NewzIntel.com

Category: MIL-OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Share buybacks in Spar Nord Bank – transactions in week 38

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 59
     

    In company announcement no. 10 2024, Spar Nord announced a share buyback programme of up to DKK 500 million. The share buyback was initiated on 12 February 2024.

    The purpose of the share buyback is to reduce the bank’s share capital by the shares acquired under the programme, and the programme is executed pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of 16 April 2014 (“Market Abuse Regulation”).

    In last week the following transactions were made under the share buyback programme.

      Number of shares Average purchase price (DKK) Transaction value (DKK)
    Accumulated from last announcement 2,317,797    290,270,700
    16 September 2024 14,800 128,54 1,902,392
    17 September 2024 14,800 128,74 1,905,352
    18 September 2024 14,800 128,86 1,907,128
    19 September 2024 14,400 129,79 1,868,976
    20 September 2024 14,700 129,11 1,897,917
    Total week 38 73,500    9,481,765
    Total accumulated 2,391,297   299,752, 465

    Following the above transactions. Spar Nord holds a total of 2,448,816 treasury shares equal to 2.08 % of the Bank’s share capital.

    Please direct any questions regarding this release to Rune Brandt Børglum, Head of Investor Relations on tel. + 45 96 34 42 36.

    Rune Brandt Børglum
    Head of Investor Relation

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Second Well Delineates Heisenberg, Confirms Size of Discovery

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Oslo, 24 September 2024 – DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today announced completion of a second well delineating the play-opening 2023 Heisenberg oil and gas discovery in Norwegian North Sea license PL827SB.  Encountering a six-meter oil-filled Eocene sandstone reservoir, the well confirmed the Heisenberg volume estimate of 24 to 56 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) with mean of 37 MMboe.     

    The license partnership, which in addition to DNO Norge AS (49 percent) includes operator Equinor Energy AS, is studying a tieback of Heisenberg to nearby infrastructure, potentially jointly coordinated with the development of other recent discoveries in this highly prolific area surrounding the Troll and Gjøa production hubs. DNO has a strong area position.

    Earlier this year, Cuvette (DNO 20 percent) marked DNO’s eighth discovery in the area since 2021, following Røver Nord, Kveikje, Ofelia, Røver Sør, Heisenberg, Carmen and Kyrre. Discoveries in the Troll-Gjøa area make up the largest share of DNO’s net contingent resources in the North Sea, which stood at 132 million barrels of oil equivalent at yearend 2023.

    DNO continues to be one of the most active explorers in the North Sea. Last week, the Company commenced drilling operations at Falstaff (DNO 50 percent and operator) while Ringand (DNO 20 percent) is expected to be drilled later this fall. In early September, DNO submitted one of the largest applications in the Company’s history for the upcoming APA 2024 licensing round, with awards expected during the first quarter of 2025.

    The Angel exploration prospect, which was the main target of the license PL827SB well, was found to be mainly water wet although the well encountered non-commercial volumes of gas.

    –

    For further information, please contact:
    Media: media@dno.no
    Investors: investor.relations@dno.no

    –

    DNO ASA is a Norwegian oil and gas operator active in the Middle East, the North Sea and West Africa. Founded in 1971 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the Company holds stakes in onshore and offshore licenses at various stages of exploration, development and production in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Norway, the United Kingdom, Côte d’Ivoire, Netherlands and Yemen.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise Legislation to Expand Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Passes House Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement regarding the House Natural Resources Committee passage of his legislation to include Lafourche Parish, La., as part of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area (ANHA):
     
    “Louisiana is world-famous for our unique culture. From our distinct bayou landscapes to the diverse array of wildlife, so much of our storied culture is connected to the uniqueness of the Atchafalaya River Basin and the communities and people connected to it. 

    “I’m pleased to see my bill, which expands the boundaries of the existing Heritage Area to include Lafourche Parish, pass out of the House Natural Resources Committee today, and I look forward to continuing to work through the legislative process to get this bill signed into law.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise on Homeland Security Committee Report on the Biden-Harris Border Crisis

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) issued the following statement on the House Committee on Homeland Security’s report on the Biden-Harris Administration’s border crisis:

    “Today, the Committee on Homeland Security released a report exposing the many ways the Biden-Harris Administration knowingly and intentionally undermined U.S. border security to create the crisis we currently see at the border. 

    “The Committee’s report revealed even before taking office, the Biden-Harris Administration was warned by experienced border security professionals about the dangers of their plan to open our borders and dismantle our border security. President Biden and ‘Border Czar’ Vice President Harris ran on the platform that they would undo Trump-era border security measures and open our borders, incentivizing migrants to surge the border when they assumed office – which is exactly what happened.

    “Thanks to the Biden-Harris open border policies, over 8.2 million illegal immigrants have crossed our southern border, including more than 384 people on the terrorist watchlist. With this massive influx has come deadly fentanyl – which has taken around 200,000 American lives since 2021 – and dangerous gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. Headlines about illegal aliens committing horrific crimes against innocent citizens like Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, Rachel Morin, and too many others, flash across our screens and papers daily, and more than 52,000 illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds have been arrested. This crisis has touched every American. 

    “The Committee’s report underlines that the Biden-Harris border crisis was not some inevitable phenomenon – it was directly caused by the actions taken by President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas. House Republicans won’t stop fighting to secure our border and hold the Biden-Harris Administration accountable for the tragic consequences of their disastrous policies.”

    Click here to view the Committee on Homeland Security’s report.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Result of the 2-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on September 24, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 2-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 50,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 91,035
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 50,003
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.62
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.64
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) 89.83

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/1154

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Surrogacy is booming. But new research suggests these pregnancies could be higher risk for women and babies

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery, Associate Dean Research and HDR, Midwifery Discipline Leader, Western Sydney University

    Helena Lopes/Pexels

    A new study from Canada has found women who agree to carry and birth babies in surrogacy arrangements face a higher risk of complications than other pregnant women.

    These women were at two to three times the risk of health problems such as postpartum haemorrhages and pre-eclampsia. They were also more likely to give birth prematurely.

    With an increasing number of people in Australia and elsewhere having children via surrogacy arrangements, what can we make of these findings?

    First, what is surrogacy?

    Surrogacy is a situation where a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a baby (or babies) for another person or a couple in a planned arrangement.

    There are two types of surrogacy.

    The first is where the pregnant woman is the full biological mother, with the child conceived using her own egg (sometimes called “traditional” or “genetic” surrogacy).

    The second is where the pregnant woman is not the genetic mother and the child is conceived using the egg of a different woman (called “gestational surrogacy”).

    Gestational surrogacy involves the transfer of an embryo or embryos into the uterus of a woman who has agreed to carry and birth the child using in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Gestational surrogacy is now the most common form of surrogacy arrangement in Australia.

    The new study looked at gestational surrogacy specifically.

    What the researchers did

    The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, was retrospective. This means it used existing data that is gathered routinely on people using health services.

    It included 863,017 women who had a single baby between April 2012 and March 2021 (multiple births were excluded).

    The researchers compared outcomes for women and babies where the pregnancy was achieved naturally, those who got pregnant using IVF, and those who were pregnant in a gestational surrogacy arrangement where the woman had no genetic link to the baby.

    Most babies were conceived naturally, 16,087 were IVF pregnancies, and 806 women were pregnant in gestational surrogacy arrangements.

    The study looked at more than 860,000 women in Canada who had a baby over a nine-year period.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    The researchers found pregnant women in gestational surrogacy arrangements had a rate of severe maternal complications of 7.8%, more than three times the rate of those who became pregnant naturally (2.3%) and almost twice the rate among those who got pregnant through IVF (4.3%).

    These risks included postpartum haemorrhage (losing excessive amounts of blood following the birth), severe pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure associated with pregnancy) and serious postpartum infection (sepsis). There was also a higher risk of the baby being born preterm (before 37 weeks) in gestational surrogacy situations.

    The researchers attempted to take into account differences between the three groups like age, weight, health problems and socioeconomic status, which can all influence the risk of complications for pregnant women and their babies. Despite this, they still saw these concerning results.

    Why might the risk be higher?

    Previous research looking at outcomes with gestational surrogacy has had mixed results. But it is thought the reason risks could be greater for the woman and baby in gestational surrogacy arrangements may be because the baby is genetically unrelated to the woman.

    Pregnancy has a strong impact on the immune system. During pregnancy, women’s immune systems are altered so they do not reject the growing baby.

    An imbalanced or overactive immune response can contribute to pregnancy complications including preterm birth and pre-eclampsia. Having a baby with different genetic material may affect a woman’s immune response during pregnancy, and increase the risk of complications in this way.

    Some limitations

    Only women having a single baby were included in the study, so we don’t know the outcomes where a multiple pregnancy was involved. However, multiple birth is common in surrogacy, and there are increased risks associated with multiple births for women and babies.

    Multiple embryo transfer increases the risk of twins and triplets and is prohibited in the context of surrogacy in Australia (and discouraged in IVF treatments more broadly). But Australians engaging in overseas surrogacy commonly request it.

    Also, the study includes a relatively small number of women pregnant in a gestational surrogacy arrangement (806), meaning there’s an increased risk for statistical error and limited ability to detect rare outcomes.

    People may use a surrogate to have a baby for a range of reasons.
    Lopolo/Shutterstock

    Ethical questions

    An increasing number of Australians are having children via surrogacy arrangements. This is due to a combination of factors including a decline in adoption, women delaying motherhood, and increased social acceptability of male same-sex parenting.

    Australia only allows altruistic surrogacy, where the woman who agrees to have the baby for others is not paid.

    However, some other countries allow women to be paid to become pregnant for others (commercial surrogacy). Concern regarding the exploitation of women via commercial surrogacy is such that Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have made it illegal for residents to travel overseas to engage in commercial surrogacy.

    Even so, most Australia children born as a result of surrogacy arrangements are born through overseas commercial surrogacy.

    Despite some limitations, this research indicates increased risks for women becoming pregnant in gestational surrogacy arrangements, and the babies they carry. It seems important the potentially elevated risks should be made clear to women considering carrying and birthing a baby for someone else, and to the prospective parents.

    Considering the rise in surrogacy globally it’s important more research is undertaken on the potential health and other impacts of this practice on women and babies. Health, ethical and human rights implications should inform legislative frameworks, policy and practice.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Surrogacy is booming. But new research suggests these pregnancies could be higher risk for women and babies – https://theconversation.com/surrogacy-is-booming-but-new-research-suggests-these-pregnancies-could-be-higher-risk-for-women-and-babies-239574

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Adam Steer, ABC Radio Darwin

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    ADAM STEER:

    Stephen Jones is the Assistant federal Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services. Minister, welcome to ABC Radio Darwin. These new laws, how are they going to work in terms of preventing scams? Because my understanding is you can’t force the banks to pay back anyone that’s been scammed, can you?

    STEPHEN JONES:

    Not quite true. Under the existing laws, we have a mandatory reimbursement scheme. If somebody has had money withdrawn from their account that wasn’t authorised and that’s done under the ePayments code. The problem we have is there’s so much grey area and the scams are becoming so incredibly sophisticated. They’ve been industrialised over the last decade; scam losses were doubling every year. They haven’t for the last year because of some corrective measures we’ve put in place. But it’s quite clear we just can’t leave the customers on their own –

    STEER:

    Yeah, well, that example –

    JONES:

    More needs to be done.

    STEER:

    That example I was using with Antonia there. So, the bank originally had said no because she had voluntarily handed her information over to the scammers who had provided – she’d looked up the banks themselves and they had provided her the information which she thought, as someone with English as a second language was okay enough that then she could give them the details, her banking details.

    JONES:

    In circumstances like that I mean, then it’s no answer to say banks never ask you to give over your passcodes. They never do that. In fact, they make it quite clear you shouldn’t give them over to anyone. But, you know, for all the reasons you’ve outlined, it’s quite clear that the existing arrangements and obligations aren’t strong enough. So, the laws that we’ll put in place look at the entire economy or the ecosystem in which these scams are operating in. So, they come to us via a phone or an SMS message, or they’re published on a social media platform, and the bank is the destination for the scammers at the end of the transaction. So, we’ve got to get all of those bodies lifting their protection again for their customers to keep their business and network safe, to prevent, to detect, disrupt, respond and report to scams. A failure to put in place the proper steps in this area will lead to fines of up to $50 million for the businesses who fail to do that. The reason we’re starting with banks, telcos and social media platforms is that’s where most of the damage is being done. But we’ll move beyond there once we get that locked down.

    STEER:

    Banks make, I think they made $32 billion worth of profit at the big 4 last year, but only repay between 4–7 per cent of scam victims. That doesn’t seem fair in itself. What exactly are you doing to ensure banks are helping their customers? So, you were saying, unless you do this, we will fine you $50 million for each individual scam? Am I correct that you’re –

    JONES:

    That’s correct, yeah, absolutely. And I want banks to be on the hook if they’ve done the wrong thing. But I don’t want telecommunications companies or social media platforms to be let off the hook as well. I’ve looked at some data up in Europe at the moment, about half the scam losses at the moment are coming from Meta platforms. That’s not a startup business. In Australia, it makes about $6 billion a year. So, that’s a large entity as well. It’s making more than most of our banks, actually. They need to be in the frame. Telcos need to be in the frame. Banks need to be in the frame if they’ve done the wrong thing. And stronger obligations, stronger obligations to protect customers must be in place. And like we’ve been discussing, fines if they, penalties in compensation if they don’t live up to those obligations.

    STEER:

    Six to 8 on 157, ABC Radio Darwin. Adam Steer is my name. Your guest is the federal Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones. A text coming in, Minister, why don’t we ever hear on news scammers getting caught or convicted? Is this because they’re not getting caught?

    JONES:

    Yeah, great question. When we put our policy together, we assumed that the vast majority of this stuff is operating outside of Australia, because it is, and largely in countries where traditional law enforcement can’t work because we don’t have the sorts of relations you need with the countries where they’re operating. In some we’ve got joint operations going in place, but often on the border of war torn countries or in areas where traditional law enforcement can’t get into. So, the traditional law enforcement approach of kicking down doors and dragging people before a court just won’t work. So, we’ve got to look at what will work with what we can do inside Australia.

    STEER:

    Well, let’s move to one of the other issues. I don’t know whether the 2 supermarkets, the 2 major supermarkets, are going to get painted as the villains of inflation, but the ACCC is alleging Woolies and Coles are now breaching consumer laws, rising prices by 15 per cent prior to some of their big promotional scale – sales. I mean, that’s a scam in itself. How the supermarkets going to get punished here?

    JONES:

    Well, strong action being taken by our regulator with the full support of the government. I have got to be careful because this matter is before the court. But if these matters are proved – and I have every reason to believe that the ACCC will have done due diligence before they took the matter before court – if these matters are proved, then it is an indictment on those businesses and they deserve the full force of the law. In instances where Australians are struggling and they’re ripping us off with bodgy sales and bodgy advertisements, jacking prices up before they drop them, that’s just not right.

    STEER:

    And inflationary as we wait to see whether the mortgage rates stay on hold or not for this year. I’ve got a text asking the ACCC themselves have said, good move from the federal government because they reinforced some laws which have allowed us to take this action. And as you say, it is above the courts – in front of the courts at the moment. If it’s successful and if it’s a very, very large fine which we consider it would have to be given the supermarkets are making $1000 million profit per year each. Where does that money go if they get a significant fine? What happens to that money?

    JONES:

    Yeah, good question. So, in this instance, the ACCC has sought unusual but not exceptional orders where a part of the fine would be diverted towards paying for meals and services to homelessness and low income people as a means of ensuring that some of that money goes towards the people who are hurt most by this sort of alleged pernicious behaviour.

    STEER:

    You know what? We’ll wait and see what happens. Federal Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones, thank you so much for your time this morning. Appreciate it.

    JONES:

    Great to talk.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 210-2024: Scheduled Service Disruption: Thursday 26 September 2024 – DAFF messaging, SeaPest

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    24 September 2024

    Who does this notice affect?

    All users of the Seasonal Pests (SeaPest) system.

    All clients submitting the below declarations:

    • Full Import Declaration (FID)
    • Long Form Self Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
    • Short Form Self Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
    • Cargo Report Self Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
    • Cargo Report Personal Effects (PE)

    Information

    Due to scheduled infrastructure maintenance, there will a…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A reformed multilateral system for peace and prosperity: Foreign Secretary speech at UN Summit of the Future

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    David Lammy calls for responsible global leadership in UK national statement.

    Location:
    United Nations, New York
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Mr President, I stand here as a man of multiple identities.

    A Londoner.  A patriotic Brit.  A lawyer. 

    Proud of my African, Guyanese, Caribbean and Indian heritage. 

    A committed multilateralist, who believes in the importance of the United Nations.

    I agree with my great predecessor, Ernie Bevin, when he said in 1945:

    “Our eyes should be fixed upon the United Nations… All nations of the world should be united to look that way.”

    The purposes and principles of the UN remain as indispensable today as in Bevin’s time.

    Our task is to recapture that founding spirit so that when we reach the UN’s centenary, their legacy endures.

    But we cannot ignore the challenges we face. More conflicts than at any time since 1945, costing the global economy over 900 billion dollars, and creating the most refugees and displaced people on record.

    Geopolitical tensions arising. Progress against the Sustainable Development Goals stalling. Trust in multilateralism faltering.

    The Pact for the Future and this Summit offer a chance for Member States to show responsible global leadership, to engage with the rapid changes of our age, and go further in meeting the needs of everyone – especially the most vulnerable.

    As I know all too well, countries of the Global South suffered great injustices in the past. And I have heard repeatedly how frustrated partners are by the unfairness of the global system.

    We cannot ignore these frustrations. We must act.

