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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI: Cyabra to Participate in the 37th Annual ROTH Conference on March 17-18

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cyabra Ltd. (Nasdaq: TBMC) a leading AI platform for real-time disinformation detection, today announced its participation in the 37th Annual ROTH Conference on March 17-18, 2025, in Dana Point, CA.

    During the conference, Dan Brahmy, Cyabra’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, will be available for one-on-one investor meetings on both days. To schedule a meeting, please contact your Roth representative.

    Cyabra has entered into a business combination agreement with Trailblazer Merger Corporation I (NASDAQ: TBMC), a blank-check special-purpose acquisition company.

    About the 37thAnnual Roth Conference

    This year’s event will consist of 1-on-1 / small group meetings, analyst-selected fireside chats, industry keynotes and panels with executive management attending from approximately 450 private and public companies in a variety of growth sectors including: Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial Growth, Insurance, Resources, Sustainability and Technology, Media & Entertainment.

    About Cyabra

    Cyabra Strategy Ltd. is a real-time AI-powered platform that uncovers and analyzes online disinformation and misinformation by uncovering fake profiles, harmful narratives, and GenAI content across social media and digital news channels. Cyabra’s AI protects corporations and governments against brand reputation risks, election manipulation, foreign interference, and other online threats. Cyabra’s platform leverages proprietary algorithms and NLP solutions, gathering and analyzing publicly available data to provide clear, actionable insights and real-time alerts that inform critical decision-making. Cyabra uncovers the good, bad, and fake online.

    For more information, visit www.cyabra.com.

    Media Contact:

    Jill Burkes
    Jill@cyabra.com

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Miri Segal
    MS-IR
    msegal@ms-ir.com

    About Trailblazer

    Trailblazer is a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization, or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. For more information, visit: www.trailblazermergercorp.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to certain products and services that are the subject of a proposed transaction (the “Business Combination”) between Trailblazer and Cyabra. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding Cyabra’s business strategy, products and services, research and development costs, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated product offerings, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following risks relating to the proposed transaction: the ability to complete the Business Combination or, if Trailblazer does not consummate such Business Combination, any other initial business combination; expectations regarding Cyabra’s strategies and future financial performance, including its future business plans or objectives, prospective performance and opportunities and competitors, revenues, products and services, pricing, operating expenses, market trends, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and Cyabra’s ability to invest in growth initiatives and pursue acquisition opportunities; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Trailblazer or Cyabra following announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; the inability to complete the proposed Business Combination due to, among other things, the failure to obtain Trailblazer stockholder approval; the risk that the announcement and consummation of the proposed Business Combination disrupts Cyabra’s current operations and future plans; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination; unexpected costs related to the proposed Business Combination; the amount of any redemptions by existing holders of Trailblazer’s common stock being greater than expected; limited liquidity and trading of Trailblazer’s securities; geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; the size of the addressable markets for Cyabra’s products and services; the possibility that Trailblazer and/or Cyabra may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; the ability to obtain and/or maintain the listing of the combined company’s common stock on Nasdaq following the Business Combination; operational risk; and the risks that the consummation of the proposed Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur.

    Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

    In connection with the Business Combination, Trailblazer Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Trailblazer (“Holdings”) has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and certain other related documents, which will be both the proxy statement to be distributed to holders of shares of Trailblazer’s common stock in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the vote by its stockholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters as may be described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus of Holdings relating to the offer and sale of its securities to be issued in the Business Combination. . After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Trailblazer stockholders so that they may vote on the Business Combination.

    INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF TRAILBLAZER ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION AND THE PARTIES INVOLVED.

    Trailblazer stockholders are currently able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein, and will be able to obtain the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, once available, in all cases without charge, at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Trailblazer at 510 Madison Avenue, Suite 1401, New York, NY 10022, Telephone: 646-747-9618.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    Cyabra, Trailblazer, and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Trailblazer stockholders regarding the proposed Business Combination. Information about Trailblazer’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Trailblazer’s securities is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus pertaining to the proposed Business Combination.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval. No sale of securities shall occur in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification under applicable

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XMS Capital Partners Expands Healthcare Investment Banking Expertise with Addition of Veteran Banker Rick Kimball

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XMS Capital Partners LLC (“XMS”), a global, independent financial services firm focused on M&A, corporate advisory, and asset management services, is pleased to announce the addition of Richard (Rick) Kimball as a Managing Director. His appointment underscores XMS’s commitment to expanding its healthcare investment banking capabilities and delivering exceptional advisory services to clients.

    “We are thrilled that Rick has decided to return to investment banking at XMS,” said Ted Brombach, Co-Managing Partner at XMS. “His extensive track record at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, coupled with his leadership experience as an operating executive, will be instrumental in extending our reach in the healthcare sector. Rick’s strategic insights will enhance the value we bring to clients globally, and we look forward to the impact he will have as we continue to grow.”

    “I’m excited to be joining the exceptional team of investment bankers at XMS,” said Rick Kimball. “I have known many of the XMS partners for over 25 years, and we share a client-first approach that has been a cornerstone of success throughout my career. I look forward to contributing my experience in healthcare and capital markets to help drive XMS’s continued success.”

    About Rick Kimball

    Rick Kimball brings over 35 years of experience in investment banking, venture capital, and capital markets. He was a partner at Goldman Sachs, where he served as Co-Head of Global Healthcare Investment Banking and Co-Head of the Healthcare, Consumer, and Retail Financing Group. Before that, he spent 17 years at Morgan Stanley, leading Healthcare Equity Capital Markets and Healthcare Services Investment Banking. He also co-founded Millennium Technology Partners, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage Internet infrastructure investments.

    Beyond investment banking, Rick held leadership roles in healthcare technology. He was the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Accretive Health (now R1), overseeing strategy, sales and marketing, and product management. He later served as President of Rymedi, a blockchain-based healthcare technology company. Most recently, he has been a CEO coach, advising executives on strategy, execution, and accountability.

    Rick has also served as a trustee of the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem.

    About XMS Capital Partners

    Founded in 2006, XMS Capital Partners LLC is a global, independent financial services firm providing M&A, corporate advisory, and asset management services. The firm has offices in Chicago, London, Boston, and Dallas.

    For more information, please visit www.xmscapital.com.

    Media Contact

    Samantha Bailey
    XMS Capital Partners
    Phone: 312.262.5642
    www.xmscapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘All in your head’: when doctors misdiagnose autoimmune disease as psychosomatic

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Melanie Sloan, Researcher, Public Health, University of Cambridge

    Money Business Images

    Feeling disbelieved when knowing that there is something very wrong with your body can have devastating and long-term consequences. One of the most obvious consequences is that you won’t get the correct treatment and support.

    A study my colleagues and I conducted of over 3,000 people with autoimmune disease uncovered many extra long-lasting disadvantages when the misdiagnosis involved a mental health or psychosomatic label (often termed an “in your head” misdiagnosis by patients).

    These often included feelings of shame, self-doubt and depression. For some, it extended to suicidal thoughts and even suicide attempts.

    A further consequence was that people had much lower trust in doctors. This distrust led to some people avoiding seeking further medical help, often for fear of being disbelieved again.

    A concerning finding from our study was that these negative emotions and distrust often remained just as strong many years after feeling that a doctor had not believed their symptoms.

    Psychological scars were deep and usually unhealed. Over 70% of people reporting a psychosomatic or mental misdiagnosis said that it still upset them. And over 80% said that it had damaged their self-worth.

    One of our study participants, who had several autoimmune diseases, told her story that spoke for many: “One doctor told me I was making myself feel pain – I still can’t forget those words. Telling me I’m doing it to myself has made me very anxious and depressed.”

    It’s not all in the mind.
    Africa Studio/Shutterstock

    ‘I still can’t forget these words’

    These findings were not just anecdotal. Overall, we found depression levels were significantly higher and wellbeing levels lower in people who reported receiving mental health or psychosomatic misdiagnoses.

    We chose to use this woman’s testimony in the title of our study: “I still can’t forget those words.” Not only did it accurately reflect our findings, but it symbolises our research team’s ethos to give these often unheard patients a voice.

    The hurt of misdiagnosis was compounded by having “nowhere to voice my anger” or distress. Some of the most moving stories were from people whose early symptoms of autoimmune disease, when they were still children, had been disbelieved by doctors.

    Even in middle or older age, those words and feelings had remained with them for decades, often felt as strongly as the day that they were heard. As one of the patient partners in our research team described it, they lived the rest of their lives with “seared souls”.

    A woman with lupus told the interviewer that her doctor had told her at age 16 that she had “too many symptoms for it not to be hypochondria”. She spoke very emotively and articulately about the damage caused to a developing sense of self.

    It has affected my mental health very negatively and I do think it’s affected me in my like sense of self. It’s not good for anyone at any age but as a teenage girl being told you don’t know your own feelings is absolutely no way to shape a human being.

    It is natural when hearing all these very difficult stories, and seeing the damage caused, to blame doctors, but is that fair? Doctors very rarely set out to cause harm. Rather, in some cases, it is impossible to diagnose autoimmune diseases quickly.

    However, our study highlights that some doctors do reach too quickly for a psychosomatic or mental health explanation for autoimmune disease symptoms.

    Some research that may have influenced doctors in giving psychosomatic misdiagnoses says that a long list of symptoms is a red flag that the symptoms are not caused by a disease. This generalisation rather dangerously fails to account for the fact that a long list of symptoms is also a red flag for many autoimmune diseases.

    Many autoimmune symptoms are also invisible, and there are no clear tests that will show how bad they are to the doctor. Some of the terms that patients find upsetting and dismissive when doctors talk or write about their symptoms include “vague” and “non-specific”.

    Doctors often write letters quickly due to health service constraints, sometimes unthinkingly using terms passed down from their seniors; letters that use terms like “patient claims” or “no objective evidence found of” can increase feelings of being disbelieved.

    Empathetic listening

    Our research suggests that more doctors need to think about autoimmunity as a diagnosis early on when faced with multiple varied symptoms that often don’t seem to fit together. Above all, many diagnostic clues can be found by listening to and believing the people experiencing the symptoms.

    Empathetic listening and support are also required to help misdiagnosed patients heal emotionally – they very rarely can just “move on” as one doctor advised. We should not underestimate the power of doctors saying “I believe you” to patients with multiple invisible symptoms, and “I am sorry for what has happened in the past” if they had a difficult road to diagnosis.

    Most of the 50 doctors interviewed for the study reported that misdiagnoses were common in autoimmunity, but few had realised that the repercussions of these misdiagnoses were so severe and long lasting.

    Reassuringly, almost all of them were saddened and motivated to improve their patients’ experiences. Several explained that they thought they were being reassuring by telling patients that their symptoms were most likely to be psychological or stress-related and thought this would be preferable to patients worrying about having a disease.

    Although many people experience mental health and psychosomatic symptoms, and doctors must consider them as a possible explanation, a clear lesson from our study is that psychosomatic (mis)diagnoses are rarely seen as reassuring to patients with autoimmune disease symptoms. Rather, they are usually deeply damaging with lifelong and life-changing repercussions.

    Melanie Sloan receives funding from LUPUS UK, The Lupus Trust, Vasculitis UK, and NIHR. She is an Associate Editor for Rheumatology (Oxford) journal and receives consultancy fees to her Long-Term Conditions Research Group at Cambridge Department of Public Health from Otoimmune, a company dedicated to creating innovative tools and resources to empower people with autoimmune conditions to better understand, manage, and improve their health.

    – ref. ‘All in your head’: when doctors misdiagnose autoimmune disease as psychosomatic – https://theconversation.com/all-in-your-head-when-doctors-misdiagnose-autoimmune-disease-as-psychosomatic-250953

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: GOP lawmakers commit to big spending cuts, putting Medicaid under a spotlight – but trimming the low-income health insurance program would be hard

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Paul Shafer, Assistant Professor of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University

    Speaker of the House Mike Johnson addresses the media on Feb. 25, 2025, after the House narrowly passed his budget resolution calling for big spending cuts.
     Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

    Efforts by Republicans in Congress to make steep spending cuts have stirred widespread concerns that the federal government may trim expenditures on Medicaid even though President Donald Trump has previously indicated that he’s unwilling to do that. This public health insurance program covers around 72 million people – about 1 in 5 Americans.

    The Conversation U.S. asked Paul Shafer and Nicole Huberfeld, Boston University health policy and law professors, to explain why cutting Medicaid spending would be difficult and what the consequences might be.

    What is Medicaid’s role in the health care system?

    Created in 1965 along with Medicare, the public health insurance program for older Americans, Medicaid pays for the health care needs of low-income adults and children, including more than 1 in 3 people with disabilities. It also covers more than 12 million who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid because they are both poor and over 65.

    In addition, this safety net program pays the health care costs of more than 2 in 5 U.S. births. Medicaid is a joint federal/state program, driven by federal funding and rules, with the states administering it.

    The Affordable Care Act was supposed to make nearly all U.S. adults under age 65 without children who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level eligible for Medicaid. Prior to the 2010 landmark health care reform law, adults without children in most states could not get Medicaid coverage. The Supreme Court, however, made this change optional for states.

    So far, 40 states – as well as Washington, D.C. – have participated in Medicaid expansion. The program’s growth has reduced the number of Americans without health insurance and narrowed coverage gaps for people of color and those with low-wage jobs who typically do not get employer-sponsored coverage.

    Hundreds of studies have found that Medicaid expansion has improved access to care and the health of the people who gained coverage, while reducing mortality and bolstering state economies, among other positive outcomes.

    Ten states haven’t expanded Medicaid yet. Two of them, Georgia and Mississippi, have seriously considered doing so.

    Bishop Ronnie Crudup Sr., center, seen in May 2024, has called for the Mississippi Legislature to expand Medicaid in the state.
    AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

    Why are you concerned about Medicaid’s funding?

    A memo circulated among House Republicans in January 2025 included a menu of up to US$2.3 trillion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years. A House budget blueprint, approved in a 217-215 vote on Feb. 25, which fell largely along party lines, indicated that the Republican majority was instead aiming to reduce Medicaid spending by $880 billion over a decade.

    To be clear, GOP lawmakers didn’t say they planned to do that.

    Instead, they told the committee that oversees Medicaid and Medicare to identify cuts of that magnitude. Experts agree that slashing Medicare spending would be harder to pull off because Trump has made it clear he considers it off-limits, but at times he has suggested he might be open to trimming Medicaid. Trump says he supports the budget plan the House approved.

    In an interesting coincidence, Medicaid itself costs around $880 billion a year between federal and state government spending. That suggests Republicans are aiming for an approximately 10% cut.

    How does the program work?

    If you’re eligible for Medicaid, by law you can enroll in the program at any time and get health insurance coverage.

    If you require treatment for a condition Medicaid covers, whether it’s breast cancer or the flu, that happens with no – or low – out-of-pocket costs. Being enrolled in Medicaid means your medical treatment is covered and cannot be denied for budgetary reasons. The federal government contributes a share of what states pay for the health care of residents who enroll, but it can’t decide how much to spend on Medicaid – states do.

    The federal match rate is linked to the per capita income of each state. That means a state with lower per capita income gets a higher federal match, with all states getting at least 50%. For states that participate in the Medicaid expansion, the federal match is 90% across the board for that population.

    A dozen states have so-called trigger laws on their books that could automatically revoke Medicaid expansion if this enhanced match rate is lowered.

    How can the federal government reduce its Medicaid spending?

    The federal government could simply adjust the match rate, shifting more of the cost of Medicaid to states. But prior proposals have suggested a larger change, either through per capita caps or block grants.

    Per capita caps would place a per-person cap on federal funding, while block grants would place a total limit on how much the federal government would contribute to a state’s costs for Medicaid each year. In turn, the states would likely cover fewer people, reduce their benefits, pay less for care, or some combination of such cost-cutting measures.

    Either per capita caps or block grants would require a massive transformation in how Medicaid operates.

    The program has always provided open-ended funding to states, and both states and beneficiaries rely on the stability of federal funds to make the program work. Imposing caps or block grants would force states to contribute significantly more money to the program or cut enrollment drastically. Assuming a substantial cut in federal funding for Medicaid, millions could lose health insurance coverage they cannot afford to get elsewhere.

    Speaker Mike Johnson said that per capita caps and changing the federal match rates are not on the table, but they were included in the earlier House Republican memo detailing potential cuts.

    House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, flanked by his fellow House Democrats, criticizes the House Republicans’ budget bill at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 25, 2025.
    Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

    What else could happen?

    Another idea many Republicans say they support is to add what are known as “work requirements.” The first Trump administration approved state proposals for Medicaid beneficiaries to complete a minimum number of hours of “community engagement” in activities like work, job training, education or community service to enroll and maintain Medicaid eligibility. This is despite the fact that the majority of Medicaid enrollees already work, are disabled, are caregivers for a loved one, or are in school.

    Some politicians argue that making people work to receive Medicaid benefits would help them transition to employer-based coverage, so adding that restriction may sound like common sense. However, the paperwork this requires can lead to lots of working people getting kicked out of the program and is very costly to implement. Also, job training programs, volunteering and education, unless in a degree program, generally don’t come with health insurance coverage, making this reasoning faulty.

    When Arkansas implemented Medicaid work requirements in 2018, despite the majority of enrollees already working, about 18,000 people lost coverage. The policy was poorly understood, and enrollees had trouble reporting their work activity. What’s more, the employment of low-income adults didn’t grow.

    Is Medicaid vulnerable to waste or fraud?

    Medicaid already spends less than Medicare or private health insurance per beneficiary. That includes spending on doctors, hospitals, medications and tests.

    The Government Accountability Office – an independent, nonpartisan government agency – has estimated that preventing payments which shouldn’t be made, or overpayments, could lead to $50 billion in federal savings per year. The GAO cautions that “not all improper payments are the result of fraud.” This significant sum is still nowhere near the scale of the cuts Republicans apparently want to make.

    Would Medicaid spending cuts be popular?

    That’s very unlikely.

    Polling and focus groups show that Medicaid is quite popular.

    More than half of Americans say that the government spends too little on Medicaid, and only 15% say spending is too high.

    We believe if Medicaid cuts were to be openly debated that members of Congress would be inundated with calls from constituents urging their lawmakers to oppose them. That is what happened in 2017, when the first Trump administration tried and failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

    Should Medicaid be cut by anything close to $880 billion over the next decade, we’d expect to see millions of America’s poorest and most vulnerable people kicked out of the program and wind up uninsured. But that would only be the beginning of their problems. Uninsured people are more likely to wait too long before seeing a doctor when they get sick or injured, leading to worse health outcomes and widening the gaps in health between haves and have-nots.

    Paul Shafer receives research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Department of Veterans Affairs. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of these agencies or the United States government.

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

    – ref. GOP lawmakers commit to big spending cuts, putting Medicaid under a spotlight – but trimming the low-income health insurance program would be hard – https://theconversation.com/gop-lawmakers-commit-to-big-spending-cuts-putting-medicaid-under-a-spotlight-but-trimming-the-low-income-health-insurance-program-would-be-hard-250998

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dr Penelope Dash confirmed as new Chair of NHS England 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Dr Penelope Dash confirmed as new Chair of NHS England 

    Dr Penelope Dash has been appointed by the government as the next chair of NHS England

    Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has today confirmed Dr Penny Dash will be the new Chair of NHS England.

    Dr Dash is currently the Chair of the NHS North-West London Integrated Care Board and is leading a major review into the regulation of health and social care quality in England. Her interim report, published last year, shone a light on the scale of the failure at the Care Quality Commission, and sparked the appointment of new leadership to turn around the health and care regulator.

    A former NHS doctor, senior partner at McKinsey and Company working on healthcare globally, and Head of Strategy at the Department of Health and Social Care, Dr Dash has a wealth of experience in the public, private and government sectors.  

    As Chair of NHS England, she will be drawing on her vast knowledge in these fields to focus on rebuilding the NHS as part of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan. 

    She was selected following an open public appointment process to appoint a successor to Richard Meddings, who is due to step down next month.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 

    I am delighted to confirm Dr Penny Dash as the new Chair of NHS England. She is a radical reformer, with the skills and experience we need to help fix our broken NHS and make it fit for the future.

    I look forward to working with her as we continue to tackle the waiting list backlog, unleash innovation in health services, and support our healthcare staff to deliver the timely care patients deserve.

    I would also like to thank Richard Meddings for his dedicated service, helping to guide the NHS through the aftermath of the pandemic.

    Dr Penny Dash said: 

    I am honoured to have been appointed the new Chair of NHS England. 

    I am excited to start working with my NHS colleagues and the government to accelerate the process of renewal and rebuilding to make sure the NHS continues to serve the needs of its communities and its staff.

    The 10 Year Health Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the NHS to take on the challenges of the future and I look forward to playing my part.

    Dr Dash was confirmed as the government’s preferred candidate in February. The Secretary of State took the final decision following a hearing with the Health and Social Care Committee on 26 February 2025.

    This appointment is a four-year term and begins 1 April 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Odysight.ai to Participate at the 37th Annual ROTH Conference on March 17-18, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Omer, Israel, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Odysight.ai Inc. (Nasdaq: ODYS), a pioneering developer of AI systems for Predictive Maintenance (PdM) and Condition-Based Monitoring (CBM), today announced its participation at the 37th Annual ROTH Conference on March 17-18, 2025, in Dana Point, CA.

    Yehu Ofer, Chief Executive Officer, and Einav Brenner, Chief Financial Officer, will be available for one-on-one investor meetings on both days. To schedule a meeting, please contact your Roth representative.

    About the 37th Annual ROTH Conference

    This year’s event will consist of 1-on-1 / small group meetings, analyst-selected fireside chats, industry keynotes and panels with executive management attending from approximately 450 private and public companies in a variety of growth sectors including: Business Services, Consumer, Healthcare, Industrial Growth, Insurance, Resources, Sustainability and Technology, Media & Entertainment.

    About Odysight.ai

    Odysight.ai is pioneering the Predictive Maintenance (PdM) and Condition Based Monitoring (CBM) markets with its visualization and AI platform. Providing video sensor-based solutions for critical systems in the aviation, transportation, and energy industries, Odysight.ai leverages proven visual technologies and products from the medical industry. Odysight.ai’s unique video-based sensors, embedded software, and AI algorithms are being deployed in hard-to-reach locations and harsh environments across a variety of PdM and CBM use cases. Odysight.ai’s platform allows maintenance and operations teams visibility into areas which are inaccessible under normal operation, or where the operating ambience is not suitable for continuous real-time monitoring.

    We routinely post information that may be important to investors in the Investors section of our website. For more information, please visit: https://www.odysight.ai or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to future events or our future performance. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s intention to participate in the 37th Annual ROTH Conference. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Those statements are based on information we have when those statements are made or our management’s current expectation and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward- looking statements. Factors that may affect our results, performance, circumstances or achievements include, but are not limited to the following: (i) market acceptance of our existing and new products, including those that utilize our micro Odysight.ai technology or offer Predictive Maintenance and Condition Based Monitoring applications, (ii) lengthy product delays in key markets, (iii) an inability to secure regulatory approvals for the sale of our products, (iv) intense competition in the medical device and related industries from much larger, multinational companies, (v) product liability claims, product malfunctions and the functionality of Odysight.ai’s solutions under all environmental conditions, (vi) our limited manufacturing capabilities and reliance on third-parties for assistance, (vii) an inability to establish sales, marketing and distribution capabilities to commercialize our products, (viii) an inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, (ix) our efforts to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection covering our products, which may not be successful, (x) our reliance on a single customer that accounts for a substantial portion of our revenues, (xi) our reliance on single suppliers for certain product components, including for miniature video sensors which are suitable for our Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor technology products, (xii) the fact that we will need to raise additional capital to meet our business requirements in the future and that such capital raising may be costly, dilutive or difficult to obtain, (xiii) the impact of computer system failures, cyberattacks or deficiencies in our cybersecurity, (xiv) the fact that we conduct business in multiple foreign jurisdictions, exposing us to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, logistical, global supply chain and communications challenges, burdens and costs of compliance with foreign laws and political and economic instability in each jurisdiction and (xv) political, economic and military instability in Israel, including the impact of Israel’s war against Hamas and Hezbollah. These and other important factors discussed in Odysight.ai’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 26, 2024 and our other reports filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Odysight.ai undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Miri Segal
    MS-IR LLC
    msegal@ms-ir.com

    Company Contact:
    Einav Brenner, CFO
    info@odysight.ai

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Who’s who at the Vatican?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel Speed Thompson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

    Deacons take part in a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica that was supposed to be presided over by Pope Francis. AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

    For more than two weeks, eyes have been on the Vatican, awaiting news about Pope Francis’ health. The pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital since Feb. 14, 2025, being treated for double pneumonia and other complications.

    When a pope is ill, resigns or passes away, who steps in? And who else helps lead the Holy See? The Conversation U.S. asked Daniel Speed Thompson, a theologian at the University of Dayton, for some insight into Vatican City.

    Who are the most powerful people at the Vatican, besides the pope?

    The Vatican houses the central government of the Catholic Church and is also an independent city-state. The pope is both the head of the Catholic Church and head of state.

    In order to govern both, he has the Roman Curia, meaning “court.” In modern terms, the Curia is the papal bureaucracy. It is an extension of the pope’s authority.

    In Catholic doctrine, the pope has the highest authority in the church. He can exercise it alone or with the College of Bishops, made up of all the bishops in the world. Bishops named by the pope to the office of “cardinal” can, if under 80 years old, vote to elect a new pope. Some cardinals, but by no means all, serve in the papal Curia in Rome.

    Besides the pope, curial officials who oversee important aspects of the church’s political and religious life are often powerful figures. For example, the secretariat of state, headed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, oversees relations with other countries and international organizations. It also oversees the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.

    Pope Francis smiles as he walks alongside Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, left, and Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi at the Vatican in 2014.
    AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

    The Dicastery – “department” – for the Doctrine of the Faith, led by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, addresses questions about correct Catholic teaching on faith and morals. The Dicastery of Bishops, headed by Cardinal Robert Prevost, coordinates the nominations of new bishops around the world.

    All these officials work under the authority of the pope, advocating for and implementing his agenda. For example, Prevost has suggested that all Catholics should be involved in the selection of bishops. This idea is linked with Francis’ call for a more “synodal” church: one that is less hierarchical and shaped by lay Catholics’ concerns and challenges.

    If a pope can’t fulfill his duties, who steps in?

    When a pope dies – or resigns, like Benedict XVI did in 2013 – the governance of the Catholic Church formally falls to the College of Cardinals. However, the authority of the college is very limited. On their own, cardinals cannot make any significant decisions concerning faith, morals and worship. Nor can they undo previous papal decisions or change church laws about electing a new pope.

    All the heads of the dicasteries lose their office upon the death or resignation of a pope. The College of Cardinals serves as a caretaker government whose primary purpose is to prepare for the election of the new pope and oversee day-to-day workings of the Vatican.

    One cardinal, known as the “camerlengo,” is responsible for confirming the pope’s death or resignation. He then assumes control over the pope’s residence and coordinates the funeral, if needed. The camerlengo also takes custody of the Vatican’s property in Rome and supervises details for the upcoming conclave.

    Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Farrell talks with The Associated Press in his office in Rome in 2018.
    AP Photo/Paolo Santalucia

    The day-to-day business of the Catholic Church continues, but no big decisions can be made in the absence of a pope. The church cannot appoint new bishops, and the Vatican cannot start new diplomatic efforts.

    Are officials at the Vatican often nominated to be pope?

    Sometimes. Francis was a cardinal from Argentina before his election as pope and had not served in the Roman Curia. However, Benedict XVI, Francis’ predecessor, did serve as the prefect of the Congregation – now called Dicastery – for the Doctrine of the Faith. Some recent popes served in the Curia earlier in their career but not immediately before their election.

    What do you wish more people understood about the Vatican?

    Three things. First, the Vatican is unlike any organization in the world. Its religious mission and political status rest on nearly 2,000 years of history. This complicated story provides a unique tradition that anchors the institution of the Catholic Church, but can also block the church from critical self-examination and renewal.

    Second, the Vatican is like every organization in the world. Vatican officials can be faithful to the highest standards of their religion, truly wishing to serve the church and the common good of humanity. But they can also be flagrantly immoral, even criminals, and careerist seekers of status or luxury. Francis has consistently called out priests and bishops who see themselves as somehow superior by virtue of their office or their ordination.

    Finally, compared with the massive bureaucracies of modern governments and corporations, the Vatican is relatively small and not as wealthy as it is often portrayed.

    Although the Curia manages a vast international organization, its resources are far closer to my own midsize Catholic university than to the U.S. government or Apple. Vatican City and the Holy See employ about 2,000 people, with an operating budget of about US$835 million.

    Yes, the Catholic Church has wealth – and the ongoing problem of deficits and financial corruption. But the Vatican’s resources pale in comparison with what a modern state or large company can muster.

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

    – ref. Who’s who at the Vatican? – https://theconversation.com/whos-who-at-the-vatican-250874

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government and Nuffield Health support NHS staff to get back to work

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Government and Nuffield Health support NHS staff to get back to work

    Thousands of frontline NHS staff to benefit from a free rehabilitation programme with Nuffield Health to get them back to work.

    • The partnership will support thousands of NHS workers suffering from chronic joint conditions like arthritis or back pain
    • Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are second leading cause of absence among NHS staff and this initiative will help them regain quality of life
    • Programme will help deliver Plan for Change’s ambition to build an NHS fit for the future and shift healthcare from hospitals to community

    Four thousand frontline NHS staff will benefit from a free rehabilitation programme Nuffield Health are rolling out in partnership with the government to get them back to work, the Health and Social Care Secretary announced today.

    Nuffield Health’s Joint Pain Programme will support NHS workers with chronic and long-term joint conditions like arthritis, helping them regain their quality of life and focus on bringing down waiting lists. 

    It will work with NHS teams to identity staff suitable for the programme and initially offer it at 10 trusts in London, Birmingham and the North West before a national rollout later this year.

    MSK conditions are the second leading cause of absence among NHS staff and this groundbreaking partnership will help them recover and focus on supporting patients.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said:

    NHS staff cannot treat patients if they’re in debilitating pain themselves.

    This partnership with Nuffield Health will help get thousands of NHS staff back to work, improve their quality of life and allow them to continue to cut waiting lists.

    We’ll care for them so they can care for us and deliver our Plan for Change’s goal to build an NHS fit for the future.

    Alex Perry, CEO, Nuffield Health said:

    Nuffield Health’s mission is to build a healthier nation and our free-to-access Joint Pain Programme is a key part of that. This unique programme has helped over 35,000 people to date improve their health and quality of life.

    By offering this free programme directly to NHS staff – including nurses, porters and paramedics – we are providing them with support to recover, return to work and continue delivering essential care.

    This not only improves their health but also reduces pressure on the NHS by lowering sickness absence and keeping skilled staff where they are needed most.

    In August 2024, more than 2 million days were lost due to NHS staff sickness.

    Back and MSK problems led to over 314,000 lost days and over 10,000 members of staff off work.

    Nuffield Health’s programme has already benefitted 35,000 people and participants experienced 35% improvement in joint pain and 37% improvement in joint function after taking part in 2024.

    On top of this, it prevented 86,226 sick days and resulted in a 29% reduction in GP appointments in 2024.

    The programme will deliver the Plan for Change’s ambition to build an NHS fit for the future as part of a decade of national renewal.

    It provides 12 weeks of exercise and support led by a personal trainer who has been upskilled to deliver rehabilitation programmes, followed by 12 weeks of access to Nuffield Health fitness facilities – all at no cost.

    It will help keep NHS staff healthy and fulfil one of the 10 Year Health Plan’s key ambitions of shifting care from hospital into the community.

    Keeping more NHS staff at work will boost productivity – ensuring they can focus on delivering the highest-quality care for patients and continue to cut waiting lists.

    Between July and November last year, the NHS carried out almost 2.2 million more elective care appointments compared to the same period the previous year – delivering on the government’s mission to fix the NHS. 

    The government reached the target 7 months earlier than promised – with 100,000 more treatments, tests and scans for patients each week, and more than half a million extra diagnostic tests delivered.

    It follows figures published this month which showed the waiting list has been cut by almost 160,000 since the government took office, compared to a rise of almost 33,000 over the same period the previous year. 

    The Health and Social Care Secretary announced the partnership at an event attended by 100 NHS staff in Peterborough earlier this week to gather their views on how to fix the health service.

    The public engagement event will help shape the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and forms part of a nationwide series of debates about how to make the NHS fit for the future.

    Ministers and NHS clinicians have carried out engagement events with NHS workers throughout this month – while thousands of NHS staff and the wider public have already submitted a range of ideas on Change NHS. These ideas will inform the government’s Plan for Change, which will drive a decade of national renewal and transform the health service.

    A new survey was recently launched on Change NHS, focusing on patient choice, how to support staff to care for patients and using technology to improve people’s experiences of the NHS.

    Further information

    Find out more on the Nuffield Health website or on their Instagram and LinkedIn pages.  

    The Joint Pain Programme will be available to NHS staff in the following Nuffield Health locations:

    • Wandsworth
    • Wandsworth Southside
    • City
    • Covent Garden
    • Shoreditch
    • Paddington
    • Battersea
    • Chiselhurst
    • Fulham
    • Wimbledon
    • Twickenham
    • Brondesbury Park
    • Stoke Poges
    • Friern Barnet Hendon
    • Birmingham Central
    • Preston
    • Bolton

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Liverpool Calling: The Results Are In

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Ground-breaking research has found that hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 delivered a £54million economic boost to the Liverpool City Region. 

    In a first for any Eurovision Song Contest host city, a Multi-Agency Evaluation Steering Group led by Liverpool City Council, has commissioned five in-depth, independent evaluations – the interim results of which will be announced today (Thursday 26 October) by Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson and Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram.

    The reports looked at the economic and social impact of staging the event on behalf of Ukraine, as well as the influence on cultural relations; the impact on wellbeing in the city and the wider city region; the visitor experience and the effectiveness of the strategic collaboration between delivery agencies. 

    Key data highlights include:

    The Big Numbers

    • Eurovision boosted the Liverpool City Region economy by £54.8million (net) with restaurants, accommodation providers, shops, bars and transport networks all benefitting.
    • In total 473,000 people attended Eurovision events in the city, with 306,000 additional visitors heading to Liverpool to be part of the celebrations.
    • In May, 175,000 city centre hotel rooms were sold  – the best month on record since 2018. (STEAM data)   

    Culture Counts

    • The education and community programmes, EuroStreet and EuroLearn, engaged with 367 organisations and directly with 50,000 people, young and old. The overall programme is estimated to have reached 2 million people.
    • EuroFestival – the Culture Liverpool curated two-week culture festival – presented 24 brand new commissions, 19 of which were in collaboration with Ukrainian artists. A huge 328,346 people engaged with this programme – 557 artists, 1,750 participants involved in a commission and an audience number of 326,039.
    • The official Eurovision Village, located at the Pier Head attracted 250,000 visitors across the ten days it was open, with the ticketed final selling out within hours.

    Visitor’s Views

    • Visitors to Liverpool reported an overwhelmingly positive experience. In a survey, 89 per cent of those questioned, felt it was a safe event and 88 per cent praised its inclusivity. A whopping 96 per cent of those surveyed would recommend Liverpool as a destination to visit and 42 per cent of overseas visitors said the city’s staging of the event had a positive impact on how they viewed the UK.
    • The official Eurovision Fan Club – the OGAEs – carried out a survey and found that 99 per cent of their members felt welcomed in the city and 98 per cent loved the undeniable festival atmosphere.

    Resident’s Reaction

    • There was a huge amount of pride around Liverpool being the host city, with 80 per cent of residents noting how important it was for Liverpool and a further 93 per cent saying they were pleased with how the city delivered the event.
    • Of those questioned, 74 per cent were enthusiastic about Liverpool hosting on behalf of Ukraine and 71 per cent felt that the city’s leading role promoted positive feelings across all of the participating nations.

    People Power

    • An impressive 475 people provided 12,000 hours of volunteering, covering 350 shifts. The majority (90 per cent) were from the North West of England, and 30 were Ukrainian.
    • A Eurovision job recruitment fair saw 394 jobs offered in one day.
    • A partnership between the BBC and Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts saw 145 students become part of the Eurovision production – in roles such as on stage dancers in the live shows, costume makers or in the TV production team.

    Read all about it

    • Between the period of October 2022, when Liverpool was announced as host city, until end of May 2023, more than 280,000 pieces of global news coverage were generated.
    • The three live BBC shows were watched by 162 million people.

    Keep Liverpool Tidy

    • More than 50,000 tonnes of waste was collected throughout the Eurovision period, 80 per cent of which could be recycled.

    The independent reports were:

    • Economic Impact – Commissioned by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council. The research was compiled by AMION Consulting.
    • Community and Wellbeing – Commissioned by Liverpool City Council and funded by Spirit of 2012 and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The research was carried out by University of Liverpool.
    • Cultural Diplomacy – Commissioned by Liverpool City Council and funded by British Council and DCMS. The British Council led on the research along with the University of Hull, and consultants from Universities of Brighton, Southampton and Royal Holloway (University of London).
    • Nightlife – Funded and compiled by Liverpool John Moores University.
    • Multi–Agency Working – Led by Edge Hill University.  

    Along with these reports, the BBC has commissioned its own Eurovision Highlights Report.

    To bring together the findings of the reports, Liverpool City Council’s Public Health team commissioned The Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place to compile the headline findings. This comprehensive overview can be found at the Heseltine Institute website. 

    The interim findings of these reports will be discussed at a special one-day Eurovision event taking place at ACC Liverpool today (Thursday 26 October).

    Head to the official Liverpool Calling website for full details of the day which will include panels with the Liverpool Host City team who will give an insight into the complexities of staging an event of this scale. This is a Liverpool City Council event supported by the Liverpool BID Company and The ACC Liverpool Group.

    Follow @CultureLpool on Twitter, @CultureLiverpool on Facebook and @culture_liverpool on Instagram for the latest updates as well as using #LiverpoolCalling on social media.

    Reaction

    Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, said:

    “The whirlwind that was Eurovision, gave this city an unparalleled stage where it could showcase not just its organisational prowess, but also its heart and soul.

    “From the outset, we put plans in place to evaluate everything we programmed in order to have a thorough understanding of the impact of major events.

    “The visitor and economic figures speak for themselves – jobs were created, local businesses were on the receiving end of a much-needed boost and hundreds of thousands of people came to the city, had a great time and are more than likely to return again.

    “My mantra is proud but never satisfied. These comprehensive reports give us the opportunity to reflect on what was achieved over an incredibly short period of time, but more importantly we can look at lessons learnt for the next time we host a major event. And this is Liverpool, so there will definitely be a next time.

    “Knowing the financials and the visitor numbers is always a great indicator of success, but with Eurovision we wanted to do more. As the first host city ever to introduce a school and community programme dedicated to Eurovision, we needed to drill into what that really meant for people – did it make a positive difference to their lives and as a result to our city? Never before has any other location commissioned such a detailed analysis, and it goes without saying that our methodology can be adopted by locations across the world which is a real badge of honour for Liverpool.

    “This collective research proves that events like Eurovision can transcend boundaries, leaving a legacy of inspiration and goodwill. It was a milestone moment in our city’s history, and now we’re more than ready for the next one.”

    Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:
    “There was never a doubt in my mind as to whether our region was up to the challenge of hosting a global spectacle like Eurovision on behalf of our friends in Ukraine – because nowhere does culture bigger or better than the Liverpool City Region. From the hundreds of thousands of visitors who flocked to our region for a fortnight of fun and frivolity, to the tens of millions around the world who tuned in, we gave millions of people a Eurovision they will never forget.

    “While that’s an incredible result in itself, the contest was also a vital shot in the arm for our local economy, bringing in more than £54m, creating thousands of jobs and opportunities for local people and showcasing our brand to an international audience. None of this would have been possible without the hard work of everyone who truly embraced the Eurovision spirit and made our visitors feel so welcome. I said all along that nowhere can throw a party quite like us – and now we have the results to prove it!”

    Liverpool’s Director of Culture, Claire McColgan CBE, said:

    “We experienced this Eurovision-high as a result of cultural back catalogue.

    “We have spent years working towards what we all experienced in May – we cut our teeth during our European Capital of Culture year and from that point we have grown exponentially in confidence and ability as year-on-year we continue to deliver events that rival any other on the world stage.

    “The pandemic was a real line in the sand for us, and undoubtedly Liverpool’s role in leading the charge on the reopening of venues nationwide made us stand out from the crowd – we are recognised as a city that can deliver unforgettable moments, safely, quickly and with a scouse panache that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else.

    “Quite simply, it was an honour to deliver Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine and the UK. I’ve never known time move so fast as it did across those seven months and it has been a real pleasure to digest these impact reports and relive the experience once again and reassure myself it wasn’t just a crazy dream! They underline the fact Liverpool has the skill, agency-wide teamwork and the creativity to deliver time and time again.

    “So I’d like to say to everyone – whether you worked on the event, donned those iconic yellow hoodies and volunteered, performed on stage or on our streets, danced at the Village, sang along at the arena or perhaps you discovered more about Ukraine in the classroom or even helped evaluate the event – thank you. You made Eurovision. Liverpool made Eurovision. We were all united by music.”

    Eurovision Minister Stuart Andrew said: 

    “It is fantastic to see the impact that hosting the Eurovision Song Contest has had on Liverpool. The city put on a fantastic display of culture and creativity, showing solidarity with our friends in Ukraine and highlighting what unites us all. 

    “This research demonstrates the positive impact of hosting major events and I hope that we can continue to build on this success.” 

    Tim Jones, the University of Liverpool’s Vice-Chancellor said:

    “Today’s announcement gives us much to be proud of. It was the University’s Heseltine Institute that compiled the data that this success is judged on and it was our academics who played an important role in carrying out a key strand of research. But as a civic institution, we are immensely proud of the city of Liverpool. Our city put on a show like no other and I am delighted to see these positive results that I’m sure will have a lasting legacy for those who live, work, study and do business here.”

    Rhiannon Corcoran, Professor of Psychology and Public Mental Health University of Liverpool said:

    “Our survey was designed to understand Eurovision’s impact on the wellbeing and sense of community of local residents. The data we collected shows overwhelmingly positive feelings of pride in the city. I’m sure many people will recognise and understand how this is hugely beneficial to wellbeing.” 

    Sue Jarvis, Co-Director at the Heseltine Institute said:

    “At the Heseltine Institute we were delighted to work with partners across the city to publish this summary of the comprehensive evaluation of what Eurovision achieved for our city.

    “Liverpool has a long history of hosting and learning from major events, and these evaluations will help developing understanding of the key lessons from Eurovision 2023.

    “While the full legacy will emerge over time, it was fantastic to see that the positive impacts of Eurovision exceeded expectations. Eurovision not only brought immense financial and cultural benefits to the city but also enhanced the view of Liverpool across the UK, Europe and the world.”

    Phil Harrold, BBC Chief of Staff and Chair of 2023 City Selection Group, said:
    “When the BBC selected Liverpool to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 we knew that the city would deliver with a passion and enthusiasm that was second to none. The incredible numbers proven in this research, coupled with our own record-breaking audience figures, demonstrate that 2023 was indeed the most successful Eurovision ever and is testament to all who played a part in bringing this year’s Song Contest to life.”

    Amy Finch – Head of Policy & Influencing, Spirit of 2012, said:

    “We are proud to see the headline statistics from the Eurovision evaluations show tremendous benefits for Liverpool. Particularly, we are delighted to see the amazing reach of EuroLearn and the effects of cultural engagement inspiring civic pride in Liverpool residents. Liverpool has once again proven itself to be a world class host city and we must ensure that the impact of Eurovision in communities will endure for years to come.”

    Dr Rebecca Phythian, Reader in Policing at Edge Hill University, said:

    “Having behind the scenes access to see first-hand the partnership working that goes into staging multi-agency operations like Eurovision was incredible. Since then, we’ve been working with practitioners from Merseyside Police, Culture Liverpool, BBC and many of the other organisations involved to identify what worked well and what could be done differently, all to inform future large-scale operations.”

    Mike Smith, Edge Hill University’s Senior Lecturer in Policing, said:

    “We found that trust and co-location were key to effective information sharing and multi-agency working. This was supported by building new, and strengthening existing, relationships, and ensured a joint understanding of risk and situational awareness.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Merseyside Police prepares for packed events schedule

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Merseyside Police has already begun extensive planning for another busy calendar of events across the region, with community partners continuing to play a vital role in ensuring the safety of those attending.

    The force’s planning teams are well-versed in delivering policing operations for major events, from the internationally renowned Aintree Races to Liverpool Pride. In the coming months, police and partners will draw up security plans for familiar favourites such as music concerts at the city’s waterfront and Anfield stadium and this year’s exciting addition to the calendar: Radio 1’s Big Weekend at Sefton Park in May.

    Chief Inspector Iain Wyke of Protective Security Operations at Merseyside Police said: “We’re fortunate to host a diverse range of events that bring visitors from far and wide to experience what Merseyside offers.

    “Our operational planning for this year’s events began many months ago. This includes working with partners to minimise disruption to local communities and delivering training for event organisers, venue staff and local businesses on how to spot suspicious activity and what action to take. Working with, and supporting partners, ensures the smooth running of these events, disrupting any potential criminal activity and keeping people safe.”

    Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “Our collaboration with Merseyside Police is incredibly valuable and as a top, global city for major events, this Team Liverpool approach is crucial. Supporting Project Servator allows us to disrupt criminal activity and ensure public safety is paramount before and during the events we host here.”

    The force will use a variety of tactics as part of its operational plans including Project Servator deployments, which have been used in Merseyside since 2018. The deployments are deliberately unpredictable and use specially trained uniform and plain-clothes officers to spot tell-tale signs that someone may be gathering information to help them plan or prepare to commit a crime. These officers will also encourage the public, including people working in local businesses, to be extra eyes and ears, and report suspicious activity.

    Chief Inspector Wyke added: “These highly visible Project Servator deployments are supported by colleagues in other specialist roles such as firearms officers and dog handlers. The officers are also in contact with City Watch for round-the-clock monitoring of the CCTV network used across the force area.

    “If you see a Project Servator deployment, there’s nothing to worry about. Feel free to talk to officers, they will be happy to explain what they are doing and how you can help keep people safe.”

    Everyone can play a part in ensuring a successful and safe programme of events. If you are out and about, report anything you see that doesn’t feel right immediately to a member of staff or a police officer. Or call the police on 101. If it is an emergency, always call 999.

    Guidance on how to help, including what suspicious activity to look out for, and confidential reporting is available at www.gov.uk/act.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Expert offers free personal safety sessions for women

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The sessions are designed to encourage women to believe they are entitled to defend themselves, to help women feel safer by having strategies which make them more able to deal with threatening and intimidating situations, and to build women’s confidence in their own skills and resources.

    There are 2 sessions taking place on Tuesday 25 March, 2025 – one at the Bob Jones Community Hub in Blakenhall from 10am to 12pm, and a second at Pendeford Community Hub from 2pm to 4pm. They are open to all women and places are free, but booking is essential – please email charlotte.woodcock2@wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 552025.

    Amanda, who was formerly a tutor with Adult Education Wolverhampton, has over 20 years’ experience as a Women’s Self Defence Trainer and was a member of the National Women’s Self Defence Association. She has supported Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum by delivering training and has also been a key worker for Women’s Aid. Most recently, she has been working as a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Therapeutic Practitioner for the NHS.

    Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: “We are delighted to be working with Amanda to deliver these important sessions to mark International Women’s Day. She is passionate about bringing skills and strategies for personal safety to women of all backgrounds, and I would encourage women to book their places today.”

    International Women’s Day takes place this Saturday (8 March) and is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. For more information, please visit International Women’s Day.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Message of the Holy Father to participants in the General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life

    Source: The Holy See

    Message of the Holy Father to participants in the General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, 03.03.2025
    The following is the Message sent by the Holy Father Francis to the participants in the General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life, on the theme: “The End of the World? Crises, Responsibilities, Hopes”, taking place from 3 to 5 March at the Conference Centre of the Augustinianum:
     
    Message of the Holy Father
    The End of the world? Crises, Responsibilities, Hopes
    Dear Academicians,
    It is always a pleasure for me to address the women and men of science, as well as those in the Church who cultivate dialogue with the scientific world. Together you can serve the cause of life and the common good. And I warmly thank Archbishop Paglia and the collaborators for their service to the Pontifical Academy for Life.
    In this year’s general Assembly, you have proposed to consider the question that is today defined as “polycrisis”. It relates to some fundamental aspects of your research activity in the field of life, health and care. The term “polycrisis” evokes the dramatic nature of the historical juncture we are currently witnessing, in which wars, climate changes, energy problems, epidemics, the migratory phenomenon and technological innovation converge. The intertwining of these critical issues, which currently touch on various dimensions of life, lead us to ask ourselves about the destiny of the world and our understanding of it.
    A first step to be taken is that of examining with greater attention to our representation of the world and the cosmos. If we do not do this, and we do not seriously analyze our profound resistance to change, both as people and as a society, we will continue to do what we have always done with other crises, even very recent ones. Think of the Covid pandemic: we have, so to speak, “squandered” it; we could have worked more deeply in the transformation of consciences and social practices (cf. Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, 36).
    And another important step to avoid remaining immobile, anchored in our certainties, habits and fears, is to listen carefully to the contribution of areas of scientific knowledge. The theme of listening is decisive. It is one of the key words of the entire synodal process we have undertaken, and which is now in its implementation phrase. I therefore appreciate that your way of proceeding reflects its style. I see in it the attempt to practice in your specific sphere that “social prophecy” to which the Synod was dedicated (Final Document, 47). In the encounter with people and their stories, and in listening to scientific knowledge, we realize that our parameters regarding anthropology and culture require profound revision. This was also the origin of the intuition of the study groups on certain topics that emerged during the synodal process. I know that some of you are part of them, also valuing the work done by the Academy for Life over the past years, work for which I am very grateful.
    Listening to the sciences continually offers us new knowledge. Consider what we are told about the structure of matter and the evolution of living beings: there emerges a far more dynamic view of nature compared to what was thought in Newton’s time. Our way of understanding “continuous creation” must be re-elaborated, in the knowledge that it will not be technology that saves us (cf. Encyclical Letter Laudato si’, 101): endorsing utilitarian deregulation and global neoliberalism means imposing the law of the strongest as the only rule; and it is a law that dehumanizes.
    We can cite as an example of this type of research Fr. Teilhard de Chardin and his attempt – certainly partial and unfinished, but daring and inspiring – to enter seriously into dialogue with the sciences, practising an exercise in trans-disciplinarity. It is a risky path, which leads us to wonder: “I ask whether it is necessary for someone to throw the stone into the pond – indeed, to end up being ‘killed’ – to open the way”.1 Thus he launched his insights that focused on the category of relationship and interdependence between all things, placing homo sapiens in close connection with the entire system of living things.
    These ways of interpreting the world and its evolution, with the unprecedented forms of relatedness that correspond to it, can provide us with signs of hope, which we are seeking as pilgrims during this Jubilee year (cf. Bull Spes non confundit, 7). Hope is the fundamental attitude that supports us on the journey. It does not consist of waiting with resignation, but of striving with zeal towards true life, which leads well beyond the narrow individual perimeter. As Pope Benedict XVI reminded us, hope “is linked to a lived union with a ‘people’, and for each individual it can only be attained within this ‘we’” (Encyclical Letter Spe salvi, 14).
    It is also because of this community dimension of hope, faced with a complex and planetary crisis, that we are urged to value instruments with a global reach. We must unfortunately note a progressive irrelevance of international bodies, which are also undermined by short-sighted attitudes, concerned with protecting particular and national interests. And yet we must continue to commit ourselves with determination for “more effective world organizations, equipped with the power to provide for the global common good, the elimination of hunger and poverty, and the sure defence of fundamental human rights” (Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, 172). In such a way, a multilateralism is promoted that does not depend on changing political circumstances or the interests of the few, and which has stable effectiveness (cf. Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, 35). It is an urgent task which regards the whole of humanity.
    This vast scenario of motivations and objectives is also the scope of your Assembly and of your work, dear members of the Academy for Life. I entrust you to the intercession of Mary, Seat of Hope and Mother of Hope, “as we, the pilgrim people, the people of life and for life, make our way in confidence towards ‘a new heaven and a new earth’ (Rev 21:1)” (Saint John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae, 105).
    For all of you and for your work, I impart my heartfelt blessing.
    Rome, from “Gemelli” Hospital, 26 February 2025
    FRANCIS
    ____________________
    1Quotation from B. DE SOLANGES, Teilhard de Chardin. Témoignage et étude sur le développement de sa pensée, Toulouse 1967, 54

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Hut 8 Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Fortified balance sheet, optimized operations, disciplined growth initiatives, and strategic hires set foundation for 2025

    12,300 MW development pipeline with 2,800 MW under exclusivity as of December 31, 2024

    Earnings Release Highlights

    • Full year 2024 revenue of $162.4 million, net income of $331.4 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $555.7 million.
    • Fourth quarter 2024 energy cost per megawatt-hour (“MWh”) of $31.63, a 30% decrease from the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Total energy capacity under management of 1,020 megawatts (“MW”) as of December 31, 2024.
    • 12,300 MW development pipeline with 2,800 MW of capacity under exclusivity as of December 31, 2024.
    • Strategic Bitcoin reserve of 10,171 Bitcoin with a market value of $949.5 million as of December 31, 2024.

    MIAMI, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT) (“Hut 8” or the “Company”), an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024.

    “In 2024, we delivered on our commitment to operational excellence and bottom-line economics, setting the foundation for disciplined growth in 2025,” said Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8. “In the fourth quarter, we fortified our capital strategy and balance sheet—converting our Anchorage loan to equity, launching ATM and stock repurchase programs, and expanding our strategic Bitcoin reserve. Today, we operate from a position of strength as we focus on advancing our 12.3-gigawatt development pipeline.”

    “We believe our platform model will enable us to strategically allocate capital as we aim to optimize returns, mitigate sector-specific volatility, accelerate speed to market, and deliver innovation at every stage of the development value chain. To align our reporting structure with this model as we enter this next phase of growth, we have realigned our operating segments around the three layers of our platform: Power, Digital Infrastructure, and Compute, as reflected in our results.”

    “Looking ahead, we believe our application-agnostic approach to digital infrastructure development and experience in greenfield development will reinforce a structural advantage over peers reliant on single-market exposure or more complex commercialization models. Together with our robust development pipeline and strengthened team, we believe we are well-positioned to meet the continued and rising demand for energy capacity from applications like AI while building a platform positioned to fuel the world’s most transformative technologies for decades to come.”

    2024 Highlights

    Power

    • Generated $56.6 million in full-year revenue, consisting of revenue from Power Generation and Managed Services.
    • Secured Vega, a 205 MW behind-the-meter site in Texas, which is expected to be energized in Q2 2025, less than one year after acquisition, through the Company’s greenfield development capabilities, which enables rapid deployment low-cost Bitcoin mining infrastructure.
    • Advanced three large-scale AI data center development projects, which, if secured, would collectively add over 430 MW of capacity. After the quarter, Hut 8 secured 592 acres of land for its River Bend campus, a project from this subset of its development pipeline.

    Digital Infrastructure

    • Generated $17.5 million in full-year revenue, consisting of revenue from CPU Colocation and ASIC Colocation services.
    • Completed the greenfield development and energization of Salt Creek, a 63 MW Bitcoin mining facility, just over three months after breaking ground for an all-in cost of approximately $240,000 per MW.
    • Developed custom data center architecture for Bitcoin mining ASIC compute. Set for deployment at Vega, the architecture enables rack-based ASIC compute utilizing a custom-designed direct-to-chip (“DTC”) liquid cooling system at densities of up to 180 kilowatts per rack, helping bridge the gap to traditional HPC architecture.
    • Secured a major colocation contract with BITMAIN Technologies Ltd. (“BITMAIN”), the world’s leading manufacturer of digital currency mining servers. The ASIC colocation contract is expected to generate ~$125 million in annualized revenue upon full ramp and includes a purchase option at Hut 8’s discretion for the full ~15 exahash-per-second (“EH/s”) deployment.

    Compute

    • Generated $80.7 million in full-year revenue, consisting of revenue from Bitcoin Mining, GPU-as-a-Service, and Data Center Cloud operations.
    • Partnered with BITMAIN to develop and launch a next-generation ASIC miner. The U3S21EXPH will be the first model mass-commercialized by BITMAIN with DTC cooling within a U form factor.
    • Launched Highrise AI, Inc. (“Highrise”), a wholly-owned subsidiary providing GPU-as-a-Service through an initial five-year customer agreement with an AI cloud services provider. Hut 8 intends to leverage operational data and insights from Highrise to optimize the design, development, and operations of its digital infrastructure as it expands into AI data center development.
    • Executed a purchase agreement for BITMAIN Antminer S21+ miners for the Company’s initial ASIC fleet upgrade, which is expected to increase self-mining hashrate to ~10.3 EH/s while driving average fleet efficiency down to 20.5 joules per terahash (“J/TH”). If the Company were to execute its purchase option under the aforementioned BITMAIN colocation agreement, it anticipates total self-mining hashrate of ~25.1 EH/s with average fleet efficiency of 16.0 J/TH.

    Operations

    • Appointed Asher Genoot as CEO on February 7, 2024.
    • Executed a comprehensive restructuring program to strengthen bottom-line economics, delivering a ~30% reduction in energy cost per MWh and an approximately eight-point increase in gross margin per Bitcoin mined from Q4 2023 to Q4 2024.
    • Expanded team with strategic hires, including Sean Glennan as CFO and Victor Semah as CLO.

    Capital Strategy and Balance Sheet

    • Closed a $150 million strategic investment from Coatue to partner in building AI infrastructure.
    • Converted our $37.9 million Anchorage Digital loan balance to shares of our common stock at a 51% premium to the 20-Day VWAP through the day prior to the signing of the Debt Repayment Agreement.
    • Launched a $500 million ATM program and a $250 million stock repurchase program.
    • Surpassed 10,000 Bitcoin held in reserve with the purchase of approximately 990 Bitcoin, of which 968 were pledged as collateral to BITMAIN as part of an innovative financing model for the purchase of Antminer S21+ miners for our initial fleet upgrade.

    Key Performance Indicators

      Three Months Ended December 31,   Twelve Months Ended December 31,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
    Cost to mine a Bitcoin (excluding hosted facilities)(1)   $ 37,958   $ 17,171   $ 27,959   $ 13,198
    Cost to mine a Bitcoin(2) $ 37,958   $ 20,051   $ 28,161   $ 16,570
    Weighted average revenue per Bitcoin mined(3) $ 82,412   $ 37,313   $ 60,834   $ 29,913
    Bitcoin mined(4)   236     852     1,466     2,789
    Energy cost per MWh $ 31.63   $ 45.47   $ 32.52   $ 40.80
    Hosting cost per MWh $ N/A   $ 65.84   $ 68.72   $ 62.57
    Energy capacity under management (mining)(5)   665 MW     839 MW     665 MW     839 MW
    Total energy capacity under management(6)   1,020 MW     842 MW     1,020 MW     842 MW
    Number of Bitcoin in strategic reserve(7)   10,171     9,195     10,171     9,195
    (1) Cost to mine a Bitcoin (excluding hosted facilities) is equivalent to the all-in electricity cost to mine a Bitcoin at owned facilities and includes our net share of the King Mountain JV.
    (2) Cost to mine a Bitcoin (or weighted average cost to mine a Bitcoin) is calculated as the sum of total all-in electricity expense and hosting expense divided by Bitcoin mined during the respective periods and includes our net share of the King Mountain JV.
    (3) Weighted average revenue per Bitcoin mined is calculated as the sum of total self-mining revenue divided by Bitcoin mined during the respective periods and includes our net share of the King Mountain JV.
    (4) Bitcoin mined includes our net share of the King Mountain JV. Bitcoin mined excluding our net share of the King Mountain JV was 190 and 690 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Bitcoin mined excluding our net share of the King Mountain JV was 1,184 and 2,138 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
    (5) Energy capacity under management (mining) represents the total power capacity related to Bitcoin mining infrastructure, including self-mining sites, colocation agreements, and managed services agreements.
    (6) Total energy capacity under management includes (i) energy capacity under management (mining) and (ii) all energy-related assets including power generation, non-operational sites, and traditional data centers.
    (7) Number of Bitcoin in strategic reserve includes Bitcoin held in custody, pledged as collateral, and pledged for a miner purchase under an agreement with BITMAIN.
       

    Select Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    U.S. Data Mining Group, Inc. dba US Bitcoin Corp (“USBTC”) and Hut 8 Mining Corp. completed an all-stock merger of equals (the “Business Combination”) on November 30, 2023. USBTC was deemed the accounting acquirer in the transaction and, as a result, the historical figures in the Company’s income statement for the three months ended December 31, 2023 reflect two months of USBTC’s standalone performance and one month of the combined company’s performance. Results for the three months ended December 31, 2024 reflect the performance of the combined company. All financial results are reported in US dollars.

    Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $31.7 million compared to $38.9 million in the prior year period, and consisted of $9.9 million in Power revenue, $2.5 million in Digital Infrastructure revenue, $19.2 million in Compute revenue, and $0.1 million in Other revenue. Other consists primarily of equipment sales and repairs.

    Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $152.0 million compared to $10.6 million for the prior year period. This included gain on digital assets of $308.2 million and $32.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

    Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2024 was $310.6 million compared to $48.6 million for the prior year period. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable GAAP measure, net income (loss), and an explanation of this measure has been provided in the table included below in this press release.

    Select Full Year 2024 Financial Results

    As a result of the Business Combination, the historical figures in the Company’s income statement for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 reflect eleven months of USBTC’s standalone performance and one month of the combined company’s performance. Results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 reflect the performance of the combined company. With respect to the balance sheet, the ending balance for year-end 2024 is being compared to year-end 2023, both of which reflect the combined company’s performance.

    Revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $162.4 million compared to $96.0 million in the prior year, and consisted of $56.6 million in Power revenue, $17.5 million in Digital Infrastructure revenue, $80.7 million in Compute revenue, and $7.6 million in Other revenue. Other consists primarily of equipment sales and repairs.

    Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $331.4 million compared to $21.9 million for the prior year period. This included gain on digital assets of $509.3 million and $32.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

    Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $555.7 million compared to $85.7 million for the prior year period. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable GAAP measure, net income (loss), and an explanation of this measure has been provided in the table included below in this press release.

    Conference Call

    The Hut 8 Corp. Full-Year 2024 Conference Call will commence today, Monday, March 5, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET today. Investors can join the live webcast here.

    Supplemental Materials and Upcoming Communications

    The Company expects to make available on its website materials designed to accompany the discussion of its results, along with certain supplemental financial information and other data. For important news and information regarding the Company, including investor presentations and timing of future investor conferences, visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, https://hut8.com/investors, and its social media accounts, including on X and LinkedIn. The Company uses its website and social media accounts as primary channels for disclosing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.

    Analyst Coverage

    A full list of Hut 8 Corp. analyst coverage can be found at https://hut8.com/investors/analyst-coverage/.

    Upcoming Conferences & Events

    • March 11–12, 2025: Cantor Crypto, Digital Assets & AI Infrastructure Conference, Miami
    • March 16–18, 2025: 37th Annual ROTH Conference, Dana Point
    • March 25–27, 2025: Mining Disrupt, Fort Lauderdale
    • April 7–8, 2025: Jones Healthcare and Technology Innovation Conference, Las Vegas
    • May 13–15, 2025: J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference, Boston
    • May 19–20, 2025: Barclays 15th Annual Emerging Payments and FinTech Forum, New York

    About Hut 8

    Hut 8 Corp. is an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-potential computing. We take a power-first, innovation-driven approach to developing, commercializing, and operating the critical infrastructure that underpins the breakthrough technologies of today and tomorrow. Our platform spans 1,020 megawatts of energy capacity under management across 15 sites in the United States and Canada: five Bitcoin mining, hosting, and Managed Services sites in Alberta, New York, and Texas, five high performance computing data centers in British Columbia and Ontario, four power generation assets in Ontario, and one non-operational site in Alberta. For more information, visit www.hut8.com and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Hut8Corp.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward–Looking Information

    This press release includes “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws, respectively (collectively, “forward-looking information”). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events, or developments that Hut 8 expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including statements relating to the Company’s foundation for disciplined growth; its position of strength; its development pipeline, including the three large-scale AI data center development projects and the expected capacity assuming these projects are secured; its platform model; its ability to strategically allocate capital; its goal of optimizing returns, mitigating sector volatility, accelerating speed to market, and delivering innovation across the development value chain; its next phase of growth; its structural advantage over peers; its ability to meet demand for energy capacity; its expected energization of Vega, including the expected timing and site capabilities; its colocation contract with BITMAIN, including the anticipated revenue and expected hashrate and average fleet efficiency improvements if the Company executes its purchase option under the agreement; the commercialization of the U3S21EXPH miner from BITMAIN, including the expected timing and miner capabilities; the initial Highrise customer agreement; the operational data and insights derived from Highrise for the Company’s planned expansion into AI data center development; its expected ASIC fleet upgrade, including the expected timing and anticipated hashrate and average fleet efficiency improvements; and the Company’s future business strategy, competitive strengths, expansion, and growth of the business and operations more generally, and other such matters is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “allow”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “predict”, “can”, “might”, “potential”, “predict”, “is designed to”, “likely,” or similar expressions.

    Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement was made. While considered reasonable by Hut 8 as of the date of this press release, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, failure of critical systems; geopolitical, social, economic, and other events and circumstances; competition from current and future competitors; risks related to power requirements; cybersecurity threats and breaches; hazards and operational risks; changes in leasing arrangements; Internet-related disruptions; dependence on key personnel; having a limited operating history; attracting and retaining customers; entering into new offerings or lines of business; price fluctuations and rapidly changing technologies; construction of new data centers, data center expansions, or data center redevelopment; predicting facility requirements; strategic alliances or joint ventures; operating and expanding internationally; failing to grow hashrate; purchasing miners; relying on third-party mining pool service providers; uncertainty in the development and acceptance of the Bitcoin network; Bitcoin halving events; competition from other methods of investing in Bitcoin; concentration of Bitcoin holdings; hedging transactions; potential liquidity constraints; legal, regulatory, governmental, and technological uncertainties; physical risks related to climate change; involvement in legal proceedings; trading volatility; and other risks described from time to time in Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see the Company’s recent and upcoming annual and quarterly reports and other continuous disclosure documents, which are available under the Company’s EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov and SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Adjusted EBITDA

    In addition to results determined in accordance with GAAP, Hut 8 relies on Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate its business, measure its performance, and make strategic decisions. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), adjusted for impacts of interest expense, income tax provision or benefit, depreciation and amortization, gain on debt extinguishment, gain on derivatives, gain on bargain purchase, our share of unconsolidated joint venture depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange gains or losses, the removal of non-recurring transactions, impairment on assets, gain or loss on sale of property and equipment, loss from discontinued operations, net loss attributable to non-controlling interests, and stock-based compensation expense in the period presented. You are encouraged to evaluate each of these adjustments and the reasons the Company’s board of directors and management team consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis.

    The Company’s board of directors and management team use Adjusted EBITDA to assess its financial performance because it allows them to compare operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense and income), asset base (such as depreciation and amortization), and other items (such as non-recurring transactions mentioned above) that impact the comparability of financial results from period to period.
    Net income (loss) is the GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future the Company may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in such presentation. The Company’s presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that its future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. There can be no assurance that the Company will not modify the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA in the future, and any such modification may be material. Adjusted EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool and you should not consider Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of results as reported under GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA may be defined differently by other companies in the industry, the Company’s definition of this non-GAAP financial measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing its utility.

     
    Hut 8 Corp. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
    (Unaudited, in USD thousands, except share and per share data)
     
      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
          December 31,       December 31,
      December 31,   2023   December 31,   2023
    (in USD thousands) 2024      (Unaudited)      2024      (Unaudited)
    Revenue:                      
    Power $ 9,949     $ 7,818     $ 56,602     $ 22,794  
    Digital Infrastructure   2,520       4,455       17,482       8,291  
    Compute   19,159       26,519       80,701       64,851  
    Other   66       110       7,600       110  
    Total revenue   31,694       38,902       162,385       96,046  
                           
    Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below):                  
    Cost of revenue – Power   7,465       1,944       21,538       7,263  
    Cost of revenue – Digital Infrastructure   2,929       3,048       15,556       4,321  
    Cost of revenue – Compute   9,781       15,764       44,977       42,592  
    Cost of revenue – Other   138       20       4,584       18  
    Total cost of revenue   20,313       20,776       86,655       54,194  
                           
    Operating (income) expenses:                      
    Depreciation and amortization   14,308       6,134       47,773       17,537  
    General and administrative expenses   18,844       33,380       72,917       49,133  
    Gains on digital assets   (308,157 )     (32,811 )     (509,337 )     (32,626 )
    Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment   —       443       (634 )     888  
    Realized gain on sale of digital assets   —       —       —       (2,376 )
    Impairment of digital assets   —       —       —       1,431  
    Impairment – other   4,472       —       4,472       —  
    Legal settlement   —       —       —       (1,531 )
    Total operating (income) expenses   (270,533 )     7,146       (384,809 )     32,456  
    Operating income (loss)   281,914       10,980       460,539       9,396  
                           
    Other (expense) income:                      
    Foreign exchange (loss) gain   (4,042 )     1,002       (5,000 )     1,002  
    Interest expense   (9,563 )     (5,980 )     (29,794 )     (24,933 )
    Gain on debt extinguishment   —       —       5,966       23,683  
    (Loss) gain on derivatives   (13,143 )     —       6,780       —  
    Gain on bargain purchase   3,060       —       3,060       —  
    Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture   1,902       4,098       10,359       12,815  
    Total other (expense) income   (21,768 )     (880 )     (8,629 )     12,567  
                           
    Income from continuing operations before taxes   260,146       10,100       451,910       21,963  
                           
    Income tax (provision) benefit   (110,482 )     482       (113,457 )     (190 )
                           
    Net income from continuing operations $ 149,664     $ 10,582     $ 338,453     $ 21,773  
                           
    Income (Loss) from discontinued operations   2,320             (7,044 )     77  
                           
    Net income   151,984       10,582       331,409       21,850  
    Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests   241       —       473       —  
    Net income attributable to Hut 8 Corp. $ 152,225     $ 10,582     $ 331,882     $ 21,850  
                           
    Net income $ 151,984     $ 10,582     $ 331,409     $ 21,850  
    Other comprehensive loss:                      
    Foreign currency translation adjustments   (46,011 )     10,761       (56,390 )     10,761  
    Total comprehensive income   105,973       21,343       275,019       32,611  
    Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest 387       —       549       —  
    Comprehensive income attributable to Hut 8 Corp. $ 106,360     $ 21,343     $ 275,568     $ 32,611  


    Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

      Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
      December 31,   December 31,      December 31,   December 31,
    (in USD thousands) 2024      2023   2024      2023
    Net income $ 151,984     $ 10,582     $ 331,409     $ 21,850  
    Interest expense   9,563       5,980       29,794       24,933  
    Income tax provision (benefit)   110,482       (482 )     113,457       190  
    Depreciation and amortization   14,308       6,134       47,773       17,537  
    Gain on debt extinguishment   —       —       (5,966 )     (23,683 )
    Loss (gain) on derivatives   13,143       —       (6,780 )     —  
    Gain on bargain purchase   (3,060 )     —       (3,060 )     —  
    Share of unconsolidated joint venture depreciation and amortization (1)   3,120       2,887       21,792       21,016  
    Foreign exchange loss (gain)   4,024       (1,002 )     5,000       (1,002 )
    Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment   —       443       (634 )     888  
    Non-recurring transactions (2)   327       12,044       (9,882 )     10,513  
    Impairment – other   4,472       —       4,472       —  
    (Income) loss from discontinued operations   (2,320 )     77       7,044       (77 )
    Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests   241       —       473       —  
    Stock-based compensation expense   4,342       11,912       20,783       13,563  
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 310,626     $ 48,575     $ 555,675     $ 85,728  
    (1) Net of the accretion of fair value differences of depreciable and amortizable assets included in equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in accordance with ASC 323. See Note 10. Investment in unconsolidated joint venture of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.
    (2) Non-recurring transactions for the three months ended December 31, 2024 represent approximately $0.2 million of restructuring costs and $0.1M of Far North related costs. Non-recurring transactions for the three months ended December 31, 2023 represent approximately $9.6 million related to a sales tax accrual and $2.4 million of transaction costs related to the Business Combination. Non-recurring transactions for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 represent approximately $4.0 million of restructuring costs and $1.9 million related to the Far North transaction costs, offset by a $13.5 million contract termination fee received from MARA, and a $2.2 million tax refund. Non-recurring transactions for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 represent approximately $9.6 million related to a sales tax accrual and $2.4 million of transaction costs related to the Business Combination, partially offset by a gain from a legal settlement of $1.5 million.
       

    Contacts

    Hut 8 Investor Relations
    Sue Ennis
    ir@hut8.com

    Hut 8 Media Relations
    media@hut8.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Roundup: February 28, 2025

    Source: US Food and Drug Administration

    For Immediate Release:
    February 28, 2025

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency:

    On Thursday, the FDA approved Odactra to include use in individuals 5 through 11 years of age to treat house dust mite induced nasal inflammation (allergic rhinitis), with or without eye inflammation (conjunctivitis). Odactra is an allergen extract immunotherapy that is administered under the tongue (sublingual) and had been approved for use in individuals 12 through 65 years of age. The prescribing information includes a boxed warning to inform that Odactra can cause severe allergic reactions that may be life-threatening. As with other FDA-approved allergen extracts administered sublingually, patients receiving Odactra should be prescribed epinephrine.
    On Monday, the FDA updated the outbreak advisory: Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Frozen Supplemental Shakes (February 2025) to include that Lyons Magnus LLC recalled 4 oz. Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes. As of February 24, 2025, a total of 38 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 21 states. Of the 38 people for whom information is available, 37 people have been hospitalized, and 12 deaths have been reported.
    On Monday, the FDA cleared Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.’s Control-IQ+ technology, an interoperable automated glycemic controller (iAGC) that is a software-only, prescription use, device. The device is intended for use with compatible integrated continuous glucose monitors (iCGM) and alternate controller enabled (ACE) pumps to automatically increase, decrease, and suspend delivery of basal insulin based on iCGM readings and predicted glucose values. It can also deliver certain insulin doses (correction boluses) necessary when the glucose value is predicted to exceed a predefined target, which is typically calculated based on carbohydrate intake, exercise, and sleep schedule.  This clearance allows the device to be used for the management of type 1 diabetes in individuals two years and older and for the management of type 2 diabetes in individuals 18 years and older, where the prior version was only for type 1 diabetes. This is the latest example of the FDA’s ongoing commitment to help advance the development of products that can improve the management of diabetes.
    On Friday, February 21, the FDA approved for marketing a software update to Medtronic Inc.’s Activa, Percept and SenSight Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy System, an implantable device that delivers low-intensity electrical pulses to nerve centers in the brain as part of deep brain stimulator (DBS) therapy for Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This first-of-its-kind software update will provide the user with an option for adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), which individualizes the DBS therapy by adjusting the stimulation level based on detected brain signals surrounding the DBS electrode of the implant. The new programming option is intended to reduce some of the symptoms in patients diagnosed with levodopa-responsive PD, specifically those with symptoms not been adequately controlled with medicine for at least four years.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release – DOH Advises Precautionary Measures in Response to the Continuing Kīlauea Intermittent Eruptions

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release – DOH Advises Precautionary Measures in Response to the Continuing Kīlauea Intermittent Eruptions

    Posted on Mar 1, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

        

     

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIA‘ĀINA

    KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA, MPH
    DIRECTOR

    KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

    DOH ADVISES PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO THE CONTINUING KĪLAUEA INTERMITTENT ERUPTIONS

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    February 28, 2025                                                                                                    25-015

    HONOLULU — Since Dec. 23, 2024, Kīlauea has continued to erupt intermittently within the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Kīlauea summit eruption paused on the morning of Feb. 26, 2025 with a new episode predicted to occur within the next four to six days. While the eruption has paused, volcanic gas emissions remain elevated. High levels of volcanic gas create vog conditions (hazy air pollution caused by the volcanic emissions) that can have far-reaching effects downwind of the summit. Additional eruption hazards include Pele’s hair (strands of volcanic glass) and other volcanic fragments that may impact nearby communities.

    Currently, air quality levels are elevated at several Hawaiʻi island and Maui island air monitoring stations. As southerly winds are expected to persist throughout the weekend, particulates in the air and levels of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) may increase and fluctuate in various areas of the state, causing poor air quality.

    The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging residents and visitors to access Hawai‘i Air Quality Data on the Clean Air Branch website at https://health.hawaii.gov/cab/hawaii-ambient-air-quality-data/ and the Hawai‘i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard at www.ivhhn.org/vog/ for the most comprehensive and up-to-date online information on vog and SO₂ from volcanic activity in Hawai‘i.

    Hawai‘i residents and visitors are advised to be prepared for and aware of the surrounding conditions, and how they may react to vog in the air. In the event of voggy conditions, the following precautionary measures are advised:

    • Reduce outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing. Avoiding outdoor activity and exercise during vog conditions can reduce exposure and minimize health risks. This is especially important for sensitive groups, such as children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and chronic lung and heart disease.
    • People with asthma or a chronic respiratory disease should always have medications available. Daily prescribed medications should be taken on schedule.
    • People experiencing health effects should contact their medical provider as soon as possible if any symptoms develop, as respiratory conditions might worsen rapidly in heavy sulfur dioxide or vog conditions.
    • Stay indoors and close windows and doors. If using an air conditioner, set it to recirculate. If you need to move out of an impacted area, turn on the car’s air conditioner and set it to recirculate.
    • Face masks (surgical, cloth, KF94, KN95, N95) do not provide protection from sulfur dioxide or vog. However, they can be effective in outdoor environments in reducing inhaled hazardous particulates associated with falling ash and Pele’s hair.
    • Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.
    • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
    • Have family emergency plans prepared and ready.
    • Heed warnings by county and state emergency management officials.

    Vog and air quality updates are available through the:

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Kristen Wong

    Information Specialist

    Hawaiʻi State Department of Health

    Phone: 808-586-4407

    Email: [email protected]

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Professor of the State University of Management took part in the XIII Saturday political science readings at the Presidential Academy

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA) hosted the 13th Saturday Political Science Readings on the topic: “Improving the Efficiency of Migration Management in Modern Russia: Sovereignization of External Migration Management.” Professor of the Department of Public Administration and Political Technologies of the State University of Management, member of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation for Interethnic Relations and the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Vladimir Volokh took part in the event and delivered a plenary report.

    The following also gave presentations: Chief Researcher of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Commission on Interethnic, Interreligious Relations and Migration, member of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation on Interethnic Relations, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor Vladimir Zorin, Associate Professor of the Institute of Social Sciences of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Head of the Migration Department of the P.A. Stolypin Center of the Higher School of Public Administration of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Candidate of Political Sciences Mikhail Burda.

    In his report, Vladimir Volokh noted that migration is currently a significant factor influencing the socio-economic stability and security of the Russian Federation. He emphasized the need to change the approach to migration management and noted that since the beginning of 2024, a number of regulatory legal acts aimed at improving migration policy have been adopted. In particular, they discussed the introduction of a regime for the expulsion of illegal migrants, the creation of a register of controlled persons who do not have the right to be in Russia, limiting the number of SIM cards sold to foreign citizens, tightening the requirements for concluding contracts for the provision of communication services, including the collection of biometric data, as well as a law aimed at combating fictitious marriages and adoptions.

    These measures are aimed at creating a more effective system for combating illegal migration and forming a legislative framework for combating illegal actions.

    Professor Volokh also noted that at the current stage of development, it is necessary to develop and approve a new Strategy for the State Migration Policy of the Russian Federation by the Head of State, as provided for by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. This will ensure a more systematic and long-term approach to managing migration processes.

    The readings were held under the guidance of the scientific director of the Faculty of Political Studies of the Institute of Social Sciences of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, vice-president of the Russian Academy of Political Sciences and the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences, doctor of political sciences, professor Lidiya Timofeeva.

    Doctor of Political Science, Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, Member of the Presidium of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences, President of the Russian Association of Political Science Oksana Gaman-Golutvina addressed the participants with a welcoming speech.

    The political science readings at the Presidential Academy were held online, which ensured the active participation of representatives of the scientific community and government bodies from various regions of the Russian Federation, as well as from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, China and a number of African countries. Based on the results of the event, recommendations were prepared that will be sent to interested government bodies, scientific and public organizations.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 03.03.2025

    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 Asia-Pac: Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda visits Rural Health Training Center, Najafgarh and Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Palam; interacts with Patients and Medical Staff

    Source: Government of India

    Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda visits Rural Health Training Center, Najafgarh and Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Palam; interacts with Patients and Medical Staff 

    Plants sapling in both the health institutes under the “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” initiative

    Monitors progress of RHTC, Najafgarh and assures Centre’s support in augmenting health facilities of the institute

    Posted On: 03 MAR 2025 3:20PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Health Minister, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda visited the Rural Health Training Center (RHTC), Najafgarh and Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Palam, today. Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from South Delhi and Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from West Delhi was also present.

    Shri Nadda interacted with patients and medical staff in both the health centres. He also planted a sapling in both the campuses under the “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” initiative.

    The Union Health Minister also reviewed the progress report of RHTC and approved the retention of PHCs at Najafgarh, Ujwa, and Palam under Government of India and directed NQAS & IPHS certification within 3 months and full operationalization of the RHTC hospital within 6 months. Emphasizing skill development, he highlighted RHTC’s role as a model for integrated primary, secondary, AYUSH, and training services and assured the support of the Centre in augmenting the health facilities of the institute.

    Background:

    The Rural Health Training Center (RHTC) in Najafgarh, New Delhi under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, has been serving as a key institution for primary and secondary healthcare, along with skill development in the field of health. Established in 1937 as a health centre and upgraded over the years across 3 campus (Najafgarh, Palam and Ujwa), the RHTC is now being developed as a model integrated centre for Primary, Secondary, AYUSH, and Skill Development and in future Tertiary care.

    Najafgarh is set to witness a significant transformation in healthcare services with the expansion of primary services, already introduced secondary health care services. The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) will be NQAS accredited reinforcing Government’s commitment to deliver standardized, high-quality healthcare services at doorstep.

    To bridge the gap between primary and tertiary healthcare, RHTC Hospital has been developed as a 183-bedded general hospital. It is a unique healthcare setting providing primary, secondary care and AYUSH services are provided in the same campus at present. This hospital is poised to deliver quality medical treatment, emergency care, and specialized healthcare interventions, ensuring that residents have access to advanced medical facilities closer to home.

    RHTC is embracing IT-enabled healthcare solutions under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to create a digitally empowered healthcare ecosystem, enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and patient-centric care.

    To support the growing healthcare infrastructure, significant efforts are being made in skill development and training. The existing ANM School will be upgraded to develop world class frontline healthcare workers. The ANM course started in 1985 with 20 students per batch, diploma course for girls. An ANM school building was also established in 1985. As on date, 44 students are selected annually, totaling 88 students at a time. RHTC conducts online combined entrance exam every year for RHTC (44) & Lady Reading Health School (LRHS) (44), in 2024, 672 children applied for 88 seats. Post of principal & 8 Sister tutor being created for ANM school. 

    The curriculum of Nursing requires mandatory rural community posting. RHTC with rural setup, a dedicated community and subcenters fulfills the norms of Delhi Nursing Council for compulsory Internship Program. The courses for which nursing interns come to RHTC and its various branches are ANMs, GNMs, B.Sc. Nursing and M. Sc. Nursing.  A total of 19 colleges with 2821 students were provided internship at RHTC in all its AAM & its community through subcentres.

    The strengthening of primary, secondary, and AYUSH services in one campus of Najafgarh reflects a strong commitment of Government of India to public health and community well-being. The initiative of integrating Allopathic facilities, Indigenous AYUSH system with skill development programs, aims to strengthen healthcare accessibility, improve patient outcomes, and create a robust medical workforce for the future.

    These facilities will hugely improve the accessibility and availability of the healthcare facilities in and around the Najafgarh area covering people of adjoining districts from Delhi and Haryana.

    Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary; Dr. Manashvi Kumar, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry; Dr G Kausalya, Director, RHTC and senior officers of the Union Health Ministry were present at the event.

    ****

    MV

    HFW/HFM visit to RHTC and AAM/03March2025/1

    (Release ID: 2107742) Visitor Counter : 74

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – Obesity in the EU: An ongoing epidemic – 03-03-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    World Obesity Day – celebrated every year on 4 March – is a World Obesity Federation initiative supporting practical solutions to help reverse obesity. People who are overweight but not obese are considered to be pre-obese. It has been estimated that 1 billion people globally will be living with obesity by 2030. Countries will not only miss the 2025 World Health Organization (WHO) target to halt the rise in obesity at 2010 levels, but the number of people with obesity is expected to double across the globe by 2035.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Leadership Capacity Training for WHO Collaborating Centers held in Beijing

    Source: People’s Republic of China Ministry of Health

    Leadership Capacity Training for World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers in China was held in Beijing on Feb 17 and 18.

    The meeting reviewed the long-term cooperation between China and the WHO, and fully affirmed the important role of the collaborating centers in promoting the high-quality development of China’s health sector and providing technical support to the WHO for global health governance.

    Officials from the WHO Western Pacific Region presented the appointment, renewal process and 2025 work plan of the collaborating centers. Representatives of the centers talked about their roles and responsibilities, while invited experts conducted training sessions on enhancing the development resilience of the collaborating centers as well as strengthening talent capacity building and global health governance.

    Meeting participants agreed to further promote communication and collaboration between the collaborating centers and the WHO, implement the China-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (2022-2027), and contribute to advancing the building of a Healthy China and a global community of health for all.

    The training was hosted by China’s National Health Commission and the WHO Representative Office in China and supported by the WHO collaborating centers. Over 200 representatives from NHC departments, China’s local health departments, WHO collaborating centers, the WHO headquarters, WHO Western Pacific Region, the WHO Representative Office in China as well as related organizations attended the event.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Opportunities for people looking to take action locally

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    An online ‘toolkit’ to support anyone to make positive changes in their community has been launched by Community Planning Aberdeen on Friday 28 February.

    The Community Empowerment Toolkit provides tips and information for anyone looking to improve their community, and for anyone looking to undertake effective community engagement.

    Councillor Christian Allard, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council and Chair of Community Planning Aberdeen, said: “We appreciate, understand and value the vital role that communities must play in improving outcomes for Aberdeen.

    “This online toolkit gives individuals and groups access to information that can help to them to influence and action improvements that will benefit their local community, which in turn will be good for the city.

    “We want all people living in Aberdeen, regardless of their background and circumstances, to be empowered and pro-active in their community. Our ambition is for all communities to become equal community planning partners.”

    The online toolkit has been developed through engagement with community members and organisations across Aberdeen, and the Grampian Engagement Network. It is also being supported NHS Grampian’s Putting People First programme.

    Anyone who lives in Aberdeen is a member of their local community and as a community member can find a wide range of information including how to contact their local Community Council, where to get help with funding a project, useful data to support projects, and how to connect with existing groups and organisations.  

    For organisations that are keen to undertake community engagement, the toolkit provides a step-by-step guide, with lots of useful resources to help support effective community engagement.

    Community Planning Aberdeen is the name for the local partnership of public, private and third sector organisations and communities working together to improve people’s lives across Aberdeen through the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP). An easy-to-read version of the LOIP for children and young people is also available.

    The Local Outcome Improvement Plan sets out Community Planning Aberdeen’s priorities for improving the city – there are 16 for how it proposes to do this, which cover four themes: Economy, People, Place and Community Empowerment.

    Community Planning Aberdeen members are Aberdeen City Council, ACVO (Aberdeen Council for Voluntary Organisations), Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Grampian, North East Scotland College, Police Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, NESTRANS, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Robert Gordon University, and the University of Aberdeen.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – Three priests go on a mission and the Pope’s blessing for the “Korea Mission Society” on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its foundation

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 1 March 2025

    Committee for Communications, Archdiocese of Seoul

    Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – The work of missionaries is an action that “touches hearts and leads to a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ”. This is the wish that Pope Francis, hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for more than two weeks, addresses to the “Korea Mission Society”, which is celebrating its golden Jubilee these days, that is, 50 years since its foundation (see Fides, 14/10/2024).The “Korea Mission Society” was in fact founded on February 26, 1975 (about 22 years after the end of the Korean War) thanks to an intuition of the Bishop Emeritus of Busan, John A. Choi Jae-seon. Approved by the Korean Episcopal Conference, it currently has 87 members, including missionary priests and lay people. Legally speaking, it now presents itself as a Society of Apostolic Life of diocesan law, under the responsibility of the Archdiocese of Seoul.The Society, which also has a “missionary school”, says it is “open to the whole world, wherever there is a need for missionaries”, with a particular interest in Asia. To date, in fact, dozens of missionaries have been sent outside Korean territory and are working in 9 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, but also in other countries in Africa and the American continent.Several events have accompanied February 26 in recent months, such as conferences, seminars and the ceremony of sending three diocesan priests as new missionaries.The ceremony, which took place on Friday, February 28, was presided over by Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung, who presented Joseph Yoon-sang Yoon, John Dae-yong Kim (who will travel to Taiwan), and Peter Byung-woong Oh (the latter bound for South America) with a wooden crucifix, a symbol of their commitment to the missionary path and their dedication to spreading the Gospel.“Although I feel anxious about leaving for such a distant land, I remember the words of a nun who reassured me: ‘God will be there before you, so do not worry.’ I will do my best to live joyfully alongside God, who is already here,” said Peter Byung-woong Oh. The celebration follows the solemn ceremony of the last hours, which also took place in the Cathedral of Myeongdong, during which the Apostolic Nuncio in Korea, Archbishop Giovanni Gasparri, read the message that the Pope wrote for the occasion and sent through the Cardinal Secretary of State.The Pontiff asked the missionaries to consider this important anniversary not as an end, but as “an inspiration for continued dedication to the spread of the Gospel”, overcoming the religious indifference that permeates our society in order “to proclaim the Good News effectively, even in difficult situations”.The celebration, presided over by Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek of the Archdiocese of Seoul and concelebrated by Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung and a large group of bishops and priests, was opened by a procession with the flags of the countries where the “Korea Mission Society” is present. A procession attended by representatives of the nine countries where the Korea Mission Society is present, with representatives from Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, China, Cambodia, Mozambique, the Philippines, Mexico and the United States.In his homily, Archbishop Jeong expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices and missionary work that the Society carries out, recalling that “mission is the very essence of the Church and its reason for being. Because we Christians, who have encountered God personally, do not keep God’s love locked up in our hearts”. (FB) (Agenzia Fides, 1/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ANGELUS – Pope Francis from Gemelli Hospital: I am learning even more to trust in the Lord, from here, war appears even more absurd

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Sunday, 2 March 2025

    Rome (Agenzia Fides) – “Sisters and brothers, I am still sending you these thoughts from the hospital, where as you know I have been for several days, accompanied by doctors and healthcare professionals, whom I thank for the attention with which they are taking care of me. I feel in my heart the “blessing” that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord; at the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people”.This is the text message that Pope Francis sends from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, written on the occasion of the Angelus, for the third consecutive time released without having been pronounced by the Pontiff, hospitalized since February 14 at the Roman hospital for bilateral pneumonia. Commenting on today’s Gospel, where we read about the famous passage of the beam and the splinter in the eye (see Luke 6:39-45), the Pontiff points out that Jesus “asks us to train our eyes to observe the world well and to judge our neighbour with charity. Only with this gaze of care, not condemnation, can fraternal correction be a virtue. Because if it is not fraternal, it is not correction!”.The Bishop of Rome, who this morning – as reported by the director of the Vatican Press Office – received a visit from the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, then thanks “the many faithful” who “from many parts of the world” are showing him affection: “I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the heart: I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am “carried” and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all!””I pray for you too. And I pray above all for peace. From here, war appears even more absurd. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu”, concludes the Pope, relaunching the appeal for peace in the world. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: 27 billion rubles will be allocated to regions within the framework of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Fir trees on the Hill, glamping, Republic of Karelia.

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov summed up the results of the competitive selection of entities for the provision of a single subsidy for the creation of tourism infrastructure for 2025–2027 within the framework of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”.

    “President Vladimir Putin has set the task of increasing the contribution of the tourism industry to GDP to 5% by 2030 and increasing the number of trips around the country to 140 million people. Within the framework of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”, subsidies will be sent to the regions for priority areas for a specific territory. These funds – in the amount of 27 billion rubles – will be used to develop infrastructure for autotourism, create tourist routes and improve city centers. This will create additional opportunities for increasing tourist flow and economic growth in the regions,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    Regions may allocate funds at their own discretion, including for the construction of infrastructure on automobile tourist routes, the creation of camp sites and the purchase of camping tents, the development of beaches and national tourist routes, and the implementation of projects to develop tourist centers in cities. Possible areas include the purchase of tourist equipment and gear, the creation of non-permanent berthing structures, and the holding of festivals.

    “Since 2025, we have increased the annual volume of the single subsidy by almost one and a half times, to 9 billion rubles, which will allow regions to implement larger-scale projects and increase the number of tourist trips – the main indicator we focus on. We have also provided for the possibility of directing funds to priority areas, including the creation of infrastructure for auto tourism. Based on the results of the selection, the leaders in terms of support volumes were Krasnodar Krai, Moscow, Sverdlovsk and Nizhny Novgorod regions and Stavropol Krai,” said Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov.

    In total, based on the results of the competitive selection, the subsidy will be sent to 84 entities, including the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.

    A single subsidy has been sent to regions for tourism development since 2024. Thus, in Krasnodar Krai, 38 projects were supported last year. For example, work was carried out to ensure an accessible environment in the Anapa sanatorium, and year-round heated swimming pools appeared in Mostovsky, Tuapse, Temryuk districts, Armavir, Anapa and Sochi thanks to the subsidy.

    In the Kaluga Region, two projects were implemented to create non-capital berthing infrastructure on the Oka River, which contributed to the development of shipping, including the launch of excursion routes. Also, a project to create a tourist code for the city of Tarusa was implemented in the region.

    In the Volgograd Region, support was given to projects to create 15 campsites, in which 41 rooms and campsites were created. Such facilities appeared in six districts of the region and the city of Volzhsky.

    In the Kirov region, where the city of Kirov received the status of the New Year’s capital of Russia, a number of events were held with the subsidy funds, and a new city tourist route “Gates of the Russian North” was created, tourist navigation was updated, the “Gates of the Russian North” object was installed and a new public space was opened – Spasskaya Square.

    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 New Zealand: Health and Employment – Primary and community care will remain in crisis until nurses receive pay parity – NZNO

    Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

    Paying incentives to GP clinics to hire nurses won’t fix the systemic funding issues causing chronic staff shortages in primary and community health care, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
    Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced incentive payments for primary care providers such as GP clinics of $15,000 for every graduate nurse hired in cities and $20,000 for every graduate nurse hired in rural areas.
    NZNO College of Primary Health Care Nurses chair Tracey Morgan says the funding gives health care providers outside hospitals a temporary reprieve from the financially crippling co-payment system.
    “Paying incentives to hire nurses to aged care providers, and now primary and community providers, won’t address the underlying cause of chronic staff shortages. Once the incentives run out, these clinics will still struggle to keep the doors open and see new patients.
    “They won’t stem the flow of nurses leaving GP and community clinics to work overseas or for Te Whatu Ora in our hospitals, where they are paid on average between 14% to 20.8% (between $5.14 and $7.88) per hour more.”
    Tracey Morgan says there is consensus that until primary nurses are paid parity with their hospital counterparts nothing will improve.
    “There is also nothing in today’s announcement to boost much needed Māori nurse numbers.
    “It is time for the Government to pay primary care nurses the same as their hospital counterparts and introduce a sustainable funding model for the primary care sector,” Tracey Morgan says. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP investigates imported measles case

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 1) is investigating an imported measles case and reminded members of the public to ensure that they have completed two doses of measles vaccination before travelling to reduce the risk of infection.
          
         The case involves a 38-year-old male with good past health. He developed diarrhea and rash since February 22 and February 25 respectively. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on February 26 and was admitted for treatment and isolation on the same day. His clinical specimen was tested positive for the measles virus upon nucleic acid testing. He is still hospitalised and in stable condition.
          
         Upon notification of the case, the CHP immediately commenced epidemiological investigations. According to the patient, he travelled to Vietnam during the incubation period (February 3 to 8). As he did not have contact with measles patients in Hong Kong, the case has been identified as an imported case. His travel collateral is currently asymptomatic.
          
         He had stayed in Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) during the communicable period. The CHP has maintained a close liaison with the HKSI for follow-up on the contacts of the case. As he also visited the cafeteria of the HKSI from February 22 to 25, the CHP has set up an enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2372) for people who visited the cafeteria of the HKSI. The hotline will operate from tomorrow (March 2) to March 7 (from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Sunday).
          
         The investigation is ongoing.
          
         As what the CHP had stated in a recent press release, the number of measles cases in some overseas countries has been on the rise recently. Apart from the United States, measles outbreaks have occurred in neighboring countries, including Vietnam and the Philippines, due to suboptimal overall measles vaccination coverage.
          
         “The incubation period of measles (i.e. the time from infection to onset of illness) is seven to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, skin rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. When such symptoms appear, people should wear surgical masks, stay home from work or school, avoid crowded places and contact with unvaccinated people, especially those with weak immune system, pregnant women and children under one year old. Those who suspected they are infected should consult their doctors as soon as possible and inform healthcare workers of their history of exposure to measles,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
          
          “Under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme, the overall immunisation coverage in Hong Kong has been maintained at a very high level through the immunisation services provided by the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres and the School Immunisation Teams. As evidenced by the findings on vaccination coverage of primary school students and the territory-wide immunisation surveys conducted regularly by the DH, the two-dose measles vaccination coverage has remained consistently high, well above 95 per cent, and the local seroprevalence rates of measles virus antibodies reflect that most of the people in Hong Kong are immune to measles. However, Hong Kong, as a city with a high volume of international travel, still faces the potential risk of importation of measles virus and its further spread in the local community. Hence, a small number of people who have not completed measles vaccination (such as non-local born people including new immigrants, foreign domestic helpers, overseas employees and people coming to Hong Kong for further studies) are still at risk of being infected and spreading measles to other people who do not have immunity against measles, such as children under one year old who have not yet received the first dose of measles vaccine,” he added.
          
         Dr Tsui also noted that people born before 1967 could be considered to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection, as measles was endemic in many parts of the world and in Hong Kong at that time. People born in or after 1967 who have not yet completed the two doses of measles vaccination or whose measles vaccination history is unknown, to consult their family doctors as soon as possible to complete the vaccination and ensure adequate protection against measles. For those who plan to travel to measles-endemic areas, they should check their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received two doses of measles vaccine or are not sure if they have received measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination.
          
         Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
          

    Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
    Maintain good indoor ventilation;
    Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
    Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
    Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
    Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
    Persons with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of a rash to prevent the spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.

          
         For more information on measles, the public may visit the CHP’s measles thematic page. Members of the public who are going to travel can visit the website of the DH’s Travel Health Service for news of measles outbreaks outside Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Text of Vice-President’s address at the 75th Anniversary celebrations of KPB Hinduja College in Mumbai (Excerpts)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 01 MAR 2025 8:12PM by PIB Delhi

    Very good afternoon all of you, Hon’ble Governor, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan ji, Shri Ashok P. Hinduja ji, Chairman, the Hinduja Foundation. Ashok ji, what you reflected, express your sentiments, there can be many caveats, I am not as good as you indicated. You set a very high benchmark for me.

    We have two very distinguished members of Parliament. Praful Patel has been in Parliament since 1991, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. A former Union Minister, one of the seniormost politicians of the country, has been instrumental with football association and is very good at scoring political goals.

    And another caveat that can come for me, Milind Deora. His father, Murali Deora ji, hand held me. A lovable politician for the entire nation, particularly for Mumbai.

    Milind is very promising and knows when to make the right move. I am talking about those who can give caveats. We have amongst us Honourable Minister, Mangal Prabhat Lodha. He is suave, polite, persuasive and for a man like me, if a person is gifted with three qualities, there is everything to worry about. Because you can’t anticipate, so there can be a legitimate caveat. And on top of it, if I am staggering a little, it is on account of presence of my son- in-law, Karthikeya Vajpayee.

    But the good relief is that Karthikeya is in the sound company of Soman Satya and therefore will not be in that mode at the moment. But Ashokji, you rightly focused on something which is very fundamental and a contemporaneous need. And something which is part of our civilisation ethos and essence.

    We must remain well grounded and rooted to Sanatan. And Sanatan has to be part of our culture, our education. Because Sanatan stands for inclusivity. Sanatan offers solutions to the most intractable problems the global challenges indicate. I therefore appreciate it and the endorsement by the Honourable Governor immediately is vindication of your stand. Smt Harsha Hinduja ji well I have got formidable challenge from my wife, but I take some solace. Ashok ji is facing equally strong challenge. Shri Paula Brown, President of the Hinduja Foundation is a copy book person. It doesn’t deviate from what is requirement for the college. While traversing journey of the college, she unfolded future programmes. Smt. Chandrakala Joshi, Principal, Hinduja College. When I looked at the faculty, the very distinguished faculty, I found she has to be little fair to my gender. There were more women in the faculty than men. To be on her right side, I quickly looked a Praful Patel and then extended an invite to her that the faculty will be my guest for visit to the new building of Parliament, and I’ll have the occasion to have lunch with them along with Shri Praful Patel and Shri Milind Deora.

    Bombay is a place which gave to the country a principle of quid pro quo. And I so recall because I happen to be a politician who went to Parliament in 1989 and was a Minister in 1990. But a small explanation. This is not quid pro quo.

    Distinguished members of the faculty, I must recognise the presence of some whom I know but everyone present here is a distinguished person. I convey my respects. Shri Neeraj Bajaj, Shri Amarlal Hinduja Ji, Dr. Rajesh Joshi and Shri Rupani, I have had some connect with them in one form or the other. I am particularly here for young boys and girls, and let me tell you boys and girls first, there are no backbenchers. There are only backbenches.

    And let me tell you at the outset, all my life I happen to be a gold medalist, and that was never a good idea. I suffered a traumatic obsession what will happen if I don’t come to number one? It was too late in the life I learnt, Heavens have never fallen so far. Why fear them? It is good to be in the first top ten. So never have tension, never have stress. 

    India today is envy of the world for the reason that it has your dividend, dividend of the youth. This demographic dividend is your possession, your repository. Undoubtedly you are the important stakeholders in democracy and governance. And therefore I am happy to announce here that Indian Council of World Affairs of which I happen to be the President, will have an MOU with your organisation.

     

    MOU will fructify in next two months. And I tell you the reason for the delay. We are awaiting a new Director. We are looking for a good person that will give you an exposure to global events. And there will be footprint of global personalities here. Around the time Ashok Hinduja celebrates his 75th birthday, So does the Institution. The milestone is glorious both for the individual and the Institution. By the way he doesn’t look that old, but this is an occasion also of stocktaking, reflection and planning for way forward. Planning in our times is very challenging. Because we have challenged times on account of onslaught of disruptive technologies. A kind of Industrial revolution. A new era is being heralded virtually every moment. Those of the diplomats who are present here and bring on the table experience and exposure of their own countries will bear me out. And therefore the Institute will have to focus way-forward strategy. It is soothing to note it has quite a mark at the national level.

    It will be a deemed University but time for it to set the tone to become a Global Institute of excellence. It was indicated a while ago. Learning! I keep on telling boys and girls, शिक्षान्त कभी नहीं होती, दीक्षांत होता है।

    Learning never stops. Even after you leave the institute you have to learn every day, and this principle was first put in public domain in pre-Socrates era by a great philosopher Heraclitus. And he was a great philosopher. He was a great philosopher. He was a great philosopher. And Heraclitus reflecting on change said the only constant in life is the change. He buttressed it by an illustration. The same person cannot enter the same river twice because neither the person is the same nor the river is the same. So boys and girls keep on learning, and what your computer tells you keep on self-learning also.

    Because you are your best teacher. Take this institute for instance. It was seeded by Shri Paramchand Hinduja ji. It was a Sindhi teaching school to begin with. And look at that sapling, the shape it has taken now. It is fructifying aspirations of 6000 students.

    Which means a small beginning yields great results. When in 1969 on 20th July, incidentally 20th July happens to be birthday of my wife. Another coincidence it was on that day in 2019, President of India signed my warrant appointing me Governor of the state of West Bengal, but let me invite attention to what Neil Armstrong said. He said small step for me, big leap for mankind.

    What was done to begin with will turn out undoubtedly according to me one of the best institutions in the world. It has vast pool of alumni across sectors. Now this has enormous potential. This potential can reflect in several ways.

    Time to harness it. An initiative can emanate from here, blessed by Hinduja Foundation. For emergence of a confederation of alumni associations. We have alumni associations but I am referring to confederation. This will go a long way in contributing sectoral policy evolution of the government. Just imagine if there are confederations of IIT alumni associations, IIM alumni associations, an association of the kind that your college represents. This confederation can go a long way. Such convergence of talent is a valuable pool for government. It can enlighten the government on policy pathways.

     

    Hinduja Foundation is well enabled to catalyse alumni confederation culture across institutions in the country. While I appreciate great job that is being done by the faculty, it is a satisfied faculty that makes for the institution. Institution is defined by the infrastructure because that is the basic need, but an institution is recognised by the faculty it has. I am so happy and delighted to see the faculty is committed and vibrant, but then institutions have blossomed beyond faculty and infrastructure.

    It is there in that I express a deep sense of gratitude to Hinduja Foundation and members of the family for sustaining this institution through continuous philanthropy. Ladies and gentlemen, Hinduja group has been at the centre of India’s growth story. The Hinduja group is multinational, multi-sector, conglomerate with pronounced social and cultural footprints.

    Group’s deep interest in education philanthropy and sublime commitment to Bharatiya culture are commendable. It was a pleasant revelation to me when I was laying foundation stone of a building in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in New Delhi. I gathered that the Hinduja group helped establish the first overseas branch of Vidya Bhavan in New York.

    A great step. The leaders of the group have realised the need to bridge East and West divide and why it is essential. Because there has to be portrayal of the orient in authentic way. Because there are challenges emanating from the West and from that perspective the group is working in that direction.

    One instance I can share with the distinguished audience. Establishment of Dharam Hinduja Indic Research Centre at Columbia University is a very desirable move. We look forward, Ashokji, for more such steps in this direction. Friends, I need to reflect on some concerning aspects for larger good. Sharing our concern is always good because then we can address the problem. Philanthropic endeavours should not be driven by philosophy of commodification and commercialisation. Our health and education sectors are being plagued by these.

    The group in this context offers emulative instance by confining philanthropy much away from commerce. The group is wedded to the concept of giving back to the society. I urge everyone so involved to nurture this culture. Many in the audience will bear me out that endowments of some of the Universities in the US is in billions of dollars.

    What is there in this country that we do not have this culture? In the West, anyone working out of an institute stands committed to make some fiscal contribution. Quantum is never important. I would urge our corporates to think in that direction.

     

    Friends, according to me, education is the most impactful transformative mechanism because it brings about equality. It cuts into inequities. It affords level playing field. It creates genius by discovering the genius through the path of education. Our framers of the Constitution were very wise men. They put education in the concurrent list.

    Those of you who are not lawyers, concurrent list means it is a joint concern of the State and the Union. I would appeal from this platform, a platform where I have witnessed that by way of philanthropy, it is giving back to the society. It is concurrent responsibility between the government and the private sector.

    Those in industry, trade, business and commerce must come forward and take initiatives. I appeal the country’s private sector to rise to this occasion and accord highest priority to education. My friend Praful Patel is doing it in his own way.

    I await an invitation to his contribution in this sector. India at the moment is in economic upsurge. We have phenomenal infrastructural growth, deep digitisation, technological penetration because people of this country have tasted in last decade, fruits of development.

    People centric policies have been highly rewarding. This has converted the nation as the most aspirational nation in the world at the moment and therefore education gets primacy.

    Quality education is a gift and we in the country, must work towards educational excellence. We have seen and you noticed by way of Start-ups, Unicorns and otherwise, our industries are evolving. Corporate leaders should view investment in education, not a charity.

    Beyond philanthropy, it is investment in our present, investment in our future and to put it straight away, it is investment for development of the industry, business and trade. And therefore all efforts must be taken that these investments take quantum leap.

    Look at our country. If our GDP at one point of time was one third of the world or more, it was premised on what count? We had glorified Institutions– Udantpuri, Takshashila, Vikramshila, Sompura, Nalanda, Vallabhi. The world frowned. Scholars came from every nook and corner of the globe to get knowledge and give knowledge and share knowledge.

    Thirst of knowledge was satisfied. But then what happened about 1200 years ago? Nalanda, ancient India’s intellectual jewel, it housed 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. Nine-storied building.

    And what happened? 1193, Bakhtiyar Khilji, reckless destroyer of our culture, our academic Institution. The premises were set to fire. For months, fire consumed vast libraries, turning hundreds and thousands of irreplaceable manuscripts on Mathematics, Medicine and Philosophy to ash.This vandalised devastation wasn’t merely architectural but represented the systematic erasion of centuries of knowledge, and that makes Ashok ji your observation relevant. We must make our people aware about Sanatan values.

    Ladies and gentlemen, what vanished in those flames was the living record of ancient Indian thought, creating an intellectual void that continues to echo through history as one of this civilisation’s most profound cultural losses. Just look around which country can take pride in 5,000 years of civilisation ethos. No one comes close to us.

    And now, fortunately, in this century, we have re-arrived at the global stage. We need to reclaim that glory. We are on way. We have to take a holistic view of education in this country. I call upon leaders, Parliamentarians and thought leaders present here. We have to monetise every moment of this century.

    We cannot afford to fall victim or prey to narratives that emanate from sources that are inimical to the very existence of Bharat. We have to work to revive institutions like Nalanda, our intellectual legacy, and this is essential for realising goal of Viksit Bharat at 2047.

    Friends, the entire world knows today India is no longer a nation with potential. Viksit Bharat is not a dream. It is a certain definitive destination, and it may be fast-tracked much before 2047 if we bestow intelligent attention to education. We have a litany of IITs, IIMs across India’s academic landscape. But right now, if you look around, many niche areas, our Institutional footprint is either fragile, thin or not at all there.

    Now, when we are faced with such a situation, it is fundamentally required that we diagnose the issue. A resolution cannot emanate unless we know the ground reality. These are the areas where we can take lead in the world.

    It is for the first time, I think, in last several decades, that India is in single-digit number of countries that are focussing on Quantum computing, green hydrogen, Artificial Intelligence, and even commercial exploitation of 6G technology, but then, we need skilled men force.

    Our young boys and girls are still in the same silo or groove of government jobs. My young friends, boys and girls, if International Monetary Fund accolades Bharat as a favourite destination of investment and opportunity, it is not on account of government jobs.

    If World Bank hails us with the digitisation that has happened in this country, penetration of opportunity to the last village in six years is otherwise not accomplishable in four decades, and therefore, please be aware of the opportunity basket that is ever getting enlarged for you.

    Whether it is Blue economy, Space economy, whether you are on the sea surface, deep sea, ground, sky or space, opportunities for our youth and corporates are ever enlarging. But then, Institutions like yours have to be crucibles of change. You have to focus very deeply on research.

    I must share with you one concern. Research is not for the shelf. Research is not supposed to be on the shelf. Research is not an assimilation of cut and paste. Research is not surface scratching. Research has to correlate to the ground transformative mechanisms. And therefore, everyone involved with research, we must be having stringent standards to assess our research. This country has a great potential. Government is only one facet.

    If we go much beyond the government and give ideas to the people, in any field, results will be geometric. Ashok ji, I’m making an appeal to you now. Through you, I’m making an appeal to everyone who is possessed of wealth, possessed of wisdom, and keenly devoted to serving the society by giving it back.

    Please, let us have green field institutions in these areas for new and emerging technologies. There must be centres of research. And I can share with you, distinguished audience, and my two very distinguished Parliamentarian friends will bear me out and the Honourable Minister would also know of it. The governmental policies are going a long way in promoting contribution in these areas. Long way. Only a team has to be constituted by leaders in industry, trade, commerce and business to exploit the fullest potential of these areas.

    I have for a long time held an idea dear to me if the corporates come together our organisations like FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, PHD and various other chambers. If they pool their CSR, we can have every year Institutes of Excellence springing up in various parts of the country. If the modest target is set for four in a year, the Govt has only land to make available. Rest, I am sure you will bear me out.

    Rest I am sure you will give me out Industries while capable when it comes to creating infrastructure of securing even faculty. Faculty is best attracted through the industry because then there is an assurance of stability. so these kind of Ideas must be there.

    Another issue which we are facing in the countries, we have Institutes of Excellence But the variation is taking place only on the account of faculty, there is no infrastructural variation. faculty mobility you have to think about it. Presently, the system is such that a systemic change is required But the foundation stature of Hinduja foundation  can catalyse the big movement in this area  and therefore faculty members from  one place to another can navigate. There can be a group to look after them that will go a long way.

    Technology has to be used in particular to change the rural landscape of rural education, that is foundational and to bring that about we have to use Technology. The country at the moment has 400 aspirational blocks. If corporates adopt blocks then what they will get.  in every village you will find land for the school, enough infrastructure even teachers are well paid as compared to the private. What is lacking is motivation and greasing. So that engine of education can fire on all cylinders. The corporates converge on this idea to adopt aspirational blocks and that I can assure you will be a gamechanger. This will reflect public private partnership in sublimity and making lives of India much better.

    Friends, as we commemorate 75 years of KPB Hinduja college, Let us celebrate the rich legacy. Let us pay our tributes to the legendary figure who had this vision and nurture it to the next level. Let us leverage every resource to make it a global benchmark. with the collective efforts of faculty, students,  alumni and stakeholders, I have no doubt that this college will scale greater heights in the years to come as deemed University.

    I extend my heartfelt congratulations to KPB Hinduja College, Hinduja Foundation and Hinduja Family on this remarkable milestone.  May the next 75 years be even more glorious, filled with new achievements, milestones, and contributions to society.

    ***

    JK/RC/SM

    (Release ID: 2107409) Visitor Counter : 56

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fatal traffic accident in Aberdeen

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Aberdeen today (March 1) in which a woman died.
         
         At about 8.46am, a public light bus (PLB) driven by a 57-year-old man was travelling along Chi Fu Road westbound. When approaching a carpark on 13-19 Chi Fu Road, it reportedly knocked down an 84-year-old female pedestrian.

         Sustaining head injury, the woman was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 2.50pm.

         The PLB driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm after the accident and has been released on bail pending further enquiries. He is required to report back to Police in late March.

         Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Hong Kong Island is under way.
         
         Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3660 6814.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Echo Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Take part in colorectal cancer screening and adopt healthy lifestyle

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Echo Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Take part in colorectal cancer screening and adopt healthy lifestyle
    Echo Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Take part in colorectal cancer screening and adopt healthy lifestyle
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui, today (March 3) urged members of the public to support Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by adopting a healthy lifestyle and undergoing regular screenings to prevent colorectal cancer.           “The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization has recognised March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month every year to highlight the importance of screening for colorectal cancer, as well as to promote healthy lifestyle habits to reduce a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer locally and the second most common cause of cancer death. In 2022, there were 5 190 newly diagnosed cases, and colorectal cancer led to 2 270 deaths. It is important for the public to be more aware of cancer prevention,” he said.     The primary prevention of cancer is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, while screening is a tool for secondary prevention to detect and treat precancerous lesions or early-stage cancers before symptoms appear, thereby increasing the cure rate.     “The DH encourages all asymptomatic Hong Kong residents aged between 50 and 75 to join the Government-subsidised Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (CRCSP) as early as possible and to undergo screening tests every two years in the private sector. Participants should first attend a medical consultation provided by an enrolled primary care doctor (PCD) and receive a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening arranged by the PCD. If the test result is positive, the participant will be referred to an enrolled colonoscopy specialist to receive a colonoscopy examination subsidised by the Government. If the test result is negative, the participant is advised to repeat the screening two years later,” Dr Tsui said.           The CRCSP has been operating smoothly since its launch in 2016. Last year, there were around 86 000 new participants in the CRCSP, a record annual high since its launch. As of the end of 2024, the total number of eligible participants was approximately 510 000. A cumulative total of about 77 000 persons had positive FIT screening results, about 40 000 persons were diagnosed to have colorectal adenomas after colonoscopy examinations, and about 3 400 persons had colorectal cancer. Among the colorectal cancer cases diagnosed under the CRCSP, a preliminary analysis of around 2 400 cases has been done, and about 56 per cent of these cases were in earlier stages and therefore had a more favourable prognosis.     The CRCSP is heavily subsidised by the Government. As of the end of 2024, around 1 090 PCDs have enrolled in the CRCSP, covering about 2 070 locations, and about 97 per cent of these locations will not charge any additional payment for the consultation or the FIT screening. Around 260 colonoscopy specialists have also joined the CRCSP. The colonoscopy specialists can only charge participants a co-payment of no more than $1,000 for providing standard colonoscopy examination services. Currently, colonoscopy examination services are available at about 780 service locations, with over 70 per cent of these locations not charging any additional payment for colonoscopy and polyp removal.            “The DH released the latest Health Behaviour Survey this January, which revealed that unhealthy but modifiable practices are common among the Hong Kong population. For example, 14.8 per cent of the adult population performed an insufficient level of physical activity, 97.0 per cent of the public had an inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, and 2.7 per cent of the population (aged 15 or above) engaged in binge drinking at least monthly. These are important risk factors for developing common non-communicable diseases, including cancer. To prevent colorectal cancer, members of the public are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles and practices, including exercising regularly, eating two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables daily, reducing the consumption of red meat and processed meat, maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding smoking and alcohol,” Dr Tsui added.           At the same time, the Primary Healthcare Commission is actively promoting the Life Course Preventive Care Plan via District Health Centres (DHCs), DHC Expresses and family doctors. Based on the core principles of prevention-oriented and whole-person care, a personalised preventive care plan will be formulated to address the health needs of citizens across different life stages with reference to the latest evidence. Family doctors and primary healthcare professionals will collaborate to provide health advice and education on chronic disease and cancer screening, as well as healthy lifestyles according to personal factors, including recommendations on colorectal cancer screening for those aged 50 or above.             For more information on the CRCSP (including eligibility criteria and the list of PCDs), please visit the DH’s thematic website www.colonscreen.gov.hk, or call 3565 6288 during office hours.

     
    Ends/Monday, March 3, 2025Issued at HKT 14:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Jan Aushadhi – Virasat Ke Saath: Second day of celebrations for Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Jan Aushadhi – Virasat Ke Saath: Second day of celebrations for Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025

    Heritage walks conducted at 25 places across the country to spread the message of health and wealth with Jan Aushadhi

    More than 500 Free Health Camps (Jan Arogya Mela) organized especially for senior citizens

    Posted On: 02 MAR 2025 5:39PM by PIB Delhi

    The second day of 7th Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025 titled as “Jan Aushadhi – Virasat Ke Saath” started off with an early morning tour at Heritage sites of 25 different monuments across the country.

    The term Heritage has a connotation of tradition and culture which has existed for a long time. In the same manner, senior citizens of the country have kept traditions and cultures alive. To take care of the senior citizens and keep the traditions and cultures of the country intact, health camps were organised at Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country at 500 different locations. A wide range of medical tests were conducted at these Health Camps including blood pressure check, sugar level check-up, free doctor consultation etc. to spread awareness about the importance of health and Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya JanAushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

       

    Today, 25 heritage walks have been organized across the country including Hauz Khas in New Delhi. Chief Executive Officer of PMBI Shri Ravi Dadhich led the walk at Hauz Khas, New Delhi along with other officials and kendra owners on the morning of 2nd March.

    Presently, more than 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened across the country covering all the districts of the country. Under the scheme, the Government has set a target to open 25000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by 31st March, 2027 across the country.

    At the initiative of the Prime Minister, the 7th of March is celebrated every year as “Jan Aushadhi Diwas” with a view to enhance awareness about the scheme and promote generic medicines.  As in earlier years, week-long events have been planned at various locations across the country from the 1st to the 7th of March 2025.

     *****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2107569) Visitor Counter : 82

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: In siding with Russia over Ukraine, Trump is not putting America first. He is hastening its decline

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Matthew Sussex, Associate Professor (Adj), Griffith Asia Institute; and Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University

    Has any nation squandered its diplomatic capital, plundered its own political system, attacked its partners and supplicated itself before its far weaker enemies as rapidly and brazenly as Donald Trump’s America?

    The fiery Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday saw the American leader try to publicly humiliate the democratically elected leader of a nation that had been invaded by a rapacious and imperialistic aggressor.

    And this was all because Zelensky refused to sign an act of capitulation, criticised Putin (who has tried to have Zelensky killed on numerous occasions), and failed to bend the knee to Trump, the country’s self-described king.

    The Oval Office meeting became heated in a way that has rarely been seen between world leaders.

    What’s worse is Trump has now been around so long that his oafish behaviour has become normalised. Together with his attack dog, Vice President JD Vance, Trump has thrown the Overton window – the spectrum of subjects politically acceptable to the public – wide open.

    Previously sensible Republicans are now either cowed or co-opted. Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is gutting America’s public service and installing toadies in place of professionals, while his social media company, X, is platforming ads from actual neo-Nazis.

    The FBI is run by Kash Patel, who hawked bogus COVID vaccine reversal therapies and wrote children’s books featuring Trump as a monarch. The agency is already busily investigating Trump’s enemies.

    The Department of Health and Human Services is helmed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine denier, just as Americans have begun dying from measles for the first time in a decade. And America’s health and medical research has been channelled into ideologically “approved” topics.

    At the Pentagon, in a breathtaking act of self-sabotage, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered US Cyber Command to halt all operations targeting Russia.

    And cuts to USAID funding are destroying US soft power, creating a vacuum that will gleefully be filled by China. Other Western aid donors are likely to follow suit so they can spend more on their militaries in response to US unilateralism.

    What is Trump’s strategy?

    Trump’s wrecking ball is already having seismic global effects, mere weeks after he took office.

    The US vote against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia for starting the war against Ukraine placed it in previously unthinkable company – on the side of Russia, Belarus and North Korea. Even China abstained from the vote.

    In the United Kingdom, a YouGov poll of more than 5,000 respondents found that 48% of Britons thought it was more important to support Ukraine than maintain good relations with the US. Only 20% favoured supporting America over Ukraine.

    And Trump’s bizarre suggestion that China, Russia and the US halve their respective defence budgets is certain to be interpreted as a sign of weakness rather than strength.

    The oft-used explanation for his behaviour is that it echoes the isolationism of one of his ideological idols, former US President Andrew Jackson. Trump’s aim seems to be ring-fencing American businesses with high tariffs, while attempting to split Russia away from its relationship with China.

    These arguments are both economically illiterate and geopolitically witless. Even a cursory understanding of tariffs reveals that they drive inflation because they are paid by importers who then pass the costs on to consumers. Over time, they are little more than sugar pills that turn economies diabetic, increasingly reliant on state protections from unending trade wars.

    And the “reverse Kissinger” strategy – a reference to the US role in exacerbating the Sino-Soviet split during the Cold War – is wishful thinking to the extreme.

    Putin would have to be utterly incompetent to countenance a move away from Beijing. He has invested significant time and effort to improve this relationship, believing China will be the dominant power of the 21st century.

    Putin would be even more foolish to embrace the US as a full-blown partner. That would turn Russia’s depopulated southern border with China, stretching over 4,300 kilometres, into the potential front line of a new Cold War.

    What does this mean for America’s allies?

    While Trump’s moves have undoubtedly strengthened the US’ traditional adversaries, they have also weakened and alarmed its friends.

    Put simply, no American ally – either in Europe or Asia – can now have confidence Washington will honour its security commitments. This was brought starkly home to NATO members at the Munich Security Conference in February, where US representatives informed a stunned audience that America may no longer view itself as the main guarantor of European security.

    Vice President JD Vance delivers a strong message to European leaders.

    The swiftness of US disengagement means European countries must not only muster the will and means to arm themselves quickly, but also take the lead in collectively providing for Ukraine’s security.

    Whether they can do so remains unclear. Europe’s history of inaction does not bode well.

    US allies also face choices in Asia. Japan and South Korea will now be seriously considering all options – potentially even nuclear weapons – to deter an emboldened China.

    There are worries in Australia, as well. Can it pretend nothing has changed and hope the situation will then normalise after the next US presidential election?

    The future of AUKUS, the deal to purchase (and then co-design) US nuclear powered submarines, is particularly uncertain.

    Does it make strategic sense to pursue full integration with the US military when the White House could just treat Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul and Canberra with the same indifference it has displayed towards its friends in Europe?

    Ultimately, the chaos Trump 2.0 has unleashed in such a short amount of time is both unprecedented and bewildering. In seeking to put “America First”, Trump is perversely hastening its decline. He is leaving America isolated and untrusted by its closest friends.

    And, in doing so, the world’s most powerful nation has also made the world a more dangerous, uncertain and ultimately an uglier place to be.

    Matthew Sussex has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Atlantic Council, the Fulbright Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation, the Lowy Institute and various Australian government departments and agencies.

    – ref. In siding with Russia over Ukraine, Trump is not putting America first. He is hastening its decline – https://theconversation.com/in-siding-with-russia-over-ukraine-trump-is-not-putting-america-first-he-is-hastening-its-decline-251140

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –