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Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI: Lantronix Unveils SmartLV, the First AI-Enabled IoT Edge Compute Cellular Gateway, Powered by Qualcomm

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions, has launched SmartLV, powered by the Qualcomm® IQ-615 processor, the first AI-enabled IoT Edge Compute Cellular Gateway. This groundbreaking innovation, designed specifically for low-voltage substations and distribution automation applications in next-generation smart grids, utilities and industrial sectors, will debut at Enlit Europe, Oct. 22–24, 2024, in Milan, Italy.

    SmartLV is engineered to revolutionize real-time visibility, control and automation in the energy sector, providing Distribution System Operators (DSOs) with the ability to manage and steer energy precisely when and where it’s needed. Built with advanced cybersecurity protocols and AI capabilities, the SmartLV ensures robust, reliable and secure operations for mission-critical applications, offering unmatched control over low-voltage substations and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).

    “The SmartLV Gateway is a leap forward in empowering utility operators with critical, real-time insights and control over their low-voltage substations,” said Mathi Gurusamy, Chief Strategy Officer at Lantronix. “By utilizing Qualcomm Technologies’ AI technology, this solution helps to address today’s most pressing challenges at the edge of the smart grid.”

    AI at the Edge: Transforming Energy Management

    With growing demand for smarter and greener energy grids, the SmartLV Gateway empowers DSOs to anticipate and respond to real-time grid conditions, optimizing energy flow and ensuring stability even during peak loads. This AI-driven platform doesn’t just monitor; it enables intelligent energy steering and dynamic decision-making at the edge.

    “SmartLV exemplifies the fusion of AI and connectivity in tackling critical challenges within smart grids. Qualcomm® and Lantronix are enabling DSOs to have enhanced control and insights into the distribution network, transforming how energy is delivered and consumed and accelerating the grid transformation in Europe,” added Sebastiano Di Filippo, Senior Director of Business Development at Qualcomm Europe Inc.

    SmartLV Gateway key features include:

    • Multi-protocol communication: Seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure via Ethernet, Serial, I/O and Industrial Protocol conversion suites, offering flexibility across legacy and modern systems.
    • High-speed connectivity: Future-resilient with LTE and 5G-ready high-speed cellular communication for reliable, low-latency operations.
    • Edge computing for real-time decisions: AI-enabled edge computing that powers low-latency analysis, enabling split-second decision-making directly at the substation.
    • Advanced cybersecurity: Fortified with Lantronix’s InfiniShield™ security framework to defend against cyber threats, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
    • Simplified management with Lantronix’s Percepxion™ IoT Edge Platform: Offers seamless management with global cellular plans, VPN security and an easy-to-use cloud platform to monitor and control deployments.
    • Energy Steering Automation: Provides automated, real-time control of DERs based on actual grid conditions to ensure efficient energy flow.  

    Innovation Fueled by a Long-Standing Collaboration

    The SmartLV Gateway is the latest innovation in a 15-year relationship, combining Qualcomm Technologies’ industry-leading AI and connectivity with Lantronix’s expertise in IoT solutions for industrial and smart grid applications.

    Availability

    The SmartLV Gateway is scheduled to launch in CY 2025, with some trials beginning at the end of CY 2024 for selected DSOs. For more information or to schedule a demo, visit Hall 5, MR10.

    About Lantronix   

    Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth industries including Smart Cities, Automotive and Enterprise. Lantronix’s products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that address each layer of the IoT Stack. Lantronix’s leading-edge solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing. 

    For more information, visit the Lantronix website. 

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements related to the SmartLV AI-Enabled IoT Edge Compute Cellular Gateway for Qualcomm developers. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, future business, financial condition, or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this news release. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as the effects of negative or worsening regional and worldwide economic conditions or market instability on our business, including effects on purchasing decisions by our customers; our ability to mitigate any disruption in our and our suppliers’ and vendors’ supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other outbreaks, wars and recent tensions in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, or other factors; future responses to and effects of public health crises; cybersecurity risks; changes in applicable U.S. and foreign government laws, regulations, and tariffs; our ability to successfully implement our acquisitions strategy or integrate acquired companies; difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights; the level of our indebtedness, our ability to service our indebtedness and the restrictions in our debt agreements; and any additional factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Sept. 9, 2024; as well as in our other public filings with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in our future filings. The forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. 

    © 2024 Lantronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Lantronix is a registered trademark. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. 

    Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries
    Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated 

    Lantronix Media Contact:         
    Gail Kathryn Miller 
    Corporate Marketing & 
    Communications Manager 
    media@lantronix.com 
    949-212-0960 

    Lantronix Analyst and Investor Contact:         
    investors@lantronix.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: WHO – Despite health gains, urgent action needed to meet health-related Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific Region

    SOURCE: World Health Organization (WHO)

    Manila, Philippines, 17 October 2024 – According to a new report released today, countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region experienced the smallest decline in life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other WHO regions. Life expectancy in the Western Pacific fell by only 0.07 years during 2020-21, a minimal drop compared to the global average decline of 1.7 years. The Western Pacific now has the highest life expectancy among WHO’s six regions, rising from 72.0 years in 2000 to 77.4 years in 2021.

    However, despite this progress, the Region – comprising 37 countries and areas across Asia and the Pacific – is still grappling with critical challenges and is off-track in achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are the global goals adopted by world leaders to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity by 2030. The new WHO report, Health statistics in the Western Pacific Region 2023: Monitoring health for the SDGs, highlights advancements made across the Region while also emphasizing the urgent need for action. The report shows that while the COVID-19 pandemic may have done less damage to life expectancy in the Western Pacific than other regions, it nevertheless exacerbated health inequalities and disrupted progress in other areas.

    Noncommunicable diseases on the rise

    While infectious diseases and injuries were previously major causes of illness and death in the Western Pacific, the Region is undergoing a significant epidemiological shift. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer now account for nearly nine in 10 deaths. While the probability of premature death from NCDs has declined in the Region by over 25% since 2000, major challenges remain. Moreover, the Region is experiencing rapid population ageing. There are now more than 245 million people aged 65 and older in the Region – a number that is projected to double by 2050. And many older people are living with NCDs.

    A major risk factor for NCDs is alcohol and tobacco use. Consumption of alcohol in the Region has risen by 40% since 2000. Despite a decline from 7.2 litres per capita per year in 2015 to 6.1 litres in 2019, the overall increase highlights an ongoing concern for public health. Similarly, although tobacco use declined from 28.0% of adults smoking in 2000 to 22.5% in 2022, this was still above the global average of 20.9%.

    Mental health issues are also taking their toll on the population, with alarmingly high suicide rates in some countries of the Western Pacific Region, influenced by factors such as stigma, limited access to mental health services and socioeconomic challenges.

    Climate- and environment-related health concerns are yet another major challenge. While air pollution in urban areas of the Region was found to have decreased from 2010 to 2019, air quality levels are still much worse than the WHO-recommended levels. Populations living in urban areas are therefore continuing to breathe unhealthy air.

    Mixed progress towards universal health coverage

    Universal health coverage (UHC) is another important SDG target for which the Western Pacific Region has had mixed progress. The UHC service coverage index measures access to essential health services such as reproductive, maternal, newborn and child care, and prevention and treatment services for both NCDs and infectious diseases. Over the past 20 years, the overall UHC service coverage index in the Western Pacific increased impressively, from 49 to 79 points out of 100 between 2000 and 2021. However, people’s ability to access health-care services varies greatly across the Region. In some countries, the UHC service coverage index score is as low as 30, meaning many people struggle to access basic health care, while in others, it exceeds 80, indicating a much higher level of service availability and coverage. Despite these advancements, progress has slowed and stagnated since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015, and particularly since 2019.

    Despite the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases, access to essential health services for NCDs did not improve significantly, increasing only slightly from 52 points in 2000 to 58 points in 2010. Even more troubling, there has been no further progress since 2010, and access to services remains low, particularly in Pacific island countries and areas.

    In contrast, access to services for infectious diseases improved significantly, rising from just 18 points in 2000 to 82 points in 2021. Immunization coverage for the WHO-recommended three doses against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, or DTP3, showed mixed results from 2000 to 2023: coverage increased in 15 countries, while four countries experienced no change and eight saw a decrease.

    In the Western Pacific Region, average health spending has increased substantially, tripling from around US$ 383 per person in 2000 to US$ 1336 in 2021. On average, health spending accounted for 6.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) at country level in 2000, and rose to 8.2% by 2021. However, despite efforts to increase public spending for health, the proportion of people in the Western Pacific experiencing catastrophic health expenditure − defined as spending more than 10% of their income on health-care − has nevertheless doubled, rising from 9.9% in 2000 to 19.8% in 2019.

    Critical action needed to achieve SDGs

    “While we celebrate the significant health gains that the Western Pacific Region has achieved, we must also acknowledge urgent challenges in sustaining progress,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “We are living longer than ever, and more than any other region of the world, but this isn’t enough. We’re off-track to meet many of the SDG targets, and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated health disparities. Now is the time for concerted action to address these issues. We look forward to working with health leaders from across the Region next week to finalize our new vision to weave health for families, communities and societies.”

    New vision for health in the Region

    Ministers of health and other senior officials are preparing for discussions at the seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manila on 21−25 October 2024. The meeting will focus on the most pressing health needs in the Region and chart a course to address them.

    Weaving health for families, communities and societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025-2029): Working together to improve health, well-being and save lives is the proposed new vision for the Region. The vision centres on the analogy of weaving a mat – a traditional activity across Asia and the Pacific – symbolizing the collaborative efforts required by WHO, governments and partners to improve population health and well-being. The vision centres on five vertical strands of action led by governments interwoven with three horizontal strands of action by WHO.

    The five vertical strands of action led by governments, working with WHO and other stakeholders include:

    Transformative primary health care for UHC
    Climate-resilient health systems
    Resilient communities, societies and systems for health security
    Healthier people throughout the life course
    Technology and innovation for future health equity.

    The three horizontal strands of action by WHO are:

    Country offices equipped with skills for scaling up and innovation
    Nimble support teams in the Regional Office
    Effective communication for public health.

    These strands reflect the reality that the Western Pacific Region faces complex health challenges that cannot be addressed by the health sector alone. Achieving the goals of SDG 3 − Good health and well-being – will require a concerted effort from multiple sectors. Social determinants of health, including education, housing, employment, social protection, gender equality and the environment, significantly impact health outcomes. Therefore, collaboration between the health, education, urban planning, agriculture and environmental sectors, to name but a few, is crucial. Collaboration can create synergies and co-benefits for all these sectors while accelerating progress towards achieving SDG 3.

    “The commitment of governments, WHO and partners to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 is a commitment to health and well-being for all,” added Dr Piukala. “We must work together to ensure that no one is left behind as we weave a healthier future.”

    In addition to the vision, the Regional Committee will also consider new regional action frameworks on digital health and on health financing to achieve UHC and sustainable development. There will be panel discussions on climate-resilient health-care facilities, transformative primary health care and oral health, as well as a special event on the Investment Round to resource WHO’s work for 2025–2028.

    Notes:

    The seventy-fifth session of the Western Pacific Regional Committee will run from Monday, 21 October through Friday, 25 October, at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila, Philippines. The Agenda and timetable are available online. A livestream of proceedings, all other official documents, as well as fact sheets and videos on the issues to be addressed can be accessed here. For real-time updates, follow @WHOWPRO on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube and the hashtag #RCM75.

    Working with 194 Member States across six regions, WHO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for public health. Each WHO region has its regional committee – a governing body composed of ministers of health and senior officials from Member States. Each regional committee meets annually to agree on health actions and to chart priorities for WHO’s work.

    The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to more than 1.9 billion people across 37 countries and areas: American Samoa (United States of America), Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (France), Guam (United States of America), Hong Kong SAR (China), Japan, Kiribati, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Macao SAR (China), Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, New Caledonia (France), New Zealand, Niue, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States of America), Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Pitcairn Islands (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Viet Nam, Wallis and Futuna (France).

    Related links:

    Health statistics in the Western Pacific Region 2023: Monitoring health for the SDGs
    Draft vision Weaving health for families, communities and societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025−2029): Working together to improve health and well-being and save lives
    WHO data on progress towards universal health coverage (UHC)
    Other WHO data which can be searched by country.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy – Equinor’s third quarter 2024 safety results

    Source: Equinor

    Equinor’s overall long-term safety trend continues to move in a positive direction, but the total number of injuries has increased somewhat by the end of the third quarter, measured over the previous twelve months.

    At the end of the third quarter of 2024 the serious incident frequency per million hours worked (SIF) was 0.3, on par with the level in the second quarter. Serious injuries are also included in the serious incident statistics.

    Seven oil and gas leaks have been registered over the last 12 months. These leaks are classified according to the degree of severity in relation to the discharge rate.

    “We’re still headed in the right direction as regards major accident potential, hydrocarbon leaks and serious incidents. We’re seeing a low incident frequency and it’s important to ensure that we’re also learning from what’s going well,” says Jannicke Nilsson, Equinor’s executive vice president for safety, security and sustainability.

    The total recordable injury frequency per million hours worked (TRIF) as of the third quarter is 2.4 for the last 12 months, up from 2.2 at the end of the second quarter.

    “Our employees and suppliers are working well together to bolster safety, but we have not achieved the desired improvement for the injury trend. This is a challenge that we must solve together,” says Nilsson.

    Through the “Always Safe” annual wheel, Equinor is working with other operating companies and suppliers to enhance the understanding of which factors can get in the way of safe work performance. The focus in the “Always Safe” learning package for the fourth quarter is on health and working environment.

    “The trend shows that an increasing number of users are accessing the “Always Safe” packages. This is positive and shows an interest in sharing lessons learned and focusing on shared safety topics across our industry,” Nilsson says.

    Equinor is continuing its work to prevent major accidents through extra efforts within management training and e-learning courses that are also available to the company’s suppliers.

    There have been no incidents with major accident potential or serious well control incidents in the third quarter.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: European Council Meeting 17-18 October

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:

    Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/2X56Ju6

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

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

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqN08Z4e0HM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Up to $41 billion in World Bank climate finance unaccounted for, Oxfam finds

    Source: Oxfam –

    Up to $41 billion in World Bank climate finance —nearly 40 percent of all climate funds disbursed by the Bank over the past seven years— is unaccounted for due to poor record-keeping practices, reveals a new Oxfam report published today ahead of the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.

    An Oxfam audit of the World Bank’s 2017-2023 climate finance portfolio found that between $21 billion and $41 billion in climate finance went unaccounted for between the time projects were approved and when they closed.

    There is no clear public record showing where this money went or how it was used, which makes any assessment of its impacts impossible. It also remains unclear whether these funds were even spent on climate-related initiatives intended to help low- and middle-income countries protect people from the impacts of the climate crisis and invest in clean energy.

    “The Bank is quick to brag about its climate finance billions —but these numbers are based on what it plans to spend, not on what it actually spends once a project gets rolling,” said Kate Donald, Head of Oxfam International’s Washington D.C. Office. “This is like asking your doctor to assess your diet only by looking at your grocery list, without ever checking what actually ends up in your fridge.”

    The Bank is the largest multilateral provider of climate finance, accounting for 52 percent of the total flow from all multilateral development banks combined.

    The issue of climate finance will take center stage at this year’s COP in Azerbaijan, where countries are set to negotiate a new global climate finance goal, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). Climate activists are demanding the Global North provide at least $5 trillion a year in public finance to the Global South to pay for climate adaptation, the loss and damage caused by the impacts of climate breakdown, and a just transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Oxfam warns that the lack of traceable spending could undermine trust in global climate finance efforts at this critical juncture.

    “Climate finance is scarce, and yes, we know it’s hard to deliver. But not tracking how or where the money actually gets spent? That’s not just some bureaucratic oversight —it’s a fundamental breach of trust that risks derailing the progress we need to make at COP this year. The Bank needs to act like our future depends on tackling the climate crisis, because it does,” said Donald.

    Oxfam’s investigation revealed that obtaining even basic information on how the World Bank is using climate finance was painstaking and difficult.

    “We had to sift through layers of complex and incomplete reports, and even then, the data was full of gaps and inconsistencies. The fact that this information is so hard to access and understand is alarming —it shouldn’t take a team of professional researchers to figure out how billions of dollars meant for climate action are being spent. This should be transparent and accessible to everyone, most importantly communities who are meant to benefit from climate finance,” said Donald.
     

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Overnight Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction held on October 17, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 75,000
    Total amount of offers received (in ₹ crore) 40,385
    Amount accepted (in ₹ crore) 40,385
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.49
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.49
    Partial Acceptance Percentage of offers received at cut off rate NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/1316

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: EIB submits SEC Form 18-K/A Amendment n. 8 – EIB Board of Directors approves Ukraine Energy Rescue Plan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    For immediate release

    17 October 2024

    EIB submits SEC Form 18-K/A Amendment No. 8

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has submitted its SEC Form 18-K/A Amendment No. 8.

    To view the document, please go to: EDGAR Filing Documents for 0000950157-24-001415 (sec.gov)

    The 18-K/A has also been posted on the EIB website: Amendment to the Annual Report 2023 (Form 18-K/A Amendment No 8) (eib.org)

    ENDS

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Cross-examining cybercrime: GITEX GLOBAL 2024 sheds light on the innovation-igniting conundrum challenging industries worldwide

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

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 17, 2024/APO Group/ —

    • “Cybersecurity Day” marks GITEX GLOBAL’s halfway stage as enlightening agenda reveals the challenges, threats and opportunities for international tech community
    • “AI is changing the game” – H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government​

    After an action-packed two days where GITEX GLOBAL 2024 (www.GITEX.com) presented exhilarating events and exhibitions across technology’s new frontiers, Wednesday witnessed another incredible programme as audiences examined the existing and future cybersecurity landscapes with the world’s foremost experts. 

    Taking place from 14-18 October at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), GITEX GLOBAL is the world’s largest and best-rated tech event. It presents a record-breaking 44th edition in 2024 – welcoming over 6,500 exhibitors, 1,800 startups, 1,200 investors alongside governments from more than 180 countries.

    As GITEX GLOBAL’s biggest-ever international edition reached the halfway stage, “Cybersecurity Day” headlined the Wednesday schedule. An enlightening series of keynote speeches, fireside chats, and specialist panels cast a unique spotlight on the urgent challenges, emerging threats, and innovative opportunities facing individuals, enterprises, industries, and nations worldwide.

    Cross-examining the cybercrime conundrum

    With global cybercrime damaged projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, the international tech community is determined to ignite a paradigm shift through reinvigorated determination. This universal attitude was on full display at GITEX GLOBAL as top CISOs, CIOs, and GRC leaders converged with a unified mission: establish the foremost line of defence globally.

    In 2024, finance industry AI-driven fraud has surged by 40%, posing unprecedented challenges for incumbents. One of Wednesday’s must-attend conference sessions – ‘AI-Driven Digital Fraud: Safeguarding the Finance Industry’s Future’ – examined how emerging technologies are being harnessed to overcome the evolving threat.  

    H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, revealed that the country has dispelled millions of threats this year alone while endorsing AI as a “gamechanger” in leading the industry’s cyber resurgence. He said to GITEX Tech Waves Podcast (https://apo-opa.co/3Y8w33V): “Cyber awareness is crucial – and AI is changing the game. The UAE is a financial hub that faced 71 million attacks in Q1 2024. We are resilient and thwarted these with early threat detection through AI. It’s a hugely beneficial technology alongside our great partnerships with the world.”

    Todd Conklin also weighed in on the positive impact of AI. While acknowledging the potential repercussions of AI’s power when utilised by malicious actors, the Chief AI Officer & Deputy Assistant Secretary, Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure Protection at the US Department of the Treasury, added: “The US Treasury runs the largest payments ecosystem in the entire world. We’ve leveraged AI models to reduce fraud by almost $600 million in the last six months. It’s becoming increasingly critical in the counter-fraud space.”

    Unveiling a new world of limitless possibilities and potential

    In a week where 88% of exhibiting startups are GITEX GLOBAL debutants and no fewer than 230 new partnerships have been finalised between local, regional, and international entities and enterprises, the event is again fulfilling its pledge as a global cooperation and collaboration catalyst. Heading into Wednesday, over 13,000 pre-arranged concierge meetings had already taken place across GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star – the world’s largest startup and investment event – with many more a certainty as companies exhibit transformative solutions that could change the world.

    Huawei shed light on its critical infrastructure and cloud tech solutions with Dr. Aloysius Cheang, Chief Security Officer for the Middle East & Central Asia at Huawei, revealing the staggering rate of cyber attacks worldwide. While calling on enterprises to ensure stringent security postures, he said: “Huawei is attacked 12 billion times a day on average. This is why cybersecurity is positioned as a very strategic asset within our company. Organisations must build a cybersecurity culture through a security-first, privacy-first approach – and their solutions must serve their purpose of protecting digital assets.”

    Cybersecurity and anti-virus provider Kaspersky also showcased its pioneering Cyber Immunity approach and advanced threat intelligence solutions on Wednesday as US cyber firm Fortinet highlighted products and services part of its cybersecurity platform portfolio. solutions by stc also introduced visitors to the emerging technologies utilised to deliver new value to customers.

    Elsewhere on day three at GITEX Global 2024, a host of activations, showcases, and conferences took place at GITEX Cyber Valley (https://apo-opa.co/4eDbPq1), this year’s most anticipated cybersecurity exhibition and programme hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council. An unmissable session saw audiences hear from Brett Johnson – once America’s Most Wanted, now a leading global cybercrime and identity theft expert. During ‘Scamming the scammer: Inside the Mind of a Cybercriminal’, he revealed the extent of the virtual underworld while sharing his life story.

    Live Hacks also headlined the GITEX Cyber Valley’s Dark Stage as ethical hackers showcased live demonstrations on AI-powered hacks. Visitors also got exclusive insights from Santiago Lopez, the world’s first million-dollar hacker, on how to turn hacking skills into a lucrative career during another special session – ‘Face to Face with 1# Million Dollar Hacker: Who wants to be a hacking millionaire?’.

    What next at GITEX GLOBAL 2024?

    GITEX GLOBAL 2024 continues Thursday as “Data Centres Universe” welcomes an ensemble cast of thought leaders and experts to discuss the future of data management and infrastructure. Sessions throughout the day’s schedule will explore the latest data technology and sustainable energy solutions alongside data centres’ pivotal role in supporting the exponential growth of digital services.

    Future Mobility (https://apo-opa.co/3Yctvlv) will explore the shifting paradigms of the global auto tech industry with the World Future Economy Digital Leaders Summit (https://apo-opa.co/3YcBoai) and Global DevSlam (https://GlobalDevSlam.com) among the many day four highlights.

    More information on GITEX GLOBAL, please visit http://www.GITEX.com

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Egypt-Ethiopia hostilities are playing out in the Horn – the risk of new proxy wars is high

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Endalcachew Bayeh, Lecturer and Researcher, Bahir Dar University

    Egypt recently deepened its involvement in the war-weary Horn of Africa by arming Somalia and deploying its troops in the embattled country. To Ethiopia’s growing alarm, Egypt is also set to join the multinational force supporting the Somali army against the jihadist threat by al-Shabaab. Egypt’s potentially destabilising presence in the region is seen a direct consequence of Ethiopia’s port agreement with breakaway Somaliland, which Somalia took as a direct affront. Endalcachew Bayeh, a political scholar with a focus on the Horn of Africa, sets out the risks and the path to de-escalation.

    What do we know about Egypt’s entry into Somalia and the theatre of conflict in the Horn?

    Egypt’s arrival in the Horn of Africa can be traced back to Ethiopia’s quest for a dedicated port under its control. Ethiopia is the world’s largest landlocked country by population and has relied exclusively on the port of Djibouti since the outbreak of the Ethiopia-Eritrea war (1998-2000).

    Ethiopia has been exploring alternative access points. This led to the announcement on 1 January 2024 that it had struck a port deal with Somaliland. Ethiopia agreed to recognise the breakaway republic in exchange for a naval base on Somaliland’s coast.

    The announcement sparked a diplomatic rift with Somalia, which viewed the deal as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Somalia still considers self-declared Somaliland part of its territory.

    Amid the turmoil, Somalia courted Egypt as a regional patron to counter Ethiopia. This aligned well with Egypt’s increasing interest in finding a military partner along Ethiopia’s border.

    Egypt is a longstanding rival of Ethiopia. Recently, it threatened to go to war over Ethiopia’s massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which it sees as a threat to its survival.

    Egypt deployed military forces in Somalia following its defence deal with Mogadishu in August 2024. It also plans to deploy 5,000 soldiers as part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia. The mission is set to replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, in which Ethiopia is a main player.

    Ethiopia’s agreement to recognise Somaliland and the friction with Somalia have brought its old enemy, Egypt, to its doorstep.

    How have Egypt-Ethiopia hostilities added to regional tensions?

    Soon after Egypt’s deployment in Somalia, Ethiopia formalised its recognition of Somaliland. It also sent an ambassador to the capital, Hargeisa. This made it the first nation to officially acknowledge Somaliland’s independence. The two are also rushing to turn their memorandum of understanding into a binding bilateral treaty.

    Somaliland ordered the closure of the Egyptian Cultural Library in Hargeisa.

    Eritrea, for a time a key ally of Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed in the fight against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, is now at odds with Addis Ababa. And, in response to the recent tensions in the region, Eritrea is strengthening its ties with Egypt and Somalia. A recent meeting of the three has created a united front against Ethiopia.

    In Somalia, Ethiopia plays a stabilising role. Somalia now demands that Ethiopia should end its involvement. That could open the way for militant groups and keep Somalia unstable. This is even more likely to happen if Egypt focuses on its competition with Ethiopia rather than Somalia’s stability.

    In addition, Somalis have longstanding territorial claims over parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti. Instability can create fertile ground for groups like Al-Shabaab, which aims to include these territories in an Islamic state.

    Finally, tensions have risen between Djibouti and Somaliland over the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal. This is because the agreement will almost certainly be bad for Djibouti’s economy. Djibouti relies heavily on port revenues that are almost entirely generated from Ethiopia.

    What are the risks for the region?

    Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland and Egypt’s presence in Somalia come at a time of multiple regional crises. These include the strained Ethiopia-Eritrea relations, the Ethiopia-Sudan dispute over Al-Fashaga border region, and instability in Ethiopia.

    This volatile environment increases the likelihood of proxy wars.

    Key areas to watch are:

    Sudan and Egypt: These two countries align on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue. Egypt has enhanced its security cooperation with Sudan through military support and joint exercises. Although Sudan is in turmoil, the Al-Fashaga dispute with Ethiopia remains a potential flashpoint. Egypt may take advantage of this dispute and its support for the Sudanese Armed Forces against the Rapid Support Forces to further its interests.

    Instability in Ethiopia: In several regions, the government is engaged in active conflict with non-state forces. This instability creates fertile ground for Egypt to potentially support proxies against the Ethiopian government. Egypt and Somalia have already expressed the possibility of using proxy forces.

    Egypt’s main motivation for intervening in the region is to control the Nile’s source or hinder Ethiopia’s use of the water. As a result, Ethiopia perceives Egypt’s presence at its doorstep as a direct security threat. This increases tensions between Egypt, Somalia and Ethiopia.

    Any further destabilisation of Ethiopia would disrupt the entire region, as it shares porous borders with almost all countries in the Horn.

    What are the potential avenues for de-escalation?

    A promising pathway for reducing tensions in Somalia and the broader region is for the two regional powers to reconsider their strategies and exercise restraint.

    Ethiopia can access the sea through Somaliland without formal recognition. This could ease tensions and would not encourage separatist movements.

    For Egypt, a more constructive approach would be to limit its direct involvement in the Horn of Africa. Instead, it should address its concerns about the Ethiopian mega-dam through the United Nations, the African Union and other platforms. Historically, its unilateral actions have often been sources of tensions rather than solutions in the region.

    The African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development must ensure that the regional states themselves address regional issues. States must make wise decisions now to calm tensions, as no state will be spared from the spillover effects.

    Endalcachew Bayeh 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. Egypt-Ethiopia hostilities are playing out in the Horn – the risk of new proxy wars is high – https://theconversation.com/egypt-ethiopia-hostilities-are-playing-out-in-the-horn-the-risk-of-new-proxy-wars-is-high-241402

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and New Zealand agree blueprint for satellite removal and servicing missions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK and New Zealand space agencies have signed a blueprint for the removal and servicing of operational satellites that are very close together or making contact with one another.

    Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data, processed by ESA

    The arrangement, signed at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, is designed to support missions in the fast-growing areas of in-orbit servicing, space debris removal and satellite refuelling, known as ‘rendezvous and proximity’ operations.  

    Modern society is increasingly reliant on satellite technology and the Earth’s orbits are more crowded than ever before. There is an urgent need to invest in new technologies that can help remove debris from space and keep satellites operating for longer.  

    However, these complex missions involve moving spacecraft close to one another, and the novel nature of these missions raises difficult questions around the application of international rules and guidelines, particularly if launched and operated by more than one nation. Given the importance of improving space sustainability, New Zealand and the UK have been exploring ways to reduce the legal, policy, and regulatory barriers, and uncertainty associated with multistate rendezvous and proximity missions. 

    The work between the UK and New Zealand is designed to demonstrate how international corporation in this area can keep space sustainable for current and future generations. It provides a set of principles for allocating liability between different states involved in the different stages of these missions. It does this within the framework set out in the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (the ‘Liability Convention’), as well as principles around licensing and information sharing.  

    As the Liability Convention was established in 1972, when most space missions were led by governments rather than companies, the UK and New Zealand are hoping to make its application to the current space age easier to navigate, reducing barriers for industry to carry out these important mission types.    

    Iain Cossar, Head of the New Zealand Space Agency and Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency sign the arrangement at IAC 2024 in Milan.

    Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency said:  

    As space leaders from across the world gather in Milan this week, we’re pleased to agree with our partners in New Zealand a world-first arrangement to help ease the way for future missions that can help keep space sustainable.  

    In-orbit servicing and manufacturing and space debris removal are high-growth areas for the global space sector, and we hope our work with New Zealand can act as a blueprint for other nations to follow and benefit from.

    Iain Cossar, Head of the New Zealand Space Agency said: 

    We place a lot of importance on space sustainability in New Zealand, and this agreement with the UK demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our space environment is safe and sustainable.  

    The arrangement outlines how we will cooperate on active debris removal and in-orbit servicing missions.  

    The principles and guidance we have developed could apply more broadly to other states, and like the UK, we hope this work can serve as a blueprint to enable these important activities internationally as we look to address the challenges posed by orbital debris.

    New Zealand is home to the world’s first private spaceport which has conducted 49 launches to date. The UK is due to host its first vertical orbital launches from spaceports in Scotland in 2025, following the first horizontal launch attempt from Spaceport Cornwall last year.  

    Independent research published in 2022 estimates the global market for In-Orbit Services and Manufacturing to be $14.3 billion. A 2023 report from the UKspace trade association puts the opportunity for the UK at £2.7 billion.

    Joanne Wheeler, Managing Director of the Earth & Space Sustainability Initiative, said:

    This agreement between the UK and New Zealand space agencies for the removal and servicing of satellites shows real leadership in this important area of space sustainability and is an excellent example of the all-important international collaboration that is vital to the sustainability of space.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: ICC DSI launches digital trade reliability assessment tool  

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: ICC DSI launches digital trade reliability assessment tool  

    Developed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)’s Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) and the Digital Governance Council (DGC) of Canada, the new assessment framework enables an entity to deploy ETRs in place of paper trade documentation assessing a platform’s ability to effect the transfer in conformity with the definition of the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) definition of reliability. As more economies align to the MLETR, the assessment allows for service providers to assert their reliability through a commonly accepted market standard.  

    Pamela Mar, Managing Director, ICC DSI said : 

    “The reliability assessment framework is a collective effort drawing on the knowledge and work of technical and commercial experts from various entities involved in digital trust, standards, certifications and assessment. This launch is an important first step in the development of a framework for ensuring digital trust at scale, an important pillar of the digital trade ecosystem.” 

    ICC DSI and the DGC led a working group of standards bodies, technical experts, assessment firms, and commercial and industry entities to develop the tool that holds potential to become a major credential for this part of digital trade services. The working group operated with advice from the Industry Advisory Board of ICC DSI.  

    Keith Jansa, CEO, DGC of Canada said : 

    “The collaborative effort between ICC and DGC has resulted in a groundbreaking technical self-assessment for the reliability of systems that enable the transfer of Electronic Transferable Records (ETRs). This is a major step towards international standardisation and formal recognition of digital service providers enabling the global digital trade and we look forward to continuing the work with ICC and the ETR community.” 

    The assessment framework was recently piloted by several ETR service providers to test its robustness, utility and market relevance. It has been released as a beta version for self-assessment, while plans for a certification with third party assessment are in development.  

    To access the assessment framework, visit: https://github.com/dgc-cgn/CAS-Digital-Trade-Documentation  

    A 30-min webinar with a live Q&A will take place on 30 October, Wednesday, 9pm SGT / 9am Ottawa / 3pm CET.  Register, free of charge here.   

    For more details about the ICC Digital Standards Initiative, please visit: http://www.dsi.iccwbo.org. 

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Planning approval for the redevelopment of 38-40 George Street

    Source: City of Oxford

    Thursday, 17 October 2024

    At the planning committee meeting held on 15th October Oxford City Council approved the plans for Marick Real Estate to redevelop 38-40 George Street

    At the planning committee meeting held on 15th October Oxford City Council approved the plans for Marick Real Estate to redevelop 38-40 George Street for a new 145 room aparthotel operated by Staycity for their premium brand Wilde. The development with also include a new 400m2 community space developed in partnership with Makespace Oxford, which will be used for a wide range of community activities.  

    “We are delighted to see these proposals, which will improve the Gloucester Green area and contribute towards the city’s need for more overnight accommodation and community space, and reduce the pressure to turn family homes into short term lets. It will also provide 24 new cycle spaces and public realm enhancements, alongside generating employment and apprenticeship opportunities, which will pay the Oxford Living Wage as a minimum.” Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management 

    “This is fantastic news for Oxford and supports the Council’s policy to encourage more hotels to open in Oxford city centre to boost the city centre’s economy.” Andrew Heselton of Marick

    For any further information please visit the project website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Humanitarian mine clearance: Confederation establishes comprehensive partnership with Ukraine’s civil protection service and Swiss mine clearance company

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

    Bern, 17.10.2024 – In order to reduce the danger posed by mines and other explosive ordnance in Ukraine, the Swiss government is supporting Ukraine’s civil protection service through a partnership with the Swiss company Global Clearance Solutions (GCS). The partnership involves supplying three mine clearance systems to Ukraine alongside a comprehensive training, mentoring and logistics package. The package, which amounts to CHF 4.6 million, is being funded by the federal government and underlines the importance of humanitarian mine clearance for the country’s recovery.

    Mines and other explosive ordnance in the ground pose a danger to the civilian population, restrict agricultural work and hinder the reconstruction of a country. In Ukraine, around 139,000 square kilometres of land are estimated to be contaminated by mines and other explosive ordnance. That is equivalent to about three and a half times the surface area of Switzerland. Humanitarian mine clearance in Ukraine is therefore a priority for Switzerland. For that reason, the federal government has signed a contract with the Swiss company Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) for the delivery of three mine clearance systems to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU). The package, which includes a training and mentoring programme, is worth CHF 4.6 million.

    The project aims to strengthen the capacities of the Ukrainian civil authorities so that humanitarian demining operations can be carried out more safely, efficiently and effectively. In addition to the delivery of the three demining systems, the contract includes an extensive training, mentoring and logistics package. GCS has its own maintenance centre and operations team in Ukraine, enabling the company to provide extensive training and deploy the demining systems sustainably and efficiently.

    The partnership and the demining systems are being financed out of the CHF 100 million that the Federal Council made available on 29 September 2023 to support humanitarian mine clearance in Ukraine. The total amount will be funded equally by the DDPS and the FDFA. Through this support package, Switzerland is providing its expertise to help overcome an immense humanitarian challenge. In addition, Switzerland, under the lead of President Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, is jointly hosting the Ukraine Mine Action Conference with Ukraine in Lausanne on 17 and 18 October. The importance of mine clearance for Ukraine’s recovery will be discussed at the conference.

    The federal government is working closely with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) on humanitarian mine clearance in Ukraine. The GICHD is supporting the Ukrainian authorities in developing a national demining programme. In addition, the federal government is supporting the demining work of the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) on the ground in Ukraine. A year ago, the DDPS presented Ukraine with a remote-controlled demining machine from the Swiss DIGGER Foundation.

    Address for enquiries

    DDPS Communications
    +41 58 464 50 58
    kommunikation@gs-vbs.admin.ch

    FDFA Communications
    +41 58 460 55 55

    Global Clearance Solutions
    +41 55 511 15 00
    media@gcs.ch

    Publisher

    Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports
    http://www.vbs.admin.ch

    Defence
    http://www.vtg.admin.ch

    State Secretariat for Security Policy
    https://www.sepos.admin.ch/de

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Two CPAs Sentenced in Billion-Dollar Syndicated Conservation Easement Tax Scheme

    Source: US State of California

    Defendants Helped Clients File Tax Returns Claiming Millions in False Charitable Deductions

    Two accountants were each sentenced today to 20 months in prison for their roles in the promotion and sale of abusive syndicated conservation easement tax shelters.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Victor Smith was a CPA and founding partner of an Atlanta-based accounting firm. Beginning at least in 2014 and through at least 2019, Smith promoted and sold tax deductions to his wealthy clients in the form of units in illegal syndicated conservation easement tax shelters organized and created by co-defendants Jack Fisher, James Sinnott and others. Smith, along with his firm, sold approximately $14 million in false tax deductions to their clients, causing a tax loss to the IRS of about $4.8 million. He earned $491,400 in commissions from Fisher and Sinnott for his role in the scheme.

    William Tomasello was a CPA at another accounting firm who, at least in 2015 and through at least 2019, also promoted and sold units to his wealthy clients in these same syndicated conservation easement tax shelters. Tomasello sold approximately $8.5 million in false deductions, causing a tax loss of about $2.3 million. He earned approximately $525,072 in commissions.

    The scheme entailed the creation of partnerships that would purchase land and land-owning companies and then donate conservation easements over that land or the land itself. Appraisers would value the land and the partnerships would then claim a charitable contribution tax deduction based on the appraised value of the conservation easement, resulting in tax deductions flowing to the wealthy clients who purchased units in the partnership. Many of these clients joined the tax shelters after the donation of the interest in land and after the close of the relevant tax year.

    Smith and Tomasello both knew that, contrary to law, these syndicated conservation easement tax shelters lacked economic substance and that their wealthy clients participated in these sham investments only to obtain a tax deduction and received only a tax benefit for their participation in the tax shelters.  For example, a client who purchased units in a partnership had to “vote” ostensibly on what to do with the partnership’s land. However, Smith and Tomasello knew that the “vote” held by the partnerships each year was just optics and that the land invariably would be donated largely as a conservation easement. Smith and Tomasello also knowingly instructed and caused their clients to falsely backdate documents — such as subscription agreements and checks — related to the illegal tax shelters.

    In addition to their prison sentences, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy C. Batten Sr. for the Northern District of Georgia ordered Smith to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $4,878,990.90 in restitution. Judge Batten ordered Tomasello to serve three years of supervised release, to perform 120 hours of community service and to pay $2,386,816.04 in restitution.   

    Seven additional defendants have previously pleaded guilty to criminal conduct related to the syndicated conservation easement tax shelter scheme of Fisher and Sinnott (who were convicted after trial). These other defendants include appraiser Walter Douglas “Terry” Roberts, accountant Stein Agee, CPA Corey Agee, CPA Ralph Anderson, CPA James Benkoil, CPA Herbert Lewis and CPA and Attorney Randall Lenz.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia and IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco made the announcement. They also thanked U.S. Attorney Dena J. King for the Western District of North Carolina for her office’s assistance.

    IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Richard M. Rolwing, Parker Tobin, Jessica Kraft and Nicholas J. Schilling Jr. of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section, for the Northern District of Georgia prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Connecticut Fisherman Sentenced for Tax Evasion

    Source: US State of California

    A Connecticut man was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for evading taxes on income he earned from commercial fishing in Massachusetts.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Brian Kobus, of Durham, worked as a commercial fisherman and deckhand for various fishing companies in Massachusetts. After each fishing trip, the companies paid Kobus by check. Despite receiving over $1.2 million in fishing income between 2011 through 2013, and 2017 through 2021, Kobus never filed a federal income tax return or paid the taxes that he owed. To conceal the source and disposition of his income from the IRS, Kobus regularly cashed his paychecks from the fishing companies and used the cash to fund his personal lifestyle.

    In total, Kobus caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $377,839.90.

    In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton for the District of Massachusetts ordered Kobus to serve one year of supervised release and to pay $377,839.90 in restitution to the United States.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Matthew L. Cofer of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Wild for the District of Massachusetts prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SLC pays over £5billion in student finance since the start of the academic year

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    By Jackie Currie, SLC Executive Director, Business Operations

    At the Student Loans Company, we remain at the forefront of supporting the education sector by providing trusted, transparent, and accessible student finance services.  SLC enables more than 1.5 million students each year to invest in their futures by providing financial support to access further and higher education.  And we have marked another significant milestone in the 24/25 delivery of student finance to the education sector, paying more than £2 billion pounds in tuition fees to higher education colleges and universities this week.

    On Wednesday, 16 October, we paid £2.3 billion in tuition fees to education providers on behalf of almost students. This follows the almost £3 billion that was paid in maintenance loans to students since the start of academic term in September.

    In total, SLC has paid over £5 billion* in student finance in the 24/25 year so far.

    Currently, our primary focus is on providing additional financial support to students who applied after the deadlines and have received the minimum level of student finance.  We’re also processing application from students who are still applying and for those on courses starting in January.

    Where a student applied late for funding, we awarded the minimum maintenance loan and their tuition fee loan to ensure they had funding to start their term, their remaining funding is paid to them as a top-up payment once all necessary application details are confirmed.

    For students who are still applying for their finance, or yet to apply such as those starting courses in January there’s a range of advice on applying at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/students-from-england-can-find-answers-to-their-questions–2

    *Please note these are provisional figures. Full year figures are published in our Student Support for Higher Education statistical release which will be published on 28 November 2024.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Passengers to enjoy cleaner travel between UK and Europe  

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    New green corridors could boost use of sustainable fuels, secure green jobs of the future and advance environmentally friendly travel within Europe.

    • world’s first ‘green shipping corridors’ to be created between the UK and Europe, accessing prime destinations like Amsterdam, Oslo, Copenhagen and Dublin  
    • up to £9 million investment to decarbonise shipping and turbocharge green jobs of the future  
    • 30 projects across the country will also receive a share of funding to make smarter, cleaner shipping a reality 

    Passengers could reap the rewards of greener travel by sea thanks to the development of new shipping routes only accessible to zero emission vessels. 

    Maritime Minister Mike Kane today (17 October 2024) announced the new projects which will receive funds to develop these future routes, including the Port of Tyne to the Port of Ijmuiden (Netherlands) and the Port of Holyhead to the Port of Dublin.   

    The Department for Transport (DfT) is also funding the development of green shipping routes from the UK to Norway and Demark – the organisations that will lead these are soon to be announced.   

    Green corridors are zero emission maritime routes between 2 or more ports. The UK led the development of green corridors through the launch of the Clydebank Declaration at COP26.

    Once developed, should the world’s biggest shipping companies operate along these greener routes, it could transform the ‘fast shopping’ industry, making the global shipment of goods more environmentally friendly.

    Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, said:   

    Shipping is a big contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, so these new green corridors could be a real game changer for industry.   

    This is exactly the direction we need to be going in to achieve our mission of becoming a clean energy superpower.   

    These new corridors could turbocharge the use of sustainable fuels, secure the green jobs of the future and advance environmentally friendly travel to major European capitals like Amsterdam and Dublin.

    The funding comes from the  fifth round of the government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC5), which focuses on driving innovative solutions and new technologies to decarbonise the industry and grow the economy.    

    Matt Beeton, CEO of the Port of Tyne, said:

    Today’s funding announcement will support the development of port infrastructure for electrification and the refuelling of state-of-the-art clean powered vessels. This important green infrastructure will ensure that the Port of Tyne and the Port of Ijmuiden are supporting decarbonised routes between the North East of England and Europe with the aim of saving up to 850,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

    Bolstered by the Maritime Innovation Hub, the Port of Tyne continues to drive sustainable innovation and act as a focal point for a growing European decarbonised distribution network for green trade and passenger journeys.

    The River Tyne fuelled the industrial revolution and now it’s at the forefront of greening international logistics.

    Visiting the Port of Tyne, the Maritime Minister also announced separate funding to help make sea travel cleaner and smarter.   

    Up to £8 million of match funding will be given to 30 projects across the UK to accelerate plans to develop smart technologies, such as autonomous systems, AI, robotics and sensors.   

    These technologies will help position the UK as a world leader in maritime decarbonisation and will support economic growth and coastal communities by delivering local jobs and boosting local businesses.  

    Mike Biddle, Executive Director for Net Zero at Innovate UK, said:

    Like so many industries, the maritime sector is under immense pressure to decarbonise its transport and process methods. Innovate UK is proud to be a key delivery partner for DfT’s UK SHORE programme, which provides a unique platform for innovators and collaborators to demonstrate real-world solutions to some of the sector’s most pressing challenges.

    With this year’s round of competitions delivering a host of exciting prospective technologies, from smart shipping drones to methanol-fuelled vessels, UK SHORE looks to accelerate the adoption of these sustainable solutions and help the UK drive towards its net zero targets.

    This latest round of funding comes from the £206 million UK SHORE programme which is focused on decarbonising the UK maritime sector through tech innovation.

    Maritime media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Economy – GlobalData upgrades India’s growth forecast, citing strong domestic consumption and investor confidence

    Source: GlobalData

    India’s economy is thriving, bolstered by strong domestic demand, rural consumption, and a growing working-age population. Infrastructure investments are enhancing productivity in the manufacturing and services sectors, fostering high investor confidence. 

    Against this backdrop, GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, has revised India’s economic growth forecast for 2024 and 2025 by 0.3 percentage points (pp) and 0.2pp in its Q4 2024 update compared to the previous projections made in Q3 2024.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Macroeconomic Outlook Report: India,” reveals that India’s GDP increased by 7.6% in 2023 and is projected to grow by 7.0% in 2024 and 6.6% in 2025. Inflation is expected to decrease to 4.4% in 2024, down from 5.6% in the previous year.

    To combat inflation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the repo rate steady at 6.5% for the 10th consecutive meeting in October 2024, emphasizing its commitment to stabilizing prices and supporting economic growth amidst the changing economic conditions.

    Moreover, the rebound in India’s private consumption, indicated by a 7.4% rise in Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) for Q2 2024, suggests increased economic resilience and a potential boost in rural spending. This recovery, fueled by lower inflation and improved agricultural performance, may enhance the overall GDP growth, supporting investor confidence.

    Gayatri Ganpule, Economic Research Analyst at GlobalData, comments, “Despite the geopolitical uncertainties, India’s economy shows resilience. Although inflation increased in September 2024, the projected annual rate of 4.4% is lower than the last year’s 5.6%. This expected lower price level, along with the festive season, is expected to boost consumption in Q4 2024. However, rising oil prices are a major concern, as India relies on imports for about 88% of its oil needs, risking imported inflation.”

    In terms of sectors, financial intermediation, real estate, and business activities contributed 22.7% to the gross value added (GVA) in 2023, followed by mining, manufacturing, and utilities (18.7%) and agriculture (17.7%). In nominal terms, the three sectors are forecast to grow by 11.9%, 9.5%, and 9.7%, respectively, in 2024 as compared to the 9.9%, 8.1%, and 5.4% growth recorded in 2023.

    India’s 2024-25 budget prioritizes job creation and enhancing the business environment through strategic tax reforms to attract foreign investment. The proposed measures include a review of the Income-tax Act, an amnesty scheme for tax disputes, and incentives for job creation. Simplifying foreign direct investment frameworks and adjusting capital gains taxes are expected to stimulate economic growth. These initiatives aim to resolve tax disputes and foster a more favorable investment climate.

    India’s net foreign direct investment (FDI) increased to $6.9 billion in Q2 2024, up from $4.7 billion during the same period last year, as per the RBI data. This growth was driven by a 26.4% rise in gross inward FDI, totaling $22.5 billion. Sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, and energy contributed to 80% of these inflows, primarily from countries like Singapore and the US. During a recent roundtable meeting on 14 October 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with business leaders from Singapore, leading to a commitment of approximately $60 billion in investments across various sectors in India.

    On the external front, India aims to achieve $2 trillion in exports by 2030 under its new Foreign Trade Policy. The country recorded a current account surplus of $5.7 billion in Q1 2024, driven by service exports and remittances. As of 10 March 2024, India signed 14 free trade agreements (FTAs), including one with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), to improve exports and market access, seeking preferential ties with 94 countries. The ongoing negotiations could extend these agreements to over 120 countries, strengthening India’s global trade relationships.

    India is categorized as a medium-risk nation and ranked 75th out of 153 nations in the GlobalData Country Risk Index (GCRI Q2 2024). The country’s risk score was lower in terms of political, legal, and technology and infrastructure risk parameters when compared with the average score of the world.

    Ganpule concludes, “India’s economy demonstrates resilience, supported by robust domestic demand and government reforms aimed at enhancing investment. However, challenges such as increasing oil prices and high youth unemployment remain pressing issues. Continued efforts to expand trade and attract foreign investment are key to sustaining growth.”

    Notes

    The information is based on GlobalData’s latest report, “Macroeconomic Outlook Report: India” (ref. https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/india-pestle-macroeconomic-analysis/?utm_source=cision&utm_medium=press%20release&utm_campaign=gd_press%20release_cision_economic%20research_india_pestle%20report )

    About GlobalData

    4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis, and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology, and professional services sectors.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China mulls increasing tariffs on imported fuel cars with large-displacement engines

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday that China is studying measures to increase tariffs on imported fuel-powered vehicles with large-displacement engines.

    A decision will be made prudently after comprehensive consideration of various factors, MOC spokesperson He Yadong told a press conference.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Infinera Signs Non-Binding Preliminary Memorandum of Terms to Receive Up to $93 Million in CHIPS Act Funding

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Infinera (Nasdaq: INFN) and the U.S. Department of Commerce have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms for Infinera to receive up to $93 million in direct funding as part of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. This proposed direct funding, when combined with investment tax credits available under the CHIPS and Science Act, could result in more than $200 million in total federal incentives as well as potential state and local incentives.

    This proposed funding would support the expansion and modernization of both Infinera’s semiconductor capabilities in Silicon Valley, California and its advanced test and packaging capabilities in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, increasing the company’s existing domestic manufacturing capacity by an estimated factor of ten. Combined proposed funding for these two projects could create up to 1,700 manufacturing and construction jobs while strengthening America’s supply chain, economic and national security.

    “We are grateful for the bipartisan efforts under the CHIPS and Science Act to increase semiconductor fabrication and packaging in the U.S. and protect our national and economic security,” said David Heard, Infinera CEO. “The proposed CHIPS funding will enable us to better secure our supply chain and compete more effectively with foreign adversary nations. Our unique photonic semiconductors address the increased demand for bandwidth from consumers while opening new markets inside the data center driven by the explosive growth in AI workloads.”

    Infinera’s award of the proposed CHIPS funding would not have been possible without bipartisan support and partnerships with local, state and federal officials. This support is instrumental to the long-term success of these projects and the growth of advanced manufacturing in the U.S.

    Additional Resource:
    Biden-Harris Administration Announces Preliminary Terms with Infinera to Support Development of Semiconductor Technology Important for Communications and National Security

    Contacts:

    Infinera Media:
    Anna Vue
    Tel. +1 (916) 595-8157
    avue@infinera.com

    Infinera Investors:
    Amitabh Passi, Head of Investor Relations
    Tel. +1 (669) 295-1489
    apassi@infinera.com

    About Infinera
    Infinera is a global supplier of innovative open optical networking solutions and advanced optical semiconductors that enable carriers, cloud operators, governments, and enterprises to scale network bandwidth, accelerate service innovation, and automate network operations. Infinera solutions deliver industry-leading economics and performance in long-haul, submarine, data center interconnect, and metro transport applications. To learn more about Infinera, visit http://www.infinera.com, follow us on X and LinkedIn, and subscribe for updates.

    Infinera and the Infinera logo are registered trademarks of Infinera Corporation.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding Infinera’s ability to secure CHIPS funding and investment tax credits, and the anticipated benefits of any such funding and tax credits. These statements are not guarantees of results and should not be considered as an indication of future activity or future performance. Actual results may vary materially from these expectations as a result of various risks and uncertainties. Information about risks and uncertainties that affect Infinera’s business is contained in the risk factors section and other sections of Infinera’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter ended June 29, 2024 as filed with the SEC on August 2, 2024, as well as any subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. These reports are available on Infinera’s website at http://www.infinera.com and the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies and can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would” or similar words. Infinera assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: OEUK news Skills passport enabling people to find new jobs in offshore wind goes live in 2025 17 October 2024

    Source: Offshore Energy UK

    Headline: OEUK news

    Skills passport enabling people to find new jobs in offshore wind goes live in 2025

    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.

    Share this article

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Aurora Mobile Showcases GPTBots and EngageLab at eCommerce Expo Asia, Highlighting AI-Powered Solutions for Global Enterprises

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (Nasdaq: JG), recently showcased its no-code AI Bot development platform, GPTBots, and its global customer engagement platform, EngageLab, at eCommerce Expo Asia, part of Tech Week Singapore on October 9-10, 2024, held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The event brought together industry giants such as Shopify, Amazon, Stripe, and TikTok, focusing on the latest trends in e-commerce, AI, and MarTech, with Aurora Mobile’s innovative solutions drawing significant attention from attendees.

    As a comprehensive trade show, eCommerce Expo Asia provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the application of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and marketing technology (MarTech) across various industries. GPTBots, Aurora’s no-code AI Bot platform, stood out at the event, engaging a diverse audience keen to explore practical AI applications in their businesses.

    During the exhibition, attendees from different industries expressed unprecedented enthusiasm for AI technology, sharing their specific needs and pain points faced during their digital transformation journeys. GPTBots demonstrated its powerful capabilities in natural language processing, contextual understanding, and extensive customization, positioning itself as a valuable tool to solve these challenges.

    Interest from Various Industries

    • Financial Services in Indonesia: Representatives from the Indonesian financial sector expressed keen interest in GPTBots’ ability to enhance customer support through intelligent automation. They believe that GPTBots can address the rigidity of existing bot systems by providing more efficient and secure financial services through accurate responses and on-premise deployment options.
    • Hospitality in Hong Kong: Clients operating a platform in Hong Kong that connects users with wedding venues and service providers were particularly impressed with GPTBots. They highlighted its potential to significantly enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness of resource matching. GPTBots can seamlessly connect users, suppliers, and hotels in real time, ensuring precise and efficient resource coordination. This not only improves the overall user experience but also optimizes supplier response times, driving greater operational efficiency.
    • System Integrators (SI): SI clients showed strong interest in using AI Bots to automatically organize customer inquiries into leads and seamlessly push them into CRM systems. GPTBots can process and categorize customer inputs in real time, offering seamless integration with CRM platforms, enabling comprehensive lead automation management.

    Additionally, representatives from industries such as manufacturing, medical e-commerce, and event organizers praised GPTBots’ potential in areas such as automated product quality inspection, intelligent lead screening, platform integration, and inquiry management. Many attendees commented that GPTBots could bring transformative changes to their respective businesses.

    Global Adoption and Empowering Enterprises
    Since its launch in September 2023, GPTBots has gained widespread recognition. As of July 31, 2024, the platform had over 60,000 registered users, including enterprises and developers, with more than 85% of its user base coming from overseas markets. GPTBots’ users span a wide range of sectors including e-commerce, real estate, finance, IT, healthcare, government, renewable energy, education, and eldercare. This achievement demonstrates the platform’s strong ability to help businesses achieve intelligent transformation.

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Victor Ambros on the team effort behind his Nobel-prize winning discovery of microRNA – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were awarded the 2024 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine for their discovery of microRNA, tiny biological molecules that tell the cells in our body what kind of cell to be by turning on and off certain genes.

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to Ambros about the discovery that led to his Nobel prize and find out what he’s researching now. And we hear about how a deeper understanding of microRNA is opening up new avenues for potential treatment of cancers and other diseases.

    Today, Ambros is a professor of molecular medicine and the Silverman Chair in Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in the US. But the research that won him a Nobel prize was published more than 30 years ago in 1993, when he had just established his own research lab at Harvard University.

    Ambros was trying to understand the way cells get the right instructions from DNA during their development. To do this, he was studying mutations in an experimental organism: a small worm called C. elegans.

    We were studying some mutations and that affected C. elegans’ development in interesting ways – but we were not looking for the involvement of any sort of unexpected kind of molecular mechanisms.

    Ambros’s wife, Rosalind Lee, and another member of the lab team, Rhonda Feinbaum, had spent a couple of years trying to understand the genetic process behind the mutation in a labour-intensive search. What they eventually discovered was a microRNA, a new dimension to gene regulation – the process through which genes are turned on and off in certain cells. As Ambros put it:

    You can say they’re really the heroes behind this, and our job – mine and Gary’s – is to stand in as representatives of the whole enterprise of science, which is so dependent upon teams, collaborations, brainstorming among multiple people, communications of ideas and crucial data … All this is part of the process that underlies successful science like this.

    MicroRNA’s role in cancer

    Thanks to the discoveries of Ambros and Ruvkun back in the 1990s, medical researchers all over the world are looking at how microRNA affects the development of human diseases. One such researcher is Justin Stebbing, a professor of biomedical sciences at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, UK. He explained:

    MicroRNAs, like many processes, can go wrong and they’ve been implicated in diseases as diverse as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to cancer and kidney failure.

    Stebbing said that in cancer, microRNA has been found to turn off tumour suppressor genes, effectively allowing cancers to spread. But microRNA can also be useful in understanding cancer, and in potential treatments:

    We can work out the right treatments for people based on what we call a microRNA signature. We can understand prognosis, which means how severe people’s cancers are, but we can also try and harness them for treatments to make people better.

    To find out more about the discovery of microRNA and what research is being done on it today, listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, which includes an introduction from Vivian Lam, associate health and biomedicine editor at The Conversation in the US.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was produced by Katie Flood, Gemma Ware and Mend Mariwany. Sound design was by Michelle Macklem, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl.

    You can find us on Instagram at theconversationdotcom or via email. You can also subscribe to The Conversation’s free daily email here.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    Victor Ambros’s laboratory’s research has been funded (since 1985) and is currently funded by the US National Institutes of Heath. 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. Victor Ambros on the team effort behind his Nobel-prize winning discovery of microRNA – podcast – https://theconversation.com/victor-ambros-on-the-team-effort-behind-his-nobel-prize-winning-discovery-of-microrna-podcast-241407

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council launches new city enterprise centre to boost local economy

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Portsmouth City Council has officially launched its new city centre enterprise centre to support local businesses to start up and grow.

    City Buildings Enterprise Centre is located in Commercial Road on the former Job Centre and Playland sites and is now the fourth council owned enterprise centre in the city.

    Designed to support local start-ups and small businesses, City Buildings Enterprise Centre offers affordable office space, a co-working area and flexible lease terms with easy access to transport links. .

    Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibilities for economic development said:

    “City Buildings Enterprise Centre is an exciting opportunity for Portsmouth’s city centre. There is a real need from start-up and small businesses for low cost business premises to be located centrally, close to good transport links.

    This new enterprise centre is also part of our wider city centre regeneration programme. By creating a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, we can revitalise the area and support our local economy.”

    In addition to affordable workspace, the centre offers businesses access to the council’s Portsmouth Business Support Service, providing expert advice on training, funding, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

    Portsmouth Enterprise Centres are committed to helping small businesses thrive by providing low-cost rents and a supportive environment.

    For more information visit portsmouthenterprisecentres.co.uk

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: The European Supervisory Authorities share highlights from the 2024 Joint Consumer Protection Day in Budapest

    Source: European Banking Authority

    On 3 October , the three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) – the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) – organised the 11th edition of their annual Consumer Protection Day, in Budapest.

    The event followed the theme of “Empowering EU consumers: fair access to the future of financial services” and had three panels covering the topics of artificial intelligence (AI) in financial services, access to consumer centric products and services, and sustainable finance. Speakers and panellists included leaders from consumer organisations, regulatory authorities, EU institutions, academia, and market participants from across the European Union, with 300 participants on-site and more than 600 viewers online.

    Speeches were delivered by the three ESAs Chairs – Verena Ross (ESMA and currently Joint Committee Chair), Jose-Manuel Campa (EBA), and Petra Hielkema (EIOPA) – as well as Csaba Kandrács, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Hungary and Agustín Reyna, the Director General of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC). A fire-side chat also took place with Chris Betz, Chief Information Security Officer of Amazon Web services to discuss generative AI.

    On Artificial Intelligence, panellists exchanged views about the potential benefits of AI, such as fraud detection and the automation of processes to detect and prevent money laundering, as well as the risks, such as the lack of transparency and explainability. Panellists emphasised the need to better understand the technology to assess how those risks can be mitigated. Some panellists highlighted the importance for the ESAs to facilitate knowledge sharing, ensure regulatory and supervisory convergence and create the conditions for innovation to grow. Some industry players also called on the ESAs to issue ‘guardrails’ or other guidance on how financial institutions should comply with the new EU AI Act.

    During the panel on access to consumer centric financial products and services, panellists discussed the need to strengthen  financial education, pay greater attention to vulnerable consumers, and enable them to understand and access standard financial services packages (payment account, saving account, home/health insurance). The importance of better understanding consumer needs and preserve consumer trust was also highlighted.

    On sustainable finance, panellists remarked that investors still struggle to understand the technicalities of  product disclosures and the complex terminology attached to such disclosures. Simplification of the current Sustainable Finance Disclosures Requirements towards a categorisation system that works for retail investors was considered by the panellists to be the main area that regulators should focus on,  in addition to enhancing the financial literacy of retail investors.

    The ESAs will reflect on the input and suggestions heard from the audience and the panellists, and discuss the actions to be strenghtened  or to be taken going forward.

    See the EBA webpage and the recording of the event here. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: UXLINK Introduces Advanced Social Growth Layer to Revolutionize Web3 Development

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UXLINK, a pioneer in Web3 social infrastructure, is proud to introduce its advanced Social Growth Layer, an infrastructure solution designed to accelerate Web3 development by offering comprehensive growth tools, including chain abstraction, unified accounts, and rich data integration.

    “We built the Social Growth Layer to address the unique challenges faced by Web3 developers,” said Sean, Founder at UXLINK. “With our suite of tools, developers can focus on creating engaging user experiences, while we handle the backend complexities, ensuring rapid application growth and success.”

    Empowering Developers to Innovate

    The Social Growth Layer provides modular services that cater to different applications, enabling developers to scale their projects without compromising on performance or security. Over 200 partners are already leveraging UXLINK’s infrastructure to build high-quality applications that resonate with users and drive adoption.

    UXLINK’s commitment to supporting the developer community is a cornerstone of its strategy to establish itself as the leading Web3 infrastructure provider for social applications.

    For partnership inquiries and more information, visit http://www.uxlink.io.

    About UXLINK:

    UXLINK is the world’s largest Web3 social platform and infrastructure provider, connecting a wide array of ecosystem partners and users through a seamless and interactive digital experience. By leveraging blockchain technology, UXLINK aims to redefine social networking, ensuring a secure, transparent, and rewarding environment for its global community.

    Contact Details:
    UXLINK: https://www.uxlink.io/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/UXLINKofficial
    Telegram: https://t.me/uxlinkofficial, https://t.me/uxlinkofficial2
    CMC: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/uxlink/  

    Contact Information:
    UXLINK
    admin@uxlink.io

    Media Contact:
    Rachita Chettri
    MediaX Agency
    contact@mediax.agency

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by UXLINK. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed196b7c-64de-4dcf-a44b-d8bfd739ba68

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Together for Frankfurt: New corporate initiative supports social projects in the city’s station district

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    A joint initiative by companies and institutions based in and around Frankfurt’s Bahnhofsviertel – the district surrounding its central railway station – intends to help improve the difficult situation in the area. Known as the BHV corporate initiative (BHV being an acronym for Bahnhofsviertel), it aims to make a positive contribution to the district and support selected social projects through constructive dialogue with the city. Representatives of the participating companies presented the initiative at a joint event today with Frankfurt’s mayor Mike Josef. Speaking at the K9 advice centre, one of the welfare facilities to receive financial support from the BHV corporate initiative, they reaffirmed their commitment to the district and called for further intensive efforts to find solutions to the area’s problems.
    Mayor Josef highlighted the following: When I took office one and a half years ago, a particularly important topic was the situation in the station district. And it remains so to this day. The many meetings I have had over the past few months have included conversations with companies, their representatives and employees based in or near the station district. It has become clear that the situation in the district needs to change. He went on to say: I am pleased that many conversations have been very constructive. With the BHV corporate initiative, several companies and institutions have decided to provide financial support to social facilities in the station district. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks for this.
    We have joined forces in a cross-sectoral initiative to improve the situation in the station district for people who spend time here for a multitude of different reasons. We want to achieve this by supporting tangible projects, said Stephan Bredt, chief operating officer at the Bundesbank, one of the institutions bringing ideas to the joint initiative. The Bundesbank, which has offices in and around the station district, is happy to contribute to its success by getting involved and providing good ideas. We see ourselves at the beginning of a long-term undertaking and invite other interested parties to join in.
    The BHV corporate initiative, which currently comprises eleven companies and institutions with around 26,000 employees in and around the station district, is supporting various aid projects for people in need. Indirectly, these may also help to improve the district’s appearance. In a first step, the initiative will support four facilities in the district with funding of €100,000 each:
    The K9 advice centre for projects that help people with drug addiction regain a foothold in labour market;
    La Strada drug help centre to extend and renovate its community café and drug consumption rooms and expand its provision of medical care;
    The night café on Moselstrasse to provide warm meals for people battling addiction;
    Malteser Werke to expand their emergency medical service in the district as part of their proactive social work.
    As a gateway to the city, the station district has great economic, cultural and social potential. In order to harness this, the current problems need to be tackled on a lasting basis, said Christian Sewing, CEO of Deutsche Bank, speaking on behalf of the companies involved. We welcome the initiative of the mayor and the municipal administration of Frankfurt to develop and implement forward-looking solutions for the station district. It is important that initial improvements are now quickly followed by further tangible steps. As corporate citizens, we want to exercise our social responsibility and make an active contribution to improving the situation and unlocking the district’s full potential.
    The participants of the BHV initiative are making a long-term commitment. In addition to the specific financial support to social facilities provided by the companies involved, the initiative aims to liaise closely with the city on the progress made in the district. Moreover, participants are harnessing the initiative to improve the exchange of information with regard to the challenges and opportunities in the district. Other companies and institutions that would like to get involved are welcome to join at any time.
    Current participants
    Bank of America
    Deutsche Bundesbank
    Deutsche Bank
    Deutsche Vermögensberatung
    DWS
    DZ Bank
    Frankfurter Volksbank Rhein-Main
    Helaba
    Merz Pharma
    Momeni Group
    Nestlé Deutschland

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Development Asia: Enhancing Statistical Capabilities for Climate Action

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Improving statistical capacity in various areas of climate change relies on collaboration among governments, international development and research organizations, academia, and the private sector to foster innovation and the exchange of knowledge.

    By pooling resources and expertise, new capacity building initiatives can drive the development of best practices in the compilation of climate change data and statistics, ensuring national statistics offices have the latest and most powerful statistical tools and methodologies at their disposal. Through these collaborative efforts, national statistics offices will be better positioned to contribute effectively to global climate action, bolstering efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

    ADB’s survey on the compilation of climate change statistics in Asia and the Pacific suggests that such collaboration is already underway among national statistics offices in member economies. Eighteen national statistics offices reported collaborating with other government agencies, sectors, or international organizations to address data gaps in statistics related to climate change. Other actions commonly taken by national statistics offices included use of administrative and big data and improvements to data infrastructure.

    Figure 4. Measures Taken by National Statistics Offices to Address Data Gaps on Climate Change

    NSO = national statistics office.
    Source: Asian Development Bank analysis using data from the bank’s 2024 Climate Change Data Granularity and Statistical Capacity Building Survey.

    Support provided by more advanced national statistics offices to their peers with fewer resources can also help build capacity and promote the exchange of best practices, ultimately contributing to the development of robust climate change statistics programs across Asia and the Pacific.

    The survey showed that six of the 29 national statistics offices respondents in Asia and the Pacific indicated that they had provided support related to climate change statistics to other economies, either directly (three of six) or through associated organizations (four of six). Feedback from the six economies that provided support states that the most common types of assistance were for capacity building and project proposals. Other types of support included short-term assistance, provision of experts, and support on acquisition of technological and/or digital infrastructure and equipment.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK strikes at the heart of Russian energy revenues funding Putin’s war

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The UK has today unleashed the largest package of sanctions to date against Putin’s shadow fleet of oil tankers.

    • Fresh sanctions unleashed against 18 Russian oil tankers and 4 liquified natural gas tankers – the largest sanctions action to date against Putin’s shadow fleet. 

    • The Foreign Secretary continues his personal mission to crack down on the full spectrum of Russian malign activity.  

    • The US and Canada sign up to the shadow fleet ‘Call to Action’ launched by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July, bringing the total number of signatories to 47.

    The UK has today unleashed the largest package of sanctions to date against Putin’s shadow fleet of oil tankers.18 more shadow fleet ships will be barred from UK ports and unable to access world-leading British maritime services, bringing the total number of oil tankers sanctioned to 43. 

    The shadow fleet seeks to undermine sanctions and poses a clear and present danger. Environmental risks, such as oil spills, on our coastlines as a result of its flagrant violation of basic safety standards, but also risks to the security of global trade – the lifeblood of economic growth. 

    At the European Political Community Summit in July, the Prime Minister announced the shadow fleet call to action. Today the US and Canada have joined 44 European countries plus the EU in working together to tackle the risks posed by the shadow fleet. 

    The UK’s relentless action against the shadow fleet is putting grit into the system and starving Putin’s war machine of crucial revenues. The oil tankers targeted today have transported an estimated $4.9 billion in the last year alone. A significant number of the ships targeted by the UK to date have been forced to sit idling uselessly outside ports across the world, unable to continue pouring money into Putin’s war chest. 

    Sovcomflot, Russia’s largest shipping company, has been left desperately scrambling to rename and offload its vessels to dodge UK sanctions. Today we have targeted even more of its ships, further turning the screw on the mechanisms the Kremlin uses to fund its illegal war.  

    Alongside action against the shadow fleet, the UK is sanctioning 4 more LNG tankers and Russian gas company Rusgazdobycha JSC. We are continuing to ratchet up pressure on the beleaguered Russian gas industry, with flagship company Gazprom posting a significant net loss of $6.9 billion in 2023 – its first annual loss in more than 20 years.

    Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

    We must combat malign Russian activity at every turn, whether illicit tactics to bolster Putin’s war chest, their use of cyber-attacks or barbarism on the front line in Ukraine. 

    The UK is leading the charge against Putin’s desperate and dangerous attempts to cling on to his energy revenues, with his shadow fleet placing coastlines across Europe and the world in jeopardy. 

    I have made it my personal mission to constrain the Kremlin, closing the net around Putin and his mafia state using every tool at my disposal.

    This new shadow fleet package comes in the weeks following recent UK actions to sanction both Russian cyber-crime gang Evil Corp, and Russian troops found to be using chemical weapons on the front lines in Ukraine. It represents the latest in a drumbeat of activity, with each package designed to target a distinct aspect of Russia’s malign behavior and reinforce the UK’s commitment to global security and the rule of law.

    Background

    Sanctioned today are: 

    • NS BORA (IMO 9412335) 

    • ATLAS (IMO 9413573) 

    • MOSKOVSKY PROSPECT (IMO 9511521) 

    • NS ARCTIC (IMO 9413547) 

    • CALLISTO (IMO 9299692) 

    • SCF BAIKAL (IMO 9422457) 

    • SCF SAMOTLOR (IMO 9421972) 

    • SUVOROVSKY PROSPECT (IMO 9522324) 

    • EASTERN PEARL (IMO 9285859) 

    • KUDOS STARS (IMO 9288710) 

    • SEA FIDELITY (IMO 9285835) 

    • STRATOS AURORA (IMO 9288708) 

    • TURBO VOYAGER (IMO 9299898) 

    • AZURE CELESTE (IMO 9288722) 

    • VARUNA (IMO 9332810) 

    • SAI BABA (IMO 9321691) 

    • ARTEMIS (IMO 9317949) 

    • ANTAEUS (IMO 9299733) 

    • MARSHAL VASILEVSKIY (IMO 9778313) 

    • VELIKIY NOVGOROD (IMO 9630004) 

    • MULAN (IMO 9864837) 

    • EVEREST ENERGY (IMO 9243148) 

    • RUSGAZDOBYCHA JSC 

    Today’s announcement comes as the United States and Canada have united in support of the European Political Community (EPC) Call to Action , demonstrating their shared determination to address the risks that the shadow fleet poses to the environment, maritime safety and security in Europe and beyond, the integrity of international seaborne trade, and respect for international maritime law. 

    Separately, the UK is taking steps to combat malign, Russian-backed maritime activity near the UK:  

    • The Department for Transport is working alongside the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to challenge shadow fleet vessels with suspected dubious insurance to provide details of their insurance status as they pass through the English Channel. 

    • Any actor that facilitates and supports Russia’s malign activities could be exposing themselves to sanctions

    Ships specified under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 are prohibited from entering a port in the UK, may be given a movement or a port entry direction, can be detained, and will be refused permission to register on the UK Ship Register or have its existing registration terminated. In addition, the Oil Price Cap exception is not applicable to services in relation to specified ships, or to the supply or delivery of Russian oil or oil products in specified ships 

    The Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation has published guidance on the Russian Oil Services ban. Limited exceptions apply and licences may be granted for specified ships, as set out in Part 7 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Audience with a delegation of Ministers participating in the G7 Meeting on Inclusion and Disability

    Source: The Holy See

    Audience with a delegation of Ministers participating in the G7 Meeting on Inclusion and Disability, 17.10.2024
    This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the participants in the G7 Meeting on Inclusion and Disability, to whom he delivered the following address:

    Address of the Holy Father
    Distinguished Ministers and Delegates,Ladies and Gentleman,
    Excuse me for being late, but there were many things happening this morning. I greet all of you with gratitude and appreciation for your efforts to promote the dignity and rights of people with disabilities. When I was once speaking about people with disabilities, someone said to me, “be careful because we all have a disability!” All of us. It is true. This meeting, on the occasion of the G7, is concrete evidence of the desire to build a more just and inclusive world, in which each person, with his or her own abilities, can live to the full and contribute to the growth of society. Instead of speaking about disabilities, let us speak about different abilities because everyone has abilities. For example, I remember a group from a restaurant that visited here, which included both the cooks and waiters, and all of them were young men and women with disabilities. They all worked very well. I thank the Italian Minister for Disabilities, the Honourable Alessandra Locatelli, who is present today, for promoting this important initiative. Thank you.
    Yesterday you signed the “Charter of Solfagnano”, the fruit of your work on such fundamental issues as inclusion, accessibility, independent living and the empowerment of persons. These themes are also present in the Church’s vision of human dignity. Indeed, every person is an integral part of the universal human family, and no one should fall victim to a throwaway culture, absolutely no one. This type of culture generates prejudice and damages society.
    First, the inclusion of persons with disabilities must be recognized as a priority by all countries. I do not like the word “disability”, I prefer “differently abled”. Sadly, even today in some countries people find it hard to acknowledge the equal dignity of such persons (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 98). Creating an inclusive world entails not only adapting structures but also changing minds, in order that people with disabilities may considered full participants in social life. There can be no authentic human development without the involvement of the most vulnerable members of society. Universal accessibility is thus a great goal to be pursued, so that every physical, social, cultural and religious barrier may be eliminated and every individual can be enabled to develop his or her talents and contribute to the common good at every stage of life, from childhood to old age. It pains me when people live in a culture that discards old people. Old people offer wisdom but they are discarded as if they were a pair of old shoes.
    Providing adequate facilities and services for people with disabilities is not only a matter of social assistance – it is not a policy of welfare – but it is about justice and respect for their dignity. All countries have the responsibility of ensuring the necessary conditions for the integral development of each individual within inclusive communities (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 107).
    It is important, then, to work together in making it possible for persons with disabilities to choose their own path in life, free of the fetters of prejudice. The human person – let us remember – must never be a means but always an end! This means enhancing each person’s abilities and providing opportunities for dignified employment. Excluding people from the possibility of work is a grave form of discrimination (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 162). Work is the anointing of dignity. If you exclude the possibility, you take that away from them. The same thing can be said with regard to participation in cultural events and sporting activities: excluding people with disabilities is an affront to human dignity.
    The new technologies can also prove to be a powerful means for increasing inclusion and participation, provided they are made accessible to everyone. These technologies need to be directed towards the common good and placed at the service of a culture of encounter and solidarity. Technology ought to be used wisely, in order to avoid creating further inequalities and to help overcoming those that already exist.
    Finally, in speaking of inclusion, we must take into account the urgent needs of the earth, our common home. We cannot be indifferent to the humanitarian emergencies linked to climate crises and conflicts, which have the greatest impact on those who are most vulnerable, including persons with disabilities (cf. Laudato Si’, 25). It is our duty to ensure that those with disabilities are not left behind in such situations, and that they are properly cared for and protected. What is needed is a system of prevention and emergency response that takes into account their specific needs and guarantees that no one is excluded from protection and assistance.
    Ladies and Gentlemen, I view your work as a sign of hope for a world that all too often disregards people with disabilities or unfortunately rejects them away before they are born, “returning them to the sender” after seeing a scan. I urge you to persevere in your efforts, inspired by faith and the conviction that each person is a precious gift to society. Saint Francis of Assisi, who bore witness to a boundless love for the most vulnerable, reminds us that true wealth is found in our encounter with others – this culture of encounter needs to be developed – especially with those who tend to be “discarded” by an ersatz culture of wellbeing. Among those who are victims of being discarded are grandparents. Grandparents and elderly are left in nursing homes. This is a very bad thing. It reminds me of a good story. There was a grandfather who lived with his family, but as he grew older, he would make a mess while eating. One day the father made a separate table in the kitchen and told his son, “Grandpa will eat in the kitchen, so that we can invite guests”. After some time passed, the father came home from work to find his five-year-old son playing with tables. He asked him, “What are you doing?”. The son replied “I’m making a small table”. “A small table? Why?”, asked the father. The son replied, “for you dad, for when you become old”. What we do with old people, our children will do with us. Let us not forget that. Together we can build a world in which the dignity of each person is fully recognized and respected.
    May God bless you and always accompany you in this important undertaking. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Europe News –