NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Phishing instant messages related to Livi Bank Limited

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

         The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Livi Bank Limited relating to phishing instant messages, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
          
         The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or One-Time Password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
          
         Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the instant messages concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: OEUK news New skills passport tool being delivered to support an integrated skills landscape 17 October 2024

    Source: Offshore Energy UK

    Headline: OEUK news

    New skills passport tool being delivered to support an integrated skills landscape

    17 October 2024

    Joint RenewableUK and OEUK media release – Thursday 17th October 2024

    A new scheme to help workers across the UK’s energy mix, including oil and gas, to find new roles in offshore wind will be launched in January by RenewableUK and Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), supported by the UK and Scottish Governments.

    The Energy Skills Passport enables workers and employers to easily identify which qualifications and training standards, such as health and safety, are needed for specific roles in offshore wind. As part of the Energy Skills Passport, an interactive tool will provide clarity on which qualifications are mutually recognised across the sector to avoid any duplication of training courses, as well as mapping out potential career pathways. It will be managed jointly by OEUK and RenewableUK and will be available to a limited number of testers later this year before it is rolled out in full in the new year. The initial version focuses on the transition to offshore wind and future versions will include other parts of the energy sector.

    The UK’s oil and gas sector supports over 200,000 jobs and the UK’s offshore wind industry already employs 32,000 people – that number is expected to rise to over 100,000 by 2030. Research commissioned by OEUK shows that 90% per cent of oil and gas industry workers have skills which can be transferred to future offshore jobs in renewable energy. Roles which may be suitable for workers to transfer into in offshore wind include maintenance technician, commissioning technician, high-voltage senior authorised person and troubleshooting technician.

    RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Offshore Wind Jane Cooper said:

    “The upsurge in offshore wind jobs over the course of this decade and beyond creates excellent opportunities for highly-skilled oil and gas workers to bring their valuable experience to the clean energy sector. We’re working closely with our colleagues at Offshore Energies UK, and the UK and Scottish Governments, to make that transition as smooth as possible across all parts of the energy industry. The Energy Skills Passport is a great example of what we can achieve together and we’ll continue to look for other potential areas of work that can further support the transition of workers between sectors.”

    Offshore Energies UK’s Director of Supply Chain & People, Katy Heidenreich said:

    “Collaboration is key to unlocking the full potential of the UK’s offshore energy sector so we are proud to be driving this initiative with RenewableUK. This industry and its people have proven excellence and a broad range of transferable skills from engineering and construction to legal and commercial expertise. This passport can help them succeed right across our diverse energy mix. This is one way the UK can back its workforce to build a homegrown energy transition that leaves no-one behind. It’s part of the toolkit this industry is assembling to partner with government to solve the challenges and seize the opportunities of our energy future.”

    The Co-Chair of the Offshore Wind Industry Council Richard Sandford said:

    “The Energy Skills Passport is a crucial step forward for workers to embrace opportunities in the offshore wind industry. It simplifies movement between essential offshore energy sectors, enabling workers to apply their knowledge to the energy transition. The milestone highlights effective collaboration between OEUK and RenewableUK, supported by the UK and Scottish Governments.”

    (ends)

    Notes

    For further information, contact

    1. RenewableUK’s members are building our future energy system, powered by clean electricity. We bring them together to deliver that future faster; a future which is better for industry, billpayers, and the environment. We support over 490 member companies to ensure increasing amounts of renewable electricity are deployed across the UK and to access export markets all over the world. Our members are business leaders, technology innovators, and expert thinkers from right across industry. RenewableUK’s events programme is available here.
    2. Offshore Energies UK is the leading trade body for the UK’s offshore energies industry. Its membership includes over 400 organisations with an interest in offshore oil, gas, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and offshore wind. Working together with its members, it is a driving force supporting the UK in ensuring security of energy supply while helping to meet its net zero ambitions.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Financial health notice to improve: The SMB Group

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A financial health notice to improve issued to The SMB Group.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Revised financial notice to improve

    PDF, 155 KB, 5 pages

    Closed financial health notice to improve

    PDF, 183 KB, 4 pages

    Details

    The revised letter and its annex serve as a notice to improve financial health at The SMB Group.

    Updates to this page

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Karen Tso, CNBC

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    JIM CHALMERS:

    Growth in the Australian economy has been soft, certainly softer than we would like. But I think it’s important to remember that most of the OECD has had a negative quarter or worse in the course of the last year or so, and Australia has avoided that.

    That’s because we’ve struck a really effective balance. We’ve maintained a primary focus on fighting inflation but at the same time as we haven’t ignored the risks to growth. Growth is very flat in our economy. It would be much worse had we cut harder in the Budget.

    KAREN TSO:

    The government stimulus certainly helped avoid some of the worst of what was the downturn predicted from here. But reduced air travel was a big feature, a bit of a fad as Australians stopped turning up to some of those bands going on tour as well, which is a feature we’ve seen in other economies as well. Are interest rates now simply too high for the economy?

    CHALMERS:

    As you know from the last time that we spoke, Karen, there are good reasons why Treasurers of either political persuasion in Australia don’t give free advice to the independent Reserve Bank. They will take their decisions based on the best information that they have to hand.

    My job is to focus on what I can control – delivering 2 surpluses for the first time in almost 2 decades, showing spending restraint, finding savings in the budget. All of this is part of our strategy to put downward pressure on inflation at the same time as we help people through what has been a very difficult period.

    TSO:

    But you and I both know there is a balance between fiscal and monetary policy where you don’t want to be doing too much on the fiscal side. Are you approaching that? Is it time for monetary policy to step up?

    CHALMERS:

    I don’t see it exactly that way. The Reserve Bank Governor has herself said that the 2 surpluses that we’ve delivered – again, for the first time in some decades in Australia – that’s helping in the fight against inflation. Our fiscal strategy is helping in the fight against inflation. We’ve found savings in the budget. We’ve shown spending restraint when we’ve got upward revisions to revenue.

    We’ve made sure that where we are providing cost‑of‑living help, it’s in the most responsible way that we can. That’s because we do recognise the role for fiscal policy and for budget management in the fight against inflation. That’s our primary focus.

    But we’re doing that at the same time as we recognise there are risks to growth and we want to maintain the gains that we’ve made in the labour market in the last couple of years. There’s been a million new jobs created in the Australian economy. That’s the first time that’s happened in a single parliamentary term. We want to preserve and maintain as much of that as we can.

    TSO:

    Another big government in the region is stimulating – the Chinese government. In recent weeks we’ve seen measures from them to try and shore up property market, to move along some of the local government debt and also help with the consumer appetite for consumption. I asked the Brazilians this question, whether Chinese stimulus equalled better growth rates for Brazil, and the response was, it’s not that simple. How do you feel? Is it that simple – China grows, Australia grows too?

    CHALMERS:

    There is a relationship between Chinese growth and Australian GDP growth. The rough rule of thumb that our Treasury uses is every extra per cent of growth in China is about a quarter of a per cent for Australia. That’s the rule of thumb that has been applied in the past.

    We see the steps announced by the Chinese authorities as really positive for Australia. One of the main concerns we have about the global economy – primarily escalation in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine obviously – but a softer economy in China does have consequences for Australia and, indeed, for the global economy.

    So we are very welcoming of the steps that the authorities have announced. As it turns out, I was in Beijing when they announced some of those additional measures. We see that as a very good thing for Australia, but we still maintain some element of concern about growth in the Chinese economy.

    TSO:

    Do you think they’ll have the same thirst for Australian resources that they’ve had in the past?

    CHALMERS:

    I think the mix will change over time. We’ve got big opportunities in our resources base in Australia, not just in the Chinese market, in the global market more broadly.

    But we have seen in the iron ore price, for example, there has been some volatility. After these measures were announced by the Chinese administration there was an increase in the iron ore price. That’s obviously a good thing for our economy and our exporters and for our budget. But over time demand for different kinds of resources will shift.

    TSO:

    No shortage of politics in the room here in DC – a US election around the corner, everybody’s trying to work out what it means if it’s a Trump versus a Harris win. You’ve done some modelling on this. Just give us a sense as to what you’re thinking about the implication if potentially it is a Trump win, which seems to be the scenario that could be more disruptive of the markets.

    CHALMERS:

    Obviously 13 days from the US election there is a lot of talk here in Washington DC, as you’d expect, about the outcomes of that.

    We don’t have a dog in the fight when it comes to the outcome of the US election. That is a matter for American domestic politics, and we’ll work closely with whoever the Americans choose to lead them.

    But like every country, we have done some scenarios, some planning for the different kinds of policies that the different administrations might enact. We don’t make that public necessarily, but we do think through the various scenarios that may play out.

    We’ve made it very clear here and on other occasions as well, we don’t want to see a trade war in our region or in the global economy. We think that would be costly. But we don’t involve ourselves in the domestic political choices or policy choices that the Americans have before them.

    TSO:

    To the point around the trade issues, bilateral relations with Beijing have certainly improved, as you just pointed out you were there. And, for instance, what are we seeing now? Australian rock lobsters are back on the menu, Australian wine no longer costing $116, 218 per cent higher thanks to tariffs. So there’s clearly been more warmth in the relationship. Could that be derailed if there’s a much more hawkish tone coming out of Washington in coming weeks which puts pressure on the Australian relationship?

    CHALMERS:

    I don’t really want to speculate on that. We have made some really quite substantial progress when it comes to stabilising, what is a very critical economic relationship for Australia. The lifting of those trade restrictions on lobster and wine are examples of how our efforts have been paying off.

    But it’s a really complex relationship. It’s full of complexity. It’s full of opportunity. There are areas where we have to disagree with China, but there are areas where we can work together and stabilise that relationship. We’ve seen the benefits of that already. And that’s because we believe as a government you get more out of engaging with people than not, and that’s proven to be the right strategy.

    TSO:

    Which is a different change to the last government in some ways. And on that note, it is a sea change from the 2016–2020 era when it was a Trump administration. It was also a conservative government in Australia versus your left‑leaning Labor government. Your policies have been more aligned with Biden’s – the Inflation Reduction Act and climate change policy. So what sort of a reset could you be facing around climate change? Do you hope that there’s still a commitment from the next administration towards climate change?

    CHALMERS:

    I think the net zero transformation in the global economy is the biggest change since the Industrial Revolution. That will be the case no matter who leads one country or another country. We’re confident that there is enough enthusiasm for and commitment to the global net zero transformation around the world that that will carry on. We want to be a really important part of that.

    Our Future Made in Australia agenda, which is a bit like the Inflation Reduction Act here in the US, that’s not about retreating from the world; that’s about engaging with the world, making ourselves an indispensable part of the global net zero transformation. And that will be the case no matter who the Americans choose to lead them.

    TSO:

    You specifically have weighed in big time into energy and climate policy in recent years. As we’ve seen some data this week from the UN suggesting we’re on course for a catastrophic 3.1 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, IMF staff have also highlighted the need to mobilise quickly. We’re counting down to COP29. Do countries including Australia need to ramp up their ambition around green goals?

    CHALMERS:

    We’re plenty ambitious about emissions reduction and about the economic opportunity that lies at the very core of that.

    Here at these meetings in DC I’ll be joining the Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, and that’s because we recognise that the environmental and emissions reduction task brings with it enormous economic opportunity for Australia – jobs and opportunities for our businesses, our workers and our investors. And so we see those 2 things as intertwined.

    Yes, there needs to be ambition from the world to avoid the worst aspects and the worst outcomes and consequences of catastrophic climate change. We believe there is a lot of goodwill, there is a lot of commitment, but we all need to do better.

    For Australia, we’ve got ambitious targets. We need to make them a reality, and we need to make sure that as part of that we grab the economic opportunities as well.

    TSO:

    How frustrated are you about the EV story? Because from a European lens we’ve got automakers with big goals that they’re having to then concede are not going to be reached. We’ve got declining appetite – and that’s not just in Europe, it’s also in the United States. Prices have been an issue, but in Australia potentially less so. Charging seems to be an issue, having the infrastructure. I can see you’ve done a tonne of things trying to stimulate demand, but it’s simply not catching on. You still don’t have the same level of interest in changing to EVs. What’s going wrong?

    CHALMERS:

    I’m not sure about that. EV take‑up has been increasing in recent years, and that is partly because of our policy agenda – our tariff cuts and our tax cuts, which are about incentivising EV take‑up, they have been working.

    But we recognise in the global market for EVs there are some issues playing out, including decisions taken here by the Americans as they relate to Chinese EVs.

    We’ll take our own decisions and we’ll make those decisions based on the best available information. But we believe in the future of EVs. I think Australians do too. And where we can help that with good policies like our tax policies right now, we’ll continue to do that.

    TSO:

    Do you think governments are going to have to start thinking about full‑blown cash for clunkers type of programs to try to get some motivation into EVs?

    CHALMERS:

    That’s not something that we’re considering. That policy has some history, as you know in Australia and around the world. It’s not something that we are contemplating.

    I think the key here is making sure that the tax arrangements are right, and we’ve made those 2 important changes to incentivise take‑up. We need to make sure we’ve got the supply so that Australian drivers, motorists, have got choices and that EVs are affordable. That’s our priority rather than some of those other options that have been put forward from time to time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The long culinary history of pumpkins – from ancient Mexican soups to modern spiced lattes

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Serin Quinn, PhD Candidate, Department of History, University of Warwick

    Carving the Pumpkin by Franck Antoine Bail (1910). Bonhams

    October heralds the beginning of pumpkin season. Over the course of the month, they will be used for a variety of non-culinary purposes. In Belgium, they are hollowed out for boat races, and in Ludwigsburg, Germany, thousands of multi-coloured pumpkins are used to make seasonal sculpture parks. At the end of the month, they will be carved up with a ghoulish grin to celebrate Halloween, a tradition that is becoming increasingly popular across the globe.

    Despite being harvested until December, for many, Halloween will mark the end of pumpkin season with the decorations unceremoniously binned. Studies show that just over half of the pumpkins bought in the UK each year (18,000 tonnes of them) go to waste uneaten. Many people don’t even realise that pumpkins are edible.

    But it hasn’t always been this way: pumpkin carving is actually a fairly recent tradition, practiced in the US since around the 1890s. Before becoming the symbol of Halloween, pumpkins had a very long history as a foodstuff.

    Like tomatoes, maize and potatoes, the pumpkin is indigenous to the Americas, with the earliest evidence of pumpkin consumption dating as far back as 8,000BC in Oaxaca, Mexico.

    Pumpkins have come a long way since then, as Indigenous American communities carefully adapted the wild pumpkin into successively bigger and better-tasting varieties. These weren’t all the bright orange we’re familiar with: white, green and yellow varieties were also common, mixed in with squashes (a genetically identical relation).

    Still Life with Pumpkins by Jan Anton van der Baren (1657).
    Kunsthistorisches Museum

    In pre-colonial America, there were a host of different ways to prepare the vegetable, as pumpkin historian Cindy Ott explains. She wrote that Indigenous communities ate pumpkins in soups, roasted them on embers, made them into sauces and baked them into a “bread”.

    Pumpkins and squash were commonly grown and eaten with maize and beans; a combination sometimes called the “three sisters”.

    The rise of the ‘pompion’

    The pumpkin only came to Europe in the 1500s, following the invasion of the Americas. This new vegetable wasn’t as much of a surprise to Europeans as we might expect: gourds, cucumbers and melons are from the same family as pumpkins, Curcubitaceae, and the plants all look very similar, with trailing vines and large golden flowers.

    Farmer with pumpkins by Ilya Ivanovich Mashkov (1930).
    WikiArt

    In European languages, the new plant was given the name of these more familiar foods, so that in English and French it became the pompion (another name for melons), in Italian the zucca and in German the kürbis (both names for gourds).

    All these overlapping names caused some confusion. In 1640, botanist John Parkinson wrote of “gourds or millions, or pompions, or whatsoever else you please to call them”.

    The recipes that pumpkins are best known for in today’s Anglo-American cuisine come from this era of food history. “Pumpion” pies started to appear in English recipe books in the 1660s, but they weren’t much like today’s versions.

    An early printed recipe was written by Hannah Woolley, an English writer who published books on household management, in 1672. It instructs the reader to fry egg-coated slices, mix these with raisins, sugar and fortified wine then place the mixture in a pie dish on top of apples. A little different maybe, but it doesn’t sound too bad.

    The apple association stayed strong in England. Another method, recorded in 1735, was to scoop out the pulp, mix it with chopped apples and sugar, bake this in the hollowed pumpkin, then eat it spread on bread. The author was careful to note that this meal was “too strong for persons of weak stomachs, and only proper for country people who use much exercise” – so be careful if you try this at home.



    Read more:
    A delicious history of the apple – from the Tian Sian mountains to supermarket shelves

    The pie recipes followed a longer tradition of sweet-and-savoury pies which were popular in England at the time. This is also where we get the typical “pumpkin spice” from. These pies were made with artichokes, sweet and ordinary potatoes, and even earlier with parsnips, skirrets and eryngoes (once popular root vegetables). They were mixed with the go-to expensive spices of the day: cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cloves, ginger and sugar. Maybe we should be calling it the “skirret spice latte”.

    As Europeans steadily colonised America over the 17th century, they brought with them their familiar recipes, including spiced pies. Here, in the home of pumpkins, they had an abundance to make them from.

    The steady rise of Halloween in the globalised age suggests our current waste issue will get worse before it gets better. Reviving the egg-apple-pumpkin pie might not be the solution, but there are plenty of other ways we can use these versatile vegetables. Remembering that pumpkins had millennia of history as a food before they were a decoration is one step on the way.


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

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

    – ref. The long culinary history of pumpkins – from ancient Mexican soups to modern spiced lattes – https://theconversation.com/the-long-culinary-history-of-pumpkins-from-ancient-mexican-soups-to-modern-spiced-lattes-240492

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Israel’s ‘generals’ plan’ to clear Palestinians from north of Gaza could pave the way for settlers to return

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Leonie Fleischmann, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, City St George’s, University of London

    Western political leaders were quick to argue that the killing of Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, on October 17 presented a window of opportunity. Perhaps the decapitation of the militant group’s senior command would be a chance for renewed ceasefire talks and the release of the Israeli hostages.

    The US president, Joe Biden, urged the Israeli government the following day to “make this moment an opportunity” to end the war in Gaza. But Israel had already launched a major operation in northern Gaza. On October 12, the IDF posted a message in Arabic on social media sites warning civilians living in an area designated as D5 on Israel’s grid map of Gaza to evacuate. It said the area would soon be a “dangerous combat zone” and ordered people to move to safe areas in the south of Gaza.

    This process has continued as the IDF has renewed its offensive in the north of the enclave, with an estimated 400,000 people affected, about 20% of the population of Gaza. The UN reported on October 21 that only a “trickle” of food aid has been allowed into north Gaza over the previous week. The Israeli military has denied this. But it has also been reported that the emergency polio vaccination campaign in north Gaza has had to be suspended, due to Israeli bombardment and a lack of access to UN personnel.

    The forcible transfer of a population during war is illegal under international law, as is denying access to humanitarian aid for civilians. But there are fears that there is a plan to move Palestinians out of north Gaza in a plan which could pave the way for settlers to move in.

    The liberal Haaretz newspaper, a consistent critic of the Netanyahu government, published an editorial on October 22 saying that there was mounting evidence that Israel is now pursuing a policy of siege and starvation to force the complete evacuation of the civilian population of northern Gaza. In doing this, the newspaper said, Israel is implementing the now notorious “generals’ plan”. It asserted:

    Make no mistake, [the generals’ plan] is a war crime, and it runs contrary to UN Security Council decision 2334, which states that land may not be taken through force, referring to acts of war.

    Military plan or land grab?

    The “generals’ plan” is attributed to retired Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland, a former head of national security in Israel. As a strategy to defeat Hamas (something which has proved elusive in 12 months of bitter fighting in Gaza) it proposes the wholesale transfer of north Gaza’s population south beyond the Netzarim corridor. A siege would be imposed on those who remain.

    The Netzarim Corridor runs across the Gaza Strip below Gaza CIty. Israel is moving Palestinians south of the corridor.
    ChrisO/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    In late September Eiland argued in an interview with Haaretz that “it’s permissible and even recommended to starve an enemy to death, provided you’ve allowed the civilians corridors of exits beforehand. And that is exactly what I am proposing”.

    Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, recently told US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, that Israel is not planning to lay siege to northern Gaza. But the evidence of the military’s actions on the ground suggests otherwise. Since October 6 the IDF has been conducting what it calls a “clearing operation” in Jabalia, north of Gaza City, channelling civilians south while launching airstrikes against the Jabalia refugee camp, where it says units of Hamas are embedded.

    Changing the reality

    There is widespread concern that the end game in north Gaza will include the return of settlers. A conference on October 22 attended by members of the ruling Likud Party, including several ministers in the Netanyahu government, heard the national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, assert that “encouraging emigration” of Palestinian residents of Gaza would be the “most ethical” solution to the conflict. The finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, told journalists on his way to the conference that the Gaza Strip was “part of the Land of Israel” and that “without settlements, there is no security”.

    Settlers were moved out of the the Gaza Strip in 2005, under the then prime minister Ariel Sharon’s Disengagement Plan. The plan dismantled 21 settlements in the Strip, relocating an estimated 8,000 settlers. Many vowed at the time that they would return one day.

    CIA map of the Gaza Strip in May 2005, a few months prior to the Israeli withdrawal. The major settlement blocs are shaded in blue.
    CIA/Wikimedia Commons

    There was a Jewish presence on the Gaza Strip from biblical times until 1929, when they were driven out during the Arab revolts, in which 133 Gazan Jews were killed. After the six-day war in 1967, Israel occupied the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. In the aftermath of the war, the main focus of settlement was national security, rather than religious ideology. Here the driving force was Israel’s deputy prime minister, Yigal Allon, who believed that national security could be guaranteed by building settlements.

    As a consequence, in the 1970s, the Labour government established the initial modern settlements in the Gaza Strip. The settlements divided the enclave such that the Palestinian inhabitants in each area were isolated from each other, thus enabling Israeli control.

    UK-based historian Ahron Bregman, a former Israeli army officer (who has written for The Conversation on the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians), warned in a post on X about how national security could once again be used as a pretext for settlements to be established in north Gaza.

    Warning: Ahron Bregman’s post on X on October 22.
    Twitter

    The current operation in northern Gaza feels like a particularly ominous moment, not only in the Hamas-Israel war, but in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rather than use the opportunity of a weakened Hamas to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal and allow the people of Gaza to attempt to rebuild their shattered lives, Israel appears to be illegally, immorally and irreversibly changing the realities on the ground.

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

    – ref. Israel’s ‘generals’ plan’ to clear Palestinians from north of Gaza could pave the way for settlers to return – https://theconversation.com/israels-generals-plan-to-clear-palestinians-from-north-of-gaza-could-pave-the-way-for-settlers-to-return-241987

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How asbestos exposure continues to be a dire health risk – 25 years after it was banned

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

    Jjay69/Shutterstock

    Asbestos may have been banned from use in the UK since 1999 but the hazardous material continues to pose a serious danger to the population.

    Low levels of asbestos are naturally present in the air, water and soil, which usually doesn’t cause people to become ill. However, regular exposure to asbestos – in the workplace, for example – is a real health risk.

    Asbestos exposure can have an insidious effect on health. It can take decades for symptoms to become noticeable but, once diagnosed, most patients die within two years.

    According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, more than 5,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases each year, making asbestos the leading cause of work-related deaths in the UK.

    Perilous but popular

    Asbestos is a group of dangerous but naturally occurring fibrous minerals widely used for decades for their heat-resistant and insulating properties. The primary types of asbestos include the most commonly used chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos).

    These fibres are highly durable and resistant to heat, electricity, and chemical damage, which made asbestos a popular material in various industries, particularly in construction and manufacturing throughout the 20th century.

    Worryingly, despite the known dangers of asbestos, it remains a common material in many UK school buildings. According to a 2019 Department for Education survey, more than 80% of state schools in England and around 60% of schools in Scotland and Wales still have asbestos “present on their estate”.

    Asbestos is considered to be safe as long as it is undisturbed. However, if there are damaged or shedding fibres then the material becomes highly dangerous to those exposed to it.

    An (un)healthy education

    When asbestos fibres become airborne and are inhaled, they can cause significant damage to lung cells and other organs.

    The main health issues linked to asbestos exposure include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, a chronic lung disease that leads to lung tissue scarring and severe breathing difficulties.

    Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs – and sometimes the abdomen or heart. Sadly, as my research has shown, it’s extremely difficult to treat patients with this condition.

    HSE statistics show that 111 teachers died from mesothelioma between the years of 2011-20. In 2021, 23 teachers died from the cancer. A 2021 report by the Joint Union Asbestos Committee (JUAC), a group that was set up to protect workers and students from the risk of asbestos, states estimates that “1,000 teachers and support staff and 9,000 former pupils died from mesothelioma between 1980 and 2017 due to asbestos exposure in schools”.

    Deadly decay

    State school buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1999 in the UK are likely to have been built using asbestos containing materials. Despite the guidance that asbestos is safe if not disturbed, there are concerns that the dilapidated state of many of the UK’s state school buildings is causing teachers and children to be at risk of asbestos exposure.

    In October 2024, the CEO of the Mesothelioma UK charity, Liz Darlison told the MailOnline that:

    The ongoing presence of asbestos in our deteriorating school buildings is like a bomb that is slowly exploding. It’s an unbelievable tragedy and a national disgrace that we are not doing more to protect people, especially children.

    Crumbling school buildings could disturb asbestos fibres, causing them to be released and then inhaled by teachers and students. Asbestos fibres are invisible – they can’t be seen, smelled or felt in the air or on clothes so it’s impossible to know if you’ve been exposed to it – until it’s too late.

    It seems, then, that only way to finally eradicate the health risks of asbestos is to remove it from public buildings. Strict enforcement of regulations, public education, safe removal programs and support for those who’ve been exposed to asbestos will be essential in ensuring that asbestos related health risks are finally eradicated.

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

    – ref. How asbestos exposure continues to be a dire health risk – 25 years after it was banned – https://theconversation.com/how-asbestos-exposure-continues-to-be-a-dire-health-risk-25-years-after-it-was-banned-232426

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Moo Deng: the celebrated hippo’s real home has disappeared – will the world restore it?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng, College Lecturer at Worcester College, and Postdoctoral Researcher at School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford

    Moo Deng lives with her mother and siblings in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand. I Viewfinder/Shutterstock

    The playful and pudgy mammal that went viral from its Thai zoo enclosure has a sad story to tell about her fellows hippos.

    Moo Deng is the two-month-old pygmy hippo who flicks her ears in joy and likes splashing in water. She lives the life of a superstar at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, where huge crowds have massed – but the chances of spotting her relatives in the wild are slim.

    Pygmy hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis) are endangered and estimated to number fewer than 2,500. Their decline has been drastic: a long-term survey in a national park in Ivory Coast found 12,000 pygmy hippos in 1982; 5,000 in 1997 and 2,000 in 2011. Today, these hippos are scarce across their native west Africa.

    Perhaps it’s not surprising that pygmy hippos feel most comfortable deep in the forest. Early European explorers to Liberia wrote in their diaries that this hippo chooses to forage at night and conceal itself in the water or in dense vegetation during the day.

    So secretive is this species that 19th-century explorers observed:

    if someone walks across one of their paths or tunnels (used to navigate through thick vegetation), they will abandon that route for a while.

    Sensitive souls

    Widespread deforestation and constant disturbance have made it difficult for pygmy hippos to survive, requiring as they do a combination of dense forests and swamps which already restricted them to a small area. West African forests have lost over 80% of their original area, which confines wild pygmy hippos to small spots in Gola National Forest (Sierra Leone) and Sapo National Park (Liberia).

    The world once had several pygmy hippo species. Only one remains, in West Africa.
    IUCN, CC BY-SA

    With their forests rapidly disappearing, there simply isn’t enough space for pygmy hippos to find food, thrive and reproduce. A survey in the Gola rainforest and its surroundings revealed that many were hiding on former cropland outside the protected area. Re – Yes the survey includes area outside protected forests area

    Cocoa production is probably the biggest cause of forest loss, then gold mining and unsustainable logging. These activities now encroach on forest reserves and other supposedly protected areas.

    Previous forest conservation efforts have failed. Conservationists argue for a system to financially reward farmers and authorise local forestry communities to safeguard the forests and sustainably manage what remains, as opposed to a top-down model of state management and enforcement.

    A world treasure

    West Africa’s forest loss is particularly heartbreaking as research shows that a remaining patch may be the most productive on Earth, surpassing even the Amazon rainforest.

    Particularly productive forests harness more of the sun’s energy and turn it into lots of palatable herbs and juicy fruits – more food to support animals like pygmy hippos, and so foster rich biodiversity.

    Before extensive fieldwork beginning in 2016, researchers had underestimated the value of west African forests, particularly their capacity to store carbon and thereby offset global warming. This oversight was partly the result of these forests being hidden by clouds, which makes satellite observation difficult, and their relative neglect by western researchers compared with other ecosystems elsewhere.

    It’s not just Moo Deng’s wider family that is at risk. West African forests are home to more than 900 bird species and nearly 400 mammals – more than a quarter of all mammal species in Africa. Their future is highly threatened by extensive deforestation.

    Underestimating the value of west African forests has kept them off the priority list for global forest restoration. It’s sadly not surprising that deforestation continues. In 2022 alone Ghana lost 44,500 acres of forest (twice the size of Manchester), close to a 70% increase from 2021.

    Each tropical forest contributes irreplaceable biodiversity. From the elusive mammals of west Africa to the vibrant birds of south-east Asia, these ecosystems are equally important. Comprehensive plans are needed to restore them which involve empowering local communities to manage their long-term health.

    A global initiative to designate 30% of Earth’s land and ocean as protected by 2030 (known as 30×30) should not conserve a vast area in one or two places, ignoring Earth’s other biodiversity hotspots. The lesson of Moo Deng’s disappearing home should be to value ecosystems equally – and plan their preservation with equal care.


    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get our award-winning weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng receives funding from the US Department of Energy.

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

    – ref. Moo Deng: the celebrated hippo’s real home has disappeared – will the world restore it? – https://theconversation.com/moo-deng-the-celebrated-hippos-real-home-has-disappeared-will-the-world-restore-it-241815

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: What Derby City Council would like to see in the Government’s Autumn budget statement

    Source: City of Derby

    Following weeks of speculation, the Government will outline their actual spending plans for the first time next week in the Autumn budget statement.  Councils across the country, including Derby City Council, will be watching with interest to see what, if any, action will be taken to address the severe financial challenges faced by local government sector.

    In Derby, the Council’s current budget is its most challenging yet, with the Council reporting a predicted £9.6 million overspend on its revenue budget – which funds most of its services outside housing, education, and capital projects – at the end of the first quarter of 2024/25.

    Demand and costs have continued to rise at a much higher rate than forecast, mainly for services affecting the city’s most vulnerable citizens such as social care and homelessness. This is not unique to Derby and is affecting councils across the country. The Council has been lobbying the Government for changes to the way it is funded, together with local government colleagues nationally.

    Derby City Council’s Quarter 2 financial update will be presented to Cabinet in November, but over the medium term the Council faces the challenge of closing a significant budget gap which was estimated to be £13.9 million for 2025/26 before any of the new pressures on services emerged this year. The Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, which is also being considered by Council Cabinet in November, will provide further details on this position.

    As a result, the Council is already in the process of planning a balanced budget for 2025/26, which is a legal requirement, ready to present it to Councillors in December before it goes out to consultation. Although the Council won’t know for certain how much money it will receive from the Government until around the same time, it is hoped the Autumn statement on 30 October will provide some additional financial support.

    In simple terms, the Government currently funds Councils through one-year grant settlements, supplemented by additional grants which can only be used for specific purposes.  Shortfalls therefore have to be met from Council Tax and Business Rates, and as Government funding has significantly declined the Council has become more reliant on these local taxes.

    While the new Government has indicated that it will move towards multi-year settlements that make it easier to plan for the mid-term, it is not known when this will happen.

    Councillor Kathy Kozlowski, Cabinet Member for Governance and Finance, said:

    We have to be realistic. We are not expecting the Government to announce multi-year grant funding settlements next week. However there are some small changes they could announce which we’ve lobbied for, and would be ‘quick wins’ for local government. They would certainly make a difference to us in Derby.

    A shortage of affordable accommodation means that homeless families are having to stay in temporary accommodation for longer. The amount of Housing Benefit we can claim back from the Government for this is capped, and if this cap was lifted we would be £4 million better off. A review of the right to buy legislation would allow Councils to maintain their levels of social housing.

    Costs in the social care market are spiralling, and introducing caps on fees that Councils pay for care would help ease the pressure on social care.

    A commitment to the much-awaited funding reforms for local government would also see a redistribution of funding to those areas that need it the most. Continuation of a lot of temporary funding, including funding that supports social care services and support to struggling families through the Household Support Fund, would mean that we could continue to support our most vulnerable residents.

    We would welcome any additional funding that the new Government can provide, however we are aware that there is no easy solution to the financial challenges that lie ahead, especially when we have no control over rising costs and demand. Any new burdens on local government need to be adequately funded.

    Let me be clear, we will have to make some very difficult decisions over the next few months if we are to fulfil our legal obligation of setting a balanced budget. Many councils have already had to make a Section 114 declaration or ask for additional Government support. This is not a route we want to take, as it would limit what we could do for Derby, but we accept that we may have to do less but in a safe and managed way.

    It is usually councils that are left to pick up the pieces when people find themselves in crisis. Yet demand continues to rise and we don’t have the funds to meet it. However we are acutely aware that we are not the only public service lobbying for more help.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: China welcomes Apple’s stable cooperation with Chinese partners

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Apple CEO Tim Cook in Beijing on Friday, saying that the tech giant is welcome to maintain stable cooperation with Chinese partners to achieve common development.

    Both sides exchanged views on the development of Apple’s business in China as well as on China-U.S. economic and trade relations at the meeting, where Cook pledged long-term development and increased investment in China, according to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce.

    Noting that China has recently rolled out new opening-up measures and taken solid steps to address concerns of foreign-invested enterprises, Wang said Apple is welcome to seize the opportunities and continue deepening its presence in the Chinese market.

    “China will further optimize its business environment and continue to provide high-quality services for foreign-funded firms,” said the minister.

    Wang stressed that China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation based on mutual benefit and win-win outcomes serves the fundamental interests of both countries and acts as a stabilizing force in bilateral relations.

    “Generalizing national security is detrimental to normal economic and trade exchanges,” Wang noted.

    He said the Chinese side is willing to restore the healthy and stable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations by engaging in regular government-business exchanges.

    Cook said China’s rapid development helps Apple achieve fast and sustainable growth.

    Apple, which regards China as an important market and a key partner in the supply chain, is committed to long-term development in China and will continue to increase investment in areas such as the supply chain and research and development, he said.

    The company will continue to serve as a bridge for communication and exchanges between China and the United States in the economic and trade field, Cook added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s public offering fund value tops 32 trillion yuan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Assets under the management of China’s public offering funds totaled 32.07 trillion yuan (about 4.51 trillion U.S. dollars) by the end of September, data from the Asset Management Association of China showed Friday.

    In comparison with the end of August, the figure saw an increase of 1.17 trillion yuan, the data showed.

    By the end of September, 163 management companies were operating a total of 12,175 public offering funds, according to the data.

    Open-end funds, including equity, bond and money market funds, reported an asset value of nearly 28.24 trillion yuan, accounting for the lion’s share of the total. The scale of closed-end funds came in at nearly 3.83 trillion yuan.

    Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), last Friday called for efforts to accelerate the implementation of the guidelines on medium and long-term capital entry into the market, while vigorously developing public equity funds.

    The CSRC will deepen the market-oriented, law-based comprehensive reform of capital market investment and financing, Wu said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Wave of the future: How DASA-backed AI innovation is revolutionising maritime rescue

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Scotland-based SME Zelim has won a contract with the US Navy to deploy their innovative AI-enabled Person-in-Water detection and tracking technology, known as ZOE.

