Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI: Gilat Satellite Networks Awarded approximately $4 Million Contract to Provide Connectivity for rural areas in Latin America

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PETAH TIKVA, Israel, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: GILT, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions, and services, announced today that it has secured approximately $4 Million contract to provide rural connectivity including banking transactions in Latin America for a period of 3 years.

    Gilat provides critical connectivity for people living in remote areas who rely on the bank for payment services, as well as support services for senior citizens, families, and other underserved populations.

    Gilat provides satellite communications solutions to distant branches, as well as satellite backup links, to ensure connectivity and business continuity. This is critical for the bank’s operation for core banking, e-mail, security, ATMs and Point of Sale.

    “We are very pleased to support essential banking services in the rural areas of Latin America,” stated Ron Levin, Gilat’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Over the years, we have built a robust satellite network, continuously enhancing it with the latest technological advancements. This ensures that we consistently meet the high-quality standards required for business continuity, even in remote areas and in the face of potential disasters.”

    About Gilat

    Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT) is a leading global provider of satellite-based broadband communications. With over 35 years of experience, we create and deliver deep technology solutions for satellite, ground, and new space connectivity and provide comprehensive, secure end-to-end solutions and services for mission-critical operations, powered by our innovative technology. We believe in the right of all people to be connected and are united in our resolution to provide communication solutions to all reaches of the world.

    Our portfolio includes a diverse offering to deliver high-value solutions for multiple orbit constellations with very high throughput satellites (VHTS) and software-defined satellites (SDS). Our offering is comprised of a cloud-based platform and high-performance satellite terminals; high-performance Satellite On-the-Move (SOTM) antennas; highly efficient, high-power Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPA) and Block Upconverters (BUC) and includes integrated ground systems for commercial and defense, field services, network management software, and cybersecurity services.

    Gilat’s comprehensive offering supports multiple applications with a full portfolio of products and tailored solutions to address key applications including broadband access, mobility, cellular backhaul, enterprise, defense, aerospace, broadcast, government, and critical infrastructure clients all while meeting the most stringent service level requirements. For more information, please visit: http://www.gilat.com

    Certain statements made herein that are not historical are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Gilat to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, inability to maintain market acceptance to Gilat’s products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, rapid changes in the market for Gilat’s products, loss of market share and pressure on prices resulting from competition, introduction of competing products by other companies, inability to manage growth and expansion, loss of key OEM partners, inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, inability to protect the Company’s proprietary technology and risks associated with Gilat’s international operations and its location in Israel, including those related to the current terrorist attacks by Hamas, and the war and hostilities between Israel and Hamas, and Israel and Hezbollah and Iran; and other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Gilat’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Gilat undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:

    Gilat Satellite Networks
    Hagay Katz, Chief Products and Marketing Officer
    Hagayk@gilat.com

    EK Global IR
    Ehud Helft, Managing Partner
    ehud@ekgir.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Growing nuclear industry and recent acquisition continue to strengthen Calian nuclear results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY) has announced it secured a number of new contracts in the fourth quarter for its nuclear and environmental services division, marking significant growth in the last quarter of FY2024 ending on September 30. The new contracts—19 in total—represent a 58% increase over Q3 FY2024, primarily driven by the successful integration of MDA’s nuclear assets and strong organic growth.

    The acquisition of MDA’s nuclear division in March 2024 has allowed Calian to capitalize on increased synergies across its nuclear business, through the addition of engineering, tooling and robotics expertise, enhancing its capacity to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for Canada’s growing nuclear sector. The new contracts span major new nuclear projects in Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, supporting life-extension programs for Canada’s existing nuclear facilities and support for next-generation technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs). This expansion has also led to a doubling of the division’s workforce to meet the growing demand for FY2025.

    “The integration of MDA’s nuclear assets has been pivotal in expanding our capabilities and market reach within the nuclear sector,” said Patrick Houston, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Development Officer, Calian. “This strategic acquisition has enabled us to deliver more robust and comprehensive solutions for our clients, further strengthening Calian’s position as a leader in nuclear services. Our Q4 contract signings highlight the increasing trust that our clients place in us to provide cutting-edge, safe and reliable solutions in an industry critical to achieving global sustainability goals.”

    The global nuclear energy market continues to grow, driven by the demand for clean, sustainable energy to address climate change. In Canada, the federal government’s 2024 budget reinforced its commitment to nuclear energy as a key tool in reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Calian’s nuclear and environmental services division is committed to supporting this national effort, particularly in delivering advanced solutions for reactor refurbishments and SMR developments.

    “Calian is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of Canada’s nuclear sector,” said Hani Al Anid, Vice President, Calian Nuclear. “With our expertise and highly skilled team, we can continue to meet the vital demands of our current and future customers and support the needs of both existing and next-generation nuclear projects in Canada and around the world.”

    Calian’s nuclear and environmental services division provides a comprehensive range of services covering the entire nuclear lifecycle. This includes safety analysis, licensing, emergency preparedness, environmental protection, decommissioning, waste management, and cutting-edge systems engineering and robotics. As an approved supplier for all CANDU nuclear utilities in Canada, Calian’s nuclear and environmental services division has a proven track record of ensuring the safety and sustainability of Canada’s nuclear infrastructure for over 25 years.

    To learn more, visit the Calian nuclear and environmental services web page on calian.com.

    About Calian
    http://www.calian.com
    We keep the world moving forward. Calian® helps people communicate, innovate, learn and lead safe and healthy lives. Every day, our employees live our values of customer commitment, integrity, innovation, respect and teamwork to engineer reliable solutions that solve complex challenges. That’s Confidence. Engineered. A stable and growing 40-year company, we are headquartered in Ottawa with offices and projects spanning North American, European and international markets. Visit calian.com to learn about innovative healthcare, communications, learning and cybersecurity solutions.

    Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

    Media inquiries:
    media@calian.com
    613-599-8600 x 2298

    Investor Relations inquiries:
    ir@calian.com


    DISCLAIMER

    Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Such statements are generally accompanied by words such as “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar statements. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price competition; scarce number of qualified professionals; the impact of rapid technological and market change; loss of business or credit risk with major customers; technical risks on fixed price projects; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, and including currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the impact of consolidations in the business services industry. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, please see the Company’s most recent annual report and other reports filed by Calian with the Ontario Securities Commission. Calian disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No assurance can be given that actual results, performance or achievement expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking statements within this disclosure will occur, or if they do, that any benefits may be derived from them.

    Calian · Head Office · 770 Palladium Drive · Ottawa · Ontario · Canada · K2V 1C8
    Tel: 613.599.8600 · Fax: 613-592-3664 · General info email: info@calian.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers Opening Remarks at the 2024 ASEAN Business & Investment Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this afternoon delivered opening remarks at the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) under this year’s theme, “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Dr. Kao emphasised the importance of the business community in supporting innovation, competitiveness and creativity. Dr. Kao also highlighted the potential of exploring new untapped business opportunities, strengthening ASEAN’s connectivity and building resilience for a more inter-connected prosperous future.

    Download the full remarks here.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers Opening Remarks at the 2024 ASEAN Business & Investment Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI: Lindsay Grider Joins Braemont Capital as Partner and Head of Capital Partnerships

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Braemont Capital (“Braemont” or the “Firm”), a relationship-driven investment firm that partners with exceptional companies at growth inflection points, today announced that Lindsay Grider has joined the Firm as Partner and Head of Capital Partnerships. Ms. Grider will lead Braemont’s capital formation, fundraising, and investor engagement initiatives, as well as continued strategy development.

    Ms. Grider comes to Braemont with nearly two decades of experience building fundraising and investor relations programs as well as developing fund formation and strategy initiatives. She previously served as Global Head of Fundraising and Investor Relations at Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (“LLCP”) where she led investor engagement, capital raising and strategic marketing efforts. Prior to joining LLCP, Ms. Grider was Head of Investor Relations for Tailwater Capital and Director of Investor Relations at NGP Energy Capital Management.

