NewzIntel.com

Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Devastating cuts to Whaakata Māori and Māori Teacher Training funding – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The Government’s decision to cut funding to Māori Television – Whakaata Māori – and Māori Teacher Training is another devastating attack on Māori, says PSA Te Kaihautū Māori Janice Panoho.
    “This is yet another breach of Article 2 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which protects our taonga tuku iho, including the language and cultural heritage of Māori,” Panoho says.
    “This attack on indigenous broadcasting is an affront to our people, and part of an ongoing attack on Māori. We must oppose this government’s agenda to exploit race as a political tool to undermine Te Reo Māori and eliminate Māori news and programmes.
    “It is a fact that Māori tamariki and rangatahi thrive in Kaupapa Māori education environments fare better than in mainstream schooling. We need more Māori teachers to inspire our young ones and to reinforce the importance and future of learning Te Reo Māori.
    “The recent remarks made by Education Minister Erica Stanford, where she claimed that maths achievement take priority over the revitalization of Te Reo Māori, are typical of this government’s disregard for our culture. These comments ignore the reality that both academic and cultural success go hand in hand for Māori students.
    “The loss of $30 million to fund Māori Teachers training and $10.3 million in time-locked funding, provided by the previous government, will have serious consequences for the future of Māori broadcasting and education.
    “Despite the pleas in Parliament yesterday by former Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson, who urged the government to invest in Whakaata Māori, there has been no indication that this coalition government intends to step in and provide the necessary support.
    “This is a direct attack on the future of Te Reo Māori and the Māori voice in media. Māori will not stand by while our language and our identity are diminished. The Government must be held accountable for their actions and their disregard for the commitments of Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” Panoho says.
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 96,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Lo Chung-mau concludes Beijing visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau and a delegation called on the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in Beijing today.
     
    At the delegation’s meeting with State Council HKMAO Executive Deputy Director Zhou Ji this morning, Prof Lo introduced to Mr Zhou the latest developments of various healthcare reform initiatives in Hong Kong, including the initial achievements in the area of health and medical innovation.
     
    Prof Lo pointed out that the 20th CPC Central Committee’s Third Plenary Session adopted the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization, adding that deepening the medical and health system reform was identified as one of the key tasks.
     
    He stressed that it is essential for Hong Kong to press ahead with reform and innovation in the healthcare system to cater for the mounting service demand of society posed by an ageing population.
     
    “The Health Bureau will stay committed to implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and reform the healthcare system in a progressive manner.”
     
    At the same time, Prof Lo made it clear that the bureau will give full play to Hong Kong’s medical strengths and complement the advantages of other cities in the Greater Bay Area to vigorously develop new quality productive forces in biomedicine according to local conditions.
     
    The ultimate aim, he noted, is to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.
     
    Additionally, he emphasised that the bureau will also make breakthroughs and changes through an innovative mindset, so as to build a “Healthy Hong Kong” for integration into the nation’s “Healthy China” strategy.
     
    Prof Lo and the delegation then met NMPA Deputy Commissioner Zhao Junning to exchange views on fostering closer collaboration between the Mainland and Hong Kong in key areas such as the regulatory and approval of drugs and medical devices, cross-boundary clinical trials, and real-world data research.
     
    The health secretary highlighted the efforts to develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub, and establish an authority that registers drugs and medical devices under the primary evaluation approach in the long run.
     
    The delegation will return to Hong Kong tonight.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Minister of Health urged to follow Disability Minister’s lead

    Source: Aged Care Association

    The Minister for Disability Issues, Hon. Louise Upston, has confirmed that there will be no funding increase for disabled adults in aged care, but has asked the Aged Care Association to be involved in a solution for the sector.
    Over 1,000 people with disabilities live in aged residential care facilities. The funding freeze announced recently by the Minister poses challenges for those people and the providers who care for them.
    We expect our members will be seriously considering whether they can continue providing care for adults with disabilities. Aged residential care facilities are already on a knife edge, and this funding freeze makes a difficult environment even worse.
    The more positive news is that Minister Upston has moved swiftly to address our concerns by establishing an internal taskforce to review disability support service funding models and the commitment to developing an engagement program where we will have the opportunity to participate. The ACA is ready to collaborate with the Taskforce to ensure that the voices of our members are heard in this important process.
    We strongly urge the Minister of Health to take similar steps, by establishing a Ministerial Taskforce to work alongside us in addressing broader challenges in the aged care sector. Collaborative solutions are essential for creating a sustainable aged care system that can effectively meet the needs of our communities.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: RESULT OF RIKSBANK AUCTIONS GOVERNMENT BONDS

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Auction date 2024-09-27
    Loan 3113 
    Coupon 0.125 %
    ISIN-code SE0009548704
    Maturity 2027-12-01
    Tendered volume, SEK mln 200 +/- 200 
    Total bid volume, SEK mln 870 
    Volume sold, SEK mln 200 
    Number of bids 12 
    Number of accepted bids 1 
    Average yield 0.719 %
    Lowest yield 0.719 %
    Highest accepted yield 0.719 %
    % accepted at highest yield        100.00 
    Auction date 2024-09-27
    Loan 3111 
    Coupon 0.125 %
    ISIN-code SE0007045745 
    Maturity 2032-06-01
    Tendered volume, SEK mln 200 +/- 200 
    Total bid volume, SEK mln 1,301
    Volume sold, SEK mln 200 
    Number of bids 19 
    Number of accepted bids 4 
    Average yield 0.403 %
    Lowest yield 0.396 %
    Highest accepted yield 0.409 %
    % accepted at highest yield        25.00 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigating fatal Bowen Bridge crash

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Police investigating fatal Bowen Bridge crash

    Friday, 27 September 2024 – 6:00 pm.

    Sadly, two people have died following a multiple vehicle crash on the Bowen Bridge near Risdon this afternoon.Inspector Jason Klug said police and emergency services were called to the scene about 3.40pm, following reports of a crash involving a truck and three other vehicles.“Initial inquiries indicate the truck driver was travelling east on the bridge in a Hino heavy vehicle, when it collided with a silver Holden Barina travelling in front,” he said.“The Barina then collided with two other vehicles, a red Holden Commodore and a blue Honda HRV, also heading east.”“Two occupants of the Barina, a man and a woman both in their 80s, sadly died.”“The woman driving the Barina, who was the third occupant of the car, was taken to hospital, and her injuries are not believed to be life threatening.”“A woman and two children in the Commodore, and a woman who was the sole occupant of the HRV were also not seriously injured.”“The truck driver was not physically injured in the crash.”“As is usual process for a crash of this nature, all drivers are undergoing mandatory testing.”“The circumstances leading up to the crash are being investigated by police and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.”“Anyone with information or relevant dash cam footage, is asked to contact police on 131 444.”“Our thoughts are with everyone involved.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Shigeru Ishiba will be Japan’s next prime minister. What should we expect?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Maslow, Associate professor, University of Tokyo

    In a vote to replace Fumio Kishia as head of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), party members have elected Shigeru Ishiba as their new leader. Given the LDP’s majority in parliament, the party leader will become prime minister by default.

    Ishiba, aged 67, joined the parliament in 1986 and held key cabinet posts throughout his career, including director of then Defence Agency (now Ministry of Defence).

    Amid growing public opposition to the LDP, in 1993 he left the party, only to return four years later. The move cost him the trust of many of his LDP colleagues, many of whom still consider him a traitor.

    Ishiba has run five times for the LDP’s top position and frequently opposed former prime minister Shinzo Abe’s policies. Though unpopular among the LDP’s top members, Ishiba has nourished broad support among the LDP’s base. In today’s race, he won over Sanae Takaichi, a close ally of Abe and the face of the LDP’s revisionist brand of conservatism.

    Ishiba, who has his constituency in rural Tottori, has pledged to revitalise economic growth through supporting local regions. A defence expert, he is an outspoken advocate of stronger security relations with the United States and a more robust military.

    What does this tell us about Japanese politics?

    The election was one of the most contentious in recent political history and came after Kishida announced he would not seek re-election as LDP leader when his three-year term ends this month.

    Kishida’s tenure as prime minister has been marred by political scandals, leading to a sharp decline in public support for the cabinet.

    In particular, the revelation of the LDP’s links to the Unification Church following the assassination of Abe in 2022 and recent reports of LDP slush funds have undermined voter confidence in the party.

    In an effort to restore public confidence, Kishida promoted the dissolution of the LDP’s factions, which had served as the party’s main internal mechanisms for mobilising support and financial resources and allocating government portfolios since its founding in 1955.

    At the same time, the factions were seen as the main source of the LDP’s scandals.

    In a logic of “numbers are power”, the factions mobilised internal support for either their own leader or the faction’s ally to become prime minister.

    By challenging the LDP’s old power structures, Kishida’s re-election prospects diminished. However, with the disappearance of most of the LDP’s factions, internal power politics has become competitive.

    As a result, an unprecedented nine candidates vied for the party’s leadership.

    Will politics change much?

    The LDP’s constitution stipulates that in the first round of voting, the votes of each of the 368 members of parliament are added to the 368 votes allocated proportionally to rank-and-file members.

    The top two candidates then go through to a second round, where the 368 National Diet members cast their votes, while each of the 47 prefectural branches gets one vote.

    This means candidates who are popular with the LDP’s base have a good chance of surviving the first round, while only those who are popular with the party’s Diet members will ultimately win the race.

    The exception to this pattern is when the party’s national elite is so unpopular that its Diet members make a strategic move to support a locally popular candidate in an appeal to the public to reform the LDP and thus avoid punishment at the polls.

    This was the case when Junichiro Koizumi was elected LDP leader in 2001 after campaigning against his own party, which was embroiled in a series of scandals, while securing the support of the grassroots.

    With a runoff between the top two contenders seen as the most likely scenario early on, the candidates have been courting the support of the LDP’s old guard and faction leaders, hoping for their influence in mobilising the votes of LDP Diet members.

    Ishiba has remained highly unpopular among LDP Diet members. LDP Vice-President Taro Aso and others have pledged to support his rival Sanae Takaichi.

    Takakichi herself has promised not to further investigate the party’s slush funds or to punish members linked to them. While Ishiba has been critical of the LDP’s initial response, he has remained silent on the issue during his campaign in order to avoid further alienating the party’s Diet members.

    The LDP’s internal politics have come under intense public scrutiny. With the LDP’s internal power structures destabilised, fears of a return to revolving-door governments have resurfaced. The party operates in crisis mode.

    Selecting Ishiba has increased its chances to compete in the next general election and thus keep the LDP in power. How Ishiba can secure enough support from within the LDP to implement his policies while responding to the public’s expectations to hold the party accountable for its past scandals, however, remains to been.

    If he fails to deliver on the latter, his tenure may be short-lived too.

    What happens now?

    The Diet will convene on Tuesday and LDP members will elect Ishiba as the new prime minister, who will then announce her new cabinet and LDP leadership.

    If the past serves as lesson, Ishiba will dissolve the lower house soon after the supplementary budget is passed. This would set Japan on track for general elections later this year.

    Faced with a fragmented opposition, it remains to be seen whether his policies alone will be enough to secure public support. A critique of “Abenomics” (Shinzo Abe’s economic approach), Ishiba is considered being in favour of fiscal discipline.

    Meanwhile, he has also called for more public works spending to reduce Japan’s growing inequality while revitalising the depopulated regions.

    Ishiba has also been critical about Kishida’s return to nuclear power, calling for more investment in regenerative energy.

    In addition, he has expressed support for legalising same-sex marriage and separate surnames – though broadly supported by the public, both issues are controversial among the LDP’s conservative base.

    Promoting a more active and equal role of Japan in its alliance with the US, Ishiba most recently advocated for expanding security cooperation to an Asian version of NATO. Moreover, he has called for more diplomatic efforts to engage China and Russia instead of relying on military pressure.

    At the same time he has repeatedly called for a robust military posture to counter China’s rise and North Korea’s military actions.

    What Ishiba means for relations with South Korea – a key legacy of Kishida – or for handling a potential Donald Trump White House, however, remains to be seen. His pledge for a more active Japan certainly resonates well with Trump.

    What is clear is that the LDP, operating in crisis mode, has voted for a leader who is willing to change the party and to restore the public’s trust in government.

    Sebastian Maslow 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. Shigeru Ishiba will be Japan’s next prime minister. What should we expect? – https://theconversation.com/shigeru-ishiba-will-be-japans-next-prime-minister-what-should-we-expect-239314

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government warns of anticipated drop in temperatures with possible snowfall

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Acting Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has urged South Africans to exercise caution in light of the South African Weather Service’s (SAWS) alert regarding expected drops in temperature and possible snowfall. 

    This comes after parts of the country were hit by heavy snowfall, affecting Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape over the past weekend.

    Heavy snowfall caused havoc on the N3 toll route and other regional roads, stranding scores of motorists, including truck drivers and bus commuters and causing loss of life. 

    Meanwhile, according to the SAWS, light snow can be expected over the Drakensberg this weekend.

    The forecasters said weather conditions are expected to change significantly with predictions of cooling over the escarpment regions of South Africa, extending from the Western Cape up to the southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

    Indicators also show that daytime temperatures are likely to start cooling down over the Western Cape from Sunday, 29 September 2024, reaching the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal region by Monday, 30 September 2024. 

    In a statement released by the SAWS, the expected snowfall will follow a similar trend, starting in the Western Cape early on Sunday morning, 29 September 2024 and spreading eastward towards KwaZulu-Natal Monday morning, 30 September 2024. 

    “Snowfall is expected to clear up in the Western Cape and western parts of the Eastern Cape by Monday evening.”

    However, snowfall will persist on Tuesday, 1 October 2024, over the eastern parts of Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal.

    According to the department, the cold front will also bring rain and showers to the Western Cape and surrounding areas.

    “Temperatures are set to drop significantly, particularly in higher regions, with some areas experiencing highs below 10°C on Monday. 

    “Strong winds and large ocean swells are anticipated along the South Coast. Rainfall is expected to be around 30 mm from September 29 to October 1, with light snowfall in high areas of the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and southern KwaZulu-Natal.” 

    The Acting CoGTA Minister has since reiterated the SAWS’ precautions for citizens to listen to warnings on the radio or television, stay indoors, dress warmly if going outside, and cover their mouths in extreme cold to protect their lungs.

    Kubayi also suggested that people avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and smoking, as this increases the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. 

    She also urged residents and farmers to keep small livestock sheltered from the cold. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Public servants applauded for transforming public service

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi has applauded all those who have played and continue to play a vital role in transforming the public service which is a responsibility that most bear with utmost seriousness.

    “The history of our public service has been shaped by the very people who dared to envision a future where public administration serves as a catalyst for positive change and a beacon of hope for every citizen,” Buthelezi said.

    Addressing the Annual Conference of the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) 23rd gala dinner held in Johannesburg on Thursday, Buthelezi said as the country marks 30 years of democracy, the country reflects on the giants who laid the foundation of service, such as the father of democracy President Nelson Mandela and the Statesman Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

    “It is unarguable that their legacy challenges us to build a capable, ethical and professional public service. It does not matter the many difficult and different challenges we face. It remains our duty to restore trust and uphold their values of integrity,” Buthelezi said.

    Buthelezi said it is this vision that has inspired countless leaders to go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that service delivery is not just a function but a manifestation of the principles of fairness, justice and inclusivity.   

    “While we continue cutting a cloth woven in the fabric of such rich and great legacies and trying to navigate the landscape of the 7th Administration, we also find ourselves at a crossroads – where values and legacies of the past must guide us in crafting a future that reflects our highest aspirations.

    “The 7th Administration which is the Government of National Unity (GNU) has placed at its core the principles of accountability, transparency and inclusive governance. These are the very ideals that our predecessors embodied – and it is upon this very same foundation that we must build,” Buthelezi said.

    Buthelezi said the demands of the 21st century call for a public service that is agile, skilled and grounded in the principles of Batho Pele – which is putting people first.

    “We must be unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that every decision we make and every action we take – reflects the values that our predecessors strongly championed.

    “It is upon each of us, especially the current generation of public servants to draw inspiration from their courage and wisdom as we strive to create a government that truly works for its people,” the minister said.

    Buthelezi said the relationship between the public service, public servants and SAAPAM, in addition to being concerned with how things are and work right now, must also be about innovation and creating new and better forms of delivery of public goods and basic services.

    “For this to work, we also must explore the idea of expanded peer review mechanisms for academia, to include the intended beneficiary of the knowledge produced by SAAPAM academics. 

    “This means that as scholars, it is important to make the knowledge you produce to be accessible, relevant and responsive to the needs of South Africans,” the minister said.

    The SAAPAM mission is to encourage and promote good governance and effective service delivery through the advancement of professionalism, scholarship and practice in public administration and management.

    SAAPAM consists of a National Board and Provincial Chapters. The National Board is elected every two years from among the SAAPAM membership. – SAnews.gov.za 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International film curator and champion of African cinema Keith Shiri appointed Lead Curator to Film Africa 2024 – now open for submissions

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

    LONDON, United Kingdom, September 27, 2024/APO Group/ —

    Keith Shiri

    The Royal African Society is honoured that Keith will lead Film Africa’s curation, bringing his extraordinarily rich and wide experience in international curation and film festivals, as well as a record of championing African cinema and its profile in the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.

    As well as being the founder and director of Africa at the Pictures, a London-based festival of African cinema, Keith is a programme adviser to the London Film Festival and a founder member and current chair of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, and has advised the curation of international film festivals including the Venice Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, the Dubai International Film Festival, the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou and the Tampere Film Festival. He is also the Regional Secretary (Europe) for the Federation of African Filmmakers (FEPACI), and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM) at the University of Westminster.

    Keith sits on the advisory board of New York’s Focus Features Africa First Programmed, which has long supported young African filmmakers through its mentorship programme.

    In keeping with the Royal African Society and Film Africa’s ethos of expanding access to, and inclusion within, African culture and perspectives, the festival’s programme and emphases will reflect input from and be enriched by a diverse range of curators, filmmakers, and critics, to reflect the complexity and nuances of different African and diasporic voices.

    Keith Shiri said: “I am excited to join Film Africa as a curator. African artistry – especially in cinema – is experiencing a period of unparalleled invention and experimentation, and Film Africa provides the ideal forum in which to share these cultural treasures with audiences from the continent, as well as Britain’s various diaspora communities and the wider British public. I look forward to working to assemble a bench of films and speakers to progress our collective conversation about African film – as well as African cultural trends and the perspectives of those whose continent will, this century, emerge as the world’s most important and populous.”

    Film Africa 2024

    Film Africa, London’s unrivalled celebration of African and African diaspora cinema presented by the Royal African Society, is delighted to announce the appointment of Keith Shiri – a titan of African cinema and visual culture – as the Festival’s Lead Curator. In 2024, Film Africa will take place from Friday 25 October until Sunday November 3 continuing its mission of highlighting African and African diaspora filmmaking. The Festival is now open to submissions from African and African diasporic filmmakers.

    All entries will be considered for inclusion in the Festival and prizes will be awarded to two entries: The Baobab Award for best short film and the Film Africa Audience Award for best feature-length entry. Both awards have a £1000 cash prize.

    In 2022, the 10th edition of Film Africa spanned over 10 days from 28 October – 6 November. The festival hosted screenings at 7 venues across London – Picturehouse Central, BFI Southbank, Rich Mix, The Ritzy, Bertha DocHouse, South London Gallery and The Africa Centre – as well as featuring a selection of 7 narrative and documentary films on the BFI Player. Film Africa 2022 presented an eclectic hybrid programme of 47 films from 16 countries (including 22 World, European or UK premieres).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Science in Faces” in Novosibirsk: Heroes Among Us

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    On October 1, the Novosibirsk State University will open the exhibition “Science in Faces” – a gallery of portraits of outstanding Russian scientists, engineers, authors of innovative developments, and laureates of the Russian Presidential Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists.

    In 2024, the heroine of the Science in Faces project was a graduate Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU, head of the gene immunotherapy group at the M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Irina Alekseenko is the developer of a non-viral gene therapy drug for the treatment of cancer.

    The drug for the treatment of solid tumors, developed by Irina Alekseenko’s team, was the first in Russia to receive permission to conduct a clinical trial. The first phase of the study involved patients for whom traditional treatment methods had been exhausted, with a number of patients showing positive dynamics and stabilization of the disease, and none of the patients had serious adverse events associated with the drug.

    Irina Alekseenko will talk about the development and research during the events scientific and production forum of NSU “Golden Valley”, which will take place October 31-November 1. She will be a speaker in the section “Medicine and Pharmaceutical Industry” and will also hold a meeting with university students.

    Among the heroes of the exhibition are also young Novosibirsk scientists: Ekaterina Grizanova, PhD in Biology, leading research fellow at the Novosibirsk State Agrarian University; Sergey Pavlushin, PhD in Biology, senior research fellow at the Laboratory of Ecological Physiology at the Institute of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who have been awarded the Russian Presidential Prize in different years; and Sergey Adonin, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, leading research fellow at the A.V. Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    The exhibition “Science in Faces” will be available for visiting in the educational building (1 Pirogova St.), in the lobby of the second floor until November 1. The exposition will include portraits of participants in all three seasons of the project – authors of innovative developments and scientific achievements in the field of medicine and biotechnology, IT technologies, transport, metallurgy, space industry, mining and petrochemistry, agriculture, nuclear industry and others. In particular, the heroes of the third season were the authors of a bioprinter for “growing” tissues from cellular material, units of spacecraft of the federal project “SPHERE”, domestic AURUS cars, the Russian neural network Kandinsky, catalysts for petrochemistry and other developments.

    In the fall of 2024, the Science in Faces exhibition will be presented at the sites of the largest Russian universities in the country’s regions, and in a number of universities, the project’s heroes will give live lectures and talk about their scientific achievements, the development of Russian science, and career prospects for young scientists in various fields.

    Portraits of key representatives of Russian science and technology sector can be seen in universities of Novosibirsk, Kazan, St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Vladivostok, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Tyumen, Ufa, Samara, Berdyansk. In November, the exhibition will be presented at the IV Congress of Young Scientists on the federal territory “Sirius”.

    The exhibition “Science in Faces” is part of the “Science Nearby” initiative of the Decade of Science and Technology, declared by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation. The exhibition is held with the grant support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and with the support of the Coordinating Council for Youth Affairs in the Scientific and Educational Spheres of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation for Science and Education. The project partner is SIBUR.

    Information about the project heroes is available on the Decade of Science and Technology website:https://science.rf.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/atmosphere/science-in-faces-in-Novosibirsk-heroes-among-us/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Kindness is simple! The seventh inter-university “School of Volunteers” has opened

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Every autumn the team

    The welcoming speech was given by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations Oleg Polischuk, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Communication Technologies Maxim Pasholikov, Director of the Humanitarian Institute Natalia Chicherina and Director of the Harmony Center Tatyana Nam.

    “School of Volunteers-2024” united active students into a single community of like-minded people. From September 18 to 20, there was an intensive course with thematic days “Kindness. Opportunities”, “Kindness. Skills” and “Kindness. Directions”.

    The first day was devoted to the skills that a volunteer develops. Leadership, team building, communication, self-control and time management — these skills help in life, creativity and work. Maria Kukushkina, head of the educational and project art laboratory “ArtPoliLab”, showed how a team is formed through joint games, dances and creative tasks.

    The meeting continued with a mini-lecture on social design from Maxim Smirnov, Deputy Director of the Dobro.Center “Harmony” of the Polytechnic University. Maxim told how to turn your dream into a goal and create your own social project, assemble a team for it and effectively organize work using agile methods.

    The evening ended with a presentation on time management from copywriter and fundraiser of the Dobro.Center “Harmony”, student of the Humanitarian Institute Vasilisa Sallinen. The speaker introduced the participants to the functionality of the WEEEK task manager and talked about how to effectively manage your time.

    The second day was called “Dobro.Napravleniya” and was dedicated to those areas of volunteering that are actively developing at the Polytechnic University. On this day, participants learned about creative, event and zoo volunteering, as well as volunteering in the emergency sector.

    First, there was a presentation on cultural and creative volunteering from the curator of the PoliNova author’s club, first-year student Maria Guner. She introduced future volunteers to creative master classes, charity exhibitions, auctions and concerts of the Dobro.Center. After that, the guys painted two canvases with oil paints together, which they will then finish together with a member of the Union of Artists of Russia Alexander Dudorov and send to an exhibition in hospitals as part of the mutual aid campaign

    From year to year, we try to make the “Volunteer School” more useful and interesting. This year, the idea was for the participants not only to learn something new about volunteering and practice different functions, but also to help in the “here and now” format. The guys painted pictures for exhibitions in hospitals, sewed soft toys, prepared publications, took photographs. So already at this stage they can feel how their deeds bring good, – noted Maxim Smirnov.

    The second speaker was Maxim Degterev, team leader of the volunteer event direction. He spoke about the most striking and large-scale events. And then he explained how to build relationships in a team and determine the most suitable place for yourself in the team.

    At the end of the second day, the participants were treated to two lectures and presentations on animal volunteering and volunteering in emergency situations. From the curator of the animal volunteer direction, Angelina Zinchenko, the participants learned how to help animals and how this is implemented in the Dobro.Center of the Polytechnic University. First aid instructors Tatyana Plekhanova and Violetta Lee spoke about volunteering in emergency situations. After the presentation, the girls held a master class.

    On the third day, the children had a lecture on social volunteering from the curator of the direction, Anna Pushchina. They learned how and what they can help, and also got acquainted with the basic rules of working in social homes. Anna and the activists held a master class on creating felt hearts for a basket of goodness. All of them will go to social institutions.

    Anastasia Savina, specialist of the Laboratory of Applied Psychology of the Humanitarian Institute, curator of the school of self-development

    Maxim Smirnov and the curator of the media volunteer direction Anastasia Kalinina told about the direction of volunteering hidden from the eyes of most – media volunteering. Then Maxim and Anastasia held a master class on creating texts and posters for social networks.

    A student of the Humanitarian Institute, Elizaveta Kruppa, shared her experience. She went from being a media volunteer at Dobro.Center to an experienced communications specialist. She is the organizer of the international communications award Proba Awards 2023.

    When I started doing media volunteering, I didn’t even suspect that it would become such an important step in my career. Media volunteering helped me develop professional skills and build communications with people more easily. Now I am a successful communications professional, and it all started with that small step I took as a volunteer. Thank you to everyone who supported me on this path and helped me grow! — shared her experience media volunteer and student of the Humanitarian Institute Elizaveta Kruppa.

    Then the kids had a fascinating lecture from the team leaders of the Dobro.Center “Harmony” Anastasia Shkolyanok and Maxim Degterev about the possibilities of volunteering. Forums, scholarships, training, travel – these are only some of the opportunities that the kids talked about.

    At the final of the Volunteer School, Tatyana Nam, Director of the Dobro.Center “Harmony” of SPbPU, gave a presentation and presented to the students her original project “Ecosystem of Volunteering at the University” with 15 areas of volunteering. She shared her experience of various social projects and told how important it is to do good, and not to cause it.

    Participants of the inter-university volunteer school were awarded certificates and gifts from our partners – the museum “In Silence” and the quest room “Vzaperti”.

    It was an unforgettable experience! We met the team of the Polytechnic University Dobro.Center, learned about their activities and the skills that we can develop through volunteering. The realization that by helping others we improve ourselves is very inspiring and motivating! We managed to learn that volunteering not only brings benefits, but also opens doors to new opportunities – it’s amazing! Travel, training, scholarships – all this makes volunteer work even more attractive. I realized that this is not just an activity, but a whole life perspective! – said a student of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade Diana Zaydullina.

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://www.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/student_life/good-it-just-opened-the-seventh-interuniversity-school-of-volunteers/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​’Transformers’ producer goes back to the source for new film

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    After years of producing live-action blockbusters, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the producer of the Transformers franchise, has delved back into the Cybertron mythology’s history for an animated prequel, which premiered at the Transformers Metrobase in Universal Beijing Resort on Sept. 24 and is set for a nationwide release in China on Sept. 27. 

    A still from “Transformers One.” [Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures]

    “I wanted to make this story because the core mythology of it is so strong,” said di Bonaventura when discussing the idea behind the new animated blockbuster “Transformers One.”

    “Transformers One” tells the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, revealing how two worker bots’ relationship changed over time and impacted the fate of Cybertron, the home planet of the Transformers.  

    This animated prequel’s own creation story started back in 2015. At the time, Paramount Pictures assigned Akiva Goldsman the task of collaborating with the film franchise’s director Michael Bay, executive producer Steven Spielberg and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura to establish a writers’ room aimed at generating ideas for future Transformers films. One of the concepts that emerged from this brainstorming session was titled “Transformers One,” envisioned as an animation that would explore the initial Autobot-Decepticon conflict on Cybertron. By August 2017, the project was officially announced and the script was in the works. In 2020, Josh Cooley, Pixar alumnus and a die-hard Transformers fan, was hired to direct.

    Di Bonaventura said he loved Cooley’s previous work, but, most importantly, when he sat down with Cooley to discuss the script he found that they were both moved by the same overarching storyline: two best friends turned mortal enemies.

    “That’s the thing he wanted to focus on. I had seen his most recent animated film at that point, ‘Toy Story 4’ (2019), which was obviously an amazing film. He knew his craft, but the key was understanding what that was about. Interestingly enough, he has a brother, and the two of them took very different directions in their lives – one is filmmaker, one is a cop. So, he was able to use that personal experience on top of it,” di Bonaventura revealed.

    A Chinese poster for “Transformers One.” [Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures]

    Going down the animated route to tell Optimus Prime and Megatron’s creation story was a tactical move, with di Bonaventura stating that using animation does not only offer a different experience for the audience and “level of creativity” compared to the franchise’s live-action installments, but also was a budget-conscious consideration. “This particular story would probably cost $500 million if you tried to do it in live-action. So, in a way, you had no choice but to do it in animation. Having now seen the film and feeling how successful it is, I’m really happy,” he beamed. Animation was provided by Industrial Light & Magic and was influenced by Generation 1 and Art Deco. 

    “The great news for us in this was that all the animators are really hardcore ‘Transformers’ fans. So, they were bringing their own understanding of the characters, of the series and of the movies to this experience. They were able to help us elevate the whole storytelling.”

    Their hard work has paid off. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 125 critics’ reviews have been positive and the audience score has been as high as 98%. 

    Although the box office performance for the animated film within the Chinese market remains to be seen, the “Transformers” series is evergreen and has garnered a substantial Chinese fan base since its introduction into China in 1987, with its popularity sustained through cartoons, movies and toys. Reflecting China’s fast-growing film market, the previous seven live-action installments have collectively grossed more than 7 billion yuan ($1 billion) in this country alone.

    The China premiere for “Transformers One” was held at Transformers Metrobase at Universal Beijing Resort in Beijing, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures]

    Di Bonaventura said he hopes hardcore fans will love this new animated film because part of the reason for making this origin story is to please the fans, going on to say that during production they intentionally stayed very true to the mythology. 

    But there’s one thing that die-hard fans of the Transformers movies may not be pleased with: the replacement of who is voicing Optimus Prime. Previously having the deep, iconic voice of Peter Cullen, Optimus Prime in “Transformers One” is voiced by Chris Hemsworth. Di Bonaventura explained the decision, saying that he’s “wanted to work with Chris for a long time” and that he feels Hemsworth is a good fit for the role. “His voice has both the innocence of a younger man and the timbre of a hero. “

    With the voice of Optimus Prime’s younger self decided on, they had to find the right match for Megatron’s younger version, and they eventually came to the versatile actor Brian Tyree Henry. In addition, di Bonaventura added, “I think one of the exciting things in this particular movie for the audience is that we have a very strong female character that Scarlett Johansson is playing. It’s the first time we’ve really had a female Transformer character that stands up against any of the males.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s TV, online videos to be dominated by ultra-high-definition in 2 years: official

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

    China’s TV, online videos to be dominated by ultra-high-definition in 2 years: official

    BEIJING, Sept. 27 — China is set to make ultra-high-definition (UHD) the predominant format for television and online videos by 2026, the National Radio and Television Administration said on Friday.

    The country plans to launch 13 new UHD TV channels by the end of 2025, bringing the total number to over 20. By 2026, an administration official said that 11 additional TV channels and over 50 percent of shows newly released via online streaming platforms will be presented in the UHD format.

    China has emerged as a global leader in certain independent core technologies for UHD video and has prioritized accelerating UHD development as a key strategic task, according to the administration.

    Currently, all central and provincial TV stations, along with over 98 percent of local channels, have implemented high-definition broadcasting. Additionally, nine UHD channels are available nationwide, the administration said.

    The administration announced plans to encourage hotels to upgrade their TVs into UHD as part of the country’s pro-growth program of large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins this year.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China makes great contribution to global green shift: official

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 27 — China has made significant contributions to the global response to climate change and green transformation with leapfrog development of its new-energy industry, an official with the country’s energy administration has said.

    Pan Huimin, deputy director of the National Energy Administration’s new and renewable energy department, made the comments in the eighth episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk platform hosted by Xinhua News Agency. The episode was broadcast on Friday.

    Pan said that thanks to China’s efforts on clean energy development, approximately 3.25 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions were reduced globally in 2023.

    Over the years, China has been integrating into the global clean energy industrial chain and sharing high-quality clean energy products with the rest of the world, Pan said.

    As the world’s largest clean energy market and equipment manufacturer, China has made continuous advances in wind and solar power technologies, Pan noted, adding that the country now has world-leading onshore low-speed wind power technology, while its offshore large-capacity wind turbine technology is also globally advanced.

    Driven by continuous technological innovation, the cost of wind power and photovoltaic power dropped significantly in the past decade, effectively reducing the development and construction costs of global clean energy projects, Pan said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Treasury Markets Summit 2024 (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

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

         The Treasury Markets Summit 2024, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Treasury Markets Association (TMA), was held today (September 27) in Hong Kong. 
          
         In his keynote address, the Chief Executive of the HKMA and Honorary President of the TMA Council, Mr Eddie Yue, discussed the policy initiatives in further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as the offshore renminbi business hub of the world; while Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA and Chair of the TMA Executive Board, Mr Darryl Chan, highlighted the TMA’s key achievements in his opening remarks.
          
         The Summit’s panels covered three important topics, namely China economic outlook, Decentralised Finance (DeFi) and Metaverse, and Central Bank Digital Currency. The panels were moderated respectively by Deputy Head of RMB Business and General Manager of Global Markets of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, Ms Annie Zhu; Professor of Practice (ESG, FinTech and Sustainable Finance) of School of Accounting and Finance at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Mr Lapman Lee, and the Chief Fintech Officer of the HKMA, Mr George Chou. They were joined by distinguished guest speakers from the financial industry and relevant sectors.
          
         The Summit was attended by over 300 local and overseas participants, including treasury market practitioners, asset managers, and senior executives and professionals from banks, financial institutions and corporates.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers – Land use change to blame for meat works closure

    Source: Federated Farmers
    Alliance Group’s proposal to close its Timaru meatworks is a symptom of broader issues that will continue undermining the primary sector until fixed, Federated Farmers says.
    Alliance chief executive Willie Wiese has stated the proposed closure is due to a decline in sheep processing numbers as a result of land-use change, which has resulted in surplus capacity in the company’s plant network.
     “Firstly, we want to extend our sympathies to the 600 workers and their families affected by this sad news,” Federated Farmers meat and wool chairperson Toby Williams says.
    “The prospect of the 139-year-old Smithfield plant going, and the loss of such a major employer in Timaru, is a huge blow to South Canterbury and we’re really feeling for them.”
    Williams says while there are multiple macro-economic factors at play behind Alliance’s decision, wrong-headed and skewed policy settings are a key reason the sheep and beef sector is under such strain.
    “We’ve had a decade of policy that has favoured forestry over farming, incentivising planting radiata, particularly for carbon revenue.
    “On top of that, excessive red tape and layers of impractical and poorly consulted-on regulation have strangled farming confidence and investment.
    “This year’s stock count showed sheep numbers slumped by another million or so in the last year, to 23 million.
    “Federated Farmers has always highlighted that when poor regulations stifle farming, the impacts are felt throughout our rural communities and broader national economy.
    “This is sadly coming to play today, and it is the people of South Canterbury who will feel this the hardest.”
    The coalition Government is making progress winding back some of the previous administration’s freshwater and resource management regulations and planning directives.
    “The aim is to continue looking after the environment, but balancing that with ensuring the economic and social wellbeing of communities gets the same prominence.
    “For farmers, and for processors and the wider economy, that re-balancing can’t happen soon enough,” Williams says. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Middlefield Canadian Income PCC – Half-year report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Middlefield Canadian Income PCC (the “Company”)
    Including Middlefield Canadian Income – GBP PC (the “Fund”), a cell of the Company
    Registered No: 93546
    Legal Entity Identifier: 2138007ENW3JEJXC8658

    HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

    The Company has today submitted its half-yearly financial report for the period ended 30 June 2024 (the “HYFR”) to the National Storage Mechanism and it will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

    The HYFR is also available from the ‘Trust Documents’ section of the Company’s website:
    https://middlefield.com/funds/uk-funds/middlefield-canadian-income-trust/.

    Enquiries:

    Hilary Jones
    JTC Fund Solutions (Jersey) Limited
    Secretary
    Tel.: 01534 700 000

    Dean Orrico
    President
    Middlefield International Limited
    Tel.: 01203 7094016

    END OF ANNOUNCEMENT

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks Announcing the Justice Department Findings of Civil Rights Violations by the Lexington, Mississippi Police Department and City of Lexington

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

    Good afternoon. My name is Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Justice Department. Joining me is Todd W. Gee, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.

    We are here today to announce the findings from our pattern or practice investigation into the City of Lexington, Mississippi, and the Lexington Police Department.

    We find reasonable cause to believe that the Lexington Police Department and the City of Lexington engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the First, Fourth and 14th Amendments of the Constitution, Safe Streets Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

    Specifically, we find that the Lexington police use excessive force; unlawfully stop, search and arrest people — including by jailing people on illegal “investigative holds” — unlawfully jail people without affording prompt access to court; violate the rights of people engaged in free speech and expression, including by retaliating against critics of the police; and unlawfully discriminate against Black people.

    The department also unlawfully arrests, jails and detains people based on their failure to pay money without assessing their ability to pay; unlawfully arrests people just because they owe outstanding fines; and imposes money bail without justification and, again, without assessing ability to pay. The fact that fines and fees fund the department drives its law enforcement, resulting in a crude policing-for-profit scheme. The Lexington Police Department operates under an unconstitutional financial conflict of interest.

    Lexington’s focus on revenue and its overly aggressive form of policing leaves the people of Lexington harassed, feeling helpless and hopeless. For example, on the day we opened our investigation, Lexington officers chased a man down and tased him until he foamed at the mouth. In the previous months, police officers had repeatedly arrested the man for minor offenses most police departments would have handled with a ticket. For stealing sugar packets from a gas station, the man spent 13 days in jail. He spent four days in jail for taking a second cup of coffee after paying for the first. Each time, the Lexington police kept him in jail because he could not afford to pay the fines or the $50 processing fee Lexington charges for every arrest. Especially for a person in poverty, these fines are no small thing. Even though he has no money, the man owes the Lexington Police Department over $7,500. At no point did the police or city assess his ability to pay those fines.

    In America, being poor is not a crime, but in Lexington, their practices punish people for poverty. On Feb. 29, we provided official notice to Lexington city officials and the police department about our concerns regarding illegal arrests and detentions that penalize people for lacking resources. Lexington has made some changes in response to our notice. But, as today’s findings show, more meaningful reform is necessary.

    Lexington’s fines and fees have been absolutely devastating for the people who live there. Although Lexington is in one of the poorest counties in America, people owe the police department $1.7 million in outstanding fines. The Lexington municipal court has issued bench warrants for over 650 people based on unpaid fines — equivalent to roughly half of Lexington’s population. Based on these warrants, police officers have unlawfully arrested and jailed people, using the leverage of incarceration to extract more money from them.

    Other times, the Lexington police send people to jail for days or weeks for minor offenses. These people wait in jail until they can go before a judge or they can get enough money together to pay their fines. This, too, violates people’s civil rights. For example, the Lexington police arrested a Black man for allegedly taking $15 worth of gas. The police told him his fine was $300. He couldn’t pay it. The police sent him to jail until the next scheduled court date — two weeks later.

    Unjustly enforcing fines and fees creates a two-tiered system of justice that can perpetuate a cycle of poverty. It also fuels a financial conflict of interest for the police department. The police must enforce the law even-handedly, not based on generating revenue. Lexington, though, focused its law enforcement on strategies that generated income, even at times linking officers’ paychecks to the number of arrests they made. Over the past two years, Lexington has made nearly one arrest for every four people in town — more than 10 times the per capita arrest rate for Mississippi.

    The Lexington police also illegally arrest people for using profanity, and they retaliate against people who film officers or criticize the police. The First Amendment protects swearing, yet the Lexington police broke down a man’s back door and arrested him for swearing in a public place. The First Amendment also protects the right to film or criticize officers. But when a man filmed officers approaching his suicidal brother with their guns raised, a police officer batted the man’s phone out of his hand, pushed him to the ground and arrested him.

    While making arrests, the Lexington police frequently use excessive force. We found instances in which officers used a taser like a cattle prod to punish people or to make them comply more quickly with officers’ orders. For example, officers used a taser to shock a Black man 18 times until he was covered in his own vomit and unable to speak or walk. Officers punch, hit or kick people who are unarmed and handcuffed. One officer kicked a Black man in the groin so hard that he wet himself. Another used his gun to repeatedly hit a Black man already in handcuffs. An officer knocked an elderly Black man unconscious. Nor are children spared from attack. An officer grabbed a Black child by the neck and shoved him into a patrol car, banging the child’s head against the door frame.

    Black people bear the brunt of the Lexington Police Department’s illegal conduct. Lexington’s former police chief, Sam Dobbins, who regularly spoke disrespectfully to Black men, set in motion the aggressive enforcement of low-level violations. Dobbins left the department when recordings of him using other racial slurs were released. Officials told us that with Dobbins gone, so too was the problem. We found, however, that the discriminatory practices he initiated continue unabated. Lexington officers frequently tase, punch and beat Black people without justification, while we identified no such use of force on white people. Low-level traffic violations that resulted in arrest for Black people yielded only warnings or citations for white people. The result? 98% of people arrested for traffic offenses are Black. This pattern of racial discrimination not only violates the law. It also erodes the community’s trust in law enforcement, the judicial system, and the government more broadly.

    According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, half of America’s police departments have 10 officers or fewer. Every person in the United States enjoys certain fundamental civil rights, regardless of the size of their town, the contents of their bank account or the color of their skin. Residents of rural and underserved communities have the same rights and deserve the same protection as people who live major cities. The Justice Department is committed to providing that protection. Police misconduct in smaller communities may not always garner national attention, but rest assured, the Justice Department is watching. No city, no town, no law enforcement agency is too large or too small to evade our efforts to safeguard the constitutional rights that every American enjoys. Small and mid-sized police departments must not be allowed to violate people’s civil rights with impunity.

    To the people of Lexington, I want you to know that we heard you. We listened carefully to your testimonies. We thank you for having the courage to speak out.

    The Lexington Police Department and the City of Lexington have agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department to address the challenges we outline today. As we begin the hard, essential work of rebuilding trust and restoring equal justice under law, we need to continue to hear from the Lexington community in the coming days and weeks.

    We stand with the people of Lexington to extend justice to all its residents, rich and poor, regardless of their race.

    I’ll now welcome U.S. Attorney Todd Gee.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Connecticut-Based Energy Trader Convicted of International Bribery Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A federal jury in Bridgeport, Connecticut, convicted a former oil and gas trader today for his role in a nearly eight-year long scheme to bribe Brazilian government officials and to launder money to secure business for two Connecticut-based commodities trading companies.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Glenn Oztemel, 65, of Westport, Connecticut, paid bribes to officials of Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), the Brazilian state-owned oil and gas company, to obtain lucrative contracts for Arcadia Fuels Ltd. (Arcadia) and Freepoint Commodities LLC (Freepoint).

    “Glenn Oztemel paid and laundered more than $1 million in bribes to employees of Brazil’s state-owned oil and gas company to obtain lucrative contracts for his commodities-trading companies in Connecticut,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Bribing public officials to win business undermines the rule of law and creates unfair competition. Today’s verdict reaffirms the Criminal Division’s commitment to combatting foreign corruption that violates U.S. law.”

    “Bribery and money laundering are well-established federal crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “This conviction serves as another warning to anyone involved in the financial industry who seeks to gain an unfair advantage and illegally profit, both here in the U.S. and abroad. This office and our law enforcement partners will continue to keep a watchful eye to ensure that representatives from U.S. businesses operating overseas comply with our nation’s laws.”

    “Individuals and companies who collude to thwart free market competition through bribery ultimately erode public trust in the marketplace,” said Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s conviction demonstrates the commitment of the FBI and our partners to investigate anti-competitive behavior and hold accountable those who try to cheat the system for their own benefit and profit.”

    The trial evidence showed that, between 2010 and 2018, Oztemel worked as a senior oil and gas trader — first at Arcadia and then at Freepoint. With the assistance of others, Oztemel paid and caused the payment of bribes to Petrobras officials for their assistance in helping Arcadia and Freepoint to obtain and retain fuel oil contracts with Petrobras and by providing Oztemel and others with confidential information regarding Petrobras’ fuel oil business. Oztemel and his co-conspirators caused Arcadia and Freepoint to make corrupt payments — disguised as purported consulting fees and commissions — to a third party intermediary and agent, Eduardo Innecco, 74, knowing that Innecco would pay a portion of those funds to Brazilian officials, including to Houston-based Petrobras trader Rodrigo Berkowitz.

    To conceal the scheme, Oztemel, Innecco, and their co-conspirators used coded language like “breakfast” and “freight deviation” to refer to the bribes and communicated using personal email accounts, encrypted messaging applications, disposable phones, and fictitious names like “Spencer Kazisnaf” and “Nikita Maksimov.” In total, Oztemel paid more than $1,000,000 in bribes, which were split between Berkowitz and other Petrobras officials in Brazil. The bribe money moved from the trading companies to shell companies around the world controlled by Innecco, who then made payments to a bank account in Uruguay controlled by Berkowitz’s father.

    The jury convicted Oztemel of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), conspiracy to commit money laundering, three counts of violating the FCPA, and two counts of money laundering. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each of the FCPA and conspiracy to violate the FCPA counts, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the money laundering and money laundering conspiracy counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Charges against Oztemel and Innecco were unsealed on Feb. 17, 2023. In a superseding indictment returned on Aug. 29, 2023, both were charged alongside Oztemel’s brother, Gary Oztemel. Gary Oztemel pleaded guilty to money laundering on June 24. In May 2023, Innecco was arrested in France and his extradition to the United States is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and Innecco is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    In a related matter, in December 2023, Freepoint admitted to bribing officials in Brazil in violation of the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Freepoint entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. As a part of the resolution, Freepoint agreed to pay more than $98 million in criminal penalties and forfeiture.

    The FBI Los Angeles Field Office’s International Corruption Squad investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and authorities in Brazil, Latvia, Switzerland, and Uruguay provided assistance with the investigation.

    Trial Attorneys Allison McGuire and Clayton P. Solomon and Assistant Chief Jonathan P. Robell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McGarry for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

    The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA and Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA and FEPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Remarks as Delivered

    Good morning. Thank you, Jonathan, for that warm welcome.

    I am very happy to be here in Arkansas.

    In just a few moments, U.S. Attorney Ross and I will meet with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners about our shared work to protect communities here in Little Rock and across the district.

    I am grateful to have the chance to thank our law enforcement partners, in person, for the difficult and often dangerous work they do every single day.

    I am also grateful to have the chance to recognize the public servants of this office for their extraordinary work.

    This U.S. Attorney’s Office is the face of the Justice Department here in the Eastern District of Arkansas. When people in this District look to see what the Justice Department stands for, they look to this U.S. Attorney’s Office.

    I have been consistently impressed not only with the work you do, but with the way you do that work.

    Those efforts, in addition to the efforts of our state and local law enforcement partners, are making a difference.

    Three- and-a-half years ago, the Justice Department launched an ambitious strategy to combat violent crime. That strategy is rooted in exactly the kinds of partnerships that are represented in this room. While we know that progress in too many places is still uneven — and there is no acceptable level of violent crime — today we are seeing results.

    Just earlier this week, the FBI released a report showing an 11.6% drop in homicides last year and one of the lowest violent crime rates in 50 years nationwide.

    And recent data indicates this trend is continuing. Earlier this month, the Justice Department’s Violent Crime Reduction Steering Committee announced new data from across 88 cities that indicates that violent crime has continued to decline considerably in 2024. That included a further 16.9% drop in murders.

    But we know we have so much more work to do, here in Arkansas, and across the country.

    That is why this office, and our entire Department, are working in partnership with state and local law enforcement to arrest violent felons, seize and trace guns used in crimes, disrupt violent drug traffickers, and prosecute the individuals and gangs who are responsible for the most violence.

    For this office, that meant working with the DEA, the FBI, and the North Little Rock Police Department to secure a 25-year prison sentence last month for a Little Rock man for distributing fentanyl resulting in someone’s death.

    Also last month, this office worked with DEA, the Arkansas State Police, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, and the Little Rock Police Department to secure a 15-year prison sentence of a defendant on fentanyl and firearms charges.

    In July, this office, together with the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, secured the guilty plea of a man who threatened to assault and murder a United States judge and a federal law enforcement officer.

    Earlier this spring, this office worked with DEA, FBI, the second Judicial District Drug Task Force and seven other state and local partners as part of a large-scale enforcement action to charge and arrest 15 people on drug, money laundering, and firearm offenses related to the distribution of methamphetamine in Northeast Arkansas.

    In March, this office worked with the DEA, ATF, the Pine Bluff Police Department, and the Little Rock Police Department to secure a 30-year prison sentence for a man with a lengthy criminal record of domestic violence who was found guilty of being a felon in possession of ammunition. In October of last year, the defendant shot his former girlfriend and then shot into an apartment where the victim and her young son were hiding.

    And in January, this office worked with ATF to secure a 20-year prison sentence against a man who had assaulted a victim after she ended their relationship. The defendant then set fire to her business after she changed the locks. During the sentencing, the victim told the Court how hard she worked to build her business as a single mother and spoke about the impact of the defendant’s violence against her.

    In addition to using our investigative and prosecutorial resources to protect communities in this district, we are also committed to using our grantmaking capabilities to invest in public safety.

    For example, today, the Justice Department is awarding more than a million dollars in funding to the state under the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program, to enhance laboratories’ capacity to process DNA samples.

    And this week, we awarded more than $4 million to Arkansas under the National Criminal History Improvement Program, which provides funding to states and localities to improve the quality, timeliness, and immediate accessibility of criminal history records and related information.

    Today’s grants are part of the more than $26 million that the Department is awarding to organizations and government agencies in Arkansas this month to support law enforcement activities and community initiatives.

    These funds will, among other things, help law enforcement agencies in Arkansas hire more officers, help to prevent and combat violent crime and drug trafficking, and improve services for survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other crimes.

    We remain committed to providing our law enforcement and community partners with the resources they need to protect people across this District.

    The examples I have shared today are just a snapshot of the work this office is doing every day to protect communities in the Eastern District of Arkansas, and to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, to protect civil rights, and to uphold the rule of law.

    I am very proud of the public servants who make up this office. And I am equally proud of the relationships they have nurtured with the people and the agencies around this table, who are the Justice Department’s indispensable partners.

    I look forward to our meeting. Thank you.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Federal Council approves signing of border rectification agreement with Italy

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Council

    Bern, 27.09.2024 – At its meeting on 27 September 2024, the Federal Council approved the signing of the agreement on the rectification of the border between Switzerland and Italy.

    In the high mountains, significant sections of the Italian-Swiss border are determined by the watershed represented by the crest line of glaciers, snowfields and eternal snow. However, with the melting of the glaciers, these natural elements evolve and redefine the national border when it is defined dynamically.

    Proposal of the Joint Commission for the maintenance of the Italian-Swiss border

    Faced with the mutual desire of Switzerland and Italy to rectify the border in the region of Tête Grise / Plateau Rosa, Cabane Carrel and Dos de Rollin, the joint commission for the maintenance of the Italian-Swiss border agreed, in May 2023, on a draft agreement on the rectification of the border between the two countries, in accordance with the economic interests of both parties.

    Approval of the agreement

    Since this is a minor border rectification within the meaning of Art. 24, para. 1 of the Geoinformation Act, the Federal Council is authorised to conclude this agreement alone. It has therefore approved the signing of the agreement between Switzerland and Italy on border rectification.

    The process for the approval of the signing of the agreement is underway in Italy. After signature by both parties, the agreement will be published and the rectification will be implemented.

    Address for sending questions

    Communication and Web Department 41 58 465 62 85infokmk@swisstopo.ch

    Author

    Federal Councilhttps://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil.html

    Social sharing

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Emerging Global Church Chairman continues to deliver lectures on “Testimony of the Fulfilment of Revelation” – NewzEngine.com

    Source: NewzEngine.com

    On October 25th Lee Man-Hee, the Chairman of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, conducted internationally broadcasted seminar in regards to the “Testimony of the Fulfilment of Revelation” in Masan, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea.

    With over 16,000 participants including 100 pastors and numerous journalists in attendance, this publicized event hosted at Masan Church was held in response to the surprisingly growing public interest towards the doctrines and teachings of the once enigmatic church.

    These seminars were previously held in the regions of Ulsan and Busan in early January this year to similar fanfare.

    Since last month, Shincheonji has reported to have received support in the form of signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from 727 domestic churches in South Korea while internationally it has gained MOU’s from as much as 13,053 churches across 84 countries.

    The church also announced that up to 1671 churches across 43 countries have modified their church signboards to Shincheonji.

    With its continuous support, Shincheonji announced that it will continue to hold and promote said seminars throughout the year in effort to expand it’s influence to the world.

    – Published by MIL OSI in partnership with NewzEngine.com

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire Safety – Make sure your home is fire safe this daylight saving weekend

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    This daylight saving weekend, Fire and Emergency New Zealand is reminding everyone to clean and check their smoke alarms and ensure they have a three-step escape plan in place.
    Tom Ronaldson, Community Education and Behaviour Change Manager, says, “just push the button on each of your smoke alarms. If you hear the beep, you know they are ready to protect you and your household.
    “A fire can be fatal within three minutes and when you are sleeping you can’t smell smoke. Working smoke alarms are the most important way to prepare for the possibility of a fire,” he says.
    “Having working smoke alarms in every bedroom, living area and hallway to alert all members of the household as early as possible, is the critical first step in escaping a house on fire.
    “Fire and Emergency recommends long-life interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms where possible. If a fire is detected in one room of the house, interconnected alarms will trigger all the alarms in your home, so everyone will be alerted to a fire sooner.
    “Lastly, now is the perfect time to give your smoke alarms a spring clean. You can do this by giving them a quick vacuum or dust.”
    Fire and Emergency is also encouraging everyone to take a few minutes this weekend to make sure they have a three-step escape plan in place.
    “Your escape plan should include at least two clear paths out of each area and a safe meeting place away from the house for your household to meet,” says Tom Ronaldson.
    Tips for keeping your smoke alarms maintained
    • Once a month press the test button to sound the alarm
    • If your smoke alarm is beeping periodically, it typically means you need to change the battery or replace your alarm. Fire and Emergency New Zealand recommends long-life photoelectric smoke alarms.
    • Clean your smoke alarms with a vacuum cleaner every six months, as dust build up can cause false alarms.
    • Check the expiry date, usually located on the bottom or side of the alarm. If there’s no expiry date, it’s best to replace the alarm.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Stop smoking for Stoptober and you’re five times more likely to quit 27 September 2024 Stoptober

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    The Isle of Wight Council is encouraging Islanders who smoke to take part in Stoptober, this October.

    Stoptober is back for 2024 and we are calling on people who smoke, across the Island, to join 2.5 million other people across England who have made a quit attempt with the campaign previously.

    Simon Bryant, the Island’s director of Public Health, said: “Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and it’s never too late to quit. When you stop smoking, there are almost immediate improvements to your health. If you quit smoking for a month, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.’’

    I would encourage anyone looking at giving up smoking to get involved during Stoptober and be part of the opportunity. It is never too late to stop smoking and Smokefree Island will offer support to quit throughout the year. When you stop smoking good things start to happen.’’

    Quitting smoking has many benefits, breathing easier, moving about more freely, and having more money to spend. Stoptober offers free tools to help you quit, including the NHS Quit Smoking app, daily email support, Facebook groups, information about quitting smoking with a vape and expert support from local stop smoking services such as Smokefree Island or search ‘Stoptober’.

    For more information about the stop smoking services available across the Island, visit Smokefree Island, text QUIT to 66777, call 01983 642369, or email smokefree.island@nhs.net.

    Smoking causes 64,000 deaths a year, making it the biggest cause of preventable illness and death.

    You are not alone in your stop smoking journey to a better quality of life. Every year, around 1000 Isle of Wight residents set a quit date.

    Join Stoptober! Boost your chances of quitting smoking for good!

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Further Information on Forthcoming Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    24 September 2024 | SAINT HELIER, Jersey | CoinShares International Limited (“CoinShares” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq Stockholm: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), the leading European investment company specialising in digital assets, indicated a distribution to shareholders would be considered within the parameters of the newly adopted dividend policy.

    Further to the announcement dated 12 April 2024 regarding the Company’s dividend distribution for the financial year 2023 (“Regular Dividend”) and the announcements dated 12 July 2024 and 22 July 2024 regarding the decision to distribute a special dividend following the sale of the Company’s FTX claim (“Special Dividend”), the Company now provides some additional details on the forthcoming payments.

    The Special Dividend will be paid in conjunction with Tranche 3 of the Company’s forthcoming Regular Dividend payment, introduced earlier this year. The details for the remaining two Regular Dividend payments for 2024 in respect of the financial performance of 2023 are as follows:

      Ex-dividend date Record date Payment date
    Tranche 3
    (together with Special Dividend)    		 27 September 2024 30 September 2024 3 October 2024
    Tranche 4 27 December 2024 30 December 2024 6 January 2025

    As the Special Dividend will be paid together with Tranche 3, each of the Ex-dividend date, Record date and Payment date for the Special Dividend Payment will be as disclosed in the table above.

    The total amount to be paid together with Tranche 3 on or around 3 October 2024 will be the combined amount of the Special Dividend (GBP 23,647,260.89) and Regular Dividend (GBP 2,312,623), totalling GBP 25,959,883.89 and representing GBP 0.3894 per ordinary share to be paid from the Company’s reserves. The dividend to holders of ordinary shares will be made in sterling (GBP) and subsequently, before distribution to shareholders who hold ordinary shares via Euroclear Sweden, has been converted to SEK at a rate of GBP/SEK 13.4938 resulting in a dividend per share via Euroclear Sweden of SEK 5.2557.

    In accordance with Article 115(4) of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, each payment will be subject to an assessment of the financial health of the Company by its Board.

    About CoinShares

    CoinShares is the leading European alternative asset manager specialising in digital assets, that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading and securities to a wide array of clients that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals. Founded in 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Stockholm, the UK and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, in the US by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.

    For more information on CoinShares, please visit: https://coinshares.com
    Company | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com
    Investor Relations | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Federal Council approves signing of three draft agreements on rectification of border with France

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Council

    Bern, 27.09.2024 – At its meeting on 27 September 2024, the Federal Council approved the signing of three draft agreements on the rectification of the border between Switzerland and France.

    The canton of Geneva has a common border with France that is 103 kilometres long, 50 of which are located in the middle of waterways. The planning of renaturation works on the Hermance and of renaturation and containment works on the Foron make certain adaptations to the border line necessary. Furthermore, certain developments, such as the laying of tracks for a new cross-border tramway line between the Swiss commune of Perly-Certoux and the French commune of Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, involve a border rectification on the communes of Perly-Certoux and Bardonnex.

    Proposal of the Joint Franco-Swiss Commission for the Demarcation and Maintenance of the Border

    The Joint Franco-Swiss Commission for the Demarcation and Maintenance of the National Border has drawn up three draft agreements to rectify these three sectors of the national border. In accordance with the principle of surface area compensation, public international law provides for the possibility of an exchange of territory of equivalent surface area in the event of a border modification.

    Approval of conventions

    Since these are minor border rectifications within the meaning of Art. 24, para. 1, of the Geoinformation Act, the Federal Council is authorised to conclude these agreements alone. It approved the signing of the three border rectifications between Switzerland and France proposed by the Joint Committee.

    The process for approval of the signing of the agreements is underway in France. After signature by both parties, the agreements will be published and the corrections will be implemented.

    Address for sending questions

    Communication and Web Department 41 58 465 62 85infokmk@swisstopo.ch

    Author

    Federal Councilhttps://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil.html

    Social sharing

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Federal Council approves signing of three draft agreements on border rectification with France

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Council

    Bern, 27.09.2024 – At its meeting on 27 September 2024, the Federal Council approved the signing of three draft agreements on the rectification of the border between Switzerland and France.

    The canton of Geneva has a common border with France that is 103 kilometres long, 50 of which are located in the middle of waterways. The planning of renaturation works on the Hermance and of renaturation and containment works on the Foron make certain adaptations to the border line necessary. Furthermore, certain developments, such as the laying of tracks for a new cross-border tramway line between the Swiss commune of Perly-Certoux and the French commune of Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, involve a border rectification on the communes of Perly-Certoux and Bardonnex.

    Proposal of the Joint Franco-Swiss Commission for the Demarcation and Maintenance of the Border

    The Joint Franco-Swiss Commission for the Demarcation and Maintenance of the National Border has drawn up three draft agreements to rectify these three sectors of the national border. In accordance with the principle of surface area compensation, public international law provides for the possibility of an exchange of territory of equivalent surface area in the event of a border modification.

    Approval of conventions

    Since these are minor border rectifications within the meaning of Art. 24, para. 1, of the Geoinformation Act, the Federal Council is authorised to conclude these agreements alone. It approved the signing of the three border rectifications between Switzerland and France proposed by the Joint Committee.

    The process for approval of the signing of the agreements is underway in France. After signature by both parties, the agreements will be published and the corrections will be implemented.

    Address for sending questions

    Communication and Web Department 41 58 465 62 85infokmk@swisstopo.ch

    Author

    Federal Councilhttps://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil.html

    Social sharing

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [ECKOH PLC – 26 09 2024] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

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

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 ECKOH PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 26 SEPTEMBER 2024
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

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

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

    Class of relevant security: 0.25p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 21,023,866 7.2355    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 21,023,866 7.2355    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    0.25p ORDINARY SALE 125,000 45.38p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

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

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

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

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

    (ii)        Exercise

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

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

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

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

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

    NONE

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

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

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 26 SEPTEMBER 2024
    Contact name: PHIL HULME
    Telephone number: 01253 376551

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Result of the auction of treasury bills 27 September 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bids, sales, stop-rates and prices are presented in the table below:      

    ISIN Bid Mill. kr. (nominal) Sale Stop-rate (per cent) Pro-rata Price
    98 19666 DKT 02/12/24 IV 100 – – – –
    98 19740 DKT 03/03/25 I 100 100 2.73 100 % 98.8531
    Total 200 100      

    The sale will settle 1 October 2024.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Blood donation: free of charge and no discrimination to be included in the law from 2025

    MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in French

    Federal Council

    Bern, 27.09.2024 – In Switzerland, it is forbidden to pay for blood donations, and every person must have the right to donate: these are the rules laid down in the Constitution. Parliament has decided to enshrine these principles in law through an amendment. At its meeting on 27 September 2024, the Federal Council decided to bring the corresponding provisions into force in the Therapeutic Products Act on 1 January 2025.

    The amendment to the Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) provides that blood donations are not remunerated in Switzerland. The principle of free donation already applies today, in accordance with the Federal Constitution, to human organs, tissues and cells and prohibits the guarantee or acceptance of any advantage in exchange for a blood donation. It is also not permitted to import blood or labile blood products for transfusion purposes if such advantages have been guaranteed or accepted. This amendment thus anchors this constitutional principle in the TPA.

    The same applies to the ban on discrimination in blood donation, which is now included in the LPTh. No one may be excluded from donating blood because of, for example, their sexual orientation. The new legal provisions will come into force on 1 January 2025.

    By amending the law, the Federal Council is implementing parliamentary initiative 16.504 “Guaranteed blood supply and free blood donation”. In the final vote on 29 September 2023, Parliament unanimously adopted the bill drawn up by the National Council’s Committee on Social Security and Public Health (CSSS-N). The referendum period expired on 18 January 2024 without having been used.

    Address for sending questions

    Federal Office of Public Health, Media and Communication, 41 58 462 95 05, media@bag.admin.ch

    Author

    Federal Councilhttps://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil.html

    Social sharing

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI