NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Global: Overshooting 1.5°C is risky – that’s why we need to hedge our bets

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Carl-Friedrich Schleussner, Research Group Leader, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

    Further warming hugely increases the risk we will pass climate tipping points, such as the collapse of Greenland’s ice sheet. Michal Balada / shutterstock

    The global response to climate change has gained momentum since the 2015 Paris agreement, yet it remains inadequate to meet the scale of the challenge. That agreement established the goal of holding global warming to well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. To achieve this, greenhouse gas emissions should peak and decline as soon as possible.

    The latest reports of the UN Environment Programme, the International Energy Agency and others have suggested that we are on the cusp of global emissions peaking. However, halting the increase in annual emissions is only the first step. Failure to act earlier and more decisively to bring emissions down to net zero has made limiting global warming to 1.5°C an uncomfortably close call.

    The IPCC has looked at “pathways” to keeping 1.5°C in reach. In nearly all of these, temperature rises will exceed 1.5°C, after which warming is reversed by humanity removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits. This temporary breach of 1.5°C for at least a few decades is referred to as “overshoot”.

    In a recent study in the journal Nature, we discuss the pitfalls of being overly optimistic about the feasibility and safety of such temperature overshoot scenarios. Excessive confidence could lead to underestimating the risks associated with going over 1.5°C – even temporarily.

    There is a need to be clear about what climate science does and does not know about overshoot, and plan accordingly. This means that, while some risks can be directly reduced by global climate action, others may require additional measures. A responsible strategy to limit near- and long-term climate risks requires both stringent near-term emission reductions and to develop a large-scale carbon removal capacity.

    What if the planet warms more than we expect?

    Even if warming goes below 1.5°C after the overshoot, the impacts of climate change will not automatically and uniformly reverse. Overshoot comes with irreversible consequences for people and ecosystems, such as species extinction, and the world we return to will be different from the one we failed to safeguard.

    We can’t be certain how much warming a given amount of greenhouse gas emissions will lead to, and overshoot projections are often based on a best estimate. The IPCC, for instance, talks about high overshoot pathways exceeding 1.5°C “by 0.1–0.3°C”.

    But those numbers are just the middle of a wide range of possible outcomes. In reality, uncertainty about how some features of the Earth system will respond to warming, such as the carbon cycle, means that peak warming could be substantially higher – by up to 1°C or more. We cannot even rule out continuous warming after reaching net zero carbon emissions. Every fraction of a degree of warming counts – exceeding 1.5°C by as much as an additional 1°C would come with grave repercussions.

    We may have to remove billions of tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.
    TR STOK

    A capacity to remove several hundred billion tonnes of CO₂ in this century might be needed to hedge against the risks of high warming outcomes, and to ensure we can bring warming back to 1.5°C once this has been exceeded.

    In fact, our results imply we might need close to 10 billion tonnes of CO₂ removal a year after 2050 (about 25% of current annual emissions). This would require a massive effort, but might just be possible with the rapid scaling up of a range of methods.

    These include well-known strategies such as restoring forests and wetlands and managing the soil better. But it also includes novel methods such as direct air capture technology, in which carbon would be sucked directly from the sky, or bioenergy and carbon capture and storage, which involves extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it underground.

    Some of these methods may not work out as envisioned due to technological, economic, social or sustainability limitations. But even if they do not work at the scale envisioned, or not at all, we still need to try.

    Limiting near- and long-term climate risks

    Because we can’t be certain exactly how much the climate will warm, we’ll need to limit the risks as much as possible.

    First, we must reduce emissions as fast as possible to slow down Earth’s temperature increase, limit peak warming, and reduce how dependent we ultimately are on removing large amounts of CO₂ to achieve net zero emissions.

    The Paris agreement accommodates such temperature reversal. Even if 1.5°C is exceeded, countries are obliged to hold peak temperatures to “well below 2°C” and to aim for long-term temperature decline.

    However, every fraction of warming will disproportionately make poor and vulnerable people suffer greater hardship, so delaying stringent emissions cuts is not a resilient strategy. The urgency to reduce emissions now should guide the next round of countries’ targets for cutting emissions that are due early next year.

    Second, we should consider hedging against high-risk, high-warming outcomes by building up our capacity to remove carbon and reverse warming. Just as governments hold strategic food and water reserves to weather unexpected disruptions, the world needs to develop the ability to remove large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. But, given potential limits to how much carbon removal we can scale up in time, we also cannot afford to squander this capacity on any emissions that could be avoided in the first place.

    Investing in this kind of removal capability, on top of pursuing the most ambitious emissions cuts possible, is a no-regrets strategy. Should we have certainty that a more fortunate climate outcome will materialise, being able to remove this scale of carbon would enable us to bring temperatures down faster. And if the warmer side of our projections are realised, we will have put ourselves in a position in which we are best equipped to make temperatures decline again.

    Achieving temperature decline in the long run would limit longer-term climate impacts. For instance, in our study we showed that temperature decline could shave off about 40cm (and potentially up to 1.5 metres) of global sea level rise in 2300. This could be the difference between having a future or not for whole nations of people. It may also limit risks from triggering tipping points in the Earth system, such as the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet or currents in the Atlantic ocean.

    The high-risk outcomes of overshooting 1.5°C means we need to do more, not less, right now – and to focus on bringing temperatures back below 1.5°C in the long run.


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

    Get our award-winning weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Carl-Friedrich Schleussner received funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation
    programme under grant agreement No 101003687 (PROVIDE).

    Gaurav Ganti received funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

    Joeri Rogelj received funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

    – ref. Overshooting 1.5°C is risky – that’s why we need to hedge our bets – https://theconversation.com/overshooting-1-5-c-is-risky-thats-why-we-need-to-hedge-our-bets-241623

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Russia is meddling in politics in Georgia and Moldova – trying to do by stealth what it is doing by war in Ukraine

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Amy Eaglestone, PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham; Visiting Lecturer, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University

    Recent votes in the former Soviet states of Georgia and Moldova have been dogged by interference from Russian-backed elements. Both countries had previously aspired towards closer ties with western Europe and future membership of the EU. And in both countries there is a strong suggestion of influence from Moscow that could jeopardise those aspirations.

    The Moldovan government held a referendum on the country’s EU accession target for 2030 on October 20. Despite consistent polling suggesting that 60% of Moldovans support further integration, the referendum only passed by a slim majority of 50.4%.

    On the same day, the first round of Moldova’s presidential election saw pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu secure 41% of the vote. This was insufficient for an outright win. Sandu now faces a run off against her closest rival, pro-Russian Alexandr Stoianoglo, who garnered 26% of the first vote.

    In the run-off, Stoianoglo will be backed by the two other candidates, both them pro-Russian populists. This makes a Sandu reelection far from inevitable.

    Meanwhile, in Georgia’s parliamentary elections on October 26, Georgian Dream won its fourth consecutive term with 54% of the vote, its best result to date. It will allow the pro-Russia party to retain control of the government and continue the process of pulling the country further away from Europe and towards closer ties with Moscow.

    This is despite the fact that there has been consistently strong popular support for EU integration and growing dissatisfaction toward Georgian Dream’s increasingly pro-Russian policies.

    The difference between public opinion as expressed by independent polling in both Moldova and Georgia and the outcomes of these votes has raised suspicions of interference. These suspicions have been further corroborated by international and domestic election monitoring organisations raising concerns that the elections were not entirely free and fair.

    The pro-European camps in both Moldova and Georgia say Russia is behind this. There is a suggestion that these efforts are part of Russia’s multifaceted hybrid warfare. It’s a campaign aimed at destabilising these countries and hindering their European integration.

    Russia has long manipulated domestic fears and grievances. The Kremlin and its agents have strong influence over media, civil society organisations and the orthodox church.

    Both Moldova and Georgia also have a Russian military presence. In Moldova this is in the breakaway region of Transnistria, where there is a “peacekeeping force” of about 2,000 troops. Georgia has two pro-Russia breakaways making up 20% of the total land area of the country, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

    The war in Ukraine has also heightened concerns in both both countries about Moscow’s ambitions towards them. Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party campaigned for a closer relationship with Russia.

    Its slogan, “No to war! Choose peace!” contrasted peace and alignment with Russia with being dragged into a war by the west. In Moldova opposition parties used similar rhetoric, calling for Russian protection and framing EU integration as a threat to national sovereignty. This resonated particularly among Russian-speaking populations.

    Russia’s influencers have also escalated cultural tensions in both countries. In Moldova, Moscow-backed opposition groups have rallied conservative segments of society to fight against governments efforts to introduce EU-aligned anti-discrimination legislation.

    Similarly, the Georgian Dream party introduced Russian-style anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Georgia to appeal to the traditional family values of conservative and religious voters. By leveraging such issues, Russia has aimed to exploit people’s cultural concerns, to increase political polarisation, and to affect political choices.

    Follow the money

    But the most important way the Kremlin, or people associated with Russia, is interfering in the domestic politics of Georgia and Moldova is money. In the case of Moldova, fugitive pro-Moscow tycoon Ilan Shor (who lives in Moscow after being found guilty of fraud in Moldova) has been accused of bribery and helping orchestrate electoral fraud. Shor has denied any wrongdoing connected to the election.

    Georgian banking and tech billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili one of the country’s wealthiest oligarchs, founded Georgian Dream in 2012. He has been described in one article as “the man who bought a country”. With a fortune worth the equivalent of 25% of Georgia’s GDP, he is thought to wield an outsize influence in the country’s politics, influence he reportedly uses to “tilt the country towards Moscow” (although some say he primarily furthers his own interests).

    Ivanishvili himself, announcing his return to mainstream politics in 2023 as the honorary chair of Georgian Dream, said the party’s role was to “protect our national identity, restore state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and transform Georgian into a high-income state till 2030 and bring it into the European Union”.

    In the conditions in these countries, individuals’ vast resources can be used unchecked for political activities. The influx of funds disadvantages opposing parties, who don’t have access to similar financial backing. They have created a lopsided political environment that favours Russian-aligned candidates.

    There is also a risk that informal or unchecked financing could also have funded election day irregularities. Reports of vote buying, ballot stuffing and violence at polling stations were observed in both countries.

    In one incident in Moldova captured by the BBC, a woman from Transnistria, where people still hold Moldovan citizenship, was filmed openly inquiring where she should go to receive payment for her vote.

    In Georgia, Ivanishvili’s influence allegedly extends to civil servants and the electoral commission as well as the judiciary, which rules on complaints of vote rigging. Claiming victory shortly after polls closed, Ivanishvili said: “It is a rare case in the world that the same party achieves such success in such a difficult situation.”

    The exact impact of Russian interference remains difficult to prove. But the dramatic apparent shifts in electoral sentiment are highly suggestive. This kind of election interference opens the door for autocratic leaders to gradually dismantle democratic institutions.

    This then allows them to enact further illiberal policies, such as the hated recent “foreign agents” law modelled after similar Russian legislation, which targets pro-democracy civil society organisations critical of the government.

    Moldovans are now preparing to vote in the run-off election on November 3, which will determine the immediate future of the country and could affect its future relationship with Europe. Many Georgians, meanwhile – led by the country’s president, Salome Zourabichvili – have taken to the streets to protest what Zourabichvili has called the “total falsification” of the vote.

    If she and Sandu are right, Russia – along with its supporters – appears to be trying to achieve, through this “hybrid warfare” in Georgia and Moldova, what it is striving for on the battlefield in Ukraine: regaining control over currently free nations that used to be Russia’s obedient satellites.

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

    – ref. Russia is meddling in politics in Georgia and Moldova – trying to do by stealth what it is doing by war in Ukraine – https://theconversation.com/russia-is-meddling-in-politics-in-georgia-and-moldova-trying-to-do-by-stealth-what-it-is-doing-by-war-in-ukraine-242135

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gaza: can the UN suspend Israel over its treatment of Palestinians? It’s complicated, but yes

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Aidan Hehir, Reader in International Relations, University of Westminster

    “Where is the UN?” is a question that has often been asked since the start of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. As the death toll rises and the conflict spreads, the UN appears woefully unable to fulfil its mandate to save humanity “from the scourge of war” – as it was set up to do.

    While the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, has repeatedly condemned Israel – and been banned from the country for his pains – his pleas have been ignored. Attempts by the UN to sanction Israel have also failed. UN sanctions require the UN security council’s consent. The US has used its power as a permanent member to veto draft resolutions seeking to do so.



    Read more:
    Hard Evidence: who uses veto in the UN Security Council most often – and for what?

    There have also been calls to suspend Israel from the UN. On October 30, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, called on the UN general assembly to suspend Israel’s membership because, as he said: “Israel is attacking the UN system.”

    Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories is reported to have told a news conference the same day that the UN should “consider the suspension of Israel’s credentials as a member of the UN until it ends violating international law and withdraws the ‘clearly unlawful’ occupation.”

    But suspending a member is more complicated and politically fraught than many appreciate.

    Israel and the UN

    For decades, Israel’s relationship with the UN has been fractious. This is primarily because of the UN’s stance on what it refers to as Israel’s “unlawful presence” in what it defines as
    “occupied territories” in Palestine. In the past 12 months of the latest conflict in Gaza, this relationship has deteriorated further.

    Many have argued that Israel has repeatedly violated UN resolutions and treaties, including the genocide convention during its campaign in Gaza. Some UN officials have accused Israel – and certain Palestinian groups – of committing war crimes. Israel has also come into direct conflict with UN agencies – some 230 UN personnel have been killed during the offensive, and many governments and UN officials have alleged that Israel deliberately targeted UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

    But the enmity between Israel and the UN came to a head on October 28, when the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, banned the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) from operating inside Israel, sparking a wave of condemnation.

    The UN’s powers

    Given this open hostility towards the UN, it is not surprising that some are now calling for Israel’s membership to be suspended.

    But can the UN legally suspend a member? The answer is yes. Under articles 5 and 6 of the UN charter a member state may be suspended or expelled if it is found to have “persistently violated the Principles contained in the present Charter”.

    But articles 5 and 6 both state that suspension and expulsion require the consent of the general assembly as well as “the recommendation of the security council”. As such, suspending Israel requires the consent of the five permanent security council members: the US, UK, China, Russia and France.

    And, given the US’s past record and current president Joe Biden’s affirmation of his “ironclad support” for Israel, this is effectively inconceivable. But while it is, therefore, highly unlikely that articles 5 or 6 will be invoked against Israel, there remains a potentially feasible option.

    The South Africa precedent

    At the start of each annual general assembly session, the credentials committee reviews submissions from each member state before they are formally admitted. Usually, this is a formality, but on September 27 1974, the credentials of South Africa – which was then operating an apartheid system – were rejected.

    Tanzanian ambasador to the UN, Salim A. Salim, announces that South Africa has been suspended fdrom the UN, November 1974.
    Teddy Chen/photograph courtesy of the United Nations

    Three days later, the general assembly passed resolution 3207 which called on the security council to, “review the relationship between the United Nations and South Africa in light of the constant violation by South Africa of the principles of the Charter”.

    A draft resolution calling for South Africa’s expulsion was eventually put to the security council at the end of October, but it was vetoed by the US, the UK and France.

    However, on November 12, the president of the general assembly, Algeria’s Abdelaziz Bouteflika, ruled that given the credentials committee’s decision and the passing of resolution 3207, “the general assembly refuses to allow the delegation of South Africa to participate in its work”. South Africa remained suspended from the general assembly until June 1994 following the ending of apartheid.

    It is important to note that South Africa was not formally suspended from the UN, only the general assembly. Nonetheless, it was a hugely significant move.

    A viable solution?

    Could the same measure be applied against Israel and would it be effective? The South Africa case shows it is legally possible. It would also undoubtedly send a powerful message, simultaneously increasing Israel’s international isolation and restoring some much needed faith in the UN.

    The 79th session of the UN general assembly began in September, so it’s too late for the credentials committee to reject Israel. But this could conceivably happen prior to the 80th session next year, if there was sufficient political will. But this is a big “if”.

    Though a majority of states in the general assembly are highly critical of Israel, many do not want the credentials committee to become more politically selective because they fear this could be used against them in the future. Likewise, few want to incur the wrath of the US by suspending its ally.

    As ever, what is legally possible and what is politically likely are two very different things.

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

    – ref. Gaza: can the UN suspend Israel over its treatment of Palestinians? It’s complicated, but yes – https://theconversation.com/gaza-can-the-un-suspend-israel-over-its-treatment-of-palestinians-its-complicated-but-yes-242559

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Birmingham Cultural Compact launch and Culture Strategy refresh

    Source: City of Birmingham

    Early October saw the first official ‘coming together’ of the new Birmingham Cultural Compact Board.

    A cross-sector partnership designed to support the city’s cultural sector and enhance its contribution to development, it has a special emphasis on cross-sector engagement beyond the cultural sector itself.  

    The Cultural Compacts model was born out of the UK Cultural Cities Investment Inquiry 2019 and their implementation in towns and cities across the country has been supported by Arts Council England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

    Chaired by Professor David Mba (Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University) with Councillor Saima Suleman (Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism at the city council) as Deputy Chair, the Birmingham Cultural Compact brings together stakeholders from the local authority, culture, business, education, healthcare and allied sectors with the aim to help culture thrive and grow in the city and, in turn, increase the city’s health, wellbeing, resilience, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. 

    Chair of the Birmingham Cultural Compact Professor David Mba said “It is an immense privilege to lead Birmingham’s Cultural Compact Board. We hope to offer the strategic vision for the future that represents the voices of all local communities.  Birmingham has a unique and diverse culture that has global impact. We saw this through the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and, more recently, the city’s successful bid to host the Serendipity Arts Festival.  Our work will put the preservation and celebration of culture at the forefront of regional decision making.” 

    Councillor Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and tourism and Deputy Chair of the Birmingham Cultural Compact, stated: “The establishment of the Birmingham Cultural Compact marks a pivotal moment for our city. By uniting diverse sectors—culture, business, education, and healthcare—we can cultivate a thriving cultural landscape that not only enriches lives but also drives economic growth and community wellbeing. Together, we will ensure that Birmingham’s cultural sector flourishes for generations to come.”

    Erica Love, Chief Executive Office of Culture Central said “We know the power Culture has on people and places and we believe in the power of working collectively. Culture Central are excited to be supporting Birmingham’s Cultural Compact and the collaborative approach to the Cultural strategy. It’s great to see the importance of Culture recognised and the vital role it plays in the City.  We look forward to working with the Compact to advocate for, develop and celebrate the vibrant and varied cultural ecology of Birmingham.”

    One of the first actions for the Birmingham Cultural Compact is to lead and oversee development of Birmingham’s new Cultural Strategy 2025 – 2035. Creative Concern, a creative and strategy agency that works on local and regional projects across the UK has been commissioned to deliver the new ten-year arts and culture strategy for Birmingham, supported by its partner consultancy Hatch. Their work will build  on the previous extensive consultation that resulted in the city’s Cultural Statement of Intent but also build on the considerable cultural successes that Birmingham has demonstrated to date. The outcome of the project will be an action-orientated framework strategy that supports culture and the arts across Birmingham for the next ten years.

    Founder and Director of Creative Concern, Steve Connor, said: “Culture is the lifeblood of any city and never was that more the case than for Birmingham. We’re delighted to be working collaboratively with a range of partners from across the city to develop this new strategy, which will re-affirm the importance of culture and the transformative role it can play in delivering civic pride, greater prosperity, wellbeing and of course, joy, happiness and entertainment.” 

    Tim Fanning, Director at Hatch, said: “Culture makes life worthwhile, and we at Hatch spend a lot of time helping institutions and places make the case for it. We are very happy to be supporting partners in Birmingham to ensure that its cultural strategy is built on firm socio-economic evidence.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Cammack Joins Florida Colleagues In Urging USDA To Expedite Aid For Hurting Florida Agricultural Producers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Kat Cammack joined Congressman Scott Franklin (R-FL-18), and Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, in a letter from the entire Florida delegation writing Secretary Vilsack to strongly urge the USDA take immediate action to provide disaster assistance for Florida agricultural producers affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    “Back-to-back hurricanes have dealt a devastating blow to Florida’s agricultural producers, many of whom are still recovering from the disastrous 2022 season,” said Congressman Franklin. “After four major storms in two years, our farmers and ranchers desperately need help now. One-size-fits-all federal disaster programs consistently fail our state’s agricultural sector, creating onerous application processes and delaying critical aid. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, when USDA administered appropriated funds to Florida through a block grant, the state quickly got help into the hands of our producers.  Putting Florida in the driver’s seat made all the difference. Forgoing a federal program in favor of a state solution is a critical, but simple fix.”

    “The devastation from Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton has hit Florida’s farmers hard, and the impacts are rippling through our state. These back-to-back storms wiped out crops, destroyed infrastructure, and put countless livelihoods in jeopardy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture must act swiftly to deliver the critical aid our agricultural producers need to rebuild and recover. Florida can’t do this alone, and our farmers deserve nothing less than our full support,” said Senator Rubio (R-FL).

    “I’m grateful to Congressman Franklin, Senators Rubio and Scott, and the Florida delegation for working together to provide support for our agricultural communities after the two devastating hurricanes this fall,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “When Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region, my colleagues to the south were quick to jump in and support our efforts as the recovery process began, and I’ll be here to do the same with Hurricane Milton in South and Central Florida. Agriculture is one of our state’s top industries and largest exports, and without it and all of the amazing people who work to feed, clothe, and fuel our state, we’d simply never be the same. I look forward to seeing this effort across the finish line and ensuring our producers have everything they need to recover and come back stronger.”

    Specifically, in the letter Rep. Franklin and the Florida delegation:

    1. Emphasize the necessity for the USDA to utilize block grants to distribute aid to Florida and other specialty-crop states, where high volume of disaster program applications overwhelm local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and delay assistance for producers;
    2. Demand USDA enhance current FSA operations and improve staffing issues;
    3. Urge the USDA to provide a budgetary request to House and Senate Appropriations Committees to ensure Congress can appropriate adequate funding for disaster response;
    4. Discuss crop insurance reforms to help specialty crop producers recover in tandem with disaster aid; and
    5. Reasserts Congress’ desire to collaborate with USDA to ensure proper support for Florida agriculture.

    Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast just 13 days after Helene and brought high winds, flooding and damage across the entire state. Milton’s path impacted some of Florida’s most productive agricultural areas for fruits, vegetables, dairy, cattle, citrus and other specialty crops. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the preliminary estimate of total crop and infrastructure losses ranges from $1.5 to $2.5 billion.

    Congress appropriates relief and disaster funds for the USDA to disburse relief. Currently, it is USDA’s practice to stand up new, unique programs after disasters. These programs are administered by FSA, the USDA subagency charged with helping agricultural producers apply for aid and other USDA assistance programs.

    This practice not only makes the disaster relief process arduous, but also delays delivery of critical assistance for the producers who feed our state and nation. FSA offices across Florida are still having trouble facilitating disaster assistance programs after 2022 Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, which were not in the form of a block grant.

    In contrast, block grants administered by the state expedite disbursement, free up personnel at FSA to efficiently carry out routine programs and provide needed flexibility for states. 

    After Hurricane Irma, Congress appropriated relief to help Florida agriculture and USDA delivered that aid through a block grant to the state. The State of Florida was successful in getting that aid without delay.

    You can read the text of the letter here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Interest of foreign citizens in studying at HSE is growing: results of 2024/25 admissions and the start of a new campaign

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    The steady growth of interest in studying at HSE, especially among applicants from the CIS and Asia, speaks to the high quality of Russian education. This year, as part of a separate competition for foreign citizens, 2,267 students were enrolled in all HSE campuses for the 2024/25 academic year, which is 14% more than last year.

    November 1st starts Admission campaign for foreign citizens planning to enter in 2025. The results of the 2024/25 admissions campaign for foreign applicants were previously announced.

    HSE Vice-Rector Victoria Panova commented on the growing demand for Russian higher education, emphasizing the campaign’s success: “There are a number of factors that explain the interest in studying at HSE. Applicants and their parents are attracted by the opportunity to receive a high-quality, world-class education in various fields of study. HSE occupies leading positions in national and international rankings. Our graduates are in demand in most sectors of the labor market and can count on a very high level of salary already at the start of their careers, which is proven, among other things, by first place in the ranking of universities with the best reputation among employers by Forbes Education“.

    Having received a diploma from the National Research University Higher School of Economics, a graduate receives a ticket to a world of great opportunities and a wide range of modern, well-paid professions.

    Total number of applicants

    The number of applications for undergraduate and graduate programs has also increased this year: 33.3% more applications for undergraduate programs and almost twice as many for graduate programs. At the same time, the ratio of the number of enrolled students to the number of applications has decreased, which indicates that the requirements for international applicants have increased. Among the first-year undergraduate students of 2024/25, as in the previous year, the majority are from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China and Turkmenistan. The number of students from Moldova, Vietnam and Armenia has increased. In the graduate program, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of enrolled citizens of Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, while the number of applicants from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India and Kyrgyzstan has decreased.

    What areas do foreign applicants choose?

    Among the most popular areas for international undergraduate students are still “Design”, “Business Management” And “Economy”. Master’s programs are in demand “Data Analytics for Business and Economics”, “International Relations: European and Asian Studies” And “Finance”.

    Alexander Deev, Director of Talent Abroad, notes: “The 2024/25 admissions campaign was a success, and this was made possible by the coordinated work of all HSE campuses. We are proud that HSE attracts truly talented applicants not only from Russia, but also from around the world. Thanks to the unified admissions system, international applicants do not need to take exams at each individual campus, or travel or fly in, which makes the process more convenient and creates equal opportunities for everyone.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to modernizing the housing and utilities sector at a headquarters meeting

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin held a meeting of the presidium (headquarters) of the Government Commission on Regional Development, where they discussed key tasks in further work on modernizing the public utility infrastructure and other key areas of the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”.

    “We have large-scale plans ahead for the construction of housing, related and non-residential infrastructure, so it is extremely important to plan the work in terms of housing and communal services competently. Regional teams should already now describe in detail where we are modernizing communal facilities and where we are building new ones. We need to develop a maximally systematic approach, and for this purpose we are working on a “road map” for improving the regulatory framework for housing and communal services. I draw the attention of governors to the need to update general plans, heat, water supply and sanitation schemes, as well as control over the fulfillment of social obligations to citizens, in whose income the payment for housing and communal services takes up a significant part. I emphasize that the modernization of housing and communal services should become a priority for each region in the coming decades,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that within the framework of the national project “Infrastructure for Life” for 200 large and small cities, master plans will be developed on the instructions of the President. They will be designed to significantly simplify urban development procedures, which in turn will allow for the prompt updating of territorial development plans. Proposals for legislative consolidation of master plans will be presented in the near future.

    The meeting participants discussed the progress of national and federal projects in the regions. Marat Khusnullin noted the Chechen Republic, Penza, Nizhny Novgorod, Kursk regions and the Republic of Adygea, which consistently show good results and are successful in 17 or more programs.

    In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister noted the need to continue the active work of the Territorial Development Fund to monitor the activities of entities in terms of fulfilling plans for the major repairs of apartment buildings and implementing projects at the expense of infrastructure budget and special treasury loans. Thus, 289 facilities of engineering and utilities, road, transport, social infrastructure and infrastructure of the special economic zone have already been commissioned using IBC funds, more than 1.7 thousand units of public transport have been purchased and delivered. Thanks to the SCC, 18 facilities have been completed, and almost 6 thousand new buses have been delivered to the regions.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: An additional $22.2 million to support farm businesses affected by weather hazards in 2023

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    Canada-Quebec Initiative to Help Mitigate the Impacts of Excess Rainfall in Quebec in 2023

    October 31, 2024 – Quebec City, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are launching the Canada-Quebec Initiative to Help Mitigate the Impacts of Excess Rainfall in Quebec in 2023 (known as AgriRecovery). The Canada-Quebec Initiative will provide $22,2 million in addition to the sums already allocated by existing programs. The financial support will partially offset the extraordinary costs incurred by vegetable, potato, strawberry and raspberry growers affected by the exceptionally adverse weather conditions of summer 2023.

    André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region, and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, made the announcement today.

    Here are the key points for companies affected by the Initiative:

    • The registration form will be available in December 2024 in the producer’s online account at La Financière agricole du Québec (FADQ).
    • The registration period will run from December 2024 to February 2025.
    • The registration will be online only, and no paper forms will be made available.
    • If necessary, a FADQ staff member will contact the company to obtain information or request additional supporting documents.
    • To demonstrate that they have incurred costs beyond their capacity, companies will have to provide financial data covering the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons if they have not already done so. They will also have to meet the Initiative’s criteria, in particular having incurred a given level of expenditure for the categories eligible for the Initiative.

    In the meantime, companies are asked to create or update their FADQ online account. If they need assistance in this regard, they are asked to contact their service centre.

    To speed up the processing of applications, if they have not already done so, companies participating in AgriStability are encouraged to submit their financial data for the 2023 participation year to the FADQ as soon as possible. For companies not participating in AgriStability, it will be possible to register by filing audited tax documents, such as the T2042 form.

    Full participation details will be available shortly on the FADQ website.

    Quotes

    “Our farmers work so hard every single day, often in the face of different challenges, including unpredictable weather. Our government will always be there to support them and help them build resilience, so they can continue to produce the top-quality products they have become known for.”

    – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

    “For our government, it was essential to come to the aid of agricultural businesses to respond to the consequences of exceptional weather, which were disastrous for many of them. I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to supporting farms in their efforts to improve their resilience to the impacts of climate change, for a strong, agile and competitive sector.”

    – André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region

    Quick facts

    • Summer 2023 was characterized by abundant and frequent rainfall in the regions of Montérégie, Capitale-Nationale, Laurentides, Montréal-Laval-Lanaudière, Chaudière-Appalaches, Mauricie, Estrie, Centre-du-Québec, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Outaouais, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Côte-Nord.

    • Production losses, combined with the extraordinary costs due to the situation, have had an impact on the liquidity and financial capacity of Quebec horticultural companies.

    • The Initiative, which will be administered by the FADQ, stems from the AgriRecovery disaster relief framework under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Multilateral Framework Agreement.

    • AgriRecovery is a federal-provincial/territorial disaster relief framework. It is more precisely designed to help agricultural producers meet the extraordinary costs of recovering from natural disasters. AgriRecovery initiatives are cost-shared by the federal government and the provinces and territories concerned on a 60%-40% basis, as set out by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

    • In addition to risk management programs, the Initiative completes a series of measures put in place by the FADQ and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ) to support horticultural producers following the excess rainfall in 2023, for example:

      • Introduction of the Mesure complémentaire pour certaines productions horticoles affectées lors de la saison de culture 2023 (Complementary assistance measure for certain horticultural crops affected during the 2023 growing season). This measure offers assistance, which is complementary to the Agri-Québec Plus assistance, which allows the company to record at most $200,000 in net profit, depending on the number of shareholders or the equivalent established by the FADQ;
      • $30 million increase in the Working Capital component of the Sustainable Growth Investment Program, for a total of $55 million;
      • Grant of $50,000 in financial assistance to the Association des producteurs maraîchers du Québec to conduct a study explaining the low rate of enrollment in crop insurance;
      • Payment of indemnities in advance at the request of producers;
      • Extension of warehouse loss coverage for some crops;
      • Extensions of sowing deadlines for market garden crops;

    • Cancellation of the account-to-account policy for companies that request it.

    • Financial assistance could reach up to $904 per hectare for vegetable crops and potatoes, and up to $3,613 per hectare for strawberries and raspberries.

    • This announcement is the result of discussions and exchanges between various stakeholders involved.

    • Agricultural associations and the MAPAQ continue their collaboration to adapt the sector to climate change.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For media:

    Annie Cullinan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Ottawa, Ontario
    613-773-7972
    1-866-345-7972
    aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
    Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Makena Mahoney
    Minister’s Office
    Makena.Mahoney@ontario.ca

    Meaghan Evans
    Communications Branch
    OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca
    519-826-3145

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: GBA ambulance transfers set for Nov

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today conducted a second drill for the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area, which is expected to launch next month.

    It carried out the drill in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government to observe the simulated transfer of a patient by a cross-boundary ambulance.

    Having obtained the quota for cross-boundary ambulances of Guangdong and Hong Kong, the Shenzhen ambulance participating in the drill today is able to travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen with dual licence plates of the Mainland and Hong Kong, further streamlining the actual operation and procedures for the direct ambulance transfer.

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau, together with relevant representatives of the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government inspected the drill at the Hospital Authority’s Major Incident Control Centre.

    Prof Lo noted that the governments of the three places have finalised the mechanism and procedures for the direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

    He expressed confidence that the pilot scheme could be launched next month to provide a point-to-point transfer arrangement between designated hospitals for patients with specific clinical needs, adding that by then, patients can be transferred in a safer, more timely and convenient manner.

    The direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangement in the GBA concerns not only patients’ safety but also the cross-boundary travel of vehicles, healthcare personnel, medication and devices as well as dangerous goods for medical use, the health chief noted.

    He said the Hong Kong SAR Government will keep deepening collaboration with other GBA cities and harmonise rules and mechanisms among the bay area cities to ensure safety for entry or exit and quarantine.

    The pilot scheme is limited to transfers between designated hospitals with the first phase focusing on the arrangement of direct ambulance transfer of patients from designated hospitals in Shenzhen and Macau to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong.

    The University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital and the Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao are the designated hospitals.

    The cross-boundary ambulance mechanism will only be activated when a prior agreement between these two sending hospitals and designated public hospitals in Hong Kong has been reached in advance.

    They have to take the clinical needs, safety and interests of patients as the prime concerns, and have a mechanism in place to avoid abuse, while ensuring the safety of cross-boundary transfer.

    Prof Lo also thanked various national ministries, including the State Council’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, the National Health Commission and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China for the successful implementation of the transfer arrangement, and their support and guidance.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Secretary General to visit Germany

    Source: NATO

    On Monday, 4 November 2024, Secretary General Mark Rutte will travel to Berlin, Germany.

    The Secretary General will meet the President, Mr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Chancellor, Mr Olaf Scholz, the Minister of Defence, Mr Boris Pistorius, the Minister of Finance, Mr Christian Lindner, and other senior officials.

    Media advisory

    15:50 (CET)  Joint press conference by the Secretary General and the Chancellor of Germany

    Media coverage

    The press conference will be streamed live on the NATO website.

    A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks, as well as photographs, will be on the NATO website. Video can be downloaded from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.

    For more information:
    General queries: contact the NATO Press Office
    Follow us on X: @NATO, @SecGenNATO and @NATOPress

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES GROUP PLC – 30 10 2024] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES GROUP PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 30 OCTOBER 2024
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 0.375p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 10,024,162 1.2654    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 10,024,162 1.2654    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    0.375p ORDINARY PURCHASE 1,770 90.1188p
    0.375p ORDINARY PURCHASE 220 90.12p
    0.375p ORDINARY PURCHASE 15,750 90.6p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 31 OCTOBER 2024
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. (OTC: BCAP) Announces Successful Reinstatement with the State of Florida and Outlines Strategic Path to Regulatory Compliance and Market Expansion

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Miami, FL, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. (OTC: BCAP) is pleased to announce its successful reinstatement with the State of Florida Secretary of State, effective October 30, 2024. This significant milestone underscores the company’s commitment to regulatory compliance and sets the foundation for a new era of growth and development.

    Strategic Compliance Initiatives

    Under the leadership of Jake P. Noch, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. is undertaking several key initiatives to enhance its corporate governance and regulatory standing:

    •       Updating Articles of Incorporation: The company will proceed to update its Articles of Incorporation to reflect its renewed strategic direction and operational focus.

    •       Financial Statement Preparation: Baron Capital is committed to preparing and filing comprehensive financial statements covering the period from 2017 to the present. This effort is crucial for regaining compliance with disclosure requirements and ensuring transparency for shareholders and regulatory bodies.

    •       Regaining Disclosure Compliance: By addressing past filing deficiencies, the company aims to restore its compliance with all regulatory disclosure obligations, reinforcing its reputation as a trustworthy publicly traded entity.

    •       Engaging a Market Maker: The company plans to engage a leading market maker to assist in filing a new Form 211 with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This action is intended to restore proprietary quote eligibility, enhancing market confidence and facilitating efficient trading of the company’s shares.

    Rebranding and Expansion Strategy

    In alignment with its forward-looking strategy, Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. plans to rename and rebrand itself as Sunset Trading Group LTD. This rebranding initiative reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and its focus on emerging opportunities in the financial services sector.

    As part of its expansion plans, the company intends to establish or acquire a non-U.S. subsidiary that will seek registration as an offshore broker-dealer. This subsidiary will specialize in ultra-high-frequency proprietary trading, leveraging advanced trading algorithms and strategies to capitalize on market inefficiencies and drive profitability.

    Commitment to Shareholders

    Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. extends its sincere gratitude to its shareholders for their patience and unwavering support during this transitional period. The company is dedicated to maintaining open and transparent communication as it progresses through each phase of its strategic plan. Under Mr. Noch’s leadership, Baron Capital is poised to re-emerge as a dynamic and influential player in the financial markets, with a focus on sustainable, long-term growth.

    About Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. (OTC: BCAP)

    https://www.sunsettg.com

    Baron Capital Enterprise, Inc. (OTC: BCAP) is a publicly traded portfolio company of Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC., a St. Kitts & Nevis-based single family office. The company is currently undergoing a comprehensive restoration and restructuring process under the leadership of Jake P. Noch. Baron Capital is focused on exploring new business opportunities in the financial services sector, including the establishment of an offshore Broker-Dealer subsidiary to engage in ultra-high-frequency proprietary trading. As part of its transformation, the company plans to rename and rebrand itself as Sunset Trading Group LTD.

    About Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC

    https://www.jakepnoch.com/

    Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC is a single-family office with no outside clients, dedicated to strategically investing in Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and fostering the growth of emerging companies. Our firm specializes in guiding these ventures towards successful exits through public market mergers, leveraging our expertise and resources to maximize their potential. At Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC, we are more than just investors—we are partners committed to the long-term success of the companies we support. Through continuous financial backing facilitated by court-approved 3(a)(10) mechanisms, we provide ongoing support to ensure sustained growth and prosperity, driving value creation and innovation in the businesses we invest in.

    Forward-Looking Statements:

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC., BARON CAPITAL ENTERPRISE, INC. to accomplish their stated plan of business. Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC., BARON CAPITAL ENTERPRISE, INC. believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable; however, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC., BARON CAPITAL ENTERPRISE, INC., or any other person.

    Non-Legal Advice Disclosure:

    This press release does not constitute legal advice, and readers are advised to seek legal counsel for any legal matters or questions related to the content herein.

    Non-Investment Advice Disclosure:

    This communication is intended solely for informational purposes and does not in any way imply or constitute a recommendation or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, commodities, bonds, options, derivatives, or any other investment products. Any decisions related to investments should be made after thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor or professional. We assume no liability for any actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this communication.

    Contact

    investors@ProMusicRights.com

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JPNFamilyOffice

    Twitter: https://x.com/Sunset_TG

    SOURCE: BARON CAPITAL ENTERPRISE, INC.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: US applies double standards on nuclear issue: Defense Spokesperson 2024-10-31 “On the nuclear issue, the US has long been holding a “flashlight” only to check on the behaviors of others but not itself,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference on Thursday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

      BEIJING, Oct. 31 — “On the nuclear issue, the US has long been holding a “flashlight” only to check on the behaviors of others but not itself,” said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference on Thursday.

      The spokesperson made the remarks when responding to the US’s speculative hype of China’s nuclear force. It is reported that the latest review of the US Defense Intelligence Agency said that China was accelerating and expanding nuclear arsenal of its Army, Navy and Air Force. According to statistics from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global nuclear arms race is intensifying. As of January 2024, the total number of global nuclear warheads has amounted to 12,121.

      “The US has been deliberately hyping up the non-existent ‘China nuclear threat’, only to cover up its malicious agenda of maintaining hegemony,” said the spokesperson, pointing out that the US, with the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, pursues a nuclear policy of first use of nuclear weapons, conducts nuclear intimidation and blackmail on others, and plays with fire by seeking nuclear proliferation, which seriously undermines global strategic security and stability.

      The spokesperson further noted that China pursues a self-defensive nuclear strategy, and is committed to a nuclear policy of no first use of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances. China keeps its nuclear force at the minimum level required for national security and has no intention to engage in arms race with any country.

      “What the US needs to do is not to make groundless accusations on others but to introspect its fault and correct its wrong doings,” said the spokesperson, adding that  the US should earnestly assume its special and primary responsibilities toward nuclear disarmament, and take concrete actions to reduce global strategic security risks.

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: The MND: China and India Jointly Safeguard Peace and Tranquility in the Border Areas 2024-10-31 China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border areas through diplomatic and military channels. The frontline troops of the two militaries are making progress in implementing the resolutions in a orderly manner.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

      Question: It is reported that China and India have reached a deal on patrol arrangements in the border areas, which can lead to disengagement, ending a conflict began in 2020. India’s Chief of Army Staff recently said that India hopes to restore the border situation to the state before April 2020, and gradually resume normal management along the Line of Control. May I have your comment?

      Zhang Xiaogang: China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border areas through diplomatic and military channels. The frontline troops of the two militaries are making progress in implementing the resolutions in a orderly manner. President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the margins of the BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. Both sides agreed that China and India should view and handle the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and make sure that differences on specific issues would not affect the overall bilateral relationship. We hope the Indian side will work together with China, take the important common understandings between the two state leaders as guidance, continuously implement the above-mentioned resolutions, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas.

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Euan Hutton permanently appointed as Sellafield CEO

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Euan Hutton has been permanently appointed the Sellafield CEO, effective from  1 November 2024, having fulfilled the role on an interim basis since July 2023.

    In confirming Euan’s appointment, Sellafield Ltd’s Chairman, Chris Train, said:

    I am pleased to announce that, with support from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), UK Government and Sellafield Ltd Board, I have today appointed Euan Hutton permanently to the role of Sellafield Ltd CEO.

    Euan has been interim CEO since July last year, and has demonstrated his integrity and expertise, meeting challenges head on.  Anyone who knows Euan will know that he has the deepest respect for the people of Sellafield Ltd and the communities around us.

    I am confident that Euan is the right leader for Sellafield Ltd and that he will continue to deliver what the organisation needs.

    Euan, who lives near Cockermouth, began his career on the Sellafield Ltd graduate programme. He has held positions at Sellafield and across the UK and international nuclear industry during his 31-year career.

    He has extensive experience of Sellafield’s operations and challenges, having served in a number of senior leadership roles, including Chief Nuclear Officer.

    Welcoming Euan’s permanent appointment, NDA Chief Executive David Peattie, said:

    I want to personally thank Euan for his dedication since taking on the role of interim CEO in July last year, and to acknowledge the progress we’ve seen under his leadership.    

    Euan’s passion and commitment for the business, its nationally important mission and the people working to deliver it, is clear.

    I am pleased he will now be instrumental in leading Sellafield’s next chapter, and enabling us to deliver our collective goal, to create a clean and safe environment for future generations.

    Euan said:

    It is an honour to continue to lead Sellafield Ltd as we enter what I believe will be the company’s most exciting chapter yet.

    At Sellafield we must continue to make progress in tackling one of the biggest environmental remediation challenges in the UK. We must also continue to bring our skills to bear on supporting other national priorities – from security of energy supply through spent fuel management, or national security through world-class guardianship of special nuclear materials.

    At the heart of our complex work are the people of Sellafield Ltd and I want to thank them for their support, dedication, and flexibility over the last year. It is their skills and expertise that gives me confidence as I look to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FCDO Indo-Pacific Minister statement on North Korea ICBM launch

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK has condemned the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by North Korea on 30 October.

    FCDO Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West said:

    The UK condemns the latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on 30 October by North Korea; these actions clearly breach multiple UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs).

    Unlawful ballistic missile launches are deeply damaging for regional stability and continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

    The UK will continue to call out violations of UNSCRs. We urge North Korea to refrain from illegal launches, return to dialogue, and abandon its illegal nuclear and ballistic weapons programme.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov held another meeting on providing assistance to the Kursk region

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The meeting was attended by the head of the region, Alexey Smirnov, representatives of the Government Office, and federal executive authorities.

    The issues discussed included providing all types of assistance to the population and enterprises of the region, organizing medical services, the operation of housing and communal services systems and resource supply organizations, and the execution of the regional budget.

    Alexey Smirnov informed First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov that the Kursk Region government is constantly interacting with the federal center on issues of supporting border residents. As the governor noted, to date, almost all victims have received one-time payments. Work on the remaining applicants will be completed in the near future. At the moment, payments to residents of the Kursk Region for full or partial loss of property, payments due for damage to health, and housing certificates are being issued.

    Denis Manturov noted the need to maintain constant interaction between federal executive authorities and the region and promptly consider requests received from the Kursk region.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General strongly condemns the launch today of a long-range ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    The DPRK’s continued launches of missiles using ballistic missile technology are clear violations of relevant Security Council resolutions.

    The Secretary-General remains concerned about the situation on the Korean Peninsula. He has consistently called for de-escalation, the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, an environment that is conducive to dialogue, and the resumption of talks. 

    Diplomatic engagement remains the only pathway to sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: October Oil and Gas Public Offering Generates $7.3 Million in Revenue

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on October 31, 2024

    The Government of Saskatchewan’s Crown oil and natural gas public offering, held on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, raised $7,304,936.95 for the province, with the Estevan area generating the majority of the revenue.

    Of the 112 parcels posted for this offering, 93 received acceptable bids, covering a total 15,347.639 hectares.

    The Estevan area generated the most financial interest, bringing in $5,417,916.25 for 56 leases and one exploration licence for a total of 8,330.517 hectares.

    The Kindersley area generated $1,325,636.53 for 21 leases for a total of 5,063.604 hectares.

    Surge Energy Inc. made the highest bonus bid and the highest dollars-per-hectare bid in its offering of $1,369,276.03, or $5,284.76 per hectare. This was for a 259.099 hectare lease in the Estevan area, northeast of Macoun. 

    Millennium Land (444) Ltd. won the single exploration licence posted in this offering, bidding $407,670.71 for a 2,318.023 hectare licence in the Estevan area, south of Minton.

    After four public offerings this fiscal year, the provincial government has raised $37,382,523.18 in revenue. The next offering is scheduled for December 3, 2024. 

    There are six scheduled public offerings of oil and natural gas dispositions held each fiscal year in Saskatchewan. This process uses an open and competitive bidding system to issue oil and natural gas dispositions.

    Several factors affect public offering activity, including changes in oil and gas prices, land availability, geological and technological constraints and various market conditions.

    For more information about oil and gas public offerings in Saskatchewan, please visit the Schedule of Public Offerings webpage on saskatchewan.ca. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence Hosts Maritime Security Regimes Roundtable

    Source: United States Navy (Fleet Command)

    by Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

    31 October 2024

    NORFOLK, Va. —

    The Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence (CJOS COE) hosted the Maritime Security Regimes Roundtable on Oct. 29-30, 2024, gathering key stakeholders to address global maritime security challenges and foster collaboration across sectors.

    CJOS regularly collaborates with industry and academic institutions, bridging military and civilian expertise to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and conceptual thinking. This year’s theme was “Maritime 360: Securing Our Seas in an Increasingly Complex and Connected World,” which highlighted the critical importance of cooperation in facing global maritime threats. Military officials, government authorities, industry leaders, and academic representatives gathered for discussions that emphasized the wide-ranging concerns of today’s maritime security environment.

    During his opening remarks, Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, commander, Joint Force Command Norfolk, and director, CJOS COE, acknowledged the diverse group of participants.

    “It is imperative that we focus on maritime security at every level of our future planning,” said Perry. “Our robust maritime network is an advantage that our adversaries cannot match, and we grow stronger with every opportunity we have to work together.”

    The event featured a two-day agenda. The first day focused on both ongoing and emerging maritime threats, including discussions on the Red Sea, Arctic and Baltic security, and challenges in the South China Sea and Gulf of Guinea. The discussions incorporated both military and commercial perspectives, ensuring a comprehensive approach to maritime security.

    The second day shifted to industry and technological innovations, with presentations on advanced maritime technologies and their applications for current and future security needs. By incorporating these forward-looking solutions, the roundtable aimed to enhance the readiness and resilience of maritime forces.

    “The Alliance must maintain that collective advantage – our governments and our people demand it,” said Perry. “Maintaining an international rules-based order as a guiding global principle, requires us to tackle our challenges together. Not just with the force of our militaries, but with diplomacy, advice from our scholars, the ingenuity of our industry, and the will of our free people as represented by our governments.”

    Leaders from Maritime Security Working Groups closed the event with updates on their accomplishments throughout the year, reinforcing the importance of collective action in maintaining a secure maritime domain.

    CJOS COE, established in May 2006, plays a pivotal role in advancing maritime-based joint operations within NATO. Based in the United States, it is the only Centre of Excellence headquartered in the country and one of 30 NATO-accredited centers worldwide. Representing 13 nations, the organization focuses on driving innovation, concept development, and the formulation of doctrine and standards in support of NATO’s goals.

    “We have a long-standing, close, and hugely successful partnership that is central to CJOS’ efforts to help foster a prosperous and safe maritime environment,” said Commodore Philip Nash, Royal Navy, deputy director, CJOS COE. “Combining our strengths creates new perspectives and solutions to meet the global maritime security challenges facing our NATO Alliance today.”

    As an independent entity, CJOS COE is not part of NATO’s Command structure but serves as a critical resource, leveraging the expertise of its 13 sponsoring nations and its close relationship with U.S. Fleet Forces and U.S. 2nd Fleet. This collaboration ensures that NATO’s maritime forces remain agile and capable of adapting to evolving threats.

    CJOS COE’s partnerships with Allied Command Transformation, Allied Maritime Command, and other NATO Centres of Excellence to further enhance its ability to foster cooperation across borders. These efforts ensure that NATO’s maritime forces remain at the cutting edge of modern military doctrine and technology.

    With a team of 25 permanent staff members, CJOS COE maintains the flexibility to respond quickly to the evolving needs of its stakeholders. This diverse group brings a wide range of perspectives, enhancing the Centre’s ability to shape future maritime strategies effectively.

    Through its commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the sharing of best practices, CJOS COE continues to strengthen NATO’s maritime capabilities, ensuring the Alliance remains ready to meet the challenges of modern maritime operations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: McKeesport Felon Charged for Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

    The one-count Indictment named Richard L. Edwards Jr., 49, as the sole defendant. Edwards was arrested on August 9, 2024, by the City of McKeesport Police Department related to this charge.

    According to the Indictment, on or about August 9, 2024, Edwards, who was previously convicted of a felony, was found to be in possession of a Ruger Security-9 semi-automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson SD40 VE semi-automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum revolver, and one Winchester 1300 20-gauge shotgun, as well as 20-gauge ammunition, .357 Magnum ammunition, 38 Special ammunition, and 40 caliber ammunition. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

    The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    Westmoreland County Adult Probation, the City of McKeesport Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: PubMatic Named a Leader in Q4 2024 Analyst Report on Sell-Side Platforms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NO-HEADQUARTERS/REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PubMatic (Nasdaq: PUBM), an independent technology company delivering digital advertising’s supply chain of the future, proudly announces its recognition as a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Sell-Side Platforms, Q4 2024. According to the report from Forrester Research, a leading global research and advisory firm, “PubMatic is known for its scale, cross-channel support, and extensive experience dating back to programmatic advertising’s inception.”

    In the report, Forrester evaluated 10 top sell-side platforms (SSPs) based on 33 criteria spanning three categories: current offering, strategy, and market presence. PubMatic received the highest possible scores across 14 criteria, including Programmatic Auctions, Commerce Media, Publisher Protections, and Innovation. PubMatic also received the highest possible score in the Market Presence category.

    Criteria in which PubMatic received the highest possible scores:

    • Programmatic Auctions: PubMatic’s OpenWrap unified auctions are a “resounding success for publishers…” We provide publishers with advanced tools to maximize revenue.
    • Commerce Media: Our unique Convert solution’ is notable for its effectiveness in driving commerce media outcomes.
    • Publisher Protections: We attribute Forrester’s characterization of our “publisher-first orientation” to PubMatic’s commitment to publisher protections, including anti-fraud measures and robust reporting insights.
    • Innovation: We attribute this criterion score to PubMatic’s continuous innovation and strong partner ecosystem as key differentiators in the SSP market.

    “We are honored to be recognized as a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Sell-Side Platforms,” said Rajeev Goel, Co-Founder and CEO of PubMatic. “To us, the designation as a Leader validates our commitment to providing publishers with the most advanced and effective tools as part of an integrated platform. Our strategic focus on customer control and partnership continues to strengthen our market position, and as we navigate the dynamic landscape of programmatic advertising, our commitment to innovation and monetization remains at the core of everything we do. We believe this is vision validated by Forrester’s assessment.”

    To find out more about PubMatic’s SSP product, click here: SSP for Publishers

    About PubMatic:
    PubMatic (Nasdaq: PUBM) is an independent technology company maximizing customer value by delivering digital advertising’s supply chain of the future. PubMatic’s sell-side platform empowers the world’s leading digital content creators across the open internet to control access to their inventory and increase monetization by enabling marketers to drive return on investment and reach addressable audiences across ad formats and devices. Since 2006, our infrastructure-driven approach has allowed for the efficient processing and utilization of data in real time. By delivering scalable and flexible programmatic innovation, we improve outcomes for our customers while championing a vibrant and transparent digital advertising supply chain.

    Press Contact:
    Ashley Jacobson, Director of Corporate Marketing
    press@pubmatic.com

    Broadsheet Communications for PubMatic
    pubmaticteam@broadsheetcomms.com
    (917) 826-1103

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: UK-Based HealthTech Startup Definition Health Raises £5.75 million in Pre-Seed Funding to Streamline Surgical Care with Advanced Predictive AI Technology

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Definition Health, a UK-based, clinician-led HealthTech innovator, has secured £5.75 million ($7.5 million USD) in pre-seed funding for surgical care with cutting-edge predictive AI. This funding will further fuel the enhancement of its platform, designed to seamlessly integrate into healthcare systems, transforming surgical workflows. By delivering personalized, data-driven care, Definition Health’s platform improves surgical efficiency, reduces complications, and optimizes outcomes for patients, hospitals, and insurers—positioning the company as the leader in value-based care.

    “Medicine does not stand still, nor should it. In my opinion, Definition Health is quite literally a glimpse into the future,” says Dr. David Redfern, CEO of David Redfern Surgery, Orthopedic Surgeon, and Definition Health Angel Investor. “Not only do Definition Health systems already improve patient safety in the hospital environment but they offer perhaps one of the Holy Grails of medicine – The opportunity to tailor treatments to specific patient attributes. To link a whole host of parameters to outcomes and understand how to improve those outcomes.”

    Co-founded by Dr. Sandeep Chauhan, an internationally renowned practicing orthopedic surgeon with over two decades of clinical experience, and Dr. Rosie Scott, an NHS Clinical Entrepreneur and celebrated radiologist, Definition Health was born from a vision to modernize surgical care by addressing the inefficiencies that burden both clinicians and patients. “We saw firsthand how fragmented the surgical care process was, leading to delays, cancellations, and complications,” said Dr. Chauhan. “Our platform streamlines the entire surgical journey, surfacing actionable patient data to clinicians, enabling them to intervene earlier and make more informed decisions, resulting in better outcomes for patients.”

    U.S. hospitals face increasing pressure to maximize revenue from elective surgeries, a critical income stream that accounts for 48% of hospital gross revenue. With 40% of U.S. hospitals operating at a loss, current solutions are failing to address both financial and clinical inefficiencies. Definition Health combats this by drawing on proprietary data from over 400,000 surgeries to build predictive models that optimize care and mitigate surgical risk. With U.S. healthcare under pressure from staffing shortages, rising costs, and growing surgical demands, Definition Health’s platform integrates predictive analytics and machine learning into clinical workflows to optimize pre-op planning, reduce complications, and accelerate recovery.

    Their platform has already saved the NHS the equivalent of $2.6 million per 40,000 patients by reducing surgical cancellations, and Definition Health is eager to replicate this success in the U.S., where outpatient surgeries are growing exponentially. As a participant in the UK-Florida Life Sciences Trade Corridor, the company is well-positioned to connect with key players in Florida’s healthcare market, including leading hospitals and healthcare systems, making it an ideal partner for U.S. institutions looking to improve efficiency and patient outcomes.

    “As a former NHS Hospital CEO with over two decades of experience, I immediately recognised the transformative potential of Definition Health. Sandeep and Rosie’s vision for revolutionizing end-to-end surgical pathways is not just innovative – it’s essential for the future of healthcare. Their solution is a game-changer, offering tangible benefits for both patients and front-line staff. The evaluation results are not just impressive; they’re indicative of a significant leap forward in healthcare delivery. I am truly excited to see the contribution Definition Health will make to healthcare, not only in the UK and US but on a global scale. This is the kind of innovation that investors and healthcare systems should be paying close attention to.” – Dame Jackie Daniel, former CEO of NHS Newcastle Hospitals, Healthcare Advisor to Definition Health, and Global Luminary for Accenture

    As Definition Health scales, the company is focused on expanding into key U.S. markets, starting with Florida, where the demand for surgical innovation is growing rapidly. With the success of their pre-seed round, Definition Health has opened a Series A funding round to support this growth and foster strategic partnerships in the U.S. By combining AI-powered predictive analytics with seamless clinical integration, Definition Health is transforming surgical care and providing a comprehensive solution to the challenges facing hospitals globally. The company’s success in the NHS, the largest single-payer system in the world, demonstrates its capacity to deliver value-based care at scale.

    About Definition Health
    Definition Health is a clinician-led HealthTech company transforming surgical care through advanced predictive AI technology. By streamlining the entire surgical journey, from pre-op to recovery, its AI-powered platform improves patient outcomes, enhances clinical workflows, and reduces costs for hospitals and insurers. With proven success in the NHS, Definition Health is poised to expand globally, delivering value-based care solutions that address the critical challenges facing modern healthcare systems.

    Contact:
    Sandeep Chauhan, CEO
    hello@definitionhealth.co.uk
    sandeep@lifeboxhealth.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Definition Health. This press release includes forward-looking statements about Definition Health’s future plans and growth, subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual outcomes to differ. These statements reflect current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. Definition Health assumes no obligation to update these statements. This release is for informational purposes only, not investment advice.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/14572bea-f33e-4cbe-b409-d58b9e129005

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Israel’s relations with the UN hit a new low with Unrwa ban

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lisa Strömbom, Ph D, Associate Professor, Lund University

    Israel’s relationship with the United Nations has historically been strained, but over the past year, tensions have reached new levels. On October 28, the Israeli parliament (the Knesset) passed a law to prohibit operations of the UN’s relief and works agency (Unrwa) – the UN body responsible for Palestinian refugees – within the territory it controls. It’s a legal and political development which many fear will have grave humanitarian consequences for Palestinians in Gaza and beyond.

    The decision also prompts questions about what lies ahead for the increasingly divisive relationship between the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and the UN. There is even speculation that the Unrwa ban could lead to Israel being expelled from the UN general assembly.

    Israel’s relations with the UN have long been fractious. But Unrwa has come in for particular criticism from successive Israeli governments over the years.

    The agency was set up in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. What was originally intended to be a temporary agency has now operated for more than seven decades, thanks to the unending hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian people. In addition to humanitarian assistance, Unrwa provides education, healthcare and a range of social services to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

    Unrwa’s schools have been a particular bugbear for Israeli critics. It has been pointed out that textbooks provided by the Palestinian Authority and used in some Unrwa schools were “pivotal in radicalising generations of Gazans”. There have also been allegations that money intended to support Unrwa relief works has been finding its way to Hamas.

    But it was the alleged involvement of Unrwa employees in the October 7 attack on Israel, spearheaded by Hamas, that brought the issue to a head earlier this year. In January, Israel presented Joe Biden’s US administration with a dossier that purported to present evidence that 12 Unrwa staff had taken an active part in the attack. The UN announced it had dismissed the surviving staff named in the dossier – but the accusations led several countries to suspend their Unrwa funding.



    Read more:
    Gaza conflict: what is UNRWA and why is Israel calling for its abolition?

    Unrwa’s commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, described the suspension of funding as a “collective punishment”. He said it would have grave consequences for Gaza’s civilians who were – and remain – at high risk of famine.

    An independent review set up by Lazzarini reported in April and found no evidence that the agency had been infiltrated by Hamas. Instead, it stressed how Unrwa’s work was an “indispensable lifeline” for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. As a result, international funding of Unrwa was resumed by all countries but the US.

    At loggerheads

    Now Israel has gone a step further and banned Unrwa operations. This appears to be the latest blow in a campaign of hostility against the UN that has been years in the making.

    In recent years, Netanyahu’s anti-UN rhetoric has escalated considerably. In 2022, the UN general assembly (UNGA) voted in favour of a resolution calling for the International Court of Justice to give its opinion on Israel’s “prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of Palestinian territory”. Netanyahu called the decision “despicable”. He refused to recognise the vote, saying:

    Like hundreds of the twisted decisions against Israel taken by the UNGA over the years, today’s despicable decision will not bind the Israeli government. The Jewish nation is not an occupier in its own land and its own eternal capital, Jerusalem.

    Netanyahu condemns ‘despicable’ UN vote.

    During the past year, as it has continued its assault on Gaza, Israel’s efforts to delegitimise the UN have also intensified. At the beginning of October, after Iran had launched a barrage of rockets at Israeli military installations, Israel barred the UN secretary general, António Guterres, from entering the country. Foreign minister Israel Katz commented: “Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel … does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil.”

    Meanwhile, units of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been involved in a number of incidents which have threatened the safety of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon (Unifil). The peacekeepers are there under a mandate to safeguard Lebanese civilians in the area, where Israel has been conducting what it calls its “military operation” since the beginning of October. Many scholars of international law believe the IDF’s actions could be interpreted as war crimes.



    Read more:
    Is targeting UN peacekeepers in Lebanon a war crime? Here’s what international law says

    This in turn led to a public spat with the French president, Emmanuel Macron. Calling on Israel to respect the neutrality of Unifil peacekeepers, Macron said Netanyahu should “not forget that his country was created by a decision of the UN” – to which Netanyahu replied:

    It was not the UN resolution that established the state of Israel, but rather the victory achieved in the war of independence with the blood of heroic fighters, many of whom were Holocaust survivors, including from the Vichy regime in France.

    The last clause was a pointed reminder that a section of the French government collaborated with the Nazi regime in the extermination of French Jews.

    International condemnation

    But it’s the decision to bar Unrwa from Israel that has drawn the harshest international criticism, and which threatens to further isolate the country diplomatically. The UN secretary general has been joined by the EU and US in urging Israel to reconsider.

    Washington has already been highly critical of what it describes as “Israeli efforts to starve Palestinians” in parts of Gaza, and the US and UK are both reported to be considering suspending arms sales to Israel.

    Amnesty International, meanwhile, said the law “amounts to the criminalisation of humanitarian aid and will worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis”. But Israel has signalled it intends to hold firm, while insisting it will “continue to do everything in its power” to ensure that aid continues to reach “ordinary Gazans”.

    But the vast majority of Gaza’s population is now displaced. Most of the built infrastructure – including hospitals – has been destroyed. And Israel’s military operations are forcing most civilians out of the north of the Gaza Strip. So, the question now is whether the effective crippling of the largest international aid agency working in Gaza will simply make matters worse for the people living there.

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

    – ref. Israel’s relations with the UN hit a new low with Unrwa ban – https://theconversation.com/israels-relations-with-the-un-hit-a-new-low-with-unrwa-ban-242512

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Smith Statement on Biden Administration’s Taiwan Double-Tax Relief Announcement

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Published: October 30, 2024

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-Missouri) issued the following statement on the Biden Administration’s Taiwan double-tax relief announcement:
    “Last year, our committees worked closely together and consulted with the Administration to carefully craft a legislative package providing both expedited double-tax relief through the tax code and paving the way for future agreements on additional double-tax relief.  This legislation—which passed unanimously through the Ways and Means Committee, and the expedited double tax relief provisions of which passed unanimously through the Senate Finance Committee—remains the best path forward to address double taxation between the U.S. and Taiwan.  Unfortunately, the timing of the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement appears to be driven more by politics than an effort to provide expedited tax relief.  Pursuing an approach that does not harmonize with the Congressionally-endorsed framework could jeopardize delivering that relief, impeding the shared goal of facilitating broader investment between the U.S. and Taiwan to promote our collective prosperity, national security, and economic resilience.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet Bipartisan Colleagues Push for More Temporary Work Visas to Help Small Businesses in Colorado

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senators Angus King and Mike Rounds, alongside 37 of their bipartisan colleagues, to urge the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release the maximum number of additional temporary, non-agricultural (H-2B) visas for fiscal year 2025 to support local economies and fill needed roles for American small businesses.

    “Many employers turn to the H-2B program to meet their workforce needs to not only sustain their businesses, but also support their American workers,” wrote the senators. “The H-2B program places requirements on employers to recruit U.S. workers, who are intentionally prioritized by the program and also receive demonstrated, positive impacts from their seasonal colleagues.”

    In Colorado, more than 8,400 temporary H-2B visas were requested by over 250 employers in fiscal year 2021 – reflecting a strong demand for H-2B workers in the state. The H-2B program permits employers to temporarily hire noncitizens to perform nonagricultural labor or services for a limited period of time, such as a one-time occurrence, seasonal, or intermittent need.

    In the letter, the senators highlight recent data from DOL’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Surveys that shows that the rate of job openings have increased annually for top five H-2B occupations. Landscaping, hospitality, and the ski industry – all key to Colorado’s economy – are among the industries with the highest share of certified H-2B workers

    “As you know, the FY 2025 H-2B first half fiscal year cap was met on September 18, 2024—roughly three weeks earlier than the cap was met in FY 2024. The result is that seasonal employers whose peak seasons are in late fall and winter are capped out before their period of seasonal need begins. Absent cap relief, these employers will be unable to receive temporary, U.S. government-vetted guest workers,” continued the senators.

    Hickenlooper previously introduced the SEASONAL Act which would permit governors to petition the federal government for supplemental H-2B visas beyond the national cap of 66,000. Hickenlooper and Bennet have also pushed DHS and DOL to increase the availability of H-2B visas and worked to ensure that the visa program is efficient and effective.

    The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

    Dear Secretaries Mayorkas and Su:

    We write on behalf of seasonal businesses in our states—including employers of housekeepers in tourist destinations, landscapers with defined seasons, seafood processors with short harvesting windows, and fairs and carnivals—who are struggling to hire a sufficient number of temporary, seasonal laborers to support their operations.

    In light of these labor shortages, we strongly urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), to utilize the authority provided by Congress in the FY2025 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act to release the maximum allowable number of additional H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2025, as you did for Fiscal Year 2024. These visas will help employers handle their labor challenges, and provide additional certainty regarding their workforce planning decisions in the coming months. We urge you to promptly publish a temporary rule implementing the release of these supplemental visas.

    Many employers turn to the H-2B program to meet their workforce needs to not only sustain their businesses, but also support their American workers. The H-2B program places requirements on employers to recruit U.S. workers, who are intentionally prioritized by the program and also receive demonstrated, positive impacts from their seasonal colleagues. In fact, a 2020 Government Accountability Office report concluded that “counties with H-2B employers generally had lower unemployment rates and higher average weekly wages than counties that do not have any H-2B employers.”

    The most current employment data illustrates the workforce struggles of seasonal businesses nationwide. The Department of Labor’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Surveys (JOLTS) show the rate of job openings have increased year over year for the industries that represent the top five H-2B occupations. As you know, the FY 2025 H-2B first half fiscal year cap was met on September 18, 2024—roughly three weeks earlier than the cap was met in FY 2024. The result is that seasonal employers whose peak seasons are in late fall and winter are capped out before their period of seasonal need begins. Absent cap relief, these employers will be unable to receive temporary, U.S. government-vetted guest workers. Congress has acknowledged this seasonal labor shortage by providing DHS with the authority to lift the H-2B visa cap for each of the past eight fiscal years. Given the growing demand for H-2B workers as employers continue to struggle with staffing shortages, we encourage you to promptly promulgate a temporary final rule for FY 2025 along the same lines as the FY 2024 rule.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Housing (Scotland) Bill rent cap proposed

    Source: Scottish Government

    Increases capped at CPI+1% up to a maximum of 6%.

    An amendment to the Housing Bill will set out how rent increases will be capped in areas where rent controls apply, subject to the approval of Parliament.

    In response to stakeholder feedback, rent increases would be limited to the Consumer Price Index (a measure of inflation) plus 1%, up to a maximum increase of 6%. If approved, the rent cap will apply to rent increases both during the term of a tenancy and in between tenancies, and will only apply in areas where rent control is applied.

    Where it applies, the rent cap will stabilise rents – supporting tenants and helping to tackle poverty, whilst providing appropriate protection for the property rights of landlords and supporting investment.

    A consultation in Spring 2025 will seek views on how powers that allow exemption from rent controls or rent increases above the cap could be used by Scottish Ministers.

    Housing Minister Paul McLennan said:

    “The Housing (Scotland) Bill includes a package of reforms which will help ensure people have a safe, secure, and affordable place to live.

    “Eradicating child poverty remains this government’s priority and having a home can make a direct contribution to achieving this. This is why ensuring families can have secure and affordable homes that meet their needs is part of our approach to tackling the housing emergency.

    “There is a consistent view that Scotland needs a thriving private rented sector – one that offers good quality, affordable housing options and values the benefit that investment in rented property delivers. This announcement provides certainty for tenants and continues to encourage investment.

    “Setting out the form of the rent cap in this way – with CPI as the basis – allows for a reflection of the costs to landlords of offering a property for rent whilst offering protection for tenants in terms of limiting more significant rent increases.

    “We are bringing forward a system of rent control that works for Scotland – a system that supports stabilisation of rents for tenants, whilst ensuring there can be a balanced approach that provides appropriate protection for the property rights of landlords and supports investment in the development of rented homes.”

    Background

    Minister for Housing: Statement on Housing (Scotland) Bill

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Preston City Council commended in a recent report for its dedication to Community Wealth Building

    Source: City of Preston

    The Centre for Local Economic Strategies, (CLES) recently released ‘Powering Up Planning’, a report investigating different councils’ approach to using the planning system to deliver better outcomes for their towns and cities and how the planning system builds community wealth.

    The findings in the report, were compiled through roundtables and conversations with local authority representatives, planners and planning authorities from across the UK, interested in sharing insights on how their work is demonstrating the social value impact that can be achieved by applicants within the existing planning system.

    In the report’s case studies, CLES took a deep dive into Preston, Salford, Islington and Scotland’s approach to creating Community Wealth Building through the planning system and how it benefited the community.

    Preston was commended for becoming a champion for Community Wealth Building in 2012, when the Council and anchor partners adopted a more active approach to using their procurement spend, land and other assets, and role as major employers to support the development of a more inclusive local economy.

    In 2017, Preston City Council adopted the Central Lancashire Employment and Skills Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to deliver its ambitions for Community Wealth Building, particularly with regards to local employment and skills. As a requirement, the SPD insists that planning applications for major commercial, employment and residential developments must include an Employment and Skills Statement (ESS).

    Aligning with the SPD, Preston City Council developed Building Foundations, a bespoke and innovative partnership with Calico Enterprise Ltd, a social enterprise based in East Lancashire. Planning applicants can choose to pay Calico to act for the Council and review an ESS which they (the applicant) have prepared; or engage Calico directly to prepare an ESS on their behalf. The cost of monitoring the delivery of all approved ESSs is met through the Section 106 agreement1.

    Building Foundations connects developers with local partners and the Council’s Community Engagement team to encourage the promotion of employment, training and skills to local residents, helping to meet targets approved in ESSs.

    Since Building Foundations was established in November 2021, three developments in Preston East, have been completed under the new partnership, all of which have met or exceeded the targets set out in the ESS.

    There are now 17 signed Section 106 agreements, which require a developer contribution to monitor the delivery of the approved ESS.

    Highlighting the success of this initiative, in June 2024, Preston City Council and Calico were commended for their Building Foundations partnership at the Royal Town Planning Institute North West Awards in the “Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy” category.

    The Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building, Councillor Valerie Wise said:

    “The inclusion of Building Foundations in the CLES report and the project’s commendation at the Royal Town Planning Institute’s North West Awards provides more evidence of how Community Wealth Building is benefiting local people by improving access to good jobs and training. We look forward to seeing more jobs and apprentices on sites across the city as more developers start delivering their employment and skills commitments.”

    This new report highlights good practice in applying the principles of Community Wealth Building in innovative ways at Preston and other local authorities to deliver benefits to residents.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council Leader calls for tougher measures against nuisance fireworks and disorder

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Council Leader Cammy Day has today repeated his calls for a complete ban on the public sale of fireworks and tougher sentences for those misusing them and causing public disorder.

    Councillor Day said:

    We all remember vividly the shocking scenes we saw last year with emergency services being attacked while trying to do their jobs. And more recently the appalling reports of violence and antisocial behaviour with buses and cars coming under attack. Whilst this isn’t an issue unique to Edinburgh, or indeed Scotland, I’m clear that this sort of behaviour has no place in our city.

    It’s long been my view that we need to ban the public sale of fireworks, given the potential risk to health, if misused, but also the unnecessary fear and alarm they cause in our communities.  I will be writing to my colleagues in the UK Government to request a review of the legislation, as well as the Crown Office to ask for tougher sentences for those found guilty of committing these crimes.

    I’m determined to do everything within our power to prevent a repeat of last year. Earlier this week I chaired the latest multi-agency meeting with colleagues, the police and fire service as part of our ongoing preparations, and the implementation of our firework control zones, which come into effect tomorrow (1 November). In addition to FCZs, we’re also increasing patrols from our waste services to collect items that could potentially be set alight.

    Bonfire Night should be an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and spend time together. I would urge everyone in the city to only attend organised displays and look out for one another. Please work with us and our fantastic emergency services to help make it a safe and enjoyable occasion this year. If you witness any criminality, please call the police on 101.

    I want to thank our emergency services once again for the professional and measured way they carry out their duties under the most difficult of circumstances. Police officers, firefighters and paramedics have a tough enough job already without being subjected to violence and abuse. Please show them the respect they deserve this Bonfire Night.

    Chief Inspector Mairi Creanor added:

    We know that certain areas of Edinburgh experienced unprecedented levels of disorder during Bonfire Night last year, and because of this a significant number of officers responding to the incidents that arose sustained a range of injuries.

    The unacceptable actions of a minority of individuals left communities in a state of alarm and put the safety of emergency service workers at serious risk of harm.

    Such offences cannot and will not be tolerated and detailed planning has been undertaken since last year to ensure we have appropriate resources in key areas and can provide additional support should they be required.

     It is an offence to use fireworks in any manner within a Fireworks Control Zone and we will take appropriate action against anyone in breach of an FCZ over the Bonfire Night period.

    This is just one of the tools at our disposal and we’ll continue to work with key partners to keep our communities safe and bring those intent on causing harm to justice.

    Further Information

    Firework Control Zones will come into effect in four areas of the city – Niddrie, Calton Hill, Seafield and Balerno – from 1 to 10 November, making it a criminal offence to use fireworks (excluding sparklers and indoor fireworks) unless part of a licensed display.

    There are a number of organised events taking place across the city. Full details are available on the council website.

    Published: October 31st 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leader’s statement ahead of Islamophobia Awareness Month

    Source: City of Manchester

    Leader of the Council celebrates the contribution of Manchester’s Muslim communities ahead of Islamophobia Awareness Month.

    Cllr Bev Craig said:

    “Manchester is a city which is proud of its diversity and celebrates the role which all of our communities play in making our city the phenomenal place it is. This very much includes Muslim communities which make up a significant proportion of our population and contribute enormously to city life. 

    “This Islamophobia Awareness Month it feels more important than ever to celebrate the contribution our Muslim communities make to the city. We will not tolerate hatred directed towards them, or any communities, from those seeking to sow division. This is a city where we stand together against prejudice and discrimination.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –