landscape in 2024, securing over half of all high value* deals. With a commanding 56.6% share by high-value VC deal volume and 64.5% by value, the US significantly outpaced other markets, underscoring strong investor confidence in its startup ecosystem amid the evolving economic conditions and shifting global investment trends, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The US-based startups attracting big-ticket deals showcases the solid confidence VC investors have in the country’s startup ecosystem. It is also noteworthy that the US was distantly followed by China, which accounted for 12.3% and 14.4% share of high-value VC deal volume and value, respectively, during 2024.”

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database revealed that the US saw the announcement of 291 high-value VC deals during 2024 while the total value of these deals stood at $92 billion. Meanwhile, a total of 63 high-value VC deals worth $20.6 billion were announced in China during the same period.

    Bose adds: “Of the top 10 countries by high-value VC deals volume in 2024, two were from North America while Europe and the Asia-Pacific region had four countries each.”

    The UK occupied the third position by high-value VC deals volume in 2024, followed by Germany, India, Canada, Singapore, France, Japan and Switzerland.

    Bose concludes: “The concentration of high-value VC deals in a few key markets highlights the evolving dynamics of global venture funding. While the US continues to dominate, the presence of multiple European and Asia-Pacific countries in the top rankings signals a broader diversification of investor interest, driven by innovation and emerging growth opportunities worldwide.”

    * ≥ $100 million

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Areteia’s dexpramipexole holds potential to redefine respiratory health, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Areteia’s dexpramipexole holds potential to redefine respiratory health, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    During the J.P. Morgan 43rd Annual Healthcare Conference in January 2025, Areteia Therapeutics’s CEO, Jorge Bartolome, presented a detailed review of its achievements in 2024 and outlined its 2025 plans to advance innovation in the respiratory space with its flagship candidate dexpramipexole dihydrochloride, the first oral therapy targeting eosinophilic asthma. With multiple ongoing clinical trials and a strategic focus on regulatory approvals, Areteia could be well-positioned to transform the treatment landscape for severe respiratory diseases, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Sravani Meka, Senior Pharmaceutical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The current treatment landscape for severe asthma is primarily biologics, which are either administered intravenously or subcutaneously. With the Phase 3 program one step closer to reaching study completion, if approved, dexpramipexole can transform the treatment landscape by addressing unmet needs for patients facing barriers to injectable treatments.”

    A major focus of the presentation was the progress of the EXHALE program, dexpramipexole dihydrochloride’s pivotal trials. Significant advancements have been made in the Phase 3 asthma trials (EXHALE-2, EXHALE-3, and EXHALE-4), with EXHALE-4 now fully enrolled and top-line results expected in Q3 2025.

    Additionally, the SUSPIRE-1 trial, investigating dexpramipexole’s potential in COPD, is also fully enrolled, with data readouts anticipated later in 2025. Bartolome also highlighted dexpramipexole’s strong differentiation within the competitive landscape. Data from Phase 2 trials demonstrated biologic-like efficacy, including significant reductions in blood eosinophils and notable improvements in lung function (FEV1).

    Meka adds: “Despite the progress in the Phase 3 program, Areteia faces increasing competition, particularly from established biologic therapies by GSK and AstraZeneca. Its success hinges on achieving strong clinical data, rapid regulatory approvals, and effective market positioning. Anticipated trial results later this year will be critical in determining whether dexpramipexole can meet the unmet needs of patients and disrupt current treatment paradigms.”

    Bartolome also offered a forward-looking perspective on Areteia’s mission to revolutionize respiratory care. Backed by $425 million in Series A funding and a seasoned leadership team, the company is poised to address significant medical and economic challenges in asthma and COPD. With dexpramipexole at the forefront, Areteia aims to drive innovation and expand its pipeline to deliver life-changing therapies for patients worldwide.

    Meka concludes: “While Areteia’s funding rounds have proved to be successful, positive trial results in 2025 could attract collaborations for co-development, licensing, or commercialization, leveraging Areteia’s innovation to address unmet needs in asthma and COPD. Strategic alliances could accelerate global market reach and pipeline expansion, solidifying Areteia’s leadership in respiratory care.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ESG will remain core focus in tech during 2025, but fragmented by geography and company culture, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    ESG will remain core focus in tech during 2025, but fragmented by geography and company culture, says GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) remains an issue of strategic importance to the tech industry, despite ongoing fragmentation by geography and company culture, with the election of Donald Trump as the US president accelerating a period of short-term opportunistic push-back, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Robert Pritchard, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Technology & Services at GlobalData, says: “In 2024, GlobalData correctly forecast that tech companies would still see ESG as a core strategic issue. This has been underlined by improved observability, and increasingly aligned ESG and financial reporting.”

    GlobalData Tech-Enabled ESG analytical forecasts for 2024 highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the market both as a drain on natural resources, and as part of the solution to address sustainability challenges. This year, GlobalData has observed that the latest generation of network equipment is often 80% to 90% more energy efficient than legacy kit.

    Pritchard adds: “GlobalData also foresaw the twin trends of ESG being used as a differentiator by tech companies, and a closer alignment with financial reporting – driven both by regulation and commercial imperatives. This, as predicted, has meant a growing association of cost savings and improved productivity as a result of ESG initiatives.”

    Pritchard continues: “The Trump impact will see different speeds and priorities by geography when it comes to sustainability, but the overall direction of travel will outlast a four-year presidential period – enterprises think strategically, and while some may exploit short-term climate change denying opportunities, their customers, employees, and regulators will continue to recognize the importance of addressing the climate crisis.”

    Pritchard concludes: “The other major theme we see in enterprise ESG through 2025 is its extension into the small/medium-sized business (SMB) market. This reflects growing customer demand and the ongoing refocus of tech service providers on smaller businesses as the engine of economic – and therefore their own commercial – growth.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The EBA publishes its draft final technical standards on reporting of data on charges for credit transfers and payments accounts, and shares of rejected transactions

    Source: European Banking Authority

    The European Banking Authority (EBA) today published its final draft Implementing Technical Standards (ITS) on reporting of data on charges for credit transfers and payments accounts, and shares of rejected transactions. The ITS deliver on the mandate in the Instant Payment Regulation (IPR) amending the SEPA Regulation, and aim at standardising reporting from banks, payment institutions and e-money institutions (i.e. Payment Service Providers – PSPs) to their National Competent Authorities. The reported data will help to ensure consumers benefit from access to instant credit transfers, and that the latter are no longer more expensive than regular credit transfers. Following its public consultation, the EBA has postponed the first harmonised reporting from PSPs by 12 months, from April 2025 to April 2026.

    The ITS specify uniform reporting templates, instructions, and methodology for the purpose of reporting of charges for credit transfers, payment accounts and shares of rejected transactions due to the application of the EU sanctions regime.

    In developing the ITS, the EBA has sought to find the appropriate balance between the competing aims of obtaining the data required for a robust analysis of the impact of the amended SEPA Regulation on the pricing of payment accounts and credit transfers, and the shares of rejected transactions, on the one hand, and the need to avoid an excessive reporting burden for the industry on the other.

    The ITS will also support the European Commission in monitoring whether consumers benefit from access to instant credit transfers, and that instant credit transfers are not more expensive than regular credit transfers.

    As part of reducing the burden on the industry, and in response to comments received to the consultation, the draft final ITS postpone the deadline set in the amended SEPA Regulation for the first harmonised reporting by 12 months, to April 2026, and the subsequent reporting from the National Competent Authorities to the EBA and the European Commission to October 2026. The additional 12 months will provide sufficient time for the European Commission to adopt the EBA’s final draft ITS, and for the EBA to develop the taxonomy, datapoint model and validation rules, which the industry then needs to implement. Until the first reporting, National Competent Authorities should deprioritise collecting data from the PSPs, discourage institutions from providing unharmonised reporting prior to the availability of the EBA’s taxonomy, datapoint model and validation rules, and not take enforcement action in relation to PSPs that do not report in 2025.

    Legal basis, background and next steps

    Article 15(5) of the SEPA Regulation stipulates that “The EBA shall develop draft implementing technical standards to specify uniform reporting templates, instructions and methodology on how to use those reporting templates for the purposes of reporting as referred to in paragraph 3. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK government seeks out quantum industry experts for advisory board to accelerate deployment of game-changing technology

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Key specialists are being called upon to join a board advising the UK government in seizing the transformative potential of quantum technologies today.

    • UK’s leadership on breakthrough quantum tech celebrated as the International Year of Quantum begins today
    • DSIT is looking for experts from industry and academia to advise on how to further accelerate the benefits of quantum for the UK
    • UK delegation, led by National Technology Advisor Dave Smith, will visit the UNESCO HQ in Paris to celebrate 100 years of quantum breakthroughs and the subsequent benefits, from drug discoveries to boosts in cybersecurity

    Key specialists are being called upon to join a board advising the UK government in seizing the transformative potential of quantum technologies today (Tuesday 4 February).  

    An Expression of Interest (EOI) has now launched for new members to join DSIT’s Quantum Strategic Advisory Board (SAB).  

    The recruitment push comes as a UK delegation is set to fly the flag for British quantum at a global event in Paris celebrating quantum’s remarkable impact on the world in the past century. 

