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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI USA: MATSUI, BALDERSON, SMITH, CASSIDY REINTRODUCE BILL TO ELIMINATE BARRIER TO TELEMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH), and Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) reintroduced the Telemental Health Care Access Act, legislation that would remove barriers to high-quality, virtual mental and behavioral health care for Medicare beneficiaries.

    Specifically, the bill removes the statutory requirement that Medicare beneficiaries be seen in-person within six months of being treated for mental and behavioral health services through telehealth. Eliminating this arbitrary requirement will ensure that patients can fully leverage telehealth to get the care they need from home.

    Provisions and extensions based upon the Telemental Health Care Access Act have been passed through multiple appropriations packages and continuing resolutions, most recently in March of this year – temporarily delaying the in-person requirement through September 30, 2025. This legislation would remove the in-person requirement permanently.

    “Mental health care is unequivocally as essential as physical health care – and telehealth has been a critical tool to bridge that gap and make it easier for Americans to access and seek care sooner,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “No matter where you live, whether it be rural or urban, you should not have arbitrary barriers like in-person visit requirements preventing you from accessing the care you need. That’s why we’re reintroducing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would ensure our Medicare beneficiaries can permanently get convenient, quality care, where and when they need it.” 

    “Telehealth has transformed health care access for people in rural and underserved communities, offering timely, high-quality care that was once out of reach,” said Congressman Balderson. “In particular, virtual mental and behavioral health services have reduced wait times and lowered barriers for those seeking professional support. The Telemental Health Care Access Act eliminates unnecessary restrictions on Medicare beneficiaries, helping fully unlock the potential of digital health care.”

    “Telehealth has proved to be an important lifeline and tool to close some of the most significant gaps in patients’ access to health care services,” said Senator Smith. “Especially for Minnesotans in small towns and rural communities suffering from mental health challenges, long commutes to the nearest provider can mean virtual care is the only feasible option. This bill is an important step in making it easier for mental health patients on Medicare to ask for help and get the care they need, without having to jump through administrative hoops.”

    Stakeholders across the health care industry have long raised concerns about inequitable access to mental health services. This legislation has garnered significant support amongst health care leaders.

    “The provision of mental health and substance use treatment through telehealth is a lifeline for those in rural and other underserved areas. It is essential, especially given current levels of demand, that we eliminate all unnecessary barriers and ensure continuity of care for these patients,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Marketa M. Wills, M.D., M.B.A. “APA strongly supports Representatives Matsui and Balderson and Senators Cassidy and Smith’s introduction of Telemental Health Care Access Act, as this legislation would greatly expand access to care.”

    “We strongly support the Telemental Health Care Access Act, important legislation that would eliminate requirements that are not clinically appropriate and only serve to limit access to necessary care for millions of Americans with behavioral health conditions,” said Kyle Zebley, Executive Director, ATA Action and Senior Vice President of Public Policy at the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). “We remain grateful to our telehealth champions in Congress, including Representatives Doris Matsui and Troy Balderson and Senators Tina Smith and Bill Cassidy who are reintroducing this important bipartisan legislation. By passing this bill, Congress will clear the path for Medicare beneficiaries to have greater access to telemental health services when and where they need it.”

    “Telehealth remains a crucial lifeline for patients seeking behavioral health support, particularly in communities with limited access to local providers,” saidArthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association Services. “Patients deserve uninterrupted, comprehensive care, yet restrictive policies on tele-behavioral health services threaten the progress made in expanding access to treatment options. The reintroduction of the Telemental Health Care Access Act by Representatives Matsui and Balderson is a pivotal step in protecting access to essential care. Their commitment to ensuring patients can receive lifesaving behavioral health treatment—regardless of geographic barriers—is a victory for all who rely on these vital services.”

    “Mental health care reduces the risk of suicide. The Telemental Health Care Access Act will enable greater access to care by allowing Medicare coverage for telemental health without a requirement for patients to see their providers in person,” saidLaurel Stine, J.D., M.A., Executive Vice President and Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Telemental health care is essential in connecting people in rural and other underserved areas with providers and removing unnecessary barriers to care, as well as for supporting access for individuals with limited ability to travel to office settings. We commend Representative Matsui, Representative Balderson, Senator Smith, and Senator Cassidy for leading this legislation to prevent suicide and protect access to mental health and substance use treatment.”

    Endorsing Organizations:

    • Alliance for Connected Care
    • Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP)
    • American Counseling Association (ACA)
    • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
    • American Medical Association (AMA)
    • American Psychiatric Association (APA)
    • American Psychological Association
    • American Telemedicine Association (ATA)
    • ATA Action
    • Association for Behavioral Health & Wellness (ABHW)
    • Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
    • California Medical Association
    • Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL)
    • Centerstone
    • Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action
    • Health Innovation Alliance (HIA)
    • Hims & Hers
    • HIMSS
    • Included Health
    • Mental Health America
    • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
    • National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH)
    • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
    • Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies
    • REDC Consortium
    • Talkspace
    • Teladoc Health
    • United States of Care

    Congresswoman Matsui has long led efforts to harness the power of technology to improve our health care system, including expanding access to telehealth services. She has continually led efforts to extend critical telehealth coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. She authored the Telemental Health Expansion Act, which permanently added mental health to the definition of Medicare-covered telehealth services, waived the geographic and originating site requirements for mental health provided through telehealth, and allowed Medicare beneficiaries to access these services at home. 

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Games’ public health exercise held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP), in collaboration with Guangdong and Macau’s health authorities, today conducted a public health exercise to enhance the capacity of the three places to co-operate in preventing and controlling communicable diseases during major sports events.

    The exercise was held in preparation for the 15th National Games (15th NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD), and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), which will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau this November and December.

    The exercise simulated a scenario in which two players participating in the 15th NG basketball competition in Hong Kong were diagnosed with meningococcal infection while they were in the city. An epidemiological investigation revealed that some of their close contacts had already departed Hong Kong for Shenzhen and Macau.

    In accordance with the established mechanism, Hong Kong immediately notified the health authorities of Guangdong and Macau. The three places’ health authorities promptly traced the cases and implemented appropriate infection control measures to prevent the spread of the communicable disease.

    During the exercise, the CHP, together with the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control & Prevention Administration, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control & Prevention as well as Macau’s Health Bureau conducted a drill and exchanged views on communicable disease surveillance, prevention, control and notification mechanisms during the 15th NG, and 12th NGD and 9th NSOG via a video conference.

    More than 30 officers from the three places’ health authorities participated in the exercise.

    Director of Health Dr Ronald Lam gave a speech before the exercise started, noting that the 15th NG, and NGD and NSOG are the largest and highest-level national multisport events in the country.

    Dr Lam said: “It is of great strategic significance for the health authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau to jointly organise this exercise on communicable disease prevention and control at the countdown stage of the opening of the games.

    “Through the simulation, we hope to achieve three major objectives: to strengthen the joint prevention mechanism of the three places; to build a solid risk identification defense; and to consolidate the foundation of event protection. This will allow the top athletes in the country to demonstrate the country’s sports prowess under a ‘zero significant outbreak, zero cross-infections’ condition, and showcase the country’s excellence in public health governance to the world.”

    Dr Lam added that as Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau are geographically and culturally connected, only through close collaboration can the three centres cope with major public health challenges.

    Apart from the health authorities of the three places, representatives from the Medical & Health Office of the Comprehensive Security Department of the Guangdong Provincial Executive Committees for the 15th NG, NGD and NSOG, National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) as well as Hong Kong’s Auxiliary Medical Service, Fire Services Department and Hospital Authority also sent their staff to observe the exercise.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao hold public health exercise in preparation for hosting 15th NG, NGD and NSOG (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao hold public health exercise in preparation for hosting 15th NG, NGD and NSOG Issued at HKT 18:35

    The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, in collaboration with the health authorities of Guangdong Province and Macao, today (June 11) conducted a public health exercise, code-named “Jingfeng”, to enhance the capacity of the three places to co-operate in preventing and controlling communicable diseases during major sports events. The exercise was held in preparation for the 15th National Games (15th NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD), and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), which will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao this November and December.

    The exercise simulated a scenario in which two players participating in the 15th NG basketball competition in Hong Kong were diagnosed with meningococcal infection while they were in the city. An epidemiological investigation revealed that some of their close contacts had already departed Hong Kong for Shenzhen and Macao respectively. In accordance with the established mechanism, Hong Kong immediately notified the health authorities of Guangdong and Macao. The health authorities of the three places promptly traced the cases and implemented appropriate infection control measures to prevent the spread of the communicable disease.

    During the exercise, the CHP, together with the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Bureau of Macao conducted a drill and exchanged views on communicable disease surveillance, prevention, control and notification mechanisms during the 15th NG, and 12th NGD and 9th NSOG via a video conference. More than 30 officers from the health authorities of the three places participated in the exercise.

    Before the commencement of the exercise, the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, gave a speech. “The 15th NG, and NGD and NSOG are the largest and highest-level national multisport events in the country. It is of great strategic significance for the health authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to jointly organise this exercise on communicable disease prevention and control at the countdown stage of the opening of the Games. Through the simulation, we hope to achieve three major objectives: to strengthen the joint prevention mechanism of the three places; to build a solid risk identification defense; and to consolidate the foundation of event protection. This will allow the top athletes in the country to demonstrate the country’s sports prowess under a ‘zero significant outbreak, zero cross-infections’ condition, and showcase the country’s excellence in public health governance to the world,” he said.

    Dr Lam added that since its establishment, the CHP has organised a total of 32 emergency response exercises and drills, simulating human cases of avian influenza, measles, plagues and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. As Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are geographically and culturally connected, only through close collaboration can the three centres cope with major public health challenges. In the future, the three places will continue to strengthen joint efforts in the prevention and control of communicable diseases. They will maintain communication and collaboration on aspects such as the prevention and control of communicable diseases, and the development of the public health system, with a view to enhancing global health safety standards. They will also fulfil the tripartite co-operation agreement on public health emergencies and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Health Cooperation Consensus.

    Apart from the health authorities of the three places, representatives from the Medical and Health Office of the Comprehensive Security Department of the Guangdong Provincial Executive Committees for the 15th NG, NGD and NSOG, National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Fire Services Department and the Hospital Authority have also sent their staff to observe the exercise.

    Ends/Wednesday, June 11, 2025
    Issued at HKT 18:35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Castle Peak Hospital missing patient found

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Castle Peak Hospital missing patient foundIssued at HKT 14:55

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for Castle Peak Hospital made the following update today (June 11) regarding a patient leaving the hospital without notification earlier: The 43-year-old female patient who left the hospital without notification yesterday (June 10) has returned to the hospital this morning and is in stable condition.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DCCA NEWS RELEASE: DCCA DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS (THROUGH MAY 2025)

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DCCA NEWS RELEASE: DCCA DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS (THROUGH MAY 2025)

    Posted on Jun 10, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.

    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

     

    NADINE Y. ANDO

    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

     

    DENISE P. BALANAY

    SENIOR HEARINGS OFFICER

    DCCA DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

    (Through May 2025)

     

    June 10, 2025

    HONOLULU – The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) and its respective state Boards and Commissions released a summary of disciplinary actions through the month of May 2025, taken on individuals and entities with professional and vocational licenses in Hawai‘i. These disciplinary actions include dispositions based upon either the results of contested case hearings or settlement agreements submitted by the parties. Respondents enter into settlement agreements as a compromise to claims and to conserve on the expenses of proceeding with an administrative hearing.

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

     

     

    Respondent:     Tricia Ann K.C. Mangubat fka Tricia Ann K. Castro

    Case Number:   ACC 2022-22-L

    Sanction:          Voluntary license surrender

    Effective Date:  3-14-25

     

    RICO alleges that Respondent plead guilty in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii to Conspiracy to defraud the United States and Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, in potential violation of HRS §§ 436B-19(7), 436B-19(8), 436B-19(9), 436B-19(14), 466-9(b)(5), and 466-9(b)(8). (Board approved Settlement Agreement.)

     

     

    Respondent:     Mali Bella Company, LLC dba Mali Bella Construction

    Case Number: CLB 2024-195-L Sanction:          License revocation

    Effective Date: 5-23-25

     

    RICO alleges that Respondent entered into a written contract to renovate and construct a home addition, failed to provide required disclosures, and failed to complete the project as agreed, in potential violation of HRS §§ 444-17(11) and 444-25.5.(Board approved Settlement Agreement.)

     

    Respondent:     Mali Bella Company, LLC dba Mali Bella Construction

    Case Number: CLB 2024-381-L Sanction:          License revocation

    Effective Date: 5-23-25

     

    RICO alleges that Respondent entered into a written contract to renovate a home and failed to provide required disclosures, in potential violation of HRS §§ 444-17(12) and 444-25.5(b)(1), and HAR §§ 16-77-80(a)(3), 16-77-80(a)(5), 16-77-80(a)(6), and 16-77-80(a)(7). (Board approved Settlement Agreement.)

     

    Respondent:     David P. Luedtke

    Case Number: CLB 2024-195-L Sanction:          License revocation

    Effective Date: 5-23-25

     

    RICO alleges that Respondent was the principal RME of Mali Bella Construction (MBC), that MBC entered into a written contract to renovate and construct a home addition, and that MBC failed to provide required disclosures, in potential violation of HRS §§ 444-17(12) and 444-25.5, and HAR § 16-77-71(a). (Board approved Settlement Agreement.)

     

    Respondent:     David P. Luedtke

    Case Number: CLB 2024-381-L Sanction:          License revocation

    Effective Date: 5-23-25

     

    RICO alleges that Respondent was the principal RME of Mali Bella Construction (MBC), that MBC entered into a written contract to renovate a home, and that MBC failed to provide required disclosures, in potential violation of HRS §§ 444-17(12) and 444-25.5, and HAR § 16-77-71(a). (Board approved Settlement Agreement.)

     

    REAL ESTATE COMMISSION

     

    Respondent:     Leeann Starinieri

    Case Number:   REC 2023-461-L

    Sanction:          $1,500 fine, comply with ADLR terms, continue counseling, substance abuse assessment

    Effective Date: 5-30-25

    RICO alleges that on November 7, 2023, Respondent pled no contest to Reckless Driving in the District Court of the Fifth Circuit, Respondent’s driver’s license was administratively forfeited for four years, and that Respondent wrote a letter to RICO stating she quit drinking alcohol and was in counseling, in potential violation of HRS § 436B-19(12). (Commission approved Settlement Agreement.)

     

    Respondent:     Stephen T. Wells

    Case Number:   REC 2025-115-L

    Sanction:          1-year license suspension, 2-year license probation, education course

    Effective Date: 5-30-25

    RICO alleges that on February 27, 2025, Respondent was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the State of Hawaii for Health Care Fraud, in potential violation of HRS §§ 436B-19(6) and 436B-19(12). (Commission approved Settlement Agreement.)

     

    Respondents:  Hale Nani Realty LLC and Mon-Jiuan Ide

    Case Number:   REC 2024-503-L

    Sanction:          $15,000 fine

    Effective Date: 5-30-25

     

    RICO alleges that it received a referral alleging Respondents’ licenses were inactive since January 1, 2023, due to Respondent Ide, principal broker for Hale Nani Realty LLC, having insufficient continuing education credits, that Respondent Hale Nani Realty LLC’s license was inactive from January 1, 2023 through December 2, 2024, and that Respondent Ide’s license was inactive from January 1, 2023 through November 8, 2024, in potential violation of HRS § 467-7. (Commission approved Settlement Agreement.)

    Respondents:  Iridescent Productions LLC dba Turquoise Hawaii Real Estate and Rebecca Brooke Corby dba Rebecca Corby

    Case Number:   REC 2022-410-L

    Sanction:          $400 fine

    Effective Date: 5-30-25

    The Commission adopted the Hearings Officer’s recommended decision and found and concluded that Respondent violated HRS §§ 436B-19(16) and 436B-19(17). (Commission’s Final Order after contested case hearing.)

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

     

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Communications Office

    Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

    Phone: 808-586-2760

    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Billion Dollar Oncology Industry Experiencing Substantial Growth Driven by Increasing Cancer Incidences

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The global oncology market is undergoing rapid growth, mainly due to the increasing number of cancer cases around the world. The World Health Organization estimates there will be over 35 million new cancer cases by 2050, a massive 77% increase from the estimated 20 million cases in 2022. This rising occurrence of cancer has been attributed to lifestyle changes in an increasingly geriatric population in both developed countries and emerging economies. Environmental factors such as pollution and the high penetration of microplastics, a potential carcinogen, are also contributing to the growing number of cancer cases. As the global burden of cancer continues to go up, government and private organizations are increasing funding in both healthcare infrastructure and investment into research and development of therapeutics and potential cures for various kinds of cancers. Many federal early detection programs have been launched with large players in the pharmaceutical sector looking to increase the number of clinical trials and drug discovery studies undertaken. These innovations are propelling market expansion, with the sector expected to witness significant growth in the coming years as new technologies and therapies continue to emerge. A new research report from BioSpace, said the global oncology market size was USD 321.19 billion in 2024, and calculated at USD 356.20 billion in 2025 is expected to reach around USD 903.81 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 10.9% for the forecasted period. the development of the global healthcare infrastructure and cancer continuing to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide drives growth in the global oncology market. Active oncology biotech and pharma companies in the markets this week include Oncolytics Biotech®Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC), Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX), Arvinas, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARVN), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE).

    The report said: “Innovations in cancer treatments include advancements in immunotherapy and precision medicine (which include targeted therapies), and the various applications of artificial intelligence. Some examples of novel oncological treatments include kinase and checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and CAR-T cell therapy. These therapeutics mobilize the body’s immune system in new ways to fight cancer. As early diagnostic techniques improve, certain kinds of cancers, such as breast cancer, melanoma, and thyroid cancer, can be cured more frequently. Techniques such as liquid biopsy, biomarker-based testing and breakthroughs such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) are enhancing the ability to diagnose cancer at an early stage. As investment continues to grow in the oncology sector, new treatments are expected to improve the remission and survival rates of patients battling this disease and provide a boost to growth in the global oncology market.”

    Oncolytics Biotech®Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC) Names New CEO to Accelerate Momentum in Immunotherapy Programs — Oncolytics Biotech ® Inc., ($ONCY $ONC), a leading clinical-stage company specializing in immunotherapy for oncology, today announced the appointment of Jared Kelly as Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors.

    Mr. Kelly is a successful biotech executive who has proven expertise in transformative deals and corporate strategy. Most recently, he played a central role in orchestrating the sale of Ambrx Biopharma to Johnson & Johnson for $2 billion. Prior to Ambrx, he advised multiple leading-edge biotech companies on M&A and licensing transactions at highly respected law firms, including Lowenstein Sandler LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He is a JD and LLM graduate of Georgetown Law.

    “Mr. Kelly’s vision and track record is an extraordinary fit with the standout clinical data pelareorep has generated to date,” said Wayne Pisano, Chair of Oncolytics’ Board of Directors and outgoing Interim CEO. “We believe Mr. Kelly’s well-documented ability to prioritize clinical program development, execute successful financings, and attract the attention of large industry peers will help maximize Oncolytics’ potential to deliver transformative outcomes for patients and exceptional value for investors.”

    Mr. Kelly added, “Pelareorep’s clinical data across multiple tumors is striking and represents the potential for a true backbone immunotherapy to address many in-need indications. Importantly, the data show that pelareorep creates a robust immunologic response in difficult tumors and increases survival in a patient population where survival has historically evaded most patients. With a renewed focus and sharpened clinical development plan, we believe we will move pelareorep forward effectively and efficiently to a place where potential partners will see the value of a de-risked immunotherapy. I am excited to get to work accelerating development and unlocking significant value for stakeholders.”

    Pelareorep, an intravenously-administered immunotherapeutic agent, has been granted FDA Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) and HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC). It has delivered compelling results in mPDAC, a high-value indication with significant unmet need. In Phase 1 and 2 trials involving more than 140 mPDAC patients, pelareorep has delivered a >60% objective response rate in tumor evaluable patients in the most recent study, which is more than double the benefit observed in historical control trials, and, separately, two-year survival rates 4-6 times those observed in control patients or against the benchmark in prior studies.

    In mBC, pelareorep recorded a meaningful survival benefit in two randomized Phase 2 studies of over 100 combined mBC patients, IND-213 and BRACELET-1. Phase 2 objective response rate data in second-line or later unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) patients continue to exceed historical data for treatment with a checkpoint inhibitor alone. These consistent efficacy signals, in combination with multiple chemotherapies and checkpoint inhibitors, uniquely position pelareorep as a high-potential asset for further development in-house and/or through strategic partnerships. Pelareorep also has a well-defined and favorable safety profile based on data from >1,100 patients across multiple tumor types.

    As a material inducement to Mr. Kelly’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer, and in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), Mr. Kelly has been awarded an initial stock option grant exercisable for 2,850,000 shares with an exercise price of CAD$0.57, vesting equally over three years. He also received a performance-based stock option grant exercisable for 1,900,000 shares with an exercise price of CAD$0.57, which will vest upon the achievement of certain financing objectives. All stock option grants have a term of 5 years from the date of grant. The Company also granted Mr. Kelly restricted stock units, which will entitle him to receive that number of Common Shares equal to 2% of the Company’s then outstanding common shares upon the Company entering into a definitive agreement for certain transactions providing for the acquisition of the Company or the exclusive license of pelareorep. Each of these awards is intended to align Mr. Kelly’s long-term incentives with the creation of shareholder value. CONTINUED… Read these full press releases and more news for ONCY at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-oncy/

    Other recent oncology developments in the biotech industry of note include:

    Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) recently announced topline results from a pre-specified interim analysis of the Phase III PSMAddition trial. The trial met its primary endpoint with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) with a positive trend in overall survival (OS) in patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) treated with radioligand therapy (RLT), Pluvicto™ (lutetium (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan), in combination with standard of care (SoC) versus SoC alone1. In PSMAddition, the SoC is a combination of androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) therapy and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)3.

    Almost all mHSPC patients ultimately progress to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)4. There is a need for additional treatment options with novel mechanisms of action that further delay progression, prolong OS and improve disease control compared to the current SoC, while showing a favorable safety and tolerability profile.

    BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX) and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY, “BMS”) recently announced that the companies have entered into an agreement for the global co-development and co-commercialization of BioNTech’s investigational bispecific antibody BNT327 across numerous solid tumor types. Under the agreement, BioNTech and BMS will work jointly to broaden and accelerate the development of this clinical candidate.

    BioNTech’s BNT327, a next-generation bispecific antibody candidate targeting PD-L1 and VEGF-A, is currently being evaluated in multiple ongoing trials with more than 1,000 patients treated to date, including global Phase 3 trials with registrational potential evaluating BNT327 as first-line treatment in extensive stage small cell lung cancer (“ES-SCLC”) and non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”). A global Phase 3 trial evaluating the candidate in triple negative breast cancer (“TNBC”) is planned to start by the end of 2025. Preliminary data from ongoing trials underscore the potential for combining anti-PD-L1 and anti-VEGF-A – two well-established therapeutic targets – into a single molecule to deliver synergistic clinical benefits for patients across multiple tumor types.

    Arvinas, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARVN) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) recently announced detailed results from the Phase 3 VERITAC-2 clinical trial (NCT05654623) evaluating vepdegestrant monotherapy versus fulvestrant in adults with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (ER+/HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC) whose disease progressed following prior treatment with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy. These data, which were highlighted in the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO®) press briefing and selected for Best of ASCO, will be presented today in a late-breaking oral presentation (Abstract LBA1000) and have been simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

    In the trial, vepdegestrant demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) among patients with an estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) mutation, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 43% compared to fulvestrant [Hazard Ratio (HR)=0.57 (95% CI 0.42–0.77); 2-sided P<0.001]. The median PFS, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR), was 5.0 months with vepdegestrant versus 2.1 months with fulvestrant. Investigator-assessed PFS was consistent with the BICR-assessed PFS. In patients with ESR1 mutations, vepdegestrant demonstrated a consistent PFS benefit over fulvestrant across all pre-specified subgroups. The trial did not reach statistical significance in improvement in PFS in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population, with a median PFS of 3.7 months for vepdegestrant versus 3.6 for fulvestrant [HR=0.83 (95% CI 0.68–1.02); 2-sided P=0.07].

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aterian’s PurSteam and Mueller Living Brands Launch Products in Walmart Stores

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUMMIT, N.J., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aterian, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER), a consumer products company, today announced the national launch of two of its most innovative home appliances – the PurSteam Steam Station Max and the Mueller Living Cordless Portable Vacuum Sealer – now available nationwide across Walmart locations.

    “These launches reflect Aterian’s broader mission to expand our omni-channel presence by bringing high-quality consumer products to both digital and physical retail platforms,” said Arturo Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer of Aterian. “The increased brand visibility, coupled with mass-market accessibility, is designed to strengthen the Company’s growth trajectory and retail partnerships.”

    Product Launch Descriptions

    • The PurSteam Steam Station Max delivers premium ironing performance at an accessible price point. Featuring rapid 1.5-minute preheat, strong continuous steam output, and a large 50.7 oz water tank, it’s built for speed and convenience. A ceramic soleplate ensures smooth gliding across all fabrics, while integrated anti-calc, anti-drip, and auto shut-off features enhance safety and extend appliance life.
    • Also launching is the Mueller Living Cordless Portable Vacuum Sealer, a compact, high-performance food preservation tool that seals up to 60 bags on a single charge. With universal compatibility, fast 3-hour charging, and a cordless design, it’s ideal for everyday kitchens, meal prepping, or on-the-go storage.

    “Whether it’s the commercial-grade power of our PurSteam Steam Station Max or the flexible, space-saving design of our Mueller Living Cordless Portable Vacuum Sealer, our goal is to deliver intelligent products that make life at home better,” Mr. Rodriguez continued. “These launches exemplify our commitment to combining thoughtful design with the power, safety, and everyday convenience that households demand.”

    About PurSteam
    PurSteam, an Aterian brand, is dedicated to revolutionizing the way people clean and care for their homes. From high-performance steam irons to state-of-the-art steam mops, PurSteam delivers products that combine advanced technology, superior quality, and exceptional value. To learn more, visit www.pursteam.com.

    About Mueller Living
    Mueller Living, part of the Aterian brand portfolio, believes the kitchen is the heart of the home. Known for its premium, affordable kitchen tools, Mueller Living inspires cooks of all levels with products that blend comfort, design, and durability. To learn more, visit www.muellerliving.com.

    About Aterian, Inc.
    Aterian, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATER) is a technology-enabled consumer products company that builds and acquires leading e-commerce brands across multiple categories, including home and kitchen appliances, health and wellness, and air quality devices. The Company sells across the world’s largest online marketplaces, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target as well as its own direct-to-consumer websites. Aterian’s brands include Mueller Living, PurSteam, hOmeLabs, Squatty Potty, Healing Solutions, and Photo Paper Direct. To learn more, visit www.aterian.io.

    Forward Looking Statements
    All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements including, in particular, our ability to expand our omni-channel presence, and strengthen our growth trajectory and retail partnerships. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those related to our ability to continue as a going concern, the effect of tariffs and other costs on our results, our ability to continue to operate following our reduction in workforce, our ability to meet financial covenants with our lenders, our ability to maintain and to grow market share in existing and new product categories; our ability to continue to profitably sell the SKUs we operate; our ability to maintain Amazon’s Prime badge on our seller accounts or reinstate the Prime badge in the event of any removal of such badge by Amazon; our ability to create operating leverage and efficiency when integrating companies that we acquire, including through the use of our team’s expertise, the economies of scale of our supply chain and automation driven by our platform; those related to our ability to grow internationally and through the launch of products under our brands and the acquisition of additional brands; those related to consumer demand, our cash flows, financial condition, forecasting and revenue growth rate; our supply chain including sourcing, manufacturing, warehousing and fulfillment; our ability to manage expenses, working capital and capital expenditures efficiently; our business model and our technology platform; our ability to disrupt the consumer products industry; our ability to generate profitability and stockholder value; international tariffs and trade measures; inventory management, product liability claims, recalls or other safety and regulatory concerns; reliance on third party online marketplaces; seasonal and quarterly variations in our revenue; acquisitions of other companies and technologies and our ability to integrate such companies and technologies with our business; our ability to continue to access debt and equity capital (including on terms advantageous to the Company) and the extent of our leverage; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), all of which you may obtain for free on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether our expectations will prove correct. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, even if subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

    Investor Contact:

    The Equity Group
    Devin Sullivan, Managing Director
    dsullivan@theequitygroup.com

    Conor Rodriguez, Associate
    crodriguez@theequitygroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Conavi Medical to Present at the Life Sciences Virtual Investor Forum June 12th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conavi Medical Corp. (TSXV: CNVI) (OTCQB: CNVIF) (“Conavi Medical” or the “Company”), a commercial-stage medical device company focused on designing, manufacturing, and marketing imaging technologies to guide common minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures, today announced that Thomas Looby, CEO, will present live at the Life Sciences Virtual Investor Forum hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on June 12th, 2025

    DATE: June 12th
    TIME: 2:00 PM ET
    LINK: REGISTER HERE

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. 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 online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    Recent Company Highlights

    • Upsized $20 million CAD financing led by U.S. institutional investors is expected to support finalizing product development of the next-generation Novasight Hybrid system, submit for regulatory clearance and enable commercial launch
    • New U.S. intracoronary imaging guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and recent peer-reviewed research strongly validate Novasight’s unique value proposition
    • U.S. FDA 510(k) submission remains on track for calendar Q3 2025

    About Conavi Medical
    Conavi Medical is focused on designing, manufacturing, and marketing imaging technologies to guide common minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures. Its patented Novasight Hybrid™ System is the first system to combine both intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to enable simultaneous and co-registered imaging of coronary arteries. The Novasight Hybrid System has 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; and regulatory approval for clinical use from Health Canada, China’s National Medical Products Administration, and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. For more information, visit conavi.com.

    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.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release includes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws regarding Conavi and its business, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the anticipated use of proceeds from the April 2025 public offering, Conavi’s exposure to the U.S. investment community, the commercialization and development of the Novasight Hybrid System and the achievement and timeline of key milestones towards commercialization and development of the Novasight Hybrid System. All statements that are, or information which is, not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are “forward-looking information or statements”. Often but not always, forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as “shall”, “intends”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate” “anticipate” or any variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “might”, “can”, “could”, “would” or “will” be taken, occur, lead to, result in, or, be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of the management of the Company. They are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release, may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company, including, without limitation, those listed in the “Risk Factors” section of the short form prospectus dated April 15, 2025 and the joint information circular of the Company dated August 30, 2024 (both of which are on the Company’s profile at sedarplus.ca ). Although Conavi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Conavi does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
    No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the content of this press release.
    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulatory Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    Contacts:

    Conavi Medical
    Stefano Picone
    Chief Financial Officer
    ir@conavi.com
    (416) 483-0100

    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 Asia-Pac: LCQ15: Development of pet-related industries

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ15: Development of pet-related industries 
    Question:
     
    It has been reported that the number of households keeping pets has increased in recent years, with pet-related industries developing rapidly. However, there are views pointing out that Hong Kong still has room for improvement in veterinary medical care and pet-friendly public facilities, as well as in data management and policies regarding the pet industry. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) as it is learnt that a number of private shopping centres have introduced pet-inclusive facilities, such as pet accesses and pet rest areas, to attract spending from pet owners and thereby further unleash the potential of the pet economy, whether the Hong Kong Housing Authority will consider drawing on the relevant experience to implement pet-friendly measures in the shopping centres of the public housing estates under its purview; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (2) as it has been reported that public or charity-run veterinary organisations have been established one after another in Taiwan, such as in Taoyuan City and New Taipei City, to provide basic veterinary medical services at transparent charges, which not only enhance pet health protection but also boost the pet economy, whether the HKSAR Government has conducted studies or policy planning regarding the establishment of public or semi-public veterinary medical facilities; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
     
    (3) as there are views that maintaining pet-related data can help understand the risks of pet epidemics and diseases, as well as the market structure and potential of the pet industry, whether the Government will establish a territory-wide pet data management platform to systematically collect relevant data, including the number of pets, breed distribution, keeping and vaccination records, and pet disease trends, so as to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of policies on pet-friendliness and developing the pet economy policies; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
    Having consulted the Housing Bureau, the reply to the question from the Hon Rock Chen is as follows:
     
    (1) As pet keeping has become increasingly common in Hong Kong, there has been more attention in society to bringing animals to enter different premises and use public facilities. In general, the Government needs to take into account different factors when considering whether to further relax existing arrangements, including the nature of individual facilities, whether ancillary facilities are in place and the degree of social acceptance, in order to achieve the policy objective of facilitating people and animals to co-exist harmoniously.
     
    The shopping centres under the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) are mainly “neighbourhood shopping centres” located in public housing estates/courts. These shopping centres provide local residents with shopping convenience, with the aim of catering for their basic needs in daily life. All along, guide dogs accompanying the visually impaired have been allowed to enter the HA’s shopping centres. The HA has further implemented some pet-friendly policies, such as allowing pets to enter shopping centres if they are placed in pet carrier bags or pet strollers and that no hygiene and environmental nuisance will be caused. The HA will keep in view the development and needs of the community for pet-friendly spaces and facilities, and design “neighbourhood shopping centres” that are in line with the actual situation.
     
    On the other hand, the Domain located in Yau Tong is a large-scale regional shopping centre under the HA. Coupled with spacious indoor space, outdoor activity areas, wide passageways and multiple entrances at different locations, it is more equipped with the requisites for development into a pet-friendly mall than typical “neighbourhood shopping centres” located in housing estates. The HA will review whether it is appropriate to further provide pet-friendly measures in the Domain, such as installing relevant human-pet friendly facilities to appeal to pet owners for boosting consumption and visitor flow.
     
    (2) The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has been carrying out publicity and public education to remind the public to consider carefully before deciding to keep pets, to assess whether one could fulfil the duties of pet ownership in meeting the pets’ basic needs in diet, environment, daily care, healthcare, etc.
     
    On veterinary services, the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong (VSB) established under the Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance (Cap. 529), is currently responsible for the regulation, registration and disciplinary control of veterinary surgeons, so as to ensure a high standard of veterinary services in Hong Kong. The VSB learns about the overall veterinary services through data gathered in the regulation of the veterinary profession. The number of registered veterinary surgeons (RVS) has been consistently on the rise since 2015, from 823 in 2015 to 1 364 in April this year, representing an increase of 65 per cent. RVS comprises many specialties, such as small animal internal medicine and surgery, dermatology, cardiology, neurology and veterinary pathology, and therefore animal owners should be able to find appropriate veterinary services for their pets. To meet unexpected medical expenses, members of the public may also purchase pet insurance products available in the market as appropriate.
     
    Apart from private veterinarians, the City University of Hong Kong and some animal welfare organisations (such as the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) also provide veterinary services and hence the Government currently has no plan to separately establish public medical facilities for pets.
     
    (3) To safeguard public health and prevent the spread of animal diseases, the AFCD monitors and regulates animal activities in accordance with the law, and assesses the risk of pet animal diseases. The AFCD regulates the import of live animals through a permit system under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap. 139A) and the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A), so as to prevent the introduction of animal diseases into Hong Kong. Furthermore, the AFCD regulates the local animal activities through various licences, for example, regulating the animal trading and dog breeding activities through the Animal Trader Licence and Dog Breeder Licence respectively under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Trading and Breeding) Regulations (Cap. 139B), and to require dog keepers to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies, implanted with a microchip, and to apply for a dog licence under the Rabies Regulation, for the prevention of rabies.
     
    The Government last conducted a Thematic Household Survey on pet ownership among households across Hong Kong in 2018. The AFCD and the Census and Statistics Department will conduct another survey later this year to gather the latest data on trends and preferences in pet ownership of Hong Kong families. These findings will assist the trade to learn about the latest trend of pet ownership, for their provision of products and services according to market demand.
    Issued at HKT 12:15

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ4: Quarantine arrangements for imported cats and dogs

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung and a reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):
     
    Question:

         The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has updated the quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs this month. Cats and dogs imported from the Mainland that meet the relevant quarantine requirements (including obtaining satisfactory results from testing conducted by recognised laboratories on the Mainland and having an animal health certificate issued by Mainland official veterinarians) will have their quarantine period significantly reduced from the current 120 days to 30 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: 
    Reply: 
         Rabies is a contagious disease that causes fatality to mammals (including humans) and no specific treatment is available at present. To prevent the introduction of animal diseases such as rabies into Hong Kong, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) regulates the import of live animals through a permit system, and controls the import of cats and dogs under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations (Cap. 139A) and the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A) to protect public and animal health. Under effective control measures, Hong Kong has long been widely recognised as a rabies-free place by other places. Animals of Hong Kong generally face less stringent quarantine requirements when entering other places. 
     
         On the quarantine arrangements of imported cats and dogs, the AFCD classifies places into different groups according to different risk of rabies, with reference to information about the surveillance of animal diseases from the World Organisation for Animal Health. Group I and Group II places are respectively rabies-free places and places where rabies cases are few and under effective control. Since these places are considered of lower risk of rabies, the imported cats and dogs are exempted from quarantine upon fulfilling specified requirements. Places that do not meet the requirements of Group I or Group II, or where their situations cannot be determined, will be included in Group III. Cats and dogs imported from these places are required to undergo a quarantine of not less than 120 days before December 2024.
     
         Since December 2024, the AFCD has divided Group III into Group A and B according to the results of risk assessment. Quarantine period for cats and dogs of Group IIIA is significantly shortened from 120 days to 30 days upon their arrival in Hong Kong, provided that they meet the relevant quarantine requirements including that the animals must be vaccinated against rabies, conducted a valid rabies neutralising antibody titre test, had an animal health certificate issued or endorsed by a government veterinary officer of the place of export. The Macao Special Administrative Region, Lithuania and the Mainland have been included in Group IIIA successively. As regards Group IIIB places, since the risk of rabies is higher or uncertain, and the incubation period of rabies can be up to several months, the quarantine period for cats and dogs imported from those places is maintained at not less than 120 days.
     
         The reply to the question from Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung is as follows:
     
    (1) As mentioned just now, as long as cats and dogs imported from the newly added Group IIIA places (including the Mainland) meet the relevant quarantine requirements and hold an animal health certificate issued by an official veterinarian from the Mainland, the quarantine period upon arrival in Hong Kong will be significantly reduced from 120 days to 30 days. Because of this change, the cost of quarantine facilities that the owners of these cats and dogs have to pay has been greatly reduced to one-quarter of the previous cost, at the same time, the turnover rate of quarantine facilities will increase to four times than that of the past. The waiting time for quarantine facilities will be reduced correspondingly, and the usage effectiveness will be increased significantly.
     
         As regards the quarantine arrangements, the current international practice is to isolate cats and dogs in officially supervised quarantine facilities to ensure that the animals will not have direct or indirect contact with other animals during the quarantine period, so as to avoid the transmission of animal disease into the community. As the mortality rate of rabies is close to 100 per cent, and animals have the opportunity to come into contact with other people or animals when they are quarantined in private premises, this will bring to them higher risk. Hence from a risk management perspective, home quarantine arrangement is not appropriate. The Department will continue to make reference to the latest animal disease situation announced by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and timely optimise the quarantine requirements for imported cats and dogs, taking into account factors such as international practices, operational experience and risk assessment.
     
    (2) To facilitate animal owners to bring their pet cats and dogs to Hong Kong, the Government has not only optimised the quarantine requirements for cats and dogs, but also increased the number of quarantine facilities. The new quarantine facilities at the Kowloon Animal Management Centre under the AFCD have been put into service in May this year. The quarantine facilities provided for cats and dogs have increased from 21 and 20 to 34 and 30 respectively. Further, taking into account that the shortened quarantine period has increased the turnover speed to four times than that of the past, the handling capacity of the AFCD’s quarantine facilities could be increased by as much as six to seven times than that of the past. In addition, the AFCD encourages private animal welfare organisations to provide quarantine facilities for cats and dogs, and is reviewing the application of the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). It is expected that the quarantine facility will be put into service in the middle of this year. The Department will also provide information and assistance to other private animal welfare organisations interested in operating quarantine facilities for cats and dogs. On the basis of the above improvement measures, it is expected that the quarantine facilities will be able to meet the demand.
     
         As regards the number and testing quality of recognised Mainland laboratories, after discussions with the Mainland authorities and taking into account the regional distribution and level of recognition of the laboratories in the Mainland, the AFCD has recognised four Mainland laboratories in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Changchun for conducting rabies antibody titre tests for cats and dogs. All four laboratories are recognised by the Mainland authorities and the European Union, hence the quality of testing is assured. The AFCD will closely monitor the situation and will discuss with the Mainland authorities to adjust the list of approved laboratories when necessary.
     
    (3) The Veterinary Surgeons Board of Hong Kong (VSB) is a statutory body established under the Veterinary Surgeons Registration Ordinance (Cap. 529), and is responsible for the regulation, registration and disciplinary control of veterinary surgeons, to ensure a high standard of veterinary services in Hong Kong. The VSB learns about the overall veterinary services through data gathered in the regulation of the veterinary profession.
     
         The number of registered veterinary surgeons (RVS) has been consistently on the rise since 2015, from 823 in 2015 to 1 364 in April this year, representing an increase of 65 per cent. Moreover, RVS comprises many specialties, such as small animal internal medicine and surgery, dermatology, cardiology, neurology and veterinary pathology. Apart from private veterinary clinics, the City University of Hong Kong and some animal welfare organisations, such as the SPCA, also provide veterinary services, therefore animal owners should be able to find appropriate veterinary services for their pets.
     
         Thank you, President.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ11: Academic staff members of universities funded by University Grants Committee

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chow Man-kong and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (June 11):

    Question:

    Regarding the academic staff members of universities funded by the University Grants Committee, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it knows the numbers of newly-joined academic staff members (including but not limited to (i) senior academic staff, (ii) junior academic staff, (iii) academic supporting staff, (iv) administrative, technical and other staff, and (v) technical research staff) of the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee (the eight universities) in each of the past three academic years, as well as their respective percentages in the academic staff members of the respective ranks, together with a breakdown by (A) university, (B) academic programme/department (including but not limited to (I) Medicine, Dentistry and Health, (II) Sciences and (III) Education and Continuing Education), and (C) background of relevant academic staff members (i.e. (a) holders of Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards, and (b) holders of visas granted by the Immigration Department under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, General Employment Policy and Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, etc);

    (2) whether it knows the numbers of academic staff members of the eight universities who left the service (including but not limited to those mentioned in (i) to (v) in (1)) in each of the past three academic years, as well as their respective percentages in the academic staff members of the respective ranks, together with a breakdown by (A) to (C) mentioned in (1));

    (3) regarding the departure situation mentioned in (2), whether it knows the reasons for departure of the academic staff members of the eight universities in each of the past three academic years (e.g. retirement, transfer to another local university, change of profession and other reasons), and whether it has analysed their departure trends, together with a breakdown by university; and

    (4) as there are views that as the United States (US) has further tightened its visa policy on non-US academics as well as research and development (R&D) personnel, and the relevant countries in the European Union have also introduced measures one after another to “trawl talent”, whether the authorities will introduce stronger and more effective measures to attract such people to engage in R&D work in Hong Kong, so as to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

    Our reply to Professor the Hon Chow Man-kong’s question is as follows:

    Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness in education ranks among the top five in the world, and our post-secondary education is highly internationalised and diversified. To date, five University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities have been ranked among the top 100 in the world, six are ranked among the top 50 in Asia, a number of them have been ranked among the top universities in the world’s most international universities ranking, and they have excellent research talent, which make them attractive to students and scholars from all over the world. The universities are recruiting globally following their institutional development strategies and their teaching and research needs, so as to continuously enhance their global competitiveness. Under the leadership of the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Government will continue to promote Hong Kong as an international hub for high-calibre talent, co-ordinate and drive the integrated development of education, technology and talent, expand connections, formulate policies to attract and cultivate talent, and foster the co-ordinated development of technologies, so as to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international post-secondary education hub and an international innovation and technology centre.

    Over the past years, with the Government’s increased investment in higher education and the introduction of various support measures, the staff number in academic departments of the UGC-funded universities has increased by 4.5 per cent from 13 548 in the 2021/22 academic year (AY) to 14 161 in the 2023/24 AY, with an increase of 8.5 per cent in the number of senior and junior academic staff from 4 974 to 5 398. The number of leaving academic staff has also dropped from 399 to 378. Overall, Hong Kong’s higher education institutions are proactively pursuing the goal of capacity expansion and quality enhancement, and have achieved certain success in recruiting and retaining talent.

    The actual numbers of staff in the academic departments of universities by staff grade, university and departmental cost centre group are at Annex I. The numbers of senior/junior academic staff joining and leaving are at Annex II and Annex III respectively. We do not have a breakdown of the number of intake and departure of academic supporting staff, administrative, technical, and other staff and technical research staff, as well as a breakdown of the background of the staff or the reasons for departure, such as retirement, completion of contract, transfer to other local universities, etc.

    In the light of the changes in the global higher education landscape, the Education Bureau (EDB) has promptly called on all universities in Hong Kong to introduce facilitation measures for affected students and scholars with a view to safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, while attracting top talent in accordance with their diversified admissions and talent policies. The EDB is pleased to see that local universities are responding proactively and closely monitoring the situation, fully utilising the Government’s facilitation initiatives that support the capacity expansion and quality enhancement of post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong.

    We will continue to keep a close eye on the development and accordingly consider support measures for them in a holistic approach so as to give full play to Hong Kong’s role as an international post-secondary education hub. Apart from the recruitment measures of the institutions, the Government attracts more top talent to pursue their studies in Hong Kong through a range of initiatives, including doubling the cap on non-local students in publicly funded post-secondary institutions to 40 per cent, increasing scholarship quotas, and gradually increasing the number of places under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. We remain committed to pursuing various policies and initiatives, fostering networks and partnerships at the national, regional, and; international levels, and will continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote the “Study in Hong Kong” brand. These efforts align with the national strategies to invigorate the country through science and education, cultivate high-calibre talent, and advance innovation and development, thereby contributing to meeting the needs of our nation.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ17: Combat fraudulent calls and SMS messages

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ17: Combat fraudulent calls and SMS messages 
    Question:
     
         Many members of the public have relayed to me about the increasing number of fraudulent calls, as well as fraudulent SMS messages sent via instant messaging applications (e.g. WhatsApp) and phones in recent years. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) as it is learnt that many members of the public have been repeatedly added to suspected fraudulent groups on instant messaging applications by unknown accounts, many of which are registered with overseas phone numbers, and that these groups use “like-and-earn-rewards” and “stock investments”, etc as bait, of the number of reports received by the Police from members of the public in the past year, the total amount of money defrauded, and the number of arrests made; what targeted measures are in place by the authorities to combat fraud by such groups;
     
    (2) as it is learnt that many fraudsters have hacked into the instant messaging application accounts of members of the public to request money and virtual point card top-ups from their contacts, of the number of reports received by the Police from members of the public in the past year, the total amount of money defrauded, and the number of arrests made; whether the authorities have analysed which insecure practices when using such applications increase the risk of account hacking, and what targeted measures are in place to combat such account hacking by fraudsters;
     
    (3) as it is learnt that fraudsters falsely pretending to be the official platforms of government departments and organisations, banks, telecommunications service providers or neighbours via mobile phone SMS messages to commit fraud has become increasingly prevalent, of the number of reports received by the Police from members of the public in the past year, the total amount of money defrauded, and the number of arrests made; what respective follow-up actions the authorities have taken regarding fraudulent SMS messages sent from local and overseas sources; the average time required for the authorities to block the phone numbers concerned after such phone numbers are confirmed to be involved in fraud; and
     
    (4) as many members of the public have relayed that they have frequently received repeated promotional calls containing fraudulent content, causing them nuisance and indicating a worsening trend, whether the authorities will review if the existing legislation governing such calls is inadequate; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Deception is a serious crime. Any person who commits the offence of “fraud” under section 16A of the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210) is liable to imprisonment for up to 14 years, while any person charged with “obtaining property by deception” under section 17 of the same Ordinance is liable to imprisonment for up to 10 years. In addition, any person charged with “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence” under section 25 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455) for proceeds of deception is liable to maximum penalties of 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Regardless of whether it is committed through telephone, messaging applications or other methods, the Government of the Special Administrative Region will take stern enforcement actions as long as there are illegal activities involved. With the global trend of Internet proliferation, many countries and regions have seen a significant increase in fraud cases in recent years. The Police will continue to combat all types of frauds and to enhance public awareness in full force through enhanced law enforcement measures, publicity and education, multi-agency co-operation, intelligence analysis as well as cross-boundary collaboration.
     
         In consultation with the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Police, the reply to the Member’s question is as follows:
     
    (1)  “Stock investment” scams mentioned in the question involve fraudsters using online social media platforms, discussion forums, or instant messaging apps to lure victims into participating in fake investment schemes by promising “low risk, high returns”. The Police classify such scams as “online investment fraud”. In 2024, there were a total of 3 930 cases, involving approximately $2.26 billion in losses; in the first four months of 2025, there were 1 534 cases, involving approximately $1.02 billion.
     
         As for “like-and-earn-rewards” scams mentioned in the question, they involve fraudsters using online social media platforms to recruit victims to register as “like clickers”. The scammers claim that victims can earn rewards by paying a “deposit” and then clicking “like” on a designated social media platform; the more deposit paid, the higher the reward per “like”. However, this is in fact a scheme to defraud victims of their deposits. The Police classify such scams as “online employment fraud”. In 2024, there were 3 853 reported cases, with total losses amounting to approximately $800 million; in the first four months of 2025, there were 1 515 cases, involving approximately $340 million.
     
         The Police do not maintain any breakdown of arrested person by types of deception.
     
         In combatting such fraudulent activities, the Police have taken measures in law enforcement, cross-border collaboration, and public education. Since most fraud cases in Hong Kong currently use stooge accounts to receive payments, cracking down on stooge accounts is an effective method to combat the fraud industry chain. In 2024, the Police arrested a total of 10 496 individuals involved in various types of fraud and money laundering offences; in the first four months of 2025, a total of 2 532 individuals were arrested, approximately 70 per cent of which were holders of stooge accounts. Since the end of 2023, the Police have also applied to the court to invoke Section 27 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance to impose heavier penalties in cases involving stooge accounts, thereby enhancing deterrence.
     
         In terms of cross-border collaboration, the Hong Kong Police Force recently joined hands with the Police forces of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, Korea, and Thailand, conducted the first joint operation of the Cross-border Anti-Scam Collaboration Platform “FRONTIER+”, working together to combat cross-border fraud crimes. They successfully identified and dismantled multiple cross-border fraud networks, arresting a total of 1 858 individuals involved in 9 268 fraud cases, including investment fraud.
     
         In terms of publicity, given the increase in the two aforementioned types of fraud at the beginning of 2025, the Police have held press conferences on multiple occasions over the past few months and utilised various channels, namely the CyberDefender website and Facebook, to enhance publicity efforts and remind the public to remain vigilant (including explaining the latest deception tactics employed by fraudsters and outlining how the public can protect themselves), such as making use of WhatsApp’s privacy settings to allow only contacts from one’s address book to add the user to groups, thereby preventing being added to fraudulent groups by strangers.
     
    (2)  Scammers often use various methods to steal social media accounts, including fake customer service and fake websites. A common tactic is to send phishing messages claiming that the account has encountered security risks, luring users to click on links, enter account login information on fake websites or scan QR codes, thereby hijacking the account and sending messages to the user’s friends and family to request loans or the purchase of game point cards.
     
         Such scams are categorised as “online account hijacking” cases, with 2 989 cases reported in 2024, involving approximately $91 million. The Police do not maintain any breakdown of arrested person by types of deception.
     
         The Police have strengthened efforts to combat such scams from multiple angles, including requesting telecommunication service providers (TSPs) to block websites containing false WhatsApp advertisements by the end of 2023, and submitting requests to relevant search engines and overseas authorities to remove the fake websites. They also continue to promote anti-deception information through various channels to enhance public awareness of fraud prevention, and promoting the use of the Scameter and Scameter+. Among these measures, the Police urge the public to enable two-factor authentication; regularly review the devices linked to their accounts and log out of any unknown connected devices; not to blindly trust search engine results, and instead bookmark frequently used websites; and avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi or logging into online accounts on public computers.
     
         Following the Police’s series of educational campaigns, the number of “online account hijacking” cases last year decreased by 13 per cent compared to 2023, and in the first four months of 2025, the figure further dropped by 63 per cent compared to the same period last year. The Police will continue to closely monitor deception trends, regularly review measures and strategies to combat fraud and strengthen protection for the public.
     
    (3)  Depending on the method used, fraud cases involving identity theft can be classified as phishing scams, online investment frauds, or even online romance scams. The Police do not maintain breakdown of fraud cases involving identity theft.
     
         In response to scammers sending text messages by impersonating as government departments, official institutions, and banks, the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) launched the SMS Sender Registration Scheme (the Scheme) on December 28, 2023, and fully opened it to all industries to join in February 2024. As at end May 2025, over 540 public and private organisations (including the Immigration Department, the Department of Health, the Police, the Consumer Council, major banks and TSPs) have participated in the Scheme. Under the Scheme, only those companies or organisations qualified as Registered Senders are able to send SMS messages using their Registered SMS Sender IDs with the prefix “#”. TSPs will block fraudulent SMS messages sent by non-Registered Senders via the Internet.
     
         In February 2023, the Police launched the mobile application “Scameter+” to help members of the public distinguish suspicious online platform accounts, payment accounts, phone numbers, email addresses, websites, etc, and to provide the public with anti-fraud tips. “Scameter+” has now been upgraded and is equipped with automatic detection functions. The Call Alert function and the Website Detection function will automatically identify scam calls and fraudulent websites. If potential fraud or cyber security risk is detected, “Scameter+” will issue a real-time notification, reminding users not to answer the call or browse the website.
     
         Moreover, under the co-ordination of the OFCA, the Police and major TSPs have established a mechanism where TSPs will, based on the fraud records provided by the Police, block the telephone numbers suspected to be involved in deception cases and intercept suspicious website links as soon as possible. The OFCA does not maintain any record of the average time required for relevant actions by TSPs.
     
    (4)  The Government understands that members of the public are concerned about marketing calls. However, the nature of marketing calls is fundamentally different from scam calls. Marketing calls do not necessarily involve fraud or illegal activities, and hence, the two should not be conflated. Some businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, still rely on voice marketing calls for promotional activities and service follow-ups. Therefore, it is essential to strike a balance between regulating marketing calls and maintaining normal business activities. In fact, other regions around the world also face similar challenges in managing marketing calls. Practical difficulties remain in operation and enforcement (for example, distinction between marketing calls from nuisance calls or scam calls, evidence collection, cross-border enforcement, etc). As such, the Government believes that regulation by legislation may not be the most effective approach for managing marketing calls.
     
         To mitigate the possible nuisance caused by marketing calls to the public, the OFCA has enhanced the Industry Regulatory Scheme for Marketing Calls in 2024 to introduce industry-specific regulation to limit the number of calls made by telemarketers to the same telephone number within a specific time frame, as well as requiring telemarketers to provide their names and contact numbers upon recipients’ requests, and to honour any unsubscribe requests from the called party. At present, 12 trade associations from seven industries (including finance, insurance, telecommunications, call centres, beauty, estate agencies and money lenders) have joined the scheme.
     
         In addition, the OFCA has requested TSPs to provide their users with call-filtering services, and actively encourage the use of call-filtering apps by the public, while also promoting relevant information on their websites. The number of enquiries and complaints related to marketing calls received by the Government has drastically reduced from 2 060 cases in 2011 to 93 cases in the first five months of 2025, reflecting the effectiveness of the above measures.
     
         On combating fraudulent calls, the OFCA will continue to collaborate with the telecommunications industry and the Police to mitigate the risk of phone deception on various fronts, including requiring TSPs to block/suspend suspected fraudulent phone numbers and websites, intercept suspicious calls starting with “+852”, send voice alerts or text messages to all mobile users for overseas calls prefixed with “+852”, and play voice alerts for newly activated prepaid SIM cards, so as to assist the public in guarding against suspicious calls and messages.
    Issued at HKT 14:53

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SAMOA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION’S 78TH ANNUAL GENERAL AND SCIENTIFIC MEETING [29th May 2025]

    Source:

    Share this:

    KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Prime Minister Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa

    Rev. Peter Gafa Lokeni,

    The President of the Fiji Medical Association, Dr Alipate Vakamocea,

    The Visiting Specialist from Cairns Australia, Dr Ben Vogler,

    The WHO Representative,

    The President and Members of the Samoa Medical Association Committee,

    Honorary Members, Medical Professionals & Doctors of the Samoa Medical Association,

    Parents and families of graduating interns,

    Distinguished guests,

    Talofa lava,

    O lea ua uma ona toto le niu i le tuaoi. Ua maea foi ona talatala le upega talatala ma’a, o le faasoa o le talalelei e sula ai le alofa ma le agalelei o Le Atua i lenei taeao.

    It is an honor to be at the opening of the Samoa Medical Association’s Annual General and Scientific Meeting, 78 years today – an event of immense importance to the medical community and also to the health and well-being of Samoa.

    I am informed the Annual Scientific meeting will discuss a wide range of topics relating to the burden and impact of ‘Sepsis’ in Samoa. Sepsis is a silent and devastating threat. It claims lives swiftly and often without warning. Every effort made to better understand, detect, and treat sepsis is an effort to save lives as per the theme of this year’s event – “Act Fast, Save a life. Recognize Sepsis.”

    I want to affirm the government’s unwavering support for the healthcare sector in addressing this challenge. We are committed to strengthening early warning systems, investing in sepsis education, supporting research into rapid diagnostics and treatments, and ensuring frontline workers have the tools and resources they need. But policy alone is not enough. It is knowledge shared here, the partnerships formed, and the ideas born from conferences like this that will ultimately drive progress. Your expertise and leadership are what turn strategy into action and hope into healing.

    Today, we are gathered to share knowledge and forge stronger networks of action, innovation, and collaboration. Across the country – and the world – doctors, nurses, researchers and policy makers are joining forces in this vital fight. Your presence here is a testament to the dedication, courage and relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the medical profession.

    Today, we also celebrate years of great service of 9 Honorary Life members of the Samoa Medical Association, who are all above 70 years of age – In recognition of their dedication and hard work for the community and our country, as well as welcoming new doctors to the medical fraternity and workforce.

    In closing, I thank each of you for your service, your dedication, and your continued efforts to combat Sepsis. Let this conference be a catalyst for change and a milestone in our collective journey towards a future where sepsis no longer takes any of us too soon.

    I wish you all a productive and inspiring meeting.

    Soifua.

    END

    Photo by the Government of Samoa [Leota Marc Membrere]

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Improving access to diagnosis and treatment for people with rare diseases – E-002187/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002187/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE)

    The number of people with rare diseases in the EU is estimated at 30 million, while the number of rare diseases is estimated at 6-8000. Diagnosis can take more than five years, while many people never receive a timely or adequate diagnosis. At the same time, the high cost of treatments, unequal access to treatments and the limited availability and geographical dispersion of specialists and centres of expertise mean that people with rare diseases have difficulty accessing care and support.

    In view of this:

    • 1.Following the adoption of the resolution on rare diseases by the World Health Assembly, will the Commission draw up an action plan on rare diseases with a view to implementing the provisions of the resolution?
    • 2.How will the Commission contribute to improving timely access of patients with rare and undiagnosed diseases to diagnosis, care, treatment and support services?
    • 3.Following successful national prevention programmes for other diseases, such as Greece’s ‘Prolamvano’, how does the Commission intend to provide technical support for the strengthening and implementation of national policies on rare diseases and how will it enhance collaboration, networking and knowledge exchange between specialist healthcare providers to improve expertise in the field of diagnosis?

    Submitted: 2.6.2025

    Last updated: 11 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Trawick International Expands LATAM Offerings with Corporate IPMI for Businesses in Latin America & the Caribbean

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trawick International, a leading provider of international insurance, announced today that it is expanding its innovative Plan VIVA international private medical insurance (IPMI) product line with the launch of VIVA Corporate, a group IPMI plan for businesses across Latin America and the Caribbean.

    Building on the success of Plan VIVA for individuals, VIVA Corporate offers businesses an opportunity to prioritize employee well-being while enhancing their ability to attract and retain top talent. The plan is designed for companies with five or more employees, offering a modular structure that allows organizations to customize coverage according to the specific needs and budget of their workforce.

    VIVA Corporate integrates the same core principles that have made Plan VIVA a preferred choice for international medical coverage: affordability, long-term sustainability, and personalized service. Businesses can select from various coverage options, ensuring their employees receive access to world-class healthcare without unnecessary costs.

    Key features include:

    • Flexible Coverage Options – A modular design that allows businesses to tailor plans to their workforce needs.
    • Premium Stability – Responsible underwriting practices to prevent sudden rate fluctuations.
    • Wellness and Preventive Care – Health programs and early detection screenings to encourage proactive healthcare management.
    • Seamless Digital Experience – A technology-driven platform for enrollment, policy management, and claims processing.
    • Global Access to Top-Tier Medical Facilities – Policyholders receive quality care wherever they are in the world.
    • Financial Security – Coverage reinsured by Lloyd’s of London.

    David Capote, President, Trawick International Latin America, commented, “We’re proud to introduce our new group IPMI plan tailored specifically for businesses across Latin America and the Caribbean. This offering reflects our commitment to providing flexible, high-quality international health coverage that meets the evolving needs of today’s globally mobile workforce. As companies in the region continue to expand and attract top talent, we’re here to ensure their teams are protected, wherever their work takes them.”

    Businesses interested in learning more about how this group IPMI solution can support their employees’ healthcare needs can contact info@trawicklatam.com.

    About Trawick International
    For over 25 years, Trawick International has been a leading provider of international insurance, administration, and assistance services. The company offers a full suite of innovative products and services designed to support today’s globally mobile population. To learn more about Trawick International and the Trawick family of companies, visit trawickholdings.com.

    Media Contact

    Melissa Nicholson
    Director, Corporate Communications
    Trawick International
    Melissa.Nicholson@trawickinternational.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Appendix cancer rising among younger generation – new study

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

    sasirin pamai/Shutterstock.com

    Appendix cancer is a condition that, until recently, was so rare that most people never gave it a second thought. For decades, it was the kind of disease that doctors might encounter only once or twice in a career, and it was almost always found in older adults.

    But now a surprising and concerning trend is emerging: appendix cancer is being diagnosed more often, and it’s increasingly affecting people in their 30s, 40s and even younger. This shift has left many experts puzzled and searching for answers.

    The appendix is a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine. Its purpose in the body is still debated, but it’s best known for causing appendicitis, a painful inflammation that often requires emergency surgery. What’s less well known is that cancer can develop in the appendix, usually without any warning signs.

    A new study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, has shown that the number of appendix cancer cases has increased dramatically among people born after the 1970s. In fact, the incidence has tripled or even quadrupled in younger generations compared with those born in the 1940s.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    While the overall numbers are still small (appendix cancer affects just a handful of people per million each year) the rapid rise is striking. Even more notable is that about one in three cases now occurs in adults under 50, a much higher proportion than seen in other types of gastrointestinal cancers.

    So, what’s behind this surge? No one knows for sure, but one of the first suspects is the dramatic change in lifestyle and environment over the past several decades. Obesity rates have soared since the 1970s, and being overweight is a known risk factor for many cancers, including those of the digestive system.

    At the same time, diets have shifted toward more processed foods, sugary drinks, and red or processed meats, all of which have been linked to increased cancer risk in other parts of the gut.

    Physical activity has also declined, with more people spending long hours sitting at desks or in front of screens.

    Another possibility is that we are being exposed to new environmental factors that previous generations didn’t face. The industrialisation of food production, the widespread use of plastics and chemicals, and changes in water quality might all play a role. However, the evidence is still in its early stages.

    Hard to detect

    What makes appendix cancer especially challenging is how difficult it is to detect. Unlike colon cancer, which can sometimes be found early through screening colonoscopies, appendix cancer usually flies under the radar.

    The symptoms, if they appear at all, are vague and easy to dismiss. People might experience mild abdominal pain, bloating or changes in bowel habits, which are common complaints for many benign conditions. As a result, most cases are only discovered after surgery for suspected appendicitis, when it’s often too late for early intervention.

    Despite the rise in cases, there is no routine screening test for appendix cancer. The disease is simply too rare to justify widespread screening, and the appendix can be difficult to visualise with standard imaging or endoscopy. This means that both patients and doctors need to be extra vigilant.

    If someone experiences persistent or unusual abdominal symptoms, especially if they’re under 50, it’s important not to ignore them. Early investigation and prompt treatment can make a significant difference in outcomes.

    The increase in appendix cancer among younger adults is part of a broader trend seen in other gastrointestinal cancers, such as those of the colon and stomach. These cancers, too, are being diagnosed more often in people under 50, suggesting that shared risk factors may be at work.

    The reasons for this shift are complex and probably involve a mix of genetics, lifestyle, environment and perhaps even changes in our gut microbiome – the bacteria in our intestines that live with us.

    Over the past few decades, antibiotics have been used more frequently, both in medicine and in agriculture. This widespread use can alter the balance of bacteria in our guts, which might influence cancer risk. Some recent research suggests that early-life exposure to antibiotics could have long-term effects on the digestive system, but more studies are needed to confirm this link.

    Could early-life exposure to antibiotics have something to do with the rise in appendix cancer?
    luchschenF/Shutterstock.com

    For now, the best advice is to focus on prevention and awareness. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and staying physically active are all steps that can lower the risk of many types of cancer.

    Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol intake are also important. While these measures can’t guarantee protection against appendix cancer, they are proven strategies for overall health.

    Researchers are working hard to unravel the mystery of why appendix cancer is rising so rapidly among younger generations. Understanding the causes will be crucial for developing better ways to prevent, detect and treat this rare but increasingly important disease.

    In the meantime, raising awareness among healthcare providers and the public is essential. By recognising the signs and taking action when symptoms arise, we can improve the chances of catching appendix cancer early and giving patients the best possible outcomes.

    The story of appendix cancer’s rise is a reminder that even rare diseases can become more common when our environment and lifestyles change. It’s also a call to action for further research and for all of us to pay attention to our bodies, seek medical advice when something feels off, and support efforts to understand and combat this puzzling trend.

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

    – ref. Appendix cancer rising among younger generation – new study – https://theconversation.com/appendix-cancer-rising-among-younger-generation-new-study-258607

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Outbreaks of Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease in 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Outbreaks of Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease in 2025

    The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) have found Koi herpesvirus (KHV) disease in fish at the following sites in England and Wales

    KHV is a serious viral disease of fish and is a listed disease in the United Kingdom. It affects all varieties of common and ornamental carp species (Cyprinus carpio) and can result in large scale mortalities. Fish with KHV disease may show the following signs, especially when water temperatures are between 16 to 28 °C:

    • necrotic (white or brown) patches on the gills

    • rough patches on the skin and sloughing mucous

    • sunken eyes

    You must contact the FHI if you suspect an outbreak of KHV. This includes fish with the above signs, or deaths of carp or carp hybrids.

    There is no risk to public health.

    Sites with KHV disease must undergo a formal monitoring programme immediately following the outbreak. The FHI visit these sites to look for evidence of disease and to inspect compliance with the conditions of the statutory controls in place.

    Confirmed designation

    If a notifiable disease is confirmed, FHI places controls to limit the spread of disease (these are known as confirmed designations). The following conditions are applied under disease controls:

    • No person may, without the previous consent in writing of the FHI, move any aquatic animal including eggs, and gametes, into, out of or within a confirmed designation area.

    • Disposal of dead aquatic animals, including eggs and gametes, must be by an approved method for disposal of Category 2 animal-by-product waste in compliance with local Environmental Health department requirements

    • Notify the Fish Health Inspectorate immediately should mortalities re-occur or spread to other waters/facilities within the designated area.

    • Notify the FHI in advance of all intended physical changes to sites within the designated area – such as site boundaries, number or size of waters, use of the site. FHI written permission will be required beforehand for all such changes.

    • All requests for consents required under this Confirmed Designation Notice must be submitted to the FHI with a minimum of 5 working days’ notice.

    New outbreaks

    When laboratory testing confirms KHV disease at a site, the FHI place statutory controls to limit the spread of the disease. These controls restrict movement of aquatic animals.

    Disease controls have been applied at:

    Halfpenny Green Vineyard Pools, Stourbridge, West Midlands – 11 June 2025

    PDF, 251 KB, 5 pages

    Diseases controls lifted at:

    You can:

    Background

    Koi herpesvirus disease (KHV) is a listed disease under The Aquatic Animal Health (England and Wales) Regulations 2009. KHV outbreaks have been subject to statutory controls in the UK since 2007. The UK maintains a surveillance programme for this disease.

    When the FHI confirm an outbreak, they take steps to control and, wherever possible, remove the disease. This may involve movement controls on susceptible species in the affected area, enhanced biosecurity, culling of fish, and cleaning and disinfecting of the premises.

    Once statutory controls are in place the site operators must write to the FHI to get permission to move live fish into, out of, or within the designated area, and to make material changes to the site or site activities. This also applies to fish eggs and gametes.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Housing placed at the heart of Cabinet

    Source: Scottish Government

    First Minister announces changes to Ministerial team.

    Tackling the housing emergency will be at the heart of the Scottish Cabinet, First Minister John Swinney has announced.

    Màiri McAllan has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Housing upon her return to government from maternity leave. Ms McAllan has responsibility for all aspects of housing policy, including heat in buildings.

    This appointment will ensure government action is focused on tackling the housing emergency and providing energy efficient homes for the future – helping stimulate economic growth, deliver Net Zero commitments and tackle child poverty.  

    Gillian Martin has been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, having held the portfolio during Ms McAllan’s maternity leave.

    Following the death of Christina McKelvie in March, Maree Todd will become Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, while retaining her existing responsibility for Sport. Tom Arthur has been appointed as Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing.

    Housing Minister Paul McLennan has requested to leave the Scottish Government and he does so today. Acting Minister for Climate Action Alasdair Allan will leave Government at the end of this week, having indicated that he only wished to serve on an interim basis.

    Excluding the Law Officers, the overall size of government reduces to 23, down from 27 in May 2024.

    First Minister John Swinney said:

    “Scotland’s strengths lie in our people, our communities and our resolve to leave a better future, and better country for the next generation. As First Minister, I am firmly focused on leading a government that unlocks the potential for every person in Scotland to thrive.

    “I have made changes to the Cabinet which will further enable us to realise that potential. Màiri McAllan has been tasked with tackling the housing emergency, including ensuring we have energy efficient homes to help bring down bills and tackle the climate emergency. These are two of the biggest challenges facing people across the country and I want them to know they have a government firmly on their side and focused on delivering real change.

    “Following the sad passing of Christina McKelvie, I have asked Maree Todd to take on responsibility for Drugs and Alcohol Policy. This government has shown it is not afraid to take bold measures to prevent harm and death, and we must redouble our efforts.

    “I want to thank Paul McLennan and Alasdair Allan for the service they have provided to me, the government and to the people of Scotland. They both held two very important Ministerial appointments in housing and climate action and have helped to drive forward progress in tackling two issues which are central to Scotland’s long-term success as a nation.” 

    Background

    The changes mean the Scottish Cabinet now consists of twelve, the majority of whom are women. Further changes mean the Ministerial team reduces to eleven, from fourteen.

    The Scottish Cabinet is as follows:

    • First Minister John Swinney
    • Deputy First Minister, with responsibility for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes
    • Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison
    • Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth
    • Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance
    • Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville
    • Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop
    • Cabinet Secretary for Housing Màiri McAllan
    • Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin
    • Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon 
    • Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray
    • Cabinet Secretary for Constitution External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson

    Màiri McAllan has been on maternity since 1 July 2024. Gillian Martin was acting Cabinet Secretary Net Zero and Energy, with Alasdair Allan temporarily assuming responsibility for Climate Action. Màiri McAllan maternity cover – gov.scot

    Christina McKelvie, Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, passed away in March 2025.  First Minister pays tribute to Christina McKelvie MSP – gov.scot

    Tom Arthur was previously Minister for Employment and Investment. His investment responsibilities will be assumed by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, while Richard Lochhead’s extended responsibilities see him become Minister for Business and Employment.

    Paul McLennan has left government today. Alasdair Allan will leave his post at end of this week.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chancellor announces record investment to rebuild National Health Service

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    News story

    Chancellor announces record investment to rebuild National Health Service

    The Chancellor has today (Wednesday 11 June) announced a record £29 billion investment to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future.

    • Rachel Reeves announces record £29 billion funding boost to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future.
    • New investment includes up to £10 billion on technology and digital transformation, GP training to deliver millions more appointments and rolling out mental health support to all schools.
    • Reeves tells the House of Commons: “There’s no strong economy without a strong NHS.”

    New investment announced at the Spending Review will enable the NHS to deliver on the government’s Plan for Change to cut waiting lists, improve patient care and modernise services.

    Up to £10 billion allocated towards technology and digital transformation, thousands more GPs to be trained and funding allocated to deliver an additional 700,000 urgent NHS dentist appointments a year.

    The funding boost came as the Chancellor unveiled a Spending Review to deliver Britain’s renewal, with record investment in the country’s security, health and economy.

    Security

    The Chancellor confirmed a £11 billion real-terms increase in defence spending over the spending review period, backing our Armed Forces, creating British jobs in British industries, and prioritising the security of Britain when it is most needed.

    Today’s funding will provide the Ministry of Defence with the resources and capital necessary to start delivering the Strategic Defence Review, rebuilding the armed forces and investing heavily in UK intelligence capabilities. This includes £15 billion for a nuclear sovereign warhead programme, supporting over 9,000 jobs in the UK, £7 billion of infrastructure funding for a once-in-a-generation renewal of military accommodation, and £6 billion for munitions, investing in supply chains and factories in the UK and generating over 1,000 jobs and export potential. 

    At least £280 million a year will also be invested into border security by 2028-29, including into the Border Security Command, to tackle people-smuggling gangs running small boats. Funding of at least £400 million a year by 2028-29 will speed up the process of asylum processing, increase appeals capacity and continue asylum returns alongside ending the costly use of hotels for accommodation.

    Police spending power will see an average 2.3% real terms increase over the Spending Review period as the government puts police back on the beat in communities across England and Wales, supporting the government’s Plan for Change commitment to put an additional 13,000 police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood roles.

    Growth

    Roads, infrastructure and towns outside of London and the South East will receive investment to ensure Britain’s renewal is one that is truly national. Revisions to the Treasury’s Green Book announced by the Chancellor mark a new approach to appraisal in the public sector, one which will enable the more effective assessment of place-based interventions. 

    The Chancellor announced £15.6 billion funding in total by 2031-32 for local transport projects in England’s city regions and £2.3 billion from 2026-27 to 2029-30 for local transport improvements outside of these nine regions, improving everyday journeys for all. The Chancellor announced a further £2.5 billion to connect Oxford and Cambridge through the continued delivery of East-West Rail and confirmed she will set out plans to take forward work on Northern Powerhouse Rail in the coming weeks.

    Funding announced today will deliver upgrades to Cardiff Central station, reduce journey times between Manchester and Leeds through continued investment in the TransPennine Route Upgrade, and progress the delivery of Midlands Rail Hub, enhancing connections from Birmingham across the West Midlands and to other regions.

    The Chancellor also confirmed the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation, confirming £39 billion of investment over ten years through a new Affordable Homes Programme, turbocharging the Plan for Change commitment to get the country building and deliver the 1.5 million homes Britain needs.

    This significant settlement represents the first time in living memory that the government has set out a programme that provides ten years of certainty – giving the sector the confidence to deliver for now and for the future of housing in Britain and turning the tide on the housing crisis in this country.

    Today’s Spending Review also supports the development of home-grown, clean power to deliver energy security by committing £14.2 billion for Britain’s first state-funded nuclear power station since 1988 in Sizewell C, providing over £2.5 billion for one of Europe’s first Small Modular Reactor programmes and allocating £9.4 billion to UK carbon capture and storage over the Spending Review period – all while supporting Britain’s acceleration to net zero and driving growth.

    The Chancellor also confirmed additional funding for up to 350 communities, especially those in deprived areas, through Plans for Neighbourhoods – giving new long-term regeneration funding and supporting councils in their fightback against graffiti and fly-tipping across Britain.

    The government will also establish a Growth Mission Fund to expedite local projects that are important for growth but have been forgotten, such as Southport Pier, Kirkcaldy’s seafront and High Street, and a new sports quarter in Peterborough.

    In the coming weeks, the government will release its Infrastructure and Industrial Strategies – providing the certainty and stability sectors need to invest and work to drive our growth mission.

    Devolved nations

    The devolved administrations will receive their largest real terms settlements since devolution began in 1998, enabling them to deliver on local priorities that matter most to communities.

    The Scottish Government will receive an average extra £2.9 billion across the duration of this Spending Review through the operation of the Barnett formula. In recognition of Scotland’s unique needs, they will have 20% more to spend per individual than comparable UK Government spending for people in the rest of the UK.

    The Welsh Government will benefit from an average extra £1.6 billion over the Spending Review period through the Barnett formula to deliver against the priorities of working people in Wales, and 20% more to spend per individual than comparable UK Government does for people in the rest of the UK.

    The Northern Ireland Executive will receive an average extra £1.2 billion through the Barnett formula, 24% more to spend per person than the comparable UK Government spending in the rest of the UK, reflecting Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances.

    These record settlements are made possible by the tough but necessary decisions taken in the October Budget.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fun for Just £1 This Summer at Derry and Strabane Leisure Centres

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Fun for Just £1 This Summer at Derry and Strabane Leisure Centres

    6 June 2025

    Families across Derry and Strabane can look forward to an action-packed summer as the Council launches its exciting seasonal programme of activities – all at unbeatable value.

    Returning again this year is the hugely popular £1 Summer Offer, running from 1st July to 31st August. This initiative gives young people under 18 access to a wide range of daytime activities – all for just £1 – at Council leisure centres across the city and district.

    Available from Monday to Friday until 5pm, the offer includes swimming and a variety of court and pitch-based activities such as:

    • Tennis
    • Badminton
    • 5-a-side football
    • Table tennis
    • Basketball
    • Squash
    • Selected pitch activities (T&Cs apply)

    The initiative is part of Council’s wider sports development programme, aimed at encouraging children and young people to stay active, try new sports, and enjoy healthy fun throughout the summer – without breaking the bank.

    Karen McFarland, Director of Health and Community at Derry City and Strabane District Council, said:

    “The £1 Summer Scheme offers a fantastic variety of activities to keep children and young people engaged, active, and entertained throughout the holidays. It’s a great way for them to discover new interests while staying healthy and having fun.

    Importantly, the affordable £1 price point helps ease the financial pressure on families looking to keep their kids busy over the summer break.”

    The scheme will be available at the following Council leisure centres:

    • Bishops Field
    • City Baths
    • Foyle Arena
    • Brooke Park Leisure Centre
    • Derg Valley Leisure Centre
    • Melvin Sports Complex
    • Riversdale Leisure Centre
    • Templemore Sports Complex

    Please note: Activities must be booked on the day of play. Advance bookings are not available.

    Separate from the £1 Summer Scheme offer, children and young people can also avail of the Council’s Intensive Swim Lessons over the summer months. Online and in-house enrolment will be available from the following times next week:

    Monday 9th June

    Foyle Arena – Online from 9am, inhouse from 10am

    City Baths – Online and inhouse from 11am

    Tuesday 10th June

    Templemore Sports Complex – Online from 9am, inhouse from 10am

    Riversdale Leisure Centre – Online from 9am, inhouse from 10am

    For full details on the summer programme and to stay up to date with all the latest offers, visit:
     www.derrystrabane.com/services/leisure

    You can also follow your local leisure centre on Facebook for regular updates.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Alley Theatre to host Prestigious International Conference

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Alley Theatre to host Prestigious International Conference

    11 June 2025

    The 8th International Flann O’Brien Conference is set to bring a vibrant gathering of scholars and enthusiasts of Flann O Brien’s work to Strabane’s Alley Theatre from June 25th to 27th, 2025.

    This prestigious event, hosted in Strabane for the first time, will delve into this year’s theme: An Fód Dúchais: Home, Heritage, and origins.

    Jointly hosted by the International Flann O’Brien Society and Strabane History Society the conference marks a significant return to O ’Nolan’s birth town, Strabane. The town, with its unique geographical and historical position perfectly embodies themes of fluidity and contested spaces — concepts central to O’Brien’s satirical and often surreal literary output.

    On Tuesday, June 24th, schools are invited to a free theatrical performance of “Flann O’Brien” by Justin Logue at 11am, followed by an informal pre-conference gathering of conference delegates at Farmer’s Home, Railway Street, Strabane.

    This international gathering promises to be a rich exploration of Flann O’Brien’s literary genius, offering insights into his enduring relevance and the unique cultural landscape that shaped his extraordinary imagination.

    The conference will feature three distinguished keynote speakers: Dr. Tobias W. Harris (Birkbeck, University of London); Dr. Michael Pierse (Queen’s University Belfast) and Dr. Emily Ridge (University of Galway).

    The conference commences on Wednesday, June 25th, with a Walking Tour of Flann O’Brien’s Strabane led by members of The Alley Theatre team, scripted by Strabane History Society offering our international delegates a unique perspective on the town that influenced O ‘Nolan’s work. The day will also include a keynote address by Dr. Emily Ridge titled ‘Dul Siar, Dul Siar: The Ever-Receding West in An Béal Bocht’, followed by an Official Opening with a Civic Reception and performances led by local artists to welcome delegates to Strabane.

    Attendees can look forward to a diverse range of academic panels throughout the three days, covering topics such as “Old and New,” “Science and Health,” “Technology and Media,” and “Social Contexts & Formative Communities.”

    Thursday, June 26th, will feature a keynote address by Dr. Tobias Harris, ‘Ag Fuineadh Ama: Opening Closed Ground in the Works of Brian Ó Nualláin’, and a special Film Screening showcasing “Babble” (2008) by David O’Kane and “Re-enactment” (2009) by Eamon O’Kane, both inspired by O’Nolan’s work.

    The evening will conclude with a Book launch for Flann O’Brien and the European Avant-Garde, 1934–45 (Bloomsbury Academic, 2025) and the launch of Micheál Ó Nualláin Art Exhibit by Anna Uí Nualláin in the museum services space at The Alley Theatre gallery. In the main gallery, O’Kane Family will also launch “Strange Enlightenments”; responses to the work of Brian O’ Nolan featuring artwork by Eddie O’Kane, Joanna O’Kane, Eamon O’Kane, Matthew O’Kane and David O’Kane which will be showcased throughout the summer months.

    The final day, Friday, June 27th, includes a keynote address by Dr. Michael Pierse on ‘False Alternatives and Grim Absurdities: Flann O’Brien’s Social Critique of Independent Ireland in At Swim-Two-Birds and An Béal Bocht’.

    Each lunchtime internationally renowned singer and songwriter Brian Hassan will provide music on our café stage.

    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Ruairí McHugh said it was a huge honour for the Alley Theatre to host a conference of this calibre. Extending his best wishes to everyone involved in the event he said he hoped it would be a huge success.

    He acknowledged the role played by officers of Derry City and Strabane District Council in working to bring this event to the Alley Theatre,  while also showcasing what Strabane has to offer in what will be a great visitor experience and a chance for the local community to capture a taste of Flann O Brien from an academic perspective from his town of birth.

    For further information and programme details please visit www.alley-theatre.com or contact Alley box office 02871384444 or visit. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 4.30pm

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The largest genome database in Russia has been compiled as part of the genetic initiative “100,000 I”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Center for Whole Genome Sequencing of Biotechnology Campus LLC (hereinafter referred to as the Center) has fulfilled the plan for collecting biomaterials within the framework of the national genetic initiative “100,000 I”. The total number of samples has exceeded 100,000 units, of which more than 80,000 have already been decoded and entered into the project database. Full processing of the collected genomes will be completed by the end of the year.

    The 100,000 I project is being implemented by the Center within the framework of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies, the main technological partner of which is PJSC NK Rosneft. The main objective of the initiative is to decipher and systematize the genomes of Russian residents to identify hereditary predisposition to serious diseases.

    At the current stage of research, scientists have already identified the genetic causes of diseases in more than 10,000 patients. Bioinformatics analysis has identified thousands of unique genetic variants associated with 500 different rare (orphan) diseases.

    In addition, based on the analysis of more than 50,000 genomes of the initiative’s volunteers, reference data on the genetic diversity of the Russian population has been formed – the so-called “genomic landscape”. These data will become the starting point for further work, which scientists will be able to rely on to identify new patterns in human DNA.

    Additionally, samples of over 5,000 representatives of 50 different nationalities of the Russian Federation were analyzed. To assess the frequency of genetic variants that lead to severe genetic diseases, in certain regions, for example, in Yakutia or in the regions of the North Caucasus Federal District, expanded studies of representatives of individual ethnic communities are being conducted. Their results will form the basis for genetic screening programs for healthy family planning and prevention of hereditary pathologies.

    The implementation of the “100,000 I” initiative makes a significant contribution to the development of personalized medicine and prevention of hereditary diseases in the country. The center cooperates with leading medical and genetic research centers, including: Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Academician B.V. Petrovsky Russian Scientific Center of Surgery, Academician N.P. Bochkov Medical and Genetic Research Center, Ufa Federal Research Institute and many others.

    Rosneft pays special attention to the development of the scientific and educational part of the project. Together with Rosneft, master’s programs in genetics have been developed and launched at Moscow State University and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology: “Genomics and Human Health” and “Algorithmic Biology”, respectively. During the training, students of the programs undergo practical training at the Center’s sites, and after successfully mastering the specialty and graduating, they have the opportunity to find employment there. The formation of a personnel reserve and the development of the scientific infrastructure of the project create the basis for further progress in the field of genetic technologies in Russia.

    Specialists from the Biotechnology Campus regularly participate in educational events. In particular, in 2023-2024 they gave lectures and presentations at the Rosneft pavilion as part of the international exhibition and forum Russia at VDNKh.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 11, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Supporting Arkansans in Need

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

    The war against opioids and deadly illicit drugs still rages on, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for those who struggle with substance abuse. As we learn more about the successful ways to address substance use disorders, more opportunities for treatment and recovery are created that reach into our communities and create viable paths forward. Many of these opportunities for recovery are thanks in part to work done not only on the local and state levels, but at the federal level through legislation passed by Congress. 

    In 2018, Congress passed the Substance-Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act which was ultimately signed into law by President Trump. At that time, it was historically the largest Congressional investment in overdose prevention focused on strengthening the nation’s response to the substance abuse crisis that had already claimed millions of lives. Now, Congress has the chance to extend these life-saving provisions and continue extending critical care and resources to those in need.

    Legislation like the SUPPORT Act that is focused on treatment and recovery programs is undoubtedly a contributing factor to the decreasing number of fatal overdoses reported across the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in Arkansas, fatal overdoses fell 25.5% from 517 in 2023 to 385 in 2024. Promising results like this are exactly why we must continue creating avenues to bolster training programs for first responders, fund community-based recovery and youth prevention efforts, and renew funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, among other initiatives. 

    On the floor this week in the House of Representatives, House Republicans passed legislation reauthorizing key public health programs focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery for patients with substance use disorder that were established in the original SUPPORT Act and proved to be successful, providing life-saving solutions. Vital pieces of legislation like this reflect House Republicans’ sincere commitment to improving America’s health, combatting the deadly opioid crisis, and creating opportunities for success among our nation’s most vulnerable. 

    It is an honor not taken lightly to work diligently and tirelessly in Washington on behalf of the friends and neighbors whom I serve across the Fourth District. In passing legislation like the SUPPORT Act, Congress has the ability to lift up local programs across the Fourth District which directly affect real people with real needs. While there is still much work to be done to put an end to the opioid crisis for good, the SUPPORT Act is an excellent step in the right direction to provide hope for the people of Arkansas and our country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: EBC Financial Group Launches over a 100 U.S. ETF CFDs, Strengthening Diversification for Global Clients

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EBC Financial Group (EBC) has announced the launch of over 100 new U.S.-listed Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) CFDs, expanding its multi-asset product suite and offering global client’s deeper access to diversified, thematic trading opportunities. The rollout highlights EBC’s ongoing commitment to delivering institutional-grade tools across asset classes, underpinned by flexibility, transparency, and efficiency.

    The new offering includes ETFs listed on the NYSE and NASDAQ, issued by leading asset managers such as Vanguard, iShares (BlackRock), and State Street Global Advisors. Thematic coverage spans a wide range of global macro and sectoral narratives.

    “This expansion reflects our vision to bridge intelligent product design with market relevance,” said David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd. “The new products are a natural evolution for traders seeking targeted exposure with greater strategic flexibility. At EBC, we’re building an ecosystem that empowers both precision and performance.”

    Thematic Access Meets Tactical Flexibility

    The additional ETF-linked instruments cover a variety of market exposures, including geographic allocations like the iShares MSCI Brazil ETF; fixed income-focused strategies such as the iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond Fund; and sector- or commodity-based indices including the United States Oil Fund LP and the Vanguard Health Care ETF. Other themes include dividend-related baskets, mid-cap equities, and style-based index tracking.

    These developments reflect wider industry interest in instruments that mirror trends in asset allocation without direct ownership of the underlying securities. Across many markets, sector-tilted and style-based index products are gaining relevance as participants seek flexible ways to align with global narratives.

    Historically, ETFs tracking specific economic cycles—such as commodity recoveries or emerging market rebounds—have demonstrated performance differentiation. The iShares MSCI Brazil ETF, for example, notably outperformed the S&P 500 during the post-pandemic recovery period in 2021, highlighting how thematic instruments can diverge from broad indices depending on market cycles.

    These additions serve as both stand-alone trade ideas and complementary instruments alongside EBC’s existing product lineup, enabling advanced portfolio structuring and thematic trading.

    Smarter Exposure: Leverage, Shorting, and Cost Efficiency in One Product

    Compared to direct ETF investments, it presents several key advantages as traders benefit from a simplified cost structure, with no traditional fund management fees or broker commissions. The flexibility to take both long and short positions allows for strategic trading regardless of market direction, while the use of leverage enhances capital efficiency and return potential. These trades are executed in real time via EBC’s recognised platforms, providing seamless access to market opportunities.

    During key market cycles, for example the post-pandemic V-shaped recovery of 2021—certain thematic ETFs, like the iShares MSCI Brazil ETF, significantly outperformed broader indices such as the S&P 500. Our portfolio enables traders to participate in similar trends, adapting quickly to shifting market dynamics with precision and speed.

    Getting Started

    These products can be accessed by registering on www.ebc.com to begin simulated or live trading.

    About EBC Financial Group  
    Founded in London’s esteemed financial district, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is a global brand known for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. Through its regulated entities operating across major financial jurisdictions—including the UK, Australia, the Cayman Islands, Mauritius, and others—EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access a wide range of global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, shares, and indices.

    Recognised with multiple awards, EBC is committed to upholding ethical standards and is licensed and regulated within the respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC);  EBC Financial (MU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC).  

    At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.   

    As the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, EBC provides specialised services across Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Through its partnership with United to Beat Malaria, the company contributes to global health initiatives. EBC also supports the ‘What Economists Really Do’ public engagement series by Oxford University’s Department of Economics, helping to demystify economics and its application to major societal challenges, fostering greater public understanding and dialogue.  

    https://www.ebc.com/ 

    Media Contact:
    Savitha Ravindran
    Global Public Relations Manager
    savitha.ravindran@ebc.com

    Michelle Siow
    Brand & Communications Director
    michelle.siow@ebc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kit Out Sunderland helping the planet and local participants

    Source: City of Sunderland

    From 6-29 June, 12 locations across Sunderland and Tyne and Wear will be open to receive donations of unwanted sports kit and active wear that will be gifted to local children, young people and families.

    Kit Out Sunderland will help the planet by providing individuals and community youth and sports organisations across the area with the opportunity to see their new or unwanted sports kit and active wear given a new life, rather than stay in the bottom of a wardrobe or end up in landfill.

    The donations will then be sorted in early July and distributed to children, young people and families through local groups, supporting local people be more active this summer and beyond.

    Kit Out Sunderland is a collective partnership between Active Sunderland, RISE, Sported, StreetGames and Youth Sport Trust, with sponsorship from the North East Combined Authority.

    The partners are working together to reduce barriers to participation in sport and physical activity locally, whilst reducing the environmental impact of sports kit and active wear. Striving to have healthier, safer, and more active communities.

    Donation points will be open at various locations from 6-29 June, with special requests for sports and active leisure tops, hoodies and tracksuits, leggings and joggers, waterproofs, trainers and football boots which are new or in a clean and useable condition.

    Special donation stations will also be open at the Nissan manufacturing plant for Nissan employees to donate their sports kit and active wear.

    Donations will be sorted by young volunteers from Sunderland College and the Foundation of Light once the collection window closes on 29 June, before local youth and sports organisations distribute the donations to local children, young people and families accessing their services.

    A full list of public donation stations is available below:

    ·       Sunderland Aquatic Centre

    ·       Ford Football Hub

    ·       Downhill Football Hub

    ·       Washington Football Hub

    ·       Raich Carter Sport Centre

    ·       Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre

    ·       Houghton Sports Centre

    ·       Hetton Community Pool and Wellness Centre

    ·       Washington Leisure Centre

    ·       Beacon of Light

    ·       Sunderland City Hall

    ·       Sunderland College

    Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, Councillor Beth Jones, said: “This is a fantastic way of giving a new lease of life to unwanted sports kit.

    “It helps both those who want to get active but don’t have the kit and those who have it but no longer need it.

    “We’re delighted it’s happening in Sunderland and our thanks go all the partners who are hosting donation boxes.”

    Director of Skills, Inclusion & Public Service Reform, Charlotte Carpenter, said: “Sport and physical activity has so much to offer from a mental, physical and social health perspective, so to see organisations in the region working together to reduce barriers to participation is something we are delighted to support and fund as part of our mission to reduce child poverty. 

    “We encourage everyone who lives, works and visits the Sunderland area to consider donating where they can and help us to create a better community for all.”

    Strategic Lead for Children and Young People’s Health and Wellbeing at Rise North East, Louise Laws, said: “There’s an amazing buzz in Sunderland right now and this is a great chance to boost that even more.  

    “Donating new or recycled sports kit and active clothing/footwear that you don’t need helps local children, young people and families in your community and also helps the environment, because it doesn’t go to waste or end up in landfills. 

    “Once we sort the kit, it’ll go to local people so that they can get more active and really improve their health and wellbeing, because every child and young person has the right to play and be active. We look forward to continuing to build relationships to empower the community to sustain and upscale this offer, wider.”

    Sported Regional Manager for the North East, Kathryn Foley, said: “Sported’s network of clubs and groups across the North East support local participants to be active and take part in sport every week.

    “It’s exciting that we can take this opportunity through Kit Out Sunderland to benefit local people and the environment through distributing unwanted kit, and I look forward to seeing the items donated and distributed through our Sported network members.”

    StreetGames North East Network Lead, Anna Coulson, said: “Working with Locally Trusted Organisations on a daily basis we know there is so much amazing work happening around the city to provide a year-round, multi-sport offer to young people but despite this some young people still cannot access it due to not having the appropriate sports kit.

    “We have worked with some of these organisations to really understand what is needed within their communities and we hope this initiative will help young people to become physically active into the future! We also wanted to ensure that sports kit gets a full life and doesn’t end up in landfill!”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ21: Safeguarding mental health of academic staff members and students

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ21: Safeguarding mental health of academic staff members and students 
    Question:
     
         The mental health of academic staff members and students in Hong Kong draws societal concern. There are views that the Government should strengthen the protection of their physical and mental health as well as to provide appropriate support services to the families of suicide victims concerned. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the respective numbers of academic staff members and students committing suicide and attempting to commit suicide in each of the past five years and, among them, the numbers of cases in which death inquests were held, together with a breakdown by types of school (i.e. (i) primary school, (ii) secondary school and (iii) university);
     
    (2) of the Government’s follow-up and support procedures in respect of cases of suicide attempts among academic staff members and students, including the policy bureaux involved, the category of professionals providing support services in those cases and the areas and extent of intervention, as well as details of the support services provided by them; and
     
    (3) in respect of the suicide cases mentioned in (1), whether the Government has provided support services (e.g. professional emotional counselling services) to the families, relatives and friends of the suicide victims; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; primarily which government departments’ staff members to provide assistance to the families of suicide victims and inform them of their rights under the law (including the rights of the families to request for holding a death inquest)?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Education Bureau (EDB) attaches great importance to the mental health of teachers and students, and has all along been encouraging schools to adopt the Whole School Approach. Through cross-departmental, cross-disciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, the EDB enhances the mental health of teachers and students and provides enhanced support for students with mental health needs (including those with suicidal risk) via various measures and activities directed at three levels, namely Universal, Selective and Indicated. In recent years, the EDB has implemented a number of measures to support students’ mental health. This includes implementing the “4Rs Mental Health Charter” in the 2024/25 school year, with a view to helping students develop healthy living habits and positive interpersonal relationships, and enhancing their resilience. In addition, starting from the 2023/24 school year, the EDB has launched the Mental Health Literacy Resource Packages suitable for students at different learning stages. In consultation with the Social Welfare Department (SWD), our reply to the question raised by the Hon Lillian Kwok is as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) The EDB has all along required primary and secondary schools to report fatal suspected student suicide cases. The numbers of relevant cases in primary and secondary schools in the past five years (2020 to 2024) are tabulated as follows. Of the cases reported, secondary students accounted for about 91 per cent of the total cases, while primary students accounted for about 9 per cent. 
     

    Year     The EDB does not collect data on fatal suspected suicide cases of school personnel, attempted suicides of students, relevant cases of university students and number of death inquests held.
     
         We continue to strengthen the identification of and support for students with mental health risks. For example, the EDB organises about 40 additional thematic teacher training workshops in the 2024/25 school year to introduce the practical skills, counselling techniques and intervention strategies in supporting students with mental health needs, as well as organises parent education talk series for parents of primary and secondary school students that cover topics related to the mental health of children.
     
         Regarding support measures, if schools suspect the students having suicidal risk, schools will arrange school guidance personnel (for example, student guidance teacher/student guidance personnel or school social worker) for early support. If necessary, schools will solicit professional support from the school-based educational psychologists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, medical, or police officers to ensure that appropriate intervention measures will be taken. To enhance cross-sector collaboration, starting from December 2023, the Government has implemented the Three-tier School-based Emergency Mechanism in all secondary schools in Hong Kong by pooling together the schools’ multi-disciplinary teams, the off-campus support network and medical services. The implementation of the Mechanism has been extended till the end of 2025 and related arrangements were enhanced.
     
         Furthermore, the Government established a cross-departmental referral and collaboration mechanism in April 2024. For instance, when police officers handle attempted suicide cases concerning primary and secondary students that happen outside schools, the Police will, upon obtaining the consent from the student concerned and the parent/guardian, refer the case to the school the student is attending, via the EDB, for support services. If the student and parent/guardian wish to receive support services from other organisation(s), the SWD will refer the case for services provided by other social services units, such as Integrated Family Service Centres (IFSCs), Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness, and Integrated Children and Youth Services Centres. Schools or relevant social welfare organisations will provide students with emergency intervention services, such as assessments, support and counselling through individual, group or online mode.
     
         Regarding support for teachers’ physical and psychological well-being, the EDB has set up the Teachers’ Helpline since 2006 to support teachers in coping with stress at work and mental health problems. Apart from this, professional counselling services and face-to-face counselling will be provided as and when necessary, and professionals will be arranged to follow up relevant cases. Meanwhile, the service providers will organise talks on how to relieve stress for teachers. In addition, starting from the 2023/24 school year, the EDB has commissioned non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or tertiary institutions to organise courses on physical and mental health for teachers every year, covering topics on mental health, expressive arts, mindfulness and physical health, to enhance teachers’ capacity at work.
     
    (3) The SWD subvents The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong to operate the Suicide Crisis Intervention Centre (SCIC), which offers immediate crisis intervention and in-depth counselling services for persons in need. The SCIC also renders support services to persons affected by suicidal behaviours (including familes and friends), including consultation hotline, groups, talks and workshops. Moreover, 67 territory-wide IFSCs (including two Integrated Service Centres), operated by the SWD or subvented NGOs also provide appropriate service and assistance for the families and relatives of suicide victims, including financial assistance, counselling service, and connection with community resources.
    Issued at HKT 18:56

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: NVIDIA Partners With Novo Nordisk and DCAI to Advance Drug Discovery

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PARIS, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NVIDIA GTC Paris at VivaTech — NVIDIA today announced a collaboration with Novo Nordisk to accelerate drug discovery efforts through innovative AI use cases. The work supports Novo Nordisk’s agreement with DCAI to use the Gefion sovereign AI supercomputer.

    The companies aim to create customized AI models and agents that Novo Nordisk can use for early research and clinical development and to apply advanced simulation and physical AI technologies.

    “AI is essential for every industry, and there’s no other field that will benefit more from acceleration than drug discovery,” said Rory Kelleher, senior director of business development for life sciences at NVIDIA. “Working with Novo Nordisk, we’re advancing critical R&D applications with fundamental tools that can harness the full potential of generative and agentic AI to improve pharmaceutical development.”

    Novo Nordisk Taps Advanced AI to Accelerate Innovation
    DCAI’s Gefion supercomputer, powered by NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD™, provides Novo Nordisk an AI factory for running drug discovery and agentic AI workloads. Novo Nordisk will use NVIDIA BioNeMo™ for generative AI-powered drug discovery, NVIDIA NIM™ and NVIDIA NeMo™ microservices for building customized agentic workflows, and the NVIDIA Omniverse™ platform to create physically accurate simulation environments for developing physical AI applications.

    Novo Nordisk researchers will focus on several AI research programs, including using single-cell models to predict cellular responses to drug candidates and structures, as well as designing models to build molecules with drug-like properties. The companies will also collaborate on tapping Novo Nordisk’s vast global scientific literature to build biomedical large language models, enabling researchers to uncover correlations between genes, proteins and diseases.

    “By coupling NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform and expertise with Novo’s deep expertise in life sciences research and development, we aim to build custom models that will aid our scientists in developing new medicines faster and more efficiently,” said Mishal Patel, senior vice president, AI and digital innovation at Novo Nordisk. “Gefion will allow us to run experiments at an unprecedented scale.”

    Advancing Denmark’s Healthcare Ecosystem
    DCAI owns and operates Gefion, Denmark’s flagship AI supercomputer. DCAI is helping lower the barrier for accessing advanced computing capabilities and enabling companies in Denmark to pursue research and development across healthcare and drug discovery.

    “With Gefion’s computational power, we can tackle the toughest R&D challenges, with the ultimate goal of unlocking new possibilities for pharmaceutical research and development,” said Nadia Carlsten, CEO of DCAI. “By combining Gefion’s capabilities with NVIDIA’s expertise, our customers can accelerate innovation even further.”

    Gefion has already been used by multiple customers to advance healthcare and drug discovery.

    Teton, a Danish startup and member of the NVIDIA Inception program for cutting-edge startups, is tapping into Gefion to accelerate the development of its AI care companion for hospitals, using cameras and sensors installed in patient rooms to create real-time 3D digital twins. This allows nurses to monitor patients remotely and receive alerts about potential health issues. Teton’s technology aims to reduce workload burden on nurses — freeing them up for higher-value tasks — and improve patient care, with early trials showing up to a 25% reduction in nightshift duties.

    Last month, DCAI announced that one of the first pharma companies to use Gefion will tap the supercomputer to accelerate drug discovery and development in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Another venture-backed company is using Gefion to accelerate the development of oral alternatives to widely used biologics and to target proteins that are currently difficult or impossible to drug with available compounds.

    Gefion will also be used as part of an effort by Danish health organizations to unite previously siloed health data into a single national analysis platform, which will provide researchers with secure access to interconnected health data. Along with supercomputing resources, this will make it easier to analyze large datasets, identify disease patterns earlier and develop more personalized treatments.

    Watch the NVIDIA GTC Paris keynote from NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang at VivaTech, and explore GTC Paris sessions.

    About NVIDIA
     NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) is the world leader in accelerated computing.

    For further information, contact:
    Janette Ciborowski
    Enterprise Communications
    NVIDIA Corporation
    +1-734-330-8817
    jciborowski@nvidia.com

    Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements as to: working with Novo Nordisk, NVIDIA advancing critical R&D applications with fundamental tools that can harness the full potential of generative and agentic AI to improve pharmaceutical development; the benefits, impact, performance, and availability of NVIDIA’s products, services, and technologies; expectations with respect to NVIDIA’s third party arrangements, including with its collaborators and partners; expectations with respect to technology developments; and other statements that are not historical facts are 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, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: global economic and political conditions; NVIDIA’s reliance on third parties to manufacture, assemble, package and test NVIDIA’s products; the impact of technological development and competition; development of new products and technologies or enhancements to NVIDIA’s existing product and technologies; market acceptance of NVIDIA’s products or NVIDIA’s partners’ products; design, manufacturing or software defects; changes in consumer preferences or demands; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of NVIDIA’s products or technologies when integrated into systems; and changes in applicable laws and regulations, as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the most recent reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on the company’s website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

    © 2025 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, NVIDIA BioNeMo, NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD, NVIDIA NeMo, NVIDIA NIM and NVIDIA Omniverse are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/92c0c3db-28ea-43c7-b0d5-9ac3b350edaf

    The MIL Network –

  • Health ministry issues advisory as Delhi sizzles, urges people to stay indoors during peak hours

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that daytime temperatures in Delhi may soar to 45 degrees Celsius, the Health Ministry on Wednesday urged people to stay indoors during peak hours, and stay hydrated.

    The IMD has issued an orange alert for the national capital on Wednesday.

    The IMD has warned that daytime temperatures in Delhi could reach as high as 45 degrees Celsius, with night-time lows hovering around 29 degrees Celsius. The ongoing weather conditions are part of a prolonged heatwave affecting large parts of northwestern India.

    “Extreme heat can be risky. Stay indoors during peak hours, eat lower-calorie food, drink safe fluids, and never leave kids or pets in parked cars,” the Health Ministry, said in a post on social media platform X.

    “Call 108/102 if someone shows signs of heatstroke,” it added.

    In an infographic shared along with the post, the Ministry urged people to avoid getting out in the sun, especially between 12:00 noon and 03:00 pm. It also urged citizens to avoid strenuous activities when outside in the afternoon, cooking during peak summer hours, and to open doors and windows to ventilate the cooking area adequately.

    The Health Ministry advised citizens to avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated soft drinks or drinks with large amounts of sugar and importantly not to leave children or pets in parked vehicles.

    Call 108/102 immediately if you find someone with a high body temperature and is either unconscious or confused, the advisory said.

    “The heat is rising, but awareness can save lives! A heatwave isn’t just about soaring temperatures. It’s about knowing the risks, recognising the signs, and protecting each other. Let’s beat the heat together!” said the IMD on X.

    To protect from the heat, the IMD urged citizens to wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-coloured clothing. Cover your head using a hat, umbrella, towel, and drink water frequently, it said.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Delhi recorded its highest maximum temperature of the season at 43.8 degrees Celsius, which is 3.6 degrees above the seasonal average, as per IMD data. According to the IMD, very hot weather and heat waves in Delhi will persist until at least June 12.

    Dr. Atul Kakar from the Department of Internal Medicine, at a leading city-based hospital, told IANS that several patients are presenting with heat exhaustion, heat stroke, severe dehydration, gastroenteritis, and jaundice.

    “Exposure to the sun should be the bare minimum. Wear full sleeve clothes, or take an umbrella or cover your head during that period when you are getting exposed to the sun,” Kakar said.

    Take more liquids which may include lassi, lemonade, orange juice, or fruits that contain more water like watermelon and melon,” the doctor told IANS. He also urged people to avoid eating outside.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI: NVIDIA DGX Cloud Lepton Connects Europe’s Developers to Global NVIDIA Compute Ecosystem

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Mistral AI, Nebius, Nscale, Firebird, Fluidstack, Hydra Host, Scaleway and Together AI — Along With AWS and Microsoft Azure — Bring Compute Resources to DGX Cloud Lepton Marketplace to Meet AI Demand
    • Hugging Face Integrates DGX Cloud Lepton Into Training Cluster as a Service, Expanding AI Researcher Access to Scalable Compute for Model Training
    • NVIDIA and Leading European Venture Capitalists Offer Marketplace Credits to Portfolio Companies to Accelerate Startup Ecosystem

    PARIS, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NVIDIA GTC Paris at VivaTech — NVIDIA today announced the expansion of NVIDIA DGX Cloud Lepton™ — an AI platform featuring a global compute marketplace that connects developers building agentic and physical AI applications — with GPUs now available from a growing network of cloud providers.

    Mistral AI, Nebius, Nscale, Firebird, Fluidstack, Hydra Host, Scaleway and Together AI are now contributing NVIDIA Blackwell and other NVIDIA architecture GPUs to the marketplace, expanding regional access to high-performance compute. AWS and Microsoft Azure will be the first large-scale cloud providers to participate in DGX Cloud Lepton. These companies join CoreWeave, Crusoe, Firmus, Foxconn, GMI Cloud, Lambda and Yotta Data Services in the marketplace.

    To make accelerated computing more accessible to the global AI community, Hugging Face is introducing Training Cluster as a Service. This new offering integrates with DGX Cloud Lepton to seamlessly connect AI researchers and developers building foundation models with the NVIDIA compute ecosystem.

    NVIDIA is also working with leading European venture capital firms Accel, Elaia, Partech and Sofinnova Partners to offer DGX Cloud Lepton marketplace credits to portfolio companies, enabling startups to access accelerated computing resources and scale regional development.

    “DGX Cloud Lepton is connecting Europe’s developers to a global AI infrastructure,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “With partners across the region, we’re building a network of AI factories that developers, researchers and enterprises can harness to scale local breakthroughs into global innovation.”

    DGX Cloud Lepton simplifies the process of accessing reliable, high-performance GPU resources within specific regions by unifying cloud AI services and GPU capacity from across the NVIDIA compute ecosystem onto a single platform. This enables developers to keep their data local, supporting data governance and sovereign AI requirements.

    In addition, by integrating with the NVIDIA software suite — including NVIDIA NIM™ and NeMo™ microservices and NVIDIA Cloud Functions — DGX Cloud Lepton streamlines and accelerates every stage of AI application development and deployment, at any scale. The marketplace works with a new NIM microservice container, which includes support for a broad range of large language models, including the most popular open LLM architectures and more than a million models hosted publicly and privately on Hugging Face.

    For cloud providers, DGX Cloud Lepton includes management software that continuously monitors GPU health in real time and automates root-cause analysis, minimizing manual intervention and reducing downtime. This streamlines operations for providers and ensures more reliable access to high-performance computing for customers.

    NVIDIA DGX Cloud Lepton Speeds Training and Deployment
    Early-access DGX Cloud Lepton customers using the platform to accelerate their strategic AI initiatives include:

    • Basecamp Research, which is speeding the discovery and design of new biological solutions for pharmaceuticals, food and industrial and environmental biotechnology by harnessing its 9.8 billion-protein database to pretrain and deploy large biological foundation models.
    • EY, which is standardizing multi-cloud access across the global organization to accelerate the development of AI agents for domain- and sector-specific solutions.
    • Outerbounds, which enables customers to build differentiated, production-grade AI products powered by the proven reliability of open-source Metaflow.
    • Prima Mente, which is advancing neurodegenerative disease research at scale by pretraining large brain foundation models to uncover new disease mechanisms and tools to stratify patient outcomes in clinical settings.
    • Reflection, which is building superintelligent autonomous coding systems that handle the most complex enterprise engineering tasks.

    Hugging Face Developers Get Access to Scalable AI Training Across Clouds
    Integrating DGX Cloud Lepton with Hugging Face’s Training Cluster as a Service offering gives AI builders streamlined access to the GPU marketplace, making it easy to reserve, access and use NVIDIA compute resources in specific regions, close to their training data. Connected to a global network of cloud providers, Hugging Face customers can quickly secure the necessary GPU capacity for training runs using DGX Cloud Lepton. Mirror Physics, Project Numina and the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine will be among the first Hugging Face customers to access Training Cluster as a Service, with compute resources provided through DGX Cloud Lepton. They will use the platform to advance state-of-the-art AI models in chemistry, materials science, mathematics and disease research.

    “Access to large-scale, high-performance compute is essential for building the next generation of AI models across every domain and language,” said Clément Delangue, cofounder and CEO of Hugging Face. “The integration of DGX Cloud Lepton with Training Cluster as a Service will remove barriers for researchers and companies, unlocking the ability to train the most advanced models and push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI.”

    DGX Cloud Lepton Boosts AI Startup Ecosystem
    NVIDIA is working with Accel, Elaia, Partech and Sofinnova Partners to offer up to $100,000 in GPU capacity credits and support from NVIDIA experts to eligible portfolio companies through DGX Cloud Lepton.

    BioCorteX, Bioptimus and Latent Labs will be among the first to access DGX Cloud Lepton, where they can discover and purchase compute capacity and use NVIDIA software, services and AI expertise to build, customize and deploy applications across a global network of cloud providers.

    Availability
    Developers can sign up for early access to NVIDIA DGX Cloud Lepton.

    Watch the NVIDIA GTC Paris keynote from Huang at VivaTech, and explore GTC Paris sessions.

    About NVIDIA
    NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) is the world leader in accelerated computing.

    For further information, contact:
    Natalie Hereth
    NVIDIA Corporation
    +1-360-581-1088
    nhereth@nvidia.com

    Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements as to: DGX Cloud Lepton connecting Europe’s developers to a global AI infrastructure; with partners across the region, NVIDIA building a network of AI factories that developers, researchers and enterprises can harness to scale local breakthroughs into global innovation; the benefits, impact, performance, and availability of NVIDIA’s products, services, and technologies; expectations with respect to NVIDIA’s third party arrangements, including with its collaborators and partners; expectations with respect to technology developments; and other statements that are not historical facts are 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, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: global economic and political conditions; NVIDIA’s reliance on third parties to manufacture, assemble, package and test NVIDIA’s products; the impact of technological development and competition; development of new products and technologies or enhancements to NVIDIA’s existing product and technologies; market acceptance of NVIDIA’s products or NVIDIA’s partners’ products; design, manufacturing or software defects; changes in consumer preferences or demands; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of NVIDIA’s products or technologies when integrated into systems; and changes in applicable laws and regulations, as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the most recent reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on the company’s website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

    Many of the products and features described herein remain in various stages and will be offered on a when-and-if-available basis. The statements above are not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as a commitment, promise, or legal obligation, and the development, release, and timing of any features or functionalities described for our products is subject to change and remains at the sole discretion of NVIDIA. NVIDIA will have no liability for failure to deliver or delay in the delivery of any of the products, features or functions set forth herein.

    © 2025 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, DGX Cloud Lepton, NVIDIA NeMo and NVIDIA NIM are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/168c2a8e-0342-4717-bde7-a9bdbe436c08

    The MIL Network –

  • Heatwave: Health Ministry issues advisory, asks people to stay indoors during peak hours

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that daytime temperatures in Delhi may soar to 45 degrees Celsius, the Health Ministry on Wednesday urged people to stay indoors during peak hours, and to drink safe fluids.

    The IMD has issued an orange alert for the national capital on Wednesday.

    The IMD has warned that daytime temperatures in Delhi could reach as high as 45 degrees Celsius, with night-time lows hovering around 29 degrees Celsius. The ongoing weather conditions are part of a prolonged heatwave affecting large parts of northwestern India.

    “Extreme heat can be risky. Stay indoors during peak hours, eat lower-calorie food, drink safe fluids, and never leave kids or pets in parked cars,” the Health Ministry, said in a post on social media platform X.

    “Call 108/102 if someone shows signs of heatstroke,” it added.

    In an infographic shared along with the post, the Ministry urged people to avoid getting out in the sun, especially between 12:00 noon and 03:00 pm. It also urged citizens to avoid strenuous activities when outside in the afternoon, cooking during peak summer hours, and to open doors and windows to ventilate the cooking area adequately.

    The Health Ministry advised citizens to avoid alcohol, tea, coffee, and carbonated soft drinks or drinks with large amounts of sugar and importantly not to leave children or pets in parked vehicles.

    Call 108/102 immediately if you find someone with a high body temperature and is either unconscious or confused, the advisory said.

    “The heat is rising, but awareness can save lives! A heatwave isn’t just about soaring temperatures. It’s about knowing the risks, recognising the signs, and protecting each other. Let’s beat the heat together!” said the IMD on X.

    To protect from the heat, the IMD urged citizens to wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-coloured clothing. Cover your head using a hat, umbrella, towel, and drink water frequently, it said.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Delhi recorded its highest maximum temperature of the season at 43.8 degrees Celsius, which is 3.6 degrees above the seasonal average, as per IMD data. According to the IMD, very hot weather and heat waves in Delhi will persist until at least June 12.

    Dr. Atul Kakar from the Department of Internal Medicine, at a leading city-based hospital, told IANS that several patients are presenting with heat exhaustion, heat stroke, severe dehydration, gastroenteritis, and jaundice.

    “Exposure to the sun should be the bare minimum. Wear full sleeve clothes, or take an umbrella or cover your head during that period when you are getting exposed to the sun,” Kakar said.

    Take more liquids which may include lassi, lemonade, orange juice, or fruits that contain more water like watermelon and melon,” the doctor told IANS. He also urged people to avoid eating outside.

    (IANS)