    Robert Covington, Founder and Managing Partner, said, “Lindsay is one of the most respected investor relations professionals in our industry and will bring a wealth of experience, insight and innovation to both our capital raising and the strategic leadership of our firm. Lindsay brings a long track record of serving as a trusted partner to investors all over the world and her addition furthers Braemont’s commitment to serving as the preferred partner for families and founders and for our investors for years to come. We are delighted to welcome her to the Firm.”

    Ms. Grider commented, “I am thrilled to join Robert and the Braemont team at such an exciting time. Braemont is known for its distinct investing approach and commitment to its partners, and I continue to be impressed with what the team has been able to achieve in such a short period. I look forward to working closely with the Firm’s network to execute fundraising and co-investment strategies to support our investments and drive excellent outcomes for all our partners.”

    Ms. Grider previously worked as Director at Sterling Stamos and began her career at Citigroup and Wachovia Securities in their investment banking divisions. She serves as a Senior Advisor to 3P Energy Capital and has served on the boards of several industry and charitable organizations at a local and national level. She holds a B.A. in International Commerce from Vanderbilt University.

    About Braemont Capital
    Braemont Capital is a relationship-driven investment firm focused on partnering with founders, families and ownership-minded management teams to invest in exceptional companies at growth inflection points. Our firm is differentiated by the combination of an experienced team, extensive industry partner network and a flexible, long-term capital base. We are growth-oriented and seek to generate superior outcomes through entrepreneurial business-building initiatives. Our capital base enables us to be flexible in structuring and holding investments to execute these initiatives and create enduring value. For more information, please visit: http://www.Braemont.com or http://www.linkedin.com/company/braemont-capital.

    The information contained herein has been prepared solely for informational purposes and is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or to participate in any investment strategy and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or sale of securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Braemont Capital Management, LLC is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For Braemont media inquiries, please contact:
    Gagnier Communications
    Dan Gagnier
    Braemont@gagnierfc.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Red Cat Secures $1.6 Million In Contracts for its FlightWave Edge 130 Blue

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat”), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, today announced it secured $1.6 million in contracts for Edge 130 Blue drones, FlightWave’s Blue UAS approved military-grade tricopter to the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP). The contract was secured through Darley, a leading distributor of equipment and technology to first responders and the military, and was coordinated for procurement by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) on behalf of CBP.

    FlightWave, an industry-leading provider of VTOL drone, sensor and software solutions was acquired by Red Cat in September 2024. The acquisition brings FlightWave’s flagship drone, the Edge 130 Blue into its family of low-cost, portable unmanned reconnaissance and precision lethal strike systems. FlightWave’s size, weight and vertical take off capabilities makes it ideal for maritime operations and littoral environments. FlightWave’s recent TACFI award will accelerate advanced enhancements to the Edge 130 Blue.

    “We are excited to continue our relationship with the U.S. Customs & Border Protection, the largest federal law enforcement agency that already uses our Teal 2 drones for enhanced situational awareness with supplemental airborne reconnaissance, surveillance and tracking,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “Following our playbook from the acquisition and growth of our flagship Teal drones, we are well positioned to scale up production and get the Edge 130 Blue into the hands of our current customers like the CBP, as well as other security and defense forces around the world.”

    The Edge 130 Blue is a UAS-certified military-grade tricopter for long-range mapping, inspection, surveillance, and reconnaissance needs. Designed specifically for government and military applications, the Edge 130 Blue can be assembled and hand-launched in just one minute by a single user to capture high-accuracy aerial imagery with medium-range autonomy. Weighing in at only 1200g, the Edge has a 60+ minute flight time in forward mode, an industry-leading endurance among all other Blue UAS-approved drones available.

    About Red Cat, Inc.
    Red Cat (Nasdaq: RCAT) is a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations. Through two wholly owned subsidiaries, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, Red Cat has developed a bleeding-edge Family of ISR and Precision Strike Systems including the Teal 2, a small unmanned system offering the highest-resolution thermal imaging in its class, the Edge 130 Blue Tricopter for extended endurance and range, and FANG™, the industry’s first line of NDAA compliant FPV drones optimized for military operations with precision strike capabilities. Learn more at http://www.redcat.red.

    Forward Looking Statements
    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Red Cat Holdings, Inc.’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2023. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Red Cat Holdings, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

    Contact:

    INVESTORS:
    E-mail: Investors@redcat.red

    NEWS MEDIA:
    Phone: (347) 880-2895
    Email: peter@indicatemedia.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Greenbacker broadens fundraising capabilities with new senior business development hires

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greenbacker Capital Management (“GCM” and, together with its affiliates, “Greenbacker”), an energy transition-focused investment manager, is pleased to announce that it has expanded its distribution and fundraising capabilities, particularly in markets where Greenbacker is seeing increasing investor demand for sustainable investments. As senior members of the business development team, Adam Evans, CAIA, CIMA and John Hennessey broaden Greenbacker’s ability to offer individual and institutional investors the opportunity—across all distribution channels—to participate in the energy transition.

    “With Greenbacker’s evolving set of strategies, the timing couldn’t be better to add these two individuals, and their wealth of experience, to the distribution side of our business,” said Brandon Praznik, Greenbacker’s Executive Vice President of Business Development. “The strategic additions of Adam and John bolster our capital raising efforts as Greenbacker seeks to execute on its growth targets and capitalize on the energy transition opportunity set for our investors.”

    Evans is an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience distributing financial services products to institutional and retail investors. As a senior vice president on Greenbacker’s business development team, he is responsible for the distribution of company strategies through all distribution channels in the Central US. Prior to Greenbacker, Evans served as a director within the financial institutions group at Lazard Asset Management, before which he held the role of business development director at Cushing Asset Management. In both roles, Evans was responsible for distributing firm strategies to the registered investment advisor (“RIA”), bank trust, and family office channels, including securing investment in new strategies.

    Hennessey is a seasoned business development professional, bringing to Greenbacker 15 years of experience marketing and distributing investment strategies to the RIA, family office, and institutional channels. As a vice president on Greenbacker’s business development team, he is responsible for the distribution of company strategies through all channels, with a focus on the Southeastern US. Previously in his career, Hennessey served as a director at Chicago Atlantic Group and a vice president at Merit Hill Capital; at both firms, he was responsible for business development, covering the RIA, family office, and institutional channels.

    The two join the company during a period of expansion and transformation for Greenbacker. Greenbacker’s latest quarterly results highlight substantial year-over-year growth in revenue and clean power production, as well as a 30% increase in fee-earning AUM,1 bringing the total to $762 million. As of the end of the second quarter, the company’s aggregate AUM2 had reached $3.7 billion.

    Greenbacker also recently expanded its investments team following the launch of GCM’s fourth sustainability-driven investment strategy, focused on Energy Transition Real Estate. Earlier this year, Greenbacker announced it added three new members to its leadership team, including a new Chief Financial Officer and the newly created Head of Infrastructure and Head of Capital Markets positions. Late last year, the company expanded its private equity investment team, adding a managing director to its Greenbacker Development Opportunities (“GDEV”) strategy, which invests in growth-stage sustainable infrastructure development platforms.

    GCM serves as the SEC-registered investment manager to four energy transition-focused investment strategies. Greenbacker remains committed to empowering a sustainable future by putting investor capital to work in the energy transition asset class. As of June 30, 2024, Greenbacker’s fleet of clean energy projects has produced over 10.7 million MWh of clean power3 since 2016, abating nearly 7.5 million metric tons of carbon4 and conserving approximately 7.4 billion gallons of water,5 compared to the amount of water needed to produce the same amount of power by burning coal.

    About Greenbacker Capital Management
    Greenbacker Capital Management LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and oversight services related to project development, acquisition, and operations in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability industries. For more information, please visit https://greenbackercapital.com.

    About Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company
    Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC is a publicly reporting, non-traded limited liability sustainable infrastructure company that both acquires and manages income-producing renewable energy and other energy-related businesses, including solar and wind farms, and provides investment management services to other renewable energy investment vehicles. We seek to acquire and operate high-quality projects that sell clean power under long-term contracts to high-creditworthy counterparties such as utilities, municipalities, and corporations. We are long-term owner-operators, who strive to be good stewards of the land and responsible members of the communities in which we operate. Greenbacker conducts its investment management business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Greenbacker Capital Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. We believe our focus on power production and asset management creates value that we can then pass on to our shareholders—while facilitating the transition toward a clean energy future. For more information, please visit https://greenbackercapital.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. Although Greenbacker believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. Greenbacker undertakes no obligation to update and forward-looking statement contained herein to conform to actual results or changes in its expectations.

    Greenbacker media contact
    Chris Larson
    Media Communications
    646.569.9532
    c.larson@greenbackercapital.com


    1 Fee-earning AUM represents the asset base upon which management fee revenue is earned from GCM’s managed funds. The financial and portfolio metrics set forth herein are unaudited and subject to change.
    2 Aggregate AUM includes GREC and GCM’s managed funds. AUM represents the underlying fair value of investments, determined generally in accordance with ASC 820, cash and cash equivalents and project level debt. These figures are unaudited and subject to change.
    3 As of June 30, 2024.
    4 As of June 30, 2024. When compared with a similar amount of power generation from fossil fuels. Carbon abatement is calculated using the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator which uses the Avoided Emissions and generation Tool (AVERT) US national weighted average CO2 marginal emission rate to convert reductions of kilowatt-hours into avoided units of carbon dioxide emissions.
    5 As of June 30, 2024. Gallons of water saved are calculated based on Operational water consumption and withdrawal factors for electricity generating technologies: a review of existing literature – IOPscience, J Macknick et al 2012 Environ. Res. Lett. 7 045802.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: NextGen Digital Advances Development of Cloud AI Hosting Platform and PCSections.com

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NextGen Digital Platforms Inc. (“NextGen” or the “Company”) (CSE: NXT) is pleased to provide an update on recent and ongoing developments at its two core businesses, namely e-commerce platform PCSections.com (“PCS”) and the cloud-based hardware-as-a-service leasing business (“Cloud AI Hosting”). Both platforms continue to be upgraded to improve scalability, performance, and operational efficiency, as the Company continues to drive forward its growth strategy.

    Cloud AI Hosting Buildout Trial

    The Company has engaged Logic V Inc. (“Logic V”), a Vancouver-based provider of cloud computing and IT services, to explore transitioning its Cloud AI Hosting business to a fully cloud-based model. This new approach would involve the Company virtually leasing a subset of computing workstations from larger cloud computing and/or datacentre providers, which the Company would then sublease to smaller third-party artificial intelligence end-users via the existing online portal already being used by Cloud AI Hosting. Virtually leasing this computing power, rather than building an in-house computing fleet, could provide significant scalability and operational benefits as the Company builds out this business line.

    Logic V is currently conducting a proof of work (the “POW”) to assess this transition. If successful, this new approach is expected to significantly enhance scalability and speed to market by eliminating the need for NextGen to acquire and operationalize physical workstations, thus avoiding risks associated with physical inventory, operational challenges, and the large upfront costs of workstation purchases and infrastructure upgrades.

    NextGen expects Logic V to complete the POW in the coming weeks, and in due course will provide an update on outcomes from the POW and the next phase of the Cloud AI Hosting buildout.

    PCS Platform Enhancements

    PCS is undergoing both front-end and back-end upgrades aimed at enhancing the overall user experience, site performance, and security. The upgrades to PCS include:

    • Design Enhancements: Updates to the color scheme, layout, pattern, and animations to improve visual appeal and usability.
    • Payment & Checkout Improvements: Optimization of the payment process for a more seamless and secure customer experience.
    • Security Measures: Implementation of techniques to bolster security against unauthorized access and potential vulnerabilities in the payment process.
    • Performance Boost: Improvements to the website’s loading speed and overall performance for faster browsing.
    • General Bug Fixes: Identification and resolution of bugs to ensure smoother operation.

    The front-end design improvements are expected to be completed soon, and the Company will continue to work on finalizing the back-end enhancements.

    Kevin Zhou, NextGen’s Director of Platforms & Marketing, stated, “Pursuing a cloud-based model for Cloud AI Hosting has the potential to be a more efficient and scalable path compared to our original plan of acquiring physical workstations. If the current POW is successful, we will immediately scale up our operations. If not, we are still able and funded to expand our current fleet of workstations, towards our goal of owning a total of 10 to 15 GPUs with enough computing power for our smaller-scale users. Regardless of the outcome, we anticipate expanding the operational capacity and revenue level of our Cloud AI Hosting business once Logic V completes the POW. Similarly, with the updates on PCS, we are aiming to improve its overall functionality and competitiveness as we continue to refine both platforms.”

    Joel Freudman, President & CEO of NextGen, added, “We are pleased with the development milestones being achieved across both our PCS and Cloud AI Hosting platforms. We remain committed to their continued growth to fuel NextGen’s development trajectory, and are exploring what other potential revenue streams and ancillary capabilities we may be able to derive by leveraging our existing infrastructure.”

    About NextGen Digital Platforms Inc.
    NextGen is a Canadian technology company specializing in the development and acquisition of revenue-generating micro-technology digital platforms. The Company currently operates e-commerce platform PCSections.com (“PCS”) and a hardware-as-a-service business supporting the artificial intelligence sector, called cloud AI hosting (“Cloud AI Hosting”). Both PCS and Cloud AI Hosting were developed in-house by NextGen. From time to time the Company also intends to evaluate and acquire or develop other micro-technology platforms.

    NextGen is a portfolio company of Resurgent Capital Corp. (“Resurgent”), a merchant bank providing venture capital markets advisory services and proprietary financing. Resurgent works with promising public and pre-public micro-capitalization companies listing on Canadian stock exchanges. For more information on Resurgent and its portfolio companies, please visit Resurgent’s website at https://www.resurgentcapital.ca/ or follow Resurgent on LinkedIn at https://ca.linkedin.com/company/resurgent-capital-corp.

    For further information about NextGen, please contact:

    Joel Freudman
    Founder, President & CEO
    NextGen Digital Platforms Inc.
    Phone: (647) 368-7789
    Email: info@nextgendigital.ca
    Website: https://nextgendigital.ca/

    Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including those relating to the future development and revenue potential of PCS and Cloud AI Hosting; the POW for Cloud AI Hosting; and expected benefits of improvements to PCS and Cloud AI Hosting. These statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Company’s business plans and technological development forecasts, and outcomes of the POW, that are believed by management to be reasonable in the circumstances, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation: technological and business risks inherent in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and other emerging sectors that the Company is or may become involved in; operational and technical challenges; timeline for completion of the POW, and the outcomes therefrom, including as to revenue and/or profitability of Cloud AI Hosting; the Company’s ability to compete with other businesses in the e-commerce and/or cloud hosting markets; negative operating cash flow and insufficient capital to complete the development and/or expansion of any of the Company’s technologies; volatility in economic conditions; and those other risks described in the Company’s continuous disclosure documents. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements herein. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements herein except as required by applicable securities laws.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Landsbankinn hf.: Tender offer results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Landsbankinn hf. announced today the results of a tender offer published on 30 September 2024 where holders of its EUR 2025 notes (ISIN: XS2306621934) were invited to tender their notes for purchase by the bank against a cash payment. The tender offer was subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the tender offer memorandum.

    The bank received valid tenders of EUR 124,731,000 of which all were accepted.

    Dealer managers are ABN AMRO Bank, J.P. Morgan, Natixis and Nomura.

    Further information on the tender offer results is available in the announcement made public on Euronext Dublin (http://www.ise.ie) where the bonds are listed.

    This announcement is released by Landsbankinn hf. and contains information that qualified or may have qualified as inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (“MAR”), encompassing information relating to the Offer described above. For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is made by Hreiðar Bjarnason, Chief Financial Officer for Landsbankinn hf.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax™ Launches Option Income Strategy ETF on Palantir Technologies (PLTR)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax™ announced the launch today of the following ETF:

    YieldMax™ PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF (NYSE Arca: PLTY)

    PLTY seeks to generate current income by pursuing options-based strategies on Palantir Technologies Inc. (“PLTR”). PLTY is actively managed by ZEGA Financial. PLTY does not invest directly in PLTR.

    PLTY is the newest member of the YieldMax™ ETF family and like all YieldMax™ ETFs, aims to deliver current income to investors. With respect to distributions, PLTY will be a Group B ETF and its first distribution is expected to be announced on November 6, 2024. Please see table below for distribution and yield information for all outstanding YieldMax™ ETFs.

    ETF
    Ticker
    1
    ETF Name Reference
    Asset
    Distribution
    Rate
    2,4,5
    30-Day
    SEC Yield
    3
    TSLY YieldMax™ TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF TSLA 115.53% 3.09%
    OARK YieldMax™ Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF ARKK 53.47% 3.37%
    APLY YieldMax™ AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF AAPL 31.19% 3.17%
    NVDY YieldMax™ NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF NVDA 65.43% 3.24%
    AMZY YieldMax™ AMZN Option Income Strategy ETF AMZN 41.70% 3.27%
    FBY YieldMax™ META Option Income Strategy ETF META 31.65% 3.22%
    GOOY YieldMax™ GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF GOOGL 22.22% 3.28%
    NFLY YieldMax™ NFLX Option Income Strategy ETF NFLX 36.06% 3.45%
    CONY YieldMax™ COIN Option Income Strategy ETF COIN 97.94% 3.70%
    MSFO YieldMax™ MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF MSFT 27.17% 3.33%
    DISO YieldMax™ DIS Option Income Strategy ETF DIS 35.17% 3.41%
    XOMO YieldMax™ XOM Option Income Strategy ETF XOM 18.73% 3.32%
    JPMO YieldMax™ JPM Option Income Strategy ETF JPM 34.76% 3.60%
    AMDY YieldMax™ AMD Option Income Strategy ETF AMD 73.41% 3.24%
    PYPY YieldMax™ PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF PYPL 102.97% 2.94%
    SQY YieldMax™ SQ Option Income Strategy ETF SQ 86.71% 3.44%
    MRNY YieldMax™ MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF MRNA 71.92% 3.91%
    AIYY YieldMax™ AI Option Income Strategy ETF AI 47.26% 3.76%
    MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF MSTR 81.35% 0.00%
    YBIT YieldMax™ Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF Bitcoin ETP 87.09% 4.07%
    CRSH YieldMax™ Short TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF TSLA 101.44% 3.61%
    GDXY YieldMax™ Gold Miners Option Income Strategy ETF GDX® 40.15% 3.27%
    SNOY YieldMax™ SNOW Option Income Strategy ETF SNOW 40.64% 3.44%
    ABNY YieldMax™ ABNB Option Income Strategy ETF ABNB 33.60% 2.84%
    FIAT YieldMax™ Short COIN Option Income Strategy ETF COIN 110.90% 3.22%
    DIPS YieldMax™ Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF NVDA 87.48% 3.69%
    BABO YieldMax™ BABA Option Income Strategy ETF BABA 33.24% 2.62%
    YQQQ YieldMax™ Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF NDX® 26.88% 3.63%
    TSMY YieldMax™ TSM Option Income Strategy ETF TSM 23.98% 3.48%
    SMCY* YieldMax™ SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF SMCI
    YMAX YieldMax™ Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs Multiple 61.63% 62.93%
    YMAG YieldMax™ Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs Multiple 45.17% 50.85%
    ULTY YieldMax™ Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF Multiple 113.94% 0.00%


    The performance data quoted above represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. Performance current to the most recent month-end can be obtained by calling (833) 378-0717.

    Note: CRSH, FIAT, DIPS and YQQQ are hereinafter referred to as the “Short ETFs” and “ADR” stands for American Depositary Receipt.

    Distributions are not guaranteed. The Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield are not indicative of future distributions, if any, on the ETFs. In particular, future distributions on any ETF may differ significantly from its Distribution Rate or 30-Day SEC Yield. You are not guaranteed a distribution under the ETFs. Distributions for the ETFs (if any) are variable and may vary significantly from month to month and may be zero. Accordingly, the Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield will change over time, and such change may be significant.

    Investors in the Funds will not have rights to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to the underlying reference asset(s).

    * The inception date for SMCY is September 11, 2024.

    1. All YieldMax™ ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX, YMAG and ULTY) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX and YMAG have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax™ ETFs. ULTY has a gross expense ratio of 1.24% but the investment adviser has agreed to a 0.10% fee waiver through at least February 28, 2025.
    2. The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on October 7, 2024. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recently declared distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by multiplying such distribution by twelve (12), and dividing the resulting amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent its total return. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future.
    3. The 30-Day SEC Yield represents net investment income, which excludes option income, earned by such ETF over the 30-Day period ended September 30, 2024, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on such ETF’s share price at the end of the 30-Day period. As of such date, the ULTY subsidized and unsubsidized 30-Day SEC Yields were 0.00% and 0.00%, respectively. The subsidized yield reflects fee waivers in effect while the unsubsidized yield does not adjust for any fee waivers in effect.
    4. Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF.
    5. As of the date hereof, distributions for the following ETFs have included return of investor capital: TSLY, OARK, APLY, AMZY, NVDY, GOOY, JPMO, XOMO, PYPY, CONY, DISO, FBY, MSFO, NFLY, SQY, AMDY, MRNY, AIYY, MSTY, ULTY, YMAX, YMAG, YBIT, SNOY, CRSH and GDXY. For additional information, please visit http://www.YieldMaxETFs.com/TaxInfo.

    Standardized Performance

    For TSLY, click here. For OARK, click here. For APLY, click here. For NVDY, click here. For AMZY, click here. For FBY, click here. For GOOY, click here. For NFLY, click here. For CONY, click here. For MSFO, click here. For DISO, click here. For XOMO, click here. For JPMO, click here. For AMDY, click here. For PYPY, click here. For SQY, click here. For MRNY, click here. For AIYY, click here. For MSTY, click here. For YBIT, click here. For CRSH, click here. For GDXY, click here. For SNOY, click here. For ABNY, click here. For FIAT, click here. For DIPS, click here. For BABO, click here. For YQQQ, click here. For TSMY, click here. For SMCY, click here. For YMAX, click here. For YMAG, click here. For ULTY, click here.

    Prospectuses

    Click here.

    Before investing you should carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information are in the prospectus. Please read the prospectuses carefully before you invest.

    There is no guarantee that any Fund’s investment strategy will be properly implemented, and an investor may lose some or all of its investment in any such Fund.

    Contact Gavin Filmore at gfilmore@tidalfg.com for more information.

    Tidal Financial Group is the adviser for all YieldMax™ ETFs and ZEGA Financial is their sub-adviser.

    THE FUND, TRUST, AND SUB-ADVISER ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY UNDERLYING REFERNCE ASSET.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable to all YieldMax ETFs referenced above, except the Short ETFs)

    YMAX and YMAG generally invest in other YieldMax™ ETFs. As such, these two Funds are subject to the risks listed in this section, which apply to all the YieldMax™ ETFs they may hold from time to time.

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Call Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s call writing strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in the positive price returns of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold call options and over longer time periods.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given month. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of call option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in increases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Call Period.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security (ARKK, TSLA, AAPL, NVDA, AMZN, META, GOOGL, NFLX, COIN, MSFT, DIS, XOM, JPM, AMD, PYPL, SQ, MRNA, AI, MSTR, Bitcoin ETP, GDX®, SNOW, ABNB, BABA, TSM, SMCI, PLTR), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

    Currency Risk: Indirect exposure to foreign currencies subjects the Fund to the risk that currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates and the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad.

    Depositary Receipts Risk: Investment in ADRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market.

    Foreign Market and Trading Risk: The trading markets for many foreign securities are not as active as U.S. markets and may have less governmental regulation and oversight.

    Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in securities of U.S. issuers, such as risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability, as well as varying regulatory requirements applicable to investments in non-U.S. issuers. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may also be subject to different regulatory, accounting, auditing, financial reporting and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

    Risk of Investing in Foreign Securities. The Fund is exposed indirectly to the securities of foreign issuers selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities.

    Risk of Investing in Gold and Silver Mining Companies. The Fund is exposed indirectly to gold and silver mining companies selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies.

    The Fund invests in options contracts based on the value of the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX®), which subjects the Fund to some of the same risks as if it owned GDX®, as well as the risks associated with Canadian, Australian and Emerging Market Issuers, and Small-and Medium-Capitalization companies.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

    YBIT does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than YBIT.

    Bitcoin Investment Risk: The Fund’s indirect investment in Bitcoin, through holdings in one or more Underlying ETPs, exposes it to the unique risks of this emerging innovation. Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile, and its market is influenced by the changing Bitcoin network, fluctuating acceptance levels, and unpredictable usage trends.

    Digital Assets Risk: Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility. Potentially No 1940 Act Protections. As of the date of this Prospectus, there is only a single eligible Underlying ETP, and it is an investment company subject to the 1940 Act.

    Bitcoin ETP Risk: The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Bitcoin ETP. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of the Bitcoin ETP, even though it does not. Bitcoin ETPs are subject, but not limited, to significant risk and heightened volatility. An investor in a Bitcoin ETP may lose their entire investment. Bitcoin ETPs are not suitable for all investors. In addition, not all Bitcoin ETPs are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Those Bitcoin ETPs that are not registered under such statute are therefore not subject to the same regulations as exchange traded products that are so registered.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Price Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the value of the underlying reference asset. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the underlying reference asset, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, the Fund is subject to the risk that the value of the underlying reference asset increases. If the value of the underlying reference asset increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses.

    Put Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s put writing (selling) strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in decreases in the value of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold put options and over longer time periods.

    Purchased OTM Call Options Risk. The Fund’s strategy is subject to potential losses if the underlying reference asset increases in value, which may not be offset by the purchase of out-of-the-money (OTM) call options. The Fund purchases OTM calls to seek to manage (cap) the Fund’s potential losses from the Fund’s short exposure to the underlying reference asset if it appreciates significantly in value. However, the OTM call options will cap the Fund’s losses only to the extent that the value of the underlying reference asset increases to a level that is at or above the strike level of the purchased OTM call options. Any increase in the value of the underlying reference asset to a level that is below the strike level of the purchased OTM call options will result in a corresponding loss for the Fund. For example, if the OTM call options have a strike level that is approximately 100% above the then-current value of the underlying reference asset at the time of the call option purchase, and the value of the underlying reference asset increases by at least 100% during the term of the purchased OTM call options, the Fund will lose all its value. Since the Fund bears the costs of purchasing the OTM calls, such costs will decrease the Fund’s value and/or any income otherwise generated by the Fund’s investment strategy.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given month. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in decreases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Put Period.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, for any Fund that focuses on an individual security (e.g., TSLA, COIN, NVDA), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

    Index Overview. The Nasdaq 100 Index is a benchmark index that includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, based on market capitalization.

    Index Level Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the Index level. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the Index, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the Index level, the Fund is subject to the risk that the Index level increases. If the Index level increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses. The Fund may also be subject to the following risks: innovation and technological advancement; strong market presence of Index constituent companies; adaptability to global market trends; and resilience and recovery potential.

    Index Level Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will benefit from decreases in the Index level experienced over the Put Period. This means that if the Index level experiences a decrease in value below the strike level of the sold put options during a Put Period, the Fund will likely not experience that increase to the same extent and any Fund gains may significantly differ from the level of the Index losses over the Put Period. Additionally, because the Fund is limited in the degree to which it will participate in decreases in value experienced by the Index level over each Put Period, but has significant negative exposure to any increases in value experienced by the Index level over the Put Period, the NAV of the Fund may decrease over any given time period. The Fund’s NAV is dependent on the value of each options portfolio, which is based principally upon the inverse of the performance of the Index level. The Fund’s ability to benefit from the Index level decreases will depend on prevailing market conditions, especially market volatility, at the time the Fund enters into the sold put option contracts and will vary from Put Period to Put Period. The value of the options contracts is affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of component companies that comprise the Index, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the Index and the remaining time to the options’ expiration, as well as trading conditions in the options market. As the Index level changes and time moves towards the expiration of each Put Period, the value of the options contracts, and therefore the Fund’s NAV, will change. However, it is not expected for the Fund’s NAV to directly inversely correlate on a day-to-day basis with the returns of the Index level. The amount of time remaining until the options contract’s expiration date affects the impact that the value of the options contracts has on the Fund’s NAV, which may not be in full effect until the expiration date of the Fund’s options contracts. Therefore, while changes in the Index level will result in changes to the Fund’s NAV, the Fund generally anticipates that the rate of change in the Fund’s NAV will be different than the inverse of the changes experienced by the Index level.

    Holdings

    As of October 7, 2024, the YieldMax™ PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF did not hold any shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (“PLTR”). As of such date, the holdings of PLTR in such fund were 0.00%.

    YieldMax™ ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside is not affiliated with Tidal Financial Group, YieldMax™ ETFs or ZEGA Financial.

    © 2024 YieldMax™ ETFs

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Hearings – Public hearing on “Simplification and Transparency” – 17-10-2024 – Subcommittee on Tax Matters

    Source: European Parliament

    On 17 October 2024, from 9:00 to 10:30, the FISC Subcommittee will host a public hearing on “Simplification and transparency: Role of simplified tax policy to encourage growth, job creation, competitiveness and cross-border business within the EU”.

    Over the past years, stakeholders have been raising more and more concerns about compliance costs and administrative burden. At the same time, the recent publication of two reports, one by Enrico Letta and one by Mario Draghi, have ignited a new debate on how to improve the competitiveness of the EU’s economy in the aftermath of the COVID-pandemic and the economic hardships caused by the war in Ukraine.

    Against this background, this public hearing will gather information and discuss in which ways reducing both taxpayers’ tax compliance and governmental administrative costs could foster cross-border business, increase competitiveness, and eventually lead to more job creation and economic growth.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Breach of the rule of law and the fundamental rights of inmates in Italy’s prisons – E-001665/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001665/2024/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Sandro Ruotolo (S&D), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Pina Picierno (S&D)

    The state of affairs in Italy’s prisons has become a genuine emergency. Inmates continue to live and work in inhuman and degrading conditions.

    According to a report by the national prisoners’ ombudsman dated 18 August 2024, there are 61 465 prisoners in Italy although there are only 46 898 lawfully available places in its prisons. The overcrowding index stands at 131%, with almost 80% of the total number of prisons having more prisoners than permitted. These figures unfortunately also include establishments for juveniles.

    In some institutions, prisoners are forced to live in less than 3 square metres, in serious violation of the standards set by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

    The increase in suicides among prisoners and prison officers is just one of the tragic consequences. Since the beginning of the year alone there have been 70 suicides among inmates and seven among prison officers, one every three days.

    Given the gravity and urgency of this state of affairs, can the Commission say what action it intends to take to help enforce the rule of law and uphold the fundamental rights of inmates and officers in Italian prisons?

    Submitted: 10.9.2024

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Public hearing on “Simplification and Transparency” – Subcommittee on Tax Matters

    Source: European Parliament

    On 17 October 2024, from 9:00 to 10:30, the FISC Subcommittee will host a public hearing on “Simplification and transparency: Role of simplified tax policy to encourage growth, job creation, competitiveness and cross-border business within the EU”.

    Over the past years, stakeholders have been raising more and more concerns about compliance costs and administrative burden. At the same time, the recent publication of two reports, one by Enrico Letta and one by Mario Draghi, have ignited a new debate on how to improve the competitiveness of the EU’s economy in the aftermath of the COVID-pandemic and the economic hardships caused by the war in Ukraine.

    Against this background, this public hearing will gather information and discuss in which ways reducing both taxpayers’ tax compliance and governmental administrative costs could foster cross-border business, increase competitiveness, and eventually lead to more job creation and economic growth.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Maintenance work at Lake Trasimeno – E-001893/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001893/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Valentina Palmisano (The Left), Dario Tamburrano (The Left), Carolina Morace (The Left)

    Lake Trasimeno, located within a national park and part of the Natura 2000 network, is an ecosystem of high environmental value and a mainstay of the region’s economy, especially the tourism sector.

    EU Directives 2009/147/EC (‘Birds’) and 92/43/EEC (‘Habitats’ on biodiversity), although they are intended to safeguard natural habitats, make it difficult to maintain the lake, particularly owing to the impossibility of working on the lakebed which is the nesting ground for some protected species.

    This threatens to aggravate the already critical condition of the lake, which, as the only reservoir in Italy fed exclusively by rainwater, is suffering from the scarcity of rainfall caused by climate change, thus making the situation even harder to manage.

    In the light of the above:

    • 1.How does the Commission intend to reconcile the protection of biodiversity with the need for maintenance work to preserve Lake Trasimeno’s ecological functions and value for the tourism sector?
    • 2.Does it intend to look into the possibility of introducing specific guidelines for essential maintenance work in ecologically sensitive situations while ensuring the protection of species protected under Directives 2009/147/EC and 92/43/EEC?
    • 3.What technical and financial support measures can the Commission propose to address this situation?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Taxation of donations of goods – E-001888/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001888/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    In Germany, donations of goods to recognised non-profit organisations are not exempt from VAT. It is thus makes better financial sense for companies to destroy fully functioning unsold products than to give them away.

    The obligation to pay VAT on donations of goods could be abolished in the following ways: donations of goods could be made exempt from VAT; they could remain subject to VAT, but the tax base could be set at zero; or the 0% VAT rate proposed by the Commission could be applied to socially beneficial transactions.

    • 1.Does the Commission believe it to be legally possible to introduce a tax exemption for donations of goods in Germany in accordance with EU law?
    • 2.If so, what specifically would need to be done in Germany to exempt them from VAT in accordance with EU law, and if not, what changes would be needed to EU law to enable tax exemptions for such donations?
    • 3.Does the Commission plan to make a proposal to this effect, and if so, when might this be expected, and if not, why not?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Commission proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste – erroneous corrigendum – P-001968/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001968/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kateřina Konečná (NI), Ondřej Knotek (PfE), Klara Dostalova (PfE), Ondřej Dostál (NI), Jaroslav Bžoch (PfE), Ondřej Kovařík (PfE)

    We would like to raise the issue of the still pending proposal for a regulation on packaging and packaging waste, which should have been concluded by now.

    The text of the proposal was agreed by the Council and the Parliament at the end of the last term. However, there has been a significant shift in the meaning of the text in the final stage, when it undergoes linguistic correction (corrigendum). This process is intended solely to remove linguistic inaccuracies and typos.

    After the corrigendum, the following changes in meaning have appeared in the text:

    • Change in the definition of ‘producer’ (replacing ‘any’ with ‘the’).

    • New definition of ‘making available on the territory of the Member State’.

    • Substitution of the terms ‘consumer’ and ‘end-user’.

    • Mandatory labelling of packaging with the identification of the responsible organisation.

    • Replacement of ‘may’ with ‘must’.

    Preliminary estimates of the impact of these changes suggest that they would lead to significant economic impacts in the order of hundreds of millions of euros. Given that these clearly go beyond merely linguistic changes, when does the Commission plan to amend the text in a way that is consistent with the purpose of the corrigendum process and does not materially shift the outcome of the negotiations between Parliament and the Council?

    Submitted: 5.10.2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Disproportionate or usury fees for cash withdrawal from ATMs in the EU – E-001828/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001828/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Matjaž Nemec (S&D)

    Regulation (EU) 2021/1230[1] on cross-border payments in the Union regulates cash withdrawals from ATMs within the EU, including the application of the principle of equality of charges for cross-border cash withdrawals.

    However, this Regulation does not regulate the amounts of those fees, creating ‘Wild West’ conditions on the market, with certain banks or ATM providers charging disproportionately high or usury fees for cash withdrawals, often irrespective of the withdrawn amount. Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB) in Slovenia charges EUR 5.99 per cash withdrawal from their ATMs for cards issued by other EU banks[2].

    NLB is one of the biggest banks in Slovenia, and particularly in certain rural areas, has a monopoly on ATM presence. Consumers are sometimes left with no choice but to pay such usurious fees for cash withdrawals.

    Due to a risk of unfair or misleading commercial practices, I ask the Commission the following:

    • 1.Are such fees in line with the relevant EU acquis?
    • 2.Does the Commission consider NLB’s cash withdrawal fees, irrespective of the withdrawn amount, as fair, and does the Commission intend to propose a cap on such fees at EU level?
    • 3.What is the Commission doing to protect EU citizens from such disproportionate and usury fees?

    Submitted: 26.9.2024

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Regularisation of illegal migrants in Spain and consequences for the EU – E-001829/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001829/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE), Jordan Bardella (PfE), Mathilde Androuët (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Pierre Pimpie (PfE), Angéline Furet (PfE), Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Catherine Griset (PfE), Malika Sorel (PfE), Pascale Piera (PfE), Aleksandar Nikolic (PfE), Matthieu Valet (PfE)

    The Spanish Government has recently relaxed its criteria for regularising irregular migrants by introducing a residence permit for illegal immigrants with a work contract[1].

    To be eligible, they must have lived in Spain for at least 2 years, have a clean criminal record and have an employment contract for just 20 hours per week – criteria that are particularly lax. Alongside this scheme are 12-month residence permits for migrants undergoing training in sectors with shortages, despite the fact that few of them actually obtain long-term employment.

    This increase in regularisations could, however, encourage the exploitation of migrants and spread of criminal networks. Indeed, in June 2024 the police dismantled a large network involved in distributing fake work contracts[2].

    In addition to making immigration more appealing, these regularisations – adopted unilaterally – allow migrants to move freely within the Schengen Area.

    • 1.Does the Commission believe that these more relaxed rules facilitating irregular immigration meet the expectations of Europeans, most of whom want to see more action to combat illegal immigration[3]?
    • 2.Will it revise the Schengen Borders Code to limit free movement to EU nationals alone?

    Submitted: 26.9.2024

    • [1] https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20240722/nuevo-reglamento-extranjeria-flexibilizara-requisitos-regularizar-inmigrantes/16194594.shtml
    • [2] https://www.infomigrants.net/fr/post/57803/un-reseau-de-faux-contrats-de-travail-demantele-en-espagne#:~:text=Cent%20dix%20personnes%2C%20soup%C3%A7onn%C3%A9es%20d,situation%20aupr%C3%A8s%20des%20autorit%C3%A9s%20espagnoles
    • [3] https://fr.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/03/26/la-moitie-des-europeens-desapprouvent-la-politique-migratoire-de-lue-selon-un-sondage

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Connectivity of the Alpine passes: the consequences of prolonging the closure of the Frejus rail tunnel – E-001506/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The Commission acknowledges that the situation created by the landslide near La Praz and the ensuing closure of the Fréjus railway line in August 2023 is serious. Renovation works on the line will take some time due to their challenging nature. At this stage, the Commission has no evidence that not all is done to reopen the line as soon as possible.

    2. Coordination of trans-Alpine transport is already addressed by existing coordination structures, in particular the Zurich Process[1] and the EU strategy for the Alpine region (EUSALP)[2]. These structures should be used to the largest extent possible in situations such as the current interruption of the Fréjus rail line following the landslide in August 2023 to ensure that traffic can continue on the most efficient routes and that excessive detours are avoided.

    3. The EU does not have the financial programmes or resources to provide subsidies to operators in such cases. Funding from the Connecting Europe Facility is only available for financing of trans-European transport (TEN-T) infrastructure and cannot be used to provide a short-term relief to users of infrastructure that has suffered the damage. Concerning potential support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the agreement in place with the French authorities specifically exclude support to this kind of infrastructure and cannot be used to provide disaster-related damage.

    Where Member States concerned consider financial compensations from national resources, such financing would have to be in line with the applicable EU State aid rules.

    • [1] https://acrossthealps.org/
    • [2] https://alpine-region.eu/
    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Romania’s accession to Schengen by land – E-001832/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001832/2024
    to the Council
    Rule 144
    Victor Negrescu (S&D)

    Romania’s accession to Schengen by air and water has been a real success. Moreover, the pilot projects Romania has implemented with the support of the Commission have strengthened its external borders and are an example of good practice on a European scale.

    Romania’s accession to the free movement area by land can be delayed no longer. The European Union and all the Member States have to bear in mind and respect the efforts Romania has made and the legal and technical arguments in support of that accession.

    • 1.Two Justice and Home Affairs Council meetings will take place this year, on 10 October and 12 December. How likely is it that the Council of the EU will put Romania’s accession to Schengen by land this year on the agenda for the two JHA Council meetings scheduled for this year?
    • 2.At the same time, does the Council of the EU not consider that the conditions exist for a unanimity vote to be held on 10 October when the elections in Austria are over and an Austrian is set to become Commissioner for Internal Affairs?

    Submitted: 26.9.2024

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The need to properly regulate the slaughter of equine animals – P-001676/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292[1], horse meat shall only enter the EU from third countries which, in particular, provide guarantees of compliance with the prohibition of the use of certain substances in farm animals laid down in Council Directive 96/22/EC[2], provide guarantees of compliance with the prohibition of the use of the substances listed in Table 2 of the annex to Regulation (EU) No 37/2010[3], and have an approved residue control plan and are listed for equine in Annex I to Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/405[4].

    • [1] Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 of 6 September 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of food-producing animals and certain goods intended for human consumption ( OJ L 304, 24.11.2022, p. 1 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2022/2292/oj).
    • [2] Council Directive 96/22/EC of 29 April 1996 concerning the prohibition on the use in stockfarming of certain substances having a hormonal or thyrostatic action and of ß-agonists, and repealing Directives 81/602/EEC, 88/146/EEC and 88/299/EEC (OJ L 125, 23.5.1996, p. 3 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1996/22/oj).
    • [3] Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 of 22 December 2009 on pharmacologically active substances and their classification regarding maximum residue limits in foodstuffs of animal origin ( OJ L 15, 20.1.2010, p. 1 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2010/37(1)/oj).
    • [4] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/405 of 24 March 2021 laying down the lists of third countries or regions thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of certain animals and goods intended for human consumption in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 114, 31.3.2021, p. 118 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2021/405/oj).
    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Antidepressants are polluting Europe’s aquatic ecosystems posing a risk to aquatic life – E-001564/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    There is ample evidence that certain pharmaceuticals are posing problems in rivers and thus to human and animal health[1]. Starting with the Strategic Approach to Pharmaceuticals in the Environment[2] in 2019 and the subsequent European Green Deal[3] including notably the Zero Pollution Action Plan[4], there is a high-level of attention at EU level to the toxicity of pharmaceuticals in the environment and action is being taken to better monitor and reduce the presence of pharmaceutical residues in water bodies, including through funding research and innovation[5].

    The proposal to revise the list of Surface and Groundwater Pollutants[6] includes for the first time certain pharmaceuticals compounds and proposes maximum concentrations to be respected. The Commission counts on the co-legislators to support the high level of ambition of this proposal in the forthcoming trilogues.

    The recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive[7] includes new obligations to remove micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals from all large urban wastewater treatment plants (above 150 000 inhabitants) but also for smaller plants when there is a risk for the environment or for human health.

    In line with the ‘polluter pays’ principle, industry will be required to contribute to the financing of the additional infrastructures needed to remove micropollutants. This will also incentivise research and innovation into toxic-free products.

    The proposal for the revision of pharmaceutical legislation[8] repr esents a significant step forward in mitigating the impacts of pharmaceuticals on the environment i.e. it requires the Environmental Risk Assessment for antimicrobial to cover the whole life cycle including manufacturing.

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Measures to protect European companies – E-001813/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001813/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE)

    Companies both in Romania and in the rest of Europe are feeling the economic impact of the sanctions the European Union has imposed on the Russian Federation.

    • 1.The Commission’s continued efforts to support European companies affected by the sanctions imposed on Russia are to be welcomed, but in circumstances where many firms in various sectors have been impacted by those sanctions, could the Commission clarify whether financial support measures and compensation for such companies already exist or are in the pipeline?
    • 2.Could the Commission provide further details on the types of financial aid available and on the procedure to follow to obtain that aid?
    • 3.Could the Commission also provide information on future initiatives that might be implemented to reduce the economic impact on the business activities of companies currently being affected?

    Submitted: 25.9.2024

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Allegations of ‘greenwashing’ concerning JBS – E-001854/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001854/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Miriam Lexmann (PPE), Christine Singer (Renew), Pina Picierno (S&D), Engin Eroglu (Renew)

    Earlier this year, the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the American subsidiary of JBS, the world’s largest producer of beef products, for misleading the public about its environmental impact. JBS has claimed that it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, despite plans to increase production and thereby increase its carbon footprint.

    JBS has a well-documented history of environmental degradation, deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices in the Amazon rainforest and other sensitive ecosystems. JBS has by far the highest emissions of any company in agriculture, and the company’s methane emissions exceed the combined total methane emissions of France, Germany, Canada and New Zealand.

    On top of this, there have been a litany of abuses, price manipulation practices and what has been dubbed ‘the largest corruption inquiry in history’ linked with the Batista brothers, who de facto control JBS through a holding company.

    Even while interinstitutional negotiations on the ‘green claims’ directive are still ongoing:

    • 1.Can the Commission confirm whether it is aware of ‘greenwashing’ allegations against JBS, and the potential impact of this on EU consumers?
    • 2.What concrete steps will the Commission take to protect EU consumers?

    Submitted: 27.9.2024

    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Democratising access to tomorrow’s scientific breakthroughs

    Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English

    Bern, 08.10.2024 – The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) foundation, co-founded by the Swiss Confederation, will hold its fourth summit from 9 to 11 October in Geneva, in presence of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. The high-level political segment, focused on anticipatory science diplomacy, will centre on the theme of ensuring widespread access to the groundbreaking scientific advances that will shape our future.

    Since 2019, GESDA has brought together scientists, diplomats, representatives of the private sector and civil society to work together to anticipate the scientific breakthroughs that will impact our societies and develop solutions to best manage these developments. The foundation’s areas of action include artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, synthetic biology and neurotechnologies.

    These themes will be discussed from 9 to 11 October at the 4th GESDA summit in Geneva, one of the major events on the international science diplomacy calendar. Under the theme of scientific acceleration, the summit will examine how new technologies can impact food security, intellectual property and coral reef conservation, in particular through insights from the EPFL’s Transnational Red Sea Center, an initiative supported by the FDFA.

    The impact of scientific progress on peace and security

    Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will attend the summit on 11 October 2024 and hold political discussions with various ministers and senior representatives. The main goal of this high-level political summit is to democratise access to the scientific advances that will shape the future. To advance this objective, Mr Cassis and GESDA will launch several concrete pilot projects.

    A training framework will be set up to equip decision-makers with the skills needed to anticipate and navigate a world rapidly transformed by scientific and technological advancements, primarily through regional workshops and online training programmes. An interactive exhibition, the Geneva Public Anticipation Portal, will also offer the public a gateway to the world of technological advances. This installation will be part of the Swiss pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka.

    GESDA, a tool of Swiss foreign policy

    GESDA was established in 2019 by the Swiss Confederation, the Canton of Geneva and the City of Geneva. The foundation is helping to strengthen Geneva’s role as a centre for international cooperation. In 2023, GESDA launched the Open Quantum Institute, now based at CERN, with the aim of putting quantum technologies at the service of the common good. Anticipatory science diplomacy is also one of the thematic objectives set out in the Federal Council’s Foreign Policy Strategy 2024–27.


    Address for enquiries

    FDFA Communication
    Federal Palace West Wing
    CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
    Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
    E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
    Twitter: @SwissMFA


    Publisher

    Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
    https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – Exchange of Views on 14 October with Cedefop, Eurofound, EU-OSHA, ETF and ELA – Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

    Source: European Parliament

    Agency logos.PNG © European Union

    During its meeting on 14 October, EMPL will hold an exchange of views with the Directors of EU-OSHA, ELA, Cedefop, Eurofound and ETF.

    William Cockburn (EU-OSHA), Cosmin Boiangiu (ELA), Jürgen Siebel (Cedefop), Ivailo Kalfin (Eurofound) and Pilvi Torsti (ETF) are going to give Members a snapshot of their respective Agencies’ main fields of expertise, focusing on current and planned work on important issues such as digitalisation in the world of work, just transition, skills recognition and portability, labour mobility and labour market shortages or housing, as well as ways of enhancing cooperation with the Committee in view of the start of the new mandate.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Combating driving licence tourism – E-001896/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001896/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tomas Tobé (PPE)

    The Swedish Transport Agency says that thousands of people registered in Sweden are travelling to other European Economic Area (EEA) countries in order to have a third-country driving licence exchanged for an EEA licence in a way that is not possible in Sweden.[1]

    The Driving Licence Directive regulates how driving licences are exchanged and establishes that EEA driving licences can be exchanged for a national driving licence.[2] However, the legislation was never intended to be used by people from third countries to engage in ‘driving licence tourism’ by travelling to the country affording the most favourable conditions to have a driving licence from their home country converted into an EEA licence.[3]

    Abuse of the rules on exchanging driving licences within the EEA in this way has a major impact on road safety throughout the EU, as adequate driver skills can no longer be guaranteed. The growth of driving licence tourism shows the shortcomings of the current EU legislation and an inability to keep the Union’s roads free of driving licence fraudsters.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.Does the Commission consider that revision of the Driving Licence Directive, which is now at an advanced stage, adequately addresses the problems posed by driving licence tourism, or are additional initiatives needed?
    • 2.What action does the Commission intend to take to combat abuse of the current Driving Licence Directive before the new directive is implemented?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    • [1] https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/globalassets/global/nyhetsarkiv/vag/rapport-granskning-utbyte-utlandska-korkort—korkortsturism.pdf
    • [2] Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.
    • [3] https://www.ereg-association.eu/media/1126/final-report-ereg-topic-group-x-driving-licence-tourism.pdf
    Last updated: 8 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Five countries to receive over €1 billion in EU aid following natural disasters

    Source: European Parliament 3

    On Tuesday, MEPs approved over €1 billion in EU Solidarity Fund aid to support recovery efforts in five EU countries due to severe floods that occurred in 2023.

    The €1,028,541,689 in aid from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) will be distributed as follows:

    • Italy: €378.8 million for the Emilia-Romagna region following flood damages in May 2023, and an additional €67.8 million for the Tuscany region after floods in October and November 2023.
    • Slovenia: €428.4 million to address the consequences of the floods in August 2023.
    • Austria: €5.2 million to assist with flood damages from August 2023.
    • Greece: €101.5 million to support recovery efforts following the floods in September 2023.
    • France: €46.7 million for flood damages suffered by the Hauts-de-France region in November 2023.

    The EUSF assistance will cover part of the costs of emergency and recovery operations, including repairing damaged infrastructure, safeguarding cultural heritage, and conducting clean-up operations.

    MEPs express their “deepest solidarity with all the victims, their families and all the individuals affected by the destructive floods in Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France as well as with the national, regional and local authorities involved in the relief efforts”. They point to the “increasing number of severe and destructive natural disasters in Europe” and consider that the “budget of the EUSF or its equivalent should be expanded in view of the upcoming Commission proposal on the new Multiannual Financial Framework”.

    The aid package was approved by 632 votes in favour, 7 votes against and 3 abstentions.

    More information can be found here  (Commission proposal) and in the  EP report  by rapporteur  Georgios Aftias (EPP, Greece). Watch the rapporteur’s plenary speech following this link.


    Background

    Since its inception in 2002, the EUSF has mobilised over €8.6 billion for 130 disasters (110 natural disasters and 20 health emergencies) in 24 member states (plus the UK), and four accession countries (Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and Türkiye).

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressional Latino-Jewish Caucus Statement: Marking One Year Since Hamas Attacked Israel on October 7th

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    CategoriesMIL OSI

    WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Latino-Jewish Caucus, Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Debbie Wasserman Shultz (D-FL), and Tony Gonzales (R-TX), issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel:

    Today marks one year since the devastating terrorist attack by Hamas that massacred more than 1,200 innocent men, women, and children. On this solemn day, we embrace the families of the remaining 101 hostages and join the entire world in mourning and honoring the innocent lives lost on October 7th.

    Together, we must continue to fight to bring home the hostages, including the four living Americans, Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Omer Neutra, and Keith Siegel and ensure their return and reunification with their loved ones, as well as bringing home the remains of three Americans who were killed by Hamas in Gaza.

    As co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Latino-Jewish Caucus, we remain steadfast in our commitment and collaboration with our colleagues to work toward the return and reunification of the hostages with their families and to do whatever it takes to ensure the horrors of October 7, 2023 never again take place.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. García and Beatty Lead Call for IMF Surcharge Reform

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) and Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, led 11 Members of Congress in a letter urging Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to use the United States’ voice and vote at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to push for the elimination of harmful IMF surcharges that burden debt-stricken countries.

    Surcharges are extra fees imposed by the IMF on top of regular interest and service charges when a country’s debt exceeds a certain IMF threshold. These fees significantly increase the cost of borrowing, can undermine debt reduction efforts, and may divert public resources from critical areas like health, education, and climate adaptation. Later this month, the IMF Board of Governors will meet to vote on a series of reforms, including changes to the surcharge policy.

    The Members wrote:

    “The IMF has not offered evidence that surcharges are effective in their goal of disincentivizing reliance on the Fund. In fact, surcharges significantly increase countries’ debt burdens, and the Fund’s own analyses demonstrate that the likelihood of timely repayment and sustainable financing tend to decrease as debt burdens rise. Moreover, IMF lending already comes with great political and economic costs.

    “We acknowledge that Treasury’s approach to surcharge reform endeavors to find a balance between alleviating countries’ debt burdens and maintaining IMF reserves. However, in our estimation, elimination of surcharge fees would not unduly harm the Fund’s balance sheets. The IMF’s precautionary balances target was recently met and will continue to grow above targeted levels even in the absence of surcharges.”

    Reps. García and Beatty were joined by Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Bill Foster (IL-11), Al Green (TX-09), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Susan Wild (PA-07), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

    To see the full letter, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Smart City visits EMSD (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

         The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of Smart City visited the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) Headquarters in Kowloon Bay today (October 8) to learn more about its innovation and technology (I&T) initiatives to help government departments and public organisations improve their services, as well as the latest progress in promoting smart government.

         Members first received a briefing by the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, on the EMSD’s work to promote innovation in electrical and mechanical (E&M) engineering and support government departments and public organisations in the use of I&T to enhance the quality of their services. Members also gained insights into the current situation of, and challenges the EMSD faced in providing E&M engineering services.

         Members then went to the E&M InnoZone to observe the collection of exhibits showcasing applications of technologies including Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and energy efficiency technologies, which are developed by the EMSD in collaboration with local universities, start-ups and research institutions.

         Members also toured the Regional Digital Control Centre and received a briefing by its representatives on how the Centre remotely monitors the operating status of electrical and mechanical equipment at government premises and conducts incident examination and diagnosis through digital technology, thereby enhancing the efficiency of repair and maintenance work. During the visit, Members exchanged views with the EMSD representatives on how to utilise technologies and data analytics to strengthen the energy efficiency and safety of electrical and mechanical equipment with a view to promoting smart city.

         Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Ms Elizabeth Quat, Deputy Chairman, Mr Duncan Chiu, Subcommittee members Mr Chan Chun-ying, Mr Chan Siu-hung, Ms Carmen Kan; as well as non-Subcommittee members Mr Tony Tse, Mr Edward Leung and Mr Gary Zhang.            

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News