    With at least 160 companies active up and down the country, the UK is home to the second largest quantum sector globally, strongly supported by investment from the public and private sectors. 

    To raise awareness of how quantum innovations are improving our lives by driving growth, creating jobs and delivering breakthroughs in fields like healthcare, UK officials, led by the National Technology Advisor, will mark the start of the International Year of Quantum in Paris today. 

    The event, convened by UNESCO, marks 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics, and brings together the leading lights in the field from across the entire world to exchange ideas and showcase best practices in quantum science education, research and industry applications.   

    Quantum technologies harness the unique properties of subatomic particles to process information and solve pressing problems in a new way. New innovations in quantum, such as improved health diagnostics and future proofing cyber security to make our streets safe, will help drive the government’s Plan for Change.   

    To seize the potential of this technology and support the UK’s vision to be a leading quantum-enabled economy, DSIT is expanding and bolstering its Quantum Strategic Advisory Board.  

    UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said:  

    Joining the Quantum Advisory Board is a great opportunity for those who understand the potential of quantum best to help harness the benefits of quantum for the economy and society.

    This government restates its commitment to quantum science and technology and the advice of the Board will be invaluable as we continue to play a key role in ensuring the UK maintains its leadership in this area.

    UK National Technology Advisor, Dave Smith said: 

    It’s only right that in 2025 we are celebrating quantum’s transformative potential. From telecommunications to improved medical imaging, quantum science and technology has been central to the groundbreaking innovations of this century.

    The future innovations that could emerge from this technology will help us to benefit from the enlightened combination of long-term partnership from academia, government and the private sector. They will benefit all of us in our daily lives and grow brilliant UK companies and create jobs.

    Leading experts from academic and industry can apply to join the Board, chaired by Sir Peter Knight, and advise the UK government on quantum technologies, contributing to the implementation of the National Quantum Strategy.   

    As a critical technology that offers solutions in almost every sector, from healthcare to energy, quantum will form an important part of the government’s forthcoming industrial strategy. 

    Notes to editors 

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Interim report 2: Report on the National Nuclear New-build Coordinator’s mission regarding the expansion of nuclear power in Sweden – January 2025

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Interim report 2: Report on the National Nuclear New-build Coordinator’s mission regarding the expansion of nuclear power in Sweden – January 2025 – Government.se

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    Report from Ministry of Climate and Enterprise

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    The National Nuclear New-build Coordinator’s second interim report
    provides a clarified recommendation on how a programme organisation may be designed. The coordinator recommends the establishment of a stateowned company that invests in new nuclear power capacity. By investing in several projects that get financial support from the state’s financing model, lock-in effects regarding learning can be avoided. In this way, a higher costefficiency and a more responsible use of tax-payers money can be achieved.

    The coordinator also proposes regional cooperation with neighbouring
    countries regarding skills and supply chains.

    The report also provides a follow-up of activities of the National Nuclear
    New-build Coordinator since the previous interim report (June 2024), a
    summary of ongoing activities for new nuclear power and an assessment of
    the possibility to fulfil the goals in the Swedish Government’s roadmap for
    new nuclear power.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Decentralized Privacy Centric Search Engine Presearch Launches “NSFW” Spicy Mode Search Experience

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Toronto, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Presearch (www.presearch.io), the privacy-centric, non-profiling meta-search engine, announced today the launch of a free “Spicy” NSFW adult search service. Building on the successful Presearch Takeover Advertising (PTA) format, this new offering creates a privacy-focused space where adult products, services, and creators can connect with audiences. It’s already achieving click-through rates 10 times higher than those of traditional takeover ads. Established industry leaders have already enthusiastically joined the platform including Lovense, Stripchat, Subseeker, OnlyFinder, Creatr.uk and OnlyTraffic.

    By toggling the chili-pepper icon in the Presearch search bar and confirming they are the legal age of consent, users can select the NSFW “after hours” search experience with adult-oriented registered wallpaper style takeover ads that rotate in the background.  The “Spicy” feature, available now for Presearch users, empowers those who opt in to access curated content from advertisers in the adult industry, including OnlyFans creators, cam models, dating platforms, adult toys and sexual wellness products.  A dedicated OnlyFans creator search feature, unavailable directly on the OnlyFans platform, will also be seamlessly integrated. 

    This initiative upholds Presearch’s commitment to user empowerment, anonymity and ethical advertising by providing a non-judgmental, non-profiling, tracker free space for adult-focused brands to promote their offerings free from stigma or restrictive policies commonly found. 

    “The history of the internet wouldn’t be possible without adult brands, from Minitel Rose to OnlyFans,” said Presearch.com CEO Tim Enneking. “The new spicy ‘NSFW’ option for Presearch allows qualified users to engage with this sex-positive content if they wish, while finally providing a safe-space for adult content creators, products and services to advertise freely and thrive.”

    Presearch ensures age safety through periodic age verification while adhering to privacy-respecting practices that never associate user behavior with identity or IP addresses. Additionally, Presearch complies with the RTA (Restricted to Adults) industry standard. 

    “I’m 1,000% confident that once users—especially remote workers and digital nomads—experience this new search paradigm, they’ll never want to go back to basic, boring search again,” said Brenden Tacon, Business Development Lead at Presearch. “We’re offering users a unique, enticing, and pleasurable search experience while fostering inclusivity and freedom of expression, which all aligns with the Presearch Ethos. At the same time, we’re addressing a major void in the market and meeting a significant demand by providing advertisers in the adult industry with a critical platform.”

    Presearch Takeover Advertising has become a game-changer in the industry, empowering brands by eliminating invasive tracking methods and offering advertisers a unique opportunity to reach privacy-conscious users. By expanding into the NSFW space, Presearch opens new doors for adult brands often excluded from mainstream advertising platforms, ensuring they can reach their audience without compromising ethical standards.

    The “Spicy” NSFW feature is available now. Advertisers and users interested in learning more can visit Presearch’s Advertising page: https://presearch.io/advertise.

    About Presearch
    Presearch.com offers a privacy-focused, non-profiling search experience with results comparable to leading search engines. Its search-to-earn model rewards users with PRE tokens for every search, creating a unique value proposition. Powered by a decentralized node infrastructure, Presearch promotes fairness and mitigates biases in search outcomes unlike conventional platforms that may prioritize self-serving content and suppress others. With a loyal community, the platform serves nearly 12 million searches per month.

    MEDIA CONTACT: 
    presearch@transformgroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Watch live: Lords debates Renters’ Rights Bill

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Members discuss abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies.

    Find out more and see who’s taking part https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2025/january/renters-rights-bill-on-lords-agenda/

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A5C4gH89LA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local government expenditure and income in 2023-24

    Source: Scottish Government

    A National Statistics Publication.

    The Chief Statistician has released figures on local government finance in 2023-24. These figures provide a comprehensive overview of the financial activity of local government, including revenue expenditure and income; capital expenditure and financing; reserves; debt; and pensions.

    Revenue expenditure is the cost of delivering services each year. Local authorities’ net revenue expenditure in 2023-24 was £14,296 million. Education and Social Work were the services with highest net revenue expenditure, accounting for £6,960 million and £4,604 million respectively.

    Net revenue expenditure on Central Services increased by 103.2 per cent, or £352 million, between 2022-23 and 2023-24. Of this increase, £260 million was due to Equal Pay payments that were made by Glasgow City Council during 2023-24.

    Capital expenditure is expenditure that creates the buildings and infrastructure necessary to provide services, such as schools and roads. Local authorities incurred £3,689 million of capital expenditure in 2023-24. This was predominantly financed by grants and contributions of £1,704 million and borrowing of £1,640 million.

    Usable reserves are local authorities’ surplus income from previous years which can be used to finance future revenue or capital expenditure. At 31 March 2024, local authorities held £4,258 million of usable reserves.

    When local authorities borrow money or use credit arrangements to finance capital expenditure, a debt is created which has to be repaid from future revenues. In 2023-24, as a result of the statutory flexibility granted by Ministers, local authorities made debt repayments of minus £67 million. That is, rather than repay debt, they received a windfall of £67 million as a result of the service concession flexibilities.

    Background

    Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics (SLGFS) 2023-24 is based on final, audited figures provided by local authorities (where available, or draft accounts if these have not yet been audited).

    Further information on Local Government Finance statistics publications and data collections can be found on the Scottish Government website.

    These statistics have been produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Virtune AB (Publ) (“Virtune”) has completed the monthly rebalancing for January 2025 of its Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP, the first crypto index ETP in the Nordics

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Stockholm, 4th of February 2025 – Today Virtune announces that it has finalized its monthly rebalancing for Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm for both the SEK-denominated (ISIN code SE0020052207, ticker name VIR10SEK) and the EUR-denominated (ISIN code SE0020052215, ticker name VIR10EUR) ETP.

    In addition to the Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP, Virtune’s product portfolio includes:  

    Virtune Bitcoin ETP
    Virtune Staked Ethereum ETP
    Virtune Staked Solana
    Virtune Staked Polkadot ETP
    Virtune XRP ETP
    Virtune Avalanche ETP
    Virtune Chainlink ETP
    Virtune Arbitrum ETP
    Virtune Staked Polygon ETP 
    Virtune Staked Cardano ETP
    Virtune Crypto Altcoin Index ETP

    Index allocation as of 31st of January (before rebalancing):

    Bitcoin: 39.74%
    Ethereum: 30.80%
    XRP: 14.03%
    Solana: 8.75%
    Cardano: 2.75%
    Chainlink: 1.37%
    Avalanche: 1.23%
    Litecoin: 0.75%
    Uniswap: 0.59%

    Index allocation as of 31st of January (after rebalancing):

    Bitcoin: 40.00%
    Ethereum: 30.59%
    XRP: 13.72%
    Solana: 9.46%
    Cardano: 2.62%
    Chainlink: 1.23%
    Avalanche: 1.12%
    Litecoin: 0.69%
    Uniswap: 0.57%

    In connection with this month’s rebalancing, there is no change in the crypto assets included in the index. Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP SEK outcome for January was +7.42%.

    The rebalancing is carried out according to the index that the ETP tracks, the Virtune Vinter Crypto Top 10 Index. The purpose of the monthly rebalancing is to ensure that the ETP always reflects the current market conditions and to effectively absorb volatility in the crypto market.

    In January, the crypto market showed mixed performance. Bitcoin increased by +9.54%, while Ethereum declined by -1.28%. However, some altcoins performed stronger, such as XRP, which rose by +46%, and Solana by +22.3%.
    The performance of the crypto assets included in Virtune Crypto Top 10 Index ETP in January:

    XRP +46%
    Chainlink +25.3%
    Litecoin +24.3%
    Solana +22.3%
    Cardano +11.6%
    Bitcoin +9.54%
    Ethereum -1.28%
    Avalanche -3.72%
    Uniswap -11.1%

    Virtune’s crypto index ETP is the first of its kind in the Nordic region. The ETP includes up to 10 leading crypto assets that are part of the Nasdaq Crypto Index, based on their total market capitalization, with a maximum weight of 40% per crypto asset to promote diversification. This allows investors to benefit from broad exposure to the crypto market without being heavily concentrated in any single crypto asset.

    If you, as an (institutional) investor, are interested in meeting with Virtune to discuss the opportunities our ETPs offer for your asset management services or to learn more about Virtune and our ETPs, please do not hesitate to contact us at hello@virtune.com. You can also read more about Virtune and our ETPs at www.virtune.com and register your email address on our website to subscribe to our newsletters, which cover updates on Virtune’s upcoming ETP launches and other news related to digital assets.

    Press contact

    Christopher Kock, CEO Virtune AB (Publ)
    Christopher@virtune.com
    +46 70 073 45 64

    Virtune with its headquarters in Stockholm is a regulated Swedish digital asset manager and issuer of crypto exchange traded products on regulated European exchanges. With regulatory compliance, strategic collaborations with industry leaders and our proficient team, we empower investors on a global level to access innovative and sophisticated investment products that are aligned with the evolving landscape of the global crypto market.

    Cryptocurrency investments are associated with high risk. Virtune does not provide investment advice. Investments are made at your own risk. Securities may increase or decrease in value, and there is no guarantee that you will recover your invested capital. Please read the prospectus, KID, terms at www.virtune.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Northern Ireland firm expands into new markets after new partnership between UKEF and Ulster Bank

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    UKEF’s support helping Maxflow gain access to capital through its General Export Facility (GEF) will see the business expand into new export markets.

    Ryan Wylie, Managing Director of Maxflow, and Leona McNicholl, Senior Relationship Manager at Ulster Bank

    • Maxflow supplies Northern Ireland-made industrial pressure washers, generators, parts and pressure-washing accessories, and is aiming to reach new export markets.

    • Maxflow Power Products Limited is the first company in Northern Ireland that has been awarded UKEF-backed facility from Ulster Bank.

    Maxflow, a Northern Ireland-based manufacturer of industrial pressure washers and power products, is accelerating its growth with a finance package issued by Ulster Bank and guaranteed by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export credit agency. This partnership supports Maxflow to expand its operations, enter new export markets, and grow its customer base.

    With over 25 years of industry experience, Maxflow’s ability to grow as a business has been furthered by UKEF and Ulster Bank’s financial support which also recently included a multi-million pound support package for a Management Buy Out (MBO). 

    This has enabled better management of cash flow-related challenges, often associated with scaling operations and meeting customer demand. With this support, Maxflow can maintain high stock levels, ensuring consistent availability for its customers and reinforcing its reputation as a reliable supplier in a competitive market.

    With significant revenue coming from exports, entering new export markets presents exciting new opportunities for growth.

    This is the first time that Ulster Bank and UKEF have worked in partnership to issue a trade loan facility for a Northern Ireland business. The loan facility was guaranteed through UKEF’s General Export Facility (GEF), a product which helps SME exporters to access more working capital and scale up their operations. Through the GEF scheme, SMEs accessed over £576 million in working capital loans in the last financial year.

    Liz McCrory MBE, UKEF Export Finance Manager for Northern Ireland, added:

    We are proud to support Maxflow as they build on their success. UKEF’s collaboration with Ulster Bank in this working capital finance deal is a prime example of how our General Export Facility can boost the confidence of SMEs in Northern Ireland to achieve their growth ambitions and venture into new export markets.

    Ryan Wylie, Managing Director of Maxflow, commented:

    We couldn’t be more excited about Maxflow’s growth. Our commitment to exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on being a reliable, go-to partner, ensuring our customers can always count on us to deliver exactly what they need, when they need it.

    Expanding into new geographical markets is a transformative step for Maxflow, and the support from Ulster Bank and UK Export Finance has been crucial in helping us seize this opportunity. The ability to manage cash flow effectively while maintaining high stock levels has allowed us to meet the demands of this new market and position ourselves for sustained growth.

    Maxflow’s expansion also includes significant investment in infrastructure. A new factory is currently under construction, with phase one expected to be completed by 2025. This facility will consolidate operations, streamline logistics, and enhance efficiency, supporting Maxflow’s long-term growth plans.

    Maxflow is creating new job opportunities in Cookstown, Northern Ireland through investing in a new factory. With a team of 25 employees and ongoing expansion, the company remains dedicated to being a market leader in industrial power product solutions.

    Leona McNicholl, Senior Relationship Manager at Ulster Bank, commented:

    We’re proud to support Maxflow as they take this exciting step to expand their operations into new export markets. This milestone highlights the importance of providing businesses with the right financial tools to achieve their growth ambitions. Ulster Bank remains committed to supporting Northern Ireland’s businesses, helping them seize new opportunities and grow and this is very evident in the level of support provided to Maxflow in their growth plans through working capital facilities as well as supporting the recent MBO.

    Maxflow’s story showcases how strategic financial partnerships, infrastructure investments, and a focus on customer-centric operations can drive significant growth. As the company continues to expand, it remains committed to its vision of being a market leader in industrial power product solutions.

    Contact 

    Media enquiries:

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens made budget fairer, greener and better for Scotland

    Source: Scottish Greens

    04 Feb 2025 Finance

    This budget makes vital progress on child poverty and climate action.

    More in Finance

    More children will be fed, buses will be cheaper and nature will be protected as a result of changes made to the Government’s budget by the Scottish Greens, says the party’s finance spokesperson Ross Greer ahead of a debate and vote taking place today.

    Through negotiations late last year the Scottish Greens secured record investment in climate action, a funding increase for local services including schools, social care and bin collections, free ferry travel for young islanders and free bus travel for asylum seekers. They also increased the tax paid when buying a second or holiday home, giving a boost to first-time home buyers.

    And last week it was announced that the Greens had also secured free school meals for thousands more S1-S3 pupils, more funding for nature restoration and a year-long trial where bus fares in one region of the country will be capped at no more than £2.

    Mr Greer said:

    “As a direct result of Green negotiations, this budget will lift more children out of poverty, make buses cheaper and help tackle the climate crisis.

    “No child should be hungry at school, and the extra meals secured by Green MSPs will take us one step closer to eradicating that hunger completely. This builds on the extension of universal free school meals to P4 and P5 which the Scottish Greens delivered a few years ago.

    “We are determined to make it cheaper to get the bus. That’s why we will launch a year-long trial in one region where bus fares are capped at £2, something we are confident will be successful enough to then roll out across all of Scotland.”

    Mr Greer added:

    “There is a huge contrast between everything the Scottish Greens have delivered for people and planet, and a Scottish Labour Party who allowed the SNP’s budget to pass without securing a single change of their own. 

    “While others played silly games, Green MSPs worked to support families in poverty and protect our natural environment.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Atos ranked in the top 5% of the IT Services industry in the 2024 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

                                                                    Press Release

    Atos ranked in the top 5% of the
    IT Services industry in the 2024
    S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment

    Paris, France – February 4, 2025 – Atos Group today announces that it has been recognized by S&P Global as one of the most sustainable companies worldwide in its industry for the 11th consecutive year. Atos achieved a score of 74/100 in the 2024 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), placing Atos within the top 5% of the IT services industry among 166 companies assessed with an average industry score of 32/100. This high rating reflects Atos’ long-standing dedication to sustainability and its exemplary performance in Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) practices.

    The assessment highlighted significant strengths in environmental management and the transparency of sustainable reporting, recognizing Atos’ ambitious environmental program, which started 14 years ago.

    Alexandra Knupe, Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Atos comments “Atos is proud to rank within the top 5% of IT services companies globally. The S&P Global CSA recognizes our commitment and continuous development towards excellence in Environmental, Social & Governance practices. By continuously improving our practices, we aim to set a benchmark in the industry and contribute positively to global environmental and social challenges”.

    The S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment is an annual evaluation of companies’ sustainability practices. It covers over 10,000 companies globally. The CSA has been assessing sustainability criteria that are both general and industry-specific since 1999. More information about the CSA methodology can be found here.

    Atos has recently been awarded a “Platinum” EcoVadis Medal for its commitment to sustainability for the 5th consecutive year, following 8 years of receiving the EcoVadis Gold Medal. Find out more about Atos’ CSR program here.

    ***

    About Atos

    Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 82,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. 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

    Florence Vayleux | florence.vayleux@atos.net | +33 (0) 6 32 12 22 96

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China files complaint with WTO against US tariff hikes

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s dispute settlement mechanism against the U.S. decision to impose an additional 10-percent tariff on goods from China, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday.

    The move is to safeguard China’s legitimate rights and interests, an MOC spokesperson said in response to media inquiries.

    The U.S. imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese products has seriously violated the WTO rules, and this egregious act is typical of unilateralism and trade protectionism, said the spokesperson.

    The spokesperson said the U.S. move severely undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, erodes the foundation of China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, and disrupts the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

    The United States has repeatedly put unilateralism above multilateralism, incurring strong condemnation from the majority of the WTO members. “China firmly opposes the U.S. actions, and urges the U.S. side to immediately rectify its wrongdoings,” the spokesperson said.

    As a staunch supporter and significant contributor to the multilateral trading system, China stands ready to work with other WTO members to address the challenges posed by unilateralism and trade protectionism to the multilateral trading system, and to safeguard the orderly and stable development of international trade, added the spokesperson.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Registration for the business ideas competition has started at the Polytechnic University

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The Polytechnic University has opened registration for the fifth youth competition of entrepreneurial and business ideas, The Blue Ocean Open Polytech Entrepreneurship Competition — 2025. The event is aimed at developing strategies for creating markets free from competition.

    Blue Ocean Strategy was developed in the early 2000s by INSEAD business school professors Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne. Contestants study six basic analytical tools of Blue Ocean Strategy in a special platform, apply them to solve a practical case and develop an entrepreneurial idea.

    Since 2020, the event has been gathering students from different countries who want to understand how to create a product based on the concept of value innovation, when the consumer gets new value and the manufacturer reduces costs.

    During the competition, more than 850 representatives from Russia and foreign countries took part in it. These are teams of 1 to 4 people, consisting of university students and postgraduates, as well as college students and high school students.

    The organizers are the Foundation for the Support and Development of Innovations “Polytech”, the Higher School of Industrial Management of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU, the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship of the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” of SPbPU.

    The competition is held remotely and includes the following stages:

    registration — team formation from February 1 to 28; study of the basics of the Blue Ocean strategy — solving a practical case from March 1 to 31, summing up the results is planned from April 1 to 7 with further announcement of the results of the second stage on April 8; development of a Blue Ocean strategy for a startup, entrepreneurial idea or idea generation from scratch by April 20, summing up the results will take place from April 21 to 28, announcement of the competition results is planned for April 29.

    This year, the case for the second stage was proposed by the company “Profilans IT”. Participants need to propose IT projects for the development and training of students. The company is ready to assist the best authors who present real and marketable projects in their implementation. The results of the competition will be shown in the format of a video presentation.

    The award ceremony will take place in May. All teams that pass three stages of the competition will receive certificates of participation. Winners and prize winners will be awarded diplomas and additional points for admission to the Polytechnic University’s master’s program in the IPMEiT areas without exams based on winning the portfolio competition: 60 points will be awarded to winners, 40 points to prize winners.

    The prize fund of the competition is 160,000 rubles. The general partner (Profilans IT) provided 140,000 rubles.

    For first place the team will receive 60,000 rubles, for second place – 40,000 rubles, for third place – 20,000 rubles.

    The prize for the most technologically advanced project is 20,000 rubles.

    A special prize “To the captain of the winning team” (20,000 rubles) was provided by the competition partner, General Director of PSS LLC Pavel Balobanov.

    Registration can be done on the portal Leader Idand in social networks “Vkontakte”.

    Contacts

    The chairman of the jury is associate professor of the Higher School of Industrial Management Anastasiy Klimin, Klimin_ai@spbsta.ru.

    Manager – student of the bachelor’s program “Marketing” of the Higher School of Industrial Management, winner of the competition for the 2021-2022 academic year Kristina Shabalina, Shabalin2.Koy@ed.Sspbstst.ru.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: A new research and production building was built for the marine technical university in St. Petersburg

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The construction of a new research and production building for the Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University has been completed. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. This is the only university in Russia that trains specialists in the entire spectrum of shipbuilding specialties.

    “Creating comfortable conditions for students to study and live is one of the priorities of our construction complex. On the instructions of the President, a network of world-class university campuses is being created. Some of these projects are being implemented by the public-law company “Single Customer in Construction”. At the same time, the infrastructure of other universities is being developed. For example, for students of the St. Petersburg State Marine Technical University, the construction of a new building of the research and production building has been completed. We have already received a certificate of conformity. The construction of this building will give students the opportunity to acquire practical skills and in-depth knowledge in the field of marine technology,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

    The building will provide the material resources necessary for students to acquire industrial skills.

    “Construction work in the new building for the maritime university was carried out within the framework of the comprehensive state program “Construction”, supervised by the Ministry of Construction of Russia. The research and production building consists of two blocks – production and administrative. The first part of the building is represented by three functional zones, where the Institute of Laser and Welding Technologies, training rooms for mechanical processing and a training shipyard will be located,” said Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities Yuri Gordeev.

    Overall, the construction of the new facility will ensure the development of the university’s research potential.

    “The total area of the new educational building is more than 2.6 thousand square meters. It is planned to put it into operation in 2025,” said Karen Oganesyan, General Director of the Unified Customer PPC.

    Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University is a leading center of advanced scientific, technical and educational technologies.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOEA Establishes Real-Time Consultation Hotline to Assist Taiwanese Businesses in Responding to U.S. Tariff Measures

    Source: Republic Of China Taiwan 2

    To address the impact of U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese companies operating overseas, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has commissioned the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to implement various support measures, thereby enabling businesses to make adjustments to supply chains and investment strategies. These support measures include:

    1. Establishing a Task Force and Consultation Hotline for Immediate Assistance
    TAITRA has set up task forces in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and South Asia to provide real-time support. A consultation hotline is available at +886-2-27577190.

    2. Providing Customized Services for Businesses to Expand Overseas Deployments
    The MOEA offers market insights for businesses relocating to the U.S. or other regions, which include investment locations, regulations, and partnership opportunities. Companies shifting production to supply local domestic markets receive regulatory guidance and networking support.

    3. Establishing a Service Center for Investment and Trade in the U.S. to Support Supply Chain Relocation
    Under the policy of “Connecting Taiwan to the World”, the MOEA will establish a Taiwan Investment and Trade Center in the U.S. It will help businesses assess investment environments, shift supply chains, and link with local partners.

    4. Strengthening Taiwan-U.S. Industrial Collaboration and Assisting Taiwanese Businesses with Innovation and Upgrading
    ITRI’s North America office will actively promote R&D and manufacturing collaborations, assist businesses in finding local partners, facilitate technological advancement, and boost competitiveness.

    The MOEA will remain committed to monitoring global trade trends and supporting Taiwanese businesses in adapting to market changes.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: EU Foreign Policy that DeliversAmbassadors Conference

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    President von der Leyen delivers a speech at the EU Ambassadors Conference 2025

    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Visit our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mXjIziSv5w

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: EcoEngineers Expands Accreditation and Scope Extensions Internationally

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EcoEngineers (Eco), a consulting, auditing, and advisory firm with an exclusive focus on the energy transition and decarbonization, today announced two new scope extensions granted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

    The ANAB scope accreditations are a testament to the firm’s commitment to robust and comprehensive quality management systems. The accreditations underscore the firm’s dedication to providing clients with the assurance, credibility, rigor, and continuous improvement they need on their journey to develop green hydrogen and greenhouse gas (GHG)-mitigation projects worldwide.

    Specifically, Eco was granted scope accreditation for the following:

    1. Green Hydrogen (CFR Sector 4): Verification of applications and reports under Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR), strengthening the company’s leadership in hydrogen verification and bolstering Eco’s ability to support U.S.-based clients expanding into Canada and open new avenues for verification projects.
    2. Land Use and Forestry (ANAB Group 3): Verification of GHG emission reductions and removals, including soil carbon sequestration, positioning the company as a leading verifier of sustainable farming practices for Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) crops used as biofuel feedstock.

    The latest scope extensions follow Eco’s accreditation granted by ANAB as a validation and verification body (VVB) in accordance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards in 2023 and the CFR Sector 2 Renewable/Bio/Low-CI Fuels scope accreditation achieved in 2024.

    “These new scope extensions demonstrate Eco’s ongoing dedication to excellence in verification and our ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the carbon marketplace,” said Randy Prati, vice president of strategic initiatives at EcoEngineers. “Our clients can rely on us to deliver robust, credible, and transparent verification services.”

    Poised for Growth

    In parallel, Eco is pursuing additional accreditations such as becoming a certification body under international voluntary and regulatory compliance schemes. Eco is also expanding its presence in Europe to obtain national body accreditation recognition, which will allow the firm to offer its clients verification and certification services under multiple European voluntary schemes.

    “Our ability to help clients substantiate their GHG claims through accurate and transparent processes strengthens their credibility and advances the energy transition,” said Shashi Menon, CEO of EcoEngineers. “These new capabilities highlight our position as a trusted partner in the carbon marketplace.”

    About ANAB

    Launched in 2008, ANAB’s accreditation program for GHG/verification bodies oversees the competence and professional conduct of third parties responsible for verifying the accuracy of emission attestations and applies to a broad spectrum of industries. For more information, visit www.anab.org.

    About EcoEngineers

    EcoEngineers is a consulting, auditing, and advisory firm with an exclusive focus on the energy transition and decarbonization. Its team of engineers, scientists, auditors, consultants, and researchers live and work at the intersection of low-carbon fuel policy, innovative technologies, and the carbon marketplace. Eco’s global team is shaping the response to climate change by advising businesses across the energy transition. Visit www.ecoengineers.us.

    Contact:
    Mary Shaughnessy
    For EcoEngineers
    marys@astorystore.com
    312.218.4508

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Empowering women in business: Bangladeshi female entrepreneurs embark on a landmark trade mission to the UK

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs representing eight businesses are set to lead a trade mission to the UK.

    A group of diverse and inspirational Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs representing eight businesses are set to lead a trade mission to the United Kingdom in February 2025, with support from the UK Government SheTrades Programme. During the visit, they will be showcasing their businesses, meeting investors and exploring new opportunities.

    Their visit will involve high-level discussions with investors, legislators and corporate executives in the UK and promote cross-border trade between the two countries including under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The DCTS is the UK’s generous preferential trading scheme which provides duty-free, quota-free trade to Bangladesh on everything but arms. The DCTS gives Bangladesh the opportunity to potentially save £317m in tariffs annually on the country’s exports to the UK, the highest among all countries eligible for DCTS.

    British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke hosted a send-off reception at her residence on 3 February to congratulate the entrepreneurs ahead of their departure to the UK.

    The International Trade Centre is implementing this initiative to bring 50 women-led businesses from four Asian countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Mongolia) and six African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Mozambique) to Manchester on 11 February to hold business-to-business (B2B) meetings with UK companies. Women-led companies in the fresh and processed food, textiles and clothing, handicrafts, beauty, information technology and business process outsourcing sectors will have one-on-one meetings with British buyers who want to diversify their supply chains and increase the competitiveness of their products.

    The businesses chosen from Bangladesh are TMSS ICT and Handicrafts, SuperTel, Opus Technology, Tarango Bangladesh, Parijat Bangladesh, TANIS Bangladesh and Leatherina. Five of these companies already possess the certification needed to enter the UK market and the remaining three are currently being supported by the British Standard Institute (BSI) with necessary accreditation.

    This Mission is hosted in partnership with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and financed by UK International Development as part of the SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme. The London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce are also supporting the event.

    British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said:

    The UK government is incredibly proud to support this remarkable group of Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs to develop new markets in the UK. Their inventiveness, tenacity and spirit of entrepreneurship serve as evidence of the enormous potential of Bangladeshi women-led enterprises.

    As Bangladesh and the UK continue to expand our bilateral trade through the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), the UK will remain a steadfast partner. This trade mission will further solidify our trade and investment relationship.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: AT&T extends voice core relationship with Nokia to drive new services, faster deployment times, and operational efficiencies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    AT&T extends voice core relationship with Nokia to drive new services, faster deployment times, and operational efficiencies

    • Multi-year expansion deal will support AT&T in delivering on its vision of securely providing customer-focused networks and automation that drive new services, faster deployment times, and operational efficiencies.
    • Deal includes Nokia 5G IMS Voice Core and Nokia Digital Operations software.
    • AT&T will utilize Nokia’s voice core applications through the Nokia Cloud Platform to streamline network activities, enhance automation, and minimize manual intervention.

    4 February 2025

    Espoo, Finland – AT&T is extending its voice core relationship with Nokia in a multi-year expansion deal that will support the U.S. operator in delivering on its vision of securely providing customer-focused networks and automation that drive new services, faster deployment times, and operational efficiencies.

    AT&T is evolving its current Nokia IMS Voice Core to include Voice over New Radio (VoNR). The updated IMS Voice Core is a fully cloud-native architecture that enables flexible scaling and increased automation to improve AT&T’s time to market with new services and yield greater cost savings.

    Yigal Elbaz, Senior Vice President, Technology & Network Services at AT&T, said: “With focused execution and investment, AT&T continues to make excellent progress in realizing automation at all levels of its network and service operations. We are pleased to continue our relationship with Nokia to further optimize our network operations and enable new services that better support our customers’ evolving needs.”

    The U.S. operator will utilize Nokia’s voice core applications through the Nokia Cloud Platform (NCP) to streamline network activities, enhance automation, and minimize manual intervention. NCP reflects Nokia’s multi-cloud strategy of providing operators with the infrastructure of their choice.

    AT&T will also use Nokia Digital Operations software solutions, open and designed for multi-vendor networks, to deliver capabilities that automate the design, delivery, and assurance of customer services at scale.

    Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, said: “As a long-time collaborator with AT&T, Nokia fully understands the important journey AT&T is on to enhance automation, reduce complexity, decrease deployment times, and perform operational workflows faster to better serve its customers, and glean more value from its network. Through our network solutions, Nokia will boost AT&T’s network agility, efficiency, and service offerings.”

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Jabra Launches the PanaCast 40 VBS, the First 180-Degree Android-Powered Video Bar Designed for Small Rooms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Jabra extends its premium collaboration portfolio with PanaCast 40 VBS (Video Bar System), the only small room Android-bar that captures the entire room with 180-degree field of view
    • The PanaCast 40 VBS has advanced audio technology for exceptional voice clarity with quick and easy installation, ensuring a seamless setup experience
    • Future-proof investment with flexible deployment options on Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or permanent BYOD setups and managed seamlessly with Jabra+

    BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ISE — Today, Jabra, the world’s leading professional audio brand, announced the launch of the PanaCast 40 VBS, the only Android-powered video bar designed specifically for small meeting rooms that captures the entire room with 180-degree field-of-view (FoV). This latest innovation builds on the success of Jabra’s PanaCast 50 VBS, bringing the same powerful performance to smaller spaces in a more compact and cost-effective package.

    As more organizations transition back to the office and hybrid work environments become the norm, the demand for efficient small meeting space solutions continues to grow. These spaces often pose unique challenges for video collaboration, as traditional solutions struggle to capture all participants equally—particularly those seated closer to the screen—while some lack video conferencing equipment altogether. This imbalance can result in empty meeting rooms and gaps in communication, underscoring the need for solutions that provide clear, inclusive experiences for everyone, regardless of location.

    The PanaCast 40 VBS bridges this gap by delivering an all-in-one solution that transforms small meeting rooms into high-performing collaboration hubs. With its wide field of view, exceptional audio quality, and seamless usability, the PanaCast 40 VBS ensures every participant is seen and heard clearly, enabling organizations to fully utilize their small spaces and bring collaboration to new heights.

    Redefining collaboration for small spaces

    Globally, less than 3% of small meeting spaces, or huddle rooms, are video enabled*, leaving millions of these rooms underutilized and underserved. The PanaCast 40 VBS addresses this challenge with its innovative dual-camera systems, delivering a seamless 180-degree field of view through advanced stitching technology. This ensures full room coverage, making every participant clearly visible on video.

    The video capabilities are matched by the advanced audio performance, which stems from the GN group-wide unique sound processing capabilities. The sound is powered by a single high-quality speaker and six microphones with adaptive beamforming. Intelligent audio algorithms enhance sound clarity for exceptional voice pickup, so every word is heard clearly and accurately, fostering more natural and engaging virtual interactions and ensuring remote participants feel fully included.

    The PanaCast 40 VBS reimagines what’s possible for huddle rooms, transforming small spaces into comfortable collaboration areas and allowing facility managers to unlock the full potential of these underutilized spaces.

    Designed for ease of use and rapid deployment

    Designed with simplicity and ease of use at its core, the PanaCast 40 VBS offers a straightforward installation process—from unboxing to mounting to the first meeting. Its intuitive setup ensures that even first-time customers can get their systems up and running in seconds, making collaboration effortless.

    New packaging enhances the deployment experience further by allowing provisioning without the need to remove the product from the box. The design also features easy cable routing, reducing installation time. The PanaCast 40 VBS is ideal for quick and easy installations in small rooms, such as Express Install for Microsoft Teams Rooms.  

    It also ensures a consistent and seamless experience for small meeting spaces by sharing many of the same accessories as its medium room counterpart, the PanaCast 50 VBS. This enables simplified operations for administrators and flexibility across different room sizes, making the PanaCast 40 VBS a versatile and efficient solution for modern office needs.

    A future-proof investment

    The PanaCast 40 VBS is built to adapt to the evolving needs of modern workplaces, particularly for small Android environments. With its certified compatibility for Android environments, it offers flexibility with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and BYOD deployment options.

    To enhance usability and longevity, the PanaCast 40 VBS includes optional accessories such as a touch controller and a detachable faceplate for easy cleaning. It can also be purchased as a bundle, with both the PanaCast 40 VBS and the touch controller included. Seamless integration with ecosystem partners ensures a future-proof investment, complemented by up-to-date manageability through Jabra+ software and the reassurance of Jabra Warranty+ services.

    Holger Reisinger, SVP Enterprise Video Business Unit at Jabra said: “The modern workplace is undergoing a transformation, with organizations reimagining how their spaces can drive productivity and collaboration. Small rooms, phone booths and huddle spaces are a cornerstone of this evolution, yet they’ve often been overlooked by traditional video solutions. With the PanaCast 40 VBS, we’re addressing this gap by delivering a flexible, intuitive, and future-proof Android solution that empowers teams to collaborate seamlessly, regardless of room size or platform preference.”

    Key features of the PanaCast 40 VBS include:

    • Full-room coverage – 180-degree field-of-view with dual cameras and 4x digital zoom
    • Superior audio – 1 speaker and 6 microphones, enhanced by intelligent audio algorithms for crystal-clear sound and voice pickup
    • Streamlined setup – New packaging enables provisioning without removing the product from the box
    • Consistent experience – Shared touch controller and stand with the PanaCast 50 VBS medium room solution for seamless integration across spaces
    • Effortless installation – Simplified cable routing and protection for easy, clean setup
    • Flexible deployment – Compatible with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and BYOD setups
    • MDEP-based solution (Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform) – Delivers strengthened security and enhanced meeting experiences
    • Intelligent Meeting Space – Enables users to personalize and set virtual meeting space boundaries – perfect for open-plan offices or glass-walled rooms
    • Always up to date – Managed via Jabra+, ensuring the latest features and functionality
    • Reliability – Backed by Jabra Warranty+ for added peace of mind
    • Modern design – Clean, professional aesthetic that fits seamlessly into contemporary workspaces
    • Practical features – Easy-clean cover and ADA compliance for enhanced usability

    Jabra PanaCast 40 VBS will be available from Mid-2025. MSRP: $1,499. For more information please visit https://www.jabra.com/panacast40vbs.

    *Frost and Sullivan, 2024

    Note to editors 

    Hayley Minardi
    Manager, PR & Communications, North America
    hminardi@jabra.com  

    About Jabra

    Jabra is a world leading brand in audio, video and collaboration solutions – engineered to empower businesses. Proudly part of GN Group, we are committed to bringing people closer to one another and to what is important to them. Jabra engineering excellence leads the way, building on over 150 years of pioneering work within GN. This allows us to create integrated tools for contact centers, offices, and collaboration to help professionals work more productively from anywhere. www.jabra.com

    Founded in 1869, GN Group employs more than 7,000 people and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (GN.CO). GN’s solutions are sold in 100 countries across the world.  Visit our homepage GN.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X. 

    © 2024 GN Group. All rights reserved. Jabra® is a registered trademark of GN Group. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners (design and specifications are subject to change without notice).

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fc30d00d-063a-40a9-ad5b-70d4406a3597

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c026aaa2-62ef-4c1c-9b32-bd137bad8bc4

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d94cff48-9b76-41f5-81d5-e2143affc28a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/989c5fb5-678a-4287-b7f3-9f7266ce11c3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Check Point Announces New AI-Powered Innovations to Bolster Unified Security Management for the Infinity Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a pioneer and global leader of cyber security solutions, today announced new Infinity Platform capabilities to accelerate zero trust, strengthen threat prevention, reduce complexity, and simplify security operations.

    “We live in a hyperconnected, digital world with new cyber threats emerging every day,” said Nataly Kremer, Chief Product Officer at Check Point. “Meanwhile, security teams are struggling to adequately prevent cyber-attacks due to complex and siloed security solutions. We are pleased to introduce several new AI-powered Innovations that cut down complexity and strengthen the Unified Security Management capabilities of the Infinity Platform. Our customers will experience enhanced threat prevention, while finding it very easy to collaborate with third-party products.”

    Many organizations rely on a siloed security approach. IT teams are tasked with deploying security tools that are designed to provide a specific type of protection across the network, endpoints, email, and cloud environments. This siloed approach requires dozens of systems to manage, which leads to operational challenges, fragmented policies, and security gaps for IT teams. At the same time, cyber-attacks increased 44% year-over-year, placing extreme pressure on security teams.

    The siloed nature of hybrid environments demands that security teams review and reconcile policies and processes across dozens of systems and tools. These tasks are often performed manually, slowing down operations and leading to gaps in zero trust, threat resolution, and infrastructure management, resulting in a heightened risk of cyberattacks and system failures. Check Point’s six new and improved AI-powered innovations accelerate operations and supercharge threat prevention in three ways:

    Unified Identity & Policy

    By leveraging AI and identity awareness, administrators can implement more effective and granular security policies, ensuring that only authorized users have access to critical resources. Unifying visibility and analysis of policies across environments enables security teams to maintain security hygiene and compliance.

    • Quantum Policy Insights
      • Analyzes existing policies and recommends policy changes to improve security posture
      • Enforces zero trust by eliminating overly permissive access and conflicting policies
    • Quantum Policy Auditor
      • Ensures alignment with corporate security guidelines
      • Identifies policies that violate organizational guidelines using a policy visualization UI
      • Analyzes thousands of rules in seconds, saving security and audit teams weeks of tedious labor by synthesizing complex policies/rules into powerful business-level graphical insights
    • Infinity Identity
      • Cloud service that manages centralized identity across the Infinity Platform
      • Seamlessly integrates with third party identity providers
      • Adds support for new identity sources: Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Intune and Harmony Endpoint 

    Collaborative Threat Prevention

    AI can help organizations identify and block threats across multiple enforcement points in real-time, eliminating human error and reducing time to remediation.

    • Infinity Playblocks
      • Provides security automation and orchestration across Infinity Platform and 3rd parties
      • Extends the reach of siloed security solutions to stop attacks across the enterprise
      • 100+ out of the box playbooks including threat prevention, auto remediation, reporting, and more
      • Enables enterprises to easily create custom playbooks using natural language GenAI

    Operational Simplicity
    AI-based insights can minimize tedious, error prone work to streamline operations across the entire security stack. This results in improved zero trust, better lifecycle management, and less infrastructure downtime.

    • Infinity AIOps
      • AI agent proactively monitors gateways to predict and help mitigate failures in advance
      • Provides real-time monitoring of security infrastructure health, including CPU, memory utilization, and more
    • Infinity AI Copilot
      • Chat-based GenAI assistant knows an organization’s policies, access rules, objects, and logs, as well as all product documentation.
      • Provides contextualized and comprehensive answers to security admins, IT departments, and security operations teams, accelerating security administration and improving incident mitigation and response.
      • Powerful, time saving entry point for automation/collaboration across entire Infinity Platform

    Learn more about AI Security Management: https://www.checkpoint.com/ai-unified-security-management/

    Follow Check Point via:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/check-point-software-technologies
    X (formerly Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/checkpointsw
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkpointsoftware
    Blog: https://blog.checkpoint.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CPGlobal

    About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 
    Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider protecting over 100,000 organizations worldwide. Check Point leverages the power of AI everywhere to enhance cyber security efficiency and accuracy through its Infinity Platform, with industry-leading catch rates enabling proactive threat anticipation and smarter, faster response times. The comprehensive platform includes cloud-delivered technologies consisting of Check Point Harmony to secure the workspace, Check Point CloudGuard to secure the cloud, Check Point Quantum to secure the network, and Check Point Infinity Platform Services for collaborative security operations and services.

    Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding future growth, the expansion of Check Point’s industry leadership, the enhancement of shareholder value and the delivery of an industry-leading cyber security platform to customers worldwide. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results or events in the future are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2024. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Check Point as of the date hereof, and Check Point disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: For the Third Consecutive Year, Check Point Software Demonstrates Industry’s Highest Threat Prevention Rate in Miercom’s Enterprise and Hybrid Mesh Firewall Security Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VIENNA, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a pioneer and global leader of cyber security solutions, today revealed that the Infinity Platform has achieved an outstanding 99.9% block rate on Zero+1 day malware, a 99.7% phishing prevention rate, the highest security efficacy for Security Services Edge use cases, and an impressive 98% block rate on high and critical network intrusion exploits – as reflected in Miercom’s 2025 security benchmark report.

    “Yet again, in a comparison between the top five cyber security companies, Miercom recognizes the Check Point Infinity Platform for delivering the industry’s highest threat prevention rate,” said Eyal Manor, VP of Product Management at Check Point Software. “With cyber attacks growing 44% year-over-year, preventing and detecting threats is essential to protecting our digital way of life. These Miercom results validate our exceptional ability to not only accurately detect and block new malware and critical events, but also to provide the best cyber security product quality to customers, year after year.”

    This year, Miercom introduced an important firewall comparison to reflect the quality of cyber security products, by assessing their vulnerability to being hacked. Leveraging CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) database, Miercom highlighted Check Point as having the best record – with one single KEV. The other top cyber security vendors had 11, 16, and 21 KEVs.

    With the advent of the hybrid mesh firewall platforms, Miercom’s 2025 security report has expanded to provide a holistic view of threat prevention across all three hybrid firewall use cases: On-premises, Cloud, and Firewall-as-a-Service (SSE/SASE). The Check Point Infinity Platform delivers a comprehensive hybrid mesh firewall solution with exceptional threat prevention.

    “We proudly award Check Point with the Miercom Certified Secure certification in recognition of their superior competitive performance and exceptional value for organizations of all sizes,” said Rob Smithers, CEO at Miercom. “Based on our latest head-to-head competitive test findings and observations, the Check Point Infinity Platform sets the standard in all of the security efficacy testing categories. In our benchmarks, the Infinity Platform offers the best protection against the latest generation of cyberattacks, including Zero+1 Day new malware. Check Point also enables enterprises to effectively prevent new malware from entering and spreading across their networks, servers, and endpoints, saving them time, money, stress, and resources.”

    The report includes the following highlights:

    • Zero+1 Day Malware Prevention vs Detection: Check Point led with the highest score preventing 99.9% of malware downloads. Other vendors ranged from 62.7% to 90.9%.
    • SSE/SASE Threat Prevention: Check Point led with a 99% block rate. Other vendors ranged from 74% to 96%.
    • Phishing Prevention: Check Point proved to have the best overall prevention against phishing URLs, making use of Quantum Firewall Software R82’s advanced AI deep learning capabilities. Other vendors ranged from 55.87% to 98.69%.

    To understand vendors’ threat prevention capabilities, Miercom ran benchmarks over the course of three months. Miercom continuously downloaded sets of 500 malicious files from VirusTotal, with samples consisting of Office docx, Office xlsx, pdf, exe, PowerShell, Bash script, APK, and dll and archived files. Miercom assessed each firewall solution using Anti-virus, IPS, Anti-bot, URLF, sandboxing, and all the AIML powered security engines. Testing was run concurrently on each vendor’s solution to determine how well each blocks modern attacks.

    Read the full report here: https://www.checkpoint.com/2025-miercom-firewall-report/

    Follow Check Point via:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/check-point-software-technologies
    X( formerly Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/checkpointsw
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkpointsoftware
    Blog: https://blog.checkpoint.com
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CPGlobal

    About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 
    Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leading AI-powered, cloud-delivered cyber security platform provider protecting over 100,000 organizations worldwide. Check Point leverages the power of AI everywhere to enhance cyber security efficiency and accuracy through its Infinity Platform, with industry-leading catch rates enabling proactive threat anticipation and smarter, faster response times. The comprehensive platform includes cloud-delivered technologies consisting of Check Point Harmony to secure the workspace, Check Point CloudGuard to secure the cloud, Check Point Quantum to secure the network, and Check Point Infinity Platform Services for collaborative security operations and services.

    Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding future growth, the expansion of Check Point’s industry leadership, the enhancement of shareholder value and the delivery of an industry-leading cyber security platform to customers worldwide. Our expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results or events in the future are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2024. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Check Point as of the date hereof, and Check Point disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    MEDIA CONTACT:                                    
    Liz Wu                                             
    Check Point Software Technologies
    press@us.checkpoint.com                   		 INVESTOR CONTACT:
    Kip E. Meintzer
    Check Point Software Technologies
    ir@us.checkpoint.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China adds two US firms to unreliable entity list

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China has decided to add two U.S. firms, namely PVH Corp. and Illumina, Inc., to the country’s unreliable entity list.

    The two entities have violated normal market trading principles, terminated regular trade with Chinese companies, and adopted discriminatory measures against Chinese companies, thus severely harming their legitimate rights and interests, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Ministry of Commerce.

    The decision was made to maintain national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the statement noted.

    The unreliable entity list mechanism will take corresponding measures against the aforementioned entities based on relevant laws and regulations, according to the statement.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Return to the roots: 145 years of the historical foundation of the State University of Management!

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    In 2024, the State University of Management celebrated the 105th anniversary of its foundation. On April 30, 1919, according to the decree of the People’s Commissariat of Industry and Trade of the USSR, the Moscow Industrial and Economic Practical Institute (MPEPI) received the status of an institution equal to an institution of higher education. From that moment on, the official chronicle of our university has been kept. But, as often happens in times of change, some pages of history were forgotten. This happened with the biography of the First Management University of the country. We invite you to dive deep into the history of the SUM, rediscover it, and learn its origins.

    MPEPI did not appear out of nowhere. Before the proclaimed power of the Soviets, the address Staraya Basmannaya, 21/4 housed the Aleksandrovskoye and Nikolaevskoye commercial schools, as well as the Trade Schools named after the Emperor of Russia Nicholas II.

    On February 19, 1880 (March 3, new style), exactly 145 years ago, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Alexander II, the Moscow stock exchange merchants decided to found a commercial school in the capital for people of the trade and industrial class. Alexander II was not only a tsar-liberator (the Manifesto on the liberation of the peasants from serfdom was also signed on February 19 (March 3), 1861), but also a champion of education. Thus began the first chapter in the life of the Aleksandrovsky Commercial School, which years later acquired its current name – the State University of Management.

    The curricula approved by the Ministry of Finance in agreement with the Ministry of Public Education of the Russian Empire were adopted on July 11, 1885. The first academic season began at the same time.

    The Aleksandrovsk Commercial School was located at 21 Staraya Basmannaya in the building of the palace of Prince A.B. Kurakin. For decades to come, the school received significant support from the state and business, whose representatives joined the Board of Trustees of the “useful institution.” The members of this board and the teaching staff of the school were famous people of their time: P.M. Tretyakov, D.V. Tsvetaev, S.V. Alekseev, A.K. Trapeznikov, N.A. Naidenov, A.V. Letnikov. All of them were outstanding figures of that era, whose influence went far beyond the Moscow stock exchange community.

    The initiator of the creation of the school was a well-known entrepreneur, banker, chairman of the Stock Exchange Committee and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the school – Nikolai Aleksandrovich Naidenov. Its first director was a corresponding member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, an outstanding mathematician, and an organizer of science – Alexei Vasilyevich Letnikov.

    During that era, such scientists as mathematician V. Ya. Tsinger, historians V. I. Picheta and D. V. Tsvetaev, astronomer P. K. Sternberg and others taught. Incidentally, the exhibits of the school, which characterized the educational base and educational process, were awarded a medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900. Some of the artifacts and photographs from those years are kept at the disposal of the Museum of the State University of Management, where you can also read literature and get acquainted with the exhibition stands telling about the first steps of the university at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

    After the October Revolution of 1917, the existence of any institutions bearing the imperial name was no longer possible. New educational institutions with a practical focus – technical schools – were created in the country. The new historical form of the Aleksandrovsky Commercial School was the Moscow Industrial and Economic Technical School (MPET).

    The Soviet MPET was located in the same complex of buildings on Staraya Basmannaya. The teaching and student staff also remained almost unchanged. A letter calling for applications for work at the newly created technical school, published in the Izvestia newspaper on July 20, 1918, was answered by 53 teachers from the Aleksandrovsky, 23 from the Nikolaevsky commercial schools, and 21 teachers from the Women’s Trade School. Students who transferred from the Aleksandrovsky school continued their education at the MPET and years later received Soviet diplomas. The first heads of the technical school were teachers from the school and the trade school, Paisiy Ivanovich Shelkov and Arkady Grigorievich Arkhangelsky.

    Let us emphasize once again that most of the teachers and students of the Alexandrovsky Commercial School transferred to the MPET, even the address remained the same, only the statutory documents changed. The continuity of the intellectual heritage in the field of financial, economic, technical knowledge and the glorious traditions of the imperial school is direct and obvious.

    During the Soviet years, the idea of this continuity was abandoned based on the principle of “We are ours, we will build a new world.” In 1919, the MPET was transformed into the Moscow Industrial and Economic Practical Institute (MPEPI). Later, in the 1930s, the institute began to be called the Moscow Engineering and Economic Institute. And it bore this name until 1975, when, having gained a scientific, academic and pedagogical base of the new management order, it received a completely recognizable name – MIU, Moscow Institute of Management, which later became the State University of Management.

    Thus, we would like to pay tribute to historical justice. It is time to recognize and openly declare – the State University of Management turns 145 in 2025! The Aleksandrovsk Commercial School is the historical foundation of our university. It is impossible to forget and remain silent about this fact. It expresses the connection between generations and the university spirit of the first management academic institution in Russia.

    Happy anniversary, dear university! Happy 145th anniversary!

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 02/04/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Resistance to mining grows in El Salvador as environmentalists’ face persecution

    Source: Council on Hemispheric Affairs – Analysis-Reportage

    Update on El Salvador

    by CISPES

    First published January 31, 2025

    Despite a unanimous October ruling in their favor, five anti-mining activists from the community of Santa Marta will be back on trial on February 3. The retrial sets a dangerous precedent, allowing the Attorney General to move a case to a different jurisdiction through an appeal in search of a guilty verdict. It also comes amidst growing resistance to a December law opening the country to metals mining which reverses a historic national ban on mining passed in 2017.

    At a January 8 press conference, supporters of the Santa Marta 5, as well as leaders of the anti-mining struggle throughout the country, denounced increased harassment and suspicious activity related to mining in the districts of Santa Marta and nearby San Isidro. Since the January 2023 arrests, the organizations have maintained that the trial against the Santa Marta 5 is related to the reactivation of mining. “We have been saying that this case is intended to weaken or eliminate opposition to mining in Cabañas, which has proven to be true with the approval of the new law,” said the University of Central America’s Andrés McKinley.

    “The mask is off,” said Vidalina Morales, president of the Santa Marta Social and Economic Development Association (ADES), who have been warning about the government’s intent to overturn the mining ban for years.

    Morales warned that unknown vehicles have begun entering the community, which is close to a former mining operation. “Our peace of mind as residents of Santa Marta is constantly being threatened by the presence of people from outside our community interrupting our privacy.

    At night there is a lot of activity in our community and we want to denounce this publicly because we [also] experienced this situation prior to the capture of our comrades.”

    The increased activity in the community, according to Morales, has stoked fears that there could be additional criminalization of activists, which could take the shape of additional members of the community being added to the February trial. Other Santa Marta residents report that the Attorney General’s office is building a case against up to 40 additional Santa Marta community members, including Vidalina Morales.

    According to ADES spokesperson Alfredo Leiva, members of the San Isidro community have reported an increased military presence in the areas previously identified by mining interests. “They are sending us the message that it is no longer the companies that are going to protect these areas, but the state, through the army… So the message to the communities is that there may be more repression– not only through judicial processes but also through direct [violent] acts.”

    The new mining law requires the Salvadoran state to operate any new mines (likely through  public-private partnerships, which are permitted under the law), opening the door to further direct confrontation between communities defending their lands and a law enforcement apparatus that has seen its budget and personnel balloon under Nayib Bukele’s government. A State of Exception that eliminates civil liberties and further empowers the police and military has also been in place since March 2022. The State of Exception has been repeatedly used to militarize organized communities, including Santa Marta, and led to the detention of Morales’s son in 2023.

    Speaking at a January 15 press conference, ADES member Peter Nataren denounced the role of the United States in supplying equipment to the Salvadoran Armed Forces. “We, as a community, have privately asked U.S. authorities on multiple occasions to please stop equipping the Salvadoran military, for example, with helicopters and drones. At this point, our only option is to make that public because we know this has now become an issue of communities defending their land on one side and the military on the other.”

    “People are not going to let their land be taken away or their water polluted. So that is going to lead to violence and the current U.S. ambassador has been equipping the Salvadoran army, which he has been doing since he arrived,” Nataren continued.

    Nataren explained that U.S. mining companies Titan Resources Limited and Thorium Energy Alliance signed an agreement with the Salvadoran government. He called on U.S. organizations to pursue the details of the agreement under U.S. law, as it has been classified as confidential for five years in El Salvador.

    Resistance to the Mining Law Grows

    Following the initial wave of protests against the mining law in December, Salvadorans have taken to the streets in greater numbers to show their opposition to the measure. A January 12 march, convened by the Popular Rebellion and Resistance Bloc (BRP) in commemoration of the 1992 Peace Accords, highlighted the member-organizations’ opposition to the mining law. The march drew thousands of participants and ended with an impromptu rally at the steps of the National Library.

    On January 19, thousands more attended a rally, also held at the National Library, convened by a new group of young Salvadorans called the Voice of the Future Movement. While the crowd was largely made up of young people, including students from the University of El Salvador, a January 22 survey by the Francisco Gavidia University revealed that only 23.5% of all Salvadorans support the new mining law.

    Rally organizers, along with the Catholic Church and student organizations have been circulating a petition of Salvadorans who oppose the mining law, which has already gathered tens of thousands of signatures. The Catholic Church, as well as leaders in the Episcopal, Lutheran, and Baptist Churches, have been outspoken against mining, with San Salvador Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas calling it “a life or death situation.”

    According to Alfredo Leiva, in the absence of a law prohibiting metals mining, the only option left is for communities to band together. “In such a small, densely populated, and deforested country, mining is akin to suicide. Therefore, if we want to continue living in this country, we need to organize ourselves creatively because the legal instrument that we had to prohibit mining no longer exists.”

    Original article: https://cispes.org/article/resistance-mining-grows-environmentalists%E2%80%99-trial-approaches

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Panasonic Holdings Reports Consolidated Financial Results for Nine Months Ended December 31, 2024

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic Holdings Reports Consolidated Financial Results for Nine Months Ended December 31, 2024

    The content in this website is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.Please note therefore that these documents may not always contain the most up-to-date information.Please note that German, French and Chinese versions are machine translations, so the quality and accuracy may vary.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung Showcases Color E-Paper and AI Signage Solutions at ISE 2025

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced its next generation of commercial displays that feature AI-powered solutions at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025.
    The Samsung Color E-Paper delivers new levels of energy efficiency, while the AI features in SmartThings Pro and the Interactive Display increase the intelligence, control and usability of business-focused screens. In addition, the supersized 115” Smart Signage screen brings a new level of immersive visuals to life. All of these innovative solutions are being displayed at ISE, in booth 3F500
    “For commercial displays, it is crucial to address the market’s demand for energy efficiency and simple device management, while at the same time meeting the public’s desire for immersive experiences,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our latest innovations, including the near-zero power Samsung Color E-Paper and advanced AI capabilities brought by all the models, showcase our commitment to pioneering new markets and providing transformative business solutions worldwide.”

    Samsung Color E-Paper Brings Greater Energy Efficiency and Flexibility
    Samsung Color E-Paper (EMDX model) redefines energy-efficient digital signage by combining digital ink with innovative full-color e-paper technology. This ultra-low power, lightweight and slim display serves as an eco-conscious alternative to traditional analog and paper-based promotional materials while delivering the high visibility and functionality that businesses demand.

    Leveraging advanced digital ink technology, the EMDX operates at 0.00W power when displaying static images, while consuming significantly less energy during image transitions compared to traditional digital signage, resulting in substantial cost savings.1 The ultra-slim and lightweight design ensures effortless installation, while the range of sizes — 13″ (1,600 x 1,200); 25″ (3,200 x 1,800); 32″ QHD (2,560 x 1,440); and an outdoor version that is 75″ 5K (5,120 x 2,880) — are optimized to cater to diverse business needs. The Color E-Paper also includes a rechargeable 5000mAh battery, two USB-C ports for charging and data transfer, 8GB of memory, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support for enhanced connectivity.
    For seamless device management, a dedicated mobile app2 allows users to remotely operate displays, schedule wake-up and sleep times, and even set playlists with predefined intervals. Samsung VXT (Visual eXperience Transformation) further simplifies content operation with a feature exclusive to the Samsung Color E-Paper. A specialized algorithm optimizes content visibility for the display and includes a preview function to ensure content and color are accurate before deployment.
    Content management is made simple through the mobile app and Samsung VXT, with businesses also able to use their own solutions through Tizen Enterprise APIs, which enable easy integration with existing management systems.

    Moreover, as part of Samsung’s ongoing commitment to a sustainable future, the cover of the Color E-Paper is made from over 50% recycled plastics, while its packaging is made entirely from paper.
    “Building a sustainable future means embedding environmentally conscious innovation into every Samsung product and solution,” said David Phelps, Head of Display Division, Samsung Electronics America. “With Color E-Paper, businesses can enhance customer engagement while reducing their energy footprint. As we unveil our latest display technologies at ISE, we are demonstrating new possibilities for managing, controlling and delivering dynamic digital experiences across a range of industry environments.”
    AI Features Bring New Intelligence and Control to SmartThings Pro and Interactive Display
    In 2025, SmartThings Pro, Samsung’s hyper-connected business-to-business (B2B) management platform, brings enhanced AI and automation capabilities to improve operational efficiency.3

    The platform offers Interactive View, which uses AI to convert 2D floor plans into 3D images of business premises. This 3D visualization makes it easier to understand and navigate spaces intuitively, enabling business operators to manage connected devices with ease.
    SmartThings Pro also features advanced automation controls, allowing businesses to adjust settings — such as power, volume and brightness — based on pre-set conditions like ambient lighting, room occupancy and store operating hours. These automated adjustments save time while ensuring devices are optimized for their environments. When using SmartThings Pro on displays, switching between content streams is equally seamless. This is because users are able to effortlessly change channels or input sources for a streamlined experience.4

    Additionally, Samsung Smart Signage features CryptoCore, a FIPS 140-3-certified encryption module that safeguards sensitive authentication data for IoT connections and ensures that these connections between devices remain secure.5
    At ISE, Samsung is also showcasing the 2025 Interactive Display (WAFX-P model), powered by Android OS 15 and featuring new AI capabilities that enhance education and collaboration opportunities.
    The WAFX-P model provides AI capabilities, featuring Circle to Search, which enables users to easily search for images or translate text directly on-screen, and AI Summary, which automatically generates concise recaps of lectures or meetings.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –