NewzIntel.com

Category: Machine Learning

  • MIL-OSI: CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. Announces Critical Patent Application Allowances from the U.S. Patent Office Covering Company’s Lead Compound CER-1236

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Results in 17 Issued and Allowed Patent Applications Internationally with Nine Total Patent Families

    SOUTH SAN FRANSCISCO, Calif, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., (Nasdaq: CERO) (“CERo” or the “Company”) an innovative immunotherapy company seeking to advance the next generation of engineered T cell therapeutics that employ phagocytic mechanisms, announces the allowance of two patent applications submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which materially expands the Company’s intellectual property portfolio.

    Patent Application No. 17/040,472, titled, “CELLULAR IMMUNOTHERAPY COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOF,” was allowed on March 13, 2025 and provides coverage for composition of matter and methods of use coverage for the Company’s lead compound,  CER-1236. The allowed claims encompass the combination of a phosphatidylserine-targeting CD4+ CER-T cell with a CD8+ CAR-T cell or a CD8+ recombinant TCR-T cell, and their use to treat cancer. This Notice of Allowance is expected to result in the issuance of a U.S. patent once administrative processes are completed. 

    Additionally, the USPTO has issued a Notice of Allowance on March 24, 2025 for Patent Application No. 17/040,317, titled, “CHIMERIC TIM4 RECEPTORS AND USES THEREOF.” The allowed claims encompass some design aspects of CER-1236. This patent, once granted, provides composition of matter protection for a chimeric TIM4 receptor comprising a TIM4 binding domain and canonical T cell signaling domains. CERo’s intellectual property portfolio now includes 9 total patent families with protection out to 2039 in the United States.  With these additional allowed applications,  CER-1236 and its platform technology is supported by 17 total issued patents and allowed patent applications internationally.

    Chris Ehrlich, CERo Therapeutics CEO, commented, “These additional patent application allowances are paramount to CERo’s success in the market as they demonstrate the true novelty of our design and approach in potentially killing cancer cells and treating patients.  The robust range of patents that cover this technology in general, and CER-1236 in particular, are a continuation of the validation we have seen since the inception of the Company, demonstrating innovation — and we believe – therapeutic potential.  We are gratified to be receiving these allowances on the heels of the announcement of our initial trial site for our Phase 1 trial in AML and the announcement of our cleared IND to begin human trials to treat ovarian and non-small cell lung cancers.”

    About CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

    CERo is an innovative immunotherapy company advancing the development of next generation engineered T cell therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Its proprietary approach to T cell engineering, which enables it to integrate certain desirable characteristics of both innate and adaptive immunity into a single therapeutic construct, is designed to engage the body’s full immune repertoire to achieve optimized cancer therapy. This novel cellular immunotherapy platform is expected to redirect patient-derived T cells to eliminate tumors by building in engulfment pathways that employ phagocytic mechanisms to destroy cancer cells, creating what CERo refers to as Chimeric Engulfment Receptor T cells (“CER-T”). CERo believes the differentiated activity of CER-T cells will afford them greater therapeutic application than currently approved chimeric antigen receptor (“CAR-T”) cell therapy, as the use of CER-T may potentially span both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. CERo anticipates initiating clinical trials for its lead product candidate, CER-1236, in 2025 for hematological malignancies.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains statements that are forward-looking and as such are not historical facts. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations of CERo and the implementation of its proposed plan of compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this communication, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. When CERo discusses its strategies or plans, it is making projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, CERo’s management.

    Actual results could differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this communication. Certain risks that could cause actual results to differ are set forth in CERo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the documents incorporated by reference therein. The risks described in CERo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are not exhaustive. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can CERo assess the impact of all such risk factors on its business, or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements made by CERo or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. CERo undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Contact:
    Chris Ehrlich
    Chief Executive Officer
    chris@cero.bio

    Investors:
    CORE IR
    investors@cero.bio

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC – 09 04 2025] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

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

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 09 APRIL 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

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

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

    Class of relevant security: 5p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 11,862,906 5.4410    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 11,862,906 5.4410    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    5p ORDINARY SALE 3,240 184.6p
    5p ORDINARY SALE 21,590 198.4p
    5p ORDINARY PURCHASE 3,240 185.5453p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

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

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

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

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

    (ii)        Exercise

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

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

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

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

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

    NONE

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

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

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 10 APRIL 2025
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Kaltura and Synthesia Announce Partnership to Deliver the Next Frontier in AI-Powered Video Creation and Distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Kaltura (Nasdaq: KLTR), the AI Video Experience Cloud, today announced a new partnership with Synthesia, a developer of hyper-realistic AI avatars for enterprises. This partnership will enable organizations using Kaltura’s video platform to distribute avatar-based, AI-generated video content at scale, measurably enhancing viewer engagement. With early testing already underway, Kaltura users are employing avatars in a wide variety of use cases across industries including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, telecoms, higher education, and more.   

    As digital paradigms shift, traditional text-based learning struggles to captivate modern audiences, falling short in learning outcome and knowledge retention. By merging Synthesia’s pioneering AI avatars with Kaltura’s immersive AI video capabilities, organizations can now revolutionize learning with hyper-personalized, interactive content that captivates, inspires, and drives deeper knowledge retention. 

    Organizations already leveraging Kaltura’s video platform will be able to integrate AI-generated content and avatars into their workflows, unlocking new possibilities for: 

    • Enterprise Training & Onboarding: AI-generated training modules for employee training, compliance videos, and internal communications. 
    • Higher Education & E-Learning: Automated lecture content, multilingual courses, and AI-driven educational videos for universities and edtech companies.  
    • Marketing & Customer Engagement: AI-powered product demos, hyper-personalized marketing campaigns, and customer onboarding content. 
    • Healthcare & Financial Services: Automated regulatory training and client education videos tailored for compliance-driven industries. 

    Beyond enhancing engagement, the collaboration also reimagines video production, making it more accessible and cost-effective. AI-powered video creation eliminates the need for expensive studio shoots and extensive editing, allowing organizations to generate professional-quality content quickly and efficiently.  

    “At Kaltura, we are redefining the future of video by seamlessly merging personalization with immersive technology. Avatars represent the next evolution in hyper-personalization, transforming static content into dynamic, interactive experiences. Our collaboration with Synthesia is a bold step forward, setting new industry benchmarks for AI video innovation,” said Navi Azaria, Chief Product and Engineering Officer at Kaltura. 

    “Through our partnership with Kaltura, we will be able to bring our avatars to a broader audience and unlock new market opportunities,” said Brian Jambor, Head of Partnerships at Synthesia. “We’re looking forward to exploring new use cases, from enhancing enterprise training programs to tailoring education and employee onboarding.” 

    Learn more about Kaltura AI-infused video solutions, here.   

      

    About Kaltura 

    Kaltura’s mission is to create and power AI-infused hyper-personalized video experiences that boost customer and employee engagement and success. Kaltura’s AI Video Experience Cloud includes a platform for enterprise and TV content management and a wide array of Gen AI-infused video-first products, including Video Portals, LMS and CMS Video Extensions, Virtual Events and Webinars, Virtual Classrooms, and TV Streaming Applications. Kaltura engages millions of end-users at home, at work, and at school, boosting both customer and employee experiences, including marketing, sales, and customer success; teaching, learning, training and certification; communication and collaboration; and entertainment and monetization. For more information, visit  www.corp.kaltura.com 

    About Synthesia 

    Synthesia is the world’s leading enterprise AI video platform. Over 1 million users across 65,000 businesses, including more than 60% of the Fortune 100, use it to communicate efficiently and share knowledge at scale using AI avatars. Founded in 2017, Synthesia is headquartered in London and makes video creation, collaboration and sharing easy for everyone. To learn more, visit www.synthesia.io  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Advanced PMIC for High-Performance AI, Industrial Computing and Data Center Applications

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHANDLER, Ariz., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The rapid integration of AI into industrial, computing and data center applications is fueling a growing demand for more efficient and advanced power management solutions. Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) today announces the MCP16701, a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) designed to meet the needs of high-performance MPU and FPGA designers. The MCP16701 integrates eight 1.5A buck converters that can be paralleled, four 300 mA internal Low Dropout Voltage Regulators (LDOs) and a controller to drive external MOSFETs.

    This highly integrated device can result in a 48% area reduction with less than 60% of the component count of a discrete solution. The MCP16701 is in a small-form-factor 8 mm × 8 mm VQFN package to offer a compact and flexible power management solution for space-constrained applications. The MCP16701 meets diverse power needs and supports Microchip’s PIC64-GX MPU and PolarFire® FPGAs with a configurable feature set.

    “With the introduction of the MCP16701, Microchip is setting a new standard in PMIC technology by offering an unprecedented level of integration and flexibility,” said Rudy Jaramillo, vice president of Microchip’s analog power and interface division. “This advanced PMIC is designed specifically for high-performance applications, enabling our customers to streamline their design process.”

    The MCP16701 features an I2C communication interface to simplify and enhance communication efficiency between the PMIC and other system components. The device operates within a temperature range of TJ −40°C to +105°C for reliable performance in diverse environmental conditions.

    A key feature of the MCP16701 is its ability to dynamically change Vout levels for all converters in 12.5 mV/25 mV increments. This maximum flexibility allows designers to fine-tune power delivery to meet specific application requirements, helping enhance overall system efficiency and performance.

    The MCP16701 joins a family of Microchip PMIC products—including the MCP16502, MCP16501 and others—that are used to power high-performance MPU applications targeting industrial computing, data centers, IoT and edge AI. To learn more, visit Microchip’s power management products web page.

    Development Tools

    The MCP16701 PMIC is supported by the EV23P28A Evaluation Board and GUI to help developers evaluate their design.

    Pricing and Availability

    The MCP16701 device is available for $3.00 each in 10,000-unit quantities. For additional information and to purchase, contact a Microchip sales representative, authorized worldwide distributor or visit Microchip’s Purchasing and Client Services website, www.microchipdirect.com.

    Resources

    High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):
    • Application image: www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/54349270613/sizes/l

    About Microchip Technology:
    Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control and processing solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company’s solutions serve over 100,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

    Note: The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo, PolarFire are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Zscaler ThreatLabz 2025 VPN Risk Report: Over Half of Organizations Say Security and Compliance Risks Make VPNs Obsolete

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Key Findings:

    • 92% of organizations are concerned about ransomware attacks due to VPN vulnerabilities
    • 93% of organizations fear backdoor vulnerabilities from third-party VPN connections
    • 81% of organizations are adopting or planning to adopt zero trust within the next year

    SAN JOSE, Calif., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZS), the leader in cloud security, today published the Zscaler ThreatLabz 2025 VPN Risk Report, commissioned by Cybersecurity Insiders, which highlights the widespread security, user experience and operational challenges posed by VPN services. The findings are based on insights from a survey of 600+ IT and security professionals. The results are stark: maintaining security and compliance is the single largest challenge (56%) facing enterprises using VPNs today. Meanwhile, the risks of supply chain attacks and ransomware are top of mind for these companies with 92% of respondents concerned that persistent VPN vulnerabilities will lead to ransomware attacks. These combined risks have culminated in a profound shift in thinking around enterprise VPNs with 65% of organizations planning to replace their VPNs within the year — while 81% plan to implement a zero trust everywhere strategy.

    Initially built for remote access, VPNs have become a liability for corporate networks, exposing IT assets and sensitive data due to over-privileged access, vulnerabilities, and an ever-growing attack surface. VPN, both physical and virtual, is opposite of Zero Trust as by architecture it brings the remote users as well as attackers on the network. Additionally, VPNs hinder operational efficiency with slow performance, frequent connection issues, and complex maintenance, burdening IT teams and disrupting employee productivity. The report aims to shed light on these concerns with trusted insights from industry peers, while arming enterprises with guidance to enable secure access across today’s hybrid work environments.

    Security and usability concerns
    Security and compliance risks ranked as the top VPN challenges at 54%, highlighting growing concerns that VPNs are inadequate and obsolete for defending against today’s evolving cyber threats. Cybercriminals are now leveraging AI to pinpoint vulnerabilities by using GPT models to run queries focused on identifying weaknesses in VPNs — for instance, performing reconnaissance by simply asking a generative AI chatbot to return all current CVEs for VPN products in use by an enterprise. Tasks that once required weeks or even months can now be accomplished in just minutes.

    Recently, a foreign cyberespionage group exploited vulnerabilities in a popular VPN, gaining unauthorized access to corporate networks. This incident, one of several in recent months, reinforces how VPN vulnerabilities continue to be a key target in cyberattacks, underscoring the urgent need to transition from legacy security models to a Zero Trust architecture. A staggering 92% of survey respondents said they are concerned about being targeted by ransomware attacks due to unpatched VPN vulnerabilities.

    “Attackers will increasingly leverage AI for automated reconnaissance, intelligent password spraying, and rapid exploit development, allowing them to compromise VPNs at scale,” said Deepen Desai, CSO at Zscaler. “To address these risks, organizations should shift to a Zero Trust everywhere approach. This approach eliminates the need for internet-exposed assets like VPNs (physical and virtual), while drastically reducing the attack surface and potential impact of breaches. It’s encouraging to see that 81% of organizations are planning to implement Zero Trust within the next year—a critical step in mitigating the security risks posed by legacy technologies like VPNs.”

    The rise of critical, scannable VPN vulnerabilities
    To understand how attackers exploit vulnerabilities in internet-connected VPN infrastructure, ThreatLabz also analyzed VPN Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) from 2020-2025, based on data from the MITRE CVE Program. In general, vulnerability reporting is a good thing, as rapid vulnerability disclosure and patching helps the entire ecosystem improve cyber hygiene, foster community collaboration, and quickly respond to new vectors of attack. No type of software is immune from vulnerabilities, nor should it be expected to be.

    Figure 1: The impact type of VPN CVEs from 2020-2024, covering remote code execution (RCE), privilege escalation, DoS, sensitive information leakage, and authentication bypass.

    Over the sample period, VPN CVEs grew by 82.5% (note that early 2025 data has been removed for this portion of the analysis). In the past year, roughly 60% of the vulnerabilities indicated a high or critical CVSS score — indicating a potentially serious risk to impacted organizations. Moreover, ThreatLabz found that vulnerabilities enabling remote code execution (RCE) were the most prevalent kind, in terms of the impact or capabilities they can grant to attackers. These types of vulnerabilities are typically serious, as they can grant attackers the ability to execute arbitrary code on the system. Put another way, far from being innocuous, the bulk of VPN CVEs are leaving their customers vulnerable to critical exploits that attackers can, and often do, exploit.

    Unwelcome party guests
    VPNs provide broad access following authentication, extending user access to contractors, external partners and vendors. While great in theory connectivity tools, attackers can easily exploit weak or stolen credentials, misconfigurations, and unpatched vulnerabilities to compromise these trusted connections. The report shows, 93% of organizations now worry about backdoor vulnerabilities stemming from third-party access. In February 2024, a financial services company suffered a data breach exposing nearly 20,000 clients’ personal information, caused by vulnerabilities in their VPN. This incident highlights how VPNs create exploitable entry points into corporate networks.

    Out with the old, in with the new – Zero Trust Everywhere
    Legacy or traditional vendors are attempting to adapt to the evolving landscape by deploying virtual machines in the cloud and labeling them as Zero Trust solutions. Unfortunately, a VPN hosted in the cloud remains, at its core, a VPN and does not adhere to true Zero Trust principles. Illustrating this point, the industry has recently witnessed massive spikes in scanning activity targeting tens of thousands of publicly searchable VPN IP addresses hosted by at least one of the largest security vendors. Historically, this kind of activity has indicated some likelihood that attackers may be preparing to exploit yet-to-be-disclosed vulnerabilities in targeted VPN assets. Case in point: if you are reachable, you are breachable — which is why, from an architectural perspective, cloud-based VPN technology can never achieve true zero trust principles, no matter the branding.

    The switch to a holistic Zero Trust architecture is rapidly gaining momentum and replacing outdated legacy security tools due to the proven security benefits and efficiency gains for adopting organizations. The report found 81% of organizations are adopting, or planning to adopt, a Zero Trust architecture within the next year and by extending this architecture to users, applications and workloads, enterprises are ensuring that Zero Trust is truly everywhere enabling VPN-free resilient security that:

    1. Minimizes the Attack Surface: Replaces network-based access with Zero Trust policies and identity-based controls to secure users and third parties.
    2. Blocks Threats: Prevents initial compromise through robust authentication, identity security, and least-privileged Zero Trust Access.
    3. Prevents Lateral Movement: Uses Zero Trust segmentation to contain threats and stop unauthorized spread within networks.
    4. Enhances Data Security: Enforces context-aware, integrated Zero Trust policies to protect sensitive information.
    5. Simplifies Operations: Replaces VPNs with AI-driven security, continuous monitoring, and automated policy enforcement, in addition to uninterrupted access with business continuity.

    By adopting these best practices, organizations can replace VPN security risks with a robust Zero Trust framework, enabling continuous verification, least-privileged access, and proactive threat prevention.

    The Zscaler ThreatLabz 2025 VPN Risk Report provides additional insights and best practices to help organizations effectively prevent attacks and ransomware. Download your copy here.

    Research Methodology
    This report is based on a comprehensive survey of 632 IT and cybersecurity professionals conducted by Cybersecurity Insiders. The study examines VPN security risks, enterprise access trends, and the adoption of zero trust architectures. Respondents include executives, IT security practitioners, and network infrastructure leaders across various industries. The findings provide a data-driven perspective on the decline of VPNs and the shift to zero trust, offering critical insights for organizations modernizing their access security strategies.

    About ThreatLabz
    ThreatLabz is the security research arm of Zscaler. This world-class team is responsible for hunting new threats and ensuring that the thousands of organizations using the global Zscaler platform are always protected. In addition to malware research and behavioral analysis, team members are involved in the research and development of new prototype modules for advanced threat protection on the Zscaler platform, and regularly conduct internal security audits to ensure that Zscaler products and infrastructure meet security compliance standards. ThreatLabz regularly publishes in-depth analyses of new and emerging threats on its portal, research.zscaler.com.

    About Zscaler
    Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) accelerates digital transformation so customers can be more agile, efficient, resilient, and secure. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ platform protects thousands of customers from cyberattacks and data loss by securely connecting users, devices, and applications in any location. Distributed across more than 150 data centers globally, the SASE-based Zero Trust Exchange is the world’s largest in-line cloud security platform.

    Media Contact
    Natalia Wodecki
    press@zscaler.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6c9af7e7-b67b-46d5-bfeb-c62a453b507a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Willis appoints Dom Spinelli Head of Transactional Insurance Claims in North America

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Willis, a WTW business (Nasdaq: WTW), today announced the appointment of Dom Spinelli as Head of Transactional Insurance Claims for North America. In this role, he will lead the claims function within Willis’ Alternative Asset Insurance Solutions (AAIS) industry vertical division, overseeing the entire lifecycle of transactional insurance claims, including representations and warranties, tax, and contingent matters.

    Spinelli brings 15 years of experience in insurance and litigation to the role, enhancing Willis’ transactional claims capabilities while also supporting the expansion of services for clients navigating complex deal-related risks. Most recently, he served as Head of Contingent & Litigation Risk for North America at VALE Insurance Partners, after leading the contingent legal risk insurance team at Liberty Global Transaction Solutions and working as a representations and warranties insurance underwriter. Earlier in his career, Spinelli was a litigator, managing a wide range of commercial and insurance coverage disputes across the U.S.

    In addition to his litigation background, Spinelli has represented insurers in hundreds of complex claims across nearly every line of insurance. He is the only claims professional with senior-level experience on both the underwriting and claims sides, offering clients a rare and valuable perspective on maximizing outcomes. His expertise will not only enhance Willis’s ability to support clients throughout the claims process, but also provide critical value at the outset of a transaction, helping structure policies appropriately from the start.

    Based in Boston, Spinelli will report to Simone Bonnet, Head of Transactional Insurance Solutions, North America at Willis.

    “Dom’s extensive experience—spanning litigation, underwriting, and claims—gives him a unique ability to guide clients through the most challenging aspects of transactional insurance,” commented Bonnet. “His diverse expertise strengthens our ability to provide innovative and effective solutions. We are excited to have him join the team and look forward to the valuable contributions he will make.”

    Spinelli holds a BA from Providence College and a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois, and the Southern and Eastern District Courts of New York.

    About WTW

    At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk, and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce, and maximize performance.

    Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.
    Learn more at wtwco.com.

    Media Contact

    Douglas Menelly
    Douglas.Menelly@wtwco.com | +1 (516) 972-0380

    Arnelle Sullivan
    Arnelle.Sullivan@wtwco.com | +1 (718) 208-0474

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cerence AI Honored with HARMAN’s Best Technology Award

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BURLINGTON, Mass., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC) (“Cerence AI”), a global leader pioneering conversational AI-powered user experiences, today announced that it has been awarded the Best Technology Award by HARMAN during its Supplier Awards event held in Budapest. This recognition underscores Cerence AI’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge AI solutions that enhance the in-car experience.

    The Supplier Awards event celebrates HARMAN’s exceptional suppliers who have significantly contributed to HARMAN’s resilience, collaboration, and innovation across its global supply chain. Cerence AI was honored in the Best Technology Award category in recognition of the companies’ long-term, successful collaboration on innovations shaping the future of automotive technology.

    Most recently, at CES 2025, HARMAN introduced its “Luna” avatar powered by Ready Engage, HARMAN’s new emotionally intelligent AI system designed to transform in-car experiences. This system features pre-integration with Cerence AI’s voice assistant, offering personalized AI-powered interactions that anticipate needs and respond naturally through voice and visuals. In addition, the companies integrated Cerence AI’s CaLLM™ Edge SLM, powered by Microsoft, into HARMAN’s Ready Upgrade, making it easier for third-party app developers to create in-car applications that bring consumers’ preferred, personalized content into the vehicle while ensuring that personal data remains secure.

    “We are honored to receive the Best Technology Award from HARMAN, a testament to our ongoing collaboration and shared vision for the future of in-car experiences,” said Christian Mentz, Chief Revenue Officer, Cerence AI. “This recognition reflects our dedication to pushing the boundaries of AI to create intuitive and intelligent interactions between drivers and their vehicles.”

    “The HARMAN Supplier Awards was more than a celebration—it was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we move as one with our partners,” said Dave Parker, Senior Vice President, Procurement and Best Cost Analytics, HARMAN. “These recognitions reflect the shared pursuit of excellence that drives our industry forward and we are proud to recognize Cerence AI for its innovative technology and continued collaboration.”

    To learn more about Cerence AI, visit www.cerence.ai, and follow the company on LinkedIn.

    About Cerence Inc.
    Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC) is a global industry leader in creating intuitive, seamless, AI-powered experiences across automotive and transportation. Leveraging decades of innovation and expertise in voice, generative AI, and large language models, Cerence powers integrated experiences that create safer, more connected, and more enjoyable journeys for drivers and passengers alike. With more than 500 million cars shipped with Cerence technology, the company partners with leading automakers, transportation OEMs, and technology companies to advance the next generation of user experiences. Cerence is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, with operations globally and a worldwide team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI innovation. For more information, visit www.cerence.ai.

    Contact Information

    Kate Hickman | Tel: 339-215-4583 | Email: kate.hickman@cerence.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: TransUnion’s OneTru™ Accelerates Product Innovation, Delivering Exceptional Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — One year ago, TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) introduced its transformative OneTru™ solution enablement platform for managing, governing, analyzing and delivering data, identity and insights. Today, OneTru delivers on its promises, accelerating and expanding the pace and breadth of the company’s innovation.

    Over the course of 2024 and early 2025, OneTru capabilities have powered several of TransUnion’s B2B product lines:

    • TransUnion’s alternative lending bureau is now enabled by OneTru, leading to new and enhanced solutions, including TruVision credit risk products that enrich lenders’ existing underwriting scores.
    • Identity capabilities for the TruAudience line of products have been unified on OneTru, enabling more persistent views of identity whether planning, executing or measuring marketing efforts.
    • TruValidate fraud solutions powered by the platform have improved fraud capture rates and decreased manual reviews and false positives.

    OneTru is currently operational in the U.S. and India, and TransUnion plans to expand the platform soon to Canada, the Philippines and the U.K.

    “We continue to build on OneTru’s success by expanding its underlying capabilities, including identity attributes, enhanced matching, decisioning and AI tools to improve efficiency,” said Chris Cartwright, President and CEO, TransUnion. “Our progress enhances the performance of our seven global product lines, delivering better overall quality and accelerating time-to-insights for our customers.”

    Products Powered by OneTru Deliver Better Customer Results

    In just one year, products powered by the OneTru platform have delivered better results for customers:

    • A major financial institution increased their fraud capture rates by 162% using TruValidate fraud solutions.
    • A FinTech leveraged the TruIQ Analytics Studio to build lending models in near real-time, reducing development time from 10 hours to less than one hour.
    • A U.S. credit card issuer cut its offer timeline from 45 to 21 days using TruIQ Data Enrichment.
    • A leading retailer enhanced its marketing data using TruAudience Identity Enrichment to capture insights from over 100 million daily interactions and maintain a fresh view of over 90 million active customers.

    “Many customer benefits from OneTru stem from our Customer Zero approach, where we internally test new and exciting capabilities before releasing them through our product lines,” said Venkat Achanta, Chief Technology, Data & Analytics Officer at TransUnion. “For instance, our AI capabilities are expanding to enable autonomous decision-making, adaptive learning and proactive execution. We expect that these advancements will support use cases such as audience segmentation, predictive scoring and identity resolution, leading to greater innovation for both the company and our customers.”

    To secure access to an upcoming TransUnion roundtable discussion with Forrester about the future uses of AI and other technology trends, please click here. More information about TransUnion’s solution lines can be found here.

    About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

    TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

    http://www.transunion.com/business

    Contact Dave Blumberg
    TransUnion
    Telephone 312-972-6646
    E-mail david.blumberg@transunion.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: STMicroelectronics details company-wide program to reshape manufacturing footprint and resize global cost base

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PR No: C3330C

    STMicroelectronics details company-wide program to reshape manufacturing footprint and resize global cost base

    • Increasing efficiency, automation, and AI will strengthen ST’s key technology R&D, design and high-volume assets for advanced manufacturing in Europe.
    • Planned investments over FY2025, 2026 and 2027 to focus on advanced manufacturing infrastructure in 300mm silicon, 200mm silicon carbide, and technology R&D, for the benefit of customers globally.
    • Company-wide program, including both the previously disclosed resizing of cost base and the reshaping of manufacturing footprint, expected to see up to 2,800 people leaving the company globally on a voluntary basis over 3 years, on top of normal attrition.
    • Confirmation of annual cost savings target in the high triple-digit million-dollar range exiting 2027.

    Geneva, April 10, 2025 – STMicroelectronics N.V. (“ST”) (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, today disclosed further elements of its program to reshape its global manufacturing footprint. This comes as part of the program announced in October 2024 to further strengthen ST’s competitiveness, solidify its position as a global semiconductor leader, and ensure the long-term sustainability of its model as an Integrated Device Manufacturer by leveraging strategic assets globally across technology R&D, design and high-volume manufacturing. 

    Jean-Marc Chery, President and CEO of STMicroelectronics said: “The reshaping of our manufacturing footprint announced today will future proof our Integrated Device Manufacturer model with strategic assets in Europe and improve our ability to innovate even faster, benefitting all our stakeholders. As we focus on advanced manufacturing infrastructure and mainstream technologies, we will continue to leverage all of our existing sites and bring redefined missions for some of them to support their long-term success. We are committed to managing this program responsibly, according to our long-established values, and exclusively through voluntary measures. The technology R&D, design, and high-volume manufacturing activities in Italy and France will continue to be central to our global operations and will be reinforced via planned investments in mainstream technologies”.

    Innovating and scaling up to increase efficiency across manufacturing operations

    As innovation cycles shorten, ST’s manufacturing strategy is evolving to accelerate the delivery of innovative, proprietary technologies and products at scale to customers globally, across automotive, industrial, personal electronics and communication infrastructure applications.

    The reshaping and modernization of ST’s manufacturing operations aim to achieve two main objectives: prioritizing planned investments towards future-ready infrastructure such as 300mm silicon and 200mm silicon carbide wafer fabs to enable them to reach a critical scale and maximizing the productivity and efficiency of legacy 150mm capabilities and mature 200mm capabilities. In parallel, ST plans to continue to invest in upgrading the technology used across its operations, deploying additional AI and automation for additional efficiency in technology R&D, manufacturing, reliability and qualification processes, with a continued focus on sustainability. 

    Strengthening ST’s manufacturing ecosystem

    Over the next three years, the reshaping of ST’s manufacturing footprint will design and strengthen ST’s complementary ecosystems: in France around digital technologies, in Italy around analog and power technologies and in Singapore on mature technologies. The optimization of these operations aim to achieve full capacity utilization and drive technological differentiation to compete globally. As announced previously, each of ST’s current sites will continue to play a long-term role within the company’s global operations. 

    Building 300mm silicon megafabs in Agrate and Crolles

    The Agrate (Italy) 300mm fab will continue to be scaled up, with the aim to become ST’s flagship high-volume manufacturing facility for smart power and mixed signal technologies. The plan is to double its current capacity to 4,000 wafers per week (wpw) by 2027, with planned modular expansions increasing capacity up to 14,000 wpw, depending on market conditions. As we increase our focus on 300mm manufacturing, the Agrate 200mm fab will refocus on MEMS.
    The Crolles (France) 300mm fab will be further cemented as the core of ST’s digital products ecosystem. The plan is to increase capacity to 14,000 wpw by 2027 with planned modular expansions increasing capacity up to 20,000 wpw, depending on market conditions. In addition, we will convert the Crolles 200mm fab to support Electrical Wafer Sorting high volume manufacturing and advanced packaging technologies, hosting activities that do not exist today in Europe. The focus will be on next-generation leading technologies including optical sensing and silicon photonics.

    Specialized Manufacturing and Competence Center for Power Electronics in Catania

    Catania will continue to serve as a center of excellence for power and wide-bandgap semiconductor devices. The development of the new Silicon Carbide Campus is progressing as planned, with production of 200mm wafers set to begin in Q4 2025, reinforcing ST’s leadership in next-generation power technologies. Our resources supporting Catania’s current 150mm and EWS capabilities will be refocused on 200mm silicon carbide and silicon power semiconductor production, including GaN-on-silicon, reinforcing ST’s leadership in next-generation power technologies.

    Optimizing Other Manufacturing Sites

    Rousset (France) will remain focused on 200mm manufacturing, with additional volumes reallocated from other sites enabling full saturation of existing manufacturing capacity for optimized efficiency.

    Tours (France) will remain focused on its 200mm silicon production line for select technologies, while other activities – including legacy 150mm manufacturing activities – will be transferred to different ST sites, and it will also remain a center of competence for GaN, mainly on epitaxy. The Tours site will also host a new activity: panel-level-packaging, one of the major enablers of chiplets, a technology for complex semiconductor applications that will be key for ST in the future.

    Ang Mo Kio (Singapore), ST’s high-volume fab for mature technologies, will remain focused on 200mm silicon manufacturing and will also host our consolidated global legacy 150mm silicon capabilities.

    Kirkop (Malta), ST’s high-volume test and packaging fab in Europe will be upgraded, with the addition of advanced automated technologies which will be key to support next-generation products.

    Workforce and skills evolution

    As ST reshapes its manufacturing footprint over the next three years, the workforce size and required skill sets will evolve. Advanced manufacturing will shift roles from legacy processes involving repetitive manual tasks to a stronger focus on process control, automation, and design. ST will manage this transition through voluntary measures, with a continued commitment to ongoing constructive dialogue and negotiations with employee representatives in accordance with applicable national regulations. Based on current projections, the program is expected to see up to 2,800 people leaving the company globally on a voluntary basis, on top of normal attrition. These changes are expected to occur mainly in 2026 and 2027. Regular updates will be provided to stakeholders as the program progresses. 

    About STMicroelectronics

    At ST, we are 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are on track to be carbon neutral in all direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1 and 2), product transportation, business travel, and employee commuting emissions (our scope 3 focus), and to achieve our 100% renewable electricity sourcing goal by the end of 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

    For further information, please contact:

    INVESTOR RELATIONS:
    Jérôme Ramel
    EVP Corporate Development & Integrated External Communication
    Tel: +41 22 929 59 20
    jerome.ramel@st.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS:
    Alexis Breton
    Corporate External Communications
    Tel: + 33 6 59 16 79 08
    alexis.breton@st.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Eviden signs a 50-million-euro contract to build Serbia’s National AI Factory

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Eviden will bring together a unique comprehensive set of AI capabilities – supercomputing power for AI, software layer and AI use-cases development

    Paris, France – April 10, 2025 – Eviden, the Atos Group business leading in digital, cloud, big data and security today announces the signature of a 50-million-euro contract with the Serbia’s Office for IT and eGovernment. Together, Eviden and the Serbian administration will deploy a National AI Factory – composed of an AI Center of Excellence and a leading AI-dedicated supercomputing platform – aiming to accelerate Serbia’s AI capabilities and foster innovation across key sectors while reinforcing its technological autonomy using European technologies.

    More than just a simple infrastructure, an AI Factory is an extensive and complete set of shared AI-dedicated assets – talents, expertise, software, hardware – to foster AI innovation and growth, to democratize its use and to drive successful large-scale projects. By providing all necessary resources with European technologies through this single contract, Eviden will empower Serbia to address the growing challenges and requirements of AI.

    This new National AI Factory, a first in the Balkan region, will integrate cutting-edge supercomputing resources, advanced software layers and specialized vertical expertise for use-case design and deployment. This dynamic ecosystem will be made accessible to Serbian public institutions, academic players and businesses in order to harness the power of AI and address critical challenges in health, energy, transportation and administration.

    To meet Serbia’s needs for computing power, Eviden will deploy its BullSequana XH3000 supercomputer, designed and manufactured in its French flagship factory. With up to 25 PetaFlops of computational power – the equivalent of 25 million billion operations per second – as well as 300 GPUs and 2.5 Petabytes of storage, this AI supercomputer will serve as the backbone of this AI Center of Excellence, providing the necessary computing power to develop and run innovative AI use cases.

    In addition to this AI-dedicated hardware, the project will see the implementation of Eviden’s BullSequana AI platform, designed to accelerate AI applications development. The Eviden software layer will integrate Mistral AI assets who brings its leading European GenAI models to help drive groundbreaking use cases.

    This combination of hardware and software capabilities will be complemented by a vertical AI expertise drawn from Eviden’s teams in France, Czech Republic and Serbian AI ecosystem. These AI specialists will bring their deep understanding of sector-specific needs, ensuring an effective application of AI to Serbia’s strategic sectors. They will also assist in recruiting and training engineers and academics across Serbia, ensuring the AI Center of Excellence becomes a self-sustaining hub for innovation.

    Mihailo Jovanovic PhD, Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment, Government of the Republic of Serbia said “This partnership with Eviden, Europe’s leading supercomputing and AI player, is a historic moment for our country’s digital future, demonstrating the spirit of Franco-Serbian cooperation. It is not just a technological leap but a statement of our commitment to foster innovation, advanced our economy and strengthen our position as regional leader in AI. This project is a key step towards implementing Serbia’s vision in accordance with “Leap into the Future – Serbia 2027” Program and plans for further modernization, digitalization, and the application of artificial intelligence.”

    Emmanuel Le Roux, Head of Advanced Computing, Eviden, Atos Group said “With its investment and current leading responsibility in the Global Partnership on AI, Serbia has been at the forefront of AI research and application in Europe. This one-of-a-kind project is yet another example of its commitment toward technological advanced and economic growth, while contributing to the strategic cooperation between France and Serbia for AI and reinforcing the country’s technological sovereignty. It underlines Eviden’s unique end-to-end positioning and demonstrates once again how Europe’s technology leaders can drive AI innovation while ensuring technological autonomy and sovereignty.”

    ***

    About Eviden1

    Eviden is a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented technologies. With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing, security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for all industries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 41,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology across the digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Eviden is an Atos Group company with an annual revenue of c. € 5 billion.

    About Atos

    Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 78,000 employees and annual revenue of c. € 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 68 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.

    The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

    About Mistral AI

    Mistral AI is a pioneer company in generative artificial intelligence, empowering the world with the tools to build and benefit from the most transformative technology of our time. The company democratizes AI through high-performance, optimized, and cutting-edge open-source models, products and solutions. Headquartered in France and independent, Mistral AI defends a decentralized and transparent approach to technology, with a strong global presence in the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore.

    Press contact

    Constance Arnoux – constance.arnoux@eviden.com – +33 6 44 12 16 35

    1 Eviden business is operated through the following brands: AppCentrica, ATHEA, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, Edifixio, Engage ESM, Evidian, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Profit4SF, SEC Consult, Visual BI, X-Perion.

    Eviden is a registered trademark. © Eviden SAS, 2025.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CURRENC Group Inc. Regains Full Compliance with Nasdaq’s Continued Listing Rule

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) (“CURRENC” or the “Company”), a fintech pioneer empowering financial institutions worldwide with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, today announced that on April 9, 2025, it received written notice from Nasdaq stating that the Listing Qualifications Staff of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) has determined that for at least the last ten consecutive business days, the Company’s ordinary shares have maintained a minimum market value of publicly held shares (“MVPHS”) of $5,000,000 or greater, satisfying The Nasdaq Global Market’s continued listing requirement set forth in Listing Rule 5450(b)(1)(C) (the “Rule”). Accordingly, the Company has regained compliance with the Rule, and this matter is now closed by Nasdaq.

    Ronnie Ka Wah Hui, CEO of CURRENC, commented, “We are pleased to have regained compliance with the MVPHS Rule thanks to our team’s continued dedication to strengthening the foundation of our business. Maintaining our Nasdaq listing is vital to the Company’s strategy, offering credibility and exposure within the capital markets. We remain committed to disciplined execution and innovation, positioning CURRENC to drive long-term shareholder value.”

    About Currenc Group Inc.
    CURRENC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CURR) is a fintech pioneer dedicated to transforming global financial services through artificial intelligence (AI). The Company empowers financial institutions worldwide with comprehensive AI solutions, including SEAMLESS AI Call Centre and other AI-powered Agents designed to reduce costs, increase efficiency and boost customer satisfaction for banks, insurance, telecommunications companies, government agencies and other financial institutions. The Company’s digital remittance platform also enables e-wallets, remittance companies, and corporations to provide real-time, 24/7 global payment services, advancing financial access across underserved communities.  

    Forward-Looking Statements
    The information in this press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to CURRENC. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “aim,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that investors may not receive the same benefits as an investor in an underwritten public offering, (ii) the risk that CURRENC’s securities may experience a material price decline due to market forces, (iii) the risk of product liability or regulatory lawsuits or proceedings relating to CURRENC’s business, (iv) the ability of CURRENC to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq, (v) the ability to attract new partners, merchants and users and retain existing partners, merchants and users in order to continue to expand, (vi) the ability of CURRENC to fund its capital requirements through additional debt and equity financing under commercially reasonable terms and the risk of shareholding dilution as a result of additional capital raising, if applicable, (vii) the risk of cyber security or foreign exchange losses, (viii) the risk that CURRENC is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property, (ix) failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting and to accurately and timely report CURRENC’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, and (x) those factors discussed in INFINT’s filings with the SEC and that are contained in the proxy statement relating to the Business Combination. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in the “Risk Factors” section of the proxy statement and other documents to be filed by CURRENC from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and while CURRENC may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. CURRENC does not give any assurance that it will achieve their respective expectations.

    Investor & Media Contact 
    CURRENC Group Investor Relations
    Email: investors@currencgroup.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How AI could influence the evolution of humanity – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    Chan2545/Shutterstock

    Some of the leading brains behind generative AI have warned about the risk of artificial superintelligence wiping out humanity, if left unchecked.

    But what if the influence of AI on humans is much more mundane, influencing our evolution over thousands of years through natural selection?

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast we talk to evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks about what AI could do to the evolution of humanity, from smaller brains to fewer friends.

    Rob Brooks is Scientia professor of evolution at the University of New South Wales in Australia. Through his research on artificial intimacy between humans and AI chatbots, Brooks became interested in how human evolution might be shaped by the proliferation of AI. He recently published a paper exploring various scenarios, from AI’s potential influence on human intelligence, to brain size, to more direct intervention in fertility treatment.

    For Brooks, the relationship between humans and machines, including AI, mirrors the symbiotic relationships that happen in nature, where one species is linked to or depends on another. Some of these relationships are mutualistic, with each benefiting the other, he says:

    I think that most of our relationships with technology should be mutualisms because that why we have the technologies …  A lot of the things that AI does for us at the moment are incredible computational heavy lifting [tasks]. It could be difficult calculations or it could be remembering people’s birthdays – there’s a kind of mutualism.

    But sometimes that mutualism can morph into parasitism, where one harms the other. Brooks thinks smartphones have already reached this stage because of the amount of human attention they take up and the influence this is having on human relationships, particularly among young people. He believes it’s also reasonable to assume “that attention and time parasites in the AI ecosystem will influence human evolution”.

    Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly to hear a conversation with Brooks about the potential ways AI could influence human evolution, from human intelligence to our relationships and even our brain size. This episode also includes an introduction with Signe Dean, science and technology editor at The Conversation in Australia.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Newsclips in this episode from BBC Newsnight, MSNBC and Channel 4 News.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    Rob Brooks receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. How AI could influence the evolution of humanity – podcast – https://theconversation.com/how-ai-could-influence-the-evolution-of-humanity-podcast-254163

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: USAID: the human cost of Donald Trump’s aid freeze for a war-torn part of Sudan

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Naomi Ruth Pendle, Lecturer in International Development, University of Bath

    The day of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, his incoming administration abruptly paused the work of USAID, while also claiming that it would preserve USAID’s “lifesaving and strategic aid programming”. These dramatic, overnight cuts were an unprecedented – and deadly – experiment in relation to aid spending which will have a catastrophic effect on the lives of those who depended on it.

    The sudden suspension of USAID is set to make the famine in Sudan the deadliest for half a century. Since the announcement I’ve been working to see the impact of these cuts with a team of Sudanese researchers in South Kordofan State (Sudan), including from the South Kordofan-Blue Nile Coordination Unit, as part of my famine-focused project.

    When war erupted in Khartoum in April 2023, the southern region of South Kordofan was relatively peaceful, so large numbers of people fled there for safety. But most fled with no food, so local people had to work out how to support the new arrivals. Many decided to host families, sharing what little food they had for themselves, believing that international aid would be made available.

    Without this aid, these local humanitarians are now themselves also facing serious shortages. The timing and abrupt nature of the shuttering of USAID has made this particularly dangerous.

    South Kordofan sits on the border with South Sudan. Like much of the country, it’s an agricultural region and in times of peace, people are able to grow crops and raise livestock. The region also has a long history of exporting livestock and commercially grown crops.

    However, this food trade has been largely extractive as it followed colonial agricultural schemes run by British imperial agents and their elite indigenous associates that often left locals in poverty.

    Sudan: one of Africa’s largest and most diverse countries.
    gt29/Shutterstock

    After independence, the region suffered through decades of war between the Sudan government to the north and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) which fought a campaign that culminated in the foundation of South Sudan in 2011 (with the support of the US). South Kordofan and its SPLA supporters were trapped in the middle.

    People in South Kordofan long for peace and a state that provides them with basic services, so they wouldn’t depend so heavily on humanitarian support. Since the 1980s, famine mortality has been dramatically reduced by international aid.

    In fact, the US response to the famine of the mid-1980s under the then president, Ronald Reagan, whose administration provided more than US$1 billion (£766 million), saved hundreds of thousands of lives. This period became known in Sudan as “Reagan’s famine”.

    ‘Hemedti famine’

    Now in South Kordofan they are calling the hardship created by the influx of starving people fleeing fighting further north the “Hemedti famine”, after Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is fighting the national army, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) run by rival warlord General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

    Many of those who have fled from urban centres lack the skills to survive and are far from their family networks, making them particularly vulnerable. Sudanese people have a strong moral sense – and sometimes a legal obligation to help family members.

    This clearly doesn’t necessarily apply to most of those fleeing the fighting. But there is also a strong tradition of helping all people and even strangers in need, which people in South Kordofan have had to navigate.

    Many locals chose to provide lifesaving local humanitarian support. But that is of necessity and finite. There is now a desperate need for a massive increase in aid. In such emergencies, international aid plays a key role in topping up the food that people grow and gather for themselves, and has made the difference between life and death.

    Why is the USAID freeze so deadly?

    This is why the curtailing of USAID support is so catastrophic. Even if US support were to be fully restored, the pause has already had deadly consequences. The sudden stopping of many local NGO worker salaries, a key source of income in the region, is another disaster. Each salary supported dozens of family members.

    The 2025 aid cuts are set to be devastating for more people. Things are already critical. It has been estimated that half a half a million people died from hunger and disease across Sudan in 2024 alone.

    I’m now getting reports from South Kordofan of households not lighting a fire for up to four days at a time, which means the family is not eating. And, as ever, it is the children and the elderly who are particularly vulnerable.

    The consequences of famine are lasting. People in South Kordofan are reporting an increase in criminality as people steal in order to survive, which leaves lasting mistrust and social division. Famine also leaves a legacy of shame because people are witnessing their loved ones suffer and die. When people die in times of famine the living often do not even have the energy or resources to provide a dignified burial.

    The Trump administration could not have turned off USAID support at a worse time. Aid logistics in Sudan follow a seasonal cycle. In the wetter months from May to November, the roads to South Kordofan that aid organisations depend on for food distribution become impassable.

    So aid for the hungriest months from April to August, when stores are running low but the harvest in September has not yet come, must be delivered in the driest months before the rains start. USAID was halted in January, at the heart of the dry season, so this opportunity has been missed.

    Meanwhile north-south flights in Sudan have been prohibited by the Sudan government since the civil war flared in 2023. There has been a report that the government will also ban incoming aid flights from Kenya due to Nairobi’s alleged support for the RSF.

    Last month, the founder of Sudanese thinktank Confluence Advisory, Kholood Khair, told journalists: “It’s difficult to overstate how devastating the USAID cut will be for Sudan, not just because Sudan is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis but also because the US was Sudan’s largest humanitarian donor.” We’re now seeing that devastation getting worse by the day.

    Naomi Ruth Pendle receives funding from the British Academy and the European Research Council.

    – ref. USAID: the human cost of Donald Trump’s aid freeze for a war-torn part of Sudan – https://theconversation.com/usaid-the-human-cost-of-donald-trumps-aid-freeze-for-a-war-torn-part-of-sudan-254215

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Draganfly and SafeLane Global Enter into Multi-Year Agreement with Draganfly as the Preferred Global Provider of Landmine Mapping Drones and Aerial Survey Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    First Ukraine Landmine Aerial Survey Contract Underway

    Tampa, FL, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, today announced that it has been selected by SafeLane Global Ltd. (“SafeLane”) as its preferred unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and aerial survey provider.

    SafeLane, a world-renowned specialist in explosive threat mitigation, is one of only two private organizations licensed by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to conduct landmine and explosive ordnance clearance operations in Ukraine. With over 30 years of experience across more than 60 countries, SafeLane supports governments, humanitarian organizations, and commercial clients in the clearance and disposal of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and explosive remnants of war (ERW), both on land and underwater.

    Under the agreement, Draganfly will provide advanced drone solutions, including UAVs, specialized sensors, and data analysis services, to support SafeLane’s global mine action initiatives. The collaboration aims to enhance the speed, accuracy, and safety of explosive threat detection and removal operations in high-risk environments.

    “We are honored to be selected as SafeLane’s UAS partner,” said Cameron Chell, President and CEO of Draganfly. “This partnership represents a significant opportunity to leverage Draganfly’s technology to support critical humanitarian and defense efforts. Together, we will work to deliver scalable, innovative solutions for global landmine action.”

    The companies will co-develop joint intellectual property and standard operating procedures tailored for aerial mine detection and clearance. SafeLane will lead proposal submissions and operational deployment, while Draganfly will provide technology, mission planning, piloting, and survey analysis.

    According to the Landmine Monitor 2023, more than 60 million landmines remain buried across over 60 countries, posing a persistent threat to civilians, especially children, who account for nearly half of the casualties. Ukraine is currently one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world.

    “Draganfly’s drone-based technology will significantly increase the safety and efficiency of our operations,” said Asa Gilbert, Director of Business Development at SafeLane. “This partnership is a critical step in helping communities recover from the legacy of conflict.”

    The collaboration further positions Draganfly as a key player in the defense and humanitarian sectors, supporting efforts to create safer environments in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.

    About Draganfly

    Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a pioneer in drone solutions, AI-driven software, and robotics. With over 25 years of innovation, Draganfly has been at the forefront of drone technology, providing solutions for public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying. The Company is committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and industry-leading technology that helps organizations save time, money, and lives.

    For more information, visit www.draganfly.com

    For investor details, visit:
    CSE
    NASDAQ
    FRANKFURT

    Media Contact
    media@draganfly.com

    Company Contact
    info@draganfly.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking ‎‎‎‎information” as ‎‎‎‎defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information can ‎‎‎‎generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‎‎‎‎‎“may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, ‎‎‎‎‎“estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar ‎‎‎‎terminology. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information are based on forecasts of future ‎‎‎‎results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and ‎‎‎‎assumptions that, while believed by ‎‎‎‎management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant ‎‎‎‎business, economic and ‎‎‎‎competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎include, but are not ‎‎‎‎limited to, statements with respect to the ability to enhance the speed, accuracy, and safety of explosive threat detection and removal operations in high-risk environments. Forward-‎‎‎‎looking statements and information are subject to various ‎known ‎‎and unknown risks and ‎‎‎‎‎uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to ‎control or ‎‎predict, that ‎‎‎‎may cause ‎the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be ‎materially ‎‎different ‎‎‎‎from those ‎expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions ‎about ‎‎such ‎‎‎‎risks, uncertainties ‎and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎impact of epidemics, ‎pandemics or other public health crises, including the ‎COVID-19 pandemic, on the Company’s business, operations and financial ‎‎‎‎condition; the ‎‎‎successful integration of ‎technology; the inherent risks involved in the general ‎‎‎‎securities markets; ‎‎‎uncertainties relating to the ‎availability and costs of financing needed in the ‎‎‎‎future; the inherent ‎‎‎uncertainty of cost estimates; the ‎potential for unexpected costs and ‎‎‎‎expenses, currency ‎‎‎fluctuations; regulatory restrictions; and liability, ‎competition, loss of key ‎‎‎‎employees and other related risks ‎‎‎and uncertainties disclosed under the ‎heading “Risk Factors“ ‎‎‎‎in the Company’s most recent filings filed ‎‎‎with securities regulators in Canada on ‎the SEDAR ‎‎‎‎website at www.sedar.com and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ‎‎‎no obligation to update forward-‎looking ‎‎‎‎information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-‎‎‎looking information represents ‎‎‎‎‎managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ‎‎‎No forward-looking ‎‎‎‎statement ‎can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ‎‎‎Accordingly, readers ‎‎‎‎are advised not to ‎place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ‎‎‎information.‎

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: US tariffs trigger strategic shift in global enterprise tech investments and AI talent dynamics, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    US tariffs trigger strategic shift in global enterprise tech investments and AI talent dynamics, says GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    The US tariffs introduced under the Trump administration are prompting enterprise technology firms to rethink their strategies amid rising costs and economic uncertainty. Beyond immediate IT budget pressures, these policy shifts are driving changes in supply chains, vendor diversification, and sourcing models, ultimately reshaping global tech investments and intensifying challenges around AI talent mobility and access in an increasingly fragmented world, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “US Tariffs: Implications for Enterprise AI will be Far-reaching and Long-term,” reveals that the tariffs represent a monumental shift in economic and foreign policy that will have lasting repercussions on long-term international trade patterns, economic growth, employment, access to skill sets, and startup investment, all of which will impact enterprises across the world.

    Rena Bhattacharyya, Chief Analyst and Practice Lead for Enterprise Technology and Services at GlobalData, comments: “As the global economy contracts and organizations begin layoffs, expect enterprises to invest in AI that can offer greater automation. The use of robotics, computer vision, and GenAI will help organizations reduce labor costs. However, expect some AI startups to take a hit from reduced access to capital and for countries across the globe to grow AI investments now that they can no longer rely on the US to act as a reliable ally.”

    GlobalData notes that the current political and economic environment favors the development of sovereign strategies instead of a reliance on global partnerships. Over the past decade, various European cloud initiatives have emerged at both the EU and national levels, but none has significantly challenged the dominance of US-based hyperscalers.

    John Marcus, Principal Analyst for Enterprise Technology and Services at GlobalData, notes: “This significant shift could provide new momentum for European alternatives such as OVH or Bleu. Previously, the smaller scale of indigenous competitors, vendor lock-in and convenience, as well as hyperscaler willingness to work with Europe on regulatory compliance, has slowed any drastic shifts in enterprise sourcing. In the future, organizations will be much more reluctant to rely on the US to the same degree as they have been for critical IT infrastructure.”

    Additionally, layoffs spurred by a contracting global economy will impact the enterprise AI skills shortage. On the one hand, talent may be more readily available and compensation levels may fall. On the other hand, growing interest in AI solutions will drive up demand for skilled professionals who can deploy the complex technology at scale.

    Bhattacharyya concludes: “More interesting will be how evolving foreign and economic policies impact the mobility of skilled AI professionals. It is unclear whether nationalistic tendencies will encourage experts to remain in their home countries. Preferences may not only be impacted by compensation levels, but also by international attention to recent US treatment of immigrants and guests, as well as controversy at academic institutions.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: International Education Envoy appointed

    Source: Scottish Government

    Building Scotland’s academic connections across the world.

    Business Minister Richard Lochhead has announced the appointment of a new international trade and investment envoy tasked with promoting Scotland’s academic institutions.

    Professor Rachel Sandison will foster links with universities abroad, encourage foreign investment in Scottish universities’ world-leading research and help attract more international students and staff.

    Mr Lochhead made the announcement ahead of a visit to Shanghai’s China-UK Low-Carbon College, a joint initiative between the University of Edinburgh and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Its research projects include analysis of carbon capture projects and the effectiveness of CO2 storage methods.

    The College is one of seven existing partnerships in Shanghai between Scottish and Chinese research and academic institutions, with others specialising in engineering, finance and art.

    Mr Lochhead, who is undertaking a visit to China and Japan, said:

    “Scotland’s research and academic excellence is recognised the world over. As our new Trade and Investment Envoy for International Education, Rachel will champion Scotland’s academic institutions and the innovative contributions they are making in fields as diverse as artificial intelligence, art and tackling climate change.

    “She will help attract investment and encourage the brightest students and leading researchers to study, live and work in Scotland, contributing to the economy.

    “The UK-China Low-Carbon College is a perfect example of what can be achieved and illustrates how partnerships between leading universities can address global issues. It also underlines the importance of Scotland’s academic, economic and cultural relationship with China.”

    Prof. Sandison is Deputy Vice Chancellor for External Engagement and Vice-Principal for External Relations at the University of Glasgow. She said:

    “I am delighted to have been appointed to this exciting role. It is a pivotal time for the Scottish education sector, with an opportunity to further strengthen Scotland’s reputation as an education powerhouse through the development and delivery of the Scottish Government’s new International Education Strategy.

    “Global connectivity is more important than ever before and I look forward to helping connect Scotland’s further and higher education institutions with international organisations, governments and opportunities in support of Scotland’s strategic objectives. 

    “I am also pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with Sir Steve Smith, the UK’s International Education Champion, to advocate for the sector at home and overseas and to reinforce Scotland’s position as a destination of choice for global talent.”

    Background

    The Envoy role is unpaid. The appointment is for a tenure of one year (until 31 March 2026) with the possibility of extension for a further two years. Professor Rachel Sandison OBE takes up her position alongside eight other Trade and Investment Envoys. The role succeeds the Envoy for International Higher Education, which was last filled by Wendy Alexander from November 2017 until January 2025. 

    With more than 20 years experience in the higher education sector, Prof. Sandison has responsibility for leading the University of Glasgow’s strategy for external engagement covering areas including Internationalisation; Student Recruitment and Admissions; Marketing and Communications; Development and Alumni Relations, and Widening Access and Lifelong Learning.

    The Envoy’s role is closely linked to the aims of Scotland’s International Education Strategy.

    China is a leading international research collaborator with Scotland and more than 22,000 Chinese students make up 25% of the international population at Scottish universities. 

    UK-China Low-Carbon College

    Promoting Scottish business and expertise – gov.scot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. to Host 2025 First Quarter Results Conference Call on April 24, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNOB) (the “Company” or “ConnectOne”), parent company of ConnectOne Bank (the “Bank”), today announced that it plans to release results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, before the market opens on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Management will also host a conference call and audio webcast at 10:00 a.m. ET on April 24, 2025, to review the Company’s financial performance and operating results.

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Sorrentino III and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer William S. Burns will host the call. The conference call dial-in number is 1 (646) 307-1963, access code 5043609. Please dial in at least five minutes before the start of the call to register. An audio webcast of the conference call will be available to the public, on a listen-only basis, via the “Investor Relations” link on the Company’s website https://www.ConnectOneBank.com or at http://ir.connectonebank.com.

    A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 24, 2025, and ending on Thursday, May 1, 2025, by dialing 1 (609) 800-9909, access code 5043609. An online archive of the webcast will be available following the completion of the conference call at https://www.ConnectOneBank.com or at http://ir.connectonebank.com.

    About ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.
    ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc., is a modern financial services company that operates, through its subsidiary, ConnectOne Bank, and the Bank’s fintech subsidiary, BoeFly, Inc. ConnectOne Bank is a high-performing commercial bank offering a full suite of banking & lending products and services that focus on small to middle-market businesses. BoeFly, Inc. is a fintech marketplace that connects borrowers in the franchise space with funding solutions through a network of partner banks. ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol “CNOB,” and information about ConnectOne may be found at https://www.connectonebank.com.

    Investor Contact:
    William S. Burns
    Senior Executive VP & CFO
    201.816.4474: bburns@cnob.com

    Media Contact:
    Shannan Weeks, MWW
    MikeWorldWide
    732.299.7890: sweeks@mww.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Absa Corporate and Investment Banking powers East Africa’s real estate future as lead Sponsor of East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit 2025

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

    NAIROBI, Kenya, April 10, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Under the theme “Positioning for Opportunity”, Nairobi’s premier real estate event brings global investors and developers together to shape East Africa’s economic landscape.

    As a proudly Pan-African business with key interests in positively shaping economic policy and investments, Absa CIB has proudly, once again confirmed their participation as a lead sponsor of the 2025 East Africa Property Investment (EAPI) Summit.

    The EAPI Summit is East Africa’s premier real estate event, bringing together over 450 global investors, developers, and professionals from the real estate industry. The 12th annual summit will be held in Nairobi, Kenya on the 7 and 8 May 2025, at Pullman, Upper Hill.  The EAPI  Summit provides a platform for networking, dealmaking, and gaining insights from key industry leaders. Strategic discussions will focus on investments and capital markets, occupier trends, retail, logistics, hospitality, and affordable housing, making it a vital event for stakeholders in East Africa’s real estate sector.

    The 2025 EAPI Summit marks the third year Absa CIB joins as the lead sponsor.

    Sandile Mpanza, Head: Commercial Property Finance, Africa Region, Absa CIB says that “Absa CIB’s sponsorship of the EAPI Summit reinforces our continued commitment to positively shaping the economic development of the African markets in which we operate.”

    The Absa Group operates in several East African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Seychelles. Absa also provides financial solutions and advisory services tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in the region, reinforcing its commitment to fostering economic growth and development in East Africa.

    Says Mpanza “As a trusted partner, we remain dedicated to supporting developers, investors and stakeholders with tailored solutions that unlock opportunities and foster sustainable development. We look forward to engaging with industry leaders to shape the future of East Africa’s property market.”

    Under the theme “Positioning for Opportunity”, this year’s EAPI Summit will explore how developers and investors can capitalise on investment opportunities in countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and more. These countries are showing promising signs of economic recovery, improving political stability, and stabilising interest rates.

    East Africa’s diverse real estate sector is gaining interest from institutional, local, and offshore investors across many sectors. In 2025 and beyond, several market watchers expect renewed interest and dealmaking in the commercial, retail, hospitality, and affordable housing real estate segments.

    While investment opportunities are plentiful in East Africa, regional and global challenges persist and are set to impact the real estate industry. Expert speakers at the EAPI Summit will help investors and market watchers navigate the impact of trade tariffs imposed by the US under President Donald Trump’s administration, the outlook of interest rates that remain high globally and convincing pension funds to bankroll infrastructure projects that aim to improve Africa’s development ambitions, and more.

    In addition to Absa, Africa Logistics Properties (ALP) has thrown its weight behind the EAPI Summit as a sponsor.  As a Nairobi-based property developer of high-quality warehouses for the occupier market, ALP brings institutional expertise to the EAPI Summit about East Africa’s real estate market. After all, ALP is working with multinational companies across Africa, developing modern grade-A logistics and distribution warehousing infrastructure in Kenya and prospectively, the wider East Africa region.

    ALP will be able to tackle questions at the EAPI summit about complex global economic and geopolitical developments set to impact East Africa’s real estate market. This is because ALP has experience and exposure to global markets as it operates according to global public company governance standards.

    Raghav Gandhi, the CEO of ALP, says: “ALP has been a regular participant and sponsor for the EAPI summits due to their presence in the real estate sector not just in Kenya but also the continent.  They bring together industry leaders and professionals in a vibrant environment, which rarely happens so that we can explore synergies and collaboration opportunities for our respective businesses.  Through the panels, the EAPI summits also provide the opportunity for thought leadership and innovation to be shared across key stakeholders so that folks have the chance to learn something new or challenge what they feel is the status quo.”

    With sponsorships from Absa CIB, ALP, and others, the 2025 edition of the EAPI summit will be another highly-anticipated opportunity for attendees to connect with expert speakers and peers to expand their professional networks.

    The 12th East Africa Property Investment Summitt will take place on 7 and 8 May 2025 at Pullman, Upper Hill, Nairobi, Kenya. For more information and to book to attend the EAPI Summit visit https://EAPISummit.com/.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release-Known Aquatic Resources Offender Nabbed, April 9, 2025

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release-Known Aquatic Resources Offender Nabbed, April 9, 2025

    Posted on Apr 9, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

     

         JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    DAWN CHANG
    CHAIRPERSON

    KNOWN AQUATIC RESOURCES OFFENDER NABBED

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 9, 2025

    HONOLULU – A 24-year-old Waialua man was arrested this morning by DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers for failure to appear in court, to answer for previous charges related to aquatic resources violations.

    DOCARE officers allege Kala‘i Manuwa has a history of violations, particularly on the North Shore at the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD). Manuwa was taken into custody at a private residence without incident. MLCDs have the greatest levels of protections for aquatic species in the state.

    Manuwa failed to appear in Wahiawā District Court twice. First, on April 1 for arraignment and plea on charges including Fishing and Removing Marine Life within the MLCD, the Use or Possession of a Spear, Trap, Net or Crowbar within the MLCD, Possession of an Undersized Throw Net and Prohibited Take of Iao. The court issued a bench warrant ordering Manuwa’s arrest with a bail amount of $200.00.

    Manuwa also had a bench warrant for failure to appear on November 2, 2023, for a pre-trial conference relating to charges of being in Possession of an Undersized Throw Net and for Prohibited take of Akule.

    “We want to remind people that violations of natural resources laws and rules may carry criminal penalties, requiring court appearances,” said DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla. “The DLNR takes failing to appear in court on these cases seriously. If you fail to appear DOCARE officers will search for you and arrest you.”

    Manuwa was transported and booked at the Sheriffs’ Receiving Desk. He currently remains in custody. Redulla added “We appreciate the Department of Law Enforcement for providing booking and custody assistance for Manuwa’s arrest.”

    # # #

    Media Contact:

    Dan Dennison

    Communications Director

    Hawaiʻi Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    808-587-0396

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release – STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN INPUT SOUGHT, April 9, 2025

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release – STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN INPUT SOUGHT, April 9, 2025

    Posted on Apr 9, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

     

         JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

     

    DAWN N.S. CHANG
    CHAIRPERSON

     

     

    COMMUNITY INVITED TO HELP SHAPE THE 2025 STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 9, 2025

    HONOLULU – Community input is sought to guide wildlife conservation statewide. The DLNR Divisions of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) invite the public to review the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). This review process is an opportunity for residents, conservation partners, and other stakeholders to share their views on conservation priorities for Hawaiʻi’s unique native wildlife and habitats.

    The SWAP is a comprehensive statewide framework for conserving species and habitats. Updated every 10 years, the SWAP identifies “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” and outlines voluntary, proactive strategies for protection and restoration.

    “We want to hear from everyone — whether you’re a researcher, educator, cultural practitioner, landowner, or just someone who cares about Hawaiʻi’s native wildlife,” said Maya Goodoni, DAR watershed management specialist. “Your insights help ensure the SWAP reflects what matters most to the people and ecosystems of Hawaiʻi.”

    The public review will include an overview of the SWAP process, highlight key updates for 2025, and provide space for public questions and feedback.

    The SWAP plays a key role in securing federal funding through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program and supports collaborative conservation efforts across the Hawaiian Islands.

    The public review will take place virtually via Zoom. Two meeting times, one in the morning and one in the evening, will present the same information.

    Meeting details:

    • Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
    • Times: AM Session:10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

     PM Session: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

    Help us shape the future of wildlife conservation in Hawaiʻi. Join the conversation and share your manaʻo.

    # # # 

     

    RESOURCES 

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR) 

     

    More information – SWAP Storymap: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/db7a7d6c37ec4e648bca41dc6549a148

     

     

    Media Contact: 

    Patti Jette

    Communications Specialist

    Hawai‘i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    808-587-0396 

    Email: [email protected] 

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025-53 DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS NINE PHONE PROVIDERS OVER CONTINUED UNLAWFUL ROBOCALL TRAFFIC

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    2025-53 DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS NINE PHONE PROVIDERS OVER CONTINUED UNLAWFUL ROBOCALL TRAFFIC

    Posted on Apr 9, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

    KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
     GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    ANNE LOPEZ

    ATTORNEY GENERAL

    LOIO KUHINA

     

     

    DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS NINE PHONE PROVIDERS OVER CONTINUED UNLAWFUL ROBOCALL TRAFFIC

     

     

    News Release 2025-53

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

    April 9, 2025

     

    HONOLULU – Attorney General Anne Lopez and the 51 attorneys general of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, notified nine voice service providers that they may be violating state and federal laws by continuing to route allegedly unlawful robocalls across their networks. The warning letters include information about the task force’s investigation and analysis of each provider’s illegal and/or suspicious robocall traffic.  

    “These telecommunications companies continue to transmit suspected illegal robocall traffic, despite task force demands to identify, investigate and mitigate suspicious, high-volume robocalls across their networks,” said Attorney General Lopez. “Many robocall scammers trick people into giving up personal information or into paying them money and it’s time for these telecommunications companies to stop transmitting illegal robocalls and become part of the solution.”

    In addition to sending these warning notices, the task force has also shared its concerns about these providers with federal law enforcement partners, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  

    The task force sent warning letters to the following companies:  

    Global Net Holdings. Global Net Holdings received at least 153 traceback notices for illegal and suspicious robocalls about government and financial imposters and impersonations, suspicious Amazon charges, credit card interest rate reductions, Medicare scams, Chinese package delivery scams, cable discount scams, utility disconnection scams and others. 

    All Access Telecom. All Access Telecom received more than 356 traceback notices since the end of 2023 for illegal and suspicious robocalls about political impersonations, cable discount scams, government and financial imposters, suspicious Amazon charges, credit card “courtesy” calls and others.  

    Lingo Telecom. Lingo received more than 105 traceback notices since the end of 2023 over robocalls involving Social Security imposters, utility disconnections, suspicious Amazon charges, student loans and others.  

    NGL Communications. NGL Communications received at least 100 traceback notices since the end of 2023 for robocalls about COVID financial relief, student loan forgiveness, debt relief, DirecTV discounts, credit card interest rate reductions and others.  

    Range. Range received more than 590 traceback notices since 2019 for robocalls about utilities rebates, Medicare advisors, financial impersonations and credit card interest rate reductions, auto warranties and others. 

    RSCom Ltd. RSCom received nearly 1,000 traceback notices since 2019 for scam calls about tax relief, private entity imposters, utility disconnections, travel scams, student loan forgiveness and others.  

    Telcast Network. Telcast received at least 800 traceback notices about illegal and suspicious robocalls about financial and utility imposters, utilities rebates, Medicare advisors, Amazon, tax relief and others. 

    ThinQ Technologies. ThinQ Technologies (known as Commio) received more than 500 traceback notices since 2019 about government imposters, debt relief/financing, loan approvals, suspicious Amazon charges, student loan forgiveness, DirecTV discounts, sweepstakes and others. 

    Telcentris. Telcentris (known as Voxox) received more than 400 traceback notices since 2019 about scam calls about Social Security imposters, Amazon scam, student loans and others. 

    Copies of the warning letters are available here. 

    # # #

     

    Media contacts:

    Dave Day

    Special Assistant to the Attorney General

    Office: 808-586-1284                                                  

    Email: [email protected]        

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

     

    Toni Schwartz
    Public Information Officer
    Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General
    Office: 808-586-1252
    Cell: 808-379-9249
    Email:     [email protected] 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As a global economic leader, California remains a stable, trusted partner for international trade and investment. Here’s why.

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 9, 2025

    What you need to know: As Washington, D.C. keeps changing the rules, California is standing strong as a steady and reliable international economic partner.

    SACRAMENTO – As President Trump’s economic agenda disrupts the national economy, sends markets spiraling, and creates trade wars with trusted partners, Governor Newsom announced last week that California is open for business. California’s economy remains the fifth largest in the world and will continue to push forward as a proven leader in global trade and investment. 

    “California knows the importance of trust and dependability, and unlike some folks in Washington D.C., we don’t change the rules with every presidential mood swing. California is a trusted, reliable partner for international trade and investments. We urge countries around the globe to continue to work with us — we’re open for business.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    California is a stable, predictable partner for global trade and investment. Here’s why the world should do business with the Golden State: 

    Global partnerships and open markets

    California has already established partnerships with countries around the world, strengthening the state’s world-leading economy and helping to ensure it maintains its position as the nation’s economic leader.
     

    California is a global powerhouse in international trade, with more than $675 billion in trade flowing in and out of the state annually — the equivalent to more than 16% of the state’s total GDP. While the state’s abundant agricultural products are sold in markets across the world, manufactured goods also dominate California exports, including computers (over $16 billion), aerospace parts and products (more than $8.3 billion), and semiconductor chips and equipment (nearly $6.5 billion). California is the nation’s top exporter in 25 sectors.
     

    The Golden State is also consistently the top state in jobs supported by foreign direct investment (FDI). The United Kingdom and Japan, the state’s number one and two sources of investment, respectively, collectively support more than 257,000 jobs. What’s more, California’s international allies also have a sizable impact on the state’s economy through significant institutional investments that support California jobs. For example, the 8 largest pension funds in Canada have more than $100 billion invested in California.

    Over the past few years, California has stepped up with partnerships on clean energy, technology, and climate with the European Union, as well as China and Canada — creating jobs, boosting local economies, and helping prepare the state for the future. 

    California currently has trade-focused partnerships with the following countries: Armenia, China, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Australia, Sweden, Republic of Korea, Brazil, Mexico, and Norway. Many other climate-focused partnerships include expanding commercial ties with strategic allies, recognizing the importance of private sector action.
     

    Economic stability and predictability 

    California continues to establish industry partnerships and develop long-term economic strategies, building the infrastructure to give businesses confidence and consistency. 

    Earlier this year, Governor Newsom unveiled California’s statewide Economic Blueprint, a statewide plan built with input from 13 regional plans to drive sustainable economic growth, innovation, and access to good-paying jobs over the next decade.
     

    Proven economic growth and resilience

    California has rebounded from economic downturns faster than most, with diverse industries driving growth, from agriculture to AI. 

    And California’s economy shows no sign of slowing, based on the estimated growth of the 2,400 companies in the Bloomberg World Large & Mid Cap Index. The 101 companies based in California that are members of the index are poised to see revenue increasing 27% on average in 2024, while the 42 German companies will see 4.6% growth and the 156 Japanese firms 7%.

    While Washington, D.C. keeps changing the rules, the international community should know California will continue standing strong as a steady and reliable international economic partner for decades to come. 

    Recent news

    Apr 9, 2025

    News What you need to know: Ridership is up over 40% on the Bay Area’s recently electrified Caltrain, made possible by local, state, and federal investments supporting Governor Newsom’s goal to connect more Californians through sustainable public transportation….

    Apr 9, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom recognizes California’s resources and support for victims of crime during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Sacramento, California – Showing support for survivors and victims of crime and highlighting the resources…

    Apr 9, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement responding to President Trump’s executive order targeting state-level climate and clean energy efforts. This is the world the Trump Administration wants your kids to live in. California’s…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Descartes Solution Streamlines Air Shipment Data Exchange with IATA’s ONE Record

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MUNICH, Germany and ATLANTA, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that the Descartes Air Messaging™ solution has streamlined the transmission of air shipment data according to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) ONE Record messaging standard. IATA’s ONE Record initiative aims to help airlines, their partners and service providers digitize air cargo messaging services by January 1, 2026, replacing the traditional exchange of documents using Cargo-IMP and Cargo XML standards.

    “Lufthansa Cargo is committed to digitization initiatives and projects that better connect our customers to their stakeholders and that facilitate easier and faster transportation of air cargo shipments,” said Dr. Christian Lehr, Senior Director Global Fulfillment Development at Lufthansa Cargo. “The ability of Descartes’ solution to support the ONE Record standard is an important step in helping us provide customers with a more efficient, real-time data-sharing model using a single record for each shipment.”

    Designed specifically for the air cargo industry, Descartes Air Messaging™ supports a broad range of data standards and message specifications to share air shipment information across regional and global operations, including Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), such as ONE Record, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and direct system-to-system connectivity. With more accurate and up-to-date air shipment information, the air cargo industry is better positioned to increase transparency, improve efficiency, and ultimately speed up the movement of freight.

    “We’re pleased to support the ONE Record standard,” said Scott Sangster, General Manager, Logistics Services Providers at Descartes. “Air industry customers have long relied on Descartes to provide a strong bridge with their trading partners in order to exchange air shipment information using traditional messaging standards. IATA’s ONE Record project presents a new opportunity to strengthen those relationships by supporting new ways in which air cargo data is shared and managed to streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience in air cargo operations.”

    Learn more about Descartes’ air cargo industry solutions.

    About Lufthansa Cargo

    Lufthansa Cargo is one of the world’s leading cargo airlines and part of the Lufthansa Group, Europe’s largest airline group. Through its four cargo hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels and Vienna, the airfreight specialist transports an average of 2,500 tons of freight per day. This is based on a strong and reliable airport-to-airport network that covers some 350 destinations in more than 100 countries. Lufthansa Cargo markets the cargo capacities of the passenger aircraft of Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines and SunExpress, as well as its own freighter fleet of 18 Boeing 777F and four Airbus A321F. In addition, some 300 trucks operate daily under a Lufthansa Cargo flight number. Together with its subsidiaries, Lufthansa Cargo offers customized, fast and efficient logistics solutions along the entire supply chain. In this way, the company fulfills its mission “Enabling Global Business” and connects markets and trading partners worldwide. Innovative technologies and investments in sustainability play a central role. In addition to a modern fleet and the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the focus is on continuous optimization of flight operations. In 2024, the company generated revenues of 3.26 billion euros and a transport performance of 8.5 billion freight tonne-kilometers. It currently employs approximately 4,200 people worldwide.

    About Descartes

    Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world’s largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

    Global Media Contact
    Cara Strohack, VP Marketing Communications
    cstrohack@descartes.com  

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”) that relate to Descartes’ air industry solution offerings and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, “Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results” in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada including Descartes’ most recently filed management’s discussion and analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Staff Assistant, G-5, Bangkok

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Apply here

    Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community. 

    This position is based in the UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, in Bangkok. The Staff Assistant reports to the Deputy Chief of the Regional Office, under the overall authority of the Chief of the Regional Office. This position also provides partial support to a staff member with a visual disability in carrying out work-related activities ensuring equal access to opportunities and resources and leveraging technology to enhance accessibility of the environment and information.

    Responsibilities

    Within limits of delegated authority, the Staff Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: 

    • Performs, under minimal supervision, the full range of office management and administrative support functions; provides assistance to the Deputy Chief and Chief of the Regional Office. 
    • When and if needed, supports a staff member with a visual disability in work-related activities. This may include but is not limited to: facilitating access to visual content and creating such content (presentations, documents, etc.) and assisting with the use of IT platforms not supported by screen-reader software. 
    • Ensures smooth and efficient information flow within the unit; prepares and processes confidential information; assists in the development of office administrative systems and procedures.
    • Researches, compiles and summarizes background materials for use in preparation of reports, briefs, speeches, etc. 
    • Performs a variety of administrative duties (e.g., meetings/workshops/training organization both online and in-person, procurement, coordinating with vendors, verifying receipts/bills, staff onboarding, recruitment of consultants and individual contractors etc.) 
    • Provides travel support for meeting participants and assist staff with visa application for official mission. 
    • Orients new staff to relevant administrative procedures and practices and provides general assistance to other office support staff, as required. 
    • Responds or drafts responses to a wide range of correspondence and other communications; uses standard word processing package to produce a wide variety of large, complex documents and reports. 
    • Manages, updates and further develops internal databases; updates website; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases. 
    • Carries out quality control function for outgoing documents; proofreads and edits texts for adherence for format, grammar, punctuation and style. 
    • Responds to complex information requests and inquiries (e.g. answers requests requiring file search, etc.). 
    • Assists in the preparation of presentation materials using appropriate technology/software. 
    • May provide some specialized support to unit (e.g. technology support, editing, desktop publishing, etc.). 
    • Maintains calendar/schedules; monitors changes and communicate relevant information to appropriate staff inside and outside the immediate work unit. 
    • Maintains files (both paper and electronic) and databases for work unit. 
    • Performs other duties as assigned.

    Professionalism: Knowledge of general office and administrative support including administrative policies, processes and procedures. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. 

    Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 

    Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

    High school diploma or equivalent.

    Not available.

    Five (5) years of experience in general office support or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. 

    One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. 

    Experience in working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as UMOJA/SAP is desirable. 

    Experience in the United Nations Common System or international organizations similar to UN Common System is desirable. 

    Experience in organizing large meetings and conferences, especially in the Asia and the Pacific is desirable. 

    Experience providing support to a person with a visual disability in a professional office context is desirable.

    English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. NOTE: To be considered fluent in a language, your proficiency level in all four specified areas of the application (reading, writing, speaking, understanding) must be “Fluent”. To be considered to have knowledge of a language, your proficiency level in at least two out of the four specified areas must be “Confident” or “Fluent”

    Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

    Special Notice

    This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. In line with the overall United Nations policy, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages a positive workplace culture which embraces inclusivity and leverages diversity within its workforce. Measures are applied to enable all staff members to contribute equally and fully to the work and development of the organization, including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies and standards of conduct.

    United Nations Considerations

    According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

    No Fee

    THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

    Apply here

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at Citi Hong Kong Macro Investor Conference 2025 (English only) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Citi Hong Kong Macro Investor Conference 2025 today (April 10):
     
    Paul (Head of Markets for Japan, Asia North and Australia of Citi, Mr Paul Smith), Aveline (Chief Executive Officer of Citi Hong Kong and Macau, Ms Aveline San), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
         Good morning. 
     
         It is a pleasure to join you today at the Citi Hong Kong Macro Investor Conference 2025. Allow me to first express my gratitude to Citi for bringing such a distinguished group of investors, economists, strategists and senior executives from around the world to Hong Kong.
     
         This forum for dialogue and thought-provoking discussions is particularly timely as we face a trade war marked by ruthless imposition of tariffs. Allow me to share with you our position and response to these challenges.
     
    Impact of unilateral tariff measures
     
         Let me make it clear that the so-called “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by the United States on its trading partners are fundamentally wrong – politically, economically, and historically.
     
         These sweeping tariffs are disrupting global supply chains, inflating costs for both businesses and consumers, and creating significant uncertainty for cross-border investments. While “economic nuclear winter” may be an extreme term, we are certainly witnessing challenges to the global trading system unseen in a century.
     
         Most economists agree that the American public, especially those at the grassroots level, will bear the brunt of rising inflation as tariffs increase costs for groceries and daily necessities. Many financial institutions have revised downward their growth forecasts for the US (United States) and the global economy, with some even predicting a recession for both.
     
         China, as a major economy, has wide policy room and a range of tools to mitigate these impacts. Full details of the measures are yet to be seen, but our country has made its stance clear: we are open to resolving trade conflicts through dialogue based on mutual respect, not intimidation.
     
         Ultimately, these developments will reinforce geo-economic fragmentation. We are likely to see three major regional blocs emerge: first, the Asia-Pacific; second, India, the Middle East, and Europe; and third, the Americas.
     
    Resilience of Hong Kong’s financial markets
     
         Now, turning to Hong Kong, I want to highlight that despite the high volatility in the stock market, our financial system has shown strong resilience.
     
         This Monday, when we experienced a significant drop in the stock market, two key points are worth noting. 
     
         First, trading activity was robust, with substantial buying and selling interests. The bid-ask spread stayed very tight, signaling strong underlying liquidity. All margin calls were met on time, with no signs of stress. 
     
         Second, the Hong Kong dollar remained strong, indicating there was no capital flight. Our Linked Exchange Rate System continues to function effectively, and the money market is operating smoothly.
     
         The Hang Seng Index has started to recover since Monday, and overall, Hong Kong’s financial market continues to operate effectively. Rest assured that our financial regulators are conducting real-time, round-the-clock surveillance across markets. No systemic irregularities have been detected. We will remain vigilant and agile, and ready to take appropriate measures, if needed.
     
    Responding with composure
     
         In the short term, we will implement a suite of measures to support our businesses. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is working closely with the banking sector to ensure that SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) have the liquidity they need. In fact, banks have set aside over US$50 billion for this purpose. We are also supporting these businesses in opening up new markets in the Mainland, the Middle East, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, including funding support for marketing and brand building. Additionally, we will help them embrace digital transformation to enhance their competitiveness and e-commerce capabilities.
     
         While these short-term measures are essential, our long-term strategy focuses on economic diversification. Several key strategies will guide us.
     
         First, we will leverage our strengths as an international trade centre. With geo-economic fragmentation, China will likely drive more outbound investments and strengthen trade ties with regions like ASEAN, the Middle East and even Europe. Economy is the top priority of the Central Government, and foreign businesses and investments are welcome. This was evident in President Xi’s recent meetings with both international business leaders and domestic private entrepreneurs.
     
         Hong Kong’s unique connectivity with both the Mainland and the world positions us as an ideal gateway and platform for foreign businesses entering the Mainland market, and for Mainland enterprises going global. Hong Kong will be the hub where Mainland and global companies can establish their regional or international headquarters, corporate treasury centres and supply chain management centres.
     
         Second, there will be new opportunities for Hong Kong as an IFC (international financial centre). Given the current geopolitical landscape, Hong Kong is naturally becoming the preferred fundraising market for Mainland companies. Currently, there are over 100 major companies waiting to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
     
         And the DeepSeek moment has prompted international investors to reassess China’s technological capabilities and re-evaluate the values of related companies. We believe that more tech companies from the Mainland will list in Hong Kong, and the liquidity of our stock market will be greatly enhanced.
     
         We are also exploring new sources of capital, particularly from the Middle East. Last year marked a milestone with two ETFs (exchange-traded funds) investing in the Hong Kong market listed on the Saudi Exchange. We will encourage quality issuers from the Middle East and Southeast Asia to consider dual primary or secondary listings in Hong Kong.
     
         Finally, at the heart of our long-term economic transformation is innovation and technology, in particular artificial intelligence (AI).
     
         In my Budget this year, I outlined our vision to develop AI as a core industry for Hong Kong. We are pushing forward on five key fronts: supercomputing capabilities, algorithms, data, capital and talent.
     
         To fast-track our innovation and technology ambition, we need innovative enterprises with cutting-edge technologies. We are targeting four key industries: AI and data science, life and health technology, fintech, and advanced manufacturing and new energy. With the support of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, we have attracted over 80 such enterprises to Hong Kong, which together will invest around US$60 billion in our city, creating about 20,000 jobs.
     
         We recognise the importance of patient capital in this journey. That’s why we established the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC). Serving as patient capital, the HKIC invests in and guides market capital to support nascent-stage ventures and sectors of tomorrow. It seeks to build a vibrant ecosystem comprising the Government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors.  At the same time, it seeks reasonable risk-adjusted financial returns over the medium to long term. To date, it has invested in more than 100 projects, achieving a 1 to 4 co-investment ratio – meaning that for every dollar the HKIC invested, it has attracted four dollars from private investors to follow.
     
         With the development in the Northern Metropolis and collaboration with Shenzhen and nearby cities, we are confident that Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area will emerge as a global financial and innovation centre. 
     
    Conclusion: confidence and opportunity
     
         Ladies and gentlemen, we are navigating truly challenging times. The obstacles posed by trade war and geo-economic fragmentation are daunting. However, I want to reassure you that Hong Kong remains steadfastly committed to the “one country, two systems” principle and all the advantages it entails: we will continue to be a free port, maintain our free trade policy, and guarantee the free flow of capital, goods, information, and people. We provide what investors seek: policy clarity, consistency and credibility.
     
         And Hong Kong offers even more: market access, capital, talent and an unparalleled lifestyle – the Rugby Sevens, Coldplay, Art Basel, along with our stunning hiking trails, coastlines, and a vibrant culinary scene featuring 200 Michelin-recommended restaurants. These elements create a unique international metropolitan fabric, making Hong Kong a great city for global talent to live, work and raise a family.
     
         Thank you once again to Citi for hosting this Conference. I wish you all fruitful discussions and a rewarding time here in Hong Kong.
     
         Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 4th Joint Working Group Meeting on Tourism Cooperation between India and Japan

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 10 APR 2025 10:29AM by PIB Delhi

    The 4th Joint Working Group (JWG) Meeting on Tourism Cooperation between India and Japan was held on April 8, 2025, in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Mugdha Sinha, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Mr. HARAIKAWA Naoya, Commissioner, Japan Tourism Agency (JTA). Officials and private stakeholders from both countries took part, including representatives from airlines, tourism and travel associations and Government institutions. Key organizations included Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), JTTRI, Japan Airlines and ANA from the Japanese side. The Indian delegation comprised of Ministry of External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Education, NCHMCT, ICCR and private stakeholders like Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO). The meeting focused on finding new ways to work together and enhance tourism ties between the two nations. Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, hosted a Welcome Dinner for the Japanese delegation.

    The Co- Chairs of the two countries exchanged notes on the profile of the visitors and delved into the data insights of the tourists travelling between the two countries, including to Buddhist destinations, in order to undertake suitable policy interventions to make the destinations more attractive for the millennial tourists.  H.E. ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India, emphasized on the strong cultural ties and mutual benefits of enriched tourism between the two countries.

    Key discussion points during the meeting focused on expanding bilateral tourism, with initiatives such as promoting Buddhist sites in India to Japanese tourists, improving air connectivity and encouraging Japanese student visits to the country. The meeting also explored increased private sector involvement and strategies to harness media and influencer engagements for boosting tourist flow.

    Delegation from each side shared valuable inputs and discussed new investment opportunities to strengthen co-operation in tourism sector between both nations. The collaborative spirit and commitment demonstrated by both the sides during the meeting is expected to develop a more vibrant tourism ecosystem, contributing significantly to the economic and cultural exchange between India and Japan. India also informed the Japanese delegation about the potential of partnerships with them for creating uniquely curated itineraries for the Japanese tourists in the recently revamped Incredible India digital portal. It was also indicated that the Ministry of Tourism is in the process of launchin
    g the Incredible India mobile App shortly.

    The meeting concluded on a positive note with mutual assurances of ongoing dialogue, further collaborations and a reinforced commitment to leveraging tourism as a bridge for enhancing bilateral relations and mutual prosperity. India also intimated the Japanese delegation about its plans of participation at the World Expo, Osaka, 2025 from 22nd – 28th September 2025 for a broader outreach effort for generating greater footfalls of foreign tourists to the country and wished them good luck for the forthcoming mega event.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2120654) Visitor Counter : 12

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Armed Forces must operate jointly & remain future-ready in today’s ever-evolving multi-domain environment: Raksha Mantri at DSSC, Wellington

    Source: Government of India

    Armed Forces must operate jointly & remain future-ready in today’s ever-evolving multi-domain environment: Raksha Mantri at DSSC, Wellington

    “Govt transforming the military into a technologically-advanced combat-ready force”

    “Building an indigenous future-ready defence ecosystem is a strategic necessity”

    Posted On: 10 APR 2025 12:52PM by PIB Delhi

    “Armed Forces must operate jointly and remain future-ready in today’s ever-evolving multi-domain environment where cyber, space & information warfare etc. are as potent as conventional operations,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing the Armed Forces officers of India and friendly countries during the Convocation Ceremony of the 80th Staff Course of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Tamil Nadu on April 10, 2025.

    Raksha Mantri pointed out that today’s global geopolitics is being redefined by three key metrics: a major pivot towards prioritising national security, a technological tsunami sweeping the global landscape, and accelerating innovation. He urged the officers to study the nuances of these trends in-depth to stay ahead on strategic-military change curve, adding that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government is leaving no stone unturned to transform the Armed Forces into a technologically-advanced combat-ready force capable of multi-domain integrated operations.

    Highlighting that Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies are revolutionising deterrence and war-fighting in critical ways, Shri Rajnath Singh termed the power of technological innovation in combat theatres as breathtaking. “In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, drones have virtually emerged as a new arm, if not a transformative science. The majority of losses of soldiers and equipment have been attributed neither to traditional artillery nor to armour but to drones. Similarly, space capacities in the Low Earth Orbit are transforming military intelligence, persistent surveillance, positioning, targeting and communications, thus taking combat to a new high,” he said.

    Raksha Mantri stressed that the world is in the age of Grey Zone and Hybrid warfare where cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic warfare have become tools that can achieve politico-military aims without a single shot being fired. He added that India faces persistent threats along its borders, which are further compounded by the challenge of proxy war and terrorism emanating from its neighbourhood.

    Shri Rajnath Singh also spoke of the impact of the conflict in West Asia and the geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific on the overall security calculus, in addition to non-traditional security threats such as natural disasters and climate change. He stressed on the need to vigorously pursue the transformation of the Armed Forces to remain capable and relevant for future wars, stating that PM Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 rests firmly on two foundational pillars – Surakshit Bharat and Sashakt Bharat.

    Raksha Mantri pitched for the development and modernisation of the Armed Forces through self-reliance. “Lessons of the ongoing conflicts teach us that building a resilient, indigenous, and future-ready defence technological & manufacturing ecosystem is not an option, but a strategic necessity. There is a need to develop low-cost high-tech solutions and enhance the fighting capability of the Armed Forces. Our forces must not only keep pace with technological changes, but also lead it,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh also batted for enhanced synergy among all components to ensure national security. Fostering a ‘Whole of Nation’ approach while undertaking actions in the entire spectrum of diplomatic, informational, military, economic and technological domains is key to ensuring success in this endeavour, he said.

    Referring to the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) for the Global South, Raksha Mantri stated that achieving a better future and prosperity for the nations will always remain a collective pursuit. “Increasing connectivities and dependencies among countries and people implies that the multitude of challenges are better faced together than individually. Mutual interests and synergies will help us achieve our goal at sub regional, regional and even global levels,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh exhorted the officers to focus on five ‘A’s – Awareness, Ability, Adaptability, Agility and Ambassadors – to tackle future challenges. “As warfighters and protectors of national security, you need to remain aware of the environment and its implications. You must acquire the ability and skill set required by future leaders. You must imbibe adaptability and agility as key virtues. The battlefield of tomorrow will require leaders who can adapt to unforeseen circumstances, leverage technology to their advantage and come out with innovative solutions. You must become Ambassadors of your respective Armed Forces. Be an ambassador of change and the perfect role model amongst the society at large,” he added.

    Raksha Mantri began his address by expressing solidarity and support of the people of India to Myanmar and Thailand in the wake of the recent massive earthquake. “India has always stood by its friends as a first responder in times of crisis and we consider it as our duty to be able to deliver timely relief to the people of Myanmar,” he said.

    The 80thStaff Course comprises 479 student officers, including 38 personnel from 26 friendly countries. Three women officers are also participating in the course.

    Ahead of the ceremony, Shri Rajnath Singh laid a wreath at the Madras Regiment War Memorial and paid homage to the bravehearts. He also interacted with the veterans, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the nation. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

    Established in 1948, DSSC is a premier Tri-service training institution that imparts professional education to select middle-level officers of the Indian Armed Forces and friendly countries. It aims to enhance their professional competencies for assuming higher responsibilities. Over the years, more than 19,000 Indian officers and 2,000 international officers have graduated from DSSC, many of whom have risen to become heads of states and military forces worldwide.

    ***

    VK/SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2120678) Visitor Counter : 90

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at Hong Kong Investment and Corporation Limited and WeLab Strategic Partnership Kick-off Ceremony (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Hong Kong Investment and Corporation Limited and WeLab Strategic Partnership Kick-off Ceremony today (April 10):
     
    Deputy Consul-General Ms Ranida Chamchalerm (Deputy Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong), Clara (Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Investment Corporation, Ms Clara Chan), Simon (Chief Executive Officer of WeLab, Mr Simon Loong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good morning. It is a pleasure to join you today to witness the strategic partnership between the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited (HKIC) and WeLab, a collaboration that embodies the spirit of innovation and aspiration.
     
    As an international financial centre, fintech is a vital component of Hong Kong’s financial landscape. We are home to around 1100 fintech companies and start-ups. The ecosystem has been rapidly growing, particularly in the areas of digital assets, blockchain applications and cybersecurity.
     
    Our progress in fintech has gained international recognition. In the recently released Global Financial Centres Index, Hong Kong has risen five places to become global No. 4 in the category of fintech. 
     
    Innovation sits at the heart of this endeavour. And we are guided by a clear mission: to build a fintech ecosystem where cutting-edge solutions thrive and technology serves as a force for good. The objective is to make financial services more efficient and accessible, benefitting not just the local market but also our regional partners like ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) through collaboration opportunities.
     
    Strategic partnership
     
    I’m pleased to note that the HKIC plays an important role in advancing these objectives. While pursuing reasonable financial returns, it promotes the development of target sectors that are crucial for Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness and economic vitality. The HKIC invests and co-invests in start-ups and companies at different stages of development that are conducive to the building of such an ecosystem. Acting as “patient capital”, it also helps channel private capital, including private equity and venture capital, to support the realisation of our vision.
     
    The HKIC is driving forward the vision together with WeLab, whose success in the Indonesian market and its plan to expand to Thailand are closely aligned with our overarching goals and strategies. 
     
    On the other hand, globally, AI is rapidly reshaping production, business and consumption models. It empowers the upgrading of traditional industries and creates new ones. It is defining the future of finance by transforming customer experiences, enabling us to overcome traditional barriers and providing us with faster, cheaper and more inclusive financial services.
     
    For instance, AI technologies can uncover correlations between seemingly unrelated factors, enabling the identification of creditworthiness in individuals who might otherwise be regarded as unqualified for lending. This is exactly what WeLab is achieving through its innovative technologies.    
     
    This Government is pro-AI. In my Budget this year, I have outlined our vision to develop AI as a core industry for Hong Kong. We are driving this development on five fronts: computing capabilities, algorithms, data, capital and talent. Beyond investing more resources into AI development, we are committed to fostering a pro-innovation environment that facilitates the testing and trial of AI applications.
     
    I’m confident that through this partnership, the HKIC and Welab can assist more local and regional enterprises to leverage AI and fintech, thereby unlocking the potential of finance to support the economic development across Asia.
     
    Synergies for good
     
    Ladies and gentlemen, today’s partnership goes well beyond investments and corporate cooperation. Allow me to emphasise two points.
     
    First, by integrating WeLab, a pioneer in fintech, into its ecosystem of innovative companies, the HKIC is expanding the nexus for co-creation. I’m confident that this partnership will inspire more innovation among the HKIC’s partners and other innovators, with vast potential for cross-sectoral collaboration in areas such as digital transformation and application scenarios for AI.
     
    Second, innovation thrives on talent. We want our young people to become not merely participants but architects of Hong Kong’s digital future. This partnership is committed to supporting acceleration programmes and academic partnerships, thereby equipping our youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the rapidly evolving fintech space. Together, we can work to nurture the next generation of tech-savvy leaders.  
     
    In short, today’s partnership is a catalyst for progress. I wish this collaboration enduring success, and all of you the best of business and health in the time ahead. Thank you very much.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HON. PRIME MINISTER OF SAMOA PRESS STATEMENT PROCLAMATION OF EMERGENCY ENERGY CRISIS [31st March 2025]

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    His Highness, the Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, pursuant to Article 105 of the Constitution and acting on the advice of Cabinet, has declared a State of Emergency for Samoa for 30 days, effective from 12:00am Monday 31 March to Tuesday 29 April 2025.

    The Proclamation of Emergency enables the Government to implement emergency measures necessary to manage and restore national energy supply, protect public health and safety, and maintain essential services.

    As a result of continuous power outages and electricity rationing, the Government acknowledges the significant impact on our people and economy, noting that:

    1. The damage to household utilities and the safety of residential buildings.

    2. The loss of power has compromised the storage of perishable food items in retail and wholesale outlets, as well as households.

    3. The impact on private businesses and corporations affecting operations and livelihoods.

    4. The projected economic cost of the crisis is estimated to reach approximately 16% of GDP for the 2025 calendar year, underscoring severe disruptions to national productivity, public services, and economic activity.

    The Electric Power Corporation (EPC) has been working tirelessly to monitor the situation, identify solutions, and minimize, as best as possible, the impact on essential services and the daily lives of our people. Multiple factors have contributed to the current energy crisis, namely:

    1. Mechanical failures at the Fiaga Power Station resulted in the loss of primary generators that supply a substantial portion of Upolu’s electricity;

    2. A faulty underground transmission line disrupted power distribution across key parts of the national grid;

    3. Severe weather events, most notably the destructive storm of 9 March 2025, caused widespread damage to energy infrastructure and further hindered restoration efforts; and

    4. Rising electricity demand has placed additional strain on EPC’s generation capacity, particularly during peak consumption hours.

    The Government is pleased to provide an update on the priority actions implemented to date in response to the ongoing energy crisis:

    1. Temporary power generation units are scheduled to arrive on 5 April to provide immediate relief and supplement electricity supply. Full power restoration across Upolu is expected before the end of April, while awaiting the arrival and commissioning of permanent generators in August 2025.

    2. Overhaul parts for the Fiaga generators are currently being procured to restore them to full operational capacity.

    3. The Government remains committed to accelerating renewable energy and grid reinforcement projects to strengthen and diversify the national energy supply.

    The Proclamation of Emergency will enable the Government to implement urgent measures to stabilize the energy supply and mitigate the impacts of the crisis by:

    1. Ensuring the timely arrival and operation of temporary generators before the end of April, ahead of the permanent units scheduled for August, along with the necessary overhaul parts for Fiaga;

    2. Lifting tax and import duties on generators and other electricity-related equipment, including renewable energy systems, procured by EPC, households, businesses, and organizations for electricity generation;

    3. Mobilizing additional assistance and resources to support households, businesses, and private organizations adversely affected by the crisis;

    4. Securing additional and targeted financial and technical support to assist EPC in implementing medium to long-term remedial works; and

    5. Activating a whole-of-government coordinated response through the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) to coordinate the Government’s response to the energy crisis.

    The Government acknowledges the significant hardship this energy crisis has placed on households, businesses, and essential services across the island of Upolu. We want to reassure everyone that restoring a stable electricity supply and supporting those most affected remain our top priorities. Every effort is being made to respond swiftly, minimize further disruptions, and provide relief where it is needed most.

    With unity, resilience, and collective action, we will overcome this challenge and move toward a more secure, sustainable, and affordable energy future for all of our people.

    Faafetai and God Bless Samoa.

    SAUNOAGA FA’APITOA A LE AFIOGA I LE PALEMIA, HON. FIAME NAOMI MATAAFA MO LE FA’AMAMALUINA O LE POLOĀ’IGA O FA’ALAVELAVE TUTUPU FA’AFUASE’I ONA O LE ‘ELETISE. [Aso Gafua, 31 Mati 2025]

    Ou te fa’afeiloa’i atu i lenei itula o le aso, i lau fa’afofoga’aga Samoa, mai tafa e fia o le atunu’u. O ou paia ma mamalu o le a lē afea e se fa’amatalaga, auā o Samoa o le fue lavelave, e leai se poto po’o se vave na te autalaina. Ae nu’unu’u atu ia sasaga fa’atini o tausala, i le galuega tausi a le usoga a Tumua ma Pule.

    Ole vi’iga o le Atua e lē fa’aitiitia, ona o lona agalelei ma lona alofa tunoa, o lo’o malu tapu ‘ā’aoina ai pea la tatou savaliga i lenei vaitau. Mālō le ta’i, fa’afetai le fai tatalo, mālō le tapua’i.

    Ona o a’afiaga ma le tulaga ogaoga ole motusia ai o le ‘eletise i le atunu’u, ua fa’amaonia ai nei e Lana Afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Mālō, e tusa ma le Matā’upu 105 o le Fa’avae o le Mālō Tuto’atasi o Samoa 1960, le fa’amamaluina o le Poloā’iga mo Fa’alavelave Tutupu Fa’afuase’i [Proclamation of Emergency] e amata atu i le Aso Gafua, 31 Mati 2025 i le itula e 12:00 i le vaeluaga o le po se’ia o’o atu i le Aso Lua, 29 Aperila 2025.

    O lenei Poloaiga mo Faalavalave Tutupu Faafuasei o le a mafai ai e le Ma ̅lo ona faatinoina ma faanatinati ai galuega fesoasoani mo le toe faaleleia o auaunaga tau eletise atoa ai ma le faaitiitia o aafiaga ile atunuu.

    Ua faia lenei faaiuga e tali fuaitau atu ai ile tulaga ma’ale’ale ua iai nei le tau faasoasoaina ole eletise faapea aafiaga ile atunuu, e aofia ai:

    Aafiaga i tagata lautele ma le saogalemu o fale ma meatotino tau eletise ua faaleagaina.

    Aafiaga tau soifua maloloina o tagata lautele mai le fa’atamai’aina o oloa taumafa tu’u-aisa e lē gata i faleoloa ma falesiiatoa.

    Aafiaga i pisinisi ma atina’e o loo faamoemoe ai le tamaoaiga o tagata lautele.

    Le ono o’o atu i le 16 pasene o le tamaoaiga o le atunu’u (GDP) i totonu o le tausaga 2025, ua a’afia ona o le tulaga faaletonu o le eletise.

    I le taimi nei, o lo o galulue pea le Fa’alapotopotoga o Malosiata tau Eletise e toe fa’aleleia le auaunaga ma le fa’asoasoaina atu ole eletise i vaega uma ole atunuu ona o mafuaaga e aofia ai:

    Fa’aletonu i afi tetele i le Faleafi i Fiaga, ma ua a’afia ai se vaega tele o le motu o Upolu;

    Fa’aletonu i uaea malolosi o lo o i lalo o le ele’ele o lo’o fa’asoasoa ai le eletise;

    Motusia o laina ma le fa’aleagaina o pou molī i le malolosi o savili lea na tulai mai i le Aso Sā 09 Mati 2025,

    Si’itia le maualuga o manaoga tau eletise i totonu o le atunu’u, ma ua atili fa’aopo’opoina ai le eletise moomia pe a faatusa atu i le eletise maua, aemaise lava i taimi o lo o maualuga ai le manaoga tau eletise.

    O lo o galulue itutino uma o le Malo ina ia foia faafitauli nei, ma e avea lenei avanoa ou te tuuina atu ai se faamatalaga i le tulaga o lo o taoto ai nei galuega:

    O le Aso 05 Aperila 2025 o lo’o fuafua e taunu’u mai ai ni afi tetele mai fafo, ua lisiina mai mo le toe fa’aleleia ole auaunaga mo le motu i Upolu, a o talia ai le taunuu mai o afi tumau ile masina o Aokuso 2025.

    Ua mae’a ona fa’atauina totoga moomia mo le faaleleia o afi tetele i Fiaga, ma o lo o talia le taunuu mai mo le toe fa’aleleia atoa ai o auaunaga tau eletise.

    Faamautuina i se taimi vave le faatinoga o poloketi mo malosiaga faafouina (renewable energy) e tali atu ai ile siisii pea o manaoga tau eletise.

    O lenei Poloaiga, o le a fa’amamaluina mo le 30 aso, ma o le a lagolagoina ai taumafaiga uma a le tatou Malo e le gata mo le toe fa’aleleia o le auaunaga tau eletise mo le atunu’u atoa, ae fa’apea le fa’atinoina o galuega e tali atu ai i a’afiaga ona o le faaletonu o auaunaga tau eletise, ma e aofia ai le:

    Vave fa’aolaina o afi ua lisiina fa’avaitaimi i le masina o Aperila, e fa’atali ai le taunu’u mai o afi tetele ia Aokuso, fa’apea ma le toe fa’aleleia atoatoa o le auaunaga a le faleafi i Fiaga;

    Fa’apafala totogi o tiute ma lafoga mo afi, meafaigaluega e aofia ai ma malosiaga fa’afouina o le a fa’atauina mai mo le fa’aleleia o vaega ua fa’aletonu a le Fa’alapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise, fa’apea pisinisi, faalapotopotoga ma aiga taitasi;

    Faamautu polokalame fesoasoani e fa’amāmā ’avega mo aiga, pisinisi ma vaega maoti o le atunu’u ua a’afia;

    Faamautu atinae fesoasoani (vaega tupe ma tomai faapitoa) mo le faatinoga o fuafuaga alualumamao a le Faalapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise.

    Faatino matafaioi fa’aletulafono a le Komiti mo Fa’alavelave Tutupu Faafuasei, o lo o auai ai itutino uma o le Malo, pisinisi ma faalapotopotoga ina ia galulue faatasi mo le toe faaleleia o auaunaga tau eletise faapea fuafuaga mo le faaitiitia o aafiaga ile atunuu.

    Samoa e, e lē mavae le agaga fa’afetai i lo outou sao tāua e ala i le lalago mai i galuega faifaipea a lo tatou Mālō e tauala atu i le auaunaga a le Faalapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise. O ni taga e fai i vasa, ma ni tonu e le tuā le taumafai atu o le Mālō, pe ana leai lo outou finagalo malamalama e lagolagosua ma onosaia ai lenei galuega fītā. Fa’afetai tele i lo outou onosa’i ma le lava papale, a o fa’agasolo ai galuega fa’aleleia a le tatou Fa’alapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise.

    E momoli foi le fa’afetai ma le fa’amālō a lo tatou Mālō i le aufaigaluega galulue a le Faalapotopotoga o Malosiaga tau Eletise. Mālō le tautua, fa’afetai le galulue lē fa’alogologotigā. Le Atua o manuia, na te tauia lo outou afu sisina. O lo o tatou folau pea ma lu’itau e ui ina tatou folau mālie i le laula’i o Matāmatagi a o vavala mai ata o Tauleleia.

    E leai so tatou malosi, po o so tatou poto tatou te malu ai, pe ana le seanoa le Atua o lo’o tatou auauna i ai. Ua na o le Atua lava na te mafaia mea uma, o Ia na te fa’atonu folau ma ta’iala si o tatou atunu’u, e tusa ma le ta’ita’iga a lona Agaga Paia ma lona finagalo alofa iā Samoa. Ia tumau pea lo tatou fa’atuatua ma le mautinoa, pe lutia lava tatou i puava, tatou te mapu i Fagalele. O tua atu fo’i o le loulouā ma le mamafa o timuga, o lo o tumau ai pea le susulu o le la o le amiotonu a lo tatou Atua.

    Ia tumau i le alofa tulituliloa ma le finagalo fa’apaolo o lo tatou Atua, le faigāmalaga a Samoa.

    SOIFUA MA IA MANUIA.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS CHINA-SAMOA SPORTS COLLABORATION

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    KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Minister of Sports and Recreation Hon. Laumatiamanu Matthew Ringo Purcell (Saturday, 22 March 2025)

    Susuga Taitai o le Sauniga

    Hon Ministers of Cabinet

    Members of the Diplomatic Corps

    Distinguished Members of the Chinese Communities

    Sports Bodies and Organisations

    Distinguished Guests

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    Talofa lava and a warmest good morning to you all.

    Today, we gather to celebrate 50 years of collaboration between Samoa and China in the fields of sports, education, agriculture, technology, medical support-a partnership that has strengthened our communities and shaped our shared future.

    Sports play a vital role in shaping our communities. It builds discipline, teamwork, and healthy lifestyles, while also providing opportunities for our athletes to excel at the national and international levels. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MSR) is committed to elevate sports in all aspects, from development programs to sports facilities that are fit for purpose and comply with international standards. In terms of recreation, MSR is tasked with providing better facilities for public use and enhance the quality of life for all Samoans.

    Through our long-standing friendship with China, we have seen remarkable developments; better sports facilities, enhanced coaching programs and increased opportunities for our athletes to compete internationally.

    Beyond sports, this collaboration has also advanced education, agricultural innovation, and technological and medical progress, helping Samoa build a more sustainable and prosperous future. We acknowledge and appreciate the commitment of China and our Chinese partners in supporting our national growth and development.

    Today’s event is a celebration of this journey; a showcase of talent, teamwork and the spirit of cooperation that defines our two nations. I encourage each of you to take part, enjoy the activities, and continue fostering friendships that will last for generations.

    On behalf of the Government of Samoa, fa’afetai tele lava to all our partners, organizers, and participants. May we continue to strengthen our bonds and achieve even greater sporting milestones together.

    Soifua ma ia Manuia.

    FA’ATĀUAINA O LE FAIGĀ PA’AGA A SAMOA MA SAINA TAUALA I ATINA’E TAU TA’ALOGA LEA UA ATOA LE 50 TAUSAGA O LEA FAIGĀUŌ MĀFANAFANA.

    SAUNOAGA AUTŪ a le Afioga i le Minisitā o le Matāgaluega o Ta’aloga Ma Alagā’oa Mo le Soifua Fiafia O Tagata iā Hon. Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell. [Aso To’ana’i, 22 March 2025.]

    Susuga Taitai o le Sauniga

    Afioga i Minisita ole Kapeneta,

    Sui o Malō ma a tatou paaga mai atunuu mamao,

    Sui o Pisinisi ma Faalapotopotoga Tumaoti

    Faalapotopotoga o Taaloga eseese i Samoa

    Aemaise Samoa ua potopoto

    O sa ma faigata o Samoa ua potopoto mai i lenei taeao, o le a tāoto ā faamāene o tai loloto. E le toe tau faamati’eina ou pa’ia e mai le vavau e oo i le faavavau. O pa’ia foi o eleele sa ma fanua tapu o loo tapuvae tasi mai iai le faamoemoe i lenei taeao, o lea ua uma ona saunoa iai le fofoga o le aso. Ae tau lava ina ou faatulou iai.

    Ua mae’a foi ona tafili le agavao faa-le-agaga ma faausu lupe o manū i le Tapaau Sili i le Lagi ona o Lana faasoa i le soifua ma le ola e pei ona saunia e le Taitai o le Sauniga. E faaluaina ai le agaga o le faafetai mo upu tima’i ma faamanatu lelei i faamoemoega uma o lenei aso. Tatalo ina ia maua pea le tumu o le Agaga Paia auā le feagai ai ma le valaauina.

    O le a avea le leo faatauvaa o la outou Minisita e fai ma fofoga o lo tatou Malō, e faaleo atu ai le agaga o le faafetai i la outou valaaulia faaaloalo e pei ona iai le taeao nei. O se faamoemoe taua ma matagofie a’o tatou iai lea i le faamanatuina o le 50 tausaga o le faiga-paaga a le Malo o Saina ma Samoa, e faaaogaina ai tulaga tau taaloga ma ni isi o auaunaga ma alagaoa mo le fiafia o tagata, e tuufaatasia ai o tatou tagata ma faamalosia ai fesootaiga mo le lumanai. Ua mautinoa, ua o gatasi lenei faamoemoe ma le Vaai Mamao a le Matagaluega o Taaloga ma Alagaoa mo le Fiafia o Tagata-“o le faaleleia ma le siitia o taaloga i soo se itu; e aofia ai malae ma fale taalo faapea a tatou tagata taalo” i totonu o Samoa.

    Ou te fiafia tele ai e faailoa atu ma le agaga faaaloalo, e matua’i lagolagoina atoa e le Malo o Samoa, tauala atu i le Matagaluega o Taaloga ma Alagaoa mo le Fiafia o Tagata soo se faamoemoe ma soo se taumafaiga e atina’e ai taaloga i totonu o le atunuu. Ua mautinoa, o taaloga ua avea lea ma se tasi o vaega ua mafai ona tuufaatasia ai tagata e ui lava i sou faasinomaga ma ua mafai foi ona avea ma auala e fesoasoani ai e faatupulaia le soifua lelei ma le maloloina o tagata.

    O le faiga-paaga a Samoa ma Saina ua telē sona sao mo le atinaeina o taaloga i si o tatou atunuu – ua faaleleia malae ma fale taaalo, fesoasoani e faaleleia tulaga tau faiaoga o taaloga aemaise ai avanoa mo a tatou tagata taaalo e tauvā ai i atunuu i fafo. O tua atu foi o taaloga, o lo o iai ni isi o auaunaga ma faamoemoega ua faatino ina i lenei faiga-paaga e pei o le faaleleia o aoaoga, auaunaga tau faatoaga ma le soifua maloloina. E avea ai lo’u leo faatauvaa e fai ma sui o le Malo faapea tagata nuu uma o Samoa, e faaleo ai so tatou agaga faafetai ma le faamalō i le malō o Saina ma ana paaga mo le fesoasoani malosi i atinae a si o tatou atunuu.

    Momoli foi le faafetai ma le faamalō i a outou uma lava ua mafai ona auai potopoto i lenei taeao e faatino ma molimauina lenei faamoemoe taua. Tau ina ia avea lenei mafutaga e faalauteleina ai ma faamausaliina ai a tatou sootaga faa-le-taaloga aemaise ai o le lagolagosua malosi mai a paaga faa-pisinisi ma faalapotopotoga tau taaloga ua tatou mafuta ai i lenei taeao.

    Soifua.

    Ata Pueina – Malo o Samoa (Leota Marc Membrere)

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