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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Homes England and Octopus Real Estate launch £150 million Greener Homes Alliance phase 2

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Homes England and Octopus Real Estate launch £150 million Greener Homes Alliance phase 2

    The renewed alliance will reinforce a responsibility to support small and medium-sized (SME) housebuilders, while encouraging greener building practices.

    Octopus Real Estate supported by Homes England

    Homes England has joined with Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Investments and a leading specialist real estate investor and lender, to create the Greener Homes Alliance 2.

    The alliance will commit £150 million of funding, £42 million of which will be provided by the Agency’s Home Building Fund. This will provide small and medium-sized (SME) housebuilders with further loan finance enabling even more high-quality, energy efficient homes to be built across England.

    The first phase of the alliance launched in 2021, as part of broader efforts to expand the supply of finance available to SMEs, and funded over 550 much needed, new sustainable homes across the country. More than 40% of the homes built during phase one achieved an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A, and 100% secured a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) score higher than 86, significantly higher than the UK average EPC rating of D and SAP score of 67.

    Phase one of the Greener Homes Alliance made a significant impact, with 20 loans completed totalling £150 million — an average loan size to SME developers of £7.5 million.

    Phase two of the Greener Homes Alliance will seek to support the creation of more sustainable homes by introducing 10 new criteria, 4 of which must be met for developers to benefit from a 1.25% discount on their interest rate. If 6 or more criteria are met, developers will be eligible for a 2% discount.

    The new criteria for phase 2 will include the use of modern methods of construction (MMC) in the fabric of buildings and a real living wage paid to workers on site. It will also encourage borrowers to support the Lighthouse Charity, a leader in mental health within the construction industry.

    To qualify for funding from the alliance in the first place, all schemes must deliver specific key performance indicators as a minimum. Developers must ensure that all homes built are fossil fuel free and have an average SAP score of 85 or above.

    Marcus Ralling, Chief Investment Officer at Homes England said:

    Small and medium housebuilders play a vital and essential role in driving the delivery of much needed, new and sustainable homes.

    This extended Alliance is an excellent example of how we are working with partners like Octopus Real Estate to support the SME housebuilders that are crucial to building a diverse and resilient housing sector.

    Andy Scott, Co-Head of Debt, Octopus Real Estate, added:

    We are extremely proud of the impact our Greener Homes Alliance initiative has had when it comes to supporting developers looking to make greener decisions for their projects, and we’ve spent a lot of time working out the new criteria with Homes England to make sure the next phase is as impactful as possible.

    At Octopus, our mission is to reimagine real estate through the delivery of high-quality, sustainable places for people to live that are fit for the future and address societal needs such as fuel poverty. Working with esteemed government agencies to enact real change for the developers who have the expertise and capability to deliver such homes is a huge part of this.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors

    An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy efficient a property is, giving a property an energy efficiency rating from A (best) to G (worst) that is valid for 10 years. An EPC contains information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs and steps to improve a property’s energy efficiency.

    The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for the energy rating of dwellings) is the methodology currently used by the government to estimate the energy performance of homes. A SAP score provides a rating between 1 and 100, this range is then divided into categories A (best) to G (worst).

    The new criteria introduced for phase two will include:

    • An average SAP score of 92+ (EPC A)

    • More than 90% of waste from the site avoids landfill

    • Biodiversity Net Gain of over 20%

    • More than 50% of new homes will be Zero Bills ready

    • Regeneration of a brownfield site

    • Potable water usage reduced to less than 110 litres per person per day

    • Use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in the fabric of the building

    • The Real Living Wage must be paid to all workers on site

    • The borrower to support Lighthouse Charity, a leader in mental health within the construction industry

    • More than 25% of units to be affordable built on-site, or in line with local social housing plans

    All schemes must also deliver the following KPIs as a minimum:

    • All homes to be fossil fuel free

    • Every scheme to have average SAP score of 85+

    About Homes England 

    We are the government’s housing and regeneration Agency, and we’re here to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.  

    We make this happen by working in partnership with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built. 

    Learn more about us: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england/about

    Press Office contact details 

    Email: media@homesengland.gov.uk 

    Phone: 0207 874 8262 

    About Octopus Real Estate

    Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Investments, is a specialist real estate investor and lender delivering quality, sustainable places to live for every stage of life. Through our role as an investor, lender, and landlord, we fund the entire lifecycle of real estate ─ reimagining its future.

    We have more than £3.7 billion in real estate assets and secured lending, working with our partners to deliver greener homes for people to buy or rent, increase the supply of genuinely affordable housing, and build communities that meet the aspirations of elderly people. We also transform underused land and properties that require regeneration and redevelopment.

    We believe that real, lasting change can only be achieved if businesses invest in the right way. We work with people who share our values and take our responsibilities to the communities we serve seriously. Together, we’re harnessing change to build a better tomorrow.

    About Lighthouse

    The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is the only charity that provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to the construction community and their families.

    Our mission is to ensure that our construction community can easily access the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support they need and to develop healthy and sustainable futures for this generation and the next.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cuban national sentenced to nearly a decade in federal prison for human smuggling

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    EL PASO, Texas – A Cuban national was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 111 months in prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, conspiracy to harbor aliens, and sexual assault of an alien, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The U.S. Border Patrol assisted with the case.

    “Justice was served today for a stash house operator who organized the smuggling of hundreds of illegal aliens and sexually assaulted one of them, all while cramming individuals into tractor-trailers in the sweltering Texas heat,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jason T. Stevens. “HSI is committed to aggressively targeting human smugglers and smuggling organizations that continuously exploit individuals for profit. We will relentlessly pursue these criminals who prey on vulnerable people, ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”

    According to court documents, Humberto Yosvany Arriola-Rivero, 30, assisted in the harboring of illegal aliens and managed a stash house in El Paso. He also was an occupant in a vehicle that fled law enforcement that was transporting more than a dozen illegal aliens in April 2023. An investigation revealed that Arriola-Rivero sexually assaulted one of the illegal aliens at the El Paso stash house. Arriola-Rivero was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 17, 2023, and was arrested Sept. 7, 2023. He pleaded guilty Aug. 27, 2024.

    “It’s important to note that Arriola-Rivero is being held responsible not only for the significant role he played in human smuggling operations, but also for his abhorrent decision to further dehumanize and sexually violate one of his victims,” said acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “This sentence makes it clear to smugglers in El Paso and across the southern border, that if you engage in alien smuggling in our district, you will be held accountable.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nearly 3,000 top-venting blank firers handed during national gun amnesty

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    National gun amnesty took place in February across England and Wales.

    Police forces across England and Wales have seen 2,962 Turkish manufactured guns handed in as part of a national amnesty which took place in February.

    The top-venting blank firing (TVBF) guns have become popular with organised criminals in recent years due to the ease at which they are readily convertible into lethal firearms. Tests by the National Crime Agency and policing, funded by the Home Office, show models produced by four Turkish manufacturers are readily convertible and therefore illegal. TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over 18s unless they are readily convertible.

    Police forces across England and Wales held a four-week Firearms Amnesty for Turkish manufactured TVBFs namely models with the brand names ‘Retay’, ‘Ekol’, ‘Ceonic’ and ‘Blow’, in February.

    Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Criminal Use of Firearms, said: “This is a considerable step in making our streets safer and stopping these weapons from being used by criminals.

    “I would like to thank the public for their support during the amnesty and handing in these weapons which are now illegal to possess.

    “If you have any information about illegal firearms, such as the Turkish manufactured TVBF, I would ask you contact the police or Crimestoppers so that they can be taken off the streets.”

    The amnesty which took place between 3 February and 28 February 2025 saw 2,962 Turkish manufactured top-venting firers and was aimed at anyone in possession of a TVBF to hand their weapon in to avoid prosecution and up to 10 years imprisonment.

    In their original state TVBFs have a fully blocked barrel and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges. When discharged, combustion gases vent from the top of the weapon. TVBFs are sold with at least 50 per cent of their visible surface painted a bright colour however, criminals may paint them black so they look like an original lethal purpose (OLP) weapon as well as convert them to a lethal purpose firearm.

    Since 2021, UK law enforcement has recovered more than 1,000 converted TVBFs in criminal circumstances. Firearms legislation has not changed; the weapons are illegal to own under the Firearms Act 1968 as they can be readily converted using common household tools and without specialist skill on the part of the person carrying out the conversion. Testing completed by the NCA has demonstrated this.

    Charles Yates, National Crime Agency deputy director, said: “The amnesty results are excellent with very large numbers of surrenders of these easily converted firearms.

    “This work is a superb example of the public and the firearms trade coming together to help reduce the risk of the criminal use of these weapons.

    “Though firearms crime in the UK is relatively low compared with elsewhere in Europe and is among the lowest in the world, the NCA, policing and Border Force will continue to do everything possible to suppress the firearms threat and to protect the UK public.”

    Other unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition may be surrendered to police at any time which will avoid the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place.

    Anyone now found in possession of a Turkish manufactured TVBF will face prosecution for the illegal possession and face up to 10 years imprisonment.

    If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity should call the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Every call to Crimestoppers is anonymous and potentially vital to preventing or solving serious crimes; removing an illegally held firearm may just save someone’s life.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Cautious Optimism for Building Products Distribution Rising as Sustained Demand for New Residential Construction Expected

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Global and north American building products distribution market has been steadily increasing in past years and is expected to continue for the years to come. A building product report said that: “Looking forward to 2025 and beyond, there is cautious optimism for the building products sector following a year of foundational growth in 2024. The Federal Reserve has heeded data indicating lower inflation and a cooling labor market, opting to cut the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points in mid-September. This was the FOMC’s first decision to ease monetary policy in four years, which, overlaid with market expectations for an additional 50 basis points of cuts by year-end 2024, has improved the outlook for construction spending and activity in both residential and non-residential markets moving forward.” It continued saying that; “The building products distribution market in North America and Europe is massive, topping $800 billion, and is expected to grow 5-9% through 2031, driven by private and public investment and economic growth. The building materials distribution market in North America and Europe is a massive market, topping $800 billion.”  Active companies active in the markets include: Capstone Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: CAPS), QXO, Inc. (NYSE: QXO), CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX), Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS), Titan America SA (NYSE: TTAM).

    The report added: “Through mid-October 2024, the residential building products market has been characterized by muted demand resulting in continued underperformance. The rapid rise in mortgage rates in 2022 and 2023 has created “gridlock” in the housing market – whereby existing homeowners, who would be sellers in a lower interest rate environment, have deferred transacting due to the historic differential between their existing mortgage rate (sub-4% for most), and current market rates (~6.5%). This “gridlock” has limited the supply of homes available-for-sale, keeping prices elevated. Record-high prices of homes available-for-sale, combined with higher mortgage rates, continues to put homeownership out of reach for many prospective first-time buyers, forcing them to remain on the sidelines until conditions improve. This has resulted in lower home sale activity, which has driven down renovation spending – much of which is performed in connection with the purchase or sale of a home. However, there is optimism on the horizon – September’s rate cut has the market on the precipice of a seismic shift, supported by structural long-term demand. As of the end of 2023, the shortage of single-family housing was estimated at more than 7.2 million units. With over 100 million individuals set to cross the median homebuying age of thirty-four by 2040, there is likely to be strong, sustained demand for new residential construction. “

    Capstone Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: CAPS) Targets $100M Run Rate Increases Q4 Revenue and Executes Strategic Brand Expansion – Revenue Up over 8% in Q4 Year-Over-Year – Toro Stone Launched in 6 New States – Capstone Holding Corp. (the “Company” or “Capstone”), a national building products distribution company that has successfully grown its business organically and through well-timed acquisitions, announced financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2024.

    Matt Lipman, CEO of Capstone, said, “I’m proud of the team’s execution and focus on growth in the second half of the year. As the parent company, our mission is clear: double the size of the business through targeted, strategic acquisitions – and we believe we’re well on our way. We remain focused on scaling efficiently.”

    The Company is targeting an operating company revenue run rate by the end of 2025 of $100 million and Adjusted Instone EBITDA of at least $10 million. (The $100 million revenue and $10 million Adjusted Instone EBITDA numbers are targets for 2025 that include anticipated acquisitions. As these targets are dependent on closing acquisitions during 2025, the Company is unable to include a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP results to the corresponding GAAP measures as they are not available without unreasonable effort due to the uncertainties regarding the future identification and closing of acquisition targets.)

    Kevin Grotke, CEO of TotalStone, LLC (dba “Instone”), a wholly owned operating subsidiary of Capstone and its primary business activity, said, “I’m incredibly proud of our team’s execution and their sharp focus on customer acquisition and top-line growth. Their efforts have laid a strong foundation for continued success, and I’m excited to see the momentum carry into 2025 as we work toward achieving our ambitious goals – particularly the growth of our proprietary brands.”

    Capstone continues to position itself as a premier, national platform in the building products space. The Company is expanding its geographic footprint, strengthening its portfolio of proprietary brands, and delivering exceptional value to customers and stakeholders alike.

    FY 2024 Corporate and Operational Highlights – Set Acquisition Strategy for 2025:

    • Focused on Tuck-In Acquisitions, Sister Companies, and Platform Acquisitions
    • Deal environment and structures remain favorable
    • Acquisition multiples of 4-6x EBITDA
    • 20%- 45% of consideration as non-cash
    • Majority of activity centers around strategic Tuck-In Acquisitions to accelerate Instone’s earnings. Multiple sister company opportunities currently under review

    Q4 Revenue and Unit Volume Growth:

    • Instone delivered over 8% year-over-year revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2024

    Successful Launch of Toro Stone:

    • Installed 90 displays across 6 new states
    • Received orders from over 50 customers

    Operational Efficiencies:

    • Completed targeted cost reduction initiatives
    • Achieved improved gross margins

    For more details, see Capstone’s annual report on the Form 10-K, available online, here. A detailed power point presentation of the Fiscal 2024 Update and targets for 2025 can be found online, here. Matt Lipman has also recorded a discussion of the presentation that is available at the same website.   CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Capstone Holding Corp. at: https://capstoneholdingcorp.com/news/.

    In other developments and happenings in the markets recently include:

    QXO, Inc. (NYSE: QXO) announced recently that it is extending its all-cash tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (BECN) and amending the terms of its pending tender offer to reflect the terms of the previously announced definitive merger agreement between Beacon and QXO, including to increase the offer price to $124.35 per share in cash and reflect such other changes as contemplated by the merger agreement.

    Beacon’s board of directors unanimously recommends that all shareholders tender their shares into the offer, and has amended its recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 in support of the amended offer. The tender offer will remain open until 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on April 14, 2025.

    CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) presented its 2024 Integrated Report recently, titled Our Future in Action: Accelerating a Sustainable World, showcasing its operational and strategic performance in 2024. The year 2024 was marked by solid financial results, the recovery of Cemex’s investment-grade rating, and progress in its decarbonization agenda in alignment with Cemex’s 2030 targets.

    In 2024, Cemex achieved the second-strongest sales and Operating EBITDA in its recent history, alongside the highest free cash flow after maintenance capital expenditures since 2017. The company also made significant progress on its decarbonization targets through its Future in Action program, continuing to lead the industry in profitable decarbonization efforts.

    “Our global team’s focused and committed efforts have advanced a business model with sustainable attributes, seeking to ensure both environmental progress and long-term value creation for Cemex,” said Fernando A. González, CEO of Cemex. “This year’s report demonstrates strategic progress in executing our growth strategy, reinforces our commitment to our Future in Action program, and underscores the power of going beyond traditional social responsibility to support our climate action goals.”

    Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS) announced recently that it will hold a conference call regarding 2025 first quarter results on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. ET. The conference call will be hosted by Masco President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Allman. Participants in the call are asked to register five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time by dialing 800-549-8228 or 289-819-1520. Please use the conference identification number 30320.

    The 2025 first quarter results and supplemental material will be distributed at 7:00 a.m. ET on April 23 and will be available on the Company’s website at www.masco.com.

    The conference call will be webcast simultaneously and in its entirety through the Masco Corporation website. Shareholders, media representatives and others interested in Masco may participate in the webcast by registering through the Investor Relations section on the Company’s website.

    Titan America SA (NYSE: TTAM), a leading fully-integrated producer and supplier of building materials, services and solutions in the construction industry operating along the U.S. East Coast, recently announced its fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 financial results. Titan America SA, including its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Titan America LLC, shall be referred to herein as “Titan America.”

    “In our first earnings announcement as a public company, we are pleased to report strong full-year financial results, while continuing to invest in Titan America’s future growth,” said Bill Zarkalis, President & CEO of Titan America. “Our uniquely vertically integrated business model, comprehensive logistics network, and strategic positioning led to record full-year 2024 results, with our sales volumes outperforming the broader market. We’re confident about the long-term secular trends in our markets, including infrastructure modernization, resilient urbanization, and manufacturing reshoring along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Looking ahead, we are poised for another solid year of growth and enhanced profitability in 2025.”

    About FN Media Group:

    At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases

    Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia

    Follow us on Twitter for real time Market News: https://twitter.com/FNMgroup

    Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialnewsmedia/

    DISCLAIMER:  FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated twenty five hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Capstone Holding Corp. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

    Contact Information:

    Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757 

    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Doubles Down on North American Corporate Solutions Business with New Field CISO

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, is growing its Corporate Solutions business in North America with the appointment of Charles (Chuck) Everette as Field Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Following the recent appointment of ESET’s global Chief Corporate Solutions Officer Martin Talian, today’s news marks a significant milestone as the division looks to rapidly gain further traction in North America.

    ESET’s Corporate Solutions division was launched globally in 2022 to deliver custom solutions and high-value threat intelligence for Fortune 500 companies and large enterprises to proactively defend against advanced threats. Featured at ESET World 2025, the Corporate Solutions team in North America and globally delivers highly configurable, scalable, and innovative solutions for customers operating critical infrastructure, providing financial services as well as government and defense organizations. This includes highly configurable, scalable, and innovative solutions designed for organizations delivering mission critical services. Specialized solutions offered by Corporate Solutions include but are not limited to:

    • Air-gapped instances for local sandboxing and threat analysis
    • Managed cybersecurity services covering end-to-end perimeter
    • Advanced scanning solutions for complex and high-volume environments
    • Long-life support aligned with customer’s product lifecycles
    • Integrated solutions for both homes and businesses
    • High-value cybersecurity advisory services

    ESET Corporate Solutions excels in the design, delivery, and operation of these solutions and services, offering various levels of customization.

    “Large Fortune 500 companies and North America enterprises have incredibly complex cybersecurity requirements, and Chuck brings the rare combination of visionary leadership, relationships, and hands-on expertise to drive momentum for Corporate Solutions locally,” said Martin Talian. “His deep technical knowledge and ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences make him an invaluable asset to our organization and a trusted voice in the industry. We are thrilled to welcome him to the ESET team and to see this business reach its full potential in North America.”

    Everette is an accomplished cybersecurity veteran with more than two decades of global IT security leadership. After starting his career as a hands-on practitioner in manufacturing and finance, he rose through the ranks to become a Deputy CISO of Fidelity National Information Services, where he oversaw 80% of the United States’ financial traffic and built a 60-person Security Operations Center (SOC) from the ground up. Everette has acted as a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, and venture capital firms evaluating cybersecurity investments. He has also worked extensively with federal agencies, including Homeland Security, and has been involved in addressing many of the most significant data breaches over the past 15 years.

    “As a CISO and security practitioner myself, it’s important to me that I work with vendors known for technology excellence — and that’s what led me to ESET,” said Everette. “ESET is recognized across the industry for the strength of its products, in-house innovation, and unwavering commitment to its customers. I’m not coming in as a salesperson but as a peer who can relate to other CISOs because I’ve been in their shoes. I’m excited to help grow ESET’s presence in the North American market.”

    A respected voice in the cybersecurity industry, Everette has spoken at prestigious conferences such as RSA and Black Hat, and has authored articles for Forbes and Dark Reading. His deep network of industry professionals and unwavering commitment to advancing cybersecurity make him a pivotal figure in the field.

    To learn more about ESET Corporate Solutions, visit https://www.eset.com/us/business/corporate-solutions/.

    About ESET

    ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of known and emerging cyber threats — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. An ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

    The MIL Network –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: LVT Releases Industry-First Mobile Security Unit Talk Down Powered by Agentic AI and Other Features

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (ISC West Booth #29061), April 2, 2025: LVT (LiveView Technologies, Inc.), the leader of rapidly deployable security solutions, today announced multiple new capabilities powered by proprietary AI models that empower security teams to implement proactive, data-driven security strategies for 24/7 coverage in any environment. The capabilities, currently in beta, include industry-first agentic AI-powered personalized audio messages that automatically detect, validate, and deter by referencing identifiable features of an individual, a pan/tilt spotlight that intelligently points at a detection area, and an intuitive forensic search to find footage with simple keywords.

    “Everything we’ve built at LVT and the countless hours we’ve spent training our AI has led to this moment,” said Steve Lindsey, LVT CTO. “For the last 20 years, our mission has always been to help make communities safer and empower security personnel to secure any environment across every industry. LVT’s proprietary AI models deliver on this promise and offer first-of-their-kind features that will forever reshape how teams optimize their resources to proactively deter crime and save lives.”

    New LVT Unit features include:

    • Agentic AI-powered audio talk down uses situational context to issue a personalized audio message to potential bad actors, identifying the individual who triggered the alert by what they are wearing or holding. The lifelike audio comes in multiple voice options, and the fully automated capability minimizes the necessity of human intervention in order to detect, validate, and deter.
    • Intuitive forensic search in the LVT Platform allows personnel to find footage by searching with natural language, greatly accelerating the ability to analyze situations, gather evidence, and successfully prosecute.
    • Dynamic pan/tilt spotlight points at the detection area, providing greater visibility and drawing attention to where on-the-ground security personnel may need to respond. The optimal lighting also ensures the unit cameras capture the highest quality evidence of a situation while deterring bad actors from committing the crime.
    • Configurable strobe lights with settings for color, pattern, and intensity create distinct visual cues for security teams while enhancing the overall unit experience.

    “LVT’s AI features redefine what’s possible in mobile security, and our proprietary detection models will continue to evolve rapidly in the coming months,” said James Bangerter, LVT VP of Product Development. “Security teams can now access more advanced deterrence features that provide 24/7 coverage and keep personnel aware of risks or incidents so they can make informed and effective responses. Simply put, no other mobile security solution offers AI of this caliber.”

    ISC West attendees can visit LVT in booth #29061 to see these features and more in action, including SafeNow, a mobile-first experience currently in beta that allows customer employees to access LVT Unit features directly from their phones. Learn more about LVT and these new product updates at www.lvt.com/beta.

    About LVT
    LVT (LiveView Technologies, Inc.) is a leader in life safety and security and the premier developer and manufacturer of mobile, solar-powered and cellular/satellite-connected surveillance solutions and software. Headquartered in American Fork, Utah, LVT’s enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution is used by retailers, critical infrastructure and utilities, construction projects, warehouse and distribution centers, police, municipalities, and more. LVT is proud to be made in the USA and manufactured in Utah. For more information, visit www.lvt.com.

    Media Contacts:
    Matthew Deighton
    LiveView Technologies
    media@lvt.com

    The MIL Network –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Jimmy Etheredge Joins Monarch Private Capital Executive Management Committee to Enhance Investor Value and National Impact

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monarch Private Capital (Monarch), a nationally recognized impact investment firm that develops, finances, and manages a diversified portfolio of projects generating both federal and state tax credits, welcomes James O. (Jimmy) Etheredge, former CEO of Accenture – North America, as a member of the firm’s Executive Management Committee and a Managing Director of Corporate Solutions.

    With nearly four decades of experience working with Fortune 500 companies to transform their businesses, Etheredge brings deep expertise in corporate transformation and strategic growth. As CEO, he grew Accenture’s North America business to $30 billion. He will lead a strategic initiative to optimize renewable energy, historic rehabilitation, and affordable housing tax strategies and solutions for institutional and corporate investors. His board roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Southern Company, Encora, and Grant Thornton further position him to add long-term value to Monarch’s mission of delivering financial and social benefits through impact investment strategies.

    “Joining Monarch is the culmination of a long-standing passion I have had for driving positive change through smart and innovative investments,” said Etheredge. “This opportunity allows me to leverage decades of financial experience, passion, and leadership to positively impact corporate America. I am honored to help Monarch scale its mission and align capital with real-world impact.”

    “Jimmy’s ability to build lasting relationships and drive strategic innovation makes him an invaluable addition to Monarch,” said Robin Delmer, Partner, Co-Founder & Co-CEO at Monarch Private Capital. “His expertise in corporate growth and leadership in navigating evolving markets will strengthen our ability to deliver value to investors and the communities we serve.”

    Beyond his executive leadership, Etheredge contributes to the Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Police Foundation, and the Boy Scouts of America through nonprofit board service. A Georgia native, Etheredge holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he is a trustee and member of the university’s Hill Society.

    Etheredge’s hire reinforces Monarch’s commitment to attracting proven business leaders who can help the company deliver unparalleled solutions to corporate tax equity investors.

    For more information about Monarch Private Capital, visit www.monarchprivate.com.

    About Monarch Private Capital

    Monarch Private Capital manages impact investment funds that positively impact communities by creating clean power, jobs, and homes. The funds provide predictable returns through the generation of federal and state tax credits. The Company offers innovative tax credit equity investments for affordable housing, historic rehabilitations, renewable energy, film, and other qualified projects. Monarch Private Capital has long-term relationships with institutional and individual investors, developers, and lenders participating in these federal and state programs. Headquartered in Atlanta, Monarch has offices and professionals located throughout the United States.

    CONTACT

    Jane Rafeedie

    Monarch Private Capital

    Jrafeedie@monarchprivate.com

    470-283-8431

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c392e08a-05cb-4b38-b0ed-83b68de0312e

    The MIL Network –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series Brings Intelligent Experiences to the Forefront with Premium, Versatile Design

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics America today announced the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, offering new entry points to the Galaxy ecosystem with a premium tablet design. Equipped with the largest screen available on the Galaxy Tab S FE series and slimmer bezels that expand its display, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ provides a fun, immersive viewing experience for everything from entertainment to studying to day-to-day tasks. Samsung’s Intelligent Features empower users to get more done with ease, while a slimmer design helps users boost their creativity and productivity on the go.
    “The new Galaxy Tab S10 FE series brings advanced mobile AI experiences and Samsung’s connected ecosystem to even more tablet users, while still offering leading performance and design,” said Changtae Kim, EVP & Head of New Computing R&D Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re confident that the slim bezels and expansive displays, in addition to a whole host of functional improvements, will inspire people to do more, create more, and discover more.”
    Stunning Clarity on a Bigger, Vibrant Display
    Combining the Galaxy Tab S series’ heritage design with slim bezels, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ 13.1-inch display1 offers immersive entertainment on a screen that’s almost 12% larger than the previous FE+. Smooth visuals enabled by a refresh rate up to 90Hz and new levels of visibility up to 800 nits HBM on the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series ensure an optimal viewing experience when watching videos and gaming. Vision Booster’s automatic adjustments enhance brightness and visibility even in ever-changing outdoor environments while blue-light emissions are safely reduced to minimize eye strain, meeting every unique viewing need.

    Robust Performance in a Portable Design
    The Galaxy Tab S10 FE series boosts productivity when working or studying, and delivers fast, smooth gameplay without interruption. Performance upgrades enable the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series to help users switch effortlessly between multiple apps when they are being creative, allowing for improved multitasking. And when capturing everyday moments in the classroom or in workspaces, a newly upgraded 13MP high resolution rear camera produces clear and vivid photos.
    These versatile experiences, which enable powerful work and seamless play, accompany users everywhere they go. Now more than 4% lighter than its predecessor, Galaxy Tab S10 FE is even easier to carry around, thanks to its slim design. Plus, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series also offers hassle-free storage, making it an ideal companion at home, on campus, and in the workplace. Engineered for resilience and with durability in mind, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series also comes with the same IP68 rating2 as the newest Galaxy Tab S10 series — offering protection from water and dust.
    Advanced Features Unleash Potential
    Building on Samsung’s legacy of delivering premium experiences across the Galaxy ecosystem, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ and Galaxy Tab S10 FE are the first models in the FE series to come equipped with intelligent features that fuel user productivity right out of the box.

    Fan-favorite Circle to Search3 with Google allows you to search what you see on your tablet without switching apps. Quickly get the info you need, translate text on screen, or get homework help with step-by-step explanations — all on one large screen.
    Samsung Notes features like Math Solver4 for quick calculations of handwriting and text, and Handwriting Assist5 to seamlessly tidy up notes, make notetaking easier than ever so users can stay focused.
    AI assistants are instantly launched with a single tap of the AI Hot Key6 on the Book Cover Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim. Plus, AI assistants can be customized based on users’ preferences for a more personalized experience.
    An upgraded Object Eraser7 lets users effortlessly remove unwanted objects from photos, with automatic suggestions for quick and easy edits.
    Newly introduced Best Face8 ensures perfect group photos by selecting and combining the best expressions and features.
    Auto Trim9 brings cherished moments to life by sifting through multiple videos to seamlessly compile highlight reels.
    The Galaxy Tab S10 FE series also serves as the perfect canvas for creativity with apps and tools including LumaFusion,10 Goodnotes,11 Clip Studio Paint,12 and more, alongside other apps like Noteshelf 3,13 Sketchbook, and Picsart.14

    For an even more intuitive AI experience, the FE series seamlessly integrates with other Samsung Galaxy devices. Similar to the Galaxy Tab S10, users can access a comprehensive overview of their home status with the Home Insight widget dashboard and 3D Map View feature. Summarized status updates of SmartThings-enabled devices give users peace of mind when out and about.

    Security Your Way
    As with any Galaxy device, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series is fortified by strong security — Samsung Knox — Samsung Galaxy’s defense-grade, multi-layer security platform built to safeguard critical information and protect against vulnerabilities with end-to-end hardware, real-time threat detection, and collaborative protection.
    Availability
    Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ will be available in the U.S. beginning April 10 on Samsung.com and at national retailers and carriers. To reserve now and be among the first to discover the new Galaxy Tab S10 FE series, visit Samsung.com and get a $50 credit toward a qualifying purchase.15 Both tablets come in three colors: Gray, Silver, and Blue.
    Galaxy Tab S10 FE is available starting at $499.99, with 128GB and 256GB storage options. Or pick up Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G for a connected experience, beginning at $599.99 — available in a Gray colorway. Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ starts at $649.99, with 128GB and 256GB storage options available.
    U.S. customers who purchase Galaxy Tab S10 FE or Galaxy Tab S20 FE+ by May 11, 2025 can receive up to 50% off a Book Cover Keyboard Slim.
    For more information about the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series, please visit: Samsung.com.
    Specifications

    Galaxy Tab S10 FE (10.9-inch)Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (13.1-inch)
    Display10.9-inch, LCD
    (Up to 90Hz13.1-inch, LCD
    (Up to 90Hz)
    * Measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners.
    Dimensions & Weight*10 x 6.5 x .23 in.
    1.1 lbs. (Wi-Fi),11.8 x 7.6 x .23 in.
    1.4 lbs. (Wi-Fi),
    *Accuracy of numbers may vary depending on measurements used.
    Camera13 MP Rear Camera
    12 MP Ultra-Wide Front Camera
    AP*Exynos 1580
    Memory & Storage*12 GB + 256 GB
    8 GB + 128 GB
    MicroSD up to 2TB
    * Available storage capacity is subject to preloaded software.
    Battery / Charging8,000 mAh / 45W10,090 mAh / 45W
    *Typical value of battery capacity tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
    **Wired charging compatible with QC2.0 and AFC.
    ***45W Power Adapter sold separately. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables.
    OS*Android 15
    *Edition version and availability timing may vary depending on model and/or market.
    Network and Connectivity*5G (Sub-6)*, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth® v 5.3
    *5G services are only supported in 5G network enabled locations. Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on carrier and user environment.
    ** Wi-Fi 6 network availability may vary by market, network provider and user environment. Requires optimal connection. Will require a Wi-Fi 6 router.
    SoundDual Speaker
    S PenS Pen (BLE not supported) in-box
    SecurityFingerprint (Power Key)
    SIMDual SIM (1 Physical + 1 eSIM)
    Water ResistanceIP68
    * IP68 Rating: Conducted under lab test conditions. Water resistant in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes and protected from dust, dirt, and sand. Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use. Water and dust resistance of your device is not permanent and may diminish over time.
    AccessoriesBook Cover Keyboard
    Book Cover Keyboard Slim
    Smart Book Cover
    Anti-reflecting Screen Protector
    *All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Championing gaming start-ups

    Source: Scottish Government

    Eight Techscaler companies heading to Japan.

    Eight leading Scottish games companies are to showcase their products and expertise to a global audience.

    They will leave on 5th April for a two week visit to Japan, one of the world’s biggest and most influential gaming markets, which will see them meet potential new investors, customers and commercial contacts.

    In Tokyo they will be based at Tunnel Tokyo, a startup incubator operated by the SEGA Sammy group and venture capital firm Pegasus Ventures.

    They will then showcase their products at a Scottish Government event focused on gaming at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, which expects to host over 28 million attendees from all over the world.

    The visit has been developed as part of the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme. Participants range from Blazing Griffin a Glasgow-based multi-media entertainment company spanning games, film and post-production, to Dundee based Konglomerate Games and Edinburgh company GLITCHERS, whose products include games technology aimed at the healthcare sector,

    Speaking during a visit to Blazing Griffin, Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:

    “Japan is synonymous with gaming technology and, with a market valued at around $50 billion, it offers phenomenal economic opportunities for our own, hugely talented Scottish sector.

    “Techscaler is about helping entrepreneurs unleash their ability to innovate, spearheading Scotland’s presence in expanding new markets.

    “Techscaler Japan will present some of our most exciting gaming start-ups with considerable opportunities to unlock further investment, develop new commercial partnerships and drive and showcase their businesses on a global stage.”

    Blazing Griffin’s Co-Head of Games, Justin Alae-Carew said:

    “We’re incredibly excited to take part in Techscaler’s market visit to Japan. Japan is not only an incredible consumer and producer of games, but also home to a fantastic array of multi-media intellectual property (IP). We see huge opportunity in exploring cross-border partnership with a specific focus on IP – either Japanese IP coming to the West or Western IP gaining foothold in Japan.

    “The multi-media lens by which Japan views IP is also something for us to learn from and given our capabilities across film and games at Blazing Griffin, we’re uniquely positioned to take advantage of the opportunities raised by that approach.”

    Head of Bridge Programmes at CodeBase, delivery partner of Techscaler, Ruth Oliver said:

    “The companies selected to join the first Japan cohort represent some of Scotland’s most exciting and promising companies from the gaming sector, and while some are further down the commercial path than others, what they all have in common is a global mindset. 

    “With the opportunity to make valuable industry connections and gain insights and learnings, the programme offers the companies a golden chance to win customers and take their business to the next level in one of the world’s most dynamic and important markets.”

    Background

    The companies participating in the visit are:

    • BearHammer Games (Glasgow), a virtual reality projects and game developer
    • Konglomerate Games (Dundee) develops video game technology for sectors like healthcare and education.
    • Buildstash (Glasgow), which helps game developers manage iOS and Android apps
    • Yaldi Games (Edinburgh) which develops education-focused software.
    • Speech Graphics (Edinburgh) which develops facial animation technology
    • Blazing Griffin (Glasgow) a film and games producer and post-production developer.
    • Wardog Studios (Edinburgh) which develops virtual reality weapons and vehicles 
    • GLITCHERS (Edinburgh) a game developer whose titles include a game used to support dementia research

    Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai takes place from 13 April to 13 October. It is an international event at which countries, organisations and companies showcase innovations, cultural exchanges and solutions to global challenges. It is expected to attract about 28 million visitors and more than 150 participating countries. 

    Scotland’s spotlight event on gaming and consumer industries will be held on 17 April at the UK Pavilion. Scottish Enterprise is supporting the three events for Scotland at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is available on SDI’s website.

    The Scottish Government is investing £42 million in Techscaler. Nearly 1,000 Scottish companies are now involved in the programme. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vacancy announced for Birches Head and Northwood ward

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 2nd April 2025

    A vacancy has been announced for Birches Head and Northwood ward.

    It comes as the city council published an official notice of vacancy this week after Steve Blakemore, ward councillor for Birches Head and Northwood, has been disqualified as a councillor on Stoke-on-Trent City Council. 

    Former Councillor Blakemore is an employee of Unitas, the council’s housing maintenance company, whose employees were transferred to the council yesterday (April 1).

    Under UK law a council employee cannot also be a councillor and therefore the council has had no choice but to disqualify him.

    A by-election will be called in due course.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Views sought on proposals to reshape libraries and community services

    Source: City of Leicester

    THE city council is asking for views on proposals to ensure libraries and community centres remain accessible to everyone in Leicester – in spite of the worst budget situation the council has ever seen.

    The council is proposing to operate its library and community services from 12 multi-service centres and the city’s Central Library.

    If the proposals are agreed, the council would invest £1million in the buildings to enable them to operate as hubs, bringing together a range of services provided by the council and partners.

    The council is also proposing to expand book collections at some children’s centres; expand the home library service that delivers books direct to the door of housebound residents; and introduce self-service libraries to extend opening hours outside of staffed times.

    The Central Library on Bishop Street would continue to provide a city-wide service, with a slight reduction in opening hours.

    The changes are being put forward following a city-wide survey and engagement exercise carried out in 2023. The proposals would reduce council spending by £2.1m per year and contribute to the £23m of savings the council needs to make to balance its budget.

    The savings could be made by making some of buildings available for community organisations to run. Reductions in staff numbers and opening hours are also proposed.

    Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for libraries and community centres, said: “We are very proud of our libraries and community centres in Leicester. They play an important role in bringing people together, and we know that the services they offer are greatly valued.

    “Sadly, after many years of Government cuts to our budgets we can no longer afford to run them in the same way, and so have looked for new ways to keep providing the services people most value, in a place close to where they live.

    “That’s why we’re proposing to bring services together in new multi-service hubs, ensuring they continue to be accessible across the city, while making the savings we need by reducing the number of buildings we run.

    “Making some buildings available for community groups to run is another way we can ensure that services continue to be delivered. We have seen how well this can work at New Parks Community Centre and the African Caribbean Centre.

    “Supporting local groups to run libraries, is also a tried and tested option that is working well in the county and other places.

    “These proposals have been drawn up after very careful consideration of the feedback we’ve had from service users and residents, and no decisions have yet been taken. I would urge anyone who has an interest in these services to let us have their views.”

    Facilities which could be made available for the local community to run are: Belgrave, Coleman, and Netherhall neighbourhood centres; Braunstone Frith and Rushey Mead recreation centres; Eyres Monsell Community Centre; Evington, Knighton and Rushey Mead libraries; Gilmorton community rooms; and the Tudor Centre.

    The St Matthews Centre would close, and the library would be relocated to somewhere nearby. Disposal options would be looked at for the Fosse Centre, which – owing to the work needed to the building – is not suitable for transferring to the community.

    Of the 12 sites the council proposes to keep – which would be renamed as hubs to reflect their multi-service offer – five could have staffed opening for 40 hours a week. These include Beaumont Leys Library Hub and Highfields Library Hub. Additional self-access hours would be offered on top of the 40 hours at Belgrave Library Hub; The Brite Centre Library Hub; and St Barnabas Library Hub.

    The remaining seven sites could open for 30 hours a week, including Aylestone Library (already located in the leisure centre); Westcotes Library Hub; St Matthews Library (which could relocate to a building nearby); and Thurnby Lodge Centre Hub (with a new self-service library). Additional self-access hours on top of the 30 hours, are proposed for Hamilton Library Hub; New Parks Centre Hub; and Pork Pie Library Hub.

    Consultation on the proposals will run from 2 April to 29 June. Questionnaires are available to complete on the council’s consultation website. 

    Open meetings will be held in different neighbourhood venues, details of which are on the consultation website.

    The council set its budget for 2025/26 in February. Its financial outlook is very difficult due to previous government austerity cuts, the rising costs of social care, and an increase in homeless families requiring support.

    It plans to use £110m of one-off monies to help maintain services in the short term, together with savings of £23m a year by 2027/28. There will remain a gap between spending and income of £68m by 2027/28, requiring the council to take every opportunity available to reduce costs.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: This World Autism Awareness Day a Proud Mom Celebrates Her Young Daughter’s Advancement of Science

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    “I celebrate her,” heartwarmingly shares Mom Jacqueline Vanderhoof this World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 about the amazing difference her daughter Fiona, 4, is already making in the world to advance scientific knowledge and a potential new treatment for those with autism spectrum disorders, especially profound autism like hers.

    Meet Fiona Vanderhoof, 4, of Philadelphia who is changing the world and autism research by sharing her cells for advanced study at UConn School of Medicine. 

    As a baby Fiona was diagnosed with a genetic condition that causes profound autism known as Dup15q Syndrome.

    “We noticed Fiona wasn’t holding her head up like an infant should and she started doing some weird involuntary movements of her arms and shuttering. We called the pediatrician, and to them it seemed like she was having seizures. We took her down to the ER and ultimately, she was diagnosed with epilepsy. But as part of that journey, we did genetic testing.”

    Her mother says Fiona’s medical journey speaks volumes of the vital importance of doing follow-up genetic testing to catch a possible diagnosis and to inform a child’s care.

    “The genetic testing came back right away that she has what’s called Dup15q syndrome, she basically has an extra chromosome, similar to Down syndrome, so she has an extra piece of her fifteenth chromosome. Through that journey we learned the disorder causes autism among other symptoms,” shared Vanderhoof.

    Due to the genetic condition of Dup15q, Fiona is very significantly developmentally delayed. Also, her verbal communication is very challenged as well as her understanding of spoken language.

    “But the very good news is she says a few words now, and we never thought that could happen! We also didn’t know if she would ever walk, but she does now! She’s very active and it’s really great!” Mom happily reports. Also, Fiona’s repetitive seizures are now under control, and she’s been weaned off her epilepsy medication. But her mother says it’s a waiting game to see if the seizures ever come back.

    “The unknown is very hard,” stresses Mom. “But thanks to Fiona’s shared cells we’re so close to finding a new genetic therapeutic to help her and others with autism,” Mom happily shares.

    Research at UConn School of Medicine was recently awarded funding in February by the Eagles Autism Foundation and UConn’s research findings could directly impact Fiona’s future.

    Fiona Vanderhoof developed profound autism due to the genetic autism-linked condition Dup15q Syndrome. But her diagnosis is not slowing her down. Fiona is a very active child.

    After Fiona’s diagnosis Vanderhoof became a self-proclaimed “science nerd” to find more answers and to help more kids with autism.

    “I had a mobile phlebotomist come to the house and take Fiona’s blood samples to create specialized cells in a lab in California so they could be shared with scientists for further study,” Vanderhoof says.

    “I made cell lines and had them shipped to UConn for research after contacting Dr. Eric Levine’s Lab,” Vanderhoof said. “I now talk to Dr. Levine and his UConn team, and they say, ‘I’m working on Fiona’s cells’ or ‘we used Fiona’s cells today for this and that.’ I’m so glad they are putting her cells to good use! Anything we can do to help autism!”

    “It’s a hope, but soon a reality, we are going to have a gene therapy in the next few years. That’s really exciting!” Vanderhoof exclaims. “Our biggest hope is to improve the quality of life for these kids like Fiona.”

    “We love the Philadelphia Eagles,” says Vanderhoof whose family lives in Philadelphia and are now championing the growing grant funding awarded by the organization for the study of autism and future treatments. “This past year they were able to fund two different Dup15q syndrome researchers a total of $800,000 which is fantastic!”

    For Fiona’s Dup15q genetic disorder the Eagles Autism Foundation grant is funding UConn and Levine’s research looking into the genetic makeup of that extra piece of chromosome.

    “The fact that this UConn researcher is looking into that really gives me hope that in her lifetime there will be a therapeutic that will help her. I am not looking for a cure and not looking to fix Fiona. We love her,” says Vanderhoof. “That all gives me a lot of hope for kids like Fiona that have the same syndrome. One of the big things that is concerning with her Dup15q syndrome are the seizures and what that can do for her quality of life and what that does to her development.”

    And this World Autism Awareness Day and every day, Fiona’s mom wishes for one thing.

    “It’s so important that rare and profound autism stays top of mind too. Don’t lose sight of these kids and their challenges. They are so special!”

    The cutting-edge autism research of UConn Neuroscientist Levine and his lab won $400,000 in research funds thanks to football fans donating to the annual Eagles Autism Challenge. His lab’s work explores autism’s genomic genesis and identifying genetic pathways that may cause autism spectrum disorders and better ways to study them. His team has been studying the two rare, genetic disease syndromes that also result in profound autism, Dup15q Syndrome and Angelman Syndrome. They impact about 1 in 5,000 children.

    While it still is not clear yet scientifically about autism spectrum disorders’ genetic origins, it is known that both of these autism-linked syndromes are connected to a child’s genetic differences that lead to a missing piece of a chromosome (Angelman Syndrome) or chromosomal duplication (Dup15q Syndrome) in the same 15q11-q13 region.

    Levine’s innovative autism research at UConn is reprogramming the donated skin or blood cells of patients like Fiona to develop them in the lab into brain cells that exactly mirror each patient’s genomics for further study.

    “This is really unique, personalized medicine, and a better way for us to study the genomics and physiology of a real child’s brain cells and the possible role multiple genes may be playing leading to autism. All kids are different. We can analyze the physical structure of their neurons, measure intracellular calcium dynamics, and record functional electrical activity,” says Levine, is grateful to have received donations of cells from families for study like the Vanderhoof’s. “It’s very exciting to pivot our autism research to translational research studying actual patient-derived human neurons.”

    In his translational research efforts, Levine hopes to compare neurons of patients and identify what role various genes play in the brain cells of the patients with syndromes also causing autism, and how their brain cells behave differently, and even test what possible current drugs or new drugs might be beneficial to patients to improve both their symptoms and quality of life.

    “There is so much to learn about the brain,” says Levine, whose work as a neuroscientist every day is driven by his fierce curiosity to learn more and more about how the brain works, and also inspired by the autism patients and families he has had the privilege to meet like the Vanderhoof family.

    UConn Neuroscientist Dr. Eric S. Levine in his lab at UConn School of Medicine conducting cutting-edge autism research (Photo by Lauren Woods).

    “The families I have met are so grateful for our autism research efforts, and more hope is on the way. It is a very exciting time for autism research and real, tangible progress and results with research advances and drug clinical trials,” says Levine. “Our focus at UConn is finding the next generation of therapies,” says Levine, whose ultimate goal for his autism research is exploring the future power of gene testing and gene therapy for autism spectrum disorders and related-syndromes, including very early-on in life whether in-utero or during a young child’s life.

    “If we can better understand the common pathway in the brain for these two genetic syndromes that lead to autism, we may someday understand other forms of autism, especially what causes behavioral issues such as loss of verbal communication, cognitive deficits, and impaired motor-function skills,” says Levine.

    The University of Connecticut thanks and celebrates you, Fiona!

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Developing a Clearer Understanding of Permafrost Thaw Risk in Alaska

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    In the Arctic, permafrost plays a crucial role in building infrastructure. However, as the region warms and permafrost thaws, infrastructure is threatened as the ground shifts beneath the built environment. Unfortunately, the full extent of the risks associated with this process is not yet understood, but researchers are working to address this knowledge gap.

    UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment researchers, including Ph.D. student Elias Manos and Assistant Professor Chandi Witharana, along with Anna Liljedahl from the Woodwell Climate Research Center, developed a method that uses high-resolution satellite imagery and deep machine learning to double the mapped infrastructure of Alaska and more accurately project economic risks associated with permafrost thaw. Their findings are published in Nature Communications Earth and Environment.

    Witharana says this is the latest in his research group’s long-term study of how satellites can help monitor changes in the Arctic landscape over time, in this case, the largely unaccounted for risks of thawing permafrost for communities and their vital infrastructure like buildings and roads.

    “The main focus here is, there was a visual gap for infrastructure, and we need to have more detail to create critical information layers for downstream analysis like economic risk. We didn’t have that for Alaska,” says Witharana.

    A home in Point Lay, Alaska that is affected by thawing permafrost. (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Jones)

    The motivation behind this research stems from the need to understand hazards in a changing world, says Manos. However, those assessments cannot happen without a clear understanding of what is in harm’s way.

    “We know that local temperatures are rising and there is change in the frequency, intensity, and timing of extreme weather and hazardous events. Whether they are rapid onset events like hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, or slow onset hazards like droughts, permafrost thaw in this case, we need to understand the potential harm these events pose,” says Manos.

    Manos says that permafrost serves as a structural foundation where piles are secured through it and buildings are designed to help maintain its thermal integrity. It is, therefore, essential that the pile foundation remains stably anchored into the permafrost, but the structural integrity is compromised as this layer thaws.

    “When the temperature of permafrost starts to increase, piles start to shift out of place, and that’s what we call bearing capacity loss, or decrease in bearing capacity. That was the main hazard that we looked at which impacts buildings,” says Manos. “Then there’s also transportation infrastructure that’s primarily impacted by ground subsidence. When ice-rich permafrost thaws, the ground will cave in and that was the hazard we used to assess the disaster risk for roads.”

    Previous studies made risk estimates based on data from OpenStreetMap (OSM), which is one of the most widely used geospatial data sets available, says Manos. OSM is available for every nation across the globe, and information is updated by volunteers who manually input local data, like buildings, trails, roads, or other kinds of infrastructure, from high-resolution imagery on a global scale.

    For some regions, like Europe and parts of the United States, the data is accurate, says Manos, but that is not true for all locations. Unfortunately for the Arctic, OSM data is lacking.

    Top four panels (and two zoom-ins) show delineations of buildings, roads, and storage tanks predicted by the infrastructure detection model from Maxar satellite imagery of four different Alaskan communities (Utqiagvik, Kotzebue, Hooper Bay, and Bethel). The bottom panel compares the map produced by the UConn team’s methodology (titled High-resolution Arctic Built Infrastructure and Terrain Analysis Tool (HABITAT)) to other existing Arctic infrastructure data products. OpenStreetMap is a widely used open-source geographic database supported by volunteer mapping efforts. As displayed, OpenStreetMap is often incomplete in many areas of the Arctic. The Sentinel-1/2 derived Arctic Coastal Human Impact dataset (SACHI) is a circumpolar-scale map of Arctic buildings, roads, and other human-modified land produced with machine- and deep-learning algorithms and Sentinel-1/2 satellite imagery. As displayed, this dataset has a comparatively coarse resolution that struggles with identifying individual objects. (Courtesy of Maxar, Inc. and Annett Bartsch)

    “There are several previous risk studies that relied on this incomplete infrastructure data. It all goes back to the fact that infrastructure across the Arctic is not completely mapped, and that’s problematic if you want to understand disasters because you must have the full picture to understand the scale of what is or could potentially be exposed,” says Manos.

    One of the objectives of Witharana’s research group is to improve methods to analyze large sets of satellite images quickly and accurately. Here, they developed a method to accurately map infrastructure and permafrost thaw risk called High-resolution Arctic Built Infrastructure and Terrain Analysis Tool (HABITAT). The model uses machine learning and AI to extract road and building information from high-resolution satellite images from the years 2018-2023. They compared the HABITAT data with OSM data to evaluate the new model’s quality and to look for potential misclassifications. Then they added the new information to OSM, nearly doubling the previous amount of information available for Alaska.

    “The sheer amount of infrastructure and buildings that were missing from Open Street Map was, really shocking to me, 47% missing,” says Manos. “Though OpenStreetMap is a powerful volunteer-based resource, it has limitations and that is not a surprise.”

    Owing to the large amount of data previously not considered, the researchers estimate that the costs of permafrost damage to infrastructure will double under low and medium emissions scenarios by 2050.

    “Damages to infrastructure caused by permafrost thaw is on par with the average yearly cost of all natural disasters in the country, yet permafrost thaw is not recognized by the federal government as a natural hazard, making it harder for people in Alaska to obtain disaster relief funding. In addition, Alaska is decades behind the rest of the country in terms of geospatial data readiness. Maps are key for assessments and planning, and I think the research community can help with some of that,” says Liljedahl.

    Witharana’s research group and collaborators are working to fill these knowledge gaps to create data that can be used to help prepare communities for the future. Manos plans to expand this analysis to account for the entire Arctic region to assess economic losses using a comprehensive infrastructure map.

    Witharana adds that by combining OSM data with the thousands of sub-meter resolution satellite images provided by the National Science Foundation, along with access to NSF supercomputing infrastructure, it was possible for the researchers to enhance the completeness of these datasets.

    “We can see that impact and do better assessments of economic disturbances and risk so we can prepare for whatever policy actions or downstream efforts that are needed,” says Witharana. “That’s a major outcome. Overall, the integration of AI and big data sets within our application has helped make useful, actionable products that researchers and communities can use right now.”

    The combined HABTAT and OSM dataset is available for anyone to explore on the Permafrost Discovery Gateway. This work is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs (NSF-OPP) (grant No. 1927723 and 2052107) and Google.org’s Impact Challenge on Climate Innovation. The image in Fig. 1b was acquired and provided through NSF RISE-1928237. Furthermore, this work used the Delta supercomputer at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign through allocation #EES220055 from the Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Coordination Ecosystem: Services & Support (ACCESS) program, which is supported by National Science Foundation grants #2138259, #2138286, #2138307, #2137603, and #2138296. Geospatial support for this work was provided by the Polar Geospatial Center under NSF-OPP awards 1043681, 1559691, and 2129685.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man jailed for murder of his daughter

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been jailed for life after the daughter he assaulted as a baby died of her injuries six years later.

    Kyle Kitchen 38, (04.08.1986), of no fixed address, was sentenced at the Old Bailey to a minimum of seven years and eight months behind bars for the murder of Primrose Kane, after assaulting her so violently that she would never learn to walk or talk.

    Kitchen was serving the 15-year sentence he was given at Blackfriars Crown Court in August 2016, having been convicted of two counts of grievous bodily harm in relation to the incident, when he was arrested for Primrose’s murder.

    In a trial which started on Monday, 10 February, the court heard Primrose’s mother and father contacted NHS 111 after she was found unresponsive at her home at Queens Crescent, Camden on Monday, 3 November 2014. She was just two months’ old.

    Doctors found Primrose suffered such severe injuries to her head, including a skull fracture and bleed on the brain, that she would grow, but remain with the mental capacity of a baby, with severe physical and developmental disabilities.

    In time, she developed cerebral palsy and scoliosis. She was unable to communicate, and suffered with chronic pain.

    While Primrose was being treated in hospital, the Met’s Child Abuse Command team launched a criminal investigation after deeming the injuries not to be accidental.

    Both her mother and father were arrested and later convicted.

    Primrose died aged six on Monday, 17 May 2021 at the home of her grandmother in Welling.

    Doctors concluded Primrose had died from pneumonia caused by profound neurological, physical and developmental disabilities.

    Homicide detectives were informed Primrose had died, and sought to determine whether the assault in 2014 contributed to her cause of death.

    The Met’s Specialist Crime Command launched an investigation, resulting in Kitchen being arrested and later charged with murder.

    He was convicted at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 12 March.

    Detective Inspector Laura Nelson, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Homicide Team, said: “Primrose was born a happy and healthy baby.

    “The reason why Kyle Kitchen lost his temper and shook his daughter remains unknown. However, his actions have resulted in Primrose’s short life being lived in pain.

    “No child should ever have to suffer in this way.

    “The fact that such serious injuries were caused by her father makes this case all the more shocking.

    “At no time, since 2014, has Kitchen shown any remorse for his actions. As a team, we have fought hard to bring justice for Primrose, whilst others close to her have been in denial about how the assault in 2014 occurred.

    “Today’s sentence will bring some closure to Primrose’s family, but this will never compensate for their loss.”

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Do union endorsements make a difference in election campaigns?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Larry Savage, Professor, Labour Studies, Brock University

    Nearly one in three workers in Canada is covered by a union contract, making union members a potentially powerful voting bloc at election time. It should therefore come as little surprise that federal parties have been making overt efforts to secure endorsements from labour unions and the votes of their members as election day nears.

    The Canadian Union of Public Employees, United Steelworkers and Amalgamated Transit Union have already declared support for the New Democratic Party (NDP), while the Boilermakers union has endorsed the Conservatives. All parties are expected to pick up more union endorsements before election day.

    But do union endorsements actually make a difference at the ballot box?

    Our forthcoming survey-based research suggests that while most union members in Canada indicate their voting preferences are not swayed by union endorsements, satisfaction with one’s union significantly enhances the likelihood they’ll support union-endorsed candidates in federal, provincial and local elections.

    Shifts in party-union relations

    The NDP was viewed as the political arm of the labour movement and secured the lion’s share of union resources and endorsements for much of its history. However, as ties between the NDP and unions have loosened, so too have unions’ political allegiances.



    Read more:
    The NDP turns 60: It’s never truly been the political arm of organized labour

    In recent years, unions in Canada have made political endorsements that don’t align with traditional patterns. For example, after a decade of backing the provincial Liberals, many construction unions endorsed Conservative Premier Doug Ford’s re-election in the 2022 Ontario provincial election.

    Although most other unions endorsed the opposition NDP, Ford’s union support garnered significant attention and was presented as an impressive game-changer by the media and political pundits.

    In the 2025 Ontario election campaign, Ford used his commanding lead in the polls and a transactional brand of politics to lock down endorsements from an even broader cross-section of the union movement, winning additional support from firefighters, a Toronto-based hotel worker union, police unions and three large Unifor locals.

    The union endorsements were symbolically significant for the Conservative campaign because they fractured labour movement opposition to Ford and provided pro-worker cover for a government with a decidedly mixed record on labour rights.

    The Unifor endorsements, in particular, raised eyebrows because Canada’s largest private sector union had long championed anti-Conservative strategic voting, backing a mix of Liberal, NDP and Bloc candidates in election campaigns over the past decade.

    These shifts have encouraged Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to appeal more to blue-collar union members, especially in male-dominated industries, to broaden his party’s working-class support.



    Read more:
    Pierre Poilievre is popular among union members. What’s it really all about?

    The Conservatives have also no doubt been inspired by the success of United States President Donald Trump this regard.

    In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the vast majority of unions endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris over Trump. But exit polls indicated Trump still managed to win an impressive 45 per cent of the votes from union households, highlighting a potential disconnect between union leaders and their members on the question of endorsements.

    The influence of union endorsements

    Not all union endorsements carry the same weight, but they can play a strategically critical role in election campaigns depending on the dynamic.

    Our survey-based research, to be published in an upcoming volume of Labour/Le Travail, reveals that while a small majority of union members in Canada feel union endorsements won’t impact their vote, such endorsements do modestly influence a good number of union members.

    Outside of Québec, 37 per cent of surveyed union members report being “somewhat” or “much more likely” to vote for union-endorsed candidates. In Québec, the figure is slightly lower at 27 per cent. Conversely, only a small portion of members (11 per cent in the rest of Canada and 13 per cent in Québec) indicate a union endorsement will make them less likely to vote for their union’s preferred candidate.

    Importantly, workers who indicated satisfaction with their union in the workplace are significantly more likely support union-endorsed candidates in election campaigns.

    Satisfaction with one’s union matters much more to whether union members respond to an endorsement favourably than demographic factors such as age, gender, income or education level.

    The survey results also suggest that union type does not make a significant difference in assessing the influence of endorsements on union members’ voting intentions. Members of public-sector unions are no more likely to respond favourably to union endorsements than members of private-sector unions, nor are members of construction unions or members of NDP-affiliated unions.

    Lessons for parties and unions

    Even with modest impacts on voting preferences, union endorsements may prove decisive in closely contested elections, especially in communities with large numbers of union voters.

    For unions to maximize their political influence, however, they must first earn their members’ trust through effective workplace representation. Building this trust enhances the impact of endorsements by increasing member support for union-endorsed candidates.

    In short, having strongly supported unions in the workplace helps to build strong unions in the political arena with improved capacity to deliver union members’ votes.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Do union endorsements make a difference in election campaigns? – https://theconversation.com/do-union-endorsements-make-a-difference-in-election-campaigns-253296

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Worsening conflict leaves tens of thousands without essential care in Colombia

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Bogotá – Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has in recent weeks increased our medical humanitarian assistance in areas hit by the most intense upsurge of conflict in years in Colombia. Tens of thousands of people are currently caught in at least 11 active pockets of violence, according to authorities. Amid exacerbated humanitarian needs, we urge state entities and other humanitarian organisations to reach isolated communities where many people are lacking access to basic services, including healthcare. We also urge armed groups to protect medical facilities and humanitarian workers from violence. 

    “We are deeply concerned about the impact that the escalating conflict in Colombia is having on tens of thousands of people in several regions of the country,” says Francisco Otero, MSF general coordinator in Colombia. “Our teams are providing essential medical and humanitarian assistance to isolated and vulnerable communities, in areas that are very difficult to access for humanitarian organisations and with little state presence.”

    In February, MSF teams launched an emergency response in rural areas of the northeastern region of Catatumbo, where in January more than 50,000 people were forced from their homes by hostilities in the largest sudden displacement of people in decades. Many of those who remained now have movement restrictions imposed on them. In March, we started a project in the department of Arauca, which borders Venezuela. 

    A map of MSF’s response in Colombia. March 2025.

    Emergency in Catatumbo

    In mid-January, the breakdown of a non-aggression pact between two non-state armed groups triggered an escalation of violence that has left at least 98 people dead, and some 77,000 people affected, including displaced and confined persons, according to state authorities. The Colombian armed forces have also launched several offensives against these groups. 

    MSF teams are carrying out mobile clinics in rural areas where there are restrictions on movement, both for people to leave in search of resources and services, and for official entities and other humanitarian organisations to enter. MSF is one of the few organisations granted access by the parties to the conflict to areas widely affected by these restrictions. 

    Between 10 February and 15 March, we provided nearly 1,200 medical consultations in rural areas of Ábrego, Teorama, and Tibú, including 933 for basic healthcare and 112 for mental health. Additionally, 472 people benefited from group mental health activities.  

    “We see a deterioration in the health of the community, from children with symptoms of malnutrition to patients with chronic conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes, whose treatment has been interrupted.” explains Dr Altair Saavedra, MSF’s medical coordinator in Colombia. 

    “Most of the pregnant women we saw in consultations had not started prenatal checkups, regardless of their gestational age, and some patients have shown severe psychological symptoms caused by uncertainty about the development of the conflict.” says Dr Saavedra.

    In addition, in the areas visited by MSF, at least four basic healthcare centres have closed or have suspended activities due to the violence. 

    An MSF mobile team arrives at the health centre in the village of La Arenosa, in Catatumbo, northeast Colombia, to provide medical and psychological care to communities affected by the ongoing conflict whose movement has been restricted by armed actors. Colombia, February 2025.
    MSF

    New project in Arauca 

    In the region of Arauca, several non-state armed groups are fighting for the control of the territory. MSF began a long-term project in the first week of March that focuses on people who face severe constraints to access healthcare. They include Venezuelan migrants, Colombian returnees, and displaced people, as well as vulnerable Indigenous groups in the urban area, and communities affected by the armed conflict in rural areas.

    “We will offer services for sexual and reproductive health, comprehensive care for survivors of sexual violence, mental health consultations, priority attention to children under five years of age, support for first level facilities and strengthening the technical capacity of health personnel,” says Alejandro Matos, MSF coordinator in Arauca. “We will also carry out water and sanitation activities.”

    An MSF team provides medical care, family planning methods and psychological care to people in a settlement in Arauca. Colombia, March 2025.
    Alejandro Matos/MSF

    Between 3 and 14 March, we provided 281 medical consultations, 30 individual mental health consultations, and 116 people participated in group mental health sessions, in the settlements of Jerusalem, Brisas del Puente, and Clarinetero, in the town of Arauca, the region’s capital. 
     

    The worsening conflict in Colombia

    Seven decades of conflict have made Colombia one of the countries with the highest number of internally displaced people in the world, with nearly nine million according to authorities. During the last decade, the figure of 70,000 people newly displaced by violence was never surpassed in a year, but in 2024 the country registered 160,000, according to the authorities. This is the highest annual figure since the 2016 signing of the peace agreement between the state and the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

    Despite an ongoing negotiation process between the government and several non-state armed groups, the Colombian ombudsman’s office has indicated there are 11 humanitarian emergency hotspots, especially in regions along the Pacific and the Venezuelan border. 

    “As an organisation that guides our action under the principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, we call on the parties to the conflict to provide safe access to areas hit by violence where there are unmet humanitarian needs.” says Otero.  

    Colombia has also been the largest recipient of USAID funds in Latin America. In 2024, the United States provided nearly 68 per cent of the resources for the humanitarian response managed by aid workers in the country. But in 2025, dozens of NGOs and United Nations agencies have already been impacted by cuts. In the health sector alone, more than 183,000 people lost access to assistance, and 683,000 others are at risk of being affected, according to the humanitarian health organisations team.

    “Amid the exacerbation of needs due to the worsening conflict, we urge State entities and other humanitarian organisations to reach out to communities where access to basic services such as healthcare has been impacted,” says Otero. “We urge the parties to the conflict to protect medical facilities and humanitarian workers from violence.”

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    MIL OSI NGO –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – Earthquake ends international isolation of ruling military junta

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Karuna Myanmar

    Naypyidaw (Agenzia Fides) – The severe earthquake in Myanmar has broken the international political isolation that had surrounded the country’s ruling military junta following the 2021 coup. This has given new strength to the position of ruling General Min Aung Hlaing, as diplomatic channels that had been closed for four years have been opened. By interacting publicly and directly with countries such as India, China, and Russia, with other Asian and non-Asian nations, and with international organizations to organize humanitarian aid, the General is presenting himself as Myanmar’s most important public authority.Last week, General Min Aung Hlaing spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and these talks led to a flow of international aid. A meeting between the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), from which Myanmar has been excluded, is also scheduled to take place soon and will almost certainly result in Burmese representatives returning to the table to organize regional humanitarian assistance.The earthquake occurred just weeks after the junta announced it would hold general elections at the end of 2025 – a program considered impractical and unrealistic given that 50 percent of the country is under the control of the resistance fighters. However, the tragic event of the earthquake has opened a new window for the Burmese leadership to interact with regional powers.According to analysts, the military junta could also exploit the crisis by denying aid to towns, villages, and populations close to the opposition groups. The resistance organization ‘Octopus’ also noted in a statement that “the army carried out several airstrikes on some towns and villages in the days following the earthquake.” “Myanmar’s youth are ready to help during this time of natural disaster. However, due to the forced recruitment imposed by the junta last year, many were forced to flee to border regions or abroad,” the organization said. “We are grateful for the humanitarian aid reaching earthquake victims. However, because the aid is administered by the military junta, we are deeply concerned that it is not truly reaching all those who truly need it,” the statement reads. In light of the ongoing aftershocks in Myanmar, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided emergency assistance to approximately 25,000 survivors in the Mandalay and Naypyidaw regions and assessed critical needs in the Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing regions. A total of 45% of the 3.8 million internally displaced people who have already fled their homes as a result of Myanmar’s civil war live in the earthquake-affected areas. The UNHCR continues to call for “unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to assist communities in urgent need of assistance,” emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire in the civil war, a demand also made by the Burmese Catholic Church (see Fides, 31/3/2025), to enable relief efforts to proceed. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 2/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN/GENERAL AUDIENCE – Pope Francis: “God does not pass by without looking for those who are lost”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 2 April 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “God does not pass by without looking for those who are lost”, Pope Francis writes in the text of the catechesis prepared for today’s general audience and released only in written form. The Pontiff, continuing the cycle of catecheses dedicated to the life of Jesus read in the light of the themes of the Holy Year that the Church is experiencing, today focuses on the encounter that Christ had with Zacchaeus, “an episode that is particularly close to my heart, because it has a special place in my spiritual journey”, reveals the Bishop of Rome in the text.The encounter takes place in the city of Jericho, “located below sea level” and for this reason “considered to be an image of the underworld, where Jesus wants to go in search of those who feel they are lost. And in reality, the Risen Lord continues to descend into today’s underworlds, in places of war, in the suffering of the innocent, in the heart of mothers who see their children die, in the hunger of the poor”.The evangelist Luke describes Zacchaeus as merciless: “not only is he a publican, a person who collects taxes from his fellow citizens for the Roman invaders, but he is the chief of publicans, no less, as if to say that his sin is multiplied”. Not only that. The author of the sacred text, the Pope emphasizes, points out “that Zacchaeus is rich, suggesting that he has grown rich on the backs of others, abusing his position”.But “when he comes to know that Jesus is passing through the city, Zacchaeus feels the desire to see Him”. For him, the Pontiff emphasizes, “it would be enough to watch him from a distance” but his desire must deal with reality: he is short and the crowd prevents him from seeing Jesus. So, “just like a child”, he climbs a tree “in order to watch without being seen, hiding behind the branches”.”But with the Lord, the unexpected always happens. Jesus, when He comes close, raises His eyes. Zacchaeus feels he has been discovered, and probably expects a public rebuke. The people may have hoped for it, but they are disappointed: Jesus asks Zacchaeus to come down immediately, almost surprised to see him in the tree, and says to him: “Today I must stay at your house!”.In this passage, the Pope points out, the evangelist “highlights the joy in Zacchaeus’ heart”, “the joy of one who feels that he has been seen, acknowledged, and above all forgiven. Jesus’ gaze is not one of reproach, but of mercy. It is that mercy we sometimes struggle to accept, especially when God forgives those who, in our opinion, do not deserve it. We grumble because we would like to impose limits on God’s love”.And in Zacchaeus’ house, “after listening to Jesus’ words of forgiveness, stands up, as if he were arising from a condition of death. And he gets up to make a commitment: to return four times what he has stolen. It is not a price to be paid, because God’s forgiveness is free, but rather the desire to imitate the One by whom he felt loved. Zacchaeus makes a commitment to which he was not bound, but he does so because he understands that this is his way of loving. And he does so by combining the Roman legislation regarding theft and the Rabbinic law on penance. His purpose is not generic or abstract, but stems precisely from his history: he looked at his life and identified the point from which to begin his transformation”, concludes the text of the pontifical catechesis. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/HOLY LAND – Ecumenical Group: “To expel the Palestinians from their homeland is sacrilege”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Wednesday, 2 April 2025

    photo by OCHA

    Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Land “”will not be overtaken by darkness,” with this quote from the Gospel of John, concludes the short document of the ecumenical group “A Jerusalem Voice for Justice,” addressing the suffering that innocent people in the Holy Land continue to suffer.The ecumenical group was recently founded in light of the new outbreak of violence and terror in the Holy Land to share the facts and events that affect the lives of people in the Land of Jesus. The network includes, among others, Archbishop Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch Emeritus of Jerusalem; Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan; Sawsan Bitar, coordinator of the Sabeel Ecumenical Center; Palestinian theologian John Munayer; Jesuit Father David Neuhaus; and Father Frans Bouwen of theMissionaries of Africa.“The Israeli army,” reads the text released by Jerusalem Voice of Justice, “is carrying out the largest displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank from their homes since 1967. According to OCHA, already over 40, 000 Palestinians have been displaced, and are currently living without shelter, essential services, and healthcare.”In this context, the signatories of the document recall the Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan, who helps the stranger lying exhausted and abandoned by the roadside after others have passed by and ignored him.“Reverend Martin Luther King,” they recall, “proposed that they passed him by, fearing: what will happen to me if I stop? Rev. King wrote that the Good Samaritan instead asked the question: what will happen to him if I pass him by? Only the Good Samaritan acted in order to save the wounded man’s life.”The authors of the document express fear “that the annexation of Palestinian territories by Israel may be imminent. Increasing use of the names “Judea and Samaria” (instead of the occupied West Bank), exploiting Biblical terminology to confuse present political realities, manifests a desire to wipe Palestine and the Palestinians off the map, claiming we do not exist”.The document finally addresses “those Jews and Christians who have been led to believe that God wants Israel to annex our homeland:We want to state clearly that you have been misguided. All, Palestinians and Israelis, are created in the image and likeness of God. They are all equal in dignity and rights. Furthermore,” add the signatories of the text, “our God is a God of love who abhors violence and loves all God’s children. The Palestinians are your “neighbor”. The inviolable commandment in the word of God we share is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Roman 13:9). To expel the Palestinians from their homeland is not only an act of violence; it is sacrilege”. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 2/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ6: Regulation of use of electronic screen products by children and adolescents

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ6: Regulation of use of electronic screen products by children and adolescents 
    Question:
     
         It has been reported that obsessive use of mobile phones by infants and young children will bring them such harms as social deprivation, sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation and addiction, which are detrimental to the development of their physical movement, fine motor, language, cognitive and social skills. Earlier on, legislation was enacted in Australia to prohibit the use of social media platforms by children and adolescents under the age of‍ 16. The Guidelines (Trial) on Early Childhood Development Services issued by the National Health Commission has also pointed out that infants and young children aged 0 to 3 should not be exposed to any form of products with display screens. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether the Government will draw on the experience of our country, Australia and other regions to enact legislation restricting or prohibiting the use of electronic screen products by infants and young children aged 0 to 3;
     
    (2) whether the Government will consider devising relevant guidelines on the use of computers and the Internet by primary and secondary school students and adolescents; and
     
    (3) as there are views that parents should, through such means as parent-‍child exchanges, help their infants and young children acquire the abilities to engage in interpersonal exchanges, express emotions and consider other people’s feelings, whether the Government will consider promoting to society the importance for children to stay away from electronic screen products, as well as providing parents with consultation channels in order to help them establish a correct concept of family education?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Government attaches great importance to the physical and mental health of children and adolescents, and provides comprehensive health promotion and medical services by deploying substantial resources in education, public health and medical systems. In particular, we are concerned about the impact of excessive use of the Internet and electronic screen products on their physical and mental development. The Department of Health (DH) set up an Advisory Group on Health Effects of Use of Internet and Electronic Screen Products (Advisory Group) as early as 2013 comprising of members from the Education Bureau (EDB), the Social Welfare Department and relevant Colleges of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, etc, and published the Report of Advisory Group on Health Effects of Use of Internet and Electronic Screen Products in 2014 with recommendations for children, adolescents, parents and teachers on healthy use of the Internet and electronic screen products.
     
         In consultation with the EDB, the DH and the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission), the reply to the question raised by the Hon Luk Chung-hung is as follows:
     
    (1) and (3) The Mainland and other regions in the world have provided guidelines and recommended the time for infants and young children to use electronic screen products, instead of restricting or prohibiting the use of electronic screen products by infants and young children by legislation. The Australian Government enacted legislation last year to prohibit the use of social media platforms by children and adolescents under the age of 16, but has not restricted or prohibited the use of electronic screen products. Regulating the use of electronic screen products by way of legislation requires consideration of a number of factors, including public acceptance, how to regulate, how to enforce and feasibility of enforcement. The Government does not have any relevant legislative plans at present.
     
         With reference to international guidelines, the DH updated the relevant health advice on the use of electronic screen products in 2018 and suggested that infants and young children aged below 2 should avoid exposure to electronic screen products, except for interactive video-chat under parents’ guidance; and that children aged between 2 and 5 should limit their daily screen time to within one hour, and that such screen activities should be interactive and educative, and should be carried out under the guidance of parents. These recommendations are similar to the guidelines of the Mainland, Singapore, the United States and Australia. The DH will continue to keep in view international experience and the local situation, and review the relevant recommendations in a timely manner.
     
         As a matter of fact, the period before the age of 6 is the prime time for the development of infants and young children. Parents should seize the time to carry out more parent-child communication activities to enhance healthy and all-round development of children, which is particularly important for their future development in learning, thinking and socialising. The DH provides information on childcare and parenting through the Maternal and Child Health Centres, including the abovementioned health advice on the use of electronic screen products. In addition, the DH also promotes relevant health advice on the use of electronic screen products through thematic webpages 
    (2) Regarding the use of the Internet and electronic screen products by primary and secondary school students and adolescents, taken into account overseas scientific information and the local context, the Advisory Group recommended that primary school students aged between 6 and 12 should limit the recreational screen time to less than two hours a day, while secondary school students aged 12 to 18 should learn good time management and take regular breaks if prolonged screen time for study purpose is unavoidable. They should also remember the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20-second break to view something at least 20 feet away for every 20 minutes.
     
         The DH has been providing free annual health assessment for primary and secondary school students, including growth monitoring, vision and hearing assessments, to continuously monitor various health indicators of all students in Hong Kong. Students found to have health problems will be referred for further assessment and treatment. According to the latest statistics, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the overall time spent by primary and secondary school students on the Internet and electronic screen products for recreational purposes has increased by more than 10 percentage points as compared with that before the epidemic. The DH will hold a press conference this afternoon and release the “Student Health Service Annual Health Report for 2023/24 School Year”, summarising the key findings of the annual health assessment service provided to all primary and secondary school students in Hong Kong during the year, including the time in using the Internet and electronic screen products.
     
         As a matter of fact, home and school are both the major places where children learn and establish healthy habits. Collaboration between home and school is the key to helping children develop good use of the Internet and electronic screen products. The EDB provides the “Information Literacy for Hong Kong Students” Learning Framework for schools to strengthen the relevant information literacy learning elements in primary and secondary curricula with a view to fostering students’ ability and attitude to use information and communication technology effectively such that they are able to use the Internet and electronic devices properly and healthily.
     
         In the meantime, to cultivate healthy lifestyle among children and adolescents from an early age, the DH has launched the Whole School Health Programme (WSHP) to assist schools in systematically reviewing and formulating measures to promote physical activity, healthy eating, mental health and social well-being. It is announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address” that the WSHP will be extended to cover all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, and that health reports will be compiled for each participating school to recommend targeted school-based health promotion measures with a view to further promoting students’ physical and mental health. Besides, the PHC Commission is actively promoting the Life Course Preventive Care Plan and formulating a personalised preventive care plan to address the health needs of citizens (including school children) across different life stages, such as making recommendations on daily screen time based on the school children’s age groups.
     
         Thank you, President.
    Issued at HKT 15:58

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SERICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

    Source: Government of India

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    Post navigation

    Ministry of Textiles

    PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SERICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 1:04PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government has been implementing the Silk Samagra scheme for the overall development of silk sector in the country. Based on the proposals received from the States, support is provided through central assistance, for the development of necessary infrastructure through beneficiary oriented components including setting up of silkworm seed production units, rearing houses, Chawki Rearing Centres (CRCs), silk reeling & weaving units, Common Facility Centres, State-wise, Centres of Excellence.

    The State-wise central funds allocated/ released and utilized during the last five are given below.

    Presently, there are no proposals for new sericulture infrastructure projects pending approval. The Financial assistance for infrastructure development under Silk Samagra & Silk Samagra-2 scheme has been provided to states for implementation with the defined sharing pattern. The pattern of assistance under the ongoing Silk Samagra-2 scheme for individual farmers, cooperatives (SPV/FPO/SHG/NGO), and private entities is given below:

    #

    Particulars

    GOI (CSB)

    %

    State

    %

    Beneficiary

    %

    A

    All states other than NE states

    1

    General States- General Category

    50

    25

    25

    2

    General States – For SC & ST

    65

    25

    10

    3

    Special Status States

    80

    10

    10

    B

    Seri Business Enterprise / Entrepreneurs

    1

    General- New/ existing

    30/20

    20

    50/60

    2

    SC & ST and Special status & NE states- New/ existing

    40/30

    30

    30/40

    C

    North East states

    1

    Group activity/ Community based programmes

    100

    –

    –

    2

    Common Facility/ State infrastructure

    90

    10

    –

    3

    Individual Beneficiary

    90

    –

    10

     

    Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) at State Level, Apex Approval & Monitoring Committee at Central Silk Board level and Joint verification of the benefits/ assets at field ensure the effective implementation and utilization of funds under Silk Samagra-2 scheme.

     

     

     

    State-wise Central funds allocated/ released & utilised  during the last 5 years under Silk Samagra & Silk Samagra-2 scheme

    		  
                       

              (Rs. in Lakh)

    #

    State

    2019-20

    2020-21

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    SILK SAMAGRA

    SILK SAMAGRA-2

    Allocated/ Released

    Utilised

    Allocated/ Released

    Utilised

    Allocated/ Released

    Utilised

    Allocated/ Released

    Utilised

    Allocated/ Released

    Utilised

    1

    Karnataka

    5,507.29

    5,507.29

    5,756.07

    5,756.07

    1,0140.19

    10,140.19

    1,538.38

    895.25

    8,585.08

    8,585.08

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    2,748.01

    2,587.52

    2,251.10

    1,997.26

    2,496.27

    2,026.64

    0.00

    0.00

    1,280.51

    0.00

    3

    Telangana

    1,021.66

    1,021.66

    1,391.71

    1,391.71

    567.79

    265.51

    3,421.71

    1,158.48

    77.14

    0.00

    4

    Tamilnadu

    1,452.21

    1,276.55

    1,432.52

    1,069.93

    1,968.09

    1,711.35

    3,335.46

    3,128.80

    4,565.32

    1,219.25

    5

    Maharashtra

    475.55

    475.55

    0.00

    0.00

    106.68

    105.25

    284.94

    248.38

    2,267.46

    0.00

    6

    Kerala

    305.35

    200.12

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    7

    Uttar pradesh

    455.77

    441.47

    357.00

    357.00

    2,529.74

    2,180.27

    0.00

    0.00

    2,304.468

    1,190.575

    8

    Madhya Pradesh

    0.00

    0.00

    8.26

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    293.18

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    9

    Chattisgarh

    218.32

    218.32

    84.75

    84.75

    1,478.19

    1,194.41

    2,895.83

    1,497.27

    0.00

    0.00

    10

    West Bengal 

    447.80

    447.80

    5.51

    5.51

    0.00

    0.00

    721.12

    658.41

    749.49

    0.00

    11

    Bihar 

    0.00

    0.00

    364.63

    364.63

    1,177.44

    965.92

    1,031.48

    38.48

    0.00

    0.00

    12

    Jharkhand

    44.65

    0.00

    54.24

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    273.94

    100.18

    39.68

    0.00

    13

    Orissa

    261.93

    70.64

    226.97

    149.93

    76.63

    0.00

    355.92

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    14

    Jammu & Kashmir

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    546.65

    518.03

    0.00

    0.00

    399.29

    0.00

    15

    Himachal Pradesh

    213.79

    213.79

    772.86

    772.86

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    16

    Uttarakhand

    928.98

    917.16

    269.74

    269.74

    511.82

    473.43

    784.09

    239.95

    148.27

    0.00

    17

    Haryana

    217.76

    0.00

    26.56

    0.00

    241.24

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    18

    Punjab

    107.90

    107.90

    117.72

    117.72

    241.73

    239.73

    81.76

    75.06

    446.38

    0.00

    19

    Assam

    74.14

    74.14

    97.68

    57.68

    672.42

    435.51

    2,150.14

    545.47

    11.70

    0.00

    20

    BTC

    0.00

    0.00

    758.50

    758.50

    909.13

    909.13

    1,936.03

    1,809.11

    0.00

    0.00

    21

    Arunachal Pradesh

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    2,364.26

    2,343.69

    2,619.15

    2,203.93

    851.70

    640.16

    22

    Manipur

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    3,248.96

    228.99

    0.00

    0.00

    23

    Meghalaya 

    0.00

    0.00

    62.46

    0.00

    1,039.11

    797.87

    632.08

    115.20

    0.00

    0.00

    24

    Mizoram

    0.00

    0.00

    470.13

    470.13

    967.63

    945.86

    2,006.90

    1,777.12

    706.15

    561.51

    25

    Nagaland

    0.00

    0.00

    237.35

    237.35

    2,249.35

    2,248.94

    1,521.04

    1,382.80

    2,304.49

    2,170.81

    26

    Sikkim

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    119.00

    0.00

    629.57

    168.06

    0.00

    0.00

    27

    Tripura

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    152.00

    152.00

    1448.23

    0.00

    Total

    14,481.08

    13,559.90

    14,745.75

    13,860.76

    30,403.37

    27,501.72

    29,913.70

    16,422.93

    26,185.35

    14,367.38
                               

     

     

    This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

    *****

    DHANYA SANAL K

    (Lok Sabha US Q4958)

    (Release ID: 2117662)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Country Parks Hiking and Planting Day 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Country Parks Hiking and Planting Day 2025May 4              Wong Nai Tun Irrigation Reservoir, Tai Lam Country Park
    An AFCD spokesman said, “The event aims to promote messages related to caring for nature and tree preservation via public engagement activities. AFCD staff and volunteers will share information on the seedlings and promote hiking etiquette to enhance participants’ awareness of nature conservation.”       
    Seedlings for the tree planting activities were raised in the Tai Tong Nursery of the AFCD in Yuen Long. The department has been planting local species in country parks to enhance the biodiversity and ecological value of country parks in recent years. About 230 000 tree seedlings were planted in country parks last year by AFCD staff and various organisations.
          
    Details of the activities and the latest information are available on the Nature in Touch website (www.natureintouch.gov.hkIssued at HKT 15:32

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ17: Efforts in promoting waste reduction and recycling

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (April 2):
     
         According to a paper submitted by the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department to the Panel on Environmental Affairs and the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of this Council in December last year on the latest progress and achievements of the efforts in promoting waste reduction and recycling, the authorities were conducting a study on how to enhance the municipal solid waste (MSW) charging scheme, and would continuously monitor and assess public views and participation in waste reduction and recycling. It is expected that they will report to members again in the middle of this year on the relevant work progress and the Government’s views on implementing MSW charging. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the specific measures currently put in place by the Government to enhance MSW charging scheme; of the expected time for implementing MSW charging;
     
    (2) how the Government assesses the level of public participation in the process of promoting waste reduction and recycling, and of the factors affecting such participation;
     
    (3) how the Government plans to increase the number of Food Waste Recycling Spots, and of the specific timetable; and
     
    (4) as regards the implementation of the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Plastic Beverage Containers and Beverage Cartons, of the challenges the Government expects to face; how it ensures that the implementation of the scheme can balance the interests of various parties?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         Although the Government announced the suspension of the implementation of municipal solid waste (MSW) charging scheme, our determination to reduce MSW has never wavered. The reply to the question raised by Professor the Hon Priscilla Leung is as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is continuously enhancing the community recycling network and strengthening public education to promote a green waste reduction and recycling culture in our society. We will assess public participation in waste reduction and recycling based on data such as the usage of public collection facilities, the amount of recyclables collected, and the total quantity of MSW disposed of at landfills. In this regard, the latest figures show that the number of visits to GREEN@COMMUNITY (G@C) in 2024 surged to approximately 12.7 million, representing an increase of about 80 per cent compared to that of 2023, while the quantity of recyclables collected (by weight) rose by nearly 60 per cent year-on-year. We have also successfully reversed the rising trend of waste disposal. Since 2021, the daily average quantity of MSW disposed of at landfills has decreased for three consecutive years from 11 358 tonnes per day in 2021 to 10 510 tonnes per day in 2024, representing a 3.4 per cent decrease from 2023 and a 7.5 per cent decrease from 2021. 
     
         Convenient community recycling facilities and continuous public education are crucial in promoting and encouraging public participation in waste reduction and recycling. As revealed by the abovementioned figures, with the gradual enhancement of the community recycling network, public participation in waste reduction and recycling has risen continuously. To this end, the EPD has substantially increased the number of public collection points under G@C to over 800 in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, we are promoting the Waste Reduction and Recycling Charter (the Charter) to encourage private residential premises to set up convenient waste separation and recycling facilities, and to strengthen education and encourage residents to practise waste reduction at source and clean recycling. As of the end of February 2025, a total of 826 private residential premises have signed the Charter, accounting for approximately 40 per cent of the total number of households in private residential buildings with property management companies/owners’ corporations/residents’ organisations in Hong Kong and covering around 700 000 households.
     
         On the other hand, through the outreaching services of the Green Outreach, the EPD has strengthened the publicity and education as well as the community support for waste reduction and recycling. In 2025-26, the Green Outreach will focus on territory-wide or district-based waste reduction and recycling publicity programmes, including “We-recycle@School” and Programme on Source Separation of Waste. The Green Outreach will also make more use of mass media platforms such as social media and the Internet to carry out publicity and promotional activities, and strengthen collaborations with G@C operators, local groups, non-governmental organisations, etc. to promote a green waste reduction and recycling culture to the public. Besides, the EPD launched the GREEN$ Electronic Participation Incentive Scheme (GREEN$ ePIS) in 2020. Through providing incentives, it has successfully motivated many members of the public to participate in waste separation and recycling. The EPD has further expanded the electronic redemption options since February 2024, allowing members of the public to convert their GREEN$ points into a more diverse range of electronic rewards, including free MTR tickets, local eco-tours and supermarket items, thereby integrating waste reduction and recycling habits into their daily lives. As of the end of February 2025, the number of user accounts of GREEN$ ePIS has reached over one million.
     
         The total quantity of MSW disposed of at landfills has begun to decline steadily, and the recovery rate has risen. These results demonstrate that the public is actively participating in waste reduction and recycling, and that the community starts to build up a green waste reduction and recycling culture. Taking on the current positive momentum, we will continue to strengthen waste reduction and recycling initiatives, along with publicity and education, so as to encourage more public participation. At the same time, the Government is reviewing the MSW charging scheme. During the process, we will engage with relevant stakeholders, such as representatives from the property management, food and beverage, and cleaning sectors, to continuously and comprehensively evaluate public sentiments and the level of public participation in waste reduction and recycling. The Government will report on the work progress in promoting waste reduction and recycling and present the way forward of MSW charging scheme to the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs in mid-2025 as planned.
     
    (3) As at the end of 2024, the EPD installed around 1 200 food waste smart recycling bins (FWSRBs) in residential buildings across the territory, and will increase the number of FWSRBs or food waste collection facilities in residential premises to around 1 600 in 2025. The EPD will also progressively install additional FWSRBs in public rental housing estates with higher usage rates, with a view to achieving the “one FWSRB per block” target. For premises without sufficient space to install food waste recycling bins (e.g. single-block residential buildings and “three-nil” buildings), the EPD has set up approximately 200 fixed or mobile Public Food Waste Recycling Points, of which 76 are Food Waste Recycling Spots operating as night-time kerbside booths at fixed times and locations for the convenience of small business operators and nearby residents. To expand the service coverage, the EPD is preparing to increase the number of Food Waste Recycling Spots gradually to around 100 in 2025, with priority given to more densely populated districts where fixed food waste collection points have yet to be set up. By taking forward various initiatives, the overall quantity of food waste recovered is expected to increase progressively from an average of about 280 tonnes per day in 2024 to about 350 tonnes per day in 2025, representing an increase of nearly 30 per cent.
     
    (4) The Government plans to introduce an amendment bill to the LegCo in April this year to establish a common legislative framework for the producer responsibility schemes (PRSs) applicable to different products. After the passage of the bill, we will extend PRSs to more products (including plastic beverage containers, beverage cartons, electric vehicle batteries, vehicle tyres and lead-acid batteries) as and when appropriate by means of subsidiary legislation. The Government continues the ongoing discussion with the trades about the implementation details and their readiness. Only if the trades are ready shall we consult the LegCo on various PRSs (including the PRS on Plastic Beverage Containers and Beverage Cartons) and gradually implement them in light of the prevailing circumstances.
     
         We will maintain close communication with the trades and consider their views when fine-tuning the operational details of the schemes as appropriate, with a view to alleviating the compliance costs of the trades, setting appropriate recycling targets, assisting the trades in establishing recycling networks, and considering the provision of exemptions as appropriate, etc. In addition, we will provide sufficient preparatory and adaptation periods as well as strengthen publicity and education for members of the public, so as to ensure the smooth implementation of various PRSs in the future.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Finalists for WAVES Comics Creator Championship & WAVES Awards of Excellence Announced

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 APR 2025 7:37PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai/Bhopal, 1 April 2025

     

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, in collaboration with Indian Comics Association (ICA) and ASIFA India, has announced the finalists for two prestigious competitions under the WAVES Create in India Challenge—the WAVES Comics Creator Championship and the WAVES Awards of Excellence.

    The competitions have attracted participation from across India and internationally, highlighting the country’s potential as a global hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. The winners will be announced at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), scheduled to be held in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025.

    Additional Director General, PIB, Bhopal, Shri Prashant Pathrabe said that, WAVES is an important event that provides a global platform for professional entrepreneurs, investors, producers and innovators to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute in the entertainment sector.

       

    Photo caption : Shri Prashant Pathrabe, Additional Director General, PIB Bhopal addressing the ceremony of announcement of finalists of Waves Comics Creator Championship and Waves Awards of Excellence

     

    WAVES Comics Creator Championship:

    Indian Comics Association (ICA) President Ajitesh Sharma stated that ICA has selected 10 teams for the final round and that the candidates for the final round were selected based on their creative story, artistic skills and overall impact.

    Photo caption: Shri Ajitesh Sharma, President, Indian Comics Association addressing the Waves Comics Creator Championship and Waves Awards of Excellence finalists announcement ceremony.

    The finalists for the Comics Creator Championship are as follows:

    Finalists – Professional Category:

    1. Mohit Sharma (Meerut) – Ayush Kumar (Delhi)

    2. Aparna Chaurasia (Chhatarpur)

    3. Bijoy Raveendran (Delhi) – Tadam Gyadu (Delhi)

    4. Puneet Shukla (Gorakhpur) – Piyush Kumar (Ranchi)

    5. Tejas Janardhan Kamble (Mumbai)

    Finalists – Amateur Category:

    1. Suvojit Pal (Howrah) – Vivek Pradhan (Raipur)

    2. Vindhyarsh Mishra (Bareilly)

    3. Rohit Shukla (Chennai) – Shivangi Shaily (Indore)

    4. Ritesh Patra (Kolkata)

    5. Randeep Singh (Kendrapara)

    Jury Panel for Comics Creator Championship

    The five-member jury to evaluate the competition entries included: Dilip Kadam – Renowned comic artist and illustrator; Nikhil Pran – Acclaimed comic creator and son of Pran Kumar Sharma; Jajil Homaveer – Creator of the web manga The Beast Legion; Sanjay Gupta – Founder of Raj Comics; Preeti Vyas – President & CEO of Amar Chitra Katha. The jury panel will now select the winners by evaluating the Semi-Finalists’ entries. The selected 10 Finalists will then compete at the Mumbai Waves Event from 1-4 May 2025.The final competition will take place at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai, where the best talents in Indian comics will be recognized on an international stage.

    ASIFA announces Waves’ Awards of Excellence

    The WAVES Awards of Excellence, organized by ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) India under the Create in India Challenge, has received 1,331 entries from 28 Indian states and 13 countries.

    Shri Sanjay Khimesara, President, ASIFA India addressing the Waves Comics Creator Championship and Waves Awards of Excellence finalists announcement ceremony.

    Jury for WAVES Awards of Excellence

    The evaluation process for the WAVES Awards of Excellence was led by an esteemed five-member international jury, ensuring global standards in selection: Dr. Anastasia Dimitra (Greece) – VP, ASIFA International & Animation Educator; Briana Yarhouse (USA) – Director, Awards of Excellence & Professor; Pramita Mukherjee (USA) – Sr. Creature FX Developer, DreamWorks; Dhimant Vyas (India) – Professor of Practice, IDC School of Design; B.N. Vichar (India) – Art Director, Technicolor Games

    The winning entries will receive mentorship, global exposure, and networking opportunities with industry leaders.

     

    Final Nominations-Professionals

    1

    Patrick

    Smith

    ASIFA24102

    Onward Ye Costumed Souls

    USA

    2

    Fabian

    Driehorst

    ASIFA24142

    Little Fan

    Germany

    3

    Yingyan Chen

    Linxiao Zhou, Zehao Chen

    ASIFA24205

    Online interview

    China

    4

    Long Qin

    CHINA

    ASIFA24207

    IN BEWTEEN

    China

    5

    Suresh

    Eriyat

    ASIFA24298

    The Seed

    Mumbai, India

    6

    Adithi

    Krishnadas

    ASIFA24299

    The Legend of Arana

    Mumbai, India

    7

    Suresh

    Eriyat

    ASIFA24302

    Pune Design Festival Versus Ident Film

    Mumbai, India

    8

    Swati

    Agarwal

    ASIFA24654

    Chalisa’

    Mumbai, India

    9

    Swathy

    Pushpalochanan

    ASIFA24678

    Anpu

    Kollam, Kerala

    10

    Bimal

    Poddar

    ASIFA24693

    IPL opening graphics

    Mumbai, India

    11

    Bimal

    Poddar

    ASIFA24694

    Home season opening graphics/Legend

    Mumbai, India

    12

    Bimal

    Poddar

    ASIFA24696

    RADHA

    Mumbai, India

    13

    Bimal

    Poddar

    ASIFA24697

    13th Portal

    Mumbai, India

    14

    Bimal

    Poddar

    ASIFA24698

    More kaka

    Mumbai, India

    15

    Prateek

    Sethi

    ASIFA24726

    Informa Markets In India – Milan

    Mumbai, India

    16

    Ujwal

    Nair

    ASIFA24740

    Lucky Dog

    Chennai, India

    17

    Gary

    Schwartz

    ASIFA2492

    FLINTMATION ll

    USA

    18

    David

    Ehrlich

    ASIFA2494

    A New World

    USA

    19

    Suresh

    Eriyat

    ASIFA251377

    Desi Oon

    Mumbai, India

    20

    Amit

    Sonawane

    ASIFA251402

    What’s Your Story

    Mumbai, India

    Top 26 Nominated works includes Showreels/Shorts from students from across India including states/UT’s of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Chandigarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Gujarat, New Delhi.

    Final Nominations- Students

    S.No

    First Name

    Last Name

    Tracking Number

    Project Title

    Location

    1

    Varun

    Choudhry

    ASIFA24942

    Varun Choudhry | Modeling Reel 2024

    Mumbai

    2

    Hussain

    Bohra

    ASIFA24744

    IRAN 600 BC

    Udaipur

    3

    Shavikant

    Chauhan

    ASIFA24474

    texturing showreel

    Surat

    4

    Karan

    Meghlan

    ASIFA24930

    Karan_Malghan_Modeling_Texturing_Reel_Wave

    Pune

    5

    Rajat

    Aingh

    ASIFA241036

    CG Lighting Showreel_Rajat Singh

    Chandigarh

    6

    Ajit Tanaji

    Kinare

    ASIFA24881

    CG Lighting

    Mumbai

    7

    Ankan

    Samanta

    ASIFA24850

    Rigging Showreel By Ankan Samanta

    Hooghly, WB

    8

    Sumedha

    Paul

    ASIFA24814

    Rigging Showreel

    Kolkata

    9

    Arjun

    kumar

    ASIFA24157

    Animation Showreel

    Chandigarh

    10

    Arpit

    Thakur

    ASIFA24948

    Animation Showreel By ARPIT THAKUR

    Chandigarh

    11

    Kumkum

    Gupta

    ASIFA24966

    Digital_Painting_Kumkum Gupta

    Mumbai

    12

    Ishwari

    Tarkar

    ASIFA24969

    Digital_Painting_Ishwari_Tarkar

    Mumbai

    13

    Tarun

    None

    ASIFA24800

    Digital Matte Painting

    Bengaluru

    14

    Arena

    Andheri

    ASIFA241073

    Matte Paint-Sameer Parab

    Mumbai

    15

    ElangoM

    Elango

    ASIFA241306

    Digital matte painting

    Bengaluru

    16

    Prajval

    Nanote

    ASIFA241005

    Motion graphic

    sausar
    Chhindwara,MP

    17

    Sk

    Nur Islam

    ASIFA241121

    Motion Graphics Showreel

    Malda, WB

    18

    Sourav

    Bishwakarma

    ASIFA241202

    Compositing Showreel

    Kanchrapara,WB

    19

    Varun

    Sapkal

    ASIFA24565

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    Mumbai

    20

    Vijay

    Bangar

    ASIFA24922

    Kothrud_Vijay_Bangar

    Kothrud, Pune

    21

    Shaikh

    Sahil

    ASIFA241176

    Avengers: Infinity War movie Shots

    Mankhurd, Mumbai

    22

    Aditi

    Dixit

    ASIFA251357

    Showreel

    Delhi

    23

    Rutvik

    Dhole

    ASIFA24736

    Arwick 2d Animated explainer Video Ad

    Not specified

    24

    Debopom

    Chakraborty

    ASIFA24661

    Rasmalai

    Gurgaon, Haryana

    25

    Kartik

    Mahajan

    ASIFA24731

    Phool Dei

    Dehradun, Utta

    26

    Harshita

    Nehlani

    ASIFA251352

    Adhoori Pehchaan [Incomplete Identity]

    GLS, A’bad

     

    About WAVES

    The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

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    WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ16: Employees’ compensation insurance

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ16: Employees’ compensation insurance 
    Question:
     
         Regarding employees’ compensation insurance (commonly known as labour insurance), will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the number of cases recorded by the Labour Department (LD) in which employees died as a result of accidents arising out of and in the course their employment in each of the past seven years and this year to date, together with a breakdown by industry;
     
    (2) among the cases mentioned in (1), ︀of the number of cases in which employers were prosecuted by the authorities for failing to take out labour insurance policies for their employees as required under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (Cap. 282); among such prosecuted cases, ︀of the following information on each of the convicted cases: (i) the date of the accident, (ii) the industry and occupation to which the workers involved belonged, (iii) the date on which the judgment was handed down by the court and (iv) the penalties imposed;
     
    (3) in respect of the penalties imposed on the convicted cases mentioned in (2), whether the authorities have applied for reviews or appeals; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (4) given that under the Employees Compensation Assistance Ordinance (Cap. 365), any employer who contravenes the requirements of Cap. ‍282 on taking out labour insurance policies shall be liable to pay a surcharge to the Employees Compensation Assistance Fund Board, of the highest, lowest and average amounts of surcharge paid by the employers in the convicted cases mentioned in (2);
     
    (5) of the respective numbers of insurance applications from the employers of the 22 ‍high-‍risk industries specified under the Employees’ Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme (ECIRS) which were received, approved and rejected by the Employees’ Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme Bureau Limited in each of the past seven years and this year to date, ︀as well as the number of employees involved in the approved applications, ︀together with a breakdown by industry; the main reasons for rejecting such applications under the Scheme;
     
    (6) as it is learnt that the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Council and the LD have jointly launched the OSH Star Enterprise – Repair, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition Safety Accreditation Scheme (the Accreditation Scheme) to assist the insurance industry in considering offering discounts on labour insurance premium under ECIRS to enterprises satisfying the safety accreditations, of the number of enterprises which have (i) applied, (ii) have been approved and (iii) have been rejected to participate in the Accreditation Scheme in each of the past seven years and this year to date, and set out in the table below a breakdown by type of enterprise (i.e. (I) small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and (II) ‍non-SMEs) and business nature of enterprise (i.e. (a) erection, dismantling and use of truss-out bamboo scaffolds, (b) repair to external walls or pipings, (c) air-conditioning works and (d) interior fitting-out works); the main reasons for rejecting the applications under the Scheme;

    Type of
    enterprisenature of
    enterprise(7) whether it has compiled statistics on the percentage of the number of enterprises approved under the Accreditation Scheme in the total number of enterprises of the same business nature in Hong Kong at present, together with a tabulated breakdown by type of enterprise (i.e. (I) SMEs and (II) non-SMEs) and business nature of enterprise (i.e. (a) erection, dismantling and use of truss-out bamboo scaffolds, (b) repair to external walls or pipings, (c) air-conditioning works and (d) ‍interior fitting-out works); of the measures in place to step up publicity and promotion of the Accreditation Scheme, so as to encourage more enterprises to participate in the Scheme; and

    (8) as there are views that the existing penalties for not taking out labour insurance policies are too light, and some employers may be prompted to take the risk of not taking out labour insurance policies for their employees as required by the law, whether the authorities will consider amending Cap. 282 to raise the relevant penalties, so as to enhance the deterrent effect; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         My reply to the Hon Chau Siu-chung’s question is as follows:
     
    (1) From 2018 to February 2025, the numbers of fatal cases reported under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance (ECO) (Cap. 282) and received by the Labour Department (LD) each year, with a breakdown by industry, are at Annex 1.
     
    (2) Among the cases mentioned in (1), 14 employers were prosecuted by the LD for failing to take out employees’ compensation insurance (EC insurance) for their employees as required by the ECO. All the 14 cases were convicted. The details are at Annex 2.
     
    (3) In accordance with the Prosecution Code of the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Secretary for Justice may apply to the court in exceptional cases for the review of a sentence on the basis that it has proceeded on an error of law or of principle or that it is manifestly inadequate or excessive. In general, apart from the factors such as the circumstances of a case, the maximum penalty of an offence and the level of sentence imposed on the offence in the past, the court will also consider a defendant’s guilty plea and mitigations when sentencing. The LD will examine the sentence imposed by the court on each case. If the sentence of an individual case is manifestly inadequate or excessive, or has proceeded on an error of law or of principle, the LD will request the DoJ to consider applying for a review of the sentence. In line with the above principles, the LD has not applied for the review or appeal against the sentence of the convicted cases mentioned in (2). 
    (5) The Employees’ Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme (ECIRS) serves as a market of last resort to assist employers who cannot procure the EC insurance in the market, with a view to ensuring that employers can acquire the EC insurance. The applications received and approved by the Employees’ Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme Bureau Limited (ECIRSB) from 2018 to February 2025, with a breakdown by the High Risk Groups, are at Annex 3. During the period, the ECIRSB did not reject any applications submitted by employers.
     
    (6) The LD has collaborated with the Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC) to launch the OSH Star Enterprise – Repair, Maintenance, Alteration and Addition (RMAA) Safety Accreditation Scheme (Accreditation Scheme) to provide subsidies to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the RMAA sector for purchasing fall prevention devices, assisting them in establishing a safety management system, and offering training on work-at-height safety as well as conducting safety audits. We adopt a multi-pronged approach to enhance the safety standard of relevant enterprises and assist users in identifying those RMAA enterprises with recognised safety standards. According to the OSHC, the number of applications for the Accreditation Scheme and the number of Star Enterprises accredited in the past seven years (up to March 20, 2025) are at Annex 4.
     
         As OSHC has enhanced the OSH Star Enterprise List under the Accreditation Scheme since September 2024 and added the category of “nature of business” (including erection and dismantling of truss-out scaffolding works, repair of external wall and pipe works, air-conditioning works and interior renovation works) to the list, a breakdown by nature of business of the enterprises before the date of enhancement is not available. 
     
         The number of Star Enterprises accredited in 2024-2025 (as at March 20, 2025) is eight. A breakdown of their business nature (Note) is as follows:
     

    Erection and dismantling of truss-out scaffolding works     At present, there are 66 SME Star Enterprises under the Accreditation Scheme and their business nature (Note) is categorised as follows:
     

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    Post navigation

    Erection and dismantling of truss-out scaffolding worksNote: Accredited Star Enterprise may offer more than one type of business.

    (7) The OSHC does not keep statistics on the percentage of the number of accredited Star Enterprises among the total number of enterprises of the same business nature in Hong Kong, and it does not have a breakdown of the figures by the nature of business of the enterprises.
     
         To enhance the awareness of the RMAA industry and the community at large on the Accreditation Scheme, the LD and the OSHC have been publicising and promoting the Accreditation Scheme through various channels, including promotion on mass media such as television, radio and e-‍newspapers; dissemination of video clips, text and graphic information through social media; and collaboration with the Home Affairs Department and District Councils to promote the Accreditation Scheme to property owners, property management companies, etc, and to educate them on the key points and importance of choosing suitable scaffolding and the RMAA contractors. For newly completed public housing estates and buildings with more the RMAA works, the LD and the OSHC, in collaboration with trade unions, regularly set up information kiosks in the districts to publicise and promote the Accreditation Scheme to community members, owners’ corporations and local organisations. In addition, more than 1 300 organisations have signed the Charter on Preferential Appointment of OSH Star Enterprise, pledging to give priority to Star Enterprises in carrying out RMAA works, so as to encourage more RMAA enterprises to upgrade their safety standards through market force.
     
    (8) In accordance with section 40 of the ECO, no employer shall employ any employee in any employment unless there is in force a policy of insurance to cover his liabilities under the ECO and common law. Employers failing to comply with the ECO to secure an insurance cover are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years. Among the past prosecution cases, there have been cases where the convicted employers were sentenced to imprisonment or with higher levels of fines. 
         The LD will continue to monitor employers’ compliance with the requirement of taking out EC insurance and will consider whether to amend the relevant penalties under the ECO as and when required.
    Issued at HKT 11:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Euro area bank interest rate statistics: February 2025

    Source: European Central Bank

    2 April 2025

    Bank interest rates for corporations

    Chart 1

    Bank interest rates on new loans to, and deposits from, euro area corporations

    (percentages per annum)

    Data for cost of borrowing and deposit interest rates for corporations (Chart 1)

    The composite cost-of-borrowing indicator, which combines interest rates on all loans to corporations, decreased in February 2025. The interest rate on new loans of over €1 million with a floating rate and an initial rate fixation period of up to three months decreased by 27 basis points to 3.92%. The rate on new loans of the same size with an initial rate fixation period of over three months and up to one year fell by 11 basis points to 3.77%. The interest rate on new loans of over €1 million with an initial rate fixation period of over ten years decreased by 16 basis points to 3.44%. In the case of new loans of up to €250,000 with a floating rate and an initial rate fixation period of up to three months, the average rate charged stayed almost constant at 4.37%.
    As regards new deposit agreements, the interest rate on deposits from corporations with an agreed maturity of up to one year fell by 17 basis points to 2.50% in February 2025. The interest rate on overnight deposits from corporations fell by 4 basis points to 0.72%.
    The interest rate on new loans to sole proprietors and unincorporated partnerships with a floating rate and an initial rate fixation period of up to one year remained broadly unchanged at 4.55%.

    Table 1

    Bank interest rates for corporations

    i.r.f. = initial rate fixation
    * For this instrument category, the concept of new business is extended to the whole outstanding amounts and therefore the business volumes are not comparable with those of the other categories. Outstanding amounts data are derived from the ECB’s monetary financial institutions balance sheet statistics.

    Data for bank interest rates for corporations (Table 1)

    Bank interest rates for households

    Chart 2

    Bank interest rates on new loans to, and deposits from, euro area households

    Data for cost of borrowing and deposit interest rate for households (Chart 2)

    The composite cost-of-borrowing indicator, which combines interest rates on all loans to households for house purchase, increased in February 2025. The interest rate on loans for house purchase with a floating rate and an initial rate fixation period of up to one year decreased by 6 basis points to 4.00%. The rate on housing loans with an initial rate fixation period of over one and up to five years rose by 4 basis points to 3.53%. The interest rate on loans for house purchase with an initial rate fixation period of over five and up to ten years increased by 49 basis points to 3.37%. The rate on housing loans with an initial rate fixation period of over ten years rose by 12 basis points to 3.09%, driven by both the interest rate and the weight effects. In the same period the interest rate on new loans to households for consumption decreased by 7 basis points to 7.58%.
    As regards new deposits from households, the interest rate on deposits with an agreed maturity of up to one year decreased by 14 basis points to 2.19%. The rate on deposits redeemable at three months’ notice fell by 19 basis points to 1.53%. The interest rate on overnight deposits from households remained broadly unchanged at 0.32%.

    Table 2

    Bank interest rates for households

    i.r.f. = initial rate fixation
    * For this instrument category, the concept of new business is extended to the whole outstanding amounts and therefore the business volumes are not comparable with those of the other categories; deposits placed by households and corporations are allocated to the household sector. Outstanding amounts data are derived from the ECB’s monetary financial institutions balance sheet statistics.
    ** For this instrument category, the concept of new business is extended to the whole outstanding amounts and therefore the business volumes are not comparable with those of the other categories. Outstanding amounts data are derived from the ECB’s monetary financial institutions balance sheet statistics.

    Data for bank interest rates for households (Table 2)

    Further information

    The data in Tables 1 and 2 can be visualised for individual euro area countries on the bank interest rate statistics dashboard. Additionally, tables containing further breakdowns of bank interest rate statistics, including the composite cost-of-borrowing indicators for all euro area countries, are available from the ECB Data Portal. The full set of bank interest rate statistics for both the euro area and individual countries can be downloaded from ECB Data Portal. More information, including the release calendar, is available under “Bank interest rates” in the statistics section of the ECB’s website.

    For media queries, please contact Nicos Keranis, tel.: +49 69 1344 7806

    Notes:

    • In this press release “corporations” refers to non-financial corporations (sector S.11 in the European System of Accounts 2010, or ESA 2010), “households” refers to households and non-profit institutions serving households (ESA 2010 sectors S.14 and S.15) and “banks” refers to monetary financial institutions except central banks and money market funds (ESA 2010 sector S.122).
    • The composite cost-of-borrowing indicators are described in the article entitled “Assessing the retail bank interest rate pass-through in the euro area at times of financial fragmentation” in the August 2013 issue of the ECB’s Monthly Bulletin (see Box 1). For these indicators, a weighting scheme based on the 24-month moving averages of new business volumes has been applied, in order to filter out excessive monthly volatility. For this reason the developments in the composite cost of borrowing indicators in both tables cannot be explained by the month-on-month changes in the displayed subcomponents. Furthermore, the table on bank interest rates for corporations presents a subset of the series used in the calculation of the cost of borrowing indicator.
    • Interest rates on new business are weighted by the size of the individual agreements. This is done both by the reporting agents and when the national and euro area averages are computed. Thus changes in average euro area interest rates for new business reflect, in addition to changes in interest rates, changes in the weights of individual countries’ new business for the instrument categories concerned. The “interest rate effect” and the “weight effect” presented in this press release are derived from the Bennet index, which allows month-on-month developments in euro area aggregate rates resulting from changes in individual country rates (the “interest rate effect”) to be disentangled from those caused by changes in the weights of individual countries’ contributions (the “weight effect”). Owing to rounding, the combined “interest rate effect” and the “weight effect” may not add up to the month-on-month developments in euro area aggregate rates.
    • In addition to monthly euro area bank interest rate statistics for February 2025, this press release incorporates revisions to data for previous periods. Hyperlinks in the main body of the press release lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions. Unless otherwise indicated, these euro area statistics cover the EU Member States that had adopted the euro at the time to which the data relate.
    • As of reference period December 2014, the sector classification applied to bank interest rates statistics is based on the European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA 2010). In accordance with the ESA 2010 classification and as opposed to ESA 95, the non-financial corporations sector (S.11) now excludes holding companies not engaged in management and similar captive financial institutions.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre with seizure of “space oil drug” and other kinds of narcotics (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre with seizure of “space oil drug” and other kinds of narcotics (with photo) 
    During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a 19-year-old man and found about 1.1 kilograms of suspected crack cocaine, 1kg of suspected cocaine, 1 500 tablets of suspected ecstasy, 100 grams of suspected ecstasy powder, and 102 electronic cigarette devices containing suspected cannabis oil inside a suitcase carried by him. He was then arrested. Customs officers later escorted the arrested man to a nearby public housing unit where he lived for a search, and further seized 129 suspected “space oil drug” capsules, about 5kg of suspected cocaine, about 200g of suspected crack cocaine, 80 electronic cigarette devices, and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. Another man, aged 54, inside the unit was also arrested.
     
    An investigation is ongoing.
     
    Customs will continue to step up enforcement and stringently combat against trafficking of the “space oil drug”. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in drug trafficking crimes, Customs will notify the Housing Department for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings.
     
    Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
     
    Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:23

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union government to establish 440 Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), one EMRS in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011)

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 4:02PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey informed in Rajya Sabha today that the Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) was started in the year 2018-19 to provide quality education at par with Navodaya Vidyalaya to the tribal children in their own environment.

    Under the new scheme, Government decided to establish 440 EMRSs, one EMRS in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011). 288 EMRS schools were initially funded under Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, which are being upgraded as per the new model.

    Accordingly, Ministry has set the target to set up total of 728 EMRSs benefiting around 3.5 lakh ST students across the country. To ensure quality education and holistic development for tribal students following facilities are being provided in EMRSs: –

    Educational Infrastructure:

      • Well-equipped classrooms with modern teaching aids.
      • Science and computer laboratories.
      • Libraries with diverse learning resources.
    2. Accommodation and Amenities:
      • Residential facilities for students and staff.
      • Separate hostels for boys and girls with essential amenities like bedding, furniture, and hygiene facilities.

         3.    Sports and Extracurricular Facilities:

    • Playgrounds and sports equipment.
      • Facilities for extracurricular activities like music, art, and sports
    1. Health and Nutrition:
      • Regular health check-ups and medical facilities.
    1. IT and Digital Learning:
      • Smart classrooms for digital education.
      • Computer labs with internet access.
    1. Vocational Training:
      • Skill development and vocational training programs to enhance employability.

     

    Further, National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has been established as an autonomous body under this Ministry to manage and implement scheme of EMRS. NESTS has organized Principals’ Conclave bringing together all Principals of EMRSs from across the country for orientation in the areas of academic management, mental health, safety, HR matters etc. and the conclave enriched their knowledge and professional skills. NESTS has also empowered State societies to impart induction training to Teacher’s towards residential culture and academic transactions.

     

    The Ministry is implementing several initiatives in collaboration with other government bodies to provide tribal students with access to digital and skill-based education while maintaining the traditional curriculum.  These initiatives include:

     

    i)    Establishment of Smart classrooms equipped with digital boards in partnership with ERNET, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to enhance digital learning in tribal schools.

    ii)    Setting-up of 400 Skill Labs in 200 EMRSs in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE) to provide hands-on vocational training and industry-relevant skills to students.

    iii)     Provision of online coaching sessions for IIT-JEE and NEET, along with recorded lectures tailored for Class 11 and 12 students, in collaboration with PACE- IIT & Medical. Additionally, special classes and focused training modules are provided to support both high-performing and academically weaker students.

    iv)     Allocation of a dedicated DTH channel by NCERT to enhance both curricular and extracurricular learning, including vocational education, ensuring wider accessibility for students in remote areas.

    Additionally, to preserve and promote traditional curricula, regional language teachers have been recruited to support language learning and cultural continuity.

    Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing following Scholarship Schemes to promote and encourage basic and higher education amongst ST population: –

    1.  
    • Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (For Class IX and X)
    • Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (For Class XI and above)
    • National Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students (earlier known as Top Class Scholarship Scheme): Scholarship is provided for pursuing Graduate/Post Graduate courses in the 265 top-class Government and Non-Government Institutes in professional fields such as Management, Medicine, Engineering, Information Technology, Law etc.
    • National Fellowship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students: Scholarship to meritorious ST students for pursuing M. Phil or Ph.D. in India
    • National Overseas Scholarship for ST students: Scholarships are given to the meritorious Schedule Tribe (ST) students for pursuing higher education abroad. Pre and Post matric Scholarships scheme are open ended and every ST student with income up to 2.5 lakh can take benefit of these schemes.

    Additionally, to encourage students to pursue higher studies, instructions have been issued to state societies to cover the application fees for national-level entrance examinations such as NEET, JEE, CLAT, etc., for students studying in Class XII in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). The cost of these application fees is to be borne by the respective State EMRS Societies, thereby reducing the financial burden on students and their families.

    ******

    RN/PIB

     

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pilot project for the World’s Largest Grain Storage Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:32PM by PIB Delhi

    In order to create decentralized food grain storage capacity in the country, the Government on 31.5.2023 approved the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector, which has been rolled out as a Pilot Project. It entails creation of various agri infrastructure at the level of Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS), including setting up decentralized godowns, custom hiring center, processing units, sorting and grading facilities, cold storage units, packhouses etc. through convergence of various existing schemes of the Government of India (GoI), such as, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI), Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME), etc.

    The Plan addresses transportation and distribution challenges by enabling local storage of grains at the PACS level, minimizing long-distance transportation costs and losses. Additionally, by integrating PACS with agri-marketing and procurement systems, direct access to storage facilities is ensured for farmers, reducing their dependence on intermediaries. Hence, the Plan aims to ensure better price realization for farmers, reduce transportation costs, and create employment opportunities in rural areas.

    Under the Pilot project of the Plan, 11 godowns in 11 PACS have been constructed across the country and a total storage capacity of 9,750 MT has been created.

    The Government on 15.2.2023, has approved the Plan for strengthening cooperative movement in the country and deepening its reach up to the grassroots. The Plan entails establishment of 2 lakh new multipurpose PACS (M-PACS), Dairy, Fishery Cooperative Societies covering all the Panchayats/ villages in the country in five years, through convergence of various existing GOI schemes, including Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), etc. with the support of National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and State Governments.

    As per National Cooperative Database, a total of 3,667 new PACS have been registered as on 27.1.2025 across the country, including 148 new PACS in the State of Maharashtra, since the approval of the plan on 15.2.2023. The State-wise details of the same are enclosed at Annexure.

    Government of India has approved a project for Computerization of functional PACS with a total financial outlay of ₹2,516 Crore, which entails bringing all the functional PACS onto an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) based common national software, linking them with NABARD through State Cooperative Banks (StCBs) and District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). The National Level Common Software for the project has been developed by NABARD and 50,455 PACS have been onboarded on ERP software as on 27.01.2025. So far, proposals for computerization of 67,930 PACS from 30 States/ UTs have been sanctioned, for which Rs. 741.34 Cr. has been released as GoI share to the States/UTs concerned as on 27.01.2025 and hardware has been delivered to 60,382 PACS.

    *****

    S. No.

    State/UT

    Newly registered PACS

    1.

    Andaman And Nicobar Islands

    1

    2.

    Andhra Pradesh

    0

    3.

    Arunachal Pradesh

    12

    4.

    Assam

    59

    5.

    Bihar

    25

    6.

    Chhattisgarh

    0

    7.

    Goa

    12

    8.

    Gujarat

    291

    9.

    Haryana

    2

    10.

    Himachal Pradesh

    57

    11.

    Jammu And Kashmir

    84

    12.

    Jharkhand

    44

    13.

    Karnataka

    128

    14.

    Ladakh

    0

    15.

    Lakshadweep

    0

    16.

    Madhya Pradesh

    16

    17.

    Maharashtra

    148

    18.

    Manipur

    68

    19.

    Meghalaya

    193

    20.

    Mizoram

    25

    21.

    Nagaland

    12

    22.

    Odisha

    1,535

    23.

    Puducherry

    2

    24.

    Punjab

    0

    25.

    Rajasthan

    760

    26.

    Sikkim

    23

    27.

    Tamil Nadu

    21

    28.

    Telangana

    0

    29.

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu

    4

    30.

    Tripura

    38

    31.

    Uttar Pradesh

    94

    32.

    Uttarakhand

    0

    33.

    West Bengal

    13

     

    Total

    3,667

     

    This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

    ****

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2117766) Visitor Counter : 25

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Poshan Tracker app aims to enhance Anganwadi Worker’s capacity to deliver optimal early childhood care and education services to all children

    Source: Government of India

    Poshan Tracker app aims to enhance Anganwadi Worker’s capacity to deliver optimal early childhood care and education services to all children

    Till now, over 36,000 SLMTs and 420,000 Anganwadi Workers trained Nationwide under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi Program

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:31PM by PIB Delhi

    Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) Programme was launched on 10th May, 2023 with an objective to improve the quality of education in the Anganwadi centers along with the focus on nutrition.

    This national initiative aims to provide all 13.9 lakh Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) with a 5 day in person training – 3 days in Round 1 (2023-25) and 2 days in Round 2 (2025-26). A Two Tier Training PBPB Implementation Model is being followed. Tier 1 involves two days training of State Level Master Trainers (SLMTs). Tier 2 involves a 3 Days Training of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs). It covers curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment tools, emphasizing play-based, activity-based learning.

    Capacity-building under PBPB helps to facilitate implementation of Aadharshila (National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education for Children from Three to Six Years) and Navchetana (National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation for Children from Birth to Three Years) at the Anganwadi Centre level in the mother tongue. Up to 27th March, 2025, 36,424 SLMTs have been trained under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi programs in Round 1 across the country and 420,360 Anganwadi Workers have been trained across the country including 35,174 AWWs from the State of Maharashtra.

    In PBPB Round 1, Day 1 training schedule covers sessions including Introduction to Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, Developmental Domains and Play-based ECCE activities, and Weekly and Daily schedule as per Aadharshila and home visits as per Navchetana, Day 2 covers nutrition, including IYCF, SAM/MAM treatment micronutrient deficiencies, Dietary Guidelines, Growth Monitoring, parental engagement and community mobilization, etc. Day 3 covers divyang inclusion and birth to three stimulation, child assessments and learning outcomes, home visits and practices during pregnancy known as “Garbh Sanskar”, States best practices, etc.

    The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has leveraged the Poshan Tracker application to empower Anganwadi Workers and provide them with continuous digital support and coaching. This initiative aims to enhance their capacity to deliver optimal early childhood care and education services to all children.

    As part of the digital training efforts, daily learning prompts based on Aadharshila are sent to all AWWs through the Poshan Tracker app. These include two ECCE activity videos and one voice note summarizing the day’s activities for children aged 3 to 6 years at Anganwadi Centres. The content follows a structured 44-week curriculum, with 36 weeks of active learning and 8 weeks for recap and reinforcement. Over 230 unique videos, 180+ voice notes, and 1,000+ activity PDFs have been uploaded

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 3, 2025
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