Category: KB

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo Subcommittee on Policy Issues Relating to Strengthening and Promoting the Development of Kowloon East as the Second Central Business District visits core infrastructure facilities in Kowloon East (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 Policy Issues Relating to Strengthening and Promoting the Development of Kowloon East as the Second Central Business District (the Subcommittee) visited the core infrastructure facilities in Kowloon East today (September 23) to learn more about the development of the region.

     Members first visited the Quayside, a commercial complex, to get a bird’s eye view of the business area in Kowloon Bay. They also explored the building’s innovative green features designed to maximise the utilisation of daylight and reduce energy consumption.

     Members then visited Tencent WeStart, noting that the platform provides local and overseas digital content creators with co-working space and support services, with the aim of helping them to explore overseas markets or facilitating access to the Mainland market. Members also exchanged views with representatives of start-ups to gain a better understanding of the latest trend in digital content creation and the challenges they faced.

     Members later headed to Kai Tak Promenade to receive an update from representatives of the Administration on the opening of various sections of the 11-kilometre-long promenade. They learnt that some of the promenades formed by different private developments had been returned to the Government and have since opened to the public.

     Before concluding the itinerary, Members visited Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) where they received a briefing by representatives of KTSP and the Administration on the latest construction progress of the project. Members noted that the main structure of the Main Stadium, Indoor Sports Centre and Public Sports Ground were almost complete and KTSP, Hong Kong’s largest sports infrastructure, was set to open in the first half of 2025. Members also took the opportunity to exchange views with representatives of KTSP and the Administration on the strategies to leverage KTSP to drive sports and economic developments, as well as strengthen Hong Kong’s positioning as an international city.

     Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Tang Ka-piu, and Subcommittee members Mr Yiu Pak-leung, Mr Chan Pui-leung, Mr Kenneth Fok, Dr Ngan Man-yu and Professor William Wong; as well as non-Subcommittee members Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Chan Chun-ying and Mr Vincent Cheng.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: WOO Token Surges on Coinone, Hits $3.13M in Trading Volume

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WOO X, a leading centralized crypto futures and spot trading platform, proudly announces the successful listing of the WOO token on Coinone, one of South Korea’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Listed on September 19, 2024, this debut allows Korean users to trade WOO tokens in KRW, significantly expanding the token’s accessibility within one of Asia’s most active crypto markets.

Since its listing, the WOO token has shown robust performance, achieving a 24-hour trading volume of $3.13 million and reaching rank 4 on Coinone’s spot market.

Special Airdrop Event to Celebrate the Listing

To celebrate this achievement, Coinone is hosting a “WOO First-Come First-Served Deposit Event,” running from 04:00 UTC on September 19 to 14:59 UTC on September 25, 2024. Participants who complete the event’s missions will be rewarded with exclusive WOO token airdrops.

“As we list the WOO token on Coinone, we’re excited to expand its accessibility to one of the most active cryptocurrency markets in the region. This listing allows South Korean users to trade WOO with KRW, enhancing their access to our ecosystem. South Korea is central to our expansion in Asia, driven by its strong demand for a diverse range of products,” said Willy Chuang, COO of WOO X.

The WOO token is central to both the WOOFi protocol, a leading decentralized exchange, and WOO X, a top-tier centralized platform, enhancing its utility across both markets.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or professional advice of any kind. While we have made every effort to ensure that the information contained herein is accurate and up-to-date, we make no guarantees as to its completeness or accuracy. The content is based on information available at the time of writing and may be subject to change.

Cryptocurrencies involve significant risk and are NOT suitable for the majority of investors. The value of digital currencies can be extremely volatile, and you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite before participating in any activities or transactions involving cryptocurrencies.

We strongly recommend that you seek independent advice from a qualified professional before making any investment or financial decisions related to cryptocurrencies. We shall in NO case be liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article.

Contact us: media@woo.network

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/feab1e0e-8634-4d8d-8723-761961110a75

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Shatin Hospital

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Shatin Hospital
Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Shatin Hospital
********************************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority. The spokesperson for Shatin Hospital (SH) made the following announcement today (September 23): A 73-year-old female patient with a recent hospitalisation in a medical and geriatrics ward of SH was confirmed to be infected with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) at Prince of Wales Hospital on September 14. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, SH has conducted contact tracing. Six more female patients (aged 62 to 94) were found to be VRE carriers. Three patients have been discharged and the remaining three patients are currently being treated in isolation. All patients are in stable condition. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward concerned:1. isolation of VRE cases and application of stringent contact precautions;2. enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection; and3. enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients. The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

Ends/Monday, September 23, 2024Issued at HKT 19:29

NNNN

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Russia: SPbGASU Master’s student Leonid Nikolaev elected Chairman of the Student Council of St. Petersburg

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Leonid Nikolaev

Leonid Nikolaev, a first-year master’s student at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Urban Management at SPbGASU, has been elected Chairman of the Student Council of St. Petersburg. This high recognition is a continuation of his successful experience in student self-government. As a bachelor’s student, he headed the student council of our university and, as he admits, is now ready to take the city’s student council to a new level.

“I plan to intensify the work of the student council and make it more open to all students in the city. I am well aware of their current problems concerning transport, scholarships and benefits. I am confident that together with the city leadership we will be able to resolve them. The list of priority tasks also includes the development of professional communities, the organization of master classes, trainings, meetings with business representatives, which will allow students to develop professionally. By modernizing media channels and conducting regular surveys and meetings, we will improve communication between students and the council. We will support student initiatives, create conditions for the implementation of new projects that will benefit the entire student community,” Leonid shared his plans.

We congratulate Leonid Nikolaev and wish him success in his new position!

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

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://www.spbgasu.ru/nevs-and-events/nevs/master-student-spbgasu-leonid-nikolaev-elected-chairman-of-the-student-council-of-St.-Petersburg/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: Employ Inc. Appoints Joey Humke as Chief Revenue Officer

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DENVER, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Employ Inc., a leading provider of people-first recruiting and talent acquisition solutions including JazzHR, Lever, Jobvite and NXTThing RPO, today announced the appointment of Joey Humke as Chief Revenue Officer effective today.

In this role, Humke will oversee and optimize Employ’s revenue strategies, operations and growth initiatives. He will work closely with cross-functional teams and existing leadership to align revenue and marketing initiatives with the overall vision and business objectives to maximize revenue potential, reach current and new customers and drive Employ’s value proposition. As a member of the Employ executive leadership team, Humke will report to Employ CEO Steve Cox.

Humke is a seasoned executive with a history of scaling teams efficiently to exceed expectations. Humke has spent more than a decade leading and overseeing revenue operations at PE-backed SaaS businesses, strategically guiding teams through transformations, integrations, mergers and acquisitions. His experience, coupled with an active approach, ensures his teams are supported and primed for continued success.

Most recently, Humke served as CRO and Operating Partner at Newbury Franklin, a PE firm focusing on niche markets. Prior to that, he served in various leadership roles at Exclaimer, Marigold and Emma.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joey to Employ,” said Steve Cox, CEO of Employ. “Joey will be instrumental in helping us identify new market opportunities and build stronger relationships with clients and partners. His passion, expertise and successful track record in developing, scaling and leading strong revenue teams will be vital to advance Employ into its next chapter.”

Joey Humke, Chief Revenue Officer, Employ Inc., said, “Employ plays a pivotal role in today’s hiring environment. Very few talent acquisition solution providers can match the level of service and experience that its people and solutions offer. I am eager to join an organization that always has the best interest of its customers in mind, and I look forward to being a part of the Employ team.”

To learn more about Employ Inc. and its people-first talent acquisition solutions, visit www.employinc.com.

About Employ Inc:
Employ Inc. provides people-first recruiting solutions that empower companies to overcome their greatest hiring challenges. Serving SMBs to global enterprises, Employ focuses on the unique recruiting needs of each organization — from foundational hiring to sophisticated talent acquisition. Employ is the only organization to offer companies choice in their hiring solutions, providing a curated set of recruiting technologies and services. Together, Employ and its solutions (JazzHR, Lever, Jobvite and NXTThing RPO) serve more than 22,000 customers across multiple industries. For more information, visit www.employinc.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1717a7da-dcc0-4c04-ac05-b6de007b59f1

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: LVT Launches New Command Center to Drive Immediate Informed Action for Security Teams
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (GSX, Booth #1815)LVT (LiveView Technologies, Inc.), the leader of customizable mobile security and cloud-native software solutions, today unveiled its next-generation Command Center—the culmination 100s of hours spent shadowing and collaborating with security operations teams—designed to give security operators unrivaled control over their video security systems. The 8-year-old proven VSaaS solution, now available in beta, was rebuilt from the ground up to empower personnel with unparalleled efficiency and effective incident management capabilities, including a new user experience that reduces the time needed to make informed response decisions.

“For nearly a decade, LVT’s Command Center has given security leaders who want to leverage the power of cloud-native software services unmatched situational awareness. Our new Command Center experience provides an even more seamless, reliable, and highly effective system built to stay ahead of the evolving security landscape while leveraging the globally scalable, lower cost of ownership, and dynamic power of cloud compute,” said Steve Lindsey, LVT CTO. “Security teams are often hampered by solutions that restrict them from taking real-time action; failing to deliver timely alerts and provide the essential information to inform an effective response at any moment, day or night.”

The LVT Command Center was designed using extensive market research and customer feedback, which highlighted the acute need for sophisticated, AI-integrated security management solutions. New and enhanced features that provide customizations to manage complex enterprise environments at scale include:
- Instant video playback: Access and stream recorded videos with no delay, improving decision-making processes and enabling more accurate and effective responses.
- View and manage multiple camera views: Watch cameras from multiple units for a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of incidents.
- Intelligent prioritization: Configure the Command Center to prioritize alerts and decide what notifications they receive, such as marking potential assaults as high priority and animals as low priority.
- In-depth analytics: Classify incidents and quickly review incidents within a category classification to understand how those situations were resolved.
- Incident history: Review responses, find training opportunities, and optimize future responses through a new timeline view that shows exactly what happened during an incident across LVT Units, including security personnel actions.
Customers can access the beta Command Center today, with general availability in Q4 2024. Future enhancements will include new AI capabilities and intuitive automatic alerts. Customers can contact their LVT representative in order to join the Command Center beta.

Visit LVT at GSX Booth #1815, and learn more at www.lvt.com.

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

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

The MIL Network –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: Bitfarms and Riot Announce Settlement
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

– Andrés Finkielsztain Steps Down from Board –
– Bitfarms Appoints Amy Freedman to Board of Directors –
– Board to Nominate an Independent Director for Election at Special Meeting –
– Standstill Agreement Through 2026 Annual Meeting –

This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purposes of the Company’s prospectus supplement dated March 8, 2024, to its short form base shelf prospectus dated November 10, 2023.

TORONTO, Ontario and BROSSARD, Québec and CASTLE ROCK, Colo., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitfarms Ltd. (NASDAQ/TSX: BITF) (“Bitfarms” or the “Company”), a global leader in vertically integrated Bitcoin data center operations, and Riot Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT) (“Riot”), an industry leader in vertically integrated Bitcoin (“BTC”) mining, today announced that Bitfarms and Riot have entered into a settlement agreement (the “Agreement”) in advance of the Special Meeting of Bitfarms Shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) currently scheduled for November 6, 2024, which will now be held virtually.

Under the terms of the Agreement:
- Andrés Finkielsztain has stepped down from Bitfarms’ Board of Directors (the “Board”).
- Bitfarms has appointed Amy Freedman to its Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee of the Board, effective immediately.
- Riot has agreed to withdraw its June 24, 2024 requisition, as amended, and to accept customary standstill provisions through the Bitfarms 2026 Annual Meeting, with certain exceptions.
- At the Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve an expansion of the Board from five members to six members, to elect an independent director nominated by the Board to serve as the sixth member of the Board, and to ratify the Company’s July 24, 2024, shareholder rights plan. Riot has agreed to vote in favour of these matters.
- The Company has provided Riot with certain rights (subject to certain exceptions) to purchase shares of the Company provided Riot holds 15% or more of the outstanding common shares of the Company.
As a result of the agreement to nominate an additional director for election at the Special Meeting, the Special Meeting may be delayed, but in no event will it be held later than November 20, 2024. The Company will update its shareholders on the timing of the Special Meeting as soon as it can.

Brian Howlett, Independent Chairman of the Board, said “The Bitfarms Board is committed to effectively overseeing the execution of the Company’s strategic plan as we work to position Bitfarms to capitalize on the opportunities ahead. Additionally, we recognize the importance of refreshment and having the right mix of skills, experience and diversity, and we are always open to adding qualified candidates with valuable insights and perspectives to strengthen our Board. We are pleased to reach this agreement with Riot, which we believe is in the best interests of all Bitfarms shareholders.”

Mr. Howlett continued, “On behalf of the Board and the entire company, I thank Andrés for his invaluable contributions to Bitfarms over the last four years. He brought great insights to the boardroom with his extensive knowledge of the financial and crypto industry. We wish him well in his future endeavors. We look forward to leveraging Amy’s extensive experience advising public companies as the Board works together to enhance shareholder value.”

Ben Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of Bitfarms, said, “We are pleased to reach this agreement with Riot and look forward to turning our full attention to executing our growth strategy. We remain focused on diversifying the business beyond Bitcoin mining into exciting and synergistic new areas like energy generation, energy trading, heat recycling and other high value revenue streams like HPC/AI.”

Jason Les, Chief Executive Officer of Riot, said, “This agreement represents a significant step to advance shareholder value creation at our respective companies and we are pleased to have reached this constructive resolution with Bitfarms. As Bitfarms’ largest shareholder, we look forward to supporting a reconstituted Bitfarms Board and continued engagement with management.”

A copy of the Agreement will be filed on Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and will be posted to the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Amy Freedman

Amy is a corporate governance and public capital markets expert with over 25 years of experience. She is currently an advisor to Ewing Morris and Co. Investment Partners, an alternative asset manager with both equity and credit strategies. In her role, Amy spearheads the fund’s engagement investment opportunities. Previously, she was CEO of Kingsdale Advisors, a leading shareholder services and advisory firm specializing in strategic and defensive advisory, governance advisory, proxy and voting analytics and investor communications. Ms. Freedman has spent over 15 years in capital markets as an investment banker with global firms including Stifel Financial Corp. and Morgan Stanley.

Ms. Freedman is currently a director on the boards of Mandalay Resources Corporation (TSX: MND, OTCQB: MNDJF), Irish Residential Properties REIT plc (ISE: IRES) and American Hotel Income Properties REIT (TSX: HOT.UN, HOT.U). She holds an MBA and a JD from the University of Toronto.

About Bitfarms Ltd.

Founded in 2017, Bitfarms is a global vertically integrated Bitcoin mining data center company that contributes its computational power to one or more mining pools from which it receives payment in Bitcoin. Bitfarms develops, owns, and operates vertically integrated mining facilities with in-house management and company-owned electrical engineering, installation service, and multiple onsite technical repair centers. The Company’s proprietary data analytics system delivers best-in-class operational performance and uptime.

Bitfarms currently has 12 operating Bitcoin data centers and two under development situated in four countries: Canada, the United States, Paraguay, and Argentina. Powered predominantly by environmentally friendly hydro-electric and long-term power contracts, Bitfarms is committed to using sustainable and often underutilized energy infrastructure.

To learn more about Bitfarms’ events, developments, and online communities:

www.bitfarms.com
https://www.facebook.com/bitfarms/
https://twitter.com/Bitfarms_io
https://www.instagram.com/bitfarms/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitfarms/

About Riot Platforms, Inc.

Riot’s (NASDAQ: RIOT) vision is to be the world’s leading Bitcoin-driven infrastructure platform. Our mission is to positively impact the sectors, networks and communities that we touch. We believe that the combination of an innovative spirit and strong community partnership allows Riot to achieve best-in-class execution and create successful outcomes.

Riot, a Nevada corporation, is a Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company focused on a vertically integrated strategy. Riot has Bitcoin mining operations in central Texas and electrical switchgear engineering and fabrication operations in Denver, Colorado.

For more information, visit www.riotplatforms.com.

Cautionary Statement

Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, or any other securities exchange or regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release and are covered by safe harbors under Canadian and United States securities laws. The statements and information in this release regarding the strength and positive outcome of board of director renewal, the date of the Special Meeting, the merits and potential of the Company’s growth plan and diversification strategy, other growth opportunities and prospects, statements regarding future growth, plans and objectives of the Company and the maximization of shareholder value, are forward-looking information. Any statements that involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “prospects”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

This forward-looking information is based on assumptions and estimates of management of the Company and Riot, as applicable, at the time they were made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, various risks relating to the operations and business of the Company, the future performance, liquidity and financial position of the Company and Riot, and uncertainties as to timing of the Special Meeting or the outcome. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to (i) the Company’s filings on www.sedarplus.ca (which are also available on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov), including the MD&A for the year-ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 7, 2024 and the MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 filed on August 8, 2024, and (ii) Riot’s filings with the SEC, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” of Riot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024, and the other filings Riot has made or will make with the SEC after such date, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Although the Company and Riot have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including factors that are currently unknown to or deemed immaterial by the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by law.

Investor Relations Contacts:

For Bitfarms:

Bitfarms
Tracy Krumme
SVP, Head of IR & Corp. Comms.
+1 786-671-5638
tkrumme@bitfarms.com

Innisfree M&A Incorporated
Gabrielle Wolf / Scott Winter
+1 212-750-5833

Laurel Hill Advisory Group
1-877-452-7184
+1 416-304-0211
assistance@laurelhill.com

For Riot:

Phil McPherson
303-794-2000 ext. 110
IR@Riot.Inc

Media Contacts:

For Bitfarms:

U.S.: Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
Dan Katcher or Joseph Sala
+1 212-355-4449

Québec: Tact
Louis-Martin Leclerc
+1 418-693-2425
lmleclerc@tactconseil.ca

For Riot:

Longacre Square Partners
Joe Germani / Dan Zacchei
jgermani@longacresquare.com / dzacchei@longacresquare.com

The MIL Network –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: Johnson C. Smith University Selects Enterprise Networking Innovator Nile to Power its Campus-Wide Network
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nile, the pioneer of a new breed of enterprise network solutions aimed at securing organizations from cyberattacks and automating daily operations, today announced that Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), a leading Historically Black College and University (HBCU), has selected the Nile Access Service to replace its existing wired and wireless LAN solution across its entire campus. The institution selected Nile’s solution due to its unique performance guarantees for availability, coverage, and capacity, its AI-powered “as-a-Service” architecture that automates network lifecycle management, and its native campus zero trust security that prevents lateral movement attacks such as ransomware.

“Our number one goal in IT is to deliver a satisfying experience for our student body. That means handling their needs for high-performance connectivity, but also ensuring they’re secure as well,’” said John Norris, CIO, JCSU. “As we considered a refresh, I knew I needed a partner as much as a new solution. I have an amazing staff, but considering everything we had to deliver in implementing a new network, including security, performance, and reliability, whatever we selected had to augment my current resources, not create new demands. Nile nailed it on all fronts.”

Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, JCSU is a premier professional liberal arts HBCU with thousands of students and faculty that require reliable, secure, and high-performance connectivity. Its existing hardware-centric managed wireless network had aged significantly, and its vendors were no longer providing support despite their unpredictably high licensing costs. A potential increase from 5% to 30% in those costs, often without notice, was cause for concern, along with making budgeting a challenge. Additionally, students and faculty were both very vocal about the network’s poor performance. On top of these issues, the previous solution had no modern security component, something critical to the overall health and safety of the student body and the university network.

JSCU quickly turned to Nile to address all of these demands. Nile delivered high-performance, secure wired and wireless LAN connectivity across the entire campus, including student, faculty, and administrative buildings, as well as outdoor campus settings.
- Performance Guarantees – Prior to Nile, JCSU’s students regularly complained about the network’s performance, particularly for high-demand applications like gaming. With an on-campus eSports league, performance quickly became a top priority for ensuring student satisfaction. What’s more, faculty regularly expressed concerns about students’ ability to deliver work assignments. Thanks to Nile’s industry-first performance guarantees for availability, coverage, and capacity, Nile was the only vendor to ensure high-performance connectivity for the entire campus.
- Built-in Campus Zero Trust Security—Nile is the only vendor to offer per-device isolation and the elimination of lateral movement attacks, such as ransomware, from Day 1, with no configuration or professional services required. This capability was critical with the number of services that JCSU offers, both on-premises and in the cloud.
- Network Observability and Management Automation – Augmenting JCSU’s existing IT staff and providing 24/7 visibility into the system’s overall health was essential in selecting Nile for its network refresh. Nile’s extensive sensor network and AI-based automation doesn’t just identify problems; it proactively solves many of them without human intervention, all while providing IT leadership with granular insight into the network’s overall health.
- Nile’s “as-a-Service” Model and overall TCO – With a predictable payment model, instead of massive upfront costs for a hardware-centric network architecture, JSCU’s team was more easily able to get the budget for this project approved. This also meant that IT no longer had to worry about unpredictable licensing costs or the next hardware upgrade/refresh cycle. All of those costs are included in their subscription fee. That’s why Nile delivers the industry’s best Total-Cost-of-Ownership (TCO).
“The predictability, reliability, and security of the Nile Access Service make it ideal for higher education settings,” said Surbhi Kaul, Nile’s vice president, Customer Experience. “These organizations are often challenged by budget, availability of certain IT skills, and resource management issues, but still need to deliver a solid foundation of connectivity for students, faculty, and administration alike. At Nile, we’re proud to make that possible for historical campuses like JCSU.”

About the Nile Access Service

The Nile Access Service is powered by a new approach for securing enterprise networks that combines built-in zero trust security for the campus, cloud native software delivery, AI, and automation with a high-performance wired and wireless LAN in an “as-a-Service” offering. The Nile Access Service was built from the ground up to prevent lateral movement cyber attacks while completely automating the network lifecycle management process. This complete service offering is a comprehensive package including hardware and software components, 24/7 support, and zero upfront capital expense, all of which are backed by the industry’s only performance guarantees for availability, coverage, and capacity.

To learn more about the Nile Access Service, visit https://nilesecure.com/solutions/nile-access-service

About Nile

Nile is disrupting the enterprise network market by building natively secure connectivity that modernizes IT operations with a new AI networking architecture, delivering enterprise networks entirely as a service. For the first time in the industry, the Nile Access Service integrates zero trust security and offers performance guarantees for connectivity, coverage, and availability. With Nile, IT organizations close the gap between their digital aspirations and legacy realities with superior connectivity that reduces the burden on critical IT resources. For more information, visit nilesecure.com/solutions/nile-access-service.

Media Contacts:
Nichols Communications for Nile
Jay Nichols
+1 408-772-1551
jay@nicholscomm.com

The MIL Network –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes Maquia Capital Acquisition Corp to OTCQX

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Maquia Capital Acquisition Corp (OTCQX: MAQC), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Maquia Capital Acquisition Corp previously traded on NASDAQ.

Maquia Capital Acquisition Corp begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “MAQC.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

Trading on the OTCQX Market offers companies efficient, cost-effective access to the U.S. capital markets. Streamlined market requirements for OTCQX are designed to help companies lower the cost and complexity of being publicly traded, while providing transparent trading for their investors. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

About Maquia Capital Acquisition Corp
Maquia Capital Acquisition Corporation is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company is led by Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Ransdell, Chief Financial Officer, Jeronimo Peralta, Chief Operating Officer, Guillermo Cruz, and Chief Investment Officer, Maggie Vo.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.
OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX^® Best Market, OTCQB^® Venture Market and Pink^® Open Market.

Our OTC Link^® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:
OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: LVT Releases API To Bring Video Security Intelligence To Any Software Ecosystem
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (GSX, Booth #1815) — LVT (LiveView Technologies, Inc.), the leader of customizable mobile security solutions, today released its new application programming interface (API) that allows security teams to integrate LVT Unit video security insights with any existing security platform. The API allows integrations with in-house systems, leading to a single pane of glass for security operations center (SOC) operators to take control of situations rapidly utilizing LVT’s physical security platform from their preferred software environment.

“LVT provides a stellar end-to-end solution for managing our mobile security solutions, but we know customers also have other software within their security ecosystem. Our open integration platform empowers teams to access our video intelligence in any environment they prefer,” said Steve Lindsey, LVT CTO. “Customers can now choose between the LVT video management software, our integrations with partners like Immix and Fusus by Axon, or our API to access the security insights they need to maximize safety and control.”

The API provides customers with more ways to access LVT’s intelligence, including recently announced integrations with Immix, and Fusus by Axon, along with additional partnerships coming in the future. LVT’s new API also integrates well with proprietary software developed in-house for video and alert management, providing support for customers’ customized solutions.

LVT’s API allows SOC operators to monitor and access situations from a single dashboard:
- Two-way integration with control of all deterrence capabilities such as strobe lights, floodlights, pre-recorded sounds, and live speaker talk-down
- Other features include video streaming, alert generation, and camera control, including pan/tilt/zoom, streaming, talk down, and general camera management.
As the security market continues to value open platforms that enable customers to build their strategy across multiple vendors, LVT’s open platform solution leads the way with a diverse set of leading camera partners, edge intelligence and analytics partners, and cloud software partners.

Please email integrations@LVT.com for all API integration requests and questions.

Visit LVT at GSX Booth #1815, and learn more at www.lvt.com.

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

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

The MIL Network –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes Armanino Foods of Distinction, Inc. to OTCQX

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Armanino Foods of Distinction, Inc. (OTCQX: AMNF), an international food manufacturer, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Armanino Foods of Distinction, Inc. upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink® market.

Armanino Foods of Distinction, Inc. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “AMNF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

The OTCQX Market provides investors with a premium U.S. public market to research and trade the shares of investor-focused companies. Graduating to the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

Douglas R. Nichols, Chairman of the Board stated, “We are excited to elevate our company stock to the OTCQX tier that demonstrates our confidence in our financial strength and ability to continue to deliver strong shareholder value. Our hope is that this upgrade will broaden the awareness of our company’s unique and leading position in the food sector, and provide greater opportunities for investors to participate in our success. This elevation also demonstrates the board’s commitment to enhance our corporate government practices.”

About Armanino Foods of Distinction, Inc.
Armanino Foods of Distinction, Inc. is an international food company that manufactures and markets frozen Italian specialty food items such as pestos, sauces and filled pastas to the foodservice, retail, and industrial markets. In addition to a classic Basil Pesto Armanino offers other flavors such as Cilantro, Dried Tomato & Garlic, Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Southwest Chipotle, Artichoke, Roasted Garlic, Chimichurri, Harissa, Bolognese and Alfredo sauce. Armanino’s organic line includes classic Basil Pesto. Armanino Foods also offers cheese shakers, frozen pastas, meatballs, and prepared meals.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.
OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX^® Best Market, OTCQB^® Venture Market and Pink^® Open Market.

Our OTC Link^® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:
OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: Vancity Investment Management Report Highlights Significant Gains in Shareholder Advocacy

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TERRITORIES OF MUSQUEAM, SQUAMISH AND TSLEIL-WAUTUTH NATIONS / VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vancity Investment Management, a Canadian leader in socially responsible investing, issued its annual Shareholder Engagement Report today highlighting a year of shareholder advocacy.

Vancity Investment Management’s commitment to shareholder engagement is grounded in the belief that investors hold the power to drive companies towards a more equitable and sustainable future—a belief that is underscored by the successes detailed in this year’s report. When investing on behalf of clients, Vancity Investment Management assumes an active role rather than merely observing. By leveraging its influence as a responsible shareholder, Vancity Investment Management ensures that the companies within its portfolio not only align with its clients’ values and objectives but also take significant actions to address their broader societal and environmental impacts.

Vancity Investment Management’s engagement efforts encompass a wide array of areas, including climate, energy, governance, and labour practices. Over the past year, the company has been highly proactive, notably encouraging Starbucks® to commit to comprehensive reporting on biodiversity risks and impacts within its coffee supply chain and successfully advocating for enhanced climate reporting among major Canadian banks.

“Investing in a company comes with responsibility,” said Wellington Holbrook, President and CEO of Vancity Group. “As shareholders, we can use our influence to promote positive societal and environmental impacts alongside financial returns. By engaging with the companies we recommend, we drive meaningful improvements that contribute to a more equitable economy and create sustainable, long-term value.”

Snapshot of shareholder engagement in 2024:

Starbucks: Vancity Investment Management challenged the supply chain sustainability practices of the world’s largest coffeehouse chain, Starbucks, noting that the Arabica coffee bean is considered a biodiversity risk and climate sensitive species. Starbucks has since committed to publicly report on its Arabica coffee bean supply chain in accordance with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework. More details here.

RBC, TD and Scotiabank: Vancity Investment Management submitted shareholder proposals to these Canadian banks to press for improved climate risk management and disclosure in line with their commitments as signatories to the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). As a result of our engagement, Scotiabank committed to disclose its framework for assessing clients’ climate transition plans. Both RBC and Scotiabank committed to disclose portfolio-level client performance against these frameworks. In recognition of these commitments, the proposals were withdrawn. More details here.

CN Rail and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (formerly CP): In support of employee and public safety, Vancity Investment Management engaged with both rail companies to encourage negotiation for paid sick leave policies with all unions that represent their American workforce. CN Rail and CPKC have come to paid sick leave agreements with select unions, and Vancity Investment Management continues to press for additional progress. More details here.

“The choices businesses make have a huge influence on people’s lives,” said Kelly Hirsch, Vancity Investment Management’s Head of ESG. “When we invest for our clients, we don’t merely watch from afar; we actively engage with companies to enhance their practices, advocate for responsible environmental stewardship, and ensure social responsibility,” added Kelly.

Vancity Investment Management continues to lead the way in working to create an inclusive economy in Canada, putting people and the planet at the centre of its engagement work.

To learn more about how Vancity Investment Management focuses on investments that deliver competitive returns while making a positive impact, read the full Shareholder Engagement Report.

About Vancity Investment Management

Vancity Investment Management provides management services to individuals, foundations and institutions across Canada that wish to generate wealth through sustainable, profitable and responsible investments. Established in 1995, it was one of the first wealth management firms in Canada to provide investments that deliver competitive returns while making a positive impact on the world. Vancity Investment Management is part of the Vancity Group that includes Vancity, a values-based financial co-operative serving the needs of its more than 560,000 member owners and their communities. With $34 billion in assets, plus assets under administration, Vancity is Canada’s largest community credit union. Vancity Investment Management and Vancity operate primarily within the territories of the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw people in British Columbia.

Media Relations

mediarelations@vancity.com
T: 778-837-0394

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI: AGF Investments Announces September 2024 Cash Distributions for Certain AGF ETFs and ETF Series

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AGF Investments Inc. (AGF Investments) (TSX:AGF.B) today announced the September 2024 cash distributions for AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund*, AGF Total Return Bond Fund* and AGF Systematic Global Infrastructure ETF, which pay monthly distributions, as well as AGF Global Sustainable Growth Equity ETF and AGF Systematic Global Multi-Sector Bond ETF, which pay quarterly distributions. Unitholders of record on September 30, 2024 will receive cash distributions payable on October 4, 2024.

Details regarding the final “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

ETF	Ticker	Exchange	Cash Distribution Per Unit ($)
AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund*	AENU	Cboe Canada Inc.	$	0.136000
AGF Total Return Bond Fund*	ATRB	Cboe Canada Inc.	$	0.108000
AGF Systematic Global Infrastructure ETF	QIF	Cboe Canada Inc.	$	0.134910
AGF Global Sustainable Growth Equity ETF	AGSG	Cboe Canada Inc.	$	0.016000
AGF Systematic Global Multi-Sector Bond ETF	QGB	Cboe Canada Inc.	$	0.199000

*AGF Enhanced U.S. Equity Income Fund and AGF Total Return Bond Fund are mutual funds with an ETF series option.

Further information about the AGF ETFs can be found at AGF.com.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. Our companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Capital Partners and AGF Private Wealth.

AGF brings a disciplined approach, focused on incorporating sound, responsible and sustainable corporate practices. The firm’s collective investment expertise, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With nearly $50 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 800,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

About AGF Investments

AGF Investments is a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. The subsidiaries included in AGF Investments are AGF Investments Inc. (AGFI), AGF Investments America Inc. (AGFA), AGF Investments LLC (AGFUS) and AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA). The term AGF Investments may refer to one or more of these subsidiaries or to all of them jointly. This term is used for convenience and does not precisely describe any of the separate companies, each of which manages its own affairs.

AGF Investments entities only provide investment advisory services or offers investment funds in the jurisdiction where such firm and/or product is registered or authorized to provide such services.

AGF Investments Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGF Management Limited and conducts the management and advisory of mutual funds in Canada.

This information is not intended to provide legal, accounting, tax, investment, financial, or other advice, and should not be relied upon for providing such advice. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated.

Media Contact

Amanda Marchment
Director, Corporate Communications
416-865-4160
amanda.marchment@agf.com

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI: Outbrain announces repurchase of remaining 2.95% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Outbrain Inc. (NASDAQ: OB), a leading technology platform that drives business results by engaging people across the Open Internet, announced today that it has repurchased all of the remaining $118 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2.95% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Convertible Notes”) via a privately negotiated repurchase agreement with Baupost Group Securities, L.L.C., the sole holder of the Convertible Notes. The Company paid, including accrued interest, $109.7 million in cash representing a discount to par value of approximately 7.5%. As a result, Outbrain will record a pre-tax gain of approximately $8.8 million in the third quarter of 2024.

Following the closing of the transaction, Outbrain has repurchased the entire principal balance of $236 million of the Convertible Notes, with no remaining debt on the balance sheet and approximately $128 million of cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities, when adjusting the balance as of August 31, 2024 for the repayment. Outbrain repurchased the initial $118 million principal amount of the Convertible Notes in April 2023.

“Our ability to generate cash and our strong balance sheet has enabled the opportunistic repurchase of the remaining balance of Convertible Notes, which is also in anticipation of the expected closing of the Teads acquisition. We believe this transaction strengthens our balance sheet, increasing our net cash balance as we maintain ample liquidity to support our future growth,” said Jason Kiviat, Outbrain’s CFO.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any of the Convertible Notes described herein or any securities of the Company, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation, or sale of the Convertible Notes or any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements generally relating to possible or assumed future results of our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives and statements relating to the transaction to acquire Teads (“Transaction”). You can generally identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “foresee,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions or are not statements of historical fact. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our expectations and projections regarding future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to: overall advertising demand and traffic generated by our media partners; factors that affect advertising demand and spending, such as the continuation or worsening of unfavorable economic or business conditions or downturns, instability or volatility in financial markets, and other events or factors outside of our control, such as U.S. and global recession concerns, geopolitical concerns, including the ongoing war between Ukraine-Russia and conditions in Israel, supply chain issues, inflationary pressures, labor market volatility, bank closures or disruptions, and the impact of challenging economic conditions, political and policy uncertainties with the approach of the U.S. presidential election, and other factors that have and may further impact advertisers’ ability to pay; our ability to continue to innovate, and adoption by our advertisers and media partners of our expanding solutions; the success of our sales and marketing investments, which may require significant investments and may involve long sales cycles; our ability to grow our business and manage growth effectively; our ability to compete effectively against current and future competitors; the loss or decline of one or more of our large media partners, and our ability to expand our advertiser and media partner relationships; conditions in Israel, including the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and other terrorist organizations, may limit our ability to market, support and innovate on our products due to the impact on our employees as well as our advertisers and their advertising markets, our ability to maintain our revenues or profitability despite quarterly fluctuations in our results, whether due to seasonality, large cyclical events, or other causes; the risk that our research and development efforts may not meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technology market; any failure of our recommendation engine to accurately predict attention or engagement, any deterioration in the quality of our recommendations or failure to present interesting content to users or other factors which may cause us to experience a decline in user engagement or loss of media partners; limits on our ability to collect, use and disclose data to deliver advertisements; our ability to extend our reach into evolving digital media platforms; our ability to maintain and scale our technology platform; our ability to meet demands on our infrastructure and resources due to future growth or otherwise; our failure or the failure of third parties to protect our sites, networks and systems against security breaches, or otherwise to protect the confidential information of us or our partners; outages or disruptions that impact us or our service providers, resulting from cyber incidents, or failures or loss of our infrastructure; significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates; political and regulatory risks in the various markets in which we operate; the challenges of compliance with differing and changing regulatory requirements; the timing and execution of any cost-saving measures and the impact on our business or strategy; our ability and the time required to consummate the Transaction; our ability to successfully integrate Teads’s operations, technologies and employees and to recognize the anticipated benefits and synergies of the Transaction, including the expectation of enhancements to our services, greater revenue or growth opportunities, operating efficiencies and cost savings; the potential impact of the announcement or pendency of the Transaction on ongoing business operations and relationships, including our ability to maintain relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and others with whom we do business; the amount of costs, fees, expenses and charges relating to the Transaction; the initiation or outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted following the announcement of the Transaction; and the risks described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as an indication of future performance. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur, and actual results, events, or circumstances could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation and do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About Outbrain

Outbrain (Nasdaq: OB) is a leading technology platform that drives business results by engaging people across the Open Internet. Outbrain predicts moments of engagement to drive measurable outcomes for advertisers and publishers using AI and machine learning across more than 8,000 online properties globally. Founded in 2006, Outbrain is headquartered in New York with offices in Israel and across the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America.

For more information, visit https://www.outbrain.com.

Media Contact

press@outbrain.com

Investor Relations Contact

IR@outbrain.com

(332) 205-8999

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Economics: Wealth State Group: The financial supervisory authority BaFin warns against offers on the website wealthstategroup.com

Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

It is suspected that banking business and financial or investment services are provided on this website without the required authorisation. The company is not supervised by the alleged FISEU (European Financial Security). There is no FISEU supervisory authority and it does not supervise companies that operate in the financial sector.

Anyone conducting banking business or providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the required authorisation. Information on whether companies have been authorised by BaFin can be found in BaFin’s database of companies.

The information provided by BaFin is based on section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG).

Please be aware:

BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

MIL OSI Economics –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics extraordinary general meeting held on 23 Sep 2024

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

IDEX Biometrics ASA held an extraordinary general meeting on 23 September 2024. 87.2 million shares or 25.7% of the share capital was represented at the meeting.

The authorisation to the board to issue new shares, was approved by the extraordinary general meeting. The board will apply this authorization to issue the Tranche 1 Shares as disclosed in connection with the private placement on 16 September 2024: https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/627919 .

For the avoidance of doubt, the issue of Tranche 2 Shares and the Subsequent Offering will be presented to the extraordinary general meeting on 9 October 2024; https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/627919 .

For further information contact:
Marianne Bøe, Head of investor relations
E-mail: marianne.boe@idexbiometrics.com
Tel: +47 918 00186

About IDEX Biometrics
IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market.

For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com

About this notice
This notice was issued by Erling Svela, Vice president of finance, on 23 June 2024 at 13:35 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. This information is subject to disclosure pursuant to Euronext Oslo Børs rule book, and also section 5‑8 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act (STA) and published in accordance with section 5‑12 of the STA.

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: Stardust Power Welcomes Paramita Das as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Advisor to Chief Executive

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

GREENWICH, Conn., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stardust Power Inc. (NASDAQ: SDST) (“Stardust Power” or the “Company”), an American developer of battery-grade lithium products, today announced that Paramita Das will join as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Advisor. She will directly advise the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Roshan Pujari.

With a 20-plus year career of increasing leadership roles and responsibilities at some of the world’s largest metals and minerals companies, Ms. Das has agreed to serve as Stardust Power’s lead external adviser, supporting the Company’s next phase of commercialization and development.

“We are ecstatic to be working with Paramita given her stature and global leadership experience in the metals and mining sector, as we continue to advance our battery-grade lithium refinery in Oklahoma,” said Roshan Pujari. “Paramita shares our vision of reshoring lithium processing and production to support U.S. energy independence. I look forward to working closely with her to ensure Stardust Power remains at the forefront of operational supply chain and sustainability practices.”

Ms. Das has over 20 years of experience working with and serving on the boards of global companies, and brings deep expertise in leading teams of commercial, business development and technical professionals. Previously, she spent over 8 years at Rio Tinto, the world’s second largest metals and mining corporation, most recently serving as the Global Head of Marketing, Development and ESG, Metals and Minerals for various Rio Tinto Corporate listed entities. She also had lead roles in commercialization by transforming business segments into highly profitable divisions. Previously, she served as Chief Strategy Officer for Operating Consortium of Sumitomo Corporation, Itochu Corporation, UACJ Consortium and Head of Strategic Planning & Performance at BP’s business unit. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, and Coeur Mining, Inc.

“I am thrilled to join the exceptional team at Stardust Power as Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Advisor,” said Ms. Das. “As an emerging growth company, Stardust Power offers a unique opportunity to establish a leading U.S. lithium refinery from the ground up. This role allows me to leverage my expertise in commodities and mining while addressing crucial aspects like electrification and supply chain security. I am eager to contribute to creating a robust ESG framework for how we communicate, operate, and report to stakeholders. I look forward to supporting Roshan and the entire Stardust Power team in this exciting and impactful mission.”

About Stardust Power Inc.

Stardust Power is a developer of battery-grade lithium products designed to supply the electric vehicle (EV) industry and bolster America’s energy leadership by building resilient supply chains. Stardust Power is developing a strategically central lithium refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma with the anticipated capacity of producing up to 50,000 metric tons per annum of battery-grade lithium. The company is committed to sustainability at each point in the process. Stardust Power trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “SDST.”

For more information, visit www.stardust-power.com

Stardust Power Contacts

For Investors:
Johanna Gonzalez
investor.relations@stardust-power.com

For Media:
Michael Thompson
media@stardust-power.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecasted,” “projected,” “potential,” “seem,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or otherwise indicate statements that are not of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the ability of Stardust Power to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of Stardust Power to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain key relationships and retain its management and key employees; risks related to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Stardust Power; risks related to the price of Stardust Power’s securities, including volatility resulting from changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Stardust Power plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Stardust Power’s business and changes in the combined capital structure; and risks related to the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

Stockholders and prospective investors should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in documents filed by Stardust Power from time to time with the SEC.

Stockholders and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date made, are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks, assumptions and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Stardust Power. Stardust Power expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations of Stardust Power with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/924a57ab-c2fd-470b-8f4a-3d5748996048

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: Heritage Holding Closes Inaugural Fund with Support from Institutional Capital

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Fundraising Target Met in Four Months with $220 Million in Committed Capital

Strong Interest from Institutional, High-Net-Worth and Existing Investors

BOSTON, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Heritage Holding (“Heritage” or “the Company”), a Boston-based private equity firm focused on advancing its successful record of partnering with small business owners and founders, today announced the successful close of its first, institutionally-backed Fund I (the “Fund”) with total committed capital of $220 million. The fundraise was completed in four months and was oversubscribed with commitments from leading institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals and existing investors.

Heritage was founded in 2015 by Harvard Business School classmates and former co-CEOs of Maicom, Alex de Pfyffer and Ross Porter. Since inception, the Company has established itself as a leader in acquiring and growing small businesses across the services sector, working closely with owners and founders through operational improvements and M&A to build their companies into industry leaders. The Company’s dedicated investment team is highly experienced in sourcing acquisitions and strives to unlock overlooked opportunities in the small business world. Heritage’s history and forward ambition is to partner with successful business owners in providing private equity capital for M&A and sales growth, software implementation and, when desirable, enabling sellers to transition out of their companies over time.

“Our goal is to focus on five platforms in industries that are on our shortlist and to scale those platforms quickly,” said Ross Porter, Heritage Holding Co-Founder. “Operational bandwidth and focused resources for growth are scarce in the small business ecosystem, which gives Heritage a unique opportunity to identify attractive founder led businesses across a variety of critical industries and build high performing and sustainable companies that can drive attractive outcomes for all stakeholders.”

“Ross and I are extremely proud of the firm we have built, and we are grateful for the continued support of our investors, advisors and for the hard work of the HH team,” said Alex de Pfyffer, Heritage Holding Co-Founder. “With strong support from a world-class team of investors, the closing of this fund allows us to continue partnering with small business owners, founders and entrepreneurs to successfully grow their businesses and build leading platforms to better serve customers.”

Small businesses often face unique operational challenges. The Heritage team recognizes and supports these challenges by taking on essential operations roles in the businesses in which the Company invests. In addition to Heritage’s strong operational involvement, the firm differentiates its value creation strategy by enhancing systems and software, focusing on driving new sales growth and enabling rapid and sustainable scaling through mergers and acquisitions.

“Heritage did what they said they were going to do, they took care of my team, they tripled my business in size, expanded to the West Coast, and we opened a new successful operation in Canada. They are skilled executives and business operators, but above all they are trustworthy and honest good people,” said Paul Maiuri, former owner of Maicom.

Heritage invests across the business services, healthcare, technology, telecom & IT services, industrial services and special situations industries. Since its founding, Heritage has completed over 25 acquisitions across eight platform companies.

About Heritage Holding

Heritage Holding is a micro-cap private equity firm that partners with small business owners and founders to build great companies by driving growth, increasing scale, diversifying service offerings and expanding businesses’ geographic footprints. Founded in 2015 by Harvard Business School classmates and former co-CEOs of Maicom, Alex de Pfyffer and Ross Porter, the firm targets companies across the business services, healthcare, technology, telecom & IT services, industrials and special situations industries where it feels it can add value through its operational expertise.

Since inception, Heritage has completed 25 acquisitions across eight platform investments and has an investment team of over 12 individuals.

Heritage is headquartered in Boston, MA and has offices in New York, NY and Raleigh, NC. For more information, please visit www.heritage-holding.com.

Contact

Dan Gagnier
Gagnier Communications
HeritageHolding@gagnierfc.com

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chancellor unveils package to deliver promises of new government
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

The Chancellor has today unveiled a package of measures to deliver on the agenda of the new government.
750 schools with primary aged pupils funded for breakfast club pilot to run from April 2025

New Industrial Strategy to be published in spring

Decision to write off over £640 million in written off Covid PPE contracts reversed

HMRC to consult on e-invoicing for businesses and government departments

The Chancellor has today unveiled a package of measures to deliver on the agenda of the new government including a breakfast club pilot for 750 schools with primary aged pupils, new powers for the Covid Corruption Commissioner, e-invoicing to support business and the next steps on the government’s industrial strategy.

School Breakfast Club Pilot

The Chancellor announced that up to 750 schools with primary aged pupils will be invited to take part in a £7 million breakfast club pilot. The funding will allow these schools to run free breakfast clubs for their pupils in the summer term (April-July 2025).

The Department for Education will work with the schools selected as part of the pilot to understand how breakfast clubs can be delivered to meet the needs of schools, parents and pupils when the programme is rolled out nationally.

This will help reduce the number of students at schools with primary aged pupils starting the school day hungry and ensure children come to school ready to learn. It will also support the government’s aim to tackle child poverty by addressing rising food insecurity among children.

Covid Corruption Commissioner

Reeves also announced a block on any Covid-era PPE contract being abandoned or waived until it has been assessed by the new Covid Corruption Commissioner, whom will be appointed in October.

The decision will affect £647 million of Covid PPE contracts where contract recovery was previously earmarked to be waived.

It follows action already in motion to cut government waste and curb unnecessary spending. In her statement to Parliament in July, the Chancellor pledged to halve government consultancy spend from 2025-26, with savings targets of £550 million this financial year and a further £680 million in the next already announced.

Excessive use of ministerial travel by aeroplane and helicopter is also being cutdown, with a contract for a VIP helicopter previously cancelled.

Industrial Strategy

The Chancellor also today announced that the Industrial Strategy will be at the heart of the government’s mission to grow the economy, unlock investment and make every part of the country better off. It will focus on delivering long-term change to the economy by making Britain a clean energy superpower and accelerating to net zero, breaking down barriers to regional growth, and building a secure and resilient economy.

A green paper will be published around Budget in October outlining the long-term sectoral growth and priority industries of the government, ahead of the final strategy published in the spring of 2025 following a consultation with business.

HMRC package

Chancellor Reeves also outlined a package of reforms to improve the UK’s tax system to help fix the foundations of the UK economy.

As part of the package, HMRC will soon launch a consultation on electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) to promote its wider use across UK businesses and government departments.

The introduction of e-invoicing can significantly reduce administrative tasks, improve cash flow, boost productivity, introduce automation, and reduce errors in tax returns – all helping to close the tax gap. The consultation will gather input from businesses on how HMRC can support investment in and encourage e-invoicing uptake.

The Chancellor also announced that Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray, the minister responsible for the UK’s tax system, has become the Chair of the HMRC Board. This is to help oversee the implementation of his three strategic priorities for HMRC; closing the tax gap, modernising and reforming, and improving customer service.

It was also announced that a new Digital Transformation Roadmap, aimed to be published in Spring 2025, will set out HMRC’s vision to be a digital first organisation underpinned by customer insight. The Roadmap will include measures to ensure digital inclusion and support for customers who cannot yet interact digitally.

There was a further update that new staff are expected to join HMRC’s training programme in November as 200 additional offer letters have been issued as part of the 450 letters already sent. This is part of HMRC’s plans to recruit an additional 5,000 compliance staff to help close the tax gap.

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Published 23 September 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Africa: Africa50 investment platform gets thumbs up for its innovative financing, strategic partnerships and performance

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

Presidents of Madagascar and Tanzania praise Africa50’s critical role in addressing the continent’s infrastructure challenges; Africa50 has mobilized over $1.1 billion in capital commitments and catalyzed an additional $4.4 billion in external financing in just seven years, Adesina.

Africa50 (www.Africa50.com), the investment platform established by African governments and the African Development Bank, is exceeding expectations and closing critical infrastructure funding gaps through innovative financing mechanisms and strategic partnerships, stakeholders heard on Thursday.

Speaking at Africa50’s 2024 annual General Shareholders Meeting held in Antananarivo, the President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, and his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan, acknowledged the institution’s pivotal role in addressing the continent’s infrastructure and economic challenges, creating a foundation for sustainable development and prosperity.

President Rajoelina highlighted how Africa50 is driving transformational change by mobilizing financing for large-scale infrastructure projects in his country and across the continent.

He said Madagascar, with its abundant natural and renewable resources, has become a model for energy transition, and added that the country needs the support of international partners such as Africa50.

“To realise our vision, we need the support of international partners, and this is where the role of Africa50 members is crucial. We need to work together to secure funding for ambitious projects and enable Madagascar to make the transition to green, sustainable energy. This is a challenge for the whole of Africa,” the president said.

He remarked that the continent has a unique opportunity to reaffirm itself as a global leader in the climate change challenge by supporting innovative and sustainable projects. “Africa is not the problem, Africa is a solution.”

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in a speech read by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba Madelu, described clean cooking as an international agenda and a business that must be treated as such.

According to the International Energy Agency, nearly one billion people in Africa cook with polluting fuels, which has a direct impact on health and leads to half a million premature deaths every year. Yet, the cost of solving the clean energy problem is relatively low.

The Tanzanian leader encouraged the use of clean cooking microfinance by providing low-interest loans to households to purchase clean cookstoves, allowing for a more manageable transition to clean cooking solutions… “It is crucial to make clean cooking affordable, especially in low-income areas. Governments can introduce effective incentives for producers and consumers to reduce the cost of cooking materials,” the Tanzanian president said.

The meeting brought together global leaders, policymakers, investors, and infrastructure experts to strategize and collaborate on the actions needed to mobilize investment in a sustainable future for Africa.

“The fact that Africa50 is exceeding expectations and bridging the funding gap by tackling today’s challenges through innovative financing mechanisms and strategic partnerships is good news for Africa and the world,” President and Chairman of the Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina said in a keynote speech at the event.

Adesina, who is also Chairman of the Africa50 Board of Directors, told the meeting that Africa50 has mobilized over $1.1 billion in capital commitments and catalyzed an additional $4.4 billion in external financing In just seven years of operation. “Its portfolio includes 25 transformative projects in 28 countries, with a total value exceeding $8 billion across energy, transport, digital infrastructure, education, and healthcare sectors.”

In December 2023, the Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) secured $222.5 million at first close from predominantly African investors, a first for the continent.

Africa50’s vision for Africa’s future

With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 and a booming consumer market, the continent will be one of the most sought-after investment destinations in the world, Adesina told the meeting, “We are determined to continue mobilizing capital, overcoming barriers to investment, and delivering transformative projects.”

In his remarks, Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobissé said over the past year, the institution had invested in key infrastructure projects, guided by the need for speed and scale in implementation for the continent. “Investors manage more than $2.3 trillion in Africa. Africa50 aims to mobilise and catalyse some of this capital to finance infrastructure in Africa,” he said.

He highlighted Africa50’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund as an achievement that is the first of its kind in Africa.

“This fund is a significant step forward in mobilising African capital to bridge Africa’s infrastructure gap,” Ebobissé added.

In 2023, Africa50 demonstrated its potential by facilitating significant foreign direct investment in clean energy, even as global FDI declined by 3%.

With over 60% of the world’s solar energy potential, Africa has a golden opportunity to pursue a low-carbon energy trajectory, expand its electricity supply, and decarbonize its economies.

Madagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island nation, was cited as an example of how infrastructure development can stimulate economic growth.

The African Development Bank’s commitments in Madagascar total more than 1 billion dollars, with transport, energy, and agriculture accounting for more than 97% of the portfolio.

The flagship Sahofika project, which will be the benchmark for green baseload in the country’s energy mix, will reduce the share of thermal power generation to less than of thermal generation to less than 10%, cutting the country’s generation costs by more than 30%.

Transport infrastructure

The African Development Bank remains committed to supporting Madagascar in its efforts to improve connectivity and promote trade across the continent through sustainable transport infrastructure projects, Adesina said.

“Thanks to the corridor development and trade facilitation project, 165 km of roads, including the Analamisampy-Manja section, along with four bridges on the RN9, have been constructed, reducing travel time from 48 hours to just 5 hours,” Adesina said.

“Transport infrastructure improvements are also revolutionizing trade and travel, reducing travel times along key corridors from 48 hours to just five hours,” he added.

MIL OSI Africa –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Africa: African Leaders Meet to Combat Land Degradation and Desertification at African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) Special Session

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), the African Union Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) brought together African ministers of environment in Abidjan to adopt the Abidjan Declaration (https://apo-opa.co/3BnJ6GN), a commitment to jointly tackle land degradation, desertification, and drought across Africa.

The 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held from 3-6 September, served as a platform to generate political momentum and secure essential financing and partnerships to address these urgent environmental challenges. Key discussions focused on four critical policy areas: mitigating droughts in Africa; enhancing ambition to achieve land degradation neutrality targets; promoting ecosystem restoration opportunities; and strengthening partnerships for implementation and resource mobilisation.

The dialogue is expected to shape Africa’s strategies on finance, natural capital, and addressing marine and coastal challenges ahead of the UNCCD COP 16 to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024.

The Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Robert Beugré Mambé attended. In opening remarks, he said: “There is a very concerning imbalance. We must stay informed in order to provide responses to our concerns, particularly to the global community, which is worried about the highly negative impact of climate change on our economic, human, and social activities. Some examples show that climate change affects more than 100 million hectares of land each year.”

Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqiha, Deputy Minister at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the COP16 Riyadh Presidency also attended the ministerial dialogue. He said, “Elevating Africa’s ambitions to combat land degradation aligns with the message we wish to convey at COP16. It is crucial that land is prioritised in global efforts against drought, famine, rising carbon emissions, and forced migration—issues that have too often been sidelined.”

The Abidjan Declaration, adopted on September 6, 2024, during the conference, reflects the commitment of African governments to addressing the challenges of desertification and land degradation. Over 65 percent of the continent’s land is affected by degradation, impacting 400 million people.

Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, underscored the significance of these discussions. “Today’s session is an opportunity to review Africa’s progress since COP 15 in May 2022. The challenges of land degradation and drought are pressing, and we are committed to finding urgent solutions as we implement our Ten-Year Strategy for 2024-2033,” he said.

Anthony Nyong, Climate Change and Growth Director at the African Development Bank, called for a shift in narrative regarding Africa’s challenges. “Partnership is essential in tackling the complex issues of land degradation, drought, and desertification. We must adopt an integrated, sustainable approach, prioritizing investments in sustainable land practices and climate resilience. However, the prevailing narrative of vulnerability and underdevelopment obscures the climate opportunities and deters private investment.”

MIL OSI Africa –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: UConn’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates Streamlines Course Offerings, Boosts Enrollment, and Enhances School Partnerships

Source: US State of Connecticut

The Neag School of Education’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG) has implemented significant changes over the past year aimed at better accommodating the needs of students and school district partners. The main shift was the program’s length, which decreased from 11 months to 10 months beginning with the summer 2024 cohort.

The decision to start the full-time program in mid-June proved beneficial in multiple ways. Under the previous structure, students who already worked in schools and wanted to pursue teacher certification had to leave their jobs before the end of the school year, which posed a challenge for them and their districts.

“This new timeline was chosen after a careful review of district calendars across the state,” says Tracy Sinclair, director of TCPCG. “By delaying the start, candidates working as paraprofessionals or long-term substitutes no longer had to quit their jobs early, helping school districts retain essential staff during the critical end-of-school period in June.”

Sinclair notes this change has also led to a demographic shift in the program’s enrollment. While there are still non-traditional students making mid-career transitions into teaching, many program participants are now recent college graduates.

“The 10-month program design allows these graduates a brief break between completing their undergraduate studies and starting the intensive graduate program,” she says. “Previously, students had only a few days between their undergraduate graduation and the start of TCPCG, which left little room for adjustment.”

Instead of offering two six-week summer semesters, the new program structure consolidates coursework into one 10-week summer semester. This allows students to spend more time on fewer courses, enabling a deeper understanding of critical pedagogical concepts. Sinclair explains that this shift from “a mile wide and an inch deep” to more focused, longer courses has improved the overall quality of the education students receive.

This condensed timeline allows me to balance family responsibilities while pursuing my teaching career and minimizing time away from my children. &#8212 Kamie Merithew, current student

Despite these changes, Sinclair acknowledges that the program remains rigorous. Students still take five graduate courses over 10 weeks in the summer, which can be challenging. However, the new structure includes shorter class days and built-in time for school-based clinical experiences, giving students more flexibility.

Ultimately, the shift to a 10-month program has positively impacted enrollment. Sinclair reports a 57% increase in enrollment across all four regional campuses that offer the program, which she attributes to a combination of effective marketing and the appeal of the redesigned structure. This growth is a promising sign for the program’s future as it continues to adapt to meet the needs of aspiring teachers and the Neag School’s partner schools.

“This condensed timeline allows me to balance family responsibilities while pursuing my teaching career and minimizing time away from my children,” says Kamie Merithew, a current TCPCG student. “As an adult transitioning careers later in life, I can quickly leverage my valuable life experiences and transferable skills in the classroom. The shorter program also reduces tuition costs and living expenses and enables me to gain practical experience to start teaching sooner.”

Joseph Macary ’94 (CLAS), ’05 ELP, ’16 Ed.D., Vernon Public Schools’ superintendent, is an enthusiastic supporter of TCPCG’s new residency program. (Defining Studios)

Another change to TCPCG, initially launched in 2021 with just a handful of districts, is its residency program offering students a half-year paid experience in participating school districts. These residencies allow students to spend two days in their specific content area and three days as a building substitute, providing them with valuable hands-on experience. At first, the program was small, but as demand grew the number of participating schools expanded rapidly. Now, TCPCG has partnered with over 20 schools across Connecticut.

In 2022-2023, a significant milestone was achieved when a district offered a full-year residency.

“Now, all of UConn’s regional campuses have at least one district offering a full-year residency, giving students a unique opportunity to gain sustained experience while alleviating some of the financial pressures associated with a graduate education,” Sinclair says.

One of the main benefits of this program is that it allows students to gain professional experience while also earning a salary. Sinclair emphasizes that “this blend of earning while learning helps ease the financial burden while still preparing students for a career in teaching.”

“From the perspective of school districts, the benefits are twofold,” she says. “Not only do they receive an additional staff member in the form of a building substitute during critical times, such as the lead-up to the holiday season, but they also gain the advantage of having a potential future employee immersed in their school environment for an entire year.

“This full-year engagement serves as a yearlong interview, allowing schools to evaluate the residents in real-world scenarios,” Sinclair says. “For students, this integration into a school community can foster deeper connections and increase their chances of securing employment post-graduation.”

“I think it’s great that the TCPCG program has a residency program in various school districts,” says Thomas Murray, a current student. “I know a lot of students in my cohort were ecstatic to hear that they will be getting paid for classroom observations. It gives us the opportunity to be at our placement every day and become more comfortable with the students and building.”

Will Kampfman ’24 MA, who recognizes the benefits of the revamped TCPCG program, spoke during a Teacher Education Appreciation event this summer at UConn Hartford. (Shawn Kornegay/Neag School)

A recent TCPCG alumnus agrees.

“In addition to the financial benefits of being able to work while attending school, I was able to both work in the education field and at the school – and with the classes – where I would ultimately be doing my student teaching,” says Will Kampfman ’24 MA, a Hartford Public Schools social studies teacher. “My experience through the residency program was invaluable in preparing me for my student teaching experience in the spring, as it allowed me to start working with my cooperating teacher, to gain experience at my placement school, and to begin building positive rapport with my students.”

Vernon Public Schools is enthusiastic about partnering with TCPCG, specifically developing future teachers through the residency model.

“This collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship between Vernon schools and UConn, with many of the district’s most successful teachers being UConn graduates,” Superintendent Joseph Macary ’94 (CLAS), ’05 ELP, ’16 Ed.D. says. “Vernon has actively recruited UConn graduates for over a decade, and we have found great success in retaining these teachers, with very few leaving unless for personal reasons like moving.

“The new residency program is particularly promising. Currently, seven aspiring teachers are placed across Vernon schools, where they are already making an impact,” Macary says. “One principal expressed interest in hiring these residents next year due to their impressive performance. The program allows the district to evaluate whether these residents truly want to pursue teaching before fully committing to the profession.”

The district views the program as a solution to a national problem: the shortage of teachers. Fewer people were entering the profession even before the pandemic, and COVID-19 worsened the situation. Vernon has struggled to maintain a full staff of teachers, so building a pipeline through TCPCG’s residency program is crucial. Macary hopes many of these future educators will choose to stay in Vernon.

These program changes – the new residency component that benefits both TCPCG students and the program’s partner districts, and the shortened program length – ensure that UConn’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates continues to be an integral part of Connecticut’s educational landscape. The program prioritizes meeting the needs of the state’s public schools and those of future educators.

To learn more about the Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates, visit s.uconn.edu/teach.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Repackaging Seafood Waste as Plastic Alternatives

Source: US State of Connecticut

Seafood is a major industry in New England. It generates a lot of revenue for coastal communities, but with that productivity can come a lot of waste.

Right now, that waste – things like crab and lobster shells – is just dumped into landfills where it decomposes slowly and releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Researchers in New England have been looking at how that waste could be used to help rather than harm the environment.

Mingyu Qiao, assistant professor of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, and Yangchao Luo, associate professor of nutritional sciences, are two researchers in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources investigating how seafood waste and algae can be used to produce plastic-free, biodegradable packaging.

They recently published four articles on the topic, in Foods, Food Hydrocolloids, and two in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 1 and 2.

“That’s the motivation,” Qiao says. “We’re looking for ways we can better use that seafood waste to create a value-added product.”

Plastic packaging is also a major source of waste in the world. Single-use plastics often make their ways into our waters where they pose a danger to sea life.

Microplastics, pieces of plastic broken down to nearly undetectable sizes, affect humans too, as they have shown up in human brains and reproductive organs.

Plastics are harmful to human health in another way – PFAS. PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) also known as “forever chemicals” are found in plastics and plastic coatings on paper food wrappers. They leech into our food, and we then consume these harmful chemicals.

Qiao and Luo are looking for a solution that tackles waste from both directions.

“Each type of seafood waste has different (chemical) components, and they might have different properties, so it can be good for different applications,” Qiao says. “The challenge is how to identify those molecules, their properties, and the best use.”

Natural polymers like the ones with which Qiao and Luo work are safer for human, animal, and environmental health, aligning this work with the College’s investment in One Health approaches.

These polymers do not contain synthetic chemicals which are linked to a host of poor health outcomes, and they can be easily degraded in the ocean, given that is where they originated.

“Nature already has a mechanism to biodegrade those polymers that is millions of years old,” Qiao says.

Luo works on turning a compound found in crab and lobster shells into packaging using an extraction process that does not generate toxic waste.

“Even though the polymer is green, the process is not,” Qiao says. “That’s why we’re developing what we call a green biorefinery method using microorganisms that produce enzymes to break down those tissues and then we can extract the polymers sustainably.”

In partnership with UConn’s Technology Commercialization Services (TCS), Luo and Qiao have forged a strategic alliance with a leading lobster processing company in Massachusetts to implement this innovative green extraction method on seafood waste. Together, they are pursuing a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to accelerate the development and commercialization of this groundbreaking technology.

Amit Kumar, senior director of licensing at UConn, says “The seafood processing industry produces valuable waste that is rich in components like chitin and alginate, which have significant potential for diverse applications, from food and medical technologies to sustainable packaging alternatives. These projects aim to harness these materials to create high-impact, eco-friendly solutions across various industries by replacing petroleum-based materials.”

Qiao works with alginate, a compound found in algae, as an edible coating on food. He is looking at how spraying produce, like strawberries, with an alginate coating can help increase their shelf-life without the need for plastic packaging.

Alginate is an attractive option for this application because it is completely edible, calorie-free, and not a common allergen, which is a concern for seafood-derived polymers.

The researchers are also working with local seaweed farmers, collaborating with them as they move toward commercializing this technology.

A postdoctoral researcher working in Qiao’s lab, Anuj Purohit, has established a company called Atlantic Sea Solutions to develop and commercialize this technology. The company was selected to receive funding from the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, or CCEI over the summer. Atlantic Sea Solutions was selected as one of five teams to compete in the School of Business’ Wolff New Venture Competition in October.

“This research is not staying on the paper,” Qiao says. “There is commercial interest right now.”

Qiao and Luo have disclosed three inventions and filed two provisional patents in this area.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the CAHNR leadership for their continued investment in applied research like ours. These projects were initially supported by the CAHNR Exploratory Research Grant and the Strategic Vision Implementation Committees (SVIC) Funding, and we’re now beginning to see the fruits of that investment.”

This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Ensuring a Vibrant and Sustainable Agricultural Industry and Food Supply, Advancing Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate and Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.

Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Searching for a Vaccine Against an Ancient Scourge

Source: US State of Connecticut

Syphilis cases have surged worldwide, leaving public health officials scrounging for ways to stop the spread. Now, a large, collaborative study of syphilis genetics from four continents has found hints of a possible target for a vaccine.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted illness that first appeared in Europe about 500 years ago. Its initial symptoms can vary, but the spiral shaped bacterium that causes it can persist in the body for years, often in the central nervous system, and cause birth defects when it infects infants in utero. Syphilis cases decreased in the middle 20^th century as easy, effective treatment with injectable penicillin became available, and became uncommon in the 1990s due to changes in sexual behavior in the wake of the HIV epidemic.

But recently, syphilis has made an unwelcome comeback. There were 207,255 cases in the U.S. in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than any time since the 1950s. Babies, some of them stillborn, made up 3,755 of those cases. Other countries worldwide are seeing the same disturbing upward trend.

Stopping syphilis’s spread has become a pressing public health goal. Now, an international collaboration of researchers and doctors has collected one of the most extensive genomic surveys of the syphilis bacterium to date and correlated the genetic data with clinical information about the patients who provided the samples. They are using the data to search for proteins on the surface of the microbe that don’t vary. Such stable proteins could be good targets for a vaccine. They published their findings in the September issue of Lancet Microbe.

Several previous scientific studies using whole genome-sequencing of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum (the bacterium that causes syphilis, abbreviated as TPA) have helped researchers begin to understand the global distribution of circulating strains. However, few analyses of specimens for the purpose of evaluating TPA clinical and genetic diversity to inform syphilis vaccine development have been performed.

This study enrolled participants from four countries, including Colombia, China, Malawi, and the U.S. Samples of TPA genomes from Africa and South America had been underrepresented in previous genetic studies and were a particularly valuable addition to the TPA genetic dataset.

Once the samples were collected, they were sent to the University of North Carolina’s Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases in Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) to have their genetic sequences mapped in Dr. Jonathan Parr’s laboratory.

“Whole-genome sequencing samples collected by partners around the world improved our understanding of circulating Treponema pallidum strains. The results help us understand differences between strains and identify targets for vaccine development,” says Parr.

The researchers’ genetic mapping and protein modeling found that syphilis bacteria differed noticeably between continents, but there were enough similarities that the researchers believe they could find good targets for an effective global vaccine.

UConn School of Medicine Professor Justin Radolf, one of the senior authors on the publication and a Principal Investigator on the NIH U19 award that funded the study, emphasized the importance of these findings.

“By mapping mutations to three-dimensional models of the bacterium’s proteins, we’ve gained crucial insights that will inform the design of a syphilis vaccine,” Radolf says.

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill are assessing vaccine acceptability to determine what concerns individuals may have on participating in future syphilis vaccine trials and the potential impact of a vaccine on key populations.

“Engaging with the community now is really important in order to get patients’ opinions and concerns about a future syphilis vaccine trial even before the vaccine has been developed,” says Dr. Arlene C. Seña from UNC-Chapel Hill, co-lead on the clinical study that enrolled participants worldwide and the lead author on the Lancet Microbe manuscript.

The team has already secured funding to continue their efforts to develop a syphilis vaccine.

“This study highlights the power of collaboration,” says Juan Salazar, Physician-in-Chief at Connecticut Children’s and co-lead of the project, who also serves as chair of the department of pediatrics at UConn School of Medicine. “Our work here is not just about addressing a local health concern; it’s about contributing to a global solution for a disease that continues to affect millions worldwide.”

The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and several international research institutions.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Translation: AFRICA/CONGORD- Appointment of the Bishop of Isiro-Niangara

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –

Source: The Holy See in Italian

Monday, September 23, 2024

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Dieudonné Madrapile Tanzi, currently Bishop of the Diocese of Isangi, as Bishop of Isiro-Niangara, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, transferring him from the same See. Bishop Dieudonné Madrapile Tanzi was born on 18 August 1958 in Niangara. He received priestly ordination on 25 August 1985 for the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara. He has held the following positions and carried out further studies: Formator in the Minor Seminary of Rungu (1985-1986); Professor and spiritual animator in the Interdiocesan Major Seminary of Philosophy Saint Augustin, Kisangani (1986-1996); Vicar General of the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara (1996-2001); Diocesan Administrator of Isiro-Niangara (2001-2003); Rector of the National Marian Shrine of Blessed Anuarite (2003-2006); Doctorate in Missiology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome (2006-2013); Chaplain of the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, Work of Don Guanella, Rome; Professor of Pastoral Theology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University (2012-2016). Since 12 July 2024 he has been Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara. He was elected Bishop of Isangi on 2 April 2016 and consecrated on 10 July 2016. (EG) (Agenzia Fides 23/09/2024) Share:

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL Translation OSI

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Confronting the Problem of Suicide

Source: US State of Connecticut

In 2022, nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide, making it the 11^th leading cause of death in the country – and the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 and 25-34. September is National Suicide Prevention month, when health care providers, advocates, survivors, educators and others work to change public perception on the topic and offer hope for people struggling with suicidal thoughts. Dr. Neha Jain, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UConn Health, recently spoke with UConn Today about common misconceptions on suicide, what warning signs to look out for, and how to find help.

Q: What has been the effect, if any, of the pandemic on what we’ve seen in terms of the problem of suicide?

As mental health providers, we were all very concerned that the pandemic would lead to an increase in rates of suicide. But what we found, interestingly, is that, during the initial period of the pandemic, suicide actually decreased. And this was attributed to people coming together during a moment of crisis: a lot of people moved back home; there were a lot of campaigns about mental health awareness; there was a push to increase access to mental health services. People were spending more time with their families, so there was less social isolation. We did not see an increase in suicide. If anything, the rates reduced a little bit, though I will say that reduction was driven mostly by white persons and less so amongst populations of color. But by 2022 the rates increased again, and reverted back to the trend we had been observing before the pandemic.

Q: In general, what kind of factors might make the risk of suicide higher for someone?

I think of suicide risk factors as falling into two broad categories: first, factors that we cannot change, and then factors that are modifiable, that we can change. For example, male gender has always been a risk factor for suicide. People who are single,divorced or widowed, certain age groups like adolescents and young adults, and adults over the age of 65, are at high risk. In our profession, we tend to focus more on modifiable factors; things like a history of suicide attempts, a history of mental illness or substance use, social isolation, loneliness, limited economic means or economic insecurity, chronic pain and physical illness. Those are all risk factors for suicide that can be modified or treated.

Q: One thing we hear from students is they want to know what warning signs are. They want to know when it’s appropriate to intervene. But there seems to be a lot of, especially on social media, a lot of contrasting information about that, or misinformation, as it might be. So, what are some warning signs that people should look for?

Dr. Neha Jain is a psychiatrist at UConn Health. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)

For students, I would say really any marked change in behavior is a potential warning sign. It can be a big change in eating or sleeping patterns. It can be somebody just talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, feeling more depressed, talking about feeling shame or guilt, talking about being a burden to others. It can be completely withdrawing and not interacting with people anymore. Also, an increase in anxiety, increase in anger or agitation can be a clue. If a person is describing a lot of emotional or physical pain that they cannot bear, that can be a warning sign. And then there are things that you might notice in terms of behavior, for example, if somebody is doing anything that could be considered research about methods of suicide or making preparations for death. Some of those preparations might include giving away important things, writing “goodbye” letters, doing dangerous things like driving fast, drinking heavily, or substance use. All of those can be warning signs. That being said, sometimes suicides can happen with no warning signs at all. So, it is also important to realize that a person may look and act just fine, but they may be feeling something that is not visible on the outside.

Q: Younger people seem more willing in general to talk about their mental wellness, certainly more so than people of my generation. But is there still a stigma around the topic of suicide? Are people still reluctant to discuss it, for fear they might upset or even trigger someone?

Absolutely. I think there are lots of different things that play into that, in addition to the stigma in general around suicide. Some people are just too worried to ask – you know, “What if I ask if this person is thinking about suicide, and they say yes. What am I going to do then?” There is also this concern that somehow asking about suicide may actually make a person more likely to commit suicide, and I want to emphasize that isn’t true. So, you should not feel afraid to ask about suicide if you’re worried about it.

Q: Can you talk about what “suicide contagion” is and how it can be prevented?

Suicide contagion is exactly what it sounds like, where the suicidal behavior or suicide of one person then influences others to commit or attempt suicide. That effect does seem to be stronger in adolescents and young people, and there have been a lot of well-publicized clusters, particularly if there is a celebrity who commits suicide or attempts suicide. It will often lead to a contagion cluster, and not necessarily in the same geographical area, obviously, because the news can be read anywhere. It’s important to realize that people will talk about suicide if there is a suicide. It will be reported in the media. It doesn’t help to brush away or hide a suicide, but suicide contagion is real, and it’s not so much the actual suicide as how it is portrayed that can affect the contagion behavior. So, if a suicide is presented in a sensationalistic way, there can be a kind of excitement around it. In a 24-hour non-stop news cycle, there will be a lot of description, a lot of drama and, and it may be presented as a strategy: “This person was so unhappy, this was their only way out.” Sensational reports can downplay the person’s struggles, downplay the stress or the substance abuse, or other negative experiences they were dealing with. Suicide can and should be reported on, but doing it in a fact-based manner, understanding that it is often a lot more complicated picture than it seems on the surface, is the responsible way to do it.

Q: What are some common misconceptions people have about suicide?

The big one that I see is, again, the idea that talking about it or asking somebody about it will make them more likely to attempt suicide. I do not think that is true. I think there is also this idea that, “Oh, this person looks just fine. How could they end their life?” But a person may be able to hide a lot of depression, a lot of conflict, a lot of stress. If you’re worried about your friend, asking them about it and talking about it can be very helpful, so we shouldn’t hesitate.

Q: That segues perfectly into what might be the most important question: if someone is concerned that a family member, friend, or loved one might be contemplating suicide, what should they do?

Don’t hesitate to talk, even if you’re not completely sure about what they are planning or contemplating. You can always offer them the crisis lifeline information. The phone number for the suicide crisis Lifeline is 988. They can call that number to talk to a crisis worker. They can also contact the crisis text line, which is often preferable to people, and for that you text TALK to 741741. Don’t hesitate to offer this information to anybody that you think is struggling. Don’t be afraid to put this information out there where everybody can access it. If you feel that there is a life-threatening situation, you can always call either 911 or 211, which is the mental health helpline in Connecticut. The CT suicide advisory board has some useful resources at https://www.preventsuicidect.org/ Finally, I think it is always better to reach out and offer help, or ask for help.

If you are struggling with severe depression or suicidal thoughts, UConn Health and its psychiatry experts urge you to alert your psychiatric provider immediately. If you do not have a provider, get help by calling: 9-1-1, 2-1-1, or the national Suicide & Crisis Hotline 988, or visit your nearest Emergency Department where health care providers are always standing by to help you stay safe.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched in Wood Green

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives have launched a murder investigation after they discovered a man’s body in a Haringey flat.

Police were called at about 21:45hrs on Friday, 20 September, following concerns for the occupant of an address on Moselle Avenue, N22.

Officers attended and forced entry into the flat, where they discovered the man deceased.

He has been named as 40-year-old Marvin Dixon. His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation. A special post-mortem examination held on Sunday, 22 September, found cause of death to be blunt force trauma.

On 22 September, a 36-year-old man was arrested in the Edmonton area on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody at a north London police station.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, Specialist Crime, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who has been to the flat in recent weeks and who may know the occupants – and also from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area.

“It’s vital that we establish the movements of anyone who entered the property.”

Chief Inspector Lee Mckean, one of the senior officers responsible for policing Haringey, said: “We know that there will be genuine concern in the area and I would encourage anyone with information or concerns to speak with police. Additional officers will be in the area to support local people.”

Anyone with information is asked to please call 101 and quote reference CAD 8320/20Sep. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

MIL Security OSI –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Joly and Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to attend UN General Assembly High-Level Week

Source: Government of Canada News (2)

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of Canada’s delegation to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York City, New York. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will also travel to New York as part of Canada’s delegation.

September 23, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of Canada’s delegation to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week in New York City, New York. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will also travel to New York as part of Canada’s delegation.

During the UNGA High-Level Week, Minister Joly will co-host a high-level panel discussion on the subject of media freedom and present the 2024 Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award with Lord Collins of Highbury, the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This event reflects Canada’s enduring commitment to support free and independent journalism.

Minister Joly will also participate in a leader-level meeting of the UN Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, co-hosted by Prime Minister Trudeau and Garry Conille, Prime Minister of Haiti, which will focus on the urgent need for Haitian-led solutions in response to the ongoing crisis there. This event will also offer a unique opportunity to mobilize the international community’s support for the Haitian government’s priorities for the transition.

The Minister will also co-host a high-level event with representatives of Ukraine and Estonia that will underscore the urgent need to restore the rights of children worldwide and enhance child protection, including addressing the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. She will highlight Canada’s ongoing efforts to support the repatriation of Ukrainian children and Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression.

Minister Joly will deliver Canada’s national statement to the United Nations General Assembly, where she will emphasize Canada’s continued commitment to promoting multilateral cooperation, human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

While in New York City, Minister Joly will attend a series of events that will focus on advancing gender equality and fostering the equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes, including an event on the margins of the UNGA High-Level Week that will be attended by women leaders from around the world. The Minister will also participate in an event on securing reproductive choice for women and girls.

Minister Joly will also meet with numerous partners and allies, including G7 foreign ministers and other senior officials from around the world. Their exchanges will focus on pressing global issues, including the situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East region and Russia’s continuing aggression against Ukraine. Minister Joly will also emphasize the continued importance of strengthening the rules-based international order and protecting human rights and gender equality.

While in New York City, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will attend a discussion focused on promoting the rights of women and girls during the Summit of the Future Action Days and will participate in a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting to discuss key issues related to democracy and human rights in the Commonwealth, including in Bangladesh and Gabon. His discussions during the meeting will help to advance the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that will take place in Samoa in October 2024.

MIL OSI Canada News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: Oma Savings Bank Plc issues an unsecured senior-term bond of EUR 30 million as part of a bond program

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

OMA SAVINGS BANK PLC, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 23 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 14.55 P.M. EET, OTHER INFORMATION DISCLOSED TO THE RULES OF THE EXCHANGE

Oma Savings Bank Plc issues an unsecured senior-term bond of EUR 30 million as part of a bond program

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, SOUTH AFRICA OR SUCH OTHER COUNTRIES OR OTHERWISE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE OFFERING OF THE NEW NOTES, THE TENDER OFFER OR THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

Oma Savings Bank Plc (“OmaSp” or the “Company”) issues an unsecured senior-term bond of EUR 30 million. The maturity date of the bond is 30 September 2027, and the loan has a floating interest rate. The ISIN code of the bond is FI4000581434.

The loan will be issued under OmaSp’s EUR 3,000,000,000 bond program. The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN-FSA) has approved the base prospectus of Oma Savings Bank on 27 March 2024 and its supplement on 24 May 2024 (“Supplement 1”) and 14 August 2024 (“Supplement 2”). The Supplement documents and the Final terms are available on the Company’s website at https://www.omasp.fi/en/investors.

OmaSp will apply for admission of the covered bond to public trading on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd stock exchange.

The Joint Lead Managers of the issue are Danske Bank A/S and Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW). Borenius Attorneys Ltd acts as legal advisor.

Oma Savings Bank Plc

Additional information:
Sarianna Liiri, CEO, tel. +358 40 835 6712, sarianna.liiri@omasp.fi

Distribution:
Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
Major media
www.omasp.fi

OmaSp is a solvent and profitable Finnish bank. About 500 professionals provide nationwide services through OmaSp’s 45 branch offices and digital service channels to over 200,000 private and corporate customers. OmaSp focuses primarily on retail banking operations and provides its clients with a broad range of banking services both through its own balance sheet as well as by acting as an intermediary for its partners’ products. The intermediated products include credit, investment and loan insurance products. OmaSp is also engaged in mortgage banking operations.

OmaSp core idea is to provide personal service and to be local and close to its customers, both in digital and traditional channels. OmaSp strives to offer premium level customer experience through personal service and easy accessibility. In addition, the development of the operations and services is customer-oriented. The personnel is committed and OmaSp seeks to support their career development with versatile tasks and continuous development. A substantial part of the personnel also own shares in OmaSp.

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI: Brookfield Global Infrastructure Securities Income Fund Announces Quarterly Distribution

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BROOKFIELD, NEWS, Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brookfield Global Infrastructure Securities Income Fund (the “Fund”) (TSX: BGI.UN) today announced a distribution of C$0.15 per unit for the quarter ending September 30, 2024. The distribution will be paid on or before October 15, 2024 to holders of record on September 30, 2024.

Eligible holders of the Units (“Unitholders”) may participate in the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”), where they may elect to automatically reinvest their dividends in additional Units. Details of the DRIP are available on the Fund’s website at https://www.brookfieldoaktree.com/fund/brookfield-global-infrastructure-securities-income-fund. Unitholders who wish to participate in the DRIP should contact their investment advisor for further information and to enroll.

Brookfield Global Infrastructure Securities Income Fund is managed by Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (PSG). PSG is registered as an investment fund manager in Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and as portfolio manager in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. The Fund uses its website as a channel of distribution of material information about the Fund. Financial and other material information regarding the Fund is routinely posted on and accessible at https://www.brookfieldoaktree.com/fund/brookfield-global-infrastructure-securities-income-fund

Investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Contact information:

The MIL Network –

September 29, 2024

Category: KB

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