    • Zelim’s detection and tracking system uses AI to scan the water surface to find people in the water much more accurately and consistently than human eyes and current systems can
    • Low-cost and easy to integrate, the software solution can be implemented in any camera or CCTV setup
    • DASA funding has helped take the solution from concept to commercial project, which is now being used on commercial ships, offshore energy infrastructure and commercial ports
    • In 2024, Zelim was awarded a US Navy contract to deploy ZOE – their advanced AI-enabled person in water detection and tracking technology

    In 2024, Edinburgh-based SME Zelim achieved a remarkable milestone: securing a contract with the US Navy to deploy an advanced Person-in-Water detection system. This breakthrough, rooted in artificial intelligence, represents a significant leap forward in maritime rescue technology – and it all began with support from the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).

    The US Navy contract, awarded through a Phase I SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) program, recognises Zelim’s cutting-edge AI-enabled detection and tracking technology. This system, known as ZOE, can scan vast stretches of ocean, identifying and tracking individuals or objects with unprecedented accuracy – even in challenging conditions that would confound human observers and current vision systems.

    How did a small Scottish company attract the attention of the US Navy? In 2022, Zelim presented the search and rescue concept to the DASA Open Call, which offered essential early-stage funding and expertise, allowing Zelim to turn their idea into reality. Zelim’s DASA project helped the SME tackle significant challenges, such as gathering person in water rescue data across a huge range of conditions and creating a comprehensive database for accurately identifying humans in water – a critical component in making the system reliable enough for real-world rescue operations.

    Andy Tipping, Co-Founder and Business Development Director explains:

    The DASA offering is unique, we had a DASA Subject Matter Expert who was always on hand to keep us on track and to make sure whatever we developed would meet defence customer needs, plus we had an Exploitation Manager working tirelessly to secure meetings with a range of MoD and Home Office end users. The result was, by the end of the project we started securing our first contracts in civilian markets, selling our AI enabled detection system to offshore energy operators and several months later our technology was selected for the US Navy SBIR programme. Being a DASA Alumni also gave credibility and it wasn’t long after the project completed that we secured our Series A investment round.

    From UK Innovation to US Navy Contract

    As soon as someone enters the water, rescuers are against the clock. This is greatly understood by Zelim founder, Sam Mayall, a seasoned mariner with a wide range of experience, from small dinghies to 40,000-ton ships. With a background in commercial shipping, Sam has experienced numerous emergencies at sea, including a tragic incident where rescuers discovered a body floating face down in the water.

    This experience ignited the desire to help improve maritime safety for sailors and equip rescuers with better tools, enhanced by AI and automation to ensure safer operations in the vast ocean and help overcome challenges such as:

    • Vastness of Oceans

      Individuals lost at sea can be difficult to spot with only their head often visible, which can be missed or confused with other ocean debris.

    • Poor Weather Conditions

      Fog, ocean spray, and darkness significantly reduce visibility, complicating the search efforts.

    • Imperfect Human Eyesight

      Human vision is fallible; fatigue and level of concentration can lead to false detections and missed rescue opportunities.

    • Reliance on Binoculars or CCTV

      During the critical period, rescuers using only binoculars or viewing camera streams may struggle to keep sight of the individual as they disappear behind waves, sea spray and other vessels

    • Parallax Effect

      The difference in movement speeds between foreground and background can confuse existing vision systems.

    Charting new waters with ZOE

    Zoe works by scanning the sea surface, sifting through the busy marine surroundings to pinpoint individuals or specific objects. These targets can then be recognised, identified, and tracked using their unique AI software.

    A key advantage of ZOE is its flexibility in accounting for the dynamic and chaotic nature of the sea, avoiding false positives from objects like buoys by analysing live daylight and thermal camera feeds for human-like patterns. Zelim spent several years compiling a comprehensive data library to ensure reliable identification, solving the last piece of the puzzle for effective ocean rescue.

    Additionally, ZOE is software-based and hardware agnostic, applicable to any camera or CCTV feed, making it ideal for commercial shipping, passenger vessels, naval ships, search and rescue aircraft and ports.

    How Zelim’s innovation can bolster search and rescue

    • Compatible with various camera systems
    • Alerts users to humans in water with 96% accuracy from 300 meters
    • Operates effectively in adverse weather and low light
    • Automatically tracks spotted individuals, preventing loss
    • Easy-to-install software managing multiple feeds, with local data processing
    • More efficient than traditional methods like binoculars and standard sensors

    Zelim’s ZOE detection solution in action

    Breaking into defence and civilian markets: What does the future hold for Zelim?

    DASA support proved invaluable for Zelim. By the end of the DASA project, Zelim had not only created a working prototype but had also begun securing their first contracts in civilian markets, including:

    • Jack-up drilling rigs in the North Sea
    • A floating wind farm off the coast of Portugal owned by Ocean Winds
    • A cruise ship

    The effectiveness of Zelim’s solution was evident during field trials, demonstrating its accuracy, measurability, and consistency. The system can achieve 96% accuracy from over 330 meters without applying optical zoom, and with optical zoom, it can spot humans in the water over a kilometre away.

    These capabilities caught the attention of defence organisations worldwide. In addition to the US Navy contract, Zelim’s technology was also deployed in a Royal Canadian Air Force search and rescue exercise in 2024, where it demonstrated its ability to find and track humans at sea with no false positives.

    The company’s growth reflects its success. Starting the DASA project with just 10 employees, Zelim has now expanded to a team of 28, with further growth anticipated as they work to fulfill the US Navy and offshore energy contracts.

    Looking ahead, Zelim plans to increase deployment of their technology on ships, major global ports, search and rescue assets, and air assets. This ambitious growth strategy underscores the far-reaching impact of DASA’s initial support – from fostering UK innovation to enhancing global maritime safety and creating economic opportunities.

    The US Navy contract stands as a testament to the power of targeted innovation support. By backing Zelim’s vision, DASA has not only contributed to advancing a innovative UK technology but has also opened doors for a British SME on the global stage, demonstrating how investment in innovation can yield significant returns for both national security and prosperity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English Translation of Keynote Address by Prime Minister at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Businesses (APK 2024)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 25 OCT 2024 2:55PM by PIB Delhi

    Excellency Chancellor Scholz,

    Vice Chancellor Dr. Robert Habeck,

    Ministers of the Indian Government,

    Dr. Busch, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business,

    Industry leaders from India, Germany, and Indo-Pacific countries,

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    Namaskar!

    Guten Tag!

    Friends,

    Today is a very special day.

    My friend, Chancellor Scholz, has come to India for the fourth time.

    His first visit was as a Mayor, and the next three have been during his terms as the Chancellor, which highlights his focus on India-Germany relations.

    The Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business is being held in India after a gap of 12 years.

    On one hand, a CEO forum meeting is taking place, and on the other, our navies are exercising together. German naval ships are currently on a port call in Goa. Additionally, the seventh Inter-Governmental Consultations between India and Germany will be held shortly.

    Clearly, the friendship between India and Germany is deepening at every step, on every front.

    Friends,

    This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.

    The next 25 years will see this partnership reach new heights.

    We have created a roadmap for India’s development over the coming 25 years.

    I am happy that at such a critical time, the German Cabinet has released the “Focus on India” document.

    The world’s two strongest democracies,

    Two of the world’s leading economies, together, we can become a force for global good, and the Focus on India document provides a blueprint for this. In this, Germany’s holistic approach and commitment to pursuing the strategic partnership are clearly evident. Especially noteworthy is the trust that Germany has expressed in the skilled workforce of India.

    Germany has decided to increase the number of visas for skilled Indians from 20,000 to 90,000 per year.

    I am confident that this will further boost Germany’s economic growth.

    Friends,

    Our bilateral trade has surpassed 30 billion dollars.

    Today, while hundreds of German companies operate in India, Indian companies are also rapidly expanding in Germany.

    India is becoming a prime center of diversification and de-risking and is emerging as a hub of global trade and manufacturing. Given this scenario, now is the most opportune time for you to make in India, and make for the world.

    Friends,

    The Asia-Pacific Conference has played an essential role in strengthening relations between the EU and the Asia-Pacific region. But I don’t see this platform as limited to trade and investment alone.

    I see it as a partnership for the Indo-Pacific region and a better future for the world. The world needs stability and sustainability, trust and transparency. These values must be emphasized on every front, whether in society or supply chains. Without them, no country or region can envision a brighter future.

    The Indo-Pacific region is very important for the future of the world. Whether it is in terms of global growth, population, or skills, the contribution and potential of this region are immense.

    This conference, therefore, holds even greater significance.

    Friends,

    The people of India value a stable polity and a predictable policy ecosystem.

    This is why, after 60 years, a government has been elected for a third consecutive term. This trust in India has been strengthened over the last decade through reform, performance, and transformative governance.

    When the common citizen of India feels this way, where else would be better for businesses and investors like you?

    Friends,

    India stands on four strong pillars: Democracy, Demography, Demand, and Data. Talent, technology, innovation, and infrastructure are the tools for India’s growth. Today, an additional great force drives all of these: the strength of Aspirational India.

    That is, the combined power of AI — Artificial Intelligence and Aspirational India — is with us. Our youth are driving Aspirational India.

    In the last century, natural resources accelerated development. In this century, human resources and innovations will propel growth. This is why India is committed to democratizing skills and technology for its youth.

    Friends,

    India is working today for the needs of the future world.

    Whether it is Mission AI,

    Our Semiconductor Mission,

    the Quantum Mission,

    Mission Green Hydrogen,

    Missions related to space technology,

    or the Digital India Mission, all of them aim to provide the best and most reliable solutions for the world. These areas offer numerous investment and collaboration opportunities for all of you.

    Friends,

    India is committed to providing every innovation with a strong platform and the best infrastructure. Our digital public infrastructure is creating endless opportunities for new startups and Industry 4.0. India is also transforming its physical infrastructure with record investments in rail, roads, airports, and ports. There are extensive opportunities here for companies from Germany and the Indo-Pacific region.

    I am pleased that India and Germany are working together on renewable energy.

    Last month, the fourth Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet was organized in Gujarat in collaboration with Germany.

    An India-Germany platform has also been launched for investing in renewable energy at the global level. I hope you will take advantage of the green hydrogen ecosystem that India is developing.

    Friends,

    This is the right time to join India’s growth story.

    When India’s dynamism meets Germany’s precision,

    When Germany’s engineering meets India’s innovation,

    When Germany’s technology combines with India’s talent, a brighter future is envisioned for the Indo-Pacific region and the world.

    Friends,

    You belong to the business world.

    Your mantra is “When we meet, we mean business.”

    But coming to India is not only about business; if you miss India’s culture, cuisine, and shopping, you will miss a lot.

    I assure you: You will be happy, and your family back home will be even happier.

    Thank you very much, and may this conference and your stay in India be both fruitful and memorable.

    Thank you.

    DISCLAIMER -This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s ability to scale up paired with Germany’s precision engineering to benefit the world: Shri Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India

    India’s ability to scale up paired with Germany’s precision engineering to benefit the world: Shri Piyush Goyal 

    India-Germany synergy in AI adoption, semiconductors and green technology to drive global growth: Shri Piyush Goyal

    India committed to combat climate change, on track to meet nationally determined contributions: Shri Goyal

    Asia’s demographic shift fertile ground for businesses seeking to expand, capitalise on emerging sectors: Shri Goyal

    Posted On: 25 OCT 2024 2:21PM by PIB Delhi

    Germany’s art of precision engineering coupled with India’s ability to scale up in the physical, digital or social infrastructure will help create something extraordinary for the world said Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal. He was inaugurating the 18th Asia Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) today in New Delhi. The Union Minister speaking on the India-Germany collaboration said that from AI adoption to semiconductors, from fostering the nation’s vibrant startup ecosystem to collaborating on green technology, the synergies between India and Germany can drive unprecedented growth.

    Noting that today’s India is built on strong macroeconomic fundamentals, he added that reform, resilience and readiness is available for the future for businesses across the world. On combating climate change, Shri Goyal emphasised India’s commitment at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015, and said that India collectively with the Global South got together with the developed countries to be a part of the solution. He added that India, currently ranked 7th in Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), is on track to exceed the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and also the targets set before the world. 

    Extending gratitude to the Asia Pacific Committee of German Business and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce for organising the event, Shri Goyal said that the Asia-Pacific region encompasses 60% of world’s population and by 2030, two-thirds of the global middle class will reside in Asia. This demographic shift presents a fertile ground for businesses seeking to

    expand their reach and capitalise on emerging sectors, he said.

    Shri Goyal stressed that the Conference will be key to identifying emerging trends and tackling global challenges. It facilitates the exchange of best practices, drives technological advancements and shapes policies for future industrial growth, he said. The Union Minister expressed hope that India and Germany can deepen strategic partnerships and translate this collaboration into real growth for the economies and the citizens of both the countries.

    Quoting German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer’s expression “Reading the Upanishads is comforting in my life…”, the Minister in the spirit of that ancient wisdom urged all the participants to embrace the richness of India’s culture and diversity especially during this festive season from Diwali until Christmas and New Year.

    Shri Goyal ended his speech with a quote from Rabindranath Tagore, “Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal” and urged the participants to create the future where the products made, the industries led and the innovations pioneered, touch every corner of the globe.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DPIIT forges alliance with HCLSoftware to herald India’s startup revolution

    Source: Government of India (2)

    DPIIT forges alliance with HCLSoftware to herald India’s startup revolution

    Under Startup India initiative, DPIIT signed over 80 MoUs with industry stakeholders till date

    The collaboration to propel India’s manufacturing sector and support its goal of becoming a National production hub

    Posted On: 25 OCT 2024 12:17PM by PIB Delhi

    Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)  announced a strategic partnership with HCLSoftware, a global leader in software solutions, as a vital component of its Manufacturing Incubation Initiative, on 23rd October 2024 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. In a bid to revolutionise India’s startup manufacturing ecosystem, DPIIT is creating an environment where corporate houses play a pivotal role in incubating manufacturing startups. Under the Startup India initiative, DPIIT has signed over 80 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with industry stakeholders till date.

     

    Startups will have access to the HCL SYNC program for global market exposure, allowing them to showcase their products and services worldwide, thus taking Indian innovation to an international audience. Notably, this collaboration marks a substantial step forward in advancing the Indian manufacturing sector, supporting the nation’s goal of establishing itself as a national production hub.                    

    This initiative’s objectives include developing Indian intellectual property by encouraging startups to create unique products and solutions tailored to India, improving product quality by providing startups with the tools and expertise to produce world-class products that meet global standards, and building a robust manufacturing ecosystem by establishing a network of interconnected startups and suppliers capable of supporting the full manufacturing value chain.

               

    DPIIT Joint Secretary, Mr. Sanjiv Singh, highlighted the necessity of this partnership to establish a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem, stating that HCLSoftware’s expertise and dedication to supporting startups align seamlessly with DPIIT’s vision. Mr. Sanjiv noted that through this collaboration, innovation will flourish, and Indian businesses will gain a stronger foothold on the global stage. Outlining the goals of DPIIT’s flagship program, Startup India, Mr. Sanjiv reaffirmed DPIIT’s commitment to fostering and promoting the nation’s manufacturing ecosystem by motivating and supporting product startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs. This collaboration will significantly contribute to the realisation of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and position India as a global manufacturing hub.

    Director, Startup India, Dr. Sumeet K. Jarangal, emphasized that the primary objective of this initiative is to boost India’s manufacturing sector by empowering startups with cutting-edge digital technologies and providing access to global markets. Dr. Jarangal further elaborated that HCLSoftware is dedicated to collaborating with DPIIT and Startup India to elevate Indian manufacturing startups to new heights, fostering excellence and growth, and thereby crafting a success story. HCLSoftware will play an essential role in supporting startups through every phase, from design and development to sales and marketing, utilising its digital manufacturing and aftermarket solutions.

     

    Kalyan Kumar, Chief Product Officer at HCLSoftware, remarked that this collaboration is a pivotal moment in India’s manufacturing journey. Reiterating HCLSoftware’s commitment to equipping startups with essential tools and support, Kumar stated that the company would exhaust all efforts to foster innovation and economic growth, contributing significantly to India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Loan limit under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) increased to Rs.20 lakh from the current Rs.10 lakh

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 OCT 2024 12:36PM by PIB Delhi

    As announced by the Finance Minister on 23rd July, 2024 in the Union Budget 2024-25, the limit of Mudra loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has been enhanced from current Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh. This increase aspires to further the overall objective of the Mudra Scheme which is Funding the Unfunded. This enhancement is specifically beneficial to upcoming entrepreneurs facilitating their growth and expansion. The move is in alignment with the Governmment’s commitment in fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.            

    As per the notification issued in this regard, the new category of Tarun Plus is  for Loans above Rs. 10 lakh and upto Rs. 20 lakh  and would be available to the entrepreneurs who  have availed and successfully repaid previous loans under the Tarun category. The guarantee coverage of PMMY loans upto Rs. 20 lakh will be provided under the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU).

    Click here for notification.

    ****

    NB/AD

    (Release ID: 2068019) Visitor Counter : 14

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: SK Bookkeeping Services Limited

    Source: Isle of Man

    Notice is hereby given that SK Bookkeeping Services Limited, which was registered under the Designated Businesses (Registration & Oversight) Act 2015, has been de-registered in accordance with 12(1)(a) of this Act with effect from 24/10/2024.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Superbridge Summit 2024 successfully concludes, driving trade and investment partnerships in Global South

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

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 25, 2024/APO Group/ —

    SuperBridge Summit 2024 (https://SuperBridgeDubai.com), organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the SuperBridge Council, successfully concluded at One&Only One Za’abeel Hotel, Dubai. The two-day event held alongside GITEX Global convened over 700 C-Level Executives and 60 renowned speakers from fast-growing economic regions in the Global South, establishing itself as a global platform for innovation, collaboration, and community-building.

    During the event, H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, UAE, delivered a keynote address. He shared insights on the rising role of advanced technologies, and AI innovations, encouraging participants to gain a critical understanding of their community’s future growth trajectory.

    The dynamic event convened next-gen leaders from the Mid-East, Africa and South Asia, exploring key avenues of collaboration in the sustainability, tech, banking, retail, and healthcare industries.  These pertinent discussions further highlighted innovation being led by pioneers like Insilico, a leading biotech company in the UAE, Nigeria’s renowned fintech firm Flutterwave and Singapore’s MVGX Group, a tech leader committed to decarbonisation. Moreover, the summit underscored the rise of cross-border investments within the Global South. This further reaffirms the importance of nurturing robust economic partnerships between entities in the region.     

    The impactful sessions while promoting cutting-edge ideas, also underscored the vital role of global perspectives in driving innovation, highlighted by the partnership established by the Superbridge Summit with Dubai Chambers, global travel leader Trip.com, edtech firm Laix, innovation and research center NICE, blockchain leaders MVGX, and METACOMP.

    Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre said, “As the UAE emerges as a global epicentre of innovation, business events like SuperBridge Summit further catalyse this growth, reaffirming GITEX’s enduring commitment to driving collaboration and fostering a prosperous future for coming generations. The event had an exemplary attendee lineup encompassing high-level changemakers, thought leaders and C-level executives from diverse industries who shared their valuable insights on crucial topics. We are immensely grateful to the summit’s attendees for their support and are confident that the event will facilitate positive change across diverse sectors.”

    Khalid Al Jarwan, Vice President of Operations and acting Vice President of Digital and Commercial Sectors at Dubai Chambers, commented, “The SuperBridge Summit aligns closely with Dubai Chambers’ objectives by creating a global platform for collaboration. Events of this kind play a vital role in connecting key stakeholders, fostering impactful partnerships, and driving innovation. We remain committed to helping businesses and investors from across the globe leverage Dubai’s strategic advantages to promote economic growth and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.”

    As a global platform for innovation, the summit facilitated valuable inputs that enabled attendees gain new insights and a renewed sense of purpose, inspiring them to contribute to the holistic development of the global economy.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission approves €724 million Danish State aid greenhouse gas tax reduction scheme for companies at risk of carbon leakage

    Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 25 Oct 2024 The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €724 million (DKK 5.4 billion) Danish scheme to lower the rate of a new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions tax for certain companies.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: A future of diversity

    Source: European Investment Bank

    In Mauritaina, economic inclusion is lower, especially for women, than in many neighbouring countries, such as Morrocco and Senegal. The percentage of women in the workforce is about 26%. This level has stayed about the same for the past few decades, according to the World Bank. Among men, labour participation is nearly 60%. Helping women get jobs will give a big lift to gross domestic product, according to the founders of the 2X Challenge. Youth unemployment also is high in Mauritania, at about 24%.

    Oumar Mohamed Saleh, a Bank for Commerce and Industry loan officer in Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott, says it’s almost impossible to give loans to most women without support from the European Investment Bank. The terms of the cooperation with the European Investment Bank allow his bank to make  repayments longer, reduce interest rates or ease clients’ collateral requirements. These terms are important because women often don’t have big incomes and they don’t have a home or car in their name to use as collateral. The Bank for Commerce and Industry can also allow clients to pause their payments if they are having business troubles.

    “If a woman wants to set up a little business, such as selling doughnuts, they can’t go to a bank, because they usually won’t get a loan,” Saleh says. “Women end up working informally, making clothes or helping in food preparation. But today, we can help many of these women.”

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai presides over second meeting of National Climate Change Committee

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai presides over second meeting of National Climate Change Committee
    2024-10-24

    On the afternoon of October 24, President Lai Ching-te presided over the second meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. In his opening statement, the president said that the whole world is now facing the challenges of extreme weather and carbon reduction. Noting that Taiwan plays a critical role in global technology supply chains, the president stated that we must step up climate action to enhance the international competitiveness of our industries and quicken our pace to bring us in line with global progress on carbon reduction. He added that we are willing to cooperate with countries around the world, including China, to address the challenges of climate change together. 
    President Lai emphasized that the government’s strategic direction is clear: we will promote our second energy transition to ensure a stable and resilient energy supply. Going forward, he said, the government will gradually promote energy conservation policies and encourage all sectors to promote deep energy saving through such methods as investment incentives, investment tax credits, and government subsidies to help industries save energy. He added that energy service company (ESCO) mechanisms will also be promoted through cooperation with insurance enterprises and life insurance companies to improve enterprise equipment and production processes. The president expressed his confidence that as long as everyone works together to implement innovative and transformative change, we can create opportunities for sustainable growth for generations to come.
    A translation of President Lai’s opening statement follows:
    Today is the second meeting of the National Climate Change Committee. First, I want to welcome the committee members who were on leave for the first meeting but are with us today: Paul Peng (彭双浪), Sophia Cheng (程淑芬), and Lin Tze-luen (林子倫).     
    I want to thank everyone here with us today, as well as our fellow citizens and friends for their enthusiastic participation online. This shows that everyone considers global climate change issues as matters of great importance.
    Not long ago, we saw Typhoon Krathon become the first tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in Kaohsiung in the month of October, with recorded gusts at level 17 or higher on the Beaufort scale. Responding to climate change is a major test for national resilience and sustainable development.
    Internationally, the whole world is facing increasingly severe climate change challenges. The Paris Agreement of 2015 requires each country to update its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) every five years. In 2021, COP26 increased the frequency of such updates to once every two years to accelerate progress in global carbon reduction. In addition, the next round of NDC updates for countries around the world is scheduled for the beginning of next year. 
    Therefore, we must come together and create a strong, resilient Taiwan that can respond to challenges and align with international trends. At the same time, we are willing to continue strengthening cooperation with countries around the world, including China, to address the challenges of climate change together. 
    At the beginning of this month, we launched a carbon fee system, with fees starting to be collected next year. This is a solid step. Furthermore, our strategic direction is clear: we will promote our second energy transition to ensure a stable and resilient energy supply. In addition to developing more forms of green energy to open up new energy sources, we must also promote deep energy saving and advanced energy storage technology applications to spur the transformation and development of next-generation industries; enhance Taiwan’s adaptive mechanisms to respond to climate change; and seek green growth opportunities for sustainability, as we steadily move toward our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.   
    At today’s meeting, the Ministry of Environment will first deliver reports on the progress of certain items listed in the first committee meeting and on the promotion of the public sector chief sustainability officer alliance. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will then deliver a report on the progress in deep energy saving promotion.
    I want to thank deputy convener and Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) for conducting numerous interministerial policy discussions in the Net Zero Emissions Transition Taskforce, under the Executive Yuan’s National Council for Sustainable Development, in the time since we convened our first meeting in August this year.  
    In a few minutes, executive secretary and Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming (彭啓明) will explain our initial concept for an energy information platform and the current review status of our new carbon reduction goals, two issues of great concern to our committee members. The reports will help committee members and the public to better understand the government’s policies.  
    As Taiwan plays a critical role in global technology supply chains, we must step up climate action to enhance the international competitiveness of our industries and quicken our pace to bring us in line with NDCs internationally. We also need to review our goals for 2030, be more ambitious to break through obstacles, and reset new, more proactive carbon-reduction goals for 2032 and 2035.
    At the same time, the best source of energy is the energy we conserve. Our economic development requires that industries and foreign investors continue to invest in Taiwan, which requires a stable power supply. Conserving energy is more efficient than developing new energy sources and is one of the most important cost-effective methods. It is also an immediately effective strategy for reducing carbon emissions. The more energy we save, the more we can reduce carbon emissions.
    One of the conclusions reached during last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) was that by 2030, the average annual improvement rate of energy efficiency must be increased from two percent to four percent. Increasing energy efficiency is already an international consensus and trend in efforts to achieve net-zero emissions. 
    Going forward, the government will gradually promote energy conservation policies and encourage all sectors to promote deep energy saving. From high-emission enterprises to hospitals and schools, and even homes and individuals, everyone needs to participate. The government cannot promote deep energy saving alone. Like a baseball team, for the team to be really good, everyone must play their role.  
    ESCOs, like analysts and trainers on baseball teams, can provide enterprises with the most cost-effective, tailor-made energy-saving plans to ensure that every dollar invested achieves the best possible energy savings. 
    Moving forward, in promoting deep energy saving, we need ESCOs to be involved to strengthen our “lineup.” The government will cooperate with industry to propose methods including investment incentives, investment tax credits, and government subsidies to help industries save energy. The government will also cooperate with insurance enterprises and life insurance companies to promote ESCO mechanisms, and will provide funding assistance to upgrade equipment and improve production processes, with the savings on electricity costs returned to investors. Insurance premiums will be used for national development, forming a virtuous circular economy. 
    The whole world is now facing the challenges of extreme weather and carbon reduction. But I am confident that as long as everyone works together to implement innovative and transformative change, we can create opportunities for sustainable growth for generations to come.
    Through this meeting, we will not only rely on the expertise of our advisors and committee members for diverse discussions and collective brainstorming. We will also reference innovative and pragmatic strategies for green growth adopted by countries such as the United Kingdom and Japan. Through joint actions of the public sector in conjunction with the various sectors of society, we can more efficiently accelerate Taiwan’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
    In a few minutes, I will invite everyone to actively share your expertise and experience. Thank you.
    Following his statement, President Lai heard a report on the promotion of the public sector chief sustainability officer alliance from Minister Peng and a report on the progress in deep energy saving promotion from Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Lien Ching-chang (連錦漳). Afterward, President Lai exchanged views with the committee members regarding the content of the reports.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Poland expands EIB’s Ukraine reconstruction fund with €25 million

    Source: European Investment Bank

    • Poland provides €25 million to EIB fund supporting critical recovery projects in Ukraine.
    • Polish contribution increases size of EU for Ukraine Fund to nearly €400 million.

    The Polish government has contributed €25 million to a European Investment Bank (EIB) fund dedicated to the reconstruction of Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale military invasion in 2022. The agreement between the EIB and Poland increases the size of the EU for Ukraine Fund to €398.35 million.

    Created by the EIB in 2023, the fund aims to help rebuild infrastructure, restore essential services and stimulate economic growth in Ukraine. Part of the EU for Ukraine (EU4U) initiative supporting vital public and private reconstruction projects and improving access to finance for entrepreneurs in the country, the fund has received contributions to date from 14 EU countries.   

    “Poland joining the EIB-led EU for Ukraine Fund marks an important step in supporting Ukraine’s economic resilience,” said EIB vice-President responsible for operations in Ukraine, Teresa Czerwińska. “Thanks to the Polish contribution, the fund is now worth nearly 400 million euros. This money will help drive public sector investment to rebuild critical infrastructure, as well as propping up Ukrainian entrepreneurs and businesses to keep the economy going. On top of that, the EIB finances from its own resources advisory support to prepare infrastructure investment projects despite the ongoing war.”

    “Supporting Ukraine has been a long-standing priority for Poland, including through development cooperation. Since the Russian aggression on Ukraine in 2022 our efforts have intensified to address humanitarian needs and help Ukraine in recovery and post-war reconstruction. Poland is proud to be one of the initiators of the establishment of the EU for Ukraine Fund in 2023 and now to fulfil our political commitment with financial contribution of €25 million EUR. We hope that these funds will also help Ukraine to modernize on its EU accession path” said Polish Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jakub Wiśniewski.

    In addition to Poland, the EU for Ukraine Fund has received contributions from Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain.

    The guarantees provided under the Fund enable the EIB to support reconstruction projects in Ukraine that might otherwise be too risky to finance. The EU for Ukraine Fund also supports project promoters and beneficiaries by lowering the borrowing costs for them through investment grants.

    The fund has already supported several projects including by providing €25 million for an initiative to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine and Moldova and €50 million for a new metro fleet in the capital Kyiv. Other projects in the pipeline include renovation works for damaged housing, repairs to Ukraine’s critical export routes and an emergency response line for life-threatening situations.

    Background information 

    Present in Ukraine since 2007, the EIB has been unwavering in its support for the country’s EU integration, which has become even more vital given Russia’s war against Ukraine. With a portfolio of signed projects valued at €7.3 billion, the Bank has invested in municipal infrastructure, energy, transport and small businesses, all with the goal of improving daily life, boosting economic growth and lending support for Ukraine’s resilience and reconstruction efforts. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EIB has provided immediate relief, disbursing over €2 billion of financing for emergency repairs to the country’s ravaged infrastructure.

    Through the EIB’s EU4U Fund and the broader initiative, the Bank remains committed to stepping up its activities in line with the mandate given by EU leaders and in close cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, EU Member States and international partners. The EIB also plays a key role in implementing the European Union’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Romania: The NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network decided to set up a communication plan to prevent fraud with European funds

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    The Fight Against Fraud Department – DLAF coordinated the second meeting of the NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network, held virtually on 22 October.

    DLAF opened the discussions on the establishment of a joint Communication Plan, which will create an integrated communication of all the member institutions of NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network. The implementation of the Communication Plan is occasioned by the adoption, in December 2023, of the „National Anti-Fraud Strategy for the protection of the Financial Interests of the European Union in Romania 2023-2027” (NAFS), which establishes that one of the main objectives is the prevention of fraud with European funds. Communication is involved in achieving this goal. As a result, the implementation stages aimed at creating the NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network at the beginning of 2024, which includes communication and PR specialists from several public institutions engaged in the fight against fraud with European funds and setting up annual communication plans. At this stage, the Network has undertaken to finalise, by the end of the year, a joint strategic document (target audience, messages, logo, communication channels, etc.) and the 2025 action plan.

    During the meeting, DLAF presented to the communication specialists the model of good practice of the Anti-fraud Communicators Network (OAFCN), created and coordinated by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Participants were able to find out details about Network’s history, about the flow of relevant information between member institutions and about the communication campaigns carried out by OLAF and the institutions of the OAFCN Network. As an OAFCN member, DLAF highlighted the good collaboration between the Department and OLAF, as also appreciated at the 33rd Meeting of the OLAF-OAFCN Anti-Fraud Communicators Network (2-3 July 2024). 

    As a guest of the meeting, the Ministry of European Investments and Projects (MIPE) provided details on the communication strategy, dedicated to promoting and disseminating information about the programmes financed by the Cohesion Policy, for the programming period 2021-2027, carried out by the Ministry. The institution also provided information on how the National Network of Responsible for the communication of the 2021-2027 programmes works, which it coordinates.

    Both the example of the functioning of the OLAF’s OAFCN Network and the model of cooperation in the InformEU Network, created by the European Commission, of which MIPE is also part and it presented at the meeting, may be useful in drawing up a strategic and action plan for the NAFS Anti-Fraud Communication Network.     

    Background:

    The Fight Against Fraud Department – DLAF is the national coordinator for the communication and dissemination of information on the protection of the financial interests of the European Union in Romania.

    The „National Anti-Fraud Strategy for the protection of the Financial Interests of the European Union in Romania 2023-2027” offers the opportunity for Romanian public institutions to set up a joint strategic framework in the fight against fraud with European funds, on several areas.

    Read the original press release (in Romanian)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Vine Hill Capital Investment Corp. Announces the Separate Trading of Its Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants, Commencing on October 28, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Oct. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vine Hill Capital Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: VCICU) (the “Company”), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced that, commencing on October 28, 2024, holders of the units (the “Units”) sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the Company’s Class A ordinary shares (the “Ordinary Shares”) and warrants (the “Warrants”) included in the Units.

    The Ordinary Shares and Warrants received from the separated Units will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “VCIC” and “VCICW”, respectively. Units that are not separated will continue to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol “VCICU”. No fractional Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Warrants will trade. Holders of Units will need to have their brokers contact Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company’s transfer agent, in order to separate the Units into Ordinary Shares and Warrants.

    The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company may pursue an initial business combination in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, but the Company intends to focus its search on a target business in the industrial and services industries, where it believes the expertise of its management team will provide it with a competitive advantage in completing a successful initial business combination.

    The Units were initially offered by the Company in an underwritten offering. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated acted as sole book-running manager for the offering. Copies of the prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attention: Syndicate Department, One South Street, 15th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, or by email:  SyndProspectus@Stifel.com or by telephone: (855) 300-7136.

    The registration statement relating to the securities of the Company was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 5, 2024. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and final prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC, which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Copies of these documents are available on the SEC’s website, at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. No assurance can be given that the Company will ultimately complete a business combination transaction.

    Contact

    Nicholas Petruska
    Vine Hill Capital Investment Corp.
    Phone: (954) 848-2859
    Email: info@vinehillcapital.com
    Website: https://vinehillcapital.com/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Monetary developments in the euro area: September 2024

    Source: European Central Bank

    25 October 2024

    Components of the broad monetary aggregate M3

    The annual growth rate of the broad monetary aggregate M3 increased to 3.2% in September 2024 from 2.9% in August, averaging 2.8% in the three months up to September. The components of M3 showed the following developments. The annual growth rate of the narrower aggregate M1, which comprises currency in circulation and overnight deposits, was -1.2% in September, compared with ‑2.1% in August. The annual growth rate of short-term deposits other than overnight deposits (M2-M1) decreased to 9.7% in September from 10.4% in August. The annual growth rate of marketable instruments (M3-M2) decreased to 21.8% in September from 22.3% in August.

    Chart 1

    Monetary aggregates

    (annual growth rates)

    Data for monetary aggregates

    Looking at the components’ contributions to the annual growth rate of M3, the narrower aggregate M1 contributed -0.8 percentage points (up from -1.4 percentage points in August), short-term deposits other than overnight deposits (M2-M1) contributed 2.8 percentage points (down from 2.9 percentage points) and marketable instruments (M3-M2) contributed 1.3 percentage points (as in the previous month).

    Among the holding sectors of deposits in M3, the annual growth rate of deposits placed by households increased to 2.8% in September from 2.3% in August, while the annual growth rate of deposits placed by non-financial corporations decreased to 1.6% in September from 1.8% in August. Finally, the annual growth rate of deposits placed by investment funds other than money market funds increased to 11.9% in September from 11.7% in August.

    Counterparts of the broad monetary aggregate M3

    The annual growth rate of M3 in September 2024, as a reflection of changes in the items on the monetary financial institution (MFI) consolidated balance sheet other than M3 (counterparts of M3), can be broken down as follows: net external assets contributed 3.9 percentage points (down from 4.0 percentage points in August), claims on the private sector contributed 1.1 percentage points (as in the previous month), claims on general government contributed -0.5 percentage points (down from -0.4 percentage points), longer-term liabilities contributed -1.8 percentage points (as in the previous month), and the remaining counterparts of M3 contributed 0.5 percentage points (up from 0.0 percentage points).

    Chart 2

    Contribution of the M3 counterparts to the annual growth rate of M3

    (percentage points)

    Data for contribution of the M3 counterparts to the annual growth rate of M3

    Claims on euro area residents

    The annual growth rate of total claims on euro area residents stood at 0.5% in September 2024, unchanged from the previous month. The annual growth rate of claims on general government stood at -1.2% in September, compared with -1.1% in August, while the annual growth rate of claims on the private sector stood at 1.2% in September, unchanged from the previous month.

    The annual growth rate of adjusted loans to the private sector (i.e. adjusted for loan transfers and notional cash pooling) stood at 1.6% in September, compared with 1.5% in August. Among the borrowing sectors, the annual growth rate of adjusted loans to households stood at 0.7% in September, compared with 0.6% in August, while the annual growth rate of adjusted loans to non-financial corporations increased to 1.1% in September from 0.8% in August.

    Chart 3

    Adjusted loans to the private sector

    (annual growth rates)

    Data for adjusted loans to the private sector

    Notes:

    • Data in this press release are adjusted for seasonal and end-of-month calendar effects, unless stated otherwise.
    • “Private sector” refers to euro area non-MFIs excluding general government.
    • Hyperlinks lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions. Figures shown in annex tables are a snapshot of the data as at the time of the current release.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Murdoch to Musk: how global media power has shifted from the moguls to the big tech bros

    ANALYSIS: By Matthew Ricketson, Deakin University and Andrew Dodd, The University of Melbourne

    Until recently, Elon Musk was just a wildly successful electric car tycoon and space pioneer. Sure, he was erratic and outspoken, but his global influence was contained and seemingly under control.

    But add the ownership of just one media platform, in the form of Twitter — now X — and the maverick has become a mogul, and the baton of the world’s biggest media bully has passed to a new player.

    What we can gauge from watching Musk’s stewardship of X is that he’s unlike former media moguls, making him potentially even more dangerous. He operates under his own rules, often beyond the reach of regulators. He has demonstrated he has no regard for those who try to rein him in.

    Under the old regime, press barons, from William Randolph Hearst to Rupert Murdoch, at least pretended they were committed to truth-telling journalism. Never mind that they were simultaneously deploying intimidation and bullying to achieve their commercial and political ends.

    Musk has no need, or desire, for such pretence because he’s not required to cloak anything he says in even a wafer-thin veil of journalism. Instead, his driving rationale is free speech, which is often code for don’t dare get in my way.

    This means we are in new territory, but it doesn’t mean what went before it is irrelevant.

    A big bucket of the proverbial
     If you want a comprehensive, up-to-date primer on the behaviour of media moguls over the past century-plus, Eric Beecher has just provided it in his book The Men Who Killed the News.

    Alongside accounts of people like Hearst in the United States and Lord Northcliffe in the United Kingdom, Beecher quotes the notorious example of what happened to John Major, the UK prime minister between 1990 and 1997, who baulked at following Murdoch’s resistance to strengthening ties with the European Union.

    In a conversation between Major and Kelvin MacKenzie, editor of Murdoch’s best-selling English tabloid newspaper, The Sun, the prime minister was bluntly told: “Well John, let me put it this way. I’ve got a large bucket of shit lying on my desk and tomorrow morning I’m going to pour it all over your head.”

    MacKenzie might have thought he was speaking truth to power, but in reality he was doing Murdoch’s bidding, and actually using his master’s voice, as Beecher confirms by recounting an anecdote from early in Murdoch’s career in Australia.

    In the 1960s, when Murdoch owned The Sunday Times in Perth, he met Lang Hancock (father of Gina Rinehart) to discuss potentially buying some mineral prospects together in Western Australia. The state government was opposed to the planned deal.

    Beecher cites Hancock’s biographer, Robert Duffield, who claimed Murdoch asked the mining magnate, “If I can get a certain politician to negotiate, will you sell me a piece of the cake?” Hancock said yes.

    Later that night, Murdoch called again to say the deal had been done. How, asked an incredulous Hancock. Murdoch replied: “Simple [. . . ] I told him: look you can have a headline a day or a bucket of shit every day. What’s it to be?”

    Between Murdoch in the 1960s and MacKenzie in the 1990s came Mario Puzo’s The Godfather with Don Corleone, aided by Luca Brasi holding a gun to a rival’s head, saying “either his brains or his signature would be on the contract”.

    Changing the rules of the game
     Media moguls use metaphorical bullets. Those relatively few people who do resist them, like Major, get the proverbial poured over their government. Headlines in The Sun following the Conservatives’ win in the 1992 election included: “Pigmy PM”, “Not up to the job” and “1001 reasons why you are such a plonker John”.

    If media moguls since Hearst and Northcliffe have tap-danced between producing journalism and pursuing their commercial and political aims, they have at least done the former, and some of it has been very good.

    The leaders of the social media behemoths, by contrast, don’t claim any Fourth Estate role. If anything, they seem to hold journalism with tongs as far from their face as possible.

    They do possess enormous wealth though. Apple, Microsoft, Google and Meta, formerly known as Facebook, are in the top 10 companies globally by market capitalisation. By comparison, News Corporation’s market capitalisation now ranks at 1173 in the world.

    Regulating the online environment may be difficult, as Australia discovered this year when it tried, and failed, to stop X hosting footage of the Wakeley Church stabbing attacks. But limiting transnational media platforms can be done, according to Robert Reich, a former Secretary of Labor in Bill Clinton’s government.

    Despite some early wins through Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code, big tech companies habitually resist regulation. They have used their substantial influence to stymie it wherever and whenever nation-states have sought to introduce it.

    Meta’s founder and chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, has been known to go rogue, as he demonstrated in February 2021 when he protested against the bargaining code by unilaterally closing Facebook sites that carried news. Generally, though, his strategy has been to deploy standard public relations and lobbying methods.

    But his rival Musk uses his social media platform, X, like a wrecking ball.

    Musk is just about the first thing the average X user sees in their feed, whether they want to or not. He gives everyone the benefit of his thoughts, not to mention his thought bubbles. He proclaims himself a free-speech absolutist, but most of his pronouncements lean hard to the right, providing little space for alternative views.

    Some of his tweets have been inflammatory, such as him linking to an article promoting a conspiracy theory about the savage attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of the former US Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, or his tweet that “Civil war is inevitable” following riots that erupted recently in the UK.

    As the BBC reported, the riots occurred after the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport. “The subsequent unrest in towns and cities across England and in parts of Northern Ireland has been fuelled by misinformation online, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment”.

    Nor does Musk bother with niceties when people disagree with him. Late last year, advertisers considered boycotting X because they believed some of Musk’s posts were anti-Semitic. He told them during a live interview to “Go fuck yourself”.

    He has welcomed Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, back onto X after Trump’s account was frozen over his comments surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack on the capitol. Since then both men have floated the idea of governing together if Trump wins a second term.

    Is the world better off with tech bros like Musk who demand unlimited freedom and assert their influence brazenly, or old-style media moguls who spin fine-sounding rhetoric about freedom of the press and exert influence under the cover of journalism?

    That’s a question for our times that we should probably begin grappling with.

    Dr Matthew Ricketson is professor of communication, Deakin University and Dr Andrew Dodd is director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: DCCA DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS (Through September 2024)

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    RELEASE: DCCA DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS (Through September 2024)

    Posted on Oct 24, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

    KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

    Office of Administrative Hearings

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR | KIAʻĀINA

    NADINE Y. ANDO

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA | HOʻOKELE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 24, 2024

    DCCA DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

    (Through September 2024)

    HONOLULU – The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and its respective state Boards and Commissions released a summary of disciplinary actions through the month of September 2024, taken on individuals and entities with professional and vocational licenses in Hawai‘i. These disciplinary actions include dispositions based upon either the results of contested case hearings or settlement agreements submitted by the parties. Respondents enter into settlement agreements as a compromise to claims and to conserve on the expenses of proceeding with an administrative hearing.

    The DCCA and the Boards and Commissions are responsible for ensuring those with professional and vocational licenses are performing up to the standards prescribed by state law.

    BOARD OF NURSING

    Respondent:        Kimberly A. Simmons (Maui)

    Case Number:     RNS 2022-890-L

    Sanction:             $1,000 fine

    Effective Date:     9-5-24

    RICO alleges that in July 2022, RICO received a complaint concerning Respondent’s conduct, and that Respondent received notice of RICO’s investigation in 2022 and failed to notify the Board of the ongoing RICO investigation in her 2023 renewal application, in potential violation of HRS §§ 436B-19(9), 457-12(a)(6) and 457-12(a)(11). (Board approved Settlement Agreement.)

    BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY

    Respondent:        Kathryn L. Lapierre

    Case Number:     PHA 2024-0001-L

    Sanction:             $1,500 fine

    Effective Date:    8-30-24

    RICO alleges that Respondent was served with a complaint by the state of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Legal Services and Compliance on September 25, 2019, Respondent indicated “No” to the question “Are there any disciplinary actions pending against you in this state or any other jurisdiction” on her July 22, 2020 renewal application, the state of Wisconsin disciplined Respondent on September 16, 2020, and Respondent failed to timely notify the Board of the disciplinary action, in potential violation of HRS §§ 465-13(a)(19), 436B-19(5), 436B-19(13), 436B-19(15) and 436B-19(17). (Board approved Settlement Agreement.)

    BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

    Respondent:        Laura J. Romig

    Case Number:     PTS 2023-3-L

    Sanction:             6-month license suspension, complete 30 CC units

    Effective Date:    9-10-24

    The Board adopted the Hearings Officer’s recommended decision and found and concluded that Respondent violated HRS §§ 461J-10.1(a), 461J-10.15(a), 461J-10.15(b), 461J-10.15(c) and 461J-12(a)(7). (Board’s Final Order after contested case hearing.)

    Respondent:        Joy T. D. Yanai

    Case Number:     PTS 2023-6-L

    Sanction:             $500

    Effective Date:    9-10-24

    The Board adopted the Hearings Officer’s recommended decision and found and concluded that Respondent violated HRS § 436B-19(11). (Board’s Final Order after contested case hearing.)

    BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY

    Respondents:      Thananya Owens and Healthland, LLC dba Siam Thai Massage and Spa

    Case Number:     MAS 2024-55-L

    Sanction:             $1,000 fine

    Effective Date:    9-17-24

    RICO alleges that on May 24, 2024, RICO investigators conducted an unannounced site inspection and Respondents admitted that an unlicensed massage therapist was currently engaging in massage therapist activity for compensation, and that RICO investigators observed Respondents did not conspicuously display their current massage therapists’ and establishment’s licenses, in potential violation of HRS §§ 452-24(a)(1), 452-24(a)(4), 452-24(a)(6), and HAR §§ 16-84-15(c) and 16-84-15(f). (Board approved Settlement Agreement.)

    Respondents:      Mareena Trinnaman and Saitara Thai Massage, LLC

    Case Number:     MAS 2024-15-L

    Sanction:             $2,000 fine

    Effective Date:     9-17-24

    RICO alleges that on February 22, 2024, RICO investigators conducted a site inspection and observed that several unlicensed massage therapists were engaging in massage therapy activities, in potential violation of HRS §§ 452-24(a)(1) and 452-24(a)(6), and HAR § 16-84-11(b). (Board approved Settlement Agreement.)

    BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC

    Respondent:        Dustin R. Craft

    Case Number:     CHI 2020-0020-L

    Sanction:             License revocation

    Effective Date:     9-11-24

    On March 11, 2024, the Board approved a Settlement Agreement between Respondent and RICO. The Board finds Respondent failed to comply with the terms of the Settlement Agreement. (Board’s Final Order for Noncompliance with Settlement Agreement.)

    BEHAVIOR ANALYST PROGRAM

    Respondent:        Kevin Abella (Hawaiʻi)

    Case Number:     BEH 2024-3-L

    Sanction:             $500 fine

    Effective Date:    9-26-24

    RICO alleges that the Disciplinary Appeal Committee of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) disciplined Respondent on January 22, 2024, finding Respondent violated subsections 1.02, 1.15, 4.01, 4.04, and 4.05, in potential violation of HRS § 465D-11(a)(7). (Director approved Settlement Agreement.)

    ATHLETIC TRAINERS PROGRAM

    Respondent:        Sadie Sewell

    Case Number:     APT 2023-1-L

    Sanction:             $500 fine

    Effective Date:     9-24-24

    RICO alleges that Respondent was disciplined by the Board of Certification on April 12, 2023, based on Respondent’s failure to comply with a continuing education audit, and that Respondent failed to report the disciplinary action to the program, in potential violation of HRS §§ 436B-19(9), 436B-19(15), and 436H-8(a). (Director approved Settlement Agreement.)

    BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, SURVEYORS, AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

    Respondent:        William W. Wong

    Case Number:     ENG 2022-10-L

    Sanction:             License revocation, $6,000 fine

    Effective Date:    8-08-24

    The Board adopted the Hearings Officer’s recommended decision as modified by stipulation of the parties and found and concluded that Respondent violated HRS §§ 436B-19(8), (11), and (14), and 464-10, and HAR 16-115-10(5). (Board’s Final Order after contested case hearing.)

    REAL ESTATE COMMISSION

    Respondent:        Jon E. McElvaney (Hawaiʻi)

    Case Number:     REC 2022-273-L

    Sanction:             License revocation, voluntary lifetime surrender of license

    Effective Date:     9-27-24

    RICO filed a Petition for Disciplinary Action on May 6, 2024, alleging Respondent violated HRS §§ 436B-19(12) and 436B-19(14). (Commission approved Settlement Agreement After Filing of Petition for Disciplinary Action.)

    Respondent:        Hawaiiana Management Company, Ltd.

    Case Number:     REC 2024-184-L

    Sanction:             $1,500 fine

    Effective Date:     9-27-24

    RICO alleges that RICO received a complaint alleging a unit owner emailed Respondent a written Request for Condominium Association Records on March 4, 2024, that fulfillment of the request took longer than 30 days without a proper response by Respondent for the delay, and that Respondent did not provide an estimated cost or necessary affidavit until after 30 days from the request, in potential violation of HRS §§ 514B-154.5(c) and 467-1.6(a). (Commission approved Settlement Agreement.)

    Copies of the decisions are available online at: http://cca.hawaii.gov/oah/oah_decisions/

    BusinessCheck is an online platform designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for researching licensed professionals. This tool empowers users to verify licenses, review complaint histories and discover when a business was established, all in one place. Please visit businesscheck.hawaii.gov to verify a professional’s license status, confirming their qualifications, compliance with regulations and accountability to a governing body.

    # # #

     

    Media Contact:

    William Nhieu

    Communications Officer

    Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

    [email protected]

    Office: 808-586-7582

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 10.24.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Oct 24, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Sarah Soto-Taylor, of Sacramento, has been appointed Undersecretary of the Government Operations Agency, where she has been Deputy Secretary for Business Transformation and Strategic Development since 2019. Soto-Taylor was Senior Consultant at Covered California from 2014 to 2019, where she was Deputy Director of Community Relations from 2012 to 2014. She held several positions at the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board from 2001 to 2012, including Assistant Deputy Director, Senior Eligibility and Enrollment Manager and Eligibility Policy and Enrollment Manager. Soto-Taylor was a Contract and Outreach Manager at the California Department of Health Care Services from 2000 to 2001. She is a member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). Soto-Taylor earned a Master of Public Health degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from San Diego State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $218,388. Soto-Taylor is registered without party preference.

    Erin Suhr, of Sacramento, has been appointed Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives at the Government Operations Agency. Suhr has been Director of Operations in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2019. She was a Senior Advisor on the Newsom Transition Team from 2018 to 2019. Suhr was Director of Strategic Planning and Scheduling at Fahr LLC from 2014 to 2018 and Program Manager at The Center for the Next Generation from 2012 to 2014. Suhr was Deputy Director of Scheduling in the Office of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden from 2009 to 2011. She was a Staff Member at the Presidential Inauguration Committee for the Obama-Biden inauguration from 2008 to 2009. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Montana. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $198,000. Suhr is a Democrat.

    Adam Ebrahim, of Carmichael, has been appointed Senior Director of Policy and Continuous Improvement at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Ebrahim has been Principal Consultant at Azimuth Learning Partners since 2016. He was Director of Education Strategy at Parsec Education in 2024. Ebrahim was a Staff Consultant at the California Teachers Association from 2020 to 2024 and Director of LCAP and Continuous Improvement at the San Juan Unified School District from 2019 to 2020. Ebrahim was a Project Director at the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation from 2016 to 2019. He was a Staff Consultant for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools from 2015 to 2016. Ebrahim was a Teacher at the Fresno Unified School District from 2010 to 2015. He was an Enlisted Soldier and Commissioned Officer in the California Army National Guard from 2007 to 2012. Ebrahim earned a Master of Education degree in U.S. Education in a Global Context from National University, a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from Washington University in Saint Louis and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $172,704. Ebrahim is a Democrat.

    Clair Whitmer, of Vallejo, has been appointed Deputy Director at the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. Whitmer has served as Assistant Deputy Director of Regional Economic Engagement at the California Office of the Small Business Advocate since 2023 and as Northern California Regional Advisor at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development since 2021. She was CEO of UpBay Express from 2019 to 2023. Whitmer was an Executive Fellow for the City of Fresno Economic Development Department from 2019 to 2021. She was Head of Consumer Experience for Maker Media from 2014 to 2019 and Senior Director of Media Operations for Slashdot Media for Dice Holdings from 2011 to 2014. She was Director of Voter Outreach for the Overseas Vote Foundation from 2009 to 2010. Whitmer was News Editor/Director of Content Services for CNET Networks from 1996 to 2000. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from San Francisco State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $152,772. Whitmer is a Democrat. 

    Trelynd D.J. Bradley, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Deputy Director for Innovation and Emerging Technologies at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. He has served as Deputy Director of Sustainable Freight and Supply Chain Development at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development since 2022 and was Senior Business Development Specialist there from 2019 to 2022. Bradley held several roles at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research from 2017 to 2019, including Policy Analyst and Executive Fellow with the Capital Fellows Program. He was a Staff Assistant in the Office of Congressman Raul Ruiz from 2016 to 2017. Bradley was a Business Manager for Black Cat Fireworks from 2010 to 2017 and a Policy Intern for the Ontario International Airport Authority in 2016. Bradley is a member of the University of California, Riverside Alumni Association and the Capital Fellows Alumni Association. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics and Political Science from the University of California, Riverside. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $144,492. Bradley is a Democrat.

    Haley Lanham, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Director of Communications at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Lanham has been Brand and Marketing Manager at REACH since 2021. She was a Project Manager at Vibrant Agency from 2020 to 2021. Lanham was a Marketing Coordinator at Visit SLO CAL from 2019 to 2020. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $105,000. Lanham is a Republican.  

    Recent news

    Oct 23, 2024

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    Oct 23, 2024

    News What you need to know: California Highway Patrol officers conducted blitz operations this weekend, targeting sideshows that led to 22 arrests and the seizure of 36 vehicles. These actions are part of the state’s ongoing enforcement surge in the region, in…

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    News What you need to know: Since January 2024, California has seized more than $191 million worth of illegal cannabis, with $70.7 million worth of illegal cannabis seized in the last three months alone.  SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS RELEASE: PRIORITIZE CYBER PROTECTION THIS OCTOBER DURING CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    NEWS RELEASE: PRIORITIZE CYBER PROTECTION THIS OCTOBER DURING CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

    Posted on Oct 24, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
     KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

     JOSH GREEN, M.D.
     GOVERNOR | KIAʻĀINA

    NADINE Y. ANDO
     DIRECTOR
    KA LUNA | HOʻOKELE

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 24, 2024

    PRIORITIZE CYBER PROTECTION THIS OCTOBER DURING CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

    HONOLULU – Cybersecurity Awareness Month, established nearly two decades ago by the President of the United States and U.S. Congress, serves as a vital reminder for public and private sectors to collaborate in promoting cybersecurity awareness. The state of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is proud to join this initiative by providing resources and tools to help small businesses secure their financial futures, as well as safeguard the security of Hawai‘i’s consumers.

    As reliance on digital communication grows and businesses begin to maintain more detailed pieces of information of their customers, so do the risks associated with storing critical consumer financial and health information electronically. High-profile data breaches have demonstrated that the potential for cybercriminals to disrupt businesses and compromise public safety is alarmingly high. In response, state and federal regulators are intensifying efforts to bolster defenses against these attacks.

    These threats can originate from a variety of sources, including nation-states, cybercriminals,  even company insiders—both intentional and accidental. Cybercriminals aim to gain political, military, or economic advantages by stealing valuable data, such as credit card numbers, health records, personal identification information, as well as tax returns.

    Cyber risks often include identity theft, data breaches, malware, business interruption as a result of a network shutdown, theft of valuable digital assets and business trade secrets, damage to the company’s reputation, lawsuits, and costs associated with damage from cyber-attacks.

    To help enhance cybersecurity and protect from intrusion, businesses, individuals, and entities are recommended to:

    • Conduct a security and risk assessment. Identify what needs protection, evaluate existing safeguards and pinpoint any gaps. Additionally, develop a comprehensive protection plan for your data, operational information and client data.
    • Update your security software. Install the latest security software, web browser and operating system to defend against viruses and malware. Additionally, set your security software to scan after every update.
    • Implement firewall protection on all internet networks. Utilize firewalls, a set of related programs that prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network, to safeguard your network and operating systems. Remote employees should also ensure that their home systems are secured.
    • Implement cybersecurity procedures and training for employees. Educate staff on cybersecurity best practices, including safe social media usage, recognizing phishing attempts and the dangers of public Wi-Fi. Additionally, limit employee access, as needed, to websites, sensitive data and software installation.
    • Consider cybersecurity insurance. If your business has a disaster recovery plan, consider integrating cybersecurity as a part of it. Additionally, testing your systems, such as through internal phishing campaigns, can help identify the company’s vulnerabilities.
    • Back up important business data regularly. Ensure critical business data, including financial and human resources files, is backed up consistently. This may include but is not limited to word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, and accounts receivable/payable files. Implement measures such as regular password changes and two-factor authentication.

    The internet offers unprecedented opportunities to connect with new and larger markets and enhance operational efficiency. Regardless of whether one is adopting cloud computing or simply using email, cybersecurity should always remain at the forefront.

    For more resources on internet safety and security, visit https://cca.hawaii.gov/broadband/for-consumers/internet-safety-and-security/.

     # # #

     

    Media Contact:

    William Nhieu

    Communications Officer

    Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

    [email protected]

    Office: 808-586-7582

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS RELEASE: REAL ESTATE COMMISSION TO HOST MEETINGS AND CONSULTATIONS IN HILO

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    NEWS RELEASE: REAL ESTATE COMMISSION TO HOST MEETINGS AND CONSULTATIONS IN HILO

    Posted on Oct 24, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
     KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

    PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL LICENSING DIVISION

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR | KE KIAʻĀINA

    NADINE Y. ANDO
    DIRECTOR | KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

    AHLANI K. QUIOGUE
     LICENSING ADMINISTRATOR

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 23, 2024

    REAL ESTATE COMMISSION TO HOST MEETINGS AND CONSULTATIONS IN HILO

    HONOLULU – The Real Estate Commission will convene its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2024 in the State Office Building at 75 Aupuni Street in Hilo. The meeting will be in Conference Room C on the first floor.

    Real estate licensees, government officials, members of the condominium community, educators and interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate in this meeting. Members of the Real Estate Commission and the commission’s staff will be present. The commission invites comments and recommendations on current and future programs.

    Concurrently, a real estate specialist and a condominium specialist will be available for individual meetings after the commission meeting or by appointment.

    A real estate specialist will be available to answer questions about licensing laws and rules, licensing applications, broker experience certificate applications, examination administration, continuing education, new legislation, real estate commission procedures, educational programs and other related topics.

    A condominium specialist will be available to answer questions about boards, associations, meetings, condominium managing agents, condominium association registration, fidelity bonding, condominium property regime statute, public reports, project registration, new legislation, reserves and other condominium-related topics.

    For more information, contact the Real Estate Branch at 808-586-2643 or call toll-free from the island of Hawai‘i at 808-974-4000, ext. 62643.

    # # #

    The Real Estate Commission is one of 52 boards, commissions and programs administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. It is responsible for the licensure, education and discipline of real estate agents; registration of prelicense schools, continuing education providers, condominium projects, condominium associations, condominium managing agents and condominium hotel operators; and certification of prelicense and continuing education courses and prelicense instructors.

    Media Contact:

    William Nhieu

    Communications Officer

    Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

    [email protected]

    Office: 808-586-7582

    MIL OSI USA News –