NewzIntel.com

Category: Machine Learning

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Cammack Leads Colleagues In Letter To Sec. Vilsack About Hurricane Helene

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

    GAINESVILLE, FL — Congresswoman Kat Cammack led 14 of her colleagues in a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack about needed USDA actions to support farmers and rural communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. The letter requests FSA strike teams, the use of more accurate rainfall data, and disaster aid provided through block grants. 

    Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region at the end of September and made its way through the southeastern United States, impacting Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.

    “We write to request that the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take swift action to support our farmers and rural communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Specifically, we request that the USDA deploy Farm Service Agency (FSA) strike teams to the hardest-hit areas, providing much-needed personnel to assist with recovery efforts. Additionally, we urge the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to collaborate with local stakeholders and utilize regional rainfall data to ensure more accurate assessments for damage and crop insurance claims. Finally, we request that USDA disaster aid be provided to affected states through block grants. This will allow states the flexibility to administer relief tailored to the specific needs of their producers and communities. These actions will be critical to ensuring a swift and effective recovery for our agricultural communities,” write the lawmakers in the letter. 

    Florida Reps. Neal Dunn, Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Byron Donalds, Scott Franklin, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills, Mike Waltz, and Daniel Webster joined Rep. Cammack on the letter. Congressmen Rick Allen, Austin Scott, and Buddy Carter of Georgia, Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, and Morgan Griffith of Virginia also joined.

    Read the letter here. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: CORRECTION – Pixability Announces the Launch of GenAI Contextual Segments (GCS) for YouTube to Drive Better Targeting and Outcomes for Advertisers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a release issued under the same headline on Monday, October 7th by Pixability, there are changes in the text. The corrected release follows:

    Pixability, (http://www.pixability.com), a leader in AI-driven contextual targeting, brand suitability and performance on YouTube and CTV, today announced the launch of GenAI Contextual Segments (GCS), an updated version of its YouTube ad inventory solution, powered by GenAI. The company has video-level data for over 3.6B YouTube videos, more than any other third party, which it uses to build brand suitable, high-performing contextual segments for brands and agencies. As the volume of Pixability’s video data has grown exponentially, it has become more important to use technology in addition to human curation to identify videos that are best suited for an advertiser’s particular audience. The company’s new solution identifies types of content that specific personas have engaged with in the past and uses a GenAI-powered sear34trfch tool to surface content that best aligns with a target audience’s interest.

    “As YouTube’s CTV reach exceeds all other platforms and its shorts content continues to grow across all devices, advertisers have realized they need to get this critical ad platform right” said David George, CEO of Pixability. “At the same time, as the volume of content continues to grow, it’s become more and more challenging for advertisers to feel confident they are reaching their audiences efficiently and effectively. We’re excited to introduce our GCS solution that combines the power of GenAI with our industry leading YouTube contextual data to drive next-level targeting and unlock more value for advertisers on YouTube.”

    The new solution leverages Pixability’s deep YouTube data set in combination with proprietary technology to fuel GenAI Inventory Curation that includes:

    • GenAI-Enhanced Search: Semantic search and large language models (LLM) power a more precise search of YouTube video inventory to identify content that is more relevant than that surfaced by just keyword search. The tool also creates vectorized clusters of content using Pixability’s enriched video-level data set, taking advantage of semantic search to find channels best suited to the advertiser’s audience while allowing the user to turn up or down the relevance of the clusters.
    • Persona Insights Engine: Pixability’s proprietary data from prior YouTube campaigns is used to identify the type of content that specific personas engage with beyond their known topics of interests. For example, a QSR brand targeting GenX men may know that Sports content should be a part of their mix, but may not be aware that the audience also over-indexes for Science and News & Politics content. The new Insights Engine gives advertisers the ability to expand their contextual focus beyond traditional categories to drive better scale and performance.

    GenAI Inventory Curation leverages Pixability’s deep data set of YouTube video data and the largest pool of contextual data in the industry, including suitability data; IAB category data, language data; past ad performance data; and DE&I insights from the company’s Inclusive Media Initiative. Using GenAI Inventory Curation in combination with its proprietary data, Pixability’s GCS solution has already driven success for major brands driving a 49% increase in performance efficiency for a recent YouTube campaign.

    “Finding niche audiences at scale on YouTube is a big challenge for many advertisers,” said Vlad Novikov, Director, Digital Standards at Publicis Media. “Pixability’s GenAI CS addresses this challenge by leveraging the largest relevant data set and GenAI to drive the best possible outcomes on the largest video platform.”

    “We are always looking for the most efficient ways to drive outcomes for brands on YouTube,” said Jeremy Cobb, VP of Digital Platforms at H/L Agency. “The combination of Pixability’s proprietary access to YouTube data and its tech-driven approach has helped us do just that for our automotive and QSR clients. We’re excited about the potential of GCS solution and expect it to make a significant impact on the way advertisers extract value from their YouTube campaigns.”

    “Pixability has always focused their technology solutions on driving not just brand suitability but also performance outcomes on YouTube,” said Jeremy Cornfeldt, President of Tinuiti. “Their new GenAI-powered YouTube inventory solution provides a more precise way to curate the content that is most relevant for an advertisers’ audience to drive a greater impact.”

    About Pixability

    Pixability is the leading AI-driven technology company empowering the world’s largest brands and their agencies to maximize the value of their video advertising on YouTube and CTV. Leveraging its proprietary technology platform and data, Pixability makes every video impression matter by identifying contextually relevant, brand suitable inventory and maximizing cost efficient outcomes. Pixability’s suite of solutions are used by the top media agencies including IPG, Publicis, Omnicom, Dentsu, Stagwell, and GroupM, as well as brands such as KIND, McDonalds, Salesforce, Lego and CVS. The company is the only YouTube partner certified for brand suitability and contextual targeting as well as content insights, enabling unique solutions for the benefit of brands and their agencies. For more information about Pixability, please visit http://www.pixability.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Radix showcases the Future of Asset Integrity, Autonomous Operations at The Future Digital Twins Conference, Amsterdam

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AMSTERDAM and HOUSTON, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Radix, a global technology solutions company, is set to showcase its innovative approaches to asset integrity and energy transition at the 2nd Future Digital Twin & Generative AI Conference at the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA). 

    The conference, organized in collaboration with Shell, brings together industry experts, operators, and technology leaders to address the most pressing challenges in the oil, gas, and energy sectors, focusing on the role of digital twin technology in accelerating the global energy transition.

    John DeKoning, President EMEA at Radix, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s role in this significant gathering and said: “As industries move towards more sustainable and autonomous operations, Radix is committed to driving this change. We are excited to be part of this important event and showcase our digital twin solutions that are helping industries achieve operational excellence and sustainability.” 

    The event’s key panel, “Maximizing Data Intelligence & Preventing Digital Twin Failure,” features Radix’s Trudi Hable, John DeKoning, and industry leaders, including Arnout Roos, Dr. Edmary Altamiranda, and Dr. Subrata Bhowmik. The panel dives into critical discussions on preventing digital twin failures, addressing data fragmentation, and building trust in the technology through secure, scalable solutions.

    Breakout Session on Future Asset Integrity
    In a special breakout session titled “The Future of Asset Integrity and Autonomous Operations in 2025”, John DeKoning explores solutions for aging industrial assets, the lack of standardization, and workforce challenges. He will discuss recent use cases that demonstrate how the latest digital twin technologies, combined with best practices, enable industries to achieve asset integrity and autonomous operations in a cost-effective manner.  

    “The key to solving these complex challenges lies in leveraging technology in innovative ways, especially through digital twins and AI applications. We believe that by 2025, industries will be equipped with scalable, high-impact solutions to ensure operational excellence and sustainability,” DeKoning added.

    Accelerating Energy Transition
    Radix’s participation in the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam underscores its commitment to working with global partners to build a sustainable future. By leveraging advanced technologies like digital twins and generative AI, Radix aims to empower industries to meet their net-zero goals and accelerate the energy transition.  

    Trudi Hable, Head of Partnerships North America at Radix, said: “Digital twins are not just a technology; they are a transformative approach to reimagining how industries operate, maintain asset integrity, and ultimately meet their sustainability goals. This is what we aim to showcase at the Future Digital Twin & Generative AI conference in Amsterdam.”

    “Radix Engineering is a highly valued member of our campus, with their expertise in innovative engineering, operational excellence, and creating new energy solutions for partners like Shell. Their focus on improving asset performance to minimize disruption and reduce carbon emissions aligns with our commitment to achieve the transition to cleaner energy.” – Ferry Winter, Director, Shell Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam

    Radix is thrilled to make its debut at the Future Digital Twin & Generative AI conference, reinforcing its leadership role in providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance operational efficiency, data intelligence, and sustainability for industries globally.

    About Radix

    Founded in 2010, Radix is a privately held global technology solutions company providing consulting, engineering, operations technology, and data and software technology solutions.

    Radix combines key capabilities and practices to empower customers to thrive along their digital transformation journey. Radix provides technology-based, data-driven solutions to industrial and non-industrial companies worldwide. Radix has experience leading projects in more than 30 countries and has more than 1,700+ employees around the globe, with North American headquarters in Houston, Texas, main headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, additional offices in Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, and a presence in Singapore and Amsterdam. To learn more, visit http://www.radixeng.com.

    About SHELL

    Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies, employing 103,000 people and with operations in more than 70 countries. We use advanced technologies and take an innovative approach as we seek to help the world build a sustainable energy future.

    Shell is a customer-focused organisation, serving more than 1 million commercial and industrial customers, and around 33 million customers daily at more than 47,000 Shell-branded retail service stations.

    For more information:
    Citalouise Geiggar, Ph.D.
    citalouise.geiggar@radixeng.com
    Radix

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4c3fc0d0-1935-4d92-a174-c4797345f429

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Alford Statement on First Anniversary of October 7th Terrorist Attack on Israel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Alford (Missouri 4th District)

    RAYMORE, Mo. – Today, U.S. Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) released the following statement to mark the first anniversary of the vicious terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 innocent people and was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Iran-backed Hamas terrorists took more than 200 people hostage in the attack, including American citizens.
     
    “We were sickened by the devastating attack on Israel by the Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas one year ago. These vicious terrorists butchered innocent people, murdering men, women, and children. The horrors are nothing short of heartbreaking. One year later, the people of Israel are still living October 7th every single day. One year later, they are still forced to continue fighting to defend themselves against the many enemies trying to destroy them. One year later, Hamas continues to hold innocent people hostage,” said Congressman Alford.
     
    “On this solemn day, we reaffirm America’s commitment to our great ally Israel. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in this fight and ensure that they have the time, space, and resources needed to wipe out Hamas,” Congressman Alford continued.
     
    Last week, Congressman Alford released a video documenting his trip to Israel in April 2024. In the video, Alford gives a firsthand look at the horrific damage from the brutal attack by Hamas terrorists.
     
    Congressman Alford plans to return to Israel later this month and hold a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
     

    Click here to download video/audio
     
    The video includes firsthand accounts on the devastation from U.S. Representatives Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Celeste Maloy (UT-02) as well as Asher Afriat with the American Israel Education Foundation (“AIEF”). The video closes with remarks from Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who was taken hostage by Hamas for almost 11 months and murdered.Welcome to Online Text Editor (formerly EditPad.org) – your online plain text editor. Enter or paste your text here. To download and save it, click on the button below.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Republicans Will Always Stand With Our Ally Israel In Their Fight For Survival

    Source: US House of Representatives Republicans

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    Categories24/7 OSI, MIL-OSI, US House of Representatives Republicans, US Politics, US Republicans

    House Republicans Will Always Stand With Our Ally Israel In Their Fight For Survival

    Washington, October 7, 2024

    Today marks the one-year anniversary of the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel, the bloodiest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, when barbaric terrorists brutally kidnapped, raped, and murdered innocent civilians. As we mourn the lives lost and pray for the safe return of the 97 hostages still being held, including 4 Americans, the United States must show its unwavering support and unequivocally stand with our most precious ally, as they fight for their very existence. 
     
    As Iran and its proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq surround Israel, hellbent on its extermination, the Biden-Harris Administration’s failed foreign policy of appeasement has abandoned Israel and emboldened Iran by softening sanctions and slow-walking critical military aid passed by House Republicans. House Republicans know the only way to restore order in the world is by reimplementing a successful peace through strength foreign policy agenda. 
     
    MAKE NO MISTAKE: House Republicans will always stand with our most precious ally Israel and remain committed to ensuring it has the resources necessary to defend itself and bring the hostages home. 
     
    HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL:

    • House Republicans passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023, which codifies President Trump’s Executive Order that discrimination against Jewish students may violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and requires the Department of Education to take into account the 2016 International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism and its contemporary examples as part of its assessment of whether antisemitic discrimination transpired.
    • House Republicans passed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, which fully funds the U.S.-Israeli cooperative missile defense programs and holds the United Nations (U.N.) accountable for its blatant bias against our most precious ally Israel by prohibiting any taxpayer dollars from going to the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
    • House Republicans passed H.R. 6126, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, with overwhelming support.
    • House Republicans passed H.Res. 771, Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists. 
    • House Republicans passed H. Res. 798, Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.
    • In February 2023, in a strong show of support for our ally, House Republican leadership sent a letter to President Biden encouraging the Administration to oppose and veto any anti-Israel resolution put before the U.N. Security Council.
    • In April 2023, House Republicans voted to support the expansion of the Abraham Accords to encourage nations to normalize relations with Israel and express continued support for bilateral cooperation across economic, security, and civilian issues.
    • In May 2023, House Republicans voted to condemn the rise of antisemitism and call on elected officials to identify and educate others on the contributions of the Jewish American community.
    • In June 2023, House Republicans voted to establish a Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords at the Department of State to strengthen and expand the Abraham Accords.
    • In July 2023, House Republicans passed the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act with key priorities to support the U.S./Israeli partnership and enhance Israel’s security.   

    THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION’S HISTORY OF TURNING THEIR BACK ON ISRAEL:

    • In February 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration reversed President Trump’s move, ensuring that sanctions on Iran’s drones and missiles will expire in October 2023.
    • In September 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration waived sanctions to allow $6 billion in Iranian funds in South Korean banks to be transferred to banks in Qatar in exchange for the release of five American hostages.
    • Authorizing the transfer of $6 billion for Iran sets a dangerous precedent that will incentivize more hostage-taking by the number one state sponsor of terror and other bad actors.
    • In November 2023, House Republicans passed the No Funds For Iranian Terrorism Act, which would effectively prevent Iran from accessing these funds. 
    • In November 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration reissued a sanctions waiver that gave Iran access to more than $10 billion.
    • In March 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration supported Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s unprecedented calls for new elections in Israel. 
    • In April 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration demanded that our most precious ally Israel surrender to the Iranian backed terrorist organization Hamas.   

    FAR LEFT HOUSE DEMOCRATS’ OPPOSITION TO ISRAEL IN THE 118TH CONGRESS:

    KAMALA HARRIS’ FAILED FOREIGN POLICY OF APPEASEMENT HAS TURNED THE WORLD TO CHAOS:

    • The Biden-Harris Administration has failed to stand up to our adversaries in Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow. 
    • The Biden-Harris Administration’s strategy of appeasement toward Iran has resulted in the deadliest attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, hundreds of Iranian-backed terrorist attacks on American service members, and plunged the Middle East into chaos. 
    • On October 7, 2023, the world witnessed Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists perpetrate the deadliest attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. 
    • To appease his pro-Hamas base, the Biden-Harris Administration withheld aid from Israel. 
    • In May, Biden told CNN that he would withhold military aid to Israel if Israel continues their campaign against Hamas terrorists.
      • Biden-Harris’ decision greenlights Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran to escalate attacks following his failed foreign policy of appeasement. 
    • Biden-Harris went into hiding for nine days as antisemitic, pro-terrorist mobs overran colleges and universities, endangering Jewish students.
      • When Biden finally addressed the country for the first time in days, he did NOT condemn the antisemitic, pro-terrorist, mobs that have overrun colleges and universities, and he did NOT say how he would protect Jewish students.
    • In April, Biden was blasted for equivocating on antisemitic protests happening across the country.
    • To appease Iran, the Biden-Harris Administration removed the Houthis from the U.S. list of foreign terror organizations. 
    • In 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration gave Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, $6 billion as a ransom payment for five American prisoners, jeopardizing Americans’ safety around the world. 
    • While American service members were under attack by Iranian-backed terrorists, the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was MIA, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks was on vacation in Puerto Rico.
    • The Biden-Harris Administration allowed a Communist Chinese surveillance balloon to traverse the entire continental U.S. over the course of 7 days, gathering intelligence and flying over sensitive military sites, before taking action. 
    • Biden and Harris’ disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted in:
      • The deadliest attack on Americans in Afghanistan since 2011, killing 13 of our brave service members and wounding many others. 
      • OVER 1,000 Americans were abandoned behind enemy lines for months at the mercy of the Taliban, and $7 billion in U.S. military equipment was left behind. 
      • Biden has been “privately defiant” that he made the right calls during his Administration’s catastrophic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. 
      • In June, Biden FALSELY claimed no U.S. service members have died during his Administration. 
    • Under Biden and Harris, the U.S. Army fell 15,000 soldiers short of their recruitment goal for FY22, missing by 25%.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – European Democracy Shield – intended mechanisms and envisaged roll-out – E-001903/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001903/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (Renew)

    In the light of President von der Leyen’s commitment to establishing a ‘European Democracy Shield’ aimed at tackling deceitful online content, I would like to request further clarification on the role envisaged for digital platforms, which are often conduits for the dissemination of disinformation, including content generated by AI.

    • 1.Could the Commission describe what new mechanisms could be introduced to ensure that these platforms contribute effectively to the prevention and prebunking of disinformation?
    • 2.Could the Commission provide details of the anticipated timeline and scope for the roll-out of this initiative?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Last updated: 7 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales to bring its expertise in advanced air mobility to the North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems Council

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales to bring its expertise in advanced air mobility to the North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems Council

    • Thales, the global high technology leader and integration partner of North Dakota’s system for advanced UAS operations, Vantis, will further collaboration with the UAS Council members and broader ecosystem to harmonize key state objectives.
    • North Dakota cements its leadership position as a global hub for autonomy and advanced air mobility.

    Thales, a global technology leader in Aerospace, Defense, Digital Identity & Security, has joined the North Dakota Unmanned Autonomous Systems (ND UAS) Council, further bolstering North Dakota’s leadership in the UAS industry.

    As part of this partnership, Thales will bring decades of experience in aerospace solutions and specific knowledge on advanced air mobility to the Council. The Group will provide cutting-edge solutions in air traffic management, relying on its expertise in digital technologies including sensors, AI, connectivity and cybersecurity. Thales will significantly contribute to the Council’s mission of advancing UAS technology in North Dakota, shaping supportive policies and fostering local workforce development. Additionally, Thales is the systems integration partner for Vantis, North Dakota’s system for beyond-visual-line-of-sight UAS operations. Vantis is administered by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS).

    “We couldn’t be happier to welcome Thales to the ND UAS Council,” said Matt Dunlevy, President of the ND UAS Council. “Their global expertise and innovative approach to aerospace technology will be extremely valuable as we work to keep North Dakota at the forefront of the UAS industry. Together, we will seek to redefine the possibilities of unmanned systems, ensuring that North Dakota remains a leader in this rapidly evolving field.”

    The ND UAS Council is a leading organization dedicated to advancing UAS technology and operations in North Dakota. The Council brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to promote innovation, advocate for supportive policies, and drive workforce development in the UAS sector.

    The addition of Thales to the ND UAS Council marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to establish North Dakota as a global hub for UAS innovation and development. The Council is committed to fostering collaboration among industry leaders to ensure the state continues to lead in this dynamic and rapidly growing industry.

    “Joining the ND UAS Council is a strategic move for Thales as we continue to expand our footprint in the UAS domain,” said Frank Matus, Director of Digital Aviation Market Development for the Americas at Thales. “North Dakota is a key hub for UAS innovation, and we are eager to collaborate with the Council and its members to advance the industry and contribute to the development of next-generation unmanned systems.”

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Cybersecurity & Digital identity.

    It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

    The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.

    Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.

    About Thales in the U.S.

    In the United States, Thales has conducted significant research and development, manufacturing, and service capabilities for more than 130 years. ​ Today, Thales has 37 locations around the U.S., employing nearly 5,000 people. ​ Working closely with U.S. customers and local partners, Thales is able to meet the most complex requirements for every operating environment.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy Visits Western Coalfields Limited to Review WCL Performance.

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy Visits Western Coalfields Limited to Review WCL Performance.

    Minister Emphasizes on all CIL Subsidiaries to Achieve their Annual Targets to Meet the Nation’s Energy Security

    Minister Urges for Swift Action on Land Acquisition, Environmental and Forest Clearances, and Adoption of New Technology

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 4:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, today visited the headquarters of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) in Nagpur to review the company’s performance. He was accompanied by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari. The review meeting was also attended by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Smt. Rupinder Brar, Chairman of Coal India Limited, Shri P.M. Prasad and senior officials from WCL and the local administration.

    During the meeting, Shri G. Kishan Reddy reviewed WCL’s coal production, productivity, dispatch efficiency, and addressed issues concerning Project Affected People (PAPs). A detailed presentation was made, covering key metrics of coal production, dispatch, and Overburden Removal (OBR) for the first and second quarters of current financial year. Further, it was assured that WCL will meet its annual production targets by the end of the financial year.

    In his address, Shri G. Kishan Reddy emphasized the need for all CIL subsidiaries to achieve their annual targets to meet the nation’s coal requirements. Minister said that both enhancing existing mining operations and launching new projects are vital to making India self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) in the coal sector. Furthermore, he assured full support from the Ministry of Coal in driving these efforts forward, including assistance with land acquisition, environmental and forest clearances, and the adoption of modern technologies.

    After the review meeting, Shri G. Kishan Reddy honoured sanitation workers for their exceptional contribution to the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2024.’ Minister also extended financial assistance to daughter of late Shri Nunhare, a former sanitation worker, to support her education and family needs.

    Prior to the review meeting, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy planted a sapling as part of the Ministry of Coal’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. Minister visited the Integrated Control and Command Centre (ICCC) at the WCL headquarters, an innovative AI-enabled facility for mine surveillance. During this visit, he also launched WCL’s Coal SHAcTE Dal, a specialized team of armed security personnel equipped with modern tools and technology to respond swiftly to emergencies, including intrusion and unauthorized access in coal mines.

    Minister also inaugurated the NaCCER (National Center For Coal And Energy Research) and launched WCL’s CSR flagship project, ‘Tarash 2.0’. This initiative will provide coaching to 40 students for IIT-JEE and NEET exams, along with accommodation, meals, books, and a monthly stipend of ₹1,000. Shri G. Kishan Reddy also honored four students from the Tarash 2.0 program who achieved over 90% in their 10th-grade exams.

    This visit underscores the government’s focus on energy security, technological advancement, and community welfare. The launch of NaCCER and ‘Tarash 2.0’ marks a new era in innovation, education, and progress for a self-reliant coal sector & strengthen R&D in coal and enhance operational efficiency, contributing to a sustainable energy future.

    ****

    ST

    (Release ID: 2062846) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DefConnect 4.0: Raksha Mantri launches ADITI 2.0 challenges & DISC 12 to foster innovation, entrepreneurship & ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence

    Source: Government of India (2)

    DefConnect 4.0: Raksha Mantri launches ADITI 2.0 challenges & DISC 12 to foster innovation, entrepreneurship & ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence

    ADITI 2.0 features 19 challenges in the fields of AI, Quantum Technology, military communication, anti-drone systems & adaptive camouflage

    DISC 12 presents 41 challenges across UAVs, AI, Networking & Communication domains; Introduces Medical Innovations & Research Advancement initiative

    Rs 1,000 crore procurement orders placed for 26 iDEX products: Shri Rajnath Singh

    RM exhorts private sector to move ahead from imitative to innovative tech to cater to futuristic needs of the Armed Forces

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 5:54PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched the second edition of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 2.0) challenges and the 12thedition of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 12) during DefConnect 4.0 at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt. on October 07, 2024.

    ADITI 2.0 features 19 challenges from the Armed Forces and allied agencies in the domains of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology, military communication, anti-drone systems customised for military platforms and adaptive camouflage, etc. This scheme offers a grant of up to Rs 25 crore to Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) winners, focusing on critical technological areas crucial for strengthening the defence ecosystem of the country.

    DISC 12 presents 41 challenges across key technology domains, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), AI, Networking and Communication, with grants up to Rs 1.50 crore. Notably, it introduces the Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative, featuring nine challenges aimed at fostering the development of medical technologies to meet the medical demands of the Armed Forces. To provide momentum to the iDEX initiative, DISC was launched in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission, aimed at supporting start-ups/MSMEs/Innovators to create prototypes and/or commercialise products/ solutions in the area of national defence and security.

    In his address, Raksha Mantri commended DefConnect for playing a crucial role in developing the culture of innovation in the country. He stated that the platform is bringing a new energy to the defence industrial ecosystem, and making the nation’s talent a partner in strengthening the security apparatus. Terming DefConnect as an important link between all the stakeholders associated with the defence ecosystem, he exuded confidence that the platform will help in realising the vision of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.

    Enumerating the feats achieved due to the Government’s efforts to promote innovation, Shri Rajnath Singh informed that iDEX has received over 9,000 applications so far, and is currently collaborating with more than 450 start-ups & MSMEs through DISC and Open Challenge. He added that 26 products have been developed under iDEX, for which procurement orders worth more than Rs 1,000 crore have been placed. In addition, Acceptance of Necessity and Request for Proposal worth over Rs 2,380 crore have been issued for 37 products. The ADITI initiative is focusing on over 30 critical and strategic technologies to strengthen the defence ecosystem, he said.

    Raksha Mantri highlighted the vibrant and dynamic ecosystem of innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists & start-ups in the country, stating that the world is acknowledging the strength & talent of India’s youth. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to further enhance the role of the private sector in the defence ecosystem. Their involvement is necessary to achieve self-reliance, he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh pointed out that as soon as the Goverment, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, came to power in 2014, it identified ‘lack of private sector participation in the defence sector’ as a major hurdle in attaining self-reliance, and strived to increase their contribution in nation building. “There were two major dimensions of self-reliance in the defence sector. First was the manufacturing of arms/equipment, whose technology was available, but there was a lack of production capacity. Second was catering to the needs of high-technology applications in view of the constantly-changing nature of warfare. Earlier, only in-house R&D and organisations like DRDO were working towards the development of such cutting edge technologies. But now, we are witnessing a significant role of the private sector too. There is enhanced synergy between the public & private sectors, the biggest example of which is DefConnect,” he said.

    Raksha Mantri appreciated the ‘SIDBI iDEX Partner Incubator Fund’, stating that the collaboration will meet the critical funding needs of innovators. SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) will allocate Rs 50 crore to 10 leading partner incubators, including Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer at IIT Delhi, Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at IIT Bombay, and Technology-Hub Hyderabad, to fund iDEX winners in advancing critical defence technologies.

    On the new technologies being incorporated in wars and conflicts, Shri Rajnath Singh said apart from conventional arms & ammunition, many dual use or purely civilian tech is being weaponised. He called for an in-depth understanding of these technologies, exhorting the innovators to make imaginative use of the advancements for the defence of the nation.

    Stressing on the need to move forward from imitative to innovative and distinctive technologies, Raksha Mantri called upon the private sector to think beyond the solutions to challenges being provided through ADITI & DISC. He urged them to bring forth the tech which is far ahead of the requirements of the Armed Forces and would be beneficial to deal with future threats. He promised the Government’s full assistance to achieve the goal of a strong & self-reliant defence sector.

    On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh also felicitated the ADITI 1.0 winners, and extended his best wishes for their future endeavours. Leading iDEX winners showcased their cutting-edge solutions related to Munition Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance, Communication Systems & Space Technologies, as part of DefConnect 2024. The winners include QuNu Labs, Sagar Defence Technologies, Astrome Technologies, Zeus Numerix Pvt. Ltd., NewSpace Research and Technologies, Pixxel Space India etc.

    Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, OSD, Department of Defence Shri RK Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Shri Sugata Ghosh Dastidar, other senior officials of Ministry of Defence, industry leaders, academia, young entrepreneurs & innovators attended the event.

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    VK/SR/Savvy

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DefConnect 4.0: Raksha Mantri launches ADITI 2.0 challenges & DISC 12 to foster innovation, entrepreneurship & ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence

    Source: Government of India (2)

    DefConnect 4.0: Raksha Mantri launches ADITI 2.0 challenges & DISC 12 to foster innovation, entrepreneurship & ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence

    ADITI 2.0 features 19 challenges in the fields of AI, Quantum Technology, military communication, anti-drone systems & adaptive camouflage

    DISC 12 presents 41 challenges across UAVs, AI, Networking & Communication domains; Introduces Medical Innovations & Research Advancement initiative

    Rs 1,000 crore procurement orders placed for 26 iDEX products: Shri Rajnath Singh

    RM exhorts private sector to move ahead from imitative to innovative tech to cater to futuristic needs of the Armed Forces

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 5:54PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched the second edition of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 2.0) challenges and the 12thedition of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 12) during DefConnect 4.0 at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt. on October 07, 2024.

    ADITI 2.0 features 19 challenges from the Armed Forces and allied agencies in the domains of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology, military communication, anti-drone systems customised for military platforms and adaptive camouflage, etc. This scheme offers a grant of up to Rs 25 crore to Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) winners, focusing on critical technological areas crucial for strengthening the defence ecosystem of the country.

    DISC 12 presents 41 challenges across key technology domains, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), AI, Networking and Communication, with grants up to Rs 1.50 crore. Notably, it introduces the Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative, featuring nine challenges aimed at fostering the development of medical technologies to meet the medical demands of the Armed Forces. To provide momentum to the iDEX initiative, DISC was launched in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission, aimed at supporting start-ups/MSMEs/Innovators to create prototypes and/or commercialise products/ solutions in the area of national defence and security.

    In his address, Raksha Mantri commended DefConnect for playing a crucial role in developing the culture of innovation in the country. He stated that the platform is bringing a new energy to the defence industrial ecosystem, and making the nation’s talent a partner in strengthening the security apparatus. Terming DefConnect as an important link between all the stakeholders associated with the defence ecosystem, he exuded confidence that the platform will help in realising the vision of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.

    Enumerating the feats achieved due to the Government’s efforts to promote innovation, Shri Rajnath Singh informed that iDEX has received over 9,000 applications so far, and is currently collaborating with more than 450 start-ups & MSMEs through DISC and Open Challenge. He added that 26 products have been developed under iDEX, for which procurement orders worth more than Rs 1,000 crore have been placed. In addition, Acceptance of Necessity and Request for Proposal worth over Rs 2,380 crore have been issued for 37 products. The ADITI initiative is focusing on over 30 critical and strategic technologies to strengthen the defence ecosystem, he said.

    Raksha Mantri highlighted the vibrant and dynamic ecosystem of innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists & start-ups in the country, stating that the world is acknowledging the strength & talent of India’s youth. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to further enhance the role of the private sector in the defence ecosystem. Their involvement is necessary to achieve self-reliance, he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh pointed out that as soon as the Goverment, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, came to power in 2014, it identified ‘lack of private sector participation in the defence sector’ as a major hurdle in attaining self-reliance, and strived to increase their contribution in nation building. “There were two major dimensions of self-reliance in the defence sector. First was the manufacturing of arms/equipment, whose technology was available, but there was a lack of production capacity. Second was catering to the needs of high-technology applications in view of the constantly-changing nature of warfare. Earlier, only in-house R&D and organisations like DRDO were working towards the development of such cutting edge technologies. But now, we are witnessing a significant role of the private sector too. There is enhanced synergy between the public & private sectors, the biggest example of which is DefConnect,” he said.

    Raksha Mantri appreciated the ‘SIDBI iDEX Partner Incubator Fund’, stating that the collaboration will meet the critical funding needs of innovators. SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) will allocate Rs 50 crore to 10 leading partner incubators, including Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer at IIT Delhi, Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at IIT Bombay, and Technology-Hub Hyderabad, to fund iDEX winners in advancing critical defence technologies.

    On the new technologies being incorporated in wars and conflicts, Shri Rajnath Singh said apart from conventional arms & ammunition, many dual use or purely civilian tech is being weaponised. He called for an in-depth understanding of these technologies, exhorting the innovators to make imaginative use of the advancements for the defence of the nation.

    Stressing on the need to move forward from imitative to innovative and distinctive technologies, Raksha Mantri called upon the private sector to think beyond the solutions to challenges being provided through ADITI & DISC. He urged them to bring forth the tech which is far ahead of the requirements of the Armed Forces and would be beneficial to deal with future threats. He promised the Government’s full assistance to achieve the goal of a strong & self-reliant defence sector.

    On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh also felicitated the ADITI 1.0 winners, and extended his best wishes for their future endeavours. Leading iDEX winners showcased their cutting-edge solutions related to Munition Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance, Communication Systems & Space Technologies, as part of DefConnect 2024. The winners include QuNu Labs, Sagar Defence Technologies, Astrome Technologies, Zeus Numerix Pvt. Ltd., NewSpace Research and Technologies, Pixxel Space India etc.

    Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, OSD, Department of Defence Shri RK Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Shri Sugata Ghosh Dastidar, other senior officials of Ministry of Defence, industry leaders, academia, young entrepreneurs & innovators attended the event.

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    VK/SR/Savvy

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First Lady of Maldives Visits FSSAI, Praises Initiatives on Food Safety

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 6:35PM by PIB Delhi

    The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), had the honour of welcoming Her Excellency Madam Sajidha Mohamed, First Lady of the Republic of Maldives and her delegation for a meeting held at FSSAI HQ, FDA Bhawan, here today.

     

    During the meeting, H.E. Madam Sajidha Mohamed had an engaging interaction with India’s contact point for the Codex Alimentarius Commission, discussing key aspects of food safety standards and regulatory frameworks. The First Lady was apprised of the laboratory ecosystems established by FSSAI to ensure the highest standards of food safety across the nation. The First lady mentioned that it will be beneficial for Maldives to have a collaboration with India on improving Food Safety Standards of the Maldives.

     

    As part of the meeting, FSSAI arranged a brief demonstration of its flagship initiative, Food Safety on Wheels (FSW), a mobile food testing laboratory that serves as a critical tool for conducting on-the-spot food safety tests and creating awareness about food safety across the country. The First Lady expressed her admiration for this initiative and praised FSSAI’s efforts to ensure food safety at the grassroots level.

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    MV

    HFW/Visit of Maldives First Lady to FSSAI/07th October 2024/3

    (Release ID: 2062909) Visitor Counter : 24

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FSSAI convenes meeting of Rice Millers and Fortified Rice Kernel manufacturers aimed at strengthening Food Safety Standards and Compliance with Fortification

    Source: Government of India

     FSSAI convenes meeting of Rice Millers and Fortified Rice Kernel manufacturers aimed at strengthening Food Safety Standards and Compliance with Fortification

    The meeting fostered interaction between dignitaries and stakeholders to discuss challenges faced in manufacturing, quality control, storage, and testing

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 6:38PM by PIB Delhi

    The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) convened a significant meeting with stakeholders from the Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) manufacturing sector and rice millers in Hyderabad, today. The meeting was chaired by CEO Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, with special guests including Sri D.S. Chauhan, Commissioner & Principal Secretary to the Government of Telangana, along with other prominent officials from the Food Safety and Consumer Affairs departments.

    During the meeting, CEO FSSAI highlighted the importance of maintaining stringent standards for FRK and the necessary compliance mechanisms to be adhered to during the fortification process. He reiterated the mandate for third-party audits to be conducted by all FRK manufacturers; failure to comply with these regulations will result in consequences for non-compliance.

    The government’s fortification program, aimed at addressing micronutrient deficiencies such as anaemia prevalent in the Indian population, was also discussed. As the national food regulator, FSSAI has established standards for FRK and FRK premixes to ensure quality, making it mandatory to conduct batch-wise testing.

    Recently, the Prime Minister launched 109 high-yielding, nutritionally fortified varieties of crops. The significance of bioavailability in FRK was also emphasized. Currently, over 900 companies are involved in FRK manufacturing in India.

    Concerns regarding recent non-compliance reports from various stakeholders were raised, particularly regarding manufacturing practices and record-keeping. Special Guest D.S. Chauhan, Commissioner & Principal Secretary to the Government of Telangana, underscored challenges in implementing rice fortification programs, such as contamination, adulteration, and hygiene issues. He noted the presence of duplicate products, particularly concerning rice and tea, while commending the high quality of Telangana rice.

    Shri R.V. Karnan, Commissioner of Food Safety, advocated for district-level awareness programs and training sessions for manufacturers on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). He also emphasized the necessity of identifying key locations within states to establish additional labs for testing FRK samples, which will ensure prompt corrective actions in line with Food Safety and Standards Regulations.

    The meeting fostered interaction between dignitaries and stakeholders to discuss challenges faced in manufacturing, quality control, storage, and testing. Also, CEO FSSAI has ensured to address the major glitches faced by the FRK Manufacturers and Millers

    In conclusion, the CEO of FSSAI reaffirmed the collective commitment of all stakeholders to prioritize food safety and work collaboratively towards ensuring safe and nutritious food for consumers across the country.

    The event was attended by over 150 stakeholders, including representatives from international organizations such as Nutrition International, state officials, senior FSSAI officials, and members from the food and agriculture sectors.

    FSSAI remains dedicated to exploring and implementing measures to enhance the food safety landscape throughout India.

     

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     MV

     HFW/Rice Millers-FRK Manufacturers Stakeholders Meeting/7th  October 2024/1

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The AI Compute Connection: Canada and the UK strengthen ties

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The SIN Canada team organized a mission to the UK to deepen collaboration in the field of AI compute and gain insights into the UK’s supercomputing landscape.

    AI Mission during visit to the UK.

    The race for supercomputing power is heating up globally, with nations recognizing its pivotal role in training the next generation of AI models. Canada and the UK have emerged as leading players in this field, with a shared vision to harness the potential of AI for the benefit of society. To further solidify this partnership, the SIN Canada team organized a high-level inward mission to the UK (15-18 July 2024) aimed at deepening collaboration in the dynamic field of AI compute. The Canadian delegation visited the UK with the aim of gaining invaluable insights into the UK’s supercomputing landscape. This mission was underpinned by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in early 2024 by the UK and Canadian governments, which established a cooperative framework for future collaboration in AI compute.

    The delegation, comprised of some of the most senior officials from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Board level representatives of Canada’s world-leading AI institutes (MILA, Amii, and Vector), as well as CIFAR, Communications Security Establishment, and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. The program was packed with visits to cutting-edge facilities like Isambard-AI in Bristol and the exascale project in Edinburgh. Offering a firsthand experience of the UK’s supercomputing capabilities and these complex and technical programmes.

    A core focus of the mission was to understand the policy development behind the UK’s compute investments, exascale investment and the AI Research Resource. In April 2024, Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada investment of CA$2 (£1.2) billion to launch a new AI Compute Access Fund and Canadian AI sovereign compute strategy. As the sector develops, officials are keen to learn from the UK’s experience in building such large-scale infrastructure. Additionally, the delegation sought insights into the UK’s project management and procurement approaches, access policies, and strategies for addressing the challenges of energy consumption associated with supercomputing – sustainable infrastructure is one element of the MoU.

    The mission also provided an opportunity to explore the UK’s approach to AI safety and security. Meetings with the UK National Cyber Security Centre and the AI Safety Institute were crucial in understanding the measures being taken to mitigate risks associated with AI development. British and Canadian cyber security centres including endorsing the UK’s Guidelines for secure AI system development. Beyond technical discussions, the delegation engaged enjoyed in high-level networking events, including a cocktail reception at the Royal Society and a lunch at Canada House. These events facilitated valuable dialogue with key stakeholders in the UK AI ecosystem.

    One participant said:

    … It was a masterfully organized and assembled group of visits in a whirlwind format. The mission achieved more than I anticipated in terms of breadth and depth of topic areas, tours, knowledge sharing. To say that the visit was inspirational would be an understatement. Rather, having seen what is possible and underway in the UK, I would venture to say that it has motivated a re-evaluation of what we believe could be possible, not only in Canada, but also in what partnerships and cooperation might be sparked between Canada and the UK in the realm of AI, compute infrastructure, and AI safety. It truly brought to life the true spirit of the UK-Canada MoU …

    This SIN Canada-led inward mission marks a significant step forward in the Canada-UK AI collaboration. By sharing knowledge and best practices, both countries can accelerate their progress in developing world-class supercomputing infrastructure. The ultimate goal was to create an environment where AI research and innovation can flourish, driving economic growth and addressing societal challenges.

    As the world becomes increasingly reliant on AI, partnerships like the one between Canada and the UK will be essential for shaping the future of this transformative technology. There will likely be a return visit in February 2025 to further cement UK-Canada AI collaboration and strengthen connections between UK and Canadian AI experts.

    For more information on this activity, please contact Mario Rivero-Huguet, Head of Science and Innovation (Montreal) at mario.rivero-huguet@fcdo.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 12th Meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments

    Source: Government of India (2)

    12th Meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments

    Food parks among areas for greater collaboration and investments between India and UAE: Shri Piyush Goyal

    Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) to establish a subsidiary at GIFT City: Shri Piyush Goyal

    Invest India office to open in UAE: Shri Piyush Goyal

    Interlinking of the two national payment platforms – UPI (India) and AANI (UAE) to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions between the two countries: Shri Piyush Goyal

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 5:09PM by PIB Mumbai

    Mumbai (India), 7 October 2024

     

    The 12th Meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments (HLJTFI) took place in Mumbai today. It was co-Chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India and His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

    The HLJTFI was established in 2013 to promote trade, investment and economic ties between India and the UAE. Since its formation, it has provided an effective mechanism to discuss opportunities and prospects for further investments in India and the UAE, while acting as a forum to resolve issues faced by investors of the two countries.

    During the 12th HLJTFI meeting, the Co-Chairs acknowledged the continued growth and strengthening of the bilateral relationship between India and the UAE, including on trade and investment related matters. The India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty, signed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UAE in February 2024, has been ratified by both sides and entered into force with effect from 31 August 2024. 

    The Co-Chairs also acknowledged the rapid rise in bilateral trade under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force in May 2022. The Joint Task Force reviewed the working of the India-UAE CEPA, which was one of the fastest-ever negotiated Free Trade Agreements. This landmark agreement designed to stimulate increased trade and boost the trading relationship between the two countries. During the course of the last two years, the CEPA has helped reduce tariffs on the majority of product lines, sought to address other barriers to trade and created new avenues for cooperation. As a result of the deal, bilateral trade has risen consistently, with non-oil trade rising to US$28.2 billion in the first half of 2024, a 9.8% year-on-year increase. The agreement has also spurred FDI – as of 2023, the UAE is India’s fourth largest foreign investor with US$3.35 billion committed across a wide range of sectors, representing a threefold increase on 2022. Indian FDI into the UAE in 2023 totalled US$ 2.05 billion, more than 2021 and 2022 combined. These figures represent real growth with real, on-the-ground impact. Further, it has led to job creation in Indian market and export from labour-oriented sectors is growing rapidly.

    Considering the strategic agreements and initiatives signed during the recent official visit of H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to India, the two sides noted the existing and future investments and projects of UAE entities in key sectors of the Indian economy, including energy, artificial intelligence, logistics, food and agriculture, which total approximately US$100 billion. The meeting also reviewed UAE investments in Indian infrastructure assets.

    During the HLJTFI meeting, the two sides reviewed progress on several key initiatives, including some that were previously announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and expressed satisfaction at the rapid pace of implementation. These initiatives include bilateral trade in local currencies, the integration of payment systems of India and the UAE, cooperation on Central Bank Digital Currencies, the launch of work relating to a Virtual Trade Corridor and the development of a food park in Ahmedabad. 

    Food parks are among areas for greater collaboration and investments between India and UAE. It will lead to higher income for farmers, jobs’ creation in food processing sector, and enhance food security for UAE. Small working groups between Central Government, State Governments and UAE Government will take forward food corridors between the two countries on a mission-mode basis. The strong progress made on these initiatives attests to the high level of commitment from both sides to ensure the implementation of their respective leaders’ visions. 

    The two sides welcomed the announcement of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) establishing a subsidiary at GIFT City. This underlines the strong interest from UAE’s institutional investors in India’s growing and dynamic economy, and GIFT City’s reputation as world-class financial services centre, operating under a strong regulator and a robust legal framework.

    To augment the relationship, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), via its international subsidiary NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) is collaborating with Al Etihad Payments (AEP), to enable creation of domestic card scheme JAYWAN in UAE. The JAYWAN card scheme is an outcome of deep collaboration between NIPL and AEP. It is based on the RuPay card stack (developed and deployed at great scale by NPCI in India), which is shared with the AEP to enable UAE be sovereign in the area of digital payments. The two governments are now working on interlinking the two national payment platforms – UPI (India) and AANI (UAE), which will facilitate seamless cross-border transactions between the two countries. This will benefit over 3 million Indians residing in UAE enabling them use power of UPI and AANI, for real-time cross-border remittance, which is aligned with the vision of bringing speed, transparency, accessibility and cost efficiency in cross-border remittances.

    The Government of India has also decided to open an office of Invest India in Dubai, UAE to serve as a dedicated point of contact for potential UAE investors seeking to invest in India. The issue was discussed during the India-UAE HLJTFI meeting today. This will be the first such overseas office of Invest India in the Middle East region and its second overseas office overall after Singapore.

    In course of the HLJTFI meeting, the Co-chairs Shri Piyush Goyal, Commerce & Industry Minister of India, and His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, also expressed satisfaction on the progress being made by Bharat Mart. Work on the ground has commenced, and design work on the layout of retail spaces and warehousing is making rapid progress.

    The HLJTFI provides a forum to deliberate on ways and incentives for encouraging further growth in investment flows from both sides. In this context, the Indian side shared opportunities for investments in priority sectors like renewable energy, green hydrogen, pharmaceuticals and genomics, among others. The UAE side also raised opportunities for investment in India’s aerospace sector, due to the rapid growth of its aviation market.  

    Issues related to investments from both sides, as well as specific challenges faced by companies from both countries, were also discussed during the meeting, with a view to removing obstacles and facilitating their resolution. The Co-Chairs directed both teams to work together and with the relevant government entities to address these issues in a timely and mutually acceptable manner. 

    The HLJTFI meeting was attended by Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India; Shri Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, H.E. Dr. Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali, Ambassador of the UAE to India, and a number of senior officials from both the governments.

    Shri Piyush Goyal, Commerce and Industries Minister, Government of India, and Co-Chair of the HLJTFI said: “India-UAE partnership stands on the pillars of innovation, investment and sustainable development. The Joint Task Force meeting today was useful to take a stock of all the laudable initiatives that India and the UAE have jointly undertaken, such as local currency settlement, virtual trade corridor, Bharat Mart, and so on. With the strong framework now provided by India-UAE CEPA and Bilateral Investment Treaty, I encourage stakeholders to further explore investment opportunities and trade possibilities.”

    His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Co-Chair of the HLJTFI, said: “The India-UAE CEPA, signed in 2022, has been a major catalyst for strengthening economic ties and enhancing cross-border trade between the UAE and India. Against this positive backdrop, the Joint Task Force continues to play an important role as a forum to explore new investment opportunities, remove impediments to further cooperation and work together in pursuit of shared goals.”

     

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    PIB Mumbai | SR/ SC/ DR

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Shri Dharmendra Pradhan presides over signing of Letter of Engagement between NCERT and Amazon

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Shri Dharmendra Pradhan presides over signing of Letter of Engagement between NCERT and Amazon

    NCERT to triple-fold publication of books by publishing 15 crore books this year – Shri Dharmendra Pradhan

    Books will be made available at MRP across nearly 20,000 pin codes nationwide– Shri Dharmendra Pradhan

    MoU will ensure access to original NCERT textbooks on major e-commerce platforms

    Shri Dharmendra Pradhan lauds NCERT’s partnership with Amazon, calls it a step towards enhancing ease of living and accessibility to education

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 6:57PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, presided over the signing of the Letter of Engagement (LoE) today between NCERT and Amazon Seller Services Pvt Ltd. This is the first such tie-up, which will ensure access to original NCERT textbooks at the printed price on major e-commerce platforms. Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Shri Sanjay Kumar; Joint Secretary, (DoSEL), Smt. Prachi Pandey; Director, NCERT, Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani; Vice President, Amazon, Shri Saurabh Shrivastava; Director, Public Policy, Amazon, Shri Aman Jain, other dignitaries and officials were also present at the event.

    While addressing the audience, Shri Pradhan stated that today’s initiative will strengthen NEP2020’s vision of making education inclusive, accessible, and affordable. He added that with the increasing digital footprint across the country, this initiative will also support the Government’s vision of ‘ease of living.’ Shri Pradhan noted that NCERT has been shaping India’s education landscape by publishing textbooks since 1963, with a total of around 220 crore books and journals. He emphasized that NCERT is a major think tank for the country. Furthermore, he announced that these books will be made available across nearly 20,000 pin codes nationwide. He emphasized that these books should be available at MRP.

    Shri Dharmendra Pradhan lauded NCERT’s partnership with Amazon calling it a step towards enhancing ease of living and accessibility to education. NCERT to triple-fold publication of books and publish 15 crore books this year, he added.

    He also informed the audience that NCERT has been entrusted with the responsibility of developing 21st-century textbooks.

    Stressing the importance of making learning joyful for the 300 million students of the Amrit Kaal, he urged the development of e-books that are interactive and AI-driven, featuring innovations like talking books. Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he underscored the significance of books in all 23 languages, declaring that books will be the real soft power of India.

    Highlighting the significance of textbooks in education, Shri Sanjay Kumar emphasized the need to strengthen the supply chain for these essential resources. He stressed that textbooks, which account for nearly 96% of the total volume of book sales in the country, should be made available through e-commerce platforms like Amazon to enhance accessibility for students.

    NCERT textbooks of all grades shall be made available on the Amazon NCERT storefront (http://amazon.in/ncert), which was also launched today. The textbooks shall be retailed at a price not more than the rate printed on the textbooks. Only original NCERT textbooks shall be retailed on this platform, thereby helping curb the sale of pirated NCERT textbooks. Amazon will help NCERT monitor and take down unauthorized sellers who distribute counterfeit or overpriced books.

    Through Amazon’s vast delivery network, students and schools, even in the most remote areas, will be able to purchase textbooks at the prescribed prices. This would address the challenges of supply gaps, delayed availability, and regional shortages of textbooks, ensuring equitable access to education.

    This tie-up shall also enable NCERT to leverage customer reviews and feedback to improve the quality of its textbooks and other educational material. Moreover, anonymised sales and usage data will be shared with NCERT to facilitate informed decision-making regarding future print orders, distribution strategies, and selection of new distributors in States/districts where the demand for NCERT textbooks is more.

    *****

    SS/AK

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India to host ITU-WTSA24 during October 14th- 24th in New Delhi : The first ever in Asia Pacific region

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India to host ITU-WTSA24 during October 14th- 24th in New Delhi : The first ever in Asia Pacific region

    World leaders and technology experts from more than 190+ countries will join to shape the future of technology standards

    Inauguration of AI Bharat 5G/6G Hackathon phase-2 by Member (Technology)-the first pre-event of WTSA-2024

    Phase-2 of the Hackathon begins with National & International Teams tacking to achieve Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) using AI in Telecom Innovations

    Global Innovators compete to design the cutting-Edge Solutions in 5G and 6G — Smart City Transit, Flood Monitoring, and Autonomous Networks Among Top Solutions at AI Bharat Hackathon

    “The solutions you create here have the potential to shape the future of global telecommunications.”: Ms. Madhu Arora, Member (Technology)

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 7:50PM by PIB Delhi

    The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will be held in New Delhi from October 14 to 24, 2024. This will be the first time in the history of ITU that this prestigious global tech event is happening in Asia-Pacific region. Over 3,000 world leaders and technology experts  from 190+ countries will collaborate to shape the future of technology standard in areas like 6G, AI, IoT, Big Data, cybersecurity, M2M communications, and quantum technologies.

    As part of many WTSA side events, the second phase of AI Bharat 5G/6G Hackathon, organized in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, started today.

    The two-day in-person coding competition kicked off today at Bharat Mandapam, with 12 shortlisted teams—seven Indian and five international—coming together to compete. Over the next two days, these teams will develop cutting-edge AI and machine learning (AI/ML) solutions for next-generation 5G and 6G networks. The hackathon is supported by an elite panel of Indian and international mentors, including 12 Indian and two international experts, along with guidance from an ITU Programme Officer.

    This event, open to both Indian and international participants, provides an exceptional platform for collaboration.

    The first phase, which took place from 7th August to 30th September 2024, was launched by the Secretary, Department of Telecom in the presence of senior ITU officials, and experts from IIT Delhi. During this online phase, participants from diverse backgrounds, including international teams, competed in a series of challenges aimed at integrating AI/ML into 5G/6G infrastructures. Five mentoring sessions were conducted, with all teams submitting detailed project repositories. Primarily sessions were scheduled every Wednesday from August 7, 2024 to August 28, 2024. Additionally, there were a half-hour session as part of the WTSA outreach program on September 26, 2024, in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.

    The Hackathon focuses on two problem statements:

    1.         AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox – Build Your Own AI/ML Model for 5G/6G: Teams will develop AI/ML pipelines leveraging ITU recommendations, including ITU-T Y.3172 and ITU-T Y.3061, with the aim of creating innovative use cases for 5G/6G.

    2.         AI Bharat 5G/6G Sandbox – Build Your Own xApp for Autonomous 5G/6G: Participants will create xApps to enhance autonomous 5G/6G networks, guided by ITU experts.

    Inaugurating the second phase, Ms. Madhu Arora, Member (Technology), Digital Communication Commission warmly welcomed the distinguished guests, participants, and winners of the first phase, saying,”This international hackathon is a platform for young innovators to turn their visions into reality and make a tangible impact on society.”

    Member (T) also emphasized the hackathon’s importance, stating, “The integration of AI/ML into 5G and 6G technologies opens up limitless possibilities, and I eagerly anticipate the innovative solutions that will emerge from this initiative.”

    Participants are working on critical challenges with real-world applications, including smart city transit, flood monitoring, traffic optimization, womens safety with “AuratRaksha”,

     “Sim Fraud Protection” and network reliability, using AI/ML technologies integrated with 5G and 6G networks. Teams have access to cutting-edge resources such as cloud credits, simulators, and compute servers. The event also features expert talks from global leaders in AI and telecommunications.

    The hackathon’s use cases span a wide range of fields, including:

    • Next Gen: A 5G-enabled smart city public transportation system for seamless data flow and real-time updates.
    • Vajra IITB: A flood monitoring and alerting system for real-time emergency response in urban areas.
    • BLAZE-IITJ: A 5G-enabled drone resource scheduling framework using AI for ultra-reliable low-latency communications.
    • IIITA ECE: A waste management system to prevent riverbed pollution.
    • Tech Rangers: An AI-driven initiative to reduce the 6G standards barrier for African contributors.
    • HexaCore: A women’s safety platform, “AuratRaksha,” designed for real-time alerts in unsafe situations.
    • Neural Nomads: AgriShield – AI-Driven 5G/6G Solutions for Small-Scale Farmers is focused on improving agricultural resilience for small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe and Africa. The platform uses AI-powered crop monitoring and predictive analytics to provide real-time insights, while also streamlining farm-to-market logistics through an integrated AI marketplace., empowering farmers with data-driven decision-making tools.

     Ms. Madhu Arora concluded by encouraging participants to push the boundaries of innovation, “The solutions you create here have the potential to shape the future of global telecommunications.”

    As the event progresses, participants will continue refining their projects, leading to the announcement of winners, who will be awarded and recognized at the closing ceremony.

    Prizes: The top three teams ($1,000, $700, $500). Special recognition will be given to the Best Student Team, Best Start-up, and Best Female Team, each receiving $500.

    The AI Bharat 5G/6G Hackathon has become a hub for innovation, bringing together students, startups, and technology enthusiasts from India and across the globe. It will help shape the future of AI and next-generation telecommunications.

    (For further updates on the hackathon, please visit:

    https://challenge.aiforgood.itu.int/match/matchitem/95.)

    About WTSA2024:

    The prestigious World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) will be held in New Delhi from 15th – 24th Oct 2024, marking a significant step towards the advancements of 5G and 6G networks. It also marks the country’s growing importance in the global technology landscape. The WTSA is a quadrennial event and serves as the governing conference of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Standardisation Sector (ITU-T). It is one of the three world conferences organized by the International Telecommunication Union, an entity within the United Nations system. This event plays a pivotal role in setting global telecommunication standards, making India’s hosting of the WTSA a significant milestone.

    It will bring together more than 3,000 delegates from 150+ countries, including over 1,000 foreign delegates and 50 global ministers representing telecom, digital, and ICT sectors. WTSA 2024 will pave the way for bridging the digital divide through universal and affordable connectivity, focusing on critical areas like 6G, AI, IoT, Big Data, cybersecurity, M2M, Broadcasting, Satcom, and quantum technologies.

    WTSA will be preceded by the Global Standards Symposium (GSS) on October 14, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.  The GSS is a high-level forum for policy debates on ICT standardization, addressing its evolving dynamics and technical implications.

    The WTSA 2024, will be accompanied by other related initiatives such as the ITU Kaleidoscope conference, ITU exhibitions, Network of Women and AI for Good to enrich the discourse and promote inclusivity in the sector.

    ****

    <><><>

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 3rd edition of Kautilya Economic Conclave 2024 (KEC2024) concludes in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    3rd edition of Kautilya Economic Conclave 2024 (KEC2024) concludes in New Delhi

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave a special address at the KEC2024 to the participants, evoking enthusiasm in its ongoing effort to make India a developed economy by 2047

    The Prime Minister emphasised India’s emergence as a preferred global investment destination due to substantial reforms over the last decade

    Union Finance Minister gave an overview of India’s high economic growth, fiscal management and investment on infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology while reiterating the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and reforms

    Dr. Jaishankar stressed on the emergence of AI and its far-reaching impact on economic and social activities

    Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati lauded the Prime Minister for his leadership, emphasising his timely intervention with a shift from inward-looking policies to a more open, productive economy

    KEC2024 showcased India’s new role in setting the global agenda, particularly in areas like green energy, technology, and trade reform, and highlighted India’s aspirations for inclusive growth and its evolving role as a strategic leader of the Global South

    Over 150 prominent economists, policymakers, and academic pioneers from India and around the globe participated in the KEC2024

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 8:37PM by PIB Delhi

    The third edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave 2024 (KEC2024) held between October 4-6, 2024, in New Delhi, was successfully concluded yesterday. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the KEC2024 with a special address to the participants, evoking enthusiasm in its ongoing effort to make India a developed economy by 2047.

    Over 150 prominent economists, policymakers, and academic pioneers from India and around the globe participated in the KEC2024, organised by the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) in partnership with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance (MoF). It featured 11 Plenary Sessions, 12 interactive sessions and bilateral discussions on contemporary economic and social challenges facing both India and the world.

    The Prime Minister’s vision for a Viksit Bharat is predicated on continued economic growth, structural reforms and harnessing the cutting edge of technology.

    In his address, the Prime Minister emphasised India’s emergence as a preferred global investment destination due to substantial reforms over the last decade, including advancements in banking, taxation, and infrastructure, and also discussed India’s commitment to green energy, highlighting initiatives like the green hydrogen mission and the Global Biofuel Alliance, which were critical outcomes of India’s G20 Presidency.

    Earlier, the KEC 2024 kicked off with an inaugural address by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, who emphasised India’s robust macroeconomic fundamentals and its abilities to address multiple uncertainties.

    Smt. Sitharaman also gave an overview of India’s high economic growth, fiscal management and investment on infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology while reiterating the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and reforms.

     

     

    The KEC2024 concluded with the Union Minister for External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar in conversation with Mr. N.K. Singh, President of the Institute of Economic Growth, where they discussed India’s strategic role in the Global South.

    Dr. Jaishankar highlighted how India is seen as a “trusted and articulate member” and spoke on the increasing importance of alternative global frameworks such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which are shaping global collaboration beyond traditional structures like the UN. Dr. Jaishankar also stressed on the emergence of AI and it’s far reaching impact on economic and social activities.

    A key highlight was the participation of Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati, one of India’s most respected economists, who praised India’s transformation from “taking advice” from global institutions like the World Bank to now “giving advice” to them. He lauded the Prime Minister for his leadership, emphasising that his timely intervention shifted from inward-looking policies to a more open, productive economy given the complexities, strategies have been nibble to grasp new opportunities while addressing ongoing challenges.

    Throughout the KEC2024, experts delved into several critical topics like the challenges affecting factors of productivity such as skilling to enhance employment, and growth enhancing strategies; the urgent need to address climate change and strategies for a green transition; best international and domestic practices in industrial policy; the challenges and consequences of geo-economic fragmentation; reforming the international financial architecture; and artificial intelligence and its potential effects on jobs and the economy, to mention a few.

    The KEC2024 featured a wide array of distinguished participants, both from India and abroad. Key international participants included, among others, Bhutan’s Finance Minister Mr. Lyonpo Lekey Dorji; Ms. Amelie de Montchalin, Frech Permanent Representative of OECD & former French Minister; Mr. Albert Park, Chief Economist and Director General, Asian Development Bank; Mr. Masood Ahmed, President Emeritus of the Centre for Global Development; Mr. Justin Yifu Lin, Dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University; Mr. Erik Berglof, Chief Economist at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Lord Nicholas Stern, IG Patel Professor of Economics and Government, London School of Economics; and mr. John Lipsky, Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins University. Among the Indian participants, notable figures included Mr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission; Mr. Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog; Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor, and Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of External Affairs.

    These discussions spanning over three days – centred around the theme of “the Indian Era”. There were sessions on topics such as “Relationship between climate and development goals”; “Geo-economic fragmentation and the implications for growth”; “Financing the green transition”; “The rise of Asia and its implications for development economics”, etc.

    The deliberations at the conclave showcased India’s shift from following global directives to setting the global agenda, particularly in areas like green energy, technology, and trade reform, and highlighted India’s aspirations for inclusive growth and its evolving role as a strategic leader of the Global South, while reinforcing its ambition to become a developed economy by 2047.

    ****

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Haryana records 67.9% turnout in Assembly elections 2024; scores 3% higher than Lok Sabha voting

    Source: Government of India

    Haryana records 67.9% turnout in Assembly elections 2024; scores 3% higher than Lok Sabha voting

    Urban Apathy continues to drag down overall state turnout

    Posted On: 07 OCT 2024 8:46PM by PIB Delhi

    A voter turnout of 67.9% has been recorded across the 90 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) in the Haryana Assembly Elections 2024, reflecting significantly higher voter response compared to last Lok Sabha elections which recorded 64.8% voting in the state. The turnout nearly touches the figures of Assembly Elections in 2019, which stood at 68.3%. Voters across rural areas turned up at polling stations with greater vigour. The gender wise voter turnout figures are given below:

    Single Phase

    Male Turnout

    Female turnout

    Third gender turnout

    Overall turnout

    90ACs

    68.93%

    66.73%

    25.27%

    67.90%

     

    2. The disturbing trend of Urban Apathy, however, continues to significantly impact overall state voter turnout, with many urban constituencies in Haryana recording turnout rates 10% below the state average.

    Voter turnout at polling stations in some prominent urban ACs in Haryana

    Name of AC

    Turnout in 2024 Assembly Elections

    Difference in %turnout

    from 2024 LA state average (67.9%)

     

    Turnout in 2019 Assembly Elections

    Difference in % turnout

    from 2019 LA state average (68.3%)

    Gurgaon

    51.81%

    16.09%

    52.36%

    15.9%

    Faridabad

    53.74%

    14.16%

    49.56%

    18.7%

    Panchkula

    59.37%

    8.53%

    60.03%

    8.3%

    Ballabhgarh

    53.27%

    14.63%

    51.42%

    16.9%

    Sonipat

    57.67%

    10.23%

    61.86%

    6.4%

    Karnal

    56.37%

    11.53%

    52.29%

    16.01%

    Badshahpur

    54.26%

    13.64%

     

    57.61%

    10.7%

     

    3. This trend of low urban participation mirrors similar patterns seen in previous assembly elections in Karnataka, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Countrywide various initiatives were undertaken by the Commission in the previous elections to motivate and engage the urban voters. Ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, special consultations with Municipal Commissioners and DEOs from select districts and introduction of TIP (Turnout Implementation Plan) were undertaken. However, despite the Commission’s intensive efforts to engage and motivate urban voters, the participation continues to be subpar. Recently, during the review visit in Maharashtra, CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar had again emphasised on all DEOs and MCs to work on improving voter turnout, especially in urban areas. The Commission, while expressing concerns over the discernible lower turnout in urban areas in Haryana and in J&K, has resolved to further strengthen measures and innovative outreach to deal with urban apathy in the upcoming elections in predominantly urban states like Maharashtra.

    4. Voting turnout trends at the polling stations on the poll day was facilitated by the Commission through its Voter turnout App, every two hours starting 9:30 am onwards. CEO Haryana has confirmed that all polling parties have returned safely and scrutiny has completed in the presence of the candidates/their authorised agents. The Assembly Constituency and gender wise voter turnout data for Haryana Assembly Elections is given at Table 1. Further, a copy of Form 17C is also provided to the candidates through their polling agents.

    5. The voter turnout given in Table 1 is at the polling stations and final votes polled will be available post-counting with counting of postal ballots. Postal Ballots include Postal Ballots given to service voters, absentee voters (85+, PwD, Essential Services etc.) and Voters on Election Duty. Daily account of such Postal ballots received, as per established guidelines, are given to all candidates.

    Table 1: AC wise and Gender wise Voter turnout at polling stations for Haryana Assembly Elections

    AC No.

    AC Name

    Registered Elector

    Voter Turnout Percentage

    Total

    Male

    Female

    TG

    Total Percentage

    1

    KALKA

    202052

    73.95%

    70.03%

    20.00%

    72.07%

    2

    PANCHKULA

    236193

    60.99%

    57.58%

    12.50%

    59.37%

    3

    NARAINGARH

    191954

    74.57%

    71.95%

    44.44%

    73.33%

    4

    AMBALA CANTT.

    206271

    65.64%

    63.15%

    18.18%

    64.45%

    5

    AMBALA CITY

    262199

    64.23%

    61.70%

    10.00%

    63.02%

    6

    MULANA

    224118

    72.06%

    69.88%

    33.33%

    71.04%

    7

    SADHAURA

    220596

    79.62%

    77.54%

    Nil

    78.65%

    8

    JAGADHRI

    233840

    79.43%

    77.09%

    100.00%

    78.34%

    9

    YAMUNANAGAR

    243023

    68.43%

    65.88%

    0.00%

    67.24%

    10

    RADAUR

    208812

    73.75%

    72.08%

    0.00%

    72.97%

    11

    LADWA

    196536

    74.85%

    75.07%

    0.00%

    74.96%

    12

    SHAHBAD

    171536

    71.41%

    69.33%

    50.00%

    70.42%

    13

    THANESAR

    218409

    64.68%

    65.38%

    28.57%

    65.01%

    14

    PEHOWA

    186944

    67.54%

    69.59%

    50.00%

    68.53%

    15

    GUHLA

    192364

    68.66%

    69.97%

    75.00%

    69.29%

    16

    KALAYAT

    214107

    74.65%

    74.00%

    33.33%

    74.34%

    17

    KAITHAL

    222913

    75.41%

    74.62%

    50.00%

    75.04%

    18

    PUNDRI

    192443

    70.04%

    70.21%

    50.00%

    70.12%

    19

    NILOKHERI

    233507

    64.93%

    61.96%

    75.00%

    63.50%

    20

    INDRI

    218716

    72.26%

    70.16%

    0.00%

    71.25%

    21

    KARNAL

    266616

    57.96%

    54.68%

    40.00%

    56.37%

    22

    GHARAUNDA

    242271

    73.15%

    70.55%

    40.00%

    71.91%

    23

    ASSANDH

    242385

    68.43%

    64.79%

    25.00%

    66.70%

    24

    PANIPAT RURAL

    289385

    69.84%

    68.76%

    60.00%

    69.34%

    25

    PANIPAT CITY

    234020

    64.52%

    60.49%

    25.00%

    62.62%

    26

    ISRANA

    183606

    71.75%

    68.45%

    0.00%

    70.20%

    27

    SAMALKHA

    229240

    74.96%

    71.47%

    0.00%

    73.33%

    28

    GANAUR

    194344

    73.26%

    70.96%

    Nil

    72.18%

    29

    RAI

    199861

    71.19%

    68.48%

    12.50%

    69.94%

    30

    KHARKHAUDA

    177128

    65.49%

    61.98%

    22.22%

    63.85%

    31

    SONIPAT

    251087

    59.04%

    56.18%

    20.00%

    57.67%

    32

    GOHANA

    195124

    67.87%

    64.98%

    18.18%

    66.52%

    33

    BARODA

    188907

    69.41%

    67.58%

    Nil

    68.57%

    34

    JULANA

    184665

    74.66%

    74.67%

    0.00%

    74.66%

    35

    SAFIDON

    195528

    74.85%

    74.24%

    0.00%

    74.56%

    36

    JIND

    203721

    66.81%

    64.75%

    33.33%

    65.83%

    37

    UCHANA KALAN

    218507

    75.39%

    75.50%

    Nil

    75.44%

    38

    NARWANA

    224432

    71.63%

    69.67%

    100.00%

    70.71%

    39

    TOHANA

    231884

    77.86%

    76.86%

    66.67%

    77.39%

    40

    FATEHABAD

    258978

    75.91%

    73.82%

    40.00%

    74.92%

    41

    RATIA

    227487

    73.16%

    70.62%

    14.29%

    71.95%

    42

    KALANWALI

    184203

    76.94%

    74.78%

    33.33%

    75.92%

    43

    DABWALI

    207722

    78.88%

    76.84%

    33.33%

    77.92%

    44

    RANIA

    189408

    76.68%

    75.04%

    25.00%

    75.91%

    45

    SIRSA

    232026

    68.88%

    66.52%

    54.55%

    67.76%

    46

    ELLENABAD

    195547

    81.52%

    79.58%

    66.67%

    80.61%

    47

    ADAMPUR

    178650

    76.24%

    74.59%

    50.00%

    75.47%

    48

    UKLANA

    215906

    68.03%

    64.62%

    50.00%

    66.44%

    49

    NARNAUND

    214830

    76.35%

    76.24%

    Nil

    76.30%

    50

    HANSI

    203214

    70.97%

    67.83%

    0.00%

    69.50%

    51

    BARWALA

    189112

    74.27%

    72.76%

    0.00%

    73.56%

    52

    HISAR

    182083

    62.76%

    59.98%

    33.33%

    61.44%

    53

    NALWA

    180375

    71.85%

    70.46%

    50.00%

    71.19%

    54

    LOHARU

    206663

    79.22%

    80.15%

    0.00%

    79.66%

    55

    BADHRA

    197966

    72.02%

    71.62%

    100.00%

    71.83%

    56

    DADRI

    208350

    68.39%

    66.38%

    Nil

    67.44%

    57

    BHIWANI

    236537

    62.18%

    59.23%

    0.00%

    60.77%

    58

    TOSHAM

    221442

    72.38%

    72.09%

    0.00%

    72.24%

    59

    BAWANI KHERA

    215564

    71.13%

    69.67%

    Nil

    70.45%

    60

    MEHAM

    199898

    74.54%

    73.63%

    50.00%

    74.12%

    61

    GARHI SAMPLA – KILOI

    221912

    69.21%

    64.51%

    Nil

    67.02%

    62

    ROHTAK

    199738

    61.63%

    58.18%

    0.00%

    59.96%

    63

    KALANAUR

    216156

    67.14%

    64.41%

    100.00%

    65.86%

    64

    BAHADURGARH

    245974

    65.22%

    63.63%

    0.00%

    64.47%

    65

    BADLI

    187603

    71.39%

    68.51%

    0.00%

    70.02%

    66

    JHAJJAR

    190025

    65.67%

    62.75%

    0.00%

    64.27%

    67

    BERI

    183266

    65.66%

    62.91%

    20.00%

    64.37%

    68

    ATELI

    202985

    70.70%

    70.45%

    Nil

    70.58%

    69

    MAHENDRAGARH

    209992

    72.40%

    73.26%

    Nil

    72.81%

    70

    NARNAUL

    156372

    68.29%

    65.86%

    0.00%

    67.14%

    71

    NANGAL CHAUDHRY

    165930

    69.85%

    71.07%

    0.00%

    70.42%

    72

    BAWAL

    229170

    69.54%

    66.21%

    Nil

    67.95%

    73

    KOSLI

    249851

    70.52%

    69.83%

    100.00%

    70.19%

    74

    REWARI

    253892

    67.61%

    63.95%

    50.00%

    65.86%

    75

    PATAUDI

    254780

    64.79%

    58.26%

    0.00%

    61.67%

    76

    BADSHAHPUR

    520958

    56.30%

    51.96%

    23.53%

    54.26%

    77

    GURGAON

    443102

    53.50%

    49.95%

    14.29%

    51.81%

    78

    SOHNA

    286119

    73.06%

    68.55%

    33.33%

    70.95%

    79

    NUH

    207841

    74.87%

    73.90%

    33.33%

    74.42%

    80

    FEROZEPUR JHIRKA

    247350

    73.02%

    73.25%

    0.00%

    73.13%

    81

    PUNAHANA

    206279

    70.53%

    71.16%

    0.00%

    70.81%

    82

    HATHIN

    240643

    78.63%

    76.98%

    36.36%

    77.87%

    83

    HODAL

    196672

    73.28%

    70.58%

    11.11%

    72.02%

    84

    PALWAL

    267983

    73.15%

    70.06%

    42.86%

    71.70%

    85

    PRITHLA

    226202

    76.25%

    71.47%

    66.67%

    74.02%

    86

    FARIDABAD NIT

    321159

    61.47%

    58.59%

    16.67%

    60.18%

    87

    BADKHAL

    332125

    50.34%

    45.86%

    8.33%

    48.27%

    88

    BALLABGARH

    274743

    54.10%

    52.25%

    0.00%

    53.27%

    89

    FARIDABAD

    265869

    55.38%

    51.86%

    12.50%

    53.74%

    90

    TIGAON

    374454

    56.35%

    51.90%

    4.00%

    54.34%

    Total

    20354350

    68.93%

    66.73%

    25.27%

    67.90%

    *NIL means there are no registered third gender electors

    *******

    PK/RP

    (Release ID: 2062981) Visitor Counter : 35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU programmes to support the use of AI on small family-run farms – E-001865/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001865/2024
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Emmanouil Kefalogiannis (PPE)

    Artificial intelligence (AI) can be an invaluable tool for farming, especially for small family-run farms, improving crop yield and viability. Techniques such as big data analysis enable farmers to make better climate forecasts, monitor plant health and optimise the use of resources such as water and fertiliser. Harvesting automation and the use of robots in farmwork bring down costs and increase yields while at the same time improving precision, thus helping reduce the environmental impact of farming.

    However, although there are good examples of successful use of AI, there are many restrictions on the availability of these new technologies in rural areas.

    In view of this:

    • 1.How does the Commission plan to support the use of AI systems on small family-run farms in particular and in the context of the new CAP?
    • 2.What is its assessment of the impact of new technologies in dealing with the climate crisis?

    Submitted: 30.9.2024

    Last updated: 7 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California takes bold step to revolutionize youth sports with 25×25 Coaches Challenge

    Source: US State of California 2

    Oct 7, 2024

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s Advisory Council and Million Coaches Challenge are joining forces to train 25,000 youth coaches in California by 2025, setting a new standard for positive youth development and equity in sports.

    Sacramento, California –  Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced today that the California Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-being is teaming up with the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge (MCC) to launch 25×25: The California Coaches Challenge. This initiative aims to train 25,000 coaches in positive youth coaching across California by the end of 2025. 

    Through the Council’s Move Your Body, Calm Your Mind campaign, MCC partners Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) and the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS) will spearhead a statewide effort to instill the principles of positive youth development, social-emotional learning, healing-centered practices, and culturally responsive coaching in youth coaches. Coaches will learn a range of youth-centered strategies, including creating safe spaces for all young people, fostering a sense of belonging, and coaching with empathy. The American Institutes for Research (AIR), which leads the multiyear implementation study of the MCC, will provide research support for the 25×25 California Coaches Challenge.

    “Sports are a hugely important tool for helping kids develop teamwork, confidence, and physical and mental health, while also meeting strong role models in their coaches. As leaders, we have an obligation to make sure those coaches have the tools to meet that high bar. Working with the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-being and Million Coaches Challenge, I’m confident that we can build a new generation of coaches that are ready to meet every challenge our young athletes throw at them.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “A positive and empowering youth sports culture is critical to the mental health and overall well-being of our children. When coaches are trained to prioritize character development, teamwork, grit, and emotional resilience, young people are more likely to stay engaged in sports and build essential life skills. The partnership between the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-being and Million Coaches Challenge will ensure that our youth not only experience the physical benefits of sports but also gain the social and emotional support they need to thrive on and off the field.”

    First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

    Why this matters

    Physical activity and sports participation rates are declining nationally, and California is no exception. Today many children in California are not meeting daily physical activity recommendations, and only half of California’s youth participate in sports. With around 70% of children discontinuing organized sports before reaching high school, the 25×25 California Coaches Challenge aims to create a more positive and inclusive sports and fitness culture that keeps youth engaged in sport and helps them develop the skills needed to thrive.

    Through existing relationships with parks and recreation systems, schools, community-based organizations, and club teams, PCA and CHJS will provide training to at least 25,000 coaches across California by December 2025. The Governor’s Advisory Council will promote the initiative statewide, reaching communities with significant need and underrepresentation in youth sports. CHJS has existing coach training partnerships across the state. Notable examples include the Dodgers Foundation, the Los Angeles Clippers, the YMCA of Greater Los Angeles, and, together with Nike, the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department. PCA, with its robust state-wide infrastructure, also has planned trainings this fall with the LA Jr. Clippers, USTA Southern California, Boys and Girls Club of Burbank, Irvine Ice Foundation, Santa Maria Swim Club, and numerous high schools across the state. 

    Kevin Connors, Managing Director of the Susan Crown Exchange, funder of the Million Coaches Challenge: “California is setting a powerful example for the country. This initiative will help ensure that hundreds of thousands of young athletes experience sports in ways that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.”

    The California Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-being

    Move Your Body, Calm Your Mind is a California campaign launched in 2023 by the Governor’s Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being, with a goal to provide guidance and resources on physical activity and mental well-being for Californians of all ages; increase awareness among all age groups about the benefits of movement, sport, nutrition, and overall mental wellness; encourage intergenerational physical fitness activities; promote equitable access to outdoor and physical activities for underserved communities; and facilitate collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies, education, business and industry, the private sector, and others in the promotion of movement and mental wellness. The campaign provides easy ways for Californians to get active and to take steps to increase mental well-being. Move Your Body, Calm Your Mind provides resources for both individuals and organizations.

    The Million Coaches Challenge

    The Million Coaches Challenge partners have embarked on a journey to grow a generation of coaches trained in youth development. Coach training is essential to creating quality sports experiences and we envision a world in which all young athletes, regardless of their family’s income, their gender, their race, or their ability status, have access to coaches who are well-versed in youth development and skill-building techniques that help kids succeed on and off the field. The first step: train one million coaches in youth development practices by 2025. The Million Coaches Challenge is funded by the Susan Crown Exchange.

    Recent news

    Oct 7, 2024

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement marking one year since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel:“For the last year, the people of Israel – and Jewish communities across the globe – have mourned for their lost loved…

    Oct 4, 2024

    News Lo que necesita saber: El Estado lanzó una versión renovada de CA.gov, el portal insignia de California que conecta a las personas con cientos de servicios y programas estatales, como por ejemplo CalFresh, certificados de nacimiento, licencias comerciales,…

    Oct 4, 2024

    News What you need to know: The state launched a refreshed version of CA.gov, California’s flagship portal that connects people to hundreds of state services and programs. Haga clic aquí para español.SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the launch of the…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Health Minute: Breast Cancer Screening

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer and with more younger women being diagnosed, it’s important to pay attention to the new screening guidelines. Dr. Alex Merkulov, section chief of women’s imaging at UConn Health, discusses the guidelines and how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way mammograms are reviewed.

    To schedule your mammogram, call UConn Health Imaging at 860-679-2800.

    [embedded content]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sprout Social to Announce Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results on November 7, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sprout Social, Inc. (“Sprout Social”, the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SPT), an industry-leading provider of cloud-based social media management software, today announced that it will report its financial results for the second quarter ending September 30, 2024 after market close on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

    The financial results and business highlights will be discussed on a conference call and webcast scheduled at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Online registration for this event conference call can be found at https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I1913184. The live webcast of the conference call can be accessed from Sprout Social’s investor relations website at http://investors.sproutsocial.com.

    Following completion of the events, a webcast replay will also be available at http://investors.sproutsocial.com for 12 months.

    About Sprout Social

    Sprout Social is a global leader in social media management and analytics software. Sprout’s intuitive platform puts powerful social data into the hands of more than 30,000 brands so they can deliver smarter, faster business impact. Named the #1 Best Software Product by G2’s 2024 Best Software Award, Sprout offers comprehensive publishing and engagement functionality, customer care, influencer marketing, advocacy, and AI-powered business intelligence. Sprout’s software operates across all major social media networks and digital platforms. For more information about Sprout Social (NASDAQ: SPT), visit sproutsocial.com.

    Availability of Information on Sprout Social’s Website and Social Media Profiles

    Investors and others should note that Sprout Social routinely announces material information to investors and the marketplace using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the Sprout Social Investors website. We also intend to use the social media profiles listed below as a means of disclosing information about us to our customers, investors and the public. While not all of the information that the Company posts to the Sprout Social Investors website or to social media profiles is of a material nature, some information could be deemed to be material. Accordingly, the Company encourages investors, the media, and others interested in Sprout Social to review the information that it shares at the Investors link located at the bottom of the page on http://www.sproutsocial.com and to regularly follow our social media profiles. Users may automatically receive email alerts and other information about Sprout Social when enrolling an email address by visiting “Email Alerts” in the “Shareholder Services” section of Sprout Social’s Investor website at https://investors.sproutsocial.com/.

    Social Media Profiles:
    http://www.twitter.com/SproutSocial
    http://www.twitter.com/SproutSocialIR
    http://www.facebook.com/SproutSocialInc
    http://www.linkedin.com/company/sprout-social-inc-/
    http://www.instagram.com/sproutsocial

    Contact

    Media:
    Layla Revis
    Email: pr@sproutsocial.com
    Phone: (866) 878-3231

    Investors:
    Alex Kurtz
    Twitter: @SproutSocialIR
    Email: investors@sproutsocial.com
    Phone: (312) 528-9166

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: OceanFirst Bank Secures $50,000 in Small Business Recovery Grants from Federal Home Loan Bank to Benefit Ten Local Nonprofit Organizations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RED BANK, N.J., Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OceanFirst Bank N.A. (the “Bank” or “OceanFirst”), a subsidiary of OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC), has helped ten nonprofit organizations in its market area to apply for and obtain Small Business Recovery Grants totaling $50,000 through a program created by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY). The grants are designed to assist eligible organizations who have faced economic challenges due to the rate environment, inflation, supply-chain constraints, or rising energy costs.

    The ten grants awarded this year will assist nonprofit organizations committed to addressing hunger and food insecurity. Nearly one million people in New Jersey are food insecure, a 22% increase over the previous year, according to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study. This includes more than 260,000 children –about 1 in 8. Nationwide, the extra amount of money that people facing hunger say they need to have enough food has reached its highest point in the last 20 years.

    “The Small Business Recovery Grant Program is a great opportunity for OceanFirst Bank to help support our local nonprofit partners and the important work they are doing to aid our communities,” said George Destafney, OceanFirst Bank Chief Community Banking Officer. “We are so pleased to be able to assist ten organizations to receive important resources that will benefit our neighbors struggling with food insecurity. Our congratulations and appreciation to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York for another successful Small Business Recovery Grant round.”

    Under the Small Business Recovery Grant Program, banks such as OceanFirst, which are members of the FHLBNY, identify qualified small-business and non-profit customers who are eligible to receive the grant awards.

    OceanFirst Bank facilitated Small Business Recovery Grants of $5,000 for each of the following organizations, for a total of $50,000:  

    “Meals on Wheels is thrilled to receive a $5,000 grant from OceanFirst Bank. This incredible support will help us provide more meals and cover essential expenses, continuing our mission to deliver nutritious meals and positively impact our seniors’ lives,” said Shareka Fitz, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Greater New Brunswick.

    Gwendolyn Love, Executive Director, Lunch Break, added, “The $5,000 grant from OceanFirst Bank will help ensure efficient kitchen and pantry operations, providing healthy and nutritious meals to food-insecure families and individuals in our community.”

    “Located in the Bronx, a borough with the highest rates of diabetes in the country, the Friendly Fridge BX focuses on rescuing and redirecting healthy foods to share with people from all over the Bronx and Yonkers,” shared Sara Allen, co-founder of Friendly Fridge BX. “With the support of this $5,000 grant from OceanFirst Bank, over 1,800 visitors per week who come in search of healthy food will have access to over 117,000 lbs. of fresh produce over the course of 13 weeks.”

    OceanFirst Bank N.A., a subsidiary of OceanFirst Financial Corp. founded in 1902 is a $13.3 billion regional bank providing financial services throughout New Jersey and the major metropolitan areas between Massachusetts and Virginia. OceanFirst Bank delivers commercial and residential financing, treasury management, trust and asset management and deposit services and is one of the largest and oldest community-based financial institutions headquartered in New Jersey. To learn more about OceanFirst go to http://www.oceanfirst.com.

    Company Contact:
    Jill Apito Hewitt
    Director Corporate Communications
    OceanFirst Financial Corp.
    Tel: (732) 240-4500, ext. 27513
    Email: jhewitt@oceanfirst.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd41f568-6efb-4e98-8791-c83bf64cb38a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/52084880-5502-4eed-a883-14f65b568b62

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25669639-69a1-40d8-953c-75a27a3c5ad1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Altus Group to Announce Q3 2024 Financial Results on November 7, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Altus Group Limited (ʺAltus” or “the Company”) (TSX: AIF), a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial real estate (“CRE”), announced today that it plans to release its third quarter financial results for the period ended September 30, 2024 after market close on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Altus executives Jim Hannon, Chief Executive Officer, and Pawan Chhabra, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call and webcast at 5:00 p.m. (ET) the same day to review the financial results and discuss corporate developments.

    About Altus Group

    Altus Group is a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial real estate. We deliver intelligence as a service to our global client base through a connected platform of industry-leading technology, advanced analytics, and advisory services. Trusted by the largest CRE leaders, our capabilities help commercial real estate investors, developers, proprietors, lenders, and advisors manage risks and improve performance returns throughout the asset and fund lifecycle. Altus Group is a global company headquartered in Toronto with approximately 2,900 employees across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific. For more information about Altus (TSX: AIF) please visit altusgroup.com.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

    Camilla Bartosiewicz
    Chief Communications Officer, Altus Group
    (416) 641-9773
    camilla.bartosiewicz@altusgroup.com  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Year of Sorrow

    Source: USAID

    One year ago today, Hamas orchestrated a brutal terrorist attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, many of whom are still held by Hamas or unaccounted for to this day. Forever seared into our collective consciousness are the memories of young people at a concert running for their lives, seniors and young children huddling in terror in their homes, and the searing sounds of the victims’ final words to their loved ones. We mourn all those that were murdered that day and grieve with all those who have suffered since.  

    In February, I visited Kibbutz Be’eri, situated on the Gaza periphery, where nearly 100 people were murdered and nearly 30 taken hostage. I saw the horrors that were perpetrated when terrorists attacked a peaceful community and murdered and kidnapped innocent people en masse. I spoke with a father who, in the hours after the attack, attempted to get his children to safety – covering their eyes as they ran so they wouldn’t have to see the carnage around them. He showed me the place where his kids’ grandfather and grandmother were executed at point blank range. We must not forget the lives lost, the families broken, and those who have endured 365 excruciating days of waiting for word of their stolen loved ones. 

    And in the year since, the human cost of the war that began due to the attacks on October 7 has been unimaginable. Across the region, innocent men, women, and children who wanted nothing more than to live in peace and safety have been killed. We mourn all those who have lost their lives in Israel, the West Bank, and Lebanon, and the tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza – including more than 11,000 children. When I spoke with Palestinians during a visit to the West Bank earlier this year, one man told me that a single Israeli airstrike killed 16 of his grandchildren. So many in Gaza are hungry, sick, and cold – displaced from their homes, and approaching winter with little to no shelter. 

    Across our own USAID community, staff have been deeply impacted by the carnage and trauma of October 7 and the past year of war and humanitarian crisis – including by the horrific deaths and serious injuries of family and friends in Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon. In Gaza, USAID-funded local implementing partner staff and volunteers have been among those who have been injured and killed during Israeli military operations.  

    Looking back over the last year, nothing will bring back those who have died, and nothing can undo the agony people have been living through. Looking forward, all those involved in this conflict must do more to prevent further suffering. The U.S has been the single largest provider of aid to the Palestinian people since October 7, and we continue our relentless push for an enduring ceasefire that will bring home the hostages and end the war in Gaza, as well as our humanitarian efforts and support for diplomacy to provide much-needed relief to people across the region.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Smith Announce Federal Funding for Rochester International Airport

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced they secured significant federal funding for Rochester International Airport for infrastructure improvements. The grant provides $15,774,313 to construct 1,647 feet of Runway 31’s safety area, reconstruct 6,450 feet of existing Runway 3/21, construct 2.5 miles of new service road, install 15,000 feet of wildlife perimeter fencing, and extend Runway 3/21 an additional 1,647 feet in length to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.
    “Rochester International Airport is an essential link for residents and businesses in Olmsted County and beyond,” said Klobuchar. “This federal grant will make needed infrastructure updates to ensure the airport can continue serving travelers for years to come.”
    “I’m glad to see the Biden-Harris administration once again delivering for travelers in Minnesota and around the country,” said Smith. “Small and regional airports like the Rochester International Airport are vital parts of their communities and this funding will go directly towards constructing runways and services to ensure it is safe and functional for travelers.”
    This funding is from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides federal grants for airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, and markings.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNECE/FAO Team of Specialists on Forest Communication – Forest Communicators’ Network annual meeting and workshop

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Hosted by the Czech Ministry of Agriculture and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences of the Czech University of Life Sciences, participants will learn about the latest best practices in forest communication and trends in forestry in Europe. This will include the role of innovative technology in impactful communication, such as artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, virtual reality and 360° videos. There will be an opportunity to put these new tools into practice in the urban parks and gardens of one of Europe’s greenest cities.

    There will also be a unique focus on urban forestry with a half-day field trip to visit the City of Prague Forests (LHMP). LHMP manages over 2,900 hectares of forests and meadows in Prague, cares for the city’s parks, gardens, orchards and memorial trees, and manages a rescue station for wildlife.

    In addition, participants are invited to submit proposals for 5-minute lightning talks that show examples of impactful communication on forests, trees and wood. The topic this year will be: “Making a change with powerful communication”. Please send proposals and confirm your participation to [email protected].

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq Reports September 2024 Volumes and 3Q24 Statistics

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today reported monthly volumes for September 2024, as well as quarterly volumes, estimated revenue capture, number of listings, and index statistics for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, on its Investor Relations website.

    A data sheet showing this information can be found at: http://ir.nasdaq.com/financials/volume-statistics.

    About Nasdaq

    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at http://www.nasdaq.com.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    Information set forth in this communication contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (i) projections relating to our future financial results, total shareholder returns, growth, trading volumes, products and services, ability to transition to new business models, taxes and achievement of synergy targets, (ii) statements about the closing or implementation dates and benefits of certain acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic, restructuring, technology, de-leveraging and capital allocation initiatives, (iii) statements about our integrations of our recent acquisitions, (iv) statements relating to any litigation or regulatory or government investigation or action to which we are or could become a party, and (v) other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq’s control. These factors include, but are not limited to, Nasdaq’s ability to implement its strategic initiatives, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk, U.S. and global competition, and other factors detailed in Nasdaq’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on Nasdaq’s investor relations website at http://ir.nasdaq.com and the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Media Relations Contacts:

    Nick Jannuzzi
    +1.973.760.1741
    Nicholas.Jannuzzi@Nasdaq.com

    Nick Eghtessad
    +1.929.996.8894
    Nick.Eghtessad@Nasdaq.com

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Ato Garrett
    +1.212.401.8737
    Ato.Garrett@Nasdaq.com

    -NDAQF-

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Columbia Financial, Inc. Announces Completion of Merger of Freehold Bank Into Columbia Bank

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FAIR LAWN, N.J., Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Columbia Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBK) (the “Company”), the mid-tier holding company for Columbia Bank, announced today the completion of the merger of Freehold Bank with and into Columbia Bank, effective as of October 5, 2024. Prior to the bank merger, Freehold Bank and Columbia Bank were held and operated as separate subsidiaries of the Company.

    In connection with the completion of the bank merger, James H. Wainwright, President and Chief Executive Officer of Freehold Bank, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Columbia Bank.

    About Columbia Financial, Inc.

    Columbia Financial, Inc. is a Delaware corporation organized as Columbia Bank’s mid-tier stock holding company. Columbia Financial, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of Columbia Bank, MHC. Columbia Bank is a federally chartered savings bank headquartered in Fair Lawn, New Jersey that operates 68 full-service banking offices and offers traditional financial services to consumers and businesses in its market area.

    Columbia Financial, Inc.
    Investor Relations Department
    (833) 550-0717

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Visteon to Announce Third Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich., Oct. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Visteon Corporation (Nasdaq: VC), a global technology company serving the mobility industry, will release its third quarter 2024 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, Oct. 24. The company will host a conference call for the investment community at 9 a.m. ET to discuss the results and related matters. The conference call is also available to the public via a live audio webcast.

    The dial-in numbers to participate in the call are:

    • U.S./Canada Participants Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 1-888-330-2508
    • International Participants Toll Dial-In Number: 1-240-789-2735
    • Conference ID: 8897485

    (Dial-in approximately 10 minutes before the start of the conference.)

    The conference call and live audio webcast, related presentation materials, news release and other supplemental information will be accessible in the Investors section of Visteon’s website. Shortly after the call, a replay of the webcast will be available on the company’s website.

    About Visteon 
    Visteon is advancing mobility through innovative technology solutions that enable a software-defined and electric future. With next-generation digital cockpit and electrification products, Visteon leverages the strength and agility of its global network with a local footprint to deliver a cleaner, safer and more connected vehicle experience. Headquartered in Van Buren Township, Michigan, Visteon operates in 17 countries worldwide, recorded approximately $3.95 billion in annual sales and booked $7.2 billion of new business in 2023. Learn more at investors.visteon.com. 

    Follow Visteon:

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/visteon 
    https://twitter.com/visteon 
    https://www.facebook.com/VisteonCorporation 
    https://www.youtube.com/user/Visteon
    https://www.instagram.com/visteon/ 
    https://mp.weixin.qq.com/?lang=en_US 
    https://m.weibo.cn/u/6605315328 
    http://i.youku.com/u/UNDgyMjA1NjUxNg==?spm=a2h0k.8191407.0.0  

    The MIL Network –