NewzIntel.com

Category: Entertainment

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bike run unites Western States lodges in common interest

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    On June 22, 20 Local 92 (Los Angeles) Boilermakers road out on their motorcycles from their hall in Carson, California, and began a 256-mile run up the coast—all in the name of brotherhood. 

    Meanwhile on the other side of the state, 20 members from Local 549 (Pittsburg, California), set out for a 255-mile run south from their lodge in the Bay Area. The Boilermaker bikers met up in middle in San Simeon, marking the first ever L-92/L-549 “Stronger Together” Bike Run and a full day of fun, food, karaoke—and unity.

    Both lodges point to L-92’s Hugo Castañeda as the mastermind behind the event. L-92 had hosted two previous bike runs: The first took riders to Newport Beach and the next was a run to San Diego.

    “Every year, we had a good turnout of members joining, and I thought, why not push it all the way up there and make it work,” Castañeda said. “Some of us don’t get to share things we enjoy outside of work. During work, everybody’s together and unified. Then we all go home, and that’s it. The bike run is a good thing outside of work where we can bring in real brotherhood.”

    So, L-92 floated the idea of a bike run together with L-549. They liked it, and plans began. The lodges discussed possible meet-up locales, costs, how costs would be divided (right down the middle) and what the union would cover vs participants’ expenses. 

    After plotting a half-way point in San Simeon, Castañeda found a hotel that could accommodate the group and was a perfect setup with a bar and grill on the same lot. Once the Boilermakers arrived, they would be able to relax and fully enjoy the evening without needing to ride elsewhere for dinner and entertainment. 

    The locals covered the cost of the hotel and food, so participants only needed to pay for their gas and incidentals. Several Boilermakers who wanted to participate but aren’t motorcycle owners opted to rent Slingshots at their own cost.

    “The way up there was amazing, and it was a beautiful, nice ride,” Castañeda said. “We took the coast—the long way there. L-549 did too, and we stopped at a couple spots to enjoy the view.”

    “The entire Bike Run had several memorable moments, from the point we all met at the local the morning of the ride to every gas stop where members were able to stretch and express how much fun they were having riding down together to meet with L-92,” added L-549’s Osvaldo Troche Jr., who helped plan the event. 

     They stayed in touch with the hotel, alerting them of their estimated time of arrival, so dinner and drinks were ready when they got there. After a meal together and a surprise birthday cake for L-549 member Angela Greer, evening activities turned to games of pool, lots of storytelling and karaoke.

    “The night-time karaoke was pretty dope, and that lasted for hours,” said L-549 apprentice coordinator Che Rocchild, who also planned the run. “The singing and dancing was pretty contagious. But the morning after was also a chill time. Everybody eventually made it out to the parking lot after getting breakfast, and we spent a good amount of time just congregating, chatting, getting to know each other.”

    Which was exactly the point. 

    There was a time when the relationship between the two California locals was a bit tense. Both locals acknowledge that—and they point to the work done by past business managers Oscar Davila (L-92, now deceased) and Tim Jefferies (L-549, now an International Rep) to re-establish unity and focus on the commonalities of all Boilermakers. L-92 and L-549 have continued the path forward together.

    “We’ve continued that work among lodge officers, and we wanted to share that with all the members—to show that we all deal with the same issues and hurdles, we’re all on the same page, in the same state,” Castañeda said, noting that L-92 has emphasized how success grows when all Boilermakers work together as a team. He also pointed out that members of both locals travel to one another’s jobs to fulfill needed manpower.

    “In L-92 and L-549, we deal with the same project headaches and contractors, so it makes sense to join forces,” he said. “It sparked my idea for, why not hang out outside of work. Why not as a joint international brotherhood make that happen.”

    While the event was a lot of fun for those who participated, the impact on team building is seriously important. 

    Toche said having the chance to break bread and let loose together, “fostered a bond which allows new members joining these two locals to hear a different narrative than when I joined nearly 18 years ago.”

    Rocchild agreed: “We need more brotherly togetherness. We preach on how we are supposed to function, but I think the act of actually functioning together is sometimes left by the wayside. 

    “This event shows members we are past any and all of the previous bickering—and what better way to do so than a function that allows us to function, party and relax as one.”

    Castañeda hopes the event will continue and grow.

     “My vision is for this next year to push it even further and get more locals involved,” he said. “And who knows, maybe it will go across the country. We’ve got some real riders out there.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses raise concerns about privacy and user data

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Victoria (Vicky) McArthur, Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University

    Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are just one of many wearable tech devices on the market. The glasses, which first launched in 2021, are a collaboration between Meta and Italian-French eyewear company EssilorLuxottica, which owns Ray-Ban among many other brands.

    The smart glasses feature two small cameras, open-ear speakers, a microphone and a touch panel built into the temple of the glasses. To access these features, users must pair them to their mobile phone using the Meta View app. Users can take photos or videos with the camera, listen to music from their phone and livestream to Meta’s social media platforms.

    Users can operate the glasses using spoken commands or the built-in Meta AI assistant, which responds to prompts like “hey Meta.” For example, users can say, “hey Meta, look and…” followed by questions about their surroundings.

    To take a photo or video, users press and hold a button on the frame, which activates an LED in the front of the glasses. The LED signals to others that the camera is actively capturing a photo or video. If the LED is covered, the camera won’t work and the user will be prompted by the Meta AI assistant to uncover it.

    Although the LED helps to signal that the camera is in operation, the relatively small size of the LED garnered criticism from privacy regulators in Europe.

    Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses on display in Cremona, Italy, on July 29, 2024.
    (Shutterstock)

    Data privacy concerns

    As a company that makes nearly all of its money from advertising, there have been concerns raised about how images captured with the glasses will be used by the company.

    Meta has a long history of privacy concerns. When it comes to user data, folks are rightly concerned about how their images — potentially captured without their consent — might be used by the company.

    The Meta smart glasses add another layer to this debate by introducing AI into the equation. AI has already prompted numerous debates and criticism about how easy it is to decieve, how confidently it gives incorrect information and how racially biased it can be.



    Read more:
    AI technologies — like police facial recognition — discriminate against people of colour

    When users take photos or videos with the smart glasses, they are sent to Meta’s cloud to be processed via AI. According to Meta’s own website, “all photos processed with AI are stored and used to improve Meta products, and will be used to train Meta’s AI with help from trained reviewers.”

    Meta states this processing includes the analysis of objects, text and other contents of photos, and that any information “will be collected, used and retained in accordance with Meta’s Privacy Policy.” In other words, images uploaded to the cloud will be used to train Meta’s AI.

    Leaving it up to users

    The ubiquity of portable digital cameras, including wearable ones, has had a significant impact on how we document our lives while also reigniting legal and ethical debates around privacy and surveillance.

    In many Canadian jurisdictions, people can be photographed in a public place without their consent, unless there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, restrictions apply if the images are used for commercial purposes or in a way that could cause harm or distress. There are exceptions for journalistic purposes or matters of public interest, but these can be nuanced.

    Meta has published a set of best practices to encourage users to be mindful of the rights of others when wearing the glasses. These guidelines suggest formally announcing when you plan to use the camera or livestream, and turning the device off when entering private spaces, such as a doctor’s office or public washrooms.

    As someone who owns a pair, I can ask my Ray-Ban Meta glasses to comment on what I can see and it will describe buildings, translate signs and accurately guess the species of my mixed-breed dog, but will let me know that it is not allowed to tell me anything about people whenever a person appears in frame.

    What remains unclear is the issue of bystander consent and how people who appear unintentionally in the background of someone else’s photos will be used by Meta for AI training purposes. As AI capabilities evolve and these technologies become more widespread, these concerns are likely to grow.

    Meta’s reliance on user behaviour to uphold privacy norms may not be sufficient to address the complex questions surrounding consent, surveillance and data exploitation. Given the company’s track record with privacy concerns and its data-driven business model, it’s fair to question whether the current safeguards are enough to protect privacy in our increasingly digitized world still.

    Victoria (Vicky) McArthur 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. Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses raise concerns about privacy and user data – https://theconversation.com/metas-ai-powered-smart-glasses-raise-concerns-about-privacy-and-user-data-238191

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CURTAIN RAISER NAVIKA SAGAR PARIKRAMA II

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 SEP 2024 5:41PM by PIB Delhi

    The Indian Navy is all set to embark on the extraordinary mission of circumnavigating the globe with the second edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition. A curtain raiser event presided by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Vice Chief of Naval Staff was held at New Delhi on 23 Sep 24.

    Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini would sail on this challenging expedition with two courageous women officers – Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A on 02 Oct 24. The historic voyage will be flagged off from Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi, Goa. Over a period of eight months, the duo will navigate more than 21,600 nautical miles (approx. 40,000 km) without any external assistance, relying solely on wind power. The circumnavigation highlights the exceptional valour, courage and perseverance of the officers, who will face rigours of high seas, extreme weather conditions, pushing the limits of human endurance.  The route will take them through some of the most treacherous waters including the perilous passage around the three great Capes – Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. The voyage is not just a testament to their personal bravery and skill, but also a celebration of the Indian Navy’s commitment to Nari Shakti showcasing their indomitable spirit and determination.

    The expedition was conceived by the Indian Navy with the inaugural Navika Sagar Parikrama, the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all women crew of six officers in 2017. The second edition of the expedition will be an exceptional one as they will become the first from India to accomplish such a feat in double handed mode. Earlier, Capt Dilip Donde (Retd.) was the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in 2009 – 10. Subsequently, Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd.) was the first Asian skipper to participate in two circumnavigations and accomplished the rare feat of completing the Golden Globe Race in 2022. Significantly, Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd.) has been closely associated with the training of both the officers as the official mentor.

     The expedition is being conducted under the aegis of Indian Naval Sailing Association based at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi and Ocean Sailing Node, Goa under Southern Naval Command. Both the nodal centers will be coordinating the voyage in liaison with international maritime agencies and authorities.

    Speaking on the occasion, VCNS described Navika Sagar Parikrama II as a journey of empowerment, innovation, and commitment to India’s maritime heritage while charting new paths for a brighter and empowered future. He reaffirmed Indian Navy’s pledge to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and responsibility, not just on our shores but across the vast expanse of the world’s oceans.

    A short movie highlighting various aspects of the voyage along with preparatory expeditions and training undertaken by the crew was screened.

    During the interaction, both the officers shared their experiences and expressed extreme confidence for the forthcoming expedition embodying the spirit of resilience and indomitable spirit.

    Navika Sagar Parikrama II is more than a voyage; it underlines the essence of maritime prowess, self-reliance and commitment to a greater cause.

    _______________________________________________________________

    VM/SPS                                                                                                         181/24

    (Release ID: 2057941) Visitor Counter : 49

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Activist shareholders are becoming more efficient, more sophisticated and better resourced

    Source: Allens Insights

    How companies can stay ahead of evolving campaigns 6 min read

    Shareholder activists are increasingly using novel tactics to influence the strategies of companies. While campaigns continue to focus on the full spectrum of key issues like M&A activity, business operations and strategy, regulatory concerns and ESG-related matters, we are seeing a change in the type of shareholder launching campaigns. Large institutional players and funds (including super funds) are moving into this space, resulting in better-funded and more sophisticated campaigns. Activists are also increasingly willing to take campaigns public without first engaging with the company, meaning they are less predictable.

    This escalation underscores the need for companies and boards to understand the interests of their stakeholders and anticipate potential activist agendas, and to take a proactive approach to managing those issues in order to be prepared and minimise the risk of becoming a target of a campaign.

    In this Insight, we discuss recent shareholder activism trends in Australia, explore some of the novel tactics used by activists and discuss strategies for companies to prepare for an activist campaign.

    Key takeaways 

    • With large institutional players and funds (including super funds) becoming more active, campaigns are becoming more efficient, sophisticated and resourced.
    • There has been an increasing trend for activists to go public without prior engagement with the company, meaning an impending campaign is not always easy to identify or predict.
    • The tactics and objectives of activist shareholders are wide-ranging, with shareholders using novel tactics such as fast-paced public campaigns through online platforms and seeking access to internal company documents.
    • To mitigate against these risks and disruption to the business, companies and boards must plan and execute effective strategies that anticipate and respond to activist campaigns.

    Who is launching campaigns?

    Super funds and other large institutional investors are increasingly pursuing an active role in the oversight of their investments – which is pertinent, given super funds currently hold an interest in approximately 34% of the ASX, which is estimated to eventually increase to more than 50%.1 Further, the Australian market has seen activist investment firms, including Australian-based hedge funds, join forces to exert greater influence over company strategy. 

    Key issues driving activists

    M&A activity

    Where a prospective M&A opportunity requires shareholder approval, then by its nature, it needs to be viewed favourably by shareholders to satisfy any applicable approval thresholds. However, even where shareholder approval isn’t being sought, we are seeing a rise in shareholders using their influence to oppose or otherwise alter the terms of M&A activity, putting pressure on the company to pursue alternative strategies or alter the terms of a deal. Tactics used by shareholders to exert influence on emerging M&A transactions can range from confidential non-public engagement with the company, to (increasingly) public criticism of the deal and launching a campaign to actively oppose the relevant transaction and seek support from other shareholders. For instance, earlier this year, Pendal Group, Qantas’ largest investor, publicly voiced concerns about Qantas’ ability to meet projected earnings margins amidst plans to purchase aircraft assets worth over $3 billion. Following the widespread criticism, the company was reported to have pulled back from public presentations on the matter. Whitehaven was also targeted by Bell Rock, a hedge fund investor, as it pursued a transaction to acquire metallurgical coal assets from BHP. The public campaign opposed the proposed acquisition and use of Whitehaven funds, and subsequently targeted the company’s remuneration policies, including writing letters to Whitehaven shareholders and creating a website encouraging shareholders to take action at the upcoming AGM. It culminated in Whitehaven applying to the Panel seeking a declaration of unacceptable circumstances (see our Insight for more details on Bell Rock’s misadventure here).

    We have seen an increase in highly publicised activist campaigns that have successfully resulted in shareholders rejecting takeover bids and schemes of arrangement. Historically, shareholders opposing M&A activity were often competing bidders seeking to advance their own position. Recently, there has been an increase in campaigns by shareholders that are not competing bidders, but rather they oppose the transaction because they see the proposal as opportunistic or otherwise have different views on the longer term value of the company. Notable recent examples are AustralianSuper’s opposition to the Origin takeover and Tanarra Capital’s push for change at Bapcor.

    Business operations and strategy 

    Shareholders have a clear incentive to pursue an activist campaign against a company where, in the eyes of the activist, there are perceived strategy or governance shortcomings or an underperforming share price or asset base.

    Activists can and more frequently will look to challenge corporate strategies in the pursuit of what they perceive as better value or alignment with long-term growth objectives. In May this year, an Australian-based oil and gas producer faced shareholder dissent at its AGM and received a ‘first strike’ against its remuneration report. Shareholders had been advocating for a higher dividend payout ratio and a greater return of cash.

    Activist investment firms, in particular, are increasingly making public statements regarding their own business strategies for investee companies – for example, recommending dividends and buybacks over M&A activity and development. As mentioned earlier in this article, Bell Rock’s campaign against Whitehaven was borne from the hedge funds’ dissatisfaction with the corporate strategy to cease a buyback and deploy the capital on an M&A opportunity. Lendlease, similarly, experienced significant pressure from activist firms Tanarra Capital, Allan Gray, and HMC Capital to refocus its activities on domestic operations rather than offshore expansion.

    Regulatory concerns

    Australian companies and boards are navigating Australia’s ever-changing and complex regulatory landscape. With increasing shareholder expectations regarding a company’s legal and regulatory compliance, we are seeing a rise in shareholders advocating for changes that they believe will enhance compliance, protect a company from legal risks, and strengthen its financial health and public reputation.

    In the gambling sector, for example, non-compliance has compelled shareholders to demand changes to cultural practices and the reconfiguration of boards. Recently, the Alliance for Gambling Reform voiced its plans to target Nine Entertainment and Seven West Media from within, as shareholders, in an attempt to stop gambling advertisements. Shareholder resolutions were publicly revealed as the activism tactic of choice. Unsurprisingly, there remains a consistent push for corporate behaviour to align with regulatory best practices and investor expectations.

    Environment, social and governance considerations

    Historically dominated by individual investors and smaller single-issue activist groups, shareholder activism in the ESG space is now also characterised by the involvement of large institutional investors, with significant resources to dedicate to activist campaigns. Earlier this year, HESTA voted against the re-election of the Chair of the Santos board on the basis of climate-related factors. The activity of these types of investors is often driven by their own ESG-related targets and other commitments they have made to their investors.

    Beyond climate, we anticipate that future shareholder activism in the ESG space may be driven by nature-related considerations. Allens recently discussed the growing need for boards to exercise due care and diligence in relation to nature-related risks and opportunities following elevated investor scrutiny and agitation in this area. In particular, boards must understand the risks associated with a company’s nature-related dependencies and impacts in order to appropriately consider, manage and/or disclose a company’s nature-related matters to meet shareholder expectations.

    Developing strategies to address ESG interests of shareholders and more broadly adapting to the shift in societal expectations will be paramount. The constant advancement of tools and methodologies used to evaluate ESG successes will further drive shareholder scrutiny. M&A front-runners are progressively turning their attention towards these issues, devising innovative approaches to embed relevant ESG factors into their M&A strategies.2

    Activist tactics

    While activism can take many forms depending on the specific goals of the shareholder involved, there are some common tactics employed in the Australian market. 

    Established tactics

    The more typical activist tactics involve utilising the mechanisms available under the Corporations Act to do one or a combination of calling a meeting, proposing resolutions, distributing materials to shareholders and nominating candidates to the board, each with the purpose of placing a spotlight on an issue or advancing an agenda.

    With a spotlight on the experience of the ASX300 during the 2023-24 financial year:

    • of the 37 remuneration reports voted down by shareholders, around five appear to have been a protest vote due to shareholder concerns beyond remuneration-related issues; and
    • four companies had shareholders approve amendments to their constitution, where those amendments were proposed by shareholders and opposed by the board.

    The window for these types of activist campaigns was in the lead-up to AGM season.

    Historically, activists would generally engage with the company as a first step, before going public with a campaign in the month or two ahead of the relevant AGM, which meant companies had more lead time to prepare.

    However, we are now seeing these campaigns being launched outside that typical AGM window. Activists are also becoming more aggressive and are increasingly willing to take the campaign public without first engaging with the company, which can surprise the company and put them on the back foot.

    Emerging tactics

    The existing toolkit is being supplemented with new tactics that are coming to the fore.

    Harnessing the power of the internet and social media, shareholders are reaping the benefits of activism in a tech-savvy world. Novel online platforms are providing new and unpredictable ways for activists to join forces and launch powerful campaigns. The Alliance for Gambling Reform, mentioned earlier in this article, used online share-trading platform SIX, a trading platform that unites shareholders, to begin its campaign against gambling advertising. Similarly, the widespread reach of social media means that shareholders have more power than ever to captivate the public and influence a market. In a successful campaign against a proposed demerger in 2022, the largest shareholder of an Australian-based energy provider launched a sharp website and employed X (then Twitter) to broadcast a video that appealed to other shareholders. Companies must become comfortable with the reality that one activist could quickly and unexpectedly gain substantial online support.

    Shareholders are also seeking opportunities to obtain a company’s own documents and policies (not all of them public) and hold them to account against a particular activist agenda. This approach has seen shareholders seek preliminary discovery of documents relating to the target company’s internal risk management framework. More recently shareholders have used document inspection powers under the Corporations Act to seek to obtain the target company’s internal documents relating to its climate exposure, as well as human rights issues.

    How to prepare

    Campaigns can be launched without warning and escalate quickly. All companies should take steps to prepare, even if they aren’t anticipating being a target. To be able to be decisive and act swiftly, companies should:

    • actively monitor securities trading and share registers for any early signs of stakes being accumulated;
    • ensure public-facing documents clearly and consistently articulate the company’s strategy;
    • proactively communicate with stakeholders regarding the company’s strategies and values, particularly around points that could be open to challenge, such as operational costs, executive remuneration, ESG related performance and regulatory compliance;
    • consider the breadth of their ESG related public commitments and statements and areas that may be open to scrutiny based on gaps in practice against those commitments or trends in stakeholder activism focus areas;
    • undertake training exercises and work through scenarios with the board and senior leadership to be familiar with how a campaign could play out and potential responses; and
    • have standing appointments for financial, legal and other specialist advisers (such as communications experts) that can be called on quickly if the need arises.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dance drama “Awakening Lion” to showcase charm of Lingnan culture in Hong Kong in October (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    　　The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has invited the Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre to perform in October its grand Chinese dance drama “Awakening Lion”, a production that won the Lotus Award, China’s highest award for dance. Set against the backdrop of the Sanyuanli Anti-British Uprising in Guangzhou during the Opium War, the lion dancers of the day look back at their predecessors and retrace the history of a century ago, showcasing the inheritance of national spirit that has been passed down through generations, and allowing the audience to experience the charm of Lingnan culture. The programme is part of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival and the Guangzhou Culture Week.
     
    　　The “Awakening Lion” is the first dance drama on the Mainland featuring Guangdong lion dancing, a representative item of the national intangible cultural heritage. With “awakening” as its spirit and “lion” as its form, the production reflects the awakening of Chinese national identity. It depicts two teenage lion dancers who achieve self-awakening and growth while making various life decisions involving the emotional dynamics and the righteous cause of the nation. In terms of artistic style, the dance drama shows strong characteristics of South China and indigenous features of old Canton. By integrating innovative elements and multimedia technology, together with music and costumes rich in regional characteristics, the staging exudes both modern appeal and visual impact.
     
    　　In terms of choreography, “Awakening Lion” is a fusion of Chinese dance and traditional lion dance. It incorporates the stances of Nanquan (southern-style boxing) and the difficult movements of southern lion dance, such as falling forward, tumbling, leaping and “picking the greens”, into its dance vocabulary. It also blends various southern Guangdong intangible cultural heritages elements, such as Nanquan, Choy Li Fut-style martial arts, wooden fish songs, Yingge dance and big head buddha, to fully realise the creative transformation and innovative inheritance of outstanding traditional culture, and to demonstrate the culture of Lingnan and the spirit of the Bay Area. The production has won the 11th China Dance Lotus Award for Dance Drama and the 11th Five One Project Award. Since its premiere in 2018, it has toured the Mainland, giving over 250 performances, and has been well received by audiences. This time, principal dancers of the Theatre, Iliwan Umar, Pang Guanyu, Liang Qiqi, Li Ao and more, will participate in the Hong Kong performances.
     
    　　The story is about an impoverished boy, Xing, and a wealthy young man, Long, who are preparing for a lion dance competition in the Sanyuanli village of Guangzhou. One day, they have a fight in a teahouse. Xing wins by a narrow margin, and Long is not convinced. Long’s sister, Feng’er, is secretly in love with Xing, while Xing’s mother is against her son’s participation in the lion dance competition. On the day of the competition, the invaders attack the Guangzhou city. Putting aside their grudges, Xing and Long join together with the villagers to fight against the foreign enemies.
     
    　　The Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre, formerly known as the Guangzhou Song and Dance Troupe, was founded in 1965. The Theatre upholds the development philosophy of “repertoire as basics, talent as drive, and market as booster”, and has created a number of masterpieces, including the dance drama “Awakening Lion”, “Loong”, “Yingge”, “Xinghai．Yellow River” and dance epic “Guangzhou in the Old Days”, etc. It has won numerous top awards, and has received attention and praise from all walks of life.
     
    　　Guangzhou Culture Week: Dance Drama “Awakening Lion” by Guangzhou Song and Dance Theatre will be held at 8pm on October 26 (Saturday) and at 3pm on October 27 (Sunday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. Tickets priced at $200, $260, $340 and $420 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Discount schemes including a Guangzhou Culture Week package discount, group booking discount and concessionary tickets are available for the programmes under the Guangzhou Culture Week (including A New Cantonese Opera “Princess Wencheng” by Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theatre Company on October 22 and 23). An additional early bird discount is available until September 26 for purchasing the above-mentioned programmes through any of the discount schemes. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/tc/dance/programs_1768.html.

    　　The programme will feature a dance workshop (conducted in Putonghua) in which participants will get a taste of the dance and martial arts elements of the performance by learning selected scenes guided by the theatre’s dancers. The workshop will be held at 7.30pm on October 25 (Friday) at the Podium Workshop of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $200 are now available at URBTIX. For details, please refer to the above-mentioned website.
     
    　　A number of free extension activities will be organised for this programme. A pre-performance talk entitled “From lion dance to ‘Awakening Lion’ – A sharing on innovation and integration of intangible cultural heritage elements in the creation of dance drama” (in Putonghua) will be held at 7.30pm on October 24 (Thursday) at AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speakers include chief choreographers Qian Xin and Wang Sisi, as well as the main cast. In addition, a backstage tour (in Putonghua) will be held at 4.30pm on October 26 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall, with free admission for ticket holders of the performance of “Awakening Lion”. Participants will be able to enjoy an exclusive pre-performance access to the backstage of “Awakening Lion” to take photos and explore the stage with sets and props with Lingnan characteristics. Online registration is required (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/tc/dance/programs_1768.html#tab_7_0) for both the pre-performance talk and backstage tour on a first-come, first-served basis.
     
    　　The LCSD will hold the “Guangzhou Culture Week” Programme Exhibition from October 8 to 27 at the Foyer of Sha Tin Town Hall. The exhibition will feature the costumes and props of the Cantonese opera “Princess Wencheng” and dance drama “Awakening Lion”. Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join on the spot. The Guangzhou Culture Week is jointly presented by the LCSD and the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau.
     
    　　Hong Kong is the host city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time. It organises and co-ordinates over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the festival, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.               

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget and Foresight Ventures Invest $30 Million in TON Blockchain to Accelerate Growing Telegram-based Projects

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, and Foresight Ventures, a leading Web3 investment firm, have announced a strategic investment of $30 million into TON (The Open Network) Blockchain. This investment will be allocated through the acquisition of TON tokens and aims to accelerate further the adoption of Tap-to-Earn, GameFi, and new emerging trends within the TON ecosystem.

    The TON-based projects present a strong use case for mass adoption through the Telegram ecosystem, which has seen substantial growth in recent years as it expands its offerings for Web3 startups. According to a recent TON report from Bitget Research, TON Blockchain, which benefits from Telegram’s 950 million users, has rapidly become one of 2024’s fastest-growing blockchains. It has experienced over tenfold growth in on-chain transactions, ecosystem TVL, and DEX trading volume, with viral dApps like Catizen, DOGS, and Tomarket amassing millions of users.

    The commitment to TON Blockchain comes at a time when Bitget has witnessed remarkable growth in its user base. By focusing on ecosystem development and expanding its services, Bitget has grown its global user count to 45 million in Q3 2024, almost doubling in the past 12 months. This surge is partly attributed to the increasing demand for innovative projects, particularly those driven by platforms like TON.

    In 2024, Bitget Wallet contributed to the TON ecosystem with TONNECT 2024, a major online event aimed at accelerating the growth of emerging dApps in the TON ecosystem. Thanks to TON’s growing user interest in Bitget’s decentralized wallet, Bitget Wallet continuously topped the charts amongst all apps in Nigeria taking over world-famous apps such as TikTok and WhatsApp on Apple’s App Store.

    “As Bitget continues to BUIDL around The Open Network, our investment in the TON ecosystem provides a solid foundation for driving initiatives that align with our vision. By integrating our expertise in crypto infrastructure with TON’s decentralized architecture, we are well-positioned to strengthen the development of innovative products and solutions. Together, we are bringing the crypto industry closer to mass adoption than ever before.” commented Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.

    “The surge of the TON ecosystem represents the biggest growth opportunity in the cryptocurrency market this year, and in the next 3 to 5 years. Over the past six months, TON’s TVL has increased 18-fold, reaching $350 million.” Forest Bai, Co-Founder and CEO of Foresight Ventures, stated: “The ecosystem currently boasts over 1,000 dApps, with many applications having millions of users. We hope to continue supporting developers within the TON ecosystem by providing investment, incubation, and marketing support.”

    With the $30 million investment, Bitget and Foresight Ventures will engage more deeply in the future development plans of TON Blockchain, supporting the emergence and go-to-market of more blockbuster dApps on TON.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 25 million users in 100+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more. Bitget inspires individuals to embrace crypto through collaborations with credible partners, including legendary Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi and Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team).

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    About Foresight Ventures
    Foresight Ventures is the first and only crypto VC bridging East and West. With a research-driven approach and offices in the US and Singapore, we are a powerhouse in crypto investment and incubation. Our premier media network includes The Block, Foresight News, BlockTempo, and Coinness. We aggressively invest in the most daring innovations and are dedicated to partnering with visionary projects and top teams to help them succeed, reshaping the future of digital finance and beyond.

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices may fluctuate and experience price volatility. Only invest what you can afford to lose. The value of your investment may be impacted and it is possible that you may not achieve your financial goals or be able to recover your principal investment. You should always seek independent financial advice and consider your own financial experience and financial standing. Past performance is not a reliable measure of future performance. Bitget shall not be liable for any losses you may incur. Nothing here shall be construed as financial advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d47bf052-c6ad-4223-b4cf-bf2554a6fafc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Organizations are ramping up efforts to meet sustainability targets, despite geopolitical challenges

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press contact:
    Victoire Grux 
    Tel.: +33 6 04 52 16 55 
    Email: victoire.grux@capgemini.com 

    Organizations are ramping up efforts to meet sustainability targets, despite geopolitical challenges

    • 69% of executives say that anticipating stricter future regulations is a key driver of sustainability initiatives, up from 57% last year
    • Nearly two thirds say geopolitics is driving a slowdown in their sustainability investments
    • Six out of ten are concerned that their organization’s sustainability efforts might appear insincere to the public, up from only 11% in 2023.

    Paris, September 23, 2024 – Organizations continue to make progress in their sustainability initiatives, despite facing geopolitical challenges. Regulation and technology are proving to be a vital part of this progress, with two thirds of executives agreeing that their organization will never be able to achieve its sustainability goals without climate tech. This is according to the Capgemini Research Institute’s latest report, ‘A world in balance 2024: Accelerating sustainability amidst geopolitical challenges’, which tracks advancements in organizations’ environmental and social sustainability over the last three years. The third edition of the report highlights marked improvements in circularity, sustainable design, measurement, water stewardship, biodiversity, and sustainability skilling, despite shortfalls in tackling Scope 3 emissions and consumer skepticism.

    Collectively, organizations are ramping up their efforts to meet their sustainability targets, and their maturity in adopting sustainable practices has increased steadily since 2022. 84% of executives this year say their organization is on target to meet its carbon emissions goals; less than a tenth say they are behind. As organizations look to minimize their impact on the environment, progress is particularly visible in terms of circularity, sustainable product design, measurement, and water management. For instance, nearly three quarters of executives say that recycling products is a core aspect of their manufacturing strategy, up from 53% in 2022, while over two thirds said they were redesigning products to remove fossil fuel feedstock sources, up from less than half in 2022. In addition, three-quarters of executives have implemented a water-stewardship program, up from 55% in 2022.

    In late 2023, executives were planning to increase investments in sustainability this year. However, companies have not followed through: average annual investment in sustainability initiatives and practices now stands at 0.82% of total revenue, down from 0.92% in 2023.

    “This year’s report shows sustainability projects continuing to build momentum in 2024 despite current headwinds,” said Cyril Garcia, Capgemini’s Head of Global Sustainability Services and Corporate Responsibility and Group Executive Board Member. “Business leaders have the power and the responsibility to steer us towards a more sustainable economy. Water stewardship, biodiversity preservation, and circular practices are now established as key business imperatives. Executives are being very pragmatic, and CO2reduction must now be translated into cost savings. We continue to see sustainability efforts bolstered by new climate tech innovations and regulations. The best way to build trust and credibility with consumers is by demonstrating tangible outcomes and planning for a future with sustainability at its heart.”

    Consumers unconvinced about progress
    Consumers want to see corporations going even further and demand transparency. The report finds three-quarters of consumers expecting corporations to play a larger role in reducing GHG emissions in 2024. Furthermore, even as organizations ramp up sustainability initiatives, consumers are more skeptical than ever about corporate sustainability, as more than half believe that organizations are greenwashing their sustainability initiatives, up from 33% in 2023.

    Geopolitics and regulations impacting corporate sustainability initiatives
    Executives pointed to climate-related regulations as a key driver of sustainability projects. A full three-quarters of executives believe that sustainability regulation is necessary to achieve global climate goals, and nearly two thirds even agree that without regulation, their organization would not have launched many environmental sustainability initiatives.

    Globally, 73% of executives agree that the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is honing sustainability measurement and tracking capabilities. However, organizations continue to fall short in terms of reporting on sustainability initiatives, especially on Scope 3 emissions. Among organizations required to report for CSRD in 2025, just over a third say that they are prepared to report Scope 3 downstream emissions next year, while 86% are prepared for Scope 1.

    Meanwhile, tensions such as US-China relations, the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the European energy crisis, are leading to disruption to supply chains and business operations, and uncertainty around government funding. This year, nearly two thirds of executives pointed to geopolitics as an increasing consideration in sustainability investments, and 69% are concerned about the impact of the uncertain US political scene. This is felt across countries, but Swedish executives are most concerned (75%), compared with 71% of US executives and 59% of executives in India.

    To access the full report: https://www.capgemini.com/insights/research-library/sustainability-trends-2024

    Methodology
    The Capgemini Research Institute surveyed 2,152 executives employed at 727 organizations, each with more than $1 billion in annual revenue, across 13 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific and in 12 industries and sectors, in June and July 2024. Executives surveyed were director level and above and 50% were from corporate functions, such as strategy, sustainability, sales, and marketing; 50% were from value chain functions, such as product design, R&D, procurement, and logistics. The Institute also surveyed 6,500 consumers over the age of 18 across the 13 countries and conducted interviews with 12 senior sustainability executives at leading organizations globally.

    About Capgemini
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fuelled by its market leading capabilities in AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2023 global revenues of €22.5 billion.

    Get the Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

    About the Capgemini Research Institute
    The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was recently ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts. 

    Visit us at https://www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute/ 

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor visits New York to promote London as leading destination for business, tourism and sport

    Source: Mayor of London

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is heading to New York this week for a series of meetings and events with global leaders to bang the drum for London as a place to invest, hold sporting events and promote the capital as an unrivalled destination for tourists.

    Sadiq’s visit takes place during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, where business leaders, politicians and major organisations converge on New York to discuss global issues including delivering economic prosperity and tackling climate change.

    During his visit Sadiq will promote London as an exceptional place to work and invest in, including meetings with Accordion, CLA Global, Salesforce and Thoropass. He will also use meetings to promote London as an unparalleled destination for sporting events and tourism.

     

    The Mayor will speak at a number of high-profile events, including the Concordia Annual Summit, a global affairs forum that works to address the world’s most pressing needs, the Climate Pledge Summit and the NYC Climate Week Hub.

    London faces stiff competition but is still the leading location globally for US businesses looking to expand overseas. Last year saw New York invest $1.7 billion into London climate start-ups and climate focused companies, with the capital the top city for foreign direct investment from the United States over the last 10 years, when compared to all other cities globally.

    Around 3.5 million visits were made between the US and London in 2023, surpassing pre-Pandemic levels by 12 per cent. This week’s visit to the US follows the Mayor’s announcement last week that he plans to transform oxford street into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, encouraging even more tourists to come to central London, restoring the street as the leading retails destination in the world.

    While in New York the Mayor will also meet with senior sporting officials as he fulfils his pledge to explore bringing more sports from North America and around the world to our city. London, under Sadiq’s mayoralty has great pedigree in hosting the biggest international sporting events from around the globe – and Sadiq is determined to cement our city’s reputation as the undisputed sports capital of the world. 

     

    This capital has had a fantastic summer of music and sport, with Taylor Swift performing The Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium more times than any other city in the world and London hosting Major League Baseball, Diamond League Athletics, the Champions League Final and world title heavyweight boxing. In the coming months there are more major events with the 68th BFI London Film Festival, three NFL games and the League of Legends grand final at the O2 Arena, while next summer the capital will host the final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

    Sadiq will also remind global leaders that now is the time to take firm action to tackle climate change. He will speak at New York Climate Week and at the Climate Pledge Summit emphasising how cities are at the forefront of climate action, with over half of the world’s population living in them and consuming 75per cent of global energy. The Mayor will highlight London’s bold initiatives and plans for the future including his commitment to make London rivers swimmable in ten years.

     

    Sadiq is in New York in his capacity as Mayor of London and also Chair of C40 Cities – a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis, and will call on leaders to follow London’s example, turning our current global challenges into opportunities for transformative climate action.

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am looking forward to visiting New York to bang the drum for London as the perfect location for global businesses to expand, invest and to hold sporting events.

    “With so many key business leaders and politicians in New York this week, this really is the perfect time to promote London on the global stage – whether as an exciting tourist destination or the host of the world’s best sporting events.  

    “It is also an important week for global leaders to restate their commitment to tackle climate change, to learn from other cities and nations and showcase how London remains at the forefront of global action.”

    While in New York, Sadiq will also speak at the UN’s SDG Lounge event – hosted by the UN Office for Partnerships – on the need to accelerate climate action and give the keynote address at a Clinton Global Initiative opening the session on “Leveraging Technology and Nature for Equitable Urban Resilience”.

    C40 Executive Director, Mark Watts, said: “This UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week come at a pivotal time, amidst an upcoming election in the USA and following the general election here in the UK. The world will be watching to see how global leaders are addressing—or, in many cases, delaying action on the climate crisis. That is why Mayor Khan’s role this week, representing both London and C40 Cities, is so crucial. His unwavering dedication to creating healthier and greener cities sets a powerful example for city and national leaders around the globe. His presence here highlights the leading role of mayors in building a sustainable and inclusive future for all.” 

     

    Janet Coyle, Managing Director of Business Growth, London & Partners, said: “The business ties between London & North America have always been prevalent. From the future of drug discovery with Recursion to a leading cloud provider in CoreWeave, it has already been an impactful year for US expansion to London. New York and London in particular have always enhanced one another’s ecosystem to strengthen not only each other but the collective transatlantic community.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: ​New sci-fi animation ‘The Wild Robot’ assembled itself

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Renowned animation director Chris Sanders told China.org.cn how his crew were very driven while creating “The Wild Robot” as well as other intriguing insights during an interview promoting the film in China earlier this month.

    Director Chris Sanders speaks at a special screening event held for “The Wild Robot” at Peking University in Beijing, Sept. 5, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

    “One of the things that was unusual in this film, which I had never experienced before, was that the entire crew making this film was so excited about it that they really couldn’t be stopped from doing their jobs,” Sanders highlighted an extraordinary level of enthusiasm among his team during the production of “The Wild Robot,” which hit Chinese theaters on Sept. 20. 

    Usually, scenes are first discussed one by one by the director and animators during an animation production process . However, animators for “The Wild Robot” were so keen to create that they often completed scenes before any discussions were held with the director. 

    Sanders recalled how animators would “stop” him during discussions for scene development to explain how they had already completed the scene after breaking “into the database” to get information on the scene’s general concept. “And this happened more than once,” Sanders added.

    This enthusiasm extended to the songwriting team as well, who composed a song for the end credits without the usual preliminary meetings, but simply because they felt inspired by the film. “So that’s another example of how this film almost wanted to make itself. It was putting itself together, even when we weren’t around. It was an absolutely amazing experience to have that happen. Everybody was working so hard and was so inspired to do what they were doing.”

    A Chinese poster for “The Wild Robot.” [Image courtesy of Universal Pictures]

    Both directed and written by Sanders, acclaimed for animated hits like “Lilo & Stitch” (2002) and “How to Train Your Dragon” (2010), “The Wild Robot” is a new sci-fi animation based on a popular children’s novel of the same name by American illustrator and author Peter Brown. 

    The film follows a robot named ROZZUM unit 7134, or “Roz” for short, who was programmed to serve humans but finds herself shipwrecked on a deserted island. After adapting to the harsh, uninhabited environment, she then bonds with the island’s wildlife, even becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. By acclimating to these new circumstances, Roz breaks boundaries and surpasses programming. Roz is voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, with other characters being voiced by Pedro Pascal, Mark Hamill and Ving Rhames. The film is set for North American release on Sept. 27. 

    During the China.org.cn interview, Sanders stated that when DreamWorks Animation presented various projects for him to direct, he was immediately drawn to “The Wild Robot.” He later realized why this project interested him: his daughter had previously read the Peter Brown’s book and he had, at one point, also brainstormed an idea for an animated picture about a machine being lost in a forest, making this project feel familiar. It seemed destined for him to direct it and his daughter was excited when she heard the news, even contributing ideas for the film’s creation. Also, Brown’s objective with the story that “kindness could be a survival skill” deeply touched and resonated with Sanders.

    “It was a very powerful story,” Sanders said. “We all might have to change our programming at some point as there are always challenges in our lives, you may have to change the way you do things in order to prevail. That’s a really powerful message of the story. I hope that people who watch this film, no matter what their age, really find something to relate to in it.”

    He also stressed that one of the most memorable parts of this entire project was engaging with the actors as they helped bring the characters to life. For the animated picture’s visuals, Sanders took inspiration from Disney animated classics and the works of Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki, giving the film a unique style that combines both CGI animation and illustrations done by hand. 

    “We were always trying to get back to something that animation had at the very beginning, which was the hand-painted warmth that you see in films like ‘Bambi’ and ‘My Neighbor Totoro.’ Those films have such beautiful human warmth that comes from their handmade painted backgrounds. We were always trying to get back to that,” he said.

    Director Chris Sanders poses for a group photo with special guests and the audience at the China premiere for “The Wild Robot” held in a cinema at Universal Beijing Resort in Beijing, Sept. 4, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

    Another aspect he remembers fondly is working with famed composer Kris Bowers, who Sanders had the most meetings with during the animation’s development. “So, it’s one of the things I’m really excited for people to experience — not only the visuals, the voices and the story, but also the music. It’s one of my very favorite scores of all time.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Celebrating a Century of Love: Old Marylebone Town Hall marks 100 Years with 100 Weddings | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    We are just days away from celebrating the 100th anniversary of Old Marylebone Town Hall, an iconic venue renowned for hosting weddings of legendary figures like Ringo Starr, Sir Paul McCartney, and Liam Gallagher.

    In honour of this milestone, 100 lucky couples will soon tie the knot, enter into civil partnerships, or renew their vows at this historic location for just £100—a fraction of the usual cost. Each couple can bring up to 8 guests and even 2 pets to share their special day.

    The team at Old Marylebone Town Hall has been working tirelessly to prepare for this momentous occasion. On the 1st October 2024, from 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM, the venue will host a diverse range of couples, celebrating love in all its forms on one of the most important days of their lives.

    Pop star Cilla Black and her personal manager Bobby Willis after their wedding at Marylebone Town Hall 25 January 1969

    Many of the couples share a deep connection to Westminster—whether through living, working, or studying in the area. Many even began their relationships in Westminster.

    For others, the venue holds special significance, with parents who were married or children registered at Old Marylebone Town Hall, making it the perfect place to celebrate their own love stories. Many couples have expressed their excitement about being part of such a historic event, adding a unique layer of meaning to their special day.

    Here are some of the reasons behind why the couples chose to get married on this special day:

    I used to work around Marylebone and walk past the town hall every week. Watching the couples walk down the iconic stairs and enjoying their happiest day, I said to myself that one day I’d like to get married there too. And I can’t believe that it’s going to happen soon, I’m so excited! It’s a dream come true.”

    It sounds so fun and way more ‘us’ than a big wedding. I love that we won’t be the centre of attention and that 99 other couples will be celebrating the same day. And also save a fortune. We have hired an afternoon tea bus for after but the money we have saved is all going on a bucket list honeymoon to Mauritius!”

    Marylebone Town Hall has always been one of my favourite venues and we were contemplating about where to get married, having been engaged for a year or so. On October 24th last year, I was on my commute home reading the Evening Standard, and I saw the article about the centenary. I always associate the Old Town Hall with the Beatles and the 60s, and the photos caught my eye. Both my fiancé and I will be 64 when we get married so it seemed a perfect match. ‘When I’m 64’ won’t be our music choice, but it very nearly was!”

    Councillor Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology and Culture says:

     We are thrilled to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Old Marylebone Town Hall, a venue that holds historical and cultural significance for Westminster. This milestone is not just a reflection of the building’s rich past, but also a celebration of the diverse couples who will be creating new memories here.

    I am excited to see so many people with personal ties to Westminster come together to mark this occasion. We look forward to continuing the tradition of love at this iconic venue for many more years to come.”

     Notes:

    • Media access is limited, and space for coverage is restricted.
    • Please complete this form, and we will follow up to confirm if we can accommodate your request. Only accredited media will be allowed on-site on the day.
    • For further media inquiries, please contact [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: READOUT: Department of Labor screens film on workplace gender equity, Acting Secretary Su leads discussion on inequities women face

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau welcomed elected officials and leaders from the entertainment industry and advocacy groups on Sept. 17, 2024, for “Beyond 9 to 5: The Ongoing Fight for Gender Equality in the Workplace,” a screening of new documentary on gender equity followed by a moderated discussion on the issue in the workplace.

    After screening the film “Still Working 9 to 5,” an examination of the evolution of gender equity in the workplace inspired by the 1980 feature film “9 to 5,” Acting Secretary Julie Su moderated a talk back focused on pay equity, occupational segregation, gender-based violence and harassment, discrimination and lack of access to quality and affordable care. 

    The panel discussion included the documentary’s co-producers Camille Hardman and Gary Lane; National Women’s Law Center President and CEO Fatima Goss Graves; Young Feminist Party Deputy Executive Director Claudia Nachega; former Women’s Bureau Director and now activist Karen Nussbaum; and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Sisters in the Brotherhood Director Sandra Rodriguez.

    “Watching the documentary emphasized the original film’s thoughtfulness and the ways it perfectly depicted the themes the Department of Labor celebrates today. It showed that when workers have a voice, they can affect change in their workplace and that strengthening support services can increase happiness and lead to better productivity,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “While we have made some progress, issues that negatively affect women’s participation in the workplace remain. Under President Biden’s leadership, we continue to invest in good jobs for women. When we talk about ‘good jobs’ for women workers, we mean jobs that pay based on the work they do, not based on their gender, and jobs where all workers have dignity, respect and can exercise their rights and power.”

    “Four decades after this groundbreaking original film highlighted a culture that devalued working women, we still see women across professions fighting for fair wages and the ability to work with safety, dignity, and equity. I’m proud of the critical work the National Women’s Law Center leads to help pass laws combatting the scourge of harassment and workplace policies and conditions that allow discrimination to thrive,” said NWLC President and CEO Fatima Goss Graves. “More than 40 years later, ‘Still Working 9 to 5’ is a timely, galvanizing reminder that with laws and policies that give women equitable opportunities in the workplace we can transform a culture that undervalues women.”

    Camille Hardman, who also directed the film, expressed her gratitude to the department for showcasing the film, saying: “The Women’s Bureau fosters a supportive and active environment that helps push the door open and encourage challenging conversations around women’s equality, care, job segregation, family leave and sexual harassment that can only lead to long-term needed culture change in the workplace and the labor movement.” 

    When asked about his role as co-producer for the film, Gary Lane stated, “I feel it’s very important that men need to be involved in the conversation for real change to happen.” 

    Young Feminist Party Deputy Executive Director Claudia Nachega said one of the things the documentary reinforced was the need to include all voices – especially young people’s voices – for a movement to be effective. “Today, young people are bearing the brunt of attacks on abortion access, queer and transgender rights, economic inequality and more. The original movie was a call to action for congress to provide a concrete, constitutional legal system to fight gender injustice,” Nachega said. “Then and now, we know the Equal Rights Amendment is key, and young people need the President to act and publish the ERA at the request of congressional leaders and young people across the country.”

    Director Chun-Hoon cited the event as one more way to keep the conversation going. “The Biden-Harris administration has centered women, people of color, people with disabilities and other communities that have disproportionately been left out of workplace gains, but there’s still work to be done,” said Women’s Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon. “This critical conversation about the progress to date and the continued work needed to establish and maintain access to good jobs that offer family-sustaining wages, paid leave and flexibility and where workers are safe and respected is crucial to the mission of the Women’s Bureau.”

    Acting Secretary Su closed the evening by considering how women’s rights in the workplace will change over the next 40 years. “We acknowledge there are many challenges, but each of the leaders, activists, organizers in this room – with the full power of the Department of Labor – can drive things forward. All of us do this kind of work because we believe change is possible.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Audience with the participants in the “Christmas Contest 2024”

    Source: The Holy See

    The following is the Holy Father’s greeting, prepared for the participants at the “Christmas Contest 2024”, to be considered as delivered:

    Prepared greeting
    Dear brothers and sisters, welcome!
    I greet the Gravissimum Educationis – Culture for Education Pontifical Foundation, which is committed to spreading the Church’s educational and cultural activities. I especially greet you young people, who have invested your talents in this rather special Contest, which is intended to be an opportunity for human growth.
    I would like to recall with you, young singers and musicians who are dedicated to promoting the values of Christmas, that the birth of Jesus was accompanied by a heavenly song, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” (Lk 2:14). The Incarnation of Jesus Christ, who brings true peace to the world – and how much we need it today! – has inspired, over the centuries, countless artists of every language and culture, who have portrayed paths of fraternity in the world.
    You are part of this great movement, with your originality, stories and voices, and it is always God’s love, made man in Jesus Christ, that speaks to your hearts.
    As young people, in your desire to express your artistic vocation and your human and Christian journey, all of you, in different ways, feel the attraction of the mystery of incarnate love. Moreover, you express it in song and music. In this way, you also sing about hope for those of your peers who have lost it for so many reasons: suffering, illness, war, forced migration, problems in the family, school or with friends. Perhaps some of these young people will be touched by your witness! Yes, we need young people’s talent and creativity, who are motivated not by the idols of money or success but by a passion for beauty, for fraternity, for Jesus who saves and gives meaning to our lives.
    Dear friends, I wish you well with your work and your journey! I bless you and ask you, please, to pray for me. Thank you!

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Unlock your future: Plymouth’s biggest careers fair is here!

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Some of the city’s biggest and best-known employers are returning to take part in this year’s Launchpad Live, a two-day future careers event offering a unique glimpse into the city’s fastest-growing industries.

    Hosted at the Plymouth Life Centre, Launchpad Live will run on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 September 2024 and aims to inspire and raise aspirations of local young people and improve awareness of career choices and future progression pathways.

    Who are the employers attending?

    The event will feature a powerhouse of over 50 employers and organisations such as:

    • Babcock
    • University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust
    • Plymouth City Council
    • Princess Yachts
    • Plymouth Community Homes
    • Kier BAM
    • Willmott Dixon
    • Vistry Group
    • Rowe IT
    • Theatre Royal Plymouth
    • Vospers
    • PFK Francis Clarke
    • Greenlight Safety and Training
    • Duchy College
    • HM Armed Forces
    • National Marine Park
    • City College Plymouth
    • Skills Group
    • Discovery College
    • Plymouth Manufacturers Group
    • Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s Youth Hub and the city’s sector skills partnerships –
    • Building Plymouth (promoting construction and the built environment)
    • Caring Plymouth (promoting health and social care)
    • Welcoming Plymouth (promoting hospitality, tourism and retail).

    These organisations are not just looking for employees, they’re looking for the future leaders of their industries.

    A hands-on experience

    With all Plymouth schools bringing along groups of students, more than 2,200 pupils will experience interactive zones, complete with the latest immersive technologies. Those attending will explore, learn, and engage directly with industry experts across Plymouth’s core sectors, including:

    • Marine, Engineering and Manufacturing
    • Health and Social Care
    • Construction and the Built Environment
    • Technology, Business, Legal and Creative Services
    • Armed Forces and Government Services
    • Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Retail
    • Green and Sustainable Careers

    Launchpad Live is where opportunity meets innovation, offering unparalleled exposure to both traditional and emerging career paths. Whether you’re a student curious about your future or a business leader looking to inspire the next generation, this event is for you.

    The event is being organised by Plymouth City Council in partnership with YMCA Plymouth, Discovery College and City College Plymouth.

    Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “This fantastic event will give thousands of young people the chance to meet employers, to learn about the exciting career opportunities available and better understand the investment and growth sectors that present future ambitious employment in Plymouth. It’s really important that we help employers and training providers, including further and higher education institutions, to showcase these opportunities directly with our young people, helping them to make better informed choices for their post-16 next steps.”

    Jonathan Keable, Chair of the Plymouth Employment and Skills Board and Leader of FSB Plymouth, said:
    “I’m incredibly proud to see over 50 of our city’s leading employers come together to not only showcase incredible opportunities but to actively inspire the next generation. This event is a testament to the commitment of our businesses and organisations in investing in Plymouth’s future workforce. Together, we are giving our young people the confidence and tools to dream bigger, reach higher, and shape their own destinies. A huge thank you to the organisers for delivering this transformative event. The line-up is outstanding, and I encourage anyone looking to take the next step to join us to explore your options and take action, because this is your chance to make it happen.”

    Tom Lavis, CEO of YMCA Plymouth said:

    “As a Plymouth charity that has supported young people’s aspirations in the city for 175 years, YMCA is delighted to bring this exciting careers event to life in partnership with Plymouth City Council. We believe it’s vital to showcase what fantastic opportunities are out there to young people and their parents. We’re very proud of how we have been able to make this event truly accessible for young people and the wide scope of employers and trainers, which has now made this an annual landmark event for the city.”

    Open to the Public!

    Launchpad Live will be open to the public on Thursday, 26 September, from 4pm to 6pm. Don’t miss this chance to meet employers, explore career options, and discover pathways that could change your life. All other times on both days are reserved for school bookings only.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Signing Day Sports Identifies Synergies from Acquisition of Swifty Global, Expected to Drive Accelerated Revenue Growth, Cost Savings, and Global Expansion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Signing Day Sports, Inc. (“Signing Day Sports” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: SGN), the developer of the Signing Day Sports app and platform to aid high school athletes in the recruitment process, today provided an update regarding its financial position and its plans to acquire Dear Cashmere Group Holding Company (OTC:DRCR), doing business as Swifty Global (“Swifty”), highlighting the strategic and financial synergies that are expected to drive accelerated growth and operational efficiency for both companies.

    Extinguishment of Convertible Notes

    As of September 23, 2024, the outstanding convertible senior secured promissory notes of the Company, with an original balance of more than $0.6 million, had been fully extinguished, primarily from conversion into shares of common stock.

    The improved financial position strengthens the Company’s prospects for growth and future capital raising.

    Key Highlights from the Acquisition

    As previously announced, Signing Day Sports entered into a binding term sheet to acquire 95-99% of the issued and outstanding shares of Swifty, a global online sports and casino technologies company. Swifty is debt-free with a proven track record of growth, revenue generation and profitability. The acquisition is expected to significantly enhance Signing Day Sports’ revenue generation, technical capabilities and profitability from the expansion of both companies.

    • Strong Financial Performance: Swifty achieved revenues of over $128 million and a net profit of approximately $2.44 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, despite significant investments of nearly $3.1 million in software development and licensing.
    • Global Expansion: Swifty is expanding internationally. Swifty recently acquired licenses to offer a full integrated suite of products in Ireland and South Africa, which are expected to have significant online sports and casino markets with limited competition.
    • Fast Development of Revenue Generating Technology: Swifty plans to offer data feed services for the online sports gambling industry in the near future. Swifty has determined that data feed services are expensive and limited in choice, which creates an opportunity for Swifty, and that many sports, like boxing, have limited or no live data feed available to allow real-time betting. The Signing Day Sports team has significant experience working with critical sports datapoints and creating sports measurement technologies, which could assist Swifty in developing this revenue stream.

    Strategic Synergies

    The integration of Swifty is expected to bring several operational advantages and new revenue opportunities for Signing Day Sports:

    • Cost Efficiency: Swifty’s in-house engineering team is expected to reduce Signing Day Sports’ operating costs by over 50%, enabling the company to reinvest those savings into growth initiatives. It is also expected to increase the speed at which Signing Day Sports can roll out new products and technological enhancements to its current offering and optimize monetization of the product and user base.
    • Revenue Growth in SaaS: At their core, both Signing Day Sports and Swifty are SaaS model businesses. Swifty’s scalability, technological resources, and technology initiatives are expected to bolster the growth of Signing Day Sports’ app user base, enhance user retention and provide additional opportunities to monetize renewing subscribers with additional revenue streams.
    • New Revenue Streams: Swifty is expected to further expand Signing Day Sports’ current product offering while also broadening the Company’s exposure to new sports and athletes outside the U.S. Signing Day Sports has accumulated more than 10,000 registered users, which it plans to increase at an accelerated rate in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 2025. The Company’s focus is to develop new strategic revenue streams, and improve revenue metrics per user, with the same aim of fully monetizing this growing user base.
    • New Market Exposure: Since its beginning as a football student-athlete recruitment platform provider, Signing Day Sports has expanded its platform to support baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s soccer. Swifty is expected to bring exposure to new markets in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as well as exposure to emerging sports without established recruitment models. The Company anticipates that early adopters in these emerging sports markets are a significant market and plans to broaden its platform to capitalize on these prospective revenue streams.
    • Enhanced User Engagement: Swifty’s team is expected to introduce exciting new features to Signing Day Sports, including gamification elements such as live scoreboards, top competitor leaderboards, fantasy leagues and real-time performance tracking, which are designed to boost engagement, organic user acquisition and user retention.

    “With Swifty expected to join the Signing Day Sports family, we anticipate being better positioned than ever to deliver an enhanced user experience while accelerating our expansion into new markets,” said Daniel Nelson, CEO of Signing Day Sports. “This acquisition represents a pivotal moment in our growth journey, and we are confident in the significant value it will bring to our platform, collaborators, student-athletes, and stockholders.”

    James Gibbons, CEO of Swifty, added, “Swifty is excited to bring our technological capabilities and global reach to the Signing Day Sports platform. Together, we will create new opportunities for student-athletes and coaches worldwide while driving operational efficiencies that will further our mutual goals. We look forward to working with Signing Day Sports as we scale into new markets and continue to innovate for the benefit of our users.”

    For further information about Signing Day Sports and Swifty, please see their communication channels listed below:

    Website: https://swifty.global
    X: @swiftyglobal
    Telegram: @swiftyglobal
    Email: hello@swifty.global

    Website: https://signingdaysports.com
    Ecommerce Website: https://signingdayshop.com
    Investor Relations Website: https://ir.signingdaysports.com
    X: @sdsports
    Email: support@signingdaysports.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including without limitation, the Company’s ability to complete the acquisition of Swifty and integrate its business, the ability of the Company, the sellers and Swifty to enter into definitive stock purchase agreement(s), obtain all necessary consents and approvals in connection with the acquisition, obtain NYSE American clearance of a new initial listing application in connection with the acquisition, obtain shareholder approval of the matters to be voted on at the shareholders’ meeting described in the press release, obtain sufficient funding to maintain operations and develop additional services and offerings, market acceptance of the Company’s current products and services and planned offerings, competition from existing online and retail offerings or new offerings that may emerge, impacts from strategic changes to the Company’s business on its net sales, revenues, income from continuing operations, or other results of operations, the Company’s ability to attract new users and customers, increase the rate of subscription renewals, and slow the rate of user attrition, the Company’s ability to retain or obtain intellectual property rights, the Company’s ability to adequately support future growth, the Company’s ability to comply with user data privacy laws and other current or anticipated legal requirements, and the Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel to manage its business effectively. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s periodic reports which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are, in some cases, beyond our control and could materially affect results. If one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors become applicable, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

    Investor Contact:
    Crescendo Communications, LLC
    212-671-1020
    SGN@crescendo-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong movies shine in Berlin (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong movies shine in Berlin (with photo)
    Hong Kong movies shine in Berlin (with photo)
    *********************************************

         The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin (HKETO Berlin) supported the film festival Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema in Berlin, Germany, from September 20 to 22 (Berlin time).      The film festival presented six Hong Kong films, namely “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In”, “The Lyricist Wannabe”, “Time Still Turns The Pages”, “Throw Down (Restored)”, “Love Lies”, and “Fly Me To The Moon”. Actors Philip Ng, Lo Chun-yip, actress Angela Yuen, and director Norris Wong engaged with local audiences after the screenings of the respective movies.     HKETO Berlin hosted a reception before the screening of the opening film “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In”. The Director of HKETO Berlin, Miss Jenny Szeto, delivered the opening remarks, welcoming some 100 guests. Miss Szeto thanked the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and its local partner, the Berlin NewGen Film Festival, for bringing outstanding Hong Kong movies to Berlin.      “The Government is dedicated to promoting Hong Kong’s cultural footprint and in particular, supporting the development of our film industry. Among other things, we actively encourage and support industry professionals to participate in film festivals around the world to elevate the visibility of Hong Kong films and showcase our talented creators. The Making Waves programme is a shining example of this commitment.”     Launched in 2022, Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema is funded by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency to help Hong Kong films go global. To date, it has showcased the work of many promising Hong Kong filmmakers in over 20 cities. About HKETO Berlin     HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland. 

     
    Ends/Monday, September 23, 2024Issued at HKT 19:28

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: WOO Token Surges on Coinone, Hits $3.13M in Trading Volume

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WOO X, a leading centralized crypto futures and spot trading platform, proudly announces the successful listing of the WOO token on Coinone, one of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Listed on September 19, 2024, this debut allows Korean users to trade WOO tokens in KRW, significantly expanding the token’s accessibility within one of Asia’s most active crypto markets.

    Since its listing, the WOO token has shown robust performance, achieving a 24-hour trading volume of $3.13 million and reaching rank 4 on Coinone’s spot market.

    Special Airdrop Event to Celebrate the Listing

    To celebrate this achievement, Coinone is hosting a “WOO First-Come First-Served Deposit Event,” running from 04:00 UTC on September 19 to 14:59 UTC on September 25, 2024. Participants who complete the event’s missions will be rewarded with exclusive WOO token airdrops.

    “As we list the WOO token on Coinone, we’re excited to expand its accessibility to one of the most active cryptocurrency markets in the region. This listing allows South Korean users to trade WOO with KRW, enhancing their access to our ecosystem. South Korea is central to our expansion in Asia, driven by its strong demand for a diverse range of products,” said Willy Chuang, COO of WOO X​.

    The WOO token is central to both the WOOFi protocol, a leading decentralized exchange, and WOO X, a top-tier centralized platform, enhancing its utility across both markets.

    Disclaimer

    The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or professional advice of any kind. While we have made every effort to ensure that the information contained herein is accurate and up-to-date, we make no guarantees as to its completeness or accuracy. The content is based on information available at the time of writing and may be subject to change.

    Cryptocurrencies involve significant risk and are NOT suitable for the majority of investors. The value of digital currencies can be extremely volatile, and you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite before participating in any activities or transactions involving cryptocurrencies.

    We strongly recommend that you seek independent advice from a qualified professional before making any investment or financial decisions related to cryptocurrencies. We shall in NO case be liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article.

    Contact us: media@woo.network

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/feab1e0e-8634-4d8d-8723-761961110a75

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitfarms and Riot Announce Settlement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    – Andrés Finkielsztain Steps Down from Board –
    – Bitfarms Appoints Amy Freedman to Board of Directors –
    – Board to Nominate an Independent Director for Election at Special Meeting –
    – Standstill Agreement Through 2026 Annual Meeting –

    This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purposes of the Company’s prospectus supplement dated March 8, 2024, to its short form base shelf prospectus dated November 10, 2023.

    TORONTO, Ontario and BROSSARD, Québec and CASTLE ROCK, Colo., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitfarms Ltd. (NASDAQ/TSX: BITF) (“Bitfarms” or the “Company”), a global leader in vertically integrated Bitcoin data center operations, and Riot Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT) (“Riot”), an industry leader in vertically integrated Bitcoin (“BTC”) mining, today announced that Bitfarms and Riot have entered into a settlement agreement (the “Agreement”) in advance of the Special Meeting of Bitfarms Shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) currently scheduled for November 6, 2024, which will now be held virtually.

    Under the terms of the Agreement:

    • Andrés Finkielsztain has stepped down from Bitfarms’ Board of Directors (the “Board”).
    • Bitfarms has appointed Amy Freedman to its Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee of the Board, effective immediately.
    • Riot has agreed to withdraw its June 24, 2024 requisition, as amended, and to accept customary standstill provisions through the Bitfarms 2026 Annual Meeting, with certain exceptions.
    • At the Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve an expansion of the Board from five members to six members, to elect an independent director nominated by the Board to serve as the sixth member of the Board, and to ratify the Company’s July 24, 2024, shareholder rights plan. Riot has agreed to vote in favour of these matters.
    • The Company has provided Riot with certain rights (subject to certain exceptions) to purchase shares of the Company provided Riot holds 15% or more of the outstanding common shares of the Company.

    As a result of the agreement to nominate an additional director for election at the Special Meeting, the Special Meeting may be delayed, but in no event will it be held later than November 20, 2024. The Company will update its shareholders on the timing of the Special Meeting as soon as it can.

    Brian Howlett, Independent Chairman of the Board, said “The Bitfarms Board is committed to effectively overseeing the execution of the Company’s strategic plan as we work to position Bitfarms to capitalize on the opportunities ahead. Additionally, we recognize the importance of refreshment and having the right mix of skills, experience and diversity, and we are always open to adding qualified candidates with valuable insights and perspectives to strengthen our Board. We are pleased to reach this agreement with Riot, which we believe is in the best interests of all Bitfarms shareholders.”

    Mr. Howlett continued, “On behalf of the Board and the entire company, I thank Andrés for his invaluable contributions to Bitfarms over the last four years. He brought great insights to the boardroom with his extensive knowledge of the financial and crypto industry. We wish him well in his future endeavors. We look forward to leveraging Amy’s extensive experience advising public companies as the Board works together to enhance shareholder value.”

    Ben Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of Bitfarms, said, “We are pleased to reach this agreement with Riot and look forward to turning our full attention to executing our growth strategy. We remain focused on diversifying the business beyond Bitcoin mining into exciting and synergistic new areas like energy generation, energy trading, heat recycling and other high value revenue streams like HPC/AI.”

    Jason Les, Chief Executive Officer of Riot, said, “This agreement represents a significant step to advance shareholder value creation at our respective companies and we are pleased to have reached this constructive resolution with Bitfarms. As Bitfarms’ largest shareholder, we look forward to supporting a reconstituted Bitfarms Board and continued engagement with management.”

    A copy of the Agreement will be filed on Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and will be posted to the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    About Amy Freedman

    Amy is a corporate governance and public capital markets expert with over 25 years of experience. She is currently an advisor to Ewing Morris and Co. Investment Partners, an alternative asset manager with both equity and credit strategies. In her role, Amy spearheads the fund’s engagement investment opportunities. Previously, she was CEO of Kingsdale Advisors, a leading shareholder services and advisory firm specializing in strategic and defensive advisory, governance advisory, proxy and voting analytics and investor communications. Ms. Freedman has spent over 15 years in capital markets as an investment banker with global firms including Stifel Financial Corp. and Morgan Stanley.

    Ms. Freedman is currently a director on the boards of Mandalay Resources Corporation (TSX: MND, OTCQB: MNDJF), Irish Residential Properties REIT plc (ISE: IRES) and American Hotel Income Properties REIT (TSX: HOT.UN, HOT.U). She holds an MBA and a JD from the University of Toronto.

    About Bitfarms Ltd.

    Founded in 2017, Bitfarms is a global vertically integrated Bitcoin mining data center company that contributes its computational power to one or more mining pools from which it receives payment in Bitcoin. Bitfarms develops, owns, and operates vertically integrated mining facilities with in-house management and company-owned electrical engineering, installation service, and multiple onsite technical repair centers. The Company’s proprietary data analytics system delivers best-in-class operational performance and uptime.

    Bitfarms currently has 12 operating Bitcoin data centers and two under development situated in four countries: Canada, the United States, Paraguay, and Argentina. Powered predominantly by environmentally friendly hydro-electric and long-term power contracts, Bitfarms is committed to using sustainable and often underutilized energy infrastructure.

    To learn more about Bitfarms’ events, developments, and online communities:

    www.bitfarms.com
    https://www.facebook.com/bitfarms/
    https://twitter.com/Bitfarms_io
    https://www.instagram.com/bitfarms/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitfarms/

    About Riot Platforms, Inc.

    Riot’s (NASDAQ: RIOT) vision is to be the world’s leading Bitcoin-driven infrastructure platform. Our mission is to positively impact the sectors, networks and communities that we touch. We believe that the combination of an innovative spirit and strong community partnership allows Riot to achieve best-in-class execution and create successful outcomes.

    Riot, a Nevada corporation, is a Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company focused on a vertically integrated strategy. Riot has Bitcoin mining operations in central Texas and electrical switchgear engineering and fabrication operations in Denver, Colorado.

    For more information, visit www.riotplatforms.com.

    Cautionary Statement 

    Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, or any other securities exchange or regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release and are covered by safe harbors under Canadian and United States securities laws. The statements and information in this release regarding the strength and positive outcome of board of director renewal, the date of the Special Meeting, the merits and potential of the Company’s growth plan and diversification strategy, other growth opportunities and prospects, statements regarding future growth, plans and objectives of the Company and the maximization of shareholder value, are forward-looking information. Any statements that involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “prospects”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

    This forward-looking information is based on assumptions and estimates of management of the Company and Riot, as applicable, at the time they were made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, various risks relating to the operations and business of the Company, the future performance, liquidity and financial position of the Company and Riot, and uncertainties as to timing of the Special Meeting or the outcome. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to (i) the Company’s filings on www.sedarplus.ca (which are also available on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov), including the MD&A for the year-ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 7, 2024 and the MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 filed on August 8, 2024, and (ii) Riot’s filings with the SEC, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” of Riot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024, and the other filings Riot has made or will make with the SEC after such date, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Although the Company and Riot have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including factors that are currently unknown to or deemed immaterial by the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by law.

    Investor Relations Contacts:

    For Bitfarms:

    Bitfarms
    Tracy Krumme
    SVP, Head of IR & Corp. Comms.
    +1 786-671-5638
    tkrumme@bitfarms.com

    Innisfree M&A Incorporated
    Gabrielle Wolf / Scott Winter
    +1 212-750-5833

    Laurel Hill Advisory Group
    1-877-452-7184
    +1 416-304-0211
    assistance@laurelhill.com

    For Riot:

    Phil McPherson
    303-794-2000 ext. 110
    IR@Riot.Inc

    Media Contacts:

    For Bitfarms:

    U.S.: Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
    Dan Katcher or Joseph Sala
    +1 212-355-4449

    Québec: Tact
    Louis-Martin Leclerc
    +1 418-693-2425
    lmleclerc@tactconseil.ca

    For Riot:

    Longacre Square Partners
    Joe Germani / Dan Zacchei
    jgermani@longacresquare.com / dzacchei@longacresquare.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Stardust Power Welcomes Paramita Das as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Advisor to Chief Executive

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENWICH, Conn., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stardust Power Inc. (NASDAQ: SDST) (“Stardust Power” or the “Company”), an American developer of battery-grade lithium products, today announced that Paramita Das will join as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Advisor. She will directly advise the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Roshan Pujari.

    With a 20-plus year career of increasing leadership roles and responsibilities at some of the world’s largest metals and minerals companies, Ms. Das has agreed to serve as Stardust Power’s lead external adviser, supporting the Company’s next phase of commercialization and development.

    “We are ecstatic to be working with Paramita given her stature and global leadership experience in the metals and mining sector, as we continue to advance our battery-grade lithium refinery in Oklahoma,” said Roshan Pujari. “Paramita shares our vision of reshoring lithium processing and production to support U.S. energy independence. I look forward to working closely with her to ensure Stardust Power remains at the forefront of operational supply chain and sustainability practices.”

    Ms. Das has over 20 years of experience working with and serving on the boards of global companies, and brings deep expertise in leading teams of commercial, business development and technical professionals. Previously, she spent over 8 years at Rio Tinto, the world’s second largest metals and mining corporation, most recently serving as the Global Head of Marketing, Development and ESG, Metals and Minerals for various Rio Tinto Corporate listed entities. She also had lead roles in commercialization by transforming business segments into highly profitable divisions. Previously, she served as Chief Strategy Officer for Operating Consortium of Sumitomo Corporation, Itochu Corporation, UACJ Consortium and Head of Strategic Planning & Performance at BP’s business unit. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, and Coeur Mining, Inc.  

    “I am thrilled to join the exceptional team at Stardust Power as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Advisor,” said Ms. Das. “As an emerging growth company, Stardust Power offers a unique opportunity to establish a leading U.S. lithium refinery from the ground up. This role allows me to leverage my expertise in commodities and mining while addressing crucial aspects like electrification and supply chain security. I am eager to contribute to creating a robust ESG framework for how we communicate, operate, and report to stakeholders. I look forward to supporting Roshan and the entire Stardust Power team in this exciting and impactful mission.”

    About Stardust Power Inc.

    Stardust Power is a developer of battery-grade lithium products designed to supply the electric vehicle (EV) industry and bolster America’s energy leadership by building resilient supply chains. Stardust Power is developing a strategically central lithium refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma with the anticipated capacity of producing up to 50,000 metric tons per annum of battery-grade lithium. The company is committed to sustainability at each point in the process. Stardust Power trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “SDST.”

    For more information, visit www.stardust-power.com

    Stardust Power Contacts

    For Investors:
    Johanna Gonzalez 
    investor.relations@stardust-power.com

    For Media:
    Michael Thompson 
    media@stardust-power.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecasted,” “projected,” “potential,” “seem,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or otherwise indicate statements that are not of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the ability of Stardust Power to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of Stardust Power to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain key relationships and retain its management and key employees; risks related to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Stardust Power; risks related to the price of Stardust Power’s securities, including volatility resulting from changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Stardust Power plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Stardust Power’s business and changes in the combined capital structure; and risks related to the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

    Stockholders and prospective investors should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in documents filed by Stardust Power from time to time with the SEC.

    Stockholders and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date made, are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks, assumptions and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Stardust Power. Stardust Power expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations of Stardust Power with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/924a57ab-c2fd-470b-8f4a-3d5748996048

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: St Albans Feastival: thousands turn up for City Centre street party despite downpours

    Source: St Albans City and District

    Publication date:

    Thousands of people braved challenging weather to enjoy a six-hour-long street party that celebrated the District’s food and drink businesses.

    They refused to let occasional showers spoil the fun at the St Albans Feastival, a family-friendly event organised by St Albans City and District Council with the support of partners.

    St Peter’s Street was closed to traffic for the event on Sunday 22 September which was kicked off by the Mayor, Councillor Jamie Day, with the help of Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jenni Murray, and the Rev Mark Dearnley of St Peter’s Church

    Among the many attractions were around 100 market stalls offering an astonishing variety of food and drink products from local businesses.

    There was also a live cookery theatre, sponsored by SA Law, featuring displays of culinary skills by local chefs.

    Live music was provided on a stage, sponsored by St Albans City Centre BID. There were many free interactive activities including edible flower growing, traditional wooden games, crazy golf and a football shoot-out.

    To make the event accessible, British Sign Language interpreters were at the cookery stage and other locations to help communicate activities. There were accessible viewing zones, reserved seating for those less able to stand and accessible toilets. 

    Chris Traill, the Council’s Strategic Director for Community and Place Delivery, said:

    Congratulations to all those who were not put off by the weather and turned up in their thousands. I’m sure they will agree that it was worth it.

    The rain, which unfortunately was torrential at one point, didn’t dampen their spirits and the crowds created the Feastival’s usual thrilling atmosphere.

    Our events team anticipated the conditions and had arranged for many of the activities to be sheltered by gazebos.

    As a Council, we are committed to making events accessible to all and measures were taken to ensure that was very much the case.

    The District’s hospitality businesses are vital to the local economy and it was heartening to see so many people out there sampling many of their products.

    Vivien Cannon, BID Manager, said:

    Rain didn’t stop play. Well done to all the stall holders and event delivery team ensuring visitors were welcomed to yet another successful Feastival event.

    Marilyn Bell, Partner and Head of Family at SA Law, said:

    The St Albans Food and Drink Festival is a highlight for the SA Law team every year.

    Despite the unfortunate downpour yesterday, the event was well organised, well-attended, and a delight to be a part of. It was great to see a wide range of food being offered, activities for all ages, as well as a great turnout at the Cookery Theatre where local chefs gave live demonstrations of their excellent recipes. 

    We are proud to support the Council and the wonderful community events they put on.

    The event is part funded by the Government’s UK Prosperity Fund which awarded the District’s community events team £210,000 over three years.

    Photos: scenes from the 2024 St Albans Feastival by Stephanie Belton including, first below, Cllr Jamie Day, Mayor of St Albans City and District, centre, with Cllr Jenni Murray, Deputy Mayor, and the Rev Mark Dearnley.

    Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.

    Note to Editors: 

    The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

    .

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Xunlei Announces Appointment of Two New Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xunlei Limited (“Xunlei” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: XNET), a leading technology company providing distributed cloud services in China, today announced that the board of directors of the Company has appointed Mr. Hui Duan and Mr. Xiaosong Li as members of the board of directors of the Company, effective today.

    Mr. Hui Duan had served as a director of Xunlei from April 2020 to September 2023. He currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer of Beijing Itui Technology Co., Ltd. Prior to that, Mr. Duan founded his own company that provided SaaS tools and services from October 2015 to 2017. From April 2008 to April 2015, Mr. Duan served various management positions at Xunlei including vice president and the chief executive officer of a major subsidiary of Xunlei. Mr. Duan received his EMBA degree from China Europe International Business School in 2015, and bachelor’s degree in computer science from Peking University in 2001.

    Mr. Xiaosong Li has been serving as the Vice President of AGI Business at Xunlei since December 2023. From March 2018 to November 2023, he held the position of technology partner at Beijing Itui Technology Co., Ltd., where he was responsible for leading research and development in the field of artificial intelligence. From March 2008 to March 2018, he gained valuable experience working at Baidu Search Ads (Phoenix Nest), where he progressively advanced his career and ultimately served as the Chief Architect. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in software engineering from Northwestern Polytechnical University in 2005 and a master’s degree in computer system architecture from Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2008.

    Mr. Jinbo Li, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xunlei, stated, “On behalf of the board of directors, I extend our warmest welcome to Hui Duan and Xiaosong Li for joining the Board. We look forward to working closely with them, leveraging their industry expertise and exceptional management experiences, to create value for our shareholders in the future.”

    About Xunlei

    Founded in 2003, Xunlei Limited (Nasdaq: XNET) is a leading technology company providing distributed cloud services in China. Xunlei provides a wide range of products and services across cloud acceleration, shared cloud computing and digital entertainment to deliver an efficient, smart and safe internet experience.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the management’s quotes in this press release, as well as the Company’s strategic, operational and acquisition plans, contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the Company’s ability to continue to innovate and provide attractive products and services to retain and grow its user base; the Company’s ability to keep up with technological developments and users’ changing demands in the internet industry; the Company’s ability to convert its users into subscribers of its premium services; the Company’s ability to deal with existing and potential copyright infringement claims and other related claims; the Company’s ability to react to the governmental actions for its scrutiny of internet content in China and the Company’s ability to compete effectively. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties faced by the Company is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of the press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law.

    Investor Relations
    Xunlei Limited
    Email: ir@xunlei.com 
    Tel: +86 755 6111 1571
    Website: http://ir.xunlei.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Our digital 3D models of huge coral reefs could help revive these precious ecosystems

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tim Lamont, Research Fellow, Marine Biology, Lancaster University

    As a team of marine biologists, assessing the health of thousands of square metres of coral reef can be a daunting prospect. Often, we have to monitor some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, and there’s a strict time limit due to the safety regulations associated with Scuba diving.

    Accurately measuring and classifying even small areas of reefs can involve spending many hours underwater. And with millions of reefs around the world that need monitoring in the face of looming threats to their existence, speed is critical.

    But now, a digital revolution for coral reef monitoring could be underway, enabled by recent advances in low-cost camera and computing technology. Our new study shows how creating 3D computer models of entire reefs – sometimes known as digital twins – can help us monitor these precious ecosystems faster, more accurately and in greater detail than ever before.

    We worked at 17 study sites in central Indonesia – some reefs were degraded, others were healthy or restored. We followed the same protocol at rectangular areas measuring 1000m² in each location, using a technique called “photogrammetry” to create 3D models of each reef habitat.

    One of us Scuba dived and swam 2m above the coral back and forth in a “lawnmower” pattern across every square metre of this reef, while carrying two underwater cameras programmed to take photos of the seabed twice per second. Within just half an hour, we’d taken 10,000 high-resolution, overlapping pictures that covered the entire area.

    Later, we booted up a high-performance computer, and with the help of specialist experts from an underwater science tech company called Tritonia Scientific, we processed these images into accurate 3D representations for each of the 17 sites. The resulting models surpass traditional monitoring methods in speed, cost and the ability to consistently reproduce accurate measurements.

    Our research paper applies this technique to assess the success of the world’s largest coral restoration project. Mars Coral Reef Restoration Project is located at Bontosua Island on the Spermonde Archipelago in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

    Our findings show that, when well-managed, coral restoration efforts can bring back many elements, including the complexity of reef structure across large areas. By comparing the 3D models, we can see how complex the surface structure of the coral reef looks and measure its details at different scales – these aspects would be far too tricky for divers to accurately measure underwater.

    3D model video visualisation of a 50m×20m reef restoration area.

    In an earlier 2024 study, our team applied photogrammetry to measure coral growth rates at the level of individual colonies. By capturing detailed 3D models before and after a year of growth, we revealed that restored reefs can achieve growth rates comparable to healthy natural ecosystems.

    This finding is particularly significant, as it highlights the potential for restored reefs to recover and function similarly to untouched reef environments.



    Read more:
    Restored coral reefs can grow as fast as healthy reefs after just four years – new study

    Beyond coral reefs

    Photogrammetry is becoming a widely adopted tool across various fields, both on land and in the ocean. Beyond coral reefs, it is used to monitor forests with drones, develop detailed architectural and urban planning models, and monitor soil erosion and landscape changes.

    In marine environments, photogrammetry is a powerful tool for monitoring and measuring environmental changes such as variations in coral cover, shifts in species diversity and alterations in reef structure. It has also been used to develop cost-effective methods for measuring coral reef rugosity (the bumpiness or texture of the reef’s surface).

    Greater rugosity generally indicates more complex habitats, which can support a wider variety of marine life and reflect healthier reef systems. Additionally, it measures the complexity of different shapes and structures within the reef. These methods provide crucial baselines that help scientists like us track changes over time and design effective conservation strategies.

    Although this method is cheaper and quicker than traditional fieldwork, there are still significant financial barriers. The necessary equipment and software can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the specific equipment and software used, and mastering these techniques takes time. It may be some time before these methods become standard for most field biologists.

    Beyond coral reef monitoring, photogrammetry is increasingly being used in virtual reality and augmented reality development, enabling the creation of immersive, lifelike environments for education, entertainment and research. For example, The US agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s coral reef virtual reality offers an engaging way to explore coral reefs through virtual reality.

    In the future, photogrammetry could revolutionise environmental monitoring by offering faster, more accurate baselines and assessments of ecosystem changes such as coral bleaching and shifts in biodiversity. Advances in machine learning and cloud computing are expected to further automate and enhance photogrammetry, increasing its accessibility and scalability, and establishing its role as an essential tool in conservation science.


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

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 35,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Tim Lamont receives funding from the Royal Commission of the Exhibition of 1851, the Natural Environment Research Council and the Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

    Rindah Talitha Vida receives funding from Friends of Lancaster University in America through the Global Impact Small Grants and research studentship funding from Sheba Hope Advocate Program.

    Tries Blandine Razak 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. Our digital 3D models of huge coral reefs could help revive these precious ecosystems – https://theconversation.com/our-digital-3d-models-of-huge-coral-reefs-could-help-revive-these-precious-ecosystems-237711

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: We’re in a golden age for body horror films – as Demi Moore’s The Substance proves

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Xavier Aldana Reyes, Reader in English Literature and Film, Manchester Metropolitan University

    In the 1980s, film scholar Barbara Creed coined the term the “monstrous-feminine”. It refers to the way that female monsters are typically portrayed as threatening and disgusting for reasons connected to their bodies and their sexuality. New film The Substance takes a leaf out of Creed’s book by proposing a feminist critique of female experience through the visceral language of the body horror, a sub-genre preoccupied with the transformation, destruction or grotesque exaggeration of the human body.

    The Substance is a film about a fading Hollywood star who will go to any lengths to stay beautiful. After having her TV aerobics show cancelled, Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) resorts to a mysterious serum that can create a “better” version of her – a younger double she can inhabit a few days at a time.

    As the pull of success and the return of public recognition lure Sparkle away from her older, now abandoned self, horrendous mutations ensue. It seems poignant that the protagonist of this dark parable should be played by Moore, an actor whose looks have long been scrutinised.

    In the October issue of Sight and Sound, the film’s director, Coralie Fargeat, explains that it’s not intended as a caricature, but “a mirror of society’s misogynistic mentality”. It really is “that gross … that violent in the real world,” she argues.

    Many agree with her. In a review for Film International, film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas goes as far as to call The Substance a “documentary”, due to its “emotional fidelity”. That is, its ability to make literal the disconnection between body and consciousness caused by ageing, which impacts women particularly negatively.

    The trailer for The Substance.

    A growing body of films

    The Substance is not the only major film in 2024 to be marketed, either fully or in part, as “body horror”. This is surprising because body horror originally emerged as a niche, often independently produced, sub-genre.

    Body horror’s gruesome aesthetic and themes of corporeal decay, transformation and mutilation can be off-putting for many viewers. Yet films like Love Lies Bleeding, Tiger Stripes and I Saw the TV Glow (which all had wide releases in 2024) have turned to the sub-genre. Their directors have been drawn to its ability to tell timely stories about the way corporeality, identity and social interactions cannot be separated.

    These films are largely about marginalised or maladjusted people. They show how our personal actions and sense of identity are always affected by the availability of role models and the limitations imposed on people by governmental, educational, religious and familial forces. For example, the teenage protagonist in Tiger Stripes rebels against the expectations that, because she is a girl, she should cover her hair, show modesty and be courteous.

    From Poor Things and Infinity Pool (both 2023) to Hatching (2022) and Titane (2021), the 2020s are shaping up into something of a new golden age for body horror.

    Novelist A.K. Blakemore has written of the rise of “femcore” – a literary trend of “ultraviolent body-horror”. Eliza Clark’s Boy Parts (2020), Alison Rumfitt’s Brainwyrms (2023), Monika Kim’s The Eyes Are the Best Part (2024) and the anthology Of the Flesh (2024) are included under this label.

    And there’s a similar trend emerging in streaming shows, from the episode The Outside from Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities (2022) to Alice Birch’s remake of David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers (2023).

    A sub-genre with substance

    One of the key things that characterises this contemporary wave of body horror is the influx of directors who identify as women and as queer.

    There were far fewer women and queer directors in the late 1970s and 1980s, when body horror gained popularity thanks to films like The Evil Dead (1981), The Fly (1986) and Hellraiser (1987), than there are now. This decade has made big moves towards inclusion, and the film industry has been greatly impacted by social movements like Me Too, Trans Lives Matter and Black Lives Matter, even if much work is yet to be done.

    Body horror is particularly appealing to creators who would have previously found it difficult to make a living in the world of commercial filmmaking. Filmmakers (including Rose Glass, Amanda Nell Eu, Jane Schoenbrun, Hanna Bergholm, Julia Ducournau, Michelle Garza Cervera, Natalie Erika James, Alice Maio Mackay, Nia DaCosta and Coralie Fargeat) have found a valuable lexicon for feminist, trans-activist and anti-racist messages in the sub-genre. Many of them talk about their work as highly personal – if not based on their direct experience.

    The body horror sub-genre is attuned to the violence of social exclusion and discrimination. Its metamorphic, painful, insidious and carnal nightmares help articulate the concerns of a new generation of artists for whom corporeality, and sometimes simply being visible, has become a political statement.

    David Cronenberg closed his classic body horror film Videodrome (1983) with the emblematic line: “Long live the new flesh!” He needn’t have worried. It’s here to stay.


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

    Xavier Aldana Reyes 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. We’re in a golden age for body horror films – as Demi Moore’s The Substance proves – https://theconversation.com/were-in-a-golden-age-for-body-horror-films-as-demi-moores-the-substance-proves-239229

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Wearable Devices Announces First Half 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    YOKNE’AM ILLIT, Israel, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wearable Devices Ltd.  (the “Company” or “Wearable Devices”) (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW), a technology growth company specializing in artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered touchless sensing wearables, today announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

    First Half 2024 Financial Results and Recent Company Highlights:

    • Recognized initial revenue from the sale of business-to-consumer (B2C) focused Mudra Band for Apple Watch and business-to-business (B2B) collaborations, totaling $394 thousand.

    Mudra Band:

    • Enhanced product proposition for flagship product: We have introduced two major new features for our Mudra Band: touchless gesture control for Apple Watch, allowing users to manage tasks hands-free, and integration with ChatGPT, enabling users to interact with AI directly via predefined gestures and voice commands on their Apple Watch. These innovations enhance convenience, accessibility, and AI-powered functionality for on-the-go multitasking.
    • Announced new innovative and disruptive product- the Mudra Link: Currently receiving preorders for Mudra Link, the first AI neural interface wristband for Android and beyond, providing advanced neural input technology for Android users. Official launch expected in the first quarter of 2025.
    • Expanded market potential with range of new supported devices: Now supports the Apple Vision Pro, in addition to other Apple devices including Mac, iPad, Apple TV and iPhone, allowing Apple users to extend their gesture control experience.

    Global B2B collaborations:

    • Signed an agreement with Qualcomm Technologies (“Qualcomm”) to collaborate in elevating extended reality (“XR”) experiences with Mudra neural technology and successfully completed the first phase of integration of Mudra technology with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Spaces XR developer platform.
    • Fortune 500 consumer electronics corporation has purchased a special license for a state-of-the-art Mudra Development Kit (“MDK”) to evaluate certain deep-level capabilities of the MDK for developing next-generation user interfaces.
    • Announced successful demonstrations of the Mudra technology on Lenovo’s ThinkReality XR headset, at the Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2024.
    • Signed reseller agreement to enhance licensing program presence in South Korea and China.
    • Strengthened presence in the defense sector and delivered custom touchless technology to global defense company as part of an ongoing collaboration.

    In the first half of 2024, Wearable Devices continued recognizing revenue from the sale of Mudra Band for Apple Watch, the Company’s flagship B2C product, which began shipping towards the end of 2023. Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $394 thousand, increasing from approximately $12 thousand compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023. Net loss increased to $4.2 million, or $(0.21) per basic and diluted share, in the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to net loss of $3.9 million, or $(0.26) per basic and diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily related to an increase in the Company’s operating expenses associated with its continued efforts to scale its business activity.

    Asher Dahan, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Wearable Devices, commented, “In the first half of 2024, we increased the delivery of our flagship B2C product, the Mudra Band for Apple Watch. After an extended preorder period during which the Mudra Band generated strong customer interest, we began shipping the product towards the end of 2023 and are pleased to have reached this important milestone.

    Subsequent to the close of the first half of 2024, we announced the launch of our new Mudra Link wristband, bringing our state-of-the-art neural input Mudra technology to a broader range of operating system platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. This has been a major initiative for our business, and the logical next step in our growth trajectory. With preorders now open and an official launch planned for the first half of 2025, we expect the Mudra Link to significantly expand our addressable market as we tap into the large and expanding population of Android, Windows, and macOS users.

    We continue to invest in our business, as reflected in the modest increases in research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses in the period. We’re still in the early stages of growth in the broader wearables industry, and Wearable Devices is well positioned to be a leader in the space given our patented AI-based neural input interface technology.”

    About Wearable Devices Ltd.

    Wearable Devices Ltd. is a growth company developing AI-based neural input interface technology for the B2C and B2B markets. The Company’s flagship product, the Mudra Band for Apple Watch, integrates innovative AI-based technology and algorithms into a functional, stylish wristband that utilizes proprietary sensors to identify subtle finger and wrist movements allowing the user to “touchlessly” interact with connected devices. The Company also markets a B2B product, which utilizes the same technology and functions as the Mudra Band and is available to businesses on a licensing basis. Wearable Devices Is committed to creating disruptive, industry leading technology that leverages AI and proprietary algorithms, software, and hardware to set the input standard for the Extended Reality, one of the most rapidly expanding landscapes in the tech industry. The Company’s ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq market under the symbols “WLDS” and “WLDSW”, respectively.

    Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss our growth trajectory; the launch of the Mudra Link and its benefits and advantages, including significant potential increase in the Company’s total available market; future investment in our business; and our position as a leader in the space of wearable devices. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the trading of our ordinary shares or warrants and the development of a liquid trading market; our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 15, 2024 and our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    IMS Investor Relations
    203.972.9200
    wearabledevices@imsinvestorrelations.com

         
    INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)    
    U.S. dollars (in thousands)          
               
        June 30,   December 31,  
        2024   2023  
    ASSETS          
               
    CURRENT ASSETS:          
               
    Cash and cash equivalents   3,103   810  
    Short-term bank deposits   57   4,045  
    Account receivable   47   –  
    Governmental grant receivable   7   108  
    Other receivables and prepaid expenses   306   757  
    Inventories   1,218   1,032  
               
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS   4,738   6,752  
               
    NON-CURRENT ASSETS:          
               
    Long-term bank deposits   –   54  
    Right-of-use assets   458   592  
    Property and equipment, net   176   194  
               
    TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS   634   840  
               
    TOTAL ASSETS   5,372   7,592  
               
               
    INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)          
    U.S. dollars (in thousands)          
               
        June 30,   December 31,  
        2024   2023  
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
               
    CURRENT LIABILITIES:          
    Accounts payables   175   410  
    Advance payments   101   312  
    Accrued payroll and other employment related accruals   641   579  
    Convertible promissory note   1,934   –  
    Accrued expenses   386   190  
    Lease liabilities   296   297  
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES   3,533   1,788  
    Lease liabilities   144   278  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES   3,677   2,066  
               
    SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
    Ordinary shares, NIS 0.01 par value:   58   57  
    Authorized 50,000,000 as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; issued and outstanding 20,887,428 shares as of June 30, 2024 and 20,387,428 shares as of December 31, 2023  
    Additional paid-in capital   27,070   26,692  
    Accumulated losses   (25,433)   (21,223)  
               
    TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   1,695   5,526  
               
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   5,372   7,592  
               
    INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED)          
    U.S. dollars (in thousands)          
               
        Six months ended
    June 30,
    2024
    		     Six months
    ended
    June 30,
    2023 
               
         U.S. dollars
    in thousands
        (except per share amounts)
               
    Revenues   394     12
    Expenses:          
    Cost of revenues   (315)     (3)
    Research and development, net   (1,616)     (1,560)
    Sales and marketing expenses   (1,083)     (1,050)
    General and administrative expenses   (1,601)     (1,453)
    OPERATING LOSS   (4,221)     (4,054)
    FINANCING INCOME, NET   11     158
               
    NET LOSS AND TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS   (4,210)     (3,896)
               
    Net loss per ordinary share, basic and diluted   (0.21)     (0.26)
               
    Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding basic and diluted   20,392,984     15,254,457
               
                 
    INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
    U.S. dollars (in thousands)    		            
                   
        Six months ended  
    June 30,
        2024     2023  
    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:            
    Net loss   (4,210)     (3,896)  
                 
    Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities              
                 
    Depreciation   54     23  
    Accrued interest on deposits   39     *(19)  
    Interest expenses on convertible promissory note   14     –  
    Share based compensation expenses   112     109  
    Unrealized gain from foreign currency derivative activities   61     –  
                 
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities items:            
    Increase in inventory   (186)     (6)  
    Increase in accounts receivables   (47)     –  
    Decrease (increase) in governmental grants receivables   101     (29)  
    Decrease (increase) in other receivables and prepaid expenses   380     (95)  
    (Decrease) increase in advance payments   (211)     20  
    Decrease in deferred revenues   –     (12)  
    Decrease in accounts payable   (236)     (44)  
    Increase in accrued payroll and other employment related accruals   62     163  
    Increase in accrued expenses   206     48  
    Net cash used in operating activities   (3,861)     (3,738)  
                 
    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:            
    Purchase of property and equipment   (36)     (93)  
    Proceeds (investments) associated with deposits, net   4,003     *(2,036)  
    Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   3,967     (2,129)  
                 
    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:            
    Proceeds from issuance of convertible promissory note   1,920     –  
    Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares as a result of exercise of warrants   –     1,448  
    Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares associated with the SEPA   267        
    Net cash provided by financing activities   2,187     1,448  
                 
    NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   2,293     (4,419)  
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD   810     10,373  
    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD   3,103     5,954  
         
    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:    
    Interest received from deposits 110       159  
    Right-of-use asset recognized against lease liability –       446  
                   
                   
    *Reclassified              

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Here we go, from Coleraine to Sandy Row – TUV hail fundraising efforts for the Cancer Fund for Children by Coleraine and Belfast Rangers Supporters Clubs

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    TUV Vice Chairman and East Londonderry representative, Councillor Allister Kyle said:

    “I am very proud to be associated with the phenomenal efforts of both Glasgow Rangers Supporters clubs who managed to raise £50,000 for the Cancer Fund for Children through the Emmie Smillie Foundation

    “The comradeship of the two clubs shows how great goals can be achieved when likeminded people come together. The money was primarily raised by a sponsored cycle from Coleraine to Belfast which was watched by Rangers fans on the popular channel GersTV

    “The money will go to good use at Daisy Lodge, Newcastle, County Down, where there purpose-built therapeutic centre is located. Under the careful stewardship of Cancer Fund for Children families can avail of support from right across the island of Ireland who are affected by cancer.

    “The completely self-funded unit is dependent on donations. It is set up to allow families to spend quality time together in a safe and supportive environment, far removed from the pressures of cancer treatment and hospital wards. It also offers both privacy and the opportunity to meet and gain support from other families.

    “I welcome talk of future fundraising for this and other very worthwhile causes and certainly look forward to getting more involved. Too many times our heritage, culture and social life is demonised by many, and the good news stories are pushed to the side, but here we have people rising to the fore just as the founding fathers of our football club did for in a selfless way for the betterment of others.”

    KOB RSC, South Belfast chairman Sam Chestnutt said:

    “Raising this money for such a worthy cause has been a real privilege for us and our visit to Daisy Lodge was such a humbling experience that many of us will not easily forget. Our 67 mile cycle was tough, but it was nothing in comparison to what those affected by cancer experience and we are just glad that we could contribute to the efforts of Cancer Fund for Children in this way.

    “Both clubs worked hard and put a lot of time and energy into raising £50,000 but we couldn’t have done it without the support and encouragement of our local communities, friends both here in NI and further afield and everyone else who contributed in any way.

    “We look forward to future fundraising opportunities and are committed to doing our bit to assist those in need.”

    Coleraine True Blues Chairman John Gamble said:

    “We’re absolutely delighted to hit the milestone of £50,000. At the start of the project we didn’t think we would be as successful. I am really proud of the effort put in by my club and our friends in the city, and it means so much more to us now when we’ve seen the amazing work that goes on in Daisy Lodge and how our fundraising will be put to good use.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 6 Things to Know About Taking Climate Action

    Source: Samsung

    Real talk – every one of us can make choices to tackle climate change and take better care of the environment. Whether it’s by reducing energy consumption or opting for eco-conscious products, small changes can add up to make a big difference. As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, Samsung is helping you make those choices easier with innovative technology designed to minimize your environmental impact.
    In this edition of our “Things to Know” series, we’re unveiling six essential tips to live more sustainably using Samsung technology—perfectly timed for Climate Week NYC. Let’s dive in:
    1. Use SmartThings Energy to Monitor & Reduce Consumption
    Ever wonder which appliance is using the most energy? SmartThings Energy in the SmartThings app will easily help you figure it out, so you can start trimming down your home’s carbon footprint (and your energy bill!). Plus, the app’s energy-saving tips and automated features make it an absolute breeze to take action and stay efficient—no guesswork required.
    Specifically, our AI Energy Mode power-saving feature can help you reduce energy consumption through real-time monitoring and AI-based energy-saving adjustments. For example, SmartThings Energy can notify you if your refrigerator door is left open, saving both energy and money. And if you’re in New York or California, you can even earn rewards for energy efficiency with SmartThings Flex Connect.
    2. Switch to ENERGY STAR Certified Appliances
    Samsung offers more ENERGY STAR® appliances than ever before, with 50% of eligible products1 earning the certification as of late 2024. Curious how much you could save? Switching to ENERGY STAR appliances could knock up to $450 off your energy bills each year! And here’s a fun fact: if every household in the U.S. used ENERGY STAR certified electric cooktops, we could prevent nearly 1.75 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually. How’s that for a win-win?
    In fact, Samsung is the first and only brand to earn SHEMS certification (Smart Home Energy Management Systems) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR program. If you’re looking to minimize your carbon footprint and maximize your savings, head to Samsung.com for deals on some of our latest eco-innovations, including:
    Get a minimum $300 trade-in credit on any good condition smartphone when you buy a qualifying Certified Re-Newed device.2

    3. Cook Smarter with Induction Technology
    In case you missed it, the Inflation Reduction Act made history in 2022 as the biggest investment in climate and energy ever in the U.S., and Samsung is all in! Our Smart Induction Cooktop even snagged the title of the first in the industry to win the EPA Emerging Technology Award in 2021—because it’s not just about cooking; it’s about cutting energy use and lowering emissions, too.
    Fast forward to today, Samsung is proud to offer 11 induction cooking products, all ENERGY STAR certified. Plus, rebates through the Inflation Reduction Act can make upgrading to energy-efficient cooking appliances more affordable if available in your state.
    Not sure about induction cooking? Swing by Samsung 837 in the Meatpacking District on September 24 for a live demo by Chef Christian Petroni and a discussion moderated by Jaeki Cho with Chefs Esther Choi, Priyanka Naik and Eric Adjepong about the benefits of induction cooking. RSVP here.
    4. Trade-In & Trade Up for Sustainability
    More circularity, less waste, and a serious glow-up? Yes, please! Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program breathes new life into used smartphones for a more circular economy. Each device gets a brand-new battery, goes through a rigorous 147-point Quality Inspection to ensure like-new standards and is backed by a 1-year warranty. Plus, all parts are 100% genuine Samsung to keep things running smoothly.
    You can also trade in smartphones, wearables, tablets, buds, TVs, and even some non-Samsung devices and score exclusive promos on newer models. It’s the perfect way to ditch your old tech without adding to the waste pile, all while staying ahead of the curve with the latest gear!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Inside the collapse of Disney’s America, the US history-themed park that almost was

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jared Bahir Browsh, Assistant Teaching Professor of Critical Sports Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

    Disney has long promoted a sanitized and nostalgic view of American history. Bettmann/Getty Images

    As a top producer of children’s entertainment, Disney is no stranger to America’s culture wars.

    Liberals have long criticized the company for its products’ promotion of gender stereotypes and racist tropes. Meanwhile, conservatives have excoriated the company for being “too woke,” whether it was casting actresses of color in live action remakes of the “The Little Mermaid” and “Snow White” or coming out against a Florida statute that curtails discussion of gender and sexuality in public schools.

    As Disney CEO Bob Iger grapples with the unenviable task of navigating criticism from all sides, I can’t help but recall how executives decided to table an effort to “Disneyfy” American history 30 years ago.

    My research and teaching investigates how media companies such as Disney construct historical narratives for popular consumption. I can only imagine how today’s culture wars would have expressed themselves at Disney’s proposed theme park, which would have featured everything from Civil War forts to Native American villages.

    Disney eyes the outskirts of DC

    From his early days as an animator, Walt Disney presented a sanitized and nostalgic view of America.

    Mickey Mouse represented the “everyman,” while the company’s animators drew a largely optimistic portrait of America, first in the studio’s animated films and later in their theme parks. Anyone who has walked down Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A., witnessed Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents or visited Epcot’s American Adventure can see how Disney strives to present an uncomplicated, uncritical view of the nation and its leaders.

    In 1984, Michael Eisner became the company’s CEO. He was credited with revitalizing Disney’s brand through producing hit animated features such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid,” and spearheading theme parks such as Disney–MGM Studios – now known as Hollywood Studios – and Disneyland Paris.

    Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, seated on the left, appears with former President Ronald Reagan at a Disney World parade in 1990.
    Mike Guastella/WireImage via Getty Images

    A visit to Colonial Williamsburg inspired Eisner’s next venture: a theme park based on U.S. history that would be built outside of Washington, D.C.

    Beginning in 1993, the company quietly started purchasing real estate in northern Virginia using shell companies. The land acquisitions became public knowledge only a few days before the announcement of the theme park, aptly named Disney’s America.

    The news was largely welcomed by politicians. Eisner had already gained the support of the state’s outgoing and incoming governors, along with the Virginia Commission on Population Growth and Development. The plan was to build the park in Haymarket, Virginia, a small, wealthy area southwest of Washington, D.C., a few miles from Manassas, the site of two major Civil War battles.

    History isn’t so simple

    Although Disney had diligently worked to consolidate support ahead of the announcement, signs of conflict emerged during the first press conference, which featured Bob Weis, a Disney vice president who had helped oversee the planning of several theme parks.

    “This is not a Pollyanna view of America,” he told the group of assembled reporters. “We want to make you a Civil War soldier. We want to make you feel what it was like to be a slave or what it was like to escape through the underground railroad.”

    Questions over how Disney would tell the complex – often discriminatory – history of the nation spurred a group of historians, led by David McCullough, to lodge their concerns: How would Disney construct its narrative of the United States? And how would the park affect Manassas, one of the most important Civil War battle sites?

    The proposed theme park was to be located just a few miles from Manassas National Battlefield Park.
    Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

    According to the original plans and brochures, Disney’s America would contain nine sections: a Colonial-era Presidents Square, an Indigenous village, Ellis Island, a factory town from the Industrial Revolution, a Civil War fort, a county fair, an early 19th-century port, a World War II-era battlefield and a Depression-era family farm.

    On the surface, these themed areas seemed fitting. You could easily see them as exhibits at the Smithsonian. But issues emerged when people took into account that this was still a Disney theme park, with entertaining guests and making money likely taking precedence over historical accuracy and contemporary sensitivities and sensibilities.

    The story of immigration, for example, would have been told through the musical-comedy stylings of Kermit the Frog and the other Muppets.

    There were also concerns over how Disney would handle the exploitative and violent history of the treatment of a number of groups.

    This included the enslavement of Africans and the genocide of Indigenous populations, the latter of which was also connected to the forthcoming 1995 release of “Pocahontas.” Historians later highlighted the film’s distorted history, and it isn’t far-fetched to imagine rides or attractions based on those misrepresentations at Disney’s America.

    Mickey Mouse goes to Washington

    Even as plans came together for Disney, criticism began to mount.

    Disney issued an ultimatum to the Virginia legislature to improve infrastructure surrounding the site, threatening to abandon the project if the US$150 million for infrastructure improvements were not passed on the last day of the Virginia General Assembly’s legislative session in March 1994.

    In June, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution opposing the park, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing regarding the proposed project’s environmental impact.

    The proposed logo for Disney’s America.
    Wikimedia Commons

    The now-infamous hearing featured discussions regarding sewage, traffic and lodging, and even saw U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, who at the time was a registered Democrat, place a Mickey Mouse hat on the lectern in a show of support.

    As criticism mounted, Disney decided to shift its approach. In the summer of 1994, it renamed the project Disney’s American Celebration.

    Rather than highlight periods or events in American history, the new concept would focus more on themes: Democracy, Work, Family, Generations, Streets of America and the Land.

    Many of the attractions featured in these lands would have resembled attractions already in Disney parks. For example, Generations would have been similar to the Magic Kingdom’s Carousel of Progress, while the Land was already a pavilion at Epcot.

    This would have also opened more opportunities for sponsorship. The Work section of the park would have included virtual factory tours of popular brands such as Apple or Crayola, while Streets of America would have featured cuisine from around the country, similar to Downtown Disney, which opened in 1997 in Disney World and in 2001 at Disneyland.

    It all falls apart

    Disney abruptly announced on Sept. 28, 1994, that it would abandon these plans.

    Although the criticism from historians was a factor, there were also concerns about the park’s profitability in colder months. The company faced mounting debt from its Paris theme park and uncertain leadership after the death of senior executive Frank Wells in a helicopter crash in April 1994. Eisner, meanwhile, had undergone bypass surgery in July 1994.

    Many of the attractions that were planned for the Virginia site found their way into Disney parks, particularly in Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim.

    Disney, both under Walt’s leadership and after his death, has long leveraged patriotism for the sake of its media content and park experiences. From Mickey Mouse to the Hall of Presidents, Disney’s nostalgic, linear and uncomplicated view of American progress has been foundational to the Disney experience.

    However, an entire park dedicated to this approach – just down the road from a real battlefield integral to the bloodiest war in U.S. history – was too much for historians and other critics to ignore.

    Disney’s failure to profit from an uncritical celebration of America may have been a blessing in disguise, as it avoided constructing yet another battlefield in the culture wars.

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

    – ref. Inside the collapse of Disney’s America, the US history-themed park that almost was – https://theconversation.com/inside-the-collapse-of-disneys-america-the-us-history-themed-park-that-almost-was-236931

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Help for those worried about losing winter fuel payments

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    In the last 12 months, the council has already focused on increasing the uptake of any benefits residents might be entitled to, but which they are missing out on, in particular pension credit.

    This is now even more relevant with the government having identified that as many as 880,000 pensioner households are missing out on pension credit with the average underclaim understood to be worth £3,600 per year.

    Leader of the council, Councillor Stephen Simkins said the council was doing all it could to assist eligible residents to apply.

    He said: ‘We’re ahead of the game on this and have already been working on helping people apply for any benefits they might be missing out on since August last year.

    ‘We will do all we can to help people, as we have throughout the cost of living crisis, and we will not leave anyone behind.

    ‘We identified 900 pensioners who are eligible, but not claiming pension credit at the start of this project and to date 770 completed forms have been received, representing 754 households.

    ‘I’m happy to say the success rate of claims for those identified as eligible following an assessment is 90% and 324 households are now in receipt of pension credit and other associated benefits including Attendance Allowance and Housing Benefit because of our campaign.

    ‘The average increase in income per household is £175 per week, with the total benefit gain to those 324 households being £44,321 with lump sum back payments totalling £139,439 and an annual benefit gain of £1.5 million.

    ‘So, it’s well worth checking if you’re eligible and applying and we are here to help with a dedicated team. So don’t delay contact us today.’

    The council has made accessing support as easy as possible, by providing a range of options for people who are missing out on this benefit to get in touch through a range of channels. Our website has been updated and there is a dedicated message on the customer service helpline to direct queries specifically about pension credit.

    Members of the public can make contact by phone, email or in person at customer access points.

    Funded by the government’s Household Support Fund, the council has 2 officers within the Welfare Rights Service dedicated to raising awareness of unclaimed benefits and supporting people to make relevant benefit claims.

    And following the announcement about the withdrawal of Winter Fuel Payments, the council is increasing capacity by employing an additional full time officer to scale up the activity around missing benefits.

    So here are the key details people need to know about eligibility and applying:

    • If you are over State Pension Age and have a low income you could be eligible for pension credit and receive the winter fuel payment, even if you own your home or have savings.
    • You need to apply without delay, request a backdate of any potential award when you apply (as it will not be done automatically) and demonstrate you were entitled to it during the period of the qualifying week, which was last week 16 to 22 September, 2024. 
    • The maximum amount of time a backdate can be applied is 3 months, so applicants must have claimed pension credit on any day up to and including 21 December, 2024.
    • The average pension credit payment is more than £75 per week – that’s over an extra £3,900 per year. Plus, getting pension credit can provide a passport to help with things like rent, council tax, cold weather payments and a free TV licence for people aged 75 and over.
    • People can have savings or another pension and still get extra money.

    As it stands, it is most likely that to be eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment you must be entitled to pension credit, and you must have made your claim for pension credit by 21 December, 2024.

    To make a claim or to find out how much Pension Credit you might receive you can call the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234.

    To apply online or to request a paper form please visit Pension Credit.

    If you need help making a claim, you want to talk to someone about your potential Pension Credit entitlement or to see if there are any other benefits you could be missing out on then ring our ‘missing benefits’ team on 01902 555351 or email them at wrs.benefitshelpline@wolverhampton.gov.uk

    You can also contact: Citizens Advice or telephone 0800 144 8848 or Age UK or telephone 0800 678 1602.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: dsm-firmenich to present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank ADR Virtual Investor Conference on September 25 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — dsm-firmenich (AMS: DSFIR; OTCQX: DSFIY) based in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland and focused on nutrition, health and beauty, today announced that Anna Morello, Director Investor Relations at dsm-firmenich will present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank American Depositary Receipt (ADR) Virtual Investor Conference on September 25. This virtual investor conference is aimed exclusively at introducing global companies with ADR programs to investors.

    DATE: September 25, 2024
    TIME: 11:30 AM ET
    LINK: https://bit.ly/47xPcjS

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time – both in the presentation hall as well as the organization’s “virtual trade booth.” If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

    Participation is free of charge.

    https://investors.dsm-firmenich.com/en/investors/dsm-firmenich-at-a-glance.html

    About dsm-firmenich

    As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life™ every day, everywhere, for billions of people.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    Contacts
    dsm-firmenich
    Investor Relations
    T: +31 (0)45 578 2864
    E: investors@dsm-firmenich.com

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: InspireSemi Announces C$10M Convertible Loan Agreement, Proposed Delisting from TSXV and Date for a Business Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia and AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inspire Semiconductor Holdings Inc. (TSXV: INSP) (“InspireSemi” or the “Company”), a chip design company that provides revolutionary high-performance, energy-efficient accelerated computing solutions for High Performance Computing (HPC), AI, graph analytics, and other compute-intensive workloads, today announced that it has entered into a convertible loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) dated September 23, 2024 with Humanitario Capital LLC (the “Lender”) in the principal amount of C$10,000,000 (the “Loan”).

    The Loan is unsecured, bears interest of 10% per annum, compounded monthly, and is repayable on September 23, 2025, subject to the penalty clause discussed below.

    The Loan Agreement provides that if a delisting of all classes of shares of the Company from the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) occurs, the Loan shall automatically convert to units (each a “Unit”) at a price per Unit of C$13.50 and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon will be forgiven.

    Each Unit will consist of one proportionate voting share in the capital of the Company (each an “PV Share”) and one PV Share purchase warrant of the Company (a “PVS Warrant”).

    Each PVS Warrant shall be exercisable to acquire one PV Share until September 23, 2029 at an exercise price of C$13.50.

    In addition the Lender has been granted:

    (i) the right of first refusal (the “ROFR”) to purchase additional Units on the same terms as described above should the Company request additional funding from the Lender;
    (ii) a pre-emptive right to participate in all future financings conducted by the Company on a pro-rata basis as it relates to the Lender’s then interest in the Company;
    (iii) the right to nominate a person for election to the board of directors of the Company immediately and at each subsequent shareholders meeting; and
    (iv) the right to nominate an additional person to attend all meetings of the Board in a non-voting observer capacity.

    The ROFR will expire upon the Company achieving a positive EBDITA for a one month period. All other rights set out above will exist for so long as the Lender’s pro rata interest in the Company is more than 5%.

    A copy of the Loan Agreement has been posted on the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    The Loan is subject to the approval of the TSXV.

    Delisting from TSXV

    The Loan Agreement provides that the Company will make its best efforts to delist its subordinate voting shares from the TSXV as soon as is reasonably practicable. If a delisting of the Company’s subordinate voting shares from the TSXV is not achieved by January 31, 2025, the Company will be deemed in default, and the Loan, all accrued interest thereon and a penalty of an additional 25% of the amount of the Loan, being C$2,500,000 will be due and payable immediately.

    Therefore, the Company announces its intention to voluntarily delist (the “Delisting“) its subordinate voting shares from the TSXV. The Delisting will be subject to, among other things, TSXV and majority of the minority shareholder approval.

    The Company will ask and encourages its shareholders to approve of the Delisting as described above at an annual general and special shareholder meeting (the “Meeting”) that will be scheduled in due course. More information regarding the Delisting, the Loan and the reasons therefore will be available in a management information circular to be prepared and mailed to shareholders and posted on the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca in connection with the Meeting.

    The Company is not paying any bonus, commission or finder’s fees in respect of the Loan. The proceeds from the Loan will be used to prepare the Company’s Thunderbird Chip for delivery to customers, support the Company’s commercialization drive and for general working capital requirements.

    Nasdaq Listing Update

    The Company has currently paused its work on a proposed up list to a major U.S. Stock Exchange as announced by press release dated June 18, 2024. The Company has decided it is in its best interests to focus on commercializing its Thunderbird chip and achieving its aim of reaching profitability in 2025 prior to embarking on a further stock exchange listing.

    The Company is still interested in exploring such a listing in future and has made valuable progress in working with its various counsel and advisors to better prepare it for such an eventuality in future.

    Business Update

    The Company announces it will be holding a business update call on September 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The Company will press release any new material information prior to the Business Update.

    To join the Business Update please use the following Zoom link:

    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85079936546

    Webinar ID: 850 7993 6546

    Or One tap mobile :
        +16469313860,,85079936546# US
        +19292056099,,85079936546# US (New York)
    Or Telephone:
        Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
        +1 646 931 3860 US
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 309 205 3325 US
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
        +1 305 224 1968 US
        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 360 209 5623 US
        +1 386 347 5053 US
        +1 507 473 4847 US
        +1 564 217 2000 US
        +1 669 444 9171 US
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 689 278 1000 US
        +1 719 359 4580 US

        International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kfZXmuhg6

    About InspireSemi

    InspireSemi (TSXV: INSP) provides revolutionary high-performance, energy-efficient accelerated computing solutions for High-Performance Computing (HPC), AI, graph analytics, and other compute-intensive workloads. The Thunderbird ‘supercomputer-cluster-on-a-chip’ is a disruptive, next-generation datacenter accelerator designed to address multiple underserved and diversified industries, including financial services, computer-aided engineering, energy, climate modeling, cybersecurity, and life sciences & drug discovery. Based on the open standard RISC-V instruction set architecture, InspireSemi’s solutions set new standards of performance, energy efficiency, and ease of programming. InspireSemi is headquartered in Austin, TX.

    For more information visit    https://inspiresemi.com  
    Follow InspireSemi on LinkedIn

    Company Contact
    John B. Kennedy, CFO
    (737) 471-3230
    invest@inspiresemi.com

    Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
    This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). Statements concerning InspireSemi’s objectives, goals, strategies, priorities, intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations and estimates, and the business, operations, financial performance and condition of InspireSemi are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the forgoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass.

    Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information regarding: (i) the business plans and expectations of the Company including expectations with respect to production and development; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors (iii) expectations as to the use of funds in respect of the Loan, the Delisting and any potential future up list to a U.S. Stock Exchange. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this presentation, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of InspireSemi, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to them and on assumptions they believe to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: (i) statements relating to the business and future activities of, and developments related to, the Company after the date of this press release; (ii) expected completion of or satisfaction of all closing conditions in connection with the Loan and Delisting including receipt of final approval from the Exchange; (iii) expectations for other economic, business, regulatory and/or competitive factors related to the Company or the technology industry generally; (iv) the risk factors referenced in this news release and as described from time to time in documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca; and (v) other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

    Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

    Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    THIS PRESS RELEASE SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE OR JURISDICTION.

    The MIL Network –