    First, as the Secretary-General has said, we need greater collective efforts to prevent and end conflict. For Britain, that means upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty, urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and supporting an end to the fighting in Sudan.

    It means robustly challenging Member States who violate the Charter, rejecting a world in which might makes right.

    It means a more representative Security Council.

    It means supporting the international rule of law, and applying it equally and fairly which is why Britain has proposed the outstanding Professor Dapo Akande for election as a judge at the International Court of Justice.

    Second, we need urgent action on the climate and nature crisis.

    With this new Government, Britain is renewing our ambitions at home, aiming to deliver clean power by 2030.

    And I am determined that we also reconnect abroad, building a Global Clean Power Alliance, championing creativity and reforms to unlock international climate and nature finance, particularly from the private sector, and bolstering efforts to protect at least thirty per cent of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030.

    Third, countries like Britain must modernise our approach to development.

    This Government believes partnership, not paternalism, is the way to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Making best use of technology and innovation. Putting indigenous people and local communities, including women and girls, at the centre of decision-making on development programmes.

    Driving faster reform of the global financial system to strengthen the voice of the most vulnerable and tackle unsustainable debt.

    Friends, action on conflict, climate and poverty. Delivered by a reformed multilateral system. This is the path to peace and prosperity on a liveable planet.

    All over the world, in every war zone, every refugee camp, the UN is there. A beacon of hope and humanity to which, as Bevin said, the gaze of all nations should turn.

    This Summit must direct the world’s eyes towards that beacon once again. And Britain is proud to support it.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Newhouse ESA Reform Bill Advances Through Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

    Headline: Newhouse ESA Reform Bill Advances Through Committee

    Yesterday, the House Natural Resources Committee approved the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Amendments Act of 2024, a bill by Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) that makes reforms to the ESA to incentivize conservation, protect landowners’ rights, and implement transparency in the recovery of species.

    “The ESA is in dire need of serious changes, and I am thankful that the committee understands that. Our species and landowners have suffered far too long from misuse of the ESA and my bill puts an end to that. If we are to truly prioritize species recovery and de-listing, then we must prioritize advancing this legislation,” said. Rep. Newhouse.

    Newhouse continued, “I thank House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman for taking up this important bill, and I look forward to working to get it across the finish line.”

    This legislation is the final product of the ESA Working Group co-founded by Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse and Chairman Bruce Westerman in July 2023.

    Original co-sponsors include Reps. Pete Stauber (MN-08), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), and Harriet Hageman (WY-AL).

    Background:

    This legislation:

    • Incentivizes wildlife conservation on private lands.
    • Prevents the Secretary of the Interior from designating privately owned or controlled land as critical habitat, protecting landowners’ rights.
    • Empowers states to enact species recovery plans as state and local officials know best how to manage populations without harming communities.
    • Requires that removal of a species is not subject to judicial review.
    • Creates greater transparency and accountability in recovering listed species.
    • Appropriations authorizing number- $431,755,000 – which is the total authorized in House FY25 bills for Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ESA activities.

    Full original bill text can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI… Rep. Richard Hudson, Heritage Foundation Director of the Center for Health in the Washington Examiner: The Harris-Walz healthcare plan: Fewer options, higher prices

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, Representative Richard Hudson and Heritage Foundation Director of the Center for Health and Welfare Policy Nina Owcharenko Schaefer wrote an op-ed for the Washington Examinerslamming Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Tim Walz, and the Democrats’ government-run healthcare policies that are leaving patients and families with fewer, lower quality choices and higher costs.

    In theop-ed, Rep. Richard Hudson and Nina Owcharenko Schaefer wrote, “While issues such as the border crisis, global conflicts, and persistent inflation continue to dominate headlines, healthcare remains a key concern for voters.

    That’s especially important because, last month, Vice President Kamala Harris picked Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) as her running mate, solidifying the duo as the first ticket ever to feature two candidates who have fully embraced government-run, single-payer healthcare.

    …

    It would cost tens of trillions of taxpayer dollars and reduce medical productivity, giving patients fewer healthcare choices, worse quality care, and longer wait times while hiking taxes for everyone.

    Harris and Walz have also embraced the Biden administration’s disastrous prescription drug price controls. In North Carolina, these liberal policies are actually making prescription drug costs more expensive while limiting future access to life-saving drugs for seniors.

    …

    Democrats once promised people that the ACA would solve our healthcare woes. But a decade later, their efforts are more focused on masking its failures than fixing what is wrong. Premiums are still rising, families have fewer choices, and the choices that are available are more limited and lower quality.

    …

    Instead of addressing these shortcomings, the Biden-Harris administration’s solution has been to simply slap a Band-Aid over them with more taxpayer-funded subsidies.

    …

    A Harris-Walz administration would take away the coverage you have today and put the government in charge of your care, giving it the power to decide what kind of care you get, where you get it, when you get it, and if you can get it at all.

    …

    While Harris and Walz are focused on expanding government control and eroding your freedom, conservatives in the House of Representatives are focused on making coverage more affordable, prices fully transparent, care more accessible, and overall costs more reasonable.

    …

    It’s time to move away from the Democrats’ failed big-government policies and toward a healthcare agenda that is patient-centered, not government-centered.”

    

    Read the full op-ed in the Washington Examiner HERE.

    -###-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Housing Authority sets rents for two new estates

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Housing Authority sets rents for two new estates
    Housing Authority sets rents for two new estates
    ************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:      Rents for a total of 2 551 flats in four non-standard blocks of two new public rental housing (PRH) estates under the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) will be set at the best rent level for their respective districts. The best rent level of a respective district is expressed in terms of dollars per square metre of internal floor area and determined with reference to the location and comparable value of the estates concerned.      The best rent at $104.40 per square metre per month for the flats in Urban district will apply to 1 088 flats in Kin Yan House and Moon Yan House of Hiu Yan Estate.      The best rent at $74.00 per square metre per month for the flats in Sheung Shui district will apply to 1 463 flats in Fu Pak House and Kam Yuk House of Choi Shek Estate.       “Under this rent-fixing exercise, over 69 per cent of the flats are set at a rent level below $2,500 per month,” a spokesman for the HA said today (September 24), adding that PRH rents, which are inclusive of rates, management fees and maintenance costs, are heavily subsidised.      “PRH applicants who are allocated new flats but cannot afford the rents may request refurbished flats at lower rents. They may also apply for assistance under the Rent Assistance Scheme for flats in older block types where applicable,” the spokesman added.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 14:40

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public urged to get flu jab early

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government will launch its 2024-25 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programmes on Thursday, with Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today urging the public to receive vaccination early.

    The health chief said now is the best time to get vaccinated for effective protection in the coming year against the winter or summer influenza strains predicted by the World Health Organization.

    The health chief today received vaccinations against seasonal influenza and COVID-19 at Sai Wan Ho General Out-patient Clinic, along with other health officials and frontline healthcare workers.

    Prof Lo said Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) is one of the most effective means to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications.

    “To boost the SIV coverage rate among schoolchildren, special arrangements have been made under the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme this year to offer a more flexible choice of vaccine options for kindergartens and childcare centres.”

    He explained that kindergartens and childcare centres can offer injectable inactivated influenza vaccines or nasal vaccines in their outreach vaccination activities.

    The Department of Health will also roll out a pilot scheme in which nasal vaccines will be provided to primary and secondary schools that indicated a preference for them earlier this year.

    At present, around 870 kindergartens and childcare centres, around 610 primary schools and around 390 secondary schools have arranged vaccination activities for their students, according to the Health Bureau.

    Prof Lo called on schools that have yet to join the outreach vaccination programme to enrol as soon as possible.

    Separately, he added that individuals in high-risk priority groups should receive an additional COVID-19 booster no less than six months after their last dose, or infection with COVID-19 infection – whichever occurred later – to enhance protection and reduce the risk of serious complications and death.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Newhouse Introduces Resolution to Honor Gold Star Families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

    Headline: Newhouse Introduces Resolution to Honor Gold Star Families

    Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) led 44 members in introducing the Gold Star Families Remembrance Week Resolution to honor the sacrifices made by families of U.S. military servicemembers who lost their lives in service to the nation. It designates September 22 – 28, 2024 as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week.

    “Our service members and their families have made great sacrifices in service to their country, and it is important that they are not forgotten,” said Rep. Newhouse.

    Newhouse continues, “By designating September 22-28 as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week, we recognize the extraordinary courage and resilience of our Gold Star Families and reflect on those we have lost. These families bear an unimaginable burden—enduring the loss of their loved ones who gave their lives in service to our nation—and we have a responsibility to ensure their memory is preserved.”

    The following are quotes of support from Gold Star Family members:

    “I am very pleased that Congress is choosing to recognize Gold Star Families Remembrance Week. Every Memorial Day, we honor our warriors who gave their lives in defense of America. We should also honor the families of those fallen warriors, who stood behind them as they served, suffered the pain of their loss, then picked up the pieces and carried on. I’m a Gold Star son who lost my father in Vietnam. Life has taught me three truths. Grief fades. Love never dies. Courage shines on forever.” – Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Hank Cramer, Washington, Gold Star Son of Captain Harry Griffith Cramer Jr. (U.S. Army Special Forces), who was Killed in Action in 1957 in Vietnam.

    “I was just a year old when my father was declared Missing in Action in December 1945 in Germany. I have no memory of him but would like to honor his legacy by sharing his story with others who want to know the experiences of Gold Star families.” – Karen Oberg, California, Gold Star Daughter of Pvt. Worrell F. Oberg (Army) who was Killed in Action on December 22, 1945, and whose remains have yet to be recovered.

    “My brother had just turned one and I was two and a half when our father was killed. As we got older, we often wondered what kind of man he was. In a letter to his sister just before he was killed, dad wrote that he had been wounded and had to build up his courage to go back in combat because he had seen so much death and destruction. From that letter, and in that moment, we knew our dad was a hero and we brought him off the shelf and back into life.” – Walt Linne, Indiana, Gold Star Son of Sgt. Walter John Linne (Army) who was Killed in Action in Germersheim, Germany on March 24, 1945.

    “In 2022, when I visited South Korea and observed for myself the freedom, liberty, prosperity and gratitude of the South Korean people, I further realized that the supreme sacrifice by my father and its effect on our family was not in vain.” – Robert James Johnston, Tennessee, Gold Star Son of Sgt. James Fred Johnston (Army) KIA/MIA, December 2, 1950, at the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea.

    “Since I was only two when my Dad went missing, I have no personal memories of him other than what my Mom told me often that to do my best as my Dad would expect or when I did something good, she would tell me how proud he would be of me. David, my brother, and I grew up loving the same things our Dad did, Boy Scouts, the outdoors, hunting, fishing and family.” – Mike Logan, Tennessee, Gold Star Son of Maj. Samuel P. Logan, Jr. (USAF). He was the pilot of a B-29 shot down and taken captive while on a mission over North Korea on September 9, 1950. In 1954 he was declared Killed in Action. Maj. Logan was survived by his Gold Star Wife and two Gold Star Sons.

    “Being a Gold Star family member signifies profound sacrifice and loss as we bear the enduring grief of losing a loved one in service to the nation. Gold Star families’ identities are shaped with both pride and sorrow.” – Carol Brenneman Reed, California, Gold Star Daughter of Captain Austin E.E. Brenneman (USMC) who was Killed in Action on May 28, 1951, in Anak, North Korea.

    “In July 1951, the 2nd Inf Div deployed to Korea, leaving a pregnant, newlywed wife on a lifetime path of uncertainty, grief, loss, and life challenges. Ellen Marie Blissenbach handled her loss by joining the Gold Star Wives of America, becoming very active in supporting other families and veterans, as well as seeking information on my missing father, ultimately achieving some closure before her passing.” – Maj. Paul K. Blissenbach US Army (Retired), Kentucky, Gold Star Son of SFC Joseph A. Blissenbach, who gave his life on November 30, 1950, in Kunu-ri, North Korea.

    “Losing my father in the Battle of Ia Drang Valley during the Vietnam War was an indescribable blow, not only to my family but to the very fabric of my life. His absence left a profound void, a loss that reverberated through every milestone, forever shaping who I became. The sacrifice he made in such a fierce and historic battle deepens the sorrow, as his life was cut short defending a cause that took him far from home, never to return.” – Army veteran Thomas Barrett, Ph. D., Maryland, Gold Star Son of SSGT Thomas J. Barrett, Jr. (Army), Killed in Action November 15, 1965, Vietnam.

    “During Gold Star Families Remembrance Week, we honor the parents, spouses, siblings and children of those service members who lost their lives defending the United States and her allies. For nearly a century, ‘The Long Gold Line’ of these Gold Star Families has personified the resilience of the American spirit. Here on the home front, they endured the worst possible news delivered from a faraway war front. Yet they moved forward supporting each other and carrying on the legacies of their fallen heroes who, in the name of freedom, gave their last full measure of devotion.” – Tony Cordero, California, Gold Star Son of Maj. William E. Cordero (USAF) who was killed on a bombing mission over North Vietnam on June 22, 1965. He is the founder of Sons and Daughters In Touch – America’s Gold Star Children from the Vietnam War.

    “Our son held a strong sense of honor and service and would have no regrets. We honor his valor and sacrifice every day. We gratefully support this resolution to honor and remember the sacrifices of all of our fallen and of the 7068 men and women Killed In Action in the Global War on Terror and the ongoing sacrifices of the families they left behind. It is this nation’s responsibility to Never Forget, to honor their valor, and to always support the families left behind.” – Barbara and Col. Mark Roland (USAF, Retired), Kentucky, Gold Star Mother and Father of Captain Matthew Roland, USAF, Killed In Action in Afghanistan on August 26, 2015.

    “My father flew 22 missions along the coastal waters of Vietnam to clear the area of enemy submarines before the US could bring in the 7th Fleet at the onset of the Vietnam War. His body was never recovered after his plane plunged into the South China Sea. My life and my family crumbled before my eyes and to this day I continue to live a life never knowing my father. Three months after the attack on the Twin Towers, my son joined the US Army, following his grandfather’s footsteps as he was also willing to die for his country. Unfortunately, it ended horrifically when he was killed by an enemy IED while on patrol near the Hor Rijeb Canal in Iraq. There is no greater love than this: that a person would lay down his life for the sake of his country.” – Elaine M. Roach, California, Gold Star Mother of PFC Joel Brattain, Killed in Action on March 13, 2004, and Gold Star Daughter of Lt. Harold S. Roach (Navy), lost in the South China Sea on October 2, 1964.

    The following Members are co-sponsors of the legislation:

    Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY), Mike Bost (R-IL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Mike Flood (R-NE), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Mark Green (R-TN), Michael Guest (R-MS), Young Kim (R-CA), Greg Lopez (R-CO), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Greg Murphy (R-NC), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Greg Steube (R-FL), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Roger Williams (R-TX), Brandon Williams (R-NY), David Valadao (R-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Don Davis (D-NC), Josh Harder (D-CA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), William Keating (D-MA), Joe Morelle (D-NY), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Wiley Nickel (D-NC), Scott Peters (D-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).

    Click here to read the full text of the bill.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Craft Named Value Leader for Supply Chain Risk Management Platform and Achieves Overall Strong Performance in Spend Matters Fall 2024 SolutionMap

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Procurement & Supply Chain Live — Craft, the supply chain resilience company, today announced it was named a Value Leader in the Spend Matters Fall 2024 SRM SolutionMap, which includes an evaluation of 93 procurement technology vendors. Craft scored the highest ratings for its overall functional depth, overall customer scores, UX and UI, supplier intelligence and N-tier capabilities.

    To be considered for the list, Craft underwent a rigorous functionality and capability assessment that included an in-depth capability demonstration of their supply chain risk management platform, and anonymized customer reviews and ratings. Spend Matters helps buyers, consultants, investors, and sellers compare vendors across 500+ request-for-information (RFI) requirements for better and smarter procurement technology purchasing.

    “Thousands of companies look to Spend Matters to help them find the right procurement and supply chain technology for their organizations,” said Ilya Levtov, CEO and founder, Craft. “This comprehensive evaluation in the latest SpendMatters Fall 2024 Solution Map is further validation of Craft’s strategy to expand the definition of supplier risk management and serves as a testament to our ability to deliver the right solutions to power resilience across the entire enterprise. We are thrilled to be recognized by SpendMatters, and above all to earn high marks from our customers as a value leader in this highly competitive market.”

    Craft was evaluated under two vendor categories – Supplier Management (risk enhanced) and Risk Management (TPRM/SCRM) – and earned the following:

    1. Named a “Risk Management Value Leader”: Craft was recognized for excelling in supplier intelligence and AI-driven monitoring and analytics for risk management as a result of high functional and customer scores.

    2. Highest-rated vendor for functional depth: Craft was rewarded with high marks by its customers for its exceptionally quick deployment, user experience (UX) and ease-of-use, and its process expertise in helping clients identify and mitigate supply chain-related risk.

    3. Top score for supplier profiles: Craft rated the top analyst scores within the entire category for SIM (supplier information management) and Supplier Profiling, designated by a gold ribbon in the SRM SolutionMap.

    4. Surpassed other SRM vendors in multiple categories: Craft received high ratings for ability to assess and mitigate risks throughout the entirety of the supply chain, and providing detailed services on behalf of clients for supplier data / profile management.

    “Vendors participating in SolutionMap undergo the most rigorous assessment from a tech capability and customer delivery perspective,” said Carina Kuhl, president, SpendMatters. “Spend Matters has the largest analyst team dedicated to in-depth comparison of solutions in the procurement technology space and pinpointing their differentiators.”

    Craft is the intelligent supply chain resilience platform that enables organizations to know their suppliers, protect against disruptions, and build resilient supply chains. Craft’s flexible data fabric uses best of breed datasets from public and private sources across 500+ risk categories, such as ESG, geopolitical, foreign influence, cybersecurity, supplier financial health, weather, and much more. Its risk engine is enhanced by AI-generated insights that can be shared, tracked and taken action on internally and across organizations via a collaborative workspace. With Craft, organizations like the U.S. Department of Defense, Hapag-Lloyd, major financial services institutions, and other Fortune 500 companies confidently navigate third-party risks, regulatory environments, uphold ethics, and drive business continuity and growth.

    For more information about Craft, visit www.craft.co or contact press@craft.co.

    About Craft
    Craft illuminates the path to global supply chain resilience. It empowers businesses to strengthen their supplier networks and supply chains with the industry’s most reliable and comprehensive data fabric and AI-driven risk mitigation engine. Craft’s user-friendly platform offers 360-degree visibility to explore and evaluate supplier networks, AI-generated insights to detect and mitigate disruptions, and collaborative tools to enhance supply chain strategies. Procurement and supply chain professionals can confidently navigate regulatory environments, adhere to ethical standards, and ensure business continuity. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Craft assists commercial and governmental organizations worldwide in creating more resilient supply chains.

    For more information about Craft, visit www.craft.co.

    PR Contact
    Carol Hickins
    carol.hickins@craft.co

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia and ZCorum collaborate to develop DOCSIS Provisioning Adapter for cable-to-fiber transition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia and ZCorum collaborate to develop DOCSIS Provisioning Adapter for cable-to-fiber transition

    • Nokia entered into an agreement with ZCorum to develop a DOCSIS Provisioning Adapter (DPA) application to work with Nokia’s Altiplano platform.
    • The DPA will enable cable operators to provision a PON ONT and subscriber services using their existing DOCSIS provisioning system, facilitating a transition to fiber-to-the-home.
    • The DPA application will be offered through Nokia’s Altiplano Marketplace and provided to customers by Nokia.

    24 September 2024
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that it has partnered with ZCorum, a leading provider of diagnostics and managed services for broadband providers, to develop a DOCSIS Provisioning Adapter (DPA) application. The DPA solution will allow cable operators to use their existing DOCSIS-based provisioning system to provision an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) and subscriber services on an ITU-based Passive Optical Network (PON).

    Cable operators are upgrading their networks to fiber because it offers the highest performance, scalability, and reliability. This transition often involves implementing a next-generation fiber management solution. For MSOs seeking a more gradual shift from their DOCSIS-based Operations Support Systems (OSS), a software-based DPA offers a seamless pathway. Beyond simplifying the evolution to Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), the DPA application can also help distribute adoption costs and expedite time-to-market.

    The Nokia DPA provides an interworking function, or translation layer, bridging the DOCSIS-based management system and Nokia’s Altiplano Access Controller. Altiplano is an open and programmable platform offering a complete suite of network management functions and software-defined networking (SDN) controls for Nokia’s Lightspan PON networks.

    The Nokia DPA application is expected to be available for lab trials by the end of 2024. When broadly introduced, the Nokia DPA will be offered through the Nokia Altiplano Marketplace. The Nokia Altiplano Marketplace gives operators access to a catalog of ready-made automation tools and network analytics to get the most out of their broadband network. Additionally, Nokia’s Altiplano Access Controller platform gives operators and third-party developers, such as ZCorum, access to open APIs and a Software Development Kit (SDK) for developing value-added applications.

    More information and a demonstration of the DPA will be available at Nokia’s booth (#1903) at SCTE TechExpo 24, September 24-26 in Atlanta, GA.

    Jeff Heynen, Vice President at Dell’Oro Group, said: “While cable operators are upgrading their networks in various ways, virtually all are deploying PON-based FTTH networks in greenfield. Many are also overbuilding their whole network with PON or strategically adding it into their legacy HFC networks. MSOs will benefit from and welcome any tool that makes it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to deploy PON. Certainly, Nokia’s DPA will do just that.”
         
    Julie Compann, President and CEO at ZCorum, said: “ZCorum has been serving DOCSIS and fiber operators since the time those technologies first launched, so developing DPA is a natural project for our company. Cable operators recognize the benefits of migrating to fiber, but also have a significant investment in their DOCSIS infrastructure. DPA will allow them to focus on fiber deployment where needed, without the need to immediately deploy a second provisioning system. We are pleased to be working with Nokia and their team to make that possible.”

    Geert Heyninck, VP and GM Broadband Networks at Nokia, said: “As the industry leader in PON, Nokia is ideally positioned to assist cable operators in moving to next-generation networks, enabling them to deliver the best possible service to their subscribers. The DPA app we are developing with the OSS experts at ZCorum will offer our customers a simple means to ease their transition to FTTH and attain a more competitive position in their markets.”

    Resources and additional information
    Webpage: Fiber broadband for cable operators
    Webpage: Altiplano Access Controller
    Webpage: Altiplano Marketplace
    Webpage: ZCorum Managed Services and Diagnostics

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    About ZCorum
    ZCorum provides a suite of services to broadband operators with the goal of enhancing their operational efficiency, reducing costs, increasing revenue, and improving the subscriber experience. Services include Diagnostics Software for Fiber and DOCSIS networks, Device Activation, Cybersecurity as a Service, Bandwidth Management, Hosted Residential and Commercial VoIP, Fully Managed IPTV Services, and 24×7 End-User Technical Support.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram TikTok Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia selected by Spark as majority 5G RAN partner in New Zealand

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia selected by Spark as majority 5G RAN partner in New Zealand

    • Nokia to partner with Spark to expand its 4G and 5G infrastructure in key cities across New Zealand.
    • Partnership supports Spark’s goal to simplify and consolidate network operations.

    24 September 2024
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that it has been selected by Spark New Zealand (Spark), to expand its existing 4G and 5G program in cities across New Zealand. Spark has chosen Nokia as its preferred 5G Radio Access Network partner to streamline operations and consolidate its RAN. This strategic decision will simplify network operations while delivering the best-performing 5G network in New Zealand.

    Under the deal, covering over 700 sites, Nokia will provide equipment from its comprehensive 5G AirScale portfolio. This includes baseband, remote radio heads, and massive MIMO radios, offering industry-leading 5G capacity, coverage, and connectivity. These solutions utilize Nokia’s energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology, delivering superior capacity and connectivity to Spark customers while reducing complexity and improving cost efficiencies.

    Renee Mateparae, Network and Operations Director for Spark said: “Nokia has been a trusted partner of ours for many years, and we are excited to work with them on bringing a world-class 5G network to more of Aotearoa, New Zealand. This next phase of our partnership will see us streamlining our 5G deployments to simplify operations and deliver great 5G experiences for our customers every day. Working with Nokia, we aim to deliver next-generation services that will empower the people and businesses creating Aotearoa, New Zealand’s tomorrow.”

    Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected by Spark as the majority supplier for this transformative 5G project and to support its vision of streamlining operations and consolidating its network. With our state-of-the-art technology solutions, we are confident that Spark will achieve its objectives of enhancing network efficiency, improving service quality, and delivering a seamless experience to its customers.”

    Resources and additional information:
    Webpage: Nokia 5G
    Webpage: AirScale Radio Access

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable, and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares Announces Fee Reduction for Flagship ETPs, HODLX and BOLD

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZURICH, 24 September 2024 – 21Shares AG (“21Shares”), one of the world’s largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange traded products (ETPs) and a subsidiary of 21.co, is pleased to announce a significant fee reduction for two of its flagship products: the 21Shares Crypto Basket 10 ETP (HODLX) and the 21Shares Bytetree BOLD ETP (BOLD). Effective immediately, the management fees for these ETPs have been lowered to 0.49% for HODLX and 0.65% for BOLD, making these innovative investment vehicles more accessible to a broader range of investors.

    The 21Shares Crypto Basket 10 ETP (HODLX) provides diversified exposure to the top ten digital assets by market capitalization, rebalanced quarterly to reflect the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market. With this fee reduction to 0.49%, investors can now benefit from a more cost-effective way to capture the growth potential of the digital asset space in a single, diversified ETP.

    The 21Shares Bytetree BOLD ETP (BOLD) offers a unique blend of Bitcoin and Gold, designed as a balanced approach to digital and traditional assets. BOLD’s risk-adjusted weighting scheme, rebalanced monthly, combines the security of gold with the growth opportunities of Bitcoin, offering a diversified hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. The new fee of 0.65% further enhances the appeal of this product for investors seeking strategic and cost-efficient exposure to these assets.

    “At 21Shares, our mission has always been to make investing in cryptocurrency more accessible, and this fee reduction is a reflection of our commitment to delivering value to our investors,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “By lowering the fees on HODLX and BOLD, we are enabling more investors to participate in the future of finance at a lower cost.”

    These fee reductions underscore 21Shares’ dedication to providing innovative, low-cost investment solutions that meet the evolving needs of the global investor community. Both ETPs are 100% physically backed by their underlying assets, held securely in cold storage, ensuring the highest levels of trust for investors.

    For more information about 21Shares and its full range of ETPs, visit https://www.21shares.com/en-eu/product .

    Press Contacts:
    Audrey Belloff, Head of Communications, press@21.co

    About 21.co:
    21.co is the world’s leader in providing access to crypto through simple and easy to use products. 21.co is the parent company of 21Shares, one of the world’s largest issuer of cryptocurrency exchange traded products (ETPs) – which is powered by Onyx, a proprietary technology platform used to issue and operate cryptocurrency ETPs for 21Shares and third parties. The company was founded in 2018 by Hany Rashwan and Ophelia Snyder. 21Shares is registered in Zurich, Switzerland with offices in Zurich, London and New York. For more information, please visit 21Shares.

    Disclaimer:
    This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.

    This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.

    This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

    Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

    Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under www.21Shares.com.

    The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

    This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2023 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with SIX Exchange Regulation AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2023 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

    ###

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Eastern Breeze”: Polytech became a prize winner of the All-Russian competition in marine robotics

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The 7th All-Russian competition in marine robotics “Eastern Breeze” was held in Vladivostok. Over the course of eight days, 31 teams (more than 120 people) competed in the field of promising developments of robotic complexes created by enterprises and research institutes. SPbPU was represented by teams from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport, studying at the Higher School of Automation and Robotics. The Polytechnicians managed to take three prize places in two categories.

    The students’ trip was supported by the SPbPU Center for Technological Projects, the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport, and the SPbPU Youth Policy Department.

    In the category “Unmanned boats” our team with the device “Bublik-Pi” (developed with the support of the Priority 2030 program) managed to take second place, and the team with the Barracuda apparatus took third place. The teams’ tasks included autonomous or remotely controlled navigation in the sea, namely movement along specified routes and trajectories. Bublik-Pi was the only one that successfully completed all tasks in autonomous mode, but had a low speed at sea (1 knot).

    Also in the category “Remotely controlled unmanned underwater vehicles” among developers, the submarine “Atlant-S” took third place. During the tests, it was necessary to detect objects under water and move them.

    The first team (the Bublik-Pi and Atlant-S devices) included second-year master’s students Artem Akzhigitov, Andrey Klinovitsky, and fourth-year student Artem Klochikhin. The second team (the Barracuda device) was represented by first-year master’s student Vladimir Marin and 2024 graduate Artem Kondratyev.

    The event was quite large-scale, with teams from all over Russia participating, and they represented not only educational institutions, but also law enforcement agencies. The team had the task of performing various types of maneuvers on a water section: to go through a snaking course, to make a dash, etc. To solve the tasks, a remote control system for an unmanned boat was created, and we also laid the groundwork for the future to solve problems in autonomous mode using GNSS, a magnetometer, and a machine vision system, shared one of the developers of the Barracuda, Artem Kondratyev.

    Our teams were lucky to be at these competitions and test new SPbPU developments in extreme (marine) conditions. We successfully coped with the tasks set, especially enjoyed developing the ROV, this is a difficult task that we took on for the first time and successfully implemented it, – Andrey Klinovitsky said about the event.

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

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

    https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/achievements/eastern-breeze-polytechnic-became-a-winner-of-the-all-Russian-competition-in-marine-robotics/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s central bank conducts reverse repos

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Sept. 24 — China’s central bank conducted 460 billion yuan (about 65.24 billion U.S. dollars) of 14-day reverse repos at an interest rate of 1.85 percent Tuesday.

    The move aims to keep liquidity reasonable and ample in the banking system at the end of the quarter, the central bank said.

    A reverse repo is a process in which the central bank purchases securities from commercial banks through bidding, with an agreement to sell them back in the future.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University Opens Postdoc School “Digital Methods in Social and Humanitarian Knowledge”

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The opening of the educational program of the Postdoc School “Digital Methods in Social and Humanitarian Knowledge” (a project of the Humanities Institute – the winner of the “Priority 2030” competition of SPbPU) took place at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    The initiative to create the “Postdoc School” (postdoctoral studies) was a response to the growing competition and changing requirements for research practices under the influence of the new technological order. Digital analysis of large volumes of data, the use of neural networks and machine learning are becoming essential tools for scientists and teachers in the humanities who strive to remain at the forefront of science.

    As part of the opening of the Postdoc School, a lecture by Eduard Ponarin was held. He is a well-known specialist in the field of digital data analysis methods, the founder and leading research fellow of the Ronald Franklin Inglehart Laboratory for Comparative Social Research and a full professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg.

    He devoted his lecture to current issues of creating and analyzing text corpora, building statistical models, working with big data, as well as popular methods of formalizing text parameters and mapping them.

    The educational program of the Postdoc School is aimed at masters, postgraduate students, young candidates of science with a strong social and humanitarian education and is aimed at developing their potential in the modern world. The school is designed to become a bridge between traditional humanitarian knowledge and modern digital technologies, teaching in-depth research based on structuring and analyzing arrays of heterogeneous data. At the same time, the results of the project will be not only the development of digital competencies and the effectiveness of scientific research, but also the creation of scientific interdisciplinary and inter-institutional teams due to the cooperation of researchers from different higher schools and institutes of the social and humanitarian profile of SPbPU in research teams.

    Thus, the program will have a significant impact on the development of the human resources potential of young people at SPbPU and will help in solving modern scientific problems.

    Photo archive

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

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

    https://www.spbstu.ru/media/news/education/v-politekhe-otkryli-shkolu-postdokov-tsifrovye-metody-v-sotsialno-humanitarnom-znanii/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China plans to inject capital into six major commercial banks: official

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Sept. 24 — China plans to increase the tier-1 capital of six major commercial banks, an official said Tuesday.

    Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, told a press conference that the capital will be injected in an orderly manner, with coordinated advancement, phased implementation and tailored policies.

    Tier-1 capital refers to the core capital held in a bank’s reserves, including common stock and disclosed reserves.

    The administration will continue to prompt the major commercial banks to enhance fine management and strengthen their ability to achieve high-quality development under capital constraints, Li said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Development Asia: Boosting Regional Integration with Enhanced Multimodal Transport Links

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Road Corridors

    Roads are the primary transport infrastructure in most SAARC member states, serving as the main means of domestic connectivity and the key conduit for intra-SAARC trade, either across land borders or via seaports. In recent years, the importance of road transport has grown across all SAARC countries.

    The original SMRTS included ten SAARC road corridors, linking: (i) Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh (two); (ii) Nepal and India (two); (iii) Bhutan and India (one); (iv) Nepal, India, and Bangladesh (one); (v) Bhutan, India, and Bangladesh (one); (vi) India and Bangladesh (two); and (vii) Nepal, India, and Pakistan (one). The updated SMRTS highlights recent physical and nonphysical progress in corridor development.

    Physical progress includes the 6.15-km Padma Bridge, upgrades to the Sarail-Akhaura link and Elenga-Hatikamrul-Rangpur Highway, and four-laning of the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway and Sylhet-Tamabil Road in Bangladesh; the planned Haldia/Howrah-Raxual Expressway in India; Nepal’s Kathmandu-Terai Madhesh Fast Track Project; and Pakistan’s Khyber Pass Economic Corridor and six-lane motorways connecting Karachi to Peshawar. Nonphysical progress includes motor vehicle agreements facilitating cross-border transport.

    Rail Corridors

    Railways have the potential to become a key transport mode in the SAARC region, especially for intraregional movement of goods and passengers between Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The region’s railway network is mainly broad-gauge and compatible across member states, except for the meter-gauge network east of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Once the SAARC rail corridors are fully developed and nonphysical barriers are addressed, efficient rail connectivity will link the concerned SAARC countries.

    The original SMRTS included five SAARC railway corridors, connecting Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Recent progress includes several railway projects in Bangladesh (e.g., the Padma Bridge Rail Link, dual-gauge line between Akhaura and Laksam), new rail links in Bhutan and Nepal, and the planned Uzbekistan-Pakistan-Afghanistan Railway.

    Inland Waterway Corridors

    Among SAARC countries, only Bangladesh and India have organized inland waterways, facilitating freight transit between the two nations. In earlier SMRTS stages, two inland waterway corridors of regional importance were identified based on current and potential future traffic. These corridors also offer direct waterway links for Northeast India to the ports of Kolkata and Haldia. Landlocked Bhutan and Nepal could benefit from multimodal and intermodal connections to these waterways, providing access to the sea.

    A recent development is the consolidation of the Eastern Waterways Grid, linking rivers in Bangladesh and India with roads and rail to improve connectivity. The Grid builds on the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Routes, enhancing trade and transit between the two countries. It promises significant cost savings for bulk goods transport in India and revenue generation for Bangladesh through port fees and cargo services, with potential benefits for Bhutan and Nepal.

    Maritime Gateways

    The previous SMRTS versions identified ten major maritime gateways based on current traffic volume, potential to handle future intraregional container traffic, and access for landlocked countries to seaports.

    The updated SMRTS highlights recent progress in the maritime sector. Bangladesh is developing two new gateways: Payra, now operational, and Matarbari, under construction and expected to become the country’s first deep-sea port. Chattogram Port has undergone significant expansion, with a framework for its sustainable development as a transshipment hub for Northeast India. India’s Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Port, the largest on the Eastern Coast, has increasingly served Nepali transit traffic. Other notable developments include a planned new port at Thilafushi in Maldives, a major port concession in Karachi, Pakistan, and continued expansion of Colombo Port, Sri Lanka. Additionally, ferry services between India and Sri Lanka have been proposed.

    Aviation Gateways

    The original SMRTS identified 16 SAARC aviation gateways and noted the need to increase this number by 2030 by upgrading domestic airports to regional hubs and regional airports to international ones. It also acknowledged the complexity of identifying aviation hubs within the SAARC region, which goes beyond the scope of the SMRTS.

    Based on recent developments discussed at a February 2024 workshop in Kathmandu, additional aviation gateways were included in the updated SMRTS. These are in Bangladesh (Chattogram, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar, Saidpur), Bhutan (Gelephu), Maldives (Gan), Nepal (Gautam Buddha, Pokhara), Pakistan (Islamabad), and Sri Lanka (Mattala Rapsaka, Jaffna, Batticaloa).

    Between 2020-2024, the aviation sector faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which lowered passenger and freight demand. As the sector recovers, the challenge is to rebuild and reshape it, redesigning terminals to meet new requirements and implementing measures to address environmental concerns, including decarbonization.

    Connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia

    Recent developments in transport connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia include United Nations General Assembly Resolution 76/299 on strengthening regional connectivity, the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor, the Uzbekistan-Pakistan-Afghanistan Railway Project, the International North-South Transport Corridor (a 7,200-km multimodal route linking India, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia), and the Delhi Declaration from the 1st India-Central Asian Summit in January 2022.

    Air connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia remains limited, despite Central Asia’s landlocked nature and challenging geography. Air transport is crucial for moving perishable and high-value goods and facilitating business travel and tourism.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: The online Olympiad “Safe Roads” has started

    MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The All-Russian Online Olympiad will be held for the fifth time from September 24 to October 27 “Safe Roads”The event is being held with the aim of testing and improving the road literacy of students in grades 1–9, said Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “Children’s safety is one of our top priorities. In this area, under the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”, we are carrying out comprehensive work to update routes to schools and other educational institutions across the country, and much has already been done. We also pay special attention to educational events aimed at increasing the level of knowledge about road traffic and behavior on the roads. In particular, within the framework of the national project, the All-Russian online Olympiad “Safe Roads” is held annually, where schoolchildren can consolidate their knowledge of traffic rules. Over four years, more than 15 million participants have tested their road literacy,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    To prevent child road traffic injuries, the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate carries out various activities aimed at raising children’s awareness of the rules of conduct on the roads.

    “Legal information for children on the topic of road safety, instilling in them the skills of safe behavior on the roads is a priority area of activity of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, which is carried out in cooperation with educational authorities. Taking into account the analysis of the causes of child road traffic injuries, forms and methods of preventive work are selected. The tasks of the online Olympiad allow its participants to test their knowledge in an interactive form and gain new knowledge on the basics of traffic rules. The Olympiad provides for the opportunity to participate in an unlimited number of children, teachers and parents. The most important task of the Olympiad is to reduce child mortality as a result of road accidents,” emphasized the head of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Lieutenant General of Police Mikhail Chernikov.

    The Olympiad tasks focus on safe behavior skills both at pedestrian crossings and in transport, and when using personal mobility devices – last year these topics turned out to be the most difficult for schoolchildren.

    The organizers of the Olympiad are the Ministry of Transport of Russia, the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the ANO “National Priorities” with the support of the Ministry of Education of Russia, the event is held within the framework of the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”.

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

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

    http://government.ru/nevs/52780/

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Fibabanka launches Türkiye’s first BaaS platform in partnership with GetirFinans

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ISTANBUL, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fibabanka, a leading player in Türkiye’s banking sector, has launched the country’s first Banking as a Service (BaaS) model through an innovative collaboration with GetirFinans, which received a total of $70 million in investment last year at a valuation of $250 million. This partnership, a significant step in Fibabanka’s broader strategy to expand its BaaS platform, provides non-banking businesses with the infrastructure to offer tailored financial services to their customers efficiently.

    The BaaS model, enabled by Fibabanka’s advanced technology, marks a new era in financial services, making it easier for businesses across industries to integrate financial solutions into their own platforms. Fibabanka is one of the few global institutions to implement this model, positioning itself as a key innovator in the Turkish market.

    A new era for financial services integration

    The partnership with GetirFinans is the first use case for Fibabanka’s BaaS model. Through the GetirFinans, integrated within the Getir, application, users can now access a range of banking services, including account management, card issuance, and payment options, directly from the app. By leveraging Fibabanka’s digital infrastructure, GetirFinans is able to offer these services without needing a banking license, while maintaining focus on its core operations.

    With more than 500 APIs powering its platform, Fibabanka’s BaaS solution enables businesses to seamlessly incorporate financial services into their operations, opening the door to cost-effective and streamlined service delivery. Non-bank organizations, from large retailers to fintech startups, can use Fibabanka’s BaaS platform to meet rising customer expectations for integrated, convenient financial solutions.

    Ömer Mert, General Manager and Member of the Board of Directors at Fibabanka, emphasized the transformative nature of this model: “As consumer expectations around financial services evolve, businesses are seeking ways to offer seamless and integrated experiences through their own platforms. Our Banking as a Service model responds directly to these demands by enabling businesses outside the banking sector to access financial infrastructure easily. The GetirFinans collaboration is just the first step, and we look forward to expanding our platform further to meet the needs of various industries and countries.”

    Expanding the reach of financial services

    Fibabanka’s BaaS model is designed to drive financial inclusion by making banking services more accessible to a wider audience. By working with partners like GetirFinans, the bank is extending its reach beyond traditional banking channels, offering innovative solutions that cater to the changing needs of consumers and businesses alike.

    Fibabanka’s BaaS platform also provides significant operational benefits to partner organizations, reducing the costs and complexity typically associated with offering financial services. By managing the backend processes that require a banking license, Fibabanka enables businesses to focus on growth and customer experience.

    A broader vision for the future

    Fibabanka’s launch of the Banking as a Service model is just the beginning of its journey. The bank has positioned itself as a leader in digital banking solutions in Türkiye and plans to expand its BaaS offerings across more industries in the near future. With its technology-driven approach and commitment to innovation, Fibabanka aims to set new standards in the financial services industry, providing solutions that benefit both businesses and their customers.

    “We are proud to be at the forefront of this shift in the banking landscape,” Mert added. “As the destination for BaaS in Türkiye, Fibabanka will continue to build on this model, offering new collaborations that meet the needs of our partners and their customers. Our mission is to redefine the boundaries of digital banking through innovation, and this is just the first of many milestones we intend to achieve.”

    About Fibabanka:

    Since its establishment in 2010, Fibabanka has been a part of the Fiba Group, positioning itself as a forward-thinking technology company offering banking services for the future. Through its investments in digital infrastructure and innovation, Fibabanka continues to transform conventional banking into an end-to-end digital experience, delivering fast, easy, and accessible solutions to its customers.

    About GetirFinans:

    Founded in partnership with Getir, GetirFinans is a technology company that achieved a valuation of $250 million while still in its establishment phase, having raised a total of $70 million in investments last year. GetirFinans will offer users a fast and advantageous banking experience as an interface provider for the service banking services provided by Fibabanka, in accordance with the Regulation on the Principles of Operation of Digital Banks and Service Model Banking, which came into effect on January 1, 2022.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MENG ANNOUNCES NEW ONLINE PASSPORT RENEWAL SYSTEM

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

    Congresswoman announced pilot program last summer; new and permanent initiative aims to benefit travelers in Queens and across NY and the nation

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – After recently announcing a pilot program to allow travelers from Queens and throughout the nation to renew their passports online, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) said today that the initiative has become permanent.

    Meng announced the pilot program last summer. It provided a limited number of slots for individuals to submit renewal applications, and the application window closed each day once the system reached its daily limit. The new and permanent online system, which aims to enhance how borough residents and other travelers renew their passports, is now fully functional and will be available 24/7 from cell phones, tablets, and computers.

    “As a lawmaker who has fought to reduce wait times for passports, I am thrilled that the process for renewals has been modernized and made easier through this new online tool which is now up and running,” said Meng. “This new platform will take advantage of technology to provide another option for those in Queens and across the country who are seeking to renew their passports. The service will be a huge convenience for travelers seeking to plan international vacations, visit loved ones abroad or conduct business around the world. I am excited to see the online system benefit our borough and country, and positively impact travel for many years to come.”

    To renew a passport online, travelers from Queens and the rest of New York and the U.S. must meet the following requirements:

    1. The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older.
    2. The State Department issued the passport you are renewing between 2009 and 2015, or over 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit your application. 
    3. You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth or place of birth.
    4. You are not traveling for at least 8 weeks from the date you will submit your application. 
    5. You are applying for a regular tourist passport.
    6. You live in the United States.
    7. You have your passport with you, it is not damaged, and you have not reported it as lost or stolen.
    8. You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.
    9. You can upload a digital passport photo.
    10. You are aware that the State Department will cancel the passport you are renewing after you submit your application.

    The number of Americans with valid passports has grown exponentially over the past 30 years. In 1990 just five percent of Americans had passports. Now, that number has grown to 48 percent.

    In 2023, the State Department fielded half a million passport applications a week and issued a record 24 million passports. Standard processing times for a passport ranged from 10-13 weeks and expedited requests took about 7-9 weeks. In calling for the passport backlog to be addressed, Congresswoman Meng pushed the State Department to decrease the long wait times, and that included questioning Secretary of State Antony Blinkenabout the problem during a congressional hearing in May 2023. According to the State Department, standard processing times have since been reduced to 6-8 weeks and expedited processing is down to just 2-3 weeks.

    Meng’s office routinely helps residents of her district fulfill passport requests, especially for those with emergency and last-minute travel plans. Last year, her constituent services team assisted with more than 400 passport requests from constituents who were seeking help booking limited appointments at U.S. Passport Agency locations throughout New York. She has also held several events at Queens post offices to help constituents apply for or renew a passport. For emergency requests, constituents can continue to reach out by calling 718-358-MENG with any questions.

    To renew a passport online, travelers can go here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MENG ARRANGES FOR KOREAN AMERICAN YOUTH CHOIR FROM QUEENS TO PERFORM AT WHITE HOUSE

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she arranged for a Korean American Youth Choir from Queens to perform this week at the White House in Washington, D.C.

    The Korean American Youth Choir of New York (KAYCNY), a Queens-based group of young individuals dedicated to promoting and preserving Korean culture through music, played at the first White House celebration that marked the Korean holiday of Chuseok. The event took place this past Tuesday, September 17. The Congresswoman helped arrange for KAYCNY to be invited by recommending them to White House officials.

    “It was wonderful to see KAYCNY represent New York’s Korean American community at this wonderful event, and I’m thrilled that they were asked to perform at my request,” said Congresswoman Meng. “I thank these talented young people for showcasing Korean culture through their music and contributing to these exciting festivities that celebrated the Korean diaspora in the United States. I am so proud to represent a vibrant Korean American community in my district in Queens and I thank the White House for hosting this event to highlight the rich heritage and culture of Korean Americans.”

    “This performance at the White House was an outstanding experience and it was a tremendous opportunity to spotlight the talent and work of the local young people in our choir,” said Eunja Ko, Leader of KAYCNY. “It was an honor to participate, and I thank Congresswoman Meng for arranging for us to perform.”

    The celebration included around 100 people. Approximately 13 children from KAYCNY performed in traditional Korean attire and they were joined by the choir’s conductor, staff members, and several parents.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New UK-Kenya investment partnership rings in UK trade visit

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Nairobi Securities Exchange launches partnership with UK development investor as UK trade lead visits Nairobi.

    His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Kenya, John Humphrey, rings the trading bell alongside (L-R) Dave Portmann of MOBILIST, Frank Mwiti CEO of NSE, Mary Njuguna of FSD Africa, John Humphrey HMTC, Paul Mwai Vice Chairman of NSE, Bansri Pattni of AIB-AXYs, Daniel Warutere of Capital Markets Authority.

    Tuesday 24, September – The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and UK government programme MOBILIST, have announced a new partnership at a launch event in Nairobi. The launch was attended by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, John Humphrey, at the start of a three-day visit to Kenya.

    The partnership aims to drive the listing of new investment products in the Kenyan market and increase the amount of private sector capital available for development and climate projects in Kenya, and generate growth.

    MOBILIST, an innovative part of the UK Government’s investment partnerships offer, provides investment and technical assistance to help businesses that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to overcome the barriers that keep them from listing on a stock exchange.

    The programme has similar partnerships with several emerging market exchanges, including the Nigerian Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), and will consider applications from eligible Kenyan firms.

    Trade Commissioner Humphrey’s visit to Kenya, which comes after recent trips to Egypt and Ethiopia, will focus on delivering long-term investment projects that support the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership – an ambitious five-year agreement that is unlocking mutual economic benefits for the UK and Kenya, without loading Kenya with unsustainable debt.

    In Nairobi he will meet the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, H.E Salim Mvurya, to drive forward the implementation of flagship UK-Kenya climate projects that support President Ruto’s Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII). He will also launch the British Business Breakfast Club, to listen to the challenges facing British-Kenyan enterprises.

    Mr Humphrey will also visit Naivasha to meet one of Kenya’s biggest exporters of cut flowers, Flamingo Flowers – a British business that employs 11,000 people in Kenya. They are benefitting from the global suspension of the 8% export tariff for cut flowers entering the UK, an example of the UK supporting markets that matter to Kenya, by removing barriers in areas which aim to have an immediate economic impact.

    His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, John Humphrey, said:

    Mobilising investment solutions in Kenya are vital to economic growth as they provide a platform for Kenyan businesses to raise the capital they need to expand their operations, increase cross-border trade, and employ more Kenyans – and at the same tackle climate change and achieve critical development goals.

    Long-term investments that deliver lasting change for the people of both our countries are the cornerstone of the UK-Kenya economic relationship. We go far when we go together – I am delighted to be back in Kenya to deliver our mutually beneficial partnership which is rooted in respect.

    Nairobi Securities Exchange CEO, Frank Mwiti, said:

    The NSE is delighted to partner with the UK government-backed MOBILIST Programme. The strategic partnership between the NSE and MOBILIST aligns with our new strategic focus aimed at enabling the NSE to play a more dynamic role in mobilising and channelling capital to sectors that have the most significant capital needs, with a special focus on sustainable development. As a market, we will continue providing a pivotal intersection connecting capital to investment-grade opportunities in Kenya for sustained economic growth

    MOBILIST Programme Lead at the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Ross Ferguson, said:

    Public markets in Kenya and other African economies hold great untapped potential to mobilise the private capital the continent urgently needs to gain ground in addressing the SDGs and the severe impact of climate change. MOBILIST is proud to partner with the NSE in building a local capital market that can give the African firms working on these challenges access to the capital they need to grow.

    Notes for editors

    The UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership

    The UK-Kenya strategic partnership joint statement can be found here.

    About MOBILIST

    A flagship UK government programme, MOBILIST supports investment solutions that help deliver the climate transition and the United Nation’s Global Goals in developing economies. MOBILIST focuses on mobilising institutional capital to spur new scalable and replicable financial products. MOBILIST invests capital, delivers technical assistance, conducts research and builds partnerships to catalyse investment in new listed products.  www.mobilistglobal.com

    MOBILIST is a key part of the British Investment Partnerships (BIP) offer. BIP is a UK initiative which brings together the UK’s economic development and investment offer, and combines development finance, capital market mobilisation and export finance with the best of UK technical expertise, and a partnerships approach.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Buffer zones go live: a crucial day for reproductive rights

    Source: Scottish Greens

    24 Sep 2024 Health Buffer Zones

    Buffer zones will protect patients and staff from intimidation and harassment.

    More in Health

    The introduction of safe access zones, or ‘buffer zones’, to stop anti-choice protesters from targeting abortion service providers is a crucial day for healthcare and reproductive rights in Scotland, says Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay.

    The zones, which will go live today, were introduced as a result of Ms Mackay’s Safe Access Zones Scotland Act, which was passed in June with the support of 118 MSPs from across the Chamber.

    From today, there will be 200 metre wide safe access zones, or buffer zones, around abortion service providers to stop the intimidating anti-choice protests that have taken place across Scotland.

    Ms Mackay said: “This is a crucial day for reproductive rights and healthcare in Scotland. I hope that it will be the end of the intimidation and harassment we have seen of people who are accessing healthcare.

    “Right from the first moment I saw footage of the protests, I could see how much damage they were doing and how many people were being impacted by them. I knew that I had to do everything I could to stop them.

    “Over the days and weeks ahead, I will be working with the Scottish Government to ensure that patients and staff know where protesters can and can’t be so that they can report any activity that is against the law.

    “I am grateful to everyone who has supported the introduction of buffer zones, whether that is MSPs and Ministers or campaign groups like Back Off Scotland. I am particularly grateful to the many people who shared what I know were often difficult and traumatic stories with me. 

    “I hope that this is a turning point and the beginning of the end of the protests, and that nobody else will have to endure them.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Visa-free entry granted for Georgia

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Immigration Department announced today nationals of Georgia who are holders of valid diplomatic, official and ordinary passports may visit Hong Kong visa-free for a stay of up to 30 days starting from September 30.

    Noting that Georgia is along the Belt & Road, the department said the visa-free arrangement will provide travel convenience for visitors from Georgia and strengthen the tourism, cultural and economic ties between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Georgia.

    Currently, Hong Kong SAR passport holders may also visit Georgia visa-free for a stay of up to 30 days.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –