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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The role of AI in the future of women’s health

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Minister of State for Women’s Health, Baroness Merron, spoke at the Responsible AI: Women and Healthcare Conference 2025, in London.

    I am absolutely delighted to be able to join you today, and I know I am amongst a very wide range of diverse voices and contributors here.

    I want to say thank you for making the time to be here today and to take part, and for sharing your insight on an issue which has the potential to hugely impact for good. I might add, hugely impact our health system for many decades to come. Let me tell you, I’ve just come from speaking in the Chamber about osteoporosis, and I was asked a question by a Peer about the role of AI so I was very glad to be able to say I’m actually on my way to a conference to address this very point.

    So, I say that because I want you to know how relevant this is in Parliament, and there is rightly a push for progress in the way that we are all committed to.

    Since coming into government, we haven’t, and I haven’t, shied away from recognising the huge challenges that we’ve got to address in our health system, and I’m firmly of the view that our health service can only address the challenges of the future and indeed, the challenges of today, if we use the technologies of tomorrow.

    It’s no good looking to the technologies of the past, and we are absolutely committed to delivering the digital transformation that potentially brings these benefits to life.

    We know about the important point about health inequalities, that there are those for whom the NHS hasn’t been there when they need it, even though it should have been. So, as we look to build an NHS that’s fit for the future, it has to be about improvement for everybody, not just a select group.

    It should not matter about what is your age, your ethnicity, your wealth, your religion, your sex, or where you live. We have to work together to create a Britain, I believe, where everybody can live a healthier life for longer.

    A key part of this has to be and must be women’s health to ensure that women are not sidelined in any way and, because that simply creates a negative effect on millions of lives, both directly but indirectly as well.

    We know that women live a greater proportion of their lives in ill health and disability, and 60% of women in this country feel their health issues are not taken seriously. I know that women’s voices are often not heard, and I believe that’s to the detriment not just of the care that’s given, but also to our healthcare system.

    So, for many, when this is combined with other factors like their ethnicity, or the area that they live in, it leads to even worse outcomes. Now that is a challenge to take on and to take it on fully, and we will do that. So, as we speak today, we know we’re on the brink of a technological revolution in healthcare and in many other areas.

    AI will drive incredible amounts of change in our country, and we do have the opportunity to harness it, to turbocharge growth and to boost the quality of lives for all, including women.

    So, we as a government are throwing our full support behind this because AI, as I referred to earlier, is the technology of today. It’s already being deployed in our economy. It’s already revolutionising the delivery of services, including public services, and very much changing how we deliver healthcare.

    So, I don’t need to explain to all of you, because you will explain it better to me about how AI can make a transformational difference to the health of our country.

    However, we have to bear in mind the experience of the past. We do know of instances in the past where not enough care has been taken with new technologies, and we’ve seen the damage that can do. So AI, without doubt opens doors to exciting and very real new possibilities, but we do need to build public confidence and trust that AI is being used responsibly, it’s being used safely and effectively for everyone, and I do think there is a job of work to be done there.

    Without enough care, AI could potentially, in a not good way, incorporate all the same biases that have plagued our healthcare system for too long. There is already evidence of AI healthcare technologies working more effectively for men than for women.

    So, for conditions such as liver disease and kidney disease, algorithms have been hailed as the best without accounting for this absolutely crucial point, and not enough of the patient data used to train these models has been from women. So that means that the AI models have translated the biases from our existing clinical methods into their own approaches.

    So there needs to be much greater attention to developing technologies responsibly, and inclusively that don’t leave women or indeed any other part of our population behind. By perpetuating these biases that may in part be a product of who is in the room developing these new technologies, possibly. Women are significantly underrepresented in the AI sector, as is commonly the case in other technology sectors.

    One study suggested, I noted, that only a quarter of the AI workforce is female, and I have no doubt that having more women in the room, as we have today, would do a huge amount to help. Although, I do have to say it is not all the responsibility of women to ensure the woman’s perspective. Not at all.

    So, as we look to AI, we need to ensure that 51% of our population must be worked with and for. This is not a minority group. We are a majority group and with particular healthcare needs. So, by taking steps to eliminate bias in healthcare AI, we will build trust, and I do think trust is so important, to build trust in this next wave of healthcare technologies and ensure that digital solutions can work for everyone.

    We are, in government, committed to providing that support and enabling your efforts to come to fruition. We have supported the delivery of the Standing Together recommendations, which is a crucial piece of work developing standards for AI data sets, ensuring that they do reflect the diversity of the patient population and mean that we can see products that work for everybody.

    With the National Institute for Health and Care Research, we are making sure that the UK research community incorporates sex and gender into its research, supporting the crucial work in the research inclusion strategy and finalising a sex and gender policy framework for funders through the Medical Science, Sex and Gender Equity Project. But there is, of course, so much more to do and so much further that we can go to help you achieve the goal of making AI in healthcare work for everyone.

    We will stand by your side in this crucial endeavour, and we are committed to enabling your efforts and finding ways to do that, because I believe it’s only with your expertise and your insight that the potential for digital transformation can be fully realised because what we want to see is faster diagnosis. We want to see better treatment. We want more efficient care to every person across the country.

    It is thanks to your advocacy and to your knowledge and your initiative that we will ensure that we learn the lessons from the past, and we will make sure that nobody is left out as we look to the future.

    So, let me thank you again for attending the conference today. I know that together we have the ability to achieve great things and making sure that the digital health revolution is one that’s embraced, that is safe and is fair for everyone, and will unlock the benefits of AI to improve the health of the nation.

    I am looking forward to that. So, thank you very much.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Sues to Block Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Proposed $14 Billion Acquisition of Rival Wireless Networking Technology Provider Juniper Networks

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Acquisition Would Eliminate Competition Between Two of the Three Top Wireless Networking Firms, Raise Prices, and Diminish Innovation for American Businesses

    Note: View the complaint here.

    The Justice Department today sued to block Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.’s (HPE) proposed $14 billion acquisition of rival wireless local area network (WLAN) technology provider Juniper Networks Inc. (Juniper). HPE and Juniper are the second- and third- largest providers, respectively, of enterprise-grade WLAN solutions in the United States. The complaint, filed in the Northern District of California, alleges that the proposed transaction would eliminate fierce head-to-head competition between the companies, raise prices, reduce innovation, and diminish choice for scores of American businesses and institutions, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act.  

    “HPE and Juniper are successful companies. But rather than continue to compete as rivals in the WLAN marketplace, they seek to consolidate — increasing concentration in an already concentrated market,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The threat this merger poses is not theoretical. Vital industries in our country — including American hospitals and small businesses — rely on wireless networks to complete their missions. This proposed merger would significantly reduce competition and weaken innovation, resulting in large segments of the American economy paying more for less from wireless technology providers.”

    WLAN technology — which includes hardware, software, and advanced artificial intelligence — is critical for the modern workplace. Millions of Americans today create and share company resources and access the internet from wireless-enabled devices. Retail employees wirelessly process payments and log inventory. Doctors access medical records on phones and tablets and track life-saving patient care on the go. University students take notes on their laptops and access course materials from their dorm rooms. Wireless networking is the primary means by which many employees connect to their employer’s computer network and the internet.

    As alleged in the complaint, Juniper has been a disruptive force that has grown rapidly from a minor player to among the three largest enterprise-grade WLAN suppliers in the U.S. Juniper has also introduced innovative tools that have materially decreased the cost of operating a wireless network for many customers. This competitive pressure has forced HPE to discount its offerings and invest in its own innovation. HPE recognized and tracked Juniper’s growing significance and engaged in a campaign, including mandatory training for its engineers and salespeople, to “beat” Juniper when competing for contracts. Indeed, just a month before the proposed acquisition was announced, front-line HPE salespeople were concerned that “[t]he Juniper threat [was] dire” because in dozens of opportunities Juniper was “trying to unseat” HPE. Senior HPE executives shared this view; one former HPE executive reminded his team that “there are no rules in a street fight” with Juniper and encouraged them to “kill” Juniper when going head-to-head for sales opportunities.

    Now, HPE seeks to acquire its smaller, innovative rival. The proposed transaction between HPE and Juniper, if allowed to proceed, would further consolidate an already highly concentrated market — and leave U. S. enterprises facing two companies commanding over 70% of the market: the post-merger HPE and market leader Cisco Systems Inc. This substantial lessening competition in a critically important technology market poses the precise threat that the Clayton Act was enacted to prevent.

    Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company is headquartered in Spring, Texas. Its WLAN-focused business unit is located in Santa Clara, California.

    Juniper Networks Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Sues to Block Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Proposed $14 Billion Acquisition of Rival Wireless Networking Technology Provider Juniper Networks

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Acquisition Would Eliminate Competition Between Two of the Three Top Wireless Networking Firms, Raise Prices, and Diminish Innovation for American Businesses

    Note: View the complaint here.

    The Justice Department today sued to block Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.’s (HPE) proposed $14 billion acquisition of rival wireless local area network (WLAN) technology provider Juniper Networks Inc. (Juniper). HPE and Juniper are the second- and third- largest providers, respectively, of enterprise-grade WLAN solutions in the United States. The complaint, filed in the Northern District of California, alleges that the proposed transaction would eliminate fierce head-to-head competition between the companies, raise prices, reduce innovation, and diminish choice for scores of American businesses and institutions, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act.  

    “HPE and Juniper are successful companies. But rather than continue to compete as rivals in the WLAN marketplace, they seek to consolidate — increasing concentration in an already concentrated market,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The threat this merger poses is not theoretical. Vital industries in our country — including American hospitals and small businesses — rely on wireless networks to complete their missions. This proposed merger would significantly reduce competition and weaken innovation, resulting in large segments of the American economy paying more for less from wireless technology providers.”

    WLAN technology — which includes hardware, software, and advanced artificial intelligence — is critical for the modern workplace. Millions of Americans today create and share company resources and access the internet from wireless-enabled devices. Retail employees wirelessly process payments and log inventory. Doctors access medical records on phones and tablets and track life-saving patient care on the go. University students take notes on their laptops and access course materials from their dorm rooms. Wireless networking is the primary means by which many employees connect to their employer’s computer network and the internet.

    As alleged in the complaint, Juniper has been a disruptive force that has grown rapidly from a minor player to among the three largest enterprise-grade WLAN suppliers in the U.S. Juniper has also introduced innovative tools that have materially decreased the cost of operating a wireless network for many customers. This competitive pressure has forced HPE to discount its offerings and invest in its own innovation. HPE recognized and tracked Juniper’s growing significance and engaged in a campaign, including mandatory training for its engineers and salespeople, to “beat” Juniper when competing for contracts. Indeed, just a month before the proposed acquisition was announced, front-line HPE salespeople were concerned that “[t]he Juniper threat [was] dire” because in dozens of opportunities Juniper was “trying to unseat” HPE. Senior HPE executives shared this view; one former HPE executive reminded his team that “there are no rules in a street fight” with Juniper and encouraged them to “kill” Juniper when going head-to-head for sales opportunities.

    Now, HPE seeks to acquire its smaller, innovative rival. The proposed transaction between HPE and Juniper, if allowed to proceed, would further consolidate an already highly concentrated market — and leave U. S. enterprises facing two companies commanding over 70% of the market: the post-merger HPE and market leader Cisco Systems Inc. This substantial lessening competition in a critically important technology market poses the precise threat that the Clayton Act was enacted to prevent.

    Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company is headquartered in Spring, Texas. Its WLAN-focused business unit is located in Santa Clara, California.

    Juniper Networks Inc. is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Cegedim’s revenue grew 6.3% in 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

         

    PRESS RELEASE

    Quarterly financial information as of December 31, 2024
    IFRS – Regulated information – Not audited

    Cegedim’s revenue grew 6.3% in 2024

    • Full year revenue rose 4.7% like for like to €654.5 million
    • Fourth quarter revenue grew 5.9% like for like to €178.7 million
    • All operating divisions contributed to growth in the fourth quarter

    Boulogne-Billancourt, France, January 30, 2025, after the market close

    Revenue

      Fourth quarter Change Q4 2024 / 2023
    in millions of euros 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reclassification(1) 2023

    Reported

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)(3)

    vs. reclassified(1)
    Software & Services 80.1 75.7 (8.7) 84.4 +5.8% +2.8%
    Flow 27.0 24.2 (0.6) 24.8 +12.0% +11.7%
    Data & Marketing 38.4 35.8 0.0 35.8 +7.1% +7.1%
    BPO 21.2 19.6 0.0 19.6 +7.8% +7.8%
    Cloud & Support 12.0 11.3 +9.3 2.0 +6.2% +6.2%
    Cegedim 178.7 166.6 0.0 166.6 +7.2% +5.9%
      Full year Change FY 2024 / 2023
    in millions of euros 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reclassification(1) 2023

    Reported

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)(4)

    vs. reclassified(1)
    Software & Services 307.8 302.3 (24.3) 326.6 +1.8% (1.2)%
    Flow 100.3 93.4 (2.5) 95.9 +7.3% +7.2%
    Data & Marketing 125.9 114.9 0.0 114.9 +9.6% +9.6%
    BPO 82.7 71.5 0.0 71.5 +15.8% +15.8%
    Cloud & Support 37.8 33.9 +26.8 7.1 +11.3% +11.3%
    Cegedim 654.5 616.0 0.0 616.0 +6.3% +4.7%

    Cegedim’s consolidated fourth quarter 2024 revenues rose to €178.7 million, up 7.2% as reported and 5.9% like for like(2) compared with the same period in 2023. All operating divisions contributed to like for like growth in the fourth quarter.

    Over the full year, revenues rose 6.3% as reported and 4.7% like for like compared with 2023. Marketing, health insurance, HR, and cloud businesses delivered the most solid growth over the full year. As expected, the Software & Services division felt the impact of comparisons with Ségur public health investment spending in 2023 and a slowdown in international sales because the Group decided to refocus its UK doctor software activities on Scotland, and then later decided to voluntarily place that business under administration.

    Analysis of business trends by division 

    • Software & Services
    Software & Services Fourth quarter Change Q4 2024 / 2023 Full year Change FY 2024 / 2023
    in millions of euros 2024 2023

    Reclassified(3)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified(1)
    Cegedim Santé 21.3 18.1 +17.2% +1.8% 80.2 76.5 +4.8% (7.1)%
    Insurance, HR, Pharmacies, and other services 47.2 44.9 +5.1% +5.1% 176.7 173.3 +2.0% +1.9%
    International businesses 11.6 12.7 (8.2)% (3.5)% 50.9 52.5 (3.0)% (3.0)%
    Software & Services 80.1 75.7 +5.8% +2.8% 307.8 302.3 +1.8% (1.2)%

    Revenues at Cegedim Santé grew 17.2% as reported in the fourth quarter and 1.8% like for like. Reported growth over the full year came to 4.8%, but like-for-like revenues fell 7.1% due to the absence of Ségur public health investments, which generated revenue of €4.7 million in 2023. Reported growth includes Visiodent from March 1, 2024. The new subsidiary has already started marketing Group products like the Maiia appointment scheduling app and the Claude Bernard database to its clients, but those sales are not reflected in like-for-like growth.

    Others French subsidiaries saw reported revenue growth of 5.1% in the fourth quarter and 2% over the full year (1.9% LFL; Phealing acquired in Q4 2023). Over both the fourth quarter and the full year, the division was propelled by growth at the insurance businesses, thanks to robust project-based sales, and by HR, which is still getting a boost from its client diversification strategy. On the other hand, sales to pharmacies were down substantially—as they were at some of the competitors. This was partly because equipment sales slowed after many pharmacies updated their equipment in 2023. In addition, the pharmacy software business took in more than €2 million in Ségur public health investment revenues in 2023, creating a tough comparison.

    Internationally, revenues from software sales to UK doctors declined, as expected, following the Group’s decision early in the year to refocus the activity on Scotland. Unfortunately, the market proved too sluggish for this plan to succeed. On December 10, the Group decided to deconsolidate this subsidiary after announcing it would be voluntarily placed under administration. That move aggravated the drop in reported revenues in the fourth quarter, which came to 8.2%.

    Flow Fourth quarter Change Q4 2024 / 2023 Full year Change FY 2024 / 2023
    in millions of euros 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified(1)
    e-business 15.0 14.0 +7.1% +6.7% 58.5 55.4 +5.6% +5.3%
    Third-party payer 12.0 10.2 +18.7% +18.7% 41.8 38.0 +9.9% +9.9%
    Flow 27.0 24.2 +12.0% +11.7% 100.3 93.4 +7.3% +7.2%

    Fourth-quarter growth in e-business, e-invoicing, and digitized data exchanges was 7.1%. The boost came from a rebound in Invoicing & Purchasing in France and a continued surge at the Healthcare Flow segment, which started early in the year, owing to dynamic new offerings for hospitals that are designed to make their drug purchasing secure. Growth over the full year was a solid 5.6%.

    The digital data flow business dealing with reimbursement of healthcare payments in France (Third-party payer) experienced 18.7% growth in Q4. It was boosted by strong growth in demand for its fraud and long-term illness detection offerings. Over the full year, this trend more than offset the transfer of revenue attributable to the Allianz contract—now attributed to the BPO business—and allowed the unit to post growth of 9.9%.

    • Data & Marketing
    Data & Marketing Fourth quarter Change Q4 2024 / 2023 Full year Change FY 2024 / 2023
    in millions of euros 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified(1)
    Data 22.4 21.0 +6.3% +6.3% 65.5 64.5 +1.6% +1.6%
    Marketing 16.0 14.8 +8.2% +8.2% 60.4 50.4 +19.9% +19.9%
    Data & Marketing 38.4 35.8 +7.1% +7.1% 125.9 114.9 +9.6% +9.6%

    Data businesses posted 6.3% yoy growth in the fourth quarter, cementing an improvement over the second half, particularly in France. Thanks to its strong presence on the ground and its agility in adapting to customer demands, the Data business has been able to post positive growth of 1.6% in 2024, following a remarkable year in 2023.

    The Marketing segment had a solid fourth quarter, up 8.2%, and a record year, with growth of 19.9%. The performance showed the soundness of its phygital media strategy for pharmacies and was bolstered by special ad campaigns during the Olympics.

    BPO Fourth quarter Change Q4 2024 / 2023 Full year Change FY 2024 / 2023
                    in millions of euros 2024 2023

    Reclassified(4)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified
    Insurance BPO 15.4 14.0 +9.9% +9.9% 60.0 49.9 +20.2% +20.2%
    Business Services BPO 5.8 5.6 +2.8% +2.8% 22.7 21.6 +5.5% +5.5%
    BPO 21.2 19.6 +7.8% +7.8% 82.7 71.5 +15.8% +15.8%

    The Insurance BPO business grew by 9.9% over the fourth quarter, chiefly owing to its overflow business, which has been flourishing since the start of the year. Growth over the full year amounted to 20.2%, partly thanks to a favorable comparison stemming from the April 1, 2023, launch of the Allianz contract.

    Business Services BPO (HR and digitalization) reported growth of 2.8% in the fourth quarter and 5.5% over the full year on the back of a popular compliance offering and new clients.

    • Cloud & Support
    Cloud & Support Fourth quarter Change Q4 2024 / 2023 Full year Change FY 2024 / 2023
    in millions of euros 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 2024 2023

    reclassified(1)

    		 Reported

    vs. reclassified(1)

    		 Like for like(2)

    vs. reclassified(1)
    Cloud & Support 12.0 11.3 +6.2% +6.2% 37.8 33.9 +11.3% +11.3%

    The Cloud & Support division’s trajectory continued over the fourth quarter, with growth of 6.2% bringing FY growth to 11.3%. The progress reflects our expanded range of sovereign cloud-backed products and services, which earned the ANSSI security visa for SecNumCloud certification.

    Highlights

    Apart from the items cited below, to the best of the company’s knowledge, there were no events or changes during Q4 2024 that would materially alter the Group’s financial situation.

    On December 10, 2024, Cegedim announced that it had voluntarily placed its UK subsidiary—INPS, which sells software for doctors—under administration.

    Significant transactions and events post December 31, 2024
    To the best of the company’s knowledge, there were no post-closing events or changes after December 31, 2024, that would materially alter the Group’s financial situation.

    Outlook

    Like-for-like revenue growth(1) in 2024 was just below the bottom of the announced 5% to 8% range compared with 2023. Had the Group not refocused INPS on Scotland and then closed it later in the year, it would have met the 5% target. This performance is unlikely to jeopardize the outlook for recurring operating income, which is expected to continue improving.
    That said, the deconsolidation of INPS is likely to result in significant non-cash adjustments.
    These statements are not forecasts and are based on financial information that has not yet been audited.

    —————

    WEBCAST ON JANUARY 30, 2025 AT 6:15 PM (PARIS TIME)
    The webcast is available at: www.cegedim.fr/webcast
    The FY 2024 revenue presentation is available at:
    https://www.cegedim.fr/documentation/Pages/presentation.aspx

    Financial calendar:

    2025 March 27 after the close

    March 28 at 10:00 am

    April 24 after the close

    June 13 at 9:30

    July 24 after the close

    September 25 after the close

    September 26 at 10:00 am

    October 23 after the close

    		 2024 results

    SFAF meeting

    Q1 2025 revenues

    Shareholders’ general meeting

    H1 2025 revenues

    H1 2025 results

    SFAF meeting

    Q3 2025 revenues

    Financial calendar: https://www.cegedim.fr/finance/agenda/Pages/default.aspx

    Disclaimer
    This press release is available in French and in English. In the event of any difference between the two versions, the original French version takes precedence. It was sent to Cegedim’s authorized distributor on January 30, 2025, no earlier than 5:45 pm Paris time.
    The figures cited in this press release include guidance on Cegedim’s future financial performance targets. This forward-looking information is based on the opinions and assumptions of the Group’s senior management at the time this press release is issued and naturally entails risks and uncertainty. For more information on the risks facing Cegedim, please refer to Chapter 7, “Risk management”, section 7.2, “Risk factors and insurance”, and Chapter 3, “Overview of the financial year”, section 3.6, “Outlook”, of the 2023 Universal Registration Document filled with the AMF on April 3, 2024, under number D.24-0233.

    About Cegedim:
    Founded in 1969, Cegedim is an innovative technology and services group in the field of digital data flow management for healthcare ecosystems and B2B, and a business software publisher for healthcare and insurance professionals. Cegedim employs nearly
    6,700 people in more than 10 countries and generated revenue of over €654 million in 2024.
    Cegedim SA is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: CGM).
    To learn more please visit: www.cegedim.fr
    And follow Cegedim on X: @CegedimGroup, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

    Aude Balleydier
    Cegedim
    Media Relations
    and Communications Manager

    Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 09 68 81
    aude.balleydier@cegedim.fr

    		 Damien Buffet
    Cegedim
    Head of Financial
    Communication

    Tel.: +33 (0)7 64 63 55 73
    damien.buffet@cegedim.com

    		 Céline Pardo
    Becoming RP Agency
    Media Relations Consultant

    Tel.:        +33 (0)6 52 08 13 66
    cegedim@becoming-group.com

    		  

    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    (1) At constant scope and exchange rates.

    Annexes

    Breakdown of revenue by quarter and division

    in millions of euros   Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
    Software & Services   74.3 77.8 75.6 80.1 307.8
    Flow   25.4 24.2 23.7 27.0 100.3
    Data & Marketing   27.0 32.3 28.2 38.4 125.9
    BPO   20.2 19.7 21.6 21.2 82.7
    Cloud & Support   9.0 9.1 7.7 12.0 37.8
    Group revenue   155.9 163.1 156.8 178.7 654.5
    in millions of euros   Q1
    reclassified    		 Q2
    reclassified    		 Q3
    reclassified    		 Q4
    reclassified    		 Total
    reclassified
    Software & Services   74.4 76.2 76.0 75.7 302.3
    Flow   24.0 22.8 22.4 24.2 93.4
    Data & Marketing   24.6 30.3 24.1 35.8 114.9
    BPO   14.4 18.4 19.0 19.6 71.5
    Cloud & Support   8.4 7.4 6.8 11.3 33.9
    Group revenue   145.9 155.1 148.3 166.6 616.0

    Revenue breakdown by geographic zone, currency, and division at December 31, 2024

    as a % of consolidated revenues   Geographic zone   Currency
      France EMEA
    ex. France    		 Americas   Euro GBP Other
    Software & Services   83.5% 16.4% 0.1%   86.9% 11.4% 1.7%
    Flow   92.1% 7.9% 0.0%   94.6% 5.4% 0.0%
    Data & Marketing   97.9% 2.1% 0.0%   98.1% 0.0% 1.9%
    BPO   100.0% 0.0% 0.0%   100.0% 0.0% 0.0%
    Cloud & Support   99.9% 0.1% 0.0%   100.0% 0.0% 0.0%
    Cegedim Health Data UK   90.6% 9.3% 0.1%   92.2% 6.6% 1.2%

    (1)   As of January 1, 2024, our Cegedim Outsourcing and Audiprint subsidiaries—which were previously housed in the Software & Services division—as well as BSV—formerly of the Flow division—have been moved to the Cloud & Support division in order to capitalize on operating synergies between cloud activities and IT solutions integration.
    (2)   At constant scope and exchange rates.
    (3)   The positive currency impact of 0.2% was mainly due to the pound sterling. The positive scope effect of 1.1% was attributable to the first-time consolidation in Cegedim’s accounts of Visiodent starting March 1, 2024.
    (4)   The positive currency impact of 0.2% was mainly due to the pound sterling. The positive scope effect of 1.4% was attributable to the first-time consolidation in Cegedim’s accounts of Visiodent starting March 1, 2024.

    (1)   3To take advantage of synergies, Cegedim Outsourcing, Audiprint, and BSV have been reassigned to the Cloud & Support division.
    (2)   At constant scope and exchange rates.

    (1)   4To take advantage of synergies, Cegedim Outsourcing, Audiprint, and BSV have been reassigned to the Cloud & Support division.
    (2)   At constant scope and exchange rates.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Glucose and Glucose/Ketone Meter Correction: Nova Biomedical Corporation Issues Software Correction for StatStrip Glucose and Glucose/Ketone Hospital Meters Due to Risk for Transmission of Incorrect Patient Results

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    This recall involves correcting devices, and does not involve removing them from where they are used or sold.  The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without correction.

    Affected Product

    • Product Names
      • StatStrip Glucose Hospital Meter System
      • StatStrip Glucose/Ketone Hospital Meter System (distributed only outside U.S.)
      • StatStrip Glucose/Ketone (mmol/L) Hospital Meter System (distributed only outside U.S.)
    • Unique Device Identifier (UDI)/Part Numbers:
      • UDI-DI (01)10385480636858, PN63685
      • UDI-DI (01)38548063685, PN63683 (Outside U.S.)
      • UDI-DI (01)1038548063910, PN63910 (Outside U.S.)
    • Software Versions: All versions from v0.0.13.10 to v0.0.13.44.

    What to Do

    • Be aware of this issue; however, no action is needed. Meters in use have received a meter software update correction. Other meters will be updated by Nova Biomedical or the local dealer before being put into clinical use. 
    • On November 20, 2024, Nova Biomedical sent all affected customers an Urgent Field Correction Notice that included the following information:
      • Nova Biomedical became aware of the potential risk of meters transmitting incorrect glucose and ketone patient test results to a healthcare system’s data management system due to a software defect.
      • Current Nova StatStrip customers that have gone “Live” with their new meters recently received a meter software update (v.0.0.13.45 or above) from Nova Biomedical to eliminate the potential risk.
      • Remaining customers with affected StatStrip meters will have their meter software updated by Nova Biomedical or a local dealer prior to going “Live” with your new meters. 
        • A Nova Biomedical representative or the local distributor will perform the update and document completion of the update during the implementation process.
      • Customers should:
        • Distribute the correction notice to those in the organization who need to be aware and those at other facilities who may have received these meters from your organization.
        • If the notice is forwarded to other facilities, also notify Nova Biomedical Technical Support at 1-800-545-6682 to make sure the firm is able to update firmware on meters that were transferred or distributed. 
        • Report any similar incorrect data transfers occurrences to Nova Biomedical Technical Support at the number above.
    • On December 16, 2024, Nova Biomedical sent all affected customers a revised  Urgent Field Correction Notice to provide the following additional information:
      • This issue may affect certain historical glucose test results in a hospital’s medical record system.
      • The ability to identify and fix incorrect test results in hospital medical record systems is likely not possible.
      • Software versions v0.0.13.10 to v0.0.13.44 are affected.
      • Ketone results would also be impacted by the software defect, but no Glucose/Ketone meters were operational at the time this issue was identified and corrected.

    Reason for Correction

    Nova Biomedical is correcting StatStrip Glucose and Glucose/Ketone Hospital Meters due to the potential risk that a software error may cause incorrect glucose and/or ketone patient test results to be transmitted to hospital medical record systems. The issue occurs when an operator visits the “Review Results” screen to review previous historical test results while the meter is still in the process of transmitting current results wirelessly to the system. The issue may affect all historical test results within the system before the meters are updated to v.0.0.13.45 software.

    The use of affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences due to treatment decisions made based on incorrect blood glucose and/or ketone levels, which can result in low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), or high levels of ketones in the blood (ketonemia or ketoacidosis)..  This risk of serious adverse health consequence is elevated in a subset of the intended use population, which includes neonates and patients receiving intensive medical care.

    There have been no reported injuries. There have been no reports of death.

    Device Use

    The StatStrip Glucose Hospital Meter System is used in hospitals and health care settings to measure glucose in a patient’s blood. The meter can measure glucose in samples collected from a finger stick, a blood vessel, or a newborn’s heel stick. It is used for adults, children and newborns, including patients who are receiving critical care support. The StatStrip Glucose/Ketone Hospital Meter System and StatStrip Glucose/Ketone (mmol/L) Hospital Meter system also measure ketones in the patient’s blood and are only distributed outside the U.S. 

    Contact Information

    Customers in the U.S. with questions about this recall should contact Nova Biomedical Corporation Technical Support at 1-800-545-6682.

    Additional FDA Resources

    • FDA’s Enforcement Report Entries:
    • Medical Device Recall Database Entries:

    Additional Company Resources

    Company provided information on a recall, is posted here by the FDA as a public service.

    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)

    The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from manufacturing through distribution to patient use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified, and problems potentially corrected more quickly.

    How do I report a problem?

    Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Solensia 7 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    VMD response to concerns raised following media reports of serious adverse events in cats administered Solensia.

    The VMD is aware of media reports and concerns, including those raised on social media, following cases of serious adverse events in cats administered Solensia 7 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats.

    Solensia 7 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats is an authorised injectable veterinary medicinal product containing the active substance frunevetmab. It is indicated for the alleviation of pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats.

    The VMD assesses the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines before and after authorisation to ensure that the benefit-risk balance remains positive.  The VMD’s Pharmacovigilance team monitors all reports of suspected adverse events (both adverse reactions and lack of efficacy reports) from authorised veterinary medicinal products that are submitted to the VMD from veterinary professionals and from animal owners.

    The Veterinary Medicines Regulations also requires Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAHs) to monitor and report on the benefit-risk of their veterinary medicines on a continuous basis, including reporting adverse events within 30 days of awareness. All reports received by the VMD are evaluated and where appropriate, actions based on available data may be taken – for example adding additional warnings on the packaging or changing the way a product is used.

    We would like to reassure veterinary professionals and cat owners that we are constantly reviewing adverse event report data to ensure that the overall benefits of each UK licensed veterinary medicine product, when used in accordance with its labelling, outweighs the risks posed by their potential adverse events.

    As with any veterinary medicinal product marketed in the UK, Solensia has been subject to continuous monitoring since it was first authorised in February 2021.

    No medicine is 100% risk free. The VMD does not publish specific adverse event data, however information on adverse events that have been known to occur following administration of a particular product are summarised in sections 3.6/4.6 of the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).

    About the SPC

    The SPC is a document describing the properties and the officially approved conditions of use of a medicine. The SPC and associated product information are updated as new information is available, and the latest version of an SPC can be found on our publicly available Product Information Database. 

    Product information also physically  accompanies every authorised veterinary medicinal product when marketed and it is important for veterinary professionals to ensure that this information is reviewed prior to administering the product.  A rolling 6-month list of Summary of Product Characteristic (SPC) changes for veterinary medicines can be found on the Connect monthly medicines update page Vet practice & supply.

    The SPC and associated product information for Solensia, including a list of Post Authorisation Assessments that have occurred since the products were first authorised, can be found on this database.

    Following monitoring of pharmacovigilance data, the latest update to the adverse event section of the product information resulted in the addition of the adverse event anaphylaxis; (Solensia 7 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats – SPC change – GOV.UK).

    The following adverse events were already listed in the product information: alopecia, dermatitis, pruritus, injection site reaction (e.g. pain and alopecia) and skin disorders (e.g. skin scab, skin sore).

    Reporting incidence rate

    Based on Periodic Safety Update Report data that has been received for Solensia since authorisation, the incidence of adverse events in animals was 0.0025.[i]

    This means that according to the data the VMD has received, fewer than 3 animals have experienced a suspected adverse event for every 1000 doses of Solensia sold.

    This includes reports where more than one product was used, reports when the product was used off-label, that is using a medicine in a way that is not specified on the product’s label, or reports where, on further evaluation, there were other reasons for the adverse reaction occurring. We will continue to review data as it is received, and further data-led actions will be taken if appropriate.

    Jurisdictions

    There may be differences in the data that appears on product information in different jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction follows specific legislation and guidelines which regulate the safety information to be included on the veterinary medicine label and information leaflet during the authorisation process and the procedures to change this label as necessary, once the medicine is placed on the market and following analysis of post-marketing pharmacovigilance data.

    The current Veterinary Medicines Regulations can be found here: The Veterinary Medicines Regulation 2013 (legislation.gov.uk). The GB legislation is similar to that of comparative European countries.  

    How to report

    The reporting of adverse events is critical to increasing the volume of data available for ongoing monitoring in order to protect animal health, public health and the environment, and we strongly encourage reporting of adverse events by both veterinary professionals and animal owners.

    To report an adverse event, we would advise veterinary professionals to contact the Marketing Authorisation Holder/MAH (pharmaceutical company) for the product and animal owners to contact their veterinary practice and/or the MAH for the product.

    A MAH’s contact details can be found:

    • within the product information that comes with a medicine
    • by searching for the product on the Product information Database
    • on the MAH’s website

    Further information

    Important information for veterinary surgeons (PDF, 105 KB, 2 pages)

    The VMD does not give individual clinical advice, for advice on individual cases we would advise veterinary professionals to contact the MAH.

    The VMD cannot help with complaints or concerns regarding the conduct of veterinary surgeons, including the way an animal has been treated using veterinary medicines. These concerns should be addressed to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

    Pharmacovigilance updates are published on gov.uk at  Urgent safety updates for veterinary-medicines; this also includes any updates involving non-veterinary medicines used in animals.

    To receive these pharmacovigilance updates via email, please click on the ‘Get emails about this page’ button. In addition, changes to authorisations most relevant to vets are published monthly in the Vet Record (the official journal of the British Veterinary Association).

    [i] Incidence of adverse events is rounded to 4 decimal places and is calculated by dividing the number of doses of a product sold during the period by the number of animals experiencing a suspected adverse event.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Improving Healthcare for Kids with Developmental Disabilities

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Charles Schumer today announced the opening of The Center for Discovery’s Children’s Specialty Hospital in Rock Hill, New York. This innovative facility is dedicated to supporting children and adolescents with complex disabilities, including autism, through specialized short-term inpatient care. Developed by The Center for Discovery’s (TCFD) multidisciplinary team over the past decade in close partnership with the NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), it introduces a new care model focused on proactive treatments to reduce long-term residential placements.

    “New York State is devoted to improving health outcomes for all children, particularly those with developmental disabilities whose families face challenges in accessing suitable medical care for their child’s needs,” Governor Hochul said. “By bolstering this continuum of care through The Center for Discovery’s Children’s Specialty Hospital, families will spend less time apart and remain connected to their communities following treatment.”

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “The Center for Discovery’s Children’s Specialty Hospital will provide critical life enhancing care to children and teens and be a beacon of hope in Sullivan County for generations to come. The impacts of the discoveries and systems of care made at this facility will stretch far beyond the Hudson Valley to help thousands of kids across America and the world. I was proud to deliver the historic federal investment to jumpstart this new first-of-its-kind hospital paving the way for a healthier future for vulnerable young patients and brighter future for the Hudson Valley, and I deeply appreciate the partnership of Governor Hochul and New York State legislative leaders in making this facility a reality. The Center for Discovery is a pillar of the Sullivan County economy, and this new hospital will create 400+ jobs while expanding the world class care provided here at the Center. Governor Hochul has been a tremendous partner and thanks to our team effort the dream for this facility that started so many years ago is finally a reality.”

    Funding for the Children’s Specialty Hospital project was made possible through a $48 million low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program, that Senator Schumer a longtime TCFD advocate helped secure, as well as a $4 million investment from New York State’s Empire State Development. The project also received critical support from the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the New York State Department of Health (DOH), and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).

    Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State has made significant strides with this innovative initiative, positioning itself as a national leader in preventive and holistic care for people with developmental disabilities. The launch of this facility reflects Governor Hochul’s dedication to improving the lives of families across New York.

    The Specialty Hospital is designed for children ages five to 21 who meet OPWDD’s eligibility criteria and require medical care, in addition to supporting their developmental disabilities. The Children’s Specialty Hospital will provide inpatient treatment and conduct comprehensive medical, behavioral, and clinical assessments over a maximum of six months. Through a collaborative approach, this program is designed to help children and adolescents thrive at home, in school, and remain integrated in the community.

    New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Acting Commissioner Willow Baer said, “Achieving health equity for people with developmental disabilities is a priority for the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and ensuring access to complete medical care for children, in an appropriate setting, is a part of that goal. We’re so excited for The Center for Discovery’s new Children’s Specialty Hospital to begin to help New York families and are grateful to our state and federal partners for making this vital resource possible for children and teenagers with complex medical conditions.”

    Designed with both medical and therapeutic needs in mind, the new facility where the Children’s Specialty Hospital is located includes classrooms, a health clinic, sensory rooms, a therapeutic gym for physical and occupational therapies, a café, and a training kitchen. The 15-acre campus also offers outdoor walking trails, healing gardens, and a Food is Medicine® greenhouse, all supporting TCFD’s holistic approach to care.

    After completing short-term treatment at the Hospital, patients will return home with a specialized care plan that includes training for families, caregivers, and school districts. TCFD’s team of experts will continue to support families as they build on the progress made during their child’s stay.

    The Center for Discovery President & CEO Dr.Terry Hamlin said, “The Center for Discovery is deeply committed to supporting children and adolescents in innovative and expanded ways. With the launch of our new Children’s Specialty Hospital, we are thrilled to extend our reach and impact, providing a lifeline to families in search of answers. The children admitted to our hospital face extraordinary challenges. They live with co-occurring medical conditions that make their developmental disabilities profoundly complex to treat. Many of these medical issues are accompanied by pain, which often leads to maladaptive behaviors that further impact their quality of life. Families have long needed a place where their children’s complex needs are understood, and where there is integrated and coordinated care in one place. At The Center for Discovery, we are dedicated to addressing these medical complexities head-on, treating the root causes, and improving outcomes in ways that transform lives.”

    The Children’s Specialty Hospital is poised to establish a new benchmark for specialized care and is projected to make a significant impact both nationally and internationally. This new facility will enhance the range of services available throughout New York State, offering a model of care that has the ability to revolutionize the treatment of children with complex disabilities while providing essential support for families statewide.

    This groundbreaking initiative not only improves the level of care for children with disabilities but also aims to reduce extended hospital stays, enabling them to return home more swiftly.

    Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara said, “As Chair of the Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities and as a parent of a child with autism who attends The Center for Discovery, I know firsthand the challenges families face in accessing specialized care for children with complex disabilities. The opening of this first-of-its-kind Children’s Specialty Hospital is a monumental step forward for New York, providing critical medical care and much-needed support for families. This innovative model will not only improve health outcomes but also help reduce the need for long-term residential placements. I thank Governor Hochul, Senator Schumer, and all those who made this vision a reality.”

    About The Center for Discovery

    The Center for Discovery (TCFD) is a leading provider of healthcare and education services for more than 1,200 children and adults with complex conditions, medical frailties and autism spectrum disorders, located 90 miles northwest of New York City. Named a Center of Excellence in 2016, TCFD has long been a leader in developing new models of care for individuals with complex conditions. Located on 1,500 acres of land in Sullivan County, TCFD houses school campuses, residences, medical and research facilities, organic and biodynamic farmland, and leased private businesses offering meaningful employment opportunities. Deeply focused on an individual’s personal potential and possibilities, rather than a disability, TCFD strives to create better care and unique and challenging opportunities for the most vulnerable populations. For more information about TCFD, please visit their website.

    For more information about The Children’s Specialty Hospital, please contact Michael Rosen, Executive VP of Development, Marketing, and Strategic Communications, at [email protected].

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waterford Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Stealing From Addiction and Mental Health Services Nonprofit

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHELE DEVINE, 51, of Waterford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling from the Southeastern Regional Action Council on Substance Abuse, Inc. (“SERAC”), where she was employed as its executive director.  Judge Underhill also ordered Devine to pay a $2,000 fine and perform 300 hours of community service while on supervised release.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, SERAC, headquartered in Norwich, is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves 41 towns in southeastern and northeastern Connecticut with substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental health related services.  SERAC is primarily funded through hundreds of thousands of dollars in state and federal grants from the State of Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

    Devine was the executive director of SERAC until July 2022.  Beginning in approximately 2008, Devine spent thousands of dollars on purchases that did not relate SERAC but instead were personal expenses for Devine and her family, including thousands of dollars spent on home appliances; travel; timeshare fees at a Connecticut resort; stays at the Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, Massachusetts; and private school donations.

    Judge Underhill ordered Devine to pay $397,064.93 in restitution.

    Devine was arrested on August 3, 2023.  On October 21, 2024, she pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

    Devine, who is released on a $25,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 12.

    This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the New London State’s Attorney’s Office and the State of Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Continues Raising Alarm On Illegal Trump Admin Attempt to Freeze Federal Funding, Ongoing Lack of Clarity for Panicked Families and Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray: “The Trump administration’s half-hearted steps yesterday to clean up this massive mess they have made just affirms two things—one: they are still illegally withholding federal funds that are law; and two: this is an administration whose sheer incompetence, combined with their bad intentions and willful disregard of the law, is creating mass panic and chaos, and hurting people everywhere.”
    Murray lays out how funding freeze is still hurting Head Start providers, rental assistance, community health centers, hurting Tribes in Washington state
    ***VIDEO HERE***
    Washington, D.C. – This morning, at a press conference with Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, once again spoke out forcefully to raise the alarm over the illegal, sweeping Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo issued by the Trump administration on Monday night that directed agencies to freeze vast swaths of federal funding passed into law by Congress.
    Yesterday morning—just hours after the OMB memo was issued—Murray joined Leader Schumer and Senators Merkley, Klobuchar, Murphy, Kim, and King for a press conference hammering the Trump administration for the unprecedented and dangerous move, and highlighting the mass panic and confusion it was already creating for families, businesses, nonprofits, towns, and communities in every part of the country. Immediately after the OMB memo became public Monday night, Murray and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro sent a letter to Acting OMB Director Matthew J. Vaeth raising the alarm on President Trump’s unlawful executive orders and the new memoranda. A fact sheet on the issue of the impoundment is available HERE.
    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below and video is HERE:
    “While a judge has put this illegal move to freeze federal grants on hold for a very few short days, as Senator Schumer talked about, the threat, and the chaos, and the panic remain.
    “And, let’s be clear, the Trump administration’s half-hearted steps yesterday to clean up this massive mess they have made just affirms two things—one: they are still illegally withholding federal funds that are law; and two: this is an administration whose sheer incompetence, combined with their bad intentions and willful disregard of the law, is creating mass panic and chaos, and hurting people everywhere.
    “Their explanations have created no clarity or certainty for many panicked families, businesses, nonprofits, towns, and states. And they don’t actually change the basic fact that Trump is holding up funding our communities are counting on—and funding that is law.
    “Because first off, there are lots of programs they are saying won’t be affected when that is not what organizations across the country are experiencing.
    “Just one example: yesterday, Head Start providers were locked out of their reimbursement portal—meaning folks that are taking care of our youngest kids were suddenly not sure how they were going to keep the doors open or pay their teachers and staff.
    “Rental assistance—the payment system for housing authorities was down yesterday, I checked again with my staff this morning; it is still down.
    “And beyond that, there is just a long list of programs still left completely on the chopping block. Programs that help red states and blue states alike.
    “Meanwhile, a Tribe back in my home state of Washington told me just a little bit ago that they are having to determine if they need to lay off 400 people.
    “Community Health Centers have been having difficulty drawing down their federal funds. Sometimes they are the only providers, especially in our rural or remote communities. It is the end of the month, they need to make payroll!
    “There are real patients to consider here as clinics have to think about whether they have the funds to cover services because of this illegal move. 
    “Funding for firefighters—you know what doesn’t stop when federal funding stops? Fires! I mean the list goes on, and on. The calls are coming in, and the chaos—I am here to tell you—has not died down this morning.
    “There is really only one solution here in the Senate, and that is for all of us—all of us—to stand up and say ‘enough.’ To demand President Trump revoke these reckless orders and recognize Congress—Congress—has the power of the purse.
    “We will fight this in the courts, yes, but President Trump needs to back down from this reckless order that is hurting Americans and just follow the law as Congress wrote it.
    “This kind of freeze is going to hurt their states just as much, if not more. This is not a red or blue issue.
    “So, as Leader Schumer has said, we are going to keep sounding the alarm and pointing out who President Trump is hurting. We are going to listen to folks back home and raise their stories for everyone to hear.
    “None of us were elected to hurt people or sow chaos. We are elected to help people and solve problems. I hope every Member of Congress works with us to make clear, and work to tell President Trump: the law is the law. Work to tell him that Congress is a co-equal branch of government and the executive is there to execute the laws Congress has written. “The White House needs to stop hurting the American people.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Release of New Data on Students’ Learning Post-Pandemic

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on the release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which shows that in 2024, students’ learning nationwide continued a more than decade-long trend of a growing achievement gap between higher-performing and lower-performing students.
    “These scores make painfully clear how much work remains to be done to help our students thrive in the classroom and learn the skills they need to succeed. I have pushed for years to get our schools the resources and tools needed to help students get ahead—including delivering record investments for our students and schools without any Republican votes—and I will continue to work with anyone and everyone focused on improving outcomes for our kids and closing widening achievement gaps.
    “But as we get these bleak results, one thing’s clear as day: President Trump trying to freeze federal funding headed to our students and schools—creating mass chaos and confusion—does absolutely nothing to address the challenges our kids are facing in the classroom. Nor will shutting down the Department of Education, slashing education funding to afford tax cuts for billionaires, or focusing on privatization efforts that help a sliver of students instead of the vast majority of kids who attend public schools, as the president is doing. This year’s scorecard should redouble our commitment to investing in our schools and students and in evidence-based approaches that support their learning and development, and I will keep fighting to do just that.”
    Senator Murray has long fought to ensure students can get a quality education and to ensure our nation’s students and schools have both the tools and the resources they need to thrive. From the very beginning of her service in the Senate, including throughout the pandemic, she worked to deliver resources for schools, including to reopen safely for in-person learning and support students, families, and educators throughout the public health crisis. In March 2020, Senator Murray introduced the Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act to support students as COVID-19 spread, and she proceeded to work across the aisle to deliver resources to schools to support students in the CARES Act in March 2020 and in December 2020 through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). In March 2021, Senator Murray helped secure critical resources for K-12 schools in the American Rescue Plan, which was passed without any Republican votes. She also worked to require a portion of the resources are specifically used to address learning loss—and has pushed to ensure the resources are being used effectively to help students get back on track. In the years since, Senator Murray has fought to renew federal investments in our schools, ensure resources are used effectively and consistent with federal laws, and successfully defeated House Republicans’ efforts to gut federal educational funding as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee in the 118th Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First public servants and aid workers honoured with new Humanitarian Medal.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The first recipients of a new medal recognising humanitarian aid work on behalf of the United Kingdom are being recognised.

    The first recipients of a new medal recognising humanitarian aid work on behalf of the United Kingdom are being recognised today.

    Announced in July 2023, the Humanitarian Medal is a new national form of recognition awarded to public servants and members of organisations contributing to global humanitarian responses on behalf of HM Government.

    Those being recognised today include individuals who displayed exemplary public service and humanitarian efforts in HM Government’s response to the 2023 Morocco Earthquake, the 2023 Libya Flooding, and the Gaza conflict.

    With the establishment of the Humanitarian Medal, HM Government departments now make recommendations for eligible Humanitarian responses to the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals. Those responses recommended for Humanitarian Medal awards are then submitted for approval to His Majesty The King.

    Among the first recipients working as part of the eligible responses are:

    • Morocco: UK-ISAR Operations Commander for Morocco Response, from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, Shyam Rana, from Sutton Coldfield – A member of the UK International Search and Rescue team (UK ISAR). He was deployed in the search to reach people under collapsed buildings. ISAR has specialist equipment to monitor further seismic activity and cut through cement. Aftershocks remained a risk throughout the deployment.

    • Libya: UK-EMT Team Lead Anna Daniell, from Greater Manchester – Led the official UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT) into Derna, Libya in the wake of the dam collapse who were providing direct primary healthcare support to the affected population in areas outside of Government control.

    • Gaza: UK-Med Medical Coordinator Melanie (Mel) Johnson, from Totterdown, Bristol – Led the medical team in Gaza providing surgical, primary, and community healthcare support during intense conflict in the FCDO-funded field hospital and rehabilitated Nasser Hospital. 

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: 

    All of the individuals being recognised today are shining examples of public service. Their selfless dedication to saving lives represents the very best of British values around the world. The nation thanks them for their work.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    This new medal recognises the incredible dedication and selfless service of individuals on the frontline of the UK’s responses to some of the world’s most devastating crises.

    I am delighted the first tranche of awards will recognise members of the UK government’s emergency deployment teams, for their brave work in Libya, Morocco and Gaza. The International Search and Rescue team and Emergency Medical Team are made up of expert firefighters and medics from across the UK, who travel to the most challenging of environments to save lives.

    The medal, which is conferred by His Majesty The King, features on the reverse laurel wreaths symbolising victory in overcoming a crisis, interwoven with a banner proclaiming “For humanitarian service”. The obverse bears an effigy of His Majesty The King. 

    The ribbon design reflects the different paths for humanitarian service and the variety of services involved in such responses. The ribbon has a central stripe of white to represent civilians and peace, with four narrow stripes on either side of red, light blue, dark blue and purple. Red represents humanitarian organisations. Dark blue and purple represent the other services.

    The design on the reverse was approved by Her Late Majesty The Queen in 2021.

    These responses are the first use of the Humanitarian Medal. This is only the first tranche of awards to be made, and more will follow in due course.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Abortion statists reveal horrific rise

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

    “The abortion statistics published today by the Department of Health are deeply troubling. They show that the number of abortions being carried out in Northern Ireland increased by a shocking 28.8% since the previous year, with 2,792 performed in 2023/24 compared with  2,168 in 2022/23. If one goes back further the rise is even more stark. In 2020/21 the figure was 1,574 meaning there has been an increase of over 77% when compared with today’s figures.

    “While I welcome the increase in the volume of data published by the Department, I note that the information continues to fall well short of the information released by health authorities in Great Britain. In GB the socioeconomic background of the mother, whether she has had more than one abortion and other information is available but not in Northern Ireland. I received an assurance from the then Minister in 2024 that this situation would change. Why hasn’t it?”

    TUV MLA Timothy Gaston added:

    “I have been pressing Minister Nesbitt on issues related to abortion since becoming the Member for North Antrim and tellingly he has been less than forthcoming with responses. It is time that Northern Ireland had a properly informed debate about this issue. When the public were given an opportunity to have their say in response to an NIO consultation a massive 79% of the 21,200 responses to the consultation recorded their opposition to the abortion regulations. In spite of what some in the media may try to claim, there is still considerable opposition to abortion in Northern Ireland and there will be many who will share my alarm at the growth in the number of abortions in our Province.

    “It is clear from today’s figures that abortion is increasingly becoming just another form of birth control in Northern Ireland and that the dishonest debate around the matter in the early 2020s, framed around “hard cases”, did not deal with the real issues created by the legislation imposed on Northern Ireland.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: In the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, the International Sports Games of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky will be held in St. Petersburg

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The first meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the 2025 Saint Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky International Sports Games was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    “Last year, almost 2,000 people from 68 regions took part in the Games in 6 sports. The team from St. Petersburg became the winner and holder of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ Challenge Cup. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin supported the initiative of Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ Kirill to give the competitions international status from 2025. The invitation campaign for foreign teams will start in March of this year. This time, the competitions will be held in St. Petersburg in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and on the days of remembrance of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, which gives them special meaning,” Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized.

    According to the Deputy Prime Minister, strengthening the moral and ethical foundations of modern sports is becoming especially relevant today. The principles of raising a harmoniously developed person form the basis of sports, the state’s youth policy, and the patriotic education of the younger generation. Promoting the cultural and historical heritage and our traditional values will strengthen Russia’s sovereignty, ensure the unity of our country, and develop human potential. All of this is among the priorities of the organizing committee.

    “The International Sports Games of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky are included in the unified calendar plan of the Ministry of Sports of Russia for 2025 and, I am convinced, will not only help attract young people to sports, but also strengthen spiritual and moral values. In addition, in 2025, the Games will be included in the list of significant international events and will unite athletes from Russia and friendly countries,” said Minister of Sports Mikhail Degtyarev.

    Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Boris Piotrovsky thanked for choosing St. Petersburg as the venue for the Games, noting the city’s extensive experience in organizing international events. He said that the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games will take place in the Yubileiny sports complex, among the venues are ready-made competition facilities.

    Metropolitan Mitrofan of Murmansk and Monchegorsk, Chairman of the Patriarchal Commission on Physical Culture and Sports, also spoke about the progress of preparations and outlined recommendations for organizing the work and attracting participants from regions of Russia and other countries.

    First Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Svetlana Zhurova emphasized the importance of giving competitions international status and, using her personal example, spoke about the role of athletes’ participation in such events for their professional development.

    During the meeting, Dmitry Chernyshenko gave a number of instructions concerning organizational, information support and security.

    The meeting of the organizing committee was also attended by Ambassador-at-Large, Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Sports Cooperation Mikhail Khorev, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, Rospotrebnadzor, the FSB, Rosmolodezh, and Rossotrudnichestvo.

    The first All-Russian Sports Games of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky took place in 2023 in Kemerovo, the second in 2024 in Nizhny Novgorod.

    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 Canada: Strengthening Alberta’s partnership with U.S.

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New theme group created to establish future careers for the Armed Forces community

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Pictured from left to right hand side, front row:
    Andrew McConochie, Lieutenant Commander, Royal Navy
    Cllr Pauline Murphy, Deputy Lord Mayor and Armed Forces Champion, Plymouth City Council
    Emma Hewitt, Skills Lead, Plymouth City Council
    Victoria Mead, Skills and Workforce Coordinator, Plymouth City Council

    Pictured from left to right hand side, back row:
    David FitzGerald, President of the Royal British Legion Dartmoor Branch
    Darryl Newman, Nursing and Clinical Professions Recruitment Lead and Armed Forces Champion, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
    Consort Cllr Mark Coker, Plymouth City Council
    Cllr Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities
    Lewis Elliot, Sea Cadet
    Jon Beake, Defence Relationship Management in the SW, Wessex RCFA

    Plymouth’s Armed Forces Covenant is launching a new theme group to help enable better access to local employment, skills and training opportunities for military service leavers, working-age veterans, military family spouses, partners and young people.

    Last year, the Council renewed its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

    The Armed Forces Covenant is a nationwide agreement between the armed forces community, the nation and the government.

    One of the commitments from signing the Covenant, is to establish better job and training opportunities for members of the Armed Forces community.

    Led by Plymouth City Council’s Skills Launchpad Plymouth team, the representatives of the group are:

    • Plymouth’s Veterans and Families Hub
    • Forces Employment Charity
    • Career Transition Partnership
    • The Royal Marines Charity
    • Department for Work and Pensions.

    With strong involvement from local employers who are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant including University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Babcock, Livewell Southwest, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wolferstans Solicitors and Plymouth City Bus.

    A launch event was held today to bring together a key group of people who will be involved in this work and to raise the profile of the Armed Forces Covenant with the local business community.

    Deputy Lord Mayor and Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Pauline Murphy, said: “Working in city-wide partnership, we want to recognise, communicate and seek to reduce the challenges faced by those within the Armed Forces community.

    “As a proud military city, I am delighted that we are launching Plymouth’s new vision for enabling better access to local employment and future careers. We are pro-actively engaging with our business community to increase commitment for the Armed Forces Covenant and want to create a win-win to help solve recruitment challenges in the city as we promote the highly transferrable skills and talent of our military community.

    “We are excited to support this joined up approach which builds on the Council’s renewal last year and strong commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.”

    Attendees at the theme group launch event held 30 January 2025 at the Council House

    Speaking at the launch event, Darryl Newman, Nursing and Clinical Professions Recruitment Lead and Armed Forces Champion at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said: “I’m proud to be chairing the Armed Forces Future Careers and Employers Group to support our city’s Armed Forces Community.

    “The Armed Forces Future Careers and Employers Group will bring together employers across the city to identify, support and grow employment for the Armed Forces Community across Plymouth, whilst sharing best practice.”

    Representing the Royal Navy, Andrew McConochie, Lieutenant Commander said: “With Plymouth being home to the largest naval base in Western Europe with the highest concentration of veterans in England, this new coordinated approach will provide significant value to serving personnel in planning their local employment and future career transitions, along with valuable support for their families, helping to both attract and retain talent in the city.” 

    Luke Pollard MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport shared his best wishes for a successful launch of the new theme group. He said: “I am so proud of my home city of Plymouth for stepping up to enhance localised employment and training support for our valued Armed Forces community. By fostering this new collaboration between local, regional and national service providers, and building better awareness of the increasing investment and growth in jobs and career pathways available in the city, we can create a brighter future.

    “We greatly appreciate the businesses who have already pledged their support for the Armed Forces Covenant, and I’d encourage more Plymouth organisations to become part of the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme so that we can achieve even more positive outcomes together.”

    To find out more and to get involved, email [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Study shows potential of resveratrol to aid fertility

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    New research indicates that a natural compound found in the skin of grapes, blueberries and raspberries has the potential to improve female fertility.

    The systematic review into resveratrol, which is a polyphenolic compound known for its antiaging, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

    Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), alongside colleagues from Italy, South Korea and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, examined all previously published research on resveratrol and female reproductive health.

    By collating and reviewing results from 24 in vitro and in vivo studies, involving a total of 9,563 human participants, they found evidence to suggest resveratrol can improve the quantity and quality of egg cells, called oocytes.

    Four studies specifically investigated resveratrol in connection with the quantity of matured oocytes. Two of these reported an increase, while two found no significant differences. Additionally, two studies assessed the quality of matured oocytes and both reported an improvement amongst women who took resveratrol.

    A possible explanation is that resveratrol reduces oxidative stress, helping to protect mitochondrial DNA from damage and enhance telomerase activity, to reduce cellular aging. Resveratrol also activates the molecule sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which is typically reduced in aged oocytes, therefore potentially slowing cell aging and extending ovarian lifespan.

    The review also found evidence that resveratrol could potentially treat infertility associated with endometriosis, and have positive effects on polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity-related infertility, by inhibiting pathways involved in androgen production and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

    Crucially, the review found mixed results regarding miscarriage and pregnancy data. Five studies reported on pregnancy rates, with two indicating an increase, two found no difference, and one reporting a decrease amongst those taking resveratrol. The same study that noted a decrease in pregnancy rates also reported an increase in miscarriage rates, while a second study found no difference.

    Resveratrol is generally considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts through diet and through supplements, in doses up to five grams a day for a month, although the safety of high-dose supplementation, particularly over long periods, remains unclear.

    “Our systematic review on resveratrol and female fertility is a comprehensive overview of all current research, and it highlights the compound’s potential to improve reproductive outcomes and possibly pave the way for new, less invasive treatments, using natural substances.

    “However, our findings are based on a number of limitations, including the limited number of human studies, the different parameters of each study and the lack of robust data on dosage and side effects, particularly related to birth defects or foetal abnormalities.

    “Therefore, there is a need for further clinical trials, involving human participants, in order to translate these promising results into practical recommendations for women looking to improve their fertility, including guidance on the safe and effective dosage of resveratrol.”

    Lee Smith, Professor of Public Health at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and senior author of the paper

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Risk Strategies Acquires Comprehensive Benefits, Inc. and Gabrielson Insurance & Financial Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Risk Strategies, a leading national specialty insurance brokerage and risk management firm, today announced the acquisition of Comprehensive Benefits, Inc. and Gabrielson Insurance & Financial Services, both located in the Greater Detroit area. The joint acquisition preserves an established working relationship between the two partner companies, providing increased capabilities for the clients of two established specialists. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    Founded in 1989 and based in Southfield, Michigan, Comprehensive Benefits offers a full range of employee benefits services for both fully insured and self-funded programs for organizations. Its offerings and capabilities include medical coverage, large group benefit planning, personal life insurance, and long-term care solutions.

    “This acquisition represents a unique opportunity to bring in an existing business partnership and add real specialty talent to our practice,” said John Greenbaum, National Employee Benefits Practice Leader, Risk Strategies. “These are organizations that have built success based on deep, specialized expertise. I’m excited to welcome them to the team at Risk Strategies.”

    Gabrielson Insurance & Financial Services has a complementary focus, offering services in its employee benefits work similar in scope to Comprehensive Benefits. Gabrielson Insurance client organizations are also similar in size, scope and industry to those of Comprehensive Benefits, and there are synergies among the players.

    “Joining Risk Strategies is the right move for our organizations, our people, and our clients,” said Mike Embry, President, Comprehensive Benefits, Inc.

    Embry is an industry veteran with over 35 years of specialty experience helping clients develop and manage employee benefits programs. He has held several industry leadership positions in Michigan, including President of the Michigan Association of Health Underwriters (AHU) and President of Metro Detroit AHU. In 2018, Embry also served as President of the National Association of Health Underwriters Board of Trustees.

    “We saw this as a great opportunity to formally bring our organizations together under the umbrella of a specialty organization with the capabilities to open new possibilities for our clients and people,” added Phil Gabrielson, Founder, Gabrielson Insurance & Financial Services.

    “It’s great to have Mike and Phil and their teams aboard as we build out our footprint and benefits expertise in Michigan and the upper Midwest,” said Steve Giannone, Central Region Leader, Risk Strategies. “In today’s employee benefits world, clients are demanding deep expertise to help them make effective choices that deliver for employees and business goals.”

    In February of 2024, Risk Strategies grew its presence in Michigan with the purchase of the Ralph C. Wilson Agency Inc. With the addition of Comprehensive Benefits and Gabrielson, Risk Strategies creates new opportunities for clients of both acquired organizations to leverage 30 specialty practices, and broad expertise and capabilities, while preserving the personalized service on which they’ve come to rely.

    To learn more about Risk Strategies, please visit riskstrategies.com. 

    About Risk Strategies 

    Risk Strategies, part of Accession Risk Management Group, is a North American specialty brokerage firm offering comprehensive risk management services, property and casualty insurance and reinsurance placement, employee benefits, private client services, consulting services, and financial & wealth solutions. The 9th largest U.S. privately held broker, we advise businesses and personal clients, have access to all major insurance markets, and 30+ specialty industry and product line practices and experts in 200+ offices – Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Grand Cayman, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, DC. RiskStrategies.com. 

    Media Contact

    Alana Bannan

    Senior Account Executive

    360-975-1812

    Rsc@matternow.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A third of birthing women vaccinated in the first month of RSV offer

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Over a third of women giving birth got the new RSV vaccine in September, protecting newborns from severe illness.

    The new maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine rolled out in September saw more than 1 in 3 women giving birth take up the offer during the first month, giving vital protection to newborns from the first day of life against what can be a severe and life-threatening illness.

    UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data from NHS GP practice records shows 33.6% of women who delivered in September had the RSV vaccine.

    With women delivering in September having a relatively short window to take up the offer, the data shows the new maternal RSV programme got off to a positive start in its first month of introduction. Further coverage data for October births, with pregnant women having had a longer window in which to get vaccinated, will be published in a month’s time.

    The most recent week-to-week data from the NHS in England shows that over 140,000 pregnant women have now been vaccinated since the programme launched in September.

    Pregnant women should be offered their RSV vaccine around the time of the 28-week antenatal appointment. Anyone who hasn’t heard by this stage should contact their maternity service or GP practice to make an appointment to ensure they don’t leave their newborn vulnerable to the virus.

    The data shows considerable variability in uptake by ethnic group ranging from 11% in women of mixed white and black Caribbean ethnicity to over 50% in white Irish and Chinese ethnic groups.

    RSV accounts for around 30,000 hospitalisations of children under 5 in the UK every year, and tragically causes 20 to 30 infant deaths.

    Despite infecting around 90% of children within the first 2 years of life, RSV is not something that many people are aware of. It typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis and is a leading cause of infant mortality globally.

    Having the vaccine during every pregnancy is the best way to protect your baby against RSV, as the vaccine boosts your immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus, and these then pass through the placenta to help protect your baby from the day they are born.

    To highlight the important protection provided by the RSV vaccine offered in pregnancy, UKHSA has produced new materials for pregnant women. These resources help to explain the impact of RSV infection and how by getting the RSV vaccine in pregnancy, women help protect their babies in the first few months of life when they are most at risk. The resources also act as a visual reminder to get vaccinated.

    Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist, UKHSA, said:

    The RSV vaccine offers a vital opportunity for any mums-to-be to protect their babies from severe RSV lung infection and it’s encouraging to see the RSV programme getting off to such a positive start with over a third of women who gave birth in September having had the vaccine.

    Every year in the UK around 30,000 under 5s are hospitalised, and tragically RSV causes 20 to 30 infant deaths. That is why every pregnant woman is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as they reach 28 weeks – providing protection for their newborn against RSV in the vulnerable early months of life.

    Steve Russell, NHS England National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, said:

    Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, 140,000 pregnant women have had the RSV vaccine since we began offering it in September, with vaccination and maternity teams across the country raising awareness and making it as easy as possible for those eligible to get the life-saving jab.

    With higher numbers of RSV cases circulating this winter is it vital you get protected if eligible – so please come forward and speak with your GP about getting your jab today.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Enriching Mentorship to Ensure Success in Grad School

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Navigating grad school can feel daunting and challenging at times but having someone who can guide you and who knows how you feel is a key element to ensuring success.

    The Graduate School at UConn is committed to providing this support, and to help meet these goals, they created the Network for Enriched Mentorship, or NEM. Now in its second year of operation, the current cohort includes more than 70 faculty and staff members paired with over 85 students, says Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Department of Sociology Professor Mary Bernstein. NEM is aimed at providing support to students, but a key element is that it is also aimed at training mentors.

    “We are trying to create mechanisms, techniques, skills, and tools to have our faculty be as excellent as they can be, as far as their mentoring and advising with an eye to our minoritized populations, knowing that if we can make things better for this population, then it will make things better for everybody,” says Bernstein.

    NEM pairs mentors with experience in navigating the obstacles of graduate school with mentees in need of support. As part of The Graduate School’s commitment to graduate student success, Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science Mary Anne Amalaradjou and Neag School of Education Assistant Professor Chen Chen joined The Graduate School team serving as the program’s first two faculty affiliates for inclusive excellence. They have been instrumental in improving mentorship across campus, which included the creation of a mentor guide, a forthcoming mentee guide, and learning from other programs to help tailor the NEM program. In the new cycle, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Sustainability, Community, and Urban Studies (GSCU) Peter Chen is a new NEM program director, taking over from C. Chen.

    “We look for faculty and staff from across all colleges and units to serve as mentors. We had students from different units and the other campuses who wanted to have that mentoring experience,” says Amalaradjou.

    Potential mentees and mentors submit applications, and if chosen, they are paired based on various aspects, like interests, background, or other similarities,

    “We purposefully match students with mentors outside of their program because this is not meant to be career advice, it is meant to be another way to provide students with support or help navigating obstacles that they encounter in their departments,” says Bernstein.

    The program provides guidance on how to get the conversation started between newly matched mentors and mentees to help establish the enduring relationships that are so beneficial for graduate student success.

    “Particularly for a Ph.D. student, their advisor is one of the most important and influential relationships for that student, and it’s even more significant for a student that is perhaps first-gen in graduate school, or who comes from some other type of minoritized background,” says Assistant Dean of The Graduate School Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs Karen Bresciano. “We want to do our best to help faculty have the skills needed to be the best advisors and help students be the best mentees possible.”

    Bresciano says a third goal of the program is to help address what is called the “hidden curriculum,” which is the knowledge about higher education that a student with family members who have already navigated the process can impart, but if you are a first-generation student, you have to learn firsthand.

    Amalaradjou says that one of the NEM events they planned included support services from around campus, including Student Health and Wellness, the Ombuds Office, and the Center for International Students and Scholars, to ensure that mentees and mentors are aware of what is available.

    “UConn is a big place, and we wanted to create a safe space where everyone had the opportunity to ask questions in person,” says Amalaradjou.

    Evidence of NEM’s success is seen in the program’s exit survey for the first cohort, says Amalaradjou, where mentees spoke highly of the program, and mentors expressed gratitude at being able to support students. Peter Chen recalls a story he heard from one of the mentees during the most recent event in December. The mentee was struggling and his NEM mentor invited him to their family’s Thanksgiving celebration.

    “That student was going through a very difficult time, academically and financially, and he really enjoyed this experience and appreciated the program.”

    The program provides a space to create a sense of community. In December, all students were invited to the “NEM Happy Hour,” where they had the opportunity to meet other mentees, enjoy food, chat, and play trivia games. The event was well attended despite the cold evening after a snowy day.

    “They were sharing their experiences about using the resources on campus and sharing conversations. It was a good downtime for the students before the semester ended. They were asking when the next event will be. We hope to have another one towards the end of the spring semester,” says Chen.

    Beyond the physical gathering, a Slack group has been established to keep the NEM students connected across distances.

    The NEM program is also a great way to hone mentoring skills since mentor training is now mandatory for new faculty at UConn.

    “Mentorship is not taught, and it is very much like parenting,” says Bernstein. “You’re not really taught what works and what doesn’t, and what works for you may not work for somebody else. There are fundamental skills and ways you can align expectations to improve the mentoring experience, both for faculty and for graduate students.”

    To recognize this important work, at the end of the program, the grad school sends out a letter to all mentors that is also shared with their department head and the Dean as a way of recording the commitment of time outside of other responsibilities.

    “It’s important to support mentorship, which must be a university-wide commitment. It has to be acknowledged because much of faculty service isn’t rewarded or acknowledged,” says Bernstein. “There is a personal reward, but people are struggling to balance their research and their teaching and their other service obligations. We need to figure out how to improve that as a university, and we believe that this is a really important first step.”

    NEM is a valuable resource in addition to others offered by The Graduate School, including a series called Grad Chat to bring together members of the graduate community to support one another with a focus on identity-based groups, says Bresciano, who spoke about a recent Grad Chat event:

    “It was a feel-good event. I left feeling very encouraged that this is meeting the needs of our students. They want to be supported, to support one another, to learn from one another, and they want to meet each other and people outside of their departments. They like the idea of these conversations being open to the graduate population, focusing on different topics.”

    Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Support, Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs Kimberly Curry mentions another new resource that was created to respond to student feedback.

    “I’m a newer member of The Graduate School, and I’m learning about what we offer through The Graduate School,” Curry says. “One of those resources is the Timely Topics series for graduate students, which started last fall, and the feedback has been outstanding. We’ve talked about issues like managing or working with your advisor, how to have difficult conversations, and other topics that are pertinent to the graduate population. That’s a resource that students are plugging into and really feeling supported and heard.”

    Simply knowing that such resources are available can be helpful for students, says Bernstein:

    “Fostering these connections and relationships helps everyone be successful. It’s clear that our graduate students are looking for ways to connect with each other, with other faculty, and anybody who can be a point of connection for them at the university. Even just knowing that such a program exists can make someone feel not quite so alone. As a queer person who’s also first gen, I would have benefited tremendously from such a program. It would have been really nice to have someone along the give me some guidance.”

    NEM is always in search of new mentors. If you want to become a mentor, please visit the Network for Enriched Mentorship website to learn more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Drug Screening Market Is Forecasted to Reach $19.5 Billion By 2029

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Due to the expanding consumption of illicit drugs & alcohol across the globe the Drug Screening market is poised to grow substantially in the coming years. Drug abuse and alcohol consumption are growing worldwide. According to the World Drug Report 2023, in 2021, 1 in every 17 people aged 15–64 in the world had used a drug in the past 12 months. The number of users grew from 240 million in 2011 to 296 million in 2021 or 5.8% of the global population aged 15-64. This is a 23% increase, partly due to population growth. Other drugs like Cannabis the second most used drug, with an estimated 219 million users i.e. 4.3% of the global adult population in 2021. In 2021, according to the US Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, i.e. a 14% rise from last year. A report from MarketsAndMarkets projected that: “The global drug screening market, valued at US$7.7 billion in 2023, is forecasted to grow at a robust CAGR of 16.6%, reaching US$9.1 billion in 2024 and an impressive US$19.5 billion by 2029.North America dominates the drug screening market. This market is projected to reach USD 9.3 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 16.4% during the forecast period. The expanding consumption of illicit drugs & alcohol will advance raise the development of drug screening products & services on the road, thereby driving the overall market growth.”   Active companies in news today include:   Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: INBS), Cardio Diagnostics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDIO), bioAffinity Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIAF), Trinity Biotech plc (NASDAQ: TRIB), SOBR Safe, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOBR).

    The MarketsAndMarkets report said: “The growth of the drug screening market is driven by the growing drug & alcohol consumption and the enforcement of stringent laws mandating drug & alcohol testing. Rising regulatory approvals for new product & service launches would offer lucrative growth opportunities for market players in the coming years. The APAC market is projected to register the highest growth in the forecast period due to growing illicit consumption of drugs, the developing healthcare infrastructure, and the rising adoption of stringent regulatory guidelines for drug testing.”

    Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: INBS) Adds Quantum TM to 400+ Account Portfolio Utilizing Breakthrough Fingerprint Drug Testing – Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc. (“INBS” or the “Company”), a medical technology company delivering intelligent, rapid, non-invasive testing solutions, announced that Quantum Traffic Management (“Quantum TM”), a leading UK-based traffic management provider, has adopted INBS’ Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Testing Solution across its 10 nationwide sites to increase workplace testing efficiency and safety.

    With over 30 years of industry experience, Quantum TM operates across the utilities, highways, rail, local authority, and events sectors. Previously, Quantum TM relied on saliva and urine testing through external occupational health providers; however, the delays and inefficiencies associated with these methods prompted the company to explore a quicker and more hygienic alternative. INBS’ fingerprint sweat-based system enables Quantum TM to conduct on-the-spot drug screening in-house, facilitating rapid decision-making and improved operational efficiency.

    “The Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Testing Solution provides us with greater control when it comes to drug testing. Having previously faced delays with our former saliva and urine drug testing methods, we needed to find an effective solution that we could manage in-house and increase our testing productivity,” said Scott Powell, Managing Director at Quantum TM. “Intelligent Bio Solutions’ technology enables us to do this, and we have already improved our testing efficiency with rapid, non-invasive screening.” CONTINUED…   Read this entire press release for INBS at: https://ibs.inc/news-and-media/

    In Additional News This Week, Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: INBS) Partners with IVY Diagnostics to Expand in Europe’s $3.6 Billion Drug Screening Market and in Middle Eastern Regions – Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc. also announced the strengthening of its foothold throughout Europe and the Middle East through its partnership with IVY Diagnostics Srl (“IVY Diagnostics”). As a key distributor, IVY Diagnostics is playing an integral role in expanding the adoption of INBS’ Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Testing Solution across Europe and the Middle East, with a particular focus on drug rehabilitation and law enforcement applications.

    According to Grand View Research, the European and Middle Eastern drug screening markets are projected to grow significantly by 2030, with Europe expected to reach $3.6 billion and the Middle East and Africa $432.7 million. This growing demand emphasizes the strategic importance of INBS’ partnership with IVY Diagnostics.

    IVY Diagnostics, a well-known consulting and distribution company within the diagnostics, life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors, has collaborated with another Italian distributor to secure a tender to provide INBS’ drug screening technology for drug rehabilitation programs across Italy. The solution offers a non-invasive, rapid, and hygienic method for drug screening, which has been well received by rehabilitation centers aiming to enhance their testing protocols. In addition to its success in rehabilitation services, INBS’ drug screening system is currently undergoing a trial with the local police force in Turin. The trial aims to explore the effectiveness of fingerprint-based drug testing in roadside screening initiatives, offering a more efficient, less invasive alternative to the traditional methods currently used.

    As the demand for drug screening solutions rises across Europe and the Middle East, INBS’ collaboration with IVY Diagnostics positions the Company to effectively capture new opportunities. IVY Diagnostics serves as INBS’ primary contact in Europe, leveraging its extensive network of distributors and expertise in identifying and vetting new partners across key regions, including Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Scandinavia. The collaboration extends to the Middle East, targeting markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.   CONTINUED…   Read this entire press release for INBS at: https://ibs.inc/news-and-media/

    In other developments in the markets of note:

    Cardio Diagnostics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDIO) recently announced that the Company’s PrecisionCHD and Epi+Gen CHD tests have received final pricing determinations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Following the preliminary pricing determination made by CMS in August 2024, CMS finalized the ‘gapfill’ pricing determination for both PrecisionCHD and Epi+Gen CHD. This decision will be effective for claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2025, and will allow Medicare contractors to determine pricing for PrecisionCHD and Epi+Gen CHD based on actual cost data from Cardio Diagnostics. The Medicare contractors will report to CMS preliminary gapfill pricing for calendar year 2025 by April 1, 2025.

    “Receiving this final determination is a crucial step for our innovative solutions to help improve the risk assessment, diagnosis, management and monitoring of coronary heart disease (CHD) for Medicare patients,” said Meesha Dogan, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of Cardio Diagnostics. “This milestone brings us closer to addressing the significant unmet needs in cardiovascular care for the Medicare population, enabling clinicians to better personalize treatment strategies and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

    bioAffinity Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIAF) recently announced that the Australian Patent Office (IP Australia), has accepted bioAffinity’s patent application for the method of predicting the likelihood of lung cancer used by the CyPath® Lung diagnostic test for early-stage lung cancer.

    The Australian patent application, titled “Detection of Early-Stage Lung Cancer in Sputum Using Automated Flow Cytometry and Machine Learning,” will be an important addition to bioAffinity Technologies’ patent portfolio, which includes 17 awarded U.S. and foreign patents and 38 pending patent applications related to its diagnostic platform and cancer treatment therapeutics. Once issued, the Australian patent will expire in 2042 and will be the second awarded for the CyPath® Lung flow cytometry test as a stand-alone assay for the detection of lung cancer.

    Trinity Biotech plc (NASDAQ: TRIB) recently announced compelling results from its latest pre-pivotal clinical trial for its next-generation continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system. The pre-pivotal clinical trial, which included 30 diabetic participants—primarily individuals with Type 1 diabetes—represents a significant milestone in Trinity’s mission to deliver affordable, high-performance CGM technology.

    Trinity Biotech’s redesigned ergonomic modular device features a reusable applicator and a rechargeable wearable transmitter that eliminates costly disposable components while delivering a seamless user experience. By using more durable, reusable components, enabled by Trinity’s proprietary self-inserting sensor technology, the Trinity CGM is designed to deliver care at a significantly lower cost than today’s two largest manufacturers. By addressing affordability—a key barrier to adoption of this life changing technology —Trinity’s innovative approach has the potential to bring CGM technology to millions of individuals who have been priced out of the market. This disruptive design not only expands access but also redefines sustainability in the CGM space, further differentiating Trinity’s solution from current market leaders.

    SOBR Safe, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOBR) recently announced the new release of SOBRsure™, a revolutionary wristband device designed to detect the presence of alcohol in individuals, supporting sobriety and empowering recovery. Available to purchase today, SOBRsure introduces an enhanced app experience and a new, sleekly-designed wristband that uses advanced transdermal technology to detect alcohol through the skin. This innovative device serves as a powerful monitoring and accountability tool for families, businesses and individuals alike.

    “We believe that SOBRsure is not just a technological breakthrough; it’s a lifeline to those navigating alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the path to sobriety,” said David Gandini, CEO of SOBRsafe. “With SOBRsure, we provide an accountability tool that not only supports individuals on their sobriety journey but also offers peace of mind to their families and employers.”

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Traliant introduces new cultural competence training to drive workplace collaboration and innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Traliant, a leader in online compliance training, today announced the launch of its new Cultural Competence training, designed to empower employees and managers to navigate and thrive in diverse workplace environments.

    In an increasingly global and interconnected business landscape, cultural competence has become more than just a soft skill — it’s a strategic advantage. Traliant’s training highlights how mastering cultural competence enhances collaboration, reduces costly miscommunications and fosters innovation by leveraging diverse perspectives. With practical strategies and real-world scenarios, the course equips employees to build stronger relationships, handle differences constructively and create an environment where diverse teams can excel.

    “Organizations today are seeking measurable ways to boost productivity, retain top talent and drive innovation,” said Mike Dahir, CEO at Traliant. “Cultural competence training goes beyond inclusion; it directly impacts the bottom line by enhancing team dynamics, reducing turnover and positioning organizations to succeed in diverse markets.”

    Toxic workplace cultures cost U.S. companies $223 billion. Traliant’s training addresses these challenges by reducing microaggressions, unconscious bias and communication barriers — helping organizations build trust, retain talent, and achieve better results.

    Traliant also released new Cultural Competence in Healthcare training for clinicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals designed to improve patient outcomes and align with state and federal standards. This specialized course provides healthcare professionals with actionable insights into understanding patients’ cultural contexts, enabling them to deliver improved patient outcomes through more effective and personalized care.

    To learn more about Traliant’s innovative training solutions, visit: https://www.traliant.com/.

    About Traliant
    Traliant, a leader in compliance training, is on a mission to help make workplaces better, for everyone. Committed to a customer promise of “compliance you can trust, training you will love,” Traliant delivers continuously compliant online courses, backed by an unparalleled in-house legal team, with engaging, story-based training designed to create truly enjoyable learning experiences.

    Traliant supports over 14,000 organizations worldwide with a library of curated essential courses to broaden employee perspectives, achieve compliance and elevate workplace culture, including sexual harassment training, diversity training, code of conduct training, and many more.  

    Backed by PSG, a leading growth equity firm, Traliant holds a coveted position on Inc.’s 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America for four consecutive years, along with numerous awards for its products and workplace culture. For more information, visit http://www.traliant.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    Contact
    Reagan Bennet
    traliant@v2comms.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Turning the tide of hepatitis C treatment in Machar Colony, Pakistan

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    In southern Pakistan’s Sindh province, on the edge of Karachi’s bustling fish harbour, sits Machar Colony. It is an informal settlement where life is harsh, often unkind, and plagued by overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited access to basic services. The community’s struggles with health and well-being have long been exacerbated by these conditions, leaving residents vulnerable to a range of medical issues. 

    Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) had been providing essential healthcare services in Machar Colony since 2012, offering emergency services, maternal health, and general health consultations. However, as the years progressed, MSF’s team noticed troubling patterns at our health clinic.  

    “Many residents started coming in with symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, decreased appetite, fever, or sometimes infection signs that hinted at a serious health issue,” says Dr Khawar Aslam, the project’s medical lead, who has been working with the team since 2014.

    “As we investigated further, we found that a significant number of these cases were related to hepatitis C, a viral infection that affects the liver and can lead to severe health complications.” 

    “Notably, during that time, Pakistan had the second-highest hepatitis C disease burden globally, and had already initiated its national hepatitis control programme in 2005,” says Dr Aslam. 

    A skilled lab technician carefully sets up a cartridge for accurate hepatitis C testing with the GeneXpert® at the MSF clinic in Machar Colony, Karachi, Pakistan, April 2024.
    Asim Hafeez

    Hepatitis C transmission in Pakistan is largely driven by inadequate sterilization of medical equipment and the improper reuse of needles and syringes. Contaminated blood transfusions also pose a significant risk. Common practices like barbering, tattooing, and piercing are contributing to the spread of the virus, as equipment is often not properly sterilized. In addition to these factors, the growing issue of intravenous drug use is also fuelling the transmission of hepatitis C in Pakistan.  

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of April 2024, Pakistan has the highest number of viral hepatitis C infections in the world, with around 8.8 million cases. The country accounts for 44 per cent of all new hepatitis C infections attributed to unsafe medical injections. People are usually screened for hepatitis C only when they start showing signs of liver disease, which is often too late. If left untreated for too long, hepatitis C can progress to severe liver disease and even liver cancer. 

    “Even those who recognised their condition, either elsewhere or at our clinic, often faced obstacles to treatment, including high costs and the challenge of travelling to distant hospitals.” 

    “Residents have limited income sources, primarily relying on fishing, daily wage work, or small-scale businesses, which barely cover their daily needs,” Dr Aslam continues.

    “Additionally, upon referrals to other hospitals, identity cards were required for hepatitis C care; however, most of the community in Machar Colony was undocumented, so they were refused treatment.”

    Recognising the urgent need for action, in 2015 MSF started a comprehensive programme to provide free testing and treatment directly to residents. The hepatitis C services were integrated into the existing healthcare facility, allowing our teams to reach people who would otherwise remain unaware of their condition. In 2018, we closed our basic healthcare services and shifted our focus solely to the treatment of hepatitis C patients. 

    During a mobile clinic in Machar Colony, Karachi, MSF nurse Aman Ullah explains more about the symptoms of hepatitis C, how it affects people, and what measures can be taken to prevent it, Pakistan, November 2023.
    Gul Nayab/MSF

    “My wife was diagnosed with hepatitis C about a year ago and received successful treatment at the MSF clinic in Machar Colony,” says Javeed Ali, one of the programme’s patients.

    “When I subsequently developed symptoms such as leg and back pain, as well as weakness, I sought medical attention and was referred to the MSF clinic.” 

    “Inspired by my wife’s positive experience, I underwent testing and was diagnosed with hepatitis C,” says Ali. “I then completed a three-month treatment course, and fortunately, my follow-up test results were negative. My wife and I are both now in good health.” 

    To effectively address the crisis, MSF implemented a proactive strategy focused on community engagement. In a basic healthcare setup, free-of-charge hepatitis C services including screening, diagnosis, treatment, health education, and patient support were provided under one roof.  

    Between 2022 and 2024, MSF teams conducted widespread testing, going door-to-door and using mobile vans to offer in-home testing for residents aged 12 and older. This approach, called ‘bending the curve’, ensured that no one was overlooked and that those who tested positive were quickly referred for treatment, helping to bend the curve of hepatitis C prevalence in the community. 

    “By offering free services in one location, we made it easier for people to access care,” says Dr Aslam. 

    MSF also collaborated with the Ministry of Health to bring hepatitis C care closer to the community. In August 2022, we established a treatment facility at the Baldia town rural health centre, in Kemari district, Karachi. In this initiative, patients referred from Baldia hospitals’ outpatient departments, and those identified by community health workers, were screened for hepatitis C. The community health workers were trained to educate the community about hepatitis C risk factors and prevention.  

    Patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C received treatment for 12 or 24 weeks, depending on the severity of their liver disease. Additionally, all patients were offered hepatitis B vaccination to prevent future infections. This centre, handed over to the Ministry of Health in August 2023, serves as a crucial hub for hepatitis C treatment in the region. It is equipped with modern diagnostic tools and is now recognised as a key site for hepatitis care in Sindh province. 

    MSF team members during an outreach activity to find and support hepatitis C patients in a neighborhood of Machar Colony, Karachi, Pakistan, April 2024.
    Asim Hafeez

    In addition to reducing hepatitis C, MSF also played a vital role in Machar Colony during the COVID-19 pandemic. We supported vaccination efforts in Machar Colony and surrounding areas, ensuring residents received vital information about COVID-19 symptoms, prevention, and vaccination. MSF teams also distributed reusable masks and soap to help the community stay safe during the pandemic.

    As our hepatitis C programme concludes, the results are clear: thousands of lives have been transformed, and the rate of new infections has significantly declined. While hepatitis C remains a challenge in Machar Colony, the alarming spread has been curtailed, thanks to widespread awareness and early detection. 

    MSF has achieved the target of mobilising nearly 100 per cent of the community for hepatitis C awareness, and screening more than 72 per cent of residents.  Between 2015 and 2024, MSF screened over 129,922 individuals in our clinic and in the community, undertook 64,984 consultations for hepatitis C at the MSF clinic, performed 25,553 diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, and provided treatment to over 9,398 patients. Among them, 6,909 completed their treatment. Of the remaining people, 2,061 were lost to follow-up without completing treatment, 176 with completed treatment were lost to follow-up, 14 people died during this period, while for the remaining 50 people, either treatment was not completed or follow-up stopped. Of the 6,909 completed treatments, 6,755 were cured of hepatitis C, which is 93.3 per cent, while the remaining 459 failed treatment. The success of MSF’s treatment initiatives will serve as a model for similar programmes in other underserved communities across Pakistan. 

    Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) first began working in Pakistan in 1986 and currently provides a range of health services across all four provinces of the country, including maternal and child healthcare, primary healthcare, treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), and ongoing emergency responses. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Meet the Richmonds: A Navy Family Committed to Advancing Navy Medicine Through Service

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Story by: Lieutenant Julius C. Wiseman III, DBA, MBA, MPS, USNMRTC Sigonella

    SIGONELLA, Sicily – In a remarkable testament to dedication and service, Petty Officers Samantha and Albert Richmond recently celebrated a significant milestone in their military careers. Last November, they were both promoted, earning the distinguished title of Hospital Corpsman First Class (HM1). This achievement is not merely a rank; it symbolizes their unwavering commitment to the Navy and their pivotal roles in enhancing Navy Medicine.

    The story of the Richmonds is one of serendipity and shared purpose. Both Petty Officers arrived at the United States Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella, in Sicily, Italy, in 2022, drawn by their respective duties within the Navy. Although their paths diverged before this point, it was in this picturesque Mediterranean locale that their lives intertwined. In 2023, they not only solidified their bond through marriage but also welcomed their daughter, Danielle, into the world, marking a new chapter in their family’s journey.

    Samantha Richmond, hailing from the small, close-knit town of Saint Marys, Georgia, has been a beacon of resilience and service since enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 2013. Her career has taken her to various esteemed commands, including Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Pensacola, the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and the USS PORT ROYAL (CG-73). During her tenure aboard the USS PORT ROYAL, she completed a notable Fifth Fleet deployment and two Seventh Fleet deployments in the Western Pacific, experiences that have enriched her medical expertise and honed her leadership skills. Currently, HM1 Samantha Richmond serves in the Multi-Service Ward, where she has taken on the critical role of Leading Petty Officer. In this capacity, she not only oversees the day-to-day operations of the ward but also ensures that her team is well-coordinated and prepared to meet the diverse medical needs of service members from various branches. Her leadership extends beyond patient care; she also serves as the Assistant Security Manager for the Command, which underscores her versatility and commitment to maintaining the safety and security of her fellow personnel.

    When asked about her favorite aspect of her job, Samantha responded with heartfelt sincerity, “My favorite part of the job has always been helping people, in all aspects, administratively and through patient care.” This statement reflects her deep-rooted passion for service and her belief in the importance of compassion and support in the healthcare environment. Whether she is managing administrative tasks or providing direct patient care, her goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of those she serves.

    Samantha also shared her perspective on what serving in the Navy means to her personally. “Serving to me means embracing a lifestyle that sometimes requires long periods away from home and committing to defend national security,” she explained. This sentiment captures the essence of military life, where personal sacrifice is often required in the name of a greater cause. For Samantha, the challenges of military service are balanced by the profound sense of purpose that comes from contributing to the safety and well-being of her country.
    In reflecting on her journey, she identifies the birth of their daughter, Danielle, and being promoted alongside her husband, Albert, as her most noteworthy accomplishments. These milestones not only represent personal triumphs but also signify the strength of their partnership as they navigate the complexities of military life together.

    HM1 Albert Richmond, a dedicated member of the U.S. Navy, was born and raised in the vibrant and diverse urban environment of Southeast San Diego, California. Growing up in such a dynamic city, he was surrounded by a rich tapestry of cultures and experiences that shaped his outlook on life and his aspirations for the future. Albert cites his upbringing as a significant motivator in his decision to enlist in the Navy. “Lessons that I learned from my hometown that have stuck with me to this day are that we can choose whether to be products of our environment or representations of something greater. I chose to be a representation as a United States Sailor,” HM1 Richmond reflected. This powerful statement encapsulates his commitment to rise above challenges and embody the values of honor, courage, and commitment that define the Navy.

    In just eight years of service, Petty Officer Albert Richmond has already made an impressive mark on his military career. He has completed three deployments, including significant contributions to Operation Inherent Resolve, a mission aimed at combating terrorism in the Middle East, and Cobra Gold, a multinational military exercise conducted annually in Thailand that enhances interoperability among allied forces. His experience with a Special Marine Group Task Force during these missions has equipped him with a wealth of knowledge and skills, further solidifying his role as a competent and reliable service member.

    Albert’s previous command at the 1st Marine Division allowed him to hone his skills in a fast-paced and demanding environment, preparing him for the challenges he would face in subsequent roles. Now stationed at USNMRTC Sigonella, he has taken on a pivotal role as the Command’s Career Counselor. In this capacity, he plays an essential part in shaping the futures of his fellow sailors. His mentorship has had a direct and positive impact on retention rates, as he works diligently to help sailors navigate their career paths, set goals, and develop visions for their futures. Albert’s commitment to fostering professional growth within the ranks exemplifies his dedication to the Navy and its personnel.

    Simultaneously, he also serves as the Leading Petty Officer of the Flight Line Clinic, where he oversees operations and ensures that the medical needs of personnel are met efficiently and effectively. This dual role showcases his ability to balance multiple responsibilities while maintaining a high standard of care and leadership. Albert’s contributions to both the Career Counseling program and the Flight Line Clinic illustrate his unwavering commitment to the Navy’s mission and the well-being of his fellow sailors.

    The Richmonds are just one example of the many co-spouses who serve within the ranks of the United States Navy, embodying the unique challenges and rewards that come with dual-military careers. As they embark on their next adventure, they are en route to Japan, where they will be stationed on the beautiful and strategically significant Island of Okinawa. This move represents not only a new chapter in their professional lives but also an opportunity to immerse themselves in a rich cultural environment that is steeped in history and tradition.

    HM1 Samantha Richmond will continue her mission at United States Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Okinawa, where she will apply her extensive experience and dedication to enhancing medical readiness and patient care. Meanwhile, HM1 Albert Richmond will be returning to his roots with the Marine Corps at the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF). This assignment is particularly meaningful for him, as it allows him to reconnect with the Marine Corps legacy that has shaped his military journey.

    Together, the Richmonds stand as a guiding light of inspiration to many within the military community. Their journey exemplifies the resilience and adaptability required of dual military families, showcasing how they can successfully navigate the complexities of service while maintaining their family bond. Their experiences serve as a testament to how the Navy actively supports dual military families, offering resources and programs designed to help them thrive both personally and professionally.

    As they look toward the future, the Richmonds undoubtedly have bright prospects ahead of them in the United States Navy. Their dedication to service, commitment to one another, and willingness to embrace new challenges will continue to inspire those around them. In a world where military families often face unique hurdles, the Richmond story highlights the strength found in partnership, shared values, and a common mission, reinforcing the idea that together, they can achieve great things both in their careers and as a family.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foundation works start for new look Bilston Outdoor Market

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Following the traders’ temporary relocation, the site has undergone comprehensive surveys, asbestos remediation, mine investigation and grouting, and demolition of the existing market stalls and public toilet block.

    Midlands based contractor, Speller Metcalfe, has this week started works to create the slab foundation for the new £5.2 million market – funded by UK Government.

    The redevelopment scheme is also part of the Bilston Health & Regeneration Programme (HaRP), with investment set to maximise the visibility of the market and improve the pedestrian access from the neighbouring bus/metro station.

    Some of the existing structures have been demolished to make way for a new facility to suit current and future requirements, while reconfiguring the existing uses and enhancing the entrance’s focal points to the indoor market. There will also be a flexible multi use events/market space created.

    Other improvements will include a full package of new signage, a complete renewal of all trader car parks and provision of a new taxi drop off adjacent to the existing bus/metro interchange, improved landscaping of public spaces, the introduction of new retail units and public toilets, and a taller canopy to cover the stalls.

    The Indoor Market remains open as usual during the works, while outdoor traders are temporarily based at Bert Turner Boulevard/High Street/Church Street, with opening days and times remaining the same: 8am to 3pm on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 7am to 1.30pm for the Bilston Sunday Market and Car Boot.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Resident Services, said: “It is good to see the project moving towards the main works with the foundations going down and we will soon see our fantastic new look market emerging from the ground.

    “We had good feedback from traders and residents throughout the consultation on this scheme and have developed attractive plans that will enhance Bilston market for everyone.

    “While the improvement works are taking place, I would urge visitors to get along to the indoor market and temporary outdoor market and continue to support their local traders.

    “It is important for our traditional local centres to flourish, and this scheme builds substantially on the investment already made in Bilston in recent years.”

    Rob Lashford, Director at Speller Metcalfe, said: “We’re pleased to be making headway on the redevelopment of Bilston Outdoor Market which is set to improve the market space for the local community and traders. We look forward to seeing how the enhancement works transform Bilston.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Trump’s meme coin is a cash grab

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Maximilian Brichta, Doctoral Student of Communication, University of Southern California

    The Trump meme coin has already attracted over a half-million buyers. Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    Three days before his presidential inauguration, Donald Trump launched a meme coin, a type of cryptocurrency whose value is buoyed by social media and internet culture, rather than any sort of functionality or intrinsic value.

    The coin – officially called $Trump – briefly ascended into the top 15 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization and attracted over a half-million buyers.

    Referencing the coin in a news conference on Jan. 21, 2025, a reporter asked Trump if he intended to continue selling products that benefited him personally while being president.

    “You made a lot of money [on $Trump], sir,” he told Trump, who seemed oblivious to its meteoric rise in value.

    “How much?” Trump asked.

    “Several billion dollars, it seems like, in the last couple days.”

    Donald Trump is asked about the successful launch of his new meme coin.

    Over the following week, various publications claimed the meme coin had “ballooned [Trump’s] net worth” making him a “crypto billionaire.”

    While it’s true that Trump stands to benefit handsomely from the meme coin and his other crypto ventures, the claims of Trump himself earning billions off it are overblown.

    Funny money or filch?

    Meme coins became popular in 2013 with the launch of Dogecoin, which its creators intended as a joke, spoofing the many other seemingly useless cryptocurrencies that were popping up at the time. It was never supposed to be a popular investment. The creators even attempted to make it as undesirable as possible to ensure it wouldn’t.

    Twelve years later, it remains in the top 10 cryptocurrencies and has inspired thousands of other meme coins to launch.

    In 2025, it’s cheaper and easier than ever to launch and trade these tokens.

    For example, all it takes to create a new coin on the website Pump.fun is a name, ticker symbol, description, image and the equivalent of roughly US$5 worth of cryptocurrency.

    Moonshot, the crypto exchange that Trump’s meme coin website routes interested buyers to, allows users to sign up in as little as 10 minutes. They’re then able to purchase the Trump coin and a slew of other meme coins.

    The vast majority of meme coins launched are dubious. Many are outright scams. For instance, in August 2024 the Instagram account of McDonald’s was hacked to advertise a meme coin named $Grimace in a nod to the fast-food chain’s purple mascot. After artificially inflating the price of the coin, the creators cashed out close to $700,000.

    There are countless other scam coins that fly under the radar using the same dynamic: generate hype, pump the price and dump on investors.

    Looking under the hood

    So how much might Trump and his associates actually benefit from his new meme coin and, more broadly, the “free-for-all” attitude his administration is taking toward the crypto industry?

    I study the gray area between participation and exploitation in crypto markets, and I dug deeper into the Trump meme coin.

    One way to assess whether a meme coin offering is a scam is to look at its “tokenomics” – that is, the predetermined number of units of its supply, how that supply is distributed and how much of it the creator gets to keep. The higher the percentage of the supply allocated to the creators, the more they can sell for profit. As media studies scholar Lana Swartz points out, creator tokens were originally intended for developers to crowdfund their startups. But with meme coins – which typically don’t claim to build anything – they exist to enrich their creators and, potentially, fund continued marketing of the coin.

    Unlike Dogecoin, which took a “fair launch” approach – meaning that its creators didn’t allocate a portion of the initial coins to themselves before allowing others to trade it – the majority of Trump tokens are allocated to its creators on a three-year-long distribution schedule.

    In fact, 80% of the coin supply will be distributed to the coin’s creators over the course of three years. In other words, the tokenomics of the Trump meme coin are set up so that its creators can slowly sell off their large supply without drastically manipulating its price. Rather than quickly pulling the rug from under investors’ feet, they can do it slowly.

    None of this is hidden information – the tokenomics of the Trump meme coin are featured prominently on the coin’s website.

    Notably, none of the people behind the coin will begin receiving portions of the supply until March 2025. The amount of profit they can reap will be based on future prices. At the time of this writing, the Trump meme coin was down roughly 60% from its peak.

    Who are these creators anyway? The various layers of limited liability companies behind the project, listed in fine print on the $Trump meme website, obscure which individuals stand to benefit.

    Presuming Trump is one of these creators, the president technically doesn’t have an allotment of the supply to cash out – not until March, at least.

    So, no, Trump didn’t make billions from the coin. But he still stands to potentially vacuum up millions of dollars from unwitting investors. Judging by the spike in crypto exchange downloads over the weekend of the Trump coin’s launch, it attracted many new, and likely novice, speculators. Coins like this, which can significantly devalue in a matter of hours, can be distressing introductions to the world of investing.

    This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to make a killing on crypto, either. He’s already brought in millions off the sales of five nonfungible token launches – which are essentially digital trading cards – since 2022.

    Have fun!

    The final words in Trump’s meme coin announcement on his social media platform Truth Social sum up his administration’s attitude toward the crypto industry over the next four years: “Have fun!”

    On Jan. 23, Trump signed an executive order containing a slew of decrees aimed at making the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world.”

    He has tapped venture capitalist David Sacks to chair the group tasked with reworking the prohibitive regulations around the crypto industry. Sacks has invested in crypto-focused companies and has bragged about his personal crypto investments on his podcast.

    In a recent Fox Business interview, Sacks was asked if he thought Trump’s meme coin was a conflict of interest. He said no, suggesting that the coins should be thought of as “collectibles” akin to “a baseball card or a stamp.”

    David Sacks, Donald Trump’s crypto czar, sees little issue with Trump’s crypto investments.

    Notably, the $Trump website also refers to the tokens as “cards” and “memes,” rather than coins. This could be an attempt to skirt legal trouble: It frames them as tokens of mere amusement rather than serious investment vehicles with expectations of profit.

    Nonetheless, several members of Congress have already called for a probe into the Trump meme coin.

    No matter how you define $Trump, one thing remains clear: The structure of the coin is set up to siphon money out of retail investors for at least the next three years. Sure, ordinary speculators can still profit off it, so long as its value remains propped up. That’s basically a gamble.

    With Trump starting to accumulate a stockpile of various cryptocurrencies through his other venture, World Liberty Financial, he could also benefit immensely from a looser regulatory environment.

    Fun indeed.

    Maximilian Brichta 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. Why Trump’s meme coin is a cash grab – https://theconversation.com/why-trumps-meme-coin-is-a-cash-grab-248215

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A federal policy expert weighs in on Trump’s efforts to stifle gender-affirming care for Americans under 19

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Elana Redfield, Federal Policy Director at the Williams Institute, University of California, Los Angeles

    President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 23, 2025. AP Photo/Ben Curtis

    Amid a flurry of executive orders affecting transgender Americans, the Trump administration ordered restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Calling it “a stain on our Nation’s history,” the Jan. 28, 2025, order seeks to “end” this form of treatment for Americans under 19 years old.

    The Conversation U.S. interviewed Elana Redfield, federal policy director at the Williams Institute, an independent research center at the UCLA School of Law dedicated to studying sexual orientation and gender identity law. She describes the aims of the executive order, how much weight it carries, and how it should be understood in the broader context of legal battles over access to gender-affirming care.

    What’s the scope of the executive order?

    Twenty-six states have already restricted gender-affirming care for minors or banned it outright. So the order seeks to extend restrictions to the rest of the country using the weight of the executive branch.

    However, it’s not a national ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Instead, it’s directing federal agencies to regulate and restrict this form of care.

    That being said, federal agencies have a tremendous impact on American life. Trans kids rely on publicly funded health insurance programs such as Medicaid and TRICARE, which is administered to the children of active duty service members via the Department of Defense. And a big part of the executive order is directing the federal agencies that administer these programs to review their own policies to ensure that they are not supporting gender-affirming care for minors.

    So what we’re really seeing is the federal government trying to erect barriers to kids accessing this care.

    Does the executive branch have the authority to unilaterally ban federal funding of certain medical treatments?

    The answer is a little mixed. A president might be able to suspend or put a temporary pause on funding a particular type of treatment or service. But the actual parameters of a program – and how agencies should implement them – are determined by Congress and, to some extent, by the courts.

    Ultimately, the president can only take actions in ways that are designated by the Constitution, or through some specific power that Congress has granted to the executive branch. I don’t see that authority granted for a lot of what’s contained in this executive order. But many of these directives will probably be litigated in court, where the president will likely argue that he has the power to direct agencies to do all they can to put a halt to gender-affirming care for minors.

    Do private health insurers fall outside the scope of this executive order?

    On the surface, yes. But it’s easy to see how directives from the executive branch can touch broader components of the country’s health care system, including private hospitals and private health insurance.

    For example, Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act is a nondiscrimination provision. It says there can be no sex discrimination when it comes to approving health care treatments. This has been interpreted to mean that health insurance plans receiving federal funding cannot deny a policyholder gender-affirming care. However, this interpretation has been blocked by a federal court.

    The question of whether this definition of sex discrimination encompasses gender identity is currently playing out in the courts. For example, there’s a pending U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors. Should the Supreme Court determine that Tennessee is able to ban gender-affirming care for minors, it’s possible to see how this could impact private health insurance coverage for gender-affirming care.

    Transgender rights supporters and opponents rally outside of the U.S. Supreme Court as the high court hears arguments in a case about Tennessee’s law banning gender-affirming care for minors on Dec. 4, 2024.
    Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

    What else stood out to you from the executive order?

    The executive order directs the Department of Justice to discourage doctors and hospitals from administering gender-affirming care to minors, characterizing it as genital mutilation, which is a heinous-sounding offense. Even though this is an inaccurate comparison, it could have a chilling effect even in states where this form of care is legal.

    The order also contains a provision that asks Congress to extend the statute of limitations for gender-affirming care, so that someone who received gender-affirming care as a minor and decides they’re not happy with it decades later can sue their doctor. Some states have already extended the statute of limitations to 30 years for gender-affirming care.

    Again, this could have a chilling effect in states where the care is legal. What doctor or hospital would want to expose themselves to this risk?

    Of course, these two elements constitute directives from the executive branch, but we don’t know how they’ll be enforced. They do reveal, however, some of the ways in which the administration plans to direct its efforts.

    Before Roe v. Wade was overturned, federal funding of elective abortion had been restricted for decades under the Hyde Amendment. You can’t receive coverage for an abortion under a Medicaid plan, for example. Do you see this executive order as Trump trying to simply enact – via fiat, of course – his own version of the Hyde Amendment, but instead applied to gender-affirming care for minors?

    I think there’s a key difference between the two. The Hyde Amendment, which has been repeatedly reenacted by Congress, prohibits federal funding of abortion care, but it doesn’t prohibit states from allowing or permitting abortion. It’s always operated as a sort of compromise: It says providers can’t use federal funding for an abortion, but they can use their own funding to administer abortions – and oh, by the way, they can still receive federal funding for other health services.

    This executive order, on the other hand, takes a much more uncompromising position: It tells agency heads to stop directing any and all federal funds to institutions that research or provide gender-affirming care.

    Again, it’s important to remember that executive orders aren’t established policy. They’re simply directing agencies to craft certain policies and encouraging lawmakers to enact legislation.

    So far, much of the legislation restricting gender-affirming care – whether it’s at the state level or in the executive branch – has centered on minors, or individuals under 19. Are there any threats to gender-affirming care for adults?

    Only one state, Florida, has enacted a law that specifically regulates gender-affirming care for adults. That law basically sets some compliance standards and restricts who can prescribe the care. Florida also banned the use of state funds for gender-affirming care for everyone, adults and children. So that means, for example, those who are incarcerated in state prisons can’t receive gender-affirming care.

    Florida isn’t the only state that has enacted a state funding ban. Depending on your insurance, this could mean you’re forced to pay out of pocket for your procedures and treatment, which can be prohibitively expensive.

    What are you going to be watching for in the coming weeks?

    I’m sure someone’s going to sue to challenge the order. The problem, though, is that an executive order is an expression of policy ideas. You need something to actually happen before lawyers and activists can react to it. So I’ll be tracking federal agencies to see how they specifically try to enact some of these directives.

    Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    This executive order contains language that characterizes the science around gender-affirming care as junk science. It’s repeatedly described as chemical and surgical mutilation, or as maiming and sterilizing kids. There’s talk of rapid-onset gender dysphoria, which has been discredited.

    So it rejects the idea that gender-affirming care has health benefits, even though there’s robust, extensive evidence supporting access to gender-affirming care. Self-reporting by transgender individuals is overwhelmingly positive: 98% of trans people who had hormone therapy said it made their lives better, according to the 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey.

    There are also rigorous standards of practice, including for how you support and treat minors, that are intended to prevent overprescription or overutilization of services.

    In other words, there are already barriers in place and checks and balances for minors if they want to access gender-affirming care.

    Elana Redfield works at an organization that has received private, state or federal research grants.

    – ref. A federal policy expert weighs in on Trump’s efforts to stifle gender-affirming care for Americans under 19 – https://theconversation.com/a-federal-policy-expert-weighs-in-on-trumps-efforts-to-stifle-gender-affirming-care-for-americans-under-19-248646

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FEHD arrests unlicensed hawkers for selling cable car ticket redemption vouchers

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         In response to the illegal hawking without licence of cable car tickets in Tung Chung, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Lantau North Division of the Hong Kong Police Force conducted a joint operation against illegal hawking without licence at Mei Tung Street, Tung Chung today (January 30). During the operation, the police officers disguised as customers to gather evidence at the stalls located at the mentioned address. It was discovered that a man and a woman were selling Ngong Ping 360 cable car tickets. FEHD officers promptly intervened, arresting and charging the above-mentioned persons for illegal hawking without licence and causing obstruction in public place.

         The arrested persons were a 49-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman (both holding Hong Kong identity cards). During the operation, FEHD officers seized items such as cable car ticket redemption vouchers, price tags, metal folding tables and Octopus Mobile POS (point of sale).

         The FEHD reminds that according to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), no one is allowed to trade on the streets unless he holds a valid hawker licence issued by the Department. Offenders will be prosecuted and, upon conviction, a maximum penalty of $10,000 fine and six months’ imprisonment will be imposed, and the commodities and equipment involved will be seized and confiscated. In addition, if the illegal hawking activities also cause obstruction to the public place, the offender will also be charged under the Summary Offenses Ordinance (Cap. 228). Upon conviction, a maximum penalty of $25,000 or three months’ imprisonment will be imposed.

         The FEHD will continue the discussions with relevant organisations and departments to address the issue at its source and curb the illegal hawking without licence of cable car tickets.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Red River Bancshares, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ALEXANDRIA, La., Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red River Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: RRBI), the holding company for Red River Bank (the “Bank”), announced today its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $9.3 million, or $1.37 per diluted common share (“EPS”), an increase of $552,000, or 6.3%, compared to $8.8 million, or $1.27 EPS, for the third quarter of 2024, and an increase of $1.0 million, or 12.2%, compared to $8.3 million, or $1.16 EPS, for the fourth quarter of 2023. For the fourth quarter of 2024, the quarterly return on assets was 1.18%, and the quarterly return on equity was 11.46%.

    Net income for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $34.2 million, or $4.95 EPS, a decrease of $644,000, or 1.8%, compared to $34.9 million, or $4.86 EPS, for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the return on assets was 1.11%, and the return on equity was 11.02%.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Performance and Operational Highlights

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company had an improved net interest margin, which resulted in higher net interest income and earnings, along with slightly higher loans and deposits. A significant stock repurchase transaction was completed, and a stock repurchase program for 2025 was renewed. During the fourth quarter, the target range of the federal funds rate was reduced by 50 basis points (“bps”).

    • Net income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $9.3 million compared to $8.8 million for the prior quarter. Net income for the fourth quarter benefited from an improved net interest margin fully tax equivalent (“FTE”) and higher net interest income.
    • Net interest income and net interest margin FTE increased for the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the prior quarter. Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $23.7 million compared to $22.5 million for the prior quarter. Net interest margin FTE for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 3.09% compared to 2.98% for the prior quarter. These improvements were due to higher loan balances, combined with higher securities yields and lower deposit rates.
    • As of December 31, 2024, assets were $3.15 billion, which was $47.8 million, or 1.5%, higher than September 30, 2024. The increase was mainly due to a $58.0 million increase in deposits.
    • Deposits totaled $2.81 billion as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $58.0 million, or 2.1%, compared to $2.75 billion as of September 30, 2024. This increase was mainly due to the seasonal inflow of funds from public entity customers.
    • As of December 31, 2024, loans held for investment (“HFI”) were $2.08 billion, slightly higher than $2.06 billion as of September 30, 2024. In the third and fourth quarters of 2024, we closed on a high level of loan commitments, which we expect to fund over time.
    • As of December 31, 2024, total securities were $684.9 million, which was $12.8 million, or 1.8%, lower than September 30, 2024. Securities decreased mainly due to having a larger net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale (“AFS”). New securities purchased were offset by securities maturities and principal repayments.
    • As of December 31, 2024, liquid assets, which are cash and cash equivalents, were $269.0 million, and the liquid assets to assets ratio was 8.54%. We do not have any borrowings, brokered deposits, or internet-sourced deposits.
    • In the fourth quarter of 2024, the provision for credit losses totaled $300,000. This included $200,000 for loans and $100,000 for unfunded loan commitments.
    • As of December 31, 2024, nonperforming assets (“NPA(s)”) were $3.3 million, or 0.10% of assets, and the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) was $21.7 million, or 1.05% of loans HFI.
    • We paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share in the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • The 2024 stock repurchase program authorized us to purchase up to $5.0 million of our outstanding shares of common stock from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Under this plan, in the fourth quarter of 2024, we repurchased 632 shares on the open market at an aggregate cost of $33,000. The 2024 stock repurchase program expired on December 31, 2024, with $1.1 million of remaining availability. On December 19, 2024, our Board of Directors approved the renewal of our stock repurchase program for 2025. The 2025 stock repurchase program authorizes us to purchase up to $5.0 million of our outstanding shares of common stock from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
    • On November 5, 2024, we entered into a privately negotiated stock repurchase agreement for the repurchase of 50,000 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $2.5 million. This repurchase was supplemental to our 2024 stock repurchase program.
    • In 2024, we repurchased 327,085 shares of our common stock. For the year ended December 31, 2024, these repurchases benefited earnings per share by $0.14.
    • As of December 31, 2024, capital levels were strong, with a stockholders’ equity to assets ratio of 10.15%, a leverage ratio of 11.86%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of 18.28%.
    • In the fourth quarter of 2024, we continued implementing our organic expansion plan. We purchased property in Lafayette, Louisiana and plan to build a new banking center at that location, which would be our second banking center in the Acadiana market.
    • The American Banker publication included Red River Bank in its “2024 Best Banks To Work For” ranking.

    Blake Chatelain, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to finish out 2024 with a strong fourth quarter, which included steady net interest margin improvement, higher net income, solid loan activity, and good liquidity.

    “In the fourth quarter, the Federal Reserve lowered short-term interest rates; however, longer term rates remained fairly consistent. Due to diligent balance sheet management, our net interest margin FTE increased by 11 bps and net interest income increased by 5.5% in the fourth quarter. New loan activity was very good in the fourth quarter; however, the loan portfolio was impacted by higher than normal paydowns on loans. For the second quarter in a row, we closed on a significant amount of construction loan commitments, which we expect to fund over time. Our balance sheet is well positioned for the forecasted interest rate environment and a normal shaped yield curve. This should enable us to continue improving the net interest margin slightly in the first half of 2025.

    “In the fourth quarter of 2024, we completed a third, significant private stock repurchase transaction. In 2024, we repurchased 4.6% of outstanding shares, which positively impacted earnings per share, while also maintaining strong capital levels and ratios.

    “The fourth quarter of 2024 wrapped up a good year for our Company and our communities. Our Company is well positioned for the future, with robust capital and liquidity levels combined with a great team of community bankers. We look forward to 2025 as we continue to grow and build value for our shareholders.”

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin FTE

    Net interest income and net interest margin FTE increased in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the prior quarter. These measures were both impacted by improved yields on securities, as well as lower deposit rates. After keeping the federal funds rate consistent since the third quarter of 2023, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) decreased the federal funds rate by 50 bps in September of 2024, and by an additional 50 bps during the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $23.7 million, which was $1.2 million, or 5.5%, higher than the third quarter of 2024, due to a $729,000 increase in interest and dividend income, combined with a $501,000 decrease in interest expense. The increase in interest and dividend income was due to higher interest income on loans and securities. Loan income increased $376,000 primarily due to higher average loan balances during the fourth quarter. Securities income increased $289,000 due to reinvesting lower yielding securities cash flows into higher yielding securities. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to lower rates on interest-bearing transaction deposits and time deposits.

    The net interest margin FTE increased 11 bps to 3.09% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 2.98% for the prior quarter. This increase was due to improved yields on securities, combined with lower deposit costs. The yield on securities increased 13 bps due to reinvesting lower yielding securities cash flows into higher yielding securities. The yield on loans increased 2 bps due to higher rates on new and renewed loans compared to the existing portfolio yield. The average rate on new and renewed loans was 7.25% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 7.89% for the prior quarter. The cost of deposits decreased 10 bps to 1.71% for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to 1.81% for the previous quarter, due to our lowering of selected deposit rates. As a result of this change, there was a 17 bp decrease in the rate on interest-bearing transaction deposits and a 9 bp decrease on time deposits during the fourth quarter.

    The FOMC lowered the federal funds rate by 50 bps in the fourth quarter of 2024, reducing the target federal funds range to 4.25%-4.50%. The market’s expectation is that the FOMC may lower the target range of the federal funds rate by at least 25 bps in 2025. In 2025, we anticipate receiving approximately $101.0 million in securities cash flows with an average yield of 3.01%, and we project approximately $194.0 million of fixed rate loans will mature with an average yield of 6.04%. We expect to redeploy these balances into higher yielding assets. Additionally, in 2025, we expect $541.9 million of time deposits to mature with an average rate of 4.10%, which we anticipate repricing into lower cost deposits. As of December 31, 2024, floating rate loans were 16.0% of loans HFI, and floating rate transaction deposits were 8.1% of interest-bearing transaction deposits. Depending on balance sheet activity and the movement in interest rates, we expect the net interest income and net interest margin FTE to improve slightly during the first half of 2025.

    Provision for Credit Losses

    The provision for credit losses for the third and fourth quarters of 2024 was $300,000, which included $200,000 for loans and $100,000 for unfunded loan commitments for each quarter. The provision in the third and fourth quarters was due to potential economic challenges resulting from the recent inflationary environment, changing monetary policy, and loan growth. In the second half of 2024, we had an increase in unfunded loan commitments. We will continue to evaluate future provision needs in relation to current economic situations, loan growth, trends in asset quality, forecasted information, and other conditions influencing loss expectations.

    Noninterest Income

    Noninterest income totaled $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $424,000, or 7.8%, compared to $5.4 million for the previous quarter. The decrease was mainly due to a loss on equity securities and lower loan and deposit income.

    Equity securities are an investment in a Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) mutual fund consisting primarily of bonds. The gain or loss on equity securities is a fair value adjustment primarily driven by changes in the interest rate environment. Due to the fluctuations in market rates between quarters, equity securities had a loss of $91,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to a gain of $107,000 for the previous quarter.

    Loan and deposit income totaled $463,000 for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $125,000, or 21.3%, compared to $588,000 for the previous quarter. The third quarter of 2024 benefited from the receipt of a $151,000 nonrecurring loan related fee.

    Operating Expenses

    Operating expenses totaled $16.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, which was fairly consistent with the previous quarter. Higher occupancy and equipment expenses were offset by lower other taxes.

    Occupancy and equipment expenses totaled $1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, which was $55,000, or 3.3% higher than the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2024, there was $35,000 of nonrecurring expenses related to a new administrative office in the New Orleans market.

    Other taxes totaled $547,000 for the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of $75,000, or 12.1%, compared to $622,000 for the previous quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the State of Louisiana bank stock tax expense was lower due to a $68,000 adjustment with receipt of the year-end bank stock tax invoices.

    Asset Overview

    As of December 31, 2024, assets were $3.15 billion, compared to assets of $3.10 billion as of September 30, 2024, an increase of $47.8 million, or 1.5%. In the fourth quarter, assets were mainly impacted by a $58.0 million, or 2.1%, increase in deposits. In the fourth quarter of 2024, liquid assets increased $36.3 million, or 15.6%, to $269.0 million and averaged $256.2 million for the fourth quarter. As of December 31, 2024, we had sufficient liquid assets available and $1.62 billion accessible from other liquidity sources. The liquid assets to assets ratio was 8.54% as of December 31, 2024. Total securities decreased $12.8 million, or 1.8%, to $684.9 million in the fourth quarter and were 21.7% of assets as of December 31, 2024. During the fourth quarter, loans HFI increased $19.0 million, or 0.9%, to $2.08 billion. The loans HFI to deposits ratio was 73.97% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 74.84% as of September 30, 2024.

    Securities

    Total securities as of December 31, 2024, were $684.9 million, a decrease of $12.8 million, or 1.8%, from September 30, 2024. Securities decreased mainly due to having a larger net unrealized loss on securities AFS. New securities purchased were offset by securities maturities and principal repayments.

    The estimated fair value of securities AFS totaled $550.1 million, net of $63.2 million of unrealized loss, as of December 31, 2024, compared to $560.6 million, net of $49.5 million of unrealized loss, as of September 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the amortized cost of securities held-to-maturity (“HTM”) totaled $131.8 million compared to $134.1 million as of September 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, securities HTM had an unrealized loss of $22.8 million compared to $17.3 million as of September 30, 2024.

    As of December 31, 2024, equity securities, which is an investment in a CRA mutual fund consisting primarily of bonds, totaled $2.9 million compared to $3.0 million as of September 30, 2024.

    Loans

    Loans HFI as of December 31, 2024, were $2.08 billion, slightly higher than $2.06 billion as of September 30, 2024. In the third and fourth quarters of 2024, we closed on a high level of loan commitments, which, depending on customer activity, we expect to fund over time. Unfunded loan commitments that originated in the fourth quarter of 2024 totaled $106.2 million.

    Loans HFI by Category
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   Change from
    September 30, 2024 to
    December 31, 2024
    (dollars in thousands) Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent   $ Change   % Change
    Real estate:                      
    Commercial real estate $ 884,641   42.6 %   $ 875,590   42.6 %   $ 9,051     1.0 %
    One-to-four family residential   614,551   29.6 %     616,467   30.0 %     (1,916 )   (0.3 %)
    Construction and development   155,229   7.5 %     141,525   6.9 %     13,704     9.7 %
    Commercial and industrial   327,086   15.8 %     327,069   15.9 %     17     — %
    Tax-exempt   64,930   3.1 %     66,436   3.2 %     (1,506 )   (2.3 %)
    Consumer   28,576   1.4 %     28,961   1.4 %     (385 )   (1.3 %)
    Total loans HFI $ 2,075,013   100.0 %   $ 2,056,048   100.0 %   $ 18,965     0.9 %
                                         

    Commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans are collateralized by owner occupied and non-owner occupied properties mainly in Louisiana. Non-owner occupied office loans were $56.4 million, or 2.7% of loans HFI, as of December 31, 2024, and are primarily centered in low-rise suburban areas. The average CRE loan size was $953,000 as of December 31, 2024.

    Health care loans are our largest industry concentration and are made up of a diversified portfolio of health care providers. As of December 31, 2024, total health care loans were 8.1% of loans HFI. Within the health care sector, loans to nursing and residential care facilities were 4.4% of loans HFI, and loans to physician and dental practices were 3.4% of loans HFI. The average health care loan size was $372,000 as of December 31, 2024.

    Asset Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses

    NPAs totaled $3.3 million as of December 31, 2024, an increase of $166,000, or 5.3%, from September 30, 2024, primarily due to an increase in past due loans, partially offset by payoffs and charge-offs of nonaccrual loans. The ratio of NPAs to assets was 0.10% as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024.

    As of December 31, 2024, the ACL was $21.7 million. The ratio of ACL to loans HFI was 1.05% as of December 31, 2024 and 1.06% as of September 30, 2024. The net charge-offs to average loans ratio was 0.01% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0.00% for the third quarter of 2024.

    Deposits

    As of December 31, 2024, deposits were $2.81 billion, an increase of $58.0 million, or 2.1%, compared to September 30, 2024. Average deposits for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $2.78 billion, an increase of $53.5 million, or 2.0%, from the prior quarter. The following tables provide details on our deposit portfolio:

    Deposits by Account Type
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   Change from
    September 30, 2024 to
    December 31, 2024
    (dollars in thousands) Balance   % of Total   Balance   % of Total   $ Change   % Change
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits $ 866,496   30.9 %   $ 882,394   32.1 %   $ (15,898 )   (1.8 %)
    Interest-bearing deposits:                      
    Interest-bearing demand deposits   154,720   5.5 %     163,787   6.0 %     (9,067 )   (5.5 %)
    NOW accounts   467,118   16.7 %     379,566   13.8 %     87,552     23.1 %
    Money market accounts   556,769   19.8 %     551,229   20.0 %     5,540     1.0 %
    Savings accounts   169,894   6.1 %     166,723   6.1 %     3,171     1.9 %
    Time deposits less than or equal to $250,000   403,096   14.3 %     411,361   15.0 %     (8,265 )   (2.0 %)
    Time deposits greater than $250,000   187,013   6.7 %     192,065   7.0 %     (5,052 )   (2.6 %)
    Total interest-bearing deposits   1,938,610   69.1 %     1,864,731   67.9 %     73,879     4.0 %
    Total deposits $ 2,805,106   100.0 %   $ 2,747,125   100.0 %   $ 57,981     2.1 %
                                         
    Deposits by Customer Type
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   Change from
    September 30, 2024 to
    December 31, 2024
    (dollars in thousands) Balance   % of Total   Balance   % of Total   $ Change   % Change
    Consumer $ 1,362,740   48.6 %   $ 1,348,281   49.1 %   $ 14,459     1.1 %
    Commercial   1,178,488   42.0 %     1,191,625   43.4 %     (13,137 )   (1.1 %)
    Public   263,878   9.4 %     207,219   7.5 %     56,659     27.3 %
    Total deposits $ 2,805,106   100.0 %   $ 2,747,125   100.0 %   $ 57,981     2.1 %
                                         

    The increase in deposits in the fourth quarter of 2024 was mainly due to the seasonal inflow of funds from public entity customers, partially offset by a decrease in commercial customer deposit balances related to normal business activity.

    The Bank has a granular, diverse deposit portfolio with customers in a variety of industries throughout Louisiana. As of December 31, 2024, the average deposit account size was approximately $28,000.

    As of December 31, 2024, our estimated uninsured deposits, which are the portion of deposit accounts that exceed the FDIC insurance limit (currently $250,000), were approximately $879.8 million, or 31.4% of total deposits. This amount was estimated based on the same methodologies and assumptions used for regulatory reporting purposes. Also, as of December 31, 2024, our estimated uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized public entity deposits, were approximately $667.6 million, or 23.8% of total deposits. Our cash and cash equivalents of $269.0 million, combined with our available borrowing capacity of $1.62 billion, equaled 214.6% of our estimated uninsured deposits and 282.8% of our estimated uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized public entity deposits.

    Stockholders’ Equity

    Total stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2024, was $319.7 million compared to $324.3 million as of September 30, 2024. The $4.6 million, or 1.4%, decrease in stockholders’ equity during the fourth quarter of 2024 was attributable to a $10.6 million, net of tax, market adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss related to securities, the repurchase of 50,632 shares of common stock for $2.7 million, and $610,000 in cash dividends related to a $0.09 per share cash dividend that we paid on December 19, 2024. The common stock repurchase of $2.7 million includes $213,000 of stock repurchase excise tax related to our 2023 and 2024 stock repurchases, which tax regulations require to be recorded as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. These decreases in stockholders’ equity were partially offset by $9.3 million of net income and $95,000 of stock compensation.

    Non-GAAP Disclosure

    Our accounting and reporting policies conform to United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and the prevailing practices in the banking industry. Certain financial measures used by management to evaluate our operating performance are discussed as supplemental non-GAAP performance measures. In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules, we classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time in the U.S.

    Management and the board of directors review tangible book value per share, tangible common equity to tangible assets, and realized book value per share as part of managing operating performance. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner we calculate the non-GAAP financial measures that are discussed may differ from that of other companies’ reporting measures with similar names. It is important to understand how such other banking organizations calculate and name their financial measures similar to the non-GAAP financial measures discussed by us when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures.

    A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures is included within the following financial statement tables.

    About Red River Bancshares, Inc.

    Red River Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding company for Red River Bank, a Louisiana state-chartered bank established in 1999 that provides a fully integrated suite of banking products and services tailored to the needs of commercial and retail customers. Red River Bank operates from a network of 28 banking centers throughout Louisiana and one combined loan and deposit production office in New Orleans, Louisiana. Banking centers are located in the following Louisiana markets: Central, which includes the Alexandria metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”); Northwest, which includes the Shreveport-Bossier City MSA; Capital, which includes the Baton Rouge MSA; Southwest, which includes the Lake Charles MSA; the Northshore, which includes Covington; Acadiana, which includes the Lafayette MSA; and New Orleans.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this news release regarding our expectations and beliefs about our future financial performance and financial condition, as well as trends in our business, interest rates, and markets, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “outlook,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on current information and on assumptions that we make about future events and circumstances that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict and beyond our control. As a result of those risks and uncertainties, our actual financial results in the future could differ, possibly materially, from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and could cause us to make changes to our future plans. Additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties to which our business and future financial performance are subject is contained in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and in other documents that we file with the SEC from time to time. In addition, our actual financial results in the future may differ from those currently expected due to additional risks and uncertainties of which we are not currently aware or which we do not currently view as, but in the future may become, material to our business or operating results. Due to these and other possible uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release or to make predictions based solely on historical financial performance. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements, express or implied, included in this news release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

    Contact:
    Isabel V. Carriere, CPA, CGMA
    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Assistant Corporate Secretary
    318-561-4023
    icarriere@redriverbank.net 

    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)
     
        As of and for the
    Three Months Ended    		   As of and for the
    Years Ended
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023    		   December 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    Net Income   $ 9,306     $ 8,754     $ 8,292     $ 34,235     $ 34,879  
                         
    Per Common Share Data:                    
    Earnings per share, basic   $ 1.37     $ 1.28     $ 1.16     $ 4.96     $ 4.87  
    Earnings per share, diluted   $ 1.37     $ 1.27     $ 1.16     $ 4.95     $ 4.86  
    Book value per share   $ 47.18     $ 47.51     $ 42.85     $ 47.18     $ 42.85  
    Tangible book value per share (1)   $ 46.95     $ 47.28     $ 42.63     $ 46.95     $ 42.63  
    Realized book value per share (1)   $ 56.07     $ 54.78     $ 51.38     $ 56.07     $ 51.38  
    Cash dividends per share   $ 0.09     $ 0.09     $ 0.08     $ 0.36     $ 0.32  
    Shares outstanding     6,777,238       6,826,120       7,091,637       6,777,238       7,091,637  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, basic     6,797,469       6,851,223       7,128,988       6,898,286       7,164,314  
    Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted     6,816,299       6,867,474       7,145,870       6,918,060       7,181,728  
                         
    Summary Performance Ratios:                    
    Return on average assets     1.18 %     1.13 %     1.08 %     1.11 %     1.15 %
    Return on average equity     11.46 %     11.11 %     11.63 %     11.02 %     12.44 %
    Net interest margin     3.04 %     2.93 %     2.78 %     2.91 %     2.87 %
    Net interest margin FTE     3.09 %     2.98 %     2.82 %     2.96 %     2.91 %
    Efficiency ratio     58.71 %     60.09 %     60.51 %     60.29 %     59.39 %
    Loans HFI to deposits ratio     73.97 %     74.84 %     71.13 %     73.97 %     71.13 %
    Noninterest-bearing deposits to deposits ratio     30.89 %     32.12 %     32.71 %     30.89 %     32.71 %
    Noninterest income to average assets     0.63 %     0.70 %     0.67 %     0.66 %     0.70 %
    Operating expense to average assets     2.14 %     2.17 %     2.08 %     2.14 %     2.11 %
                         
    Summary Credit Quality Ratios:                    
    NPAs to assets     0.10 %     0.10 %     0.08 %     0.10 %     0.08 %
    Nonperforming loans to loans HFI     0.16 %     0.15 %     0.13 %     0.16 %     0.13 %
    ACL to loans HFI     1.05 %     1.06 %     1.07 %     1.05 %     1.07 %
    Net charge-offs to average loans     0.01 %     0.00 %     0.01 %     0.03 %     0.02 %
                         
    Capital Ratios:                    
    Stockholders’ equity to assets     10.15 %     10.46 %     9.71 %     10.15 %     9.71 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1)     10.11 %     10.41 %     9.67 %     10.11 %     9.67 %
    Total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets     18.28 %     18.07 %     18.28 %     18.28 %     18.28 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets     17.12 %     17.05 %     17.24 %     17.12 %     17.24 %
    Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets     17.12 %     17.05 %     17.24 %     17.12 %     17.24 %
    Tier 1 risk-based capital to average assets     11.86 %     11.90 %     11.56 %     11.86 %     11.56 %

    (1) Non-GAAP financial measure. Calculations of this measure and reconciliations to GAAP are included in the schedules accompanying this release.

    RED RIVER BANCSHARES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
     
    (in thousands) December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    ASSETS                  
    Cash and due from banks $ 30,558     $ 39,664     $ 35,035     $ 19,401     $ 53,062  
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   238,417       192,983       178,038       210,404       252,364  
    Securities available-for-sale, at fair value   550,148       560,555       526,890       545,967       570,092  
    Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost   131,796       134,145       136,824       139,328       141,236  
    Equity securities, at fair value   2,937       3,028       2,921       2,934       2,965  
    Nonmarketable equity securities   2,328       2,305       2,283       2,261       2,239  
    Loans held for sale   2,547       1,805       3,878       1,653       1,306  
    Loans held for investment   2,075,013       2,056,048       2,047,890       2,038,072       1,992,858  
    Allowance for credit losses   (21,731 )     (21,757 )     (21,627 )     (21,564 )     (21,336 )
    Premises and equipment, net   59,441       57,661       57,910       57,539       57,088  
    Accrued interest receivable   10,048       9,465       9,570       9,995       9,945  
    Bank-owned life insurance   30,380       30,164       29,947       29,731       29,529  
    Intangible assets   1,546       1,546       1,546       1,546       1,546  
    Right-of-use assets   2,733       2,853       2,973       3,091       3,629  
    Other assets   33,433       31,285       34,450       32,940       32,287  
    Total Assets $ 3,149,594     $ 3,101,750     $ 3,048,528     $ 3,073,298     $ 3,128,810  
    LIABILITIES                  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 866,496     $ 882,394     $ 892,942     $ 895,439     $ 916,456  
    Interest-bearing deposits   1,938,610       1,864,731       1,823,704       1,850,452       1,885,432  
    Total Deposits   2,805,106       2,747,125       2,716,646       2,745,891       2,801,888  
    Accrued interest payable   7,583       11,751       8,747       8,959       8,000  
    Lease liabilities   2,864       2,982       3,100       3,215       3,767  
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities   14,302       15,574       13,045       15,919       11,304  
    Total Liabilities   2,829,855       2,777,432       2,741,538       2,773,984       2,824,959  
    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES   —       —       —       —       —  
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                  
    Preferred stock, no par value   —       —       —       —       —  
    Common stock, no par value   38,655       41,402       44,413       45,177       55,136  
    Additional paid-in capital   2,777       2,682       2,590       2,485       2,407  
    Retained earnings   338,554       329,858       321,719       314,352       306,802  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (60,247 )     (49,624 )     (61,732 )     (62,700 )     (60,494 )
    Total Stockholders’ Equity   319,739       324,318       306,990       299,314       303,851  
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 3,149,594     $ 3,101,750     $ 3,048,528     $ 3,073,298     $ 3,128,810  
    RED RIVER BANCSHARES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
                         
        For the Three Months Ended   For the Years Ended
    (in thousands)     December 31,
    2024    		       September 30,
    2024    		     December 31,
    2023    		     December 31,
    2024    		       December 31,
    2023    		  
    INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME                                    
    Interest and fees on loans   $ 28,285     $ 27,909   $ 24,898   $ 108,969     $ 93,439  
    Interest on securities     4,623       4,334     3,656     17,089       14,291  
    Interest on federal funds sold     —       —     —     —       886  
    Interest on deposits in other banks     2,699       2,630     3,438     11,077       9,797  
    Dividends on stock     23       28     49     95       155  
    Total Interest and Dividend Income     35,630       34,901     32,041     137,230       118,568  
    INTEREST EXPENSE                    
    Interest on deposits     11,943       12,444     10,747     47,936       32,066  
    Interest on other borrowed funds     —       —     —     —       64  
    Total Interest Expense     11,943       12,444     10,747     47,936       32,130  
    Net Interest Income     23,687       22,457     21,294     89,294       86,438  
    Provision for credit losses     300       300     250     1,200       735  
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses     23,387       22,157     21,044     88,094       85,703  
    NONINTEREST INCOME                    
    Service charges on deposit accounts     1,452       1,486     1,459     5,674       5,776  
    Debit card income, net     960       905     875     3,836       3,563  
    Mortgage loan income     652       732     441     2,490       1,965  
    Brokerage income     924       987     1,039     3,791       3,798  
    Loan and deposit income     463       588     575     2,034       2,140  
    Bank-owned life insurance income     216       217     197     851       754  
    Gain (Loss) on equity securities     (91 )     107     132     (28 )     (14 )
    SBIC income     346       301     393     1,453       2,873  
    Other income (loss)     73       96     76     340       259  
    Total Noninterest Income     4,995       5,419     5,187     20,441       21,114  
    OPERATING EXPENSES                    
    Personnel expenses     9,769       9,700     9,233     38,623       37,241  
    Occupancy and equipment expenses     1,716       1,661     1,647     6,691       6,581  
    Technology expenses     884       865     693     3,182       2,759  
    Advertising     313       317     347     1,374       1,302  
    Other business development expenses     486       521     537     2,076       1,987  
    Data processing expense     681       652     631     2,331       2,320  
    Other taxes     547       622     679     2,407       2,721  
    Loan and deposit expenses     334       294     256     895       984  
    Legal and professional expenses     658       653     664     2,657       2,378  
    Regulatory assessment expenses     428       421     423     1,654       1,645  
    Other operating expenses     1,024       1,046     913     4,264       3,955  
    Total Operating Expenses     16,840       16,752     16,023     66,154       63,873  
    Income Before Income Tax Expense     11,542       10,824     10,208     42,381       42,944  
    Income tax expense     2,236       2,070     1,916     8,146       8,065  
    Net Income   $ 9,306     $ 8,754   $ 8,292   $ 34,235     $ 34,879  
                                         
    RED RIVER BANCSHARES, INC.
    NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN (UNAUDITED)
     
      For the Three Months Ended
      December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024
    (dollars in thousands) Average Balance Outstanding   Interest
    Income/
    Expense    		   Average
    Yield/
    Rate    		   Average Balance Outstanding   Interest
    Income/
    Expense    		   Average
    Yield/
    Rate
    Assets                      
    Interest-earning assets:                      
    Loans(1,2) $ 2,072,858     $ 28,285   5.34 %   $ 2,054,451     $ 27,909   5.32 %
    Securities – taxable   555,622       3,636   2.62 %     545,171       3,344   2.45 %
    Securities – tax-exempt   190,470       987   2.07 %     191,285       990   2.07 %
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   225,660       2,699   4.74 %     194,229       2,630   5.36 %
    Nonmarketable equity securities   2,307       23   3.99 %     2,284       28   4.85 %
    Total interest-earning assets   3,046,917     $ 35,630   4.60 %     2,987,420     $ 34,901   4.59 %
    Allowance for credit losses   (21,824 )             (21,702 )        
    Noninterest-earning assets   109,992               104,599          
    Total assets $ 3,135,085             $ 3,070,317          
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                      
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Interest-bearing transaction deposits $ 1,263,775     $ 5,658   1.78 %   $ 1,230,487     $ 6,042   1.95 %
    Time deposits   599,910       6,285   4.17 %     597,286       6,402   4.26 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   1,863,685       11,943   2.55 %     1,827,773       12,444   2.71 %
    Other borrowings   —       —   — %     —       —   — %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,863,685     $ 11,943   2.55 %     1,827,773     $ 12,444   2.71 %
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   918,804               901,192          
    Accrued interest and other liabilities   29,567               28,006          
    Total noninterest-bearing liabilities   948,371               929,198          
    Stockholders’ equity   323,029               313,346          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,135,085             $ 3,070,317          
    Net interest income     $ 23,687           $ 22,457    
    Net interest spread         2.05 %           1.88 %
    Net interest margin         3.04 %           2.93 %
    Net interest margin FTE(3)         3.09 %           2.98 %
    Cost of deposits         1.71 %           1.81 %
    Cost of funds         1.56 %           1.66 %

    (1) Includes average outstanding balances of loans held for sale of $3.2 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
    (2) Nonaccrual loans are included as loans carrying a zero yield.
    (3) Net interest margin FTE includes an FTE adjustment using a 21.0% federal income tax rate on tax-exempt securities and tax-exempt loans.

    RED RIVER BANCSHARES, INC.
    NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN (UNAUDITED)
     
      For the Years Ended
      December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
    (dollars in thousands) Average Balance Outstanding   Interest
    Income/
    Expense    		   Average
    Yield/
    Rate    		   Average Balance Outstanding   Interest
    Income/
    Expense    		   Average
    Yield/
    Rate
    Assets                      
    Interest-earning assets:                      
    Loans(1,2) $ 2,046,339     $ 108,969   5.24 %   $ 1,943,381     $ 93,439   4.74 %
    Securities – taxable   554,194       13,098   2.36 %     605,692       10,169   1.68 %
    Securities – tax-exempt   193,368       3,991   2.06 %     202,673       4,122   2.03 %
    Federal funds sold   —       —   — %     18,594       886   4.70 %
    Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   210,959       11,077   5.22 %     188,199       9,797   5.17 %
    Nonmarketable equity securities   2,273       95   4.19 %     3,353       155   4.61 %
    Total interest-earning assets   3,007,133     $ 137,230   4.50 %     2,961,892     $ 118,568   3.96 %
    Allowance for credit losses   (21,646 )             (20,980 )        
    Noninterest-earning assets   102,951               86,939          
    Total assets $ 3,088,438             $ 3,027,851          
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                      
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Interest-bearing transaction deposits $ 1,246,528     $ 23,082   1.85 %   $ 1,249,259     $ 17,555   1.41 %
    Time deposits   593,817       24,854   4.19 %     470,522       14,511   3.08 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits   1,840,345       47,936   2.60 %     1,719,781       32,066   1.86 %
    Other borrowings   —       —   — %     1,151       64   5.49 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,840,345     $ 47,936   2.60 %     1,720,932     $ 32,130   1.87 %
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                      
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   910,507               1,004,107          
    Accrued interest and other liabilities   26,884               22,385          
    Total noninterest-bearing liabilities   937,391               1,026,492          
    Stockholders’ equity   310,702               280,427          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,088,438             $ 3,027,851          
    Net interest income     $ 89,294           $ 86,438    
    Net interest spread         1.90 %           2.09 %
    Net interest margin         2.91 %           2.87 %
    Net interest margin FTE(3)         2.96 %           2.91 %
    Cost of deposits         1.74 %           1.18 %
    Cost of funds         1.59 %           1.08 %

    (1) Includes average outstanding balances of loans held for sale of $2.9 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
    (2) Nonaccrual loans are included as loans carrying a zero yield.
    (3) Net interest margin FTE includes an FTE adjustment using a 21.0% federal income tax rate on tax-exempt securities and tax-exempt loans.

    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
     
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data) December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   December 31,
    2023
    Tangible common equity          
    Total stockholders’ equity $ 319,739     $ 324,318     $ 303,851  
    Adjustments:          
    Intangible assets   (1,546 )     (1,546 )     (1,546 )
    Total tangible common equity (non-GAAP) $ 318,193     $ 322,772     $ 302,305  
    Realized common equity          
    Total stockholders’ equity $ 319,739     $ 324,318     $ 303,851  
    Adjustments:          
    Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss   60,247       49,624       60,494  
    Total realized common equity (non-GAAP) $ 379,986     $ 373,942     $ 364,345  
    Common shares outstanding   6,777,238       6,826,120       7,091,637  
    Book value per share $ 47.18     $ 47.51     $ 42.85  
    Tangible book value per share (non-GAAP) $ 46.95     $ 47.28     $ 42.63  
    Realized book value per share (non-GAAP) $ 56.07     $ 54.78     $ 51.38  
               
    Tangible assets          
    Total assets $ 3,149,594     $ 3,101,750     $ 3,128,810  
    Adjustments:          
    Intangible assets   (1,546 )     (1,546 )     (1,546 )
    Total tangible assets (non-GAAP) $ 3,148,048     $ 3,100,204     $ 3,127,264  
    Total stockholders’ equity to assets   10.15 %     10.46 %     9.71 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)   10.11 %     10.41 %     9.67 %

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft Equips Hospital in Syzran with High-Tech Medical Equipment for Pediatric Surgery

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    With the support of Rosneft, high-tech equipment was delivered to the Syzran Central City and District Hospital to equip the children’s surgical department and perinatal center.

    The perinatal center has an open resuscitation system for newborns – a multifunctional complex for saving patients’ lives. The equipment allows monitoring and maintaining vital functions, provides free access to the child from any side for various medical manipulations.

    The hospital’s pediatric surgery department also received a new operating table and a shadowless lamp – a special surgical light. The modern equipment will help improve the efficiency of medical care for residents of the region.

    Rosneft adheres to the principles of high social responsibility and pays special attention to the creation of a favorable social environment in the regions of presence, including in the field of medicine. Thanks to the Company’s support, projects to strengthen the material and technical base of healthcare institutions are regularly implemented.

    Reference:

    Samara Region is one of the key regions of Rosneft’s operations, where the Company is represented by a complex of full-cycle production enterprises: hydrocarbon production, processing and marketing of finished products.

    Within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between PJSC NK Rosneft and the Samara Region, educational and medical institutions were built or reconstructed in the region, high-tech medical equipment was purchased, and ice palaces were erected.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft January 30, 2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release-Additional Debris Trap Installed in Ala Wai Canal in Advance of Severe Weather, Jan. 29, 2025

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release-Additional Debris Trap Installed in Ala Wai Canal in Advance of Severe Weather, Jan. 29, 2025

    Posted on Jan 29, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    KA ʻOIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    DAWN CHANG

    CHAIR

     

    ADDITIONAL DEBRIS TRAP INSTALLED IN ALA WAI CANAL IN ADVANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    January 29, 2025

    HONOLULU – Installation of a temporary debris boom in advance of incoming severe weather was completed this afternoon by Hawaiian Dredging Co., on contract to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

    Working with the state Dept. of Transportation (HDOT), the City and County of Honolulu, and Senator Sharon Moriwaki, this second debris trap is intended to divert any rubbish flowing down the canal into the permanent trap on the opposite side of the Ala Moana Bridge.

    Meghan Statts, administrator of the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), along with Dickey Lee from the DLNR Engineering Division, observed the deployment of the floating curtain (boom). Statts said, “We are trying to mitigate some of the debris coming down the canal with the big storm that’s predicted to hit us shortly.”

    The trap will augment the work being done upstream by HDOT. “HDOT has been a great partner,” said Statts. “They were up here earlier, yesterday and today, doing cleanup.”

    Statts said the issue of post-storm debris in the Ala Wai canal has been discussed for more than 30 years. DLNR is working closely with other agencies and Senator Moriwaki to create a long-term solution to the chronic, reccurring problem.

    The permanent DOBOR trap was cleared yesterday and only catches 20-25% of what flows downstream. It was fortified this morning with the expectation that additional debris diverted by the second trap will possibly fill it faster than normal.

    “We’re trying to catch as much as we can to help protect our natural resources and keep it out of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and the ocean,” Statts explained. Unfortunately, over the years tons of debris have flowed out into the Pacific unchecked, she said.

    That creates potential navigational problems for boaters and recreational users of the Ala Wai canal, the small boat harbor and the ocean. When full of natural vegetation and manmade rubbish, the canal is also unsafe for people during storm runoff events.

    The Hawai‘i Department of Health advises the public to stay out of waters when they appear brown, murky, or contain visible debris, especially following storms or heavy rain when the water may contain higher-than-normal pollutant levels. Entering freshwater streams, canals or ponds increases the risk of bacterial infections, including leptospirosis.

    Statts concluded that when the Ala Wai canal was built as a flood control measure, people probably didn’t think much about the consequences of storm debris. She encourages people not to  throw trash into the canal or any of its tributary streams.

    “I think people need to remember that if you have trash, any kind of ‘ōpala, throw it away properly. Don’t drop it into streams or the canal because much of this stuff ends up in the ocean.”

    # # #

    RESOURCES

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR)

    HD video – Debris trap deployment (Jan. 29, 2025):

    (Meghan Statts SOTS transcript attached)

    HD video – Ala Wai debris trap clearing (Jan. 28, 2925):

    Photographs – Debris trap deployment (Jan. 29, 2025):

    (Images 5722-5809)

    Photographs – Ala Wai debris trap clearing (Jan. 28, 2025):

    (Images 5667-5715)

    For more information on brown water pollution and health:

    Media contact:

    Dan Dennison

    Communications Director

    Hawai‘i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    Phone: 808-587-0396

    MIL OSI USA News –